Author's Note: I am SO sorry it has been SO long. When I said I was going to take a break, I never intended for it to be this long. But this afternoon I received a review threatening my life if I did not update, and though the threat did not frighten me, I realized how unfair it was of me to not be working diligently on this story. So this I wrote you this chapter this afternoon and evening to try and make up for the time. This is NOT the last chapter! There will still be one more, because otherwise you would be waiting much longer for an update. I promise this next one will be much sooner than the one you are about to read. Once again, I apologize profusely and thank you for sticking with me!
Disclaimer: Ok, now really. Let's think this through. If I owned Lord of the Rings, would I still be in school? The books were written before I was born. Before I was conceived! Therefore it is not possible I wrote them, I am not related to Tolkien. All I own is my feeble plot line and anything you don't recognize as belonging to Tolkien.
(reviewer replies at the end)
Shaking sleep from her limbs, Ana dressed as quietly as she could so as not to wake Aimee. Softly she stepped out onto the balcony where just the night before she had poured out her heart to Aimee. The things she had said, and the things she hadn't, weighed heavily on her heart.
Fear for them both gripped her heart, paralyzing all other emotions. Without him would she be able to go on? Would she even want to?
So many would be lost in this final battle, the promise of annihilation for one group hung heavy on the air. Trouble was, Ana couldn't distinguish which force would taste the victory… and which would taste the cold wine of death.
"If we lose," Ana murmured," the world as it is will cease to exist, and I won't have a home anywhere."
A grim smile spread across her face as determination settled in her heart. They would make it… all of them. With a deep resolve she turned and went back into their room, pouncing on Aimee and tickling her mercilessly.
Aimee shot up with a shriek, barely missing banging her head into Ana's.
"What do you think you're doing?!" Aimee demanded in her 'mother voice'.
"More like what are you doing," Ana replied. "We have a lot to do. I can feel the battle coming and we haven't even looked at the Healing Houses, or stocked, or…"
She was cut off by Aimee's hand placed over her mouth, inhibiting any sound from escaping.
"Since when did you get to be so responsible? Fine, I'm getting up. Just give me a couple minutes to get dressed."
Impatiently, Ana paced about the room making small sounds of annoyance every few seconds. She stopped quickly, however, when one of Aimee's boots collided with her temple.
"If you don't shut up, I swear we'll never leave this room again," she threatened sternly.
"Yes, mommy," Ana replied timidly.
Smirking slightly the other girl retrieved her boot/missile and finished dressing.
Determinedly Ana strode out of the cottage, dragging Aimee firmly by the hand into the now bright sunlight. Blinded by the brilliant light, Ana ran smack into something small and fairly solid. Upon closer examination, the small shape became Pippin followed closely by a weary looking Gandalf.
"Good morning, mellonen," Ana said softly. Pulling Gandalf aside she said quietly, "I can smell a battle on the wind, Gandalf. The time draws near; we must be ready."
Nodding gravely he replied, "I, too, have sensed it. However, the steward remains blinded to this danger by his mad desire for power leaving those of us who are not to prepare the city and its people for what awaits. This will not be pleasant, nor will it be easy, but I am certain that if we can only stick together we might have some kind of triumph."
"What can we do, Gandalf, Aimee and I?"
"Go to the Houses of Healing, make sure they are ready. Check the supplies, ask for anything you need, and prepare yourselves. Dark days are ahead of us. If fortune smiles fondly upon us, Aragorn and a certain elvish friend of yours should be joining us soon."
Blushing faintly, Ana bowed her head a small smile gracing her lips.
"I have confidence in you, my child. This foe shall not prove too large for you to overcome."
"Thank you, Gandalf. Your trust helps me to find the strength inside me to do what I must. I will not fail you or any of those whose lives may depend on me. My duty to this world comes first… no matter the cost."
Smiling sadly the old wizard ran a hand gently over the young Sensor's head. Her maturity and willingness to sacrifice whatever was asked of her for the good of a land that had only been hers for less than a year touched him. If only others could find that strength, he mused sadly.
In a brief display of emotion, he pulled her to him in a quick hug sealing the bond that connected the two as though they really were grandfather and granddaughter.
"Be safe, Grandfather," she said softly at his retreating back as he swept away with Pippin in tow.
Aimee stood at Ana's shoulder, looking to the older girl as her leader in one of the darkest hours of their young lives. As she wiped away a tear, the young healer knew that the odds of their entire group surviving the coming days were not high and that even her life would be in jeopardy once the battle had come. But such was the way of life now and she would follow her calling even to the last.
