This is my first Black Magician Trilogy fanfiction. I like to dream up odd pairings, and I thought that sometimes Lorlen was very concerned for Sonea... and would be a good beginning for a plethora of never-before-seen pairings. Yah.
This is going to be a multi-chapter fic, though I can't imagine it reaching past five chapters. Please read and review!

KEY

Lorlen's Thoughts

--Akkarin's communication through the Blood Gem

--Lorlen's communication through the Blood Gem

A young woman, who looked no older than twenty, was sitting casually on one of the Guild's garden benches. One elbow was resting on the armrest to the right, and her chin was perched thoughtfully on top of her hand. Her gaze wandered aimlessly around her surroundings, drinking in the plants, buildings and sky without much interest.

But others were watching her, and their gaze was anything but disinterested. The watcher had noticed she often spent her spare time outside, and he certainly knew why. She was the High Lord's Novice, but wasn't very happy with being favoured by Akkarin. Akkarin practiced Black Magic, and had claimed her guardianship to keep her and two others from revealing this to the other magicians. The young woman's watcher was one of these people - Lorlen. Administrator Lorlen.

Sighing, Lorlen retreated from his window and rifled through a stack of paper. It was hard to concentrate, but he had to. He had an important position in the Guild, and could not afford to slack, despite his assistant's frequent suggestions that he should take a break once in a while. He had taken such a rest a while ago (though most had believed he took it because he was ill), but that had only been because Akkarin had read his mind. And discovered he knew about his crime.

The seat Lorlen sunk into was thickly padded and designed to help him relax, though it did nothing of the sort. Lorlen was tense. No matter how many times he caught himself at it and forced his mind back to more appropriate things, he couldn't stop thinking about Sonea. He had to remind himself that Akkarin could read most of his thoughts through the blood gem he'd been forced to wear... and letting him know that he was thinking of Sonea so much would surely not be a good idea. It would just be something else that Akkarin could use against him.

But it wasn't like Lorlen was in love with her. Of course not. He was just thinking about her because she was in a worse situation than he was. Forced into a guardianship that she'd never wanted, constantly trying to avoid Akkarin, knowing he could be practicing black magic just a few metres from her as she slept... and she was so young, too. She'd been through so much, struggled through various situations... but she couldn't struggle through this one. She had sacrificed friendship, sacrificed everything. She hadn't even had a choice.

Letting his head fall into his hands, Lorlen realised he'd done it again.

Stop thinking about her, he commanded his mind. She's getting along fine. She doesn't look worried, or troubled --

Lorlen resisted the urge to look out the window and check.

I'm just thinking about her because I understand what she is going through. I'm concerned about her... I care about her... like a father might care for his daughter. Now, stop worrying about her and concentrate!

He nodded as though to enforce his order and began to write, pen scratching against the paper.

Ten minutes later, Lorlen threw down his pen and scrunched up the paper he'd been writing on. It was covered in ink blots. Each time his thoughts strayed, he would loosen his grip on his pen and cause, to put it mildly, a minor screw up.

After levitating his crumpled paper to the bin, he shuffled his chair nearer to the window and looked out. She was still out there, though it was beginning to get dark and her face looked paler from the cold. Lorlen stood, brushed off his robes, and moved to the door. You could always levitate out the window. It would be very impressive.

Lorlen felt the colour drain from his cheeks. Obviously things were worse than he thought, if he was trying to impress her. He stopped his thoughts for what felt like the millionth time, telling himself he did not want to impress her in any way and that the only reason he was even considering going to talk to her was because she looked lonely and he couldn't keep his mind on his work.

"Good evening, Sonea."

Startled, Sonea looked up and hastily rose to her feet. "Evening, Administrator," she replied, bowing.

Lorlen almost laughed at the use of his title, though he wasn't sure why, and he beckoned for her to sit down again. After she was seated, he sat beside her, though, with much effort, tried to keep himself as far from her as was possible without seeming rude. He was glad for the cold that kept his face flushed (otherwise, his blushing would have been extremely obvious).

Admit it, Lorlen. You've got feelings for Sonea. An ironic laugh sounded in the back of his head. Lorlen frowned and shook his head slightly.

"How are you holding out?" he asked after a painfully long silence. Sonea, who had been previously watching the sky, turned to him and smiled wryly.

"As well as can be expected." She paused, before adding in a quieter voice, "Though I doubt that the High Lord will approve of you speaking to me."

--Yes, Lorlen. I don't think he would, sent Akkarin.

Lorlen flinched. Slowly, he slid his hand into his pocket to hide the ring. "I know, but I wanted to see how you were doing."

--You're certainly taking an interest into Sonea's well being. Lorlen could almost imagine Akkarin raising his eyebrows in slight mockery. I wonder why that might be?

--I don't see the point in avoiding her. Everyone is wondering why she never visits Rothen.

--Your name isn't Rothen, and you were never her guardian.

--That's certainly true, my friend.

Akkarin didn't reply.

Lorlen looked across to Sonea, who was watching him with a mischievous yet curious smile, probably having worked out he was having a mental conversation but wondering why she couldn't hear. Lorlen felt his heart speed up at her soft face just a few inches from his own, and smiled at her apologetically.

--Aren't you going to stop me then, Akkarin?

--Not unless you freeze up with nerves and need rescuing.

Lorlen shook his head as amusement sizzled across from Akkarin's mind, and he tried to restrain a smile. Sonea was no longer watching him, but gazing up at the sky. A light scattering of stars littered its murky background. She seemed content to remain silent.

Lorlen looked at her fleetingly, then pulled his eyes away, scolding himself.

"It's a beautiful night, isn't it?" he said finally.

"Yes. Yes, it is," Sonea agreed, turning her head to look at him. A small smile was hovering on her lips and stars' reflections were dancing in her eyes.

--Ah, this is torture! Such a stunning night, though.

--A night for lovers, put in Akkarin. Lorlen's eyes widened.

"Have you seen Lord Dorrien recently?" he asked, all too aware that Akkarin would be watching bemusedly.

Sonea tried to hide her face by turning away. "Not for many months. He is very committed to his village."

Lorlen took a deep, shuddering breath, wondering why on earth he, a grown man, was having feelings that reminded him of when he'd been a teenager. "I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"For everything. Bringing Dorrien up... Akkarin... Not being able to do anything."

Sonea sighed softly. "Don't be sorry. It wasn't your fault. This is only happening because I sneaked into the Guild." She didn't even stop to ponder why he'd asked about Dorrien. "Besides... we - me and Dorrien - we were never that close. We never will be, either." The last sentence was said with considerable regret and sorrow, and Lorlen instantly felt sympathy for her.

But this also means that I should feel guilty. Obviously she wants to see Dorrien more... and here I am... lusting over her like a bolhouse lout. Sonea seemed disinclined to continue the conversation, so Lorlen let her have her silence. After several long minutes, spent admiring their surroundings, Sonea sighed and rose from the bench.

"Thank you for your company, Lorlen, but I should get back to my rooms."

Lorlen looked up at her and nodded once, levering himself up onto his own feet. By now, her expression had morphed into one of dread. Her gaze was drawn to the High Lord's Residence.

"Yes. I have work to be getting on with. It was nice talking to you."

Sonea bowed quickly and began to walk away, her novice robes swathed in the night's darkness so they looked as ash-black as Akkarin's. Lorlen watched her momentarily, then strode after her quickly and caught her arm.

"Good luck."

Sonea stared at him intensely. Just moments later, her gaze dropped and she shuffled off again.

Lorlen resumed watching her until the very moment she disappeared through the door.