-Yorda-
By Julie Danskin
Chapter 16 - Saved -
Author's note: Hey people, been working hard on my Invader Zim thing. SOORREEEEE! I'll get back into the habit of writing more in the way of Yord, sorry Orca. I shall smack myself as I am naughty. Anyway, here is a bit of a sad chapter.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Yorda cried all night.
Her tears stained the satin pillow and nobody noticed. Nobody cared. And it was all over because Yorda was going to die as soon as the ring was placed on her finger, even though it may not be literal. She would be signing her own death warrant when she signed her name in the Ara P'Wayan marriage register. She would be walking to the gallows when she left the church arm in arm with the man that was going to kill her.
And yet, all she could think about, was Ico.
Ico, with his jet black hair and unusually green eyes, his Asian skin and slight smile when he saw her. How he had changed in physique he had remained the same in spirit, and she hoped he always would do so, even after she was dead.
'Oh, Ico. I did it for you. And Sai.'
Siania. She would be safe, and able to go back to her home in Furwha with Ico where she would be safe, and all other horned children afterwards.
'Siania. Take care of him.'
Although the wedding was not for another week or so, Yorda felt she had already died.
A light knock on the door was all Yorda had for warning, as someone entered. Yorda, still in bed, gathered up the covers and pretended to be asleep. She presumed it was Keoden, come to gloat at his triumph.
She felt extra weight on her bed as the person sat on it, and took the hand that was hers outside the duvets. Yorda cringed. She didn't want Keoden to touch her.
She pulled her arm back and her breath caught in her throat. She had shown she was awake. Yorda mumbled as if in sleep but it was too late. The person grabbed back her arm and felt the ring on her fourth finger.
"Why do you have a ring on your finger?" a voice said. Not any voice.
Ico's voice.
Yorda opened her eyes and tried to face him. He had a puzzled look on his face, as if he didn't quite understand. Yorda couldn't meet his eyes.
"Ico, I-" she faltered, and Ico tipped her chin to look at him.
"Yorda, what's going on? What is this?" Ico asked, a tinge of anger in his voice mingled with fear, disappointment and confusion.
Yorda tried hard to look at him eye on eye, she really did. She managed after several futile attempts, by this time both hers and his were lined with tears.
"I had to," she whispered, "I had to."
Her eyes broke contact with his, and Ico grabbed her shoulders and shook her. Not hard, but firmly.
"Yorda, tell me what happened," he pleaded, "Tell me what's wrong!"
Yorda whipped the covers over and walked calmly over to her robe, covering her silk night dress with the dressing gown also made from silk with lacing.
"There's nothing to tell," she lied, shrugging, "I just changed my mind."
Ico walked over to her, but she blanked him. He blocked her path, and she looked up into his eyes angrily, her violet irises now surging with painful tears she would not let escape. She tried to side-step, but Ico followed her.
"You're lying," he told her plainly, "Yorda, I love you. Tell me what happened."
He cupped her hands in his, and Yorda felt relaxed. She felt ready to tell him anything, and besides, she owed him that much.
"Giannias came," she told him, "He told me that if I agreed to marrying him, he would make sure Keoden would let Siania go. He also said, that if I didn't, then-" she broke off, unable to finish the sentence.
Ico frowned, and took his hands and placed them about her waist. She linked her arms around his, and they stood there.
"You're safe here," he promised her, "Now, come on. What did he say to you?"
He said it so calmly, Yorda felt her troubles and fears melting away.
"He said that if I refused," she tried again, "That he would kill you."
Ico looked away.
"I see." he said.
"I didn't have a choice, Ico. I loved you too much and I couldn't let him, and I'm sorry, I didn't really run away from the cave that night, it was Keoden who-" she babbled, and Ico put a finger over her lips.
"Shh," he soothed, "I know."
"Y-you know?" she gasped.
"Keoden told me."
"He spoke to you? What did he-"
"Yorda, Yorda. It doesn't matter. All that matters now is us. You, and me? See. We're two peas in a pod. Carved from the same tree. By the same blade."
