And That's How the Story Goes
A/N – Thanks so much for sticking around for this chapter! I really appreciate the kind reviews and whatnot. This has been a lot of fun to write so I'm glad you enjoyed. As usual, I don't own anything you recognize, Glee, Brittana, Of Monsters and Men…none of it unfortunately. But I do now own the Glease cd thanks to my brother. Once again, I have no beta so sorry for any mistakes!
Chapter 3
Santana and Brittany could hear the townspeople shouting about their arrival before they stepped through the outer gates. When the large doors opened, the townspeople were beginning to gather and wave. Brittany was looking up at the castle and waving as well. Santana followed her gaze and saw Quinn standing regally on the balcony, also watching their arrival.
The Queen nodded before turning to make her way down to greet them in the throne room. As Santana and Brittany entered the castle the crowd parted and they strode down the long aisle to where Quinn was waiting for them.
Santana followed Brittany's lead and ascended the platform and stopped just a few feet from where Quinn was seated on her throne, smiling. Brittany nodded to the brunette and then back to Quinn, a goofy grin on her face. Santana furrowed her brow and shook her head in confusion. The blonde then nudged her rather roughly, once again gesturing for her to address the Queen.
"Oh!" Santana exclaimed, stumbling forward. "We're back…your Highness."
"So I see." Quinn replied with a chuckle at Santana's suddenly nervous demeanor. "And have you been successful on your quest Champion?"
The brunette quickly pulled the dragon's tooth and scales from her sack and placed them at the Queen's feet. Brittany watched her fumbling motions, still grinning.
"We brought you Kur-the dragon's scales and a tooth." Santana replied. "I'd say that's pretty successful."
Brittany nodded her agreement, also producing similar items from her own pack. Quinn eyed the two suspiciously. "So the dragon has been vanquished."
Santana cast a worried glance toward Brittany. Now that they had returned and were back in front of the queen, the brunette was feeling far less confident about the success of their quest. A number of townspeople were holding pitchforks. She had seen enough movies to know what could come from townsfolk rioting with pitchforks. She was a lesbian in Lima, Ohio for god's sakes…shit could go down.
Brittany took pity on her and stepped forward. "It was a most glorious adventure my Queen! Our champion has made us all proud!"
Quinn seemed to relax and settled back in her seat. The crowd gathered in the throne room began to shout and ask Brittany to tell the tale of how the dragon was killed. The blonde winked at Santana before turning to face the multitude of people gathered there watching her expectantly.
"The dragon is not the only beast Santana, human virgin from the western heights, crossed on our adventure." She began. Santana once again rolled her eyes at the title.
"This should be good." The brunette muttered to herself as Brittany animatedly launched into the tale.
The blonde told of the monstrous ogre that attempted to squash them like dung beetles on the bridge. She even had the crowd, and Quinn in particular, gasping as she told of how she had nearly succumbed to the siren's song on the lake and would surely have died without Santana to save her. The tale of the encounter with the dragon itself was according to the blonde, a story meant for the ages and would be passed down from generation to generation. She just happened to leave out the fact that Kurt was in fact still alive and well and roaming the country side in search of fresh vegetables.
By the time the tale ended with Santana rushing to the rescue and plunging her sword into the beast after Brittany had been thrown by its tail and very nearly killed once again, the brunette wasn't entirely certain the two had been on the same quest at all.
Cheers erupted from the crowd and Santana heard her name chanted all throughout the grand hall. Brittany smiled proudly, feeling rather confident that their little white lie wouldn't be found out after all.
"So the dragon is in fact dead?" Quinn asked once again, this time directing the question to Brittany.
Santana groaned inwardly as her friend's face fell. "Well," the brunette interjected quickly. "Not…not exactly."
The room fell silent as the townsfolk realized the dragon was still very much alive.
Quinn narrowed her eyes and rose to her feet slowly. Santana swallowed thickly and quickly glanced around for a way of escape as the crowd began to murmur and even cry out in anger.
"You have let the beast remain alive to terrorize us?" The Queen hissed. "And you thought to deceive us, even after our most generous hospitality?"
Brittany once again stepped forward, placing herself between Quinn and Santana. With a shout she silenced the crowd and even had Quinn's full attention.
"Our Champion is wise!" she continued loudly. "She thought it best not to end the creature's life. Instead she showed him mercy! And now, now we have a very powerful ally! This dragon too was under the wicked witch's thumb. He wants only peace with us and has fled the witch's territory. And so our brave champion spared his life and he has sworn to never cause a ruckus in our lands ever again! Santana has saved us! Santana, virgin from the western heights, befriender of dragons!"
Quinn still looked uneasy as she glared at the brunette. She finally turned to her cousin and tried to control her anger. "You are certain of this?"
