To Just Give In
Disclaimer: I do not own Dragonlance.
A/N: A little humor and such in this chapter, they'll be returning home this chapter, what will everyone think? Thanks for all the great reviews everyone. I'm glad you all like the name, it was Call-Kurama-4eva's suggestion and I thought the meaning was perfect for the baby. Hopefully Raistlin doesn't sound out of character, I just really believe certain situations really do change people, and I think he's been through a lot of those situations. Also I'm still trying to keep his personality essentially the same, just less bitter.
Guan: Thankiez for reviewing once agin!
Ahn-Li Steffraini: What you said about Fizban kind of inspired me so a little part in here is the gods' reaction, hope you don't mind ::smiles real big::
Calli-Kurama-4eva: I'm glad you enjoyed it. I updated quick for you because you sounded so excited. I'm actually having a pretty crappy day and all I really want to do is eat a whole carton of panda paws ice cream and sleep. But hopefully writing this will making me feel a bit better. Anyway hope you like this chappie too!
Chapter 11: Homecoming
"Why, hello Caramon so nice of you to join us." Raistlin muttered sarcastically at the panting, red faced, sweaty Caramon.
"Is that my nephew?..." Caramon said staring at little Aiden in amazement.
"No actually this is just some baby the kender brought home." Raistlin said keeping his voice completely serious.
"Haha very funny Raistlin." Caramon said, now holding the baby. A minute or so later he whispered to Crysania. "This is your guys baby right?"
"Yes Caramon." She replied laughing.
"You didn't actually think the kender brought back a baby?" Raistlin asked almost shocked.
"Well no..." Caramon's cheeks started to redden.
The first few nights after the baby's birth were very late. It seemed the child chose to sleep all day then cry all night. Frustrated and suffering from extreme lack of sleep Crysania actually asked Raistlin if there was a spell that would make him stop crying. Raistlin began to actually flip through his spell books until he finally realized that probably wouldn't be the best idea. Even Tasselhoff unable to sleep due to the constant crying turned himself into the jailer for a few good nights rest. Caramon played nanny during the day when Raistlin and Crysania would try to get a little bit of sleep. At first Raistlin had assumed that Crysania would take care of all responsibilities but he soon found himself stuck cleaning the little guy as well.
"Well isn't this something?" Raistlin said sarcastically at about two in the morning to Crysania. "The most powerful mage on the face of all Krynn, the most power mage in the history of all Krynn, is changing dirty diapers."
Crysania would had begun to fall asleep in the chair next to the makeshift crib they had bought from town nodded a little bit, "Yes that's nice Raistlin, but be a little more quiet, I'm trying to sleep."
"You're trying to sleep!" he said a little too loud. Aiden started to wail and kick getting a mess all over Raistlin's robes. Frustrated and covered in baby excrement Raistlin set the diaper down and walked over to Caramon's room. He pounded on the door. Caramon rushes to it in a mad panic.
"Raist what's wrong?" he asked in a tired/ jumpy tone.
"Please...change the brat. It won't stop crying. It just keeps on going and going. I'm convinced it is absolutely pure evil." Raistlin said in a convinced voice.
Laughing Caramon finally noticed his twin's robes, "Sure Raistlin, you can sleep in my room I'll take baby duties tonight. Just um...clean up before you get in my bed." Caramon said trying not to laugh.
The next day Crysania and Raistlin were a little more refreshed, though Caramon looked like a zombie. "I think today we will return home Raistlin said as they all ate breakfast.
"Are you going to magic us there Raistlin?" Tas asked eagerly.
"No...we are using the device of time journeying, I am far too exhausted to cast a spell of that magnitude." Raistlin said as he cleaned off Aidan's chin where he was drooling.
"I don't know why you bother Raistlin. There's just going to be more drool there in another minute." Crysania said tiredly.
"That's like me saying I don't know why you bother to feed him if he's just going to be hungry in another hour." Raistlin said patiently.
Caramon laughed, "He's got you there."
"I don't even care, I just want to go home and sleep in my nice cushy bed." Crysania whined.
Raistlin sighed and wiped Aidan's face again, "Your mother is more of a cry baby than you are."
"Please be quiet Raistlin." Crysania said while dressing Aidan in warm clothes.
"Why are you bundling him up so much?" Caramon asked curiously
"Well...it might be winter when we get home, and I don't want him to get a cold." Crysania said while putting a little woolen bonnet Tas had "borrowed" from the doll store.
After an hour they were all ready Caramon prepared in his mind the image of the Tower of High Sorcery in Wayreth, because Raistlin said he needed to talk to Par-Salian about something important. He then recited the words to make the magic in the device work as he was taught turning it at the right moment. They all felt the spinning out of body sensation that time travel caused. And when they opened their eyes they were standing in the empty foyer of the Tower. Well empty besides one young black robe whom upon seeing Raistlin fell to his knees and a white robed a female mage whom promptly fainted.
