The fading rays of the sun cast soft shadows through the trees, making the forest seem to be on fire in the red and purple hues of dusk. The only sounds heard in the forest were two travelers; all of the wildlife had wisely fled for safer parts of the forest during the commotion of less than an hour ago.
After finding a clearing that would be suitable for a camp, Zangulus stood cradling the injured young sorceress while Amelia had immediately pitched a tent. When the swordsman moved to set the wounded girl inside, the raven haired princess shook her head and motioned to put her down on a blanket outside. Zangulus raised an eyebrow, but complied. He gently and carefully placed Lina on the blanket, handling her as if she were made of glass.
"Mister Zangulus, could you grab another blanket and then go and get some more firewood?" He looked surprised, but nodded. "And could you, umm, take a while? I'm going to clean her up a bit and get her changed," Amelia finished with a slight blush as she rummaged through Lina's cloak and backpack. The swordsman merely nodded and retrieved the requested blanket before waking into the woods.
Once she was sure they were alone, Amelia removed the blood stained clothes Lina was wearing. With a wet rag and a bucket of water, she quickly cleaned all of the wounds. Noting most were now just scrapes, she tugged a set of pajamas onto the flame haired girl. After getting the petite sorceress dressed, Amelia brushed out Lina's long red tresses, looked down at her and smiled faintly.
We did it, Miss Lina, she thought to herself. Love and Justice prevailed, and you and Gourry will be just fine. The former shrine priestess sighed gently. I hope you found what you wanted down there Miss Lina. She was broken from her reverie when she heard a sound her. By this time Zangulus came back, calling out loudly his arrival.
Amelia smiled up at him and asked, "We can move Lina into the tent now, Mister Zangulus." The King nodded and gently transferred Lina from the blanket to a comfortable pallet set up in the tent. As he was walking out of the tent, the others reached the camp. He knelt and began preparing a fire. Gourry immediately walked toward the tent, but Amelia shook her head no.
"Go get cleaned up, Mister Gourry. I don't want either you or Lina to get an infection, "she said kindly.
Gourry asked in protest, "What about Lina?"
The princess blushed faintly and said, "I already cleaned up Miss Lina." The blonde reluctantly headed out of the camp towards the stream.
Zangulus stood from where he tended the fire and said, "I'll go with him. Martina, hand me the bandages in case we need them." He smiled and kissed his wife on the cheek as he walked out of the camp.
Martina sighed. "Be careful, Zangy-darling." She turned to Amelia, "So what are we going to do about dinner? I'm famished." When the princess just looked at her in slack jawed amazement, the green haired queen smiled, "Well, I am eating for two."
The king of Zoana shook his head and smiled when he heard his wife. What an amazing couple of days. He looked up at the warrior he was following and frowned in thought.
Who was that woman that Gourry was fighting?
Once they reached a spot far enough away to preserve modesty, both stopped. Gourry silently began shucking his clothes, wincing when his back protested his movements. After a moment, he was nude and he walked into the water.
The cool water of the stream struck his skin and Gourry started from the half waking state he had been in. With a grimace of pain, he began bathing. Zangulus watched him from the shore. After a few minutes of silence, the swordsman turned royalty spoke.
"So did you find what you were looking for, Gourry?"
Gourry nodded as he lathered his long blonde hair. "Yeah, we found a bit of treasure, and we found me a new sword."
Zangulus looked over at the sheathed blade. Gesturing, he asked, "May I see it?"
At a nod from the other swordsman, Zangulus drew the blade from its scabbard. He looked at it in wide eyed astonishment. For a blade that looked so fragile, it was amazingly heavy, far heavier than the Howling Sword. After glancing at it for a moment, he sheathed the sword and nodded.
"It's a good blade," he said as he set it down.
Finished cleaning himself, Gourry grabbed his towel and climbed from the stream. As he toweled himself dry he said, "Yeah it is, but it might just be more trouble than the Sword of Light. I carried that sword for years before somebody tried to take it from me." He looked around after drying and frowned.
"What am I going to do for clothes? These are ruined."
Zangulus smiled and reached into his pack. Rummaging for a moment, he threw a baggy set of black clothing at the taller warrior. Gourry caught them, a questioning look on his face.
"Those are my sleeping clothes. We couldn't find your pack, and these are the biggest pants I had." Zangulus smiled at his former rival and said, "They might be a bit short, but it's better than wearing that sack cloth that Zel wears."
Gourry nodded in agreement and dressed. The pants were indeed about five inches short, but at least they worked. With a nod, both men packed up and headed back to camp.
As they walked, Zangulus asked, "So who was that blue haired girl that you were fighting? She looked vaguely familiar."
The blonde shrugged. "I don't really know. What I do know is that she was wearing the insignia of general of the Elmekian Armies."
Zangulus frowned. "That's odd for a general to leave Elmekia, especially in the company of berserkers."
"Well, she was a Mazoku, so I guess it's alright."
The king stopped in his tracks and put a hand on Gourry's shoulder. In wide eyed amazement he asked, "You're sure she's a Mazoku?!?!"
Gourry nodded, "Yeah. When I cut her, she bled black. Last time I saw that was when Xel and Gabby fought." He frowned in concentration, "Or was it with Vabby, Vinni…oh whatever his name was. The guy that tried to blow up everything."
Zangulus shook his head at his friend's memory and both continued on in silence. I wonder why a Mazoku would wear the colors of Elmekia…
Just after the two had left, Martina was still smiling at her quip about eating for two. She let out a slight chuckle at her joke.
"Besides," she continued with a grin, "Lina will probably try and eat one of us if she doesn't have any food when she wakes up."
With a sigh, Zelgadiss made to leave. "I'll go hunting then. Keep an eye on everything, all right? I also didn't find Gourry's pack, so I'll go back and look for it."
"Take care, Mister Zelgadiss," Amelia said as the chimera walked away. A wave was her reply. She sighed, then looked over at Martina and blushed.
The queen just smiled. "You two are just sooooo cute," she drawled, causing the princess to blush.
"Misses Martina!"
"So, you think Lina and Gourry have gotten together yet?" Martina asked, switching gears after having her fun.
Expecting another jab at herself, Amelia stammered out, "W…well, I, um, really don't know. They weren't the last time they visited the castle." She looked pointedly at the Queen of Zoana. "That's really not our business to pry, Misses Martina. It's not just."
Martina laughed loudly. "Sure, sure, Amelia." She shot the other royal a sly look. "But you want to know, don't you?"
Amelia's returning blush caused Martina to grin wider. "I knew you did. Besides," she added after a moment's consideration, "It's not like either of them is even looking at anyone else."
The heir to Saillune nodded. "That's very true, Misses Martina. And they are very cute together," Amelia blushed again when she realized what she said. "Oh, what am I saying? It's not right to gossip about my friends like this."
Gray eyes twinkling, Martina leaned back against a log and stared at the fire. "It's true though," she said after a silent moment. "I knew back in the day when I met all of you that those two cared about each other. I mean, even Sylphiel knows."
Amelia just nodded and poked at the fire. She looked up when Gourry and Zangulus came back into camp. The blonde looked a hundred percent improved, even if he was wearing Zangulus's clothing.
Martina kissed her husband when he sat next to her and said, "I don't think black is a very good look for you, Gourry." She snickered, but stopped when he looked over at her dully.
Gourry turned his gaze on Amelia and said, "Can I go check on Lina now?"
The princess stood and nodded. "I'll go sit with both of you for a little bit, ok?" She led the swordsman into the tent.
