Originally, I was going to make this the final chapter. But, it just kept growing on me!
Vlad's eyes slowly opened. He felt very, very strange. Something was very odd in his surroundings, and his body. He wasn't lying dead and bleeding in a field, but was standing on a tile floor, in an otherworldly series of great halls. He felt around on his chest. His tunic was blood-soaked, but he did not feel it, the excruciating pain that should be there.
"Where...am I?" He whispered.
"Come forth, Vlad Tepes: Dracula." A powerful, deep voice commanded him. Vlad whirled around, greatly startled. It couldn't be the Master Vampire! Could it?
"Who are you?" Vlad asked suspiciously, nervously glancing around to picture the face that masked the voice.
"Come forth." The voice replied in a royal tone. Vlad, confused and terrified, obeyed. He stepped forward straight down the center hall, till he came before a mystical being so large that even the Turks would cower. He had gloriously glowing long hair, he was adorned in blue robes with blue eyes and as he sat on a great throne, he held a scepter made of pure sapphire.
Vlad trembled profusely. He felt so wretched, so dirty, so ungodly, so tainted, so naked, so unworthy to even look on the fair and gorgeous spirit. Throwing his fists on his chest, he dropped to his knees, sweating and breathing hard. He didn't dare speak first, for surely the ethereal soul would strike him down with lightning or worse! He was shaking uncontrollably with tears in his eyes and could hardly catch his breath. He wasn't sure if this was heaven or not, but only one thing was terrifyingly clear. He was in this place for one purpose: judgement.
"Prince Vlad Tepes. Lord Impaler. Dracula...Son of the Dragon." The elf spirit spoke directly to him. The fair, but authoritative, powerful voice sent chills through Vlad's body.
"M-my lord..." He barely managed to whisper.
"Given up to the Turkish Sultan as a child slave. Raised in the home of the Sultan, and trained to slay anyone that defied the Turks. Lord Impaler grew into a warrior so fierce, that entire armies would retreat in terror at the mention of his name."
"Yes..." Vlad sobbed. His joints were buckling.
"You loathed what you had become, then put it behind you to return to your home country to rule in peace. Then the Turks invaded your land and demanded your sons. You defied the Sultan, which means death for all. Seeing no way out, you sought out and went to the Dark Side for help."
"Y-yes..." Vlad gagged. The heavenly light emanating from the deity were searing his entire body inside and out. His scourged soul was being held to the fire thrice over. He could feel it! Though he was not consumed in flame, his entire being burned painfully, just like when he'd been exposed to direct sunlight. Except this time, it wasn't his flesh that was licked up in fire. His past, his sins, his deeds, his tainted soul was so transparent now in the eyes of this majestic One that not even the Shadow of Mordor could hide it. Vlad was sure he was in hell already, by the way his veins and emotions singed. If he wasn't already there, he was very close to it!
"You sold your soul to the Master Vampire."
"I...y-yes...was the only way..."
"Turning to evil is never the only way. And as you have already learned, the cost is an abominable price." The elf god said.
At this point, Vlad let himself fall on the tile floor and lay on his back, gasping for breath, convulsing, and yet he did not cry out for mercy, but bravely struggled to bear his well deserved punishment. It was so hard to breathe, yet...what better way for him to end? "Finish me. Just...finish me!" Vlad cried out between ragged breaths.
"Is that truly what you want, Vlad Tepes?"
"Who...w-who...who are you?"
"I am Manwe, Lord of the hosts of the Valar." The elf said. He gazed on Vlad with compassion, yet did not relieve his suffering. "Normally, it is elves that I judge, but one of the Wise had seen the deep struggle you battle with in your soul, and pleaded with me to show mercy."
"I...don't deserve...mercy." Vlad was beginning to choke on his own sweat.
"It was indeed deadly to bargain with the devil himself. Yet your intentions were not for the might of power, like many men of your kind, but for your family and your people. You valiantly resisted the urge to feed, which is most remarkable. Yet...in the end, you gave into it."
"I d-d-didn't want to...I swear I d-d-did not!" Vlad seized.
"I know." Manwe said quietly.
