[OrigFic] Prophetic Roads (Reunion)
Oct. 18th, 2010 11:06 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
nathanialroyaleTitle: Prophetic Roads
Prompt: Reunion
Rating: (R?)
Content Notes/Warnings: 5 years sense Nathanial had seen his sister, something’s have changed. ~Blah.~ is telepathy.
Warnings: Mentions of Violence, Mentions of Under Age Love, Mentions of Cannibalism. Mentions of past Child Abuse, Mentions of past Torture.
Main Character/s: Nathanial Peter Quele Royale, Nilec Quele, Elhannan ap’Eibhlhin, Mentions of James Red Rose Quele Cross.
Plot: 5 years sense Nathanial had seen his sister, something’s have changed.
Location: The Palace of Dire Cry City in the Kingdom of Dire Cry.
Dire Cry had always been a wasteland of rock and sand as far back as Nathanial had read of it. The land had been where Cama’ra exiled their treasonous, murderers and rapists in a wish to not execute. A harsh land, a terrible people, and the mountains had been sealed long ago by the Gods to separate the Kingdoms. But over five hundred years ago the mountain pass had re-opened; somehow the people had managed to stake out a living upon nothing and were harsher now than they ever were before.
Wars had raged over water, tribes killing each other for the oasis’s that were so sacred in a land that hardly ever rained. Peace had been brokered many times but to no avail, war continued, and the tribes had finally been united under the strongest. The strongest ruled, as soon as the last King was weak another would kill him and take his place. It was near anarchy, rarely lasted longer than five years but James had managed to hold on with an iron fist for that long now. No human was stronger than a vampire and with his Druidic wife watching his body as he slept the daylight hours away they were unstoppable. Elf and Vampire married and ruling over humans, it was unthinkable but Nilec had succeeded as she had told him she would when he was small.
The land was dying though; Nathanial could feel it beneath his leather booted feet as he walked through the Capitol. The land was wasting, the people were desperate, Elhannan was sucking in breath through his teeth, his red feathered wings ruffling as he steered his eyes away from alleyways.
The question was unsaid but they had been traveling companions for months now, had stolen kisses when they thought they were alone, he knew his Guardian’s mind.
“We must have James’s he-help Elhannan.”
The Half angel’s brow puckered, unsettled as he was with the environment and course of action, "I'll abide by your decisions, Nathan."
The words were not meant to rebuke, to make the Prince flinch, Nathanial knew so and managed just barely to hold back his reaction. So long hearing those words when Elhannan was displeased with a decision made was like being slapped.
Water was sacred, blood even more so in a land that had little water and where food was becoming scarce. The poor and sickly were becoming the fuel for those stronger than them. Wrenching eyes away from the scene in an alley, flies rising over a corpse and a person bending far too close to it for comfort, why Nilec? Why did you take this land if it was only to watch it die? You are one with the world, can you not feel the suffering and the agony of everything around you as it withers away?
Past the sandstone buildings and the iron gates into the Palace’s grounds, the guards’ only inclining their heads as they passed.
“We are expected?”
Elhannan’s hand tightened on the great sword in hand, the other large hand lying upon his Prince’s shoulder as they looped around the white marble palace.
“Nilec k-knew we were c-coming.”
“Your sister of prophecy?” There was distaste to the Paladin’s words but he shook his head, “I will follow your will your highness. I am your Guardian after all.”
Words that should have been reassuring were a sting and Nathan opened a door into a side hallway, a servant’s entry as he wished to find his sister before being confronted by any nobility.
What if Nilec had known all that had come to pass? It was expected a Prophetess of Wan’an’iena would know, but yet then what if she blamed him for all that had happened? He was to blame wasn’t he? He was just a sick frail boy who could not stop Drefan from losing his mind, Drefan’s chalice shattering and leaving him a broken man who had been taken by the God of Death. Drefan who had been filled with such hate who was now a lich bent on destroying the world. Nathan had not been able to protect his parents, Thom, anyone; Just a broken china doll...like Dreffie said he always had been and always would be.
