Chapter Text
When Scott wakes up, his first thought is that he must have fallen out of bed. His back and neck hurt, as does the back of his head. He's lying face down, his cheek pressed against the cold stone floor, and the way he's lying is pinching his pointed ear uncomfortably.
Wait, the floors of his house are wooden.
As Scott begins to shift, he notices some pretty alarming things. Trying to move, he hears the clinking of chains, and when he opens his eyes he is greeted with a set of iron bars. When he moves to push himself up he notices that his wrists are shackled behind him, not tightly enough that he can't move his arms, but enough so that he can't bring them to his front. Using one hand, his shoulder, and his forehead, he pushes himself to his knees, then uses the wall to then get to his feet.
“Hello?” he shouts into the dungeon. Only his echo answers him.
“Is anyone there? Where am I?” He calls. Nothing.
“As king of Rivendell I demand to know what’s going on!” He shouts. This time he hears a chuckle that slowly grows into full on laughter. Familiar laughter.
“Oh, sorry Scott. I was just curious what you’d do.” He says, stepping into view. A large and imposing figure, complete with red robes, a bearded face, and a large golden crown on his head.
“Sausage?” Scott gasps. Sausage laughs again.
“Yeah, it’s me. How are you feeling, buddy? Hopefully I didn't hit you too hard.” He asks. Scott is almost affronted at Sausage’s concern for his well being, considering he’s the reason he’s here.
“Sausage, what’s going on here? What do you want? We’re not even enemies!” Scott demands. Sausage laughs again, it’s really starting to get on Scott’s nerves.
“Oh, of course we’re not enemies! In fact, we just became allies! And to christen this beautiful new friendship, you’re going to help me with something.” Scott narrows his eyes.
“What do you want?” He asks, warily.
“Why, you’re gonna help me finally defeat that pesky cod king!” He declares. Scott's breath gets momentarily caught in his throat, but his expression doesn't betray him.
“Jimmy?”
“Yes, Jimmy. That fishy fiend has been a pain in my side for far too long now, and it’s about time he be dealt with properly. That's where you come in.” Sausage explains. Scott laughs nervously.
“Well, I’m not currently in the market for making new enemies. So if you wouldn't mind letting me go now…”
“Oh, don't worry your pretty little head about it. You don't have to do anything! Just sit tight here while I go give the news to Jimmy and let him come running over himself. I’ll take care of the rest.” Sausage says. He’s been grinning for the whole encounter, like there was nothing wrong with kidnapping his fellow ruler and threatening another in the same breath. But while he speaks now his grin turns darker, more sinister. It’s a look that Scott has never seen on the king of Mythland’s face, and a look that he hopes to never see again.
“So, I’m meant to be bait… for Jimmy…” Scott says. Sausage’s smile turns bright again and he waves his finger approvingly.
“See, I knew you’d get it! You always were a bright one, Scott. I’d always hope we could work together like this. You just wait here…” Sausage is interrupted by a snort. Scott chuckles quietly but quickly rises in volume, ending in a full out guffaw. He has to lean on the wall to not keel over, his chains clanking as his shoulders shake.
“What’s so funny? What are you laughing at!” Sausage demands. Scott wipes his tears on his silken shoulder.
“Oh my goodness. I didn't know you were such a moron.” He heaves. Sausage fumes at this.
“What are you talking about? It’s an amazing plan. Fool-proof!” Scott just shakes his head.
“I’m supposed to be bait. For Jimmy? Me? We barely even talk! I mean, how could we? Our kingdoms are about as far away from each other as they can get! And Jimmy isn't exactly the heroic type, he’s not going to just charge into battle for anyone. The only worse person you could have picked was Fwhip! Face it, you picked the wrong man.” As Scott stares down the rival king, he gets that same smirk on his face. Smaller than before, but no less concerning.
“I’d be inclined to believe you, but I happen to have a much more reliable source.” he says.
“Like who?”
“Oh, just your friendly neighborhood demon.” Sausage smirks. Scott curses in his head.
“Oh, of course it was you who summoned it.”
“So you know him?”
“Yes, that glorified shadow with an ego, whose only power is griefing innocent builds. I’ve heard of him.” He glowers.
“He has a lot more power than that. Not the least of which is his knowledge. He knows everything about everyone, including everyone’s fears. Most of them were expected. Fwhip is afraid of creepers, Gem is afraid of the dark, Katherine is afraid of being alone. But he told me the strangest thing about you and Jimmy. Would you like to know what he said?”
“I’ve got a feeling you're going to tell me.” Sausage chuckles.
“He said that both of your greatest fears are losing each other. How odd, considering you said you two don’t talk.”
“You know we don’t. You're his flipping neighbor, when do you ever see me come through your lands?”
“But then, the demon told me a story. Something to do with a little valley, in the corner of the world, filled with flowers…” Scott felt his heart seize. There was no way he knew.
“Stop me if you’ve heard this before. It’s about two men, just trying to settle down and be happy in a world filled with war. There was some lava, then a bomb, then an arrow through the eye…”
“Stop…” Scott croaks, barely able to force his voice out. It feels as if ice water has been poured through his veins. As much as he tries to school his face, the look in Sausage’s eyes tell him that he’s failing.
“You thought you could hide the truth to protect him, but I already know what I need. You were right, Jimmy wouldn’t put himself in danger for just anybody. But for his husband? I’m willing to bet he will.” Sausage smiles. Scott just scoffs, his eyes turned down.
“It still won’t work.” He mutters. Sausage’s brow furrows as he crosses his arms.
“And why is that?”
“Because he doesn't remember.” Scott can feel his resolve slipping with the confession, but Sausage just laughs.
“Well, that has got to be the lamest excuse I can think of.” He taunts.
“It’s true. Why do you think I don't talk to him anymore?” Sausage only continues to laugh, wiping imaginary tears from his eyes.
“He forgot that we’re married. Oh you do make me laugh Scott Smajor.”
“I don't expect someone like you to understand.” Scott growls. Sausage looks at him like he’s expecting him to crumble and admit defeat, so Scott continues.
“Have you ever loved someone, so completely and with your whole heart, so much that you can't conceive of a life without them? Only for that life to be taken away from you. To feel like your heart has been ripped from your chest and scattered to the wind? To live with the memory of their smile and the thought that you won't ever see it again? Until one day you see them, against all the odds. And for a moment you feel as if everything is going to be okay again. But when you look in their eyes you can tell that they don't have a clue who you are, and have no idea what you mean to them. Can you even comprehend that?” Scott challenges. For the first time, Sausage looks a bit uncomfortable with his outburst.
“I thought not. So just let me go and leave me alone.”
“I don't think you're joking.” Sausage says, to which Scott laughs.
“Congratulations, Sausage. You found out my big secret. Too bad it's useless to you. So thanks for reminding me, can I finally go home now?” Scott yanks at his chains in annoyance. Sausage just scratches at his beard and slowly walks away.
“I can still work with this…” he mutters. Scott runs to the bars, or as close as he can get.
“Sausage, where are you going? Let me out!” He shouts. Only his echo responds.