A/N – Just a bit of fun and fantasy that came to mind. The title is from Dirty Paws by Of Monsters and Men. That whole album inspired me to write a fantasy story. This is purely for fun and I own nothing. I don't have a beta so all mistakes are mine, sorry. This is most likely a 3-shot.
And That's How the Story Goes
Chapter One
Brittany smiled at the sound of the front door opening. Her girls were home.
"Hey boo!" the tall blonde called as she heard her seven year old daughter's footsteps coming closer. She frowned when the girl didn't respond. Even the sound of her footfall was wrong. The usually happy, energetic girl was dragging her feet and as she rounded the corner, her shoulders were sagging.
Santana Lopez-Pierce shrugged with a worried expression as she followed their child into the kitchen were Brittany was preparing dinner. She met her wife's sky blue eyes, worry evident.
"Charlie? What's wrong boo? Bad first day at the new school?"
Charlotte just shrugged, attitude so similar to her Mama that Brittany had to smile. The family had just relocated to a new town for Santana's job and today had been the girl's first day in her new school. The girl continued quietly to her room leaving her mothers' gazing after her worriedly.
"She barely said a word the whole ride home." Santana said softly.
Brittany sighed and pulled her wife closer and wrapped an arm around her. "First days are always tough but she'll get used to it and have a ton of friends in no time."
The brunette burrowed into her wife's arms with a groan. "Do you think we did the right thing? I mean we were fine in New York. We didn't have to move just for this job. I freaking uprooted her whole life and turned it upside down. Some mother I am."
The blonde chuckled and squeezed the smaller woman in her arms. "Don't be such a drama-mama San. Her world isn't upside down. This is a vice president position Santana, you couldn't turn this down. It's a great opportunity! Charlie will be fine."
"Always the voice of reason." Santana replied with a wry smile. "What would I do without you?"
Brittany pulled back and smiled tenderly at her wife. She dropped a loving kiss to the smaller woman's forehead. "You'd probably both have gray hair and wrinkles from all your worrying. She's so much like you, our little Charlotte."
"Which is funny since you carried her."
Brittany chuckled again. "True, but there's no mistaking that 'Lima Heights' attitude our girl picked up from her hot tamale mama."
Santana finally laughed in return and rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah. So what's for dinner, smells amazing!"
"Oh, I don't know." The blonde replied with a shrug. "Just something I threw together. I think there's chicken in there…and rice and probably cheese."
Santana narrowed her eyes and glanced toward the dish that was cooling on the stovetop. "Didn't you cook it? And you don't know what's in it?"
Brittany waved her hand dismissively. "Recipes still suck. But it'll taste good. Everything will be ready in like five minutes. Go get our little sulking boo would you? Maybe we can get her to open up over chicken…or maybe turkey surprise. They taste the same."
Santana laughed and swatted her wife's ass with a wink before heading to round up their daughter for dinner.
xxxx
The meal passed painfully quietly. Charlotte was brooding and wouldn't say more than that she hated her new school and didn't have any friends because the other kids had been together all year already and she was coming in months late. It was clear she felt left out and lonely and even Brittany couldn't coax a smile out of the girl.
Later that evening Brittany poked her head into her daughter's room. "Time for bed boo. Did you brush your teeth yet?"
"Yes mom." The girl replied softly.
Brittany smiled tenderly and stepped inside the room. She perched lightly on the edge of Charlie's bed and helped situate the covers to tuck the girl in. "Ya know, boo, school really will get better. You'll get used to it and you'll make lots of friends. Just give it a little time."
"How do you know I will?" Charlie asked, her voice small and frightened. It made Brittany's heart ache.
"I just know it. Because I made friends…and your mama made friends. If we can do it anyone can. And I wasn't anywhere near as smart as you. You'll be fine."
Charlie sighed and slid deeper under the covers. She clearly was not convinced.
Brittany sighed in return and reached to brush her daughter's dark locks from her forehead. "Tell you what…how about I tell you a story, to take your mind off school?"
