This idea came to me and I just had to do it. :)
Balan Wonderworld belongs to Square Enix. I own nothing.
A/N: This is my rendition of how Iben meets Balan for the first time and also, from what I understand, her husband-to-be's name is never mentioned, so I gave him the name Mike. The songs "Missing You" by Steve Perry and "You Raise Me Up", by Josh Groban belong to their respective owners.
The Strength Of True Love
Iben walked through the snow, the cold not even registering to her as she walked down the street, tears in her eyes.
She was having a difficult time moving on from her parents' funeral and she couldn't focus on anything else. Her heart felt so broken that not even her husband-to-be was able to cheer her up, though he had been trying.
But Iben was afraid she'd lose him too, so she had begun hiding away, not wanting to go through the pain of losing another loved one again. She didn't want that again.
A snow gust swirled around her and she paused a moment as some snow got on her eyelashes, mixing with her tears. She lifted her head and carefully brushed around her eyes when a light caught her attention and she turned to find she was in an alleyway and in front of her was a building with a sign lit up. It was then that her mind registered the cold and, hoping the place was open so that she could at least get warm again, she opened the door and slipped inside, closing the door behind her.
The warmth of the place surrounded her and she looked around to see a place that was beautiful and appealing. She stood there for a moment, shivering a little as she was starting to warm up. After a bit, she grew curious and walked down the hallway, gazing around softly. She then heard music and turned to it, wondering if this place was a restaurant of sorts.
She heard the music get louder as she approached a set of doors and she was about to push one of the doors open, but then held back, taking a step back.
As she did, she felt hands wrap around her shoulders from behind, stopping her in her tracks and she froze, lifting up her head and glancing at her shoulders to see the hands grasping them were gloved, the design on them intricate with gold on white. She bit her lip before turning slightly to see who was behind her.
A tall person who looked like a ringmaster stood behind her and she blinked at seeing his golden ringed eyes were in his hat, which she had never seen before. She shivered a little, to which the man's facial expression changed from curious with a wide smile to a concerned look with a worried frown. His left hand let go of her shoulder and took her hand, his eyes widening at how cold her hand felt. "Oh, my dear, you're freezing," he said in worry.
His deep voice washed over her and she heard the concern in his voice and he looked at her face to see the tear stains and a look of understanding crossed his face. "You've been crying," he said gently. "Come, my dear. Come tell me what is bothering you so much that you'd go out into the cold without a jacket."
Iben looked at him warily, and he gently smiled. "I mean no harm," he said. "Welcome to my theater."
"Theater?" She asked in surprise.
He nodded. "Come. I'll make us some tea," he said. "I can't in good conscience have you go back out in that cold, my dear."
She heard the concern in his voice and sighed, not really wanting to go back out in that cold anyway. "Tea does sound nice," she admitted.
She felt her host's other hand move from her shoulder to in-between her shoulder blades and he gave her a gentle push forward before walking alongside her. Seeing he was guiding her to somewhere, she cautiously followed, relaxing when they came to a living room and he guided her to one of the couches. "Here, have a seat, my dear," he offered kindly.
"Thank you," she said, sitting down and a moment later, a blanket was placed around her and she saw her host had done that and he smiled at her before snapping his fingers and two cups of tea appeared on the table in front of them. Iben jumped in surprise as her eyes widened and she heard her host chuckle in amusement. "How...?" She trailed off.
"Magic, my dear," he said before standing up and bowing. "My name is Balan and I am a maestro. May I ask your name, my dear?"
She looked at him warily, but then decided that she could at least tell him her name. "My name is Iben," she said.
"That's a lovely name," he complimented. "Forgive me for not introducing myself earlier. I was worried when I realized you were freezing from the cold outside." He then handed her one of the cups of tea. "Here, drink this. It will help warm you up."
"Thank you," she said, touched by his kindness and generosity.
Balan sat beside her, picking up his own teacup and smiling at her as he saw her drink the tea and sigh softly as the warm liquid began warming her up. She then noticed how her face felt from her tears drying on it and a bowl of cool water with a washcloth appeared in front of her, courtesy of Balan. She gave him a grateful smile before accepting it and washing her face off, sniffling a bit. "Thank you," she said. "I must look a sight."
He smiled gently. "It's alright, my dear," he said. "Though, I am curious as what happened that made you so upset."
Iben felt fresh tears spring up in her eyes and she turned away, but when she felt Balan pull her into a comforting hug, she broke down, clinging to him as she sobbed into his shoulder. Silently, he rocked her gently in his arms, rubbing her back soothingly. "Oh, my dear," he said, his voice soft and comforting. "It's alright. You're not alone," he soothed her.
After a few minutes, Iben rested her head tiredly on Balan's shoulder, sniffling. "I...I'm afraid," she admitted.
"Of what, my dear Iben?" He asked gently. "What has frightened you so much?"
She shook her head. "I'm afraid of...losing someone I love," she clarified. "Because...I just lost my parents."
An understanding look came to Balan's face, along with a look of sorrow. "Oh, Iben, I'm so sorry," he said. "No wonder you were outside and the cold didn't seem to bother you. You're numb with grief."
