Forbidden Chains
By: rainjewel
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"Hmmm...grraggle snarf," said Chid. He blinked open his eyes and looked at the sky. Through the darkened treetops Chid could see it was still dark. For a second he couldn't remember where he was. He knitted his eyebrows in thought, and remembered his mad dash from the castle. Why am I here in the middle of the field? I should have chosen a safer place to sleep, he thought. He tried to remember going to sleep, but he couldn't.
Chid closed his eyes and curled his chin into his chest. Instead, however, his chin hit something very soft and very fuzzy. The Prince quickly opened his eyes. Some creature was lying right next to him! He moved his free hand to grab his sword, but realized that he had a hold of the thing's wrist and hand. What in the world is going on here? he thought. Chid looked at the hand, and recognized it, then he realized who's red-streaked black hair his chin was resting on. It was Akaro, and she was fast asleep.
Chid let his hand drop, releasing Akaro's wrist. Her hand fell and landed lightly on his chest. Akaro let out an irritated mew at all this movement. She then snuggled closer to Chid, and began gently kneading the boy's chest with her paws. The Prince smiled in amusement, but felt a little awkward at being so close to the girl. He gently took Akaro's wrists and placed them by her sides. He then smoothed the girl's lustrous black hair and spoke her name just loud enough to wake her up.
In a flash her eyes opened. She jumped up and out of Chid's arms, bumping his chin with the top of her head.
"Ouch!" said Chid, as he stood up. He rubbed his chin. It didn't hurt too badly.
"I am so sorry Your Majesty! I'm sorry I followed you! I read your note and I don't know what got into—" Akaro's apology was quickly cut off by Chid clamping a hand on her mouth, moving behind her.
"Hush. There are extremely dangerous creatures in this forest. I don't think you want to get their attention!" said Chid. The Prince felt extremely nervous. This night had gone all wrong. He had gotten betrothed to his cousin, ran away from his castle, he couldn't remember anything that happened in the field, and Akaro had followed him!
The boy gently turned Akaro around in his arms. Her green eyes were frightened, ashamed, and...happy? That's a little odd, he thought. Chid blinked and looked at her eyes again. Yes, there was definitely some happiness in her eyes. Why in the hell is she happy? Chid thought. He couldn't believe it. She was going to be in so much trouble for running away after him! Freid was going to give her the harshest punishment possible. But, Chid thought, they're going to punishment too. That was a depressing thought. How could she possibly be happy about all this? She was being so deadly rebellious—but so was he, and he was having a great time at it. He was so happy about it he could have died right there. The thought cheered him up even though he was still on edge. Yes, that's why she's so happy, thought the Prince. He was so glad she was happy, and he was glad she was with him. He threw his head back and started to laugh.
Akaro looked at him fearfully. She tried to say something, but Chid had forgotten that his hand was covering her mouth. The cat-girl started to pull away in something close to a panic. Chid looked at Akaro, and saw her wide-eyed, fearful expression. The Prince realized that his hand was still on her mouth, which was trembling violently.
Chid immediately dropped his hand and stopped laughing. Akaro exhaled a large amount of air and continued pulling away. Chid, determined not to let her go, quickly enveloped her in a firm, silken hug.
"Shh...stop struggling," he whispered in her ear. Akaro ceased moving and became as stiff as a board. Her arms were stiffly pressed against Chid's chest. He gently began stroking her hair. "I'm so sorry Akaro," he said, "I didn't mean to frighten you. It's my fault. I'm jittery, and I can't help it. I'm so glad you're here! Damn me! I keep trying to get to know you better, and all I do is frighten you and make a fool of myself! Oh Akaro, I'm so sorry...so sorry..."
Chid ended his speech, closed his eyes and laid his cheek upon her head. Akaro didn't move. She didn't even breathe.
"Will you forgive me?" he whispered softly. He waited for a response, but none came. "Please Akaro..." he breathed.
The girl stirred. Akaro slowly lifted her arms slightly. Chid didn't stop her. I've done it, he thought, She's going to leave. Akaro gently slid her arms around Chid's body, and hugged him gently. Chid tensed, then relaxed and smiled sleepily.
"I forgive you," she whispered. She slowly folded into Chid, relaxing her body, letting her head lie on the Prince's chest.
******
Akaro had no idea how long she and Chid had stood there. To Akaro, it seemed like forever. She'd never been this close to anyone in her entire life. She had felt quite a surge of courage, but her nerve was fading. She gently gave Chid a squeeze and the dropped her arms and took a step back. Chid lifted his head and looked at her with sleepy eyes. He slowly dropped his arms and then looked up at the sky, and Akaro did the same. It was still black, but there were faint violet streaks in the sky.
"I need to get to Fanelia," he said, looking down at Akaro's upturned face.
"Tonight?" she asked, lowering her head to look at him.
