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The Ties that Bind	By : Lady_Kae Category: +M through R > Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch Views: 2280 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own any characters used from the game Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch. All characters and game related material, plus any lyrics, save for original content is property of their respective owners and no money is being made from this

Chapter List
- 11
- 12
- 13
Book I: Link

Chapter 11- Darkness Rising

A Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch Fanfiction

Dagaron was in the midst of reading over a scroll when a feeling of uneasiness settled over him for what seemed the thousandth time that day. He had received word from his daughter that Amara and Gascon were supposed to be returning soon; in fact he knew they should have arrived by now, and he had yet to see either of them. Amara had always come to visit him within days of returning to the palace most the time whenever she had left to go abroad for a month or two. It was unlike his granddaughter to not stick to her normal patterns. That's it! I'm going to reach her myself and find out why they're not here yet! Surely she hasn't grown tired of me in the four years she's been gone. Dagaron thought as he set the scroll off to the side. He'd pick it back up in a moment once he found out what was going with his grandchild.
Closing his eyes, Dagaron concentrated deeply on reaching to Amara’s mind. He was the only one with the skill to do so, though Amara certainly wasn’t a slouch in the ways of the telepath either. The world seemed to fade away as he focused on his granddaughter’s consciousness and he could see his mind's eyes flying over the lands and mountains as he kept his intent clear. I must reach Amara's mind...he thought, his eyes shut tight now due to the exertion he was mentally putting forth. After what seemed an eternity, Dagaron's mind connected to Amara's when he found her finally.
HELP! Northbound into goblin territory! Hurry! was all Dagaron caught from Amara before he lost the connection. The elf king’s golden eyes went wide in dismay. They must have been absconded the day they came back! By the gods, he knew the goblin activity had died down recently, though there had been a few spikes here and there, but he didn't think they would still be after Gascon and Amara after all this time! Those damn pest held grudges worse than the elves did it seemed.
Dagaron quickly leaped to his feet, his reading forgotten. There were other matters of import that needed to be dealt with first now. He needed to go see Thaden in the Underhalls as soon as he could. But first, he needed to see his daughter and her husband. Surely they had to know what had happened to their daughter.

Marion was pacing nervously. “ Percy, I can’t shake the feeling something is terribly amiss here. Amara’s letter said that they were going to get here a week ago and she’s ever punctual. Not keeping to a timetable is not like her, husband.” the evestan queen said agitatedly. She wanted to see her only child after the last four and a half years of no contact.
Percivical had long stopped watching his wife go back and forth in her ire, as he had gotten dizzy from doing so. “ I agree, Marion, but there is little we can do right now but wait. I wrote to Vigo a few days ago. He may ha….” Percivical began, only for both of them to go on point when the herald announced the royal family of Hamelin. " Thank the ancients they're here."
Vigo was striding as fast as he could towards his longtime friend and the two looked at each other with worry in their eyes as they met in the middle. Percivical's hand grasped Vigo's shoulder tightly as Vigo did the same to him.
“ Where are Gascon and Amara?” they chorused.
Vigo shook his head in disbelief. “ Amara assured me they were going to appear just outside the city gates, Percivical. Marcassin and I watched them leave with our very eyes.” the emperor said worriedly. “ That was last week.” By the ancients, he should have insisted that the two of them had not left the city walls alone. This was too much to bear after finally getting his oldest son back, and finding that he was going to be getting a grandchild.
Percivical and Marion looked to each other, both frightened now for their child's safety. “ What could have happened to them?” Marion whispered as tears filled her eyes. Both her hands slowly came up to her lips as she tried her best to keep the sobs that wanted to tear themselves from her at bay and she felt her husband squeeze her shoulder reassuringly.
Before any theories could be made, the trumpets blared again. This time, all five were surprised to hear Dagaron announced. They had only been expecting Vigo, Therese, and Marcassin. Marion was deeply troubled now. If her father was here, that meant that he had noticed that something was amiss with her wayward daughter as well.
“ Tamarion! There isn’t much time! We need to move quickly, daughter.” the elf king said in their native tongue.
“ What is going on, father?” Marion asked, even though she could feel her heart sinking at what her father might say. " Where are Amara and Gascon?!" Her voice turned shrill in her fear. She had not liked the tone her father had used in the slightest.
Dagaron sighed heavily. He hadn’t wanted to be the bearer of bad news such as this. “ Gascon and Amara were ambushed and are being transported into goblin territory. I am heading to Uzrathane next to see if I can get Tarin’s aid in tracking them.” Dagaron replied, his normally light tone burdened with the purpose of this visit. His bright golden eyes were dulled from the heaviness he felt bearing down on him and for the first time in nearly eight thousand years, Dagaron actually looked his age.
“ If you’ll permit me, your majesty, I will join you.” Marcassin said out of the blue. “ I am not about to stand idly by while my older brother and his wife are in danger. I understand the risks this entails, and am more than ready.”
Percivical and Marion looked at Marcassin as if he had grown a second head and then to Vigo and Therese. What did the boy mean by that?
" They married already? When did this happen?" Marion demanded.
“ They are not the ones to blame, daughter. Gascon and Amara were bonded four years ago, though I must admit I’ve never seen anyone fight it as fiercely as she did at first.” Dagaron chuckled. “ I will admit to meddling in this, but they were more than ready.”
Vigo sighed heavily. “ There is more to it than that, Dagaron...She’s with child. That’s why they were returning now as opposed to any later.” the emperor said sullenly. He only hoped Gascon and Amara were faring well. If he knew his son as well as he did, Gascon had offered himself up for any abuse that may be inflicted on his wife.

