Musicalocelot: I know, it was a sad chapter. I had to listen to sad piano music in order to write that (lol). Naturally, I can't write depressing chapters unless I'm calm or sad. I'm glad Lancelot was able to do that too. Thank you for the lovely comment. I really appreciate it!

Guest: I will keep trying to make my stories acceptable to read! Thank you.

Guest: Thank you. I'm glad you like my story! I won't disappoint you or anyone!

All Sonic characters belong to Sega. All OCs belong to me. Translations by Google Translate.

Chapter 14: An Explanation Revealed

Cream looked worriedly to her ebony companion. She sat with her hands folded neatly in her lap and she kept quiet. The young doe wasn't fond of ill feelings, period. She hated when someone was upset or angry, especially if it was one of her dear friends.

Elizabeth and Cream, throughout the years, had become close, very close. They considered each other sisters, in fact. There wasn't anything Cream was too ashamed to tell Elizabeth and she, her. Both teenage girls shared secrets, fantasies, diaries, stories, they ranted, they fought but they still managed to come closer. The two were able to tell what the other was feeling just by looking and some even say they both know what they're thinking just by making eye contact. It was both heart-warming and scary, to outsiders but they decided not to worry about the other people. They would never understand their friendship anyway.

Despite the two year age difference, Elizabeth had no doubt Cream would be able to help her in her situation. Her being motherless and Cream being fatherless, it wasn't hard for the two to get each other. She had no problem telling everything to her. And when she finished the two sat in silence, staring at their feet. The caramel bunny looked up to the older girl and her brows shifted in concern.

This was not good. Cream could tell from the moment she walked into her room. She was used to Elizabeth raving about her father and dishing out all the 'bad stuff' he does, it wasn't anything new. But this was different. Very different. She had never once heard Elizabeth this….confused, hurt, angry. From what she had heard, it seemed as if in one single moment Elizabeth had forgotten every good memory about her father. It was as if all she knew were the wrong doings her father had done. Elizabeth had not once mentioned trying to make up with her father. She just plainly stated that she hated him. That was it.

She played with her fingers, twiddling them. Cream pursed her lips into a fine line deciding as how to word the thoughts swirling in her head.

"Have you thought of trying to make up with-"

Elizabeth scoffed shaking her head. She crossed her arms and sneered, "He wouldn't even listen. It's like trying to talk to a brick wall. It's useless."

Cream scrunched her brows together. "But Elizabeth, what about all the things he said to you earlier, before he went to the training grounds? You said it yourself, he invited you to talk to him."

"Yeah, but he doesn't mean it. He just wants a reason for me to be out of my room so he could yell at me," she said.

"Well I think you should take the chance to make up with him. He is your father after all."

Cream blinked in surprise as Elizabeth groaned. The ebon teen threw her hands in the air and walked towards the wall. "Not you too," she exclaimed, "Why don't you just tell me next that I'm wrong and he's just trying to protect me. Cream you're just like all the others. You don't listen either," she spat.

The 14-year-old bunny looked gloomily to the floor squeezing her hands together. Her words stung so much, it stung like a hornet. But she knew she didn't mean it. Elizabeth just was upset and angry and hurt. She was like that when she was angry, but she never meant a word. But she couldn't help but blink back.

Elizabeth sighed after a few seconds, replaying her harsh words in her mind. She uncrossed her arms still keeping her gaze to the wall. Her ears lowered as she lowly said, "Cream, I didn't mean that, at all."

"I know you didn't. It's alright, you are upset," she replied lightly.

"Yes, but that gives me no reason to snap at you. You are not the one at fault. I'm just being rude. I just…" Elizabeth lightly pressed her forehead into the wall and slid down landing on her knees. She slouched over bringing her hand to her eyes. She felt the tears swell in her eyes and sting them. A small sniffle sounded the silent room and the tears began to roll down her cheeks.

Cream heard her cries and daintily walked over to her. She kneeled down resting her hands on the shaking shoulders. The brown-eyed doe embraced Elizabeth from behind placing her cheek on her shoulder.

