Thousand And One Night 6/?
Title: Thousand and One Night
Chapter/part: 6/?
Characters list: To see all go Here
Chapter Characters: Orlando, Christian, Elijah Wood, The gang, Warnings: Au
Disclaimer and general info: Here and later General information.
Chapter’s note: For some time ago… violettefemme wished for a story with Elijah and Orlando. It started in the previous chapter… though it isn't certain it will end up with the pairing.
Betad: Inwe
Previous Chapters: Intro, Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5
Chapter 6
The moment the door had been closed behind Christian and him, Orlando started pulling out the pins that held the veils and took them off. He put the pins in a jar that was especially for them, but let the veils fall to the floor. Once rid of them he took the clips from his hair and combed his fingers through it as he shook it loose.
"I never thought this day would end," Orlando said as he turned towards Christian. "I told my father that I had a headache, so I don't think there would be any problem this night if you want to go out. You can, if you really want to."
"Shall I tell the guards that no one is to disturb you?" Christian asked, even though he knew he would be told to do that.
Orlando nodded. He continued to take off his clothes. Coming to his harems trousers he emptied the pockets, putting the fruits and nuts on his bed that he had collected during the day. He went to the chest where he kept the clothes for his secret life. With no hesitation he put them on.
He sat down in front of his desk and began to divide his long hair in three parts in order to plait it. Before he could start to do it he heard Christian coming back and felt his hands taking over. Orlando was happy for Christian to plait his hair; while he wasn't fond having it in one, it was easier kept that way.
"Do you want a short or long one today?"
Without moving Orlando replied, "A short."
As soon Christian was finished Orlando rose. For a few minutes he walked back and forth in the room, only to end up sitting down on his bed. He picked up what he put there not long ago and put them in the new pockets. The last nut he took and ate.
"Orlando, if you thinking of leaving now…"
"No, no, we can do a game of Wari, if you want? Then I know I have a better chance of getting out undetected." He cut Christian off when he was aware that there wasn't much time
Without saying anything more Christian went to pick up the board. Sitting on the floor they started to play. A good time later when it still looked like neither would win, Orlando rose, went to his bathroom and when he came back, said, "I think I will go now. See you tomorrow."
"Orlando, wait." Christian put his hand in his trousers. "Take these; you might need them at the circus."
Orlando held out his hand to let Christian drop some coins in it. "I'll pay you back," he said as he put them in his other pocket.
Orlando went to the door of the secret passage and went out. As long as he was in the passage he didn't need to worry that he would be detected; it was when he had to cross from the house to the gate that he could be seen and stopped. He opened the door slowly so it wouldn't make a sound. At short intervals he oiled the hinges, but in the warm climate one never knew when they would dry out. When it still was evening Orlando hadn't the darkness of the night to his advantage, so he needed to be even more careful than usual. He could see there were people walking by and a few guards.
Silently he stood beside the door, shutting it and trying to look like he was resting against it. When most seemed to be looking away or heading in the opposite direction he started to walk towards the gate. When he was nearly outside he had to stop as a young guard came through it. For a moment his heart beat faster. The guard looked at him, but didn't say or do anything. Orlando quickly took the last steps to the outside, happy nothing had raised the guard's suspicion. He dared to look back and saw that the guard had walked a few steps and turned to watch him.
Walking more quickly, Orlando allowed himself to disappear amongst the people in the street. In the crowd of people Orlando felt safer and slowed down his steps. He kept going but was a little uncertain as to whether he would go directly to Valatar or if he would go to the usual place where he would meet his friends. He decided to do the latter as he actually didn't want to go to the circus alone and he hoped that Craig might be back.
There were definitely more people at Mecar, or South Square as it was more commonly referred to by the locals, than there had been last night. As Orlando did not want to remain there too long he went to the place he normally met the others and leaned against the wall, keeping an eye out for his friends. Only moments after he had arrived the new guy that turned up the day before showed up. He nodded, but didn't say anything.
"I'm Jake, you are Orlando," the guy greeted him.
Orlando nodded again. He was on his guard as he didn't know the guy.
"Have you heard that a circus has come to Valatar?"
Before Orlando could reply Dominic arrived and he began chatting in his usual way and went on about what occurred since they had last met. Jake did not seem to be a guy who was going to be imitated by Dominic and they soon shared what they heard. Orlando stayed silent and appreciated that Dominic was a good source as to what was going on in the city. Not long after a few of the others joined them. It was like all had felt that this was the time to meet. When it appeared those who were able to be there had arrived it was decided they would go to Valatar.
