The Search - Part 1
Title: The Search
Pairing: Adam/Kris, Adam/Tommy (friendship only)
Type: AU/Fantasy
Author: wizardesslyn
Proof Reader: ironsan369
Rating: PG to R
Disclaimer: This is a fantasy story written as fiction. No disrespect intended.
Word Count: 8900
Summary: Adam has waited until he’s able to see the components of a very special spell he needs to cast to find his lost love. He’s helped along the way by many fantastical creatures. Will his quest lead him to his lover or will he be consumed by the despair lurking inside him?
A/N: Written for mhobbs0430’s birthday. Happy day, Molly!
The match flared to life as the smell of sulfur filled the air. He lit the white candle and shook the small wooden stick to dowse the flame. He bowed his head, sending a small thought of thankfulness out and then turned to open the book. Pages fluttered and turned quickly without his touch and stopped just as suddenly as it had started on a page written all in red. He opened his eyes and looked down at the page the book had stopped at…finding a lost love…was written at the top of the page. He sighed and looked at the components of the spell to see what he would need.
It had been six months since his lover disappeared, six months since he had kissed him, touched him, loved him. Six long months since he had seen his Kristopher and in that six months, each morning he had opened the book and each morning he was disappointed when the page he wanted didn’t appear. Oh, it’s true that he could have forced it; he could have turned to the pages himself and ignored the direction given to him each day, but he knew better. He knew to get what he needed, what he wanted, he had to follow the book’s lead. And now, here he stood looking down at the desired page after all this time.
He looked around his room quickly to see what components he had, what he would need to buy and what he would have to go hunting for. The spell was complicated and some of the items were hard to find. He wouldn’t give up though, this was what he had been waiting for. Now, perhaps, he could find his lover, know what had happened and why he hadn’t come home.
He quickly made a list of the components that he didn’t have while he gathered those he did and placed them by the book. Looking over his list, he knew that all but two of the items could be found in the local magical Shoppe. The last two, those might be harder to find but he might get lucky if he looked up the local hermit. He knew that solitary man knew every plant in the wood and where to find it; the hermit knew every creature as well. He smiled with renewed hope.
***
He opened the door and smoke instantly filled his eyes. He blinked his blue eyes quickly and went directly to the shoppe owner standing at the counter.
“I need powered diamond dust and hair of a Unicorn’s tail.”
The old Wizard who ran the shoppe looked up and smiled at him. “Adam, so nice to see you. What was that you needed again?” The old man leaned closer to hear well.
He smiled indulgently despite his need to hurry. “Diamond dust and hair from a Unicorn’s tail.”
“Humph…let me see…” The old man tittered around and looked on his top shelves. “Ah, yes, diamond dust.” He pulled the vial down, slid it into his robes and continued to look for the other item whilst mumbling to himself.
While the old Wizard looked for the Unicorn’s tail hair, Adam quickly gathered the other items on his list that were placed around the shoppe. That only left the hair and the two other items that he knew would be harder to come by.
“Yes…” The old man pulled a box down and placed it on the counter. “Here we are, Unicorn hair.”
Adam smiled at him and waited, hoping that the tail hair would be in the box.
The Wizard popped up the top of the box. “Oh dear.”
Adam sighed as he saw the box was empty. “It’s alright, Farsi. I don’t suppose you have a Pegasus feather or a drop of pure angel’s blood do you?”
The old Wizard met his eyes. “No, I’m sorry, but I have neither of those.” He gave Adam a hard look. “What spell are you working boy, that you need the blood of an angel?”
Adam fidgeted around, knowing what the old man must think. “Nothing bad, sir, I promise. But I must have them for the location spell I am working.”
Farsi looked at him, looked through him and then nodded. “Have you tried Salish yet?”
Adam shook his head. “I assumed I would have to find the Hermit since these two items aren’t readily available.”
Farsi coughed out a dry laugh. “For good reason for the one, boy.”
Adam wrung his hands. “I know, sir. I have no intentions of summoning, I just need to locate someone.”
The old Wizard nodded again. “I believe you son, but be careful who you ask about that angel blood business, it makes most wary.”
Adam knew all this but affirmed he would do so as he paid the old wizard for the diamond dust. As he left the shoppe, he heard the old man whisper a blessing spell for protection. He couldn’t help but smile. Farsi had always looked over him since he had come into his power.
***
The trek to Salish’s home was longer than he remembered. He tried not to be frustrated at the lack of having the Unicorn’s tail hair and the fact he now needed three components instead of just the two. No doubt the Hermit would have a hair he could bargain for, if he could find the man.
