Anger burned in Brian’s heart as he looked down at AJ’s back. At the same time, he fought the wave of nausea that welled up. Goddess above, but he was a mess! All he could do was stand there and stare. He’d brought AJ in to the room the elves had prepared off the side of the cells. To no one else had Brian trusted the duty of magically carrying AJ down. He was hesitant to even let others attend him. But, Flreu had decreed that AJ would be cared for as one moving from childhood to adolescence while he healed. That meant that family would attend him.<?xml:namespace prefix = o /><o:p> </o:p>
To that note, the room was filling with elves at the moment. Flreu was there, with Tadhg and Leusha by his side. Radha and Aine were by a table, preparing a salve to place over AJ’s wounds. Shay came into the room, moving to stand by Brian’s side. He silently slid an arm around Brian’s waist.<o:p> </o:p>
Together they looked down at AJ. He was resting on his stomach, arms lying loosely on either side, his head cushioned by a soft pillow. The move from upstairs to here had been too much and AJ had passed out. To most, he might have looked more comfortable asleep. But Brian knew better. He saw the slight clenching of AJ’s fists. The knotted muscles in his shoulders. Tension was written into AJ’s face for those who knew him to see.<o:p> </o:p>
“I hate this.” Brian whispered. He kept his voice pitched low; a soft murmur that only Shay could hear. “I hate not being able to reassure him and help him. When he wakes up, it’s not going to be pleasant.”<o:p> </o:p>
There was a soft sigh next to him. “No, it won’t be.” The quiet response seemed weighted with so much meaning, reminding Brian that this man could see things that others couldn’t. But he didn’t let himself focus on that. He had to focus on the here and now or there was no telling what he’d do. Shay’s arm tightened suddenly. “But,” he said “He will survive it. That’s what’s important.”<o:p> </o:p>
“I can’t seem to focus on that right now.” Brian admitted. “It’s taking everything I have to follow the law and allow the others to have the punishment that Alex decreed for them. I want to go out there. I want to force them to come in here and witness what they’ve done. I want to whip them until they understand his pain.”<o:p> </o:p>
Someone came to the door. Brian caught the soft voices as Leusha spoke to whoever was there. Then she was suddenly by his side, pressing against his arm to not only get his attention but to offer comfort. “Nephew, we have water and cloth.” She gestured with the bowl in her arms. There were strips of cloth draped over her arm. “Why don’t we clean him up?”<o:p> </o:p>
Brian made to move with her, to squat by AJ’s side, but Shay took his arm and stopped him. Curious, Brian looked up, the question written on his face. Shay gave him a serious look. “You should move to the other side. That way, when he wakes, he’ll see you first.”<o:p> </o:p>
Within just moments it seemed that all of them were around AJ. Gently, with infinite care, he was cleansed of all the blood that had pooled off of him. The marks from the lashes broke Brian’s heart. While they worked, AJ began to stir slightly. But it wasn’t until Aine came over and she and Radha started to apply the salve that AJ finally woke.<o:p> </o:p>
He woke with a guttural cry, his whole body twitching as he did. His eyes flew open. In that first, quick look, Brian saw the one thing that he’d feared. The pain had driven AJ to that part of his mind where the tinges of madness still dwelled in them both. Reflexively, Brian added his own shield over Tadhg’s.<o:p> </o:p>
Brian’s hand was gentle as he laid it over AJ’s cheek. “Alex, baby, it’s me. It’s Brian.” He spoke soothingly, hoping to break past that darkness in AJ’s eyes. “Song of my heart, I’m here. I’m with you.”<o:p> </o:p>
“Brian.” His name was like a gasp on AJ’s lips. He sucked air in, whimpering slightly as it moved his back. “You’ve got to go.” The words were tore from deep inside, spoken past gritted teeth. They surprised Brian. “Go? Honey, I’m right here. I’m staying with you.”<o:p> </o:p>
“No!”<o:p> </o:p>
Everyone in the group looked at one another as they listened to AJ’s breathing. Brian leaned down again, looking at AJ’s eyes. “Heart song, I can’t leave you. I’m going to take care of you. We’re all taking care of you.”<o:p> </o:p>
Tears leaked out of AJ’s eyes, traveling down his cheeks. “Please, go.” He begged. More tears came. “Please! Before he comes back.”<o:p> </o:p>
