Disclaimer: Lost Girl belongs to Showcase or SYFY and I am only playing in their universe.
A/N: My apologies for not posting sooner. Life interferes with fun once again and I am afraid my posting schedule will be slowed to once a week. Thanks for all the comments about Hilde and the last battle. This chapter just kept growing; it is my hope that it sets up the push to the end still several chapters away. Thanks so much for all the interest in this story. From the initial readers and reviewers to those who have just joined us, I send you my sincere appreciation for your kind words.
Bruce held his hand out and waited for Hilde to get closer. She had made short work of the mob that was attacking the shack. As she approached the ogre, her eyes began to fade back to normal losing the ruby glow that accompanied the calling of her power. She grasped the hand he offered in support with a smile. The big man pulled her into his side and directed her into the house without a second look at the others who were still trying to figure out what they had just witnessed.
Dyson, Kenzi and Hale were shooting looks to one another as they stood in front of the shack. It was safe to say they were all shaken by what had taken place. Dyson, who had return despite his injuries, looked at the overturned cars, scorch marks, puddles of slime and dying flames that dotted the landscape and couldn't imagine what had caused such damage. Hale and Kenzi had been a major part of the battle and done their part but Hilde had…., well there just weren't words for some of the things the hag had done in their defense. But when Trick, the Blood King, knelt in front of Hilde in homage it had blown everyone's mind.
They were watching Trick who was still kneeling on the ground. The man looked to have too many thoughts running though his head to move. Kenzi finally whispered not so quietly and to no one in particular, "Is he stuck?" The strangeness was broken with her words and Hale started to laugh in relief. He moved off the steps and placed a hand on Trick's shoulder. "Need some help up?" he offered. Dyson shook his head and then placed a tired, heavy arm around Kenzi and leaned over kissing the top of her head. They walked over to Trick and Hale to get some type of explanation.
Hale's hand on his shoulder brought Trick back to the here and now, but he still could not believe his own eyes. The hag who had been standing in front of him just moments ago was Hildegard the Sorrow, daughter of Abelard the Grand. Trick's mind swam with history. She was the rebel daughter of a First Fae. The woman was a being of mythic status. Once to his feet he looked to the others in utter confusion. "Trick do you know Hilde?" asked Kenzi. Trick eyes widened at the very casual way Kenzi addressed the fae.
"Do I know her? Do I know her? Normal fae do not know Hildegard the Sorrow. She is…..she is…. That was Hildegard the Sorrow, daughter of Abelard the Grand." Trick was stammering and half way yelling. Kenzi raised an eyebrow. Hale and Dyson heads snapped up and they looked almost as shook up as Trick now. The Ash of the Light got control of himself and then began talking in that, 'don't you people know anything about fae history' voice totally forgetting that Kenzi was a human. This time instead of the slow, nurturing lecture voice, it was like he was on fast forward.
"Hildegard the Just, as she was called, betrayed her Father Abelard who wished her to embrace his warlike nature and his fae against fae beliefs. She had refused to stand by as he and the some of the other First Fae..."
Seeing Kenzi's questioning eyes Trick added, "Oldest fae recorded." She smiled and nodded her thanks for the explanation.
Trick continued, "She refused to stand by quietly as her father and the some of the other First Fae began organizing less powerful or younger fae into classes like upper and under fae. As time went by the First Fae started to speak out against humans too. Emphasizing their inferiority and how we should separate ourselves from this weaker species. Hildegard then openly rebelled and began speaking her mind freely against what she called monstrous crimes to a balanced way of life." Trick took a quick breath.
"There was a huge scandal," he said in a whisper, "and the First Fae elders punished her for standing against them. They stripped Hildegard of her powers in a public reprimand. Think torture session, I was very young and still remember it vividly. She was sentenced to wander the world alone and powerless. She was used as an example to all that might speak up in opposition to the elders. When her name was brought up at court she was only referred to as Her Father's Sorrow for failing to live up to his expectations and shaming her family. Over time her name was permanently altered, dropping the Just, and changing to it Hildegard the Sorrow." Trick got quiet then continued at his rapid pace.
"Instead of fading away and dying, the woman overcame the limitations the elders had placed on her and flourished. She returned, her powers renewed, after only ten years as strong as or stronger than before. Having survived their punishment, Hildegard became a thorn in the side of all fae authority, especially her father. She became a hero to those who found themselves oppressed by the class structure. Hildegard fought to change the tiered system of life the fae had fallen into. She worked to create a more accepting society. The First Fae were too powerful and over time most fae began to embrace the divided way of life." Trick swallowed as if thinking back on a memory. The group knew that he became a leader of the fae heavily influenced by the class system of thinking. Did he regret it?
