Starlighter:Ah...Finally some free time!!!!!lol Well,ok I know I have not updated in like an eternity but I have a looooooooooooooong chappie to make up for it.It is...20 pages long front and back!!! I think you guys will like it....well I hope you guys like it! Oh plus THANK YOU ALL SOOOO MUCH FOR ALL YOU REVIEWS!!!
Sesshy:Uhuh...so when is my story's next update?
Starlighter -frowns- Your asking me that now...AAAAAAAHHHHH!! I swear! I cannot please people! whenever I get one thing done there is always more! AAAAAHHHHH
Sesshy:Cut the hysterics and get on with this story so you can update mine.
Starlighter: FINE!! Ok so peeps ENJOY!!!!
Chapter 19 Is Cruel Fate
She took a deep breath and closed her eyes searching for any other sounds or footsteps. When none were heard, she reached for her dagger hanging on her waist, trembling all the while feeling watched. Everything grew silent in that moment, knowing better than to just shrug it off she wound her fingers round the hilt of her blade tightly. Light footsteps were then heard splashing on the water. Malon dove quickly under water and remaining hidden below the surface swam as fast as she could near the shore.
She saw the siluette of a man searching for her, his back turned slighty away from the lake.Rising up in the water's sruface quietly to where the water reached her waist she drew her arm back ready for aim.'Searching for me? Well you made the mistake of turning your back to me at the last minute!' Aiming correctly she released the dagger with all her strength at high speed. It flew towards him getting nearer and nearer, so sure that it would pierce the man ending his life she made the mistake of getting out of the water onto shore.
The man turned around just in time to escape the almost fatal blow with a small cut on his cheeck. Finally meeting eye to eye, blue clashing with blue, he walked towards her as she helplessely tried to back away slowly.Her look of shock swiftly changed to that of anger and despair.Seemingly saying it like venom she asked, "What are you doing here?"
However all he did was keep stepping closer and closer to her until their faces were only inches apart."Mal..." he uttered while scanning her eyes.Her anger susbsiding she looked at him confused. Instead of seeing pride,mochery,and sheer pleasure as she expected from him she saw hurt,guilt,shame. "Why are you looking at me like that?" She asked confused her words coming out in a much crueler tone than she meant them.
Still all he did was gaze at her, studying her angelic features as though drawing her portrait with his eyes.He wanted to kiss her, to hold her right at that moment but he 't. "Malon, forgive me..." he whispered, closing his eyes briefly. Malon noted tears at the corner of his eyes in which her confusion only increased.
Her eyes couldn't help but search his face for answers, answers to her temporary bewilderment.She wanted answers to her uncurable heartbreak, answers to why she still loved him the way she did. Too lost in her mind she didn't even notice that she herself had begun to weep. His hand had already been wiping away her tears when she gasped at his touch and subconsciously her hand placed itself upon his hand holding it at her cheeck.She nuzzled into his palm, her body was trembling wanting to close the small space between them but not budging.
As if he felt her same desires he closed the tiny space putting his forehead on hers and his arm wrapped around her waist holding her to him.She lifted her face to meet his gaze the reflection of the same desire shimmered through both his eyes. Leaning in to take the kiss he so craved a sudden flashback of him proposing to Zelda arose in Malon's memory.Before his lips even grazed hers she pushed him away from her and turned her back to him."Not again Link, not again.I will not fall into your trap again!" she shouted as if to the heavens, her pain eminent in her voice. She ran to the shore until her feet splashed in the water, then without wanting to she fell on her knees and sobbed uncontrollably.
He walked forward to her and stood beside her. Watching her vounerable form tremble with her cries he kneeled down and reached to her. Just as he was about to pull her to him she scooted away. With tears still falling and her voice shaky she managed to let out,"I ju-I just w-want to know w-why...why you toyed with my heart like that...Why?" Looking up to behold his eyes with her own, she saw that he still held that pained stare. He was still about to shed tears.Closing his eyes and letting his tears fall freely down his cheecks he stated calmy,"It's not...It's not like that at all."
The anger and ache returned to her gaze as she eyed him with hate.She rose from the water with her hands balled into fists, glaring at him with all her hate she socked him across the face. "First you love me! Then you love her! Then you try to kiss me! You vowed an eternal love for your princess infront of everybody and you tell me it's not like that at all?!" He opened his mouth to speak but decided against it, instead he chose to look down at the ground shamefully. "Now you can't even look at me.There was a time I use to think you really did love me, but I always knew it was all too good to be true. You always saw right through me and were looking at her. The only feelings you ever had for me were pity, shame, and lu-" "That is not true!" he yelled interviening in her self pity speech. She looked at him complexed again but anger soon took over again and shadowed her face.
"It isn't? Then what is. You seem to have a real problem with what is true and what isn't. You can never truly respond with the truth.But if now you can, than tell me. What i- What is the the truth you so dearly hide?" There was nothing but silence for only a moment, when he finally got the courage to look up, face her, and speak, " It's not true. I never cared for you like you say I do. I never saw you with pity, shame, nor lust! I beheld you with care,beauty,admiration,and love. To this day I still see you in that way but-" "But what? If you really cared for me as said than why her!?" she shouted at him all her anger spilling out of her each and every syllable. With each word she spoke a tear drop splattered onto the water creating ripples that reflected the moon light.
Falling once more to her knees she dug her fingers into the sand crushing it inside her palms. With her head bowed low, her breath uneven and her nose sniffling she mumbled, "Why her? If you really loved me, why are you marrying her?" He took another step closer to her swallowing the lump that had formed in his throat. "Forgive me, but I cannot tell you why...All I can do is stay away from you and love you from afar." She looked up at him, her eyes peering from under her disheveled hair. She stood up, pulling her hair back with her hand, her face now visible seemed so frail and beautifull to him in the pale light that shined through the dark sky. "If you cannot tell me why, if you can but give me your love from a afar, than keep it. I do not want your lies nor your promises or sentimental words. I want you! I have always wanted just you! I have wanted to have you in MY arms and hold you forever! I have wanted to FEEL your love not hear it! I want to see your vows coming true not listen to you preach them to me! Since you cannot give me that then do not give me anything at all!" She walked past him to retrieve her belongings leaving him with nothing to say.
When he recovered from his moment of numbness anger began to rise inside him as well. Acting out of what he had so far he grabbed her arm bringing her face to face with him. "Perhaps if you were in my place you would understand better my situation! Perhaps then you would be conscious of why it is only my words that I can offer! Possibly then you would comprehend why this time around I can't tell you the truth!"
Pulling her arm free from his tight grasp she roared back,"Well I'm not!! I can't understand so why don't you just tell me! TELL ME THE TRUTH DAMMIT!!" "I can't!!" he yelled in response, "I can't, I just can't." Slowly the volume of his voice subsided to a mere whisper."It is not worth telling you, the price to pay is much too high. It is not worth telling you the truth." "It isn't?" she said loudly. "What is this high price Link?! What is it? Is it worth your supposed love for me? Is it?"
