Author Notes: Ok as most of my reviews have been asking me what the pairing will be I'll state them here, originally they were supposed to be in the summary but it became to long to put them in ^^;;
Here they are:
Clef/Umi/Ascot
Lantis/Hikaru/Eagle
Ferio/Fuu
Hint: if you want to find out who Umi will probably end up with check out my profile ^.~
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Chapter 3
"Are you sure you want us to leave? I mean with this-" "Lantis I'm sure, go. You should be worried for your people and kingdom, not mine." Zagato continued to stare out the window, evading his brother's stare. He was worried about Emeraude but that didn't mean that his brothers had to be worried as well.
"I'm more worried about you Zagato… If Alcyone finds out, I'd hate to find out what she'd do," Lantis explained himself to his brother. Zagato finally met his brother's eyes. A small smile was on his features, a smile that was only presented to Lantis, his closest brother, and Emeraude, his true love.
"You'd hate to find what out Lantis?" Both men turned to see the queen heading in their direction.
"The Faeithlon Princess, She's expecting a proposal from myself but I don't plan on doing such a thing." His mask of indifference that only came off for Zagato or Eagle was once again in place. Alcyone frowned.
"Oh she seems like such a nice girl though… Zagato my beloved have you found anything of the whereabouts of the Priestess?" The man shook his head. Lantis remembered he had more to pack and excused himself from the throne room. As he finished closing the solid stone door closed he leaned against it 'I hope she doesn't find out, for his sake' he opened his eyes to see a flash of fiery red.
"Mokona!! Where are you? Mokona!!" He looked over the small red-haired maiden he had wanted to dance with two days before at the ball. The name she called reminded him that the day before she had asked to bring the creature with her on their journey.
Flashback
Once again he was walking around the palace with the Faeithlon Princess; Primera, dangling from his arm. Since he had rescued her from some monsters in one of the many woods in the world she had insisted he come to her kingdom to rest for the night.
He had agreed not knowing what he was getting himself into, Eagle had kept on teasing him about how the princess kept on sending glances in his direction, and how she'd probably be planning their wedding already. He had dismissed his friends regular teasing immediately but he should have listened. The night before his guard and him were to leave, the princess had come to him and asked if her parents and some nobles could come to visit his home along with her. He hadn't known what to say because he found he was in a somewhat shock. Not only was it surprising but for her to invite herself threw him off wildly.
Without thinking he had agreed to her query and the girl had been so happy and giddy that it almost frightened him,
Coming back to the moment at hand he noticed the princess was asking him a question.
"Prince Lantis my parents have allowed me to visit your kingdom, if you would allow me?" He once again stared at the young woman in front of him.
"Well I'd-" Hurried footsteps rang through the hallway they were in, turning around he saw the Lady Hikaru trying to catch up with them. He was awestruck at her speed, skidding to a stop she lightly ran into him. Looking up with a red face she coughed a little before speaking.
"Prince Lantis! I've been looking for you, I was wondering if you would allow me to bring Mokona with me on our journey back to your kingdom?" The simple sentence set Primera off.
"Prince Lantis if you're allowing that servant to come with you on your journey back then you must allow me, it's only polite." His face had visibly fell when she had accused properly, what he hadn't planned was that the young woman with the fiery hair would notice and to start giggling to herself, he looked down at her a small smile present. The small girl's face reddened even more then it was already.
"Yes to both to you," He spoke calmly his mask back up.
End Flashback
He stared at her from his position against the door. Why? He asked himself. Why was it that this girl could accomplish a feat that only two people could before her? He walked up to her slowly.
"Has the creature gotten himself lost again?" She jumped at the nearness of the voice, looking up through her red bangs she smiled at him.
"Yes! I can't find Mokona anywhere and we're leaving in a few hours…" Her face held such despair that he instantly forgot about the packing he had to do.
"I'll help you. Where have you checked so far?" She began naming off places but Lantis found that for once he couldn't pay full attention to the conversion at hand. He found himself observing her dainty form more then was called for.
"Prince Lantis?" He looked back up at Hikaru, her questioning gaze set on him, he noticed that she still looked happy even in confusion.
"Sorry…" She just smiled and they continued looking.
