[o14] gossip girl : storybook endings
Title: Storybook Endings
Author: In Fair Verona
Genre: Romance + Adventure
Pairing: CBN
Rating: T
Summary: Blair Waldorf never believed in fairy-tales. However, weeks after her best friend left for boarding school, Blair finds herself enthralled by the pages of an old book, and is thrown in the midst of a strange new world, at the center of a war, and in between a prince and a knight.
PROLOGUE
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
A/N: Yes, I know, this was a long time coming. It was a very long and hard chapter for me to write, and you'll probably see why as it is quite action-packed. The next several chapters will be less so. Also, the real world has been quite pressing. I had a fashion show, had to go to a job fair and do a week of interviews for internships, and all of a sudden it was spring break where I went to NY and met Ms. Leighton Meester herself. Which was amazing.
"It's a dead end."
Blair Waldorf announced flatly, folding her arms and looking at the four boys expectantly. "You woke me up at the first sign of sunrise, I didn't even get to eat breakfast, just to find that we are now going nowhere." The girl pointed to her eye, "I have bags. This is mortifying."
"Blair, its best to travel in the daylight. The more of it we have, the farther we'll be able to get." Dan tried to explain. The five travelers now stood before a large rock wall at the base of the dividing mountain range. Behind the rubble lay the treacherous tunnel that was better known as Ipsen's Cavern (apparently one of the early kings of Ivalice had been buried alive within its walls and his spirit was rumored to haunt those who dare to either leave or intrude upon his land). However, their problem had little to do with ghost stories and more to do with the fact that the entrance to said cavern seemed to elude them.
"That's not going to matter where we're going." Aaron mumbled, feeling around the mountain's rocky terrain.
"Yeah, which is nowhere." Blair repeated with a lethargic eye roll.
"You really can't remember where the entrance is?" Chuck asked impatiently, leering over the artist's shoulders as he felt his way across the boulder.
"Well, you know, I keep trying... but every time I think too hard I get this inconvenient pain in my left eye." Aaron replied sardonically, turning to face the prince and give all of his fellow travelers a view of the purple welt which Chuck had left the night before.
"Ruling with an iron fist, I see." Blair arched an eyebrow at the prince, paired with an unimpressed expression. "Oh my god, this is so pointless!" Blair whined, kicking at one of the many pebbles on the ground. Low and behold when the little rock rolled its way to the large boulder Aaron was groping, falling quite snugly into the crevice between the boulder and the ground and thus instigating the earth-rumbling that occured as the large boulder rolled inward, practically disappearing into the darkness.
The four men stared blankly ahead, dumbfounded.
"I meant to do that," Blair lied, strutting towards the now open cave entrance with her hands on her hips, "Let's not waste anymore time, we're off to see the wiza-"
"I don't think that's such a good idea," Dan reasoned, though not soon enough before Blair walked right into the darkness and right into the gaping hole at the foot of the cavern entrance, her shrill cry echoing against the cave walls.
"Well boys, looks like it's time to take the plunge." Aaron rubbed his hands together and followed in suit, throwing his hands up in the air as he practically jumped for joy into the darkness.
Blair screamed the whole way down. It was as if she were at the water park, except that this hole had no water, just smooth stone which paved her way down and down for what felt like a good three minutes of just sliding before her tunnel abruptly ended and she was spat out onto the cold ground mercilessly. Blair had barely a chance to recover and recollect herself before the body of Aaron Rose was tossed out as well, knocking her back to the ground.
"Ah, well isn't this comfortable?" The artist joked, relaxing his body weight against Blair's, an action which pretty much managed to stimulate the girl's gag reflex.
"Ew, get off of me, you lecher." Blair growled, pushing him aside and climbing to her feet. They were soon joined by Nathaniel, Chuck, and Daniel, everyone's clothes sullied from the rough landing. Dorota would not approve. "Well, Picasso, where to now?" Blair looked at Aaron expectedly.
"Mmm, well..." Aaron turned around, they stood in the center of an empty chamber which bore six different exits, all scattered about the room's circumference. He paced, "If I remember correctly... we should be listening for the sounds of running water." He paused in front of each chamber before returning to the middle where the rest of the group stood, "Well, I say that eliminates the three on the left and leaves the three pathways on the right."
"We should split up." Dan suggested, "Meet back here in ten minutes and discuss what we've found... what exactly should we be looking for?"
"More water." Aaron said simply, "You'll be hard-pressed to see daylight even if there were an opening, so just listen for the water. I entered the cavern from Ivalice by following the river to its mouth, which is at the base of this cave. Find the pool, you've found our path."
"Fine," Chuck dusted off his tailcoat, "Blair and I will go that way,"
"I have to disagree," Aaron tutted, "You and the girl are precious cargo, we can't just send you two off unprotected." Chuck opened his mouth to protest, upset at the other boy for rendering him useless as far as protection was concerned, "I will go with Blair. I know these mountains like the back of my hand, she'll be safe with me and your knight in shining armor can take care of you."
"Actually, I think I would cover more ground on my own." Nathaniel reasoned aloud, earning another glare from Chuck. The prince was apparently neither strong nor fast enough for their likes. He merely glowered, knowing what suggestion was coming next. "Charles, why don't you go with Dan. He's got a good arm on him, he'll punch anything that jumps out at you."
