This chapter was so unexpected. I mean, I had planned that Elizabeth would have a dream of Lady Esther telling her to leave but I hadn't expected it to be THIS long! I'm so pleased with it! It's one of my favorites! I love Ed-Edward...um, Cullen? Eh. Whatever. Just skip this part and start reading! PLEASE! I love this chapter a lot. I worked so hard. I love the two (you'll find out who) together...just so you know, it was much better in my head. "This was so much easier in my head!" -Aang, The Tales of Ba Sing Se. I hope you enjoy, review, and fall in love with this chapter! :3
This Chapter Is Best Read With: What's Your Name? by Jesse McCartney (I listened to this song the entire time I wrote this chapter, it doesn't exactly fit the theme but somehow it fits), Misery by Maroon 5 (Ed_ is in misery *wink wink*), and a bit of Requiem of A Dream (it's the theme song for this story)
Disclaimer: *checks list of things I own* Crud. the Kingdom Keepers isn't on the list. Sorry mates, I don't own it.
Chapter Twenty-Six: Stranger Dreams and Understandings
Elizabeth found herself in a familiar setting. She'd seen this before, a long time ago. It was dark and raining, the thunder cackled in the background. There were trees circling two figures. The boy had black glossy hair and the girl had light brown hair with streaks of darker brown. Elizabeth's old hair color.
Adam. Her. She remembered it all too well. Adam was nearly killed. She had no clue who could've shot him…until now. Elizabeth heard herself scream.
"Adam!" Elizabeth's sixteen year-old self scream. "Adam please don't leave me."
Elizabeth stepped closer. He's not dead. Elizabeth thought to herself. Elizabeth forced herself to look at Adam's image. He was pale, like in most of her visions, and he looked dead. His eyes were closed, Elizabeth so desperately wanted to see his special green eyes, but she couldn't.
"Adam. Please. Wake up." The sixteen year-old Elizabeth yelled. She placed her hand on his face; tears fell uncontrollably down her cheeks. "Don't do this to me. Adam! Please. You're my best friend. The one who's been there all my life. Don't leave me now."
Elizabeth waited there. Waiting for the moment when Adam would awake. But he never did. What's going on? He should've been alive minutes ago. Elizabeth thought to herself frantically.
Just then, another body appeared. He was on the ground too. Possibly asleep. But he didn't move. Elizabeth inched her way toward the boy on the ground. He had messy golden hair that looked more brown than gold. He wore the same clothes Andrew wore…Andrew! Elizabeth's eyes grew wide. She ran to Andrew's barely breathing body and knelt down beside him, just like her sixteen year-old self was doing with Adam.
Tears started forming, but she wasn't ready to let them fall. Elizabeth started panting. "Andrew. Andrew. No. No. No." Elizabeth said in dread.
Andrew didn't appear to have any wound on him. Poison? Elizabeth thought in fear. How could he have drunk poison? He's smarter than that! Elizabeth placed her hand on his face, just like she had with Adam. "Andrew, listen to me, don't die. Don't leave. Stay with me." Elizabeth choked but it was no use. He couldn't hear her.
Suddenly, Elizabeth heard a faint chant in the background. "Dead. Dead. Dead. Dead. Dead. Dead." The voices said.
"No! They're not dead!" Elizabeth screamed at the invisible voices. "He's not dead!"
"Dead. Dead. Dead. Dead. Dead. Dead." The voices repeated over and over again.
"Stop it!" Elizabeth pleaded. "Please!"
"You're dead." The voices said then everything went black.
"It's okay, Liz, wake up, you're fine." Elizabeth heard Andrew say.
Elizabeth opened her eyes. Again, she found herself gasping for air. She felt Andrew's cool hand in hers. Elizabeth looked up and saw Andrew at her side, smile in relief. "You're fine now, kid. It's okay." Andrew soothed her.
Elizabeth was afraid. And confused. Elizabeth scooted closer, and laid her head on his chest. Elizabeth let go of his hand to let her hand rest on his chest. She breathed in his murky scent and closed her eyes. Andrew stroked her hair and smiled to himself. None of them are dead. Elizabeth told herself. None.
Elizabeth found herself surrounded by black and mist. Oh no. Not another nightmare. Elizabeth thought in fear. Until she realized something. "Lady Esther!" Elizabeth called out. As soon as she called, Lady Esther floated before.
Lady Esther's smile was warm. "Hello Elizabeth." Lady Esther greeted her.
