The Winglies of Hellena

Chapter Thirteen: Healing

Disclaimer: You know the Characters from LoD aren't mine, but all the others are. No stealy. .

Miranda cursed and muttered all the way to Bale. She didn't like this idea at all. Never having been one to easily forgive, she remembered all too vividly the time that Lloyd kidnapped Queen Theresa to have her get him the last Divine Moon Object. She knew that Lloyd had gone out of his way to save Wink not once, but twice. Miranda felt that Lloyd was much too dangerous to have around, and figured they should just put him out of his misery.

She walked into the Inn and up to the room where Wink was staying and caught her just as she was coming out of her room. Wink's eyes brightened upon seeing her sister, but her expression quickly turned serious at the royally pissed off expression that Miranda had on her face. No pun intended. "Miranda, what's wrong?" she asked in concern.

Miranda sighed and ran her fingers through her hair. "Wink, there's something I gotta tell you." Sitting Wink down on a bench, she sat down beside her. "Lloyd is alive."

Wink's blue eyes grew wide as she stared at her sister in shock. "But... You told me that Melbu Frahma's tentacle impaled Lloyd through the heart... How could he survive that?"

"It didn't hit his heart, Wink. He was found nearby the rubble of the Moon by some people who have made Hellena into a Wingly slave market and prison. For the past six months he's been kept as a slave, and all the torture and abuse made him insane." Miranda's voice was a flat monotone as she explained to her sister the situation while Wink's eyes grew wider with horror. "Dart and a lady named Lily got Lloyd out, but he just lays there, either sleeping or staring off into space. He doesn't even know he's out of Hellena. He's starved, scarred, and broken, but Dart thinks if anyone can bring him back around, it would be you. Though there is a chance he may never come back."

Tears trickled down Wink's face, but her lips pressed in a thin, determined line as she stood up. "Let's go then, Miranda. Take me to him. I'll do my best to make sure he gets better."

As she and Miranda gathered Wink's things and headed out of Bale, she muttered to herself, "That's just what I'm afraid of..."

"We're back," Miranda called without enthusiasm as she and Wink stepped into Dart and Shana's home. Dart's grim eyes turned to look at her and she frowned. "What's wrong, Dart?"

"When Lloyd was captured, he was found with the Red-Eye and the Dark dragoon spirits." Dart nodded as Miranda's eyes went wide and he said, "The guards took them from him."

"That stupid son of a BITCH!" Miranda shouted. "It's not like he hasn't done enough! When will he quit! Stealing precious items like those from the corpses of our friends!"

"Miranda, STOP IT!" Wink yelled at her sister. Glaring at both of their shocked expressions, she said, "The dragoon spirits give power and strength to those in possession of them, right?" The hesitant nods that answered her spurred her on to her next statement. "Lloyd was almost killed by that blow and he didn't have the Divine dragoon spirit anymore, did he? If he was going to get anywhere, wounded as he was, he was going to need a little help! Besides, they weren't doing anything just lying there!"

"She's got you there!" Meru called out cheerfully as she strolled from the room Lloyd was in. "Hey Wink, great to see you again. C'mon, he's right in here. I'll have to warn you though, he's not looking too hot." At Wink's nod, she turned and led her into the room.

Wink gasped as she saw Lloyd's unmistakable face cradled in King Albert's arms. The crimson eyes were closed, lips slightly pursed together, silver brows drawn down. One long, thin arm was revealed from beneath the covers, slender fingers grasping onto Albert's arm, bony shoulders and ribs showing on his bare torso. Tears sprang to her eyes as she saw her hero looking like little more than a starved, scarred skeleton.

Albert looked up as Wink sat down slowly on the bed, tears pooling in her eyes as she reached out to stroke Lloyd's cheek softly. She ran her hands over his face, brushing his platinum hair, tracing her fingers along his brows, down the sunken cheeks, over his lips, and down along his jaw. Albert's eyes softened. He knew love when he saw it and Wink was most definitely in love with Lloyd. "I think there may still be a chance of saving him, Wink," he commented quietly. When she looked up at him he continued, "He spoke to us earlier and he seemed fairly calm until Dart blew up at him."

"Dart yelled at him?" Wink asked in horror. "How could anyone yell at him in his condition?"

"He was upset, Wink, and I don't really blame him. We've got a big problem on our hands now. If those guards or anyone at Hellena discovers what the dragoon spirits really are, we could be in big trouble." Albert quieted as Lloyd stirred and opened his eyes slowly.

"Lloyd?" Wink asked quietly, reaching out to caress his face. The crimson eyes were hollow and lifeless as they slowly turned to stare at her. They showed no sign of recognition. "Lloyd, it's me, Wink. Do you remember me? You saved me before... First from bandits, and then from that Wingly... And then I saved you from Dart when you were fighting him. Do you remember?"

He was quiet for so long that Wink thought she wouldn't get an answer, but then his dry, chapped lips moved and he whispered, "I remember..." Wink broke out into a smile as she gently wrapped her arms around Lloyd and cried into his chest. Poor Lloyd could only stare at her, at a loss as for what to do. He had had very little practice in the art of soothing a sobbing woman, and he was still out of it, for the most part. His jaded crimson eyes turned to look at Albert, his expression clearly saying, What the heck do I do now?

Albert could only laugh softly and motion for Lloyd to put his arms around Wink. Hesitantly, Lloyd did as he was told, wrapping his long thin arms around Wink's back, looking as if he expected to be burned by her or something of the sort. Wink felt Lloyd's arms wrap around her and started sobbing even harder, because she knew in her heart that Lloyd would be okay. She listened to the rapid pounding of his heart against his ribs and thanked Soa for sparing him.

Albert knew Wink's tears were for joy, but Lloyd didn't, and he had to try so hard not to laugh as Lloyd's wide eyes stared at Albert as if to say, Albert, it's not working! Albert simply smiled and shook his head, standing up to leave the two of them in peace. He had to drag Meru out of the room by her ponytail.

Eventually Wink stopped crying and looked up at Lloyd, smiling sheepishly at his apprehensive expression. He looked like he was preparing to shield himself from another onslaught of tears. "I'm sorry, Lloyd, I'm just really happy you're all right. I didn't mean to shed tears all over you."

"It's okay..." Lloyd replied quietly. He never liked to see women cry. Especially not over him. Wink sighed softly and rested her cheek on Lloyd's shoulder. She knew he'd be all right soon. And she'd be there for him the entire way.