Chapter Nine - The Pixie Party Continues with a Twist
As couples seated themselves around the small tables, Molly could feel Sherlock's thigh pressing against hers on one side and a pixie man's leg against hers on the other side. She found it uncomfortable and felt a flush of heat on her face as Sherlock shifted against her more firmly as he attempted to get comfortable. Servants continued to place the bowl-shaped objects on the tables. Molly raised her eyebrows in surprise as a tortoise was placed upside down in the center of the table where she was seated. With its head and tail protruding out of opposite ends it proceeded to wave its short stubby legs about rather merrily. She was used to seeing tortoises in the woods when she went foraging, however the one in front of her was exceedingly large. She then realized it was because she had shrunk to pixie size. The chelonian's body wobbled slightly with the waving of its sturdy legs. Bright orangish-brown eyes peered curiously about. Molly wasn't sure, but she thought the creature winked as it fixed its brilliant eyes on her.
Back at the queen's table Eldrin tapped lightly on a crystal goblet. The room hushed and he began to speak. "It is now time to start our first game," the elderly mage grinned merrily. He shook his finger warningly. "I must remind the gentlemen to abide by the rules of the game. No cheating is allowed."
Several ladies tittered. Molly looked at Sherlock, but he simply shook his head. Evidently he didn't know what was going on either.
"For the sake of our honored guests and for those of you who have very short memories. I will now go over the rules," Eldrin continued. "We will start with the lady seated in first position, indicated by a gold star." As he spoke the words, a gold star suddenly appeared in front of a lady at each table. Molly was relieved to see the star appear in front of Twiggy. "The lady will kindly spin the turtle about and when it stops, the game will proceed according to the following situations."
"If the turtle's head is pointing to a gentleman, the two must kiss." All of the pixie men grunted their approval at this. "Gentlemen," he continued, "it is very important that you do your best. The turtle will judge the quality of your smooch. If it is good, the turtle's head will remain outside its body. If it hides its head, you must forfeit your place at the table and be replaced by one of the men waiting in line. Needless to say, you will also lose your partner and must struggle as best you can to win her back before the evening is over. Play will continue with the position last pointed as starting the next play. Does everyone understand?"
All the men nodded. Molly looked at Sherlock, he didn't appear worried. She hoped he would be able to remain her partner. She didn't fancy any of the other men about the table or in the line of extras waiting for a chance to play. Besides, Sherlock had indicated that, if they were paired, there would be no coupling. Molly fervently hoped Sherlock would end up her partner. She really had no plans for such shenanigans tonight.
Edrin nodded and continued. "If the turtle's head points to another lady, the two ladies will exchange places at the table. Ladies, that means you will have a new partner. Do you understand?" The ladies giggled and nodded. Molly was horrified. This was terrible, she could end up with anyone! She looked at Sherlock who only shrugged his shoulders in a fatalistic manner. It didn't seem to bother him at all.
"The same will apply if two men are paired. The game will continue until the sounding of the horns. Is everyone ready?" Everyone murmured their agreement and he concluded by shouting, "Begin!"
As the pixie women prepared to begin the game, Eldrin moved closer to Molly's table and started watching avidly.
In the corner of the room, the pixie orchestra began to play. Twiggy stood up and grasping the turtle by one sturdy leg, spun it as hard as she was able. Around and around the tortoise twirled, finally slowing and stopping with its head pointing directly at Sherlock!
Twiggy and Sherlock stood and leaned across the small table. Their kiss was not a prolonged one. Sherlock stood back up and glanced at the turtle. Molly watched the terrapin as it made up its mind. She was astonished to see ii roll its eyes and shake its head. The head remained out however.
"Careful, Sherlock!" Eldrin laughed. "That was close! If you continue to do so poorly you will soon be out of the game!"
