"It wasn't delusion," I told her. "When we were separated from you after the rock fall, we had a talk."
"And?"
"She admitted that she did love me."
"And what did you say?"
"I told her that it was impossible, and in the end she came to accept it."
"Are you sure?"
"As sure as I could be. Sweetheart, there was nothing underhanded about it all. She admitted to having feelings and realised that nothing could be done about them. And that's all."
"You didn't discuss the possibility of a third clone, did you?"
"A third clone? No, that didn't enter my head. Hers either, I presume. Anyway, she didn't mention it."
"Why not? It seems a logical answer."
"I doubt if Phil would feel the same way. Besides, you're overlooking one significant factor."
"And what's that?"
"The simplest one of all, dear heart. I don't love her." Thorn fell silent, ruminating on what I'd said. Then she looked at me.
"Do you mean that?" she softly asked.
"As sure as I'm talking to you right now," I pledged. She prolonged her stare for a little longer, then dropped her gaze.
"Despite everything," she murmured, "I've never been entirely sure of your love, Stephen. Some small, hidden part of me always thought it was too good to be true."
I opened my mouth to protest my devotion, but she silenced me with a hand against my mouth. "No, listen to me," she exhorted. "Having Traculimna as a sister caused all sorts of problems for me when I was growing up. I mean, she was surrounded by boyfriends every minute of the day. None of them paid any attention to me except as a means of being introduced to her. Can you imagine how that made me feel? I had no self-esteem left at all. Being ignored and passed over for your sister tends to do that to a person, you know. And then you came along and I couldn't believe my luck. But when Traculimna fell in love with you as well, all my insecurities came flooding back. How could I compete with her? I hated her for being so beautiful. Then Phillymunna devised his unique solution and I became happy again. It seemed the answer to all my problems, but that little niggle of insecurity never really went away and that's why I've always had my doubts about Quina. It comes from all those years of living with my sister because it made me suspect every female I met of being a rival. I knew Quina had feelings for you and I became afraid she’d take you away from me. Can you understand what I'm saying? Can you see why I'm still uncertain?"
"Of course I do," I told her, capturing her hand. "Do you think I'm such a lump that I can’t sympathise with your situation? Beloved, I appreciate how you feel and I don't blame you in the slightest, but put your mind at ease. Quina is lovely and a good friend, but that's all she is. Love can't be dictated to, and nobody has control over where it strikes, so there’s no blame attached to her for what she feels either, but she's a friend and I'd never take advantage of that because I couldn't live with myself if I did. Surely you know me better than that. How can I reassure you? You mean everything to me and being with you completes me in every sense. I'd have to be mad to chase after anybody else. You're the only one I care about."
"And Traculimna?" Thorn asked, with a cheeky smile.
"Yes, well, her too," I amended. "Okay, I care for the both of you equally. Do you feel better now?"
"Yes," she admitted, a guilty relief appearing on her face. "I didn't mean to doubt you."
"Don't be silly," I said, putting an arm around her shoulders and pulling her against me. "It's natural to have doubts. I have them, too. I mean, I've always been worried that you'd run off with Nix."
"Nix ?" she hooted, spluttering with laughter. "Yeah, right! Are you insane?"
"That's better," I told her, grinning at her levity. "You were coming a little too solemn there. I thought I'd throw in a little light relief."
"Make that a heavy absurdity," she modified. "Nix? Hah!" She giggled again then became serious. "That's not to say he isn’t attractive in a certain light," she added, facetiously. "Pitch blackness, preferably. And with a bag over his head, of course."
"Of course," I agreed, smilingly. "That goes without saying."
Chapter 18
In better spirits, we quickened our pace and rejoined the rest of the group.
"Back again?" Nix questioned, with raised eyebrows. "Finished your little heart-to-heart, have we?"
"That's none of your business, you horrible toad," Thorn reprimanded him. "It had nothing to do with you. Stick to scavenging in garbage bins the way you usually do."