"Please don't cry," she sniffed, tears rising in her own eyes. It pained her to see her sister in so much agony.

Elizabeth gasped for breath her voice taking a high pitch as she tried to talk, "I-I just don't know what to do anymore," she sobbed, "Cream, I don't know if I even want to fix this. I- I fell as if I've messed this up too much. He hates me, I know he does." She turned her body to bury her head into the other's chest. The sobs racked through her body sending horrible trembles through it.

She didn't know what to do or how to feel. Elizabeth knew, deep inside of her, she wanted this to be over. She didn't want to keep fighting. It was not only exhausting but she could feel her heart drain of love for her crimson father and she didn't want that to happen. Elizabeth just wanted this whole ordeal to disappear, like it never happened. Maybe that's all she wanted. But on the other hand she just wanted to hate him. She didn't care if he apologized or not. The girl just wanted to have him feel the pain she felt, to make him suffer through emotional turmoil. She just didn't know which side to be on.

"What should I do?" Elizabeth gasped.

Cream rubbed her back as her mother would do to herself when upset. It was soothing to feel the warmth radiate from her love so she thought displaying that same love would help her troubled friend.

"As I've said before," she whispered, "fix this Elizabeth. Your father will either listen or he won't, I cannot tell you which but I will say he will embrace you with open arms. I may not have a father but I know how much they love their daughters. I'm sure of it."

She didn't get a response back, only a sobs and sniffles but just by listening to her cries Cream knew what Elizabeth would do. So she just continued to comfort her until the 16-year-old ceased her weeps.

(0…)

Her footsteps were heavy against the tiled floor of the castle. Her eyes were a dull, bland, purple showing no emotion and no life. She looked like a dead hedgehog, walking steadily around the castle grounds; a zombie. She looked as if she were a robot, just dead of emotion.

At least this was how King Arthur saw her as he studied Elizabeth.

The blue king observed from behind a wall as the young girl walked aimlessly around. For the past five minutes he had been following her after she had passed him the first time. The aurora a pleasantry wasn't there, like he always felt. It was gone and this had definitely captured his immediate attention. Forget his errands. This was more important.

After pointlessly striding around he decided to step in. He needed to fix whatever the problem was. He didn't know why the bulging pain in his chest increased each time he looked at her but he was smart enough to know it was connected to her misery. King Arthur called out, "Elizabeth!"

Feet stopped their traveling. Elizabeth raised her head, her back facing the cerulean hedgehog.

"Elizabeth, I need to have a word with you," he said stepping towards her. He stopped his steps until he could easily touch her. He put a hand out on her arm smoothing his hand over it before gently taking a hold of it. The king twisted her around. Her dull eyes stayed on the ground as her hair covered her face. Arthur immediately took notice that her hair wasn't in its usual pony tail.

"How are you and your father," he asked, genuinely worried. He was there and knew everything about how she wanted to keep her training a secret. Luckily his part in it wasn't revealed but it did affect him still. His emerald irises searched for any kind of feeling in her once vibrant eyes but he came out with none.

"Alright," she numbly stated.

He shook his head, anger rising. He had no idea why he was starting to feel irate over this but he just was. Maybe it was her misery that triggered his rage. But this wasn't the first time her pain triggered this anger.

"Don't lie to me," he sternly specified. He held her other arm bringing her closer to his body. Arthur could feel his cheeks warm from how close their bodies were but he pushed his embarrassment aside. "Tell me so I can fix it," he continued, this time softer.

