Chapter 2 Restoration
Morrighan's Tomb
Marguerite continued to struggle with her captors as she yelled for Roxton to save her, knowing that he would be there in a heart beat if he was within the vicinity (she could only hope that his fate was not as bleak as hers). "It is time to stop the storm you have drummed up Morrighan, when you perish the storm will die and time will only tell who will control the plateau!" exclaimed the leader of the chanting druids.
"Mummy?" These whispered words were uttered from the shadowed corner of the cave just as the leader nearly embedded his blade through Marguerite's heart. The shadowed figure soon raised its hands toward the sky and brought down a lightning bolt that made contact with the blade before it reached Marguerite's chest. Chaos broke loose as the leader dropped the blade as his flesh began to sizzle from the burn the contact caused, and his followers were shocked, to say the least, to see a disturbance occur to their perfectly set-up ceremony, that they did not react in time to stop the little ball of fire that hurled itself onto the high priestess.
"Mummy hurry! Get us out of here!" exclaimed Mari.
"Margaux?" asked Marguerite in disbelief.
"No time mummy, just let yourself relax, remember Bochra, just let yourself feel what is natural to save us, and get us back to the tree house, now!" urgently replied Mari in a more frightened tone than she would have liked to have displayed in front of her mother.
Marguerite's self perseveration and desire to protect her daughter drove her to comply; soon Marguerite was able to conjure up another bolt of lightning that temporally blinded all in the cavern. As Marguerite blinked several times to readjust her eyes to the light, and as her vision cleared she was able to see Veronica sobbing for her mother's help as the pain from the Trion was overwhelming her senses. Thunder and lightning had now joined the already dizzying storm outside the tree house.
Veronica was clearly scared as she yelled "Help me, I don't know what I am doing! I can't do this alone! Help me mother!" As if some greater force was pulling Marguerite toward Veronica and providing her directions to end the storm, Marguerite joined Veronica in the center of the tree house. Marguerite made sure to make eye contact with Veronica when she began an unknown chant, which felt all too familiar, as she held on to Veronica hands that held the Trion. As if she too knew what to do Veronica began to chant the same words with Marguerite, and then the entire plateau collapsed within itself. For one flicker of a second darkness descended like a black hole, then a small light appeared which soon flickered, sizzled, and then sparked into a pulse of life that exploded into a vortex of earth, people, animals, plants, and other things that are found on Earth. Then spit out into their rightful place, on Earth and the plateau, before the calm after the storm descended onto the tree house; and, in the wake of the storm two lone figures lay exhausted and nearly passed out on the floor from their latest excursion.
In The Jungle
As Roxton blinked his eyes once to void the harsh light that descended on the area not more than two minutes before, he realized the conquistadors were no where insight. He began to scan the area he was now standing in to only see the woods around him, but not to long after he heard the roar of a T-Rex not to far in the distance. "That is one sound I thought I would never be glad to hear!" stated Roxton as he proceeded to leave the area.
Next, find the others! I'll head toward the tree house and hopefully I will run into some of them. I really hope Marguerite is ok, I would hate to see what one of those ripple of times placed her. I can only hope that she was not placed back in that cave.
"What in tarnationnnnnnnn!?" as Lord John Roxton tripped and fell over a concealed boot on the bloody path to the tree house. As he stood to collect himself he realized the boot belonged to Finn. "Finn? Finn! Wake up!" he exclaimed as he got down on his hunches to lightly pat the sides of her face to arouse her.
Finn instantly sprang up off the ground ready to run from the New Amazonian slave traders, however, Roxton grabbed a hold of her arm before she could run off into the jungle. With wide eyes Finn spun around ready to swing at her captor when she realized it was on Roxton, and before Roxton could say T-Rex he was receiving a very enthusiastic bear hug from her. "I never thought I would see you again, big guy, and I am so glad to be back in this time and not my time! Phew, I thought they were going to catch me this time around, especially when I was knocked down to the ground when I was hit by their car," explained Finn.
"Are you alright?" Roxton asked as Finn released him from her hug and he was able to inspect her body for injuries. "Take a few steps to see how your limbs are working, right now from what I can see you only appear have some scratches that can easily be treated and bandaged when we return to the tree house," instructed Roxton.
