COF 26

 Twigs snapped underfoot as they walked, the trio having been traveling for the better part of the morning. Already the sun was high in the sky, noon’s light casting down on them, making them hot under their cloaks. Lezard scowled, finding yet another reason to be angry at the elf. He had offered to teleport them to their destination, briefly smiling at Lenneth’s worried protests. It was true that while a mortal couldn’t teleport to or from the island, they could in fact use magic to move around it with ease. Andais had quickly refused to rely on his magic, going so far as to keep their destination hidden even from Lenneth! The elf was stubborn, he’d grant her that, refusing to part with the coordinates of Idunn’s home. He stifled a laugh, having noted how carefully Andais was to keep him from knowing about the exiled Goddess. How shocked she would be to learn Lenneth had already shared all the details with him, long before they had ever come to the isle.

Lenneth. His eyes shifted to her, staring at her back. Like him, she wore a long brown cloak, the hood pulled up over her head. It was really too hot to be covered in wool, but Andais had insisted, saying they needed to travel in disguise. The few elves they had come across had readily accepted the sage’s words, Andais telling them that Lenneth and Lezard were two body guards Bloodwyn had given her. The hunting horns had long since fallen silent, the elves seeming to think Lezard had abandoned his latest raid on their village.

Fools. Lezard thought smugly. These puppets were really too trusting, too stupid for their own good. Taking things at face value, not questioning why the guards hid their faces from them, why anyone would bother with cloaks on such a hot day.

“We’re almost there.” Andais said. Lezard enviously noted she hadn’t bothered with a cloak, as she raised a sleeve covered arm to point at a copse of trees in the distant. “It’s just beyond those trees.”

Lezard walked a little faster, eager to be at their destination at long last. He wondered what awaited them there, even as he ran his eyes over his surroundings. Those trees were shorter, being dwarfed by the large oaks of the Forest, but they were unique in looks. Oddly enough the leaves on the branches were a plethora of colors, ones not found in nature…not on Midgard at least! He could see purple and silver leaves, even make a hint of gold in those trees, and his heart beat faster, thinking those were the fabled apples Lenneth had told him about.

He would be disappointed upon getting closer to see they were merely leaves, made of stiff minerals, shimmering like the gold they mimicked. He couldn’t help the surprise gasp that escaped his lips when the trees moved, roots lifting up from the ground to close in around them, barring their way. The wood brushed against each other, trunks squeezed so tightly that even a finger couldn’t get between them. Branches rustled out a warning, moving though there was no breeze.

Lezard was lifting up his hand, ready to let loose with a fire spell, wanting to force his way through. “It’s all right.” Lenneth said, catching at his hand. Her fingers were caressing, soothing patterns on the palm, urging him to be less tense. “It’s merely a defense mechanism of the estate…a non hostile way to bar intruders from getting close.”

“Then how do we get by?” asked Lezard, watching as Andais stepped forward. She pressed herself against the wood, lying flat against the trees, hands reaching up to the branches. She even went so far as to hook her toes over the roots, letting no part of her body go untouched by the wood. Branches moved again, dipping down low to caress their leaves against the elf’s back, an odd embrace of flesh and wood.

“What’s she doing?” He said, his voice a whisper in Lenneth’s ear.

“Communing with nature.” Came her answer, equally soft in tone.

Andais closed her eyes, trying to block out the sounds of the two talking, ignore the noise of the forest as she concentrated. She began speaking in elvish, chanting the same syllables over and over as her aura flared up. It was a gold thing, with lines of green and brown swirling around her. It pulsated with life, touching the tree, and the leaves seemed to sigh in response, stroking her hair.

Time seemed frozen as they watched, Lezard quietly holding onto Lenneth’s hands, watching as the elf seemed to coax the trees to move. He couldn’t help but cringe back as a branch reached out to him, trying to touch him. “It’s all right…” Lenneth said, even as twigs wound their way into her hair. “They just want to see if you mean them any harm…”

“Right…” Lezard had to hold himself stiff, keep from shuddering as the wood touched him. He fought to think pleasant, calm thoughts, hoping the trees wouldn’t sense his earlier intent to burn them alive. Apparently only the here and now mattered, because somehow he passed the test, and with one last caress, the branches pulled back, the trees groaning and kicking up dirt as they moved, returning to their usual places in the ground.

