No Matter How Dark the Night Chapter 7

Hi guys. Thanks for being so patient with me about updates. Humblemaster, thank you for your reminder to get up off my butt and update! Marinawings, you're the best- this one's for you. Quirky, RJ, Jen, everybody enjoy! It tore me up to write this one...sniff sniff

Auron breathed deeply upon entering Bevelle's massive antechamber. As always, when he returned to this hallowed place, all his cares seemed to melt away, soothed by the barely perceptible voices of times long past. He formed his hands into the Yevon prayer, bowing deeply at the feet of the past high summoners. He felt his clarity returning, something he desperately needed after the weekend with Gaia. He knew that rejection of the High Priest's daughter would not earn him any popularity points among his superiors, but he was sure that once they met his true love, all objections would melt away. He smiled thinking of Isthia. She represented everything he had always wanted- love, joy, security, warmth- their personalities just fit like puzzle pieces. That was something Gaia would never understand. Auron stood up. He was wasting time. He would march right over to the apprentice summoners' hall and ask Isthia to marry him, no matter who was around. Filled with resolve, he turned and started to walk away. A familiar face met him at the door.

"Hey, Auron! You're back! How was it?" Wen Kinoc asked cheerfully, grabbing Auron in a bear hug.

Auron disentangled himself. "Quite awful, thank you."

Kinoc laughed. "Gaia still after you, huh? By the shoopuf, she doesn't know when to quit."

Auron nodded. "Yeah, but then again she's the high priest's daughter. She's used to getting her way, all the time."

Kinoc shook his head. "Well, you could do worse- she's got looks, money, connections, power..." Kinoc trailed off at the look of horror on his friend's face. He slapped Auron on the back. "Hey, just kidding! I don't know how you've stood it this long- one day of her whining and I would go nuts!"

Auron grinned. "Yeah, well, you can't exactly say to the high priest's daughter "You're driving me nuts-enough already. But I have an idea that might remedy the Gaia problem." He turned and began striding out the door, Kinoc trailing closely behind, all ears.

"What's the plan? Can I help?" Kinoc rubbed his hands with glee.

Auron sighed. Kinoc could be so childish sometimes. "Gaia doesn't seem to think I'm capable of love. I intend to show her just how capable I am. I'm going to ask the love of my life to marry me, something I should have done long ago."

Kinoc's jaw dropped. "YOU?! IN LOVE?! SINCE WHEN?! AND WITH WHO?!"

Auron laughed. "Yes, me, in love, since I was about 14, with the lady Isthia- the apprentice summoner from Besaid."

Kinoc suddenly sobered, his expression changing to profound sadness. "Oh, yes, I remember now. You don't know? No one told you?"

For the first time in his life, Auron felt the icy claw of dread wrap around his heart. "What don't I know? What hasn't anyone told me?"

Kinoc shuffled his feet, embarrassed. "Lady Isthia was married just three days ago- to the priest Kirin Lighthand. From what I hear, it was an arranged marriage- either Isthia go along or she suffers a fate worse than death- excommunication."

A curious low roaring was beginning in Auron's head. The world underfoot began to spin, and he collapsed into a crouch on the painted street of Bevelle. Isthia....married? And to all people- Kirin Lighthand?! How could she?! Anger began to flood Auron, red mists clouding his vision. Here he had resisted the advances of the High Priest's daughter herself out of fidelity to Isthia, and as soon as he leaves her alone for one minute, she up and gets married to a priest!

"NO! It's not true, Kinoc! I should tear out your heart for telling such lies!" And with that, Auron started to draw his Katana. The blade hissed as it was unsheathed, three feet of sharp, blue-tinged steel.

Kinoc held his hands up placatingly. "It's true, my friend. Their reception is being held tonight. Orders of Maester Mika himself."

Auron wavered, the katana point striking the ground at his feet. "....Maester Mika? But...why Isthia? Why did he choose her for his little pet priest? She's a summoner- he knows her eventuality! WHY?!"

Kinoc shook his head. "Apparently, what Kirin wants Kirin gets. And he wanted Isthia."

Auron let his katana fall from his fighting stance in defeat. He knew the power Kirin had over the old Maester- so much so that it was rumored Kirin would be the next Grand Maester. Even Isthia must not be able to stand up under such power, for Auron knew she loved him. It must have been quite a blow to her, being forced to marry- and to someone like THAT- Auron felt his flesh crawl with revulsion and he shuddered.

"My poor Isthia," he murmured, once again falling to his knees in the street. He buried his face in his hands and wept. Kinoc crouched beside him.

"I'm sure she loves you, Auron," he began quietly. "It all makes sense now. When I first saw her after her wedding, she looked so...distant, so sad, not like a new bride should look at all. I couldn't put my finger on exactly what was wrong...but with what I know now, it all makes sense." He placed a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Go to her. I'm sure she's been dying a little every day since her wedding. Go to her, before it's too late."

Auron raised a grief-stricken face. "I can't, Kinoc- she's a married woman. I'll do nothing to shame her in any way."

