Chapter 17
Avalon
With a deep breath Alya turned to Jora, "I'll make it back, right?"
Jora didn't expect to hear the comment; she stopped putting the ingredients together and looked to the young woman, "M'Lady? Don't speak like that." She scrambled off a stool she was standing on moving to Alya quickly. "I know your strength, I know the ancestors have agreed to assist you and I give to hope that the Evil is still too weak to attack you."
Alya nodded, but inside she felt no better. "I don't want any but you and Navarre to witness this." Jora nodded and moved out, allowing Alya to calm herself.
"To think such things will help none, Alya." Navarre walked in, a slight smile to his face. "We have accounted for everything, there are those who will take up for you while you heal and I will expect you back soon."
"Glad you are certain." She turned towards her advisor.
"Enough for us both. Before your family I did not trust anyone other than an Elf, but your father and mother showed me differently. You have not disappointed in the slightest." He smiled slightly thinking on the past. "Though I would have preferred not to worry like your father would have with many of your adventures."
Alya had to laugh, "My father never worried when I did things, he trusted me. Now if you were to say, 'Worry like my grandmother…" She giggled softly when the words made Navarre raise an eyebrow. But before long her mood turned back to the task at hand, "I don't want any others…"
"I was told, but you have one out there who is somewhat beside himself."
"I don't want him seeing the act. It's hard enough to do this without him wanting me not to."
"He would not stop you though," The comment brought a raised eyebrow from Alya which brought a laugh from Navarre. "He understands the need, he's not unlike you; worrying incessantly. I will tell him what I tell you…"
"Worry brings nothing of value, only actions do." Alya commented from memory, as Navarre bowed and exited. Smiling slightly she moved back to look into the large room that was set up for this next quest. It was warm, without much to get ruined by the act; the blooding area was set aside from the bed she would heal in. A wave of apprehension hit her again, but thinking onto what she and her family had gone through she knew she must complete this task. This was what the family had discussed, the one thing they'd all agreed to before giving their lives to Aquetiri and giving hope to the people that lived there.
After a short amount of time, both her confidants walked back in and moved towards darkened areas of the room staying a distance away so as not to distract her from her already difficult task. Navarre carried a black robe, leaving Maeve outside with a bowl and wash rag; all Jora's had to do was gather up the goblet at the end and start the potion.
Shaking her head she disrobed slowly, folding each item carefully before laying them on a nearby bench. She took a deep breath, stood up straight and stepped into a space in the room set up with a stone table that reached as high as her waist, an oversize goblet which could have easily contained an entire bottle within its bowl and an odd knife made for the occasion; its handle was a perfect cylindrical tube and the blade seemed cupped and extremely sharp. She started to feel an uneasy dampness bead up on her skin, she shook it off and took in a deep breath releasing it with her eyes closed, refusing to look for those who watched over her; part of her believing she might turn coward from what she was about to do. She grabbed up the knife, focusing on it directly, it was then she realized her breathing was erratic and more apparent, and that her hands were shaking slightly. Scoffing quietly, she smiled slightly and thought 'You aren't so perfect, are you?' She placed the point to her chest, in the exact location where the center of her heart would be. Arching her head back slightly she took a deep breath and released it, closing her eyes for a moment and she shook off the fear, 'Quick and sure, Pazyryk, don't think about it more than you already have', she swallowed hard though her mouth was dry and with a swift movement she pierced her flesh, driving the point in deep passing into the bone like butter, the metal made so that it would not break them to pieces. Just as she felt that it was going right into its intended target her breathing stopped, her eyes glazing over and her body shook a bit, fingers gripping the stone table. Ultimately, she was unable to see the deep and brilliantly red colored liquid pour into the chalice from her body, and then she began to feel nothing as the world around her went black.
