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Author's Note: Hey everyone, how are you doing? ^^ Hope you all had a great New Year and we'll all cry as winter holidays are coming to a short end, I've started my weeping earlier. I DON'T want to go back to school! ;_; Hell, I haven't even finished my homework yet! I finally updated my website with my new layout though, took me long enough, ne? ^^ Anyways, hope you like this chapter, it basically focuses a lot on Michael. Tala may seem like the bad guy here, but his part in the fic is very important. This chapter is LONG. ^^ Sorry, no Johnny here this time, but he'll show up soon! I've introduced another character here, but I don't think we're going to like him very much, even when I'm writing him, I think he sounds quite perverted, lol! ^^ You'll see, let me how you think, feedback is nice, plz review everyone!
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Chapter 8: My Own Morals
//Very exciting day…am I lucky that I brought my stuff along so I can work on it during breakfast otherwise I might just choke on my food…// Carly thought sulkily to herself as she sat down for her breakfast along with her parchment and quill. Her quick emerald eyes flashed around the room, scanning her surroundings quickly, these days, she never felt safe. Enrique and Aquana were sitting miles apart on either end of the table and purposely looking at everything else except for each other. Flora was talking to Tala again, well, at least she was trying to anyways, but Tala seemed everything but interested in what she had to say. Carly silently poured herself some coffee and bit into her toast reluctantly as a stab of pain triggered from her wound. Cursing under her breath for the reminder of the Nonda`Kanoste, she gingerly swallowed her food.
"Good morning!" a cheerful voice piped up from the entrance.
Flora nodded politely at Michael with a light smile and Tala groaned silently, rolling his eyes. //If that stupid fool says one thing wrong, I'm going to wring his neck!//
Carly barely glanced at the navy-eyed warrior, too exhausted and frustrated to be anymore pleasant, "Good morning, now could you please be quiet so I can work?"
"Sure thing princess," Michael said without the slightest notice of her mood or Tala's cutting throat gesture, seating himself beside her, "What are you doing?"
Carly's eyes remained glued to her parchment, swishing her quill rapidly, "I thought you were going to be quiet."
Michael opened his mouth again but was interrupted by Tala.
"Michael," Tala said with another one of his usual false smiles, "Do you mind? If the princess says not to bother her then heed her order."
"It wasn't an order," Carly said, shooting Tala a glare that plainly encouraged him to stay out of her business, "It was a polite request."
Michael nodded, taking no apparent notice of the tension in the room and helped himself with some breakfast. Enrique put down his fork with a clatter and stood up, muttering, "Excuse me." He resentfully strode out of the room, not noticing Aquana's sad turquoise eyes following him every step of the way.
Michael's bright eyes shifted to Carly's drawing of the new monastery, watching her quick quill movements map of out the basic structure of the church. "You shouldn't use rope to hang the bell above the monastery."
Carly finally looked up at the maroon-haired boy, "Excuse me?"
"The rope isn't strong enough to hold the bell, I know that was how the fallen monastery was designed but, you should try something different, because the design wasn't very good. Rope isn't strong enough, it's too easily cut." Michael explained.
"My father built that monastery."
Tala cleared his throat loudly as if clearly presenting Michael with a death warning, his ice blue eyes glaring at his squire, "Michael."
Michael looked flustered, "Oh, I'm sorry princess. I didn't mean to criticize. But…" He gestured apologetically to the parchment in her hands, "May I?"
"Go ahead," Carly said curiously, leaning forward and pushing the parchment towards him.
Michael pointed to the structure and made a few gestures with his hand, looking as if he was explaining thoroughly. Tala rolled his eyes again, clenching and unclenching his fists under the table to maintain control. "…Like I was saying, if you used a kind of stronger alloy to tied the bell up, it would be safer and it wouldn't hurt if the bell was lighter too so it was destroy the church along with it if it should fall. Ooops, did I say that? Sorry, I didn't mean that it would fall, but just in case, you know? And if you made the structure a tad wider on the bottom to maintain stability, it would help too…" Michael's voice faded off and he stopped, looking embarrassed, "I'm sorry princess, I got carried away."
Carly stood up with a warm smile on her face, "Not at all. Michael, if you don't mind, would you like to help me work on the blueprint this afternoon at the artisans' center? I could really use your experience."
