Sorry for the long delay. Real life has been tough.

*.*.*

One Year Later…

The last thing Melanie Hopson wanted to do was collapse and faint. The obstacle course wasn't easy. And worse, there were other competitors trying to outdo her. Melanie, Melena for short, was so used to be called by her friends and family, wouldn't be deterred. She would get that prize even if it her life depended on it.

Melena had brunette hair that was now curling up. Her skin was pale, more so when she stayed indoors more than going outside to do other tasks. In her lioness form, many of her scars had finally healed or were disappearing, allowing her fur to be cleaned up. The last thing she wanted was to have scars like her sisters. She couldn't imagine all the suffering Scar-ra and Katrina had been going through. Those scars stayed on their bodies, arms, legs, paws, tails, and heads and they hurt. What were they living through?

In Melena's human form, her brunette hair and pale skin shown, as well as her brown robes, which she wore with great diligence. She was a shapeshifter, like the rest of her family. After what happened to her brother Tack, who was still in his scarred lion form, Melena prayed that Darth Freya got some help. Melena couldn't imagine what Bethany, wife to Frodo Baggins, must be going through, knowing her other half had done something unthinkable.

If Aslan could help Darth Freya get back to doing something right, then maybe she could find forgiveness. Melena feared Tack wouldn't forgive Freya so easily. Now that Tack was with her and their family on the planet Zafna, whose name and lush green fields, trees, and waters had been restored, after becoming the barren planet Teremode for a time, maybe Aslan could help her brother even more. For now, Melena wondered if her brother was going to be all right.

Melena's attention turned to the task at hand. She ducked all too soon, for she was clonked on the head by a metal pole. She collapsed on the platform, feeling the cool breeze touch her face and her body. A ringing sound pierced her ears, her head throbbing in the process. She wanted this to be a dream, but she couldn't. She had to get up and move.

Just as she sat up, she grabbed hold of one of the metal poles, if only too soon, for she was thrown off and onto the dirt ground. Her head rang from the sensation. She was supposed to win, but she didn't feel right! She hesitated to sit up, fearing she might faint on the spot. She looked up and around, spotting the victor for the obstacle course. A young scarred lioness, no doubt. The lioness approached her, shocked to see her.

"I see you can't win everything," the lioness said, her voice sounding familiar.

"Zeena?" Melena asked, sitting up all too quickly.

"Yeah. Nice to see you, too," Zeena said, smiling. "Gore and Valo are here, too. They're scarred lions, as I'm a scarred lioness. I had no idea reincarnation was a thing, until Eliza showed up in her dragonoid form. Kind of a small world?" She said, making her way over to her sister, helping her relax. "This is nice."

"Ow!" Melena cried, rubbing her shoulder. "I don't get it. You won and I lost. I need to find a way to beat this obstacle course."

"Good luck with that," Zeena said, cuddling next to her. "Meantime, I'll take a break. Let Scar-ra and Katrina see I'm back. How's Tack doing?"

"After Freya messed with his head, hurt him, he's not doing too well. That was a week ago," Melena stated. "He hasn't forgiven her for what she did to him. I'm not going into details, but she hurt him bad. At least, the claw marks are gone from Tack's thigh, but still… he's hurting really badly."

"Maybe I should talk to him, see if I can help him out," Zeena suggested.

"Good luck with that," Melena said, sitting up, her ears still ringing, but not too badly. She was grateful to have Zeena to keep her balance in check. She feared the worst when it wasn't in check.

Still, Melena observed the obstacle course that ran from the tower to a rectangular water pit, all the way to a blue flag, which Zeena had already whacked to end the competition. Melena had to admit that her youngest sister was in good hands. The last thing she expected was her closest relatives to be alive again.

How many years would they have together? Melena wondered.

Melena stared at the obstacle course with a sigh. She couldn't defeat the tower, let alone get past it. How did Zeena do it? And other competitors, too? Melena turned to Zeena, questions forming in her mind as she asked her sister:

"Zeena, how did you make it past the tower? That's been my toughest challenge," Melena asked her, curiously.

Zeena laughed. "I guess I'm more agile. It takes practice to get past that obstacle course. The swimming challenge was easy enough."

Melena grunted. "That's easy for you to say. I wish I could have done it better."

Zeena stared at her eldest sister in intrigue. "Well, maybe you will. How's your shapeshifter powers holding up?"

"I'm still working on them," Melena said, feeling a tingling sensation in her fingers again. It was the second time this morning since her fingers tingled. It usually meant something was up, but Melena couldn't quite tell. The last thing she wanted was to disappoint her sisters or Aslan with the use of her powers.

Zeena grunted again, making her way towards the water pits once again. "Well, come on Melena. Show me how it's done."

Melena chuckled lightly. "Show you how what's done?"

"The obstacle course. How would you have done it?" Zeena asked, guiding her sister over to the water pits. "Well, come on! Show me!"

Melena sighed. This was the last thing she wanted to do! And yet, she would have to do it anyway, if she wanted to keep her sister happy.

"Here!" Zeena cried, pointing to one of the water pits. It wasn't that deep, but it would do. "You start here."

"Really?" Melena asked, facing the water pit.

"Come on. You can do it," Zeena said, gesturing to the water pit.

Melena huffed. Okay, she could do this! "Okay. Here I go." She dived into the water pit, landing in the water in about a few seconds.

The second she was underwater, several images pierced through her mind. Among them was a tree on fire and a name: Bethany. What was the significance of hearing Bethany's name? Perhaps the Ellcrys knew… Ellcrys? Did it know something she should be aware of? It showed her Frodo Baggins going dark, turning into a dark lord, as well as Bethany's other half, Darth Freya. Melena didn't want to think of Darth Freya. It was even more distressing that Bethany was her other half.

Melena climbed to the surface, kicking the water until she was back up. She climbed onto the bank, lost in thought. She took a seat, not wanting to do anything else.

"What happened?" Zeena asked, concerned about her.

*.*.*

References:

The Ellcrys comes from Terry Brooks' book series, The Shannara Series, and MTV and Spike's show, "The Shannara Chronicles".