At this Elizabeth looked up. That phrase was so familiar to her ears. The tone, the way it rolled off his tongue and the genuine emotion said with it was so familiar. Who had she heard it from before? It wasn't until she really studied the way Sonic looked at her that she remembered. Oh yes? It was Tyrone. Tyrone always said that to her when she was upset. Oh how she wished Tyrone was here right now, to just hold her or comfort her. But Sonic did look quite a bit like him. All she really had to do was switch the eye and fur color. He was blue with green eyes while the other was green with blue eyes. It was simple really. Elizabeth felt her head begin to spin and she really didn't mind. It took her away from the pain, distracted her. She liked feeling all woozy. The purple tipped female smiled lazily at the king, Tyrone's image replacing his. Elizabeth felt her mind float away from her body. She felt like she was about to fall, but that would be okay because Tyrone would catch her. He always does.

Arthur said her name in question before shouting it in alarm as she fell forward. Black spots took over her vision until she was submitted into an endless void of darkness and fell unconscious.

(0…)

Lancelot stroked her forehead with her thumb. He sighed feeling the over-bearing weight take over his heart once again. The over-bearing weight of failure again. He sighed quietly.

Why must I always cause you pain?

"Thank you Arthur for brining my daughter here. I was starting to worry," he said keeping his eyes on Elizabeth's sleeping form. The steady rise of her chest was his only focus as of now.

Azure quills swayed as the king's head nodded in acknowledgement. King Arthur sat in a nearby chair, studying the sleeping girl. "Do you have any idea why she might've fainted," he said trying to cover the worry in his voice.

The crimson marked knight nodded. "She's refused to eat and I think her body couldn't take it any longer."

His emerald eyes widened a bit. "We have to change that then. Is there anything I can do? I could send a nurse down if that would be of convenience."

"I'm grateful for your worry but I do not need any assistance, thank you."

Arthur bit back another remark of worry, not wanting to come on too strong. He was just deeply worried about her health but at the end of the day Lancelot was her father and he was just another person in her life. But he wanted to be more than that to her. Someone important to her, as much as she was to him.

The king nodded and reluctantly selected it was time to take his leave. "I will be taking my leave then, Lancelot. I wish you and Elizabeth my best wishes. Good day."

"Thank you," Lancelot replied and the king left.

The midnight clad rubbed his daughter's cheek with his thumb. His eyebrows inverted in and he sighed heavily. Why did they have to bear so much misery and agony? It wasn't fair. Why couldn't they just be one happy, pain-free family? It would be better that way wouldn't it? Lancelot continued caressing her cheek until Elizabeth began to stir.

She moaned groggily as she twisted her head. Her body flipped to her side, leaning into the comforting hand. Still with her eyes closed, Elizabeth took the hand and hugged it. Her ears flickered as a low chuckled sounded the room. Ebony lids fluttered open to their halfway mark. She twisted again and lied on her back. The blurry vision of her father faded and Elizabeth closed her eyes. Instead of the white hot rage burning through her like she expected, she found a calm, peaceful, care-free attitude resting within her veins.

"Mmm…daddy?" she whispered hoarsely. Her eyes closed wanting to go back to sleep.

"Good afternoon my dear," Lancelot softly said, tracing his knuckles on the side of her face. "Did you sleep well?"

Elizabeth mumbled something similar to a "yes". "How did I get here," she rasped, "I thought I was with Cream."

He raised a brow. So that's where she was. "Yes you were, but according to King Arthur, you fainted, with you ending up here. You fainted because you were famished."

"Well, I am hungry," she mumbled, rubbing her stomach.

"Then I think it's appropriate for you to eat something, correct?"

She nodded.

Elizabeth ate the rice and pieces of meat on her plate. She ate in silence, mindful of how fast she did consume it. Her father sat in front of her, watching. Her purple orbs were kept on the food, feeling uncomfortable as her father stared. The reason why he watched her was to make sure she ate every single thing on that plate.

The silence was unbearable, but talking would sure to cause her death. The tension between them was high, super high. She knew that their previous situation was bound to be brought up no matter how much she displeased the idea.

"Please talk to me."

Elizabeth chewed on the rice in her mouth and swallowed it. The soft substance slithered like a massive lump down her throat. She knew it. He couldn't really keep the dilemma down and away. This was, of course the perfect time to bring it up. Maybe if she acted clueless he would dismiss the topic for now.

