Chapter 7- Blood on his Hands
The rest of the day was mostly uneventful and as evening came she joined with Seymour in the dining room for a quiet meal together. Jyscal was still engrossed in his work at his office to join them. Meena felt slightly awkward as Trommel happily served her dinner. With her knowledge of how Trommel felt about her she felt even shyer towards the tall green haired Guado than usual. After dinner she left the manor and walked around the twisting halls of Guadosalam once again, this time she went in some of the shops and looked at the very exotic and different goods they had. She marveled to herself at the Guado's use of alchemy and herbalism as their potions were much more potent than the ones she could have gotten back home. As she walked back towards the Manor carrying a few things she had purchased she saw a young Guado couple approaching her on the path. She instinctively felt fear as they crossed paths. To her surprise the Guado couple greeted her warmly and smiled as they passed. Meena was so taken aback that she almost forgot to greet them in return. She stopped for a moment thinking to herself. Quietly she whispered.
"Sister, the Guadosalam you knew has changed." She hoped that her sister, Anima would hear her thoughts somewhere above; although she was sure she could and had observed all the changes that had taken place. Meena returned to the Manor opening up the familiar large red door. She felt especially privileged to be living at the manor and felt gratitude towards Jyscal for letting her stay there.
"Meena, is that you?" she heard the voice of Jyscal call to her as she closed the door behind her.
"Yes Jyscal it is I." She called back to him.
Jyscal's figure came out of one of the lower doorways beneath the stairs, the light hitting his twisting locks casting a strange shadow on his face. He looked very tired and leaned on his cane heavily as his long robes dragged.
"It is good to see you Meena. Trommel has gone out to run a few errands for me, so if you need anything please just let me know." He said trying his best to form a smile on his tired face.
It was so strange Meena thought to herself, the servant is gone and the master of the house himself humbling himself and offering to take care of his guests.
"Oh Jyscal, you've done enough for me. I am thankful for you letting me stay here in your home. You look tired, why don't you get some sleep?" she said concerned.
"I will sleep in time." He said hesitantly. Something about Jyscal seemed off, he seemed nervous about something.
"I hope you get some rest, will I see you tomorrow?" she asked him.
"I am sure you will." He said nodding to her weakly.
Meena worried slightly about Jyscal, and she wondered just how much time he spent at his office each day. It seemed like he had a grueling schedule.
Curled up comfortable in her bed Meena slept through the night. She dreamt of flying that night with bright blue skies and swirling white clouds. Looking over she saw an Aeon to her right playing among the clouds almost child-like in its behavior, she recognized it as Valefor. She smiled happily upon seeing the fayth and felt comforted in its presence. As she watched the winged Aeon she started to feel herself falling, at first slowly but then faster and faster. She screamed out and saw the ground coming closer to her, suddenly all went black and she found herself in her room again awake. As Meena shook herself out of the terror of falling from her dream she was startled by the sound of yelling. The angry voices were distant and she could not make out who it was.
Quickly she got out of bed and threw her robe on she opened her door and peered out into the hallway where she could hear the yelling louder and coming from the direction of the stairs. As she left her room she saw Seymour's door ajar in front of her. A bad feeling came over her as she saw it. Meena rushed down the hallway worrying the worst of her fears. She reached the top of the stairs and looked down to see Seymour and Lord Jyscal engaged in a bitter argument. She was shocked at the angry tones that came forth from Seymour as he yelled at his Father. In her whole life she had never seen Seymour have a violent outburst. Her whole being started to feel sick. As she watched she saw Seymour point violently at Jyscal with an outstretched arm. A bright flash came over her vision and she saw Seymour's hands covered in blood.
"No! Seymour!" she cried out from the top of the stairs. Jyscal and Seymour stopped and looked up to her in surprise. Meena saw them both look up at her and then her body felt heavy, they both became blurry in her vision and her head fell to the side, her vision faded to black.
"Meena!" Seymour yelled as he saw her body go limp and start to fall down the stairs. He ran to her and caught her before she had fallen too far.
"Get a healer!" Seymour cried out while he was trying to wake her. As he looked over her with his sapphire eyes she was white as if all her energy was gone. He felt overcome with terror for a moment, thinking she might be dead.
"I'm sorry Meena, my actions have caused this haven't they?" he whispered to her mournfully.
