Chapter seven
Lois had been living with the Kents for almost three weeks and the girl was finding the country life oddly charming; she didn't have a dozen of servants treating her like she was made of glass and there was no need for fake smiles, polite nods or ridiculous protocols. There was, instead, hard work in order to earn each day's food and the satisfaction of living from the fruit of her own labours. She had never experienced something like that and it strangely validated her. It was tough but it made her feel useful and free.
And Martha Kent never got angry; no matter how many times Lois burned the bread.
She also enjoyed going hunting with Mr. Kent, who didn't treat her like a delicate flower. She was more than a fine archer. Although bickering with Clark had become a favorite pastime of hers as well, and she knew that, deep inside and despite all his protests, he enjoyed it too.
Her father and sister were constantly in her mind as well and she wondered how they were and what kind of consequences her decision had brought upon them, but preferred not to think too much on such thing and forced herself to believe that they were fine. They were strong, she knew they would be alright.
Lois only hated it when Lana came to visit, because it forcer her to hide even for hours, and because the girl tended to eat her food.
The fact that Clark became a bumbling child around her also bothered her, even though Lois really didn't want to know why such a thing upset her so much.
There was a moment that she wanted… even dared to believe that that could become her life, that she was no more an instrument, and yes, for a while she managed to fool herself. Unfortunately, that was not meant to be.
That morning she was helping Mrs. Kent with the preparation of the meal, as always, when Clark and his father entered the house with haste.
"Lois, hurry, you must leave at once!" Jonathan spoke as he proceeded to gather some bread and other supplies anxiously. Their young guest froze in her place.
"Why? What's going on?" asked Martha, equally worried.
"We were in town, we heard the rumors, there has been word that Lois is here and a huge brigade is heading this way as we speak. People say they have entered every single house in their way, searching even below the wooden floors!" Clark provided. "You can't stay Lois, they will find you!"
No matter how much he complained about her, he had learned to care for Lois and he did not wish to see her hurt.
Lois felt her despair squashing her chest and believed, for an instant, that strength would leave her, but she stood firm.
"Oh for El, Jonathan, we can't leave her on her own! What is she going to do out there, alone? They will find her!" Martha cried as she hugged Lois. She had always desired for a daughter.
"I don't know Martha, but if she stays here, she will not stand a chance, that's for sure, and neither will we," Jonathan said as he continued packing the provisions.
Lois understood perfectly what Mr. Kent was saying. If she was found in the Kent house, then they would pay for it and suffer at the hands of the inquisitors. She could not allow that to happen. They didn't deserve it after all what they had done for her.
"She is right, Mrs. Kent, I must leave. I will not stay to bring pain upon your family. I know how to take care of myself," she said with stoicism.
"But honey…"
"It is alright mother, I will go with her." Suddenly, Clark offered. Lois turned to see him and in that moment, she saw that noble, serene gesture that she had already perceived in him from time to time, especially when Lana was not around. She felt immensely grateful with him in that moment.
"Are you sure, son? You know the risks involved," Jonathan inquired, placing a hand over his shoulder.
"I can't ask you for this sacrifice, it is dangerous," Lois said. She could not take their son away, but Clark answered with a decided tone.
"You are not asking this from me, I am offering and yes, I am aware of the risks. I will go with you nonetheless if you tell me where you intend to go."
"Gotharia, my cousin lives there. She will help me," she answered.
"But Gotharia… the war… you'll never make it!" Jonathan declared.
"No, there is a truce because of the approaching winter, the frontier will be at relative peace," Lois informed them.
Then, to Gotharia we shall go," said Clark.
"Why are you going to Gotharia?" A feminine voice asked and they turned to see Lana Lang standing at the door. The girl looked at them, confused and then her eyes rested on…
"Oh for divine El! Milady!" she got to her knees and lowered her head, all of this in presence of three very confused Kents. Lois cursed silently at the fates and the manners that failed to teach Lana to always knock before entering a home.
"Wha—what is this? Lana, why do you kneel? Lois?" asked Martha, looking from one girl to the other.
Lois closed her eyes and grimaced. "Rise, Lana. You don't have to do that here, please."
"Who are you really?" Clark asked with a voice ruder than he intended, but Lois couldn't really blame him. Lana, who, despite being told otherwise kept knelt down, responded to that, "she is Lady Lane-Eh! And she is standing right here, in your house!"
"What?" Martha took a hand to her open mouth and felt for the chair, sitting nervous, looking incredulous at the young woman that had been living with them for the past weeks.
"And you hid this from us," Jonathan stated simply. Lois felt like crying at seeing the disappointment in his eyes. In that moment she did not feel high or sacred but deeply ashamed.
"I am sorry… please, forgive me," she whispered.
"It doesn't matter now, we must go at once if we want to escape the sentinels," Clark said with a harsh tone.
"Are you still going to go with me? after…"
"I gave you my word."
She wanted to hug him, but limited herself to give him the most honest smile she could muster. "Thank you, Clark," she said.
"But Lois… Lady Lane-Eh, why are you doing this? The prophecy… it says the kingdom will fall!" Martha expressed her doubts. She could not fully understand what was happening, according to what she had been taught from childhood, the One was supposed to redeem the kingdom, not to start its doom.
"Our fate rests in your shoulders and you are fleeing!" Jonathan completed. Lana had risen up finally and observed the scene with eyes wide open.
"No, you don't understand! Lex is evil! He is a monster! He can't become the King! I won't be responsible for that!"
"But the prophecy!" Lana adventured.
"Forfeit the prophecy! If I don't marry him then it will mean he is not the real heir! Don't you see?" she cried, anguished.
"Enough, we are wasting time, Loi-- Lady Lane-Eh, go and change into more suitable clothes and gather your belongings, we will leave at once. Father, please, ready our horse, Mother, would you pack more food for the both of us?"
Clark exuded a commanding voice that no one had heard before, and set them all into motion, before approaching Lana.
"Clark, what are you doing? This is high treason, she belongs to the castle!" she said.
"Lana, please, I gave my word, now I need you to give me yours. Promise you will tell no one about her."
"But… I must return to the castle tomorrow… that's why I came today, to say good bye… How am I to keep this?"
"Please, you have to do it. Don't you see she might be right? You know Prince Alexander will drive the kingdom into misery if he follows his father's steps," Clark pleaded.
"B-but what are you talking about!"
"Lana... please." She kept quiet for a second, but then nodded her acceptance. Clark smiled at her.
"Thank you," he said.
Moments later, Lois came out, ready for the trip. Jonathan indicated that the horse was prepared and Martha handled them their supplies.
"I… I…" Lois attempted to say, but Martha cut her, hugging her.
"Just… say no more, I'm sure you have your reasons. Now you both take good care of yourselves," she pleaded and let the girl go. Then Jonathan nodded understandingly and handed her the bow she had been using to go hunting with him, but said nothing else.
Lois' eyes met with Lana's and the girl looked down while she said, "My lips will remain silent, Milady."
Lois nodded and smiled feebly, but a dreadful feeling started forming at the pit of her stomach.
A/N: HI guys, I'm really really sorry for not updating for so long, but my life is pretty complicated at this moment. Please forgive this irresponsible writer. I will upload next chapter A.S.A.P.