"Ico-"
"We were meant to be together, Yorda. Nothing can stop that. No one. Not Keoden, not Giannias, not even you. Only you wanting me to go away could make me, and then my heart would ache forever."
"Better it ache than bleed."
Ico smiled slightly.
"Are you sure?" he asked, "Are you really sure?"
Yorda felt the sadness in her heart weigh her down.
"You need to take Sai home-" she protested.
"Yes. And I will. I just need to - even to stay for the wedding. Then I'll go. I swear."
He leaned forward towards her, and she pulled back slightly, as if approaching unknown and dangerous land. She hesitated, then moved back forwards into his kiss.
Their tongues danced together and Yorda felt a fire flare up inside of her.
Suddenly, the door flew open and Keoden barged in.
* * * * * * * * * * *
"Keoden!" Yorda cried, pulling away and wiping her mouth, pretending he hadn't seen, "What are you-"
"YOU ARE ENGAGED!" Keoden bellowed, and Yorda shrank back.
Ico stepped in front of her, his eyes glowing with hatred.
"Move aside, boy," Keoden ordered, "This has nothing to do with you."
Keoden took a step forward, as did Ico. The two were about three metres apart, and Yorda was afraid they might fight.
"I think you're wrong," Ico snarled, "I think you'll find it has everything to do with me."
Keoden grimaced and curled his upper lip.
"That's not a very respectful way to speak to a prince," he reminded Ico, "Peasant."
If Keoden had expected Ico to react, then he was disappointed.
"And you're not really being very respectful towards your Princess," Ico retorted.
"As I said, this has nothing to do with you," Keoden repeated.
"And as I said, I think it does," Ico growled, and stepped forwards, his fists clenched.
Yorda put a hand on his shoulder, and Ico looked at it, his glare softening.
"Ico-" she said gently, "There's nothing you can do. I made my decision. What's done is done."
Ico looked back to Keoden, and his breathing became heavier.
"This isn't over," he promised the prince, who smirked.
"Your part in this is, boy," Keoden replied calmly, and reached for Yorda's hand, "Come on, Yorda. Go and get dressed and meet us for breakfast."
Yorda took his arm and walked forward, casting one longing glance back at Ico, and left the room.
Ico's clenched fists fell and his arms drooped helplessly.
"Yorda," he murmured.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Siania pushed Biocha playfully, and he gave her a little nudge that sent her sprawling. She had been playing with him all the eventful morning, and although she missed home, this was the next best thing.
Suddenly, Biocha stood up to attention, signaling for Siania to do the same.
"Biocha, what-" she began, but he stopped her abruptly with a brief shake of the head. Prince Keoden stormed down the stairs with Princess Yorda running after him as fast as she could. She looked like she had hurriedly dressed and hadn't prepared her hair or properly washed. Siania thought it was weird.
"Keo, wait!" Yorda said, "It's not what-"
Keoden turned and laughed in her face, making the princess flinch.
"Were you going to say "not what it looks like?". I think it was very much what it looked like, and Giannias has a right to know, as your fiancé," he said nastily, his face all contorted and red with anger.
He turned and continued to the main door. Siania noticed Biocha twitching to go and help Yorda, she knew he was fond of the princess, but this was out of both of their leagues. They didn't know what they were fighting about, but Siania was sure she and Biocha the door-keeper had the same idea.
Ico.
"KEODEN!" Yorda cried after him, "Keoden, no. Let us talk about this. There's no need-"
Keoden again turned to her, his hand on the main door. He stopped and Yorda ran right up to him, placing a hand over his.
"Giannias will kill Ico," he told her quietly, so the child couldn't hear, "And it was all because you were too stupid to say no to the boy's desires!"
"That's not true!" Yorda replied defensively, a hint of anger in her voice if not shown on her face, "Ico - he'll be out of all this soon, and you'll have your way, Keo. There's no need for him to die."
Keoden narrowed his eyes at her, and stepped outside away from Siania and Biocha, and as he expected, Yorda followed, closing the door behind her. He pushed her against the wall next to the door and shook her.
"You stupid girl," he snarled, "You have a habit of getting yourself into things-"
"At least I'm not a -" Yorda managed to stop herself, just in time. She had been going to say 'murderer', but caught herself at the last moment. Keoden glowered at her.
