Lina’s
Love
by Lady Chimera
It had been three years since I had last seen him. Three long
years. I never realized how much I truly missed him until I saw him yesterday in
a nearby town. He didn't recognize me, of course, I had changed, he had not. I
had grown a few inches taller, and much to Gourry's and everyone else's surprise
my bust line filled out too. That was a good excuse for a wardrobe change, I now
was wearing the latest sorceress apparel. In case you haven't guessed it by now,
I am Lina Inverse the most powerful sorceress, and the most beautiful, the world
has ever seen.
The man I am referring too is none other than the stone-faced
Zelgadis. I was sixteen the last time I saw him. He simply gave a half grin to
me then waved to the others as he walked out of my life forever. I didn't know
it then, but I was in love with Zel. I was determined not to let any of the
others know either. Amelia would never shut up about it if I ever let it leak
out that I even felt anything for any member of the opposite sex. At one time
Amelia was determined that Gourry and I would get together. I think that she had
Zel convinced of that too, because not long after that exclamation Zel left.
Gourry's not such a bad guy, but he is not my type. Besides
Sylphil had a thing for him then, and now they are our regular lovely dovey
couple. The most commonly used phrase by the rest of us nowadays: "Get a
Room!!"
Unfortunately the town that we saw Zel in yesterday is the only
one for a few days, so we, mainly me, decided to go back and stay there for a
while. We had no big mission to accomplish, no evil beings to destroy, and to
top it off Gourry and I were hungry. I just hope that if I see Zel again he
doesn't notice me.... Then again I hope he does, but I wouldn't know what to
say. The old me would be ignorant of a man's presence and just see a friend, but
I have grown up a little too much to keep such a naive outlook on life. Oh well,
we are approaching the walls of the city. I guess only time will tell what is in
store for your truly.
"Lina, wake up!!!!! All you can eat buffet is starting in
five minutes!!" Gourry tried in vain to wake Lina up by yelling at her.
Sighing heavily, he skipped right to the last resort. Gourry slowly opened up
the door to Lina's room and looked down on her still sleeping form. Long ago he
accidentally discovered that Lina slept in the buff whenever they could get a
room in an Inn. Also knowing that she was extremely modest Gourry walked softly
over to her bed and ripped off her blankets and sheets leaving her naked body
exposed.
"FIREBALL!!!!!!!"
Gourry had also learned to duck whenever he had to use this
tactic.
"Gourry are you trying to get yourself killed?" She
asked this as Gourry threw the sheets back to her.
"No, I just thought you would like know that we now have two
minutes before the all you can eat special begins." Before Gourry could
even finish his sentence Lina was a blur as she scrambled to put on all of her
clothes. In record time she was dressed, and she and Gourry flew downstairs just
as the buffet was opening.
Once they had their first round of plated filled up, the two made
their way over to the table where Amelia and Sylphil were saving for them.
"Thanks you guys."
"What took you so long to get down here?" Amelia asked
Lina this as Lina and Gourry began to shovel through there food.
"I had to wake her up. Which reminds me...Lina you better
make sure we have some extra money later to pay for the damages to the
walls." As he said this sweat drops formed over the heads of the other two.
"You had to steal the blankets again didn't you?"
Gourry just nodded as Lina's face turned almost as red as her hair.
The other three laughed for a while then resumed eating. The
eating continued, as did the piles of dishes on the table. When Lina and Gourry
were done, they looked for Amelia and Sylphil but didn't see them.
"I guess they got tired of waiting?" Lina said this and
Gourry nodded as the two proceeded to go and look for their friends.
"I'll go one way, you go the other. Let's say we meet back
around lunchtime? Then the four of us can do something." Lina said this to
Gourry, who nodded in agreement and took off in one direction.
Lina started running in the other direction, not really paying
attention to anything. That caused her to run full force into someone and
knocking them down.
"I am so sorry. I wasn't paying attention to where I was
going. I was looking for two of my friends. I hope you aren't hurt." Lina
said this as she was struggling to get off of the man she had bumped into.
"The fault is as much mine as it is yours. Are you sure you
are all right ... Lina?" The man said this as he got a good look at the
woman who was standing before him.
The sound of his voice caused Lina to raise her eyes to the man.
A gasp escaped her lips as recognition set in.
"Zel ... " Her voice was barely a whisper.
"It's been a long time. How are you?" Zel only half
listened to what she was saying as he processed all of the changes since the
last time he had seen her.
"I am good. I'm still traveling with Gourry, Amelia and
Sylphil. We miss you a lot. We wish you would have stayed." Lina had to
close her eyes to focus on the question.
"Where are the others?"
