Key:
Words in Italics – thoughts of the characters
{Words in these curvy brackets} - flashbacks
[Author's note: Sorry for the long delay in writing Chapter 2. I had a serious writers' block for this fic until I changed a major part of the plot ^_^ Er… by the way, could all those who have read my Prologue before reread it again? I changed an important part of it. Thanks! Sorry for the trouble! Hope you all enjoy this chapter and all comments and criticisms would be greatly appreciated]
She was becoming a familiar sight, head buried in a book and strands of golden mist bound by a simple green ribbon as she drifted along the corridors. Celena was no longer under close scrutiny by the servants (and about time too). When she first arrived a year ago, whispers rose like mosquitoes whining every time she appeared on the corridors. For goodness sakes, she had Dilandau quite under control by then. Once you saw through him, there was nothing much to be feared about the psychopathic violent brat.
Although she had to admit that she had cowered before the height of his insanity when she first awoke; and he had fed on her fear. Her nights had been plagued with bloody dreams of his murderous deeds and aspirations. Still… the nightmares had always been tempered by the warmth of a familiar touch: Allen's hand enfolding hers as she fought her private battle against the demon. During the day, when Dilandau's curse lessened with the warmth of the sun, Allen recounted the innocent tales of their childhood. Slowly, she began to notice that as her memories flooded back in, Dilandau's presence dimmed.
When she was out in the garden with Allen one day, the thought dawned on her that perhaps, Dilandau had seemed so domineeringly huge because when she had "awakened", her mind only contained his life, his dreams, his memories but now, her own memories were taking over some space. They were competing for control and Celena was determined to win. She figured that the best way to fill up her brain was to begin her education. Of course, when she first brought up her idea to Allen, her dear overprotective brother nearly had a stroke. He nagged about her she should not over exert herself and should instead rest to recuperate from the traumatic experience of being a dragon slayer.
But Celena put her foot down, literally and screamed, "I'm a big girl now!"
Allen gave up and opened up the dusty library room, its only function before her request was to boost Allen's culture rating in the eyes of his visitors. The truth was, Allen was either busy fighting, flirting or wallowing in angst. He was a very busy man, not much time for reading. The library must have loved Celena because she actually loved it for its original purpose. The two of them were very much in love, well, perhaps she loved her brother a bit more though. Her plan worked. As she read and absorbed more and more, Dilandau grew smaller and smaller in her brain (Author's note: NO! He did not become SD chibi or whatever…) and as she matured in her thinking, she began to see through him. One day, he ceased to become a menace, a threat to just a little small pest.
By which time she had fallen in love with reading, especially novels about life. They helped her to feel and experience what she never got to experience, those lost years when she had been sleeping. After she exhausted the contents of the library however, she began hankering for other books and she badgered her brother endlessly about the grand new library that Fanelia had built. Van agreed to let her stay though it took him a long while to get over the fear that she might suddenly jump back into Dilandau's skin. Allen could not stop worrying about her so he came over sometimes for visits and Celena was on her way out now to meet him. He was so naggy sometimes, she half-wondered if he was a woman. (Well… don't we all?)
She twirled a little in her simple dress of pure white adorned with a spray of bluebells. Allen loved this dress, he said she looked like an angel in it. Now that she thought about it, the compliment was probably used when he was romancing the other court ladies too. Celena pouted for a second before her eyes lighted up as she remembered that she was going to enjoy her second Fanelian independence day.
As she neared the front door, the uproar outside snapped Celena out of her thoughts. Ever curious, she picked up her skirts and sped outside in a highly unladylike manner.
It was a picture out of one of the fantasy novels she had read: An angel was descending. His shimmering nimbus seized your attention from the lesser jewels in the watery darkness of a romantic night. It wasn't holy. It wasn't pure. It was love and joy, and its source lay in his arms.
She could feel tears coming to her eyes. She never forgot this image in the years to come. The night when an angel, suitably fitted in a robe of passionate mahogany cradled a pale beauty in a simple green shift were framed in the crescent moon.
She blinked.
"Van?" She whispered in shock. Serious melancholy Van? Van had a romance life? And, Van had wings?! Well, that was certainly something he had never bothered to tell her.
