Harhar I've got another chapter for you! Seriously this is record breaking speed for my writing.

Date: 1/17/14 (edited 7 May 2020)


Ch 23 Questions and Answers

Nausicaa shed silent tears of sorrow into the night air, to be comforted only by the caress of the wind against her face. She repeatedly counseled herself that this was for the best; it simply wasn't practical for them to stay together while living as rulers in separate countries. The act of flying back and forth would only be a temporary measure, eventually forcing them to either break off the relationship, or have one move to live with the other. The choice tore her apart from the inside, for she still loved the man pathetically, and yearned to move to Pejite. But to abandon her people would be irresponsible and selfish, and something she couldn't bring herself to do. She had done what she thought was the right thing for him: releasing him from her grip and letting him decide. And if he did come back for her... that would be another problem entirely to deal with, but she would figure something out to make it work, if they ever got to that point.

She reached the Valley by late evening, and welcomed the familiar sights and sounds of home. It had been a long few weeks away, and simply being reunited with her people brought a sense of comfort to her aching soul. However, as soon as she reached her tower, Tersa took one look at her and knew something was wrong. To most villagers she simply looked stoic and a little tired, but the best friend knew a burden weighed heavily on her mind.

"Something happened," The dark-haired girl remarked in concern. "What is it?" The Princess hardly needed any prompting to become teary-eyed all over again.

"Do you think I'll ever make it back to him?" She choked out, her voice wobbling slightly.

"As if you weren't already planning on it?" Tersa replied a little skeptically.

"It's not that simple," She sighed. "I'm the lone survivor of my family of rulers. I can't leave this place even if I wanted to."

"So what happened between the two of you?" The best friend prodded, and Nausicaa spent the next few minutes recounting the conversation before she left Pejite.

"You actually said goodbye?" Tersa squeaked in disbelief. "Did he agree?"

"I don't know..." She trailed off. "I don't think he really liked the idea all that much." Tersa frowned and shook her head.

"I'm betting it won't be long before you seek each other out." She declared, then chuckled at Nausicaa's forlorn expression.

"He was practically glued to your side the entire trip to Merinth and back! It'll take a little more than geographical distance to keep you two apart." She drawled, somewhat amused.

"Perhaps..." Nausicaa sighed wistfully "But I couldn't ask him to stay as mine. It wasn't fair."

That night she stayed up late, simply thinking hard to herself. Their lives were in a stalemate: neither could make a move in their chess game of life... king chased queen, but couldn't catch her without destroying the throne. Their challenges lay not only in their physical locations, but also in balancing their responsibilities to their homelands. No matter what she did, she would have to take into account her people; and he similarly had to consider the impact of his decisions on Pejite. Trying to maintain a relationship would be a huge risk, and a commitment of time and resources; she refused to forcefully drag them into it unless they were absolutely certain it was worth the try.

"I'm sorry my love." Her mind whispered to the night sky, as she sighed in melancholy.


"Nausicaa, what are you doing?" Asbel muttered, standing by the window and staring blankly at the sky. A month had passed by and he hadn't heard a single word from her, leaving him without a clue where things stood between them. Was she truly going to cut off all contact? During their last conversation, did they not both admit that forever parting ways would be the last thing their hearts desired?

She had said it was for his own good, and that he ought to keep his options open. He scoffed at the idea. One does not simply find a replacement for a woman like her. He had understood and shared her concerns: Asbel himself was extremely busy with his responsibilities - and he was only one member in the Pejite Council, not the main leader. Nausicaa was practically single-handedly ruling over the Valley, which implied that either her people were very easy to manage, or she was incredibly competent. Nevertheless, Asbel did not agree with her response to the problem. He shunned the idea of giving up on their relationship at the first sign of difficulty, after all they had been through together...

He wanted to talk to her again but couldn't decide whether to fly to the Valley. What if she didn't want to see him and was purposely trying to stay away from him? But based on his last conversation with him, that wasn't the case. His heart wavered to and fro; he was dying to see her but also wanted to respect her wishes, if only he knew what they were.

