*I do not own any part of Magic Knight Rayearth*
~~~Enter Chapter 7. We're getting closer to this thing picking up. I've been working on writing chapters at the same time I'm writing my outlines. I didn't realize what a good idea that was until I hit a road block…that is writer's block…mid chapter 10. I'm working it out though; need to figure out how to get where I want to go. You know it's never hard to figure out what you want to happen or how you want to end; the problem is what leads up to it. Well, that's my two cents. Enjoy chapter 7 and remember to review, if I don't get reviews I doubt I will continue with the story, and if I do updates will be very far apart…so please Read and REVIEW!!!! Arigato!!!~~~
I Dreamt of You
Chapter 7
Darkness, thick black darkness suffocated him as he was knocked about, caught in a gale, a fierce storm that blew him, whipped him around. Caught in a tornado, trapped by raging winds until they tired of toying with him, and he was thrown, tossed away into…into…light. Thrown into the light, into an embrace that tormented him every night, haunted him everyday, and that he longed for with every breath he took.
Laughter; he heard laughter, soft, familiar laughter in his ear like the ringing of a bell and a warmth enveloped him, wrapped itself around him, swept inside him, wafting through his body like the wind, filling his very heart and soul, calming the tempest. And then there was a touch…a touch here, and there, and kisses, soft kisses that caressed his body like a gentle breeze. Mmmm…Fuu…
CRASH!
"Ahhhhh! Ferio! Ferio!"
Ferio sat straight up in bed, but was sent flying to his back again as a small bundle of blond hair hit him square in the chest. "Oof! What the…?"
"Come back here, Kiala!" Van came running into the room and stood in the doorway, which was still open from where Kiala had sent the door crashing open. "Give it back!"
"You've gotta protect me, Ferio!" Ferio looked down at Kiala, who sat in his lap, tiny arms squeezed around his midsection, staring up at him with those innocent blue eyes, which meant of course, that she was far from innocent. That would be why she ran to Ferio, since she knew she had the prince wrapped around her little fingers. Both of Caldina and Lafarga's children did though, had the prince and everyone else in the palace at their feet.
"No! Don't protect her!" Van cried as he climbed up on to Ferio's bed and crawled toward him, looking at the prince from under unruly blond bangs with those same blue eyes. "She took it and it's mine! Make her give it back!" He continued to crawl over until he crawled right into Ferio's lap with Kiala and also wrapped his little arms around his waist.
Ferio laughed. "Ah! You two are squeezing me too hard, I can't breathe!" They both loosened their grips, but continued to look up at him pleadingly. "Now, what's the problem?"
"Kiala, took my sword!"
"I wanted to play with it!"
"But it's mine and I want it back! I want to play with it!"
"You need to share!"
"Ok! Ok! Calm down!" Ferio tried to calm the two children down. He looked down again and noticed the wooden toy sword that Kiala held protectively to her chest. "Kiala, you should have asked to play with Van's toy."
"I did!" she cried. "He would let me!"
"Van, why not?"
"Because…" he looked down, "it's mine."
"Van, you need to learn to share…and both of you need to learn not to wake up the prince so early in the morning."
"But it's almost the afternoon." Kiala said.
"Yes, and that's when I wake up…after noon." Ferio removed the two children from his lap. "Now," he said as he stood up and reached for a shirt, "we are going to go find your mom or dad, and then I'm going to go find a toy sword for you, Kiala, but until then you need to share." Ferio pulled a shirt and reached for his shoes when he heard a voice down the hall.
"Kiala! Van! Where are you?"
"Well, looks like we don't have to go searching for your mother. They're in here Caldina!" Ferio screamed out though hi bedroom door. If they had left his bedroom door open, they probably left the door from the hallway to his outer room open as well.
Caldina came storming in the room and spotted her children immediately. "You!" She stopped in front of the bed and pointed at the two of them, who did their best to look innocent, but the innocent routine never worked with Caldina. "You are in big trouble!"
"It's alright, Caldina, I…" Ferio began.
"No it is not alright! They need to learn how to behave!" Caldina turned to Ferio. "People need to stop spoiling them. You included, Prince…"
"Ferio."
"Ferio. Sorry, I forget." Caldina bent and scooped up Kiala and Van into her arms. "I'm sorry they woke you though."
"It's alright. I need to get up anyway." He ruffled Kiala's hair and then Van's. "I'll find you a toy sword later. And you need to share. See you later."
"Thanks you, Ferio!" Kiala exclaimed.
"I'll try." Van pouted.