Blood flew from Gascon’s mouth as Grimlock punched the prince across the jaw again. The last week and a half had been nothing but maddening for the goblin warlord, as Drummond would not allow him to lay a single claw on the pregnant woman, and Gascon would always put himself between his wife and whatever danger she was in. If the princeling wanted to protect his bride, then that would just have to do. Amara’s cries of amnesty were like the world’s sweetest music right now as they fell on his ears and Grimlock leveled his yellow eyes on the evestan princess.
“ By all means, princess, please continue to beg for mercy. Neither you nor your husband shall find it from me!” the warlord bellowed this last part as he slammed both fists into the back of Gascon’s neck. The blow would only knock the porcine prince out, not kill him. Grimlock had no desire to go against his queen’s wishes, especially now that he was her consort. The elf should only be so lucky that his attentions had been diverted from her.
“ Gascon!” Amara cried, her blue eyes wide in terror. She looked over to Drummond and pulled as hard as she could against her bonds. “ Please! Let me heal him! That bastard has been working him over for the last three hours. I need to be sure he hasn’t sustained any internal injuries that could prove to be fatal!”
Drummond looked over to Gascon’s unconscious form and back to the princess. “ How can I be certain you won’t try to take this moment to escape?”
“ I swear to you upon my child’s life that I will not attempt such a thing.” she whispered brokenly. “ Just please, let me heal him! You can bind my hands again the moment I’m done!” Amara’s tears were blurring her vision as she struggled to get closer to her torpid husband.
Drummond considered her words a moment and walked over to her. “ My blade will be at your neck the entire time, highness. I highly suggest that you don’t try anything stupid.” the thief said tersely.
Amara nodded acquiesce and Drummond brought her over to where Gascon lay still. She quickly set to healing his wounds once her hands were free and Gascon groaned as he returned to wakefulness. Her fingers gently trailed along his jaw as the light from her spell healed every cut and scratch, though she was dismayed to watch her husband spit a tooth out into the grass. That had been one of his molars. " Open up and let me be sure that it came out clean." she ordered him gently.
Gascon did as he was told and he grunted as Amara used her magic to put the tooth back into place. That never made for a pleasant sensation. That wasn't the first time she had needed to do that either. Then again, they had both been teenagers when Amara had knocked out one of his teeth during a sparring match under his father's watchful eye. She had gotten hell for it too if Gascon remembered right. " Well, at least you weren't the one to knock it out this time." he whispered with a slight chuckle. His mirth was short lived as the laughter made his chest hurt even further and Amara quickly set to work on his ribs.
" Internal bleeding, three cracked, two broken. One of them almost punctured your lung, Gascon." Amara whispered as her spell alerted her to the damage he had suffered.
" Check on my neck next, please." Gascon groaned. His head was still throbbing from when Grimlock had knocked him out.
Drummond watched the two silently, all the while keeping his blade steadied at the princess' neck. She was much more steadfast than most women he had ever met, she barely flinched whenever the blade ever so slightly grazed her skin when she moved to close to it. Most would have been a blubbering mess, though she still had tears streaking her face. He was right in his estimation several years ago about the prowess she showed in the art of healing. Then again, she was a half elf. It was literally in her blood to be as talented as she was. It didn't take much more for Amara to finish her work, though she was checking everything to be on the safe side. It wouldn't due for Gascon to have any injuries before they were brought before the goblin queen and Drummond knew it.
" Your hands, princess." Drummond said, his tone not broking any opposition. He roughly hauled Amara to her feet once more, not paying any heed to the dark look Gascon shot him for it. He heard Amara hiss as he tied the ropes holding her hands closed tight, though Drummond didn't give a damn. He wouldn't have them escaping when he was so close to getting recompense for his son. He quickly bound Gascon again, now aware of the glowering look the eldest porcine prince was throwing at him. " I won't deny I rather enjoyed that." He hissed in the other man's ear. And Drummond had. He wished that he had been in Grimlock's position to give the prince the beatdown. Grimlock had been much faster that Drummond would have however. He would have made it agonizingly slow and painful, carefully breaking bones as opposed to allowing his
fists to fly wherever.
Gascon struggled a bit more against Drummond's hold and he looked over his shoulder. " I'll take you in hand to hand any day of the week, you bastard." Gascon seethed. His tawny eyes were bright and glittering as he glared at the other man and he tried to break the hold once more. " You already know how good I am with a blade." He sneered this time, referring to when he had taken the other man's left eye.
Drummond forced his hand to stay down, despite how badly he wanted to strike Gascon for his cheek. " Back into the wagon with you two wretches." He growled. He couldn't wait until they reached their destination. Gascon would truly experience his wrath then.