“Who…” But Brian’s voice trailed off as the implications of what AJ was saying finally struck him. He had to look away for a moment to regain his composure. Then he turned back, pressing a kiss to AJ’s temple and wiping away his tears. “Oh, Alex, we’re not there. We escaped, remember?” he whispered into his ear. AJ said something, but it was lost as his body twitched. Brian stayed where he was, whispering soothing words. “You’re safe. You’re at Flreu’s castle, song of my heart, song of my soul. Nothing will hurt us here.”<o:p> </o:p>
To the surprise of everyone there, AJ suddenly shifted his arms. He put his hands on the ground and tried to push himself up even as he cried out at the movement. Hands were suddenly there, all of them trying to get him to lie back down. “Alex, Alex!” Brian cried out. “Please, baby, lay down. Please! You’re going to hurt yourself!”<o:p> </o:p>
“Can’t stay here.” AJ cursed, still trying to rise. “We’ve got to go. Please, please!” He sobbed when his back twisted a little, pulling at the skin. Fresh blood welled up. Suddenly he seemed to feel all the hands on him and his panic kicked into overdrive. It was a good thing that Brian had added his own shield because AJ was suddenly pushing against it. But Brian knew AJ’s strength and he was prepared for this. He linked with Tadhg and, together, the two strengthened their shielding, merging it to one.<o:p> </o:p>
“No!” AJ shrieked out, trying to move away from the hands. “No more! No more!”<o:p> </o:p>
Tears streamed down Brian’s cheeks. He knew what he was going to have to do and he hated it. But, hate or not, he still wove bands of air and grabbed AJ’s ankles with them. He pinned them down, then used earth to bring the stone up, creating cuffs to hold AJ down with. He did the same with AJ’s wrists, trapping them on either side of his waist. It forced AJ to be on his stomach on the ground. Without his magic, AJ wouldn’t be able to break them.<o:p> </o:p>
The others looked at him in surprise. Only Shay and Flreu seemed to understand. Their eyes were compassionate. Brian raised a hand, wiping away tears. “He thinks he’s trapped again.” He whispered to the others. “He thinks he’s back with Roth. If I don’t restrain him, he’ll hurt himself. He might try to physically hurt anyone in his way, too.”<o:p> </o:p>
The small cries that AJ had been making were turning into great, choking sobs. Brian laid his body out on the ground beside AJ, putting them face to face. His heart felt as if it was breaking in his chest. “Alex, Alex.” Brian waited until AJ’s eyes opened and locked on to him. “Roth isn’t here. Remember, Alex. Think. You destroyed him. He’s gone.”<o:p> </o:p>
“Please, it hurts.” AJ whispered brokenly. “Make it stop.”<o:p> </o:p>
“Oh, honey, I can’t. I wish I could but I can’t.”<o:p> </o:p>
AJ’s eyes shut again, clenched tight. “It hurts so much.”<o:p> </o:p>
Another voice joined them, then. This one had AJ’s eyes snapping open and his head moving to look. Flreu knelt by their heads, his one hand coming to rest on AJ’s forehead. “You are at my home, grandson.” he said. “I promise you that you and your heart song are safe. Nothing shall hurt you while you are here.”<o:p> </o:p>
“Grandfather?”<o:p> </o:p>
“Yes. I am here. All of us that live in this home are here. Your Aunt Radha and Cousin Aine. Uncle Tadhg and Aunt Leusha are here as well. As are Shay and Brian.”<o:p> </o:p>
“Brian? He’s safe too?”<o:p> </o:p>
More tears poured from Brian’s eyes. Leave it to AJ to be concerned with those that he loved instead of with himself.<o:p> </o:p>
Flreu smiled down at him. “Yes. Your heart song is safe.”<o:p> </o:p>
For the moment, that was enough to quiet AJ.<o:p> </o:p>
~~~~~~~~~~~~~<o:p> </o:p>
So went a very rough night. Brian allowed the others to tend AJ’s skin, leaving him free to tend AJ’s heart. He spoke soothingly to him when AJ started to panic. He dried his tears when he cried. When he’d move and the pain would hit, Brian was there to stroke his face, to quiet the screams that ripped their way out of his throat. Every time that AJ hurt, Brian hurt with him. When he screamed, it was like a knife against Brian’s heart. He fought a hard battle of his own to keep from opening the bond back up and trying to soothe him.<o:p> </o:p>
But the night did pass. It felt as if it lasted lifetimes and yet, finally, sunlight broke through the window to touch on their skin. No one had slept that night. All of them had stayed with AJ, allowing no others to enter the room. They would have closed the door, but Brian had commanded that it be left open some. He wanted the others to hear AJ’s pain. He wanted them to hurt for AJ.<o:p> </o:p>
When that sunlight came in, Flreu rose to his feet from where he had sat by AJ’s head. He looked down at his grandsons. With the voice of the King, he summoned the elf that stood guard at the door. “Let it be known that this man has completed his punishment.” He announced firmly. “His shame is no more.”<o:p> </o:p>