Finn complied with his request and replied, "Just a little stiffness setting in but nothing like the pain that comes with sprains and broken bones."
"I take it that you were transported back to your time?" Roxton asked as he quickly began to head back toward the tree house.
"Yes, I was with Vee at the tree house when the ripple time thingy placed me back during my time without Vee. Do you think that Vee is ok?" Finn solemnly asked Roxton as the continued down the path toward the center of the plateau.
"I sure hope so, along with Marguerite and Challenger," stated Roxton as he continued to scan the area for the rest of the tree house residents.
"So, you and Marguerite got split up too?" asked Finn, as nonchalantly as she could, she had learned very quickly while living with the others that "the big guy" was very protective of the feisty raven haired beauty.
Roxton made eye-contact with Finn briefly and dejectedly replied a yes.
"Don't worry big guy we'll find them, don't worry," trailed off Finn. She wasn't sure who she was trying to convince Roxton or herself at that point. As Roxton and Finn turned at the bend of the path they saw Challenger up ahead of them heading toward the tree house himself.
"George!" "Challenger!" exclaimed Roxton and Finn at the same time. "You're alive!"
"Roxton, Finn you're ok, thank goodness! You will never believe where I was transported, to the future!" exclaimed Challenger.
"New Amazonia?" asked Finn.
"No, around 3,000 where machines controlled the world!" explained Challenger. He was about to go into more detail before Roxton interrupted him saying they needed to continue to the tree house in hopes of find the others there.
Back At The Tree house
Slowly Veronica became aware of her surrounding through all her senses but sight. She blinked several times to clear her vision, after all the Trion's light...her mother's Trion, she quickly grabbed for the medallion at her throat, and gave a sigh of relief when she found it was still there. That's when she remembered that Marguerite was with her when the world they knew folded in on itself. She frantically looked around the room and finally laid eyes on Marguerite's still form ten feet away from her grasping a small satchel. "Marguerite?" whispered Veronica on her first attempt to rouse her friend, as she slowly pulled herself up into a sitting position. She slowly crawled to Marguerite's side when she found that her legs were like jell-o.
"Marguerite?" a stronger second attempt by Veronica as she slowly shook Marguerite awake.
"Margaux!" exclaimed Marguerite as she shot up into a sitting position from her place on the floor as she frantically scanned for her daughter on the main floor of the tree house. When only the satchel in her hands where what appeared to be the only evidence on the main floor that her daughter was present and involved in the restoration of the plateau, she quickly tried to get to her feet, but only stumbled back to the floor when a wave of nausea took hold of her. She attempted to stand again as sobs began to rack her body. When Veronica realized the heiress was attempting to regain her footing she, too, stood, but when she looked the heiress over again she was stunned to see her clutching the satchel to her chest while sobbing her heart out. Veronica at that point didn't know what to do, so she just held Marguerite while she cried.
Within a few minutes Veronica felt Marguerite's disposition change when she straightened her shoulders and wobbled toward the stairs that led to Challengers lab and some of the bedrooms. Marguerite slowly made her way down to the lab and bedrooms while Veronica looked on at the top of the stairs with confusion marked on her face. Once Marguerite entered the lab she began her search for Margaux, but she soon found that the little girl was not there. She slowly ascended the stairs with tears streaming down her face, the only indication Veronica had that Marguerite still felt the sorrow she bestowed earlier. When Marguerite finally reached Veronica at the top of the stairs, Veronica asked "Marguerite, who is Margaux?"
Whether it was the sorrow or the exhaustion Marguerite felt, she answered without hesitation, "my daughter, she helped me escape the druids that tried to kill me earlier, then she helped me transport us here," which shocked Veronica, because Marguerite was very elusive with her personal life.
"You have a daughter, and she was here on the plateau?!?!?!" asked a flabbergasted Veronica.
