A/N: Woah... this took longer than I had hoped... o.o I'm innocent of any crimes accused against me, I swear! No excuse for taking so long... But hey, Enjoy!
Sunset came. The two moons circling the planet began to shine a faint outline in the sky, as the clouds, few and far between, began to travel their own way. Hayden stared out her windows, and looked up to them, along with the stars far from reach.
Space... So many worlds left alone for so many years... Her mind raced, thoughts of both things she'd seen and that which she dreamed. The day I joined the fight, the day I left... The day I met him... She sighed, propping her head up on her hands as her elbows were supported by the bottom ledge of the window. Her hair was frazzled, and bags had begun to form under her eyes. Sleep called to her, but she would reject its call for as long as she could.
Her heart longed for Thel to return as soon as possible. She wanted to apologize and take back her harsh words. Something had been tugging at her before that conversation, and now it pulled even more. Perhaps she did want to be mated to him... The thought confused her, if anything. There was so much she needed to understand, and yet she felt as if such dreams were unattainable. With a quick glance outside, she saw that the sky had grown dark, and that a Phantom was on approach to the keep. A smile crossed her face as she bolted from the room and out to the flight yard. Whether she could admit it to herself or not, she had missed him.
The yard empty, save for Hayden and S'osa, who had followed her in order to greet his Lord, the Phantom slowed and parked itself, Thel and two guards descended from the vessel.
The Kaidon's gaze remained downward as he thought heavily on what both Kaidon 'Vadum and Rtas had said to him. Despite what Rtas had told him of his position on the matters discussed between them both, he no longer knew his intentions either. "Tahw'ot od?" He muttered to himself as he felt a warm body meet his own. Startled, he raised his hands to force the unwanted presence away, no sooner realizing that it was Hayden who had simply hugged him.
"I missed you, Thel..." She whispered to him, raising her head and resting it against his chest. "I'm sorry for how I acted yesterday. It was uncalled for."
"You need not say a word, Hayden." He whispered back to her, moving her away from him as he walked toward the doors to the halls, nodding to S'osa, who followed in silence. "We should speak elsewhere of that matter. Tell me though, are you prepared to meet the council tomorrow?"
A heavy sigh escaped her lips as she struggled to not trip over her dress. "I think so... I just have to stay silent and look pretty, right?"
"If you are asked to speak, and I assure you that you will be, you must answer clearly and concisely. I also ask that you also do not leave my side for any reason whatsoever." His voice began to run deep. "There are still many that would attempt to take your life, even in the Council Hall."
With hands joined behind her back, she followed behind him closely. "I'm ok with everything, you know... Being your...your mate. I know everything here poses as a danger to me, and that I myself am a liability, but... You still chose to bear me as your burden, knowing how things would play out. The least I could do is stand by your side."
Thel laughed at the statement. "What you've experienced in your week here is only a taste of my people's ability to coexist with another species. You've fought myself and Rtas once. If a duel is declared, and you accept, there is nothing I can do to protect you, Hayden." His voice resonated with a certain level of seriousness. "Please, do not make me beg you to not put yourself in that position." As her gaze wandered, he swooped up behind her and pulled her into his arms. "I would sooner see my own blood spilled, and lose the last remnant of my honor before I saw nothing but your lifeless corpse laying at my feet." Loosening his grip on her, their eyes met. "I may not fully understand these feelings for you that I harbour inside, but I ask you here and now to promise me you will not do anything rash."
"I understand..." She responded, returning his sentiment with a small smile. "I promise."
Smiling to her as best he could, while catching a glimpse of the moonlight shining through the window, he turned and escorted both himself and her to their bedchamber. "Sleep. Tomorrow will be chaotic enough without either of us being exhausted."
Hayden nodded and yawned, untying the sash that was tied around her waist to keep her dress in place. Looking back at him over her shoulder, she closed her eyes. "Paperwork and State matters can wait too. Don't be too long..."
She yawned as she bathed, scrubbing her arms and the rest of her body down. Yet again, Thel had woken before her, and hadn't woken her up either. Two hours was all time she had been given to clean herself, get dressed, and make herself presentable for the Council.
Soa had been called in to finish dressing her and fixing her hair, ensuring she was graceful enough to be presented to the Elders and Kaidons. However, the two women felt tense around one another. Soa had finally admitted it to herself that the Human was her Kaidon's Chosen, suffering a bitter defeat. Haro was another concern.
"Best behaviour" The female Sangheili stated. "Do not speak unless you must or are spoken to."
"Thel told me this yesterday..." Hayden mumbled, once again smiling at the reflection she saw dressed in black and pin silk, with a touch of red. The dress was starting to grow on her.
"Be that as it may, you must be the one to remember, Human."
Longing to shoot a glare at her, Hayden's gaze softened once she saw Thel and S'osa standing in the doorway.
"Are you ready?" The Kaidon had asked, nodding in approval to Soa at her appearance.
"Ready as I can be to stand in front of a large group of men that want me dead..."She responded, stepping towards both of the men. "Time to go make an impression, I suppose."
Never before had she seen so many Elites in a single room. Thel had told her that upon their arrival that a total of 37 other states, some rivals, some allies, would be attending in order to see Kaidon 'Vadam's pet as some would put the term. Hayden found it offensive once she learned of it, but accepted it for what it was. She was the alien here, not them.
Standing on an elevated platform that lead to their place in the Hall, her gaze travelled around the room. So many foreign eyes rested solely on her, with at least two members from each state standing on their own platforms, and the Council of Elders sitting in front of them all.
Once a horn sounded, and a call was made, the room fell silent, and all eyes travelled to the Council, each adorned in their own ceremonial armor and robes.
