From Little Flame to Raging Fire
I don't own anything but my OC's.
Chapter 6
Their wedding had been fantastic.
Xavier and Amanda had dated for a year and a half before Xavier got down on one knee. The proposal hadn't been what Amanda had expected. Xavier had taken her hands in one of his and had gotten down on one knee, then asked, "Will you be my mate?" Amanda had been confused, then Xavier realized his mistake and had stuttered out an apology. Amanda had laughed and said, "Why don't you try again?" Xavier had taken a deep breath and asked, "Will you marry me?" Amanda had giggled and said that of course she would. The werewolf and the human had embraced and kissed.
Arachnid had been Xavier's best man and had made a speech about how special his best friend was to him and how he hoped that the new, married couple would be ok and happy.
Amanda had invited the sorcerers, much to many peoples' (including Xavier) dismay. Not all of the sorcerers had showed up, obviously. Montarg had not wanted to go, even though Rodney tried to persuade him to. Eventually, the rock sorcerer had just given up and let Montarg stay behind. However, when the couple at the alter had kissed, Rodney had turned to look over his shoulder, sensing a new presence, and had seen their leader leaning against the doorway, hands in his pockets and looking at the human and the werewolf. Rodney had gotten up from his seat and had gone over to the fire sorcerer, smiling at him. "Don't you just love a good wedding, Montargo?" He had asked.
"I've never been to one." Montarg had muttered back and Rodney's smile had dropped.
The newly wedded couple had gone in a carriage to their honeymoon destination: a nice hotel far from Halloween Town.
Arachnid had watched them go, a saddened expression on his face. He had loved Amanda as well, just as much as Xavier. But his best friend had won her heart. All Arachnid could do was try to feel happy for them.
…
Montarg sat up on his futon. Another dreamless night. Montarg rarely had dreams. When he did, they were full of bloodshed and war. He was a soldier. His father had toughened him up. Montarg had been to war before, he had killed people while looking into their pleading eyes. As he left for the war, Rodney had tugged on his arm; begging for him to stay. Montarg had grasped Rodney by the shoulders, told him he had to do this, and had put him in charge.
Montarg got up, pulling on his trousers and shirt. He stood up, untying his hair, sending a brush through his black locks. The hairbrush had been something he had stolen from an aristocrat he had come across in a past town. Montarg had snuck up to the window, grabbed the brush and ran for it. The aristocrat had been asleep in his bed when Montarg snuck in and had woken up because Montarg accidentally knocked over a music box, awakening him and making him call, "Thief! Thief!" Montarg had escaped through the window, but not before picking up the music box; which now sat on one of the shelves in his room. He still had a scar on his arm from where the arrow, which had been shot at him, had struck him. Montarg tied up his hair with an elastic band and picked up his hat, putting in on his head, then slipping on his boots and coat. He exited his bedroom and made his way toward the kitchen, getting greetings like "Morning, Montarg" and "Hey, Montarg" on the way. He entered the kitchen and paused.
Rodney was humming a happy tune and swaying while buttering toast. As he moved to get the orange juice, he did a little twirl. Montarg frowned. What the…? "You're very chipper this morning." Montarg said.
"Why, yes. Yes, I am." Rodney replied, pouring the juice into a jug. "I've met someone."
"That's nice." Montarg said absentmindedly, picking up a green apple from the fruit bowl on the table. Rodney was a nice fellow, obviously he'd 'met someone'.
"His name is Cameron. He's adorable!" Rodney continued, squealing. "We've only been on one date, but he's wonderful, Montargo!"
Montarg paused mid-bite. "Oh. A lover." He muttered and bit into the apple, munching on it almost angrily.
"Oh, Montargo. I know you're against 'love' and you believe the whole 'a sorcerer stands alone' scenario. But you could at least try to be happy for me." Rodney said. He tried to frown, but he was too happy.
Montarg grunted.
"And what're you doing eating?" Rodney exclaimed, snatching the apple out of Montarg's hand. "Breakfast will be ready soon, you greedy guts." He giggled. "And besides, Montargo, just because I have a boyfriend now, doesn't mean I'm going to forget the rules."
Montarg frowned. "Yes," He grumbled irritably as he turned to walk out. "Boyfriend…"
As he entered the main part of the cavern, he called out, "Men! Assemble the tables!"
"Yes, Montarg!" Some called back, rushing to the wooden boards and sticks at the end of the cavern. Montarg stood back and watched.
