((Warning: There's some moments ahead that at least to me ended up being those 'I didn't need a heart' things, mostly since we know what happens in the series. I apologize for that, but the story demanded it, and I obeyed.))
Tension was a thick perfume in the air. By this point everyone in the camp knew about their rather surprising guest, and it hadn't escaped Blinkous nor Kanjigar that nearly every warrior had found excuses to linger relatively nearby, and by this time the scholar was beginning to get tired of all the 'covert' glances that were anything but. The two Daylight Trolls had been conversing in a casual manner, trying to appear nonchalant, but it was slowly wearing on the scholar's nerves. He was just about to demand that everyone go about their business when he suddenly became aware of a steady, rhythmic breathing from behind him. Kanjigar's expression when they glanced at one another revealed that he'd heard it too, and as one they looked back.
There was the Gumm-Gumm general, laying down with his head on his folded arms, fast asleep.
For a moment the friends just stared, then Kanjigar grinned and Blinkous quietly chucked.
"It's hard to believe he can sleep," Kanjigar commented quietly out of respect for their sleeping charge as he turned back to look out over the cavern. "I'd think he would be worried. I mean, it would be only to easy to end him like this."
"Deya gave her words of honor," Blinkous replied, "and honestly I'm not sure he believes death by our hand a viable fear at the moment." A pause. "When I first asked him where he intended to go, he said he might simply wait for sunrise to take him." Both couldn't help but shudder at the grim statement.
"I suppose it would be better to choose his own end rather than let Gunmar choose for him." Kanjigar spared a glance back, then spoke in a lighter tone. "Or perhaps he just trusts Deya - and us - more than I might've thought!" Blinkous chucked again, though knowing that such trust might be held towards him was a pleasing thought, enemy or no. For a time they were silent, each in their own thoughts as the general slept peacefully behind them. It was Kanjigar that broke it finally.
"So, if Gunmar is moving, and Deya has recalled everyone... Do you realize what that could mean?" Blinkous nodded.
"Tomorrow night could be the final conflict. The end of it all." It was a sobering thought.
"What will you do afterwards?" At Kanjigar's question Blinkous had to think hard.
"I'm not sure. We've been fighting this war, even when you and I weren't directly involved, for so long that I almost don't remember what it feels like to not fight. I suppose..." He gave a small, sad smile. "Dictatious had quite a number of books and papers left behind that need sorting through, and I – I haven't properly had time to honor his passing. I suppose that will be first. After that... I'm not certain. You?"
"Hmm... Well, I know for certain I'll never stop being a warrior. Gunmar can't have brought all of his warriors to this, most likely. There would be just too many, and last I heard they were quite spread out like we are. So there will be a few lingering Gumm-Gumms left to route, even after he's gone." Blinkous liked how Kanjigar spoke as if the warlord's defeat was a foregone conclusion; it did wonders for his own confidence when they were essentially sitting there waiting to be attacked in two nights. "But..." Here he hesitated, and Blinkous couldn't help but tease his friend.
"At a loss for words? Are you feeling quite well, Kanjigar?" For his jest the warrior gave the scholar a jab in the ribs with his elbow (connecting with his lower bicep rather than his actual ribs; the benefits of having four arms), but chuckled nevertheless.
"This will probably sound rather strange, coming from me, but I think, taking the long view... I'd really like to have a family, someday."
"Oh?" Blinkous looked over, curious and interested.
"I was thinking the other night," Kanjigar elaborated, "about what I would leave behind in this world when I'm gone, and the thought occurred to me that it would be nice to have a child of my own, someone to raise and that I'm saving this world for. Someone to enjoy it when I'm gone, and make it even better for their children."
"That isn't so strange." Blinkous patted his friend's shoulder. "I even stated something of the sort to Deya recently, when she asked if I wanted to leave the battlefront. I have no desire to leave without some sort of legacy remaining behind, either. And I think you'd be a very good father."
"You do?"