"Yes," sighed the distraught Marguerite, "if you must know ... she was the ... real reason ... I was searching for ... the oraborris. The legend ... was that it would ... take you to the place ... you most ... desired, which to me .. was ... my ... daughter, the birth certificate was ... only an added ... bonus and the ... only reason ... Xan knew." Then she began to cry more, but then another pout of nausea hit her sending her to the facility in the tree house to empty her stomach of the morning's meal. Veronica followed her soon after with a damp cloth to apply to her forehead, as Marguerite continued to empty her stomach.
"Veronica, could you ... please check upstairs? Just call to ... Margaux ... see if she is hiding ... some place, please?" pleaded Marguerite. Veronica ascended the stairs as fast as her wobbly legs would go, and looked under every nock and cranny of each explores rooms, but there was no sign of the little girl. When Veronica returned to the main floor without Margaux, the solemn look of Marguerite made her cry too. Even though Veronica never saw the little girl she could only imagine the pain Marguerite felt over the loss of her child.
Veronica slowly approached the heiress and embraced her again. She had to know, "Why were you looking for her? Wasn't she still back in London?"
"Oh, how I wish that ... were true! No, she was ... taken from me ... during the war by my ... housekeeper and her ... husband. My daughter ... and I share a special bond ... where we can ... share each others ... feelings and closeness. I never ... felt that ... she ... was in any ... real danger ... and Sarah ... and William ... loved her as if ... she were their ... own granddaughter ... so it had to be important for them ... to have taken her ... from me." replied Marguerite as she sniffed and chocked back the tears that continued to fall down her cheeks. "Here on ... the plateau ... was the strongest ... connection I've felt ... for a long time. I even ... felt her waves ... of her ... love ... and encourage ... ment ... while I stood ... on the balcony ... alone each night."
"Do you feel her now?" asked Veronica when Marguerite stopped her explanation.
"Right now ... my senses are ... on overload, that ... I can ... not feel ... much at all, other than ... the constant nausea, and ... the pain ... in my heart ... of loosing ... her again." And with perfect timing, as usual, the elevator of the tree house began its descent down which could only mean some of the others were returning to the tree house. Marguerite wiped of her cheeks as did Veronica to collect their selves before the others ascended upstairs. With two plastid smiles on their faces they waited for the others to join them.
"Are you going to tell, Roxton?" asked Veronica as the elevator began to ascend from below.
"No, not right now, I don't want to answer questions ... when I don't know all of them myself," replied Marguerite with the last part said under her breath, but Veronica heard it. No, but Roxton's arms would be a welcome sight especially with me in them, because I don't know how much of this short lived facade will last before I burst into tears again. Bloody hormones that he helped contribute too, damn frenzied, desperate, love making in that BLOODY cave! Don't go there right now it's no time to be aroused Marguerite! God, I'm so messed up right now! On one hand I want John inside me so bad so I can feel alive, cherished, safe, and loved, but on the other hand I just want to run out into the jungle and scream at God for taking my daughter away from me again! How could I have lost my little girl again! My mind and feelings are so jumbled up right now. A good example of how messed up I am right now, is the fact I just told Veronica of my special secret, not one of my horrible secrets mind you, but the most precious one of them all secrets. Oh, if they only knew half of it!
The elevator continued to creep toward the main floor, of the tree house, and soon two male hats were visible to the two occupants, then the owners' faces plus another familiar feminine face with blonde hair appeared before them with relief written on their faces when they caught sight of the two of them on the main floor. Veronica visibly relaxed knowing that most of her adoptive family had returned unscathed, and eagerly accepted Finn's embrace as she jumped on the main floor and made a mad dash to Veronica before the elevator even came to a complete stop.
What was even more amazing, the open silent communication between the heiress and the hunter that spoke of their undying love and relief that the other was safe without it being concealed from the others (at least Challenger and Veronica); but, their was something else in their eyes and only Veronica completely understood it, the sadness and longing in one, and the need and desire to provide comfort and listen to the secrets that cause the other daily pain. However, like always the trance was broken, this time by Finn engulfing Marguerite in a similar hug she gave Veronica which startled the heiress out of the trance as she proceeded to return the hug awkwardly.
