Journey of Love
Chapter Nine
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Marcus and Neroon, or anyone else from
Babylon 5.

Authors notes: Rated PG-13 Contains slash: two males in a romantic/sexual (although not explicit) relationship. If this offends you please turn back now.

If the formatting is screwed up please forgive me. I still haven't gotten the hang of it yet
We landed on Minbar at 1300 the next day. I escorted Neroon to the meeting hall where the high-ranking Minbari delegates were waiting to welcome him to the temple at Thadean, where the Right of Ascension was to take place. Once we entered the meeting hall, the six clan leaders stood up from the table where they had been sitting, and made their way to Neroon and his entourage.

While Neroon was greeting his fellow warriors, I was busy keeping track of where everyone in the room was and guarding Neroon's welfare. Although Shamar, Maiko and two other of Neroon's Elite Guard were in the vicinity, I didn't drop my guard at all. The only one who could tell I wasn't as relaxed as my casual posture alluded to was Neroon, and that was only because he was doing the exact same thing only with more aplomb. After observing the hall for hidden dangers I drew my attention to the gathering of Minbari in front of me. Just in time as it so happens because Neroon began to introduce me to his clan contemporaries. The warmth of the welcome I got from these men was greatly varied and ranged from open dislike to curiosity about my presence. I took this all in stride and was personable to everyone I talked to.

After the preliminary meet-and-greet session was over, Neroon decided that he would join his guards and myself in a once-over of the temple grounds. I guess it's a good idea for Neroon to know the lay of the land, but I would have felt better if I knew the grounds were secure first. The perimeter check did not go as badly as I had feared, and for once Neroon kept his mouth shut. The first time I ordered two guards to check a barely maintained garden path, they looked towards Neroon for conformation. When he didn't respond they followed my orders by default. After that, there were no further problems about leadership. As we covered more ground we came across a ledge above the temple dais, a rarely used pathway, an opening in the courtyard near the meditation area and a wooded area across from the temple entrance; all perfect positions to stage an attack. It was decided that when Neroon was outdoors he would have three guards, including myself, because the perimeter wasn't overly secure and easily susceptible to physical attack.

As we made our was back to the main complex an aide of Eedeer's, the delegate of the Wind Dancer clan, intercepted us.

"Eedeer requests a meeting with you when it is convenient."

"Tell him that I will stop by before dinner this afternoon, around 1500 hours." Neroon responded giving himself enough time to get settled in and clean up a bit from the walk.

Neroon's quarters were surprisingly spacious and I can only assume he must have called ahead to inform the Chancellor that I would be staying with him. After finding two surveillance bugs in the room after a thorough investigation, we began to unpack our belongings. I took the first bedroom off the living room because if someone were to attack they would have to go through me first and hopefully Neroon would be up by then. Although with the way he sleeps I would doubt it.

His suite connected to mine through a joint bathroom and consisted of a cozy sitting room and a larger bedroom. Unfortunately to Neroon's dismay there was little room in the kitchenette for cooking. I guess that the Minbari thought preparing his own food was beneath the Alit's standards. Needless to say Neroon wasn't happy with the arrangements. I basically told him to suck it up because he was only going to be here for a week, after which time he could cook as much as he wanted. The only response I got was an unhappy grumble as Neroon inventoried the kitchen supplies and food available.

While he was busy cursing all the culinary gods he knew, plus a few he made up for good measure, I spent my time reading over a dossier on the Right of Ascension. If you asked me it was an awful lot of time-consuming drama just to give Neroon a navy blue cloak and uniform. An hour and a half later I had just finished the 67 page article as Neroon made his way out of the bedroom, cloak fastened and uniform crisp and creased to perfection. He looked the embodiment of what a Minbari warrior should be, which was probably his intention. Before I could get up to accompany him, I was halted by Neroon's hand resting on my shoulder.

"You can't come with me for this meeting. Eedeer would be insulted if I didn't trust him enough to come on my own." Neroon explained while I glared at him from my seated position.

"Well he'll just have to deal with it. I am not about to-"

"Marcus." Neroon interrupted in an aggravated tone of voice.

"Neroon." I stubbornly replied, just as annoyed. "You are the one who wanted me here because you weren't sure if you could trust your own people. Now you want me to trust Eedeer. Have you forgotten that I'm your bodyguard, not your guest?"

"I'm not asking you to trust Eedeer, but rather to trust me. It may surprise you but, I have managed to survive without your help for over 67 cycles. I believe I can manage to stay alive for an hour or so until I see you again." Neroon reminded me gently, although still with a hint of sarcasm.

"Alright. I'll be here when you get back…. Just don't get yourself killed." I said watching with concern as Neroon walked out the door.