Chapter 15

A Stand Against

The beast flew around surveying the town he'd just begun to attack, looking for his first and only attacker; he smiled as the upper winds kept him in flight with little or no effort on his part, before swooping down and landing effortlessly on a roofline at the edge of the village. His skin was a charcoal color and had an almost powdery look to it, like dust that had built up over several millennia and his face had no visible nose until he opened the slits to sniff the air which at that moment made him lick his lips with a pointed blood red tongue. He looked down and caught a smell in the air; a woman rushing for the same building, frantic to arrive before she was picked off; smiling he just watched the route she moved and saw several men waiting for him to attack. His reaction changed, as did his head movement, and he shot straight up into the air leaving the ambush party to question his move as they came out to watch him fly off.

They moved out, questioning each other at the act, realizing that the beast had intelligence and would be far more difficult to kill. They moved together to compile their thoughts when out of no where the woman was taken; the beast had flown straight down, grabbed her and was gone, leaving the men who were hoping to attack him helpless and a woman nearby who witnessed it, screaming for her daughter.

They rushed everyone else inside a main building toward the center of their village, before watching a messenger head out on the fastest horse they had; he rode hard and had reached the edge of the village when the beast lift both horse and rider smashing them into the ground with a sickening thud. It was so fast that neither had time to react, but it was so brutal that all could hear the sounds of bones snapping on impact; even the most seasoned of the men was sick to the sight of the brutality and all realized they were there on their own.

Plans Determined

Jora moved in hesitantly as Alya and many others stood around talking over an area map; Boromir pointed to an area making some unheard suggestions for attack which brought nods from those around him and a smile from Alya. She put up her hand for a moment, stopping all conversation, "Jora? Tell me you found it."

"Yes, M'Lady." Jora shuffled in, "Blood Flame has some special ingredients."

"Do we have them all?" Alya looked over, seeing the hesitation in her friends face.

"N…no M'Lady, but we can get them." She appeared very disturbed.

"Go on." Alya moved toward her.

"Is Gandalf and Aron here?" She looked around.

"No, they are still working…What are the ingredients?" Alya turned towards her fully, arms crossed.

"Many things, M'Lady. Thistle blade and algae from the Northern Lakes." She frowned. "But that must be collected in the winter."

"So we can't get everything until the right times?" Alya moved over. "Meaning more people have to die before this solution can be made?"

"I looked for alternatives, but this was very specific. This beast once unleashed is…well it's unleashed because it's almost impossible to destroy."

Alya sat down, looking somewhat defeated. "Ok so, thistle blade and winter algae from the lakes. What else?"

"Venom from the Naquista."

The comment made Alya's mouth go dry and made her heart sink, "That thing alone has killed too many." She paused, the pallor on her face apparent. "What else?"

"A few items Aron has and…" The pause told a great deal to everyone in the room

"And?" Alya moved closer.

"Hearts blood, M'Lady." Tears welled up and Navarre looked more pale than normal.

Alya shook her head at hearing it. "What is hearts blood?" Haldir looked to Navarre who closed his eyes to the question.

"The blood from an Aquetiri noble's heart." Alya answered bluntly.

"But you are the only…" Boromir stopped, his demeanor changed as his breath caught in his chest. "That will kill you."

"Not really. But it will put you in danger, Alya." Navarre moved forward.

Alya nodded, "You don't ever call me that." She smiled, but the thought of it ran through her head.

"No." Boromir commented, distress showing in his face.

"There are no other options?" Gimli stepped down from the map table.

"My family died out, I'm all that remain and was chosen by this place to lead. I'm the only Aquetiri noble."

"What of your cousin?" Maeve entered into the room her face showed her worry.

"I killed her not long after she betrayed us." Those words alone made the room feel the burden of the coming act.

"There has to be another way. This will kill you." Boromir didn't hide his feelings.

"I believe the immortality will keep me from dying…" She turned back, nodding; a slight smile crossed her lips.

"But the act is one that opens her to the Evil. She will be in between the worlds and there he has power." Navarre finished the sentence, his hand to Alya's hair, moving it from her face.

Boromir shook his head looking at those he arrived with, all of whom were distressed by the option. "Can she…is there a way to protect her in this place?" Jora's eyes widened, she smiled and giggled at a thought, nodding to Boromir's last sentence, her finger up stating she had an idea. Quickly she scuffled out of the room, leaving Alya to laugh at the sight. "I don't understand what…?"

