The Prophecy Chapter Twenty

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This chapter picks up several months after chapter nineteen, after the groups have all arrived in Magia. In the version that I divided up for printing this chapter marks the beginning of the second volume.


Chapter Twenty: Magia

Several months had passed since the groups had been on their journey. And the last group had finally arrived. Eldarion approached everyone.

"I am so delighted to see that you all made it safely." A warm smile was on his face. He looked around and then he frowned. "What happened to Celeborn, Celendrea, Tamitha, Haleth, Elrond, Elidin, Eldrid, Silverberry, Morduilas and Leafrunner?"

"Celendrea and Celeborn did not make it. They died from a deadly poison. Tamitha and Haleth have been injured badly and have been sent to the Rivendell to recuperate and possibly recover, there chance is slim. Elrond returned with them , seeing as he is the leader .Elidin and Eldrid stayed behind to give Celeborn and Celendrea a proper burial and Morduilas and Leafrunner took Silverberry home because she has fallen deadly ill and she is with child." Luthan stated.

"I am sorry to hear that, but I am glad that we have most of everyone here. Did everyone retrieve what was needed?"

All the groups brought their items out, except for Wesley's group of course. Eldarion nodded in agreement. "Let's start the ceremony."

The item bearers stepped forward and the rest of the group fell back. They made a circle around Wesley. He looked at Eldarion. "I am not exactly sure I know what I am doing."

"Just take the scroll and the rest will come to you."

Wesley grabbed the scroll and opened it. He looked it over. 'I can't read this.' He thought to himself, when suddenly it came to him. "Salna resder polin frena axco hinerai derzt ilkonum." He grabbed the chalice and the dagger and sliced his palm, allowing the blood to flow into the chalice. He took the amulet and then dipped it into the blood .He then took the amulet and set it in the center of the stones, taking the last of the blood and forming a circle around the stones. He placed the ring on his finger and waved his hand over the sapphire. "Here among the giants with no voice, the mage of silence must make his choice. For light or darkness, good or ill, much depends on the strength of his will. To summon the one of whom we speak, the circle must form no heart within weak. The moon makes it haste, let the circle be joined or the land be laid waste. We look for the moon in the house of the morn and within for the mage who was never reborn."

Aravan and Isethia stepped forward, somewhat by will, and just knowing they were supposed to. It isn't something that they could explain but it is just something they knew. Wesley walked over and sliced both of their palms. Allowing the blood to mix in the chalice and then he placed the chalice right beside the amulet in the middle of the stone circle.

Silence overtook the group. It was a silence that the group just realized was Kazusche making his choice. The earth started to rumble and a breeze began. Then after a moment a poof of purple smoke appeared. After it cleared, the mage of silence stood, in the center where the chalice and amulet had once been.

He stepped forward and walked towards Wesley. "I knew you would be able to do it. It is a shame that Kris was trying to compete. I had made my decision long ago."

Wesley looked at him dumbfounded. "You-You chose me?"

"No, I chose light." He smiled. "Whenever you need me, just search your heart and you will know what to do." He smiled at the group and disappeared with the same cloud of purple smoke from whence he came.

~*~

Kaelea looked around. This magical city was beautiful she had never seen anything like it. She wasn't used to all of this magic but it seemed that it worked much better than there methods on Minas Tirith. She walked for awhile lost in her thoughts. She didn't feel like mingling among the group…she still didn't know entirely who she was…this continent was her home and yet she was so unfamiliar with the territory, what kind of ruler is that? She stopped on the bridge and looked out at the waterfall, and welcomed the occasional sprinkle of water on her face and the breeze in her hair.

Fairin was getting off of his voluntary watch and began to head to the inn. On his way he passed Kaelea standing on the bridge looking at the waterfall, the breeze in her hair. She looked absolutely wonderful, beautiful even, it was as if her soul was shining. There was an odd aura around her but it seemed that it recognized its home. Was it possible that she finally found herself? He thought to himself.

He approached her quietly and placed his arm around her. "Hello, Dara."

She looked up at him, a beaming smile on her face. "Good evening."

"It's beautiful here isn't it? It seems fitting that a place this beautiful would be your home."

She smiled. "It is. But I am afraid I have never seen this country before, this city even. I was born and raised in the elven city of Gelan. I am starting to remember bits and pieces of my life but I cannot seem to put the pieces together."

"It will probably take some time for everything to come back to you. But it is easy to tell this is your home. I saw you standing here and I could tell you belonged here, on this continent."

She smiled. "I do love it here. I wish I could see my Gelan… If Magia is this beautiful I have to see my home. I have to see the other countries and cities. I would not be much of an effective ruler if I did not. You seem to like it here as well. You should see the rest of it."

"I plan to…once-once we have concluded the business we have here. A party will go to Gelan to learn the fate of the elves."

She looked up at him. "There is no need. I will go. I need to see Gelan anyway and it is best if I know what happened to my people. It may even help me remember things."

"I need to make sure your people are safe as well." He paused. "You remember that Eiron will be stepping down soon."

"That is coming up very soon, is it not?"