Bright blue eyes blinked up at her mother and Charlie nodded slightly. Brittany smiled and scooted up against the headboard and wrapped an arm around her daughter.
"Have I ever told you the story of the brave champion Santana in a faraway land?"
Charlie quirked a brow and looked wholly unconvinced as she stared up at her mother. Brittany once again found herself chuckling at how similar that look was to Santana.
"I'll take that as a no." The blonde replied with a squeeze. "Well, once upon a time there was a beautiful girl named Santana-"
"And let me guess, she lived in some magical fairy land." Charlotte interrupted.
"Well no, not at first." Brittany replied, unfazed. "But I'm getting to that, don't rush me."
Charlotte sighed and settled against her mother and listened as the story began.
xxxx
"Alright you worthless sacks of flesh and silicone!" Sue Sylvester bellowed through her megaphone. "The sight of your incompetence is turning my stomach. Get out of my sight!"
The weary group of cheerleaders collapsed onto the ground in exhaustion. Santana Lopez and Becky Johnson were the only two to remain standing. As co captains they had to maintain their tough demeanor or else their position at the top could be threatened. But they too were panting when the coach finally let them end practice for the day.
"Fuck me that was terrible." Santana muttered. "I think we just set the record for how many suicides you can run and still survive."
"I don't want to fuck you sandbags." Becky replied.
Santana rolled her eyes and wearily began the trek back to the locker room for her belongings. Once she finally gathered her things she glanced around, realizing her chemistry book was missing.
"Hey bitches, any of you seen my chemistry book?"
The other girls muttered no or shook their heads. Santana groaned at the further delay in her escape. She realized she must have left it in Coach Sylvester's office during their pre-practice meeting. With a sigh, the brunette shouldered her bag and headed off toward the coach's office. She crossed her fingers that both the door would be unlocked and that Sue wouldn't actually be around. Santana couldn't stand the thought of any more suicides or wind sprints for her lack of responsibility.
Santana squared her shoulders as she stood outside of the office. She willed her hand not to shake as she raised it to knock on the office door. When no sound met her ear, she knocked again. Santana reached and turned the knob, a sigh of relief escaping when it turned easily in her hand.
She pushed open the door and stepped into the dark office. Santana didn't dare turn on a light for fear of alerting someone to her presence. Coach Sylvester would actually sacrifice her on a flaming altar if she realized Santana had snuck into her office.
The girl glanced around quickly hoping to locate her text book. Suddenly, a soft green glow coming from under the coach's desk caught her eye. Santana rounded the desk and her eyes widened at the sight of the light seemingly seeping up from the floor boards under the desk. The glow was mesmerizing and Santana found herself oddly drawn to it.
She reached her hand out toward the light. Her fingers grazed the green glow and she felt a warmth flood up her arm. Santana raised her hand and stared at her fingers. Even after pulling them from the light, they continued to glow and warmth pulsed pleasantly up her arm.
She glanced back to the floor and a lever caught her eye. Santana narrowed her eyes and reached back into the light and pulled. A door of sorts opened and she felt her breath catch as the green light exploded, blinding her. It was the last thing she remembered.
xxxx
Santana felt her senses slowly returning. Her head felt heavy and foggy. And she was cold. But the overwhelming sensation was that of something jabbing her in the side. She opened her eyes with a groan and blinked, willing her vision to stop swimming.
She was met by the brightest pair of blue eyes she had ever seen leaning over her, the face upside down from where she was sprawled on the ground. Santana pushed herself up into a seated position and the blue eyed girl took a step back, eyeing her suspiciously.
The girl was tall and slender even though she was covered by a thick fur cloak. Her long blonde hair was pulled back away from her face with thin braids draping over her shoulders, the rest free flowing. The sight of her pointed ears had Santana quirking a brow. In the girls hands was a tall staff. A staff that the blonde used to unceremoniously jab into Santana's side once again.
"Ow!" The brunette hissed. "That hurts!"
"What creature are you?" The blonde girl asked, once again poking Santana, this time in the leg.