"I would n-n-never hurt Mirena! Never! Sh-sh-she was the l-l-l-light of my life." Vlad's strangled voice sucked up his breath at the words. "I-I-I would never…but I did! And now e-e-everything is joyless and dark."
"Save your son." Manwe remarked.
"He is the only light left in the world to me."
"You could be held in Mandos' halls for an eternity, awaiting judgement. But I sense a desire to set right what where you have failed. Tell me, Vlad Tepes," Manwe gazed on him with thoughtfulness, "what is it that you desire? If you choose to remain immortal, you may do so, yet your powers shall be stripped from you entirely, as punishment for the evil you have let be part of your daily lifestyle. If you choose mortality, you will go back to all the fragility that comes with it, including facing your people for your choices. And the deadly injuries you sustain now will always be a burden. So tell me, Prince Vlad, what do you want?"
Vlad winced with salty tears. He gazed pleadingly at the great deity sitting above him. "My lord, I...I do not want to be w-w-what I am anymore! Never more! My soul is tainted, a pure s-sc-scourge in the w-w-world, a threat to all, including innocents. My lord, if-if-if you are willing, set me free! Please set me free! Rid me of the m-m-monster I have become!
'I b-b-beg of you, r-r-restore me to w-w-what I was! G-g-grant me the chance to be with my s-s-son, so that when the t-t-times comes I can die and, if God c-c-c-can f-f-f-forgive me and c-c-c-cleanse me, go to be with my b-b-b-beloved! I'll do a-a-a-anything you say, just...p-p-p-please let me and my son be together!"
"Very well." Manwe regally nodded. He stood from his throne and effortlessly stepped down to the wretched soul writhing on the floor. He knelt down next to Vlad. His scepter in one hand, he held his other above Vlad's body. "Dracula, Son of the Dragon," He began dramatically, waving his hand over Vlad's face and chest, "I drive out the foul monster you have invited in, in the name of Eru! And henceforth, you shall be restored to your former mortal being, and known as Prince Vlad Tepes. While the wounds you now bear will burden you for the rest of your days, may you find peace with your conscience once again, and with your beloved son whom you love more than life. I release you of this living hell you have made of your life."
He placed his hand on Vlad's chest. Vlad gasped, unable to even try to breathe. Every part of his body writhed with fiery pain. "You are now cleansed. Go in peace, son of man, and may the Great One be with you." Manwe said solemnly.
Just like when Vlad had drank of the blood the Master Vampire had given him, the world literally began to whirl around him and he couldn't fathom anything, except that he couldn't breathe. Loud sounds like thunder and great winds echoed in his ears, and a blinding light surrounded him. Vlad knew nothing as his spirit passed through the great Void.
"He...he's back!" Elrond gasped, backing up from the examination table.
Vlad had gone still in the field. Ingeras just knew he was dead! However, Gandalf and Elrond took Vlad to Rivendell as quickly as they could, praying and pleading with the Valar to help save the soul of the tormented man.
Aragorn, Legolas, Elrohir, and Arwen were all tightly hugging Ingeras as a group. The little boy sobbed his heart out, clinging to Aragorn for his very life. The elves and the man shed tears at the deep pain of the child. It broke their hearts so much.
Gandalf, Elrond, Elladan, and Glorfindel hovered over Vlad. They'd been praying with all their strength that his soul would be spared. Then, suddenly, his lifeless body jerked to life and he convulsed as he choked on air he couldn't seem to fill his lungs with.
"He...he's back!" Elrond gasped, backing up from the examination table. They all gazed in wonder down at the stricken man.
"He can't breathe!" Elladan exclaimed, his healer side jumping to action.
"Quickly, he's bleeding out!" Glorfindel urged them. The hole in Vlad's chest was pouring out reborn blood from when the Orc had stabbed him with a stake. All four of them, elf lord, son, wizard, and balrog slayer prayed and called out the strongest healing powers they knew, fighting to save Vlad. Each of them fought with energy from their inner lights and poured it into him.
Ingeras could not be pried away from Aragorn. His little fingers clenched the man's tunic with white knuckles. Aragorn sat in one of the armchairs of the twins' room. He held Ingeras in his lap, the boy burying his face in his chest. Aragorn rocked him back and forth and embraced him hard. Arwen sat next to them in another chair and constantly stroked Ingeras's hair. How could this have happened? It was too horrible! Elrohir stood above them and gripped Aragorn's shoulder. Legolas was kneeling in front of them, with a friendly hand resting on Ingeras's leg. Each of them desperately trying to offer the grieving child some ounce of comfort, but knowing that it was useless.
