Chapter 2: Cruising for a Bruising

"So Queen Mercedes what are you doing around here? Don't you usually stay around your elven city of Elluel, wherever it is."

Looking down on his Freud's smirking face, Mercedes felt a need to restrain herself from knocking him upside the head.

"Shut it, I was on an urgent mission for the elders."

"And may I ask, what was this mission?"

"It's none of your concern, just a quick visit to Leafre."

"So why didn't you bring those fancy bowguns that you're always lugging around. I've never known you to run around completely defenseless, and you should know how dangerous around Leafre."

You know what? Screw self-control.

-PLAK-

"Ow… What was that for….?"

"For being a complete idiot"

"Fine… but seriously what happened to those dual bowguns that you use?"

Mercedes' face looked as if she had bitten into a lemon.

"Danika thought it would be a good idea to how I would react if the little children started playing with my bowguns…"

Freud chuckled as he thought of the childish Elder of War that he had met on a trip through Victoria Island, handing the weapons of the ruler of her city to small children to play with.

FLASHBACK

'Even if they are important, why am I the one always sent to the annual Maple Root meetings? It's not like he can't send one of the younger apprentices!"

These were the thoughts of the Senior Apprentice of Grendel as he tried to hail a cab back to Ellinia after the meeting of the Alliance. Finally a cab stopped in front of him.

The passenger area was separated from the driver by a sliding glass screen which Freud could swear was super glued on. After struggling for about a minute he finally got it open, physical strength, as it was for most mages, was not his strong suit.

"Ellinia please."

The driver looked back at him.

"Sure thing buddy by first we have to stop by the tree that grew, this little lady here paid me a little extra to stop by a monster infested area."

It was then that Freud noticed the cab's other passenger. A young lady with a shock of red hair and unnaturally pointed ears.

"Could you by any chance be an elf?" The words were out of his mouth before he could stop himself.

The lady's eyes immediately narrowed, "Why you think so?"

Freud immediately knew he had stumbled on a touchy subject, Elves had long since learned to distrust humans because of an incident almost ten years ago.

"I just saw your ears and thought-"

"Thought what, that you humans could get close to commit such atrocities against my kind again?"

Now Freud was usually a patient person, USUALLY he would never snap at such a small provocation, but USUALLY he would be running on more than caffeine after an eight hour meeting, and USUALLY he wouldn't be stereotyped because of his species, something he hated.

"Just because I asked if you were an elf or not is no reason for your cheap provocations! I haven't asked you a thin other than if you're and elf or not, yet you feel the need to bury me in your false accusations, I don't need this right now so LAY OFF THE ATTITUDE!"

First came the blank stare, then came the moist eyes and wobbling lip, until the red haired female burst into tears.

Freud was aghast over what he just did.

"I-I'm so sorry, I didn't mean any of that, really!"

But no matter what he said or did she would just not stop crying.

'What should I do, I'm no girl expert, for goddess' sake I've never even been on a date!"

At this the cab driver simply gave him an incredulous, are-you-kidding-me look.

He simply handed him a handkerchief and said, "Here boy, take this and at least dry her tears, what kind of man are you, making a lady cry."

Freud felt the heat rising to his face at being scolded like a child by the driver, but at least his advice helped Freud calm down the elf girl.

"Well miss if it's too much to ask may i inquire as to what your name is?"

The red haired girl muttered something under her breath.

"Excuse me? I couldn't hear you."

"I said my name is Danika"

"A good name, and now I'll tell you my name, I am Freud, senior apprentice to Grendel the Really Old."

Freud could see her eyes widen with admiration and felt the heat rush up to his face.

"Senior Apprenice Wow that must mean you know a lot about all the branches of magic! What's your name?"

"You can call me Freud."

"Hmmm… Freud, that name sounds familiar." Danika said as she adopted a thoughtful posture. (A/N Think hand on chin type thing)

"I'm always the one that Grendel sends to the Maple Root meetings if that helps."

"Ah! In fact it does! You are the one who always drives her highness up a wall! She says that you are the single most irritating human man that she has ever met!"

Freud sweatdropped, 'Better watch my back at the next meeting in case Ms. Queen of the Elves decides to do me in!'

"I-I see, may I ask what your relationship ia to her highness?"

"I'm her Elder of War."

"Y-you?" Freud spluttered in disbelief.

"Yeah, what's wrong about that?"

"Oh um nothing, nothing at all…"

'You'd think that the Elder of War wouldn't cry from somebody yelling at her..."

The two continued to talk until the driver got to The Tree That Grew.

Danika stepped out of the cab while saying goodbye to Freud, she mentally sighed. 'He's so fine... too bad he's a human.'

FLASHBACK END

Freud had a completely dreamy look in his eyes as he recalled the happy memories.

"Freud"

Freud jolted out of his dreamlike state, "Yes Mercedes?"

Aforementioned Queen was fixing him with a glare that would've frightened the Black Mage.

"So you admit to making MY ELDER OF WAR CRY?"

"Y-yes?" Freud answered back meekly.

"Well then we still have about half an hour until we get to Victoria Island..."

Freud paled as Mercedes walked towards him slowly with and evil smirk on her face, it was terrifying. Only one thought crossed his mind as he watched her approach.

'I am so dead'

~~~~~~~Sometime Later~~~~~~~

The speakers suddenly turned on and out came the voice of the captain, Cherry, came over the speakers.

"Excuse me, could I have everyone's attention please, we will be landing on Victoria Island in about five minutes, please prepare to disembark and thank you for flying with us!"

Mercedes turned around to face the boy she was tort- er punishing.

"Hear that spell-boy your punishment only lasts for five more minutes"

Freud, who was crawling away an also nurturing a black eye, flinched as he heard the new name given to him.

'I knew I would regret not learning holy magic before ice and fire magic!' he thought.

"Now get back here we still have five minutes!"

Freud ran as fast as he could down the deck "N-NO PLEASE I'M SORRY!"

Unfortunately or fortunately depending on who you were, Freud's lack of physical prowess once again came up to haunt him Mercedes caught up in seconds.

Meaning to catch his legs she tackled him to the ground, however as they landed the ship hit the dock and their momentum carried them right off the gangplank of the ship which, conviently enough carried them right onto the dock floor.

"Ow my head… Darn it Freud why does your head have to be so damn hard..."

"This wouldn't have happened if you weren't chasing me..."

"What was that!"

A new voice interceded before the arguement built up.

"Well you highness, I have to admit I did not expect this when I decided to come fetch you and deliver your bowguns."

Mercedes looked up and saw…

Philius?

"What do you mean?" She questioned as she saw the slightly embarassed look on the face of her Elder of Magic.

She looked down and saw Freud's hands around her waist, how her hands splayed on his chest, and how she sat as if she were straddling him.

Her face flushed a brilliant shade of crimson.

"W-WAIT PHILIUS I-IT'S NOT WHAT I-IT L-LOOKS LIKE I S-SWEAR!"

A/N

Ah writing awkward moments, how I missed them. :)

Anyways, Read and Review please!

-Lunarfeather