uniFsky: Wow, thanks so much for the long review! I'm glad you're enjoying it ^_^ I actually get most of my reviewers for this story from another website, so it's all good ~.^ And yes, LarsxRhen IS the main pairing in this fic! I love them to death and wouldn't dare think of putting them with other people XD --- Rush
KikoAyumi
Pairing: LarsxRhen DameonxRhen (We get it already. I put it.)
Rating: T
Warnings: Offensive language, angst, and some mature situations. I will definitely warn beforehand.
Planned Length: Long. I'm going for a novel with this one.
Updates: Absolutely random. I don't have much time to sit and write any longer, so I can't promise anything.
NOTES: This takes place nearly two years after the end of Aveyond, when Rhen decided to become Queen and wed Dameon.
Chapter 4
---
The party was in full swing.
Womens' gowns flowed above the alabaster floor, creating a rainbow of swirling colors as their partners guided them across the ballroom. The lights were bright, the music, though a pleasant tune, was loud, and as Dameon gave her one last turn to end the dance, Rhen sighed in relief.
Another song started almost immediately afterward, causing the young woman's lips to thin.
"I'm done for now," Rhen spoke, pulling her hand out of reach just as Dameon went to grasp it.
"This is only your third dance," Dameon spoke, disappointed. He stretched to reach her hand, bringing her fingertips to his lips, "When will you learn to enjoy this?"
With newfound guilt rushing through her veins, Rhen tore her gaze away from him, plastering a smile on her face. She grasped his hand, turning halfway toward the refreshments table.
"I'll make it up to you later. I promise," Rhen amended, leading Dameon off the dance floor. Her promise set like a stone in her stomach. Who knew what she had just promised to do? It was clear to her that Dameon's question was not merely about dancing. It was much deeper than that… about her life as Queen of Thais as a whole.
She wished she knew the answer herself.
Her thoughts were disrupted by a sudden quietness. The music…?
A sheet of blackness fell over her eyes, and screams sounded from the startled guests around her.
"Is it a power outage?" Dameon asked curiously. Rhen could only faintly see his outline from where he stood beside her.
A shiver crawled up her spine.
Something didn't feel right. Could it really be something as simple as a power outage?
Apologies from people bumping into one another bombarded her ears, confusing her.
"Just open the front doors! That'll let some light in!" Rhen suggested. The apologies didn't stop; the room remained black. With the hair on the back of her neck standing up, she decided to follow her own advice, slowly advancing through the darkness.
She surprisingly didn't bump into anything along her journey, and only faintly comprehended the apologies turning into mere murmurs with every step she took. The brass handle was ice cold beneath her fingertips, chilling her as she pulled the door open.
It was still dark. Still pitch black and yet… she could see.
She didn't want to see.
A scream was thickly swallowed, creating a lump in her throat that made it hard to breathe.
Those charred bodies… those disfigured faces frozen in terror… those dull, lifeless eyes…
'Not again!' Rhen thought desperately, blindly stepping backwards… anything to get away from the harsh reality in front of her.
She gasped, opening her misty eyes wide when she backed into something solid. Arms wrapped around her from behind, pinning her own arms to her sides. She was momentarily startled by the sudden contact, but her heart rate slowed down considerably at the warmth radiating from the embrace.
'Dameon…' Rhen thought, respite, grasping her hands around his arms and leaning back into the hold, seeking comfort. Her eyes slid tightly shut, mind trying to will away her surroundings.
Even through her closed eyelids, the sudden glow was bright. Hopeful, desperate, Rhen reopened her eyelids, expecting to be back amongst the laughter and, yes, even the dancing, of the brightly lit ballroom.
Her heart plummeted, however, when her eyes fell on Dameon. He was floating in the air some thirty feet away, a bright ball of energy swirling over his outstretched hand, his eyes staring her down.
Eyes as dull and lifeless as the scattered bodies below.
But then who…?!
Rhen whipped her head around so fast, a piece of hair stung her eye. She winced before focusing.
"Lars…?" Rhen whispered.
Said man's auburn eyes didn't turn to her, however, but stared ahead, somehow darkened within the bright light.
