Gun X Sword: The Lost Region
Chapter 10: Into the Rendezvous Point
(DISCLAIMER: No, I don't own Gun X Sword because it belongs to the likes of Geneon and FUNimation. So, enjoy the show! Rated M for violence, adult content, and adult language.)
Van was hard at work as he was cooking the rest of the venison meat in order to take it on the journey to the rendezvous point. He was hard at work as the cooked up the meat into jerky so it wouldn't go bad on the way. He was simply doing his best just to make the meat last until the moment of arrival towards the rendezvous point. After helping out with the daily chores, he finished up cooking the meat as it was being put into containers that were on hand to store such things. Although the meat was a hard thing to cook, but Van did it as he was grateful that he did more than just guzzle down milk and slather on condiments. He had the meat all turned into jerky as he was optimistic that it would last for the whole journey to the rendezvous point.
With the rest of the travelling party all packed up and ready to go, everyone left the temple as they were leaving towards the road that led to the rendezvous point. With Van leading the way, they all got far as they were treading the path that was safer than the one near the cliff. To their surprise, they made it to the cave where Tinuviel and Kalanar spent the night together. It was a familiar place for the both of them as they had a strange memory of their first night together. As for Van, however, he was combing for signs of life as he got towards the tree that grew inside of the cave. It was a strange tree indeed as it stayed in this cave for many centuries. Van even found that there was some withered wood torn off of it as it was used for a campfire. He didn't mind, but he was aware that the life from the Lost Region was slowly returning to full vibrance.
"This tree's got a good idea going," he said as he was touching the leaves on it.
"What did you find?" asked Pavel as he ran over to where Van was.
"We've got a large indoor houseplant here. From the look of it, this thing is over a thousand years old and still thriving."
"I bet that trees live longer than humans, but from the look of it, it's been fed off from what is in the cave."
"This is one of the rarities that survived the House of Feanor's wintry hold on the Lost Region. Somehow, it seems that it was planted by the House of Telfer long before it fell."
"I suppose that it's more of a bizarre moment with a tree. Besides, there could be more things in this cave than plant life."
Van began to probe the back of the tree as he found something that was hidden behind it. It was a doorway that was blocked for centuries as he decided to go around it. It was a passageway that lead to the rendezvous point as the sound of a generator was whirring in the distance. This was the place after all as he gathered the travelling party towards the crowded doorway and into the place where they needed to go. It was a major godsend that everyone had found the doorway as they entered into a place that was as warm as the summer winds. It was the rendezvous point after all as it was like an arrid desert complete with several lakes and oases. The terrain was vast as it was the most feasible of all the places here in the Lost Region. Even Wendy was happy that she didn't have to wear her arctic gear for a while as she took off her coat.
"Look at this place," she said. "It's like a paradise in the cold winter."
"This terrain is where the generators control the climate," said Ghazim.
"It's doing a damn good job of doing so," said Van.
"Don't get your hopes up," said Dulkas cautiously. "There had been numerous attacks by the House of Feanor for years only to force the Caliph and the rest of the descendants of the House of Moria to yield to their dastardly way of life."
"I'm hoping that Edoras and the rest of the crew comes here on time..."
Van was starting to worry about the crew in the airship as he was also concerned for the lives of the twins. He wanted to see the rest of crew once again as he even wanted to make sure that they got to the rendezvous point safely. This was a very crucial mission to reclaim the throne from the House of Feanor as they were still trying to keep a hold on power in this frozen wasteland. It was also a reason for Van to restore the family that was lost as he was thinking about the future for restoring the Lost Region to what it once was.
###
Edoras was in the sickbay as he was checking on the health of the twins in Van and Wendy's absence. He had noticed that they were more healthy than any other baby as they were sleeping in their little beds. It was a best bet that they remained in the sickbay for observation as they were being checked on like clockwork. Just as he was about to do his work, he noticed that one of the twins was moving around as he was fully awake. Haleth was simply staring at the surrogate dad in Van's absence as he picked him up. He was starting to smell bad as Edoras took him to the changing table to clean him up. With his sleeper unbuttoned, Haleth was being changed as there was a big surprise in his diaper. Edoras was no stranger to changing diapers as he gathered some wipes on hand. It really was a stinky one indeed as Haleth did a full load in his diaper.
