Just A Memory

As You Wish

"So I walked out the chapel and kept walking" Meliodas placed his chin on his knuckles. He looked at both kids. Lancelot was looking at the floor and Tristan was crying. Elizabeth sighed. Let go of Meliodas and went to Tristan.
"Why didn't you bury that Elizabeth?" Lancelot mumbled. Elaine rubbing his back.
"I couldn't. Even though it hurt, I had to walk away. Otherwise, The town would have ended up like Danafor" Meliodas sighed. Tristan's mouth dropped.
"That was you?!" Tristan wiped his eyes.
"Your old man had a problem controlling his temper" Ban chuckled "Was it you that melted Edinburgh?"
"No that was Escanor but I did make the big ass hole"
"Escanor?" Lancelot tilted his head.
"He was the Lion Sin Of Pride. Loved Poetry-" Meliodas explained.
"And Merlin" Ban butted in.
"Yes. That is true. But he was Human and wielded the Goddess Grace Sunshine" Meliodas pouted.
"What did Sunshine do?" Tristan sniffed.
"Escanor's power is unlike any other. He was at his weakest at midnight and his power peaks at noon. Starting from sunrise, his power begins to increase and he begins to grow larger and his personality changes from his submissive night-self to his prideful daytime-self, with the process reversing with the setting of the sun. In the daytime, his physical strength increases dramatically and he can radiate intense waves of light and heat easily capable of melting metal and vaporizing stone"
"He burned Melascula from the inside out when she tried to eat his soul" Ban lent back in his chair.
"Oh I would have paid to watch that" Meliodas laughed "May that man rest in peace"
"Ahem to that" Ban and Melidoas raised their glasses "Did he take on you, Zeldris, Mael, and your Old Man? And beat you all?"
"Me, Zel, and that walking windbag only lost because he reached the one-state" Meliodas pointed his fork at Ban "We all know what happened with my old man?"
"We don't" Tristan and Lancelot spoke.
"When it came to the final battle against The Demon King, Sir Escanor used his life force to keep the power of The One going. The Grace was already destroying his body" Elizabeth sighed.
"Why?" Lancelot munched an apple and lent back in his chair. Copying Ban.
"Lance, sit on your chair properly" Elaine stared.
"If Dad can do it. So can I" Lancelot shrugged. Ban reached out and pulled the back of Lancelot's chair. Only enough to give him a shock.
"AH!" Lancelot reached forward and grabbed the table "DAD!" He yelled. He jumped out of his chair. Ban sat there laughing.
"You should have listened to your Mother" He sipped his drink.
"You don't!" Lancelot replied.
"Well Duh, I don't even listen to me" Ban scoffed. He and Lancelot started arguing.
"Can you two stop it!" Tristan raised his voice. Everyone stopped to look at him. His outburst had rendered everyone speechless for he was always so calm and tranquil "Sorry but I wanna hear more of my Dad's stories. Not you two being idiots"
"Sorry buddy" Ban patted Tristan's shoulder "Oi Shorty! What's the next story?" Meliodas put his scratched his chin.
"What do you wanna hear?" He spoke.
"I wanna hear the farm boy one" Elizabeth smiled as she lent on the table.
"Why do you wanna hear the story? You were there!" Elaine exclaimed. Elizabeth smiled.
"I've had a lot of lives. Some I remember, Some are fragments"
"You don't remember the farm one very much do you?" Meliodas smiled as he sat on Elizabeth's lap. Elizabeth shook her head.
"Only fragments"
"Leave out the gory death please," Elaine asked "I've just had my breakfast"
"Fine. One farm-boy story coming up"

{Flash-Back}

Meliodas wander through the hills. This time for 21 years. He didn't know where he was going but something in his gut was telling him to head to the north. He knew what the feeling was. It was raining. Meliodas looked around for shelter but could only see a barn that was falling about.

He ran to the barn and shook his hair. He would make camp here for the night and travel in the morning. He found a bale of hay and place his cloak down. He was about to put his head down when he heard humming. He quickly climbed up onto the rafters. The doors swung open and a woman walked in dragging a haybale. She was tall and slender, with hair as silver as steel.
"On please don't tell me" Meliodas groaned as he shuffled his feet. But his left foot gave out from underneath him and he fell to the ground with a large thud. He blacked out on impact.

