Hardly daring to breath, Lily lay as still as possible, listening to the rustling grow louder and louder.  Connor's hand still lay over her mouth, but her breathing seemed to grow louder in her ears.  She fought to slow down her breathing, and the effort brought tears to her eyes, but only increased the pressure in her chest and the need to gasp loudly for air.

Beside her, Connor was totally soundless.  Her eyes flicked towards him in silent resentment.  How could he have gone through the same thing as she, yet be so utterly calm? A look at his eyes, however, dispelled that notion.  His eyes were wide and frightened, though they still cautioned her to remain silent.

Suddenly, Lily was struck with the oddest urge to ask him how old he was.  But that thought was quickly forced from her head as a figure strode into view, bushes rustling around it.

This was the largest moving figure she had ever seen, completely swathed in cloths and hoods and cloaks.  It took large strides; though she could not see its feet, she was amazed at the amount of ground it covered.

The creature, whatever it was, was walking right towards them.  As it got closer and closer, Lily could have sworn that she heard it breathing.  In her terror, all anger at Connor forgotten for now, she looked at him as a frightened tear rolled down her cheek.  His young face was grim and his hand slowly inched towards his sword, but he still tried to smile supportively at her.

And the creature moved closer and closer and closer! and—

"Lord!" came a cry from up the hill.  The creature paused, only a matter of feet from Lily and Connor's hiding place.  "Lord! Wait!" came the voice again.  It wasn't a pleasant voice by any means: it put in mind rust and skinned knees and gargling screams, but it scared Lily to no end, for she'd heard it before, and she remembered exactly where.

The cloaked figure turned around, regal impatience evident in its every move as another figure tumbled down the hill after it.

This creature was smaller, much smaller, probably only three-fourths as tall as Lily.  It was a thoroughly disagreeable creature: beady eyes, a long nose reminiscent of a rotting pickle, hair like viscous seaweed, and rough skin like nothing so much as a dead fish.

It was Blix, the goblin.  Lily felt the bile rise in her throat.  If that was Blix, than the other must be—

"Lord!" Blix caught up with the taller creature, panting.  "You must not get so far ahead of me.  You have not your full strength."

Finally, the large one spoke.  Its voice wasn't a roar, but it rumbled all around them, vibrating deep within Lily.  "Silence.  You truly think that I need you to defend me?"

"Not defend, no," said the goblin hastily, "but you have been through quite an ordeal, Master.  I would be remiss if I were to allow anything to happen to you."

"What would happen to me?" The voice fairly dripped with smug confidence.  "What could happen?"

Within their prison of leaves, Connor looked at Lily in silent question.  Her heart thudding, she nodded.  It was Darkness.  How can this be? she asked herself frantically.  He's supposed to be recuperating far away! He's not supposed to have much strength at all.

"Master," said Blix, wheedling, "I know you to be strong, yes, but must you walk abroad in full sunlight?"

"Sunlight."  Darkness was silent for a moment.  "I do not like having weaknesses, Goblin.  Sunlight nearly brought about my complete ruin.  And now! To have to walk about shrouded, for fear of an inch of light touching my skin!" He made a grumbling noise of disgust and disapproval deep in his throat.

"Exactly!" Blix said.  "Lord, will you not return to the cave where it is safe?"

"I will not be weak!" Darkness roared.  Connor and Lily both instinctively winced as the thunderous sound washed over them.  Blix was out-and-out cowering, its clawed hands futilely attempting to cover its long, pointed ears.  "Just because you survived the raping of my fortress does not mean that you can tell me what to do, Goblin.  Am I not still the Lord of Darkness?"

"Of course you are, Lord," the goblin replied placatingly.  "But why not wait to stride around until this forest is yours?"

"I do not like to wait.  Pieces of this forest are now mine, but it takes me far too long to accomplish anything."  Darkness growled.  "If I cannot yet banish the light forever, let me adapt to it, let me work within it.  I will grow stronger and stronger, and soon nothing will stop me from ridding myself of it."

"Adapt to the light?" Blix was as thunderstruck as the two listeners in the bushes.

"There are ways, Goblin.  There are ways."  Under his confining hood, Lily somehow knew that Darkness' eyes were scanning the area around him.  She sensed a pointed nose with large nostrils flaring as they sniffed deeply.  "She is near, Blix," he said, his voice entirely different – still smug, but with an entirely different undertone, something that made Lily's spine feel like water.  "Very near..."  He turned slowly in a circle, looking around.