"Of course! I've seen how you help some of the others train, and I remember before we came here. You never minded when the younger Trolls would ask you questions or want you to demonstrate some fighting move of yours or another, and when you talked to them I could see they were genuinely listening to you. You know how to interact with them, and what's more make an impact. So yes, I think you'd make a great father." Kanjigar's smile was broad.
"Thank you. That means a lot coming from you, my friend." They were silent for a bit then he added with determination in his voice, "I do know this, though: I'll teach my child to fight, because this is a dangerous world, but I'm going to do everything I can to keep them safe, whatever happens to me because of it." Blinkous patted Kanjigar's shoulder, and once more they slipped into a compassionate silence, the general's relaxed, even breathing the only sound from their ledge as around them the camp went about Its business with a sense of urgency and waiting.
ooooooo
All throughout the day, as the Daylight army slept and kept watch from the safety of the cavern in shifts, more of their allies arrived through underground tunnel systems. Deya as of yet had remained silent as to get plans aside from beginning the evacuation of those deemed too critically injured to fight, a telling act in itself. Though almost all eyes turned towards the prisoner of war on his ledge aside from a few unpleasant looks and a murmur here and there no overt trouble was raised. The general slept all through the day, only awakening about an hour before sunset with a confused rumble and a glance around.
"I hope you slept well," Blinkous greeted, hoping to divert any aggressive, disoriented action on the general's part. The black-green eyes found him, there was a flicker of recognition and understanding, then a nod in answer.
"What happening?" he asked as he fully sat up.
"I am not entirely certain; we have yet to hear from Deya about a plan of action."
"More warriors."
"Yes, quite a few more. But given that Gunmar and Bular both will be joining in this fight she must feel they are needed."
"I think we'll hear something soon," Kanjigar said as he joined them, bringing two normal portions of breakfast and a double for the general on a stone slab serving as a tray, who readily started eating this time when the bowl was handed over. "Deya has been with her council for hours now, and only the sentinels have been given assignments, after they have a talk with Deya. No patrols have been arranged or permitted to leave."
"Ah! Then surely soon!"
'Soon' it was to be indeed, as just as they'd finished their breakfast Deya made her way up to a ledge that overlooked much of the cavern, where she could be seen and heard by everyone. Quickly a hush fell over the gathered Daylight warriors as they all anticipated finally hearing the plans they'd been waiting for. Blinkous leaned forward slightly, listening eagerly.
"Attention, everyone!" She called, hands upraised to draw the eye to her. "I am certain by now you are all well aware of what has transpired last night." There was a general murmur of assent to the statement, with more than a few eyes turned in the general's direction. For his part the general didn't seem unnerved by the attention, even straightening his posture a bit as if in challenge or at least a show of bravado. "We now know that Gunmar and Bular are planning to lead an attack upon us here, in this very camp, with the intentions of destroying the Killahead Bridge before we can use it to end this war once and for all. But his 'surprise attack' will not go quite as planned." There were a few cheers. "We will ambush him when he thinks to ambush us, and as he so kindly has come right to the bridge we shall simply let him get a good, close look... right before he passes through it!" More cheering erupted at that proclamation. Deya let it roar on for a little bit, then gestured everyone to silence again. "This will not be an easy challenge, however! We will have to bait him into our camp, then attack him and the warriors he will bring with him. Surprise will be on our side, but that will be a short-lived advantage.
"The bulk of our warrior forces will remain concealed in the caverns, far back enough that they will remain unseen and undetected until the very last moment. When I signal with 'Daylight Breaks' they will rush from the caverns to engage our enemy. Mock-patrols will also be deployed; these will conceal themselves outside of camp and job the battle when they see a flare in the sky. This will hopefully pincer Gunmar's warriors. I fully expect the fighting to be far more intense than anything we have endured before.