"Yes. It was a couple of months from the time we left Gondor and now I think it is less than a month. Two of the people in the succession have stepped down."

She thought for a moment. "Kaje and Gildor stepped down? When did Gildor step down? Does that mean that you are next?"

"Yes…it…does." He answered slowly. "I just found that out this afternoon before I took up my post. I said I would give them my answer as to whether I will accept tomorrow morning."

"Why not now? Are you not sure?"

"I was not expecting this. I have known about the succession but I always assumed that Talarin or his sons would become Coron. I am not sure I have what it takes to be a good ruler. I know I can be too quick to judge people."

"Yes, but I am in the same position although I do not get to choose. I have to learn as I go. Not exactly the easiest transition on my part. If you have someone to help you, you should be fine. I think you would be a wonderful Coron, but I may be a bit biased."

He thought on that for a moment. Did that mean what he thought it meant? "Maybe we could help each other."

She turned to look into his eyes. "Are you telling me what I think you are?" She leaned against the railing, her elbows propping her up.

"I love you , Dara. I know this is rather sudden but…my heart is telling me to accept the position and you…I think what I am trying to say is will you marry me?"

She smiled. "I love you too. My heart is glad that you want to accept the position and yes I will marry you. I would want nothing more."

He moved forward to close the distance between them, leaned down and kissed her. It was a bit unexpected on her part but she brought her arms up around his neck and returned it.

~*~

Lia looked around the group for a familiar face. She saw Karia looking at some clothing at the end of the marketplace and decided she would like to talk to her.

She walked up to her, "Hi." She said rather quietly, somewhat uncertain.

Karia turned around to see Lia. "Hey. It's Lia right?"

"Yes…I-I wanted to talk to you…I guess…I mean…"

"What about?"

"Well, you're my cousin and I don't even know anything about you except for what Angel told me. I wanted to say something back in Minas Tirith but there wasn't time before we left and I wasn't sure if I should say anything. Did you get my message, by the way?"

"What message? What did Angel tell you? What did you want to tell me in Minas Tirith?"

"Angel told me that you're a…vampire. And that he was the one that… turned you? And I just-in Minas Tirith I- well I wanted to say good bye to you at least, since we're family. So I asked Calyna to give you the message."

She quirked an eyebrow. "Oh…well I am afraid I never got that message. And yes I am a vampire and Angel did turn me but it was in order to save my life."

"Oh…So…what do you think of Magia?"

"I love it here. You?"

"It is beautiful. I'd heard of it before. My mother told me a little bit about it. Of course in the process she never told me anything about my father, whose name I don't even know. I'm sorry I'm rambling. I tend to do that when I get nervous sometimes."

"There is no need to be nervous around me. We are family. Your father was my mother's brother. And I believe his name was Denmil."

"Oh. Well just-the only thing I remember you said to me in Minas Tirith is that you hoped I be useful."

"Yes…well…I was in battle mode and I can get a bit…well mean. I am very independent I am not used to being helped by anyone. I apologize if it upset you."

"At the time it did. I guess it does take a lot of getting used to. I was sort of raised with this and you just kind of learned about it. Of course I was under the impression that it had already happened. I really have no desire to encounter Dantor again. I had more than enough of him being his prisoner for three years."

She quirked an eyebrow. "Yes…well I am sure it will be a piece of cake. Would you like to help me pick out some clothing? I want to dress the part, I suppose…I am trying to learn my heritage and you could probably help me with this."

She agreed and began to help her pick out the best colors and materials and the nicest dresses. They spent a lot of the afternoon together before parting. Both of them happy to have been together and knowing a bit more about whatever was on there mind.

~*~

Karia walked back to the inn to see Calyna sitting by herself. She walked over and sat across from her. "Hi. We should talk. I have been getting some vibes from you lately that I do not like all that much. I would like to know why you are jealous of me and why you dislike me so much?"

"Jealous? Why would I be jealous of you?"

"I have no idea but I can sense it. I'm an empath. Care to explain to me why? Lying to me will do you no good."

"What reason would I have to be jealous of someone who is being stalked by a psycho vampire?"

"I do not know. Why don't you tell me it is your emotion…Could it be that I am to much like you used to be? Maybe you just can't stand it. I have no idea. All I know is that you better figure it out really quick. There is a battle coming up rather swiftly and you will need a clear head and be able to work with everyone. And another thing, what goes on in my life is my business. Do not tell anything to someone else in order to get them mad at me. It just looks bad on you."

"You don't know anything about how I used to be. And I don't see how you can claim to. And I can say whatever I want to whomever I want. As for the battle, obviously we do have one coming up, but how would you know it's swiftly? Did someone make you a seer too?"

She laughed. "No. If you would have shown up at the meeting you would have heard about it. Luthan saw them preparing for war. Kris decided to hit us head on. So Wesley, Fairin, Kaje and myself are coming up with a very good plan. I suggest you start showing that you give a damn. Otherwise you will find yourself in a pretty little pickle. I would know. I speak from experience. Yes you were married to an asshole but you will get over it. What you had may have been love but it is long over. Just because you made the mistake of marrying him doesn't mean you can take it out on the rest of us. You can stop acting like him at any time. Instead o trying to makes enemies you should try to create powerful allies. If you are not careful you will lose everyone who is near and dear to your heart, and those who may become great allies, like me for instance. I am going to let you reflect. Just make sure your ready for battle and be at the gates before dawn."