Jora's breath caught in her chest at the moment Alya's did, she swore she could almost feel the same pain her Queen did when the knife first went in, but because Navarre made no movement she stood fast also. She shook slightly watching as the blood went from black in the dark and red in the light, and her friend's pallor drain quickly. She wished she could have removed the blade and end it, but as soon as the blood filled the vessel she grabbed the knife and pulled. To her surprise she could feel it pull from her Queen's body; it was something she wished she'd never have to feel again, and then she watch as her Queen's body went lifeless falling backwards to the floor. "Navarre!" She stumbled backwards for a moment allowing the knife to drop to the floor with a deafening clatter before rushing forward to grab up the goblet so as not to lose a moment of the time they had been given.
The Elf rushed up, and in one movement covered Alya with the robe in his hands before scooping her up and moving her to a table. "Maeve?" To his surprise he was taken back by her lifelessness, he'd witnessed it many times before, but not like this, it unnerved him and it frightened him to the core.
The housekeeper rushed in, not allowing Boromir to enter before it was time, she'd told him there was great reason for it and not just because it would be best for him, but because it would be best for Alya. "This is for me, go see to him, go prepare him for what he's planning to do, Navarre." Maeve's eyes welled, looking over the young Queen who lay lifeless before her, cleaning the area around the wound and expecting to see it heal itself slowly, her lips quivered, but she did not cry. She just stood motionless for a moment waiting, but when it did not happen she shook her head. "She will heal." She nodded and kept cleaning, while the absence of more blood indicated the truth of her ability to heal; that alone gave Maeve a renewed sense of peace.
"It's done, Boromir." Navarre gripped the man's arm slightly. "Allow us to see to her then you can go in." He moved away when Boromir nodded to him. Navarre entered the room to find Maeve finishing up, "Are you finished?" he smiled to see her nod before moving in closer.
"She looks so frail." Maeve looked pained, tears stained her aged skin and her sniffling filled the quiet spaces of the room.
"She's lost massive amounts of blood, it is normal for her to look frail." Navarre tried to comfort the woman, though he wished he felt some comfort at having witness the act. "She would be happy to know you are caring for her so well." He smiled as she finished putting on a long shift which overlapped, allowing access to the wound if necessary. "We should make her comfortable, Maeve?" He smiled as Maeve nodded, draped her in a blanket before moving back and allowing the men Navarre called in for some assistance; they carefully lifted their Queen gently, placing her on the overstuffed bed, before moving away to allow Maeve to cover her with the turned down blankets.
Maeve wiped away the tears and smiled turning toward Boromir as he entered alone, "She's resting." She moved towards him, "She will be fine." Boromir nodded and sat in a chair Maeve brought over for him. "I will bring you food. It will be quite some time before she wakes."
"I am not leaving." Boromir smiled as Maeve curtseyed before walking out.
Covering Distances
The beast landed in a tree, talons imprinting themselves into the wood, just after leaving another small town in ruins, covered in the blood of so many it had feasted on, it sniffed the air and smirked, looking outward into open space.
"You've done well, my friend." The voice trailed off with a hiss. "But, do not falter." The voice trailed off into nothingness as the beast flew upward and then towards another town. This time moving closer to a larger town, without fear and with immense hunger; this time his hunger would have him terrorize the weak by taking out the strong.
He heard laughing from a tavern near the edge of town, his sense of smell pointing out a large man who everyone kept their distance from. He swooped down, looking into the window at the spectacle inside; the man draining one of many mugs that sat before him before slamming it down. Another man nearby following suit as the two men howled about something, a serving girl nearby brought them four more, only to be dragged backwards onto the bigger man's lap. He whispered something and she slapped him hard, getting up and storming off leaving the two men to howl again. The beast's smile broadened, showing his pointed teeth which he glossed over with his black tongue before ripping the window open and the frame. Everyone inside shocked and startled by the act, people inside began screaming; women and men began scrambling, fearful of the large powerful creature who moved up to the large man, ripping his head off and digging his teeth squarely into the man's face. He pulled back chewing on some part of his victims flesh while looking out at those who were frozen in their tracks, it's black lips peeled back into some manner of smile before he threw down the head and moved towards them.
Avalon
"How long before the young Queen awakens?" Gilmi quested sucking on his pipe stem. "And how long before we can use this potion?"
