Chapter Nine

Zelgadiss didn't know what to say. He looked to Medb, and she just smiled slightly. He could read the jealousy in her eyes, small though it was. "I don't know what to say, Amelia. I had no idea.."

He watched as Medb leaned over, and whispered something in Amelia's ear. Despite her nervousness and discomfort, she laughed. Then Medb looked to him, and quirked an eyebrow, her eyes saying "be gentle..".

"Oh Medb What are you..? Really.? You aren't human.. What do I say to her, Medb..? What do I do..?"

He coughed, and turned away, then looked at Amelia's red face. "Amelia. You are.. my friend and traveling companion, as Lina is.." He struggled for words. "but.. Amelia, you deserve something better than anything I could ever offer.. You understand?"

Amelia nodded her head, the blush slowly leaving. "I do understand, Mr. Zelgadiss. And I'm glad you consider me to be your friend."

~*~L~*~

It was late, and Medb was weary as she walked home, dragging her feet. She had a busy day, and was wore out. Between work, making out with Zelgadiss, and comforting Amelia, that was no surprise. She sighed heavily, tugging at the hood of her black cloak. She was sooo tired. She just wanted to get home and fall into bed.

Finally, she saw her house, and she rushed forward, and quickly rushed inside. Shutting the door behind her, she removed her cloak and boots, then moved barefoot towards the stairs. She did not notice that there was a fire blazing in the fire place and that her kitchen table was dirty.

She reached her room, and immediately began to peel off her clothing, not seeing that her bed, which was made neatly this morning, was crumpled. Retrieving her nightgown, she pulled it over her head, and let its silkiness fall over the gentle curves of her body. Then she was crawling into bed under the blanket. Her head fell back against the pillow, she closed her eyes, and relaxed her weary body. Stretching her arms out, she yawned just as her hand bumped something. What was that?

The lights were out, and she couldn't see, so she felt. Yes, there was something there. She stiffened, fear gripping her. Someone was in her bed with her. She felt again, hoping she was wrong and had imagined it. She was rewarded with a familiar giggle. Suddenly, the bed shifted, and she was pounced on. She let out a loud scream, but was cut off with a gloved hand. She struggled, wishing the lights were on so she could know who was there.

"Hello again, Medb! It's so nice to be in bed with you again!!" Xelloss said cheerfully.

"XELLOSS!!" She struggled beneath him, and tried to removed his hand from her mouth.

"Hehe Sorry Medb.. But if I let you go, I might get another black eye! And we can't have that, can we? Oh, and if you're thinking of licking my hand again, that won't work."

She sighed, and relaxed her muscles, as if saying "I give in." He giggled happily, and tapped his fingers on her cheek. Her green eyes narrowed in anger, but he just kept on.

"I came to talk to you. I think I found a cure for Zelgadiss, but he doesn't listen to me, and I know he'd listen to you, so I'm trusting you to let him know." As he spoke, he removed his hand, and she glared at him.

"Bullshit. That's all bullshit. Ye are so full of sh-"

Once more, her mouth was covered, and she couldn't talk.

"Tsk, tsk. Such a dirty mouth. You should behave yourself, Medb!!"

"MMFFFPPHH!!!!"

"What was that..? I couldn't understand you."

A low growl was heard from underneath Xelloss's gloved hand as Medb struggled beneath him yet again. Medb was tired of this man and the way he kept bothering her continously. Seeing that he grinned darkly at her growl, she tried another approach. Tears. Her eyes filled with them, and as he saw tears threaten to flow, he loosened his grip, confused. She saw this, and let the tears come. She was good at fake tears. She had done this so many times before that by now they looked real. She sobbed, her eyelids closing half-way. Xelloss watched her, not knowing what to do. This was so unexpected. Finally, he pulled his hand away, and she wiped at her face, trying to rid herself of the tears.

Xelloss sat on top of her, enjoying the tears, but had a feeling of dread, and regret. He didn't mean to make her cry. Wait. This was the perfect opportunity to get on her good side. He grinned to himself, then crawled off of her. He back away from the bed, watching as she wiped the tears away with her blanket, then she looked up at him. Her eyes were dry.

She grinned almost evilly. "I 'ave ways of softening any man, Xelloss. Now what do ye want with me..?"

"She's my kind of woman.." He thought to himself as he watched her. "I'll just tell her a little bit.. then let things go from there." He smirked, and leaned against the wall.

"Well, now that I have your attention, I found Zel's cure, but he'll have to travel to get it, and as I said, he won't listen to me.."

"I'm not surprised.. but why me..?"

"Because he'll listen to you.." he replied in a patient tone. "Plus.."

"Plus..?"

He giggled cutely. "My dear that is a secret!!"

"Grr. I am tired of ye damn secrets!!! Ye are up to something, and I would like to know what!"

"I'm not up to anything.."

"Like 'ell ye are not."

He laughed. "Calm down, Medb. If you really want Zel to be cured and happy, LISTEN." When she did not answer, he continued. "Several days from here is a shrine, and they just might have a cure for him."

"Just might..? But ye said.."

He shrugged his shoulders, and stood up straight, and began walking towards the door. "Oh.. and Medb..?" He paused. "If you really want him to be truly happy I suggest that you tell him, and let him go his own way."

She bowed her head, and did not see the dark grin of his lips as he faded away..

". Remember Medb for him to be truly happy."

~*~L~*~

A week later Medb had seen nothing of Rezo or Xelloss. And she still had not told Zelgadiss of the shrine. She was in turmoil. Xelloss was right, though. She could tell that her love was not happy. She would give her life if it meant his happiness. But on the other hand, she didn't want him to leave her. Why, if he were cured, he probably never would return.