"Michael," Tala said through clenched teeth, "You already have something to do this afternoon with me."
Michael looked confused, looking from Tala to Carly, "But I thought you said that Flora was showing you around the kingdom this afternoon?"
"I am!" Flora chimed in happily.
"Good then," Michael beamed before turning back to Carly, "I'd love to!"
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"You are despicable and completely out of line!" Tala snapped, raising his hand threatening, his blue eyes were glittering coldly like pearls in the midst of a stormy ocean, "If I didn't have use for you later, I would kill you now!"
"But I-" Michael protested.
"Be quiet," Tala said quietly.
"I was just –"
"I said BE QUIET!" Tala snarled, raising one powerful hand and striking Michael hard across the face.
Michael's hand flew to his cheek, his navy eyes shocked and slowly dropped his gaze to the ground, "I'm sorry."
"You had better be sorry," Tala said, relaxing his arm with a hateful gleam in his eyes, "Since you have already promised, this afternoon, you will go to the artisans' center and assist the princess with whatever she wishes you to do. However, afterwards, you are to stay as far away from her as you can, is that clear Michael?"
"Yes," Michael mumbled desolately.
"I can't hear you," Tala snapped.
"Yes," Michael replied with more clarity, his eyes dropped downwards again in defeat.
"Good," Tala said, his cold eyes fixed on his squire, "From childhood you were loyal to me, and only to me, and you will be loyal to me until the end of your time Michael. Society has no place for fools, so don't distress yourself, just follow orders and do whatever you are commanded to do and all will be well. The princess is a fool herself, this strange new knight will destroy this kingdom faster than she can rebuild it -"
"But you have to admire her spirit," Michael muttered, swallowing his other words, his hand still covering his stinging red cheek.
"I don't admire foolishness Michael, you know that."
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"Hi Michael!" Carly waved furiously, gesturing the warrior over her way, "I thought you weren't going to show, I was feeling rather disappointed." She frowned when he got closer and took a good look at him, "What happened to you?"
Michael glanced at her with empty eyes, "What do you mean?"
"Your face is bruised," Carly said, looking concerned, "Did you get into a fight here?"
"No," Michael mumbled.
"Then what happened?" Carly asked with a grimace, "It looks as if someone punched you in the face." Suddenly she narrowed her eyes, "Don't tell that Tala had anything to do with –"
"No," Michael said hurriedly, "It was an accident, it's not important. Where is your blueprint? Let's get this over with." He stomped over to the table and sat down in front of the parchment.
//Men…the usual…all nice one moment…all strange the other…// Carly thought, rolling her eyes and following him. She unraveled a few rolls of parchment while Michael intently stared at the blueprint, "Is there something you'd like to tell me?"
"No," Michael said, not looking at her, "Why do you ask?"
"Because you're acting like a zombie," Carly said without hesitation, hanging up a few more tools, "You acting as if someone's controlling your life and you have no say over it."
"You wouldn't know," Michael snapped, grabbing a quill and angrily scratching at the parchment.
"If you're going to wreck my parchment," Carly said in a slight sarcastic tone, "I would appreciate it if you didn't do it in front of me."
"You know what princess, I absolutely hate to say this about you, but…" Michael said in a dark voice, whirling around to look at her, "Sometimes it's best not to say anything that you might regret later on. Words are a dangerous weapon and with the way you fling yours around, you'll end up dead because of the people you've insulted."
"Ohhhh…" Carly said with a slight smirk, "Don't tell me this is what this is about…I know how to use my words Michael, and insulting people is one of the best things words can do for you."
"You had best heed my warning," Michael snapped, dark eyes flashing, "That is, if you want to live a longer life."
"I never regret my words," Carly said without the slightest flinch, "If I'm thinking them in my head, I had every right to say them out loud. Words are a dangerous weapon Michael, how else would you express yourself. Words are freedom. Freedom is my encouragement in this kingdom."
"Freedom is a dream."
"It's a living dream."
"Don't kid yourself, princess," Michael said, turning back to the parchment, "There is no freedom in this world."
"Carly."
"What?" Michael blinked at her openly, tearing himself away from the parchment.
"Carly, my name's Carly," she said, putting her hands on her hips, "And I would appreciate it if you called me that instead of 'princess this', 'princess that', you'd think that I have no proper name."
