Okay....sorry. okay? I am SORRY!! Lol. I bet some of you are like, why the heck is she sorry. Well, because I didn't post last weekend. You can blame teachers and school and homework, oh and don't forget! My LAZINESS! Hey, at least I'm honest. Lol. I'm sorry to say this, but this is the last chappie for Fate Has Led Us. But don't forget to read the note at the bottom!!!
Disclaimer: haven't done this since like the 5th chappie, I think. so I think I owe TP one. I don't own anything you recognize..sheesh.
THANKS TO: DRUMROLL
Insomniac-Reader – o ho, you can bet he's in a ton of truble. Even more so in this one.
heather-marie- I'm sorry, I think I kept you waiting a long time. Very very sorry. My deepest apologies. Lol.
Roherwen – yah..i don't know why. Those series, the PotS ones, are like the only ones I don't like..hhmm.. strange. Lol. I'm very sad this is ending too, so I guess we share mutual feelings?
Equestrianbabe-101- I'm glad that chapter was worth the wait. I hope this one was too!! Or is. Or wateva!! Hehehehe
Godess of Muffins – I'm glad you really like this story. Or luv...hehehe. I'm not sure what you meant exactly. Just kidding...thanks for reviewing!!
angrypickle – I'm so happy you liked that part, actually, alex wrote that chapter. Okay, that might be a little confusing, but let's just say that she wrote it and I, Eunae, is the one in charge of replying to reviews, uploading yadayadayada. And writing chapters also. But anyways..kinda off subject. Glad you liked the humor!!
um – that was hilarious!! Hoo's gonna kill him first...Elsinore or Numy? Well..read to find out!! But it might've been interesting to make her kill him first..hhmm....
Tortalls wildchild – I'm sure it'll be betta afta you read everything. Cookie for reviewing!! YAY!! Snickers also? Lol. Hope you had good time at book club! Oh, hope your riter's block goes away soon...
Protectress of the Small – okay. Thx for reviewing like um, 3 TIMES!! Hehehehe.. u liked alex's part about the hole do u realize how many things can go wrong part too. Alex was so good at that!! Hehehehe..c ya lata gal!
bkwormalwys - i liked the do u realize how many things can go wrong part too. I'm glad that you enjoy our story!!! Kudos for reviewing!!
LexiLoLo200 – hehehehe..you'll hate me for the cliffie afta this chappie.
FlyinFroggy – HI KEVIN!! Hehehe. I had to do that. Okay. Thx for reviewing. And I kinda wrote fast so now you have to stop TEASING ME!!!
Well there you go.....big hugs all around!! And now.....go for it and read! But don't forget to review!!!
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As soon as he heard the sound of the explosion, Numair ran off toward the location of the sound.
Daine scrambled to untangle herself from Lasku's arms and was successful in a very short amount of time. Ignoring the protests from her weak legs, she hefted herself up and began to follow in Numair's wake.
"Daine, you're too weak! Come ba-"but Alanna's cries were lost because Daine had disappeared among the woods.
"I guess we better follow her, seeing that Numair could get into some trouble. And, did he mention something about, some person, having an army? They might need our help," commented Raoul quietly.
"Of course. Let's get going, after all if we aren't there, do you know how many things might go wrong?" said Onua.
At this remark, everyone remaining looked at Onua strangely before Alanna reminded them of their duty to Daine and Numair.
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"What do you mean, that Numair Salmalin is caring. Why should it matter to me if some other lowly person is coming here?" exclaimed King Damien of Tusaine.
"As I already have told you, sir," said Aeejah between clenched teeth, "Numair Salmalin, the former Arram Draper is one of the most powerful mages whose Gift could endanger your life! So, if you don't mind stepping out of this duel zone that I have just cleared trees for, it would be much appreciated."
Damien stood there, trying to comprehend what Aeejah had just told him. His face blanched once he did and he led the army of Tusaine out of the area off into a different direction.
Aeejah began to stand there, shifting from one foot to the other, trying to make the time that was slowly ticking away until Numair came useful. He attempted to remember all the spells for battle magic when he heard crashing of plants in his hearing.
Tusaine's mage tried to mentally calm himself down and assumed a cocky position in the clearing in the middle of the woods.
Then, Numair arrived.
He looked as if he had gone through hell to find Aeejah, his hair was a mess and his clothes had been tattered and torn by his hurry through the woods.
"So, we meet again," Numair said contemptuously.
"Yes, but in quite different circumstances, may I say," mocked Aeejah. "Oh, and may I add that your student, I mean, lover, is quite lovely."
