Standard Disclaimer: Escaflowne and it's characters don't belong to me. I'm merely borrowing them. Any other characters are from my own imagination. I only write this stuff for fun, I don't make any money off of it, so please don't sue me.
Awakenings
Part Two
Allen was rather surprised that Eries had decided to chaperone Celena. A part of him thought that the princess had probably done it to annoy him as that seemed to be one of her favorite hobbies; another part of him hoped that perhaps Eries had truly become fond of his sister. He hoped that was the case. Eries was just the sort of role model he wanted for his sister; she was everything he thought a lady should be. Well, she was perhaps a little opinionated, but he found that he rather liked sparring with her, much to his own chagrin.
"Brother?"
Celena's voice brought him out of his reverie. He smiled gently at her. "I'm a man of my word, Celena. After Queen Millerna's party you may visit with Gaddes' family whenever it is convenient for everyone."
Celena was quiet all afternoon. Gaddes thought she'd be in a good mood since Eries had agreed to accompany them to his home but she seemed sullen instead. The melancholy atmosphere was unnerving him a bit. He took a seat next to her on the bench.
"Somethin's botherin' you."
She reached up to tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear and let out a small sigh. "No…I was just thinking, that's all."
He grunted. "That can be dangerous, ya know."
Again she remained quiet, which Gaddes thought was unusual; normally she would have responded to his joke. He nudged her shoulder with his own.
"Care to talk about it?"
She drew a heavy sigh. "It's just that…I don't want to go to the Queen's party. But I promised Allen I would. He said that he'd keep his end of the bargain, which means that I also have to keep mine. I'm afraid of making a fool out of myself, though."
He was quiet for a minute. "That's not the only thing that's keepin' you from goin', is it?"
Her eyes widened with surprise. "No, it's not. I'm afraid what they'll think of me. I don't know how many people know the truth, but even if it were a few…I don't want people to talk, Gaddes."
He admitted that when Allen had first told him the story behind his sister's mysterious return, he almost hadn't believed the truth. It was shortly after Celena had been 'found' that he had learned about the circumstances surrounding her reappearance. Allen had been drinking rather heavily one night, he had had a few himself, although not as many as his friend. Allen told him everything. Gaddes had thought that Allen had been going through a difficult time, but he never imagined how difficult. No wonder the man was drinking. Gaddes respected Allen and his loyalty naturally extended to Celena. He told himself that was the only reason why it bothered him so much when she said things like that.
"If those stuffed shirts can't accept you for yourself…than I say forget about them. You shouldn't worry about tryin' to impress people like that anyway."
"I'm not worried for me…I'm worried for Allen. He's worked hard to get to where he is; I wouldn't want to cause him any trouble or embarrassment. Sometimes I think that Allen doesn't like me very much, that maybe things would be better for him if I weren't around."
"That's bullsh—crap," he said loudly, startling Celena. "The boss cares about you; if you would have seen the way he worried over you when you were first brought home then you'd realize just how much the man cares. He might not be the best person at expressin' his feelin's, but that doesn't mean the feelin's aren't there, kid."
"Are you angry with me?"
He sighed. Perhaps he had gotten a bit carried away, but he hadn't liked hearing her say such things. "No, I'm not angry with you. I'm sorry I yelled; it's just that you shouldn't think that way."
A small wrinkle formed on her brow. "What way?"
"That you don't matter to anyone. The truth is that there are a lot of people that would be upset if you weren't around."
Her eyes softened as she smiled at him. "Thanks, Gaddes. I think I needed to hear that to believe it."
She sighed and fastened her cloak a bit tighter in an effort to keep out the chill autumn air. She shifted slightly closer to Gaddes' warmth.
"Are you cold?"
"A little bit," she admitted.
"We should probably go inside before you come down with somethin'." He went to stand but she pulled on the sleeve to his jacket.
"I don't want to go inside just yet. After being shut up inside nearly all summer it's such a wonderful thing to be out of doors. Sometimes I wish I were outside always, with the sun shining on me and a soft breeze making the trees rustle just so. I think I don't like closed up spaces very much." She shivered then, more because of some distant memory than because of the cold.
Damn those Zaibach bastards, he swore silently to himself. He tried not to imagine what kind of horrid childhood she must have had, and he was glad that she couldn't remember much about it.
"Alright, we can stay outside a little longer. But, if you get sick because of this don't say that I didn't warn you."
He shifted on the bench and pulled her back towards him until she was leaning against his chest. She could feel the warmth from his body even through the heavy fabric of her cloak. Content, she closed her eyes.
She didn't realize that she had fallen asleep until she felt him nudging her awake with the announcement that it would be getting dark soon. She blinked, trying to clear the confusion from her head. Then she remembered. She looked up to see Gaddes watching her with an amused smile.
"What?"
"You drool in your sleep."
She momentarily looked horrified before she realized that he was teasing her. "Ladies do not drool. And gentlemen certainly wouldn't mention it if they were to, anyway."
Gaddes only laughed at her haughty expression. "Good thing I'm not a gentleman then."
