The Journey Home

[Zelda]

Will be written this weekend.

[Zelda]

The journey home was hard for me. It didnt feel "right". There was no Arcon to pass the time with, No Lady Moon to make witty comments on the state of affairs of neighbouring kingdoms.

We stopped to give Captain Zorn a decent Christian burial, and I removed the ring from his finger to give to his wife. Thats was another thing I would have to do when I returned, inform families of the death of their loved ones. It wasnt RIGHT and it shouldnt have happened but it did, so it was my duty as Queen to do the right thing.

I didnt stop to make camp that night, or the next. I just wanted to be back home. But was it really my home now that Arcon was gone? Or was I an imposter, trying to run a country in his absence? Latenight rode near enough to me to be within hailing distance, but far enough away to allow me my thoughts.

Willow was still in a state of shock, and had to be held onto the horse she was riding. I dont think she stopped crying the whole ride home.

I was crying with her, but I couldnt show my tears. My heart ached, like if someone had pierced it with a knife, and was heavy like a rock in my chest. But I went on. I knew thats what Arcon would have wanted.

On the third day we approached the city at sunset. I saw a figure sitting under a tree. Its outlined looked familiar. Very familiar.

"Steve!!!!" my voice cracked as it cried out.

"My lady!" he replied surprised to see me and my entourage. "But where is Arcon, and Lady Moon?" he asked, not knowing what had happened. My eyes once again filled with tears, Latenight thankfully for once was paying attention and rode forward to fill Steve in on the last months worth of news. I just turned my horse and rode. I needed to mourn, to weep, to cleanse my system before the knighting ceremony. I couldnt do it like this.

[Zelda]

But most of all I needed to tell the people what had happened. They had a right to know. I resolved that in the morning I would call a meeting, and tell them, plainly and without embelishment what had happened to their king. For it was becuase of them Arcon had been king.

[Lord Tellurine]

The ride back to Arconia was a quiet and reflective one for Meekal. He took the time to ponder the events of the last few days. Escaping from the tower, stealing a horse, and going after Zarcon were all crazy ideas, but they didn’t seem crazy at the time he was doing it. Even charging one of Zarcon’s top warriors after he had insulted the Lady Moon seem to make sense at the time. Except now, despite his courage, Lady Moon had thrown herself over a cliff and his best friend was dead.

While Zelda gave Capt. Zorn a proper burial Meekal did the same for Kliff, decorating his new grave with any rocks he could find in the area. Once they had all been put into position he told them all about his friend and why they should be honored to be with him at his final resting place.

When they had returned to Arconia, Meekal went home and wrote a letter to the Fauldergrafts, who still resided in Muu. He sent a messenger with the letter and the few personal effects of Kliff’s he had.

Meekal went to the Bitter End for something to drink and a warm smile. Wooden Bob was at his usual stool. “Hi Bob,” Meekal greeted with a blank look and a halfhearted pat on the back.

“Not yet,” answered Wooden Bob, finishing off his drink, “but give me another hour and ask me again.”

This gave Meekal a smile and he sat down next to Bob. “It’s nice to be home,” he said.

[Lord Tellurine]

Meekal the Daft and Wooden Bob were soon joined by Dr. Julius Abernathy who, when entering the Bitter End, spotted Meekal and made a beeline for him. “Meekal, my boy,” he said in a friendly voice, draping an arm around the young prince from Muu, “I have heard terrible rumors about you and your geologist friend.”

“My geologist friend is dead,” Meekal responded coldly.

The news shocked Dr. Abernathy and he removed his arm. “I hadn’t heard that.”

“Not him too!” cried Wooden Bob loudly through his empty mug. “First Kliff and now your geologist friend!” He slammed the mug down onto the bar. “When will the killings end?!?”

Meekal glared at Bob. “Kliff IS my geologist friend!”

Wooden Bob blinked at him. “Oh,” he said plainly and then brushed a termite from his leg… the wooden one.

