(A/N) Thank you all that felt like reviewing! I had hoped to get this chappie out quicker than I did, and I am sorry, but school has literally been hell with my production as well as my many tournaments, so please forgive me! I hope you enjoy this one and all that jazz, Loves, Liria!
DISCLAIMER: I do own this plotline but do not own Pokemon because if I did I would be rich, which I am not so there!
Intertwining Destinies
The next morning dawned bright and early, or from Ash's point of view, too bright and way, way, too early. His head pounded and he most defiantly did not want to open his eyes, unfortunately he had to and when he did, he smiled. Curled up next to him was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen, then he frowned, no she was the second most beautiful girl he had ever seen, the most beautiful being the red-haired goddess in his dream.
Gently, Ash shook the girl beside him she mumbled, "Go 'way mum I'm sleepin'.'"
"Its time to get up sleeping beauty the sun has risen and has emphatically told me to tell you this."
She opened her eyes a sliver, then she bolted out of the bed, frantically wrapping a sheet about her shoulders. Her eyes dropped to the floor and she seemed to shrink against the wall as Ash came closer. He tenderly pushed the tangled hair away from her face and lifted her chin gently. "What's your name girl?"
"Elfyn." She whispered.
"Elfyn what?"
Her eyes filled with tears, "It's just Elfyn. Nothing more, nothing less. My parents threw me out of their home to live in the streets when I refused…." She broke into tears.
Ash was bewildered. "So why are you pretending to be a whore?"
Her arched brows pulled together in a frown. "What else would you have me do? What else can a girl do in a man's world?"
"For starters if you had come to the palace, the Queen or I would have righted the wrong done to you." He smiled at her shocked look. "Now will you please tell me who your parents are?"
"Professor Maple and his wife Polly, I am their second daughter and was betrothed to Lord Amile Zanderthyn. But when he came to visit me, he, he touched me in a way inappropriate before marriage and told me that I would only be used for a good fuck, and when he was done with me I would be divorced and given to his guards to do as they wished with me." Tears of bitterly felt injustice streamed down her cheeks. "When I told my parents they accused me of lying and threatened to throw me out if I said anything about breaking off the marriage. Needless to say the day before my wedding I begged and pleaded with them to cancel the wedding. Then father struck me when I told him that if he would refuse to cancel it I would refuse to marry him in front of the whole congregation. So he had me stripped of what I was wearing and thrown onto the streets. I was found by the local tavern girl. She arranged that I would have a job here tonight. But, I just couldn't … I wanted to give myself to someone I loved! But, now I realize that no one would have a disgraced woman as their wife."
"Nonsense! I shall bestow a title on you right now. And as it happens I have a little spare land that is quite lady-less. So kneel," trembling she did as she was told. "I now bestow upon you the title Duchess Elfyn Greenleaf of Vo Wacune. There you shall rule until the crown sees fit to bestow your hand to some worthy fellow." Ash gave her a charming grin. "Now my dear lady I shall call a carriage and we shall go to the palace, where you shall be presented to the Queen, my lady mother."
She hand flew to her mouth, "But I have nothing to wear!"
Ash frowned then he snapped his fingers, "I'm sure that Gary will have some female attire kicking around this old place somewhere. After all, he does have several; ah shall we say 'Lady Friends' that come to stay every so often."
She smiled shyly and Ash lead her from the room. Ash signaled her to wait in the sitting room while he went to find his friend. "Gary! Where the hell are you?"
A very grumpy voice told him that he was engaged in other activities at the moment.
"That's too bad! I have a great deal to do today and I need your help."
There was silence for a minute when Ash heard Gary moving around his room while muttering obscenities about Ash's looks, family and various bodily functions with vigor.
Gary stalked from his room and down the stairs, "Well?" he demanded to Ash.
"I need some female court attire immediately."
"Why?" Gary asked bluntly.
"I dubbed the New Duchess of Vo Wacune this morning. She needs some decent clothes to be presented to my mother."
"Who the hell did you stick that unholy portion of your realm to?"
"The girl you brought to me last night turned out to be the daughter of Professor Maple, you know, the professor who wrote 'Why Pokemon Do What They Do'. She had been kicked out of her home earlier in the day without a scrap of clothing on her. The wenches you found last night clothed her and brought her here to learn the ropes of their trade. She didn't learn them because she didn't end up sleeping with anyone. Basically I believe she deserves the title and the land that goes with it."
Gary's brows rose in astonishment, "You didn't screw with her?" He asked incredulously.
"No I didn't. Now will you please get some decent clothing?"