"She has an idea and no, none here can come close to protecting me, not there."

"We would offer, M'Lady." Gimli bowed.

"And I would except if it were not that you'd lose your own life doing it." She smiled, "See this in between is between life and death, it's a waiting point before you are taken to…wherever you go. Most don't remember it, most don't know of its existence, but its there." She moved toward the map again. "I think I know her idea and I'll leave her to it. Let's get back to planning, as if we had no time."

The others moved back, Boromir still disturbed by it, a part of him wanting to offer to go and protect her, knowing she would refuse; she looked over and smiled, shaking her head to his thoughts.

Jora rushed and stopped, almost falling, at Aron's door. She listened a moment, ear against the rough grain, her hand rising to knock.

"We are busy Jora!" Gandalf's voice echoed.

She peeked in, "M'Lady needs some of Aron's bottles for a spell."

"What spell Jora?" Aron was concerned.

"Not to worry, I'll retrieve them. Go, learn." She scuffled in and grabbed 3 or 4 from different areas, Aron ignoring Gandalf for a moment.

"Blood Flame?" Aron was disturbed.

"She said, learn. You learn. We will be fine." Jora walked out, bottles clinking together in her first layer of robes.

Aron was still standing from the encounter. "If Jora is unconcerned…" Gandalf commented.

"Jora is good at hiding concern. You don't know about Blood Flame, you don't know its price."

"It requires the Queen's blood, yes?"

"Her heart blood, there's no other way to retrieve it, but…"

"But to shove a tube into her heart and collect it. She is immortal, at least, to this type of thing."

"Yes, but as she is healing, which takes a great deal of time, she is open to attack in the In Between."

"You think she hasn't considered this? She has others who can pro…"

"If the others can get her to agree it means they forfeit their lives to protect her, and if they do that they remain in the In Between till the time of their natural death. She won't allow it."

"So what can you do? You have to finish learning."

"Gandalf. What's the point if she doesn't survive?"

"Then you, young wizard, will protect her people something she would want. Sit." Aron nodded and sat, defeated by the older man's logic.

Jora rushed into her sanctuary and put the bottled on the table, righting the ones that were on their sides before moving a large chair to her book shelf. She looked up, hopped onto the cushion and strained for a book on the top shelf the tenacity showing on her face, unable to reach it till a man's hand pulled it from its spot handing it to her, "Thank you, General Boromir." She hopped down and moved, "She won't let you." She propped the book on a stand and opened it.

"There is no way to protect her there?" He sat in the same chair Jora had been in, bending forward, hands clasped between them.

"Not by you, or Navarre, or Legolas, or Haldir, or…"

"Gimli. What about Gandalf or Aron?"

"Neither them, not without killing them." She looked over knowing the reason behind the questions. "She will need you here, when she does it. She will need all of you to care for the kingdom. Not for long, just a day or two, if she gets lost."

"Lost?"

"The In Between, Aron calls it. It's a place where the dead wait to join their own. Some might call it purgatory, but its not. It's very similar to here…." She thought a moment, "It's hard to explain. She's been there once."

"How?"

"A drink, during the time of the alignment. It's allowed at that time. She can go and ask help if need be."

"Help? From who?"

"Her ancestors, one's older than old. They still have strength and can pass it to her."

"Can they help in this?"

Jora pinched her lips. "I say too much. Go, be with her."

"I'm not working for the Evil…"

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. I know, silly. But he hears. Give him nothing more than he has and be ready for all he can throw. Go be with her." She got up and pulled at Boromir's hand. "She needs that more. So do you."

Shaking his head he stood and walked out, "Make certain she has what she needs Jora. Ask it and I will retrieve it."

"Make certain not to hurt her more than she has been hurt." Jora shut the door, leaving Boromir to walk away.

A New Plan

The men of the village hovered around each other, talking in low voices as a few of the younger men watched for the attacker to strike with weapons ready; the few that spoke were animated in their conversation arms moving off in the heat of it all while others motioned for them to remain calm. The women who were in there attempted to comfort those who'd lost their family members, as well as, trying to keep their wails silenced by whispering that others might die if they didn't. One or two of the older children attempted to involve themselves, wanting to prove their worth in battle; their dreams of joining Avalon's military coming true in an instant, but for many mothers it was never going to happen, they tried to move their sons away from the planning only to be hushed by the men who her at the heart of it.

