Ahiru's True Form

Chapter 3

They arrived at the lake, following the sound of Uzura-chan's drum the entire way there. The lake lay to the north of the town in the newly revealed world. To Fakir it appeared to be in the same location as the Lake of Despair but for some reason in the bright mid-day sun it seemed less foreboding than the night Ahiru and he danced at the lake's bottom.

Mythos and Rue immediately began searching the surrounding area. They rummaged through the surrounding bushes and shaded area under the trees. Fakir stood staring out into the dark expanse of the lake, deep in thought. Uzura-chan tottered over to his side. She stared up at his face in blatant curiosity. She turned to look over the lake where Fakir was staring so intently, then back to his face.

"What are you looking for, Fakir-zura?" she asked in her sing song voice.

Fakir continued to stare out over the water's surface, seemingly oblivious to Uzura-chan's innocent question. Mythos and Rue extended their search to encompass the surrounding the woods, calling out Ahiru's name. Eventually they returned empty handed to where Fakir and Uzura-chan were standing, their eyes cast downward in disappointed.

"It doesn't appear that she is still here," Mythos declared. "We search the entire area. Are you sure this is where you saw her?" He turned to face Uzura-chan.

Uzura-chan nodded solemnly. "This is the place I saw Ahiru. She flew here on great white wings made out of light-zura."

Rue clicked her tongue in irritation. "That isn't good enough. What form was she in? Was she hurt? Where was she when you saw here?"

Uzura-chan tapped at her drum absently and stared into Rue's face. Rue turned on Fakir next, "Fakir…"

Fakir was walked forward towards the lake with increasing speed. Soon he was in a dead run heading directly for the still, clear water. His boot clad feet slapped the wet sand noisily as he approached the water's edge.

"Fakir! What are you doing?" cried Mythos.

"Fakir, come back!" yelled Rue. "You're not well enough yet to swim!"

Fakir plunged into the cold, clear water. At first it was briskly refreshing but soon his body was shivering against his will. He pushed his body through the water, kicking wildly to gain more speed. In the darkness of the water he could faintly here Mythos' and Rue's concerned cries. He ignored them and plunged ever deeper. He knew what he was looking for was just beyond the black wall of water.

Rue turned to Mythos frantically. "You have to go after him! He's been unconscious for three days, the idiot is going to kill himself down there."

Mythos nodded and began to remove his shoes and jacket. He shot away from Rue toward the lake's edge. Before he had gotten half way, he saw something emerge from the water. A head of dark wild hair, determined green eyes, and a hard set mouth was quickly followed by a lithe frame clad by drenched cotton clothes. Mythos rushed forward but slowed when he saw what was in Fakir's arms. He heard Rue let out a gasp from behind him. Uzura-chan's drum sticks clattered loudly to the ground. Mythos couldn't believe the sight in front of him

After all we have gone through, how could it end like this? Mythos thought.

As Fakir grew closer Mythos shook his head in disbelief. Rue ran forward but came no closer than Mythos.

"Ahiru!"

Lying limply in Fakir's arms was the small body of a carrot-headed girl. Her skin was pale and her cheeks flushed. She looked so fragile; she could have been mistaken for a porcelain figure.

Fakir closed the finally gap between them and stood before them solemnly. His eyes were blank and unreadable. Rue's eyes began to water and her hands stared to tremble. Her hand flew up to her mouth to muffle the beginnings of a sob that was choked back. Mythos felt his newly reconstructed heart tear within him.

After all we've gone through, it had to end like this? Mythos thought again.

And then, a cough. It was the most beautiful sound Mythos had ever heard. It was a rough muffled sound that undoubtedly came from the still figure in Fakir's arms. The group collectively drew and anxious breath and waited in a tense silence for the next sign of life.

CoughCough

Rue let out a relieved sigh, now allowing the tears to run freely down her face. Mythos's shoulders relaxed and he let out a short laugh. Fakir stood still tense, staring down at the limp figure in his arms. He was unchanged except for the touch of softness in his eyes.