Walking over, Gourry sat cross-legged next to the slumbering sorceress. He brushed her hair away from her cheek and smiled softly. He looked back up and met the concerned gaze of the princess.
"Thanks for taking care of her, Amelia," he said in a soft voice.
The blonde warrior looked at the sword at his side and frowned. "This thing has already been a lot of trouble," he muttered.
Amelia put a hand over Gourry's and said, "What did happen, Mister Gourry?"
Gourry squeezed her hand once before letting go and replying in a dull voice, "We got attacked by a pair of Mazoku underground. While we were resting, these berserkers and that weird Mazoku swordswoman showed up.
"I fought them, and her, but I think Xelloss hit us with that big blast. She was awake for a bit before that though." He smiled down at the red head. "She must have used up a lot of power when we were underground, 'cause she slept through most of the second fight."
The princess just looked at him in amazement. "You fought off berserkers and that Mazoku without Miss Lina?"
Gourry nodded. "It wasn't that bad. I was fighting that blue haired Mazoku one on one when Xelloss attacked." His eyes clouded. "I'm still confused by that. Why would Xelloss attack randomly like that? And why was he aiming at Lina, and not me?"
"I don't know, Mister Gourry, I don't know."
The two sat in silent vigil for a while until Amelia noted that Gourry was nearly asleep. She shook him gently and motioned for him to lie down on the other pallet. He started to refuse, but Amelia glared at him and he subsided. The swordsman was asleep almost before his head hit the pillow. With a last look back at the sleeping couple, she walked out to rejoin the group.
The sun had been steadily dying since the fight had ended. Zelgadiss reached the small rocky outcropping just as the sun was sending rays of violet and pink across the sky. Casting a light spell upon closing, he quickly gathered up Gourry's pack. He heard, and felt a sudden gust of wind and knew he wasn't alone. He straightened and walked out of the hollow.
"What do you want, Xelloss?"
The caped priest laughed from its place high on the rocks. "I guess I am getting predictable, eh my friend?"
Zelgadiss pointedly ignored him and started to walk away. He heard the Mazoku sigh and jump down off of the rock. He just kept walking.
Xelloss sighed again dramatically, "You're not even going to thank me for saving Lina and Gourry's lives?"
The chimera stopped and looked over at the priest. "Why should I? I'm willing to bet that you had a hand in getting them there, getting the other Mazoku there, or both. So in effect, they were only in danger because of you."
Xelloss smiled. "Be that as it may, I did still contribute to their survival."
Stopping, Zelgadiss turned back to the monster behind him. "Why did you help us anyway? I thought you were after the sword?"
The Mazoku general-priest stopped smiling. "What I am after, my dear chimera, is most definitely a secret." Smiling again, it continued, "But enough about me. Out of curiosity, do any of you know where you are going next?"
Zelgadiss frowned and answered, "I'd tell you, but then we'd have a fight on our hands before, during, and after we got there. So I think I'll keep that information to myself."
"My dear Zelgadiss, don't you trust me?"
"Not as far as I could kick you, you silly fruitcake." He turned and walked away.
Xelloss watched him walk away. "My, oh my. With friends like him, who needs enemies?" With a shrug, the trickster was gone.
Lina woke with a start. The last thing she remembered was looking at Gourry when the explosion blinded her to everything except for pain. Then she had gotten knocked into a rock and had blacked out. Sitting up, she realized she was in a tent, and that she was cleaner and in her pajamas. The ones that were black dotted with yellow and pink stars. Lina smiled faintly; Gourry had gotten these for her last year as a Cepheidmas present. Gourry! She got up shakily and walked out of the tent to search for him.
Exiting the tent, Lina was shocked to find the people outside there. She looked around wide eyed to find Zelgadiss, Amelia, Zangulus and Martina staring back at her. The raven-haired princess jumped up and immediately hugged her.
"I'm glad you're feeling better, Miss Lina," she said with feeling.
Lina blushed a bit and returned the hug. "Where'd you guys come from?" She asked after the two had separated.
Amelia looked over at Zelgadiss. "Mister Zelgadiss came to Saillune about a week ago and said that he needed help saving you and Mister Gourry. Misses Martina and Mister Zangulus were already there on business and decided to come with us."
The read head looked over at the chimera and asked, "So how did you find out me and Gourry were in trouble anyway?"
Zelgadiss looked down at the ground. "I was at the Claire Bible trying to find my cure. Finding out what happened to you two was an accident; Afterward, I decided I couldn't let two of my only friends die."
"Thanks for the save then; speaking of a blonde jellyfish, where is Gourry?"
Martina looked up and grinned, "He was in the room with you last time we checked, Lina dear."
Lina blanched for a moment, but then asked, "How'd we survive anyway? Some sort of bubble appeared around me, then that blast went off. I didn't see what happened to Gourry."
"Well, Miss Amelia cast a new spell that Zel had given her to protect you. As for Gourry, I don't know; Zel seems to think it was the sword." Zangulus shrugged. "But what we do know is that his worst injuries came from that gal with the blue hair."
The petite sorceress paled a bit and frowned. "So how bad is he?"
Amelia steered Lina toward the tent after a pointed look at everyone else. "Well, Miss Lina, his back was the worst; but don't worry about that. You're not fully healed yet and neither is he. We need to get him to a shrine as quickly as we can to finish healing him." The princess felt Lina start.
She bowed her head apologetically. "I'm sorry I can't heal him better, Miss Lina."
Patting the princess on the shoulder, Lina said, "It's all right Amelia."
The two entered the tent. Now that she bothered to look around, the red head saw that Gourry was only about two feet from her own pallet. She just hadn't looked for him. After they sat down, Lina looked over at him, and at all the cuts visible on his arms. "Wow; you got busted up really bad this time, didn't you jellyfish?"
After checking his bandages, Amelia stood quietly. "I'll leave you two alone. But don't stay up very long Miss Lina. From what Gourry told me, you need the rest as much as he does." She left as Lina made shooing motions.
Once they were alone, Lina sighed down at him. "You know what Gourry, I thought I heard you say something just before the Dragon Slave hit earlier today. So you can't do anything silly like die on me right now, ok? I really need to know if you said what I think you said."
I wonder if I really did hear him right, she thought as she stared down at her hands as they rested in her lap. But the better question is: Do I really want to know?
Like you don't want to know.
Lina's eye's widened when she realized she had just thought that. A noise and some movement out of the corner of her eye broke her from her train of thought.
She looked over at him, and her brow scrunched with worry. He didn't seem to be sleeping that well. Maybe he's having a nightmare, she thought as she looked at him. While watching, Lina though about their travels together; all of their adventures, misadventures, and everything in between.
"Y'know, Gourry, there's just one thing I don't get. Why do you always try and protect me?"
Lina gasped when this question provoked a reaction from her comatose friend. He thrashed around on the bed. She reached out and grabbed his hand while he was thrashing, and Gourry seemed to calm down. So she sat that way with him for a long while.
Why do ye protect her?
Gourry stood on a barren battlefield. Barren, save for the bodies of his opponents. Even as he watched, the bodies rose up to attack him again. He would have backed up to give himself more room, but he bumped against something.
Looking down, he saw Lina lying at his feet, broken and bloodied, but still breathing. Hearing a shout, he glanced over and saw Zelgadiss and Amelia waving him over, through the hordes of monsters.
