Until the End of Tomorrow
By: Starlight-x
Chapter 7: Renewal
Perhaps it was the impossibility that had kept him from sharing what he had learned. No matter how many times he turned the knowledge over in his mind he just couldn't see a way to restore the Glade of Elai without a life caller present. Carthe sighed. Even with a life caller he had no way of knowing if the idea would even work.
That was only part of his problem. Getting to see the Princess had been another matter entirely. Relena had been so busy with the frustrations surrounding her and the emergency that had recently occurred that he had been unable to get near her. Rumors were whispered that the princess's brother and his lifemate had their bond severed by an unknown assailant.
If the rumors spoke truth Carthe felt the need for a life caller even more strongly. Having only a small healing gift and earth affinity he felt his inadequacy keenly. He could feel and see what needed to be done, but he didn't have the power to do it. Incredible control over his gift, his father had once pronounced. It may have been true but miserably useless were the words he normally used in regards to his magical ability.
The smallest of bird trills caught his attention and Carthe glanced around. In his musings he had come dangerously close to the barrier surrounding Asthernell. Only a whistle sounded by one of the guards spaced in regular intervals around the perimeter had warned him. Hastily he backtracked feeling the silent stare of the guard following him as he left.
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"I don't know how much longer we're going to be able to keep what happened a secret." Relena gave a sigh.
Hilde gave her a sympathetic look and linked her arm through Relena's as they walked slowly through the walkways. Duo trailed them at a respectful distance. "So where's Heero?" Hilde asked.
"I don't know exactly." Relena admitted. "I think he's investigating what happened to my brother and Noin." She sighed. "He's been somewhat secretive, but he's always there when I need him."
"He must have some suspicion about who did it." Hilde pursed her lips. "What's the council saying?"
"I've never seen them so divided." Relena shook her head. "Something has to happen soon, but I don't know what exactly. The Watcher's words only generated more turmoil, but he spoke truth. What surprised me was Orestaphal's agreement."
"He was a good friend of your father. I don't think he's all bad."
"No, not bad Hilde. I just expected him to be more stubborn in regards to my lifebond. I don't think even my father would've had an easy time accepting it."
"Perhaps not. But your father is no longer here. If change is needed and necessary then I think your father would approve."
"Perhaps." Relena smiled briefly. "But then again, perhaps not. Still, he is not here and the council is. I cannot afford to alienate them entirely. Change must come, it is imperative, but can I really do it if it shatters everything my people hold dear?"
"Are you going to give up your bond with Heero?"
"Of course not." Relena shook her head. Even the slightest caress through the bond could bolster her for hours.
"My Lady?"
Relena turned at the hesitant query. Some distance behind her a slender elf with blonde hair pulled back in a loose braid offered a slight bow. "My lady, my name is Carthe, if I could beg a moment of your time." He shifted his weight as if to move forward and then retreated back to his original position. "Please my lady, it concerns the Glade."
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Orestaphal glanced down the scroll, checking his work one last time. With a sigh he allowed the parchment to roll closed. He slid it inside his robe and slowly stood. He raised a cloak of invisibility around himself and exited his room. He headed through the walkways for Errandal's room, letting himself in without knocking. His son was reclining on his bed, dozing. He came awake just as Orestaphal released his invisibility spell.
"Father, what are you doing here?" Errandal yawned widely.
Orestaphal reached for his scroll, gripping the parchment tightly in one hand. "I came to see how you were doing."
"Much better, I should be up and around soon." Errandal's lips curved upward slightly.
"I see." Orestaphal frowned, staring into his son's eyes. After a moment he sighed. "You still plan to cause more pain then."
"What?"
"As your father it is my duty to stop you." Orestephal smiled sadly. "Forgive me my son." He opened the scroll, tracing the runes inscribed there with one finger. They began to glow a faint blue.
"Wh-what are you doing?" Errandal pushed himself up on his elbows. "Father!"
Orestaphal reached up and traced the final rune on his own forehead. It too began to glow. Holding the scroll in his left hand Orestaphal held his right palm facing Errandal and began to chant. In response the runes on the scroll disappeared, reappearing around Errandal instead.
Errandal looked about him in shock. "What are you doing?" He kicked aside his covers and tried to stand up from his bed, but the runes kept him from moving very far.
Orestaphal continued without pausing, allowing the scroll to drop from his hand as he reached up to touch the rune on his forehead. Sweat shone on his skin.
"Please Father, stop." Errandal attempted a spell but stopped when the runes around him brightened.
Orestaphal had begun to shake with exertion, but his voice remained steady.
The runes continued to brighten until it was impossible to look at them. Errandal kept himself pushed upright on his hands and knees. Tears caused by the brightness of the runes streamed down his cheeks. "Father," He slumped.
Orestaphal slowly pulled his hand away from his forehead as he spoke the final words of his spell. The runes brightened beyond brilliance and disappeared. Errandal lay curled up on his side, unconscious. Orestaphal reached out one hand towards his son as his knees finally gave way and he crumpled to the ground.
