O.O

Funny Funny Funny?

Hmm. Possibly.

Song for this Chapter: Slow Down → The Academy Is...?

Chapter 22: Days Go By

A week later they had Buri's funeral by the forest. The funeral was a short and simple one—anyone at the fort who wanted to come could come. They lowered the body into the ground in a wooden box, buried it, and commenced with the speeches. The whole ceremony was only about an hour long.

Raoul himself had not left his commanding quarters until his wife's funeral. It was then that he began to get back to his senses. At the funeral, he made a speech mostly about how they met and the accomplishments that Buri had made over her many years. He didn't even mention about the skirmish between the Salmalin family, but he refused to look at them throughout the whole ceremony. At last his rage at Romeli began to cool.

After the ceremony, Raoul thought it to be high time to report to the king about the great loss. By then, he now only looked back at the dramatic moment with remorse, not revenge. They were going to have a formal ceremony of her death at the palace.

It also took Romeli a while to get over Buri's death. She kept on looking back at that moment only a week before wondering if she had done the right thing. Constantly, her mind tried to find a different way to bring Buri back without meddling with the Gods.

There was nothing she could think of.

OOO

Winter was here. It had actually arrived a few weeks previous, but never had it been so obvious as it was now.

Romeli woke up curled in a ball hugging her blanket as close as she could to her. Still clutching her blanket, she sat up and looked around her sleepily. A muffled calm had settled over the fort.

Standing up, Romeli got dressed into a faded green shirt and gray breeches. Sliding on her boots, Romeli stepped outside of her stall and opened the stable door.

Romeli gasped and looked at the surprise before her. Everywhere she looked, there was a blanket of white powder that had been settled during the frosty arctic night. The stuff looked to be so smooth and soft, like a sea of untouched vanilla pudding poured on top of anything in its reach. It was so white and new that it glittered and sparkled in the sun's rays. The alabaster sea gave the fort and everything around it a sense of silence and neutrality. It gave the fort a bit of irony—it was created for war, but now it was covered in peace.

Of course Romeli knew what snow was. She had read about it and saw pictures of it in books. She had heard stories from Numair about the Roof of the World's deadly blizzards. It was one thing to read it, and another to see it.

"I'm gonna need a bigger coat," muttered Romeli. She rushed back inside to find a thicker one. Almost nervously, she took her first step into the snow to begin her great walk to her parents.

The snow was much lighter than she thought. When she took her first step, her foot sunk down to the frosty dirt about a foot below. Chills swept up her spine when the frosty snow soaked through her pant leg and into her shoes.

Romeli glared daggers at the snow. "I don't like you anymore," Romeli told it as she took her second step and then her third. She began to shiver as she hugged her shoulders and hid her gloveless hands in her sleeves.

At last, after about five more tragic and dramatic minutes, she was almost there. Soldiers who were passing by gave her strange looks, like she had never been in snow before. She disregarded them however, just like she disregarded anything else she didn't really care about. She had a journey to accomplish, albeit a very cold one.

"Hey Romeli!" called a familiar voice. "What are you doing?"

Romeli turned around to face four very familiar people. James, Ethan, Sereem, and Whave were all running towards her wearing appropriate snow gear.

Romeli grinned as they came closer to her. All of them had flushed and happy faces. Before she could even react, the four of them tackled her down playfully.

They all rolled off of her laughing as they felt the snow bite the backs of their necks and wet their hair. Romeli too couldn't help but laugh. Now she was shivering even more violently.

"Hey Ro—Hey! Where are your gloves?" Ethan pointed out, pointing at exposed hands.

"Are you intelligent?" Romeli asked sarcastically as she smoothed down her wet hair. "I don't have any."

"I also don't see any snow boots," pointed out Whave as he looked her over.

Romeli clenched her jaw. "Do I need to repeat myself?"

"Well why didn't you get any?" Sereem asked looking at her shyly. He was always shy, the quiet one of the group. How a shy person could come from Dom's family, Romeli was not sure.

