MORTAL BELOVED
(Chapter 15)
Best laid plans…
DISCLAIMER: I'M SERIOUSLY DOUBTING YOUR INTELLIGENCE OF YOU CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT ALL OF THE DISCLAIMERS BEFORE THIS ONE SAY!
IF YOU WANT MORE, THEN REVIEW!! REVIEW!! REVIEW!!
^_^
Eve Lindsey.
"What are you saying?!" demanded Ragan furiously of the fey standing before him. Ragan hoped, no prayed more like it, that he had heard Toran incorrectly. Toran grimaced and spoke once more.
"I said, Father. That there is no way which I can forge more fey blades" he stated, calmly catching the candlestick that Ragan aimed and threw at him.
Toran revelled in the fact that for once it was the man before him who had to bend and yield to the inevitable, to a greater power that dictated the events of ones life.
Hiding his smirk, he also reflected over how this time it was he who was in control. The lie had come with relative ease to him and he had known that there was no way that he would allow the fey blade to be copied.
Toran knew that he would have destroyed it if it wasn't for that blasted Ragan finding it before he had the chance. He cursed himself to the seven hells and back, but was thankful that he had been able to minimise the damage that would be incurred by concealing from Ragan the truth about the blade.
Because oh yes, the blade could be reproduced, but, and this was Toran's great hope, he was the only one with the knowledge of how to do so.
All beings with that knowledge had perished in the war of ages, with only one blade surviving until the civil war when it was destroyed.
No, Toran swore to himself, there was no way he would let Ragan discover what was right under his nose, the secret of how to produce masses upon masses of those deadly blades.
Ragan yelled something indistinguishable and marched from the room, but not before viciously knocking un-conscious the guards that stood to attention at the door.
* * *
Sarah pushed her way past the two Kings and left to find her mother, Sarah felt apprehensive about what Seran had told her would come to pass but she now also felt an incredible sense of happiness for her mother who would, after years of waiting, finally get to meet her mother. Sarah rapped gently upon the wooden door of her mother's chamber and when a reply was heard, she gently pushed open the door.
Alanya turned in her seat and smiled at her daughter.
"What is it Sarah?" she asked kindly as she motioned her over. Sarah took a deep breath and began to talk.
"Mother, There's someone that wants to talk to you" she stated hesitantly, taking a seat on her mothers bed. Alanya's eyebrows arched in surprise and then she frowned.
"Is it a foreign diplomat, because if it is then I swear I will…" began Alanya and Sarah cut her off.
"Mother…I-I's nothing like that, it's Seran" she stammered and Alanya looked as though her eyes would fall out of her head.
"Sarah, that's not funny" she stated uncertainly and Sarah frowned slightly.
"Mother, You know I wouldn't dare kid about something like that" she sated stiltedly, and a small smile graced her lips.
Alanya rose, and looked at Sarah. Holding out an arm, she motioned for Sarah to accompany her. But Sarah just smiled and shook her head.
"No mother, this is something you need to do by yourself" she stated, and left the room to find Jareth.
* * *
Alanya uncertainly mounted the stairs and climbed upward, around the inside of the tower until she felt she could climb no more. Finally she arrived at the same door that Sarah had a little while before.
Jareth, Findlay and Dranion were nowhere to be seen and Alanya knew that deep in her heart that Sarah was right, this was indeed something she needed to do by herself.
Alanya paused hesitantly at the door and wondered if she could open it, and face what was inside, She turned around to lean against it, and the door swung open of it's own accord. Without options, Alanya walked into the room, and hesitantly started toward the tall figure in the middle of it.
The figure span and Alanya felt her breath catch, She was so much more vibrant and beautiful than the stories her adopted mother had told her had said.
Alanya felt tears spring to her eyes and reached a hand up to wipe them away, but an almost transparent one got there before hers did.
Alanya leaned into her mothers touch and felt warmth shoot through her at the contact. Alanya bowed her head and Seran placed a finger underneath her chin and inclined it up towards her.
"Look at me" requested Seran and Alanya struggled to, but did so. Alanya looked into her mother's eyes and saw them sparkle with laughter and warmth.