"About what?" she asked, timidly.

"Please…" Lancelot pleaded, reaching out and touching her hand.

The girl sighed. There was no way getting around the ordeal. She has to just be brave and tough it out, like a real knight's daughter would. Elizabeth put her fork down and blinked towards her father. She immediately looked away as his worried gaze pained her.

"F-Father, I just…I don't know what to feel anymore." She exhaled bringing her hand away from his. Her arms folded amongst themselves as she averted her eyes from his. She bowed her head, shame beginning to take its toll. Now that she relayed the past events, she felt…remorseful. She didn't know why but she did. Elizabeth now had no idea why she was so upset, well, maybe she did a little bit, but not enough for her to have solid reason. Maybe if she would've just put off from training a bit longer, and showed her maturity, she would've been granted permission. Instead, she went behind her father's back and disobeyed him for three whole years. Maybe she wasn't mature enough. Maybe she didn't deserve to learn the ways of a sword.

At this thought her ears lowered greatly. Elizabeth turned herself in her chair so that her legs were hanging off to the side. She gritted her teeth as she felt the burning sensation of oncoming tears. Her hands gripped her feeble arms tighter, and she was sure she would leave finger prints on them.

"I-I don't think-I think you're right. I am too childish," tears brimmed her lids blurring her vision, "I deceived you, disobeyed you. I even-I-I even said-"

She couldn't continue as a sob threatened to escape. She bit her lip, hard, hoping to control herself, but she couldn't. Her midnight eyelids narrowed as the rising feeling rose in her chest. Elizabeth then gasped when her father went and kneeled in front of her. Lancelot's eyes shined with forgiveness and new-found happiness, although Elizabeth didn't know why. Now was not the time to be happy.

The ebony male took his hand and steadily brought it to her temple. He smoothed his hand into her hair as his other hand held one of her arms. A soft smile creped onto his tan lips and brought her forehead on them.

"Erizabesu wa, anata wa watashi o kiku koto ga dekimasu ka?" he asked making sure to glue their gazes together.

She nodded, tears soaring down her muzzle.

Lancelot's ruby orbs shined brightly. "By confessing your wrong doings to me, you have proven your maturity to me," he said.

Elizabeth blinked opening her mouth to say something. Lancelot shushed her.

"I have something more to say," he continued softly, "You are not the only one who has done something wrong. Yes, you did lie and you did disobey my commands, but that does not mean I am not in the wrong. I have been so caught up in telling you your wrong from right that I myself have been blinded from your happiness. See, your mother was a samurai."

The young hedgehog gasped with complete shock. Out of all the things in the world she would've never guessed her mother was a samurai.

"Yes, it is true. Lenora was a samurai. You can probably infer why I fell in love her aside from her beauty and personality. Coming from her homeland, to here, she was accepted as a knight for her superior skills. One day we went on a journey, for the king, and we were attacked. Not long after she was struck with a sword glazed over with toxins. Luckily she was okay after many procedures but the toxins ever fully left her system. Every so often she would fall deathly ill, and so in paranoia I banned her from ever going near a sword."

It was all starting to make sense now. She was finally able to bring bits and pieces of why her father was so strict on those objects. And now she felt awful for all the horrendous things she ever said to him.

"Of course, being stubborn, just like her daughter and bit like her husband," Elizabeth smiled. A bit? "She found every way she could to be near one. I couldn't do much but keep a close eye on her," Lancelot chuckled remembering a scene when Lenora cleaned his sword, secretly, and he walked in on her and freaked out. "Your mother was fascinated in any particular weapon and I almost pulled my quills out trying to protect her from something that runs through her veins and was a part of her life. I could tell I made her unhappy each time I told her to put the sword away, treating her like an infant, but my fright was too strong to dismiss. It horribly displeased me to see her unhappy but I just couldn't bear for her to get hurt again. Do you see what I'm trying to say?"

Elizabeth nodded slowly. She understood. She understood everything. "You just don't want me to end up like mother," she timidly spoke.

