Hope remains while some stay true

Chap 17

"What is the meaning of this?" asked Councillor Berrybaum.

"I will explain" replied Councillor Tosslewind.

He turned to Lalaith who now had turned serious with her arms crossed over her chest and was staring at him intently.

"Please continue" she said letting a quick smile slip.

This earnt her disapproving glances from the councillor's and some knights looked to their captain to do something but he held them back.

The councillor proceeded to tell the other councillors about what he'd learnt about Lalaith, like discussions he'd overheard and tests performed like the mirror and how sometimes she'd slipped out of her cell, to which the knights looked stunned and surprised the councillors turned and looked at Lalaith who gave a sheepish grin. Cammi stood by his father and hugged Isabelle who had joined his side as he listened. This councillor really had done a lot to make sure he knew he had the right person and enough evidence. Cammi continued to listen and evaluate what was said, what the councillor said was true but it was questionable if he had enough evidence to make Lalaith show her true form. Then came the heavy blow and the one that provided enough evidence to make Lalaith reveal herself the overheard conversation between Derrum and herself. Cammi had been there in body but not in spirit that night although he was vaguely aware that his former being had emerged that night and talked to Lalaith.

The councillor went on about this for some time, which had interested the rest of the council how Lalaith could possibly know Cammi's former being. Drawing to a close the councillor finished off saying, "I think the one we think to be Lalaith, a human is actually a guardian and that if that is so she reveal herself now"

Everyone turned to Lalaith and held their breath was she really; no she couldn't be, could she?

Lalaith just stood still a moment observing everyone in the room and watching the councillor hope he was right, she rather enjoyed watching him sweat. . The beaming smile faded although a small smile was still present as her tone turned serious she announced,

"Oh, clever gummi thou art wise

You've kept your faith

And now so shall be rewarded

For where others strayed you have not

And now shall see, that no mortal has

Since the days of Derrum, strong and wise

The sight of the youngest of the nine

Angel of hope, Lalaith shalt appear"  

White celestial light filled the room blinding everyone inside. Wings grew out of Lalaith's back and in a breeze and flash of gold her clothes had changed into a white and gold dress, her feet bare and silver streaks ran through her hair. The light dimmed and the gummi's squinted to see through the light what had happened. When the light disappeared there where Lalaith the human had stood, now stood Lalaith the angel with a smile on her face. She looked a Cammi and his father and almost lost control when she saw their faces. Cammi's mouth was open so much it looked like it had hit the floor and even his father seemed surprised so if that's what they acted like when they'd seen her before what were the other gummi's like.

"How do we know you are an angel?"

"You ask for more proof" Lalaith asked clearly disappointed with the councillors disbelieving, had they really forgotten the angels or did the fear of a trap make them act like this?

"Yes, we ask for more proof"

"How do we know you're really an angel and not some human using magic to make us believe?"

This proved not be a good thing to say as Lalaith's eyes flashed from midnight blue to storm grey in the blink of an eye and Cammi only just had time to shout 'grab on to something' before the foundations of the castle shook and Lalaith shouted out some strange yet familiar names. Once again the room was filled with the white celestial light blinding everyone but her. It dimmed and the gummi's looked out expecting to see another angel, but instead were greeted by the serious faces of the heavenly council. Only Lalaith stood on the ground all the others had their wings open in their full glory and hovered in the air. The councillors seemed to shrink in fear as did the residents and most of the knights, the only ones that didn't were Cammi, Stanney, Lilli, Meloni, Sir Plucki, Balta and Isabelle.

"Your faith in us has dwindled with the passing of time"

"They grow fearful and distrusting"

"Distrust clouds their judgement"

"Yet hope remains while some stay true" said Lalaith looking at Cammi and his friends and family.    

Cammi beamed back at her so now he knew he was right and Stanney had been to. She was no threat and it gave him strength and hope seeing Lalaith again.

The heavenly council descend to the floor and walked over to Lalaith the eyes of every gummi upon them curious as to what they were doing.

"Crata heavna pendum" said the head angel placing his hand into the circle formed by himself and his siblings.

The rest of them repeated this as they too placed their hands into the circle until their hands one on top of the other stood a glowing tower.

"Crata" said Godrin.

Their hands began to glow more intensely as the colour changed from white to purple. This continued for a moment until it seemed to explode white stars shattered along the floor before dissolving into nothing. The angel stood back from their eldest brother forming a line behind him. He stood there a moment longer his head bowed looking at something in his hand. Lifting his head slowly he looked at Cammi and asked him to come forth. Cammi did so immediately despite the worried glances of the councillors who looked like they wanted to intervene, but daren't.