"When will Nausicaa be coming back?" His mother randomly asked him one day, as he brought lunch to her bedside.

"I don't know." The young man replied, his eyes holding a tint of sorrow.

"She didn't tell you?" His mother regarded him carefully, wondering what happened between the two of them.

"No." Observing his melancholic expression, she decided to cheer him up.

"Have some faith; she's too responsible a person to simply disappear like that." Then she sent him a very suspicious glance, knowing her son very well.

"I have never seen such a tragic expression before on you," the elder woman chuckled. "Did she say she never wanted to see you again in her life?"

"No, she didn't say that..."

"Then give it some time." She replied kindly, then added with a twinkle in her eyes, "Besides, you're too in love to ever actually let her go."

"Let her go…" Asbel repeated pensively, and it immediately dawned on him. She may have left, but he also had to let her go in order for this to actually happen. Within a heartbeat he ended his state of indecision, and resolved to fly to her now. The man was determined not to let them separate.

"Thanks mother!" He uttered excitedly, leaving the food and sprinting towards the door immediately. His mother didn't even have time to answer. In shock the woman stared after him at the empty doorway.

"You're welcome?" She had no idea for what.


Meanwhile Nausicaa continued her deep contemplation and reinforced the same conclusion: Asbel would have to choose her - all of her. She stood by her identity as Princess of the Valley and her responsibilities as ruler. Although she loved him and had spoken of her love countless times, she knew she wouldn't be able to devote all of herself to him, not while she had her country. It would be up to Asbel to take her in spite of her busy life and governing role.

This meant that she wouldn't return to Pejite anytime soon. It would be more appropriate for her stay in the Valley, giving him more time to think, and a chance for him to pull away. If they could really go on without each other, then perhaps it was better for the both of them. Their situation was undeniably tricky and their relationship easy to disintegrate; she might as well start getting used to life without him again.

But within a few days of living out her resolution, every moment of her day became stained with heartbreak. She would work on a task for no more than thirty minutes to an hour, before her mind drifted and she felt the recurring stab of pain. Her soul was constantly torn in two, and her mind pestered by thoughts of yearning for him. She was surrounded by so many loving people and yet nothing seemed to fill the emptiness in her chest - the gaping hole in her heart where he used to be. He was too far away, and impossibly beyond her reach. No matter how many times she said goodbye to him in her mind, he kept coming back, until she tired herself out and despaired.

To distract her from the suffering she threw herself into her work and fully devoted all of her energy into ruling over the Valley. The woman managed to maintain her regular outward demeanor, locking these emotions deep within herself and only occasionally looking more solemn than usual. She was strong like that; no one knew how much her heart was bleeding inside.

But then he appeared to her in the night, during her dreams. Once she awoke in the early hours of the morning with tears in her eyes. It was a hauntingly beautiful vision: he had stood there so realistically before her eyes, and she watched him from a distance. In her dream he was faring extremely well, laughing cheerfully and looking so content with his life that her heart filled to the brim with joy. Nevertheless, she purposely stayed hidden from his sight, and would not be allowed any contact with him. She could never be by his side, but he was doing well, and that was enough for her. It was simultaneously the most wonderful and most frightening dream imaginable. As Teto nudged her cheek in the darkness, the princess couldn't tell if her tears originated from happiness or from pain. At least in the dream the heavens were kind enough to take care of him, even when she could not.

One day she was out in the fields, mending some broken windmills, when she sensed something in the air. She scanned the skies and did not notice any strange activity… perhaps she had been too stressed over the last few days. Her mind wandered and she was considering going to Pejite just to see Asbel one more time; she couldn't stand it much longer. As soon as her thoughts drifted to him, she received a surprise visit from someone.

"Nausicaa."

That smooth, lilting voice she knew so well. Her heart stopped and her breath hitched. When she turned to look at him, excitement ran through her soul. He looked enticing and splendid as ever, with hazel eyes so expressive. She was so stunned she didn't even know how to react. Hastily she checked herself before she lost control and went running into his arms.

