Chapter Twenty Nine: Trusted
To be trusted is a greater compliment than being loved.
-George MacDonald
xxXxx
When Baron woke up, he found his entire body aching as it made impact with a stone cold floor. He meowed with pain as his body rolled a bit, and his hat was tossed into the room after him as the door slammed shut.
"I truly am sorry about this, Baron," one of the nicer guards apologized as he locked the door tight. "It has been an honor to know you."
Baron sat up with difficulty, tears running down his face as he rubbed at his various bruises. "… Cauldrons," he choked out, not wanting to believe it.
If it wasn't for the harsh treatment, or the fact that he was now up in the tower, he might have been able to convince himself that it was only a nightmare.
He shivered while looking at the window. Glass had since replaced the broken remains that Haru had left, but it wasn't sealed very tightly. There was ice surrounding the edges, accenting the fact that it was freezing cold.
He shivered, watching his breath come out as steam as he sat on the bed and wrapped the lone blanket around him for extra warmth. Thank goodness he had been visiting Toto when the soldiers came. That way, he at least had his sturdy winter riding coat.
"At least there's no wind chill in here," he noted, grateful for that much. He huddled into a small ball on the bed, wishing that someone had at least deemed him worthy of a small fire in the breezy mantel.
He could hear the wind whistling outside, but nothing else. Even the soldiers' footsteps were gone. The little kitten did some heavy breathing exercises.
"All right, the king has the renewal spell. But why didn't he decide to use it before now?" he wondered aloud. "I have been in his service for eleven years, why wait so long to tell me about it?"
'Maybe it was because he just found it.'
"That is ridiculous," Baron snapped at the annoying little voice in his head. "The only way that he could have just found it, when it was so critical… was… if…"
Was if Haru had told him.
He fell onto his back from shock. Haru had looked terrified last night, almost as terrified as she had when he told her his birth name. She wanted to warn him about something huge. But she had also wanted his reaction to be genuine for whatever was to come.
"Haru knew the spell of renewal, this whole time?" he whispered to himself, almost inaudibly.
But, if that was so, why didn't she ever tell him? She had definitely softened towards him, and those brief kisses- his heart thumped wildly at the memory- had made it plain that she knew their fates were intertwined.
"How could she have found out about a renewal spell? Why didn't she ever tell me?" he lamented, getting a little too cold to handle it anymore. To counter the chill that was threatening to seep through his body, he stood up and started pacing his cell to keep warm.
"This isn't easy for me to ask, Baron."
"If I could avoid this, I would. But I can't."
"I want… need you to trust me."
Suddenly, he stopped pacing his cell.
"I want him to choose whether or not to get stuck with me."
"Is that what this is about?" he wondered aloud. "It's fairly obvious that I've chosen already. But even if I survive the ritual, the king will just kill me anyway, before or after he goes through it. Where is the chance?"
A flash of gold came from the window, making the ice surrounding the frame melt away in an instant. Even as Baron realized that it was Vulcan, a small burlap bag fell through the fireplace to land on the few ashes that were there. A large pair of wings was heard as the firebird flew away, without so much as a word.
Feeling a bit curious, the little kitten walked over to it, but keeping slightly aback to avoid the ashes as he loosed the drawstring holding it closed.
The first thing he noticed was a golden glow. Recognizing the shade, Baron reached in and pulled out a single firebird feather. He held it close to his face and between his hands, until he could feel them again since they had been growing numb.
"Thank you, Vulcan," he whispered, knowing that the firebird would learn of his gratitude in one fashion or another. As he used the feather to warm his feet and legs, he pulled the bag out of the ashes in order to look in.
Inside was two loaves of bread, a large water skin, and a nice big chunk of a cheese wheel. One part of a loaf and the cheese was slightly toasted, from being right next to the feather.
Baron sighed; the message was loud and clear. They weren't going to provide him with any comfort whatsoever before facing the cauldrons in the morning. He held the feather close in a hug, wishing that he could do the same to Vulcan. The firebird's concern for him was even more comforting than what he had provided in the sack.
