Coppercurls

by an anonymous geek

disclaimer: Do you really think that I am the great Tamora Pierce?

Chapter 8

Millions of thoughts ran through Briar's mind as he held Tris's body. He would never be able to tell her what she meant to him; he would never get to see her grow old alongside him; he would never be able to hold her in his arms and kiss her. As these thoughts jolted through him, tears streamed down his face and he held Tris closer to his body. This did not seem real to him; any moment now she would just tell him it was a big joke and they would laugh about it together, or he would just wake up and realize that none of this had ever happened; these phantoms would plague him no longer. Sadly, this was not so, but he would not admit it to himself. Soon, his thoughts gave way and he was left with only a blank, dull ache that burned inside and caused him to despair. He might never have risen from where he sat had not Daja walked in at that moment.

Once she entered, she looked around at the state of the room. In the center of the room lay a mound of stone that had fallen from the ceiling. Then, near one of the corners of the room lay Sandry's body and right next to her was the worst site that Daja had ever seen. Briar sat on the ground, Tris's lifeless body clutched to his chest; his face was tear-stained, but he was no longer crying. Instead, his face held a look of complete despair that Daja had never before seen on any human.

Daja raced over to him. "Briar-Briar, what happened?!" There was no answer, just a blank stare. She shook his shoulders in an effort to release him from the trance that he was in, but it did not seem to work, so she attempted to arouse Sandry. Fortunately, this did work, and Sandry's eyelids fluttered open. When she surveyed the room that she was in, she looked as if she was going to faint again. However, she just stared over at Briar and Tris. Then she started crying quietly. Daja, herself was shedding a few tears. Even though she had never before cried for the death of a kaq, she now felt as if her world was shattered and could no longer stop herself.

Daja tried to get some information out of Sandry once she had composed herself, slightly. "Sandry, what happened? Do you know anything?"

Sandry shook her head, tears still streaming down her face. In between choked sobs, she was able to say, "I don't remember anything other than being knocked out when I was getting out of bed." Daja nodded and looked over at Briar and Tris again.

"We should get out of here. There's no knowing what is out there. Let's try to get Briar up." After a few slaps, Briar finally woke up from his trance, but he did not really seem to be there in spirit. His eyes showed deep sorrow. He got up, but would not let go of Tris. Never would he give her up. Never. There seemed to be deep resolution in his gaze, even if it was mingled with grief. They made their way down the stairs and out of the black fortress.

~ * ~

Lark, Rosethorn, Niko, and Moonstream waited at Discipline Cottage. Lark was the only mage who was not completely outraged at the four mages' disappearances.

"What were they thinking?! Running away without telling anyone. Hmmph!" Rosethorn exclaimed as she paced the cottage.

"Now, Rosie, I suspect that there is a very good explanation for all of this. We just need to wait for their return. Then they can tell us everything," Lark said, in an effort to console her. No matter how hard Rosethorn might hide it, Lark knew that she was more worried than angry over this disappearance.

Niko looked out the window. "And I suppose we won't have to wait long for it. Here they come." Then there was a collective sharp intake of breath from everyone in the room when they walked in. Sandry, sporting some nasty bruises and cuts, was leaning against Daja, who seemed to be the only really stable one of the four, though she herself had tears in her eyes and had many injuries. Then there was Briar, who looked as if his world had completely ended, and he held Tris, who was hanging limply in his arms. Niko quickly walked over to Tris and took her out of Briar's arms. Briar knew that he could not rob this man his moment with the dead girl, so he reluctantly handed over his Tris, though he stood very close by. However, Niko's face did not hold a look of grief; surprisingly, it held one of puzzlement.

"Curious," he whispered to himself. "The body is not cold as it would be in death, yet there is no pulse. Also, she is not pale, as would be expected in a dead person, and I can still feel her magic inside of her." His face suddenly lightened. "She is not dead!"

This news was like a shower of relief to Briar. He might still be able to tell her about his feelings and do all the other things he wished to do right now. He was about to jump for joy, but was interrupted by Niko's voice. "However, she is not completely alive, either. This spell is dark magic. Strong dark magic. I do not know the antidote or counter-curse for it, either."

Once again, Briar's spirits dampened. Still, Niko continued. "Now, Briar, carry her upstairs and put her on her bed. Now, you two," he said, addressing Sandry and Daja. "You have a lot of explaining to do." Briar missed his stern look as he walked up the stairs and into Tris's room. He gently placed her on her bed, and then pulled up a chair next to her. He wished he knew what to do to give his Tris life again. He wished that he could see her grey eyes alive once more in mirth or anger. It did not matter if she hated him or not, only that she was there with him, in body and spirit. Once again, the tears came, but this time they were hot with anger. He hated the man who had did this to her and was very glad that he was dead. Silently, he exited the room and walked down the stairs.

~ * ~

A month passed and autumn came, bringing with it beauty to Discipline Cottage. Instead of spending his spare time outside, Briar walked up to Tris's room and looked at her. She was still as beautiful as ever, even if her spirit did not seem to reside in her body. Although she was "dead", her cheeks were rosy and her lips were cherry-colored. Briar could never say later what compelled him to do it then, but he leaned down and kissed her on the lips. The kiss brought with it a sensation of pure delight. It felt so right to be there, kissing her, feeling her silky lips pressed against his own. Then, it came as a great shock to him, but in some ways felt completely right; he felt her kiss back. He could sense her in a way that he had never done before. Not only was she back in spirit, but her spirit was back in full force, being combined with his in a way that seemed as if it were meant to be. Her eyes opened, and he pulled away and looked at her. Her eyes were not only full with mirth and happiness, but they seemed to contain an emotion that he had never seen there before: love. It was such a strong emotion that it surprised him at first, but then he realized that his eyes must mirror hers. He felt something inside of himself that was so strong that he seemed to burst, but in a way that was pleasant. It was then that he realized that they had been made for each other. She smiled at him, and he smiled back. There seemed to be no reason for explanation. They now had each other.

"I love you Briar," Tris told him.

"And I love you, Coppercurls."

~ * ~

A/N: well, there it is. *sniffle* it's so sad now that it's over with. This was my first Tamora Pierce fanfic. *sobs*

Anyway, I hope you liked it. I want to thank all of you reviewers. I love you all so much. I wouldn't have continued this if it hadn't been for you!

Please review for the last time!

~*~Kristin~*~