Caldina turned and walked out through the door, leaving Ferio alone. He sighed and sat down on the bed. Well, at least I have an excuse to leave the palace today…sort of. Now Clef can't yell at me too much for vanishing. Ferio stood and got dressed. He skipped the closets and drawers filled with all the 'princely' clothes everyone wanted him to wear. If he was going out, he would dress for it. He reached in a bottom drawer and pulled out a set of clothes, just like the one's he used to where before…when he first met them.
Washing and dressing quickly, Ferio stepped into the outer room where lunch awaited him. Someone brought him lunch everyday; he was never up in time for breakfast. Old habits really are hard to break, especially if I don't want to break them. He grabbed something quick and snuck out of his room and down the halls of the palace.
"Ferio!"
"Hey, Ferio!"
Ferio turned around quickly. "Shhhhhh!"
Ascot and Tarta jumped back quickly. "What?" They said in unison.
"Sorry." Ferio apologized and sighed. "I'm heading out to town and I don't want Clef to know."
Ascot laughed. "Understood. But what should we tell him if he finds that you're gone?"
"Tell him I'm running an errand for Caldina." He said as he began walking down the hall again. "See ya later." He waved and left the two laughing behind him.
Ferio walked down the halls, trying to go as unnoticed as possible. He needed to get to one of the east gardens. It was easier to just climb over the wall, then to try to go out the front gate without being noticed. He peered around a corner and spotted Tatra and Sentra, but they didn't notice him. Around another corner he almost ran straight into Lantis and Eagle. It was harder to get out of the palace then one would think. Lucky again. At least when I'm dressed like this I don't have to worry people recognizing me right away. He stopped to peer around one last corner.
"Excuse me, sir?" Ferio nearly jumped out of his skin, at the sound of a female voice behind him. "Could you tell us how to get to the west corridor?"
"We're a little lost," replied another voice.
Ferio didn't recognize the voices so he turned around slowly hoping they wouldn't recognize him. "Ah yes you go…"
"Oh, your Highness!" said a girl with short red hair. She was dressed in a long gown of silver that matched her eyes. "I didn't recognize you."
"We're so sorry," said the second, taller girl, who had dark blue hair. She curtsied slightly, holding the ends of her purple skirt.
"Oh…uh…it's quite alright," Ferio stammered. They must be prospective brides…just great. Damn you, Clef. "Now, you just go down this corridor here and turn left at the end and then make the, ah, second right."
"Thank you so much, your Highness," replied the blue-haired girl. "Do you remember us? I'm Ceruli of Azurica and this is Kirae of Eiriana. I wasn't sure if you would remember our names. There were four other girls announced yesterday as well."
Yeah, and three of them I already knew. "Oh, thank you. I don't think I remembered anyone's name." Please go away…
"Oh, that's quite alright!" Ceruli giggled. "You probably meet so many girls. I'm sure you get their names confused all the time!"
"You're palace is beautiful, your Highness, as well as your whole country. Who ever you choice to be your bride will be very lucky" Kirae said, suggestively.
Ferio forced a laugh, "Yes, I guess she will."
"Of course she will!" Ceruli said. "And with such a handsome…oh!" She stopped mid-sentence and blushed.
"Don't mind her, I've noticed she talks before she thinks."
"Kirae!" Ceruli whined.
"So, your Highness, would you like to come with us? It would be an honor to get to know you."
"Uh, well I…I'm kind of in a hurry."
"Oh. Well. Where are you headed, if you don't mind me asking?" Kirae inquired.
"Oh I'm, ah, on my way to see Master Mage Clef, lots of work to do and all. Oh, and I'm already late."
"Oh. Well, we're sorry we took up your time." Kirae said, shortly. Her silver eyes sparkled eerily. "Ceruli, let's go."
The girl looked slightly disappointed. "Ok. I hope I get a chance to talk to you later, your Highness. Have a pleasant day!"
Ferio let out a sigh of relief as the proceeded to walk down the hall in the opposite direction. He could tell Kirae definitely knew he was lying. Not good. Just what I need…an enemy where I should have a prospective bride. He turned and walked down the corridor and out into the empty gardens. The west gardens were a more popular place to relax than the east gardens, which were mainly filled with trees, some of which bore fruit. There were fewer flowers, no fountains or benches, no decorations or lamps. There was the occasional rose bush, but it was nothing compared to the gardens on the west side of the palace. In other words, the east gardens were to perfect place to escape to, or the perfect place to use to escape.
