Shadows and Light 18/?
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Marcus and Neroon, or anyone else from
Babylon 5.
Authors notes: Rated PG-13 Contains slash: two males in a romantic/sexual (although not explicit) relationship. If this offends you please turn back now.
Not related to either Journey of Love or Through the Darkness Falling
A Difference of Opinion
A few hours passed insipidly only interspersed by the occasional sarcastic comment from Neroon or myself. Even Peedran and Brian got in on the act and currently we were spitting zingers at each other left and right. I never knew that Minbari warriors had a sense of humor. I found it refreshing that I did not have to curb my black humor for their benefit. When it became obvious to me that no one cared that I was being all but carried by Neroon I calmed somewhat and stopped trying to strangle the aggravating man. The prat never even acknowledged my attempts, instead he merely continued on at a steady pace, leaving the others to catch up. All of this talking eventually turned to the Denn'sha. When Peedran brought it up both Neroon and I went silent for a moment remembering the events that led to our current situation.
"What led up to the Denn'sha?" Peedran asked inquisitively, while the other trainees rushed to catch up to us so that they too could hear our answers. "I heard it had something to do with Shakiri."
I couldn't help myself from growling at that name. Neroon looked at me silently until I stopped growling. This didn't stop me from vocalizing my thought about that particular Minbari.
"That bloody arrogant bastard nearly destroyed the Caste in his quest for power." I snapped furiously ignoring Neroon's grip as it tightened significantly. "Shakiri is a coward!"
A few of the more vocal among us had taken exception to my aspersions on their former leader's character. I wasn't in the mood for any young pup that thought he knew better than me what went down.
"Marcus, perhaps you should think before you speak in future." Neroon stated coldly, staring at me as if I were a stranger.
"Meaning what exactly?" I asked imperiously, glaring at Neroon in exasperation.
"Meaning that although you may not approve of his methods-"
"The man wanted to kill Delenn!" I snarled heatedly pushing myself from Neroon's arms. He let me go.
"He wanted to lead his people gloriously, as was his right." Neroon barked back, igniting my ire even further.
"He cared nothing for his people." I gasped in shock. " He only cared for himself."
"Shakiri was trying to save his people from making a dire mistake. Of course he cared for them." Neroon interrupted.
"Bullshit! He wanted to further his own political agenda. He had no qualms about killing another Minbari to accomplish his goals." I answered.
"Neither did I if you will remember." Neroon interjected.
"But you were doing what you thought best for your people, all your people. I knew that, hell even Delenn knew that. You thought you were right and would do anything to keep the Castes from making a mistake. You realized that you were in error and-"
"That is a nice fairytale Marcus. However the reality is a bit more colorful." Neroon interrupted quietly. "I arrived on Babylon 5 to stop a mistake from occurring. I didn't care what means I had to go to in order to protect my people. I came to a epiphany of sorts, but that does not negate validity of my claim."
"Validity? Delenn is doing her damndest to protect all of her people and prevent further violence within the Rangers and the Caste."
"Delenn is using her resources wisely, but she has no right to interfere in Warrior Caste matters." Neroon answered matter-of-factly. "She is Religious Caste, whether she is Entil'zha or not."
"Delenn is the reason that Minbar isn't currently involved in a civil war." I snapped loosing my patience. "I would say that qualifies her pretty well to rule your people."
"The reason we are not locked in civil war is you, Marcus. Not that… woman." Neroon answered unequivocally.
"What the bloody hell are you talking about?"
"You are the reason that Delenn still draws breath today." Neroon answered quietly, yet sincerely. "Had it not been for you I would have killed her before they could complete the ceremony."
All of the trainees gasped at Neroon's emotionless narrative, shocked that an honorable warrior like Neroon would admit to planning to kill one of his people.
"We both know that I couldn't stop you Neroon." I growled softly, angered that he would joke about my defeat so cavalierly, and in front of the trainees at that. "You were humoring me near the end there."
"Besides that fact that you are one of the finest warriors I have ever faced, I was not speaking of our physical fight." Neroon explained carefully. "I realized when you were kneeling under my weapon waiting for the killing blow, yet only showing righteousness, and no fear, that you would have no qualms dying for Delenn."
"What does that have to do with stopping you from killing Delenn?"
"I realized then, that if such an honorable warrior would follow her, that if you saw something in her that I did not, and found her worthy of following, then many of my own would do likewise. Whether I agreed with the appointment or not, I most assuredly did not, wasn't the issue. Although it went against tradition the people had chosen to follow her. I am many things but naïve I am not. I always follow where the Caste leads. I most likely could have challenged Delenn for leadership, but I did not think it was worth dividing our people over, especially since she obviously had some aptitude or you would not have supported her as you did."
"I see." I answered still in shock that Neroon would rate my opinion so high. "Well whatever the reason, I am glad you changed your mind."
"So am I." Neroon answered softly, tucking a stray hair behind my ear before giving my cheek a gentle caress. Without another word Neroon picked me back up and continued back to the encampment, the trainees following silently behind us.
