Two fortnights after meeting with the dragons, Ariyona sat upon her mare beside her husband on his steed. She would not stay behind this time. At Firestorm’s command, the prisoners were secured in a wagon to travel with them. They rode out to a spot Firestorm had marked out for them. Merrick had troops at the ready near the road through the mountains. There were troops on the Carillon side of the mountain, at the ready as well.
Soon the sky was filled with dragons, Ariyona could not even count them. Trolls and trumans began spilling out of gaps in the mountains. The dragons descended, spewing fire. Arrows flew from both the trumans and the human combatants and the rocks began to redden from the heat of the dragons’ flames. Ariyona stayed well back from the fighting, along with the prisoners. The fight went on for many hours, but when night fell, the humans and dragons fell back. The dragons kept watch making sure the trolls wouldn’t attack during the night, while the humans took to a much needed sleep.
The next morning the fight resumed and the dragons concentrated their fire upon one section of the mountains. Finally, near where Jareth’s men fought, the mountain trembled and split open allowing the soldiers to rush in. Ariyona split her attention between the troops on the ground to the dragons in the air. She thought she saw one of the twins riding astride Firestorm, but she was sure she must be mistaken. Looking to the split in the mountain, Ariyona began to fear for the troops within.
*****
Kaya and Grosh woke after making love again to loud noises in the corridor. Kaya had barely been out of Grosh’s chambers, as he thought she would be safer within. The other half-breeds didn’t like that Grosh let her run free without wearing chains, but Grosh did not care. Still, they thought it best if she limited her contact with the others for now. Kaya didn’t even know how long she had been there, as there was no way to tell day from night inside the mountain. She didn’t know how many days she had been with her love. She tried to keep track based upon his comings and goings, but soon lost count and she cared not a whit about how long she had been there as she was happy with Grosh.
Grosh went to the door of his chamber and asked someone in the corridor what was happening. He was told the humans had invaded the tunnels, and there was much fighting. Grosh began to strap on his sword, but Kaya stayed his hand.
“You cannot fight, Grosh,” she pleaded. “The humans are my people. You cannot kill them.”
Grosh was troubled. “I must defend my people and yet, you speak true. I cannot slay your people either.” He sat upon the bed feeling vexed. “What am I to do?”
“I think it best if we stay here and let the others fight it out. You can neither help nor hinder either side. We will have to see which way the battle goes, and lay our fate upon the table. I would be sorely vexed if you were to fight and kill someone I know. Yet if you do not fight, then people you know might die. It is a conundrum,” Kaya acknowledged.
“Kaya, you are wise beyond your years. I could not bear to cause you harm. My people are very barbaric. They are warriors who only know how to fight. Therefore, if they battle and die, that is the lot they have chosen. I can live if ones I know die. We do not have the same emotional attachments to each other as you do with your people. We shall remain within and see what the fates bring us. Shall we make love while we wait?” Grosh smiled at Kaya, and she could not deny him. While the battle raged without, they waged their own battle within, as they reached peaks of pleasure again and again.
Later, the sounds of battle faded away and they heard the sound of doors being broken down in the corridor. They dressed quickly and sat upon the edge of the bed, waiting. Soon enough, the door to Grosh’s chambers burst in and soldiers entered, swords at the ready. Kaya jumped from where she had been sitting beside Grosh.
“Hold! I am Kaya, daughter of Lord and Lady Greenvale, friend to Queen Ariyona of Ravenwood. This truman is my mate. Do not harm him.” Kaya used her best command voice, worried the men would not heed her and would harm Grosh.
The soldier who was first through the door lowered his sword and removed his helmet. “Lady Kaya,” he bowed as he spoke. “I am Eton. I know the queen well. We have been searching this wretched place for you, as we knew you had been captured. You are unharmed?” He looked over at Grosh, unsure what to make of Kaya’s words that he was her mate.
“Yes, my mate, Grosh, has kept me safe. Just as the king and queen knew they were fated to be together when they looked at each other, so it was with Grosh and I. I know it sounds strange to you, but I will not abide him to be harmed,” Kaya insisted, hoping the soldiers would heed her words.