"Childr..." Raistlin started to say but his voice was the wheezing rasp it had been before they left for the past and he seemed stunned to hear it, even though he had expected it. Crysania went to hold his hand but he sharply turned his head to avoid looking at her.
"Raistlin what's wrong?" she asked puzzled. "Oh...Well I'm sorry but I don't see why you can't hold my hand at least, just don't look if it bothers you." She said quietly.
After a moments silence Raistlin began to cough causing Aidan to begin to cry which in turn caused Crysania to begin to try and calm Aidan and Caramon to panic and try and help Raistlin. Meanwhile Tasselhoff had in boredom wandered off to find someone to talk to.
A few minutes later Raistlin had stopped coughing and Aidan had stopped crying. Crysania and Caramon both looked on edge. Finally Par-Salian entered the room with several other mages. They had a variety of looks on their faces. Shock would be the top one, most of the black mages looked puzzled, the white mages excluding Par-Salian looked angered and upset. The red mages were intrigued and almost amused. Par-Salian who walked in the front walked straight up to Crysania and hugged her.
"Congratulations both of you. Tasselhoff Burfoot told me your news, I must admit I thought it was a bit of a kender tale, but I now see he was correct." Par-Salian now turned his gaze toward Raistlin. "So Raistlin Majere can we expect a new member of the Conclave here?"
At first Raistlin thought he was speaking about him then he realized Par-Salian was now looking at his son. "We will see. I suppose his mother might want some type of say in it." Par-Salian smiled slightly. "I need to speak to you." Raistlin rasped.
"Alright Majere follow me to we will talk." Par-Salian said. At this they began to walk away, for a moment Caramon was about to follow his twin, but he stopped himself, he had learned a lot about Raistlin in the past few months and he knew it would've upset him to see his brother tagging along.
As soon as they were out of ear shot Raistlin began to speak slowly and carefully. "I need to ask a favor of you." He said seriously.
"You Raistlin Majere, the great Black Robed Archmagus are asking a favor of I, the White Robed Par-Salian" he replied in an almost shocked and sarcastic voice.
"I am not asking you as a black robe speaking to a white robe, I'm asking you as a man speaking to another man." Raistlin rasped, the strain of talking and walking starting to take a toll on him he leaning on the wall for a moment.
"What is it then?" Par-Salian asked his voice now more respectful and kind.
"Can you reverse the spell you cast on my eyes." Raistlin said quietly.
"Raistlin, I cast that spell for a reason to teach you compassion."
Raistlin cut him off before he could continue. "But I have learned, I have a son and a woman I lo..." he stopped in his tracks.
"You were saying?" Par-Salian asked with an amused smile.
"I...I...love...her." Raistlin whispered still standing still.
Par-Salian turned and faced him now. "I see, well maybe I was wrong about the method I chose to teach you with. Perhaps you just needed to learn it on your own." He said to himself ponderously. "Why do you feel you need it reversed?" he said still thinking over the situation.
It took Raistlin a moment to respond, because he was still thinking over what he said. He knew he loved his son without question that was just a simple undeniable feeling. But what he felt for Crysania was much more complicated. He cared for her well being, he thought she was beautiful physically, and she was intelligent, and ambitious as he was. But she was also kind and compassionate. He would need to think about this later, he realized as Par-Salian waited for his response. "I have seen her in the past, she is beautiful beyond words, and it hurts me to see her dying, I looked at my own newborn son with these eyes, I saw him withering before me..." he began to cough. Par-Salian patiently waited for him to continue. His voice quieter and heavily rasped he continued. "Have you ever had to suffer that, could you even understand..."
Par-Salian appeared almost touched. "I see...Well it appears I don't have much of a choice. I can't be the reason you won't look at you own child." Par-Salian said somewhat subdued. He touched Raistlin's eyes gently and began to recite the spidery language of magic his voice starting soft and quiet then growing sharp and loud. When he lifted his hands his face was red and rimmed in sweat.
Raistlin slowly opened his eyes as he saw old white bearded Par-Salian smiling tiredly at him, his face wrinkled but not changing and dying as he stared. A tear slid down his metallic god cheek and he smiled back at the older mage as they walked back to the others together.
When they returned Caramon was holding several bags and thanking a young mage for the horses they were using for their journey to Solace. They had been promised the forest would protect them until they made it as near Solace as it would stretch. Several female mages were fawning over baby Aidan; Crysania was the picture of a proud mother, her rosy cheeks and wide smile. As Raistlin approached them all he had to keep himself from tearing up again. What in the world was happening to him, he had never been so...sensitive even before he took the test. Crysania smiled at him for a moment then her look changed as she stared at him for a while she looked amazed and excited, she handed Aidan over to one of the female mages and practically knocked Raistlin down in her embrace.
"Careful." He wheezed "I'm not quite as strong as I was before."
