Rating- PG-13

Genre- Romance/general

Disclaimer- I own nothing.

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"Village secrets"

Midnight Raven 666

Chapter 6

"Infection of the blood"

It had been three days. Everyone had just returned from Noah's funeral except Lucius who refused to attend. He held great hate for Noah and if he were still living, Lucius knew he would take great pleasure in beating him. He sighed, he knew it was wrong of him to think like this but he could not help it, Noah had made his worst nightmare come true.

Ivy had been nodding in and out of consciousness and even when she was fully awake she did not speak much and seemed not to understand when someone spoke to her.

Lucius was at Ivy's bedside watching over her as she slept, once in a while she would move slightly and whimper. It was killing Lucius inside, to watch her suffer. 'It is wrong..., what happened to you was wrong...' He thought wishing it had been him Noah had stabbed, he wished he were the one lying in bed suffering instead of watching as Ivy did so. He wished things could be as they once were... calm, peaceful and joyous. But that just seemed so far away and out of reach now.

Ivy stirred somewhat, still asleep as she murmured something indistinctly.

Lucius looked at her. "What was that...?" he whispered softly to her as she frowned, still slumbering, having a look of bewilderment on her face as if she didn't understand him completely.

"What is wrong...?" he whispered once more, in a whimpering tone to the sleeping girl.

"Mmm...." she murmured briefly and then became silent.

"Oh...Ivy... I would do anything to have you well again... but I know not of what to do..." He said, feeling helpless as he watched her squirm a bit. He stroked her golden-orange hair gently, trying to calm her. She had been running a high temperature lately which was making her very uncomfortable. She could never keep down the food she was fed. She generally just seemed to be getting sicker and sicker as the days passed. Things seemed to be looking worse but Lucius tried hard to keep from thinking morbidly.

"...Lucius..." Ivy moaned weakly, as she did every so often.

"I am here..." he cooed as he touched her forehead gently to which she smiled, feeling his hand upon her. She felt very warm as she had been feeling for the past two days. Nothing Dr. Victor did seemed to relieve the stubborn fever, which would at times disappear only to return again later.

Meanwhile in the meeting hall the Elders were talking.

"...I have examined Ivy again today, her wound is healing nicely but as I feared the severe pain, vomiting and fevers she has been experiencing are signs which indicate the infection has entered her blood stream and could spread very rapidly." Victor explained as he looked to the ground. "I am sorry..." he shook his head as the rest of the elders made soft noises of sadness.

"Can nothing be done for my little girl?!" Edward asked his voice taking a sharp edge as Alice tried to comfort him.

"She needs medicine..." he replied quietly.

"What of Lucius' medicines? Do they not help?" Alice asked frantically.

"I have used all that was left. She must have more of the same kinds and a few others as well. There is very little time before the infection spreads. If something is to be done it must be done now." Victor replied urgently.

"Edward... What are you to do?" Vivian asked softly.

"These things must be acquired from the towns... I can not go; none of us can...for we have taken an oath..." Edward replied miserably.

"You forget my son ...he is already aware of the secret which we have fought so hard to keep and even if he was not aware he would go never the less. He will do anything for Ivy..." Alice remarked.

"That is not the point." Robert shouted. "Unlike Ivy, he can see. It threatens to destroy this village!"

"And as I said before, do you plan to live forever! Our future lies in them!" Edward snapped back. He then calmed himself turning to Alice. "Will you watch over Ivy whilst I speak with Lucius?"

"Of course." Alice nodded as she walked off to fetch Lucius.

Minutes later Lucius hurried into the meeting hall, where now only Edward stood. "...Is it true? Is it true she is...dying?" Lucius stuttered.

Edward looked to the paranoid boy and solemnly replied "Yes..."

"Is there not a thing that can be done?!" He cried unhappily.

"There is. Lucius you must go to the towns and get medicines. Take this... the names of these medicines are written here." Edward said handing him a folded sheet of paper. "These are common just as your medicines were. You should have no trouble finding them..."

"I will leave right away." He said taking the paper as Edward nodded. "She can... hold on till I return?" Lucius asked, fear shown in his eyes.

"...You...must make haste..." Was all Edward could bring himself to say.

Moments later after Edward had given him all the needed instructions and materials, Lucius was preparing to leave, putting his yellow cloak on and placing some items in a pack.

When he was ready to leave he said his goodbyes to his mother and Edward, then turned to Ivy who still slumbered. "I will save you as you saved me. I promise..., I am leaving for the towns to fetch your medicines but I will return soon... please be strong for me..." he said softly as he kissed her gently on the forehead.

"She is... counting on you..." Edward smiled weakly.

"I will not fail her." He said as he hurried out towards the forbidden line.

"Lucius... do...not leave me...please..." Ivy whined feverishly. She opened her eyes slightly only hearing part of his statement, that he was leaving, but he was already gone.

Thank you to everyone who reviewed! I also apologize for not updating sooner. I am also sorry for this chapter being a tad bit boring but I assure you the next shall be better... Please review and let me know what you think of this chapter.

Thanks,

Midnight Raven 666