"Could be hours or days." Navarre took in a breath; breaking from several General's who stood in the room. The very words changed everyone's mood for a moment. "But she will awaken." Without warning a young soldier rushed in, his face was long with sad news; Navarre turned to him, "What news do you have?"
"A man travelling out of the west spoke of several towns now dead." The young man fought for the words.
"Dead?" A General stepped forward.
"Everyone is gone. He believes pieces and some blood were left, but nothing more." He looked down.
"Show us where." Navarre motioned for him to step forward and point to locations on a map.
As if she'd been in the room the entire time, Jora came in, "The potion is ready." Jora she set several bottles on the table, "Use those knives to allow the liquid to reach the heart, then light it." She pointed to those that mirrored the one their Queen had finished using.
"That's all?" Gilmi coughed out smoke, "Do you have any idea how we are supposed to accomplish such a feat?"
Jora shrugged, "I'm not the warrior."
"How would Alya accomplish it, Witch?" Navarre smirked, knowing how to get information out of Jora.
"She'd find a way to stake him to the ground, allowing the impalement and using the potion." Jora spoke as if it were nothing, much like Alya might have.
"You are not attempting to assist in protecting her?" Legolas question.
"She asked that none risk there lives going where only the dead go." Jora looked downward almost ashamed.
"She was right, Jora. She would grieve heavily if she lost those she loved, attempting to do anything she knew was impossible." Navarre smiled to her.
"Impossible?" Haldir questioned back.
"When one dies they are not so alert to their abilities in that realm, they would be a waste and open to being used by other stronger forces." Jora spoke plainly and without whimsy like she normally would. "If I went the Evil could use me again her. Same as Boromir, Navarre, any of you."
"Back to what we can do, please." Navarre gathered them again.
Healing Room
Boromir sat quietly watching Alya just lay there, motionless; bent over, forearms on his upper legs, "Just a movement" he whispered. He lowered his face, in slight defeat, it was long with worry when Maeve walked in.
"You need to eat, my lord. Keep your strength." She smiled carrying a bowl of stew and mug of ale for him.
"Not very hungry, dear lady."
"What would she say to that?" Maeve spoke like a mother at that moment, setting the bowl from her tray on a table near the worried man. "She would want you to remain strong, not make yourself sick." She followed it with the mug.
Boromir nodded, "Thank you." He took in a breath. "You truly care for her like a daughter."
Maeve laughed, "How can I not. She has cared for me like family, she cares for all Avalon." It made Boromir smile hearing it. "She will awaken; she has many to return to." Boromir drank down some of the ale Maeve had brought, before his attention went back to her, "She hasn't felt the way she does about anyone. Honestly, my lord. I doubt I've seen her so happy even during these hard times."
Boromir chuckled softly, "Nor have I. That I can remember." He frowned slightly. "I just wish she would move."
"Before long you will be asking her to stay put, but just remember her father could never make her, nor Navarre, so do not be surprised that you cannot." Maeve smiled.
"I'll look forward to it." He watched Maeve walk away before drinking down the rest of the ale, ignoring the stew.
"Don't think there will be more of that until you finish the stew." Maeve brought in some homemade bread. She smiled broadly when he picked up the bowl and began to eat, "Much better. I don't want to worry about more than one." She left to get him another mug.
"Perhaps some of that tea, instead." He turn to see Maeve curtsey before leaving him.
Hunting Ground
Soon there was nothing left of the village the creature had been in and he began hunting around for anything that might remain. He kicked over a large cart of hay, to find a boy, cowering after he fell to the ground, making the beast smile again. He began to stalk the child, watching with pleasure as the boy scrambled backwards; his enjoyment reached as the boy relieved himself where he shook with fear. The beast could hear the bodiless voice encouraging him to heighten the child's fear, almost as if it was feeding him to know how he suffered, and it spurred him to continue the cat-n-mouse game for just that much longer.
