Chapter 8: The Man Who Lived Two Lives

The blood that sopped from the Ice King's neck seemed to etch the life, the years spent on this land, straight into it's core. The life and history of this man drained away as his many companions and a lone soul watched, trying to aid him. Tiring from the loss of strength, the Ice King began to lock up, his movement now reserved to blood clotted coughs. With every gasp, every choke, he died more and more.

"Hang on sir. I'm trying as hard as I can. You there, penguin. Bring me all the medical supplies you have. You there, other penguin. Hold his head stiller, please. Sir, just hang on a little longer. You can beat this."

The grunts came slower and lower as the Ice King began to close his eyes. Doctor Princess lightly tapped him awake. "You need to stay awake, Ice King. Thank you for the bandages, penguin."

"gunta."

"What?"

"hi nay i gunta."

"...Thank you, Gunther."

Slowly, the wound began to look better. Doctor Princess was going to save this man. If it took all of her strength, so be it. If she be ridiculed for helping him, so be it. Nothing would stop her.

The blood stopped flowing and appeared to be under control. Doctor Princess breathed a sigh of relief and prepared to take a quick break when she was grabbed from her arm and pulled back. Though it wasn't the Ice King. It was Gunther. Though weak from pain, Gunther motioned to the Ice King, meaning the patient needed to say something.

His voice returning, he took a deep sigh and began again to tell his tale.

"It all started when I was a young lad. No older than you look, my dear. To think I had my life ahead of me. A looker for the past, a finder of the future. I even found her. She was truly the one and I drove her away with this crown. I can't bear to think she is still dead. That is why I live this way. I find it unbearable to go on without my princess still and I search for her. So please, if you can find it in your heart to take my crown and if you find her, please give this to her. Tell her Simon is well and alive but do not look for him. His wellbeing is of another kind."

Here, he began to cough again and the crown rolled from his head, as if it lived and obeyed it's master's command. Gunther grabbed it from the ground and hugged it. Without a quack he gave the headpiece to the now teary eyed doctor.

"Also, the boy that slew me. I can not think of a better person to have ended the suffering than the last human. If you can protect him doctor, I would be so very happy. Tell him of the man he so mercifully ended."

"And now, without further ado, lady and gentlemen, I shall take leave of this land. You shall take leave of this room. When you return, it shall be to mourn me."

"But sir, please try to understand!"

"Hotheadedness. It's what killed me and it is what shall prolong the inevitable. Count this not as a loss, my dear. I simply have turned the final page. I am exiting from the tower and experiencing the world surrounding it. So goodbye, goodbye, goodbye. And may I be a gentleman at the last and say my dear doctor, you are so very beautiful."

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"No, sir... Yes, I have the crown with me. I'll meet you tomorrow to discuss plans with the museum. I have to go surprise Betty. It's our anniversary tonight... Yes, two years since I saw her at the tavern. I'm ring-shopping as we speak... No, I even told her parents. Everyone except her really knows...Thank you again...Two months vacation! Thank you sir! You won't regret it and tell those Scandinavians Simon says takk igjen...Okay, goodbye and thank you again!" "Hello my little sweetpea! I'm back from my intrepid excursions. *kiss* You won't believe what I've found..."

"There's my darling now...It was rough not seeing you but I thought of you every day, Mary. Hey Dad, good to see you...I missed you too. Oh, is this who I think it is? Come here, boy! How's Red been treating you lately...Good to know. Hey listen, can I pack my duffel in the back? I'm sure Mom wants to see me...I still can't believe the war's over..."

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The man woke up. He was naked in a cold room, a layer of glass shielding him. He banged and rapped on the glass, yelling to be let out. With a pop and hiss, the man was freed from his cell and thrown some clothes. He shifted his gaze like a young babe born merely hours ago. The technology was fantastic, beeps and bops from every corner. From the center he saw light. He shifted his old bones with cracks aplenty. The room now in full focus, the man grabbed his clothes and began to dress himself. They were quite comfortable and made the room feel slightly homier. He tested his joints once more and began to climb from his chamber. It was quite small and just barely fit him. Testing his footing, swaying back and forth. He stood erect and with stability. Then he heard a voice from the light.

"We've been expecting you but not as soon as now."

Trusting his frayed instincts for some reason, the man stepped forward. The cold linoleum sprayed goosebumps upon his body but he sojourned into the crack of light.

Arriving at the source, the man looked up to see labcoats. With quiet thought, he licked his lips. He let out a breath and blinked once or twice. He couldn't tell as each movement seemed to go for hours. Then, he ever so quietly coughed and whispered.

"Where's Mary?"