A/N: And so the final third of the History Will Be Kind To Me trio has debuted at long last.
First things first, yes I'm working on From Lands Beyond. Right now actually. A huge chunk of it has been re-written (it flows much better and makes a hell of a lot more sense now) and I've spent the last few days at work fleshing out the chapter outlines all the way up until Chapter 23 (Thank You Google Docs). I just need to take the time now to polish up the chapter re-writes and properly start Chapter 5. Speaking of re-writes, the new and improved Chapter 2 will feature this story's protagonist in a small way, so keep your eyes peeled. Actually from now on From Lands Beyond, Tales From Arda, and The Road Goes Ever On will all be intertwined. Characters and story threads from one fic will show up in another. History Will Be Kind To Me is now the name of this big giant crossover universe of mine. Everything ties into everything so pay attention. ;)
History Will Be Kind To Me
The Road Goes Ever On
"They can keep their heaven. When I die, I'd sooner go to Middle Earth." - George R. R. Martin
01. Chicago, 2004 C.E.
Lucy did not die peacefully nor did she 'go quietly into that good night'.
She raged. Raged as only the dying can rage. Raged because she was twenty-five years old and she had so much more to do with her life. Raged because her life had been stolen from her just as it had begun. And so she did not lay back and accept the end. She grasped at her last breath with both hands and tugged, gulping and gasping as if she could keep it locked in her lungs by sheer force of will. And yet…even Lucy's stubbornness was no match for cancer.
Her vision was the first to go. Colors leached from the world and the faces of her loved ones blurred until they bled together completely. Their voices joined not long after, the ever-present din waning into nothingness leaving a silence so complete Lucy felt true fear. The pain was the last to leave and Lucy clung to it, she clung to it like a lifeline even as the rest of her senses failed her.
And so it was that Lucinda Baris died on a dreary Tuesday afternoon.
…But, as it happened…this was not the end…
In the Void, something beckoned.
It beckoned as a light would a moth. Come, it seemed to say. Be at peace. The Voice grew stronger, as if it were tugging at her soul.
Be at peace…
Be at peace…
Be at peace…
Except Lucy did not want to be at peace.
She wanted to live.
Far and away, a different light burned like a beacon in the darkness. Stubbornly, Lucy turned from the Voice and urged herself towards the Light…a light that turned into two…as Lucy rose to meet it a very different voice rang out, soothing her soul like a parent's caress…
Now what are you?
A/N: Think of this as more of a prologue than anything. The real story comes after this. This is just here to explain where Lucy came from, her major driving motivation, and how and why she ends up where she does later on.
Chapter Timeframe: March 16, 2004 - ?
Today in "Middle Earthean History, Culture, and Geography Notes AKA Stuff I Feel Like Talking About":
- The pseudo title of this chapter comes from the song Death Is the Road to Awe by Clint Mansell (which is absolutely breathtaking. Go listen to it).