He sighed out loud and bowed his head low. "Would you give your life to know the truth?" he asked slowly. Malon felt a shock run through her body as soon as he mentioned the exchange of death for the truth. "What?" was all she could muster up to ask. "Would you give your life to not hate me the way you do, to love me freely without a doubt? To be loved by me in the same way?" There was a slight pause before a sigh came out of her mouth and she walked slowly towards him. Holding out her hand she brought his chin up to lock eyes with him, a mixture of sadness and doubt clouded the beautyfull shades of blue in his eyes, while a storm of inner turmoil rumbled in her own. "I would give my life for you, I would give my life to at least live a few moments feeling what you spoke once of, beacause that is what I want. To love you freely without doubting your love for me or hating you for that matter." He searched her eyes to her soul for any doubt in her words. When he found none he shook his head and backed away from her.
"You may think that now, that that is what you want but it is not. Giving your life for that it is not worth it. Your life, your single being is too precious to lose just for that. Mal you have so much to live for do not give it all away! Not even for me!" He said turning his back to her."I will tell you right now you will die! You will die because of me! I cannot let that happen! I just can't!" Malon looked at him her brows knitted together and her anger overpowering her she yelled, "Then what is the point of this conversation! You come here, you vow your love for me, and I try to get the truth out of you but you give me the excuse that I will lose my life because of it?! You try to convince me that your love for me is true yet you push me away with the threat of death! How then do you expect me to just fall in your arms forever then! How?!"
"Tell me something Link, how is it that you can tell Zelda your precious truth yet you cannot tell me? How is it that she is not dead if she knows! What am I more vounerable because I am not a sage or what not?!" Link turned around immediately with glaring eyes, "She told you that she knew?!" Malon returning his icy glare with fiery one of her own replied, "Not exactly but it was only too obvious since she paid me a visit not too long ago!" His glare subsiding into a soft mellow look he said softly, "She was trying to save our love from ending...."
Malon chuckled a bit and shook her head first facing the ground then turning away from him. "Save our love from what? It's own demise? I think it is a little too late for that don't you think?" Not knowing hoe to comply to her question he remained silent, watching her walk away slowly back to her belongings. "For what it is worth, I will always hold you dearly in my heart...Mal." Turning quickly to look at him, her eyes a combination of rage and heart ache with fresh tears at the bottom of her eye lids she hissed,"For what it is worth!? I'll tell you what it is worth, nothin! The day you prove what you say, when your actions become louder than your words, that will be the day when what you utter out of your mouth will be worth something to me! Although I love you to death and I may as well always do, those words cannot help but hold no value to me at this moment. So save them for your wedding vow!" She ended her small soeech with painful sobs and ran away with her things in her arms crushed tightly against her chest.
However, before she could get far she crashed into something soft yet firm. Sobbing now a little harsher she did not pay attention to who it was until she felt a tight embrace. Thinking it was Link she rejected it and pushed away from it glaring daggers at the man until she noticed it was not Link but the fair general Fiory."Fiory..." she whispered and looked back to where Link was. He was still standing there tall and proud. His expressions were back to normal, he held no signs of just going through an emotional battle with the one he loved. Instead he held a steady disgusted glare at the man Malon referred to as Fiory.
"Malon...what has this man done to you? Are you harmed?" he asked her with concern evident and his eyes searching her body for any physical injury."I have not harmed her as much as you will be if you get any closer to her!" Link hissed. Malon glared at him and stayed by Fiory's side. "You have no right to say who get's near me or not.You are not my lover nor anything close to that.Do not protect me as though I were yours, you have your princess to do that for." A look of hurt passed quickly through Link's expression before he turned and called forth Epona. "Be angry at me,hate me, even stop loving me, but know this. I will never stio loving you. No matter how much you don't belive me that is the on truth. Farwell Malon..."
As Link mounted Epona, Malon stared at him with a longing gaze and when he dissapeared in the horizon she closed her eyes and bowed her head. "But I do...belive you..." Malon whipered before she turned to Fiory and smiled a sad smile that only made Fiory even more confused. "I take it you do not feel like explaining what this was all about so I will not ask. Forgive me though, for intruding. I have no emergency for excuse except for my concern of you being all alone. Forgive me Malon." Malon smiled and shook her head."I have nothing to forgive you for, you did nothing wrong. I am actually glad you came, I wanted to leave to run away from him and his torturing words. He almost fooled me again, and I would have been if it weren't for you. So thank you Fiory."
She smiled again and went to her horse.She mounted it and began to leave when she turned to Fiory. "Come let's go! Unless you plan to stay here all night!" Shaking his head he smirked in her direction and mounted his steed, together leaving Lake Hylia.
-Two Hours Later At the Castle-
Link entered the castle as quietly as possible. Passing the main hall he headed for the stair case that led to the guest chambers. "My lord?" said a voice to Link's left that belonged to non other than Quintus. "Quintus, what is it?" Link asked hesitantly. "The Lady Zelda has left for a conference at Zora's Domain she wished me to give you this letter. She said it was important and to give it to you as soon as you returned." Link nodded and took the letter from Quintus' hand.
"You may go now and rest my friend. It is late and a man at your age should not be wandering about these corridors at this time." Quintus smiled and nodded. "I bid you a good night m'lord."
After being left alone Link sat down at a chair in the main hall. He opened the envelope and found it blank."What kind of joke is this Zel?" Link aked outloud. As quick as he had said that the paper began to glow in gold and soon there was writing in black ink just like it should have been. "Nice..." Link said and began to read.
Dear Friend,
I thought that you would say somthing stupid like that so I put an enchantment on this paper so only your eyes can read it. It is in case of an emergency, if someone else should find this paper they could not read it. But to the main point as to why I wrote this. I have been watching you lately and from time to time seen Malon. I know that there is a risk in you telling her the truth and escaping to be together however there is always a way out. Link you must always belive in a way out. Hopefully you will heed that advice. Nevertheless it will require the power of a sage and as usuall the Temple of Time. Link read this very carefully, there is another portal in that temple that leads to the Temple of Nayru in Osirian. There is your escape. I knew nothing of this until I spoke to Rauru and he informed me of it. No one else knows of this unless you are a sage because only sages can open it. In ancient times it was used as the pathway to safety for people of one country to get to the other. Unfortunately as the century's passed only the sages had knowledge of it since it no longer became necessary for either country. If you really love her Link go to her an use that passage way to escape. But if you are going to go through with this do it before it is too late.
Much Love,
Princess Zelda
P.S. Good Luck!
When he was done reading it he headed upstairs and went for his chambers. His mind was swimming in joy, relief, and happiness that he would soon be with Malon and he would escape with her. But as soon as those thoughts came they left and doubt replaced them. 'What if Malon is falling for that wierd guy at the Lake? What if she won't believe me? What if she won't agree to escape with me? What if she doesn't love me anymore?'
During his walk to his chambers he heard voices coming from his fathers chambers as he was walking by. "I have recieved news my lord, General Alexander and the others will be here in three weeks. He is staying at a place called Lon Lon Ranch along with Generals Camry,Daniel,and Fiory." Link's eyes widened as he heard the last generals name. 'Fiory...he is one of my fathers' generals! Malon could be in danger!'
