The Search for Arcon

[lochinvar]

As they made their rolling, lurching, staggering progress back to the camp, Loch’s thoughts swirled like autumn leaves in a dust devil. He felt rather like the fisherman who caught the whale in the old story — now that he had it, just exactly what was he going to DO with it?

He had wanted this, he realized, wanted it badly, from the moment he had seen her descending the stairs at the ball – and taking her embarassing prat-fall at the feet of Arcon.

But he was a cautious man by nature, and he didn’t thoroughly trust anything that appeared suddenly and full-blown, as this feeling had. It was still remotely possible that this was just some strange infatuation – though he had long passed the age when he had been subject to ‘crushes’.

And, there was one other troublesome thing. He was not a monk, and celibacy had never been part of his life plan. Ellen had not been his first, but since her death he had not looked at another woman with desire – until now. Old yearnings were awakening, with a vengence – but she was, well…so …’innocent’ was the only word he could think of.

Innocence never dies quietly; by its very nature, its death must be murder. Despite the common wisdom that equated the two, Loch knew that the killer of innocence lay not in one’s experience of physical love, but rather in one’s perception of deception and betrayal.

If time revealed his ardor to be only some strange emotional anomaly, it would devastate her.

There was something so wonderfully appealing about her impetuosness, her wide-eyed wonder at the world, for all of her being a grown women in her twenties. He cherished that part of her personality, and would not mar it for anything. But hand-holding and starry gazes were not the sum of what he wanted from this relationship, either. Somehow, he would have to arrange and balance things so that, if he gained the one, she would not lose the other.

All of these factors argued caution, and spoke in favor of proceeding slowly. There was too much at stake to rush.

Glancing sideways at her sweet profile, feeling the firm warmth of her shoulder under his arm, he found to his mild surprise that he was perfectly comfortable with that idea. They would have lots of time. There was no need to hurry.

[lochinvar]

They finally stumbled back to the fireside, where Jo gingerly lowered herself to the ground. Loch fetched his cloak, and draped its soft warmth over her shoulders. With a grateful glance, she grasped its edges and arranged it around herself. Wordlessly, he produced the brandy flask again; after taking a swig himself, he pressed it into her hands and indicated she should drink some more.

“It will ward off the chill, until you warm up,” he said in answer to her questioning look. “And it will help you sleep later; you look like you could use the rest.”

She was tempted for a moment to respond that he didn’t look any better, and probably worse, but in the end she simply tipped back the flask. It still burned, but this time it didn’t cause any coughing spell – and the pleasant warmth that spread along her chilled skin was welcomed.

Loch then set about efficiently, though as gently as he could, checking her other injuries. The scrapes on her palms were treated and wrapped, then he turned his examination to the bruise on her neck.

“This looks like hangman’s work,” he asked concernedly. “How in the world did you come by this?”

She briefly retold the scene at the cliff-edge, how she had hung from the leash, and been saved by Arcon and Zelda. As she spoke, he busied himself with fashioning a make-shift moccasin from a scrap of leather produced from his pack.

Finally, he tried it for size on her injured foot. “It isn’t stiff enough to provide much support, I’m afraid, but it will protect you from smaller stones and twigs, anyway, and keep the dirt away from the wrapping.”

As he finished tying it in place, he raised his eyes to meet hers and spoke calmly but earnestly.

“Mo chroi, I’ll not make demands of you; you are a woman grown, and I am not your master, nor do I want to be. But I will make requests. And my first one is this: you must promise me that you will cease this thoughtless running-off into dangerous situations.”

“In the short time I’ve known you, you have twice placed your life in jepordy, first when you pursued Lady Moon with a sword you didn’t know how to use, and now riding after Zarcon when you hadn’t the slightest notion of what you were about.”

“And, especially in this last endeavor, you not only put your own life in danger, but you placed a potent weapon in the hand of the enemy by allowing yourself to be captured and used as you were.”

Gradually she had dropped her eyes to stare into her lap, a flush climbing her cheeks. Now she raised her face and opened her mouth to make an impassioned plea, only to stop when she saw his hand raised in denial.

“No, I’m not saying you should sit in the parlor and knit scarves all day while the rest of the world is out and moving. I would never ask that of you, and I doubt you would be inclined to grant it, in any case.”

