WIND WARRIORS

Chapter Six: Doom

Rafer

My intent had been to wait for Merle till she got out of Enya's room. I needed to talk to her, to figure out what it was that made me kiss her with such abandon not once but twice. I couldn't do this, whoever, because by the time I left my room, Merle was being lead away by her father, she looked as confused as I felt. But I did got a good look at her, she was wearing one of Enya's summer dresses, it was of a light yellow with big white flowers embroiled in the hemline and around her waist, Merle looked so pretty that I felt the need to hold her and crush her to my chest and never let go.

I walked god twenty steps behind Merle and Donovan, when I reached the meeting hall, my father had pulled Merle aside and told me to be a good host and keep company to Blake and Bolek. I saw them go to the Knights hall, were the most important decisions of our kingdom were made; and I wondered what could be so important that they had called Merle on her free day.

I waited with Bolek and Blake- and the Dozen who would ass soon jump off a cliff than leave Bolek alone – fortunately neither Bolek nor Blake seemed interested in doing small talk so it was a quiet waiting. Then the Knights' hall's doors opened and my father came out followed by the rest of the knights wearing puzzled expressions.

"The lady has agreed." My father told Bolek who stood up.

"Fine, with that settled we'll leave." Bolek declared as the Dozen gathered around him. "I expect to have my son's bride on the Braeden Castle in fifteen days time. The wedding will be celebrated then."

"Yes, I'll make sure Merle is there." Father said formally.

I froze. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Everyone started to exit the meeting hall, I saw Blake go over to Merle and kiss her, and I turned away. I vaguely remember Blake saying something about seeing her soon. Once the visitors had gone away, Donovan spoke.

"Merle, go home." Once the door had opened and closed again, Donovan added. "Everyone out! NOW!" Everyone pilled out, all knights knew better than to disobey an order issued by the Warmaster, some even feared him more than what they feared my father. "Rafer, that's for you too, I need to speak with your father in private."

I left, not so much for the order he gave me but because I had issues to attend to.

I caught with Merle before she exited the main doors of the Palace. "Merle!" I called out but she didn't stop. I grabbed her arm and made her turn around, pushing her against the wall.

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Merle

When Rafer stopped me and let his weight fall over me, keeping me where he wanted, I couldn't help to feel that weird, sweet rush I had been feeling lately whenever he touched me. But at the same time there was something so different from other times...

"Is it true?" Rafer asked. "Is it true you're marring Blake?" His voice was harsh and I looked up to him, I searched his eyes but all his guards were up, it was like looking into a steel-blade. "Answer me!" he demanded grabbing me by the shoulders. "Are you going to marry Blake?"

My breath caught in my throat and I sobbed out a: "Yes." I wanted to explain. I wanted to tell him I didn't have a choice or a say in the matter. I was given an order and as a knight I had to fulfill it.

"If you just wanted a price you should have come to me," Rafer snarled.

"No, Rafer is not like that. Let me explain."

"Explain what? That half an hour ago you were tongue wrestling with me and now you're marring Blake? Of all people, Blake?!"

I opened my mouth to speak but no sound came out, that was because Rafer's mouth came down over mine. That kiss was like nothing I had felt before and not in a nice way, it was possessive, aggressive and demanding... it scared me. For the first time in my whole life Rafer scared me.

I squirmed out from under him. "What? Suddenly you don't like my kisses?" He asked, his voice dripping derision. "Suddenly you like Blake's? You're just like everyone else, aren't you? I was a fool, I thought you were different, that I could trust you... but no, you're just the same nothing more than a..."

I didn't stay to hear what expletive he would use.

I ran for the Romney Forest as I had always done since my mother died, whenever I was upset, when I couldn't hold the tears any longer I would go there and cry. It was around that time – ten years ago – that the rumors about the forest being haunted started.

As usual, as soon as I started to cry Nathaniel appeared. He held me against his chest and let me cry all I wanted, in a strange way, Nate reminded me of my dad but I could tell things to Nate that I couldn't tell to my dad... like how much I missed mom – since bringing up mom was always good to make my dad sad.