"Dad, Is he okay?" A male voice was heard. He had a northern accent.
"I don't know son. He hit his head pretty hard" A man with a deep voice could be heard "I wonder what he was doing in our barn?"
"Well, There was the rain that night. Maybe he wanted shelter?" Meliodas hearts went into a flutter. He heard her voice again. He knew Elizabeth was here as soon as he saw the silver hair. Elizabeth was the only one who didn't have an accent.
"Lizabeth's right pops" The first male spoke "For once"
"Now Jason, Don't make me come over and smack you silly" A Female spoke. She had a bit of a southern accent but it wasn't a strong one "Be nice to ya sister"
"It's fine Mum" Elizabeth insisted. If he was awake, Meliodas would have grinned "Hey pops, The lad moved.
"I saw. Alright, kids. Get out of here and get to bed. You got a long day of work tomorrow" The Dad replied everyone left.
"Don't be too late to bed honey" The Mother kissed her husband on the cheek and shut the door with a soft click.
"You can wake up now, Lad" The Dad flicked Meliodas's shoulder. Meliodas slowly opened his eyes.
"How did you know I was awake?"
"When my lad asked if you were going to be okay. You moved your fingers" The Dad lent back in his chair.
"You've got good eyesight" Meliodas pushed himself up "Where am I?"
"Johnson's Farm. I'm Marcus Johnson" He held his hand out. Meliodas shook it.
"Meliodas"
"Surname?" The Dad raised his eyebrow. Meliodas frowned in confusion.
"I never had one"
"Who were your parents?"
"Mum died when I was young and Dad never cared" Meliodas shrugged. He wasn't exactly lying. His Dad didn't care about anyone but himself.
"You do look familiar" The Dad's eyebrows knotted "Can't be" Meliodas gulped. He was hoping that this man wasn't another one that remembers him.
"Can't be what?" Meliodas stuttered.
"You look like that lad that was chasing that girl from Stigma but that was 60 odd years ago" The man rubbed the back of his head.
"Yeah, Can't be me" Meliodas looked away.
"I mean you're just a kid" Marcus laugh.
"I ain't a kid" Meliodas swung his legs off the bed and placed his feet on the wooden planks "Kids don't look like me"
"So, How old are you?" Meliodas thought about this. He was technically 400 years old.
"I celebrated my 22 birthday last month" Meliodas lied. The Man looked Melidoas up and down. He then shrugged.
"So what were you doing in my barn?"
"I needed shelter. I hate rain and it was the first place I saw" Meliodas cracked his neck.
"And you were in rafters because?"
"I didn't want to get caught"
"Luckily it was my Daughter that you fell in front off" The man huffed "My son would have shot you dead"
"I must thank her" Melidoas walked over to a dresser and picked up his cloak "Thanks for looking after me"
"So are you in need of work or a place to stay?" The man stood up "Coz if you are, You can stay here and help around the farm. Lizabeth's strong but I need another lad around. My Son doesn't like doing the crappy work" Meliodas thought about the offer. He knew that he wouldn't be able to go very far from Elizabeth. The curse would drive them together.
"I'll take the deal" Meliodas held his hand out. Marcus shook it and grinned.
"You can start the day after tomorrow. I'll get Lizabeth to show you around tomorrow. You can stay in this room" Marcus patted the bed and went to the door.
"Thanks for everything" Meliodas smiled. Marcus nodded and shut the door behind him. Meliodas followed him and locked it. He pressed his back against the door and slid to the floor.
"Well Meliodas, It's time for round 3" He closed his eyes. Without thinking, He moved his body off the ground and climbed into bed.

A few months have passed and Meliodas is chopping wood. His sleeves fade, bunched up at his elbows. He is hard at work as he swings the axe but it doesn't stop Lizabeth from heaving over two heavy pails and dropping them by his feet.
"Farmboy! Fill these with water" She says firmly. Meliodas looks up, slowly, his brow dappled with sweat and the soft fall of his bangs tumbling across his forehead "Please" Lizabeth adds. Meliodas blinks once, still so slowly.
"As you wish," He says quietly, and it sounds different than it usually does. When Lizabeth calls Meliodas farm boy, It means her annoying Brother was nearby. It was sort of like their code word. Lizabeth walked away. And as creepy as it sounds, He watched her walk away. But then again, He was always watching her. And once again, He had fallen deeply in love with this new Elizabeth. How could he not? She was gracious and smart and her smile could light the entire north. She made him feel warm and fuzzy on the inside. He wanted nothing more than to tell her so but he didn't want to activate the curse.