"Ah, the dulcet sounds of repressed passion," Nix sighed lustily. "She worships me. You can all see that, can't you?"
"It sounds to me more like she's mortally insulting you," Balis observed, a smile curving his lips.
"That's how she expresses her devotion," Nix explained solemnly. "It's an eccentricity of hers due to a faulty chromosome or something. It's probably incurable because she does it all the time. However, I can see beneath the layers of wordy abuse to the oceans of longing residing beneath the surface. It's only a matter of time before she succumbs to my overwhelming masculinity. Sorry about that, Stephen."
"It'll be tough giving her up," I commented, grinning, "but who am I to stand in the way of true love? The better man has won and I'll regretfully stand aside. Just be gentle with her. She requires delicate handling."
"And that's always been your problem," Nix pointed out. "Someone like Arugohumna requires a firm hand and strict discipline, otherwise she runs wild. I would have thought you'd have picked up on that by now. Yessir, discipline, that's the answer! It's the only way she can be taught. Just like a pet, you know."
This last remark caused an uproar. Thorn, Quina and Trix all began punching Nix in retaliation while Balis and I laughed our heads off. Liz appeared noncommittal, probably because she had no idea what was going on and thought we were all crazy anyway. Zen didn't join in either. He was used to the madness and ignored it.
Eventually we arrived back at the dwarf enclave and made our appearance before the King to submit our report. We took turns in telling our separate stories to a fascinated audience and received royal congratulations at the end of our tale.
"So, you believe these Night Things have been neutralised?" the King asked.
"We believe so, your Majesty," Balis replied.
"And the Rogul will no longer cause us problems in the tunnels?"
"As a spokesperson of her race," Balis confidently assured the King, "Liz has guaranteed it. Furthermore, in exchange for food, her people will lead us to likely metal deposits. The Rogul can squeeze into the most unlikely spaces to find them. "
"Well, this is most satisfactory," the King exclaimed, contentedly. "I agreed to the Rogul terms and appoint Liz as Ambassador to our people. You say all I have to do is to touch her?"
"That's right, your Majesty," Balis concurred. "She communicates by telepathy."
"Most unusual," the King commented, "but hardly a stumbling block to dialogue. Excellent! You have all performed wonders. We are in your debt. What do you wish to do now?"
"I would like to return home and have a bath," Thorn announced.
"Hardly the reward I had in mind," the King smiled, "but a worthy request all the same. Very well, you may depart with our eternal gratitude."
It was time for goodbyes. Balis went around the group, giving everyone a hug.
"Farewell, my friends," he told us. "It's been an honor to be with you. If ever you need a companion for your adventures, come and look me up. Being with you has been a real education, in more ways than one."
I went over to Liz and she put her front foot in my hand.
Farewell. You have performed miracles for my race. For the first time we shall have adequate nutrition, thanks to you.
‘Thanks to us all,’ I corrected. ‘Everyone had a part to play, yourself included.’
Perhaps, but you were instrumental in bringing this racial harmony about. You will be welcome anytime you wish to visit.<
br />
‘Thank you, Liz. It's been marvellous to know you.’
Likewise, I assure you. May your life be filled with peace.
‘Yeah, like that's ever going to happen,’ I commented.
Finally, we made ready to depart. I noticed that Liz and Zen were nose to nose and I wondered if anything was being communicated between them. Certainly, they had lost any antipathy they had towards each other, and I believed they were now friends, to some extent anyway. A lizard and a wolf? A weird pairing, but who was I to point a finger? After all, I had a human / fairy / elf / wolf / goblin / dwarf social circle, so I was certainly in no position to comment.
Chapter 19
We delivered Nix to his mother's house, and had to relate the whole story again over tea and biscuits. Not that I minded. After all, I considered Nix’s mother to be almost family. Later, Nix and Thorn excelled themselves, creating masterpieces of libellous and scandalous insults about each other that caused us to chuckle and Nix's mother to shake her head in bemused wonder. But our impatience to return to our own home couldn't be denied, so we took our leave and made our way back to the anxiously awaiting presence of Tracey and Rosewing. And me, of course. The other me, that is. Tracey’s me. Which was also me. Just trying to clear that up. It's not an easy topic for an outsider to sort out. Or an insider (me), either.
