Introduction:
I'm sorry about my mistake earlier. I'm horrible at spelling. I took to much time to get this done. My most humble apologies.
Disclaimer:
I do not own the original Legend of Dragoon characters or the world.
Chapter Two: Alberts Daughter
Gailu and Edge left Celes the following morning. Edge hugged his mother and father good-bye. Gailu turned away out of respect. Edge's family moments were not for his eyes. He longed for Meru. Life was never dull with her around and she was always cheerful. As a boy he had always looked forward to the days when Meru would return home and bring him strange gifts from the outside world. Thought it shamed him, he not help but be jealous of Dart and his family. Meru spent so much time with them. And when she came home she would tell everyone about Dart's son.'A bright new star' she had called him.
"Gailu?"
Gailu's head snaped up. It was Edge who had spoken. "Are you still tired? You seem out of it."
"I'm fine. Are you ready to go?" Gailu did not meet Edge's eyes as he spoke.
"Yeah. Let's go." Edge waved good-bye to his family one final time. Then they were on their way.
Gailu and Edge traveled through the forest in silence. Edge tried to start conversations many times but Gailu barely responded. Dart's son was very uncomfortable. He knew that Gailu didn't want him to come. He tried to make himself a likalbe companion but nothing he said would get Gailu to respond. Gailu looked so much like Meru but he acted nothing like her. He barely even talked. Suddenly Gailu stoped.
"What's wrong?" Edge asked.
Gailu hushed him. Edge strained his ears and the snap of many twigs. The two young men whirled around. A dog-like monster leaped at them. Edge pulled his sword from its sheath but he knew that he wouldn't be able to raise it in time. The hellish hound was upon them. Gailu sent a ball of glowing energy at the beast. There was a flash of blinding light and a loud yelp. When Edge uncovered hes eyes he saw the monster steaming at his feet.
Before Edge could thank him vines grabed Gailu and lifted him into the air. The vines were attached to what had been a tree only moments ago. Gailu sceamed as thousands of needles poked though his robes and droped his staff. Edge raised his sword and double slashed the vines. Gailu droped to the gound.
Then Edge attacked the tree monster. He cut at the creature's mouth so it did not take much to slice the tree in half. It was dead.
Edge didn't wait to catch his breath.He rushed to help Gailu who was franticly trying to remove the needles. Once that was done both of them sat gasping.
"You saved me. Thank you." Gailu gave Edge a friendly smile.
"No problem. I told you that you'd need help. Thanks for saving my face from those claws."
Gailu laughed weakly and struggled to his feet.Gailu winced but quickly hid his pain. He sielently cursed himself for a fool. Gailu knew he was poisioned. He ran out of antidote and had forgoted to buy more in Celes. 'Edge musn't know,' thought Gailu. He could not let anyone know of his weakness.
"Lets get going. We've still got a long way ahead of us." Gailu said, making sure his voice had its normal pitch.
The two set out again. Pain shot through Gailu body with each step. By mid-afternoon they reached the other side of the forest. The ruins of Hellena could be seen the distance. And the grassland extended to the mountains. The companions walked a only a little ways into the fields before Gailu collasped.
"Gailu!" Edge cried.
He turned the fallen man over. Gailu was mumbling something about Meru and he was no longer concious. Edge felt Gailu's forhead to find it burning. Edge cursed his stupidity. He knew needles had done this. Edge took out some antidote and sliped it into Gailu's mouth. Gailu swallowed. Then it hit him. Gailu had said nothing about being poisioned. In fact, he had been hiding it. Edges first reaction was shock then anger.
He held the anger back. There would be no point in yelling at an unconcious man. Edge made Gailu as comfortable as possible then he sat. Day turned into night so he built a fire and stared at the dancing flames. This only made Edges temper rise. Did Gailu not trust him? Even after that battle the fought together?
Gailu's eyes flickered open. He sat up but did not expect to meet flaming eye. Edge was most definatly angry and the fire light reflecting in his eyes only promoted that fact.
"YOU IDIOT!"
