A Meeting of Houses
Act II - The Ghost of You and Me
Jaelawyn Noble [ Jaelawyn@attbi.com ]
Disclaimer: Love 'em, dun own 'em.
Warnings:
Rating: R
Pairing: Lerant/Keladry, Roald/Shinkokami, Buri/Raoul
Summary: Kel is in an arranged marriage. Only, it's at the brink of the
war with Scanra. Kel is a Knight - and has to follow the king's orders. Will she
learn to love her future husband, as they fight together? Or is everything just
doomed to forever be something you cannot fight?
Archive:
Feedback: 'm a whore for it.
Notation: Song belongs to BBMak. The song's called "Ghost of You and
Me."
~
Shea smiled politely to his new soon-to-be sister-in-law and her family. He even behaved quite nicely to Lerant and Dione. Even to Aero and Janus. That was a first for him. Everyone knew that; what no one knew was that he was not who he seemed to be.
~
Nineteen years ago...
"Shea," Delia called. She was locked up in chains, but was allowed last visits with her family. At the moment, her youngest nephew at age two was hiding. He had run in, laughing, and began hiding all over the place. The guard in the room looked at them both. She chuckled; she liked scaring the help.
Shea came laughing out of the space between bookcases and latched onto his aunt's pale white skirt. "Auntie...!" he cried happily.
Delia smiled and sat down on the couch, holding her small nephew. She then scowled, looking up at the guard. "Leave us. He's only a little boy. What harm can he do?"
The guard stiffened and said loftily. "I will be right outside the door. Do not try anything, Lady Delia."
Delia sighed and looked at Shea. "We have to do something about the help around here," she told the eerily quiet child. He looked at her with wise eyes - eyes that told her that he was indeed the one she had hoped for. "Shea... You are the one I need. They're going to kill me soon. Hang me. I'm too much of a threat." She laughed bitterly. "But you, Shea... You are the one Roger told me of, once. He knew some of the future, remember that. A war with Tortall will come when you're around... One-and-twenty. You must assist those who seek Tortall's destruction. You must! For my sake, please, dearest nephew."
"I will, Aunt Delia," he said softly.
"Lerant and Dione will be of no help to you. You must get rid of them in any way possible. It would be best if they never see the daylight after their eighteenth birthdays. Will you promise me to get rid of them?"
"Yes, Aunt Delia," the child spoke, eyes smoldering with fury. It wasn't directed at her - but at his siblings.
She removed a bracelet from the pouch at her side. It was a silver chained bracelet with a diamond-shaped blue topaz on it. She showed it to him, then wrapped it back up in a strip of leather. "Give this to Lerant. Say that it will be for his bride, when he becomes betrothed. Or, you yourself may give it to her."
Shea took it. "What is it?"
Delia smiled - but her smile was not joyful... It held a deadly malice in it. "It is coated in the poison of the fireflower vines that grow in the South where those sand scuts live."
Shea smiled. "I will do all that is in my power aunt. This I swear to the Great Mother and the Black God."
Delia embraced her nephew. "You are the child I should have had by Jonathan. And it should be that blasted whore that should be down here, not me!"
Shea held his aunt's hand. Then the guard came and took him away. His aunt was hanged at dawn.
~
Present
Shea walked over to Keladry and Lerant, who were both talking about the King's Own and the upcoming war with Scanra. He pulled out the leather wrapped bracelet from his pocket and bowed to the two. "May I bestow a humble gift upon a beautiful lady?" he asked gallantly.
He showed her the bracelet. Lerant frowned at Shea. This isn't like him at all. Still... There's something - evil about that thing. He reached forward and took the bracelet and the leather before Keladry could touch it. "Brother, do wait. The wedding won't be for a while." He handed back to Shea with a glance that held a very severe message: Do not harm her.
"What was that all about?" Kel asked Lerant as Shea turned away and briskly left the room.
"I haven't a clue. I just got a bad feeling about that bracelet. Keladry, just refuse any gifts he may try and give you. I haven't any idea why, but Shea is up to something. He's sly... And that bothers me for some reason."
Keladry nodded. "You know him best. I'll stay clear of him for a while." She grinned at him. "What I want to know is why you're here and not with Third Company."
Lerant grimaced. "My parents sent a letter to my lord and...er... requested me to come home. Easy enough to say that leave is very short for me."
Keladry nodded, instantly sober. "In spring, we're all to be sent North. The King's Own... Knights... Everyone who knows how to fight."