"Oh this is so wonderful!" she exclaimed. "How though?" she said still holding on to him. Raistlin nodded towards Par-Salian. "Thank you so much." She said her smile practically covering her face.
Raistlin noticing the stares they were getting gently removed her from him and walked over to see his tiny son. One of the girls held him out towards Raistlin but he shook his head. "If I begin to cough, I wouldn't want to drop him." He rasped. "I just wanted to be able to see him again." The girls looked confused for a moment then one of them looked at his eyes and nodded. Gently he kissed his son's forehead then walked over to Caramon. "Brother are you ready to go?"
"Raistlin, I thought you'd never ask Caramon said smiling, then puzzled he leaned towards Raistlin's face and stared in awe. "He gave you back your eyes?"
"Yes...why does this amaze you all so much?" Raistlin said shaking his head.
Smiling Caramon hugged him causing him to begin to spasm in to another coughing fit. When he finished he glared at Caramon and took his seat up in the carriage where Tasselhoff was already seated. "Sorry Raist..." Caramon said guiltily.
"Why what do you know?" Tasselhoff said. "Your eyes aren't all scary anymore."
Staring at the kender for a moment Raistlin shook his head then laid down to get some sleep.
That night a rather incredible event took place though only Raistlin noticed. Every constellation and all three moons were visible; it was as if all of the gods were smiling down on them. But as he observed this miracle he couldn't help but notice the empty void waiting to be filled with one final constellation. Quietly Raistlin whispered as he stared up at the sky, "Soon..." Caramon who had been awake keeping guard heard Raistlin's promise to the skies and his brow furrowed and his eyes darkened. He tried to ignore it but he couldn't help but worrying, Raistlin seemed to have changed, but just to be safe he said a prayer to Paladine to watch over him. And it was the funniest thing, he felt as if the old man had seen the whole thing too. Seeing Raistlin curled up next to Crysania and their baby he smiled. Yes Raistlin had definitely changed.
The rest of their journey through the forest of Wayreth was safe and uneventful. Aidan slept often and only cried once when they hit a bump. Raistlin barely coughed at all. Crysania got a chance to rest, and Tasselhoff miraculously was rather quiet. All and all in was a nice easy trip. When they exited the forest, they were only a day's trip from Solace. Caramon couldn't have asked for better luck on that trip either it seemed everything was working out perfectly.
As their carriage made its when into town curious town people poked their heads from their homes to see who was entering the town. There were many gasps as people saw Caramon guiding the horses, back to his normal health state they used to know him. As they reached the in and began to get out of the carriage there were more gasps as his twin Raistlin came out carrying a baby with a beautiful black haired cleric proudly latched to his arm. Tasselhoff hopped out and rushed into the Inn of the Last home to announce their arrival. Upon hearing his voice Tika dropped her tray and ran out the door jumping straight into Caramon's arms.
As Caramon saw Tika's bouncy red curls and smiling face he began to cry in joy. As she jumped in his arms he lifted her up in his arms and spun her around kissing her intensely. Tanis and Laurana followed out along with their young son Gilthas. Tanis looked at Crysania latched onto Raistlin's arm then the baby the Raistlin was holding and nearly fainted. Laurana seemed confused but happy to see her old companions. Finally after Tika and Caramon finished kissing and hugging and telling each other how sorry they were and how much they missed each other she turned towards Raistlin. Her eyes opened widely and she stared for a moment.
"This is Aidan." Raistlin said quietly rocking his still sleeping child.
"He is our son." Crysania added smiling. She was nearly knocked over by Tika's hug.
Tanis scratched his beard then walked over to Raistlin and smiled. "Congratulations. I'll admit I never thought I'd see this." He patted Raistlin on the back. "So when are you two getting hitched?" he said laughing.
Raistlin and Crysania looked at each other awkwardly for a moment, but Caramon saved them. "I could really go for some spiced potatoes and some good milk." Caramon said smiling.
"Milk...that's good Caramon." Tanis said smiling.
"Yeah, sorry about that Tanis. I must've been a really jerk." Caramon said quietly.
"Hey that's all in the past, and like they say...." He looked from Caramon then to Raistlin who was watching Crysania show off their son to Laurana and Tika with a loving gaze. "People change."
Caramon seeing where Tanis was looking nodded. "I just hope this change lasts...you know Par-Salian gave him back his old eyes?"
"I noticed. I hope for her sake the change lasts too." Tanis said solemnly.
Otik called from the Inn's windows, "Come on, you all come inside before your food gets cold."
Then Tasselhoff added, "The potatoes are really excellent."
"You better leave some for me Tas!" Caramon shouted causing Aidan to wake up and open his little grayish blue eyes and look around. He stretched his little hand out and grabbed at Tika's curly red hair that was nearby.
Smiling they all walked in together to enjoy the delicious food, the warmth of the inn, and each other's company.