She nodded. "I...I had just told them a couple months ago that I was getting married and they were so happy," she said, fiddling with her engagement ring. "But now...,"
More tears fell down her face. "It hurts so much," she admitted. "They're gone."
Balan nodded gently. "I can't imagine the pain and grief you're going through right now," he said gently. "But I can see that you loved your parents dearly."
Iben nodded again. "Yes," she said. "But...because of that...I'm scared to...open my heart to love my future husband."
"Why is that?" The maestro asked gently, though he had a feeling he knew.
She sniffled. "Because he'll die too one day and I'll be alone," she said before burying her face into her hands. "I...I don't want to...experience that pain again. It's already hard with my parents gone."
Sobs overtook her again and Balan placed a hand on her shoulder. "Iben, I understand what you're trying to do," he said gently. "You feel you must shut out everyone to prevent yourself from feeling hurt by loss."
She nodded. "I have to," she said. "As much as it hurts me to not want to be with my future husband, I...I don't want to feel that loss again. I don't know if I can handle it again."
Balan was quiet for a moment. "Iben, I know you mean well, but you shouldn't deny yourself to love the man you want to marry because you're afraid of losing him," he said, his voice taking a gentle tone as he spoke. "Loss is a part of life, but you shouldn't be afraid of it."
"Why not?" She asked, looking up at him.
A gloved hand gently wiped away her tears. "Because you'll miss out on the good things in life," he explained softly.
She looked away, unsure as she gave his words some thought, but he could see she was still emotionally drained. "My dear, why don't you stay here for a while?" He suggested. "My theater is open to those whose hearts are hurting and need help."
She looked at him and he smiled again softly, nodding. "You don't have to stay if you don't want to, but I believe it would help you immensely as you grieve," he explained. "I'm afraid the pain you feel won't go away completely, but with time, it will become easier to bear."
Iben considered his offer and then looked at him. "How long will you allow me to stay?" She asked.
"As long as you need," he said. "And I'm here if you ever want to talk. I'm not just a maestro, but I can also be a good friend."
For the first time in a week, a small smile came to Iben's face and she sniffled. "Thank you," she said. "I...I think I would like to stay a bit, just until I can...get my bearings back."
He nodded and noticed she was falling asleep. "Are you alright with me carrying you, my dear?" He asked.
She blinked in surprise. "Um, are you sure?" She asked unsurely.
Chuckling, Balan gently scooped her up bridal style and carried her down the hallway. "Despite my appearance, I'm very strong," he said.
She chuckled a little before looking at him. "Thank you, Balan," she said. "I...I guess I didn't know how much I needed someone to talk to."
"Sometimes grief can make us unsure and believe no one will understand," he said gently. "But you'd be surprised how many will understand the pain you're feeling if you give them a chance to listen to you."
Iben nodded before feeling Balan gently lay her down on a soft bed and no sooner did her head touch the pillow, she fell asleep. The maestro gently covered her with a blanket and brushed a hand over her head. "Rest well, my dear," he said gently. "I'll help you in any way I can."
A week passed and Balan could see Iben was starting to heal a little bit each day. She found the Tims to be adorable and spent a lot of her days looking after them and often, Balan would find Iben snuggling with the baby Tims while some of the bigger Tims would be dancing around her and the giant Tims would be watching over them.
One day, Balan was in town in his human disguise and he saw a young man that matched the description Iben had given him of her husband-to-be, Mike. He came closer, noticing the man was saddened and looking at a picture of himself and Iben. "Excuse me," Balan said gently, making the man look up at him. "I'm sorry to pry, but I couldn't help noticing you seemed sad."
The man nodded. "I miss someone," he said before picking up a red rose that was beside him and he sighed. "I...I was hoping to find her to give her this, but...I don't know where she is."
Balan could see the man was worried and took a seat. "Mike, correct?" He asked.
Mike looked at him in shock. "How do you know my name?" He asked.
"I'm a friend of Iben's," the maestro said truthfully. "I can assure you that Iben is alright and safe. She was walking out in the cold snow a week ago and found refuge in my home. She's actually spoken quite highly of you."
The man looked relieved before looking at him. "She's okay?" He asked.
"She is physically, but she is still healing emotionally," Balan said gently.
Mike nodded understandingly before taking a deep breath and looking at the rose on the table. The maestro got an idea. "How much do you love Iben?" He asked.
"Very much," the man said.
Balan nodded. "Would you be willing to place a rose where she could see it?" He asked.
Mike looked at him and nodded. "Yes," he said.
The maestro smiled. "I know she goes for walks in the alleyway by the flower shop," he said. "If you place a rose there before you go to work each day, she will surely find it."
The man looked at him and smiled. "You're protective of her just like her dad was," he said.
Balan took that as a compliment and smiled back. "Do you think you can do that?" He asked.
Mike nodded again. "Can you do me a favor and keep an eye on her?" He asked.
"I will."
Mike was true to his word. Every day, he placed a red rose in the alleyway where Balan had directed him before going to work. Each day, Balan picked up the rose and collected them in a vase in the main room, hoping Iben would see them one day, especially where a few of them had notes from Mike on them.
