The Waystation Ch.46 (Patreon)

Chapter 46

A Busy Few Days III

Bell put her hands on her hips and glared.

“Are they ever coming out?” Wendy whined. “We want to meet her!”

“They have been separated for years!” She growled at her daughter. “They deserve to have some private time!”

“Some?” Scruff giggled. “They’ve been in there for a whole day already. If they have much more private time, he’ll drop dead.”

“Ewww!” Wendy shivered. “Scruff, that’s my Dad in there!”

“That one’s too easy,” Scruff giggled. “I’m not touching that!”

There was a sniggering that the two girls determinedly ignored. Tim had been learning the common tongue from the Fae and was picking it up incredibly quickly. He had also been picking up their sense of humor.

He had taken to leaving coils of rope outside the orc’s quarters, so Bud had taken him aside and told him off.

It hadn’t helped.

The girls were sent packing, and Bell hovered for a moment, uncertain.

“Are you worried?” Bud asked.

“No!” Bell said too quickly. “I know he’s fine.”

“That isn’t what I meant,” Bud said. “Are you worried he will go with her?”

“I have no idea what you mean,” Bell said stiffly.

“They said they brought a visitor.” Bud shook his head, “As in not staying.”

“So?” Bell snapped.

“So he might go with her,” Bud said sadly. “She is his everything, after all.”

“Shut! Up!” Bell growled.

“Sorry,” Bud shrugged and hurried away from the seething pixie.

Bell didn’t know what to do with herself. Sure, she had things to do, but she didn’t know what to do! Bert was a part of her life now. She had gotten used to the man. And now he was probably leaving.

She didn’t want him to leave.

Of course, she didn’t want him to stay without her either. Gwen was the center of him, always had been. BUT! He had responsibilities. Yes, that was it.

What would the Waystation do without him?

She frowned. What would they do?

The normal thing to do would be to get another Caretaker. They would be… they didn’t need one anymore, did they? The Waystation had Fae mana now, a Fae mana cycle now. It didn’t need a Caretaker anymore.

But they would be stuck!

Except they wouldn’t. She could drive this Waystation anywhere.

She didn’t want to be alone!

But of course, she wouldn’t be, would she? Bud, Tim, Wendy, Scruff, the orcs… she would be surrounded by people.

Bell sagged, sitting on the railings on the bridge to the tower.

He had taken everything she was afraid of, everything that was a weakness… and fixed it.

She didn’t need him around anymore.

She didn’t want him to go… but could not find a reason for him to stay.

“FUCK!” Bell snarled.

==================

“Morning!” Bert said, striding back into the room with a platter of food and a pair of coffees for them.

“Ugh!” Gwen groaned and hid under the covers. “Too early!”

“I made coffee,” Bert said, grinning.

“Coffee?” Gwen emerged from beneath the covers, her hair a tangle of knots. “That’s cheating!”

“And french toast!” He beamed. It was his secret weapon. Coffee and french toast had been the key to getting Gwen out of bed their entire relationship.

“You know, I forgot how early you liked to get up.” She laughed as she sipped her coffee. “You don’t get tired in the Summerlands, so I just kind of forgot.”

They had come into the Barn the literal second the audience had ended and held each other, crying. Then, they got distracted.

In short, they had not had much of a chance to talk.

“I felt like you were there, sometimes,” Bert said. “As things happened.”

“I was,” She grinned. “I’m a Scryer as my secondary class. I was watching you all the time.”

“I hoped so,” Bert sighed. “I swear I heard you sometimes or felt you guiding me.”

“Yeah, don’t tell anyone about that.” She smiled slyly. “It’s not exactly allowed.”

“Finding the Waystation?” Bert asked.

“Only the last bit,” Gwen said. “I struggled to even do that much, at least then.”

“Thanks for that,” Bert grinned. “It’s been a blast.”

“On that subject,” She gave him a look. “There are a few things we need to talk about.” She held up a hand. “First, what the hell happened to looking after yourself?” Anger creased her eyes. “You promised me!”

“I tried,” Bert sighed, “But it was just so… empty without you.”

