Chapter 11

Though the ride to Avalon was mostly uneventful, the guests were energized by the sight of the immense stone fortifications that surrounded the city; beyond they could see a few structures none could recognize. They saw guards moving along the base of the walls looking out over the lands it shadowed and protecting their people from without and within.

"Impressive." Gimli commented, looking at the size of it. "Could hold off nearly any threat I would think."

"Unfortunately, it does not help with those that fly, Lord Gimli." Jorn commented in his normal pleasant tone, leaving Gimli to look on in question as to the types of enemies they faced.

"Still it is impressive." Boromir tone was calm.

"We've always thought so." Jorn looked over smiling, just before seeing a group approach in the distance. "I believe our Queen has decided to meet you ahead of our making it inside the walls of Avalon."

The group looked over to the riders that were approaching swiftly; there were at least 10 surrounding another 5 and from the distance they were you couldn't make out any of the riders, except that they all wore more masculine attire.

"Does she do this often?" Legolas showed concern for the action.

"You are believed to be allies to us, so yes." Jorn did not look back.

"There are two Elves with them." Legolas reported, "One of them is Haldir of Lorien. The other I have no knowledge of."

Jorn laughed softly, "That is the queen's favored advisor, Navarre. He's been at her side when her family passed and was originally at her father's side. She trusts him without end."

The riders approached and the guests could see the two women did wear men's attire; they rode side by side and were distinctly and visibly different from each other; the first being taller in her saddle with long wavy curls of blonde hair that were pulled back from her face giving her a far more groomed appearance then the second who allowed her mop of short hair to lay where it willed.

The riders slowed to a canter, then to a gallop as they approached; the guards for the Queen moved around the group in a protective manner of all within. That's when the visitors could see that she wore more than men's attire; she carried weapons that weren't unlike their own and her relaxed demeanor spoke of someone who was not used to title or name.

"Welcome, Jorn." She approached their host. "Welcome to all of you." They nodded to her greeting. "The messenger told us of your arrival and we've made arrangements for your stay here. I expect you to stay with us for at least the evening, Jorn."

"Yes M'Lady. Thank you." He bowed his head a bit.

She backed her horse up, moving before the majority of the group. "The messenger told me your names, but I would prefer to be certain, rather than face humiliation." She smiled. "I know from Haldir that you are Legolas?"

Legolas nodded deeply, "These are my advisors." He motioned to two other Elves that travelled with him.

Alya nodded. "You must be Gimli, son of Gloin?"

"M'Lady." His voice still gruff, regardless of his mood.

"I believe you then are Gandalf." She turned to him and bowed out of respect.

"You have good messengers."

"Leaving General Boromir of Gondor, if I'm not mistaken." She smiled toward Boromir who bowed his head deeply. "Good. Then we will ride into Avalon, you will be taken to your rooms where you can relax before dinner." She backed her horse around, turning her head toward them again. "I am happy you all arrived safely, there is a great deal to speak about." She clicked her tongue and rode out, surrounded again by her guards while the others followed suit.

The rides was not a very long one at this point and as they all dismounted at the steps of the palace a group of stable boys were prepared to take their horses to be cared for; these same boys would see to anything the riders needed, whenever they asked.

The palace steps were the same white as the walls except for the tops which had a slight gloss on them though they were not slick. They all ascended the stairs and as the doors were opened for them they walked into a great hall which stretched for a distance once inside. Along the interior wall were several women who bowed as the group approached, an older woman at the end seemed to lead them.

"This is Maeve; she makes certain everything is in order within the palace." Alya turned to the group. "She's assigned some of our best to assist you and if there is anything you need, just ask." She looked back to her guests. "Rest for now and when dinner is ready you will be escorted to the banquet hall." She moved away for a moment. "Oh and should you wish consider the palace open and go where you will…within reason." She smiled again and excused herself, moving toward several men in the back of the palace; Navarre following behind her quickly.

The group followed the servants up the steps and toward their rooms; each retiring inside. Boromir stopped for a moment before entering looking back down toward the door the Queen entered. "Is everything well?"

"I'm not certain, Sir." The young woman spoke, shyly. "Shall I inquire for you?"

"No, thank you." He paused. "She did say we could go anywhere?"

"Yes." The woman smiled again. "Within reason, Sir."

Boromir smiled, realizing what was meant by the comment. "No one would think of it, I'm certain."

"True, Sir, but she still says it. It came from…" The girl blushed quickly. "I'm sorry, I over spoke."

"No, No. Please."

"Her brothers used to irritate her by taking things literally. It was a game they played."