"You're far more worse than your dad," said Edoras as he was busy cleaning Haleth up.
"Let me guess, he pulled a fast one you again," said Priscilla as she entered into the sickbay with a cup of coffee. "Those twins sure are a handful."
"We only have the twins because they can't go out in the harsh weather in the Lost Region. According to the coordinates, the rendezvous point is located in the area in the south end."
"That's where Van and the travelling party are."
"After I get this little guy cleaned up and changed, I'll look at the terrain out there."
Edoras finished cleaning up Haleth as he was wiped, changed, and put back in his bed. With the dirty diaper thrown away, Edoras resumed his work as he later went towards the terrain scanners. To his shock, he noticed that the snow in the area where the travelling were was melting as the appearance of fresh grass had sprouted up. There was work of the resonance as it was in tune with the one who would be the future king of the Lost Region. Edoras had never seen anything like it before as the grass on the terrain was fully growing in one fell swoop. This was something new in the Lost Region as it signaled a rebirth of the House of Telfer, for it was something that would never be taken away again.
"There's a lot of green pastures growing," said Edoras.
###
Shelob was called into court as she was being summoned by the Elite. Her failed attempt to kill the hunting party had displeased Eomer to the extreme as she dreaded the wrath of the House of Feanor's top dog in the frozen castle of a home. She was no stranger to Eomer's cruelty as she was itching to do away with him one way or the other. When she walked into the throne room, she saw Eomer staring at the tree that grew as it still had cherry blossoms on it. He was furious at the tree as he was no match for it. He tried to destroy it several times, but it grew back stronger and beautiful than ever. He hated the tree with such passion as he wanted to get rid of it so badly.
"Having a little tree trouble?" asked Shelob.
"This tree will never go away, just like Eovanuus," said Eomer as he was playing with his scythe.
"I guess that pruning is not an option. Anyway, Van and the ground party have left the temple after my failed attempt to kill that Rohirrim bastard. Kalanar and his sister will never escape the House of Feanor or the wolves that occupy the Lost Region."
"You have no idea, Shelob. Van still lives and this house of ours is starting to fade away at the seams. In the southern part, signs of spring are melting this glorious kingdom. Even the small Caliphate and other tribes that keep warm with their precious little generators are slowly turning against us in our darkest hour. Eight hundred years of Feanor rule had stood strong on this worthless planet, but with the future king returning, it is getting harder to maintain order here. This region is my domain and it will never be tainted by the signs of spring, for this place will always be the Land of Eternal Winter."
"You can't escape those omens, Eomer. This system here is breaking down and Van is the key to the Spring Resurrection."
"So, you think our house is broken?!" He runs forward as he seizes Shelob by the throat. "My kingdom will never be broken! Never! I rule this domain and I make all the rules! We are also the pureblood house due to our status in keeping the impurities out! I am a gardener of this frozen garden and I will always keep out the weeds!"
"You're insane, Eomer!" Shelob yanks Eomer's hand away from her throat as she catches her breath at the last minute. "I shall take my leave now, so you can get back to playing with your little toy."
"Don't you walk away from me, you ungrateful bitch! You are a part of the House of Feanor and you stay here and nowhere else! I will maintain order here and no one in this house will oppose me!"
"No, Eomer, this house is already broken. A new king will come and put you in your place, I promise you."
With that statement, Shelob left the main hall as she was simply questioning Eomer's authority and rule here in the Lost Region. She was one to never ask questions, but she was simply made not to answer them as well when she was made in her prime. The Elite was mainly those who never aged as they were also the ones who kept the lower family members on a short leash. Shelob was one of those family members on a short leash as she was starting to loosen it. Over the years, the Elite had decreed that the lower family members had no other choice but to marry one another and produce children in such an incestual way in order th keep the Feanor bloodline pure. Shelob was one of these purebreds as she was ready to take action one way or the other.
