All buckled up !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nice precaution, Jill !

If you're waiting for me to find a seat belt, it ain't happenin'.

Post!!!!

Jill

I don't know if any preparation could ready me for what's to come.. but bring it on

dun, Dun, DUN....

Previously: Narrowing his eyes, Berto began to move himself and Sue toward the mirror, ever so slowly.

*** (interlude Present)

The great clock chimed at the bottom of the hour.

In her room, Gertrude tossed, murmuring in her sleep. “The Twain have touched, the Two are One, the Time of Light has now come. Only yet to touch once more, the Mirror waits to be your door and loosen Heaven with Its roar.”

Outside, the thunder rolled…

***

The bald man came running into the room, a parchment in hand. Breathing heavily, he managed to rasp out, “The prophecy, my lord. For reference.”

“Give me that, you fool!” He grabbed the scroll away from the magician and unrolled it, squinting from behind his mask at the marks. “What isssss THISssss? It issssss only chicken sssscratch. Where issss the prophecssssy?” Yellow eyes glowered at Mage who ducked his head.

“It is written in ancient runes, my lord.”

“Oh. Very well. I knew that.” The hooded man tossed the parchment back at the magician.

D’simond moved to join the two men. “May I see it, Lord Corabarra?”

At a gesture from the dark man, Mage handed it to the counselor who studied it with great interest.


Sue noticed that she and Berto were inching closer to the mirror. They seemed to be moving too slowly to make it before they were spotted, but his arm around her waist reassured her that they would. Father, this place is not my home. Please, help me to make it back.

As if reading her thoughts, Berto gave her a little squeeze causing her to look up at him. “Ye will get home, Lady Susan. On my life, I promise.” His eyes were serious.

She drew in a breath as a thought occurred with his words. “There’s no way out for you…”

“Do ye trust me?” He locked his gaze to hers. The steel blues searched her eyes, looking for that strength, that faith he’d seen earlier.

Sue was torn. Father, has he brought me here safely only to die in my place?

He looked so much like Bobby from her time: the same blue eyes, the same dimple, and the same steady hands. The mustache and goatee were different and his somber mood tended to make him much more serious, but in his eyes, she could see that spark she trusted in her time. With a slow nod, she whispered, “Yes.”

Taking a quick glance at the arguing men, he risked taking another step before speaking again. “Nae matter what happens, ye must trust me. I cannae explain ever’ thin’ as we go. Ye must trust me.”

“I do.”

Lights flickering near the mirror drew her attention away from the knight. The surface showed no reflection, only darkness; angry rolling clouds with black tendrils that seemed to be reaching for her. Butterflies churned in her stomach as she tried to swallow down her panic. Without light, I am cut off…

The clouds in the mirror seemed to sense her dread and became more ominous in their movement but a still small voice wrote across her mind: ~But the Light shone in the darkness, and the darkness did not understand.~

Father, oh, thank you, thank you! Sue took a deep breath, blowing out her fears. If facing the darkness is what it takes for me to get home, then I know You’ll be with me to Light the way…like You have done for me before.

She glanced around at the trio of men, who stood trying to decide her fate, one that she didn’t desire to live out. Turning back, Sue looked into Berto’s eyes. “Do you trust me?”

He barely heard the words but was nodding before she finished. “Aye. Wi’ me life, m’lady.”


They were interrupted by a coughing noise. Sue followed Berto’s gaze to find the nightmare from her present standing nearby.

“Am I disturbing a quiet moment between a knight and his lady?” D’simond fluttered his eyelashes as he wrinkled his face distastefully. He approached them warily, due to the pointed sword aimed his direction. He fixed his gaze on Sue, much like a lion stalking his prey. “Do you have the word, woman?”

She blinked at him, trying process his request. “Word…”

“Yes, yes, the word. The traveler has a tiny word in hand. I would like to see it, if you please.”

Fumbling with her pocket, she reached for the tiny heart shape suddenly reluctant to part with it. “I…I need it back. It’s mine.” Sue didn’t know why she said it, only that it was important.

“Of course, I see no reason to not to return it.” Although, soon you will not need it.

As she made to hand it over, Berto stopped her. “No. Ye cannae be handin’ over that tae him. Let me. I promise ye will get it back.” When she placed the wee paper heart in his hands, it seemed as if his own stopped as he read the script.

Bert

The counselor tapped his foot impatiently. “Now, come, my dear knight. I have not all evening.” A thin, claw-like hand extended, reaching for the paper.

Said knight pushed down his revulsion at the…tone in the other man’s voice. “Nay. I will show ye and none o’ your ticks or I willnae hesitate to run ye through.”

“Oh, such promises,” D’simond hissed at the tall man.

