Tales of a Journey

By: Rogue White Dragon

Disclaimer: I don't own TOS

Chapter 28 – Elves and Bounty Hunters

(Siena's POV)

There we were, standing in front of Meltokio, fully prepared to take the city by storm -I don't mean this literally of course, think of the pedestrians! Even if they are stupid humans…- I'm pretty sure that Lloyd never thought of any way we could actually enter the city without being noticed. Zelos had half joking suggested that we try disguises, but that idea was shot down when Lloyd stated that if we did that, we wouldn't be able to take our weapons with us. We were quietly waiting, and I'd assume from Lloyd's stance, that he seriously was thinking about charging the castle. I glanced at Colette, wondering if she had noticed her husband's increasing worry over Sheena. If I was her, I'd have hit the guy by now, and threatened his life if he ever looked at her again. Frowning, I realized that Colette looked a little pale. I couldn't be sure, but I was almost positive her breathing was a little heavier than the others. We hadn't even walked that far, so why would she be tired? We had used the reihards which were parked safely in a forest near the city.

Presea was with us now, since we had waited for a day to give her more time to heal. Raine had taken away most of the other injuries once Presea had woken up, and was completely out of danger. I frowned, wondering why she didn't just do that before, but then again, from what I heard, Raine hadn't had enough strength to heal Presea entirely, and judging by the way that the pink haired young woman walked, stiff shouldered, with a slight little limp, I'd say she was still sore.

Sighing, and looking up at the sky, I grimaced. I just wanted this to all be over. Was that too much to ask? Shaking my head, because I knew things just can't be that easy, I looked around at our group again. Things really were awfully quiet.

Sitting down near Lan, I found myself wondering what had happened to my father since I had last seen him. Not that I cared, really, but if the guy was causing any havoc for any of the other humans, or if he was still connected to Arkus's whole 'take over the world' thing, I kind of wanted to know. Using my elf senses, I briefly searched for his mana signature trail. The color drained from my face when I realized where he was, and my attention snapped back towards the direction our reihards were. I concentrated more, hoping frantically that I was going insane. Well, more so, maybe?

Slowly, I turned around, staring at the forest which contained our flying machines. Cursing, I took off running. Why now, of all places? How long had they been following us? Lan shouted something behind me, and moments later I could hear them all running. Of all the times he could show up, why'd if have to be now?

(Lloyd's POV)

"Siena, wha'the hell?"

I heard Lan shout. Frowning, my attention turned to my oldest son, who had jumped to his feet and was following Siena. Zelos, Genis, and Raine took off after him.

"Lloyd, what's going on?"

Colette asked, grabbing my arm. I blinked a few times and replied

"I've got no idea."

"We'd better follow."

Regal said with a nod in the direction the others had taken off in. Presea, Regal, Colette and I quickly followed. Siena was leading, apparently. What was wrong with that girl? Was it really that hard to stay sane for a single minute?

"Why are you here?"

Siena demanded once we arrived. We caught up with everyone fairly quickly, and our shock and gawking caught up with them as well. The Elder, Siena's father, stood near our reihards, more than a dozen elves with him. He was silent for a bit as he stared at us. Finally looking at his daughter, he replied

"I believe I should be asking you, shouldn't I?"

He sounded too calm. We all watched Siena, and I'm certain half the group was holding their breath. After the last encounter between the two, everyone was probably a little cautious. I guess they were all just hoping the Elder didn't say anything to make his daughter snap again. Scowling angrily, Siena stalked up to her father, and hissed

"And why the hell would you be asking me that? Unlike you, we've only got good intentions!"

I could have been my eyes, but I seriously thought I saw fire playing across her fingers. If they Elder knew we were here, did Arkus know as well? How were we supposed to save Sheena and Mattrim if they knew exactly where we were? Maybe leaving Siena somewhere else would be a good idea? Or leaving her with her father? Wincing, I realized I wouldn't wish that fate on anyone. She tried to kill him last time. Why was she always so hostile towards her father? I understood she had an extreme dislike of the Elf, but there were still family. Looking away momentarily, the Elder replied

"And I understand how you can feel that way."

