Blood Upon The Snow: The Aftermath
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Reader: female
Notes: nah I left ya'll on too big of a cliff hanger,
Warnings; cursing, death, talks of cremation
tags: @fangirlingatstuff
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"There we are..." The healer smiled, he looking down at a waking Ronin, who groaned at the sudden light, "Take it slow,"
Despite being warned he tried to sit up quickly, and immediately, "Slow." The healer ordered holding him back, and helping him sit up, "there we are."
"What'a your name?" The man asked, covering one of Ronin's eyes, watching the man's eye dialate.
"Ronin"
"Ronin where are you?" He asked switching over to the other eye.
"Uh..."
"Kingdom wise Ronin."
"Moonhaven."
He nodded removing his hand, "how does your head feel?"
"It hurts." He responded as the man felt along his neck for a pulse and waited, silently counting in his head.
"Good, Well- Its good as in it should. You were hit pretty hard in the head. Do you remember what happened?"
"No." Ronin answered.
The man nodded, "Okay, whats the last thing you remember?"
"The Spring Equinox games." Ronin answered.
"Good, I'll have someone bring you some food and water, some sunlight will do you good," he ordered, "call if you need anything."
The man got up and walked to another patient, Ronin looked around...Moonhaven for sure...but...the med bay?
What had happened?
"Hey."
He looked over, "Finn."
"How are you doing?" Finn asked, he standing behind a wheelchair.
"I feel like I got hit harder than I usually do."
"Well. You did get clubbed with a sword." Finn chuckled, "Come on I'll take you outside."
"You want me to get in a wheelchair?" Ronin chuckled.
"Come on." Finn smiled, walking over to help his friend, and to Ronin's reluctance, he agreed, he aching as he was helped up and out of his bed and onto the woven seat.
And just like that he casually rolled Ronin out the medbay and through the quiet halls of the castle.
"I...hoped you wake up." Finn started, "but...then again I hoped not."
"Funny." Ronin snarked yet Finn was silent.
He could feel his stomach churn and drop, his throat run dry, "yeah. Funny."
"I can imagine Y/n's been running you up a wall with me not around."
There it was... Finn turned into the barracks, they quiet and deserted.
"Ronin...Y/n..." Finn tried to answer, "y/n has definitely ran me up a wall...hah."
Finn pushed him out the barracks and finally outside uptop the hill overlooking the kingdom, the snow crunching as it packed down below the wheels and Finn's boots.
Fresh snow falling as Finn sighed.
Ronin was quiet, "How long was I out?"
Finn kept silent, "Finn." Ronin ordered an answered.
"A...day or two..." Finn answered, kneeling infront of Ronin, he finally seeing his friend in full, infected from the neck at point of root and growing up the side of his face.
"What happened-"
Finn smiled weakly, "Y/n saved me...just like she did all the Kingdoms."
"Then where's Y/n," Ronin asked.
"Ronin...she saved alot of people-"
"I don't give a fuck who she saved where's my daughter?!" Ronin snapped.
"No need to be pushy now." A woman told him, she standing behind the wheelchair.
"My Queen." Finn bowed to her.
"Finn," y/n bowed her head.
Ronin went to turn around, yet she moved, "Don't." She answered, out of his line of sight just barely.
"Have your things?" Y/n asked Finn.
"Yes." Finn answered, Y/n nodding at him.
"You're last goodbyes go." Y/n told him, he doing as told, Y/n leaned down to Ronin's ear, he gripping the arm of the wheelchair, "I have to go, but you'll know when you see me again. I'll be different, but my love for you will never be so, thank you for being my father-"
With her last word, he tossed himself up to turn to look at her. She gone, nothing but footprints left in the snow. Weak he fell to his knees, "Y/n!" He shouted for her.
No answer.
"Y/n!"
Y/n stood in the hall, Finn by her side: they both were wearing cloaks listening to his pleads for her as some gaurds ran out to help him.
"Lets go." Y/n answered, "We have another stop to make."
She walked away, Finn following her in silence.
Tara followd after the gaurds, she helping them with Ronin yet he fought her off.
