Together In My Heart

Together In My Heart

(Part 2- The General and The Mouse)

By Alria

A/N: I'm glad to see you guys still check up on my account! I feel so warm and fuzzy! Thank you, to all the wonderful reviewers! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!! Nothing more to say, except since I've started writing a new novel (no, I'm too scared to post it on fanfic. Sorry) it's going to take longer for me to upload the chapters. Sorry, but my book in more important to me right now! However, I do intend to keep writing this fic, it just might take awhile. Sorry! Okaythat's about itonto the story.

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The tall, brawny man, his long, sharpened sword bobbing at his side, didn't bother to wrap the cape around his bare shoulders as the first snowflakes of the day rained down from the sky. Wielding to Mother Nature was a sign of weakness; a real man would make the weather bend to him. The man, his ice blue eyes darkening, glared at man standing behind him. He was trying his best to cover the bare skin of his arms and neck with a tattered cloak. He turned his head away from the boy in disgust. He was a weak, pitiful man, much the same as the rest of his pathetic army. But, then, that was why they were merely soldiers and he was the general.

"You, private, come here," he growled as he beckoned to the shorter man with a threatening finger. The private, a skinny youth who looked to be no more then fourteen, rushed to the man as if he had been jerked by a string.

"Yes, General Tolin?" he asked in a shaky voice. As quick as an eagle, the general reached out and grabbed the private's cloak. With one, mighty tug he ripped it clean off of the soldier's back, and then tossed it angrily into a pile of sun.

"Acting like a prissy little noblewoman may be acceptable in your home, but I'll have you know it's not with me. After we state our business to the queen, we're going to camp around here. And you, private, are going to be sleeping on the ground. Without a blanket! You had better hope this snowstorm that's picking up isn't as big as I think it will be. And if you so much as THINK about putting on another cloak, you'll be sleeping outside for the rest of the week!" he snarled, and gave the boy a hard knock on the cheek. The soldier staggered back, clutching his cheek as he looked helplessly at Tolin with teary eyes.

"II'm sorry, General. I didn't knowforgive me," he whimpered. Tolin rolled his eyes in disgust. He had needed to take a scout with him on his to see the queen, but why did it have to be the most girlish private in the squadron!? His glare narrowed as he crossed his muscular arms in an orderly fashion.

"What's your name, private?" the words came out like a snake's poison. The youth, shaking with fear and embarrassment, looked down at the ground.

"Kevin, General," he replied. Tolin's blue eyes were now the size of tiny slits.

"Well, now you have a new name. From now on, you will be known as Mouse, to show how weak you really are. Now, come on, we have work to do," he spat, and then started walking again. Kevin, forcing back the tears of shame, followed closely behind Tolin, completely ignoring the ripped cloak in the snow.

After only a few short minutes the two soldiers arrived at the glistening gates of Alexandria castle. Tolin snickered inwardly. Alexandria was one of the strongest cities in all of Gaiapity it was ruled by a weak woman. But that would all be changing shortlyhe would see to that. Oh yesthings were going to change.

As Tolin walked towards the entrance to the castle, the guards swiftly crossed their swords in front of the door, blocked his entrance. One of the guards, a short woman with a white patch over her right eye, glared at him with her other brown eye.

"We weren't expecting any visitorsstate your name and business immediately." Her voice was firm with an unmistakable threatening air. Tolin scowled in disgust.

"I don't have to answer to you, woman. You do you think you are, dressing up and impersonating a soldier? Go back to your cooking an sewing," he snarled. Almost immediately the woman's sword leapt from the door and appeared pointing dangerously at Tolin's exposed neck. A deadly glare was fixed in her deep brown eyes as she held him, helpless, at the end of her sword.

"You will soon find I do not grant pompous soldiers like yourself much mercy. I am General Beatrix, and unless you wish to have my steal through your gut, you will answer my questions. Understand?" she spat. Tolin was bubbling with heated rage. GENERAL Beatrix? Giving thisthis kitchen maid such an esteemed title set his blood boiling. Under normal circumstances, he would have delighted in this haughty wench some manners, but now was not the time. He had important business to attend to with the queen; he didn't need to waste precious time with these hooligans. Best to play alongfor now

"I am General Tolin, and this is Mouse. We wish an audience with the queen to discussmatters," he explained. A smile broke out on the firm face of the tall, armored man standing to Beatrix's left as he looked down at Kevin.