Trick continued, "As time moved on we, the various leaders of fae, fought her interference calling her ideals unrealistic. One day she just allowed fae society to move on without her. She stepped away saying it was too painful to see how we all treated one another and how we had weakened our race with our prejudice. The rumors and the stories of her exploits lived on but all most fae know of her nowadays is that she stood up to authority and won, a successful underdog of epic proportions. Those of us older fae, we look back and know we should have been more attentive to her teachings."
Hale and Dyson were standing opened mouthed. The hag seated in Bo and Kenzi's living room was the ultimate fae badgirl of all time. Kenzi opened her mouth then closed it and then finally said, "Okay, good to know." Turning and running into the house, the little druid yelled, "Hey Hilde, didn't know you were a flipping rock star." The hag looked up from the couch and just smiled, the two women high fived as Kenzi moved to sit on the other side of Bruce. The girl had an uncanny ability to process information and then focus on what was currently most important. Right now that was Lauren and Bo. The others stumbled in behind Kenzi and looked totally ill at ease as they stared at the Hag on the couch.
Hilde let out a soft growl as she took in the three men. Finally she said, "Fitzpatrick McCorrigan, Blood Sage of the Clan Finarvin, I'm going to call you Trick and you are going to call me Hilde, understand child?" Trick bowed and Hilde rolled her eyes. "Wolf and…." She looked to the bar keep.
"Hale" he said.
"Wolf and Hale, as Kenzi would say 'we all good'?" Hilde asked. Dyson grinned and leaned over and kissed her cheek. She let out a humph but smiled, "Cheeky devil." Bruce straightened and pulled her closer to him. That made Hilde giggle and she patted his arm. Turning to Hale, he just nodded in response wondering how the hell he kept getting into these situations.
"Okay," there was finality to Hilde's word that let everyone know they were moving forward. Hilde's voice crackled, "I assume the sick and hurting child in the bed upstairs is Bo. Now I want to know where Lauren is." The zealous recounts of the night's adventures hit Bruce and Hilde like a wave. Hilde's eyes flared bright red and silence filled the room, she pointed at Hale. "Please continue."
"Evony took her as a bounty and is holding her until she can be brought to trial." said the siren.
"Thank you," said Hilde appreciating the quick, short yet informative response. Hale went to tip is hat forgetting for the hundredth time it had been burned to a crisp. The hag adjusted herself to stand but Bruce stopped her keeping her seated on the couch.
Bruce cleared his throat and stood, "I've got this one, if you all will excuse me. I will go retrieve Lauren before Evony does something stupid." The people in the room shifted making to join him. He paused and motioned them to sit, "Thank you but your help is really not necessary, I worked for the woman for years and have an idea where Lauren is being kept. You all look a bit too…. light fae to get through the door." he smiled.
"Baby you can't go in there alone." said Hilde sounding very much the worried girlfriend instead of the uberfae that had just defeated a mob of attackers. The others in the room stopped breathing for just a second. "Baby? Did she just call him Baby?" passed through just about everyone's mind.
"Sweetheart, I would need someone who will follow instruction to the letter and I just…" Bruce was saying.
Hale raised a hand catching the eye of the couple, "If it is just instruction followers you need, I have a couple of guys who can meet you. They are good workers, but not really fighters. They follow instructions to the letter as long as you explain what you need in detail." Hale held up his phone in an offer to start dialing.
"It would make me feel better," said Hilde and Bruce nodded to Hale to make the call and gave him the address of Evony's estate. Dyson led Hilde and Trick to the kitchen for a bite and Kenzi followed her buddy Bruce to the door and held it open, she popped him on the butt as he walked by, "Later Baby and be safe." He blushed and she laughed as she watched him go. There was no question in the house that Bruce would bring the doctor home safely.
Bruce waited only about five minutes before he saw the two little goblins making their way up the walk. He grinned Bruce loved working with goblins. They were very genuine, down to earth folk. He held out a big hand and the two men took and shook it vigorously in turn. "I'm Ed and this is Ted my brother. We work at the Dal and like it very much."
"Glad to hear it, I'm Bruce. Thanks for your assistance and don't worry you will be returning to your work at the Dal at the end of the evening." The ogre saw the look of relief on the two little guys' faces. He knew that they had mentioned the Dal in hopes that the ogre was not taking them away on a permanent basis. Hale's offer to have them help was most likely perceived as an order to obey instead of a request they could have refused. Most light fae didn't really understand what life as a under fae was like. The big man continued, "We are going to rescue a friend of mine being held against her will. Dr. Lauren Lewis. Do you still want to help?"
