Disclaimer: Nothing belongs to me except Rathena, Vella, Jerek, Zethia and
Askin. Everything else belongs to Tamora Pierce. And I like to point out
that if everything did belong to me I wouldn't be writing fan fiction now
would I. Yay! I finally updated you should all be proud! I would like to
let you know to those who cared that I passed all my subjects. :-D Also I
want to thank the few people that reviewed my chapter (like 5). I really
appreciate it.
This chapter is dedicated to. kitten55, for saying that as she put it, "Jerek is kind of sad" it gave me a laugh, not that I agree or anything, I personally adore him, *sigh*.
And on with the Chapter!
Lithia was bustling with people, the streets were filled with couples waiting for the Midsummer festival. The festival was a big thing for the people of Lithia and they loved it. They decorated the streets with bright colors and signs of love. It seemed like the whole village was only thinking of the festival. Every year at the festival people would set up stalls for young couples to buy love tokens at. They sold lockets, rings, bracelets, necklaces almost any jewelry piece you could think of. There were also stalls to buy flowers or wreaths at and at the moment they were all setting up. The town square was a busy place, but that didn't keep couples from walking up and down the streets looking at the decorations for the festival or talking about what they would ware to the festival. You see it was tradition in Lithia to at every festival have a masquerade. People would dress up as gods or goddesses, famous heroes, nymphs, or other creatures or even everyday people.
Jerek and Vella were walking hand in hand throughout the streets admiring the decorations and in generally just enjoying being together. They were talking, laughing and smiling at each other.
"Do you have any idea as what we should dress up as for the Masquerade?" Jerek asked as he turned towards Vella.
She furrowed her brow in thought, "I don't know, I've been thinking about it, but I'm not sure. Well I know I don't want to be someone that flashy like a goddess or anything like that."
"Well to bad, because if you did go as a goddess you wouldn't have to dress up." Vella started to blush and playfully hit Jerek on the arm.
"It's true." Said Jerek as he put his hand on Vella's face and gently kisses her. Vella wrapped her arms around Jerek and returned the kiss. When they finally broke apart they stood there with their arms around one and other.
"Here, come on, I know where we can go." Jerek tugged Vella's arm and started leading her.
"But where are we going?"
"It's a surprise." Was all Jerek said and he continued to lead Vella into the woods and he navigated his way through the forest to a spot where there was a little clearing and a lake. Vella's eyes had gotten wide as she looked around.
Jerek sighed, "I come here to think a lot. It's like a special place for me to be alone, except now I don't want to be alone, I want to be with you."
"Oh Jerek, I-" Vella started to say but Jerek put a finger to her lips and kissed her. Vella just kept thinking about how she wished this moment would never end. Once they broke apart Vella looked into Jerek's eyes and said, "I love you, and I always will, no matter what."
Numair had been traveling for at least a month now and he still had no lead on Daine. He had no idea where she was or what was happening to her. He was currently at the palace because Jon had made him promise to take a rest, at least for a while. Numair was up in his rooms most days trying to find spells to locate Daine or at least explain what happened to her, but nothing worked. His friends were worried about him, he was drifting farther and father from their reaches and they were afraid they were about to lose him, forever.
"We have to get his mind of Daine, Jon. He's killing himself, just wasting away. We have to do something!" Alanna said practically shouting at Jon.
Jon just buried his head in his hands and sighed while Theyet put her hand on his arm in a comforting gesture, "I know, I know, but I don't know what we can do to get him to stop thinking about Her. Maybe you should try and talk to him, you're the only one he'll listen to." Jon said as he looked at Rathena.
"Me?" Rathena was feeling quite out of place with the King and Queen of her country and the famous Champion.
"Yes you should be the one to talk to him," Theyet gave her a comforting look. "why don't you try and find him now, try and get him to take a rest, a real rest."
Rathena got up hurriedly and went off to Numair's rooms leaving behind three hopeful people. "Oh I hope this works." Alanna said with a hopeful voice.
"So do I."Jon said leaving the room in silence.
Rathena walked through the hallways trying to steer her way to Numair's rooms. Once she arrived she took a deep breath and knocked on the door. She waited a while hoping he would open the door, but he didn't.
"Fine, you asked for it." Rathena said loud enough for Numair to hear her and then she scrunched up her face and closed her eyes. "Well here it goes." And Rathena blasted the door with her Gift, sending red light and wood everywhere. "Wow."
