Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Lathanos's Great Journey ❯ Final Stay ( Chapter 13 )

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

By: Pika189

Title: Lathanos's Great Journey

Author: the ultimate SoBe Master

Chapter 13: Final Stay

Email: mightysobe745_8@yahoo.com, sobe_rocks@hotmail.com

Category: Fantasy

Entering the kitchen the next morning, Romona had on a long, light blue, button-up shirt and sleek, black pants. She took Etheros's lead from yesterday and abandoned any notion of wearing shoes.

The kitchen was an array of busy bodies' pots and pans forming a strange music as the food was prepared. The servants not only served the rest of the servants, but the soldiers of the castle as well. Inquiring to the servants, Romona learned much about the castle as she ate a simple cheese omelet. Apparently, the generals had their own private rooms, and there were dormitories for the regular soldiers. It was four soldiers per dorm room, but the rooms were quite large.

She also learned that every resident of the castle were required to read in the library daily when they were at there. Fortunately for Romona, the library had been empty the previous day due to the fact that she had arrived around three in the morning. Finally finishing, she decided then to ignore the library and instead wander about roaming the castle.

Padding softly down the halls, the stone floor was cold against her feet, but there were large Persian rugs here and there. She had come to linger on these and admire the many paintings gracing the walls. Few were dark, and most showed scenes of the ocean.

Learning where the rooms were quickly, she avoided the east wing, for that was where the soldiers were. The library was in between the east and west wings, so she used it as a boundary line. Finding a large staircase that lead to supposedly the tower, she slowly started up it. Letting her hand run along the wall, she stopped about halfway up, listening for any noise. Hearing nothing, she continued her journey upward, finding an oak door at the top. Knocking, she opened the door with a slight creek.

Cringing, she entered the room to find it glowing from the light from a window. A large desk of mahogany graced the middle of the room with feathered pens and ink bottles. A few pieces of paper were scattered and, looking around the rest of the room, Romona found that it was covered in bookshelves.

Glancing at the books, she discovered that they were not of war, but many about other races. There were even a few romance. Her lips tilted into a smile at this discovery. Hearing a small knock, she turned and moved behind the door. It opened with a creak as someone said, “Sir…?”

Glancing towards the desk, she realized this must have been Etheros's office. As the man entered, moving silently, Romona slipped around the door as his back was to her.

At a glance, she noticed he was wearing a navy blue uniform, and two small bars on his shoulders. `He must be a captain…' Romona thought. Hurrying in her haste, she hit the door and it creaked open, hitting the wall. Cursing her luck, the soldier turned and grabbed her arm, holding her in place. To her utter surprise, it was Solem. Smiling immediately, she said, “Thank the lords it's you…” Solem looked at her and smiled in return as she began to question him, “Did Lathanos send you? Where did you find the uniform? Where is Elaina; is she alright?”

Moving to calm her, Solem replied, “They are fine, Romona, they are fine. I, however, did not steal this uniform. Elaina told me to come here; she said something about the future. I am masquerading as a captain,” They both smiled as Solem held her gently, saying, “I missed you so much, Romona…” She received the words in kind as he leaned in and kissed her on the forehead, then the forehead, and then he began a passionate kiss on her lips. What was only a mere few seconds seemed a lifetime to them.

SLAM! As they broke off their kiss, Solem turned to see Etheros standing in the doorway. His eyes were bright red, his fists clenched at his sides. Solem seemed not to notice as he bowed and said, “I am sorry, Sir. I should not have stayed without you being here.”

Romona did not turn from Etheros, but only bit her lip as she moved forward, saying, “Etheros please…Solem and I -“

Etheros merely shook his head, saying, “So, this is what you meant…well, I shall not be fooled again.” He moved to the door and opened it, practically shouting, “Get OUT!”

