Lacking in Love
by DragonLass (© DragonLass, 2002)
Chapter Six :: Edvi Finally Gives In
" Edvi, you have to learn to be more people friendly."
" I am people friendly. Just not 'human girl with no courage' friendly." Edvi remarked.
" It took a lot of courage to stand up to you."
" What? Me? A gentle elf? You must be joking."
Prince Elar only sighed. Edvi could be so....sarcastic sometimes.
" Edvi, you know we have to make the best impression we can. She's the one!"
" WHAT?!!! That skinny little brat?! You must be out of your mind." Edvi murmured," I'm not protecting her back!"
" Nice to know. Same goes for me to yours."
The Prince and Edvi turned to see Jordyn. She was frowning. The Prince bowed.
" If I may, we didn't catch your name yesterday."
" My name is Jordyn. Not that it would mean much to HIM would it?"
" What's that supposed to mean?!" Edvi whirled around.
" Well, since you always like to refer to me in the third person, she, MY name wouldn't be much use to you would it?"
" Listen, JORDYN..."
" Ah. So you can talk like a normal human being..."
" Listen, HUMAN! I can talk whatever way I chose. But, never, NEVER compare me to humans!"
" What?! Your friend is human? Would you not wish to be compared to him?!"
" ...He's different..."
" Excuses..."
Jordyn took a breath and turned aside. She managed to lose her temper more times here than anywhere else. What was it about this....BOY....that sparked her fury?!
" No excuse. He's a Prince. And everyone knows the royalty is different from the peasantry," Edvi spat.
Jordyn buttoned her lip, but her eyes were aflame the rest of the day. So, he thought he was better? Well thinking it wouldn't make it true...
******
" Prince. Do you think it is wise that Edvi be named the girl's protector?" One of the eight knights murmured.
" I know, Sir Austin. I know, they're not exactly getting along right now. But, she fits the description of the kind of person we were supposed to be looking for."
" She may fit the description, but her protector certainly wants nothing to do with her," The knight sniffed through his moustache.
" Very true." The Prince looked up thoughtfully," But, perhaps they'll grow on each other."
" Aye, sir. Like choke weed on oaks. I reckon they could be friends...if they don't kill each other first."
" That's why mother sent you knights along with me." The Prince grinned.
******
Jordyn walked at the back of the group, Edvi near the front - as far from one another as possible. His slim ears which normally stood erect, seemed almost wilted in misery. He looked much the way a stag would, had its crown of antlers been unceremoniously plucked from its head. Finally, the Prince swerved next to his comrade, offering him a chunk of traveler's bread.
" Tell me, friend. Why so glum?"
" Nothing. Thoughts, mostly."
" Could someone, a Prince, pray tell, possibly shed some light on them?"
" No. Forgive me, majesty, but these thoughts are for myself alone."
" I see. Well, in that case, stow those thoughts for some other appropriate time. I must speak with you."
" About what?"
" The girl."
" What about her? Shall I give you an entire list of all the things she found disfavorable about me, and likewise a list of all that I found dislikeable about her?"
" No, no, no. That spat is between the two of you. I wished to speak with you about becoming her guardian."
" THIS AGAIN?" Edvi puffed," I will not have anything to do with that........ugh! There are no words fit to describe her!!!"
" Yes, that is true...words do fail to describe her. One minute she's cowering like a mouse, and the next she's snapping like a wild dog." The Prince looked up contemplatively.
" Wild dog is right. Rabid beyond any doubt." Edvi murmured.
" YOU seem to have the most profound affect on her Edvitalon. If I remember correctly, it was YOU she'd first shown such a fit of anger."
" So, I can make the dog bark and growl...how does that make me suitable?"
" She's not a dog...and, well, you are the only one besides myself that has gotten even a word edgewise out of her."
" And every piece of her word was in retort."
" Nevertheless, you and her have exchanged more words, than she and I."
" So, what? The hand that baits the dog, gets the dog?"
" She's not a dog, Edvi."
" Close enough."
" Come on, Edvi. She's had a rough time with men, that's obvious. Maybe, if you can get to know her a little better, you can...I don't know" He shrugged,"...smooth any ruffled feathers..."
" I BEG YOUR PARDON? Listen, your highness, as much as I admire you, that type of thinking isn't going to get me anywhere near her."
" You know what I meant, Edvitalon." The Prince murmured coldly," Talk to her. She's so jumpy around men. Maybe you can show her we're not all that bad..."
"...You know, I could take that entire statement the wrong way...but you're right. As much as I HATE her company, she....seems...to fit the description."
" So. Go on! Talk to her!"
" I will. All in good time. For now, I will continue to despise her..."
" Despise her if you will, though I dare say she is a nice girl. As long as she's alive, and you don't taunt her to her death, I suppose I must leave you to do what you must."