Ferio walked toward the back of the garden near the outer wall and spotted his usual route of escape. There was one tree that was fairly easy to climb, and it was tall enough that it had a few branches that hung over the top of the wall: a nice easy escape route. Almost free, Ferio thought. I'll have to remember to stay away from the west gardens. I bet that was where those girls were heading. Just what I need, two giggly trying to get my attention. Damn Clef, I told him I didn't want to do this. I…
"Good afternoon, your Highness."
Ferio almost groaned, but stopped himself. Who is it this time? He turned around to find Meiran of Fahren seated on the ground behind him. She was leaning up against a tree and held a book in one head. Her long black hair cascaded down her back and sides, unbound, and spread around hair. There was a pleasant smile on her face, and a welcoming expression, but her eyes, the bright amethyst orbs; there was something strange about them. They seemed out of place somehow. Ferio felt the shivers crawling up his spine and shivered slightly, but he shrugged them off. He looked at her again and realized that the smile did not reach her eyes, there was no light in them. She set her book on the grass and went to stand. Ferio offered her his hand and assistance.
"Good afternoon, Lady Meiran." Let's make this quick. "How are doing today?"
"I'm just fine, your Highness. Your country is lovely."
"Thank you," he replied and then paused, groping for something to say. He didn't want to seem impolite; Clef would probably kill him if he found out. "Uh…what is that you're reading?"
She looked down at her book. "Oh it's nothing, just something Chang Ang wanted me to read." Meiran looked back at him again. "I can tell that you are in a hurry to get somewhere," Ferio looked slightly shocked, and she laughed slightly. "It is all over your face, your Highness. And you snuck in here like you didn't want anyone to see you, even jumped when I spoke. I just wanted to let you know that my cousin spoke with me last night. She has told me of these…Mystic Knights…of yours, she spoke highly of the one called…Fuu? Yes, that was it. I had not realized you had great feelings for her, but that is of no consequence. You will have no trouble from me, I am quite in love at the moment." Hair face fell and she turned away. "My parents don't approve of him, so I was sent here."
"I'm sorry to hear that." Ferio said, feeling a little uncomfortable. He really didn't know how to comfort her. "But I understand how you feel."
"Yes," she looked at him with sad eyes. That emotion simply emotion in her eyes gave a quiet beauty to her. They seemed to glow; her entire body seemed to glow. "It must be hard for you. Not knowing if you'll ever be able to see the one you love again. At least…at least I know me love is alive and well, even if I cannot be with him. I wish you could be with her," she said with sympathy. "I just wanted to let you know that I will not be in your way. I hope the rest of your day goes well, your Highness." She bowed toward him.
"Thank you," he replied. "Yours too." She smiled at him as she turned away, floating through garden.
Ferio watched her retreat, mesmerized. Her hair fluttered behind her like a silken cape, and she glided along as if she were being carried on a breeze. She was beautiful and hypnotizing; Ferio couldn't look away until she was completely out of sight.
"What the hell just happened?" he said to himself, shaking his head. He turned around and began again to climb the tree, finally able to escape from the palace. As he worked his way up and over the well, he couldn't get Meiran out of his head. It was like there was a spell on him. She was beautiful and kind, very polite. She reminded him of….she reminded him of Fuu…
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
It was a little after noon by the time Ferio made it over the wall and was on his way away from the palace. He knew Clef would be mad, but he missed the freedom and quiet of the forest, which was where he would spend most of his day. He walked down a little known path toward the village he frequented whenever he could make it out of the palace, which was quite often up until recently. There was actually a large town on the northwestern side of the palace just outside the wall, but it was crowded with people, too many people that would recognize him. So Ferio headed east toward the tiny village of Medora which was set near the ocean, near a long stretch of beach, the forest and the cliffs.
By the time Medora was in his sights, Ferio was in a much better mood. As he walked through the village, people greeted him warmly, smiling, by name. There was no 'Prince Ferio,' no 'Your Highness.' He was just 'Ferio' to these people. Most of them he had known before, before everything, before the incident with Debonair, before Cephiro crumbled, before his sister died, before the knights came. It was great to just relax here, nothing to worry about. Ferio was already completely relaxed by the time he reached his destination.
"Ferio! Long time, no see! How have you been?" Ferio was hailed by a middle-aged man with grey-streaked brown hair from where he sat in front of his cottage. He stood and held out his hand to the young prince, who gripped it firmly.
"Hey Mateio, I've been good. How're you? How's business?" Ferio said as he looked around. There were several tables, chairs, and various other things, such as toys and pieces of furniture in different stages of completion spread out across the ground. "Looks like you're pretty busy."
The carpenter laughed. "Yeah, business is going good, but it's kept me busy."
"I hope not too busy," Ferio said, "cuz I need a favor."
"What's that?"
