Chapter 4: Leaving Domremy

Staring at the star-lit sky of daytime, Jeanne stretched, feeling her bones pop and crack., letting out a sigh of relief. Strange how the stars were out in the middle of daylight, but who was she to question such things. It was a sight to behold. As if the sky were filled with jewels and diamonds glittering in the sunlight, each jewel illuminating the light in different hues. It delighted the young Jeanne.

Surrounded by golden lilies and violet roses, the fragrance in the air was a delight to her. Yet a storm brewed overhead. Dark and ominous clouds gathered off in the distance, cracking with thunder and lightning. Putting her hand on the ground, she could feel the ground shake and tremble.

Shouts of anger and pain filled the air, filling Jeanne's heart with great fear. "This is what war is," Michael murmured beside her.

"Oh!" Jeanne yelped in surprise as the archangel knelt beside her. His pristine golden locks, fluttering in the wind, her sapphire eyes focused on the grey clouds, "The enemy delights in the turmoil of man. For one hundred years, he has triumphed and delighted in the deaths of untold numbers of souls. Souls that without this cursed war could have been saved were not for man's greed."

Fire erupted from the earth, spraying noxious gas that wilted and grayed the trees on the ground as birds fell out of the air. "See how war even corrupts the air, land, and sea. It is an abomination to God."

"The Lord has had enough of this. It is time." Saint Michael murmured.

Jeanne, filled with utter determination, nodded in agreement, "Tell me, I beg, to whom must I go to to turn the tide?"

Michael waved his hand, the field before her evaporated. Looking down, there was a round courtyard with red clay tiles. At the center of this courtyard was a pointed tower with dark blue tiles that contrasted greatly with the pale limestone walls of the castle and town.

"You must bring our noble cause to the brave Lord of Baudricourt. He will not believe you, and you will be deaf in your request. God will overcome the grand lord's pride till he submits himself to you."

Jeanne nodded as she studied the castle. She had only been Vaccoulier once in her life, on pilgrimage to the church there. Yet, she still recalled the tallest building in the city—the blue tower she often stared at, in wonderment.

"But where is the King? Surely the King is not at Vaccoulier."

Saint Michael nodded, "At Chinon, you will see the great Dauphin, surrounded by his courtiers. God will know how to make him known to you, even in simple and humble garments."

"Pardon?" Jeanne looked at her angelic friend, "I don't understand."

Michael nodded with a bemused smile.

"In due time, right?"

The angel nodded as he pointed behind him as the clouds parted. A tremendous golden mountain with jewel snow and glass flowers appear glittering with rubies, sapphires, and emeralds. At the top, she could barely make anything out, for her eyes blinded by the radiant glory that sat at the peak. Yet under the stunning light, she could see two figures, both glad in crowns of fine gold-trimmed cloaks of violets. They wore shining glittering armor that shown as the stars of Heaven.

One man was elderly and wise, with a graying beard that sat upon his hairy brow, knelt with a sword in hand. The other much younger, full of vitality and life, chanted their prayers. "Tell the Dauphin that both Charlemagne and Louis have been offering prayers and sacrifice for the liberation of their descendants. It is time to free the Eldest Daughter from the hands of the serpent!"

Yet there was no sign of this victory; the clouds loomed closer and closer, consuming all things cast under its shadow. Decaying and corrupting all things it touched. A rotting stench filled her nose. The vilest of smells. Sulfur and decay, burnt and hazy.

Jeanne studied all this, pondering these things in her heart. "I will…" Jeanne swore, "I will do all things the Lord wishes to stop this madness."

Saint Michael seemed pleased with the response. With a clap of his hands, she shot up awake from her bed. It was still relatively dark. Purple and orange hues started to make themselves known as the sun slowly crept up. Next to her, Catherine was still sleeping soundly.

"Oh sweet Catherine… my heart weighs heavily upon me…" Jeanne murmured as she lifted up her pillow revealing the two flower embroidered socks. Putting her feet down on the cold wooden floor, she knelt down beside sleeping Catherine. "I'm sorry I won't be here for Christmas…" Jeanne whispered as she gently lifted her sister's hand. She tucked the socks into her sister's arms. "Dear… Catherine…." She shut her eyes tightly, trying to fight back the dears. "I love you more than anything on this planet, my little rose." She leaned, kissing her on the forehead.