"Really, Nathaniel, your attempts at being 'funny' are quite unbecoming." The prince mumbled, before turning to the scribe. Fantastic. Ten minutes or more with his least favorite person in the world. They exchanged a look and Chuck heatedly turned, heading off towards the left-most of the three paths, followed by Dan. Nathaniel bid the remaining pair good-bye then quickly headed for the path to their right, disappearing into the darkness.
"Shall we?" Aaron offered his arm, to which Blair forced a smile and looped her arm through his.
"Yes, but if you make another lewd comment or you happen to try to accidently fall and land with your hand on my boob again, I will kill you." The girl tilted her head to the side innocently before leading them away and onto the middle path.
They had been walking for a few minutes on a straight path, as theirs had yet to offer any twists or turns or forks or any reason to stray. Blair looked up at Aaron, who was absent-mindedly humming to himself as they walked along.
"I'm curious." Blair interrupted his harmonious reverie.
"I'm Aaron." The artist winked back.
"No, seriously." Blair narrowed her eyes, "I want to know why you were exiled."
"Well... the answer to that," Aaron paused, taking a breath, "is that I wasn't."
"Excuse me?" Blair's eyes widened, "What is that supposed to mean? Spill. Now."
"The truth is that I just wanted to leave Ivalice." Aaron shrugged, "Between my family's nobility and my own ability... I couldn't go anywhere without being hounded by the townspeople. Everyone always asks me to tell them their fortune, as if it's so easy." The poor boy shrugged, "I just wanted some peace, to be left alone, where nobody knew me or my family or what I was capable of." He chuckled lightly, "But so much for that... word gets around and look at me now, heading back to the place I ran away from."
"But... why would you tell people that you were exiled?" Blair asked, "Isn't that just a little disgraceful? People must look down upon you when you tell them that."
Aaron grinned, "I just thought it sounded more impressive, less cowardly. You know? I thought women would be more into that." He winked, to which Blair's jaw dropped a little. Though, was she really surprised? He would do something like that just to impress a woman. "Oh, come on, your highness!" Aaron teased, tossing his arm around her shoulder, "Don't tell me you wouldn't swoon a little for a boy who was exiled."
"Actually, I wouldn't." Blair clarified, "However, I do know someone who would." It would be just like Serena to be attracted to that sort of thing. Though, the very thought of her friend, now miles and perhaps even alternate dimensions away, would only serve to frustrate her. "One more thing," Blair added, attempting to take her mind off of the carefree blonde.
"Anything." Aaron returned, loosening his grip around her shoulders.
"Why do you always insist in dragging me off alone?" Blair inquired accusingly, "Like back at the cabin... and then just a few minutes ago in front of everyone else."
Aaron was bemused, he crossed his arms and shook his head, "Now, don't take this the wrong way. It's not that I'm not actually interested, because you're a very beautiful girl and if you were up to it I would not even hesitate to do all these things to you," Blair tapped her foot impatiently, "Right, well, to be honest, it's not because of our undeniable chemistry but rather that I just like to see the look on [i]his[/i] face when I drag you off alone."
"Who's face?" Blair asked, furrowing her brow. The girl knew who she was hoping for, but that didn't necessarily mean anything.
"Ah, c'mon, don't make me say it. You know." Aaron replied nonchalantly.
"No, I don't." Blair hated it when people withheld information from her, and if her name wasn't Blair Cornelia Waldorf, she would not let Aaron Rose do the same. "Tell me, who?"
"Blair," Aaron began, however then he found himself silenced and rooted the ground where he stood. "Wait, do you hear that?" He held a finger to his lips, staring intently at the stone floor. Blair paused, following in suit and taking in the silence. It was very faint, but she could hear it. The sound of rushing water, small tides flapping against each other from an undisclosed location.
"Water," Blair breathed, "but where is it coming from?" They could hear it, but they couldn't see it. "I think it'll get louder if we continue ahead," Blair reasoned, briskly walking away from Aaron.
"Wait, Blair!" Aaron turned to follow, "You shouldn't just run off, stay close." He warned, but the girl had now traipsed quite far ahead of him.
"Don't worry, Aaron. I was right, it is getting louder!" Blair exclaimed, so very proud of herself.
"We should go back and tell the others." Aaron suggested, "It'd be safer than to continue alone."
As if on cue, to prove to the pair the irony of Blair's hubris, the cavern ceiling above them shook rapidly, cracking and sending little particles of dust flying out at the pair just before one of the larger staglamites fell, driving a wedge between them.
"Blair!" Aaron yelled, attempting to run forward, only to be blocked as the rest of the piercing ceiling fell in, practically filling up the height of the cave's narrow pathway. He couldn't even see her anymore, the rock wall proved to be too effective a barrier. However, he could hear her, calling his name in alarm. "Blair!" Aaron shouted, "Just wait there. I'm going to go get the others, we'll get you out!"
"Well, hurry!" Blair cried back impatiently, placing her hands against the rock wall in some attempt to break free. It was hopeless. Even with the four other men, how would they be able to move all of this rubble? It was dark now, the wall effectively blocking out what little bits of light had trickled through from the central chamber. Hearing Aaron's retreating footsteps, she knew that now she was truly alone and relying on a total idiot for help.