"You call this a healing house?" Ana demanded of an old healer who had been assigned to show them their work space. "Where is the athelas, the other healing herbs? Where are your supplies for fatal wounds? Your anesthetics?"
The old lady refused to cower under the Sensor's wrath, bravely squaring her shoulders and replying, "We have a fine library, my lady. Anything you may need to find to cure your patients…"
"Books alone will not save the wounded," Aimee cut in softly. "Without the supplies to carry the cures through, lives will be lost. Do you have a soon, Lady?"
"Yes," she replied with some trepidation, "and a grandson from him."
"Even if they are not military men," Aimee said softly, "they will be called upon to fight. This will be an inescapable battle, despite what your Steward says. Whether he admits it or not, Mordor comes and will not be satisfied until the city is no longer standing. Do you think men will sit at home with their women while the gates burn and the walls crumble?"
Trembling the woman lowered her head and bit back a sob.
"Your son and possibly his son will be in that battle," Ana continued for Aimee. "If they are injured and brought to our care, we cannot treat them lacking the necessary supplies. Now, do you know of anywhere in the city where the things we need can be procured?"
A small nod was her only answer, but it was all she needed.
"Aimee, make a list to give to this good woman. Lady, when my sister gives you this list go as quickly as you can to find the items on it. Stop for nothing but these items and rush them back as soon as is possible. Lost time could mean lost lives."
As soon as Aimee handed her the list, the woman was gone out into the village intent on her quest.
"Ana…?"
"Yes?"
"You called me your sister. Did you mean that?"
Slipping her arm through Aimee's, she nodded with a small smile on her face.
"Never in my life have I had one to call sister. But you share a gift with me like no other save Kyle. I would be proud to call you both my siblings, if I may."
Unable to answer, Aimee simply embraced her knew found sister.
"My sister," she said simply, sealing the bond between herself and the only family she had in this strange world.
"The Beacons of Minas Tirith! The Beacons are lit! Gondor calls for aid!"
Aragorn's cry brought Kyle running up to stand beside Legolas. One look at the elf's face told him this was the sign for which they had been so eagerly awaiting. But something wasn't right.
Glancing around the hall, the occupants still as death looking at the king, it was obvious there was more to happen. King Theoden had not answered. Held in a tense moment, it seemed as though time had stopped in the room.
"And Rohan will answer," came the tight reply.
A wave of relief washed over all present as the king began giving orders to his officers. Feeling a hand on his shoulder, Kyle turned to face Legolas.
"Stick with me," the elf told him. "I know two Sensors who would be after my blood if anything happened to you."
"And the same to you," replied the boy.
And that's what he was, realized Legolas as he readied his gear alongside Kyle. Merely a teenager, so young compared to his own thousands of years. Though he had faced some battles, this would be bigger than anything the lad had yet faced. The test of everything he had ever learned.
"Why do you stay?" he questioned abruptly. "Why did you not go with the other Sensors? It seems you would be of more use there."
"Aimee and Ana know what they're doing," the boy replied. "You have no Healer besides Aragorn, and he does not have the time to care for wounded while he fights."
"You will find your plight much the same," cautioned Legolas.
"I did not choose this path, Legolas. It would seem that it chose me. Maybe there's a reason that I am here, that I fill this role instead of another. When I came, I was given a choice: follow my conscience or follow a wizard who promised me power. In the end, the reward I get will be the knowledge that I did what I saw as right. No, I did not choose this path, but I will follow it. Even unto death."
"Aimee, hold down the fort for a while," Ana said smiling slightly at the irony of her words. "I want to see what's happening and how close the battle is."
"Go ahead, I've got things under control."
She had barely made it out of the building before something latched onto her back. Before she could reach for her weapon a small muted giggle alerted her to the nature and identity of the attacker.
"Well, good morning, Lotsë," she said pleasantly.
The small girl slipped around so that they were facing each other and gave the Sensor a quizzical look that plainly asked where they were going.
"I don't know, is there anything of interest going on this morning?"
Nodding violently, Lotsë hurried off tugging Ana by the hand until they reached the courtyard Ana had stood in with her companions only the day before.
"What's going…" Ana began, but stopped short as a young man not too much older than herself came dejectedly but purposefully out of the hall. The resemblance was too strong to be denied.
"Son of Denethor!" she called.