When she returned to her room, she sat down in her bed as she wanted to wait for Horumo to show up. She was never one to question the Elite's authority, but she wanted out of the House of Feanor's tyrannical control. It wasn't long until she saw the door open only to see that Horumo arrived as he was in his armor. He was off duty as a sentry officer as he was also another purebred that wanted out of Eomer's frozen machinations. Yes, both he and Shelob were lovers as they also pined for one another when it came to comfort in this frozen wasteland.
"I take it that you tried to challenge Eomer earlier," said Horumo.
"That so-called 'holier than thou' bastard's been in power for too long," said Shelob.
"Eomer may be the head honcho in this Noble House, but he also has his subordinates, Eowyn and Eothain. I heard that some of the lower members here have perished while keeping an eye on the cities that were near the Lost Region's borders."
"Those people were simply Eomer's ass-kissers. They were simply just following orders to his whim. It was also a godsend that we kept that man safe when we allowed him to escape Eomer's torture."
"You mean Michael Garret? He was once a devout servant to the late Kroo Kring Koo. It was said that he and his late wife settled into Gohma to make a new life from the dark path they went upon. When Eomer heard of such insubordination, he broke in and killed Fasalina and snatched up Michael while he left their twin sons crying and alone."
"I remember that very well. When Michael was brought here, he was tortured every day just for fun by not only Eomer and Brego, but Grishnak as well."
"We all know about Grishnak. He's the worst one of the lower house as he likes to torture his victims so badly that he gets off on it. He tortured Michael Garret for over a month until we set him free with a Rohirrim slave in our care. At least that he is safe in one of the hidden caves for the time being."
"Michael Garret may have been safe for all those years in hiding, but he has don the unthinkable when he sided with Kroo Kring Koo. He betrayed his sister, the future queen, he joined up with that old madman, and he destroyed the satellites that once housed the Original Seven Armors. It was also mere luck that one of the satellites was a decoy because the one that belonged to Diablo of Monday was cloaked, thanks to the Rohirrim's power of Genjutsu."
"I simply just wished that we were free from Eomer's tyranny once and for all..."
"Horumo..."
Shelob saw Horumo sit on the bed beside her as he was removing his armor. He was a fine man as he was simply pining for her, regardless of what would come afterwards. Shelob loved the sight of him as she watched him strip off his clothes. He was a muscular man as he also had a nice member just to plunge into Shelob's domain as he saw her take off her own clothes only to reveal her body to him. It wasn't the first time that she revealed herself to him as he even took her virginity the moment they came together. The sight of Horumo's member enticed her as she wanted to stroke it gently. Her own body was wanting to be touched as she saw Horumo touch at her large breasts. He wanted her all to himself as he kissed her soft lips. He loved the feel of her breasts as he wanted the whole thing when he was on top of her.
The mutual stimulation of Shelob's domain had made her moan as she felt Horumo's strong fingers massage at the soft areas. He decided to go lower as he was starting to have his "just desserts" while massaging the lower domain with his tongue. Shelob loved the feel of his tongue as she was simply moaning with erotic pleasure. It wasn't long until she saw him massage his member until it was hard and erect. When she felt him entering inside of her, she was whole with him as he was thrusting in and out of her. She loved the feel of him as she even felt him suck on one of her breasts. They were in such erogenous desire with one another as they were simply lovers and nothing more.
"Oh, Horumo," said Shelob as she was in the throes in her ecstasy. "I love you..." She moaned as she felt him sucking milk from her breast. "This feels good! I want more!"
She felt his mouth on her other breast as he was sucking on it with such force. She was also the type to lactate erotically when it came to not being pregnant as she felt the milk being sucked out of the other breast. She loved the feel of Horumo for both his mouth and his member as he was doing his all on her. The moment of pleasure had consumed the both of them as they were on the peak of orgasm. The erotic desire had became mutual until they were both tired from their little "milk play." Shelob later felt Horumo's seed enter into her as it comforted her with such gusto. When he pulled out of her, he saw the milk from her breasts trickling as it was also a sign that she would be having something more for him.
"You really look beautiful," said Horumo.
"It's my milk that sustains you," said Shelob.
"Sooner or later, it'll sustain a lot more than just me whenever we get a chance to create a life of our own after we take out Eomer."
"Speaking of Eomer... He's been trying to cut down that tree, but it keeps growing back the moment it gets cut down to a stump. I say that it's an omen that signals the return of the true king."
