Saber Rider and Voltron characters belong to their specified animation and branding companies. Please don't sue me. All OCs belong to me. Do not use my world or OCs without my express permission.
Special thanks to DrowningBlonde for being a sounding board for this story. Without your help, I'd still be stuck creating the world. Thanks for all the support!
Life has gotten in the way of writing lately. I am now only a couple of chapters ahead of where I'm posting, hence the slow posting. I hope to start working on and completing this story soon. Thanks to those who are sticking with it. I hope you feel it's worth the wait.
I am posting this chapter just for darkanimeangel8, who requested it.
April, Shinji and the Commander slowly make their way to the dining room. The room is nearly silent when they enter. Each of them takes a bowl of fruit and something akin to oatmeal with cream and molasses, along with juice and hot tea before taking a seat at a corner table with a few of the guards.
"Mornin'," Scott mumbles as he takes a large bite of fruit.
"Good morning," the others say as they take their seats.
Scott swallows his bite and looks beyond the three. "Where's Colt? I figured he'd come this morn."
"I've not seen him," the commander replies. "Not since he went to guard the temple."
"I left 'em there to lead the people to th'dorms. I believe he spoke with the Offeiriades."
"There's goin' t'be an assembly tomorrow," Colt says as he, Robin, Elin and Jason join the others. "No one is supposed t'talk about what happened last night. Not until th'assembly.
"Tomorrow? Why not today?" April asks.
"I think to give Gawain time to return from his mission, and to give others time to...recover from whatever happened," Colt replies.
April nods and looks to Elin as she sits down across from her. "How are you feeling?" she asks, noting the woman's look of discomfort.
Elin gives her a small smile. "My back is hurting and I can barely sit on this bench without pushing it away from the table, but I'll be fine. The Maker will be sure of that. Miss Robin is helping me find ways to sleep comfortably." Elin replies as she turns to the commander. "How are you faring, sir?"
"I am doing better, thanks to the Morair's therapies. I use the walker for balance now, but I hope to soon not need it."
"I am glad you are progressing so well. I was not sure the Maker was going to keep you on this side of the veil when you were brought here."
The commander nods. "I understand I was bad off. All that you and your people have done and are doing for us can never be repaid."
"I would hope that you would do the same should the situation be reversed," Elin replies as she begins eating her fruit.
"We would. I have no doubt of that."
Noises are heard in the corridor outside the dining area and all turn to look. Slowly going past is a small group of people, none are looking around. All are facing forward, following Derrag and another guard. All look exhausted and wary, none are speaking. Soon the group is gone from view and Scott goes to see where they went and finds no sign of them.
"That's odd. I wonder who they was?" he asks as he returns to the table.
"They looked defeated," Elin murmurs.
"Aye. Maybe they be from Doolin," Scott suggests.
"If so, Gawain will have returned, and I didn't see him."
"Aye, tis true. Maybe it's worse than we thought."
"This don't bode well," Colt concedes, as he approaches the group, after grabbing some breakfast. A bowl of fruit in his hand as he sets it down and takes a seat. "And Gawain looked livid last night. The Offeiriades looked exhausted when I spoke to her as well. So we should be ready for anything at the assembly tomorrow."
Merida is floating on her back with her eyes closed. The sound of the nearby waterfall casting echoes off the cavern around her. She feels weightless and safe for the first time since Seamus threatened her. She feels her husband's energy flowing through her and she allows herself to fully relax.
Richard is kneeling in the spring, his eyes focused on Merida. As he slowly sends energy her way, he feels her relaxing. Her song is calmer, her fear slowly fading to a tolerant level and he allows himself to relax, slowly moving so that he too is on his back, floating alongside his wife.
Both float in silence for some time, letting their minds clear they enter an almost meditative state. Admiring the sun peeking in from a hole high above. The sky a deep purple with silver specks glittering an array of colours as they enter the hole and vaporize, from the steam formed from the springs. Both have nearly drifted to sleep when their hands touch and both jolt back to reality from the sudden physical connection, their heads dipping below the surface before popping back up, Merida coughing and Richard running his hands over his hair to move it out of his face. Merida doing the same once she catches her breath.
Kneeling in the water once more, Richard reaches for Merida's hand to steady her as she catches her breath. Once he's sure she's steady he starts laughing.
Merida pushes her hair out of her face and glares at her husband. "Just what pray tell is so funny?"
Richard stops laughing, but can't keep the smile fully from his face, his eyes full of mischief. "The fact we both look like nearly-drowned rats," he manages to reply in an almost serious tone.
Merida tries to look serious as she closes the small gap between them, her face mere inches from his. "And this is funny, why?" she asks, trying her best to sound annoyed.
Richard places one hand gently on her waist, the other on her shoulder and smiles, "Because we've been so serious of late that it was funny to see us both so introverted and unaware that we both jumped when we touched, coming up out of the water looking so disheveled. I found it a nice break from our current situation. A nice...release," he replies simply.
"Aye, you're right about that. I'm sorry for how I've been. But I think perhaps the Offeiriades is right. Someone is trying to take my lifeforce. It's like this pull, right from here," she says as she takes his hand from her shoulder and places it over her heart. "It feels malevolent. I don't feel it right now though."
"It could be because of the springs," Richard suggests. "I am fairly sure who could be the one who is trying to harm you. Whatever makes these a place of healing, could be blocking this attack. I will do all I can to find out who is doing this and stop them, Meri," he says quietly, the concern obvious in his tone. And once I find out for certain who or what is doing it, they will be dealt with. His mood far more serious than just a short time before.
Merida sees his expression change and senses his change and mood, so she leans up and kisses him, in an effort to diffuse the tension building, catching him off guard.
Richard tenses briefly, before relaxing and kissing her back, moving his hand from her chest to her waist to pull her closer. She relaxes in his grip, as they share their lifeforce, the tension and worry, and fear dissipating leaving just them and their physical connection.
Finn hesitantly steps into the cavern having heard bits of conversation followed by silence, casting a brief glance their way just as they kiss. He goes to turn away after setting a basket of food down, to leave them when he notices a glow emitting from the pair, bathing the entire cavern in a green glow. He gasps, and quickly turns and leaves the cavern, the couple oblivious to his presence.
Richard loosens his grip on Merida and she looks up and smiles at him before she shifts her weight and pulls them both back under the water, briefly catching him off guard. Both come back to the surface, hair dripping and coughing. Merida laughing at the look on her husband's face.
"Your mood has certainly improved," he says unable to hide his amusement, despite having to shake his head to get water from his hair and beard, splashing Merida, which makes her laugh more.
"Sorry," she replies, her laughter ceasing, but her merriment still apparent in her face, her eyes shining.
"It's fine, Meri. it is rare for me to be caught off guard, even by you. I won't make that mistake again," he says, his eyes showing his amusement as he leans down kisses her forehead. "I am glad you are feeling better than last night and this morning. I almost don't want to leave this place. It seems you are safe here."
"I will stay as long as you do. I know we have duties to attend to."
"Aye," Richard replies with a sigh as he reaches up and brushes some hair from Merida's face."
Merida looks over his shoulder and spies the basket near their clothes. "Breakfast has arrived," she says giving a nod to the shore behind him.
Richard turns to see the basket before turning back. "Shall we eat, Love?"
Merida nods and both make their way towards the shore.