"I am so proud of you, my baby," she crooned softly and Seran reached out embraced Alanyas form. Seran dropped kisses on her daughter's hair that felt to Alanya like tiny dewdrops falling from heaven.
"Mother" she breathed.
"Yes?" asked Seran softly and Alanya shrugged.
"I don't know..I just wanted to say it" she replied, and Seran held Alanya at arms length.
"You are so beautiful, my mortal child" she whispered, and brushed a stray lock of Alanyas hair away from her face.
The pair embraced once more and then as another forma appeared before them, pulled apart.
Seran placed her arm around the man that had appeared by her side and something pulled at Alanya's heart as she realised that this must indeed be her father.
"Daughter" he stated softly, and Alanya rushed towards them, and the trio embraced.
* * *
Jareth sat down on Sarah's bed and took a hold of her hand.
"What if we can't do it Jareth?" she questioned uncertainly, her face filled with worry and eyes glistening with unshed tears. Jareth squeezed her hand and looked down at her.
"Sarah, that's not an option. I don't know why Ragan would be foolish enough to launch an assault on an army of fey, since they can only be killed with the fey blade and there is no way that he could have conceivably forged it. But.. Still, he has, and that means that we will have to be brave and give it our best" he stated soothingly.
Sarah nodded and leaned into his shoulder.
"Jareth, should anything, And I do not believe it will, but should anything happen to wound or kill fey's, there is a cure right?" she asked uncertainly, and Jareth's smile dimmed. Sarah looked up at him and implored him with her eyes to answer the question. Jareth took a breath, and spoke. "Sarah, I hesitate to tell you this.. But I fear that you will just ask someone else if I do not, I am going to be honest with you.. There is only one fey who can heal completely, without causing harm to themselves. That fey is I Sarah.." he stated reluctantly, and Sarah knew that he hadn't finished, so she remained silent, waiting.
"Any other fey that attempts to heal a creature that is badly wounded or dying, must forefeit their own life to do so," he continued and Sarah's eyes widened in comprehension. She wrapped her arms around Jareth and leaned against him.
"Well, we won't let that happen" she stated stoically, and stroked Jareth's hair.
"We'll be all right," he stated, although his voice lacked its usual arrogance and self-confidence.
* * *
Findlay looked down at the woman in his arms and once again marvelled at how lucky he was to possess such a beautiful creature.
"Penny" she stated sleepily, plucking a flower from the grass they were lying on.
Findlay's brow crinkled in confusion and he smiled as Alanya laughed.
"It's an aboveground thing," she explained hastily. And Findlay felt the smile return to his lips.
"Penny for your thoughts" she expanded, and Findlay grinned wickedly, looking as though he were a cat and she were a rather tempting bowl of cream.
"I was just thinking how beautiful you are" he stated noncommittally and then, not being able to resist, added a shrug for good measure. Alanya glared and then hit him. Findlay scowled back and growled under his breath, grabbing Alanyas small hands and pinning them above her head, with one of his large ones. Findlay laughed at the O of Alanya's mouth and rolled himself over till he was on top of her.
He bent down and kissed her, long, slow and drugging. Findlay smiled as he thought of the surprise that he had for her, and then looked back down to see Alanya looking up at him.
"What are you grinning at?" she asked, and Findlay did his best to look nonchalant,
"Nothing" he lied, badly.
* * *
Dranion sat on his throne with a bemused expression on his face. He had known that, judging by the history and heritage of the women that were staying here, that it may not have been such a wonderful idea after all.
There was nothing he could do now however, except prepare his army, made up for the most part of elves, for battle. There was one thing that troubled him though. If he was correct, then the only mortals in the realm of the Underground, were himself and the Lady Alanya. So why would Ragan launch an attack when he could only really expect to be able to kill two beings?
Thinking of the Lady Alanya, brought a tinge of sadness to him, for although she were beautiful, she also reminded him of his late queen.
Dranion grimaced as he recalled the awful details of his loves death.