"You're of royalty," Michael said shortly, "And I will treat you as you are."
"Don't be stupid," Carly scoffed, "Does that make me any less human than you are???"
"I don't want to talk about this," Michael said, eyes glowing, "You wouldn't know."
"I wouldn't know what?"
"Nothing…"
"Tell me," Carly insisted.
"If you must know," Michael snapped, "I grew up in Ithildin."
"You did?" Carly looked taken back, "You did?"
"Yes, I did," Michael said, intently writing on the parchment, "I wasn't high class or middle class, and as you know, the lower class aren't treated like human. I'm used to that. That's they way society is these days, status, all about status, people like you shouldn't associate with people like me."
"People like me???" Carly demanded, slamming her tools down, "What do you mean 'people like me'?? I don't encourage status differences in my kingdom!!"
"Your father encouraged it."
"My father!" Carly shouted, sounding incredulous, "I am not my father!"
"You are his daughter."
"That does NOT make me him!"
"You were taught with the ways he used to rule." Michael said calmly, cleverly ignoring her outburst.
"And so you think I do everything that was taught to me?? That I kick peasants into their empty, crop less, farm and allow them to starve???" Carly's eyes flashed angrily, "Is that what you think of me???"
"I never said that," Michael said with a heavy sigh, "Listen, forget it okay, I don't want you to hate me over this. Actually, if Tala hadn't…" His voice faded and he went back to his work.
"If Tala hadn't what?" Carly said, sitting down across from him, "Michael, what is your connection with Tala?"
"I'm his friend."
"Just that?" Carly persisted, "Nothing more?"
"No."
"Well," Carly said, standing up again to get another quill, "You're a horrible liar, that's for sure."
Michael glanced at her, "What?"
"You're a terrible liar," Carly said with a light laugh, "But that doesn't matter, deny it, I'll get to the bottom of it sooner or later. I'm not saying it's a bad thing, lying is no good, but when you were brought up here…you can't help but get use to it. Never mind, I'm making no sense." She laughed to herself, "By the way, that looks good."
"Thanks," Michael muttered, dropping his gaze downcast back at the blueprint he had quickly sketched on. He squirmed uneasily, he hated lying, especially lying to someone who knew that he was lying and made no effort to stop it, but he couldn't risk Tala's rage either. "You know…if you really wanted to find out, you could just threaten to kill me if I didn't tell you."
Carly raised her eyebrow and fixed up the roof of the new monastery design with her quill, "And why on Earth would I do such a stupid thing? Michael, I know I may seem ruthless sometimes, but seriously, I'm totally sane."
"I wasn't joking," Michael said shortly, "I meant that you are the law, whatever you say is the law, so you might as well use it."
"You are confusing," Carly declared, pulling the parchment away from him, her emerald eyes sparkling mischievously, "That's enough work."
Michael looked up in surprise, "Hey, I'm not done." He looked at her quizzically, she didn't seem annoyed at his remarks, nor did she seem disturbed or in denial.
"And until I figure you out," Carly said, carelessly tossing the blueprint in the cupboard and winking at him, "You're not leaving Ithildin. She grinned at him, "Come with me, I wanna show you something. I think it'll give you a better grasping of what I'm like."
Looking completely mystified, Michael got up and followed the princess out.
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Michael's keen eyes flickered around the countryside rapidly, taking in what he saw, and definitely liking it. The country farms weren't as in as bad shape as he remembered it and the crops were blooming, there was a definite improvement there. The people were still hard at work, plowing, weeding, and watering, but they looked content, their clothes were dirty from the dirt and dust, but they weren't rags and patches. Many of the farmers looked up and waved to them as they walked by. Michael admired the landscape, it was different from the dusty, baring land he remembered, the grass was lush and everything seemed alive.
"Greeting princess!" a farmer called out, leaning on his pitchfork as they walked by, "Nice weather isn't it?"
"Definitely," Carly replied, "Although, I'm not fond of the sun as much as the crops are. How are things? Better I hope? Now that nice weather is starting to kick in?"
"Aye princess, loads better," the farmer said, nodding at Michael, "Who've you got there? Another foreigner, eh? You've been getting a lot of visitors lately?"
