I'm collecting the entire five-part Netherworld saga here, in anticipation of some possible artwork. I've added Dale's correct hair color. This is a peek at what could be Jedda and Rick's future on Earth N, a continuity created by @amanda-multifandom.
Jedda knelt with Rick at Hadea's throne, waiting for an answer to why they'd been called. Rick's eyes were fastened on the queen's bare feet, which was the proper way to show respect. Jedda got to look at her mother's face.
Hadea was clearly in serious mode — even more serious than usual. She rested her arms along those of her chair. "Duncan MacLeod...has certain opponents. Many will rise in the days to come."
Jedda's brow twitched. She was surprised. "How did you even know of Duncan MacLeod?" And why did Hadea care about the guy? His struggles were occurring on the surface world.
"His clan and mine have history. A vow was made very long ago. There is a debt to be settled now." She paused a few seconds. "In order to assist him as best I can, I have to ascend to the rank of Empress. The title of Queen...shall go to another."
Jedda froze stiff, staring at her. This simply couldn't mean what she thought it did.
Rick began glancing between them both.
"I know that you desire to bond with...Jade..." Hadea said the name rather quietly. "But I may need your assistance soon."
Jedda had to pause to take all of it in. A part of her was utterly stunned by this. Another part of her wasn't smitten at all. She'd sensed she was going to live here someday. She was the Princess of the Netherworld, a title she'd been given when she'd met Hadea, when she was adopted informally.
But ruling here? Reigning as queen? She wasn't so sure she was ready for that — even if Hadea could help her prepare. "Mother..." she murmured. "Do you mean me?"
"It is the safest course of action now," Hadea affirmed. "Once MacLeod's opponents know who you are, once they have learned of the bond we share, they will endeavor to hunt you down. When the time arrives for you to join this fight, you will have better resources here. You shall be able to defend yourself — and to assist any others in need."
Jedda knew Hadea had a valid point, but she wasn't sure about this just yet. She and Rick had made certain plans above. They weren't quite ready to abandon those.
Where, exactly, would their future be?
Rick felt tense — which wasn't bad. There was a good reason for that now. He held her hands, stroking them. "The first time I ever laid eyes on you — your little bare feet and your jungle skirt, messy hair spread above the leafy bra... Well, I reached a rather silly conclusion. I let my prejudice get the better of me." He took a slow breath. "But everything changed in the next few days. I saw you were smart, I saw you were skilled, and most of all, you were sensitive too." His eyes welled up. "And once I realized what was happening...I tried to deny it. I tried to ignore it. But that was a battle I was doomed to lose. I couldn't reject what I felt within."
He noticed her blushing as the words sank in.
"Jedda Walker..." He lowered himself. "There's nothing that I want more on Earth right now, than to have the honor of marrying you."
Netherworld Throne — 3:50 pm
Rick watched his daughter as she played on the floor, moving her dolls on a burgundy rug. Something was unusual about the scene: Dale wasn't adding dialogue today. On most occasions, to Rick's delight, Dale had the dollies talking to one another, demonstrating some of the things she'd learned — eloquent speech, personal manners, and even some basics of politics.
She had been quiet for the past few days. Rick hadn't figured out why that was. It always disturbed him when the kids were upset. Not when they were pouting, but truly upset. He had an obligation to shield them from pain.
He studied her lengthy, gold-colored locks, pulled right back in a cute half-up. He'd never seen a female as precious as her — except, of course, for her beautiful mom.
Leaning toward his wife, he lowered his voice. "So why is she being so quiet of late?"
Jedda adjusted her sparkling crown, curling her toes as she frowned a bit. She obviously had something painful to share. "She misses you, hon," she said in a whisper.
Rick felt a jolt. "What do you mean?"
He already knew. Over the last couple years or so, he'd done the very thing that he'd sworn to avoid. He'd made a child wonder why he worked so much.
Jedda smiled a tad — and only a tad. "She's not an infant, Rick. She's five years old. She wants to know a little more about her dad."
He stared at Dale, twitching a bit.
When he'd agreed to lead the Netherworld knights, he'd vowed to stay devoted to his kids and their mom.
But certainly enough, in Gordon tradition, he had let his duties take priority.
Things had been different for his father and mother. They weren't just spouses. They were a team. That had made it easier for them to commit — or less difficult than it might have been.