"I already have lost everyone. My sister died after I had just barely own her. I don't even remember my real parents, the father I do remember went…over seas. And I barely had a chance to know him after I found my family either. Then Edric told me of my grandfather who I have never even met. And since you apparently know all about Kris there is no reason to tell you all that. The closest thing I have left of my family is his cousin and you are taking her away."

"So that is what this is about. Lia is not being stolen or taken away. She is just trying to get to know me. You would do the same thing if you had the chance. Just because you have no blood relatives does not mean that you don't have a family here. Everyone here cares for you greatly but it is not being given back to them, they can only take so much. With everything that is going on right now, you are not helping things. You should try to look at it from everyone else's perspective before judging a situation. Everyone has their own secrets and problems and only they can work them out. I suggest you do some soul searching with the time you have left. Find out who you are and who you once were. Then and only then will you be at peace." She stood, after tapping Calyna's hand in a friendly gesture, somewhat comforting. "If you need a friend you know where to find me." She turned and left with one last lance and a comforting smile on her face.

~*~

As darkness fell, Fairin stood at the wall of the city, his guard shift almost over. No sign of the approaching enemy was visible, but everyone knew why they were coming. And, now, he was involved in planning the strategy. Was that part of being Coron? he wondered. Having to be ready to lead the people into war? Having to watch people that depended on you for their protection die s because your plan failed, or you had made the wrong decision. For as long as he could remember, he had been a soldier, or a guard. He had often helped guard the Vale, and he had helped with guard duty in other cities he has stayed in. But now, he was no longer just a guard or a soldier, and he didn't know what to make of that fact.

Isethia had gone in search of Farinin, hoping to find him before his shift was over, since she at least knew his post. She stood a little ways away and watched him, afraid that within a few minutes he would hate her. After a few moments of silence, she said, "You look like you're thinking about something pretty serious."

He turned for a moment and loked at er, before turning his gaze back to the countryside. "I am just wondering if I have made the right decision, " He said at last. "DO I really have what it takes to be Coron?"

"I think you have a good chance, jarin. You just need to work on not shunning people before you know all the circumstances."

"You're never going to let me forget that, are you?"

"No. I don't want you to make the same mistake again after all. I am glad you accepted the position, and about you and Kaelea."

"Thanks. I need to congratulate you as well, don't I?" He smiled. "You know, I would have liked to seen your wedding."

"Well…we were originally going to wit until after the mission was over…but…"

"I know, you wanted to get married as soon as possible, because of the child."

"Yes. I would have liked to have had you there, though." She moved to stand next to him at the wall, and looked out over the countryside, lost in thought for a few moments. Then, she asked, "So, how was your journey?"

"Interesting." He replied.

"Oh. In what way was it interesting?"

"That is kind of difficult to explain."

"Oh." She thought for a moment, trying to remember every one had been traveling with. "Oh." She said again.

"So, how was your journey?"

"Well, I would not say it was interesting… There is something I need to talk to you about…" She told him hesitantly.

"What is it, jaian?"

"Well…my group had to travel through the Black Hills, so we had to deal with Isarak…and I learned something…"

"Isarak?" That name seemed familiar, but it took Fairin a few moments to place it. Isarak was the father of the half-sibling he had never met, but he had known about for years. The person he believed he had almost destroyed his family. "If you mean who I think you mean, I have absolutely no desire to know anything about him. Especially, if you are going to tell me that you have found out who his child is."

"Please I need to tell you this…"

He looked at her, seeing an expression of fear and uncertainty in her eyes. "Why? And why do you look like you're afraid of me, suddenly."

"Because I know you will hate me, once I have told you what I have to say. Isarak…is my father. And…I am your sister."

Suddenly he understood. The bond that had been between them since they had known each other. It had been caused by their shared blood, something neither of them had realized. But, at the same time, she was the one he had hated for so many years, although he had never known it was her. Then, he remembered earlier conversations, and the words he had just said. He had told her this before.

Taking his silence for rejection, she looked down at the ground, and turned to leave. He reached out, and grabbed her arm, before she could walk away. She faced him again, but not meet his gaze. He put his hand under her chin, and forced her to look at him.

"I do not hate you," he said. "You are my sister."

"I was afraid of you would hate me when you found out. You always said so."

"I didn't know it was you, jaian."

She turned and looked out at the countryside that would soon become a battlefield. In her mind's eye, she was seeing the approaching enemy. "I'm scared," she said quietly. "About tomorrow. I have been in battles before, but…this time, it is not only my life that I am risking. I am risking the life of my child."

"Everything will be okay. This war will end soon, and you will get to bring up your shield in a world of peace. You have so much to look forward to after this war ends. You are married to the love of your life, and you will have a child. And, you will probably have more children someday." He spoke these words in an attempt to comfort her, knowing, even as he said them that they might be nothing more than an empty promise.