The boy panted watching the beast that devoured all those he loved had now made him a focus, he whimpered and threw the first thing he found at him, a bone that was left behind. The beast caught it, looked at it and licked it, sending the child into a panic and scrambling for a nearby home. The creature happily followed and as he broke the door off its hinges, sending it flying into the adjacent fireplace which had gone dark, but the boy instead of hiding attempted to drive a sword he'd found within deep into the creatures chest.
"Devour him." The disembodied voice seemed gleeful.
The creature let out a howl and broke off the sword, pulling out what was still imbedded in his chest; the hole closing itself. The boy in complete fear now fell to the floor, the fear nearly striking him dead, unfortunately for him, it didn't and that's when the beast took over to finish what the terror did not.
The tiny feast should have been the most enjoyable, but the master was no longer there, the beast sniffing the air for him, he even seemed dejected when he couldn't hear his roaring approval.
Doorway Between
Alya woke, her breath visible, pinching her eyes closed for a moment she was able to focus before jumping to her feet. Her eyes now wide, her heart racing, looking down she could see earthen-style skins in place of her normal refined attire, she wore a tight whale-boned bodice covered in the same skins. 'How did I get here?' Her memory refused to give her answers, 'There was no alignment.' She straightened up, 'I died. How?' She looked around.
'The Evil. Don't you remember, Natalya?' An older man came forward.
'Father?' She moved forward, 'How did you…?' She got within inches before backing away. She looked around grabbing up a large stick, bark rotting off to the forest floor.
'Who are you?'
'You can see for yourself, child.' The man moved towards her, only to duck a swipe at his head.
'My father was taken to the Hunting Grounds, he earned the right to remain with his family, as did my brothers. You could NOT be him.' She readied a new swing.
The man chuckled, 'You trust your instinct well, girl.' The man became an elderly woman with several flowing layers of dress.
'Namia?' Alya smiled, 'Great ancestor' she bowed, humbling herself to the forest floor.
'Rise up. You are a Queen.' The woman lent a hand to her descendant, who gratefully took it to right herself.
'Days I wish I weren't'.
'And there's the truth of it. Walk with me and remain safe.' She did as requested, the mists forming around her feet and clouding where she'd been. 'You have found the one you've chosen?'
'I think so, if he'll…'
'He will. That much I have seen.' She stopped a moment, turning to her. 'You must understand though, as must he, that all things come at a high price.' It was off putting to hear what Alya knew to be true.
'I should dissuade…' She was hushed.
'You believe you could? His heart has remained the same, it's just chosen a new passion to follow blindly. Fortunately, this choice is not as one-sided as the last. A kingdom is a hard love, for it is fickle.' The comment brought a smile to Alya's face. 'Your father could not be dissuaded, your ancestors tried. This time I have convinced them not to attempt it.' The elder woman separated from the girl before turning back. 'If you wish I will attempt it though.'
Alya shook her head just as the ground rumbled heavily, enough to take her attention. She moved the stick hoping to defend herself against the unknown.
'Stay close, he cannot see passed our defenses.' The elder woman stood close to her as a hundred horses, a rider atop each, passed them in a rush.
'Pazyryk?' Alya watched in awe, seeing the smile on Namia's face. 'I thought I'd never live…'
'You didn't, did you?' The elder woman smirked.
'I won't get to see the battle?'
'NO!' She was dragged by the elder woman who suddenly seemed to have an immense amount of strength. 'If you were to be found by It, you wouldn't even see the Hunting Grounds anymore.'
Healing Room
Boromir moved forward upon noticing her eyes move beneath her lids, with a smile he was on his feet and rushing for the door. "Guard, call Navarre, she's moving." He moved back, taking her hand, "I'm here, Alya, you just need to come back." He turned to see Navarre rush in, several behind him at the door, "The lids of her eyes."
Navarre looked close and nodded, "You should get rest, you're exhausted."
"But I did see…"
"I know, but she's still healing." He pointed to the wound he covered up. "It will take more time."
"I know, but this is a start?"
"Yes." Navarre gripped Boromir's arm. "Get some rest."
"I promised I wouldn't leave her."
