To Just Give In
Disclaimer: I don't own Dragonlance, seriously!
A/N: Thanks so much for the reviews and support! You guys are awesome! I'm listening to Garbage's Shut Your Mouth while writing this...totally high- energy music; I'm pumped to write this! Now to answer some questions and all that stuff.
Guan: First off, thank you for being a great reviewer (...This is taking place four months into Crysania's pregnancy, three months after the destruction of the Fortress Zhaman. (How it was destroyed you'll find out soon)...so basically the time is still pretty much the same a little after the Dwarf Gate War. The location is just changed...Tower of High Sorcery in Palanthas. Yeah I think I'm going to definitely have the others all find out, how I'm not quite sure yet, but I got a few ideas...
Ahn-Li Steffraini: Congrats on getting married...(hopefully your profile's right or I just made an ass out of myself. Off topic, but I once did that in the grocery store line; a lady was looking at a baby names book. I just had to go and ask when she was expecting...didn't go over well, one of the dirtiest looks I've ever got in my life.)...Thanks for the review. And perhaps I'll attempt drawing that scene, it would be really hilarious, though I always tend to disappoint myself drawing Raistlin, can never really get the mental picture down on paper...
Chapter 6: A Moment of Peace
"Oooooh look a specter!" Tas shouted pointing at the ghostly form travelling towards them.
Crysania moved closer to Raistlin nervously as the ghostly demon approached them.
"Welcome Master." It hissed. "Will you be here long?"
"I suppose..." Raistlin said thinking it over. "I'll have to fix things up a bit though, you are dismissed. Tell the others they are to only watch and stay out of sight while my guests are here." Sarcastically he added, "They are faint of heart."
"Yes Master." Replied the evil apparition and then he vanished.
All was silent for a moment until a loud roar erupted from the doorway. Tas shrieked. Crysania clutched on to Raistlin's arm momentarily, and blushing red Caramon laughed a little and said, "Sorry guys, I haven't had a decent meal in while.
Shaking his head Raistlin smiled the first real smile any of them had seen in a long time. "I suppose I must feed you now brother?" he questioned Caramon mockingly.
"Well I am sort of hungry." Caramon said sheepishly.
"Oh are you going to magic up some food Raistlin!" Tas piped in excitedly.
"Well I suppose if the kender wants me to..." Raistlin said sarcastically.
"Well are we supposed to go through that awful grove to get food from the city?" Crysania asked obviously hoping not.
"I gave you my charm...remember Revered Daughter?" Raistlin said causing Crysania to blush. Which in turn caused Caramon to turn red as well, not understanding exactly what Raistlin meant by charm. This prompted a rather simple question for Tas.
"Raistlin are you turning them into beets? Oh turn me into one too! Or maybe a lizard, or a Rabbit!" Tas then continued to debate exactly what animal he would like Raistlin to turn him into eventually reaching a rather simple conclusion. "I think I would prefer you to turn me into a moth, because then I would be able to fly into all the places that people seem to rudely forget to admit kenders into.
After this five-minute tirade by Tasselhoff they sat speechless for a moment, until they all started to laugh besides Raistlin of course, but he still smiled momentarily.
"Wow, he sure seems happy." Crysania thought. "Maybe he just needed time to let it all sink in, or perhaps being back at his tower makes him more comfortable." She thought happily.
Caramon also thought the same thing, looking at them both smiling, and Crysania's barely noticeable roundness. Maybe his brother really could become the man he'd once known again. Or at least try to be better for the sake of his child.
Raistlin "magicked up" a variety of foods for them. Everything from fine roasts, fruits more rare than a dragon orb, fine elven wine and other delicacies. Even spiced potatoes that could nearly compare to Otik's. Once seated they began to eat ravenously, so much so that no one noticed Raistlin excuse himself from the table.