She took in the rest of her surroundings, the people in the courtyard were staring up at the king in shock before everyone started clapping and cheering. Van managed a quirk of a smile as if any further leak would cause the whole dam of his happiness to overflow as he floated gently down to the ground. Her beloved brother was running towards the two of them and enveloping them in an unmanly show of affection by hugging and crying. Chid was bouncing around like a mad monkey.
She felt a little lost in the midst of this joyful reunion. Still, the lady looked awfully familiar…
… "THE BITCH FROM THE MYSTIC MOON!" screeched Dilandau in her mind. She winced and shut Dilandau up immediately.
"Well, anyone whom Dilandau calls a bitch is definitely someone good!" She ran forward and congratulated Van even though she only vaguely remembered Hitomi and she was definitely not going to tap into Dilandau's memory bank if all he was going to do was give her a headache with his childish temper.
"I'm so happy for you!" She squealed.
Van's dazed eyes floated towards her before he snapped back to Hitomi. He murmured some nonsense then proceeded to smile like a love sick fool. Everyone erupted in laughter at their king.
"Come, let's bring Hitomi in. She looks like she needs rest and don't panic Van, yes you may accompany her," Allen said as he patted Van on the back.
*****
{ "Quickly Quickly!" A baker shouted as he huffed up the hill to a circle of upright stones, his cry echoed by many others.
"A guardian is being born!" A small girl with enormous cornflower blue eyes smiled and clapped her hands in excitement as she rode on her brother's shoulder.
"This is the most auspicious year ain't it?" Her brother asked Tim who looked mighty irritated for not being at the top of the hill.
"Yeah! This might be the strongest and most pure of heart one of them all!" He shouted back excitedly.
"Damn it Tim! Wait for me! I'm carrying Esha on my shoulders!" Edmond cursed as he hurried on till they reached the top and managed to find a decent spot where they could watch, an outcrop of rocks.
"I guess this seat will do…" Tim muttered.
"Quit grumbling! Is he out yet?" Edmond asked excitedly as he squinted at the three wizards who stood over a small pink orb.
"It could be a girl too!" Esha pouted and giggled immediately at the thought of a cute scaly small female guardian. Tim and Edmond rolled their eyes at each other, how could the strongest be a girl.
A sparkle rose into the air, flickering like a faint dust mote in the sun. The audience hushed and our small trio drew in their breath. All of a sudden, it erupted and a golden portal swirled in mid-air. A ball of misty white tumbled out into a wizard's arms. He murmured an incantation and it uncurled itself and stared out at the audience with emerald eyes.
"I present to you, this year's Guardian, a female cloud dragon!" The wizard proclaimed proudly and a murmur went through the crowd. Cloud dragons were extremely rare because of their unsurpassable level of magic and this was the first time one had actually been born in this city. Truly, this must be the most powerful Guardian. Esha squealed happily and Edmond and Tim were too awed by the presence of a cloud dragon to glower at her for being so happy that it was a girl.
The second wizard's attention had been focused on closing the portal when he gave a shout of pure shock. A second ball hovered at the edge of the portal. Frightened and confused whispers rustled in the crowd, everyone knew that only one guardian was born per year. Freezing only for a second, the second wizard accepted the second ball of fur and incanted the same string of words. The silver dragon unfurled and gazed at the audience with eyes the colour of mulled wine.
"Everyone! Please listen to me!" The third wizard commanded as he sent a calming spell into the midst of the audience. "This is certainly an unusual event but the second guardian you see before you is a metallic dragon, its kind has a good heart by nature. Fear not my friends! Fate must have placed him in our hands for some purpose, instead I urge you to welcome this little fellow into our midst!"
"Hear Hear!!" Edmond shouted and people bent their knees to this miracle of two beautiful guardians.}
Why am I seeing this?
{Silver gazed inquiringly at Cloud, with a slight arrogant air in the tilt of his head. Cloud flapped her baby wings lightly as a sign of friendship which Silver returned a little shly.}
Someone's holding my hand. Familiar. There are people whispering by my bed. Where am I?
{The crowd cheered at their friendship and the sun shone brightly on this blessed day…}
* * * * *
"Hitomi?"
She knew. Without even opening her eyes, she knew who he was. The petals of flesh were allowed to unfold and she stared up into a fire that was different and yet familiar.
The room was quiet now.
"Van…" her voice was hoarse and shaky, probably because she was thirsty she thought. She lay still, not sure what to do and she had not wanted to return in the first place. Her life here was over and she had to explain this whole mess to him.
