Finchley blinked and squinted, staring at the same stars as Sable and the faces above her. Bursting into tears, she whispered "I want to go home... Ma, I want to go home. I don't wanna be in this place anymore... Get me out of here, please. I want to go home."
Xandilif nodded, picking her up. “Don’t worry babygirl…we are going home.
Nethrida lifted Catalinna’s unconscious body, shaking her head slightly. “She is smiling, despite all this. I think this is the first time I have seen Catalinna smile rather than sneer.” She looked down at Sablelinna’s remains on the cold stone and sighed. “Xandilif…we will have to leave Cat’s sister here. We have no way to carry her body out if you must bear Finchley and I Cat. I am not even sure where, or when we are.”
The Elleth shook her head firmly. “No fecking way. We ain’t leavin’ her behind. We take the Ninny back and bury her on Tol Lochul. Whatever else she did, whoever she thought she served, whyever she did any of it…she died one of us, she stays one of us. Anyway, look around. Problem solved.”
As Nethrida stared open mouthed, the walls of the ancient crypt seemed to fade into the night and they were standing again by the Norbury Gate before the ruins of Fornost. With a soft nickering noise Finchley’s horse, Destiny came trotting over from where they had left their mounts before being thrown back in time.
Xandilif sat the weeping Finchley gently on Destiny who neighed in confusion as Finchley wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in the horse’s mane. Galvra fluttered down, settling itself on Finchley’s head, but she didn’t seem to mind.
“Where the hell have you been, bird..and how long you been waiting?” asked Xandilif.
“Feck you” cawed the raven which made Finchley laugh even as she cried harder.
Nethrida pointed up. “Look at the moon…it can’t be more then a few hours since we found ourselves lost in the past. The horses all seem well, and the orcs we killed before are still smoldering.”
Lif nodded, helping Nethrida secure Cat and Sable’s body across the back of catalinna’s horse, Slingshot. “I noticed, what a smell to come home to…just like old times.” She looked Slingshot in the eye. “Listen up horse…no funny business, ok?” The horse ignored her but did seem to be trotting extra carefully from then on.
Nethrida and Xandilif swung up on their own horses and led the other two slowly through the blasted fields of Fornost towards Trestlebridge, bedraggled and very happy to be leaving the ruins behind.
-
Elsewhere, Gwyndolith, Dartanius and Nik would be standing on the ridge, looking down at the hosts that Aganalu had assembled for war outside Bree.
Aganalu, red robed and wearing the body that had once been Finchley seemed to speak in a normal tone of voice, but her voice echoed across the vast force of Angmarim, orcs, and trolls.
“Now begins your greatest triumph. Through the might of the Tribute Infernus and the strength of the One Ring which I now wield, we will put an end to the final delusions of Melkor’s servant. Angmar rises again, and now will rule the entire world by right of superiority, gift of sorcery and strength of arms. We have broken the mewling remnants of Numenor, destroyed the lingering vestiges of the Masked firstborn and subjugated the amusing sons of Aule as our slaves…and now shall claim Mordor as our playground, and Barad Dur as my personal capitol. On its highest towers, the banners and beacons of the Infernus and of Angmar will declare to all that Aganalu and Aganalu ALONE reigns SUPREME, MILLIONS serving me, and all who see it shall HUNGER for my sweet rule!”
The army began to chant, the sound making the very ground shake. “AGANALU…AGANALU…AGANALU!!!”
Nik sighed and looked up and Gwyn. “What did you do, stupid?”
She simply ignored the kobold and looked with concern down at Dar.
Dartanius struggled for a moment before finally sitting up. "We are we? Something is very wrong because I cannot smell any scents including yours Gwyn." Dartanius managed to stand back up. While not feeling like his normal self he was being somewhere better.
Suddenly a wind flowed around them and the sky seemed to change colors....to black to red to blue then back to the strange red streaked haze. As the wind died down they realized they were no longer on the ridge, but directly before the woman on the throne, each of them chained around the neck.” Gwyn cursed to herself. “More magic. Are you alright Dar?”
The man nodded ruefully. “Fine, but usually I like to take someone out for dinner before the chains come out to play." However Gwyn did not respond, beginning to panic despite herself.
Aganalu leaned close to the two...one hand petting Nik's head softly as the kobold sat next to her throne like a happy puppy. As she spoke, her voice had a soft, insinuating quality, as if creeping into their very souls. '"Spies....are you?'
The two were silent until the troll holding their chains jerked them. "ANSWER THE LADY, FILTH"'
The sudden pain forced Gwyn out of her daze "What?"
The troll lifted the chain, hanging the woman by the neck, the thick metal collar tearing into her flesh and cutting off her air. "Droog say ANSWER THE LADY!!!"'
Gwyn tried to grab the collar but failed, caught by surprise. All she could do was kick her feet as she dangled, gasping for air.
Droog turned to look at Dar. "Dogman answer? Spy?'
Dartanius answered the troll by simply spitting in its face. Perhaps not the wisest move.