The elf took off at a run from the room. All the others rose as well, except for Brian. He stayed by AJ’s face, stroking his cheek. AJ had been quiet for the past hour.<o:p> </o:p>
A slight pulse of the shield told Brian what Tadhg wanted to do. Without a word, Brian pulled back from the link, letting Tadhg have control of it.<o:p> </o:p>
Flreu looked down at them both. “It might be prudent to open the bond first, grandson, and reassure him that way before we release the shield. This room is part of the cells, so no magic will escape here if he does anything, but if you are soothing him, it might prevent us from being injured.”<o:p> </o:p>
No other word was needed. With a thought, Brian opened his end of the bond, sending his love rushing over it to AJ. With it, he let AJ know it was safe for him to open his end. At first he thought that AJ had it closed too tight, that he might not feel it, but then he felt AJ in his mind and he was in AJ’s and they were whole again.<o:p> </o:p>
It was like coming back to life. For the entire night, Brian had felt like half a person. He hadn’t felt right. But now they were together again, sharing thoughts and feelings, and they were whole. ‘Oh, song of my heart, I am so sorry you had to do this.’<o:p> </o:p>
‘It was necessary.’ AJ’s mind voice was tinged with exhaustion, but it was clear of the earlier madness that had been in his eyes. ‘In the last hour, I began to remember why I was doing this. I began to realize I was safe.’<o:p> </o:p>
‘It’s time to release the shield. They wanted me to warn you so you don’t lash out when we do.’<o:p> </o:p>
‘I will not hurt anyone. Please, let it go.’<o:p> </o:p>
Brian raised his eyes, nodding when he looked at Tadhg. A second later the shield dissipated. AJ embraced earth, taking the stone off his wrists and ankles and pulling it back down into the ground. Already they could see the wounds on his back starting to heal as AJ embraced the magic in him. There was only so much healing you could perform on yourself.<o:p> </o:p>
Tadhg stepped up. “Nephew.” He spoke softly. “If you wish, it is the right of law that I offer healing for you this morning. Will you accept?”<o:p> </o:p>
Silence, for a moment. Then, “Yes.”<o:p> </o:p>
Without another word, Tadhg knelt and put his hands in the air above AJ’s back. There was a subtle feel of magic in the air. Brian sat up, watching as the wounds on AJ’s back seemed to glow for a second. Then they moved, the skin knitting together, first scabbing and then healing until there was nothing left but scars. The scars surprised Brian. ‘Alex, your back…’ He couldn’t even seem to finish the thought.<o:p> </o:p>
AJ shifted as Tadhg pulled away. ‘I know, love. I knew the scars would be there.’<o:p> </o:p>
‘But, our healing, shouldn’t it have taken care of that? Uncle healed you!’<o:p> </o:p>
‘As immortals, we healed fast, yes, but we also healed perfectly, without scarring, because the magic healed our bodies to a state of what they should be, minus imperfections. Being elvish, now, I told you before that it’s different. We don’t have the weave that made us immortal. We are immortal by our birthright alone. But being Elvish means we can be injured. You saw the elves that were hurt on the battlefield. The style of healing is different.’<o:p> </o:p>
‘I don’t understand.’ Brian admitted.<o:p> </o:p>
‘When I cut off my hand to demonstrate to you the healing, it grew back. As an elf, if I did that now it would not grow back on its own. I would be able to encourage it to do so with magic. I can almost guarantee I would succeed, as well. The elf in us helps us to heal, as does our own magic, but it works with what is already there. It heals us as a mortal would be healed, only faster. So, with these lashes, they are healed, but it still scars the skin.’<o:p> </o:p>
Put like that, it made some form of sense. Brian knew he’d think more on it later. Right at the moment he hated having to see the network of scars across AJ’s back, testament to what he’d gone through.<o:p> </o:p>
All of these thoughts had only taken a moment to share. So, by the time they were done, AJ had just shifted from the ground and risen to his feet. His eyes were completely clear for the first time all night. Pride had his spine straight and his chin lifted. “Thank you, all of you, for tending me through the night.”<o:p> </o:p>
Everyone moved forward, touching and embracing him, rejoicing with him. To them, he had proved his strength and earned honor in their eyes. He had taken a punishment and come out the other side, his shame gone.<o:p> </o:p>
