AN- Finally…I get explain my title. It's taken 4 ever…no thanks to Punkin.
Punkin- What…you let me out of your head.
Shadow- (holds up a bag of gems) These are called 'Hope' gems…
Punkin- "Hope' gems?
Shadow- I 'hope' that you go out there and do your thing… (throws the bag at her head.)
Punkin- Oh an amethyst like Meris' eyes. (walks away talking to herself) if my computer addicted author hasn't mentioned it yet, he doesn't own Neverwinter or anything in it… he still owes me a good fortune before he owns ME as well…good luck. :-).
Shadow- If this chapter looks like I'm starting to write like a professional, than there is a good reason…Tasharene beta-ed it. Thanks a gagillion. –Everyone stands and cheers- Here's what you want…Laterz...oh, first my responses to all your reviews...
Tasharene- Thanks for all your help and support. I got to read two extra stories…yeah! I bet Punkin wished it was that easy too…I mean there's not only Meris and Amberlee's family, (not to mention Tela's infatuation with her half-brother.) and of course trying to stay alive…well other than it's going to be easy. C'est la vie (that's life.)
Guan- Poor Meris, she's surrounded with crazy women…I think you had asked me once why he would fall for Punkin…you always end up with someone like your mother…I hope that's not true in real life…
WitchWolf- The tattoo thing is going to more of a crutch than anything…you'll see…
Lady Dioptase- I know I told you that you gave me the biggest compliment I've ever gotten…but really reading a story (a 33000 word one) in front of a computer is a flattering remark to a writer. I've only done it twice and I'm an avid reader.
CHAPTER TEN
He stood there, in front of my house, looking at me with his depthless purple eyes, not wanting this night to end as much as I didn't.
"That was so much fun," I said to ease the tension, with joy glowing across my face. I have never thought Meris could be so… sociable.
"I couldn't think of a more pleasurable way to getting sweaty," he said.
I couldn't stop smiling. "So, I guess you'd say it wasn't as bad as you thought."
"No… I thought you'd hit me more," he said nonchalantly.
I should have.
"I promise I'll only hit you when you deserve it…" He shrugged at that. "Would you like to come in and see my house?" I asked, opening my door wide.
"…I don't…" he stuttered.
"I wasn't really asking," I said and pulled him into my far-reaching house.
He looked around sharply and said, "Have you ever gotten lost here?"
"A few times, when I was a toddler," I said remembering opening a thousand of doors, looking for my mother when I was a two year old.
"Oh… I was just joking… but it looks nice, your parents must have been prosperous," he said and sat on my living room couch.
"You make it sound like a bad thing." I scowled at him with a warning expression on my face.
"No… I just didn't think you were… this rich, that's all," he said and wiggled on the couch uncomfortably.
"Well, if it's any consolation for you, we have never hired any help… my mother and now I take care of everything," I said with a proud smile.
"That's good… if you had, I'd fire the maid for working that inefficiently," he said as he looked around at my dusty drapes and the unorganized bookcases.
I shot him a death glare.
"But you… ah… are doing great… with school and everything."
You saved yourself… this time.
I sat down and wrapped my arm around his side. "So, are you still going to guard me for my birthday?"
"Birth…day?"
"Yeah, nimrod! Tomorrow… well, in two hours actually, it's my big 1-6…"
"Oh crap…" Meris said and stood up.
"Don't worry if you didn't get me anything… I'll let it go this year…"
"No… it's not that… it's just… crap…" Meris said, pacing the room in circles so intensely that he nearly burned the floor.
"What? Is something supposed to happen on my birthday… are you planning to make me a woman or something?" I teased.
"Does everything you think about involve… 'that'?"
"No… but 'that' is probably in the top five on my list of things I think about… so, is that a yes?"
"No. I… I think something bad is going to happen, but I… I don't think I can tell you."
"Okay," I said.
"Okay?"
"Yeah, if you need my help you'll ask for it, right?"
"Ah… sure," he said, scratching the back of his head.
I smiled and said, "Okay, so just sit down and calm down."
Meris sat down, "Can I ask you something?"
"No," I joked. "Sure you can, but I get to ask you something afterwards… you know the rules."
"Right… what's with wearing purple all the time? Are you trying to make it seem like you're similar to me, or are you obsessed with that color?"
"I guess I'm obsessed. My mother loved the color purple and told me all the time that the color of love was purple." I shrugged.
"Love… Purple?" Meris tried to fathom the idea.
"Red is the color of passion, of fervor and of old blood. Blue is the color of serenity and tranquility as well of new, untainted blood. Together they form purple… and that what love is - infatuation, passion melted together with concord, tranquility."
"Every time I think you can't get any deeper… you prove me wrong. So I'm blue since I'm composed and you're red since you are… well… emotional?"
"Are you trying to insinuate that I'm shallow and malicious?" I said, clenching my fists at my sides.