Four minutes had passed, as Blair waited alone in the darkness. With every minute she was left alone, the girl began to grow a little more insecure of her predicament. Blair Waldorf was fearless in the face of gossip and school girl bitchery, but this was different. The brunette always envisioned that if she ever met her end, it would be a memorable one. Blair Waldorf didn't go down without a fight. However, dying in the darkness from starvation and lack of oxygen, forgotten. It was not how she pictured her demise, and that thought alone was enough to rile her into action. Blair Waldorf was not going to wait around and depend on an odd assembly of insipid men to free her. There may have been a wall behind her, but there was a path in front of her, and she wouldn't have been Blair if she didn't take it.
Hands wrapped around herself to keep her warm from the chill radiating off of the icy walls, Blair made her way down the dark path, listening closely for the sounds of rushing water. To her comfort, at least she didn't have to worry about bats or insects or anything equally disgusting. From what she had seen so far of the caves, they were completely desolate, unable to sustain life. Perhaps the thought wasn't as comforting as she originally thought, but it only urged her to press forward as the water's sonance grew louder. It was almost as if the rushing water was beckoning her by name, personally.
Blair.
Maybe it was something else. Blair paused, listening apprehensively.
Blair.
There it was again. Like a harmonious echo that rang off of the icy walls, summoning her forward. It wasn't the water, but a real voice. It wasn't any of the men, but Blair could not imagine who else would be in the depths of the cavern. Who else would be here and know her name. Eagerly, Blair picked up the pace, following the siren's call in the darkness until eventually it began to dissipate and the walls illuminated themselves, their crystalline nature reflecting incoming light from the distance. For the first time, Blair was able to actually see the ground she was walking on, which inspired her with the confidence to move forward, eventually finding herself at the end of her tunnel.
The path before her continued, transforming itself into a bridge that wrapped up around a frozen precipice, and below there it was - the raging rapids of a river's mouth, rushing dangerously around the jagged edges of piercing black rocks.
Blair.
This time, the voice was attached to a body. At least, what appeared to be a body but may have been more of a mere presence. A regal presence which glowed, ghostly pale and floated like a specter at the cliff's edge. Entranced, Blair crossed the bridge with little thought, slowly ascending the spiral path up the rocky peak and approaching the eidolic figure.
Blair Waldorf. This thing, this spirit that spoke to her, glowed translucently, an iridescent blue that reminded the girl of diamonds and Tiffany's and Erickson Beamon. The vision in and of itself seduced her and her body, seemingly of its own volition, continued forward despite the hesitation in her heart.
I know who you are, and I know your heart's deepest desires. The esper's words fluttered around her, gentle whispers which blew her hair backwards.
"Who are you?" Blair asked, now a mere two feet away from the floating ghost.
All you need to know is that I am a king, and that as a king I have the ability to grant you what you truly yearn for. Far more ability than a mere prince. The king floated ominously before her, donning transparent robes which fiercely whipped about the apparition's body.
"How do you know who I am? How would you even know what I want?" Blair asked hesitantly, willing herself to take a step back though her feet refused to move.
I know everything. I know things about you that you don't even know about yourself. I know that you're lonely. I know that you're guilty. I know that you desire your mother's affection, your father's attention, and... the thing you want most of all... The king floated away from her, looking over the cliff's ledge. Is her.
This time Blair hardly refused as she joined the king by his side, peering over the ledge into the dangerous pools of water below. Her hands quickly clasped over her mouth at the vision of the blithe blonde, twirling bouyantly in a little wooden boat. "It's Serena."
I can reunite you. You've missed nothing more than your best friend, but you won't have to any longer. You can join her. The ghost beckoned. Join her.
"Blair, I've missed you so much!" Serena shouted up to her, "I knew you needed me, so I came back for you." The blonde reached out her arm, "Let's go home."
All you have to do is take the plunge.
"Honestly, Humphrey, you're moving so slow it's practically glacial." Charles heaved, pushing forward up the steep slope of the path they had taken.
"Right, that's why I'm ahead of you, Bass." Daniel replied, rolling his eyes as he trekked upwards. Ahead they were able to hear the sounds of rushing water, but until they reached the top of the hill where the path leveled itself, their exit was masked from their view.
"Well I suppose you think that overachieving is going to make up for the fact that this whole thing is your fault." Chuck replied bitterly, to which Dan quickly turned around.
"You still believe that? I can't believe- get over it, Bass!" Dan paced quickly back down the hill, practically slamming himself into the prince.
"Yes, I still believe it!" Chuck retorted, pushing the scribe forward, "If you hadn't written that exposé on my father, the Captain would still be fighting for him."
"Your father evicted thousands of penniless families in order to use the land they rightfully owned to dig for gold. Your fortune belongs to those who are now living in poverty! The people had a right to know the truth."
"Well perhaps the truth could have waited until a time when we weren't at war! You've single-handedly lowered morality and ruined Nathaniel's family. Your article is the reason his father left!"
"And do you really think that if he stayed, things would have been any different? Howard Archibald isn't going to win this war, Chuck." Dan replied forcefully, "or do I need to pull out a little prophecy to remind you?"