“Will you two ssssstop? What doesssss the parchment sssssay and thusss the word on the ssssslip?” Corabarra had wandered up to his throne and sat idly tracing runes similar to the ones he claimed he could read.

The magician sputtered loudly, “The word in hand is only to reveal the traveler as the one capable of breaking the mirror.”

“I beg to differ. I think the word holds the key to releasing the power. If you hold the key,” he cut a sharp look toward the knight, “then you hold the power.” D’simond began circling the pair, ever mindful of the drawn sword and the tight grip on the strange woman. “I was wondering why you would willfully bring her to what you know would certainly be her death. It goes against a knight’s code of honor. And you are honorable, are you not, Sir Berto? Hmmm? I thought so. So…why are you here?”

The knight stilled, pulling Sue close. He took in every man and position. Corabarra in his throne chair, Mage nearby, partially blocking the mirror, and D’simond moving around them, almost trying to herd them away from their target. Laird o’Lights…he has seen through us…

Sue registered Berto’s sudden shift in stance and took a deep breath, prepared for what ever needed to be done. It was still a shock when he bodily lifted her off her feet and sprinted toward the mirror.

“NOOOO!!!!” Corabarra and D’simond yelled out.

Mage turned and raised his hands, a red glow beginning to emanate from them. “Darkness comes, thunder runs, stop them still, turn back the sun…” His words were cut of by a slap of the broadsword across his chest that sent him reeling back onto the throne chair. He and Corabarra went over in a sputtering tangle of legs.

As they neared the mirror, the golden frame sprang to life, it’s edges hissing and sparking with life. Like dominoes falling, the runes ran from the left bottom corner up and around the perimeter till they came back to the start. Words danced at the approach of the pair, sending flame images into the air. The long dormant angels held by Words of Power began to break loose of their gilded bonds.

Within the mirror, the clouds fought to get free, to bust loose, to tear something, anything to pieces. An almost audible growl could be heard by those standing near. Around the edge of the room, soldiers cast nervous eyes between the angry magical mirror and the knight running toward it.

Berto saw the surface of the glass and pushed down his fear for the woman in his arms. Laird, ‘tis what must be done. I promised. With a heave, he tossed her toward the mirror and she hit the floor running. Behind him, he could hear movement and commands being shouted. The knight turned his back to her, and stood between darkness and light.

D’simond understood immediately what he saw and began to back out of the room. Another time, another place… He turned and ran.

Sue stood before the mirror, hesitating only a moment before touching the smooth surface. Her hand went through, slowly this time and she stepped across the frame. As she did, the clouds broke apart, like Moses parting the Red Sea. She stopped before withdrawing completely to her side. She had to make sure Berto was all right.

The knight was fighting off soldiers hard and fast. Lord Corabarra stood to the side, his body language indicating his anger at something. She saw D’simond escaping and caught a glance at the bald man coming up from the side.

“Berto, beside you!”

The tall man flipped his sword and ran the magician through and turned mouthing “GO!” at her.

She held out her hand. “Come with me. There’s no escape!” Soldiers were pouring into the great hall now.

Berto quickly moved to the mirror, grabbing her hand. “You must go, m’lady.” He kissed her hand.

Sue tried to reach her other hand back through, to pull him with her but it wouldn’t go. Twisting the hand he held, she jerked him toward her as the soldiers drew closer. “I won’t let you die for me!” As she pulled on him, she finished going thru the mirror and it sealed up, leaving him on the other side, hands flat on the glass. In his right hand was the little paper heart.

His eyes met her’s. I promised… He turned away, raising his sword to fight until the end. Four flares broke loose at the corners of the mirror. That’s when his world blew apart.

Sue saw him turn and banged on the glass, crying, “No, nonononono” as he turned away. He fell to one knee and the last thing she saw was a blinding white light that threw her across the room with concussive force. She hit the wall and slid down mercifully unaware of the storm raging outside.

A gentle hand patted her face, bringing her to consciousness. She blinked a few times to clear her vision. “Gertilde?”

The white head above her nodded slowly. “I haven’t heard that name in a long time.” Seemingly frail arms help Sue to sit. Gentle hands checked the back of her head, feeling the rather large bump there.

“I’m back? Home?” Her heart began to race. “Berto…he’s on the other side…”

Gertrude helped Sue to stand and move to the chair next to the mirror. She flipped on an extra light. “My dear, Berto is not there anymore.” Gesturing to Sue, she gave a slight smile. “I think you’d better change before your friends come looking for you.”

Glancing down, Sue gasped. She was still wearing the rose colored dress. “The nightgown…”

Fathomless blue eyes gave a knowing look. “I told you not to leave anything behind.” She nodded toward the chest that stood behind the mirror.

With careful steps, Sue approached the box, running a hand over the smooth wooden panels. Recognizing it from the High King’s camp, she opened it slowly, taking in the scents of the time. Father, was it real?