"A what?" he asked.
"Nothing-" Yorda faltered.
Keoden shook her again.
"A WHAT?" he roared, and Yorda grimaced.
"Keoden, please. Leave me alone. I've done what you wanted. I'm marrying Giannias in a week. You'll have your way. Giannias promised me Ico and Siania's freedom in return, so if you kill Ico, I will refuse to marry Giannias."
Keoden scowled, shook her again slightly, and stomped off inside.
Yorda, choked up with tears, slid down the wall until she was sitting under the castle, filled with grief. Had that been the last kiss with Ico? In saving him, she had killed herself.
'Oh Ico, don't be so stupid as to stay,' she prayed, 'Don't love me like I love you,'
'Go.'
* * * * * * * * * * *
The next evening, Ico sat with Siania in their room quietly. They had since eaten dinner and were full. It would soon be time for bed, so Siania was washing up when a knock at the door sounded.
"Yorda?" Ico asked hopefully, but the door opened to reveal Keoden and Giannias.
Ico swallowed and kicked the bathroom door closed in case they had come to kill him. They would not get Siania if he could help it. They had already taken Yorda, these two men. Anger surged in him uncontrollably as he thought of how they wanted to kill something so pure and innocent.
"Hello, Ico," Keoden said coldly, and Ico only scowled. Giannias had a smug look on his face and Ico regarded him with hatred that passed between them. It was nothing compared to the hate he shared with Yorda's brother.
"Hello," Ico forced through gritted teeth, his eyes little more than slits. It felt like his eyes were burning.
"Ico," Giannias began, "We've come to give you some good news."
"You're going to let Yorda do what she wants and not kill her, you mean?" Ico retorted sarcastically. Keoden flinched in anger, but Giannias chuckled.
"We're not going to kill the Princess!" he lied, "I'm going to marry her, dammit!"
"Liar."
"Anyway, we didn't come here to argue. We came to tell you that your little sister is free to go," Keoden stepped in, "You will be expected to leave tomorrow."
"Wh-what?" Ico gasped, "Tomorrow? Home to Furwha?"
"That's what we said."
Ico looked at his enemies, astonished, before realising it was a way to get them out. Or Yorda had bargained with them. With her life. With her freedom.
'Yorda, you fool,' he thought, 'They have you where they want you.'
"I want to stay for the wedding," Ico said suddenly, as Giannias and Keoden turned to leave.
"What?" Keoden gasped.
"You can't, Ico. Think about the girl." Giannias added.
"I'll take her home tomorrow. If I could come back just to watch the wedding and leave right after it, well, please." Ico said as nicely as he could, and saw Keoden narrow his eyes significantly. Giannias ran a hand through his matted hair.
"Alright, Ico," Keoden said suddenly, making Giannias jump, "You take the girl home tomorrow and get back here in time for the wedding, then leave straight after."
"Alright." Ico agreed.
"And no speaking to Yorda, do you understand?" Keoden snarled.
"Yes. I swear."
"Very well, then. Pack your things and leave at dawn, before the Spirits come out. Wouldn't want the girl to get caught, would we, now?" he sneered.
'But you'd love me to,' Ico thought, but nodded.
"Yes. I'll see you at the wedding then, will I?" Ico said, and bowed to Keoden and glowered at Giannias, before they left and he closed the door behind them.
Ico let out his breath and let go of the doorknob keeping Siania in the bathroom. She flung the door open savagely and saw the tears in his eyes.
"You lost her," she said, and Ico smiled softly.
"Only in body," he assured her, "Hey Sai, we're going home tomorrow."
"What?" Siania looked at him, confused.
Ico wiped his eyes. He couldn't allow himself to cry.
"We'll go and see Yorda tomorrow morning at dawn, then leave for Furwha, okay?" Ico smiled.
"You mean it?" Siania gasped, and hugged him again.
"Yeah!"
"Okay then! Go get packed before bed."
As he watched Siania skip away to get packed with the knowledge she would see her parents again, Ico thought about what he could possibly say to Yorda before he left.
