Disclaimer: Witchblade does not belong to me. The characters are full of inspiration, intelligence, and intrigue that I cannot help but borrow them a short while. While I heartily enjoy the show and its premise, the events of this story are mine; the characters are definitely not.
Author's Note: CMT is an amusing channel for me to watch since you never know what you could learn. In my case, I learned about the practice of 'dropping a handkerchief'. My fondest thoughts to Mr. Hathaway, b8kworm, and SunMee. Many thanks to Kitsa and Cathy for the betas, and Kitsa again for the discussions.
Summary: In this lifetime, I am but a knight sworn to protect a lord's daughter for an afternoon. In another, I was a prince, the heir to a legendary duty. One entrusted to my family since the beginning of time.
Rating: PG
Archive(s): Mine; anybody else, email me.
Pairing(s): Ian/Sara
Spoiler(s): None that I know of.
xxxxx xxxxx xxxxxTitle: Handkerchief And Smiles
Author: Adrianna AEternalis
Chapter 3
Sara was working late tonight, Ian mused. That was alright; he was accustomed to waiting.
Lord Ferreus's vow was a curse; his hatred had turned him into a violent, raving creature worthy of nightmares. It was why Ian was now bound to Irons. Servitude was a completely reversal of the role Clavus had played during that lifetime so long ago. It also engendered the unease Sara felt around him whereas Regina had trusted her Protector with all of her.
Ian warmed as that portion of the memory caught his attention.
xxxxxClavus followed Regina, ever willing to go where she was. She rode slowly, pensively. The countryside passed reluctantly as they trekked from Lord Ferreus's abode to her father's.
Birds sang and the sunlight lulled him into a sense of protected well-being. He did not notice Regina had left the worn road and led them astray - towards an isolated grotto. It was a safe haven of sorts, a place they had gone for brief respites of play.
When the grotto entered Clavus's field of vision, he started. She laughed, always knowing how to relax him. He acquiesced; it was a beautiful day and they still had most of it to enjoy before they were due to return.
He dismounted, assisted her, and hobbled both their horses in the shade. A few other equestrian chores handled, he entered the grotto where some of his happiest memories had occurred. Straight from one, Regina sorted through tattered cloths they had used for picnics; she chose one and covered a piece of ground near a small stream outside the grotto.
All the while, Clavus remained silent, watching as she adjusted the cloth and settled herself comfortably. The quiet sounds of nature and the horses broke when Regina spoke.
"You knew what this bracelet was capable of doing."
He walked away from the grotto and stood before her. He felt as though she was judging him.
"Clavus?"
"You are its Wielder; it did what it was meant to do." He evaded her.
"Riddles!"
He knelt and bent his head.
"Listen to me, Regina. On your wrist is a weapon, one that some people will do anything to possess. They will try to kill you; you must learn how to use it in defense as well as how to use your skill with a blade to kill whenever necessary."
She rose to her knees, catching his attention.
"I don't know how or where to begin." Doubt wavered her voice.
"I will show you. The rest you must do, but I will be there with you. I vow it, Regina."
She lunged towards him, embracing him in earnest. "It's enough, Clavus. It's enough."
He knew her true mettle at that moment as he watched the girl morph into a woman with more responsibilities than any man could presume. He still did not know her duty nor why the Digitabulum Magae chose her, but he swore a vow, a vow that would bind him to her beyond his death.
Later, they sat together - her in his arms - watching the water as it danced in the sunlight upon the rocks.
"It's not a family heirloom, is it, Clavus?" Regina asked.
"No, it is, only not yours." His voice was hoarse after spending hours sharing his knowledge of the Digitabulum Magae with her.
"Yours, then? But why do I have it?"
"As a gift from your father to you. From me to him, it was payment."
She prodded him none too gently to continue.
"It was the only valuable thing I managed to keep with me after marauders killed my family and burned our estate. Lord Calxes accepted it in return for sheltering me."
"Marauders -" She fell quiet as the Digitabulum Magae swirled to life and shared a secret with her.
He held her tighter and scanned the countryside vigilantly.
Regina soon shifted and turned in his arms. He loved the shrewd intelligence that appeared the strongest whenever she narrowed her eyes. Clearly, he could see whatever the Digitabulum Magae had shared with her, it had affected her a great deal.
"Who are you?"
Clavus bowed his head in reverence to her; now he knew. "In this lifetime, I am but a knight sworn to protect a lord's daughter for an afternoon. In another, I was a prince, the heir to a legendary duty. One entrusted to my family since the beginning of time."
She smiled. "I think I know the answer to this already: Why are you here?"
"To fulfill that duty." He returned her smile.
xxxxxA light in Sara's apartment distracted Ian. He grinned slightly, imagining the exasperation she would articulate moments before the door slammed shut.
More lights illuminated her discovery.
Ian had begun his nocturnal wait with a trip inside Sara's apartment. He arranged her bed: smoothing down the sheets and placing a bed warmer set to low upon it. A few candles lit the bathroom into a cozy environment and scented the air. Rather than risk the water cooling while a bath awaited Sara's presence, he opted for merely setting a scene. It would be nice even for brushing teeth.
The kitchen table was set and an easy dinner ready. She needed only to flick her wrist and to wait for the food to warm.
Ian continued to watch Sara from his rooftop spot: She abandoned the meticulously arranged table and brought her food to the living room. There was a seat at her window - the fire escape, to be precise - that she especially favored on some nights. Tonight, she gave him a full view of her face; it was relieved of stress and happiness shone from her soul.
Her smile stopped his heart.
"Thank you, Ian," she mouthed.
With a bow she could not see, Ian turned away from the gift he had received. He did not feel cold anymore, nor lonely. If everything had started with a handkerchief for Clavus and Regina, maybe for Sara and him, it would begin with a smile.
© RK 29.Jul.2004