Numair looked at her in what seemed like an annoyed way. "Now was that really necessary?"
"Yes." Rathena smiled sweetly and Numair just shook his head. "Guess what ol' buddy, ol' pal, I'm going back to my village for the Midsummer festival and you've been elected to escort me!"
"I'd love to really I would, but I can't, have to search more spells and more. They put you up to this didn't they?" Numair said in an accusing voice.
"No I just wanted to go home and I thought you'd like to join me. I mean I'd thought you'd like to come but since you don't want to I'll just go."
"Oh I'm sorry I didn't mean to be rude," Numair looked concerned. "I just thought Jon or Alanna wanted you to ask me, and I'd normally want to go it's just I can't, I have to find her." Numair trailed off.
"Numair." Rathena sighed. "You can't do this to yourself, Daine if she loved you wouldn't want you to. I'm not saying you should give up or anything like that," Rathena said hurriedly. "but you can't stop your life, you have to take some time out just to enjoy life, and who knows, maybe you'll find something."
Numair looked thoughtful and stayed quiet for a while but did agree in the end to go to the festival with Rathena in the end.
~Should I stop here? Hmmmm.~
Numair slowly woke up and looked around the room. He hadn't gotten a good look at it last night because he and Rathena had arrived late and sleep was the only thing on his mind. It was a pretty plain room with just the necessities but it was homey and what did you expect for an average room in an inn? Numair used the water that someone had evidently brought while he was asleep to take a quick bath just to get clean. Then he walked over to Rathena's room and knocked on the door. He waited a while but she didn't answer so Numair went down stairs thinking that she had probably ordered breakfast with out him. As he walked down the stairs he heard two people talking in very merry voices. Once he got to the floor he saw Rathena having a conversation with the innkeeper.
"So mostly everyone's still here you say, I can't believe Danel and Fey got married, I mean I knew they were sweethearts but I didn't expect that. Has anyone new arrived lately?" Rathena asked, she seemed to be enjoying herself talking about her old village and the people she knew in it.
"No not really a couple here or there, well 'at's not true a new lass arrived 'bout a month ago. Sweet thing she is, 'elped me around the inn quite a bit. Pretty too, red 'air and beautiful eyes. It seems your old friend Jerek has taken quite a likin' to her, and she to 'im!" The innkeeper chuckled fondly. "Yes they're very nice together and both of 'em deserve it both kind souls. Oh 'ello sir! How may I 'elp ya?" The innkeeper had just noticed Numair standing near the stairs.
"Oh hello Numair, I glad you finally decided to get up!" Rathena laughed. "Oh this is Tarren Wallin the innkeeper here. Tarren this is Numair Sal-" But she was cut off by Numair.
"Draper! Numair Draper, pleasure to meet you Tarren." Numair extended his hand and Tarren shook it.
"Like wise. So you're here for the festival 'ey?" Tarren picked up a plate and started to dry it.
"Yes Numair here was kind enough to come with me, you can't go to the festival alone you know, bad luck and all." Numair looked at Rathena with a curious look in his eyes. She just shook her head and mouthed "later".
Tarren chuckled, "Oh yes, the bad luck." Just then there was whistling and a tall young man walked in. He had bright emerald eyes and light brown colored hair that was a little curly and short.
"Hello Tarren! Looks like you had some more guests last night. Hello." The man said as he nodded his head at Rathena and Numair.
"Why Jerek I am disappointed, I thought you'd at least recognize me, being that we grew up together and all." Rathena said as she took a dramatic sigh.
"Do I know. Rathena? Where've you been? Took you long enough to visit." Jerek picked her up in a hug and swung her about. Rathena laughed.
"Oh I haven't been anywhere exciting, just Corus." She laughed at his expression. "well that's not news, I here you found yourself someone." Jerek blushed but laughed.
"Yes I have," he agreed. "she's wonderful! She's sweet and kind and beautiful." Jerek drifted off into what seemed to be his own little world.
"Well I've got to meet this girl, make sure she's up to standards." Rathena shook her finger at him.
"Oh you will and soon. Oh I didn't mean to be rude sir!" Jerek finally seemed to take notice of Numair. "I'm Jerek Wallace." He introduced himself.
"Pleased to meet you Jerek, I'm Numair Draper, a friend of Rathena." Both men shook hands.