“Still!” She softened a little. “I had to watch that, watch you struggle, and I couldn’t do anything!” A tear rolled down her cheek.

“I’m sorry, love.” Bert sighed. “I did end up taking that walk in the end.”

“Yes,” She laughed. “You did.”

“It took me a little further than I planned.” He laughed. “And I certainly met some interesting people.”

“Speaking of which,” Fury flashed in her eyes. “I’m going to have to have a little chat with that bitch Felicia.”

“Honey, don’t.” Bert sighed. “She’s Immortal; what can we do?”

Gwen laughed.

“What?” Bert asked, feeling like he had missed something.

“I forget, you don’t know much about the Fae.” She said. “We are not exactly mortal ourselves.”

“Huh?” Bert frowned. “Gwen, you died. I am very clear on that part.”

“I know that,” She sighed. “When Fae die, we go to the Summerlands… for a while. Then we can go back until we are killed again. Then it’s back to the Summerlands, and so on.” She took his hands. “It’s a cycle, hun. We never actually die.”

Bert stared at her.

“Hello?” She waved a hand in front of his eyes.

“Sorry, that’s just a lot to take in,” He said.

“We have forever, my darling.” She kissed him. “Which brings me to the awkward bit.” She sighed.

“You’re not staying,” Bert said flatly. “Karl said you were a visitor.”

“There are literally thousands of worlds out there!” She grinned. “And I want to see them all, with you… but.”

“But?”

“But not yet,” She reached out, taking his hands again. “I have a bit of a head start on you, love. I’m already level fifty, I’m powerful and healthy, and if I die, it just sends me home.” She smiled. “I miss you all the time, but I can see you whenever I want… and I want to go with the Fae Court.”

Bert stared at her for a moment… then sighed.

“You realize I can’t see you whenever I want, right?” He asked.

“We have forever, darling.” She said. “A few years here and there don’t really matter.”

“They fucking matter to me,” He frowned. “And you know that.”

“You only just learned how it works.” She said, “You’ll feel differently in time.”

He just sat, silently staring at his coffee mug as he thought. After all this time, she wanted to leave again. It was ridiculous.

Even if she was right, and they had eternity… did she have to go again so soon?

The problem with Gwen was that if she made up her mind about something, that was it. She was doing it come hell or high water.

He could complain, scream, and shout… but what was the point? Even if she changed her mind, for the first time ever, she would be staying because he made her stay. Not because she wanted to.

“Fine,” he grunted. “If that’s what you want.”

“Don’t be like that,” Gwen sighed. “I hate that tone.”

“I don’t like it,” Bert said simply. “And you knew I wouldn’t like it.” He held up a hand to stop her from interrupting. “But! If this is what you want, then okay. I’ll deal with it.”

“Really?” She grinned. “No getting pissy about it?”

“No point,” Bert smiled sadly. “What’s the point in trying to change your mind?”

“None.” She grinned.

“So go, be a badass intergalactic Gwen,” He said, standing. “But before you do, want to meet a few people?”

“Yes!” She beamed. “I can’t wait to actually meet them all.”

“Well, let’s start with Bell,” He said as she nodded. “Then you can meet my daughter.” He walked out, grinning as she growled.

“Your fucking what!?”

===============

“Bell? This is my wife, Gwen; she’s had a bit of a shock,” Bert said as he walked out of the barn with a wide smile on his face.

“Wait a minute!” Gwen stormed out of the barn with a face like thunder. “What fucking daughter?”

“Um, hi?” Bell said, watching the knotwork on Gwen’s arms flare brighter and brighter.

“Hi!” Gwen said manically. “What fucking daughter?”

“There was an accident,” Bert shrugged. “And now I have a teenage daughter.”

“Accident?” She snarled before shortcircuiting as her brain did the math. “Wait… teenage?”

“Umm, so I have this spell?” Bell offered, wilting slightly under Gwen’s sudden glare. It took her and Bert a few minutes to tell the story. Gwen had several questions.

“Oh,” She said eventually. “Why didn’t you say that in the first place?” She glared at Bert.

“This was more fun?” He offered.

“What happened to not being pissy about it?” Gwen asked tartly.

