Chrono Trigger

"Forget me Naught": A chapter in which Glenn remembers the best days of his humanity and confronts the memories of his worst…

Due to Glenn's sudden surge in philanthropic longing, it was clear that their visit to this ancestral time was to be extended. This did not bother the others who still wished to rest from travel. Magus stared out of the Epoch at the distant blue horizon. Nothing was said or given to him, save it were a concerned look from time to time. His head rested on his gloved fist; he breathed in deep and sighed many times in thought.

This did not mean it was a quiet trip. Glenn was already very hard at work discussing plans with Marle. How would the food be distributed? Would the king be on board? How would they reach out to the Mystics and gain their trust? They exchanged strategies eagerly while the others would offer a piece of advice when it was warranted or if an idea struck them.

Before they knew it they were landing in Guardian forests and then walking toward the castle.

They were greeted just as warmly as last time. The king had waited patiently for their arrival and was joyous to see them. However, he had noticed an air of apprehension over Glenn. The pleasantries, as both Glenn and the king noticed, were mere formalities until they were able to speak in private. It was Glenn who had to break the silence. "Your majesty, may I speak with thee?"

"Of course, Glenn."

The plans were laid out before the king upon a table. His hands were face down on the polished wood, his palms holding his weight. He chewed his lip and his brow was furrowed. Glenn watched, trying to read his majesty's expressions and knowing that it showed displeasure. As time passed, the the displeasure seemed to grow and Glenn realized that shock had muted most of his demeanor. The shock was wearing off now and white-hot anger was left behind.

"Are you mad, Glenn?"

"No, your majesty. I am not. I assure thee, I am quite well."

"You must be mad. Only a madman would help the same monsters who tried to destroy us."

Glenn was silent for a moment and then said, "They are not the same monsters we knew them to be."

"Oh!" The king said with a scoff, "I suppose that they have decided that they are done with killing our kind? I suppose we can forget that at one point in time they had designs to slit my throat, that they've killed our country men, your dearest friend," at this point the king slammed his hands down and shouted, "abducted my queen!"

"My liege, I know their evils and their doings. I am not here to justify them."

"No!" He exclaimed, "You are here to excuse them!"

"I am here to end the war once and for all."

The king, still in his fury, could not grasp subtlety. "The war IS over. Our enemy is beaten down into the dust and there they shall stay."

"Aye, your majesty. For now. But they shall return and it shall be a different fiend at the helm. It was Magus, then it was Ozzie, but who shall follow, my liege? Who shall the faceless tormentor be? Who shall take on the mantle to right the supposed injustices leveled against them?

"Then we should destroy them all!"

"Then we would be no different from them."

The king sunk into his chair, his hands rubbing his face. In his mind he could not be convinced otherwise. How could he? It made so much sense. The Mystics would take advantage of their generosity, grow strong again, and attack when they were ready. How could anybody think any different, let alone the man with whom he had entrusted his wife? Glenn's last statement rang hollow, but at least the king had calmed down when he had thought on Glenn's many years of service. Glenn's loyalty was never in question. But where was this coming from? Why the sudden desire to help them? The king asked this as gently as he could.

"Why help these savages? What makes you think they won't kill our men when we take provisions to them?"

"Sir, they are broken and distraught. Their leader hath abandoned them leaving them destitute; Magus' replacement treated them with little more respect than slaves. Their figurehead is no more. They are a great and spacious building from whence they mocked and derided others, but a great fire hath come in their house and they have been brought down into the dust."

"Speaking in riddles, Glenn? Now is nary the time for it."

"I speak it literally, sire. Their kingdom is destroyed and they have suffered all manner of affliction. They have been humbled to the point of despairing. What proud building they had is now lain to waste and we may build there whatever we please."

"And what should we build there?" the king said, slightly mocking the tone Glenn adopted.

"We know that this is not the first time we have gone to war with the Mystics. Throughout history we have always lorded over them and left them in their anger. Never once have we assisted them; helped them rebuild."

