~ Da, na, na, na. Okay strong votes but is it enough? So far not many has reviewed… Read on to find out…
There was pain everywhere, the shoulder is burning. Taking in a deep breath, Aldanor's eyes opened and he sat up. Looking around he saw that it was morning and remembered getting hit the night before. After that, he couldn't remember much at all. He did recall that Jodi was there, he face looking in concern over him. Swinging his feet off the cot they hit something soft. Looking down, Aldanor found Jodi, pale, lifeless. Aldanor jumped off the bed, lifting her in his arms.
"Jodi, wake up, wake up," Aldanor cried but got no response. Jodi's head, lolled around as he held her in his arms.
"Jodi, no," Aldanor's throat stuck with the words he wanted to say. He wanted to tell Jodi that he was sorry, that he wished they met under different circumstances. Laying her gently on the bed, Aldanor found the bands tied on her forearms, they were loose enough that he could slid them off of her arms. Her skin was chilled, cold to touch. The turtles burst in and found Jodi lifeless on the bed. Aldanor stood there, head in his hands.
"What did you do to her?" Raphael shouted pushing Aldanor aside. Aldanor felt so much pain in his heart he couldn't form words. Donatello went over and felt for a pulse, first in her wrist, then moved to her neck.
"There's a pulse," Donatello said. "But it's weak." Donatello looked to his brothers. "She is going to need a blood transfusion if she is going to live." Hearing this all the turtles slumped. They knew that there were no supplies here that they would be able to use.
"What's a blood transfusion?" Aldanor asked. The turtles looked at him forgetting that he was there.
"If we put some of someone else's blood into her, then Jodi might live," Donatello explained. Aldanor stood up feeling some hope.
"What do you need?"
"Plastic, which you don't have here," Donatello said.
"Then we'll find a substitute," Aldanor said and grabbed Donatello's hand. Before they were gone Donatello explained to his brothers to keep Jodi warm and give her warms liquids. Aldanor went to Molaart with Donatello and had Donatello trace out what materials he would need on a piece of paper. Looking it over Molaart said he would be back and rode off with some other blond elf following. Once they returned, Molaart gave Donatello the following. A few needles which were used for sewing that Donatello sterilized. That was all they could find. Donatello went back to the tent with Aldanor and told the turtles the news.
"I don't think we can do it guys," Donatello said. "There's nothing to use in substitute of an I.V. line. What we are going to have to do is feed her and see if she hangs on." Some soup was made up and they spoon fed the unconscious Jodi. They would do this everyday, and it lasted for two nights, Aldanor never leaving Jodi's side. Donatello showed him how to keep track of Jodi's pulse and to call him if anything happened.
The turtles we walking out and came across their old camp site. Looking at the huts Michelangelo found Jodi's book bag, which was half burnt and amazingly the journals survived. Once they saw that, Leonardo went to Master Splinter's old hut and started to dig through the ashes. This was the one burnt the worse of all. As Leonardo digged he pulled out a small metal box, blackened by the heat.
"What is that, bro?" Michelangelo asked.
"What we need," Leonardo responded. Calling Donatello and Raphael over They say the box and ran as fast as they could back to the camp. Inside the tent, Aldanor noted that Jodi's breathing, as shallow as it was, was becoming even more ragged.
"Please live, Jodi," Aldanor said, on his knee's next to her bed. "This should have been me, I'm sorry." Donatello burst in with the metal box opened. Aldanor jumped up alarmed at first then pointed out Jodi's condition.
"She doesn't have much time," Donatello said pulling stuff out of the box.
"What are you going to do? Please you have to do something!" Aldanor begged.
"Roll you sleeves up Aldanor," Donatello had what he needed and put the box down. "We're doing a blood transfusion." Outside the tent, the three bothers paced, while waiting to hear about Jodi. No humans were around, so Donatello had to resort to using Aldanor's blood for the transfusion. Hopefully it would be compatible. Three hours went by and there was still no word. Raphael was ready to bust in there, but Leonardo and Michelangelo stopped him. They all knew Donatello would need the room and the time.
The Healer stopped by and asked how they were doing. He had went in earlier, but Donatello screamed at him to get out, not having the patience or Jodi having time to teach someone what he was doing. The turtles mentioned that they were still waiting when Donatello came out.
"We're done," Donatello simply said. "Now we have to wait." Donatello let his brothers go in one by one, to see how they were doing. Raphael went in first and saw that Jodi was breathing easier and both her and Aldanor had bandages in the crooks of their arms.
