Disclaimer: I don't own squat, not a damn thing. Well, I own a rather nice pair of red Converse high-tops, but that's it. As far as Ardeth, Evy, or Rick, no, sorry, not mine. The other character, however, is mine. Flames will be used to light my backyard barbecue pit. Please R&R, I'm desperate.
-Belle
The crowd was buzzing as they stood and began to shuffle out of the room. The elders were talking amongst themselves while Lira, Ardeth, and Dalal remained standing in the defendant's circle. Ardeth's heart was pounding. He'd come dangerously close to losing everything. He glanced at Lira and found she was remarkably pale. Before he knew it, she'd fallen to her knees on the ground, limp as a doll. All the fortitude it had taken to stand before the council had finally drained from her. Her head was hanging forward, her hands resting in her lap. Ardeth dropped to the ground next to her. His arms shot out instinctively, gathering her into him. She made no move to resist. It was terrifying to think how near he'd come to losing his rank and being banished from his people. But as he looked at the woman in his arms, she was trembling ever so slightly, the thought of how he'd come so close to losing her forever, nearly made his heart stop.
For a moment he sat there; entranced. Her eyes were barely open, thick lashes hiding that luminescent green. Her face was pale and as he brought a hand up to her cheek he realized her skin was dreadfully chill. Her lips, once a warm rosy color, matched the rest of her face. Her auburn hair was suddenly in drastic contrast. One short lock had fallen down her forehead and rested on the bridge of her nose. Ardeth gently swept it away. He wondered now how he could have been so foolish to deny what he knew was as real as the rising sun. His heart had known her for three thousand years, and they had another chance, a real chance. He just wondered if it was too late, if he'd pushed her away one too many times. In the middle of his reflections, he felt a hand on his shoulder. He knew Dalal was still standing there, and he didn't even bother to look up.
"I see I arrived just in time," she said softly, "It's good to know your father's veto was put to good use." Ardeth didn't respond, but continued to stroke Lira's face. His heart nearly stopped when her eyelids began to flicker.
"Lira?" he prompted softly, "Are you hurt?" Finally her eyes were fully open. She looked at him and then at the kindly female face above him
"Dalal." She said softly, "Dalal, I…"
"Don't even think about it dear," the woman cooed, "I know what you're about to say, but it's not necessary. Any mother would do the same for her child. One day you'll understand." There was a knowing glint in the older woman's eye. Lira smiled faintly before returning her gaze to Ardeth.
"Ardeth?" she said softly.
"Yes?" his heart was pounding, "What is it?" He was lost in her eyes. He was breathless, wondering what she would say next. A number of possibilities raced through his mind. The longer she paused, the further his imagination went.
"Ardeth," she spoke finally. He was rapt with attention. His heart was beating in his ears. "What in the hell were you thinking?" With that, she went limp and her eyes closed entirely. Ardeth smiled despite himself and pulled her closer to him, burying his face into the side of her long, graceful neck. He had to get her back to the fort and let her rest. He reluctantly relaxed his grip and moved his right arm to just under her knees. Ardeth stood gently, cradling the exhausted woman in his arms. Dalal placed a hand on his arm and he finally turned to look at her.
"Thank you," he said from the very bottom of his heart.
"It's nothing," she reassured, "I'll meet you back at the fort. I'm going to go have a word with Rafa." She turned and walked toward the council table. Ardeth smiled, knowing he wouldn't want to be in Rafa's shoes for anything right then. He looked down at Lira resting gently against his chest. He knew he couldn't let her go now. He just hoped it wasn't too late to win her over.
Several people stared at this tattooed man in black as he carried an unconscious woman in his arms. He could guess what they were thinking, and he didn't particularly care. Just as they'd left the museum, she'd shifted in her sleep and wrapped both arms around his neck. He felt now as though he were walking on air. It was a subconscious reaction on her part, but he liked to think it meant something. So on he walked, ignoring the gawking adults. He could see the fort in the distance but was reluctant to pick up the pace. He became very aware that Lira was moving ever so slightly, and as he looked down her eyes opened.
"We're on our way to the fort," he said softly, "We'll be there before you know it." For a moment she didn't respond and he was forced to return his gaze to the path in front of him. Soon, he felt her hand reach up and start to wrap the tips of his hair around her fingers. A shiver went down his spine and he took a chance to look down at her once more.
"I'll let you in on a little secret." She said softly. Ardeth was silent. He smiled expecting her to upbraid him once more. "I'm in love," she said simply, "And I'm not ashamed of it. I never could figure out why you are." Ardeth was taken off guard, but just as soon as she'd finished, she fell back into a deep sleep. Ardeth held her tighter. She always managed to say or do the precise opposite of what he was prepared for.
Lira awoke to an unfamiliar room in an unfamiliar bed. The shutters were open to the deep purple sky of late evening and a breeze came in. Tilting her head to the side, she saw a pitcher of water and a glass on the bedside table. The covers of the bed were tucked in tightly around her and several pillows had been placed under her head and upper back. Her headache was gone, and she was feeling much better than she remembered feeling that morning. She sat up and tossed the blankets off. She was dressed the same as she had been that morning. There didn't appear to be anyone in the room with her, but as she swung her feet to the side of the bed and made to get up, she heard the door latch turn. Dalal saw Lira was about to get out of bed and immediately rushed across the room leaving the door open.
"Goodness, girl, have you lost your senses? Get back in bed," she chided, "We go to all this trouble to see that you get rest and recover from that dreadful affair, and you're going to ruin it all." Lira looked at her skeptically.
"Really," Lira replied softly, "I'm quite alright. I'm feeling much better. I was just about to get a drink."
"You let me see to that," Dalal said, shooing her back under the covers, "You've been cold as a fish all day. Don't even think I'm letting you set one foot out of bed." Lira reluctantly pulled the covers back up. Dalal poured a glass of water and handed it to her. Lira was grateful to feel the cool liquid in her mouth. "Better?"
"Much." There was a movement in the exposed hall and Lira saw a dark figure carrying a large tray through the open door. She soon realized it was Ardeth. She didn't take her eyes off him for a moment. She remembered everything he'd said during the hearing, but not much since then. He set the tray down on the table. It was loaded with fruits, nuts, dates, bread, cheeses, and a steaming bowl which explained the very careful manner in which he'd carried it and why he was lagging so far behind Dalal. He turned and looked at her, smiling. Her heart skipped a beat.
"Good to see you awake," he said, turning back toward the tray, "I was afraid this would go to waste." He turned back to her with the bowl in his hands and approached the bed. Softly, he sat down and handed it to her. As she took the bowl from him, their fingers brushed and for a moment, it was a palace guard sitting before her, but the vision was gone and she smiled.
"Thank you." She said softly. She looked into the bowl. Lentil soup. She smiled.
"I take it you are pleased with the selection." Dalal commented. Lira had already taken a large spoonful and smiled as she swallowed it.
"It's my favorite," she replied simply, taking another famished bite.
"Well, you certainly have a healthy appetite." Dalal beamed. "It's good to see that. Now I don't have to worry about you so much." For a moment they sat in silence. Dalal busied herself folding up the heavy robes Lira had formerly been wearing. But as she looked around and saw how Ardeth watched the young woman, she decided it was time to do something elsewhere. "Well," she said, "There's nothing more I can do here. I think I'll go down and talk to that Evy girl. She has her hands full with that little boy of hers." Ardeth didn't say anything. He didn't even seem to notice that she'd spoken, and Lira was busy eating. Dalal smiled to herself and left the room.
