Helaine and Mardren were alone. The light that shone through the trees was spotted and shifty. They were sitting under an ancient oak tree; Helaine laying on her stomach, Mardren with his boots kicked off, resting against the rough bark. She couldn't believe she was chatting with her hated rival. But she could see, as she rolled over onto her back, looking at his knotted face upside-down, that he had grown up far more than she had in the past years.
It had taken a few terse answers, a lot of running and help from Borigen, but Helaine had finally gotten away from her throng of admiring little boys. Under the shade of oak, it was quiet, except for Mardren's humorous retelling of an old folk tale. "...and so the Erlkonig's daughters were chastised, and Hoferth was spared, and sent away from the realm of the dead for causing such promiscuity."
Helaine laughed. In the real version, the Elf king sliced his daughters' throats for smiling at the mortal and dead Hoferth, but Mardren made the offense far greater and the punishment equally lighter. Helaine decided not to mention her own encounter with the elves on Zarathan, and settled on telling a tale of her own.
It was one Score had told her once. Helaine began her story but her mind wandered away to when she had heard it. The Triad had stayed up late that night, working on creating a spell that would map the entire Diadem in detail, showing the movements and energies of all the planets, rather like Sarman's jewel analog, but without the lives required and potential for power. When it was finally finished, Pixel, who had done the brunt of the work, blearily stumbled up to his room to sleep for two days straight.
Helaine had been exhausted too, but she was mesmerized by the glimmering dots of life spinning dizzily on the wall. Score trotted up to her wearily and leaned his elbow casually on her shoulder. "Nifty, eh?" he asked. Helaine nodded, shrugging off his arm and dropping onto the couch. Score followed suit, and the two watched their universe whirling giddily in silence for some time before Score spoke.
"Star-cross'd lovers" he said, almost grumpily. After a look from Helaine he continued. "Romeo and Juliet. They're very famous on my world. It's a story about blood-feuds and, well, you can probably relate. Rebelling against your parents because you don't fit their idea of a good daughter." Helaine shook her head, too tired to tell him she was in no mood for a story, but once he started, she didn't want to stop him. It pleased her that his tale included things she understood: swords, rival Houses, secret betrothals.
By the fatal end of the lovers and the story, Helaine's eyes were almost shut, and her head was bobbing by her shoulder. Score patted her hair gently. She still remembered the funny look on his face, as though he was upset, but happily so. Then he had helped her to her feet and sent her to bed.
Without realizing it, Helaine had reached the end of the story of Romeo and Juliet. Mardren nodded his head with a smile. "I've never heard that one, my lady. Did you learn it on your travels?"
"You might say that. A...friend told me it was a common tale from his homeland." Helaine sat up and rubbed her head. She would have to thank Score one of these days. Mardren stroked his sword absent-mindedly.
"You know, I hated Renald. Hated him more than anything." His voice was soft.
"I could have told you that." Helaine returned, picking a leaf out of her hair.
"But I dreamed about Helaine." She stopped fiddling and looked at him curiously. "When I found out they were the same person... it was hard to comprehend." Helaine was silent. "But I realized that everything I hated about Renald, I admired in Helaine. She was bold and feisty and so unlike my mother and sisters."
Helaine raised an eyebrow. Any clues that Mardren had ever had any feelings of romance towards her had always been overshadowed by her complete revulsion of him. She let him continue.
"I spent years looking for you, Helaine. I rode into the Borderlands and earned my knighthood there. We razed buildings and took captives in your name. And today, here you are, unscathed, standing in front of me at our old battling ground. I don't pretend to understand..." Mardren paused, took a breath, and continued. He looked rather pink. "But Helaine, I don't care where you've been, and I don't care that your swordarm is better than mine, but I do... I do care about you."
Helaine started. Was he saying what she thought he was?