Tonight the group was lively and all seemed to be in a good mood. Somehow Jake managed to walk beside Orlando, which meant he could not ignore the guy. Orlando started to learn that Jake had a nice personality and, after some time, Orlando actually smiled.
As they came closer to the market place Valatar, which lay south west of the city on the other side of the city wall, there were more people. Everyone was probably curious about the circus. Without saying a word the gang split up. As most of them didn't have much money they were going to try and find some other way to get in.
Orlando took his time watching people and trying to decide how he would do it. He had put his hand in his pocket and was playing with the coins he had received from Christian. He would prefer to not use them, as he would have a hard time repaying Christian as he normally never needed money. Giving it a few more minutes he took some of his snacks out of his other pocket.
Suddenly he felt a hand on his arm and jumped. Turning to see who it was, he was met by blue eyes under a dark brown fringe.
"Aren't you coming Orlando?" Jake asked.
"Yeah, but I have a problem. I don't really want to sneak in, but I haven't enough money." Orlando hoped Jake would buy his half lie.
"Ohh… okay, wait here. I will be back soon."
Jake had disappeared before Orlando could say anything so he remained where he was. True to his word, Jake was soon back. Taking hold of Orlando's arm Jake drew him to the entrance. He provided the cashier with coins, who counted them and then let the two go inside.
"Thank you. What do I owe you?" Orlando asked Jake. He had learned over time that nothing came free.
"Nothing, it's my treat." Jake had a glint in his eyes and Orlando didn't want to interpret what lay behind it.
The circus took up most of the area, and the tent for the performance was the largest structure there. Around it were small booths selling food, snacks and some other things. There were all kinds of people, with some that looked really exotic. Orlando found it difficult to not try and look at everything. But he was also searching for Elijah, as he really wanted to see him again.
Several times Jake had to draw Orlando closer to him so that Orlando wouldn't get lost in the crowd or be run down.
"Shall we go into the tent and see what they have to show?" a voice asked.
Orlando turned around and, to his surprise, every one of the gang had managed to find their way in. All seemed to like Leonardo's suggestion, so they went inside and found places furthest up. Not long after they had seated themselves music started and a compère began the evening's performance.
The acts followed each other in quick succession - acrobats, animals, clowns and dance numbers. The public was happy and applauded, and there were many shouts and exclamations of awe.
Orlando thought most was great to see. He did not like it when they used some of the animals, as he felt he understood what it was like for them to be held in captivity, like he was in the palace. When it was time for the contortionist, Orlando sat up straighter and he regretted that he hadn't been seated closer to the arena.
Elijah's performance was slightly shorter than the one he had done in the palace, but Orlando felt again the same thing he had earlier. He decided that he had to see if he could meet Elijah again. He did not listen to what his friends were saying or asking him; instead, he just left.
It took longer than he thought to get to the back where the performers went in and out. After hesitating briefly he went inside. He tried not to get in the way of those working there, but it wasn't easy and he had to constantly move back and forth.
Suddenly he felt a big hand on his shoulder. Orlando turned around and had to look up. The man the hand belonged to was a giant.
"What are you doing here? You do not belong here," the giant asked in a deep bass voice.
Orlando swallowed. "I'm looking for Elijah."
"Why didn't you asked for him?"
"I didn't want to disturb anyone and thought I would be able to find him." Orlando was happy he was able to speak.
Keeping a firm grip the giant steered Orlando towards the left and not outside as Orlando believed.
"Lij, this guy is asking after you."
Elijah looked up at Orlando, not showing if he recognized him or not for the giant. Orlando was nervous that the blue eyed boy would reveal that they didn't know each other and what that could result in. After an awkward moment Elijah rose and walked around him. Feeling extremely uneasy Orlando stood there, expecting to be turned out, as he knew that his clothes were probably not to his advantage.
"So you were asking after me. From where have you seen me?" Elijah had to look up at him.
"I saw you at the palace," Orlando answered. Much more he wasn't willing to go into.
"I never noticed you there."
"You wouldn't have. I usually remain in the shadows. I would like to get to know you, or is that too much to ask?"
"Nah, I don't have that many friends around my age and maybe it would be nice to learn get to know you if I end up living here one day."
"Aren't you in a travelling circus? Why would you want to live here?" Orlando tried to sound innocent. He was not sure he managed it, not when he knew what one reason could be.
"We are, but at some stage you start to want to settle and why not here. It happened very conveniently that we would be here as the Marajhdan had sent out a message that it was time the Prince should get a wife or husband. I was in the palace to see if I could win his hand."