When I calmed down I explained what had happened with kings Roger and Bolek... and what Rafer had said... as I got to that part, a cold, cold wind started to blow... the wind was carrying little pieces of ice... it was like if it was snowing ice, and in the middle of the spring, none the less.

We stood there for a while, just watching the ice fall... "Mer," Nate said and I turned to look at him, I looked into a pair of purple eyes so like my own. "Remember when we meet and you used to said that I was your fairly godfather?"

"Yeah," I smiled sadly at the memory. "I used to say that one day you were going to get me a pretty dress and help me to sneak into a ball where I would meet my prince charming."

Nate smiled too. "Remember what I used to say each time you said that?"

I tried to remember... it wasn't really hard, he used to say that he wouldn't help me to get into a dance but that he would guide me through some dark times and that, at the end, I would get my prince...

"Just remember something, Merle, the time is coming."

I didn't understand, but I knew better than to try to get a straight answer from a fairy, no matter if the fairy was Nathaniel. I stayed with him for a while longer; when the night fell I went home. Only to find that Marit was waiting for me.

"You always do this!" Marit yelled while I tried to get a grip, I had cried in the forest, Nathaniel had comforted me. And I was resigned to my fate, but I did not need my sister yelling at me, not when I could feel my heart stopping and breaking... never to be whole again.

"Do what?" I asked with deadly calm.

"You said you didn't like him. That you didn't want him... but the second I turn my back on you... You knew I liked Rafer and still went after him. Enya told me you two were together last night."

It had really only been last night? If felt eons away.

"I didn't, went after him, I mean. And even if I had, it doesn't matter anymore..."

"Of course it matters! You traitorous-"

"I'm getting married in 15 days, to Prince Blake."

"But-"

"King Bolek said he won't attack the kingdom if I marry his son. So the council decided it was my duty as knight to marry Blake... I'm a war casualty," I laughed without humour.

"Don't speak of yourself as if you're dead." Marit said uneasy.

"But I'm dead... Alive people have hopes and dreams... I don't have any anymore. I am dead... I just haven't gotten around lying down yet."

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Rafer

"There must be something we can do!" I heard Michael saying the couple of days later as I walked the Palace gardens trying not to think in Merle and in the million times we had played around this garden as kids...

"There is nothing, Merle is of noble blood and as such the king can order her to marry anyone he chooses, and even if she weren't noble, she is a knight... if the king tells her to jump up and down in one feet, she has to ask how high. You know it Michael; those were the vows we took."

"I know, Will, but it's so unfair. There must be something we can do... something, anything. Merle will die if she can't see the Windam Valley ever again; do you think Blake is going to understand? That he is going to let her come back? Let me tell you something, he won't, and that will kill Merle the same way that it will kill you or me: fast and sure."

"I know!" William lost his temper. "But what can we do? Uncle Donovan couldn't get her out of it, what makes you think the king will listen to you or me?"

So, my father had told Merle to marry Blake? I needed confirmation, and I knew exactly were to find it.

"Mom," I called into her private chambers. "Mother!"

"What's the matter, Rafie?"

"Mom, is it true that it was my father who said Merle would marry Blake?"

"Yes." My mother might be a chat hound but she would answer straight when needed. "Bolek kept pressuring your father to change the trading agreement we have with Seaside and Fireland. If we don't let them pass as much merchandise as they do, they would be forced to start a trading rout crossing Terra's territory. Roger refused to change the agreement we have with Seaside and Fireland; and then Bolek started to talk about war. Then Bolek said that Blake was interested in marry one of our kingdom, Merle, and if she married Blake then – since Merle is practically of the family – he will consider it an alliance by marriage and would live Windam Valley alone. Roger agreed, though if you ask me he is a fool. As if Bolek isn't planning to attack anyway."

"But how could father do something like this? And Donovan?"

"Have you seen the black eye your father is sporting? That was Donovan; he has served ties with the Guard and the knights. I don't think he will ever speak again to Roger, I know I wouldn't if I was him. But Merle has no way out of this. Even if she refused her knightship she would still have to fulfil the last order that was issued to her and that would be marry Blake."

I closed my eyes, how could this be?

"Is a real shame." Mom said with certain sadness. "Nicole and I always dreamed of you and Merle marring."

