It took Parker a couple of days before he felt in the mood to leave the healer's house. As soon as he was discharged, Parker entered the nearest tavern, with a signpost that read: The Swan's Song. Fitting, he supposed. He entered the tavern, surprised to see so many elves grouped together in one dining area. The room was dim, except for a lit fireplace. Perfect.
He found a spot at an empty table and sat down, ordering his drink and paying the waitress. He sighed, glad, for once, to be somewhere that was peaceful, where he could have time to think.
So, why did Penelope and Draco have to walk into the tavern, acting like they had nothing to hide? He was surprised the moment they sat down at his table, acting all innocent, like nothing happened.
"Parker, Fëanor gave us a special mission. I think you'll approve," Penelope said, curious.
"I thought we were protecting the Two Trees," Parker said, confused. "To make sure that Fëanor has them, so he can craft those jewels." He asked instead, "Unless Manwë gave us another mission, I'm pretty sure we need to keep those lights safe."
"I know," Penelope said with ease. She added, calmly, "I want to help you out." She admitted, "There's a cave not far from here. It'll be the perfect spot to ensure that Melkor doesn't get his hands on those lights. Maybe then, we could come to an understanding with Fëanor. Get him to see what we have to offer."
"I don't know about this," Parker said, sipping his drink. "I need to check with Eliza. Make sure she's safe."
Penelope stopped him, trying again. "Look, I know you care about her. I do, too. But we need to make sure that nothing happens to you – to the lights, while we're in Alqualondë." She added, curtly, "Please, believe us."
"Believe you?" Parker asked, suspicious. He turned to Draco, asking out of curiosity, "And what about you, Draco? What's your opinion on all of this?"
"I think we should do it," Draco smirked. "It's one more quest. Then, we can leave Valinor for good. Agreed?"
"Come on, Parker," Penelope asked, curious. "You wouldn't betray us, now would you?"
Parker looked at her in confusion. Was she serious? What they were asking him to do was not part of the plan! He wasn't sure he could trust their word. Something was off! Maybe it was better that he followed them and see what they were up to.
"Alright, but don't think about betraying me," Parker said, sipping his drink once more.
Penelope smirked. "Oh, don't worry, Parker. You're get exactly what you deserve."
"Right," Parker said, finishing his drink. "Excuse me." He stood up, leaving the dining area and making his way into the nearest lavatory. He looked back to see Penelope smiling at him. What was she up to?
.
Parker followed Draco and Penelope to the southern gate, leading out of Alqualondë. The mountainous region was so new to the red dragonoid. He wondered what other secrets Valinor had to offer.
"Why couldn't we stay here?" Parker called out to the dragonoid couple, getting their attention. "I mean, why not? It's peaceful. Quiet. Exactly what I need."
"Would you stay with bullies around?" Penelope asked, curious. "Come on, Parker! We need to get moving! We don't want to be late to see the cave!"
"Right, and where is it?" Parker asked, realizing his question was answered the moment he spotted a large cave entrance in the mountains, about a meter or so away from where they stood. "Oh, my!"
"Come on!" Penelope said, taking off with Draco at top speed.
Parker tilted his head, unsure what to make of their flight. He shrugged, deciding to keep following them. His heart raced the minute he ran across the sandy shoreline. His feet picked up speed, allowing him to travel much faster. Soon, he caught up to Draco and Penelope, finding themselves in front of the cave entrance.
Parker looked at the cave's dark interior in interest. Something wasn't right.
"Well, come on. No dawdling!" Penelope said with candor.
"It's dark in there," Parker said, concerned. "Maybe we shouldn't go in."
"Now, come on, Parker. Where's the shame in that?" Draco asked, smiling. He added on a serious note. "Don't worry. The Underworld isn't in this cave. This cave is home to something far more precious."
"Like what?" Parker asked, confused.
"Just follow us!" Draco said, leading Parker into the cave. Parker looked back at Penelope to see her following behind him, all smiles. The red dragonoid wasn't sure about this endeavor. It was too easy! Still, he followed the two short dragonoids, adjusting his eyes to the darkness, allowing him to see where he was going.
.
At the end of the tunnel, Parker followed Draco and Penelope to a waterfall. It was a dead end, but one where the three dragonoids spotted gold, jewels, and weapons. Among the collection was a set of clothes that looked like the right fit for the red dragonoid. Quietly, he moved over to a corner, allowing him time to dress in a white tunic, grey trousers, and strap on a belt, attached to a brown leather sheath containing a leaf-shaped blade. He checked his reflection, stunned to see he hadn't changed form. Were these clothes meant for dragonoids?