Brittany nodded before turning to Santana. She reached and took her hand in her own, pulling her closer to her side. "I am as certain of this as I am that Santana has saved my life…on more than one occasion."
Quinn clenched her jaw but sighed and tried to appear calm for her subjects. "Very well. We will take you at your word Champion. And for your sake you had better hope that you are correct. I will not be so accommodating…or forgiving should trouble arise from this beast again."
"Kurt never wanted to hurt anyone in the first place." Santana insisted. "This witch forced him. It's the witch you should be after, not the dragon."
"We shall see about that." Quinn replied quietly. "We may very well have to deal with Sue'zana if you have indeed robbed her of her pet."
Santana felt her blood chill slightly at the thought. She had not considered what would happen when the witch realized her dragon was no longer under her command. Brittany placed her hand on Quinn's shoulder hoping to ease the tension.
"We should be celebrating. Our champion has returned and rid us of the trouble as she promised. Let us worry about what trouble tomorrow may bring next week." The taller blonde turned then to the crowd and raised Santana's hand. "A feast! We will celebrate our successful champion!"
The townsfolk seemed more at ease with Brittany's exclamations. They followed her enthusiasm quickly and that very night a celebration began.
xxxx
Santana leaned back in her chair, feeling more content than she had in a long time. She was a celebrated hero and the royal theatre troupe was currently reenacting their amazing adventures. The ale was creating a warm buzz throughout her body and Brittany…Brittany was gazing directly at her with a look that sent a shiver down her spine. Santana bit her lip and swallowed a moan.
Brittany smirked and stood from her chair. She then circled around the table slowly, never taking her eyes off of Santana. When she settled into the chair next to the brunette, she smiled and leaned closer. Santana detected a faint scent of ale on the blonde's breath as well.
"Hi." Santana said softly. She smiled back at the blonde, her stomach fluttering pleasantly.
Brittany's eyes sparkled as she leaned even closer. "You…are a glorious creature human. You have bewitched me."
Santana felt her breath catch. She closed the remaining distance between them and pressed their lips together. Santana felt Brittany smile against her lips and she pulled back slightly, also smiling.
"Santana, human virgin-"
"Um, Brittany," Santana interrupted. "I should tell you…I'm not actually a virgin…"
The blonde smiled mischievously. "So you are already learned in the ways of taking a mate? Good."
Brittany stood to her feet, her smile fading into an almost timid, hopeful gaze. She extended her hand. Santana smiled up at the other girl and took her offered hand, allowing her to pull her from the table.
xxxx
The following morning Santana woke and stretched, a lazy grin on her face. For a medieval or fairytale land, their linens put her own Egyptian cotton sheets to shame.
The brunette reached and felt her smile fade at the empty spot in the bed next to her. She quickly sat upright and glanced around, afraid the night before had been a dream. Her worry faded when she spotted Brittany across the room with a small kitten in her arms. The blonde was dressed in only a thin nightshirt and Santana once again found herself letting her eyes roam over her new lover's body.
The blonde glanced up when she heard Santana shift in the bed. She smiled and stepped closer, bringing the kitten and a single flower back to the bed with her.
"I found him in the room this morning." Brittany said softly. "He is a gift for you."
Santana smiled as the blonde settled back onto the bed, the soft kitten in her arms. "He's cute…we should name him."
Before Brittany could answer, they heard loud footsteps approaching the room.
"Brittany!"
Quinn shoved the door open and stormed into the room without knocking. When she saw the two of them in bed together she stopped abruptly and turned her gaze away but made no move to exit the room.
"Quinn, what has happened?" Brittany asked, immediately knowing something was wrong.
"It seems you were correct about the dragon." Quinn answered, her gaze still averted. "The witch is enraged and swears her revenge. She has begun her march on Ottengard. They travel with the wind and will be here in two days' time."
"Two days?" Brittany exclaimed.
Quinn nodded, still unwilling to meet either of their gazes. Santana sat, dumbfounded with the sheet pulled up to cover her body.
"Can we be ready by then?" Brittany asked, standing to her feet and already beginning to dress, the kitten forgotten.
"We have no choice." The Queen replied somberly. She finally turned and met Santana's frightened eyes. "I trust we can also depend upon you Champion."
"Of course we can." Brittany replied immediately. "Quinn, allow us a few moments to dress and we will join you in the throne room."
Quinn nodded again and finally turned on her heel and strode quickly out of the room.
Brittany was struggling into her trousers, hopping on one leg, when she turned back to Santana who was still motionless in the bed. "Santana, we must hurry."
The brunette swallowed thickly. "Brittany, I thought you were already at war with the witch."
"We were." The blonde replied. "But only in words…except for the occasional dragon attack. Now it seems to be real. The witch is marching for Ottengard as we feared might occur."
"And you expect me to help?"
