Lina and Zel were both there. Why were Lina and Zel there? Amelia thought to herself as she woke up and a cold sweat. It wasn't unusual for Amelia to wake up in this manner after what had happened to her. When Phil died and Amelia inherited the throne her dreams slowly got worse and worse. But, never before had she had such intense dreams about her old traveling mates.
Maybe it's because they're coming for my birthday." She whispered aloud. "After all, I haven't seen them in almost 10 years."
"Did you say something, my Queen?" A young girl asked opening the door to an adjourning room.
"Just speaking to myself, Elisé. Go back to bed."
Amelia heard a soft click as the door shut. I really need to get some sleep. But, I'm so excited about seeing Lina, Zel and Gourry. Amelia closed her eyes, and chanted a short sleep spell.
The next morning, Amelia woke up refreshed and hungry. "Elisé, are they here yet?" She called slowly washing her face, hands, and arms in a porcelain bowl.
"Not yet, your majesty! But their messenger arrived a few moments ago. They will be here within the hour."
Amelia dressed quickly and bound out the door and down to the kitchen for breakfast.
"Nothing fancy this morning, just 4 bowls of porridge, 2 grapefruits, and a large mug of milk." She said to the cook. Amelia went and sat down at a small wooden table. A young woman brought the food over to the table, and watched horrified as the Queen wolfed down her breakfast in under a minute. "I'll be off now, I'm going to meet my friends at the gate." She yelled running out the door.
"That girl has more energy than anyone half her age." The cook told the serving girl.
Amelia waited impatiently as Lina, Zel, and Gourry rode into view. Excited, she rushed out to meet them.
"Lina, Zel, Gourry!" She cried hugging each in turn. "It's been too long, since last we met."
"Amelia, I was sorry to hear about your father." Lina said.
"Me too." Gourry whispered, hugging Amelia again.
"He was a good man." Was all Zelgadiss said.
"Come on, I'll race you all back to the palace. Xellos should be arriving there soon."
"Xellos? Amelia have you lost your mind... Why did you invite that fruitcake along? He's nothing but a nuisance." Lina scowled.
"Besides, doesn't Xellos have duties he should be doing for his master?" Zel inquired.
"No, she told him he could come to the party this evening and spend the day with us." Amelia smiled.
"I'm glad he's gonna be there." Gourry said, receiving a whack to the head by Lina.
The friends arrived at the castle, just in time to hear a loud 'BOOM'.
"What was that?" Amelia shouted running for her castle.
"Your majesty, we don't' know what happened, it just exploded." Elisé said, pointing to a box in the corner.
"Ha ha ha! Amelia, I knew that would get your attention." Xellos said appearing behind all of them.
"XELLOS!" Lina screamed smacking and punching the Mazuko Priest.
"Good to see you too, Lina. Hi Zel-Chan. How are you Gourry?"
"Well, since everyone is here, I'll show you all to your rooms. Follow me." Amelia said, smiling at how things were just like old times. They sure haven't changed much. Lina is still a hothead, Gourry is still a ditz, Zelgadiss is still quite, and Xellos is handsome as ever. I just wish I were still the same. I just wish... I have to stop thinking about it. I have to... Amelia was thinking so hard, she had passed all the rooms and was down at the end of the hall.
"I'm sorry guys, I was just lost in thought. Lina, this will be your room." Amelia said pointing to the room next to her own. "Sylphiel said she might be joining us, so the room right next to you is hers. If she shows." She added. "Xellos, your room is right here." She said pointing to room across from hers. "Zelgadiss yours is there, and Gourry, yours is there." She indicated the two rooms across from Lina, and Sylphiel's rooms. "I need to rest for a bit, so is you want to freshen up, please feel free." With that Amelia walked into her bedroom and shut the door.
"Do you think Amelia is acting weird?" Lina asked the group softly.
"Well, do you blame her, after all her father was murdered in front of her face." Xellos said, walking into his own room and shutting the door.
"Amelia? May I come in?" Lina called softly a few hours later.
There was no answer from within.
I know she's in there, I've been watching her door since she went in there. Lina thought. "Amelia." She called again.
The door opened softly to reveal the young girl from earlier that day.
"Her Majesty is sleeping right now. I'm Elisé, her first lady-in-waiting. Is there anything I can get for you?"
"Yeah, you can tell me why she never told any of us that her father was murdered, let alone, murdered right in front of her!" Lina exclaimed.
"AHHH! NO STOP, PLEASE! DON'T KILL HIM. DON'T HURT HIM, PLEASE! GET AWAY FROM HIM. DARKNESS BEYOND TWILIGHT, CRIMSON BLOOD THAT FLOWS." Amelia started to scream.