Thaden looked up as Dagaron strode up to him with Marion and Marcassin in tow, the herald still sounding off with the names of his sudden guests. He was just polishing what was the finished product that Dagaron had commissioned him for. Two highly polished golden crowns were sitting on the table before him.
" It is good to see you old friend. Who is the young lad with you?" Thaden asked. His voice was weary and his face drawn, as if he had too much shouldered on him at once. With all the recent goblin attacks, Thaden was burdened. He was worried for his children and city should the gates ever be broken, though the possibility of that was nill.
Marcassin popped to attention almost immediately and bowed before the dwarf king.
" This would be Prince Marcassin of Hamelin, Gascon's younger brother." Dagaron waved a hand in Marcassin's direction as he introduced him and then he looked towards his youngest daughter. " And I'm certain you recall my daughter Tamarion." This time Marion curtsied as Thaden walked up to them.
" Your majesty." Thaden said by way of greeting as he kissed the back of her hand. " And well met, young prince. You and your brother are certainly night and day in looks."
" Well met, your majesty." Marcassin replied. He knew better than to speak out of turn. It was true that he and Gascon were nothing alike in looks. Where as Gascon favored their father, Marcassin was their mother's clone. With the exception of his nose. He and Gascon both had their father's nose it seemed.
" What brings you to the Underhalls today, Dagaron? I can tell this is far from a personal visit." Thaden said softly as he walked back to his workbench. He hoped it was some sort of good tidings. He still had yet to hear from Tarin as well. His eldest son had yet to return from tracking his friends.
Dagaron nodded solemnly in agreement. " I was wondering if we could borrow your eldest son. We are attempting to track the brigands who absconded Gascon and Amara last week when they returned to Evesta." Dagaron said, his tone fraught with worry. While he had many grandchildren, Amara was the youngest and his favorite.
Thaden looked up in surprise at this. " He has already been on the hunt since last week. He and the mountain guardian have been doing just that since the day after their abduction. Has my letter not reached you in the briar yet?"
Dagaron nodded. He had yet to receive any sort of missive from the dwarf king. " It is good to know that he is already searching, if he hasn't found them yet. Tarin is the most talented tracker in these parts." The elf king replied. He turned to both Marion and Marcassin then. " We should attempt to rendezvous with Tarin at this point. Are both of you ready for this?"
Marion nodded. It had been nearly two hundred years since she had the chance to go adventuring like this. Marcassin nodded as well and Dagaron looked to Thaden.
" I thank you for the audience, Thaden. We need to be leaving now if that is alright by you." the elf king whispered. It was definitely heartening that both Tarin and Palisanther were already on the move. That would make it easier in the long run.
" By all means, old friend. I hope that you are able to recover the two of them safely." Thaden replied somberly.

Tarin was watching the group covertly, as Gascon was suffering yet another beating from the goblin warlord. The man was stronger than the dwarf had ever given him credit for, as he didn't cry out even as his body was ruthlessly abused. Amara was bound and gagged this time, as Grimlock had grown tired of her screams and cries for mercy and she had tears streaming down her fair face as her sobs were muffled. She was struggling as hard as she could against her bonds, as she could feel the pain her husband was in and knew that Gascon was reaching his limits on how much he could take.
Never had Tarin felt such rage as he did then. He had traveled with them for over a quarter of a year, had grown to know them on a deeply personal level. They weren't just his friends. The dwarf considered them family. Tarin suddenly felt something odd in his mind and he nearly jumped when he heard Dagaron's voice.
Tarin...This is Dagaron of the elves. Where are you and have you found them?
I have your majesty. We're currently positioned at the foot of the mountain. They're making their way into the western territory beyond my father's borders. I fear that they are bringing Gascon and Amara to the goblin's main keep where the queen dwells. What she could want with them is beyond me. Tarin replied.
If you will allow it of me, I would wish to see through your eyes so that we might travel to you now. Dagaron stated, though Tarin had a feeling the elf king knew what was happening to Gascon if his tone said anything.
I think I am far enough away that the goblins present hopefully won't sense you at first, especially because of Amara. Do so at your own risk your majesty. Tarin replied. This may very well put the odds in their favor if they were to get into a fight here and now. Tarin felt as if he was suddenly looking at things through two different perspectives and he shook his head once the feeling passed. That had not been comfortable at all. Did you get what it was you needed?
I did. I'm using magic to bring us there now. Just a moment. Dagaron replied.
Tarin looked behind him as a brilliant blue light flashed behind him and the dwarf prince bowed low to the three royals. " Your majesties, young prince..." he said.
Marcassin gave a curt bow himself. Gascon had told him all about Tarin just the other week. " Your highness." he replied as well. " It's a pleasure to meet you finally. My brother was regaling me of the adventures you shared with him and my sister four years ago when I saw him last." He shook Tarin's outstretched hand and shook it.
Tarin was surprised at the grip Marcassin had as he shook the princeling's hand. " You and your brother are certainly nothing alike when it comes to looks." he murmured.
Marcassin chuckled here. " I get that quite a bit. Do you know where they are?"
Tarin nodded solemnly and he lead them over to where he had been watching over everything with Palisanther. " It's not a pretty sight...I apologize that you have to witness this..." he whispered to both Marion and Marcassin.
Palisanther barely looked up as he felt the four settle beside him again. Dagaron...he said by way of greeting.
" Your guardianship." Dagaron replied tersely. " It's been a long time."
That is has. Eight hundred years if I recall. Palisanther's green eyes narrowed further as he watched Grimlock pull Gascon's arm out of his socket. He wanted nothing more than to rip that bastard's throat out. He should have done it years ago.