"Good heavens. You want us to help rebuild their kingdom? To what end? We would have to tear it down again when they war against us."

Glenn shook his head, "Your majesty! They had never been shown a kindness even from their masters. What if we showed them kindness? What if we reached out to them and became the only ones who hath ever been there for them? We couldst help them rebuild their nation, but do so as allies."

"Charity wounds those whom it touches, Glenn. They will take our wealth, feel as if we pity them, be shamed, and then prepare to rend us again."

"Then let us make an equal trade, sire. They have skills with magic that we do not. You know it from battle; they can make studier steel, have a way with woodworking, and mayhaps we may even learn skills in magic itself. We can grow from trading with them, your majesty."

The king thought for a moment. Before his injury he would have proclaimed the use of magic as blasphemy. He recalled the day when Marle stood beside his bed and healed his wounds. Were it not for the use of magic, he would have left his wife a widow and perhaps the morale of his men would have left them open for domination. We may also take this as an indication of the king's character. Upon the idea of a newfound power, his dreams did not turn to war or thoughts of conquests, but rather healing the sick and infirmed within his kingdom.

"This course of action does not please me, Glenn."

"I know that it does not, sire; but I wouldn't dare ask it if I did not think it the right thing to do."

King Guardia sighed deeply, "I know."

The king walked toward a stained glass window that cast him in multiple colors of light. It was a depiction of hero generals from previous generations. So familiar was the king with his country's history that each piece did not conjure up a story, but rather torrents of feeling. These feelings came from his deep pool of knowledge concerning these stories and what each picture meant. The images that brought him the most happiness were the generals who championed for the meek.

The king turned to Glenn, "You will have the cooperation of Guardia...but know this: if they betray our trust there will be no stopping us. We will finish the work that was laid before us and I will bury them in the rubble of their own homes."

"They shall not sire. I give you my word."

"Then go, my friend. Leave me a while to think."

Glenn left the war room and made his way back to his friends. However, thoughts of the future and their possibilities caused tears to brim at his eyes. Before he joined his friends he went into one of the many rooms that lined the corridor. He made sure he was alone, wept openly, knelt on the ground, prayed to God, and thanked him profusely. He begged for the suffering to end and that his prince would live in a world that knew no war or famine. He begged forgiveness for the friend he did not have the courage to save and for the joy he once held for slaying the enemy. So caught up in his emotions was he, that Glenn failed to notice that the Masamune began to glimmer slightly before it dimmed again.

"Madness...utter madness…"

"Shush," Glenn uttered toward Magus. It was not a sharp rebuke; a smile was on his face.

Salty spray was in the air all around them, cooling their skin as the boat crashed against the pressing waves. Crono had perched himself on top of the crow's nest and peered into the distance. The rest of the party waited down below for word of landfall. It had only been three days of sea travel, but the captain stated that they would reaching the settlement of Chorus.

"How could we possibly get there so fast? It took us about this long to reach the Mystic city last time and Chorus is at least another hundred miles away." Marle asked.

"True, it was on land, but in truth we travel faster by water. It is not only the cliffs that made the mystic nation so inaccessible. The currents that surround it art formidable. But if thou'rt inclined to go with the current, it doth speedily take thee east toward Chorus. It requires a different and longer route to return." Glenn replied.

"That also explains why they do not report to Guardia regularly. It is more of an effort to maintain contact." Robo responded.

Lucca started, "And it explains why the Mystics came from the south during the invasion. Going against the current would take too long and they could have been defeated on the water."

Perhaps instinctively and out of curiosity, the group turned to Magus who was flummoxed by their sudden attention. His discomposure was nearly imperceptible. His eyes darted toward the sea in front of him and he nodded, "You wouldn't be wrong."

"Land ho!"