Brittany eyed the nervous girl and smiled. "You are our champion Santana…befriender of dragons-"
"Brittany that's all bullshit and you know it! I'm no hero!" Santana yelled. "I just want to go home!"
"No one wants war Santana." The blonde replied softly, sitting on the edge of the bed. "And we all want to be home, in peace. But sometimes peace must be protected. And then we all must be heroes."
Santana clenched her jaw. She struggled to control her breathing and nodded. Brittany smiled again and reached to tuck dark locks behind Santana's ear and cupped her cheek. She leaned forward and pressed their lips together softly before the brunette finally released a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
"I'm fine." She said softly. "Just give me a minute and I'll be ready."
Brittany nodded and turned to give the other girl privacy while she dressed.
xxxx
Ottengard's ancient seers and royal advisers were called for counsel along with the top military officials. They met in the throne room with a number of the townsfolk representatives. Among them was a beast of a woman, one they actually referred to as Beiste. She appeared to be gruff and burley but was in reality soft spoken.
They all gathered and each shouted their own ideas as to how to defeat the witch. Beiste simply sat quietly and never took her eyes off of Santana. The brunette didn't notice at first, so caught up in the swarm of activity around her.
Finally, the group took a recess and Santana stepped out onto a side balcony to clear her mind.
"You are far from home little one."
Santana turned quickly, surprised at having been found. She sighed and nodded as Beiste approached.
The large woman smiled sympathetically and moved to stand next to the girl. "And you would like to return to your home, would you not?"
Santana nodded again, finding herself strangely at ease around the older woman. "I don't belong here. But…they think I'm some great hero. I'm not…I'm just a cheerleader. Brittany looks at me like I'm…like I'm-"
"The very sun and moon?"
"Yeah." The brunette whispered. "And I'm not."
"Who is to say you are not, to her?" Beiste asked chuckling. "But you must decide your own destiny. Be it here…or home in Lima Heights. You must decide and no one for you."
Santana snapped her gaze to the larger woman, shocked. "You know where I'm from?"
Beiste nodded again. "I know many things child. I know who the witch is and where she is from as well. She is a path home for you. But there is more than one. There is also a way in the far caverns in the Far Outreaches. A portal."
"You could help me get home?" Santana asked, surprised by the excitement she felt at the thought of going home. "Tell me how to get there. Please!"
"Simply follow the brick path…it will lead you to the caverns."
Santana groaned and rolled her eyes. "Let me guess, a damn yellow brick road…"
Beiste smirked but shook her head. "No dear one, a red brick road."
With that, the large woman nodded and left the balcony. Santana stood staring after her until Brittany found her quite a while later.
"There you are, I have been searching for you."
Santana smiled up at the taller girl sadly. "I'm here. Brittany…who is this Beiste?"
"She is one of our wisest seers. She sees worlds and lands beyond this one. Why do you ask?"
"She told me how to get home."
Brittany blinked in surprise. "You…you wish to leave?"
The brunette felt tears stinging her eyes and she tore her gaze away from Brittany's blue eyes, cloudy with hurt. "It's not that I want to leave you Brittany…it's just that I don't belong here! I woke up in a strange land all alone and you thought I was something I'm not. I'm not a warrior Brittany! I can't go to war with a witch!"
"Santana you are afraid and that is understandable." Brittany tried to reason desperately. "But it is as I said, you-"
"Come with me."
"What?"
Santana reached and grabbed Brittany's hands, excitement beginning to build. "Come with me Brittany! I've spent time in your world…come with me to mine! We can be together, away from here where it's safe."
Brittany pulled her hands away from the brunette, her brow furrowing. "You would ask me to leave…now, when Quinn and Ottengard need me the most? Santana I cannot leave!"
"Brittany you could be killed!" Santana cried, reaching for her once again. "Don't be stupid!"
The blonde's face fell and she stepped back away from Santana. She squared her shoulders and struggled to keep her tears at bay. "I am not smart Santana…I know this. But I also know it is not stupid to fight to protect one's home and family. I will stay and face the witch with my people…with my Queen. You do what your heart tells you is right."
Brittany turned on her heel then and headed back into the throne room to listen as the debating and planning continued. Santana watched her go, her own heart clenched painfully. She then slipped silently from the balcony and gathered what few belongings she had before setting off along the brick road with a heavy heart.
xxxx
"That's it?" Santana cried, Charlotte nodding in agreement. "You're stopping there?"
Brittany nodded wearily. She reached and grabbed the clock off the bedside table and turned the face of it to where Santana and Charlie could see how late, or how early depending on how you chose to view it, the time was.
"Santana you have that big business meeting thing tomorrow and Charlie, you have a quiz in spelling and math. And I'm the one who will have to deal with both of you grumpy Gus's tomorrow night."
Both brunettes grumbled but one stern look from Brittany sent Charlotte scampering out of the bed and to her own room quickly. Santana timidly scooted under the covers without another word. Brittany sighed as she finally settled back onto her pillow before reaching and pulling her wife closer.
