A/N: Hi all.
I kinda say this with every post but...I hope your all okay:o)
Also thanks for all the support and reviews. It's great to know I'm heading in a direction you guys like. Thank you!
Anyway, the next chap...
11. Falling One By One
Krolan stood with his mouth open to some extent, trying to desperately digest what he had just been told. The other Elders stared at him, some with amused expressions and others with pity darkening their features.
The simple fact that they were enjoying his current position not only fuelled Krolan's anger but also his desire to wipe the smug looks right of their faces. The only problem, he needed to get to the bottom of their accusations.
"How is this, by any means, my fault?" he spat, returning the looks they sent with a scornful one himself.
"We must admit Krolan, it was not just you at fault." one replied innocently, while the sarcastic smile burned his face and any sincerity in his words.
A few others nodded in agreement, as another stepped forward. "Yes, you see, we returned Andrew to Prudence in the hope that the relationship between the two of you would cease. Then when you assured as your relationship was purely friendship, we had to rectify our reckless decision." the Elder's face twisted into a sympathetic smile, keeping the pretence of innocence.
Krolan's eyes flared at the news. "You can't do that!" he shouted. "You can not mess with peoples life's like that!"
"We had to amend our carelessness, Krolan. You must agree with that?" a taller Elder spoke up.
"No I don't!"
"Andrew was never meant to return to Prudence." a female Elder stated, not hiding the frustration and anger in her own voice.
"Then why do it?" Krolan yelled.
The first Elder moved forward. "We have explained our reasons."
"There pathetic! Along with the rest of you! You can not mess with people in that way. We may have the power but we don't have the right. Your supposed to know this, considering what side your on." Krolan spat, unconsciously balling his fists at his side.
"Was it your right to grant Prudence life?"
"Is this what this is about?" Krolan found himself launching towards the Elder. However he soon realised he was being held back by another two.
"Don't Krolan." one of them whispered and when Krolan turned face to face, he was met by the first genuinely compassionate person.
He drew himself away and stared heatedly at the rest. "You can not punish her for my decision."
"We are not. We are merely correcting our mistakes."
"And using me as your cover while destroying any faith Prue had in me, as well as yourselves." Krolan scorned, trying hard to control his anger.
The first Elder smirked at the indignant attitude dripping from the younger man. "That was not planned…" he explained. "..just an added bonus."
The words hit Krolan like a ton of bricks and without much thought he lunged forward. Although he was once again being held back, only this time they were dragging him towards the door.
"This isn't over!" he shouted, still struggling with the two that kept him at bay. "You can't get away with this!"
Next Krolan found himself outside the room on the floor, with the only Elder he found to be understanding to his current state. In his rage, he had barely registered he had been brought out, let alone left on the ground.
The older man knelt down by Krolan and smiled softly. "She'll have faith in you always, Krolan. You just have to work with her. As you said it is not over." the smile he held grew slightly, while standing from his position. "Nothing is finalised, not even death." with his final words, the Elder left.
Krolan faintly smiled at his words, before picking himself up and he gave one last glance towards the doors, which kept the cruel and righteous world of the Elders at a distance. He knew he would have to face off with Them eventually but for now….he needed to get someone's faith back.
----------
Piper stood in the hallway of Halliwell manor, watching the closed door of her older sister's bedroom. It had been almost two days since Paige had brought Prue home from the lake and the eldest sister had yet to immerge from her room, which only caused Piper to worry.
She would bring Prue food but each time she returned, it had barely been touched. Added to the fact Prue hadn't responded to any of her sisters; Piper's worry was vastly growing into panic.
"She'll be okay, won't she Pipe?"
Piper turned to the sound of Phoebe's troubled voice and noticed her sister's eyes were also immediately fixed on the same door her own were held a moment ago.
"I hope so." she replied in a hushed tone, allowing her eyes to travel away from Phoebe's face.
"I want her back." Phoebe whispered, trying to hide what little comfort Piper's words had.
"She will be." Piper nodded and began to move away before she drove herself insane.
Phoebe gave one final glance towards her sister's room and then began to follow Piper down the stairs. "Piper, she's been hiding away for too long…with the Book of Shadows no less. We don't know what she could be doing with that."
The pregnant Halliwell spun on her younger sister, wanting to scream and shout, showing she was terrified at this point in time. "Phoebe, we will sort this out, okay? It's not like Prue will do anything stupid." was her calm response instead.
"Are you so sure? She knows that book pretty well." Phoebe replied, remembering Piper's trip to Hawaii about two years ago.
"Look Phoebe, stop it. We will all be fine." Piper forcefully stated, wanting the topic dropped. To emphasise the point, she left quickly.
