Here is another chapter, and some more history on Alastair's past. I apologize for the late update, life and everything else got in the way.
Fay (guest review): Thank you so much for your review. It really means a lot to me. The pronunciation for Alastair's name is: Al-the second 'a' sounds like the 'a' in apple-Stair.
Everyone else: thank you so much for your reviews and even kinder words. I will also admit that I was beginning to give up a bit, since the anti-drama (another guest/bullying reviewer) kept leaving hateful reviews. I was getting tired of seeing them, and defending myself. So thank you all again for the kindness and thoughtfulness you have shown this story.
Rescue Me
Chapter Seven
Present-
Anna strode down the hall with purpose. She finally found what she was supposed to be looking for. A book, not just any book though. It was a spell book, the color was a grayish silver with golden clasps. This book held not only spells, but a particular summoning spell which she needed.
Normally she would never consider such drastic actions, but she was desperate, "Never underestimate a desperate soul." The haunting voice echoed in her head. She stopped and shook her head to rid herself of that voice. She knew who it belonged to, but didn't want to think about it too much until she saw his face.
"Anna?" Anna turned and saw her sister, and Kristoff coming towards her. She saw the looks on both of their faces, especially Kristoff's look of self-disappointment.
"Elsa. Hey." Anna greeted as she kept the book that held the story of both lives in her hands, and then she looked at Kristoff. She knew what this was about, but she couldn't bring herself to be angry at him.
As Elsa approached her sister, she saw the book that Kristoff had talked to her about. This was why they had spent an hour looking for her. Kristoff had told her about the incident that occurred in his room before he gave her the books. It was very disconcerting to hear what had almost happened, but even more so to know that Anna had those horrible books, "What do you have there?" Elsa asked as she motioned to the books.
Anna looked at them and said as smoothly as she could, "The books that detailed our lives before and after the curse." The best lie is the closet to the truth, "I needed them because Shepard said it would help get to know who I was more."
Elsa cocked an eyebrow. Even if Anna was lying, Shepard would neither confirm nor deny her claim due to his oath of confidentiality, "Is that why you were coming from the hospital wing?"
Kristoff was watching her closely and saw a small flash in her eyes, "Yea I was letting him know I got the books." Anna said trying to be calm and not defensive, "Look I am still busy at the moment may I please go if we are done with the fifty question game?"
Elsa was taken aback by the sudden change in attitude from this morning, "Just one more question, what changed?"
"Excuse me?"
"What changed between now and this morning?" Elsa clarified as she looked at Kristoff as a means to remind him to keep quiet.
Anna thought for a moment then said, "Finding the information that I need to finally move on from all of this. I'll catch up with you guys later."
Elsa and Kristoff watched as Anna nearly sprinted away from them, "I had to tell you." Kristoff said slowly as he watched his fiancée leave them.
"I am glad you did. She didn't seem upset though." Elsa said pondering a bit as she led the way back to her office, "It is almost like she expected you to tell me what happened."
Kristoff hummed in response as he followed, "Then why do I still feel unease?"
"Trust me you are not the only one." Elsa responded as they reached her door. Leaving a hand on the handle she looks at him and says, "We will have to keep a closer eye on her. I do not like how she is spending her time in the hospital wing."
"Do you think she is up to something more than her therapy?"
Elsa opened her door and looked at Kristoff, "I am just thinking that nothing good is going to come from these books being in her possession. Get some rest, and we will see you at dinner."
Kristoff bowed and Elsa closed the door on him. Kristoff stared at the door silently and started to make his way back to his room when he bumped into Olaf, "Hey how was Anna?" The snowman asked cheerfully.
"Doing better I guess." Kristoff said not wanting to re-explain the scenario in the bedroom.
"Well that's good. I am going to go bug Elsa, Kiba followed me inside and took off somewhere just to let you know!" Great, a wild wolf in the castle…Kristoff thought as he watched Olaf waddle away cheerfully. Frowning now, he watched Olaf's retreating figure and then down the hall Anna had gone. Shaking his head, he headed towards his room, Anna will come around eventually. Maybe he was overthinking things and worrying for no reason, after all they are just books. What's the worst that could happen?
