Alternate Endings
Chapter 1
From Dusk to a Different Dawn
By: Deep Shadows & MotheroftheHorde

Part 1 - Dusk


Blane was worried, she couldn't attack while holding the monster off, and she was getting tired. When it had first appeared she tried to lose it. No matter were she went it followed, leaving a path of destruction behind them. All straight foward attacks either bounced off its heavily armored body or were ignored. When it finally attacked her, she was resting in what she thought was a safe place. In the quick battle that followed, Blane realized her attacks were useless against it. She was sure it was a creation, and whoever or whatever had made this thing, it had been tailored to fight her, to work against her weaknesses and strengths. After a few futile exchange of blows, it had shattered one of her swords and knocked the other out of her hand. In an intense hand-to-claw battle, it was clear that her normal mode of thinking wasn't going to work; it was time to think outside the box. Flipping over the beast, using its own wing as leverage, she unfurled her own wings. As it reared back, she twisted her body around and managed to lock her legs around its belly, and entangling her wings in its wings, holding them back. One arm was wrapped around its neck, holding her body tight to its chest, while the other elbow was thrust under its chin to keep its jaws from biting her head off, thus putting her in the only relatively safe spot This worked because whoever had made this didn't think she would do something as stupid as hang on to it. Any magical, or energy attack it used on her affected it as well, so long as she stayed locked on its body. It obviously didn't like the taste of its own medicine. Unfortunately for her, it wasn't harmed by its own attacks as mush as she was. The legs couldn't do more than superficial damage to her back, but she was still losing blood. That was bad because she was tiring quickly. The construct was immensely strong, but luckily it was impatient for the kill; so instead of waiting her out, it tried its hardest to smash through things such as walls, trees, mountains, trying to wipe her off like the burr she was. Under its chin right about where her head was tucked there was a spot about one inch square big without armor. She still had her knife, but couldn't get to it and couldn't change her grip without being killed and she knew it, and it knew it as well. "help." The quiet gasp was all she had air for. The creature began to thrash and twist in an attempt to dislodge her. Blane held on, twisting them 'sidewhens and sideweres' when they hit things, trying to lessen the damage she was taking.

After one such twist, they smashed through a wall, over the sound of the creature slamming her against the floor, she could hear that a Voice called out "STOP". The creature froze as icy shadows flowed over them both. In that frozen minute, Blane extended her personal time. The creature was pulled into her extended time, but it couldn't move against the darkness as she could, so it could only watch in fear as she slowly killed it, or so she hoped. It took four hours to force her hand against the clingy darkness holding her to get to her hand on her knife, all that time it felt as if the flesh was being stripped off her bones. Whatever this power effecting the construct was, it was enough to give her a shred of hope for survival. All the while as she struggled against the outside force she prayed the creature would not break free of it as she had. Four more hours were used to push the knife less than 3 feet, sweating and gasping with the effort. Forty-five minutes more to slowly thrust her knife up into the soft spot under its chin. Another hour of twisting the knife into its throat as its scalding blood burned like acid on her own wounds. She kept pushing until it shuddered and went limp in the shadowy darkness' embrace.

Slowing herself back down to normal time, she pulled herself away from the now dead construct; its death throws were now long past. The icy blackness faded away as she struggled to stand straight up, unwilling to face a power that could create a force like that darkness on her knees. Slowly, her surroundings came into focus. It was a large, well appointed room with a large bed as the centerpiece. Piercing blue eyes with wisps of darkness fading out of them caught her attention from the being in the bed. Power, yes, but with no intent of harm. Not exactly safe, but not in immediate danger, it was enough. Pulling her wings in tight and succumbing to exhaustion, she fell to the floor, blood oozing from her multiple wounds.

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It was a comfortable afternoon, just right for a nap. Artimis was propped up in her bed, leaning her head back against the plush pillows; her long silver hair splayed around her. Her nurse, Melody, granddaughter of her dear friend Hailey, had just left to go chase after her small one who had come crying into the room. Her wrists were aching, that would mean there would be another rainstorm. She ignored it and was just about to go from dozing to a much deeper sleep when there was a loud crash in her room. Old auror reflexes kicked in as she looked up quickly, thinking it was the deatheaters coming for her. What she saw made her think that maybe Mel had given her just a little to much medicine to help her sleep.

There was a large beast, wings and all, in her bedroom and it seemed to be fighting with a woman with wings. The woman was bloody and seemed to only be barely holding on to what ever it was she was fighting. Pulling her energy to her, she reached out with her shadows and spoke with all the grand motherly dominance she had in her. "Stop."

