Chapter Twenty-Five
AN: In rereading Resistance is Futile by shipallllltheships I noticed that a conversation in Chapter Seventeen of this story very closely matched one in hers. This was unintentional on my part and I am deeply, deeply sorry. I'm not sure how to fix it, either, as I kind of need the Chapter Seventeen conversation. As a side note, I highly recommend the fic.
The Under-Fae dropped without warning: simply fell where they fought like puppets cut from strings. The battling Fae stood stunned and wary, wondering if this was some trick of the ancient sídhe to force them to drop their guard. Ever-so-cautiously, a gancanagh inched forward and checked the pulse of the Under-Fae he'd been locked in combat with moments before. When he looked back up and shook his head, the entire army slumped with a sigh of weary relief. Just as there had been no battle cries, there were no shouts of celebration; their fight wasn't finished yet.
A rustling from the trees made the Fae tense again, preparing themselves for a second onslaught. But though the figures that emerged from the forest were ancient sídhe, they were not the Under-Fae the army was expecting. But for their clothing of time past, the sídhe that approached could have been kin.
The group was led by a fair-skinned woman with long red hair and startlingly green eyes, flanked by a blonde woman and dark-haired man. They slowed upon seeing the Fae, turning their attention to the battlefield itself. The redhead's eyes settled on a gancanagh with a broken leg trying desperately to scramble backwards and she beckoned her companions forward. All three of them knelt by the injured man and carefully held him in place.
Fíonn broke through the front lines of the Fae in a burst of bravery and leadership he didn't know he possessed. "Stop!" he commanded in Irish. "Come no closer!"
The leader looked up at him and held her hands up in an imploration of peace. The woman at her side had taken the gancanagh's head in her lap and begun to whisper a chant. As Fíonn watched, the Fae fell into a sort of peaceful trance, barely reacting when the man at the leader's side set the bone in his leg. He continued to keep the bone in place as the redhead began to splint the gancanagh's leg with nearby branches and what looked to be bandages from the pouch at her waist.
The Fae stood stunned. "Why do you help us?" Fíonn asked, his voice barely cutting through the stillness of the aftermath.
The leader looked up at him again. "Only those who followed Dagda sought to cross the veil and leave this place. The rest of us are content to stay. For that, Dagda persecuted us and drove us into the shadows. We have lived for millennia in fear of him. And now you have come from beyond the veil and taken down his army. In fighting to save your world, you have saved ours, too."
…
Bo and Tamsin sprang apart and retrieved their swords, facing down the newcomer. The woman regarded them in turn with an ice-blue gaze. Her pale face was framed by raven hair that cascaded in waves over her shoulders to hang at her waist. Her robes were darker even than her hair and attached to her belt was an ornate but lethal-looking longsword. On each shoulder sat a scald crow, both regarding the succubus and Valkyrie with the same attentiveness as their mistress.
"Mór Ríoghan," Tamsin breathed in awe, but she did not lower her sword.
Bo was less impressed. "And where were you during all of this?!"
"Peace, cousin," the Tuatha implored, holding out her hands in supplication. "You've no more need for anger."
"You're avoiding the question," Tamsin snapped, her shock having given way to irritation. "I would've thought that a goddess of war would be drawn to such pivotal battles."
Mór Ríoghan shrugged. "To observe, perhaps, but not to partake. You forget, I thrive on chaos as much as battle. Besides, moving against Dadga would have been a betrayal against my kind, and such betrayals are not taken lightly here." She fixed her attention on Bo. "Though my words may be worth little, I am sorry for what you were forced to do."
The succubus blinked in surprise and confusion. "I had to," she replied, gesturing at Dagda's body with Nuada's Sword. "He would have killed me and everyone else and torn the veil if I hadn't."
The Tuatha shook her head. "No one should have to kill her own father. Yet there he lies, slain." She waved a hand at the dead giant's body and it shimmered into nothingness, leaving only a pool of white blood in its wake.
