• Part 1__________((Could it be called that...?))




    "What do you think that cloud looks like?"
    A sigh.
    "Ellen."
    "What, again? Not all of them can look like Ellen."
    tab A man sat up abruptly from his relaxed position on the grassy hill, clothed in a light brown pants and green short sleeved shirt.
    "I can't help it, Gorash...It's..." Another sigh.
    tab The second man, still reclining on one arm folded behind his head, rubbed a hand over his face. He wore a pair of the same pants but with a white shirt in place of the other's green. Both men were fairly young, almost out of their teenage years. One had shaggy-ish black hair and joyful gray-blue eyes, while the other had reddish brown hair, cut a bit shorter, and coppery colored eyes. The first man, Gorash, shifted to sit with his knees up, resting his arms on the tops. Then he glanced sidelong at his friend.
    "Unless you're seeing things, I only see white fluff balls, Rore."
    "I'm not seeing things..." Rore replied with a slight frown on his face.
    tab Gorash huffed in fake annoyance and flipped his bangs out his eyes where the light breeze had pushed them. It was late spring, and flowers were beginning to grow in the springy green grass.
    "I know, I know. You're in love with her."
    tab Rore felt the heat rise to his cheeks, nearing the color of his hair, and his mouth worked to form words. Gorash laughed happily at the sight and patted him hard on the shoulder. He smiled to himself and turned his gaze to the peaceful land laying in front of the two.
    "Don't worry. I'm not going to make fun of you. She's suited for you, buddy."
    tab A few minutes passed in thoughtful silence before Rore pushed himself into a standing position, stretching. As if out of nowhere, the cheerful sky began to darken and the white clouds turned a solemn pigeon colored gray. The sun ducked behind the far hills, setting in a dusky orange hue to the west. Gorash lowered his eyes to look at his feet, now with steel armor boots instead of the worn leather. A tiny hollow feeling grew ominously in his stomach.
    tab Rore's hand, in a steel glove rather than bare, extended to help Gorash up. The man took it firmly and used the leverage to haul himself up. They were both wearing their knight armor, minus the helmets, and their weapons hung comfortably on their backs. He noticed that Rore's chestnut horse was there behind him, tapping it's front hoof on the ground, it's young woman passenger holding onto the reins tightly. Bed rolls, two tents rolled up, and bags were mounted behind the saddle for what seemed like a trip.
    Gorash spoke, almost whispering, his previous jovial tone sobered. "You sure you'll be alright?"
    tab Rore ran a gloved hand through his unkempt hair, the strands longer than they had been. Faint lines of worry had begun to crease his still young features, and stubble showed.
    "It's the only way. I wish it wasn't, but..."
    tab Gorash nodded understandingly, attempting a half-hearted grin to lighten the mood.
    "Yeah. Things are changing. And like you said the other day, the king's not the only one."
    tab Rore reached out and rested a hand on the 1 to 2 year younger man's shoulder. The corners of his mouth turned up a small bit, and his stern eyes turned softer.
    "Take care of yourself, and Sera. Don't get in trouble, either, even for our sake."
    tab The black haired man gave a snort of modesty and playfully shoved the other's hand off. Then he nodded forward, indicating the sandy-brown haired woman on the horse.
    "We'll write when we can." She said kindly, raising a hand to brush her hair away from her light freckled face.
    "You shouldn't be so concerned for little ol' me. Now, get going. I'll cover for you, like we planned."
    tab Rore turned away reluctantly and took the reins with his right hand, his left raised in farewell before falling to rest at his side. The horse followed his steps loyally down the hill they were on. Suddenly, Gorash had an impulse to reach out for his leaving friend, a gut feeling rising up in his chest and in his throat. His half-hearted grin faded quickly, as well as the sight of his friend and his new wife, Ellen. Blackness flowed over them and in his vision, distancing, though a light shined from the sky he couldn't see and flowed over his features. He took no notice. That was bad, why had he let him leave? He'd told him he'd cover for him, but, could he?
    tab Soon the crushing feeling disappeared, a dull aching pain taking it's place. He felt like he was going to cry, but no tears came. His hand lowered a fraction, trembling now. He swallowed dryly, his hand coming to clutch at his armored chest. His armor became enwrapped in shadows, the bright steel turning a thick black color. A young man's voice echoed in the very air around him, chuckling mockingly, then shifting to a slight deeper and more menacing laugh. Gorash covered his ears tightly with his black gloved hands, but the laughter was coming from inside his head.
    tab He closed his eyes shut, wanting to go away. When he opened them, he realized it had been just a dream. He was curled up in a ball on his bed, sheets wrapping around his body and his hands over his ears. Cold sweat dotted his bare chest, slim and muscular from both his training and something else. The black armor of his was on it's reinforced wooden stand across from him in the room, the halberd weapon he wielded leaning on the rack with his great sword as well.
    tab Gorash didn't uncurl from his tense position, preferring to listen to his heart beat in the stony silence. A crumpled parchment letter lay on his nightstand, next similar ones and an oil lamp. Sunlight shone golden rays through his curtained window. He would have stayed like that, until someone knocked lightly on the room's wooden door.
    "Um, Sir?" It was the page boy. "Your presence is required..."
    tab Gorash felt his heart flutter downward. He took a deep breath and sat up, crossing his arms over his chest. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad.
    "A-Also...Come dressed normally. Not in your armor..."
    tab A panicked sensation filled his senses, almost drowning him. Being under that scrutinizing gaze would be horrible, even more so without his armor. The sound of the page boy hurrying away brought him back to his current situation. He sat on the edge for a tiny bit, then stood up quickly, walking over to grab a dark green shirt with deep gold thread embroidery. He yanked it over his head and the silver plated dandelion emblem hanging from a chain necklace around his neck.
    tab After another brief hesitance, and decision not to change out of the black pants he slept in, he jammed his feet into some socks and a pair of leather boots. Smoothing his hair down, splashing cold water on his face from the sink in the bathroom in his quarters, and pausing to check his haunted looking expression in the mirror completed his rushed ensemble.
    tab Gorash went over to his door and stared at the wooden barrier between him and the rest of the world, before turning the handle and closing the door as he exited and locked it securely. Echoes of his footsteps became his company in the desolate hall as he headed to he throne room, hoping he'd get there quick enough.



    P.S. Author's Note: I listened to Apocalyptica's The Legend of Zelda (Main Theme) while writing this...It suits it.