“But you must train and learn, so that when you DO take action it is helpful, not harmful, to whatever cause you take up. And also, so that I will not suffer in anguish when you venture forth in the world. To lose you foolishly, now that I have found you, would destroy me.”

“So, will you promise me this, mo chroi? Please?”

His earnest gaze, the feel of his hands where they still rested against her foot, the firelight, the brandy – all combined to melt whatever protests she might have thought to raise. Reaching down to take his hand in hers, she spoke. “Yes, I will promise not to go chasing off again, until I can handle myself,” then quickly added, “But only until then!” He nodded in relieved acquiescence, understanding that this was the best he would get.

“But I warn you,” she continued with a giggle, “you haven’t seen how badly I knit. You are going to be wearing some pretty ugly scarves by the end of this…I can promise you that, too!”

[ 11-07-2001: Message edited by: lochinvar ]

[lochinvar]

Loch rose and fetched blankets, returning to trade them for his borrowed cloak.

As he tucked them around her, she yawned. The exertion, the brandy, and the warmth of the cloak: all had had their effect. He lingered for a moment, gently stroking his hand across the paling bruise on the side of her face, souvenir of her confrontation with Lady Moon in the forest. Finally, he shook himself. “Sleep well, mo chroi,” he said, and rose.

She roused herself enough to speak. “Wait, please. That’s the third time you’ve called me that. What does…‘muh-kree’, is it? What does that mean?”

“It’s in the tongue of the hill people that live near where I grew up,” he responded, smiling. “It means ‘my heart’.”

And he turned to seek his own bed in the darkness, as sweet oblivion swept over her.

[ 11-07-2001: Message edited by: lochinvar ]

[DamedEscrime]

"Mo chroi." It brought a smile to her sleepy lips. As sshe drifted off to sleep, she repeated it over and over, savoring it etching it into her mind lest she forget it.

The ground was cold and hard, but she did not notice as she dreamed of warm hugs and sweet kisses, the feel of his rough stubble on her cheek, how he smelled of the leather he wore, his great blue eyes peircing her soul.

The dreams were sweet indeed until a shadow krept in. She could not see it, but rather sensed it. It was an ominous presence with no face. A silouhette of sorts, black and forboding. It strangled her and held her as a marionette , dangling from a string. Then she saw it, a knife imbedded in one eye, it flew above her wearing the crown of Arconia. It reached for her, grabbing and groping, pulling her over a precipice of enormous proportion. She saw herslf raking her hands like claws across the earth..screaming.. NO!!
NO!!

Then as suddenly as it had begun she heard Lochinvar's soothing voice, somehow distant, calling her name..."Shh, shh, Jo. Sh, shh, mo chroi. It was but a dream. Just a bad dream," crooned Lochinvar.

She opened her eyes trying to focus. A cold chill had taken her. She found herself sitting upright. Lochinvar's strong arms encircled her as he rocked her gently and continued to speak soothingly as a father to his frightend child. "What happened?" she asked. "Only a bad dream, my darling. All is well. Just let me hold you until you can sleep again." "Yes, hold me" she said as she looked up into his face. "I will. I promise. I will," he said pushing back the wisps of her auburn hair that had fallen into her eyes. Then her kissed her for the second time.

It was much more this time. Holding her so close and tight that it took her breath away, he pressed his lips to hers and tasted the sweetness of her. He held her for ever so long, stroking her and rocking her until the both of them succumbed and fell asleep in each others arms.

[Iwant2bafencer]

Rosaline sat bolt up right, pulling the dagger out of her boot, and flipped it in her hand ready to throw. She then sighed seeing that Jo mearly had a bad dream. She smiled as she watched Loch kiss her tenderly. How she missed that. Replacing her dagger, she folded her hands behind her head, watching the shadows dance in the tree's from the dieing fire. Surpressing a giggle. She thought to herself. 'I do believe it's time for Jo, and I to have a little 'girl talk.''
A few minutes later all was quite in the camp, and the world slept.

----------------
Carpe Diem

[lochinvar]

Lochinvar shrugged his shoulders, trying to settle the borrowed hauberk more comfortably. He would be glad to see the last of this stiff, ill-fitting garment, and reclaim his own mail shirt.