“That wasn’t being pissy; that was being a dick.” He beamed.

She glared at him as she walked over to Bell. “Sorry about that, my husband is an idiot,” She smiled at Bell. “It’s nice to meet you at last! I’ve watched how well you look after him, and thank you.”

“No problem!” Bell beamed. “He just needs watching, is all.” She said.

“He tends to annoy people for fun. Have you noticed?” Gwen asked.

“Oh, yes,” Bell said. “I had to flatten a whole town once.”

“I know!” Gwen said as they headed off a bit, chatting merrily.

“Hey Boss,” Bud asked, “How come they talk about you like your a lost puppy?”

“It’s just a thing they do,” Bert shrugged. “Honestly, I’m never entirely sure they don’t actually see men as large puppies likely to make a mess.”

“You do tend to make a mess,” Bud chuckled.

“We tend to make a mess,” Bert amended. “You were there with me for just about all of it.” He raised his voice, “And it wasn’t my fault about that town!”

“Yeah, yeah,” Gwen waved and laughed.

“Dad! Mum wouldn’t let me in the Barn!” Wendy came trotting over the bridge, pulling Scruff along behind her. “I just wanted to say hi!”

“Hey,” Bert said, “Want to meet your Stepmother?”

Wendy slid to a stop.

“What?” She looked hesitant. “She’s here?” Her eyes locked on Gwen, and she squeaked before trying to hide behind Scruff. “That’s your wife!” She paled. “Umm, I forgot to do something on the Express. Bye.” She turned to run, but Scruff grabbed her.

“Oh, for fuck sake. She won’t bite.” Scruff dragged her forward. “Hey! Lady!”

Gwen turned to the pair as Scruff dragged Wendy forward.

“Gwen, this is Wendy.” Bert stepped in. “She’s my daughter.”

“Hello!” Wendy squeaked.

“Hi!” Gwen grabbed Wendy into a hug. “I just heard all about you from your Mum! She says you are amazing!”

“She does?” Wendy and Bert said at the same time.

Bell rolled her eyes as Gwen laughed.

“I can definitely see your father in you,” Gwen smiled kindly. “I guess that makes me the evil stepmother!”

“That’s what I said!” Wendy laughed nervously.

“And this is Scruff and Bud.” Bert continued the introductions. “They’re family too.”

“Bud!” Gwen hugged him, “I’ve seen so much of you when I watched Bert. I’m so proud of how well you’ve done for yourself.” Bud looked awkward as Gwen grabbed a struggling Scruff into a hug, “And the Mad Farmer! The Fae are always talking about you and your creations!”

“Mad Farmer?” Scruff asked. “Is that what people think of me?”

“Ignore them,” Gwen grinned. “Your creations are adorable!”

“They are, aren’t they?” Scruff grinned. “Most people don’t get that!”

“Bert, a word if you have a second?” Karl called from over by the Bear’s Fall.

Bert left them all talking and wandered over, joining Karl in another mug of coffee at a table outside. His eyes drifted back to Gwen as she laughed and chatted with his Waystation Family.

“I take it you have talked to Gwen?” Karl asked gently.

“I have,” Bert sighed. “I know she’ll be going with the Court.”

“I’m sorry,” Karl sighed. “I know it’s tough. Myrtle did the same to me once, and I swear I hated every moment of it.”

“Really?” Bert asked, surprised.

“Yeah. It was… difficult for me. I was young, and I missed her terribly.” He looked sad for a moment. “But it is the nature of the Fae; we are separated occasionally by the veil between the Summerlands and the world of the living.” He sipped his coffee. “If it helps, you get used to it after the first thousand years or so.”

“Honestly? I just don’t get it.” Bert frowned. “I want to be with her all the time, but she seems happy. That’s the most important thing.”

“It’s different when you’ve seen the Summerlands.” Karl grinned. “She has seen eternity, and it changes people.”

“I haven’t yet,” Bert asked. “Is that what you mean?”

“Pretty much!” Myrtle appeared in a seat next to him. “But we don’t expect things to be easy.” She grinned. “So we have an offer for you.”

“Go on then,” Bert said.

“You can come with her,” Karl said. “If you choose.”