He blinked, seeing the way clear, seeing Andais slide free of the tree she hugged. She calmly brushed her hands over the brown of her dress, clumps of soil falling back to the ground. “Shall we go?” She didn’t wait for an answer, stepping forward. Slipping her hand free of his, Lenneth moved through the opening. Lezard hastened to follow, surprised when the trees closed in behind him, almost catching the back of his cape.

“No one will be able to follow us in here…” explained Andais, still walking. “You won’t need to hide any longer.”

“Thank goodness.” exclaimed Lenneth, pulling the hood off. She shook her head, her hair once again being bound in the braid she so favored. A black ribbon was tied at the base, holding the strands together. The girl eagerly pulled at the clasp of the wool, tugging the cloak off her. She was tempted to leave it on the ground, but settled for draping it over her arm. Lezard stared at her, still marveling over how short the tunic Andais had given her was. It was gray in color, with a dark blue belt bunching up the material at her waist. The short length would have shown off her legs if not for the thigh high black leggings that covered her skin. As always Lezard found her beautiful, an enticing image that left him staring at her in longing, almost forgetting to remove his own cloak.

He walked as he undressed, glad to be free of the scratchy wool. A white house was in the distance, looking more like a temple than a home. Lady Idunn’s home was truly lovely, befitting her stature as a divine being. It was Greco Roman in design, with seven pillars out front, darkened shadows in between them. A pointed roof was held up on the plaster, with long wide steps leading down into a finely tended garden. Ivy clung to the walls, green vines creeping up, straining up towards the sun. Everywhere he looked, something was growing, fruits and vegetables looking far more ripe and perfect than any he had ever seen. He knew it was not his imagination when he noticed the colors of the flowers were more vibrant, more true than the ones that grew in the outside world. It was like a slice of Heaven on earth, picture perfect and tranquil.

Lenneth was also looking around, trying to see if Idunn was outside. On a beautiful day like today, the Goddess would surely be out tending her gardens. But she saw no sign of the Goddess, wondering if perhaps she was out back. Lenneth was surprised to feel she was nervous, almost not wanting her journey with Lezard to be at an end. She was turning, a slightly stricken look on her face, when she heard footsteps pounding down the stairs. The owner was urgent, running, practically jumping off the staircase, landing hard on the dirt.

Before she could turn to see who it was, a voice called out. “Lenneth?!” It was a familiar voice, melodious and female, sounding shocked to see her. “Is that Idunn?” She heard Lezard ask, even as she was moving, turning to look with disbelieving eyes. “No…” Andais answered for her. “It is not.”

“Freya?!” exclaimed Lenneth, shocked to see her fellow Goddess here of all places. But she didn’t speak any further, her eyes drawn to a figure behind the floating Goddess. Her eyes widened in shock and disbelief as she saw a familiar blonde haired man rushing towards her. “Lu…” She stumbled over his name, confusion in her eyes over his presence here on Midgard. “Lucian! You’re here too?!” He moved so fast, Lezard didn’t have time to react, unable to stop the red clad man from sweeping the Valkyrie up into his embrace.

“Lenneth!” Lucian laughed, eyes dancing with joy as he picked her up, spinning around dizzily with her. He held her up high, and she placed her hands against his shoulders, trying to steady herself as she looked down into his eyes. His hands were tight on her hips, a relieved smile on his face as he held her. He didn’t even try to call her Platina, just happy to have his childhood love safe and back in his arms.

Lucian didn’t seem to notice the way she was looking at him, the guilty way her cheeks flushed, the trouble in her cerulean eyes. Instead he hugged her to him, kissing at her face, trying to get to her lips. He was unaware of the way Lenneth turned her face to avoid his kisses, squirming uncomfortable with his lips on her skin. “I can’t believe you’re really here…I’ve been so worried…” He kissed down her cheek, lips brushing against her neck, eyes closed.