"Oh no! We have to stop her. She'll blow up the room again!" Elisé shouted, running for the bed. "Your Majesty, wake up! Wake up."
Lina ran for the bed as well. "Amelia, WAKE UP!" She yelled shaking her friend. "GET UP, AMELIA!" She shouted.
"You don't have to shout Miss Lina." Was the reply she got before Amelia fell back asleep.
"What the hell? I don't understand this. And what do you mean blow up the room again? Does she have these types of dreams often? ANSWER ME Elisé!" Lina yelled shaking the young girl.
"She's had them ever since that night. The night Prince Phil died. When her father was murdered, she tried to stop the assailant by casting the Dragon Slave. But by the time she had casted it, her father was already dead. And the man had disappeared without a trace. She blew up an entire side of the castle, and almost killed herself in the process. After that, she couldn't remember anything. She doesn't know that her father was murdered. We kept that from her. We thought it best that she not know. After all, her own mind had forgotten the act, so we thought it was in her best interest not to tell her. But each night, she wakes up screaming. One night, she even casted the Dragon Slave in her sleep. We think she is remembering what happened in her sleep. But she won't talk about it except to say she's having bad dreams." Elisé sobbed out.
"You mean to tell me, that whoever killed her father is not only loose, but knows that Amelia knows who he is?" Lina asked.
"Yes." Was the only reply.
"And you people didn't mention to Amelia that her father was murdered to spare her? What are you people, idiots? She needs to know. So that she can start to remember what happened." Lina was slowly getting more and more angry. "I'm going back into my room, but as soon as Amelia wakes up. I want to see her! Understood?"
Elisé shook her head yes and Lina left the room.
I can't believe Amelia's father, Prince Phil, was murdered right in front of Amelia's face. I have to find Prince Phil's killer before they get to Amelia. It's only a matter of time, but how do I find them. I got it. "Xellos!" Lina rushed for Xellos' room, only to find Amelia in there with him.
"What the.. How did? Amelia, how did you get in here so fast. I was just in your room."
"Xellos got me. He popped in to see if I was okay, and brought me in here. Lina, how do you make your memory return? I overheard you and Elisé talking. I want to remember what happened. I want to find my father's killer before he finds me." Amelia started to cry.
Lina looked at Amelia, and felt a twinge of guilt, "Elisé and I shouldn't have been talking about that right in front of you. It was wrong of us. As, for your question, I don't know how to make a memory return, I don't think anyone does." Lina whispered.
"I know someone who does, but it's not recommended." Xellos piped in.
"Who, Xel-Chan?" Amelia asked, in tears.
"Xellas, of course. She knows many different spells, some to make memories disappear, and others to make memories to reappear. There are complications though."
"I don't care! I wanna know who killed my father!" Amelia almost shouted.
"Don't say I didn't warn you." Xellos replied. "Let's go!"
Xellos started a chant, but Lina stopped him.
"If you think you're taking her, with out us, your crazier than I thought Xellos!"
"Fine if you must come, hurry up."
"Zel, Gourry, come on. We're leaving!" Lina yelled.
Zel and Gourry ran into the room, "Where are we going Lina-Chan?" Zel asked,
"Yeah, Lina. Where are we going?" Gourry repeated.
"To see Xellas. Amelia want's her memory to return to here." Lina explained, as she gathered everyone around Xellos, "Let's go Xel." She called as they disappeared.
"Where are we?" Amelia asked.
"Where else?" Lina said.
"Come on, we don't want to dally around here, keep up." Xel called, moving quickly along the corridors.
"Xellos, what are you doing back here? I thought you left for the Queen's party. Oh, well, pardon me. I see you brought Queen Amelia and company with you. Hello, your majesty, Lina, Zel, Gourry. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"Mistress, Amelia has no recollection of her past. She wishes for you to give her that memory."
"Xellos, I'm not sure this is very wise of you. After all, you've put all of us in danger with this stunt. Come to me Amelia my dear."
Amelia walks over to Xellas, her fear apparent. "Yes, Miss Xellas?"
"Give me your hand, and close your eyes. Don't be afraid."
Amelia complied, giving Xellas her hands. Closing her eyes, she felt the power flow into her. Slowly, as if walking down a path, she started to remember small things. A party, a smell, an argument... That's right, Prince Phil had an argument that night with a guest. Amelia could feel herself walking through the motions of the party, not really a part of it, but as a spectator in her own body.
"Ladies, and gentlemen. I'd like to announce that as of my daughter's 25th birthday, I will abdicate my throne to her. She will no longer be known as Princess Amelia, but as Queen Amelia."