"Oh well, we are going to meet back at the Inn around lunch
time. Will you join us? It would be like old times. I know the others will be a
happy as I am to see you again." Lina prayed that he would accept her offer
and join them. Anything to have a few more minutes with him, alone or not.
"That sounds like fun. We have a few hours till then, why
don't we go for a walk?" Zel impulsively held out an arm for her, which to
both of their surprise she accepted.
After an hour of walking in silence Zel spoke.
"You've changed, Lina?"
"Really? How so?" Both of them stopped and looked at
each other.
"More so than your physical changes, which are great, your
personality has changed. The old you couldn't have lasted this long with quiet.
There are other things that are slightly different that I can't quite put my
hands on yet either."
"Are these good things or bad things?" Lina couldn't
bring herself to look him in the eyes when he answered.
"Good. All good. I just wonder if any of the old Lina that I
knew and loved ... to tease is still there." Lina's heart gave a little
skip as she heard him stumble over his words.
"Just ask Gourry. This morning when he stole my sheets from
me this morning, and he got a fireball. Lucky for him his reflexes have
improved." Lina fully realized how that was going to sound, and rejoiced a
little as Zel's face fell slightly at that comment.
"So you and Gourry finally go together? That must have made
Amelia happy." It was Zel's turn to look away as she answered his question.
"No! That would be too weird. He and Sylphil are a couple.
He just knows how to wake me up in a hurry. He steals my sheets and the rooms
are always cold so out of reflex I shoot a fireball at the person who disturbs
my sleep and modesty."
"So you sleep ... naked at night?" Zel swallowed hard
and prayed Lina didn't notice his voice faltering as his mind went on to picture
the information it was just given. His prayers were not answered.
"Only when I am staying at in an Inn. What about you Zel? Do
you sleep in the buff?" Lina couldn't resist picking on the man who caused
her emotions to go so crazy. Besides that teasing factor she also wanted to know
every intimate detail she could before he was forced out of her life again.
"Depends on where I am. Mostly nude though." Zel
noticed a slight blush form on her cheeks. A small glimmer of hope lit in his
heart.
"It's almost time to meet the others. We should start
walking back." Lina cleared her throat a few times before she could finish
the sentence.
Zel only smiled down on her as they began to walk back towards
the Inn.
Once there they were greeted by three very excited people.
"Zel!!!! Is it really you?" An excited Amelia ran full
force and threw her arms around Zel's neck. In response he spun her around until
she cried for him to stop. Silently Lina was jealous of the younger girl's easy
approach with Zel.
"Long time no see my man." Gourry said this as the two
engaged in a hearty handshake.
"We have missed you Zel. No one seems to be able to calm
Lina down faster than you. I am glad you are back." Sylphil laughed at the
dirty look that Lina shot her over that comment.
Later that Night
Lina tossed and turned and still could not get comfortable in her
bed. When her legs became entangled in the bed sheets, she gave up and kicked
off all of the covers. Feeling restless Lina grabbed a towel and threw on enough
clothes to be considered decent, and headed toward the pond that she and Zel had
seen earlier that day.
Once there, Lina discarded all of her clothes, took a cautious
look around, then did a graceful dive into the water. She floated up to the
surface and easily turned over onto her back.
"This is the only way to relax." Lina said this and
gave a content sigh as the cool water eased away the tension she didn't even
realize was there.
She continued to alternate between swimming and floating for the
better part of an hour when she heard a voice that caused her to unconsciously
sit up. That caused her to go flailing about in the water. In doing so she
sucked in a mouthful of water. Fear overtook her when she couldn't reach the
surface. Just as she was about to give up hope a pair of powerful stone arms
pulled her out of the water.
"Lina? Are you ok?" A concerned voice asked her this as
Lina coughed up the water that was beginning to take up a permanent residence in
her lungs.
"I....I....I'm ok now. Thank you Zel. It seems you are
always saving me from one threat or another. Now that I think of it ... the
threat usually involves water...or fish." Lina gave Zel a weak smile that
nearly broke his heart.
"What were you doing out here swimming alone at this time of
night?" Concern made his already gorgeous voice take on a velvety quality.
"I'm a big girl, Zel. I was hot up in my room so I decided
to cool down ... OH MY GODS!!" As Lina was talking to him, she realized
that she wasn't wearing anything. What was worse, she wasn't wearing anything in
front of Zel.
"What? What is wrong? Did you twist something? Is something
broken?" Zel looked down to see if anything was wrong, then noticed what
was the cause of her outburst.
"Uh ... Sorry Lina. I really didn't realize that you were
naked. I was worried about you. Here, throw this on." Zel pulled his shirt
over his extremely red face and handed it to her as he tried to give her a small
bit of decency and turned his back to her.
