Lina blinked, grumbled, and closed her eyes again as the morning light fell across her eyelids, forcing her mind into consciousness before her body was willing to follow. With a loud yawn, she swung her legs over the side of the bed, and stood up on something hard...
...which gave a loud "Oomph" when she stepped down, and moved under her feet.
She stumbled back on the bed, giving a loud "plop" in the process, wondering why the floor had just made a very human sound.
"What the...?!" she stuttered, staring down at her feet with wide eyes.
Laying on the floor, looking extremely cross, was a glaring, blue-skinned Zelgadis. He was rubbing his stomach with one hand, while the other rapped agitatedly on the ground. Obviously, he didn't like being stepped on.
"What're you doing on my floor?!" Lina demanded embarrassedly.
He sighed, and pointedly tapped the side of his head. "I was kidnapped, remember?" he reminded her sarcastically.
Memory returned in a flash, and she blushed slightly as everything came back to her. An image of him holding her when she was terrified of the slug, and his accompanying soothing words, popped into her mind. "...Oh yeah..."
Another sigh from Zelgadis. "Anyway, I've got to find my esteemed parents and ask them a few questions..." He trailed off, still absently rubbing his stomach. His eyes unfocused, not quite looking at anything in particular.
That's right; we were going to tell the king and queen who he really is. Softly, Lina asked, "Scared?"
To her eternal surprise, he nodded. "A little, yes." He rest back on his elbows, and stared up at the ceiling. "I'm not sure how they're going to react."
What am I supposed to say to that? Lina thought dryly, and kept from replying.
He shook his head, as if to clear it of thoughts, and pushed himself up off the floor. "I'll be in my room, getting dressed," he murmured, and slipped out of her bedroom.
Lina gave one last yawn, and hurried about her business. She wasn't sure when Zelgadis would appear again, but she didn't particularly want to keep him waiting today. Besides, she was curious to see if his parents could answer a few questions... Not the least of which is, why can't Zelgadis and I remember the first time we actually met, when we were just kids?
In record time, she was dressed and ready to go for the day...
...or she thought she was, until her stomach gave a loud rumble, reminding her that it was hungry, and it wanted food now.
Zelgadis appeared a few seconds later at her door, knocking quietly. She told him to enter, and as soon as the door opened, he asked with dry amusement, "Hungry? I thought I heard your stomach rumble from the next room..." He was about to continue by asking if she'd seen his linking jewel, when she interrupted him.
"You did," Lina answered cheerfully, right before grabbing his arm as she passed him, and shutting the door behind her on her way out. "Come on!"
His lips twitched in repressed laughter as he let her drag him behind her. Zelgadis didn't bother telling her they were headed more in the direction of the great hall than the kitchen, figuring she wouldn't appreciate it.
Halfway down their fifth hallway, she stopped and snapped her fingers. "Oh, I forgot!" As Zelgadis raised an eyebrow in question, she rummaged around her clothes, obviously looking for something. Her face was screwed up in concentration, and her tongue poked out of her lips cutely. After a few minutes, she pulled out something red and shiny...
"So that's what happened to it," he murmured, eyes glinting mischievously.
She snorted and tossed his cloak clasp to him. He caught it without trying, and waited with a raised eyebrow for her response as he clasped it back on his cloak. "I didn't think you'd just want it lying around while you were kidnapped, so..." she explained, shrugging unconcernedly.
"Ah..."
A female voice called out to them frantically from down the hallway, desperately trying to get their attention. Both of them turned to see Wyna running towards them, waving her arms around madly. Her normally pale face was flushed from exertion, and her dress was rumpled.
"Lina, Zel!" she called. They waited while she caught up. Breathlessly, she explained, "You've got to see the King and Queen as soon as possible!"
Zelgadis frowned and crossed his arms defensively. "Why?"
Still gasping for air, Wyna said, "They heard about your kidnapping from Tannec early this morning, and got really angry... Then they demanded to see Lina and you. That was ten minutes ago."
Lina groaned and mentally thought to Zelgadis, Your parents have bad timing, Zel. If they'd only waited another half an hour or so, I could have gotten breakfast first.
He thought back wryly, I'm surprised you don't want to make them wait and have breakfast first anyway.
If I wasn't so curious, I would, Lina stated emphatically. I want to find out if they know why we can't remember each other. Her thoughts darkened as she added, I don't like the idea of someone tampering with our memories...
Neither do I, he replied just as grimly.
Wyna tapped him on the shoulder with a deliberately blank expression, eyes slightly narrowed. "What are you two doing?" she asked dryly. "You're just staring at each other."
Two hot, rosy blushes sprang up on Lina and Zelgadis's cheeks. "Erm... nothing! Heh heh... Lead on, Wyna!" Lina encouraged hastily, waving her hands hurriedly down the hallway as Zelgadis's sister continued to look at them weirdly...
The King waved them forward as soon as the three entered the throne room. Per usual, Zelgadis was cool and calm, his expression revealing nothing of what he was feeling inside. Lina had a carefree look on her face, and she walked easily, as if nothing bothered her. No one noticed the fire and determination burning brightly in both sets of eyes.
On the throne, the King and Queen were as impassive as always. But, a new addition stood near them -- Tannec was standing next to his father, looking worried. He was glancing between the King and Zelgadis.
In a booming, threatening voice, the King called out to the arriving pair, "I heard from my son that you were kidnapped last night. Is this true?" Wyna slipped away from them, head bowed, and shuffled over to her mother's side. No one except the pair facing the King noticed the Queen gently take Wyna's hand within her own and give it a gentle, reassuring squeeze.
"Yes." Zelgadis's response was simplicity itself, and told nothing of what happened. Lina could almost see a vein throbbing dangerously in his father's head...
"Why would anyone want to kidnap you?" he demanded imperiously.
Just as calmly, Zelgadis explained, "He wasn't supposed to kidnap me; he was ordered to murder me."
Gasps emerged from Tannec, Wyna, and the Queen, who all looked at him with fresh, horrified eyes. Lina didn't blink; she'd worked that out the night before. Obviously Zelgadis had as well.
"Explain!" the King barked.
Zelgadis looked to Lina, who nodded in understanding and started to give a short, edited account of what happened between them and Aristos, both for that night and past actions. She shrugged casually at the King and began. "Well, Zel and I were in Seyruun at Amelia's birthday party..." The loud rumble of her stomach interrupted what she was about to say.
The Queen sweatdropped and said tentatively, "Perhaps we should have breakfast, and continue our discussion there."
This was met by hearty agreement on Lina's part. "Great! Let's go!"
Quickly, everyone got up and prepared to adjourn to the banquet hall. A shadow followed them, silent and overlooked...