"Keladry? Lerant?" Lady Celestyn called. "Please join us, we must speak about this wedding."
Both Kel and Lerant winced. "Let's see how many frills they want to put on this."
"Why do parents always do this?"
"I haven't a clue."
~
"General Vanget?" Cleon asked. His arm was still giving him pain, but it was pain he could live with. There had been a Scanran attack on one of the Northern villages, and Cleon had led the men and boys - and even a few of the younger girls - against them. They had pushed the Scanrans off... Barely. The only reason they had succeeded, was due to the fact that the Scanrans were not expecting antagonism from the villagers.
General Vanget haMinch turned around and looked at the young knight. "Kennan," he said. His voice was harsh from days spent bellowing in the fields of battle. "What are you doin' here, son?" His hair was a muddy brown, and his deeply set eyes were bright blue. He couldn't've been more than seven-and-thirty.
"You told me to report the moment I got out of the Infirmary, sir."
"So I did," Vanget said. "How's your arm doin', son?"
Cleon moved it a bit. "It's healing, sir. It won't be better for a while, but it's healing."
Vanget nodded. "Pack your bags, son. I'm discharging you to Corus till spring. Heal up and get assigned to a new post up North. We're fine here with reinforcements."
Cleon nodded. "Thank you, sir." He bowed and left the tent. He went and packed his bags. He was overjoyed to be going back to Corus. He could finally see Kel again!
~
Neal looked at the parchment paper in shock. Kel was getting married. Not by choice - but my decree of the parental units. He folded the paper up and stuck it in his belt. He went to go find Yuki - she knew Kel almost as well as he did. Maybe they could figure out why this was happening.
Yuki looked at it, her lovely eyes wide. "I do not believe this."
Shinko nodded. Yuki had been with the princess and prince, helping them to talk a bit more on the subject of marriage. "Who is it with?" she asked softly.
Neal scanned the page again. "It doesn't say. Only says the wedding is in summer. She'll be here within the week - with betrothed in tow."
Roald shook his head. "It has to do with her family, obviously."
Neal smacked himself on the head. "Of course! I remember she mentioned it once. She was fretting over who would take the demon-horse. I told her to just flat out buy him. She mentioned that her parents' treasury was spread thin with the town house, her sisters being at court, and various other things. No wonder they are arranging a marriage - with the only one left single..."
"Kel," Roald, Neal, Yuki, and Shinko all chorused.
"How'd you know it was me?" came Kel's voice. They all turned - she stood in the doorway, hand poised to knock. "I just got in."
"And we just got your letter!" Neal told her. He put his hands on his hips. "Now - who is the 'lucky' guy?"
Kel smiled - it was a half wince, half smile. "I hope you are all sitting." This was met by laughs since they all were, except Neal. "Lerant of Eldorne," she said.
Neal fell on his butt, crying out as it hit the stone. "WHAT?!" he yelped. "That annoying little standard bearer?"
Kel nodded.
Roald shook his head. "Why?"
Kel sighed. "Mindelan has the Crown favor that Eldorne needs; Eldorne has the money Mindelan needs. It works out in the long run."
Roald sighed. "Still... The House of Eldorne will need to work hard to get Crown favor."
Kel nodded. "I know, Roald. That's why they haven't sent Lerant's other two sisters to Court."
Roald nodded. "What about his elder sister? Erhm... Her name was..."
"Dione. She's here... Seeing if she can get into a fighting position."
"Why?"
Kel smiled. "She is a very good warrior."
"So, it's a good family?" Neal asked. The other three looked at her demandingly.
Kel chuckled. "Yes. They're all very nice. Except Lerant's brother - Shea... He gives me the wigs."
~
What am I supposed to do
With all these blues
Haunting me everywhere
No matter what I do
~
Cleon rode into Corus, eyes closed in joy as he entered the palace stable. He dismounted and was met with the sight of Peachblossom. That was very good - Kel was here then. He raced up to her room, but found no one. He sighed, dejected, and went to Neal's room. He heard Kel's voice - along with Neal, Roald, Yuki, and Shinko. He opened the door, and watched as Neal animated a legendary sword fight with the poker for the fire.
He then fell down and died dramatically... For which he received applause and a kiss from Yuki.
"Very nice, Nealan," Cleon said from the doorway, grinning.
"Same to you, Kennan. What happened to the arm?" he asked, sauntering over. Kel had looked away the moment Cleon had entered the room. C'mon Kel... Look at me... Please! Look at me just one time... Please! I beg you to look at me! his mind screamed.