The two little goblins considered this for a moment. "Oh, that would be the nice cat lady we met when she killed our witch. I heard people talking about what happened outside the treaty celebration party before Hale called." The small goblin was quiet for a moment and then added, "Lauren's a nice name for a cat lady." said Ed to Ted who nodded in agreement.
"Well she did scare us a bit but didn't try to kill us and she got us away from our witch," Ted replied. After another moment of thought they both decided it would be a splendid idea to help out with the rescue. "What would you like us to do?" the brothers responded in harmony. Bruce grinned and started to share his plan.
Bruce knew that Evony would be treating herself to a nice pampering session after her successful capture of Lauren. The former Morrigan was a creature of habit and would be celebrating in her spa. Bruce counted on it. The three men entered the estate through the staff entrance and moved with purpose through the hallways. With the ogre in the lead, their presence did not turn any heads. Various fae came and went in Evony's service so the fact Bruce had been gone for a while was not a problem.
On the third floor they ducked into a service room filled with towels, bottles of every shape and size, white uniforms that looked like medical scrubs, and shelving full of pouches of Evony's supply of powerful beauty products.
Bruce went through the clothing and found two uniforms that would fit his helpers. He handed them over and then turned to allow the goblins to change. "These are very nice." said Ed giving himself a once over in the mirror. "Do you think Evony would mind if we kept them?"
Bruce smiled, "I think she would be happy to let you have them." The little guys were very pleased as the folded their clothes and placed them in a bag the ogre found on the shelves. Bruce continued, "Okay Evony is going to be in the spa about three doors down. You need to keep her happy until I can get Lauren out of here. If she leaves she will want to play with her newest distraction, Lauren, and that won't be good." Bruce started piling towels into the arms of Ed. "You two will be taking the place of her regular servants. You will not have to do anything but hand her items and serve tea. You should not talk because she will not recognize your voices and she prefers for spa assistants to remain silent." The two little guys nodded happy to follow the guidelines.
"She will be wearing an herbal mask that covers her eyes. If she takes off the mask don't let her see your faces. That is very important. If she does see you, secure her in the room as best you can. Then run away from this house as fast as you can and return to the Dal." Again they processed and nodded their understanding.
Bruce pulled a few small pouches from the shelves. "Make sure you listen to her requests, pour her hot tea when she holds out her mug and prepare her spa treatments with these bags. The blue one goes in her shampoo, the green one is for her facial mask, and the purple is for her soaking water. Pour the pouches into each item as she asks for them." Bruce was so glad he didn't have to explain how he knew all this information about Evony's spa treatments. The ogre's embarrassment made him miss the look of concern that shot between the two brothers.
Bruce continued, "She will want some time alone before she finishes. That is when you leave. Get out of the house fast. Use the same door we entered and then return to the Dal straight away." The goblins shared a look again and Ted tried to ask a question but Bruce held up a hand for quiet.
Hearing footsteps they waited for the doors to open. After a moment, the two spa assistants walked in right on time. They had been called in for a special session, good ol' Evony, nothing had changed. Bruce made short work of them, dosing them with a sleeping powder he pulled from another area of shelving. The ogre made sure they were fully asleep before pulling them to the side to keep them out of sight. Bruce thanked the goblins quickly while finishing up filling Ted's arms with more towels. He wished the two men good luck, checked the hallway he then pushed his helpers towards the spa room and ran the opposite direction to find Lauren.
Ted and Ed walk down the hallway with their handfuls of towels, Ed said, "Do you understand what to do?"
"I do. He was very clear." answered Ted nodding. As they readied to enter the spa he said to his brother, "Do you think Bruce knows that goblins are color blind?"
Bruce really needed Evony to stay happy and in the spa. If she called for a session with Lauren more and more guards would move into the dungeon making his job much more difficult. Bruce worked his way to a back staircase and followed the stairs down. His time as an employee had allowed him learn every passage way running through this place. Entering the lowest level, he looked for and found a utility closet he remembered. It was still full of tools, Bruce smiled as he picked up a big sledge hammer from the corner. He held it out and found it was well balanced. There was also a large pry bar. It would be needed if Lauren was where he thought she would be, a small metal cell to which Evony had the only key. Bruce removed his shirt and tucked it in his waistband. He used his belt to strap the metal bar to his back.