"There's something I have-"
The remaining words were erased and her sentence choked up as Van, whom she thought as immovable as the stars, embraced her tightly, letting her know that he knew, that he had read it from her eyes, from her inaction. He knew she had not come here on her own accord. He whispered his knowledge into her ear. Yet, he held on, desperately sending the message through his arms that he had wished otherwise, that he loved her still, that he was hurt and finally… , that he understood.
When he could finally look into her eyes without showing his hurt, he held her at arms' length, gave a weak smile and let go. Her hands clutched the bed sheets, a lump falling in her throat. It was amazing and heartbreaking to return, and find, that he had matured but had not changed. Her mind groped for a description and called up a song – "You say it best when you say nothing at all". She knew she could replace that sadness… with a leap into his arms. But… her fingers tightening invisibly on the taut sheets, she knew she would not be so selfish. He deserved so much more than her false hope and promises…
"It's good to see you again Hitomi. The others missed you too," he told her, jerking her back from her thoughts and provided a temporary respite from them. Hitomi began to notice Allen leaning by the window sill, Merle handing her a glass of water, Chid kneeling by her bedside and someone… not so familiar. Celena.
"So, what happened?" Celena asked, unable to hide her curiousity any longer. Allen laughed at her excited tone and Hitomi giggled.
"Well. You see, I was on this school trip and…"
*****
"… that's what happened," Hitomi finished her long narrative and sipped her glass of water.
"Hitomi? You probably don't know me. I'm Celena," Celena had inched nearer and nearer to Hitomi during her tale till she was holding Hitomi's hand now, like the normal girl was some kind of movie star. "What you've just been telling us? It's really cool! I'm going to do all I can to help! Don't worry, I think I'll check up on the library's historical records on any kind of Draconian history I can find. You just can't rely on myths and legends and visions, now books, they give much more detail." She was rambling and she knew it, but it was just so exciting to meet Hitomi. Someone who Dilandau could hate that much, she must be really nice! Besides, she was just enthralled with someone who could evoke that much emotion from serious old Van.
"Thank you Celena," Hitomi was overcome by a compulsion to hug the girl, she reminded her slightly of Yukari.
Allen and Van did not share Celena's childish enthusiasm. Rather, they looked at each other and shared a grimace that indicated a common worry, or fear…
"What is it?" Hitomi asked.
"Don't worry," Allen replied soothingly. He was still the refined gentleman who was unwilling to burden ladies with worries. "Your vision just touched on an issue that has been disturbing the nations of Gaea for a while now."
"The dragon attacks?" Merle asked as she returned to the room with more refreshments for everyone. Hitomi wondered if Merle had taken on the role of the housekeeper of the Fanelian palace after she left. She had always wondered if Van and Merle would develop… after she went back to earth. Apparently not and all of a sudden, she just knew that Van was still single, that he had still been hoping till now. She pushed that train of thought into the recesses of her mind, she realised she couldn't, and didn't want to think about the implications of that right now.
"Yes," Van confirmed. Hitomi could tell from his looks that he was thinking now. "The dragons have always caused a little trouble now and then but it's been increasing after Hi-(a pause in his choice of words)since two years ago".
"It's not only the dragons that have been causing trouble. Other mythical creatures have become nuisances." Allan skilfully continued.
"It is no longer safe to travel in the woods near Freid by night, vampire bats and wolves now lurk in them," A young quavering male voice added. Chid had certainly grown and was almost a teenager now. Hitomi half-smiled to herself, how strange to use that Earth noun – teenager, here on Gaea.
"There is another thing," Van continued, "Princess Eries has disappeared."
"Eries?! Millerna's sister? What happened?" Hitomi asked in shock. Eries. Yes, she remembered her. Tall and slim, with an ethereal grace that was more unique than Millerna's, Hitomi could not take her eyes off Eries the first time she saw her.
"King Aston died three years ago and told her on his death bed that she was not his child. She had been an orphan which the kind Queen had found on the way home. He told her that he had loved her as one of his own but Eries was very badly affected by this revelation. She spent days… wandering down the hallways." Allen paused here and Hitomi noticed, a wavering in Allen's sky blue eyes. "One day, she went out for a walk and disappeared. It's rumoured that King Aston told her that she had been found near the elf woods."