Now that action would have stopped a many a people in their tracks, seeing as she could hold them still with a mere act of will, but this woman took that particular second in time to move about a bit, drawing a dagger and lodging it in the throat of the massive creature she was wrapped around. Now she knew she was seeing things. No one had ever kept moving once she wanted them to stop, except her partner-in-crime and dearly departed sister, Alexis. Artimis sat up straight in her bed, looking at the black-skinned woman now panting as she straightened to a full height, which was slightly above her father's height. To Artimis, there was a sense of something dark to her, not entirely evil, just dark. The woman looked around the room with intent to find out where she was. She looked at Artimis and Artimis knew that look on her face as she tucked her wings in and collapsed to the floor.

"MEL!" Artimis yelled, knowing better than to try herself to get out of bed. What she didn't realize is all the noise had the whole family coming up in arms to her room with the intent to 'protect grandma'. They all stopped in their tracks at the large slain monster at the foot of their grandmothers bed and the what looked to be dead black woman.

"Melody, quickly, get her on the sofa and get her some healing." Artimis ordered, pointing a pale wrinkled finger at the woman on the floor.

"Andrina, help her move her. Zander you too." Artimis spoke to her grandchildren, seeing to the fact that the woman got some healing.

Artimis had known that look, it was the look of "I'm bloody, im sore and all I want is some sleep." It reminded Artimis of what she looked like as a young adult and she had seen that look in the mirror many times.

She couldn't quite get out of bed to see what was going on so she nagged her grandchildren constantly.

"Is she breathing? Why don't you put a bandage on that? You know, if you clean the wound first it doesn't get infected. Yes, I know you went to three years of medi-wizardry, but im older and you have to listen to me."

Her grandchildren just nodded as they went about doing it THEIR way, which made her bug them more. After they were done Artimis decided she had done enough for one interval of conscieness and laid her head back down for a light nap. Artimis had demanded that they not move the woman from the room; not wanting to leave their 'feeble' grandmother alone with a strange person and a smoking disintegrating mass of monster, Melody was sitting on the other side of the room in Artimis's rocking chair, wand in hand. Artimis had heard them whispering on whether or not they should drug her and remove the woman for interrogation, but one stern grandma look had cured those thoughts.

It was half an hour later, when there was movement from the sofa. Artimis heard the quickened breath as her company awoke and Artimis snapped her eyes open as the woman snapped into a defensive position, trying assess if she was in danger. What Artimis forgot about was that Mel was a little trigger happy. The young brunette stood and threw a Full Body Hold spell at the woman as her eyes rolled into the back of her head and she fell over, the spell missing her by a foot.

"Melody, darling, she's a fighter, that was defense, not offense, she was going into." Artimis spoke, quietly explaining to her thirty-four year old great granddaughter like she was a small child. She did it because she knew it made them mad.

"Are you alright there, dear?" Artimis asked, turning to the woman collapsed on the floor. She looked as if she was trying to watch both Artimis and her granddaughter, though she was more focused on Mel.

"It's alright, She was just worried you were going to hurt me." Artimis spoke softly to the woman who seemed more focused on her. Getting to her feet gingerly, the woman smiled at her.

"Hi there, I'm Blane. Sorry, I seem to be bleeding on your floor." The tall, now named, women's voice though a bit raw, was rich, melodious, the voice of a trained speaker. Artimis chuckled at the obvious attempt to lighten the mood.

"That's quite alright, dear, the rug already got up and moved himself away from the blood and gore." She stated, gesturing to the tiger skin that was hunched like a live tiger in the corner, glaring at the carcass steaming in the center of the room. Blane looked slightly startled as Artimis mentioned this, trying her best to split her eyes into four so she could watch Artimis, Mel, the rug and the carcass. Artimis had no doubts now, that the woman before her was a fighter of some sort.

"My granddaughter had no intention of hurting you, nor do I. And I assure you this house is quite safe, so you can relax. My granddaughter will go get you some fresh bandages." Artimis spoke, gesturing for Mel to leave the room.

"But Grandma Artimis!" Mel protested and Artimis fixed a shadowed gaze upon her.

"Melody Anita Billord, you will do as you were asked. Get our guest some fresh bandages." Artimis stated sternly and Mel, walked out of the room warily, watching the strange woman out of the corner of her eye.