Edge grabed Gailu's collar, pulled him his off the ground and shook him violently. "Why didn't you tell me that those needles had poisioned you! You want to die at the hands of some tree with poision spikes!"
"Let me go!" Gailu cried.
Edge droped him. Gailu was dizzy but very much awake. Edge glared at him waiting for an anwser. Gailu spoke in a dry voice. "Because I'm a Wingly! I'm not suppose to be weak!" Gailu fell silent. He never thought his father's cruel words would ever come out of his mouth. His face burned with shame.
"Thats it?" Egde finally said."Your foolish pride?"
"Winglies have to be proud. We've got nothing else!"
Agian Edge was stunned into silence. Winlies had to be proud? But Meru was nothing like this. Why was she so different from the rest of her kind? All Edge could do was stare at Gailu. This didn't help matters. Gailu turned around and covered his face. His face was still burning as he cursed himself. They had just become friends, until he ruined it.
Suddenly, Gailu felt a hand on his shoulder. "Hey," Edge spoke in a soft voice. "I don't know about Winglies but we Humans help each other out."
Gailu face his Human friend and smiled. "Thanks."
The two of them talked long into the night. Gailu showed Edge some of his spells. Edge showed off the addition he had been developing but it wasn't quite finished. First, a lung then a upward slash, and finally a sideways cut. Edge couldn't come up with a final move. Gailu told him to slash up diaginally to make somewhat of a triagle. Edge practiced this on a stump until Gailu got bored and went to sleep. Edge followed him not long after. At first light they set off again. They reached the mountains by noon. It didn't take them long to find the cave leading through.
"So this is the Limestone Cave," said Edge."Think we'll find giant snake bones in there?"
Gailu laughed and walked in. He looked around but found no monsters anywhere. "That odd. This place should be crawling with ugly creatures."
"Maybe they ran off when that big snake died." Edge provided.
They went on to find the Rock Fairies had disappeared as well. Now both of them were worried. They came upon a wide stream running through the cave. Stepping stones were neatly aranged to lead across. Gailu went first while Edge followed. Gailu triped and fell into the shallow water. His companion bursted out w
ith laughter.
Gailu glared at him. "Its not funny."
"Yes it is." Edge managed. "You've got to laugh at yourself every once in a while. Like Meru."
After Edge stoped laughing he helped Gailu out of the water and continued on the stepping stones. When they neared the end of the cave the did indeed find giant snake bones in the middle of the path. The bones were broked and some parts were comepletely crushed.
"Whatever did this must have beem pretty huge." Edge said.
Gailu nodded in agreement. "Let's not stick around to find out what it was."
They went on quietly until the reached the end of the cave. The capital city was not far off. They ate a late lunch and continued on. Gailu's feet began to hurt so he hovered over the ground as the traveled. Edge didn't complain one bit. By the time they reached the Bel the sun was setting.
"Don't worry. We don't have to stay at the inn. Albert will let us use the guest rooms." Edge said cheerfully.
Gailu nodded. Though it was nearly dark the streets were still alive and noisy. They were on their way to the castle when Gailu somrthing glint in the fountain. "Whats this?" He asked.
Edge took one glance at it and knew what it was. "Thats Star Dust!"
"What?"
"If you collect enought star dust a wish will be granted."
"Wish?"
"Don't you know anything? If theres Star Dust here then there must be more in this city."
"But we have to see King Albert."
"We'll look for more after we see him."
Gailu and Edge continued to the castle. When they got there Gailu gasped in awe. Edge looked awe him, puzzled. "Never seen a castle before?"
Gailu shook his head, still staring in wonder. Edge shruged and began to walk up the stairs. The young Wingly snaped out of it and followed. Gailu's head turned this way and that as they made there was through the halls and up more stairs. Edge seemed to be in a hurry and ran strait into the throne room.
"Uncle Albert!" He cried.
King Albert jumped up from the throne, pure joy leaped to his face."Edge!" Then puzzlement covered the King's face. "Where is your father?"
Before Edge could respond a high pitched voice range through the room. "Edge! You've come to visit!"
Princess Petal had come in through one of the doors at the back of the room. "Its nice to see-"
The princess stoped when she saw Gailu walk in behind Edge. Gailu droped to is knees in a bow. Albert resumed his talk with Edge.