"You know Caldina's twins, right?" Mateio nodded. "Well, Van's got a wooden toy sword and Kiala keeps stealing from him, so I promised I get her another one, so I was hoping…"
"No problem! I actually think I have one made, all I need to do is paint it and I can get Trisa to do that for me while I work on some other things. Not a problem at all, Ferio, not for you anyway," he said with a wink.
"Perfect. You are the best carpenter in Cephiro, Mateio."
"And you're the worst liar, your Highness."
"Don't you start…"
"Ferio! Ferio!" A young girl, who looked to be sixteen (but of course we all no looks don't mean a think in Cephiro), came running up to Ferio and greeted him with a huge hug.
"Well, if it isn't the most beautiful girl in Cephiro," Ferio charmed, smiling down at the girl.
"I've missed you! Where have you been?" She realized him and stepped back.
"I've been busy, Trisa, and tripped inside the palace by the evil Master Mage Clef."
"Well, you're here now! Let's go for a walk or…"
"Trisa," Mateio warned. "You are supposed to help me with work today, and I believe Ferio would probably prefer to spend the day alone."
"But Papa!"
"Listen to your father, Trisa." Ferio said. "I have some stuff I need to do, and if you are supposed to be helping you should. Now, I'm going to get going alright?"
"What?! You just got here!" Trisa pouted.
"I know, babe, but I'll be back to eat dinner with your dad, if that's alright with him," Ferio looked up see Mateio nodding. "So, I'll spend a little time with you later alright? See ya." He turned and walked slightly south toward the forest and the cliffs.
"See ya later, Ferio!"
Ferio walked on and into the calm and quiet of the forest, up toward the cliffs, just walked straight. The top of the cliffs were too far away for him to reach and still get back in time to eat with Mateio and Trisa. It was already well into the afternoon and there was no path up there; he was stuck walking over roots and shrubs. He finally gave up climbed up one of the trees to walk along the branches like he used to. If he had time he might even take a nap. There was nothing so relaxing as sleeping, rested on the branch of a tree, listening to the sounds of the forest animals.
All the while, his mind raced on ahead of him. He tried to think of nothing, to concentrate on nothing but the forest around him, but his mind had others things planned. He thought about Clef. He tried not to be angry at the Mage, but part of him was, part of him blamed the Mage for all of this. What he said to Trisa was true. He was trapped in that palace. Cephiro was stable, for now. The people believed in him, in Clef, in Lafarga, in Lantis, in Eagle, believed they could protect Cephiro.
We can't, Ferio sighed as he sat on a branch and stared out toward the ocean. We can't protect Cephiro. If anything happens, if anything happens to disrupt the peace, then the people will start to doubt and we'll be lost again. And they want me to marry. To marry! What does me marrying have to do with Cephiro's safety? As if my having a queen is going to make everything alright, going to stop every invasion, stop every other world that looks at Cephiro and says "I want that." And yet I have to make the people happy, because if I don't, then Cephiro will suffer. So I have to choose between my happiness and the temporary safety and comfort of the people. Ferio slammed his fist against the branch of the tree. Fuu, where are you? I need you! The people of Cephiro need you, and Hikaru, and Umi. They need someone that they know can protect them, someone they trust. There's no one they trust more than you. We need the Magic Knights!
But it was hopeless. Wherever the knights were they must be happy, or they would have tried to come back. Ferio and Clef just didn't have the power to even send a message to Fuu and the others. Only the Pillar could summon the Magic Knights and there was no longer a Pillar. The people had the power to pray for Cephiro and the last Pillar was in another world, unreachable. Hopeless…
The sun was just above the horizon when Ferio reluctantly began his journey back to Medora, where he would spend a little more time prolonging the hold he had on his freedom, before heading back to the palace, to duty, to his prison.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
~~~Wow, that was a loooooong chapter. I really didn't intend for it to be that long. I hope it wasn't a bore. I have to set everything up, you now. Well, I have outlines for chapters 8, 9, 10, and 11, and i'm working on the one for 12. Please read and review. I'm working hard on this and I update frequently. I really want to know what people think.I also would like a new title. Suggestions welcome. I haven't thought of one I like yet. Please read and review. I feel like no one's readin this...Please review? Pretty Please? With sugar on top? With Ferio on top? Awwwww yeah...~~~
Please read my new fanfic. I have two in progress now, so it might slow me down, but this one is developing quicker, so I'll probably be slower on the other one. Anyway it's a Gundam Wing AU, sorta crossover. It's set in Mercedes Lackey's Valdemar. There will be Yaoi! There is not a good GW fanfic with out a little Yaoi! Bring on the 3x4!!!!