Santana smirked as she scooted closer and wrapped her arms around the blonde tightly. "At least you could sleep in if you wanted to…"
Brittany snorted. "And let you fix Charlie's breakfast? You'd probably send her off to school with a thermos full of coffee and a belly full of chocolate cereal. No fruit…no fiber…no nutritional goodness."
"Hey!" Santana exclaimed, jabbing the blonde with her elbow, albeit gently. "Coffee and chocolate are in the food groups…somewhere."
Brittany chuckled and pressed a kiss to her wife's dark hair before tightening her hold on her. The two sighed in contentment before finally drifting back into slumber.
xxxx
A few hours later Brittany did indeed have her hands full as she tried to round both Charlotte and Santana up for their days. Charlie, who always insisted on dressing herself, left the house in mismatched socks and her sweater buttons out of alignment. Santana wasn't much better, opting to pin her hair back in a bun when she realized that hitting snooze five times did not leave her with any time to spare on a shower.
Brittany chuckled but tried not to rub it in. She made an extra pot of coffee and sent her wife on her way with an extra travel mug. If Santana happened to let Charlotte sip from it on the drive in, what could she do?
The two trudged back in at the end of the day looking ready to drop from exhaustion on the spot. Charlie was so tired in fact that she didn't even request the story continue that night before bed. She simply kissed her mothers' goodnight and slid under her covers, asleep within moments.
Santana tried to stay awake but she too was nodding off much earlier than usual. Brittany took pity on her wife and helped her to bed.
"Stay and cuddle me." Santana whined pitifully.
Brittany chuckled but pulled the brunette closer, both once again drifting off to sleep together.
The next day went much more smoothly for the family and that evening at dinner time Charlotte was once again begging for the rest of the story to be told.
"Megan wants to know how it ends too so please mom, please tell me what happens!" Charlie cried over dinner. "Santana wouldn't have just left like that! Come on mom, tell me more!"
Brittany chuckled before scooping a potato casserole of some sort onto Charlie's plate.
xxxx
Quinn found Brittany the next evening out on her balcony. The taller blonde was sitting with her legs dangling through the marble railing, her face pressed between the columns and staring at the ground below forlornly.
"I thought perhaps I would find you here." The Queen said softly. She settled onto the balcony floor next her cousin with a sigh. She leaned her back against the railing and turned, eyeing Brittany sympathetically.
"I did not truly believe she would leave." Brittany mumbled miserably.
"She wished to return to her home…how can you blame her?" Quinn reasoned. "If you were far from Ottengard, would you not wish to return as well?"
Brittany shrugged her shoulders, her head still pressed between the columns. Quinn had to chuckle at how childlike her cousin appeared, sulking with her feet dangling off the side of the balcony. Brittany finally turned her head and gazed sadly at the shorter blonde.
"My heart misses her."
Quinn sighed again and gently squeezed Brittany's forearm. "You never looked at Artimus the way you looked at her. I was worried from the start. But it is clear you love her and the heart wants what the heart wants."
"She truly did save me." Brittany said softly. "She could be a champion again…"
"Brittany," the Queen stated firmly, "tomorrow, when the witch and her army arrive, you will be on the knoll with me. I will not allow you on the battle field."
The taller blonde sat upright then, suddenly angry. "But why? You would have me hide when I am needed most? You are the same as Santana. I am not a child and I will not hide!"
The Queen tried to soothe the other blonde's agitation with a calming smile. "Brittany, do you accuse me of hiding?"
"Of course not!" Brittany replied immediately. "You are ruler of Ottengard…should anything happen to you all would crumble. You cannot be on the field! But I am not a ruler, my place is on the field with the people!"
"You are just as beloved by the people as I am…perhaps more so." Quinn reasoned. "And with your heart aching the way it does-"
"Quinn," Brittany interrupted softly, understanding finally dawning. "My heart aches for her…but I would never cause you pain. And I know quite well that you would drown in your sorrows without me to keep you on your toes and rumple the feathers of the stuffy old advisors. I am not looking for a way to ease my heart's pain. It is my rightful duty and honor and I will not hide from it."
Quinn drew her cousin's hand to her lips and pressed a kiss to it. "I would feel more at ease if you kept me company on the knoll…but I do understand. And I find you one of the most admirable creatures in this realm."
Brittany blushed and squeezed Quinn's hand that was still holding her own. The Queenn rose to her feet then and brushed her gown off.
"Rest Brittany for tomorrow we will all need to be at our best."
The taller blonde nodded but smiled. "And tomorrow evening we will celebrate our victory and tell the tales of the witch's defeat…and perhaps we will remember our champion as well."
"I think," Quinn replied thoughtfully, "that perhaps tomorrow you might also be hailed as our champion."