"What creature?" Santana sputtered. "What the fuck do you think I am? And quick poking me with that damn stick. Who the fuck are you?"
The other girl once again jabbed Santana with the stick, ignoring her words completely. The brunette jumped to her feet and turned to the face the taller girl. "I swear to God, if you touch me with that stick one more time I'll-" the girl swiftly poked Santana once again. "Ow!"
"You will yell?" the blonde replied calmly. "Not very impressive. What creature?"
Santana was too taken aback to respond and the blonde narrowed her eyes but put the staff back to the ground and leaned against it. She eyed the brunette curiously, her lips pursed. "I say you are too tall for a dwarf…too short for an elf and your ears are wrong…not hairy enough for a hobbit. Not ugly enough for a troll-"
"The fuck…" Santana mumbled. "You trippin'?"
The girl cocked her head to the side, still eyeing Santana curiously, before dropping her gaze to her feet. She lifted first one and then the other before shaking her head with a goofy grin. "No tripping."
Santana finally tore her gaze from the other girl and turned to take in her surroundings. Snow was covering the ground in a thick blanket and she once again felt a shiver tear through her. She was immediately relieved that she had at least put on her windbreaker pants after Cheerios practice. It appeared she was deep in the middle of some snowy forest.
"Well?" The girl asked, bringing Santana's attention back to her. "What creature are you? Are you a good creature or a bad creature?"
Santana scowled and wrapped her arms around herself hoping to ward off the bite of the cold air. "Seriously, are you crazy or something? I'm human what else? Where the fuck am I anyway?"
"A human?" The blonde whispered in awe. "A real human?"
The brunette smirked at the look on the girl's face and felt some of her confidence returning. "Well, mostly real." She replied, gesturing to her own chest briefly.
The girl once again cocked her head to the side and Santana couldn't help but think she resembled a rather adorable puppy. That thought faded when she caught sight of a short sword on the girl's hip. She also had a bow and quiver of arrows over her shoulder.
"I have never met a real human." The blonde said softly. "You must be a hero warrior…human. Why have you come here?"
"How about you tell me where the hell I am and I'll try to figure out why I'm here, deal?" Santana snapped, rubbing her arms for warmth.
"This land is Ottengard…my home." She stated with a nod. "And you should have worn warmer garments…it is cold here now that winter has been thrust upon us from the northern witch."
"Yeah no shit." The brunette muttered, only half listening to the other girl's words. "I'm fucking freezing. And if I had known I was coming here I would have dressed for it! What do you think I'm stupid or something? Ottengard…is that in West Virginia because it sure doesn't sound like Ohio. How the hell did I end up in West Virginia?"
The blonde blushed and dropped her gaze to the ground. "A human virgin from the west. Welcome to Ottengard. Virgins are most honored. You must come back to the castle with me! Quinn will want to greet you formally. You will be our honored guest. Come!"
The matter was settled in the blonde's mind as she quickly turned on her heel and marched off in the opposite direction. Santana whimpered slightly and quickly glanced around. She did not want to follow the obviously crazy girl but she also did not want to be left alone in the forest either. She squared her shoulders and then set off through the snow after the odd blonde girl.
xxxx
After what seemed like hours, the girl finally stopped walking. Santana was certain she would die from hypothermia within the hour but she kept quiet. She stood shivering next the blonde as the taller girl eyed her once again. Without a word, the blonde untied her thick fur cloak and pulled it from her shoulders. She stepped closer to Santana and then draped it around the smaller girl.
"Thanks." Santana mumbled, pulling the cloak tightly around her. "What's your name anyway?"
The blonde dropped to a log and began to dig through a pack that had been concealed under her cloak. She pulled out a smaller leather pouch and opened it to reveal a small chunk of bread and what appeared to be dried meat. Santana's stomach rumbled at the sight. The blonde glanced up at the sound and chuckled.
"I am Brittany of the Ottengards." She replied. She halved the bread and reached one half toward the other girl. Santana took the bread with a nod, not having realized just how hungry she was. She timidly sat next the other girl.
