A/N- Once again I write this before you get to read anything else: Merceds Lackey owns all the characters except: Shadowflame('Flame), Ayren and Darkfire. All mistakes are mine as well!
:So, we're drawing closer and closer to 'Flame's Change. I hoep we haven't kept you waiting too long and that the story is still interesting for all of you. PLease R&R. We would like to hear from you.:
Chapter 11- More of the Past
Alberich had not only brought books with him but had also brought grooming supplies for both Ayren and Darkfire. He had seen 'Flame grooming her eagle many times and wanted to attempt it himself, hoping to keep both animals calm. First he would start with what he knew. He walked around to the other side of the bed and set down the bag. Darkfire watched him, his muscles tensing slightly. He relaxed with a large sigh when Alberich pulled out the brushes. Alberich began brushing the large horse who leaned into the strokes, closing his eyes with pleasure. "I wish you could tell us more," Alberich said softly in Karsite. He continued the grooming. "What is she doing in there? Why would she block us?"
He was startled enough to drop the brushes when Darkfire answered him. :She's hiding from everything. I think she's beginning to deal with what happened when we were Changed.: Alberich picked up the brush and continued brushing. :I think she is shielding us from her despair. Ooooo a little higher there if you please.: Alberich complied, scratching a spot high on the stallion's neck. Alberich thought about what he had said and kept grooming. When that was done he put away his supplies and sat down again between the bed and the door.
He didn't want to agree with Darkfire but it was the best explanation he'd heard. He pulled out the grooming supplies for Ayren and called to the bird. Ayren winged in and settled on the perch that someone had erected in the room for him. He cocked his head at the Weaponsmaster and sat still. Alberich pulled out the supplies that Darien had gathered for him. He really didn't know what to do. He looked at the bird who looked at him with interest. Alberich approached the eagle with care, knowing he wasn't the bondmate and really had no idea what he was doing. Before he got too close though, Darkfire bumped him in the back. :Ayren says that he does not want you grooming him.: Alberich looked up at him in shock. If a horse could shrug Darkfire did it now. :He does appreciate it but you do not know how and he has not the patience to teach you.: Alberich nodded and put the supplies away. He understood the bird's opinion. He also respected it. Instead he reached up and scratched Darkfire's cheek. The stallion leaned into it. Alberich kept scratching while grabbing one of his books. He opened it and began to read.
~~~~~
'Flame held the images of her tied and bound in the tent frozen. Before, when she had been here she couldn't have taken it this far but now, she couldn't go any farther. She stood and began to pace here, careful not to walk near the path that led to counsciousness. Once she stepped on it, it would pull her along and she would be unable to deny that pull.
She hated herself. She was a coward. Afraid of anything and everything that could remotely prove difficult. Hadn't she proved that by simply taking banishment from the vales and not asking why? All her life hadn't she just allowed others to decide her fate? And now, trapped here in her own mind, she was forcing herslef to relive her greatest mistake. This mistake had changed her, had changed Darkfire. It had made them more different than she had already been. And she HATED it! She didn't want to be different. She wanted to be the type of person that most Tayledras were. She wanted to be accepted by them.
'Flame ran an agitated hand through her hair. She didn't just want to be accepted, she wanted to be loved. She wanted someone to love her just for *her*. Her mother had made a mistake. That mistake had cost her everything, for her entire life. And she had done NOTHING!!! The only thing she was guilty of was being born. That was her only crime. She could feel her anger building and just once wished that she could ask her the all important question that no one could answer for her:WHY? 'Flame took several deep breaths and continued pacing to help relieve the anger. There was no one she could take her anger out on. Not here anyways. That thought brought her up short.
The vision of her bound in the tent faded a bit and one of Starfall came to the fore. He could be asked some of the questions she had. All she had to do was confront him. And there was only one thing stopping her. She was afraid of Starfall.
No, that wasn't quite right she was terrified of him. His anger, his hatred of her paralyzed her. She didn't understand why. She had just been an innocent child, not at fault for anything her mother had done. How could he hate an innocent, even if she represented her mother's betrayal?
By now, tears were streaming down her face. She crumpled to the ground and sobbed out all of her pain.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Firesong spent another night worried about his sister. Alternately, he paced, he sat and stared, he tried to read. Darien and Keisha had come back and reported on all that had happened in council, not that he had paid much attention. Talia had come by after dinner to give an update on 'Flame. Firesong held his tongue but really wished he could tell her to just go away. He didn't want to hear that nothing had changed with his sister. He wanted to go *see* for himself. But Darkfire and Ayren would keep him away from her until she woke.
His anger boiled just beneath the surface. Silverfox was using his entire repetoire of skills to just keep Firesong sane. Everyone in the ekele were a bit on edge. Firesong more than most. He had been going to take some of the new Herald-Mage Trainees but found he couldn't because he didn't have the patience. His entire being was focused on helping his sister and he couldn't even get near her!
