X-Men: The Movie
Disclaimer: I do not, in any way, own X-Men. It belongs to Marvel.
Title: Love Tale of the Past
Setting: Before Storm's time; before the meeting of her parents.
Genre: Comic/Romance/Drama
Author's Note: This story has been nothing but a challenge and I am very much enjoying it. First thing's first. I'm an editor short. I have two currently. KD checks the ficlets I write in notebooks because I see her on a daily basis. Renada, on the other hand, is kinda… half a world away now and won't be back for eleven months. –sniff- While she's off enjoying being a foreign exchange student in Italy, I'm stuck with… well, minus an editor. :P If you're interested, then send me an e-mail.
Second thing. N'Dare's character is really getting to me. I thought I had her planned out before all this, but now I'm afraid I'm going to turn her into the Pocahontas of Africa or something… to that effect because that would be… weird.
Since is weird, words surrounded by "' '" are actually spoken in Swahili.
Summary: David Munroe's photography job takes him to a tribe in Kenya where he finds the High Priestess, N'Dare. The two fall into a forbidden love which is frowned upon the tribe. (R&R)
Chapter Four
Betrayal
Plains
N'Dare hovered over the grassy field. She gazed over her shoulder, pretty sure that Hungan hadn't followed her out here. She released a heavy sigh as she gently lowered herself onto the ground. Honestly, that man! He was all brute strength, no brains. She shook her head lightly. No, she wasn't safe around him. He was violent; he hungered for power, control. He didn't care about the sake of their people. He just wanted to abuse the control over them; the power, her power.
Power that he wouldn't be getting his hands near, not while she was around… "'Hungan'" She spat bitterly as she sat upon her bare knees against the cool damp grass. What a joke. She inhaled deeply as a gust of wind circled her sitting form, brushing back long strands of white hair as it carried a sweet lavender scent; one that brought a smile to her face.
Lavender flowers… Her favorite, her mother's favorite.
"'Mother, it appears that I am in a dark hour. Here am I faced with concerns that I can't handle.'" She spoke softly to herself as she laid back onto the grass, arms stretched over head as she scanned the starry night sky. "'I am the High Priestess. I have to fulfill my duties, but my heart tells me otherwise. You always told me when I was younger to follow my heart's desire, but you also said that I must do what is right for our people. Did you ever think those situations would ever collide with one another? I need help, point me in the right direction.'"
N'Dare slowly sat and gazed towards the direction she had previously taken that lead her to this peaceful field. Her eyes narrowed upon seeing a ruffle from the long grass. She wasn't taking any chances. The young woman manipulated a strong gust of wind that lifted the causer of the disturbance right into the air. Her eyes widen. She was expecting Hungan, not-
"David?" She questioned, standing back up quickly. "'This wasn't the signal I needed, Mother.'" She murmured under her breath.
David felt his heart beating rapidly against his chest as he took in quick short breaths as he waved his arms and legs franticly in the air. What the hell was going on? Is this what Cyni was talking about when he said magic? "P-Put me down!" He stuttered, clearly not enjoying one moment of it. N'Dare gently brought him back down on his feet.
"What the hell was that?" He questioned, still sounding somewhat panicked.
N'Dare shook her head, "What are you doing out here? Why aren't you back in the village?" She demanded.
"Why are you running away from that guy?"
"I'm not running!" She snapped.
David scoffed. "Sure looks like, Priestess."
"Do not mock me." She hissed as David was sent flying a couple of feet forward with another random gust of wind. He stumbled onto his knees, looking clearly annoyed.
"Stop with your little voodoo!"
N'Dare frowned. She walked up to him and grabbed his neck and lifted him up so that his feet dangled inches from the ground with the help of a current, of course. "This 'voodoo' as you call it has been in my family for generations… since the Goddess Ashaki herself. Those who insult it do not deserve to see the next light of day." She hissed. "Outsider."
David stared at her in disbelief. He could see it in her eyes… Fire, anger… At first glance, N'Dare didn't seem like the type of woman would could firmly stand her own ground. This proved otherwise. She didn't need any strong warrior man to protect her; she could protect her own self just fine. "I-I'm sorry. Really… It's just. I, uh… never seen anything like that in my entire life…" He rambled on.
The Priestess gazed behind David, ignoring his senseless; his useless rambling. She carefully lowered him to ground, smirking. She could make out Hungan clearly in the dark. Her smirk only grew as she turned around, her back towards him, making sure that he was watching her. N'Dare placed her slender hand behind David's head and brought it down, closing the space between them. She locked her lips firmly against his, kissing him with a strong amount of passion.
The photographer blinked a few times, confused. He wasn't really sure what was going on, but he really couldn't complain about it. That is, until he noticed Hungan walking towards them. No, not walking, running; charging.
N'Dare spun around once more, facing the brute of a man. Her right hand latched onto the base of David's neck as she leaned into him, wrapping her left leg around his lower waist, "'If you want me, come a claim me, Hungan.'" She stated, projecting her voice. David wasn't such what was going on. N'Dare grabbed his hand and placed it on her hip. "Hang on…" She whispered into his ear, causing him to shiver lightly.
The next time he knew, he felt a rush of wind swish past him as he and N'Dare floated into the air above Hungan. The warrior stopped his little charge and gazed up towards them, clearly royally upset. David gazed at N'Dare. She was smiling. She was enjoying every moment of this. She enjoyed making a mockery of this man. Did she really dislike him that much? And what was with that kiss? He didn't dare ask questions, not now, fearing that if he somehow pissed her off that she would easily drop him.