There, on top, was the nightgown she had worn when she went through the mirror. As quickly as she could, she got out of the court dress and all its extra clothing and slipped back into the sleepwear. She tried to fold the dress but tears came then and she found herself drawn into Gertrude’s embrace. When those precious drops were spent, the gentle lady turned Sue to face her.

“You cry for those you knew only a short time. Shall I tell you what happened?” At the younger woman’s nod, she continued. “Berto turned away, knowing he had failed in his promise to return the heart to you. That move saved his life. The paper fell out of his hand and he knelt to pick it up, just as the mirror fulfilled its destiny: to break the darkness of that time. The light you saw was backlash…” She paused at the other woman’s confused look. “Echo?” At Sue’s nod, she started again. “You saw and felt the echo of the Light breaking the darkness. It wiped out everything in the castle, except Berto.”

“Everything? How did he survive?”

“Berto followed the Light. It did not harm him.”

Sue bit her lip. “Would you tell me what happened to him and the King?”

“That is a story for another time, perhaps.” Gertrude led her back to the chest and rummaged through the clothing for moment. When she found what she was looking for, she handed it to Sue. “This is for you. Do with it what you will.”

It was a leather folio, well worn and soft. The outside had a shield of arms: a wolf and a serpent dove above a crown in front a rising sun. Tracing the crest, she frowned, wondering what it could be. She opened the wallet with great care. Inside was a folded parchment with a hand written note in scratch penmanship.

Lady Susan,

I hop this findes ye in good health. As promsed, I have returned ye heart.

Berto de Manne
Knight to High King John

Placing the letter on the nightstand, she looked into the folio again and found a small piece of red paper folded in half. It was slightly torn and the letters were smudged but she recognized it. Sue looked up at Gertrude, tears in her hazel eyes. “How?”

“Child, didn’t I tell you the Valentine Mirror would show you men who were brave and true? Did you find your knight in shining armor?”

The younger woman thought about the words she’d heard…earlier? tonight. “Was it real?” her voice was a whisper.

“You were there, my dear. You saw everything. If it were not for you, all might have been lost.” The white headed lady patted Sue’s hand and winked. “Now, off to bed. I know you think you will not be able to sleep but you have been awake for a long night.” The pair walked to the younger woman’s room where Gertrude waited until her charge was in bed. Laying her hands upon Sue’s, she closed her eyes and prayed in her quick, quiet way.

Sue smiled as her eyes closed and sleep claimed her, the leather folio clutched close to her heart.



Bouncing on her bed woke Sue from her deep sleep. She made out the forms of a very excited Lucy and Tara that were talking animatedly. “Wait, slow down. I just woke up.” The pair turned to look at her with wide eyes.

“Didn’t you feel that lightning crash last night?” Lucy shivered.

“Lightning?”

Tara nodded. “The freezing rain stopped after awhile and it got calm outside. The news said a freak storm blew in, just thunder and lightning. It struck near the house, we think.”

Sue reached up to rub the back of her head. The bump reminded her of the ‘lightning strike.’ “I…think I may have felt a jolt during the night,” she replied truthfully.

The duo began bouncing again. “Come on, Aunt Gertie is waiting by the Valentine’s Mirror for us.” Tara took off down the hall followed closely by Lucy.

More slowly, Sue followed, in no hurry to see the past. It was what her future would bring that now held her interest. She opened her hand one more time to see the name printed there and noticing a wee change, grinned to herself.

BertO




Epilogue


Valentine’s Day at the office was a strange affair.

Lucy was bursting at the seams, a gold chain twinkling from around her neck. Her beau, Albert, had had it delivered to the office shortly before the three ladies arrived. The rotor’s squeal was heard three floors down much to the team’s chagrin.

Tara was more subdued but glowing as well. Stanley had sent her a Valentine’s encryption program that when she solved it, revealed tickets to see her favorite band and reservations at her favorite place to eat.

Myles shook his head at the antics of the various ladies while Bobby rolled is eyes.

“What?” Lucy demanded. “Didn’t you do something special for your significant other? Oh, wait…you two don’t have others right now.” She did that half smile thing with the eyebrow.

“Ah, Luce, did you have to bring it up?” The Aussie grinned good-naturedly.

Clearing his throat, the Harvard grad raised an eyebrow at the rotor. “If you must know, I will be escorting Ms. Koslowski to the Valentine’s Dance tonight.”

A giggle from across the room caused heads to turn. “She makes good brownies,” Sue smiled broadly as she rubbed her tummy.

Myles inclined his head toward his partner, acknowledging her statement. “That is true. I shall remember to save you one.”

THANK YOU she signed.

WELCOME came back.

Bobby wadded up a paper and tossed it, hitting the Bostonian in the head. “What about me?”