~*~

The group had all gathered prior to the sunrise. They were all in their battle positions. Several minutes after sunrise the army became visible. The group was seriously out numbered. Karia and Wesley put up an energy barrier used for protection, hopefully it would remain impenetrable. Karia and Wesley were in the front as well as Angel. Wesley was already working on an incantation. Magical spells were used from afar. The army depleted but it was still not enough to do any damage. They took their positions and braced for close contact. Isethia and Faedra were shooting arrows along with Legolas and some of the other elves. They were keeping their distance due to their pregnancies.

Joich and Leareth led the army and were surrounded by inexperienced mages, they began to mutter incantations to try and get the shield down even if it was only momentarily. It was the only chance they had. Some of the members of the group, most of them, left the shield and attacked the enemy, even the help from the armies wasn't enough. They did indeed have the best of the best and only time would tell whether or not that would do any good.

Ria reached the army first. Immediately she was surrounded by all kinds of foul folk. Aravan came to her rescue and they began to fight side by side. It was very difficult for them to avoid scratches and such.

Angel and Karia approached next. They swiftly and quickly took out there opposition. Just when they thought they had gotten them down more came. They picked up some nearby swords of a few fallen orcs and resumed the fight.

Kaje was using his staff in battle, he wasn't the best fighter in the world but he was pretty good with a staff. He went through the crowd, his swift movements allowing him to get rid of the opposition quickly.

Legolas came out swiftly firing his arrows very quickly and very precisely, every target he hit went down instantaneously.

Gildor and Vanidor fought side by side getting rid of as many foul folk as possible.

Regardless of how swift the group was they weren't being very effective. They were still way out numbered and didn't even seem to make a dent in the evil army. They needed something quick.

Wesley was near the city, but he was outside of the shield. He began to mutter something; he raised his hands to the sky and then brought them down again. When he lifted his hands again, rocks lifted off the ground, he raised them before allowing them to fall on the orcs.

The team had been fighting mainly orcs but now Vulgs decided to join in. There were about 100 of them by the look of it. The group had to do everything in there power to avoid the poisonous bite that they had.

As soon as they got through with more enemies they saw Trolls approaching. This battle was getting out of hand very quickly. Half of their army had already been depleted.

Wesley looked out at the scene before him. Half of their army had depleted, and more villains were on there way. He had to do something quick before they all died. He closed his eyes and again began to mutter, a big green orb appeared in front of him floating in the air. He opened his eyes and the orb spread out into hundreds of laser balls, and they were heading for the vulgs and trolls. The mages saw the green streaks of power coming and tried to reflect it and divert it but to no avail. Wesley had all of the mages on his side.

Fairin was thankful for Wesley's help and he continued his fight. Kaelea was several people away from him fighting with a staff of her own and she seemed to be having a bit of trouble. Her dress was ripped and she was already bleeding. Calyna and Lia came to her aid. A sigh of relief swept over him and he worked his way over to her.

Lunea and Celebdhel were using what spells they could, and now it seemed as if the group was finally making some sort of dent. Most of the orcs were gone and the vulgs had been wiped out as well. The trolls were a little slower to go down but Legolas and his archers were working on that rather successfully.

Ghouls and their hell steels began to arrive; now they were really in for it. Dakkon stepped forth and began to decapitate ghouls and fight off the other enemies. He was joined by Karia. She seemed to have a few scratches and cuts but seemed to be doing well.

The mages gave up on working on the shield and decided that they would try and get the others down by using energy bolts and the like. Wesley saw this and threw up a reflective shield.

They tried to deflect this action but a few of the lesser mages went down. Gruel commanded some Urak-hi and Orcs forward as well as Lokes and Rucs. They all attacked in a very aggressive manner. The women were having more difficulty now and Kaelea fell down. A great swarm of the enemy surrounded her. Wesley noticed this and sent a helpful hand. Half of them burst into dust.

The mages gathered together and summoned their army of Draconians. 50 of them were now flying around and attacking. The group was now in dire need of something…Wesley thought for a moment and decided that he would summon some help of his own. He summoned 10 dragons and hoped that would do the job. The Draconians were now busy and were trying to defeat the dragons. Five of them were still running around lose.

A few more Vulgs came forward, and the mages gathered again, preparing for something. There was one dragon left and it went after the other five Draconians and eventually succeeded in destroying them. Afterwords the dragon disappeared to go where he was summoned from. Angel stepped forward and began to fend off the vulgs. He received a few bites but after several minutes he got the numbers down.

Ayon and Ayala were back near the city and were firing there arrows, some of the enemies archers had been successful and took out a good portion of their archers. Now it seemed it was just the 20 of them against 2000 of the enemy.

Aravan had taken a good hit in his thigh; he wrapped something around it and continued the fight. Vanidor and Gildor remained unscathed minus a few cuts and bruises.

