WARNING: The following contains major spoilers for The Sandman Universe/Locke & Key: Hell & Gone #2, available now from IDW.
The final chapter in the much-anticipated crossover event between The Sandman and Locke & Key universes has finally arrived, bringing to a close Mary Locke's journey through the Dreaming and Hell itself. Along the way, she has encountered more than a few incredibly imposing figures, including the menacing Corinthian. Thankfully, Mary isn't alone in her fight against the Corinthian for long, and she's even managed to pay back the Fiddler's Green for his help by waking him up for the first time chronologically in Sandman Universe/Locke & Key: Hell & Gone #2 by Joe Hill, Gabriel Rodriguez, Jay Fotos and Shawn Lee.
Although Mary Locke wasn't sure what to expect when she stepped from the waking world and into the Dreaming, the Corinthian certainly wasn't it. Walking through the halls of Morpheus' impossible immense library, the Corinthian questions Mary as to just how she came to possess Dream's articles of power. Before any harm can come to her, Mary realizes who he is and escapes the villain's grasp, leading him on a chase. Luckily, Fiddler's Green has only just arrived at the library, and he is more than happy to fight the Corinthian under any circumstances.
First introduced in 1990's Sandman #11 by Neil Gaiman, Sam Kieth, Mike Dringenberg, Michael Zulli, and Chris Bachalo, Fiddler's Green is less of a man than his appearance would imply. In fact, Fiddler's Green isn't really a man at all, but rather a sentient portion of the Dreaming itself, one which travelers of all ilk hope of coming across someday. During his earliest appearances, Fiddler's Green took to the human world and played an important role in finding the whereabouts of Rose Walker's brother Jed, not to mention saving both of their lives from the Corinthian.
Now, Fiddler's Green has once again saved the life of someone from the Corinthian, and in return, they have done something even greater for him. While the villain focuses on Fiddler's Green, Mary Locke is given the chance to turn Dream's articles of power against him. Donning Dream's Helm while wielding his Ruby and Pouch, Mary is able to cast away her attacker, and she even manages to heal Fiddler's wounds. Once her business in the Dreaming is concluded, the time comes for Mary to return to the waking world. Somehow, she isn't alone on the return trip, as she awakes to find Fiddler's Green sitting right next to her in the Burgess home.
It isn't the first time that the Green has been seen in the waking world, however, this would be the first time it has happened to him chronologically, and it leaves him just as confounded as it does Mary herself. He remained by her side for the duration of the adventure, before quietly bidding her farewell and disappearing at its end.
Despite the details surrounding the Green's trek out of the Dreaming being unknown, Fiddler's Green was an invaluable ally for Mary Locke, even in Hell itself. He has already proven himself to be a powerful force for good who is willing to put his own life on the line if it means doing the right thing.
The Sandman/Locke & Key Reveals How a Justice Leaguer Got His Strangest Habit