The party looked up to see Chrono perched atop the nest, one foot dangling in the air, the other against the rail, and a hand gripping the rope that was bound to the mast. His other hand shielded his eyes as he peered forward. It was still a solid blue shape against a blurry horizon and it quickly grew discernable details.

It was a short while and then their feet were planted upon Choras soil.

This place was not like Guardia. One cannot know the subtle differences unless they had been to a frontier town, but those differences permeated every element. The feeling of industry was strong. Guardia had always been a nation of growth, but Choras, its fledgling child city, was trying desperately to catch up. When there was growth in Guardia, it occurred in the outskirts. Here, growth happened everywhere. Ships lined the harbor, trading goods and preparing to travel to lands far beyond the Mystic kingdom and Guardia. The people seemed carefree with their conduct. While some would say it was less civilized, it does not accurately reflect the difference. These were adventurers, entrepreneurs, men and women who preferred to go out into the world to make their living with their own hands! They had no time for putting on aires. It was progress first and tradition last here, which gave the city a general hum that made it sound deceptively large. There was definitely less of a need to conform; people walked around in exotic clothing and only those who had put in permanent stakes to the city dressed formally.

"Ho! Those are some faces I haven't seen in awhile!"

Toma was there to meet them at the docks. Oddly enough he was not dressed as an explorer, but looked like a delegate. By his side were a few men who were decidedly much softer in appearance and they bowed politely to the party. Crono smiled broadly and took his hand as did Glenn. Toma noted their looks at his appearance and presented himself, "Not quite my usual style, no?"

"Thou must dress the part if thou'rt to be engaged in parley."

Toma tried to feign a smile, but it was unconvincing. "Why would the majesty entrust something like this to me? Being a sellsword, hunting down rumours: that is what I do. But playing at being a diplomat? Do you want to go to war again?" He laughed at his own joke.

"I hath seen thee with the men before," Glenn said with a nod. "Thou art a leader, Toma. That is why I recommended you. That, and explorers have no issues with relocating."

Toma guffawed and slapped Glenn on the back, knocking him forward. "A card you are!" He turned and gestured further down the road. "The governor's mansion is that way. Are we ready to go?"

Glenn shook his head and said with a smile, "Aye, the delegation is your part. I must ensure the cargo is loaded safely and that the deckhands keep to their duty."

"The captain can take care of that, Glenn. You should come with us." Crono said with a smile.

The reaction from Glenn was very strange in the eyes of the others. He stared at Crono as if he were thinking and then came to a realization. Glenn's mouth opened as if he had a shocking realization and closed it just as quickly. His next words were curt and aggressive. "I shall be about mine own business and thou shalt be about yours. Keep thyself out of mine affairs." His features softened and he bowed slightly as if offering a slight apology and turned around and left.

"What was THAT about?" Lucca asked.

Crono watched Glenn's retreating form and said, "He has some business he has to take care of. We might as well as take care of ours. As for his: it's going to be waiting for him at the ship."

Glenn strode past the crew. They acknowledged him but of course there was nothing he needed to help them with. This was a part of the journey that he wanted to avoid most. He meant to be there to make sure the routes of delivery were solid, that the crew was reliable, and that all the right people were In position to create a self-sustaining trade route. He did not have to meet with the governor. He did not need to meet with his daughter. He did not need to see Eliza.

He entered into a cabin set aside for him. Upon his desk were various plans and trade agreements all with the necessary signatures. Toma would take the rest of the trade matters into his capable hands with the governor. They would need the paperwork to be organized which is what he began to do.

"Glenn?"

Glenn was startled, notwithstanding how softly she called his name. Perhaps it was the softness that surprised him so. So many times he held her as she said his name. So familiar yet long had he lived without it that upon hearing it again it cut into him like a knife. He turned and saw her.

She was as beautiful as the day he left.

She fidgeted with her hands, looking down and smiling bashfully. She stepped forward and Glenn stepped back. Her smile faltered after that and she cleared her throat. "Toma hath said that thou wouldst be overseeing the establishment of the trade route. I hath hoped to see thee again."