Penelope shrieked in laughter, pointing at him. Parker looked at her in confusion, wondering what was so funny. She spoke to him in a dreadful tone, "Oh Parker, did you really think there wasn't a loophole to the clothes issue?" She shook her head, smiling. "Dragonoids can wear clothes. The question that remains is which form do we take, which form we want to become? Now, to answer that question, you must prove yourself, and that my friend, you won't get very far without committing treason."
"You knew it was a trap," Parker said, inching away from her and towards Draco. He brandished the sword, telling Draco out of kindness, "Draco, protect me!"
"I'm not saving your life!" Draco said, retreating to Penelope. He spat at Parker, telling him, promptly, "You save your own life, mate!" Parker wiped the spit off his face, listening to the dark green dragonoid in shock. "Penelope's my guardian. I'm protecting her from harm, not you! We came with our own mission and we'll see it through to the bitter end."
"This has nothing to do with Fëanor, does it?" Parker asked, curtly.
"No, but Manwë is still testing your loyalty," Penelope admitted, sneakily. "You see, in spite of that girl's rude behavior, your quest intrigued Draco and I. So, we teamed up with you and let those cats go free. They'll have a family for years to come, centuries even, but that won't stop the dragonoids from returning to the lands. It's a shame your friends, Amanda and Elizabeth, won't be seeing the light of day again, after Helen the Shapeshifter's through with them. Do you want to see your Elizabeth alive? You'll have to get past us, and I'll kill you before you can reach her!" She inched away, seething, "But I think not."
She turned to Draco with keen eyes. "Draco, you've been my lap dog long enough. It's time to prove your loyalty. Kill him!"
"Ha ha!" Draco cried out in joy, picking up two daggers from the floor and holding them out in front of. He inched towards Parker, determined to see this through. "Come on, Parker. Let's dance!"
Parker dodged the first blow, parrying another against the daggers. Blade clanged against blade. Parker struck another blow, his long sword sliding down the two daggers, making it impossible for Draco to strike again… until the dark green dragonoid fought off the blow with his own.
The clanging weapons dodged and swung until they ran out of breath. Draco smacked Parker in the face with his elbow, forcing the red dragonoid backward against the wall. Now was his chance! Draco dived in for the kill, targeting the red dragonoid until he threw the sword away from Parker, his daggers reaching for the red dragonoid's heart.
"I'll see you later, Parker Dooley," Draco said, preparing to plunge the blade into the red dragonoid's chest.
Parker spotted it! There was a knife on the floor, beautiful. He dived for the blade and moved in, throwing one of Draco's blades off to the side, before jabbing the knife through Draco's chest, straight through his heart. The smaller dragonoid backed away, the moment Parker released him, tossing the other dagger off to the side.
He watched in agony as the dark green dragonoid slumped, falling to the floor on his backside and breathing no more. Penelope ran to Draco's side, holding his limp arm in vain. Tears poured out of her eyes, giving her the chance to weep for her dragonoid.
Parker stood up, watching the purplish-pink dragonoid stare at her beloved dragonoid, wondering if there was anything he could do about it. Penelope looked at him in anger, reaching for the nearest dagger and throwing it at him. Parker blocked it with his sword, finding no other way around this.
"Look, I understand you're weeping, but this isn't about me!" Parker said, calmly. "You need time! Let me help you."
"I do not need your help!" Penelope cried out in anger. "You killed my beloved dragonoid! You're going to pay for ever walking on these shores. I'll kill you myself!" She grabbed another dagger, charging right at him.
Parker fought her off as best he could, knowing she was in pain. She needed time to grieve. He understood that. He just didn't count on her attacking him like this! If only he could make her stop! In the next second, he was kicked in the face again, forcing him to collide with the ground once more. Penelope advanced towards him, determined to end his life.
"And now, you die!" Penelope cackled. "It was nice knowing you, Parker. I really do like you! But now, one of us must survive." She moved the dagger back, flung it into the air, and the weapon found its target in Parker's arm. She cackled, only to feel a blade sting her chest. She looked at Parker one last time, choking on her own blood. "It seems… you bested me." She coughed. "Fëanor will be so happy… you're injured." She collapsed, drew one last breath, and was no more.
Parker pulled the dagger out and tossed it away, clasping his arm in the process. He sighed, the moment a blue light coursed through his arm, healing the wound. All that remained was a blood stain on his white tunic. The blood would come out after a wash in cool water. He turned his attention now to the two dead dragonoids, their wounds bleeding out from where they lay.
The red dragonoid huffed. This was a sad day! "What have I done?"