The mages formed a circle and began to perform a summoning spell. Gruel commanded another 500 foul folk forward. The group then again became overly busy. Everyone suddenly felt a huge sweep of fear even the enemy as a Gargon appeared. There were only four people who have ever fought one and now it was focusing all of its strength and energy on the group. It stalked forth and was preparing to make a mass kill. Gildor, Vanidor, Aravan and Ria stepped forth. Ria distracted it by throwing a dagger into its knee. It howled and became focused on her. Vanidor stepped up and threw his sword into its neck. It howled again and fell to the floor. Gildor and Aravan stepped up to finish it off.

When the Gargon came Kaelea froze in fear. She had never felt such a feeling…why couldn't she move…then she realized it was a magical spell of some sort. The foul folk were moving out of this person's way, and it seemed to be a male that was approaching her. She tried to move but couldn't. Fairin saw this person approach her and tried to get to her…but was suddenly surrounded by more foul folk. The next thing he knew was that she was gone.

~*~

After the battle, the enemy had been defeated but there was now several things the group had to be aware of. They all gathered, and found Kaje among the seriously wounded. They pulled him to the rest of the group. Faedra dropped to her knees next to him.

"You cannot leave me." She began to cry. "We are having a child…now is not the time….please…"

He looked to her weakly. "It is my time, I am ready."

Luthan stepped forth. "You have a child on the way…now is not the time for you to die. Someone must go in your place…"

Faedra looked up at him. "Whom?"

"Your baby."

She looked down to Kaje. He shook his head. "No. I want my line to move on…my child will be born and it will have my power." He lifted himself up and kissed his wife, all of his powers transferring to her before his body went limp, and after a whispered 'I love you.'

Lia saw her father die in front of her, tears fell from her cheeks and she ran off. As she did she received his death rede.

She saw his spirit in front of her. 'Lia, my dear child. Take care of Faedra and your little brother in my place. Give them the strength they will need to survive. Ask Vanidor to take my place temporarily, until your brother comes of age. He will be ready before everyone thinks. I love you my dear Lia. Please remember me always, and try not to do anything in haste.' He told her as he faded away before her.

She hesitated for a moment, not completely sure why she received his death rede or that she could for that fact. She looked back at the group. Faedra was holding Kaje and crying, rocking back and forth as she did so. Most of the others were standing there, in silence solemn looks upon their faces. Dakkon came up to Faedra and put a hand on her shoulder. She bowed her head, knowing that they had to take his body. Lia turned and went back to join the group. She walked over to Faedra.

"Mother?" She asked her with a sympathetic tone, as well as uncertainty.

Faedra looked up at her. "How? How could this have happened? How can I go on without him? He is the father of this child and the love of my life…I feel like half of me has died with him." She whispered, as she looked into Lia's eyes as if expecting to see the answer.

She kneeled and took Faedra into her arms. Faedra brought her arms up and embraced her as well, tears still coming from her eyes. While Faedra was distracted some of the others took Kaje's body and prepared it for the funeral ceremony. She stood and walked over to the wooden pyre that had placed his body upon. She approached him and smoothed out his hair.

Lia stood and walked up to Faedra and placed a hand on her shoulder. Faedra looked up at her and smiled weakly. She took the torch from one of the nearby guards and lit the pyre. She watched as his body burned in front of her. She knew she would have to be strong and that her mourning for him would be short. She would need to focus on the child and her new duties…could she handle all of this? Could she be strong? She will have to lean on others for now, and she knows Lia received his death rede. She would probably be the one to stick by her in all of this. After awhile she looked away, not being able to bear the sight anymore. She could hear the others singing and it warmed her heart.

After the funeral, all of the wounded were tended to. Aravan sat down and leaned against a nearby tree. One of the magia healers tended to his wound. Ria sat down beside him, a bit of worry on her face. She had sustained a few cuts, one on her arm, one on her stomach and one more on leg. She wrapped some of the material from her dress on her wounds prior to the funeral. The only wound left untended to was her stomach.

"Are you okay?"

"Me? I would say that I am doing better than you." She smirks in a teasing and playful manner.

"Yes you are."

"Seriously though, how are you doing?"

"Well…I received a good sword wound. One of the orcs got me from behind and the sword went all the way through my leg. I have lost some blood."

"He will have to take it easy." The healer told her without looking up. "I am restoring it and accelerating his blood so it replenishes itself fully. But he will have to take it easy for several days."

"That should be easy enough with me here to pamper him." She smiled lovingly.

~*~

Karia was leaning against the city wall holding her stomach, sweat all over her body. She had managed to crawl to the wall but she didn't think she would be able to move. She saw the funeral pyre and was wondering if anyone would spot her afterwards.

~*~

Vanidor had been tending to the wounded, and he noticed that Karia was not among them. He took off and went to look for her. After several minutes he spotted a figure slumped up against the city wall and he immediately knew who it was. He headed over to her. He kneeled down in front of her and tried to figure out where her injury was.

She was feverish and looked as if she was in a lot of pain. She moved her hand and let it fall to her side. There was a huge gash in her stomach that was bleeding profusely. He touched the wound, she whimpered. He concentrated on the wound, a blue light submerging around the wound and feeling of warmth over took her cold body. He healed the wound but she was still very cold and very pale. Her fever hadn't subsided.