The man stopped, and turned to face her in a confused manner, not understanding who would address him in such a manner. When Ana stood before him, he still searched for answers in his memory.
"Forgive me, but I do not know your name," she said apologetically. "I only knew that you were the brother of a friend of mine."
"You knew Boromir?" he asked fiercely.
"I did. I was there when… your brother fought bravely, son of Gondor. He regained his honor."
"Regained? I do not have much time, but I have time enough for this. I am indeed Faramir, youngest son of the Steward. You are one of the Fellowship? A woman?"
"A Sensor. One of the Lost. I come to you to say things that I think your brother might have wanted you to hear. For your sake, and the sake of this kingdom. Faramir, your father is not well. His mind, already warped by his search for power, has been twisted out of any hope of reason by Boromir's death. At the end, your brother recognized the evil of the Ring and named Aragorn as his rightful king."
"My brother finally understood… he died honorably?"
"It atoned for any actions he may have done out of corruption by the Ring. From what I learned of him, neither of you had a particularly pleasant childhood. I can relate. I sense that perhaps I should pass on a piece of wisdom Boromir once passed to me."
Faramir's look of pain almost deterred her… almost, but not quite.
"In a time of indecision and pain, your brother asked me, 'Whose voice are you going to listen to? Yours of your father's?'. I don't know how this helps you, but somehow I feel Boromir wanted you to hear that. Do what you will with what I have told you."
"I thank you, my Lady. My brother's memory can rest in peace within my spirit. As for Boromir's question, he of all people would know it holds only one answer. Farewell, Lady."
"Be strong, son of Gondor. For you will need all your strength soon… I can feel it."
Looking around the courtyard she saw Lotsë waiting patiently for her by the exit.
"Where does he go, little friend? I wonder."
As if answering her question, the young girl grabbed her hand and once again began dragging her along intent on their destination. Ana looked around in confusion when she found herself at the main street amid a crowd of people. Spying Gandalf a little way down she headed in his direction with Lotsë following close behind.
"Gandalf," she said when she finally reached him, "what is the crowd waiting for?"
"Denethor has ordered Faramir take men out to recapture the fortress at Osgiliath. It is a suicide mission," he answered gravely.
"No…" she whispered. "I tried, Boromir. I tried to tell him, but he would not listen they way I wouldn't."
Barely taking notice of Ana's presence, Gandalf kept his eyes trained on the road waiting for the riders to come into view. When they did he ran up, trying to force Faramir to see sense.
"Faramir! Faramir!" he called out.
Finally finding a small gap he could squeeze through, Gandalf came to walk beside Faramir's horse.
"Your father's will has turned to madness, do not throw away your life so rushedly!" he begged of the Captain.
"Where does my allegiance lie, if not here?" the brave man replied simply.
Recognizing the futility of pleading with the resolute Captain, Gandalf stopped and stared after the young man.
"Your father loves you, Faramir! He will remember it before the end."
Tears filled Ana's eyes at Gandalf's words. Faramir was making the same mistakes she herself had tried to make, and she had no ability to stop him.
Kyle surveyed the encampment with a nervous excitement. Battle was fast approaching and he could feel it gripping at his nerve and his heart. Every mile they traveled brought him closer to Aimee and that thought kept him going even when he felt too tired to continue.
Legolas's musings brought him back to the world around him.
"The horses are restless… and the men are quiet."
"They grow nervous in the shadow of the mountain," Eomer replied.
The small group stood staring at a small opening just large enough for a horse and rider to pass through on a small winding track.
"That road there; where does that lead?" Gimli questioned.
It was Legolas who responded saying quietly, "It is the road to the Dimholt; the door under the mountain."
Eomer added, "None who venture there ever return. That mountain is evil."
All of a sudden a strong feeling hit Kyle.
"We will go there," he said quietly to Legolas. "I sense it. That road is a part of both our paths."
Aragorn, who had only just arrived on the scene, seemed captivated by the doorway. They would follow him, Kyle knew, into the door under the mountain. For that was the path that had been chosen.
Sure enough, night fall found them with Aragorn preparing to enter the path that would lead them to the city of the dead. A sense of dread permeated the air all about them, striking the heart of those not strong enough to ward it off.
Ignoring the conversation of Legolas and Gimli Kyle rode alongside Aragorn trying to share strength with the one who would most need it. Finally the ranger had realized his path, and to stay true to it would take courage that most men did not possess. But then again, Aragorn was not like most men.