"Well a friend of Rathena here is a friend of mine, welcome to Lithia. I hope you enjoy the festival. Do you two have costumes yet?" Jerek asked looking at Numair and Rathena.
"Costumes?" Numair asked curiously.
"Yes costumes." Rathena replied and smiled sweetly. "It's a masquerade. Don't worry I had some made before we left. You'll be the god Weyrin and I'll be the Green Lady." Rathena smiled as if it was meant to be a joke. Numair just scowled.
"Well those sure are fancy. Vella and I are just trying to be plain and simple. She'll be a Shepherdess and I'll be a Shepherd. There simple costumes but they're nice and I think it suits us well."
Just then the door to the inn opened once again. "Tarren? Have you seen Jerek around lately, I can't seem to find him anywhere?" A voice of a young woman called. She seemed to be wiping her feet as if trying at all costs not to make more work for the innkeeper. Tarren was about to reply but Jerek held up a finger and smiled.
"No I haven't seen him anywhere." Jerek said in reply to Vella's question. Laughter was heard and the woman seemed to quicken her pace.
"There you are silly, I've been looking for you." The woman was now visible, she had curly red hair and blue-gray eyes, and she was very pretty. She walked over to Jerek and gave him a hug. Then she turned to face Numair and Rathena.
"Well hello, I don't think we've met. I'm Vella." She trailed off and looked at Jerek as if pained but he gave her a reassuring smile and took her hand as if to comfort her.
Numair and Rathena exchanged quick glances slightly confused but introduced themselves. During the whole time Numair looked at the woman, for some reason he seemed familiar to him.
~ Wow! That was awesome! I think that was my best chapter yet, defiantly. Those of you that don't like Jerek I'm really sorry but we can't leave Vella/Daine all alone for the time being can we? For those of you who reviewed the last chapter thank you, I really appreciate it. The whole Fey and Danel thing was me making fun of two friends of mine, I couldn't help it, he he. I know I'm taking a huge risk here but I'm posting this with out giving it to my Beta Reader because I really want to have this up by tomorrow because I'm leaving and I don't know if she'll be able to check it by then so please don't kill me for mistakes they're all my fault! Don't hurt me or her! Well as always I'll try and write more soon and thank you to everyone who reviewed I really really appreciate it! And you should do it again! Review!
P.S. If anyone wants me to add him or her to the list of people I notify when I update tell me in a review!
This chapter is dedicated to. kitten55, for saying that as she put it, "Jerek is kind of sad" it gave me a laugh, not that I agree or anything, I personally adore him, *sigh*.
And on with the Chapter!
Lithia was bustling with people, the streets were filled with couples waiting for the Midsummer festival. The festival was a big thing for the people of Lithia and they loved it. They decorated the streets with bright colors and signs of love. It seemed like the whole village was only thinking of the festival. Every year at the festival people would set up stalls for young couples to buy love tokens at. They sold lockets, rings, bracelets, necklaces almost any jewelry piece you could think of. There were also stalls to buy flowers or wreaths at and at the moment they were all setting up. The town square was a busy place, but that didn't keep couples from walking up and down the streets looking at the decorations for the festival or talking about what they would ware to the festival. You see it was tradition in Lithia to at every festival have a masquerade. People would dress up as gods or goddesses, famous heroes, nymphs, or other creatures or even everyday people.
Jerek and Vella were walking hand in hand throughout the streets admiring the decorations and in generally just enjoying being together. They were talking, laughing and smiling at each other.
"Do you have any idea as what we should dress up as for the Masquerade?" Jerek asked as he turned towards Vella.
She furrowed her brow in thought, "I don't know, I've been thinking about it, but I'm not sure. Well I know I don't want to be someone that flashy like a goddess or anything like that."
"Well to bad, because if you did go as a goddess you wouldn't have to dress up." Vella started to blush and playfully hit Jerek on the arm.
"It's true." Said Jerek as he put his hand on Vella's face and gently kisses her. Vella wrapped her arms around Jerek and returned the kiss. When they finally broke apart they stood there with their arms around one and other.
"Here, come on, I know where we can go." Jerek tugged Vella's arm and started leading her.
"But where are we going?"
"It's a surprise." Was all Jerek said and he continued to lead Vella into the woods and he navigated his way through the forest to a spot where there was a little clearing and a lake. Vella's eyes had gotten wide as she looked around.