Well, Lily, you went looking for him.  Here is your chance.  He will find you anyway, but if you stand up now, he may not find Connor.  Her breath came in small, frightened pants.  Isn't that what you told Gump? That a king must put himself in danger before his own soldiers? She tried, but she couldn't seem to make herself move.  If you go with Darkness – isn't that what you've been wanting all along, you harlot? Why not? Really, why not?

Finally, she gathered enough courage to begin pulling herself to her feet, though they did not seem like they would be able to support her.  Clearly thinking that she must have gone insane, Connor pulled at her arms, but she pulled away.  Just as her trembling head was about to breach the top of their leafy cover, Connor dove at her legs and managed to knock her flat on her back.  Though she struggled weakly, he stretched himself out on top of her and easily held her down and kept her still.

In the midst of their panic, neither of them caught the sly look Darkness directed towards their bush.  By the time Connor chanced another look, the hooded figure was again facing the other direction.

Without another word, Darkness walked away, trailed by a very confused goblin.

Neither Lily nor Connor could really believe that Darkness was just walking away.  How could he not have heard their struggle? And even if he had not, why would he just quit looking like that? It made no sense.  But in their current state of mind, neither even felt they could speak, let alone speak coherently.

So for long moments, they lay still, shaken and weak, Connor still holding Lily flat against the ground.  Finally, the atmosphere seemed to change – the day seemed to grow sunnier, the trees healthier, the birds louder – and they knew that they were alone and safe, this time.

"What," Connor said angrily, "did you think you were doing?"

Feeling so relieved that it made her feel horribly guilty, Lily said in a breathless voice, "Trying to help you."  At his questioning look, she said, "It's me he wants.  Maybe if he gets me, he'll leave the rest of you alone."

"So nice, so sweet, always trying to be the martyr," he replied sarcastically.  His deep voice changed to a falsetto.  "I will save my friends and the world, and I will go it alone! I will lose my virginity to a mere guard, and if need be," here he simpered and let out a fake gasp, "I will become carnal slave to a creature of pure evil and lust!"  Connor's eyes rolled back in his head, and he pretended a ladylike faint, collapsing daintily on top of Lily.

Annoyed by his mocking imitation, she pushed at him, but it was like trying to move a tree – impossible without an axe.  "Stop that!" she snapped.  "I'm only trying to set things right, and I'll be damned if I let you stop me!"  She paused, at first ashamed of her vulgar language. 

Connor clearly felt the same way, lifting his head from where it was pillowed on her chest.   "Tsk, tsk, Lily," he said.  "Such foul language for such a pure girl!"

That was it.  She set cold eyes on him.  "There are several things you'd do well to remember," she said frostily.  "First, considering how close we just came to—to—well, I don't know what, I hardly think this is the time for levity.  Secondly, nobody asked you to come with me.  Thirdly, I am not a girl anymore, as you damned well know, and I'll speak however I like.  And lastly, Sir, whatever else you may think of me, I am still a princess, and you are still a guard, and you have no right to speak so rudely to me or manhandle me in this fashion!"

He had to whistle in amazement.  Dirty and in an extremely undignified position she might be, but when she set her mind to it, she could certainly look regal.  Despite the fact that their physical position almost made it impossible, she still managed to look down her nose at him.  She really was something, all right.

Lily's imperial face softened slightly.  "You were so kind back at the castle.  I know you're angry with me, but where did that sweetness go? Or was it false to begin with?"

Connor felt a pain deep in his chest that she would think so, but given his recent actions, he allowed himself to think that maybe she was justified in thinking so.  "I am not a... bad person, Princess Lily," he said, remembering proprieties, "and I swear that I acted honestly back at the castle, but I am not perfect, and given enough provocation, any man would—"

"Would push me up against a tree and almost ravish me?" she said, the steel back in her eyes.  "No amount of provocation gives you that right."

"You're right," he admitted.  "I apologize."

"Do you swear it won't happen again?" She raised an elegant brown eyebrow.

"I—I swear that I shall do my best to prevent it from happening, Lady."  He looked ashamed, quite rightfully so, she thought irately, that he had not promised that it would not happen again.  "There is much you don't know about me, Princess," he whispered, almost urgently.

