AN:
There is a general Tissue warning on the end of this chapter, and there are also mentions off rape and the damages resulting from it.
Chapter 54: A Gift.
Red.
His world was red.
The red of fey blood and his dark flame. It was fury and pain and beneath it the deep soul crushing black of fear. Gripping his blades in hands that by all means should be too exhausted to hoist them Shiver pushed forward cleaving the helmet of a willowy fey knight as she leapt at him with her ridiculous spear held at an awkward angle.
Snarling through the slimy mask covering his savage features Shiver looked every inch the untamed beast the fey thought his kind to be, and in that moment he could not care an ounce less as he slashed out again knocking an arrow out of the air before it could pierce it's target.
It had been hours of unending fighting as he had lead those few remaining warriors that surrounded him in a desperate attempt of protecting the innocent who covered behind the as of yet still unbreached walls of the eastern wing of their encampment. And he had no intention of letting theses walls fall to the seemingly endless masses below them.
"Lord Shiver! My lord please..."
Turning from the ragged rampart Shiver couldn't help but smile at the sight of the youth before him. Blood obscured his dark forest green skin setting his bright silver blue eyes ablaze with more than the darkflame. Letting another warrior step into his place Shiver gave the boy his full attention: "Yes Klonk, what news have you?"
"Master Ludo has breached the rock fall, there are only a few still alive and they have been brought to the central cave as it is still safe, Morgaine's army have been a great resource in pushing Whiteblade's horde out. They are now preparing to strike out through the tunnel of false alarms to strike at the Seelie armies unprotected flank.."
A tired smile creased Shivers lips: "Good anything else? "
Looking sheepishly confused Klonk cleared his voice: "Yes well Lord Didymus sent this message. There is no sign neither here nor on the other side..."
No sign... Terror seized Shivers heart crushing it in an iron gauntlet with enough strength that it stopped his breath. No sign... Great mother of mercy If Lilly had not made it to safety on the other side and wasn't in the cave then she could be anywhere, and she could have been there for hours. And though he wanted to he could not scream, he was their commander and no matter what he had to remain calm: "Very well tell Didymus to return to me as soon as possible.. I will be in the upper room waiting for him... Quickly now..."
Turning abruptly Shiver stalked from the ramparts oblivious to the arrows that pelted the stones around them wherever they found a way through the haphazard shields put up by the few surviving witches and warlocks still able to wield their magic.
Lilly, his soul screamed for her as he desperately searched the fine filament connecting them for any sign of her whereabouts. Lilly...
The short trek to the upper room was nothing but a distant blur to Shiver, nothing mattered, nothing but finding her safe, and leaning on the rugged and rough windowsill Shiver stared blindly out at the massing army below, feeling nauseous at the thought of Lilly out there.
He knew now why he hadn't been able to sense her, she was shielding him, no matter what she was going through she was keeping him from feeling anything. Tears threatened to spill as he murmured: "Oh sweet Lilly..."
"My Lord thou hath sent for me?"
The sound of Didymus voice spun Shiver around to face the dust covered fox: "Didymus I can't find her, I... You have to help me, there is still one option left but I cannot do it alone..."
Nodding eagerly Didymus moved to stand beside Shiver resting a massive hand on the so much younger mans shoulder: "Ask and I shall give even my very last to save her."
"Thank you Didymus. ... Okay I .."
A slightly sheepish smile softened the aura of fear that surrounded Shiver as the goblin knight tried to put words to what had taken place between he and Lilly, ending up by simply saying: "We exchanged vows last night... We are bound by the ancient magic that suffuses us all. And yes our bond is young yet I can feel nothing through it... Nothing."
Stunned silence met his words as Didymus digested the ramifications of the couples choice: "Thou chose to bond even though thou knew what this might mean to not only you but to us all. Oh Shiver..."
No he would not apologize yet that was what he did: "I realize that but I believed the attack to be further away. I believed that I would see her safe beyond the walls of an unseelie sidhe."
"Verily thou must have seen the folly of that belief!"
"Yes": Frustration pushed through the desperate fear as Shiver blurted out: "But I love her and I will not lose her now! Please Didymus! If not for me then at least save Lilly. Please Didymus I am begging you..."
"No Shiver do not beg of course I shall aide thee, of that there is no question I am merely taken aback by this monumental news!": Squeezing Shivers shoulder Didymus smiled wearily: "Please allow me to congratulate thee upon thy marriage, Lilly is a beautiful young lady, and she will make a fine mate. Now how do I help?"
Pressing a blood coated hand against his battle scarred chest plate Shiver breathed a sigh of relief: "This bond however untimely does give us a chance to find her, if I push my strength through it, will you be able to see it? And not just see it, but follow it?"
"Yes, I see no reason that I should not. But doth thou have such strength left? She may still be beyond the portal.."
"Yes for her I will find it, and should she be behind the portal, then I will know that she is safe and I will see her once this is resolved. But if she is not, then I will find her and I will keep her safe."
Nodding at the passion in Shivers words Didymus said: "Verily then let us proceed"
Turning to face each other, Shiver closed his eyes and swallowed back the queasy feeling of trepidation as he silently pushed a glowing pulse of spring green magic through the spider silk thin filament rooted in his trembling heart, swelling it so that Didymus could see it.
And see it he did, pulsing green light like the first leaves of spring, swelled the bond shooting out from the goblins heart core speeding in a straight line, not towards the portal as they had both hoped but down into the forest of tents that made up the seelie army's camp. Into the very belly of the beast.
"Great mother no": There was no way for Didymus to hide his fear as he raised a great pawed hand to point at the ominous rawhide tents signifying Whiteblade's private army: "He has her.. Great goddess..."
Oh sweet goddess no, falling to his knees Shiver fought to breath through the terror that stole his breath away constricting his chest as his heart threatened to shatter. Whiteblade had her, that was why. Why he had been unable to either find or feel her. She wouldn't let him. She didn't want him to know what she was going through... She was protecting him.
And what was worse, she was caught between him and the Whiteblade... Oh great mother. Turning to face Didymus full on Shiver didn't truly see the fox, his eyes grew large and owlish as he pushed his mind through the to him invisible link only to be frustrated as he slammed into her impossible well constructed blockage halfway through.
"Damn it Didymus she is blocking me! SHE Is protecting ME! ": His entire demeanour shifted turning frantic and desperate as he leaned on the rough sill, not caring as the sticky blood on his gauntlets left multicoloured prints: "I can't fail her, not now...Damn you Jareth hurry ... "
"But Shiver it will not help our Lilly, even now should Jareth call an end to the fighting this instance it would not save her... She would still be caught in the Whiteblades cruel hands."
"Then I must waste no time, Jareth and Sarah must be close to the great plaza by now": Turning back to facing Didymus, Shiver looked positively possessed as he stated emphatically: "I know what to do... I know how to save her... I know."
"Shiver? ": His one eye was wide with confusion as Shiver turned abruptly and stormed from the cave like room and out into the hail of arrows as if there was no danger. Hurrying in Shiver's wake Didymus exited just in time to see the goblin standing atop the parapet with in full view of those firing at them. He ought by rights have been festooned with arrows yet he remained utterly untouched as magic swirled and swelled around him carrying his voice to all on the field of battle.
"Hear me enemies of this realm! I invoke the ancient magic that birthed us all! I Shiver lord commander of the Labyrinth, prince by choice to the goblin realm challenge you Llagain Commander and General of the seelie forces to single combat. We settle this as warriors, he who walks away alive will carry the day and the loser's spoils..."