"Lars, what's going on?!" Rhen cried desperately, nearly digging her nails into his skin.
He stayed still, a deep frown etched on his face.
"Lars!" Rhen shouted again, trying to reach up, trying to make him look at her, but his tight hold remained effectively trapping her arms.
The light…!
She caught movement from the corner of her eye, and turned to see the blinding light engulf her.
And then all was black.
Rhen gasped for air. She was no longer in an embrace; her arms moved freely underneath the cool sheets of the bed she was lying on.
Her eyes adjusted to the darkness as she breathed in shakily, tracing the patterns of the Inn's ceiling.
Things grew blurry.
'Wha… what was that… why…'
Thunk. Thunk.
Rhen went rigid upon the sound of footsteps. She blinked wildly, ridding the tears from her eyes without any further movements.
A shadow moved slowly through the dark, trying to be quiet, but the sound of its boots hitting the wooden floor was inevitable. It made its way toward the front door, managing to open it without a creak.
Though the sun had not yet risen, the new light was vivid enough to make Rhen wince. The dim light was enough to illuminate the shadow, identifying the suspect by revealing a head of unruly, green locks.
Where was Lars going so early…?
The door shut, leaving her alone with her thoughts once more.
She quickly concluded she'd had more than enough sleep, throwing the covers to the side and placing her feet on the floor, reaching to grab her coat she hung next to the bed. She had barely brushed the thick cloth when a horrifying gurgle echoed throughout the room, startling her enough to drop the coat on the floor.
Rhen blinked, looking over in the direction she was sure Hector was sleeping. Sure enough, another loud snore sounded soon after.
'… Ugh!' Rhen grumbled, standing up and bending down to snag her coat from the floor, 'It was a dream! Stop being so freaking jumpy!'
She inwardly berated herself as she walked toward the front door, slipping on her coat. The urge to mess with Hector while he was none-the-wiser came about, but it was a mere fleeting thought when she reached the door. If she messed with Hector now, she would undoubtedly lose sight of Lars if he had gone anywhere.
'You got lucky,' Rhen thought, glancing in Hector's direction once more before opening the door and stepping outside. The winter air was bitter and unwelcoming. Rhen wrapped the coat tighter around her body, eyes searching for their target.
Lars wasn't hard to spot amongst the white landscape, walking a good forty feet ahead. Rhen could now see the two silver buckets he held in both hands.
'He must be going to feed Solaris,' Rhen concluded, her feet crunching the snow with every step. Well, now that she knew what he was up to, it was hardly any fun to secretly follow.
"Lars!"
He whipped around in surprise. Rhen couldn't quite see his face clearly from where she stood, so she quickly took advantage of his stillness, quickening her pace.
Lars didn't begin walking again until she was beside him.
"… You should be sleeping," Lars spoke, glancing down at her with mild curiosity.
"Nightmare," Rhen spoke curtly, cupping her hands and breathing into them.
"…" Lars was at a loss for words. He was interested in the nightmare, but thought against asking about it. He couldn't afford giving her something else to be upset with him about.
Heck, why was she even here? He thought, for sure, he'd have to be the one who approached her to apologize… though his pride was happy that would no longer be the case.
"… The earthquakes have stopped. The snow, too," Lars observed, breaking the silence. Rhen looked around with raised eyebrows.
"You're right. With Swilly gone now… maybe it was jealousy after all," Rhen answered.
"… She's a fairy," Lars reiterated disbelievingly. Rhen grinned, shrugging.
"Love is love."
Lars frowned, turning away.
Was it really…?
Solaris greeted them with a chipper roar the moment they were in sight.
"Morning," Lars said, setting the buckets down. Solaris's nozzle was buried with seconds.
"… It just happened so fast," Rhen spoke softly, grabbing Lars's attention, "I pleaded with Talia to go with me on a horseback ride before my birthday party started, so I left the castle, and when I came ba-"
"Don't."
Rhen blinked, confused by the interruption. Lars seemed agitated, running his hand through his hair.
"You don't need to tell me. I know I've been pressuring you to, and I'm… well, you know…"
"Sorry?" Rhen asked, cracking a smile as Lars glared.
"The point is, do whatever you want. If you don't want me knowing, fine."