Kinoc's face was kind. "There is no shame in love, Auron. The shame lies in the circumstances mortals restrict it with. Kirin is just an obstacle to the true path. I've never yet seen you shrink from obstacles. Don't do it now."

Auron's face hardened. "You're right. Here I am crying like a child over nothing. I must see her. When is the reception, and where?"

Kinoc glanced at the sun. "It's been going on for a while now, at the Maester's house. Follow me." And the two friends rushed away into the lengthening twilight.

Isthia, meanwhile, could not have been more miserable. Dressed in the filmy white gown she had worn those three awful nights before, she pasted a mechanical smile on her face, murmuring thank you's as if by rote to the long line of well-wishers that seemed to have no end. Kirin hovered like an annoying insect, his hand on her bare shoulder, or playing with a tendril of her midnight hair, or rubbing the small of her back. Once he had kissed her on the cheek, recoiling quickly at the anger that came to her icy silver-blue eyes. Now he just stood behind her, nodding and smiling graciously at the line of people come to wish them well. Just then, Maester Mika arrived.

Kirin sank into a deep bow, the Yevon prayer gesture made gracefully and fluidly. Isthia flashed a hate-ridden glace at her once- beloved spiritual leader before following suit. Mika noted the glance, then smiled benevolently.

"Rise, my children. May the blessing of Yevon descend on your union."

As Isthia rose, her eyes fell on a figure she had given up all hope of ever seeing again. In his long crimson coat, his beautiful dark hair tied with a leather thong, those russet eyes filled with sorrow and pity...and...dare she hope...love? Isthia's breath caught in her throat, and she quickly lowered her eyes so as not to arouse Kirin's suspicions. Her head began to ache, her heart to beat faster. A smile of pure joy crossed her face as she raised her head again. But he was gone! Where had he gone- her life, her soul, her love?! Panic welled up in her- she knew she had to get away- away from all these people, away from this oppressing Yevon dogma, and most of all, away from her-she shuddered-husband. She turned to Kirin.

"Kirin, may I have your leave to retire? The stress of the day is giving me a headache, and I must have my rest." She smiled sweetly at him to hide the disdain she knew her eyes were betraying.

Kirin pulled her off to one side, his grip unyielding. When he spoke, his voice was low and dangerous. "I saw him, Isthia Lighthand. I will NOT allow you to make an idiot of me and a whore of yourself. How dare you try to justify your conduct?"

Isthia's rage flared. "Get your hands off me, Kirin! You dare try to harm a summoner of Yevon or impede her training! Maester Mika will hear of this!"

Kirin raised his hand and struck Isthia square in the face. "You dare speak to me that way! Get out of my sight, you trash! Go! Go satisfy your lust! Just know that doing so will cause his death!"

Isthia's hand slowly rose to her face, hiding the livid crimson mark. Quietly she spoke. "May Yevon judge between me and you, husband." With that, she ran from the Maester's house, tears streaming down her face.

She ran. She didn't know where- she just ran until she felt dizzy and lightheaded from lack of breath. In front of her, the palace of St. Bevelle loomed large. The temple- her sanctuary. Flinging the doors open, she ran inside and fell at the feet of the high summoners before her, sobbing tempestuously. A noise made her jerk her head up and reach for the small dagger concealed at her waist. But her fear changed to joy as Auron stepped out from behind the statues.

He regarded her. She stared at him from her position on the cold stone floor. Without speaking, and in one swift movement, they found their way into each other's arms.

Auron held her as she cried. She cried until she could cry no more as he stroked her hair, murmuring soothingly.

"Don't, my precious, please. It's not your fault. Kinoc told me everything- don't blame yourself, please. I know this wasn't your choice."

Isthia raised a tearstained face. "Auron....please....don't...."

Auron regarded her questioningly. "What, love? What is..."

Before he could say anymore, Isthia's lips were on his in a searing kiss. Surprised, he resisted at first, but slowly melted into her arms, returning the kiss in all its fire and passion. She whimpered in his arms, pulling him closer, kissing him deeply. When they finally pulled away, Isthia spoke first.

"Don't ever leave me- I'm not going back to him. Our marriage....it...isn't binding yet...."

The weight of what she was saying struck Auron in force. She still belonged to him, body and soul. He tenderly brushed back a strand of her hair before lifting her into his arms and carrying her toward the temple living quarters, where his own private apartment waited. Setting her down inside, Auron searched her face for signs of regret, apprehension, or hesitation. There was none. Cupping her face in his hands, he kissed her, savoring the feeling of her body against his, the softness of her lips, the scent of her hair.... He could kiss her all night....

The next morning he woke to the weight of Isthia's head on his shoulder, the warm cocoon of her body pressed against his. He brushed her lips gently with his own. She stirred, snuggled closer to him, and opened her eyes. She smiled. Auron was home.

So, SO?! What did all you peeps think? Let me know, huh? Next time I won't be so slow about updating. Hope it was worth the wait!