Uzura-chan walked forward, her wide eyes uncomprehending the group's overflowing emotion. "Is Ahiru-chan broken-zura?" she asked, her eyes also beginning to glisten in tears.

"No," laughed Mythos in relief. "No, she's fine. Our little savior is just fine."

Rue smiled through her tears. Her face a picture of pure delight. "Thank goodness. Thank goodness, she's alright."

Mythos looked up at Fakir's face and what he saw alarmed him. The determined resolve from earlier was draining away from his form to be replaced by fatigue and sickness. Mythos moved forward and took the girl from Fakir's arms. As he did, he looked Fakir in the eye and said, "Let us help you. Ahiru and you have protected Rue and I for long enough. It is own turn to take care of you. Please allow us to return the goodness you have given to us. You are too weak to carry Ahiru back to your house. Let me carry her for you, please."

Fakir looked as if he was about to protest but Rue cut him off. "Don't be selfish, Fakir," she said, laughing now. "You have played the part of the noble knight for long enough. Please accept our gratitude for your bravery and courage. It would be unfair if you would not let us care for our friends."

Fakir looked unconvinced but his paleness gave him away. He passed Ahiru's cold trembling body to Mythos. Almost immediately his shoulders slumped and his knees buckled. He felt his own weight overwhelm him but was caught by Rue. She silently drew his arm around her shoulders and began to lead him back to the house.

Fakir walked home allowing Rue to hold most of his weight, watching the red top of Ahiru's head peaking out from Mythos's arms.

Fakir sat in a chair next to his bed. He was tired and needed to sleep but his bed was occupied by Ahiru's sleeping form. Mythos and Rue stood in hallway. Their voices slipped easily through the open door into the room. Fakir could hear ever word that was passed between them. They are actually quite sickening, he thought to himself.

"I still don't understand why Ahiru wouldn't tell me that she was Princess Tutu. I thought we were good friends at school," Mythos was saying.

Rue's soft voice replied, "I'm not sure, but I think she was embarrassed. As Princess Tutu she was a phenomenal ballet dancer with grace and beauty. Ahiru was a bit of a klutz and a terrible dancer."

"This certainly changes my perception on the last few months' events," Mythos came back with.

Rue's voice turned mischievous in return. "You are not implying that you chose wrongly, are you? Perhaps Ahiru's red hair would suit a golden crown better than my black ash."

Mythos's voice immediate became serious. "It was your confession that released me from the curse of the Monster Raven. You hold the key to my heart. While I am indebted to Princess Tutu, it is you who will share my throne."

They were in Fakir's house but he was beginning to feel as if he didn't belong there. So this is happily ever after? he thought. The Prince had his Princess, the Monster Raven had been defeated. The story that had ruled their lives was finally finished. However, it didn't seem that Fakir was any different than before. He turned to Ahiru's still unconscious form. Doesn't seem so happy.

Mythos and Rue re-entered the room. Fakir stared at Mythos, finally able to take in his friend's changed appearance. Long gone was the empty-eyed Mythos that Fakir had cared for most of his life. The young man who stood before him could only be a fairy tale prince. His elegant garb and crown only accentuated Mythos natural princely poise. Fakir had never seen anyone so naturally regal. Everything about him was full of confidence and authority. It saddened Fakir that this was the true form of his childhood friend, the person Mythos was always meant to be but had never been able to be, until now.

Fakir smiled through his exhaustion and said, "I can't tell you how happy it makes me to see you like this, Mythos. Er, Prince Siegfried?"

Mythos smiled back a smile of pure majesty, "Continue to call me Mythos, please. It would not have been worth all of this effort to regain my heart if it meant that my friends could not call me what they wished."

Fakir was more tired than he ever remembered being before, but somehow he found the energy to give Mythos a warm smile. "Good, then it was all worth it."