Picking Lina up with one arm, Gourry began cutting his way through his opponents. When he couldn't block an attack that was aimed at the woman he held, he took the attack in her place. He fled the battle, trying to reach his friends. Then he felt blackness wrap around him and he was being dragged from Lina. But she was safe with their friends, so it was alright. He closed his eyes.
Why do ye protect her?
Gourry opened his eyes, and suddenly the scene changed. Looking around, he realized he was in a ruined city. As he watched, a glowing version of Lina appeared in the sky. She said something he could not hear and turned away, heading into that horrible gold blackness.
With a cry he chased after her. But no matter how fast he moved, she was always a step away. Just as he finally reached her, she faded away. Gourry felt his heart, no his very soul, shatter. He closed his eyes.
When he opened them, both he and Lina were standing atop some broken pillars, holding each other. He smiled and closed his eyes again. She was alright! She came back, that was all that mattered.
Why do ye protect her?
He opened his eyes, and saw a group of bandits closing in on a little girl. He strode out confidently, and defeated them all. Gourry even went so far as to remove the leader from his clothes. When he returned his attention to the girl, she turned to face him and he saw a girl with flame red hair and crimson eyes. His heart jumped once in his chest, though he did not know why. He closed his eyes to compose himself.
Why do ye protect her?
He found himself on another battlefield. Standing before him was a single being. Clad in sea-green armor was a massive man with a face that resembled a lion, mane and all. He rested his hands on a sword pommel, the blade just barely in the earth.
"Who are you?" Gourry asked as he studied the person before him. "I kind of remember the other things I've seen, but I know I haven't met you before."
A rumbling laugh echoed from the lion-like man. "Haven't ye though?" He held up his sword, and Gourry recognized the crystalline blade. "I am the original wielder of this sword." The swordsman looked over Gourry with a critical eye.
"So why do ye protect her?"
Gourry shook his head. "So you've been asking me that question!" Gourry's eyes narrowed. "Why have you been asking me that? What are you after?"
The warrior in green laughed and took a step forward. "Gourry, ye are the best I have seen with a sword; but thy soul still bears the taint of Darkness."
The blonde took a step back and drew his own sword. "What are you talking about?"
"Until ye release the shackles on thy heart, ye shall never be truly free," The Lion man explained calmly as he continued to step forward.
Gourry finally stopped and stood his ground. The warrior stopped and smiled, not advancing further, but also not retreating. This confused him even more.
"So what am I supposed to do to release 'thiehart' anyway?" Gourry asked.
The swordsman grimaced. "Not 'thiehart'. Thy heart."
"Um, what? How do I release a 'diehard'?"
A growl ripped forth from Gourry's opponent. "No! Are ye daft or…wait." His eyes narrowed. "Ye are doing this on purpose, aren't ye?"
Gourry grinned in response.
"I thought as much."
Returning to the matter at hand, Gourry asked, "So what do I have to do to release my heart?"
The warrior stopped and stood at the ready. "Just answer the question I hath posed."
Gourry paused a moment. "Which one?"
Slapping his face, the Lion man said, "Why do ye protect her?"
"I thought everyone knew the answer to that one," Gourry began. "Even I figured that one out." He caught the look thrown at him.
"I protect her because I love her, that's why."
The sword began to glow in the green clad warrior's hand. It was a warm light, soothing in its gentleness. The warrior smiled.
"True strength comes from the heart, not the mind. When ye love, thy power is greatest protecting the ones ye love." He nodded to Gourry, and handed him the sword.
As Gourry grasped the blade, it flashed once, and the warrior before him slowly faded away. When he was almost gone, the warrior said, "Remember this Gourry: the truth will set ye free." Then he was gone.
He closed his eyes again as he stood there alone on the battlefield. Despite the way this dream had gone, the swordsman had no worries. He knew that he no longer needed to fear what would be there when he woke. Gourry smiled and opened his eyes.
When Gourry opened his eyes, he could only see a murky darkness. As his eyes adjusted, he realized he was inside a tent. Then he noticed the weight on his left side. Glancing over, Gourry's eyes widened when he saw why he felt such a weight.
Hold on to his hand, kneeling there and starting to fall into him as she slept, was Lina. The blonde laughed quietly and tried to sit up. He inhaled sharply and winced when he felt the shooting pain from the injury to his back. He jerked spasmodically once.
Lina felt a tug on her hands and her eyes snapped open. She glanced up from where she was leaning and realized that Gourry was trying to sit up. She scowled at him and gently pushed him back down.
"You shouldn't be moving around Gourry," the fiery sorceress said in as loud a voice as she dared. "Amelia says you've got a real nasty wound on your back. So you lay back and rest."
She blushed madly when she realized that the act of pushing Gourry back down to the mattress had inadvertently left her nearly straddling his long body. She blushed, and the looked up to meet him in the eye. She was surprised by the intensity of what she saw there.
Gourry had quietly consented to Lina's tender manipulations. When she leaned over him while she was berating him, he sighed quietly to himself. When she stopped and looked at him, the blush that rose to her cheeks actually made him smile.
"What are you smiling about?"
Gourry put his best befuddled look on before saying, "What are you talking about?"
With a small screech of frustration, Lina started to get up. Only to find herself grasped by strong arms. She gasped when Gourry pulled her back down. She looked into his eyes and saw his confusion gone; his blues eyes were clear as crystal and as bright as the summer sky.
"I was just kidding, Lina."
This time Lina did smack him lightly. "You!" She said in a huff. "Why do I put up with you?"
"Because I'm your protector," Gourry answered with a grin.
The petite sorceress relaxed in his grasp but did not avert her eyes from his. She stared into them for a while. Well, I might as well ask him, she thought to herself. So she asked the question she had been wondering for a long time.
"Why do you protect me anyway Gourry? We both know I don't need it," she said seriously. Lina was more than a little unnerved when Gourry just smiled softly.
Gourry shook his head slightly and said, "Lina, you need a protector to keep you out of trouble more than anyone I've ever met," he said jokingly.
He stared into her eyes for a moment, knowing that was not the answer she was looking for. But should I say it? What if...then Gourry remembered the last thing the warrior in his dream had said.
"The truth will set ye free…"
Still looking deeply into her eyes, Gourry answered her question truthfully. "Lina, I promised to protect you a long time ago. At first it was just a duty, to get you to Atlas City." Gourry stopped for a second, his eyes far away as he remembered.
Lina listened to Gourry answer and her heart sank when he gave such a flippant remark. Staring into his eyes, she thought she saw him argue with himself for a moment. Then he started talking again, and she started to get really scared. Especially when he mentioned Atlas City.
"But somewhere along the way, it changed. I think, for the longest time, I've had a better reason to protect you." Gourry took a deep breath and answered.
"I protect you because I love you, Lina Inverse."
Lina was frozen in place, staring into his eyes. He loved her. Her mind shut out everything else and focused on that. He loved her. Not Sylphiel, not any other big busted girl they had ever run across, but her. Lina couldn't believe it. She looked hard into his eyes and saw that he meant it.
She went to answer him, but the only thing that came out of her mouth was a yawn. She blushed all the way to the roots of her hair. Gourry just laughed and ruffled her hair. His laugh and the warm smile he was giving her, made her embarrassment fade. He made her lack of an immediate answer all right. She smiled softly at him and caressed his cheek. The warm look in the blonde's eyes made her want to melt. Lina felt another yawn bubble up and raised her other hand to her mouth to cover it.
Instead of replying, Lina moved his left arm out of the way and hunkered down there in between his arm and his body. Gourry pulled the blanket over both of them and she moved into his reassuring warmth. She rested her head on his shoulder and sighed.