"Tell Donatello if she needs more, I'll give her more," Aldanor started.
"Shh," Raphael said. "You have to rest, and if you want Jodi better, keep it down so she can get better faster." Aldanor calmed himself and nodded. As Raphael left, Leonardo came back in.
"How do you feel," Leonardo asked.
"A little tired, but I wanted to stay awake to watch Jodi," Aldanor commented. "Donatello said that her body might not accept my blood. Why is that?"
"Because it's different from hers, and her body might not understand that we're just trying to help," Leonardo said.
"I don't understand this science, but I'm glad your brother does," Aldanor said to Leonardo.
"Me too," Leonardo said and left. Michelangelo came in and got Aldanor to crack a smile. He also whispered some in Jodi's ear but there was no response. Sighing, Michelangelo gave Aldanor a thumbs up and left. Donatello came in and sat there watching as Aldanor fell asleep.
"Donatello?" Donatello sat up and looked around. It was dark and he had fallen asleep. He cursed himself for doing so and lit a lamp. The light illuminated the room, showing that Aldanor and Jodi were still laying on the cots set up in there.
"Donatello?" He got up knowing that someone in there was calling his name. Stepping over, Donatello illuminated their faces, both eyes still closed.
"Donatello?" It was Jodi who spoke!
"Jodi, you're going to be okay!" Donatello was so excited that he wanted to jump for joy but Jodi's next comment paused Donatello's thoughts.
"No, I'm not," Jodi said quietly. She opened her eyes and looked at him. "I just wanted a chance to thank you and it seems that I have that chance now. Tell Aldanor that I love him, and that's why I did what I did." Donatello had tears falling down his cheeks.
"Jodi, you're going to be able to tell him yourself…" Donatello paused as Jodi's body gave one last sigh. Donatello gripped the blankets as tight as he could and hugged Jodi.
"I'm sorry Jodi," Donatello said softly as he cried. Aldanor stirred and saw Donatello hugging Jodi, crying.
"What happened, is she…" Aldanor let the question hang not able to finish. Donatello looked up at him.
"I'm sorry," Aldanor didn't cry but he did hug Donatello and held Jodi between the two.
The funeral was a short one. They wrapped Jodi up in a blanket and buried her near the waterfall. As the first load of dirt fell on where her feet were, Aldanor looked at the sun. She had just died moments before sunrise, it hasn't even been an hour yet. As the second load of dirst fell, Aldanor turned and yelled.
"No!" And pushed Molaart aside with the shovel. Jumping down into the hole, Aldanor uncovered Jodi's face, her skin was still warm.
"Aldanor leave her alone," Raphael said ready to pull him out. Michelangelo stopped him.
"Wait a minute, bro," He said. Aldanor was screaming at Jodi to breath and then put his mouth on hers, to make her breath. When he noticed the air coming out her nose, he covered that and continued to do so. Leonardo could see what he was trying to do and jumped down there.
"Aldanor, it's too late…"
"No it's not, it can't be too late," Aldanor screamed at him. "Jodi! Breathe, for goodness sake breathe."
There was a sigh and a cough that shook Jodi's body. For a minute everyone thought that they were seeing things until Aldanor pulled her out of the hole. As Jodi shifted she opened her eyes and looked at Aldanor.
"Your eyes," Aldanor said. "They sparkle." It was true, it looked like someone took all the stars from the sky and put them in Jodi's eyes.
"Huh?" Was all I could manage at the moment. Aldanor hugged me and the turtles all gathered around and hugged me as well. When I saw Master Splinter, I had Aldanor help me stand and tried to bow, but would have fell over if Aldanor didn't catch me.
"It's all right Jodi, we thought you were dead," Master Splinter said.
"I did too," I said. Going back to the camp, the armies were all packed up and most of them gone. The only one left was five from Molaart's land. The one elf that had left for supplies turned surprised to see Jodi up and walking.
"What miracle is this?" He joyfully cried.
"One that we'll most tell our people, once we all return home," Molaart said looking at Aldanor. For now Aldanor didn't say anything but concentrated on me. As I was seated I asked the blond elf his name. Molaart was already introduced.
"Legolas," he said. I smiled and said it was nice to meet him. Everyone sat around talking well into the afternoon. They surmised that it was the elf blood that helped revive me, and how strong the love between Aldanor and I must be, the elf's insisted. I begged and got to eat some real food for the first time in a while and Aldanor took a walk, Legolas followed.
"Do you know anything about your father?" Legolas asked.
"No, nothing really," Aldanor said.