Raistlin quietly slid out of the dining room unnoticed. He had already cleared the tower of most of its dust and cobwebs; it helped to have abilities in magic. He quickly ran up the stairs that wound steeply to the highest region of the tower, his laboratory. He met face to face, well actually face to eyes, with the guardian. "I am your Master step aside." Raistlin smiled as the demonic figure moved aside. He reversed the wizard lock he had placed on the door, well should he say Fistandantilus. He opened the door gazing around, he took a deep breath, exhausted from the amount of spell casting he had done within the past hour. Casting one final spell to tidy the lab up a bit, looking around he smiled with satisfaction. He had been right! There covered by a rich burgundy curtain was the Portal to the Abyss. Pulling off the curtains he gazed mesmerized by the five gleaming dragonheads, Takhisis' own symbol. When he entered the portal with Crysania in five months they would each glow their own color; it would become all colors and none, just as Takhisis was the goddess of all and of nothing. He had known it would be here, logic told him Astinus would not have allowed it any other way. The fortress at Zhaman was destroyed, as it was supposed to be how Raistlin wondered. He then thought that perhaps Gilean simply raised his godly hand at the appropriate moment and it was longer there. Of course at hearing the destruction of the fortress the Conclave rushed to Thorbardin to retrieve the portal, and put it the only place they knew it would never be disturbed, the cursed tower. He supposed he had been proclaimed dead or something of the like. Just as well all he needed was a bunch of curious Conclave members sending him a new spy/apprentice. Thinking of Dalamar, he wondered what had happened to him. Last time he had contacted him Raistlin had figured out Dalamar had been in some kind of relationship with his half sister, Kitaira. Although, not many people Raistlin knew hadn't at some point or another. He would have to contact Dalamar soon. But now he was tired and he needed to rest.
He walked towards the executioner's block but this time he was filled with intense curiosity. He saw his son walk towards him carrying the dagger, but at the executioner's block stood a new figure. She was beautiful beyond words, yet so repulsive it shook him to the core, the Dark Temptress her self, laughing and laughing. He was so absorbed in this new change he didn't notice his son staring at him. Raistlin finally looked down to see this time a much younger, perhaps five or so, boy with the same features as his son had in his last dream holding out the dagger for him to take.
"Father...I believe in you..." The angelic little boy said. Then he collapsed at his feet. Terrified Raistlin looked at the boy's back and saw the smallest prick of blood. He looked up at Takhisis and saw her holding a black rose dripping with venom.
Raistlin felt his blood begin to rapidly boil. His body went numb. His mind was too angry to even recall a spell, but he didn't need one, he had a knife. "You will pay!" Raistlin screamed with such intensity that he couldn't recognize his own voice. He charged at Takhisis the knife extended out towards her heart and as he plunged it in she disappeared fading like smoke. Raistlin was left alone, surrounded by her hideous laughter.
"Raistlin, please wake up!" Crysania gently shook his shoulders. While exploring the tower she had found the staircase and decided to follow it up. After nearly half an hour of walking she almost gave up, when she heard someone cry out upstairs. She began to run, not even considering her condition. When she reached the top she carefully walked down the dark hallway till she found a door opened just a crack. Upon opening the door she immediately saw where the noise had came from. Lying on a stone bench, sweating furiously, his face gone stark white, his fists clenching his robes so hard his knuckles went white was Raistlin. He was moaning in what sounded like extreme physical pain. She called his name but the gave her no response so she had gently began to shake him. "Please Raistlin, wake up!" Finally he seemed to respond his eyes opening shakily. She had been sitting very close to him and expected to be demanded to leave immediately. Instead she found herself being drawn against his sweat soaked chest. For minutes they just lay there together silently being comforted by each other's presence. Then Raistlin did something Crysania would have never expected. He lifted her tunic exposing her slightly rounded stomach. He gently pressed his lips against her belly, causing the familiar tingling mixed with warmth the rush through her.
"There, now you will be safe my little one." Raistlin whispered gently stroking her stomach. Then as if realizing what just happened he stood abruptly. "I...am going downstairs Lady Crysania. You should probably come to, the specters recognize me, but I'm sure they will respond well to you." He said his cheeks begin to redden, his eyes purposely staring towards the table instead of meeting her gaze.
"Alright Raistlin, only if you insist." Crysania replied smiling. "Maybe people really can change," she thought, and with that she followed Raistlin downstairs to meet the others.
Author's Note: Alright I'm ending this chapter early because I really like where it is right now. Big shocker is coming next chapter. Don't bother trying to guess you won't figure it out smirks evilly . I had to go back and read some of War of the Twins to realize my little time shift is creating some pretty catastrophic mishaps. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Please Review :)
Disclaimer: I don't own Dragonlance, seriously!