"Mouse, is it, lad? You know, before I gained my rank, I used to be called Duckbecause I was so chubby and slow," he chuckled. The boy's eyes widened as he stared at the knight in awe.

"They called you that? Welldid you teach them a lesson afterward?" he asked enthusiastically. At this, the knight shook his head, the smile still on his face.

"No, no; they got what they deserved, though," he explained. The young man's eyes were practically sparkling with admiration for the shining knight.

"What's your name? I'm honored to meet someone as strong and-" Tolin's large hand rudely clamped Kevin's mouth closed, stopping him in mid-sentence.

"Honestly, Mouse! I knight like him doesn't have time for silly questions!" he snapped. The tall man only smiled more and leaned against his glistening sword.

"Captain Aldebert Steiner of the Knights of Pluto. But you can call me Steiner, like my friends," he explained.

Tolin's eyes narrowed. That man had just deliberately gone against his orders. It had been as clear as day that Tolin didn't want Kevin involved in the conversation, and yet this grinning "captain" had involved him anyway. Tolin smirked inwardly. At least their names nowhe would put that to great use someday. Someday soon, he couldn't help hoping.

Steiner and Beatrix conversed quietly on whether or not to allow these strange visitors into the palace. Tolin and Kevin stood a few feet away, waiting the judgment. Would they be allowed in? Finally, after a good five minutes or so, Beatrix and Steiner turned simultaneously to face them.

"You will be granted an audience with the king and queen. But, you must surrender your weapons, first," Beatrix's firm voice left no doubt as to what might happen if they DIDN'T surrender their weapons. With a nod from Tolin the two men each handed the knights their swords and other weapons. Finally, after everything had been placed on the ground, the two soldiers moved away from the door.

"I hope, for your sake, you show better manners towards the king and queen then you did towards us. His majesty isn't NEARLY as forgiving as me," Beatrix hissed as the two walked swiftly into the glistening palace. Once the two were inside, Beatrix and Steiner slowly closed the great wooden doors. Beatrix then turned to Steiner, a confused look on her face.

"Dear, what was that all about? Why were you trying to make friends with that boy?" she asked, sheathing her sword. Steiner's smile faded and he looked firmly at Beatrix.

"Surely you noticed the ripped cloak on the boy's back. It was snowing, and he had no cloak. And did you his swollen cheek? Someone had just recently struck him, and I'll wager it was that Tolin guy," he explained. Beatrix nodded.

"I saw thatbut what has it got to do with anything?" she asked. Steiner crossed his arms.

"Darling, that boy is being mistreated. I'm not about to stand by and watch some one like that cold-hearted general beat innocent people. I don't want that boy staying with that man. I'll adopt him myself, if I have to," he said firmly. Beatrix smiled.

"Adopt him? I think we'll have enough trouble with the little bundle of our own," she said cheerfully as she gently patted her stomach. Steiner smiled at this. Beatrix had only been pregnant for a month but that hadn't stopped her from thinking about the future baby. He couldn't wait to be a fatherhaving someone call him "Daddy" instead of "Captain." Steiner sighed. Things were going to be good.

Beatrix took a step forward and wrapped her arms around Steiner's neck. She had to stand on her tiptoes, but she soon managed to plant a small kiss on the end of Steiner's nose.

"You're such a kind person. I love you," she cooed. Steiner gently began to stroke her smooth, silky hair.

"I love you, too, Beatrix."

~

Dagger's eyes widened as the big tall man walked casually into the great dining hall, followed quickly by a short boy. She certainly wasn't used to complete strangers appeared at of no where and into her dining room. Dagger groaned. First, Zidane forgetting her birthday, and now this. Well, all it took was the flick of her finer to have the two intruders escorted outshe might as well listen to what they wanted, for now.

Dagger sighed. She wished Zidane were here. He was always so good at getting unwanted "guests" to leave. Just having him next to her was reassuring, the slight touch of his hand on hers giving her power. But he was "changing," and from the looks of things nothing short of breaking down the door and dragging him out would change that. Dagger grinned in spite of herself. Zidane may have been a bitodd, but he was still hers, and she loved him with all her heart. The months they had spent together after their last adventure had been nothing short of magical. To finally get to be together with him, just the two of them, was more then she could comprehend. She loved him more then life itself, and he knew it.

The thoughts of Zidane renewing her courage, Dagger motioned for the two soldiers to sit.

