| Chapter 25 Nick stood in front of his mirror staring at himself. The twin suns had just risen, and he was already up. He had stayed with Brian for a few hours, watching him as he slept. Then he'd retired to his room, catching a few hours sleep. Now he was up, showered and already dressed. His mother had told him what to wear the night before, and now he looked at himself. He was completely in black, from the black long sleeved silk-like shirt, tight fitting black pants that were tucked into his over the knee black boots, to the matching silk-like sash tied around his waist. He noted how pale he looked, with his white hair spiked in all directions. He left the crown for last, not wanting to put it on. He sat down on his bed, staring out the balcony doors. He couldn't shake the weight he felt on his shoulders. All he wanted to do was curl up in a ball and cry, but he'd already been doing that. And so far, it didn't seem to help any. He sighed, knowing that out of all the things that had happened to him in his life, today would be the most important. He was nervous, sad, angry, and worried. He wanted to make his father proud of him, to do the right thing.. but he wasn't sure he knew how. He'd grown up in a totally different world, with different beliefs. He knew that would cause him problems, especially with the council. But maybe that's what Celeste needed now? A new way of looking at things. He felt someone outside his door, and immediately recognized her. The door opened and his mother walked in. She managed a smile as she walked over to him, "How are you this morning?" "Nervous," he replied as she sat down next to him. She patted his knee, "I know this is going to be a hard day for all of us. Why don't you come down for breakfast before we leave?" Nick shook his head, "I don't think I can eat right now." LaDonna reached up and cupped his cheek, "I understand. I'm not in the mood to eat either, but it is going to be a long morning. At least try." Nick sighed, nodding his head, "I'll be down in a minute. I want to check on Brian first." His mother took his hand and walked with him to the door, "I would like to come with you. I want to meet him." Nick smiled, leading her down the hall to Brian's door. He passed his mark across the sensor, then lead his mother into the room. Marie was asleep in a chair next to the bed, and Brian was in bed curled up, hugging a pillow, snoring slightly. Nick and his mother smiled at each other. They quietly walked over to the bed, looking down at Brian. "He does bare a striking resemblance to us," the queen whispered. Nick nodded, "He kinda freaked when I told him, but I think he's OK with it now." Brian turned over in his sleep, letting go of the pillow. His mark glowed in the morning sun light. "Wow," Nick said, seeing it for the first time. They had kept it covered for several hours after inserting it, to let it settle. "The design is beautiful," the queen commented. "Yeah it is," Nick said. Brian's mark was unlike anyone else's. They had to design it just for him. It was a circle with the twin suns in the background, their rays shining outward to the edge of the circle, all glowing a brilliant golden color. But in the center was a replica of earth. It glowed blue, making it seem alive with the waves of the oceans. Nick laughed a little, "Ours seem plain next to that." The queen smiled, "That they do. I wasn't aware they had developed two toned ones." "Maybe we should have ours redone?" Nick said. His mother shook her head, "No thank you. I'm happy with the one I've had all these years." Nick glanced at his, "I'm still getting used to seeing mine all the time." She looked up at him, then took his hand, "Come, let's let them sleep. We will see them after breakfast." Nick glanced at Brian once more, then let his mother lead him out of the room. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Brian stood in the shower letting the water flow over his bruised body. He awoke to the smell of breakfast. Marie had just finished eating what they'd brought her, so she sat and talked to him as he ate his. He'd gotten up and headed into the bathroom, only to have to return and ask Marie how to work the shower. Now he stood in there letting the heat from the water sooth his sore body. His bruises looked better, although his ribs still ached. He wondered how long it would take them to heal. He stared at his mark again, for the millionth time since he'd woken up. He couldn't believe how beautiful it was, and that he really had it. His wrist was a little sore, but Marie assured him the soreness would subside in a day or so. He looked in the mirror that was in the shower, making sure he hadn't missed somewhere shaving. He hadn't realized just how scruffy he was looking until he climbed in the shower and saw himself. It was nice shaving in the shower, and he wondered how they kept the mirror from fogging up. He shook his head, realizing his mind was in a million different places at the same time. He shut the water off and grabbed a towel, drying off. He needed to focus. Nick would need his support today, more than any other time in their lives. He couldn't be wasting time wondering about petty little things like shower mirrors. He wrapped the towel around himself and walked back into his room, "Marie, do I have any clothes here...?" he asked, stopping dead in his tracks when he realized it wasn't Marie he was talking to. Nick stood in the room, with another woman. Nick resembled her a lot, and Brian figured that was his mother, the queen. The Queen! Brian stood there in his towel, wide eyed, not knowing what to do. He remembered the girls kneeling when Nick walked in last night, so he dropped to his knees, praying to God the towel stayed on. Nick started laughing, "Sorry Bri, we didn't expect you to come out in a towel." Brian looked up at his friend, "What else am I gonna come out of the shower in?" The queen walked over and stood in front of him. "Nick, what am I suppose to do here?" Brian asked, completely embarrassed. "Take her hand when she offers it to you," Nick said, coming over to stand beside his mother. "This is Brian Littrell, my best friend," he said. LaDonna offered Brian her hand, and he took it. She gently pulled him up, Brian hanging on to the towel for dear life as he stood. "Tell him it is an honor to meet my son's dearest friend," she said. "She say's it's an honor to meet you," Nick translated. Brian smiled at her, "Nice to meet you too." "He say's he's honored to meet you as well," Nick said. LaDonna smiled, letting go of Brian's hand, "Now, get your friend something to wear before he dies of embarrassment," she laughed, turning and heading out of the room. Nick laughed, as Brian stared at him, "What'd she say?" "She realized you were embarrassed and told me to get you some clothes," Nick said, "Come on." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Brian stared at himself in the mirror, "No way." Nick laughed and nodded, "Way man." "I look like a freakin dork," Brian whined. "Welcome to my world," Nick laughed, "You actually get used to them after a while." Brian looked down at himself, "Uh, I don't think so." "Come on man, it's not that bad," Nick said. Brian looked at him like he'd sprouted wings, "You're kidding right? Nick this is horrible. You can see my ..... everything in this." "That's what the shirt is for silly," Nick said. "It's not long enough," Brian protested. "Hey, it's way longer on you than it ever was on me. Be thankful," Nick laughed. Brian stared at himself again, pulling his shirt down some more. He had on a black shirt, with very tight tan pants and over the knee black boots. "This is appropriate for a funeral?" he asked. Nick's mood turned somber, "Yeah. You and Marie will be riding in the back of the procession, behind the council members and their families." "I wish I could ride with you," Brian said. Nick sighed, "So do I man, but this is one thing I have to do by myself." "Are we ready then?" Brian asked. "Almost," Nick said, getting up and walking over to his dressing table. He took a tube out of a drawer and opened it up, squirting some of the black goo onto his finger. "Close your eyes," he told Brian. Brian closed his eyes, and Nick ran his finger down the right side of his face, across his eyelid and down his cheek. "OK," he said. Brian opened his eyes and looked at himself, "What's this for?" "It is a sign of our loss. The entire planet will wear this mark for a week," Nick explained. "Oh," Brian said, "Do you need help with yours?" Nick nodded, handing Brian the tube. He bent down, Brian running his finger down his cheek. Nick looked in the mirror. It looked as if black tears were streaming down that side of his face. He sighed, grabbing his crown and walking out of the room. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The two met Rowland, Marie and Ana in the hall, heading down to the stables. The girls were in black dresses, the black marks on their faces. Marie took Brian's hand as they walked behind Nick and Ana. "Here," she said, handing him something that looked like a hearing aid. "What's this?" he asked. "Translator, so we don't have to tell you what's going on," she answered. "Thanks," he said, putting it in his ear. "Do you understand what I'm saying?" Marie asked. Brian looked at her amazed, "Yeah, that's cool. It was in your voice." She nodded, squeezing his hand. As they walked out of the palace and towards the stables Brian gawked at everything. He'd never seen such a beautiful city, it kinda reminded him of the last Star Wars movie. Then he saw the unicorns. "Oh wow," he said. Marie tugged on his hand, so they wouldn't fall behind. Brian had to keep telling himself he could gawk later, he needed to be here for Nick, but then he'd see something else that just blew his mind. Nick stopped in front of a carriage, "Bri, this is your ride." Brian helped Marie into the open air carriage, then turned to Nick, "I'm here man, whenever you need me." "Thanks," Nick said, quickly hugging Brian, then heading on up the waiting procession. Brian climbed into the carriage and looked around, feeling awkward and out of place. Marie took his hand again, "It is an honor for both of us to be included in this procession." Brian nodded, "I just wish I could be closer to him. This is gonna be hard for him." "You are here, that's all that matters," Marie said. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Nick walked up to his mother's carriage, seeing her standing outside. When he reached her, she lifted her hands and straightened his crown for him. "Where's Anthony?" he asked. "He will be riding behind you," she answered. "I don't want you riding by yourself," Nick said. "I am not. Ana is riding with me," his mother said. Nick looked over at Ana and smiled, "Good." LaDonna hugged Nick, "I will see you when we get there." Nick nodded, offering her his hand as she climbed into her carriage. He then helped Ana in, catching her comforting smile as she sat down. He smiled back, then turned and headed to where Rowland was holding Thomas. He took the reins from Rowland and climbed on Thomas's back. Thomas tossed his head a few times, purring softly. He could tell Nick was sad, and wanted to comfort him. Nick patted his neck, "I know you care Thomas, thank you," he whispered to the unicorn. Thomas tossed his head again, dancing around, anxious to get moving. Rowland had mounted his own unicorn, and was just behind Nick. "What are we waiting on?" Nick asked. "Count DeGrafe," Rowland answered. Nick sighed, "The man has no respect. Late to his own brothers funeral," he muttered. Rowland nodded, not wanting to voice his own opinion of the count. Anthony rode up, "You aren't waiting on me are you?" "No, your father," Nick said, seeing the Count just arriving. Anthony looked back, then to Nick with an apologetic look on his face. Nick shook his head, "Don't apologize for him. He's not your responsibility." "Still, it shows a lack of respect to make the queen wait like this," Anthony fumed. "That it does," Nick agreed, "I'll handle it though, don't worry about it." Nick rode up to his mother's carriage. "I saw," she told him, "We will deal with it after the ceremony tonight." Nick nodded, moving Thomas away from the carriage