"Don't question the ways of Romeli," James advised to his friends. "She was dropped as a child."

Romeli smiled. "I love you too, James."

"I know," James said modestly. He looked at Romeli who was shivering uncontrollably. "Something wrong? You seem to be shivering."

"W-what was your fist c-clue?" Romeli retorted as she tried to calm her shakes. "It's just a little c-cold out, that's all."

James smiled wickedly. "That's right. You've never been in snow before have you."

When Romeli shook her head, Ethan, Whave, and Sereem stared at her with open mouths.

"Are you serious?" asked Whave amazed. "You've never been in snow before?"

Romeli once again shook her head. "I live in the south. By the beach. Where it's hot. And there is no snow. Ever. And it's hot." They only shook their heads in disbelief.

"No wonder she didn't grab any gloves," murmured Sereem as he looked down shaking his head.

"Well why don't you warm yourself up?" asked James confused. "You have a gift don't you?"

Romeli glared at him. "Darn. You have found my weakness," she said bitterly. "I can't summon heat."

James looked at her, sharply surprised. "You have got to be kidding me. Not able to summon heat? Of all the saddest things that I have ever heard in my life, that has to be—."

"Cool it, Queenscove," Romeli warned. "Don't want me to blow you up, do you?"

"Cool it?" James repeated. "I thought you needed heat."

Whave smiled. "James, you definitely lack the ability to take a hint."

Romeli laughed. "Well it's been fun hanging with you guys, but I need to see my parents before I turn into a rather cold popsicle. I'll catch you guys later?"

The four of her friends nodded and smiled, reminder her to grab some gloves next time, before trudging off in their own direction.

Romeli walked on until at last she reached the door of her parent's room. At last her long exhausting journey was finished.

She opened the door and barged through heavily, not even bothering with a knock.

"At last," she gasped in front of her parents as she leaned on the wall exhausted. "My journey is complete." She played out her misery like she had just climbed the Roof of the World, wrestled an evil human eating yeti, and survived through an avalanche—coatless.

"Darling what have you been doing?" asked Daine amused. "And where are your gloves?"

"I just walked through a raging sea of the most evil thing in the world—snow." Romeli told them darkly, like saying such a sentence would trigger a dramatic song of horror. "And I didn't know that gloves and snow boots were traditional wear for this sort of treacherous weather," she added dryly. "You never taught me?"

"Ah, that's right, you've never been in snow before," Numair said with a wicked smile. "Don't worry. I'm sure you'll get used to it."

Romeli gave him a look of disbelief. "Sure, Dad. Whatever you say."

"He's right though. There are lots of things that make snow fun. Like making forts, building snowmen, snowball fights. I remember when I was in Galla as a child—."

"Yeah. Um. As much as I love your childhood stories, and trust me I do. I need to eat before I die of—um—starvation," said Romeli with uneasy voice.

"Good luck in the snow," was all that her wicked parents replied.

Romeli glared at them and walked out of the room bravely with no falter in her step. She closed the door behind her with the air of confidence.

"That child of ours needs therapy," Numair pointed out staring at the door she had just left through.

"You read my mind," Daine murmured quietly.

Romeli made it to the mess hall minutes later. She was really getting a hang of this snow walking stuff. But the question was, did she like it? Not a bit. Well maybe a bit, I mean come on! It's snow!

When she grabbed her food, she sat by the waving hands of her friends. They scooted over a place for her to sit between Sereem and Ethan. James and Whave sat across from them.

"So. Midwinter is coming soon," Whave reminded them as he popped a bite-sized pastry into his mouth.

"Yeah, that's right, huh," Ethan said as he remembered. "We'll be squires! I wonder when we're going to leave to the palace."

"Well with the snow in, I wouldn't be surprised if we left later tonight, maybe tomorrow morning," thought Sereem. He was chasing a stubborn pea with his fork.

James sighed dreamily. "Don't you just love Midwinter? Beautiful court girls, romance, and friends. And, the most important part, no training." All the pages sighed.