"Is there anything else I can do to help you?"

She looked at him through her slitted eye lids. "You have done all that you can do. What I need you can not give me." She said weakly.

"What is that?"

She hesitated. "Blood."

"How much blood?"

"More than you could give me. I have been putting this off for sometime and now I cannot any longer. Although your blood may be better than humans, but I cannot do such a thing."

"Even If I am willing to let you?"

"You do not know what you ask."

"I'm willing to take that chance to help you."

"Why would you do that?"

"You're…you're important tome."

"I can't imagine why…you must take me somewhere. I will need a bed to lay on. It will be an uncomfortable couple of days."

"We can go into the city…but…you must drink first."

"It…it may hurt at first but I will try to make it as painless as possible." She struggled to sit up and lean in. Vanidor helped her by placing a hand on her waist and one on her back. He pulled her up and pressed her against him to make it easy on her. She turned her head and found his pulse. Her canines extended and she pierced the flesh. The blood began to flow into her mouth. Very warm and very different from anything that she has ever tasted.

~*~

Gildor was going around making sure that the remains of the enemy were dead. He glanced up to the wall. He saw Karia drinking Vanidor's blood, and began to freak out. Why would she attack him like that? He started to walk over there, his pace quickening. Angel saw him and looked to see what he was heading towards. Karia was drinking Vanidor's blood. She would never do it without his permission. Angel stepped in Gildor's way.

"He is fine. He has offered it to her. Otherwise she would never dream of drinking from him. She must have been wounded pretty badly."

"He wouldn't just let her do that."

"He would obviously because he has. She doesn't drink from the unwilling."

"How do you know that?"

"Because I turned her."

"I thought you weren't evil."

"I'm not. I was saving her life."

"By killing her?"

"She is not dead. She is just not alive. She is undead. She was too young to die and I gave her a choice."

"By making her into a cursed one?"

He flinched. "Not all of us are cursed. We are vampires. The only bad thing about it is that occasionally we need to drink blood. Now I suggest you worry about that later and pay attention to your wife."

"What-what do you mean?"

"It seems my friend has stopped her from doing some kind of necromancy spell…my hearing allows me to pick that up."

"She did what?"

"I suggest you go talk to her."

Gildor turned and walked towards his wife.

~*~

Isethia saw that everyone was preoccupied. She decided that she would go and try to get Kaelea back by performing a black magic necromancy spell. She walked over to the battlefield and knelt down in front of the corpse of one of the soldiers. She looked at it and closed her eyes as she tried to recall half memorized words.

"Akoose me…Idou tois ophthalmois tois tou nekrou…Idou tous polemious tous emous tous me nun diokontous…Ana.kai lekse."

The soldier sat up and looked at her…he raised his sword and then froze. Wesley stepped in front of her. "Linde servas quantin deroui." He held out a hand and waved it over the soldier. It fell limp. Wesley turned on Isethia.

"What the hell do you think your doing? He would have killed you."

"I was trying to find out where they took Kaelea."

"That is not up to you. You forgot many verses to the spell and it would have gone wild and killed you and many more…seeing as how it is dead it can not die again. Leave Kaelea to me. You need to rest. You are very foolish."

"I knew the words to the spell they were in the records in Arden Vale-"

"There is nothing there but an account of what happened through someone else's perspective. You should have let someone else do it. You left out half of the spell…and it was the most important part. Next time ask somebody."

Gildor arrived and Wesley left them alone.

When they were alone, Gildor asked, "What did you think you were doing?" He knelt down next to her, the look on his face a mix between worry and anger.

"I was just trying something . . ."

"You were trying a necromancy spell. Angel told me. Do you realize what could have happened if Wesley hadn't stopped you? You could have been killed."

"I thought I could do it. I am a Necromancer after all."

"You might have the power, but you haven't been trained. How did you even know the spell? Did Isarak tell it to you?"

"No," she replied. "It . . . I found it in the records in Arden Vale. It was in Faeril's journal. From when she and Gwylly and Ria, Aravan, and Urus defeated Baron Stoke. Stoke was a Necromancer. And I really don't feel like being lectured right now."

He looked at her closely. "Are you alright? It . . . didn't hurt you, did it?"

"No. I don't know what I did wrong, but nothing bad happened. I just feel really tired."

"You should go back to the inn and rest." The expression on his face was mostly caring and concern now, but there were still hints of anger. "Do you realize what could have happened, chieran?" he asked again. "You could have been killed. Our baby could have been killed."

She looked down. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I thought I could do it. I . . . I didn't mean to put our child in danger."

He stood up, and helped her to stand. "Everything will be alright. Just don't do anything that stupid again." He pulled her into an embrace for a few moments, and then helped her back into the city, and to their room at the inn. Once she was asleep, he left the room, and went in search of his brother.

~*~

Karia took what she needed and forced herself to pull away. She gripped her stomach and balled over in pain. Vanidor came out of his daze in time to see her collapse. He kneeled in front of her and closed the distance between them. He lifted her into his arms and took her into the city. When they reached the inn he went to his room and placed her on the bed. Now he could watch over her and make sure she was safe.