They stood then and headed towards the house.
"By the way, I won't be here tomorrow. The boss said I could have the day off so I'm goin' to visit my sisters. I just wanted to let you know."
Celena smiled. "I'm glad you get to go home, you must be so happy to be able to see your family again." Then her smile faltered. "I'm sorry that I take up so much of your time. If it weren't for me, then you could be with them more."
Gaddes laughed. "That's not likely. The boss would find somethin' for me to do with my time. Anyway, don't be so hard on yourself."
Celena nodded. "Well, I hope you have a good time, even though I'll miss your company while you're away."
"Gaddes!"
He heard his youngest sister's squeal a split second before she launched herself into his arms. She had grown in his absence, and a momentary pang of guilt went through him as he thought about how much he had missed seeing his youngest sister growing up in the time that he had been away. Despite their age difference, he had always been closest with Alyssann, perhaps because she had always been such a little tomboy, running around in breeches and carrying on so. He grinned as he remembered what a little hellion his sister had been as a child. His mother had been exasperated by her while Gaddes had laughed at her antics which only served to encourage her behavior. When he had last visited, a little more than a year ago, he had almost been disappointed that she had finally gotten an interest in wearing dresses, but he supposed it was a good thing that she was finally growing up.
He laughed and swung her around before settling her on the ground in front of him. "You must have gained twenty pounds since I was last home, Lyss."
"Have not!" She hit him on the arm and stuck her tongue out at him. No matter how much things changed, he was glad that some things always stayed the same.
He chuckled again. "You've got dirt all over you. What have you been doin'? Fightin' a losing battle with the ground?"
She giggled, her brown eyes sparkling with mirth. "No, silly. I was workin' in the garden. The last of those big squash were ready to be brought in. I'm goin' to make a pie with them."
He grinned. "I knew I was stoppin' by at just the right time. Are Genna and Hettie home?"
"Genna's inside. Hettie's workin' up at the palace as a maid now."
Gaddes frowned. "Workin? What happened to all the money I sent home?"
Lyssie latched onto her brother's arm as they walked towards the house. "The house was sorely in need of some work. Melly's husband came and helped put a new roof on last fall, but…the place was practically fallin' down around us."
Gaddes was quiet for a minute. "I'm sorry, Lyss. I guess I haven't been there for you girls like I should have."
She smiled up at him. "It's alright. You've done the best you could by us, Gaddes. None of us fault you, so stop blamin' yourself." She grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the door. "Come on. I'll get you somethin' to drink."
He let her lead him up to the house and into the kitchen. He sat down at the table as she fetched a glass from the cupboard and filled it with water from a jug that was sitting on the table. She then left the room and let out a yell. "Genna! We have company in the kitchen!" She then came back in the room, a grin plastered on her face.
Gaddes shook his head. "Are you ever goin' to learn to be more lady-like?"
She rolled her eyes. "Why would I wanna do that? So that I can catch the eyes of some man and eventually settle down?"
He grinned. "Somethin' like that."
"Argh. Not you, too. That's all Hettie's been talking about lately."
Genna entered the room then, and cried out when she spotted her brother. "Gaddes, it seems like forever since you've been home."
She was the complete opposite of Alyssann, both in looks and in temperament. Her hair was honey colored, while Lyssie had dark hair like their brother. Genna was quiet and shy where Alyssann was more outgoing. The only thing they seemed to share was the chocolate brown eyes they had both inherited from their father.
Gaddes greeted Genna with a hug. "I've missed you, Brother."
"I've missed you girls, too." He waited for his sisters to sit down before taking his own seat. "I'd like to bring someone to meet you. She's—"
"She? Gaddes, are you thinking of settling down?"
Genna's question set Lyssie to giggling, Gaddes just rolled his eyes. "It's not like that. Celena's the sister of my commander. After I told her about you girls she said she'd like nothin' better than to meet you."
"How old is she?" Genna asked.
"Um…fifteen I think."
"That's the same as me," Lizzie stated enthusiastically. "Well, Brother dear, I think you should bring the poor girl here at once before she perishes of boredom, for surely her own home is not as entertainin' as ours."
Genna laughed. "Don't be overdramatic, Lyssie."
"What's to be overdramatic about? We're to have a real lady as a guest, Gen. I imagine she's dainty. Oh, and I'm sure her gown will be stunnin'. How shall we compare? I'll have to get my hair done. I'll have to buy a new dress just for the occasion."
"That's enough, Alyssann," Gaddes said, his voice firm. Lyssie looked rather surprised to have been reprimanded. "Celena's not like that. She's…special. You'll see when you meet her. I'll also be bringin' her friend along as chaperone and all that." He neglected to tell them that Celena's 'friend' also happened to be Princess Eries. He could just imagine what Lyssie's reaction to that would be.
Genna looked at him curiously. "Gaddes, you've never brought a girl home before. Are you sure this isn't something serious?"
"Don't be silly," Lyssie admonished. "Our brother wouldn't be foolish enough to get involved with his boss's sister."