"Thank you Wufei, that is all I needed to know. However do you think that Alexander and Fiory could come and meet with me earlier? You three are my top generals and I wish to discuss the matters at hand with all three of you as soon as possible." Link cracked open a little and saw his father sitting in his chair and Wufei standing infront of him. Wufei bowed and looked up at the King and said," Yes my lord I believe they can. I will send word to them." "No need Wufei I already have. You are dismissed." Wufei turned to leave and Link began to walk away from the door when he heard his father yell, "Wait!"
"What of the girl? Have you kept an eye on her as I asked?" "Yes my lord I have. She is currently taking care of the men. However earlier this evening she had an argument with someone. I could not see who the man was but after a while General Fiory arrived at the scene and interferred."
The King eyed Wufei suspiciously and then put his hand to his chin. "Tell me General did you happen to hear the man's name? How is it that you could identify the girl and Fiory but not the man? Link leaned a bit closer to look at Wufei but in the process he pushed the door slightly causing it to screechy loudly.Both men inside the room drew their attention to the door. "It seems we have spy's among us.Wufei close the door on your way out.We will discuss this matter further in the morning."
Wufei nodded and bowed then turned to leave. "And Wufei, tommorrow you shall tell me who this man is even if I have to take it out of you. I want no more lies or you shall suffer the conequences!" Wufei resumed walking haveing only stopped to heed the King's words.Once outside he closed the door and looked around in the dark hall. "Come out Prince,I know you are here.You are not a very good eavesdroper if you want my opinion, considering you made noise and you let yourself be seen. You should learn to like dark clothing. You wouldn't stick out so much."
Link quietly stepped out of the darkest corner nearby.His eyes barely visible through the dim light glinted with the small incandescent torch."Is that why you are here? To spy on Malon? What other dirty job did my father give you?" Link hissed at him with venom. "My job is to keep an eye her. Making sure she has no contact with you.If she does I am ordered to choose and carry out any punishment towards her." Grabbing quickly at Wufei's throat with one hand Link pulled out his sword with the other.
"if you have touched her you will die right her and now!"
"Then you would die also dear Prince." Wufei retorted back dangerously low. Link looked at his hands and glinting in the moon light was a shine long blade right next to his neck. Releasing his tight grip on Wufeis throat he sheathed his sword and continued to glare at the man. "There is no need for such hostility Prince, I have not harmed...yet.Unless of course I strayed upon my duty for a few moments and you came into contact with her." Link cought what he was saying and nudged his head in the direction of his chambers. With a curt nod Wufei followed Link to his chamber's through the darkened hallway.
A little after entering Link headed to a chair close by and sat down. Following closely behind Wufei entered the room and closed the door after him. "Tell me Wufei, why did you lie to my father about not knowing who the man arguing with Malon was?" There was a slight pause before Wufei let out a light sigh and began, "Princess Zelda discoevered what my temporary duty for your father was.She had a brief talk with me while I was heading towards the Lake. She explained with thorough details what had happened between you and your girl. I...pitied you...and your weakness...to do anything for the one you loved. But when she mentioned how she planned your escape with your woman I took the decision to postpone her punishment in hopes that by the time I got to where she was suppose to be...She would already be somewhere safe with you. And so I lied to your father.Tommorrow however, the truth will be inevitable to tell."
Link eyed him suspiciously before standing up and walking to the window. "Even if my situation was so sweetly put into words and you grew to have pity on me, why speak of Malon's safety the way you do. You speak of her as though you know her, as though you have met her before. Have you General?" Wufei's gaze fixed on the floor as he said, "She reminds of someone I once knew..." Link turned around with his hands behind his back and confused yet suspicious look on his face. "Who? Who has she reminded you of so much that you protected us from my father?" Wufei's head shot up to meet the Prince eye to eye. With a harsh and cold icy tone he replied bitterly, "Tis' my buisness, my own tale not for your ears to hear. But to give you an answer and subdue your curiosity let me tell but one thing. The woman I loved died in my arms thanks to none other than your father!"
Link's expression softened and he no longer looked upon the man infront of him as an enemy, but an ally. A comrade though not in battle, nor in friendship but in love. Both men had loved a woman that had been ripped from their lives by one man. The man wich gave both wounded souls a reason to loathe him with their entire being. Link's eyes now staring longingly at the ranch thought of no one but Malon. He thought only to hold her in his arms and kiss her goodnight. Her sweet face radiating like the brightest star in the sky, leaving all the other stars in shadow. He reminisced to those dark midnight blue orbs that where her eyes, as deep and profound as the ocean. An ocean that he could easily drown into bliss. Ah, but he could not forget her fiery red hair, so soft it was the winds playground. The wind wich so loved to tangle in her long strands of hair and make it flow entwined in the it's soft rythm, creating the illusion of a red river in mid air.
Turning back to Wufei who was now sitting on a chair trying to pull himslef together Link said gently, "Forgive my rudeness then.I was wrong to ask such an unbearing question to you, Would you have denied me of an answer I would have left the subject alone begrudgingly.However I can now understand fully your intentions and I no longer see you as my enemy." Wufei looked up at the Prince with a bewildered expression escaping his once cold facade. " I must thank you for what you have done for me.Please accept my gratitude as a token of my friendship...Wufei..." Wufei looked down and stood up to stand next to the Prince infront of the window. "I accept...
----AT THE RANCH---------------------------------
"Malon if there is something troubling you, tell me." Fiory told hger as she sat infront of the blazing flames inside her chimney. Her eyes seemed distant and she was lost in her thoughts. "That man I was fighting with was...my true love...Fiory...I loved him more than life itself. My love reached so far I belived that what was between me and him was truly destiny. Unfortunately my hopes and dreams only lead to my self inflicted pain."
Fiory stepped slowly towards her his boots making light taps against the wooden floor. He kneeled beside her and with his hand turned her face in his direction. "Do you still love him?" He said in a light tone sounding like the wind on a breezy day. Looking straight at him tears began cascading down her dark blue eyes, the flames creating the mirrage of tiny crystals flowing down her cheeks like rivers. "Yes, I still love him...with all my heart." Getting closer to her he cupped her face gently in his hands wiping away the small rivers of salt water from her cheecks. When his face was mere inches apart from hers and their eyes were locked together he said softly,"Then why did you let him go, when he still loves you the same way."
Shaking out of his grasp she turned away."Because he would only hurt me like he did before!" Fiory looked at he with compassion, her still form was sitting infront of him with her eyes tightly shut. He crawled behind her and embraced her warmly. "It is alright to shed tears for a loved one even if it only due to their romantic abandon. But how do you know he will hurt you again if you don't try. How will you ever know if you don't take the risk. If it happens again you can survive through it just like you have now." She pushed a little out of his embrace and lifted her face up to look at his. "Survived? Look at me Fiory! What have I survived!? Day by day I crumble and the sea of pain carries yet another piece of me into it's dark empty depths. I am falling Fiory! Slowly but surely I am! There is no piece of me that has survived! Perhaps it is only that my heart has chosen to latch unto that little piece of hope that still remains...but it is still falling. Perhaps-" He put teo fingers on her lips to interrupt her from going on any further. "If you do not risk yourself now you will regret it forever..."
There was a moment of silence between the two. the language spoken by them, silent in sound yet loud through vision.