Dr. Abernathy explained, “I had only heard that you and he had been locked in the tower.” Meekal nodded a confirmation. “And that you had escaped.” Meekal nodded again. “And that you took Captain Zorn’s horse and rode off after Zarcon!” Meekal nodded again. Dr. Abernathy looked at him, knowing what he had heard he couldn’t understand why Kliff was now dead. What info had he missed? “When you went after Zarcon,” he began hesitantly, “what happened?”

“I can’t tell you,” Meekal answered without looking at him. Queen Zelda had ordered everyone in the party returning to Arconia to keep quiet about what had happened until she had a chance to speak to the citizens herself.

“I see,” said Dr. Abernathy understanding the need for secrecy. He robbed his chin and took a small step closer to Meekal. Into his left ear he said in a low voice. “There’s talk in town that only half of the party returned. Am I to believe that there were casualties?”

“I can’t tell you,” reiterated Meekal, and he shoved a hand into his pocket and began to nervously play with his stones.

Dr. Abernathy took a long deep breath. “Kliff wasn’t the only one who died out there, is he? Is the Queen all right? What about Sir Lochinvar? What is the status of our King Arcon?”

Suddenly, one of Meekal’s stones fell out of his pocket and bounced off of Dr. Abernathy’s foot and landed on the floor behind them. Meekal quickly hopped off his barstool and grabbed the rogue rock, clenching it in his hand.

Dr. Abernathy viewed Meekal for a moment and then shook his head slightly. His eyes lost a little life and he muttered, “I see.” He bit his lower lip in thought and then said, “I won’t disturb you anymore.” He bowed courteously and then left the Bitter End as fast as he had entered.

Meekal sighed and sat back down on his stool next to Wooden Bob. He lifted his clenched hand and opened it, revealing one of his favorite stones. “Margaret,” he said in a low harsh voice, “can’t you keep a secret?” He angrily shoved her back into his pocket.

[Zelda]

It took awhile for the queen to compose herself after arriving home. As much as the dank echoing castle didnt feel like home at this point in time, it was the closest that she had.

After arriving back Zelda found a messager of the people waiting to talk to me....

"Ma'M? You were going to ask King Arcon about that tax raise?"

Her face betrayed the fact she had never gotten around to it. So she said,

"Before you go and start complaining about the fact I didnt keep my promise. I need you to do someothing for me."

"What my lady?"

"I need you to get all the leaders of the town together. Dr. Abernathy, Steve from the bitter End, the head of the palace servants, the teachers, the preachers and others. I need them all here, in the castle within 2 hours. Get them to assemble at the large meeting room in the West Wing near the throne room. I will meet them there."

The messenger looked bewildered, but who was he to question the queen. Come to think of it, he hadnt seen King Arcon for days. And definately not since the group had returned from fighting Zarcon.

"As you wish my lady..." the messenger replied and left on his errand with a sense of forboding.

[ 11-04-2001: Message edited by: Zelda ]

[Swordsman]

Which point of view is this in?

"...took a while for the queen to compose myself."

"...I never got around to it. So she said..."

Just a curiosity I noticed.

[Lord Tellurine]

A royal messenger entering the Bitter End Pub interrupted the usual din of evening’s crowd. He approached the bar near where Wooden Bob and Meekal sat silently. Steve approached from the other side, carrying a glass and the towel he was using to wipe it with and asked him what he wanted.

The royal messenger took a moment to catch his breath and said, “Queen Zelda would like you to report to the West Wing Conference Room in two hours.”

“What for?” asked Steve, putting down the glass. A command by the Queen was not a command to question, but curiosity got the better of him. Had there been more bad news since he had seen her as they both returned to Arconia?

“She wouldn’t say,” answered the messenger, taking a few more quick shallow breaths. “Only that I am to deliver this message to all the town leaders.” He took a glancing look through the bar. “I was told Dr. Abernathy was here?”

Meekal told him, “He just left. He didn’t say where he was going. Try him at home.”

“Thank you, sir,” said the messenger and he turned to leave. Suddenly, he turned back around and stared at Meekal. “Aren’t you one of the chaps that escaped the tower a few days back?”

“Yes,” replied Meekal sheepishly.

“And stole Captain Zorn’s horse?”

“Yes again.”