"I would... like it if you would consider my name when you decide on a husband." Mardren released his last sentence in a puff of air, no longer looking pink. Helaine's eyes were round and wide, twin moons in a disbelieving sky. She stuttered for a bit, then reached out and touched his brown hand. It was warm. She tilted her head and searched his face. The gaze he returned held no trace of its former bombast.
"I will" she whispered finally. What harm could there be in that? But Mardren ran the finger of his free hand along her jawbone and Helaine suddenly saw all the harm in the world, but couldn't stop him from kissing her quietly.
*****
Should I stop here? No, I wouldn't do that to you. Read on:
*****
It was just short of pleasurable. He tasted earthy and solid, quite unlike the summery, butterfly kisses Pixel had given her. And from his rough lips, Helaine saw her future with Mardren, if she accepted it. She found her father's pride, her children's love and husband's esteem. It would have been more than enough for the old Helaine Votrin. But something was missing. As he pulled back, Helaine realized that he could never be her equal, because he could never understand the unicorns or the Diadem or travel with her to Dondar and the windy savanna or savor one of Score's hamburgers. And Helaine knew she would always resent him for keeping her from the core of her magic. She smiled sadly.
"I'm not marrying anyone today, Mardren." She said, and patted his hand once before releasing it. "And I have other worlds to visit before I settle down."
He looked at her, and she knew he understood this. He nodded and started to put his boots back on, but Helaine stopped him. "Let us part as friends, and as warriors," she said sternly. Mardren returned her steady gaze before speaking.
"If you ever need me..."
"I know."
And that was all that needed to be said.
Score was standing on the parapet of Shanara's castle, which, though it probably hadn't seen a siege in eons, was well maintained and sturdy. It was bitterly cold, but Score, in jeans and a t-shirt, didn't seem to notice. A nasty wind was threatening to rip his ears off, yet he could not bring himself to shiver. The trees and streams and lakes far below seemed harsh and wintry, and while the sun shone, it seemed a weak and pitiful beam that landed on the castle.
He glared, little breaths materializing and then fading away in front of him. He was angry. If Shanara was a little more attentive, he could know right now where Helaine was and go to her, and bring her home. He so desperately wanted to know she was safe, it was like a terrible gnawing at his brain.
A little hand tugged on his shirt. It was Crow, carrying one of Shanara's furs. The girl stared blankly at him, until Score was motivated to wrap the thing around his shoulders. He muttered his thanks and turned back to staring at the land below. The hand tugged on his shirt again. "What?" He snapped, a little sharper than he meant to. Crow blinked and stepped back, eyes glassy. Score sighed. "I'm sorry. I'm very... irritated."
Crow nodded, then reached into the pocket of his fur. Startled, Score jerked a little, but Crow's fingers were nimble and she retrieved an object in a matter of seconds. It was his emerald. "Hey, how did you...?" he started, then changed his mind. Pickpocketing was the least of his worries. Crow stood on her toes to peer over the battlements, then turned to him.
"Who's t'lady?"
"What, Shanara?" Score urged one of the stones to protrude a little for the wall, making a step for Crow to stand on.
"No, Helaine." Crow's face was grave and dark. Score smiled.
"Helaine is fairly pretty, but mostly she is a fighter. She carries a long, deadly sword and..." Score continued in his description, warming at the thought of Helaine's indignant ways and scornful boasts. Crow listened as though committing everything to memory. Score's heartbeat slowed, and his tense muscles relaxed. Everything would be all right, just as soon as the moon rose.
Helaine paused before the Portal. Her father, step-mother, and half-brother huddled away from the blackness of the opening. Borigen and Mardren stood too, trying to look brave in the face of the unknown. Helaine caught Mardren's eye and smiled kindly. She turned to leave, but then she saw Garon. She squatted down at his level and stared coolly. The boy stared back, a little frightened. Helaine leaned in and whispered in his ear.
"Always know that you are a true son of the House of Votrin." She withdrew slightly and watched contentedly as her brother puffed up his chest and nodded solemnly. Clasping his hand, she felt the strength of her father's love for the boy and foretold his greatness before she rose to her feet.