He was calm, which must have rattled Siena. Her shoulders shook, and Lan walked up to her, prepared to intervene if she attacked, and said softly

"Siena, please, calm down, alright?"

His attention turned towards the Elder, he asked

"Are you here to stop us? Steal our reihards? Why?"

Allowing for another moment of silence, the Elder replied

"Actually, were just waiting for you."

If we could see Siena's face, I'm certain her eyebrows were twitching.

"Waiting for us?"

Siena demanded in disbelief. Not that I could blame her distrust, though. The man had tried to stop us before, so there could be only a single conclusion, right?

"Yes. I've heard about your friend, the summoner. Seems she's not quite…fit…to do the work Arkus needs. Not completely, anyway."

Lan stiffened, his back tense as he asked

"She's ok though, right? My mom's fine?"

The Elf gave a small nod, and offered a bit of a smile

"I've come up with a way to get you all in there, if you'd like."

Siena nearly lunged at him, but Lan quickly blocked her, holding her safely at arms length.

"Siena, hear him out before you attack, ok?"

I frowned at the Elder, asking

"How exactly did you intend on getting us in?"

So help me if he said that we'd pretend to be prisoners. I really doubted that would go over well, I didn't trust the elf enough for that. Nodding towards a few of his elves, his answered

"Arkus is expecting me in less than an hour. I could easily get you all in if you dressed as some of my men."

I raised an eyebrow and asked

"And we should trust you because..?"

Shrugging, he replied

"You've no other way in?"

He was right, of course. As much as I hated to admit it, there really was no other way in. Well, none that wouldn't get us captured or killed. None that I could think of, anyway. We were all silent for a moment, until Siena finally spoke, her voice unusually calm.

"We'll do it, but I want mother's locket and your word as our Elder that you won't betray us in any way."

The Elder frowned, and shook his head

"No, you know that's only for when you-"

"We'll find our own way in, then."

She turned around to face us, and I'm sure everyone else was wondering why she'd want her dead mother's locket. What did that have to do with anything? The oath I'd understand, but a locket? Scowling, her father gave an irritated nod, into a small pouch attached to his belt. Pulling out the necklace, he held it out to his daughter.

"Fine."

He didn't sound too happy about it. As she reached for the locket, her father promised not to betray us in any way, or, as I understood it, he'd lose his position as their leader. Smirking, Siena turned to us, and said with a grin

"Let's suit up, and get going!"

(Lan's POV)

I really couldn't believe we were doing this. Here we were, dressed as elves, helmets on our heads to hide the fact that our ears weren't pointy, randomly stationed beside other elven guards, and the Elder was ever so casually speaking with one of Arkus's guards in front of the Meltokio castle. Seconds later we were being led inside.

"-find that boy, and bring him here."

We all froze a little when we heard Arkus talk. A young man left the throne room as we passed, and he barely spared us a glance as he left. Turning toward us, Siena's father said

"Stay here, I'll be back in an hour."

I wasn't sure if that meant to actually stay there, or if this was him telling us we could go, but he entered the throne room, and we could here Arkus greet him, as the two began to talk. Lloyd gave us all a nod, so we separated ourselves from the elves quietly, and began following my dad. I'm assuming he knew where the dungeon was, since he led us directly there. Colette took a hold of my fathers arm, and said softly

"Lloyd, can we stop for a minute?"

He turned to look at his wife, a little confused. She looked pale, even against the light colors of elven garments she wore. Lloyd looked suddenly worried, and said

"Colette, if we stop now, we might get-"

"Lloyd, Colette's looking pale; maybe she's not feeling well?"

Siena, our ever 'I'll state the obvious' person, voiced what must've been everyone's concern. Lloyd blinked. Had he really not noticed Colette's slowly weakening state? How could he be so worried about my mom that he ignored his own wife?

"It's sad, really, isn't it? I didn't think my job would be this easy."

Our attention was immediately riveted towards a young man who stood just a little ways off from us. He was grinning, with his arms folded across his chest.