"Momma! I want Momma!" Ingeras sobbed. Aragorn pulled him even closer.
"Ingeras, I...I..." Legolas bit his lip tearfully, "I am so sorry."
"I just want to die! I want to die! I want to be with Momma!" Ingeras wailed painfully. Arwen leaned forward and rested her head in Ingeras's curls, rubbing his back. Elrohir dropped to his knees and looked sadly at his brother as Aragorn met his gaze.
"Now, Ingeras, you...you don't mean that..." Legolas struggled to speak, sobs making his voice tremble.
"Yes, I do!" Ingeras blurted out. "I want my Momma! I wish I was dead. I just want to die..."
"Ohh, Ingeras..." Aragorn whispered, resting his chin on the boy's forehead.
Legolas was distraught. He'd seen much sorrow in his life, and had even experienced it first hand. He was no stranger to heartache. And yet this...this shattered his entire world. Elves could die of sadness, but that thought was nearly regarded toward adults most of the time. Hearing such paralyzing grief of the deepest loss uttered from a child's lips shook Legolas to the core. Life was indeed cruel!
"He'll need to be watched, every minute." Elrond instructed.
"Ada, the scar in his chest...it's still there." Elladan pointed out.
"Ahh, then it has happened." Gandalf remarked.
"What?"
"When Vlad had received his vampire powers, one of the abilities was being able to heal grievous wounds on himself. As you can see, that is no longer the case." Gandalf explained.
"So, he is a restored? To a mortal now?" Glorfindel suggested. Gandalf nodded.
"That means he could easily die from his wounds!" Elladan exclaimed.
"He is doing fairly well at the moment, Ion nin." Elrond reminded him. "Though I do not wish to give Ingeras false hope."
"But if his father is still alive, he has been granted a chance to say goodbye properly." Gandalf said.
"Ai. I do not have the heart to deprive him of that, even if this is hard." Glorfindel added his consent.
"You are right, my friends." Elrond agreed. "Stay with him. I'm going to check on Ingeras." Elladan, Glorfindel, and Gandalf all sat with Vlad, keeping watch over him.
When Elrond entered his sons' room, the sight before him broke his heart. All of the adults in the room were weeping silently, with hopeless looks on their faces. Ingeras, he was hiding himself deeply into Aragorn's chest, as a shield against the extreme pain in his heart he didn't want to feel again. Aragorn, Arwen, Legolas, and Elrohir all looked up in relief when Elrond came forward. He knelt down in front of the chair. "Ingeras? Penneth?" He spoke quietly, lightly shaking his shoulder. Ingeras cried harder. "There is still hope, child. Your father is not dead."
Ingeras instantly looked at Elrond with hope and confusion tugging at each other in his eyes. "He-he-he's n-n-not?" He whimpered.
"No, penneth." Elrond shook his head. "He still breathes. Now, I don't want you to get too excited. He's still hurt badly. Very badly. He could still...but right now he is alive, and under our care."
"Can I see him? Please?" Ingeras begged with tears.
"I don't..."
"Yes, Ingeras." Arwen interrupted, throwing her father a pointed look.
"Come, child. Let's take you to your father." Elrond smiled a little, taking Ingeras's hand. The others followed closely knit to their heels.
Vlad's eyes were closed when the visitors entered. Gandalf, Glorfindel, and Elladan immediately stepped back to give Ingeras some space as he broke away from Elrond and cautiously stepped toward Vlad. "We'll give you some privacy." Gandalf smiled.
"Lord Elrond? Will you please stay?" Ingeras asked worriedly. He didn't want to be alone with Vlad, if something happened and Vlad suddenly started slipping away!
"Of course, penneth." Elrond nodded, though he strode into one of the other healing rooms so they could be alone.