"Ronin-"
"Why didn't you do anything!" He argued leaning on one of his men, "Why didn't you save her!?"
"Commander- Hey!-"
"Why didn't you do anything!" He shouted at Tara.
"Get him back inside." Tara told, "back to the healers."
"Come on sir, lets go inside..."
Nod was asleep, injuries sewed and closed, he wrapped up and still hadn't woken.
"Hm...Nod...Nod."
He opened his eyes slowly, "Nod."
He blinked slowly, eyes adjusting to the shadow above him: Y/n smiled above him, "n/n?"
"Hi nod." She smiled as he made an attempt to sit up, yet she stopped him, "Hey, it's okay...take a rest."
He laid back down with a sigh; "You look..look like shit."
Y/n smiled; "I do, don't I?"
"What's up with the face markin..."
His hand lazily reached out; as he traced over it the every growing being of rot across her face; "They gave you Poppy syrup didn't they?" she smiled.
He nodded, with a big smile; she holding the hand that once danced along the veins of death.
"Nod,"
"Hm?"
"...go back to sleep, I'm sorry I woke you...when you wake I'll make us some tea...play some board games?'
He nodded, and she covered his eyes. Within the minute he was back asleep.
She left his bedside, and made her way out into the hall; "Where is Nod?" Finn asked.
"It is not his time, come."
Silence as they walked the halls of their past lives; she could hear it now; the laughter in the other room; Nod and her as little kids playing in the parlor. A ball going on just beyond the door as she had knocked out early at her own birthday party. People cheering and laughing; Ronin had most likely retired her to her room- her father.
She stopped infront of her room; "Go on...just a little bit without me."
"My Queen-"
"Please..." she pleaded with him; Finn only looked at her; and pushed forward as asked.
The double doors infront of her the pristine and polished nobs, casted down on her infected black fingertips, nails rotting and filled with dirt underneath. Looking down at the floor a light came from the other side.
Turning the knob in silence; no creak or squeak, she opened it; just enough to see inside with a single eye.
"They were mean to Nod!"
"That doesn't mean we can give people black eyes Y/n," Ronin scolded.
"But-"
"Hey- I'm serious now," The little girl grew silent.
"You're not in trouble," Ronin spoke sitting her on her bed, "if it happens again, you come and get me,"
She nodded as he wiped the forming bruise across her cheek: "You did way more damage than they did to you. Good job on winning—don't do it again."
"Win?"
He gave her a look- only she'd grown to know all too well, and she smiled; only causing him to chuckle and pull the hair out of her face; "Come on bed time."
A hand placed on her shoulder; "I thought I told you to leave me be,"
"You did," Finn commented, "There coming...the Leafmen, it's time for us to take our leave, Y/n."
She looked back at him, then back at the double doors. Hearing the laughter of a child and her Father.
"He'll always be here," Finn told her.
"Always," Ronin told the young girl.
"Really?" She asked.
"Always," Y/n spoke, she took a step back.
"Y/n." Finn pleaded.
"All tucked in for bed- a leaf man needs her sleep." His muffled voice came through the door, "Tucked in so tight, no monsters will get you."
"We have to go." Finn told.
Y/n turned away from the door and left; the two quickening their pace through the halls, to the outer threshold of the castle-
"Hey!"
Just before she crossed the doorway- she stopped; looking back at the voice; Nod there; with a walking crutch under his arm, his hand holding his side with his wrist, and a sword in his hand which should of helped in provoding him stability on that flimsy peace of wood.
"They said you took the Princess!-"
He stumbled as he attempted to walk forward; bringing the wrist he was using to hold his side; eye to rub his eyes; the medicine still affecting him.
He stumbled again, barely able to use his crutch right, "Answer- shit...- Answer me!" he shouted in pain, his once scrunched eyes looking her way.
He'd learn the word hate that day hate that boils your heart alive in the acid of your stomach.
"Why! Why did you take my sister!"
The hate that cries you to sleep at night.
"Please! Why! She didn't deserve this!"
The hate that makes the world hate you.
"Please, Please." Nod pleaded. "Just...tell me she's okay- you don't have to tell me where she is-"
The hate that leads to bargaining- no matter the cost.