As the little kitten allowed himself to nibble on the toasted bread with melted cheese, he thought about the sort of things that Vulcan could have told him before leaving.
Maybe… it was a good sign that he had said nothing. If Baron was on the wrong track, as had happened occasionally over the past eleven years, Vulcan would have found a way to tell him and set him on the right track.
"We literally have only one chance to be together."
Vulcan had to know how he felt for her. This was what he had meant when he said that Haru would forgive him within a year; it hadn't even been six months!
"If either of us make even a little mistake, it's over for good."
"He probably said a year to make it believable for me back then," Baron noted, barely even tasting his light lunch.
The fact that the firebird didn't say anything to him seemed to confirm that everything was as it should be. But what if it was Baron's destiny to die tomorrow? He knew Vulcan wouldn't interfere if it was.
No. He had been promised a loving wife and children. He had been promised a future with Haru.
"Baron, how badly do you want to be with me?"
Was he truly ready to die for the chance? No wonder she had seemed so terrified at his answer.
He looked over at the light grey hat that was still on the ground, and walked over to pick it up. On a whim, he untied the grey scarf to inspect the stitches Haru had put into it.
They were still holding strong, as small and perfect as ever. Wishing that it was Haru's hand, Baron kissed the scarf she had left him, just before tying it back around the hat the way she had.
"I trust you, Haru. No matter what."
ooOoo
Haru wasn't quite sure when she started noticing that Baron was crushing on her. It started very subtle, so much more than when Natoru began following her around. At first, she brushed it off as maybe a morbid fascination, since Lune had told her that Baron was terrified of humans.
Except that it didn't make sense. If he were truly afraid of her, why was he the only one besides Yuki that actually listened to what she said, before he brought Muta back into her life? More than that, he was willing to compromise, just so she could have a taste of hope every now and again. Even when she noticed that he was going sweet on her, it was kind of cute, and didn't get under her skin the way Natoru's attentions had. If anything, it was endearing to watch him stutter and avoid her eye after a kiss on the cheek or a really good compliment, making her wonder if ordinary cats could blush under their fur.
Then, by the time she found out that he was Ivan, it was too late. Whether she liked it or not, whether he had a normal body or not… she was in love with Baron.
She bit back a sad smile as the seamstresses continued to fuss over her wedding dress fitting right. The fact that she was willing to delicately flirt with him instead of Lune should have been enough of a clue to have figured it out sooner. After all, he was sweet, smart, considerate, and… just so…
Perfect for her. Like a yang to her yin, they almost seemed to complete each other in a way that she didn't think was possible. She had to admit, when she'd sometimes fantasize about an ideal romance back in Oregon, she had pictured meeting a guy with a personality almost exactly like Baron's. Yes, there were quirks and such that she didn't account for, but when she got right down to it, there were currently two reasons why they couldn't be together.
One was his health. The other was the jerk wearing the crown.
After her fitting, Haru claimed to have a huge headache, to get out of dealing with the aristocrats for today. She had been careful to never use an excuse at the palace before today, so they didn't have a reason to doubt her.
The real reason she didn't want to be around people was partially because Muta needed to catch up on sleep, and she didn't feel comfortable roaming the palace and talking to political creatures without his comforting presence behind her. The other reason was because she didn't think she'd be able to fake not knowing that the king was going to use Baron for a scapegoat again, or that she didn't care about Baron.
Her heart sank. Where was he right now? In a dungeon somewhere? Locked into his chambers? The king was pretty crazy, it was just as possible that Baron was chained up in the royal chambers, to be on the safe side that he'd actually do it.
If Haru still had fingernails, she'd be biting them by now. But she didn't dare now that she had claws, and there was only so much pacing she could do before even her legs gave out.
She tried embroidering on a handkerchief that she was planning to turn into a quilt square to calm her nerves, but couldn't concentrate to save her life. Same went for knitting, reading, or anything else she could think of.
A random maid delivered lunch for her and Muta, and then supper when Haru developed a real headache from worry. Although her dear stepfather tried to talk her into getting some rest, she didn't sleep a single wink that night after braiding her hair and drenching it in water, like she had for the ball.