"This was between us. You didn't have to drag her into it!"
"But it was more interesting to do it this way. I can get you right in the heart, Numair. By hurting those around you rather than directly," sneered Aeejah knowing that he was gaining the lead in this.
"Aeejah, I see that you still are the same as always."
"But of course, I didn't change that much, except for my mastery level."
Numair looked surprised but didn't say anything; instead he conjured up his magic so that he could have it ready.
"Surprised? Shocked? Well, I'll tell you this. You may think that I'm still that same blundering idiot from Carthak, but I've changed!"
And with that said from Aeejah, he shot a flare of his Gift to Numair which Numair blocked off easily.
"Is that all you can do, Aeejah? I guess you had better studied better in Carthak, especially when you could've had the chance to learn this," shouted Numair.
The black robed mage of Tortall sent his black colored Gift which surrounded Aeejah and encased him in a sticky substance that was binding him tight.
However, Aeejah muttered quickly the counter-spell and Numair's product vanished.
"But if I did, I would have still been the same idiot because you were never intelligent enough to teach me anyhow."
The next moment, Numair was suddenly down on the ground by an invisible foe who was repeatedly injuring him and Numair's mind began to dim.
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Daine followed the clear trail left by her lover through the forest of Dunlath.
She vaguely thought of the wolves of Long Lake Pack as well as the other people who had come to her rescue.
Fatigue and weariness soon began to creep upon her, but she ran doggedly on.
Daine crouched for awhile, catching her breath and resting her tired legs even though her mind argued with her to hurry on.
Thoughts began to seep into her head and the idea of what might happen to Numair rejuvenated her and she hurriedly followed the path made by the clumsy mage.
The wild mage of King Jonathan and Queen Thayet panted heavily as she slowly ran toward her love.
She finally reached the clearing where Aeejah and Numair were but a stricken look crossed her face when she witnessed the scene before her eyes.
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Even when Numair's eyes began to close, he heard a scream inside his head, one of defiance.
He instantly opened his eyes and thought clearly, which was difficult to do because of the spell that Aeejah had cast.
Numair looked up and his eyes met blue-grey ones staring horrifically at him.
This revived him instantly and he said the counter-spell in the blink of an eye.
Aeejah seemed surprised that Numair actually had the strength to stand up, but was even more surprised when Numair sent a blast of raw magic at him.
Aeejah ignored the pain throbbing in his right arm and was frantically trying to think of a new spell when he spotted Daine near a tree. He smiled maliciously when another attack from Numair hit him.
As the bubble meaning to suffocate him closed, Aeejah broke it and sent a flash of raw magic, not to Numair but to Daine.
The tree that she was behind disintegrated immediately and she was exposed clearly.
But before Aeejah could do anything to Daine, Numair made a quick decision fast. He said a word in Old Thak and the next thing that Daine knew was that Aeejah had turned into a tree. (Author's Note: WOAH! Deja vu! Hehehehe)
Numair, weak after the spell, collapsed to the ground, and Daine ran to him and cradled his head in her lap.
"Numair, is it just me, or did you just turn Aeejah into a tree?" asked Daine.
Her lover sighed tiredly and said, "I'm afraid so, I don't know why I chose that spell out of all the ones I know." He wiped his brow and continued, "Mithros. Can you believe it, magelet? The same exact spell in the same place in less than five years, really, fate has led us on very strange roads."
"You could say that again. Oh, here come everyone else and I bet it was easy for them to find us considering the trail you left, Numair," kidded Daine.
Numair just smiled sheepishly and leaned his head closer to Daine.
The whole group of people, animals, and immortals looked around, awed.
"So, do you like the scenery?" Daine asked while motioning with her hand the area of the clearing.
Silence hung over the air for a few moments.
"Well?" instigated Numair.
"Wow," was all that escaped Alanna's lips.
Kitten began chirping and moving her hands around and Tkaa translated for the mortals' sake. "She says that she cannot believe that the same thing has happened here in the same area, and also on how strange it is how one tree is growing lonely in a cleared area."
The others nodded their heads, agreeing with Kit's comments.
"Numair, last time you performed, this um, magic, didn't you say that the same thing will happen to another area, except that it will be the opposite?" Daine questioned.
The powerful mage lifted himself up out of Daine's lap and nodded silently.
"So someone that is a tree will become human?" said Tillie who blushed slightly when all eyes fell on her.
"Precisely," answered Numair, "which I am not sure, though, is a good thing."