Jerek sighed, "I come here to think a lot. It's like a special place for me to be alone, except now I don't want to be alone, I want to be with you."
"Oh Jerek, I-" Vella started to say but Jerek put a finger to her lips and kissed her. Vella just kept thinking about how she wished this moment would never end. Once they broke apart Vella looked into Jerek's eyes and said, "I love you, and I always will, no matter what."
Numair had been traveling for at least a month now and he still had no lead on Daine. He had no idea where she was or what was happening to her. He was currently at the palace because Jon had made him promise to take a rest, at least for a while. Numair was up in his rooms most days trying to find spells to locate Daine or at least explain what happened to her, but nothing worked. His friends were worried about him, he was drifting farther and father from their reaches and they were afraid they were about to lose him, forever.
"We have to get his mind of Daine, Jon. He's killing himself, just wasting away. We have to do something!" Alanna said practically shouting at Jon.
Jon just buried his head in his hands and sighed while Theyet put her hand on his arm in a comforting gesture, "I know, I know, but I don't know what we can do to get him to stop thinking about Her. Maybe you should try and talk to him, you're the only one he'll listen to." Jon said as he looked at Rathena.
"Me?" Rathena was feeling quite out of place with the King and Queen of her country and the famous Champion.
"Yes you should be the one to talk to him," Theyet gave her a comforting look. "why don't you try and find him now, try and get him to take a rest, a real rest."
Rathena got up hurriedly and went off to Numair's rooms leaving behind three hopeful people. "Oh I hope this works." Alanna said with a hopeful voice.
"So do I."Jon said leaving the room in silence.
Rathena walked through the hallways trying to steer her way to Numair's rooms. Once she arrived she took a deep breath and knocked on the door. She waited a while hoping he would open the door, but he didn't.
"Fine, you asked for it." Rathena said loud enough for Numair to hear her and then she scrunched up her face and closed her eyes. "Well here it goes." And Rathena blasted the door with her Gift, sending red light and wood everywhere. "Wow."
Numair looked at her in what seemed like an annoyed way. "Now was that really necessary?"
"Yes." Rathena smiled sweetly and Numair just shook his head. "Guess what ol' buddy, ol' pal, I'm going back to my village for the Midsummer festival and you've been elected to escort me!"
"I'd love to really I would, but I can't, have to search more spells and more. They put you up to this didn't they?" Numair said in an accusing voice.
"No I just wanted to go home and I thought you'd like to join me. I mean I'd thought you'd like to come but since you don't want to I'll just go."
"Oh I'm sorry I didn't mean to be rude," Numair looked concerned. "I just thought Jon or Alanna wanted you to ask me, and I'd normally want to go it's just I can't, I have to find her." Numair trailed off.
"Numair." Rathena sighed. "You can't do this to yourself, Daine if she loved you wouldn't want you to. I'm not saying you should give up or anything like that," Rathena said hurriedly. "but you can't stop your life, you have to take some time out just to enjoy life, and who knows, maybe you'll find something."
Numair looked thoughtful and stayed quiet for a while but did agree in the end to go to the festival with Rathena in the end.
~Should I stop here? Hmmmm.~
Numair slowly woke up and looked around the room. He hadn't gotten a good look at it last night because he and Rathena had arrived late and sleep was the only thing on his mind. It was a pretty plain room with just the necessities but it was homey and what did you expect for an average room in an inn? Numair used the water that someone had evidently brought while he was asleep to take a quick bath just to get clean. Then he walked over to Rathena's room and knocked on the door. He waited a while but she didn't answer so Numair went down stairs thinking that she had probably ordered breakfast with out him. As he walked down the stairs he heard two people talking in very merry voices. Once he got to the floor he saw Rathena having a conversation with the innkeeper.
"So mostly everyone's still here you say, I can't believe Danel and Fey got married, I mean I knew they were sweethearts but I didn't expect that. Has anyone new arrived lately?" Rathena asked, she seemed to be enjoying herself talking about her old village and the people she knew in it.
"No not really a couple here or there, well 'at's not true a new lass arrived 'bout a month ago. Sweet thing she is, 'elped me around the inn quite a bit. Pretty too, red 'air and beautiful eyes. It seems your old friend Jerek has taken quite a likin' to her, and she to 'im!" The innkeeper chuckled fondly. "Yes they're very nice together and both of 'em deserve it both kind souls. Oh 'ello sir! How may I 'elp ya?" The innkeeper had just noticed Numair standing near the stairs.