"Hey, what was that about?" Paige asked carefully walking through the front door, catching the glimpse of Piper's back and Phoebe's frustrated sigh.
The original youngest turned to face her and raised her arms a little, allowing them to fall heavily to her side again. "Let's just say that when one falls, it not long before the rest of us follow."
Phoebe walked away, not wanting to deal with anyone at the moment.
Paige sighed deeply and looked to the stairs. She dropped her bag to the ground and began moving steadily to the second floor. Approaching Prue's door, Paige knocked quietly but didn't wait for a reply, certain she would never receive one.
Pushing the door open, the youngest Halliwell found Prue sat on her bed with the Book of Shadows in front of her. The eldest sister was attentively reading each page before turning to the next one, too absorbed in her task to notice anyone around her.
A part of Paige wanted to grab the book and throw it out the window, however her more compassionate side won out. She moved quietly over to the bed and sat down next to Prue, who barely noticed her.
"Hey Prue." Paige softly greeted.
----------
Krolan stared at the view from a top of Golden Gate Bridge, calmly seeing over the passing cars.
Suddenly the familiar light of orbs formed on his right, however Krolan never turned to face the new arrival. Instead he chose to keep his eyes fixated on the ground below.
"Do you reckon it would hurt?" he asked allowed.
Leo moved to his side and gazed down, the same as the elder he stood by. "I hope your not considering it. We kind of need you Krolan."
Krolan laughed softly before turning to the whitelighter. "It's always being considered. I have to admit though, more so lately."
"Is this why I have been called?" Leo questioned gently, causing Krolan to smile softly.
"No. I have too much to amend first."
"Prue." the whitelighter responded with a sympathetic smile.
Krolan's smile brightened slightly. "It sounds so simple."
"Did you have anything to do with Andy?" Leo asked, trying to hide the accusing tone in his voice. No matter how much he liked Krolan, Prue was family and that meant more to Leo.
"No, I swear….but it's good to see Their plan is working." the Elder muttered the last part bitterly.
However his words caught Leo by surprised and a puzzled expression formed on his face. "Who's plan, Krolan?"
"Leo, I never even knew They were returning Andy to Prue and I certainly wouldn't take him from her, considering the last time that happened." Krolan answered.
"What do you mean?"
"The others. They didn't like how close Prue and I were getting, so They returned Andy, in the hopes it would demolish any relationship." he spat with a huge sigh. "After what I did, They called me and I told Them there was nothing between us. It was then They recalled Andy."
"They set this up?" Leo continued to ask, finding it difficult to comprehend.
"Yes. Either way, They win. Prue hates me." the Elder mumbled and glanced back at the cars below. "I would never do that to a person, let alone Prue."
"They used Andy?"
"Yeah. What amazes me is that Their impressed with the outcome." bitterness resounded from Krolan's words and his actions.
"Can we get him back?" Leo asked with a smile forming on his lips, readying himself to do whatever to get his family back on track. He hated what the Manor felt like since the incident. It was as if one false move and the walls around them would disintegrate into tiny pieces.
Krolan grinned back, knowing he could rely on Leo for support, especially concerning the Halliwells. "We can…but I will need Prue." he replied.
"Let me tell her sisters, they'll know best how to help."
"I hope so."
Leo prepared himself to leave, before turning back to the Elder. "Krolan, I don't think she would ever hate you."
Krolan smiled softly, as his eyes trailed back to the ground beneath them.
"By the way, it would probably hurt like hell…but to be human, live a normal life. I'm not sure if there would be anything better." Leo answered the Elder's first question.
"Spoken like a married man." the Elder grinned. "Congratulations Leo. You and Piper will never have the normal life but with your child, at least it will resemble some sort of normality."
"It kinda proves death is not final, huh?"
Krolan nodded. "For the lucky ones. You, Leo have a bigger purpose in your existence."
"If that is the case." Leo smiled gently. "Why was it so difficult for Piper and I?"
"Power scares Them, Leo. Always has done. Added to the fact life is…" he searched for the best words, until something hit him and a grin appeared on his face. "…a game of snakes and ladders, eventually the only way to get to the top is persistence. You and Piper are a shinning example."
"Snakes and Ladders?"
"Snakes and Ladders." Krolan nodded with a grin, remembering his conversation with Prue the first day at the lake.
A/N: Another over. I'm sorry; it wasn't good...but I'll workon it.
Again I would like to thank EVERYONE who has taken the time to review...and because of you lovely people I'vepassed the 100th mark. Thank you:o)
It means alot to me that you.
Also I would like you guys to check outmy favourites fics; honestly there great andyour missing out if you don't, lol. :o)
Let you go now and remember...be safe, lol. (Me pointing finger)