There were three tables for the sorcerers. They all ate together at breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Once the tables were set up, Rodney called out, "Boys! I need your help!"
Some of the sorcerers, who were assigned to help Rodney bring out the food, rushed into the kitchen, where they were handed plates of toast and bacon and other breakfast foods, as well as jugs of milk, water and orange juice. The sorcerers placed the plates and jugs in their appropriate places. As the chairs were set up, Montarg nodded. The men were used to all of this.
The three long tables were set up, all next to each other. The sorcerers were all set up along the long sides of the tables. The only table with a seat on the very end was the middle table, where Montarg sat; his back facing the bedrooms. Rodney sat on his right and Christopher sat on his left. The sorcerers all had assigned seats. Some of the sorcerers suspected that Montarg had set them in order of how much he liked them. "Explains why Rodney's next to 'im." Richard used to say to Marcus. Richard and Marcus sat next to each other at the middle table.
Montarg stood up in front of his chair as the other sorcerers took their seats. "Men," He called out. He gestured to them. "You may eat."
There were immediate clanks of plates and sounds of noisy chewing. Montarg sat down and grabbed a piece of buttered toast from a nearby plate, then used his fork and knife to pick up nine pieces of bacon and one egg. Rodney eyed his plate and, when Montarg noticed, he muttered, "What?"
"Are you a carnivore or something, Montargo?" Rodney asked. "I mean, I've always known you loved meat, but still…"
"Well," Montarg said, almost spitefully. "I apologize if I don't have, perhaps, a lover to distract me from my cravings."
Rodney's amused smile dropped and he stared at him for a moment before looking down at his plate, resting his head in his left hand, so that he couldn't see Montarg. He picked up small pieces of bacon and toast with his fork, glumly popping them into his mouth.
Christopher raised an eyebrow at Rodney, then Montarg. "Is everything alright, sir?"
"Yes." Montarg muttered.
"Sir, if the que-"
Montarg glared at him, "The what?"
Christopher hesitated and cleared his throat. "Uh, Rodney. If Rodney is in a relationship, is this not a good thing?"
"How so?"
"Well, he won't pester you anymore."
"He does not pester me."
"Yes," Rodney suddenly snapped, glaring at them as he sat up straight. "And can we stop talking about me as though I'm not here, please?" He stood up and began walking over to the entrance of the cavern.
Everyone went silent and looked at them.
"Where're you going?" Montarg yelled, standing up. "I didn't say you could leave!"
Rodney turned and glared at him and Montarg could've sworn he saw tears in his eyes. Rodney just shook his head, like a parent who was disappointed with their child, and turned; walking out.
Montarg stared at the entrance of the cavern for a moment, before slowly sitting down. "And this is why I don't like you lot having lovers…" He muttered to his advisor.
…
Rodney stomped away from the cavern. How could Montarg act like that? Was he not entitled to a love life? Just because Montarg couldn't love, didn't mean Rodney couldn't! Rodney huffed and looked up at the sky, rubbing his face to try and get rid of any tears that threatened to spill. He thought Montarg would be happy for him. Rodney looked down and saw his reflection in a puddle on the ground.
Ever since Amanda and Xavier's wedding, Rodney had been wondering if he'd ever be like that. Getting married, reciting vows, exchanging rings. The kiss…
He could imagine himself at the alter, dressed in a white suit with a rose on the lapel of his coat. But his partner…That was another story. Who would he marry? Did they allow same sex marriage here? Hopefully. Either way, he didn't know who's face he could make out. He tried to imagine Cameron. It would only be right to imagine him.
But Cameron's face always changed into a different face.
One with reddish-brownish eyes.
…
Arachnid sighed as he looked out of his window. Amanda and Xavier had returned about a month ago and were probably cuddling in their house by now. Arachnid couldn't help but feel a bit angry. He had loved her first. Xavier had hated her! Now, Xavier was married to Amanda. It should've been Arachnid. He should be married to Amanda, not Xavier. Arachnid sighed. He couldn't take away their happiness, no matter how jealous he got.
"Are you alright, your majesty?"
Arachnid looked over at Christine, who wore a maid's outfit and was staring at him in confusion. Arachnid waved a hand at the maid. "Yes, yes. I'm fine, Christine. Don't worry."
Christine shook her head of blonde hair slowly. "But, your majesty-"
"I'm fine, Christine." Arachnid insisted.
Christine gulped nervously at his tone. "Yes, sir…"
…
It was about two months later when Xavier got the note.