Winds howled as the ancient magic flowed from Shiver enveloping the entire battlefield as every single combatant held their breath waiting for the rolling roaring voice that answered with a deep rolling chuckle: "Aaah finally, I was wondering when you would come to your senses and remember... Hmm I accept of course as you knew I would... Now come Shiver Lord commander and claim those Spoils."
His coarse voice dripped with scorn and malice as he glided out of the stunned mass surrounded by black armoured orcs carrying a horrifyingly familiar standard...
Her blood dripped from her limp limbs in a bright ruby rain, as the wind whipped her hair about her bruised face obscuring it's expression. Lilly hung pale and naked with her arms twisted up and over the highly polished crossbar of the standard post. Drawing in a deep shuddering breath Shiver nodded at Llagains acceptance yet his attention was utterly fully fixed on Lilly's deathly pale and gruesomely bruised face: "Good, the choose weapons and let us proceed."
A coarse laughter erupted from the creatures lipless mouth filling the eerie quiet before Llagain sneered: "Blades as you well know, now come and know defeat…"
"No ": Shiver stated quietly: "For I fight for love..."
There was no way out now, folding in on himself turning into his dark winged buzzard form Shiver hurtled himself off of the parapet to land gracefully in the empty area just below the encampment wall and return to his normal tall goblin form as he waited for Llagain to join him and the seelie warriors to retreat creating an open area for them to do battle in. The encampment wall groaned in protest behind him as the stone callers forced it to open and allow the remaining Labyrinthian forces out to bear witness to their commanders gamble.
Standing silently Shiver watched with hooded eyes as the seelie army parted like a dark sea allowing Llagain to pass through like a monster rising from the depths. But Llagain was not who Shiver was looking at, no, his gaze was set on the limp form being carried behind Llagain, cataloguing every visible injury and knowing fully well that what he saw was merely the very tip of the iceberg. And that knowledge left him not aflame with a burning desire to avenge her hurts but with a freezing hatred aimed squarely at the cruelly grinning orc.
He would kill him, simple as that and then Lilly and the Labyrinth would be safe, there was no other choice no other path to follow. Or was there? Visions of Lilly dying before he could save her flashed before Shivers eyes as Llagain stalked to the center and drew his feared milky white blade from its sheath. But it would do neither of them any good to dwell on what had not yet happened and so Shiver shifted his attention back to Llagain. There were no words between them as Shiver's blades materialized in his hands and none were needed as their blades clashed.
Their blades clashed high, and Shiver was forced to use both his shadowsteel blade to keep, the deceptively frail looking blade at bay.
Pushing away Shiver nodded his respect as they both dropped into clearly defensive positions, Llagain might be the stronger, but Shiver was by far the faster, and he unlike Llagain wielded dual blades. A fact that Shiver was not late in utilizing. Ducking under Llagain's arm, Shiver kicked at the backside of the orcs knees, hoping to fell him, only to have his boot pass impotently through thin air. Instinct told him to throw himself backwards, and following through with it Shiver gasped as the milky edge of the white blade passed his throat with a fraction of an inch to spare.
Growling deep in his throat Shiver threw up his left blade parrying the white blades repost as he whipped out his second blade opening Llagain's wrist in a pewter spray.
The resulting howl brought a cold smile to Shivers lips as the burning pain of the blow sent Llagain skirting backwards as he fell into a defensive crouch mirroring Shiver's: "So yearling is your king truly worth this sacrifice? Is he worth dying for when he is not even man enough to face us on a field of honour?"
Snorting with derision at the obvious stall tactics Shiver never the less answered: "Yes he is worth this and more as you shall soon realize..."
Laughing darkly as he danced further away Llagain hid the dull throbbing of a sliced wrist in false bravado as he strove to unbalance Shiver: "Hmm so you would follow a man who hides behind a woman, and not even his so called wife but a stranger, an unknown little piece of tail... "
Chuckling the orc pressed on as an unexpected crack showed itself in a flash of anger through Shivers eyes: "Did you not think I would see through that pathetic ruse?... Though I must say I understand his choice, she is, or should I say, was most pleasing to the eye..."
And there it was again that shimmer of worry mixed with was that anger? Llagain did not know, and neither did he care as he ruthlessly pursued the opening in Shivers mental armour. He needed every advantage he could get to defeat this strange new creature who had evolved in the past few days. Staying as far out of reach as he possibly could Llagain struggled to read the much younger goblin. Something momentous had shifted in the goblin, and it was clearly evident that he was now fighting for something more than just his position and sense of duty, but what? At first glance Shiver looked as unchanged as ever with his dark green markings smeared across his eyes blending with the faint shade of charcoal that surrounded his eyes... Blinking in dumbfound shock Llagain nearly stumbled as he realized what it was he was seeing, two colours green and grey, not two tones of green but two distinct colours. But that could only be possible if...
That was why, why Shiver was suddenly gambling everything in such a risqué manner, licking his non-existent lips Llagain smiled lazily as he lashed out testing his theory.
"But you know this already do you not... A Human.. Shiver really, I would have thought that a prince such as you would bind yourself to nothing less than a elf.. Apparently I was wrong. And I must admit after sampling her charms..."
Fury flared within Shiver like a tsunami sweeping everything before it away and like a tsunami it was cold. Icy anger filled him, banishing the crimson flames of his dark flame in lieu of a cold icy blue flame that consumed every emotion within him leaving him utterly frigid and calm as he watched the dawning horror in Llagain's eyes through the sheen of blue fire.
"Be silent Llagain you have no right to speak of my mate, you have no right to anything but death..."
Death, the word echoed around them growing with each unheard repetition until, in an eternal second it flashed in the blue flames engulfing Shiver's eyes, igniting a horrifying frigid terror within Llagain. A terror that had Llagain roaring like an enraged draegor as he charged Shiver in a flurry of thrusts and slashes, the strength of which drove Shiver back into the solid ring of assembled orcs.
Mailed hands pushed Shiver back towards the flashing blade, with enough force to make him stumble and crash to his knees. Desperate Shiver threw himself forward into a roll narrowly avoiding the brunt of the downward slash that would have cleaved him in two. Pain erupted as the point of the milky blade tore through his breastplate and opened a deep gash down the right side of his chest.
Scurrying out of reach Shiver gasped with the pain, but otherwise ignored the injury.
There was a collective intake of air as Shiver straightened and spun his blades in front of him in two shimmering circles, a look of grim determination spreading on his face as his left blade shot out like a viper it's point materializing in Llagain's chest, the centre of a frigid bloom, spreading it's gleaming black petals on the filthy carapace of the orcs armour. Staring in wide eyed astonishment Llagain tried in vain to raise his blade, a futile attempt at salvation, only it was too late as black blood erupted from his lipless mouth and the gleam of cold calculation turned dull and blank.
Death...
And magic, power bright and golden like the light of the summer solstice sun swelled the cores of every blooded warrior beholden to the seelie crown reigniting the blood bond as it passed from Llagain to Shiver with nothing more than the soft whisper of Llagain's final breath...
It was done, watching the lifeless husk collapse with dispassionate eyes Shiver finally lowered his blade letting the thick black blood ooze sluggishly to the churned up ground as he turned to the Orc holding the standard: "Set her down carefully and step away... just oh goddess. .."
Blood, so much blood. Falling to his knees Shiver ripped his blood soaked gauntlets from his equally stained hands: "Oh goddess Lilly! "
Cupping her chin as if it was made of blown glass Shiver gazed into her face hoping to see some sign that she saw him yet simultaneously begging the great mother to keep her from feeling the pain she had to be in.
