This is my first fanfiction so please go easy on it. If you like the story I'll keep chapters coming. If not keep it to yourself, please don't hate on it. If you find any errors, whether it be spelling, grammar or anything else please just let me know. I've been reading many of the fanfictions on this site but I just wanted to add my own to them.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Underland Chronicles or any of the characters, save the ones that I will be adding. Both the Underland Chronicles and the characters within belong to Suzanne Collins.
-Ssi
Luxa released Gregor's hand as a light erupted somewhere from the dark tunnels. As the light got closer it split into two separate torches being carried by Mareth and Perdita, flying on their individual bonds.
"Luxa! Gregor!" Mareth exclaimed. "We were just on our way to see how you were mending."
Perdita smiled as they landed in front of the two of them, "can we assume by your return that you are mended?"
"Yes," Luxa started as she stepped forward, tripping. Luxa wheezed painfully as she steadied herself, grabbing her injuries. "More or less."
"By that she means, 'more less than more'," Gregor explained. "We were forced to come back a little early, but she's on her feet at least."
Mareth had an uneasy expression but his voice didn't mirror it. "Well we are happy to have you home at long last," he said as Perdita extended a hand to help Luxa climb onto her flier. "You as well, Gregor. Thank you for returning." He smiled as he extended his own hand towards Gregor to help him climb onto Andromeda's back.
"Greetings again, Overlander," Andromeda purred as she lifted into the air and followed behind Perdita and her bond.
"Hey, Andromeda!" Gregor replied.
Mareth must've silently communicated for Andromeda to slow her flight, because Perdita and Luxa began to move farther and farther away from them. "We must speak, Gregor. Before we enter the palace." His voice was quiet even though they were alone in the tunnels.
"What's wrong?" Gregor asked.
Mareth chose his next words carefully, "Perdita and I took measures after you left... to keep certain things in the dark to the Regalian public."
"Yeah," Gregor stated obviously. "You didn't want them to know that Luxa was injured and in the Overland."
"There was one more thing," Mareth exhaled slowly. "Only Perdita and I and our bonds know about this one. Gregor, we tore down the last prophecy."
"You what?" Gregor asked in disbelief.
He pulled a small scroll from his pocket and handed it to Gregor. "This is one of two scrolls that we copied the prophecy onto before burying it with the rest of the ruble." Mareth said as he handed the scroll to Gregor.
"I don't understand, why would you do that? It was the last of Sandwiches words to your people?" Gregor asked, drenched in confusion.
"Think about it Gregor, if the Regalian people were told of that prophecy they would panic. They would ask why that particular prophecy was hidden, and why it was the the only one left. They would think that he abandoned them. And most importantly his last words to them would have been about the death of their queen… at the end of her family tree as it is." Mareth said solemnly.
Gregor swallowed deeply as the words echoed in his head… Or like the Peacemaker, your love shall fall dead. "He never says her by name."
"Nevertheless, they would figure it out sooner or later. We had no other choice." He explained as they flew over the city towards High Hall. "Did you tell Luxa of the prophecy?" Mareth pleaded.
"No," Gregor answered. "I couldn't bring myself to tell her."
"Good," Mareth replied. "I beg of you to keep that prophecy secret from her."
Gregor said nothing in response, but they both already knew that Gregor wouldn't tell Luxa.
As Andromeda landed in High Hall both Gregor and Mareth dismounted. Luxa and Perdita already stood there waiting for the two of them.
"The new counsel will be assembling soon. We must join with them." Perdita said.
"Back for less than a minute and the politics are already overwhelming," Luxa exhaled audibly as the quartet started walking towards one of the hallways.
"Actually, Gregor, I am going to have to ask that you remain outside of the counsel room for this." Perdita stated in a usual stony voice. In response to Gregor's expression she continued "This is not to disrespect you, but I would like to keep some distance between the two of you for now. The counsel already knows that you took Luxa to the Overland, we would rather them talk about you today and leaving you out of the situation entirely will make that easier." She explained before turning to keep walking.
"She is right," Mareth added quietly, "I am sorry Gregor." he said before following her.
"Yeah," Gregor responded, knowing they were right. "Have fun," he added to Luxa.