"Where did you send him? Where is he now?" Bo demanded.
"I sent him nowhere; I simply cleared what remained. His soul is in the Red Keep, where I suspect he is getting a rather thorough talking-to from Nuada. Nuada says you may keep the Sword, by the way."
Bo didn't care about the Sword at the moment; more important thoughts and worries were spinning in her head. "If he's in the Red Keep, then my mother…?" She choked on the last word. Tamsin switched her sword to her left hand so she could take Bo's in her right, wrapping her wing around the succubus's shoulders.
"She is among her fellow warriors in Tír na nÓg, no longer plagued by her suffering," Mór Ríoghan replied gently. "Apparently Cú Chulainn has already taken quite a liking to her," she added with the quirk of a smile.
"Seriously?" Tamsin gaped. "God dammit…" Bo shot her a look that made the Valkyrie purse her lips in embarrassment and retract her wings, returning to her face to a now-blushing visage.
"So…she's all right?" the succubus questioned the Tuatha, her voice small. "No one can hurt her again?"
"Never again," Mór Ríoghan assured her with understanding kindness.
"I…thank you," Bo sighed, slumping where she stood. Tamsin released her hand to wrap her arm around her love's shoulders instead, keeping her on her feet.
Mór Ríoghan took the scald crows from her own shoulders and held them in front of her. "Go fetch the Blood King and that wild little human, would you?" The scald crows cawed their assent and took off, heading in the direction of the battlefield. Once they had departed, the Tuatha turned back to the two Fae. "Now there is only the matter of the Treasures to attend to."
Tamsin groaned. "Great. Negotiations. You do realize that if we split them then all this shit will just repeat itself?"
"Yes, I do realize that, and did you not hear me say that you may keep the Sword?" Mór Ríoghan replied, slightly amused. "The Treasures are to remain in your world, never to touch the veil again."
This time both women gaped at her. "But…I thought you wanted…" the Valkyrie tried.
"No, Dagda wanted," the Tuatha cut her off. "The rest of us are quite content here, contrary to what the Fae of your world might believe. Only Dagda and his followers sought to revolt. His ambitions poisoned the Otherworld and the Fae who followed him. Look around you, Valkyrie. Things are already changing in the wake of his death." Bo and Tamsin looked at each other and then at the surrounding landscape. Indeed, the grass seemed to be just a little greener, and the trees less bent and gnarled. "It will take time for all to return to as it was," Mór Ríoghan continued, "But return it will, and we will be able to live out our existence in peace."
"Who will be their leader now? You?" Bo asked.
"As Dagda's daughter, the role technically falls to you, though I have the suspicion it's not a role you want."
"I don't," the succubus snapped immediately. "You can have it."
"A goddess of war ruling the Otherworld… That should be interesting," Tamsin commented.
The goddess in question laughed. "Yes, you'd think that as such I'd be more eager to gain dominion over the veil. But ultimate peace does not last; there will be plenty of strife to keep me busy in the years to come. I must say, though, the current unity is rather refreshing."
"Bo!" came a shout from their left. The succubus spun just in time to be slammed into Kenzi's embrace, the human holding her tight enough to make breathing difficult. Trick followed at a more subdued pace, looking out of breath as he used the Spear as a walking stick. The scald crows soared above them before descending to perch on their mistress's shoulders again.
"Oh my God oh my God thank fucking God you're okkkkkk!" Kenzi shout-whined into Bo's shoulder. Then she pulled away and wrapped Tamsin in a similar hug. "And you, you, running off to be all heroic and shit I was so worried young lady!" With one last squeeze, she whirled on Mór Ríoghan.
"And you!" she pointed an accusatory finger at the amused Tuatha. "You and your warnings and creepy birds and creepy bird bullshit and I…I'm sorry I shot it," she ended, rubbing the back of her neck sheepishly.
"No apologies necessary," Mór Ríoghan replied with a permissive wave. "He was actually rather impressed." The crow on her left shoulder gave a low caw of agreement.