Gary nodded and went upstairs. He came down carrying a pile of glittering gowns. Ash motioned him into the sitting room and Gary dumped them at Elfyn's feet. "Here, dress yourself in whatever you fancy." She looked astonished but hesitantly began to look through the pile. Ash and Gary walked out and waited for her to appear.
When she finally did peep out it was only to ask for a comb and a pair of shoes. Gary called a servant and ordered him to find the items. Shortly he came back with a pair of tiny silver shoes and a comb. Ash gave them to the hand that emerged from around the door and drew back just in time to save his hand from being smashed between the door and door frame.
Gary and Ash waited in silence for a half hour before the door opened. They turned and examined the result. The dress she had chosen was green with silver embroidery along the hem, waist and neckline which was cut low, but not immodestly so. The sleeves were tight until her elbows where the blossomed into a three-inch flair. It fell to just above the floor where it brushed the delicate silver shoes the servant had procured. Her hair was combed and half pulled back into a delicate knot secured by a while lily that had been part of the bouquet on the low table in the room. Her large green eyes flashed in amusement at the stunned looks plastered to their faces. She smiled and the curious beauty of her delicate features flared to life.
"You look…" Gary's voice trailed off in wonder. He stared at her, Ash however was not so tongue-tied, "You look absolutely smashing dawling." He drawled. "Now if my friend here will place his eyes back where they belong, we may leave for the palace."
Gary snapped out of his trance only to glare at Ash. Ash merely smirked at Gary and offered his arm to Elfyn. She accepted the courtesy with a graceful curtsy and placed a delicate hand upon his arm. Gary followed them down the stairs, a glower etched on his handsome features as he noted the besotted look Ash had on his face. 'This is not good.' He thought to himself, but dared not to utter in his prince's presence, 'I must speak with the Queen, before it is too late.'
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Your Highness… Oh bother... Misty, it's time to get up child." Misty vaguely heard her maid's voice urging her to arise and face the day, but she attempted to ignore the summons. "Five more minutes, just five." Misty rolled away from the probing hands and snuggled deep into the covers of her bed. She heard her maid laugh and agree to five more minutes.
~* She was wafting through a field of violets again, their sweet faces turned up to the sun, drinking in its golden warmth. Misty laughed as a little girl with black hair ran up to her. Misty lifted the child up and swung her around and around over her head, delighting in the child's squeals of delight. Just as Misty pulled the child into an embrace a strong arm snuck around her waist, holding her tightly.
"You're so beautiful, love." He whispered in her ear.
"What about me Daddy?" The child asked.
"I love you to munchkin. We are a family and I love you both very much." Misty smiled at these words. She somehow knew that she adored this man in return and their daughter too. *~
"Your Highness must get up this instant!" Her maid, Sari, was shaking her urgently. "His Majesty is coming to check on your progress in half an hour! He expects you to be bathed and dressed by then! We will have to hustle to get you ready by then Your Highness."
Misty sat bolt upright in her bed, "Sari has my bath been drawn?"
"Yes Your Highness."
"Well then, I shall hasten into my bath and hurry out of it in time for you to lay my dress out and help me into it. With any luck I should be in the hairdressers before my father arrives to check my progress. That will place me ahead of schedule and it will hopefully allow me room to breathe before I am taken to the Kanto Kingdom's palace."
Misty nodded at the curtsies presented her and hurried off to the bath tub. She went into the white and gold marble room. She shed her outer garments leaving a trail behind her as she stepped daintily toward the bath. She dipped one slender, white foot into the water before lowering the rest of her body gently into the water.
She basked in the water, enjoying the feel of it flowing over her skin. She looked out of the window next to the bath. Outside, she saw the beach that stretched from the palace walls to the sea. The sea, it was beautiful, constant and ever moving. It had captured her heart the first time she had seen it. That memory was so clear… Her father had promised to show her the sea on her fourth birthday. When she saw for herself the shimmering waves and the pureness of the water, her heart had been given to the sea forever. She had swum that day and made her first pokemon friend. The Marrel had been swept from a stream up in the mountains to the sea that night in a flash flood. She had been struggling to swim to shore, haven been weakened from fighting the current of the stream all night. Misty saved the Merrel and begged her father for a pokeball. Her father took one look at her blue eyes and melted. He gave Misty the pokeball and she asked the Marrel permission before capturing neatly to be her own, most trusted friend.
Smiling, Misty turned to the small velvet bag she had left on the edge of the bath. Rummaging around inside she pulled out a pokeball. Pressing the release button she said, "Mermaid come!" With a flash, Mermaid the Marrel popped out. She let out a little, "Marrel!" in greeting.
"Me-me! I have so much to tell you about."