Not a moment too soon the door to the guest room burst open and General Alexander stepped out tyeing the last belt to his armor suit. "Soldiers...they are coming this way." He said firmly looking out the window. "Their torches are lit! It is as though they were coming to raid this place!" Camry shouted from inside the room. "But what for? By the looks in their armor they are from Osirian. If they knew we were here they wouldn't need as many as them to get us to come with them!" Daniel said walking out of the room and into the living room with everyone's weapons.
"Their coming...for someone..." Alexander said in a low voice bearly audible. "How have you come to that?" Fiory asked getting up from his previous position. "Because Fiory," Alex turned to face him," they have with them a carriege, but not a luxurius one to have a noble or royalty inside. It looks old and worn out, discolored and with bars at the windows. From what I can tell." He finished turning towards the window once more.
"If they were here to get us,wouldn't they need more than one of those?" Daniel asked standing aside General Alexander. Alexander turned around and nodded his head. "That is correct." He then faced Malon giving her a firm stare. "What? Why are you looking at me like that?" He walked towards her and pulled her up, still holding onto his intense stare. "Who else would they be after? It cannot be us for they would need more than one carriege for all four and that one is fairly small. If it were the men they would definetely have more carrieges to carry all the wounded men. Let us not forget the manner in which they come. Torches lit, an old carriege, and about twenty to twenty-five men all together." Malon stood on her own now and looked confused towards Alexander.
"I am only one person, why would they need that many men to come just for me?!" Alexander's glare only grew with her question. "It is an intimidation tactic. They send as many as that many soldiers to one place to create intimidation. It is a strategy created for the soul purpose of preventing resistance from one person. In the past people even simple...one's were underestimated and managed to escape the capture. Since then this tactic has been in place." Malon grew nervous under his gaze and began fidgeting. "Still why me? Wh-what did I do?"
"There would be no time to explain even if an explanation was available. One thing is for sure we must get you out of here. A capture like this can only lead to bad news and as far as I am concerned you've done nothing wrong except help us, and that is no crime." Camry finished talking and grabbed ahold of her arm. "Good idea. Get her out of here Camry. Malon is there another exit in this house?" Fiory asked getting his armor on. "No, there isn't but we could climb on the roof and go down a ladder used to fix the roof..."
"What side is the ladder on?" he asked now glaring out the window. It was fearful even to the other general's the way Fiory was looking out into the distance, his eyes held a cold and brutal hate within it sent chills up her spine. His tone matched his eyes perfectly. "I it-it's on the side closest to the open path. Wh-why do you ask?" Malon asked him stuttering in fear. He walked to her and put his hands on her small shoulders still holding his frightfull gaze. "Go upstairs, out your window, and down that ladder. Hide somewhere safe close to the exit and wait for a signal to leave. Be agile, be quick and try not to make noise."
"Perfect! They have positioned themselves close to the corral! That may give you an advantage! Camry don't waste it!" Daniel said with smudge smirk on his handsome features. Fiory nodded his head and directed to go upstairs. Malon nodded back and turned to head upstairs. "Wait!: she said loudly and turned around facing Fiory. "There is no time to spare!" Camry said pulling her up gently. For the split second that their eyes met she thanked him and he accepted it. Tears formed in her beautifull saphires as his dark emerald orbs grew soft with care. He nodded his head once and said, "When General Daniel begins sharpening his sword at the window that will be the signal to leave. Do you understand?" Malon nodded and turned to leave again.
After the door to her room was closed there was a loud knock at the door. "These men are rather rude." Daniel said chuckling a bit. Fiory looked at him with a look that told him to get serious and opened the door. "By order of King Christopher the lady of this household must come with us!" A short pudgy knight demanded snobbily. Daniel started chuckling again and walked up to the man. With a defiant glint in his eyes he leaned on the door rim and spoke, "Unfortunately for you, Knight, the lady is not present at the moment so you'll have to return another time." He finished sarcastically, his arms folded across his chest.
"The lady was seen enter this property and not take leave as of yet! If she is here I assure you we will find her!" The Knight announced annoyingly and gave orders to be followed. Holding out his arm across the entrance Fiory spoke up, "What right have you to enter private property? Have you a document that permits you to do so?" The Knight raised an eyebrow defiantly at the general and responded with this, "If this is private property and not your private property, I assume, why do you stand for it? Is there something that you hide General?"
"Oh, we hide nothing. How dare you accuse us generals of higher status than you with such vulgarity. If it is searching that you wish to do than by all means do it. I assure you however that you will not find the lady here." Daniel stated rather aggravated and gained him a suspicious glance form the knight. "If it is a trick that you are trying to dwarf me with, it will not work. My men will search this place from top to bottom!" Daniel stepped aside and with a smirk held out his hand, palm up welcomed them inside. The Knight walked in and again gave the command to enter and search the house.
Five men entered and began examening the place carefully. After looking around a bit they looked to the rest outside and one nodded his head curtly towards them. They gave a nod back and entered the house. All were being careful and studying everything inch bu inch for clues of her whereabouts. Daniel walked to the window and began sharpening his sword with a bored expression. The sound og the long pointed blade being sharpened to it's maximum cought the eye of many. Some it frightened and other's it readied for any battle threat.
Upon seeing the sign Camry and Malon began heading out towards the exit of the ranch. Inside the search continued and there was still no sign of the girl inside the house. The Knight began to get irritated and sent about half of them to search the grounds outside. A long time passed, too long it seemed. the night was almost spent and the search had come to an end. The place was now completely thrashed. "Well it seems you were correct General," The Knight said already too agravated towards Daniel. "There is no girl here. Daniel looked upon the Knight with a triumphant gaze and an open smirk plastered on his face. The Knight only glared and began heading out. He stopped at hearing's Alexander's voice call out to him. Turning around he looked at his men and gave them a silent order to head out.
"Tell me Knight, Why were you looking for Lady Malon? What value does she hold for the King of Osirian?" The Knight smiled almost too cruely and walked up to Alexander. "You tell me General Alexander. What did the King want with your whore?" Alexander's anger got the better of him and with one hand he grabbed ahold of the man's thick throat.Keeping a tight grip he took out his sword and was ready to strike when Daniel stopped him. The soldiers entering with their spears at hand taking what Daniel was about to say right out of his mouth. Alexander glared at the man still in his grasp making choking noises trying unsucsessfully to get free. With one last silent warning Alexander let go and the Knight began breathing hard.
A soldier stood next to the Knight and whispheres something in his ear giving the man his smirk back. Regaining control of his breathing and standing up proudly again he bowed to the generals with a few last words. "Well it seems that all is well now. Until next time generals." He turned to leave and was almost out but he stopped right at the door and without facing them said, "Oh by the way, Where has General Camry been all night? I would be worried if I were you..." He laughed synicaly and walked out slamming the door in their faces.
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Starlighter:WHEW!!!! I AM DONE!!! lol I REALLY hope you all enjoy this LOOOONG chapter! It took me a while to write it but it was all for you guys who hve been EXTREMELY patient with me!!
Sesshy: If I were them I would have killed you already for keeping me in suspense. But then again I do not let such human emotions of desperation get to me, Lord Sesshomaru.
