From: lari@netcom.com (Lari Howard)
Newsgroups: alt.romance.chat
Subject: CASTLE: Morgana tries to return...
Date: 21 Jul 92 23:14:40 GMT
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services (408 241-9760 guest)


	She could feel that the battles were over.  Morgana knew that
it was time to return to the Castle and aid in healing the land.  She
knew she had just the thing that would help bring life and hope to the
place she had come to love.  Besides, it was time to find Trog - she
needed him (or Alarian) now.

	It had taken Morgana days to decide what to take and what to
leave behind.  She felt it would be quite a while before she returned
to her home.  She had been making things for months, keeping her hands
busy as her mind was filled with the battles her friends were raging.
She surveyed the piles and piles of things she wanted to take with her
and knew she was being silly.  She didn't really need to take all
these little things - but she had turned into a pack-rat recently and
wanted to take all she owned!  But, to be realistic, she knew she
could only take what Alarian's horse, Cephian, could carry.  Her love
had left it in her keeping as his promise to return in the fall, but
she didn't think she could wait that long.  She wanted something of
him with her on her journey and knew he would find her at the Castle.
Being used as a pack-mule was not the stallion's idea of a good time.
But one touch from Morgana, and a few soft words with Elerin, her
mare, convinced him that his patience was necessary.

	Lady Clara, her childhood friend, was furious at first that
Morgana insisted on going alone.  She felt that Morgana was too
vulnerable now that she refused to use any other magic than telepathy.
But, knowing Morgana was adamant on the topic of her magic, and
knowing that she could and would summon help if she needed it, she saw
her friend off on the beautiful summer morning.

	The sun was warm on Morgana's back as she started off.  A
feeling of freedom and rich life filled her.  She had spent much too
much time in her tower these last months.  She had all but forgotten
how wonderful it was to wander through the land.  She listened to the
horses talking as they wandered slowly along.  Cephian was anxious for
a wild run (packs and all!), but Elerin spoke to him soothingly,
easing his frustration.

	Towards mid-afternoon Morgana realized that her whole body
ached - it had been ages since she'd spent a day in the saddle - even
at the leisurely pace they were keeping - and she started looking for
a good place to spend the night.  The little clouds that had played
with the sun earlier in the day had been gathering together with their
neighbors to have a party and start a short but sincere summer storm.
Just as the sun was setting behind the mountains she found a cave that
would shelter the three of them.  There was a clear stream nearby and
plenty of loose wood about for a warm fire.

	Morgana settled the three of them in for the night just as the
rain started.  It was really rather pleasant sitting there warm and
dry by the fire listening to the refreshing water falling on the
surrounding trees.  As dusk turned into the true darkness of a stormy
night the horses became restless as the thunder approached.

	Suddenly there was a blinding flash of lightning and the
enormous pine that had stood near the entrance fell and blocked the
exit.  Morgana had examined the cave earlier and knew that this was
the only way out.  She lit a torch and examined the "damage".  It was
a lovely, full tree and she could see no way either over or around it.
Elerin and Cephian came over for a look as well.  The three of them
couldn't think of a thing to do.  The two horses tried to push the
tree out of the way but it just wouldn't budge.  Every time Morgana
tried to help Elerin would block her path - making it clear that she
was not to attempt it.

	"It's not like I can use my magic, you silly horse!  At least
let me try to help!"  But her every approach was gently, but firmly
blocked. 

	With a sigh Morgana sat by the fire.  They had enough food and
water to last a few days.  Maybe in that time she would be able to
whittle away at the tree enough to be able to get out.  But the horses
would still be trapped and she certainly wouldn't be able to get far
on foot right now.  She had planned on finding Trog or Alarian - not
calling him to her.  But, under the circumstances...

	Morgana reached out in her mind and found Trog sleeping
peacefully.  "Good!  I'm glad he's out of his dope den!  At least
he'll have a chance of recognizing my call!"  She carefully built the
image of the three of them in the cave, using ever detail to bring it
to life in Trog's mind.  He could see her sitting by the fire wrapped
in her warm robes, the horses patiently watching over her.  He could
smell the fresh air from the storm and hear the rain.  She pictured
him standing outside the cave looking at the fallen tree, talking
quietly to her through the branches.  She showed him parts of her
day's ride so he could approximate where she was.  She promised him a
surprise if he'd hurry (although she knew he'd be surprised whether he
hurried or not!).

	Morgana replayed the images over and over to get them firmly
established in Trog's mind until she felt him stir and awaken.  She
felt a sudden warmth as he moved to clutch her amulet.  Knowing he
would come she and her large friends settled down and fell asleep
listening to the sounds of the retreating storm.
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