Turning his attention from her face to the shackles that held her he shuddered as he frantically ripped the pins from their eyelets releasing the hold the sharp edged iron had on her, allowing him to shift her blood drenched body gingerly into his arms.
"Lilly oh goddess Lilly.. Please.. "
"Shiver?... I... failed... They... We were...too Slow... We": Her voice was barely loud enough to be called a whisper as she gazed up at him through eyes so swollen that he couldn't see any trace of her glorious silver and sapphire eyes.
"Oh Lilly no.. No, you have not failed.. without you.."
A faint grimace was all she could manage: "You... suck at lying.. Shiver.. and... Oh God it hurts... Shiver!... Please hold me... please.. Shiver... I'm. . Sorry..."
"Lilly No! Lilly Stay!.. You can't not now... Not! ... No Lilly..": Strong hands gripped him wrestling him away from Lilly's silent shell: "No stop I command you leave her be! Leave her "
"Shiver stop listen to me! She is hurt, she needs aide, verily my lord thou must listen to me": Didymus gentle voice cut through the panicked screaming within his mind, as the Llwynog knight lifted Lilly's horribly abused body, holding her like one would a hurt child, resting his massive paw/hand on her furrowed brow Didymus frowned, and as if speaking to himself said: "So little time, Oh sweet Lilly. The pain that thou hath seen I cannot erase, but I can gift thee with time to heal these wounds..."
The look on Didymus face was soft and filled with an emotion that Shiver could not identify as he looked from Lilly to Shiver: "Hold her close Shiver, and let her never doubt your love for her..."
. .,. .
There was no life in her still features yet he could still feel her soul as it slowly slipped it's tethers, turning from Shiver's agony stricken whimpers Didymus cupped Lilly's chin softly wiping the blood that trickled from her pale lips and pressed his forehead against hers: "No young Lady thou must tarry a while yet before you depart this realm, young Shiver needs thee.."
It was ancient magic unknown by seelie both high and low. Sacred to the few blessed to know it and stronger than any woven spell, and like all such primal magic it had a price. Letting the eyes of his physical body fall shut Didymus pushed everything away focusing solely on the faint silvery purple glow that dimmed even as he focused on it, and cupping the fragile glow within his own rust light he held her close as he whispered.
"Stay awhile Lilly, thy time is not yet over...": A soft smile that could only be called grateful ghosted across Didymus lips as lightning raced across the sky, enveloping the entire battleground in a single flash of light.
"Lilly! ": Panic lent Shiver strength enough to tear away from the knights holding him back, as Didymus eye rolled back in his head and he fell back to lie limp in the mud with Lilly still in his arms. Landing beside them Shiver ripped Lilly from the foxes limp grasp only to freeze as he realized that the knight was not breathing: "Oh great mother what have you done Didymus... "
"The gift...": The word was spoken with soft reverence as Einhart gently straightened Didymus awkward limbs: "He has given her the gift that we carry within."
Smoothing out the soiled and gore stained cloak of his dead commander the black fox turned a grave and sorrow filled frown on Shiver as he sat transfixed with Lilly cradled in his arms: "You must not squander this sacrifice, the girl is beyond the grasp of death only until the sun sets tomorrow, and if her body has not been mended she will pass through the veil forever rendering his gift useless!"
"Yes ": Nodding as the words forced themselves into his churning and increasingly frantic mind Shiver struggled to rise with his limp burden: "Yes, I must bring her to my father, Jareth will know... Or Sarah... Yes I have to reach the great Plaza... Stain!"
A look of frantic need coloured his markings acid green and ash grey as he called for his mount, searching desperately for it's familiar presence among the massing warriors who surrounded him waiting for orders from him. Orders Shiver had no intention of giving, not yet not until she was safe yet... Blinking to clear his vision Shiver drew in a shuddering breath as he forced himself to remember his responsibility. With Whiteblade dead these men were his and by extension Jareth's, and he would need them soon... He...
It was like the electricity felt in the air before a lightning strike making the hair on every head stand on end, only it was nothing natural it was magic and it was HIM..
"STOP! I will have NO MORE BLOODSHED! By my word and the power of this realm I bind you all to my will... No weapon will be raised nor spell be spoken against any denizen of the underground save those I name."
The words moved like ghosts in the night, gripping the will of every being forcing them to stillness as their king spoke. Swords and axes. spears and guns clattering to the frozen blood soiled ground as their wielders found themselves bound to a far greater will than their own. For there was no defying the will of the Goblin king. The battle for good or ill was over, yet Jareth was not done, no.. It was just a slight pause yet it allowed every soul in the realm to draw a breath before their kings voice washed over them again, scorching them with the anger he felt.
"OBERON! Horned lord of the seelie realm! I call you forth and charge you a breaker of oaths. I challenge you under the old laws of kingship, to answer for the treachery you have committed towards not just me but the entire underground. Oberon I Challenge you to answer with blade and blood. I challenge you to combat... I challenge you for your right to rule... Oberon Forest lord I summon you... Now..".
It was instant and collective as every warrior fell to their knees like dolls with cut strings as the vast wave of power abruptly retreated leaving them all reeling and lightheaded. Clinging to Lilly Shiver shook his head as he fought back a wave of nausea as the dwindling magic in his own core shuddered in response to the magic it had just brushed up against. He was starved, and his core was ancient compared to Lilly's fledgling reservoir and he could not even begin to imagine the horrendous gnawing anguish that had to rake through her already ravaged body as her core struggled to draw on resources not there. He had to help her soothe that hunger but he had no means to do so, all he could do was bring her to the only two who could sate it.
Climbing to his feet once more Shiver blinked back the dizziness that came with the exertion as he addressed the men around him in a voice that held more strength than he: "You heard our king and master, the war is over, and there will be no more bloodshed! Instead you will sheath your weapons and go from this place in pairs, one of the Labyrinth and one of the seelie court, you will seek out every nook and cranny of this realm and gather any and all souls who requires aide to the great plaza. You will do this as swiftly as possible, am I heard?"
Ignoring the sporadic answers Shiver turned to the black fox: "Einhart have Stain and Ambrosius brought out, I'm taking them both with me to the great Plaza.."
"But my lord, you are wounded. And the great plaza is at least a two day ride on a fresh mount, Stain though loyal is anything but fresh. It will take too long."
"No": The frantic light in Shiver's eyes flared: "You forget the path carved by the Seelie's I can reach the plaza in half a day... I have no choice Einhart, don't you see I must try... I must..."
Oh he saw, Einhart like every other Llwynog had lost and watched as those he loved died, and he knew too well the anguish that was so clearly evident in the tall goblins eyes, even now his commander and friend lay dead and cold on the ground his life literally given to the frail shattered husk held in Shivers arms. A sacrifice that would be in vain if she did not reach help in time: "I know and I shall help you...Ardian and Klonk prepare the mounts we ride as soon as possible... We..."
For four days they had prayed for magic to return, begged the great earth mother for mercy and yet no one was ready when it actually happened.
It could best be described as having a knee rammed full force into ones middle, driving all air from your body in one harsh blow. Gasping like newly caught fish every being in the Labyrinth collapsed again as magic was suddenly and without warning released to overflow the starved world just like water from a broken damn would have done. And like water it struck with enough force that it carried every being to their knees.
Struggling to get a full breath, Shiver lay on his side curled around Lilly as she shook and writhed with the sudden onslaught on her core: "Lilly.."