"Correct," Lancelot nodded.

"But father, I'm not mother. You don't know if that'll happen to me."

"Yes, I know. But it's just hard to have you in the risk of danger. You understand where I come from, right?"

She nodded. Elizabeth kneeled to the floor embracing her father. She quietly spoke in his neck, "I'm sorry daddy. I didn't mean for any of this to happen. I don't hate you, I never did. I was just angry."

Lancelot smoothed his hand over the back of her head. "It's quite alright. I know you didn't, watashi no ai."

The girl sniffed and wiped away any remaining tears. The weight fell of both father and daughter's shoulders as peace was restored. They smiled at each other, giving a kiss on each other's cheeks. Elizabeth face then brightened in realization. Lancelot's brow raised in question.

"What is it my dear?" he asked.

She got on her feet and pulled her father up also. Without really answering his question she grabbed his hand and ran to his room. "I think I've finally figured something out," she exclaimed.

The two entered the knight's room. Elizabeth let go of his hand and went straight into the closet near the back. She began throwing out clothes. Lancelot, who was a bit irked by the mess she was creating, dodged the material and stiffly asked, "Elizabeth, what in heaven's name are you-"

"Found it!" she shouted.

In her two hands, Elizabeth brought out a long, scabbard filled with a sword. She motioned for Lancelot to sit in front of her. He did so. Lancelot was still a bit cautious about her holding a sword. He couldn't hold back the, "Be careful."

"Papa wa shinpaishinaidekudasai," Elizabeth assured. She pulled out the sword with one sleek pull and the weapon shined with brilliance. The ebony girl took it in her two hands and laid it flat in front of them. She studied the shiny, slick, metallic sword with amazement.

"This is the same swords I found from when I was three. I still remember that I couldn't figure out the characters on the hilt because it was in Japanese." She raised the handle with golden characters carved into it. Her fingers laced through each indent and she smiled widely.

With her eyes still on the sword she softly said, "It says 'Dearest', just like the song you said mother used to sing to me while I was in her stomach. This is her sword, isn't it father?"

Lancelot stared at the sword with love and remembrance. He nodded and reached for it. Elizabeth handed it to him without hesitation. He curved around the glossy metal and sighed in happiness.

"It's beautiful isn't it?"

"Beautiful is an understatement."

"I agree," he chuckled, "This was Lenora's first and only sword. She never used another. It didn't say anything before she was pregnant. When she was, she begged for me to find someone to carve this into it. She didn't tell why she wanted that word carved in it and I didn't realize it until now. In hindsight it was a smart idea not to tell me. From how I was back then, I would've said no." His eyes moved up to his daughter who locked gazes with him. Elizabeth's eyes widened as Lancelot smirked.

"Y-You mean…" she stuttered losing her words.

He nodded. Lancelot held out the sword to her.

"This sword is all yours my dear."

Translations:

Erizabesu wa, anata wa watashi o kiku koto ga dekimasu ka?-Elizabeth, can you hear me?
Watashi no ai-My love

Papa wa shinpaishinaidekudasai-Don't worry father

Yay! They made up! Do you know what's weird; on one hand I'm glad the characters are all good but at the same time, I kind of liked the drama and everything. Oh well...there's a lot more ahead anyway. I revealed what the mysterious sword that appeared in earlier chapters. I've introduced more about Lenora and her past. I've decided she will have an important part. Maybe that'll change but I am not planning on that. The thing is I have the bases of the story down, I just make up the events of the story as I go. I don't really have a plan. Bad writing skills, huh? Well, it's more fun this way. Anyway, as you can see, King Arthur is starting to show more of his feelings, true feelings. I bet at first you guy thought he would be more of an uncle or something like that. Nope. He's just one big blue pedophile. ;)

Just kidding. Back then, men twice as old as their wives was considered normal and appropriate. Not much more to say other then what do you think? Remember, feedback, feedback and more feedback!

Thank you. R&R

~God Bless You~