“But you won’t be able to return,” Myrtle warned. “Not for fifty years.”

Bert glanced across the open ground between him and Gwen. She was right there. With a single word, they would be together again.

But.

He didn’t just see Gwen. He saw Bell, his best friend in this world or any other. He saw Bud, like a weird skeletal brother to him. And he saw Wendy holding hands with Scruff. No matter how it had happened, she was his daughter. And Scruff was looking more and more like she was going to be not just family but maybe a daughter-in-law.

He could go. They didn’t need him. Not really.

But he would miss a lot. Wendy’s first years, whatever happened with Scruff. And Bell would be alone again, in a way. Ultimately, he was shocked to discover he just didn’t want to leave.

“No, thank you.” Bert sighed eventually. “I’m happy here.”

“You’re sure?” Myrtle asked gently.

“I am,” He smiled. “I want to be here. You all say we have eternity, so I can take a few of those years with the family I have here.” He looked at Gwen. “I’ll miss her like mad, but that’s okay.” Bert swallowed hard. “I’ve done that before. And I want her to be happy.” He wiped an eye. “I’ll be here if she wants to come say hi.”

“You continue to surprise us, Bert J. Hudson,” Karl smiled.

“A rare gift for ones as old as us,” Myrtle said.

“Well?” Crissy stuck her head out the door, “Is he coming with us?”

“No,” Myrtle laughed.

“Fuck!” Crissy growled, her head disappearing.

“Someone lost a bet,” Karl said, standing. “I better go make sure she didn’t bet something she didn’t own again.”

Myrtle laughed.

Bert was leaning against the control tower, watching Gwen make a fuss of Slothy. The Sloth-Bear was enjoying the Fae visit. She had never had so many cuddles in one day before.

“She’s very nice.” Bell fluttered over. “I see why she means so much to you.” She sounded sad.

“Bell? What’s wrong?” Bert asked, concerned.

“I’m just… I’m gonna miss you, okay?” She sniffed. “Don’t make a big deal about it.”

“No,” Bert said with certainty. “You won’t.”

“Asshole!” Bell growled at him. “If I say I’m gonna miss you, I’m gonna miss you!”

“Could be difficult,” Bert said thoughtfully. “I’m not going anywhere.” He stopped. “Wait, are you leaving?” Bert asked.

“What? No!” Bell looked affronted. “Why would I leave?”

“Why would I?” Bert asked.

“To be with your wife, obviously.” Bell rolled her eyes.

“And just leave you all?” Bert asked. “That’d be kind of a dick move, wouldn’t it?”

“Yeah,” Bell said. “That’s why I assumed you would be doing it!”

“Ha. Ha. Pixie funny.” Bert grinned.

“You’re really staying?” Bell asked a minute later.

“Yup.” Bert smiled at her. “She wants to go explore the galaxy. I want to explore here with you guys.” He shrugged. “We have time, so why not do both.”

Bell stared at him.

“What?”

“She was never going to stay, was she?” Bell asked.

“Nope.” Bert sighed.

“Even though you want to.” Bell clarified.

“Yeah.” Bert grimaced.

“Wow.” Bell sighed, settling onto his shoulder. “Sorry about that,”

“Yeah, thanks.” Bert sighed.

There was a big party for the Fae before they left. And when the Fae have a big party, it’s something to see. Several of the Gods crashed it just before dawn, and everyone pretended not to notice.

When the first light of dawn was just creeping above the horizon, the party ended, and the Fae headed off.

The last of the Fae to go were Gwen, Karl, and Myrtle.

Bert and Gwen had a tearful goodbye before she swept up into the sky, disappearing into the mass of the Riders.

“One last thing, Bert,” Karl said. “Before we go, we have a couple of favors to ask.”

“Sure,” Bert said. “How can we help?”

“First, I would like you to promise to keep an eye out for any Fae in trouble as your travel around. Our people attract trouble, you see. Now we have returned… well.”

“No problem,” Bert agreed readily.

“Second, we would like you to head out beyond the City of the Sun,” Myrtle took over. “There is something out there that we think a Fae should see.” She refused to say anything more.