He was finally beginning to notice her lack of response, rolling his eyes upward to look at Lenneth. She wasn’t looking at him, face turned in the direction of her companions, eyes locked in on the amethyst of Lezard’s orbs. Lucian turned his head to follow her gaze, and he stiffened. “You…!” He hissed out, shifting his hands so that Lenneth slid down the length of his body. Her feet touched the ground once more, but he didn’t release his hold on her, keeping a possessive grasp around her waist.

Lezard’s eyes were on Lucian’s hands, a jealous look in his eyes. Lucian couldn’t help but smirk, knowing the evil wizard did not like him touching Lenneth. “Ah..” Lezard’s voice took on a bored tone. “So you are Lucian…” His eyes roamed his form, up and down they went, unimpressed with the young man who held onto his beloved.

“And you’re Lezard Valeth.” Lucian hissed, unable to keep the anger out of his voice. Freya let out a startled gasp, turning away from the embracing pair. She looked at Lezard, noticing him for the first time, and her happy expression twisted into a snarl of rage. Her teeth ground together as she spoke, anger radiating off her in waves. “Necromancer! How dare you!?”

“I dare many things.” Lezard retorted. “You’ll have to be more specific than that.”

“Are your crimes so many that you can’t even keep track of them all?” Freya shook her head. “No matter! You know upon what I speak of! For your crimes against Lenneth, you shall pay with your life! Nay! Not just with your life, but your immortal soul!” She floated forward, energy balls appearing in both hands, gold and blazing bright with power. Lucian called out to her, his voice halting her attack. “No Freya! Allow me!” His right hand went to the sword at his side, drawing it free of his sheathe. He heard Lenneth let out a gasp, and he rubbed the side of his face against the top of her hair. “Don’t worry my darling…your horrible ordeal is at an end.” He felt her move, placing her palms against the front of his chest. He mistook her struggles for a caress, not realizing she was trying to push her way free of his grasp.

Lezard’s face hardened, trying to fight back the scowl that wanted to come out. “Get your hands off of Lenneth.”

“Shouldn’t that be my line?!” demanded Lucian. “You foul, degenerate soul…you twisted excuse for a human!” He pointed his sword at Lezard, tip gleaming in the sunlight. “You…you…defiler of souls!”

Lezard laughed, low and mocking. “Is that the best you can come up with little boy?!”

“Believe me, I’ve just gotten started! Though I’d rather let my blade speak for me, than waste time on a pervert like you!” retorted Lucian angrily.

“Yes, lugs like you are all muscle and no brain. I’m sure you can barely even pronounce a two syllable word like pervert.” said the wizard.

“You’re sick, you know that?!” He was infuriated by the laughter coming out of Lezard’s mouth. “You think you’re so smart, so civilized. Ha! Is it civilized to kidnap a girl and rape her?!”

Except for Lucian, everyone’s mouth dropped open in shock, the women looking at the necromancer for his reaction. He closed his jaw, fingers clenching into angry fists as he stared steely eyed at Lucian. Before he could muster up a reply, the crimson clad warrior was continuing, his voice scornful as he raged. “You must be so proud of yourself, forcing Lenneth to have sex with you. You couldn’t have her love, so you just took her body!”

“Lucian…” whispered Lenneth, her face paling at his words. But he was on a roll, not sparing a glance at the girl he held in his arms. “What was it like? Huh? Did her tears turn you on? Did you like making her scream?!”

Lezard stiffened at the accusations Lucian hurled at him, affronted by his words. “I may be many things…” He began, trying for a calm tone. “Kidnapper, murderer, torturer. But I am not a rapist.”

“Liar!” Lucian all but screamed at the wizard. “You stole her away from her home, brought her down here to be your play thing…your desires sicken me!”

“I think you have an overactive imagination. Besides…” A slow smirk was on his face. “…my…desires as you put it, is something Lenneth appreciates. Don’t you my dear?”

“Don’t speak to her!” shouted Lucian. “Don’t even say her name!”

“Lucian…” Lenneth tried again, louder this time. “I need to talk to you…”

“After I take care of this lousy wizard.” He promised her, arm sliding free of her waist. He went to take a step forward, at the moment his greatest desire was to plunge his sword into Lezard’s flesh. He wanted to slit his throat, see the blood spurt out as the necromancer gasped his last breath. He went to swing his arm, and Lenneth screamed. “Lucian, NO! Her hand was on his arm, pulling it back, the Valkyrie digging her feet into the ground, trying to hold him back.