"Where is your father?" The King asked again.
"He's could not come."
"Then who is this."
"This is Meru's kin. His name is Gailu."
"Kin?" The Princess said. "Then he's a Wingly?"
Something about the way Princess Petal said 'Wingly' made Gailu mad. He stood up imidiatly and raised his chin. Then with the most pride he could muster he adressed the princess. "Yes I am."
Petal recognized the arrogance in Gailu's voice and placed her her hands on her hips. "You Winglies are all the same. No matter what Meru does you'll never change. Always think your better then every other race."
"How dare-"
"She didn't mean anything it, Gailu." Edge interupted.
"Edge, this is my business." Petal said with anger.
"Ummm, Dearest don't you have something to attend to?" Albert asked.
"Yes,"she said. "I have to help Mother select her dress for the banquet. Besides its a lot them being around this Wingly."
Gailu held his tongue as Petal left. He glared until she was completely throuth the door. Edge and Albert sighed at the same time.
"Please forgive her," said the King. "The last time other Winglies visited with Meru they were extreemly rude to her. Now the only Wingly she likes is Meru."
"Uncle Albert," Edge said."Our visit is acually about Meru. SHe's missing."
Instead of shock the king shook his head with a worried expression. "I was afraid of this."
"What do you mean?" Gailu blurted.
Albert sighed. "It's a long story. One that I don't have time for at the moment. I have to get ready for the banquet. But this I can tell you for certain, Meru is no longer here.
"But-"
Edge stoped Gailu's protest. "He has inportant business. I bet nobles from different counties are coming here. Beside we plan to stay a while anyway."
Gailu made one final protest and then agreed. A servant showed them to the guest room. Edge practiced his new addition and decided to name it Triqual Cut. But Gailu and Egde quickly became bored. They decided to look for Star Dust in the town and castle.
Conclution:
Thats it. There wasn't much of Petal in this chapter but you'll definetly see more of her. And don't worry Petal and Gailu get along...eventually.
I'm sorry about my mistake earlier. I'm horrible at spelling. I took to much time to get this done. My most humble apologies.
Disclaimer:
I do not own the original Legend of Dragoon characters or the world.
Chapter Two: Alberts Daughter
Gailu and Edge left Celes the following morning. Edge hugged his mother and father good-bye. Gailu turned away out of respect. Edge's family moments were not for his eyes. He longed for Meru. Life was never dull with her around and she was always cheerful. As a boy he had always looked forward to the days when Meru would return home and bring him strange gifts from the outside world. Thought it shamed him, he not help but be jealous of Dart and his family. Meru spent so much time with them. And when she came home she would tell everyone about Dart's son.'A bright new star' she had called him.
"Gailu?"
Gailu's head snaped up. It was Edge who had spoken. "Are you still tired? You seem out of it."
"I'm fine. Are you ready to go?" Gailu did not meet Edge's eyes as he spoke.
"Yeah. Let's go." Edge waved good-bye to his family one final time. Then they were on their way.
Gailu and Edge traveled through the forest in silence. Edge tried to start conversations many times but Gailu barely responded. Dart's son was very uncomfortable. He knew that Gailu didn't want him to come. He tried to make himself a likalbe companion but nothing he said would get Gailu to respond. Gailu looked so much like Meru but he acted nothing like her. He barely even talked. Suddenly Gailu stoped.
"What's wrong?" Edge asked.
Gailu hushed him. Edge strained his ears and the snap of many twigs. The two young men whirled around. A dog-like monster leaped at them. Edge pulled his sword from its sheath but he knew that he wouldn't be able to raise it in time. The hellish hound was upon them. Gailu sent a ball of glowing energy at the beast. There was a flash of blinding light and a loud yelp. When Edge uncovered hes eyes he saw the monster steaming at his feet.
Before Edge could thank him vines grabed Gailu and lifted him into the air. The vines were attached to what had been a tree only moments ago. Gailu sceamed as thousands of needles poked though his robes and droped his staff. Edge raised his sword and double slashed the vines. Gailu droped to the gound.
