WBoS: Chapter Eight
Title: Within Boundaries of Stone (AU)
Author: _dh
Rating: R ish
Pairing: DM/EW
Warnings: it’s an AU
Disclaimer: I don’t know anything about them, I’m not making anything off this, I made it all up.
Summary: Umm...I made up a time and a place and stuck Dom and Elijah in it. Think of it as a fantasy novel with familiar characters ;)
A/N: Sorry for the wait between posts. Life (including my sister's wedding part 1 which involved a last minute decision to send a delagate...a.k.a. my other sister...down to Honduras) got in the way. Hope you all enjoy!
It was obvious now, with her...his hair shortened and the feminine clothing gone. Lija...Elijah was definitely male, his chest offering physical proof before Dom had put his shirt on.
He had seen the fear in his eyes, had known Elijah expected to get hurt, expected to be hated.
He didn’t though. He didn’t hate Elijah. He was angry, sure. He’d been deceived and that was not a pleasant feeling. But he didn’t hate him for it. He wasn’t happy, didn’t know what to do now, but...
He couldn’t hold back the thought...She’s prettier as a boy.
* * * *
Wolf hadn’t moved from his spot just to the side of Sea Gate for hours.
It was unlikely they’d be back, but aside from leaving the city and venturing inside Thieves Alley, this was all he could do.
Thieves Alley. You didn’t go in there alone no matter how good you were. Even a troop of guards might not make it out again. The merchants and richborn didn’t think of them as much of a threat but the guards, those asked to apprehend a thief in there, they knew better. Especially those who made it back.
No, he had no hope of finding them alone now, barring a miracle.
Which, at least until the gates closed at sundown, was what he was waiting for.
* * * *
Their Royal Highnesses regarded the evening meal as a family affair. Therefore, among the richborn midday was the time for socializing, the time for gossip and rumor. A time to take your meal with a friend, an acquaintance, an ally, or maybe a soon-to-be enemy.
After all their guests had dispersed, Their Royal Highnesses sent for their three councilors and retired to the study.
Its name taken from the floor to ceiling stacks of custom bound books rather than its purpose, the study was empty of furniture save a large rectangular table and two ornate chairs at the head. The councilors were not permitted to sit with Their Royal Highnesses, a device designed to ensure that everyone knew their place in the decision making.
"Guardsman, where is our Heir?"
The guard stepped away from his place at the door and bowed. "She has retired to her menagerie with four of her guards currently in attendance."
"Good. See that it stays that way."
The guard bowed again and left the room. Not wasting any time, Their Royal Highnesses turned immediately to one of the councilors.
"Councilor Locke. What is the status on the betrothed?"
"The Merchant requested a guard as the betrothed is apparently becoming too much for him to handle on his own." Councilor Locke was the type that would blend in in every crowd; average height, average looks, dark hair and eyes and nothing unique about his features. As such, it was his duty to keep in contact with the Merchant class.
"And did you?"
"I sent one of the betrothed guards to ensure control of the situation."
"Might that not be too dangerous?" Councilor Trent primarily kept track of illegal activities in the city. "What if he is recognized?"
Locke dismissed that with a shrug. "He hasn’t left the palace in years. No one really remembers who he is or why they might find him familiar. Besides," he nodded at Their Royal Highnesses, "this way her betrothed will start to be familiarized with his guards."
Their Highnesses nodded, "Agreed. Councilor Steen, has there been any sign of impending threat from the Merchants?"
"No, Your Royal Highnesses, not a thing. They seem to be preoccupied with grooming their own candidate. They still do not suspect we already have one in place."
"Your Royal Highnesses." They looked startled by the unexpected interruption but nodded at Councilor Trent. "I disagree, the rumors..."
"They are nothing, Trent. Rumors are of no consequence."
"I am not talking about the Merchants, Locke."
"Who, then?"
"The lower class."
"You mean thieves."
"I mean all those who live outside the city and are denied its protection."
"Councilor Trent, that’s enough. They are poor pickpockets. And why you insist on wasting our time trying to convince us there are thousands of them... all well trained, I might add...I don’t know."
* * * *
They had been sitting at opposite ends for at least an hour.
Elijah didn’t know what to say. He’d apologized. He didn’t think that was enough, but what else could he do?
Dom couldn’t decide what to say. Thoughts were running around inside his mind; why didn’t you tell me...why are you running away...why did you keep meeting me...why was a royal guard chasing you...why did you kiss me.
"Why did you kiss me again?"
Elijah looked up immediately at the sound of Dom’s voice but it still took him a moment to grasp what he had just asked.
He could feel a blush rising to his face, and some of his fear rose as well, but he couldn’t lie, not anymore. "I wanted to."