Chapter Seven :: Calamarais
Edvi was alone once again. How could the Prince even think she was the one?! She was weak! Didn't he see how she whimpered when the men came near? If she couldn't even handle a few men, how could she handle something so strong as Calamarais? He shook his head. He had a right to be skeptical. The last girl the Prince 'thought was the one' turned out to be attracted to his deep blue eyes and lied to get him to like her. The one before that was actually a street wench, and the one before that was a pickpocket. How did he managed to always find those type that were the scum of the universe...pickpockets, wenches, and now this little...peasant. The knights may have been easily fooled, but Edvi wasn't. The Prince didn't have the Sense. He was just picking the most possible people, and frankly the 'guess and check' approach wasn't working.
Edvi watched Prince Elar, chatting with Jordyn. One thing was for sure. If the Prince did not find the Calamarais soon, things would be disasterous. And the only way to find the Calamarais was to Sense it.
******
" What did that ogre mean when he asked me if I was the one?"
" ...I don't know."
Prince Elar looked shaken. Jordyn didn't push the subject. Instead, she chose to stare at the hairy ugly looking spider that sat in the branches of a tree...wait a minute...there were no spiders that lived in trees...
" Troll..." Jordyn looked around.
It looked to be asleep. Perhaps if she didn't say a word, they could go past unnoticed. She tried to act calm, all the while nervously hoping that the troll was a light sleeper. Suddenly, Edvi noticed her apprehension.
" What's the matter with you? See a worm?"
" If worms can look like hairy trolls," She hissed.
Edvi whipped his head about, throwing the bark-brown bangs away from his face. He pulled out a sword, which Jordyn could have sworn wasn't at his side before. His tunic whispered gently as he circled their area.
" Maybe if we're quiet, we can just pass it without an incident." Jordyn whispered.
" Not trolls. Ogres, maybe...but trolls can smell us..."
His eyes narrowed, and he carefully sheathed his sword.
" What are you doing?" Jordyn hissed.
" You said maybe if we could pass it without incident...is it asleep?"
" Yes."
" Good, point it out, and I'll shoot it down."
Jordyn motioned at the treetops where she'd seen the hair. It was gone.
" It's gone!"
" Oh, great. It's awake..."
Suddenly they heard grunting behind them. All the knights turned, and found themselves staring at a drooling troll. It was just as ugly as any ogre, but it's nose was oversized, and hanging like a piece of dead meat from its face. It growled (trolls are incapable of human speech, which is how you tell them from ogres...at least in my story they are), and lumbered at Jordyn.
" Move, Jordyn!" Prince Elar yelled," It can smell your fear!"
But, Jordyn stayed where she was, paralyzed. It crept towards her as smooth as a cat, and hissed. She shuddered as its warm breath coursed up her neck.
" Oh, my..." It reached out and stroked a lock of her hair, than ran a claw down the side of her neck, leaving a nice red line. Suddenly, as it sat hypnotized by her hair, it screeched in surprise as an arrow buried in its neck. She scrambled away, something she'd grown quite good at.
" Well, at least you're not SO dense." Edvi murmured still holding his bow up.
" It's my best quality, running away." She murmured sarcastically.
" Yes, I've noticed."
He notched another arrow as the troll got up. Suddenly, the knights came to the rescue. Within seconds the troll was tied to the tree it had slept in, harming the creature was not something the group wanted. The Prince reached out to Jordyn's scratch, but she flinched and pulled away.
" Jordyn, you should have that cared for."
" It's okay."
" It will scar."
" I don't care."
******
It was silence after that, walking along the roads. Finally, Jordyn worked up the nerve to ask.
" Where are we going?"
Prince Elar remained silent, so one of the knights volunteered his answer.
" We're going to the castle to meet with the Prince's parents, King Charmont and Queen Eleanor. But, that will take awhile, since we're on patrol."
" Right." Jordyn remembered the Prince mentioning them before.
" I don't mean to pry," The knight returned," But, you seem so skittish around all of us. Why is that?"
Jordyn's face went pale.
" Oh, look! A town!"
She pointed, and before anyone could broach the subject of men further, she ran towards the town. The knight ran to catch up, but the Prince caught the knight's shoulder.
" Do not push the subject of her past on her."
The knight nodded, and followed the rest of the men into town.
******
" I'm bushed! Let's all have a drink, shall we?"
The knight motioned to the door. Jordyn hesitated. The Prince motioned for her to follow. As she moved towards the door, Edvi spoke.
" Do I detect worry?"
" Who's worried?" She laughed, but it came out shaky.
******
Edvi knew this bar was a mistake the moment they stepped in. The thick smell of drunken breath hung in the air, and ruffians were packed in tighter than a foot in shoes too small. He kept his eyes narrowed, and one hand on the hilt of his sword. The wind from the closing door swept his bangs forward, and in that time, the playboys struck. As the Prince moved up a set of stairs, someone moved in next to Jordyn. A hand clasped her shoulder.
" Well. Looks like the lamb's lost 'er way."
Jordyn raised one eyebrow, pulling out from his grasp.
" Don't be afraid, lass," He ran a hand along her back," I won't 'urt ya. Not yet anyway."
Jordyn moved aside, feeling her anxiety grow.
" 'ey, girlie. You've got shape. Come 'ere and let me 'ave a look at ya."
" Leave me alone."
The boy grinned, and she shrank as his eyes glittered greedily.
