Darker Days RPG

[Crystal Heart]

Thomas watched as Mayonette fell to her knees. The battle was over and it had been bloody. All the men that had been within the cottage before they entered were dead on the floor. Cordelia's hand was bright red with blood that he assumed came from Garnae's side. Sandrina was being helped by Elfride.

He walked over, the click of his boots the only thing that could be hear through the eerie silence. He reached Mayonette and picked her up. He clutched her to his chest, allowing her to hear his heart beat.

"What's done is done. Samuel and his followers chose their fate. And we chose ours. We have won. And for that I am thankful," he said, not just to Mayonette, but everyone.

He turned his face to the trembling woman in his arms. He kissed her forehead gently.

"I think you could use with a lovely cup of tea and a fire. Come, my fair Mayonette. Let's go home," he whispered. He hoped his words would fire up her soul and give her the strength to get home.

[Mithalwen]

"Yes, let's go home" , echoed Elfride. I think Sandrina is well enough in body to travel, the sight of her son will heal her spirits" . Elfride hoped that Sandrina's husband would be waiting for her and no harm had befallen him on his own search. This matter will have to be reported to the King and these corpses must be disposed of .... but we are sure to meet Hama and his men on the way and they can deal with that...and the king will not begrudge us getting Sandrina safe home before making our account to him I deem."

Home, she thought of her comfortable house and wished she were there already. It had been a very long day and some hours ride yet awaited them before they would get back - for Sandrina's sake they would return at a gentler pace. Elfride knew she would not remain at home long .. and part of her wished she need not return but could carry on through the Mountains towards Gondor and her son. She imagined her elegant sister-in-law's reaction if she could see her now, clad in male garb and dishevelled, and supressed and inappropriate giggle.

She helped Sandrina, freed now from her bonds, to her feet . "Ready to go?" she asked.

"I am" answered Sandrina, "but others are not... you have people who need you more than I do for the moment".

Elfride turned with horror to realise that the rest of the group were not as unscathed as she had assumed.

[The Sixth Wizard]

Garnae staggered against a wall. He was dimly aware of Cordelia speaking to him and the battle being won around him, and no others being wounded, but the colours began to fade and crumple. The blood continued to flow as he held on to conciousness but he wondered how long he could last. No! I can't die now! What have I fought for? What have I gained? He sagged to the ground and closed his eyes.

It seemed that he opened them again and was looking at a shadow that threatened to engulf him. The shadow grew, but another side was kindled, a fire that would not be stifled, but the shadow was winning. It suddenly surged in power and malice against the other and Garnae started to lose control.

But then a hand gripped his and he woke. Cordelia was next to him and was leading his horse to him. She mouthed something, but he couldn't ... hear ... With a last burst of strength he strained for conciousness and heard the words "...don't die. I love you." The woman I know I love and the horse that bore me thus far. The Darker Days are over. It is time for rest and peace.

And with that he fell into unconciousness. But it wasn't a bad kind. It was peace.

[Cordelia Harrison]

Cordelia watched as Garnae fell to the ground. She caught him, but ended up falling with him too. He had lost too much blood to remain conscious.

"Elfride! He's hurt! And may be dying!" She called. She managed to get him upon his back. She tapped his face lightly.

"Garnae please live. Don't leave me. Oh please. Please live. I love you. Oh please," she cried frantically. He was the one person that she had ever loved and he was seemingly on the brink of death.

[Dimturiel]

The battle was over. As far as Edhener could see, they had reached their goal, and that without as much sacrifice as he had first thought would be necessarry. At least most of his companions he could see alive and standing, he himself being among them. Even if he was hurt, he was still able to think clearly and to recognise the things around him. But he did not care much for his situation. There would be no dark oblivion for him, no sleep which would take him, at least only for a litttle while, away from the pain and sorrow of his world.

Edhener moved away from the wall on which he had been leaning, desperate to hear a human voice talking to him again, and wanting to be rid of the dreadful weight that had descended upon him due to the slaying of two of his kin. He tried to tell himself that he had had no choice, yet how could he know that for certain. He knew the madness that had possesed him during the battle. What if his opponents had actually asked for mercy, and he, instead of offering it to them, had killed them?

Suddenly, Edhener stumbled over something. Bending to see what it was, he caught sight of Leoflic, lying on the ground with his eyes closed. At first Edhener felt a shudder pass through him, thinking that, after all, there had been a great price to pay for their quest, but, when he bent closer, he saw that his companion was alive and did not seem much hurt.

Edhener's first thought was to call Elfride to help him, but he saw that she was more needed in other places. Therefore, he had no chioce but to try and revive his companion himself. He still had some water with him, not much, and not as cool as he wanted it to be, but he had to make do with it. He poured his water over Leoflic's face, and gave a sigh of relief when he saw his companion's eyelids flicker open. He smiled to him.

"The battle is over,"he said,"and soon we will be returning to our homes. Are you much hurt? Can you walk?"

And saying this, he extended his healthy hand to Leoflic in order to help him up.

[Crystal Heart]

Mayonette hurried over to Cordelia's side where Garnae lay wounded and unconscious. She pulled out the smelling salts that she had packed in case Sandrina was unconscious. She waved it under neath his nose. His eyes flickered opened.

"He's alive, but we have to stop the bleeding. He's just faint from all the loss of blood. He'll be fine," she said, examing his side. It was only a small cut that ran the length of his side. It wasn't deep enough to have done any real damage.

She ripped Garnae's sleeves and pressed them to his side. She handed one to Cordelia, who looked up at her like she had no idea what was going on.

"Come on Cordelia! Get with it! You want him to live? Then hold this against his side tightly. If we can get the bleeding to stop then he has a chance," she ordered. What had come over the woman she had no idea. Cordelia had never been the type of girl that lost her head at the site of blood.

[Cordelia Harrison]

Cordelia nodded and took the sleeve that Mayonette was handing her. She held against the rest of Garnae's wound tightly. She then started to pray.

Please spirits. Please anybody. Save this man. I love him. Does that mean nothing? She continued to press the wound with Mayonette's help. She only hoped that this attempt would be enough.

After several moments Mayonette motioned for her to check her side of the wound. She did and saw that it was no longer bleeding. She waited a little bit to ensure that it wasn't just slowing down, but indeed it was done bleeding. Mayonette checked her side of the wound and found the same thing.

She leaned over and kissed Garnae softly. She stroked his cheek gently.

"Hang on Garnae. I shall take of you. I promise. Just don't leave. Hear my words and come back to me. I love you," she whispered. She hoped that her words of love would save him.

[piosenniel]

~*~ Finis ~*~