as it took off. He fell in behind it as the procession marched out of the palace gates. It was going to be a long ride through the city and out to the country side. Nick took the opportunity to think. Although thousands of people lined the streets, it was eerily quiet. Nick lay the reins over the saddle horn. Thomas wasn't going to do anything but follow the carriage, so there was no need to steer him. He rested his hands on the saddle and bowed his head as they rode down the street. He let the events of the past month replay in his head. From the moment he was told who he was, to the moment his father died in his arms. He let his tears fall down his face as the immense sense of loss overwhelmed him. He didn't care that everyone saw him crying, he only knew that it was the only way for him to release his emotions. He continued to think about his life on earth. About his family, and how much they loved him, and about how no matter how hard he tried, he never seemed to fit in. Then he thought about his life here. His mother and father had gone out of their way to make him feel welcomed, and loved. And he did. He loved it here. He loved everything about being in the palace, and his surroundings. And he loved the people. They all treated him as if he were some lost treasure. But still he felt like an outsider. Here too, he just didn't quite fit in. He was beginning to wonder if there was anywhere in the universe that he could call his own. That he felt completely at home in, and actually belonged. Then his mind took him to what would be his first decision as King. The earth ship would arrive tomorrow, and it would be up to him what would happen. He had already somewhat planned what he wanted to do, but now.... he was just so angry at them. He didn't want his anger to cloud his judgement, but how could it not? It was their fault he was separated from his family. It was their fault he missed out on years of learning what he needed to, to become king. How could his anger not have a factor in what he decided? Nick sighed, wiping his face. He looked around, realizing they were almost there. He noticed someone behind him crying, and turned around in his saddle. Anthony was behind him, lost in his own grief. Nick slowed Thomas down until he and Anthony were riding side by side. He reached over and touched Anthony's arm, offering him a half smile when he looked up. "I'm not suppose to be...." Anthony started. Nick shook his head, "You are more his son, than I ever will be. Ride with me." Anthony sniffed, wiping his tears away, staring at Nick. Nick patted his arm, then faced forward again. Anthony glanced back at Rowland for a second, then faced forward, riding the rest of the way next to Nick. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Brian watched as they approached a massive wall of stone. It looked like the side of a mountain had been sheered off. As they got closer, he could see the ornate carvings in the rock. "This is the tomb?" he asked. "Yes, the King's mountain. Every King from the beginning has been buried here," she answered. Everyone had stopped and were getting out of their carriages. Brian jumped down, holding his side when he did. He turned to help Marie down, then they followed everyone inside. "What are the flying metal things?" he asked in a whisper. "Cameras, this is being broadcast live all over the planet," Marie answered. They took their places in the back, behind everyone else. Nick and the queen sat in the front as the King's body was brought in and laid on a massive slab at the head of the room. His crown was resting on his chest, his arms at his side. Brian noticed that the King's mark had ceased to glow. It was still visible, but more like a scar now. An older man dressed in long flowing robes stood by the body. Brian assumed he was some sort of priest. He listened as the man began the ceremony, speaking of the great things the king had done during his lifetime. Brian watched Nick and his mother. They sat next to each other, holding hands, heads bowed. Every so often Nick would look up in the direction of his father, only to lower his head again, and a new batch of tears streaming down his face. Brian couldn't stop his own tears. He felt so bad for Nick, and everyone here. They all seemed so heartbroken, and Nick especially. He'd never seen such a look of utter loss on Nick's face in his entire life. The ceremony went on, consisting of many rituals. Brian didn't know what all they meant, but he did them out of respect. Finally the ceremony was over. No one moved as Nick and the queen stood, walking up to the body. The queen stared at her husbands lifeless face for a moment, then bent down and kissed his forehead before stepping out of the way. Nick came closer, staring at his father. He'd never lost anyone he loved so much, and he was having a difficult time. His lip trembled as he took his fathers hand and leaned down, whispering in his ear, "I love you, and I will make you proud of me. I promise." With that he too kissed the kings forehead and then turned, taking his mothers hand and leading her out of the massive tomb. One by one those present walked foreword, paying their last respects to the beloved king. Finally it was Marie and Brian's turn. They were the last people inside the tomb, beside the priest and a few guards. Marie just bowed her head for a moment, then stepped away, leaving Brian standing in front of the king. He stared at the man that resembled Nick in so many ways. He was sure that when Nick got older, he would look just like the king. "Um, you don't know me, but I'm Nick's best friend. He loves you so much, and all he wants to do is make you proud of him. I wish he'd had a chance to really get to know you, you sounded like a remarkable man. Nick is pretty remarkable too, and I know he'll do everything he can for this planet. And I'll be here to help him, for as long as it takes. Even if I have to spend the rest of my life here, I'm not going to leave him. I promise you that," he whispered, then stepped back, taking Marie's hand and leading her back to their carriage for the long journey back. Chapter 26 |