" There's a little backside room upstairs, that I think will work perfectly..."
" Go away! Creep!" In desperation, she lashed out, smacking his hand away from the shoulder of her shirt, and leaving a red print on his face. His look of greedy lust changed to one of shock, then anger. His large hand snaked out and grabbed her wrist.
" Girlie.." He growled," His entire complexion red," NOBODY touches this face of mine. NOBODY!!!!!"
One minute she struggled against his strong hands, the next moment she found herself yanked free, and another pair of hands, slimmer, holding her away from the boy from before. She looked up in a daze.
" What do you want, elf?!"
Edvi's jaw was clenched, as he held Jordyn behind him with one hand, and held the hilt of his sword with the other.
" That's right. I am an elf."
Suddenly, his sword arm swung out, the edge of his blade nicking a line across the boy's front shirt. It hung open, where the thick frame of his chest shone through like a new moon. Edvi looked comparably slimmer, but it was hard not to see that he was much more in shape than the other boy.
" I'm warning you. I didn't have to miss. But, if you don't believe me, I can promise to make you an example." Edvi snarled.
The boy watched Jordyn for a moment, then left, shoving Jordyn on his way out. Jordyn watched as he slammed the door behind him, then collapsed into a chair. Edvi took a chair across from her, glancing around. All other eyes swiveled away hastily.
" Are you alright?"
" Y-yeah." She swished a curl of away from her eyes," Yeah, I'm fine, fine..."
Edvi watched her silently, as she fretted with a corner of her sleeve, which suddenly seemed to grow rather interesting.
" I'm going to see if the Prince is having any troubles. You have any problems," He narrowed his eyes and glared about the room," Don't hesitate to give me a holler."
He turned to leave, then...
" Oh, and one more thing. Just because I'm keeping an eye on your back, doesn't mean I'm convinced of anything the Prince has said. I still can't comprehend what he sees in you, but since he's my Prince, I have to do what he says."
" Oh, well, thank you." She murmured sarcastically," And here I thought I was being an inconvenience."
" You are." He said bluntly.
She sighed as he left, and glanced around nervously as the vultures began to circle once again.
******
" Prince Elar?" Edvi knocked gently on the door.
" Enter."
Edvi carefully walked in. The Prince was writing a letter. Edvi leaned on the wall nearby.
" What was all that ruckus downstairs?"
" Hooker tried to sink his claws into your so-called 'holder'."
" JORDYN? Is she alright?" Elar stood up.
" She's fine."
" Good. I see you've already begun to take up your duties as protector."
" Please. I only saved her because you have some use for her. She's of no importance to me." He gestured fervently as the Prince gave him a disgusted sigh," What?! You said 'Despise her all you want, as long as you don't hate her to death.' What?"
Prince Elar shook his head. Part of him pitied Edvi, and yet another part was...relieved...perhaps, since Edvi didn't want to get any closer to Jordyn, he could.
" Prince Elar? Elar? You look a little dazed. Should I call for a carriage?"
Prince Elar looked up at Edvi's concerned face.
" No, Edvi. I'm alright. I'm fine. Don't worry about me."
Edvi hesitated.
" I'm fine, Edvitalon. Really."
Edvi knew better. He hadn't been guardian to his highness for four years for nothing.
" Elar, don't jest. What is the matter?"
The Prince shook his head, but Edvi could see from his face, that it had something to do with...
" You can't be serious..." Edvi murmured.
" About what?"
" YOU LIKE HER!!"
" Well..."
" Highness, I have nothing against your liking in general...but...HER!"
" What's the matter, Edvitalon. Do I detect jealousy?"
" Now listen here, YOUR HIGHNESS. I told you before, and I'll tell you again...I WILL NOT FALL FOR SOME...HALF-BAKED EXCUSE FOR A HUMAN! Bachelorhood will crown me it's King!"
" That half-baked excuse for a human is also the half-baked excuse that's going to be the key to saving THIS KINGDOM!" Prince Elar retorted.
" I don't see how."
" Edvi," The Prince exasperated," Listen to me. You will treat her like a Princess, until I say otherwise. Do I make myself clear?"
" Crystal."
" Good. You're dismissed."
Edvi stormed out of the room, and Prince Elar smirked. Forget about himself. This combination would be much more interesting...besides, playing the matchmaker, would take his mind off of his current problems.
" I will see you eat your own words, Edvitalon."
******
Jordyn drank her glass slowly, forever aware of the eyes running up and down her body, pausing there, pausing here...it was making her feel very much like a freak show exhibit. Little did she know those eyes were thinking otherwise. Suddenly, she felt all eyes swerve away. Edvi pulled a chair out with a mad BAM! and sat down with a harder clunk. Jordyn sighed. Considering he was an elf, he certainly had quite the temper.
" Ridiculous..." Edvi murmured.
Jordyn shrank back to her drink, trying to make herself as inconspicuous as she could. She'd seen him fight, and as much as he was supposed to be friend of the Prince...
" What are you looking at?" Edvi snapped.
At first Jordyn thought he was addressing her, but his eyes were looking past her at a man, fat, ugly, and looked like a dog with a steak set in front of him.