~Nathan?~
The Guardian link flared to life within Nathanial’s mind and he felt the encompassing warmth of the Half Angel’s presence, his concern and the hand tightened lightly on his shoulder.
~It’s alright Elhannan.~
A visible shake of the Paladin’s head, “Things will never...be alright...Nathanial.”
Nathan’s eyes pressed shut for a moment but he forced them open and he pulled away from his Guardian to round a white corner, the walls and floors white marble. Stark white marble that showed a grandeur and wealth the common would never know.
--
In the dead end of a left hallway an Elven woman leaned back against the wall, she was in forest greens and mosses, the dark green velvet gown covering her arms and down to her feet. Her dark brown hair braided and clipped into a bun making it appear as if she had a crown of dark brown braids. Head cocked to the side, her lips dusted with color but the rest of her face natural with no makeup to hide. A grace in her hands that laid against the wall beside her, agelessness to her.
A human man had her pressed up against the wall, one hand on the wall beside her whispering into a pointed ear. Her greens held a soft touch of arousal, but fairly more amusement, annoyance and patience. The man leaning into try to press lips or teeth to that delicate point were so far unable to do so, one step ahead the Lady moved her head aside just enough to keep out of reach. She was toying with him even when he believed he held the advantage of his size and position.
Elhannan’s eyes narrowed and he stepped to Nathan’s side, the wings rustling and body armour making enough noise that Nilec’s eyes slipped to them.
“Brother!” The greens lit up and the man looked to them as well, swallowing visibly, his face paling considerably as he saw the 7’8 Half Angel in full body armour who looked at him in severe disapproval.
The male pulled away from the Elven Queen and the woman slipped around him elegantly, moving into a crouch as she was 6’0 to Nathanial’s 5’4. Nathanial hesitated a moment and the nameless man bowed to Nilec, “Your Majesty,” before he beat a hasty retreat from the situation. Nilec looked back to him, following him with her eyes and shook her head before she looked back at Nathan.
“Nathanial, my little brother,” Nilec held out her arms to the boy and Nathan moved slowly toward her, still ever so hesitant.
“Many a day has passed when you have not tread the world at my side, my brother. Many times have I wanted your council, your patience and your compassion that is so lacking in this place.”
A brilliant smile took the fragile boys face, lighting him up and arms wrapped around her neck, “Nilly!”
Nilec hugged her brother tightly to her bosom, her face burying into his wig of black and icy blue locks. It would stay this way between them for a time, holding tightly after so long of not hearing or seeing one another.
--
Elhannan stood back silently, always the sullen, stoic Guardian, but his eyes for once would not stay upon his charge. There was no reason Nilec should remind him of his mother Areinael, she was neither an Angel nor was she clothed like her, or had the looks. But the way Nilec grasped Nathanial to her so desperately reminded him of nights he woke from nightmares, of his mother’s loving embrace, but he forced the thoughts aside. Nothing mattered now beyond this boy’s protection, his past was dead and his future before him. Rein, God of Light had told him Nathanial was the key, this world was what was important now.
“Your Majesties,” Elhannan spoke up as a clearing of throat, to take the silence and to tell them the display of affection would most likely become a watched affair.
Nilec looked up past Nathan’s shoulder at Elhannan and her eyes clouded, a rolling fog taking the vibrancy of her Elven green eyes.
Elhannan shuddered but stood his ground; Mages, and those who controlled the elements, tried to control the future and the uncontrollable. Did they know what it was they wanted? Did any of us? The current blindness of the Queen’s eyes bothered him but he starred into those prophetic eyes, he would not look away, he would show no fear.
"You are the protector in my dreams. Wan’an’iena showed me hardly anything of you, I wondered why she would show me so little. But now I see...Welcome to Dire Cry Elhannan ap’Eibhlhin, Guardian and Protector of our world’s hope and future, you have much to bear upon your shoulders.”