"Mom, you two were always pulling us apart when we fought." I said.

"Yeah... I know. I used to think that if you ever married one of Nicole's girls it would be Marit and not Merle. But Nikki made me see that even when you fought with Merle, she could also always count on you... Like you would get so mad if someone hurt her," Mom let out a long sigh, "Even when you were kids, it was always so clear to Nikki that Merle and you belonged together."

"Mom, how can father do this?" I asked helplessly.

"Your father is just doing what he thinks best." Mom said in her Queen-Dana's voice. "But listen to me when I say this," she added sounding once again like my mom. "If you see a chance, even as small as it might seem, you take it, Rafer, because it might be the only one you will get."

I didn't understand what she meant. It took me a while to figure out and give it its proper importance. For the moment I had something very important to do: ask, no, beg Merle to forgive me for the things I had said.

That afternoon I found myself standing in the hallway outside her door. I opened the door slowly. I didn't want her to yell, I knew Marit was right down the hallway. Earlier, when I had come asking for her, Donovan wouldn't let me see her. I had waited till he had gone out to sneak in.

Merle lay on her side, she was wearing what it looked like a big man's shirt, her dark hair gathered loosely at the nape of her neck and the covers of her bed were around her waist.

For a moment I though she was asleep, until I heard her let out a long sigh. "Dad," Merle said weekly, "please, I'm not hungry and I don't want to see anyone."

"Donovan left the house like ten minutes ago." I said and I saw her shoulders tense, but she didn't turn around.

"Rafer, leave."

"I came to apologize, Buttercup."

"I don't need your apologies; you have made your opinion about me perfectly clear. Now leave."

"I didn't mean it. I was angry; I didn't know what my father had done. I'm really sorry... I-"

"Please..." Merle's voice cut me, "Please, please go. There is nothing for you here. Just go." Such fiery spirit reduced to this... and it was part my doing.

"Merle, I won't go anywhere until you forgive me, I don't care what I have to do to earn it, but I'll."

Merle turned around and popped up on her arms... and I was treated with a glimpse at the girl that I had known most of my life. "If I say I forgive you," she asked, "will you go away? Yes? Fine, you're forgiven, now please let the door hit you in the butt on you way out."

She looked as if she would get out of bed just to kick me out and I almost smiled, almost, but then all her determination flew from her facer and she asked in a much quieter voice; "Please, Rafer... go."

I stepped back, she had sounded so weak, never before had she seem weak to me... never... well, once, when her mother had died ten years ago. I stepped out of her room and as I closed the door I could see she was clutching her blue teddy bear. And I couldn't help to think in all the times I had stolen and hidden that same bear just to upset Merle. And how, the time Kevin had tried the same thing, I had beaten him into a pulp.

So many memories that seemed to stretch out between two universes... before and after my father had put such barrier – her upcoming marriage- between Merle and me.

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End of chapter Six.

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Notes:

I am mean or what?

Here is a teaser:

"Your hands are cold." I declared.

"My hands are always cold." Merle said softly as I put her hands between mine to warm them up. "We… We should take turns to sleep and stay awake, in case something comes this way to attack us." She blurted out.

I sat down in the ground, resting my back against the tree, and pulled her down till she was seating between my legs. "You sleep; I'll take care of you."

"I can take care of myself." She said, but she rested her head in my chest, relaxed her body against mine and closed her eyes.

I wrapped an arm around her; one of her hands was still on one of mine. With one of my fingers I traced the pale ghosts of scars in her hand, she had the hands of a soldier but her touch was gentle.

Merle's breathing was even, she was already asleep, I tucked a stay lock of hair behind her ear, my hand brushing her pale cheek and I breathed into her hair.

"...I believe that fate has brought us here," I began to sing softly as if it were a lullaby. "And we should be together babe, but we're not… I play it off but I'm dreaming of you. And I'll keep my cool, but I'm fiendin… I try to say goodbye and I choke, I try to walk away and I stumble, though I try to hide it, it's clear: My world crumbles when you are not there…"

I kissed the top of her head. Then I closed my eyes and feel asleep reveling on knowing that I didn't had to let go… not just yet.

Bye!