#dreaming

"No. Some of the Dreaming wanted one thing, some of the Dreaming wanted another. " Frodo says "So... the Dreaming arranged a test.. a challenge, so on. Worthy Commoners would find items... just a hand ful of them mind you... that would offer them the knowledge and gift...but... at risk to what made them different from the sidhe.. at least as they saw it. If one saw the Sidhe as hedoniests, one might be come a hedonist... if one saw them as cruel..." He raises a brow.

She looks surprised...then angry. "You...it...this was all a test?"

"A contest of wills... with the Dreaming desperately trying to grant conflicting wishes.. so it did what it did. A grail found by a knight pure of heart. A king of the land offered a choice to let an evil thrive in order to protect the kingdom. I did nothing. I am but a narrative bit of fluff to explain, for you have been through much. You are owed that."

"Dagmar.. was the pure hearted knight.. and she brought it to you... a grail that.. well, this metaphor's kind of wobby" Olgar says.

"Sorry" Frodo shrugs "I work with what I gots."

Kerri's hand goes to her mouth as the full pattern of the narrative falls into place. "I...that's...I had no idea."

'Frodo' nods "You weren't meant to. You were meant to settle a question. Can non sidhe know when to spurn the power of the sidhe themselves, despite great temptation"

A frown. "I didn't. Not entirely. I...wouldn't have at all, except...." She looks to Olgar.

Olgar snorts "My wife's modest. "

"Really? I thought your daughter leaned more towards her than.. mm never that mind" Frodo says with a smile, "Think you a queen who heeds wise counsel is a weak one? If we didn't let THAT count..well, even Arthur himself needed Merlin. No no.. you went to destroy the pan. Once you did that... things were set in motion. I thought it would be dropped in Mount Doom, but instead you used the power against the power and... thus ... it counts. You stilled it's voice. There are many types of destruction, Dame Kerri. And many types of liberation. You are no less a breaker of shackles than your chieftain in that regard. Though this shackle" A gesture to the pan "was about your own heart. "

Kerri is still a bit stunned at this sudden resolution as she looks at the broken pieces in her hands. Then she looks back to the chimera. "Thank you, then. And...well...I'm glad that's over." A bit of a smile to Olgar...a real smile, this time, not the tense obligatory grins she's been mustering on this trip.

"Oh don't thank me. I'm not responsible for your success anymore than I am your trial" Frodo says. "But you have the knowledge of the art in your head still, and with no lean on your heart, mind or soul. That's not to say it won't be a possible path to abuse, but that's true of any form of power is it not? More importantly, in the generations to come, if the winter or great nightmare do not claim all... well then, more and more non sidhe will learn the art. The test is passed, and the dreaming eases it's grip. We shall see where it leads. Before I go? Have you a prize to ask for? I fear I won't be here for much longer."

"A prize?" She's stunned. She'd been bracing herself for a desperate battle just to be free of the thing...but now...to be rewarded, too? A catch of breath. "A weapon. One that can kill a great Dragon." She looks to Olgar. "Can never have too many, right?" A wry, hopeful grin.

Frodo smiles, "Smart choice... though not easy to do. Still, check your pack."

"My...pack...?" She sets down the broken pan parts and looks inside the pack again.

Two things that were not there before. One? Her dream pan! The sort she always wanted! the second, a single black arrow, a bit of dried dragon blood on it.

Frodo says "Understand... a gap must be found, and even then, it is not guaranteed, but oh even if it hits scale and is not slain, the dragon will feel it."

"Oh!" A cry of delight at the beautiful, beautiful pan...and then "Ohhhhhhh...." at the black arrow. She draws it carefully from the pack and holds it for Olgar to see. "It's...that one?"

Olgar blinks "Holy snot. Even I know that story."

"Straight from Laketown and the skeleton of Smaug." Frodo says fading from view. "Farewell, Dame Kerri...with my purpose fulfilled I can rest."

"Thank you." to the chimera, and she puts the arrow carefully away. "And...good bye."

"One last gift." Frodo says. "For your husband...as you have declared his service as a reason you passed the test."

Olgar blinks "I.."

And Frodo is gone.

"huh." Olgar stares where the Chimera went. "Glad he was temprorary. I've seen Genie Chimera not that strong."

Kerri nods. "Intimidating." A deep breath and a sigh. "I...I'm astounded. We can go home?" A happy, hopeful sound.

"We can" he moves to her to hug her, then looks her over, surprise, more than a little interest, and then a grin on his ugly face as he finally laughs.

That gets her laughing. "Oh, dear...should I ask what gift you got, old man?"

"Look down" He says "Though you won't enjoy it as much as I do." One thing that should be mentioned. ..is that Kerri is not feeling particularly cold at all.

She does, indeed, look down as directed.

The Chainmail bikini is indeed magical... for one thing, it is comfortable. For another, if tested later, somehow it protects as much as full chainmail. And yes, there seems to be some minor 'gravity defying' enchantment on it.

"What the....?" She STARES down at herself...then looks at him...and then frowns with a hand on one hip. "So...Frodo's a little perv. Check."

"Actually, nope. THat's MY prize... I recognize the outfit." he taps his forehead. "I'm feminist, but even I can't help what I imagine now and then, babe."

"Hmm...I think you're lucky I selected a weapon rather than some of the things that I imagine, dear."

"No doubt," He takes her hands into his , "if you want, you can take my shirt and put it over, but you sure look good. Want to go home now?"

"Yes...let's go scandalize our daughter." She smiles and squeezes his hands, leaning in to give him a very thorough kiss.

The kiss is ardently and happily returned. Kerri perhaps should feel bad for what she said 'under the influence' , perhaps not....but it is her actions that have lead to the prize of a dragon slaying arrow. And whether she likes it or not, she will return to the lodge not just as THE Hearth (Which is a great honor to be) but a heroine.

(End scene)