Once his father arrived, hopefully they could do something. He had never understood his father's hatred of her. If anything she was the innocent one in the entire affair. She didn't ask to be born or to be created. No one knew who her father was or might be and it was unfair to her to blame her for something over which she'd had no control.
Silverfox came into their bedroom after Talia left and saw Firesong pacing and staring out the window. He sighed, sorry to see his love so distraught. He could do nothing. He wondered if he went to see 'Flame if that would be better than nothing. Then he dismissed the idea. If anything, him getting in to see her would merely hurt Firesong more. That was the last thing he wished to do. There wasn't much more he could do to help Firesong. He was out of ideas on how to help him. Anything he'd tried before no were just delayers. All they did was buy a little more time. He wondered when they would run out of time.
It was the Mage Storms all over again. They were just finding solutions to buy them time and soon they would run out. When they ran out if 'Flame was not at least conscious, Silverfox was worried that Firesong would do something drastic. He wouldn't purposely hurt anyone but with all of his guilt Silverfox was afraid that unintantionally someone would say the wrong thing and get hurt.
He gathered himself and pulled Firesong into his arms. The Adept went unresistingly. Firesong was the first to break the silence. "I wish we could Gate Father here." He sighed. "I don't know if having him here will help her but I have to try. It's the only thing left."
Silverfox was quiet for a moment. "Love, you must do as it is best." He rubbed Firesong's tensed shoulders. "I can offer one thing though." Firesong turned to him a look of hope on his face. Silverfox gathered his strength and offered. "I can go to see her, if Darkfire will allow me to. If I go you will hear from me how she is and you won't wonder if anything has been left out of the report."
Firesong turned from him for a moment to stare out the window once again. What Silverfox offered hurt. It was possible that he could get into the room when Firesong had not. Firesong sighed. He could trust Silverfox to tell him all. He wouldn't have to wonder if anything was being kept from him because others blamed him for this. He turned back to Silverfox. "Tomorrow, would you please try? Ke'chara, I would appreciate it."
Silverfox knew how much that cost him. He drew his love into his arms and promised to do all he could.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N- I'd like to give special thanks to Darkfyre for chit chatting with me as I write and clearing up a few finer points for me that I wasn't sure about.
So, I hope that you all still like this.
PLEASE R&R!!!!
So, 1 quick question to everyone: What is Starfall's bondbird's name and species? If you know it please throw it in your review!
Cat
:So, we're drawing closer and closer to 'Flame's Change. I hoep we haven't kept you waiting too long and that the story is still interesting for all of you. PLease R&R. We would like to hear from you.:
Chapter 11- More of the Past
Alberich had not only brought books with him but had also brought grooming supplies for both Ayren and Darkfire. He had seen 'Flame grooming her eagle many times and wanted to attempt it himself, hoping to keep both animals calm. First he would start with what he knew. He walked around to the other side of the bed and set down the bag. Darkfire watched him, his muscles tensing slightly. He relaxed with a large sigh when Alberich pulled out the brushes. Alberich began brushing the large horse who leaned into the strokes, closing his eyes with pleasure. "I wish you could tell us more," Alberich said softly in Karsite. He continued the grooming. "What is she doing in there? Why would she block us?"
He was startled enough to drop the brushes when Darkfire answered him. :She's hiding from everything. I think she's beginning to deal with what happened when we were Changed.: Alberich picked up the brush and continued brushing. :I think she is shielding us from her despair. Ooooo a little higher there if you please.: Alberich complied, scratching a spot high on the stallion's neck. Alberich thought about what he had said and kept grooming. When that was done he put away his supplies and sat down again between the bed and the door.
He didn't want to agree with Darkfire but it was the best explanation he'd heard. He pulled out the grooming supplies for Ayren and called to the bird. Ayren winged in and settled on the perch that someone had erected in the room for him. He cocked his head at the Weaponsmaster and sat still. Alberich pulled out the supplies that Darien had gathered for him. He really didn't know what to do. He looked at the bird who looked at him with interest. Alberich approached the eagle with care, knowing he wasn't the bondmate and really had no idea what he was doing. Before he got too close though, Darkfire bumped him in the back. :Ayren says that he does not want you grooming him.: Alberich looked up at him in shock. If a horse could shrug Darkfire did it now. :He does appreciate it but you do not know how and he has not the patience to teach you.: Alberich nodded and put the supplies away. He understood the bird's opinion. He also respected it. Instead he reached up and scratched Darkfire's cheek. The stallion leaned into it. Alberich kept scratching while grabbing one of his books. He opened it and began to read.
