Chapter 13: Welcome Home
I don't own The Hanging Tree, but you probably already knew that…
(Ally's POV)
I had tears to my eyes as I finally held Lloyd again. It had been 8 long years since I got to touch him. I knew the girls had tears too and Lloyd seemed to not want to let go either. When we finally parted, he still stood in the middle of his sister triangle. Me on his left, Mag on his right, and Crystal behind him holding his shoulders. "You're not gonna let us hit the kid," Kai whined. Lloyd flinched but me and Mag stepped in front and blocked him off. "Any of you touch him and I'll shave your heads and eyebrows in your sleep," I threatened them; clenching my fist to Kai's face. They all backed up and just then came Nya, Molly, and Ben hopped off the Bounty and walked over to Uncle.
(Mag's POV)
I looked to Lloyd who was starring at Molly. I think he might like her. That's so cute! My wittle bwuther has a wittle crushy wushy! I'd only think that about Lloyd. "Now," Uncle said "Marcia Antoinette, Alicia Cantina, and Crystalline Emilia Garmadon!" My stomach just dropped to the building's ground floor. He used my full, real name. I never, ever, ever go by Marcia. I used an anagram of my first, middle, and last name. M A G means Mag. "What possessed you three to jump off the ship against my orders." "The want to keep the guys from giving Lloyd a broken leg," I said reaching for Lloyd's hand. I felt better once I had it. "Marcia Antoinette?" Jay said holding his laugh back. I looked at them with my eyes on fire noticing they all had laughing being held in their mouths. That left once I shot a sound wave at them from my staff and knocked them on their heads to the ground. "I go by Mag because it's an anagram for my full name," I said moving so Lloyd could move forward.
We took Lloyd to a room and Uncle read him the story 'Why Jack the Rabbit Never Trusts a Snake.'
(Cole's POV)
I don't believe this! We train all day for talking and he holds a school hostage and releases three serpentine tombs and gets a warm bed and a story!
(Mag's POV)
"And that is why Jack the rabbit never trusts a snake," Uncle finished the book. "Wow, if dad had read me that book I would have never made that mistake. Thank you Uncle, and thank you girls." I rubbed his hair and Ally kissed his fore head. "Don't worry Lloyd. I'm sure if your father was still here, it would be the first thing he'd do." Uncle walked out of the room and we were about to follow. "Girls," Lloyd said. We all turned back. "What is it Lloyd?" Crystal said. "It's just; can you spend the night in here?" We smiled and walked back to his bed. "Of course we will," I said. Ally pulled up the chair Uncle used, Crystal sat at the foot of the bed, and I sat next to him holding him by his waist. "Now listen outside," I whispered. We could hear the guys complaining.
(Kai's POV)
"What the heck Sensei?" Jay yelled. "Yeah, we had to train all day and he gets read a bed time story?" Cole agreed. "That reminds me," Sensei says "why are you all not training still? Have you found the answer to my riddle?" "Ughh, no Sensei. We still don't know what the best way to defeat your enemy is," I said. Then Mag walked out of the room and looked at us. "Can I tell them Uncle?" she said. "Go ahead Mag," he replied. "The best way to defeat your enemy is to make them your friend." "Oh," we all said in unison. She continued down the hall to her, her sisters', and Molly's room.
(Mag's POV)
I got in the room to see Molly getting to bed. "Hey Molly," I said. "Hi,"she smiled. I reached for my guitar by the desk and strapped it around me. "You wanna come with me to Lloyd's room to play music?" Her eyes brightened up. "Sure, just let me change." "Alright," I said. I waited outside the door for her to come out. She walked out in an orange strap night dress to her knees with a bright yellow sun on it. "Cute. You trying to impress my brother?" She blushed a deep red. I giggled and we walked to Lloyd's room. "I got the guitar," I said waving my guitar back and forth in the air. The girls cheered and Lloyd noticed Molly. "Lloyd, this is Molly. She's the ninja of light," I said. I sat back on the bed and Molly sat on the floor. "Now my sistas, what song should I sing?" I asked them. "The Hanging Tree!" cheered Crystal. "Alright, The Hanging Tree it is then. Now performing, the ninja of sound."
The Hanging Tree
Are you, are you
Coming to the tree
Where they strung up a man they say murdered three?
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it seem
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree.
Are you, are you
Coming to the tree
Where the dead man called out for his love to flee?
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it seem
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree.
Are you, are you
Coming to the tree
Where I told you to run, so we'd both be free?
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it seem
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree.
Are you, are you
Coming to the tree
Wear a necklace of rope, side by side with me...
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it seem
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree.
END OF SONG
I put my guitar down and noticed Lloyd asleep. I smiled and noticed Molly sleeping on the floor too. I looked to see my sisters sleeping as well. I set my guitar on the floor and curled up with Lloyd and wet to sleep.