Lord Jyscal looked on wanting to help but kept his distance from Seymour carefully. He ran to the door and called out for help. He felt guilty that his argument with Seymour had done this to Meena. Quickly a female Guado came rushing in and Jyscal closed the door behind her. She looked over Meena carefully. Reaching down into her bag she pulled out a small leaf and placed it in Meena's mouth.
"Take her and lay her down, my white magic can help her injuries, but her life-force has drained for some reason, she needs rest to get it back." The medic Guado concluded.
Seymour looked up at her and then at Jyscal.
"Thank you." He said shortly.
As the female Guado got up to leave the door to the Manor flung open once more and Trommel entered in a huff.
"I heard you yell for help Lord Jyscal!" he said trying to catch his breath, his arms were laden with supplies he had bought from the vendors. Suddenly he saw Meena. His face was overcome with grief as he saw her lying lifeless on the stairs with Seymour clutching her. His arms flopped to his sides dropping and scattering the supplies he had onto the floor.
"Lady Meena!" he exclaimed running over. "What has happened!" he said his face contorted in terrible distress.
"She is sick Trommel, she fell. Help me get her to her room." Seymour said looking up at Trommel. He could sense Trommel's distress heavily in the air. Trommel had a look of hopelessness upon his face as he looked down at her limp body.
Seymour picked up Meena's small body and took her back up to the top of the stairs. As they returned her to her room Trommel helped Seymour get her settled back into her bed and covered her with soft blankets.
"Meena had warned me." Seymour said abruptly as Trommel had finished tucking Meena in.
"Warned you? Of what Master Seymour?" Trommel said looking to Seymour.
Seymour looked down guiltily and put his hand to his head. He swept his blue forelock out of his face morosely.
"She had a vision, she saw me kill Jyscal. She begged me to promise her I would not do such a thing."
They both looked over to Meena as they heard a small whimper come from her. She still lay unconscious in some sort of dream state with a look of hurt upon her sleeping face.
"You would never do such a thing." He said swatting away the idea with his hand.
"I do hate him." Seymour said seriously as if scared of his own self.
Trommel looked to him in surprise of his coldness. He thought to himself and let out a long sigh, with his long hands he adjusted his coat around his neck and stood up straight looking to Seymour with all seriousness.
"I know why you hate him, Master Seymour. I remember what life at the manor was like back then. But it's a terrible thing to see such hatred from a son for his Father even if it is justified. Your Mother gave you strength, Master Seymour. I am not one to lecture, but if I may say this to you as a servant wanting the best for his Master: we all have our own demons, and it would be wise to use the strength you have to fight them, instead of what is in front of you."
There was a long silence between the two as Seymour stared with a look that could pierce steel at Trommel. Silently Seymour gripped his fist in frustration, his long claws gouging into his palm.
"You have always been wise, Master Seymour. I know you will do whatever it is you need to. It is none of my business." He said bowing respectfully.
Without a further word Seymour turned and left the room his footsteps echoing down the wooden hallways.
Slowly Meena opened her eyes. She blinked and looked around, squinting as the light hurt her eyes. She realized she was in bed. She tried to lift her arm and winced in pain. For some reason her arm was very sore.
"You should take it easy, you had a little bit of a fall." She heard Seymour's voice say to her.
A fall? She thought to herself. Meena desperately searched her memory for what had happened, and why she was in bed in the middle of the day. She couldn't remember anything though.
"I fell?" she said in disbelief.
"Yes, you don't remember do you?" Seymour said to her from the edge of the bed.
"My mind is a blur." She said back holding her head in pain.
"You blacked out and fell down the stairs, two days ago."
"Two days!?" she said in shock.
"Yes, and I must tell you, Trommel has not left your side once." He said pointing over to the corner of the room. The slumped over figure of Trommel sat asleep in a chair, he looked terribly tired and disheveled.
"Oh," she said surprised at the sight as she had always seen him very well groomed.
"Meena," Seymour said taking her hand. "The night you fell, I and my Father were arguing bitterly, it must've been the sight of us bickering that weakened you and made you pass out. It has been difficult for me, but I have tried to mend the wounds between me and my Father. Especially seeing how our arguing has affected you. So…I will try my best, to once again, be his…son." He said forcing out the last few words.