Speaking hurt as there wasn't enough air in his lungs and he couldn't even begin to imagine how it would feel for one with a core as new as Lilly's. Scrambling to his knees Shiver ignored the burning pain in his body as he pulled her off of the frigid ground and into his arms again.: "Lilly..."
"Commander... Commander the magic..."
"Yes..": That was all he could choke past the physical weight in his chest as the young bulldog faced orc warrior crawling to him reached out for reassurance from his new commander: "Just... breath..."
Breath yes that was all they could do and pressing his face into the blood-filled mess of Lilly's hair Shiver did just that as the burning slowly abated leaving him feeling drawn and cold. So cold... And yet elation filled him as the flow of magic evened out leaving him with a full core as the world around seemed to draw in a deep breath of relief as life and power returned.
. .,. .
Fierce determination flooded Shiver's body banishing any pain he might have felt from his wounds as he pushed Stain into a headlong run through the gathering darkness of the rubble strewn scar bisecting the Labyrinth. Time was slipping through his fingers carried by the blood that soaked through the cloak he had wrapped around Lilly to keep her warm. They had ridden barely an hour and yet they were almost a fifth of the way already, if it hadn't been for the damage caused by the armies march it would have been a marvellous thing to be able to travel this fast, but as it was Shiver hated not just the path, but the reason for it and his need of it.
And he was not alone, casting a quick glance to his right Shiver could easily see the frown of disdain that darkened Einhart's face as the black fox drove his equality dark wolf on, it was an expression that Shiver felt utterly certain was echoed on the faces of every rider in their small group as the true extent of the damage became painfully obvious the further in they came.
Walls lay toppled everywhere, their stones scattered to surround the lives that lay crushed beneath them. And there were so many. Bodies littered the ground making the footing beneath the draegor's clawed feet treacherous, as they slipped in the half frozen gore, forcing the knights riding them to cling to them in desperation, and Shiver to cling to Lilly. Yes magic was back and the battle won but the war was far from over. Jareth still had to defeat Oberon, and millions of lives that had been devastated by this mindless greed still had to pick themselves up and quickly so, because winter would soon hit with full force and without grain stores there was little hope for anyone to survive. But more than that, he had to get Lilly help, and soon it would be too late as her already pale skin was slowly turning the ash grey of the dead and she had yet to open her eyes... Had it not been for the slow tortured breath that rasped across her chapped and torn lips there would have been no true proof that she was alive, but she was and all that filled Shivers mind was the need to reach Sarah and Jareth before it became too late... before she.. No he couldn't even think it, it was hard enough that Didymus lay draped across the back of Ambrosius shrouded in his cloak, his life sacrificed to save Lilly's and that barely fifteen of his bloodthorn brethren still lived. It was enough to shatter a heart much stronger than his and yet Shiver had no choice but to bear it, no choice but to accept that world in which he had grown up, the world that had sheltered and nurtured him from a small helpless child to the knight that he now was, had been all but lain bare. Yes magic flowed through the starved stones of its foundation once more but the damage done would take years to restore, and cost yet more lives, a price that though he loathed that it was necessary he was ready to pay. All lives save one...
Folding his battle weary body around the still burden in his arms Shiver whispered softly: "All lives but yours, I am willing to pay any price but that, so you must live Lilly, you must for if not neither of us will..."
. .,. .
Magic flowed through them like an ocean raining through a narrow ravine, turning from wild and uncontrollable into a tame and manageable stream, drawing in a deep breath Jareth opened eyes that blazed with magical flames and gazed down at the massing sea of life that had streamed into the great plaza, in the last few hours since they had opened the gate into Sarah's realm, drawn in by the stream of magic that now swelled the realm again. Turning to Sarah Jareth couldn't help but marvel at the strength she exuded as she too gazed at the slowly approaching crowd. Holding out her hands in a gesture of greeting Sarah called out: "Come children of the Labyrinth come and rest for the war has ended and peace will once again flourish in these realms. Falling into his role like one shrugs on a well loved coat Jareth held out his arms preparing to greet his people. Only to be met by eyes filled with fear and suspicion as the creatures whose loyalty and love he had always counted on recoiled unsure of what or who truly stood before them..."
Letting his hands drop Jareth felt the familiar sting of uncertainty and fear as he licked his lips nervously and spoke: "Come and fear not, I am no longer the creature ruled by the seelie bitch... I am.. changed, set free by this great Queen and by the magic she carries... do you not feel it? The strength of it... It is her, her realm and it is as great as mine..."
They heard him, that much was clear, but his words did little to convince the massing denizens of their truth, they needed more, proof of some kind.. The only kind he had.
His hands shook ever so lightly as he reached up and pulled his leather jacket open, ripping the thin silken shirt he wore beneath exposing the thin scar bisecting his chest in a mirror of the scar now bisecting the Labyrinth, to the open shock of everyone around him: "I died"
He said softly as if sharing a secret: "You all heard what she did to me, she who pretended to love me, to be my mother...she poured iron down my throat, she.."
Closing his shirt awkwardly Jareth levelled his open and vulnerable gaze at a tall scaled creature with pure black eyes, cradling its tiny babe: "She thought me dead, and I would have remained so had Sarah my queen not saved me... I do not expect you to trust me... yet. But ... I pray that. .."
"But we do my lord...": She was small, two feet at best her long yellowish hair singed in the thick braid that snaked over her shoulder, but her whispery breathless voice carried to every soul in the crowd as she pushed forward to stand before her king, with a look of utter Devotion on her face: "We trust in you, the magic it... cannot lie, it .."
Blinking in astonishment Jareth struggled to fathom the words and sentiment behind them as the tiny gnome bowed deeply before him, the action pulling everyone around them down with her. His mind reeled as this display of trust and loyalty fully registered and flooded him with powerful and conflicting emotions, emotions so strong that they burned any response he could think of from his mind, leaving him blank as Sarah's soft voice filled the silence: "It carries the seal of your love for them, I feel it too."
Stepping up to stand beside Jareth, Sarah smiled at him, and the smile was filled with everything that she felt for him as she gracefully took a knee beside him and looked up at him with glittering eyes drowning in four coloured flames: "To our king we swear our lives to the Labyrinth our souls."
Loyalty, it had always confused him how an entire realm could feel it towards one being to the point of simple accepting that beings apparent death and nonsensical resurrection without question. It baffled him and it filled him with endless gratitude as he offered Sarah his naked hand drawing her to her feet and into a hug aimed to hide his trembling hand as much as it allowed him to draw strength from the sheer physical closeness as he called up an abundant tent camp and sent the weary survivors to rest and replenish as he, Sarah and the rulers of the nightgoblin realm began the onerous task of keeping the denizens fed, warm and alive.
. .,. .
Pain it rippled up his side as Stain slipped on the sleet slicked stone again, ripping a soft gasp from Shiver's cold lips as it momentarily blacked out his sight. He couldn't give in not now, not as long as Lilly needed him to get her to safety. And certainly not this close to their target and the safety it held. And so Shiver shook his head in an effort to clear the pain induced cobwebs away, and that did not go unnoticed.
" Lord Shiver art thou in pain? ": It wasn't Didymus voice but the intonation and choice of words still had a much deeper than mere physical agony flaring in Shivers chest as Einhart drew even with him and looked him over a openly worried expression: "Thou look.."
The thought of lying flashed through Shivers mind, but was just as quickly dismissed, there really wasn't any rational reason to lie when the blood was easily visible on the deep red of his battered armour: "Yes I am, this is not beneficial for my wounds. But it cannot be helped."
Nodding his acceptance of Shiver's responsibility Einhart said: "Nay it cannot but know that we too stand ready to share the burden with thee, should you need it."