Blane spoke up quietly, raising her hand in the air. "May I have some food too?" By that time Mel had already left so Artimis clapped twice, summoning her house elf to her.

The small creature looked up at her with a smile.

"Yes Mistress Artimis?" Tabby asked and Artimis smiled.

"I have a hungry guest, could you please bring up something from the kitchens for her. She looks like she might have an appetite like Mistress Alexis did, so make sure you bring some well cooked meat." Artimis spoke and with a snap of the small elf's fingers, she was gone.

"Don't mind me for being rude, it comes with being old, but where are your wings?" Artimis asked turning her attention to her guest. Blane looked at her in the eyes with a sense of 'I have no idea what you are talking about' and stated questioningly. "Wings?"

Artimis nodded in understanding, it was not something this stranger felt comfortable mentioning, so therefore Artimis would drop the subject.

"What was that thing?" Artimis asked, looking at the floor where not much was left but about three inches of a dagger hilt and black shadowy stain in the floor.

"A hunter." Was her reply and Artimis nodded thoughtfully. She didn't know how this came to her bedroom, but it must have been fate toying with things again.

"Okay, well, that explains one thing, another would be how it was that you, and your hunter, ended up in my bedroom? Not that it matters so much how, I haven't had that much excitement since someone let the dogs in my room."

The tiger skin rug growled at that comment.

"I needed help, I guess this is where I could get it." The woman spoke and Artimis smirked.

"This family has been long known for helping, so I guess you were just meant to come here. But where are my manners, you are allowed to sit. It's not like I'm royalty, though I like to make my family think so." Artimis spoke and the response she received was a honorable thanks in the form of a bow. Then Blane gently flopped onto the sofa, looking more relaxed.

Artimis was about comment on pretending to be senile as her granddaughter Mel walked in with more bandages, along with her actual blood grandson Andrew and their cousin Markus, both of whom were built like brick-shit houses. Shaking her head, Artimis noticed how Blane's position suddenly and almost without notice shifted to a polite one. She didn't tense for a fight, but she seemed to understand that her grandchildren were overprotective.

"Mel, when I want an army, I'll call your father. Thank you dear. Now please, help Blane with the bandages." Artimis spoke and as Melody began to walk past the spot on the floor where the monster had been and it suddenly ignited. Mel shuddered as she dodged the flames, her cousins looking worried at the floor.

There was a yell from the room downstairs. "I didn't do it! I wasn't touching Grandma's desk, really.. I'm not even here!" One of the younger grandchildren called and Artimis laughed loudly, as she looked to where Blane had been, only to find her on the other side of the room. She looked prepared for some demon to pop out of the floor or something. She had split most of her soaked bandages and was bleeding once again on the floor. The rug she was standing next too didn't seem to happy about this. He was trying to become one with the wall and she could swear she heard the 'don't give me a bath' whimpering.

"Sorry Blane, the house had to get rid of it somehow and she figured fire would burn it out. Ah look, here's the food." Artimis stated as Tabby and Raphael appeared carrying two trays of food each. Ignoring the burning floor, after all they were the house's personal army and knew it was going to happen any ways, they set the food down on the coffee table in front of the fireplace. Artimis looked at Blane as she gave her a look that asked her permission to have some of the food and Artimis smiled, nodding at her as she looked over to her grandchildren.

"Actually Mel, why don't we let her eat, you and your cousins can leave the bandages on the chair and if I need you I will call FOR you." Artimis spoke, conveying the message of 'get lost or else'. Her two grandsons, who had it instilled early that you don't mess with grandmother were out of there before Mel could protest. They had touched her desk once before and the memory never quite left them. Mel went to leave the room, but froze and Artimis followed her gaze as she saw what she could only think of as a blur moving around the table. Artimis has minor tingles on her skin and she could see that Mel was poised with her hand over her wand pocket. Before Artimis could even think of what was going on, Blane was standing there, tatters of bandages and clothes, covered in what Artimis could identify as old dried blood, looking better than she had a second before.

Did that just?... Time-turner?... No, I would have seen it and the feeling from that and the feeling from this is entirely different... Oh boy, the smell is curling my nose hairs, I forgot I had nose hairs... Is the smell coming from the the... trash can... oh boy, what am I in the room with... Artimis, calming her old nerves, then noticed that ALL the food was gone. Mel looked traumatized and Artimis reminded her that she was asked to leave. That was all the goading Mel needed to flee, slamming the door closed. Artimis could here her panting on the other side of the door.