It had come in the post, a letter with a stamp Amanda had never seen before. Xavier had seemed utterly shocked when he received the letter. "Who's it from?" Amanda asked, looking over her husband's shoulder at the letter.
"It's from my clan."
"Your clan?"
"I didn't always live in Halloween Town. Werewolves sometimes travel in clans. My father and I left the clan to come here. They say they want to talk to me. Must be important if they sent me a letter…" Xavier added in a mutter.
"Are you sure it's not a trick?" Amanda asked.
"Nope. I can smell Keith."
"Who's Keith?"
"Leader of the clan." Xavier took a whiff of the note and immediately pulled back. He gagged. "Yep. That's definitely Keith."
"So…You're going back to your clan?"
Xavier tucked the note into his pocket. "I'll have to. If I don't, they'll just send someone to come and get me."
Amanda looked at the floor and bit her lip. She hadn't married to Xavier for a long time, and now he had to leave? That just seemed unfair. Amanda looked back at Xavier. "How…How long will it take you?"
"Well," Xavier rubbed the back of his head. "When my father and I left, it took about eight months to get here-"
"Eight months!" Amanda exclaimed.
"-but that was because we stayed in towns and hotels for a while. Should only take about six."
Amanda pouted. "Oh…"
Xavier tilted her chin so that she was looking at him and smiled. "Don't worry, love. I'll be back before you know it."
"Well…Why don't I come with you?"
"No!" Xavier suddenly yelled. He cleared his throat and said, "I mean, no. Don't. It's ok. I'll be alright."
Amanda sniffed.
…
Marcus fiddled with a loose thread on his shirt. He was completely and utterly bored. Richard was hanging about with the other drunken sorcerers and Marcus had no wish to hang around with drunk men. He was still considered the 'newbie' of the cavern. Seriously…Marcus thought, Can't Montarg go and pick up other guys…?
"Marcus,"
Marcus's head snapped up.
Montarg looked down at him, his neutral expression still on his face (when was it ever not on his face?). Marcus hurried to his feet, his hat going wonky, and quickly saluted. "Yes! Hi, Montarg, hi!"
"Don't salute to me." Montarg said.
Marcus quickly dropped his hand. "Right."
Montarg tilted his head. "I need you to accompany me on Lookout Duty."
"Uh…What?"
"Lookout Duty. There are enemies around here, especially at night. I usually send out men to lookout for traps and such. Tonight, it's my turn." He suddenly frowned. "Rodney was supposed to join me, but he's decided to hang around his lover tonight."
Marcus noticed he had said 'lover' angrily. The water sorcerer blinked, then muttered, "Ok."
"Good. Come on then."
"What? Now?"
"Yes. Now. Is it not night-time?"
"Well, yeah, but-"
"Then we leave now."
Marcus got up and followed Montarg out. He fiddled with his fingers as his leader led him out into the night. Even after living with the sorcerers all this time, he was still weary around Montarg. The only person who seemed utterly and entirely comfortable around Montarg was Rodney. Montarg snapped off a long branch from a tree and began poking at the ground in front of him. Marcus tilted his head. "Sometimes they leave traps," Montarg spoke up, as if sensing Marcus's wondering.
The two men walked for a while, with Montarg poking around for traps. They found a fallen tree and sat down on it. Montarg stared up at the moon and Marcus kept glancing at Montarg out of the corner of his eye. The fire sorcerer didn't move. Marcus cleared his throat awkwardly and Montarg glanced at him. "Where do you come from, Marcus?"
"Uh, what?"
"Childhood. How was it?"
"Uh. Ok, I guess." Marcus shrugged.
"And your parents?"
"They were nice. They confused me, though."
"Oh? And why is that?"
Marcus looked at his feet. "My parents left me at this place for kids. I lived there for, like, two years. Then they came back. But they were different. My mother had red hair like mine and she was short. When they came back, she was taller and had black hair. My father had green eyes, just like mine, and wore glasses. Now he has brown eyes and brown hair. Before, his hair was blonde. And, when my mother saw me, she asked what my name was. My teacher told them and my mother said, 'Him. I want him.' They signed some papers and my mother picked me up and called me her 'new baby'. Weird, huh? I mean, you'd think she'd know my name." Marcus added.
Montarg stared at him, eyes slightly widened.
"What?"
"Nothing." Montarg said, turning away.
"So, what about you?" Marcus asked. "Where're you from?"