Sherlock pouted his lips, but said nothing. The game continued. It was now his turn to spin the turtle. Sherlock leaned over the table and sent it spinning wildly about. When the turtle stopped it was pointing to the overweight pixie sitting next to Twiggy. The two men exchanged places. The rotund man gave Molly's leg a friendly squeeze as he sat down beside her. Molly closed her eyes and made a small groaning sound as Sherlock seated himself across the table. Sherlock gazed at the turtle and didn't look Molly's way.
It was now the fat pixie's turn to spin. Molly watched as the turtle spun round and round and ended pointing at Twiggy. Twiggy giggled and the two kissed. Evidently the poor man was found wanting as the turtle not only retracted its head but legs as well. He was replaced and grudgingly went to the back of the line of waiting men. Molly's new partner was old enough to be her grandfather!
The game continued amid laughter, giggles and several spectacular snogs. Sherlock was narrowly missed several times. Molly found herself kissing and being kissed or exchanging seats with the other women at her table. Soon she had kissed all the men and several replacement men except for Sherlock. For some reason the turtle always seemed to miss him when it spun. She found herself wishing that the turtle would point at Sherlock and herself.
"Molly get a grip!" she scolded herself, "Sherlock does not want to kiss you. He probably only wants to get this silly game over as quickly as possible."
Molly watched as Sherlock once more gave the turtle a spin. It came slowly to a stop pointing at the girl to Molly's left. Oh dear! Molly hoped Sherlock did a better job kissing this time or she was going to lose him. Molly gave Sherlock a nudge under the table and whispered fiercely in a low tone, "Put some effort into it this time!" Sherlock looked down at her in surprise then one corner of his mouth jerked up briefly and nodding his head he kissed the lady in question very soundly. Everyone hooted as the lady sank to her chair and began to fan herself rather vigorously. The turtle bobbed its head and waved its legs about in glee. Sherlock sat and turned to Molly with a large smirk.
"Was that to your satisfaction M'lady?" he grinned.
Molly sniffed. "It was certainly better than your other efforts. I expect you will get better with practice."
Sherlock frowned, looked down at the turtle, then back at Molly. He didn't say anything, but Molly could tell he was plotting something.
The play continued. Some of the men were replaced but somehow Sherlock managed to remain in the game and soon it was Molly's spin again. Sherlock was seated beside a pixie woman with a rather large nose. The turtle spun and stopped pointing at the lady with the overly large proboscis. Then a curious thing happened, the turtle started wobbling and turned a bit more, stopping with its head pointed at Sherlock! What on earth was going on? Molly stood up slowly. She looked up at Sherlock of Holmes who was now standing as well. He definitely had a smirk firmly in place on his lips. Molly raised her eyebrows at him, but he just stared down at her as if they had all the time in the world. Had he just nudged that turtle with magic? The turtle gazed at her innocently. Surely if Sherlock had cheated, someone would be making a ruckus about it. Molly told herself it was just a kiss, just a kiss like all the others she had received tonight. It was just a game. It wasn't important. She told herself these things, but her heart still sped up as she leaned across the table into Sherlock's space.
Their lips touched...
For one moment...
Time stood still.
All was swept away into nothingness.
No sound.
No thought.
Nothing except Sherlock of Holmes and Molly Hooper.
Together.
Needing nothing...
Except each other.
Molly drew in a ragged breath as their lips parted and Sherlock rested his forehead against hers. "Who are you, Sherlock of Holmes?" she whispered.
"What are you, Molly Hooper?" he hoarsely questioned,
They stood together, not hearing the cheers and claps of the other game players at their table. Staring into each other's eyes they felt a connection form. Unasked for, it strengthened and grew. Molly's eyes widened and Sherlock jumped back and stared wildly.
"No! No, no, no!" he roared.
"What?" Molly asked frantically, not understanding.
Sherlock pointed at her and snarled.
"Stay away from me. I want nothing to do with your kind!"
Molly looked at him in bewilderment. "Sherlock, wha..?"
Sherlock backed away from her. The anger in his face frightened Molly. She didn't understand. What had happened? What was going on? She leaned forward over the table, arms outstretched in a pleading motion.