"Prophecy's just a last resort. A desperate measure!" The prince insisted, "We don't even know if it's true."
"We better hope that it is." Dan turned to continue up the path, "You can blame me all you want, but according to the prophecy, it's still your job to fix everything."
"Wait." Chuck paused, looking up at Dan.
"What? You were just yelling at me for being slow-"
"No, just... shut up." Chuck frowned. "Did you hear that?"
"Hear what?"
"It's Blair. Up ahead." Chuck quickly pushed past the scribe, pushing forward up the remainder of the hill until it leveled itself, with Dan closely behind.
"You're right, there she is." The two men now found themselves at the end of their path, facing an icy bridge which led to the central precipice and cliff where Blair Waldorf now teetered over the edge. "What is she doing?" Dan asked in alarm. He looked down, finding nothing but raging rapids and piercing rocks and the girl's demise if she took a step further.
"Blair!" Chuck yelled, trying to call the girl's attention.
"You idiot. You don't yell at someone standing on the edge of a cliff!" Dan reprimanded, though Chuck ignored the scribe's warnings. "Blair! Listen to me! Whatever you're doing, don't do it!"
Don't do it.
The words broke through Blair's reverie and the girl quickly took a step backwards from the ledge, ignoring the beckoning blonde. The king appeared frustrated, whisking behind Blair and urging her forward like a gust of wind.
Join her! He beckoned harshly, and Blair, almost as if hypnotized, followed instructions accordingly by walking right up the ledge, her feet half on the ground, and her feet half off.
"What the...shit." Dan frowned, "What are we going to do?" He asked, though Chuck was already ahead of him, "Chuck, what are you doing?"
Chuck turned back to look at Dan, "First of all, I am perfectly capable of keeping up with either you or Nathaniel. Secondly, I am more equipped than any of you to protect the girl, and I'm going to prove it." He faced forward, marching ahead across the bridge towards the miniature mountain in the middle of the atrium. The bridge led to the top of the peak, while Blair stood on a ledge about thirty feet below. Pulling out the small dagger which he had taken from Blair (without her knowledge, of course), Chuck closed his eyes and drew in a sharp breath as he swung at the ropes holding the bridge, severing both sides. He could hear Dan yelling at him in the distance as gravity gave way and the bridge went swinging beneath him. He grabbed onto one of the wooden planks with both hands, swinging toward the mountain. In all honesty, when he had told Dan he was going to prove them all wrong, he hadn't really known what he was going to do yet. He just kind of made it up as he went along. Thus, he wasn't as confidant in what he was now doing as he acted. This made his heroic moment a lot less dashing than some would imagine, as he was now mentally cursing himself for his stupidity as he went flying towards the mountain. Willing himself to look down, despite the rocks which eluded to his imminent demise if he let go too soon, he saw that he was approaching the ledge where Blair now teetered back and forth, as if being pushed by some invisible force. In his head he made whatever promises to the first four that he had to; if this worked, he would be nice to Humphrey. If he didn't die, he would be less of a womanizer. Well, he would try. Finishing up his final prayers the prince swung his feet forward as he let go of the wooden plank, falling through the air and right into Blair.
Blair didn't even know what hit her. The last thing she remembered was looking down at her best friend, and the king who egged her forward, before the wind was knocked out of her and both Serena and the ghost quickly dissipated as she fell backwards, much in the same fashion that she had the day before with the prince hovering over her.
"Blair," Chuck nudged her, "Are you all right?"
"What... what happened?" Blair asked, pushing herself to a sitting position.
"I could ask you the same thing." He replied slowly, "You were about to jump, or fall... I don't know."
"I saw..." Blair closed her eyes. There was no point in explaining, it would only make her look crazier than she already did for hovering over the edge like that. "Nevermind. Did you save me?" Blair asked incredulously.
"Don't tell me you missed all that," The prince half-smiled.
"You can take my word for it, Blair. It was actually pretty damn heroic... and stupid." Dan Humphrey chimed in, making his way up the spiral path to where they stood. In an act which surprised both boys, he extended his hand to the prince to help him up.
"I'll take that as a compliment, Humphrey." Chuck accepted his hand, pushing himself to his feet before helping Blair do the same. They were soon joined by Aaron and Nathaniel, who emerged from the same tunnel which Blair had, worn down after heaving away all the rubble which had blocked their path.
"There you are," Aaron gasped for breath, "I told you to stay there."
"And rely on you? I would have gone running in the other direction too." Dan reasoned.
"You know, funny is unbecoming on all three of you." Aaron replied, gesturing to the other three men. "Anyway, I've had about enough of this place. How about we get out of here?" The artist suggested, leading them down the spiral path of the mountain. When they reached its base they were awarded with the sight of the river's mouth, following alongside it until the water cascaded into a waterfall out of the mountain's side.
The five of them; girl, prince, knight, scribe, and seer, walked along the thin rock ledge beside the river, stepping out through the cavern's exit to find themselves with a perfect view of the kingdom before them. The skies were overcast, and rain poured heavily down onto a system of waterways and bridges that was reminiscent of a gothic Venice. Nathaniel walked up beside the girl who stood in awe of the drenched landscape before her.
"Welcome to Ivalice."