Amara was sobbing brokenly as Grimlock held Gascon up by his collar and the goblin sneered hatefully. " Look at you...Pathetic human...You aren't worth my time or energy." In all actuality, Grimlock was pissed that Gascon hadn't given him the pleasure of screaming or crying out as he broke several of his ribs. The prince's right arm dangled uselessly at his side, his shoulder dislocated. There were a multitude of facial injuries that Gascon was sporting now, as well as the scratches littering his torso. The goblin had been beyond ruthless.
Even Drummond had to admit that Gascon had shown more grit than most men would have.
Amara all but ran to her husband once Drummond allowed it of her and she quickly set his shoulder again. Gascon grunted at the pain, the one eye that wasn't swollen shut from the goblin's onslaught flying open in sheer agony. " I'm sorry..." she whimpered, tears cascading down her cheeks. She began weaving her magic, and Gascon sighed in relief once the pain in his chest lessened.
" Don't be, love...I'll take whatever punishment he wishes to keep you safe...Both of you." Gascon replied wearily. He wiped away Amara's tears and pulled her in for a kiss. " I love you..."
" I love you too." Amara sobbed softly. She was hauled to her feet none too gently the moment she was done healing him and her hands were bound tightly again.
" Get them back in the wagon! We're moving onward!" Grimlock snarled loudly. A runner had just arrived to tell him that the queen would be meeting them in a glade not too far from their location. She didn't want the elf's stench in her palace.

Dagaron was seeing red at how their captors were manhandling his granddaughter, but he stayed his ground. It was best to follow for the moment and strike once they had the opportunity to do so. He wanted them completely off guard.
Marion had silent tears running down her face at the sight of the couple. She had seen the aftermath of Grimlock’s assault and she had been crying with her daughter the entire time Amara had been healing him. This was not the way she wanted to see her child and her husband for the first time after four long years. Her gold eyes met her father’s and Dagaron nodded. She settled a hand on Marcassin’s shoulder, as the young man was veritably shaking in his rage now. “ We’ll get them Marcassin. No worries.” she whispered.
Marcassin’s blue eyes were narrowed in anger, and the normally gentle prince was more than ready to let some blood after seeing the torture that both Gascon and Amara had been forced to endure. It was easy to see that Grimlock had wanted them both to suffer badly and he knew how to get under Amara’s skin. She hated seeing her beloved husband in pain. “ If my brother or Amara doesn’t get that damn goblin first, I’m going to kill him myself.” he hissed.
“ Get in line.” Tarin growled out. “ I’ve been watching this go on for the last three days now. He’s been getting more and more ruthless every single time. It’s not Gascon he wants, but Amara. And seeing as how the human thief that let her go for a moment to heal him won’t allow Grimlock near her, for reasons I don’t know however, that damn goblin has been brutalizing Gascon in every which way he possibly can. He’s the son of the goblin warlord I killed four years ago, whose father had Palisanther here trapped and displayed as a trophy. Amara, Gascon, and I freed him, though it was mostly Amara’s work.”
I owe her everything for my freedom. I have a chance to return the favor now and I will if possible. Palisanther said sadly. I won’t deny I am more than tired of waiting now that we have an adequate number to help them. Does anyone have a plan? His hackles were raised in his ire, and his green eyes narrowed dangerously. He was going to enjoy getting some payback for the three hundred years of imprisonment he suffered.
“ Yes. I was able to discern that they’re meeting someone, more than likely the goblin queen, not too far from here. We strike then, but only if luck favors us. I wish to know who this would be queen is.” Dagaron said, his tone calm despite the fury raging in his heart. He could feel his wife’s emotion trying to sooth him, but there was no solace to be found right now. Not until his grandchildren were safe.