" Listen, you," Edvi murmured," Whatever merchandise you've got your eyes on, it's not for sale. And IF you say otherwise, I'll bargain a few of your fingers..."
The man only continued to stare at Jordyn. Edvi's fist's clenched.
" Listen, man..."
" I've never had a faerie parasite before...this night could be interesting..."
Suddenly, the man growled. Huge fangs dripped with saliva, and ears lengthened...
" Yes, lass, you are very interesting...let me help you with that..."
He bared his fangs and dug them into the side of her arm. Jordyn shrieked and bit her lip to keep from screaming herself insane, kicking the man in the shin.
" Why does this have to happen to me?" She thought.
His eyes only glowed, as he murmured through a mouthful of her blood. Edvi took out his sword, but did not slash, the twosome whirled around so much.
" I wouldn't mind hitting her, if it weren't for Prince Elar's stupid attraction to her." He reasoned.
The man continued to bite at her shoulder, and she gripped his hands, trying to pry them off her arm, but he only spoke.
" Trust me, girlie. What you have on you is something you don't want. Let me rid you of it, to make your life a little...pleasanter..."
She screamed louder this time, and pushed him backward, right over a table. Other customers moved out of the way as they toppled right over the top, and Edvi found his opening. With a quick slash of the blade, Jordyn was free, while the man lay gasping.
" Boy," He croaked," You've no idea the mistake you've just made. The cost of the kingdom will be on your shoulders. Calamarais lives!"
With another gasp, he died, Jordyn pushing his corpse away. Edvi looked at his sword, and the blood splattered hither and thither. He walked quietly outside, with Jordyn at his tail. She looked at him, the way his face seemed to grow paler, almost haunted by the words the man had spoken. She on the other hand had made no sense of it.
" Are we alone?" He said, without turning around.
" Y-yeah..."
" Good."
" Oh!"
With a step forward, Edvi collapsed to the ground.
Chapter Eight :: Edvi Revealed
" Uh..."
Edvi opened his eyes, looking up. The sky was dark. What happened? Oh, yeah. He'd passed out. Edvi looked around for a moment, and cursed. How was he supposed to find his way out of this dark corridor? Knowing Jordyn she probably ran like a frightened...
" You're awake."
Edvi whirled around, pulling his sword and swinging it, stopping right as it touched the soft flesh of someone's neck. He pulled it back as he recognized Jordyn's face in a moonlit patch.
" I tried to get you up, but you were unconscious."
" Why didn't you go and find the Prince?"
" I didn't want to leave you here."
" I'm much obliged. But, who's going to find us?"
" Well, I figured, I could leave by myself and find help, but that would be unlikely, since I can't defend myself and my shoulder's aching."
Edvi caught a flash of blood drenched tunic, and nodded.
" True."
" I figured, I'd be safer if I waited here with you, even if you don't like me, and only defend me because it's your duty."
Edvi winced. Jordyn continued.
" I'll just leave you to your thoughts, then. I don't want to be a burden."
" ...Where are you going?"
Jordyn stopped. Edvi got up, sweeping himself off.
" Are you trying to make me lose my position? You said so yourself, I have a duty to protect you. And I'm going to hold to that. Unless, of course, you WANT to leave, in which case I won't stop you."
Jordyn grinned. He still won't admit he isn't annoyed by me, she thought.
" Come then, Lady Fraidy."
" Lady Fraidy?"
" Suits you quite nicely." He grinned as she glared. At least they were back to normal, none of this self-piteous, 'me-oh-my woe is me, I'm lost'.
" Fine then, Sir Faint-a-lot, be that way."
Surprisingly, he laughed.
" Point taken. Come then, Lady, lead the way. The Prince is probably sick with worry."
******
When Elar saw Edvi come in, he immediately rushed to him.
" Edvi! Where's Jordyn?"
" Nice to see you too." Edvi motioned for Jordyn.
" Jordyn, are you alright?!"
He tried to inspect her wound, but she pulled aside. Prince Elar grinned to himself, then put on a false frown.
" Well, Jordyn, as much as I'm sure you would like to add to your collection of scars, you should get that looked at. Unfortunately," He found it nearly in impossible to keep a straight face as he clapped his hands together briskly," I've still got my letter to write. Mother will worry. Edvi, why don't you take care of it?"
Edvi started.
" Me? Why me?"
" It's not in MY duties as a Prince." He said innocently.
" So you push them on me?"
" Yes."
" Fine. Fine. The Prince ORDERS me to do so, so I shall."
" I'm not ordering you, Edvi." The Prince said with mock seriousness," It's just a STRONG suggestion."
Edvi glared at the Prince's retreating back, then turned to Jordyn with a sigh.
" Well, at least there's one step I don't need to take."
" What's that, pray tell?"
" You've already managed to rip your sleeve off on our short stroll."
She glared mockingly at him, as he sat down quietly and began to clean her wound with a scrap of cloth, dipping it in water. She kept herself from wincing by staring off in another direction. Finally she spoke.
" You know. For a guardian, you seem so...at ease with the Prince..."
" Oh?"
" It's like you're equals..."