His wounds were mending well; the swelling on his head had long since disappeared, he was getting around with much greater ease on his leg, and the cut on his arm was almost completely healed. It would scar, but it would be a thin one, not too disfiguring. Another one to add to his collection, he thought bemusedly.

Unfortunately, his healing was almost the only good news. For days now he, Jo, and Rosaline had been moving down the river slowly, searching for any sign of Arcon or Moon. So far, they had found no traces. Today they would reach the sea, where the river debouched into Thrimnir’s Sound, which in turn opened into the vast emptiness of the Great Northern Sea.

The nature of the landscape had changed from the stark, rocky bluffs where the small stone house stood, softening and subsiding into this more hospitable country of gentle, forested hills and rolling downs. The river had widened as they approached its mouth, fed by numerous streams and springs, until now it was several hundred yards across. Still rocky-bottomed, the constant roar of the torrent made conversation difficult.

On the morning after linking up with Jo and Rosaline, they had left their one remaining guard to bury the corpse of Zarcon. The man had caught up to them again at nightfall that same day.

Since then, the days had settled into a routine of walking the horses along the bank, looking for bodies in the stream or signs of someone exiting the water. Occaisionally, one of them would split off and do some hunting to supplement their fast-dwindling rations. At night, they would settle into a rough camp, cook whatever they had been able to find, and set watches.

Jo and Loch took turns tending each other’s injuries each evening, examining progress, changing dressings, and spreading salves. Jo’s scaped palms were healing nicely, and she had been able to ride today without any bandages on them. Her foot was much better, the initial signs of infection having receded.

Loch had discovered a secret pleasure in watching her walk. The heel of her booted foot was higher than her moccasined one, giving her a rolling gait with an unusual – and distracting – sway to her hips, all the more charming because she seemed completely unaware of it.

The first morning, Loch had adjusted Jo’s stirrups and cinch, and showed her how to slip the bridle on the enemy scout’s mare, a nondescript roan of uncertain bloodline. Despite her appearance, however, she was mild-mannered enough that Jo had no trouble keeping up or controlling her. Since then, they had rarely separated during the day, preferring to conduct their search side by side. Occasionally one or the other would reach out with a light touch, as if to reassure themselves that the other was truly there.

Evenings were spent in talking around the fire. Loch related his years of bandit-chasing and adventuring, his relationship with Arcon, Zelda, and Moon, and his life as a minor landowner. Jo told of her sister, Lorelei Ledgerto, and her life growing up with the demolitions expert, while Rosalind contributed stories of her own past, and incidents and anecdotes from her position as commander of Arconia’s armies. The three had grown quite comfortable with each other.

Despite all of this, a pall settled over the camp each night, as the day would close with no sign of either the king or Lady Moon. With each passing hour, the hope that either would be found alive receded.

Today, the third after the battle on the bluff, Loch was certain that they had both perished. That they had found no bodies was not a reassurance; in rough water like this, they could have been dragged and held under by any number of cross and eddy currents. Sometimes drowning victims were not found for months. And if either had somehow managed to swim this far, they would have been swept out to sea, their chances of surviving even less – that is, if they hadn’t already bled to death, or dashed their brains out against the boulders and rapids.

So it was a dispirited group that finally drew rein to gaze out over the Great Northern Sea.

[Iwant2bafencer]

Rosaline inhaled deeply the scent of the ocean. She remembered seeing the ocean when she was little, and how should would run up and down the shore with a wooden sword, and shield. She looked at Jo, who turned to look at her as well. They both smiled. Loch had dismounted, and was standing with his hands on his hips, and his eyes closed. Jo followed, and went to stand next to him. Not disturbing him of his what seemed like happy memory. Rosaline followed suit stepping over to stand next to Jo. Loch, opening his eyes, looked at the two girls, and smiled. The three simply stared at each other, and then laughed a little.
Loch took Jo's hand in his, and then to Rosaline's great surprise jo held out her other hand towards her. Rosaline stood staring at the hand for a moment, then stepped over, and took it.
And so three tired friends smiled (for the first time in days) and watched one of the most beautiful sunsets. They had ever seen.