"I see.  And are you planning on telling me anytime soon?"

"I... I cannot."  His eyes with their sandy lashes drooped closed as if in pain.  "Not now, Princess, maybe not ever."

"Then," she suggested, "may I propose that you get off me right now?"

For a long moment, he didn't move, and fear of what might happen leapt into Lily's throat.  Then he sighed, and rolled himself away from her.

She pushed herself to her feet, trying very hard to not let Conner see how hard her legs were shaking.  Leaning up against a tree, trying to appear casual, she brushed leaves from her skirt with hands that barely felt as though she was controlling them.

Conner was standing a few feet away, his back turned, as though allowing her a measure of time to compose herself, but Lily had the distinct feeling that his turned back was more for his benefit.

When finally he spoke, his voice was quiet.  "So that was the Lord of Darkness."

She nodded, then realized that he couldn't see her.  "Yes," she replied, her voice quiet, yet sounding unnaturally loud in her ears.  "That was the Lord of Darkness and his servant Blix."

"He is a hideous beast."

"Yes," Lily sighed, brushing stray locks of hair from her face, "Blix is indeed a nasty little blighter.  The first time I heard his voice, he was gloating about what he had done to our world."

Conner's head turned around to look at her quizzically.  "I was speaking of the Lord of Darkness, Princess."

Lily blinked, and busied herself within the pack, hoping that her actions would hide the blush that must be on her burning face.  "Ah.  Well, the Lord of Darkness is quite loathsome as well."

She gasped in surprise as an arm reached around her and grabbed the pack, pulling it away from her.  Turning in surprise, she found him right behind her, an unreadable expression on the young guardsman's face.

"Loathsome?" he repeated.  "Loathsome."

"Yes," Lily said, feeling as though she had missed something important.  "Truly a detestable monster.  Now, why don't we get on our way before he decides to come back for another look? Thank you for carrying the pack."

She squared her shoulders and resumed their journey, pretending not to hear Conner's whisper of "Loathsome is not the same thing as hideous."

*****************************************************

Jack ran through the forest as fast as he could, ducking overhanging branches and jumping over fallen logs.  His heart was pounding so hard that it felt as though it very well might break through his aching chest, but he did not allow his pace to slacken.

Lily, he thought, oh, Lily, why didn't you tell me it was you?

For the hundredth time, he heard Gump's words in his head:

"The Lord of Darkness is not dead, Jack."

"What do you mean, 'he's not dead?'" Jack interrupted incredulously.  "Of course he is.  I killed him; don't you remember, Gump?

"You defeated him, but he is not dead.  He was saved somehow, and he is gathering power again.  Darkness has given up on the unicorns, but Jack, now he wants Lily.  All of his designs are bent on taking her in any way he can."

"Is she trying to escape from him? Is that it?" Jack jumped to his feet, trying to ignore the growing pit of fear in his stomach.  "Then I will follow.  I will follow her anywhere, Gump."

"Be quiet!" Gump snapped.  "I don't particularly want to hit you with my fiddle again, but I promise I'll knock you straight into the pond if you don't keep quiet and listen!" Jack nodded, though he ached to run after Lily and never let her go once he had caught her.  "Lily is going to face him beyond the Shivering Forest."

"What?!" the words were ripped from Jack's mouth.  "She can't do that!"

Gump eyed him oddly.  "Why not, Jack? You did."

"Because she... because I..." Jack gestured wildly, searching for the words.  "Because I was the champion," he finally finished, the words sounding lame even to his ears.

"The hero? The male?" Gump said insultingly.  "Do you mean to tell me that Lily can't be a hero herself?"

"I have to be there to protect her, Gump," Jack said passionately.  "She needs me!"

Gump smirked.  "Tell that to the young guardsman who travels with her."

"What?" Jack breathed.  "She travels with... a man?"

"Isn't that what you wanted? There is a man protecting the princess," Gump asked.  "Or do you just not want her traveling with a man who isn't you?"

His hands clenching involuntarily into fists, Jack yelled out his frustration.  "Dammit, Gump, why are you talking like this?!?

"Because I want you to help her—"

"But that's what I want!"