Shelob and Horumo were confident that they would take out Eomer from the seams inside, but they had to watch their backs and keep their plans secret. The time of the House of Feanor's icy rule was over as it was slowly gaining life in the form of the Spring Resurrection. It would only take a matter of time before they were discovered, but they had be secretive in order to survive the Elite's brutal tyranny. It wasn't long until Shelob dug out the piece of a mirror shard that was encased in amber as it was a reminder of Brego, who lost his life at the hands of the invading future king. As for Horumo, however, he was disgusted by the fact that Brego's legacy should have been honored, but the latter had it coming the moment he tried to kill Van.
"You still keep that piece of mirror shard, don't you?" he said.
"It's Brego's handiwork," said Shelob.
"He was nothing but a sadistic spoiled brat who delighted in torture in the form of that so-called book that he found."
"He was my brother. I can't let his death go unavenged."
"As I recall, he had it coming the moment he invaded the home of the late Zhao Jingwa when he killed him and took the art of the Mirror Piercer with him. As for that, he even went so far by killing the parents of one of his students."
"He did what?"
"Brego killed that boy's father for a past grievance. As for the mother, she was raped by him until he was caught by that kid. In the end, the mother sacrificed herself to save the boy before Brego tried to do away with him. I knew all about it because he kept bragging about it every day. It wasn't long until he found that book the moment he slayed those people and took up a new calling. That was when he killed that gay couple and their san-kataoya and left their children parentless. He even stooped so low when he tried to kill those lesbians back in Jade Creek. After hearing about him getting killed, he did deserve to die after what he did. He was nothing but a monster that piloted his little Armor in order to bully people."
"I see..." Shelob walked towards the window of her room as she had the ambered mirror shard in her hand. "So, Brego, you stooped to the extreme when you did those things. I am no different than you, so I wouldn't stoop to your level. It's over, brother. I have a new path of my own now."
With that, Shelob opened up the window as she threw out the ambered mirror shard. She was also aware of Brego's cruelty over the years as she was now told of the full extent of it by Horumo. Her new resolve had now come into fruition as she had seen the omens that were in full bloom. She had Horumo by her side as she was ready to hatch a secret plot into overthrowing Eomer and the rest of the Elite in the House of Feanor, for it was time to await the future king and queen that were waiting in the wings.
###
Van and Wendy lead the travelling party further into the warm desert climate as it was powered by many generators. It was also a place where the land was fertile as many fruits, vegetables, grains, and other forms of food had been imported and exported. Unfortunately, the food here had been shipped as tribute to the House of Feanor as there was also a penalty for those who defy them. As for Ghazim, however, he had seen firsthand of the terrible rule that Eomer had on his people for centuries as they had stolen the food that was grown here in this terrain. In this time of the darkest proportions, the people that lived here were growing tired of the Feanor Dynasty as it became apparent that there was an uprising brewing. It would only be a matter of time before the time of action was about to spring up.
"This place..." said Ghazim as he looked around the terrain. "It's been six months since I joined up with Dulkas and Guofeng in order to free the bordering cities from the House of Feanor's cruel tyranny."
"I take it that you know your whole way around here," said Van.
"The city that is in this terrain is called Izdihar while the rest of it is called Afzal-Din, which is part of this Lost Region."
"Your city's been powered by the generators that keep this thing going in this frozen wasteland. I take it that you guys are very resourceful at a high price."
"Izdihar's been under a quiet strain for quite some time," said Dulkas. "The Caliph was one of the few descendants of the House of Moria that is trying to maintain the order here. Most recently, there had been some upheaval here."
"What kind of Upheaval?" asked Nancy.
"It's been unstable since the talk of some of the forces from the House of Feanor being taken out by the Imperium Twelve one step at a time."
"So, if we're about to meet up with the Caliph, then we better be on our way," said Van.
And so, the travelling crew were ready to go into the city as it was a bustling form of a bazaar. They had never seen so many wares and produce stands like this before as it was also under a heavy tax burden. Van had never expected to see so many sights in his life as he was in the territory of the House of Moria. The Noble House that once ruled centuries ago had been no more, but they were highly known for their bright blue eyes and their foresight. Even Wendy was curious about this city of Izdihar as she had never expected to see many sentries scale the place in droves. To her shock, she saw one sentry coming towards her as he was simply looking at her with such curiosity. The sentry with brown skin had now become aware that he was in the presence of the future queen of the Lost Region as he saw her to be simply plain in her clothes.