"Brittany of the Ottengards…is this…place named after you?"
The blonde smiled again and shook her head. "Not me. My family yes. My cousin Quinn of the Ottengards is ruler here. She is wise and wonderful. You must meet her."
Santana rubbed her head, fairly certain she was losing her mind. She had somehow woken up in a fairy land with a delusional blonde as her guide. But still, she couldn't help but be grateful. She surely would have frozen to death without the other girl.
"And you? What is your name human virgin from the west?"
Santana choked slightly as she bit into the bread. "Santana…my name's Santana. And can you drop that whole virgin bit? It's not exactly true."
"You're not from the west?"
The brunette sighed and glanced up at the sky wearily as if looking for a way to make sense to the obviously dense girl. "I'm from Lima Heights and I never thought I would say this, but I really want to go back there."
"Lima Heights." The blonde repeated, the words sounding foreign to her. "Is that in some western region where the mountains climb higher than the clouds?"
Santana glanced sideways at the other girl, her voice full of awe and wonder. This girl was definitely on something…or crazy. And Santana was left to her mercy.
xxxx
Brittany smiled as she stood from Charlotte's bed. The girl had finally drifted off to sleep. The tall blonde turned and smiled at the sight of Santana leaning against the doorframe, also smiling. When Brittany joined her at the door, the two both gazed back at their daughter lovingly. They finally then turned and headed for their own room.
"I remember when you first told me that story." Santana said softly. "We were just kids. And I'm pretty sure I was in my converse sneakers and my jeans were ripped at the knees instead of my Cheerio uniform when I first landed there."
Brittany chuckled. "Well, the Cheerio uniform didn't show up until the story had grown up with us. Maybe I should have told her a new version."
"No." Santana replied immediately. "No, it's a good story babe."
The two smiled at each other before gently helping each other prepare for bed.
xxxx
"Mom, what happened to Santana?" Charlotte asked the next morning around a mouthful of chocolate cereal. "Did she go with Brittany to see Queen Quinn? Did she ever go back to Lima Heights?"
Brittany and Santana both chuckled. "I tell you what," the blonde replied. "If you talk to one classmate today, just one, and try to make friends, I'll tell you more of the story tonight. What do you think boo?"
The girl sighed as she mulled over her options. Talking to any of those other kids did not sound like something she wanted to do. But she did want to hear more of the story. Her mom told the best stories. Mama said it was because she had a smart imagination.
Charlotte sighed again. "Ok. But just one."
Brittany smiled and clapped enthusiastically. "That's our girl! Now come on, let's get going. You're going to be late."
Santana hopped up from the table as well when Charlotte rushed to finish gathering her things for school. Brittany pulled her wife close and the two kissed slowly. "Have a good day at work doing all those smart Vice President things."
The brunette grinned shyly and nodded. "I love you babe. Have a good day."
"You too."
The blonde waved at them as they left together. Until Charlie was more accustomed to her new school Santana insisted on taking the girl to school every morning herself. Brittany had to convince her that walking her right to her classroom door every morning would be a bit extreme and might cause the other kids to poke fun at her. Santana had reluctantly agreed.
Brittany spent her day looking at various properties for rent. Santana was encouraging her to open her own dance studio instead of just teaching at someone else's as she had done in New York. The blonde was wary but had agreed to at least look at different spaces.
Finally, at the end of the day, Brittany smiled once again as she heard her family arriving home. She had opted for takeout since she hadn't been home long herself. Charlotte once again came in less excited than her parents were accustomed to but in decidedly better spirits than the day before.
As soon as they sat down at the table to eat, Charlie immediately began to question about the story again. Brittany chuckled.
"Did you keep up your side of the bargain today?"
Charlie scowled, once again showing an uncanny resemblance to Santana. "I talked to this one girl. She smelled funny. But she let me eat lunch with her and her two friends."
"Well there ya go, now you have three friends instead of just one!" Brittany exclaimed happily. "Good for you boo!"