Shaking her head she looked at her guest with a sort of wonder. "How may I ask, did you do that, or is that yet another 'What?' item of discussion?" Artimis questioned softly, trying to make it seem like she wasn't slightly unnerved.

Blane simply pointed at the trash can, her voice rich with humor "It's been a week."

Being an old woman who spent some time in St. Mungo's she knew what that meant. The thought made her cringe a bit as she drew her wand, simply moving the mess from in here to the compost heap in the garden.

"The restroom is the door to my left, just in case you need it. Not to be rude, after all I am senile, but would you like to take a shower, or a bath?" Artimis spoke with her own hint of amusement. Her reply was a look of extreme gratitude. Artimis took a moment to size her up and then clapped once more. This time it was Anth who answered her calling.

"Do you need more food Mistress?" He asked and Artimis shook her head, then looking at Blane she noticed the puppy dog eyes coming from her. Artimis smirked.

"Yes, but not right at this moment. Could bring me some of Jonathan's clothes, he's almost as tall as her and similarity built. And I think I need a new trash can." She spoke and he nodded, disappearing in a flash.

"You don't have to wait for permission to go take a shower, by all means do so. And there should be fresh clothes on the counter when you get out." Artimis spoke, smiling as she adjusted for another nap, after all being an annoyance to her family was a lot of hard work and playing hostess at the same time was even more so. Blane walked into the bathroom and Artimis dozed, keeping an ear out for her untrusting grandchildren. It's all Draco's fault... She thought, realizing that he couldn't trust a coin unless he bit it.

About an hour later Artimis was roused from her light nap by the sound of the bathroom door opening. She looked up to see Blane dressed in her Grandson's pants which were about five inches to short of her and a long shirt that would have come to her Grandson's knees but it came to her hips. Artimis smiled at her, seeing that Blane looked relaxed, refreshed, and there were no signs of her recent wounds.

"Feeling better I see. Sorry had to say it, reminds me of old westerns." Artimis mused settling in a upright position. Blane stood straight at the foot of her bed, looking very proper and for the first time she was seriously looking at Artimis. She had pupil-less amber eyes, almost the reverse of Remus's eyes who had huge pupils and barely any amber. It was calming and unsettling at the same time, and it definitely fit into the way Artimis could see her being. After all she had seen wings, and senile or not, she knew what she saw and she knew she was seeing horns now. She wasn't quite sure what she was sitting in the room with, but at this moment she really didn't care, after all, she had been kind, so she knew Blane wasn't about to hurt her. Artimis listened closely as Blane spoke, because, well, obviously she had something important to say. And if it's 'Luke I am your father im going to scream'...

"I am not a Djinn, but what do you truly want?" She spoke and Artimis let out an involuntary snicker due to her previous thought. Artimis thought for a long moment, knowing of course that this was one of those moment she was supposed to look like she was thinking to seem wise. Artimis had almost everything she needed right here, but she hadn't thought of what she wanted in a long time. Deep down, she knew the answer, but she couldn't quite find the words for it. With a warm rush, the hidden desire flooded into the front of her mind.

"As much as I seem strong, I know I am not going to be here forever. If there was one thing I could say I truly want, it would be to protect my family. They are, after all, the biggest part of what I will leave behind... Man, that sounded so wise and clever." Artimis mused aloud to herself.

Blane didn't seem to phased by her ending statement, just simply answering "That, I can do."

Artimis watched as Blane bowed her head over folded hands and a shimmer of what Artimis could only tell was magic moved over her and her clothing. Magic rippled and the shirt shifted to let her large black wings unfold and stretch to almost touch the wall on both sides of the room. Her wings folding around her, to look like a normal wizard cloak, as the borrowed clothing continued to change becoming a pair of black pants, a white button-up shirt. A hat appeared on her head and her hair moved up into it, hiding the horns and the black curly part of her hair, the straight shoulder length white hair hanging free behind her ears, the pointed tips of which were tucked under the hat. Artimis had a flicker recognition at that moment, feeling as if she had seen someone like that before and as she was about to say something. Then Blane interrupting her train of thought, lifting her head to look her directly, power glowing in the depths of the eyes. Again she spoke, the power of her voice flowed, as if music filling the room."My life to you I do owe, of this debt I will gladly pay. By this act, I now do, my debt to you will be repaid in full. But know, I cannot give them protection from all of life's pains, to do so would take their will to strive, that I will not do. Understand now, the protection I am willing to give to those you love, will not stop their deaths. It will help them find away to protect themselves. Is this still what you truly want?"