"Asbel. What are you doing here?" Her voice was neither cold nor warm - slightly detached and somewhat concerned. He was unfazed by her composure and strode toward her.

"Coming to talk to you." He declared.

"About what?"

"What are you trying to do?" He demanded worriedly, searching her eyes.

"What do you mean?"

"Why did you just leave? Without resolving things between us?" He asked in a gentler tone. The girl faltered, trying to decide how to answer.

"I wanted to give us both some space." She replied, which was a perfectly honest answer. Asbel stared skeptically at her for a moment, and then spoke up again in a rebuking tone.

"You should tell me that; not just disappear for an entire month." He chastised. "You left me in the dark - I couldn't tell what you wanted, whether or not to come after you."

The woman didn't respond; in truth she hadn't considered how confused he must have felt, and sent him an apologetic glance. Meanwhile the man continued on.

"Look, I know you love your people, and your place is here in the Valley." He explained slowly and sincerely. "I never want to see you miserable, even if it means losing you. So if you think things won't work out between us and you don't want to see me, I understand and will respect your wishes."

His last sentence sounded so quiet and pained that her heart ached for him. He flew all the way here just to ask for her directive? But now that he stood here before her, eyes pleading with her, she knew she would not survive without him.

"No... you know I can't stay away from you." She whispered weakly, the torment audible in her voice. Asbel's heart similarly reached out to her and his entire mind was screaming at him to hold her. Nevertheless he held himself back in order to finish this conversation.

"Then what are you doing? To yourself, and to me?"

"I was trying to give you the choice." Asbel was taken aback by her answer.

"Why?"

"The same reasons I told you before I left," She replied dolefully. "You deserve so much more than what I can give. My life will always be tied to my country; and it's not fair to you to have to compete with that."

Asbel sighed inwardly; this truly was the underlying motivation for pushing him away? Originally he worried that she might not be certain of her own feelings, but now that she had clearly articulated herself, he felt a little relieved. Still, he needed to be sure.

"If you set aside your doubts in your own abilities, would you have tried to stay with me? In other words, am I worth the hassle, to you?"

"Yes." She replied assertively, without a moment's hesitation.

"Then why would you give up on us, without even trying?" He replied urgently, then turned anxious. "Were you planning on coming back to Pejite?" She lifted her eyes to find hazel eyes full of uncertainty and her heart swelled in response. She had tried saying goodbye but her entire mind and soul had rebelled so forcefully in the last few days that she knew the answer.

"Yes," She breathed. Relief seemed to flood the hazel.

"How long were you going to wait?" He questioned. She observed him carefully, a little bemused at his nervousness. Being away from him for some time allowed her the emotional distance to humor him a little.

"I don't know, you showed up before I could decide." He raised an eyebrow, picking up on the mischief in her voice.

"I can go back and keep waiting." He returned seriously, though internally he was also joking.

"No!" She instantly replied, shocked back into seriousness. "I was going to fly to Pejite tomorrow." Again the man felt a wave of relief wash over him.

Asbel sighed, stepping closer to her but not touching her. The girl almost felt light-headed when he approached, as if every atom in her body suddenly became aware of his presence and oriented themselves towards him. From his expression it looked like he had something to say, so she waited patiently and would listen first.

"Truth is, I can't live without you." He began candidly. "Every day you were gone, it's like I stopped functioning - I couldn't think straight, I couldn't fall asleep, I could barely eat, and I worried what kind of trouble you were getting into." He emitted a short chuckle, before turning serious again.

"But the worst part was, I felt terrified I might not see you again."

Pausing for a moment, he reached out a hand to touch her, but hesitated halfway. She had deliberately disappeared and lived without him for a month. Furthermore, he was too confused about who was waiting for who to make the first move. The man chose to restrain himself, and wouldn't force anything on her if she didn't want it, but continued speaking his mind.

"I know you kept your distance for my good, but I also have a say in choosing what's best for me." He remarked with a reproachful smile, while his voice turned persuasive.