Smiling sadly at the sentiment Shiver stayed silent as Einhart allowed his wolf mount to fall behind, giving the grief-stricken goblin and his too still burden room. A gesture that left Shiver endlessly grateful towards the small black fox, time with Lilly could still prove agonizingly short and egotistical as it was Shiver wanted every single second for himself.
The slick ground below Stains claws grew ever more traitorous as the rush of snow grew heavier, obscuring the broken walls and the war torn Labyrinth beyond them, and still Shiver pushed on leading the battered group at a breakneck pace towards their goal. A goal that was tantalisingly close, squinting against the harsh sting of the swirling ice, Shiver felt his heart swell and shudder as he recognized the stone that peaked up through the pristine white, golden sandstone rich with golden veins and still glowing with the shimmering fairy light that covered it showed him that they were close, so close. Chancing a quick glance down at Lilly where she rested in his arms wrapped in heavy layers of thick cloth, Shiver drew in a hitched breath as he saw her pained frown and the tears that trailed down her cheeks even though she was, as far as he could tell anyway, mercifully unconscious. Her face was utterly transparent white like the alabaster statues of the seelie court, but the cold lifeless perfection of the statues did not breath and bleed, Lilly did. Breath whispered almost soundlessly across her pale parted lips, bringing a tiny sheen of blood with it with each exhale.
Bowing down as far as his own injuries would allow Shiver whispered softly against her frighteningly cold skin: "We're almost there, just a little while longer love, just..."
The clear voice of an Llwynog whom Shiver couldn't put a name on rippled through the harsh winds: "There I see the light of the great plaza just yonder. "
Whipping upright Shiver squinting against the violent onslaught of sleet as the nameless Llwynog called out again, this time hailing some unseen sentries: "Hail and well met, we have wounded in our group and..."
Pushing Stain forward Shiver forced his way to the front of the group nearly weeping with relief as the huge pillar stones of rough sandstone, marking an entrance into the great plaza appeared out of the whiteout. Drawing even with the surprisingly young fox and pulling his hood back Shiver nailed the towering redcap with a tired look as he ruthlessly ignored the youth and ordered: "Take me to our high king, I have important information that he desperately requires, and..."
Great goddess he didn't want to leave her in someone else's hands but he had no choice, he was a knight not a healer and that was what Lilly needed, a healer.
Swallowing thickly Shiver relaxed his death grip slightly allowing the cloak to part and reveal the pain lined face hidden within: "She needs a healer, immediately..."
Shiver might only be Jareth's lord commander but his reputation had long since spread to every part of the Labyrinth and it's adjacent realms, and it was that reputation that had the two towering red caps quickly taking a knee in obedience as the largest of the two rumbled out: "As you command my Lord."
Gesturing to the smaller, the huge red cap offered up its fellow for Shivers needs: "This is Kangal a true and strong red cap, he will take your...": His black within black eyes narrowing as he obviously saw something more than just the visible realm, then a strange half smile curled his harsh lipless mouth exposing razor-sharp fangs as he ground out: "Your mate!?... To the healers tent": With a surprised lilt of his gravel and thunder voice.
The smaller red cap bowed without objection and holding out his still massive arms he growled: "I shall guard her life with my own my lord, you may trust me in this."
It was a very red cap formulation, you may trust me in this, it was a subtle reminder that you could never truly trust a red cap in all things only those he gave his word upon, and now he was giving his word, and Shiver had no real choice. Shifting his burden gently Shiver allowed the red cap to take Lilly from him: "Treat her as you would your own mate, she is precious to me."
Holding her as if she was nothing more than a child's doll the red cap bowed, grumbling: "I shall treat her with all care.."
Then without anything further he left, vanishing into the milling masses that filled the obviously magically conjured camp, taking Shivers heart and soul with him.
Shaking himself visible Shiver forced his eyes away from the vanishing red cap and back to the one still waiting to lead them to Jareth and Sarah: "Now take us to the masters of us all..."
The camp was alive, creatures of every description swarmed its narrow churned up streets, gripping his reins in hands that shook with exhaustion and pain, Shiver watched the teeming life with a fearfully sense of relief. The plan had obviously worked, otherwise the plaza would have been empty, or rather the first part had worked, and that meant that Jareth had yet to fight Oberon. They wouldn't be safe until he did and that was a big if, because if Jareth lost then...
No, shaking his head briskly Shiver forced the dark thoughts to flee as the red cap guided them through the crowd towards a large torch lit tent at the foot of the summoning stone, if Jareth failed to defeat Oberon then it wouldn't matter anyway.
The tent was as big as Shiver remembered it from their many campaigns and countless wars, its pale cream coloured walls stained with blood and mud accumulated through the millennia until it looked as if the ombre effect had been intended all along. Letting the reins drop into the waiting grooms outstretched claw, Shiver climbed awkwardly from the saddle, struggling in vain to keep the movement from pulling at his wounds, a low hiss escaping him as he landed heavily on feet gone numb after the long ride. It was as only years of ignoring injuries that allowed him to walk into the waiting torch lit cavern with a straight back.
"Shiver!? ": Jareth's voice cut clearly through the hum of voices silencing them as everyone around the large table turned to eye the newcomer with varying degrees of surprise: "Great mother goddess man, you look like warmed death... And where is Lilly, and where is Didymus?"
Bowing as low as he was able, Shiver couldn't suppress a soft groan as his armour shifted opening the gash along his ribs and causing scalding blood to roll down his side. Blinking slowly Shiver struggled to keep from blurting it out in a completely inappropriate manner, this was after all the Labyrinth and not Sarah`s sanctuary, and he had to keep up the appearance of propriety in public: "My lord Lilly is with the healers gravely wounded and lord Didymus... "
Pain constricted his already aching chest, yet there were no way around it he had to let the hated words out into the realm of reality making them irrevocably true.
"He is dead, the Llwynog knights are preparing . . . .": Swallowing convulsively Shiver forced the scalding tears back as he ground out: "His remains and building a pyre worthy of his great sacrifice. But greatly missed as he will be, I come bearing other information of vital importance."
The look on Jareth's face was unreadable, as he stood statue still at the head of the table, to anyone else it appeared as if he was mildly indifferent to the death of Didymus, but Shiver knew better. That look was the one that Jareth had hidden behind for millennia the expression that had kept him safe at the seelie court as Titania had tormented him, it was to Shiver anything but indifferent it was as clear an expression of grief as Sarah's pained whimper: "Oh goddess NO ! Please... ... No"
Turning stiffly to face Sarah, Shiver struggled to keep his own mind numbing grief from spilling over and rendering him speechless, as he bowed awkwardly once again reopening his many wounds: "My Queen it saddens me too, but it remains the bitter truth. If it offers any consolation his death saved the life of Lilly... She": The world wavered and shifted suddenly around him, as pain and nausea combined into a symphony of agony that threatened to steal his legs out from under him. Staggering Shiver caught himself against the table before any of the assembled commanders could react and come to his aide. He was losing too much blood and it was becoming painfully clear to him that he too needed the attentions of a healer, but not yet, he still had important information to give. Pulling himself up Shiver forced his numbing lips to move as he met his father's gaze over the table: "I come bearing more than sad tidings..."
"Is that so?.": Cocking his head Jareth quirked an elegant eyebrow as he crossed his arms over his black armoured chest: "And what might that be?"
