Angel's Song

AN: Phew, well this story is just flowing. For all of you who are reading more then one of my stories, I promise to work on the other ones soon. Please carry on telling me what you think though. Thanks HUGS!

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The practise ring was always empty in the early hours of the morning, the soldiers not rising for their first training before the sun rose. Ainu was glad, he’d come down to practise his sword skills, not wanting them to fade away however inappropriate some people might consisder it. He pulled both swords out of their sheaths and weighed them in his hands. Soon he was moving in a steady rythmn, parrying slashing and fighting invisible foes, His shadow danced in the flickering light of the candles that lit the practise ring. The slim curved swords crossed, and spun like lightening, seemingly weightless in the young prince’s hand. His braid spun with him, slightly teasing his buttocks as he slowed his movement. A slight sheen of sweat glissened on his face and his plain shirt clung to his lean muscled chest. The sun was starting to rise but Ainu thought he could get a few more minutes of practise in. Taking up his stance again he pressed forward, swords swining in a graceful arc around his head as he spun around and they clashed against a single one.

“This is not the appropriate place for a future bride.” Ainu frowned and moved back a few paces.

“I am no ones bride.” He moved forward with nimble grace attacking the other person, swords meeting with blinding speed

“No?” The venom in the words became clear as his attack was parried. “So you’re not the bride of that arrogant black prince?” The other attacked now, feet following the ancient dance of a sparring match. “You’re not his bride Ainu? What did he promise you?” The sword smashed down on his anger lending strength to an otherwise gentle attack. “Gold? Power? Diamonds?”

“Nothing!” Now it was Ainu’s turn to attack his partner both swords sailing in tandem as he drove him further towards the edge of the ring. “It was not my choice! Father arranged it. It is nothing but a political marriage to strengthen our borders.” And with that he send his opponents sword flying and used the blunt edge of his second sword to knock out his legs from underneath him. He pinned him with a glare and the point of his sword at his throat. The blonde prince pulled the sword away and gave his friend of old a hurt look. He sheathed his swords and turned his back on him. “That you really think so little of me your highness. I will ask my father to shorten our stay here.” He walked across the practise ring, fighting the hot tears that were threatening to spill down his slightly dirt smudged cheeks. A hand on his arm stopped him.

“Ainu....” The touch on his arm became firmer. “Ainu wait, I didn’t know. I’m sorry. I was so angry that you hadn’t told me, you just turned up with this arrogant, egocentric mortal. Father told me you had been engaged for two years now. I was angry Ainu, I let my anger rule me I....”

“I thought you didn’t like me anymore Syrus.” He looked up at his friend with big round emerald eyes stilll swimming with tears. “You have always held a special place in my heart.” Suddenly strong arms pulled him into a hug and a chin rested lightly on his head. He drew in the unique scent of pine and lemongrass that had always been Syrus’. He felt the kiss being placed ontop of his head.

“So have you Ainu. You have become quite the graceful, beautiful young man.” Ainu’s chin was lifted and emarald green met stormy silver. Lips descended upon each other as a kiss was stolen before the thought even managed to breech the logical part of either mind. It reached Syrus’ first and he drew back shocked at his own actions. “I’m sorry Ainu.” And with that he disappeared as fast as he had come.

Ainu settled at breakfast and listened to the endless droning of Cortax who was telling the Elvin king all about the agriculture taxing book his father had drawn up so that those rotten little peasants could not cheat him out of any taxes anymore. Ainu knew where Cortax got it from. The stick up the arse business that was. He was happily doozing away when an announcement caught his attention.

“Tomorrow at the break of dawn we celebrate our summer solistice.” The Elvin King had risen from his seat. “There will be a demonstration of our warrior’s skills including a tournament at the end which determines our nations greatest warrior.” Ainu’s curiosity had been peeked and he was curious to know who would be taking part.. He was sure that old icky Cortax would be especially keen to take part if he could. Ha! He’d get a good thrashing if he tried. “All the warriors of my kingdom will be taking part and all our honoured guest will be able to watch from the royal balcony. Traditions do not allow participents from outside.”

“That is a pity,” Ainu pulled a face behind Cortax’s back. “I would have liked to have proven my prowess in the field of battle.”

“I’m sure you would have Prince Cortax.” Syrus’ dry comment came from the opposite side of the table. “However we would not want to send you home bruised now would we?”

“And what makes you think that I would be going home bruised Prince Syrus?”