Elica, a newly crowned queen, had, against the caution Dranion had given, wandered too close to the Lake of Foresign and had been claimed by the vengeful spirit that resided there, permeating it's waters with evil.
Elica had been told the story of the ancient foe that had been imprisoned in the lake, but had been drawn to it by its deceptively calm beauty. She had gazed into the waters and seen more death, sorrow and pain than her being could tolerate, her very soul poisoned by it, and collapsed dead.
Dranion knew that he had to protect the Lady Alanya and her party; he would do it for Elica.
* * *
"Rohwan..Rohwan" Toran muttered to himself as he stood outside the castle. He rolled the name around on his tongue, deciding that he liked it. Toran knew, that as long as he remained here, at the outpost, he would be Toran, but as soon as he had foiled Ragan's blasted war then he knew that he would indeed return to Lord Findlay and attempt to mend his relationship with him. But first thing was first, He needed to find a way, without making Ragan suspicious, of informing Findlay that Ragan had the fey blade.
An idea occurring to him, Toran pulled a piece of parchment from his pocket and went inside to his study. Once there, he wrote a letter to Findlay, detailing that Ragan had the blade, and how he had prevented the warlord from duplicating it, he also mentioned that Findlay needed to get his troops together because although he did not know the exact details, Ragan was planning to march, and soon.
* * *
Alanya watched Findlay as he spoke to Dranion and followed him as he went into his room.
"Hi" she said brightly, and Findlay spun around surprised.
"Uh..Hi? What are you doing here?" he asked, and Alanya frowned.
"Well, If you don't want me here then that's fine" she snapped, and turned to exit the room.
Alanya marched down the hall, but had only gone a few paces when Findlay grabbed her arm.
"Alanya, you just surprised me, that's all. I was trying to get something organised" he stated, and reached out to her.
Alanya turned away.
"Well, you weren't very welcoming" she stated petulantly. And Findlay grinned,
"Come on" he called enthusiastically, and pulled her to him.
"Findlay! No..Where are we going?" she demanded, but her protests were unheard as Findlay, merely placed a silencing kiss on her lips and then teleported them both.
Alanya landed with a thud on her backside. She looked up at Findlay and glared as he tried to muffle his laughter. Hitting his hand out of the road, she rose indignantly to her feet.
"This had better be good!" she almost yelled, and Findlay smirked, she was so cute when she was mad, but he decided not to say that, positive that with arms like hers, she was sure to have a great right hook.
Alanya took a deep breath and for the first time noticed her surroundings. They were in one of the most beautiful gardens she had ever seen, the flowers were beautiful, exotic and smelled divine. There was a small stream crossing the clearing that they were in and tiny bright creatures, flitted in amongst the vines and trees, stopping now and again to sit on the petals of the flowers, making them sparkle.
Alanya looked up and saw a crushed velvet sky, the colour of cornflowers. She took a deep breath and felt the cool crisp air revitalise her.
Findlay also took a deep breath and felt his heartbeat skyrocket as he saw the expression of mystification on his beloveds face.
Moving towards her, he felt her eyes upon him as he opened an intricate gold box and held it out to her.
The ring inside was coloured with gemstones the colours of the rainbow that sparkled when it hit the light.
"Alanya..Will you." He began but Alanya silenced him by placing a single finger over his lips.
"Yes!" she exclaimed, verging on hysterical.
"Yes!" she said again, and Findlay felt his heart want to explode with joy.
He picked Alanya up and swung her around and around, returning her to her feet, they kissed, softly, and both were in heaven.
* * *
Hours later Sarah sat beside her mother and couldn't believe what she had just heard.
"Mother..I'm so happy for you, we have to celebrate!" she exclaimed and ran off to tell Dranion and organise a party for that night.
* * *
Toran smirked as he took the steps down from his tower two at a time. His plan was all ready to go, he just had to request that he be able to go with the first attack party tonight, Ragan was sitting with his second in command, a vile mercenary, a creature by the name of Rage.
Toran grimaced when he saw him, and knew that he would have to convince Ragan to allow him to lead the mission instead of Rage.