The messenger walked around to where Meekal was sitting and chose his words as he spoke. “While you were out there… did anything happen to King Arcon?”

Meekal froze. He stopped breathing and his eyes began growing large. The color in his face began to change and it looked as if he was about to explode. He did. He let out a scream that frightened the Bitter End patrons and then he jumped off his stool and ran from the building. His scream could be heard as he ran down the street over the momentary still of the Bitter End.

The messenger turned back towards Steve and Wooden Bob. “What’s his problem?” he asked.

Wooden Bob slurred, “I think he did that to keep the rock from talking.”

The messenger looked at Steve who merely shrugged. “I must be going,” he said. “Remember, Steve, two hours.” The royal messenger left.

Steve exclaimed, “Now I’ll have to close early!”

“I’ll watch the bar for you,” offered Bob, trying best not to slur.

“No thanks. The ‘talking rocks’ have told me you shouldn’t be trusted with unlimited access to the kegs.”

Wooden Bob nodded slowly and said, “You too, huh?”

Steve flung a towel at him and yelled, “Last call!”

[ 11-04-2001: Message edited by: Lord Tellurine ]

[Zelda]

Hey! I was trying to do 4 things at once, give a Queen a break will ya!

Its fixed now....

[ 11-04-2001: Message edited by: Zelda ]

[Lord Tellurine]

The royal messenger found Dr. Abernathy walking down a side street of Arconia, making his slow trek home. Matter of fact, the messenger rushed right by him, almost knocking him over, causing Dr. Abernathy to snap at the young man, “Why don't you watch where-in-the-name-of-Craig you're going!”

The messenger spun around and delivered his message dutifully, even adding the fact that he was delivering the message to all the town leaders.

Dr. Abernathy asked him, “What does the Queen want with us?" He took a step closer to the messenger. "Is it the King? Did he not come back?”

“I don’t know,” answered the messenger truthfully. “All I know is what Queen Zelda told me.” He added a moment later, “The king has not been seen since he left.”

“Oh dear,” said Abernathy, clasping a hand to his mouth. “Then it’s true. With King Arcon gone, then these will be dark days for Arconia.” He noticed the young man still standing in front of him as he made his prediction of doom. He snapped, “Well, off with you!” The messenger spun back around and ran off. Abernathy said to himself, “I better get home and tell my wife I’m needed at the castle.” He hurried off down the street without noticing the figure stir in the alleyway.

Out of the alley stepped Lord Tellurine. He had been keeping a low profile in town since doing his dirty work for Zarcon. The only contact he had had was with people who were the owners of the inn he was staying at in town who thought he was traveling broom salesman (Which is what he told them, despite the fact he carried with him no brooms and became flustered when they offered to buy one.) The rest of the time he hid away in alleys waiting for news of the expedition against Zarcon. Now the news was in and he knew just who was willing to pay for it.

He claimed his horse, Hayfever, from the municipal rent-a-stable and rode off towards the east, towards Muu. His destination was not Muu though. His welcome in the royal court of Muu was in doubt, and the Muu army was too cash-strapped to move against Arconia anyway. Toppling the government would have to come from within, and since Gregory Thatch, the Headhunter, had left town, dashing any chance of a citizen revolt, that left only two people in Arconia bold enough and greedy enough to try it: Baron and Baroness Von Schmect.

[ 11-04-2001: Message edited by: Lord Tellurine ]

[Swordsman]

"Baron and Baroness von Schmeckt". Oh, I'm loving this! Tellurine, you rival Moonitic herself.

Schmeckt. Auf Englisch, to taste. "Es schmeckt gut." It tastes good. Hehe.

[Iwant2bafencer]

Ah! Swordsman Ich night kenne du spreachs deutch!
(Dont look at my spelling! )

----------------
Carpe Diem

[Swordsman]

Not bad on the spelling, but you have to use haben for the past tense, and throw the verb to the end of the phrase.

"Ich hatte nicht kennen das du Deutsch sprichst."

Ja, ich spreche ein Bisschen, aber ich habe leider nur zwei Jahren gelernen.

