A/N: Sorry for another delay, but my brain is filled with nothing but certain cuties in matador pants.....Mind you, this is unbetaed version. I was thinking about illustrating some of the main characters, like their costumes and such. Whadda ya think, is it worth trying? Thanks goes to the reviewers, you're da best. Here, have an invisible lolly! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: *sob* *hic* I don't own it, alright? *sob* why do you have to be so cruel? I have needs, too....
_____________________________*____*_____________________________
Part III: Trials: Along the Shores of Arihel
"What do you think Sakura-chan is doing now?"
Tomoyo's question interrupted his musings, looking up from his morning meal, he focused his azure gaze on her. "Hm?"
Sighing, she repeated her question. She always hated repeating herself. Not waiting for him to respond, Tomoyo said, "I think that she and Li-kun are on a nice, romantic date." Looking off into the distance with stars in her eyes, she continued, "I bet she's wearing that pretty pink dress I made her. Ohohoho! Syaoran must look so cute! Oh, I wish I was there!!"
Shaking his head, Eriol tuned her out. He had to agree with her, his descendant and the Card Mistress would look adorable. Right now, though, his mind was too thick with sleep to respond coherently to her squeals of delight. So, he simply slumped into his seat until his face was nearly in the breakfast bowl and murmured incoherently.
The company has been staying in Tradeth for a couple of days, and though they were anxious to get back to their own world, they did not have the heart to leave a place of such ancient beauty. Every day was filled with awe-aspiring scenery; Tomoyo felt like Alice in Wonderland. Everything felt like a dream, and she, like everything else, was just a tiny part of the fantasy.
During their stay, they discovered that less than one hundred elves lived in Tradeth. This brought unspeakable sorrow to her. She also took a special notice that there were no children in this place. Somewhere in a deep corner of her consciousness, she knew that the elves were dying. It pained her to know that something so beautiful was going to be gone one day.
As much as Tomoyo loved this country, she also knew that they would have to leave soon. That was why she asked some of Ruminar's personal guards to train them in combat. So far, Tomoyo was taught (and skilfully mastered) the use of throwing knifes, Eriol was trained with a sword (he was taught how to fence when he was a child), while Nakuru replied on his powers of annoyance.
Sighing tiredly, she lay her head on her arms and contemplated her course of action for that day. They were not allowed to go to the more sacred areas of Tradeth, but otherwise, they were free to explore the surrounding area. She wondered the reason for this, but refrained from asking, fearing that she would somehow insult their host.
"What do you think we should do today?" She asked Eriol, who was still slumped in his seat.
"Mrrf.." Came his muffled reply.
"How about you two go for a walk?" Piped in Nakuru, who had been racking his brain for perfect matchmaking schemes for the past couple of days. "I already informed Elrad that you would be away."
The two perked up instantly. They knew that Nakuru never did anything without a devious, manipulating reason. Still, the suggestion had a nice ring to it, and Tomoyo did want to spend time with Eriol without pestering guardians. After having Nakuru assure them that there were no secret schemes behind this, the two youngsters agreed to the suggestion. Looking suspiciously at Nakuru, the two stood up and followed the sloping pathway to the ground.
"Now look what you did. They're on to us! If I believed in such things, I would swear I was cursed!" Growled Spinel and returned to examining the ancient runes on a near-by pillar.
"Oh, Suppi-chan! Didn't anyone tell you not to swear?" Nakuru asked while giggling insanely. Spinel refused to comment and continued with his ignoring of the other guardian.
Meanwhile, Tomoyo and Eriol were strolling underneath the trees. Tomoyo listened to the crunching of leaves and twigs underneath her feet as she walked. She often did this to savour the complexity and simplicity of nature. They did not speak, and yet, Tomoyo felt that no words were necessary. The wind rustling through the leaves high above, the twittering of birds and the rhythmic sounds of their feet on the ground was enough sensations for her.
She loved this place, no matter how much she missed her home; it felt as if she belonged there. She suddenly had an urge to run barefoot across a sunny meadow, to feel the grass underneath her feet and the sun on her face. The temptation was seeping into her thoughts, overriding every other thought. On impulse, she bolted.
Eriol didn't notice that his companion was gone until he no longer felt her warm aura near his. He looked worriedly around him. The beginnings of apprehension were starting to spread through his belly. 'Oh no! Not again!' he thought. 'If anything happens to her...'
He began to frantically search for her; the now familiar fear creeping into his system. It gripped his stomach and refused to let go, overwhelming him. He heard laughter in the distance. He froze, his heart beat picking up speed, '...laughter...?...Tomoyo...' Eriol released a breath he didn't realise he was holding and hurriedly followed the sound.