"Father" he began, desperately searching his mind for inspiration, then hitting the jackpot.
"It's such a lovely day for a bloodbath, and I do feel like ruthlessly butchering some innocents, let me lead the intimidation mission scheduled for tonight" he exclaimed.
Ragan's eyes glimmered like black gems and he rose to his feet, impassioned.
"That's my son!" he roared and Toran knew that the old fool had fallen for it hook line and sinker.
Rage levelled a nasty look at him and Toran knew that Ragan's counterpart hadn't been taken in.
"My liege" he hissed, and Toran felt as though he had been punched in the gut.
"Let me accompany our prince" he stated through clenched teeth, and Toran felt an immense relief when Ragan waved it away.
"Nonsense, this is the ideal opportunity for Toran to prove himself worthy of being my son" he stated, puffing out his chest. Toran caught Rage rolling his yellow eyes, and smirked, causing the creature to hiss and disappear in a cloud of smoke.
Ragan smiled and patted Toran on the back. Toran refrained from shivering and then walked towards the stairs.
"I'll be in the tower" he called, and teleported to the outskirts of the elven city.
He walked up to the ramshackle houses that acted as a border, and knocked on the doors. An hour later, he had re-located the people using his magic to give them new accommodation, and warning them of the attack that would occur that evening at their previous lodgings.
* * *
Later that evening Sarah, Dranion, Jareth, Findlay and Alanya sat around the large oak table with a variety of their friends from the Elven and Goblin Kingdom present. Alanya laughed and Sarah was pleased to see that she was enjoying the dinner cum engagement party that she had organised.
All at the party were dressed splendidly and Sarah simply adored the purple silk dress her mother had given her to wear.
There had been presents and dinner and now everyone was merely sitting and enjoying conversation.
The topic had somehow strayed to the oddities of Jareth's tights when a harried looking messenger came running into the room.
"Lilja, what is it?" demanded Dranion, worried.
And Lilja quickly exclaimed that a small war party was torching the borders of the kingdom.
Jareth and Find lay rose to their feet and Jareth kissed Sarah, before throwing a crystal at Dranions feet and the three men disappeared.
Alanya and Sarah were left in the room with the remainder of the shocked looking guests.
Sarah and Alanya looked at each other, something passing between them. Sarah nodded and Alanya grabbed hold of her hand as Sarah teleported them both after Jareth and the other two.
* * *
"Yaaahhhh" roared Toran into the night as he watched his men launch yet another burning arrow or tree limb into the straw of the houses that only he knew were empty. Toran thought for a moment and snapped his fingers. The houses all caught alight at once and not a sound was heard.
"Must all be asleep" he smirked to the soldier to his left and received an agreeing grunt in return.
Toran knew that it would only be a matter of time before Findlay and Jareth arrived. As if summoned, the two kings and Findlay appeared before him.
Findlay looked into his eyes, but Toran looked away, not bearing the pain he saw in them.
::The letter will explain:: he thought and scanned the soldiers behind him, He then reared his horse, and bellowed
"RETREAT!" Toran led the soldiers away from the houses and the three that stood behind them, but as he brushed past Findlay, he dropped the letter into the feys gloved hand.
* * *
Findlay looked at the letter in his hand and wondered whether or not to open it. He hoped that it would contain answers; he prayed that it would give him hope that his son was not unreachable.
Jareth and Dranion stood over his shoulder as he read.
Dear Father,
I may call you that may I?
I warn you now before it is too late. Ragan has a fey blade, I forged it in a moment of stupidity and did not get a chance to destroy it before it was found. However, the secret of its duplication is safe. I would advise you to rally your troops for the moment of war is at hand, and closer than you think.
Your Son.
Rohwan.
P.S. All is not as it seems, I evacuated the occupants of those houses earlier today, and they are safe in new accommodation along the north border. I needed a way to give you this so I requested to lead the mission.
~R
WELL, THAT'S THE END FOR THIS CHAPTER AND WHAT CAN I SAY..
AS ALWAYS,
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THEN YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO,
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HEY, I MADE A RHYME!