He could only think of three little words.
Chapter 16 - Saved -
Author's note: Hey people, been working hard on my Invader Zim thing. SOORREEEEE! I'll get back into the habit of writing more in the way of Yord, sorry Orca. I shall smack myself as I am naughty. Anyway, here is a bit of a sad chapter.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Yorda cried all night.
Her tears stained the satin pillow and nobody noticed. Nobody cared. And it was all over because Yorda was going to die as soon as the ring was placed on her finger, even though it may not be literal. She would be signing her own death warrant when she signed her name in the Ara P'Wayan marriage register. She would be walking to the gallows when she left the church arm in arm with the man that was going to kill her.
And yet, all she could think about, was Ico.
Ico, with his jet black hair and unusually green eyes, his Asian skin and slight smile when he saw her. How he had changed in physique he had remained the same in spirit, and she hoped he always would do so, even after she was dead.
'Oh, Ico. I did it for you. And Sai.'
Siania. She would be safe, and able to go back to her home in Furwha with Ico where she would be safe, and all other horned children afterwards.
'Siania. Take care of him.'
Although the wedding was not for another week or so, Yorda felt she had already died.
A light knock on the door was all Yorda had for warning, as someone entered. Yorda, still in bed, gathered up the covers and pretended to be asleep. She presumed it was Keoden, come to gloat at his triumph.
She felt extra weight on her bed as the person sat on it, and took the hand that was hers outside the duvets. Yorda cringed. She didn't want Keoden to touch her.
She pulled her arm back and her breath caught in her throat. She had shown she was awake. Yorda mumbled as if in sleep but it was too late. The person grabbed back her arm and felt the ring on her fourth finger.
"Why do you have a ring on your finger?" a voice said. Not any voice.
Ico's voice.
Yorda opened her eyes and tried to face him. He had a puzzled look on his face, as if he didn't quite understand. Yorda couldn't meet his eyes.
"Ico, I-" she faltered, and Ico tipped her chin to look at him.
"Yorda, what's going on? What is this?" Ico asked, a tinge of anger in his voice mingled with fear, disappointment and confusion.
Yorda tried hard to look at him eye on eye, she really did. She managed after several futile attempts, by this time both hers and his were lined with tears.
"I had to," she whispered, "I had to."
Her eyes broke contact with his, and Ico grabbed her shoulders and shook her. Not hard, but firmly.
"Yorda, tell me what happened," he pleaded, "Tell me what's wrong!"
Yorda whipped the covers over and walked calmly over to her robe, covering her silk night dress with the dressing gown also made from silk with lacing.
"There's nothing to tell," she lied, shrugging, "I just changed my mind."
Ico walked over to her, but she blanked him. He blocked her path, and she looked up into his eyes angrily, her violet irises now surging with painful tears she would not let escape. She tried to side-step, but Ico followed her.
"You're lying," he told her plainly, "Yorda, I love you. Tell me what happened."
He cupped her hands in his, and Yorda felt relaxed. She felt ready to tell him anything, and besides, she owed him that much.
"Giannias came," she told him, "He told me that if I agreed to marrying him, he would make sure Keoden would let Siania go. He also said, that if I didn't, then-" she broke off, unable to finish the sentence.
Ico frowned, and took his hands and placed them about her waist. She linked her arms around his, and they stood there.
"You're safe here," he promised her, "Now, come on. What did he say to you?"
He said it so calmly, Yorda felt her troubles and fears melting away.
"He said that if I refused," she tried again, "That he would kill you."
Ico looked away.
"I see." he said.
"I didn't have a choice, Ico. I loved you too much and I couldn't let him, and I'm sorry, I didn't really run away from the cave that night, it was Keoden who-" she babbled, and Ico put a finger over her lips.
"Shh," he soothed, "I know."
"Y-you know?" she gasped.
"Keoden told me."
"He spoke to you? What did he-"
"Yorda, Yorda. It doesn't matter. All that matters now is us. You, and me? See. We're two peas in a pod. Carved from the same tree. By the same blade."
"Ico-"
"We were meant to be together, Yorda. Nothing can stop that. No one. Not Keoden, not Giannias, not even you. Only you wanting me to go away could make me, and then my heart would ache forever."