Gascon was sitting up with his arms wrapped about his wife as he tried to soothe her tears. He had a contemplative look on his face as he stared at Drummond’s boots, as the man had taken a seat in the back of the wagon with them in order to keep a better eye on the two. It took time, but Amara’s breathing evened out as she cried herself into a fitful slumber. “ Bryant…” he said finally, his brown eyes meeting Drummond’s silver one.
“ What?” the thief asked, shock clearly written on his face. There was no way in hell that the prince knew his last name.
“ That’s your surname, isn’t it? Drummond Bryant? I know Frederick. I’ve known him for years in fact.” Gascon said softly. He was running his fingers through Amara’s hair, and his eyes were soft and loving as he looked down at his sleeping wife. She was curled up as tight as she could get around his chest, as if she were scared to let him go.
Drummond’s brow furrowed dangerously. “ My Frederick is dead, ordered to death by your father ten years ago.” He looked off to the side as guilt settled over him. It had been Drummond’s fault that his son had been captured in the first place.
“ Frederick Bryant is thirty seven years old, right?” Gascon countered. He looked back up to Drummond to gauge his reaction.
Drummond was floored. That’s exactly how old his son would be if he were alive.
“ My father doesn’t order every prisoner to the gallows. Only those whose crimes are too heinous to atone for, such as murderers and rapists. For everyone else, thieves especially, he offers them a deal. They serve time on the palace guard up until their sentence has been fulfilled and from there they are free to find honest work. It’s not something he likes getting out however, so very few people outside the palace are aware of such a thing taking place. Frederick finished his sentence when I was but a boy still, and stayed on the guard. He found he truly enjoyed it. He’s the captain of my brother’s personal guard.” Gascon looked Drummond in the eye as he said this. It was the absolute truth after all.
“ You lie.” Drummond seethed. If the prince was attempting to get his dander up, he was doing a damn good job of it.
“ Am I? I have no reason to do so. I am at your mercy, unarmed, and I can only pray that I’ll live to see my child come into this world...That I get to live many, long years with my love.” Gascon said this last part softly. “ I have a way of proving what I say is true. I just need a simple yes or no.” He didn’t even need his wand any more to link his mind with someone elses, thanks to Amara’s tutelage of course.
“ Fine.” Drummond said. If there was a chance...Any slim chance his son was alive, he would end this here and now as it meant that he didn’t need to seek vengeance any longer.
Gascon nodded and he eased Amara to his side so that he could sit forward. “ I’m not as skilled as my wife, so I require some modicum of contact. I promise you, nothing bad will happen. You’ll feel a bit drowsy at first, but don’t fight it. That’s me pulling both of your mind into mine so that I may show you my most recent memory of him. Are you ready?” Gascon asked. He placed two fingers against Drummond’s temple in advance however.
Drummond looked at Gascon as if he were trying to catch the man in a lie and then nodded tersely. “ Go ahead.” he whispered, his tone uncertain at the same time.
Gascon shut his eyes and pulled Drummond with him onto the mental plane. This was going to be a hell of a revelation at best.

Drummond looked around bewildered at the serene little cottage. “ What is this place?”
Gascon was sitting in his favorite chair in front of the fireplace. “ My home, mine and my wife’s that is. This is where we’ve spent the last four years, just enjoying life as much as possible. It was pretty much a four year long honeymoon...But all good things must end, so they say. This is nothing more than the sanctum I made for my mind. My wife’s is the library in the palace in Cygnus. That’s one of her favorite places to spend her days.” Gascon said by way of explanation. He smiled softly as he looked about fondly and got to his feet. He was dressed in a plain orange shirt, a pair of blue slacks, red socks and a pair of well worn shoes. He looked rather plain as opposed to the clothing he was wearing in the physical world. “ If you’ll follow me.”
Drummond looked skeptical, but followed Gascon nonetheless. They walked into the door that led to Gascon’s study, and Drummond found himself surrounded by windows. His brow rose at one particular and Gascon shrugged, though he was smirking proudly as it was a memory of one of his favorite interludes with Amara. It was certainly no wonder the princess was with child if they were that amorous with one another on a daily basis.
“ Aha! Here we are. I had a chance to see Frederick before we left Hamelin about two weeks ago. Tell me, Drummond, is that him?”
Drummond looked into the window as the memory played out through Gascon’s eyes and his eyes went from skeptical to soft in an instant. The man in the memory was in a boarrior’s uniform with a purple band on his arm, signifying that he was one of the princes’ personal guards. Drummond knew from experience that the guards who wore green were Gascon’s, and the one who wore purple were Marcassin’s. Drummond turned his attention back to the memory as he looked over the man in it again. His hair was jet black, and his chin was a bit pointed, though it was his eyes that drew the most attention. He had one silver eye and one green one.
Drummond’s wife had green eyes.
“ I haven’t heard from my dad since I got caught actually. There’s no telling where he is. Consider yourself lucky, your highness. At least you got to reunite with yours.” he said, his face falling just a bit in his melancholy.
“ Well I’ll be damned…” Drummond whispered, a tear streaking his cheek as he smiled. “ That’s my Freddy…”
“ If my wife and I get out of this alive, I’d be more than happy to reunite the two of you. He’s missed you over the last ten years or so. We must have spent a good hour or so just talking about things we both did with our fathers that left lasting impressions. My stories weren’t as fun as his were, as I spent a good chunk of my childhood at odds with my wife and getting punished for it.” Gascon said, though he was chuckling a bit.
“ You have yourself a deal, highness...I know those goblins are going to double cross me once I’ve outlived my usefulness to them...It’s better I have a contingency plan in the long run.” Drummond replied.
Gascon smiled. That was exactly what he had been hoping for.