Looking up at her blonde bodyguard, Lina's eyes softened. "We are gonna have a reeeeealy long talk in the morning Gourry," she said with another yawn.
"Sure thing Lina," Gourry said as he wrapped an arm around her as she drifted off to sleep. Gourry looked down at her for a while longer.
Well, she didn't answer me, he thought to himself. Then he smiled softly. But not for lack of trying. Looking at her he shook his head and closed his eyes. I can't wait until morning. Soon his soft snores joined hers as the exhausted adventurers slept. Unknown to both, the tent flap swished softly as it closed.
Martina stepped away from the tent with a smile on her face and walked back to the group. Zelgadiss looked up at her and raised an eyebrow.
"I thought you were going to go and check on them?"
The green haired queen's smile softened and she snuggled up to her husband. She sighed in contentment before looking back at Amelia and the chimera.
She said to them, "They'll be just fine on their own. Just fine," she said with a soft giggle.
Zelgadiss shrugged and went back to tuning his guitar. Once it had reached a proper tone, he strummed the strings lightly to warm up. He started up a soft tune.
"When I step into the light, my arms are open wide…"
Everyone smiled; the beat and the lyrics were upbeat. That was something quite unusual for Zelgadiss' musical choices.
"When I step into the light, my eyes searching wildly…"
The song continued into the night, soft and searching, happy and frivolous. Once it was over, Amelia looked up at the chimera from her place near him.
"Where did you learn that song, Mr. Zelgadiss?"
The shaman smiled down and said, "I heard it in the outer world at a town I stopped in. They were having a festival to celebrate the birth of a child. It was catchy, so I copied the lyrics down and learned the melody."
Zangulus smiled at him and said, "Do you do that a lot, Zel?"
Zelgadiss nodded. "Yes. I've got a book in my pack that has all of the songs I've taken a liking to, as well as…" The chimera stopped and looked down.
Martina spoke up, "What was that Zelgadiss? I didn't quite catch that last bit."
A frown was her reply. "…Some I've penned myself." He blushed just a bit at the last. Amelia looked over from her place near him with stars in her eyes.
"May we hear one of those, Mister Zelgadiss?" Amelia asked, smiling up at the wandering shaman.
Completely prepared to deny her request, Zelgadiss made the mistake of looking at the princess. Catching the hopeful look in her eyes, his stomach dropped. Even he, heartless swordsman that he claimed to be, was powerless against the hopeful look of a doe eyed girl. Instead of saying no, he merely nodded. He thought for a moment, and then began to play a slightly slower song.
"I wrote this song a while back, during that whole Darkstar mess. It's about all of us," he said by way of explanation as he plucked out the chords. The chimera would play a few cords and then softly tap the guitar he held, almost creating a percussive rhythm.
"When the night has come, and the land is dark…And the moon is the only light we'll see..."
Everyone listened as the chimera sang out the words, both hopeful and despondent.
"No, I won't be afraid, No, I won't be afraid. Just as long as you stand…Stand by me…"
"Mister Zelgadiss," Amelia said softly as she listened to him sing.
"So Dragons, Demons...Stand by me. Oh, stand by me…"
Martina and Zangulus held each other, picturing the fight that they had to keep Zoana as its own country.
"Oh, stand...Stand by me, Stand by me…"
Zelgadiss played the songs chords and rhythms for a moment, then he moved into the next verse.
"If the sky that we look upon…Should tumble and fall; Or the mountains should crumble to the sea…"
"I won't cry, I won't cry…No, I won't shed a tear…"
Amelia and Martina could feel Zelgadiss winding up the verse to begin the chorus. They looked at each other and smiled.
"Just as long as you stand, Stand by me…"
As the chimera started the refrain, he was surprised to hear two alto voices joining him in the refrain. He smiled as he sang, the two female royals adding their sound to his.
"And darling, darling...Stand by me. Oh, stand by me…"
"Oh, stand...Stand by me, Stand by me…"
The song continued on for quite a while, singing both of darkness and light, hope and despair. Finally it was done, and both Martina and Amelia eyes glistened in the light of the campfire. Amelia began clapping while she wiped away her tears.
"That was very good, Mister Zelgadiss."
"I agree stony, you could make a lot of money as a traveling bard if you decide to give up this adventuring business," Martina added to Amelia's praise. Zelgadiss blushed under so much positive attention.
The king of Zoana saw the chimera's predicament. Smiling, Zangulus nodded to the chimera and said, "Well done. Well, I think its time for most of us to turn in. I didn't do much, so I'll take first and second watch."
When the girls nodded he continued, "Zel, if you would take the last watch until morning so I can get a least an hour or two of sleep that would be fine. Then we'll move everyone out."
Plans decided, everyone went to bed; Martina shared a tent with Amelia, and Zelgadiss slept on his own. Just before dawn, Zangulus woke the chimera and entered the tent to sleep. Since he was up, Zelgadiss rummaged up enough food to make for breakfast for the group.
The first thing that Lina noticed in the morning was that she had an unusually comfortable, and heated, pillow. As her brain caught up to the rest of her waking senses, she remembered what had happened that evening. She opened her eyes and looked around as best she could from where Gourry had her pinned. She stretched and yawned as she sat up, Gourry's arm still firmly about her waist. She blushed again and slowly moved his arm from around her.
Once free, she stood quietly and looked for her pack. Not finding it in the tent, she grumbled and went outside. Thankfully, the only member of her rescuers awake was Zelgadiss. She rummaged in her bag and grimaced when the only clean clothes she had was a pair of tan pants, a sleeveless shirt, and a green vest. Shrugging, she grabbed it and a towel. She walked off to bathe and change.
When she returned, she noted that no one else had apparently woken up yet. She was contemplating what to do when Zelgadiss spoke up.
"So how were the sleeping arrangements last night?"
She felt her face blush beet red for a moment, and then shrugged. "Best nights sleep I've had in a long while."
The chimera nodded. While tending the fire, he called over his shoulder, "So is this going to be a permanent arrangement?"
Lina stopped and began stammering. Hearing Zelgadiss chuckle cynically, she said in retort, "That all depends. Did you and Amelia share a tent last night?"
Zelgadiss finally looked over at Lina, scowling. "No we didn't Lina. Zangulus and I rotated one tent while Martina and Amelia shared another."
Lina nodded and went and sat next to the fire, a thoughtful look on her face. Eventually she wrapped her arms around her knees and rested her head, slightly rocking. She heard the chimera sigh.
"Seriously though, Lina," Zelgadiss began, "Is this going to be a regular occurrence or not?"
She looked over at the shaman. She shrugged her shoulders and said, "I don't know. I mean, I know how he feels at least, but I'm not sure how I feel."
She looked over at the chimera and scowled at the incredulous look he threw her. His look plainly said, Now who's lying to herself. She didn't like the look at all.
"What's that look for exactly?"
Zelgadiss stared her straight in the eye and said, "Let me get this straight Lina. You're perfectly willing to cast the Giga Slave, the most powerful spell ever, just to save a single man's life." His hard glare forced her to listen as he spit out in clipped sentences, "You were willing to sacrifice the whole world for him, but you aren't sure you're in love?" The chimera snorted. "And I thought Gourry was the stupid one."
Lina smacked the chimera while giving him one of her patented Death Glares™. As she rubbed her now hurting hand, she said, "Gourry is not an idiot; he just isn't the most informed guy on the planet."
The stony young man looked over at her, still frowning before he relaxed. "I know that Lina. But you get the point."
