Disclaimer: I do not own Jareth or Sarah or the Labyrinth. I do own everyone else. woot.
Summary: A collection of side stories of the OC characters of the Underground, because there are many, that can't fit into the ridiculously long story that is Heal Me, Hurt Me.
Warning: Much OC-ness and much confusion if you didn't read Heal Me, Hurt Me.
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- Anor -
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Anor yawned widely as he walked towards Cleo and Sarah's meeting place on the hill above the pond. Cleopatra's father was calling for her and, of course, being her 'guard' (more like babysitter) he had to go find her. Because he hated her father, he took the long route to find her, which, in the end, would mean that instead of having her back to the herd in a half hour, she'd be back in about an hour and twenty minutes.
He reached the edge of the trees and spotted them lying in the grass, staring at the stars. He sighed heavily and moved to take a step forward when Sarah spoke up.
"So any kids of your own yet Cleo?" He heard Sarah ask teasingly. He couldn't see Cleopatra's reaction but at the quickly announced "I'm sorry Cleo. I didn't mean to offend you." he knew it must have been bad.
Cleopatra shook her head. "You didn't offend me… It's just… I can't have kids till I take over father's position… or I'm married off to another clan as a peace treaty."
"An arranged marriage?" Sarah hissed. "That's not fair…What about marrying someone inside your clan?"
"Can't … I'm," she paused then looked at Sarah. "Our species is very complex. We take in strangers and stragglers, shunned centaurs from other tribes. Each tribe does this. Then these strangers can be traded at any moment, put into other tribes as part of a treaty or agreement. Anor's one of those. He was given to us by a tribe in the mountains as part of a treaty."
Anor felt his chest clench at the memories he'd rather not bring up.
"That's horrible."
Cleopatra nodded. "I know. But it gets worse. If you're given to another clan, you're no longer part of your old clan. That means you can't visit your family. You'll never see them again. And it's difficult to get bonded… or married, to someone in your own clan. If you want to be bonded, you have to go to another tribe."
Anor was nearly biting through his tongue to keep himself from charging out and shouting they had no idea what it was like and they needed to stop acting as though they did.
"That… can't you speak up? Change the rules?"
Cleopatra shook her head. "No… I'd be shunned and sent away…" Sarah looked down. "I'm sorry Sarah. I didn't mean to ruin your evening."
"It's all right." She smiled. "At least I know not to pressure you to speak up anymore. I would like to keep my friend here."
"Sister," Cleopatra corrected with a grin.
"Yes, yes. Sister."
"Sarah!" All three turned as one to find Kira running over. "Hey! How were the girls and Ed?" The triple trouble makers seemed to wake and raced over to their mother. Sarah smiled and stood to walk over.
"I do have to go Sarah," Cleo said. "I wasn't supposed to leave as it was."
"Then hurry back now!" Sarah scolded, waving her away. "Be gone with you." Cleo stuck her tongue out and hurried towards him. He took a step back behind the tree and waited for her to pass.
"Cleopatra."
She inhaled sharply, spinning around quickly. As she recognized him, she sighed irritably. "Anor… what are you doing here?"
He walked towards her. "Your father sent me to retrieve you."
She snorted, turning and stepping into a walk beside him. "My father needs to cut that chain he's got on me."
"Hm."
She sighed and rolled her shoulders, listening to the pops as things shifted into their place. "How's Elena?"
"Good. It seems as though they've allowed her to take over teaching the new students how to fight."
Cleopatra laughed lightly. "She's a good teacher. She'll do well."
"Hm."
She sent him a look. "Are you angry at nothing as usual or did I do something to offend you?"
He shot her a glare. When she bristled, he realized he probably shouldn't have done that because a moment later she was stomping off, tail swishing as she disappeared into the dark trees. He sighed and ran his hands down his face, following after her.
Anor's one of those. He was given to us by a tribe in the mountains as part of a treaty.
That's horrible!
He sighed again. You have no idea…
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A younger Anor stood at the river's edge, kicking small pebbles into the water, tears falling angrily down his cheeks. The choices for the candidates to be sent to the tribe in the valley below as part of the peace treaty had been spread through the village.
He was near the top of the list.
He kicked another stone in, taking pleasure in watching it sink to the bottom of the riverbed. He'd seen his friends dragged away, never to return to their herd. He knew if he were chosen, he'd never see his father or sister again. He'd never play with his remaining friends; never 'borrow' food from his grandmotherly next door neighbor. He was only nine years old! He wasn't supposed to be worrying about that!
Roughly, he dragged the back of his arms across his eyes and stomped a few times. Rage was easier to feel than sadness. He stomped down the river, back towards the path to the herd. When he reached the path, his rage had simmered, sadness taking over again.
Before he could do anything, a voice shouted. "Horus!" Arms wrapped around his neck. "I've been looking for you!" He turned and found his sister standing beside him. She was only six, three years his younger. She grinned. "Did I scare you? I've been working on my stealth techniques! Uncle Eborn said I could be a really good fighter someday!"