"Unforgivable!" he said as he was staring at the clothes that Wendy wore. "The future queen should not be dressed like that!"
"Wait! It's not like that!" cried Wendy as she was being whisked away.
"The Queen needs to be clothed in the proper attire here!"
"Hey, come back!" yelled Van.
He chased at the sentry as he still had Wendy in his firm grip. The chase had led Van towards a fine tailoring shop as it had a woman that was covered head to toe in navy blue complete with a hijab. She had never expected to see Van in her shop as she was about to scold her husband for snatching Wendy the moment he walked in. It was an awkward sight to see as both Van and Wendy were in the tailoring shop. Both the sentry and the woman were humbled to see them in their presence as there was also a familiar face sitting next to the door where some fabric was packaged. It was Ithilien as he was sent by Edoras as an envoy. He had never agreed to it, but he had no choice but to do so as he saw Van and Wendy sit down at a table.
"Long time, no see," said Van.
"Very funny," said Ithilien.
"I take it that the airship hasn't come in yet."
"It has, but I was sent in to accompany you and Wendy towards the palace."
"Unforgivable!" said the sentry as he seized Ithilien by the scruff of his shirt. "The future king and queen will not follow a common pup like you to the palace."
"Hey, that 'common pup' is one of our closest allies," said Van. "He's even helped out when we liberated Zetsuei from Brego's clutches."
"I see..." the sentry set Ithilien down as he saw his wife grab him by the scruff of his collar. "Hawa, not so rough!"
"You shouldn't make a fool of yourself, Dawood," she said. "As for the future king and queen, they are also the most valuable of all in the Lost Region."
"I thank you for your hospitality," said Van.
"That's not all," said Ithilien as he brought out a big surprise from beneath the stroller that was hidden behind the fabric. "I've been stuck on babysitting duty as well."
Van was shocked and pleased to see the twins sleeping in their stroller as they were comfortable after a brief cleanup and a bottle feeding. Even Wendy was happy to see them as they were there under Ithilien's watch. The twins were there as one of them decided to wake up. It was little Hamana as she was crying for attention. Wendy was swift to act as she picked her up and noticed that she was starting to get hungry. It was a very awkward thing to breastfeed in public, but she didn't want to offend anyone about as it as she took Hamana into one of the restrooms.
"Don't worry, Mommy's here," she said as she entered into the restroom.
The place was clean and spotless as Wendy locked the door behind her. Now was the time to act as she removed her shirt and bra while she exposed her breast. It wasn't long until she saw Hamana latch onto her nipple as she was busy chowing down on the milk that was needed for her. It was the first time in a couple of days since she nursed the twins as she fed Hamana until she was full. After putting back on her bra and shirt, Wendy burped Hamana as she let out a content belch. When she unlocked the restroom door. She left as she was back in the main area where Van and the others stood. When she put back Hamana into the stroller, she was fussing as she didn't want to stay in there.
"Come on now, Hamana," said Wendy. "I just fed you."
"That one is a real beauty," said Hawa as she saw the little girl fussing. "She also has a little bit of fire in her, which is a Quenya trait."
"Van's mother was from the House of Quenya."
"I see that this little child is the spitting image of the beautiful Arwen. She even looks like her."
"Yeah, and she can also be impatient."
"That little girl missed us," said Van as he picked Hamana up and set her on his lap.
It wasn't long until Wendy heard Haleth crying as she picked him up. Like Hamana, he was also hungry as Wendy took him into the restroom and locked the door behind her. As usual, she didn't want to offend anyone as she removed her shirt and bra once again. With her breast exposed, she saw Haleth latch onto the nipple as he was sucking away with such contentment. She was seeing him eat his way through as he was sucking on the breastmilk that she had. After she finished up feeding Haleth, she set him down as she put back on her bra and shirt. When she picked him up again, she burped him as he let out a content belch that was similar to Van's bellowing about how he slathers condiments on his food.
