After Koda was cleaned up and fresh for bedtime again, but still awake, Haku smiled at him, "Let me guess, you want a story?", and Koda clapped his hands, smiling gummily. Haku chuckled, "How about a story within a song, hmm?", and Koda tilted his head, cooing.
Haku smiled, "I thought you'd be curious to hear it.", sitting down in a rocking chair, holding Koda close to his heartbeat, and sang his version of 'Hushabye Mountain', his voice quiet and warm.
After three verses, Koda was fast asleep, deep in dreamland, and Haku smiled, getting up from the rocking chair, and laid Koda down in his crib, adjusting the blanket, and kissed his forehead, "Sweet dreams, my little cub.", leaving the nursery, glad that his dragon eyesight is great in the darkness.
"Finally get him back to sleep?", Pocahontas asked as Haku walked back into the other room where he found her sitting up in the bed. "Yeah, a little story and all put him right out.", Haku explained.
Pocahontas smiled, "Good. As he's getting older, he will sleep longer and longer. Do not get me wrong, it gives me relief that he's healthy and all, but I will be glad once I will have a normal sleep routine.".
"I sort of envy a few of the others... most of their children were born different and were practically already toddlers when they were born.", Haku chuckled.
Pocahontas giggled softly, "True, yet I am happy to spend a bit more time with Koda, for babies take time to age into toddlers. And I didn't know you can sing...", with a soft smile...
Haku blushed, "Well, I never saw much reason to sing back on Earth, but putting Koda to sleep, it feels good to sing for him...".
"That's good to know that you have a fairly surefire way to put him to sleep if he gets up in the night.", Pocahontas said.
"Well, not surefire, might have just been lucky tonight, I'd rather try it a few more times to see if it actually usually works.", Haku smiled wryly.
Pocahontas smiled, "I think Koda would love that...He adores you, you know.", and Haku chuckled, "Oh, I do. I thought you were asleep, honey.", finally making it to sit on the edge of the bed with a curious tilt of his head.
"I was woken up by him, but you beat me to getting to him asleep.", Pocahontas explained as he put his hand on her knee. "I then just decided to wait on you to come back, either having done the job or having to get me to come back since he could be hungry.".
Haku chuckled, "Nah, he wasn't hungry at all, just wanted attention and a cleanup as he was stinky. And you don't have to wait up for me, Pocahontas. I would always come back even if you were asleep.", with a warm smile.
"Well, it's something that I just need to get used to and all. It's been some time...", Pocahontas rubbed her arm as Haku got closer to her.
Haku kissed her temple, "Me too, honey. But I can say that sleeping and cuddling with you has been therapeutic for me.", and Pocahontas blinked in confusion, "Therapeutic?", looking at him.
"Sorry, word from Earth. In another word, calming.", Haku explained, and Pocahontas nodded, "I see.", with an understanding smile.
"Anyway, now that he's back to bed, I think we should get back to where we left off and falling asleep in each other's arms again, how does that sound to you?", Haku smiled.
"Sounds good to me, I was dreaming quite well before.", Pocahontas told him as the two of them crawled back under the covers before he wrapped his arms around her.
"Good?", Haku asked as his arms went around her waist before she got the blanket well comfortable over the both of them. "Good.", Pocahontas responded. She gave a small sigh that he quickly noticed.
"Something wrong?", Haku asked softly. "I'm concerned...", Pocahontas admitted once more.
"About what awaits?", Haku replied. "Yes... I fear that this final battle will take so much to finally achieve victory. Ambushing Ratcliffe... liberating the Congo... seizing Pleasure Island... those, I feel will be much different to this final battle.", Pocahontas told him.
"I understand your worries, Pocahontas... truth be told, I'm worried too. Frollo would be nothing of a pushover when face to face, many of them have been as of late the more of us gained our powers, but it's the Chernabog that I'm worried about.", Haku said.
Pocahontas nodded, "I may not have heard much about this Chernabog, but there were stories about him centuries ago. The last dragons punished him, but they weren't strong enough...".
"Well, we can only hope that we'll be able to finish the job this time around... Aslan seemed to have faith in us. I suppose that's something we should look hopeful towards.", Haku said. "Yes... yes, I think you're right.", Pocahontas leaned over to kiss him on the lips once more.
Haku smiled, "I am glad you have faith in me as well, Pocahontas.", after he returned the kiss as he held her, and Pocahontas smiled, "I will always have faith in you, Haku, no doubt about it.", resting her head on his shoulder as they laid back.
"I love you, Pocahontas.", Haku murmured softly, and Pocahontas smiled, "I love you, Haku.", before closing her eyes, to fall asleep to his heartbeat.
And without any further interruptions from Koda, the couple fell asleep in each other's arms once more, and the night went peaceful.