Starlighter: Oh, whatever! N-e wayz peeps u know what's coming...REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW!!!!PLEASE!!
Sesshy:Uhuh...so when is my story's next update?
Starlighter -frowns- Your asking me that now...AAAAAAAHHHHH!! I swear! I cannot please people! whenever I get one thing done there is always more! AAAAAHHHHH
Sesshy:Cut the hysterics and get on with this story so you can update mine.
Starlighter: FINE!! Ok so peeps ENJOY!!!!
Chapter 19 Is Cruel Fate
She took a deep breath and closed her eyes searching for any other sounds or footsteps. When none were heard, she reached for her dagger hanging on her waist, trembling all the while feeling watched. Everything grew silent in that moment, knowing better than to just shrug it off she wound her fingers round the hilt of her blade tightly. Light footsteps were then heard splashing on the water. Malon dove quickly under water and remaining hidden below the surface swam as fast as she could near the shore.
She saw the siluette of a man searching for her, his back turned slighty away from the lake.Rising up in the water's sruface quietly to where the water reached her waist she drew her arm back ready for aim.'Searching for me? Well you made the mistake of turning your back to me at the last minute!' Aiming correctly she released the dagger with all her strength at high speed. It flew towards him getting nearer and nearer, so sure that it would pierce the man ending his life she made the mistake of getting out of the water onto shore.
The man turned around just in time to escape the almost fatal blow with a small cut on his cheeck. Finally meeting eye to eye, blue clashing with blue, he walked towards her as she helplessely tried to back away slowly.Her look of shock swiftly changed to that of anger and despair.Seemingly saying it like venom she asked, "What are you doing here?"
However all he did was keep stepping closer and closer to her until their faces were only inches apart."Mal..." he uttered while scanning her eyes.Her anger susbsiding she looked at him confused. Instead of seeing pride,mochery,and sheer pleasure as she expected from him she saw hurt,guilt,shame. "Why are you looking at me like that?" She asked confused her words coming out in a much crueler tone than she meant them.
Still all he did was gaze at her, studying her angelic features as though drawing her portrait with his eyes.He wanted to kiss her, to hold her right at that moment but he 't. "Malon, forgive me..." he whispered, closing his eyes briefly. Malon noted tears at the corner of his eyes in which her confusion only increased.
Her eyes couldn't help but search his face for answers, answers to her temporary bewilderment.She wanted answers to her uncurable heartbreak, answers to why she still loved him the way she did. Too lost in her mind she didn't even notice that she herself had begun to weep. His hand had already been wiping away her tears when she gasped at his touch and subconsciously her hand placed itself upon his hand holding it at her cheeck.She nuzzled into his palm, her body was trembling wanting to close the small space between them but not budging.
As if he felt her same desires he closed the tiny space putting his forehead on hers and his arm wrapped around her waist holding her to him.She lifted her face to meet his gaze the reflection of the same desire shimmered through both his eyes. Leaning in to take the kiss he so craved a sudden flashback of him proposing to Zelda arose in Malon's memory.Before his lips even grazed hers she pushed him away from her and turned her back to him."Not again Link, not again.I will not fall into your trap again!" she shouted as if to the heavens, her pain eminent in her voice. She ran to the shore until her feet splashed in the water, then without wanting to she fell on her knees and sobbed uncontrollably.
He walked forward to her and stood beside her. Watching her vounerable form tremble with her cries he kneeled down and reached to her. Just as he was about to pull her to him she scooted away. With tears still falling and her voice shaky she managed to let out,"I ju-I just w-want to know w-why...why you toyed with my heart like that...Why?" Looking up to behold his eyes with her own, she saw that he still held that pained stare. He was still about to shed tears.Closing his eyes and letting his tears fall freely down his cheecks he stated calmy,"It's not...It's not like that at all."
The anger and ache returned to her gaze as she eyed him with hate.She rose from the water with her hands balled into fists, glaring at him with all her hate she socked him across the face. "First you love me! Then you love her! Then you try to kiss me! You vowed an eternal love for your princess infront of everybody and you tell me it's not like that at all?!" He opened his mouth to speak but decided against it, instead he chose to look down at the ground shamefully. "Now you can't even look at me.There was a time I use to think you really did love me, but I always knew it was all too good to be true. You always saw right through me and were looking at her. The only feelings you ever had for me were pity, shame, and lu-" "That is not true!" he yelled interviening in her self pity speech. She looked at him complexed again but anger soon took over again and shadowed her face.
"It isn't? Then what is. You seem to have a real problem with what is true and what isn't. You can never truly respond with the truth.But if now you can, than tell me. What i- What is the the truth you so dearly hide?" There was nothing but silence for only a moment, when he finally got the courage to look up, face her, and speak, " It's not true. I never cared for you like you say I do. I never saw you with pity, shame, nor lust! I beheld you with care,beauty,admiration,and love. To this day I still see you in that way but-" "But what? If you really cared for me as said than why her!?" she shouted at him all her anger spilling out of her each and every syllable. With each word she spoke a tear drop splattered onto the water creating ripples that reflected the moon light.
Falling once more to her knees she dug her fingers into the sand crushing it inside her palms. With her head bowed low, her breath uneven and her nose sniffling she mumbled, "Why her? If you really loved me, why are you marrying her?" He took another step closer to her swallowing the lump that had formed in his throat. "Forgive me, but I cannot tell you why...All I can do is stay away from you and love you from afar." She looked up at him, her eyes peering from under her disheveled hair. She stood up, pulling her hair back with her hand, her face now visible seemed so frail and beautifull to him in the pale light that shined through the dark sky. "If you cannot tell me why, if you can but give me your love from a afar, than keep it. I do not want your lies nor your promises or sentimental words. I want you! I have always wanted just you! I have wanted to have you in MY arms and hold you forever! I have wanted to FEEL your love not hear it! I want to see your vows coming true not listen to you preach them to me! Since you cannot give me that then do not give me anything at all!" She walked past him to retrieve her belongings leaving him with nothing to say.
When he recovered from his moment of numbness anger began to rise inside him as well. Acting out of what he had so far he grabbed her arm bringing her face to face with him. "Perhaps if you were in my place you would understand better my situation! Perhaps then you would be conscious of why it is only my words that I can offer! Possibly then you would comprehend why this time around I can't tell you the truth!"
Pulling her arm free from his tight grasp she roared back,"Well I'm not!! I can't understand so why don't you just tell me! TELL ME THE TRUTH DAMMIT!!" "I can't!!" he yelled in response, "I can't, I just can't." Slowly the volume of his voice subsided to a mere whisper."It is not worth telling you, the price to pay is much too high. It is not worth telling you the truth." "It isn't?" she said loudly. "What is this high price Link?! What is it? Is it worth your supposed love for me? Is it?"