" And what makes you think we're not?"
Jordyn whirled around, nearly throwing the bowl of water off her lap. He caught it deftly, with a look of displeasure.
" I suppose," Edvi snapped," It's because of my Guardianship. That's what most people assume when they see me. I serve a Prince, therefore I'm lower than he is."
Jordyn didn't speak.
" That's the problem, with you humans. Everything is automatically lower in your perspective. You see someone serving someone else, they're automatically lower in rank."
" That's because, most of the time, that's what it is." Jordyn murmured, thinking more of herself than of Edvitalon.
" Well, not in this case," Edvi murmured," No."
They were silent for awhile. Edvi finally looked up, after he'd swirled the water in the bowl for awhile.
" How many siblings do you have?"
" One," She murmured.
" The Prince has none."
" And you?"
" I..." He got up, putting the bowl on the lightstand near the door," Have 14."
" Fourteen?!"
" Nine brothers, all older than me," He continued," two younger sisters, two younger brothers. I'm the tenth in line for a throne that I will never see."
" Fourteen." She murmured again, shivering involuntarily. Imagine that...having fourteen copies of her sister...
" Truth be told, your reaction proves exactly why this guardianship is above me." He murmured. Mistaking her reaction for disgust at his sudden proclamation. " Being tenth, I have no inheritance, but that of my title."
" But, I thought elves shared their inheritance equally."
" That's what most elves do. But, not MY father. No. He likes the HUMAN way. He wants the oldest to have the riches and the possessions..." Edvi mused.
" ...Such trifles are not worth your time...are they?"
He seemed to contemplate this for awhile, then took up the cloth again briskly.
" No. No, I care not for such silly things as medallions and chains. I would sooner die than don such ridiculous finery......and yet...I find it impossible to believe, that one person, could ever need so much..." He stared off into space, obviously not sulking over the treasure.
Jordyn looked down for awhile. She felt a bit foolish, judging his reasons for disliking her before she'd even known...No wonder he hated humans so much.
" ...so much...for just one person..." He definitely wasn't alluding to the riches. He dazed a little bit longer, than got up and wrung out the towel," Forgive me. I digress. I'll have the maid set up a bath downstairs, and have her call you when it's ready. I need to have a brief conversation with His Highness. In the meantime, you should change out of those rags you call clothes...not fit for a horse...wouldn't fit a horse, come to think of it..."
Jordyn sighed in disgust, and slammed the door, hearing a bark of laughter from outside. Sometimes, he just had to push her!
******
Prince Elar looked up surreptitiously as Edvi came down the stairs, whistling a tune. He practically pounced on his friend.
" Well, how did it go?"
" Well, it looks clean enough, and I think we caught it in time so that it won't swell..."
" Not, the wound, you insufferable...OH! Nevermind."
" Since we have a moment, your highness, I feel we need to speak about an urgent matter."
" What is it?"
Edvi motioned Prince Elar to the corner.
" Your highness, we have a bit of a situation here. I believe, that I owe you an apology...She is the one..."
Prince Elar practically fainted in horror.
" She is? I mean, I had a sneaking suspicion, but as you may have noticed, the last three..."
" Forgive me for ever doubting you.."
" Yes, yes, of course," The Prince waved him off,"...But, tell me, how did you come about this...conclusion?"
Edvi went into a short explanation about the man and his warning. Prince Elar went pale.
" So...We've found Calamarais." He whispered.
" From what I can tell, Calamarais is dormant. I don't believe he's made contact with his host as of yet, nor has he woken to feed. But, when he does..."
" Is there anyway...we can free the host without harming her?"
" Calamarais is sleeping, but I don't trust any kind of existing magic to be subtle enough. He may just awaken from feeling the touch of a spell."
The Prince walked around the table, then pounded a chair leg in rage.
" Why did he choose her? The prophecy said, he would choose a girl..."
" With a dark past..." Edvi finished.
" She doesn't seem to be one with a dark past, though her edginess towards the opposite sex may be a clue.."
" Perhaps..."
" Should we inquire?"
"...No. No. Not yet. First, we must make a side-trip to the Desertland."
" What?! But, there's only sand, and mountains there."
" Yes. But, there's also the temple of Grrega."
Edvi shot up in his chair.
" Grrega? You must be joking. She'll kill the girl!"
" We have no choice." Elar hissed, motioning him back down," We must take the risk!"
" But, GRREGA?! I think our chances with Calamarais alone would be less risk."
" Edvi. Grrega is the greatest sorceress of all..."
" SHE'S A..."
" SSSHHHH!"
Elar put a hand up to shush Edvi as eyes turned around to glare. He motioned silently for them to leave. As they walked back up the stairs, Elar whispered at Edvi's back.
" Edvitalon. From now on, keep a close watch on Jordyn. Closer than you have been doing. We need to get to Grrega's temple in one piece."
******
" 'ere you are dearie, nice warm bath wata for ya sores."
" Thank you."