River Bank – North of the Village
It felt like forever, been it had only been mere minutes until N'Dare finally decided it was safe to land near the shore of the river just a bit further away from the tribe. David instantly released her, taking a couple steps back, "What was that all about? Can you please give me a little explanation please?" He demanded. "I don't understand any of this-"
N'Dare placed the tip of her fingers against his lips. "You talk too much."
"I'm glad one of us is finding this totally amusing." He remarked, speaking against her finger which she drew back. "What's going on?"
She shook her head, "Hungan came to my hut… I didn't know of his intentions, but they were pretty clear." She began to explain. "I struck him down and fled to the plains and waited for him to show up… So we could settle this dispute without harming anyone. I sat down and said a small pray to the Goddess, hoping they would send me a sign. They pointed me to you."
"Huh?" He wasn't getting any of this.
"That kiss." She stated. "How did you feel during it?"
"What?"
"Tell me how you felt!" She demanded impatiently.
"Confused!" He admitted. "I have no idea what's going on here, N'Dare!"
Once more, she pressed her fingers against his lips. "This tribe firmly believes in arranged marriages between the High Priestess and the strong warrior. I, however, do not agree with it one bit, ever since my father attacked my mother. I believe in following my own heart and the Goddess has guided me to you. That kiss felt right-"
"Now you're rambling on about nonsense." He pointed out.
"Nonsense my foot!" N'Dare snapped.
David grabbed her shoulders firmly, "Calm down, alright? You're just a bit worked up from that whole experience with Hungan. Hell, he's going to kill me when we get back to the village."
"We don't have to go back to the village-"
"N'Dare!" He hissed. "I'm not from around here. I have to get back to the village; to Rob. I have a home to return to, a girl friend-"
"You know, most men I have encountered would be dead on the spot if they held me as you do now." She spoke softly. "I know what I'm doing-"
"No, you don'-"
"Just listen to me!" N'Dare pulled herself free. "You don't understand. I have known no life then beyond that of a Priestess. I don't want it… Not anymore. Hungan… he was the last straw. I don't want to stay here. I'll be forced to be with him-"
"You're saying you want to leave?" David asked.
She looked up at him, "Destiny lead you to this land for a purpose. Fulfill it. Take me with you-"
"This is crazy." He turned around and began to walk down along the river. "I'm heading back to the village."
"No." N'Dare leapt into the air, landing swiftly in front of him. "Hungan will be waiting for us there. He watched me choose you over him. He'll want revenge. He'll kill you on the spot."
"Then I'll just kindly explain that this is a big misunderstanding-"
He was cut off; unable to finish his sentence. N'Dare stood up on her tip toes and kissed his lips once again, placing bother her hands behind his head as she pressed her body against him. He placed his hands comfortably on her hips as she pinned him onto the sandy ground below. She broke away for a moment to gaze into his dark brown eyes as strands of her white hair fell forward and rested against his shoulders. Teasingly, she nibbled the bottom of his lip, "Free me from this place… All of it…"
Tribe
"'What?'" Ramla exclaimed as she watched Hungan pace around just outside the entrance of the High Priestess' hut. "'That's not possible… That would be like committing treason against her own people. She sentences us to death!.'"
"'I'm going to kill that outsider.'" Hungan growled. "'I'll make sure he never steps foot within our lands again… and once I have my way with N'Dare, she'll share the same fate as the outsider. No one will strip me of my title!'"
Ramla cast him a stern look, "'No, you cannot harm N'Dare. She's the only living descendant of the Goddess. If she disappears, then we are no more.'"
"'She wishes for our end! She'd rather be with an outsider then do what is right for our people! No… No. It's time a new leader was chosen for this tribe, someone who could turn it around… Someone who will not turn out to be a traditor."
"'Who do you have in mind?'" Ramla scoffed. "'Yourself?'"
Hungan smirked, "'That's exactly who I had in mind. The rein of the weather goddesses is hereby over. It is the end of an era and the rise of a new. Alert the people at dawn of the changes and give the other men permission to kill the Priestess on sight. No questions asked… And get that other outsider. Have him tied and bound. I'll deal with him later.'"
River Bank – North of the Village
David shook his head as he pushed her away. He sat up and pulling himself up right, dusting off his pants.
"If I go back there," N'Dare began. "It will be my head for sure. I have committed nothing but treason against them."
"I don't understand the sudden change." David pointed out. "I thought you were for your people, you are, at least, were their leader. What happened?" He questioned.
N'Dare stood up, trying to meet his eye-level, "Hungan. He wants me for my power; he wants me for sex. I will rule my people, but not with that brute by my side, I won't! I refuse to be used as… as… a toy! My mother would have wanted better if she were alive."
"What happened to your mother?" David spoke softly. "If you don't mind me asking, that is."
"She was put to death as well." N'Dare replied bluntly. "By the people of my village! When I was eight years young! She wanted to change them for the better! She wanted to change a few of our traditions to make sure that we remain safe, but they wouldn't see to it! They beheaded her, just as they will to be once they learn what I have done. I have broken one of their more sacred tradition. That is why Ralma gets so defensive when I say I will not follow any longer, but now… Now Hungan will make sure that I share the same fate as my mother."
David sighed lightly, "So… what do you do from here?"
"We need to get to your friend." N'Dare stated. "He could be in grave danger for all we know."
"So much for a vacation…" He mumbled.
To Be Continued