Some Try, Brisbys Do

NIMH

Mr. Ages led Kristy and Elizabeth to Nicodemus' chamber. He was busy giving Elizabeth instructions on how to approach Nicodemus with a subject.

"Now don't tire him out", he said.

"He's very old", Kristy added.

"Be brief. Say what you want... and leave."

"I won't be a bother", Elizabeth said.

"Justin bothers him enough with all his silly nonsense. I don't know what Nicodemus sees in that boy. I'll come back for you."

Kristy and Elizabeth watched as Mr. Ages walked away. Kristy crouched down and covered her head.

"Brace yourself", she said.

The door opened with a flash of light and a gust of wind. Elizabeth gasped and jumped to the floor covering her head. The wind and light suddenly vanished, allowing them to come inside. Kristy helped Elizabeth to her feet. They stepped inside and looked around.

"Nicodemus?" Kristy called. "Are you awake?"

Elizabeth hid behind Kristy looking afraid. Nicodemus sat in his throne. His eyes glowed with each word he spoke.

"Come closer, my child", Nicodemus. "Don't be frightened."

"Hello, Nicodemus", Kristy said bowing her head in respect. "I hope you are well. This is my sister-in-law, Elizabeth."

"Sir", she began. "The uh... the Great Owl sent me to you."

"Oh, did he? He is a dear comrade... closer."

Kristy gently pushed Elizabeth closer. She continued pushing her until she was standing right next to Nicodemus.

"Ah, Mrs. Jonathan Brisby", he smiled. "What an honor this is."

"How is it that everyone knows Jonathan?" Elizabeth asked.

"He was a great friend to the Rats of NIMH. He himself came from NIMH."

Kirsty looked down before looking up to him.

"Your majesty, my family is..."

"I know of your needs", Nicodemus said. "There is a book there. Read the words."

"Your journal?" Kristy asked. "Oh, no. Sir, we couldn't. Those are your private thoughts."

"Mrs. Brisby needs to know about us", Nicodemus said. "Go ahead, my dear."

Elizabeth smiled shyly as she approached the book.

"I can read... a little", she said. "Jonathan taught me. The children are better..."

She gasped as she saw the book float above the desk. It opened and fell back to the desk.

"Than... I am..."

Elizabeth climbed on top of the chair looking at the writing, struggling to read. Kristy looked at the book and pointed at the words helping her.

"Jonathan Brisby made possible the rats' escape from the terrible cruelty of NIMH."

"Jonathan?" Elizabeth asked surprised.

"He was... killed... today... while drugging the farmer's cat... Dragon."

Kristy looked at Elizabeth who was beginning to cry.

"Oh, I... I never knew... just what happened", Elizabeth cried. "Why did he never tell me about any of you? Why didn't Kristy ever tell me?"

"That wasn't my choice", Kristy said. "It was necessary for our protection."

"I must tell you about NIMH and our Plan", Nicodemus said pointing to a device on the other side of the room. "Go! Look there!"

Kristy and Elizabeth looked in awe at the device. They watched as it came to life, as wind gusted and light flashed bright. The watched as images appeared in the device. They watched as rats ran through the streets with humans gathering them into traps and nets.

"In the beginning, we were ordinary street rats, stealing our daily bread and living off the efforts of man's work", Nicodemus explained. "We were captured, put in cages, and sent to a place called NIMH. There were many animals there... in cages. They were put through the most unspeakable tortures to satisfy some scientific curiosity. Often at night I would hear them, crying out in anguish. 20 rats and 12 mice were given injections... our world began changing..."

Kristy covered her eyes. She couldn't watch as the device showed the rats' and mice's painful transformation from the injections. Elizabeth watched as the rats and mice began escaping their cages.

"Then one night I looked upon the words under the cage door... and understood them. We had become intelligent. We could read. The miracle was kept secret from the scientists, and in the quiet of the night, we escaped through the ventilation system. The mice were blown away, sucked down dark airshafts to their deaths. All except three... Jonathan, Mr. Ages, and Kristy. We were trapped by a locked door on the roof. It was Jonathan who made possible the unlocking of the door."

Elizabeth and Kristy looked away as the image of Jonathan disappeared. Nicodemus held a box in his hand.

"I have a gift", he said. "Come. Jonathan meant it for you."

He opened the box and pulled out the amulet Kristy saw earlier. Elizabeth gasped and smiled as she looked at the gold and ruby in it.

"Oh... It's so beautiful!"

"It sleeps", Nicodemus said.

"Sleeps?" Kristy and Elizabeth asked.

"Yes", he explained. "When worn by one with a courageous heart, the Stone glows red. It becomes a blinding radiance. Courage of the heart is very rare. The Stone has a power when it's there."

"Oh, look!" Elizabeth said looking at the back of the amulet. "You can... unlock any door... if you only had the key. Oh, thank you. I will treasure it, always."

She smiled as Nicodemus placed the amulet around her neck. She looked up as Nicodemus continued.

"Jonathan never told you about NIMH because the injections slowed the aging process", he said. "You see, you would have grown old while he remained young."

They turned as there was a knock on the door. Justin smiled as he stepped inside.

"Nicodemus?" he said. "The boats are ready and waiting. We can leave any time."

"Good."

Kristy helped Nicodemus to his feet as his staff floated to his hand. The three of them walked to the door.

"My child, shall we journey to your home?" he said.

"Sir?" Elizabeth said.

"Tonight, we shall move your house to the protected side of the stone."

"The lee of the stone!" she smiled.

Elizabeth walked ahead to join Justin. Kristy looked down as Justin smiled at Elizabeth, walking with her.

"Jealousy is an ugly thing", Nicodemus said.

"Sir?" Kristy asked confused.

"You must not let your feelings control your actions", he said. "I know Justin and you share something special. Mrs. Brisby will never change that."

He placed his hand on her shoulder, earning a smile from Kristy.