Cringing, Romona took one last glance at Solem before exiting the room and having the door slammed behind her. Then, all she heard were screams and Etheros's angry voice. “I told you to follow them…not to bloody fall in love! How long has this damn thing been going on?!” There was a pause, then Etheros's voice started up again, “Ever since I told you to follow her ten years ago?!! You are, without a doubt, a goddamned traitor, and therefore, you shall be hanged…”

Romona beat upon the door, desperately pleading, “Etheros…please…!” The door opened beneath her will, and, looking inside, Solem was laying on the floor next to the desk. Running forward, she turned him over to see his face. It had been burned, the skin hanging off and the eyes exposed. Sobbing softly, she whispered, “Solem…”

The head turned towards her as he said harshly, “Romona…ah, the little dove…you have caused this. You were my target, and now my hated…”

Romona backed up slowly, gasping and choking out, “Solem…no…that can't be true…!”

Tears streaming down her face, she felt something brush against her wings. Turning as they flickered in reaction, she saw Etheros looking at her with his midnight eyes. Frowning, he reached out and gently wiped her tears away, saying, “Romona…”

Beating on his chest with her fists, she shouted, “How could you…how could you…!”

He held her gently, letting her sobs fade as he hushed her and finally letting her fall asleep in his arms as she leaned into them. He then picked her up, one arm under her back next to the hinges of her wings, the other under her knees. Carrying her back to the room she had been assigned, he set her down gently on the blue comforter. Sitting on the edge, he brushed her hair back as she stirred gently. Her eyelids flickering open, she raised her hand to her forehead, moaning softly. Leaning forward, he looked to her as she moved her wings out from underneath her. Looking to him, she frowned, saying, “Etheros…”

Opening his mouth to speak, he closed it and ran his hand along her strong jaw line. Hushing her when she was about to say something, he kissed her gently, whispering in her ear, “I am sorry for what I have done…it was wrong of me, but I hadn't any idea that I would feel like this…”

The two stayed silent for a moment as Romona replied, “Is there no end to your plans, Etheros? Will you not give up and leave the world in peace?”

Shaking his head, Etheros answered her sadly, “No Romona, I know what I must do, and this is my belief…I know this must separate us also, and you will hate me if I continue. Our love is forbidden, even in the earliest stages…” Once again silence reigned, and Etheros moved off the bed swiftly. Turning back to her, he smiled and, leaning down, he began to kiss her passionately, letting time stop as his hand rested upon her shoulder. Then, pulling back, he whispered, “Your horse is waiting at the castle gates. I will tell the guards to leave upon her. Get some rest before you leave, however. Now, goodbye my love, for when we meet again, we shall be enemies…”

The castle had an unearthly look to it. The towers hovered over the main buildings, the stone it was built out of was black, not grey, and there appeared to be no windows. No flags or adornments covered it; it was just empty. Abandoned and decrypt, no one would figure that was where Etheros stationed his army. Of course, it was.

A red flash was seen shifting in the shadows of the seemingly weeping trees. Amber and black eyes flicked open in the dark, looking back towards the castle. The amber eyes shut, and suddenly, a young woman appeared in the light.

Snorting was heard behind her as a beautiful steed walked forward. A long, black mane billowed in the wind as the horse nodded her head up and down. Black eyes with an intelligent gleam looked to the girl, then out to the forest and the castle. Black snout snorting, she lifted her feet, leaning her head down and rubbing her black hooves. She was only one color: the same blood red as Romona's hair.

Romona turned and placed her hand reassuringly on the horse's neck, whispering, “We shall have to travel today, I suppose…” The horse snorted at the girl and seemed to say with a look, `Of course.' She only glanced at Firebolt, muttering, “Oh yes, thank you for your great belief in me for it is so greatly appreciated.” Firebolt nodded and nudged her in the hip, neighing softly. Finally, she mounted the saddle-less horse and, turning, they galloped into the dark, weeping forest.

A/N: Well, how'd yall like it? I know it's been forever since I last updated, but oh well. At least I did update. Anyways, as always, please R&R!!!!!!!!!!