Artimis didn't even hesitate, "Yes," Blane smiled slightly as she turned towards the door, and began to walk fading out of sight before she took more than five steps.

At that moment her Grandson Markus walked in, looking around for the woman. When he didn't see her, he looked at his grandmother with a sense of regard.

"Did she touch your desk too Grandma?" He asked with a sense of fear, which was amusing from a twenty-two year old.

"No honey, she just had to leave." Artimis spoke, not being able to knock away the feeling of deja vu.

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Blane's pov

She woke up with a start, sliding off what ever she was lying on to stand on her feet quickly. Her body automatically moved into a defensive stance. Her body, which was not quite ready for this sudden movement, collapsed. 'Oh, look at the pretty colors.' She thought as she fell to the floor. There was the sound/feeling of magic passing near her and was powerful enough to leave goose bumps. As she laid on the floor, assessing the damage, part of her was listing to sound of someone speaking in a language she couldn't understand yet.. 'No broken bones, I'm wrapped in bandages, and someone has tried to heal me'

The soft afterglow of healing magic prickled on her skin.'Massive headache, I'm starving and I need to go the jakes, now.' The voice in the room began to make sense as her muddled brain finally began to translate the language.

"Fkdogldf. Thgfht dear?' Blane was focusing on the killer intent coming from the far side of the room, where a figure stood holding a knobby piece of wood, as if it could do harm. Her attention was quickly snapped back to a figure in the large bed. 'This one is the power here... Need to pay attention..., ooh dear there's a glass of water... Focus, can't die of thirst even if you wished you could... What this being says may be life or death.'

"It's alright, She was just worried you were going to hurt me." The voice was kind, old and felt female. This IS the power here. The one in the corner is muscle . Probably magical..., can't concentrate enough to make ANY counter spells. I can probably speak the language now. What do I know? This old woman is a powerful person, has bodyguards, magical defenses, possibly physical body guards somewhere. Just be myself, to tired to play a part. Slowly standing up, one to keep from instigating an attack, and two because, any faster movement and she'd fall over again.

Using what she called 'Polite and respectful voice #2' she spoke. "Hi there, I'm Blane. Sorry, I seem to be bleeding on your floor."

The woman on the bed chucked, it was a warm sound, with a bit of an edge. This one has killed before and is quite willing to do so again if threatened.

"That's quite alright, dear, the rug already got up and moved himself away from the blood and gore." She stated, gesturing to the tiger skin that was hunched like a live tiger in the corner.

Oh by Hector, I didn't see it move. A quick glance around the room spotted what looked like a rug, but she could see a weird shadow of a live beast around it. WHAT is that? Oh By the god of my mother, is it living, dead or a bound sprit. She sent her eyes on another sweep of the room The construct is breaking up. There may be residue left, hope there isn't an other one capable of tracking that stuff.

"My granddaughter had no intention of hurting you, nor do I. And I assure you this house is quite safe, so you can relax. My granddaughter will go get you some fresh bandages." The powerful old woman spoke, gesturing for the younger girl to leave the room.

This women in very sure of herself if she is willing to be unprotected, hmmm maybe there is some less obvious protection. My headache is getting a worse.

"But Grandma Artimis!"The young wielder of magic almost whined

"Melody Anita Billord, you will do as you were asked. Get our guest some fresh bandages."

AHH grandmother, that explains the respect .Her shadows, I can sense they're alive and separate from her, there is much anger, sadness, fear, and loneliness. Oh wait wait wait, maybe I can get some food. No wait, polite voice. No begging.

Speaking quietly and slowly raising her hand in the air politely. "May I have some food too?"

By that time the granddaughter had already left. '$&!'.. Blane cursed internally in several languages probably not even recorded in this world Turning to ask once more and at that moment the now named 'Grandma Artimis' clapped twice. A crack of light flashed beside the bed and what she recognized only as a small elf appeared there. Elf? What is an elf doing here? Lords of light, what are they? The elf looked at her and she could read on its face that it knew what she was and didn't wish to speak at this moment, but didn't seem offended by the idea. Then it instantly turned to the woman in the bed, asking quietly.

"Yes Mistress Artimis?" The woman smiled tenderly at the elf and spoke softly.

"I have a hungry guest, could you please bring up something from the kitchens for her. She looks like she might have an appetite like Mistress Alexis did, so make sure you bring some well cooked meat."

