Wow, another chapter done! By the way, my muse came to me again. He—yes, my muse is a he—told me that for optimum results, I must give him a name. So, I have named my muse Arwyn, which is Welsh for "muse". He's quite a character, and he only gives inspiration through dreams. On behalf of Arwyn, I have included a scan of his card below:
ARWYN
(as named by Persephone of
Abydos)
Can be reached at: 1-800-PLOTWRK or by reviewing!
Unfortunately, phone networks at the PlotWork Factory are temporarily down, so the only way you can reach Arwyn is by reviewing. He'll be glad for any business, however he has one stipulation: you must be able to spell correctly. Yes, that's right folks—Arwyn's a speller! So, if you're an author with impassible writer's block, simply review my story requesting Arwyn, and I'll pass the word along! I'm sure he'll be able to help you!
Anyhoo. In response to Sage: You and I could be quite good friends! I myself am borderline psychotic ;) [If you read my poem entitled "The Mind" (just type my penname in the author-search, click the result, and then click "The Mind"), you'll see just how borderline psychotic I can be. All in good fun, I remind you]. I sincerely thank ALL of my reviewers; your responses mean so much to me! Oh, and by the way, you all will find out the name of Hitomi and Van's baby in this chapter! The first name is Scottish-Gaelic (meaning unknown) and the middle name is Welsh for 'pure' or 'white' (this fact may or may not come into play later on). Anyhoo….
Ditto.
~*Chapter Eight: Deora Ar Mo Chroí*~
[Title translation: Gaelic for "Tears on My Heart"]
Neicodemus reclined in his chair, sweeping an errant ivory lock out of his sight. His hair color was definitely a trait inherited from his father. Come to think of it, his height and the amber in his eyes were also inherited from his father.
His eyes were what bothered him the most. One would think that the blue and the amber of his eyes would mix together to make a most dazzling shade of green. But no. The coloration of his irises were separated, like the way oil separates from water. Interspersed, yes; mixed, no.
A knock came from the direction of the door, startling Neicodemus from his thoughts. "Enter," he commanded.
The knocker obeyed, proving to be a mere servant boy. He held a slightly large shiny spherical object in his hands. As soon as he approached the desk behind which Neicodemus was seated, he knelt. "Your mirror-globe, Duke," he said as he presented the object Neicodemus.
Neicodemus grinned. "Ah, yes. My mirror-globe. Thank you, boy. You may go now," he stated as he took the object from the servant boy's hands.
The servant boy nodded, and within seconds was out of Neicodemus's study.
The mirror-globe was one of Neicodemus's favorite gadgets. It had been a birthday gift a few years back from his father's Strategos, who had apparently created the thing. It certainly was a useful piece of equipment, for it could allow Neicodemus to see what was happening anywhere of Gaea or anywhere on the Mystic Moon. Occasionally, it also showed snippets of the past, but it never showed the future. Well, never had it shown the future since the end of the Great War.
Neicodemus narrowed his eyes. Yes, that's right, he thought, That little wench from the Mystic Moon killed Fate. No wonder it doesn't show the future any longer.
'The little wench from the Mystic Moon' was the bane of his existence. First, she had caused the ultimate demise of his father. Then, she had the audacity to steal the King's virginity. And not only that-she had the audacity to be impregnated by the King! Wench! She has stolen everything that should be Neicole's! It was Fate…it was Destiny that Neicole be Queen of Fanelia! Neicodemus growled, grasping the mirror-globe in his hands. "Show me King Van and Kanzaki Hitomi!" he commanded.
The mirror-globe's surface swirled in a beautiful array of silvers and grays, and soon the image became that of Van sitting on the futon, supporting Hitomi who was in the process of breast-feeding their son. They were both smiling, exchanging loving glances every so often.