"Somewhere far away from here." Montarg replied, almost thoughtfully.
"And your parents? Where're they?"
"Dead."
Marcus paused. "Oh. I'm sorry."
"I'm not."
Marcus's eyebrows rose up. "You're not?"
"Nope."
"But…they were your parents?"
"And?"
"You're not sad?"
"I'm glad they're gone. With any luck, my father went to Hell. If it exists."
Marcus's eyes widened. "How can ya say that? He's your dad! Don't you-"
"He abused me."
Marcus fell silent. He stared at Montarg to check if he was joking. "What…?"
"He physically abused me. If I did one thing wrong, I would get a new bruise to the collection. Perhaps a black eye or two."
Marcus stared, mouth open in surprise. "And your mother? Didn't she try to stop him?"
Montarg laughed without humour. "My mother? What was she to do? She was terrified of Father. He would've turned on her if she tried to intervene. All she could do was make sure my wounds didn't get infected."
"And what? Your friends didn't-"
"I didn't have any 'friends'. We lived in a very isolated place. Our house was the only one for miles. I didn't have any friends, no toys-"
"No toys?"
"Do not interrupt me. No. No toys. Father didn't allow me any."
Marcus looked at the ground in disbelief. No wonder Montarg was so cold and solitary. No friends? No toys? God, no wonder Montarg was glad his parents were dead. The water sorcerer reached into his pocket and took out a bar of chocolate. He opened up the foil and snapped a piece off, popping it into his mouth. He chewed on it, then swallowed and held out the bar to Montarg. "Want some?"
Montarg looked at Marcus, then the bar of chocolate. He raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
Marcus grinned, ready for Montarg to say he was joking. "It's chocolate. Don't tell ya never heard of chocolate."
Montarg tilted his head, then spoke like he'd never spoken English before. "Choc…late…What is choc-late?"
"Oh my God." Marcus muttered. "Ya never heard o' chocolate?"
Montarg just simply stared at him.
"Ya know? Sugary sweet candy goodness?"
"Ah. That's it. Father did not allow me sweets. I was on a strict diet of anything healthy. Sweets were a big X in his head. Sort of like how homosexuality is bad in the heads of homophobic people."
Marcus's eyebrows rose. "Wow…really were abused, weren't ya?"
"I still have a scar to prove it."
Marcus grinned and snapped off a piece of chocolate. "Well, it's about time you start eatin' candy." He held out the piece.
Montarg leaned back, giving the chocolate a slightly disgusted look. "C'mon, be brave." Marcus encouraged.
Montarg hesitantly took the piece of chocolate. He stared at it, then sniffed it to make sure. When a sugary scent was brought up into his nostrils, he blinked in curiosity. He'd never smelled something like that before. It didn't smell like poison. Montarg slowly brought the piece of candy up to his mouth. Marcus seemed alright, so obviously there was no sorcerer poison inside the little cube. He slipped the cube onto his tongue and shut his mouth. His tongue was tingling as the little cube brought along its sweet taste. The chocolate began melting in his mouth. He chewed on it, the little cube soft on his teeth, and swallowed.
"Eh? Good, huh?" Marcus asked with a smile.
"Magnifique…" Montarg muttered, astonished. "Plus." He held a hand.
By the look on Montarg's face and the fact that he was holding out a hand, Marcus guessed he wanted some more. Marcus snapped off another cube and held it out. Montarg snatched it from him and immediately began nibbling on it. "Merci."
Marcus stared as Montarg finished off the little cube. It felt good to talk to him like this. All while living with him, he had been nervous and, dare he admit it, scared around Montarg. But now he understood. It was Montarg's father's fault. How could a man treat his own son like that?
Montarg suddenly snatched the rest of the bar from Marcus's hand. "Hey!" Marcus exclaimed.
"Mon régal sucré." Montarg snapped, holding the chocolate bar possessively.
Marcus remembered what Richard had said about Montarg speaking French. "Montarg, you're speaking French."
Montarg paused his nibbling and muttered, "Yes." before returning his teeth to the bar of chocolate.
"Why do you do that?" Marcus asked. "Speak French, I mean."
Taking his mouth away from the chocolate, Montarg looked at him. "Mother made me. She taught me French. If I were to ask for something- say, an apple, perhaps- then I had to ask for it in French. If I couldn't, I wasn't allowed whatever I was asking for. Simple as." Montarg went back to nibbling on the chocolate.
