.
.
.
'We're not savages...'
Those words replayed in her head over and over as the day progressed, while being measured, eating at mid-day, even now, while trying to nap...
'We're not savages...'
It ran contrary to everything she'd been taught about their kind since she was a child. These where suppose to be cold-hearted, blood-thirsty warriors! Instead, they were warm, compassionate, and so much more, well, human than 'her own' people.
Quinn rubbed her eyes, and placed one hand over the new life growing inside her. 'Today,' she thought, beginning a new list, 'No one has:
1) Called me a slut or whore,
2) Looked at me as though I was worthless,
3) Said I was a disappointment.'
She smiled and began rubbing circles, 'People have:
1) Asked me if I had any morning sickness,
2) Insisted on making sure I ate enough,
3) Took half their day to make sure I'll have clothes that fit even though I'm pregnant.'
She still didn't know what was going to happen to them. No one had explained anything beyond what they'd been told in Westerville, and that had been by members of the Council. They had been wrong about everything else... could it be they'd been wrong about the fate of their past 'tributes'? Still, the stories they'd been told echoed through her mind.
Quinn closed her eyes, and let her body finally rest. She didn't know... she just didn't know...
Blaine was so confused by those comments... know what in a week? He stole a glance at the taller boy walking alongside him. As to why someone would hurt Kurt, well, he'd be lying if he pretended that not to know that there were people out there who needed no real reason to hurt another. All they needed was an excuse...
He bore scars that where a testament to that. He wasn't foolish enough to hope that no new ones would be added to them at some point.
"So how do you know that girl, Miriam, so well?" He attempted to break the odd silence that had hung over them since leaving the horse pen.
.
"Hardly a girl..." Kurt smiled a little, "It makes her crazy that most people won't believe how old she is."
.
"Well, she's about our age, isn't she?" The dark-haired boy tilted his head slightly, "17 or 18 years old?"
.
Kurt laughed, sweet and clear. "No, um... she's going to be 24 summers in a couple of months. Really! I know she doesn't take time with her appearance most days, but when she does she looks her age. She's a very beautiful woman regardless." At Blaine's disbelieving look, he continued. "What? Likening boys doesn't mean I can't appreciate the fact that a girl is beautiful! I think horses are beautiful, but it's not as if I'd want to kiss one!"
Blaine's face broke into a surprised smile and Kurt realized that it was probably the first real one he'd given.
"But, long story short, her mother and my mother were best friends. They came here together, and well... her mom was in the same situation that your sister is in." The other boy's head jerked towards the glaze` eyed boy. "Miriam was born in this clan, but her family roots go back to the Kingdoms... not that she cares. Her father isn't someone she ever wants to meet. I think she'd probably punch first, ask questions later." He smiled at the image. "She and her mother were never close, something about her reminding her mother of the mistake she made, so she spent a lot of time with my mom until I was born. Then she spent time with both of us. My mother died when I was 8." He looked at Blaine. "It's ok, it was 10 years ago, but... it was hard. Some kind of sickness... we still don't know what it was. After it happened, well, Mir's almost 6 years older than me. She was there when my father was so filled with sadness that he could barely get up in the mornings, let alone take care of me. She became my sister. When I got older, I simply claimed her as family, and that was that. You don't have to be blood to be family, you just have to be in the ways that matter."
.
Those last words where so close to what he'd told Quinn, Blaine remembered. Not siblings by blood, but in all the ways that mattered, she was his sister...
"My parents are both in Westerville." He replied quietly. "And I have an older brother who lives a couple days ride from there. They were glad to see me leave." He kept his eyes on the ground, it made the next words easier. "I have friends there... you know, there was even a boy I sort-of fancied once, even if nothing came of it. But my family?" He spat the word out as though it left a bad taste in his mouth. "The only person in my family that gives a damn about me is Quinn, and she's here with me. There's nothing for me there now..."
.
"Blaine." Kurt's voice had adopted a serious tone. "It's been a day and a half... please don't agree to stay with us without thinking it through. There's time yet, you may change your mind about being here."
.
"Kurt?" Blaine had stopped walking, and could barely get the next words out. "What are you talking about?!" Hurt followed the shock. "You and I both know Quinn and I were sent here, it's not like we chose this! So drop the act. The Council's representative," His father! "Was very clear on it! I'll make the best of the situation if you'll just STOP!" He felt guilty for a moment, having not told Quinn all the ugly details that his father had given him... he just couldn't bring himself to do so. Gods, it wasn't as though he'd didn't know the reason his mother had given him poison!