"I'm not asking you to. I'm asking you to sleep, stay strong for when she does awaken." Navarre nodded, watching Boromir move to a lounge to rest.
Plans Formulated
Navarre moved back into the meeting room, happy with the latest news. "We have a mission and a plan to finish."
"Boromir would want to be a part of it." Gilmi surmised.
"No, he has chosen to remain with our Queen." Navarre nodded before turning toward Haldir and Legolas, "I want to request your assistance. Both of you." The two Elves nodded. "I would have given this task to Jin, I knew he could accomplish it, but since he is gone, I look to my brethren to complete it."
"Without others?" The men in the room were in a huff of frustration.
"With as many as can be vigilant." Navarre turned his attention to the men now, "However, an Elves speed is unmatched. They will be more apt to land the final blow and light the…" He searched for the word, smiling when he remembered Alya's turn of phrase, "light the fuse."
Healing Room
Boromir was resting on the lounge when he heard a soft whisper fill the room, it was enough to startle him upright, "Who's there?" He bolted off the lounge, looking around, ready for anything.
"You'll have to be faster than that, Man of Gondor." A woman in long flowing robes stepped out of the shadow, her voice almost ethereal. "To stand fast by her, you will have to be faster than that." Her appearance mirrored an older Alya.
"Who?" He saw the woman smile at him knowingly, his brow furrowed.
"You know, you just have to say." She bowed her head slightly.
"Her mother." He looked to Alya still motionless, then back to the woman who nodded causing him to bow slightly, but he did not move closer.
"Please, like her I do not require such pomp." She moved closer to him, surprised at his moving back. "This is a simple dream, so I will be blunt. You have to understand she is stronger than you might think and every attempt to stifle that will be met with her distancing herself from you."
"I wouldn't…" He shook his head to the suggestion.
"You already have, Warrior, otherwise she wouldn't have gone to such extremes." She waved her hand toward her daughter.
The words made Boromir stumble a bit, "I didn't…" He looked to her oddly.
"If it hadn't been for you trying to become so involved she wouldn't have plunged the knife into herself. She would have found another way to kill the Indaryo." The woman moved forward, closer to Boromir, her hand moved outward to his face while her eyes became black, but before she could touch him a strong sweet smelling breeze blew the vision of her away in a howl.
Boromir turned around startled, backing up quickly. He began to look for a weapon that was not there, "Who?" to fight a thing that did not seem a threat.
"Your savior it seems. You did not learn from your own foe that Evil takes many likenesses." A similar looking woman moved in, startling Boromir. "Even me."
"How do I know…?"
"Because I am…because I was her mother. Natalya, the same as hers. She is with her Namia, her greatest ancestor, we are keeping her safe." She came into full view, her hands up to show she's no threat. "I would have thought you would have sensed It was lying to you."
"I did, but…" Boromir halted when he saw himself asleep. "This is a dream?" His head spun with so many thoughts.
"You would not see us if we did not wish. Trust your instincts and remember we cannot be hurt, so fight."
Boromir nodded, "She will awaken soon?"
"When her Namia is done, she will be back. Please sit." She waved her hand to the lounge and moved with Boromir who sat beside his sleeping self, she was not in robes but pelts sewn together into pants and a muslin shirt with a long doublet over it all. "You seem so like her father you know?...and since I think you are I will tell you this." Boromir smiled at her offer, so she continued, "Fight her, if you rightfully disagree with her, do not just let her have the upper hand and do not let her use her title as a just argument. She needs to be brought to the reality that what she does effects more than herself and it will, far more than herself."
"I will, my Lady."
"Understand that she is as much a warrior and soldier as any you have met. She has earned the love people give her and she will give the same in return…no, she will give more." Natalya looked into the distance, a slight frown appearing. "I must go. Now wake up, Boromir."
Boromir woke with a start and looked around the room, finding only Alya laying still, he'd hoped she would have awakened when he did, but there was no promise of it. He moved back to the bedside, sitting in his seat when Maeve walked in, bringing some food for him.