"Oh hello Numair, I glad you finally decided to get up!" Rathena laughed. "Oh this is Tarren Wallin the innkeeper here. Tarren this is Numair Sal-" But she was cut off by Numair.
"Draper! Numair Draper, pleasure to meet you Tarren." Numair extended his hand and Tarren shook it.
"Like wise. So you're here for the festival 'ey?" Tarren picked up a plate and started to dry it.
"Yes Numair here was kind enough to come with me, you can't go to the festival alone you know, bad luck and all." Numair looked at Rathena with a curious look in his eyes. She just shook her head and mouthed "later".
Tarren chuckled, "Oh yes, the bad luck." Just then there was whistling and a tall young man walked in. He had bright emerald eyes and light brown colored hair that was a little curly and short.
"Hello Tarren! Looks like you had some more guests last night. Hello." The man said as he nodded his head at Rathena and Numair.
"Why Jerek I am disappointed, I thought you'd at least recognize me, being that we grew up together and all." Rathena said as she took a dramatic sigh.
"Do I know. Rathena? Where've you been? Took you long enough to visit." Jerek picked her up in a hug and swung her about. Rathena laughed.
"Oh I haven't been anywhere exciting, just Corus." She laughed at his expression. "well that's not news, I here you found yourself someone." Jerek blushed but laughed.
"Yes I have," he agreed. "she's wonderful! She's sweet and kind and beautiful." Jerek drifted off into what seemed to be his own little world.
"Well I've got to meet this girl, make sure she's up to standards." Rathena shook her finger at him.
"Oh you will and soon. Oh I didn't mean to be rude sir!" Jerek finally seemed to take notice of Numair. "I'm Jerek Wallace." He introduced himself.
"Pleased to meet you Jerek, I'm Numair Draper, a friend of Rathena." Both men shook hands.
"Well a friend of Rathena here is a friend of mine, welcome to Lithia. I hope you enjoy the festival. Do you two have costumes yet?" Jerek asked looking at Numair and Rathena.
"Costumes?" Numair asked curiously.
"Yes costumes." Rathena replied and smiled sweetly. "It's a masquerade. Don't worry I had some made before we left. You'll be the god Weyrin and I'll be the Green Lady." Rathena smiled as if it was meant to be a joke. Numair just scowled.
"Well those sure are fancy. Vella and I are just trying to be plain and simple. She'll be a Shepherdess and I'll be a Shepherd. There simple costumes but they're nice and I think it suits us well."
Just then the door to the inn opened once again. "Tarren? Have you seen Jerek around lately, I can't seem to find him anywhere?" A voice of a young woman called. She seemed to be wiping her feet as if trying at all costs not to make more work for the innkeeper. Tarren was about to reply but Jerek held up a finger and smiled.
"No I haven't seen him anywhere." Jerek said in reply to Vella's question. Laughter was heard and the woman seemed to quicken her pace.
"There you are silly, I've been looking for you." The woman was now visible, she had curly red hair and blue-gray eyes, and she was very pretty. She walked over to Jerek and gave him a hug. Then she turned to face Numair and Rathena.
"Well hello, I don't think we've met. I'm Vella." She trailed off and looked at Jerek as if pained but he gave her a reassuring smile and took her hand as if to comfort her.
Numair and Rathena exchanged quick glances slightly confused but introduced themselves. During the whole time Numair looked at the woman, for some reason he seemed familiar to him.
~ Wow! That was awesome! I think that was my best chapter yet, defiantly. Those of you that don't like Jerek I'm really sorry but we can't leave Vella/Daine all alone for the time being can we? For those of you who reviewed the last chapter thank you, I really appreciate it. The whole Fey and Danel thing was me making fun of two friends of mine, I couldn't help it, he he. I know I'm taking a huge risk here but I'm posting this with out giving it to my Beta Reader because I really want to have this up by tomorrow because I'm leaving and I don't know if she'll be able to check it by then so please don't kill me for mistakes they're all my fault! Don't hurt me or her! Well as always I'll try and write more soon and thank you to everyone who reviewed I really really appreciate it! And you should do it again! Review!
P.S. If anyone wants me to add him or her to the list of people I notify when I update tell me in a review!