Now in front of the head angel Cammi struggled to look at him he was so pure and bright it was hard to look at him. Falling onto one knee before him he bowed as the angel smiled.

"Cammi Gummi, your path is a dangerous one filled with much peril" began the angel lifting Cammi's face to look at him. "But your heart is pure and for that, which you have already done I reward you with this" he said placing an amulet over Cammi's head and around his neck.

"What is it?" asked Cammi.

"Something which you will need greatly before this war is over" Godrin replied taking a step back.

"Thank you" said Cammi rising to his feet.

Once the amulet had touched his fur he felt a calm rush over him, he felt at peace with himself something he rarely ever did. He knew this was good but what else could it do? The head angel said he would need it greatly before the war was over, he didn't understand but decided that since it came from them all would be revealed soon enough.

Looking over at Lalaith he saw she'd disappeared from her place next to her siblings and was now in front of the councillors. Curtsying politely to them she smiled somewhat mischievously and said, "Sorry, for all the trouble I caused you. I hope you can forgive me". The councillors seemed somewhat stunned and couldn't speak except for one.

"You have been no trouble, Lalaith" said Councillor Tosslewind smiling at Lalaith.

Cammi couldn't help smile at the somewhat disappointed look on Lalaith's face that would only be noticed by someone who knew her. What had she been planning?

"Good gummi" she replied. "My siblings are to return but I must stay to help Cammi now, is there a chance of a slight change of accommodation as the dungeon is very drafty and uncomfortable"

Cammi nearly lost control when he saw the councillor's reaction they had no idea how to respond and it seemed he was not the only one who had this problem. Looking at his family and friends he saw them smiling and even the angels seemed to be.

"Certainly, you can have the spare room next to Cammi's" said Councillor Tosslewind, amusement clearly shining in his eyes.

"Thank you" she said curtsying again and walking back over to Cammi.

"I shall stay for a while and then I too will have to return"

Cammi nodded showing he understood and Lalaith turned to her siblings.

"I will see you soon"

In return the angels smiled and disappeared in a wave of white smoke and gold dust.

The residents seeing the council was over started moving out of the hall and the knights returned to their duties, while Lalaith ran after Cammi out of the tower.

"Hey, Cammi wait up" she yelped seeing him just about to disappear inside another tower.

"Yes" he shouted back.

"So where am I staying" said Lalaith catching him up.

"You know where they are" he replied.

"Cammi, you can be a gentlemen and show me them" she said linking arms and dragging him into the tower.

"But, Lalaith..."

"No, buts come on" she said dragging him down the hall to his room.

"Why me?" Cammi thought.

"I heard that" said Lalaith.

"Oh, yeah" he said laughing nervously and running his fingers through his hair.

Meanwhile from a balcony opposite the tower Cammi's friends Lilli and Stanney stood watching and listening to everything with amusement, for an angel Lalaith sure was bossy.

Stanney chuckled then turned to Lilli who was still looking at the tower.

"It's getting late" said Stanney.

Lilli looked away from the tower to the sky it was nearly evening.

"I need to get back to the hospital wing" she said turning to go.

"Allow me to walk you there" said Stanney smiling at her and taking her hand.

Lilli looked down at their linked hands; this should be Cammi's she thought as she looked at Stanney. Stanney knew Lilli loved Cammi but still he had been her friend for many years before she even knew Cammi, which made him jealous sometimes, Cammi always got the girls. He loved Lilli too and although he knew Cammi's feelings for Lilli ran deeper than his own he couldn't help but try to win her heart. He continued to look at Lilli's shy and uneasy face before she returned the smile and they set off walking. On their way to the hospital wing Lilli vowed she had to tell Cammi soon, Stanney was becoming more friendly than usual and it scared her.

Sir Plucki left the tower quickly to return to his last duties of the day but noticed Lalaith and Cammi talking. Hearing part of their conversation he smiled then carried on walking, but the sound of two other voices made him look up. He was surprised at the scene before him now and he was not smiling. Stanney was after Lilli again he'd tried a couple of times while Cammi was away, but since he'd come back he'd been after her more recently. Inwardly he felt sorry for Lilli she was a good friend to Stanney having grown up with him but she didn't love him. Whenever, Stanney touched her she seemed sad as if longing for it to be someone else. Poor girl she was head over heels in love with Cammi she just couldn't say it. Walking away into the shadows that had leapt into the corners as the sun went down he thought it was about time he and Lilli had a little talk.

TBC...            

Please R&R and tell me what you think!