"Well I won't attempt to irritate her." The girl curtseyed and left, but Boromir chose not to enter his room; instead he turned back and moved down the stairs heading toward the same doorway. Pausing a moment and rethinking what he wanted to do, he decided against entering and turned to leave.

"General, please enter." The door opened and Navarre stood at the threshold giving him allowance to move inside, which he did; the room was covered in books from floor to ceiling and there were several tables within, some large which carried multiple items and some small carrying only one.

"Plans to attack?" Boromir moved up to the table which most of them surrounded, the Queen stood within them.

"Yes, we have another problem. One I gave little credence to, till now." She looked disappointed in herself. "But welcome, we will always take another's insight into matters of war."

"I'm told you are a General?" Farouq turned to him, putting out a hand. "Sorry, it's something that Queen Alya has instilled in us. It's a sign of friendship."

"Yes." He took the man's hand and shook it.

"Seems we have a witch in the woods near the Breach." Alya broke up any other conversations. "She's placed spells on people. Some so they will kill themselves, some so they will kill each other and still others just go missing."

"If she's a witch we have no way of fighting her." Another General spoke up, bluntly.

"Probston, I wouldn't have you here if I didn't need you for something." Her comment set him back a bit. "I need you to keep an eye on the town she's been harming. Keep people from hurting each other or coming to help her."

"You're planning to send Aron." Navarre was surprised at the revelation.

Alya smiled, "He's strong enough. In fact, he's the one that offered."

General Farouq coughed on his drink, "He's not a soldier."

"Perhaps not, but he's the only chance in this situation. If she can make people do whatever she wants why not come after Avalon or Savarin or worse, hit Calais since she's just recovered."

"Why hasn't she attacked this city?" Boromir's question was met with absolute silence and a broad smile from Alya.

"I am hoping, though I haven't asked, that they don't because they want as many casualties as possible. Going after us will bring down the bulk of our army quickly. With them attacking small towns they can continue till we hear of it."

"May I ask what the Breach is?"

"It's a dead area. The Evil occupied it when it held its greatest strength." Navarre moved closer. "There are many prophecies about it." He stopped when Alya cleared her throat. "But they are simply prophecies."

"So what is the plan of attack?" Boromir looked toward the Queen, as did the others.

"That is totally up to Aron. I told him not to tell me." They looked at her questioning her method. "If this witch is powerful she doesn't need to hear our plan beforehand. She can wait with the rest of us." That settled the room a bit. "Aron is capable. Look at his actions in the Valley." That made every General, save Boromir, nod in understanding.

"I will tell you of it another time." Fallet commented.

"For now, dinner." Alya moved out from around the table, putting her hand under Navarre's forearm. "Tell him there." She guided Navarre to hold back, smiling at him knowingly as the others walked out. "Don't you dare."

"I didn't mean to."

"And I'm supposed to believe it?"

"Perhaps, but it's enjoyable to watch you squirm."

"I could become a normal Queen and have you punished."

"No you wouldn't." The conversation left her in higher spirits then before as they entered into the banquet hall. A feast set before them on the tables that surrounded the room and the guests had already arrived. "Please sit." She moved over to the head of the table where a man held the chair for her.

Lives Lost

The dark creature flew over the township watching for anyone to move while earlier having picking up anyone that attempted escape and breaking their bones so they could not go far. He wanted them alive for his feast, it made the blood warm for him when it coursed through their veins mixed with fear; smiling down he saw a child scurry out making him swoop down fast, hoping for a quick kill this time so it could regain some strength, but before it could strike it felt something impale itself into him. In a small farmhouse across from where the boy ran an archer used his skill to allow the boy time to escape, but it was not enough. The creature grabbed the boy and as if to show the archer its strength and ferocity it bit into the child's neck, ripping away the side of it; blood spurted out, the boys once wide eyes rolled back and it was over.

The archer angered by the beasts actions pulled another arrow and shot it at him, this time the beast caught it in mid air and sniffed at it before it dropped it to the ground broken in half by its large bloodied hand. The creature seemed to smile before it flew directly into the unenforceable straw building it grabbed the man up and swiping at it with its claws to sever the spine. The man dropped onto the floor in a heap; the pain made him pass out fast, his blood gushing out into a pool. It snorted at what used to be his only adversary and flew back out of the home, leaving a witness, the archer's wife, to cower in fear.

Sniffling she wiped her eyes before moving out from the hiding place her husband set her in and found the door they'd created to hide if something should happen, she looked around carefully, lifting it, then she looked around once more and hopped in, shutting the door behind her tightly. She moved back and listened, almost holding her breath, yet all she could hear were her neighbor's blood curdling screams which left her to only imagine the agony the beast put them through before it allowed them to die. She could only sit there and pray that she would make it out alive.

