Fan Fiction / Record Of Lodoss War Fan Fiction ❯ A Kind of Passion ❯ Chapter 5 ( Chapter 5 )

Authors notes: This is the final chapter. Hope you like it.

The sun was sinking under the horizon and the first chill night winds brushed against sweat and semen covered chests causing both to shiver. With a content sigh Ashram stood up and went to the little stream. He stepped in and removed the evidence of their passion thoroughly. Looking back over his shoulder he observed Parn still lying one the flat rock.

"Come on, you can't stay like this."

A muffled growl was the only answer Ashram got. Shaking his head he went back, grabbed one of Parn's wrist and hauled him up. He practically had to drag the limp body into the water for the boy's legs wobbled with every step. Parn hissed through clenched teeth when the cold water reached his lower back wrinkling his nose at the pain. Mumbling insults he washed himself just scarcely and went back immediately. Meanwhile Ashram had started to put on his clothes.

"I'll try to find some firewood. It's going to be cold during nights. How is your ankle?"

His voice was impassive as usual, only his eyes showed a glimpse of uncertainty. Parn tried to stand on his injured foot but failed. Discouraged he shook his head and slowly walk to his now semi-dry clothe to get dressed. Ashram just lifted an eyebrow and left their resting-place.

It was already dark when he returned with an armful of dry branches. It didn't take long and a small fire was lit. Silent both sat down, somehow avoiding each others eyes. It was Parn who broke the silence.

"What are you going to do, now?"

Ashram looked up, his face the usual cold mask. His grey eyes starred through the boy in front of him, as if he wasn't there. After a while he shrugged.

"That's none of your business."

He went back to stare into the fire and remained silent. Parn rubbed the bridge of his nose confused and watched the Black Knight wondering. What had happened? Just an hour ago they had been closer than he had ever though of. He shivered at the memory of warm strong arms holding him, the feeling of safety he had while leaning against that broad chest and waves of pleasure the older man had been able to elicit in him. Had it been just a dream? He nearly jumped when a strong hand gently shook him. Ashram kneeled besides him and there was a small hint of a smile wrinkling those thin lips.

"It's late. You should sleep. I'll take the watch."

Parn nodded, suddenly aware of how tired he felt. He hardly stifled a yawn and lay down, shifting his body to find a comfortable position on the hard ground. Lulled by the faint crackles of the small fire he fell asleep immediately.

Leaning back against a rock Ashram lifted his head to look at the clear night sky above him. He had noticed the boy's confusion but he was confused himself. He expected a feeling of disgust or at least regrets about the previous incidents but he didn't regret anything. Not only that he didn't regret it, he actually had enjoyed it. It had been like doing something natural and now he couldn't help but feel …. happy. He suppressed the need to join the boy and cradle him in his arm, to feel this small form snuggle into him and warm this cold sensation in his chest. Why had it to be this boy, he wondered. Why?

Pirotess image appeared before his inner eye and he pressed his eyes shut as to avoid it. The boy's question came back to his mind. Did he love her? And if he did, how could he have done then what had just happened? Had it been this new emotion of loneliness that had dragged him into the boy's arms? Confused he started to massage his temples suddenly aware of how tired he was himself. He stretched his sore muscles to remain awake and then crossed his arms over his chest. This was going to be a long night.

It was near morning when a chuckle drew his attention and he turned his head to search for the source of it. A tall figure in a long cloak emerged from the shadows and slowly stepped closer. The head was hidden under a big hood concealing the face but he managed to observe the golden circlet on the forehead for a second.

"Karla."

The chuckle send him shivers over is spin and he slowly rose from his sitting position and grabbed the hilt of his sword.

"What do you want?"

His voice was hardly audible as if to prevent Parn from awakening. The cloaked figure stopped and moved one hand slightly into the sleeping boy's direction.

"No need for silence, Black Knight. He won't wake up until I want him too."

Ashram squinted his eyes and a low growl left his throat.

"That wasn't my question.", he snarled.

Karla just chuckled again.

"You're not in the position to demand answers my precious Knight. Instead you should ask yourself the same question. What are you're plans?"

"That's none of your business."

Karla laughed out loud.

"But it is, don't you see? You are a part of the balance I have sworn to preserve on Loddoss. Both sides must be equal. But you managed to skip the balance by loosing the Sceptre of Domination to Wagnard." Karla hesitated for a moment scrutinize his face but Ashram had his emotion under control. "He has betrayed you."

"Tell me something new. I know that already.", he growled back.

"It is his intention to revive Kardis and that would skip the balance more than just a bit. You've got to stop him."

"And what is coming next? Strangling Narse with bare hands?"

His sarcastic tone caused the cloaked figure to chuckle again.

"If his henchman hadn't stolen the sceptre the elf-girl might still be alive. Isn't that reason enough?"

Ashram remained silent for a moment.

"Leave.", was all he finally said.

Karla snickered and turned around. Before retreating back into the shadows one of her hands again waved into Parn's direction.

"Don't wake your sleeping beauty, my precious Knight."

Ashram starred at her vanishing form until her cloaked body vanished into the darkness. He had felt a stinging pain in his heart at the mentioning of Pirotess' death. He missed her and he would always miss her of that he was sure. More than he would miss that boy. Could he call that feeling love? He had been willing to die with her in that cave, awaiting death like an old friend just to be with her again. A serene smile wrinkled his lips and he turned around to put on his armor.

A muffled mumbling indicated Parn's awakening. Rubbing his eyes he sat up and noticed the full armored Black Knight. His eyes widened in shock at the smile on his face and he shook his head in disbelieve. Ashram bent down to level their eyes, still smiling.

"We are enemies and will always be. And to answer your question, yes, I did love her and I'm going to avenge her death."

With these words he rose again and walked away. Parn watched him leave, too confused to react. When he finally gained his control he jumped up and followed the tall dark figure as fast as possible.

"But, but, .. why?", he managed to ask heavily panting.

Ashram stopped short to turn around and look into the boy's pleading eyes.

"It is the way it is, boy."

A glimpse of sympathy spread in his grey eyes and he lifted a gloved hand to brush slightly over the boy's face.

"I can't stay.", he paused to gather his thoughts. "About what happened yesterday, call it a kind of passion we both couldn't resist."

With these words he turned away from the hurt look in Parn's eyes and went on walking away.

"It was just a kind of passion, boy."

Parn swallowed hard and took a deep breath.

"Parn, my name is Parn.", he shouted at the top of his voice.

Ashram didn't answer. He didn't stop nor did he turn around. Soon he disappeared into the shadows of the early morning.

Parn walked back to the burned down fireplace and sat down starring at the ashes.

That was how his friends found him.

The end

You know what is coming next, don't you? Everyone who has seen the OAV does.

Authors notes: Finished. Yeah, finally finished. I really enjoyed writing this. I'm curious about what my insane mind is going to do next. I don't know. Do you? Don't forget to review.