He sighed out loud and bowed his head low. "Would you give your life to know the truth?" he asked slowly. Malon felt a shock run through her body as soon as he mentioned the exchange of death for the truth. "What?" was all she could muster up to ask. "Would you give your life to not hate me the way you do, to love me freely without a doubt? To be loved by me in the same way?" There was a slight pause before a sigh came out of her mouth and she walked slowly towards him. Holding out her hand she brought his chin up to lock eyes with him, a mixture of sadness and doubt clouded the beautyfull shades of blue in his eyes, while a storm of inner turmoil rumbled in her own. "I would give my life for you, I would give my life to at least live a few moments feeling what you spoke once of, beacause that is what I want. To love you freely without doubting your love for me or hating you for that matter." He searched her eyes to her soul for any doubt in her words. When he found none he shook his head and backed away from her.
"You may think that now, that that is what you want but it is not. Giving your life for that it is not worth it. Your life, your single being is too precious to lose just for that. Mal you have so much to live for do not give it all away! Not even for me!" He said turning his back to her."I will tell you right now you will die! You will die because of me! I cannot let that happen! I just can't!" Malon looked at him her brows knitted together and her anger overpowering her she yelled, "Then what is the point of this conversation! You come here, you vow your love for me, and I try to get the truth out of you but you give me the excuse that I will lose my life because of it?! You try to convince me that your love for me is true yet you push me away with the threat of death! How then do you expect me to just fall in your arms forever then! How?!"
"Tell me something Link, how is it that you can tell Zelda your precious truth yet you cannot tell me? How is it that she is not dead if she knows! What am I more vounerable because I am not a sage or what not?!" Link turned around immediately with glaring eyes, "She told you that she knew?!" Malon returning his icy glare with fiery one of her own replied, "Not exactly but it was only too obvious since she paid me a visit not too long ago!" His glare subsiding into a soft mellow look he said softly, "She was trying to save our love from ending...."
Malon chuckled a bit and shook her head first facing the ground then turning away from him. "Save our love from what? It's own demise? I think it is a little too late for that don't you think?" Not knowing hoe to comply to her question he remained silent, watching her walk away slowly back to her belongings. "For what it is worth, I will always hold you dearly in my heart...Mal." Turning quickly to look at him, her eyes a combination of rage and heart ache with fresh tears at the bottom of her eye lids she hissed,"For what it is worth!? I'll tell you what it is worth, nothin! The day you prove what you say, when your actions become louder than your words, that will be the day when what you utter out of your mouth will be worth something to me! Although I love you to death and I may as well always do, those words cannot help but hold no value to me at this moment. So save them for your wedding vow!" She ended her small soeech with painful sobs and ran away with her things in her arms crushed tightly against her chest.
However, before she could get far she crashed into something soft yet firm. Sobbing now a little harsher she did not pay attention to who it was until she felt a tight embrace. Thinking it was Link she rejected it and pushed away from it glaring daggers at the man until she noticed it was not Link but the fair general Fiory."Fiory..." she whispered and looked back to where Link was. He was still standing there tall and proud. His expressions were back to normal, he held no signs of just going through an emotional battle with the one he loved. Instead he held a steady disgusted glare at the man Malon referred to as Fiory.
"Malon...what has this man done to you? Are you harmed?" he asked her with concern evident and his eyes searching her body for any physical injury."I have not harmed her as much as you will be if you get any closer to her!" Link hissed. Malon glared at him and stayed by Fiory's side. "You have no right to say who get's near me or not.You are not my lover nor anything close to that.Do not protect me as though I were yours, you have your princess to do that for." A look of hurt passed quickly through Link's expression before he turned and called forth Epona. "Be angry at me,hate me, even stop loving me, but know this. I will never stio loving you. No matter how much you don't belive me that is the on truth. Farwell Malon..."
As Link mounted Epona, Malon stared at him with a longing gaze and when he dissapeared in the horizon she closed her eyes and bowed her head. "But I do...belive you..." Malon whipered before she turned to Fiory and smiled a sad smile that only made Fiory even more confused. "I take it you do not feel like explaining what this was all about so I will not ask. Forgive me though, for intruding. I have no emergency for excuse except for my concern of you being all alone. Forgive me Malon." Malon smiled and shook her head."I have nothing to forgive you for, you did nothing wrong. I am actually glad you came, I wanted to leave to run away from him and his torturing words. He almost fooled me again, and I would have been if it weren't for you. So thank you Fiory."
She smiled again and went to her horse.She mounted it and began to leave when she turned to Fiory. "Come let's go! Unless you plan to stay here all night!" Shaking his head he smirked in her direction and mounted his steed, together leaving Lake Hylia.
-Two Hours Later At the Castle-
Link entered the castle as quietly as possible. Passing the main hall he headed for the stair case that led to the guest chambers. "My lord?" said a voice to Link's left that belonged to non other than Quintus. "Quintus, what is it?" Link asked hesitantly. "The Lady Zelda has left for a conference at Zora's Domain she wished me to give you this letter. She said it was important and to give it to you as soon as you returned." Link nodded and took the letter from Quintus' hand.
"You may go now and rest my friend. It is late and a man at your age should not be wandering about these corridors at this time." Quintus smiled and nodded. "I bid you a good night m'lord."
After being left alone Link sat down at a chair in the main hall. He opened the envelope and found it blank."What kind of joke is this Zel?" Link aked outloud. As quick as he had said that the paper began to glow in gold and soon there was writing in black ink just like it should have been. "Nice..." Link said and began to read.
Dear Friend,
I thought that you would say somthing stupid like that so I put an enchantment on this paper so only your eyes can read it. It is in case of an emergency, if someone else should find this paper they could not read it. But to the main point as to why I wrote this. I have been watching you lately and from time to time seen Malon. I know that there is a risk in you telling her the truth and escaping to be together however there is always a way out. Link you must always belive in a way out. Hopefully you will heed that advice. Nevertheless it will require the power of a sage and as usuall the Temple of Time. Link read this very carefully, there is another portal in that temple that leads to the Temple of Nayru in Osirian. There is your escape. I knew nothing of this until I spoke to Rauru and he informed me of it. No one else knows of this unless you are a sage because only sages can open it. In ancient times it was used as the pathway to safety for people of one country to get to the other. Unfortunately as the century's passed only the sages had knowledge of it since it no longer became necessary for either country. If you really love her Link go to her an use that passage way to escape. But if you are going to go through with this do it before it is too late.
Much Love,
Princess Zelda
P.S. Good Luck!
When he was done reading it he headed upstairs and went for his chambers. His mind was swimming in joy, relief, and happiness that he would soon be with Malon and he would escape with her. But as soon as those thoughts came they left and doubt replaced them. 'What if Malon is falling for that wierd guy at the Lake? What if she won't believe me? What if she won't agree to escape with me? What if she doesn't love me anymore?'
During his walk to his chambers he heard voices coming from his fathers chambers as he was walking by. "I have recieved news my lord, General Alexander and the others will be here in three weeks. He is staying at a place called Lon Lon Ranch along with Generals Camry,Daniel,and Fiory." Link's eyes widened as he heard the last generals name. 'Fiory...he is one of my fathers' generals! Malon could be in danger!'
"Thank you Wufei, that is all I needed to know. However do you think that Alexander and Fiory could come and meet with me earlier? You three are my top generals and I wish to discuss the matters at hand with all three of you as soon as possible." Link cracked open a little and saw his father sitting in his chair and Wufei standing infront of him. Wufei bowed and looked up at the King and said," Yes my lord I believe they can. I will send word to them." "No need Wufei I already have. You are dismissed." Wufei turned to leave and Link began to walk away from the door when he heard his father yell, "Wait!"