For his part, Brian stood, staying back from them, his temper simmering. He knew that next they would release the others from the cells and it was going to take everything he had not to hurt them for the pain they had indirectly caused AJ. The little bastards.<o:p> </o:p>
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<o:p> </o:p>
Tension had AJ’s muscles tight, but he worked to ease it while accepting the love and embraces from his family. When they finally moved away, he managed to give them a true smile. The pain and memories of the night still tugged at AJ’s brain, but he forced them back .There was no point in dwelling on the darkness he had lived through. It was done. He was safe. Brian was safe. That was what mattered the most in his world. If he let himself think about the darkness right now, he might bring it back up, and that was the last thing he wanted to do.<o:p> </o:p>
So he pushed it back and let the love of his family and of his heart song fill him to the brim. That light helped to push the darkness back even further, back to the place where he usually locked it away. “Thank you all, again, for all you’ve done.” He told them with a smile. “I’d like to speak with Shay and Brian a moment. Then, I’ll go release the others and we’ll take to the training fields. Grandfather, do you think you might be able to handle the war plans for a day or two? I’ll meet with you each night to discuss what is important.”<o:p> </o:p>
“Of course.”<o:p> </o:p>
The others filed from the room, shutting the door as the last of them, Aine, left. AJ turned, smiling at Shay, begging his patience with a look. Shay nodded his understanding.<o:p> </o:p>
Now AJ felt free to do the one thing he wanted to do more than anything. He turned and walked straight to Brian. As he’d known they would, Brian’s arms automatically opened to embrace him, though Brian’s hands twitched when they encountered the scarred skin. AJ snuggled into Brian’s warmth, resting his head on the shoulder that was always there for him. It was heavenly to be held there. To breathe in and smell the scent that was pure Brian.<o:p> </o:p>
The grip of Brian’s arms was tight, almost crushing, but that was fine with AJ. He brought his own arms up to hug back just as tightly. It had been a hellish night for the both of them, he knew. But Brian had never wavered from his side. He had been there, with touch and with words, helping to keep him sane. Love filled AJ. ‘You I thank, more than any other. You are my heart, my sanity, my life.’ He said to him.<o:p> </o:p>
Though he couldn’t see Brian’s smile, he felt it in the answer he gave. ‘Ever and always will I be there for you, song of my heart. Our hearts sing their song together. What else in life could I want?’<o:p> </o:p>
Another deep sigh and then AJ was pulling back, looking into Brian’s eyes and giving him a private smile. They needed no other words. Just having the bond open again, being back with one another, was enough.<o:p> </o:p>
AJ turned his head to look at Shay, keeping one hand linked with Brian. “I thank you too, Shay. Not just for your help with me, but for staying with my heart song and helping him through this.” He smiled and held his free hand out. Immediately Shay moved and took his hand. “Of course, Alyck. I’m sworn to you in many ways. Where else would I have been this night?”<o:p> </o:p>
The three smiled at one another. For a moment they simply enjoyed each other’s presence. Then AJ squared his shoulders and looked toward the door. “I suppose it’s time to free our troublemakers.” He said casually. Almost instantly he felt a flare in the bond, quickly suppressed. Ah. He’d thought it would be that way, but hadn’t been able to see any way around it.<o:p> </o:p>
What he needed to decide, quickly, was whether it was worth trying to talk Brian out of that temper, or to just let him be. There was no guarantee that talking to Brian would work. Oh, he would do as AJ asked and not blow at them, no screaming or yelling or anything like that, but there were a million other ways Brian could show his displeasure with them.<o:p> </o:p>
Would it just be easier to let it go and see what happened? He could always keep an eye on things and step in if it ever looked like Brian was getting too angry about it.<o:p> </o:p>
AJ smiled slightly to himself. If the roles were reversed, he knew how he’d feel. Nothing that anyone had to say would dissuade him from it either. In fact, them trying to talk him down would most likely piss him off more and make him feel like they didn’t trust him. That was the last thing he wanted to do to Brian. So, looked like his only option was to just let him go on as he wanted and trust in Brian’s judgment. <o:p> </o:p>
