Aniyu: (sheepish smile) I'm back again. Sorry for the delay.

Bran: What took you so long?

Aniyu: Lots of things. School, packing, working on art, distracted by other writings, moving, graduation, job hunting… But I'm back to hopefully get on the road to finishing this.

Anayi: Any warnings for this chapter?

Aniyu: Yeah, it will be similar to a previous chapter due to a dream insert; only this time it's Bran's turn. Okay, who wants to do the disclaimer this time?

Gwen: Aniyu does not own The Dark is Rising Sequence, so please do not sue.

Aniyu and Anayi: Enjoy!

Chapter 13:

Visions of Light and Dark

Will awoke very suddenly a few hours after going to sleep, sensing that Bran's mind was in great distress. The albino's face was contorted in what appeared to be pain in Will's eyes, and the grip he held on the young Old One grew tighter with each passing moment.

(Bran, wake up… It's only a dream, my prince; please wake up! Bran!)

He wasn't sure if it was the inflection of pain in his tone or his mental call that woke him, but Bran snapped awake and reached for Eirias. Will's hand grabbed his before the sword could be drawn and intertwined their fingers.

(Calm down, there's no need to draw Eirias… What happened, what did you see, Bran?)

The Pendragon was silent for several moments before he sighed deeply, his fingers stroking his love's hand. (I'm sorry my Phoenix; I did not mean to harm or frighten you. It was nothing of the Dark, just my paranoia overwhelming my mind.) 'I cannot tell you…not until I can truly determine what caused it.'

The worry did not leave Will's eyes, but he decided not to push the issue. (If you're sure…)

Bran hugged Will close, so as not to see those worried stormy-blue eyes. (I am. Let's get back to sleep, okay?)

Will nodded, lying back down and blushing when Bran pulled him closer than before. However, feeling that Bran needed the contact, Will said nothing and slowly returned to sleep. Before succumbing, Will whispered one thing.

"If you need to talk, you know I'll listen."

Bran threaded his fingers through Will's cinnamon hair, admiring it again as he quietly sighed. 'I know, my Phoenix. But, regardless of what caused it, if what I saw is true, I must keep you safe. I'd never forgive myself if something happened to you.'

As he played with Will's hair, the dream replayed in his mind like a broken record. And to think, it had started so pleasantly…

(Dream Sequence)

Bran, like Will, was watching the events play out like a movie. Dream Bran was standing just outside the Stanton barn - Which was resounding with laughter and music. -, wearing the outfit the girls had made for him. He had to wonder if they had ever seen Camelot, for his clothes resembled that of the Roundtable Knights' casual wear.

(Aniyu: For those of you who saw the Disney movie Quest for Camelot, that's what I based his outfit on.)

His trousers and long-sleeved turtleneck were silver, much like Cafall's eyes once were. Over that was an emerald green long tunic, ending just above his knees, with loose sleeves that fell to his elbows. The tunic was trimmed in a deep forest green with silver runes. His belt and soft leather, mid-calf tie up boots were a light brown color, almost matching his amber eyes.

Dream Bran leaned against the door with his arms crossed, looking out with a blank expression. Dream Will practically floating to Dream Bran's side caught both Bran's attentions.

"What's wrong, Bran? Have you sensed something?"

Bran and Dream Bran looked over him with awe. He wore a white conforming, long sleeved dress; the round neckline dipped just below his collarbone, and the dress cascaded loosely from his hips to his ankles, leaving his white, soft leather tie up boots visible. Over the dress was a sheer, web-like silver material that fell just below the hem of the white dress, and the loose sleeves fell to his elbows.

He truly looked ethereal in that dress, and almost looked as though he were a bride about to be married off.

"It's more what I'm not sensing that worries me." Dream Will nodded in agreement. "I feel the same, but if we dwell on it too long the party will notice. Join me for a dance?"

Dream Bran chuckled as Dream Will gave him a mock curtsy. "Certainly."

Bran watched as the two danced a jaunty waltz in the doorway of the barn, before a wave of shadow engulfed them. The writhing tendrils ripped the dancers away from each other, their mist-like movements reminding Bran of the fake Eirias. Dream Will vanished, leaving Dream Bran searching for him desperately.

"Will! Will, where are you?! Answer me, my Phoenix, please!"

"Your Phoenix? Don't make me laugh." Flames of piercing red color surrounded him in a tight barrier, threatening to incinerate him. Dream Bran looked around warily, drawing out Eirias out of instinct.

"Will's nothing to you; you abandoned him so you could be mortal, and you've allowed him to be harmed time and time again, twice by your own hand. "

Dream Bran snarled. "Will means everything to me! I stayed hoping that I could be with him! I have never wanted to harm him, nor have I ever willfully done so!"

Milgwn appeared near the flames, gnashing their teeth with anticipation. The flames themselves drew closer to Dream Bran, who narrowed his eyes at the darkness.

"Oh, but you will cause him more pain. Though your memories have returned to you, your immortality has not; the High Magic has yet to give it back to you, and when you die, the Sign Seeker, the purest and youngest of the Light will break. And then, he shall fall to the Dark."

"Never!" Both Bran and his dream form screamed out, and white light flashed around him.

When the light cleared, Bran saw he was standing in a grove near the Old Way. Dream Bran was not within his line of sight, but Dream Will was. He was standing with his sword Silverlode in a defensive stance as the Rider swung the fake Eirias down at him. What Dream Will couldn't see was James coming up behind him with a cruel looking blade the color of blood.

(End Dream Sequence)

Shivers ran through Bran as the dream continued to flash in his head. 'I have to keep him safe, no matter what.'