Dom stood up and walked a little way away as Elijah continued
"I couldn’t help it. I wanted...I want...you."
Dom spun back around, a look of extreme confusion on his face. "You’re not a girl Lij...Elijah you’re not a girl."
Quietly, "I know."
Dom didn’t know what to say to that and they were back where they started, Dom standing now instead of sitting, but both at a loss for where to go now.
* * * *
Leaving the study, Trent’s aide fell in step beside him. The aides were not permitted inside during private council sessions.
"How can they be so blind?"
Accurately guessing this wasn’t a question he was supposed to answer, the aide kept silent.
Walking down the corridors to their quarters, Trent kept talking. "Why do they refuse to see what is going on in their own city? "
As they reached their corridors, Trent slowed and put a hand on his aide’s shoulder. "I need to know what’s going on, find Wolf and Gabriel. And arrange a meeting with our contact."
His aide nodded and turned to leave.
"Justin,"
He paused but didn’t turn
"Keep it quiet. And be careful."
Justin resumed walking. The warning was redundant really, as finding Wolf and Gabriel would be hard enough, but arranging for a meeting with their contact however, was like walking unprotected into the lion’s den.
* * * *
"It’s all those lessons, Elijah. They’ve made you...not yourself."
Elijah looked up and barely refrained from asking how Dom would know that.
"We just have to let you be yourself, be not female."
Elijah nodded. He really was that pathetic, leading Dom to think they could just be friends, just so he could stay close.
Shadow dropped nearly silently into the room. Dom had heard him coming but Elijah started at the unexpected intruder.
"Shadow."
He smiled at Dom and raised his eyebrows.
"Elijah. A...friend of mine. Elijah, this is Shadow, my protégé."
Elijah couldn’t read the hesitation, or the tone that followed. He watched quietly as Shadow tilted his head and Dom sighed.
"I’ll explain later. It’s...complicated."
Shadow’s eyes widened then he seemed to give a quick shake and motioned toward the trapdoor above them.
"Yeah."
Elijah looked up at that and opened his mouth but Dom continued before he could say anything.
"Elijah, you should probably stay here," Dom pulled a small lamp out of his pile of bedding and lit it with a match produced from somewhere on his body. "Shadow and I need to go somewhere and it’s probably safer if you stay here. We should be back soon."
He didn’t even wait for Elijah to answer before following Shadow up the ladder.
A few moments after they left, Elijah got up and cautiously peeked his head through the trapdoor. Seeing no one there he paused.
Explore this new world? Or stay there like a good little girl. Father had always dismissed those who lived outside the city, saying they were too poor and stupid to worry about. Elijah was starting to get the idea that this wasn’t the case and curiosity took over.
He climbed through the trapdoor and started to retrace the path Dom had taken them through. Some evening light still filtered through the various windows and opening, and there were also oil lights scattered here and there, but it was still quite dark. There weren’t a lot of doors, but they hadn’t actually used that many on their way in so Elijah found himself ducking through a waist high opening in a wall and coming out on a slanted hallway that seemed like a dead end.
He turned to go back but stopped as he heard voices coming his way. he hurried back into the slanted hallway and slid down, searching for some way to hide. Coming to a halt at the wall at the bottom he was surprised to find small handholds leading up. They were evenly staggered, up the wall and to the right. Intrigued, Elijah climbed up and found they led to the roof of the room he’d been in a few minutes ago.
He walked through another series of rooms. They were all empty, not a sign of habitation anywhere which puzzled him. Where did the people here live if not in these empty rooms? Coming to a dead end he turned around and began retracing his steps.
These rooms didn’t seem familiar, and after coming to a staircase that led to a door set halfway up a wall, Elijah knew he’d made a wrong turn somewhere. None of this looked familiar now as he passed a door set too low through which he could see what could be a bed in the corner.
He had no idea where he was, no idea how to get back, and no idea if Dom would be able to find him if something happened. Too scared to stay where he was, he kept moving; hoping to find something familiar.
* * * *
Dom didn’t want to risk going back into the city, he knew Wolf was probably still waiting somewhere near the gate, so he and Shadow waited in the shadows and watched the farmers, and occasional merchant, leaving the city.
The pickings were slim, but they managed to get enough for dinner with a little left over.
Shadow turned to leave as the sunset bell rang warning that the gates were about to close. Dom didn’t move, watching as the guards slowly marched the gates shut. He only turned once he heard the bar slam down, locking the gates from the inside.
"All right Shadow, let’s go get dinner."
Shadow looked up in concern at the sadness in Dom’s voice.
"I don’t know, it just seemed really final tonight. Like it meant something, you know?...Never mind," he shook his head. "Let’s go."