Come the next few days, things remained fairly calm amongst the kingdom; the vast armies of the light were slowly gathering in proper rendezvous locations, ready for what hopefully would be the final end of any organized resistance by the forces of darkness. Would victory mean the true end of evil altogether? Many doubted it but at least unorganized evil and times of peace would be much more preferable rather than the threat of war and iron yoke of evil oppression; in perhaps a few ways, total extermination of those that call their lands home if the tide had not changed.
And that tide was the sole reason Frollo cursed as he sat upon his dark and practically all but powerless throne.
"Report...", Frollo muttered to the dark servant before him. "What spies and scouts that we have come back to us along with a few of the prisoners we tortured as of late spells what might be a dire threat of many armies meeting to march upon us...", the servant reported clearly.
Frollo scowled lightly, "They are finally coming...Send for Zira...", and the servant blinked in confusion, "Sire?".
Frollo snarled, "Did you lose your hearing?! Ask Zira to come here!", and the servant nodded, stammered, "Y-yes, sire!", leaving Frollo.
"And what pray tell will she accomplish in our darkest of hours?", the sinister voice that had tormented Frollo for so long once more snidely insulted.
"Must you always sneak in here...", Frollo growled as he clutched the throne's armrests. "You'd do well to remember your place, Frollo; Father is none too pleased about the situation you have helped lead us all into.", drawled Orcus sharply.
Frollo exhaled sharply, "Many apologies, great Orcus. As for Zira, she has been trained by Scar in all tactics and techniques long between their courtship and the birth of the children. She has grown mad and heartbroken from the loss of Scar, and not even her kids would curb it. With much searching, one of our scouts has returned with the fact that one of the United Talons has killed Scar. If I tell Zira that, she will be even madder, but she will be extremely focused on avenging Scar, and winning the war.".
"Quite the task awaits you now... you have all those good forces starting to make their move towards this fortress as well as the fact those Talons are still out there.", Orcus reminded.
"If victory can be achieved, if the Talons are destroyed, with much of the armies wiped out, the war can still be salvaged... it would take time to reclaim all the territory lost as well as besiege the lands that were not taken even at our highest moments...", Frollo muttered as he was clearly trying to think of how to turn it around.
Orcus nodded, "Indeed. Father is prepared to send all our dark forces, and I will be at the command. But if the battle itself is turning on the tide for the good forces, Father will emerge to destroy the surrounding land, and the remaining armies.".
Frollo exhaled, "Sacrifice many lives for a few victories. Your word of logic is solid, Orcus.".
"We'll have time to recover... the loss of the Talons and the armies will cripple the kingdoms for an entire generation if you feel that much time is needed.", Orcus pointed out.
"Time... just a bit more time is needed...", Frollo said as he put his hands together in front of his mouth as he went into thought.
Orcus waited patiently before hearing a knock at the door, and Frollo whispered, "An idea is forming, but I will tell you after I finish with Zira.", and Orcus muttered, "See that you'll be quick, Frollo." before moving back to the shadows.
Frollo called out clearly, "Come in!", and the heavy-iron doors opened, revealing Zira as she came in, and as she got closer, she kneeled down, "You wished to see me, Frollo, sire?", looking at Frollo curiously, yet she wasn't looking too good.
"Yes, Zira... I'm afraid I must be the one to bring you the most grievous of news.", Frollo said. "Relating to Scar?", Zira gasped as he could already see it in Zira's eyes.
"Yes... I'm afraid to say that he was killed... when the Congo was taken back by those United Talons...", Frollo replied.
Zira snarled, "What?!", and Frollo can see the fire in her eyes, and he exhaled, "Scar gave his best to fight back, but the United Talons had taken him off guard, and one of them put the final hit on him.". Zira narrowed her eyes, "Those, those bastards! Where are they now?!".
"Planning to march upon this very fortress as we speak... as well as the army of allied kingdoms that wish to see our end.", Frollo said while keeping himself from revealing any sort of expression. He wanted her angry but didn't want any of it directed towards him.
Zira lowly growled to herself, before looking at Frollo desperately, "Please tell me that you're making me General, Frollo! I want, no, need to avenge Scar, to kill those United Talons!".
Frollo nodded, "That's why I asked you to be here. I know Scar has trained you in everything related to army techniques and tactics, and he would be glad to know that you are avenging him this way.".
"That said...", Frollo continued. "I see no reason why not but to make you general of the armies that we have remaining. But I must warn you that you have quite the task before you as we will soon find ourselves under siege.".
Zira nodded, "I understand, sire! Starting now, I will put the troops in a strenuous regime of training, and you will be impressed of the results once we win the war without any of our enemies to worry about!".
Frollo nodded, "I am sure you will, General Zira. You are dismissed.", and Zira bowed with a sharp, determined, slightly evil smile as she left the throne room, closing the doors after her.
"Well, you've right about Zira, Frollo. I have never imagined seeing such fury in a zealous, hauntingly strong woman like that.", Orcus replied as he came out of the shadows, "And the idea?".