"I'll do anything-"
He tripped cutting off his words as he hit the ground hard- sword discarded- it was bound to happen.
"she's dead Nod." Was her only response, before crossing the doorway.
The hate that'll drive you to insanity.
"I'll come for you!" he threatened, "I will avenge her! You're dead!"
Finn dared not say a word between as they walked barefoot In the snow.
Moonhaven's residents locked themselves up; the cold could freeze over anyone- and the baren streets she use to walk in life, indeed froze with her presence
Past the kingdom; past the town; awaited their steads, an old raven; nustled up under the comfort of some less baren tree, icey frost covering his left-wing; they had found him- taken by a rival; dead half in a freezing lake.
"Pocco!" Y/n called out waking the grumpy old man up; "Pocco!"
His wings stretched, and he cawed loudly, his eyes covered with a bloom of Fungi. Half of his upper beak was rebuilt by it- and the frost of left-wing sheltered most of it.
He flew down to the snow, a perfect landing and he cawed loud again; "Yes Pocco I know the ladies used to love you."
"You were supposed to take Nod."
Y/n was silent, "It's not his time."
"You know it is-"
"He'll survive."
"No he won't-"
"Him and Ronin need each other- I will take one when it is right." She answered a stern voice- rising in anger.
"You are right to take him now- why trick them as if he has time!" Finn argued, "You trick them with Life!"
"Then let him trick them! Let him trick them all!" Y/n shouted in return, "Let him trick them! Like he tricked me! Let him shove them down a path no matter the rigid turns they take, no matter how many swords they take up! That he keep them alive! Let him be cruel and not I!"
"You are the end; they'll all end up here now- why not take them where there clearly down!" Was his response; the response of her job title, what would become her lives work.
"I will not be cruel within my rule. I will not take a sister, a daughter, a friend, or a lover, then a brother, a son, or a friend right after! I will not be the grief; I will be the next walk of life! Life of a different form! I refuse to be cold like the other!"
She sighed; "I will not be hated for reaping what trick another has sowed...Life, he...he promises false hope. I will be there in there darkest hour and i will revoke such pain...no one will have to suffer...not anymore....we march. Your either with me, or your against me."
Life was still tricking her, a terrible trickster, an even worse liar.
"Feel free to pick." She spoke, walking off without leaving any prints to track her in the snow.
"You are cruel!" He shouted at her, "Ronin would be so disappointed."
She paused, not daring to glance back at him; "then so be it." she answered.
There she crossed the Wraithwood border. She there to take one.
"How are you feeling?"
She looked at him tiredly, "I'm tired."
"It's okay to sleep."
She turned her head, the woman sat back-to-back with her brother, she returned her gaze to her brother.
"Is there anything I can do?" He questioned her, "To help with the pain?"
"I should be asking you such a question." She chuckled roughly, a hand over her chest, she falling into a coughing fit.
His face fell, as she settled, she looking up at him; "Why such the long face?" she questioned.
He looked away from her; and she reached to grab his hand, "I'll be okay,"
"How do I know that,"
"We know I'm not alone." she answered, "She'd cross boarders to do anything for him."
"I can't lose you, not now."
"Mandrake," She smiled, "I'll never be lost,"
Her hands grew cold as she loosened her grip; "I'm ready,"
Y/n looked at her, and Ayana looked back; "Winslet would love to speak to you," Y/n answered, "There's much to catch up on, you two sisters."
Ayana sighed in relief as she closed her eyes.
It would be slow, not exactly know what closed her off besides the illness she could never get over after the battle.
She left the castle with Ayana by her side, "You're very brave." Ayana commented.
"Why would you say that?" Y/n questioned.
"Knowing I was here, while knowing he was here," Ayana commented.
"I don't leave people behind."
"Except the people that hold chunks of your heart."
Y/n was quiet, footsteps quickly approaching, and a body pushed past; "Sorry!" was the only word she received.
"One last time hurts more than the initial goodbye," Ayana commented, and they paused, Dagada running past them in haste
"News travels quick in Wraithwood," Y/n commented.
"And love transcends death."
