Weeping Willow
(revised version)
"I was waiting for so long
For a miracle to come
Everyone told me to be strong
Hold on and don't shed a tear
Through darkness and good times
I knew I'd make it through
And the world thought I had it all
But I was waiting for you"
~"A New Day Has Come", Celine Dion
Chapter 6: New Wings
The next morning Folken woke up to find Willow was still in his arms, he sighed, remembering the night before.
'How has this happened?' He wondered, remembering his
confession to her the other evening. 'Its only been a few days and I already
feel like I've known her all my life.' He tucked a bit of her hair behind her
ear, revealing her peaceful face.
"Oh, Willow, you have no idea how much good you have done me."
You love her don't you? 'No, of course not.' She loves you. 'How
would you know?'
He traced her features with his left hand, and frowned at the dark circles under her eyes. He memorized how her long eyelashes faded from a dark brown to a light blonde, her lips and how the bottom one was considerably larger than the top one, resulting in the adorable pout of her mouth… He mentally scolded himself for thinking of covering those lips with his own. You know you want to. You love her. 'No, that's something entirely different, I can't love... I'm a monster.... Its just lust.' You've loved before. 'And look what it got them, my beautiful twins and dead, and its my fault, my mother is dead and its my fault, my brother hates me.... And it my fault.'
The sun had not risen yet but he didn't care. Folken
gently got up, feeling the last strong tremor of growth run the full length of
his wings and spine. Willow didn't stir so he just pulled the blanket up around
her shoulders. He dressed in a new pair of pants, grabbed washcloth, razor and
a container of Willow's shaving cream. He scowled at the purple flowered bottle
but decided it would have to do, to his surprise it was a lilac smell that
reminded him of the fields of Fanelia. He shaved and then went out on the back
porch to shake the new flight feathers into place, knowing that after he did
that he could finally draw back his wings, it would be a relief.
'She won't have to see the evidence of that horrid fate any
longer. Maybe she'll learn to love me, the way I l... No.' The way you love
her? 'Of course not, because I do not love her and she should not love me,
I'll only hurt her more.' She's been hurt already. 'And I remember it
every moment.' She will not understand. 'She will have to try.' She
LOVES you. 'She cannot, not now, not ever, I WILL NOT HURT HER!'
The battle in his mind ended and he collapsed to his knees
on the soft grass damp with the predawn dew. His wings encircled him and sob
slipped through his lips. "I will not hurt her..." He took a deep
breath and stood shakily. A soft down feather fell on his cheek and he held it
between his forefinger and thumb for a moment before the wind carried it away.
"But I will protect her."
* * *
When Willow woke up, she was actually disappointed that Folken had not been there. She got up and dressed in a white top and a long, pale green skirt that followed about her ankles and spun out around her waist if she twirled fast enough. She guessed Folken would be outside so she went out on the back porch to see Folken standing in the middle of the yard, his wings fully extended. To her astonishment, they were a deep sapphire purple instead of black, although it was close enough to black that with out proper lighting they would be easily mistaken for his previously ashen colored wings.
"Folken! Your wings! I had no idea they were so beautiful under all that soot!"
Folken pulled his wings around in front of him as he turned to face her. "Actually it is quite the surprise to me as well," he still didn't understand the sudden change, "Draconians have white wings and mine turned black while I was in Ziabach, because of my own choices… I do not know why they are purple now." He ran his hand over the top of each wing and down to the tips of his long primary feathers. The truth be told he found his wings magnificent, and were it not for the fact that they labeled him a demon he would have been proud of them. And Willow didn't seem to think they were a curse. At the moment she was running her fingers over the soft down feathers, her hands were temptingly, dangerously close to his skin. 'She really loves them...' He smiled lightly, thankful that she didn't shun him as so many on Gaea had.
"Maybe you've been forgiven, or better yet you've started to forgive yourself." The words seemed almost to be a reflection of her own internal struggle. And it was in that moment that Folken realized what she had been trying to convey all along, She blames herself for everything. 'By the gods I wish I could kill the bastard that touched her.'
Her fingers ran over his flights and softly she reached the tip of his wing, having memorized every softly curved feather. She turned and smiled at him, a blush creeping over her cheeks as she stared hastily at the ground. 'I can't believe I'm doing this. I can't be falling in love' Her mind screamed a mental warning at the concept. She remembered speaking the very words she was denying now. But you want to. 'No I don't. Everyone I've ever loved has left me, and Folken will have to leave too, surely he must need to return home...' And if he doesn't?