The troll smiled at Dar, it’s teeth razor sharp and ragged. "OK dogman." and swung Gwyn in a circle by the chain, the woman bounding a bit like a tether ball.
Aganalu held up a hand. "Wait sweet Droog....do not kill it yet.'
The sorceress stepped lightly down from the throne. Dar noted again the hilt of the sword the elf woman they had briefly traveled with had carried, gleaming above Aganalu’s shoulder. A jingling drew his eye to her belt where hung many curious trinkets...half of a silver mask and four or five glowing rings, each on a silver chain.'
Aganalu stared hard at the helpless duo, her eyes seeming to glow red for a moment before she spoke again. “You.....neither of you belong here....'
Aganalu patted Gwyn's cheek as she struggled to regain her breath, her neck intensely painful. Dartanius remained quiet and obstinate, letting the woman speak and did not acknowledge anything she said.
Aganalu would shake her head. “Well, wherever you belong, I will say you are really quite rude and stupid. Droog...break his legs.'
The troll would nod and giggle and reached for Dar with his free hand.
Gwyndolith gasped for breath, afraid that Dar’s pride was about to cost him his life. "If you know... Then why not… send us back?"
Dartanius was unable to take any more and shifted into his bear form, roaring at the Trolls as he reached out, but he was still a bear dangling from a steel collar which was not even tighter around his throat.
The troll tilted his head in confusion, and then backhanded the dangling bear. Dar made a sound a bit like a large dog being hit by an oxcart and then hung limp from the chain, unmoving. He slowly reverted to his human form, spinning slowly at the end of the chain.
Aganalu did seem not to notice or care, just talking to Gwyn now. "Send you back...back where?'
Gwyndolith deadpanned, desperately hoping Dar was not dead. "Preferably back to our proper time... And... Your pet may have just killed him."
Aganalu smiled sweetly. 'Time...time? That is...intriguing....Tell me of this time you have come from. As for your pet, if he is dead it is his own fault. Nik? Snacks.”
The kobold nodded, “Yes mistress…” and brought her a bowl of cheese crackers.
Gwyndolith snorted softly "Tis quite interesting... You seemed like a decent person... This is quite the turn to be entirely honest."
Aganalu brightened, pausing to swallow before speaking. 'Ahhhh....you come from before I claimed this form. Fascinating.'
Gwyndolith raised a brow "Interesting..."
The sorceress froze, her gaze going from curious to deadly in an instant. "Are you mocking me?'
Gwyndolith shook her head briefly "What reason do I have to do that right now? Do I seem that stupid?"
'True...you do seem more sensible then your late friend.' Aganalu settled back in her throne and ate another cracker quite loudly. “Tell me of the creature that grew this body for me. I have been quite happy with it, save for the lack of bosom, but that is of little matter.'
Gwyndolith shrugged as best as she could, still struggling to breathe. "Can't tell you all that much... I knew her for... Maybe a few weeks off and on. I didn’t like her friends."
Aganalu sighed. 'If you have no useful information, why should I allow you to live?' She waited for an answer as if she were a schoolteacher giving a quiz.'
Gwyndolith raised a brow, thinking fast. "A hard question to answer... But why kill someone not actually opposing you?"
'Sensible...good....” Aganalu clapped her hands and ate another cracker. “Droog, feed her male’s carcass to the wargs, I will make the female a pet.'
Gwyndolith blinked a little and ran through her options before swallowing her pride. "What if... You had an agent in the past?" she asked seeing nothing else to offer at the moment.
Dar groaned in the chains and Aganalu held up a hand to Droog who stopped, now just bouncing Dar up and down like a paddle ball.'
The Sorceress rose again, and caressed Gwyn’s cheek. 'An agent in the past….I like the sound of that...how so?'
Gwyndolith glanced at Dar and swallowed hard again."Send us back... And I will do my best to ensure that you gain control, no matter what else happens."
Aganalu thought for a moment...then nodded. "Hold out your hand...'
Gwyndolith narrowed her eyes "No binding marks... I am no one's slave." she hesitantly offering her hand forward.
"You are TOO a slave if I say you are, silly doofus. You are in no position to bargain...unless you truly wish to see your lover here eaten alive by my warg pack...or crushed into a small ball by my Droogikins." Aganalu smiled sweetly again, clearly liking both of those ideas.
Gwyndolith said nothing in response, but stretched her hand out further, decisively.
Aganalu took the outstretched hand, and Gwyn nearly screamed from a searing pain in her palm. She jerked her hand back by instinct. Looking at her palm, she saw two reddish circles burned into the flesh, one inside the other. As she looked at them, they slowly faded.
“Now you are the possession of the Mandate Infernus. When you can be of use, you will know.' Aganalu nodded to Droog, who lowered the chain so Gwyn could put her feet on the ground. “It is so good when sensible folk can come to an accord.'
Gwyndolith hissed out a breath, after gulping in air. "Alright... Now send us back... Please."