Frollo exhaled deeply, "When you and I spoke about needing a bit more time, if we must put all the advantages of your dark armies and the great Chernabog along with my armies, we can make a ritual to force the sun to black out for a few minutes of darkness.".
"A created eclipse? I don't seem to follow.", Orcus smiled as he was just dying to hear what idea Frollo had come up with.
"A last-ditch effort, one would say, to turn the tide fully to our favor and win the battle and perhaps snatch victory from defeat in this war. The eclipse... would be more than worthy for your specific command.", Frollo said.
Orcus looked curiously surprised, lost in thought for a moment as he liked the idea of it, "You must understand that a dark ritual takes blood and dark magic.", and Frollo exhaled, "I know. If this succeeds, Chernabog will be more than pleased, and I understand I will be rewarded well...What else do I have to lose when I have everything to gain?".
Orcus nodded with a slow, devious smile, "You may have impressed me, Frollo, but it's up to Father. Go see to your armies or something else while I talk with Father. He may approve or not.".
Frollo nodded as he got up from his throne chair, "I'll look into the library to look up the ritual more properly. Even if Chernabog hasn't approved yet, it's better to be informed than left in the dark, no pun intended.".
"Of course... as you said... nothing else to lose for you...", Orcus replied with a hum. Frollo left the main royal chamber and left Orcus alone.
"And all for me to gain if you can achieve it.", Orcus gave a dark chuckle at just how deeply tied down he had Frollo. Even if he achieved a dark miracle and inflicted a crushing defeat against those that opposed him... he would be so drained as to easily allow Orcus to move him out of the way.
Orcus then nodded to himself as he went back to the shadows, traveling much deeper than beyond the basement of the fortress, to the bowels of the mountains, having a strong feeling that his father will approve greatly, knowing the advantages he and Orcus will gain. Yes, Enchantia won't expect it at all, and they will bow down to Chernabog, if they don't want to lose their lives.
Back in Narnia, at Cair Paravel, another war council meeting is happening with Triton informing them that his army is waiting for him down at the docks.
"The numbers are sweltering...", Logan admitted as everyone was quietly discussing amongst themselves before the final leaders would show up. "Part of me wonders if this was like witnessing Napoleon invading Russia.".
"Certainly looks like we might be even numbered with Frollo's forces.", Emma said. "That's a welcomed change of pace, for sure.", Adam nodded.
Pippa sighed, "With the numbers increasing, the march will be time-consuming.", and Emma nodded, "Yes, through the mountains, that's for sure, but I am powerful enough to make a huge portal for all our armies to come to the nearest spot of Pride Valley within the Pridelands, with King Triton taking his army via the waters.".
"Still a mess in terms of logistics... especially if this army is to live off the land; we'll be in some serious trouble come Frollo's turf. I assume it'll be barren and lifeless...", Jason said. "That's probably goes without question considering the Chernabog.", Haku added.
Zuri nodded, "Indeed. Still, we can forage and such. We just can't carry food that would rot in days. Better to show them how to make jerky, trail food, and simple, nutritious soups that should fill bellies.".
Logan nodded, "And we have done it ourselves before. It shouldn't be too much trouble with such numbers.".
"Might take a bit of time to do that still...", Emma said. "Time we don't really have. Look at some of them.", Pippa pointed. "They're practically all chomping at the bit for this last fight. Very rarely in history I would think that an army knows that the war will end in the next battle.".
"Certainly not in more recent modern history back home for sure.", Jason scoffed. "Of course, there's the tragedy of a final battle... that some still will end up dying so close to the end... especially for those who may have fought from the beginning.".
Haku sighed, "Especially when so many people lost their families over the years, they just want to do something meaningful, and if winning the war while losing their lives, they're at peace...Yet with so many others that barely saw battle, if not attacks on their villages and all, we have tons of healers, non-magical and magical, ready to set a hospital triage in the back of the outlines of the armies...".
Emma nodded, "It was like how our old general used to say before us when we set out on missions. There are situations where a few lives are sacrificed for the sake of many...This is one of those situations...We're fighting just not for our new families, or Narnia, but for all of Enchantia, and that includes the islands as well...".
"All we can do is make sure that the day is won and hopefully keep the casualties as low as possible.", Logan said before the whole room quieted down as the last commanders finally arrived. "Here comes the briefing.", Zuri whispered.
King Mickey bowed his head, "Greetings, King Frederick, King Daniel, Lord Arthur, Generals Timon and Pumbaa, and Queen Kida.".
The newly arrived commanders of their armies nodded to King Mickey, with Queen Kida speaking, "Thank you for accommodating us on your behalf, Mickey. As you know, Queen Elsa couldn't come on behalf of her husband expecting a child, and I had a message from King Edward just a day ago. His wife, Queen Nancy has come down with the flu, and Edward wouldn't want to inflict the flu on us in case if his kingdom gets sick.".