"Well, your father is my father," Legolas said turning to look at Aldanor. Aldanor stopped stunned, he never thought of the possibility of having a brother after hearing that he was kidnapped.
"Are you younger or older." Aldanor thought younger but wasn't sure.
"Younger," Legolas said. Aldanor smiled and they walked while talking about their parents. In their wanderings, Aldanor leaned against a hillside, Legolas next to him. Aldanor paused what Legolas was saying and looked at the hillside. A boulder was protruding out of it's side and there was something on the ground. Aldanor picked up the object, aimed opened end at his face and hit the on button. Blinded by light he dropped it then picked it up again shutting it off. This was the tunnel Jodi told him about. Taking his new finding and remembering the location, Aldanor quickly explained it's meaning and both ran to where the turtles were staying. Bursting in, both were out of breath but very excited.
"I found it," Aldanor said. Everyone looked up at him. Seeing they didn't know what he meant he held out the flashlight.
"The tunnel, the one Jodi came through," The turtle's eyes widened. Jodi was outside the back enjoying some sunshine. Everyone went out to the back and found me dancing around the tree's. I stopped when I saw them all staring and blushed. Aldanor held out the flashlight and I gasped.
"Where did you get this?" I asked looking at it. Legolas told me where he took Aldanor and I just looked back and forth at them.
"Are you not excited?" Aldanor asked with a smile.
"Well, yes but," I paused. "Do you know what this means?" Legolas and Aldanor shook their heads.
"It means it is time for us to go," Master Splinter said. They all looked to see that Master Splinter had joined them. Aldanor's smile fell, he now knew that I would be leaving. The turtles went to back what was left of their belongings and Legolas left me alone with Aldanor.
"You have to go." It wasn't a question, it was a statement. I walked up to Aldanor and took his hands. With a sigh I nodded.
"I can't stay, but," I looked at Aldanor's face. Satisfied with what I saw, I continued. "If you wanted you could go with me." Aldanor didn't think of that. He looked around remembering what I told him about my world. Aldanor stood up and smiled at me.
"If that's what you wish, then I'll go with you," Aldanor said. I was happy but sad at the same time. "What is wrong my dear?"
"That means you won't meet your parents, you won't be a king," I smiled at him a bit and brushed his hair back. "We'd have to hide your ears." Aldanor didn't know they would be leaving so quick.
"I'll have Legolas see us out, and he will explain it to my father and mother," Aldanor said. "I know they would want me to be happy."
"What if you want to come back, but can't," I questioned. I wanted him to be sure.
"I would never want to leave your side," Aldanor said gently touching my cheek. I grabbed his hand in mine and smiled.
"Then we better back, before they leave with out us," I said. Aldanor went to talk to Legolas as I started to gather some things. My heart pounded in my chest worried that Aldanor might change his mind, or something could go wrong, or anything. A hand on my shoulder made me jump, but relaxed when I saw it was Master Splinter.
"Does something trouble you?" He asked. I put my hand on his and nodded. I told him of what I was fearing and Master Splinter nodded, understanding. "Things will work out right, but realize, if Aldanor is not meant to go with us, something may possibly prevent it." Not the answer I wanted to hear, but she thanked Master Splinter any ways.
Once everything was gathered Legolas and Aldanor took them to the tunnel. Master Splinter went in first, followed by Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Donatello. Klunk slipped in through their feet. I paused to say my farewells.
"You do understand, Legolas," I asked. He smiled and took my hand.
"I think you two would fare far better in your world than you would here," Legolas said. I smiled and gave Legolas a hug and waited as Aldanor said his good byes. I held Aldanor's hand as I walked through then it seemed that something was trying to pull us apart.
"Aldanor," I cried.
"Jodi," He yelled back. The turtles all saw this and ran forward trying to pull me back.
"No I can't, Aldanor!" Then I lost my grip and fell back on top of one of the turtles. It was Michelangelo, as I got up I noticed that everything was dark. I walked up to the wall. There was no stone. I started to dig, breaking my nails and crying until Leonardo and Donatello dragged me away. Not be able to deal with this, I did the only thing I could do, I fainted.
Michelangelo picked Jodi up and they started the long trek back to New York. About an hour into it Jodi started to wake up and started to cry again when she remembered what happened.
"Jodi, don't cry," I heard and looked up. Leonardo was holding the flashlight and shine it on the source of the voice. Aldanor stood there, scraped and bruised, but there. I jumped out of Michelangelo's arms, knocking Aldanor down hugging him.