Romeli looked at them all amused. "Hopefully I'll be coming there for midwinter too. This snow stuff isn't really working for me. At least it will be warmer at the palace."

James smiled. "In sorts, yes. And of course we'll be away from all of the battles." Romeli subconsciously rubbed the healed wound that had been on her hand.

"Man, I can't believe we couldn't fight in that battle!" Whave exclaimed disappointed. "We missed all of the action!"

Romeli smiled weakly. "Trust me. You guys were lucky that you didn't fight. It was chaos out there."

"You got to fight?" Ethan said playfully outraged. "Lucky."

Romeli rolled her eyes. "Boys."

There were a couple minutes of eating and the occasional throwing of an unwanted pea at a friend's face before someone spoke again.

"So, did you get hurt?" Whave asked, suddenly interested in what happened. James snorted.

"Yeah. What weapon did you use?" Ethan asked.

Romeli held up her hand and laughed. "How about I just tell you the whole thing?"

The pages nodded eagerly, leaning in so they could hear her better. James sat where he was, looking the disinterested page, but he perked up his ears and made a couple of sideways glances as she told the story.

"... and then I fainted," she concluded with a nod of her head.

The pages all snorted. James included.

"How come you didn't bring us with you?" asked Ethan disappointed.

Romeli smiled. "Raoul didn't want any pages out there. He wants you to survive the last few weeks of your page years."

They all burst out in laughter. "That was a good one Romeli," Whave said. "I thought you were serious for a second."

Romeli looked at them confused but laughed herself. "Hehe—uh—I was."

The pages froze. "Ah."

"But do you know what really isn't fair?" James told them. "Little Timothy is probably fighting right now. I mean I have Alanna as a Knight Master, and I don't even get to see the battle field. Hell! She's not even here!"

OOO FAR AWAY AT SOME OTHER FORT OOO

"But Dad," complained Tim disappointed. "How come I don't get to fight?"

Neal glared at him as he measured a healing potion in the infirmary. "Because I'm your Knight Master, and I know what's best for you and the fort right now. There are other ways to help besides fighting."

Tim rolled his eyes. "Sure Dad. You know you're just jealous that I'm a better fighter than you."

Neal looked at him surprised for a couple of seconds before turning back to his work and snorting. He didn't say a word, but only smiled mischievously, emerald eyes twinkling.

OOO

Whave pat him on the back in sympathy. "A shame. I'm sorry, James. But look on the bright side. At least you're not cooped up in the palace like Ryoku. Poor thing."

They all shuddered. "Thank the Gods," James whispered.

Ethan sighed loudly making all of them turn to him. He seemed to be day dreaming, playing with his food half-heartedly. James and Romeli both raised their brows at the same time.

"Do you guys miss Ryoku, or is it just me?" Ethan asked his eyes halfway closed.

"Is it just me, or does anyone else think that Ethan has a crush on my sister?" James asked, a wicked smile peeling onto his lips. Ethan blushed; all of them stared at him demanding an explanation.

After only moments, Ethan fell under the pressure of their stares. "All right I admit it! I've had a crush on Ryoku since third year. But how can you help it? They way her eyes wrinkle when she smiles, the way her hair—."

"Oh Gods Ethan, not in front of me!" James said disgusted. Romeli and Whave snorted.

"I'm serious guys," Ethan said protectively. "I need advice."

All of them looked at Romeli.

"Me?" she asked pointing to herself. Ethan nodded sheepishly. "Well, I dunno. I guess just tell her how you feel when you guys are alone."

"Yeah, like I couldn't think of that myself," Ethan retorted.

Romeli shrugged with a smile. "Then obviously you don't need my advice." They all laughed.

"Hey, don't worry man," Whave said squeezing his shoulder from across the table. "We'll help you over Midwinter."

Ethan smiled wickedly. "So Whave, anyone special in your life?"