He hesitated, eyes still locked on Lezard. “I suppose you want the satisfaction of finishing him off yourself.” A slow smile spread across his lips. Lucian liked the idea very much so. “Here…take my blade…make him pay for violating you…”

“Violating her?!” Lezard laughed mockingly, seeing Lenneth mutely take the sword from Lucian’s hand. “How many times do I have to tell you I did no such thing?”

“Like I would believe anything you had to say!” Lucian growled in reply.

“Then maybe you’ll believe me…” Lenneth said quietly, looking down at the blade in her hands. “Lucian…he didn’t…he didn’t rape me…”

“What?!” Lucian turned to look at her, disbelief in his eyes. She lifted up her head, boldly looking into his eyes. “I’m telling you he didn’t do that…he didn’t hurt me..” She shook her head. “Not the way you’re imagining…not…not at all…He was…gentle…and kind…” Lucian couldn’t believe his ears. “What are you saying…” He let out a gasp, for the first time truly seeing her neck, seeing the bruises that covered her tender skin. “Lenneth…” He touched her throat, and he felt her quiver under his hands, fingers caressing one of the love bites.

Still touching her, he turned to look at Lezard who gave a triumphant smirk. “You…you…” His voice erupted into a wordless scream of rage, Lucian springing away from Lenneth. His body crashed into Lezard’s, and the two began grappling, tumbling to the ground.

“Stop it!” Lenneth cried, but her voice fell on deaf ears, neither man listening to her. Grunting and groaning, they rolled around on the ground, neither one staying on top for very long. Andais hurried to get out of the way, not wanting to be knocked down by the two men. They were punching and kicking at each other, Lucian having the advantage of armor on his body. Lezard let out a pained hiss, feeling a fist land in his stomach. “Power sap!” He retorted, draining away some of Lucian’s strength, but not his rage. The blonde’s anger made him stronger than normal, the magic spell only winding him slightly.

“I mean it, stop!” Lenneth again, inching around the two, staying near but not intruding on their fight. Andais shook her head ruefully, thinking this was madness. She watched as Lucian hauled Lezard up by the collar of his shirt, throwing him against a tree. Lezard swung his leg out, kneeing Lucian between the legs, the youth hunching over to clutch at his groin with a moan. He grabbed two fistfuls of corn colored hair, and moving lightning fast, brought Lucian’s head down to his knee, slamming it against the bone. The warrior stumbled back, feeling dizzy, seeing two Lezards sway before him. The mirror images raised their hands, palms aimed directly at him.

“Now die.” Lezard ordered, and began chanting. “Ye of detestable name and virtue…”

“Lezard no! Don’t hurt him!” Lenneth cried out frantically. She ran in front of Lucian, arms spread wide, and only her presence in front of the warrior caused Lezard to cancel his spell. “Lenneth! Get out of the way!” It was both Lezard and Lucian, speaking in unison. Her eyes widened as she felt Lucian roughly grab her shoulder, throwing her to the side. With a cry she landed on her knees, scraping them against the dirt, one stocking dipping down low on her leg.

“Barbarian!” hissed out Lezard, the two men running towards each other once again. “Don’t you know how to treat a lady?!”

“A damn might better than you do!” replied Lucian, surprised when Lezard ducked under his punch. Lezard backhanded him across the face, head turning from the force of the blow. For a magic user he was surprisingly strong, and Lucian spared a moment’s thought to wonder if Lezard used some sort of strength boosting spell on himself. Off to the side Andais had reached Lenneth, helping the girl to her feet. “Those idiots…!” Lenneth muttered, glaring at the fighting duo.

“Really, men are such beasts.” Andais clucked her tongue, aghast at Lucian’s rough treatment of Lenneth.

“Indeed…” agreed Freya, landing next to Lenneth. She ignored the fighting men in the background, more concerned with Lenneth’s well being. Her hands were reaching forward to touch Lenneth, giving her arms a reassuring squeeze. Green eyes ran up and down her form critically, finding her to be pale, but healthy looking. She couldn’t help but touch the marks on her throat, marveling at the numerous love bites that trailed down her neck and disappeared under the collar of her tunic. A blush was on Lenneth’s cheek, embarrassment at Freya’s intense study of her.