SONGS:
Fleet Foxes - Blue Ridge Mountain
Feist - The Water
Author: In Fair Verona
Genre: Romance + Adventure
Pairing: CBN
Rating: T
Summary: Blair Waldorf never believed in fairy-tales. However, weeks after her best friend left for boarding school, Blair finds herself enthralled by the pages of an old book, and is thrown in the midst of a strange new world, at the center of a war, and in between a prince and a knight.
PROLOGUE
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
A/N: Yes, I know, this was a long time coming. It was a very long and hard chapter for me to write, and you'll probably see why as it is quite action-packed. The next several chapters will be less so. Also, the real world has been quite pressing. I had a fashion show, had to go to a job fair and do a week of interviews for internships, and all of a sudden it was spring break where I went to NY and met Ms. Leighton Meester herself. Which was amazing.
"It's a dead end."
Blair Waldorf announced flatly, folding her arms and looking at the four boys expectantly. "You woke me up at the first sign of sunrise, I didn't even get to eat breakfast, just to find that we are now going nowhere." The girl pointed to her eye, "I have bags. This is mortifying."
"Blair, its best to travel in the daylight. The more of it we have, the farther we'll be able to get." Dan tried to explain. The five travelers now stood before a large rock wall at the base of the dividing mountain range. Behind the rubble lay the treacherous tunnel that was better known as Ipsen's Cavern (apparently one of the early kings of Ivalice had been buried alive within its walls and his spirit was rumored to haunt those who dare to either leave or intrude upon his land). However, their problem had little to do with ghost stories and more to do with the fact that the entrance to said cavern seemed to elude them.
"That's not going to matter where we're going." Aaron mumbled, feeling around the mountain's rocky terrain.
"Yeah, which is nowhere." Blair repeated with a lethargic eye roll.
"You really can't remember where the entrance is?" Chuck asked impatiently, leering over the artist's shoulders as he felt his way across the boulder.
"Well, you know, I keep trying... but every time I think too hard I get this inconvenient pain in my left eye." Aaron replied sardonically, turning to face the prince and give all of his fellow travelers a view of the purple welt which Chuck had left the night before.
"Ruling with an iron fist, I see." Blair arched an eyebrow at the prince, paired with an unimpressed expression. "Oh my god, this is so pointless!" Blair whined, kicking at one of the many pebbles on the ground. Low and behold when the little rock rolled its way to the large boulder Aaron was groping, falling quite snugly into the crevice between the boulder and the ground and thus instigating the earth-rumbling that occured as the large boulder rolled inward, practically disappearing into the darkness.
The four men stared blankly ahead, dumbfounded.
"I meant to do that," Blair lied, strutting towards the now open cave entrance with her hands on her hips, "Let's not waste anymore time, we're off to see the wiza-"
"I don't think that's such a good idea," Dan reasoned, though not soon enough before Blair walked right into the darkness and right into the gaping hole at the foot of the cavern entrance, her shrill cry echoing against the cave walls.
"Well boys, looks like it's time to take the plunge." Aaron rubbed his hands together and followed in suit, throwing his hands up in the air as he practically jumped for joy into the darkness.
Blair screamed the whole way down. It was as if she were at the water park, except that this hole had no water, just smooth stone which paved her way down and down for what felt like a good three minutes of just sliding before her tunnel abruptly ended and she was spat out onto the cold ground mercilessly. Blair had barely a chance to recover and recollect herself before the body of Aaron Rose was tossed out as well, knocking her back to the ground.
"Ah, well isn't this comfortable?" The artist joked, relaxing his body weight against Blair's, an action which pretty much managed to stimulate the girl's gag reflex.
"Ew, get off of me, you lecher." Blair growled, pushing him aside and climbing to her feet. They were soon joined by Nathaniel, Chuck, and Daniel, everyone's clothes sullied from the rough landing. Dorota would not approve. "Well, Picasso, where to now?" Blair looked at Aaron expectedly.
"Mmm, well..." Aaron turned around, they stood in the center of an empty chamber which bore six different exits, all scattered about the room's circumference. He paced, "If I remember correctly... we should be listening for the sounds of running water." He paused in front of each chamber before returning to the middle where the rest of the group stood, "Well, I say that eliminates the three on the left and leaves the three pathways on the right."
"We should split up." Dan suggested, "Meet back here in ten minutes and discuss what we've found... what exactly should we be looking for?"
"More water." Aaron said simply, "You'll be hard-pressed to see daylight even if there were an opening, so just listen for the water. I entered the cavern from Ivalice by following the river to its mouth, which is at the base of this cave. Find the pool, you've found our path."
"Fine," Chuck dusted off his tailcoat, "Blair and I will go that way,"
"I have to disagree," Aaron tutted, "You and the girl are precious cargo, we can't just send you two off unprotected." Chuck opened his mouth to protest, upset at the other boy for rendering him useless as far as protection was concerned, "I will go with Blair. I know these mountains like the back of my hand, she'll be safe with me and your knight in shining armor can take care of you."
"Actually, I think I would cover more ground on my own." Nathaniel reasoned aloud, earning another glare from Chuck. The prince was apparently neither strong nor fast enough for their likes. He merely glowered, knowing what suggestion was coming next. "Charles, why don't you go with Dan. He's got a good arm on him, he'll punch anything that jumps out at you."