“Why not?” Bert said. One direction was pretty much the same as the other. “Any hints about what we are looking for?”

“No!” She laughed. “It’ll be obvious when you see it.”

With that, they were gone.

Bert and the others watched the skies for a while as they slowly faded away.

==============

“Get off, damn you!” Larry screamed in rage as the hundreds of thousands of figurines continued to deconstruct his tower. No matter how many he swatted away, there was always more.

And every one of them had Bert’s grinning face.

He awoke with a start. He had fallen asleep in his study. That had never happened before…

“Hello, Larry.” A cold voice said.

Larry looked up in surprise. It was impossible to get into a Watcher of the Mists tower. Across from him sat a mild-looking man in blue and grey. Mild looking, but power radiated off him like the sun.

“Lord Karl?” Larry straightened himself up. It had been beyond an age since a Lord of the Fae had come. “To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?” It was never wise to be rude to a Fae, even one that had broken into your house. That went doubly so for the Lords and Ladies of the Courts.

“I’m here to tell you to fuck off,” Karl said mildly. “Get out of Bert’s life; there’s a good chap.”

“I have only ever watched out for him!” Larry said, wondering if that was really true.

“Not your job, mate!” Karl snarled, his power flaring.

“Understood,” Larry said stiffly.

“Good,” Karl stood. “It’s been a bloody long time since the last war. Let’s keep it that way.”

“Agreed.” Larry wished a moth could sweat. War? They were willing to go to war over this?

“Oh, and your niece? Keep your nose out.” Karl said on his way out.

“What about my niece?” Larry said, appearing in front of Karl in a swirl of mist.

“Someone’s gone to have a word with her about manners.” Karl laughed.

“What?” Larry paled; a good trick for a moth.

“Oh, don’t panic.” Karl waved dismissively. “None of the old Fae went, just one of the new ones.”

“One of the new ones?” Larry asked.

“Bert’s wife,” Karl laughed, dissolving into dozens of Bert figurines.

Larry snorted. How bad could that be?

“Felicia?” A feminine voice called out as she followed a cringing mortal lost in the mists. It might end up being her new follower, but she wasn’t sure.

“Hello?” Felicia turned, not recognizing the voice.

A fist smashed into her face, sending her sprawling on the floor. A woman with raven hair and glowing eyes stood over her.

“Who are you?” She asked, confused even as she was kicked viciously in the side.

“I’m Gwen,” She said and whistled. Wolves howled in the mists. “Let’s have a chat, shall we?”

Felicia tried to run; she really did. Whenever she thought she had gotten away, there was a snarling shape in the mists or a fist. Or worse.

She ran for days, popping between worlds, unable to escape as the damage mounted. She even called for her Uncle, but he would not come.

In desperation, she put her back to a cliff wall and turned to fight. Wolves, Bears, Cats, and more surrounded her. She paled as the numbers grew.

A figure walked through the mists, that same woman emerging with fire in her eyes. Dark energy swirled around her.

“You fucking attacked my husband,” Gwen growled. “And I had to watch!”

“Who?” Felicia snarled.

“Bert,” Gwen said and attacked. It was not a long fight. Felicia was not much of a warrior, and Gwen was trained by the Fae for years.

“Please, stop!” Felicia begged. Both her legs were broken, and several ribs. They weren’t healing like they normally would. It was that damn energy; it froze her healing, stopped it from working.

“This is your only warning, Bitch!” Gwen said, dragging Felicia up and punching her repeatedly. “Stay. Away. From. My. Husband!” Gwen dropped her.

“Okay!” Felicia lied, “I’ll stop.”

Gwen laughed, high and tinkling. The laughter kept going, even when the woman herself stopped. It hung in the air, and the mist, while she turned back to Felicia. “Don’t fuck with me, sweetheart.” The collected animals began to growl. “Tell you what, I know this will all heal, but I want you to consider this my way of showing you that you need to move on” With that, she stood and turned to the assembled animals. “Babies!” Every eye turned to Gwen. “Eat!”

Gwen walked off, humming to herself as the screaming started and the animals piled onto the Immortal.

“Bye, Felicia!” She laughed as she walked away.