The Vanyel & Tylendel Chronicles

Standard Disclaimer: This is fan fiction. All characters and references belong to Mercedes Lackey. Alternative Storyline, some parts contain SPOILERS.

This fiction is totally no profit.

UPDATE: This Fic has been revamped due to a very large computer crash. It has been rewritten from a very old copy. To those of you who have already read this in its previous format please be patient and begin with part three for the totally new content or read the reedited version provided in part one and two. Thank you for your wonderful reviews - Midnight

This is a Series of Stories Revolving around a single AU timeline.

Contents include Slash or Male/Male relationships, but as members of this fandom I assume you are capable of accepting that or that you are respectable enough to leave calmly if alternate lifestyle fiction disturbs you.

: Indicates Mind Speech:

*SPOILERS* (The Plot Hole Explanation)_

Thanks to my wonderful betas: Gabi, and her shirt eating parrot, Jasper.

(If I missed anything, feel free to start tossing bricks.) ::Runs for cover::

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Imagine, dear reader, a time line in which Tylendel never plunged dramatically over the stony tor. A time line in which Tylendel's brother was never killed because the assassins sent to kill him were captured before the fatal event could take place. Thus Vanyel's sister Lissa never came to visit him during his trauma. Since on this alternative time line the previously mentioned trauma never occurred.

Instead, Lissa joined a skirmish on the war torn Karse border and was slaughtered according to the nature of war. This tragic event, in turn caused a mild backlash, which affected Vanyel on a far smaller scale than that which occurred upon Tylendel's death during the normal time line. On this alternate time line Vanyel is far more capable of creating and using a gates. Vanyel's channels were not ripped raw by the flow of raw power. Nor were they forced open by a shattered love...

This smaller backlash opened fewer of Vanyel's channels, leaving him with small amounts of Empathy, Mindspeech, Bardic, and a larger Mage Gift. The Companion Yfandes chose him.

Vanyel frowned, peering out the fogged window. He wanted to bang his fist against the wall. Or perhaps my head. Either option would be enough to cloud his mind with pain for a few seconds. Enough to distract him from the boring rhetoric of the simpering fools surrounding him.

"What's wrong Vanyel?" a thin, doe-eyed beauty asked him biting a full red lip.

He faced the speaker reluctantly as she batted her eyes in what she obviously thought was a coy manner. Vanyel refrained from coughing as powder from her heavy coat of makeup flitted through the already stagnant solar air. He wanted nothing more than to be back with Tylendel, but lately it seemed even that was too much to ask.

I suppose it's my own fault he mused glancing about for a quiet means of escape. It was after all my idea to refrain from telling everyone about Lendel and I until my intern assignment.

Savil had backed Vanyel's decision wholeheartedly seeing the wisdom in waiting until he was a full Herald to make such a pairing public knowledge.

The corner of his mouth moved upward a bit at the thought.

"Lady Cassandra, the very thought of leaving you makes me ill." He stated, lying through his teeth. One more day of this and I fear I shall go mad he thought digging his nails into the soft wooden window frame.

More girls gathered around, effectively blocking the door. He smiled painfully and returned their unwanted attention.

: Tylendel's class is out: 'Fandes sent. Vanyel breathed a sigh of relief and smiled.

"Listen pets, I'm afraid I must go before my Aunt Savil comes down here looking for me. You wouldn't want her frightening your lap dogs now would you? She has quite a temper you know."

They sighed in unison and moved out of his way.

"Please come back again soon, Vanyel."

"Yes, come and play for us," they laughed, waving their fans slowly, sending small motes of dirt swirling in every direction.

"You will return soon, promise me." Cassandra asked casually.

"If fate so pleases," he replied, wishing exactly the opposite.

Vanyel bought an apple from a merchant sitting in the courtyard and tossed half to Yfandes as she made her way forward to meet him.

: Thank the Gods that's over! : Vanyel said with a grimace, as he chewed on a bit of fleshy apple pulp. I wonder what Tylendel is up to?

:'Fandes? Do you know where 'Lendel is?: he asked, tearing off another bit of pulp absentmindedly.