"Hello." Elizabeth said and smiled like a child. Somewhere, in the back of her mind, it reminded her of how she smiled long before Adam was kidnapped.
"Elizabeth, listen to me carefully." Lady Esther said seriously. Elizabeth nodded. "Now's the time you must go alone to look for Adam."
For a moment, Elizabeth smiled but a frown replaced it seconds after. "How will I know where to go?" She asked. "What about my friends? I can't leave them here un—"
Lady Esther raised her hand up to stop Elizabeth. "Your friends will be safe, I promise." Lady Esther said. "As for the way, my mist" Lady Esther motioned to the mist below her. "Will guide you. It'll show you the way. You must follow it at all times. Wherever it does not reach, do not go there."
Elizabeth nodded. "Thank you." Elizabeth said sincerely. "Oh um, Lady Esther, I'm sorry if this question offends you in any way but, who was that man you were dancing with?"
Lady Esther's face fell. "Elizabeth…" Lady Esther said.
"It offends you. I'm sorry! I shouldn't have asked." Elizabeth said and shook her head regrettably.
Lady Esther smiled. "It's alright, Elizabeth." Lady Esther said. Elizabeth let out a sigh of relief. "I suppose it's time to tell you." Lady Esther sighed.
"Thank you." Elizabeth whispered.
"A long time ago, when I was nineteen years old, everything changed…" Lady Esther waved her hand and suddenly, the background changed. It was no longer the pitch-black darkness she saw ever so often. It looked like England centuries ago in an alley. Cobblestones decorated the floor, puddles here and there. A girl, about nineteen, with bright orange hair, her green eyes were stunning and bright, came walking into the alley. Her clothes reminded her of the clothes Aurora wore when she was being kept with the fairies. She recognized the girl as Lady Esther. But back then, she was just known as Esther.
"…Because of him." Lady Esther said gravely. As soon as she did, Elizabeth heard a scream. Elizabeth saw Esther shrieking, being strangled by a big buff man with tattoos over his arm. To Elizabeth, he looked like Frisk, except older. Not to mention the man's unruly beard. The man's grin was as big as a watermelon. He laughed as Esther struggled to break free from his grasp. The man dragged Esther out of the alley and into a forest with out any sign of struggle from him.
"Oy, girlie, we're almost there." The Frisk look-a-like snickered as they approached an entranced, the same size as an ordinary door but nothing covered it, no door, no wall, nothing. You could see everything inside, the ground was still made up of cobblestones, and it gave Esther a gazillion cuts and scratches. There were many wells, wooden posts, houses, and people wearing black and red outfits running here and there.
"What the damn world is this place?" Esther shrilled.
"For you, hell." The man said. He then smiled when he continued, "For me, paradise." The man laughed.
Esther's expression became worried. Around her, she saw people being whipped in the spot, some were being scolded at, and others were tied to the posts. They all looked afraid. Their expressions betrayed pain and suffering. It broke Lady Esther's heart.
"Coming from the richest family in town, I was never used to seeing these people suffer and experience this much pain. I instantly hated the person who did this to them. I wanted to give him a piece of my mind. And that's exactly what let me do. That's exactly how I met Edwin…" Lady Esther's voice echoed.
Elizabeth watched as Esther was dragged into a big black house. It wasn't exactly a mansion but it was close. The inside of the house was dark; Elizabeth could barely make anything out. They heard a door open and inside the room was a single lamp dangling from the ceiling. Under the lamp stood a man. The man. Even in the dark, there was no mistaking the man's bright orange eyes. Elizabeth gasped at the same time as the young Lady Esther did.
"Who are you?" Esther spat.
The man smiled. "My name is Edwin, my dear." Elizabeth saw Esther scrutinize Edwin. Elizabeth had the exact thought she had. He was far too young to be using things like, my dear.
"Are you that wicked demon who has made these people suffer?" Esther asked harshly.
Edwin laughed. "As much as I would love to take credit, my dear, it was my uncle who started it." Edwin smiled. "I'm just the one who made it worse."
Esther's face displayed her rage. Edwin smiled at her. "What you want from me?"
"Nothing much." Edwin shrugged. "I want your money, that's for sure, I want your belongings, yes. Basically everything you have." Edwin laughed.
"Why do you need me? Why don't you just take it?" Esther shrieked.
"Because, my sweet, that would take out all the fun of it!" Edwin said merrily.
"What fun?" Lady Esther hissed.