"What of the girl? Have you kept an eye on her as I asked?" "Yes my lord I have. She is currently taking care of the men. However earlier this evening she had an argument with someone. I could not see who the man was but after a while General Fiory arrived at the scene and interferred."
The King eyed Wufei suspiciously and then put his hand to his chin. "Tell me General did you happen to hear the man's name? How is it that you could identify the girl and Fiory but not the man? Link leaned a bit closer to look at Wufei but in the process he pushed the door slightly causing it to screechy loudly.Both men inside the room drew their attention to the door. "It seems we have spy's among us.Wufei close the door on your way out.We will discuss this matter further in the morning."
Wufei nodded and bowed then turned to leave. "And Wufei, tommorrow you shall tell me who this man is even if I have to take it out of you. I want no more lies or you shall suffer the conequences!" Wufei resumed walking haveing only stopped to heed the King's words.Once outside he closed the door and looked around in the dark hall. "Come out Prince,I know you are here.You are not a very good eavesdroper if you want my opinion, considering you made noise and you let yourself be seen. You should learn to like dark clothing. You wouldn't stick out so much."
Link quietly stepped out of the darkest corner nearby.His eyes barely visible through the dim light glinted with the small incandescent torch."Is that why you are here? To spy on Malon? What other dirty job did my father give you?" Link hissed at him with venom. "My job is to keep an eye her. Making sure she has no contact with you.If she does I am ordered to choose and carry out any punishment towards her." Grabbing quickly at Wufei's throat with one hand Link pulled out his sword with the other.
"if you have touched her you will die right her and now!"
"Then you would die also dear Prince." Wufei retorted back dangerously low. Link looked at his hands and glinting in the moon light was a shine long blade right next to his neck. Releasing his tight grip on Wufeis throat he sheathed his sword and continued to glare at the man. "There is no need for such hostility Prince, I have not harmed...yet.Unless of course I strayed upon my duty for a few moments and you came into contact with her." Link cought what he was saying and nudged his head in the direction of his chambers. With a curt nod Wufei followed Link to his chamber's through the darkened hallway.
A little after entering Link headed to a chair close by and sat down. Following closely behind Wufei entered the room and closed the door after him. "Tell me Wufei, why did you lie to my father about not knowing who the man arguing with Malon was?" There was a slight pause before Wufei let out a light sigh and began, "Princess Zelda discoevered what my temporary duty for your father was.She had a brief talk with me while I was heading towards the Lake. She explained with thorough details what had happened between you and your girl. I...pitied you...and your weakness...to do anything for the one you loved. But when she mentioned how she planned your escape with your woman I took the decision to postpone her punishment in hopes that by the time I got to where she was suppose to be...She would already be somewhere safe with you. And so I lied to your father.Tommorrow however, the truth will be inevitable to tell."
Link eyed him suspiciously before standing up and walking to the window. "Even if my situation was so sweetly put into words and you grew to have pity on me, why speak of Malon's safety the way you do. You speak of her as though you know her, as though you have met her before. Have you General?" Wufei's gaze fixed on the floor as he said, "She reminds of someone I once knew..." Link turned around with his hands behind his back and confused yet suspicious look on his face. "Who? Who has she reminded you of so much that you protected us from my father?" Wufei's head shot up to meet the Prince eye to eye. With a harsh and cold icy tone he replied bitterly, "Tis' my buisness, my own tale not for your ears to hear. But to give you an answer and subdue your curiosity let me tell but one thing. The woman I loved died in my arms thanks to none other than your father!"
Link's expression softened and he no longer looked upon the man infront of him as an enemy, but an ally. A comrade though not in battle, nor in friendship but in love. Both men had loved a woman that had been ripped from their lives by one man. The man wich gave both wounded souls a reason to loathe him with their entire being. Link's eyes now staring longingly at the ranch thought of no one but Malon. He thought only to hold her in his arms and kiss her goodnight. Her sweet face radiating like the brightest star in the sky, leaving all the other stars in shadow. He reminisced to those dark midnight blue orbs that where her eyes, as deep and profound as the ocean. An ocean that he could easily drown into bliss. Ah, but he could not forget her fiery red hair, so soft it was the winds playground. The wind wich so loved to tangle in her long strands of hair and make it flow entwined in the it's soft rythm, creating the illusion of a red river in mid air.
Turning back to Wufei who was now sitting on a chair trying to pull himslef together Link said gently, "Forgive my rudeness then.I was wrong to ask such an unbearing question to you, Would you have denied me of an answer I would have left the subject alone begrudgingly.However I can now understand fully your intentions and I no longer see you as my enemy." Wufei looked up at the Prince with a bewildered expression escaping his once cold facade. " I must thank you for what you have done for me.Please accept my gratitude as a token of my friendship...Wufei..." Wufei looked down and stood up to stand next to the Prince infront of the window. "I accept...
----AT THE RANCH---------------------------------
"Malon if there is something troubling you, tell me." Fiory told hger as she sat infront of the blazing flames inside her chimney. Her eyes seemed distant and she was lost in her thoughts. "That man I was fighting with was...my true love...Fiory...I loved him more than life itself. My love reached so far I belived that what was between me and him was truly destiny. Unfortunately my hopes and dreams only lead to my self inflicted pain."
Fiory stepped slowly towards her his boots making light taps against the wooden floor. He kneeled beside her and with his hand turned her face in his direction. "Do you still love him?" He said in a light tone sounding like the wind on a breezy day. Looking straight at him tears began cascading down her dark blue eyes, the flames creating the mirrage of tiny crystals flowing down her cheeks like rivers. "Yes, I still love him...with all my heart." Getting closer to her he cupped her face gently in his hands wiping away the small rivers of salt water from her cheecks. When his face was mere inches apart from hers and their eyes were locked together he said softly,"Then why did you let him go, when he still loves you the same way."
Shaking out of his grasp she turned away."Because he would only hurt me like he did before!" Fiory looked at he with compassion, her still form was sitting infront of him with her eyes tightly shut. He crawled behind her and embraced her warmly. "It is alright to shed tears for a loved one even if it only due to their romantic abandon. But how do you know he will hurt you again if you don't try. How will you ever know if you don't take the risk. If it happens again you can survive through it just like you have now." She pushed a little out of his embrace and lifted her face up to look at his. "Survived? Look at me Fiory! What have I survived!? Day by day I crumble and the sea of pain carries yet another piece of me into it's dark empty depths. I am falling Fiory! Slowly but surely I am! There is no piece of me that has survived! Perhaps it is only that my heart has chosen to latch unto that little piece of hope that still remains...but it is still falling. Perhaps-" He put teo fingers on her lips to interrupt her from going on any further. "If you do not risk yourself now you will regret it forever..."
There was a moment of silence between the two. the language spoken by them, silent in sound yet loud through vision.