The cousins shared a warm smile before the Queen slipped back to her own chambers, both blondes preparing themselves for what was to come.
xxxx
Santana trudged along the brick path scowling. The sun was shining and birds were chirping yet she couldn't shake her foul mood. The witch could be at Ottengard's gates by now. And Brittany…was the blonde really capable of fighting and protecting her home? Santana hated to think of what could happen to the girl with the goofy grin and shining blue eyes.
"It's not my place." The brunette insisted to no one. "This isn't my home."
"Are you sure about that doll face?"
Santana squeaked in surprise and turned on her heel where she spotted Kurt sprawled on his hindquarters surrounded by wild cabbage.
"Kurt!" the brunette exclaimed happily at the sight of the dragon.
She rushed to him and threw her arms around him. He patted her gently with his large clawed hand.
"What are you doing on this side of Ottengard?" He questioned. "I would have thought you would be preparing for Sue'zana's arrival."
Santana sighed and sat down in front of him. "A seer, Beiste, told me how to get home. She said to follow the brick road to the caverns and I'd find my way home. So that's what I'm doing."
"Funny," Kurt said, tilting his large head to the side, his ears drooping slightly. "I would have sworn on my tail that you had found your home with Brittany."
"I love her." The brunette replied. "I do. But I'm not the hero she thinks I am. And this place, it isn't my home."
The dragon clucked thoughtfully before popping another handful of cabbage into his mouth and chewed loudly. "You know Santana, human virgin from the western heights, I lived my whole life in that cave. I was only allowed out when the witch permitted. Was that my home?"
Santana shook the melancholy that settled when Kurt recited her title. She glanced up at him when his words finally registered. "It wasn't much of a home if it was…"
Kurt nodded. "Where you have lived your whole live previously is not what makes a place your home. It is happiness…vegetables and freedom. Maybe home is a person...or perhaps an elf."
Santana snapped her gaze up to meet Kurt's and his gentle, toothy smirk left her heart feeling lighter than it had since she had stepped foot off of the balcony. She smiled and hopped to her feet.
"I don't know anything about being a hero or going to war."
"I am no expert either." Kurt replied. "I simply did as I was told by the witch. And look at me, I set about heading back to Ottengard to clear up the mess I caused by leaving and I allowed turnips and cabbages to distract me from my voyage…some hero I am."
The brunette chuckled. "Aren't we a pair of sorry champions. What do you say we go back together…back home?"
Kurt grinned and pushed himself up onto his hind legs, extending his wings as if in a stretch. "I thought you would never ask human virgin from the western heights, befriender of dragons."
xxxx
Brittany released a shaky breath as the witch's army crested the hill. She stood out in front with Samuel, her cousin, the Queen's brother, and the two shared a smile.
"All will be well little cousin." Samuel said with a wink.
Brittany smiled in return and reached to ruffle his shaggy blonde hair. "It will."
They fell silent then as the shadow army of the witch continued to pour over the hillside in front of them. The witch herself was riding atop a black beast with three horns protruding from its head, silver claws and talons glinting in the sunlight.
The sight of the army, all bones and wispy flesh as if they were ghosts, sent a chill down Brittany's spine. The townsfolk too seemed to be trembling at the sight.
"They are merely an apparition!" Samuel shouted, squaring his shoulders. "We are flesh and blood, steel! We are Ottengard!"
Brittany glanced up and to the left where high above the field, Quinn sat atop her white stallion, her armor shining. The Queen's golden hair and white banners shone in the sunlight, in stark contrast to the black robes and banners of the witch.
With an eerie shout, the witch's shadow army rushed down the hill to where the Ottengard army ran to meet them. The two forces clashed.
Ottengard's army was well trained but the witch's forces seemed to be made of thin air. The blades would slice through their wispy flesh only for the beasts to consolidate once again.
Brittany groaned in frustration as soldier after soldier was cut in half by her sword only to reform behind her. She set her eyes on the witch, watching from a distance and felt a growl force its way from her mouth. With a yell, the blonde rushed through the masses toward the witch.
But behind her she could hear her people crying out in fear. She glanced quickly over her shoulder and watched as a number of Ottengard's soldiers threw down their arms and turned to run.
"No!" the blonde yelled. "You must not run! Stand firm!"
She turned again quickly and ran to cut off the retreating soldiers. "Keep fighting! We are no cowards!" she continued to yell.
Samuel also rushed to stop the retreat, waving the Ottengard banner with a shout. Together the two cousins rerouted their troops and pressed back against their enemy, leading the charge. Brittany once again caught sight of the witch. Her blood boiled and she once again set out directly for her with a fierce shout.
xxxx
Santana held on as Kurt flew through the air toward the shouts below. She could see the armies clashing and felt her stomach drop as the dark army of the witch appeared indestructible. She heard a familiar voice and she glanced over Kurt's shoulder where she saw Brittany charging toward the witch.