"Well, you did put a scar on your back to cover another scar," he said. I twisted and looked at the small my back … it did look like a multicolored scab. It looked so much better in the sewer… with less light. I guess that's why the tattoo guy works down there. 100 gold pieces down the drain…
"It's called a tattoo… and it looks cool, but you wouldn't understand," I said. "Now I get a requested… give me a kiss goodnight."
"I thought it was a question for question rule," Meris said.
"Okay… may I have a kiss goodnight?"
"No," Meris said and stood up.
"What!" I said, jumping to my feet, but he grabbed my cheeks, kissed the top of my head then headed to the door.
"I was joking… see, it can work both ways. I'll see you in the morning."
XOXOXOEverything between that moment and the next one of me waiting behind a cumbersome curtain meshed together. I had my hair redone quickly that morning - it was braided around the edge line of my hair, just over my ears and the two braids came together at the nape of my neck and fell into the empty V of my back. My tiara still stood, even after Celeste's complaints and my dress looked even better than the day before, although I couldn't say the same for my 'tattoo.'
Linu looked at the clock on wall, "Are you ready, dear?" she asked in her warm voice.
"I've never been more ready for anything in my life."
"That's good, hon… because if you mess up, Sharwyn will never let you live it down."
"Like that will be a long time anyway," I laughed. "Do you know if the musicians are at ease with the music?"
"They seemed fine at the rehearsal…they are professionals, so I doubt they are nervous. You seem to keep the compositions simple."
"Of course, I want everyone to remember my voice… not the stupid honks and beeps. I am the star after all."
"Watch it… if that head of yours gets any bigger you'll have to drag it on stage… High noon, go time. Knock 'em dead, dear."
XOXOXOThe music started slow and steady as the curtain rose. I stood still, looking out into the obscure crowd. It was dark and unmoving, as I stood tall, flip my hair and opened my mouth…
Verse 1
There's a sound, a single sound,
That breaks my heart in two.
It's that soft and lonely weeping,
That draws me close to you.
And there's more to your heart,
Than anyone else can ever see.
But it's being torn apart,
By things that should never be.
Verse 2
I know a place, such a place,
And I'd wish to take you there.
I would banish all that you suffer,
For it's more than I can bear.
Your tears they melt my own soul,
So much that I can never leave.
I'd give up my life to you,
The very air I breath.
Chorus
So let me make you happy,
And put a smile upon that pretty face.
Let me hold you in my arms,
The storm is gone and I'm the calm,
So have a little faith.
Verse 3
In this world, this cruel world,
There's just one thing that's true.
You can't handle all your pain alone,
You need some one to help you through.
The things I feel can't be wrong,
I know that I can make it right.
So I'm begging you before I go,
To trust in me tonight.
The wisp lights flashed on - red, blue and yellow, filling the arena with radiance. I walked to the edge of the stage and looked at Meris… sitting beside Everiegn in the front row and he smiled gently as the crowd stood and applauded.
See, I told you nothing bad would happen… what a pessimistic pansy.
The rest of my performance was just as skillful. My dress wasn't exactly designed for dancing around, but it held up fine and the puffiness seemed make it look as if I were floating across the stage… in my head I was.
I truly loved very moment on stage… and I felt a little depressed as I ended my last song, it was sweeter than the one I wrote and welcomed in the lovely unification of one of the woman I hope to become like and a man that would just give all of himself to the city that he adores.
"That was our own Punkin CAPERNUM!" Tomi said as he dramatically entered from the front of the arena of the Halls of Justice. Every head turned to him as he made his way down the aisle.
"Nice dress. Who did ya'r hair? Are you available after the cer'mony?" Tomi said to unsuspecting women at the audience, as he made his way. I bowed accepting more cheers and sat down next to Meris.
"You did great," he whispered. "I wanted to give you something before your thing but… I…"
"A GIFT!" Everyone looked at me. "This wedding is truly a gift," I said with a false giddiness in my voice.
"Yeah," he pulled out three bracelets. He handed me the first, a red one and it was engraved with these words
Love- A deep, tender, ineffable feeling of affection and solicitude toward a personThe next one was blue; he put it on my wrist with the red one but left a little room. It said…
Such as that arising from kinship, recognition of attractive qualities, or a sense of underlying oneness
The last one was purple, he snapped it in between the two and it said…
Simply put…this is how I've come to think of you.
"Wow… this is like the COOLEST…" heads turned to me again.
"I see our star is ready for this union," Tomi said and continued on with the speech that Sharwyn obviously made him say. I looked over at Meris and smiled. We ignored 'the preacher.'
"They are not just regular bracelets…" he said quietly. "I put three different spells on each of them. If you rub your finger over all three at the same time than you'll release the spells."
"What spells?" I asked.
"You will know once you use them," he replied with a guilty grin.
"Did you engrave it yourself, too?" I whispered.
"Shhh," Everiegn hissed.
"I'll shh your head!" I told the ranger as he shook his head.
Meris touched my shoulder, which sent snowflakes down my spine. "I did… but it's nothing… my mother made me learn how… it was going to be my trade. I guess it came in handy."
"Thanks… I'll never take them off," I said and turned to listen to the ceremony.