"This is Michael," Carly said, with a quick wink at Michael, "He helped fend off another one of those attacks on Ithildin yesterday night. Not all visitors are as pleasant as him though."
Michael wasn't sure how to take in that comment, truth was, he didn't think that he HAD been very pleasant to Carly, but only because of how Tala felt towards her. But he wasn't sure if Carly was mocking him or not. It sounded as if she was poking a little fun at him, but not in a hostile type of way.
"I've got to get going now," Carly said, nodding, "If you need anything, you know I'm only a short distance away. I'll be coming around next week and seeing if there's anything else I can do."
The farmer tipped his hat, "Aye, we'll be fine princess. You've done more than enough, thank you. Have a nice day."
"You too," Carly said with a grin, walking towards the river that was slightly off the path, "Well, Michael? Has a lot changed since you've been here?"
"Yes," Michael said, still staring at his old home country in awe, "A ton…it's unbelievable, I never thought I'd live to see this." He smiled at her, "It's so different…it's like a dream. And…you come down here?"
"Of course," Carly said with a dismissive wave of her hand, "The children like to see me and sometimes I bring stuff with me for them to play with. I'm nowhere near perfect Michael, but at least I treat all humans like humans. While my father believed that each social class should be distinct, I have a different point of view. Yes, I follow in his footsteps but I have my own morals too."
"Well, I'm totally impressed," Michael said, flashing her a bright smile, "You're amazing – I mean, this is amazing, it's like –" He was cut up by the sound of a deep horn blowing nearby. Worry flashing in his navy eyes, Michael glanced at Carly, "Did you hear that? That isn't the attack horn, is it?"
"No," Carly said, peering over the horizon with a frown, "It's a royal welcoming horn, someone important must be coming…well, someone who the horn-blower thinks is important anyways."
"There," Michael pointed some ways down the path where a couple of horses were pulling along a fancy carriage. There were half a dozen guards marching around the carriage, carrying spears, as if enforcing protection on whatever was in the carriage. The driver tugged the reins, swerving the carriage into a sharp turn and the horses were trotting right towards Carly and Michael, trampling carelessly on some good crops. Michael frowned deeply as the farmer they conversed with earlier stomped into view, barking something incoherent at the guards.
"Let's go," Carly instructed.
"What? There??" Michael asked, looking surprised, "But it's none of our business."
"Michael," Carly said, grabbing his collar and pulling him up, looking into his navy eyes firmly, "When some aristocrat treats one of my best farmers like that, it gets personal. Come on." She released him promptly and started rapidly in that direction.
Michael had to run to catch up, "You know who's in that carriage?"
"I have a good idea."
"Whoever it is must be really important, that carriage must have cost a few thousands pounds at LEAST. And those guards around it, whoever's in there must really need protection and safety." Michael remarked breathlessly, keeping up with the princess's quick steps.
"Believe me Michael, there is nothing in there worth protecting," Carly said dryly, rolling her eyes. Michael, in return, gave her a completely mystified look.
"Do not talk to us, you filthy peasant!" the guard snapped, striking the farmer carelessly with the end of his spear, "You are not worthy of our sight!"
"That's my good land you're trampling on!" the farmer roared, "I spent weeks plowing and weeding for my corn to grow on!"
"Then plow and weed some more!" the guard growled, spitting on the ground, "That's what you're living for anyways! You no-good stinking peasant! Now get out of our way, Lord William has business with royalty."
The farmer growled as the other guards came up to him with spears ready to attack, outnumbering him greatly.
Michael felt a shudder of anger; peasants would always be looked upon as peasants, no matter how much one tried to change it. They would never be considered equal to those of the royal blood, Tala was right, social status would never change, people would always stay the same.
"Why don't you go kiss the dirt??" the guard added rudely, butting his spear at the farmer, "You're covered in it anyways, eating some might make you complete."
"That's good idea," Carly snapped, marching up and snatching the spear from the guard's hands, jabbing him in the stomach roughly. The guard fell face flat on the ground, slowly sitting up, his face and beautiful royal guard uniform covered with dirt. "Like the taste? Good, because I recommend it to your little friends over there. Don't you dare treat my people in such a way." Carly said sarcastically, her emerald eyes glittering, behind her, the farmer laughed out loud.
"Why I oughta!" another guard snarled, his spear ready.