Then Edge attacked the tree monster. He cut at the creature's mouth so it did not take much to slice the tree in half. It was dead.
Edge didn't wait to catch his breath.He rushed to help Gailu who was franticly trying to remove the needles. Once that was done both of them sat gasping.
"You saved me. Thank you." Gailu gave Edge a friendly smile.
"No problem. I told you that you'd need help. Thanks for saving my face from those claws."
Gailu laughed weakly and struggled to his feet.Gailu winced but quickly hid his pain. He sielently cursed himself for a fool. Gailu knew he was poisioned. He ran out of antidote and had forgoted to buy more in Celes. 'Edge musn't know,' thought Gailu. He could not let anyone know of his weakness.
"Lets get going. We've still got a long way ahead of us." Gailu said, making sure his voice had its normal pitch.
The two set out again. Pain shot through Gailu body with each step. By mid-afternoon they reached the other side of the forest. The ruins of Hellena could be seen the distance. And the grassland extended to the mountains. The companions walked a only a little ways into the fields before Gailu collasped.
"Gailu!" Edge cried.
He turned the fallen man over. Gailu was mumbling something about Meru and he was no longer concious. Edge felt Gailu's forhead to find it burning. Edge cursed his stupidity. He knew needles had done this. Edge took out some antidote and sliped it into Gailu's mouth. Gailu swallowed. Then it hit him. Gailu had said nothing about being poisioned. In fact, he had been hiding it. Edges first reaction was shock then anger.
He held the anger back. There would be no point in yelling at an unconcious man. Edge made Gailu as comfortable as possible then he sat. Day turned into night so he built a fire and stared at the dancing flames. This only made Edges temper rise. Did Gailu not trust him? Even after that battle the fought together?
Gailu's eyes flickered open. He sat up but did not expect to meet flaming eye. Edge was most definatly angry and the fire light reflecting in his eyes only promoted that fact.
"YOU IDIOT!"
Edge grabed Gailu's collar, pulled him his off the ground and shook him violently. "Why didn't you tell me that those needles had poisioned you! You want to die at the hands of some tree with poision spikes!"
"Let me go!" Gailu cried.
Edge droped him. Gailu was dizzy but very much awake. Edge glared at him waiting for an anwser. Gailu spoke in a dry voice. "Because I'm a Wingly! I'm not suppose to be weak!" Gailu fell silent. He never thought his father's cruel words would ever come out of his mouth. His face burned with shame.
"Thats it?" Egde finally said."Your foolish pride?"
"Winglies have to be proud. We've got nothing else!"
Agian Edge was stunned into silence. Winlies had to be proud? But Meru was nothing like this. Why was she so different from the rest of her kind? All Edge could do was stare at Gailu. This didn't help matters. Gailu turned around and covered his face. His face was still burning as he cursed himself. They had just become friends, until he ruined it.
Suddenly, Gailu felt a hand on his shoulder. "Hey," Edge spoke in a soft voice. "I don't know about Winglies but we Humans help each other out."
Gailu face his Human friend and smiled. "Thanks."
The two of them talked long into the night. Gailu showed Edge some of his spells. Edge showed off the addition he had been developing but it wasn't quite finished. First, a lung then a upward slash, and finally a sideways cut. Edge couldn't come up with a final move. Gailu told him to slash up diaginally to make somewhat of a triagle. Edge practiced this on a stump until Gailu got bored and went to sleep. Edge followed him not long after. At first light they set off again. They reached the mountains by noon. It didn't take them long to find the cave leading through.
"So this is the Limestone Cave," said Edge."Think we'll find giant snake bones in there?"
Gailu laughed and walked in. He looked around but found no monsters anywhere. "That odd. This place should be crawling with ugly creatures."
"Maybe they ran off when that big snake died." Edge provided.
They went on to find the Rock Fairies had disappeared as well. Now both of them were worried. They came upon a wide stream running through the cave. Stepping stones were neatly aranged to lead across. Gailu went first while Edge followed. Gailu triped and fell into the shallow water. His companion bursted out w
ith laughter.