"Iwasn't expecting company tonightwell, other than my husband, of coursebut it's an honor to have you in our presence, Lord?" The man straightened his shirt and looked at her with a bold expression.

"General Tolin, your majesty. And might I say you are the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on," he said in a smooth, cool voice. The gently took her hand in his and, raising it to his lips, gave her a long kiss. A shudder shot through Dagger's body. There was something eerie about this mansomething not quite right. Dagger drew her hand away from him, a meek smile on her face. How she wished Zidane was heremaybe she could send someone up to get him. Yes, that was rightsomeone to go and fetch him. Dagger turned her head and eyed one of the knights of Pluto.

"Haagen, will you go and fetch Zidane for me?" she asked. The knight, beaming at the chance to impress her majesty, nodded enthusiastically and raced up the stairs. Dagger sighed as she eased into her chair. Soon he would be with herbut until then she had to attend to the strange guests. She smiled warmly at them, her best fake smile she could muster.

"Well, general, now that we're here, did you wish to talk to me about something?" she asked. The large man showed no expression as he sat down in the chair across from her.

"Oh yes, your majesty. A very important thing," he said. Dagger groaned inwardly. It was probably some plea for gold or something of the sort. The young queen lifted her hand in a swaying motion.

"Go on, then," she said. All at once their eyes met as Tolin looked up. As his blue eyes caught her in their gaze, she felt her hands start to tremble. Why did this man unnerve her so? She wasn't quite surebut something definitely wasn't right. Dagger forced back a shudder as she awaited his answer.

"The topic is simple. I, General Tolin, demand the surrender of Alexandria to me and my army."

Even though the words came with almost no expression, it didn't make their meaning any less terrifying. Surrender Alexandria? That was ridiculous! What army in their right mind would challenge the Alexandrian soldiers on their on turf? It made no sense! Was this general mad? Dagger's eyes narrowed.

"What makes you think we would surrender Alexandria to you? Our army is strong and so far unsurpassed. Why should we bow down to you?" she asked. General Tolin lips curled into a smirk.

"It's simple. I believe I am much more capable to run this glorious country then a woman like you. The weak have no place in politics," he said. Dagger felt her rage boiling within her.

"You think that I am weak? It takes more then sheer strength to rule a country!" she spat. General Tolin chuckled at this, an eerie, ice-cold sound.

"We'll see about that once my troops have stormed your precious city. I was giving you a chance to have a peaceful transition of power, but you leave me no choice. As of this moment, we are at war," he said calmly and, beckoning towards the young man, walked out of the dining room. With a loud bang the great doors shut, echoing through the silent room.

Dagger sat at the table, dumb-founded. Because of her, the city of Alexandria was at war. Better that then slaveryright?

All at once her thoughts were interrupted by a firm tapping on her shoulder. There stood Haagen, and to her surprise his face was ghost white. Dagger looked at him quizzically.

"Where is Zidane?" she asked. Haagen shook his head.

"I don't know, your majesty. He wasn't in his room," he said breathlessly. Dagger's apprehension subsided. That wasn't a big dealhe was probably in the garden or something. Surely, Haagen knew enough to not get alarmed because Zidane wasn't where she said he'd be.

"Not in his room? He's probably off in the garden or the kitchen maybe," she said confidently. Haagen shook his head.

"Idon't think soyour majesty," he said shakily.

"Why not? It's not uncommon for him to wander around," she said. Haagen looked down at his feet.

"It's not thatit's justthe window" Haagen's voice slowly trailed away. Dagger snorted. This was getting annoying. Why didn't he just TELL her!?

"Yes, the window! What about it?" she demanded. Haagen looked up at her with big eyes.

"ItIt was smashed to pieces. From the outside," he stammered. Dagger's eyes widened in rising terror.

"And he wasgone?" she asked. Haagen nodded.

"I think he was kidnapped," he said quietly. Dagger sat, shocked. Zidane, gone? It couldn't beit wasn't possibleDagger felt the salty tears welling behind her eyes. No, Haagen had to be mistaken. Zidane couldn't be gone! Dagger put a pale hand to her lips as she closed her chestnut eyes.

"Who would do such a thing?" she asked, her voice quivering. With out saying a word, Haagen reached into his pocket and pulled out a large, glistening black feather

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You like it so far? I actually really like the way this is heading. Remember to review! Is it possible for Tolin to take Alexandria? And what is happening to Zidane? Find out next time in chapter 3!!!