"Please take care of Momma and Pappa until I come back…" She stood up and moved over to her bed. Reaching down, she picked up the bag she had packed. Changing out of her nightwear, she slipped on a pair of trousers, a shirt, and her trusty purple apron. Lastly, she donned the purple cloak that would indeed be needed for the long cold nights.

Lacing up her leather shoes, she looked over to see Pierre's bed was empty. The sheets were tidied up, and the bed was made. Following her brother's example, Jeanne quickly made her bed. Before leaving the bedroom loft, she noticed the door to her parents' room was closed. Listening intently to her father's snoring. How she would miss it of all things. Lingering around the room, her violet eyes teared up, falling upon Catherine again… "I'm so sorry…" She whispered as she turned and eased her way down the steps.

Thankfully, by the grace of the good Lord, the steps were tranquil and rested this morning. Not a single creak was heard. Walking into the kitchen, she saw the white fabric. Approaching reverently, she reached for the fabric and rolled it up, and wrapped it around her girdle belt.

Stepping outside the home, she walked through the vegetable garden and into the stable. There she saw her brother preparing Maria and Castello, their mounts, for the journey.

"Good morning, Jeanne!" Pierre greeted loudly.

Truly dumbfounded at her brother's loudness, she brought her finger to her lips. "Oh… yeah.. Sorry…"

Walking over to the horse, she looked over the harnesses. The saddles were already packed with provisions for the trip. "You did a good job this morning, Pierre."

"I wanted to make sure we had everything. I found two extra blankets we can use for bedrolls."

That would be very helpful for the trip. The nights have been getting colder than what she was accustomed to.

"What are you two doing?" No. No. No. Nonononono...

Jeanne's heart sank to the most bottomless pits. The unmistakable voice full of youth and vitality…, was full of surprise and sorrow. "P-p-Pierre… Jeanne, you're leaving…? You're going to leave me…?" The desperation in Catherine's heart was smashing Jeanne's fragile composure, "And you didn't tell me…?"

"C-C-Catherine…" Jeanne whispered, rubbing her arm; her gaze fell to the ground. How could she even lift her eyes to her sister, whom she had clearly wounded deeply?

Catherine fell to the ground, her knees dropping deep into the mud. Her nightgown soiled in the filth of the animal pens. "D-do you don't love me anymore?" Her voice trembled; her head sank into her eyes, "since you… want to leave… me…?" She heaved in a sob, crying out in pained anguished.

"Catherine…." Pierre whispered, turning away slightly, lest his sisters see his own tears.

Jeanne took a few steps to Catherine, desperately wanting to lift her up... yet, upon reaching her sister, she lost her strength. Her legs gave out.

Dropping to her owns knees in front of Catherine, she embraced her sobbing sister, ignoring the mud and dampness of the pen. She held her sister tightly, not daring to let go. "I love you…" Jeanne whispered into her sister's ear as she began to weep her own tears. How could her sister challenge their love for her? How could she question the affection they had for their beloved little Catherine? The rose of the family? The little cub of the Arc family?

It was almost too much to endure.

"It is not so…" Catherine shook her head bitterly despite being in the embrace of her sister, "You are leaving our parents… You are leaving me… who will take care of us? Why can I not come? Why hide it from me….? Why?" She hissed with grief as her tears renewed with viciousness.

Jeanne bit her lip, trying to hold back the choked sobs that threatened to break through, "I… I…" Her mind just could not focus with the sea's turmoil in her heart. "I… am sorry… Catherine…" Jeanne wept bitterly onto the shoulders of her little Catherine, "I should have told you and Pierre…" She heaved, pulling her sister more profound into the embrace, resting her head on Catherine's shoulder.

"Jeanne…?" Pierre turned back around, wiping the tears away,

Looking up to the sky, with tear streaks ruling down her red cheeks, Jeanne confessed. "St. Catherine and Margaret visited me… that's true… because Saint Michael… He told me it was the Lord's will to free France…. The other… two… were sent to comfort me…" Her voice shook as she bit her lip as hard as she could, to the point of drawing blood as she tried to stop the onslaught of the inner turmoil, "I… I… am sorry I kept it secret….. I didn't want to hurt you, dear Catherine…. For you are too precious to my heart…." She shut her eyes tightly, doing everything in her power to control herself, "I… didn't want to put you through that pain…"

Her sister's erratic breathing slowly calmed, her sobs fading away like a storm passing by, albeit slowly. Catherine looked up, seeing a trickle of blood from Jeanne's lip. "Jeane…. I won't cry anymore…" Catherine murmured in a hushed voice, "Seeing that it troubles you so dearly… The day you said St. Catherine visited, I knew it was to be true. You have great things ahead of you…" Catherine murmured softly into her sister's chest.