Leaving the small room he walked to the main hall way and started for the first guard station. There were two trolls on duty. One was seated at a table playing the knife game, stabbing a large dagger between his fingers as fast as he could. The other was leaning again the wall watching and looking bored. Bruce approached, the bored man turned to eye him with suspicion. "What are you doing here ogre?" rumbled the troll against the wall. The man at the table kept up the rapid stabbing motion never losing focus on his game. The repetitive thumping was getting annoying.
"I'm here to break out the prisoner." Bruce said with a sarcastic tone.
The troll grumbled an expletive back in his direction and looked back at his partners continued progress with the knife. "Don't be an asshole ogre, what do you want?"
Bruce had sped up as the troll looked down so when the ogre spoke again he was within swinging distance. "Told you once and I don't like to repeat myself." The troll looked up in time to meet the business end of Bruce's sledge hammer. As he sank to the ground in a heap, the seated troll made to move but Bruce knocked him back in his chair. Taking advantage of the troll's shock, Bruce grabbed the hand holding the knife and forced the troll to stab the blade through the back of his other hand, hilt deep. The troll went to scream but Bruce shoved his shirt into his mouth. "Keys now," the ogre rumbled and pushed the knife down making the troll squirm in pain. With a flapping motion the injured man directed Bruce towards his fellow troll. The one Bruce had knocked out. "Thank you," said Bruce and he slammed he troll's head into the table. Finding the key ring in a pocket, Bruce positioned the trolls in a dark corner somewhat hidden from view. He retrieved his shirt and made short work of the lock. Breaking the key off in the keyhole, Bruce jammed the mechanism open and ran down the hallway.
He could hear the deep voices before he could see them. Redcaps were the ultimate hired thugs. They lived for violence and money in that order. There were three voices that Bruce could make out. This was going to be a tough one. If he could somehow get Lauren's door open she could help but that was a big if. Bruce started running, they would scent him if he tried any type of stealth in this small area. This was going to be a pure brawl. The ogre erupted into the guard area in front of the metal box and the redcaps were already turning in his direction.
Bruce spun the sledge hammer as if it were a Japanese bo staff. He hit two of the big thugs in the forehead then twirled the heavy tool in his hands and let the metal head mass fly out smashing into the ribs of the third guard. Shaking off Bruce's initial strike, two very angry redcaps dove in the ogre's direction. In the nick of time, Bruce dropped to his knees allowing the men to miss with their punches. Bruce drove the big sledge up and a crunching sound accompanied by a groan of pain echoed as the metal struck home breaking someone jaw.
As Bruce stood, a redcap fell at his feet out cold. There was a roar of anger and the two remaining redcaps were on top of him. Fighting back as he could, they still drove Bruce backwards. He struck out, but they were inside his swing radius. He used the thick wood of the handle defensively holding his own with quick jabs to their midsections and faces. He was rushed backwards and his back slammed into metal. It had to be the door of, what he hoped was, Lauren's cell. The pry bar dug into his back and Bruce had to accept a great deal of punishment as he worked to free it. Swinging the pry bar free and he then stabbing out violently. Bruce fought with great skill giving himself some room to work. He had to turn to wedge the bar in the proper area. The redcaps pounced landing massive kidney blows as he turned.
With an enormous shove backwards, Bruce rammed into his attackers knocking them back on their heels. Jumping to the side Bruce kicked out with all his might striking the bar wedged in the door frame and bending the metal near the locking mechanize. There was a clang and the bar fell away without the door moving. Bruce cussed inwardly as he would not get another chance at the door. The caps were back again with a vengeance. They piled on top of the ogre in a frenzy of blows.
Bruce felt a rib crack and frowned at the thought that he had failed Hilde and Lauren. It was only a few seconds later when Bruce saw the men attacking him go air-borne. There was a snapping and scrunching sound that followed and then silence. Trying his best to stand with the pain in his side he felt a gentle hand on his arm and turned to look into Lauren's tired but smiling face. "Thanks for loosening the lock." she said and then positioned him for the least painful transition from prone to standing with damaged ribs. Once standing Lauren went to hug him but stopped in fear of hurting the big guy, instead she squeezed his hand and said "It is very good to see you." He just smiled and squeezed her hand back.