"But also there is another role needed. Gunmar may call off his attack and we miss our chance if he sees anything to give indication we are aware of his plans. Therefore we will need some to remain outside the caverns, acting as if nothing untoward is occurring. I am asking for volunteers for this position, because I will not lie to you: There will be a brief time between Gunmar launching his attack and our own forces engaging the enemy, and during this time all enemy aggressions will be on those outside. The chance of demise will be high. It is a dangerous task, but vital. I ask those willing to accept this task to please speak up." There was a moment of silence, then abruptly Kanjigar jumped to his feet beside Blinkous.
"I volunteer!" Though he was hardly surprised, Blinkous felt his heart constrict in worry for his friend, as well as a heavy surge of pride. From the ledge Deya nodded, and like a wave his call triggered others to volunteer. It took some sorting out, but finally around two dozen volunteers had stepped forward.
Through all of this Blinkous sat quiet, conflicted between what his logical mind was telling him and what his heart was urging him to do. Finally Deya held up her hands again for silence.
"Are there any more volunteers?"
"I – I volunteer, Deya!"
"What are you doing?" Kanjigar hissed in shock as Blinkous stood up. Most everyone was looking at him in confusion and surprise, but he only looked at Deya.
"If there are only warriors outside, Gunmar may still be suspicious. You will need someone who is not a warrior to make the scene you desire to set be believable. I'm willing to take that role." Deya thought about this then gave a single nod.
"Very well. I ask the volunteers to join me so we can go over what they are to do. I have instructed the commanders as to their warriors' tasks; speak with them to learn your positions." With that she made her way down and towards Kanjigar, Blinkous, and the general. "Are you quite certain about this?" She asked the scholar when she reached them. "No one here doubts your courage or dedication."
"I'm certain." Blinkous could understand why she questioned only him. "Regardless of the personal risk, this must not fail!" Deya smiled at him and nodded.
"You are very intelligent, and also very correct. Someone whom would not look to Gunmar like a warrior will only convince him further that there is nothing unusual going on. Let it not be said that the Galadrigal line lacks in courage, though they may lack in brawn." She took a deep breath, then let it out slowly. "Then I suppose there is one final order of business at hand." She looked at the general. "As of this moment, general, you are free to go."
"Free?"
"No longer a prisoner of war. I can easily imagine that Gunmar would not be too pleased with you should the unfortunate happen and we fail, and he were to find you here. You may leave whenever you like. There are tunnels in the back of the cavern that connect to other outside exits, some quite far away. If you take one of those it is unlikely that Gunmar or any of his will catch you. You can find a place where you will be safe and live out your life however you see fit." The general blinked in seeming surprise at this information, then nodded slowly.
"I will go, soon." The Trollhunter nodded a farewell, told Blinkous and Kanjigar that she would be having her meeting in an hour, and departed. Perhaps she could sense that there was a difficult goodbye impending.
At least for Blinkous there was. In this short time he had become a bit fond of the general, considering him a friend and ally, and though he agreed with her reasoning it still stung.
"Do you know where you'll go?" He asked.
"No. Somewhere." The general wouldn't quite meet his gaze. Kanjigar made a bold move and patted the larger Troll's arm.
"When this is all done, maybe we'll find one another again someday."
"Maybe." Feeling that the general didn't want to discuss it further, the two fell silent. An hour later they went to receive their orders – as word had spread about his change in status, most everyone was content to ignore the general as it was common sense that to try anything, even now, would only infuriate Deya – then spent the rest of the night mentally and physically preparing for what would happen. The three shared meals and slept the day away once more side-by-side on the ledge, then just as the sun outside was setting the general was guided to one of the tunnels Deya had mentioned by Blinkous and Kanjigar.
"Stay safe," Blinkous said in parting, "and good luck to you." The general nodded in acceptance of the farewell.
"Good luck." With that rumble, the Gumm-Gumm turned and headed off into the blackness. They watched him go for a moment, then Kanjigar touched Blinkous' shoulder. With a nod to one another, they also moved off to prepare for the final battle.