Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Angels and Demons ❯ And So It Begins... ( Chapter 1 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

A/N: So, like I was getting bored of writing fanfics (shocking, isn't it, seeing as I have yet to finish one) and I had this little number that I recalled having written. I thought I'd post to see if you guys like it, as I was kinda wanting to enter it into a contest. Please review and tell me what you think about it! All commentary is welcome!

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Amber sat in the shade of a willow tree. She watched as the wind blew the branches, causing them to softly brush the surface of the river. The day was calm, as were the waters of the river. The breeze blew gently, carrying the scent of jasmine upon it. A strange sound startled Amber, and she glanced over her shoulder.

“What are you doing?” a young man asked, walking toward her. His shaggy blonde hair fell across his eyes as he sat next to her. His green eyes met her hazel ones.

“Gavin,” Amber whispered, her eyes surprised. She felt a blush coming to her cheeks. “What are you doing here?”

Gavin smiled softly at her reaction. “I came to tell you something,” he said, his eyes dropping and turning to the river. The smile slid from his lips. Sadness crossed his beautiful face.

Amber felt her heart catch. A chill shook her at the look on his face. “What is it?” she asked.

He was silent for a moment, then he looked at her. His green eyes were unreadable as he took her hand in his. Amber felt her breathing stop as he leaned toward her, placing a soft kiss on her delicate lips. She felt the blush return to her cheeks when she looked at him.

“Is that what you wanted to tell me?” she whispered.

He shook his head. “I love you,” he said quietly, holding her gaze.

She felt her blush deepen. Then she saw the resignation in his eyes. She suddenly felt there was more; more she would not like. “But?” she whispered.

“But we can't be together,” he said, his eyes pained.

Amber felt her heart shatter. Tears came to her hazel eyes. “What?” she asked, her voice choked. “What do you mean?”

Gavin brushed away the tear that rolled down her cheek. He had waited so long to express his love to her, but he didn't want it to happen this way. Not now that he would never see her again.

“I'm sorry,” he said quietly, standing. “I'm sorry, Amber. I wish I had known better. I wish I had known.” He turned and began to walk away.

“Gavin?” she whispered, watching him. “Don't go. Come back.” Her voice was so quiet she was sure he couldn't hear her any more. “I need you. I love you.” She felt her tears consume her. Upon their first meeting, he had warned her not to fall in love with him, since he was wild and would never fall for any one, but her heart was deceitful. She watched him vanish; unaware of the single tear he shed, before brushing it away quickly.

She suddenly sat up, covered in a cold sweat. She glanced around her room, half expecting to see Gavin. She slowed her breathing as she leaned on her pillow and closed her eyes. It was just a dream; a dream of the past. That happened two years ago. Why did his memory continue to haunt her dreams?

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“Happy birthday, dearest,” Lord Ladislas said cheerfully.

Amber threw her arms around him. She smiled brightly. “Thank you so much, Daddy,” she said, looking at the beautiful white stallion before her. “He's beautiful.” She stroked his neck.

He looked at her, his golden eyes curious.

“And he's all yours,” Ladislas said, handing her the reins.

Amber ran her fingers through his creamy mane. He sniffed her carefully, searching for food. “Hi there, pretty pony,” she said, petting his velvety nose.

“Why don't you take him for a ride?” Ladislas suggested.

“Alright,” Amber said, climbing onto his back. She turned him and let him trot away, toward the river.

“I think that's the happiest I've seen her since Gavin left,” Ladislas said to Aaryn, the chief stable hand.

“Aye,” the elderly hand agreed. He watched her disappear over a hill. “Gavin certainly left a large space to be filled.”

Ladislas nodded. He sighed. “I know that horse won't fill it, but perhaps it will give her some company,” he said quietly. He looked at Aaryn. “It's times like this I wish Elizabeth were still here. She knows what it's like to be seventeen and heart broken.”

Aaryn nodded. “Aye,” he said. “But give her some time, my lord. She'll come around.” Then an idea came to him. “Perhaps you should take her to visit Milady.” He smiled. “That might cheer her up.”

Ladislas nodded, considering Aaryn's words. “Maybe I will,” he said.

“I'll saddle your horse,” Aaryn said, bowing and walking into the barn.

Ladislas stared at the hill. `Elizabeth, you should be proud of her,' he thought. `She's definitely turning out to be more like you every day.'

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Amber let her horse slow as they neared the river. She stopped him and slid from his back, leading him to the water to drink. She smiled, petting his shoulder.

“Good boy,” she said quietly. She listened to the sound of him slurping the water as she looked around. Then she realized where she was, and her happiness died. She was standing under the willow tree.

She looked at her horse, then at the river. She felt a terrible stab of loneliness suddenly, and she could feel tears threatening to fall. Her horse looked up, sensing her change in mood. It nickered softly.

She looked at it and could not hide a smile. “I'm alright,” she said, even as a tear slipped.

The horse watched her.

“I just miss him,” she told it. She petted him, lost deep in thought. “I just don't understand why he left me. Even after he said he loved me.”

The horse lipped her cheek.

She laughed, his whiskers tickling her. “You're right,” she said. “I have you now.”

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That night, Amber sat silently, eating her birthday dinner with her father. They had just returned from visiting her mother's grave, and they both were somber and thoughtful. Lord Ladislas looked at her from his seat at the head of the table.

“I can't believe you're seventeen now,” he said thoughtfully.

She smiled. “I love Aato,” she said, looking down at her plate.

Ladislas looked up, confused. “Who?” he asked.

“The horse,” she said, with a smile. “I named him Aato.”

“Oh,” Ladislas said, smiling proudly. “I'm glad you like him. It took me weeks to convince Baron Griffin to sell him.”

Amber looked up. “The Baron?” she asked. A grimace covered her face. She disliked the Baron very much.

Ladislas nodded. He saw the disgust on her face. He chuckled. “The Baron's not as bad as you think,” he said.

Amber grimaced. “He's only nice because you over everything from here to Ikbar,” she grumbled.

Ladislas laughed. It was true. Inverleigh, his estate, was quite large. “And because my daughter is the most beautiful in the land,” he said, watching her.

Amber stared at her hands, unable to hide a smile. “You're just saying that,” she said quietly.

He laughed again. “No,” he said, “the Baron said so himself.”

Amber looked up. She opened her mouth to speak, when a page interrupted them.

“I'm sorry my lord,” he said, “but I have a message. From King Richard.”

Ladislas took the message. “What does my good king need now?” he joked good-naturedly as he opened it. He read it quickly and silently.

Amber saw the humor melt slowly from his face. “What is it?” she asked.

“It's a summons,” Ladislas said. He folded it again and dismissed the page. “He's calling all his lords and knights to a meeting. He wishes to assess his Crusade.”

“When must you leave?” Amber asked, feeling disheartened.

“Tomorrow,” Ladislas said.