Chapter Text
The battle with the Skeksis was both a blur of chaos and a period of horrifying clarity. To Deet and Rian’s profound relief, a number of their friends and other clan members joined them; and they’d been able to prepare before the Lords of the Crystal arrived. At first their plan actually seemed to be working, Rian took out the General in a feat of unbelievable courage and physical skill, and the smoke bombs allowed the others to press the attack.
Then Maudra Fara fell to a Skeksis blade, and The Hunter appeared out of nowhere; snatching Rian from the melee and throwing him like a ragdoll across the courtyard. Deet screamed as Rian crashed against the stone stairs; his battered body given no time to recover before The Hunter picked him up by the neck and shook him viciously. A moment later the battle ground to a halt, Skeksis and Gelfling alike transfixed by the drama of The Hunter’s sudden, inexplicable death and the shocking emergence of a very much alive Aughra in his place. In the commotion Rian managed to limp over to his friends, Deet immediately wrapping her arms around his torso to keep him upright; only partially paying attention to the conversation between Aughra and the Emperor as she worriedly looked over Rian’s injuries.
Fear stole through the Gelflings’ hearts as Aughra’s threats failed and they faced off with the Skeksis once more; their dual glaive ruined, their hero battered. Then, like a miracle, a volley of spears sailed over their heads to land at the Skeksis feet, and from every direction members of the seven clans along with a number of Arathim appeared, completely surrounding the Lords of the Crystal.
For one hope-filled moment the Skeksis wavered, and it seemed they were about to retreat. Then, to Deet’s horror, the Emperor raised his Staff and summoned the Darkening. Purple lightening blasted forth as the Staff hit the ground, crackling across the entire courtyard and tossing Gelfling into the air. Without even thinking Deet rushed to meet it, her hands glowing blue as she began to absorb the charge. The Grottan’s entire body was wracked with pain, eyes open but seeing nothing other than violet light. Her ears rang with horrible wails that she dimly realized were her own; beyond them Deet could hear Rian’s desperate voice screaming at the Skeksis to stop, but it was so far away he might as well have been on a different world. Her whole reality narrowed to the struggle between the Darkening and the Sanctuary Tree’s power, until suddenly, it stopped.
Deet knelt on the ground, hands buried in soft moss as she panted heavily. The entire courtyard was shocked into silence as the light-haired Gelfling shakily rose to her feet. On the outside the Darkening was gone, but Deet could feel it raging within, and knew she could not contain it much longer. The Sanctuary Tree’s voice whispered in her memory; and the young Grottan turned all her will towards the Emperor’s Staff as she breathed out and relinquished her hold on the Darkening.
Rian and his fellow Gelfling watched in awe as purple light spilled out from Deet and flowed like a river towards the Skeksis, winding around the Emperor and slowly vanishing into the Staff. Deet’s eyes were closed, and if it weren’t for her upright position she could have been asleep. The courtyard was dead silent as the last tendril of violet energy entered the Staff and disappeared; and as the Grottan opened her eyes again Rian could see the Skeksis shaking with fear—he himself trembling with relief that she was alive. She’s okay, I can’t believe it, how in Thra did she do that? But he didn’t have time to think about it as Deet locked eyes with the Skeksis Emperor and spoke a single word: “Leave.” All of Rian’s muscles tensed as he waited to see what would happen, fully expecting to have to launch into battle again. To his amazement some of the Skeksis took a step back, and after a frenzied conversation between the Chamberlain and the Emperor they all turned tail and ran.
“They’re running away!” Brea called out, and the Gelfling erupted in cheers. Grinning from ear to ear, Rian turned to hug Deet only to see her sway alarmingly. “DEET!” The smile slid off the warrior’s face as fear temporarily filled him with energy; allowing him the strength to race over and catch her just before she hit the ground. His cry gained the attention of the nearest Gelfling; and soon everyone was crowding around worriedly. “What happened? Is she alright? How did she do that with the Darkening? Is she—“
“QUIET!” Rian looked up from where he sat on the ground, the unconscious Deet held tight against his chest as Mother Aughra waded through the curious Gelfling. The embodiment of Thra squatted down with a grunt, and started examining the Grottan.”The Sanctuary Tree gifted her its power in the Caves of Grott,” Rian explained in a rush, “I don’t understand how, but afterwards she healed a nurloc and then passed out.” Rian’s anxiety mounted as Mother Aughra continued looking Deet over silently. “Will she be alright? What can I do?” Finally Mother Aughra stopped and looked at him. “Fear not Brave Rian. Gentle Deet will wake, will heal. Will be different, but will live. Needs rest.” Rising laboriously, she made shooing motions at the Gelfling crowded around. “Move. Move, move. Gentle Deet must rest.”
Laboriously, Rian stood and lifted his love, his Deet, looking anxiously at her still face before carrying her carefully to his family’s home—now only his, Rian thought with a pang. Laying her tenderly onto a bed and covering her with a blanket, the warrior moved to occupy a nearby stool when he saw that Bobb’N was already sitting there. Glancing around, Rian belatedly realized he wasn’t alone; Deet’s fathers, Brea, Kylan, Gurjin and others had followed him. A second later Mother Aughra stuck her head in. “What’s all this?” She barked. “How is Gentle Deet supposed to rest with all of you standing around?” She strode into the hut, and marched right over to Bobb’N, who scrambled off the stool and pressed up against his fathers. Claiming the stool, she waved at the Gelfling. “Now, everyone out.” Instantly there was a cacophony of protest, but Mother Aughra overrode it. “No. I know you want to be with Deet, but it’s too much. I will watch over her, and tell you all when she wakes.”