"I was just trying to tell you," Rhen grinned.
"But-"
"I want to tell you. Now shut up."
Lars snapped his mouth shut obligingly.
Rhen took a deep breath before continuing, "When I came back… I didn't think much of it, but I knew something was off. There were no guards anywhere… we noticed the Druids had already arrived, so Talia told me to pen up the horses while she fetched a bath for me. I… wasn't inside the castle long before Talia came running to me, shouting nonsense and dragging me through the castle, screaming that I had to get away. But when we got to the ballroom…"
Rhen took a moment to breathe again, collecting herself, least she start crying.
"There were bodies everywhere. They were… they were all… twisted and burnt-looking and… dead! My people! While I was out on a freaking joyride, they were…!"
"Rhen," Lars interrupted, reaching up to wipe the stray tears rolling down her cheeks before cradling her face within his hands, forcing her to look up at him, "Don't start blaming yourself. Focus. Tell me the rest."
Rhen's lower lip quivered before she bit down on it.
"… The doors. They were all blocked… Talia said she would teleport us. But before she could, she was hit. Dameon," Rhen faltered on his name, "…wasn't himself. His eyes… he wasn't there! And he was attacking us! Talia was so weak by the attack… she said she only had enough power to se- send me. Before she did, she mentioned Ahriman's power, and how the Druids must be controlled. And then… I ended up on the Eastern Isle."
Though she definitely thought of it, Rhen failed to mention the attack that was barreling toward Talia the moment she was teleported. She was certain she couldn't put it in words without breaking down.
"… Wow."
Rhen blinked through her misty eyes, staring up at Lars in disbelief.
"… Wow. … You jerk, what the hell is that supposed to mean?!"
Lars chuckled, giving her wet cheek one last swipe before retreating his hands back to his sides.
"Sorry. It's just… I wanted to know, and now I don't know what to say. An 'I'm sorry' would be pretty pitiful," Lars responded. A small smile crawled up her lips as she wiped at her eyes.
Her body felt much lighter. Maybe it was because she finally got it all off her chest, and maybe a little bit of it was the way Lars handled it. Even through the worst, he was able to bring a smile to her face. Though it didn't erase her problems, it most definitely made them easier to deal with.
"I'm sorry I slapped you earlier. It looked like it stung," Rhen said guiltily. Lars frowned, rubbing his abused cheek.
"Hell yeah it did!" Lars exclaimed, looking mad for a mere moment before his expression turned somber, "About the half-assing comment… I didn't mean that. I was just… you have to be more careful, alright?"
"You were worried. I know," Rhen responded with a smile. A faint pink hue crossed over Lars's nose and cheeks before he hastily looked away.
"Yeah, whatever. You have to worry over a clumsy girl like you," Lars commented. Rhen simply rolled her eyes.
"I was planning on getting the sword after this," Lars said, walking over to pick up the empty buckets.
"I don't want you doing all this stuff on your own, you know. I'm perfectly capable!"
"Hn. Doubt that."
He received a glare in reply.
A yawn soon followed the glare, and Hector's obnoxious snoring popped into Rhen's mind.
"I wonder if Hector will wake up wondering where we are," Rhen commented.
"That guy sleeps like a log. He probably won't be up."
"He snores sound like a dying cow."
Lars laughed out loud.
---
Surrounded by the gray sky, the palace was completely silent amongst the still wind, yet still majestically beautiful.
Lars and Rhen approached the front doors, Rhen frowning as she looked around.
"No guards," Rhen pointed out, irked.
"There were never any guards here, though, as weird as that is," Lars replied. Rhen blinked, discovering with a weird fascination that he was absolutely correct.
They entered the palace without any further delay, walking through the long hallways of ivory. Rhen absentmindedly ran her fingers along the wall as she passed, eyes wide as she took in the many patterns and sculptures.
Lars watched with interest.
"You really love this place, don't you?" Lars asked. Rhen turned to him with an abashed smile.
"I do. It just… fits her so well."
"Fits her?"
"Mhm. Everything about this place… the colors, the elegance… it screams 'Snow Queen', don't you think?"