A/N: Thanks so much for the reviews and support! You guys are awesome! I'm listening to Garbage's Shut Your Mouth while writing this...totally high- energy music; I'm pumped to write this! Now to answer some questions and all that stuff.
Guan: First off, thank you for being a great reviewer (...This is taking place four months into Crysania's pregnancy, three months after the destruction of the Fortress Zhaman. (How it was destroyed you'll find out soon)...so basically the time is still pretty much the same a little after the Dwarf Gate War. The location is just changed...Tower of High Sorcery in Palanthas. Yeah I think I'm going to definitely have the others all find out, how I'm not quite sure yet, but I got a few ideas...
Ahn-Li Steffraini: Congrats on getting married...(hopefully your profile's right or I just made an ass out of myself. Off topic, but I once did that in the grocery store line; a lady was looking at a baby names book. I just had to go and ask when she was expecting...didn't go over well, one of the dirtiest looks I've ever got in my life.)...Thanks for the review. And perhaps I'll attempt drawing that scene, it would be really hilarious, though I always tend to disappoint myself drawing Raistlin, can never really get the mental picture down on paper...
Chapter 6: A Moment of Peace
"Oooooh look a specter!" Tas shouted pointing at the ghostly form travelling towards them.
Crysania moved closer to Raistlin nervously as the ghostly demon approached them.
"Welcome Master." It hissed. "Will you be here long?"
"I suppose..." Raistlin said thinking it over. "I'll have to fix things up a bit though, you are dismissed. Tell the others they are to only watch and stay out of sight while my guests are here." Sarcastically he added, "They are faint of heart."
"Yes Master." Replied the evil apparition and then he vanished.
All was silent for a moment until a loud roar erupted from the doorway. Tas shrieked. Crysania clutched on to Raistlin's arm momentarily, and blushing red Caramon laughed a little and said, "Sorry guys, I haven't had a decent meal in while.
Shaking his head Raistlin smiled the first real smile any of them had seen in a long time. "I suppose I must feed you now brother?" he questioned Caramon mockingly.
"Well I am sort of hungry." Caramon said sheepishly.
"Oh are you going to magic up some food Raistlin!" Tas piped in excitedly.
"Well I suppose if the kender wants me to..." Raistlin said sarcastically.
"Well are we supposed to go through that awful grove to get food from the city?" Crysania asked obviously hoping not.
"I gave you my charm...remember Revered Daughter?" Raistlin said causing Crysania to blush. Which in turn caused Caramon to turn red as well, not understanding exactly what Raistlin meant by charm. This prompted a rather simple question for Tas.
"Raistlin are you turning them into beets? Oh turn me into one too! Or maybe a lizard, or a Rabbit!" Tas then continued to debate exactly what animal he would like Raistlin to turn him into eventually reaching a rather simple conclusion. "I think I would prefer you to turn me into a moth, because then I would be able to fly into all the places that people seem to rudely forget to admit kenders into.
After this five-minute tirade by Tasselhoff they sat speechless for a moment, until they all started to laugh besides Raistlin of course, but he still smiled momentarily.
"Wow, he sure seems happy." Crysania thought. "Maybe he just needed time to let it all sink in, or perhaps being back at his tower makes him more comfortable." She thought happily.
Caramon also thought the same thing, looking at them both smiling, and Crysania's barely noticeable roundness. Maybe his brother really could become the man he'd once known again. Or at least try to be better for the sake of his child.
Raistlin "magicked up" a variety of foods for them. Everything from fine roasts, fruits more rare than a dragon orb, fine elven wine and other delicacies. Even spiced potatoes that could nearly compare to Otik's. Once seated they began to eat ravenously, so much so that no one noticed Raistlin excuse himself from the table.