Kurt opened and shut his mouth twice, but no sound came out.
"I... I have to go..." Blaine finished, turned around, and ran towards the solitude of 'his' tent... or rather his cell.
.
Kurt stood frozen in place: What the hell had just happened?! One minute they where discussing their families, and the next Blaine had been accusing him of... what? He wasn't sure, but it had almost been as if Blaine had expected something bad to happen as soon as he and his sister had arrived! Had he missed that Kurt's mother was Kingdom-born? That she had been Aionna, and had decided to stay. Perhaps it took a few years for his father to convince her to bond with him, but after two years she had said yes.
Kurt frowned, and walked the opposite direction that Blaine had gone. He needed to think, and he knew that Rory would make sure Blaine stayed safe. For now though, he needed to stay away from the chocolate-haired boy, at least until they'd both had a chance to cool off.
He went back to the pens, and did something he'd avoided for the last three years:
Kurt smiled, and climbed on the back of Patti, his first horse. She wasn't as spirited as her son, Pavarotti, but just as beautiful. He didn't need a mount that would fight him, he needed the horse he'd learned to ride on when he was 10.
Without a thought to let someone know where he was going, he rode out alone.
.
The wind rushed past him as the sun started to go down. Part of him was scared, the memories that had haunted him only the night before still troubled him, but Blaine's reaction bothered him more... and that scared him more.
The last time he'd felt these kinds of stirrings, it had ended badly.
After riding until after sunset, Kurt stopped near a brook running along side a grassy hill, and sprawled out on the ground. Patti wandered to the stream and drank as his mind sang a melody that was barely there as he began to doze...
Spare a little candle, Save some light for me
figures up ahead, Moving in the trees
White skin in linen, Perfume on my wrist
And the full moon that hangs over these dreams in the mist
Darkness on the edge, Shadows where I stand
I search for the time On a watch with no hands
I want to see you clearly, Come closer than this
But all I remember...Are the dreams in the mist...
These dreams go on when I close my eyes
Every second of the night I live another life
These dreams that sleep when it's cold outside
Every moment I'm awake the further I'm away
Is it cloak 'n dagger, Could it be spring or fall
I walk without a cut, Through a stained glass wall
Weaker in my eyesight, the candle in my grip
And words that have no form Are falling from my lips
These dreams go on when I close my eyes
Every second of the night I live another life
These dreams that sleep when it's cold outside
Every moment I'm awake the further I'm away
There's something out there, I can't resist
I need to hide away from the pain
There's something out there, I can't resist
Sweetest song is silence, that I've ever heard
Funny how your feet, in dreams never touch the earth
In a wood full of princes, Freedom is a kiss
But the prince hides his face, From dreams in the mist
These dreams go on when I close my eyes
Every second of the night I live another life
These dreams that sleep when it's cold outside
Every moment I'm awake the further I'm away
These dreams go on when I close my eyes
Every second of the night I live another life
These dreams that sleep when it's cold outside
Every moment I'm awake the further I'm away...
A/N: Hello everyone! 42 reviews and 59 follows! Woot! Everyone has been so amazing with their comments and pm's! I never thought my little plot bunny would come so far so quickly! I hope no one was to weirded out by Blaine's OOC moment... There's a flash-back that includes the conversation with his father, and all will be explained! OK?
To my Beautiful Reviewers:
Brightleaf: Take your time! When an idea hits you, let me know! Until then, just enjoy!
AngellaCrickett: (: I'm glad you liked it!
Klaineangel: Early Irish history? That's one course I wish I could take! Take your time, I'm not planning on going anywhere! (; I love writing Miriam! She's an OC, but I wanted someone I could put together and use without messing up a pre-existing character. I'm leaning towards Quinn/Joe also. I'm not 100%...
jememj: This universe has received ALOT more positive reviews than I expected! (: I can't rush a story too much... there will be build up...
Forsgren2006: Really? I'm unsure about my writing style, but then I haven't had a lot of experience doing this!
DISCLAIMER: If you recognize it, I don't own it, ok?
Gimme feedback! Good bad or indifferent!