~
Watching the candle flicker out
In the evening glow
I can't let go
When will the night be over
~
Kel couldn't take it any more. She stood up, commanding the attention of everyone. "I'm sorry. I never realized it was so late. I have to report to Lord Raoul." She moved to leave.
"Why?" Neal demanded. "You're a knight."
"Yes, but unlike some people," she said wickedly, looking him in the eye. "I have found out where I am being posted come spring. I'm down with Third Company since I already know the fighting styles of them. And also - they know me, and therefore will listen to me."
Neal squawked. "I have too found out where I'm going!"
Cleon smiled at him. "Really? Where, Princess Flower?" Kel choked back laughter. Neal glowered. Cleon looked smug.
"All right. I haven't... But I suspect it's near Trebond. The Lady hinted as much. I'm a healer, and Trebond needs healers. She made sure I knew that."
"Now, now, Neal. Don't hide behind the status of a Healer-Knight," Kel said. Yuki flicked a fan in front of her face so they wouldn't see her laughter. Roald was laughing openly and Shinko was pretending to be very interested in the embroidery she was doing.
"Stuff it, Mindelan," Neal grumbled, stalking over to where Yuki sat on the floor and plopped down next to her.
Kel bowed to them all. "I'm very sorry, but I must report to my lord." She walked past Cleon, flinching when their arms brushed.
~
I didn't mean to fall in love with you
And baby there's a name
For what you put me through
It isn't love, it's robbery
I'm sleeping with the ghost of you and me
~
Cleon looked helplessly after Kel.
"You didn't know?" Neal asked, shocked.
"Know what?" Cleon asked, his head snapping in Neal's direction.
"She didn't give you a letter or anything? You haven't a clue as to why she's hurt by seeing you?"
Cleon clenched his hands into fists. "Nealan of Queenscove, just tell me, dammit! What's wrong with Kel?"
Roald looked at his friend, his blue eyes sad. "Her parents betrothed her."
~
Seen a lot of broken hearts
Go sailing by
Phantom ships lost at sea
And one of them is mine
Raising my glass
I sing a toast to the midnight sky
I wonder why
The stars don't seem to guide me
~
Cleon felt his heart stop. His world had come to a sudden, crashing halt. It wasn't possible. No... It couldn't be. Not Kel... She'd never settle for it. Never! He knew her, she would never have submitted to a wedding with someone she didn't love...
"Who?" he asked coldly. Neal hesitated. Cleon snapped, "Tell me who."
Neal sighed. "Lerant of Eldorne."
~
The ghost of you and me
When will it set me free
I hear the voices call
Following footsteps down the hall
Trying to save what's left
Of my heart and soul
~
Cleon turned and raced down the hall after Kel. "Keladry of Mindelan!" he called. She froze at his harsh tone, and turned.
"I never asked for them to do this," she whispered. Her face was streaked with tears. Had he been less angry, he would have tried to hold her, to comfort her. But not now. No. He was too upset.
"ELDORNE!" he cried. "Truly Kel... Are you're parents daft? They're traitors - the whole Eldorne lot of them! They tried to kill the woman who you seem to idolize so much. How do you know that Lerant won't just hand you over to the Scanrans to be rid of you? Or to gain the favor of the Scanran scum? How childish can you be?"
Kel looked at him and said quietly, "What do you mean, 'childish?'"
Cleon looked at her. "What do you think?" he asked in a cold voice that was like a slap to her face. "Idolizing a woman who is a mage and a cheat. Going after things that will most likely end up killing you. Believing that just one person can make a huge difference. That's childish. I haven't any idea why I liked you. If there was an example of someone who didn't know their place it would be you, Keladry of Mindelan. What are you? A lady or a knight? Or are you some two-bit whore?" His voice had stayed at a calm level volume the entire time.
Kel looked at him, lips parted slightly, tears streaming down her face. Her hazel eyes were gone of their dreams and were red-rimmed. She took a gasp of air, smacked him, and ran down the hall.
Cleon stood there, in total and utter shock. He put a hand to his cheek, feeling heat radiating off the place where her hand had hit him. Then he realized, she hadn't run to her room - but to Lerant's.
~
Watching the candle flicker out
In the evening glow
I can't let go
When will the night be over
I didn't mean to fall in love with you
And baby there's a name
For what you put me through
It isn't love, it's robbery
I'm sleeping with the ghost of you and me
~
Don't flame me.