"So what's the deal with the new boy?" Lizabeth's best friend, Marie, Asked.
"Him?" Lizabeth glanced over to the stables. There she saw Meliodas; brow marred with sweat and dirt, arms flexed as he moved the hay. He was beautiful and perfect and she wondered why she never realized it before "Meliodas had arrived at The Farm just a few days after I celebrated my 21st" Lizabeth watched Meliodas as he shovels fresh hay into the stables.
"He is rather dreamy" Marie drooled "Why is he here?"
"Father took him in as he had nowhere to go. He had been giving work in the stables, the crops, and everywhere he was needed" Lizabeth stared.
"You're leering" Marie bumped her shoulder against Lizabeths. Lizabeth blushed "You're sweet on him, Ain't you?"
"Why would a girl like me trouble herself with a guy like him? Besides, I've heard him talk in his sleep. He already has another girl"
"You didn't deny being sweet on him" Marie tilted her head.
"Look, He got some else. I don't know her name and frankly, don't wanna know her name" Lizabeth turned away from Meliodas.
"Do you think he's the boy from the dream?" Marie pondered. Lizabeth groaned. She knew that her best friend wouldn't let this subject go.
"I don't know. The figures backed out but the shape of the hair matches" Lizabeth's hand touched around her left eye. It's been three years since it turned orange and bore the mark of the Gods. Since then, Lizabeth has had strange dreams that only Marie knew about "Still, Even if he is the boy from the dreams. I'll never have a chance with him" Lizabeth turned her head away. That's when she spotted her Father. He had recently been using a cane to get around "Hey Pops"
"Afternoon ladies" Marcus greeted "Lizabeth, Can you take this drink over to Meliodas? Lad's been out in the sun since this morning"
"Sure thing Pops. Be right back Marie" Lizabeth smiled.
"I'll catch ya tomorrow Lizabeth. The Sun's high now. Mamma needs me to sort the chickens out" Marie smiled "Bye Mr Johnson"
"See ya later Marie" "Bye Marie" Marcus and Lizabeth waved as Marie ran off.

Meliodas ran his forearm over his forehead. He was perspiring heavily. Didn't help that he was wearing a long sleeve flannel shirt and a shirt underneath it.
"Meliodas!" He heard those windchimes speak. He turned around to see Lizabeth walking towards him.
"Hello Miss Lizabeth" He smiled as he lent on the rake "Looking lovely as always"
"Oh thank you. You're looking okay yourself" Lizabeth tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Meliodas chuckled. He knew he wasn't exactly looking his best. He was up to his ankles in animal faeces, covered in dirt and spit.
"No need to lie Miss. I smell as bad as I look" Lizabeth blushed as he held out the drink.
"Urm, here. Urm, Pops said I should give this to you. Something about how you been working out in the sun all day"
"Yeah, Thought I would crack on with it" Meliodas downed the drink. It Mrs Johnson's homemade lemonade. Best he has ever drunk "That hit the spot"
"Mama does make good lemonade" Lizabeth agreed.
"So how is your old man doing? I saw him with a cane earlier" Meliodas hand Lizabeth the glass back.
"Yeah, He's been back problems. Mama made him get it"
"So is there anything else you need?" Lizabeth shook her head "I do quite enjoy your company. I was wondering if-"
"LIZABETH!" Jason called out from the other side of the field. He started running towards the pair.
"Go along with anything I say" Lizabeth whispered. Meliodas nodded softly. Jason jogged up to the pair "Hey Jason"
"This shortarse giving you any trouble?" He glared at Meliodas. Meliodas gripped the rake.
"No. In fact" Lizabeth turned to Meliodas "Farmboy, Polish my horse's saddle. I want to see my face shining in it by morning"
"As you wish my lady. I'll finish up here first" Meliodas nodded as he turned on his heel. He walked back into the stables. This wasn't the first time this incident happened. Jason doesn't like Meliodas very much.
"You need to be careful around him" Jason warned Lizabeth.
"Meliodas is a kind soul. He won't ever hurt me" Lizabeth sighed.
"Look, I don't trust the man. He looks just like the Demon that killed Queen Althea" Jason hissed. Meliodas lent against the wooden panels.
"Queen Althea was a wicked piece of work. We all know that. What makes you think he is as bad as her" Lizabeth snapped. Something inside her was telling her to defend Meliodas "Besides, No one knows what The Demon looked like"
"I know the Druid Matthew. He often spoke of The Demon. Green eyes, Blonde hair. Looks 12 but is a lot older"
"The description fits but that ain't Melidoas. He has been nothing but good to this family"
"I still don't trust him and if you knew what was good for ya, You'd stay away from him!" Jason yelled as Meliodas heard him storm off.
"Stupid prick" Lizabeth huffed as she kicked a wooden bucket. She then sat on a haybale, Picking the odd strands out of it "Wish someone would take me away from here" Meliodas lent his head on the panel.
"One day, I will. I'll take you any adventure you want" He whispered.