Rue looked at him in concern. She was dressed in equal splendor. She was wearing a rich red wine dress with a fitted corset and princess sleeves. She wore a smaller and more feminine version of Mythos's crown which shone with a golden luster from her dark curly hair. Fakir wasn't sure if the dress was an after-effect of the story or if this dress had always been meant for Rue, even before the story began. Either was as likely, in this topsy-turvy world nothing surprised him anymore.

Rue addressed him now, not as a promised princess, but as the cool but caring Rue he had come to know her as. "Fakir, perhaps you should try to get some sleep. I will sit her with Ahiru. I promise to come and wake you if she wakes up."

Fakir shook his head. "I made a promise to Ahiru to always stay by her side. I will wait here until she wakes."

Fakir thought that Rue would snap at him again, but instead a touch of humor flickered in her eyes. "Now, Fakir, don't be so selfish. Ahiru is a friend to us all. We each have equal claim to her. I'm sure she will forgive you for getting some rest after all that you both have been through. Besides, think what she would say if she knew that you were pushing yourself so hard for her sake?"

Despite himself, Fakir had to smile at her argument. He could see Ahiru, in his mind's eye, looking up at him with her wide blue eyes, saying, "Fakir, you shouldn't be doing this to yourself. You're tired, get some rest. If you keep pushing yourself, you'll get sick." The thought made him a little sad. The girl on his bed wasn't the bright eyed Ahiru he had come to consider his friend. She was a broken and beaten little girl, who had been handed a raw deal by fate. Looking at her sleeping face, Fakir had to agree with Rue's reasoning. He was doing nothing for her by just sitting by her side. The best thing he could do for Ahiru right now was to take care of himself.

Mythos reached forward to help Fakir to his feet but Fakir brushed his hands off and stood up unaided. He moved towards to the door, stopping to look back one last time at the prone figure on the bed.

Fakir was laying on his back staring up at the ceiling. He was on the couch in the living room. A window was open and let in a soft cool breeze, causing the curtains to rise and fall periodically. The sounds from the street leaked through the window and filled the room with the noise of horse-drawn carts being rolled over cobble-stone streets and the soft clicks of footsteps as pedestrians passed by.

Fakir was more tired than then had ever been in his life but he had only been able to close his eyes for a few minutes before the wheels in his head began to start spinning. So much had happened over the past few months, he could hardly believe it was all real. Ever since he was a little kid, he had devoted himself to protecting the heart-less, defenseless Mythos. Now that same Mythos was a proud, majestic Prince. Fakir had feared the return of Mythos's heart at first. He was ashamed now of those feelings but he were still his, and he could not deny them. He feared that when Mythos got his heart back, he would leave Fakir alone again. Fakir had wanted to protect Mythos for the rest of his life. He was jealous of anyone who saw Mythos for what he truly was, and tried to hide him from the world. Rue had seen the Prince inside of Mythos also. She also wanted to keep Mythos without a heart so she could have him for herself also. Fakir could not blame her emotions, since they were his own as well. He had honestly thought that he was doing the best thing for Mythos when he leveled his blade that Mythos's heart, intending the break it apart. But Fakir had to admit that Mythos was much better this way. A heart can bruise and break but it was also a great gift. Fakir was now glad that he had allowed Princess Tutu to return the pieces of Mythos's heart.

There is something magical about Mythos, Fakir thought to himself. There was a certain trait of Mythos that made him completely lovable. There was something about him that made everyone he met want to protect him, to keep him to themselves. Fakir mused unemotionally what his life would have been like had he never met Mythos. Would he have escaped to the ballet school? What kind of person would he be? What would have happened to Mythos if Fakir hadn't found him that day in the street?

The multitude of questions overwhelmed Fakir's mind and forced his consciousness into submission. He sighed and rubbed his temples, trying to soothe his hyperactive mind.

"Do you mind if I ask you to answer a question?"