"Bran, you should try to sleep."

The albino looked over at Robin, who sat up on his cot to look Bran in the eyes. "You'll cause everyone, especially Will, to worry if you don't get some sleep. That, and you'll need a lot of energy to get through a Stanton sixteenth birthday."

Bran chuckled tiredly. "I can imagine… I know I need to sleep, but the dream I just had keeps replaying in my head."

"You're worried about what it means for the future," Robin stated. At Bran's nod, Robin sighed and gave him a smile. "Don't let it bother you; for all we know it's a ploy from the Rider to frighten you. We'll deal with whatever comes when it comes, and not before then. Everything will be fine."

An almost frantic look came to Bran eyes. "How can you be so calm? Anything could happen tomorrow…"

Robin gave him a soft smile. "Because you know what I see in my dreams? I see you and Will standing in a sunlit grove with smiles on your faces. As cliché as it sounds, flowers are showering around you both and the Lady stands in front of you, binding your left hands together. On your left hand ring fingers are matching silver rings."

The amber-eyed teen gazed at Robin in shock, a light blush on his face. "You mean…?"

"Yeah, you and Will have a great future to look forward to. So quit worrying, and get some sleep."

Bran looked down at Will, smiling at how peaceful he looked, before settling down beside him. "By the way, you might want to hurry up and tell him you love him. I'm afraid it's a prerequisite for marriage."

The older teen squawked as he was hit by a spare pillow and fell off his cot. "Bloody Sais-Bach…"

Ignoring the indignant Robin, Bran fell into a deep sleep, happier dreams filling his head. Robin pouted a bit before climbing back into bed with a smile. Neither noticed how Will's eyes opened and stared at Bran's chest in shock, a bright flush appearing on his cheeks.

'Bran…my prince…loves me?'

He waited several minutes to make sure Bran and Robin were both asleep, before he carefully slipped out of bed and went to sit by the window. Will gazed up at the stars in contemplation, concentrating especially on Lyra and Leo.

'I guess I've always known he loved me in a way… After all I was born and bred to be his protector and companion… But…I never thought he would return the love I feel for him… Or does he feel obligated to love me because of our bond?'

"So, you know about his feelings for you?"

Will turned to see Paul slip out of bed and join him at the window. The cinnamon-haired teen sighed sadly, observing the stars again.

"I heard what Robin teased him with, and his response… But I have to wonder… I knew I loved him before I ever realized he was the Pendragon, before I knew of how we were bonded… But does he love me because of obligation, of the bond? Or does he really return my feelings for him?"

Seeing tears gather in his youngest sibling's eyes, Paul pulled Will to him and cradled him close like he did when Will was very small and Stephen wasn't home.

"I think you're worrying too much; so much is happening that you're stressing yourself far more than is necessary. Now think; didn't you see how Bran was always concerned for you, and how he just seemed so much happier beside you? And that was before he regained his memories; now it's almost as if he'd lose his sanity if you are not near."

A deep blush bloomed on Will's face. "Well, yes…but I was positive he only saw me as a brother before he regained his memories…"

Paul sighed. "You thought that because you were so convinced he wouldn't return your feelings. But, trust me, everyone could and can see how much the two of you care for each other, how much you pine for each other. And unless I'm mistaken, Stephen's already given Bran his blessing to marry you."

Stormy blue eyes widened at that. "He did…?" "Yeah, after you and Bran had that first confrontation with Simon. Bran truly does love you for you, Will, and you seem to be the only person who can't see that."

The softest smile Paul had ever seen came to Will's face before he looked worried again. "Then, what should I do? It's hardly fair that I know his feelings and he doesn't know mine."

The elder teen chuckled at that. "Be natural; let him tell you first, and make sure he knows you return his feelings. Don't worry; everything's going to be fine. Now, you need to get some sleep, so get to bed before Bran wakes up wondering where you are."

Will hugged his brother tightly, a few tears escaping him. "Thank you, Paul. Good night, big brother." After receiving a hug in return, Will returned to bed, slipping back into Bran's arms and falling asleep with a content smile.

The musician of the twins sighed and crawled into bed beside Robin, who had woken up during the latter half of the conversation. "What's wrong, Paul?"

"It's hard to see him in pain; he's our brother, our youngest brother, and he has so much on his shoulders… And it's hard to talk to him about his love life when all I want to do is cradle him and keep the world away."

Robin hugged his twin. "You're scared of letting him go, of acknowledging that our little Will is growing up."

"Yes… Mum and Mary are gone, and James will probably suffer the same fate… Dad's getting on in age, and Barbara has a fiancé… I don't want to lose more family."

Paul wiped away a few tears as Robin rubbed soothing circles on his back. "But Paul, you're not losing him; we'll be right with him, watching for the Dark. Besides, all we're doing is giving them the one thing that'll make them happy and whole. This is just one time where you have to let go."

"I know...I just didn't expect it to be so hard."

Robin smiled a little at that. "Who ever said it would be easy? Now, get some sleep, worrywart." He chortled as Paul smacked him with a pillow. "Fine, goodnight prick."

"Goodnight, bully."

TBC...

Aniyu: Sorry about the shortness, but this chapter wasn't meant to be long. I hope to have the next one out soon, if I can stop revising what I'm doing. (pouts)

Will: You do that entirely too much.

Aniyu:I can't help it! I keep picturing different scenarios and--!

Bran: Well, stop. You can always do an alternate ending.

Aniyu: ...Maybe... Please R&R, and, again, sorry for the wait!!