Y/n turned towards her finally; "You're gonna be a problem, aren't you?"
"Comes with the role."
They both chuckled as they walked off together.
Death cheats no one.
A plague cheats them all
A month.
Snow piled high, frost slicked pathways and people's fingertips. Though death ran rampant, she was nowhere to be seen.
Both kingdoms were infected with whatever had been left of the Spring Equinox
A pause- frost covered the bark of a tree, underlying rot beneath the thin coat.
Tracks, and the sad whimper of an animal. Had he shot it down?
She stood there, beautiful as ever, a bumblebee in arms; wings clipped off, grown in with a new pair of rot and frost.
"beautiful as the day you've been lost." She cooed, as it snuggled into her warmth as she stood a little less than knee deep in the water, "I'm sorry you've been tricked."
An apology for something out of her control- sounded like her royal side.
He opened his mouth to call, yet she stopped him, "Are you lost?" she questioned.
"no."
She whiped her head around, her body following through. Frozen like the blizzard she'd bring.
He stepped forward, she stepping back, "Hey, Hey, I'm not gonna..."
So familiar.
"Which way to the border?" he jested.
Not a smile on either face.
He moved and she braced to dash, "Hey, hey-"
Dagda put his bow down carefully and used the opportunity to move down into the water, "I didn't think I'd see you again."
He started his way through the water towards her, "You should go," She told him, firm and stern, "I won't take you with me,"
Dagda could only continue forward; a moth caught in the flame, "I won't take you!" she argued, hoping his anger in rejection would send him away.
He closed in on her- to close- she got up to bolt, yet he quickly caught her forearm; the bee, satisfied, got up and flew with it's newest set of wings on it's way; the rot would guide it.
"Dagda I won't take you with me. Even if you-"
"I love you."
Her arguing ceased; "Please," He pleaded, "Listen to my words."
"When did you become such a gentleman?" she tried to crack a joke.- yet her voice died off.
"I miss you," He pleaded, "I miss everything about you."
"Dadga, your wife and kids-"
"Nice try,"
She sighed, "You can let go I'm not going to run."
Dagda did so quickly, looking up at her as she climbed the small hill to the dirt. He followed her, "You're aunts okay."
"I know."
He came up to her side in silence, she looking at the moon, "he hasn't changed much," she spoke.
Dagda looked up at the moon; "I suppose he hasn't."
"I'm not much like him." She responded, "I'd crack- I have, cracked."
"Are you okay?" Dagda questioned.
She looked over at him: "no, not particularly."
"Let me help you- We can leave-"
"That-" She tried to reason but paused, and sighed, looking back up at the Moon, "The more and more I do this...Dagda, I miss my life, when it was mine."
"Then let me take you away, please."
"I don't remember, it..the rott eats my brain to fill in each i take in, but...I know I had you, but even that starts to get foggy; no one deserves that." Y/n told, she looked towards Dagda again, "But I hope you can forgive me for what I have done...I beg you, don't search for me again, in anger, or in search of love."
"I could never be angry at you. You've done nothing-"
A snowflake landed above her brow; a contrast of two different worlds, "Forgive me, I had no choice."
"Y/n-"
"You will make a Great King."
She walked off to leave him in his solitude, "Y/n!" he shouted after her.
Dagda darted off the opposite way; who could she be taking- the old bookkeeper? His grandson? One of the Kingdom Keepers who kept him company since childhood.
Before he even made it into the castle, he was stopped, not by a guard or a sobbing bookkeeper.
But by green against the weepin rot of wood, A leafman stood next to a gaurd, they talking.
Why was a leafman here?
Dagda walked up; what could be happening? Who was here if not the Queen? Before he got too close, they turned their head, both quickly straightening out before dipping their heads, a hand over their heart
"Deepest condolences from the Leafmen of Moonhaven," The man spoke.
"I. I am sorry my King, for the unfortunate news-"
Dagda was gone, rushing up steps and through halls, around corners.
His father's room, two healers stood outside talking to Queen Tara with no Ronin at her side, but Nod.