Both men had a gleam in their eyes once they returned to consciousness and Drummond looked to the princess. “ We can’t risk removing her bonds, however, I can loosen them so that she may cast. I can warn you now, you need to end this here and now, not run. Grimlock will keep hunting her otherwise and he will not rest until she is dead.” Drummond said quietly. He quickly set to work on loosening her restraints a bit so that she would be able to move her fingers from inside the sacks they had put on her hands to keep her from casting.
“ That won’t be a problem.” Amara whispered, though her eyes were shut as if asleep. She had been feigning sleep for the last few moments since Gascon had moved her from where she had fallen asleep. “ My grandfather has caught up to Tarin and my mother and Marcassin are with him. I’m guessing we have an unlikely ally now?”
“ That we would, what does that make our numbers now?” Gascon asked, loosening the cuffs on his left sleeve.
Drummond looked at both of them in surprise. “ You both have been planning an escape this entire time? And how the hell did you sneak a...Wand?”
“ My wife isn’t the only one that uses magic. I am the son of a sage after all.” Gascon replied with a smirk. “ And as for my wand, I never reveal it unless I have to. Hence why you’ve never seen it.”
“ Eight I believe. You have no idea how numb my hands have been the last few days!” Amara hissed as she stretched her fingers in the sacks a bit. She didn’t want to make it obvious she could move them after all.
“ The queen’s personal guard averages about sixty. We have nearly thirty in this group as well…” Drummond said, standing up now.
“ Fourteen. Haven’t you noticed the numbers dwindling over the last week and a half?” Gascon chuckled. “ That means Tarin and Palisanther have been doing an admirable job in keeping it inconspicuous.” He said this to Amara now as Drummond loosely tied his hands back together.
“ You two are amazing. You may very well survive this after all…” Drummond whispered, shaking his head in amazement.
Amara smiled cockily at this. “ Just who the hell did you think you were up against? Gascon and I are much more than just a prince or princess. We’re a team.” Amara said, her eyes falling on her husband affectionately.
Gascon nodded and settled in. There was hope now and it seemed as if salvation was not far off.

Vana was waiting in the moonlight as she watched the tree line for the group coming this way. Her personal guard was nearby, and one whistled to her that Grimlock and his party were coming this way. It was about time. She watched imperiously as the party entered the little glen, and her eyes narrowed a bit as the carriage rolled in. Now she would get to see this elfin bitch and the man she traveled with in person.
“ Get out here now, you lot.” Drummond sneered, shoving Gascon from the carriage roughly. He eased Amara to her feet, but kept a firm grip on her as well.
Vana nodded in approval. Despite the fact that she was a prisoner, Amara was still a woman after all and was still afforded some semblance of respect. She knew Grimlock wouldn’t care for such things, but they did matter to her.
Grimlock came over to his queen and took to one knee before her. “ My queen.” he whispered near reverently.
“ Rise, warlord. I see Drummond has come through for you this time.” Her voice was cold as was her gaze as she watched the heirs to the evestan throne be brought before her.
“ As he promised, my queen.” Grimlock responded shortly. His eyes narrowed a bit as he looked down at the now kneeling forms of both Gascon and Amara. Amara’s eyes were narrowed hatefully on him now, and he smirked. Oh, so the elf bitch had fire after all did she? “ Show deference, you wretches. You’re in the presence of the goblin queen, Vana. Witch of the Void.”
Amara’s eyes narrowed even further as she struggled against Drummond’s hold on her. She was slowly cutting the sacks away from her hands so that she wouldn’t be caught. Please tell me you lot aren’t far behind, Grandfather...Amara said, not bothering to apologize for her tone.
We’re in position to strike when you and Gascon give the signal. Dagaron replied quickly. I’ve slaughtered almost a fifth of the personal guard myself. This should be a quick battle for the most part considering who we have gathered here.
You would hope so, but I have a feeling there’s more to this bunch here than meets the eye. Amara said. There’s something familiar about this queen the goblins answer to...I can’t place it though…
Dagaron went on point when Amara said this. By the sound of this, he needed to see this queen for himself.