"We will need them, if we fail." The man spoke pointedly and with a realistic fear in his voice making the woman hush herself, bowing as she moved away. The other men looked at him. "This is the truth of it." He looked at them all. "We cannot get out a messenger which means Avalon will send no one. We can only do this on our own and hope we are victorious." He moved back to the group which went back to their quieted discussion.

"Could we not send someone out during an attack?" Another man spoke, leaving the older man to consider it before he nodded.

"A small man, a fast rider. It is our best hope."

"Maybe we should send multiple riders, in different directions." A young man offered, backing up as the older men looked at him.

"Yes, we will send out several and attack the beast, leaving them hope to reach someone to help us." The man nodded to you the younger man for speaking up, making him smile confidently.

"I will go sir, I can ride fast."

"No, you will stay with me. Three of the younger men will ride along with two of you. Determine your routes and be aware your enemy." The group fanned out.

Implementation

Walking out of the library behind the scattering General's, Alya approached Boromir. "I know you are worried, but this has to be."

Boromir nodded, "What assistance can I offer, if I can't protect you?"

"Give me what you would your people. Protect them. Once I have done what is necessary I will need people to assist them." She smiled. "And so long as others agree you can sit with me, if you wish, till I come back." Boromir nodded, and without a care leaned in and kissed her, pausing and then kissing her again, leaving her with a smile.

"Who will go and retrieve the venom?"

"Not you. The only one who can with any success is Navarre and I know he won't allow anyone to assist him past the Breach."

"I don't…"

"The Naquista is a form of spider, large and venomous; about the size of a grown man. If a drop even touches the skin it will dissolve it. I've heard some have died, just walking near its den." She smiled and laughed.

"You believe that?"

"I have an absolute fear of spiders so yes." She laughed more, "But I doubt it did." She walked toward Aron's room, looking back for Boromir to follow.

Stopping at the doorway she knocked, Gandalf answering abruptly. "I believed you were going to allow…"

"If my people didn't have a need, but they do and you are needed, Master Gandalf."

"I'm honored, Queen Alya."

"I need to know if you can create winter algae from the Northern Lakes, before winter comes." The question left Gandalf to wonder.

"It will be a good test for Aron." Gandalf smiled, "Come young wizard, we have a job to complete." Aron rushed to gather some items and followed in behind his new teacher.

"M'Lady…"

Alya shook her head, "Do not keep Gandalf waiting." Aron bowed and rushed off.

"When will you…"

"Not till all other items are retrieved." She took a deep breath, "Blood is not so easily kept." She laughed. "I think my task is the easiest…I must only drive a spike with a hole in the center of it into my heart, draining little more than a small cup's worth."

The comment made Boromir cringe, "You speak as if it is nothing, an easy task."

"I know it isn't, but what else should I do? These beasts will continue, unless they are fought."

"That is not what I speak of." He stopped her, "Were it allowed I would offer my blood, but I cannot. It will not be easy, not for those who must watch someone they…not for any within this kingdom."

"Apologies, General." The walked on, eventually reaching the balcony near her room. "So tell me of your family. Don't you miss them?"

Boromir nodded, "One more than the other, but yes." He smiled looking off into the distance and that is when he spoke of his brother and the simple hardships they faced trying to prove things to an unforgiving father. That when all was done with the world changing he hadn't had the chance to know his father in a new light.

"So you will return to Gondor?"

"I have chosen to remain, if it is allowed?" He bowed with a smile. "I know from everything that defending the people of Aquetiri will defend my own people, which is all I want." He smiled seeing Alya nod at his request.

The Attempt

The men set their plan into motion, several rushed out into the center of the village, weapons in hand and full armor covering them while several others moved for horses that awaited riders. The men road off as several archers came out covering their trek, but as the riders crested the hills or moved out of sight on their individual routes they were picked off by the beast. It made certain to drop the crumpled remains of both rider and horse in front of the men that were there to protect them, most were dead, but a few lived writhing on the ground in pain. In one case, the horse landed on the archer crushing him where he stood, blood spurting out and bones could be heard snapping which caused those who witnessed it to run back for what they believed was their measure of safety. The beast at that point was happy to show it wasn't though; it flew in and infiltrated the simple structure ripping apart everyone within. It started with the guards, slaughtering them in front of those they protected, and ended with the most helpless, every man that tried to enter was immediately thrown out with enough force to break bones. The beast no longer toying with his prey began culling them, intending to devour what he wanted once they were all massacred.