"All's well that end's well," said Elsinore, the first time that she had spoken since earlier.
Now, all eyes focused on her.
She sat down next to Daine and Numair and motioned to Tillie to sit down next to her.
The young girl obliged willingly when she asked, "Where is Maura?"
"Don't worry about those in the castle, some soldiers were left there just in case," answered Alanna swiftly.
By then, everyone had made themselves comfortable on the ground as if expecting a story. From whom? Well, Elsinore satisfied that question.
"I know that you are all probably thinking what connection I had to that little, excuse me, Aeejah."
Her answers were even more intent looks.
"He is," here she hesitated, "dead, right?"
"As dead as I could make him, my lady," replied Numair.
Daine looked up at him and he gently ruffled her curls. She smiled at the show of affection and moved herself into his lap, leaning back against his sturdy chest now that he was a bit better after the spell.
Elsinore glanced at the two lovers and smiled dreamily.
"If you can actually believe me, Aeejah and I were like that at one point," and for some time, the woman seemed to be lost in her memories.
Lord Henry Swobet, who had amazingly been able to keep up with the rest of the group, seemed worried and cleared his throats.
Whether this broke her reverie or she reached a bad memory, she snapped out of her daydreaming.
"I haven't told any of what I was planning to, did I?" the lady remorsefully said.
"No, Ma. Please continue," Tillie replied.
"Well, the thing between your Da and I went something like this...."
FLASHBACK!!!! (in Tusaine)
The fine lady looked out of her window and caught a glimpse of her lovely garden through the elegant curtains.
She felt warm arms (hey, that rhymed!) slip around her waist as well as sensitive hands around her swollen abdomen.
She turned around in his arms and faced his face that she loved.
"Elsinore," was all he said but it sent shivers up and down her spine.
"How is my lord this fine day?"
The man made no answer but nuzzled his wife's neck instead.
"Aeejah, stop. You should go back to your work, the business has some matters to tend to, didn't you say so?" asked his wife.
"Ah, Nory. You are too good to remind me. I guess I'd better go, my dear," Aeejah said in a remorseful tone.
Elsinore nodded sadly and Aeejah kissed her soundly before leaving.
Those kisses are always getting me in a frenzy, she thought as she smiled upon her growing stomach fondly. I still can't believe that it has already been a two years since our wedding.
And so their life was full of love and happiness, especially on the day that Tillie was born.
On this special day, Elsinore held the baby against her chest and looked up at her husband adoringly.
His brown eyes reflected the same look, although there was a bit of hesitation in the eyes that Elsinore read immediately.
"Oh, Aeejah. If it's that you are worrying about how to take care of the baby, you'll do fine. I promise," and with that said, the woman went to sleep, exhausted with the labors of delivering the baby.
Her husband didn't answer but just left her rooms into his office where he was working on his papers.
He didn't notice the door open quietly and even quieter steps walk toward him until the stranger cast a shadow over his work.
Aeejah looked up into the face of Eurianne.
"Good morning, my handsome," and promptly moved over to the other side of the desk and cupped his face in her hands.
"Eurianne, not here. It's too public; anyone could walk in at anytime."
"Forget the others; they are all too busy tending your wife and new born baby."
She said these words with such hatred that even Aeejah was taken aback.
"When are you going to make up your mind, sir. I am not going to hang around you forever," exclaimed the woman.
"Eurianne, please. I cannot just get rid of Elsinore, she-"
"So you still lover her, don't you? What happened to me?"
"Don't cry, my dear," pleaded Aeejah.
"Don't 'my dear' me! Not unless you can make up your mind and decide to get rid of that other woman!" Eurianne cried.
Then, she turned on her heels and swept out of the room.
After she had left, Aeejah put down his pen and pondered on his dilemma.
On one hand, he had Elsinore, the woman he had married. She was a loving and beautiful woman. And on the other hand, there was Eurianne, who was not a beauty but was a woman who had the same mind as he did, another plus was that her father was ailing but had a handsome amount of money. He realized that he could not please both but would have to pick and choose.
Pondering awhile, Aeejah sat there in his chair until he reached a final decision.
The next day, Aeejah fondled his daughter in his arms and then dismissed himself from Elsinore and the babe into his office.
Eurianne was waiting for him.
He briefly ignored her and sat down in his chair.
However, Eurianne moved to the back of him and began skillfully massaging his tense shoulders.
"Relax, Aeejah."
She placed a quick kiss on the back of his neck and proceeded with her doings.