Pursuing the musical laughter, beyond the towering trees, he came to a winding stone stairway. The stones were in various stages of dilapidation, some had shrubs growing between the cracks, others were either completely destroyed or close to. It was obvious that the pathway had not been used for a long time. Great pillars carved to resemble human likeness stood along the steps, guarding whoever wandered its' path.
Eriol looked around; he had never been to this place before. Another bout of mirth filled the woods, it came from beyond the stairway. Braving the crumpled stones, Eriol moved forward, towards the ringing laughter. Carefully picking his way through the rubble, he missed the sounds of rushing water up ahead. A melodious giggle startled him; Eriol tripped on a root and fell very painfully on the steps.
Rubbing his injured rear end to soothe the hurt, he got to his feet. Grumbling under his breath, he swore revenge on the perpetrator of this evil crime. Growling, he marched on. The trees and the statues suddenly ended. Eriol stood transfixed under a canopy of leaves. Tomoyo was sitting on a grassy shore of a quiet river, dipping her feet in the crystalline water. Her blouse was off one of her peaches-and-cream shoulders, exposing too much skin than Eriol could handle. Her unbound hair was swaying with the rhythm of the wind. He could not see her eyes from where he was standing, but he was certain that the radiance in them was addictive.
Another girlish giggle escaped her lips and Eriol realised that he was staring. His mouth going dry, Eriol forced himself to move his jelly-like limbs. He stumbled on a rock and nearly went sailing again. Seeing his sudden clumsiness, Tomoyo giggled from her spot on the shore. Swinging her shapely legs out of the water and tucking them behind her, she beckoned him toward her. Eriol awkwardly sat beside her, taking off his boots while doing so.
"Is this where you ran off to. You might as well have asked me." Eriol said grouchily
"Sorry, I forgot." The girl answered sheepishly.
"Forgot?! How do you forget someone as handsome as me?!" He retorted, sounding flabbergasted.
Shying away from his penetrating gaze, Tomoyo turned to watch the water rippling with the breeze. The clear sky reflected in the water, mirroring the deep shade of blue. She looked to the stretch of trees on the other shore, the distant treetops barely visible against the sky. The sun glistened on the water, creating a million tiny gold specks of light, blinding her. Sighing contentedly, Tomoyo relaxed back to enjoy the view.
Eriol noticed the subtle change in his companion and wondered the source of it, but he decided to play along. "I've heard from Elrad that this is the River Arihel (1)." He paused, looked at her and continued with his story. "They say that there once lived an elven maiden by the same name. Her hair resembled spun gold and her heart was twice as beautiful. She fell in love with a human. He went to war, but promised her to come back. Arihel waited for her lover faithfully; he did not return. Overfilled with sorrow, she stood on the shores of this very river and plunged into the murky depths. Those golden shimmers you see there? Those are the only reminders of her."
He waited for a response from her, but got none. "Well, what do think?" He prodded.
"I think you just made that up." Tomoyo replied, vainly trying to muster a death glare.
"I didn't! I never lie! Honest!" Eriol exclaimed.
He only received an annoyed sounding huff. "I would never lie to you!" He hurried to correct his mistake.
"Fine. Whatever you say." She still did not sound convinced.
Shacking his head while sighing, Eriol asked, "So, what *are* you doing here?"
Tomoyo looked to the water once again, sighing she reached into her storage room of memories. "I remember how Sakura-chan and I when we were kids always went to beach during the summer. She would always take of her shoes before we got out of the car, and we finally got there, she could take off like there's no tomorrow. I would usually find her knee high in water. And I would always berate her for getting her pretty skirt all wet."
Eriol looked to his companion; the sun created a halo of light around her dark head. She looked almost angelic, if it weren't for her downcast eyes and the slight frown on her lips. He chose not to speak; this was her moment to reminisce, and he was going to give her his undivided attention.
"She would always laugh at my scolding." Tomoyo continued. "Then she would grab my hand and drag me into the water with her. I would screech and complain about having my dress ruined; she would just laugh. And then I'd laugh, too." She paused, glancing at Eriol. "You must think I'm crazy, huh? Heh, I have to admit, I'd think so, too."
"I don't think you're anything but yourself." He replied honestly.
"If I didn't know you were a conniving, evil creature, I would have thought you were sweet." Tomoyo said teasingly.
"Who, me?! I'm insulted!!" He exclaimed, puffing out his cheeks.
"I'm kidding! Your the most kindest, friendliest person I ever met!" She said, crossing her fingers behind her back.
"I better be..." he said grumpily. Eriol then turned serious, wiping away all traces of mirth off his face. "You miss her don't you?"
"Hai. I miss her terribly." She answered. "It's almost as if I lost some very import part of myself. As if everything has been ripped away from me. Empty, you know?"
"Yeah, I know the feeling." He replied solemnly, looking out to the water.
