An Unexpected Encounter
Disclaimer: I do not own OLS.
Note: Okay due to my recent discovery of an already existing planet name, I have changed Arlia to Quarlia…If I don't do this I may get my butt sued by Dragonball Z creators. So if there was once an Arlia in my story, all of it has changed to Quarlia.
Chapter 9 – Arrival and Reunion
"What are you thinking about, my queen," asked Fera. She stood tall and straight next to Lily, who was rather short for being a queen; 5' 2'' to be exact. This was not your general idea for royalty height. Lily was after all, your average girl who was forced into this predicament. Fera on the other was perfect for this role, physically, because of her stature. True, Lily had the beauty and posture, but Fera had the height. Among the Quarlians, queens of the past were tall and were admired because of this trait, but Lily broke the rules and made the average height for a woman look remarkably gorgeous in the eyes of everyone.
Lily gazed at Fera with a worried look on her face, and just felt like bursting into tears, but she held them back. "Oh, Fera! I am just scared…that's all."
Fera looked confused. She was really trying hard to understand Lily, as usual, but for some reason she was being very different and she did not know what to make of it. "Scared of what, your highness?"
Lily started sobbing. She couldn't hold back her tears any longer. "I'm ruined! All of my hopes, my dreams…they're nothing now."
"Of course they're something, my queen. They're not impossible. I pray for the day in which glory will shine upon you and grant you freedom amongst your own people. I only wish there were some way for you to leave, for you to just go, runaway and never look back upon Quarlia ever again…You mean a lot to me, my queen. You're the only woman in this palace that has ever treated me as an equal when you shouldn't and you have never gotten what you deserve ever since you were brought here…I know it must be hell for you, but you must stay strong and fate will find a way for you to be happy." Fera would always lend an open ear for Lily. Lily would always pour her heart out to her, telling her of her dreams and wishes to be free from this world and its people. She knew that Lily was very sad and that deep down, even if she would lose her only friend, she only wished for her to be happy.
"I wish it were only that way, Fera. You make it sound so blissful…so easy. But it cannot be anymore…I-I am bound to stay here forever now. I made a deal with Celeas to give him a child and I will do so dutifully as I am still his wife."
"My queen! No, you don't love him!" Fera couldn't believe what she was hearing. Why would Lily do such a thing?
"Yes, that is true. I have no love for Celeas, but I understand that he wants to leave his kingdom intact before he passes. I am here to help, and by providing an heir, I will help him."
Snap out of it, my queen. "But why? You have all of these wonderful dreams to live for. You need to go out there and accomplish what you want to be…who you want to be. You would like to be more than royalty, more than a beautiful woman…I know you would love to find the real prince charming and live a wonderful life by his side…There was even one time in which you told me that finding your little brother would contribute to your happiness and that once you would find a way to leave here that going on a quest to find him would be the first thing you'd do…What happened? Why all of a sudden is there a change in plans?"
Lily was speechless. Fera was right. She did have all of these dreams, and more, that she had hoped to accomplish…but she couldn't now…Yes, Jim would be with her. That would make her very happy, but she had also hoped to find a man whom she could truly love. Celeas was too old and sick to understand her and Rume just wanted to have sex with her. She could not really be happy unless she found the man of her dreams.
Fera continued to ask, "Why, my queen?"
"I-I…I…Fera it has to be this way because I don't have to go on that quest anymore."
Huh? "You mean the quest to find your little brother?"
"Yes, that's it. And he's not so little anymore. He's your age, but a little bit taller, and handsome too." Lily winked at Fera, hinting that maybe there could possibly be something between them. She did not know about her romance with Keet, though. That was a secret that no one knew about.
Fera managed to giggle, but she was still confused as to what Lily was trying to tell her. "But how do you know all of this, my queen?"
"Well, the real reason for my deal with Celeas was because he promised to bring my little brother back to me, so that he may be at my side."
"Oh, I see now." Fera took her gaze off of Lily and her eyes fell to the floor. She felt sorry for Lily. She did not know what to say or do for her because she was only a servant girl.
Lily was touched by how much Fera cared for her. Man, she's only a servant and she cares so much for me…After all of these years here, I have grown close to her, being like an older sister figure to her. I have grown fond of her and if I had the choice of how to get myself out of this predicament, I would take her with me…off to a better life, but thanks to my "well-thought out plan," I'm stuck here…Lily rolled her eyes as she thought sarcastically. I guess it's too late to turn back now. "I appreciate you being here for me, Fera. It's really nice of you, but a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do."
Fera would be surprised whenever Lily would use slang, or just a mild hint of it. It was only used around her because Celeas didn't feel that his bride should talk like those people off on the streets, ever since she became royalty. She was only to talk properly and lady-like. "And what's that, your highness?"