"No!" Santana shouted. "She'll be killed!"
Kurt let loose a roar and fire poured from his mouth. The Ottengard townsfolk cheered as the witch's army went up in smoke. It seemed they were not as indestructible as they all imagined.
Brittany stopped short and glanced over her shoulder. When she caught sight of Kurt and Santana, a smile split her face and she waved excitedly. The blonde squared her shoulders then and turned back to the witch as Kurt continued to clear out the enemy forces. She continued to swing her sword hoping to make some headway with the ghostly army that stood between her and the wicked witch.
"Kurt!" Santana yelled, "Get me closer to the witch!"
The dragon nodded and swooped down closer to the ground. Santana finally got a clear view of the wicked witch Sue'zana. Her jaw dropped. "Coach Sylvester?!"
Sue scowled as she watched her army evaporating right in front of her. She glanced up into the sky where she saw her dragon flying straight towards her. And Santana Lopez riding him.
Kurt plowed into Sue and her clawed beast without even slowing. Santana jumped from the dragon's back and rolled. When she finally pulled herself to her feet, Sue was sprawled on the ground a few feet away from her.
"Coach, what the fuck are you doing here!" Santana yelled.
She rushed closer to stand over the older woman who appeared to be slightly dazed from the collision. Sue glared up at her. "Jugs." She spat in disgust.
Santana scowled until a glowing green necklace around Sue's neck caught her eye. The necklace seemed to be a vial of green liquid of some sort. Santana reached and snatched it from the older woman's neck. As soon as she had the vial in her hand, the glow faded leaving only the green liquid.
Santana stepped back and quickly glanced around. She watched as the 'witch's' shadow army dissolved right in front of her. Instead of disappearing completely however, when the mist cleared, a multitude of trembling figures remained in their wake.
"Please!" one soldier shouted, her hands raised high in surrender. "Please, have mercy upon us!"
The rest of the soldiers similarly threw down their arms and threw themselves at the conquering army's feet. Santana stared in confusion as they all seemed to be surrendering to her specifically. Sue scowled again.
"Please! Do not harm us! We were under the witch's spell and you have freed us!"
Santana stared down at the green vial in her hand. It had been so similar to the glow she vaguely remembered from Coach Sylvester's office. She blinked to clear her head, suddenly remembering why she had returned in the first place.
"Brittany!"
xxxx
Santana quickly instructed that Sue be taken into custody. The woman was shackled and escorted back toward the castle where Quinn would be waiting for her. The brunette then began to search frantically for her blonde in the mass of people and elves left on the field.
"Brittany?"
Santana pushed her way through the throng of bodies until finally she ran directly into Brittany, who was also fighting to reach her.
"Santana, I knew you would return!" the blonde gushed, throwing her arms around the shorter woman when she finally reached her.
The brunette held on tightly, her face buried in Brittany's neck. When she finally pulled away, she gasped at the sight of blood trickling from a cut above the blonde's eye. She was also cradling her left arm which appeared to be bleeding as well.
"Brittany, you're hurt!"
The taller girl shook her head, grinning that goofy grin Santana loved so dearly. "No, it is only a scratch. I am fine."
Santana shook her head as well before grabbling Brittany by her good arm and quickly spinning her. She marched the blonde in the direction of the castle where the healers' tents would be.
"Santana, truly, I am fine!" Brittany called as Santana pulled her roughly through the crowds.
When they finally reached the tent, Santana grabbed the closest healer and shoved him to the corner of the tent. "Brittany is injured! Heal your champion, the Queen's cousin!"
The man immediately scrambled to tend to the blonde even though she insisted she was fine. When the healer finally finished with her, Brittany's left arm was in a sling and bandaged. Santana refused to leave her side, afraid to let her out of her sight.
Samuel stepped into the tent a short time later and approached the two with a bow. "The Queen is anxious to see you…both of you."
Brittany nodded and hopped off of the table, pushing her way past the attending healer. Santana followed along behind, calling for the blonde to slow down and rest.
When they stepped into the throne room, Quinn rose to her feet instantly. She didn't wait for them to approach her, instead opting to rush down the stairs of the platform and greet them herself.
"Brittany, Santana! I am relieved to see you both."
Brittany grinned and wrapped her uninjured arm around her cousin. "You see…did I not tell you we would be celebrating this very night?"
Quinn chuckled but her smile dropped when she eyed the bandages and the cut on Brittany's brow. The taller blonde shrugged and gestured to Santana who was still fretting over her. "Santana is a wee bit overly protective…I assure you I am fine."
The Queen continued to eye her cousin intently but finally nodded. She turned then to Santana and to the brunette's surprise, she pulled her closer and wrapped her arms around her as well.