“Lady, we will take you to their majesties and let the decision ride with them. As long as your truman does not attack my men or I, we will not harm him. He must turn over his sword however. If their majesties grant it back to him, I will turn it over then. You have my word of honor,” Eton responded.
“That is good enough for me.” Kaya turned to Grosh. “You must give him your sword.” Grosh hesitated, and Kaya went to him. “Husband of my heart, Eton has given his word of honor to me, and I trust this. It is the way of my people. Please, you must do this. Once we are before Ariyona, she will understand and all will be well, but you must do this for me.”
Grosh nodded and handed over his sword. Eton looked on in wonder, but also saw the tenderness that passed between the noble and the half-breed. He knew it was not his place to question fate. Kaya told Eton of her maids and begged him to send men to search for her ladies. She told him they had been forced to mate with the trolls. Eton swore he would send men to look for them once he delivered Grosh and her to their majesties. They walked through the corridors and finally reached the breach that had allowed Jareth’s men entrance to the underground.
*****
Ariyona felt as if she had been watching the split in the mountain for days, yet she knew it had only been several hours. Finally troops began coming out, victorious, leading many truman prisoners. Ariyona continued to watch, hoping to see Kaya. Suddenly she saw the leader of the trumans led out.
“Husband,” she called out. Jareth came to her. She pointed to the evil-looking truman. “That one is the leader. He is the one who ordered me tortured, as I would not tell him who I was.”
Jareth had his men bring the truman leader to him. He was chained with the heavy chains from the dungeons within the mountain, ones similar to what Ariyona had worn. She addressed him before her husband could. “You wanted to know who I was who could fly upon the backs of the dragons. I am the Queen of Ravenwood and more powerful than you can imagine. I can converse with the dragons, and they have aided us in this war you began. Now this war has ended, and you are my prisoner.”
Firestorm landed nearby, the leader’s green skin paled and he trembled a little. “Keep that monster from me,” he spat. “Do what you wish to me, but I will not abide that monster near me.” Firestorm moved closer.
Ariyona looked at the dragon and then at the truman. “He says he does not care what you wish. You are the abomination. You started this war with us.”
“This land is not yours,” the truman leader began. “This was troll territory long ago. There were other creatures back then too, but they all fled long ago with the coming of the humans. The first humans lived in peace with the trolls and other beings, but they became too numerous. The humans wanted more and more and they became powerful, greedy, and violent. The trolls were banished to the mountains where we have lived in peace a long time. Your kind have all but forgotten us, but we did not forget, nor can we forgive. That is why we have warred with you.”
Ariyona turned to Firestorm. “Does he speak truly? Did this land belong to the trolls in the past?” The big dragon nodded his head.
Jareth looked at the leader. “Why now? Why have you chosen this time to attack us?” he queried.
“My father was full troll. He was smarter than all the other trolls. He rallied us together and became king. One night he had a dream that told him he should have the trolls mate with human females to produce a race that would lead them to freedom. My father was the first to mate with a human and I am the result. He created our hybrid race from his dream vision. However, he did not foresee that there would be a problem. Our females are born not quite right in the head. They all have a madness within them. We must keep most of them locked in chains and though we have tried, our females seem barren. They cannot produce offspring. So nonetheless we are the first of our kind, mayhap we are also the last of our kind.”
“This does not explain why you chose now to attack,” Jareth probed.
The truman laughed. “It is simply that I grew tired of waiting. I knew that if I was to be the first and last of my kind, I wanted to at least be remembered for bringing back to the trolls what was once theirs. I wanted them to have their lands back, and the freedom to come and go as they pleased. I would have a place in their history and their legends. Still, my brother has found a she-bitch, a human female that he wanted to mate with. Mayhap they will be able to produce an offspring so my kind will not completely die out.”
Ariyona shuddered at the thought. Mating with a troll was awful, but after having suffered at the hands of the trumans, she did not want to imagine mating with one of these hybrid creatures either. She looked up as movement coming from the mountain breach caught her eye. Several people came out into the day. “Kaya!” she exclaimed, seeing her friend.