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Clef walked the halls in silence, he didn't know why but the comfort that usually followed when he was studying hadn't come to him that day. Maybe it was because he was worried about the Priestess or the King, or maybe it was he couldn't get a certain child of the sea out of his head. He rose a hand to his brow and began giving it a quick massage.
It wasn't normal for him to be so astounded by a woman, and even one younger then him! He knew that the weapon smith Presea was fond of him yet he never always had her on his mind after their brief introduction.
It didn't help that he somehow recognized her and her sisters, that it was obvious that Ascot his pupil also was caught in the same position he was, ensnared in the web that was the young woman's personality and heart, and he knew if were to ever get more feelings then that he had now and so did the prince then he knew which of the two would be chosen. He decided there and then that he would keep his heart in a distance away from the girl but close enough as to stay her friend and only that.
He walked by a open balcony that over looked the main garden in the castle, he heard the soft sounds of birds coming from outside and threw a glance out the doorway. Upon doing so he caught the dark chestnut brown hair that belonged to his pupil. He slowly walked up beside the eighteen year old , he stood beside the younger man. As he stood their he happened to glance down and see what had his companion's attention.
"If she catches you spying on her I wonder if she'd be mad?" The prince took some birdseed from the pouch that hang from his waist and laid it out on the railing.
"I'm not the only one watching," Clef grinned as he watched birds fly to the fresh birdseed.
"You're right it was rude of me." The prince grinned back at his mentor.
"Out of curiosity but who may I asked are you checking up on first?" The mage looked at Ascot.
"If I'm correct Ferio's, why?" The prince shrugged. The sound of birds flying off brought both men's attention back to the garden. The child of the sea was standing and looking in the two men's direction.
"Prince Ascot we're leaving in a few hours right?" The prince nodded, Umi turned to the mage who had somewhat backed away and she found it very hard to see him from where she was standing.
"This is probably the last time we'll see one another so goodbye till the next time we meet Mage Clef!" Clef walked slowly into her line of vision.
"Yes… Goodbye Miss. Umi." She smiled as she turned around and headed towards the passageway that would lead her to her room.
Once she was fully out of site Clef turned to find Ascot leaving the small balcony.
"Is that why you asked?" His voice was serious and he received silence, Clef turned back around and continued looking at the peaceful garden.
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Umi walked through the halls her thoughts on the lavender haired mage. She had noticed how he had backed away from her line of vision, as soon as she looked in his direction and had wondered why.
Changing the subject in her mind her thoughts went to the Priestess Emeraude. She tried to figure out reasons as to why she would be kidnapped. One of the explanations that she continually thought about was that maybe someone knew of her relationship with the King and was going to use her to threaten the King! She starred ahead in worry. Her feet lead her to wherever she was going, which she thought to be her room yet as she neared the corner that led to her supposed destination her feet guided her along the other corridor that went to the left.
She glanced over her shoulder to see no one near. Her feet continued to lead. Finally they came to a halt, Umi stared at the person in front of her.
"Clef?" Clef continued to stare at the tapestry in front of him. Seeing his concentration on the piece of woven art she too turned to look at it. It appeared to be a very old tapestry, that held unknown secrets to it. A legend or Myth of some sort. Stitched on were what looked to be three woman older then herself, one wore green and was being thrown by the wind. Next to the girl laden in green was one wearing the color of fire and fire was what roared gracefully behind her. Her eyes traveled to the next woman and as she did her eyes widen. Reaching out a hand she traced the blue maiden. She was beautiful yet she looked exactly like…
"Me?!" Clef let out a long sigh.
"Come with me Umi." He started to walk further into the corridor she was already in, following him with her eyes her mind trailed off, leaving her like a mindless shell of a person. Thoughts like what did Clef want to talk to her about, what that Tapestry was about, why the blue maiden looked almost exactly like her. After a while the two stopped. Peeking around his shoulder Umi saw a deep brown wooden door. Watching Clef open it her heart clenched and suddenly she felt nervous.
Walking into the room, the first thing she noticed was the small amount of light that was allowed entry. She searched for it source and found a small circular window high on the north wall. Looking around the rest of the room she found scrolls hung against the walls and scattered over the desk. Bookshelves lined neatly against one another and she knew instantly that this room was the mage's study.