"So," Charlie insisted, "tell me what happened next!"
"Yeah Britt," Santana said with a loving smile, "Tell us what happens next!"
xxxx
The sun was sinking low when the two travelers stopped again. Santana huddled close to the fire Brittany built, still draped in the thick fur cloak. If the blonde felt the chill since giving up her garment she didn't show it.
Brittany produced a handful of nuts and berries for each of them to eat. Santana rubbed her head wearily, beginning to convince herself that she had finally collapsed from exhaustion during Cheerio's practice. Sue Sylvester had finally either killed her or driven her to delirium. That could be the only logical explanation for the situation she now found herself in.
"So Santana, virgin human from the heights of the west, what brings you to Ottengard? Have you come to put an end to our war?"
The brunette rolled her eyes as her title seemed to grow in length every time the strange blonde addressed her. "For fuck's sake, would you just call me Santana? Drop all that other shit."
Brittany shrugged, seemingly unfazed by the other girl's grumpiness. "Is there a thistle bug in your britches? They make me cranky as well. They sting worse than a brumble pine prickle."
Santana stared blankly back at the girl before simply shaking her head and turning back to the fire. The blonde shrugged again, content to leave the other girl to her silence. Finally Santana's confusion and boredom got the best of her.
"So." The brunette finally said after clearing her throat awkwardly. "What 'creature' are you?"
Brittany looked at her as if she were the strangest thing she had ever crossed. In truth she was. "I am elven." She replied as if it were obvious.
"Elven…like an elf?" Santana asked incredulously. "Like an honest to God, Lord of the Rings, pointy eared elf?"
Brittany blinked back at the girl, once again tilting her head to the side as if to better study the odd girl she had stumbled across. "We are the noblest of Ottengard's creatures. We have been in existence since the dawn of time. With the other creatures of course. But the other clans are not so regal and usually are smelly, trolls and hobbits in particular."
Santana couldn't help but chuckle at the animated way her companion spoke. At Santana's lightened mood, the blonde also smiled. "Humans are very pretty…not at all as we were taught in our fairy tales."
"You tell fairy tales of humans?" Santana asked with another chuckle. "Because where I come from, elves and dwarves are the fairy tales. Let me guess, you have talking animals too?"
"Of course, don't you?" Brittany responded immediately.
Santana stared back at the girl, unsure whether she should believe her words or not. If she were actually dreaming or suffering from some head injury, talking animals might yet appear so Santana decided not to question further. The blonde's previous words settled then and Santana smirked.
"And not all humans are as awesome as me. I'm what we call, a hot piece of ass."
Brittany smiled mischievously. "Yet you shiver in your impractical garments. Santana, human virgin from the heights of the west, hot piece of ass."
Santana laughed at the blonde's teasing, something she found herself questioning in her mind. She owned the hallways of her high school and if anyone dared tease her they would receive a tongue lashing they wouldn't soon forget. And that would be just the beginning. But Brittany's playful innocence was almost endearing. And Santana did have the common sense to be grateful to the blonde for her assistance.
It wasn't until well into the night that the brunette noticed Brittany was indeed suffering from giving up her cloak. The blonde had remained awake to keep the fire burning warmly while Santana slept comfortably wrapped in the warm fur. She woke to see the taller girl shivering and bouncing her legs to generate warmth. She also had one arm tightly wrapped around herself while she poked at the fire with the other.
"Hey." Santana croaked, her voice thick with sleep. "You're cold. Do you want your dead animal back?"
Brittany glanced to the side where Santana was laying and eyed her curiously once again.
"Your fur cape thing, do you want it back?" Santana asked to clarify.
Understanding dawned on the blonde then and she shook her head. "My garments are warmer than your own. And you should keep those bright colors covered. We don't want to attract the spotted snow leopards. They hate bright colors. I think it is because the Creator made them so plain in color. They are jealous I do believe."
Santana swallowed thickly. "Wild animals? I just assumed you were friends with everything. Are we safe out here?"