Raistlin quietly slid out of the dining room unnoticed. He had already cleared the tower of most of its dust and cobwebs; it helped to have abilities in magic. He quickly ran up the stairs that wound steeply to the highest region of the tower, his laboratory. He met face to face, well actually face to eyes, with the guardian. "I am your Master step aside." Raistlin smiled as the demonic figure moved aside. He reversed the wizard lock he had placed on the door, well should he say Fistandantilus. He opened the door gazing around, he took a deep breath, exhausted from the amount of spell casting he had done within the past hour. Casting one final spell to tidy the lab up a bit, looking around he smiled with satisfaction. He had been right! There covered by a rich burgundy curtain was the Portal to the Abyss. Pulling off the curtains he gazed mesmerized by the five gleaming dragonheads, Takhisis' own symbol. When he entered the portal with Crysania in five months they would each glow their own color; it would become all colors and none, just as Takhisis was the goddess of all and of nothing. He had known it would be here, logic told him Astinus would not have allowed it any other way. The fortress at Zhaman was destroyed, as it was supposed to be how Raistlin wondered. He then thought that perhaps Gilean simply raised his godly hand at the appropriate moment and it was longer there. Of course at hearing the destruction of the fortress the Conclave rushed to Thorbardin to retrieve the portal, and put it the only place they knew it would never be disturbed, the cursed tower. He supposed he had been proclaimed dead or something of the like. Just as well all he needed was a bunch of curious Conclave members sending him a new spy/apprentice. Thinking of Dalamar, he wondered what had happened to him. Last time he had contacted him Raistlin had figured out Dalamar had been in some kind of relationship with his half sister, Kitaira. Although, not many people Raistlin knew hadn't at some point or another. He would have to contact Dalamar soon. But now he was tired and he needed to rest.
He walked towards the executioner's block but this time he was filled with intense curiosity. He saw his son walk towards him carrying the dagger, but at the executioner's block stood a new figure. She was beautiful beyond words, yet so repulsive it shook him to the core, the Dark Temptress her self, laughing and laughing. He was so absorbed in this new change he didn't notice his son staring at him. Raistlin finally looked down to see this time a much younger, perhaps five or so, boy with the same features as his son had in his last dream holding out the dagger for him to take.
"Father...I believe in you..." The angelic little boy said. Then he collapsed at his feet. Terrified Raistlin looked at the boy's back and saw the smallest prick of blood. He looked up at Takhisis and saw her holding a black rose dripping with venom.
Raistlin felt his blood begin to rapidly boil. His body went numb. His mind was too angry to even recall a spell, but he didn't need one, he had a knife. "You will pay!" Raistlin screamed with such intensity that he couldn't recognize his own voice. He charged at Takhisis the knife extended out towards her heart and as he plunged it in she disappeared fading like smoke. Raistlin was left alone, surrounded by her hideous laughter.
"Raistlin, please wake up!" Crysania gently shook his shoulders. While exploring the tower she had found the staircase and decided to follow it up. After nearly half an hour of walking she almost gave up, when she heard someone cry out upstairs. She began to run, not even considering her condition. When she reached the top she carefully walked down the dark hallway till she found a door opened just a crack. Upon opening the door she immediately saw where the noise had came from. Lying on a stone bench, sweating furiously, his face gone stark white, his fists clenching his robes so hard his knuckles went white was Raistlin. He was moaning in what sounded like extreme physical pain. She called his name but the gave her no response so she had gently began to shake him. "Please Raistlin, wake up!" Finally he seemed to respond his eyes opening shakily. She had been sitting very close to him and expected to be demanded to leave immediately. Instead she found herself being drawn against his sweat soaked chest. For minutes they just lay there together silently being comforted by each other's presence. Then Raistlin did something Crysania would have never expected. He lifted her tunic exposing her slightly rounded stomach. He gently pressed his lips against her belly, causing the familiar tingling mixed with warmth the rush through her.
"There, now you will be safe my little one." Raistlin whispered gently stroking her stomach. Then as if realizing what just happened he stood abruptly. "I...am going downstairs Lady Crysania. You should probably come to, the specters recognize me, but I'm sure they will respond well to you." He said his cheeks begin to redden, his eyes purposely staring towards the table instead of meeting her gaze.
"Alright Raistlin, only if you insist." Crysania replied smiling. "Maybe people really can change," she thought, and with that she followed Raistlin downstairs to meet the others.
Author's Note: Alright I'm ending this chapter early because I really like where it is right now. Big shocker is coming next chapter. Don't bother trying to guess you won't figure it out smirks evilly . I had to go back and read some of War of the Twins to realize my little time shift is creating some pretty catastrophic mishaps. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Please Review :)