Even the pain of the last two days could not dampen the proud grin that spread on Shivers face as he called forth a shimmering grass green crystal and allowed it to float through the room and land in front of Jareth, bursting in a shower of glitter as Shiver said: "Whiteblade is no more, here lies his sword, the sword that commands the obedience of Titania's famed white hunt."
The glitter settled, revealing the wide milky bladed sword that had given the feared orc his name and taken the lives of innumerable creatures. Running a golden claw along the blades bloodline, Jareth smiled a coldly satisfied smile: "This is a harsh blow to my Dearest mother, one that she will not easily shake off..."
Looking up from the farmed sword Jareth's expression softened taking on a concerned air usually reserved for his private sphere as he locked eyes with an obviously injured and in every way possible exhausted Shiver: "You have proven your honour and strength today, and I wish nothing more than to send you to Lilly's side to rest and heal, but... ...": Jareth's shoulders fell as he continued: "I have need of you here..."
Nodding his acceptance Shiver was about to speak as Sarah stepped forward and held up a tearstained hand, cutting him off before he could start: "Yes we have need of you, but you will do us no good unconscious on the floor. I will take you to Alderthorn to have your Injuries attended, once he is done with you, you will return to your place here."
If he had been able he would have bowed as etiquette dictated but Shiver feared that he would pass out if he bowed, a sentiment obviously share by Sarah because she glided up next to him gently resting her hand on the small of his back silently offering support both mental and physical.
The snow fell in heavy curtains as the goblin queen lead the goblin knight through the camp towards the well lit area that housed the healers tents, with a gentle hand on his aching shoulder. Waiting until they were out of earshot of the command tent Sarah stopped them and turned confused and grief darkened eyes on Shiver: "What happened? How can he be dead? He's... he's so strong, so brave.. he..."
"He wasn't slain... he... ": Looking away Shiver found that he couldn't meet Sarah's grief-stricken expression as he revealed the cause of Didymus demise, not when he felt responsible for the death of their comrade in arms: "He gave his life, his core to save Lilly..."
Lilly the very mention of her name had pain flaring in his chest as images of what Lilly had suffered at Llagain's cruel hands flashed before his eye's making him stutter: "Llagain ... ra ... Raped Lilly, he ripped her apart , and sh... sh... she would have died... she did die ... She..."
His eyes lost focus as black shadowlike and sickly yellow lines surrounded Shiver's eyes, bringing out their iridescent green and stopping Sarah in her tracks just as effectively as his words, with the sheer impossible fact that two colours not one graced his face. Her hand trembled slightly as she traced a thin curved line as it followed the sweeping angle of his cheekbone: "Shiver your eyes, your marks, they..."
"What? ": Snapping at her Shiver flinched out of her reach, obviously frustrated by her interruption: "They do not matter now, Lilly is dying, Didymus is dead! What can my markings possibly matter now?"
"It matters ": Sarah shot back, cutting Shiver off: "Because there are two colours Shiver two distinct colours not two shades! Don't you see what that means... ..."
"It means that we are bound Sarah, She is my mate, my true mate, we performed the bond just last night... Great mother": The world swam before him, only Sarah's intervention kept him on his feet and yet he jerked away snapping as he crumbled to his knees in the churned up mud: "It means that I have failed you all, failed HER! "
Looking up through the bicoloured mask Shiver whimpered: "I failed her, and now she's dying... Didymus gave his life to save her, and I am failing him as she die's."
Hammering his aching fist's into the slimy churned up mud Shiver screamed out his pained frustration in a scream more akin to the scream of a wounded animal, than any sound Sarah had come to expect from the surprisingly civilized goblins, and it marked him as utterly human.
Waiting until the anguished howl stopped echoing through the suddenly empty passage, Sarah knelt in the churned up mud and ignoring the cold slimy sensation as it soaked through the warm leather of her pants she spoke softly into Shivers sweat soaked hair: "You failed no one... do you hear me? You slew the Whiteblade, you killed the Scourge of the white hunt, Titania's lapdog, and you .."
Gripping his chin she forced him to face her and meet her burning gaze: "You saved Jareth, when all others had given up you defeated Titania's plan and gave us all a second chance... And more than that you helped Jareth return to himself! You showed him unconditional love and trust... you... when all others failed him and ourselves you fought on. ..."
"But Lilly . ... She."
"No": That one word stopped him dead in his tracks as surely as a slap would have done: "No you fought for her when a lesser man would have run, no Shiver you have failed no one. Now get up! I will help you to Alderthorn and see Lilly safely on the road to recovery while you let the healers help you. Do you understand me?"
Nodding meekly Shiver kept silent as Sarah rose and stepped back giving him room to follow suit and stagger up to stand on weak trembling legs. It wasn't that he didn't have anything to say, no he did. It was that nothing he wanted to say would change anything or even make it easier to endure and so Shiver kept silent as he followed his Queen through the churned up mud to the healers well lit pavillion.
The stench of blood, viscera and fear clung to the large tent structure like the curse of the bog to anyone unlucky enough to touch it's putrid waters. It was like submerging herself in. . ... well to be utterly honest she had no real basis for comparison, and no desire for one as she moved into the fairy lit space, nearly stumbling as two sapling healers threw themselves at her feet gushing out: "Great Queen thy presence honours us immensely please allow us to..."
"Please stop, I am not here to be fauned over ": Gesturing to Shiver, Sarah stepped aside as far as the cramped area would allow: "The Lord commander is in need of aid and I myself wish to be brought to see Lilly, the young lady carried here by the Llwynog not long ago."
The saplings looked perplexed but their wooden sense of etiquette would not allow them to express that confusion, leaving them no other choice but to accommodate their queen's request, and lead her through the crammed rows of suffering subjects to a small curtained off area near the back of the tent. Holding the heavy canvas aside the apparently younger treant bowed, though Sarah had no real idea which of them were younger, and really how did you decide the age of a treant sapling? And even more importantly what did his age even matter as she stepped through the opening and came face to face with the horrendous damage done to Lilly.
"Oh goddess Lilly what has he done to you?"
"He raped her. ... he. ... ": Sarah spun to face Shiver as he spoke in a softly hoarse voice that carried his anguish over seeing the woman he loved so: "He tore her apart to hurt me... "
A heavy limp hobbled him as he moved past Sarah and bent to stroke a few stray hairs from Lilly's pale brow: "Forgive me Lilly, forgive my selfish desire to be near you and the pain you have suffered. I should have left you safe. ... aboveground. Shit Lilly. I'm so Sorry."
Her hand moved by it own accord to grip Shivers shoulder and turned him to face her, but it was Sarah's own words that accompanied it: "No you shouldn't have, Lilly is a big girl, she made her own choice and she knew the risk she took. Hell I sincerely doubt that you could have stopped her. So no matter what this was not your fault, do you hear me? This was not you, no matter how much guilt you feel about it, you are not to blame. Now please Shiver, let the healers help you, while I take care of Lilly. Jareth needs you, you are his second in command, his Lord commander. He is preparing to rebuild this realm and he can't do that without you. So, Shiver, get up! Go with the healer and let me care for Lilly."
Sarah had seen some hurt looks from Shiver in the ten month's or so that they had spent in the realm outside time, but the look on his pale stricken face as she pulled him away from Lilly and literally pushed him into the waiting hands of the sapling healer was one that was normally reserved for kicked puppies abandoned in heavy snow.
Forcing herself to ignore it, Sarah turned to the elder healer who was already tending to Lilly's injuries: "Please leave us your services are no longer needed I will tend to her needs, they are great and only the power that I wield will help her."