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Marcus and Neroon, or anyone else from
Babylon 5.
Authors notes: Rated PG-13 Contains slash: two males in a romantic/sexual (although not explicit) relationship. If this offends you please turn back now.
Not related to either Journey of Love or Through the Darkness Falling
A Difference of Opinion
A few hours passed insipidly only interspersed by the occasional sarcastic comment from Neroon or myself. Even Peedran and Brian got in on the act and currently we were spitting zingers at each other left and right. I never knew that Minbari warriors had a sense of humor. I found it refreshing that I did not have to curb my black humor for their benefit. When it became obvious to me that no one cared that I was being all but carried by Neroon I calmed somewhat and stopped trying to strangle the aggravating man. The prat never even acknowledged my attempts, instead he merely continued on at a steady pace, leaving the others to catch up. All of this talking eventually turned to the Denn'sha. When Peedran brought it up both Neroon and I went silent for a moment remembering the events that led to our current situation.
"What led up to the Denn'sha?" Peedran asked inquisitively, while the other trainees rushed to catch up to us so that they too could hear our answers. "I heard it had something to do with Shakiri."
I couldn't help myself from growling at that name. Neroon looked at me silently until I stopped growling. This didn't stop me from vocalizing my thought about that particular Minbari.
"That bloody arrogant bastard nearly destroyed the Caste in his quest for power." I snapped furiously ignoring Neroon's grip as it tightened significantly. "Shakiri is a coward!"
A few of the more vocal among us had taken exception to my aspersions on their former leader's character. I wasn't in the mood for any young pup that thought he knew better than me what went down.
"Marcus, perhaps you should think before you speak in future." Neroon stated coldly, staring at me as if I were a stranger.
"Meaning what exactly?" I asked imperiously, glaring at Neroon in exasperation.
"Meaning that although you may not approve of his methods-"
"The man wanted to kill Delenn!" I snarled heatedly pushing myself from Neroon's arms. He let me go.
"He wanted to lead his people gloriously, as was his right." Neroon barked back, igniting my ire even further.
"He cared nothing for his people." I gasped in shock. " He only cared for himself."
"Shakiri was trying to save his people from making a dire mistake. Of course he cared for them." Neroon interrupted.
"Bullshit! He wanted to further his own political agenda. He had no qualms about killing another Minbari to accomplish his goals." I answered.
"Neither did I if you will remember." Neroon interjected.
"But you were doing what you thought best for your people, all your people. I knew that, hell even Delenn knew that. You thought you were right and would do anything to keep the Castes from making a mistake. You realized that you were in error and-"
"That is a nice fairytale Marcus. However the reality is a bit more colorful." Neroon interrupted quietly. "I arrived on Babylon 5 to stop a mistake from occurring. I didn't care what means I had to go to in order to protect my people. I came to a epiphany of sorts, but that does not negate validity of my claim."
"Validity? Delenn is doing her damndest to protect all of her people and prevent further violence within the Rangers and the Caste."
"Delenn is using her resources wisely, but she has no right to interfere in Warrior Caste matters." Neroon answered matter-of-factly. "She is Religious Caste, whether she is Entil'zha or not."
"Delenn is the reason that Minbar isn't currently involved in a civil war." I snapped loosing my patience. "I would say that qualifies her pretty well to rule your people."
"The reason we are not locked in civil war is you, Marcus. Not that… woman." Neroon answered unequivocally.
"What the bloody hell are you talking about?"
"You are the reason that Delenn still draws breath today." Neroon answered quietly, yet sincerely. "Had it not been for you I would have killed her before they could complete the ceremony."
All of the trainees gasped at Neroon's emotionless narrative, shocked that an honorable warrior like Neroon would admit to planning to kill one of his people.
"We both know that I couldn't stop you Neroon." I growled softly, angered that he would joke about my defeat so cavalierly, and in front of the trainees at that. "You were humoring me near the end there."
"Besides that fact that you are one of the finest warriors I have ever faced, I was not speaking of our physical fight." Neroon explained carefully. "I realized when you were kneeling under my weapon waiting for the killing blow, yet only showing righteousness, and no fear, that you would have no qualms dying for Delenn."
"What does that have to do with stopping you from killing Delenn?"
"I realized then, that if such an honorable warrior would follow her, that if you saw something in her that I did not, and found her worthy of following, then many of my own would do likewise. Whether I agreed with the appointment or not, I most assuredly did not, wasn't the issue. Although it went against tradition the people had chosen to follow her. I am many things but naïve I am not. I always follow where the Caste leads. I most likely could have challenged Delenn for leadership, but I did not think it was worth dividing our people over, especially since she obviously had some aptitude or you would not have supported her as you did."
"I see." I answered still in shock that Neroon would rate my opinion so high. "Well whatever the reason, I am glad you changed your mind."
"So am I." Neroon answered softly, tucking a stray hair behind my ear before giving my cheek a gentle caress. Without another word Neroon picked me back up and continued back to the encampment, the trainees following silently behind us.