~~~~~
'Flame held the images of her tied and bound in the tent frozen. Before, when she had been here she couldn't have taken it this far but now, she couldn't go any farther. She stood and began to pace here, careful not to walk near the path that led to counsciousness. Once she stepped on it, it would pull her along and she would be unable to deny that pull.
She hated herself. She was a coward. Afraid of anything and everything that could remotely prove difficult. Hadn't she proved that by simply taking banishment from the vales and not asking why? All her life hadn't she just allowed others to decide her fate? And now, trapped here in her own mind, she was forcing herslef to relive her greatest mistake. This mistake had changed her, had changed Darkfire. It had made them more different than she had already been. And she HATED it! She didn't want to be different. She wanted to be the type of person that most Tayledras were. She wanted to be accepted by them.
'Flame ran an agitated hand through her hair. She didn't just want to be accepted, she wanted to be loved. She wanted someone to love her just for *her*. Her mother had made a mistake. That mistake had cost her everything, for her entire life. And she had done NOTHING!!! The only thing she was guilty of was being born. That was her only crime. She could feel her anger building and just once wished that she could ask her the all important question that no one could answer for her:WHY? 'Flame took several deep breaths and continued pacing to help relieve the anger. There was no one she could take her anger out on. Not here anyways. That thought brought her up short.
The vision of her bound in the tent faded a bit and one of Starfall came to the fore. He could be asked some of the questions she had. All she had to do was confront him. And there was only one thing stopping her. She was afraid of Starfall.
No, that wasn't quite right she was terrified of him. His anger, his hatred of her paralyzed her. She didn't understand why. She had just been an innocent child, not at fault for anything her mother had done. How could he hate an innocent, even if she represented her mother's betrayal?
By now, tears were streaming down her face. She crumpled to the ground and sobbed out all of her pain.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Firesong spent another night worried about his sister. Alternately, he paced, he sat and stared, he tried to read. Darien and Keisha had come back and reported on all that had happened in council, not that he had paid much attention. Talia had come by after dinner to give an update on 'Flame. Firesong held his tongue but really wished he could tell her to just go away. He didn't want to hear that nothing had changed with his sister. He wanted to go *see* for himself. But Darkfire and Ayren would keep him away from her until she woke.
His anger boiled just beneath the surface. Silverfox was using his entire repetoire of skills to just keep Firesong sane. Everyone in the ekele were a bit on edge. Firesong more than most. He had been going to take some of the new Herald-Mage Trainees but found he couldn't because he didn't have the patience. His entire being was focused on helping his sister and he couldn't even get near her!
Once his father arrived, hopefully they could do something. He had never understood his father's hatred of her. If anything she was the innocent one in the entire affair. She didn't ask to be born or to be created. No one knew who her father was or might be and it was unfair to her to blame her for something over which she'd had no control.
Silverfox came into their bedroom after Talia left and saw Firesong pacing and staring out the window. He sighed, sorry to see his love so distraught. He could do nothing. He wondered if he went to see 'Flame if that would be better than nothing. Then he dismissed the idea. If anything, him getting in to see her would merely hurt Firesong more. That was the last thing he wished to do. There wasn't much more he could do to help Firesong. He was out of ideas on how to help him. Anything he'd tried before no were just delayers. All they did was buy a little more time. He wondered when they would run out of time.
It was the Mage Storms all over again. They were just finding solutions to buy them time and soon they would run out. When they ran out if 'Flame was not at least conscious, Silverfox was worried that Firesong would do something drastic. He wouldn't purposely hurt anyone but with all of his guilt Silverfox was afraid that unintantionally someone would say the wrong thing and get hurt.
He gathered himself and pulled Firesong into his arms. The Adept went unresistingly. Firesong was the first to break the silence. "I wish we could Gate Father here." He sighed. "I don't know if having him here will help her but I have to try. It's the only thing left."
Silverfox was quiet for a moment. "Love, you must do as it is best." He rubbed Firesong's tensed shoulders. "I can offer one thing though." Firesong turned to him a look of hope on his face. Silverfox gathered his strength and offered. "I can go to see her, if Darkfire will allow me to. If I go you will hear from me how she is and you won't wonder if anything has been left out of the report."
Firesong turned from him for a moment to stare out the window once again. What Silverfox offered hurt. It was possible that he could get into the room when Firesong had not. Firesong sighed. He could trust Silverfox to tell him all. He wouldn't have to wonder if anything was being kept from him because others blamed him for this. He turned back to Silverfox. "Tomorrow, would you please try? Ke'chara, I would appreciate it."
Silverfox knew how much that cost him. He drew his love into his arms and promised to do all he could.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N- I'd like to give special thanks to Darkfyre for chit chatting with me as I write and clearing up a few finer points for me that I wasn't sure about.
So, I hope that you all still like this.
PLEASE R&R!!!!
So, 1 quick question to everyone: What is Starfall's bondbird's name and species? If you know it please throw it in your review!
Cat