"Watching you suffer, of course!" Edwin laughed and clasped his hands.
"You're cruel and horrible, I hope you know that." Esther muttered.
"Of course I know, dear!" Edwin laughed again. "Now go, go suffer." Edwin shooed her out the door. Before Esther could protest, Edwin slammed the door in her face.
"Ever since that day, Edwin made my life hell. But little did I know he was always watching from a far…admiring…" Lady Esther's voice echoed again. Elizabeth saw Esther was now dressed in a red dress with a sort of black top that started from her chest and ended when it met her skirt. Her hair was tied up but loose strands of hair dangled everywhere. Esther with her bucket in hand, was making her way to the well when two men grabbed her shoulders and dragged her back to the black house and to the same room where she first met Edwin.
"Hello my dear. It's been awhile hasn't it?" Edwin greeted Esther.
"Ten horrible months in hell. Congratulations." Esther said sourly, crossing her arms.
"I must congratulate you too my sweet. You've made it this far." Edwin chuckled.
Esther shot him a deadly look. "I'll die soon. Because of you." Esther said.
Edwin shook his head. "I'm not going to let that happen." Edwin said, his eyes softened.
The softness in his eyes caught Esther off guard. "Why not?" She asked tentatively.
Edwin blinked and his eyes returned to the hard evil eyes she'd looked at many times. "Because I have plans for you." Edwin answered smugly.
"Why'd you bring me here? I've done nothing wrong." Esther asked in fury.
"I just wanted to check on you." Edwin said. It seemed to Esther that he was uncertain of his answer.
"I'm doing horrible. Thank you." Esther said in mock politeness.
The corners of Edwin's mouth twitched up. "That's wonderful news." Edwin said. "Well, I guess you must be going now." Edwin said and motioned for her to exit the door.
"Thank goodness." Esther muttered loudly enough to make sure Edwin had heard her. "Good day, sir." Esther turned and left.
"…Ever since that day, I always felt that he was watching me. Everywhere. All the time. I couldn't figure him out. I didn't know that soon, I'd find myself falling for him…" Lady Esther said as Elizabeth caught sight of Esther in the same dress as earlier. There were now scars on her arms and a bruise on her neck. Esther made her daily trip to the well with her usual brown bucket.
"Esther, stop it. Edwin is a cruel evil monster." Esther scolded herself. "He kills people!" Esther groaned. "Sure, he looks attractive. His features are captivating. His eyes are fetchingly beautiful. I wonder what he looks like with his shirt off…no! Stop it Esther!" It continued that way throughout the week.
Elizabeth had to admit, that the first time she looked at him in her second nightmare, he looked pretty handsome. In a way, Edwin could pass as Adam's bad boy self—but less evil.
"…Finally, the day came when Edwin couldn't keep it to himself anymore…" Lady Esther said. It was dark, nighttime. Elizabeth spotted Esther exit the diner and walk toward the rack that hung her tattered rag of a coat, far away from the diner. She was absolutely alone. Everyone was inside the diner, eating somehow merrily since it was a rest day.
Esther walked up to the rack and brushed her hand against her brown coat. Hair fell in front of her face and she tucked it behind her ear. Esther sighed. She wished that she had a better coat. Then suddenly, her thoughts shifted to Edwin. Esther couldn't help it and smiled to herself.
Suddenly, Esther felt hands on her hips. Esther gasped and quickly turned. She wasn't able to get a good look at the man but she thought she saw Edwin's soft orange eyes again before his lips met hers. You're hallucinating Esther. It can't be Edwin. Esther thought. His kiss would be forceful and sexual.
But this kiss wasn't forceful, but sweet, careful, and it was as if he couldn't get enough of her without losing control. Esther closed her eyes. She breathed in his sweet scent that smelled of roses. Roses. Edwin had always smelt like roses. Whenever she'd smelt roses, she thought she'd seen Edwin staring at her.
You're not hallucinating! Esther thought, overjoyed. It's Edwin. Edwin… Esther kissed him back with passion. She felt Edwin smile through the kiss. Edwin brought his hand up to her neck. Esther groaned. He was touching the part where her big purple bruise was. Edwin's hand traveled up to her cheekbone. Esther groaned again. Another bruise, but it wasn't as big as the one in her neck. Esther started gasping.
Edwin broke away, worried. Esther was still gasping, but tried to quiet down. Edwin touched her cheekbone again, and again Esther groaned. Edwin frowned. He took her hand and led her back to his house. Esther loved the feel of his warm hands on her cool hands.