"Sherlock. What is...?" Molly's question was suddenly overwhelmed by a loud shrieking alarm. The high keening whistle could be heard echoing from the entryway tunnel to the cavern. Men all about the cavern suddenly shouted in anger and rushed to the drapery lined walls of the cavern. They yanked curtains aside to access weapons which were stored there attached by large hooks. Molly realized with a blink that Sherlock was with the rest of the men lining up to face the entrance to the cavern.
"What is it?" Molly shouted to Eldrin as she hurried over to grab a quarterstaff attached to the wall nearest her.
Eldrin looked at her in a harassed manner.
"Lady Molly, you should not be here! Go quickly and stand with the rest of the women at the back of the cavern! This is men's work!"
Molly planted her feet in front of Eldrin. "What is this Eldrin? If it is a battle, why can I not fight as well?"
Molly suddenly heard a sharp intake of breath from the waiting pixies. Out of the tunnel mouth flew dozens of enormous black creatures with large wingspans. Seated on the backs of the flying monstrosities were the ugliest, greenish-colored men Molly had ever seen.
"Bous!" Eldrin shouted frantically, "leave and hide with the rest of the women!"
Molly looked at him in confusion.
"Booze?" she asked.
" Yes, Bous! Bats Of Unusual Size!" Eldrin screamed at her. Molly realized that indeed the creatures did appear to be very large bats.
"It's a goblin raid! They seek to capture women! Run, girl, before you are taken. Go to the back of the cavern and leave the fighting to the men!"
Molly reluctantly moved back. She could see the men viciously fighting with the horde of goblins swooping about overhead. Soon goblin foot soldiers came pouring into the cave overwhelming the pixies by their sheer number. Molly hurried to the women huddled at the back of the cavern.
"Why are you just standing there?" she questioned angrily. "Pick up something to use as a weapon! It won't be long before the men won't able to hold them back." As the words left her mouth a shrill scream came to her left. One of the bous soared down from the ceiling and swooped near a pixie girl. The goblin on its back leaned out of his leather saddle, grabbed the unfortunate girl and started to drag her up in front of him. Molly gave an angry snarl and rushed forward. Using her quarterstaff as a long cudgel, she swung into the large Chiropteran causing it to pitch enough to make the goblin still holding the pixie girl to fall with a thud to the floor. Molly rushed forward, pulled the girl to safety and clubbed the goblin senseless as the bous took to the air and fluttered away.
Molly glared angrily at the women cowering before her. "Pick up a weapon and defend yourselves!" she shouted. Most of the women cowered away from her, obviously more frightened of her attitude than they were of the enemy.
"I swear, I'll beat you up myself! Now pick up a weapon and protect each other!" She screamed.
These women were practically useless, they deserved being caught. Molly turned and began to launch herself into the approaching goblins mounted on bous. From the corner of her eye she noticed Twiggy and several other women grab long poles and begin to jab at the swooping creatures. Other women rushed up to club downed riders and to tie them up with vines. It was better than nothing, but many of the women still cowered in the corner, refusing to help in any way. Molly soon became too busy fighting to pay attention to what the others were doing. Once, she felt a tug of claw-like fingers grasping at her shoulders only to be quickly released as Twiggy hit the offending goblin over the head with a golden trencher. Molly shouted her thanks and Twiggy grinned happily as she bashed another goblin to the floor.
After a while, Molly realized that more and more women were joining the struggle. Slowly the women advanced until the bous were no longer approaching them, but swooping down to gather wounded goblins before flying away. They were in retreat!
As the fighting ceased, Molly frantically scanned about for signs of Sherlock. She finally spotted him standing at the side of the Queen and Eldrin. All three were staring at her. Molly suddenly felt uncomfortable. She didn't know what was going on in Sherlock's mind. He continued to stare at her grimly. The queen and Eldrin looked thoughtful.
The women who had fought with Molly gathered around her. Most were giddy with excitement and relief.
"We did it, Lady Molly!" A thin red haired girl sang out. "Three cheers for Lady Molly!"