They both remained silent, watching the water swirl by. It looked as if the sun was touching the stream, showering brilliant rays through the entire body of water. It looked like a river of gold, Eriol mused. He looked to his friend, seeing her eyes glow softly with the added light, her hair cascading down her back in raven rivulets. She truly did look like a melancholy angel.
Two little creatures popped up on Eriol's shoulder. One with a pristine white robe and tiny wings, a circlet of light above its head. The other wearing dark leather and miniature horns adorning it's head. The two bore a remarkable him. Eriol heard of them being described as his chibi angel and devil; sometimes referred to as his consciousness (A/N: I just couldn't resist ^___^).
The one with the horns poked its little pitchfork into Eriol's neck and hissed 'Now's yer chance to strike big! Go for it!' The other creature shook its head at its counterpart's uncouthness, and said, 'You are her friend. Comfort her; she needs your support.' The other being snorted and began to rant about sissy partners.
Eriol heeded neither of the two creatures; he looked out to the water, occasionally stealing a glimpse of the girl beside him. The creatures left eventually, seeing as to how they were going to be ignored anyway. Tomoyo scooted closer to him, keeping her eyes on the golden ripples.
"Is there anyone you miss from back home?" She asked tenderly.
"Well..." he paused, choosing the right words. "....I miss Sakura-chan, of course, and my cute descendant. I miss having Nakuru chase after Touya, and having Keroberus for luncheon...But, I really don't have anyone close to me, no family, no friends besides our group, no one."
"Oh. What about Mizuki-sensei? I thought you were close." Tomoyo asked testily.
"We were. At least I though we were." Eriol replied his voice slightly tight. "She came up to me one day and said it was over between us, said we just weren't meant to be. She left for Australia, and I haven't heard from her since."
"Is that why you wanted to leave Tomoeda? Because it reminded you too much of her?"
Again, he was amazed at how easily she could read him. Grinning lopsidedly, he said, "You could say that. I also wanted to leave because a certain dark-haired girl posed a threat to my clean reputation."
"You started it." She reminded him.
"Aa. So I did." He said, still grinning. "It wasn't my fault, though, that you were so easily irritated."
"Say that to me when I'm up and in a hurting mood." The girl threatened.
Eriol laughed in his strong tenor. "See, you're irritated! And it took what? One sentence!" Another high chortle followed.
Puffing out her cheeks childishly, Tomoyo turned back to the water. "You're incorrigible! I'm sorry, though. I didn't know about Mizuki-sensei and you...."
"Hey, it's not like I will never love again. Who knows, maybe I'm already in love and I don't really know it yet!" He laughed at what he said; the thought was ludicrous. Shortly after, Tomoyo joined in his merriment.
Without warning, she leaned her head on his shoulder, sighing. Eriol felt heat creeping up his neck, tinting his collarbone a nice hue of crimson. "Promise me that you'll tell me when you find the right girl?" She asked sheepishly.
"Promise. You'll be the first to know. And then later, I'll let you decorate our wedding. And I'll make you the Godmother of my kids." He said without really thinking.
Tomoyo giggled at his statement. "You make me sound like some old hag in worn grab."
He laughed, too. "I do, don't I?"
The two broke into a bout of musical laughter, their feet dipping in molten gold. The laughter was followed by joking discussions about this and that, mostly that. Tomoyo and Eriol sat on the grassy shore well into the evening, watching the sun sink into the water and cover everything in refreshing darkness. Only when the sky was peppered with tiny stars and the twin moons rose high above did they leave, and that was because they were summoned for dinner.
They did not notice, nor would they care much, that something was watching them from the shrubbery. The creature had its sight of the two since that morning. It was afraid that their elven friends would capture it, so it waited, bidding its time. It followed them there, and listened to their conversation, storing away any and all information; in the end everything had a use, and if one knew how to use it properly, then true power was not far away.
When the two youngsters left, the creature remained, afraid to be seen by the elves. It waited until it was sure that no one would ambush it. Then it came out of the bushes, shying away from the bright light provided by the moons. Dusting its callous hands on its trousers, the creature left the clearing and went home, hiding behind the trees at any sign of elves.
When it got home, the creature took off it's heavy cloak and boots and sat in front of the fireplace. Digging out a worn out piece of paper from its shirt pocket, it read the contents. Sighing, it folded the note back into a neat square and stuffed it back into the pocket. 'Master would be pleased', the creature thought, propping it's legs against a footstool. Master was always pleased when something was going his way.
(tbc)
___________________________*____*____________________________
(1) Arihel -- 'Golden Tears' in Elvish
*cough* corn *cough* Well, another chapter done, and I still have no idea where to go from here. Oh well, this project o' mine was doomed to fail from the beginning. Sorry, I have no sense of humour -___-; and I also can't spell....