CHAPTER FIVE: There is no stench like home
Wow, It has been almost a week since my last update. Yeah, blame school. I cannot promise that I will update regularly.
Confusion. That's the first feeling that sets in. What does he mean by travelling companions? It cannot promise anything good, that's for sure. Karen and dad always tell us not to talk to strangers and going with those strangers certainly isn't any better. But Toby should know this, so I think my little brother is in a lot of trouble.
Sam Henry Ivy Toby!
"Sir Didymus." I ask puzzled and worried. "What do you mean by travelling companions? I didn't see anyone when I ended up back here or on my way to see you." No, it was the smell that welcomed me instead.
He looks a little baffled at my statement. "Art thou certain Milady? There have been more visitors here recently than in...Well a goodly length in times past. Perhaps they come to admire the beauteous landscape or to enjoy the sweet air." He ponders with a lovingly gaze around the bog.
He cannot be serious. Nope, he is dead serious. The poor knight must have inhaled too much toxics from the bog, which reminds me that I really have to get out of here. This may be an idyllic landscape with a fresh odor to Sir Didymus. But I prefer swimming in a sewer over staying here any longer.
"Please Sir Didymus, can we talk about this anywhere else?" The words come out of my mouth very quick and I shut my mouth immediately after saying said words.
"If Milady insist."He answers politely. I am almost on the bridge when the voice Sir Didymus makes me halt just in front of it. "
"Halt! No one may pass without my permission!" He declares. The knight returns to his bravado as guard of the bridge. All traces of our earlier conversation seem to have disappeared. If I didn't know any better I would say that he has amnesia.
I raise my eyebrow at him. Do we really have to go through this again? "May I have your permission?" Again If I may say so. Fortunately for me, he doesn't need a long time to ponder over his response.
"You may." He answers while stepping aside so I can cross the bridge.
I place one foot cautiously on the bridge. It may seem very solid, but I would rather not dangle into the air again. Sir Didymus seems to acknowledge my hesitation.
"Don't worry Milady. This bridge is as solid as the last one." He tells me proudly while tapping a stone of the bridge with his dress sword. I turn around to look at him in agony. My amnesia theory is getting more real by the minute.
Realization dawns on his face. He laughs nervously for a second. "I do mean before it passed the age of a thousand years, Milady. Verily it is so. There is no need to fear now." Sir Didymus says encouraging. But the memory of me clutching a branch and almost falling in the bog stops me from going any further.
Get a grip Sarah. Toby needs me and I want to breathe freely. I should be more courageous than this. If I can defeat a certain Goblin Kings game than I can cross this small bridge as well.
I take a small breath and hurry over the bridge. Once I am on the other side of the bridge it feels like the smell has vanished like frost under the morning sun. I hadn't noticed it before but it is quite warm in here. I open my coat and put my scarf on the ground. There is no need for that anymore, but I might need my coat later.
Sir Didymus comes soon after me over the bridge without any hesitation. "Well, where were we?" Sir Didymus asks me.
"You were saying that there have been more visitors here than before." I explain to him. It sure is a lot easier to talk when you are not under the attack of a constant stink while breathing in.
"Ah yes indeed." He answers while taking his chin in his hand. The well known 'I am thinking' position. "I cannot recall when it started my fair lady, but I have had the chance to enact my position of guarding the passage and to fulfill my duty every day. It is marvelous!" He adds with delight. The joy fades from his face. "But to my displeasure, there are only few that do not ask my permission." A frown has formed itself on his face. I guess he just likes a good swordfight once in a while and thereby protecting his oath. He is a knight after all.
With the information of Sir Didymus I can confirm two things. One, this whole situation is very odd. And two, those visitors must be out of their mind to come here! I hardly think that they would come here solely for the company of Sir Didymus. I love that little knight very dearly as my friend, but the bog...Well it is the Bog of Eternal Stench.
"Sir Didymus, can you describe what they looked like." I inquire.
"They all looked quite like one another, nothing out of the ordinary. But every single one of them was wearing a peculiar mask. For what reason, I do not know Milady." He answers honestly. Those masks they were wearing must be some sort of gasmasks. So they can manage to come here without having the 'sweet and fragrant air' making them sick to the bones. I would really appreciate one of those the next time I end up here. Toby would really like to disguise himself with one of those masks, like a soldier or anything else he can come up with.
Toby. "Euh, Sir Didymus, was my brother wearing such a mask?" I ask.
"I do not recall that the little lad wore a mask. He did have a pale color on his face and it seemed like he was perspiring." He replies. Poor Toby, he has a bit of a sensitive stomach.
That reminds me that Sir Didymus didn't stop the people who clearly abducted Toby and Merlin. "Please Sir, why didn't you stop them?" I ask confused and aggravated.
He answers without missing a beat. "Milady, it is my oath that none shall pass without my permission, but they asked for my permission right away in a polite manner and so it was my duty to grant them access. The little lad was not bonded at all and there was no way of knowing that he was taken prisoner." He answers in a way that makes me understand his point of view.
There is no point in being mad or anything. It's in the past and I do understand why he did it. We can only waste more precious time by waiting here. "Sir Didymus, would you mind going with me to get Toby back? Please noble Sir, you are the only one who knows which way they went." The prospect of a new search must be enough to persuade him.
His reaction is clear enough.
"Aha! Finally a new quest!" He calls out loud." I would be most delighted to help you Milady. I shall summon Ambrosius. Ambrosius, come my loyal steed!"
It appears that Ambrosius has no intention of coming to his master because he stays out of sight and hearing.
Sir Didymus raises his voice after having enough of his dog's behavior."Come hither this instant Ambrosius!" Shaking and howling softly, Ambrosius comes into eyesight and runs to Sir Didymus. "That's a good boy." Sir Didymus praises Ambrosius while mounting him. "Onwards Milady, I shall lead the way."
And so we march. The only members missing are Hoggle and Ludo to complete the fellowship like last time.
I wonder how they are. "Have you seen Ludo or Hoggle recently." I ask Sir Didymus.
He turns his attention to me. "I have not seen Sir Ludo or Sir Hoggle in many months now Milady." He answers.
A lot can happen in a couple of months.
And that is the end of this chapter. You have probably noticed that Sir Didymus speaks like a medieval knight in the movie so I tried to put that here as well. Until the next chapter!