Just when Ingeras thought he couldn't shed any more tears, they poured out before he could stop them. Yes, Vlad was breathing but he looked so weak. Ingeras crouched onto the bed and lay on Vlad's chest, hugging him tightly and crying. "Please, don't leave me, Papa..." He whimpered. "We have each other. And I miss Momma so much! I don't want to be alone. Please...please, Papa. Don't leave me!" He wept.
Vlad's hands gently reached up and embraced his son, stroking his hair and holding him closely. "Papa?"
"I'm not going to leave you, Ingeras." Vlad whispered. "I don't know what lies ahead for us, but I promise you this, son...I am not going to leave you! Never again."
"Papa..." Ingeras's lip trembled.
"Shh. It's okay." Vlad assured him.
Elrond had heard the exchange and his eyes welled up with tears. After everything Ingeras had gone through, and the heartache he'd endured without his parents, he had his family!
Ingeras tried to hug Vlad, but his father winced painfully with the pressure on his chest. "I'm sorry, Papa!" Ingeras shuddered, his lip trembling.
"It's...okay...Ingeras." Vlad gritted his teeth.
"Lord Elrond!" Ingeras called out fearfully.
"I am here, Ingeras." Elrond said calmly as he walked up behind the boy.
"I...I...I hurt Papa! I didn't mean to!" Ingeras wailed. "It was an accident!"
"Shhh. Shh. Ingeras, Ingeras. Easy there, penneth." Elrond shushed the poor boy gently, kneeling down in front of him. "Hey, look at me. Look at me." He cupped Ingeras's chin. Ingeras was shaking, obviously very upset and scared for his dad. "Ingeras, it's alright."
"Did I...did I kill him?" Ingeras blubbered. Elrond felt his own heart pang excruciatingly, as did Vlad.
"No, child! No, no." Elrond assured him.
"I'm still here...Ingeras." Vlad spoke up. Ingeras was too emotionally charged to be thinking clearly right now. Elrond embraced him closely.
"Ingeras, I want you to go with Aragorn and Legolas." Elrond instructed. "They will look after you while I tend your father. Can you do that for me?"
"P-P-P-Papa, he..." Ingeras's teeth chattered.
"He's alive, penneth." Elrond reminded him.
"That's right, Ingeras." Vlad said. "Do as Lord Elrond says. Once you are feeling better, you can come back and visit with me." He smiled sadly.
"Will you be here, Papa?" Ingeras asked doubtfully.
"I will." Vlad promised. Elrond nodded to Aragorn, standing at the door. He came forward and touched Ingeras's shoulder.
"Come, Ingeras. We'll return later." He said encouragingly. Ingeras reluctantly took his hand. He gave a withered look toward Vlad.
"I will be alright, son." Vlad smiled. Ingeras hung his head and followed Aragorn out. Elrond came to Vlad's side. "I never should have remained hidden in the shadows for as long as I did." Vlad murmured remorsefully. "I see now what it has done to my son. Gandalf was right. Ingeras needs me, even if I feel unworthy to be called his father, he needs me!"
"You are right, my friend." Elrond nodded. "How do you feel?"
"So weak." Vlad grunted. "And very sore. My chest feels as it was trampled by an army, with a fiery dart pinned to it."
"Well, take this. It will help ease the pain." Elrond gave him a strongly drugged liquid. Vlad swallowed it down as best he could. His throat was so dry. "Rest. You should feel some relief for several hours."
"Thank you, Lord Elrond." Vlad stared up at him gratefully.
"No need." Elrond shook his head.
"I don't just mean for your healing. I mean...everything! I don't know how I can ever repay you."
"Don't think about that." Elrond said. "Just rest. And yes, I will check on Ingeras for you, and make sure he's alright."
"Thank you." Vlad whispered and he instantly went to sleep. Elladan came inside the healing ward.
"Ada?" He spoke quietly.
"He's resting. He still must be watched though."
"I will sit with him, Ada. Poor Ingeras!" Elladan bit his lip. Elrond studied him closely and realized that his eldest son had also been crying. "He is so broken up, even though his father still lives! Ada, I am not sure if he will heal from this! He keeps saying it's all his fault!"
"I will go to him." Elrond said. Gandalf appeared.
"You go, my friend. We shall watch over Vlad." Gandalf assured him. Elrond hurried out. Gandalf smiled down at Vlad and sat next to the hospital bed.
