It's not fair.....

As for Astra and Fred, they wake up outside the gates of Fred's castle.....none the worse for wear (and fully healed and equipped). They have NO idea how they got there.

Fred has questions about much....especially those odd elves.....however.....

Fred cries out in joy at seeing his ancestral home and gives Astra a quick kiss out of sheer joy....and then looks abash at being so forward. Astra stares at him for a second and then smiles.

"Do that again," the warrior princess says softly as she embraces Fred.

Astra is now intrigued even MORE intrigued by this noble night, for due to this slight gaff in ettiquete, Astra has seen there is INDEED a man inside this handsome figure before her.

Mayhap even somebody worthy of her?

Guards start to cry out greetings and the porticlis is raised as the two young warrior embrace, only to disappear in a puff of smoke and a fading laugh......that sound's just like Fred's voice.....but somehow VERY evil......

The kissing couple comes up for air (after having been frozen in stasis for months) and glance around in befuddlement as the find themselves in the middle of a forest. A male gasp draws their attention to behind them and they see a.....disturbingly familiar looking man distractedly feeling his body (his back especially). Something is strange about the coloration on the back of his neck.....the skin there is pale compared to that of the rest of the rather tanned face and neck....and there is s marked line between tan and pale. Most startling is the fact that Fred recognizes the man's face.....as the one he sees in the mirror upon waking in the morning......

"This is just like the tale of Nine Man Moris," the other Fred gasp finally as he notices the couple in front of him. "Ast....Astra.....my duplicate hasn't tried anything with you....has he? After that.....event in the swamp......"

"I don't know what you are talking about," Astra begins.....at a loss.

Fred, knowing the legend of dopplegangers.....evil and benign like those found in his homeland's favorite children's tale, makes a decision. He explains the myth and legends of dopplegangers, and gauges the reaction from both Astra and this twin of his.

Astra looks skeptical while the other Fred looks......relieved that Fred isn't attacking with his sword (the other is unarmed).

Astra is about to ask what the meaning of what this doppleganger was speaking of to her in the beginning when she hears a crying child.

1. They, all noble at heart, go rushing off to see what the matter is.....for it could very well be a child in danger.......

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