Echoes of Memories

Chapter Three

AN: Hello! Ookami here! The third chapter has arrived! I'll talk at the end, so on to the fic!

-------

I shot up in bed as the morning light hit me. I gazed around the room, honestly expecting to see that horrible room with that beast looming over me, but I was in the room I had fallen asleep in. I collapsed back to the pillows and put my hand over my face to shield off the too bright light that was streaming into the room.

What a night, I feel like I hadn't slept at all. What in the world was that about? Who was that man? Did I know him? Did any of that happen at all? Too many questions, my head hurts.

"Good morning, Freya!" Fratley's voice rang out as he walked into my room. Why was he so frickin' cheerful?

"What's so good about it?" I growled in response as I flipped over in the hopes that he would just go away.

"You've never been much of a morning person," he said with a laugh. "What do you want for breakfast?"

You to leave, but my stomach is growling so I might as well eat before it devours me whole. "Toast, get me toast," I groaned to him as I sat up.

"It appears you've lost your manners as well," he said as he stared at me. Go, get food, stop staring at me like I just killed your dog. I glared my thoughts out to him. He apparently got the message because he sighed and left. I hate morning people. Why can't they live as far away from me as possible?

He returned after what felt like an eternity, carrying a tray of food. As soon as he set the tray in front of me, I dug in. It was gone in just a few short moments. He sighed again and carried the tray out. What was with him and sighing? I add constant sighers to my 'people who I wish didn't exist' list. So far he was in violation of two of these. The only reason I put up with him is because he gave me decent food.

Sadly, he returned shortly. Now he's violating three of the entries on my list, because I had just added people who don't leave you alone on. "How are you feeling?" he asked as he looked at me worriedly. Oh great, he's a worrywart.

"Fine, but I'm bored," I snapped. Man, I was bored. I was ready to start pulling my hair out to amuse myself. All I could do was think! And that was only aggravating my killer headache.

He sighed, "Sadly, there is no known cure for boredom." Now he was a smart aleck? I need to get away from this guy, even if it is only for a little while!

"I want to go outside. I want to take a walk," I told him. He sighed and shook his head. Oh great, what now?

"I really don't think you should…," he said. Damn him! I was going outside whether he liked it or not!

"I'm going no matter what you say! I'm going stir crazy!" I shouted as I pulled myself out of that damned bed. I was a bit off balance for a second, but I steadied myself quickly and glared him down. He was not stopping me.

He sighed again. I curse his sighing! "Freya, if you insist on going, I'll go with you." He stared at me, challenging me.

"No way! I'm going alone!" I shouted. Man, he pissed me off!

"Look, the last time you went on a walk by yourself, you ended up like this! I don't want you to end up worse, or even dead!" He yelled back. Ooo, so he did have a temper. Still, it didn't change the fact that I really didn't like him.

"I'll be fine! I'm not going to leave the city!" I yelled back. I needed to get away from him for a while.

He calmed down, but he still wouldn't drop it. "I also promised to take you to see their highnesses when you felt better."

"When did you have time to do that?" I was a bit calmer, but I was still pissed. This guy just rubbed me the wrong way.

"You have been asleep for two days, I was asked to the palace after you returned. They are worried about you." What! Why didn't he tell me! Wait, worried? Did that mean I knew these royalty he was going on about?

"Of course they are worried about you. You are the best dragon knight in Burmecia and one of the best fighters in the world. You have done many services for the kingdom and also for the entire world." Huh? What the hell is he talking about? Services for the whole world? Damn, I'm getting a headache. I hate him even more now.

He sighed again. "It's a very long story. One that is very complicated and that I don't know all the details of. All that I know are the generalities. I know you and seven others saved the world, how and all other details I don't know, you never told me." Whoa, hold up, I saved the world? Sadly, he didn't hold up, he just kept talking. "I know they'll be worried as well. They are some of your closest friends in the world."

Okay… let me get this straight, I saved the world, I know royalty who are close enough to worry about me, and the people I saved the world with are my closest friends. Hmm… I need to talk to them. He knows the way, so I'll put up with him for a bit, even if it is only for some answers. "All right, lead the way." Man, this was going to suck.

"You may wish to change first," he said calmly. Damn, he's always so freaking calm; he's more interesting when he's ticked. Now what the hell is he talking about? I walked over to the mirror and took a look at myself. Aw damn, I'm a mess. I need a change of clothes and a hairbrush and maybe even a bath. Well, I can take the bath later, but I still need a brush. "Your clothes are in the closet and there is a brush on the table." Dammit, how does he know this stuff? I could have sworn I saw him smiling as he left. Damn, I hate him so much.

Okay, let's see what's in the closet. I open the door and see all the clothes I have to choose from. Well, choose isn't really the word, I mean, it's either an outfit similar to the one I am wearing now, or that frilly thing in the back. No way in hell I'll wear that, so I just grabbed the first thing I saw and put it on. Well, this one isn't as ripped up as some of the others, wait, it's ripped, the seam is starting to wear out and there is a huge patch on the back. I toss it away and start digging around. They all have rips, are wearing out, have a boatload of patches, or a combination. I manage to find one that isn't as worse for wear and put it on.