"We owe you a great debt of gratitude." She said softly. "You and your dragon."
Santana shrugged when Quinn finally released her. Brittany just grinned proudly. It was then that they noticed the wicked witch, still shackled, standing near the throne surrounded by guards. Santana frowned and moved closer to her coach.
"What in the freaking fuck are you doing here Coach?" she hissed.
Sue smirked. "I should have known you'd go snooping around my office Lopez. It seems you've found my home away from home…congratulations."
"But…why would you do this? How did you do this?" Santana cried. "I mean, you're bat shit crazy and a freaking Nazi but this? Coach, you let these people…elves…whatever, go to war and some died!"
Sue shrugged. "This isn't real Major Melons. This is all a fantasy. I pop in, wreak a little havoc, pop out, coach a national award winning cheer squad. No harm done. It's like a vacation for me."
"No harm?" Santana stuttered. "Brittany is mangled!"
She reached and pulled the blonde closer, her bottom lip beginning to tremble.
"Owie, owie, owie Santana!" Brittany hissed when the brunette grabbed her left arm by mistake.
This caused Santana to finally dissolve into tears and she wailed pitifully and buried her face in Brittany's neck once again.
"She is tired…riding dragons and saving realms from witches and goblin things is hard work." The blonde said matter of factly. Brittany patted Santana's head sympathetically and shrugged.
Sue just rolled her eyes.
Quinn finally stepped forward, silencing the murmuring. "We must decide what to do with the witch now. It seems our champion has stripped her of her powers. She is no threat to us now."
Santana finally composed herself and pulled away, sniffling slightly. She reached and clasped her hand around the green vial she had placed around her own neck. She pulled it off quickly.
"Beiste!" She called, looking around for the seer. When the large woman stepped forward, Santana held the vial out for her to take. "This is what she used to control her army. You should take it…tell us what to do with it."
Beiste took the small tube and smiled. "Her portal…I recommend banishment. Allow only enough to transport her home to her own land so that she may never torment us again."
Sue looked relatively disinterested. Quinn seemed to be mulling the idea over while some in the crowd shouted for the witch to be executed for her treachery. Brittany looked to Santana to see what she would prefer.
Santana sighed. "Send her home. She has a sister who depends on her…so long as she can never come back here again."
Brittany quickly joined in then and agreed. Quinn eyed those around her and nodded. "Very well. Banishment will be the payment for her crimes."
The people of Ottengard made quite a spectacle of Sue's sending off. They decided the sooner they were rid of her the better. Right there in the throne room, Beiste opened the vial of liquid, once again growing green, and with a flick of her wrist she poured a portion of it out. Where the liquid landed, a large hole opened, green light spilling up from the ground.
All of their eyes widened as Sue was brought forward. She glanced over her shoulder and scowled before stepping into the hole. As soon as she disappeared into the hole, the portal closed behind her, sealing her off from Ottengard forever.
xxxx
The celebrations began in earnest then. Kurt was cheered as a hero and given all the vegetables he could possibly want along with a home within Ottengard. Those who had been under Sues spell swore their allegiance to Quinn and Ottengard and were welcomed as well. The man who had been their leader bowed low before Quinn before rising to his full height. The Queen blushed and smiled as the muscular man reached for her hand and kissed it.
"I am Noah, chieftain of my tribe. I and my people are indebted to you for releasing us from the witch's spell."
"You…are welcome here." Quinn replied, smiling softly.
Santana and Brittany both gazed at each other tiredly. They knew there would a lot to talk about. But for the moment they were too exhausted to do more than smile at the other. Beiste continued to eye Santana as she held what little remained of the green liquid.
Brittany finally took Santana by the hand and led her out of the banquet hall and to her private quarters. They helped each other undress, the brunette gently kissing Brittany's bandaged arm, and collapsed into the bed. The fell asleep almost instantly.
xxxx
The next morning the two joined Quinn, Samuel, and Beiste in the throne room.
"Santana, we are forever in your service." The Queen said from her throne. "And you will always have a place of honor here among us."
Brittany eyed her cousin curiously.
"Beiste has informed me of the value of this potion." Quinn continued, holding up what remained of the green liquid. "It created a portal for the witch and could do the same for you. You could return to your home. Or…you could remain here and make a home with us. We would be honored."
Santana sighed, squaring her shoulders. "I left Brittany once…I won't, can't leave her again."
Quinn smiled and glanced toward Brittany. Her smile faded when she saw the pained look on her cousin's face. "Brittany?"
The blonde looked ready to cry. Santana stepped closer and eyed her worriedly. Finally Brittany took Santana's hand in her own. "Santana, virgin from the western heights, befriender of dragons…champion…you have left your home and fought for a land that was not your own. It is your own now and will be forever. But you would like to return to your native land, I know this. Do not stay here simply for me."