"Yeah?"
"Yeah!" She wrapped one of her arms around his. "Daddy said that would be incredible! Wouldn't it be?"
"It would be." He smiled faintly. "You'd be able to show all of the boys in the village that you're the best there is."
She released his arm and scuffed a hoof against the dirt. "'Specially since they've been making fun of me."
"They what?" he cried. "Who?"
Laughing, she trotted back out of reach. "I'm not gonna tell you! You'll go beat them up!"
"Exactly!"
"Horus? Alcarinque?"
"Father!" Elena cried, racing for him. She wrapped her arms around his waist and he smiled, ruffling her hair.
"What have you two been up to?"
"Have the village elders made a decision?" Anor asked quickly.
Rangi's smile faded. "Not yet… not yet…"
Elena frowned, looking between them. Realizing things were getting tense, she grabbed onto her father's hand and shook it. "Daddy! Horus wants to beat up the boys in the herd that make fun of me! Tell him that me becoming a fighter would be better!"
Laughing, Rangi ruffled her hair again. "That would be a much better option. I know Horus would rather protect you, but just think, in twenty years you could be the most powerful fighter in the entire herd! They would all bow down to your amazing skills!"
She let out an excited whinny. "I could be the best! I already scared Horus and he's un-scare-able!"
Anor snorted and poked her in the side, smirking when she squealed and leapt away. "You didn't scare me. You just… surprised me is all."
Rangi nodded sagely. "There is a big difference, Alcarinque."
"But… but I did scare you!" She pouted and scuffed her hoof against the ground.
He leaned in and stage-whispered, "you did but don't let anyone else know or else they'll try to scare me! You want to be the strongest, right? Well everyone thinks I'm un-scare-able! If they knew I could be scared, they'd all try!" She nodded in agreement. "So, keep this secret until you're a trained warrior then tell everyone and they'll all bow down to your amazing skills!"
She whinnied in excitement once again. "Yes!"
Rangi laughed and bent to hug them both. "Come, my horselings. It's time for dinner."
As they began to trot back towards the herd, Anor froze, suddenly remembering why he'd been out here crying. Rangi realized he wasn't following and glanced back over his shoulder. "Horus?"
He shook his head, taking a step back. "I… I don't want to go back… I don't want to leave home."
"Horus…" His father sighed heavily and knelt awkwardly in front of him, hands on his shoulders. "I know how hard it is, knowing you'll never be able to return here. Believe me, I don't want to lose you… but being the trade is an honor." He smiled weakly at the palomino who still looked scared. "I'm proud of you Horus… no matter what happens, no matter what you decide, I will always be proud of you."
Elena tugged on her father's braid lightly. "Are you proud of me too, papa?"
He smiled at her and hugged her. "Yes my darling. I'm very proud of you. You both are my shining stars."
Elena giggled. "Papa! That's what my name means!"
"I know it. Why do you think I named you such?"He dragged Anor into the hug as well. "Horus is my day star and you Alcarinque, are my night star."
"What are you papa?"
The man smiled brightly. "I am the sky, here to hold you two up."
"Do you promise?"
They both turned to Anor then Rangi smiled once more.
"I promise."
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The entire herd had gathered to see who would be sent away. Anor felt his hands fisting and unfisting nervously. Several of the other 'very possibles' were shifting uneasily, snorting and tossing their heads when someone got to close to them.
Anor was glad he at least was able to stand tall and not reveal how scared he actually was.
Suddenly the crowd grew silent and he looked towards the chief's hut, the old centaur stepping out. The village elders took their place on either side of him. Anor's hands started to shake. He quickly fisted them at his sides.
"We've made our decision," the chief said, turning to the guards from the other tribe. "We've decided to give you Alcarinque."
Anor felt his heart plummet into his hooves. Rangi let out a raspy wail and Elena's eyes widened, filling with fear. The guards walked towards Elena who backed up quickly, Rangi looking between her and the guards, trying to figure out how to stop this without angering the chief.
Before his mind processed the possible action, Anor raced for his sister, skidding to a stop in front of her. "No!" he shouted. "You cannot have her!"
"Horus…" the lead guard looked sorrowful. "Please don't make this harder…"
"NO! You cannot have her!" He sent his father an apologetic look. "You have to take both of us. It's both or none."
"Horus-"
"NO! She is six years old. She wants to be a fighter. You can't take her away from all the family she's ever had and expect her to grow up immediately. You have to take both of us."
The guard's eyebrows rose in surprise but then he smiled faintly, looking approving. Turning to the village elders, he cocked his head. "Well?"
Elena crept up next to him, wrapping her arms around one of his, still shaking violently.
They looked between each other before the head stepped forward. "You understand what you are offering, Horus?"
He swallowed nervously. "Yes."
"Very well… you will both go to the other herd." He motioned to the guard. "You are to go by river. Grab your things. It has been an honor to have you amongst our herd, even if for such a short time. Good bye."