"So, what, she forced you to learn a language?"
"Pretty much. I'm fluent in French and English and I know a little bit of German."
Marcus stared at him. Hm. Who knew?
"I like you, Marcus." Montarg said. "We get along swimmingly."
Marcus smiled. "Yeah. Yeah, we do, Monty."
Montarg glanced at him out of the corner of his eye. Monty…?
"Hey, uh, Montarg?"
Montarg continued to stare.
"I was just wondering…How did your dad die?"
Montarg looked at his lap.
"You don't have to tell me if-"
"I killed him."
…
Rodney peeked his head into the cavern's entrance. It was empty and silent, save for a few far away snores. All of the sorcerers were in bed. Rodney had done that purposely, come home after everyone was asleep. He couldn't face Montarg right now. Rodney snuck over to the kitchen for a drink of water. His throat hurt from talking to Cameron too much. Rodney stepped into the kitchen and picked up a glass, then paused as he reached the sink. There, next to the sink, was a half eaten bar of chocolate. Rodney tilted his head at the note next it. He put his glass down and picked up the note.
Saved this for you.
Sorry.
Rodney stared at it for a second before a pink blush spread across his cheeks. He put the note and chocolate into his pocket and filled the glass with water, exiting the kitchen. As he neared the bedrooms, he peeled back the curtain to Montarg's room and peeked inside.
Montarg was asleep, laying on his belly. His head lay on its side on the pillow and his hands were underneath the soft pillow. He was still wearing his shirt and trousers, so he probably couldn't have been bothered to take them off. He was snoring quietly and, to anyone's ears, it would've sounded like a cat's purring. Rodney thought he looked cute. Rodney smiled. "Thank you, Montargo…" He whispered. Montarg shifted in his sleep.
…
The next day, after breakfast, when Montarg was about to leave to buy more bread, Rodney called out for him. Montarg turned and looked over his shoulder to see Rodney. He turned to him completely once Rodney got there. Rodney, behind his back, snapped off a piece of chocolate and gently lifted it out into sight. Montarg's eyes were on Rodney's face as the rock sorcerer slipped a cube of chocolate passed his lips. Montarg chewed on the chocolate, purposely slowly, as Rodney popped a piece of chocolate into his own mouth. Rodney smiled widely at him and, instead of smiling back, Montarg simply nodded. The fire sorcerer turned and left, leaving Rodney with the bar of chocolate and a wide smile.
…
Arachnid had been sitting in his armchair, reading a good book, when he had heard a knock at his front door. Arachnid's eye socket elongated, resembling a raised eyebrow. Xavier was already on his trip, so it couldn't be the werewolf. Arachnid stood up when the person knocked again, placing his book on the coffee table. The skeleton walked over to the door and opened it, only to see Amanda standing there, tears running down her face. "Amanda?"
"Oh, Arachnid," Amanda whimpered.
"Amanda? What is it? What's wrong?"
"Arachnid," Amanda hiccupped, before uttering two words that made Arachnid's world come crashing down:
"I'm pregnant."
…
Author's note:
Translations:
Magnifique: Magnificent
Plus: More
Merci: Thank you
Mon régal sucré: My sugary treat
Me: I like this chapter. We learnt more about Montarg and Marcus. I hope you guys understood what was implied when Marcus said that his parents 'changed looks'. And before anyone asks about Christopher almost saying a homophobic comment, let me explain: When Montarg said he'd kill Marcus if he was homophobic, he was joking. He won't kill someone if they're homophobic. Glare at them? Yes. Punch them? Yes, probably. Kill them? No. Well, depends on how far they go. If Montarg hadn't interrupted Christopher, Montarg would've looked to see how it had effected Rodney. If he saw that Rodney was upset by the comment, he would've probably threatened Christopher and kicked him in the shin or something.
Mav: Poor Montarg…
Me: Eh. He's ok. He's got Rodney and the others. *Sighs* I felt quite guilty when I read reveur-amira's review about how they're now an 'official Rontargo shipper', cause I knew Rodney would get a boyfriend who was not Montarg. Though I am happy that someone ships them. : ) So, Xavier's gone!
Mav: Mum's pregnant (Kinda my first mention, isn't it?)!
Me: And Montarg's kinda jealous!
Montarg: I am not jealous.
Me: Yeah, right. So, will Amanda be ok?
Mav: What will Arachnid do?
Me: And where will Marcus, Montarg and Rodney go from here?
Mav + Me: Find out next time!