"—but," continued Gump as though Jack hadn't spoken, "if you go into it thinking as you are now, you will doom yourself and her.  Do you understand me? Your thinking fosters distrust, and such negative emotions will feed the Dark Lord."

Jack took a deep breath, feeling chastened.  "Then," he said weakly, "how must I think?"

"Lily is doing an admirable thing, putting others ahead of herself and her own welfare, and I will not have you jeopardize her mission by making her doubt herself with your smothering.  If you are to help her, it is to be as a guard.  Nothing more."

"Nothing more?" Jack repeated slowly. 

"You are to feel no jealousy that there is another man with her.  You are not to force her to stand behind you when there is danger ahead.  She will need your support, Jack, but that is all.  She must fight the important fights alone."

"I cannot love her?" It felt as though Jack's heart were being ripped out.

"Love her, Jack.  Love her with everything you've got, but love her silently."

Wheeling around in a blind passion, Jack slammed his fist into a tree as hard as he could, skinning his knuckles.  Several leaves showered down around them as the tree shook from the force of Jack's blow.  He vaguely noticed Gump looking at him in disapproval.

"Before I go," Jack said, outwardly calm, "you must tell me.  Who is this other man? I will feel no jealousy," he added quickly before Gump could caution him.  "But I must know."

Gump let out a disapproving breath.  "He is a young guardsman from her father's castle, sworn to protect her.  And he will protect her with the last blow of his sword, but he is more than he seems, Jack.  I do not know more.  You can trust him, but do not forget to be wary of him."

"I... understand," said Jack, though he really hadn't.  He had expected Gump to tell him whether this other man was young, whether he was handsome; this was what he wanted to know, but he couldn't ask that at the risk of already sounding jealous.

"Tread lightly," Gump warned.  "I fear the Dark Lord's renewed influence is negatively affecting our hearts and minds.  Jack, you were chosen as a champion because you were pure of spirit.  Do not let that purity fade.  Go.  Go now, Jack, before it is too late."

With a final nod to Gump, Jack turned and dashed away, his mind bent entirely on retrieving his loved one.

Once he was gone, Oona transformed to full size in a flash of light and looked angrily at Gump.  "How could you be so cruel to him?"

"Not cruel, you silly fairy," Gump replied, his eyes still on the spot where Jack had been.  "If I had wanted to be cruel, I could have told him more of the young guardsman; of how he knows the princess, and how her heart is even now lightly treading towards him.  Nay, not cruel.  I told Jack all he needed to know."  His dark eyes turned to the fairy.  "Otherwise we are ruined, all of us."

The only sound in Jack's ears was the pounding of his raging emotions.  "Lily!" he whispered.  "Wait for me!"

"Jack!"

At the sound of his name being called, he skidded to a stop, whirling around, heart beating in the sudden hope that he'd found Lily already.  His sweat-dampened hair obscuring his vision, it took him a moment to see the slender figure standing in between two trees.

"...Oona?"

"Jack," the fairy whispered, so quietly that it barely competed with the mild breeze, yet the word floated to his ears as gently as a caress.  "You have been badly treated, my dear one, you have been deceived.  I have come to help you."

********************************************************

He took a deep breath that was more of a tasting of the air.  He could taste their scents, and knew.  Slowly, little by little, they were coming towards him.  They were all coming.  They would all come.

He would have his bride.  Such a woman she was becoming! He had been fascinated by the innocent child who had floated through his castle in the tatters of her finery, but he was far more pleased by the woman she was becoming.  Soon her eyes would become dark with knowing, and her lips would have a sensual curve to them.  Her hands would reach out for him, and he would take her and give her the pleasure that only he could.  She would be his bride. 

And his bride would deliver his son.  He wanted a son.  A young demon born of the Lord of Darkness and a luscious human.  With the spirit of his father, but with the diluted blood that could allow the young demon to walk abroad in daylight and carry out his father's work.

Yes.  He would have it all.

And he would have his vengeance. 

            ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Everyone, I'm sorry that it took me so long to get this chapter out.  I had about half of it done, but the last couple of months have been ghastly: a nasty break-up, deaths in the family, and killer classes all contributed to bringing my writing inspiration to zero.  However, I do dare to hope that I can get back in the writing spirit and get the next chapter out quite a bit sooner than three or four months from now.  Thanks for waiting!

~signpost