The past- over a millennium ago-
The King and Queen looked at the two people with shock on their faces, "Father-" Feyre tries to say, but the King held up his hand. She then looked at her mother, "Mother we-" the Queen responded in the same fashion.
Alastair looked at Roku, "Master I-"
Roku responded in the same fashion, expect this time he offered a response to the young people in the room whose hands were still joined together and the twenty four karat gold ring with the amethyst stone glistened in the bright setting sun in the room, "How many others have you two told about this?" It was asked in a calm tone, but there was a weight in the tone of voice as they looked at the aged man in the room.
"No one else. We were alone when I proposed to her." Alastair said firmly as he let go of his fiancée's hand and looked at the King and Queen before turning his attention back on his master, "Please we love each other, I love her. We would never let our feelings for each other cloud our judgement."
"That is not the problem." The King whispered as he approached Alastair and the young took a tentative step back under the King's severe gaze, "The problem is that you might as well have started a war with a country that is very valuable to us. Especially in our soon to be time of need." At this he looked at his daughter, to which Alastair took a step in front of her as if he felt the need to protect her from the King's wrath.
Feyre was having none of this and pushed him aside to meet her father's fury, "This was never discussed with me! You and mother married for love, why can't I?"
"Because there was peacetime for us back then." The Queen answered sharply, "And while we would love for you to have that same opportunity, unfortunately we do not have that luxury now. You are the crowned princess and the next ruler of our kingdom, this means you must do everything you can do to protect our own. Even if this means sacrificing your own happiness for the greater good."
"Again you never discussed with me." Feyre stated firmly.
"With all due respect," Roku spoke up as eyes turned towards him, "There wasn't time. The darkness is coming and we needed to act."
Alastair looked between them and then looked at his master, "Not enough time? You just had a meeting with me and made it sound like we were on our own with this!"
"ENOUGH!" The King hollered causing everyone to jump, "You are to break the engagement. End of story! Now get out of our sight."
"Alastair." Feyre whispered as she tried to go towards him, but the Queen stopped her.
"Feyre." Alastair also tried to get to her, but Roku laid a hand on his shoulder. Alastair sighed as he looked at the warning look on his face. Defeated he held out his hand and Feyre unwittingly took the ring off and placed it in his waiting hand.
Roku sighed as Alastair left the room, and a few minutes later the Queen led the princess out, "I am sorry. I didn't know he felt this strongly about her." Roku eventually spoke up.
The King sighed and rubbed the back of his neck, "I know. I didn't even know Fey felt like this towards him."
"We both knew they were close."
"Just didn't know how close." The King responded. There was a pause, "Did anything change?"
Roku went over to the fireplace and looked at the flickering flames, "It's hard to tell exactly. We still see the Darkness, but after that nothing is certain."
"Do I still get the alliance?"
Roku shook his head, "We cannot tell. There are now too many factors."
Silence.
"You understand," the King started to say after a few moments, "we have to keep the apart."
"Yes your majesty, but you must understand," Roku answered as he faced his friend and ruler, "the heart wants what it wants. To mess with such strong emotions can have dire consequences."
The King nodded and walked over to the window and looked out, "You said it yourself, there is so much uncertainty swirling around him even when we adopted him in our house."
Roku pondered the words for a moment, "What are you planning on having me do?"
"Nothing…yet. Let's hope they trust us enough to let us forget this matter ever happened…" The King said, but he left the sentence hang as if there was more to his thought process.
Roku waited a few more pregnant pauses before following up with, "And if they do not? What would you have me do?" He had a sinking feeling in his stomach as he looked at the King.
The King looked at his friend and Roku saw a sad and devastated look cross over his face, "Then I am afraid I will have to ask you to do something unforgivable my friend." Roku listened as he was given his instructions.
A week had passed since the incident. Feyre and Alastair saw very minimal of each other. They tried to sneak away from their assigned duties, but between Alastair's trainings and Feyre's duties it was next to impossible. However neither of them stopped thinking about each other. It wasn't until one afternoon that they saw their chance and taken it.