The small hut came into view but looked as if no one was home. He sighed and hoped that wasn’t the case. Salish often was home without a fire burning, so he tried not to be disheartened.
Standing at the door, he placed his hand on it and spoke the words of the well-known friendship spell. The door swung open with a small creak. He poked his head in and saw that, indeed, no one was inside. He spoke just to make sure. “Hermit? Salish, its Adam, come to see you.”
“He’s not here you know?” A voice said from behind him.
He jumped and spun around. There, standing on a rock was a pixie.
“Salish is out in the woods, like he is most days. He should be home this evening if you want to wait on him.”
It had been a long time since he had seen a pixie. He had been convinced they were almost gone, yet here stood a little blonde one with dark lined brown eyes. The little guy held out his hand. “My name is Tommy and you’re the Wizard Adam.”
He shook hands with Tommy, looking him over. He was about five foot tall and really cute. “Do you live here?” He asked, not knowing what else to say to the pretty little pixie.
Tommy laughed, “I suppose you could call it that. I’m a wood Pixie, so technically I live here, yes.” The pixie cocked his head to the side. “You’re really pretty. Are you taken?” Tommy batted his lashes at Adam.
“Um, yes, actually, I am. That’s part of why I’m looking for the hermit. I need to see if he has any of the missing components I need for a spell.”
The pixie mumbled under his breath, “The pretty ones are always taken.” Then to Adam he said, “What are you looking for? I may be able to help you out since the hermit isn’t going to be here for a while.”
He thought about for a minute before deciding that the pixie couldn’t really do him any harm. “I need a hair from a Unicorn’s tail, a feather of a Pegasus, and a drop of pure angel’s blood. I’m trying to locate something.” He said quickly, “I’m not trying to summon anything.”
Tommy looked into his eyes, and for a moment, he thought he was falling. The pixie smiled at him then and started talking rapidly. “Well, you’re in luck. I happen to be friends with all those creatures and I know where two of them live. Those should be simple to get. My angel friend, however, won’t give up his blood for just no reason and I’m not sure where he’s at anyway, him being an angel and all, he’s always traveling about. Now if you’re ready, I can take you to the Unicorn first and to the Pegasus second. I’ll do my best to get in touch with my angel buddy, but you know how they are…”
He just looked at the pixie with blinking eyes, trying to keep up with the rapid fire speech.
“…never know when they will come back down to earth and all. Like, they are so flighty. Ha! I made a funny! Flighty! Hee! Anyway, just follow me and we’ll get you squared away before you know it. It’s not that far really just a few miles to where this one family of Unicorns live. They are so fabulous, don’t you think? Every time I see one, I think to myself, ‘Tommy, how can something so pretty…”
Adam couldn’t keep track of all the pixie was saying but he did follow behind him as he led him through the forest. He noticed that the forest seem to be thicker here, the tree’s taller and the undergrowth more dense. There was an energy running through the forest here that he didn’t feel earlier when he was at the Hermit’s hut, this seemed stronger and almost vibrated up through his feet. He interrupted Tommy’s constant chatter to ask, “Why does the forest feel so much stronger here?”
The pixie smiled, “Oh, that’s because we’re getting close to where the most magical creatures live. The closer we get to them, the stronger the forest magic is. After all, these beings are nothing but magic, it can’t help but bleed over into the land and others that live here. Have you ever seen a centaur? They are huge, man. Like, almost seven feet tall and usually really yummy to look at. Well, the man looking parts are anyway. I’ve always wondered what it’s like to have…”
Adam had gotten his answer and tuned out the pixie again while he tried connecting to the energy of the forest around him. Once he grounded and opened himself up, the energy that flowed into him almost knocked him off his feet. He took a quick intake of breath and let it out slowly. He had never felt so much power flow through his body and it made him almost drunk and a little giddy.
“Pixie, do you ever stop talking?” Adam asked with a giggle.
Tommy turned around, walking backwards, “Not really. Is it getting on your nerves? I really like to talk but there isn’t a whole lot of people to talk with, you know? Most of the creatures who live here don’t really like to talk, so when I run across a human, I find myself talking all the time. I can’t seem to help myself but I can try to stop if you really want me to. I mean, I know we just met but I hope you will be my friend. I like having friends. I have friends everywhere. I get to meet so many interesting creatures and people from time to time and I like staying in touch with them. You know how it is…”
He just shook his head and tuned out Tommy again and listened to the forest instead. He could hear the magic in the trees, it was like singing. He stopped and listened to the sound for a moment, his eyes closed, a slight smile on his full lips. The music grew louder and louder still, until his lips parted in a happy sound he couldn’t help but letting out.