“Please,” Rian piped up, “Please Mother Aughra, couldn’t some of us take shifts watching over Deet? Surely her family at least,”—he gestured to her fathers and Bobb’N, who nodded their heads vigorously, “—deserves to be with her.”
“Yes Mother Aughra, let us take turns!” Brea added fervently, “We’re her friends, we want to be with her!”
Sighing, Aughra realized she was beaten. “Alright. Gentle Deet’s family and the Heroes of Thra may take turns watching over her. Everyone else stay out.”
As the masses streamed out of the hut Brea laid a hand on Rian’s shoulder. “Let’s go Rian, Deet’s family will be with her first.” He knew she was right, but he still hesitated, biting his lip. “Rian,” she insisted, “Come on, you’re injured—probably a lot worse than you’re letting on—you need rest yourself if you’re going to be any help to Deet.” Sighing, the Stonewood Gelfling tore his eyes from the motionless figure on the bed and looked at Brea, admitting she was right before following her outside and to another house where the healers were hard at work. He didn’t even remember being laid down, falling into sleep before his head hit the pillow.
~.~
The three Suns shone brightly through the window onto Rian, warming his body as he sat beside Deet’s bed. Two days had passed since the Grottan had saved them from the Darkening and effectively ended the battle with the Skeksis, and she still hadn’t woken. Rian didn’t get the second shift with her, or even the third; his encounter with The Hunter had caused a fair bit of damage and the healers were very reluctant to let him go. But today he’d argued and argued until they finally gave up, and now he was here, holding her small light-green hand and watching her breathe in and out like he had been for the past Thra-knows-how-many hours. Please wake up Deet, he thought for the hundredth time, please be alright.
“Rian?” Said Gelfling gasped as the faint sound of Deet’s voice suddenly broke the silence. Turning to look at her face, the warrior felt tears of relief spill down his cheeks when he saw that her beautiful brown eyes were open and gazing at him.
“Deet,” he breathed, tightening his grip on her hand, “Thank Thra you’re awake! I was so worried.”
The Grottan blinked a few times and looked around, trying to get her bearings. “Where am I? How long was I asleep?”
“Stone-in-the-Wood.” Rian answered. “You saved us Deet,” he added, voice full of awe, “Somehow you put the Darkening back into the Emperor’s Staff, and the Skeksis ran away. You’ve been asleep for over two days; everyone was so worried, we’ve been taking turns sitting with you—oh!” Abruptly Rian stood, letting go of her hand. “Your family! I have to tell them you’re awake!” Deet’s answering smile made his stomach flutter as if full of scarlet windsifters; impulsively he leaned down and gently smoothed her hair. “I promise I’ll be right back.”
The next hour was a burst of joyous noise as Deet’s family and friends poured into Rian’s house; everyone thanking her and wanting to know how she was doing. The blue-eyed Gelfling smiled as he watched it all from a distance, heart singing with relief. Though Deet was obviously tired, there was color in her cheeks and light in her eyes; she seemed to be getting stronger by the minute and it was clear she would be alright. Then Mother Aughra once again insisted that Deet needed rest, and the Gelfling took their leave.
Just as Rian was about to step out the door, he heard Deet’s gentle voice. “Rian, stay.” Instantly he felt his cheeks warm, turning, he saw the Grottan looking at him expectantly with those luminous eyes. “Please,” she added. The warrior exhaled. How could he say no to that? He looked at Mother Aughra, who rolled her eye and let out a ‘Humph, fine,’ before exiting the house and leaving the two young Gelfling alone. Carefully, Rian sat on the edge of the bed and took Deet’s hand in both of his own, pressing it to his cheek as he looked at her, the faintest blush tracing her skin at the action.
Deet felt her lips curling into a smile as she drank in the sight of him, thankful beyond words that he was alright. She didn’t think she’d ever tire of looking at him. Her heart had leaped when she’d woken and he was right there; and once she’d gotten her bearings Deet realized that the pain and heaviness that had been plaguing her body was gone. The sickening tendrils of the Darkening had been purged from her, along with the purple lines that had dominated her skin. For the first time in what felt like a trine her body was normal again. Weak, but normal. The insight filled her with joy, and now—as Rian gazed at her with such kindness in his eyes—she had hope for the future.
“How are you feeling?” The Stonewood Gelfling asked quietly. The Grottan’s smile grew as she slowly sat up. “Much better—it’s gone Rian.” A confused look flitted across his face, so she elaborated. “The Sanctuary Tree’s power, the Darkening that was bottled up inside me—it’s all gone.”
An instant later Deet was engulfed in a warm hug, and she sighed happily as she laid her head on the warrior’s shoulder. “Thank Thra,” he whispered in a choked voice, pulling back just enough to look at her eyes. Deet’s heart pounded when he added, “There’s something I have to tell you. I tried before the battle, when you were making smoke bombs.” He smiled ruefully, “But I didn’t do a very good job of it.” Deet nodded, unable to think clearly. “I love you too, Deet.” Her eyes widened, and her gasp was cut short as Rian’s soft lips finally met her own.
Deet didn’t know what the future held for the Gelfling, for her family. But as she kissed him back in the warm glow of the afternoon Suns, she knew without a doubt that hers was with Rian.