"They said that God will bless our family if I faithfully obey," Jeanne explained, not able to face her sister.

Her sister rose up, cupping Jeanne's cheeks softly, "Promise me one thing, dear Jeanne."

The sea started to calm, the clouds lifting; Jeanne opened her eyes, her sad, sullen violet eyes falling upon her sister. "Promise you'll come back home."

"You have my word." Jeanne nodded with a timid smile, "I will come back home after I've accomplished God's will." She said in a hushed voice.

Catherine nodded, wiping away some of the blood on her sister's chin. "I'll hold you to that." With that, Catherine stood up, lifting up her older sister from the mud, "Dear sister, is there anything I can do… to help you in your mission?"

Jeanne, still clutching her sister, embraced her one more time, "Be pure of soul and body with God. Offering all things great and big, up to Him." She held her sister tightly, "We walk different paths that lead to the same end. We share in the same glory in Heaven." Looking down, she planted a kiss upon her sister's head, one last time, "Goodbye Catherine, prayer for me and pray for France while I fight for her."

"Pierre…" Catherine rushed to embrace her older brother, "Best look after our Jeanne."

"Don't worry, Cat, I will. We'll be home before you know it."

Having said their heartfelt goodbyes, the two Arcs mounted their horses and waved to their youngest sister. Each trot of their horses felt like a nail being pounded into Jeanne's heart. Do not worry, Jeanne… this will not be the last time you see her.

That eased the pain to hear Catherine's patron saint speak to her.

"We're going to have to wash that cloak," Pierre pointed out.

Looking down, she noticed how soaked her cloak and trousers were from the mud. "I believe you're right…" Jeanne murmured in a soft tone as they went further and further out. Following the road, they came upon the Fairy tree. Turning her horse around, she could see the sunrise slowly over Domremy's church tower, which rang, calling people to Lauds, the morning prayers.

"Come on…" Pierre frowned as he turned his around, "Staying will make the pain worse…"

Reluctantly, she agreed as she reared her Maria around, tears rolling down her cheeks. "Goodbye, Domremy."

For you alone, O my God, I will leave my Father, and all my dear family and my beautiful church steeple. For you, I am going to leave and go fight in the war; For you, I am going to leave my valley, my flock of sheep.

Instead of lambs, I will lead an army. I will give you all my joy. To please you, Lord, I will take up the sword, instead of playing among the wildflowers.

My voice, now mixed with the whisper of the breeze must soon ring out in the midst of combat; Instead of the dreamy sound of a faint bell, I'll hear the clatter of men at arms.

I desire the Cross… I love the sacrifice!

Oh deign to call me, I am ready to suffer. To suffer for Your love is joy to me. Jesus, my Beloved, I want to die for you." St. Joan's prayer in St. Therese's play.

A/N

Hey guys…

I have to say that this has been the shortest, yet most painful chapters for me to write. There were times where I had to pause to write, because I was getting a bit emotional lol. It was hard, ya know?

I tried placing myself in St. Joan's shoes, and no matter what I could think of, it resulted in the same conclusion, it must have been hard. She really did love her home and family.

I figured this would be a good way of leaving the "Domremy" Arc- heh… I just couldn't write more after this

Also, my confession. I'm a bit confused with the historical sources. There is some inconsistency on Catherine, whether she was older or younger. I went with the younger, but there's a chance she might have been older than Jeanne. But I don't regret my decision.

*BIG NEWS*

I might have a new Beta reader, Ms- AtomicBomb, we're still in the middle of sorting things out and such, more like she asked if I needed beta, and I was like "yes please!" xD

But check out some of her stories if you haven't done so already, she's a great writer. (And in my opinion) Definitely a good artist. Chibi Jeanne, just saying. It'll be great starting the second… Arc ;)

Also, some personal updates… if ya haven't figured it out, I'm Catholic xD, but I have a particular devotion to St. Therese and St. Joan. I learned that there is a consecration prayer to St. Jeanne which I plan on making on her feast day (in one of her church's as a 'mini pilgrimage') So to say I am excited for this opportunity is…. Well no way near close lol, May 30, please get here soonnnnnnnnnnnnn (Also… same day as Marian consecration renewal, so like double whammy lol)

Alright, sorry xD, rambling too much.

As always my dear reader, I am and will always be your most faithful and humble servant.

Sauron