Lord Votrin snatched at his daughter and held her one last time. "Come back someday," was his command. Helaine smiled and stepped towards the Portal. A bittersweet buzz echoed in her ears as she turned and jumped through. She knew Ordin would be her destination again, but it could never be her true home.
Dorian was waiting for her. He closed the Portal and sat on the bed, as though waiting. Helaine looked at her boots. "Thank you for making the Portal for me. If you like, I'll make the one back to Rawn. I'm sure Shanara is wondering where we are."
But he made no sign of movement. Finally, "I don't think we should leave Ekeln-An just yet." He waved a hand. "Come over here."
Helaine staggered over to him, reluctantly. A little warning nagged at her brain, but she froze, perfectly still, as he lazily traced little patterns on her tunic. "You're a very good girl," he purred, "and since I did you a favor, now you have to do something for me." He was toying with the laces on her breeches. Helaine jumped back, but he caught her arm. Alarm bells were clamoring, now. The white monkey ring was running frantically around her wrist, perforating her skin with its little claws.
Far away on Rawn, Score felt her fear. He dug his nails into his palms and waited impatiently. Shanara said it would be three minutes. They were the worst three minutes of his life.
"Let me go." Helaine snarled, reaching for her sword.
"I wouldn't touch that." He warned. Helaine grasped the hilt anyway and started to unsheathe it, but the metal burned her palm and she dropped the sword back into the sheath. She shuddered at the smell of her charred flesh, and when she hazarded a glance, angry scarlet blisters roared back at her.
"What did you do to me?" She demanded, clenching her jaw to both ward off tears and distract her from Dorian's clumsy, fumbling hands.
"Nothing. Ekeln-An is a peaceful, civilized world. We do not allow metal to be drawn in anger." He grinned slowly, unbuckling her sword and sheath from around her waist. They clattered to the floor, and Helaine winced. She tried to back away, but he grabbed her inflamed hand and squeezed. Helaine fell to her knees with a scream. The pain from her right hand was blackening the edges of her vision. She struggled to maintain consciousness, afraid of what would happen if she fainted. She needed a spell, but she couldn't focus enough to light a candle, let alone protect herself.
Apparently fed up with going slowly, Dorian yanked on the hem of her tunic hard. It ripped halfway, and another sharp jerk cleaved it. A modified half-corset kept Helaine decent, but her stomach curled at being exposed. Her vision blurred with tears, but not a single one fell. She felt dead, limp, lifeless. For maybe only the second or third time in her life, Helaine gave up. She hoped it would be over soon.
She was aware of her tattered tunic being torn off and thrown across the room, and felt her skin recoil at his every touch. Every fingertip felt like it would leave an invisible bruise that would hurt forever. She was aware of her breech laces being undone with his free hand. She was aware that she was kicking and hitting him weakly, unable to summon any strength with the dizzying pain of her burn.
Then she was aware of something else.
A terrible angel of vengeance surged into the room on a wave of glorious anger, his face glowing white hot with fury. With a toss of his hand, the angel slammed Dorian across the room and slammed him against the wall. Repeatedly. He was yelling something, but Helaine couldn't listen. She blacked out before her head hit the floor.
Score saw Helaine tip over, and left off knocking Dorian - if that was indeed who it was - against the wall. He scrambled over the bed to kneel by her side. The instant Shanara found her in the scrying pool, Score had opened the Portal and dashed through, forgetting everything in his mad rush to save her. The sight of the pestilent, rotting....thing....and Helaine, helpless, infuriated him even more.
Score pushed the thoughts out of his mind and focused on the inert Helaine. She didn't seem likely to awaken soon. He lifted her like a baby, her limbs and head dangling awkwardly. One of Shanara's furs landed on top of the girl. Score looked up and saw Pixel. In his rage, he'd completely forgotten his friend was even there. He tried to catch the other boy's eye, but failed. Pixel was as intent on Helaine as he was.