When they faced the passage way to the city, Aragorn's face was a mask of sheer determination.
Legolas read the writing on the entrance softly, as though not to disturb its occupants.
"The way is shut… it was made by those who are dead… and the dead keep it. The way is shut."
A blast of wind from inside the entrance frightened the horses past the point of tolerance. Even Brego ran from its chill.
Squaring his shoulders Aragorn said almost in defiance, "I do not fear death!".
With that he disappeared into the darkness, leaving the other three outside. Legolas followed his friend, with Kyle close behind him.
The city terrified Kyle beyond anything he had yet experienced. As Aragorn engaged in a battle of wills with the king, he used what magic he could to try and keep the specters back. He knew in the end who would win.
Meanwhile, in Gondor, Ana had left Lotsë and returned to the House of Healing to prepare for the now imminent battle. But she had scarcely been there an hour before her young friend came bursting in, obviously in great distress.
"What is it, Lotsë?" Ana asked her anxiously. "What's wrong?"
The girl started to pull her away, but Ana stopped her.
"Can you talk? I know you might not want to, but I can't go unless you tell me what's wrong. Unless it is of the utmost importance I can't leave my place."
A deep struggle was taking place inside the girl, and Ana waited with bated breath.
"It is the steward, Ana," she said barely above a whisper. "Faramir was brought back nearly dead, but the Steward does not believe that he survived. Mithrandir has only just saved us from retreating and hiding in our homes, but I fear for the young Lord's life. Can you help him?"
Giving the girl a brief hug, Ana grabbed her supplies and rushed out of the House calling to Aimee that she was needed elsewhere in the city. When she arrived in the courtyard, Gandalf had just taken control of the troops. Dodging random bits of stone flung from enemy catapults she made her way over the man laying on a bit of stretcher.
His fever was amazing, his injuries obviously beyond her skills to heal. For any good to happen, Aimee would have to take charge. But before she could get anyone to help her move the fallen soldier, a hand smacked her head forcing her out of the way.
Unable to cope with the memories of hits like that in the past, she fell to the side all her training leaving her in a simple desire to hide. Looking up from where she was sprawled on the ground, Ana saw Denethor and his guards gathered around Faramir. A small hand on her temple where she had been struck comforted her slightly and gave her the strength she needed.
"My lord!" she called to Denethor, "where do you take your son? He needs Healing that only my sister can provide."
"Do not mock me!" the steward cried in a frenzied rage. "My son is beyond healing now and soon so shall I be. Gondor is lost, Rohan has left us to die. Content yourself with saving those who shall only be cut down later and leave me and my son to our fate."
Following the deranged steward quietly, Ana watched as the small group entered a large funeral hall.
"No tomb for Denethor and Faramir. No long, slow sleep of death embalmed. We shall burn like the heathen kings of old! Bring wood and oil!" he cried to his guards.
Silently slipping away, Ana almost ran into Pippin who had followed the group. Pulling him with her until they were out of earshot she told him urgently, "Go and get Gandalf! Only he can save Faramir now."
A terrible cracking sound and nearer sounds of a battle drew Ana to the edge of the wall to see what had happened. As she looked down, her curious expression turned to one of horror at the sight below. The enemy had broken through the gates and the soldiers below fought with monsters she had only seen once before: in Moria.
Realizing that she couldn't wait for Gandalf and Pippin to return, Ana grabbed Lotsë and began the trip back to the Houses of Healing. The need their concerned far more people, as hard as it was to leave Boromir's younger brother behind.
As she re-entered the building, Ana was shocked at the number of men who had been brought in. The carnage outside had seemed so horrible she felt sure that none who had been wounded survived. But survived they had and Aimee was doing all she could to take care of them.
"Thank Valar you're here!" cried Aimee when she caught sight of Ana.
"I'm sorry for leaving you to deal with this, but…"
"It doesn't matter, there's no time! Just start with the patients over there and do what you can. Start on the ones that you know you can save. The others can wait."
Aimee's callousness shocked Ana at first, until she realized that if any were going to live they had to be realistic. The ones who were the most badly hurt might not live anyway. If any were going to survive then they would have to start with the ones who still had a chance.
Doing her best to ignore the groans and cries of those around who suffered the two Sensors tried to ease the pain of the brave soldiers entrusted to their care. It no longer mattered what happened outside of their small building, for it was not of their immediate concern.
Then through the sounds of pain and death cut a sound that brought hope to Ana's heart.