Unnerved Elhannan stayed quiet, his eyes blinking at the woman and a shudder ran down his spine as if invisible hands had touched him, “Nathanial spoke often of you, that you are a wise and beautiful Queen.” Managing to hold himself he bowed to her, drawing on how Nathanial acted to those of superior station; This Elf Queen unnerved him completely, but she was kin to Nathanial and he would respect her until given a reason not to.
Turning her attention to Nathanial her eyes unfogged and she grasped his shoulders gently so she could look into his icy blues. Pressing a kiss to her step brother’s forehead, “James sleeps within the earth, until the night falls he shall be doing so, and then you can speak with him of what you need."
Nathan nods to her, icy blues studying her face, hands rising to caress her cheeks, wandering the lines of her jaw. Elves did not physically age beyond maturity, the only sign of an Elf’s age was the eyes, and Nilec’s...were so old. But that was not right; Nilec was only 182 years old! She was not even done maturity yet, for Elves aged until 200, which was around a Human’s 20th. But Nilec had been mentally an adult for many years now; she had grown up too quickly. Her life had taken the joy from her eyes, the spark of hope and the child were hidden inside, deep within her soul where they could not be reached.
What had happened to her? Nilec had always been older, older then she should have been, as her life had never been kind. But now there was none of the woman he had known left, she was hard now, cold now, bitter... Is this what James had done to her? Had such a harsh place made her like this? Or had she done this to herself?
“You see too much brother, things that displease, things that harm. Look away. My chalice is marred and my soul is old, but I will go on. So shall you, we both have felt such that no one should ever feel, but we move on. I have become stronger, but I have given up everything for this perverse strength in me, I am ruthless, selfish, cynical, untrusting and bitter. But that shall never happen to you, dearest brother, our hopes and dreams. You must stand, you must defend and you must love. Do not lie down like I, do not stand in the shadows. You are stronger than anyone of us realizes, especially yourself, remember Nathanial, ‘It matters not what others see, only what we perceive of ourselves.’ Do not allow others to dictate the path before you, walk your own road.”
Nathan shivered and he hugged his sister tightly to him, his face in her shoulder to take in the scent that even in the desert had not left; pine trees. Nilec smelled of the trees of the sacred Elven homeland, and he felt that longing inside of his heart to go back there, to hide and let someone else fight this fight.
“Why me? I am just a boy, j-just a fr-fragile sickly boy! There a-are so many more powerful th-then I, stronger then I! What c-can I do? Wh-what can I possibly do th-that they cannot? Pl-please allow me to u-understand the will of the Gods!”
“No one can understand the will of the Gods brother, but I will say one thing. Unlike myself, unlike so many whose hearts are filled with misery and hate for the Lich and do not know the man; you know the man behind the Lich. Nathanial you love Drefan, you do not pity him, you respect him, even after all the slaughter and the hate he has taken out upon our world you long for him to be whole. That my dearest brother is strength beyond measure. No one else could love a man who has done such crimes against not only one’s self but the country and world you are born to.”
“B-but wh-what can that do!?” Nathan shook her arms desperately.
Elhannan watched trying to remain passive but his hands had fisted; one around his blade, the other at his side. His hate for Drefan was becoming apparent in his features; all the carnage the man had wrought on their world, the death toll rising everyday and the torture he had put Nathanial through for so many years...
“Forgive.”
Forgive?! Elhannan starred at the Elf Queen in shock, and Nathan nods against her sniffling, Nilec going on her fingers running through the wig.
“Do what no one else can, forgive him, there is great power in forgiveness. Your strength is not of the body Eruantien, it is of the heart, your compassion and your love. You love one who is unloved, a monster, and you show no judgment against him for what he has done. Only you could forgive him, and it is only you he would accept such forgiveness from.”
Nathan licked his lips and tried to calm his raging heart, the lungs filled with sickness that would not let in a full breath.
“Now calm yourself brother, you both should go rest before you meet with King James this evening. He will strike a hard bargain for assistance against Drefan; think wisely what you would offer him. The pieces are aligned, but none have been played. It is your move brother, and everything now will effect what is to come. Choose your own path with care.”