[ 11-04-2001: Message edited by: Swordsman ]

[Zelda]

Wie Heisst du?

[Swordsman]

Sie dürfst nicht meine Name gewissen.

[Iwant2bafencer]

Haha! Ya, Ich habe Drie Yahre Gelernt.
(I am so bad when it comes to verbs at the end etc. I've been told that I have a great accent though.)

---------------
Carpe Diem

[Swordsman]

Drei ganze Jahren?

Your spelling, I'm sorry, sucks, at least in that last one. Three full years, or in your third year? I've got two full years, and the first quarter of a third.

[Lord Tellurine]

As he rode, Lord Tellurine recalled a conversation he had with Baron and Baroness Von Schmect just after the most recent failed royal ball. He had overheard them complaining as they waited outside for their carriage to take them back to their considerable estate on the east end of Arconia.

“What an abomination!” exclaimed the aging Baroness Von Schmect.

“A disgrace!” chimed in the slightly older Baron Von Schmect.

“I take it you didn’t enjoy yourself?” asked Lord Tellurine as he slithered up beside them, taking note of their impeccable dress and air of superiority.

Baroness Von Schmect snapped, “King Arcon and Queen Zelda are the most uncouth, unrefined, and uncivil royalty I’ve ever had the displeasure to meet!”

“They are a disgrace to the elite class!” added Baron Von Schmect.

“Just by throwing a bad ball?” asked Tellurine.

“That’s only the tip of the iceberg!” replied the Baroness. “They don’t know how to behave socially!” She leaned in towards Tellurine and asked with a whisper, “Do you know that there were commoners invited to this ball? I overheard one say he owned a… pub in town.” Her face grimaced in disgust.

The Baron said, “Is not proper to mix people of our standing with those kinds.”

Tellurine thought a moment. Even as he spoke with these two affluent Arconians, Zarcon’s plan to overthrow the government was in place. He asked cautiously, “You two would like to see King Arcon and Queen Zelda gone?”

The Baron became nervous at the question. He licked his lips in thought and finally answered, “Arconia would be better off without them.”

The Baroness announced, “If we ruled, the commoners would know their place and Arconia would become a beacon to the royal dynasties of the world, including that arrogant King of Muu.”

The Baron glared at her, as if she was talking too much. “Excuse me, sir,” he said softly, stroking his small white beard, “but I don’t believe we’ve been properly introduced. Who are you?”

Tellurine smiled. “I am Lord Tellurine, special agent of the King of Muu.”

The Baron asked, “Tellurine, heh? What exactly do you do for the King of Muu?”

Tellurine answered, “I keep an eye on Arconia for him. He would someday like to see it fall. I’m here to watch for when it trips.”

“I am Baron Von Schmect and this is my lovely wife the Baroness Von Schmect. The Von Schmect name is the oldest family name in Arconia. We own the most land in Arconia, we are the wealthiest family in Arconia and despite that we have been disgraced by the antics of the King and Queen time and time again.” He paused. “Since our land borders Muu we’ve even been to see the King of Muu to talk of an alliance, but we found him to be overly demanding and rude.” He took a step towards Tellurine and looked him straight in the eye. “If ever Arconia were to fall, and you see it trip… You come see us first. The Von Schmect family should be living in this castle, and we’ve always said we would reward those who help us get there.”

It was at that moment that their carriage arrived and Baron and Baroness Von Schmect climbed in. Without giving Lord Tellurine a further glance they rode off.

Suddenly, Hayfever, Tellurine’s horse sneezed. “Stupid horse,” he said. He was a good half a day from the Von Schmect’s estate, but he could smell that old family money already. And all he had to do was tell them Arconia was without a king. He wondered for a moment what Arconia would be like under the rule of the Von Schmects. “Von Schmectia?” he pondered and his horse sneezed again. “Stupid horse!”

[Zelda]

EEK its my turn and I havent thought yet!!! TONIGHT SOMETIME I PROMISE!

[Swordsman]

German note:

"von" means basically "from". The Baron and Baroness von Schmeckt are the Baron and the Baroness from a place called Schmeckt. If it were used in the kingdom's name, "von" would be dropped.