Chapter 12- The Triplets of Laquaria
Well, on to chapter 12! Thanks to Korey.G, mistyqueen, Candy Quackenbush. Also thanks to Lavender Megumi. I realize Chapter 11 was a little cliché, but I had to make sure that Arya liking Varien wasn't a hit you in the face kind of thing. Thanks for your review!
This chapter has more definite ties with Beauty and the Beast, but with my own twist of course!
Arya's POV"Hah. Relying on your friends to save you Varien? How dreadfully low of you brother." Zane smirked. "But if any of them come any closer, you'll be dead."
He rushed at Varien, dagger in hand, and pinned him to the floor, knife to throat.
"No! Let him go! I'll do whatever you ask. Please…" I shouted. Zane looked at me, madness apparent in his eyes.
"Don't you see Princess, this has nothing to do with you anymore. I thought I would have destroyed my brother when that meddlesome beggar came to the door…but he escaped her spell, and found you…"
"What do you mean beggar Zane? We have never had one at our door before." Varien rasped, trying for breath under Zane's weight.
"As far as you know, but we did, and she wanted a place to stay for the night. I wasn't about to let a hungry old hag into the manor, so I told her to leave. When she asked my name, I told her I was you. No one could tell the difference, we are twins you know…"
As Zane finished telling his part of the story, rage burned in Varien's eyes. I was rather confused with the whole affair, and I thought, why not ask a question?
"Why did you give the beggar his name? What possible benefit would that have caused for you, at that time, anyway?"
Zane wavered his gaze to me, without releasing Varien, and responded.
" I had originally planned on rumors of the new master being cruel, and selfish. Maybe cause some unrest in the people, but the result was much more satisfying. The old hag was a witch, and cursed me; only she used my brother's name instead of mine. I was spared, but I remember the words exactly.
For your hate and bitterness,
You, Lord Varien will bear a likeness,
To a lizard-man most vile,
While your brother rules all the while."
Varien, in a muster of all of his strength, (most likely caused from the anger of this new development) lifted himself off of the ground, knocked the knife out of Zane's hand and held him a foot above the ground.
"Well, it seems that the tables have turned brother. I should kill you."
"Go ahead, but that would only lessen your appeal to the people."
I had to admit that Zane was right. If Varien killed him, he would only have lived up to his monstrous appearance. How could we prove Varien's true identity, without killing Zane? Then, a thought struck me.
"Wait Varien. The witch must know of her error, because Lord Zane has been the Master of Darin for almost a year now. There must be a reason that she didn't already change you back. If you weren't a lizard you wouldn't have lived in the forest, if you weren't in the forest, you wouldn't have rescued my father, and…"
"…If I wouldn't have rescued your father, I wouldn't have met you…so maybe…" Varien interjected.
"Maybe you have to fulfill what your cards have laid out for you before things will go back to normal. This could be the witch's way of fixing the problem." Della piped up.
"Let Zane go Varien, but before you do, let's get rid of all of these weapons, it would only be an open invitation for him to attack you again." I said, and began to gather all of the swords and Zane's dagger.
"Aww… but I wanted to use the sword on the meanie…" Narie whined, then winked at me.
We all laughed, except for Zane of course, who was being tied up to the bed with the rope formerly used on my wrists.
"Let's just hope your theory is right Arya…" Varien whispered in my ear.
As we exited the manor, I said a little prayer just for luck.
Well, I must admit it's not the greatest of chapters, but it got a lot of info out there… I hope you'll continue to read! R&R!