DISCLAIMER: I own nothing in this story. I do own Velder Mordant but he's only mentioned in passing.
A/N: Please review and read! Oh well other way round but you get the point. :D Thanks xx
SUMMARY: Set before the Darren Shan books. He said everything was okay because he wanted it to be. He closed his eyes to the world but she knew him better than that. She wished he would confide in her. She knew that if he loved her, he would. LartenxArra
TITLE: Always
Chapter 4- Please Stay
"Velder Mordant, you have failed your trials. It pains me to do this but we must send you to the Hall of Death." Paris Skyle's voice boomed over the procession, Mr Crepsley was one among the crowd who at the moment was holding tears back in his eyes. Velder was Mr Crepsley's best friend. He was like his blood brother and watching his murder hurt more than anything else. Arra wasn't there, she was in the Hall of Kledon Lurt, she didn't want to attend his procession.
"I will face death like a true vampire would, with my head held high and my pride still fully intact." He left the hall, followed by Mr Crepsley who whispered in his ear.
"Even in death may you be triumphant, Velder." He bowed his head, shaping his fingers to form the death's touch sign.
"I wish that were only true Larten, I really do." Velder replied morbidly, letting tears fall from his lashes. When in the hall, Mr Crepsley took a back seat. As a general he had to attend this sort of sentences weather he wanted to or not. No general wanted to attend them; they would rather take a back seat and hear about it in passing if they had to know about it but they had no choice in the matter, it was all part of the job and they honoured that they had been chosen to do that but to him, it seemed immoral.
"Velder Mordant, you failed your Trials of Initiation. It saddens me to see you in this hall under these circumstances but as always, the death sentence is in order. I am sorry but you must be dropped on the stakes and your soul must be rested in Paradise. I am so sorry for this but it must happen." The whole of the vampire gathering was silent, each saying an unspoken goodbye sentiment to Velder Mordant in their minds. He had been a loyal vampire, he had been nominated for a General, he had succeeded his other trials but failed his last because of foolishness. No vampire was quite sure how he survived but he did, shameful that he must have perished at the feet of the vampire princes.
"Goodbye old friend, goodbye Velder Mordant." Mr Crepsley sighed beneath his breath, letting the tears fall and trickle down his cheeks, each one telling a different story of his emotions. The cage jolted forwards, then back, then it fell. Velder screamed for mercy after the first drop and then his wails became more pained, more daunting. His heart beat quickened then, at the final blow of the merciless stakes, it stopped. Stopped beating, stopped altogether. His world stopped turning, a part of Crepsley's heart was taken along with a devoted vampire's life.
"Thank you, Larten." He mouthed, taking his final breath at the bottom of the pit. Mr Crepsley caught sight of his last message and smiled, knowing that he had been a dutiful friend made him feel as though part of Velder was still alive, in him. He didn't cry as much as he though he would, he saved it for later when he was alone, when his pained cries echoed through the tunnels and valleys of Vampire Mountain.
"Larten, I heard about Velder. I am so sorry." Arra sighed from the doorway. Making her way in and sitting next to Mr Crepsley, she caught sight of the tears and turned his head to wipe away the tears. "Tears do not suit you." She smiled reassuringly, placing her head on his chest.
"I know but I am feeling grief for my friend. He had been through everything with me. He told me, before he died that he always had a feeling that he was not strong enough to be a vampire, he was not good enough to be one of us and I told him that was foolish, he had earned his place hear as any other had, the trials were to seal the deal I suppose. He was a trier, he never gave up I can tell you that."
"I know he always wanted the best for everyone. He was truly a vampire to remember. Larten, we must not dwell on the past. We must keep his memories alive but we must not grieve too much." Her voice laced with sadness and truth. Mr Crepsley knew she was right, he knew she had a point with what she was saying but it would be hard for him to just let go like that.
"You are quite right Arra; we must not grieve for his soul. I believe it has gone to a better place, it has returned to paradise." Standing up, Arra nodded and looked over at the doorway.
"I should let you have some time alone most probably." She sighed, standing up only to be pulled back down into Mr Crepsley's arms. He held her there tightly, keeping her safe from the rest of the world.
"No, please stay. I need someone to be here right now." Nodding, she snuggled into the warmth of Mr Crepsley's chest and sighed.
"I would be glad to stay; I am honoured that you would want me to stay. I have noticed your ever so perfect English seems to have rubbed off on me." Her smile seemed to make his world build back up, make his nightmares stray from the rest of the world, suddenly he wasn't so depressed. He knew that somewhere, Velder was watching over him, smiling over him, praying for him. Suddenly, death didn't seem so harsh to handle. Letting his mind wander, Mr Crepsley forgot about the bed setting and slid off the edge. Wrapping her hand around his wrist she pulled him back up, stopping his fall when he was inches from the ground. "Are you okay?" She asked, her words accented by worry.
"Yes I just…fell."
"I know, Luckily I was there to catch you." She giggled, leaning into his arms again and kissing his lips.
A/N: Here you go. Another chapter so soon? We had to turn off the electricity and I was relying on the battery in my laptop but I was bored so I figured why not write? Here is the outcome of my boredom. Please review and I'll update ASAP. Thank you for reading so far. :D Mrs Old Gregg. xxx