Whave's brow raised. "I like to look at the occasional court beauty just like any other guy, but I don't have a crush, no," he answered seriously. "What about you Sereem?"

Sereem looked up from eating his food and blushed. "I only have a little crush on Lady Amellia of Coral Grove. She's so nice. On the other hand, I'm sure James has his own little crush, what with that certain drawer in his room, full of certain poetry about a certain lady."

James flushed. "You fiend, you. I swear I locked that drawer." All of them stared at him evilly. "Grr. Fine. I have a tiny—."

"Tiny, Queenscove?" pressed Whave with a big grin on his lips.

James glared. "Okay fine. I have a crush on Lady Oraline." All the guys snorted. "Hey, you can't blame me. She's beautiful." He then looked turned to Romeli, grinning. "Your turn, darling."

A smile peeled across her lips. Her chaotic eyes mischievous. "Well actually, I saw this really sexy moose the other day…"

Whave choked on his juice that he was drinking. James nearly fell off of the bench. Ethan swallowed a grape whole, and Sereem dropped his fork. They all burst out laughing, including Romeli.

"Gods Romeli, you have got to be kidding me!" James exclaimed still laughing. "A moose! You have to have better taste then that!"

(A/N: --fumes-- You will take that back QUEENSCOVE! –holds up fist-er-hoof threateningly--)

Romeli laughed. "I was just kidding guys, I thought you knew that."

"We did," they chorused.

"Ah."

"Well we better go back to our doom—I mean—camp," James said slyly. The others nodded.

"I should get going too," Romeli said. They brought their plates up together and walked out of the mess hall.

OOO

Romeli was back in her warm parent's room after she had eaten. They had things to discuss about Midwinter. The holiday had caught up with them sooner than they thought. Laloria was there also.

"Well, the question is where we should go for Midwinter," Daine told them as they all sat in chairs. "We could stay here and help with the battle, go to the palace with the balls and people, or go home."

All of them thought for a couple minutes. Laloria was the first to speak. "Well I'm pretty sure that our group is going to the palace for Buri's formal funeral, and Thayet would probably ask of it. But we may be called back at any time."

"My friends say that they're probably heading towards the palace tonight or tomorrow morning because of the snow," said Romeli. "I guess I would like it if I was with my friends and away from the cold, but whatever is easier for you, I'm fine with."

Numair leaned his chin on his hand. "I guess that I would prefer to go to the palace also. It will give me a chance to catch up with old friends."

"Well I guess that settles it," said Daine in completion. "We'll leave for the palace tomorrow morning. Except for maybe your group, Laloria." Her daughter nodded.

"Better start packing then," Romeli muttered to herself. She waved to them and left their room to pack her own things.

OOO

They left the next morning along with Laloria's rider group who had just gotten orders to go to the palace for midwinter. The pages had left late that last night, but they were sure to catch up with them. Raoul, Dom, and some other people from the King's Own had also come with them. The fort was now under command of Raoul's co-commander, Colton. He was a tough commanding soldier of the King's Own that Raoul trusted greatly.

The fact that Raoul was traveling with them was not the fondest to cope with for Romeli. Both of them kept a good distance between each other when traveling. But as the days of their journey came and went, they began to soften uo, mostly with Dom's help. Eventually they could start talking to each other again.

OOO

On the fourth day, they had finally caught up with the page group. They were now one giant party on their way to the festivities. Once Romeli had caught up with her friends, they were inseparable. Every time the pages had free time on their hands, they came over to Romeli and joked.

"Don't you just love this wonderful weather?" kidded Whave. Romeli was shivering in her coat as she sat on a rock.

"It's—the—b-best," said Romeli through her shakes.

"Guys don't be mean," James insisted, sitting on the rock as well and hugging her warmly. Her shivers began to decrease.

"Aww, how cute," said a sly voice that sent chills up Romeli's spine. She had heard that voice before.

James, sensing her sudden tension, held her tighter. "What do you want Gerardo?" he drawled dangerously. Whave, Ethan, and Sereem turned around to face him, their faces just as threatening.

