Timidus Memoria
By:
Setalina Muro
Summary: When a dark prince is threatening to manipulate a kingdom by betrothing himself to the new-born princess, a royal mage, Pegasus, takes matters into his own hands. But when the time comes for her to return, something goes wrong. Why doesn't she remember anything? Optic/Silentshipping
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh or any places, people and/or other things you are familiar with from the show or anything else. The plot, however, is mine.
A/N: See? I told you I'd have another chapter up before New Year's. No special notes today. Enjoy this chapter .
Notes on the Story:
(TNS) will be a helpful little symbol directing you to the 'Translation and Notes Section'. Because I've decided to use Latin terms for this story, the section will be necessary. It will most likely have additional tidbits to make certain the story is understood.
Disney-esque story here, as well. Guess what that means?
Chapter One
a Regnum moeror
-'A Kingdom's Grief'-
The silver-haired man cocked his head toward the noise of footsteps peddling through the underbrush, gazing somewhat numbly at the approaching figures. When they gained definition and he was able to discern the darker shades of Ater on the three men, he looked away from them.
"I'm here," he called out monotonously. "If you've been sent to find me, that is."
"Pegasus," replied a young boy's voice, nearing him.
"Mokuba," Pegasus said pleasantly, recognizing the raven-haired youth as Ater's second prince. "Your brother sent you to arrest me? After all, I'm now a dangerous fugitive. Isn't he preoccupied with your safety at all?"
Mokuba laughed softly. "You look utterly worn," he shot back amiably. "Would you really harm me? Besides," he shrugged. "I'm here on an errand from the King." His eyes narrowed slightly when Pegasus's face remained disinterested. "Your King," he stressed.
"Figures," Pegasus said, sitting up slightly. "And you didn't even bring me a horse. Shame." He began to flex the fingers on his right hand and a pale glow erupted in his palm. He gazed at the red sheen for a moment before slamming his hand against the ground.
Mokuba and his men tensed as a ripple passed through their feet and Pegasus chuckled under his breath.
"Just summoning a horse," he assured. "I couldn't fend you off now without killing you at least."
The two guards looked nervously between each other, but the young prince's eyes narrowed.
"Pegasus, where have you been?" he queried. "Your magical energy is drained and the air around you is…tainted."
The mage let out a burst of laughter that echoed eerily in the shadows of the trees. "You'll never know," he said hauntingly. "And you haven't a mage powerful enough to trace my steps."
Mokuba's grey eyes glimmered for a moment. "Can I assume that to be a challenge to find one who can?"
Pegasus shrugged. "If you must."
Just then, the pounding of hooves began to fill the air and a golden mare broke through the line of trees, cantering to a stop by Pegasus. The hose lay herself down calmly beside him and he threw one leg over her back, grabbing a handful of her flaxen mane to steady himself. The horse rose quickly and whinnied.
Raising a quizzical eyebrow, he glanced smugly at Mokuba and the two guards.
"Coming?" he asked.
"He's done what?!"
Pegasus immediately fought the smirk that was sliding across his face. Livid outrage had erupted before him in the cerulean eyes of the young prince of Ater, and he could not collect himself quickly enough to strip Pegasus of the triumph that flooded him.
"There, there." Eyes traveled to the small man standing beside the prince. He patted the younger man's arm sympathetically. "We'll sort this out."
The king was a rather ridiculous looking man. He was barely five feet tall with a protruding mane of tri-colored spikes. Amethyst eyes gazed kindly around and there was a small smile on his face.
"Now, Pegasus." The mage flinched at the condemnation in his tone. "Explain to me why you saw fit to kidnap our princess."
Pegasus stood a little taller and raised his chin into the air. "It was by request of the Queen."
"Anzu?" the King looked confused. "Why would she-?"
"Because she's dead," Pegasus intervened.
"What?" the king's eyes widened. "She…Anzu…can't…be…" He stumbled backwards, face paling. The tall figure behind him moved forward quickly, catching the fainting king.
"Father!" He sank to his knees with the miniature ruler in his arms. Chocolate brown eyes then looked to the mage, filled with heavy grief. "Pegasus…please tell me you're lying."
"No, Jounouchi." Silver hair swayed as he shook his head, wine-colored orbs grave. "She took ill before his arrival." Pegasus's head nodded toward the foreign prince.
Jounouchi started back slightly. "When her head began to ache…she was…dying?"
Pegasus nodded. "Isis was tending to her. There were no signs of an imminent death until Isis discovered a thorn in her heel that was filled with poison."
Seto stepped forward. "If she is dead than the Princess must be returned to ascend the throne properly," he said. "It is with custom of the Queenship that-"
"No."
"What?" Seto's eyes narrowed as he searched for the source of the rebuke.
Jounouchi stood up, the king in his arms, his face gravely resolute. "No," he repeated. "If it was my mother's dying wish that my sister be removed…" he sighed. "Then we won't bringer her back until the time has come. How long?" he asked Pegasus.
"Twenty years," the mage answered.
"Alright. Then Prince Seto-" Jounouchi turned but the other prince had vanished. "Oh. Wonder what his problem was…"
The prince snarled furiously as he slammed the door his bedchamber.
"What do we do now, Nii-sama?" (Au1) Mokuba asked. He was already seated on a chaise lounge there, grey eyes following the elder prince's pacing.
"I don't know," Seto growled.
"I'm sorry, Nii-sama," Mokuba said. "I should have been watching him more closely."
"You should have sent someone other than Bakura."
"You're right, of course. I should have." Mokuba glanced away. "I…I can't follow him, Nii-sama. The path that he took was in the Realm of Stars."
Seto gritted his teeth. "This disrupts my plans. I had hoped she would grow under my influence. Can you imagine how simple it would have been to manipulate a child?" He grimaced. "And I'll have aged considerably."
"You would have anyway," Mokuba said.
"…yes. But some power in Levis keeps lover of the royals and those of the Queen's blood from ageing as rapidly. Perhaps…"
"Become close with Prince Jounouchi?" Mokuba suggested.
Both brothers smirked and broke into dark laughter.
"Clever, but I think not," Seto said, the faintest shadow of a smile still on his lips. "No. Do you know what we need, Mokuba?"
The younger boy's eyes lit up. "That Dark Mage?" he offered hopefully.
"Exactly."
To Be Continued…
Translation Section
No translation notes for this chapter.
Au 1: Japanese for 'Big Brother'. I use Japanese here because 'magnus frater' sounded a bit ridiculous to me.
A/N: These chapters aren't very long, I've noticed, and I apologize. The next one should be out soon. This story is basically all planned out. Hope you enjoyed. Please take a moment to let me know what you think.
Lina