Trying to hide his shaking, he plucked up his small bag of things he'd half-heartedly thrown together – an old blanket, the toy he'd 'not seen' Elena put in there, some food for the trip, a dagger from his uncle – and turned to Elena. "You must get your things together."
She nodded and raced for their house, Rangi quickly following. Anor stayed where he was, clenching his jaw. The lead guard shifted uneasily then sighed.
"It… it gets better, Horus. I promise." Anor glanced at him. Giving a half shrug, the guard motioned to himself. "I was one."
"Did you ever see your family again?"
"Once." His lips curled into a faint smile. "They were proud of me."
Nodding, Anor turned to look out over the clearing, trying to memorize every blade of grass. It took only a few minutes before Elena was back, a bag dangling from her shoulders, her toy horse tight in her arms. Rangi followed, looking as though he'd aged decades in only minutes.
The guards stood at attention when Elena reached them, then turned and headed for the river. Centaurs along the way called their good byes and wished them well but Anor didn't hear any of it, focusing intently on placing one hoof before the other. He could hear Elena crying quietly behind him. His father made no noise and he feared looking to see what expression he held.
They reached the river in no time at all. Elena paused beside him, the horse pulled up to her face, already drenched in tears. Anor stared at the ground in front of him. He heard the guards getting the raft ready, barking out orders.
Familiar hooves stepped into his vision and he stiffened. "Father…" He swallowed. "I…"
Hands landed on his shoulders then dragged him into a hug. "Thank you Horus," Rangi whispered. "Thank you."
"Father?"
Rangi pulled away, bending to meet him in the eye. "You must promise to protect your sister. Understand?"
Anor nodded in confusion. "I promise Father."
The man smiled once again, eyes watery. "Good boy. I'm so proud of you my day star." Anor blinked quickly to keep from crying.
"Papa!" Elena collided with him, crying heavily.
He hugged her back tightly. "Be good my night star. Listen to your brother and take care of each other, all right?"
"But I don't wanna leave you papa!"
"I know… but you must. We will meet again." He smiled. "I promise."
"I… I'm sorry," the young guard said, staring at the ground. "But we need to leave…"
Elena pulled away, sniffing and wiping at her cheeks. "Good bye Papa."
"Good bye Father…" Anor whispered.
"Good bye my stars. Stay together and keep each other safe. I will see you again. I promise." They stepped onto the raft and looked back as it floated down the stream. "When you feel alone, just look to the sky! Know I'll always be looking back!"
They watched him wave until he disappeared from sight.
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Anor stared up at the sky, it dark and dotted with bright spots. Every so often a cloud would drift in front of the moon and the land would be covered in darkness but soon enough the cloud floated by and light returned to the Earth.
You liar… he thought. You promised we'd meet you again…I kept my promise. Why didn't you?
"Horus?" He turned and found Elena walking up. She smiled brightly, seeing she had his attention. "Hey." She stepped up beside him and looked up, arms linking behind her back. "You missed dinner. I was worried."
"Hm… pay no mind. I wasn't hungry."
Her gaze flickered in his direction. "Ithil came back irritable…"
"Hm…"
"Anor," she sighed. "Can't you try getting along with her for a few minutes at least?"
"Impossible, dear sister." Elena blew up at her bangs, rolling her eyes. He gave her a small amused smile and ruffled her hair. She batted his hand away with a playful scowl, tugging on his ponytail lightly.
He swung an arm around her shoulders, dragging her into a half hug. She wrapped her arms around his torso and sighed. "You're such a bully."
"I try."
She giggled and looked up at the stars as well. "What were you thinking about?"
"… home…"
She looked at him quickly then at the ground, arms loosening from around him. "Oh…"
"I apologize…"
"For what? You did nothing to be sorry for."
He nodded then ruffled her hair again. "Come on. Time for you to get to bed."
She pouted and fixed her hair. "You acting like a big brother scares me sometimes." He chuckled lightly. She smiled at getting him to laugh and hooked her arms around his. "Come. I saved some dinner for you."
"I believe I told you I wasn't hungry."
"And I told you you're eating dinner whether you want to or not."
He sighed heavily. "Why do I listen to you?"
"Because I tell you to. Stop dragging your hooves and let's go."
"Are you my sister or my mother?"
"Well it seems I have to be both, don't I?"
"Yeah, yeah. I'm still not going to eat."
"Horus! I will tell my students that you are now a target for surprise attacks…"
"… where's the food?"
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To all Readers and Reviewers,
Wahhh… I love Anor. He's such an awesome character. He doesn't get nearly enough screen time. I know that in the actual story he's already met back up with his father but this takes place long before that part occurred.
Also, is it sad that when I wrote "I could be the best!" I started singing the theme song to pokemon? Gahhhh.
Hope you enjoyed :) Next up should be Clarica.
Kadasa Mori
P.s. Let me know if there is anyone you really want to know about. I've only got like ten or so people lined up out of the dozens of characters I created.
