A/N: Wow, has it been over 3 weeks already? Time sure does fly when you're scrambling to meet deadlines. Anyway, it's not over yet, but I've survived the worst of it. Thank you everyone for your wonderful reviews—and you ask such interesting questions. I just can't answer some of them because I don't want to give anything away. But hopefully, this next chapter will sate your curiosity… somewhat.
Now I have quick favor to ask y'all. I don't like having to refer to the two Charmings as "Charming1" and "Charming2". Having a number in one's name just isn't appropriate… unless you happen to be a part of a secret, government-funded genetic engineering program, or you're a member of the Collective. So, if you can suggest any nicknames for either of the Charmings… I'll be ever so grateful. And for whoever suggests the name I end up using, I'll give you a walk-on role in an upcoming chapter. ^_^
I was in a hurry to get this chapter up, so I haven't edited it. Forgive me any mistakes—but feel free to point them out so I can go back and fix them.
Chapter 20
Intersections: "And we're off"
Queen Snow made the announcement to the oblivious guests. Now, normally this might seem like the sort of bad publicity one might want to avoid—having a guest kidnapped during one of your parties from right beneath your nose—but this was exactly the sort of opportunity so many royal families dreamt of. If handled right, if all things went well, this could indeed be the beginning of the latest fairytale.
It was enough to make many individuals green with envy. Valor was green as well, but for different reasons altogether.
Few details were emitted from the explanation, though some were related with creative license. For instance, Valor "volunteered" to rescue Vivienne after learning that she had been kidnapped—and by a dragon, no less. And, of course, he was going alone, not because that had been a stipulation of the kidnapper, but because they were all so confident in his abilities, and he didn't wish for anyone else to put themselves in harm's way.
None of the guests could understand why though, throughout the explanation, one blond-haired boy in blue stood in the back, trying unsuccessfully to control the coughing fit that was interlaced with several strange snorting sounds. Or why the girl in the pale yellow dress standing next to him, jabbed an elbow in his side every so often, at the height of each episode.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The next morning Valor watched with growing dread as servants packed the necessary supplies onto his faithful steed, Cautious. And by faithful, of course, it simply meant the horse had yet to deliberately humiliate him in public.
Many of the guests had left already, the previous night, after the announcement, but some had remained behind, staying in hastily prepared guestrooms, determined to see the prince off. After all, it wasn't every day that you got to personally witness the beginning of a legend.
"Valor, my boy," the for-once sober King Charming said, clamping his hands onto his son's shoulders, "Let me give you some advice… first of all, never stop to ask for directions. Real men can figure out the way on their own. Second, if anyone offers you something to eat or drink, take it. You can always rely on the hospitability of complete strangers. Finally, if a farmer has a beautiful daughter and tells you to stay away from her—by god, boy, stay away from her!" With that, and a hearty clap on the shoulder that nearly caused the prince to lose his balance, his father moved on to join the other parents.
Next came Queen Snow, who straightened his collar and brush back an errant lock of the dark hair they both shared. She spoke quietly, so only Valor could hear. "You can do this, Valor, as long as you keep your head on straight. Really, it isn't as difficult as it might seem at first—dragons are just as vulnerable as any other creatures. Besides, who's to say this creature has any intention of harming either of you? I'm sure its motives are more reasonable than that." She sighed, and then gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, which he had to bend down to receive. "Oh, and a word of advice," she added. "Forget everything your father told you." Then she too was stepping back into the crowd.
Queen Ella and her husband came together, their parting brief and composed. "We have perfect trust in your abilities," Charming declared and they both graced him with a smile.
"You just keep yourself safe," Ella added, and then they moved off.
His friend Malyn approached in his usual, easy walk, though there was a slight limp to his right leg. "You have some wonderful pearl of wisdom for me too?" Valor asked, grinning slightly.
The other prince nodded somberly, placing a heavy hand on Valor's shoulder. "Whatever you do—stay on Nora's good side. That girl can kick!" he said, glancing down at his injured leg.
Valor laughed, momentarily forgetting his precarious situation. "That's right, I never did get a chance to thank you for yesterday."
Malyn waved it off. "Don't worry about. Besides, I'm sure I'll wheedle a return favor out of you someday." Before he could say any more, he spotted a head of blond hair coming the pair's way and he quickly stepped back. "I gotta go man, but I'm sure we'll be running into each other soon enough. Good luck!" Then he disappeared into the crowd, just as Princess Nora reached Valor.
"Valor!" she exclaimed with a bright smile. He noted then that she didn't appear to be dressed in the ballgown she'd worn the other night, though this dressed looked no less expensive. He frowned mentally. What kind of a person brought a spare dress to a one-night ball?