Edwin opened a door Esther had never seen before. It was made of mahogany and it was decorated with grand flowers and symbols carved into it. Edwin turned the golden handle and the two of them entered.
Esther gaped. It was nothing like she'd ever seen here, in the simple-like camp. It was grand and bright unlike the other rooms she'd been in his house. A chandelier hung from the ceiling, adorned with hundred tiny crystals. The crystals reflected the light and the room was filled with color.
Edwin's bed was huge and lavish. It was purple velvet. The headboard extended to the ceiling. When you looked up, you still saw the purple velvet, like a roof. At the sides of it hung thin curtains. Edwin's real curtains were shut. The curtains were red satin. It had interesting designs in gold silk.
Edwin hadn't spoke ever since he kissed her. "Sit." Edwin commanded and motioned at the bed. But it wasn't a harsh command, like his usual. It sounded optional but Esther could tell that he'd prefer if she did. She did as she was told. Her legs ached and trembled. She had bruises and pains everywhere on her legs. She watched Edwin walk into his bathroom. He left the door open but Esther thought it was rude to peek.
Esther tried to breathe without groaning. She had some kind of pain in her ribs. Whenever she'd breathe in she felt as if there was something sharp poking her. Esther closed her eyes and tried to concentrate on breathing slowly, being careful not to feel the stabbing.
When Esther opened her eyes again she saw Edwin walking toward her with some sort of kit. Edwin had changed into a loose shirt that formed a V in his chest, exposing his broad strong chest and milky skin. Esther couldn't help but stare at his chest. Esther blushed when Edwin smirked, telling her he could see what she was looking at.
Edwin knelt on the floor and looked up at her. "I noticed your legs shaking." Edwin informed her. Esther's blush deepened. Edwin smiled. "May I?" He asked for permission to lift her skirt. Esther nodded and he lifted her skirt. Edwin pulled out some sort of vial that contained some midnight blue liquid and applied some on his fingers. He then touched Esther's legs rubbing the liquid on her bruises. It felt so good. Esther smiled and looked at Edwin. Edwin returned the smile.
"What is that?" Esther asked curiously, clearly fascinated. Esther could smell it's sweet scent of caramel and lemon.
Edwin's smile widened as he applied more of the liquid on her legs. "It's nightsar. It has healing powers." Edwin replied. Esther's legs felt so much better. Edwin pulled her skirt back down to cover her legs. Edwin straightened up and extended his arms, reaching for her neck.
Edwin brushed away the locks of hair covering Esther's neck. Edwin applied more nightsar on his fingers and rubbed them on Esther's purple bruise. Esther sighed as she felt the pain vanish. Edwin smiled. He then moved up to her cheekbone and Esther felt the same relief.
"Thank you." Esther said sincerely. Esther and Edwin locked their eyes. Esther was mesmerized and so was Edwin. Esther's heart was beating rapidly. She literally forgot everything she ever learned. But one thought stuck—Edwin was evil. Esther snapped out of it. She looked away and blinked. Esther cleared her throat. "Um, Thank you, Edwin. For healing me." Esther said and stood up. Esther straightened her skirt and bowed. "Goodnight, sir." Edwin's face was expressionless.
Since Edwin didn't say a word, Esther turned and walked toward the door. She turned the golden doorknob and opened the door slightly. She hadn't heard any footsteps approaching when a hand shot from her right. Just like before, Esther gasped and turned around.
Edwin came closer, so fast Esther couldn't register the fact that his lips were on hers again. Giving up, Esther leaned on the door. Her hands came up and found Edwin's waist and face, pulling him closer. Esther wanted him. Edwin wanted her.
Edwin moved to the bed, but their lips never parted. He laid Esther carefully on the bed. The only sound there was their lips moving with the rhythm of their hearts beating as one.
"…I loved him. He loved me. I was completely happy even though I still had to work. Edwin had offered to stop all my tasks and work but I refused. It was unfair if I stopped working while the others did not. He didn't stop with all the orders but he became easier…I loved him so…" Lady Esther sighed. Elizabeth understood how she felt. She wished she wouldn't hate Edwin so, but he has Adam. Her Adam. "It continued like that for ages…Edwin didn't want to take it too far, I didn't want to go too far…I was happy, content, and in love…"
Elizabeth found Esther and Edwin by a waterfall, soaking. But they didn't care. Their lips were pressed together. Edwin pulled Esther closer, but they were already so close.