Taking one of the seats that was seated across from the desk, Umi looked at Clef who at the time had his face hunched over what looked like a ancient scroll of some sort.
"That tapestry you saw Miss. Umi depicts a legend, a legend of three warrior women. Each had the power of one element: Fire, Wind, and Water… surprisingly those are the three that you and your sisters; Hikaru and Fuu, received. This leads me to think that you three may have something to do with this legend." Umi gathered all the information she had been told.
"But there could be thousands with the same type of magic! Couldn't their?" Clef looked back down at the scroll.
"No… not only do few people actually possess the ability to control magic and the few that I have had the honor to teach have either had Ice, Thunder, or Healing Magical abilities none have had the same as the legends." He sighed, Umi noticed at that brief moment in time that Clef looked more mature and wiser then someone his age should ever have to be, it made her wonder how his life growing up had been. Was he always pressured into becoming Master Mage? Had he even wanted to become Master Mage? or was it his fate to become what he was? She knew then and their that it was her fate to find these things out about Clef no matter what the consequences.
"You should go, I wanted you to know this before you left," She nodded curtly and stood as she reached the door she glanced over her shoulder to once again meet the murky Deep blue orbs that always kept her fascination "Do be careful Umi." She smiled.
"Of course!"
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Ferio looked over the storage cart that held the luggage for the trip they were to make his kingdom, constantly he glanced towards the direction of the hallway expecting her to come for they hadn't received her luggage yet. Seeing her in the distance Ferio quickly called for someone to take over watch.
"Ah sorry Ferio," the girl blushed "I hope it isn't too late to add my luggage, I lost track of the time while packing." The prince chuckled causing his companion to become redder.
"Actually you're a couple hours early!" She looked blankly at him before her luggage was taken from her, she watched it as it was placed rather roughly into the cart. Finally turning back to the Prince her face took the shape of a 'O'.
"Oh!" Ferio smiled lazily at her, his smile became one of mischief "What is it Ferio?" Fuu was taken by surprise as Ferio quickly took her hand and headed towards the south. Not only was she trying desperately to hide the pink from coming back to her cheeks, her curiosity was getting the better of her and she wondered where the man was taking her.
"Close your eyes and trust me." It wasn't a question, it was a statement and Fuu knew she could trust him so her eyes fluttered shut her arms outstretched to keep her balance. Taking her hand he began to walk slowly so the blonde maiden was able to keep up with him. Leading her through hallways and taking sudden turns which caught her off guard. What seemed to both the young adults forever was actually a few minutes and both had thought that it would be time to go even before they reached their destination.
Ferio caught sight of the wooden double doors and slowed down his rapidly changing stride. With a small creak of the hinges the doors opened parting way to Ferio's mysterious destination.
"You can uncover your eyes now!" Watching as the girl did as she was told he waited for the excitement to spread across her face, and as he expected when her eyelids opened a gasp of joy was echoed throughout the room.
"There are so many!" Quickly walking towards one of the numerous bookshelves Fuu gently caressed the bindings of the books in front of her, reading the titles as she did so "Ferio do you read?"
He caught her glance thrown over her shoulder in his direction. Smiling even through his discomfort that his answer would displease the young woman he did the thing he always had done to cover discomfort. Laugh.
"I do not read as much as I should besides my studies that is, please do not tell me your opinion of myself has been lowered?" She tilted her head, he always enjoyed the way she did that.
"I don't think anything less of you Prince Ferio and am pleased that you can swallow your pride and admit something like that, most would've told a lie. Also upon hearing this news I am making it my solemn oath that by the time we return to this castle you will be an avid reader!" He chuckled.
"That will be quite the feat. You should know that my favorite part of my kingdom is the many trees I can climb and take a quick rest in, it puts my advisors in a right state but I am a growing boy." He watched Fuu's cheeks tint the smallest bit before coming to stand towards her.
"But until then, would you read to me? I'd think I would enjoy it." The small tint became a full blush as the girl nodded moving towards the section of the library which held the fiction.
"Once again you amaze me, not many would ask to do what some think as a childish act." He smiled choosing a place where it would be most comfortably and calming to hear the young woman read.