: Where else? He's back in the sitting room with his nose buried in a book, waiting for you, love,: she replied fondly.

Vanyel smiled and tossed the apple core into a pig trough, running toward the Heraldic Collegium at a break-neck speed.

He stopped abruptly, checking his features in the clear surface of a puddle and smoothed out his black cascade, smiling fondly at the reflection.

: No need to even check, you vain little peacock, you already know you look lovely: 'Fandes admonished.

: Not nearly as beautiful as you,: he replied with a toss of his head.

: Flatter me all you like chosen, but we both know the truth of the matter. And remember to come and see me later this time. Unlike Gala, there are some things I think we should keep to ourselves Companion bond or not,: she whickered lightly, her own version of a chuckle and trotted off toward the field.

Vanyel shook his head fondly and turned, walking into the Heraldic Collegium.

"Van!" 'Lendel exclaimed happily, setting his book aside. 'Lendel kissed Vanyel warmly on the cheek and followed him back to their room.

"So, how were classes," Vanyel asked hanging his gittern carefully back on its rack.

"Oh the usual. But I was thinking, Van, tomorrow's your birthday, and we both know your internship is coming up soon anyway. What if we just went ahead with our plan a few days early?" Tylendel smiled fondly at him, and winked.

"Oh!" Van's eyes lit up. "Could we? I'm actually regretting we waited this long," Vanyel said, grinning.

Tylendel chuckled, pulling off his shirt. 'I knew you'd want to. Now get over here, I'm getting cold.'"

Vanyel smiled and quickly obliged.

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The sun poured through the windows, bleaching the room a pale shade as Vanyel rubbed his eyes sleepily.

"'Lendel! Wake up we overslept!," he yelped, kneeing 'Lendel in the side.

Tylendel sat up and smiled. "But we don't have classes today, ashke."

"No." Van shook his head excitedly. "The other thing! You promised."

"Oh, that? Can't I sleep just a bit longer?" Tylendel asked, pulling a pillow over his head to block the light.

"No," Vanyel pouted, jumping out of their bed. He began tossing clothing everywhere while Tylendel watched him with an amused expression on his face.

"Let's just go before I make you walk out there naked and ruin the whole thing." Tylendel smirked, pushing himself up off of their bed. He grabbed an outfit and tossed it at his lover carelessly. "Wear this, it looks good on you."

:I can't believe we're doing this,: Vanyel sighed, : doesn't it remind you of that fight we staged back when we first met.:

Vanyel and 'Lendel walked out towards the grove together. Van's hair was tied back with one of the ribbons 'Lendel had given him to honor his birthday; It looked absolutely striking against his long black hair.

Cassandra was out strolling, and made her way slowly toward Vanyel.

She stopped mid-step, giving Tylendel an ... icy glance.

"Lord Vanyel, has your aunt forced you to walk with an..escort?" She asked dryly.

Tylendel grinned impishly, bending over to kiss Vanyel on the cheek.

Vanyel quickly returned the gesture in a much more eager fashion.

Breaking off he grinned and turned his back, walking away from the startled girl.

Tylendel shrugged and ran to catch up, calling quickly over his shoulder, "Sorry, Lady, but you know how they can be when the mood strikes, I'm afraid Vanyel has quite an insatiable appetite. I've tried to tell him it's most improper but it doesn't do a bit of good!"

When Tylendel caught up a moment later, Vanyel was almost doubled over in laughter. : Did you have to add that last line?:

"Now, what about the rest of them?" Vanyel asked casually. "Cassandra has a big mouth, but... " he looked around, grinning.

"So, where do you think then?" Tylendel asked, turning his head sideways to look at his lover.

"Bardic? They talk a lot." 'Lendel suggested, before Vanyel could reply.

"No, not good enough." Vanyel frowned.

"Companion's Field?" Lendel tried again.

"With Gala around?" Vanyel snorted. "Ack!"

"The Ladies' Court?" They both said in unison.

"That's the best idea yet. They can't have any respectable ladies trysting in that area, can they, and what Herald in their right mind would be over there?" Tylendel laughed. : Not that we need to worry about anyone believing that we are in our right minds.:

: Perfect.: Van echoed, going into Mindspeech as they approached their destination.

