Time's Scars
Chapter Seventeen: My Mind
Rinoa sat firmly by his bedside, holding his hand as he struggled with the internal torment Saruman was causing him. She was actually surprised he had lasted this long, that he had not broken under the stress. But she knew he wouldn't be able to hold on much longer. She wanted to help, but she was not able to, at least, not from here. She talked to him, hoping he could hear, but she knew the words were not getting through. He needed her to come inside of him. She could only do that through Ellone.
She'd contacted Ellone a few days before, telling her about the situation and asking her to visit. She'd agreed and was scheduled to arrive in town sometime that day. If Rinoa could get into Squall's mind, she could at least help him a little.
"It's okay." She whispered into the sleeping teen's ear. "Ellone will be here soon. We'll help you. Just hang on, please."
She gently ran her fingers through his mahogany-colored hair. She'd always loved doing that. He was truly beautiful. His looks could stun a goddess. Every girl he passed could not help but stare.
Even in his beautiful perfection, he was far from being perfect. Squall had his fair share of problems. It had taken a lot of effort on her part to gain his trust. He was so fragile, and she had to be incredibly gentle with him. If he shattered, nobody would be able to put him back together.
Though he'd gained a lot of strength the past months they'd been together, he still had weaknesses, like anyone else. He was too stubborn to admit them. The way he sometimes struggled in his sleep worried her. She knew he was still plagued with nightmares from the horrendous abuse he'd suffered in the past. After he'd escaped his burning home, he was captured by a group of humans. He refused to tell her any details about what they'd done to him, and she was almost glad for that. But she did want to help him. He needed to let the pain out, and to admit that he never would be perfect.
If he survived…no, he would survive, she knew. They'd get married. Maybe have a family. But the latter was an uncertain topic, especially with Squall being an Elf. Was childbearing even possible between humans and Elves? She figured it was, but what would their children be like? What kind of future would they face? Not only would they be half-Elves, but they would also be the children of a sorceress.
Everything was so uncertain. But, as long as they were together, everything would work out.
"Miss Heartilly?" A voice broke her thoughts. "They're ready for you."
She turned and smiled at the doctor. "Thanks, I'll be right out."
Before leaving, however, she turned to him and kissed his forehead gently.
"Hold on, Squall." She whispered.
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"You think you can do that for me?" Asked Rinoa.
Ellone sighed, shaking her head. "I'm not sure. I mean, I can make people see the past, but I've never sent anyone into someone's mind before."
Cid looked at Edea, who stood nearby. "Dear, why don't you make your suggestion?"
Edea smiled. "Well, Rinoa, you and Squall have a very powerful connection. You are a sorceress, he is your knight. It may be possible to send you into his conscious mind. I agree, it is probably the only thing that will help him. I think we should take Squall to Esthar and talk to Doctor Odine."
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"I see…" Pondered Dr. Odine, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "I suppose it iz pozible to do."
Rinoa sighed, internally annoyed with the strange man. "Could we use Junction Machine Ellone? Ultimecia used it, and she obviously was able to go into people's minds."
"That makes sense." Added Ellone, who stood nearby. She was at Squall's bedside, where he'd been moved to in Esthar. "Could you do that?"
Odine paced for a moment, then stopped and looked up. "It iz very dangerous. Vatever happens in hiz mind vill be very real. If you get caught up in it, you might never return."
"It's worth a shot, isn't it?" Rinoa replied.
A/N: Sorry, it's been awhile. School complicates things, as you know. But I am still alive and so is this story. It's a short chapter, but better than nothing, huh? Plus, I need to think about the plot a bit more before I continue.
Please do leave me a review. If I don't get them, I assume nobody is interested in the story.