Kaya and Grosh, surrounded by Eton and his men, approached. “Eton,” Jareth began, “why is this monster not in chains?”
Kaya spoke first, “Forgive me, Your Majesty. He is free at my behest. When my caravan was attacked in Carillon, Grosh was one of the attackers, but when he and I looked upon each other, we were drawn together. He is fated to be mine as I am to him. He and I have consummated our bonding,” she looked at Ariyona with mischief in her eyes, “many times, your majesties.”
Ariyona jumped from her mare and hugged her friend. “Kaya, is this true?” Kaya nodded.
The chained truman growled at Grosh. “Brother, you are a traitor to your people. When you wanted the she-bitch, I allowed it because I thought you just wanted to use her. If I had known this, I would have gutted her in front of you.”
Grosh walked over to his brother. Jareth’s men tensed, unsure what was to occur. “Well, then, brother, I am glad I did not speak truly to you. She is my mate. She is not a she-bitch. You would do well to remember that.” Grosh turned to Jareth who was still upon his horse. He took a knee to him. “Your majesty, although I know you are unsure of me, what Kaya has spoken is true. I am bound to her. I pledge myself to you. My sword is yours, Majesty. I disown my people. I only want to remain with my lady Kaya.”
“I will have to think on this,” Jareth began. “It is true I have no trust in you as yet. I will let you remain unchained, but you will be under guard until I have made my decision.” He turned back to the truman leader. “Your war is ended. Your people are all prisoners. I do not know what to do with you and your people yet. There are too many to let free, yet I am loathe to kill an entire race.”
Firestorm growled and Ariyona looked to him. “Firestorm would have them all put to death. He calls them abominations, but I agree husband, they should not be put to death. They are a new race, a new breed.”
Another dragon alit nearby. It was Firestorm’s father, Moonlooker. He spoke in Ariyona’s mind. “Moonlooker has a suggestion. Though he too thinks the truman abominations, he has found a solution. There is an island about a day away by ship. It is a mountainous island, yet there be lots of land without. We shall bring the trumans and the trolls there. They shall live in exile there with no way to return.”
Jareth looked at his wife. “That is a big undertaking. I do not have enough ships to take them all at once.”
“The dragons will help guard the prisoners who do not make the first trip and there will be others waiting at the island to prevent any treachery. The dragons will not need sleep while they guard. Even though it will take several trips, they are willing to make sure the peace is kept. It is the best solution if we wish to let them live.”
“Very well,” Jareth relented. “We shall head for the shore and make camp there until they are all transported.”
The prisoners were herded together. Kaya and Grosh were given a mount to share, but Eton and his men stayed close to guard. The female trumans had to be heavily chained as they all seemed to be gripped by madness. It took about a day just to reach the shore where they would make camp and load the prisoners aboard ships. Several ships were docked at the ready, but more were due. The number of dragons that came to guard the prisoners was great. Both the trolls and the trumans seemed to fear the dragons. Ariyona was surprised by Firestorm’s absence.
The following morning, Ariyona awoke to a fluttering in her mind, and she knew Firestorm approached. She left her tent and saw Firestorm and Iceheart approaching the clearing. As they got closer, she was very surprised to see two children riding astride the dragons. From this distance, she could see they were too old to be her babes, and she did not know who they were. She walked out to where the dragons would land with Jareth at her side. When the two dragons were on the ground, a boy and a girl tumbled off their necks. The children appeared about ten years old and Ariyona fell to the ground. These were her children! The children stood beside the dragons, unsure if they should approach.
Jareth was the first to find his voice. “What is the meaning of this?” he roared. “What have you done to my children?”
Jasson spoke “Do not be alarmed, father. Firestorm just did what he had to.”
“I do not understand,” Ariyona said. “Why have they aged?”
Firestorm spoke in her head, and she listened while Jasson spoke his words aloud so all the others would hear as well. “The children were taken to a magical place. Time works differently there. They have received nine years of training in the few months they have been away.”
