Disclaimer: I do not own Star Trek or any of its characters.
"So," began Kirk, looking at Ellara as he held Nyota's hand, "where are we walking to?"
It had been an hour since the remainder of the group had gotten out of the car. Sulu, Scotty and Chekov had gone back to the ship early, leaving Jim, Nyota, Spock, and Ellara to their trip. They were currently hiking a steep mountain towards a giant tower. Over top were dark clouds swirling above ominously. "We're going to see the Priests and Priestesses. I have to deliver some candles to them on the behalf of Nalli, and it'll be good to seek their counsel." replied Ellara, pausing a moment to catch her breath.
She hadn't climbed this mountain in years, so she wasn't as used to the physical exertion anymore. The Captain was already sweating a little bit. Looking down, Ellara saw how far they'd come. The buildings were almost indiscernible. "Not that far now." she murmured as she looked back up.
Almost there, though tEllara. "Come on, sweetie!" called Nalli from farther ahead. "Not that far now."
Taking a deep breath, Ellara continued on her journey. As she crested the mountain, she stared up in awe at the tower standing before her. It had to be at least one hundred floors, coloured a gorgeous red with gold markings all over. It was the most elegant structure Ellara had ever seen, and she'd met the richest man on Rendoria! Walking about were dozens of men and women who were completely white. Their eyes, hair, skin, and clothing were a sharp contrast against the deep green lushness. An old man, hunched over, came over to the father and daughter to escort them inside.
In the building, it was even more extravagant. Plush furniture, and a view all the way up to the top from the middle of the structure. There was an office to the right, with the staircase to the left. A perfumed smoke came out from the first few floors. Candles, like the ones Nalli was about to offer.
Ellara followed her father into the office, whereupon she saw a civilian sitting behind a computer. Her father spoke with the woman while Ellara glanced around even more. A tall woman walked passed, but froze as soon as she saw Ellara. "Child," she began kneeling down. "Your family."
Ellara's eyes widened. Could this woman really hear her mother and friend? "Yes?" she asked quietly.
The woman's eyes furrowed in pity. "They're disappointed in the path you'll take. You won't ever make them proud. Don't try." she said before getting up and walking away.
Tears welled up in Ellara's eyes as she stared at the woman's retreating form. Another girl followed behind, looking on sadly at the seventeen year old who's eyes were welling up. "Come on, Ellara. Time to go." said Nalli, not noticing his daughter's distress.
At her father's voice, Ellara quickly stiffened up. She wouldn't cry in front of him. He wouldn't help, so what was the use? She didn't dislike him for his frigidness. In fact, Ellara appreciated it. She might end up being stronger because of it.
"Ellara?"
The counsellor snapped out of her stupor. Looking around, she realized that the group had reached the top.
"Are you ok?" asked the concerned voice of Uhura.
Regaining her sense, Ellara realized that Kirk had his hand on her shoulder, looking at her with worry in his eyes, which were mirrored in Uhura's. Spock was standing off to the side, a slight frown in his gaze. "I'm… I'm fine. Sorry. I got caught up in memories." she replied with a tight-lipped smile.
The others warily accepted her response before taking in their surroundings. It was still just as majestic as ever, with its elegance and glamour. Hiking up the box in her arms, Ellara trudged forwards. It wouldn't do to dwell. "Ellara? Ellara Late Toy?"
Although maybe dwelling could be useful. Turning around quickly, Ellara's eyes widened. "Sapphire!" she called, spotting the ten year old charging toward her. She swiftly placed the boxes on the ground before stumbling back from the force of a child's hug. "Oof!"
"You're here you're here you're here!" exclaimed the young one as she jumped up and down in glee.
Ellara kneeled, ruffling Sapphire's hair as she did so. "It would seem that I am. Gosh, you've grown so big."
Standing back up, Ellara introduced the group to the young High Priestess. "Guys, this is Sapphire. Sapphire, this is Commander Spock, Lieutenant Nyota Uhura, and Captain James Kirk." she said, pointing each person out as she said their names.
The Captain kneeled, taking Sapphire's hand in his own and kissing the back of it. "M'lady." he said charmingly.
She giggled, hiding her face in Ellara's pants. Tugging on her shirt, Sapphire signalled she wanted to whisper to Ellara. The woman kneeled down to be at the right level for Sapphire to whisper in her ear. "He's really pretty." whisper-shouted the young one.