Trick, for his part, was just as shocked as Tamsin had been. "My Lady," he finally managed, dropping to one knee.
"Oh, do please get up," Mór Ríoghan sighed. "I am, for all intents and purposes, your granddaughter's cousin, after all." Startled, Trick obeyed without question. "Good. Now, for the Treasures." She gazed at each of the four Fae in turn. "Blood King, you and Isabeau are here as the wielders of the Spear and Sword and thus bound to their secrets. The Valkyrie and human are here because their connection to Isabeau is such that she would divulge to them said secrets whether I liked it or not," she smiled. Only then did Trick seem to notice the Sword glowing in Bo's hand and his eyes widened at the sight.
"You may now be the keepers of the Treasures, but as leader of the Tuatha, it is my responsibility to ensure their safety and protection," Mór Ríoghan continued, easily settling into her new role. "As such, the same precautions taken with the Spear shall now be taken with the Sword as well. Isabeau, as you seem to be missing a dagger, that is the shape the Sword will take when it is returned to your world," she nodded to the succubus. "Only the four of you will know the true nature of the Spear and Sword. None who have fought on the battlefield this day will remember the fate of the Treasures once the veil is closed."
"And how exactly are we going to close the veil without destroying one of the Treasures?" Tamsin asked.
"Lia Fáil was destroyed because its power was used without invocation and because the Treasures were still divided," the Tuatha replied. "You will have both Spear and Sword on your side of the veil and the invocation required to close it."
"That's it?!" Kenzi all but shrieked. "It was that easy?! We could've just waved the Spear and said 'abracadabra' and this all would've been fixed?!"
"Hardly. With the Treasures still divided, the Spear would have been destroyed, leaving the Sword and Cauldron in the Otherworld. Even with only the power of the Cauldron, Dagda would have been able to tear the veil again and you would have had to retrieve the Sword to stop him. You must clear out infection before sealing the wound, else the infection will continue to spread until it tears the wound open again."
Kenzi made a face of disgust. "That's a…cheerful metaphor." Mór Ríoghan smirked and shrugged.
"So we can close the veil now? Get everyone back to our world and end this for good?" Bo confirmed. After all that had happened that day, she wanted to ensure the finality of this battle.
Mór Ríoghan nodded. "We shall not see each other again, but you shall not be forgotten here. See to it that your people never forget."
"We will," Trick vowed.
The Tuatha gave a final nod of acceptance before disappearing in a sudden swirl of black. A flock of scald crows burst forth from where she had stood and the human and three Fae ducked as the birds swooped over their heads and off into the distant sky.
"What the actual fuck…?!" Kenzi stood slack-jawed in their wake.
"Woman knows how to make an exit," was Tamsin's only comment. When Bo didn't reply, the Valkyrie held her a little tighter and kissed the top of her head. "Ready to go home, succulette?" she murmured.
Bo nodded, not trusting herself to speak. Tamsin kissed her again before guiding her in the direction of the battlefield. Trick and Kenzi followed without question.
"So, um, what happened out here?" Kenzi pestered, not quite understanding the gravity of the situation.
"Later, short-stack," Tamsin promised. "We're not done yet."
…
Bo, Tamsin, Kenzi, and Trick returned to a scene of exhausted solemnity. Ancient sídhe were helping their present-day counterparts tend to wounds and make stretchers for the injured and fallen. Bo gazed across the battlefield, searching to make sure that her friends were all right. To her relief, she found all of them. Aislinn was having an animated conversation with an ancient Fae while Kayleigh, who didn't speak enough Irish to join in, stood awkwardly by. Lauren was helping a few ancient sídhe tend to wounds while Dyson served as interpreter. Hale was performing the grim task of loading stretchers as was – to Bo's immense surprise – the Morrigan. Tamsin was the one who spotted Fíonn in deep discussion with a redheaded Fae woman who bore the air of command. Giving Bo's hand a squeeze of reassurance, the Valkyrie jogged over to meet him.
