Tomb Raider: Legend

By Slim Dim

Disclaimer: I don't own Tomb Raider or any of its constituent parts they are the property of Edos (I think).

Overview: A tip from an old friend leads Lara into a race against time and a figure from her past for the grated treasure of all time. A noveliseation for the game Tomb Raider Legend, it will contain plot spoilers.

Preface

Croft Manor: August 18th 1990

"If the weather is too bad I don't want you to fly." Lord Richard Croft's voice cut through the thick silence that had descended upon the former Abingdon estate since the departure of his wife and daughter some 3 weeks ago.

He longed to hear his young daughter's shrill cry of excitement as she ran around the house hunting for the small shields he had concealed around the manor to keep her amused. "If you need to stay an extra night don't worry."

"I'm sure everything will be fine." Amelia's voice came down the phone line amongst the crackling of a bad connection. Her voice was muffled as though she was talking to someone else, then she was back. "They say we'll be fine but we have to go within the hour if we want to beat the weather." He could see her small smile down the phone.

"I don't like it." He grumbled.

"I've got to go love. See you soon." With that she hung up. Richard retuned the phone receiver to its cradle and turned to leave the library.

"Sir are you alright?" Winston the butler entered carrying a tray laden with tea things.

"It's just." Lord Croft began not knowing what to say, or how to say it. Winston was one of his oldest friends and confidant, it wasn't telling him that was the problem, it was how to say it, put his feelings into words, and he had never been good at that sort of thing. "I'm worried about them. It's probably nothing, I'm just being paranoid." He finally admitted.

"It just shows you care." Winston said setting the tray down the putting a comforting hand on Richards shoulder. "Perhaps some tea to clam your nerves?" He suggested pouring tow cups from the ornate tea pot, and the two old friends sat and sipped there tea as the night closed in around them.

Over Nepal: August 18th 1990

Strong cross winds beat at the small two engine plane as it made its way over the Himalayan Mountains. Its two occupants remained safe from the elements within the plush passenger section.

Amelia Croft pulled her daughter closer as the plane shook slightly.

"Yeti are just a myth aren't they love?" They had been looking through Lara's sketchbook, and had paused to discus one page that had three Yeti drawn on it.

"That's just because no one's ever found one!" Lara protested indignantly.

"Would you really want to, Yeti are rather fierce?" Amelia Croft asked her daughter.

"Oh no." The young girl assured her mother. "They only look fierce; you would to if you were cold all the time."

"You never have to be cold if you don't want to." Lady Croft hugged her daughter tighter.

In the cockpit Henry Reynolds turned to his co pilot. "What the…" He demanded just as emergency warning lights lit up over his panel. The co-pilot tried to radio in and report the engine malfunction as Mark worked franticly to get the cross feeds open and stabilise the plane.

Back in the aft compartment the two women were thrown from their seats. Lady Croft pulled herself toward the cabin. "What's happening?" She asked was shushed by the now frantic pilots.

"Mommy are we going to crash?" Lara Asked as Amelia buckled her into one of the seats.

"Not unless it's absolutely necessary." Lady Croft assured her daughter as she buckled herself in.

"It's no use!" The one of the pilots yelled. "I can't get them open! We're going full nose down!"

"Close your eyes daring." Amelia tolled her daughter. Whatever happened next she didn't want Lara to see it.

"But I don't want to!" Defiant to the last, it maid Amelia smile.

The plane hit the side of the Himalayan Mountain with a sickening thud followed by, silence. The whistled through the pass as snow was whipped from the mountainside.