Jordyn sank into the wooden basin, wincing as hot water swirled around her shoulder. Her ragged tunic and pants had been taken away. She looked at the soap, but grimaced. Lye. She may have been a peasant, but even that wasn't fit for her skin. She sufficed with scrubbing hard with nails, and dunking several times, coming up gasping in the chilly air. On her fourth or fifth down, a maid came in carrying a pile of clothing. Jordyn looked at it and nearly swallowed the water she sat neck high in. A dress? For her?
" There must be some mistake. I can't wear that."
" What? Too ugly for 'ou?" The maid arched an eyebrow.
" No, no! It's lovely. Too lovely..."
" Oh. I see. You're not used to livin' it up, are 'ou?"
Jordyn decided to change the subject, uncomfortable with the victorious look on that maid's face.
" If you'll pardon my asking, where are we?"
" Why, every'un knows that. We're in North Kyrria, right up next to the border. There's a desert to the west somewhere, and Arelia is over to the east side. The fens are a little more to the south 'n...*A/N: I'm making this all up as I go, I don't remember much of what was what...so you'll have to excuse me..*"
" I see."
The maid nodded, and as she turned the corner, Jordyn heard a few slips of gossip pass between her and another person, another maid perhaps.
" She's the scrawniest thing I ever saw!! No shape whatsoev'a! Could'a been a sparrow, she's so flat!"
" I don't know what the Prince sees in her..."
" Or that elf..he looks promising...think he'll want a little company tonight?"
Two voices burst out into hysterical giggles, then faded as they chattered towards the main kitchen. Jordyn murmured in the dim light, drying her hair. Flat? She sighed, and when she'd finished with her hair, she found that under the dirt of the road, and several years of mistreatment, it had actually been a light golden blond. Straight, which served her purposes, it fell to about her arms, the edge short and ragged. Upon dressing herself she looked down, and was satisfied to see that she filled it just fine. It was a relatively modest dress, thank goodness, of a strong off white, and made of a thick but supple wool. She gave a twirl, feeling it rustle softly against her. She'd never been allowed to wear anything so nice. A short red tunic went over the top of that, off-setting the white, and making her outfit altogether more casual. After adjusting the sleeves, she slipped on the soft boots that went with it and as she walked out, saw her own reflection in the mirror. What she saw was a slim girl, with fairly pale skin from all the time she'd been stuck indoors. Everything about her was petite, and delicate like a doll made of glass. She wasn't exactly as robust as those maids were, but what difference would that make? With that thought to reassure her, she blew out the candle in the bathing room and padded softly outside.
Her hair tied back loosely, she yawned, and stretching her arms walked towards the stairs that led to the room to their quarters. Oblivious to the many glances that the occupants of the inn snuck at her, she pondered her way up the stairs. As she reached the top, Jordyn heard hysterical giggles, and saw the maid from before come running out of the Prince's room...what was she doing in there? The door slammed behind her, and furious muffled words came from behind the door. For one moment, Jordyn suppressed the urge to check on the Prince, but curiosity got the better of her, so she calmly knocked on the door. There was some frantic murmuring and suddenly someone banged on the door frame.
" HE'S NOT INTERESTED!! GO AWAY WENCH!" Edvi's voice rang sharply.
" Oh, so I'm a wench now? You really know how to make a girl feel special."
Frantic footsteps scrambled towards her, and the door immediately flew open, with Prince Elar's apologetic expression at it's mouth.
" Jordyn! I'm sorry, Edvi didn't mean to..."
" I'm sure he most certainly did. And you should be glad of it too. Couple of barmaids aren't worth your time." Jordyn retorted, more to herself than to the Prince.
" Thank you." Edvi motioned to Jordyn, almost as if toasting her remark.
" You look lovely, Jordyn!" The Prince said abruptly," Doesn't she look just the angel, Edvi?"
" I see you've ditched the horse clothes." The elf murmured.
Jordyn sighed, and turned to leave.
"...This suits you very nicely." Edvi added as he stretched.
Jordyn swiveled around, but Edvi had already put himself up to the task of getting his clothes ready for a bath.
******
" That was embarassing." Elar sighed as he shut the door.
" It was a perfectly honest mistake."
" Honest, maybe, but definitely not one we're going to forget that easily."
" We? If I recall correctly, ELAR, it was you that told me 'They're back! Quick make them go away, Edvi.' It's no fault of mine.."
" You know, Edvi, I don't know why you insist on being called by that ridiculous name."
" Because it IS my name."
" Well, as elvish as it sounds, Edvitalon, I think there's a better way to break your name down. What about Vital? Or Talon?"
" I like my name just the way it is..."
" I can just see it...Edvi the Conqueror. What a lovely title."
" You mean what a lovely title it would have made..."
" Now Edvi, don't start getting pessimistic with me."
" And don't start nagging me like an old housewife..."
" What's gotten into you?"
" Nothing. The fact that I've just been reminded of the worst days of my life..."
" Edvi, why in the world did you bring up your story if you knew it would cause yourself grief?"
" I don't know. It just seemed to pop up unexpectedly while I was talking to the girl."
" Strange. You've never told that story to anyone, but me. Why tell her, if you dislike her so much?"
" I guess in some way I wanted her pity...and I wanted to get her off my back...I thought that if she saw I wasn't rich, she'd leave me alone..."