Shadow still looked concerned as he fell in step with Dom towards their pride’s market.
Author: _dh
Rating: R ish
Pairing: DM/EW
Warnings: it’s an AU
Disclaimer: I don’t know anything about them, I’m not making anything off this, I made it all up.
Summary: Umm...I made up a time and a place and stuck Dom and Elijah in it. Think of it as a fantasy novel with familiar characters ;)
A/N: Sorry for the wait between posts. Life (including my sister's wedding part 1 which involved a last minute decision to send a delagate...a.k.a. my other sister...down to Honduras) got in the way. Hope you all enjoy!
It was obvious now, with her...his hair shortened and the feminine clothing gone. Lija...Elijah was definitely male, his chest offering physical proof before Dom had put his shirt on.
He had seen the fear in his eyes, had known Elijah expected to get hurt, expected to be hated.
He didn’t though. He didn’t hate Elijah. He was angry, sure. He’d been deceived and that was not a pleasant feeling. But he didn’t hate him for it. He wasn’t happy, didn’t know what to do now, but...
He couldn’t hold back the thought...She’s prettier as a boy.
* * * *
Wolf hadn’t moved from his spot just to the side of Sea Gate for hours.
It was unlikely they’d be back, but aside from leaving the city and venturing inside Thieves Alley, this was all he could do.
Thieves Alley. You didn’t go in there alone no matter how good you were. Even a troop of guards might not make it out again. The merchants and richborn didn’t think of them as much of a threat but the guards, those asked to apprehend a thief in there, they knew better. Especially those who made it back.
No, he had no hope of finding them alone now, barring a miracle.
Which, at least until the gates closed at sundown, was what he was waiting for.
* * * *
Their Royal Highnesses regarded the evening meal as a family affair. Therefore, among the richborn midday was the time for socializing, the time for gossip and rumor. A time to take your meal with a friend, an acquaintance, an ally, or maybe a soon-to-be enemy.
After all their guests had dispersed, Their Royal Highnesses sent for their three councilors and retired to the study.
Its name taken from the floor to ceiling stacks of custom bound books rather than its purpose, the study was empty of furniture save a large rectangular table and two ornate chairs at the head. The councilors were not permitted to sit with Their Royal Highnesses, a device designed to ensure that everyone knew their place in the decision making.
"Guardsman, where is our Heir?"
The guard stepped away from his place at the door and bowed. "She has retired to her menagerie with four of her guards currently in attendance."
"Good. See that it stays that way."
The guard bowed again and left the room. Not wasting any time, Their Royal Highnesses turned immediately to one of the councilors.
"Councilor Locke. What is the status on the betrothed?"
"The Merchant requested a guard as the betrothed is apparently becoming too much for him to handle on his own." Councilor Locke was the type that would blend in in every crowd; average height, average looks, dark hair and eyes and nothing unique about his features. As such, it was his duty to keep in contact with the Merchant class.
"And did you?"
"I sent one of the betrothed guards to ensure control of the situation."
"Might that not be too dangerous?" Councilor Trent primarily kept track of illegal activities in the city. "What if he is recognized?"
Locke dismissed that with a shrug. "He hasn’t left the palace in years. No one really remembers who he is or why they might find him familiar. Besides," he nodded at Their Royal Highnesses, "this way her betrothed will start to be familiarized with his guards."
Their Highnesses nodded, "Agreed. Councilor Steen, has there been any sign of impending threat from the Merchants?"
"No, Your Royal Highnesses, not a thing. They seem to be preoccupied with grooming their own candidate. They still do not suspect we already have one in place."
"Your Royal Highnesses." They looked startled by the unexpected interruption but nodded at Councilor Trent. "I disagree, the rumors..."
"They are nothing, Trent. Rumors are of no consequence."
"I am not talking about the Merchants, Locke."
"Who, then?"
"The lower class."
"You mean thieves."
"I mean all those who live outside the city and are denied its protection."
"Councilor Trent, that’s enough. They are poor pickpockets. And why you insist on wasting our time trying to convince us there are thousands of them... all well trained, I might add...I don’t know."
* * * *
They had been sitting at opposite ends for at least an hour.
Elijah didn’t know what to say. He’d apologized. He didn’t think that was enough, but what else could he do?
Dom couldn’t decide what to say. Thoughts were running around inside his mind; why didn’t you tell me...why are you running away...why did you keep meeting me...why was a royal guard chasing you...why did you kiss me.
"Why did you kiss me again?"
Elijah looked up immediately at the sound of Dom’s voice but it still took him a moment to grasp what he had just asked.
He could feel a blush rising to his face, and some of his fear rose as well, but he couldn’t lie, not anymore. "I wanted to."