Nora's smile disappeared and a look of concern took its place. She took one of his hands in hers. "You take care of yourself. Even if you don't end up rescuing Vivienne, no one could blame you." Valor raised an eyebrow, and she hastily continued. "What I mean is, if something should happen to her, there's no use in both of you—"
She was abruptly pushed aside, and his hand fell free of her grasp. "Oh, excuse me," a saccharine voice interrupted. "Did I interrupt? I'm ever so sorry." Virtue sent a smile in the other girl's direction, though her voice seemed to suggest she wasn't anything but sorry. "I just wanted to sneak in a quick goodbye to my brother. I'm sure you don't mind?"
Nora glared angrily at Virtue, but immediately covered up the expression with a smile of her own. "Not at all. I know the importance of family." She waited a moment, but when it became apparent that Virtue was not about to begin while she was still present, she turned and stalked away.
As soon as she was out of range, Virtue dropped the phony smile and let out a contemptuous snort. "What a bitch."
"You heard what she was saying?"
"Huh?" she replied, turning back to him. "No, it was just an overall personality assessment."
"Ah," he said, nodding understandingly. "So, you had something to say to me?"
"Yeah. You shouldn't be the one going. I should," she stated simply.
"Oh?" he asked, surprised. "How do you figure that?"
Not mincing her words, she answered, "Because I'm the one who can fight, I'm the one who can ride a horse, and I'm the one who's been dying for a chance like this."
"Hey, I can take care of myself just fine," he countered indignantly.
Virtue rolled her eyes. "Well, if that were what this was about, then that'd be great. Unfortunately, the taking care of yourself part is kind of just implicit. You're supposed to be rescuing Vivienne!"
Valor sighed, realizing she was only saying what he already knew and had told himself. But there was no changing how things were going to be. "And, unfortunately, there isn't anything either of us can do about this. It's going to be me—it has to be me."
Virtue let out a frustrated groan. "I know, I know. It has to be you." But there was something in her eyes that made him uneasy, despite her seeming acceptance of the situation.
"Vir," he began warily. "Promise me you won't do anything stupid."
Virtue grinned up at him, taking a small step back. "Stupidity is a matter of perception, Val," she said, adding another step. "For instance, what you might consider stupid, others might call a sign of brilliance." Another two quick steps. "See you soon Val, and good luck!" She darted into the crowd before he could question her further.
The other goodbyes were much quicker, some just a word or two, others a nod and a smile, and before he knew it, it was time to go. A stable hand helped him onto his horse, and luckily all potentially embarrassing incidences were avoided. Cautious, remaining true to his name, stood placidly in place while his owner mounted. Perhaps the creature had simply learned his lesson from the last time, Valor thought hopefully.
Tossing a hasty glance at the assembled group, he managed to catch the gaze of his sister, who stood off to the back, next to David and Lillith. When she realized he was looking at her, she gave him a brilliant smile and a wink that did nothing to ease his concerns. Then a swift stroke was planted on the horse's flank, and the pair was off.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
When Virtue passed the threshold of the guestroom not much later, she found Lillith hastily gathering a bundle of supplies, just as she'd expected. The other girl didn't pause in her actions, but sent her a stern sideways glance that brooked no argument. "Don't try to stop me."
Virtue flopped down on the bed, watching Lillith's swift movements. "Right… do you remember who you're talking to? I was going to ask you if you wanted some company."
Lillith paused, giving Virtue a steady look. Then she let out a small laugh. "I should've guessed you would offer to join me." She shook her head slightly then continued with the last of her packing. It was a small bundle, which she then fit into a sack that could easily be carried over her shoulder. "You'll have to pack."
"Way ahead of you," Virtue replied. Standing up, she walked to the doorway, and from just outside the room, in the hallway, she retrieved a similar, though slightly larger bag. She tossed it to Lillith, who just barely caught it.
"Why is it so heavy?" she exclaimed, heaving the bag back to the other girl.
Virtue shrugged, handling it easily. "Knives, daggers, crossbows… you know, the usual supplies."
Lillith placed her hands on her hips, watching her skeptically. "Did you pack any food or extra clothes?"
Virtue blinked. "Oh, right. I guess we'll need that stuff too." Then she gave Lillith a once-over. "Are you going dressed like that?"
Glancing down at herself, Lillith failed to see the problem. "Why, what's wrong with what I'm wearing?"
"It's a dress," Virtue answered, as if that were all the reason in the world.
"So…?"
"So, dresses do not make good traveling clothes."