"I do. But everyone's home is like that, isn't it? I mean, they're the ones who get the decorate it to match their personality. Wasn't the palace in Thais the same for you?"
Rhen's walk slowed, her eyes staying glued to the smooth wall.
"… I guess so."
Lars frowned at the absentminded tone, but concluded the girl had been through enough confessions for the day, and let it drop.
The door to the ice chambers looked the same as it did two years ago, and Rhen ran up to it in excitement. She knocked on the door for the heck of it, grinning.
"No Indra behind here this time!" Rhen exclaimed. Lars shook his head at her antics, pulling the key from his pocket and unlocking the door.
To their surprise, a force field of what looked to be blue string surrounded the Sword of Dreams, sitting on a frozen pedestal.
"Uh… wanna try touching it?" Rhen asked, laughing at the look she received, "I'm just kidding!"
"Look there," Lars said, pointing to a piece of paper nailed to the wall. Rhen swaggered over, ripping the note from its place.
"It's from the King," Rhen said before reading off the paper, "Every sword is guarded by this special force field for protection. Only those of Pendragon blood can get through the barrier. Good luck on your journeys."
"Only a Pendragon, huh?" Lars mumbled, watching Rhen step through the force field without any hindrance, "That means you have to be the one to grab the sword. What a stupid thing!"
"I've told you before, I'm capable of doing these things! Don't go hogging all the glory for yourself! I'm happy with this 'stupid thing'."
"You would be," Lars muttered, turning on his heel and heading out the way they'd come. Rhen hugged the sword to her front as she followed him out.
"So where will we be heading next? We weren't given any leads," Lars inquired.
"Mm… Sedona. That's the closest place to here, and it's a powerful nation. Surely someone will know the whereabouts of at least one other sword," Rhen answered, her face suddenly lighting up, "Wow, I haven't been to Sedona in a long time! I wonder how that mansion is holding up?!"
"You haven't been there? It's probably infested with spider webs and dust!"
"I have people take care of it for me! I just… don't have much time on my hands anymore, so I don't get to travel a lot."
"Hmph. Sounds like a prison."
"It is not!" Rhen exclaimed, upset by the analogy, "The palace is a truly wonderful place. The beds are fluffy; the food is excellent… it can't be helped! I am Queen, you know. It brings on a lot of… responsibilities! You have a duty to Shadwood in the same way!"
"I can leave and take vacations and even travel around the world. It's not the same."
"I can leave," Rhen huffed, situating the sword more comfortably in her hold, "There just… has to be guards following me."
"I would think that'd annoy you."
"… It does. A little. But I'll get used to it!"
'Idiot. You've been 'getting used to it' for two years,' Lars thought, once again deciding against voicing it.
But how long would he be able to keep those comments to himself?
---
"Where the hell have you two been?!"
Hector was sitting on his bed, fully dressed, scowling. Rhen silently cursed herself for missing the chance to mess with him in his sleep.
"Surprises never cease; you're actually up," Lars drawled, ignoring his question. Swilly giggled, flying over to land on Hector's head.
"That's 'cause I got him up!" Swilly exclaimed, zipping off his head when Hector swiped at her.
"So where were you? You better not be leaving me out of the loop or anything! Jeez, I looked all around here!"
"Aw, were you worried about me, Hector?!" Rhen asked in a sugary sweet tone.
"Like hell!"
"We went to get the sword," Lars finally admitted. Hector's eyebrows shot up, and he noticed the sword Rhen was carrying for the first time, "We'll be heading to Sedona next. It's a large city in the Northern part of the Western Isle."
"Whatever. As long as we're getting out of this vile snow," Hector replied, unconsciously leaning forward as he studied the sword, "… It's pink. What kind of a sword is pink?!"
Lars snickered at the comment, while Rhen puffed her cheeks.
"And what's wrong with a pink sword?" Rhen challenged.
"It's girly. It doesn't fit you," Lars commented.
"What's that supposed to mean?!"
Hector observed the bickering pair in relief. Wherever they had disappeared to this morning, it looked like things were back to normal between the two of them.
"I'm hungry," Swilly suddenly noted, punctuated by the low growling of her stomach.