Lina stood up and looked over at the chimera. As he was about to take a sip of a steaming liquid, she said, "Yeah well, if I'm in denial, what about you and little Princess Justice, hmmmm?"
She walked away as the chimera sputtered through a gulp of piping hot coffee. She smiled and walked back into the tent she had shared with Gourry. Walking in, she was surprised to see that he was awake. She moved to him and knelt by his pallet.
"Morning, Gourry."
"Morning, Lina."
The sorcery genius looked over at the blonde swordsman and sighed. How was she going to resolve this? Was she really in love with a jellyfish?
"Gourry, about last night…"
Eyes still clear and calm as a pristine lake, he replied, "What about it?"
She tried to pool up her courage. "Did you mean it? When you said you l…loved me?"
Gourry smiled and answered, "I meant every word Lina. I might not know a lot of things, but as sure as I'm a swordsman, I meant what I said last night." He looked her in the eyes. "I love you, Lina."
Lina felt a thrill run up her spine when he said it. Well, she was stuck now. There was no denying a statement like that, especially from Gourry. But did she feel the same? Searching within, her mind conjured up, in the blink of an eye, every thing that they had been through. Gourry had put up with her abuse, her neediness, her anger, her insecurities, everything. Time and again as they adventured, Gourry was always there. He was there when she needed him, as a friend, as a partner, as a voice of reason. And he never asked anything from her, other than to continue traveling with her.
There was also the incident with Phibrizzo. It was as if her entire world had ceased to be. When she saw his crystal starting to break, she began casting the Giga Slave. It didn't matter if the world was gone, or even if she could control the spell. All that mattered was that if she could not have Gourry with her then nothing else would be worth it. And hadn't he come after her, when the Lord of Nightmares had claimed her?
While Gourry had been missing, there were also Amelia, Martina, and even Sylphiel's admonitions to be honest about her feelings. Looking over at Gourry again, her eyes softened. If I am this shook up about it, I really must be in love. I already know he loves me. What am I afraid of? Maybe she should just say it and get it over with.
Lina opened her mouth to speak, but nothing but gibberish came out. "I…I...I mean, I…oh Dammit this isn't coming out right."
Gourry just laughed and put a finger on her mouth, saying "You don't have to say anything Lina. I'll still be here when you're ready, or," and he paused and closed his eyes, "Even if you're not."
"But I don't want things to change!"
The blonde swordsman's eyes snapped open and he looked at her strangely. "What's going to change Lina?"
She stammered out, "Well, everything! I mean, we'll have to settle down, stop adventuring, get married, have children, and stuff like that. I don't think I'm ready for that Gourry."
"Umm, why would we have to do all of that Lina?" He asked confusion evident in his voice.
It was Lina's turn to look at him strangely. "That's what being together means Gourry." She saw he was still confused. "Doesn't it?" Her voice quavered.
Gourry scratched the back of his head with one hand in embarrassment. "I just don't understand why we'd have to do all that stuff Lina." He took a deep breath, exhaling slowly as he continued, "The main reason I told you was because I just want to be close to you Lina. If I want to give you a hug, or hold you when you're feeling down or anything like that, I don't want to get hit for it."
Lina looked down guiltily and said, "I hit you a lot, don't I?"
Gourry used a hand to pick up her chin so she was meeting her eyes. "I don't mind Lina, really I don't. I know you've got a temper, but that's part of who you are."
The red-headed sorcery genius grabbed his hand and held it captive in her hands. "But what about that other stuff?"
"What other stuff?" He blinked, and then smiled. "Oh. Well, if that's what you want to do, fine." He blushed a bit in embarrassment and added, "I mean, other than maybe one day getting married, I don't really care much about the rest of it."
"So let me get this straight, Gourry Gabriev," Lina began slowly. "The only thing that is going to change is that I let you be close to me, and maybe one day getting married. That's it?" Gourry nodded with a soft smile on his face and in his eyes.
Lina leaned forward so that she was only inches from Gourry's face and said, "In that case, I l…l...I lo…l…dammitall," the sorceress cursed as she found she couldn't finish her declaration. Instead, she leaned forward the rest of the way and kissed him.
When their lips met, it was like an electric jolt went through Lina's body. It didn't hurt, quite the opposite in fact. It did leave her feeling tingly all over. She felt Gourry's arms come around her and hold her and she smiled.
Ending the kiss a little breathless, she said softly, "Ditto, Gourry."
"What?"
Lina laughed and batted his arm. "It means 'the same' or 'equally', Jellyfish."
Sobering, she looked at him and said, "That's ok, right?"
Gourry just grinned and caressed her face. He said softly, "Sure thing, Lina. Like I said, whenever you're ready, I'll still be here."
"Oh. Okay then."
Lina smiled then, an open and unguarded smile that Gourry had not seen since returning from the Sea of Chaos. As she leaned in for another kiss she thought, I could get used to this!
While they were kissing, Lina's hands got adventurous and started exploring the previously untouchable realm of Gourry's body. Not that she had wanted to. Ever. Especially at night. When the distance between her tent and his seemed like a chasm that she could never cross. Anyway, as she was exploring, she ran her hand down Gourry's side and grazed a part of his bandage. He broke off their kiss with a hiss of pain.
Shocked, Lina looked up at him and said, "How bad are you hurt Gourry?"
"Not too bad," he replied.
Rolling her eyes and muttering, "Men," Lina lifted off the blanket and gasped. There was blood everywhere on the right side of his bandages. She rolled him slightly on the pallet, and narrowed her eyes when she noticed that the entire bandage was sopping. She returned him to a prone position as softly as she could, careful not to upset his injuries any more.
She looked up at him sternly and said, "I'm going and getting everyone, and we're getting you to a healer."
Standing, Lina walked over to the exit of the tent and paused. Turning back to look at her partner, she smiled and added with a wink, "Can't have you dying on me when things are just getting good." Moving the flap aside, she went to gather the others.
Outside the tent, the casual air she had been affecting for Gourry slipped a bit. Looking around, she found Martina and Zelgadiss preparing breakfast. She stomped over to them. Both looked up when she walked over.
"Ok everybody, let's get a move on, we have a lot of ground to cover before we reach a town, so let's get walking."
Zelgadiss looked up at her and shook his head. "We aren't walking anywhere Lina."
"What??!?"
"What he means, Miss Lina," Amelia said as she exited her tent, "Is that we don't need to walk to a new town."
Lina crossed her arms and said in a huff, "Well, how are we going to get there? We're not Mazoku or Dragons Amelia; we can't just whisk ourselves there."
Looking out over the rim of his coffee cup, Zelgadiss said, "Yes we can Lina."
The sorcery genius's eyes widened as she turned from the princess to the chimera. "And how, pray tell, do we do that?"
Zelgadiss calmly replied, "We use some of the magic that I found in the Outer World." He looked around coolly and grabbed a pan. "Breakfast?"
Smacking herself in the forehead, Lina said, "That's right, you told me that in your last letter." Her eyes got really wide, and she looked over at the chimera with an innocent expression. "Can I see it, pleeease?"
"Can't help you there, Lina."
She stomped her foot and yelled, "And why not?"
Zelgadiss handed the pan he was holding over to Amelia and he sipped from his coffee, "Because I gave it to Amelia."
Lina rounded on the princess. "So where is it, Amelia?"
Swallowing her food, she replied, "It's in my pack. But I don't…Hey! Miss Lina!!" She shouted as the red head scampered into her tent. Amelia jumped up and ran after her.