Mermaid looked at her trainer and friend, waiting for her to speak. So Misty told her all that had transpired her impending marriage to Ash, her talk with Brock and her fight with her father. Mermaid expressed her extreme sympathies by snuggling under Misty's arm in a hug. They sat there for a few more minutes, lost in their thoughts when a knock at the door broke their reverie. "Best hurry up Your Highness or you won't be ahead of schedule like you had hoped!"
Misty quickly, with Mermaid's help, washed her hair in record time. Misty recalled Mermaid and placed the pokeball gently back in the small velvet bag. She wrapped a white, fluffy towel around herself and entered her bedroom. There she was met with the sounds and sight of hustle and bustle. Her gown was laid out on her bed, along with a white silk v-string and lacy strapless bra which fit snugly against her curves. She made a face at them but put them on quickly and slid the under dress and skirt on over them. Her maid helped her with the heavier overdress. That done she slid on the high heeled light blue sandals on her feet and turned to survey the dress in the mirror. It was as beautiful as it had been the day before. Smiling sadly, she swept out of the room to the hairdressing area down the hall.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Gary marched decisively to the palace and begged the Queen's chamberlain to get him an audience as soon as one could be arranged. The Chamberlain asked why and Gary told him that what he had to say was for the Queens ears only. The man's eyebrows rose very high, but he did not press Gary and went immediately to the Queen.
"Yes Jerome?" The Queen asked when the Chamberlain entered her private sitting room.
"Your Majesty, there is a man outside, his name is Gary Oak and he begs for an audience with you."
The Queen looked pensively into the fire for a moment, recalling that Gary was a friend of Ash. "Send him in." She commanded.
"Yes your Majesty."
Gary entered the heavily draped room quietly and shut the door behind him. The Queen motioned for him to seat himself across from her in a rose colored armchair. He bowed and did as he was told. "You wanted an audience with me?"
"Yes your Majesty. Your son Prince Ash, well he, he…" Gary's voice trailed off and he looked at the floor, gulping nervously.
"Go on." The Queen was watching him closely now, waiting for the news Gary had brought of Ash.
"He's in love." Gary told her flatly.
The Queen bowed her head. "No, he can't be!"
"He is, your Majesty, and when he asks for an audience today he will bring her with him."
"When… how did this happen?"
Gary then told the distraught Queen everything, about the party (Leaving some things out to be sure) how Ash had found an absolutely beautiful girl there and fallen in love at first sight. He then told her that Ash had bestowed the title Duchess of Vo Wacune upon her and was bringing her to the palace right now to present her to his Lady mother, the Queen.
The Queen sat in silence for a moment, "You're sure?" She whispered.
"Completely, Your Majesty."
"Alright then, thank you for the warning, Major Gary Oak. I shall think upon the problem."
Gary acknowledged her statement by standing and bowing over the hand she offered. He then left her rooms quietly, going to prepare himself to serve as his Highness's second in the wedding.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Ash stepped out of a gilt carriage and helped Lady Elfyn from her seat and out of the carriage. She smiled up at him and Ash felt his heart skip a beat at the melting look she directed at him though her long, black lashes. Ash leaned down to kiss her. Her eyes fluttered shut but just as their lips touched Ash jerked back aware that he could not fall in love with her, or anyone else but his wives.
Elfyn's eyes filled with hurt and she looked away. Ash abruptly offered her his arm and escorted her quickly into the palace. "Lady Elfyn, I'm sorry, you may not know, but I am to be married later this evening. What I was about to do was, improper. I'm sorry."
Elfyn nodded her acceptance but felt her heart contract within her chest at his words. She had semi-fallen for the Prince and it hurt when he informed her of his predicament. 'Stop it! It's not as if he could have married you anyway! He's a Prince for Gods sake. Like must wed like.' Elfyn thought furiously.
She realized that he was still speaking, "… told my mother that I wished to marry for love, but as crown prince I have no choice in the matter. So I am betrothed to four women all of whom I have never met, never seen and don't even know their names. "Elfyn let out a tiny gasp of astonishment and Ash rambled on until he had escorted her through the palace to the door leading into his mother's rooms. "Jerome, please inform my mother that I am here and ask her if I may see her immediately." Ash's tone of voice broke any opposition that Jerome may have had. "Yes sir." The butler turned smartly and entered the Queen's chambers.
He came out a scarce second later, "You may proceed your Highness." Jerome bowed and indicated the door. Ash nodded at him and swept Elfyn in before him and closed the door.