"Feyre." Alastair breathed out when he saw her rounding the corner in a secluded hallway.
"Al." She smiled and quietly ran over to him and threw herself at him and kissed him deeply, "I missed you."
"I missed you too." There was a small crack of thunder near the window and they looked outside to see small bit of lightning flash. Alastair pulled away from her and looked around. Seeing no one he moved them out of the hallway and into another room.
Closing the door, he led her over into the middle of the room and waved his hands. A sofa appeared along with a coffee table with snacks and drinks on it, and the fireplace ignited, "The door is enchanted too." He said noticing how her eyes widened in amazement, "It'll give us all the privacy we need."
"I see that the training is going well." Feyre noted as she took her seat.
Alastair took a stop next to her, "It's been tough." He admitted, "But Roku says I am coming along…when we actually have a conversation that is."
Feyre frowns and squeezes his hand, "I know what you mean. My parents are not really talking to me yet either."
They were silent as she leaned into him and rested her head on his shoulder, "I will always love you. No matter what happens." Alastair whispered after a moment.
Feyre hummed in response, "I will love you forever and always." Another round of silence, "It's just a shame there is nothing we can do to stop this marriage thing. I mean if our souls are already joined, there would be no way they'd make me go through with it you know?"
Alastair looked into the fire and frowned. She was right, if her soul already belonged to someone else or was linked to another person, they would be forced to honor that. Wait a moment…he sat up which caused Feyre to sit up with him, "I think you are on to something." He said slowly beaming.
"What? What did I say?" Feyre asked startled at the look on his face and the gleam in his eye. However he didn't respond right away and started pacing, "Love, what is it?" Feyre asked again unnerved by his silence and pacing.
"I think I know a way around all of this. They cannot keep us apart forever." Alastair said with a smile, but then he dropped it and kneeled in front of her grasping both her hands, "However you have to be absolutely sure that you really do love me."
"Of course I do! How can you ask me that?" Feyre asked rapidly her tone sharp.
"Ok then follow me." He said as he pulled her up and waved his hands. The room turned back to the way it was and they exited into the hallway.
Quickly and silently they ran, being mindful of the multiple servants and guards. It was common knowledge that if they were seen together, then it would only mean trouble, "We are going to the council area!" Feyre silently exclaimed as she recognized the area they were in.
"Shush!" Alastair said as he forced them into the corner and pulled her close when he saw Ozai coming out of the door. He watched as the older man waved his hand on the door and then walked away.
Concentrating he worked to disguise Feyre's aura so that she would not be detected by the many enchantments in the surrounding area. He only hoped that there were not any about as they were approaching the hallway. He didn't sense any, but that did not mean there were none around, "Yes we are." He said after a moment making sure they were in the clear.
"But I am not allowed here." Feyre spoke as they silently went to the door.
"And has that thought ever stopped you before?" He asked cocking an eyebrow.
Feyre shook her head, "Alastair I really cannot be here."
"I see your duties and lessons are coming along well," he said as he turned towards the door and tried to discern the enchantment that was used to arm the door, "look trust me it'll be ok. Besides why is it that now I am convincing you to bend the rules and take chances?"
Feyre had no response to that, so she stayed silent as Alastair worked. Finally recognizing the enchantment, he muttered the counter enchantment and the door shimmered, "Let's go."
They went inside and he led her into the back where there were massive book shelves with many books and scrolls on them, "Wow." Feyre said as she looked around, "This is amazing."
"I know." He said smiling.
"You read all these?" She asked as she ran a finger down some of the spines, reading the titles.
"Almost." He said as he skimmed the books' titles before settling on one of them, "Found it. The answer to our problem."
Feyre looked at him as he pulled the book down, "What do you mean?"
"Hold on, let's get out of here first." He said as he quickly got them out of the council room and into the hallway, however he was so focused on getting the enchantment right, he failed to notice that they were being watched.