"I am sure I will not be having fun, you are lucky that you do not have to join," Luxa smirked at Gregor as she turned away to follow Mareth and Perdita.
"Yeah," Gregor said to himself as he watched Luxa walk away from him once again. He half wished that they were still in the Overland so it was just him and her and nothing else to worry about. But that was selfish and he knew it. "Lucky me."
"Rumors spread now and again throughout the Underland. It is a wonder that your love for her never got out," a voice behind Gregor broke his thoughts.
He turned to see the white eyes of Iris staring at him. "How'd-" Gregor started before she cut him off.
"Without the use of my eyes I rely entirely on my other senses. An emotion like love is not as detectable as easily by sight as many may claim. Through sound and smell however it is far easier to detect." She explained simply. When they had first met Gregor had assumed she was just shy, but he knew now there was more to her than met the eye. "When you came to me asking to fly the two of you to the Overland, that is when I first got the idea. But just now the jump in your heartbeat merely looking at her is what really gave you away."
"What are you even still doing here?" Gregor lashed out a little harsher than he meant to.
Iris backed away a bit, lowering her head. "I did not mean to uncover your secrets, I am sorry. I only meant to… I am here because Mareth asked me to stay in the palace as a messenger for the time being." Iris continued, "I promise I will not tell anyone."
"I'm sorry I didn't mean it like that, it's just not an easy subject to talk about," Gregor tried to explain. "Especially with Underlanders, to them I'm just an outsider… meaning I would have no future with her."
"I understand what it means to be an outsider," Iris tried to relate with Gregor as he rolled his eyes. "I may not be an Overlander, but I am a runt." She said. "When you are born blind, you are branded an outsider for life."
"I'm sorry," Gregor repeated, getting a wrong feeling that he said sorry too many times.
"For what?" Iris purred. "Being the only one in this city that does not treat me as an outsider." She laughed quietly.
Gregor was happy that that road went both ways.
…
Gregor sat on the couch looking towards the fireplace in the royal chambers of the palace. The small crystal fish sparkled in the small amount of light that shown through the room.
"I would have thought they had given you your own room," Luxa said as she walked into the room.
Her eyes drooped as she stumbled towards the couch. Luxa slumped into the couch next to Gregor, holding her injuries once again.
"They did, but I wanted to see you after the meeting. How's your stomach feeling?" Gregor asked as Luxa leaned her head against his shoulder.
"Never better," she lied as she closed her eyes and kicked off her sandals.
Gregor wrapped his arm around her shoulder as she kicked her feet up onto the couch. "Are you sure you're ok, Luxa."
"No," Luxa replied quietly. "Coming back to the politics and war is far worse than these injuries though. I- I half wish that you and I were still in the Overland..." she breathed heavily. "I know it is a horrible thing for me to say, I just-"
"It's not horrible," Gregor tried to calm her. "I know it's hard but we can get through this. You're the strongest person I know and I know that you will get through this… and if you need any help at all, I'll be here for you."
Luxa nodded but said nothing. Gregor listened as her heartbeat slowed and her breath lengthened. He knew that her being tossed back into the chaos of the counsel, on top of her wounds, make her unsure of herself, but with time to heal he knew for a fact that she would be strong enough to lead her people to victory over Vellac.
He just hoped that he'd be as strong as her when the time came. He couldn't lose her again.
It's absolutely amazing thinking that the last time I uploaded a chapter was at Thanksgiving. I've been thinking about a lot lately and i wasn't sure how to get this story to where i wanted it to go. I hope Luxa isn't too out of character in it, i wanted to show her in a place of...weakness?... before the next chapter. (The Toast Ninja, I can't PM you so I'm adding it here, I've made sure all the Underland characters don't use contractions and speak a bit more formally and have their own phrases that equated to some of the Overlanders. I could pretend that Luxa in this chapter just got used to the way Gregor/company spoke while she was in the Overland, and I'll chalk it up to that, but in reality it's because the last few chapters have all been written and uploaded between 11PM and 4AM when my mind is occasionally mushy) I hope you enjoy the chapter. As always please rate and review. Any and all feedback is welcome.
-Ssi