(It's a little short, rough, and 'sappy', but I just felt like writting it.)

---------------
Carpe Diem

[three_hundred_fifty_five]

All of arcon's friends gathered around and began brainstorming.

"He was last seen boarding the Federal Express jet over the South Pacific."

[ 11-09-2001: Message edited by: three_hundred_fifty_five ]

[Iwant2bafencer]

LOL 355 I was thinking that exact same thing!!! haha oh that cracked me up.
*clears her throat* right moving on.

----------------
Carpe Diem

[DamedEscrime]

The next morning the sun shone brightly. It winked and danced on the now calmer sea. "It looks just like little diamonds have been cast upon it!"exclaimed Jo.

While Rosaline searched for the morning's firewood, Loch had taken Jo to the shoreline to teach her how to search for muscles, crabs, clams or whatever edibles in the sand. He was a patient teacher pointing out tiny air bubbles that came through the sand indicating something edible lay beneath. Whenever he spotted this he would bend to it and dig just below the surface in order to find the small smooth shelled clams and scoop them from their hiding places. When he tired of this, he pointed out a small outcropping of rocks stretching into the waves. "There, see how the water laps over the stone? The tide has retreated and we should find crabs trapped in the cracks and crevices."
Jo appeared serious as she asked, "Crabs? I have heard of them, but never seen one. Is it true that they can take a man's finger right off?"
Loch grinned at her innocence. "Have you never been to the sea, my lady?"
"No, I'm afraid I haven't."
"Then take your shoes off and follow me."
She looked at him quizzically, wondering what he was thinking.
"Come on girl, what are you waiting for?"
he asked as he hurriedly removed his own. "Do you need me to do it for you?" he teased as he reached for her. "No, good sir,"she grinned. "What would people think," she teased, glancing in Rosaline's direction,"if they saw you taking off my shoes?"
"They would think I might not stop there." he laughed.
They bantered playfully for a few moments as Jo removed her boot and moc. Then he took her by the hand and lead her toward the rocks.
The air was chill on this bright morning, but the sand was warm and felt wonderful on her barefeet. It felt so good in fact that she wished she could lie down and warm the rest of her.
As they neared the rocks the sand became moist. Steam rose as the seawater evaporated once again beginning its never ending cycle.
Soon they were wading in ankle deep water, cold and invigorating. "Is it always so cold?" she shivered. "Yes, that is why it is so well complimented by the sun," he replied. "Don't worry, soon it will numb you and it will feel good."

They continued on and soon climbed on the rocks to begin their scavenger hunt. Loch came close to Jo. "Look how the gulls have gathered. They know where the food is. We will find what we searching for by them."
Sure enough as the gulls scattered at their approach they spotted tiny brown and green crabs scurrying to find shelter. Several gulls stayed close by to scold and complain of their intrusion. Jo laughed at them and Loch smiled at her enjoyment. Then he snatch up a particuly lively animal to show her. "See? If you...OUCH!...MY FINGER!" he dropped the crustaeson as quickly as he had plucked it up and shook his hand in the air. Jo rushed to him and took his hand. "Oh, let me see. Has it taken your finger?" She searched his hand frantically looking for some kind of wound and found none. "Why, there is nothing here," she said furrowing her brow and cocking her head in question. "Yes, there is. There is you.. and...me."

[ 11-10-2001: Message edited by: DamedEscrime ]

[Iwant2bafencer]