It was still a bit surprising for her, how much everyone cared how she styled her hair. Maybe it was because she was the only one in the kingdom who could braid or twist it. Even the longhaired cats didn't have fur long enough to copy her various hairstyles with the same effect.
She may have been in a nightgown and covered up to her chin in warm blankets that winter night, but all she could think about was whether or not Baron was cold. How could she possibly sleep when he was probably freezing because of her?
She closed her eyes in agony. What if she was wrong? What if the spell she had known for most of her life was just what she had thought it was before coming here; a mere fairy tale?
If she was making a mistake, and if it costs Baron his life, she would never be able to forgive herself.
After what felt like ten years of endless night, her door creaked open, making her jump out of bed with a gasp of surprise.
It had been a dead quiet night, and the sound felt louder than an avalanche.
"My lady?" Muta inquired politely, a sure sign that someone else was there. "The king sent you three handmaidens."
"Send them in," Haru sighed, since she wasn't getting any sleep anyway.
He nodded at someone she couldn't see, and opened the door wider.
Three cat maidens walked in, dressed finer than the king had ever deemed Yuki worthy of. She was also certain that they dyed their fur, since she had never seen pink, purple, or blue colored cats before.
Two of them were bearing the fancy wedding dress between them, so as to not wrinkle the delicate silk.
"We are here to make you ready for your coming nuptials, my lady," the purple one said while curtsying elegantly.
Haru stared in surprise as Muta closed the door behind them. "Aren't I allowed to see the ritual?"
So many things could go wrong if the king had decided no. But not allowing her to see the transformation didn't seem to fit his character.
"Of course you are, my lady. That's why we've come an hour before sunrise," the pink one informed her with a giggle, coming forward to help her out of her nightgown. "I hope we didn't disturb you."
"You didn't, but isn't it bad luck to see the bride before the wedding?" Haru asked, not wanting the king to see her seemingly dressed up for him.
The blue one shushed her soothingly. "He plans on having the wedding just after going through the ritual. He is not interested in wasting time, so let's get you ready, dear."
Haru hated everything about the dress. She hated the cut, the design, the incredibly puffy sleeves and skirt; it made her feel like a frosted cupcake. Even though she needed to keep up with her brainless façade, she had tried to talk the seamstresses into something simpler, but the king refused to hear of it. He had adored the cupcake design, and despite the fact that he wasn't the one it was meant for, his opinion still outweighed hers.
She had to fight hard to keep her face calm and uncaring as they tightened the corset and slipped her into the dress. All the extra lace on the sleeves and golden thread on the bodice were incredibly itchy, making her grateful for the training Baron had given her to keep her hands from scratching anything.
"You know, you really are quite lucky," the pink one said as she started unraveling her hair from its braid in order to brush it into flowing waves. "I heard from some of the older servants that the king was quite handsome in his day."
"I have seen the portraits," Haru confirmed, although she didn't find anything about the king's youth attractive at all.
He had seemed the same as he did now, a spoiled creep that wasn't above playing dirty to get what he wanted.
The purple one eased a pair of exquisite high heels onto her feet, ones that were so encrusted with diamonds that they could have put a disco ball to shame, if flashlights existed in this kingdom.
A heavy diamond necklace around her throat, with smaller diamond clips in her hair to keep it away from her face. A single diamond bracelet around one wrist, and they deemed her done.
She sent another silent prayer of thanks to the heavens that cats didn't have to worry about skin care or makeup. They had been perfuming and bathing her fur for weeks leading up to this day, so that part had already been taken care of. Now that her nose was keener, however, she couldn't help but wish that they hadn't bothered.
Haru felt that it was more fitting when the scent of Baron's sea stayed with her like a subtle perfume.
"The advisors should be here momentarily to escort you. Oh dear, we forgot to send someone for a breakfast tray for you!" the blue feline said in dismay.
"Don't trouble yourself, I'm too nervous to eat anyway," Haru comforted her with a small smile as she retrieved a pure white rabbit fur cloak from her wardrobe. "Inform the advisors that I'm ready whenever they are."