Neicodemus couldn't take it. He broke down and sobbed as he beheld the image. It reminds me so much of the way Mahalia and I were when Neicole was born…
Mahalia was the love of Neicodemus's life. She was graceful, beautiful-a goddess in his eyes, what with the way her deep mahogany tresses framed her face, the way her chocolate brown eyes gazed tenderly at everything she beheld, and the slight tan in her creamy skin. Neicodemus loved her, loved her with all his heart and soul. He had been 32 years of age when he had met her, and she was a mere naïf of 19. But the age didn't matter, for they were very much in love. Her older brother Mahad approved of their marriage, and nine months later Neicole had been born.
Mahalia died one month later.
None of the healers knew for certain what had killed her. The ones native to Longgalia surmised that she had eaten something poisonous, for she had been complaining of stomach cramps for three days before she died. The ones that Mahad sent over from Freid theorized that it was a fast-spreading virus. No one knew for sure, but nevertheless Neicodemus was grief-stricken. There he was-a Duke, left with an infant daughter to raise without a wife. Many nights he spent just holding Mahalia's clothing to his face, inhaling that sweet scent of raspberries that seemed to always accompany her.
And now, here he was, thirteen years later, a 45-year old widower. He was so proud of his and Mahalia's little Neicole. Neicole reminded him of Mahalia in many ways; for one, she was always gentle. Hardly ever was there a time when she threw a tantrum or got significantly angry. There were also some physical aspects that were similar between the two as well. Neicole's hair was brown, not the deep mahogany brown of Mahalia's, but it was still a shade of brown. Honey-brown, to be more precise. Her hair was long and wavy like Mahalia's, though she did wear it in those two buns with three braids coming out often. Their bodies were even similar; both were curvaceous with long, slender legs. Just about the only things Neicole inherited from Neicodemus were eye-color and intellect. It was obvious that the eye-color came from his side of the family, since the entire royal house of Freid was known for chocolate brown eyes. And intellect? He and Neicole were identical in that aspect. Their intellects were practically nonexistent until necessary; they could be keen and cunning when they wanted to be.
Neicodemus
wiped aways his tears with fierce resolve. I must think of Neicole, he ordered himself. I must do all that I can to ensure that she
is Queen of Fanelia!
I must resurrect Fate!!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"You think he's had his fill yet?" Van asked Hitomi, after he began to notice that their son's suckling noises were less frequent.
Hitomi nodded. "Yeah, I think he's almost done. We'll be able to join everyone else for breakfast in a few minutes."
Van smiled, and sighed. "By the gods, Hitomi. Our son is beautiful."
"Yes, he is beautiful. He looks exactly like you, that's why," Hitomi complimented. "By the way, have you come up with a name for him yet?"
Van shook his head. "No. I'm giving you that privilege. My opinion is that if you gave birth to him, you should be able to name him."
"Certainly a logical theory." Hitomi gently pulled their son away from her breast, wiping the corners of his little mouth with the soft cotton towel that he seemed to not want to be separated from. "Well, he's done. Let's go join the others now."
Van nodded, and stood so that he could help Hitomi get up.
It seemed that only minutes later breakfast was devoured. To start the day's chatter, Kaoru spoke. "So, have you two come up with a name yet?"
Van looked to Hitomi, telling her without words that this was a question for her to answer. Hitomi smiled, rocking the baby gently in her arms. "Yes, we have come up with a name"
"Well, let's hear it already, Tori-onna!" Sano exclaimed. Yes, he was brave enough to face the light of day even after his faint the previous night.
Again, Hitomi smiled. Holding up the baby, she declared, "May I present to you Prince Sachairi Wyn de Fanel of Fanelia."
"That's a mouthful," Yahiko mumbled. He was immediately bopped on the head by Kaoru. "I think it's a very pretty name," she countered.
"It is a very pretty name, that it is," Kenshin agreed with a warm smile.
Sano simply gave a thumbs-up to display his opinion. "Of course, since he's the kid of Tori-onna, I am obligated to call him Chibi-Tori [Little Bird]," he added with a wink.
Both Van and Hitomi laughed, and they were soon joined by the rest of the group (minus Megumi).
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Neicodemus smirked, viewing the scene that just transpired through his mirror-globe. Laugh while you can, dear King and Wench, he thought with maniacal laughter.
Laugh
while you can!!