Thank you, oh thank you.

"Don't mind me for being rude, it comes with being old, but where are your wings?" Oh dear, she'll know if I lie and I can't risk the truth. Maybe she'll forget. Blane looked at her as blankly as possible, masking the fact that she knew what the woman was asking her.

"Wings?" With false puzzlement . The old woman nodded at her, a hint of understanding in her eyes and Blane knew she wasn't going to ask again. But that didn't mean she was done with asking, as she proved with her next question.

"What was that thing?" She asked, looking to the spot on the floor. Part truth, but the truth. She thought quickly."A hunter."

The woman seemed thoughtful for a moment and then spoke once more.

"Okay, well, that explains one thing, another would be how it was that you, and your hunter, ended up in my bedroom? Not that it matters so much how, I haven't had that much excitement since someone let the dogs in my room."

How do I explain something I don't know for sure myself. Blane heard a growl from the direction of the rug and her attention was draw there. Why is it growling?... Why did I show up here?...Do I owe her a favor?... Does someone else owe her a favor?... I owe her now...

"I needed help, I guess this is where I could get it." Blane stated and the matronly woman smirked almost knowingly.

"This family has been long known for helping, so I guess you were just meant to come here. But where are my manners, you are allowed to sit. It's not like I'm royalty, though I like to make my family think so." Oh so honorable person thank you, for I'm about to collapse on your floor again...She bowed and carefully sat down on the couch, relaxing slightly.

The granddaughter, Mel walked in with more bandages, along with two well muscles young men. All three glanced at the bed with worried expressions, before quickly scanning the room . Their eyes snapped to her with equal expressions of 'You Shall Not Do Anything To Disturb Our Grandmother'. I now see some of the physical defenses, magical too, There is magic but there is so much of it around its so hard to 'see' things clearly. Jakes, where are the jakes, I don't want to think what those small well cut giants would do if I used the corner. And that damned glass of water is driving me crazy.

"Mel, when I want an army, I'll call your father. Thank you dear. Now please, help Blane with the bandages." Army? She can command an Army? Oh look, bandages. Food? Water? JAKES!

At that moment, the residue of the former monster ignited without warning. Eyes widening as she could see a flaming visage of the creature move toward her, using the energy from the fire to manifest itself in order to continue its mission. Blane acted on an instinct, speeding up her personal time, making the whole room and its occupants seemingly freeze in their places. The construct being linked to Blane, sped up also. This is why she couldn't get away from the beast before. One fiery claw reached toward Blane and the other was stretching toward the woman in the bed. Blane, realizing that its energy was based on fire, dove under the approaching fire and rolled to her feet, snatching the glass of water off the bedside table. It was the one that she had been lamenting about before, and splashed it on the claw that was just about to hit the old lady. The water disrupted its energy. It twisted and pulsed, trying to hold itself together, and as a last act it swiped at her as she dove across the room as far away from the others as possible. The beast's last act was to cut through the bandages on her back, leaving burnt and bloody wounds, before dissipating into nothing. Slowed down while rolling to her feet, she could just understand the voice calling from the hole in the floor.

"IIIIIIIII ddddddiiiiddddddnnnnnn'tttttt dddo it! I wasn't touching Grandma's desk, really.. I'm not even here!" A child-like voice yelled as Blane stood panting, sweating and watching the black specks of unconscieness swirl around her vision.

Artimis, after laughing at the child, turned and her smile changed to a concerned face as she spoke.

"Sorry Blane, the house had to get rid of it somehow and she figured fire would burn it out. Ah look, here's the food." Food, the word cut through everything. Looking past the black spots in her vision, to tired to form words, Blane looked to Artimis with the look that could only mean one thing, 'Please?'. Her reply was once again an all knowing smile and a granting nod as she turned away toward the others in this room.

Food.., Again increasing her personal time, if something more was to come after her, it or they would hopefully focus on her and leave the others alone. She stumbled to the coffee table; moving around the statue-like inhabitants of the room as carefully as she could, while making a bee line to the small pitcher of water that had come with the food. Lots of self-control went into just taking a few sips of water and eating a few bites of food, knowing all to well the dangers of eating too much after starving. She looked about the room, truly seeing it for the first time.

Now for something that could be used as a jake. Vase? No, um, Box? No, this looks like a trash can, good enough... Better to ask for forgiveness that for permission...