Esther pulled away. Both of them gasped for air. Esther kept her eyes on her hand that was placed on his chest. "Edwin…Edwin…Edwin" Esther whispered. Edwin pressed his forehead on hers, his arms wrapped around her waist, his eyes on her. "Edwin, I love you." Esther whispered. "I love you. I love you. I love you." Edwin smiled but before he could reply, Esther's arms were wrapped around his neck and the remaining space between them was gone. Esther's lips were pressed softly on his. Esther had tears of joy in her eyes and so did Edwin.
Edwin broke away. "I love you." He whispered and smiled. He loved her so; he couldn't even explain the feeling inside him. He'd never felt it before, but for so long, he'd wanted to.
"…Then came the day that separated us forever…" Lady Esther whispered. No! I don't want this to end! Elizabeth thought. But the scene changed into night. There were torches everywhere and people screaming. People were fighting everywhere. Blood, tears, pain, cries, were everywhere. Elizabeth found Esther trying to make her way to Edwin—to warn him.
"Edwin!" Esther shrieked. She ran but a man with blazing blue forget-me-nots grabbed her wrists. "Get your hands off me." Esther growled. The man grinned evilly. Esther returned the grin and then raised her leg to kick him. The man fell on the floor unconscious. "Edwin!" Esther shrieked again.
"Esther!" Edwin shouted, racing forward to find her. Both of them were pushing through the crowds trying to find each other. Finally they did. Panting, Esther bumped into Edwin. "Esther." Edwin said in relief.
"Edwin…" Esther sighed. She brought her lips up to meet his, making sure she kissed him, if anything happened to one of them. Esther kissed him with urgency and sadness. Edwin could feel his heart slowly breaking. "Edwin, I love you. Don't forget it"
"I love you Esther." Edwin whispered back.
Esther placed her hand on his cheek. "Be careful, there's someone who wants to kill yo—" Esther was cut short when she felt a sharp pain in her chest, like the pains she got when she would breathe. Esther looked down and found a dagger peeking through her chest, blood dripping. Esther slowly brought her eyes up to met Edwin's for the last time before closing them and falling into darkness ant nothingness.
"NO!" Both Elizabeth and Edwin screamed. Edwin caught Esther before she could collapse on the ground. Edwin cried. He cried like he never had before. Esther was right. Someone was going to kill him. By killing her. Edwin felt dead inside. Edwin raised his head up darkly. Instantly, it reminded Elizabeth of the time she found out Adam was gone.
Edwin stood up, his arms still around Esther's dead body. Edwin screamed. Then, Edwin closed his eyes in concentration, his teeth clenched. At once, all the men who attacked stood straightened up; they looked like they were about to be crushed. But they weren't. They were burned. When Edwin opened his eyes, all the attackers were gone, turned into ash. And the look in Edwin's eyes brought back all of Elizabeth nightmares. It's him. Elizabeth thought. The man who has Adam. Just then, everything went black.
But Elizabeth wasn't awake—yet. Lady Esther reappeared; she looked as if she had cried. The mist returned and Elizabeth felt safe. It was silent. Neither of them spoke. Elizabeth walked up to Lady Esther and wrapped her arms around her. Elizabeth was hugging a ghost. Elizabeth felt the same feeling of sadness Lady Esther had. Just seeing the way Edwin kissed Esther, it actually made Elizabeth happy. She loved seeing them happy.
Finally Lady Esther spoke up. "Thank you, Elizabeth. It meant a lot." Lady Esther said and meant it. Elizabeth broke away and smiled, her face glistened from crying.
"You guys were beautiful. I wished you hadn't died." Elizabeth chocked and wiped her eyes. "What am I going to do about Edwin?"
"Kill him." Lady Esther said. Elizabeth's face twisted in confusion. "I still love him. But he needs to be stopped. Besides, if he dies, he ends up here. With me."
"I'll…try. I promise. I can't wait for this to be over." Elizabeth said and shook her head.
"Good bye Elizabeth, I'll see you tomorrow, inside the base of the MalACEs." Lady Esther said and vanished.
Then, everything went black.
Elizabeth opened her eyes to a familiar room. I'm awake. Elizabeth thought. She turned and found Andrew's spot empty. Elizabeth stood up and stretched. Then, she turned around again and found all of her friends staring at her, their arms crossed. Elizabeth looked at them confused.
"You are not leaving."