After a long afternoon, Meliodas made his way back to the house. He noticed a horse and cart outside the house.
"Looks like Lewis is here for fuck knows how many time this week" Meliodas went to take his boots off at the porch. He had just undone the first boot's laces when he heard voices.
"Lizabeth, Please consider marrying Lewis" Lizabeth's Mother, Joanie, pleaded. Meliodas lent against the wooden panels. Pressing his ear to the wood "He will look after you"
"No Mother. I will only marry for love not because some idiotic little boy asks me" Lizabeth yelled.
"So you think yourself too good for me?" A man shouted. Meliodas peaked through the door's window. He was right, Lewis was here.
"Yeah, Lizabeth is way too good for you" He muttered to himself. He swore to himself that he would steal Lizabeth if Lewis took her away.
"It's not that. This is the 8th time this week you have asked me. Take the hint and go away" Lizabeth rubbed her temples. That's when the arguments started. This was a common thing. Lizabeth was known to be the most beautiful woman in the North. Boys and girls followed her everywhere. Meliodas even had to scare away a few of those boys whenever they got courageous enough to come searching for her in the field. He didn't blame them. He was in love with her too. He loved the smile she gifted him whenever he sends them away was enough to make him happy all his life. He loved the way her beautiful silver hair blew in the wind as she rode on her horse; The way her brow furrowed as she concentrated on her needlework; her lips widened in a smile as her father spoke to her. Meliodas grabbed his hair in frustration. He went to walk in the door when it flung open and smacked him in the face.
"You will regret this!" Lewis bellowed as he stormed up the path. Marcus followed him. Lizabeth followed shortly. Calling for her Father to come back and not do anything stupid. She glanced to her right and spotted Meliodas and it was like a slow-motion moment between the two. It was like it was only the two in the whole world. She then continued moving forward. Jason and Joanie came outside as well. Jason pushed past Meliodas "Most women would kill to have me in their life!"
"So their standards can't be very high then" Lizabeth snapped.
"You ain't exactly anyone types Lizabeth. Men only want one thing from you" Lewis looked at his nails. Marcus stormed forward and went to hit Lewis. Lewis being the younger man. Dodged the hit and punched Marcus in the gut. Causing him to cough up blood "You better stay down old man" Lizabeth ran to her Father's side.
"Pops!" Lizabeth gripped her Father's shirt. Jason charged at Lewis. He was batted down as quickly as he put Marcus down "Jason!" Meliodas was now running to the group.
"Does the little half-pint want a shot at the title?" Meliodas clenched his fists and stormed up. But Joanie grabbed his free hand.
"No! Meliodas, He'll floor you" She muttered. Meliodas looked at the woman. He could see she was afraid.
"Then I'll just get back up and smack him harder" Meliodas whispered.
"Come on half-pint! Once I am done with you. That little wrench will be mine!" Lewis gloated. Lizabeth's head turned slowly towards him. Lizabeth let her Father's shirt go. She rose and clenched her hands. Her body soon started to glow. Meliodas's jaw dropped. Everyone backed away from her "What black magic is this!?" Lewis growled. Meliodas was now behind Lizabeth.
"She ain't no witch!" Meliodas replied. He looked at Lizabeth. His heart's stopped seeing her left eye orange "It's only a matter of time" He thought as Lewis flew at the pair. Lizabeth blocked the punch and Meliodas embedded his fist in Lewis's jaw.
"LIZABETH!" Jason yelled. The pair spun around. Lizabeth's Father was now on his back and Jason was on his knees by his side. Cradling his Mother.
"Pops" Lizabeth muttered.
"I'll deal with Lewis" Meliodas turned away from everyone. Once he heard Lizabeth move away. He let his mark spread across his forehead. He took 4 steps and was now in front of Lewis He grabbed him by the neck "You're my problem now"
"I knew it! You're a Demon!" Lewis grumbled. His hands clawing at Meliodas's wrist "You're the one that killed the Queen"
"Queen Althea deserved it. She killed the one I love" Meliodas growled. Lewis laughed. Meliodas squeezed tighter.
"Death will always follow the one who was cursed by the Gods" Lewis coughed.
"You know nothing of my curse" Meliodas spat.
"I know more than you think. You need the power of the Gods to break it and they ain't around anymore" Lewis let his arms fall to his side "Maybe your Father will break your curse if you give up on that foolish plaything" Meliodas squeezed harder.
"I made a promise. I will break this curse, No matter what! I will never give what is true to me"
"Meliodas" Meliodas looked over his left shoulder. His jaw dropped slightly. He let Lewis fall to the ground. Stood there was Lizabeth. Only both her eyes were orange "Let him go"
"Elizabeth" Meliodas took two steps towards Elizabeth and fell to his knees. Elizabeth knelt in front of the crying Demon and wrapped her arms around Meliodas "I couldn't break it this time"
"I'll be okay. We still have three days"