“ So these are the two who gave you so much grief, Grimlock? She’s hardly a slip of a woman.” Vana sneered.
“ I’m more than enough of a woman to deal with you, witch!” Amara seethed. Oh, it was on now. She had dealt with more than she could handle over the last week alone. She was going to take great relish in severing that damn goblin's head from his shoulders once she got near enough to Grimlock. Oh that bastard was going to pay for every blow he landed on her beloved husband.
“ Don’t mind the words coming from her mouth, your majesty. She’s pregnant and thinks too much of her abilities.” Drummond sneered. The look in his eye told Amara not to test it further when she looked up at him.
Vana looked down on the half elf consideringly and then over to Gascon. “ It seems as if the two of you have been busy in your exile. Did you ever plan on marrying her or was she nothing more than a plaything?” Vana said nastily. Her dull golden eyes narrowed a bit here, and she smiled maliciously.
“ Been married the last four years, witch. And if you ever insinuate that my beloved is nothing more to me than just a passing roll between the sheets again, I will take the most pleasure indeed in making you eat those words.” Gascon seethed, though this earned him a knee to the face for his cheek. He swore under his breath as his nose broke again and blood gushed from his nostrils and down his chin. What the hell was it with people always aiming for his damn nose?!
Vana leaned down and yanked Gascon’s chin up so as to look at him better and her eyes went wide in disbelief. “ It can’t be…” she whimpered, shaking her head as if she couldn't trust her eyes.
Dagaron crept as close as he dared and got a good look at the goblin queen. His own eyes went wide in surprise and he shook his own head. “ I don’t believe it...It just can’t be her.” he whispered. Amara! We need an opening fast! You don't know who it is you're dealing with! He said, his voice in her mind clearly panicked.
Vana backed away from Gascon, her chest heaving in both pain and anger. " This just can't be..." she whispered, her voice belying her inner torment.
Gascon looked over to Amara and back up to Vana curiously. She looked about ready to snap. Amara...he said, his tone worried.
I know...Just trust me...Amara replied quickly. She could see clear as day that Vana was getting ready to lash out.
Amara, she going to try to kill him! Dagaron was trying to get into a position so that he could attack that damn war lord. Amara was going to have her hands full as it was.
I know already! Just trust me! she replied hotly.
“ I will not allow his reincarnation to stay in my sight!” Vana screeched, pulling Grimlock’s sword from his hip and moving to slice Gascon’s head straight from his shoulders.
Gascon ducked backwards even as Amara sprung to her feet, her sabre in her hand and her eyes narrowed nigh murderously on the bitch that had just tried to kill her husband before her. With a flick of her right hand, his bonds were suddenly gone and he swiftly sprung back to his feet. Once he had, Gascon quickly slid his wand into his palm and cast puppet string towards the man holding his gun. With a quick flick of his wrist, Gascon smirked as he had the odds back in his favor again. While he wasn’t as good with magic as his wife, he was a hell of a crack shot.
“ Gascon!” Drummond shouted, tossing the prince his gun even as he drew his blade to help fend off the guard that was pouring into the little glen from where they had been positioned.
Gascon nodded to Drummond by way of thanks and he twirled both guns on his fingers expertly, his eyes narrowed as their comrades leaped from the brush to come to their aid. Both guns flashed brilliantly in the moonlight, the metal pieces gleaming as Gascon spun in place as he deftly pulled both triggers with absolute precision. By the time Drummond's gun had run out of ammunition, Gascon had felled ten alone with shots to the head and heart. Dagaron went straight for the warlord, twin blades held high as he rushed the goblin at an unreal speed. Marion was the only one to stay hidden, as she had come as medical support as opposed to melee. She would only heal everyone as needed.
Marcassin's wand flared to life as he began casting, his blue eyes narrowed in his anger at the scene he had witnessed just a bit ago. He would take as many of these bastards to hell with him if he fell here. He pulled out a dagger as a goblin rushed him, and Marcassin plunged it right into the blighter's heart. Pulling the blade, Marcassin spun and let his fist fly into the unprotected jaw of another goblin that tried to ambush him from behind. His leg flew out behind him next as another rushed him and the future emperor began casting the rune for fireball. It hit his target a good twenty feet away and the goblin screeched as he was suddenly engulfed in flames. Marcassin ducked when he heard a snarl to his left and not a moment to soon as Palisanther bounded over him and onto another foe, his fangs glinting a little in the sparse moonlight just before they sank into their exposed throat. " Thank you!" he called.
Stay focused! There are still more to go! Palisanther ordered with a growl. He was soon circling a goblin that was brandishing a torch at him menacingly and the guardian's eyes glittered with malcontent. A spray of rain soon surprised him; courtesy of the cloudburst spell that Marcassin had just cast, and he pounced the moment his adversary was distracted. His huge claws were ripping and tearing into the soft flesh of the kobold pinned beneath him maliciously, and the great cat took relish in it. He would eradicate the race entirely if he could.
Tarin let out a bellow as he slammed his hammer into his opposition, his green eyes narrowed in his rage. He wanted to kill that damn goblin, but Dagaron was already in the midst of his own onslaught on the fifth warlord.
Dagaron was indeed busy with Grimlock, and both of their blades were flying faster than anyone else could track. His golden eyes had turned red in his rage, conveying his current emotion to the goblin warlord as he tried to find a weak spot. One of his blades had been knocked from his hand, though Dagaron didn't care as he kept up his assault with the single long sword. Grimlock ducked a slice that would have easily cleaved his lower jaw from his face and he thrust his own jagged blade out to stab the elven king in his exposed gut. Dagaron barely had the time to dodge and parry, though he took great satisfaction as his silver blade dug into Grimlock's chest. The warlord bellowed, enraged that Dagaron had drawn first blood, and he charged the king of the golden wood with every intent on tackling him to the ground. He was going to beat that elf's fair face in first before he even got close to killing him!
Amara flung her palm out, having traced the nix spell faster than Vana had been able to follow and the goblin queen screeched in rage.
“ I will not permit him to live! I cannot! The sight of him, it makes my very blood boil!” Vana screamed, swinging the blade haphazardly. In all honesty, it was too heavy for her to wield as she was giving Amara way too many openings with her frenzied onslaught.
“ And why is that? This is the first we’ve ever seen of you, witch!” Amara countered, spinning quickly. She saw her chance and ran the goblin queen straight through her heart.