“Aren’t you coming?”
He snapped his mouth shut and his eyes open, looking down at the pixie in front of him. “I wasn’t listening to the forest song.”
Tommy nodding knowingly. “Pretty isn’t it? It’s not much farther now. Just past those large trees there.” The pixie pointed up ahead. “We should find them there.”
Adam looked and saw the trees that Tommy spoke of. He was glad the pixie knew where there were Unicorns and a Pegasus but he had very tired ears.
Soon, they cleared the tall trees that opened up into one of the loveliest meadows he had ever seen. There were all kinds of different flowers growing there, along with some rare and almost extinct plants. He could see a Unicorn family living here.
Tommy sat down in the middle of the meadow.
“What are you doing?”
The pixie blinked up at him. “For a wizard, you don’t know much about Unicorns do you? If you don’t sit down and be quiet, they won’t show themselves.” Tommy laid back and promptly went to sleep.
He couldn’t help but laugh at the energetic pixie; never a dull moment with him around. He found a spot at the edge of the meadow and leaned up against a tree trunk, he settled in to wait. He closed his eyes and listened to the song of the meadow and forest mingle together. He must have drifted to sleep because suddenly Tommy was shaking him.
“Wizard, wake up!”
Blinking his eyes open, he glared at the pixie as the creature turned his head while he pointed. Eyes wide, he held his breath as he spied what had Tommy beside himself.
“See! Didn’t I tell you?” Tommy’s kohl lined pixie eyes looked even bigger as the largest Unicorn came toward them.
The Unicorn stopped in front of them and bowed his head. When he lifted it up, he looked them both over, then settled on Adam. “What is it you seek Wizard?”
Adam slowly unfolded his tall frame and stood, bowing to the Unicorn. “I have a request to ask of you Sir.”
The Unicorn snorted. “I know what you want. I asked what you seek!”
He thought quickly and then said simply, “Love.”
“Then you may take what it is you came for, Wizard.” The Unicorn turned and presented his tail to Adam.
With shaking hands, he plucked one long tail hair and tucked it into his robes. “How shall I repay you for this gift, Sir?”
The Unicorn turned to look at him again. “Bring your first born here on the day he turns 13 to see me.”
He opened his mouth to explain bitterly there would be no children, first born or otherwise, and the Unicorn stomped.
“I know things you do not yet know, Wizard; you must trust me on this. I’ll have your promise now.”
He shook his head, but far be it from him to argue with a Unicorn. “I promise to bring my firstborn here to see you on his thirteenth birthday. I swear it by my magic.” He couldn’t help but feel a little resentful for making a promise that would never come to pass.
The Unicorn bowed his head and trotted back to his family, disappearing into the meadow before Adam’s eyes.
***
Tommy had not stopped talking since they had left the meadow. He tried his best to tune the talkative pixie out. As he looked around he noticed that the forest was thinning and the terrain was getting a slight incline to it.
“We aren’t going back to the hermit’s hut?”
The pixie looked around at him smiling, “Oh no, we’re going to find my Pegasus friend so you can get your feather. You know that they live up high, so we have to go high.”
Adam couldn’t argue with that logic but he was really hungry and needed to stop to eat. “Aren’t you hungry?”
Tommy stopped and smiled. “Sorry, I forget you humans have to eat much more often than we do. I remember this one time…”
Adam sat down and pulled out his bag of provisions he had packed before leaving for the Hermit’s hut. He was thankful that he was always prepared. Taking out an apple, he bit into the sun-kissed skin, savoring the flavors that burst across his tongue.
“You look like sin eating that. It’s not fair that you are taken. Does that mean taken, taken or mostly taken?”
He smiled, “I’m totally and completely taken, pixie. Sorry.”
“That’s okay. Never hurts to double check. So where is he?”
He quirked a dark brow at Tommy. “How do you know that it’s a he and not a she?”
Tommy rolled his eyes, “Please, do you think I’m stupid?”
He watched as the pixie wondered off but he could still hear him chatting away. He wanted to rest and enjoy his quick meal; he hoped the little fellow didn’t forget about him. Once he had consumed the apple and a piece of bread, he rested against the rock at his back and thought of Kristopher. He could see his brown eyes dancing as he laughed, hear his pure voice and he sang and then a sad memory invaded, the memory of the fight they had had right before Kristopher left six months ago and hadn’t returned.
***
“Have you ever thought about having a family?”
He turned to look at his lover and smiled. “I have a family; you, Kris.”