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"Well, this isn't exactly the type of welcome I remember receiving ever before." Quatre pulled Sally closer as he offered the elves surrounding them a reassuring smile.
"Silence." The leader gave them both a cursory glance. "Who are you?"
"I'm known as Quatre, this is Sally. If we could speak to the Holder of Truth I'm sure everything would be explained quite clearly."
The elf frowned as he stared at Sally. "You, you're a half breed." His mouth twisted in an expression of distaste.
Sally's face was cleared of any emotion as she returned the stare.
"You shouldn't be so quick to judge elfling."
"Trowa! I didn't expect to see you again so soon."
"Greetings Quatre." Trowa gave a nod to the blonde singer.
"Who are you?" The leader narrowed his eyes.
"This woman is one of the most gifted healers alive, not to mention she's also a life caller." Trowa ignored the question. He turned to face Sally. "You are needed. Follow me."
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"Are you sure that will work?" Relena leaned forward, eagerness in her tone.
"Not entirely." Carthe shook his head. "I believe a life caller would be essential for it to even have the faintest hope of working in the first place though. And there isn't a life caller in Asthernell."
"Maybe not now, but I do know a life caller." Relena stood up. "I just have to find out where she is right now."
"Closer then you think." A cheerful voice interrupted. They all turned to look.
"Catherine!" Hilde cried. "What are you doing here? What do you mean?"
"Only that your friend Sally has just arrived in Asthernell. You might want to hurry. The border patrol has them stopped and I don't think they'll let them go anytime soon even with Trowa there."
"Here, thank Elai!" Relena rose but stopped short, face paling suddenly. "What was that?"
"What's wrong?" Duo asked.
"Someone just cast a forbidden magic." Relena sent out a call through the lifebond for Heero. His response was immediate.
I'm coming.
Find me. Relena left the room at a half run. She could not wait for him, swift though he may be. The consequences of loosing a forbidden magic were dire, not only for the recipient of the spell but for the caster as well. Who could have done such a thing? Perhaps the one responsible for rending the lifebond between Zechs and Noin.
It seemed to take forever before she found herself standing in the door of a room. The taint of the magic was strongest here, but was wafting away steadily. Opening the door Relena took in the scene before her in one swift glance. Errandal lay on his bed, unconscious while Orestaphal was collapsed on the floor.
"Orestaphal," Relena lunged forward, cradling the elder's head on her lap. He opened weary eyes and focused on her face.
"My lady," his voice was no more then a whisper.
"Orestaphal, what has happened here? What has Errandal done?"
"No my lady. My son, errant though he was, did not loose the forbidden spell. That was my own doing." Tears welled then in his eyes, spilling down his cheeks as he gazed up at her. "Forgive my son his foolishness my lady. It was he who dissolved the bond between your brother and his lifemate." He closed his eyes for a moment and his body shook. "I have stripped him of his magic, he can cause no more harm. I will pay the price for that, but it is as it should be. I am his father and I should have known."
"Do not blame yourself Orestaphal." Relena wiped the tears from his face and pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead. "I grant your request. His life shall be spared."
"Thank you." Orestaphal opened his eyes, smiling as he looked up at her. "You will be alright my lady, our people will be alright." His eyes closed then and his entire body relaxed.
Relena bent over him, allowing her tears to fall on his face as she began to weep softly. She felt Heero behind her, felt him place his hands on her shoulders. He said nothing, letting her grieve. After a moment she straightened wiping at her eyes. Gently she lay Orestaphal down and rose, accepting Heero's help to do so. She could feel the restlessness and worry of her people responding to the magic Orestaphal had worked. Guards were starting to gather outside.
"Hilde, Duo," She turned to the two who were standing in the doorway. Duo had one arm wrapped around Hilde's shoulders. "I need you to find Sally. It's time we cleanse the glade and she's the only one who can do that. Please escort her there as soon as you find her."
"Of course," Duo gave a nod.
Errandal gave a moan and shifted on the bed. Relena turned to look at him. "I'll have to deal with him later. The glade must take precedence over everything else right now." She called two other guards into the room and instructed them to watch over Errandal before she turned to face Heero. "Did you know that Errandal was responsible for what happened to Zechs and Noin?"
"Not entirely," Heero shook his head. "I did know that Orestaphal knew who it was and I had my suspicions too."
"I see." Relena sighed. "I feel like there is too much to deal with. Everything's happening at once." She leaned back against him, resting her head on his shoulder. He wrapped his arms about her in response.
"I'm here."
"I know."
He let her cling. Relena finally drew in a deep breath and pushed back from his embrace. "I suppose I should go."
His only response was a nod but he took her hand, lacing his fingers with hers. She held tight as they walked to the Glade of Elai.
They found Carthe waiting for them outside the grove. "Is everything alright?"
"No," Relena shook her head. "But I think everything is going to be." She turned and looked behind her. Duo and Hilde hurried toward them followed by Sally and Quatre.
"Sally!" Relena took a step forward. "Thank Elai you're here." She turned back to Carthe. "Now our lifecaller is here. Explain to her your plan."
