We Could Go Anywhere (Nimona)

Part 5

A Few Weeks Later...

Ambrosius: (tenses) What do you mean that you haven't found him YET?! It has been three weeks since they tied Todd up and disappeared!

Knight 1: Your Majesty, we have searched every rock, dumpster, and shadow in this kingdom three times! He's not here.

Ambrosius: Am I to believe that he left the kingdom? No one has, and Ballister was the most cautious of it.

Knight 2: (coming in)

Ambrosius: Please give me some good news.

Knight 2: Sir, there's something you need to see.

Ambrosius follows him, having the distinct feeling that he wasn't going to like what he was about to see. He was led into the security office, and everyone bowed. He told everyone to return to work. They showed him some security footage of Ballister and this 'Nimona' with packs on their backs walking into and out of the view of the camera to the north. Probably in search of a new Lair.

Ambrosius: Is this all the footage we have?

Monitor: For now, Your Majesty. We don't know why he's on the run. We're still unaware of what his connection to this teenager is, but just that they're traveling together.

Ambrosius: How long ago was this?

Monitor: Three weeks ago. Due to administration issues, we had to sort through the backlog and just found it.

Ambrosius: Keep me posted. Knights, re-focus your search on the northern part of the kingdom. Find him. He's good at staying under the radar, but we can and will find him.

Knights: (salute) Yes, sir! (run out of room and castle)

Meanwhile...

Ballister took the first deep breath he ever could in his life. Now, he understood. The kingdom, its pressures, the Institute, it was all suffocating. Out here, he could be free. Nimona had shown him just a few wonders on their ongoing journey. While he could breathe, they weren't fully free of the kingdom until he felt that they were far enough away. Nimona didn't object. Ballister was the only person who cared about her and likewise. The further north they went, the more strangely comforting and reminiscent everything felt. She found herself thinking more about that family, partially because that's what she thought of Ballister now.

Ballister: So, do you...remember anything now that we're far enough north?

Nimona: The only thing that I remember clearly is a mountain. What it looks like. Not if I lived on it or near it. Just that it feels safe, even after all this time.

Ballister: I think mountains are a safe bet. It's better than wandering aimlessly. Everything is so beautiful out here. Mountains, valleys, lakes, rivers. It would be nice to have a place out here to call home.

Nimona: (smiles, sadly) Yeah, home. I had almost given up on the idea of not only finding anyone who would accept me for who I am--what I am, but also the idea of having a permanent home anywhere.

Ballister: (shifting, uncomfortably) I'm sorry. I never knew. (purses lips)

She senses that he wants to say something else.

Nimona: Out with it, Boss.

Ballistet: What is it like? To have lived so long? Seen so many things? Experienced so much?

Nimona: (shrugs) It all starts to feel like the same old song and dance after a while. People, generations stuck in the old ways. Then, all of a sudden...(looks at him, smiling)...there was a pleasant surprise. I don't get many of those.

Ballister: (smiles)

Nimona: (chuckles, happy tears starting) I guess, to the mountain we go.