"Oh nothing," he said simply. "I was just admiring your little girlfriend over there. Hello darling," he said grinning. "Do you remember me?"

Romeli remembered him all right. Gerardo was the stupid page that had violated her at the palace. He was going to pay.

"You should watch out Gerardo," James said hardly. "Romeli is a Wild Mage, and she's Gifted. She could blow you up at any second."

Romeli wriggled her way out of James's arms. She didn't want to start that. The last thing that she needed was James mouthing that she had such powers.

Gerardo shrugged. "I like strong girls."

Romeli flushed. Whave stood up, his hands in fists. "Why don't you pick a fight with a man," Whave yelled bravely.

Gerardo grinned. "I'm sorry Whave, but I don't sleep with men, like you do." Whave let out a warning growl.

Gerardo backed up with a grin. He blew a kiss to Romeli, making her eyes narrow dangerously. "I'll be seeing you at the palace, sweetheart."

Romeli's glare grew. Idiot, she thought. He was in for it now. She then grinned. Taking out her will with plants, she forced a nearby tree to lean over towards Gerardo. Using her magic, she forced one of the branches to pull down his pants.

Before Gerardo could even react, the tree was back to its usual position. He tripped over his breeches and yelped like an embarrassed child. Red in the face, the page pulled up his pants and ran away, knocking over a bystander in the process.

All of them snorted.

"Right on Romeli!" Ethan cheered as they all came over to her. Romeli smiled weakly a little flustered.

"Romy, are you okay?" James asked concerned. When she began to start shivering, he held her once again.

"Yeah I'm fine, just cold," she lied. Well actually, she was cold, but she wasn't okay either.

"What's up with her and Gerardo anyway?" asked Sereem confused.

"The two of them had a little encounter at the palace. Gerardo was trying to make his move on her. I came just in time to save her, but still…she had scars for a week." Romeli closed her eyes, wishing she was invisible.

Whave stared at Romeli who was looking down bitterly the whole time he spoke. "That pisses me off," Whave stated flatly.

"Yeah," said Sereem. "I mean, I know some pages that like you, but that is way over the line."

"It's okay Romeli, we got your back," said Ethan giving her a hug.

"Yeah," said the others joining in on the embrace

"Thanks guys," Romeli said, pulling their hugging hands from off of her. "The next time Gerardo does anything like that, I'll beat his ass."

OOO

A couple more days had gone by, and Gerardo so far had not caused any havoc. With only a week left until Midwinter, they were making good time for such a large party. In maybe two days ride, they would make it to the castle with about five days to spare.

Even though there really was no rush in their journey, the people leading the party, Faleron, Ryland, and Raoul picked up the pace. They didn't want the snow to trap them over night.

To Romeli, the journey back was a cold, yet fun one. Her friends shared any moments they could spare with her as they joked and talked about random things. She had really gotten to know Whave, Sereem, and Ethan a lot more, now that they hung out more then they did before. As for James, well nothing could match their relationship.

James had really begun to understand her. He knew that when she was quiet that something was on her mind. James could see through her mask of beauty that she had so long tried to thicken from the peering eyes of the outside world.

But James. James was no outside fool ignorant to the observations of what was around him. James had been in her mind. He had seen the emotions and chaos that she had been holding. He had created a bridge between them that was so strong, so thick in understanding that not even the strongest of gods could destroy it.

And she bet that James could say the exact same thing about her.

OOO

There was one thing—one thing that Romeli had so much forgotten that it was hard believing it still existed. She had been lazing in an arctic sanctuary away from the burden she had made herself accountable for . Now, it was hard to forget it was there, its weight literally pouring over her soul and pulling her down with each labored step that she took.

The virus had come back into her mind. The plant's desperation to be cured was seeping into her thoughts like a dry sponge. The pain was unbelievable. She had been trying to heal them, but their building cries and the travel were never ending. If she wasn't doing one thing, then she was doing another. Even in sleep, usually the sanctuary away from the world, she could not concentrate. And when at last she would have time, the burn and headaches that the plants pushed on her would not let her rest and relieve them of their worries.

