Chapter 8: Aethsari
2548 Words
The following morning, Rain and Pooky tended to Rocky’s wounds, then helped him out of the tent for breakfast. “I wish that I could be of more help” he sighed as he was set on a fallen tree
“Well then you shouldn’t have gotten yourself hurt” Pooky reminded him, and he rolled his eyes. A few hours later, the girls went around the small camp doing small tasks. While Rocky looked over a map that he’d acquired from the last checkpoint
“Why do you keep looking at that?” Rain asked as she passed by him
“Because, I’m trying to find the fastest route now that I won’t be able to shift” he replied
“Or we could keep going our agreed upon route” Pooky said as she grabbed the map from his hands
“But what if they have a Boom stick at the next checkpoint?”
“I doubt that they would” Pooky said as she put the map away “Now you need to rest. I’ll wake you up when we need to change your bandages again.” Rocky sighed as the girls helped up and taken back to the tent
“You know sister, you can be so overprotective” he teased and she rolled her eyes “But I know it’s because you love me”
“Hush up and go to sleep or else I’ll knock you out” she huffed and Rain laughed. Once Pooky had left, Rain stayed to make sure Rocky was comfortable
“Will you stay with me Aila?” he muttered as he held her hand
“I wish I could Jael. But I still have some work to do” she smiled as she kissed him “Now get some rest” she sighed as she stood and left the tent. Once outside she found Pooky tending to the horses “That’s the third time you’ve done that Pooky. What’s the matter?”
“Nothing” Pooky admitted after a minute
“Do you want to talk about it?” the princess asked and her companion nodded as they sat by the horses
“I’m worried about Rocky. I’m worried that he’ll die out here if we” she stopped
“But your mother taught us everything she knows. I’m sure Rocky will be fine” Rain smiled as she took Pooky’s hand “Is there anything else?” she asked and Pooky nodded
“I’m worried about you and the baby too. I don’t know what Rocky and I would do without you, especially Rocky. I know how much he loves you” she sighed “But there’s something else. Something that I’m almost afraid to tell my brother about”
“What’s that?” Rain asked
“I-I’ve been having dreams about a fae for the past few weeks. But I don’t want it to interfere with everything that’s been going on” Pooky cried. Rain’s eyes widened as she tried to comfort her friend
“Well, tell me what he looks like, I may know who he is” Rain said after a moment
“Well, he’s tall and thin, he has long silver hair, like I do. His eyes are silver and he has a scar over his right eye” Pooky sighed. Rain thought for a moment
“That sounds a lot like my second cousin Elmar” she finally replied
“Elmar?” Pooky asked and Rain nodded. The sound of hoofs started coming their way. Causing the young women to grab their swords and rush over to Rocky’s tent
“What’s going on out there?” he called
“Stay in the tent brother” Pooky yelled
“I don’t think I have a choice” he grunted.
Shortly a small band of fae on white horses broke into the clearing. When they had stopped, the leader looked down at the young women “Who goes there?” he demanded
“The princess Rain and her companions Rocky and Pooky from the Jade Forest” Rain responded
“Rain?” The fae exclaimed as he got of the horse and tried to get closer the princess
“Yes, and who are you?” she demanded
“Don’t you remember your own little brother? It’s me Silvyr” he smiled
“Silvyr?” she gasped as she dropped her sword and hugged him “It’s been too long, I didn’t recognize you. Brother this is my very close friend Pooky” she said as she introduced the silver haired fae
“It’s an honor to meet you my lady” he smiled as he bowed and kissed her hand and Pooky nodded
“What’s going on?” Rocky asked as he limped out of tent
“I told you to stay in the tent” Pooky snapped at him
“But I heard voices. Now what’s going on?” he repeated
“Rocky, this is my little brother Silvyr. He’s been in Aethsari studying to become a monk.” Rain said as she let her lover lean on her shoulders. “Silvyr, this is my recognized lover, and Pooky’s brother, Rocky” she smiled
“It’s an honor” Rocky said “I would bow but it’ll be awkward”
“Recognized? Why hasn’t anyone told me of this? First mother dying, now this?” the new arrival said.
“Well, so much has happened, that I haven’t had much time to write to you.” Rain admitted once she finished ex paining everything
“I understand. But let my men and I take you to Aethsari. There Rocky can get healed and you can tell more about your adventures. And more about your companions.” Silvyr said and the trio agreed. A couple of hours later they arrived in Aethsari. It was far more beautiful than anything Rocky and Pooky had ever seen. “You two look like you’ve never seen an elf city before.” Silvyr scoffed.
“W-we lived humans since we were babies.” Pooky whispered as she looked around the buildings and the new fae nodded. Shortly, they arrived a palace. Once inside Rocky went to the healers to have his wounds worked on. While Pooky went with a servant to investigate their new rooms. While Rain went with her brother to his library
“So do you want to explain how you came across these strange fae?” he asked as they sat.
“Do you remember my mother telling us about the human man that Celaena, Vulwin and their friends?” she asked and her brother nodded
“Well they were Rocky and Pooky’s parents”
“But I thought that their children’s names were Cyran and Ayda?”