"What should we do about him?" Pixel asked, gesturing with his head to the fallen form of Dorian. Score spat on the floor bitterly.
"Damn him, kill him, I don't care." Score reopened the Portal to Rawn. Pixel gave one last look at the bastard, and cast a magical tag on the wizard. He would show up on their map back home now, whenever Pixel called his name. Justice would come to him someday.
The first thing Helaine noticed was a pressure on her left arm. Without opening her eyes, she knew she lay in her bed on Dondar. The smell and feel of the familiar sheets calmed her. She wiggled her toes a little bit. It was as though she was waking from a long nightmare, and, in a way, she supposed she was. Finally, she cracked an eye open. Score's dozing head was nestled on the pillow next to her, his hand resting on her upper arm. Confused, Helaine opened the other eye and saw that he was sitting in a chair next to her bed. Pixel was at the other end of the room, also sleeping. Helaine turned her head and saw her right hand bundled in bandages. It throbbed.
Score moved next to her, and Helaine turned to look at him. He yawned, opened his eyes, and surveyed her face tiredly from his vantage point of an inch away before realizing where he was. He sat up suddenly, and Helaine watched his movements with interest.
"Sorry," he apologized. "I must have fallen asleep." He scratched his face, still unshaven.
"Yes."
It was quiet for awhile.
"Thank you." Helaine sighed and shut her eyes. Score ran his eyes over her face for a long time after she fell back asleep, wondering how he felt.
************
(ooh, extra stars this time...)
Okay, well, notes on this chapter: Don't hate me, please, but I'm actually kind of pleased with how this chapter turned out. It seems sort of fitting. I always thought 15 was an ominous number.
Helaine and Crow are going to have some words, soon, and there will probably be a span of a chapter where people resort themselves, but then I'm kicking them off their behinds and sending them off again.
Okay, Reader's Poll: In my original plans for the story, I had a girl for Pixel, but I cut her in draft two. I'm just trying to gague interest in this, because now I don't know if I want her or not. So, if you think Pixel's been a good boy and rather neglected (as he seems to be in most fanfics), then by all means, tell me. Normally, I'm very protective of my ideas and don't want anyone else to influence them, but on this point I'm pretty ambivalent, so, have at it.
Anyway, review with your opinion. As usual, all my grammatical errors I apologize for heartily.
And now, like I promised, in no particular order, many thanks:
Cami Drace: I *love* waffles.
Keaira: So much encouragement! And maybe one day I'll jot a few pages of Dragonhome, just to see what it tastes like.
ihire: Thanks again for remembering my birthday :)
kungfool: Dunno what happened to your story, but I miss it!
Dootzbugg: Oh, its ALL about the mushy...thanks for your support
Peter Kim: Wins the award for most verbal... and most "etc" in one review... i love all the suggestions, and the not so subtle reminders to hurry up though :)
Reese: I don't know if you read more, but I hope you liked it
ACK: Description is the spice in the soup of writing...and have always thought Score is an old softie at heart
Bookworm85: If you write, I will read!
Luna: I did write more! Great website by the way
*WHOOSH* Okay, got that all over with (not that I don't love you all) but now I can get back to my main business: writing (yay!)
So, don't expect so much length on the next author's notes or so...I don't particularly like doing it. Hopefully my story can stand on its own, without all this jibba jabba (hee hee).
AROO!
Chapter 1. Morning
Chapter 2. Changes
Chapter 3. Last Night
Chapter 4. White Monkey
Chapter 5. Searching
Chapter 6. Child
Chapter 7. One Candle
Chapter 8. Crow
Chapter 9. Dorian
Chapter 10. Ordin
Chapter 11. Votrins
Chapter 12. Gone
Chapter 13. Mother
Chapter 14. Mardren
Chapter 15. Scars
Chapter 16. Tears
Chapter 17. Mend
Chapter 18. Summons
Chapter 19. Council