A cheer rang throughout the crowd. Amelia was ushered up onto the stage. Her father gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and said, "Give them your best smile, then say a few words."
"I'm not really sure what to say. I never thought I would see the day that my father would abdicate this throne. I never wanted him to. I will try to be the best Queen Saillune has ever had." Amelia smiled half-heartedly. She bowed to her citizens, then to her father. After leaving the stage, she went to her own private room and sat down. Why is he doing this? He knows I don't want the throne. I wish he would just give it to Uncle Christopher. I want freedom, not a country. Laying her head on her desk she started to cry.
"Mistress Amelia, are you alright?" Elisé said, entering the room. "Everyone is asking about you. Amelia, are you crying?" Worry etched itself across Elisé's face.
"Oh, Elisé. I don't want to be queen. I don't want the problems of the country on my shoulders. I told him that a thousand times since I returned. I just want to be Amelia Wil Tesla Saillune. Not Princess Amelia, or Queen Amelia, just Amelia." She started to cry even harder. Elisé put her arm around Amelia's shoulders, and let her cry into it. Elisé was only 2 years younger than Amelia, and knew what it felt like to be trapped because your parents thought they knew better.
Prince Phil walked in then. "Amelia, we need to talk. And we need to talk, now! Elisé you are dismissed." The look on Prince Phil's face said it all, Elisé left the room, and went about her chores. "Amelia, dry your eyes. You are the only one capable of running this country. And there are things afoot that you're not aware of. I can't tell you now, but I will later... I promise. I want you on the throne as soon as possible. I need you on this throne. In my will... " Amelia looked sharply at her father on the mention of his will, "Don't look at me like that. In my will, it says you must marry and have one child before your 30th birthday. I'm looking after you Amelia. I have to go back to the party, so do you. Dry your eyes, and come on."
Amelia slowly got up, and dried her eyes. "I still don't want the throne!"
"I don't care Amelia, the throne is your birthright. It's yours." Prince Phil and Amelia both put on fake, happy smiles and left the room together. "Go attend to your guests."
Amelia left her fathers side, and started to make her way around the room. Several people wished her well, and told her how happy they were that she would be their Queen. Someone tapped her on the shoulder and she spun around. There standing in a tux made of purple silk, and smiling that bright beautiful smile of his, was Xellos.
"Xel-Chan, you scared me. What are you doing here?"
"I convinced Xellas that it would be in her best interest to allow me to come to this 'party'. You don't look like you're having much fun, my beautiful Queen-in-training."
"Don't call me that. I don't want to Queen, you know that."
"I don't want to work for Xellas anymore, but I can't change that. And you can't change who your parents are and were. You are Amelia Wil Tesla Saillune, Princess, and soon to be Queen of Saillune."
"Oh, Xellos. I don't know what I'm going to do." She sighed, leaning her head on his shoulder.
"You're going to dance with me, then, well... We'll see." Xellos put out one hand to Amelia, giggling she took it, and they started whirling around the dance floor. The crowds parted as the couple started doing a beautiful waltz. Dance after dance after dance, Amelia and Xel lost track of time, and were only interested in each other. Finally, after a waltz, the two of them left the dance floor, clinging to one another. Giggling and laughing, they walked around that palace, reminiscing on days of old.
"Do you remember the time Lina made Gourry and Zelgadiss dress like women to get into that city. And it turned out that most of the women were actually guys." Amelia giggled, recalling the scene at the spring.
Xel laughed, "Yes, but do you remember the time you and Lina had to dress up and sing for that spell. Lina was so mad when she found out that it was nothing that she wanted to kill me. But, I'll have to say, you're voice that day was amazing. I love to hear you sing."
Amelia pulled Xel into a room, and smiled sweetly, "Would you like me to sing for you Xel-Chan? I'll sing anything you want me to." She ran a finger lightly along his collar.
Xel gulped, this isn't what he had planned, but he always enjoyed Amelia's playful spirit. He leaned forward and kissed Amelia softly, "Do you remember the temple song?"
Amelia nodded, and stepped away from him. Softly, she started to sing without the benefit of a second voice. Slowly as she sung, she undid the buttons on her dress, and let it slide to the floor. Under her dress she was wearing a camisole. She slid one strap off of her shoulder, still singing the tune. Xel, got up and came to stand next to her. He ran his hand over her shoulders, and down her back. Slowly, still listening to her voice, he leaned down and kissed the column of her neck. Amelia's voice faltered for only a second, but she resumed her song, while slowly removing Xel's dress coat. Unbuttoning his shirt, she stopped singing long enough to place a kiss on his chest. After resuming her song, she slid her hands down Xel's chest to his pants. Xel nuzzled and kissed her neck and chest; slowly he slid the straps off of her shoulders, and let the camisole slip to the floor. All that Amelia now had on were a pair of white, lacy panties and her heels. Amelia unbuttoned, and unzipped Xel's pants, and shoved them off of him.