"Welcome, Kaidons, Guards, Shipmasters, and other esteemed guests." The Grand Elder called out, surveying the room. "This Meeting was called to discuss State matters. There is nothing else to be announced. First matters, Elder 'Taham?"
A Sangheili, taller than the previous, took his place as the new speaker, and began to bring up various issues such as the crops and future harvest to come, transport issues and factory production, followed by State military conscription. Hayden's breathing began to slow and her mind began to settle. The topic of her hadn't been brought up yet. She let her eyes close and felt something soothing rise within her body. But then a mumble interrupted her thoughts, Thel's voice distracting her.
"Hayden...? Hayden." Her eyes snapped open, realizing she was now the center of attention, and that all eyes in the room rested on her. A chill ran down the length of her spine.
"Perhaps the Human is not well?" One male asked, dressed similarly to Thel.
"I assure you all that I'm perfectly fine." Her voice rang out too fast for her mind to comprehend. She hadn't meant to speak so fast.
"She dresses like us." One spoke.
"She speaks with respect and honor." Another stated.
"Even so, how do we know she poses no threat to us?" One male questioned, tall and prideful, his voice layered with disgust. "You, Human, have no reason to be here. You insult this Council with your filthy, tainted presence. Why have you truly come here?
Hayden shrank back, no longer feeling safe beside Thel and S'osa.
"Kaidon 'Refum, please do not overstep." The Elders spoke, watching three others closely. "This request is made to you as well, Kaidons 'Mdama, 'Chavam, and 'Telcam." The Elders' gaze turned to Hayden once again. "I am curious as well, however. Tell us, Human, why is it that you have indeed come to Sangheilos?"
Hayden tried to speak, but her voice was nowhere to be found. A small squeak left before she closed her eyes and swallowed.
"It seems she is indeed not well. Kaidon 'Vadam, we shall recon-"
"Forgive me, sir." She spat out, coughing twice. Her eyes drifted around the room, losing focus on a single person. "I was offered to come here as part of a peace treaty. I was a scientist back on my homeworld, although I was stripped of that privilege before I left Earth. In losing that title, I was placed into what felt like a cage. You people, Sangheili, are honor driven... Lost honor is as good as death, is it not?" A few nods were given. "I've lost my honor, and there is no place for me at my homeworld. Your people may attempt to gain your lost honor back, but me, I choose to simply move on and start anew... If you would allow me to do so, Your Lordship."
Thel's gaze became dangerous, as did that of several others. No Sangheili had ever referred to the council as such; it was considered an insult. Voices began to mutter, and some then rose to a higher volume. Hayden panicked, taking a step back, and whispering to Thel "What did I do?!"
"Shhh..." He whispered in return, looking to Rtas, and then to the Council and other Kaidons. "Srehto'rb esaelp! Ehs'swonk tono'ur smotsuc roruo syaw'ni luf. Ti'sah neb'ereh thgie syad dna'ereht si hcum'ot nrael. Wola reh senevig'rof, esaelp od'ton nmednoc'reh os ylisae." His voice rang out around the room, eyes turning their attentiuon to him. The Council growled to the room, and silence took over once more.
The Head of the Council grimaced. "Kaidon 'Vadam, ewe'vah dewolla rehecnes'erp ereh'ni eht dercas s'llah fo'ruo Srotsecna. Txen'emit a Ecnegrevnoc si'dellac, ew'ksa taht'ouy etac'ude reh ret'teb nehw ehs si txen'denommus. Seimene era'erom ylisae edam'naht sdne'irf." He paused for a moment. "We have been introduced to the Human female. We have understood why she has come. Do any others wish to speak?" Silence. "This Convergence is now dismissed."
Hayden walked in silence behind Thel and S'osa, her vision fogged and head fuzzy. She had insulted the High Council of their people.
"Keep up, Hayden." Thel spoke to her, not looking behind him.
Hayden mumbled a small yes to him, feeling herself hit something hard a moment later. Stepping back, blinking and catching herself, she bowed to the Sangheili figure in front of her. "I'm so sorry!" She exclaimed, bowing to the Kaidon.
"Woh'erad uoy!" A male bellowed, pushing past the Kaidon and drawing an energy sword, their advisor standing behind him without a single move or word. Thel turned around and saw this. Drawing his own blade, he leapt towards Hayden and guarded her as he swung.
"Arbiter, she has insulted our Council, and walks without observation. She has no care! This is heresy!" The male withdrew the energy blade and stepped back. "I will claim her life, and yours. You have tainted our kind for far too long."
"I have done no such thing. I led our people to the light when the Brutes false Prophets declared genocide upon us." Thel lowered his blade, pushing Hayden back towards S'osa. "Hayden has committed no crime punishable by death. You are no executioner, Jul, and you have not been given authority to do so." Thel warned, glaring daggers at the tall, brown-skinned Elite. "And you, Levu... Please, control your men better..."
Kaidon 'Mdama scoffed at the remark, shooting a piercing glare at Jul. "By your wishes, Arbiter." He responded, slowly walking away, beckoning Jul and his advisor to follow closely behind.
Thel's gaze changed to Hayden, who had closed herself off. She stood silently, head lowered and gaze distracted. Her hair was tangled slightly, and her breathing was staggered. So afraid and fragile... Thel thought to himself as he stepped towards her. "Hayden..." She looked up at him. "Come. Let us return home."
A/N: Long chapter is long... hehehe Anyways, here's the english translation for the conversation between Thel and the Council Elder. Review? :3
Thel: Brothers, please! She knows not our customs, or our ways in full. She has been here 8 days, and there is much to learn. Allow her forgiveness, do not condemn her so easily.
Elder: Kaidon 'Vadam, we have allowed her presence here, in the sacred halls of our Ancestors. Next time a Convergence is called, we ask that you educate her better when she is next summoned. Enemies are more easily made than friends.