"Right," Gaddes agreed, although some part of him wondered if perhaps he wasn't a bit of a fool after all.
Celena came down the stairs carefully trying to avoid tripping over the hem of her gown. Allen had ordered the new dress simply for the occasion and this one was quite a bit longer than her other dresses, its hem falling almost all the way to the floor. Its pastel blue color complimented her eyes and her pale skin and hair. A maid had pinned her short silvery locks close to her head and dressed them with ribbons that matched the darker blue trim of her gown. She had to admit that the transformation was quite dramatic. For once she thought she looked the part of Lady Celena Shezar, even if she didn't particularly feel like she fit that role.
"You polish up all right, kid," Gaddes commented with a wink when Celena reached the bottom of the stairway. "Nervous?"
She nodded. "I wish you could come with us, Gaddes. I would feel better if you were there."
He grinned. "Could you really imagine me hobnobbin' with all those bluebloods?"
She looked at him for a moment before replying. "Not really; but most of them probably aren't half as kind as you are."
They heard footsteps from above and turned to see Allen coming down the stairs carrying Celena's cloak in his arms. Reaching the bottom, he put it gently around her shoulders and fastened the clasp in the front for her.
"I'm not a child, you know. You don't have to dress me," she muttered crossly.
Allen's eyes widened momentarily and Celena could have sworn that he had looked hurt by her attitude. But then, he seemed to regain his composure, his face once again becoming an unreadable mask.
"Of course," he said, taking a step back from her.
She glanced at Gaddes, and he shot her a disappointed look. Perhaps she had been unfair to Allen, snapping at him like that when he was only trying to be kind to her.
"I'm sorry, Allen. I didn't mean to sound so angry…I'm just nervous about tonight."
He accepted her apology with an understanding smile. "Well, let's go then, or we'll be more than fashionably late."
Celena was more than a bit intimidated by her surroundings. She had been to the palace many times by now, but only to visit with Eries in her private quarters where it was usually just the two of them and occasionally a handmaid hovering in the background. Entering the formal dining hall she suddenly felt overwhelmed. Despite the fact that Allen had told her it would be a small celebration, the room seemed to be filled with guests. Being surrounded by so many strangers made her uncomfortable and she instinctively tried to hide behind her brother. Allen steered her towards the Queen and King with a firm grip on her elbow as if he thought that she might try to bolt at any moment, which she admitted was a real possibility if he actually let go of her long enough for her to get away.
She made a very low curtsy and almost tumbled to the floor, much to her own embarrassment. Luckily, Allen had reached out to steady her before she toppled over completely. She righted herself and introductions were made. She had never been formally introduced to Millerna and Dryden and especially nervous meeting them. Dryden was charming, but Millerna seemed uncomfortable with her presence.
There was an awkward pause. They know, Celena thought sadly. Or, at least Millerna does; I can tell by the way she won't meet my eyes…
After greeting their hosts, Allen pulled Celena along towards a group of ladies that were talking amongst themselves. Upon noticing that Sir Allen Schezar was headed towards them they began to fuss about themselves, patting their hair into place and pinching their cheeks. Celena found their reaction to her brother almost comical, while Allen didn't seem to notice their primping at all. Introductions were made and Celena was quickly forgotten as the ladies took turns bombarding her brother with questions and compliments, each trying to hold his attention for their selves. She let out a sigh and discreetly made her way to a couch in the corner of the room. She looked around for Eries, but the princess seemed to be absent. She wondered if it was Allen's presence keeping her away. After her first visit to the palace she had come to the conclusion that if it hadn't been her that Eries was avoiding, than it must have been her brother.
Not more than a few moments passed before Allen came to fetch her, admonishing her for running off. Celena was a bit surprised that he had been able to disentangle himself so quickly to come after her.
"Why don't you try to make friends with those girls I introduced you to?" he suggested.
She didn't want to tell him that those primping little bubble-headed ladies were not really her idea of company.
"They seemed more interested in talking to you than to me," Celena pointed out instead.
"Perhaps so," he allowed. "We'll just have to find you someone else to talk with," he announced. It was going to be a long night.
She knew Allen didn't like these types of social events and she had been wondering why he had seemed so adamant about attending. As he took her around the room and introduced her to various nobles the answer gradually became clear; he was doing it for her. He was trying to see that she fit in where she belonged. Gaddes was right; her brother cared about her. Suddenly she was overwhelmed with emotion. Allen did want what was best for her. He might not be great at expressing himself with words, but he tried to make up for it in his deeds, misguided though they might be.
A lady in a bright purple gown turned to her with a concerned expression. "Lady Celena, are you alright?"
She blinked, just now noticing the tears coursing down her cheeks. I'm more than alright, she thought, my brother loves me.
AN: Ok, I think this fic is going to wind up being four parts when it's all said and done. Geez, I only wanted to write a little side story. *grumbles* Oh well. ;P
Anyway, I'd like to thank everyone that has reviewed; your comments help to keep me focused.
Serena B