"Sacrifice myself for my brother."
Meanwhile…
Rume had returned to Quarlia with his remaining troops and made sure that the rest of his father's orders were carried out. And upon completing his mission, he took the blond haired boy who was just as tall as he was, down the path to his father's chambers. Right before he entered, he lectured the boy strongly, "Now you look here boy. If I were you I wouldn't try anything smart, you got it?"
Jim just looked at the tall, 5' 10'', dark featured man, coldly. "What other choices do I have?" His hands were cuffed with strong metal, but he would much rather stand up to his oppressor than be a coward. In this sense, he managed to remind himself of Gene. He was growing up in his image. He didn't like everything he did, but that killer attitude was something he damn well admired.
This enraged Rume. "You don't know who you're dealing with, boy? Now you bow down before the king when you enter."
Jim laughed aloud. "You're kidding me, right? A king? Since when has there been a king in existence? Oh man, this is too much."
"You will soon know who you're dealing with, boy. Don't flatter yourself because soon enough you will be like putty in my hands…You just won't be as tough as you seem to be now." Rume opened Celeas' door and began to boast about his victory. "Father, I have great news for you."
Celeas looked up at Rume. He had been writing some personal journal entries and seemed well into it. He motioned towards Rume and moved himself, along with his antique wheelchair closer to him. "Rume, I have told you before to knock on my door before you enter. I may be your father, but that gives you no priority over anyone else."
"I am truly sorry, father. It will not happen again."
Celeas smiled weakly, knowing that his son was a big liar. "Indeed. Well, come now. Out with it. What is the news you bring me?"
Rume smiled mischievously and pulled Jim into the room. "Bow before your king."
Jim just stood still and yawned.
Rume grew angry. "Bow before your king, I say!"
"Rume that is enough!" Celeas stopped Rume in his evil act of oppressing those lower than him in status.
"But father, he is just—"
"He is going to be taken to the queen and you are to take his cuffs off before she sees him. You came to bring me news, now, so out with it!"
"The rest of them have been imprisoned including that outlaw, Gene Starwind. They were all placed in different cells so that they will not try to escape."
Celeas grinned. "Excellent. My queen will be pleased. How many more are there after Gene?"
"Three women. Two of them being very powerful."
"Alright then, I shall go to my queen now…to bring her this young gentleman."
"Father, do you want me to go with you, just in case the boy tries to escape?"
"No, Rume. He would not try to do such a thing. There are many guards surrounding the entire palace, so if anything they can handle it…You may go off now and do as you please."
Jim was surprised by his remark. Why is he treating me so kindly while his son is being such a dickhead? This place is weird. I have to find a way out of here so that I can finally play hero and save Gene and the others. He smirked. Gene won't get all of the glory this time. Rume had taken his cuffs off and he was on his way down a long corridor, alongside the king. He was amazed by the architecture of the palace he was in. He had never seen anything like it. It was huge!
Celeas took note of Jim's wide-eyed stare and smiled to himself. "You're overwhelmed by it, aren't you?"
Jim nodded. It was gorgeous. It was like he had been in a dream, taken to a faraway land that lived in peace and harmony.
"You will like it here."
Jim was surprised and finally spoke, "What makes you say that?"
"You shall see once we get to the side of this door."
Huh? What door? Jim was so struck in awe by the size of this new, strange place that he did not notice that he had stopped and was standing right in front of a door. He began to feel strange, as he faced it. For some reason, I feel like I'm the key to unlock this door.
"Well, shall we go inside?"
Jim nodded again. He wasn't much for words around people that just randomly kidnapped him. Of course I wanna go inside. There's something pulling me closer to it. But what is it?
Celeas knocked on the door hard enough so that the person on the other side may hear.
"Who is it," asked a woman from behind the door. She sounded quite young to Jim's surprise.
"It is me, my queen. May I come in?"
"Of course, Celeas."
Celeas opened the door and saw that Lily was sitting comfortably on her bed. She was sitting there alone, in thought of her conversation with Fera. The servant girl had left several minutes ago to tend to the palace's business. "My queen, rise and be proud."
Lily was slightly confused. What in the world could he be talking about now? She stood up perfectly, in order to please Celeas and smiled a fake smile. She was wearing a long, pale pink dress, which covered everything from her breasts, down. Her shoulders were bare, and she let her long, dark brown hair straight and loose. They were not in curls today. She didn't like them much anyway. Her rosy cheeks and lips brought out the color in her olive toned skin even more, making her glisten in the light. She was looking extremely beautiful in the eyes of her king and was ready for what Celeas was about to present her with.
"Come in, my boy," Celeas said excitedly.