Elijah didn't show any hesitation in telling things and Orlando liked him for that.
"How did it go?" Orlando asked, wanting to learn if they had told him anything.
"I don't know. The dark haired man who introduced himself as Alan said it would be a few days before he could say anything. What do you know about the Prince? Have you seen him?"
Orlando leaned closer. "I could say a few things," he said as he looked around, "but not here."
At Orlando's words Elijah remembered where they were. "I think I know where we can go."
Leaving the tent was easier when Orlando was together with Elijah. Elijah brought him to one stand which was selling food. Elijah greeted the woman and said something Orlando didn't understand. After a short moment Elijah took the two plates that the woman held out to him. He gave one to Orlando.
"I can't eat too much before a performance and after it I am always starving, so Madam Inuscha always makes me some food."
Orlando hesitated to take the plate.
Elijah noticing that. "Come on, take it. You look like you need some food, too."
"I can't. I'm not able to pay."
"Nonsense, it's not about the cost." Elijah moved the plate in front of Orlando.
Still avoiding to take it Orlando said, "But, surely you have to pay for it in some way."
"Uhm… what's your name?"
Orlando gave Elijah a smile. It had taken some time for him to become aware that Orlando hadn't told Elijah his name. "Orlando, or you can call me Orli."
"Orlando… isn't that the name of the Prince?"
"Yeah it is. I'm named after him." For the moment Orlando didn't want to go further on that subject so he finally accepted the plate. "Thanks." Orlando looked at what it contained and even if it was different to what he was used to the smell made his mouth water.
"Come, let's find a quieter place to sit."
They started to go and Orlando noticed that his friends had left the tent and were walking through the crowed. He saw how Leo picked a man's pocket. Orlando didn't want to be noticed so he hurried after Elijah and soon they came to a corner where not many would see them.
Orlando sat picking at the food, not used to the flavours, and he realised he wasn't that hungry. He liked to watch Elijah, who was really showing how hungry he was. Orlando liked how graceful the guy was and would have asked him a few things he had learned earlier that day about the guy, but he knew he couldn't, because then he would reveal he actually was the Prince.
When Elijah had finished his plate he asked, "Do you not want to eat your food?"
"Sorry, I'm not that hungry."
Elijah gave him a look that told Orlando Elijah didn't believe him. "Okay, I will not force you. But I'm curious about something. How do you know about me? I would have certainly remembered you. Did you say it was in the Palace?"
To stall the need to reply to Elijah's questions Orlando took some food from the plate, and put it in his mouth and chewed carefully. When he felt he had been silent for long enough he said, "Yes, it was in the Palace. I was hiding. I often sneak inside." Orlando took another thing from his plate. "I use to watch the guards training and sometimes I'm able to get some food from the kitchen. I have a friend working there."
"I guess that there will be much happening there now when there are people coming to woo the Prince," Elijah said.
"There is, and it's not only talk in the Palace about it - the whole city seems excited."
"Would you want to try to get the Prince?"
Orlando moved restlessly under Elijah's scrutiny. He had no idea how he would reply to Elijah's question. If he said he wouldn't, he maybe would sound… he didn't know, but it was like everyone that was free and a few others wanted him. If he said he would, he could in the end put himself in an awkward position if it ever were revealed that he was the said Prince. He hoped he could continue in his invented persona, where he let most think he was very, very poor.
"I haven't thought about it. I don't think I'm one that the Marajhdan would want for the Prince."
"Why do you say so? You are good-looking. Or would you be afraid of rejection because you not wealthy?"
Orlando put down his plate; he was not able to eat anything more. Before he replied he took hold of his plait and played with it.
"What I've heard is that the Marajhdan is weeding out those people who do not reach his standard and coming from the bottom of society would not help. Plus I don't think I have any good skills to show. What things I can do are what I've learned to survive and they're not always good things."
Elijah leaned forward and placed a hand on Orlando's arm. With the other Elijah took hold of the hand Orlando was using to play with his plait.
"Everyone would have the same opportunity. It's a shame that rich or influential people won't look at those that are below them. I would say they really don't know what they are missing." Elijah moved his hand from Orlando's arm and stroked Orlando's cheek. "You really seem to be a nice guy and you have the most gorgeous brown eyes I ever seen."
Embarrassed, Orlando looked down at the ground. But he wasn't able to do that for long as Elijah lifted his face up. "I mean it, you have gorgeous eyes and you should not hide them."
Orlando wanted to shake his head, but before he was able to react Elijah kissed him. So taken by surprised at the smaller guy's actions, Orlando kissed him back instead of pushing him away.
