Chapter Ten
"It feels strange leaving Kage behind." Link murmured, as he watched the land recede behind them.
"Have you been partnered with him long?" Legolas asked, as he guided the boat.
"Since childhood. We've been through many adventures together. But I find it strange that he hasn't been affected by the shadow like Sheik has been." Link mused.
"Maybe his sword has something to do with it. It does seem to have a protective aura around it." Cecil suggested.
"Maybe. What do you think, Navi?" Link asked, as he glanced up at the sprite.
"I think it's the sword and the Catalyst of Hope." Navi replied.
"Catalyst of Hope? What is that?" Legolas asked, curiously.
"It's the center of the Triforce and the equal in power to the Triforce of Power." Link replied, turning and looking back when a sound came to his sensitive ears.
"We're being followed." Cecil, who had also heard the sound, murmured, his hand already on the hilt of his sword. But before any of them could react, a boat appeared before them, bearing in it none other than Shiroi!
"You gave us quite a scare, White Priest. What are you doing following us all the way out here?" Link asked, glad that it was a friend approaching them.
"I decided at the last moment to accompany you to the Undying Lands. Gandalf seemed to agree with my decision and gave me permission to leave." Shiroi said, as he brought his boat alongside Legolas'.
"Well, in any event, I'm glad you weren't an enemy coming after us." Cecil said, looking notably relieved.
"Come on, then. We don't have much time to lose. The king is counting on us." Legolas said, as Shiroi stepped off of his boat and into the other. Without another word, the four companions paddled off, leaving Shiroi's boat to drift.
"Hang on, King Ashram. Your kingdom needs you." Cecil thought, as the land disappeared completely from sight.
"It's almost dark, Lina-san. Let's stop somewhere for the night." Amelia suggested, as she looked worriedly at the darkening landscape. It was Zelgadis who answered her.
"We can't set up camp, Amelia. With the way things are now, it would be too dangerous to try." Zelgadis explained.
"Zel's right. We'll have to reach Valis before dark. That's the only option left to us right now." Lina said, as she led the group towards the holy city. It was at that moment they heard wolf howls.
"Wargs!" Gourry suddenly shouted, as eerie screams accompanied the howls.
"How'd you know, Gourry?" Lina asked, as their horses started galloping even faster, their eyes rolling in terror.
"I don't know, but something's telling me that's exactly what they are!" Gourry replied, as they flew from the glowing eyes.
"Fireball!" Lina shouted, turning and sending the spell flying at the Wargs.
"Will-o-wisp!" Gourry called, calling upon the elvish spirits of light. For a few moments, they managed to hold off the Wargs with the light, but then the Wargs became bolder, and attacked despite whatever was thrown at them.
"Blast Bomb!" Xellos cried, blowing apart two Wargs with his powerful magic.
"It's no use, Lina-san! There's to many of them!" Amelia shouted, as arrows whizzed overhead.
"I'll handle them. Go on ahead of me; I'll meet you in Valis!" Xellos said, as he fiercely attacked the Wargs and tried to draw the pack off.
"Xellos!" Filia yelped, before the Mazoku disappeared into the gloom, leading the pack away from them.
"Let's go! It's too late to go after him!" Lina shouted, and with that, they covered the final miles to Valis. They galloped through the main gate of the city just as the doors were being closed.
"Hold it! Who are you to be coming into Valis at this hour?" the gate guard asked, when the five travelers had stopped.
"I'm Lina Inverse, and these are my companions. We've just barely escaped here with our lives. Wargs attacked us. One of us is still out there, drawing them off." Lina explained, with some impatience in her voice.
"I see. Then you are the ones King Etoh is expecting. Please, follow us." One guard said, as he and some others escorted the five exhausted riders to the castle.
"Such a beautiful city………….And to think this was once Gondor." Zelgadis mused, aloud.
"You know the history of this fair city, then, weary travelers?" a voice asked, gently. All of them looked up and were amazed to see the king himself standing there before them.
"You're King Etoh?!" Lina yelped. The king nodded and smiled.
"Yes. I am Etoh, current king of Valis, and I bid you welcome. Please stay the night in the palace. Any friend of Parn's is a friend of mine." Etoh said, warmly.
"Thanks, your Highness." Lina said, tiredly, looking back when she heard wolf howls in the distance.
"Don't mention it. There are rooms already prepared for you, so get some rest. We'll talk about your harrowing escape in the morning." Etoh said, as he led them to a hallway where several doors were left open to them.
"I'll leave you here. There is still much I have to do before I can rest. And since it appears that war is again on the horizon, I will be busier still before all is said and done. I bid you good night." Etoh said, before quietly walking away.
"Good night, your highness." Amelia said, as they watched him leave. As they all entered their rooms, Lina wondered what the future held in store for them.
"Even those thought to be nothing more than legend have turned up. This could be the final war." Lina thought, as she looked out her window at the starless night.
At the same time, Parn was on top of Marmo's castle palisades, looking out across the now empty countryside.
"Even the stars are afraid to come out." Parn murmured, as he gazed up at the inky blackness above him.
"So, there you are. I figured you would be out here." Gandalf said, as he joined Parn on the wall.
"How's the king holding out, Gandalf?" Parn asked, sounding as tired as he felt.
"He's strong, for a man. His stubborn will keeps him with us. But for how long? How long?" Gandalf asked, grimly.
"I don't know. I wish I knew." Parn said, softly.
"You look so much like Aragorn, standing there like that. It is indeed a fact that you are related. Of the line of Isildur. As was the king who had owned that sword before you." Gandalf said, smiling when a shocked look crossed Parn's features.
"What are you saying? Are you trying to tell me that King Fahn was also a descendant of Aragorn?!" Parn asked, stunned.
"He was, indeed. Your friend Ghim filled me in on what happened during the War of Heroes. Especially the part where you all first met King Fahn. You should now realize that a king of his standing wouldn't have treated just anyone the way he treated you. He did thus because you are both related; albeit in a distant way." Gandalf explained. At first Parn looked completely at a loss, then he composed himself and smiled slightly.
"I guess it should have been obvious to me back then, but, then again, my attention was focused solely on becoming a knight and clearing my father's name." Parn admitted, then looked out again at the dark land.
"Even then the blood of Isildur was awakening within you. It wasn't really Karla's doing that Anduril landed in your hands, though she did play a slight role." Gandalf said, perking up when he suddenly heard howls and screams in the distance.
"Seems as though we're about to have some unwelcome company tonight. Ready your bows and swords, men! We must hold the castle till our friends return!" Parn shouted to the men on the palisades. Without a word the men did as they were told.
"This is going to be a long night." Parn murmured, as he watched torches approach, each one with an orc carrying them.
"Yes. But let's hope we live to see the dawn." Gandalf said, as memories from battles long ago entered his mind.