The day was cloudy and there was no sunrise to warm their spirits. Velda's fever had taken a firm hold on her and she was incapable of anything. Treguard held her on the horse as they rode. He rode as fast as he could but was compelled to slow to follow some of the twisty ley paths. and they passed through rockier ground as they got further north that delayed them. Treguard was glad when he recognised the landscape and for a while felt they were close to their destination. However they were still many miles off and Treguard's optimism soon turned to pessimism as he continued to ride hard yet seemed to get no nearer.
Eventually however, as he left the last vestige of the town of Dunsholm behind, he sighted the castle. Urging the horse to a final effort he covered the remaining distance in record time. The horse was completely worn out when they reached the top of the crag where the castle was situated. He reined him in by the stables and Treguard quickly unstopped Pickle's bottle. As soon as the elf appeared he passed Velda down to him.
"I'll take her to the dungeon ante-chamber," he said jumping down and taking the elf-maid back. "You must hurry and find Hordriss." Pickle wasted no time in bounding across the courtyard into the castle but Treguard called after him unnecessarily.
"Quickly now!" He followed the elf into the castle with the invalid in his arms. It worried him that she weighed so little though he doubted she weighed much more when well. He followed Pickle's steps down to the antechamber, though the elf had long-since vanished from sight, and laid Velda carefully on the hearthrug. Her breathing was unnaturally shallow and her skin was like ice: both cold and pale. Ordinarily he might have taken her to a bedchamber but in this case time was of the essence. this was the closest room to the dungeon and the Dungeon Master knew the mage would be found within the dungeon. He paced as he waited for Pickle's return. He would have cursed if he didn't know the elf would bring Hordriss as fast as he could. Then there was an implosion of light and they appeared. Pickle had apparently informed Hordriss of the situation for he went to Velda's side without a word. He wasted no time in checking her condition.
"She is close," he said mystically before laying a hand upon her forehead and closing his eyes. "Apage!" he commanded. "Abi impurus maledictum!" Magic prickled the air and Hordriss sagged. Treguard quickly helped him to the chair while Pickle returned to Velda's side.
"The fever's gone, master!" he said gleefully.
"Yes," Hordriss said. "A few hours more though and she would have been beyond even my power to cure. I hope she was worth the promise made."
"Promise? what promise?" Treguard looked from one to the other. Pickle looked nervous but replied.
"I couldn't immediately find Hordriss, master. But I met Malice who said Hordriss owed her a favour."
"Most definitely repaid." Hordriss muttered.
"What did you promise Malice, elf?"
"She said she'd get Hordriss for Velda if I promised to put myself at her disposal for no more than an hour sometime soon." Treguard was at once furious and dreadfully concerned.
"Pickle, have you no idea what she wanted with you?" Pickle could only shake his head but he added.
"Whatever it is, master, Velda is worth it." Treguard couldn't bring himself to reproach the elf.
"You better take her to one of the guest rooms," he said. Pickle carefully picked her up and carried her away. Treguard turned to Hordriss.
"Is there anything you can do?" he asked. The old mage shook his head.
"It was a promise freely given and a deal openly made. She has kept her side of the bargain already. The fay is in her debt. When she calls he must answer." He rose to his feet to depart but added. "My advice would be to keep him out of earshot." Treguard nodded.
Meanwhile, Velda had been laid in a spare room and was resting peacefully. Pickle sat by her all night and when she awoke in the morning his smiling face was the first thing she saw. Though her fever and illness was gone, she was still too weak to rise and she had to spend the day in bed with Pickle waiting on her. Treguard also stopped by to check on her but as Lord of the castle he had matters to attend to. He remembered to send payment to Sir Edmund for the loss of his horse and also to send word to the elves of Freneville. Numerous other things also needed his attention. the larder had to be restocked after his prolonged absence and the rooms aired. All in all he was busy all day. But Pickle kept Velda entertained though he made no mention of his promise to Malice.
The following day she was strong enough to get up although she tired quickly. Pickle took her from room to room and she sat and rested while he recounted tales of his days in the castle. And so the week passed and her strength gradually returned. However, Pickle was still concerned about her. Although her strength had come back she still seemed to have no energy or enthusiasm. He endeavoured to raise her spirits with trips of exploration in the castle and excursions in the lands about it but she continued to sigh. It frustrated him that she would not say what was wrong but insisted she was fine. Merely tired.
He entreated Lord Treguard's help but he could suggest no reason for her lethargy other than her recent illness. However he did suggest a visit to her old friends in Duns might cheer her up. So Pickle encouraged her to go with him into the village and introduce him to her old friends. She was reluctant at first but eventually agreed. It came as quite a surprise to Folly and Gretel to see Velda on their doorstep after so many years.
