Costs//A MCD Fanfiction//Sequel to 'Immortality'

5

Garroth's POV:

I paced the room back and forth, thinking of options of how to help. Edmund told me I couldn't do anything but, there had to be something. I can't just stand here and watch my family go through something like this. I feel like smashing the mirror at some points, wanting it all to go away. I wanted to die knowing that everyone I cared about were safe. Not like this. Not when Ru'an was being ruled by a dictatorship and the people I love being treated like prisoners or servants.

Gabriella is the only one I can watch for long periods of time. She's free, surrounded by friends. Yet, I know she's in pain. She's not herself. I tried everything in my power to fix things but...I'm at a lost.

"Did she receive the message?", Edmund asked, coming into the room.

"Yes...I don't think she understood though,", I say, coming to a halt. I looked to the mirror to see her and those two boys lead the others to Hyria's cottage. Hopefully, she didn't need the message after all. "Is there anything else I can do?"

"You know this Garroth," He sighed, crossing his arms. "You've done your best. All you can do is-"

"What? Sit and watch? Sir, I know your wise and all but, you obviously don't know me at all,", I say, glaring at him. "What about the visit that you told me about?"

"You can only use it once, like your friends did for you. You and I both know that now isn't the right time."

"I know...but, I can't do this."

"You've passed on Garroth. It's now their job to save Ru'an."

"I've may have passed Edmund,", I say, looking at him dead in the eyes, "but not my instincts."

"Which are?"

"Helping innocent people who's lives are being ruined by those who they trusted!"

He looked down and said;

"We need to wait. Your daughter is not ready for your guidance quite yet. She hasn't reached breaking point."

"...I'm the only one who knows what her breaking point is."

"So it's your call."

I looked at the mirror again. They reached the cottage and Mary immediately ran out the door to greet them. Ella's face was...full again. I saw my daughter again and I knew that, even though temporary, she was fine for now.

"We'll wait..."

•••

Gabriella's POV:

"So, what have you been doing here for five years exactly?", Grey asked me as we gathered in the living room. I could tell he was more concerned then annoyed which I was thankful for. I honestly thought that if my friends saw that I was hiding instead of figuring at a solid plan on how to save Ru'an, they would've perceived me as weak or a coward.

"Training," I answered, telling the truth to some extent. "Nathan and Quill here, are strengthening my skills that my father taught me."

"Well, that's good,", Anaya said with a soft smile. "It's even better knowing you're safe."

"Agreed,", Ember said, taking my hand. "We've really missed you."

"I've missed you all too,", I say, smiling at the three of them.

"I have a quick question,", Nathan said, coming into the conversation. "Why were you sent here in the first place? We overheard you saying that Irene sent you to locate an enemy of some kind."

"Exactly,", Grey said. "Lord Aphmau sent us to find and kill...her enemy. Unfortunately we didn't know it was Gabriella."

"Sounds to me that you all are loyal to her, whether or not you knew it was Gabbie,", Nathan said, glaring at Grey specifically. "You followed her orders and I'm sure if Gabriella didn't reveal herself, you would've killed all three of us."

"You don't understand,", Grey explained, desperately trying to prove their innocence. "Lord Aphmau is an evil tyrant who controls Ru'an with no mercy. If we didn't do our duty, or at least try, she would've had our heads instead."

"They're right Nate,", Quill said, trying to calm down his brother. "We don't know what's going on in the city of Ru'an but, the least we could do is trust Gabbie and her friends in this situation."

Nathan didn't look satisfied with the decision. Even though he agreed, he looked tensed and kept a watchful eye on the three. I would've said something as well but, I couldn't help having the same worry. What if this is their plan all along? To draw me in and take me to Ru'an to only turn me in. I can't go jumping into this an empty mind. I needed to wait and see if they were safe for not only me but, for my friends here.

"How about I lead you three to your room?,", Quill offered. "Tomorrow we can discuss more and set a course of action on how to keep you all safe."

"That sounds great,", Ember said sweetly, "thank you."

Quill lead the three up the stairs and I turned my attention to Nathan. He smirked at me and said;

"I'm shocked you didn't have something snarky to say to me after what I said."

"Trust me. I would've but, you may be right." He look softened, now confused. "I know my mother...whether Irene or not, is manipulative. She has a ways of doing things that neither me or my father can explain."

"You really think that of your mother?"

"I didn't say it was a bad thing,", I pointed out. "Manipulation can be a great tool in ruling. Some leaders use it correctly and got the right reasons. Others don't. I'm afraid that she might be reaching that level."

"I'm sorry Gabbie..", He sighed.

"Don't be. My mother...has been gone a long time. I barely feel a connection to her,", I admit.

"Is that the only reason?", He asked me.

I bit my lip and said;

"You all speak of Irene and my mother being separate people but, they're not. They're the same person,", I took my locket in my hand and remembered the note inside. "That person killed my father. I don't care what's going on with her...but, she's dead to me. Aphmau...Irene, I don't know, will pay for what she did. For not only the death of my father but, the corruption of Ru'an."

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying...that I want to go back home."

Word Count
1070
Sorry for the lack of updates, hopefully I can get my head in the game.