Folken couldn't resist the thought that came into his mind and he quickly drew his wing close to his torso, taking her with it. She ended up in his arms and he encircled them with his wings. She made his head spin, and his heart race, oh how he wanted to take her away to a place where she could be safe, a place where she would draw and write, he'd find her an easel and paints too, where she could watch the birds in the yard and have garden a place she could love him and wouldn't have to worry....
"Folken!" Her breath caught in her throat and she swallowed thickly, not sure whether she wanted to run or hold him even closer.
"What?" He asked as if completely innocent. She grinned and laughed, relaxing her guard. Her heart raced and her head was filled with a haze of joy as he held her. 'Maybe I do love him.' She thought.
"I'm glad you came out here, I have something I want to show you." He smiled and let her go, taking a small handful of his soft down. He held his palm out and then took it quickly from under the soft fluff. It hung in the air as if gravity did not apply.
"Wow," Willow examined it.
"There is something special about Draconian feathers, they seem to repel air, so flying is more of a floating and soaring than actually flapping. But eventually, when they're not attached, they lose the power." He blew on the fluff and it wafted slightly. "Also, I can control each pinion separately so I can change directions quickly…Like this!" He tipped his wings and shot forward, scooping her into his arms.
"Folken!" She clung to him desperately, taken totally off guard. She felt his strong arms around her and knew he wouldn't drop her but she still was totally paranoid and tightened her grip. She was breathing sharply and Folken held her more tightly.
"Don't worry Willow I won't drop you… I just wanted to share my wings with you." Folken buried his face in her hair.
"You just startled me... again." She laughed, relaxing a little, enjoying the feel of the wind rushing past her.
Folken flew straight towards the sun that would soon be rising. Willow relaxed completely, feeling his supportive arms and knowing there was no way he would let her fall.
"This is amazing Folken, I envy you." She said in awe as she saw the lake appear below them. The city had faded away as they flew because she lived in the suburbs to the east of the city and they found themselves in the peaceful countryside.
Folken gave her a mischievous smirk and adjusted his hold on her, she raise her eyebrow, wondering what the heck his plan could be. He flipped through the air, making a wide loop.
"Aahhhh! HAHAHA!" Willow laughed gleefully as they tumbled and twisted over the lake. Folken dove towards the lake. Willow knew they wouldn't plunge into the water but it sure looked that way until Folken tipped his wings again, slowing them slightly and angling them directly parallel to the water's surface. Willow lay on top of him as if riding a huge dragonfly across the lake. She smiled as a fish jumped out of the water, droplets of water shimmering in the early morning light.
Folken couldn't get enough of her happy smile and laughter. He had seen her crying and upset so much lately that he had almost wondered what her laugh really sounded like. He soon realized he would do anything just to hear that laugh and see her smile. He smiled up at her and she smiled back, it worked, he had her charmed… Of course he did, he'd been 'trained' in more than he ever cared to know about that sort of thing… perhaps being a sorcerer would have some benefits after all… But more than anything he'd fallen in love, something he'd thought himself incapable of giving, let alone receiving.
The lake was huge and now they were in the middle of the lake, it was huge so it would take them a while to get to the other side.
"To bad its cold, if it were warm we could have some real fun" Folken purred seductively and he could feel her breath quicken. A blush covered her cheeks and he smiled, but she had the look of a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming car.
'Folken, you are such an idiot!' he was ready to slap himself for the fear he had just planted in her.
"I'm sorry, Willow, I didn't mean anything by it. I'm afraid I've turned into some hormone-crazed teen. I won't push you into anything." He stroked her cheek with the back of his hand.
"Thank you Folken." She relaxed and laid her head on his chest.
"You know, back in Fanelia when it was really hot, Van and I used to cool of like this!" He lowered his heel into the water, sending a spray of water flying into the air.
"Folken!" Willow giggled as a mist of cold water soaked her.
They laughed and Folken soared up into the air again,
heading back towards her house. Due to the water Willow began to slip in his
arms and he tightened his grip on her, she could feel the tips of his
mechanical fingers poking into her skin. She shivered involuntarily and
snuggled against his chest, getting as close to him as possible, so she
wouldn't freeze with the air that rushed past them, creating an evaporative
cooling effect.
Folken could feel every soft curve of her body as he flew as
fast as he could, pushing his limits to strengthen his wings and to get her
home before she would get sick. He wanted to absorb the sensation completely,
to rap his arms around her gentle form and never let go. He touched down in her
yard, despite his large frame, as softly as a single feather. He carried her
into the house; getting her robe from the bathroom he wrapped her in it and
started a warm bath for her.
She stood in the doorway and watched as he poured a mixture
of bath salts, oils, and bubbles into the water; creating a pleasant, warm, and
relaxing aroma. While he was busy she slipped into the hall, and took off her
skirt and blouse before wrapping herself back up in the robe. She peeked around
the doorpost and found Folken turning around to find her. Without a word he
brought her into the bathroom and held her for a moment.