Brittany smiled back at her new friend. "Safe as a piglet in cabbage."
"That makes no fucking sense." The brunette mumbled. "But you're still cold. Come on, we can share, this thing is huge."
She opened her arms in an invitation to the blonde and Brittany stared back at her as if suddenly unsure of herself.
"Oh come on." Santana continued around a yawn. "I won't bite I promise. What good are you to me if you freeze to death? Then I'll never figure out how to get home."
Brittany finally nodded and timidly slipped beneath the thick fur cloak with Santana. She made certain they were close enough that she could still prod the fire if it began to die down. Santana curled against the taller girls back, already slipping back into slumber with the pleasant extra warmth Brittany provided.
xxxx
In the morning Santana's eyes fluttered open. She was pleasantly warm and quite comfortable. It was then that she realized she was curled up on Brittany's chest, their arms wrapped around each other tightly. Brittany felt the girl stir and tighten her hold. She also buried her face in Santana's neck, nuzzling contentedly.
"Good morning strange one." The blonde said blearily.
Normally Santana would have shoved the other girl away but she found herself strangely comfortable. Her sleepy mind began to clear and her companion's words registered. "You think I'm the strange one? You think you're an elf…and have you seen your ears?"
"I am an elf and my ears are those of an elf." Brittany stated evenly. "I am sorry your ears are so small…how do you hear anything?"
Santana chuckled and reluctantly pulled out of the other girl's embrace. Brittany sat up and rubbed her eyes. The brunette smiled and reached to dislodge a few strands of hair that had managed to stick to the blonde's cheek in her slumber. Brittany met her gaze and smiled sweetly. Santana felt her breath catch at the sparkle in those sea blue eyes. She swallowed thickly and moved away, clearing her throat awkwardly.
"Well, how much further do we have to walk today? Through the Shire and past the Wizard's Keep?"
Brittany initially frowned as Santana put distance between them but she quickly rolled her eyes and smirked. "The Shire is not on the way to the castle and the Keep is not in this region at all. For a hero come to save us you do not know your way around very well."
Santana then remembered the blonde's words from the night before, about the war. "Ya know, Britt-Britt, I think you have the wrong idea about me. I'm no hero, I just woke up here. And I definitely do not want anything to do with a war. This face is far too pretty to get mangled in some war for middle earth."
"An unwilling hero…all the better." Brittany responded cheerfully. She then gracefully stood to her feet and stretched her lanky limbs. Santana just watched her as she set about preparing for the day. The blonde disappeared into the woods briefly but returned before the brunette could begin to worry. She had in her hands another portion of berries and nuts for a quick breakfast.
After they had finished eating, Brittany once again stood to her feet. "We will be in Ottengard's throne room by late afternoon if we hurry. Come."
Santana once again had to scramble to her feet and rush to keep up with the blonde. She was still draped in the thick fur and the morning seemed to have chased the evening chill away from Brittany. The brunette prided herself in her excellent physical condition but the cold, coupled with the thick snow she was forced to trudge through, left Santana struggling to keep up with her companion.
The sun was high in the sky when the blonde finally came to a stop. She was barely even breathing heavily but she could hear Santana struggling behind her.
"I am tired. I must rest."
Brittany plopped to the ground and whistled as she gazed up into the sky, ignoring Santana as she panted for breath.
"Don't-don't stop on my account…we've got a Queen to meet."
The blonde quirked a brow and smirked. "Would you like to race there little human? It is only over that mountain ridge and down the other side through the valley."
Santana collapsed next to the blonde on the ground, the gray plume of her breath circling as she panted. "I'm sorry, I'm not used to climbing mountains through a foot of snow with a bear on my back. You want me to stand at the top of a pyramid of sixteen cheerleaders and land perfectly from a triple flip, I'm your girl. And put me on an Astroturf track and I can out sprint anyone."
"Your words make no sense to my ears. But I believe you are a champion in your land and you will be in mine."
"Damn straight." Santana muttered.