Now for my hair. I walk over to the table, pick up the brush, and start to run it through my hair. Well, actually it snagged. Ouch, this is going to be long and painful. A few minutes later, my hair is tangle free, but my head is sore and I think I took out half of my hair. I hate my life right now. And then I might not get to be alone for weeks. What a load.

"Freya, are you ready yet?" I heard he-who-ticks-me-off yell. What's his problem?

"Yeah, yeah, I'll be out in a second," I yelled at him. I yanked open the door and glared at him. "Let's go and get this over with." I stomped past him out the door. I could hear him muttering behind me, but I didn't give a damn. He caught up to me and started to guide me through the streets.

Several people stopped us as we went along, asking if I was okay, saying they had heard that something was wrong with me. I tried to answer them myself, but Fratley jumped in and told them that I had lost my memory and that they hoped I recovered soon. Man, he pisses me off. He won't let me speak for myself! Damn him to the abyss.

It took a while, but we finally reached a huge castle. Damn, that thing was huge! There were statues that stretched all the way up the walls and all the decorations… it was easy to get overwhelmed just looking at it. I couldn't even begin to imagine how long it must have taken to build. Fratley lead the way up to a flight of stairs that led inside. At the top step, a young boy stood.

"Hey! I haven't seen you guys in a while. You really should visit more, but that's beside the point. Come on, the king is waiting," he shouted as we approached him. I wonder who he is, maybe a servant?

"Prince Puck, how wonderful to see you again," Fratley said as he bowed to the boy. He's the prince? What the… "I hope we haven't kept either of you too long."

"Naw, we were hoping you would make it sooner, but we didn't really expect you for at least another day. Freya, how're ya doin'? I heard ya lost your memory," the prince said. Okay, this was not how I expected a prince to act, but for some reason, it just seemed to not be unusual for him. Like he always spoke like that and that I was used to it. Maybe I really did know him.

"It's true, Prince Puck. She cannot remember anyone. I told her briefly about how she saved the world, but she looked like she thought I was lying," Fratley said, stopping me from answering again. I glared at him as best I could. He shot a look at me. "It also appears that she has lost her manners as well." Damn him!

"Would you please stop calling me Prince Puck! It's just Puck!" he shouted as we walked through the maze of the castle hallways. "Well, losing your memories sucks. I hope you get better soon." I nodded my thanks as we continued along. We finally stopped at a very ornate, very large wooden door. Puck pushed it open and walked confidently into the room. I followed him in, with Fratley tailing us both.

This was one huge room. There were people standing everywhere, but the only seat was an ornate throne that was occupied by whom I guess was the king. Fratley immediately bowed deeply before the man. Fratley glared at me. What the hell was his problem? I really don't have any idea what the hell he expects me to do, so damn him to the abyss!

The man raised an eyebrow at me before he addressed the dingbat otherwise known as Fratley. "Please rise," Fratley scrambled to obey. I had to hold in my laughter, now that was funny. "I can already tell that something is wrong. I guess what you told us is really true, Freya has lost her memories." He sighed as he stood up.

I opened my mouth to speak, but Fratley jumped in again! "Sadly it is, your highness." Fratley bowed to him.

"What did Gray say to do?" the king asked.

"He said just to wait. That her memories will return eventually with time. He gave an estimate of anywhere from a few weeks, to a few years," Fratley told him. He's talking like I'm not even here! Damn him!

"Is there anything that could help speed up the process?" the king asked calmly.

"Gray didn't say anything about that, but I found that being around friends and hearing about what I did helped me considerably. I was planning on contacting her friends," Fratley told him. I wonder if he means the people he said that I saved the world with?

"It is worth a try. I'll contact them myself and I will notify you when the arrangements have been set. I apologize that we cannot speak for longer, but I have many important matters to attend to. Goodbye, I hope you regain your memory soon Freya." Fratley bowed again and I nodded my thanks as we left.

"Visit again soon!" Puck shouted as he waved goodbye. I smiled at him. He was a nice kid, if a bit strange. We backtracked through the palace and then through the streets back to the house.

"So, I guess this means I'll be seeing those people you were telling me about," I asked as we entered the living room.

"Yes, as soon as all the arrangements have been made, you'll see them." Fratley answered.

"When?"

"When they can. You must understand, they live all over the world. It might be awhile."

"I hate waiting."

"I know, you always have."

"What's for dinner?" I asked. Fratley laughed and shook his head.

-----

AN: What did ya think? I know this took a while, but I've been out of the hospital for two weeks now and I was swamped by make-up work and finals. YES! FINALS ARE OVER! NOW I HAVE THREE WEEKS TO WORK ON CHAPTERS! WO-HOO!

Review Responses:

kash30032000: Don't worry, you'll find out eventually. The only reason she trusts them is 1.no other choice and 2. food. Thanks! Here's a cookie!

LottiRebel: Thanks! Yum, cookies. And I don't have to share with my sister! Here's a cookie for you!