Okay, I think the plot bunnies are revved up again so I can continue…
Chapter 29--The True Queen Returns
They came to a door in the hallway and Kendra stopped. She chose a key and unlocked it. The walls of the small room were lined with various weapons. She strapped on a sword and a dagger. Closing the door, she relocked it. "Now let us go. We need to get; Legolas is it? We need to get him to a healer," she said.
Jaisia nodded and followed her, holding Legolas protectively to her.
Finally they entered the castle. Three guards started to stop them then saw Kendra. "My Queen, you are alive!" one said. All three fell to one knee.
"I am and I have orders. Find Deirdre, she is under arrest for treason. One of you take Lady Jaisia to the healer, her brother needs help," Kendra said.
Two guards dashed off while the third took Jaisia to the healer. He knocked on the door and the healer opened it. "Queen Kendra has returned and she wishes you to assist him, Vieira," the guard said.
"Bring him in and put him over there," Vieira told Jaisia and pointed at a bed. "I'll see what I can do."
Jaisia did as she said then moved back to give her room. "Oh, this was embedded in his skin. There is something on it," she said and gingerly offered one of the needles.
Vieira took the needle and examined it. Her eyes darkened with concern and she tossed it aside and began mixing herbs. "How long has he been unconscious?" she asked.
Jaisia shook her head. "I do not know. We just found him a while ago. Is he going to be all right?" she asked.
"I honestly can not say. I do not know if he is having a bad reaction to it or if he got too much. Either way could be bad. This drug can cause coma and death if it is not treated quickly," Vieira said. "Help me get this antidote into him. Once we get it into him we will know more. It might neutralize the drug."
"So what if it does not?" Jaisia asked.
"Then he will slip into a coma and die. I am sorry," Vieira said.
Jaisia's eyes darkened and hardened with rage at that. Whirling, she left the room and headed down the hall. She headed for the throne room.
*Meanwhile*
Deirdre struggled against the guards' grip as she was dragged into the throne room. "How dare you! I am Queen!! Release me at once or see you both executed!" she shouted.
"I doubt you will be doing anything, sister," Kendra said.
"YOU!! Jacinth said you were dead!" Deirdre said.
"The guard who was supposed to kill me did not do so as ordered. He had other plans, but I was rescued by a Centaur called Jaisia," Kendra said.
"That horse-slut! I should have killed her immediately," Deirdre raged.
"My sister, why? I expected it from Jacinth. She was jealous of me most her life, but we were close and I thought I could trust you," Kendra said.
Deirdre started to speak then Jaisia burst into the throne room. She went directly to Deirdre, shouldering a guard aside. She seized Deirdre's shirt and she found herself hoisted off the floor.
The displaced guard started to move to intervene, but Kendra stopped her with an upraised hand. She watched Jaisia closely.
"The healer says the drug your torturer used on my brother could cause coma and then death. You gave the order for his pain because he refused to submit to slavery. I swear by my blood and my clan that if he dies you will follow right after. There is no one that will stop me. I WILL kill you and that is a promise. Pray to whoever is listening that Legolas lives" Jaisia hissed and dropped her heavily to the floor.
"Take her away. She may think about her future or lack of one in the dungeon," Kendra ordered. She turned to Jaisia as Deirdre was dragged out. "I will not stop you from killing her if your brother dies. You have my oath on that," she said.
Jaisia nodded her thanks.
Just then a guard rushed in. "My Queen, there is an army at our front gate and they bear the standard of Gondor!" she said. "They demand to see the Queen or they will attack. Shall I summon the army to the walls?"
"No! I will speak to them first. Come Lady Jaisia. We need not shed any blood if we can settle this," Kendra said and led the way out of the room….
Whoo, trouble. Kendra better have really good diplomacy skills or this could get ugly!!! R/R please!!!