XOXO Eve Lindsey.
(Chapter 15)
Best laid plans…
DISCLAIMER: I'M SERIOUSLY DOUBTING YOUR INTELLIGENCE OF YOU CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT ALL OF THE DISCLAIMERS BEFORE THIS ONE SAY!
IF YOU WANT MORE, THEN REVIEW!! REVIEW!! REVIEW!!
^_^
Eve Lindsey.
"What are you saying?!" demanded Ragan furiously of the fey standing before him. Ragan hoped, no prayed more like it, that he had heard Toran incorrectly. Toran grimaced and spoke once more.
"I said, Father. That there is no way which I can forge more fey blades" he stated, calmly catching the candlestick that Ragan aimed and threw at him.
Toran revelled in the fact that for once it was the man before him who had to bend and yield to the inevitable, to a greater power that dictated the events of ones life.
Hiding his smirk, he also reflected over how this time it was he who was in control. The lie had come with relative ease to him and he had known that there was no way that he would allow the fey blade to be copied.
Toran knew that he would have destroyed it if it wasn't for that blasted Ragan finding it before he had the chance. He cursed himself to the seven hells and back, but was thankful that he had been able to minimise the damage that would be incurred by concealing from Ragan the truth about the blade.
Because oh yes, the blade could be reproduced, but, and this was Toran's great hope, he was the only one with the knowledge of how to do so.
All beings with that knowledge had perished in the war of ages, with only one blade surviving until the civil war when it was destroyed.
No, Toran swore to himself, there was no way he would let Ragan discover what was right under his nose, the secret of how to produce masses upon masses of those deadly blades.
Ragan yelled something indistinguishable and marched from the room, but not before viciously knocking un-conscious the guards that stood to attention at the door.
* * *
Sarah pushed her way past the two Kings and left to find her mother, Sarah felt apprehensive about what Seran had told her would come to pass but she now also felt an incredible sense of happiness for her mother who would, after years of waiting, finally get to meet her mother. Sarah rapped gently upon the wooden door of her mother's chamber and when a reply was heard, she gently pushed open the door.
Alanya turned in her seat and smiled at her daughter.
"What is it Sarah?" she asked kindly as she motioned her over. Sarah took a deep breath and began to talk.
"Mother, There's someone that wants to talk to you" she stated hesitantly, taking a seat on her mothers bed. Alanya's eyebrows arched in surprise and then she frowned.
"Is it a foreign diplomat, because if it is then I swear I will…" began Alanya and Sarah cut her off.
"Mother…I-I's nothing like that, it's Seran" she stammered and Alanya looked as though her eyes would fall out of her head.
"Sarah, that's not funny" she stated uncertainly and Sarah frowned slightly.
"Mother, You know I wouldn't dare kid about something like that" she sated stiltedly, and a small smile graced her lips.
Alanya rose, and looked at Sarah. Holding out an arm, she motioned for Sarah to accompany her. But Sarah just smiled and shook her head.
"No mother, this is something you need to do by yourself" she stated, and left the room to find Jareth.
* * *
Alanya uncertainly mounted the stairs and climbed upward, around the inside of the tower until she felt she could climb no more. Finally she arrived at the same door that Sarah had a little while before.
Jareth, Findlay and Dranion were nowhere to be seen and Alanya knew that deep in her heart that Sarah was right, this was indeed something she needed to do by herself.
Alanya paused hesitantly at the door and wondered if she could open it, and face what was inside, She turned around to lean against it, and the door swung open of it's own accord. Without options, Alanya walked into the room, and hesitantly started toward the tall figure in the middle of it.
The figure span and Alanya felt her breath catch, She was so much more vibrant and beautiful than the stories her adopted mother had told her had said.
Alanya felt tears spring to her eyes and reached a hand up to wipe them away, but an almost transparent one got there before hers did.
Alanya leaned into her mothers touch and felt warmth shoot through her at the contact. Alanya bowed her head and Seran placed a finger underneath her chin and inclined it up towards her.