The next thing he did was grab Feyre's hand and shimmered out of the area and back into the abandoned room, "Wow what was that?" She asked feeling nauseous.
"Another trick I learned, but now about this." He said as he re-enchanted the room, making sure they were comfortable. He paged through the book before showing her the page, "We can perform a bonding ceremony."
"Bonding ceremony?" Feyre asked as she tried to read the text, "It looks to me it's just a fancy marriage ceremony."
Alastair pulled the book back towards him and said, "I know I only skimmed it, but I get the gist. While yes it is like a traditional ceremony, it is actually more serious." Turning the page he showed her the process, "The ceremony allows two people to bond their souls creating a soul bond. This would cause them to be bonded for life. It is like the extreme case of imprinting in animals, in other words it creates-"
"The literal definition of a soul-mate! Alastair this is fantastic!" She exclaimed, throwing herself at him.
"I take it you approve?" He asked laughing. She laughed along, which he took as a yes. Sobering up though he pulled away and said more seriously, "There is a price."
"Price?"
"All magic comes at a price. It is the first rule I learned from the Masters." Turning a couple of pages, he showed her what he was talking about. As she read the page, he explained, "This is very powerful magic. We will be mated for life, and that means that if one of us dies the other will become severely depressed and not be able to survive."
Feyre frowned for a moment, "What would happen if the bond is cut?" She asked, "Like can we have that as a fail-safe?"
"The damage will physically and mentally hurt us if it happens while we are still connected, and it wouldn't matter if one of us is dead, the other will not be able to survive." Alastair stated.
"Catch twenty-two then."
"That sums it up yea." There was a pause before Alastair continued, "Look I understand if you do not want to do this anymore. It was just an idea and-"
Feyre leaned over and kissed him deeply as a means to shut him up. Pulling away she looks into his eyes and says, "I never said that. I want this. I want you. Forever."
"Really?"
"Are you deaf? Yes. Now what do we have to do?" She asks taking the book from him.
Alastair grinned and began pouring over the plans still unaware that there was another presence in the room with them.
Two weeks had gone by and Alastair was waiting by their designated spot. Tonight would be their chance to escape and then they would be able to be together forever. However when the time to meet up had come and gone, Alastair was starting to get worried, "Come on Fey where are you?" He whispered to himself. Just then he heard approaching footsteps, "Feyre?"
"Not quite." Out of the shadows of the hallway, Roku materialized right in front of him.
"Master Roku? What are you doing here?" Alastair asked surprised and if he dared to admit it, frightened.
"I could ask you the same thing, but I have a feeling you already know." Roku said as disappointment weighed in his tone.
Alastair had a sinking feeling form in his stomach, "Master Roku I-"
"No. Do not speak." Roku instructed as he looked at his young apprentice, "Just come."
Alastair nodded and he allowed Roku to lead him from the hallway to the throne room. The doors opened and he saw the King and Queen sitting in their seats, and Feyre standing before them. Her eyes were apologetic, but she made no move to go to him, "Roku if you please." The King said solemnly.
Alastair looked at his mentor in betrayal as Roku raised his hand, the book flying out from his robes, "You are hereby being charged with stealing from the council." Roku said as he wore an emotionless mask, and he waved his hands causing black cuffs to appear on Alastair's wrists.
"What? Master I am your apprentice. I have a right to those books." Alastair said quickly feeling every ounce of his magic being suppressed within him.
"Father please I-" Feyre started to intervene.
"Silence." The King did not need to yell as he voice filled the empty room. Then looking towards Roku, he said, "Continue."
"You both are also being charged with treason to the kingdom." Roku said looking at his young friend and then at the Crown Princess.
Feyre and Alastair both gasped, "WHAT? HOW?!"
They then looked at the King as he spoke, the Queen remaining emotionless, "Roku detected you in the council room. He overheard your plans, and if we did not catch you both in the act and others found out, that is how you would looked to them." Alastair swung around to glare at his mentor, "You both had your chance to do the right thing, but it seems we have to intervene once and for all. Roku…"
"Master please." Alastair begged, "Let us explain."