"You're her son, right? Sheena's?"

He was looking directly at me. I glanced at my father a little nervously, and gave a shake of my head

"No…"

Grinning, the young man replied

"I'll take that as a yes. I'm Lexus, the resident Bounty Hunter. I've been hired to seek you out, and bring you here. You save me most of the trouble already."

Confused, my father asked

"Why would you be sent after Lan?"

I winced, and coughed a little. Maybe I should have told them sooner? Glancing at Siena, I wondered if she would get mad at me for keeping that kind of secret. Glaring at me, she pointed an accusing finger and saying

"You're not Lan, are you? You're an ex-ax-murderer, who came and took his place!"

One hand on her face, she said sadly

"Why, oh why did I not notice before? He was showing all the signs…"

"Siena? A moment a saneness, that's all I ask. Just one minute…"

Lloyd looked like he was beginning to get a head ache. Curiously, I asked Siena

"What signs?"

She paused thoughtfully, and looked at her palm. She answered while checking things off an imaginary list that seemed to be on her hand.

"First, there was all the staring off into space. Second, the fascination you have with sharp pointy objects. Seriously, Lan, do you really need all those daggers, and two swords? Thirdly-"

"Siena!"

My father growled, glaring at her. She clamped her mouth shut, and squeaked

"I was wrong, it's him!"

She was pointing at him, eyes wide. Lexus, the young bounty hunter supposedly after me, looked at us strangely, and coughed loud enough to get our attention

"As I was saying. I'm here to bring Lan to Arkus. Now, if you'd be so kind as-"

"Quiet, you!"

Siena snapped at him. Lexus blinked at her in confusion, and placed on hand on his sword.

"I'll be quiet if I damn well want to be, girl."

With a gasp, a horrified Siena asked

"How can speak like that to a lady?"

I'm certain the veins in his head were throbbing, so to save the poor bounty hunter from any further argument with Siena, my father asked

"What would Arkus want with Lan?"

Lexus raised an eyebrow, and asked

"You don't know?"

Grinning when he was given confused stares, he said

"Sheena can't summon all the Summoning Spirits she used to. Seems Lan here can summon the rest."

00000

Soooo…yeah, I guess this chapter took a while. Sorry 'bout that. My internet was down for a while, and I had a bit of catching up to do on some stuff before I finished this chapter. Also, report cards are coming up, so there was school work too. Oh, and for anyone who's ever told Geography is an easy class, don't believe them. It's a lie. A really, really, big lie. In my school, at least. The teacher assigns twice the amount of homework as my other classes…any who, I'll quit complaining about that. I was really surprised with the amount of reviews I got for the last chapter. Wow, it's such a great feeling when you get that many positive reviews. I tried to make this one longer than the last one for you guys, to sort of make up for my lack of updating. Hope I did ok with that.

Thanks to those who reviewed:

Hawthorne Heights: So far, it looks like a Sheloyd. Hope this chapter was long enough for your enjoyment, thanks for reviewing!

Miori101: I'm trying to do longer chapters now, so that I can finish the fic sooner. Thanks for reviewing!

Daniel the Dragonfly: Haha, thanks for enthusiasm. Thanks for the review!

Shoutenryu: w00t, I've got a devoted fan! Thanks for reviewing!

Ark Navy: Sorry about the way I do my dialogue thing. Haha, guess I never changed that, ne? Glad you liked that little 'catching flies' bit. Oh, and I just thought I'd tell you a little about Siena. She's a self insertion, character. I kind of made her up with the intention of making her a polar opposite of Lan. Ex. He's always wanted to meet his father, she hates hers, he's sane, she's…not so much. Thanks for your reviews, I enjoyed them muchly

Joshua Jehanna: Haha, I know what you mean with school and stuff. I shake my fists at them daily. I'm glad you like Siena; she's kind of supposed to be an attempt at comedy relief. Thanks for reviewing!

P.S. I'd like to also thank those who reviewed for my oneshot 'I'm Not Ready':Miori101, JKaitz, Sieg15, and Amy. Thank you so much for the reviews!