The room was quiet. Van was pained to see Hitomi looking troubled since her return. He knew it simply was not fair to ask her to bear Gaea's troubles too. She was the first to break the silence.
"I thought that Gaea would be at peace after the Great War," Hitomi said softly. "Did we go through so much pain and trouble for nothing?" Her hands shook slightly but were enveloped by a pale delicate one. Celena. Hitomi clasped the hand gratefully.
"No Hitomi. Things would be much worse if we were under Dornkirk's mad ideas and control," Chid said firmly. Hitomi realised what the change she had noticed in Chid had been. He was slipping more and more into the skin of a King. He spoke with authority and the air of a noble born. She was proud of him.
"Hitomi needs rest. We shouldn't disturb her so much," Allen commanded abruptly from his seat by the window as he rose up and stood at her side. "I'll take my leave Hitomi." With a strained smile and a bow, he left the room.
"He's right," Merle agreed quickly, erasing the curt air that Allen had left behind. She handed Hitomi some bed robes and hugged the girl comfortingly. On that cue, everyone began murmuring similar well-meant orders to sleep well, before they trailed out of the room, except a shadow.
Van did not say anything, he did not know what to say. He was contented just to be with her a while more, to experience that comforting peace that had been missing in his life for so long.
Should she tell him of her strange dream of the two dragons? Did they mean anything? They were so different from her usual disturbing visions. There had been a strange bittersweet taste to that dream. Or should she talk of them…
"Van, I-"
"It can wait till tomorrow Hitomi," Van cut in, not rudely but he just was too emotionally geared up tonight. Swiftly, merely a shift in the darkness, he kissed her lightly on her forehead. Innocent and pure, not wanting to alarm her, showing her that he would accept that she wanted them just to be friends. Then he was moving out of the door.
"Van!"
He halted.
"Good night," She called and before she could stop herself, she added, "Coming back hurts… but I missed all of you…" She looked directly at him as she uttered the last word. He smiled gratefully and then, she was alone.
* * * * *
"Our kindred is growing restless," a raspy voice grated on Keeper's ears.
"I know, but it is not yet time," she replied calmly. Why they had given her such a sly and power-hungry advisor was beyond her. Or was it? The narrow green slits of eyes flashed briefly in anger. Were they really starting to doubt the legends and prophecies that they had followed for so long? Is that why they were making things so difficult? Could she blame them? She was already the 30th Keeper.
"The Watchers are no longer confident that they can control them. They-"
"-then increase the punishment!"
"Your popularity is rapidly declining, what can possibly make them shut up their grievances?"
The Keeper allowed Whisperer his brief moment of gloating and elation after his last threat was uttered. She could almost see his scales glimmer in excitement as he thought that he had at last frightened her. Frighten her? A Keeper. He had much to learn.
"Well, so what do you propose to do? Do you think-" Whisperer continued smugly but paused abruptly as the surrounding icicles started growing. The Keeper did not turn around, she did not need to, her show of power was enough. An icicle was allowed to drop – a reminder to Whisperer that he was at a disadvantage here, in this cavern of ice. Finally, she began to speak, her voice a reflection of the dropping temperature.
"The next dragon rebel will be punished into the cavern of mirrors," she stated simply. There was a moment of shocked silence before she added, "you are dismissed." She continued to stare straight at the orb lying on its pedestal of ice for a while.
"I was in no grave danger Kalmwaiter," she called out and he was instantly by her side.
"It never pays to be careful around that one," was his predictable response.
"Why are the rest of our fellow dragons so doubtful? We already know that the leader has been born, the signs prove it true," she said tiredly.
"The leader does not remember the past," he reminded gently, "they are restless because they want him so desperately to be amongst us once again, to recall the old beliefs and ways."
"All we need is one sign and we can start moving and cease this mind-breaking waiting," she snorted in frustration. The orb pulsated abruptly and the Keeper whispered the following words as if in prayer, "At last, after two whole years." She nuzzled the orb and allowed the images to flow over her.
When she finally opened her eyes, Kalmwaiter was at attention. "When do we move?" he asked.
"Tomorrow, at sunrise."
[Author's note: Ah…. Exciting? I hope so. Otherwise I would have failed miserably ^_-;;; Chapter 3 is coming soon. Promise!!!]