"Oh Seymour, I am so glad, I was so worried." She said grasping his hand and kissing it. Meena sighed to herself in relief.
"It will be alright, just rest." Seymour looked over as he saw Trommel stirring in the chair, waking up from his short nap. Seymour looked at Meena and smiled. "I shall leave you to talk with Trommel." He said with a small laugh to himself. As Seymour walked to the door and looked back to her Meena mouthed the words 'I love you' to him quietly. Seymour smiled at her in affirmation and nodded as he exited.
As Seymour left Meena focused her attention to Trommel. His tired eyes opened and he stood up from the chair and stretched his long arms, she watched as his fingers nearly touched the ceiling. She felt very grateful that he had been taking care of her so devotedly. Trommel's eyes met hers and his face transformed to overwhelming joy when he saw her sitting up and looking at him.
"Lady Meena, you are awake!" he said running over to her. "Do you feel alright?" He said looking over her concerned and cautious.
Meena smiled at his concern and just looked at him. Tilting her head slightly, her dark hair shining in the glow lights on the wall her blue eyes locked with his. Taking in his utter concern for her, it was so sweet how he cared for her. Stretching out her arms she grabbed him and pulled him close to her, hugging him tightly.
"Thank you." She whispered to him gently.
Trommel looked as if he was in some state of shock as he was held in Meena's embrace.
"I…I…" he said shakily.
Meena released him and looked deeply into his eyes. He was blushing and looked nervous, his eyes shifted around and he looked as if he wanted to say something.
"Lady Meena I…would like to say something…I in no way would want to frighten you by saying this but…" he stopped hesitantly as if he couldn't form the rest of the words.
Meena reached out and took his shaking hand and held it. "What is it Trommel?" Meena said smiling at him.
"I…love you" he said shakily as if fearing his own words. He looked to her for her reaction fearing the worst.
Meena smiled and looked down still holding Trommel's hand she touched it gently, marveling at how long and graceful his hands were. She had known already of his interest from Seymour telling her, and ironically she was almost expecting him to say something to her one day. In all truth she herself had very special feelings for the Guado man.
"…I love you also." She said blushing as she looked up at him. Trommel's tense face melted into a smile as he heard her reply. He grabbed her hands into his and held them softly within his large claws.
"I was so hoping to hear you say that." He said looking at her ecstatically with a wide smile. They both looked into each others eyes. Meena found herself dazed with crazy feelings she herself had never had. She smiled and put out her hand and touched the side of Trommel's face gently. She leaned in towards him and found herself kissing him. She had never thought she would when she first met him, but she had become overwhelmed with love for him. Trommel wasn't expecting the affection and he became tense and nervous but soon he melted into the kiss along with her. After pulling away from the kiss Trommel looked at her with an expression of pleasant surprise and they embraced for what seemed like an eternity, just breathing and listening to the others heart-beat.
"Meena," Trommel said releasing her and looking at her.
Meena's wide blue eyes stared up at him waiting for his question. Trommel got lost for a second as he looked back at her dazedly.
"This is going to sound sudden to you, but, I have so much love to give you…and you have brought me such joy…Since I now know how you feel I want to ask you…" he said taking her hand gently.
"Meena, will you…will you marry me?"
Meena froze in her spot. She had certainly not expected Trommel to ask her THAT at least not so soon, not so immediate. Meena sat silently in contemplation.
"I know this is very soon, extremely soon…" Trommel said nervously seeing Meena's shocked expression. "I am aware truly we barely even know each other. But, I ask because I know that time is all too short for the people of Spira. A calm is the ideal time to marry…"
Meena sat and stared at Trommel, speechless. Suddenly she grabbed him up into a hug and held him tightly.
"Trommel you are everything I could ever want in a husband. Of course I will marry you."
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Authors note: For the next few chapters Meena and Trommel are going to start fading into the background as Seymour takes a more central role in this story. Seymour is going to take a very special trip to Luca…and guess who he is going to meet? That's right Yuna will be coming into his life. We will see how she gets along with a less evil Seymour. My intention has not been to wipe all the evil away from Seymour as all of us have a dark side that can surface at times and it will be the same with him. Still a bit arrogant, charming, mightily powerful, and not fully into the whole Yevon thing as he will be endorsing a little forbidden machina. Will Yuna still agree to marry him when it WONT be a bargaining tool or a try at negotiating with him?