"Look at me" requested Seran and Alanya struggled to, but did so. Alanya looked into her mother's eyes and saw them sparkle with laughter and warmth.
"I am so proud of you, my baby," she crooned softly and Seran reached out embraced Alanyas form. Seran dropped kisses on her daughter's hair that felt to Alanya like tiny dewdrops falling from heaven.
"Mother" she breathed.
"Yes?" asked Seran softly and Alanya shrugged.
"I don't know..I just wanted to say it" she replied, and Seran held Alanya at arms length.
"You are so beautiful, my mortal child" she whispered, and brushed a stray lock of Alanyas hair away from her face.
The pair embraced once more and then as another forma appeared before them, pulled apart.
Seran placed her arm around the man that had appeared by her side and something pulled at Alanya's heart as she realised that this must indeed be her father.
"Daughter" he stated softly, and Alanya rushed towards them, and the trio embraced.
* * *
Jareth sat down on Sarah's bed and took a hold of her hand.
"What if we can't do it Jareth?" she questioned uncertainly, her face filled with worry and eyes glistening with unshed tears. Jareth squeezed her hand and looked down at her.
"Sarah, that's not an option. I don't know why Ragan would be foolish enough to launch an assault on an army of fey, since they can only be killed with the fey blade and there is no way that he could have conceivably forged it. But.. Still, he has, and that means that we will have to be brave and give it our best" he stated soothingly.
Sarah nodded and leaned into his shoulder.
"Jareth, should anything, And I do not believe it will, but should anything happen to wound or kill fey's, there is a cure right?" she asked uncertainly, and Jareth's smile dimmed. Sarah looked up at him and implored him with her eyes to answer the question. Jareth took a breath, and spoke. "Sarah, I hesitate to tell you this.. But I fear that you will just ask someone else if I do not, I am going to be honest with you.. There is only one fey who can heal completely, without causing harm to themselves. That fey is I Sarah.." he stated reluctantly, and Sarah knew that he hadn't finished, so she remained silent, waiting.
"Any other fey that attempts to heal a creature that is badly wounded or dying, must forefeit their own life to do so," he continued and Sarah's eyes widened in comprehension. She wrapped her arms around Jareth and leaned against him.
"Well, we won't let that happen" she stated stoically, and stroked Jareth's hair.
"We'll be all right," he stated, although his voice lacked its usual arrogance and self-confidence.
* * *
Findlay looked down at the woman in his arms and once again marvelled at how lucky he was to possess such a beautiful creature.
"Penny" she stated sleepily, plucking a flower from the grass they were lying on.
Findlay's brow crinkled in confusion and he smiled as Alanya laughed.
"It's an aboveground thing," she explained hastily. And Findlay felt the smile return to his lips.
"Penny for your thoughts" she expanded, and Findlay grinned wickedly, looking as though he were a cat and she were a rather tempting bowl of cream.
"I was just thinking how beautiful you are" he stated noncommittally and then, not being able to resist, added a shrug for good measure. Alanya glared and then hit him. Findlay scowled back and growled under his breath, grabbing Alanyas small hands and pinning them above her head, with one of his large ones. Findlay laughed at the O of Alanya's mouth and rolled himself over till he was on top of her.
He bent down and kissed her, long, slow and drugging. Findlay smiled as he thought of the surprise that he had for her, and then looked back down to see Alanya looking up at him.
"What are you grinning at?" she asked, and Findlay did his best to look nonchalant,
"Nothing" he lied, badly.
* * *
Dranion sat on his throne with a bemused expression on his face. He had known that, judging by the history and heritage of the women that were staying here, that it may not have been such a wonderful idea after all.
There was nothing he could do now however, except prepare his army, made up for the most part of elves, for battle. There was one thing that troubled him though. If he was correct, then the only mortals in the realm of the Underground, were himself and the Lady Alanya. So why would Ragan launch an attack when he could only really expect to be able to kill two beings?
Thinking of the Lady Alanya, brought a tinge of sadness to him, for although she were beautiful, she also reminded him of his late queen.
Dranion grimaced as he recalled the awful details of his loves death.