"Yes, tonight. I don't want to wait around more than I have too, and we can get to Fanelia tonight, or this morning, whatever it may be." Chid looked around the clearing. He was having trouble with his sense of direction. He peered into the forest, but it was too no avail.
"I think we're only a few miles outside Fanelia. If we go a certain route we'll end up right at the palace. What do you think?" the Prince asked. He then picked up his pack and shouldered it.
"I wouldn't know, Prince-"
"Please, call me Chid," interrupted Chid.
"Chid...um...well, I wouldn't know. I've never left Freid," Akaro, "why are we going to Fanelia anyway?"
Chid took her arm and made a motion to start walking.
"Come on, we need to get going. The reason I'm going is because Allen Schezar is there and I need to talk to him. Do you know who he is?"
"Yes, I know. He's a Knight of Heaven, and he's also your father," said Akaro, blushing at revealing she knew the Prince's rather personal information.
"Yes, that he is. Come then, let's get going," said Chid, starting to walk in Fanelia's direction.
"Well, go on. I'll catch up with you. I need to get dressed in something more, let's say, adequate for travel. If you haven't noticed, I'm in my nightgown and it's, well, rather...flimsy," Akaro blushed even harder. It was true, her nightgown was light and was cut very short.
"Are you sure you'll be able to catch up? I move pretty fast," said Chid.
"I can see and hear in the dark better then you, and I'm very quick. You haven't seen me run yet." Akaro grinned rather mischievously at Chid.
"Alright, I believe you," replied Chid. He took off. The minute the Prince was gone she quickly changed into a short, sea green dress and slipped on some small black sandals.
Akaro quickly took off in the direction the Prince had taken. She ran swiftly down the path, her small feet leaving tiny imprints in the dirt. She noticed that Chid was taking extreme caution and was concealing his path expertly. Good, she thought, now I don't have to clean up after him. She continued at a rapid, steady pace, until she heard Chid's footsteps and labored breathing in front of her. He must be getting tired again, she thought. She was curious on why he was getting so exhausted from so little exercise. The cat-girl bounded into a tree and surpassed Chid by moving along the high branches. She quickly jumped down in front of the Prince.
"Hello there," she said. The girl smiled at Chid's amused, startled expression.
"I told you I was quick." She grinned.
"I just didn't know how quick," said Chid. He breath was ragged, and his sweat was forming little lazy rivers on his face. Akaro took a kerchief out of her pack and mopped his face with it. Chid remained still, but looked at her rather quizzically. She smiled shyly, and folded the damp cloth into a strip, then tied it around Chid's head, keeping his long hair of his face.
"Chid, what's wrong? I don't think it's good that you're getting so tired," Akaro said. Her eyes were wide with concern.
"I don't know why I'm getting so tired. It hurts to breathe, but I haven't done anything that would impair my endurance," said Chid, he adjusted his pack and started walking again, though slowly. Akaro followed.
"Are you sure nothing happened when you hit your head today? Maybe you bruised a lung or something," she said.
"Maybe, but I don't think that the fall was that hard," said Chid, shaking his head.
"But you were knocked unconscious. I don't think that's particularly healthy. And then there's the possibility that you passed out in that clearing. You were lying like you had collapsed when you stopped in that clearing." Akaro adjusted her pack.
"I don't think I collapsed, though I can't remember why I was laying in that field, Look!" Chid pointed in front of them. A dark wall was in front of them. It was the Palace. The conversation between Akaro and Chid abruptly stopped.
Akaro quickly climbed the trees that were surrounding the back of the Palace. Chid was peering at her curiously. Akaro looked in the second story window that was in front of the tree where she was perched. It was a bedroom, and she saw what appeared to be the uniform of a Caeli Knight
"This one is Allen's," she said softly.
"Good, thanks for your help. He slowly approached the building. It was covered in ivy, and the balcony of the first story window blocked his view of Allen's room. He dropped his pack, and latched on to the heavy green vines.
He jumped up and latched onto a thick strand of ivy. He reached his hand up for another vine, then another. The going was slow, for it was hard to find strong enough vines to support his weight. He finally reached the first story balcony. He was sweating lightly and his breathing was hard.
Akaro watched from a close distance, holding her breath. Her extrasensory ears picked up on his heavy breathing. He continued up on his climb, taking a leap off the balcony's railing.
He's so high up there, thought Akaro. She didn't want to even think of what would happen if he would slip and fall. She watched the Prince continue steadily climbing, though he looked like he was going at half his usual pace. He's still tired, Akaro noted. He was straining more and more with each move. Chid was nearing the top, but it didn't look like he was going to make it. She bounded to the window's ledge and latched on with her toes. She reached down to Chid, offering her hand. Before Chid saw her, a strong arm reached around her waist, squeezing the girl so hard she couldn't breathe, then jerked her in through the window.