Charging into the tent, Amelia found Lina crouched over her pack, holding the book.
"M…Miss Lina!" She cried and moved around to snatch the book from her friend. She froze when she saw that Lina was not reading the spellbook, but a slip of paper.
Oh no, I forgot I was using the letter to Mister Zelgadiss to mark my page! She thought as a hollow feeling settled in her stomach. Snapping out of her momentary paralysis, she lunged forward and snagged the letter.
"Hey!"
"That's not yours, Miss Lina," Amelia said as she clutched the letter to her. She looked up fearfully, expecting either laughter or criticism.
Instead, the princess's eyes widened when she saw Lina sitting on the ground smiling at her softly. Amelia started; of all the reactions she was expecting, that was not one of them!
"I guess Gourry and I really haven't been that honest about how we feel, have we Amelia?" Lina said softly as she looked down at the book in her hands. "It's just been so, I don't know. I guess easy would be the word I am looking for. Yeah, it's been easier to just not say anything."
"Miss Lina," Amelia said softly as she knelt next to her friend.
Lina lifted her head and looked Amelia in the eyes. "I think it's simpler for you, Amelia. If Zel never finds his cure, you've always got your family to fall back on. But Gourry, he's all I've got."
The princess shook her head. "But you have family in Zephilia, don't you?"
Lina shrugged noncommittally. "Well, I've got my parents, but then I also would have to deal with her." An edge of fear entered her voice. "I don't think I could deal with that."
"Didn't you go home a while back?"
The petite sorceress shook her head. "No, I came up with something more interesting on the way there. Even with Gourry with me, I still don't want to face my Sis.
"Funny, but Gourry's been with me for four years now." She sniffed once, then continued, "I mean, he's the only person whose ever stuck with me for so long a time."
Amelia looked apologetic as she said, "I wish I could travel more with you, Miss Lina. You, and Mister Gourry, and Mister Zelgadiss."
"I know Amelia," Lina said. "But none of that really matters now anyway."
"You mean," Amelia started.
Lina nodded, "Yeah. Gourry told me last night." She found herself caught in a bone-crushing hug.
"I'm so happy for you, Miss Lina!" Amelia said enthusiastically.
Lina gasped out, "A…Ame…lia. Can't…breathe."
Blushing, the princess let her friend go. "That's great Miss Lina."
Her own face quite red, Lina grinned and stammered, "Well, what did you expect? I am the beautiful sorcery genius after all. No one can resist my charms!"
Both girls laughed softly. Lina looked down at the book and skimmed through it. She shut it with a snort of disgust and tossed it down.
Amelia grabbed up the book and held it to her. "Miss Lina! This is a very valuable book; you can't just throw it around!" She proceeded to pack the rest of her things.
"Well, it doesn't help me at all," Lina said in a fit of pique. "I can't cast any of the spells in there at all!" She crossed her arms. "I hate finding books like that."
Finished packing both exited the tent to find everything broken down and ready. Gourry was leaning on Zelgadiss in the middle of the clearing. Lina's eyes widened in worry when she saw how pale Gourry was. She helped Amelia break down the last tent, then went and stood next to the blonde.
Gourry smiled weakly at her. She smiled back and squeezed his hand as Amelia drew a circle onto the ground. Finished, the princess stepped into the circle and began her incantation. Sparks of blue appeared and Lina could feel the magical energy in the air. Just as Amelia finished the spell, she thought she heard Zelgadiss mumble out a Raywing.
With a lurch, everyone was flung into the air. Lina looked around in awe as they began to move. In a few moments, she saw the blacksmiths house that had started all of this. She cried out when the spell bubble dipped harshly and zoomed toward the ground.
Stopping inches from the earth, the spell paused for a second before dissipating with an audible pop. Unprepared, Lina, Martina, and Zangulus all stumbled and fell. Amelia almost joined them, but a hand on her shoulder stopped her.
Zelgadiss and Gourry were fine as they floated off of the ground in a bubble of wind. The chimera let go of Amelia when she was stable and looked at the rest of the group.
"I'll meet all of you in town; I am going over there right now with Gourry to get him to the shrine," he said as everyone recovered. With a nod from Lina, he flew off.
Dusting herself off, Lina stood and stretched. "Wow. That was a lot of fun!"
"For you maybe, but not for me," Martina grumbled as she stood. "Dropping me in the dirt like that; how undignified!"
Lina grinned wickedly. "But you look absolutely perfect there!"
Martina stalked up to the sorceress until she was nose to nose with her. Both glared at each other as Amelia and Zangulus looked on worriedly.
"Ungrateful commoner!"
"Over-inflated Bimbo!"
Martina crossed her arms and yelled, "At least I have a front!"
The petite sorceress's eyes narrowed and her hands shook, "At least the gods I worship are real, Princess."
"That's Queen now, you unrefined midget. And Lord Zoamel Gustav is real," she replied in a huff.
"Stuck up Floozy!"
"Egomaniacal shrimp!"
Just when Amelia was sure that she would have to try and separate Martina and Lina, something amazing happened. A small brown blur ran past the startled princess at breakneck speed.
Amelia, Zangulus, and Martina stared in open-mouthed shock when little Kyra, the smith's granddaughter, tackled Lina to the ground, hugging the red head and giggling. Lina let out an exclamation when she was tackled, but hugged the girl back when she realized who it was.
"You're all right Miss!" The child said as she hugged Lina. "I was so worried about you and the big guy you were with." Kyra looked around from where she sat in Lina's embrace.
"Where is Mister anyway?"
Pain flashed across Lina's face for a moment. It was fleeting, but the young girl saw it and frowned. She asked, "You didn't make Mister go away 'cause you were mean, did you?"
Lina shook her head vigorously, her face the same color as her hair. "Nonono," she said hastily, "He got hurt so one of our other friends took him to get fixed up."
"Oh," Kyra said as her smile returned. "Okay then." She climbed off of the sorceress so both could stand. Grabbing Lina by the hand, she dragged her towards the house.
Lina shrugged to her friends and let herself get dragged along. "Kyra, why did you ask about Gourry?"
Kyra looked down as they walked and answered, "'Cause he's so nice. Mister has really kind eyes, especially when he looks at you."
The red head stopped and turned Kyra to face her. She knelt down so she was just inches from the girl and said softly, "Let me tell you something, Kyra. Can you keep a secret?"
She nodded her head up and down with wide eyes. "I sure will, Miss!"
"Pinky swear?"
Kyra nodded again, a solemn look on her face as she held up a Pinky. Lina wrapper her own digit around the little girls and shook hands once. She smiled.
"Alright then," Lina began, "You see Kyra, Gourry loves me, the same way your daddy loves your mommy." She winked at the brown haired youth and said, "And I feel the same way about him. So don't worry, I'm not going to make him go anywhere."
In reply Kyra wrapped her arms around Lina's neck in a strong hug. When she let go, she was smiling at the petite sorceress. Lina returned the smile.
"So Mister is in town?" She asked of her friend. The flame haired woman nodded.
Kyra turned Lina away from the house and gave her a slight push. "Then you'd better go to town. Mister is gonna need you." She paused and asked quietly, "Will both of you come by after Mister gets better?"
Lina grinned in embarrassment and hugged the girl while replying, "Sure we will Kyra. We'll stop and see you; I'll even make sure you get to see the treasure we found."
Full of good cheer, the little brown haired girl walked over to the front door of the smith's house and waived as Lina and her friends walked off. Lina waived once then joined her friends on the road to Blasnos.