She had been walking on foot with Shadowdancer, following behind on the edge of the trail of travelers when it happened. A bolt of pain rushed through her body, like a part of her was trying to tear apart from the other. She yelped out unable to hold in the scream. Tears crawled down her face. She crouched over, holding a hand to her heart, the other on the ground holding her balance.

James, who was walking by, had noticed. His eyes widened and he dismounted his horse not caring if he was supposed to stay in line with the pages.

"Romeli!" he cried out loudly as he rushed over to her. He went on his knees and comforted her. He couldn't see her face—her green hair covered it. With a surge of panic, he scoured the train of travelers, looking for help.

"Whave!" he cried loudly to his friend who passing by a little ways away. He looked towards the voice and his eyes widened. He quickly came over, maneuvering his horse with ease.

"What's going—."

"I don't know," James interrupted. "She just doubled over. But—can you just get Daine and Numair?"

Moments later, Daine and Numair came up with troubled looks. James stood up.

"It's like she's having those Chaos Thought things," he told them nervous.

Romeli clenched her jaw. "N-no," she told them loudly. "The virus—plants."

Numair nodded, understanding. "You best get going James. You're losing your spot in the line."

James hesitated before nodding and getting back on his mount.

"Romeli, focus," Numair told her holding her hand. "Open your plant magic to the ones who need it."

"But what—if they take too much?" Romeli asked him with a chopped voice.

"Hold on," he answered holding her hand tighter. Romeli nodded

With as much energy as she could, she poured her plant magic over all the limits of the land. The plants gnawed at her magic and nutrients hungrily like starved People trapped in a cage. They ate at her magic so much that they ate at her soul—the essence of her being.

At last, after increasing pain, a burden that was heavier than she thought lifted off of her chest. She opened her eyes and gasped, breathing heavily.

Daine and Numair smiled. "We knew you could do it."

Romeli lied down. "Yeah, sure. I just want to sleep."

OOO

Two days later, they made it to the palace. The sight of the large imperial beauty made Romeli sigh with relief.

They had fireplaces in the palace.

James came up to her from behind and grinned. "I guess it's one adventure to the next with you. And now the greatest adventure of all...Midwinter." Romeli grinned.

Ironically, dearest James, Midwinter is not the greatest adventure of all.

Mwa ha ha.

Replies:

Leomonsqueezy: Hahaha yes I did add a cliffy. I wouldn't consider this chap having a cliffy though. Heehee.

Epanime: Aw thanx…you have the art of flattering people. Thank you for reading!

Wild-wizard-women: Hey! Where is my review! Heehee. Shame on you. Nah…just kidding. I won't give up on you! I understand that u are a busy busy person!

George Bassy: Oh no…I knew you weren't calling my story dum. Heehee. But thanx for your concern. Lol. Ah I understand. It is indeed hard to type music in a review. I love bass clef. Over the summer I have to learn tenor clef. EVIL! Lol. And how do you join this so-called bass player club?

Lmao

Lost goddess of the shadows: yeah I liked Buri too. But she had to go. Funny how death works…wait. How does it work again?

Hyper Little Cat: thanka. Sorry about the slowness. Bloody dance class. Hee hee. Thanks for the spelling lesson. I needed that. I hate spelling characters' names. A nice steal u have done. I stole a hard core cool looking thing in England yesterday. Funn. My secret base is in Alaska. I guess it's not a secret anymore…

Poor thing. Always sent to Azkaban.

Blue Mariposa: Thanks. Yes Buri's death has been a sad one.

Wingedrider: well as you've read he didn't do anything too drastic. I like that long chapter. It is very…long. I won't kill too many…trust me.

QueenThayet12990: Really? I liked that part too I guess. Sorry bout Buri…you understand tho. That's good.