"I am too. Let's all pack up here and eat before we take off," Rhen offered, sheathing the Sword of Dreams.
---
They all enjoyed a plate of hot eggs and fresh biscuits in quiet. Only the Inn's owner joined them, busily writing at the front of the room.
"Can't believe they don't have jam," Hector grumbled, getting elbowed in the side.
"Not many fruits can be grown in this kind of climate," Lars explained.
"I say all these people are nuts. How can you live in this weather?!" Hector asked loudly. Rhen groaned when the owner looked up from his paper.
"You're so rude," Rhen spoke, chastising. To her relief, however, the owner chuckled, setting his pen down.
"Some enjoy the cold, lad. Where are you all from?"
Hector sneered at being called a 'lad,' but took a large bite out of his loaf of bread instead of starting a quarrel.
"Veldarah," Lars answered immediately, throwing a look Rhen's way. If she wasn't recognized, all the better. Plus, Lars was unsure how certain people would react upon hearing Thais's name after the warnings were sent.
Rhen got the hint, and nodded in agreement.
"Veldarah? Well that's not too far from here. By how irked he seemed to be, I thought you'd be from the Southern Isle or something."
"No, he's just a big baby," Rhen said sweetly, hammering a hand on said baby's back. Hector's eyes widened at the surprise attack, swallowing on instinct. The un-chewed chunk of bread gripped his throat, sending him into a coughing fit.
Panicked, Rhen began hitting his back.
With a thick swallow and a deep, relieved breath, Hector brought a hand up to his neck.
"You can quit hitting me already, woman!" Hector yelled.
Rhen guiltily rest her hands on her lap, looking to be at a loss for words. She hadn't meant to choke the guy.
To her right, Lars began to laugh.
"Oh, right, your best friend nearly dies and you're laughing," Hector spoke sourly.
"You're alright now, aren't you? … That would have been a pretty pathetic way to go, though. Ha, your face…!" Lars replied in mirth.
Hector grabbed the half of a load left on Rhen's plate, ignoring her appalled, "Hey!" before standing up.
"Do anything and I'll zap you," Lars said, holding his hand out in warning.
"Don't! You may destroy something in here!" Swilly cautioned.
Lars incredulously snorted, glaring at the pink-haired fairy.
"Do you think I can't control my ma- fifgurah?!"
Hector had taken the distraction to his advantage, shoving the loaf into Lars's mouth. Rhen exploded with laughter upon seeing Lars's shocked, stuffed face.
With a heave, the loaf was blown to the ground.
"You…!" Lars gritted, sparks flying from his outstretched hand. Hector chuckled before making a dash for the door, "Get back here!"
"Everyone will probably wake up thinking the town's being attacked," Rhen giggled.
"That wouldn't be a good thing right now," the Innkeeper spoke, not amused. The smile quickly fell from Rhen's face.
"… I'll make sure they don't make trouble," Rhen promised apologetically, slipping out of her chair.
'Ugh. I'm an idiot. Of course that wouldn't be good!'
Guilt settled on her shoulders. She hadn't been thinking about the people at all. Of course they'd be scared to death of an attack right now!
She hoped the two idiots would realize that before they woke everyone up.
She found them, thankfully, with no surrounding destruction or commotion. What she did find, however, greatly confused her.
Hector was angry; that was a given. His face was flushed, eyebrows creased, arms flailing about, mouth opening and closing wildly, but yet… no sound came from his lips…?
Lars had a hand over his mouth, muffling his laughter.
"What happened..?" Rhen asked, the corners of her lips twitching upwards. Hector's cheeks turned a brighter red when he noticed her, and he quickly turned away.
"He was screaming profanities after I zapped him; had to shut him up somehow," Lars replied, and continued when he still detected confusion on her face, "Ah, I didn't have this ability back then, did I? It's called Silence."
Well, at least one idiot knew to stay quiet.
Hector glared daggers into Lars's face.
"I like this quietness! Maybe you should keep him on silent for the rest of the journey!" Rhen joked, only fleetingly not joking at all.
Hector looked quite panicked.
"No more dying cows, right?" Lars said, eyes dancing with mirth as Rhen recognized the reference.