Bo watched her go for a moment before a sigh from beside her drew her attention. She glanced over at her grandfather and the expression on his face made her heart hurt. "Trick?"
"I never told her I was sorry." His voice was hollow. "All these years and I never told her how much I regretted my decision. And she still forgave me."
The succubus placed a comforting hand on the Blood King's shoulder, knowing exactly whom he was talking about. "I think she knew, Trick. And I don't think she ever really hated you." Bo wiped her eyes, clearing her throat to steady herself. "Mór Ríoghan said she's in Tír na nÓg and that she's happy."
Trick let out another long sigh, this one of both relief and sadness. "Good. That's good." He excused himself without a word, needing a moment alone.
Tamsin, meanwhile, was handing Fíonn his amulet. "As promised."
"So you found the Sword?" he asked eagerly as he hung the pendant around his neck.
The Valkyrie nodded. "Bo's got it. I'm sure she'll let you look at it if you ask."
"Uh, speaking of asking," the gancanagh began, rubbing the back of his neck. "I, uh, have a question for you and I wasn't sure how to ask but Kayleigh said you wouldn't kill me, so – "
"Spit it out," Tamsin cut him off, amused.
"Well, I was just wondering why your wings were black that one day but – "
"Your wings are black?" This time it was the Morrigan who cut him off. "Why Tamsin, I'm surprised you're willing to admit how far you've Fallen," she mocked.
Tamsin arched an eyebrow, unfazed. "Hardly. We were just discussing how high I've Risen."
The smirk dropped from Evony's face. "That's impossible. No one would ever bond with you!"
The Valkyrie cocked her head, then let her features darken as she unfurled her wings. The Morrigan stood slack-jawed as Tamsin's brilliant white feathers fluttered in the Otherworldly breeze.
"Show-off," Kayleigh and Kenzi muttered in tandem, their attention having been drawn by Evony's exclamation.
"But…" the Morrigan struggled. "How…who?"
Bo timed her entrance perfectly. Sword held loosely in her left hand, she sauntered over to her Valkyrie, casually yet deliberately running her hand along the inside of Tamsin's wing before wrapping her arm around the blonde's waist. Evony's shoulders slumped as she gaped for a moment longer before turning and trudging away.
"So…" Fíonn dragged out after she had left.
"Later," Tamsin promised. She was retracting her wings when Kenzi cleared her throat. The human was holding out an expectant hand, making grabbing motions with her fingers. Bo could tell by the play of the Valkyrie's features that she was rolling her eyes as she plucked a feather from her wing and handed it to Kenzi.
"Fluffy!" the excitable Russian squealed with a giddy grin. Kayleigh reached over to feel the feather too before it disappeared in a puff of white mist. Tamsin gave Kenzi an affectionate smile as she pulled back her wings and let the darkness fade from her face.
An unfamiliar voice called Fíonn's name and the gancanagh turned to see the red-haired leader of the ancient sídhe heading their way. "Oh!" Fíonn said with a start before calling back something in Irish and beckoning her over. "That's Caoimhe, the head of the tribe that came to help us," he explained to Bo. "Apparently there are many scattered throughout the Otherworld. She asked for you by name and wants to meet you."
Startled, Bo watched warily as Caoimhe approached. The ancient sídhe appraised her with eyes so vibrantly green that flashes of a country Bo had never seen passed through the succubus's mind. "Dia dhuit," the Fae intoned in a melodic voice, and Bo recognized the traditional greeting. Caoimhe's next words were a jumble of syllables the succubus didn't understand and she glanced at Fíonn for help.
"She wants to thank you for what you've done here – for saving all of them from Dagda's rule," the gancanagh translated. He listened as Caoimhe continued. "She also wants to say…she saw what happened at the Cauldron and wants to express her condolences, for the loss of both Aífe and Dagda. She says your mother's sacrifice was great and brave and neither you nor she will be forgotten."