Her words might sound harsh and presumptuous but Sarah could feel the cold edge of death on Lilly's cold skin and she knew that ordinary magic would do little to undo the damage done to Lilly's soul and immature core, what Lilly needed was far more powerful than that. Far more primal.
Kneeling beside her friend, Sarah gripped her cool limp hand and whispered fiercely: "Don't you dare die on us Lilly Grant, not now! Do you hear me? Not now when we are so close to having everything we hoped for. I won't let you.. . . . "
Power followed those words as Sarah summoned the vast ocean of emerald light within her flooding the immature and still forming core of Lilly in it's glow, pulling Sarah's consciousness in with it.
.. ..,.,.. ..
The pain was gone and the cold, the biting burning cold too. Blinking in the warm golden glow Lilly ran her unstained hands through her unbound hair luxuriating in the silken fall of it against her skin. It was a dream, it had to be or maybe she was finally dead and beyond the reach of Llagain. Shuddering despite the summer glow Lilly cast her gaze around, fearful that she would find this just a new torment devised by the vile orc. But it wasn't how could it be when the tall red furred figure glided from the shadow of the lush trees.
"Didymus! ": Joy flooded her in yet more warm light as childish happiness filled her and had her sprinting through the tall grass to wrap her arms around her friend: "Didymus! I...I.."
The light surrounding her dimmed ever so slightly as she realised that this was all wrong, that there was no possible way that their being here strong and unhurt was a good thing. In fact... Pressing her face into the sun warmed leather of his jacket as if trying to hide from the terrifying realization: "Didymus? Where are we, what is this? Is that trees?"
A somewhat sad smile curled the foxes lips as he nodded: "Verily I doth believe that it is."
Holding her softly against him for a few second Didymus sighed as he held her out at arms length, faintly noting that his stained and battered silver armour had been replaced by the soft cream leathers he had received just a few fleeting months ago: "Come let us stroll amongst them... Our time here will not be long..."
Her hand was tiny in his, but warm and oh so alive. A far cry from the cold deadweight she had been as she lay in his arms a short eternity ago.
The silence between them was warm as it had always been as they walked hand in hand towards the shade of the tall trees. Neither felt the need for words before they were seated beneath a massive golden barked tree watching it's emerald leaves shimmer and twinkle underneath the caress of the summer sun.
"Didymus what's this place? It.. I don't remember how we got here, I... Oh the white blade he... He...": The skin around her eyes grew bruised and taut as the memory of what she had suffered washed over her, turning her voice into a strangled whisper: "Oh god I'm dead aint I?"
"Nay": He stated softly: "Thou art not... "
"But this is heaven isn't it? Huh I would have thought that there would be more people up here."
"Aye thou couldst call it thus though it is not thy afterlife": Leaning back against the gnarled trunk Didymus smiled as he winked at her, enjoying the startled look as Lilly realized that he was no longer missing his eye. Then that startled look turned to confusion and sadness.
"So we are both dead then, Oh Didymus.. "
A strange sadness warred with timid joy as Didymus gripped her gently by the shoulders and forced her to meet his gaze: "Nay, Lilly thou art not dead, thou art hurt and gravely so. And yes thou may still die but... It is thy own choice."
"My choice? What the hell are you talking about? Didymus he ripped me apart he...": Images of the horrific rape washed over her, overwhelming her mind as a long tortured howl of anguished pain spilled from her lips. Screaming she clung to Didymus as waves of pain crashed over her ripping at her mind just as Llagain had ripped at her flesh.
"No.. No oh god, no more Didymus! Help me, please... I...I can't do this I can't. Please, don't make me... Please Didymus": Words of terror and pleading tumbled from her lips as darkness began to coalesce beneath the sprawling trees taking on terrifying shapes that dragged their grotesque bodies towards them with low obscene moans of lust. Burning eyes filled with malice seemed to burn through her flowy gown as they licked their pus dripping tongues that lolled about in a horrifying display of carnal hunger as they stroked their grotesque genitals. And Lilly could do nothing but cling to Didymus jacket with her face buried in his chest as she whimpered: "No.. No...No ...No...": Again and again in a fear fuelled mantra she couldn't break free from.
Holding her tight Didymus stroked her silken hair as he murmured gently: "Hush my child, thou art safe here. These art naught but memories, mere echoes of the fear that grips thee... See how light and love defeats them."
The hand stroking through her hair left her and from his palm rose a perfect glowing orb of rusty red like the final colours of a dying autumn sun. And like that sun's light the light of this orb washed through the ancient forest dissolving the heinous shadows before they could reach her.
His claws felt like a soft whisper on her chin as Didymus gently gripped it and turned her to face the once again clear forest: "See the shadows can not resist the light. See they have fled and as long as thou refuse to fear them, they cannot harm thee. Do thou see any here who would cause thee harm?"
Blinking owlishly Lilly still clung to him as she stared at the sunlit trees seeing nothing but trees and tiny bright coloured birds flittering back and forth between the huge golden white flowers adorning the massive trunks: "Where?.."
Her voice was soft, a broken whisper of terror that perfectly conveyed her soul shattering fear. Stroking her chin as if she was a frightened child Didymus said: "They art still there, hiding within the shadows where all such creatures thrive, but thou canst keep them at bay as thou can with all such creatures by paying them no heed. Doth thou understand?"
Nodding numbly Lilly stayed silent as her mind struggled to grasp what Didymus was talking about. No she didn't understand but she had no idea how to say that, because she didn't understand what it was she didn't understand...
But as he had done so many times before Didymus stepped in and smiling that sweet understanding smile of his, he stroked her hair again as he held her against his side: "I must confess that I myself find it all but incomprehensible that this was to be our fates, yet here we sit, and here we will part, for you must return to Shiver..."
" But? ": Confusion pushed the fear away as Lilly said: "Where are you going? Aren't you coming too?"
"Nay little lass I am not.": Turning to the sunlit trees he gestured towards a tall willowy Llwynog female as she approached them with a radiant smile: "Tira..."
"Didymus": Her fluttering voice was like the song of little birds and wind chimes, as she held out her pale white furred paw and inquired hesitantly: "Art this true willst thou join us now? Truly hath thou come home to us?"
"Aye ": The light in his golden eyes was soft and filled with a deep longing as he rolled to his feet towering over her and enveloped her in his arms luxuriating in her scent: "Aye I hath finally come to stay... I hath come home to thee..."
"Didymus? But... ": Scrambling to her feet Lilly stared at the loving couple as they gazed longingly into each others eyes: "What will I do ? Where will I go? If I'm not dead then what? Where do I go?"
"Thou must go back, thou have been given a great gift, the gift of life and a chance of happiness ": The smile that lit Tira's bright lavender eyes, spilled into her voice intensifying its melodious lilt as she turned within Didymus arms to face Lilly: "Life awaits thee fair maiden, with all that that entails.. ..."
"Okay that sounds fine but what about the damage he did to me? How am I going to heal that?... How..."
"By choice...": The voice behind Lilly was not just a voice, it was a lynx purring, and the scream of a bird of prey, it was the creak of fruit laden branches and the crash of waves cresting along a sunlit shore. Spinning fast enough that the world around her continued to move even after she stopped Lilly stared in slack jawed wonder at the woman who towered over her with a warm benevolent smile in her hazel eyes.
"Shit! ": Lilly exclaimed with sincere feeling: "What the hell ! Where did you come from? "
The smile turned wide and strangely strained yet warm as the voluptuous woman reached out and caressed Lilly's cheek gently: "I was ever here child, and I shall ever be, but that is not the question that you should busy your mind with."