Vanidor sat in a chair in his room, thinking and watching Karia as she slept. He was trying to understand exactly what his feelings for her were. He knew he cared about her, but how? Did he love her? He was beginning to think so.

A few minutes later, he heard a knock on the door. He got up and opened the door. He was surprised to see his brother there.

Gildor looked into the room, and saw Karia lying on the bed. "What is she doing here?" he asked.

"I brought her here," Vanidor said. "So, I could watch over her until she recovers."

"What were you thinking anyway, letting her drink from you? Do you realize how dangerous that could have been?"

"I really don't feel like having this discussion right now," Vanidor said. "I know you're probably going to lecture me, or something. Just because you're older by five minutes, doesn't mean you can give me orders."

"When have I ever tried to give you orders?"

"Well, I'm not sure about that, but I seem to remember the last time we talked, you accused me of being involved in our father's death."

"Yes, well, you accused me first."

Vanidor stepped aside from the doorway. "Would you like to come in? We just need to make sure we don't start arguing again. I don't want to risk waking her up."

Gildor entered the room, and the brothers sat down in the only two chairs in the room. "I would still like an answer to my question. What were you thinking letting her drink from you?"

"That I couldn't let her die."

"Oh. I get the feeling there's more to it than that."

Silence fell over them for several moments before Vanidor said, "I love her."

"You barely know her. You just met her a few months ago."

"I don't think that matters. I have felt something for her since I first saw her by the portal on Earth. She was so different than anyone I have ever known. After we had talked a couple of times, I knew that I really had some kind of feelings for her, and now I know what those feelings are. I think I have loved her at least since the second time we talked in Arden Vale, maybe even before that. I just didn't realize. I was too busy being interested in someone who was unavailable, and . . . acting like a jerk to just about everyone else. I owe you an apology actually."

"If you are apologizing for the argument we had in Gondor, I am not angry about that anymore. I don't know if I was ever actually angry at you."

"Well, I certainly wasn't very nice to you or Isethia . . . or Kaje."

"Well . . ."

"I notice you're not disagreeing with me. I know I acted like a jerk, and I'm sorry. I just wish I could have realized how I was acting before getting kicked out of the council."

Gildor smiled. "You'll just have to make sure you stay for the whole council next time we have one. Which will probably be soon. Although I am not sure if we even have a leader anymore. This battle has cost us a lot."

"Battles usually do. But, we will have a leader. I do not know who it will be yet, but we will have one. And, I think there will be a council soon."

"We need one. There is a lot that needs to be discussed . . . There is something I have been meaning to ask you. During the last council, you mentioned that you had met with our mother since she left. I was wondering when that was, and why she only saw you?"

"It was when we were twelve. You weren't around."

"Did you remember her all that time, then?"

"Yes. I just pretended to go along with everything. I mean, acting like Rael was our mother, and everything. And, I pretended I didn't remember, because I don't think we were supposed to, but I don't know who it was that didn't want us to know about her. Do you know that Rael is still one of the ones in charge of the Vale. Inarion is in charge while everyone else is involved with this war, and he has his sister helping him out."

A strange look came over Gildor's face at the mention of Inarion. "It might not be a good idea to have him in charge of the Vale. I don't think he can be trusted."

"Why do you say that? There were some strange happenings while the group was there, but . . . nothing to indicate he was untrustworthy."

"I don't know. I just . . . think I remember something about him."

"Like what?"

"He attacked me."

"What?"

"In Minas Tirith."

"Oh."

~*~

After being captured Kaelea tried to get free. His grip was too strong. They seemed to have reappeared in some kind of dimly lit chamber. There was a key click and a swoosh. She looked to see what the man was doing. Before she could she was thrown into a small area...after a moment she realized it was a cell of sorts. She had sustained injuries from the battle and it looked to her that she was on her own in tending to them.

"May I ask why you have captured me?"

"It's not your place to ask questions." He turns to a messenger of sorts. "Tell the dark lord I was successful."

"What is my place may I ask? I think as the victim here I have a right to know why I am being held against my will."

"Well I can tell you at least for the time being we need you alive. But that may change at any time."

"You cannot kill me. I am a Queen and you would be a fool to do so."

"You wouldn't be the first royalty we've killed. And your title means nothing here."

"Why me? What did I do? I mean really. I do not deserve this. And I certainly will not be easy pray. If you even try to kill me I will kill you first...besides I am sure that I will be rescued long before then."

"They have to find you first. And as for your threat to kill me, I'm not worried."

She sat down on the uncomfortable cot. "May I at least have something to clean my wounds? As well as something to change into?"

"Your hardly in a position to be making requests. We'll wait until the dark lord arrives and he will decide how you are to be held as well as where."

She pulled her knees up to her chest and leaned up against the wall. She waited for what seemed like an eternity before Kris arrived.

Kris walked up to the cell and studied her for a few moments. "Well...Kaelea isn't it?"

"Yes." She did not look at him.

"So...what did you think of the little force I was able to put together?" He asked her conversationally.