“You look well given the circumstances.” Freya commented at last. “Humanity seems to agree with you.”

“Er yes…” Lenneth was looking away from her, eyes still frantic, seeking out the squabbling males.

“I think she’s held up surprisingly well under the circumstances.” Andais said.

“Yes.” Freya shuddered. “Even I would not be able to endure weeks, let alone months as a human.”

“You’d be surprised at how adaptable one can become.” murmured Lenneth, pulling away from Freya’s hands.

“Especially when one has little choice in the matter.” agreed Freya. She was still studying Lenneth, staring at her with intense concentration. “Lucian seems to think the wizard forced himself on you…you deny it…but is it true?” She watched as Lenneth’s face went even paler, skin turning a stark white. “There is no shame in admitting to being a victim…we would not blame you…”

Andais let out a snort of air, thinking if the Fertility Goddess had heard what she had last night, she would know there was no question about whether or not Lenneth had been a willing and receptive partner to Lezard’s amorous intentions.

“Freya…” Lenneth closed her eyes, hiding her shame beneath lowered lids. “I can say with one hundred percent certainty that Lezard did not force himself on me. I…” She let out a deep breath of air, blushing bright red. “I let him have me.”

“No…” hissed out Freya, unwilling to believe her. “Surely there’s been some sort of mistake…you misunderstood the situation…or are in denial…” Lenneth was shaking her head, over and over, eyes lowered to stare at the ground. She couldn’t believe she had to be discussing her sex life like this, didn’t like the situation one bit.

“He manipulated you.” Freya was saying out loud, trying to justify why Lenneth would willingly let the wretch touch her. “I’ve heard of this technique…brainwashing I believe it’s called. That man preyed on your vulnerabilites…isolated you from human contact, made you dependent on him for your every need…it’s little wonder you think you’ve come to care for him…”

Lenneth raised her head, staring at Freya. “No…it’s not like that…”

“How would you know? If he’s affected your mind…perhaps used magic on you, bewitched you into having feelings for him.” Freya suggested, seeing pain in Lenneth’s eyes. But more than that was anger, denial as she gave a fierce shake of her head. “No! It was not like that…not at all!” Lenneth was starting to shake, hands reaching up to grip her upper arms, to hug herself. “You’re wrong about him…”

“Oh?” Freya arched an eyebrow. “How am I wrong…Did he not kidnap you? Force you into a body he made by killing countless others…make you a human for his own selfish desires?”

“Yes but…”

“But what?” Freya asked, merciless. “You allowed him to manipulate your emotions, make you forget what he is…ignore his true nature…” Freya shook her head. “You had to adapt, make the best of your situation with him, but that is over now. You are back with friends, with the people who truly care for you. We will take care of you…and dispose of him!” She smiled reassuringly at Lenneth, though to the Valkyrie it looked more like a smirk.

“No!” Lenneth said, whirling around, remembering Lucian and Lezard at long last. She was horrified to see the two of them were still fighting. “I’ve got to put a stop to this!”

“How?” asked Andais. “They won’t listen to reason…”

Lenneth bent, picking up Lucian’s discarded sword. “Oh I’ll make them listen…” She gave a twirl of the sword, before spinning on her heel, rushing back towards the dueling males. The two seemed to be taking turns slamming each other against the trees. They were huffing heavily, breath coming out fast and hard, a bruise coloring Lucian’s left eye. At some point Lezard’s glasses had fallen off, the wizard needing to squint to see Lucian properly. He saw a blur approaching over Lucian’s shoulder, heard the scrape of steel against the armor, feeling Lucian stiffen, fingers still digging into Lezard’s upper arms.

“Now…I think I made a reasonable request…” He recognized Lenneth’s voice, the girl sounding quite mad as she spoke. “I’ve asked you several times to stop this childish behavior. I am not some prize to be fought over and won.”