“Momma, do you still love us?” Arianda asked. “I have missed you so all these years and would like to hug you.”
Ariyona looked at her daughter. A few months ago she had been a baby of only one year, but before her stood a beautiful child of ten. Ariyona’s heart would know her daughter anywhere. She knew how much she had missed her children for a few months, and realized how hard it must have been for the babes, who were gone for nine years.
“Of course I love you. Come here, both of you.” The children giggled and ran into their mother’s arms as she sat upon the ground. Jareth glared at Firestorm for making him miss so much of his children’s lives before he too sank to the ground to embrace his children. Jareth was angry that he was not given the opportunity to see his children grow into the beautiful children now in his arms.
“I will not let you leave again. I have already missed too much of your lives,” Jareth told them.
Ariyona heard a hiss from Firestorm at Jareth’s words. “Firestorm, surely the danger is past and the children can come home. We have defeated the trolls and the trumans, so they no longer need to be hidden. The twins can come home with us now. Is this not so?”
Firestorm hesitated, afraid to meet Ariyona’s eyes, knowing the hurt he was about to give her. ‘I am sorry, my lady. This is not the danger that was foretold. There is greater danger on the horizon.’
At Ariyona’s gasp, Jareth demanded to know what the dragon had said. When Ariyona told him, he jumped up with his sword in hand and ran at the dragon. “You will not take my children again!”
Ariyona stood horrified, afraid of what would happen. Firestorm just lightly knocked Jareth to the ground and placed his paw on the king. "Puny human," Firestorm said in her head while Jasson spoke aloud for his father, "Do you think you could hurt me with your sharp stick? I could take you down before you could blink, but I know it is your emotions for your babes that cause you to come at me so. Therefore I take no action. Just remember who you are dealing with."
Ariyona ran to Jareth and laid her hand on Firestorm’s leg. “He meant no harm. It is as you say. We are just so overjoyed at seeing the twins, yet sad they have been away from us for nine of their years. We cannot bear to have them taken from us again. They are our world.”
Firestorm nodded his head. ‘This I know. They are very important to humankind and to the dragons as well. There are other magical creatures to whom they are important to as well. I know this is a lot, but your children are the future. For now, they have received enough training that they can protect themselves. Therefore we shall allow them to remain with you, but know this, no matter how much you may protest, if the danger gets too great, the dragons will come and take them to safety. You will not stop us then.’
“Agreed,” Ariyona replied. She was just glad that for now, the children would be with them. “And their nurses?”
‘The women have already been returned to the castle. I hope you realize you owe them nine years’ worth of pay,’ the dragon chuckled. Jasson copied the dragon’s laugh.
Ariyona laughed and Jareth added, “Oh aye, they will be greatly compensated. After all, they had to put up with you for nine years.”
Firestorm looked at Ariyona. ‘In all seriousness now, I need you to bring that female truman to me, the one who I met in the meadow before. Have her brought here.’
The command was given by Jareth, and the guards rushed to do the king’s bidding. Before long, the girl arrived, surrounded by Jareth’s men. She looked terrified. She growled and hissed and tried to break away from the soldiers, but they held tightly to her. Using his claws, Firestorm motioned for them to bring her nearer. The closer they got, the more the girl struggled. Firestorm spoke in her head and she calmed a little.
Jasson and Arianda left their parents embrace and moved toward the female truman. The king and queen pleaded for the children to return, but they went to Firestorm. Each placed one hand upon Firestorm’s leg. The other hand they placed upon the truman’s arms. The children began to glow and Ariyona gasped. Power rippled the air, but the truman began to moan in fear before her features relaxed and she quieted. No one dared move or make a sound until the children dropped their hands to their sides.
Arianda looked at the girl. “Can you understand me? Can you now speak?” she inquired.
A sweet voice replied, “Yes, I can speak. I feel healed. I do not know how to thank you. My madness has fled. I finally feel whole. How can I ever thank thee?”
The twins shook their heads. “No thanks are necessary. We can heal all of the females.”