"You really need to relax more," Elijah said as he let Orlando go.
"But… why?"
"Why not?" Elijah turned and peered around the corner. "What do you usually do on an evening? Is there anything you would want to do?"
"I normally hang out with friends, talk, play, and having fun," Orlando said in reply to Elijah's first question. "As to anything else I don't know. Maybe see more of the circus? What do you do?"
"There would not be much of the performance left, so we could move around outside. There are a few games you could try."
Orlando nodded; he would probably follow Elijah no matter what he suggested. Orlando wanted to spend more time with him. The first game was a pyramid of cans to knocked down by help of three balls.
"Together or one each?" Elijah asked, holding the three balls out.
"Together."
Elijah gave Orlando two of the balls and said he should start. Orlando threw the first and missed. He knew he should have hit the cans as he wasn't that bad a shot, but took it as nervousness. He then waited for Elijah to throw his, but Elijah said Orlando should try again. The second ball wasn't much better, though it touched one of the cans. The pyramid was still intact. Elijah pushed Orlando to the side so he could throw, and he had no problem hitting the cans. Every one went down.
Next Elijah drew him towards a wooden pole with a bell at the top. Orlando saw that you had to hit a peg with a club that let another fly and hopefully hit the bell.
"Let's see if you're better at this one."
"I'm probably not." Orlando followed and added, "This time you have to start. Show me what to do."
Elijah took the club, waited to get clearance and then hit the peg. There wasn't a sound from the bell. The man that looked after the game just smiled at them. The man fixed the peg and Elijah gave the club to Orlando.
The club was heavier than Orlando thought, but he lifted it and then hit the peg. Looking up, he saw that the peg had almost reached the bell.
"Young man, that was very close. I'll give you another chance to try," the man said.
"I don't think I will manage, so no thanks," Orlando said.
"Don't be shy, Orlando. Come on - you can probably do it," Elijah cheered him.
"Okay, I'll try, but just one more."
Orlando hit the peg again, seeing the other fly, but it slowed down just before it reached the top and started going back down.
"Damn, that was close. You sure you don't want to try once more?" Elijah asked.
"I'm sure."
Elijah threw his arm around Orlando's waist and guided him from the place. They hadn't moved very far when they were stopped.
"So, we are not good enough for you, and you allow this snake person to…" Jake hissed and moved threateningly towards them.
Orlando stepped in front of Elijah to try and protect him, even though Elijah could probably easily defend himself. "You shall not come and threaten me or my friends. No one is better than anyone and by the way… Jacob, I don't know you any better than I know Elijah and I think we all have the right to choose whom we want to spend time with."
"Who was it that got you in here?"
'So Jake had paid for the entrance in the hope to get closer to me,' Orlando thought, his earlier suspicion now confirmed. He put his hand in his pocket and counted the coins.
"Take these. That way I do not own you anything." Orlando held out his hand and opened it so that Jake could see the money.
"Now you have money…" Jake said as he took what Orlando was offering. "Who did you pick?"
"Jake, you have nothing to do about it, so leave Orlando alone." Leonardo stepped in before a fight possibly developed.
Jake took a step back, and Drew started to get him away from there.
"Thanks, Leo," Orlando said.
"No problem." Leo took something out from his pocket. "I have been lucky today, so take this. I know how hard it is for you to get any money at all."
Orlando took what Leo gave him and without looking put the money into his own pocket.
"See you and continue to have fun," Leo said and managed to take the others with him.
Orlando stood still. He was no longer relaxed as he had been in Elijah's company. Orlando looked up at the sky, trying to determine what time it could be.
"So those are your friends." Elijah brought him out from his thoughts.
"Yes, a few of them." Orlando looked around and he thought it looked like people were starting to go home. "I'm sorry that you to had to witness that. It's probably best that I leave now."
"I can probably not do anything about it. I might not like the way you and your friends seem to live, but that does not mean that I didn't have a nice time tonight. And I would still like to hear more about the Prince; you mentioned you knew some things."
"So you're not offended then?"
"No. Will you come back tomorrow?"
Orlando nodded. Happy that Jake hadn't blown everything for him and, thanks to Leo, Orlando could pay to get in.
"I'll follow you to the entrance."
"Please, that isn't necessary." Orlando didn't want Elijah to find out where he was going.
"It's just so they let you in tomorrow. A friend of mine should not need to pay."
They didn't talk much on their way to the entrance and after he got some tickets Orlando said goodbye to Elijah. He could feel the little guy's eyes following him, but turning around he saw that Elijah had kept his word not follow him.
Chapter 7