"You sound like your father," she said.
When she left the restroom once again, she joined Van and the others as she held Haleth in her arms while sitting down at the table. She had found him to be a "mama's boy" as he was comfortable in her company. Even Van was impressed that his son was simply just a ham as he was sitting in his lap. Ithilien had seen the importance of family forever as he saw it in a new light when it came to Van and his family sitting with such gusto. It was the family that was there in the Lost Region as Ithilien was impressed that they were a loving unit despite all the dangers that they had to endure.
"You're a close-knit family that's beaten the odds," he said.
"I take it that you're shown the ropes after all," said Van.
"After being with my siblings for so long, I believe that it's time to start growing up and stop complaining."
"You grew up the moment that you helped liberated Zetsuei from the House of Feanor's clutches. You also got Marta with you."
"I beg your pardon!"
"I take that the young pup has himself a girlfriend," said Dawood as he let out a hearty laugh.
"She's not my girlfriend! She's a woman who pilots an Armor called Custard. As for me, I have my own, which is Artros of March."
"This Marta is still your girlfriend, you know."
"Hey, you're beginning to sound like my brother!"
The hearty conversation was a jovial one as everyone in the tailoring shop was simply having a moment of normalcy. As for Van and Wendy, however, they set the twins down in their little stroller as they were hauled into separate fitting rooms by both Dawood and Hawa. The art of tailoring was their passion as they were ready to give them some proper clothes to wear. After getting their clothes, both Van and Wendy paid for them as they were on their way with Ithilien pushing the stroller from behind with the twins in tow. They were well on their way towards the palace as they were ready to be in the presence of the Caliph. It wasn't long until they all met up with Nancy, Dulkas, and the others as they were ready to be on their way. There was a glimmer of light in the darkness as the terrain would soon be welcomed by the sights of spring, for the fall of the House of Feanor was simply just the beginning.
###
The Sezorin Sisterhood watched from the bridge of the airship as they were together stooped in prophecy. They had hope for Van as he was also the super-being that would take down the House of Feanor once and for all. With the resonance guiding them, they had the ability to foresee the events that went on and beyond as they were staring at the clouds in the window. The Reverend Mother was leading the pack as she was also there to see the battle through the end.
"My fellow sisters," she said. "The time has come for the Spring Resurrection. The time of the House of Feanor has come to an end. A new age is dawning in the form of a male Sezorin that remained hidden over the centuries. Eomer's reign of terror over this land that was once Tir Andurinar has begun to slip. The House of Feanor is already broken, but there are two defectors that are slowly working their way into bringing this reign down. There is also another vision that Van will have no choice but to take the Water of Life and be reborn anew. That is the will of this planet and the sister homeworld of the Rohirrim, Shai-Hulud."
The Reverend Mother's words of prophecy had rang true as she was eager to see it out when the real battle was already put into motion. She was aware that the fall of the House of Feanor was happening the moment the omens appeared. Sooner or later, there would be an all-out war brewing when the rebels would be going up against the House of Feanor's feared Elite. The time of a new beginning was at hand as the renewed House of Telfer would take the throne from the ones that occupied it for many centuries. This was a time for a new king to protect his kingdom, for the House of Telfer was already rising from the ashes and into the Lost Region.
###
Van was leading the way as he was on his way towards the palace of the Caliph. Everyone in tow had followed him as they were at the palace gates at last. When they opened up, they found that the inside of the palace was extremely spectacular as it was decorated from head to toe. To Van's surprise, he saw the airship parked onto the palace landing area as he saw Edoras and the other crew members being escorted by the palace guards. He had never expected everyone to get the royal treatment as he, too, was also being escorted away. He was taken to a bathhouse in the palace as he was about to get cleaned up and presentable. With his clothes stripped, he was tossed into one of the bathtubs as he smelled the scent of sandalwood and exotic flowers. He had never expected to get the royal treatment before, but he got it anyway as he was being scrubbed thoroughly by some of the servants that were on hand to keep him clean.
"I take it that you guys have your work cut out for you," he said.
"This is what is called a bath for the ages," said Dulkas as he was sitting in another tub.