Turning around Bruce's eyes went wide as he saw that a wooden table in the middle of the room had, with Lauren's help, sunk roots into the ground and then sprouted twisted limbs that had enveloped the redcaps in hundreds of twisted tiny branches. All Bruce could see of the men were wide wild blinking eyes through the tangled foliage. Lauren placed a hand on his arm. He looked at her with a 'how did you do that look'. She pointed down and he saw the dirt floor and then looked up into emerald green eyes. "Apparently these men had a habit of carving into the table top with their knives." The branches seemed to move and tighten just a little. Smiling and giving a little laugh, Bruce nodded towards the door and they left the room. "Do I want to know why you are dressed like Catwoman?" he said and Lauren growled.
They passed the trolls who were still out cold and then used the back passages up to the main floor. Bruce found a closet and pulled a long coat out for Lauren to wear. They moved with purpose, hiding their battle wounds as best they could. Quicker than expected they were out the door and off on a side street. Bruce was the only one that could have free Lauren so quickly. Still they were looking for trouble. Movement caught their eyes and then they saw two little figures moving swiftly ahead of them. "Ed, Ted," Bruce half yelled and the two figures froze.
Turning they saw Bruce and smiled in relief. Seeing Lauren they did a little bow of hello not really recognizing her in human form. They had on their white scrubs and their eyes were just a little too wide. "Are you guys okay? Evony didn't see you, did she?" asked Bruce.
"We are fine." said Ed. There was a serious look on the little goblins face. "We did as you said. She had a mask on and never took it off. We served her tea and…."
"She wore a robe and sat in a chair most of the time. She told us to go as she went to get in the bath." There was some hesitation, then the goblin continued, "There might have been a problem with the pouches." said Ted. He was holding something in his hand. When he saw Lauren looking he quickly put it behind his back.
Lauren held out her hand, the little goblin blushed and then brought is hand around. He was holding a fist full of long brunette hair. "What happened?" She then saw his hands were bright blue. "Are you hurt?"
The little goblin said, "No, you see goblins have troubles with colors. We tried to tell you." There was trepidation in his eyes as he turned towards the ogre, "Mr. Bruce we wanted to make sure that at least some of the right color got to where it was supposed to go." said Ted.
Ed took over, "So I said we should mix all the pouches together. When her hair began to fall to fall to the ground after her shampoo," he held up the hair to make his point, "and when her face turn vivid blue after she wiped that cream on. Well we just hope we didn't cause too much damage." There was a shrill scream that split the quiet of the night and they all jumped. Somehow Lauren knew it had nothing to do with her escape. The goblins looked to the building in concern.
Lauren had to look at the ground to hide the pain she was in from holding in her laughter. Bruce cleared his throat, "Not a problem, Evony has people who can help her with any mishap, my apologies for not addressing your concerns before I left." The goblins looked relieved. Bruce thanking them again for their help, and told them that Hale would be giving them two more months of room and board if they would keep the activities of the evening to themselves. The goblins were very pleased as they moved off to return to the Dal. Neither Bruce or Lauren spoke for several blocks as they drove away then the laughter that sang through the truck cab could be heard four cars away.
Finally getting a hold of herself, Lauren thanked Bruce for the rescue. "I had a feeling I would not be held captive for long." She smiled she continued. "Hilde has to be here too. What going on at the shack?"
Bruce was about to tell Lauren all about it but his phone rang. Picking up he didn't say a word just listened and hung up about thirty seconds later. "What's going on?" asked Lauren as he flipped the blinker and took a right.
"Hilde wants us to meet her at her place." He was more serious now and he was definitely driving faster.
"Bruce, you're scaring me." said Lauren and he gave her an apologetic smile. "What's wrong?" she asked with a flash of yellow in her eyes.
"Bo is showing signs of waking up and the shack might not be a safest place for you two to get reacquainted." the ogre said quietly. The truck had turned into a neglected city park and was entering a small side parking lot. "We're here."
Lauren got out of the truck and looked at the rather run down sign over a fenced off area. "Old Town Botanical Gardens," the doctor said with a question. There was a rather large, "Closed for Renovations" sign on a ticket booth nearby.
"It's just a little home away from home I keep child." The crackly voice drifted over the early morning air. Lauren found the source and walked over for a big hug. The hag grumbled, "Yeah, I missed you too." The older woman pulled away. "I know you have questions but your girl needs your help now. I won't lie she has seen better days, but there is nothing that can't be fixed. I will keep the world away for a while but you, good doctor, are going to have your hands full." The hag closed Lauren's fingers around a key and then gave the hand a reassuring squeeze.
Lauren stood at the gate and watched as her friends drove away. She felt her heart begin to race as she turned, placed the key in the lock and stepped inside.