Vanyel's eyes seemed to gleam for a moment and he rubbed his hands together in anticipation.

Vanyel and Tylendel walked toward the Ladies' Court and sat in the shade of the large willow tree beneath the solar window. Tylendel freed Van's hair from the crimson ribbon, brushing his fingers through the soft locks. He could smell soft jasmine wafting gently in the wind as it whipped playfully through the trees.

Tylendel bent in to kiss Van and felt fingers running slowly through his own hair.

Vanyel cupped Tylendel's face in his hands, pulling him down gently into a searing kiss. He felt the other boy's tongue flickering roughly against his own in a passionate war.

'Lendel undid the strings on Vanyel's tunic, pulling the offending cloth over his lover's head in one swift movement.

The branches of their makeshift shelter parted and several outraged voices filled the small clearing.

"What in the name of the Black Gryphon is going on here?" Savil asked.

Vanyel did his best to subdue his rising laughter. The look on his aunt's face was priceless.

: Aunt, the look on your face would scare off an army.: Vanyel sent, his mind voice thick with laughter.

: You're such a convincing actor. Have you thought of being a professional?: Tylendel sent cheekily.

: I do this for you far too often,: she sent, sighing. Her face didn't change at all as she glared down at them.

: Perhaps because it amuses you so?: Tylendel suggested his Mindspeech full of warm humor.

: Back to the farce hmm?,: she sent. : Before I start laughing and scare away your audience.:

Vanyel saw the flock of young women hiding angrily behind Savil, their mouths hanging open in astonishment.

: They look like a bunch of fish: he sent trying hard not to snicker.

Vanyel had the decency to act slightly ashamed. He hid behind Tylendel, tying his mussed hair back up.

"Shay'a'chern! He's...he's..one of them!" One of the girls stammered, breaking the shocked silence.

:Astute observation.: Vanyel's lips twitched at Tylendel's comment.

He felt a little ashamed, but they did deserve it, for their callous assumptions and catty assessment of Tylendel's personal life alone.

Cassandra turned and fled the area angrily and Vanyel smiled a little. : Perhaps now she won't follow me around quite so much:

:Now we can be together more ashke: Tylendel replied, warmly.

The mind thought was cut short as Savil began her fake dialogue.

"Honestly, what you two do on your own time is none of my business, but where you choose to do it is another matter entirely. I think perhaps a week of garden work would be suitable punishment for your indiscretion."

"In the ladies' garden?" Tylendel asked caught off guard.

"None other," Savil deadpanned. "Enough! March!," she said, lips set in a firm line.

"I don't regret it," Vanyel said glaring at the girls. "If it makes Tylendel happy, it makes me happy." he turned, his face set in stone, and walked behind his lover toward the collegium.

:If it makes Tylendel happy?: Tylendel mimicked arching an eyebrow.

"Move faster!" Savil shouted loudly, causing the girls nearest them to flinch.

"You may take supper in your room tonight." Savil winked. "As part of your punishment."

:Why don't you give us a spanking too before you send us to our room?: Tylendel asked, looking thoroughly chastised.

: Because my young cat, you'd enjoy it far too much: She replied, her bantering Mindvoice belying her stony look of indifference.

:I could give him a spanking, aunt, if you'd like: Vanyel laughed, his features betraying none of his amusement.

:Now we just have dealing with your father to worry about: Savil sighed, frown deepening.

:Well, if I know him there's going to be hell to pay eventually:Vanyel took Lendel's hand in his and felt a small reassuring squeeze.

:You're 18 now and chosen. He can't touch you: Savil reminded him but sounding more as if she were reminding herself.

:Well perhaps I can prevent him from coming near you in general. There's no way I will let him become a threat to you Van:

:Yes, Aunt, but I would pay in gold to see the look on his face when he finds out:

: Well, we'll have to finish this conversation later, inside with you both and enjoy your punishment: She said.

:You're so clever, Aunt. Thank goodness for your wonderful sense of just punishment: Vanyel laughed, closing the door softly behind him as the sun poured down bright and clear, the beginning of a beautiful day.