"Miss Lina, are we really going to come back out here?" Amelia asked as they walked away.
With a grin, Lina replied, "Yep. I have a few questions for Gerald." Her grin changed to a soft smile and she said, "And I kinda want to see Kyra again too. She's a cute kid."
Amelia nodded, "Yes she is Miss Lina." The rest of the trip to Blasnos was spent in an amiable silence.
The people of Blasnos were surprised to find a gray and blue streak fly into the center of town. When it stopped, they were doubly surprised to see two people floating in the air.
The shorter of the two, looked around from within the hood of his gray cloak. After apparently not finding what he was looking for, Zelgadiss settled onto the ground while continuing to support the injured Gourry. The chimera immediately walked up to one of the townspeople in the square. The young man cowered back from the two strangers.
"Where is your shrine priest?" Zelgadiss asked of the townsperson.
The young man appeared reluctant to answer, so he said with a low growl, "I need to find the priest now, before my friend here dies!"
Eyes widening, the townsman replied, "I think Father Reginald is over at the mayor's." He would have said more, but an old woman walked up.
She stared at Gourry for a moment then turned to the young man beside her. "Timothy, go and get the father. Take him to the inn." She turned to Zelgadiss.
"Please, come this way traveler," she said with a kindly smile. "We'll get your friend into a bed at the inn and the priest will tend to him."
Zelgadiss nodded gratefully. "Thank you," he said softly as he helped Gourry to the building the old woman indicated.
A short while later, Zelgadiss watched as a middle aged man in the robes of the Earth Lord tended to the blonde swordsman. The healing nimbus faded and the priest leaned back with a heavy sigh.
"Your friend will be fine, young man," Father Reginald said to the shaman. "He has lost quite a bit of blood, and there was the beginning of an infection in his humors, but I expect him to recover fully in a few days."
Zelgadiss helped the priest up with a nod of his head. "Thank you for helping Gourry."
The father smiled, "You are a good friend to make such haste getting him here."
Before the chimera could reply, there was a knock at the door. A young woman stuck her head in and said, "there is a small group of people here looking for the injured young man. Should I let them up?" She looked worried as she added, "There is a short red haired girl that is yelling loudly that she be allowed up."
"Yes, let them up," Zelgadiss answered with a sigh. "I suggest you don't get in her way miss; I also recommend you have the cook prepare about five, no make that seven helpings of everything on the menu." The lady's eyes widened, but she nodded and hurried to comply. A moment later there was the sound of heavy footsteps in the hallway.
"Gourry!!"
Zelgadiss and the Father Reginald watched as Lina ran into the room, throwing the door open. She glanced once at both of them before hurrying to the bed that the blonde warrior lay in. The petite sorceress looked him over once before she brushed his hair away from his face.
With a touch from the chimera, both watchers left the room quietly. Once outside, Zelgadiss shut the door and turned to the priest.
After watching the entire exchange, Father Reginald asked, "I take it this Lina cares quite a bit for this young man?"
"Enough to sacrifice the whole world for him," he replied with a glance at the door.
The priest looked at him strangely for a moment before nodding. "If she would sacrifice her world, her very being, for this man, then she must feel strongly indeed."
Shaking his head, the shaman replied, "No Father. She would literally sacrifice the entire world for that man." He ignored the incredulous look on the holy man's face and walked downstairs. He heard the priest following along.
Entering the common room, Zelgadiss saw the rest of his traveling companions resting near the fire. Amelia jumped up and walked towards him.
"Is Mister Gourry alright, Mister Zelgadiss?" She asked, worry in her voice.
The chimera nodded. "He'll be fine Amelia. Father Reginald says he will need to rest for a few days, but he'll be good as new soon."
…If Lina doesn't do anything to put him on his deathbed, he thought with a snort of amusement.
"Well, I for one could use some food," Martina said archly after Zelgadiss had answered the princess. "Innkeeper, bring me your menu."
"Ma'am, your food will be ready shortly," the apron wearing innkeeper said with a slight bow. "If you will be patient, I shall have it brought out to you shortly."
The queen of Zoana grinned and looked at her companions. "Now that's what I call service. It's befitting royalty such as myself," she finished with an arrogant sniff as she clasped hands with her husband. Amelia and Zelgadiss face-faulted and landed on the floor.
Upstairs, Lina finished brushing Gourry's long hair away from his face. When he smiled up at her, she leaned forward and gave him a quick kiss. She pulled up and looked around, remembering belatedly that there had been other people present. She sighed with relief when she noted they were alone. She turned back to Gourry.
"How are you feeling?" She asked him as she looked down into his soft eyes.
"Really tired, and my head is swimming a little bit," He replied. "But other than that, I'm fine. The priest told Zelgadiss I'll be completely fine in a few days."
Blinking her eyes, Lina said, "Oh. Good. So, what were we doing before I found out how hurt you were?"
Gourry's eyes clouded over. "What we were doing?" Lina looked at him crossly. He covered one of her hands with his and said, "I'm kidding, Lina."
"You'd better be," was her answer.
The tall swordsman smiled and looked up at her. Well, I think we were…"
As he was replying, his stomach let out an impressive growl. One that was shortly answered by Lina's smaller stomach, although the volume was just as great. Looking down at their stomachs, then back at each other, Lina and Gourry burst into laughter. They laughed for a good long while. After regaining some semblance of control, they just sat and looked at each other in a comfortable silence.
Finally, Lina broke the companionable silence. "Shall we go and get something to eat?"
Gourry's eyes lit up. "Yeah. Let's do that, Lina." He started to get up, but stopped.
"Umm, Lina?"
"Yes?"
Gourry blushed and said, "Umm, could you grab me my pack so I can get a pair of pants?"
Lina's face turned beat red, but she nodded and grabbed his pack. Without a word, she handed it to him and turned away. Gourry nodded to her as she looked away from him, and then quickly threw on a white shirt with blue trim, some loose blue pants, and a pair of comfortable boots.
"Alright, I'm ready."
Under control of herself once more, Lina turned back to her companion. She walked up and wordlessly gave him a hug. She smiled when he wrapped his strong arms around her, resting his chin on her head.
"I'm glad you're okay, Gourry," she said softly as she hugged him. She let go and looked up at him with a smile.
An answering smile on his own face, Gourry replied, "Thanks Lina." As he walked with her to the door he paused and looked over at her.
"I love you, Lina," he said in a warm voice.
Lina felt her body thrill at the words again and she looked over at him. "Ditto, Gourry," she replied before grabbing his hand.
"Let's go eat," she said. They walked downstairs in a companionable silence.
Dinner found everyone gathered around a large table while three of the six gorged on an unbelievable amount of food. About halfway through the feast, Lina turned and looked at Martina.
"Why are you eating so much Martina? I thought you were all prim and proper?"
Martina spit out around a large bite of Pasta, "Novathie tolth vou?"
"What?"
The Queen swallowed the food in her mouth and started again, "Nobody told you?"
Lina shook her head and asked around a bite of chicken, "Told me what?"
Martina grinned and puffed out her chest. "I'm having a baby."
"WHAAAT!?!?!?!?!"
After Gourry picked Lina up off of the floor he said, "Congratulations!"
Lina merely sputtered, "Y…y…you're…breeding?!?"
Amelia shot Lina a disapproving glare when she saw Martina wilt. "Miss Lina, that wasn't very nice at all! Justice demands that you apologize and be happy for Mrs. Martina!!"
Zelgadiss said tiredly, "Amelia, you're pointing again."
"Oops, sorry."