"I take it that this is a 'men's only' bathhouse."
"The bathhouses aren't exactly co-ed. Around in this terrain, these bathhouses are separate for both genders: one for the men and boys and one for the women and girls."
"So, Wendy's with the women, I take it."
"Women are forbidden to come in the men's bathhouse unless that they are being accompanied by a eunuch."
"I'll be with Wendy later. Right now, I wanna be in this bath for as long as I live."
"Watch out, you'll end up being a prune if you're in there for too long."
Van sighed as he was finished being cleaned up. He had never been accustomed to being cleaned up by servants before, but this was a first for him as he was led out when the water drained from the tub. Even Dulkas followed suit as he got out and went straight to the warm pool that was simply heaven. It wasn't long until Van went into the hot pool as he was sitting down. He was relieved that he was clean as he was just lounging around for a little bit. He was also aware that this bliss wouldn't last as he was being carted away by the servants with a towel wrapped around him. Even Dulkas was carted the same way as he followed Van out of the bathhouse. Both men were taken into separate dressing rooms as they were getting dressed in formal clothes.
When they got out of there, they were dressed up in the finest clothes that were tailored to the style of the terrain. It wasn't long until they saw Wendy and Nancy standing in front of them as they were also dressed in formal attire. They all had many exotic forms of colors on them as it suited them very well. With Van wearing black and Wendy wearing white, they were elegant as they saw Nancy and Dulkas wear blue and navy. They all joined up with the rest of the crew as they were all together in one fell swoop.
It was that time when everyone was ready to see the Caliph in all his glory as Ghazim was home to see his family for the first time. He had been away for a while, but he was in good company as he was glad to have them here in the Lost Region. Like Dulkas and Guofeng, he was also against the House of Feanor's cruel tyranny as he was most likely to liberate his people from their wrath. To everyone's shock, they saw Edoras standing in front of the throne of the Caliph as he was dressed in black and white. He was grateful that everyone had made it in one piece as they were standing in the presence of royalty.
"You made it, but you're late," he said as he saw Van and Wendy dressed in their new clothes. "I guess it's better late than never."
"You and your airship have a lot in common," said Van.
"The Caliph has been expecting you for quite some time. He's also one of the descendants from the House of Moria just like Ghazim."
"It's an honor, my Lord," Van kneels as he shows some modesty to the Caliph. "We've travelled as far as Evergreen to get here. Now, we all arrived and are ready to stop the House of Feanor."
"My Lord Eovanuus," said the Caliph. "There's no need to bow before me. It is said that you have arrived with your folk that is willing to protect you and the future queen along with the little prince and princess. Allah is pleased that my son has brought you here and have come to this court. It is also your destiny to bring down the House of Feanor once and for all."
"Father, Van is a valiant man and a righteous man of honor," said Ghazim. "He and his wife had been chosen to aid the Spring Resurrection the moment they came here."
"I take it that you're still a lot ambitious than ever. By the way, did you also seek your future bride yet? You know, the one with the Telfer crest on her thigh?"
"What is he talking about?" asked Van.
"It's me," said Undomiel as she ran in front of the crew. "I take it that you're Ghazim's dad, aren't you? It's an honor to meet you, sir."
"'Dad?' Young lady, I take it that you will turn seventeen in five months. My son will also have a birthday in that month of June just like you."
"We've been through the House of Feanor's tyranny long before we crossed here. We've even liberated the border cities that were near this area. I've travelled with Van and Wendy quite a few times and we've been through a lot just to get here. After we get the drop on the House of Feanor, I'll be more than obliged into marrying your son if you want."
Van and the others were stunned by Undomiel's willingness into marrying Ghazim as she was still too young for now. Even though she was about to turn seventeen in June, she didn't hear no complaints from her siblings as they were simply happy to have another union. As for Van, however, he was still in the company of the Caliph as he was most likely to do the most drastic thing that would become fatal if he wasn't careful. He was most likely to drink the Water of Life as he would also be ready to awaken in such a strange way in order to bring down the House of Feanor. Right now, he was glad to be in good company as he was next to Wendy's side. The Spring Resurrection has already begun, for the Lost Region was simply melting away from the eternal snow that covered it for so long.
To be continued...