Well, it's not over yet. There's at least two more chapters. :) I hope you enjoy this one. Oh, if the story seems to have been taking a bit of a 'depressed' tone it's proably because of the song I've been listening to for the past week or so. The Green Maid by Battlelore. Listen to it. It's awesome. :)
Chapter fifty-two
Taking Over Me
Gwen walked up on stage. Her heart was racing as she quickly went over the song one last time in her mind. Today was the last time she would ever get on the theatre stage of Camp Glingal. Five years had gone by since the unforgettable six weeks. Gwen tried to fight the urge of depression and sadness, but found coming to camp every year did her more harm then good.
It was finally Kisha who told her to quit. Even though it pained her that she would rarely see her camp friend again, she knew it would do Gwen some good to start over.
The opening notes rang out for Gwen's song. Gwen looked out at the crowd of campers smiling up at her. Not one of them had been at camp the year of the Tolkien characters and so they did not know what it was like or what type of pain Gwen was going through. She waited for her cue and then began singing. While she sang, she gripped both necklaces that Morgoth had made for her.
"You don't remember me but I remember you. I lie awake and try so hard not to think of you. But who can decide what they dream? And dream I do. I believe in you I'll give up everything just to find you. I have to be with you to live to breathe. You're taking over me. Have you forgotten all I know and all we had? You saw me mourning my love for you and touched my hand. I knew you loved me then. I believe in you. I'll give up everything just to find you. I have to be with you to live to breathe. You're taking over me. I look in the mirror and see your face. If I look deep enough so many things inside that are just like you are taking over. I believe in you. I'll give up everything just to find you. I have to be with you to live to breathe. You're taking over me. I believe in you. I'll give up everything just to find you. I have to be with you to live to breathe you're taking over me. You're taking over me taking over me…"
From the audience, Kisha knew exactly whom that song was for and it pained her to hear Gwen sing it. At first Kisha thought it was a good idea to have Gwen leave this camp for a while but now she was not so sure.
What if she turns suicidal?
Kisha pushed the thought from her mind and clapped for her friend.
--
From his throne Morgoth began thinking what he would do to Middle-earth once all the land belonged to him. He smirked at all the evil and wicked ideas that flooded his mind. His fingers drummed against his armrest in thought. Giving a sigh, he wondered how long it would take for his trusted lieutenant and his other servants to defeat the elves and men.
Oh I can't wait to torture the last sons of Fëanor. Morgoth thought. That will bring me great pleasure.
In the midst of his thought process, he heard a faint voice singing on the air. It did not hold the captivating beauty that Lúthien's voice held, or the majestic sound of the Valar, but it was beautiful in its own right.
"You don't remember me but I remember you I lie awake and try so hard not to think of you. But who can decide what they dream? And dream I do. I believe in you I'll give up everything just to find you I have to be with you to live to breathe. You're taking over me…"
His eyebrows furled at the sound.
Who could be singing songs of such haunting romantic quality at a time like this?
In response, the song changed but the voice remained the same.
"See me in the shadows…songs I will sing of tribes and kings. The carrion bird and the hall of the slain. Nothing seems real you soon will feel. The world we live in is another Skalds…"
His ears perked up at this sound. He knew this voice though he didn't know why. The song changed again.
"Carry the blessed home. No one's here but me and I will sing out your name…"
Morgoth's heart began to race and he didn't know why. Somewhere deep in his memory he knew this voice. He knew this sound but he didn't know why. He felt something heavy on his hand and he looked down. He saw the ring he always wore but never took off. He never could remember its origin or the meaning of the lettering on it, but it felt as if it was a part of him.
He was almost on the verge of figuring it out when the voice on the wind changed songs again. But this time a new voice added into the mix. It was his own.
"Say you'll share with me one love one lifetime. Say the word and I will follow you. Say you need me with you now and always…anywhere you go let me go to. Gwen, that's all I ask of you…"
His eyes went wide in recognition and he looked at the ring again. Everything came back to him at once. He remembered everything that happened at the camp down to the last detail. He stood up in reflex, and tripped over his robe. He crashed to the ground and smacked his face against the obsidian floor. He lifted his head from the floor and removed his crown. The weight of it was unbearable and he could tolerate it no longer. He then heard footsteps.
"My Lord?" he heard a voice ask.
Morgoth sat up and turned his head to the voice. Standing in his doorway was Sauron.