~~~Enter Chapter 7. We're getting closer to this thing picking up. I've been working on writing chapters at the same time I'm writing my outlines. I didn't realize what a good idea that was until I hit a road block…that is writer's block…mid chapter 10. I'm working it out though; need to figure out how to get where I want to go. You know it's never hard to figure out what you want to happen or how you want to end; the problem is what leads up to it. Well, that's my two cents. Enjoy chapter 7 and remember to review, if I don't get reviews I doubt I will continue with the story, and if I do updates will be very far apart…so please Read and REVIEW!!!! Arigato!!!~~~
I Dreamt of You
Chapter 7
Darkness, thick black darkness suffocated him as he was knocked about, caught in a gale, a fierce storm that blew him, whipped him around. Caught in a tornado, trapped by raging winds until they tired of toying with him, and he was thrown, tossed away into…into…light. Thrown into the light, into an embrace that tormented him every night, haunted him everyday, and that he longed for with every breath he took.
Laughter; he heard laughter, soft, familiar laughter in his ear like the ringing of a bell and a warmth enveloped him, wrapped itself around him, swept inside him, wafting through his body like the wind, filling his very heart and soul, calming the tempest. And then there was a touch…a touch here, and there, and kisses, soft kisses that caressed his body like a gentle breeze. Mmmm…Fuu…
CRASH!
"Ahhhhh! Ferio! Ferio!"
Ferio sat straight up in bed, but was sent flying to his back again as a small bundle of blond hair hit him square in the chest. "Oof! What the…?"
"Come back here, Kiala!" Van came running into the room and stood in the doorway, which was still open from where Kiala had sent the door crashing open. "Give it back!"
"You've gotta protect me, Ferio!" Ferio looked down at Kiala, who sat in his lap, tiny arms squeezed around his midsection, staring up at him with those innocent blue eyes, which meant of course, that she was far from innocent. That would be why she ran to Ferio, since she knew she had the prince wrapped around her little fingers. Both of Caldina and Lafarga's children did though, had the prince and everyone else in the palace at their feet.
"No! Don't protect her!" Van cried as he climbed up on to Ferio's bed and crawled toward him, looking at the prince from under unruly blond bangs with those same blue eyes. "She took it and it's mine! Make her give it back!" He continued to crawl over until he crawled right into Ferio's lap with Kiala and also wrapped his little arms around his waist.
Ferio laughed. "Ah! You two are squeezing me too hard, I can't breathe!" They both loosened their grips, but continued to look up at him pleadingly. "Now, what's the problem?"
"Kiala, took my sword!"
"I wanted to play with it!"
"But it's mine and I want it back! I want to play with it!"
"You need to share!"
"Ok! Ok! Calm down!" Ferio tried to calm the two children down. He looked down again and noticed the wooden toy sword that Kiala held protectively to her chest. "Kiala, you should have asked to play with Van's toy."
"I did!" she cried. "He would let me!"
"Van, why not?"
"Because…" he looked down, "it's mine."
"Van, you need to learn to share…and both of you need to learn not to wake up the prince so early in the morning."
"But it's almost the afternoon." Kiala said.
"Yes, and that's when I wake up…after noon." Ferio removed the two children from his lap. "Now," he said as he stood up and reached for a shirt, "we are going to go find your mom or dad, and then I'm going to go find a toy sword for you, Kiala, but until then you need to share." Ferio pulled a shirt and reached for his shoes when he heard a voice down the hall.
"Kiala! Van! Where are you?"
"Well, looks like we don't have to go searching for your mother. They're in here Caldina!" Ferio screamed out though hi bedroom door. If they had left his bedroom door open, they probably left the door from the hallway to his outer room open as well.
Caldina came storming in the room and spotted her children immediately. "You!" She stopped in front of the bed and pointed at the two of them, who did their best to look innocent, but the innocent routine never worked with Caldina. "You are in big trouble!"
"It's alright, Caldina, I…" Ferio began.
"No it is not alright! They need to learn how to behave!" Caldina turned to Ferio. "People need to stop spoiling them. You included, Prince…"
"Ferio."
"Ferio. Sorry, I forget." Caldina bent and scooped up Kiala and Van into her arms. "I'm sorry they woke you though."
"It's alright. I need to get up anyway." He ruffled Kiala's hair and then Van's. "I'll find you a toy sword later. And you need to share. See you later."
"Thanks you, Ferio!" Kiala exclaimed.
"I'll try." Van pouted.