"What should I do? I love Zelgadiss so much even though I 'ad only known 'im for such a short time. I don't know where ta turn. I don't even know who I'm praying ta Oh, I 'ope someone is listening ta me. 'elp me.. I Zelgadiss means everything ta me.. Should I tell 'im about this cure Xelloss told me of?

"Will 'e be different when, or even if, 'e is cured? I'm so scared.. I don't want 'im ta change. I love 'im the way 'e is.. the small pebbles on 'is chin and cheeks.. the rough beauty of 'is large hands.. the soft smile on 'is lips.. the gentle yet rough embrace we share.. the way I feel so safe when 'e is near.. Will all of that change? Will 'e still love me..?

"Oh, whoever is listening ta me please please.."

No answer came to her as she sat cross legged in the grass at the foot of her parents graves. She only received a lonely feeling. She bowed her head, wiping away a single tear.

"Oh Mumma Da" She hugged herself tightly. "I miss ye so much I feel so lost without yer guidance.."

She reached out, and touched each mound of grass and dirt gently. She was so confused. She wanted to talk. But she had no one. She could not dump her fears on Zelgadiss. He had too much of a load to bear. Amelia, although sweet, would not understand. Neither would Lina. Gourry was too sweet and easy to confused. Xelloss would only make things worse.

Her parents. There were here. They would listen. Her voice would come to them by way of the wind, and they would understand.

Sniffing, she wiped away a tear, took a breath, and began to pour her heart out to dead air.

~*~O~*~

The Shrine Maiden Daria gazed at the visitors that stood before her. She had seen many people come to the Shrine to pay respect or ask for help, but she had never seen a group like this before.

The first young woman, whom she looked over first, appeared about sixteen years of age. She had a very beautiful face and a body that could make even a chaste man think thoughts of desire. Her hair was like a wild fire that had burst alive on her head but had been tamed by slender fingers and pulled into a thick braid. She had the pointed ears of the elven race, and eyes that were alive with a green flame. She clung to the young man's hand tightly, as if she never wanted to let him go. "This," Daria thought, "is a very passionate woman. And.. she looks so familiar."

Then she turned to the man next to her. He was about nineteen, maybe older. His hair looked like delicate grayish blue shards which made the sound of rain as they collided. His eyes, chin, and jawbone were lined with dark blue pebbles. His skin, which looked like rock, was a lighter shade of blue. His icy blue eyes pierced through her. Her gaze traveled down, and she saw that the two held hands. He was obviously squeezing the girl's hand a little too tightly, as it was a little pale, but the girl's face did not show it.

Behind them stood two other young women, also about the same age and obviously sorceresses, and a tall swordsman with long blonde hair.

She watched the chimeric young man, she assumed he was a chimera, as the redheaded girl behind him asked him a question. He nodded his head, then looked to the girl next to him. She offered a smile of support, and rested her head on his shoulder. He was a solemn person, and would probably have chosen to come here alone, but he was friendly with the people he had come here with. Especially the elven girl.

Daria sighed as she ran a small hand over her head to smooth down her straight brown hair. Then she stepped forward, her slippered feet making no sound on the stone floor. As she entered, everyone turned to her in respect.

"Welcome to this Shrine, travelers. Is there any way I can help you..?"

She watched as they group was hesitant, then finally the elven girl stepped forward, pulling away from the man's grip. "Aye there is.." Then she turned to the young man, and grabbed his hand to bring him forward. He came willingly at the girl's touch, and when they stood side by side, he opened his mouth to talk.

"My name is Zelgadiss Greywers. I am a chimera, and I have been searching for a long time to find a cure I want to be human again." Zelgadiss squeezed the girl's hand. "This is Medb She heard that there was a cure at this Shrine, and she told me of it. We came to see if it was true and if you could help me."

His voice was low and rich and very comforting. Daria sighed inwardly, then nodded her head. "Yes, you two may come with me."

She led them down a long hallway towards a an old wooden door. She forced the door open and led them into a room full of books and scrolls. The library.

"Zelgadiss Medb.. please sit down.." She watched as the young man chose the most sturdy chair after pulling it up to the one the girl sat in. Daria settled in a chair opposite of them, and crossed her ankles, her hands in her lap.

"I am willing to help you two.. That's what I'm here for. I am The Shrine Maiden Daria. You said you were looking for a cure, Zelgadiss. A cure for what you are?" When he nodded she continued on. "I can see that you are very close to her," she said, referring to Medb. "And that she feels the same about you. Now" she paused. "..we do have a cure here, but.. it's very risky. Much too risky. I do not suggest it. It is long, tedious, and tiring for everyone. And.. the results are not always good." She bowed her head for an instant, a tear trailing down her cheek.

Then she looked up to see that both looked upset. Zelgadiss stood up, and bowed before her. "Thank you, Daria for your time. Medb.." He took Medb's hand, and begun to lead her away. Daria's brown eyes narrowed as she watched the two. Were these the ones she had been told about in her dreams..?

"Zelgadiss." She called after them. "Why do you search for a cure here.. when you have held it in your hands the whole time..?"

~*~S~*~

Zelgadiss slowly turned around to look at the Shrine Maiden. He had been disappointed to hear that the cure was unstable, but now he was confused. He held the cure in his hands? What did she mean? He looked to Medb, who was grasping his hand tightly. He needed to talk to Daria alone. "Medb chan.. would you.. excuse us?"

Medb seemed reluctant, but she nodded her head, and slipped out of the room to join the others at the end of the long hallway. He looked back towards the woman when he heard the door shut, and she gestured for him to come closer. He did so, his icy blue eyes narrowed.

"Daria You said that I held the cure in my hands. My hands are empty." He held up his half-gloved hands while he watched the woman's blank face. "Medb I was holding Medb's hand when you said that But how is Medb..?"