Jack walked into the bullpen then, nose buried in a report. “What about you, Crash? You’d eat them all.” He never missed a beat.

“How’d?-“

“Myles always takes Ms. Koslowski to the Valentine’s Dance at the Senior’s Center. You’d know that if you paid attention.”

The Aussie drew back at the sharp jab. “Easy, Spark,” he mumbled to himself. “I usually had Darcy to keep me occupied.” Bobby rose to get a refill on his coffee.

Sue followed him. “You okay?” She spoke and signed.

The dark headed man shrugged and made a halfway motion with his hand. “So so. Valentine’s is hard going solo.”

“Any day is what you make it, Bobby.” She reached into her suit jacket pocket and pulled out a little item. Handing it to him, she said, “Here. Have a heart.” She made a sign and smiled before walking away.

It took him a minute to process what she had done but it became clear when he looked at the small candy.

Tru Friend

Grinning to himself, he bobbed his head once before lifting it up to face the day. Maybe the day would be what he made of it.

THE END

*trecebo has passed out from exhaustion...please leave a message...*

That was the most incredible story I have ever read. Now I need to go back and read it from start to finish, cuz I know I'm gonna understand it a whole lot better now that I know who is who and what is what and all that jazz....... I may skip that hound part, though......very skeery.

You rock, Trece! Awesome tale you told, there. Very out of the box!!! My favorite kind!

Jill

Ohmygoobers! a postflood!

My heart was racing through that whole "chase" post, and totally faboo it is!

Makes sense now, your story does. Excellent it is.

Trecebo, great finish... you showed us ... the knight in shining amour hasn't to be only man of our life but true friend too...

Thanks!


Restie

Great to be finally able to breath again, I've been doing a fair impersonation of a smurf since this story started ...

Thank you for an AMAZING ride Trecebo!!!

Katinka

What a story.. I think I may just pass out from exhaustion!! That story was so powerful and I loved it!!! Thanks for all the work you put into it!

Trecebo, I fell behind early on and had to catch up the last few days!!

What an amazing story - I loved every word of it!! I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, with a few times blended in where I had fallen off the chair!!!

So different, so extraordinary, so well worth reading and re-reading!!!

Thanks for sharing your incredible talent with us!!!

Joy

Okay, I'm ready for the next story now Trece...Trece? Are you okay? You're lying there like a bump on a log...or lint on a carpet or...well, I'll give you some time to recover and then you can get cracking on your sequel, okay? Because I want to know what happened to King John and Berto and how Samwyl and Tatania (did I get her name right?) got on and.....

This is a completely s-s-ssupberb sssstory...sssstupendousssly sssssensationsssss...

night
kav

Seriously, if anyone is interested, I will write a story telling the story that Gertrude alluded to. Give me a week to recover and get cracking on BH and I'll let you know...

Mega thanks to Kav for her idea. I just had to run with it and wow, what a ride!

And to all you who held on for dear life, I'm glad it was worth it. It wasss loadsssss of fun ssssssharing with you.

Can't resist that offer!!!!!

Start running, girl!!!!!!!

Jill

Thanks for a great story,
Terie

Trece ... that was quite a ride you took us in !!!!

True friend indeed!!!

Somewhere along the line I fell behind but now I came back to read it in one piece. I cried, Trece...really did, cause it was so beautiful and so powerful. I wanted to mention many things that I loved but the tears are making the screen all blurry and all I can do is tell how talented you are and what a wonderful story you wrote... Thank you...

Have you caught your breath yet? Let's go already. Me want story now.

wow, that was an amazing story, even after i found out samwyl was married i stillhoped him and sue would get together, cant wait for the sequel.

Hey Trece,

So I haven't been here in forever, and really I shouldn't be here now, what with 3 essays and a test to study for, oh wait a a tutorial debate to prepare for (>.<), but I wanted to let you know how much I loved this. As always, you leave me guessing and wondering until the end. Great show of friendship and loyalty and faith throughout...and loved how you introduced our fave characters from your other fandom (including the baddies ^_~).

I think I did a squeal when you revealed who I'Lee was in this (I really like her )...and loved the added 'o' to Bert ^_~.

As always, you never cease to amaze.

Right...back to the Anthropology of Education. Joy.

~Skye

Quite a story! I finally had the time to get through it all. It was tough at times, since I was unfamiliar with the present day version of many of the characters, but it was intriguing just the same. A nice approach you took towards the whole Valentine's Day thing!

I loved the Light vs. Dark metaphors, as well.

Great job!!

Okay, here I am pulling up the rear again.

Great story Trece! Loved every second of it. Intense, emotional, action-packed, and just really, really, really good.

Now a sequel would be nice. Ya know there's an Easter challenge or two that you could use as a sequel.

Can't wait for more!!!