Other Magical Beings

The witch moved about her home, looking through everything she owned, throwing it on the ground, knowing simply that she had to know what their plans were. She was visibly flustered as she grabbed down several jars with corks in them, she scattered them on a plank board table before moving to a book she had on a hand carved stone book stand. She flipped through the book and ran her finger over a spell. Nodding she moved back to the jars, uncapping them she put items into a bowl in front of her, another group she placed into a mortar which she planned to grind up with a pestle. Smiling she grabbed up a knife and cut her hand, wincing only slightly she allowed the blood to enter into the original bowl, when she finished she blew onto her palm and the wound sealed itself.

She moved outside and grabbed a bird while in flight as it passed her, she whistled at it which seemed to calm it quickly before she moved inside and cut its throat, allowing the blood to drain into the mortar. Smiling she watched it, the bird going limp as it finished draining, then she threw it toward the fire letting it burn to a cinder.

Slowly she combined everything and spoke some words, in a moment smoke billowed and turned red in the air. She blew at it and when nothing occurred she screamed out in anger, knocking the bowl off the table. Enraged she moved her arm across the table, knocking everything down onto the floor, her breathing erratic as she looked around her cabin. Taking a deep breath she muttered something and smiled, awaiting whatever it was she called to.

In the town just below her cabin two men moved through their homes, each man in unison picking up knives and moving into the room where their families slept, slicing their throats before they could awaken.

As the blood flowed from their families lifeless bodies the men snapped out of the trance they were under and looked at their acts in horror, the first man fled his home, screaming into the night at his act; the second sliced along his own throat, his life seemed to drain within minutes of him finishing the deep cut. He fell to the floor and died next to the family he loved so much.

The woman moved out into the front of her cabin and smiled, sniffing at the air. "Blood." Her smile broadened as she began to sway to some unheard melody, her voice began to hum a simple yet playful melody.

Avalon

The banquet lasted for hours, everyone talking and laughing about everything, each person at ease with everyone at the table which wasn't unusual with the drinks pouring freely.

Aron whispered to Alya "May I go M'Lady?"

"You know you can leave whenever you need." She looked at him with a smile. "You are ready to do this, right?"

Aron nodded, "She's powerful, but I know I can."

"If you don't want to we can find another…"

"No…this is for our people, M'Lady. I have to."

The comment made Alya smile, "Go, sleep well."

Aron left with Jora walking out behind him, "You want help?"

Aron turned, surprised by her, "You want to help? You are always saying that I'm…"

"I know. I say you can't do anything, but I do that because it makes you work that much harder." She looked down. "I'm actually impressed with the spells you create."

He smiled at her candor. "If I do, I'll ask."

Jora bowed to him, out of respect and scurried back to the banquet, watching as Alya spoke closely with the new general. She moved in toward Navarre and motioned over only to be told, nonverbally to hush which she smiled impishly at till Alya caught her look and shook her head slightly making Boromir look over in question of their glances.

"So, tell me about Gondor. About your King and Queen." She interrupted the situation and he told her, proudly, of his home, of his people and of those he gave everything for. She could just sit and smile at the passion he had for it all, she saw in him what she saw in all of her people realizing she could do no better than to ally with Gondor and its people.

Once finished he smiled slightly, "But I carry on a bit much."

"No, not at all. It's good that someone cares so much. You are very passionate about them."

His demeanor changed a bit, his smile now a slight frown, "I haven't felt that way lately though…" He shook his head, "I'm sorry, it's not important."

"I doubt that." She smiled at him but did not push, instead returning to the meal and the others.

After the meal everyone headed out to their respective rooms and Alya returned to the library to enjoy the last part of her game against Navarre who was already there. She studied the board carefully and moved a piece, keeping her hand on it till she was completely sure.

"I think I've got this one." She looked up at him for a moment when Boromir approached the entrance. "Come in."

"I don't wish to interrupt." He smiled.

"Never, we play this throughout the day, so an interruption is sometimes good." Navarre bowed his head, "Especially when someone is in denial of losing."

Alya looked at him, mouth open slightly in disbelief, "And some of us have no humility." She laughed, behind her close lipped smile. "So, what is 'not' important?"

"Gandalf suggested that you had a reason for my feeling out of place in my own home." He moved in, closing the door behind him.

"Actually, I do more so that the Queen, but yes."

"I believe he'd like to hear it." She looked over sipping on a pint. "Would you like one?"

"Please." Just as he spoke Taen moved away and toward the kitchen through a separate doorway.