" I'm afraid," Prince Elar laughed," That you'll find she's not like other girls."
" And HOW would you know that?"
" Well, I talk to her."
" Really. In that case, I will find some other way to deter her."
" WHY are you so absolutely set on pushing away every girl that comes your way??"
" Correction. Every human girl..."
" You're just as bad as she is when it comes to men, you know that?"
" She's AFRAID of every man she meets. I'm not afraid of her. And I'm not pushing them away. I'm just trying to see what their true feelings towards me are. Personalities tend to about-face when there's money involved."
" Edvi. She's not that way. Get to know her a little."
" I will not get to know her a little..."
" Edvi..."
" I WILL NOT BE LIKE MY FATHER!" He cried out fiercely," I WILL NOT BE TAINTED BY HUMAN 'MORALS'. I WILL MARRY INTO PURE ELVEN BLOOD, I WILL MARRY THE TRADITIONAL ELVEN WAY! Nothing will ever change that..."
Chapter Nine :: A Flower's Power
Well, since Edvi seemed to be purposely trying to avoid Jordyn, it looked like it was his job, Elar, as Royal Friend, to fix Edvi. And he had just the person: if Edvi didn't like human girls, than an elf one should please him beyond compare. Or drive him away from women altogether.
" Edvitalon. I'd like you to meet someone. This is our guide into the desertland."
Edvi looked up. Where had Elar managed to pick this over-ripe tomato? Her make-up didn't hide the fact that she was past her prime...oh, no. Wait. He was motioning to someone behind that woman. Edvi twisted to see, and felt his heart stop a beat...oh no...Gwenalene.
Edvitalon gawked stupidly. Jordyn frowned. This new girl was pretty...very pretty...and AN ELF!
" Hello, Edvi! Long time no see."
Much to everyone's surprise, she threw her arms around his neck, and gazed up at him adoringly. Elar put a hand to his mouth, covering a smile that cracked.
" Well, Edvi...I see you know the lady...strange, she seems quite different from the ladies you describe..."
Gwenalene grinned a sunbeam. Her long white-blond hair fell straight, and her deep blue eyes were wide and innocent.
" That's because Edvi's such a stiff!! He's the grouchiest elf in the entire kingdom!"
Edvi's ears drooped. Jordyn frowned deeper. He was never ashamed when SHE nagged him. He just laughed and...whoa! What did she care if they'd a new companion? All the better that Edvi should suffer...he'd been so mean lately...
" You know, Edvi, your hair's gotten softer than before! Look how soft his hair is!"
Gwenalene yanked a strand out, causing Edvi to twist about, dumping her on the floor...very un-elf-like of him. She only sat inspecting the hair, then grinned.
" It's the sun Edvi! It's softened your hair! I remember when your hair used to be as spiny as stag horn nettle!"
Edvi only grumbled beneath his breath, throwing venomous looks at Elar, who tried his best to look the complete innocent. Well, either this would bring Edvi and Jordyn closer, or push them further apart. Either way, Elar didn't care. If he could win Jordyn's heart, then he'd rejoice to high heaven. But, if he could get his friend to win her heart...ogres and trolls were nothing compared to this. Meanwhile, Gwenalene babbled on.
" Excuse me," Prince Elar murmured," Is it alright if we just call you Gwen?"
" Oh, sure! That's what everyone, BUT Edvi, used to call me. He had to call me GWENALENE."
******
Jordyn lay in her bed that night, feeling somewhat bewildered. She wasn't fond of Edvi...and yet, when she saw him there with Gwen...she found herself feeling jealous...that was silly...what was there to be jealous of?
" Yes," She murmured," I don't like him..."
But, even as she said this, she remembered how her heart had nearly stopped when Gwenalene threw her arms around Edvi's neck, and how it seemed to sigh in relief, as Edvi dumped her to the floor.
******
They set out the next morning for the Desertland, picking up some supplies along the way. Edvi, Elar noticed smugly, was keeping as far from Gwenalene as possible. And that, his smirk grew wider, was closer to Jordyn then either of them realized. Jordyn was busy looking all around her, enjoying the sights and smells, and keeping a good healthy distance from the other knights. She still couldn't stand beside them without her heart leaping clear of her chest in anxious spasms of fear.
Suddenly, she became aware of a shoulder beside her. Edvi? Why hadn't she noticed before?
" Lovely morning?"
" For you, maybe. I think it's horrid." He murmured, keeping one eye on Gwenalene.
" Oh."
They were silent some more, Jordyn feeling her arm prickle with goosebumps. The dress swirled around her feet, and she stepped carefully over sharp rocks. Meanwhile, Elar debated whether or not to talk to her. If he got anywhere near Edvi, he'd probably end up having his head bitten off. No. Better stand clear.
Suddenly, Sir Austin stopped. Jordyn looked around all the tall shoulders, and found herself looking at a barren wasteland. Mounds of sand could be seen, and in the distance, barely a speck on the horizon, the temple of Grrega stood. That's where Prince Elar said they were going.
" Here we are. There's the temple out in the distance."