Fakir opened his eyes and looked over to the chair across the room. Mythos was sitting there looking at him in rapt attention. He looked relaxed, but his spine was straight, his shoulders did not touch the back of the chair. Fakir sighed once again, but managed to smile this time. "I have plenty of questions myself, but I can't promise any answers."

"Am I a lot different from before?" Mythos asked. "Before I got my heart back?"

Fakir closed his eyes and laid his head back down of the cushion. "Yes, Mythos. You are much different now."

"Is it a good difference?" Mythos asked again.

Fakir hesitated before answering. "I suppose. You should be able to think for yourself now. You won't need me to protect you anymore."

Fakir listened to the silence with half interest. Suddenly, Mythos replied, "I don't want you to stop protecting me."

Fakir opened his eyes but didn't sit up. Instead he furrowed his brow at the ceiling. "Why would you need a failed knight to protect you? My blade is useless to you."

Mythos gazed back at him calmly. "If is not your blade that I want, but your friendship. I've been asleep for a long time and I've only just now woken up. I need someone to guide me through this world. There is still so much I don't understand."

Fakir stared back uncomprehending Mythos's meaning. "You have Rue. She is a smart girl, though perhaps a bit insane from time to time. She can help you a hundred times better than I can."

Mythos smiled and nodded. "Rue is a wise and intelligent girl, but she is not who I want to advise me on these matters. I'm going to be leaving soon."

Fakir looked up in shock. "Where are you going?"

"I am going back to my castle," replied Mythos. "It is time that I returned to my duties as prince. I want to you to come with me, as my advisor."

Fakir shook his head, not out of disagreement but of disproval of the idea. "I would be a worthless advisor. I've never even left this town since I came to live here with Charon. Ever since I was a boy I was always protected by others. I am a failed knight who couldn't die when it was expected of him and I am responsible for the pain of Ahiru upstairs. There is nothing I can offer you as an advisor. If anything I would be bad luck for you."

Mythos smiled, as if he could see something funny. Whatever it was, it eluded Fakir. "That is exactly why I want you. I want someone who can share my sheltered view but is intelligent enough to learn along side of me the ways of this strange world. But most of all, I want to keep you by my side. I want to keep your friendship close at hand, for when I need it most."

"My friendship will always be yours to call upon anytime, you should know that by now," replied Fakir. "You will find no more loyal subject than me but I still do not see the logic in your choice. I am a nobody, a ballet student here in Kinkad."

Mythos smiled even wider at that. "Perhaps it is a sign of my ignorance of the ways of the world that I would choose someone such as you. But all the same, I doubt I could choose a better man to be at my right hand. You have proven yourself to me more times than I can count. I have the highest respect of your sword and your mind. And if you should continue to decline my offer I will offer it again until you decide to accept."

Fakir narrowed his eyes in annoyance. "Your never going to let this drop, are you? You're just going to keep asking me to come with you until I agree."

Mythos laughed openly in response. "You can count of it."

Fakir returned a small smile but didn't respond verbally. He was saved from answering by a knock on the door. Fakir sat up but Mythos had already crossed the room to let in their visitor.

A tall slim figure stalked into the room, his eye-glasses flashing in the light streaming in through the window. Fakir bolted upright to face the intruder.

"Hello, Fakir," greeted Aotoa.

Author's Note: Okay, so that took a little longer than I was hoping it would. Anyway, same thing as before, my proof-checker is off-duty, so let me know where the typos are. I really need to work on proof-reading my own stuff, but honestly, I have way too much homework already and I just do this for fun. Chapter Four has already been started and it's probably going to be my favorite so far. I'll try to write as fast as I can but in the mean time, I hope you enjoyed this latest installment. And if you didn't like it, keep checking back, I promise you there are going to be some big developments over the next few chapters. Hint: What has been going on in the world outside of Kinkad since Mythos has been gone? Where did the kingdom think he went? What were the repercussions of his disappearance? All that and more in just a few chapters.