Beginnings

I could not describe what I felt when she collapsed in my arms. All I knew was that she was safe and nothing else mattered. I carried her in my arms as I escaped from the demolishing palace. I was now standing outside and looking out at the destruction when a shimmer in the sky appeared.

"Folken!"

I peered out and saw Keith standing at the edge of the landing area of a fortress. He had come back. I waited until it was close enough for me to jump and leapt on. I still had Shayla in my arms. Her arms were wrapped around my neck and her head was resting on my shoulder.

"Is she alright?" Keith asked as soon as we were high up in the air again.

"Yes, she just fainted. She is asleep and I think she will be for a while."

I stroked her hair.

You are safe.

Jerking up, my eyes were not accustomed yet to the light and so I reached my hand out to grasp something. Nothing, I was merely touching air.

"Shayla"

It was Folken. I tried to speak, but when I attempted to I began to cough. My throat was sore.

"Water, she needs water. Bring the cup over." He ordered placing an arm around my waist so he could hold me upright.

I felt the cup being placed under my lips. I eagerly leaned forward and began to drink.

"Slowly. Not to fast," he cautioned. After I had drained the cup, I rubbed my eyes with my palms.

"Where am I?" I asked. I could see now and I was in a dark room.

"You are on a floating fortress,"

"Floating fortress? Keith!" I exclaimed recognizing his voice.

"Yes, you have been asleep for quite a while now. Folken has been taking care of you," he answered. I saw him standing at the edge of the bed.

I turned my body slightly in Folken's arms and gestured for Keith to come closer.

"What has happened?" I asked noticing the shared look between the two men.

"Dornkirk's palace is utterly destroyed, I am not sure about survivors, though we escaped before it was too late."

"We?"

"Yes, soldiers loyal to me, they were willing to help though I didn't want them to,"

"Where are we headed for?"

"Austuria is our best bet right now. In fact, we could go anywhere we wanted with this invisible detector."

"I am in debt to you, Keith."

"You must rest now,"

With that he left the room. It was just the two of us. I found that I couldn't say anything. After all, I had left without a word.

"Shayla,"

I turned so we were looking eye to eye. I touched the tips of my fingers to his cheek like before.

"I don't know what to say,"

He took my hand into his and kissed the knuckles of my hands lightly.

"Then don't. Just sleep."

He laid me down on the bed and drew the covers.

"Sleep." He commanded placing a kiss on my forehead. I closed my eyes.

I must have slept for a long time because it felt like forever. I would wake up once in a while and I would find Folken sitting by my side. Every time I looked at him, I felt guilty. He had gone out of his way to save me and all I did to repay him was to reply that I didn't know what to say? Why hadn't I said I loved him earlier? I turned to my side burying my head into the covers. Would there be forgiveness?

People make sacrifices for love. He will sacrifice his life for your love even in death. Embrace love as it has embraced you.

I had walked around mindlessly before I came to the main deck and somehow ended up where all the guymelefs were kept. I sat down next to the leg of one and leaned my head against it feeling the cool metal against my skin. For quite some time, I couldn't stop thinking about Grandma's words to me. Her words still echoed in my mind.

"How could I have been so stupid?" I buried my head into my knees, my hands gripping the base of my head.

I looked up to see Folken bending over me.

"Folken, how did you know where to find me?" I asked.

"I didn't. I have been looking everywhere for you." I saw the depth of concern and worry in his eyes and my eyes began to mist.

"What's wrong? Did I do something? Shayla, answer me!" He demanded settling down beside me and taking me into his arms. I allowed myself to melt into his arms, but jerked away again.

"Why are you so good to me?" I begged him.

His face was clouded with confusion.

"What's this? I love you and you love me."

I laughed haughtily. I stood up with my back to him.

"When the sorcerers were… when they captured me I thought I was going to, no I knew I was going to die." I began to elaborate when I was interrupted.

"Shayla," Folken said coming up behind me.

I spun around facing him. "Will you listen? Listen to me speak. Please?" I pleaded.

He nodded and I continued once again turning my back to him for I couldn't look at him directly.

"Grandma Rose came to me when I knew I was dying. She told me that your love for me was so strong that you would sacrifice your life. I was afraid, afraid of loving, ever since you came into my life. And when you said those words to me, I just got scared. Oh, Folken, can you forgive me?" Letting out all my feelings to him, I found myself crying again.

I brought myself to look at his face and I couldn't read his expression. I held my breath as he walked over to me. In a matter of seconds, he had his arms wrapped around me.

"I forgive you." We held each other for the longest time. Finally Folken pulled away to touch my face to dry my tears.

"From now on, there will be no secrets between us," he said.