Santana smiled. "Brittany, home isn't just a place. It can be a vegetable or a person…or in my case, an elf. I won't leave you. But…I could always do with my sidekick…I'll need the help keeping Sue in line…"
Brittany smiled widely then. "Do you mean…"
"Come with me."
Brittany squeezed Santana's hand and nodded excitedly. "I will come with you."
The brunette threw herself at Brittany in her excitement and wrapped her arms around the blonde. She kissed her soundly, laughing when they finally pulled away. Brittany cupped Santana's cheek and kissed her once again before turning and glancing toward Quinn.
The Queen smiled sadly as Brittany approached her. "I felt in my heart this might occur. And though I will miss you terribly…I am happy for you."
Brittany swallowed her tears and pulled her cousin closer in a hug. She pressed a kiss to her Queen's temple, a few tears finally leaking. "I will miss you as well."
"Go…before I change my mind and order that you remain here with me."
Brittany chuckled as she pulled away, wiping her tears. She sighed deeply before turning and stepping back to Santana's side. She clutched her hand and smiled at the shorter woman.
"Are you sure?" Santana asked softly.
"Yes." The blonde replied immediately. "We will be together forever Santana…it is destined. Take me to your world in the western heights."
"Oh babe." The brunette replied with a laugh. "Are you ever going to be in for a shock. We are gonna have to do something with those ears…"
Beiste opened the vial once again and poured the remaining liquid onto the floor. Just before the two could step into it, she pressed a bag into Santana's hands. "For your journeys."
The large woman winked and Santana smiled knowingly. She reached and took Brittany's hand. They grinned excitedly and cast one final glance to Quinn who was also smiling.
"See you soon!" Santana called, holding the bag to her chest protectively.
The two gave each other's hands a squeeze before they stepped into the glowing portal.
xxxx
Santana smiled lovingly as she and Brittany tucked their daughter in later that night. The girl had followed them around all evening asking questions about what had happened to Santana and Brittany once they stepped into the portal.
"Did they ever go back? That Beiste lady gave them more of the green goo didn't she? That's what was in the bag wasn't it?"
Brittany just chuckled and dropped a sloppy kiss to Charlie's forehead.
Even the next day Charlotte's mind was turning over the story. "That story about you and mama isn't for real is it? Come on mom, it isn't a real place is it? Ottengard is just made up isn't it?"
"Where do you think we go while you're off at school?" Brittany replied mysteriously. "And don't you think Aunt Quinn would make a great queen?"
Charlotte's jaw dropped and Santana smirked. The girl finally wandered off in a daze, not sure of what to make of her mother's story anymore.
"You do realize she's going to be wandering around looking for magic portals and other evidence of fairy kingdoms right?" Santana asked softly, pulling her wife in for a tender hug.
Brittany snorted out a laugh. "I know. She's already spend half the morning pulling on my ears and trying to make them pointy."
Santana laughed as well and dropped her head to her wife's shoulder. "She gets her imagination honestly love. Thank you for that story…and for telling her…and me. And for giving us a happy ending. Here and there."
Brittany smiled tenderly and cupped Santana's cheek. "Oh babe…there's no world in existence where we don't belong together. We'll be together forever."
xxxx
Six year old Santana sat, clutching six year old Brittany with all of her might. Her tears had finally dried as she listened to her best friend's tale. Brittany had been just on the edge of sleep when she heard a soft tapping on her bedroom window.
She rushed to the window and opened it, allowing her small, dark haired best friend to come tumbling inside.
"Santy? What's the matter?"
Santana was crying. The small blonde took her hand and pulled her to her bed and the two scooted under the covers, still holding each other tightly. The little brunette explained that once again her Mama and PapÍ were fighting. She had sat on the ornate staircase clutching the railings as she listened to the shouting. She cringed at the sound of glass breaking. Finally her PapÍ had stormed out of the house, the front door slamming behind him.
Santana had silently crept back up the stairs, her own tears beginning to fall. She immediately knew where she wanted to be. And so she slipped out the window and ran the quarter mile to her best friend Brittany's house.
The blonde held her friend as she cried, patting her gently. When Santana finally quieted, Brittany asked if she would like to hear a story. The brunette nodded against her best friend's bony shoulder and Brittany squeezed her.
The blonde launched into a tale of the hero Santana, saving the day after befriending a dragon. The story wasn't as detailed as it would become in later years but still it carried the same theme. And when it was over, Santana looked up into Brittany's shining blue eyes.
"Did Brittany really leave that magic place to go with Santana back to boring old Lima?"
The blonde giggled, her laugh whistling through the gap from her missing front teeth. "'Course she did. Brittany and Santana will be together forever."
"Like us?" the little brunette asked timidly.
Brittany smiled again and nodded. "Yep, just like us. We'll be together forever Santana. You're my champion."
Fin.