"Better it ache than bleed."
Ico smiled slightly.
"Are you sure?" he asked, "Are you really sure?"
Yorda felt the sadness in her heart weigh her down.
"You need to take Sai home-" she protested.
"Yes. And I will. I just need to - even to stay for the wedding. Then I'll go. I swear."
He leaned forward towards her, and she pulled back slightly, as if approaching unknown and dangerous land. She hesitated, then moved back forwards into his kiss.
Their tongues danced together and Yorda felt a fire flare up inside of her.
Suddenly, the door flew open and Keoden barged in.
* * * * * * * * * * *
"Keoden!" Yorda cried, pulling away and wiping her mouth, pretending he hadn't seen, "What are you-"
"YOU ARE ENGAGED!" Keoden bellowed, and Yorda shrank back.
Ico stepped in front of her, his eyes glowing with hatred.
"Move aside, boy," Keoden ordered, "This has nothing to do with you."
Keoden took a step forward, as did Ico. The two were about three metres apart, and Yorda was afraid they might fight.
"I think you're wrong," Ico snarled, "I think you'll find it has everything to do with me."
Keoden grimaced and curled his upper lip.
"That's not a very respectful way to speak to a prince," he reminded Ico, "Peasant."
If Keoden had expected Ico to react, then he was disappointed.
"And you're not really being very respectful towards your Princess," Ico retorted.
"As I said, this has nothing to do with you," Keoden repeated.
"And as I said, I think it does," Ico growled, and stepped forwards, his fists clenched.
Yorda put a hand on his shoulder, and Ico looked at it, his glare softening.
"Ico-" she said gently, "There's nothing you can do. I made my decision. What's done is done."
Ico looked back to Keoden, and his breathing became heavier.
"This isn't over," he promised the prince, who smirked.
"Your part in this is, boy," Keoden replied calmly, and reached for Yorda's hand, "Come on, Yorda. Go and get dressed and meet us for breakfast."
Yorda took his arm and walked forward, casting one longing glance back at Ico, and left the room.
Ico's clenched fists fell and his arms drooped helplessly.
"Yorda," he murmured.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Siania pushed Biocha playfully, and he gave her a little nudge that sent her sprawling. She had been playing with him all the eventful morning, and although she missed home, this was the next best thing.
Suddenly, Biocha stood up to attention, signaling for Siania to do the same.
"Biocha, what-" she began, but he stopped her abruptly with a brief shake of the head. Prince Keoden stormed down the stairs with Princess Yorda running after him as fast as she could. She looked like she had hurriedly dressed and hadn't prepared her hair or properly washed. Siania thought it was weird.
"Keo, wait!" Yorda said, "It's not what-"
Keoden turned and laughed in her face, making the princess flinch.
"Were you going to say "not what it looks like?". I think it was very much what it looked like, and Giannias has a right to know, as your fiancé," he said nastily, his face all contorted and red with anger.
He turned and continued to the main door. Siania noticed Biocha twitching to go and help Yorda, she knew he was fond of the princess, but this was out of both of their leagues. They didn't know what they were fighting about, but Siania was sure she and Biocha the door-keeper had the same idea.
Ico.
"KEODEN!" Yorda cried after him, "Keoden, no. Let us talk about this. There's no need-"
Keoden again turned to her, his hand on the main door. He stopped and Yorda ran right up to him, placing a hand over his.
"Giannias will kill Ico," he told her quietly, so the child couldn't hear, "And it was all because you were too stupid to say no to the boy's desires!"
"That's not true!" Yorda replied defensively, a hint of anger in her voice if not shown on her face, "Ico - he'll be out of all this soon, and you'll have your way, Keo. There's no need for him to die."
Keoden narrowed his eyes at her, and stepped outside away from Siania and Biocha, and as he expected, Yorda followed, closing the door behind her. He pushed her against the wall next to the door and shook her.
"You stupid girl," he snarled, "You have a habit of getting yourself into things-"
"At least I'm not a -" Yorda managed to stop herself, just in time. She had been going to say 'murderer', but caught herself at the last moment. Keoden glowered at her.