Drawing back from him and standing she caressed a cheek with her thumb, looking beyond to Elhannan, “Protect him until the day you can no longer, heed the words of the one who is highest and you will not fail.”
--
Elhannan’s brow furrowed taking in her prophetic nonsense, filing it away to ponder on it later when he was laying in his bed able to do so. Mages and prophets, shaking his head he gestured to Nathan.
“Nathan, it’s time to rest.”
The sickly prince drew away from his sister and Elhannan took the frail hand in his large one, tenderly holding the fragile bones so as to not break them by accident.
Away Elhannan and Nathan would walk, Nilec sending a servant she met down the hall to find them rooms.
Nathan looked up at his massive Guardian, “She’s changed, Elhannan. But then... I suppose, I h-have too.”
“For the better or for the worse?” Elhannan looked down to him and Nathan shook his head.
“I...I don’t know. Only the Gods can decide. A-And it do-doesn’t matter now, wh-what has happened h-has happened, there i-is no going back. Only o-one road ahead, I just d-do not know if I can take it...”
Elhannan concerned put his other hand on his head, “One step at a time.”
Nathan smiled up masking his true feelings, “Yes...o-of course.”
Nathan let the silence stretch as they slowly walked the hall, what would James ask of him? What could he give? He was homeless, a destitute, as though he was prince he wanted no one to know who he was. But he would think on that later, all he wanted to do was sleep now, let the nightmares come as they always did a reminder of his past. But he would wake unlike the years before when there was no way to get away; he had Elhannan to protect him now.
Slipping into his guest room he shut the door and allowed his exhausted body to fall onto the bed uncaring to move thin blankets or pillows and he fell into a deep sleep. There he would stay until the nightfall would come and a servant would come to awaken him, restless sleep filled with past horrors that left him feeling just as tired. But he would try to sleep, try to rest before the coming meeting that could change the fate of the war.
What could James want?
And...what could he possibly give?
Prompt: Reunion
Rating: (R?)
Content Notes/Warnings: 5 years sense Nathanial had seen his sister, something’s have changed. ~Blah.~ is telepathy.
Warnings: Mentions of Violence, Mentions of Under Age Love, Mentions of Cannibalism. Mentions of past Child Abuse, Mentions of past Torture.
Main Character/s: Nathanial Peter Quele Royale, Nilec Quele, Elhannan ap’Eibhlhin, Mentions of James Red Rose Quele Cross.
Plot: 5 years sense Nathanial had seen his sister, something’s have changed.
Location: The Palace of Dire Cry City in the Kingdom of Dire Cry.
Dire Cry had always been a wasteland of rock and sand as far back as Nathanial had read of it. The land had been where Cama’ra exiled their treasonous, murderers and rapists in a wish to not execute. A harsh land, a terrible people, and the mountains had been sealed long ago by the Gods to separate the Kingdoms. But over five hundred years ago the mountain pass had re-opened; somehow the people had managed to stake out a living upon nothing and were harsher now than they ever were before.
Wars had raged over water, tribes killing each other for the oasis’s that were so sacred in a land that hardly ever rained. Peace had been brokered many times but to no avail, war continued, and the tribes had finally been united under the strongest. The strongest ruled, as soon as the last King was weak another would kill him and take his place. It was near anarchy, rarely lasted longer than five years but James had managed to hold on with an iron fist for that long now. No human was stronger than a vampire and with his Druidic wife watching his body as he slept the daylight hours away they were unstoppable. Elf and Vampire married and ruling over humans, it was unthinkable but Nilec had succeeded as she had told him she would when he was small.
The land was dying though; Nathanial could feel it beneath his leather booted feet as he walked through the Capitol. The land was wasting, the people were desperate, Elhannan was sucking in breath through his teeth, his red feathered wings ruffling as he steered his eyes away from alleyways.
The question was unsaid but they had been traveling companions for months now, had stolen kisses when they thought they were alone, he knew his Guardian’s mind.
“We must have James’s he-help Elhannan.”