" WE'RE GOING OUT THERE?!!!" Gwen shrieked.
Elar blinked.
" I thought you said you knew the desert like the back of your hand.
Gwen looked up, a guilty expression on her face.
" Uhm...I lied."
Edvi shook his head disapprovingly. Jordyn meanwhile was looking at a very interesting little blossom. It was white, and had a slight bowl like look to it. As she peered closer, she saw the petals open up, and what she saw horrified her.
" AAAAAAAAAH!!!!!" She backed away from it in terror.
" Jordyn!" Elar pulled the sword that was at his side.
Edvi took this moment to draw his sword as well, looking at the flower from where Elar and he stood.
" What?"
Nothing. The stamens of the flower were a dark purple, while the petals simple continued to unroll as the afternoon heat swept in.
" What?" Edvi turned around to look at Jordyn.
She was trembling in terror, not even the knights could phase her from her dazed fear. Gwen looked at her with some puzzlement, then snapped a finger in front of her face.
" Wow, she's really out. What happened."
Elar's heart was pounding, as he watched Jordyn's eyes wide, and yet distant.
" Come on, Jordyn. Wake up. Faint. Do something." He murmured.
Chapter Ten :: Fate Rolls the Dice
Well, the votes seem one-sided, don't they? Elar + Jordyn. Well, we'll see. I'm still debating.
Either way, one of them is going to get someone else, and the extra someone will be joining soon enough. Gwenalene was a distraction, but this new girl, she'll take the cake..
****
It seemed nearly eternity before Jordyn even acknowledged their presence. She blinked suddenly, and her first reaction was to put herself as far away from knights, Princes, and elf men, as she could. Prince Elar moved slowly towards Jordyn. She didn't move when he crept closer, but her shoulders stiffened slightly as he sat beside her.
" What happened, Jordyn?"
" ..."
" Jordyn...you probably don't understand why I'm prying, but it's very important that you tell me what you saw. It could help me to solve...some mysteries."
Jordyn bit her lip, but remained silent. The Prince leaned back casually on his elbows, the nobleman's doublet he wore rustling against the little tuffs of grass. His sword clanked a little, and he brought his hand up to push back some of his hair that had gone astray. It was straight, like his mothers, but a tawny blond brown, like his father's.
" Listen, Jordyn, I'm trying to understand what I've done to you, that has you so afraid of me...it's-"
" I don't know."
"..."
" It's strange...personally, I have nothing against you or the others. But, there's a small part of me, that's afraid, and it pushes that fear out, so that it seems like my own...but, it's not..."
Jordyn laughed.
" Sounds like I'm crazy.."
" No. You're not crazy. Confused. Not crazy."
Jordyn gave him a grateful smile. He looked at her imploringly.
" Tell me what you saw."
" I don't understand it myself..."
" That flower," Elar turned," Grows only on the line between the desert and Kyrria. Every so often, it will open, and the rumors are, that the flower will show something that will symbolize the future journey. It only does so under certain mysterious conditions...what did you see?"
Jordyn paused for awhile, then slowly whispered.
" Death...I saw a Head of Death..."
Prince Elar put a hand on her shoulder. She didn't flinch, she didn't budge.
" Who?" He whispered, though he already knew the answer.
" You."
******
" You can't seriously believe in that legend!" Gwenalene stammered.
" Silence! He was not addressing you!" Edvi retorted harshly.
Gwenalene stood off to one side, muttering. The Prince was busy examining the hilt of his sword.
" Jordyn saw a Head of Death in that flower. She wouldn't lie to me."
" And you mean to tell me she saw YOUR head there?"
" The Head of Death only appears when you or someone you know is going to die. It usually resembles the victim." Elar murmured.
" I KNOW THE LEGEND. But, are you sure she didn't just...imagine it was yours? Perhaps, in her fear, she exchanged your face with the real one she saw."
" No. She was very clear."
" Are there any other interpretations?" Edvi murmured desperately.
" There is one rare interpretation...and that is that I am not a victim, but a murderer." Elar looked up defiantly, his copper brown eyes flashing dangerously," But, that will never come to pass, as I would sooner kill myself then murder anyone. So, the only other explanation, I will die sometime in the future."
Edvi was silent for some time. The Prince, dies in the future?
" Destiny had to make this difficult for us, didn't it?" Edvi sighed.
Prince Elar grinned confidently.
" Well, Edvitalon, that's the risk of questing, isn't it?"
" I suppose."
" We still need to get to the Sorceress Grrega's house. She may be able to answer a few of our questions."
" I still don't think that's such a good idea. I mean, after all, she is a..."
" SSH!"
Prince Elar made a frantic gesture for Edvitalon to be quiet.
" What IS it with you? I was just going to say that she's a..."
" SSH!"
Edvitalon sighed. Why must humans be soo...timid? So, Grrega was a 'well-known' figure? So what? She couldn't help it if she was a...
" SSH!" Elar motioned again.
" I didn't say anything."
" You were thinking it."
" How would you know?"
" Because I know you well enough."
Edvitalon sighed. This was going to be one very bad trip. Grrega wasn't known as the....
" SSSHHH!!!"