"What are you talking about?" Lillith exclaimed. "I've always done all my traveling in dresses, and I've never had a problem."
Virtue rolled her eyes. "This isn't going to be the kind of traveling you're used to. Believe me, you'll be much more comfortable if you dress like me," she said, indicating the breeches and tunic she had changed into since seeing Valor off.
Lillith scrunched up her nose as she evaluated her friend's appearance. "Well, maybe it works for you, but there's no way I'm going to wear breeches," she replied, shaking her head vehemently.
Virtue shrugged. "Fine, suit yourself. Just so we're clear, I did warn you."
"Yeah, yeah, you warned me," Lillith replied, shooing her along. "Now let's get ourselves a few of those peripheral supplies… food, water—you know, that sort."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
They managed to get into the kitchen and back out without raising suspicion. The remaining guests had left immediately after Valor's departure, and the castle was considerably quieter now. Walking quietly down the deserted hallway and congratulating themselves on what a good a job they'd done keeping their plan a secret, they didn't even notice the figure following them, until it spoke up. "I'm going with you."
Lillith jumped nearly a foot into the air, simultaneously letting out a high-pitched squeal, and Virtue whirled around defensively. "David!"
He stood watching them, arms folded over his chest. "I can't believe you weren't going to let me in on this."
Virtue ignored the remark and snapped, "This better not be some misplaced notion of chivalry. That the two little girls can't possibly look after themselves, so they need a big strong man to protect them."
He grinned slightly. "Hardly. I just figured it'd be safer to go with you than stay behind and face all our parents."
"You're going to have to pack," Lillith sighed, slightly frustrated by the fact that their departure was going to be delayed.
"No need," David replied, pulling around the bag he slung across his back. Seeing it, Lillith immediately burst out laughing, while Virtue glared at her and attempted to smother her own smile. David watched them both in confusion.
After a moment, when the laughter had died out, Virtue asked, "Well, is that everything then?"
"Um, no just one more thing," Lillith answered, reaching into her bag to pull something out. "We have to leave them a note—to let them know where we've gone—and put it somewhere they're bound to find it, but not too soon."
Just then, Luke turned the corner of the corridor, whistling jovially. When he saw the trio before him, he abruptly froze. And when he realized what he was witnessing, his eyes widened slightly, and he turned to leave. Before he could get very far, however, he found himself lying on the cold stone floor, a moving weight having tackled him at the waist. The front of his body pressed into the ground while Virtue sat on his back, pinning one arm painfully behind him.
"Oh no you don't," she hissed in his ear.
"David, get your crazy little girlfriend off of me!" he shouted—or attempted to shout, but it was difficult to speak too loud when his face trapped in its current position.
"Vir," David began hesitantly, coming up to the pair. "What are you doing?"
Virtue spared him a quick glance, but didn't keep her gaze off Luke for long. "Oh come on David. Do you honestly think he won't go tell everyone what we're doing as soon as he gets a chance?"
"Of course he won't… will you?" David asked, turning to his brother.
"Um… of course not," Luke replied, attempting to swat Virtue with his one free arm. She, in turn, twisted his arm another couple of degrees. "Ow! Okay, okay, I get your point. Stop doing that."
"That didn't sound very convincing, Luke," David countered, lowering himself into a crouching position so he could look into the younger boy's eyes.
"It didn't? Well, let me try it again." He cleared his throat. "Of course I won't." Virtue twisted his arm again. "Hey, I thought we agreed you wouldn't do that!"
"I don't trust him," she told David, and he glanced up into her face.
"Neither do I," he replied, shaking his head solemnly.
"You wound me, you two. What have I ever done to deserve such lack of faith?" Luke craned his head the little amount he could, spotting the one person who had yet to speak since his arrival. "You trust me, Lilly, don't you?"
"Shut up," Virtue ordered before the other girl could reply, and shoved his head back down to the ground with her unoccupied hand. "It doesn't matter what Lilly thinks. The majority has already decided."
"Oh, and what are you going to do?" he drawled sarcastically. "Tie me up and toss me in a closet?"
Virtue grinned and caught David's eye. "No, we're just going to take you with us."
TBCNext time: Of course, Terry and Becca have to get in on the gig.
A/N: (yes, some more)
fufie ~ It was really sweet for you to be concerned, but you don't have to worry about me. Apparently, I will survive… though it was a little touch-and-go there. ;-) About your chapter, you want me to let you in on a little secret? If you load the page and then press "refresh", the update should show up right away. That just gives you an idea of how much time I spend on this site. : P And yes, I do thrive on reviews!
P.S. ~ I'm uploading this at 12:06 a.m. so it is now technically my birthday!