The Half angel’s brow puckered, unsettled as he was with the environment and course of action, "I'll abide by your decisions, Nathan."
The words were not meant to rebuke, to make the Prince flinch, Nathanial knew so and managed just barely to hold back his reaction. So long hearing those words when Elhannan was displeased with a decision made was like being slapped.
Water was sacred, blood even more so in a land that had little water and where food was becoming scarce. The poor and sickly were becoming the fuel for those stronger than them. Wrenching eyes away from the scene in an alley, flies rising over a corpse and a person bending far too close to it for comfort, why Nilec? Why did you take this land if it was only to watch it die? You are one with the world, can you not feel the suffering and the agony of everything around you as it withers away?
Past the sandstone buildings and the iron gates into the Palace’s grounds, the guards’ only inclining their heads as they passed.
“We are expected?”
Elhannan’s hand tightened on the great sword in hand, the other large hand lying upon his Prince’s shoulder as they looped around the white marble palace.
“Nilec k-knew we were c-coming.”
“Your sister of prophecy?” There was distaste to the Paladin’s words but he shook his head, “I will follow your will your highness. I am your Guardian after all.”
Words that should have been reassuring were a sting and Nathan opened a door into a side hallway, a servant’s entry as he wished to find his sister before being confronted by any nobility.
What if Nilec had known all that had come to pass? It was expected a Prophetess of Wan’an’iena would know, but yet then what if she blamed him for all that had happened? He was to blame wasn’t he? He was just a sick frail boy who could not stop Drefan from losing his mind, Drefan’s chalice shattering and leaving him a broken man who had been taken by the God of Death. Drefan who had been filled with such hate who was now a lich bent on destroying the world. Nathan had not been able to protect his parents, Thom, anyone; Just a broken china doll...like Dreffie said he always had been and always would be.
~Nathan?~
The Guardian link flared to life within Nathanial’s mind and he felt the encompassing warmth of the Half Angel’s presence, his concern and the hand tightened lightly on his shoulder.
~It’s alright Elhannan.~
A visible shake of the Paladin’s head, “Things will never...be alright...Nathanial.”
Nathan’s eyes pressed shut for a moment but he forced them open and he pulled away from his Guardian to round a white corner, the walls and floors white marble. Stark white marble that showed a grandeur and wealth the common would never know.
--
In the dead end of a left hallway an Elven woman leaned back against the wall, she was in forest greens and mosses, the dark green velvet gown covering her arms and down to her feet. Her dark brown hair braided and clipped into a bun making it appear as if she had a crown of dark brown braids. Head cocked to the side, her lips dusted with color but the rest of her face natural with no makeup to hide. A grace in her hands that laid against the wall beside her, agelessness to her.
A human man had her pressed up against the wall, one hand on the wall beside her whispering into a pointed ear. Her greens held a soft touch of arousal, but fairly more amusement, annoyance and patience. The man leaning into try to press lips or teeth to that delicate point were so far unable to do so, one step ahead the Lady moved her head aside just enough to keep out of reach. She was toying with him even when he believed he held the advantage of his size and position.
Elhannan’s eyes narrowed and he stepped to Nathan’s side, the wings rustling and body armour making enough noise that Nilec’s eyes slipped to them.
“Brother!” The greens lit up and the man looked to them as well, swallowing visibly, his face paling considerably as he saw the 7’8 Half Angel in full body armour who looked at him in severe disapproval.
The male pulled away from the Elven Queen and the woman slipped around him elegantly, moving into a crouch as she was 6’0 to Nathanial’s 5’4. Nathanial hesitated a moment and the nameless man bowed to Nilec, “Your Majesty,” before he beat a hasty retreat from the situation. Nilec looked back to him, following him with her eyes and shook her head before she looked back at Nathan.
“Nathanial, my little brother,” Nilec held out her arms to the boy and Nathan moved slowly toward her, still ever so hesitant.
“Many a day has passed when you have not tread the world at my side, my brother. Many times have I wanted your council, your patience and your compassion that is so lacking in this place.”