Elica, a newly crowned queen, had, against the caution Dranion had given, wandered too close to the Lake of Foresign and had been claimed by the vengeful spirit that resided there, permeating it's waters with evil.
Elica had been told the story of the ancient foe that had been imprisoned in the lake, but had been drawn to it by its deceptively calm beauty. She had gazed into the waters and seen more death, sorrow and pain than her being could tolerate, her very soul poisoned by it, and collapsed dead.
Dranion knew that he had to protect the Lady Alanya and her party; he would do it for Elica.
* * *
"Rohwan..Rohwan" Toran muttered to himself as he stood outside the castle. He rolled the name around on his tongue, deciding that he liked it. Toran knew, that as long as he remained here, at the outpost, he would be Toran, but as soon as he had foiled Ragan's blasted war then he knew that he would indeed return to Lord Findlay and attempt to mend his relationship with him. But first thing was first, He needed to find a way, without making Ragan suspicious, of informing Findlay that Ragan had the fey blade.
An idea occurring to him, Toran pulled a piece of parchment from his pocket and went inside to his study. Once there, he wrote a letter to Findlay, detailing that Ragan had the blade, and how he had prevented the warlord from duplicating it, he also mentioned that Findlay needed to get his troops together because although he did not know the exact details, Ragan was planning to march, and soon.
* * *
Alanya watched Findlay as he spoke to Dranion and followed him as he went into his room.
"Hi" she said brightly, and Findlay spun around surprised.
"Uh..Hi? What are you doing here?" he asked, and Alanya frowned.
"Well, If you don't want me here then that's fine" she snapped, and turned to exit the room.
Alanya marched down the hall, but had only gone a few paces when Findlay grabbed her arm.
"Alanya, you just surprised me, that's all. I was trying to get something organised" he stated, and reached out to her.
Alanya turned away.
"Well, you weren't very welcoming" she stated petulantly. And Findlay grinned,
"Come on" he called enthusiastically, and pulled her to him.
"Findlay! No..Where are we going?" she demanded, but her protests were unheard as Findlay, merely placed a silencing kiss on her lips and then teleported them both.
Alanya landed with a thud on her backside. She looked up at Findlay and glared as he tried to muffle his laughter. Hitting his hand out of the road, she rose indignantly to her feet.
"This had better be good!" she almost yelled, and Findlay smirked, she was so cute when she was mad, but he decided not to say that, positive that with arms like hers, she was sure to have a great right hook.
Alanya took a deep breath and for the first time noticed her surroundings. They were in one of the most beautiful gardens she had ever seen, the flowers were beautiful, exotic and smelled divine. There was a small stream crossing the clearing that they were in and tiny bright creatures, flitted in amongst the vines and trees, stopping now and again to sit on the petals of the flowers, making them sparkle.
Alanya looked up and saw a crushed velvet sky, the colour of cornflowers. She took a deep breath and felt the cool crisp air revitalise her.
Findlay also took a deep breath and felt his heartbeat skyrocket as he saw the expression of mystification on his beloveds face.
Moving towards her, he felt her eyes upon him as he opened an intricate gold box and held it out to her.
The ring inside was coloured with gemstones the colours of the rainbow that sparkled when it hit the light.
"Alanya..Will you." He began but Alanya silenced him by placing a single finger over his lips.
"Yes!" she exclaimed, verging on hysterical.
"Yes!" she said again, and Findlay felt his heart want to explode with joy.
He picked Alanya up and swung her around and around, returning her to her feet, they kissed, softly, and both were in heaven.
* * *
Hours later Sarah sat beside her mother and couldn't believe what she had just heard.
"Mother..I'm so happy for you, we have to celebrate!" she exclaimed and ran off to tell Dranion and organise a party for that night.
* * *
Toran smirked as he took the steps down from his tower two at a time. His plan was all ready to go, he just had to request that he be able to go with the first attack party tonight, Ragan was sitting with his second in command, a vile mercenary, a creature by the name of Rage.
Toran grimaced when he saw him, and knew that he would have to convince Ragan to allow him to lead the mission instead of Rage.