"Its only spreading Queen Tara." The healer explained "we know you've and the King worked hard to mend thing-"
The healer paused seeing Dagda, she straightening herself out as Tara looked back.
Devestation.
Apologetic.
Understanding.
He rushed past them and into the room, despite the healers actions to attempt to catch him.
"My King- I am sorry." Was her only response as black sheet laid over the bed, she grabbing his arm, "We ask you dont approach any closer-"
"Who did this!" Dagda seethed.
"My King the infection-"
"My father wasn't sick!" He snapped back.
"He caught it right after the Witch's passing my King. I am sorry-"
"I am not your King! My father is!"
"He asked us not to tell- Your majesty I am sorry for your loss. Our main priority is your health now-"
"Let me see him-"
"Dagda." Tara tried to reason-
"Get out."
"Please. I understand how you feel-"
"No you dont." Dagda snapped.
"Dadga please-"
"Please what? Understand your side!?" He argued alking Tara out the room in anger "Like you understood Y/n's side."
"Y/n's dead." Nod cut in stepping infront of the Queen "I know the pain of that-"
"You Moomhaveners never understood her did you!? your both still not rotten because of her!" Dagda seethed, "She did everything to protect you- and walked away different to protect you! How do you not understand-"
"She's dead!-"
"Who lied to you!"
"I seen that. bitch walk out of my castle- she admitted to me. She took my sister!" Nod snapped.
"Well that bitch lied to you! She ever lie to you so you dont come a knockin!?" Dagda defended, "Queen Tara knows that- shes alive,"
They both looked her way- Nod looking for confirmation, Y/n died.
"Y/n took Ronin with her."
Nod's face flashed between emotions: confusion, anger, hurt.
"She's dead-"
"She's not dead, Nod." Dagda spat, "You just don't listen, none of you did to her. Maybe if you did you'd be out of a plague. Now leave Wraithwood, you are no longer welcome."
"Dagda-"
"Leave!" he ordered, "Or I will start War, and Moonhaven will not survive."
Nod glafred at him; "Fuck you."
"Don't act like a man now, when she gave you ever opportunity to before,"
Nod huffed in anger, turned on his heels, and stormed away- Tara following him
"My King- we have to think-"
He looked at his father's closed door; whatever the healers and witches were saying to hi,m he ignored- "Making arrangements for cremation is best due to the plague- the night is the best option."
"Burn him now,"
"My King- arrangements and blessings-"
"Now," Dagda ordered.
"Very well, we'll be ready within the hour-"
"Now,"
"My king he needs to be brought-" The woman silenced as he watched the young man; "Very well..."
"Grab my hand," Y/n spoke up, "You'll be woozy at first. You'll remember in-"
"You," He spoke, Y/n placing her hand back her side.
"Seems like you know it all already-"
"Where is my son-" He argued, standing up; "I won't let you take him!"
"I...wasn't here to take your son," Y/n told him, "I'm here to take you. I am sorry, Dagda will..."
Her words ran off; he turnt around and looked back up at his castle- a cloud of smoke coming from a window.
"Is there something you wanted to see before we left," Y/n questioned.
"No," He answered; "No-"
"Then something bothers you,"
"My, Father." He explained, "I treated him the same way when he moved on,"
No ceremony- no honor- unbridled rage filled by abandonment in his hardest time; a forced time to step up; rather than fall down into the arms of a loved one.
"He will forgive you," Y/n responded, "Right now, he is alone, he will be like you- he is, like you,"
"He's not like me," Mandrake spoke, "He is me."
Ronin put a hand on his shoulder; as Mandrake looked at him, eyes glazed over; the plague had taken his sight, "We are those who we come from."
"I was a bad father,"
"So Was I,"
The two looked at each other, "I. I should've listened to you- to her- I never meant to kill your friend."
"and I never thought trying to bring Winslet back would get her killed."
Y/n watched behind them- she was supposed to be Ronin's daughter- and Dagda Mandrake's.
She looked up at the castle; the flame was growing outside the window.
She alone, like her father once was.
Dagda was the same; alone, with the love of his life gone.
"Come," she pulled herself away, "We have a journey for the two of you to make; there are many waiting for the two of you."
