The Warrior's Return -The Underland Cronicles fanfiction

Chapter 6 -Luxa

I stand, nervously running my fingers through my silver hair. Hopefully Gregor will be here soon, then we shall speak and clear everything up.

The luxurious room around offers a pleasant, usually calming aroma; however I continue to be unsettled as the minutes tick by one by one.

I stare out the window, almost willing him to be here soon.

A knock on the door startles me. "Yes?"

"Lux?" Hazard's voice comes from the other side of the door.

"Come in."

Upon his entrance, I study his features. He is no longer the little boy he once was. Now, there is a maturity about him. No human can endure the pain he went through without the evidence showing. Only at ten, he already demonstrates great leadership skills. Each day I strive to be more like a sister to him rather than a friend with superior reign. My heart aches for his sadness yet I've been in his position a few times before. I can only hope his parents are proud of the gentle man he will become.

He glances at his shoes, showing a light blush arising on his cheeks. I furrow my eyebrows in confusion.

"What?"

"Overlander has arrived, my lady." Sweat immediately forms in my clench fist from nervousness, yet excitement fills my stomach. I lunge toward the door, eager to speak with him.

Hazard grabs my arm, warningly. "From an adopted brother to his sister, I urge you not to make rash decisions concerning your feelings towards him. You are the queen, be wise."

My features soften and the flutter in my heart calms for a simple second. I caress his young, defined face with my palm. "I assure you, my dear Hazard, that I only wish to protect our land. He is our last option."

"Yes, yes of course." He steps way and silently leaves the room without another word.

My mind is spinning uncontrollably, and try as I might I cannot seem to control my eagerness. I have awaited for this simple moment for four years now. I long to see him. I wish to memorize the crease lines above his eyebrows once again; to find comfort in his soothing voice and joy in his endearing laugh.

The last few years have been treacherous and straining, seeming as I  no longer have any mentors. Gone are those to guide me and direct me, for now the matters are simply weighted upon my shoulders. I cannot fathom the relevance of my position quite yet, I fear the term 'royalty' has been overused in many of situations in too many harmful manners.

I decide to step out into the hall, hoping to meet Gregor halfway. After about twenty feet, I hear his voice down the hall. I assume he is speaking with one of my many guards.

I turn the corner only to smack right into his sturdy frame. Stepping back, I glance up at his solemn face. The last time we spoke wasn't exactly civil, considering I was hiding behind a hooded sweatshirt and he was yelling rather forcefully at me.

Quickly stuffing the feeling of longing down, I advert my gaze to down the hall. All the passion and hope I feel are suddenly stuck inside my throat. I have awaited for this very moment for four years, yet now, I cannot think of what to possibly say. No words could possibly fit the odd feeling of sincerity in my heart.

Hazard's wise advice enters my mind. No rash decisions. I hastedly remind myself.

In a failed attempt to appear accomplished beyond my years, I narrow my eyes and thrust my chin in the air. "Come, Warrior. We have much to discuss, yet very little time."

"That's what I'm here for, is it not?" Choosing to ignore him, along with the nervousness in my chest, I turn and head in the direction of the Mess Hall. I motion for him to follow behind me. I hear his uneasy steps behind me; they remind me that I'm not the only one who is nervous with this meeting. We both don't know how this could turn out. The fate of my city rests upon this teenage boy's shoulders.

When I heard about the new prophecy, my heart ached for Gregor. I understand that this is not what he wants. He simply wants to continue on with his life, and be a normal boy. He doesn't want to be involved with some underland community that doesn't even exist to 75% of the people of this world. Every waking moment that he spent here had been permanently branded into his mind, all the pain he suffered will be forever remembered. Returning would only sharpen the intense pain he feels over Ares. I can only hope that he will someday realize there are ways to learn from these moments rather than allow them to hinder him.

Gregor sighs from behind me as we continue on in awkward silence. "You know, at home so many things remind me of this place. It is almost as if I am haunted by it." He makes an attempt to break the ice. And he fails. Chills of excitement run down my spine, he hasn't forgotten us.

"No, I wasn't aware of the fact. We don't have time to discuss this Gregor, there are pressing matters at hand. There are more important things going on," I rudely snap. Doesn't he understand that this isn't of relevance at this moment? How could he possibly understand? I long to discuss this topic with him. I wish to sort out whatever was in the past between us. If there was even anything between us.

In the past, that was several years ago. You have duties to attend to now, more important things are taking place at this very moment.

He is quiet for the rest of the walk there.

________________________________________

Over the past few years, I have grown accustom to the faces the fill the room are enter. After the war, all of our government members and officials were 'disposed' of, and new ones were hired to replace them. Though I am queen, they are still several ways they have the power to override my decisions and ideas.

"Gregor, we are most glad you have arrived safely. How was your ride here? I do hope it was pleasant, Ace is one of our youngest fliers, he is in training right now, but we assumed you wouldn't mind being a guinea pig," Orisash speaks. Orisash is my favorite head ambassador, unlike the others, he is full of comedy and lightheartedness. He does all that is within his power to ease my role and release the reins on me.

Gregor appears confused.

"Orisash," I scold. "He hasn't yet learned of that story and I wish for it to stay that way until Ace decided to tell him."

Gregor tucks his head in embarrassment on the unknown topic that is supposedly about him. My mind is whirling with so much to tell him. There is so much more he has yet to catch up on, I can only hope he will learn it all quick enough. Taking a seat at the head of the table, I motion for Gregor to sit in the chair to my right. He quickly obliges.

I glance in the direction towards Israel, the General of Adversary. "Israel, please if you will, explain the conflict that has come upon us. I believe you are the most educated on the issue." Looking towards Gregor, yet refusing to meet his gaze I explain, "Israel is basically the buys we look towards in times of need when it involves combat. He trained with my grandfather and grandmother learning his skills from their hand of guidance." He nods in understanding, but grimaces at the mention of combat. I fear that this task may be too great for one who has suffered has much as he has; he hasn't yet been sent into mission without his bond.

Israel excepts my request and recited from memory the written copy of newest prophecy that is upon us.

"The Warrior who has returned,

Will play his final castling

With the freshest flame burned,

Yet he shall face a new rage

When the fliers crawl and

The gnawers turn the page,

The woven web of loyalty shall fall."