A brilliant smile took the fragile boys face, lighting him up and arms wrapped around her neck, “Nilly!”
Nilec hugged her brother tightly to her bosom, her face burying into his wig of black and icy blue locks. It would stay this way between them for a time, holding tightly after so long of not hearing or seeing one another.
--
Elhannan stood back silently, always the sullen, stoic Guardian, but his eyes for once would not stay upon his charge. There was no reason Nilec should remind him of his mother Areinael, she was neither an Angel nor was she clothed like her, or had the looks. But the way Nilec grasped Nathanial to her so desperately reminded him of nights he woke from nightmares, of his mother’s loving embrace, but he forced the thoughts aside. Nothing mattered now beyond this boy’s protection, his past was dead and his future before him. Rein, God of Light had told him Nathanial was the key, this world was what was important now.
“Your Majesties,” Elhannan spoke up as a clearing of throat, to take the silence and to tell them the display of affection would most likely become a watched affair.
Nilec looked up past Nathan’s shoulder at Elhannan and her eyes clouded, a rolling fog taking the vibrancy of her Elven green eyes.
Elhannan shuddered but stood his ground; Mages, and those who controlled the elements, tried to control the future and the uncontrollable. Did they know what it was they wanted? Did any of us? The current blindness of the Queen’s eyes bothered him but he starred into those prophetic eyes, he would not look away, he would show no fear.
"You are the protector in my dreams. Wan’an’iena showed me hardly anything of you, I wondered why she would show me so little. But now I see...Welcome to Dire Cry Elhannan ap’Eibhlhin, Guardian and Protector of our world’s hope and future, you have much to bear upon your shoulders.”
Unnerved Elhannan stayed quiet, his eyes blinking at the woman and a shudder ran down his spine as if invisible hands had touched him, “Nathanial spoke often of you, that you are a wise and beautiful Queen.” Managing to hold himself he bowed to her, drawing on how Nathanial acted to those of superior station; This Elf Queen unnerved him completely, but she was kin to Nathanial and he would respect her until given a reason not to.
Turning her attention to Nathanial her eyes unfogged and she grasped his shoulders gently so she could look into his icy blues. Pressing a kiss to her step brother’s forehead, “James sleeps within the earth, until the night falls he shall be doing so, and then you can speak with him of what you need."
Nathan nods to her, icy blues studying her face, hands rising to caress her cheeks, wandering the lines of her jaw. Elves did not physically age beyond maturity, the only sign of an Elf’s age was the eyes, and Nilec’s...were so old. But that was not right; Nilec was only 182 years old! She was not even done maturity yet, for Elves aged until 200, which was around a Human’s 20th. But Nilec had been mentally an adult for many years now; she had grown up too quickly. Her life had taken the joy from her eyes, the spark of hope and the child were hidden inside, deep within her soul where they could not be reached.
What had happened to her? Nilec had always been older, older then she should have been, as her life had never been kind. But now there was none of the woman he had known left, she was hard now, cold now, bitter... Is this what James had done to her? Had such a harsh place made her like this? Or had she done this to herself?
“You see too much brother, things that displease, things that harm. Look away. My chalice is marred and my soul is old, but I will go on. So shall you, we both have felt such that no one should ever feel, but we move on. I have become stronger, but I have given up everything for this perverse strength in me, I am ruthless, selfish, cynical, untrusting and bitter. But that shall never happen to you, dearest brother, our hopes and dreams. You must stand, you must defend and you must love. Do not lie down like I, do not stand in the shadows. You are stronger than anyone of us realizes, especially yourself, remember Nathanial, ‘It matters not what others see, only what we perceive of ourselves.’ Do not allow others to dictate the path before you, walk your own road.”
Nathan shivered and he hugged his sister tightly to him, his face in her shoulder to take in the scent that even in the desert had not left; pine trees. Nilec smelled of the trees of the sacred Elven homeland, and he felt that longing inside of his heart to go back there, to hide and let someone else fight this fight.