Glenn avoided looking at her eyes, "Have you?"

Her lips tightened at his flippancy. "Is that so hard to believe?"

He looked at her and glared, "Look at me." He gestured harshly at his face.

She stared at him, long and intently. For a few moments he met her gaze, but he could not maintain it. He looked down and away as she watched him. He turned his back to her and leaned on the table before him. He breathed in deep and said, "I heard you have not married."

She smiled wryly, "I am spoken for. I just do not know what my beloved waits for."

He spoke harshly, "I hath told it to thee: forget me."

"I would rather die alone."

He whirled about and stormed up to her, "Why? Why torture thyself? You have a chance at a life! To have children that shall not be malformed like…" He paused and lowered his head. His eyes brimmed with tears that he fought back. He sighed, his shoulders sagging, "I deserve this form. I will not pass it on to little innocents. I would not wish that on anyone."

"If thou art fearful of such a thing, then we shall not have children."

"Even from the time that I knew thee thou hast always desired children."

He was startled as her hand caressed his face. He looked up at her and she smiled at him so lovingly. He remembered the first time she touched him after his transformation at the hands of Magus, or rather, Lavos. He could remember the recoil and the look of shock on her face at the feel of his skin. There was no hesitancy now, or look of shock. There was love there, but there was also a sense of fascination. He leaned his cheek into her hand. He sighed as if an itch has been scratched or if some salve banished a pain that had long since plagued him. She breathed in deep and said, "If I cannot have have children with the man I love, then I shall at least have the man I love and be happy."

"My love…" The words felt so good coming out of his mouth. He had not uttered those words for so long that it was almost shocking to utter them, as if he uttered a sacred phrase from an unworthy tongue. He took her hands in his own and looked at her face. He could tell by her face that she was surprised as well at his confession. Tears of happiness were forming that she did not expect to be there. This conversation has occurred so many times before and with so many heartbreaking results. A silver lining had dawned and hope began to show. The sudden break was exciting and it showed in her face. "I want thee to have both. To live alone is a horrible life...I have done it for so long now…"

"Thou have no need to do so, my beloved."

"I have missed thee...so much."

"And I thee."

She leaned forward and kissed his cheek. He noticed a bit of hesitancy, but now his eyes were open. He no longer saw it as disgust. It was fear. Fear of the idea that she would somehow shirk or offend him. It was now Glenn that reached out after taking off his glove. He hand graced her cheek and she leaned into it. He marveled at the smoothness and the warmth of it. He kissed her cheek in turn. They embraced and held each other for some time.

When they finally separated, Glenn looked at Eliza and gave her a bittersweet smile. "I still believe that thou wouldst have a fullness of happiness if thou found another. It hath taken this long just for me to admit my loneliness."

"A good man is worth waiting for." They both chuckled and rested their foreheads against each other.

"I know thou hath been so patient...may I have more time to think on it?"

"I will always wait for thee, no matter how long it shall take."

They stayed together for a long time, enjoying the company of the other. It was only when they heard the distant sound of a bell that they were aware of the passage of time. They left together and walked toward the governor's mansion, speaking as old friends. They had no shortage of things to talk about as they recounted their journeys and the going-ons in their lives. As they grew closer Glenn thought on what had changed to bring about this event. He made a note to thank Chrono and to finally ask him in detail about his new uncanny abilities. Meanwhile, he was going to enjoy every moment he had with Eliza. After all, there was much wasted time to make up for.

Author's note: I certainly did not mean to wait so long to post a new chapter. So, I am a manager now of a store and trying to settle student loans before I go for a master's degree. I work 44 hours a week, a wonderful wife I need to spend time with, and a house to save up for. So, please take it that I found time to write and post that I have every intention of seeing this to the end. I hope you enjoyed the update. Thank you all for your patience and time. You are all the best readers a hobbyist writer can ask for. :D