Ellara chuckled, looking at Nyota. "She thinks he is."
Sapphire shook her head. "No. I mean the man standing over there." Sapphire pointed at Spock.
Ellara was taken aback, as was Spock. "Oh?" asked Ellara, her voice breaking a bit in surprise.
Sapphire giggled when Spock looked over, and she nodded at Ellara. "Is he your boyfriend?" Sapphire once again whisper-shouted.
Ellara shot straight up, a blush tinting her cheeks. "No, he isn't. Aren't you supposed to be eating?" Ellara changed the topic abruptly.
Sapphire's eyes widened before she nodded her head and hugged Ellara goodbye. The Rendorian looked on with happiness as the Priestess skipped into the building. "Come on guys." she said.
The group finally entered the tower, directing their sights to the office. While Ellara gave the candles to the woman sitting at the desk, Spock listened in on Kirk and Nyota's conversation. It wasn't morally right, however, he had heard his name being mentioned.
"Even that little girl can see it!"
"I know! How blind can two people be, especially when one is a Vulcan?"
"All set guys?" asked Ellara from right behind the whispering couple.
They quickly sprang apart with a shout, Kirk clutching his shirt in surprise. "Jesus Ellara! Make some noise when you sneak up behind people."
"That would defeat the purpose of 'sneaking up', Jim." Spock pitched in for Ellara's defence.
Kirk shook his head as they began walking out.
Suddenly, a woman sprang into Ellara's path. "Why, if it isn't Ellara Lat'toy. We thought we would never see you here again." she practically snarled.
"Marian." grumbled out Ellara. "What do you want?"
A smirk appeared on the older woman's face. "Why, to tell you the good news. My most long-standing prophecy came true."
Ellara's face morphed into one of confusion. Long-standing prophecy? "What kind of bull-"
"Ah, ah, ah. You know the rules. No swearing." mocked Marian.
Ellara rolled her eyes before retrying, "What do you mean?"
"Your family. I was right. They are disappointed in your path." Ellara's face turned grave. "Have a nice day."
The Counsellor could only watch on as the High Priestess walked away, slamming her shoulder into Ellara's.
A tall man walked over, shooting daggers at Marian's back. "She's wrong, you know." he said.
"What do you mean?" whispered Ellara, tears beginning to spring up in her eyes.
He gave her a pitying smile. "Your family. They're proud of you. She just hates that most of the people here like you more than her. You've been all anyone could talk about for the past few days and it's rubbing her the wrong way, so she's using her status to try and break you. Don't let it work, okay?"
At the call of "Pithen!", the man turned his head, waved goodbye, and walked off.
Shaking her head, Ellara began leaving the building, her good mood ruined. "Let's go. Time to get back to the ship."
Kirk and Nyota glanced towards each other, worried. Spock moved to walk beside Ellara, the two staying in companionable silence.
It was ten minutes before he broke it. "Ellara, I do not pretend to know what that woman meant. However, it would make no sense to linger on what your dead relatives think of your life. They are not here to guide you. Only you can make your own choices."
Ellara nodded to show she had heard, and the silence once again fell on the group. Another ten minutes later, Ellara whispered out, "Thank you."
Spock stood a little straighter. He did not understand how the Rendorian religious system worked. However, if her mother was as loving as she said, Ellara would always have her blessing to do whatever she wished.
Once again, this chapter is pretty short, which irritates me, but yay! Some development! Also, Sapphire is, in fact, the little girl that Ellara and Lywa's family went to pick up when Lywa and Meritha died. But, uh, yeah! Chapter! Next chapter should contain the end of all the family drama, so look forward to that! Also, drunk Ellara. Next chapter. Not... not this chapter lol. Anyway, hope you guys enjoyed, and I'll see you next week! Also, huge thank you to my beta reader TransformersGeek for fixing this up!
booklover1898: Thank you so much!
AwesomeFangirlOtaku01: That's great to hear! Right, probably should explain. I wrote it in my note's but I guess I forgot to write it here... woops. Rendorians mate for life unless their partner dies or they split up for their own reasons, in which case they are able to go about finding a partner. However, it happens so rarely that they prefer to stay alone due to the difficulty of finding someone who shared their values and understood them as well.
TransformersGeek: Yeah, I really appreciate it!
- fangirl0012345
Updated November 4th, 2016.