Rosaline smiled watching Loch and Jo out n the rocks. Then she turned to check on the fish she had cooking over the fire. While collecting fire wood. She herself had gone down to the beach, and found a few decent sized fish trapped in a large tide pool. Seeing that it was almost ready she walked down towards the rocks where Loch, and Jo were 'catching edibles.' When she was close enough to call them. She cupped her hands around her mouth, and holared. "Hey Love Birds!! Breakfast Is Ready! Better Hurry, Or The Guards Will Eat All Of It!" Jo waved, and Rosaline waved back. Rosaline was back at camp before the happy couple, and sat to remove her bandage. It had been healing fast, but it had gotten infected. When she hadn't put a bandage on the day she rode out from Arconia. She was almost done pulling it off. When Loch and Jo came jogging up the hill. Jo stopped seeing the bandage in Rosalines hand. "Rosaline. .what is that?" She asked in between small breaths. "I. . ." Loch stepped over to her bad arm, and finished removing the bandage. 'They'll have my head for this.' Rosaline thought to herself. Loch removed the bandage, and threw it in the fire. HE shook his head at Rosaline. "and how long have you been keeping this a secret?" Rosaline dropped her head to stare into her lap. "Since the ball." She sighed. Jo stepped over to see for herself, and grimaced. "But how on earch could you. . .Zarcon did that didn't he?" Jo asked. "Yes, I thought I had moved far enough out of the way, but he was to fast." Loch stood. "You mean to tell me, that you have kept this a secret from me, and everyone else you know for about a week now?" She nodded. "But look it's practicly healed." She exclaimed pointing to it. "Yes, but it's infected." "It's not that bad! Look I've been wrapping it everynight, and treating it. It will be perfectly fine in another day or two." She pulled her sleeve back down, and moved to take the fish off the fire. "Now eat, we've got more work to do." With that she went to her horse, to brush and saddle him.

-------------------
Carpe Diem

[lochinvar]

Loch was just finishing his breakfast when the guard called to him.

He had been thinking about their mission as he picked the fish apart with his fingers. The chance of their finding either Arcon or Lady Moon, alive or dead, was now minimal. The fall, the temperature of the water, the rocky nature of the river and the violence of the rapids, all militated against either of them being alive. He had only continued this far in the hopes of finding one or both of their bodies.

He wanted to bring some solid evidence of Arcon's death to Zelda, so she would be able to mourn. He had seen the effect on those left behind when men under his command had disappeared. The long periods of resignation, punctuated with wild, unreasoning hope that yielded to black despair as hope was dashed, the struggle to regain resignation: a cycle repeating interminably, for weeks, sometimes months - he would spare her this, if he could.

For his part, he had no doubt that both of his old friends were gone; that certainty weighed on his spirit like a stone.

Now that they had reached the sea, even the chance of finding bodies had receded to invisibility. It was time to turn back. No more could be accomplished here, and there were affairs to tend back in Arconia. Zelda would need his and Rosaline's aid in settling the kingdom, and the matter of succession would have to be broached. And there was always Muu to consider; that nation would be unlikely to let this opportunity pass without making some attempt on Arconia's sovereignty.

With the thought of Rosaline, he thought again of the revelation of her wound. How, and more importantly why, had she kept it secret all this time? And though she was correct in saying that it was almost healed, still the telltale signs of infection were worrisome. Dr. Abernathy would have to look at it as soon as they returned, and the sooner, the better. Yet another reason to turn back now, rather than waste more time in a bootless search up and down this coast.

As these thoughts were drifting through his mind, the guard approached from the riverbank, where Loch had set him to watch. "Sir," the man reported, "Fortalin has arrived."

Loch glanced at Jo. "Tell Rosaline to join us, please?" he asked, then rose and followed the man down to the river.

[lochinvar]

At the river, Loch looked across to the other bank, where a small and solitary figure could be seen - the guard he had set to search the other bank. He shaded his eyes as the man next to him signaled the one in the distance to begin, and then frowned in concentration as the figure on the far bank waved his arms about in the signals pre-arranged before separating upstream.

By the time the man on the other side had finished, both Jo and Rosaline had joined them. They waited as Loch gave the near guard instructions to relay to the man on the other bank, then turned to face the women.

"He has found no sign of either Lady Moon or the king," Loch reported wearily, for the moment looking much older than his years. "I have given instruction for him to return upstream to the place where we separated, and to await our coming."

"I believe, Jo, Lady Rosaline, that it is time for us to seriously talk about turning back."