"My lady, I have reached a decision."
She looked at him with arched brows.
"I would like to marry you, but the obstacle of Lady Elsinore remains."
"And the baby girl?" asked Eurianne.
"She is to remain with us," he said firmly, already knowing that Eurianne would protest. "And that is the end of that, unless you would rather me stay with my lawfully wedded wife."
"Of course, of course," she hastily answered. "But this must be done nicely and quietly. For Elsinore has many friends in the castle, but we will act fast. As a matter of fact, milord, just leave it to me. I'll have this job taken care of in less than a week."
It was actually less than two days.
When the sun rose the next morning, Elsinore found the side of her bed cold and realized that Aeejah had gone down to his study.
She sighed and went over to the baby's cradle and was about to pick her up out of the cradle when the world went black.
When Elsinore woke up, she was in a dark and chilly chamber. She groggily wondered where she was and then panicked for Aeejah and her baby.
It was then that she fully became conscious of her surroundings and saw that she was in a room, isolated with no one else.
Then the door opened and in came Eurianne.
She smiled cruelly at Elsinore and quickly explained that she was marrying Aeejah, taking care of Elsinore's baby, and that she intended for Elsinore to stay in the tower for the rest of her life.
Then she left as quickly as she came, leaving Elsinore to despair at the thought of her losses and betrayal.
END FLASHBACK!!!!!!
All had been intently listening to this sad tale and thinking of how treacherous Aeejah was, indeed.
"So how did you get out, if I may be so bold to ask?" asked Lord Henry.
"I myself don't know how, but I think somehow the door began to rot away. And I was able to pull it apart and escape, luckily to meet up with my daughter, for the tower was in Tortall. What a coincidence," she exclaimed.
The others all chuckled and for awhile everyone was wrapped up in their own thoughts.
Lord Henry was thinking of how fine a woman Elsinore was, how brave, how modest though, how extraordinary, how.....
Elsinore, also was thinking similar thoughts of Lord Henry, though she didn't know him well.
Their eyes met briefly, and a little spark, that no one else noticed, flashed between those two. A knowing smile from the part of Elsinore and the eager look in his eyes revealed their thoughts for each other.
Soon, all began to leave, claiming excuses like, "I must organize the troops," and "I have to make sure Maura is okay," etc.
The only ones left in the clearing were Daine and Numair.
Daine smiled sweetly at Numair and he quickly took her face and brought his lips down on hers.
The passion began to flow through them, and even more so since they had been separated.
They came apart for air but returned to each other's lips eagerly, their excitement growing at each moment. Numair kissed her nose and bit the lobe of her ear gently before rapidly returning to suck Daine's lower lip.
They found themselves in the familiar position of her hands in his hair and his hands around her waist, wandering at times.
"Magelet, I love you," panted Numair after they had finished kissing (the lives out of each other, lol. I couldn't stop putting that in...hehehe).
"Numair, you know that I love you too," replied Daine.
He leaned in for another kiss but Daine pushed him away and she was rewarded with a hurt look.
She gave him an impish wink, placed a quick kiss on his nose, and ran away leaving a very bewildered Numair to clumsily get up and run after her.
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While this was going on, several other important events occurred.
The roots of the tree began to vanish.
The branches became human body parts until the tree had totally morphed into a human.
The man looked around, contemplating where he was.
Then with a wicked smile, Tristan Staghorn began walking down the hill, his mind bent on one thing.
Revenge.
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Eurianne began running down the hills towards where she thought Damien was as soon as she witnessed what happened to her husband.
She breathlessly sputtered out what she had seen to the king of Tusaine and then collapsed of heart failure and swiftly died. (hey, I needed a way to get rid of her, nice and clean)
The heartless king just left her there and motioned the troops to march.
And so, the troops of Tusaine, led by King Damien, began marching into Tortall.
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Okay, I've got a box of tissues here so everyone grab one and cry!!
1, 2, 3 BAWL!!! Hehehehhee. I'm just playing wif ya. But I am very sad.
IMPORTANT NEWS!!! This fic is DONE!! But, nah, I won't be THAT evil and leave that cliffie hanging.
THERE WILL BE A SEQUEL!!! Expect the first chappie in about 1 to 2 weeks!!
Hope you guyz are all looking forward to it!!
Now, for the best thing. Cuz you know that the more reviews, the faster we write, well kinda. (I'm not good at bribing) ....so
Please...
Review??????????
I mean, it IS the last chappie.
Just one favor.....
Review....
Thanksies!!