“But!” Both men said, and she shook her head, sharply talking over them. “I’m not! I am my own person, and capable of making my own decisions, though bad some of them may be. It’s my right to make those, and to accept the consequences of my actions.” She was pressing the sword into Lucian’s back, a light threat against his armor, letting the blade scrape against the metal. It was a grating sound, letting him know that at any moment she could move the weapon, let it fall on a more vulnerable spot of his anatomy.

“You are confused…” Lucian spoke up, careful to stay still. “You don’t know what you’re saying Lenneth…what you are doing…he’s controlling you somehow…making you think you believe he’s something he’s not.” He glared with all his might at Lezard, though the expression was lost on the near sighted wizard. “Probably using magic to make you think he didn’t take advantage of you.”

“You are a hopeless fool if you believe such a magic exists.” scoffed Lezard.

“Of course you would deny it’s existence…” Lucian was quick to retort. “Wouldn’t want to admit to her you’ve been manipulating her emotions all this time!”

Lezard was laughing at this. “If I could truly do such a thing, do you think I would have waited until last night to make love to her for the first time?” Lucian gasped and Lenneth made a strangled sound deep in her throat. “I’ll kill you!” swore Lucian, muscles tensing up.

“No one is killing anyone!” Lenneth’s eyes were furious as she looked over at Lezard. She couldn’t believe he had blurted it out like that, using the fact they had had sex to further taunt and enraged Lucian. “We are all going to calm down, and have a nice, quiet talk…”

“I’ve nothing to say to him.” retorted Lucian.

“Oh and here I was looking forward to long scholarly talks and dissertations on the arts.” Lezard laughed. “As if you had anything to say that is worth listening to!”

“Lezard, that’s enough!” admonished Lenneth. “Now…” She slowly pulled the sword away from Lucian’s back. “I’m going to step away…and you two are going to pull apart…Do NOT make me have to separate you two!”

Lucian reluctantly released his grasp on Lezard’s arms, slowly holding his hands up before his face, trying to show Lenneth he meant no harm. Lezard let out a breath of air, slumping against the tree, also trying to look harmless. Lucian bit back a growl, thinking the wizard was anything but. He was tense as he felt Lenneth step away, breathing slightly better as he felt the sword come away from his back.

“Lenneth…just what is going on?” Freya was approaching, stunned by this turn of events. Never in her wildest dreams did she expect to see Lenneth turn a sword on Lucian. Lenneth’s guard was down, turning to look at the Goddess. Lucian took advantage of her distraction to move, spinning on his heels so that he faced the Valkyrie. He stepped into her, hearing Lenneth let out a startled gasp as he grabbed her. His right hand clamped down on the wrist of her sword arm, squeezing tightly. He applied more and more pressure until with a cry of pain she was forced to let go of the sword.

“Lucian! What do you think you are doing?!” demanded Freya sharply. “You’re hurting Lenneth!”

“It’s just a disarming technique.” Lucian retorted, even as Lenneth began thrashing about wildly in his arms. “Lucian, let me go!” She ordered, her squirming movements a temporary distraction to the blonde. Unnoticed in the background, Lezard knelt down, feeling along the ground for his glasses. Lenneth hauled back her hand, slapping Lucian across the cheek. He merely grunted in reply, still managing to hold onto her.

Lenneth was glaring, her blues eyes more enraged than he had ever seen before. Not even when he had contacted her via the water mirror, had she looked upon him with such anger. He almost felt helpless in the face of her rage, not knowing what to do except hug her to him. Lucian felt her stiffen in displeasure, hands frozen on his arms as he squeezed. He stared over her shoulder at Freya, eyes looking lost as he wondered what to do, what to say to her.

“Release me…” Lenneth ordered, feeling Lucian’s breath on the side of her face. “No.” She heard him say. It had a forceful sound to it, hard and unyielding like his arms around her. Lenneth bit back a sigh, once again struggling in his arms, even as she looked towards Lezard for help. She watched as he located his glasses, carefully picking up the gold frames. Lezard held them before his eyes, squinting at the specks of dirt on them, then shrugged. She watched him slide them up his nose, knew how relieved he must be to see everyone come into focus once again even as he scowled at the sight of her trapped in Lucian’s arms.