"A what?" he asked.
"Nothing-" Yorda faltered.
Keoden shook her again.
"A WHAT?" he roared, and Yorda grimaced.
"Keoden, please. Leave me alone. I've done what you wanted. I'm marrying Giannias in a week. You'll have your way. Giannias promised me Ico and Siania's freedom in return, so if you kill Ico, I will refuse to marry Giannias."
Keoden scowled, shook her again slightly, and stomped off inside.
Yorda, choked up with tears, slid down the wall until she was sitting under the castle, filled with grief. Had that been the last kiss with Ico? In saving him, she had killed herself.
'Oh Ico, don't be so stupid as to stay,' she prayed, 'Don't love me like I love you,'
'Go.'
* * * * * * * * * * *
The next evening, Ico sat with Siania in their room quietly. They had since eaten dinner and were full. It would soon be time for bed, so Siania was washing up when a knock at the door sounded.
"Yorda?" Ico asked hopefully, but the door opened to reveal Keoden and Giannias.
Ico swallowed and kicked the bathroom door closed in case they had come to kill him. They would not get Siania if he could help it. They had already taken Yorda, these two men. Anger surged in him uncontrollably as he thought of how they wanted to kill something so pure and innocent.
"Hello, Ico," Keoden said coldly, and Ico only scowled. Giannias had a smug look on his face and Ico regarded him with hatred that passed between them. It was nothing compared to the hate he shared with Yorda's brother.
"Hello," Ico forced through gritted teeth, his eyes little more than slits. It felt like his eyes were burning.
"Ico," Giannias began, "We've come to give you some good news."
"You're going to let Yorda do what she wants and not kill her, you mean?" Ico retorted sarcastically. Keoden flinched in anger, but Giannias chuckled.
"We're not going to kill the Princess!" he lied, "I'm going to marry her, dammit!"
"Liar."
"Anyway, we didn't come here to argue. We came to tell you that your little sister is free to go," Keoden stepped in, "You will be expected to leave tomorrow."
"Wh-what?" Ico gasped, "Tomorrow? Home to Furwha?"
"That's what we said."
Ico looked at his enemies, astonished, before realising it was a way to get them out. Or Yorda had bargained with them. With her life. With her freedom.
'Yorda, you fool,' he thought, 'They have you where they want you.'
"I want to stay for the wedding," Ico said suddenly, as Giannias and Keoden turned to leave.
"What?" Keoden gasped.
"You can't, Ico. Think about the girl." Giannias added.
"I'll take her home tomorrow. If I could come back just to watch the wedding and leave right after it, well, please." Ico said as nicely as he could, and saw Keoden narrow his eyes significantly. Giannias ran a hand through his matted hair.
"Alright, Ico," Keoden said suddenly, making Giannias jump, "You take the girl home tomorrow and get back here in time for the wedding, then leave straight after."
"Alright." Ico agreed.
"And no speaking to Yorda, do you understand?" Keoden snarled.
"Yes. I swear."
"Very well, then. Pack your things and leave at dawn, before the Spirits come out. Wouldn't want the girl to get caught, would we, now?" he sneered.
'But you'd love me to,' Ico thought, but nodded.
"Yes. I'll see you at the wedding then, will I?" Ico said, and bowed to Keoden and glowered at Giannias, before they left and he closed the door behind them.
Ico let out his breath and let go of the doorknob keeping Siania in the bathroom. She flung the door open savagely and saw the tears in his eyes.
"You lost her," she said, and Ico smiled softly.
"Only in body," he assured her, "Hey Sai, we're going home tomorrow."
"What?" Siania looked at him, confused.
Ico wiped his eyes. He couldn't allow himself to cry.
"We'll go and see Yorda tomorrow morning at dawn, then leave for Furwha, okay?" Ico smiled.
"You mean it?" Siania gasped, and hugged him again.
"Yeah!"
"Okay then! Go get packed before bed."
As he watched Siania skip away to get packed with the knowledge she would see her parents again, Ico thought about what he could possibly say to Yorda before he left.
He could only think of three little words.