"What is wrong my Lord?" Sauron asked.
"Nothing," Morgoth lied.
He wanted to tell Sauron everything but he knew he could not. He knew Sauron had to create his ring of power and complete the history of Middle-earth. Then, Sauron spoke words Morgoth had heard before and it made him shudder.
"The field is lost, everything is lost. The black one has fallen from the sky and the towers in ruins lie. The enemy is within, everywhere, and with him the light. Soon he will be here. Go now my lord while there is time. There are places below," Sauron said.
Morgoth took a deep breath before speaking. He knew he could not let anything on to his loyal servant.
Loyal servant my arse, he thought.
"And you know them too. I release thee, go. My servant you'll be for all time."
Sauron bowed.
"As you command, my King."
Sauron's boots clicked against the obsidian floor as he turned and walked out. Morgoth heard the door close behind him. He picked himself up off the floor and sat back in his throne. He rested his chin in his right hand and wondered when the Valar would arrive.
--
"Yeah I know it hurts. I know your scared walking down the road to who knows where. Don't you hang your head. Don't you give up yet. When courage starts to disappear I will be right here…"
Gwen smacked the alarm clock and the radio turned off. She rolled over in bed and looked at the time. Seeing as it was getting close to noon, she got up. Last night had been crazy at the nightclub she worked at. With a few friends, she formed a band called 'Redemption of the Un-Gods'. They seemed to be a big hit in the city of Winnipeg and Gwen enjoyed her job immensely.
It was now seven years since she left the camp and twelve years since she last saw Morgoth. While she still worked at camp, a nasty bit of depression seemed to engulf her. But now, away from the camp, she seemed to function better. She kept in close contact with Kisha. Kisha even agreed to visit the nightclubs she sang at from time to time.
Tonight, however, she would be singing by herself. The rest of her band decided to take a night off but she had bills to pay. She agreed to sing popular tunes of the day for a nightclub called 'The Crown and Chain'.
She walked across her bedroom apartment and sifted through her dressers for something to wear. She found her comfortable jeans and a red tank top. She looked at herself in the mirror and felt as if something was missing. Her eyes then widened when she realise what it was. Tearing apart the top of her dresser, she found what she was looking for. She put on the necklaces that Morgoth made for her and she smiled. He would always be a part of her if she wore the necklaces.
--
Morgoth waited patiently in his throne room for the Valar to arrive. He knew there was no point in running, or suing for pardon like he read from the book. Instead, he calmly sat there and waited for the unenviable.
Five minutes later he heard doors opening and he looked up. They had arrived. His throne room door burst open and his brother, Tulkas, Aulë, Oromë, Ulmo, and a handful of Maiar entered the throne room. Morgoth looked at his brother with an all-knowing smile.
"You're still going to come to the void and give me Canadian Stew right brother?" Morgoth asked.
Manwë seemed taken aback by the comment. It was just recently that he himself remembered the events at camp, but he nodded.
"Of course Melkor."
Tulkas looked at the two confused.
"What is going on here?" he asked.
Manwë smiled deeply.
"Remember the camp," he said to them.
And they remembered and looked at each other in shocked amazement. Manwë walked up to his brother.
"Are you going to come willingly?" Manwë asked.
Morgoth nodded.
"Yes, but can I ask for one thing before we go?"
Manwë nodded.
"What?"
Morgoth sighed and looked at the ring on his hand.
"I want to see her one last time."
--
The two entered 'The Crown and Chain' disguised as humans. They took a seat at one of the tables and the waitress asked them what they would like. They both ordered a beer and she went off to fetch it for them.
"You know you can't talk to her right?" Manwë asked.
Morgoth sighed and nodded.
"Yes, I think it would do her more harm then good if I made my presence known. I just want to hear her one last time."
"I understand," Manwë replied.
"So, has Varda been going off with Maglor?" Morgoth asked.
Manwë shook his head.
"No, but I'm pretty sure that will start up soon. None of the other Valar knew about the camp until I told them," Manwë replied.
"Oh. I figured it out when I heard Gwen's voice singing in my throne room."
As if on cue, Gwen took the stage and grabbed the microphone.
"Good evening 'The Crown and Chain'. If you don't know who I am then let me introduce myself."
Some guy towards the front of the stage shouted something up to Gwen.
"You don't need to introduce yourself honey, everyone at this club tonight is here to listen to you!"
Gwen smiled and laughed as everyone in the club hooted and hollered.