"Really, Nathaniel, your attempts at being 'funny' are quite unbecoming." The prince mumbled, before turning to the scribe. Fantastic. Ten minutes or more with his least favorite person in the world. They exchanged a look and Chuck heatedly turned, heading off towards the left-most of the three paths, followed by Dan. Nathaniel bid the remaining pair good-bye then quickly headed for the path to their right, disappearing into the darkness.
"Shall we?" Aaron offered his arm, to which Blair forced a smile and looped her arm through his.
"Yes, but if you make another lewd comment or you happen to try to accidently fall and land with your hand on my boob again, I will kill you." The girl tilted her head to the side innocently before leading them away and onto the middle path.
They had been walking for a few minutes on a straight path, as theirs had yet to offer any twists or turns or forks or any reason to stray. Blair looked up at Aaron, who was absent-mindedly humming to himself as they walked along.
"I'm curious." Blair interrupted his harmonious reverie.
"I'm Aaron." The artist winked back.
"No, seriously." Blair narrowed her eyes, "I want to know why you were exiled."
"Well... the answer to that," Aaron paused, taking a breath, "is that I wasn't."
"Excuse me?" Blair's eyes widened, "What is that supposed to mean? Spill. Now."
"The truth is that I just wanted to leave Ivalice." Aaron shrugged, "Between my family's nobility and my own ability... I couldn't go anywhere without being hounded by the townspeople. Everyone always asks me to tell them their fortune, as if it's so easy." The poor boy shrugged, "I just wanted some peace, to be left alone, where nobody knew me or my family or what I was capable of." He chuckled lightly, "But so much for that... word gets around and look at me now, heading back to the place I ran away from."
"But... why would you tell people that you were exiled?" Blair asked, "Isn't that just a little disgraceful? People must look down upon you when you tell them that."
Aaron grinned, "I just thought it sounded more impressive, less cowardly. You know? I thought women would be more into that." He winked, to which Blair's jaw dropped a little. Though, was she really surprised? He would do something like that just to impress a woman. "Oh, come on, your highness!" Aaron teased, tossing his arm around her shoulder, "Don't tell me you wouldn't swoon a little for a boy who was exiled."
"Actually, I wouldn't." Blair clarified, "However, I do know someone who would." It would be just like Serena to be attracted to that sort of thing. Though, the very thought of her friend, now miles and perhaps even alternate dimensions away, would only serve to frustrate her. "One more thing," Blair added, attempting to take her mind off of the carefree blonde.
"Anything." Aaron returned, loosening his grip around her shoulders.
"Why do you always insist in dragging me off alone?" Blair inquired accusingly, "Like back at the cabin... and then just a few minutes ago in front of everyone else."
Aaron was bemused, he crossed his arms and shook his head, "Now, don't take this the wrong way. It's not that I'm not actually interested, because you're a very beautiful girl and if you were up to it I would not even hesitate to do all these things to you," Blair tapped her foot impatiently, "Right, well, to be honest, it's not because of our undeniable chemistry but rather that I just like to see the look on [i]his[/i] face when I drag you off alone."
"Who's face?" Blair asked, furrowing her brow. The girl knew who she was hoping for, but that didn't necessarily mean anything.
"Ah, c'mon, don't make me say it. You know." Aaron replied nonchalantly.
"No, I don't." Blair hated it when people withheld information from her, and if her name wasn't Blair Cornelia Waldorf, she would not let Aaron Rose do the same. "Tell me, who?"
"Blair," Aaron began, however then he found himself silenced and rooted the ground where he stood. "Wait, do you hear that?" He held a finger to his lips, staring intently at the stone floor. Blair paused, following in suit and taking in the silence. It was very faint, but she could hear it. The sound of rushing water, small tides flapping against each other from an undisclosed location.
"Water," Blair breathed, "but where is it coming from?" They could hear it, but they couldn't see it. "I think it'll get louder if we continue ahead," Blair reasoned, briskly walking away from Aaron.
"Wait, Blair!" Aaron turned to follow, "You shouldn't just run off, stay close." He warned, but the girl had now traipsed quite far ahead of him.
"Don't worry, Aaron. I was right, it is getting louder!" Blair exclaimed, so very proud of herself.
"We should go back and tell the others." Aaron suggested, "It'd be safer than to continue alone."
As if on cue, to prove to the pair the irony of Blair's hubris, the cavern ceiling above them shook rapidly, cracking and sending little particles of dust flying out at the pair just before one of the larger staglamites fell, driving a wedge between them.
"Blair!" Aaron yelled, attempting to run forward, only to be blocked as the rest of the piercing ceiling fell in, practically filling up the height of the cave's narrow pathway. He couldn't even see her anymore, the rock wall proved to be too effective a barrier. However, he could hear her, calling his name in alarm. "Blair!" Aaron shouted, "Just wait there. I'm going to go get the others, we'll get you out!"
"Well, hurry!" Blair cried back impatiently, placing her hands against the rock wall in some attempt to break free. It was hopeless. Even with the four other men, how would they be able to move all of this rubble? It was dark now, the wall effectively blocking out what little bits of light had trickled through from the central chamber. Hearing Aaron's retreating footsteps, she knew that now she was truly alone and relying on a total idiot for help.