Hurrah!
Hurrah!
Hurrah!
"No," Molly told them gently, "you helped yourselves. Now how many women were captured?"
Twiggy glanced about counting.
"Fifteen, M'lady!" she announced excitedly. "Usually they capture at least half of us! It's a great day for Lilligrotto!"
"Fifteen!" Molly groaned in disappointment. "We must advance an attack as soon as possible!" she announced. "We need to get those girls back!"
Everyone looked at Molly as if she were announcing they must fly to the moon.
Twiggy came up and put her arm about Molly.
"I am sorry, Molly Hooper, but that is not possible. It is too late, by this time they have been changed."
Twiggy gently lead Molly over to a woman who was tied up and struggling with her bindings. Molly recognized her as Willow. Willow who had seven babes and loved men. Now the girl snarled and struggled to free herself. She no longer looked like the lovely woman Molly knew. Her body was rapidly changing. Growing more stooped, her skin began turning greenish and her teeth grew fangs which protruded from her once plump lips.
"What's happening to her?" Molly asked in horror.
Eldrin appeared to stand beside Molly. He looked at her sadly and shook his head.
"She is turning into a goblin. She has been bitten and is now infected. There is no cure. Goblin transformations are permanent. We managed to capture her and hope to find a cure for the infection someday by studying samples of her blood and other fluids, but it is too late for her." Eldrin shook his head and squeezed her arm gently.
"The others?" Molly asked.
"Goblins always bite their captives as soon as they can. It makes them easier to handle and assures that there will be no rescue raids. It is too late. I am sorry."
"Please, let me try," Molly begged.
At first Eldrin refused, but once he realized she was determined, he reluctantly gave his permission. He motioned several stout fellows to hold her friend down so that Molly could approach her.
Molly placed her hands on Willow. The girl went quiet, and then suddenly began to jerk and snarl viciously. Molly closed her eyes. She began to hum softly and move her hands gently up and down Willow's arms. Willow became more agitated. She began to kick and strain against her captors. Molly placed her hand against Willow's forehead for a few seconds, but pulled her hand away with a sharp hiss.
"There is nothing of who she used to be left for me to find." Molly cried in deep anguish. "There is nothing left to heal."
Eldrin hugged her. "I am sorry. I would have spared you this pain if I could."
"There is nothing worse than a healer who can not heal," Molly sobbed. "What will happen to her?"
"After we have collected our samples, we will release her near the entrance to goblin lands. They will take her in. Perhaps she will find some measure of comfort among her own kind. She is no longer Pixie.
"What about the men injured in battle?" Molly asked. Hardly a man did not at least have a scratch or two. "Won't they turn into goblins too?"
"No, it is a thing that is transferred between goblin men and pixie women. Our men will be slow to heal, but they will not become infected or turn into Goblins. Do you now understand how hard it was for the women to pick up arms and follow your lead? They risked their lives to follow you."
"But in doing so, they saved many more women from a goblin fate!" Molly said. She looked about at the women standing around her. Most of them nodded their heads in agreement.
Twiggy stepped forward. "Eldrin, the women have talked and we have decided that for most of us, we prefer to fight even though we run the risk of being infected. To stand by and do nothing is no longer acceptable."
Eldrin gazed at the women solemnly and then stared at Molly. At last he shrugged his shoulders.
"You bring change, Molly Hooper. I wonder if you realize just how much power you wield." Eldrin looked at the small group of determined women.
"So be it. Any woman who wishes to train in the fighting arts may report to the Master of Arms tomorrow after morning meal."
Molly walked slowly over to where the Queen and Sherlock stood quietly talking. Molly saw Sherlock repeatedly shake his head. The Queen's voice was a low murmur. Molly could not tell what they were talking about, but as she approached, Sherlock looked at Molly and she thought that if looks could kill, she would have been dead and buried for over a week.
"If you still wish to travel with me, be ready at first light," he growled and stalked off toward the men's apartments.