He loves you. ' I know.' She sighed deeply and inhaled
his gently yet strongly masculine scent, She wanted to run her hands over his
muscles and taught warm skin. Oh he was so warm, and so strong, she wanted to
sink into his embrace and never leave. "I've need someone to hold me like
this for a long time." She whispered.
He was slightly taken back at her words, and he sighed into
her sea of blond waves. He kissed her lightly and whispered in her ear,
"Sorry I got you wet, Love." He started to walk away.
"Folken."
He turned back around.
"I love you," She smiled and her cheeks burned
with a furry. He nodded and left, closing the door lightly behind him.
Willow had really enjoyed her bath, she stayed in until the water grew cool and her fingers had long since become like ten small prunes. She rinsed her hair and drained the water.
She had spent quite some time thinking as she relaxed in the warm water.
'Do I really love him?' Of course you do. 'How could we be so close in only a few days?' Sometimes love works that way. 'I feel like I've know him for my entire life…' Maybe you have. 'But there's so much he still doesn't know...' He'll learn, he WANTS to learn. 'But it doesn't seem realistic. I mean an angel falls from the sky and falls in love with you isn't exactly what we call a normal romance…' She thought about the dinner they had shared and remembered gazing into her wine glass. She remembered the way the red liquid danced in her glass, the light playing through it in a glorious display. Red like blood... Jesus' blood? Or her own... 'Why do I keep thinking of all these Judeo Christian myths?' she questioned her self and decided to do some research on it…
"Research! Work! Crap! I totally forgot! I have an account due tomorrow! I have to get it in the mail today!" She finished combing her hair and dashed from the bathroom to the kitchen where she had put the mail. she tucked her robe more tightly around her and ripped open the letter from the company.
Ms. Lewis,
It is imperative that you not use the photo currently in question for the Dasault account, the new choice has been faxed to your computer line, it will also be sent to you in the mail as of this Thursday.
Photography Director,
Sally Hannah
Willow had just about flipped when she read this.
"Holy C*^&! They expect me to get that photo today, turn around and have it tweaked by this afternoon! What the Heck is their problem!" She threw the letter in the trash and contemplated retrieving it so she could watch it go up in flames.
"Willow?" Folken looked around the doorpost, wondering what had gotten her so upset.
"Sorry Folken, I have to get some stuff done for work. They sent me photo that they'd rather use for a customer and even though I already had it done before…"
"You have to start over." He finished for her.
"Yes," she was glad he understood and quickly made her way out to the mailbox. Luckily the mail had just been dropped off. She flipped through all the letters, ignoring the card from her sister, and what looked like another letter from the local church, until she found the envelope she was looking for.
"Ah HA!" She ran back into the house and threw the rest of the mail on the counter before tearing the envelope open. Folken just watched as she practically flew to the computer, still in her bathrobe. He nearly laughed when it wouldn't seem to start fast enough for her, she growled and got up to change.
"I'm changing, type in the password when the login box comes up." She rushed past him and into her bedroom, slamming the door as she went.
Folken shook his head, he could definitely relate to the way she was feeling, although he never had been quite so expressive when Dilandau had caused him extra work. He smiled at the irony of it all. The login box came up and he typed in her password.
**********
He heard the usual chiming tune as the desktop came up. Willow threw open her door and quickly ran down the steps she was wearing a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. Not that he didn't like it, in fact he was rather enticed at the way the pants hugged her form. She brushed past him and sat down at her computer, she scanned the photo and brought up her photo-editing program.
With in an hour she had managed to fix up the new photo so that it would fit into the old format and placed it into the document. She saved it to a disk and printed out a copy, checking to made sure it was the right amount on picas high and wide, that it would work right for the product and other important factors. She sighed and stuffed it into and airborne package, she sealed it and printed out a label. She picked up the phone.
"Yes, I need a pick up this afternoon, at account number 780967" She said hurriedly.
"Good, it'll be on the front porch." She hung up the phone and practically hurled the envelope onto the front steps. She slammed the door and leaned against it.
"What the h*## they'd do with out me I have no idea. Besides, I liked the photo I took better than the dumb one they sent me… Come to think of it they never really do that… must be my new photography director." She shrugged and Folken just shook his head, smirking at the way she had finally come to a rapid halt. " I really need to get a new job.
"What's that look for?" She spat, the man infuriated her and befuddled her mind, that adorable grin was making her dizzy...
"Nothing."
"You don't look at people like that for nothing."
He raised a brow and then grinned broadly. "It's a secret." Willow nearly fell over at the look on his face.
"Fine, be that way!" She laughed.