"I know staying together won't be easy, but please don't make me say goodbye." He implored. "I just... never want to be without you." His last sentence ended extremely quietly, as if the mere notion made him weary. Hearing such genuine words reminded Nausicaa of the things she had planned to tell him. In answer to his monologue, she firmly took his indecisive hand and gazed earnestly into his eyes.

"Asbel, not a single hour goes by that I don't think about you." She uttered with sincerity. "I want you, and I want to be with you. I would give you all of me if I could." Desperation flashed across her eyes at the last statement. "But fate has given me responsibilities that I will carry as long as I live; I can't leave my people." She glanced away momentarily and took a deep breath in preparation for what she had to say next.

"But what I can give, I fully give to you: my heart and my soul is yours, if you'll take it. It has always been yours." She breathed, her voice achingly earnest. "And whatever portion of my time and energy that I have the power and ability to give, I will gladly give to you. Will you be content with that?" Ending somewhat timidly, she lifted her eyes again and searched the mesmerizing hazel. She faltered and tried to distract herself from her anxiety.

"If not I understand." She added, remembering that his happiness was more important than her own. "I don't want you settling for anything less." He surprised her by slipping one hand around her waist, pulling her towards him. His other hand tilted her chin up until his face was mere inches away from hers. A slight, confident smile curled the corners of his lips.

"I will take anything;" He whispered clearly and sincerely, "As long as you love me." It took several moments for his answer to sink in, as gratitude and relief overtook her soul, and she glanced up at him with a smile of pure admiration. Before long she couldn't contain her joy and threw her arms around his neck, like she had just received the greatest wish of her life. She bound him so tightly that she was probably hurting him, but she didn't care. Presently she pulled away slightly to whisper into his ear:

"I've never stopped loving you."

He pulled away momentarily, and they exchanged glances. His amber eyes danced in liveliness, as though a warm fire had started deep within. He leaned in to press his lips against hers; Nausicaa received the kiss with delight. For one month she had gone without him - how on earth did she survive? She was in absolute bliss, feeling his lips against hers, his touch and the warmth of his body all around her. She had craved this - craved him for too long, and now that he had arrived, she couldn't quite get enough of him. She returned the kiss with a fiery passion to tell him how much she had missed him. He clearly enjoyed it as much as she did, holding her tightly against him and hungrily devouring the sensation of her soft lips against his.

Eventually they stopped and drew away, though he continued to send her small kisses on her lips, cheek, forehead and neck. She seemed to have remembered something, and frowned in thought.

"Wait. Did you fly here?"

"You think I teleported?" The man returned amusedly.

"In your personal glider or your airship?"

"My own glider, of course. Why?" The woman instantly pictured him lying on the glider, arms outstretched and hands gripping the rails.

"Your arm!" She cried frantically. "You're not supposed to be flying."

"It's fine. It's been almost two months."

"That bullet tore through layers of muscle! It takes longer than two months to grow back. Didn't you feel pain?"

"No." He declared, but she glared at him. "Ok maybe a little." She scowled and sent him a reprimanding look.

"Muscles are finicky; if you don't let it fully heal you will be in constant pain with a long term injury!" She snapped, her voice rising.

"Alright! I'll be careful." The girl sighed for the tenth time that day, her eyes softening.

"This is why I can't leave you."

"I don't have a problem with that." He retorted rebelliously and Nausicaa treated him to a long-suffering smile.

They spent the rest of the day together; Nausicaa was not letting him go so soon. After some discussion, they eventually devised a new plan: they would take turns each weekend flying to each other's countries. At first Nausicaa doubted the feasibility of such a solution, but Asbel was determined to try it out. That night a deep feeling of peace and contentment settled over the two of them, and together they embarked on a new journey: two people ruling two countries, but living in one spirit.


So I'm obviously not at the end yet, and school starts soon... Sorry to disappoint anyone, but I didn't want to rush it. Instead i'll just take my time coming up with a fantastic finale...Haven't thought about it enough yet. ;) who knows it might take a couple more chapters haha... This thing never ends. :P Cheers everyone and thanks for reading!