Disclaimer: I don't own Dragonlance.
Author's Note: Thanks for all the great reviews. More of the reunion in this chapter. And a hint as to how Raistlin plans on becoming a god (don't take too much stock into it though, things won't be exactly like what it says.) I hope you all enjoy! Please review!
Guan: Next chappie we visit Panathalas and you'll get Elistan and clerics as well as Dalamar's reaction
Calli-Kurama-4eva: I was worried people would take the change of character negatively. I'm so happy you like it, I'm still trying to keep his sarcastic personality in check, I just wanted to show that he has learned compassion. I'm glad you're really enjoying the story. I'll keep updating every chance I get.
ChildlikeEmpress: I'm really glad you like my story. I've read you're The Reason story and it's one of my favorites actually. Thank you for reviewing.
Chapter 12: Destiny
"So Raistlin..." Tanis said as he finished off his mug of ale. "How do you like being a father."
"I don't know, it's different isn't it?" Raistlin said watching Crysania, Tika, and Laurana play dress up with Aidan. "It was unexpected, I suppose it's not the worst thing that could've happened."
Tanis nodded, "At least he's healthy." Tanis frowned a bit looking over to his sickly little son sleeping next to the fireplace. "I don't know what's wrong with Gilthas. He's nothing like me or Laurana." Tanis said shaking his head.
Raistlin looked over to the frail young Elven boy. "Tanis, does the child ever go outside?" he said curiously.
"No, he is to ill. Why?" Tanis said with a hint of worry.
"Did you think perhaps that is the reason." Raistlin rasped.
"Actually yes, but Laurana won't listen." Tanis said scratching his beard thoughtfully.
"Well I don't know, I can tell you he has no real illness that I can sense though." Raistlin said quietly.
"You've changed so much." Tanis said quietly looking at Raistlin.
"I know Half-Elven...and it is beginning to frighten me." Raistlin whispered.
Crysania laughed as Laurana put one of Gilthas' small Elven court suits on Aidan. Tika had altered it to make it fit, and he looked absolutely splendid. "Why I never though gold would be such a fine color on him."
"Really you would think with his father..." Tika had began to giggle than stopped abruptly. "I'm sorry that was rude."
"No it's ok." Crysania sighed. She smiled over at Raistlin. "I think gold suits his father quite well too."
There was an awkward silence among them for a moment. Perhaps sensing this Aidan began to coo, causing all them woman to smile and start fussing over him again.
Raistlin shook his head. "Look at that Tanis. She's spoiling the child He's going to end up a soft hearted pathetic thing." He said with disgust.
Tanis laughed. "Probably, knowing women as well as I do, she'll do everything in her power to make sure that happens."
Caramon walked over and sat down by them. "Thanks a lot Raist." He said in an aggravated tone.
"What? Is this anger I hear from my loving brother?" Raistlin said sarcastically.
"Your damn right it is. Now Tika wants us to have little babies crawling around. I come home excited to have some alone time with her and the first thing she demands is babies, babies, babies." Caramon said taking a sip of his large mug of cocoa.
Tanis laughed a bit, "Hey that's not all bad, if you catch my drift."
"Yeah but I'm not going to be able to enjoy it thinking the whole time of that." He said pointing over to Aidan kicking and wailing for attention.
"Caramon sweetheart." Tika called innocently. "Come hold the baby I want to see how you'll look!"
Caramon laughed a little. "See what I mean." He said shaking his head. "One second honey muffin." Caramon called back.
"I think I'm going to be ill if I have to hear anymore of this sugary name calling." Raistlin said disgusted.
Tanis laughed, "Well I see you haven't changed that much."
"And I'll pray to the god's I never do. The day I start calling the woman by dessert names promise me you'll kill me Half-Elven." Raistlin said seriously.
Laughing Tanis said, "I'm not sure I can promise that. I don't want to have her sending Paladine's wrath after me. You know how bad Fizban's aim was with fireball."
"Well I'm exhausted. If anyone asks I'm asleep in my room." Raistlin said getting up from the table.
Tanis placed a hand on his arm and smiled. "I'm really happy for you old friend."
"Oh stop being all sentimental Tanis, it never suited you well." Raistlin said turning so Tanis wouldn't see his thin lipped smile.
As he walked up the stairs he felt a small hand grab his robes. It was Tanis' small son. "Hey Mr. Are you a wizard?" the little boy asked in mystified tones.
"Yes small one." Raistlin said appraising the frail boy, much like he was as a child.
"Don't tell my Mommy or Daddy but I want to be a mage when I grow up." The boy said with hopeful eyes.
Raistlin smiled and patted the boy on his small blonde head. "I think you would be an excellent mage small one."
"Really?" he asked in his quiet yet polite voice.
"Yes. I was just like you when I was young and now I am a great mage." Raistlin said quietly.
"Thank you sir. Maybe you can teach me some magic someday?" he asked hopefully.
"Yes perhaps small one. When you are ready you will make a fine student."
Smiling the little boy ran down the stairs to go sit by his mother and see the little baby.