"I promise." I said.

"And I as well." He replied back kissing me.

I broke away abruptly and placed my fingers on his lips to stop his protest. I touched his face lovingly with my hands. I finally knew what I wanted to say.

"I love you Folken."

He smiled and bent down so our lips were almost touching.

"And I love you Shayla."

…give up woman, there is no one to save you…

I shot up from bed sweating and breathing harshly. Arms gathered behind me. I struggled impulsively.

"It's me, I am right here."

I sighed in relief. I leaned against Folken's warm body and closed my eyes. He stroked my hair and whispered in my ear. "A nightmare?"

I nodded. He laid me down again and pulled me closer to him. I buried my face into his shoulder.

"Hold me tighter Folken. Only you make me feel safe."

His arm tightened around my waist at my request.

"Shayla?"

"Hmmm?" I lazily replied tilting my head to look up at him.

"Did the sorcerers hurt you?" his voice sounded grim.

"No, but they slapped me around if I didn't answer their questions. They drugged me hoping to get information about you. They whispered foul words into my ear. What exactly happened after you found me and Elke left?"

"The place was completely demolished, no one could have survived. Elke, she is the dragon that came to rescue you?" he asked.

I touched the hollow spot that the necklace once hung.

"I gave her child my pendant. I have done Alden's will."

"I'll buy you a new necklace," he decided when his hand strayed to the base of my neck.

"You don't have to do that?" I protested.

"I will, the merchants in Palas are many," he insisted stroking my cheek gently with his thumb.

"We will not go to Fanelia?" I questioned.

"Should I? Will my brother accept me?" he sighed dropping his hand.

I took his hand and gently kissed the palm of his hand.

"You will never know unless you go. It is time to face Van again."

"You would follow me?" He gazed deep into my eyes.

"Yes. I wish to see your homeland and your brother. Did you not promise me that you would show me the world Folken?" I chided.

"That I did."

"Then it is decided." I closed my eyes and snuggled into Folken.

Knock. "Come in." Keith called out.

I entered his chamber to find him sitting at his desk writing. He lifted his head to see who had come in.

"I needed to get some air. Being locked up in that room won't help me." I justified.

"As long as you feel alright?"

"Yes."

"You are probably hungry, sit down." He gestured to a nearby table and chair.

I took a seat at the table and he quickly joined me with a plate filled with bread, cheese and fruits along with a cup of water. I graciously accepted the food and began to eat. I took a long drag of water and set down my cup.

"Thank you for saving all my personal belongings."

"Oh, I really did nothing except keep them here. It was Folken who went through and picked out what he thought you needed." He dismissed.

"You took a great risk helping us Keith."

"I know, Leo caught me stealing the fortress when I was on my way to save you."

"What happened?"

"He let me go when he heard the sorcerers had taken you."

"Still, the tribunal will not show mercy once they hear you helped out a witch and a traitor of Zaibach."

"I think this would be inevitable, there is only once choice,"

"What?" I asked alarmed.

"Civil war. No doubt there are still followers of Dornkirk."

"You will fight against Leo?

"I don't know… first we must decide where you will go?"

"Fanelia."

"Folken's homeland? Well, I'll go instruct the pilot." He stood up and I followed him out his room.

"Keith, you must promise me something."

"What?"

"You must go see Flora after this is all over."

"Of course, you have my word." He then turned and walked down to the main deck.

"I hope this is close enough for you." Keith shouted through the wind as the fortress lowered closer to the ground. This was the castle that the famous Austurian Knight Allen Schezar occupied before Zaibach soldiers burned it down.

"This is fine. We can make for the city through the forest. I know the roads," Folken answered.

I swung my pack filled with clothing and personal items of mine over my shoulder. I hugged Keith and thanked his soldiers.

"Take care Keith," I said saddened by thought I may not see him ever again.

"Fanelia was the right choice for you Shayla. The farther you are from Zaibach the better. You and Folken can start anew and not worry about your pasts," he said.

I hugged him again and let Folken step in. They clasped hands. It was their way of friendship. We eventually made it to the ground. I looked around our surroundings and already I knew it was different. I glanced over at Folken and smiled. I knew I could depend on him. I took his hand and with my other waved goodbye to Keith. He waved back and then disappeared. Folken pulled me to his side wrapping his arm tightly around me as a huge gust of wind over swept us. I leaned my head against his shoulder and we stood there for a while.

"Are you ready?" he asked loosened his grip and looked in the direction of our destination. I entwined my fingers in his.

"I am ready, show me." I smiled at him to reassure his slight nervousness. With one look back, he led me away, away from the one home I had ever to a new place. A new beginning.