Jim obeyed, as his curiosity kept telling him that he had to see what was behind this door…Why am I being pulled into this room? There is only a queen in here. Why do I need to be here when everyone else locked up? I don't get it, but I'm sure as hell gonna find out why this queen is so important to meet. Jim walked into the room, feeling slightly uncomfortable, and turning to face the woman whom the king was talking to. When he met her chestnut colored eyes, his jaw dropped as he looked at her in amazement. No! It can't be.
Lily's smile grew wider as this was the first time that she had been happy in a long time. "Oh my—It's you, Jim. It really is you!" She ran over to him with tears in her eyes, and hugged him tightly. "I thought I'd never see you again. It's been a while."
Jim didn't know what to say. He was in total shock. He hadn't seen his sister since he was nine years old. She didn't seem as though she changed much, except she was a few years older and more attractive than before. She was also shorter than him now, so now he could pick on her height, he thought to himself. I remember how she would act all tough because she was older and taller, but now I am. He put that thought aside and was just at a simple loss for words. All he could do now was hug her back as he cried in happiness, along with her.
"Oh, Jim. Say something. Say anything."
There was so much he wanted to ask. So much he wanted to say, but he just didn't know how. "I've missed you, Lily."
"I've missed you too." She smiled and finally pulled away from him.
Celeas watched in delight as he now began to think selfishly for a second. This is great. All worked out perfectly. Now Lily will have to comply with her end of the bargain. He now knew that Lily would not break her end of the deal and decided that it was best to leave the two siblings alone, so that they can catch up. "I will leave you alone now. When it is time for supper, I will call for you both."
Lily nodded and watched as he strode out of the room in his wheelchair, carefully closing the door as he left. "This must all be a dream. I can't believe that you're here with me after six years! This is great!" Lily's joy soon turned to sadness, as she frowned, thinking about her parents. "If only Mom and Dad would be here. Then it would be a dream come true."
Man, Lily sure has changed a lot since the last time I saw her. Maybe not physically as much, but she sure does talk different. And why is she here with these people who attacked us? I don't get it! "I miss Mom and Dad too, but they're gone now."
"Yes, and that is why we must stick together and be closer now than ever before."
Jim looked at her strangely. She knew that there was a lot of explaining to do, but she did not know where to begin. "Lily, why are you here with these people? And why was that old man calling you his queen?"
Lily sighed. "Well, it's a long story that I don't want to talk about now. I just want to get you cleaned up and out of those old clothes you got there."
Jim looked at her surprisingly. He had always dressed in khakis and colored polo shirts or tees that would show off his muscles. "What's wrong with my clothes? At least I'm being myself here. What's up with you and that eighteenth century look?"
"I have to dress this way, Jim. I'm required to."
"Why? There's so many questions you have to answer Lily? Why won't you tell me now? It's like you're living this whole big secret or maybe even a big lie!"
Lily turned away. He was right. She was living a lie. "Look, Jim. I promise I'll tell you everything soon enough. The important thing is that you're here with me. We're a family again, and nothing is going to tear us apart."
"Look at you. You even sound different. You're not the same Lily I remember." Jim looked disappointed. He wanted some answers.
"You're right. I'm not. I'm a lot more mature than before."
"Right." Jim rolled his eyes.
I can't believe we're already arguing. And this is only his first day here! "Alright Jim. Listen to me, if you promise to change your clothes and shower, I'll tell you everything when you're done."
"But I don't even have any clothes or anything…I just want to know what the hell is going on?!"
"You'll find out soon. That I promise you. But for now, I must go and run an errand. I will take you to your room and you may do as you please in it for now."
"But there's something I—"
"Shhhh. It's gonna have to wait."
"Gonna, huh? What happened to your proper English?"
"Oh shut-up." Lily giggled. "I think with you around, I'll start talking more like that soon enough."
Jim smiled as they walked out of her room and into the hall. He was happy to see his sister, but he still didn't understand what she was doing mixed up with these people. She was considered royalty and he didn't know why! He continued to follow her until they came to a halt in front of a fairly large door.
"Well this is it. I hope you like it. Go on in and I'll come back soon. I promise. I'm never gonna separate myself from you again, ya got that, squirt?"
Jim chuckled. He had missed the days when she had called him a 'squirt,' even though it annoyed him back in the day when he was a little kid. "Right. I hear you. But when you come back, I want answers, lady."
She smiled and nodded, as Jim entered the room. Maybe her new life in the palace wouldn't be as bad as she thought. She would have family on her side and someone else to talk to other than Fera. This was perfect…But now, as she headed towards the prison cells, she had to put her pleasant thoughts aside and she had to think of a way to pay her brother's 'oppressor' back in kind; Gene Starwind.
Wow! I think this one was a long one. Well I hope more of you review my work this time around. I like to get notes from people, even if they're little, tiny ones!!! ;)