Firestorm shook his head in agreement. One by one, the female trumans were brought before the twins. They drew magical power from Firestorm, and then from other dragons when he tired. It took many hours, but by nightfall, all the female trumans had been healed. The twins were exhausted. Jareth and Ariyona carried the weary children to their tent and laid them in the bed within.
While Jareth sat to watch over the sleeping children, Ariyona went to the tent provided for Kaya and Grosh. After announcing her presence she entered the tent, hesitating a moment as looking at Grosh reminded her of the torture she had endured. Grosh sensed her ill ease and took a knee before her.
“Majesty, I beg your forgiveness for what my people—and especially my brother—did to you. I would take away your pain and suffering if I could. I pledge myself to you and swear to protect you with my life.”
“Thank you, Grosh. You may rise,” Ariyona stammered. She clasped his hand in hers. Then she ran to Kaya and hugged her fiercely. “Oh my friend! When I heard you were missing I feared the worst. You did not suffer?”
Kaya laughed. “No, I am fine. Grosh protected me. I was scared at first, but Grosh was gentle. At first I tried to fight the pull, as you did, but after looking into his eyes and hearing his sweet words, I knew we were fated to be together. I do, on occasion, think of the strangeness because he is not human,” she looked over at Grosh and smiled warmly, “but nonetheless, I know he is the husband of my heart.”
“I am so happy for you, Kaya,” Ariyona gushed, “yet I fear my lord husband will have trouble with this union. I will try to convince him that Grosh will not betray us, as soon as I can fully believe it myself.” Ariyona turned to Grosh. “I mean no offense, albeit it will take some time for the trust to build, I will support you as much as I am able.”
Grosh bowed, “No offense taken, Majesty. I would expect no less. Were I in your position, I would not trust me either. I will prove my loyalty to you, and to my lovely Kaya, in time.”
Kaya and Ariyona sat upon the bed and began chatting as women are to do. Grosh made sure they had plenty of mead, but sat away from them. He knew he must have patience, as he was of the enemy and needed them to trust him. They talked late in the night, then Ariyona went back to her tent where she found Jareth curled in the bed around the twins. There was just enough room for Ariyona to lay on her side opposite Jareth, with the children cocooned between them.
The following morning, the first contingent of trolls and trumans were put aboard the ships, and sailed for the island the dragons spoke of. Several dragons flew ahead to lead the ships, but many remained behind to continue guarding the prisoners. Jareth insisted the leader go in the last batch, so he could not plot any deviousness during the transfer. It took four trips, a total of eight days, to transfer all the trolls and trumans to their new home. Before the last batch sailed, Jareth had the leader of the trumans brought before him.
While the truman was made to kneel in his chains, Jareth stood above him. “Know this,” Jareth began in his most commanding voice, “I am granting life to you and your people. You can live freely upon your island. The dragons will be checking on you from time to time. Do not come back to these shores. Do not build ships. If the dragons see ships or weapons of any kind, they will burn them. You will be watched. My children have healed your women. Go and live in peace. Do not make me regret this decision.”
Jareth sent him away, hoping for peace, but fearing the worst. He knew in his core he would one day come to regret this decision, but at this point he had no other choice. He was no longer the tyrant he once was, one who would have put them all to death. Ariyona had softened him and he fervently hoped he had not become too lenient. He was at a crossroad and he took one road hoping it was the right one. Nonetheless, it niggled at him, a worry that would not fade. He knew not what else to do. He must place this in the hands of destiny and let what comes to pass just be, but Jareth was uneasy.
The truman leader could barely hide his mirth. He knew Jareth had just made a fatal error. He knew not how, but one day he would return and take back these lands. This war was not yet over, not by a long shot. The truman would go to this island but he had not forfeited the war. He needed to bide his time and figure out how to get rid of the dragons. Without their aid, these humans could not prevail against the trolls. The day would come when he would return with his people and annihilate these puny, weak humans. Now that their females were healed, his race would not die out. A new day was coming for the trumans and the leader just hoped he would not have to wait overly long for that day to arrive.