Lina looked over at Martina and forced out, "I'm happy for you Martina. Really I am."
Martina's recovery was immediate. "Well of course you would be Lina. After all, it's only right that Zoamel Gustav blessed our marriage in such a way. You'll be lucky to ever have kids Lina!"
The petite sorceress flinched as if visibly struck. Magic started too pool in her hands. She just started to raise a hand when she said, "Why you…!"
Zelgadiss, Amelia, and Zangulus watched in shock as Gourry, without even really looking up, flicked a meatball over at Lina. The projectile landed in her mouth and stopped whatever she had been about to say.
Before she could get started on her tirade, or fling a spell, she found a meatball tossed into her mouth. Blinking in surprise, she reflexively started chewing. As she did, Lina let the magic dissipate as she calmed down. After all, throwing a fireball at a pregnant woman, even Martina, was totally wrong. Swallowing, she looked around and saw Gourry flash the sorceress a grin before returning to his meal.
Lina's eyes narrowed. "Gourry, what do you think you're doing?"
He looked up and said, "Well, you looked like you were hungry, and you'd been trying to steal my food all evening. So I gave you one." He blinked in surprise and smiled. "Want another one?"
"Grrr…you…Jellyfish!" She screeched in indignation. "Flare Arrow!!"
Everyone's eyes widened, including Lina's. Oh no, I just threw a spell near Martina! What if it hurts the baby?! She closed her eyes, waiting for the explosion.
She opened her eyes and blinked when it didn't happen. Instead there was a soft glow coming from Gourry's new sword where it rested on the table. Everyone turned to look at the swordsman. He was flinching along with the rest of them.
He finally looked up and blinked. "Um, where'd the 'boom' go?"
Lina bopped him in the head, sending it careening into the table.
"There's the boom," he said as he fished a piece of chicken from his hair.
"Your sword absorbed it, Jellyfish!" She yelled, not hearing him. She rubbed the side of her face in embarrassment, "Although, I'm glad that happened."
She turned in embarrassment to the leaders of Zoana. "I really didn't want to throw that Martina; I must still be on edge."
Martina looked at her and said, "I can't believe you would go and ruin good food like that."
Everyone crashed to the floor except Martina and Gourry. All of the tension relieved, the slayers went back to their meal. During the gustatory combat, Lina flashed her swordsman an apologetic look, to which he smiled and tossed her another meatball as way of acceptance. The sorceress smiled and ate with relish.
Zelgadiss coughed to get everyone's attention. "Well, if we are done with that, then what are we going to do next?
Lina spoke up, "Well, those people after us are from Elmekia. Gourry's from Elmekia, so he can show us around. And since Xelloss is working with them, we'll find him there as well."
The chimera nodded, "It sounds pretty good. How about we all get some sleep, we'll be in this town a few more days and we could all use a good nights rest."
Everyone nodded except Zangulus. He looked perturbed, but said nothing, merely leaving with his wife to retire for the evening. Gourry caught it and the two shared a look before heading to their respective rooms.
Gourry opened the door and was surprised to see Lina in there, digging out her clothes for bed. She looked up and smiled, with a slight rosy tinge to her face.
"Well, since I had such a good nights rest last night, and we've decided to give this a shot, I figured we might as well get used to sleeping in the same bed," she said in a rush, the words nearly tumbling on themselves. Lina blushed darker but continued, "Plus it will save down on traveling costs." She laughed nervously.
Gourry just smiled and turned away so she could change. "Sure thing Lina."
He waited patiently until the fiery sorceress got changed then climbed into bed with her. Gourry sighed in contentment as he wrapped his arms around her. Wow. This is like a dream, only better! He looked down as she looked up and they both smiled.
"Good night, Lina," he said as he pulled the blanket up over both of them.
"'Night, Gourry," came her muffled reply as she snuggled into him. A yawn escaped her as she closed her eyes.
The blonde swordsman stayed awake for a while longer, watching the red headed girl that lay with him. It looks like Miranda was right, he though with a grin. Lina really is everything I've wanted. He glanced out the windows at the stars, finally closing his eyes. I wonder if she'd be proud of me…
Far away, on nearly the other side of the mainland, a well endowed waitress looked up from counting her tips for the evening. She watched the stars for a moment. She smiled when she felt a presence next to her.
"Things be happening now," a brown skinned woman said to the waitress.
"Yep, looks that way," she said nodding, her dark hair swaying in the night.
The older woman continued, "You and me, we knows what it be." It was not a question, but an accusation. "We gonna do nothin'?"
"Pretty much," the waitress replied with a laugh. "I think everything will work out for the best. Besides this is what she wants."
Frowning, the dark skinned woman grumbled, "But I can't see what's gonna happen, how it turn out. Is my boy gonna be fine?"
Standing up and putting her tips away, the buxom girl answered, "I can't answer you on that one. I'm just a proxy." She paused and looked at the older woman for a moment before sighing. "Well, they're both strong enough. Then again, so are their friends. I wouldn't let her go through with this if I didn't think she'd be fine."
"So we gots to trust in 'em to be making the right d'csions, eh?"
"Yep. Well, thanks for letting me work in your town for the evening," the waitress said with a sigh, "Are you going to be alright with what's to come?" She said, sadness coloring her voice.
The dark skinned woman cackled and waved away the younger girl. "Old Miranda, she be takin' care of herself a long time. You no worry 'bout old Miranda. Best to be worried 'bout that kin of yourns, missy, specially if she let my doll-baby be harmed."
A clap of wind heralded the approach of a young dragon. As it landed, the waitress bowed. "It was good to meet you, Miranda. I'm sure my sister and your 'doll-baby' will be just fine."
She climbed up on the dragon. "When she comes through, make sure you tell Lina I said hello." With that, she took off for parts unknown.
Shaking her head, Miranda shuffled wearily back to her small home. She felt old, the weight of the years so carelessly disregarded for so long finally settling on her as she looked up to the stars and found, for the first time, that they had no reassurance for her. Well, at least I get to see my boy after all these years. I hope he's happy. She'd kept track of his doings over the years, since being a powerful medium had to have some perks. Always, she had been able to see all the possible outcomes and which was the most likely. Always, she had known he would come out okay.
Now, though, the outcomes were shrouded, and she could no more see what was to happen than could any of the people who came to her, clutching coins and dreading what she might say. After a few minutes of staring at the uncooperative stars, she heaved a great sigh, her bulk rearranging itself with the force of it, then straightened her back and marched inside her door, closing it behind her with a distinct bang. Well, so's I don't know how it going to end. That boy, long as he got that girl with him, he can take the stars out the sky and rearrange them to do what he wants. Just gotta look at it like it my one chance in life to be surprised.
End, Chapter the Seventh – Healing
Well, I hope ye all enjoyed the seventh chapter of my story. Many thanks go out to my proof reader Frith. Thanks a bunch ^_^ I'd also like to thank Mynuet for proofing as well; she was a great help. And thanks so much for letting me use one of your characters in my story.
Well, for those of you that hadn't guessed, I am a firm believer in the Trad couples (L/G, Z/A). I hope I handled it well. And I really do think that Lina would have a hard time with the "L" word, given what little we know of her family life. I hope they are not horribly OOC.
So, I actually have a plot. Scary, isn't it? For those of ye that have been concerned about too much seriousness in this work, stay tuned to the next installments. Though they be a little WAFFY in parts, hopefully they will also be funny. Then, back to the serious as I try and wrap this up before the end of the year (Yeah right). Until later.
-DREZ