The hand on her cheek felt so right and the sweet rolling purr of the goddesses, for she couldn't be anything else, voice wound itself around Lilly's mind like sun warm velvet, soothing the fear and confusion, bringing nothing but calm clarity in its wake. And in that clarity Lilly realized exactly what question the goddess spoke of, a question that spilled from Lilly's lips in a reverent whisper: "What price must I pay for the life given me? "
There was a note of pride in the goddesses tone as she nodded and spoke: "Yes that is the question, and this is my answer. The price is life not for you for that has already been given but for the souls that are now yours to protect and cherish. The souls that rests here."
Resting a glowing dark-skinned hand over Lilly's still taut belly the goddess continued: "Here rests the seeds of children utterly without fault in how they came to be conceived, innocent souls dependent on the choice that you must make and make quickly, for time is dwindling and soon even the great sacrifice given by noble Didymus won't be enough..."
"Wait what souls? Are you saying that I've got babies in me? I'm pregnant? But... It's only been what a day how can? ... No wait that's not the question I want to ask ": Licking her strangely numb lips Lilly looked every inch the terrified young adult that she was: "Who's babies are they? "
"Does it matter? ": Giving Lilly an unreadable expression Gaia raised an eyebrow as she awaited Lilly's answer.
"Well it... It.. No, No it doesn't... ": Her arms unconsciously wrapped around her middle in a protective gesture: "They are mine now. . yes... mine."
A proud smile lit both Didymus and Gaia's faces as Gaia nodded: "Good then return and guard the gift given to you, live the lives that was granted another, bound to the realm in his stead. The gift has been given and the prices paid, return child to live once more. Return to those who have risked so much for you, see your sister has come to bring you home."
"Sister?": Looking around in confusion Lilly searched the trees, trying to see this elusive figure: "What sister? I haven't got a. . ... Sarah?"
She stood amongst the tall flower ladder trees, clad in a flowing gown of golden silk that made her look like an elven queen in her woodland realm.
"Oh god Sarah, are you dead too? Please say that you're not dead too... Please. "
"Lilly relax I'm not, I'm here to bring you back with me. I'll bring you back to Shiver, I'll bring you ... Home ": Reaching out Sarah offered Lilly her hand: "Your body is being healed, all you need do is take my hand and I'll bring you home with me. ."
"Home?!" : Hesitating with her fingers only a hair's breadth away from Sarah's palm: "I... strange a few seconds ago I didn't have any doubt but now ... Now I'm not so Sure ... I...": Her hand drifted unconsciously to her still flat belly as if preparing to protect the tiny lives within her. She wanted to see them born yet if they were she could no longer protect them from the cruel world into which they would be thrust. Especially the tiny girl.. Yes she was definitely a girl, Lilly had no doubts as her magic softly soothed the tiny spark within her, conceived through the horrific rape, she would be at risk how could she ever ask Shiver to accept the child, let alone love her the way any child deserved...
"Lilly? ": Looking as if she was about to be sick with worry Sarah gently vied for Lilly's attention: "Lilly talk to me what's wrong? You just lost like four shades and your markings ... wait you have marking? How the hell? When did that happen?"
"What the Hell are you talking about, seriously Sarah you are making zero sense to me, I don't have any markings ": Frowning confused Lilly reached up to run her hands lightly over her eyes, half expecting them to come away stained with make up only to find them completely clean: "Sarah?"
A crystal glowing with deep emerald light appeared in Sarah's hand, bursting and turning into a simple but beautiful hand mirror as Sarah offered it to Lilly: "See for yourself, they're really clear and. ..."
"Two coloured... ... wow look at them... ": Holding the mirror up close Lilly explored the vivid lines with the very tips of her fingers, marvelling in the fact that the skin still felt normal to her. Not that she had expected the swirling almost tribal patterns to be raised but still, being able to see the different colours and feel no difference at all felt a little unsettling. Tearing her gaze from the mirror Lilly turned her attention on Sarah, as she tried to corale her errant thought into something even remotely coherent: "So what does this mean? Am I a goblin now? A fey? "
Holding up a completely unchanged hand Lilly turned it slowly in front of herself, inspecting it, looking for any changes, finding none and strangely enough that did nothing to allay her fear.
"There's no change, not here anyway... Sarah did you see my body?"
Nodding slowly Sarah licked her lips nervously, she had expected Lilly to ask and she was prepared to tell her the truth but still the damage done was simply so massive and Sarah would not blame Lilly if she chose to stay here. But the only way to get an answer was to give Lilly one first: "Yeah I did and I won't lie to you, it's bad, I mean really bad. You'll heal but it'll take time, even I can't heal this much on a body with so young a core, not without damaging more than I heal."
"Okay. . . .": Lilly's hands strayed back to her belly covering the tiny lives: "So I'd be like bedbound for a while... Okay I can do that, but what about my change, when will I know?"
The soft voice of Gaia interrupted as the goddess moved to stand beside Lilly: "You will not change much, the power that is you is very strong, strong enough that you need not change if you do not desire to."
"So you are telling me that I ... ": Tentative hope filled her silver and azure eyes setting the starburst ablaze with the first stirrings of her fledgling dark flame: "I could be a... a"
"A Goblin ": Gaia's voice was soft with understanding as she put words to Lilly's desire: "Yes if you so chose, the Labyrinth will make it so. Your power is that strong, like Sarah you possess the strength to bend this realm to your will."
"Truly? ": The hesitation melted as Lilly tried to wrap her mind around the implications of the Goddesses words. All she needed was to ask and she could bend Shiver to her will, she could make him love the child, or even erase any trace of the father, she could. . . . . . . She couldn't how could she even consider forcing something like this on a man as sweet and righteous as Shiver, no. She had to trust him to, maybe not love the child, but to protect her and give her a home. And she had to be brave enough to face the dangers untold and hardships unnumbered that came with being a parent.
Letting out a breath she had not even realized she was holding, Lilly smiled and reached out her hand to Sarah: "Yeah I'm ready to go back now, and Didymus. . ."
Stepping from the comforting shadow where he had hid with his family Didymus came to a halt beside the goddess: "Yes my sweet lady?"
He had known her long enough that the hug shouldn't have surprised him, yet the force as Lilly barrelled into him and wrapped his midsection in a crushing stranglehold managed to knock the air straight out of his lungs and leave his ears ringing as Lilly buried her face in his chest and mumbled: "I'm so sorry, and so grateful all at once. . . .. and I will miss you so Fucking much you know that don't you?"
Smiling sadly as tears drew dark trails down his cheeks, Didymus buried his muzzle in the thick tangle of her hair and drew in the sweet summery scent of Lilly's magic: "I too shall miss thee sweet girl, thy smiles and gentle spirit gave me back a belief in the good within the world. I gave my life that thou might live to see that good and bask in the same love that I was blessed enough to experience. Go now and know that my blessing and love goes with not only thou and thy children but you all. Go Lilly, know love and life, and when the day comes that thou comes to join us once more, I shall welcome thee with open arms , but not yet, doth thou hear me?! Not yet..."
Nodding against the warm leather of his jacket, Lilly sighed: "Okay I'll go, I'll go... I'll"
Light, full bright and golden like the light of dawn as the world shakes off the silver hues of predawn flared around them blinding Lilly as she suddenly and without warning tumbled backwards through the light spinning like a windborne leaf. Screams filled the light as searing agony rippled through her, pulsing to the cadence of her heart, washing over and through her again and again until nothing remained but the burning agony of torn muscles and ripped skin. Pain and the quiet voice of Sarah calling her back to the realm of the living...