Eating and drinking a little more, Luckily there is enough free roaming energy here that I don't have to worry about staying sped up like this for a while...Then curling up in front of the small table, to fall instantly asleep. Spending a week of her time between eating, sleeping, healing and using the trash can before slowing to match the others. Only thirty seconds had passed for the other inhabitants of the room She felt healed, but she smelt terrible with all the dried blood caked upon her hair and skin. Damn, I wasn't paying attention to their time. The young giants are out of the room.

Matching time with everyone else, she overheard 'Grandma Artimis' telling her granddaughter that she had been asked to leave. Looking at 'Mel' she could see that terror was etched in the young woman's face as she turned and fled from the room, slamming the door behind her.

Turning toward 'Grandma Artimis', expecting fear, but seeing only amusement and wonder.

"How may I ask, did you do that, or is that yet another 'What?' item of discussion?"The older woman questioned softly.

Relieved that she had not been greeted with the fear that she had expected she simply pointed at the trash can and with a hint of humor,"It's been a week."

The old woman's expression became one of someone familiar with bedpans and cringed as she drew a smooth black piece of wood from underneath her pillow, then pointing it at the trash can, made it disappear from sight and smell, leaving only Blane to foul the air.

"The restroom is the door to my left, just in case you need it. Not to be rude, after all I am senile, but would you like to take a shower, or a bath?" She spoke, looking Blane up and down once. This is a truly noble person who will take in someone who she does not know in such confidence. Either she is more powerful than I thought or protected enough where she's not worried.

Artimis clapped once and another small elfling appeared.

Elves again. I need to talk to them.

"Do you need more food Mistress?" The elf asked and 'Grandma Artimis' began to shake her head no, heisted, turned to look at her Um, but, no begging. But please! and seemingly got the message, signified by a smirk.

"Yes, but not right at this moment. Could bring me some of Jonathan's clothes, he's almost as tall as her and similarity built. And I think I need a new trash can."

She looked to the floor, slightly embarrassed. The elf looked at Blane and he twitched his ears slightly telling her by body language that they would speak, but not right now and with that he disappeared.

"You don't have to wait for permission to go take a shower, by all means do so. And there should be fresh clothes on the counter when you get out." She followed the point of her hostess hand toward what she hoped were the jakes and went in.

Walking into the room, the first thing she saw was herself, and then she immediately scanned for the jakes.

Ah, late twentieth century indoor human plumbing. Oh thank you porcelain goddess. A few minutes of deep meditation and the complete appreciation of soft paper, Blane felt much better. It was then she actually looked around the bathroom. She saw herself in the mirror and she wasn't surprised to see her condition, but it was still shocking. Though her appearance was bad, her own smell was beginning to curl her own nose hairs. Looking about the room, there was a large half-filled pool, a tub set into the floor with a step to get into it, and a glass walled shower. You don't get into soaking water dirty. Blane remembered, having had it beaten into her head many times. Stepping to the shower, stripping of the rags of clothing and the tatters of bandages off, hissing as they stuck to sore spots. The joys of warm water on demand. After ten minutes of scrubbing, she heard someone enter the room. Stepping out without turning off the water, to meet whoever it was, she was not concerned about her nudity. She was met by a house elf, who was placing clothing on the counter-top. It turned to her with a smile and spoke.

"I'm Tabby, and you are extremely tall. You know, my uncle was tall once, but then he lost a leg and now he's called stubby." She rambled speedily. Blane stood listening and studying the being before her. She recognized that she was looking at some form of elf, while not a pure-bred herself, elf blood knew elf.

"You know, you look like you fell into a fireplace. Once, I almost fell in Mistress Alexis's flames and that was scary, I lost my best shoe that day."

"May I please have something to eat, if its not to much trouble?" Blane using bardic voice #4, a calming, quiet voice, and the elfling smiled.

"Food, of course. The kitchen started cooking and hasn't stopped since you got here." Shestated, snapping her fingers and two other elves appeared holding trays of food. They placed them on the counter and then disappeared.

"Do elves here have music or stories?" Blane asked, trying to assess more of how these elves got here and how they were different from other elves she had met in other times and places.

Tabby smiled at her and clapped.

"Of course we have stories. Elf singing isn't too good, we cant carry tunes very well, but we can write. Hold on." Tabby stated as she snapped her fingers and disappeared. Tabby returned in an instant, but in that time while she was gone, Blane stretched her time once more. She ate half of the food, sleep for six hours and took another shower and was flushing the jakes as she slowed back down to everyone else's speed. Tabby had arrived with a leather bound book that looked as if it had made friends with coffee cups or tea, it was hard to tell.