Once everyone had the opportunity to reunite with each member that returned to the tree house unharmed, all but Marguerite ventured to the table as she slipped downstairs to her bedroom which did not go unnoticed by the group. She returned minutes later without the satchel in hand, and took her place at the table, as Challenger began his theory of what started the shifting plains and what it all meant. Veronica and Marguerite shared a silent conversation, during Challengers rambling, that what ever theory or theories he came up with tonight would definitely not come anywhere close to what really happened, because it wasn't scientifically based, it just couldn't be.
Somewhere In The Jungle East Of The Tree house
"Grahm, ju...st five mo...re minutes?!" sighed Mari as she rolled over. What, the heck! What's that smell, why has the nudging stopped and why do I hear laughter now? Alright, Mari, no whimpering you are a big girl you can do this, suck it up, don't cry, I said don't cry!!! I know, I know, but this doesn't feel like the tree house, and it sure doesn't smell like it! Ought oh, no more laughing, play dead!!! Don't respond lay still, don't tense up just because the person is now rubbing you back, make believe you are still asleep!
"It's time to rise and shine little one. I won't hurt you, my name is Ned. I know you are not asleep, come on time to get up," said Malone as he continued to rub the poor little girls back. I hope her parents are near by, I would hate for her to have been separated from them when those ripples of time occurred. It was scary enough for me, when I came across the witches' castle again, and had to almost relieve that whole nightmare; I can't even imagine what this poor little girl has gone through.
Did he just say his name was Ned? Could it be Malone? There's only one way to find out! Ok, slowly roll over and open your eyes, don't be such a scaredy cat! That's it... When Mari opened her eyes it was to the sun light glaring into her eyes; but, as she blinked rapidly a dark shadow crossed over her face and a blonde bearded man appeared before with a grin on his face.
"That's right, I'm Ned, and I will be the person to help you find your parents," affirmed Malone in his most comforting tone. "Don't you worry you are safe with me! What's your name little one?" No reply, hmm. "Do you have a name?" Ok, I got something there a nod, hmm, I wonder... "Are you not to speak to strangers?" queried Malone and Mari nodded yes. "Ok, well no pressure, I'll just ask you yes and no questions for now, and when you feel more comfortable just speak up when you are ready. Ok, Shorty?" Mari quizzically looked up at him with a crease in her brow and nose scrunched up, but soon broke into a small grin. Malone took that as an approval to his temporary name for her until she was more comfortable to actually talk to him or until they found her parents.
"Alright, did you get separated from you parents?" How should I answer that? I know who he is, but mummy hasn't told any of them about me. What does Grandpa Summerlee say, mummy does ... oh, yes, she tells half truths!!! That's right, "a half truth is when a person tells only part of the whole story by leaving out parts," but it's not LYING because you are not telling a lie just avoiding the whole subject!!! I'll just nod yes, because it really is true, I am separated from mummy and daddy, won't mummy be proud because I can tell half truths too!
"Do you know which way you live from here, north, west, south, or east? Do you know who the Zanga are? I think we are about 4 to 5 days south of there?" asked Malone but did not get an answer from Mari. "Oh, sorry I'm a reporter, I like to ask as many questions as possible, so I can get the story quickly. Do you know what a reporter is? (Mari nodded)Alright let's try again. Do you know the Zanga? (He waited and she nodded her head yes) Ok, do you know what direction from the Zanga village you live, north, south, east, or west? (Mari nodded again) Hmm, north? No? South? No? West? Yes! Alright, well I'm headed that way myself, but first before we set off in that direction let's head east a little bit. There was a friendly village about four hours away from here before those ripples of time hit, because you my friend fell asleep in a big pile of dinosaur dung! And I do not think a change of clothes will be poofing out of thin air anytime soon." Mari looked down and scrunched up her little nose in disgust when realization dawned on her that she was indeed covered in dung, and no satchel in sight.
Malone extended his left hand toward Mari and she hesitated for just a few seconds longer than she normally would have, just to add the finishing touch of her "half truth" (because after all he really didn't know who she belonged too!). Then he turned them east to head toward the village he had traveled through before the running into her and the ripples of time.
The next chapter will be rated M. Thanks for reading!