Carthe was staring at Sally. "Of course." He paused. "Pardon me, but you look familiar. Have we ever met before?"
"I don't believe so. I've never been in Asthernall before."
"Forgive me." Carthe smiled. "Well, it's simple really. Life must be called back to the glade, hence why we need you. There are several ways by which we can accomplish this but I believe the simplest one is to enact a bonding ceremony in the Glade of Elai itself."
"That's an interesting idea." Sally tilted her head slightly. "I'd have to see the glade itself before I could be certain though."
"Of course, Follow me." Carthe turned and led the way into the glade.
Inside the glade Sally took in everything. The sluggish fountain, it's water barely flowing. The foul smell that seemed to permeate everything. She laid a hand gently against the trunk of a tree and wept. Carthe waited patiently until she had composed herself again. "Yes, I think it will work." She said. "But, I'll need an anchor."
"Ah, of course. If you will allow me, I would be happy to be your anchor. I have a slight healing gift, but I believe it would be enough to help you."
Sally held out her hand silently, waiting until he placed his own in hers. She gently closed her fingers around his and closed her eyes. "It will be more then enough. You have such precision." She released his hand. "Who will be participating in the bonding ceremony?"
"My brother and his lifemate Noin."
Sally turned to look at Relena who had entered the glade behind them. "Lifemate? Then they were already bonded?"
"Yes, but their bond was dissolved through outside means." Relena spoke steadily. "We're hoping their bond will be restored along with the Glade."
"I see." Sally drew in a deep breath. "I've never initiated a lifebond before, but I'll do my best. I'll need a little time to prepare."
"I'd be happy to help you." Carthe offered.
"Thank you." Sally turned to Relena. "You needn't wait here Princess if you don't want to."
"All right then." Relena nodded. "Send word by one of the guards when you're ready."
"Of course."
Once they were alone Sally turned back to Carthe to find him regarding her strangely. "Your father, what was his name?"
"Fanr." Sally returned his look and watched as his eyes brightened.
"I should've guessed." Carthe smiled. "You have the feeling of his gift." He held his hands out toward her. "I've waited long to meet you sister. Fanr was my father as well."
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The preparations were completed sooner then expected. As soon as Sally sent word Noin and Zechs were both escorted to the glade.
"So how are we going to do this?" Zechs asked, one arm around Noin. Both had refused to sit and were instead supporting each other as they stood.
"Basically all you are going to do is go through the life bonding ceremony you had originally put together. While you do that I'm going to see about calling life back into the glade."
"You're going into a healing trance?" Relena asked.
"Carthe will be my anchor." Sally smiled slightly. "It is appropriate considering he is my half brother."
Zechs and Noin turned to face each other. Sally stood next to them, lightly touching each of them on the shoulder. Carthe stood behind her.
The ceremony began. As both Zechs and Noin repeated their original life bond vows Sally sank into her healing trance searching for their particular threads. She found them and began to coax them together, winding them around each other. As their life threads began to once again join they began to emit more light then normal. Sally could feel the life energy of both Noin and Zechs pulsing beneath her fingertips. She turned to consider the glade then. Taking the overflowing energy from the new bond she began to pour it into the glade. At the same time she became aware of a new life thread revealing itself. It reached out towards Zechs and Noin's lifebond. As the energy continued to seep into the glade the thread entangled itself around the bond. Sally watched in wonder for a while before becoming aware of a strong pulling at the back of her mind.
"It's time to come back sister."
"Carthe." Sally allowed herself to be pulled gently out of her trance, returning fully to wakefulness. As she did so she felt the familiar weakness that always accompanied a life calling. Strong arms held her, keeping her from falling. She looked to see Carthe behind her. "Did we do it?"
"Look for yourself." There was awe in Carthe's voice.
Sally turned to look. Zechs and Noin were standing upright, no longer leaning on each other for support. Both of them were glowing.
"What is this?" Noin held her hands out palms upward, staring at them. "This feeling?"
"So much power!" Zechs gave a laugh and suddenly a wind swept the area, swirling through in a playful motion.
"Yes!" Noin reached down, touching the ground. The greenery began to revive. The fountain burst forth with renewed vigor.
"I can feel the glade." Zechs turned around in a slow circle. "It's almost as if it's become part of me."
"Part of us." Noin corrected him softly.
"It has." Carthe shook his head in wonder. "Somehow you've not only been life bonded with each other again but with the glade as well."
Everyone turned to look at Sally. "I didn't do it." Sally responded to the silent questions directed at her. "I only directed the energy flow. The glade bonded with you by itself."
"New time, new rules." Trowa put in softly. "You must all choose how you would continue on from this point on." He looked at Relena. "Princess."
"I understand." Relena drew in a deep breath. "Heero?"
"Yes." Heero laid one hand on her shoulder.
"There seems to be one final problem I have to deal with. But that can wait for the moment." Relena moved forward to give her brother and Noin a hug. "Thank Elai you both are fine now."