"I will."
"Tsk, tsk" Willow shook her head and headed back into the kitchen. "I thought that for sure you'd be starving by now, but with comments like that I'd beg to differ."
"Why? Secrets can be wonderful things."
"But, when you tell them you can get one of two things, a whole lot of trouble, or something fun, in this case something to put in your stomach." She set about searching for something to eat, supplies were scarce so she contemplated ordering pizza.
"Well, what if I told you the secret was that you amuse me."
"Then that's no real secret at all is it?"
"I guess not." He smiled, half tempted to kiss her.
"Well, then problem solved, I'm going to order pizza and I'll fix up a couple shirts so you can wear them. That way we can go out for dinner and get some groceries." She was pretty much thinking out loud.
"All right, I have no idea what pizza is but I'll take your word on it."
Willow smiled, he seemed so innocent and so much like a child that was longing for knowledge, and that was for sure. He had managed to find all of her historical books, art books, books she had on birds, and on flowers, some wildlife and gardening magazines, all of which were sitting in a pile in the living room, he had already read one book and the majority of a magazine while she was bathing.
She picked up the phone and ordered a large pizza, half with ham and pineapple, the other half with sausage and mushrooms.
Folken sat down in front of her computer and pulled up the folder containing one of her books in it. He clicked on the first document, remembering that she had them in order.
Willow beamed as she watched him reading intently, his eyes never leaving the screen. She picked up her camera and took a couple photos of his beautifully outstretched wings. The light danced through the finer feathers, making the outline of his wings glow a light violet. She smiled as his tussled hair wafted gently with a breeze that floated through the open windows. She had half a roll of film left when she got a brilliant idea. She grinned with reckless abandon.
He laughed lightly at a comical part in her book and she smiled even more. He read a little farther and came across a line that was in a different font color. He raised an eyebrow and realized this was one of her earlier books, meaning this little comment had to be from the best friend that had died…
'Wow they had to be close,' he thought. Everyone she's loved has left her or hurt her, except for those precious little girls. The realization was one the washed over him and left a slightly bitter yet sorrowful taste in his mouth. He smiled as her read the comment and read on to find more scattered through out the document. When he finished reading he stretched and turned to find her dozing on the couch. He turned off the computer and sat on the edge of the couch. She stirred slightly and he laid his cool right hand on her cheek, the smooth cold metal caressing her soft skin as if it were his natural hand. She opened her eyes groggily and smiled up at him, stretching involuntarily. Her back popped and she moaned at the stiffness in her joints. The doorbell rang and she sat up.
"That'll be the pizza." She grabbed her purse and pulled out enough money to pay for the pizza and the tip before running to the door. She paid for it and carried it into the kitchen.
Folken found pizza very much to his liking and ate nearly half of the extremely huge pizza. Willow had guessed that he would eat that much and was glad that she'd still have left over pizza.
'Its always a good thing to have pizza around.' She smiled at the thought, remembering how her and her best friend had always eaten pizza when they spent the weekend together. That and vanilla ice cream, yumm....
Folken couldn't help but notice her dazed and smiling look, he knew she was thinking of something that made her feel happy. He couldn't help but want share in her thought, whatever it was, just because of the completely contented look on her face.
"Willow…Willow?" he whistled and waved a hand in front of he face. She shook her head and was woken from her revelry.
"Huh? Wah? Oh, sorry Folken I was just thinking," she lifted her plate and carried it onto the kitchen, Folken followed after her. It was then that she noticed his wings weren't out any more and she wanted to cry, she loved his beautiful wings and it was rather strange to see him with out them. Their absence left a strange feeling in the pit of her stomach.
"Folken, you drew back your wings," She sighed, rather disappointed.
"Well, I thought it'd be better to…"
"No, no, don't worry about it. Do what ever is most comfortable for you. But I would have liked to get some more photos of them." She finished loading the dishwasher and set it on rinse.
Folken shook his head, he'd known how much she loved his wings. Why hadn't he realized how important freezing a picture of then in time would be to her? He sighed and picked up her camera before dragging her outside.
A/N: YAY New Chapter! It's a fun chapter for you, gotta lighten up the mood once in a while right? ^_^ REVIEW!!!! Or I'll hunt you down and force you to sing "I'm a little tea pot" in pink poka dotted underwear on national television!
Thanks Otaku Pitcher, *winces* that's what I get for revising a chapter AND proofing AND posting it in two hours, while sleep deprived…….
Feedback: Any sort of constructive criticism is help mainly on my weaknesses. Organization, dialogue, Characterization, Stream of Consciousness, etc. Encouragement is nice as well, but really I'm seeking to grow as a writer. Any literary techniques I can learn are great.