[Iwant2bafencer]

"No! We've already come this far, and you want to turn back now?" Rosaline was paceing back and forth. They had been arguing the desition to go back. For quite some time now.
"It's been a week, and we have found nothing!" Loch protested.
"but we HAVE found something! He may be evil, and not matter, but we found Zarcon. If we can find an evil man, then why not two good people."
"And what of your arm. If that's not looked at, then it will get worse, who knows you might even lose it."
Rosaline threw her hands in the air.
"My arm is fine! That's not the issue here!"
"Then what exactly IS the issue? Come on Rosaline what's your point?"
"Loch, my point is. I'm not one to get this far, and give up hope! Arcon could still be out there. So could Lady Moon. I mean for all we know they could be stranded on some deserted island, and you two want to leave them there."
Rosaline sighed, and continued to pace. She was going to speak when a swallow swooped down, and nearly gave her a new hair cut. When she sraitened. She saw a note attached to its leg. After much struggle she caught the bird, and read the letter.
Her heart melted, and sunk at the sametime. She could tell by the shortness of the queens letter, that she was in pain, and needed her and Loch.
It felt good to be needed again.
Yet, her heart sunk, as she knew that now they would deffinatly have to go back.
She handed the note to Loch, and Jo, who leaned over his shoulder to read.
Rosaline sighed putting her head in one of her hands.
"Alright, we'll go back, but as soon as we know everything is safe. I'm coming back out here, and at least searching the closer islands. You two can join me if you like, but with or without you I'm not loosing hope."
Loch and Jo nodded, and Rosaline turned towards the sea.
"I know they're out there somewhere. . .I just know it."
Jo stepped over to Rosaline placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. Rosaline turned, smiled, and hugged her friend briefly.
"Well, it's going to be a long trip back, and we dont want to keep the queen waiting." Rosaline stated.
The group moved back up the the camp, to pack everthing up.

-------------------
Carpe Diem

[ 11-11-2001: Message edited by: Iwant2bafencer ]

[DamedEscrime]

JO said very little as they prepared to leave. She was torn.Going home is always a good thing. But going home a failure was never pleasant.

She loved her king and Moon as much as anyone. Arcon had been friend, a father, and a saviour to her. To leave him to the unknown was almost more than she could bear. Her imagination began to run wild as she thought of him out there, alone. Perhaps he was injured, needing aid. Winter was coming. Was he warm? Would he find sustinence? Was there a kind soul to minister to him? There were too many questions that plagued her.

Finally they were ready to leave. JO mounted up and rode to the head of the line near Loch. Taking one final glance towards the mouth of the river a glint caught her eye.
Loch noticed that she was studying hard something on the far side of the river which occasionaly reflected a bit of sunlight.
"Come, Jo. It's probably just a shiny shell left by a gull,"he said.
"No, I don't think it is,"she replied. "It is too bright. I'm going to see what it is."
With that she turned toward the water and guided her horse in. The water here was not deep so the animal easily navigated to the far side.

There caught in a bramble lay what appeared to be a small gold coin. Jo dismounted to get a closer look and yelled with excitment.
"They've been here! OH, they have been here!" and she held up something that the group could not quite see from their distance.

At once all concerned raced across the same path she had taken to see what she had found.
"What is it, my lady?"

[ 11-11-2001: Message edited by: DamedEscrime ]

[Iwant2bafencer]

It seemed that Rosalines heart did a summersault in her chest. She lead the line that hurried to get a better look at Jo's finding. She leaped off her horse, and run to Jo. "What? What is it?" TO excited and hopeful to say any more the group stared at Jo. As she Cleared off the dirt with her sleeve. A sense of impacience took over the group and as if in one voice they spoke. "Well?!" Jo laughed and showed them the object.

-----------------
Carpe Diem

[DamedEscrime]

The coin, in reality was a fine gold medallion. "Look! Do you see this? It is the official seal of Arconia and here.. on this side this symbol, the moon and three bright stars? I have seen this before. It was worn about the neck of none other than the Lady Moon! You see, they have past this way somehow," Jo spoke quickly become more excited with each breath. She held the medallion out for Lochinvar to inspect.

His face remained solemn as he took the pendant and turned it over several times. "It means little more than they were washed down stream," he said dryly. "put it away, Lady. We will take it back to the palace. Lady Willow will want to see it. She may be able to channel through it and see where its owner lies."

The once excited group became silent. Finding the medallion had given them a small hope. In a way it reconnected them to those whom they sought. With Locinvar's words they realized that it only meant they had found an item, not the person they so desperately wanted to find.

Quietly they remounted, formed a line and turned toward Arconia. Not one looked back.

[I think it is time to leave this thread please look for the next entry in the Journey Home]