"In the simplest terms, you had a path in the world you knew; you didn't know what it was, but it was what should have occurred. When we arrived, not by our own will, and the enemy removed your adversary and stopped that path from happening."

Alya laughed, "It just means our enemy created a new destiny for you, you just have to find it."

"Then in fear of being taken the wrong way I have to be thankful to your enemy." Boromir's comment made Alya and Navarre look over. "I believe I was meant to die in my world."

The room fell silent on that note, it wasn't expected and Boromir knew it. "Then we should thank the enemy for one unintentional good thing…After we've killed him." Navarre moved over toward him and grabbed the pint from the tray handing it to their guest; he then held up his own, "To your new destiny, may you find it quickly and may it not be the same route you previously had before."

Boromir smiled and nodded before drinking down a ¼ of the beverage. "This is quite different as well." He drained a bit more, wiping his upper lip clean.

"We have people who pride themselves on it." Alya sipped on hers as Navarre moved back and placed his chosen piece elsewhere on the board. "Damn." She looked at him.

"Would you prefer I let you win?"

"No, I'd prefer to at least play for longer than we have." She moved another piece which opened her up to be checked, something she hadn't seen before. "Sorry, General." She turned back toward him. "My family always believed in making use of what you are given. Take it as a gift and use it for the best gain."

Boromir smiled, "We are heading out tomorrow?"

"Actually, Alya has agreed to stay back with the guests." Navarre snickered when he saw her roll her eyes. "I will be going along with Aron."

"Would you like assistance?"

"No, we are simply keeping the villagers nearby from attacking us. Stay here, maybe she can teach you this game, since I irritate her so easily." He saw her eyes narrow at him. "I believe I will retire for the night. I hope you understand what I implied about your path." He smiled when Boromir nodded. "Good, then good night, General." He bowed again and left.

"He's too smug some days." Alya huffed at him after he left. "But he can play a good game."

"Chess?" He moved to the board. "It's a strategic game?"

"Yes, I can teach you, it's quite easy."

"Perhaps another time. I was hoping I could see these horses everyone speaks of."

"Ah. My Teke's. Tomorrow, after breakfast then?" She smiled and finished off her pint.

Boromir nodded doing the same, "I look forward to it." He bowed fully. "Until then, good night, M'Lady."

"Sleep well." She watched him leave and turned to a stack of parchments on a small table in the back.

"You like him?" Jora jumped out, trying to startle Alya.

"He's a good man." The Queen ignored her.

Jora giggled and twirled. "You like him."

"Where the hell do you get that out of 'he's a good man'?" Alya turned to her.

"You blushed." She pointed at her.

"I did not." She paused and caught herself from looking. "Prove it."

"Nope, don't gotta. You like him. He'd be a …"

"Not another word. Stop." She laughed when Jora blew a raspberry at her.

"Fine, but I'm right."

"Delusional." Alya laughed as Jora skipped away humming in a singsong voice.

Aron's Quest

A knock came to the young wizard's door, startling him a bit, "Enter?"

"You will be ready tomorrow?" Navarre smiled.

"She won't be coming though, right?"

"She's leaving it up to me." Navarre assured him, making him nod with the news. "Don't worry, even if you should fail…which I doubt, but if you do, she wouldn't be disappointed in your attempt."

"I know. I just don't want her hurt. I don't want you hurt and I think she might attack because of what I intend." He moved out, with his book to show his Elfish friend.

"No, she made that clear. You have the witch blocked and if we know she might find out. I would not want that." Aron nodded at Navarre's suggestion and went back to his work, before Navarre made his exit.

A Town in Ruins

The creature flew over the small town looking for anyone or anything else he could pick off, only to find nothing. He'd killed or maimed everyone he'd found and now with his attack at an end he knew he had to eat; he moved to the first area and began to voraciously devour each person in turn, not leaving out anything, but the skins that held their innards together. When it would come across a person who still happened to be alive, it played with the person till it got bored, and then slowly it would eat them, ripping off each piece till the person either died or passed out.

The woman still was in her hiding place, refusing to move even when the beast began to make a meal of her dead husband above where she cowered; she even had to put something in her mouth with she felt like the bile in her throat would come up. Tears fell as she breathed silently, trying to think of anything else than the actions above her, hoping that she would survive.

The beast slipped out after feasting on the archer, leaving the woman below. She looked up hearing it, 'Was I missed? Does he plan to attack after he's eaten? Does he know I'm here?' She shook from the questions, praying that he didn't know that he wouldn't find her. She swayed a bit, curled up, but always listening to the sounds above her.