Stopping her song, she kissed him, not softly like before, but hot and hungrily. Xel, pulled her back, smiled and went to the door. Xel slammed the bolt home and returned to Amelia's side. Xel bent over took off his shoes and socks, as Amelia stepped out of her heels. They came together then, needy and desperate. Wanting so bad to forget that they shouldn't do this. Amelia nipped at Xel's neck, and kissed his lips. Xel ran his hands all over Amelia's body, feeling every curve, and emblazing it into his memory. Amelia moaned softly, and clung to Xel, praying to El Sama that this night would never end.
Amelia started to explore Xel's body, and smiling to herself, she used her teeth to remove his underwear. Xel giggled, and used his to remove her. "I love you Amelia. Don't ever forget that. You will always have my loyalty." He whispered into her ear, as he nipped and kissed her neck, and lips.
"I love you too Xellos. Promise me you'll be there for me always."
"I promise, my love." He entered her then, slowly, painfully slow. Amelia moved with him, increasing the pace. Both of them were moaning and panting lightly, as their pace increased, so did their desperation. Amelia came first, shock waves rippling through her body; Xel was not far behind. After they both came back down, Xel removed himself from inside her.
"That was amazing Amelia." he kissed her lightly on the lips, "You've never given yourself to me like that. I love you so much."
"Oh, Xel." Amelia blushed and kissed him back. "I love you too."
They laid that way for a few minutes, holding each other not saying anything. Slowly Xel sat up and handed Amelia her panties, and put his own on. "We should probably get back. They're sure to miss you." Amelia nodded, and put her clothes on.
Dressed they kissed on last time, then opened the door and left the room. Sneaking back into the party was easy; it was trying to explain where she was that was difficult.
About 3 in the morning the party died down, Xel approached Amelia, "My love, I must leave you. If you ever need me, you have but to call my name and I'll come running." He kissed her, and disappeared. Amelia sighed and walked toward her father's inner chamber. From outside the door, she could hear Prince Phil arguing with someone.
"You heard the announcement. You can tell your boss it's too late. She'll be 25 in 3 weeks. And you know that you can't touch her without risking the wrath of her former traveling mates, Lina and Zelgadiss Greywords." She heard Prince Phil say.
"Yes, but that doesn't mean I can't kill you!" A stranger intoned.
Amelia rushed in then, "Don't touch him. Don't kill my father!"
The stranger laughed at her, and raised a sword, about to strike Prince Phil down.
"AHHH! NO STOP, PLEASE! DON'T KILL HIM. DON'T HURT HIM, PLEASE! GET AWAY FROM HIM. Darkness from twilight, crimson from blood that flows; buried in the flow of time; in Thy great name, I pledge myself to darkness! Those who oppose us shall be destroyed by the power you and I possess! DRAGU SLAVE!!" It was too late, Prince Phil was slain, and lying on the ground, the assailant was gone before the spell was over. An explosion shook the palace, and Amelia was flung across the room, the ball of power that is the Dragu Slave was about to explode.
"XELLOS!!!!!! HELP ME PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" She screamed. He appeared behind her, and scooped her into his arms. Transporting her outside the castle walls before any more harm could be done to her. "I tried to stop him, Xel." She cried, then passed out.
That is how they found her the next morning, in Xel's arms, outside of the palace unconscious. Later they found out that her memory of that evening was gone. She could remember none of it.
Amelia's eyes snapped open, "I remember who killed my father!" She turned to Xellos, "And I remember everything else."
Xel smiled at her, and then kissed her on the lips. "I told you all you had to do was call my name."
Lina, Gourry, Zel, and Xellas stared at the couple. Suddenly maniacal laughter erupted into the room. Before the group stood a beast, with black angel wings laughing.
"It's you! You killed my father!!! DIE!!!!" Amelia launched from Xel's arms at the beast. The rest of the group took up arms and started fighting the monster as well. Amelia was thrown across the room; dazed she stood up. Before she could rejoin the fighting, something, or someone grabbed her and disappeared with her.
After the group killed the monster, they looked to where Amelia was thrown, but she was gone. Xellos frantically searched for her, but found her nowhere.
"Please, El Sama, not Amelia. Amelia!!! AMELIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" He screamed.