"You want to fight?" Carly sneered, "Gladly. I'm ready."
"Stop!" a commanding voice ordered from the carriage. Everyone looked up at the young figure that stepped out delicately from the carriage. He had handsomely slicked jet-black hair along with dark brown eyes. He looked young, but perhaps a year older than Carly, and wore clothes made from the richest silk and a velvet cape. "You fools, can't you tell royalty when it's right in front of you?" He strode briefly to Carly, careful not to step in any mud, and bowed low, reaching for her hand to kiss it, "Your Majesty, my sweet princess –"
Carly snatched her arm away, backing up into Michael, looking disgusted, "Gross. Stay away from me. I've warned you William, if you do that again, I'll run an arrow through your throat."
"My beloved princess," the young man protested, "How could you be so cruel? Doesn't matter. Just seeing your lovely face makes –"
"Just seeing your disgusting, twisted face makes me want to throw up!" Carly snapped, her emerald eyes flashing. Michael looked from the new boy, who he had picked up was named William, to Carly in confusion. This William person was apparently looking very smug and proud while Carly looked as if she would murder the next person who spoke.
"Don't be in denial, my sweet princess," William said dramatically, "You know you're hopelessly in love with me."
"Dream on bastard," Carly snapped, her voice snarling in anger, "I would love to kill you! I told you before, I'm not yours! So stop calling me yours! I would rather die than be yours!"
"You see princess," William said with a slight smirk, "You don't really have a choice, my fiancée, because once we're married, you will be mine, all mine."
Carly's eyes burned like hot coals, hearing the gasp of shock from Michael. Glancing at the sincere navy-eyed warrior to make sure he didn't faint in shock or something similar, she had expected Michael to be gaping at her with wide eyes and a mouth hanging open and sure enough, he didn't give her any less shock than she had expected.
"You're engaged? You're getting married to him?? HIM???"
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The Great Kuro Neko: Ahhh…very good…^_^, you've figured part of it out. I think I like your uncontrollable self, lol! ^^ I should put in more puzzle thingies then! ^^
Star_Blizzerd: Ah, is Tala crueler this chapter? ^^ Everyone wants the Imperium Gem because it's the most powerful thing there is right now. ^^ Aren't all bad guys greedy, rude and selfish? ^^
Unicorn Girl: Oh yeah, Carly's my OC, so of course I like her and Aquana's really striked inspiration! I hate profanity too! ^^ Elvish? I got from a dictionary. ^^ The language I'm using? O_o What do you mean by that?
whisper*2*imaginary: Michael's ultra cute! And Johnny will show up next time, there wasn't room for him in the chapter, lol so I had to push him to the next! ^^
Saffron: *hugz* It's total chaos, my world! ^^ You must be happy since you love Michael and it's mostly about him in this chapter. ^^ Michael's led a hard life, but he's genuine and sweet. ^^ I'm glad you still love it and I hope you'll keep on loving it! ^^
Reicu: lol, cute dialogue! LOTR: ROTK, you saw, ne? It was awesome!
bimbo-blonde: Lol, that was funny, Enrique and Aquana are both semi-stubborn. ^^
Silver Swiftness: Yup total hint. Did I freak you out with my review? Hope not, I took several deep breaths and I'm living again, but seriously you made my heart jump out when I read that. ;_; You like Michael? Me too! ^^
RBMIfan: Yup, Mikey boy! ^^ Tala is having mixed priorities, tee hee, fun! ^^
Cry Of The Red Phoenix: Cuz…you have to keep reading to find out! ^^ *glompz*
Yin: Omg, that is SO true, Michael does seem like Tala's opposite, he's genuine and Tala's not. I saw ROFK, it was awesome, and Legolas is still my fav! ^^ Actually, Trisha doesn't have that big of a role at all, she's just there because she used to be Enrique's lover. ^^ Blah, but this new character is going to stay for a while. ^^ So many secrets, ne?
Magical Soul: Everyone knows something, ne? Poor Carly. ^^ Omg, you are so good! You're getting part of it, you're getting part of it, I daresay that you might figure it out soon! ^^ *zips my mouth shut* Can't say no more. ^^ "So many questions, so many chapters to go..." That was cute, lol! ^^ I love your reviews, so interesting! ^^ Lookie Michael in this chapter, poor him. ;_;