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Fuu rode on, her golden mare was kind, friendly, and full of energy. She and her sisters had always enjoyed riding and this time was no exception of that enjoyment. She stroked the mare, whose name was Ria, tenderly remembering something that was very close by in her mind.
Flashback
She had finally found a novel that pleased her. She was amazed that she had even found one considering that the library was of giant size and all of the books called out to her "pick me" was what they called, all seducing her with their words, but she had finally found one a favorite of hers, which she was amazed to find in such a large space. Walking over to the Prince she gracefully seated herself down atop many multi-colored cushions that were spread all over the floor.
"What book did you choose Miss. Fuu?" She smiled at Ferio.
"A favorite of mine. A novel about adventure, magic and romance. One that takes place in both past and present. Come to think of it magic is everyday life for you and the other residents in this castle right?" he nodded. Still smiling she opened the cover and flipped to the first page "Chapter 1…" and she continued. Time went by without the two noticing one openly enjoying the others company in more then one way and the other not realizing they too were doing the same thing.
She had read for awhile when she had felt something running through her hair. Looking up from the words she stared as Ferio continued his weaving of her hair.
"What are you doing?" He met her eyes Golden meeting Emerald. A light smirk lingered on the mans lips.
"Nothing." He continued to do this, and with her too distracted to once again start reading the book lay forgotten beside her a small piece of material saved their spot.
"If you succeed with your oath to make me become an avid reader what will be your reward for doing the unthinkable?" She stared wide eyed at him.
"I don't need anything. If anything you are the one to be rewarded not the mentor." He grinned lopsided.
"If that's the case, my reward will be a lock." He was still pulling his hand gently through her hair.
"A lock?"
"Yes a lock. A lock of your hair."
"My hair!?" He smiled in the same mysterious way.
"Yes a--" "Your highness the carts and horses are ready!" The two sprung apart from another.
End Flashback
She felt her face was flushed and had wondered when it had become so? Brushing back a loose strand of hair she looked up towards the sun. Not a single cloud was in the sky that day and it appeared ready to stay that way for a while. She was about to once again look forward, to try and keep up with the group when something green-like caught her eye.
Looking up again she noticed the green object wasn't an object but a living breathing creature falling from the sky directly on top of her. Slowly pulling on Ria's reins she waited until the creature was close enough to catch. She must of been seen by a anonymous person as no one was moving past by.
Slowly but surely the creature fell into her waiting arms, it was a bird, a forest green beautiful bird and it was hurt! Searching for the cause of the damage Fuu spotted a hawk quickly flying in the opposite direction, it's call rang in the air.
She looked backed down at the bird in her arms and brought two fingers down on it's chest 'It still has a heart beat, good'. Looking around she noticed the stares from all that were around her. She looked back down at the bird and rose her hand till it was hovering a few feet away from it's torso.
Winds came in from all directions as she focused her energy on the bird and wanting it to become healed, the wind started to spin causing a small twister lifting the birds small form.
"Healing Wind!" She shouted at the top of her lungs. The small twister of wind that had formed around the bird dove into it's body, She could see right before her eyes as the stabs of talons were blown away like dust. A small gentle chirp was heard throughout the stillness.
Murmurs went throughout the group but Fuu's attention was solely on the bird that she had cured with her magic.
"Hello my name is Fuu Shidou, I'm glad to see you well little one!" She smiled kindly towards the bird. It chirped and stretched it's wings 'What! It's has four wings?!' the bird seemed to smile at her as if reading her thoughts and flew to perch on her shoulder. She felt the passionate nip at her ear, laughter filled the stillness of the air.
"Would you like to stay with me little one?" The nodded in it's own way "Very well but I can't call you little one all the time can I? Hmm I'll call you… Winni, yes I like that." She smiled as the Winni once again nipped her ear passionately.
"Miss. Fuu you have the ability of Wind as your Magical Element?" She jumped at the sound of his voice.
"Yes. Why do you ask?" He shook his head.
"Nothing."
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Author Notes: Yes I finaly have something to say ^^;.
Ok first of all I hope I got everything cleared up about the pairs. Also about the story that's I wrote as Fuu's favorite, I kinda realized that my explanation of it was probably ordinary life but um yeah. And about the name's of the Animals: Winni and Ria I don't really know if those are Medieval like names either but oh well^^
Please Review!