After what to Will seemed like an endless day, they finally met up with Merriman at his lodging. During the course of the awful trip, Jane and Bran fought, Jane received the message from the Lady, and was consequently scared out of her wits by the afanc, Barney cut his leg, Simon complained, Jane said no more than two words to Will, and Bran decided that Jane wasn't so bad after all and maybe he DID like her. And Simon complained some more.
Merriman seemed to vanquish all of their petty problems with his presence alone. After hugging his niece and nephews (during which he seemed to embrace Jane tightly and warmly, much longer than the others), he greeted Will and Bran. "Greetings, Old One and Pendragon," he said grimly. "I'm glad you've finally arrived. We have some serious business to attend to."
The Drews obediently sat down on the sofa, Simon squeezing himself in just so he wouldn't have to sit near Will or Bran. Their eyes were wide with questioning, and Will noticed that Jane's hands were trembling. She was still in shock from the afanc.
A wave of jealousy hit Will like a nuclear blast. He gritted his teeth and tried to forget that it was BRAN who saved Jane from the afanc and not himself. Jane looked into Bran's eyes and thanked him. Will could have sworn that Bran got flustered and nervous around Jane, a sure sign that—
"Wake up, Will!" exclaimed Bran. "Merriman is talking!"
Merriman looked slightly annoyed. "I was saying, that there is the annual Aberdyfi ball tomorrow night. And I have it on good authority that many Dark forces will be attending in their usual guises. Seeing as we have little to no information on what their next move is going to be, I suggest we send a few of you to investigate."
Simon cleared his throat. "I'd be glad to go."
"Me too!" chirped Barney.
Bran grinned. "I'm not much of a dancer, but hey, I'll go."
Jane stared at her lap. "I don't normally feel comfortable at those things. I can't really dance and I hate dressing up, so I'll stay here."
"I will decline as well," added Will quickly. If everyone went to the ball except he and Jane, that would give him time to talk to her, maybe get her to open up to him a little so he could explain himself.
Merriman sighed. "I'm sorry to disappoint you, Jane my dear, but you have to go. I can't very well have Will the watchman escort Barney in a gown, could I?"
The silence in the room was deafening. Will's heart was pounding in his chest so hard he thought it was about to come flying out. Jane looked like someone had pinched her as hard as they could; a look of pained anguished and hurt shock covered her face. Bran's eyes were so wide they looked like saucers. Barney looked disappointed that he couldn't go to the ball, but otherwise the announcement had no effect. Simon, however, looked furious.
"Are you suggesting that Will and Jane attend the ball…together?" Bran was the first to find his voice. "Are you sure that's wise, Merriman?"
Merriman looked over at Bran. "Of course I am. Jane is the Lady's messenger, so any signals from the Lady will be picked up by her, and Will has the ability to survey the situation. I am not sending them to have a capital time. They are going on business of the Light."
"Don't you think it better to send Bran?" said Barney meekly. "To sort of stretch his wings when it comes to Battles and stuff?" The main issue was being skirted around by everyone, like a patch of thin ice on a frozen lake. You could skate around it all day long, but eventually someone was going to fall through the cracks.
And not surprisingly, it was Simon.
"Now see here, Gumerry," he said with a pompous air, which rather amused Merriman more than intimidate him. "Despite the battle, Jane has feelings. And I believe that you should consult her on this scenario before you commit her to anything!"
"Very well," replied Merriman, stifling a smile. "Jane?"
Jane looked up from her hands. "I'll do it."
"You see, she doesn't want to—JANE!" Simon cried out in shock. "You aren't seriously considering going to a ball with—"
"Oh, Simon do shut up!" Jane snapped. "You are so suspicious of everyone, and all you do is complain. Just stop being such a jackass and understand that what's going on now is bigger than all of us!" She clamped her eyes back on her lap after this outburst, and Simon looked so astonished. Better yet, he was speechless.
"Then it's decided," Merriman stated. "Now, good night, my companions."
I'm trusting you, Old One.
Thank you.
* * *
"Don't do anything stupid," said Bran as he watched Will get ready. "I know you, Stanton. Too well for your own good. Don't be a stupid idiot tonight."
Will finished tying his black tie. He was uncomfortable in any sort of suit, and the tuxedo complete with tails that Merriman had lent him was no exception. He struggled with the tie for ten minutes before conceding and letting Merriman do it. "I won't, Bran, I promise you. Have you seen my shoes?" Will got to his knees and peered under the bed.
"Over there," Bran sighed as he pointed to the corner. "I shined them for you earlier, they looked dreadful." Will got up and tied them on.
"God, these things are uncomfortable!" He stumbled around the room trying to get a feel for them.
Bran watched him. "Will, you know when I say don't be a stupid idiot…I mean don't do anything—"
"Stupid. Yes, I know."
"No you don't," Bran replied curtly. "I see how Jane looks at you. Don't do anything else to…make her look at you that way ever again."
Will turned to face him. "I thought you didn't even like Jane."
Bran played with the fringe on a pillow. "It's not a matter of my liking anyone. It's a matter of decency, and you need to understand that she looks at you like…like you broke her heart. And I can't stand to see her—I mean, anyone—that miserable."
Will silently brushed his hair in the mirror.
"SHE'S READY!" yelled Barney from the downstairs parlor.
Will and Bran looked at each other, and suddenly both of them bolted for the door. "Let me out first, I'm the escort!" cried Will angrily.
"I'm the innocent bystander!" Bran shoved with all his might and made it out the door first, and nimbly flew down the stairs; with an angry and stumbling Will who had not yet been adjusted to his shoes behind him. "I am going to beat you within an inch of your life, Bran Davies!" Will was screaming as he tore after him. "Oof!" he cried as he slammed right into Bran, who had stopped at the top of the stairs. "What is your prob—"
And there was Jane. Usually uncomfortable and gawky Jane Drew had been transformed. Her hair was freed from its usual ponytail into an elegant up do with brown tendrils hanging around her face. Her face, one may add, had been made over to practically glow in the weak light. She was wearing a beige colored empire waist dress with a baby blue waistline that circled right below her chest, and was held together in the back by an elaborate clasp made of silver and blue stones. Will wondered what it could be like to touch the clasp.
"Jenny," whispered Bran. "You look absolutely beautiful."
Jane blushed. "I feel so stupid." She shifted her feet uncomfortably, revealing dainty heels that elevated her height at least three inches. "I just wish I could wear jeans."
Merriman looked up at Will. "Well, come on, watchman. It's time for you to resume your post." Merriman handed a stupefied Will Jane's hand. "Take good care of her."
Will numbly took Jane's hand and gently laced it through his arm. "Allow me."
Jane gave him the first genuine look of appreciation in three years. "Please don't let me fall down. These heels are going to be the death of me. Simon is so angry with me, he didn't even want to come out and see us off." A look of melancholy crossed her face and she glanced at Simon's shut door.
"Don't worry," Will croaked out. "Everything will be all right."
* * *