Rhen burst out in laughter while Hector stood there, silent and confused.
---
"I'm happy you got along with the King so well," Rhen spoke, head turned slightly to be able tot see the fairy on her shoulder, "I would have felt bad for taking you from the Memory Caverns otherwise."
After the bread mishap, they had paid for their breakfast, packed up, and headed out. Hector trailed a few feet behind, moping, and still unable to speak.
Solaris was now visible, waiting by the edge of the chilled water.
"The King is a wonderful guy," Swilly praised with a smile.
"The Snow Queen looked like she gave you hell, though," Lars said.
"Don't think badly of her. She's a good person too, just… quick to get angry."
Hector mouthed something that looked suspiciously like 'jealousy.'
"… Hey!" Rhen suddenly voiced, gliding her hand over the scales of Solaris's nozzle, "Wait. Lars, you said there were fairies in Ylisfar?"
She couldn't believe she hadn't given it a second thought until now.
"Yeah. The fairies have created small societies in a lot of places to expand their territories," Lars explained.
"…ry informed," Hector nearly jumped when his voice came out, "You aren't very informed!"
"Damn," Lars spoke with a smirk.
"You, shut it, now," Hector threatened, before turning to Swilly, "And you! The Queen is obviously jealous of you. How would you feel if the guy you loved was always with another woman?!"
"… she's fairy, for Christ's sakes! That's not physically possible!" Lars argued.
"The King is more of a father-figure to me, anyway!" Swilly exclaimed.
"Oh, don't bother arguing with him. He's just stuck on the whole jealousy thing because of Ylitta," Rhen jibbed.
Hector sputtered, before making himself busy with Solaris's reigns, "So, tell me what Sedona is like."
Rhen snorted at the abrupt change of subject, but decided to play along anyway, "Looks like you're the one who is ill-informed."
"Sedona is one of the more wealthy cities on the Eastern Isle; a really busy place. But hey, we won't have to pay for lodging. Unless you sold the house…?" Lars asked.
"I would never sell that! I was really proud of buying that house!" Rhen exclaimed.
"How long will it take to get there?" Hector inquired, hefting himself up on the dragon's back.
"Not too long. We'll surely be there by lunch time," Lars replied, tying their supply bags tightly, "We'll have to speak with the King when we get there."
"I wonder if Galahad misses Sedona," Rhen pondered.
"Of course he does," Lars drawled as if the question needn't be asked.
"Another name to add to the list. I'm a little scared of asking," Hector responded, thinking of the possibilities in his head. Rhen looked surprised, turning to Lars instead of answering Hector's inquiry.
"Have you not told him anything?" Rhen asked. Lars waved a hand in the air dismissively.
"He doesn't need to know my life story. Plus, I was busy when I got back to Veldarah."
"He told be the basics, I guess. Mainly talked about you and Ahriman," Hector said.
"Hm. Well, Galahad is a knight from Sedona who was turned into a vampire by Te'ijal," Rhen explained, watching Hector go white.
"I knew I shouldn't have asked," Hector grumbled.
"If there is one vampire you don't have to be afraid of, it's Galahad," Lars ribbed, making Rhen giggle.
"Aw, don't put the guy down like that!"
"Magic doesn't exist!" Lars exclaimed dramatically, changing his accent to resemble Galahad. Rhen laughed while Hector smirked in amusement, "Anyway, Swilly, you won't be able to keep up with a flying dragon. I suggest you ride in a pocket."
Swilly gave a sloppy salute before settling in the cloth of Rhen's outfit. Lars helped Rhen on the dragon, despite her protests, before sitting behind her.
"Ugh, I have to hold onto him again, don't I?" Rhen asked over her shoulder with a pout.
"Are you going to complain about this every time we ride?" Hector asked, turning away and muttering, "Am I really that repulsive or something?"
Rhen, hearing the remark, was surprised that he seemed genuinely irritated.
"Aw, I'm sorry. I promise not to poison your food anytime soon," Rhen tried to amend with a smirk, placing her arms around his waist.
"You care so much," Hector replied dully, but the corners of his lips were turned upward.
Hector gripped the reigns. This takeoff, unlike the last one, was smooth.