His purple eyes narrowed in jealousy, the necromancer holding back a curse as he stepped forward. He wasn’t sure how to free Lenneth from the blonde, not without hurting her in the process. The two were simply too close together for any of his magic to not affect the Valkyrie in the backlash. He was raising a hand, bringing it down to grab roughly at Lucian’s shoulder. He couldn’t even squeeze down, metallic shoulder pads were in the way. “I believe the lady asked you to let go of her.”

“Lucian, maybe you should let go of her.” Freya said, even though she was loathe to agree with any of Lezard’s suggestions. He ignored them both, shrugging off Lezard’s hand.

“I think we all need to calm down.” Andais spoke up, the elf having observed them all quietly for the last several minutes. “Tension is high, tempers are flaring, clearly there has been a big misunderstanding here.”

“What do you know?” demanded Lucian gruffly.

“Lucian show some respect!” snapped Lenneth, getting enough leeway to pull back and glare into his eyes. “Andais is a highly respected Sage of the elves. You would do well to heed her words.”

“A Sage?” Freya was looking with interest at Andais. “I hear you are great mediators, especially in times of crisis.”

“Yes. We are.” She said this without pride, just a simple statement of fact. “I think before we do anything else, the young man should let go of the Lady Valkyrie. His actions are only serving to further agitate things.” Lucian was shaking his head no stubbornly, face rubbing against Lenneth’s hair, causing several strands to come loose of her braid.

“Lucian…you have to let her go at some point…” Freya tried to sound reasonable. “Why not now…”

“No…I’ll lose her if I do…” He said this softly, too low for anyone to make out his words except those with divine hearing.

“Lucian…” Freya was sympathetic to his plight, but she had little patience for those who would not follow orders. Her booted feet crunched on the ground as she approached, the Goddess using her strength to forcibly pry his arms off of Lenneth. The platinum haired woman immediately pushed herself free, ducking under Freya’s arms, moving to stand a little ways apart from everyone. Lezard took a step in her direction, and she gave a sharp shake of her head, wishing to be left alone.

Andais was looking around from person to person, wondering where to start. It was clear to her she did not know the whole story, having to glean bits and pieces from the heated exchanges she had witnessed. She was quickly becoming aware of the fact the sorcerer was responsible for the Valkyrie’s transformation into a human. It made her wonder just how powerful the man really was, to be able to do that to a divine being.

“I think…” The elf said at last. “That we can all agree that we want what’s best for Lenneth. Yes?” There was little hesitation, the two men and Goddess quick to agree to that. “Then perhaps…you should trust in her, take her words at face value when she tells you she in unharmed, and healthy.”

“That remains to be seen.” Freya said, and Lucian was nodding his head in agreement. “There is more ways to hurt a person than just physically…” added the man. “Just because she bears little signs of outward abuse doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.” He turned to glare at Lezard, whose own eyes were narrowed hatefully.

“You seek to insult me.” Lezard’s voice was sardonic. “As if I would ever willingly harm Lenneth. I love her far too much to ever see pain upon her lovely face.”

“Love!?” scoffed Lucian. “Is that what you’re calling it? And I suppose kidnapping is just a quaint way of courting a girl and not a serious crime.”

“It was…”

“It was what?!” demanded Lucian. “Huh? Tell me! That is one thing you can’t deny you did! Not when the proof is right before our eyes!” He gestured at Lenneth, meaning her human body.

“It was a necessary step towards advancing our relationship…” Lezard said sulkily.

“You don’t have a relationship!” screamed Lucian, and he would have advanced on the necromancer if not for Freya’s restraining hand on his arm. He shook her off him, saying, “I’m fine…I’m okay.” Freya tsked, and turned to look at Lenneth who was standing silent during all this. “Well Lenneth…you said you wanted to talk…now is your chance…”

“…” She was visibly nervous, fingers fiddling with the end of her braid, tying and untying the black ribbon.

“Lenneth?”

She let out a heavy sigh, still not meeting anyone’s eyes. “It’s true…he did kidnap me…but…” She could feel the blush burning into her skin, feel it as though it was a fever spreading across her face. She frowned, looking down at the grass, feeling dizzy. Her body swayed slightly, causing everyone to take a concerned step towards her. “I’m fine…I’m okay!” Lenneth hastily assured them, backing up a step. “Truly I am.”