And it seemed to do the trick. Pickle was pleased to see Velda laugh again. There was a lot of chat about what had been happening over the years. Folly and Gretel introduced them to their two children, Joseph and Epona. She was still just a babe in arms but the boy was old enough to join their conversation. He was thrilled to meet some real elves and begged them for tales of their adventures. Pickle was always happy to relate tales of his adventures with his master, Treguard, and launched into the story of how they had gone looking for the Holy Grail. However by the end of the story, while Joseph was in awe, Velda had that sad look back in her eyes. Gretel announced it was time for both children to be in bed and she and Velda disappeared into another room to tuck the children in. Folly spoke quietly to Pickle.
"I am pleased to see Velda again. I was worried about her after we left the dungeon."
"I must say, I hoped our visit would rekindle her fiery spirit but, while I'm sure she is glad to see you, she still seems depressed."
"She would be." Folly said bluntly. Pickle looked at him confused. "Think about it. She was always so full of pride. She'd like us to think nothing could daunt her. but she'd had so many knock backs and just when she thinks things may be getting better she's struck again by something else she cannot beat. She's lost all her confidence." Pickle was still considering the wisdom of these words when the ladies returned. The elves said their farewells and headed back to the castle.
Pickle was now faced with a dilemma. He knew what the problem with Velda was but not how he could fix it. And if he said anything to her about it, it might damage her confidence further. Once again he turned to his master for help. Treguard listened silently and considered the matter carefully before replying.
"What she needs," he said, "is to overcome some obstacle on her own." He thought a few moments longer then added. "Perhaps it is time to reopen the dungeon."
"The dungeon, master? But how should we get her to take up the challenge without implying she needs reassurance?"
"The dungeon has been closed a long while. It is only sensible to have someone test it out before opening it to all and sundry. And who better to test it than an elf-maid who has proved herself more than able on several occasions?"
"No one, master," he hesitated. "I do not like tricking Velda like this but…"
"It is for the best." Treguard assured him. "And anyway, I shall sound her out on the matter so you needn't lie to her." Pickle agreed and waited while Treguard went to speak with Velda. When he returned Pickle asked him anxiously.
"What did she say? Did she suspect?"
"No. She accepted my excuse that I merely wanted someone to test the dungeon but she did not accept the challenge so keenly as she once would have."
"She accepted though?"
"Yes. I believe she wants to prove to herself she is still capable of surviving the dungeon."
"I only hope she is, master. This is no game of numerous lives."
"Have faith, Pickle. She may have lost her confidence but not her skill." Pickle nodded. "Her challenge shall begin in the morning but mind you remember my warning." Treguard looked meaningfully at the elf who nodded again but said nothing. He watched him a moment longer before dismissing him.
"Go make sure she's prepared then." The elf darted away. Treguard sighed. Pickle was like all creatures of fay, mischievous and fanciful, but he hoped he would show some sense in this matter.
The next day dawned and Treguard was up early to greet Velda in the Great Hall. there was no warm welcome today however as he had once again taken up his duties as Dungeon Master.
"Now the time has come for you to prove your mettle," he said. "Remember that the dungeon beneath this castle exists to test the many qualities that a fine knight should possess. In addition to quick-wittedness, you must demonstrate bravery, diplomacy, honour and mercy. These were all virtues that Richard the Lionheart demonstrated in abundance." Velda nodded, her jaw set in determination even though her heart was pounding. The thought of failure scared her more than the tests or traps. Treguard gave her a pair of soft boots with the advice.
"I'd wear these if I were you. You never know what you might tread on in the dungeon." Then he held out the Helm of Justice. She took it as well and was pleased to see her hand was steady.
"I accept the challenge," she declared. Treguard smiled for the first time.
"I'm surprised Pickle hasn't come to see you off," he commented.
"He's always late," she replied.
"If he were here he'd doubtless sneak you some aid. Or attempt to at any rate. So choose: a spell or something to eat later." She considered a moment before deciding.
"A spell."
"Very wise. You might always find food, after all, but magic is hard to come by. Now, which spell will you take? Stealth, shield or rust?" Velda smiled.
"Stealth sounds like my sort of spell."
"Not a bad choice," admitted Treguard, "the STEALTH spell makes you almost totally silent and invisible to creatures with normal vision. But it only lasts a short time, so don't idle about once you've cast it."
"That should make up for my not using my native magic."
"It wouldn't matter terribly if you did." Treguard reassured her.
"You wanted this dungeon tested for mortals," she reminded him, "so I shall approach the challenge as a mortal."
"Very well," he conceded. "It shall make your victory all the more rewarding." She placed the Helm on her head and adjusted herself to the weight. Her vision was impaired by it but thankfully not completely blocked. Slowly she turned to the doorway and stepped forward. With only Lord Treguard watching she felt called upon to walk boldly. If Pickle had been there she doubted her spirit would have held. Once over the threshold though, there was no turning back.