Everything stopped for a moment the minute Amara’s blade pierced Vana’s chest. All the men gathered were looking at both women in a state of shock.
Vana’s golden eyes looked up to Amara and she started chuckling a bit. That chuckle steadily began growing louder and louder into a mad cackle as she began pulling the sabre from her breast. “ Did you honestly believe it would be that easy to kill me? ME?! The goblin queen?! I am the original...I am the one who begat this race in the first place! I am immortal! I am Vana, the Witch of the Void!” she screeched.
Amara backed away towards her husband as the cloth covering Vana’s chest fell away. The eyes of all present save for Grimlock went wide in horror when they saw nothing but a black hole where Vana’s heart should have been. There was nothing but darkness there, twirling and twisting upon itself as if it had a mind of its own.
“ And you! I will give you a fate worse than another death, Barador! How dare you abandon me as you did!” Vana’s voice was high in her rage as she found she was able to cast her magic again. A black aura surrounded the queen’s wand as she raised it high and leveled it on Gascon. “ Say goodbye.”
“ Amara! Gascon!” Dagaron screamed, his eyes wide in shock. By the gods of old, when had she learned that spell?!
Brown and blue eyes went wide in shock as a dark mass came hurtling toward them. Gascon’s wand came up at the same time Amara’s did as they simultaneously cast ward, and both tried to fend off the magic the witch was sending at their way. Gascon's arms buckled a bit from the force, and he could see Amara's hands visibly shaking as she tried to keep her arms straight. She had two wards up to compliment his one, and never more was he thankful that she had the ability to cast with both hands. He grunted a little and he poured more magic into the shield protecting them, their magics clashing and sparking against Vana's violently. It looked as if there were dark tendrils surrounding them from where the two spells were joined in their own form of combat, and Amara screamed as one of her wards cracked and shattered under the strain.
She’s too strong! Amara cried out through their link. I can’t keep up.
I can’t either! There’s nothing for it other than to keep me safe until such is the point that I can be woken back up. Amara, use that other spell, quick! I can hold it for just a moment to let you cast! Gascon replied. His eyes narrowed in determination, though he knew it was only a matter of time before Vana's spell took him. Thank the ancients that it wouldn't kill him outright.
Amara heard Gascon grunt as she took her ward away and she cast a spell that would settle over the area shortly. She made it to where it would be for everyone allied to them as opposed to just Gascon, in the event Vana decided to use this spell on anyone else. As soon as Amara finished her spell, Gascon dropped his wand and drew his wife in close to kiss her passionately. Amara had tears streaking down her face already, and her hands snaked into his hair. There was no telling when he would awaken nor how long it would be until she had a chance to do something as simple as this again. Love poured through their connection, compounding on what the other felt for their spouse and Gascon relaxed in Amara's arms. He wanted to leave a lasting impression in her mind just in case, though Gascon knew he shouldn't allow himself to think that way.
The ward gave way as Vana’s spell hit him hard, knocking from his wife’s grasp and Gascon recoiled in pain as he felt something being torn away from him, as if something inside him was trying to be forcibly removed. He screamed out in agony as his hands flew to his chest, nearly tearing his shirt as he curled into a ball on the forest floor.
" GASCON!" Marcassin screamed, his blue eyes going wide as he began running to his older brother's side. He was quickly grabbed around the middle by Tarin and the young prince struggled against the dwarf. " Let me go!"
" Are you insane?! What if whatever that witch cast on him affects you due to your proximity?!" Tarin retorted as he dug his heels into the dirt to keep Marcassin in place.
" I don't give a damn! I need to help him!" Marcassin cried out.
" NO!" Gascon bellowed. His eyes were narrowed on his brother in single moment of clarity, though they were full of tears and fire at the same time. That witch was going to pay for this! " Tarin's right! Stay where you...ARGGGGGHHH!!!" He never had a chance to finish what he was saying as he turned onto his back and it arched high as if he was being pulled up some invisible force.
Amara went crashing to her hands and knees as well as her eyes went wide in pain, and she fell to the ground, reaching for her husband even as the same started happening to her. By the ancients! Was the spell used on him affecting her as well because of their bond?!
" AMARA!" Marion screamed as she came bursting through the treeline to help her daughter. " AMARA NO!!!"
Palisanther quickly blocked the evestan queen. I understand your desire to help her as a parent, but please go no further your majesty! Palisanther pleaded. His green eyes were wet as he watched his friends in their agony. By the gods of old, he hoped they survived this!
Gascon finally fell still, though his body lurched skyward one last time as if something was being tugged away forcefully from him. I love you Amara...Gascon whispered weakly through their connection, and then Amara couldn’t feel him any longer.
“ Gascon…” Amara whimpered, her vision blurring and the world around her going black. “ I…” Amara tried crawling towards his prostrate form, and she could barely see that his eyes were closed in his new found serenity. “...love you…” Tears were coursing down her face now as the world around her began greying, and Amara was finding it harder to move. She finally brushed his fingers with her own and she slowly settled against the forest floor as her hand clutched his tightly. If she was going with him, then she was never letting him go. His fingers curled around her reflexively, and Amara smiled a little despite the current situation. They had their love, something that no spell could ever break or shatter. Something that no one could take from them no matter how hard they tried. Love would bear them through this trial. Her other hand came to rest over her womb and a single tear leaked down her cheek and onto the leaves below her. She could only pray that their child would be safe in all of this.
The pain in her chest was getting to be too much to bear as she strove to hold on as long as possible, though Amara screamed as if something was reaching into the very core of her being and clawing at something, trying to force something out. Please...Protect my little one. I care not what I endure, just don't let this innocent life know the harshness of the world too soon...she thought desperately. Her eyes blearily looked at Gascon one last time and she let out the breath she didn't realize she was holding. The world faded into nothingness as Amara finally let go and something inside her flew away.
“...Always…”

End Book I: Link
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The Ties that Bind