Caldina turned and walked out through the door, leaving Ferio alone. He sighed and sat down on the bed. Well, at least I have an excuse to leave the palace today…sort of. Now Clef can't yell at me too much for vanishing. Ferio stood and got dressed. He skipped the closets and drawers filled with all the 'princely' clothes everyone wanted him to wear. If he was going out, he would dress for it. He reached in a bottom drawer and pulled out a set of clothes, just like the one's he used to where before…when he first met them.
Washing and dressing quickly, Ferio stepped into the outer room where lunch awaited him. Someone brought him lunch everyday; he was never up in time for breakfast. Old habits really are hard to break, especially if I don't want to break them. He grabbed something quick and snuck out of his room and down the halls of the palace.
"Ferio!"
"Hey, Ferio!"
Ferio turned around quickly. "Shhhhhh!"
Ascot and Tarta jumped back quickly. "What?" They said in unison.
"Sorry." Ferio apologized and sighed. "I'm heading out to town and I don't want Clef to know."
Ascot laughed. "Understood. But what should we tell him if he finds that you're gone?"
"Tell him I'm running an errand for Caldina." He said as he began walking down the hall again. "See ya later." He waved and left the two laughing behind him.
Ferio walked down the halls, trying to go as unnoticed as possible. He needed to get to one of the east gardens. It was easier to just climb over the wall, then to try to go out the front gate without being noticed. He peered around a corner and spotted Tatra and Sentra, but they didn't notice him. Around another corner he almost ran straight into Lantis and Eagle. It was harder to get out of the palace then one would think. Lucky again. At least when I'm dressed like this I don't have to worry people recognizing me right away. He stopped to peer around one last corner.
"Excuse me, sir?" Ferio nearly jumped out of his skin, at the sound of a female voice behind him. "Could you tell us how to get to the west corridor?"
"We're a little lost," replied another voice.
Ferio didn't recognize the voices so he turned around slowly hoping they wouldn't recognize him. "Ah yes you go…"
"Oh, your Highness!" said a girl with short red hair. She was dressed in a long gown of silver that matched her eyes. "I didn't recognize you."
"We're so sorry," said the second, taller girl, who had dark blue hair. She curtsied slightly, holding the ends of her purple skirt.
"Oh…uh…it's quite alright," Ferio stammered. They must be prospective brides…just great. Damn you, Clef. "Now, you just go down this corridor here and turn left at the end and then make the, ah, second right."
"Thank you so much, your Highness," replied the blue-haired girl. "Do you remember us? I'm Ceruli of Azurica and this is Kirae of Eiriana. I wasn't sure if you would remember our names. There were four other girls announced yesterday as well."
Yeah, and three of them I already knew. "Oh, thank you. I don't think I remembered anyone's name." Please go away…
"Oh, that's quite alright!" Ceruli giggled. "You probably meet so many girls. I'm sure you get their names confused all the time!"
"You're palace is beautiful, your Highness, as well as your whole country. Who ever you choice to be your bride will be very lucky" Kirae said, suggestively.
Ferio forced a laugh, "Yes, I guess she will."
"Of course she will!" Ceruli said. "And with such a handsome…oh!" She stopped mid-sentence and blushed.
"Don't mind her, I've noticed she talks before she thinks."
"Kirae!" Ceruli whined.
"So, your Highness, would you like to come with us? It would be an honor to get to know you."
"Uh, well I…I'm kind of in a hurry."
"Oh. Well. Where are you headed, if you don't mind me asking?" Kirae inquired.
"Oh I'm, ah, on my way to see Master Mage Clef, lots of work to do and all. Oh, and I'm already late."
"Oh. Well, we're sorry we took up your time." Kirae said, shortly. Her silver eyes sparkled eerily. "Ceruli, let's go."
The girl looked slightly disappointed. "Ok. I hope I get a chance to talk to you later, your Highness. Have a pleasant day!"
Ferio let out a sigh of relief as the proceeded to walk down the hall in the opposite direction. He could tell Kirae definitely knew he was lying. Not good. Just what I need…an enemy where I should have a prospective bride. He turned and walked down the corridor and out into the empty gardens. The west gardens were a more popular place to relax than the east gardens, which were mainly filled with trees, some of which bore fruit. There were fewer flowers, no fountains or benches, no decorations or lamps. There was the occasional rose bush, but it was nothing compared to the gardens on the west side of the palace. In other words, the east gardens were to perfect place to escape to, or the perfect place to use to escape.
Ferio walked toward the back of the garden near the outer wall and spotted his usual route of escape. There was one tree that was fairly easy to climb, and it was tall enough that it had a few branches that hung over the top of the wall: a nice easy escape route. Almost free, Ferio thought. I'll have to remember to stay away from the west gardens. I bet that was where those girls were heading. Just what I need, two giggly trying to get my attention. Damn Clef, I told him I didn't want to do this. I…
"Good afternoon, your Highness."