"Mother, may I present the new Duchess of Vo Wacune, Lady Elfyn Greenleaf. The Queen surveyed the girl with interest, noting the curious beauty etched in her delicate features, and the way her son hovered protectively over the child. She flickered an ironic look at her son, "I thought that the line had died out with the last Duke of Vo Wacune."
Ash had prepared for this, "But my Lady, it was well known that his wife carried a child before she disappeared and I believe that Elfyn Greenleaf is that child."
"If you truly believe so my son, I cannot then, find fault with your thoughts, so she must be his heir!" the queen turned to Elfyn, "Welcome back Duchess, and I believe that I have a job for you right here at court."
"What's that Your Majesty?" Elfyn's voice was laced with excitement.
"As I am sure my son has told you he is to be married later this afternoon, and his First wife will need a few Ladies in Waiting as well as a Maid of Honor. How would you like to help the future Queen and become her friend?" Elfyn's face broke into a huge smile which dazzled Ash.
"I would love to your Majesty." With that Elfyn curtsied.
"Good! Now if my son will leave us and prepare himself I will escort you to the palace seamstresses and have you fitted for some new clothing!" Ash took the hint and bowed himself out leaving Elfyn and the Queen to themselves.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Misty entered the hair salon and was immediately ushered to a pink velvet chair. Her feet were immediately claimed by an eager young woman with a nail file and about three boxes of nail polish. "Please sit back your highness and relax. This may take some time." The speaker was a rather flighty young woman with blonde hair; never the less Misty sank back into the chair and relaxed allowing the people around her to work.
Misty sank to the ground in a garden filled with the perfume from hundreds of flowers. She reached up to undo the pins holding her hair on top of her head. The mass of red hair tumbled down her back in waves of curls. The black haired child came to her again, holding out in a pair of tiny hands a bouquet of white lilies. Misty thanked the girl by hugging her tightly. Suddenly a chill wind blew in the garden and a dark figure appeared within a flaming sphere. They ripped the child from Misty's arms. Misty screamed for help and a pair of guards ran to her, but to no avail, the figure merely laughed and vanished with the child.
Misty woke from her dream with a start. She was surrounded by worried faces, "You screamed your Highness." Said one of the girls.
"I'm so sorry girls; I just fell asleep and had a bit of a nightmare." Misty smiled reassuringly at them and they visibly relaxed.
"Well you Highness, it's completed." Misty surveyed her nails. They were gilded with a pearly golden polish as were her toe nails. She slipped on her shoes and went over to see her hair. It was braided into a coronet around her head and laced through with white flowers which proved, under close inspection to be a mountain flower that was called 'Edelweiss'. The rest of her hair had been curled and flowed over her left shoulder. A diamond and sapphire tiara was woven into the complex braiding along with a flowing white veil. She sighed at the effect. It was picture perfect. "Thank you all so much for your effort. It's beautiful." She left the room then to visit the sea one last time.
She pinned her heavy skirts above her knees and took off her shoes and silken stockings before wading into the surf. The foam swirled around her ankles as she walked slowly up the beach. As she walked she began to sing, the song that sprang from her lips was her Nation's Song, Edelweiss.
"Edelweiss, Edelweiss,
Every morning you greet me,
Small and white
Clean and bright
You look happy to meet me
Blossom of snow
May you bloom and grow
Bloom and grow forever
Edelweiss, Edelweiss,
Bless my homeland forever
Blossom of Snow
May you bloom and grow
Bloom and grow forever,
Edelweiss, Edelweiss,
Bless, my homeland,
Forever…
"Goddess, please bless my homeland and keep it safe while I am away." With these words she steeled herself for the inevitable parting of her and her beloved sea. With a sad sigh she stepped from the sea and put on her stockings and shoes. She turned to look once more at the perfection of the sea before entering the palace and leaving it behind.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Ash looked at the clothing carefully laid out by his manservant Samuel Fletcher. He sighed impatiently at the black, silken undershirt and black leather breaches. His ultra formal gold encrusted over tunic and black, knee-high boots were just a nuisance, but did he REALLY have to wear the gold half-cape and the heavy golden crown which proclaimed his position as crown prince and heir apparent. He hated the frippery because it seemed unnecessary for him to parade about showing off his 'good' fortune of being crown prince. 'Well,' he thought to himself, 'if she wants to play it that way…' he strode over to his bedside table and rummaged through the drawers eventually coming up with various medals he had won in tournaments, minor skirmishes with bandits and the last war with the Neevite Cult to the north. Grimly, he smiled and arranged them in the proper order on the over tunic and fastened them all down.