“Why me? I am just a boy, j-just a fr-fragile sickly boy! There a-are so many more powerful th-then I, stronger then I! What c-can I do? Wh-what can I possibly do th-that they cannot? Pl-please allow me to u-understand the will of the Gods!”
“No one can understand the will of the Gods brother, but I will say one thing. Unlike myself, unlike so many whose hearts are filled with misery and hate for the Lich and do not know the man; you know the man behind the Lich. Nathanial you love Drefan, you do not pity him, you respect him, even after all the slaughter and the hate he has taken out upon our world you long for him to be whole. That my dearest brother is strength beyond measure. No one else could love a man who has done such crimes against not only one’s self but the country and world you are born to.”
“B-but wh-what can that do!?” Nathan shook her arms desperately.
Elhannan watched trying to remain passive but his hands had fisted; one around his blade, the other at his side. His hate for Drefan was becoming apparent in his features; all the carnage the man had wrought on their world, the death toll rising everyday and the torture he had put Nathanial through for so many years...
“Forgive.”
Forgive?! Elhannan starred at the Elf Queen in shock, and Nathan nods against her sniffling, Nilec going on her fingers running through the wig.
“Do what no one else can, forgive him, there is great power in forgiveness. Your strength is not of the body Eruantien, it is of the heart, your compassion and your love. You love one who is unloved, a monster, and you show no judgment against him for what he has done. Only you could forgive him, and it is only you he would accept such forgiveness from.”
Nathan licked his lips and tried to calm his raging heart, the lungs filled with sickness that would not let in a full breath.
“Now calm yourself brother, you both should go rest before you meet with King James this evening. He will strike a hard bargain for assistance against Drefan; think wisely what you would offer him. The pieces are aligned, but none have been played. It is your move brother, and everything now will effect what is to come. Choose your own path with care.”
Drawing back from him and standing she caressed a cheek with her thumb, looking beyond to Elhannan, “Protect him until the day you can no longer, heed the words of the one who is highest and you will not fail.”
--
Elhannan’s brow furrowed taking in her prophetic nonsense, filing it away to ponder on it later when he was laying in his bed able to do so. Mages and prophets, shaking his head he gestured to Nathan.
“Nathan, it’s time to rest.”
The sickly prince drew away from his sister and Elhannan took the frail hand in his large one, tenderly holding the fragile bones so as to not break them by accident.
Away Elhannan and Nathan would walk, Nilec sending a servant she met down the hall to find them rooms.
Nathan looked up at his massive Guardian, “She’s changed, Elhannan. But then... I suppose, I h-have too.”
“For the better or for the worse?” Elhannan looked down to him and Nathan shook his head.
“I...I don’t know. Only the Gods can decide. A-And it do-doesn’t matter now, wh-what has happened h-has happened, there i-is no going back. Only o-one road ahead, I just d-do not know if I can take it...”
Elhannan concerned put his other hand on his head, “One step at a time.”
Nathan smiled up masking his true feelings, “Yes...o-of course.”
Nathan let the silence stretch as they slowly walked the hall, what would James ask of him? What could he give? He was homeless, a destitute, as though he was prince he wanted no one to know who he was. But he would think on that later, all he wanted to do was sleep now, let the nightmares come as they always did a reminder of his past. But he would wake unlike the years before when there was no way to get away; he had Elhannan to protect him now.
Slipping into his guest room he shut the door and allowed his exhausted body to fall onto the bed uncaring to move thin blankets or pillows and he fell into a deep sleep. There he would stay until the nightfall would come and a servant would come to awaken him, restless sleep filled with past horrors that left him feeling just as tired. But he would try to sleep, try to rest before the coming meeting that could change the fate of the war.
What could James want?
And...what could he possibly give?
(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-24 09:56 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-24 07:25 pm (UTC)Nilec means every word at least as she views herself, if they are true from another's eyes is still unknown. She is ruthless but the land has made her so as well as her Destiny, she's always done what she has had too.
Thank you soooo much for the meaningful reply!