"Thanks Mr. Bartley but I'm going to continue introducing myself anyway. It wouldn't seem proper if I didn't. My names Gwen Mosé and I've been singing in clubs for most of my life. I am in a band called 'Redemption of the Un-Gods' but the rest of my band members needed to take a night off so here I am. I'd like to dedicate this first song to my camp sweetheart. I haven't seen him in twelve years and I miss him dearly but I believe I'll see him someday. I love you M," she said. A tear rolled down her cheek as the music played.
"Catch me as I fall say you're here and it's all over now. Speaking to the atmosphere
No one's here and I fall into myself. This truth drives me into madness. I know I can stop the pain if I will it all away if I will it all away. Don't turn away don't give in to the pain.
Don't try to hide though they're screaming your name. Don't close your eyes God knows what lies behind them. Don't turn out the light never sleep never die. I'm frightened by what I see but somehow I know that there's much more to come. Immobilized by my fear
and soon to be blinded by tears. I can stop the pain if I will it all away. If I will it all away. Don't turn away Don't give in to the pain Don't try to hide Though they're screaming your name Don't close your eyes God knows what lies behind them Don't turn out the light Never sleep never die Fallen angels at my feet Whispered voices at my ear Death before my eyes Lying next to me I fear. She beckons me shall I give in upon my end shall I begin Forsaking all I've fallen for I rise to meet the end. Don't turn away Don't give in to the pain Don't try to hide Though they're screaming your name Don't close your eyes God knows what lies behind them Don't turn out the light Never sleep never die Don't turn away Don't try to hide Don't close your eyes Don't turn out the light Don't turn away. Don't try to hide don't close your eyes don't turn out the light…"
The last cord ended in the song and the audience of the club clapped wildly for Gwen. She smiled brightly at them. Manwë grabbed Morgoth by the wrist.
"Come on brother, we better go now."
With a heavy pained sigh, Morgoth nodded and the two slipped out of the club. Outside, the walked along the sidewalk. Morgoth kicked a soda bottle and it rolled down the walkway.
"She'll be all right," Morgoth said.
Manwë nodded.
"Of course she'll be all right. She fell in love with you didn't she?"
Morgoth smiled.
"That she did. That she did."
--
Time continued onward in the real Middle-earth. The ones who had gone to Earth felt a strange sense of déjà vu that none could place. History continued as it was supposed to down to the last spoken word and placement of rock.
The Fellowship formed and Frodo went to Mt. Doom. Gollum fell into the lava and destroyed the ring. Before Sauron was destroyed, however, everyone standing at the Black Gate swore on their lives they could hear a 'oh son of a bitch! And Morgoth knew! That batard!' screamed from the Barad-Dur. When Aragorn heard it he laughed though he did not know why.
And so, with Sauron defeated and Aragorn made King, the history of Middle-earth ran its course without falter. Peace reigned in Middle-earth during King Elessar's reign. And frankly, it seemed a bit boring.
--
Gwen walked home after a night at the club singing with her band. It had been a good night, as they brought in about ten thousand dollars. Now even though Gwen won the lottery and should not have to worry about money, she donated all of it to Camp Glingal to build more buildings and hold more campers. They expanded their property by at least fifty acres and now Camp Glingal was a prestigious camp that anyone and everyone wanted to go to. Another good thing about the camp was Kisha decided that under privileged children got first option and on top of that their parents wouldn't have to pay a dime for them to go.
Gwen thought about the camp the whole way home and smiled. She knew that right now it was week five of camp. She entered her apartment complex and walked up the stairs. She unlocked her door and went inside her house. Closing the door behind her, she quickly went to her room to change and crawl onto her chair to reread The Silmarillion again as she did every summer.
--
Gwen awoke with her book on her chest. She thought she heard someone enter her house but she thought she locked the door.
Or did I?
Gwen was about to stand up to investigate when a cold piece of metal rested against the side of her head. She froze in fear.
"Hello pretty lady. I heard you sing yesterday," she heard a man say.
Gwen couldn't reply. She was too scared.
"Don't worry, I don't want you. I want your necklace. I could pawn that off for millions I hope you know," he ripped the necklaces Morgoth had made her off her neck.
"Please, those are special to me," Gwen pleaded.
The man smirked.
"Oh? Is it from that man M you keep singing about?"
She nodded.
"Oh honey he left you. He won't ever come back, even to attend your funeral."