"Truthfully? Well, I am sure they are all dead by now, and were mainly defeated by 20 people, so what do you think?"

"And who exactly are these 20 people?"

"You know most of them I am sure."

"I know a lot of people, more than 20 in fact. Who exactly is among your forces? And who is in charge of them?"

She looked over to him hatred obvious in her eyes. "You can ask me until I am dead and I still won't tell you. I will not give you the ammunition you need to defeat them."
"I will defeat them with or without your information."

She laughed. "No. No you won't."

"Well we already hold the territory of Gondor. We hold territory on both Mithgar and Arda and are currently in the process of taking control of Arden Vale."

" A lot of good it does you. There is no one to rule, and there is no Gondor because we decided to burn it. We let you take Gondor."

"But every little bit of territory helps. It is territory that is unavailable to you."

"We do not need territory. Wherever we go a new Gondor and Arden vale will be. It lives on in our hearts and we have the power to lead the people. That is a power you will never have." She told him rather matter of factly.

"Yes...and what would you know about ruling? And as for your ruler, he won't be a problem for us no longer."

"I know enough since it is in my blood. I am a ruler, a Queen. I would say I know quite a bit. If you are referring to Wesley I would say you are very wrong in your assumption. I think you are making a serious mistake by undermining his ability."

"Well what you think doesn't matter. Already my assassin is on her way to kill him."

"I doubt she will succeed."

"We will see. As for your claim to be a Queen, what exactly are you the Queen of?"

"All of Thardaos and soon to rule over Mithgar as well."

"What the elves of Mithgar are planning to have a Queen now are they?" He patronized her.

"I will not rule by myself. I will have my king by my side."

"Your king?"

"Yes, my king. The man I am to marry."

"And who might that be?"

"You will just have to wait and see now won't you."

"Well I am sure I know him. I did grow up in Arden Vale after all."

"I am sure you do. But like I said I am not going to give you any information that will help you."

"Well maybe you can tell me if my cousin is among your army?"

"What does it matter to you? You have no more family. You deserted them when you decided to become the Dark Lord."

"I never deserted Cordelia."

"Yes, yes you did. You decided the wrong path, one she will never follow you to."

"I think you underestimate the bond we have."

"No I think you do. Lia is a strong-hearted individual who made quite a dent in your army. She is fighting against you, not for you. That in itself should tell you something."

"Yes she is so strong that she couldn't figure out about Derek before she um...allowed him to seduce her."

"Nobody is perfect. She has learned from that mistake and she will never repeat it. She has had enough guidance in her life to know which path she should follow. You may have meant something to her once but you are dead to her now."

"Guidance? I think you overestimate my aunt's abilities."

"I am not talking about her mother."

"Oh. You're talking about the people who kept us prisoner while we were growing up."

"Is that what you think? You have been seriously mislead by whomever you told you that...but then again that would be your problem."

"My father told me about your people and your true nature. And Lia will come to me. I am the only family she has left."

She smiled. "That is where you are wrong. As for your father he is an idiot, and he is dead. He knows nothing of our people because he is only a mage...he has poisoned you, biased your opinion and you are a coward and weakling for letting him."

"What exactly am I wrong about? I think I would know my cousin's family. Her mother has no living relatives and who knows who her father is. One of your people obviously. Wonder where her family has been all this time. None of them want to claim a halfbreed do they?"

"Her people are my people. You have no relation to her whatsoever. You may as well stop pretending. Her father is dead and he died protecting my mother, his twin sister. I am her family. As is my sister."

"What do you mean I have no relation to her. Her mother and my mother were sisters."

" You are not her sisters child. You are Lauralee's child. And you were conceived during a seduction."

"I already knew what my father is like. And just what else do you think you know about my family that you would like to tell me?"

"Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Why did you decide to kidnap me? And what are you planning on doing with me?"

"Well...you should feel honored you've just become bait."

"Bait? For what?"

"For who ever comes to rescue you. And I'm guessing it will be your family. And then she will come to me."

"That is what this is about? How pathetic can you get. You will never learn. The only way she will come to you is to tell you to your face that she wants nothing to do with you. You need to stop living in your fantasy world and start living in this one."

"We'll see about that. Now let's see what else can you tell me? Is my wife still with them?"

"You no longer have a wife."

Shock came over his features.

"Did you honestly believe she would follow you to the ends of the earth? She is not stupid. She knows about you and your assassin, and she also knows that the love was lost a long time ago. It's a good thing she miscarried."

"How could you possibly know that?"

"We are very close friends...we traveled together and that is when she told me...it was fairly recent."

"It would've had to be recent."

"Are you quite done? I would like to get cleaned up a bit."

"Yes... I will have a guard bring you something. And when you are ready I will have you accompany me to Gron."

"I am not going to Gron. And I definitely will not travel with you."

"You don't have any choice. You forget who the one behind bars is."

"No, No I did not."

"Well...I will be back in about half an hour. I have business that I have to go over with Pendar." He turned and walked away. She knew she had one the first battle. It seems that he was indeed incompetent and he would not get very far this thought satisfied her.