Meris had the same idea, "We should start watching… I think Sharwyn is about to be introduced at last."
Tomi babbled on, however, "We are here, under heaven, on Faerun, before the eyes of all things celestial, over all things bound to the depths… that's a dumb statement, actually."
"GET ON WITH IT!" Sharwyn's voice roared over the whole arena as if she was an invisible dragon.
"This is the day that we all shall remember as the day that a bless'd and sacred union, if ya say so."
On bless'd Tomi splattered half the front row with saliva… if he got me with any, there'd be hell to pay.
"TOMI!"
"The bless'd start of a bless'd era for our bless'd Neverwinter. Bless'd…bless'd…bless'd." More spittle flew causing the spectators to duck for cover.
"I'LL RIP YOUR…"
"Now all stand," the typical music of a wedding procession began, "to welcome our bless'd heroine?… Sharwyn and her… and our… Lord Nasher Alagondar."
The music blasted as the flower girl, poor Cami, walked in and quickly threw flower petals down the aisle, making sure not to make eye contact with anyone. Sharwyn's rules, most likely.
"Isn't she the cutest," rang out voices from all over the arena. "Here she comes… here comes the bride."
Sharwyn… she looked as pretty as ever and I'm sure it took a lot of her new husband's gold to get her looking the few years younger she now appeared. Her straight hair was a fiery red, brighter than usually… I think she changed dyes. Her silky white dress was exquisite; long with millions of tiny flower embroiders across it, from its wide foundation to the V-neck revealing a trivial amount of cleavage. She looked like a queen.
She stood, joining a group of Alagondars and they looked back for the march of the Lord…
The music trumpeted loudly…
Nothing. Not a movement from outside the Hall.
The music stopped and reran the groom entrance music…
Nothing.
This is why the groom shouldn't come in last.
The people started to whisper… where was the Lord?
Amberlee rushed onto the stage.
"Where's Nasher?" Sharwyn screamed out seeing her.
"Nasher is…"Amberlee held her hands out, all covered in blood. "Nasher's dead..."
An eerie silence settled over the crowd…
Tomi broke it, "Does this mean ya'r avail'ble?"
XOXOXO"It was… I saw… and I tried… but…" Amberlee 'explained' as I, Meris, Sharwyn, Linu, Tomi and Celamn stood in the back stage area trying to find out what happened.
Sharwyn touched her shoulder, "Calm down…one syllable at a time."
"I was with him in his room, like my dad said for me to do. A… thing… I don't know what it was… but I know it wasn't from here on Faerun… it… it attacked us, grabbed him. I tried to save him… I grabbed the… the thing but it… bit through my skin… kind of like acid… I tried, Sharwyn…I did, really. I'm sorry."
"So he may as well still be alive, dear," Linu said.
"I guess so… but that thing wasn't just playing around." Amberlee explained.
"Well kids," Celamn said.
Kid my ass.
"We can take it from here."
Meris walked out, followed closely by Amberlee. I wasn't going anywhere, however.
"I'm not a kid anymore…I'm 16 today, I think I can handle whatever you four can."
"Punkin," Tomi said, "Ya mitey brave ta wanna go afta this thing and we ain't tryin ta make ya feel like ya itty bitty but ya gotta und'rstand our position. We can't let ya go getting hurt again."
"I won't," I said.
"Amberlee needs you," Linu argued. She did, I couldn't make a counter.
"Plus you need to make sure the people in town are safe… the walls are still breechable," Celamn said.
"I guess," I said as I started to leave, "I'll stay if you tell me your plans."
"We're going to search for him, of course," Sharwyn said.
"We must start with Neverwinter Woods," Celamn said. "It has been notorious for evil beings and such… we should start our search there."
XOXOXOI walked out of the room and was meet by Meris and Amberlee's eyes. They looked intense.
"So what did Celamn say?" Meris asked.
"That they are going to look for Nasher in the Woods and that we…"
"Just like you said," Meris said to Amberlee.
She tossed her hair, she didn't look as unraveled as she did in the room.
"That means Nasher was right… my father sent his most prized incarnation after Nasher…"
"What?" I was confused.
"That thing… it was a spirit being. I've seen him once before… I wasn't supposed to, but I did. My father was searching for some artifact while my mother and me were supposed to be sleeping, but I was curios and trailed him. He released some planar being and couldn't fight it off and he called out to this being, Chalchiuhticue, and it appeared out of nowhere… she was made of water… and was nearly transparent."
"So this creature is an element?" I asked.
"I guess… I don't know much since I've just started my shaman training."
Meris looked impressed, "You're a shaman."
"Well, I was training to become one but… I don't know now with all this. I think my father wants to kill Nasher to gain the control of Neverwinter. If he's not successful, I don't know what else he's capable of… my father is very determined… he'll get what he wants or he'll die trying."
"So let's go to the Woods and save your uncle's hairy behind," I said.
"No," Meris said. "He's not in the Woods."
Amberlee nodded, "That's my dad's cover story, I bet. We were supposed to visit Helm's Hold ruins after we left… I'm sure he's right there."