"Father" he began, desperately searching his mind for inspiration, then hitting the jackpot.
"It's such a lovely day for a bloodbath, and I do feel like ruthlessly butchering some innocents, let me lead the intimidation mission scheduled for tonight" he exclaimed.
Ragan's eyes glimmered like black gems and he rose to his feet, impassioned.
"That's my son!" he roared and Toran knew that the old fool had fallen for it hook line and sinker.
Rage levelled a nasty look at him and Toran knew that Ragan's counterpart hadn't been taken in.
"My liege" he hissed, and Toran felt as though he had been punched in the gut.
"Let me accompany our prince" he stated through clenched teeth, and Toran felt an immense relief when Ragan waved it away.
"Nonsense, this is the ideal opportunity for Toran to prove himself worthy of being my son" he stated, puffing out his chest. Toran caught Rage rolling his yellow eyes, and smirked, causing the creature to hiss and disappear in a cloud of smoke.
Ragan smiled and patted Toran on the back. Toran refrained from shivering and then walked towards the stairs.
"I'll be in the tower" he called, and teleported to the outskirts of the elven city.
He walked up to the ramshackle houses that acted as a border, and knocked on the doors. An hour later, he had re-located the people using his magic to give them new accommodation, and warning them of the attack that would occur that evening at their previous lodgings.
* * *
Later that evening Sarah, Dranion, Jareth, Findlay and Alanya sat around the large oak table with a variety of their friends from the Elven and Goblin Kingdom present. Alanya laughed and Sarah was pleased to see that she was enjoying the dinner cum engagement party that she had organised.
All at the party were dressed splendidly and Sarah simply adored the purple silk dress her mother had given her to wear.
There had been presents and dinner and now everyone was merely sitting and enjoying conversation.
The topic had somehow strayed to the oddities of Jareth's tights when a harried looking messenger came running into the room.
"Lilja, what is it?" demanded Dranion, worried.
And Lilja quickly exclaimed that a small war party was torching the borders of the kingdom.
Jareth and Find lay rose to their feet and Jareth kissed Sarah, before throwing a crystal at Dranions feet and the three men disappeared.
Alanya and Sarah were left in the room with the remainder of the shocked looking guests.
Sarah and Alanya looked at each other, something passing between them. Sarah nodded and Alanya grabbed hold of her hand as Sarah teleported them both after Jareth and the other two.
* * *
"Yaaahhhh" roared Toran into the night as he watched his men launch yet another burning arrow or tree limb into the straw of the houses that only he knew were empty. Toran thought for a moment and snapped his fingers. The houses all caught alight at once and not a sound was heard.
"Must all be asleep" he smirked to the soldier to his left and received an agreeing grunt in return.
Toran knew that it would only be a matter of time before Findlay and Jareth arrived. As if summoned, the two kings and Findlay appeared before him.
Findlay looked into his eyes, but Toran looked away, not bearing the pain he saw in them.
::The letter will explain:: he thought and scanned the soldiers behind him, He then reared his horse, and bellowed
"RETREAT!" Toran led the soldiers away from the houses and the three that stood behind them, but as he brushed past Findlay, he dropped the letter into the feys gloved hand.
* * *
Findlay looked at the letter in his hand and wondered whether or not to open it. He hoped that it would contain answers; he prayed that it would give him hope that his son was not unreachable.
Jareth and Dranion stood over his shoulder as he read.
Dear Father,
I may call you that may I?
I warn you now before it is too late. Ragan has a fey blade, I forged it in a moment of stupidity and did not get a chance to destroy it before it was found. However, the secret of its duplication is safe. I would advise you to rally your troops for the moment of war is at hand, and closer than you think.
Your Son.
Rohwan.
P.S. All is not as it seems, I evacuated the occupants of those houses earlier today, and they are safe in new accommodation along the north border. I needed a way to give you this so I requested to lead the mission.
~R
WELL, THAT'S THE END FOR THIS CHAPTER AND WHAT CAN I SAY..
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XOXO Eve Lindsey.