As the last person was decimated the beast rose up, wings expanded and let out a roar, smiling at its latest conquest, that's when in doubled over, seemingly in pain; it rose and looked around panting, cocking its head at an unseen foe.

"You must not be seen yet." The disembodied voice spoke, the beast snorted at it. "You are not unbeatable. If they find out how I can not resurrect you." The voice was eerie and booming. The creature bowed, and smiled licking its lips and turning its head to a woman who remained in agony, but alive. "Go, feed. Gain strength. Kill more for me." The voice dispersed and the beast went back to finish its meal.

Aquetiri

Various riders set out from Avalon, with various tasks; Navarre and Haldir headed for the Breach and the Naquista, Haldir agreed to stay back and allow Navarre to finish his orders which were to kill it before draining the venom. Gandalf and Aron headed for the Northern Lakes, Legolas and Gimli in tow, interested on the task they had. Jora had invited Maeve in to assist her with the potion and its properties, mostly to keep Maeve calm about what the Queen would eventually have to do. The final two left with many of the Generals to continue training the military; Alya with her private guard and Boromir with the legions that remained.

Alya moved up leaving her guard to train and watched Boromir work with the legions, he took great command as she noticed and there was a noble air about him and in everything he did. She just remained there silent watching as Maeve approached, "You will keep him here, yes?"

Alya turned looking, "If he wishes he may stay, but that is not up to me." She didn't mention their earlier conversation.

"But M'Lady, he loves…"

"He told you this?"

"No, but…"

"You know I do not like rumor or unconfirmed comments." She smirked out of Maeve's vision.

"You appreciate people's feelings still, yes?" Alya nodded, "Then I feel he does and that will not change, even if he says he does not." She curtseyed when Alya turned to her. "I will go make dinner, M'Lady."

"Maeve." She didn't look to see if the woman stopped. "He already said he would." She laughed softly as Maeve floated off to her kitchen upon hearing the comment. Her attention returned back to Boromir, catching him looking at her and smiling, which seemed to be returned without hesitation or consciousness; when the realization hit her she blushed and moved away, back to her guard.

"You are staying with us, Brother?" Probston stepped up, his hand on Boromir's shoulder.

"I have asked the Queen if it would be acceptable and she has made allowances."

"Has she?" Probston laughed. "Sorry Boromir, but I've known her for quite some time and she would not "make allowances". If a person wishes to remain, regardless of the reason, they may."

"Probston?" Boromir turned to him. "Does she do that often?"

"Look at a man the way she does you or treat all men as she expects to be treated?"

Boromir nodded, "Both."

"Not before you, my lord and she treats everyone that way since she came here. Oh and just so you know everyone here…well they hope you are staying for her and not for some sense of glory some soldier look for."

Boromir laughed, "I received my glory in Gondor. This is for Gondor, for Aquetiri, for her and for myself."

"Then luck to you, Brother. When you have the chance let her hear that."

Boromir walked off, back toward the palace, invigorated by the conversation yet wondering about those that were travelling. He entered and found Alya in the kitchen with Maeve and Jora, who were talking to Alya about how the potion should unfold; the conversation wasn't what he wanted to hear, because it brought the reality of what the Queen had to do to the front of his mind.

"My lord Boromir, please sit. We have rabbit stew tonight. M'Lady's favorite." Maeve jumped up and fixed a bowl, along with a small loaf of bread.

"Smells wonderful." Boromir took a bite, enjoying the subtle flavors that melded together on his tongue. "Tastes better."

"It's not as good as when she first made it, but I work on it." Maeve smiled.

"A Queen who cooks?" He smirked.

"Cooks, fights, sews, kills…not in that order, but when the need arises." Alya swallowed down liquid from a goblet. "As for the conversation, it is done for now. Not exactly the best conversation for a meal." The two women bowed and went back to eating, Alya looked over and smiled at Boromir.