Aganalu clapped her hands. “Of course….Droog...kill them'
Gwyndolith blinked a little. "Well... I suppose that could work..."
The troll took their heads, one in each hand and squeezed. This was going to be messy. Aganalu's voice cut through Gwyn’s agony. "Remember of your pledge...because I shall....we are bonded now, you and I....whatever happens, in the past or future, I shall live on in our pact.”
Gwyn heard a short scream and then a dull, wet pop and knew that Dar's head had just been crushed, an instant before her own gave way, their dead bodies dropping to the ground in bloody heaps before the throne of Aganalu.
Aganalu looked down at Nik. “Well…that was diverting, wasn't it. Lunch?”
-
Dar slowly woke....under the tree in The North Downs where they had fallen asleep so long ago. His head ached, but he was amazed by how realistic his dream had been.
Gwyn was slowly waking as well, butin the last moments of her dream she heard a voice...a child's voice, calling to her...."Please...mama....save us....save us...'
Gwyndolith shot awake and immediately groaned. "Is this what a hangover feels like?"
In the distance, they heard hooves riding slowly as Dartanius sat up and took a moment to look around.
A small group of riders was approaching...Lif in the lead, followed by Finch and Neth. Cat was laid over her saddle, in front of something wrapped in what looked like a cloak'
Gwyndolith took a moment to focus before standing and approaching.
Xandilif stared and snorted. "Where the feck have you been? I had forgotten all about you and the boyfriend over there."
Gwyndolith glanced at Cat before locking her eyes on Aganalu, or Finch, or whoever she was. "Give me one reason I should let this one go any further... It'd better be a good one."
Xandilif raised an eyebrow at Gwyn, looking down at her. "Seriously?
Gwyndolith deadpanned. "Seriously."
Xandilif just shook her head. "Sorry, day too long to bother killing you...tell ya what, kill yourself and say it was me, or come back in a day or two and commit suicide on my sword then, okay Squeaky?”
Gwyndolith reached for her knife "Your little friend here has something inside her, elf... Give me one reason I shouldn't stop it here."
Xandilif sighed. "Two reasons...one, cause I killed the one who was inside her, and two, because if you keep being a little bitch I may not have time to kill you personally, but I can always let Trouble here gut you like a Gondorian lantern fish.”
Neth frowned at Gwyn and drew her sword. “I will not allow you to threaten my friends."
Dartanius looked at Gwyn moving close to her gently reaching out to take the wrist of the hand reaching for her knife. "We can not punish one for something that happened in a vision...at least I think it was a vision."
Finchley reaches out and grabs Lif by the arm. She was still crying softly and did not even seem to register what Gwyn had said. "Stop, Lif... Please, I don't wanna be here anymore..."
Xandilif nodded. “OK, baby girl....ignore the idiot...I will find you something to eat in Trestlebridge. Maybe they got some of those cheese crackers ya like…”
Gwyndolith snorted. "I'd like to see the tin can try to “gut” me like some stupid eastern fish.... But fine... If I see any evidence of you being wrong she goes in a grave."
Neth steeled her gaze "If you continue with such wild talk you will face a soldier of Gondor. Threaten her again and I will put you down like the rabble you are." she scowled back. She was much too exhausted and sick of the place to be her usual polite self.
Gwyndolith bowed mockingly "Oh my... A soldier of Gondor, how terrifying. I do retract my threats ma'am." Gwyn was out of patience herself.
Neth kept her sword in hand and simply scoffed "See that you do... I have little mercy right now, much less when Finch is distressed as she is. Lif already said she slew what was inside of Finch and I saw it with my own eyes, that is detail enough and more than you deserve from the Champion of the Azure Faithful. Now come along, or stay here, I care not." she sneered and turned her attention away from Gwyn, dismissing her and riding after Xandilif, leading Slingshot.
Dartanius smiled at little at Gwyn. "Rest now...We can make sense of the things we experienced when we are away from this cursed place and can see what state our friend Catalinna is in."
Gwyndolith brushed Dar’s hand away "It's their fault we're even in this situation... And I don't have the patience for crucial details being left out."
Dartanius went to hug Gwyn. "Its no one's fault. We knew coming here would lead to questions and answers. Until we have time to think of the experiences we had we will not know if we got the answers we need."
Xandilif had continued riding slowly towards Trestlebridge, leading Finch's horse and making a strange noise. It would take a moment for any to realize she was singing to Finch in Sindarin. Those who spoke the language would note with amazement or horror that she was singing a children’s song about the adventures of a clever bunny rabbit tending a giant carrot. Finch, still sobbing, was hanging on every half-understood word.
Between sobs, Finch seemed to remember something, and spoke. "Lif..where's Nik? I want Nik."
The elleth shrugged. "Oh I am sure he will turn up eventually, he always does." Then she continued singing.
Watching the others ride nearly out of sight already, Gwyndolith pushed Dart away and made ready to follow, about done with everyone and everything. “All I can say is…this better have been worth it…”