Bo frowned. "Why mourn the loss of Dagda? I had to…he would've killed everyone."
Fíonn translated for Caoimhe and the sídhe leader smiled sadly as she replied. "She says that he was still your father and it's still a loss, especially since you were the one who had to kill him," the gancanagh interpreted.
The succubus recalled Mór Ríoghan's similar assertion and swallowed back tears she didn't understand. "Thank you. Go raibh maith agat," Bo amended.
Caoimhe smiled at her with a nod of acceptance and respect before saying something to Fíonn. "Everyone's ready to go," he translated for the group. "It's time to end this." The redhead had turned to go at this point, but she took one last glance at Bo, her smile becoming a smirk. She made an offhand comment over her shoulder before heading back to the group she'd been assisting. Fíonn burst into laughter.
"What? What did she say?" Bo demanded.
"She said, 'Nice Sword,'" Fíonn replied as he tried to catch his breath.
To Bo's surprise, she found herself laughing, too.
…
Most of the stretchers had been carried through the breach by the time Bo and Tamsin rejoined the Fae. The succubus tried not to fidget under their stares; not only had word spread of Dagda's defeat but one look at the Sword elicited wide eyes and gasps throughout the crowd.
Of the two hundred Fae that had entered the Otherworld, they had only lost about forty – a brilliantly small number in the scheme of things, but a blow nonetheless. Light and Dark sídhe alike felt the loss as that of kin, all having thrown aside their differences and come together in a battle for the fate of two worlds. Many of the Fae were in shock, walking forward with empty expressions that occasionally flickered with sadness.
It didn't take long for the remainder of the Fae to cross over and Fíonn said one last goodbye to Caoimhe before stepping through himself. Before Bo stepped through, she took a moment to look back across the landscape. It was already starting to look a little brighter – the trees not so withered, the sky not so angry.
"Are you all right?" Tamsin asked her softly, resting a hand on her shoulder.
"I was born here," Bo realized. "Here in the Otherworld."
"But it's not your home, Bo," the Valkyrie reminded her, following her train of thought. "Your home is with your family and your friends, back in our world. Leave the past here, where it belongs."
Bo turned her gaze to meet Tamsin's. "You're my home."
The Valkyrie kissed her with soothing tenderness. "Then let's go." Arms around each other's shoulders, the two women stepped through the veil to return to the alley behind the Dal.
With everyone through, Bo and Trick stepped forward, placing the blades of the Sword and Spear on each side of the tear leading to the Otherworld. The succubus froze even as the hand holding the Sword shook. "I don't know the words," she gasped.
Strong arms wrapped around her from behind and a lithe body pressed against her back. Tamsin reached forward to lay her hand over Bo's as she gripped Nuada's Sword. "I've got you," The Valkyrie whispered in her ear.
Voices strong and sure, Tamsin and Trick recited the invocation, calling upon the ancient words that held dominion of both worlds and the veil between them. As soon as the final phrase was spoken, the breach closed in a blinding flash of light. All around them, the sídhe sighed in relief as they felt the remaining tears close, the veil solid once again. When the light faded away, Trick was holding his quarterstaff and Bo held a dagger exactly like the one she'd carried before. The only hint of the Sword's true nature was in the way it felt in her grasp.
There was silent stillness before a Light banshee moved first, letting her sword clatter to the ground as she threw her arms around the leanan sídhe next to her. The Fae returned the embrace, her Dark status notwithstanding. Disbelieving laughter and shouts of triumph echoed around the alley as Fae embraced and clapped each other's shoulders and slumped against each other in victory.
Bo fell back in the arms of her love, letting the Valkyrie support her. "Take me home, mo ghrá."
The endearment warmed Tamsin's heart as she pressed a kiss to Bo's hair. "Of course, mo laoch."
AN: Caoimhe is pronounced "KWEE-vah." Fun fact: "aoi" is pronounced "ee" and the original/traditional spelling of Aífe's name is Aoife. There will be one more chapter to finish everything up, and because more smut.