"I am sorry, but it is out of my hands." Roku raised his hand, but instead of aiming it at Alastair, he aimed it at Feyre.
"NO!" Alastair yelled.
"Al!" Feyre yelled as a large stone tablet materialized in back of her and golden ropes snapped out and grabbed her.
"No please, punish me instead! Leave her alone!" Alastair begged.
"You forced our hands." The King said bitingly.
"Roland maybe-" The Queen started to say.
"No Miranda." Roland snapped. He didn't want to do this, but there was no other option, "Roku end this. Now."
Feyre looked at her father pleadingly as Roku pulled a sack out of his robes, "Father this is madness. No matter what you do, I will always love Alastair. I will fight to be with him."
"You won't actually." Roku said hating to do what his King was ordering him to do. Alastair lunged towards his mentor, but he was suddenly immobilized as Roku continued to talk, "I am sorry, but this is for the greater good. You should have learned my apprentice and your highness that you do what you must for your country."
"You do what you must for your heart. This is wrong! Please Roku…" Alastair begged, "Do not do this."
Roku ignored him and turned back to the Princess, "This is enchanted sand from the Isle of Avalon. We do not want to take away your ability to love, so this is the 'next best thing' for a situation like this." He looks at Roland and Miranda, Roland nods his consent as the Miranda just sits and tries to remain emotionless. He then looks back at Alastair and sees his apprentice looking, silently pleading him not to do this.
"Roku please." Feyre says in a final attempt, "You know this is wrong."
"There are a lot of things that are wrong, but if we allow this courtship to continue, then we will all be in grave danger, and that is wrong."
"There has to be another way. Please…"
"Enough Roku. Get on with it." Roland ordered.
Feyre looked at her father with hatred and before she could retort, Roku blew the sand in her face. Alastair's eyes widened as Feyre's face relaxed and became dazed. She slumped forward and Roku snapped his fingers, causing the bindings and stone to vanish as he caught her in his arms. She let out a tiny moan and recovered, "Master Roku, what is going on?" She asked confused, then seeing Alastair immobile she asked, "What is happening to Sir Roman?"
Alastair felt his heart clench and then suddenly break. She was gone, he destroyed her…he felt the weight vanish and he sunk to his knees, "My dear, Sir Roman here was just demonstrating his lessons with Master Roku and you suddenly felt faint. Why don't we take a break?" Roland explained as Feyre righted herself and shook her head.
"A break? Father we have to write a letter to the Isles and tell them of our alliance agreement." Feyre said formerly not even looking at Alastair.
No one spoke for a moment or two, but Alastair said suddenly, "Alliance? Feyre we-"
"Feyre? Sir Roman that is no way to speak to your Princess. It would be wise in the future to remember your place." Feyre said harshly with an added bite to her tone as she left the room without waiting for his response.
This was it. He felt his magic starting to boil as he glared murderously at the people before him, "You destroyed her." He all but snarled out.
"It was for the best. Alastair-" Roku began, but the King cut in with, "Watch your tone, you are lucky we are still keeping you. Feyre will be safe, and you-"
"You killed her! You did nothing to fix this! We would have been fine if you left well enough alone!" Alastair yelled, "You will pay for this."
Then without being properly dismissed he vanished from the throne room. Meanwhile in the council area, Masters Ozai and Kuruk stared into the sacred flame as it erupted with images that they never seen before. Something drastically changed and it wasn't for the better. Paths that had once been straight forward are now gone, the destruction had grown drastically, casualties increased at an exponential rate, images grew gruesome by the second, before the flames turned a midnight black and the fire went out. The men just stared aimlessly at the pit before swallowing and immediately ran from the room.
Present-
His patience was growing thin at how long he had to wait, but this would be worth it. He had felt it, he had seen it, and this time he was absolutely sure he would not fail. Vengeance had been his in the past, but it had cost him dearly. The price had been high, and now he may get a chance at redemption because he had found the True Heart of Darkness. She had put the pieces together and now she just needed to do a few more things and everything will fall into place.