Two weeks passed with this going on before one day, three weeks after she had arrived at the theater, Iben noticed the roses and smelled their sweet scent before seeing Balan up on the stage and he was signing the song "Missing You" by Steve Perry. The words hit Iben hard and reminded her of her husband-to-be. She had tears in her eyes and a smile on her face as Balan finished the song and she applauded his performance.
"That was wonderful, Balan," she said.
He smiled and gestured to the roses. "Those are for you, my dear," he said. "From the man who loves you and is patiently waiting for you."
"What do you mean?" She asked in surprise.
"Mike comes to the alley every day and leaves you a rose," Balan said, noticing it was almost time for Mike to arrive and he drew Iben to the window and gestured her to look outside. "Look."
She saw the man she loved leaving a red rose in the alleyway and he looked at it with love and patience before walking away. Balan sent a clone to collect the rose and bring it to them. It did and he put it with the others, smiling. "I've been collecting them for you in hopes you would one day see them," he explained.
Iben felt tears fill her eyes as she saw all the roses and even looked at the notes some of them had and she was touched by the notes that had been written with love. She realized that as she had been falling into despair and ready to shut herself away from Mike, he had been holding on for her, loving her so much that it seemed he wouldn't stop loving her, even in dark times. "He...He didn't give up on me," she said softly.
"He truly loves you, my dear," Balan said. "When I met up with him by chance a couple weeks ago, I could see that he wasn't going to stop loving you and he's proven it by leaving a rose every day for you."
She gently touched the roses before smiling and looking at the maestro, who smiled at her.
"Are you ready to take that journey of love with him, Iben?" He asked gently.
She took a deep breath, deciding that Balan had been right about one thing he had said when she had first met him. She shouldn't deny herself to love someone deeply, even though she may lose them one day. But loss was part of life. Yes, it would hurt, but she shouldn't give up on everything because of it. She looked at him and nodded. "Yes, I'm ready," she said surely.
He smiled. "Tomorrow morning, I'll take you out to be reunited with your future husband," he promised.
The next morning, he did just that. Mike was surprised when a theater appeared before him and the doors opened to reveal Balan leading Iben out from them. Love and joy overcame Mike and he wanted to run forward to Iben, but held back in respect.
Iben smiled at him happily before looking up at Balan and hugging him. He returned the hug gently. "You're welcome to visit anytime, my dear," he said to her.
She nodded. "Balan, can I ask you for a favor?" She asked.
"Yes?" He asked.
Iben took a deep breath. "Would you walk me down the aisle on my wedding day?"
His eyes widened before he smiled and nodded. "I would be honored to," he said humbly.
She motioned him closer and when he leaned his face down more to hers, she gave him a gentle kiss on the cheek. "Thank you," she said gratefully.
Balan smiled and his hands rested on her shoulders, giving them a comforting squeeze before he gently pulled her in front of him and gave her a gentle, encouraging push towards Mike.
That was all the prompting she needed and Iben ran to Mike, jumping into his arms and he hugged her tightly. "Oh, Mike," she said as tears of joy ran down her face.
"Oh, Iben," he said before looking at her. "I promise you, honey, I will never leave you. When I proposed to you, it meant that I would never leave you, even in hard times."
She smiled at him before they kissed.
The wedding came soon after and, as promised, Balan arrived, looking sharp in a black tuxedo as he gave Iben a blue crystal bracelet as a gift. She accepted the thoughtful gift and when it was time, the maestro walked her down the aisle to Mike, who smiled at them. The minister soon pronounced Mike and Iben as husband and wife and the cheers were deafening.
When it was time for the dancing, Iben and her husband danced to a wonderful song before the MC announced it was time for the father-daughter dance. He smiled before leading her over to Balan, who looked surprised. "Will you do the father-daughter dance with Iben, Balan?" Mike asked him.
"Please?" Iben asked.
Balan stood up and nodded. "Yes," he said, taking Iben's hand as they walked onto the dance floor and Mike nodded to the MC, who began playing the song "You Raise Me Up" by Josh Groban.
The maestro was surprised, but smiled as he and Iben danced to the song. "I'm so proud of you, my dear," he said to her.
"Thank you for being there for me, Balan," she said. "You remind me so much of my own father. I hope you don't mind that I see you as a father figure."
"I'm honored that you do," he said. "To be honest, I see you as a daughter, from the first night we met when you came to the theater, lost and sad."
She gently squeezed his left hand that she was holding in her right hand. "I don't know what I would have done if we hadn't met," she said. "I probably would have wandered for a long time and not returned home."
He gently squeezed her hand in return. "I'm glad we met," he said as the song came to an end and everyone was teary-eyed as Balan gently kissed Iben's forehead in affection. She smiled at him.
"Thank you, Father," she said.
"You're welcome, my daughter," he replied before bringing her back over to Mike and smiling at him. "She is precious, Mike. Don't ever lose her."
"I won't, sir," Mike promised as he and Iben kissed again and the crowd erupted with cheers and well wishes for the happy couple.
I just had to. :)
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GoldGuardian2418