"Here you go. If you get water on it that's fine, it will dry itself. Enjoy your bath. And don't slip, that's what did in Master Malfoy." Tabby spoke and just before she left Blane stopped her

"Wait can I get more food, please." She asked and Tabby smirked.

"Not a problem. If you need more, just simply clap." She spoke as she snapped out of view and this three house elves appeared carrying trays. They set them on the counter and then left her be to the bathroom. At that point Blane extended her time out again. By stretching 45 minutes. to four days she was able to rest and heal. She spent the remainder of a week eating, showering, sleeping, healing and reading, slowing down occasionally to ask for more food. Finally she came back down to normal time and decided she had left her hostess long enough.

There needs to be a kindness on my behalf to balance hers. Blane decided, not wanting to shock her hostess, she dressed in the clothes that were put out for her. Blane mentally set herself up to accept whatever task was necessary to make it balance, be it good or bad.

Not attempting to be silent, but she wasn't noisy either. She stepped out of the room to see the old woman resting her head back, her eyes closed. She knew Artimis had sharp hearing when she looked up at her with a smile.

"Feeling better I see. Sorry had to say it, reminds me of old westerns." The old woman stated, pushing herself up to a seated position.

Now moving with a balanced grace toward the foot of the bed, she stopped, holding herself in a completely different carriage than she had this entire ordeal. It was that of one equal to or higher than Artimis, not the subservient stance she had been taking. She now wore her power on her sleeve, but not in a manner that flaunted it, but simply announced its presence. She looked Artimis in the eyes, as one does when they are asserting their place; not aggressive, but not passive, just powerful.

Artimis sat there calmly, looking at her with a smile still on her face and seemingly waiting for either Blane to reply or to make her own statement .Trying to convey the serious nature of her debt through her connected vision with Artimis, she spoke with the Bardic Voice #1 to help Artimis to find what her actual desire in order to answer the question she was about to ask.

"I am not a Djinn, but what do you truly want?" Blane spoke in all seriousness and Artimis giggled at her. Blane could see amusement in her eyes, but not from the question, but at a amusing thought. Artimis was silent and seemingly pondering on what she had been asked.

"As much as I seem strong, I know I am not going to be here forever. If there was one thing I could say I truly want, it would be to protect my family. They are, after all, the biggest part of what I will leave behind... Man, that sounded so wise and clever." Artimis mused aloud to herself.

That actually was very wise and clever She sounds like what a grandmother should sound like .I wonder if they have 'Grandma 101'. I can do this, now I know why I'm here, her shadows had need of me. This is a powerful geas I am being asked to carry out, but it is right.

Even though Blane was having a large string of thoughts, she simply answered.

"That, I can do."

Gathering her magic to change her clothing, while unfurling her wins to their full span, giving Artimis a glance of what she truly was before pulling her wings back to rest on her shoulders. She changed the borrowed clothes to match those the small giants had worn earlier: black dress pants, a white button up shirt, dark shoes and her wings folded to look like a cloak. She made sure she had a hat to hide her horns and her bi-colored hair. The spell needed to bind this to her and all she has chosen as family will require some things. Blood, soul energy, the tears of joy and of pain. I will have to trace her whole life to find these things, all the way from the beginning to now and beyond. If I make the protection too strong her family will not have a life, she seems very controlling but there is only a little fear of her personally, I've been wrong before, I do not wish to misjudge her. I will let her know what I will not do, if she complains about what I owe her, then maybe I can convince her to take money or jewels instead. She noticed that 'Grandma Artimis' looked at her with a hint of recognition and at that point, she spoke, the power of her voice flowed, as if music filling the room."My life to you I do owe, of this debt I will gladly pay. By this act, I now do, my debt to you will be repaid in full. But know, I cannot give them protection from all of life's pains, to do so would take their will to strive, that I will not do. Understand now, the protection I am willing, to give to those you love, will not stop their deaths. It will help them find away to protect themselves. Is this still what you truly want?"

Artimis didn't even hesitate, "Yes," Blane smiled slightly Aaa I did not misjudge her, as she turned towards the door, and began to walk, twisted sideways following the bright lifeline back to its beginning.


This was Written by Shadows and her mother, with later insertion of other sister...
Enjoy...
Toodles,
Deep Shadows
And MotheroftheHorde