The Crusade arrives in Freid, but as Hitomi saw in her vision, it is too late to keep Ziabach from reclaiming Dilandau. But for Allen this visit is twice as painful, for not only has he again lost his little sister, but also he must face Aries knowing now how she has felt for him all these years. Will he finally see through mature eyes, or is he destined to remain the thoughtless playboy he has been for so many years.
Chapter 25: A Seed of Maturity
Freid's capitol city looms into sight. Freid is a quiet serene country located directly over the power spot of Atlantice, a once secret monument to the destruction of a people grown to powerful. The Palace is also home to a large order of monks. Fried is a country of religion.
The crusade arrives and the passengers are granted immediate audience with the young Duke, the ruler of this land. They enter the throne room single file speaking not a word, as is the custom. Each kneels before the throne dialyses awaiting the King to speak. Cheid stands to welcome the guests to his kingdom.
Cheid: "I welcome you to the Dutchey of Fried. I am pleased to see you again, Allen Schazar, I wish though that it wasn't under such unfortunate circumstances."
Allen: "Then I have arrived too late. Where is my sister?"
Cheid: "Celena is no longer here. Lord Dilandau escaped with a Ziabach convey headed by the Empress. It came here on the premises of establishing trade."
Allen is visibly upset, but knows he must not show his feelings here at court. He bows.
Cheid: "Aunt Millerna it is so nice to see you again, Aunt Aries will be relieved you have arrived. Your friends, I have not met them yet."
Millerna: "Your majesty, Cheid, may I introduce Amano, and Yukari, they are uh, friends."
Cheid: "A meal will be served in my private apartments this evening, we will speak further there. I must excuse myself at this time there are matters that require my attention. Allen, Aries waits fro you in the gardens."
The gardens are in full bloom, the scents of the flowers float on the gentle breeze. Aries is standing, her back to Allen when he enters, Allen stops, how is it that he never realized how she felt before, she never let on, or did she. Her small smiles, the visits to Allen's mothers grave. She showed him in subtle ways, always patient, always watching while he chased someone else. Aires senses Allen behind her, how can she face him when she was responsible for Celena's care. 'Take a deep breath.' She tells herself before she turns. She is holding a bouquet of flowers; Allen recognizes them as his mothers' favorite. Allen is staring at Aries, the name of the flower somehow eludes him, but the meaning, one who never forgets comes to his mind. That is you Aries, one how never forgets, one who always loves truly. Aries tilts her head looking at Allen, tears brimming in her beautiful eyes.
Aries: "I'm so sorry Allen, I lost her."
Allen: "It's not your fault, without the Light of Balance the fate of this world, Celena included is shifting to darkness. I am glad that you are all right; I had feared that once changed, Dilandau might have harmed you. Hitomi saw his return, and warned me of the danger to you."
Aries: "Hitomi is here?"
Allen: "She's here on Gaea, but she's not in Freid."
Allen takes Aries hand in his and leads her to a bench near a small fountain. They sit and Aries tries to pull away, but Allen won't release her hand, instead he adds his other hand now holding hers in both of his.
Allen: "Please can you tell me what happened?"
Aries: "It started the night before the Firestar at Fanilia I think. She kept muttering about the balance, and then that night she woke me with her screams. At first she would tell me of the dreams, full of fire, she was sure the world would burn. Then after we returned to Astoria, she began to withdrawal, I brought her here to Freid in hopes that the monks might be able to help her."
Aries thinks back to that horrible day.
Aries: "The Empress Terrial had arrived here with a convey to talk about trade. She made a point of seeking out Celena and myself. She said she remembered us from Fanilia, from the Firestar celebration. I came out into the garden, only to find Celena there with the Empress, Celena looked scared, but when I tried to approach, she Terrial pulled a knife on me, holding it to my throat. She looked crazed, she said 'Take it my lord or she will die.' She tossed a red stone onto the ground in front of Celena, which she picked up. Oh Allen, she was shaking with fear. Terrial-motioned Celena to come closer, when she did Terrial pushed me away and grabbed Celena's hand holding the stone tightly in Celena's grip. She screamed pulling hard to release herself from Terrial's grasp and dropped the stone. There was a blood spot on her palm, like some sort of injection or sting. Celena dropped to the ground her back to me, and then she changed, I knew without seeing her face, because of the insane laughter. She was laughing and crying at the same time. Dilandau had taken over. The Empress knelt before him and said their masters had come to reclaim him, and then she turned on me offering to kill me. She wanted to, I could see it in her eyes. I think I feared her more than I do Dilandau."
Aries sits for a moment, drawing her thoughts together before continuing.
"Dilandau slapped her hard across the face laughing, then he walked over to me, why I hadn't tried to flee, I can't say, I just stood there unable to move. He embraced me and leaned close to whisper to me so only I could hear what he had to say."
Aries stops, how can she repeat this to Allen, the words still haunt her, making her tremble involuntary.
Allen: "Take your time Princess go on when you're ready."
Aries: "I don't want to say it, but I will, I hope it help you get Celena back. He said 'Tell my brother I have seen the Prophecy thru Celena's eyes. We will meet again, him and I at Cred, all he has to do is follow that dragon Hitomi. Tell him I will kill him then come back here for you, he's to stupid to see, so I'll take what he could have had, and I will rule all of Astoria.' Then he uh left, there had been a clocked Guymelth waiting for him her in Freid, right here in the castle grounds."
Allen: "Look at me Aries, there is something you haven't told me yet, I can tell."
Aires: "He kissed me."
Her answer was simple, but the trembling in her gentle body grew worse, Allen could tell that the kiss had affected her badly, very badly.
Allen: "Aries I am sorry you will forgive me won't you."
He reached over taking Aries into his arms and he kisses her, the kiss is short, but full of promises for more. Allen hopes it will cover the memory of that other kiss for her.
Allen: "He is right, I have been stupid, and blind. When this is over, Aries I will return for you. We need to find out how we feel about each other. And there are things about myself you need to know. But for now, it will have to wait. You are so beautiful, never forget that."
Allen has finally found his heart, but exploring his relationship with Aries will have to wait till he is able to retrieve his sister, but how? As the group waits for the arrival of Van, Hitomi and hopefully the others they have dinner with Cheid, talk turns to legends and Yukari tells the story of the Dragon Prince.