Raistlin smiled looking over the scene. "So this is what it is to have a normal life." He whispered. He frowned as he remembered that he still needed to talk to them tomorrow about his plan. They were all kind enough now, but when it came to seeing if they really trusted him, he had strong doubts as to how it would go. Sighing he made his way upstairs to sleep.
"Raistlin Majere." Called the powerful voice of Gilean. "Why have you summoned us?"
"I have a proposition to make. I found the gap the in creation and I willing sacrifice my human life to take upon the challenge of filling it and becoming a god."
"You come with ambition in your heart." Gilean said unwavering. "Leave."
"You come with evil intent." Paladine said slamming his fist down knocking Raistlin to the ground. "LEAVE."
"You still understand nothing disciple. You will never learn." Takhisis said laughing. "Leave Raistlin Majere and never come back."
"No!" Raistlin screeched "What have I done wrong I don't understand!"
"But you do Raistlin...you understand more than anyone else." Gilean said his voice growing in strength. "Now LEAVE!" The fabric of the place began to unravel and nothingness began to wind around Raistlin's arms and legs, suffocating him, choking him, killing him.
"No!" he heard them all scream as he disappeared utterly consumed by the nothingness. He heard her cry, he felt her heart break. He heard his brother scream felt him trying to follow after him. But he was gone he had became nothing, his petty ambition destroying him.
He woke up shaking, tears streaming down his sweat- beaded face. "No..." he whispered. He then looked to his side where Crysania laid watching him nervously.
"Are you better now Raistlin? I didn't know if I should wake you." She said worriedly.
"I'm fine. I'm not a child Crysania." He said embarrassed turning away from her.
"I didn't mean it like that..." she made him turn to face her. "Well now that I know your going to be okay, I have a question."
"What?" he asked frustrated that she had seen him shaking like a little baby.
"How do I look?" she asked smiling.
"Beautiful, now stop fishing for compliments and let me sleep." He said pulling the blankets over him.
She giggled, "Not so fast there." She said as she got under the covers.
He rose an eyebrow; "Did I say you could sleep here?"
Encircling her arms gently around his waist she whispered into his ear, "No, but did I say I wanted to sleep?"
Sighing he pushed her away gently, "Crysania..."
"Shhh..." she said moving closer to him again slipping her night gown down to her waist exposing her bare chest. "I don't care what you say Raistlin Majere, you need to get over whatever issues you are having. I still love you and I still want you and no one else."
"You don't know what you are saying woman." He said feeling a slight warmth pass through him as he stared at her breasts.
"Fine whatever then Raistlin, if you don't want me..." she said getting up.
"Damn you...you evil, evil woman..." Raistlin said pulling her back down.
"I hoped you'd see things my way." She said smiling.
Half an hour later Raistlin and Crysania laid next to each other her shallow relaxed breaths contrasting sharply against his quick panting gasps.
"Well that wasn't so bad now was it Crysania said stroking his very thin pale gold chest.
When his breathing finally calmed, he whispered in his raspy voice, "No that was rather pleasant I suppose." Seeing her glare he laughed slightly. "You're fishing for compliments again..." he adjusted himself for bed, "But I'm rather exhausted now and I need sleep." He looked at her waiting for her to move. "Don't you need to go check on our son or something?"
"I asked Tika to watch him for me tonight." She said plainly. "Don't let my being here bother you I'm rather tired too, so I'll asleep soon."
Too tired to argue he sighed, "Whatever woman, I already told you not to make this a habit though."
Within minutes Raistlin sensed she was asleep and he crawled out of bed silently and made his way to the window. He stared out into the night's sky. Staring straight into the empty void amongst the constellations. His moon was not present that night, only Lunitari shined brightly. "What do I do?" he whispered looking up at the red moon.
"You follow your heart Raistlin Majere. And when the time comes you will fulfill your destiny. Do not rush it though, for then you will fail." Said Lunitari who now stood next to him in plain red robes.
"Hello Great One." Raistlin said reverently, "But how do I know when it is time?"
She smiled at him touching his cheek; "You were always one of my favorites, filled with questions, ambition, and determination. Trust me Raistlin you will know when the moment arrives. The magic will tell you, as it always has." She said her wise eyes looking into his. "There are still a few things that need to happen within you and a few more tasks ahead of you before you can fulfill your destiny. But don't worry I'm sure you'll be great." She said smiling.
"Thank you Wise One." Raistlin said bowing before her.
"By the way Raistlin. Your son has great potential. I hope you don't mind if I visited him to get ahead of the others to recruit him to the red robes."
"No actually I'm glad you did. I'm not sure if I want my son to follow my path, it hasn't been an easy one." Raistlin said smiling at his old patron goddess.
"Well I suppose I should return to the sky now. The entire magic world of Krynn has probably fell into panic over my disappearance. Goodbye Raistlin and good luck."
Raistlin smiled up at the sky as the red moon appeared back in its place. Feeling reassured he crawled back into bed next to Crysania who adjusted her body to curl up next to his for warmth. Closing his eyes he got one of his first truly peaceful night's rest in a long time.