Finally, we were home. It seemed as if we’d been away for ages. Tracey jumped into my arms, as did Rosewing. I'm talking about the me of me here – Thorn's me, that is, not Tracey's me. Man, this is getting out of hand!
When the orgy of reconciliation had finished, Tracey sat us all down and we went through the whole story yet again. I don't know why she constantly insisted on this doing this. I mean, I was always by her side (her me, just to belabor the point) and told her everything as it happened, but nothing would satisfy her except having all of us telling the story from each individual perception. Still, it felt lovely to be home and I revelled in the domesticity and peaceful atmosphere.
Rosewing’s first official flight became the next big event for our family. It was a milestone in any fairy’s life, just one step below a birthday, and practically the whole town turned out to watch. Our daughter had remained a minor celebrity, due her striking appearance and the rarity of children, and so the occasion became a public spectacle. I wasn't sure if I was comfortable with that. What if she couldn't fly? She'd be totally humiliated and I'd be devastated for her. But Tracey laughed away my fears.
"Don't be silly, beloved," she reassured me. "Flying is instinctive for us and I've been giving her lessons while you've been away. Have a little faith. She'll fly like a bird."
And she did. I needn't have worried after all. She looked supremely confident as she faced everyone, but I noticed she gripped Tracey's hand rather nervously during all the civic speeches that occurred beforehand. Finally, the big moment arrived. Tracey hugged her and whispered encouragement in her ear. Rosewing took a deep breath, looked around at the encouraging smiles of her family and friends, and then took to the skies. I had to admit that Tracey had done a marvellous job. Rosewing dipped and wheeled in intricate patterns and then, typically, just to show off, she flew upside down for a short spell. After a few minutes, she alighted beside us amid the cheers and congratulations of the crowd. It was over all too quickly, and afterwards we went out for a celebratory meal.
We settled back into a familial domestic routine, which suited me fine. I'd had enough of running around the countryside like a demented wombat. All I wanted was to be with my family and to watch my daughter growing up – which she did with amazing rapidity. I suppose by now I could call her a teenager. Oh, the humanity! It's a difficult time in anybody's life, and that includes the parents. Rosewing became rebellious, pigheaded, stubborn and wilful, but that was simply my point of view. From her perspective, Tracey and I were obstructive, unfair, nitpicking and old-fashioned. These two viewpoints were bound to clash, and clash they did, but not all that often. Overall, we learned to respect each other's outlooks, even while secretly believing the other party to be totally illogical and ridiculous.
And then one day our routine was broken by a visit from Balis.
"What on earth are you doing here?" Thorn asked.
"The King sends you an invitation to a rather special event," Balis told us with a grin. "Apparently, a delegation of the Night Things want to talk about a treaty and the King has requested your presence. After all, you were ultimately responsible for this historic meeting taking place. There'll be pomp and ceremony, combined with drinks and free food." Then he winked at us. "Between you and me, I think the King also wants to give you all some sort of a medal as well. For services rendered."
"I want to come, too!" Rosewing insisted. "I'm old enough now!"
"I suppose you are," Tracey sighed wistfully. "If I didn’t let you, you'd probably sneak out and go anyway, knowing you."
Rosewing smirked at her. "You know me so well, Mother," she remarked, giving Tracey a quick peck on the cheek.
"Can we invite a guest?" Thorn asked Balis.
"I can't see why not," he shrugged. "The numbers weren’t specified."
"Good," Thorn said, rubbing her hands together. "If you could contact Nix and get him to meet us here, we'll set out as soon as we can." Balis bowed to us all and departed.
"What are you up to, my delightfully devious darling?" I murmured, pulling her over to my side. "Who is this mysterious guest of yours?"