"At once… your majesty," the purple one said with respect as she and the other two left her room, bowing their way as if she were already a queen.
"Please come in here, Muta," she said calmly as he made to shut the door behind them.
He nodded, although he had to eat the rest of his blueberry muffin in one swallow so he wouldn't drop his tea while closing the door.
As soon as the wood slid shut, Haru collapsed against one of her bed posts, gasping and retching drily.
"Hey, none of that," her stepfather said sternly, swallowing the rest of his morning tea in one gulp so that he could set the cup aside. "Everything's going to be fine, remember?"
"But… what if I'm wrong? I've been wrong so many times before," she whispered in horror.
"This is different," Muta insisted, coming forward to hug her. But he hesitated, eyeing the dress for a good place to hold her without ruining the shape of the sleeves or the bodice. He then scowled, obviously having the same opinion about the gown as she.
"But how can we be sure?" she begged, grabbing one of his arms like a scared kitten. "What if he dies because of me?"
"He won't," he assured her with an affectionate grin, touching one of her cheeks affectionately. "Just watch; he's tougher than he looks." He then gave a warm laugh. "But then, he almost has to be."
Haru had to smile at that. But before she could respond to it, the door flew open, and both of the advisors walked in.
Or at least Natori did. Natoru just stood in the doorway, staring at Haru as if she were an angel.
"Are we interrupting anything?" the high advisor asked in his familiar smug tone, the one that she hated most.
"Muta was soothing my nerves. I am getting married today, after all," Haru replied calmly as she released his arm, and he her face. "Shall we, then?"
"Not quite. There's been a change of plans, my lady."
She froze solid in fear. "Again? What is the king changing now?"
"I'm afraid the changes are unknown to him. For now."
Haru gave him a suspicious look, and crossed her arms at him. "Would you care to explain yourself, High Advisor?"
Natori smirked, and looked over at his son. He stiffened, seeing that he was still standing in the doorway, staring at Haru like a fool. "Natoru! Get in here, right now!"
The sharp order made his chubby son snap to attention, and walk into the room while closing the door behind him. "Y-you look beautiful, Haru. Like a princess."
'An extra fluffy princess,' she couldn't help but think as she nodded at the younger advisor to thank him for the compliment, making him smile and scratch his ear goofier than ever.
"Tell me, my lady; do you know of a brown liquid that is a popular drink in your kingdom?" Natori asked, smirking worse than ever, now that his son was under control.
She cocked her head at him, wondering what that had to do with anything. "Plenty, actually. There's varying types of soda, tea, coffee; which one were you curious about?"
He gave her an irritated look. "Would any of those be harmful to cats?"
Haru thought about it. "Not that I know of. The only one I can think of that might be bad is anything involving chocolate. I think I heard once that chocolate's poison for cats."
He gave her an irritated glare. "You think its poison?"
"I didn't exactly study cat physiology as a human. Why are you bringing this up, High Advisor?"
She hoped that using his title would help him remember his duty. But she had a bad feeling that it wouldn't change a thing.
"Oh, I thought that you might like to know that your body guard has just ingested some."
Her eyes widened in alarm as she looked at Muta, who looked completely confused. Then she looked at the tea cup he had left on a nearby table, and glared at Natori. "Why have you done this?" she hissed at him.
He smirked wickedly, and pulled out a small vial, which had a few drops of a clear liquid. "The king is a fool, and it's high time that there was a new royal line. If you leave with us right now, and elope with my son, I will give your guard these firebird tears to cure him. So, what is it to be, Sea Maiden? Your hand in marriage or the life of your large friend?"
Haru snuck a quick glance at Muta, who was shaking his head. She didn't do it to seek confirmation, since she already knew he'd tell her not to do it, but to see if anything appeared to be wrong with him.
No, he looked the same as ever. In the brief hint she had gotten about cats being deathly allergic to chocolate, the cat in question had told her that felines start dying immediately. Sometimes even a touch could make them sick.