The two sat in companionable silence while the brunette rested. Brittany tapped her lightly with the toe of her fur covered boot and nodded to where across the path a large hare had hopped into view. Santana stilled even her breathing and watched as the hare's nose twitched and it stood on its hind legs, glancing around in all directions, its eyes wide. Finally, it hopped across the path and stopped mere feet from them. It seemed to be eyeing Santana up and down.
"Rest easy Lady Emma." Brittany said softly. "She is a friend. She is to be our hero. This is Santana, from a faraway land who has instructed me not to refer to her as the human virgin from the heights of the west, hot piece of ass."
Santana groaned at the revived title. "Brittany-"
"I am most welcome to make your acquaintance." The hare stated politely. "We have told stories of your coming for ages!"
Santana squeaked as the hare spoke. Her jaw dropped and she could only stare as the animal scurried on its way. "Holy shit…talking animals. I have a concussion…that's it…I must have a head injury."
Brittany jumped from where she was sitting and grabbed the brunette by the shoulders, turning her so they were eye to eye. "Are you unwell? When did you injure yourself?"
"No." Santana replied. "Yes…I don't know! That was a talking rabbit! I must be fucking crazy or have a head injury-"
"Oh that." Brittany sighed in relief. "That is nothing. Emma speaks all the time. In fact she does tend to prattle on when her nerves get the best of her. You are well then?"
Santana rubbed her temple wearily but nodded. "I'm fine. I'm losing my fucking mind but I'm fine…talking animals, elves…I woke up in a strange place and I don't know how to get home…"
The blonde scooted closer to Santana and draped an arm around her, pulling her close. "Do not fret. We will be with Quinn soon. She will know what to do. She can help you, I know it!"
Santana continued to sniffle slightly and wiped at her eyes. She nodded finally, the blonde's strong arm around her shoulders grounding her. She finally calmed a short time later and the two once again set off for the castle.
xxxx
Finally, late in the afternoon, the pair stepped out of the forest into a large clearing. The sight that met Santana's eye left her breathless. Brittany smiled broadly at the sight of her home.
A castle rose high in the distance, surrounded by a large village. The castle itself was the most beautiful sight Santana could ever remember seeing. White marble stretched toward the heavens as far as the eye could see against the breathtaking backdrop of the mountains. The village itself was nestled in the foothills, surrounded by a high palisade protecting both the village and the castle.
"Fuck me…" Santana whispered at the sight.
"Come; that is home." Brittany said excitedly.
Santana once again had to rush to keep up with the taller girl as she strode toward her home.
When they reached the outer gate a short time later the vast doors parted for Brittany and a welcoming shout greeted them. Brittany merely nodded with a smile and continued through the open gate and into the city.
The village was teeming with activity. The market was open and any goods that could be imagined were available for purchase. Chickens and goats were penned and also available for purchase. Santana had never seen a place so busy. Brittany reached and took her hand so they would not be separated in the masses.
Finally, the two broke away from the crowds and made their way up to the gates of the castle. Armed guards stood blocking their path until the blonde came closer. As soon as they recognized Brittany they parted and the large gates slowly crept open.
They crossed a marble bridge with a stream running beneath it to the main castle gates. They too were guarded but were immediately opened when Brittany motioned. Santana could only follow dumbfounded as she tried to take in her surroundings. White marble was everywhere, with gold embellishments. She had never seen anything so grand.
The brunette followed Brittany right into the throne room where large crowds were currently gathered. The noise of the room was overwhelming as shouts of the people sounded from all four corners. Santana's eyes widened when she caught sight of the throne at the far end of the room. She barely noticed when the crowds parted as Brittany confidently strode toward the woman seated on the throne raised high on a platform.
The throne itself was gold and red, high backed, shining brilliantly as the sunlight caught it where it filtered in from the skylights in the ceiling. Upon the throne sat a regal blonde, her long golden hair shimmering under the golden crown upon her head. Her gown was white with blue and gold embellishments. The Queen smiled when she saw her cousin approaching.
"Brittany! At last you have returned. Finally a rest from this talk of dragons and war."