Dom stood up and walked a little way away as Elijah continued
"I couldn’t help it. I wanted...I want...you."
Dom spun back around, a look of extreme confusion on his face. "You’re not a girl Lij...Elijah you’re not a girl."
Quietly, "I know."
Dom didn’t know what to say to that and they were back where they started, Dom standing now instead of sitting, but both at a loss for where to go now.
* * * *
Leaving the study, Trent’s aide fell in step beside him. The aides were not permitted inside during private council sessions.
"How can they be so blind?"
Accurately guessing this wasn’t a question he was supposed to answer, the aide kept silent.
Walking down the corridors to their quarters, Trent kept talking. "Why do they refuse to see what is going on in their own city? "
As they reached their corridors, Trent slowed and put a hand on his aide’s shoulder. "I need to know what’s going on, find Wolf and Gabriel. And arrange a meeting with our contact."
His aide nodded and turned to leave.
"Justin,"
He paused but didn’t turn
"Keep it quiet. And be careful."
Justin resumed walking. The warning was redundant really, as finding Wolf and Gabriel would be hard enough, but arranging for a meeting with their contact however, was like walking unprotected into the lion’s den.
* * * *
"It’s all those lessons, Elijah. They’ve made you...not yourself."
Elijah looked up and barely refrained from asking how Dom would know that.
"We just have to let you be yourself, be not female."
Elijah nodded. He really was that pathetic, leading Dom to think they could just be friends, just so he could stay close.
Shadow dropped nearly silently into the room. Dom had heard him coming but Elijah started at the unexpected intruder.
"Shadow."
He smiled at Dom and raised his eyebrows.
"Elijah. A...friend of mine. Elijah, this is Shadow, my protégé."
Elijah couldn’t read the hesitation, or the tone that followed. He watched quietly as Shadow tilted his head and Dom sighed.
"I’ll explain later. It’s...complicated."
Shadow’s eyes widened then he seemed to give a quick shake and motioned toward the trapdoor above them.
"Yeah."
Elijah looked up at that and opened his mouth but Dom continued before he could say anything.
"Elijah, you should probably stay here," Dom pulled a small lamp out of his pile of bedding and lit it with a match produced from somewhere on his body. "Shadow and I need to go somewhere and it’s probably safer if you stay here. We should be back soon."
He didn’t even wait for Elijah to answer before following Shadow up the ladder.
A few moments after they left, Elijah got up and cautiously peeked his head through the trapdoor. Seeing no one there he paused.
Explore this new world? Or stay there like a good little girl. Father had always dismissed those who lived outside the city, saying they were too poor and stupid to worry about. Elijah was starting to get the idea that this wasn’t the case and curiosity took over.
He climbed through the trapdoor and started to retrace the path Dom had taken them through. Some evening light still filtered through the various windows and opening, and there were also oil lights scattered here and there, but it was still quite dark. There weren’t a lot of doors, but they hadn’t actually used that many on their way in so Elijah found himself ducking through a waist high opening in a wall and coming out on a slanted hallway that seemed like a dead end.
He turned to go back but stopped as he heard voices coming his way. he hurried back into the slanted hallway and slid down, searching for some way to hide. Coming to a halt at the wall at the bottom he was surprised to find small handholds leading up. They were evenly staggered, up the wall and to the right. Intrigued, Elijah climbed up and found they led to the roof of the room he’d been in a few minutes ago.
He walked through another series of rooms. They were all empty, not a sign of habitation anywhere which puzzled him. Where did the people here live if not in these empty rooms? Coming to a dead end he turned around and began retracing his steps.
These rooms didn’t seem familiar, and after coming to a staircase that led to a door set halfway up a wall, Elijah knew he’d made a wrong turn somewhere. None of this looked familiar now as he passed a door set too low through which he could see what could be a bed in the corner.
He had no idea where he was, no idea how to get back, and no idea if Dom would be able to find him if something happened. Too scared to stay where he was, he kept moving; hoping to find something familiar.
* * * *
Dom didn’t want to risk going back into the city, he knew Wolf was probably still waiting somewhere near the gate, so he and Shadow waited in the shadows and watched the farmers, and occasional merchant, leaving the city.
The pickings were slim, but they managed to get enough for dinner with a little left over.
Shadow turned to leave as the sunset bell rang warning that the gates were about to close. Dom didn’t move, watching as the guards slowly marched the gates shut. He only turned once he heard the bar slam down, locking the gates from the inside.
"All right Shadow, let’s go get dinner."
Shadow looked up in concern at the sadness in Dom’s voice.
"I don’t know, it just seemed really final tonight. Like it meant something, you know?...Never mind," he shook his head. "Let’s go."
Shadow still looked concerned as he fell in step with Dom towards their pride’s market.