Four minutes had passed, as Blair waited alone in the darkness. With every minute she was left alone, the girl began to grow a little more insecure of her predicament. Blair Waldorf was fearless in the face of gossip and school girl bitchery, but this was different. The brunette always envisioned that if she ever met her end, it would be a memorable one. Blair Waldorf didn't go down without a fight. However, dying in the darkness from starvation and lack of oxygen, forgotten. It was not how she pictured her demise, and that thought alone was enough to rile her into action. Blair Waldorf was not going to wait around and depend on an odd assembly of insipid men to free her. There may have been a wall behind her, but there was a path in front of her, and she wouldn't have been Blair if she didn't take it.
Hands wrapped around herself to keep her warm from the chill radiating off of the icy walls, Blair made her way down the dark path, listening closely for the sounds of rushing water. To her comfort, at least she didn't have to worry about bats or insects or anything equally disgusting. From what she had seen so far of the caves, they were completely desolate, unable to sustain life. Perhaps the thought wasn't as comforting as she originally thought, but it only urged her to press forward as the water's sonance grew louder. It was almost as if the rushing water was beckoning her by name, personally.
Blair.
Maybe it was something else. Blair paused, listening apprehensively.
Blair.
There it was again. Like a harmonious echo that rang off of the icy walls, summoning her forward. It wasn't the water, but a real voice. It wasn't any of the men, but Blair could not imagine who else would be in the depths of the cavern. Who else would be here and know her name. Eagerly, Blair picked up the pace, following the siren's call in the darkness until eventually it began to dissipate and the walls illuminated themselves, their crystalline nature reflecting incoming light from the distance. For the first time, Blair was able to actually see the ground she was walking on, which inspired her with the confidence to move forward, eventually finding herself at the end of her tunnel.
The path before her continued, transforming itself into a bridge that wrapped up around a frozen precipice, and below there it was - the raging rapids of a river's mouth, rushing dangerously around the jagged edges of piercing black rocks.
Blair.
This time, the voice was attached to a body. At least, what appeared to be a body but may have been more of a mere presence. A regal presence which glowed, ghostly pale and floated like a specter at the cliff's edge. Entranced, Blair crossed the bridge with little thought, slowly ascending the spiral path up the rocky peak and approaching the eidolic figure.
Blair Waldorf. This thing, this spirit that spoke to her, glowed translucently, an iridescent blue that reminded the girl of diamonds and Tiffany's and Erickson Beamon. The vision in and of itself seduced her and her body, seemingly of its own volition, continued forward despite the hesitation in her heart.
I know who you are, and I know your heart's deepest desires. The esper's words fluttered around her, gentle whispers which blew her hair backwards.
"Who are you?" Blair asked, now a mere two feet away from the floating ghost.
All you need to know is that I am a king, and that as a king I have the ability to grant you what you truly yearn for. Far more ability than a mere prince. The king floated ominously before her, donning transparent robes which fiercely whipped about the apparition's body.
"How do you know who I am? How would you even know what I want?" Blair asked hesitantly, willing herself to take a step back though her feet refused to move.
I know everything. I know things about you that you don't even know about yourself. I know that you're lonely. I know that you're guilty. I know that you desire your mother's affection, your father's attention, and... the thing you want most of all... The king floated away from her, looking over the cliff's ledge. Is her.
This time Blair hardly refused as she joined the king by his side, peering over the ledge into the dangerous pools of water below. Her hands quickly clasped over her mouth at the vision of the blithe blonde, twirling bouyantly in a little wooden boat. "It's Serena."
I can reunite you. You've missed nothing more than your best friend, but you won't have to any longer. You can join her. The ghost beckoned. Join her.
"Blair, I've missed you so much!" Serena shouted up to her, "I knew you needed me, so I came back for you." The blonde reached out her arm, "Let's go home."
All you have to do is take the plunge.
"Honestly, Humphrey, you're moving so slow it's practically glacial." Charles heaved, pushing forward up the steep slope of the path they had taken.
"Right, that's why I'm ahead of you, Bass." Daniel replied, rolling his eyes as he trekked upwards. Ahead they were able to hear the sounds of rushing water, but until they reached the top of the hill where the path leveled itself, their exit was masked from their view.
"Well I suppose you think that overachieving is going to make up for the fact that this whole thing is your fault." Chuck replied bitterly, to which Dan quickly turned around.
"You still believe that? I can't believe- get over it, Bass!" Dan paced quickly back down the hill, practically slamming himself into the prince.
"Yes, I still believe it!" Chuck retorted, pushing the scribe forward, "If you hadn't written that exposé on my father, the Captain would still be fighting for him."
"Your father evicted thousands of penniless families in order to use the land they rightfully owned to dig for gold. Your fortune belongs to those who are now living in poverty! The people had a right to know the truth."
"Well perhaps the truth could have waited until a time when we weren't at war! You've single-handedly lowered morality and ruined Nathaniel's family. Your article is the reason his father left!"
"And do you really think that if he stayed, things would have been any different? Howard Archibald isn't going to win this war, Chuck." Dan replied forcefully, "or do I need to pull out a little prophecy to remind you?"
"Prophecy's just a last resort. A desperate measure!" The prince insisted, "We don't even know if it's true."