Brittany also smiled but bowed low in respect. "My Queen. I am glad to be home."
"And you are a most welcome sight."
"Thank you my lady." Brittany replied, once again standing at her full height. "I have brought with me a most honored guest. Santana, a human hero from the western heights."
The queen eyed her curiously. She finally nodded. "If she be a friend of our cousin then she is a friend of ours. I will meet with her after the counsel."
Brittany nodded her acknowledgement and she stepped to the side, motioning Santana to join her. The brunette was too in awe to do more than to follow.
The crowds gathered in the throne room then began to shout again and the Queen sighed. It seemed the townsfolk all had a similar complaint. There was a dragon on the loose that was wreaking havoc upon their crops and lands.
"It must be stopped!"
"You must do something!"
"We need a champion!"
The Queen looked troubled as she heard complaint after complaint. This dragon had plagued the outlying villages and farms under the command of the witch of the north, the Sorceress Sue'zana.
The villagers continued to yell and insist on retribution for their losses until Brittany couldn't stand it any longer.
"We have a champion!" She exclaimed as she stepped forward once again. The crowds quieted as the Queen's cousin ascended the platform toward the throne, pulling Santana behind her. "Santana, human hero from the heights of the western region will be our champion!"
Santana's jaw dropped once again. "Say what?"
Brittany was undeterred as she continued. "She is the one we have been waiting for! She is the one we have sung the tales of old about. She is our hero and will free our land of this plague!"
The Queen looked wholly unconvinced. "Brittany…we know nothing of this stranger."
"She is the one!" Brittany insisted. "I found her in the forest as the story foretold. She is from another realm. Santana, the virgin from the western heights, a human, will climb to the highest heights and obtain a lime and slay our dragon! It has been foretold!"
As the crowds began to cheer Santana felt a shiver of fear run down her spine. She jerked the tall blonde slightly and hissed into her ear. "What the fuck are you doing? I told you I'm not champion…I can't kill a dragon!"
"Don't worry." Brittany whispered. "I am certain it is only a title and not a real dragon."
Santana was not convinced. The crowd continued to cheer and chant for Santana their champion to speak. Quinn finally silenced them with a wave of her hand.
"Brittany. Are you certain of what you speak?"
The tall blonde squared her shoulders and nodded confidently to her Queen. "I am. So certain that I will be her second."
The Queen paled slightly and stood to her feet.
Brittany spoke again before the ruler could voice her concerns. "She is the one and I will accompany her to the lair of the dragon. We will return with proof of its slaying. Santana is our champion my Queen, I feel it in my bones."
Santana eyed both the Queen and Brittany as they stood gazing at each other. The blonde on the throne's resolve faded at the eagerness she saw on her cousin's face. Worry was still evident on the ruler's features but she nodded, silencing all within the grand hall.
"So be it. Brittany of Ottengard…accompany your hero, Santana the virgin from the western heights into the north and slay our dragon. A wealth beyond your imagination awaits you upon your return."
The crowd in the hall erupted into a mighty cheer at the decree from their Queen. Brittany smiled proudly while Santana merely stood, still trying to gather her senses. She finally clutched the blonde's arm once again.
"Just the two of us then…off to kill a dragon. Are you fucking crazy?"
Brittany's brow knit in confusion at the brunette's words. "Do you think we may need another? I could ask my cousin Samuel to accompany us."
Santana just groaned and shook her head. And just that easily she found herself a champion in a foreign land off to slay a dragon.
The kingdom gave them a sendoff fit for heroes. They were both clothed in the finest leather and fur to keep them safe from the elements as they journeyed north into the barren land of the witch and her dragon. Santana was also fitted with weapons similar to Brittany's even though she repeatedly protested that she had no idea of how to wield them. The townsfolk all assumed she was simply being modest.
The two then set off into the wilderness. The townsfolk were cautiously optimistic while the Queen watched them go from her balcony, worry evident across her features. Brittany was cheerful and proud while Santana was determined to find an escape from this delusion as soon as possible.