“They are. But Rocky and Pooky use their middle names.” She sighed as she then told her brother about what had happened. From her and Rocky having dreams about each other. To meeting at the ball, and all the events that took place afterwards. When she completed her story, her brother was leaning back in his chair with a brandy
“Well, as long as he takes care of you, then I will support your relationship. But I swear, if he hearts you in any way Rain, I will kill him”
“If I haven’t already” she smiled as a knock sounded at the door
“Enter” Silvyr called, and Rocky and Pooky entered “All healed up I see” He said as he and his sister rose
“Thanks to your healers. Thank you” Rocky smiled as he bowed
“No thanks needed, anything for my sister. Now Pooky, did you find your rooms comfortable?” he asked as he turned to the younger fae
“Yes sir, it’s more then we deserve. Thank you” she smiled as she bowed.
“Now you three I must return to my studies. You may go anywhere you desire. I’ll send my guards to find you when it’s time for dinner” he said as he stood.
So the trio toured Aethsari. Visiting many shops, going to a couple of parks, and Rocky and Pooky tried many new foods. When dinner came around, Silvyr kept to his word and sent out a couple of guards to fetch the young fae. When they arrived at the dining room, Rocky was telling Rain a story of when he and Pooky were children. While Pooky was correcting his mistakes.
“Having fun, you three?” Silvyr asked as the trio sat
“Oh yes” Rain giggled as her fingers entwined with Rocky’s under the table. As they told him about their adventures in town. After dinner they retired, Rocky and Rain going into their own room, while Pooky went into a separate one
“Now don’t be so loud you two, I don’t know how thin these walls are” Pooky teased as she disappeared into her room. Once Rocky and Rain were in their own room, Rocky sat on a nearby chair and removed his boots
“Its’s been such long day” he yawned as he pulled his second boot off
“Are you tired all ready?” Rains asked as she removed her vest, and walked over to him
“Well” he gasped as she kissed him “I’m not tired” he chuckled as he pulled her onto his lap
“That’s what I thought” she giggled as she ran her fingers through his hair, and kissed him again. She felt his hands start to take off her blouse when there was a knock at the door.
“What now” Rocky snarled as they got up and opened the door to see a maid standing there with a bundle of clothes “Yes?”
“Lord Silvyr has sent these to you and lady Rain, sir” she curtsied
“Thank you” Rocky said as he took them, and the maid left
“What are they?” Rain asked
“Nightwear. Though I don’t think we’ll be needing them tonight” he smiled as he placed them on a nightstand “Now, where were we?” he smiled as he pulled her into his arms, and she giggled.
“I may know Jael” she whispered into his ear as she undid his trousers. While Rocky started kissing her again as he picked her up and took her to the bed.
The next morning, Pooky and Silvyr were in the dining room. waiting for breakfast, and Rocky and Rain “What is taking them so long?” he asked as he tapped his fingers on the table
“Oh, let them rest, they were having a busy night last night” Pooky smiled as she leaned back. Silvyr gave her a questioning look “What? Are they not allowed to make love after they recognize?” she teased as a messenger came rushing into the dining room
“What?” Silvyr demanded
“Lady Rain and sir Rocky have arrived” he bowed and scurried off as the couple joined them
“What took you two so long?”
“Sorry brother, we woke up a little late” Rain smiled as they sat next to Pooky. After breakfast, Silvyr pulled Rain into his office. Leaving a confused Rocky and Pooky in the hallway outside. Within moments they heard yelling from both Rain and Silvyr. Sometime later, Rain stormed out, causing Rocky and Pooky to chase after her
“Rain, what’s the matter?” Pooky called as they entered Rain and Rocky’s room
“We’re leaving” she huffed
“Rain, love, calm down. What happened?” Rocky asked as he placed his hands on her shoulders
“He has the gall to order me to do anything” she yelled as she pulled away. “He can't order me to do anything. I am the heir to the throne, and he’s nothing but a bastard child that my father had after I was born.” she screamed as she threw a pillow across the room
“Rain, stop” Rock said as he pulled her into his arms “Calm my love” he whispered against her trembling head. Moments later, she collapsed down to her knees and started crying. “Hush my love” he said as he knelt in front her and pulled her onto his lap “It’s going to be okay” he muttered
“I’m scared Jael” she muttered into his shoulder
“I know” he sighed “I’ll protect you from your fears” he whispered as Pooky sat on the bed. Moments later she had calmed down enough to tell them what had happened
“He told me that I'm forbidden from sleeping in the same room as Rocky so that we couldn’t be together. He also said that I was a poor excuse for a princess. Because I recognized someone below my class, and that I shouldn’t stay with him. Oh Rocky, I don’t want to leave you. I love you too much, and I want you to be with me when our child grows up” she whimpered as she wrapped her arms around his neck
“And I won’t leave, no matter what anyone says. I love you” he sighed as he stroked her hair. A few hours later, the trio had gotten fresh supplies and horses. And were in the stables getting ready to leave when Silvyr came out to talk
“Rain, I don’t think I could stand you leaving still mad at me”
“Well then you shouldn’t have said what you did this morning” she said as she saddled her horse
“I know, and I’m sorry. I lost control of my anger” he muttered
“When my journey for the Huskanaso Fruit is over, I’ll see you again we can talk” Rain said as she mounted her horse
“Understood. I’ll be waiting for you” he said as she left with her companions.
“At least you’re still willing to see him” Pooky said
“He’s still my brother, and I know that we both need space to think things over.” Rain sighed as they left Aethsari.
- Writer