Ferio almost groaned, but stopped himself. Who is it this time? He turned around to find Meiran of Fahren seated on the ground behind him. She was leaning up against a tree and held a book in one head. Her long black hair cascaded down her back and sides, unbound, and spread around hair. There was a pleasant smile on her face, and a welcoming expression, but her eyes, the bright amethyst orbs; there was something strange about them. They seemed out of place somehow. Ferio felt the shivers crawling up his spine and shivered slightly, but he shrugged them off. He looked at her again and realized that the smile did not reach her eyes, there was no light in them. She set her book on the grass and went to stand. Ferio offered her his hand and assistance.
"Good afternoon, Lady Meiran." Let's make this quick. "How are doing today?"
"I'm just fine, your Highness. Your country is lovely."
"Thank you," he replied and then paused, groping for something to say. He didn't want to seem impolite; Clef would probably kill him if he found out. "Uh…what is that you're reading?"
She looked down at her book. "Oh it's nothing, just something Chang Ang wanted me to read." Meiran looked back at him again. "I can tell that you are in a hurry to get somewhere," Ferio looked slightly shocked, and she laughed slightly. "It is all over your face, your Highness. And you snuck in here like you didn't want anyone to see you, even jumped when I spoke. I just wanted to let you know that my cousin spoke with me last night. She has told me of these…Mystic Knights…of yours, she spoke highly of the one called…Fuu? Yes, that was it. I had not realized you had great feelings for her, but that is of no consequence. You will have no trouble from me, I am quite in love at the moment." Hair face fell and she turned away. "My parents don't approve of him, so I was sent here."
"I'm sorry to hear that." Ferio said, feeling a little uncomfortable. He really didn't know how to comfort her. "But I understand how you feel."
"Yes," she looked at him with sad eyes. That emotion simply emotion in her eyes gave a quiet beauty to her. They seemed to glow; her entire body seemed to glow. "It must be hard for you. Not knowing if you'll ever be able to see the one you love again. At least…at least I know me love is alive and well, even if I cannot be with him. I wish you could be with her," she said with sympathy. "I just wanted to let you know that I will not be in your way. I hope the rest of your day goes well, your Highness." She bowed toward him.
"Thank you," he replied. "Yours too." She smiled at him as she turned away, floating through garden.
Ferio watched her retreat, mesmerized. Her hair fluttered behind her like a silken cape, and she glided along as if she were being carried on a breeze. She was beautiful and hypnotizing; Ferio couldn't look away until she was completely out of sight.
"What the hell just happened?" he said to himself, shaking his head. He turned around and began again to climb the tree, finally able to escape from the palace. As he worked his way up and over the well, he couldn't get Meiran out of his head. It was like there was a spell on him. She was beautiful and kind, very polite. She reminded him of….she reminded him of Fuu…
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
It was a little after noon by the time Ferio made it over the wall and was on his way away from the palace. He knew Clef would be mad, but he missed the freedom and quiet of the forest, which was where he would spend most of his day. He walked down a little known path toward the village he frequented whenever he could make it out of the palace, which was quite often up until recently. There was actually a large town on the northwestern side of the palace just outside the wall, but it was crowded with people, too many people that would recognize him. So Ferio headed east toward the tiny village of Medora which was set near the ocean, near a long stretch of beach, the forest and the cliffs.
By the time Medora was in his sights, Ferio was in a much better mood. As he walked through the village, people greeted him warmly, smiling, by name. There was no 'Prince Ferio,' no 'Your Highness.' He was just 'Ferio' to these people. Most of them he had known before, before everything, before the incident with Debonair, before Cephiro crumbled, before his sister died, before the knights came. It was great to just relax here, nothing to worry about. Ferio was already completely relaxed by the time he reached his destination.
"Ferio! Long time, no see! How have you been?" Ferio was hailed by a middle-aged man with grey-streaked brown hair from where he sat in front of his cottage. He stood and held out his hand to the young prince, who gripped it firmly.
"Hey Mateio, I've been good. How're you? How's business?" Ferio said as he looked around. There were several tables, chairs, and various other things, such as toys and pieces of furniture in different stages of completion spread out across the ground. "Looks like you're pretty busy."
The carpenter laughed. "Yeah, business is going good, but it's kept me busy."
"I hope not too busy," Ferio said, "cuz I need a favor."
"What's that?"