"Aimee, do you hear?" she exclaimed.
"Rohan has come! They have not forsaken us," she sighed in relief.
"Hope with the coming of dawn," she murmured then turned to all the men and yelled as loudly as she could, "Take hope brave soldiers! You have not been forgotten. Rohan has come to avenge your fallen!"
A muted cheer went up through the rows of injured men, the ones well enough to comprehend and make response to the joyful news. Despite the arrival of new forces the pace did not slow inside the Healing Houses. More wounded were brought every second and even giving the lighter cases to some of Gondor's healers, Ana and Aimee were hard pressed to keep up with the tide of patients they needed to treat.
Just as they reached a lull and thought they might get a break, Gandalf stormed into the small building at the head of a group of guards bearing Faramir on a stretcher.
"You were in time!" Ana said relief flooding her voice.
"Only just," was the grim response. "He is badly injured and will need much healing."
"Then he has been brought to the right place," Aimee said determinedly already preparing a bed for him to be placed in.
"Pippin and I must go," the old wizard said softly. "Keep hope, both of you, as well as your weapons, close to you. I fear you may need both soon."
"Namarië," Ana whispered softly.
When they had finished healing Faramir, Ana and Aimee sat together near his bed listening to the sounds of war move ever closer to their sanctuary. Instinctively holding onto one another the girls unconsciously prepared for the battle to reach them and death to find them.
"Ana," Aimee began timidly, for once sounding like the young teenager she was and reaching out for the older girl's strength, "do you think the Halls of Mandos are anything like Heaven?"
Pulling Aimee into a close hug Ana stroked her hair as she pondered her answer. She knew how important it would be.
"I don't know, Aimee, I honestly don't. But I will tell you what I believe. In whatever world we live in, there is a higher power than us working and it works for good. If we acknowledge it's there and do our best to help in its fight, when we die it will not be in vain. Something better awaits us, I am certain. With everything we've been through trying to do what's right, it would be the cruelest trick of all to give us something worse."
Several more hours passed in that manner, but no new patients were brought in. It seemed that those who fell would not be rising again in this world. Then all of a sudden, patients began rushing into the make-shift hospital.
"The battle is over!" called one of the guards to the two very weary Sensors.
"Thank you," Aimee said softly, directing her thanks at whatever powers controlled their new home.
Looking among their patients Ana was relieved to see none of her friends, but knew that that wasn't necessarily a good sign. Then came a horrible shock. Eowyn's seemingly lifeless body was brought in followed closely by Merry.
"What happened to them?" Ana asked fearfully.
"They killed the Witchking, Lady," a guard said respectfully. "Thanks to them villages no longer will live in fear of the huge birds swooping down out of the sky directed by this villain."
"But they may yet pay for it with their lives if we cannot save them," Aimee said grimly from Eowyn's bedside. "Ana, I can heal their bodies. But only you can heal their souls."
"So this is the test," she said grimly. "This is where I ascertain my worth to this world."
With those words she settled herself beside the young woman, laying a gentle hand on her forehead and concentrating on going inside her spirit. It was a cold a barren land, much different from that of Legolas her most frequently visited spirit.
"Eowyn, Lady of Rohan, I recall you from the land of shadows. Hear my voice and follow it back to the land of the living. Hope remains if you will only grasp it."
All of Ana's powers were stretched to their limit as she fought to keep her hold on Eowyn and not let her move any further away. "Come on, don't leave me now!" Ana urged. "You're so close."
"She's back," Ana said softly. "I can sense her spirit on this plane again. I hand her over to you."
"Go rest, Ana, you're exhausted," Aimee told her.
"Can't," she replied simply. "Got to help Pippin first."
And that's what she did, bringing him back much more easily than Eowyn. Even after she had brought them back Ana stayed with Aimee helping to heal their battered bodies.
Finally after they had done all they could for their patients, Aimee turned on Ana.
"You have to rest," she said sternly.
"There's still so much to do, though. I'll have plenty of time to rest later," Ana argued.
Aimee prepared a lecture, but it caught in her throat at the sight that met her eyes when they re-entered the main Healing room.
"Kyle!"
All thoughts of Ana flew from her mind at the sight of her beloved lying bloody and unconscious on a bed. Both girls raced to him, any tiredness leaving them in their anxiety.
"He's bad off, Aim," Ana said, stating the obvious.