Elizabeth spent the next two days, Explaining to her family what was going to happen. She had healed her Father and Jason. She told them everything. Marcus and Joanie took the news rather well but Jason didn't. Once Elizabeth told him who Meliodas was. Jason punched him.
"IT'S BECAUSE OF YOU THAT MY SISTER IS GOING TO DIE!" Jason yelled. His fist pummeled Meliodas into the ground. Meliodas didn't even fight back. He knew it was true. If he had never fallen in love with Elizabeth in the first place, She would never have been cursed and she would still be here.
"Jason! Stop this!" Elizabeth yelled as he shoved Jason to the floor. She pulled Meliodas up off the floor and held him close "It is The old God's fault! Not his! Not mine!"
"I warned you to stay away from him!" Jason screamed. He stormed off and kept away from the house all day.

On the third day, Elizabeth came to the barn where she first saw Meliodas. Meliodas was sat on a tall haybale with his back to her and was craving out some wood.
"Farmboy," She said and his eyes snapped to hers "Meliodas, I mean" She corrected herself with a blush.
"Elizabeth, I mean Lizabeth" Meliodas spoke as he placed his tools to his side.
"It's doesn't matter on the name. I'm still Elizabeth to you"
"There is something I must tell you" She walked closer to him as he stood still next to the hay, his eyes unblinking as she spoke "I love you. I know I will die at some point today and that's okay"
"Elizabeth" Meliodas put the tools down. Elizabeth held her hand up.
"Don't say it, I know I will be okay because I will get to see you again" Her eyes watered with tears as she finished speaking. Meliodas reached for Elizabeth's hand. Elizabeth took it. Both gripping the others tightly.
*THUNDER*
Elizabeth jumped as thunder boomed across the sky. Meliodas jumped a little too. He gripped Elizabeth's hand even more tightly.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to jump. It just -" Elizabeth began to speak.
"It reminds you of that night against our parents" Meliodas interrupted. Elizabeth nodded slowly. She pressed her forehead against Meliodas and closed her eyes. When they pulled apart, Meliodas noticed that Elizabeth was crying "What's wrong?"
"Meliodas," Elizabeth wiped her cheeks "There is something else I need to tell you"
"And that is?" Meliodas stared at their hands. 
"I want you to leave"

Meliodas sat there and blinked. No emotion on his face. Elizabeth had no idea how long it passed until she heard Meliodas sigh.
"Not happening"
"Meliodas" She breathed out as she stood up and tried to remedy her puffy eyes. Meliodas covered Elizabeth's mouth with his.
"I'm staying" He replied as he pulled away.
"Why?" She asked confused "Why would you put yourself through more heartache" Elizabeth spoke quickly. She then went on a long rant. Pacing up and down the barn.
"Elizabeth, Could you please just once stop talking for a minute?" His words were harsh and his breathing agitated "You don't see, do you? The day We got married, I made a promise to be with you no matter what. In sickness and in health. Till death parts us"
"Because of this curse, Death will always part us"
"Till the next life and I get to fall in love with you all over again" Meliodas pulled Elizabeth closer to him "I love you, You silly Goddess"
"Even after all this time"
"Always" He pulled her closer until his nose was almost touching hers. His calloused hand rose to stroke her cheek lovingly. Elizabeth's heart flared with hope as she stared into the emerald eyes of the man she loved "And I promise you this, I will never love anyone else but you, my darling. Even after I break this curse. You ain't going to get rid of me that easily"