"You know Caldina's twins, right?" Mateio nodded. "Well, Van's got a wooden toy sword and Kiala keeps stealing from him, so I promised I get her another one, so I was hoping…"
"No problem! I actually think I have one made, all I need to do is paint it and I can get Trisa to do that for me while I work on some other things. Not a problem at all, Ferio, not for you anyway," he said with a wink.
"Perfect. You are the best carpenter in Cephiro, Mateio."
"And you're the worst liar, your Highness."
"Don't you start…"
"Ferio! Ferio!" A young girl, who looked to be sixteen (but of course we all no looks don't mean a think in Cephiro), came running up to Ferio and greeted him with a huge hug.
"Well, if it isn't the most beautiful girl in Cephiro," Ferio charmed, smiling down at the girl.
"I've missed you! Where have you been?" She realized him and stepped back.
"I've been busy, Trisa, and tripped inside the palace by the evil Master Mage Clef."
"Well, you're here now! Let's go for a walk or…"
"Trisa," Mateio warned. "You are supposed to help me with work today, and I believe Ferio would probably prefer to spend the day alone."
"But Papa!"
"Listen to your father, Trisa." Ferio said. "I have some stuff I need to do, and if you are supposed to be helping you should. Now, I'm going to get going alright?"
"What?! You just got here!" Trisa pouted.
"I know, babe, but I'll be back to eat dinner with your dad, if that's alright with him," Ferio looked up see Mateio nodding. "So, I'll spend a little time with you later alright? See ya." He turned and walked slightly south toward the forest and the cliffs.
"See ya later, Ferio!"
Ferio walked on and into the calm and quiet of the forest, up toward the cliffs, just walked straight. The top of the cliffs were too far away for him to reach and still get back in time to eat with Mateio and Trisa. It was already well into the afternoon and there was no path up there; he was stuck walking over roots and shrubs. He finally gave up climbed up one of the trees to walk along the branches like he used to. If he had time he might even take a nap. There was nothing so relaxing as sleeping, rested on the branch of a tree, listening to the sounds of the forest animals.
All the while, his mind raced on ahead of him. He tried to think of nothing, to concentrate on nothing but the forest around him, but his mind had others things planned. He thought about Clef. He tried not to be angry at the Mage, but part of him was, part of him blamed the Mage for all of this. What he said to Trisa was true. He was trapped in that palace. Cephiro was stable, for now. The people believed in him, in Clef, in Lafarga, in Lantis, in Eagle, believed they could protect Cephiro.
We can't, Ferio sighed as he sat on a branch and stared out toward the ocean. We can't protect Cephiro. If anything happens, if anything happens to disrupt the peace, then the people will start to doubt and we'll be lost again. And they want me to marry. To marry! What does me marrying have to do with Cephiro's safety? As if my having a queen is going to make everything alright, going to stop every invasion, stop every other world that looks at Cephiro and says "I want that." And yet I have to make the people happy, because if I don't, then Cephiro will suffer. So I have to choose between my happiness and the temporary safety and comfort of the people. Ferio slammed his fist against the branch of the tree. Fuu, where are you? I need you! The people of Cephiro need you, and Hikaru, and Umi. They need someone that they know can protect them, someone they trust. There's no one they trust more than you. We need the Magic Knights!
But it was hopeless. Wherever the knights were they must be happy, or they would have tried to come back. Ferio and Clef just didn't have the power to even send a message to Fuu and the others. Only the Pillar could summon the Magic Knights and there was no longer a Pillar. The people had the power to pray for Cephiro and the last Pillar was in another world, unreachable. Hopeless…
The sun was just above the horizon when Ferio reluctantly began his journey back to Medora, where he would spend a little more time prolonging the hold he had on his freedom, before heading back to the palace, to duty, to his prison.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
~~~Wow, that was a loooooong chapter. I really didn't intend for it to be that long. I hope it wasn't a bore. I have to set everything up, you now. Well, I have outlines for chapters 8, 9, 10, and 11, and i'm working on the one for 12. Please read and review. I'm working hard on this and I update frequently. I really want to know what people think.I also would like a new title. Suggestions welcome. I haven't thought of one I like yet. Please read and review. I feel like no one's readin this...Please review? Pretty Please? With sugar on top? With Ferio on top? Awwwww yeah...~~~
Please read my new fanfic. I have two in progress now, so it might slow me down, but this one is developing quicker, so I'll probably be slower on the other one. Anyway it's a Gundam Wing AU, sorta crossover. It's set in Mercedes Lackey's Valdemar. There will be Yaoi! There is not a good GW fanfic with out a little Yaoi! Bring on the 3x4!!!!