“A mere mortal can never gain the lythe and agile qualities of an elven warrior, brute strength alone does not win a battle, Prince Cortax.”

“Strength can fell even the smallest tree.” Ainu stiffled his laughter and Syrus arched a delicate eyebrow.

“It is a pity that an angel’s intellect should be wasted on a piece of toast.”

“Are you insulting me Prince Syrus?”

“I would not dream of insulting you Prince Cortax. Now if you would excuse me, I must go and oversee the morning practise session.” He bowed and took his leave, letting his eyes rest on Ainu maybe a second longer then necessary. Ainu felt himself blush and averted his gaze quickly.

After breakfast Ainu made his way to the library. He settled himself in a comfortable chair, picked out on of the many books to read and lost himself in the tales of the old world, were magic still burned deep inside all of Terra’s creatures.

“He likes you very much.” Ainu jumped up not having realised that anyone had come in. He stared into the lavender eyes of the elf lady who had danced with Syrus.

“I am sorry my lady. I did not notice you come in.”

“No you were deeply absorbed in your book. You may call me Faye. I am Syrus’ fiancee.”

“Oh.” Ainu’s eyes dropped to the page of the book he’d been reading. “I am Ainu my lady.”

“Yes I know. Our marriage is not one of love though Ainu. We are best friends, and before he marries someone he does not love or like, he marries me so he can begett an heir as traditions dictate. Times have been hard on Syrus.”

“Oh. He seems so distant and cold. Yet this morning, he was...the Syrus that I knew again.”

Ainu nodded, “yes, he isn’t the boy who meant everything to me when I was little. You are very lucky to be his fiancee though.”

“Maybe Ainu, yet I too yearn for love, but I cannot deny Syrus the wish for someone he can confide in.” Faye lifted Ainu’s chin to look directly into his eyes. “You do have the most intriguing eyes. I did not think that mortals could have eyes the shade of emeralds. No wonder he is so taken with you.”

“Taken with me?” Ainu shook his head. “Nay my lady you must be mistaken. Syrus is not taken with me, he is angry with me for not telling him about the engagement. I should have told him, yet it is something I wished to banish from my own mind.” Faye’s kiind eyes took in the slightly hunched position Ainu had retreated into. She was more then curious about this engagement.

“Tell me Ainu, why are you engaged to another man? There will be no children coming out of this marriage even if it is polically based, you will need an heir to carry on your line.”

“I will have them.” He raised his eyes to her. “I will bear our heir.”

“I certain you were male Ainu. How is that even possible? Males cannot beget children, if that was possible, Syrus would be more then happy.”

“It is possible my lady. There are a few males blessed or cursed however you may want to see it, with the gift of being able to bear a child. I am one of them.” Faye could not seem to fathom this concept at all.

“How on Terra do you have the ability to have children Ainu? You are just a mortal boy. No offence meant.” Ainu sighed and gestured for her to sit down. She did settling comfortably in another of the soft chairs.

“None was taken my lady. There were times of war when the mortal population was decimated and magic still thrumbed strongly through the veins of many families. Many women had died for everyone was called upon to fight. It was then that the five great magicians of our time came together to solve the problem. They bestowed the gift of childbirth onto certain families, their male children were to be born more beautiful then others. They would never grow a beard nor would their features ever be as strong and rugged as those of most men. The gift has become rarer now, I inherited out of my mothers family, though I know little about them and she died before I was old enough to understand it fully.”

“Oh.” Faye gave him a thoughtful look. “So you can have children.”

“Yes that is correct. That is what I just said.” Ainu did wonder about girls sometimes.

‘But that’s wonderful!’ Faye thought to herself. ‘Ainu and Syrus can have children together! Beautiful children they would be too. Now to find a way of getting that stubborn mule to see this for himself and fight for him.’ Ainu watched her face change into a gleeful expression and wondered about what exactly was going on in her mind.

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Distant Raen: His father gets better, Cortax doesnt...dont like him either. thanks for reviewing.

Raven: Here you go, here's more.

Zelasii: HUG! Thanks for nice review, doesnt have to be long (though long ones are nice) just nice to know that ones story is appreciated.

bambi4real: Thanks for reviewing last chapter though...its dearly appreciated. ANd so are the rates! I'm just an obsessive review checker is all...lol.

slashfan: Thanks, glad you like it. It will have a happy ending I promise.