"Easy Jodi," Aldanor said but was laughing. We got up and started walking together, Aldanor had to stop me a moment and have me loosen the grip on his hand. He assured me that he was going no where. As we walked I realized that a whole new world was ahead of us.
In her apartment, April could do nothing but pace. Jodi had been missing for a month, if not longer and the cops were finding nothing. April even went inside the turtle's old lair and found that she had been there, but nothing else. In the dojo was a door, dug into the wall, but April didn't dare venture inside. The turtles wouldn't be there to get her out of any trouble and she didn't think Jodi would go in there, at least she hoped not.
Casey had gone on to several search parties for Jodi but each time they come home empty-handed. The sun had set long ago and April looked outside her window. Casey came home then, and April went to him.
"Did you…" April started. Casey shook his head no and held her. A knock at the window made them both jump. Turning they were surprised to see that it was the turtle's. April was overjoyed that they were here, but was sad at the same time that Jodi wasn't here. Opening the window, all four brothers climbed in. April offered them all a seat and offered to order some pizza. They all shook their heads and noticed that they were very solemn.
"Did something happen to Splinter?" April asked. All shook their heads again. Leonardo, being the closest to April took her hand. Casey not sure what was going to happen put an arm around April's shoulders.
"Have you been down to the lair lately? Leonardo asked. April nodded. "Well we know your niece, Jodi." April's face lit up.
"Then she's okay, because she was with you and…" April stopped when the guys didn't say anything. "What?" April asked, dreading the answer. Leonardo told April how Jodi went to the lair and through the tunnel to where they were. They explained the fire and Jodi being taken captive.
"Once the battle was over and we thought everyone was safe, Aldanor, the ex-dark prince was shot with poison. So Jodi.."
"Is bringing home the pizza," I said from the front door. Aunt April shot off the couch and grabbed me in a bear hug.
"Ack! Pizza! Hot! Air!" I gasped. Aunt April let go of me taking the pizza's and glared at the guys. As Aunt April sat down I turned to grab Aldanor's hand, but saw that he wasn't there. Peering out, I saw that he was standing just out of view in the door way. I grabbed his hand and pulled him inside.
"Aunt April, Casey, this is Aldanor.."
"The one who kidnapped you oh I am so going to…" Casey walked over raised his fist to hit Aldanor but I grabbed his arm stopping him.
"Wait, wait, yes he kidnapped me, but also helped us find the way home," I said. Casey stopped and sat back down.
"Well why is he here?" Aunt April asked.
"Because. Because we fell in love and can't bear to part from each other," Aldanor said taking my hand. I looked over at my aunt and Casey waiting for them to say something. Finally Aunt April walked over and gave him a hug, welcoming him to here. Casey got up, thought for a moment and gave him a slug on the arm. Not understanding Aldanor looked to me.
"That's a good thing, only with him though," I said, smiling. The turtles got up saying that they needed to get back home and Aunt April invited Aldanor to stay with us. Graciously he accepted. On the fire escape Casey stopped the turtles.
"Just come and visit, you hear?" Casey said. "We both have missed you." The guys all nodded and Casey and April sat on the couch, looking at Aldanor and me. When Aldanor moved his hair, my aunt jumped up.
"You have ears like an elf!" She exclaimed.
"Oh, did I leave that part out?" I innocently asked.
The next day we all went to visit the turtles. Once everyone said their hello's April went to the dojo. The wall with the tunnel was gone. Remembering where she saw it, April went and put her hands on the wall and sighed. She never thought that a hole in a wall could be a doorway to anther world. Last night I stayed up late with her telling her more detail about what happened, of what I remembered at least. In the morning we introduced Aldanor to coffee and he started to bounce off the walls.
"Jodi's spirit, always strong, will always be in our hearts, she'll always be in mine."
April looked around for the source of the voice and saw Aldanor standing in the doorway. He smiled at her and she slowly smiled back. Walking out, they joined everyone else just in time for Michelangelo and Donatello to bring in lots of pizza's for everyone to share. As we took a bite, I leaned over to Aldanor to whisper a secret in his ear.
"Remember when you brought that cackling elf lady to the room who touched my stomach?" Aldanor nodded. "She was wrong, I am pregnant." Aldanor choked on his pizza while everyone looked at us curiously, except Master Splinter. He wore a slight smile on his face and I smiled back as I took another bite of my pizza.
~ This might be the last chapter and it might not, I'm not sure… Please read and review, I'm craving reviews… wait a second, if your reading this than you already read the chapter :oP So Please review!!!