He watched his lovers face fall. “But Addy…”
He beckoned his lover closer. As Kris walked to him, he grabbed him and pulled him down into his lap. “I’m sorry, Kris, but you know that since we are both men…”
Kris pulled away from him, standing back on his feet. “It’s not fair, Addy, it’s not.”
“It’s just the way it is.” He sighed. “Do we have to keep going over this, Kris? We can’t change what is.”
Kristopher gave him a hurt look. “But…”
“No!” He said with more force than he meant to. He lowered his voice, “Kris, just, please.”
Kris had tears in his eyes as he felt the room.
He didn’t go to him, didn’t try to comfort him; instead he brooded while staring into the fire.
***
He wiped a tear away as he felt it traveling down his cheek. He should have comforted his lover that night. He should have told him it would be alright. He should have reassured him in some way to let him know that he cared about his wants and desires. He had done none of that, however, and now here he was, six months after that night, wishing he could go back and redo it.
“Are you done eating Wizard?”
He looked up at the bright-eyed pixie and pulled himself together as he stood. “I’m ready. Let’s get this done.”
He followed along behind the chatty Tommy, keeping his senses open since they were more or less on the slope of the mountain.
***
An hour later found them on the side of the mountain, half-way up, with no trees to speak of around them any longer. He was tired and wanted his bed more than just about anything. But he remembered those watery brown eyes and pushed on.
“How much further do you think?”
Tommy shrugged, bouncing along like he didn’t have a care in the world. “I never know, we could see him at any time or he may not show for three days.”
“Three!” He took a deep breath. “I don’t have provisions for three days pixie!”
“Oh, well, I can always go get some if we need them.”
He wasn’t even going to ask what that meant. “We’ll need to find somewhere safe to sleep soon if we don’t find him.”
Tommy rolled his eyes at him, “We don’t find him; Pegasus finds us. Are you sure you’re a Wizard?”
He just ignored Tommy and kept a look out for somewhere they could rest for the night if the need came.
***
It was an hour before sunset and even the pixie seemed tired. They were far up on the side of the craggy mountain now and the wind was blowing much harder here. Adam was tired, bone weary, and all he wanted was to see his Kristopher again. He found himself thinking of him more and more. Thinking of his eyes, and his laugh; his kindness and his love. All he wanted was to hold him once more, just once more, and to tell him how sorry he was, to tell him they would find a way to be, to do, whatever it was Kristopher wanted and needed. Kristopher was his heart and without him, he was sure that he would wither and melt. He was only half a man with his lover.
He stumbled and fell but picked himself up quickly and continued on, even more determined to find the Pegasus and the feather that he needed. That would leave him with the pure drop of angel’s blood. He would cross that bridge when he came to it. He looked around the sparse landscape and spotted an overhang that would suffice for shelter.
“Tommy!” The pixie was a bit ahead of him. “Tommy! I found somewhere for us to rest tonight. Come back here!”
He made his way over to the rock shelter and threw himself into the dirt. “I’m really fucking tired.”
Tommy came beneath the stone and sat down beside him. “I think I’m tired too. Going to sleep. Night.” The pixie leaned back against the rock wall and fell sound asleep in seconds.
Adam pulled out a piece of dried meat and began to chew on it. He didn’t have the energy to think of building a fire. The wildlife they had seen was minimal and he didn’t think they would have to worry about predators. He ate another piece of stale bread like he had at lunch and felt himself drifting. He was asleep before he even knew it.
***
The winged being looked down at the man sleeping under the rock crag and smiled. So far he had passed all tests put before him. So far, he had been true to his heart. The man stirred and he couldn’t help but hope that this one would succeed where others had failed. Blue eyes looked up at him sleepily.
“I must be dreaming.” The man sat up and looked at him after rubbing his eyes. “Are you really here?”
“Does it matter?”
“I’m dreaming. I have to be.”
“I’ve been with you the whole time, watching you. So far, I’ve found you worthy.”
The sleepy man lay back down, as the winged being sung him back to sleep.
“Don’t forget what you are doing all of this for, Wizard.”
The winged creature took to the air and was gone.
***
Adam awoke the next morning feeling refreshed. He felt like he had been at home sleeping he had rested so well. He stretched out his long legs and stood, yawning. He looked around and realized that the pixie was nowhere to be seen.
“Tommy? Hey, where are you?” He listened but heard nothing. “Tommy?”
He still heard nothing, so he began packing up his few scattered items. Once he had everything back in this robes, he looked around one last time, called out for the pixie again and started for the top of the mountain. It would only take him part of the morning to reach it if he kept his momentum up. Just because the pixie had wondered off somewhere meant nothing. He was going to find the Pegasus and get that feather.
Part 2