"We better hope that it is." Dan turned to continue up the path, "You can blame me all you want, but according to the prophecy, it's still your job to fix everything."
"Wait." Chuck paused, looking up at Dan.
"What? You were just yelling at me for being slow-"
"No, just... shut up." Chuck frowned. "Did you hear that?"
"Hear what?"
"It's Blair. Up ahead." Chuck quickly pushed past the scribe, pushing forward up the remainder of the hill until it leveled itself, with Dan closely behind.
"You're right, there she is." The two men now found themselves at the end of their path, facing an icy bridge which led to the central precipice and cliff where Blair Waldorf now teetered over the edge. "What is she doing?" Dan asked in alarm. He looked down, finding nothing but raging rapids and piercing rocks and the girl's demise if she took a step further.
"Blair!" Chuck yelled, trying to call the girl's attention.
"You idiot. You don't yell at someone standing on the edge of a cliff!" Dan reprimanded, though Chuck ignored the scribe's warnings. "Blair! Listen to me! Whatever you're doing, don't do it!"
Don't do it.
The words broke through Blair's reverie and the girl quickly took a step backwards from the ledge, ignoring the beckoning blonde. The king appeared frustrated, whisking behind Blair and urging her forward like a gust of wind.
Join her! He beckoned harshly, and Blair, almost as if hypnotized, followed instructions accordingly by walking right up the ledge, her feet half on the ground, and her feet half off.
"What the...shit." Dan frowned, "What are we going to do?" He asked, though Chuck was already ahead of him, "Chuck, what are you doing?"
Chuck turned back to look at Dan, "First of all, I am perfectly capable of keeping up with either you or Nathaniel. Secondly, I am more equipped than any of you to protect the girl, and I'm going to prove it." He faced forward, marching ahead across the bridge towards the miniature mountain in the middle of the atrium. The bridge led to the top of the peak, while Blair stood on a ledge about thirty feet below. Pulling out the small dagger which he had taken from Blair (without her knowledge, of course), Chuck closed his eyes and drew in a sharp breath as he swung at the ropes holding the bridge, severing both sides. He could hear Dan yelling at him in the distance as gravity gave way and the bridge went swinging beneath him. He grabbed onto one of the wooden planks with both hands, swinging toward the mountain. In all honesty, when he had told Dan he was going to prove them all wrong, he hadn't really known what he was going to do yet. He just kind of made it up as he went along. Thus, he wasn't as confidant in what he was now doing as he acted. This made his heroic moment a lot less dashing than some would imagine, as he was now mentally cursing himself for his stupidity as he went flying towards the mountain. Willing himself to look down, despite the rocks which eluded to his imminent demise if he let go too soon, he saw that he was approaching the ledge where Blair now teetered back and forth, as if being pushed by some invisible force. In his head he made whatever promises to the first four that he had to; if this worked, he would be nice to Humphrey. If he didn't die, he would be less of a womanizer. Well, he would try. Finishing up his final prayers the prince swung his feet forward as he let go of the wooden plank, falling through the air and right into Blair.
Blair didn't even know what hit her. The last thing she remembered was looking down at her best friend, and the king who egged her forward, before the wind was knocked out of her and both Serena and the ghost quickly dissipated as she fell backwards, much in the same fashion that she had the day before with the prince hovering over her.
"Blair," Chuck nudged her, "Are you all right?"
"What... what happened?" Blair asked, pushing herself to a sitting position.
"I could ask you the same thing." He replied slowly, "You were about to jump, or fall... I don't know."
"I saw..." Blair closed her eyes. There was no point in explaining, it would only make her look crazier than she already did for hovering over the edge like that. "Nevermind. Did you save me?" Blair asked incredulously.
"Don't tell me you missed all that," The prince half-smiled.
"You can take my word for it, Blair. It was actually pretty damn heroic... and stupid." Dan Humphrey chimed in, making his way up the spiral path to where they stood. In an act which surprised both boys, he extended his hand to the prince to help him up.
"I'll take that as a compliment, Humphrey." Chuck accepted his hand, pushing himself to his feet before helping Blair do the same. They were soon joined by Aaron and Nathaniel, who emerged from the same tunnel which Blair had, worn down after heaving away all the rubble which had blocked their path.
"There you are," Aaron gasped for breath, "I told you to stay there."
"And rely on you? I would have gone running in the other direction too." Dan reasoned.
"You know, funny is unbecoming on all three of you." Aaron replied, gesturing to the other three men. "Anyway, I've had about enough of this place. How about we get out of here?" The artist suggested, leading them down the spiral path of the mountain. When they reached its base they were awarded with the sight of the river's mouth, following alongside it until the water cascaded into a waterfall out of the mountain's side.
The five of them; girl, prince, knight, scribe, and seer, walked along the thin rock ledge beside the river, stepping out through the cavern's exit to find themselves with a perfect view of the kingdom before them. The skies were overcast, and rain poured heavily down onto a system of waterways and bridges that was reminiscent of a gothic Venice. Nathaniel walked up beside the girl who stood in awe of the drenched landscape before her.
"Welcome to Ivalice."
SONGS:
Fleet Foxes - Blue Ridge Mountain
Feist - The Water