Thorn chuckled. "I thought I might invite Doctor Totil," she told me.
"Really?" I questioned. "And why him, may I ask?"
"Because," she answered, looking at me with narrowed eyes, "call me paranoid if you will, but I'm a little uneasy about having someone who has openly professed her love for you living in the same house as us, that's why."
"We've been through all of this before, dear heart," I protested. "Quina is totally honorable, you know that. She’d never do anything behind your back."
"I know, I know," Thorn admitted, throwing up her hands, "but I still worry. We’re all fallible and can easily justify our actions if the demand is strong enough. Besides, I like Quina. She’s a friend. I want her to be happy and she's never going to be if she spends all her time moping over you."
"But Totil?" I questioned. "He and Quina don't agree on anything!"
"But the spark is there," Thorn proclaimed confidently. "I've seen the two of them together. I'll just have a talk with our Doctor Totil beforehand. He may be a sanctimonious prig, but his heart is in the right place. Trust me on this, beloved."
"I don't doubt you in the slightest, light of my life," I stated, teasingly caressing the back of her neck. "You’re the Relationship Queen when it comes to …. um, relationships."
Chapter 20
I wasn't allowed to accompany Thorn when she went to see Totil, so I had no idea what she said to him. All I know is that when Thorn returned, she looked as pleased as a wombat with a new tunnel, so I surmised that Doctor Totil would be joining us on our little expedition. I didn't have time to question her about what had transpired between the two of them because Nix and Balis arrived soon after and we set about making preparations for our journey. We were just finishing the last of our packing when Totil knocked at the door, much to Quina’s surprise, and I ensured that I was covertly present when they met. Hey, I wasn't snooping! I was simply being curious. There's a big difference, you know. Thorn, grinning from ear to ear, had also managed to be present,. Now, she was snooping. The Quina and Totil relationship dance went something like this …..
Quina: "What are you doing here?"
Totil: "I was invited to the ceremony."
Quina: "Why?"
Totil: "Do I need a reason? Anyway, I wanted to come."
Quina: "And why is that?"
Totil: "Well ….. it's an historic occasion. And besides ……"
Quina: "Yes?"
Totil: "…….. besides, you'd be there."
Quina: "Really?"
Totil:
"Yes, really."
Quina: "…. Um, really?"
Totil: "…. Err, you're looking nice."
Quina: "You're just saying that."
Totil: "No, I mean it. I like what you're done with your hair."
Quina: "I haven't done anything with my hair."
Totil: "You haven't? Are you sure? It's so …. um, fluffy."
Quina: "What do you mean, ‘fluffy’?"
Totil: "…… Ah, I'm not sure. But it's nice, anyway."
Quina: "Thanks." (A noticeable blush appears.) "You're looking rather smart yourself."
Totil: "Thanks." (Uncontrolled fidgeting. Random glances at anything except Quina.) "Um … ah …"
Thorn: "Oh, for heaven's sake, Quina , invite him in! Don't leave him on the doorstep!"
Quina: "Of course not. Totil, do you want to come in?"
Totil: "If you want me to."
Quina: "Oh, I do." (More blushes.)
Totil: "Very well then." (Nobody moves.)
Thorn: "Quina, get out of the way! Let him in."
Quina: "Of course. Sorry." (No movement whatsoever from either party.)
Thorn: "Quina!"
Quina: "Oh, yes, sorry."
Thorn: "Good grief!" (Despairing look at me.) "This is ridiculous!"
Me: "Yes, but I’m beginning to think you may be right about these two."
Finally, everything had been finalised and we set out. The party included Thorn and Tracey, along with the both of me and Rosewing. Trix and Zen were with Nix, while Quina and Totil were together at the rear, stealing sideways peeks at each other and pretending that they weren't. Balis strolled along on the periphery of our party. Quite a mixed little group, really. A fairly happy and harmonious one as well, except maybe for Totil and Quina who appeared to be in a serious conversation.
Night Things (10) (The Underground Kingdom) Page 6