Gwen's eyes narrowed but she didn't even have time to process what he had said. The gun fired into her temple and the blood splattered everywhere. Her head sagged and the man whipped off his fingerprints and put the gun in her hand. He smiled as he walked out.
The perfect crime. No one will ever expect murder.
--
Kisha sat on the Great Lawn cheering for the staff during the football game. At the moment, the staff was ahead four to two but the campers were putting up a close fight. At the moment Jack had the ball and was showing off his exciting British moves to the campers. Kisha laughed and clapped for him.
"All right Jack!" she exclaimed.
From the corner of her eye she could see a staffer running towards her.
"Kisha! Kisha! You have a phone call!" Jodie exclaimed.
Kisha sighed.
"Can you tell them I'm busy? I call them back later."
Jodie shook her head.
"No it's the Winnipeg police department."
Kisha narrowed her eyes.
"Winnipeg police?"
She tried to think about whom she knew in the Peg and it dawned on her. Her eyes widened and she jumped up.
"Gwen!" she exclaimed as she ran down the lawn and into her room. She picked up the phone after she calmed down from her sprint.
"Hello?"
"Hello, are you Kisha Daystar?"
"Yes that is me."
"Are you familiar with a girl named Gwen Mosé?"
"Yes, she worked for me for a long time at this camp. Why? Has something happened to her?"
The person on the other end ignored her question.
"In the time you knew Gwen, did she ever seem suicidal?"
Kisha furled her eyebrows.
"No, well after her boyfriend left her she felt depressed but never suicidal."
"Did she ever tell you she wanted to kill herself?"
"No! If something happened to Gwen you better tell me now!"
The voice on the other end remained calm.
"The family said you could be informed as you were a close friend. Gwen Mosé was found dead in her apartment this morning when a band member went to her apartment for a band practice. The gun was found in her hand and all clues point to suicide."
Kisha slid down on her bed when she heard 'Gwen Mosé found dead'. She seemed speechless.
"Ma'am? Are you still there?"
Kisha choked back a sob.
"Yes."
"If you know anything then please call the Winnipeg police department."
Kisha nodded.
"Of course."
The police hung up on her and she held onto the phone. Anger took over and she threw the phone across the room.
"Gwen would never commit suicide!" she roared.
She kicked one of her shoes across the room and it hit her dresser. She then remembered the note placed inside twelve years ago. Her eyes lit up and she dashed to the dresser. She pulled out the last shelf and threw the clothes across the room in search for the envelope. She found it and sat back down on her bed. She opened it up and read it.
"Dear Kisha,
Well, I fought long and hard debating if I should give you this note but I decided I should. Gwen did not commit suicide. She forgot to lock her door and a man entered. He stole her necklace and shot her in the head. His name is Brad Sanron and he lives in apartment complex 19 on the corner of Balsamic and Vinegar Street. He resides in apartment 22 on the second floor. If you need proof then the necklaces will be in his house. I'm sorry for your loss Kisha. Gwen was a wonderful lively person, though I'll never get the attraction to Morgoth. Any who, that's pretty much it so goodbye. By the by, I really like the new look you gave me.
Namo"
Kisha now knew she had a job to do. She quickly got on the phone and called Gwen's family.
--
The events after Gwen's death went by rather quickly. Kisha called up Gwen's brother who lived in Winnipeg also and told him about the note. Gwen's brother was the only one who believed the events that happened at camp and so he believed the note. He told the police to investigate the man's apartment but the police did not take it seriously. They eventually agreed to go just to give it a shot. Seeing as Mrs. Banker, who lived on the bottom floor, saw the man who killed Gwen enter the building early in the morning. She had been out watering the lobby plants when he showed up.
As soon as the police showed up, the man freaked out and confessed to the murder. He was arrested and the police found her necklaces.
Since Gwen did not really belong to any religion (though she always told people she believed in Ilúvatar and the Valar) she did not want to be buried in a conventional cemetery. Instead, the family agreed to have her buried at Camp Glingal next to the Glingal tree. Her grave was between Manwë and Sauron's. Everyone attending the service thought the other graves were a joke but only Kisha truly knew how real they were.
Gwen was buried in her Skalds and Shadows dress and her necklaces. In her hand, she held the photo of her and Morgoth. Kisha never saw her look as peaceful as she did then. She smiled knowing Gwen was somewhere peaceful and wonderful.
--
She was wrong.