With AJ in the lead, the three men exited the room. Only one elf stood on guard at the cells, maintaining the shield over the prisoners. AJ easily linked with the elf long enough to take over the shield. Then he dismissed him.<o:p> </o:p>
A small gesture from AJ had Shay going door to door, opening each cell and summoning the person inside. AJ kept his spine straight and his face hard as each person walked out. He watched them, watched their faces, trying to read them. None of them were touching their magic, which was good. They hadn’t been given permission.<o:p> </o:p>
This had been the easy part of the punishment, in AJ’s eyes. Being shielded from your own magic was hard, yes, but it was a mental and a slight physical pain. The next few days would test the mettle of each person. Would they be able to handle being treated as children? Would they be able to refrain from touching their magic without the express permission of those around them?<o:p> </o:p>
Their pride would be tested. All the elves had been present when AJ had issued his decree on their treatment. He knew that the elves would enjoy testing these six. They would be sent on pointless errands for the simple amusement of seeing if they would do what they were told. Elves were a capricious lot. This would tickle their humor.<o:p> </o:p>
Once the six stood before him, AJ looked from one set of eyes to the other. He knew perfectly well the image he presented to them at that moment. His eyes were hard, sparking slightly with the magic in him. It wouldn’t have surprised him to know that they were glowing lightly. With Brian and Shay behind him, on either side, they presented a united front.<o:p> </o:p>
The silence stretched on for a few moments. AJ finally broke it when he saw them starting to shift under his gaze. “The first part of your punishment is complete.” He spoke softly. His voice seemed to echo in the room. “You’ve gone the night without food, water, or magic. Because you’ve made it through the night without complaint or troubles, I grant you one moment here, before us, to embrace your magic and soothe your bodies. But only a moment.”<o:p> </o:p>
That said, he released the shield over them, allowing them this moment. It was a reward for good behavior and he made sure they knew that.<o:p> </o:p>
While each and every one of them silently embraced their magic, AJ stood still, staring at the wall behind them. He gave them a few minutes, letting them relish in the feel as he had done when his shield had been lifted. Then, very gently, he said “Enough.”<o:p> </o:p>
To their credit, each of them released their magic. That earned a nod from AJ. “Good. You show you’ve learned some small amount of sense, at least. I will not discuss the cause for this punishment beyond today, so I invite you, here and now, to ask any questions about what happened or about this night, or to say anything you feel you might. If there is something in your mind, speak it now. I will not offer this again.”<o:p> </o:p>
At first, there was silence. But Tao finally stepped forward, her slight face looking serious. “Please, Shifu, I have only one question.”<o:p> </o:p>
“Speak.” Her use of the title she gave him dictated how he responded. She was referring to him as master, which set the tone for the way he needed to speak back to her.<o:p> </o:p>
“I wish only to know of your own health, Shifu. Please tell us how you fare this morning.”<o:p> </o:p>
Her tone betrayed her nerves, which AJ understood more than the others there. Brian noted on it and asked AJ ‘She sounds more nervous than I’d expect. What’s going on there?’<o:p> </o:p>
‘In her culture, it is considered the height of rudeness to ask a master, a shifu, a question like that. The master questions, not the student. But she’s taking a chance that, as I haven’t been enforcing those kinds of rules around her, that she might be safe asking it. She must be extremely concerned about me if she’s risking a social faux-pas. I’m kind of complimented.’<o:p> </o:p>
Out loud, AJ said “I fare well, child. My shield was removed as well and healing was offered to me.” He looked from one person to the next. “Any other questions?” Silence filled the room. “Good. Then, I want you all to make your way upstairs. We will break our fast on the grass before training begins. Now, go!” He clapped his hands, sending them all running.<o:p> </o:p>
AJ couldn’t resist looking over at his two friends. There was enough elf in him to find amusement in all of this. “Oh, this is going to be fun.” He joked as he headed toward the stairs. Shay’s laughter echoed behind him, mixing with Brian’s deeper laugh.<o:p> </o:p>