Ash quietly gathered his bathing things, and went into his bathroom to bathe, shave and perform other necessary toiletries. Once finished he donned the shirt and breeches and then his boots and heavy tunic. He then turned to the golden cape that lay draped on his bed. Ash reached for it, hesitating briefly before fastening it to his shoulders with two enameled pins. The crown he turned over and over in his hands, pondering its twists and intricately sculpted designs. He knew that once he set it on his head his life would be bound to a burden he hated. But Ash knew his duty and he firmly placed it on his head. Critically he looked himself over in a mirror, carefully adjusting his tunic and wiping his boots until they gleamed. He sarcastically murmured, "Going native are we?" And, finally was satisfied with his appearance, he strode from the room to find Gary and then to the thrown room which was where he was to meet the first of his many wives.
"Gary! Get your ass up here…" Ash yelled into Gary's apartment in the military barracks.
"I'm pissing for god's sake Ash give me a fucking minute!" Gary yelled back.
"Well zip up your goddamned pants and get your ass down here; we're going to be late!" Ash heard Gary run down the stairs frantically trying to zip his pants up. He was dressed in his black and red dress uniform with the proper gold braiding looped over his left shoulder and tags on his collar proclaiming him a Commander in the Royal Army. The knee-high black boots were polished until they shone and his hair was combed back in crisp waves. All in all he cut a very dashing figure.
"It's about fucking time! As it is we are only going to make it by the skin of our teeth!"
Gary grinned without humor and they both ran inside the palace and up the back stairs to the State Room, it was here that documents were signed, agreed upon and argued over. All of those picky little details that made politicians so happy were fretted over and thought out in this room. It was also where Ash was going to meet his bride. They made it there just in time, no sooner had they both come to parade rest beside the Queen than the air in front of them began to shimmer. Inside the swirling colors two figures began to appear. They grew steadily more distinct until, between one second and the next they appeared. Ash started in amazement. It was HER, the girl in his dreams and she was even lovelier in person. His gaze swept over her high cheekbones, soft, pink mouth and sapphire blue eyes. Her hair was as flaming as he had dreamed and her curves were to die for. There was one difference between the girl in his dreams and this girl, his dream girl's eyes had shone with love, but this woman's eyes were filled with sorrow boarding on heartbreak.
When Misty's father spoke, his voice was clipped and his lips tightened, "Prince Ash of Kanto may I present Princess Misty of Johto." Ash bowed to her as she curtsied to him. "My Lady." He murmured politely. "My Lord." She whispered back.
Misty started at the voice and looked at him closely, there was something in his voice, where had she heard that light baritone with the slight musical inflection? She knew that she had heard it somewhere and then suddenly she remembered the dream! It was him! The man in her dream and he was so handsome!
Ash's mother looked at them searchingly for a brief moment before suggesting that she and the rest of the entourage leave the Prince and Princess alone for a few minutes. They all quietly trooped out leaving Ash with Misty in the room all by themselves. They stared at each other for what seemed like hour without speaking. The silence stretched as they looked into each other's eyes; it seemed as though both of them had lost the ability or perhaps just the will to speak. In Misty's eyes Ash saw pain, confusion, acceptance and something that looked oddly like a flicker of recognition.
Misty couldn't stand the silence; it seemed to press on her shoulders, suffocating her. He seemed so quiet, but regal. He was very handsome even more so than, Brock. She winced, even the thought of her old love brought tears, blinking furiously Misty decided to break the silence so she blurted out the first thing she thought, "Why did you ask for my hand in marriage and why on top of that did you ask for my sisters as well? Was one conquest not enough? Did you need to break my heart and shame me as well?" Misty knew she was babbling but couldn't seem to stop, it was either babble or cry.
Ash looked at her in astonishment, "Milady you misunderstood this situation, I was forced into this without my consent as well! I had no idea that this was to occur until yesterday and I didn't even know your name until a couple of minutes ago! I would do anything to stop this marriage, but I can't! God knows I can't! I've tried, please believe me when I did everything besides stopping to sun to end this but I cannot break a document already signed, sealed and witnessed."
Misty was startled, "You didn't order this? Oh I am so sorry your Highness! I didn't... I mean I couldn't…"
Ash started laughing; Misty stared for a split second before laughing with him. "Milady," Ash gasped between the laughter, "I don't know if we will ever love each other, but I beg of you to let me be your friend." Misty nodded her agreement and they shook hands on it. Ash, still smiling offered Misty his arm which she took. They both turned to the engraved doors and went out to the cheers of the assembled beyond.
(A/N) What did you think of their meeting? Anything you would have changed? Any suggestions? Comments? Questions? Either write me and email at WritersInk16@yahoo.co.uk or review! Ja for now!