Muta ate chocolate all the time as a human. It was one of his favorite things in any form to snack on. If he still had some in his system when Baron came for him, was it possible that it had rendered him immune to the stuff?
She was somehow certain that the chocolate had done nothing to him. But she needed to keep up the charade a little longer, and that would require the advisors' silence, as well as non-interference. "Muta?" she said sweetly.
"My lady?" he asked, his tone smug enough to make Natori worried.
"I forgot what a Fezzik is."
Even as Natoru opened his mouth to ask something, her stepfather reached over quickly and hit the two of them on the head with his large fists. Their eyes rolled back, and their bodies fell to the ground as if they had been shot.
"Is your memory refreshed?" he asked with a wicked grin.
"Sufficiently," she smirked back at him, glad that he had remembered the reference.
"So, what now? They'll be out for a few hours, but they might tell someone about me if they figure it out," he fretted as he kicked Natori with one boot and took the vial from him. He opened it up, and sniffed it with disgust. "This is just water, anyway."
Haru looked around, feeling a bit naughty as she marched to her large canopy bed and started working the golden ropes loose from the cream-colored silk. "If we gag and tie them up good, it'll be too late even if they do. But I'm certain Lune would love to know that Natori has experience with chocolate."
"I wonder if you're immune to it, too," the large cat mused as he first bent Natori into an uncomfortable position, and then tied him up to keep him there.
"Probably, considering my appearance. Do you have some dirty socks for gags?"
He grinned, but shook his head. "Not in here, I don't. Do you?"
"Yuki did my laundry before leaving. I told her not to bother, but you know how she gets," she sighed, finding some clean socks to stuff into their mouths.
Not that they deserved clean socks after trying to kill her stepfather and blackmail her. But she was willing to work with what she had.
"Which reminds me, where is the bag?" he asked as he stuffed a second sock into Natori's mouth, just to be on the safe side.
"It's over here," she reported, pulling the covers on her bed aside enough to reveal a small satin bag hidden at the foot of under her bed. "I don't know how we'll sneak it out. Where's yours?"
"Back in my room. Hey, what does he want?" Muta asked crossly as the room became filled with golden light.
Haru swiftly turned around to see Vulcan landing on her balcony with difficulty, since it was a slightly small landing pad for him. Curiously, she walked over and opened the door to greet him.
Even if he sounded like a fortune cookie most of the time and wouldn't give her confirmation one way or another of what she was planning, it was hard not to like the firebird.
"Morning, Vulcan."
He bowed grandly, although he had to be careful about his balance. "Good morning, Haru. I'm here to escort you to the ritual."
She looked at him with surprise, although she was already close enough to appreciate the warmth his feathers were radiating. "But you can't fit through either of my doors."
He smirked, and shrugged his shoulders around to suggest that she climb on.
She eyed his back a little warily. "Won't that be a little overdramatic? I mean, this dress wasn't exactly made for riding."
"I'm afraid it's required. There's a certain amount of symbolism involved, and it will help to provide a reminder of your destiny to everyone present."
Haru sighed, and smiled at Muta over her shoulder. "I'll see you down there. Think you can grab our bags and keep out of sight so no one asks?"
"I should be able to. Be careful with my Chicky," her stepfather warned as the brunette delicately climbed onto the firebird's back, and wrapped her arms around his swan-like neck.
"I wouldn't dream of letting her come to harm, even if she wasn't the Sea Maiden," Vulcan assured him with a comforting smile, spreading his wings out so that he could take off.
Haru could immediately feel the difference in riding him instead of Toto. His back was a lot narrower, but his wings were longer, which made the balance something she wasn't used to.
Speaking of which…
"How is Toto holding up?" she couldn't help but ask as he climbed into the air; higher and higher until the palace was maybe the size of her fist, then even smaller.
"He was panicking terribly, but I made him promise not to interfere." Once he deemed they had gone high enough, Vulcan folded his wings close to his body, which suddenly shot toward the palace as fast as an arrow.
"From here on, it's all up to Baron."
xxXxx
I'm pretty sure that any good Princess Bride fan will understand the Fezzik reference. Long live awesome movies!