Gailu glared at him. "Its not funny."
"Yes it is." Edge managed. "You've got to laugh at yourself every once in a while. Like Meru."
After Edge stoped laughing he helped Gailu out of the water and continued on the stepping stones. When they neared the end of the cave the did indeed find giant snake bones in the middle of the path. The bones were broked and some parts were comepletely crushed.
"Whatever did this must have beem pretty huge." Edge said.
Gailu nodded in agreement. "Let's not stick around to find out what it was."
They went on quietly until the reached the end of the cave. The capital city was not far off. They ate a late lunch and continued on. Gailu's feet began to hurt so he hovered over the ground as the traveled. Edge didn't complain one bit. By the time they reached the Bel the sun was setting.
"Don't worry. We don't have to stay at the inn. Albert will let us use the guest rooms." Edge said cheerfully.
Gailu nodded. Though it was nearly dark the streets were still alive and noisy. They were on their way to the castle when Gailu somrthing glint in the fountain. "Whats this?" He asked.
Edge took one glance at it and knew what it was. "Thats Star Dust!"
"What?"
"If you collect enought star dust a wish will be granted."
"Wish?"
"Don't you know anything? If theres Star Dust here then there must be more in this city."
"But we have to see King Albert."
"We'll look for more after we see him."
Gailu and Edge continued to the castle. When they got there Gailu gasped in awe. Edge looked awe him, puzzled. "Never seen a castle before?"
Gailu shook his head, still staring in wonder. Edge shruged and began to walk up the stairs. The young Wingly snaped out of it and followed. Gailu's head turned this way and that as they made there was through the halls and up more stairs. Edge seemed to be in a hurry and ran strait into the throne room.
"Uncle Albert!" He cried.
King Albert jumped up from the throne, pure joy leaped to his face."Edge!" Then puzzlement covered the King's face. "Where is your father?"
Before Edge could respond a high pitched voice range through the room. "Edge! You've come to visit!"
Princess Petal had come in through one of the doors at the back of the room. "Its nice to see-"
The princess stoped when she saw Gailu walk in behind Edge. Gailu droped to is knees in a bow. Albert resumed his talk with Edge.
"Where is your father?" The King asked again.
"He's could not come."
"Then who is this."
"This is Meru's kin. His name is Gailu."
"Kin?" The Princess said. "Then he's a Wingly?"
Something about the way Princess Petal said 'Wingly' made Gailu mad. He stood up imidiatly and raised his chin. Then with the most pride he could muster he adressed the princess. "Yes I am."
Petal recognized the arrogance in Gailu's voice and placed her her hands on her hips. "You Winglies are all the same. No matter what Meru does you'll never change. Always think your better then every other race."
"How dare-"
"She didn't mean anything it, Gailu." Edge interupted.
"Edge, this is my business." Petal said with anger.
"Ummm, Dearest don't you have something to attend to?" Albert asked.
"Yes,"she said. "I have to help Mother select her dress for the banquet. Besides its a lot them being around this Wingly."
Gailu held his tongue as Petal left. He glared until she was completely throuth the door. Edge and Albert sighed at the same time.
"Please forgive her," said the King. "The last time other Winglies visited with Meru they were extreemly rude to her. Now the only Wingly she likes is Meru."
"Uncle Albert," Edge said."Our visit is acually about Meru. SHe's missing."
Instead of shock the king shook his head with a worried expression. "I was afraid of this."
"What do you mean?" Gailu blurted.
Albert sighed. "It's a long story. One that I don't have time for at the moment. I have to get ready for the banquet. But this I can tell you for certain, Meru is no longer here.
"But-"
Edge stoped Gailu's protest. "He has inportant business. I bet nobles from different counties are coming here. Beside we plan to stay a while anyway."
Gailu made one final protest and then agreed. A servant showed them to the guest room. Edge practiced his new addition and decided to name it Triqual Cut. But Gailu and Egde quickly became bored. They decided to look for Star Dust in the town and castle.
Conclution:
Thats it. There wasn't much of Petal in this chapter but you'll definetly see more of her. And don't worry Petal and Gailu get along...eventually.