“That remains to be seen.” Lucian said gruffly.

“Why don’t you take her at her word for once?!” demanded Lezard, and the two men locked eyes with each other, mirror images of perfect hatred and contempt on each one’s face.

“Please stop…” Lenneth said, a faint expression of pain on her face. “No more fighting…not even with words…”

“But…”

“As my lady wishes it, so be it.” Lezard said smoothly, performing a half bow towards Lenneth. Lucian scowled, biting back a comment about the necromancer being a suck up.

Lenneth sighed again, fingers coming to massage the temple of her forehead. “This is so overwhelming…and I don’t know where to begin…I never expected to encounter you two here, of all places!”

“We looked for you.” Freya said. “We’ve been searching ever since you vanished from Asgard.”

“We never, EVER gave up on you.” added Lucian, his tone urgent and filled with emotion.

“Yes…” The blonde Goddess gave a brief nod of her head. “Lucian was your ardent champion, never giving up no matter what the forces conspiring against us wanted us to believe.” She tried to stress the importance of Lucian’s role, wanting Lenneth to remember how much he cared for her.

“Forces?” Lenneth asked, curious. “You make it sound like there was more to it than just Lezard taking me into his home.”

“You can’t sugar coat it. It wasn’t as though he invited you.” Lucian was harsh, determined to make his love see reality for what it was. “He kidnapped you!”

“Yes I know. A situation I was not…pleased with. But things change. People change.” She replied. Lucian let out a scoff, rolling his blue eyes in annoyance. Lenneth continued to talk, ignoring his antics.. “I…I’ve changed too.”

“Yes…you’re human now…”

The Valkyrie shook her head no. “That’s not what I mean. I…” She didn’t know how to put it into words, explain how her preconceived concepts about the necromancer had changed, that feelings and emotions she hadn’t been aware she had been missing out on had blossomed while in his company.

“You got to know him.” supplied Andais, taking pity on the young Goddess. “You got to see the real person beyond his magic and evil deeds.”

“Yes.” agreed Lenneth, slowly nodding in agreement.

“Oh come on!” Lucian shouted, disgustedly throwing his hands up in the air. “You can’t expect us to believe it was all hearts and flowers all the time!”

“No, it wasn’t.” Lucian tried to flash a triumphant smirk at Lezard, but his expression died down when Lenneth continued. “No relationship is perfect one hundred percent of the time. To expect otherwise is childish.”

“Relationship?! You and him?! Don’t make me laugh!” growled Lucian. “What about us, what about our relationship, our love?!”

“Lucian…” Lenneth gave a shake of head, a pained expression on her face. “I…we need to have a talk…privately.”

“Are you sure that’s wise?” It was Lezard, speaking up at last.

“You just don’t want her to be alone with me.” snapped Lucian in response. “Scared it’ll undo the progress you made with her?”

“Hardly!” But Lezard felt a twinge of doubt in his mind as he watched Lenneth hold out her hand to Lucian. The crimson clad warrior walked towards her with an eager expression, looking much like a hopeful puppy dog as he reached out to clasp the Valkyrie’s hand in his. Lezard watched this with jealous eyes, and Lenneth gave Lucian a smile, the blonde failing to notice the sadness in her eyes.

—————————————————————————————————————————————-

This was one hell of a chapter to write. I actually had two versions of this chapter. One where Freya didn’t show up until after Lenneth broke up the fight. Argh!! I really struggled here, kept going back and forth between the two chapters, trying to choose between them. Still not completely happy with either one but…meh…I just don’t know. “Rails curses at the story.”

As if it wasn’t hard enough to choose between them…having Lenneth try to…justify her defending of her kidnapper and big time evil doer played havoc on the chapter as well. Was beginning to think I’d never get this chapter done…more cursing at the fic. Hate having one scene hold up everything else…

I went through many rewrites, and every time I got stuck at the same point, (Well Lenneth…you said you wanted to talk, now is your chance.)…what to have Lenneth say without sounding like she was brainwashed by Lezard. I could have posted this weeks ago, and ended the chapter where I was stuck, but ya’ll would have had the same wait for a new chapter, since it took me all this time to figure out what to write for Lenneth.

————–Michelle