Without a word Aimee began gathering supplies to herself, preparing for her own test. Ana knew that this was her sister's battle and that she was only there to aid and comfort. For two hours they labored over Kyle, healing any injury they came across. It seemed hopeless, however. He had been severely wounded.
After a while it became apparent that they could do no more to help him. Kyle had slipped into a coma and now all they could do was wait and see if he would wake up.
"Ana, go to the spare room and get some sleep."
Before she could even begin to protest, Aimee cut her off saying, "I want to be alone with him. Go to the room and sleep."
Silently Ana rose, squeezed Kyle's hand, briefly hugged, Aimee, and retreated into the back room. Once she was there, anxiety and frustration began to consume her. Treating to Kyle had awoken her own fears about Legolas.
Pain filled her heart as she thought of never being held by him again, never seeing his smile. That seemed the worst fate that could ever befall her. The fear still gripping her, Ana fell into bed and uneasy dreams.
In the next room, Aimee sat holding Kyle's hand in her own, occasionally brushing hair off his fevered forehead. She knew what Ana must be going through, waiting to hear word of Legolas.
The two, despite all their differences, at that moment had something in common. All they wanted out of life was love… a love so strong and pure that nothing could destroy it.
Fallen Tears: I'm sorry you don't like Ana, but from your comments I think you have the wrong impression of her. She's not just a shallow character, although I'm not sure if I did as well as I could have portraying that. There are some aspects of her that were just impossible for me to capture. Good luck finding a story you like better!
Muddie21: Hehe, your reviews always make me laugh. I love getting them. I'm so glad you liked that chapter, because I liked writing it. I'm sorry, but the story is over now. There is no more for me to say, although if you still have questions after reading this chapter feel free to review, email, whatever and ask. Thanks so much for being a wonderful reviewer!!!
Immortalwizardpirateelf-fan: Thanks for being engrossed in my story, I love it when that happens. I hope the ending was satisfactory to you. I toyed with ideas for endings for quite some time before finally settling on this one. Somehow, it just seemed to fit. Almost as if it wrote itself… Oh, and your Pirates of the Caribbean story is awesome. I loved reading it! I'm sure you got the review, though. Sorry I couldn't read the other one, but I didn't know the work it was based on. sniff Thanks for being an awesome reviewer!
Angelsmile06: NOT THE WOLF! ANYTHING BUT THAT! I've updated, I've updated so call off your wild animals they're scaring the neighbors. Just kidding. I hope all your questions have been answered in this chapter and that it turned out to be to your liking. You know, there's a really really weird story behind Aimee's name. See, I named her character even before I knew I was basing it at least on the mental image I have of you. Weird, huh? And I figured that Aimee and Kyle should get together, I felt sorry for them! Thanks for the help and support during this story, and I would like to report that I have worked things out and Ana and I are doing fine. Well, Ana's a little distressed, but I want her to have a happy ending… at least by MY definition.
Darksamuraivegeta: Nice name! Congratulations! It was your review that inspired me to write this chapter. Dog chow? That sounds unpleasant, although I figure my dog would probably help you. I'm sorry you've been impatient and that it's taken so long. I hope this helps!
Raven: If you are still reading this, I hope the spacing is more to your liking. To be honest, I don't really mind how many people read my story. Just that the few that do appreciate it and think that I'm performing to the best of my abilities. Thanks for your advice, though, I always appreciate when people give constructive criticism! Nice change from the flamers.
Shanua: Thank you so much for your concern and your interest in my story! It means so much to know that people out there care what happens to me and my characters. I am feeling much much better now thanks to a good therapist and am prepared to get this story finished!
Marpessa: No.
Immortalwizardpirateelf-fan: You've been such a nice helpful reviewer, it's kept me wanting to work on this. During my down time I've been happily reading your stories, and in case I haven't reviewed they're doing wonderfully! While I was writing this chapter I read your new King Arthur fic and it helped me keep writing even when I started getting REALLY tired. So thanks for sticking with me and here's your chapter!
Crecy: Well, I'm thinking I kept you in suspense long enough. Hehe. Really am sorry about that, though. My inspiration came along this afternoon and this is the product. I finally broke through some plot questions I couldn't answer and once I started writing I just couldn't seem to stop! Oh, and I'm thinking you should probably keep your brother. I'm just not the sibling type.
HanyouToni: Thanks! I always love having authors I read review my story!
Culfindae: Avril has some good songs to use in fanfics I've found, as does Evanescence, Train, and Three Days Grace. I'm glad you like the story!