Not a moment too soon the door to the guest room burst open and General Alexander stepped out tyeing the last belt to his armor suit. "Soldiers...they are coming this way." He said firmly looking out the window. "Their torches are lit! It is as though they were coming to raid this place!" Camry shouted from inside the room. "But what for? By the looks in their armor they are from Osirian. If they knew we were here they wouldn't need as many as them to get us to come with them!" Daniel said walking out of the room and into the living room with everyone's weapons.
"Their coming...for someone..." Alexander said in a low voice bearly audible. "How have you come to that?" Fiory asked getting up from his previous position. "Because Fiory," Alex turned to face him," they have with them a carriege, but not a luxurius one to have a noble or royalty inside. It looks old and worn out, discolored and with bars at the windows. From what I can tell." He finished turning towards the window once more.
"If they were here to get us,wouldn't they need more than one of those?" Daniel asked standing aside General Alexander. Alexander turned around and nodded his head. "That is correct." He then faced Malon giving her a firm stare. "What? Why are you looking at me like that?" He walked towards her and pulled her up, still holding onto his intense stare. "Who else would they be after? It cannot be us for they would need more than one carriege for all four and that one is fairly small. If it were the men they would definetely have more carrieges to carry all the wounded men. Let us not forget the manner in which they come. Torches lit, an old carriege, and about twenty to twenty-five men all together." Malon stood on her own now and looked confused towards Alexander.
"I am only one person, why would they need that many men to come just for me?!" Alexander's glare only grew with her question. "It is an intimidation tactic. They send as many as that many soldiers to one place to create intimidation. It is a strategy created for the soul purpose of preventing resistance from one person. In the past people even simple...one's were underestimated and managed to escape the capture. Since then this tactic has been in place." Malon grew nervous under his gaze and began fidgeting. "Still why me? Wh-what did I do?"
"There would be no time to explain even if an explanation was available. One thing is for sure we must get you out of here. A capture like this can only lead to bad news and as far as I am concerned you've done nothing wrong except help us, and that is no crime." Camry finished talking and grabbed ahold of her arm. "Good idea. Get her out of here Camry. Malon is there another exit in this house?" Fiory asked getting his armor on. "No, there isn't but we could climb on the roof and go down a ladder used to fix the roof..."
"What side is the ladder on?" he asked now glaring out the window. It was fearful even to the other general's the way Fiory was looking out into the distance, his eyes held a cold and brutal hate within it sent chills up her spine. His tone matched his eyes perfectly. "I it-it's on the side closest to the open path. Wh-why do you ask?" Malon asked him stuttering in fear. He walked to her and put his hands on her small shoulders still holding his frightfull gaze. "Go upstairs, out your window, and down that ladder. Hide somewhere safe close to the exit and wait for a signal to leave. Be agile, be quick and try not to make noise."
"Perfect! They have positioned themselves close to the corral! That may give you an advantage! Camry don't waste it!" Daniel said with smudge smirk on his handsome features. Fiory nodded his head and directed to go upstairs. Malon nodded back and turned to head upstairs. "Wait!: she said loudly and turned around facing Fiory. "There is no time to spare!" Camry said pulling her up gently. For the split second that their eyes met she thanked him and he accepted it. Tears formed in her beautifull saphires as his dark emerald orbs grew soft with care. He nodded his head once and said, "When General Daniel begins sharpening his sword at the window that will be the signal to leave. Do you understand?" Malon nodded and turned to leave again.
After the door to her room was closed there was a loud knock at the door. "These men are rather rude." Daniel said chuckling a bit. Fiory looked at him with a look that told him to get serious and opened the door. "By order of King Christopher the lady of this household must come with us!" A short pudgy knight demanded snobbily. Daniel started chuckling again and walked up to the man. With a defiant glint in his eyes he leaned on the door rim and spoke, "Unfortunately for you, Knight, the lady is not present at the moment so you'll have to return another time." He finished sarcastically, his arms folded across his chest.
"The lady was seen enter this property and not take leave as of yet! If she is here I assure you we will find her!" The Knight announced annoyingly and gave orders to be followed. Holding out his arm across the entrance Fiory spoke up, "What right have you to enter private property? Have you a document that permits you to do so?" The Knight raised an eyebrow defiantly at the general and responded with this, "If this is private property and not your private property, I assume, why do you stand for it? Is there something that you hide General?"
"Oh, we hide nothing. How dare you accuse us generals of higher status than you with such vulgarity. If it is searching that you wish to do than by all means do it. I assure you however that you will not find the lady here." Daniel stated rather aggravated and gained him a suspicious glance form the knight. "If it is a trick that you are trying to dwarf me with, it will not work. My men will search this place from top to bottom!" Daniel stepped aside and with a smirk held out his hand, palm up welcomed them inside. The Knight walked in and again gave the command to enter and search the house.
Five men entered and began examening the place carefully. After looking around a bit they looked to the rest outside and one nodded his head curtly towards them. They gave a nod back and entered the house. All were being careful and studying everything inch bu inch for clues of her whereabouts. Daniel walked to the window and began sharpening his sword with a bored expression. The sound og the long pointed blade being sharpened to it's maximum cought the eye of many. Some it frightened and other's it readied for any battle threat.
Upon seeing the sign Camry and Malon began heading out towards the exit of the ranch. Inside the search continued and there was still no sign of the girl inside the house. The Knight began to get irritated and sent about half of them to search the grounds outside. A long time passed, too long it seemed. the night was almost spent and the search had come to an end. The place was now completely thrashed. "Well it seems you were correct General," The Knight said already too agravated towards Daniel. "There is no girl here. Daniel looked upon the Knight with a triumphant gaze and an open smirk plastered on his face. The Knight only glared and began heading out. He stopped at hearing's Alexander's voice call out to him. Turning around he looked at his men and gave them a silent order to head out.
"Tell me Knight, Why were you looking for Lady Malon? What value does she hold for the King of Osirian?" The Knight smiled almost too cruely and walked up to Alexander. "You tell me General Alexander. What did the King want with your whore?" Alexander's anger got the better of him and with one hand he grabbed ahold of the man's thick throat.Keeping a tight grip he took out his sword and was ready to strike when Daniel stopped him. The soldiers entering with their spears at hand taking what Daniel was about to say right out of his mouth. Alexander glared at the man still in his grasp making choking noises trying unsucsessfully to get free. With one last silent warning Alexander let go and the Knight began breathing hard.
A soldier stood next to the Knight and whispheres something in his ear giving the man his smirk back. Regaining control of his breathing and standing up proudly again he bowed to the generals with a few last words. "Well it seems that all is well now. Until next time generals." He turned to leave and was almost out but he stopped right at the door and without facing them said, "Oh by the way, Where has General Camry been all night? I would be worried if I were you..." He laughed synicaly and walked out slamming the door in their faces.
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Starlighter:WHEW!!!! I AM DONE!!! lol I REALLY hope you all enjoy this LOOOONG chapter! It took me a while to write it but it was all for you guys who hve been EXTREMELY patient with me!!
Sesshy: If I were them I would have killed you already for keeping me in suspense. But then again I do not let such human emotions of desperation get to me, Lord Sesshomaru.
Starlighter: Oh, whatever! N-e wayz peeps u know what's coming...REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW!!!!PLEASE!!