But Jedda was a queen. Rick was a knight. People like him had to be on the road. If he started living out there too long, he would be neglecting what mattered most.
Was it only Dale whom he'd come to upset? Were Chris and his wife feeling shunned as well? "Jedda," he said, holding her hand. "I promised that I'd be here for all of you..."
She smiled at him. A full smile now.
"And that's exactly what I'm going to do." He gave her a kiss. She kissed him back. Then he left the throne and eased down on the floor. "Hey, kiddo."
Dale grinned. She looked a bit cautious — as though she thought she had to protect her heart.
Rick eyed the floor. That definitely hurt.
Then he looked up, beaming at her. "Let's go out and play."
"What's wrong?" Dale asked, approaching the throne.
Her mother looked tense as she turned to her.
People liked to shower Dale with compliments. They called her astute for a nine-year-old — claimed she had the makings of a prodigy. Dale knew it wasn't really like that, though. She was no genius. She never would be. But she could read her mother pretty well by now. She always sensed when something was bothering her.
Her mom touched her brow. "A queen in the east — a foe of MacLeod's — claims she helped the Netherworld years ago. The time has arrived for us to pay our debt."
Dale scowled a bit. That didn't sound good. "What does she want?"
"Your brother's hand. She wants Christopher to move into her home, then marry her daughter when they come of age." Her mother grew quiet, eyeing the wall. She seemed to be in deep contemplation now.
What in the world was there to think about, though? Her brother simply wasn't a bargaining chip.
"Mom..." Dale felt a shiver within. "You can't be planning to agree to that."
"What? No..." her mother declared. "We told the queen to offer us proof of the debt. But even if she does, she can't have Chris. We'll simply find another way to pay her off." She stroked her chin. "There's something that's beginning to trouble me. The woman's been nothing but quiet since..."
Dale grew stiff. She eyed the door. "Speaking of Chris...where is he now?"
There!" Dale yelled, spotting her brother.
Chris was on his knees in the green courtyard. A dark-garbed man was laying at his side.
A little dagger glistened in the fluttering grass. Splotches of blood were sprinkled everywhere — along the dirt, along the man, and most notably, on Chris's chest.
Dale froze a second, twitching in place. Someone had come to abduct the prince. This had resulted in a gory scene.
"No... No!" her mother called out, losing her crown as she rushed to Chris.
Her dad ran too, red in the face. He wore a look of horror that was foreign to her.
Dale hurried forth. She couldn't keep up.
"Chris!" her mother called out as she knelt.
Several guards were rushing to the courtyard now. Where had they been a few seconds ago?
"I'm all right, Mother," Christopher said, holding his eyes on the fallen man. Blood was splattered along his shirt. Sprinkles were mixed in his raven hair. "I grabbed his dagger as he picked me up."
The man had a gash right across his chest.
Her mother looked awed. Her dad did too. Both of them were too stunned to speak right now.
Her brother still appeared rather shaken as well. Only Dale was locked in reality.
"Chris," she said, touching his arms, "were there any others?"
Dale spun around. "Soldier!" she called.
"See that the outside walls are secured. We have to ensure that the partner is caught."
"Right away, highness," he said before moving.
Her mother looked proud as she turned to Dale, then she leaned down and hugged Chris at her side.
Rick took a seat on the side of the bed, claiming the spot right beside his wife.
Jedda rubbed the muscles near the sides of his neck, soothing his skin as she often did.
He let his stare linger on the carpeted floor. "He's nine years old, and there's blood on his hands." He'd never, ever, wanted that for his son. The people behind the abduction would pay. Both of the intruders gave their bosses up.
Jedda took a breath. "I had a bit of blood on my hands then too — back when I was Christopher's age, I mean."
Rick was confused. She'd never shared this.
"I had to strike an animal down in defense," Jedda revealed. "It left me upset...but it wasn't the same. It wasn't comparable to what Chris went through."
Rick looked away. "He's gotten so quiet."
"It's all sinking in. That's the way it was after my first time." She paused a moment. "I had just turned fifteen back then."
"I thought you killed the animal when you were nine."
Jedda hesitated. "I wasn't referring to the animal."
He eyed her again, deeply surprised. He loved this woman, and she loved him. They'd opened their hearts on so many occasions — but there were still things he didn't know about her.
He kissed her head. She stroked his cheek.
Then she stood. "I'm going to go check up on Chris again."
Rick remained quiet as he watched her leave.