Lina was grateful as she pulled the shirt over her head. It was
big on her and fell about mid thigh. She looked up to tell him that she was done
and her heart froze in her throat.
"Zel........." Lina whispered this softly as she looked
at his naked torso bathed in soft moonlight.
"Lina...." Zel looked back at her and gave her a sad
smile.
"What is wrong Zel? Have I done something to make the smile
you had earlier go away?" Lina walked over to where he was sitting and
placed a gentle hand on his strong shoulder.
"No. It isn't you. It's me."
"Tell me Zel. I promise not to betray your confidence to
anyone. You are my friend and I lo.......love keeping secrets." Lina
mentally kicked herself for her slip of the tongue, and prayed to the gods that
Zel didn't notice.
"You remind me of a love I can never have." Zel said
this, only half lying to the petit red head, who had stolen his heart so long
ago.
"Why can you never have her Zel? If you love her, then you
should tell her. No matter how much it hurts to possibly face rejection. I just
wish I could take my own advice." Lina's voice had lowered severely as she
spoke that last sentence. Zel looked at her with pain in his eyes.
She loves another. Gods why did I have to wait so long?
Zel's lecture with himself was cut short as her heard her give a
small sob. Hating to see her cry, he cupped her chin in one hand and raised her
face to his. With the thumb of his other hand he carefully wiped the tears away.
"Lina, any man would be honored to have you love them. You
have everything a man wants in a woman. You are beautiful, smart, and brave. Not
to mention you have filled out nicely." He added that last little comment
as a small joke then continued. "You shouldn't worry about rejection. If by
some act of madness on the gods part, he does reject you, tell me where he is
and I will personally kill him for making you cry any more that your beautiful
ruby eyes has to." Lina sniffed softly as she looked up at Zel.
"Thank you, Zel. I don't know when I will tell him, but I
promise when I do, you will be the first to know."
"And when I tell her, you will be the first to know
also."
"It's a deal then." Lina stuck out her hand and Zel
shook her hand while they both laughed.
"Ok now let's go back to where you started from on the bank
and find the rest of your clothes.
"Ok." Lina blushed some more as the two of them went
off looking for her missing clothing. When they found them Lina looked
disgustedly at the layers of the clothing.
"Give me a minute to change into these."
"Don't. You can change back later when it is cooler. I know
how you hate to be all hot and sticky in your clothes. Don't look so surprised
that I remember. I counted the number of times we stopped for you to bath to
pass the time. Now you are giving me that look again. It was either do that or
talk to Gourry."
"I see what you mean. Sorry to have done that to you."
Lina laughed a little as she gathered up her things.
"Let's get you back before the others notice you missing.
I'll carry that." Zel took her bundle from her and began to walk ahead.
"Thanks, Zel." Lina walked behind him admiring the view
why she could.
Why oh why couldn't it be me you loved, Zel?
Ten minutes later Lina was settled in her bed once more. Still
wearing Zel's shirt, she snuggled into it, inhaling his masculine scent, and
cried softly as she drifted off for a few more hours sleep.
The Next Morning
Gourry opened the door to Lina's room and peered cautiously in.
Seeing she was still sleeping he walked over prepared to wake her up in the only
way that worked. Once he got closer to the bed he stopped.
Dries tear trails could be seen on her porcelain skin. Curled up
in a fetal position her fists to her face, she hardly resembled the strong woman
he had come to love as a sister. It was when he looked down did he notice what
was really wrong with the picture. She was sleeping in clothes, not just any
clothes, but Zel's shirt. It didn't take long for him to put two and two
together. Contrary to what people might think he was actually kinda smart when
it came to feelings of the heart.
Gourry couldn't bring himself to wake her up, instead he went
downstairs and got two helpings of everything. One for himself and the other for
Lina when she made it down.
"Where's Lina? It's not like her to miss breakfast."
Amelia said this as she looked at Gourry and the food.
"The kid needed a day off. I'm saving her some food
though." As Gourry said this he saw Zel walking through the door. The man
of stone looked like he had taken the beating of his life. Gourry only hoped
that Lina was the cause of his emotional distress.
Zel looked around the room until he spotted the group. As he
approached them Gourry got up and started walking towards him.
"You don't look so good, and unless you want a bunch of
questions thrown at you by them, then come outside with me so we can talk."
Zel looked at Amelia and Sylphil then nodded in agreement with Gourry. The two
of them walked outside and sat on a nearby bench.
"So what is up with you and Lina?" Gourry knew that the
only way to get to Zel was to be blunt.
"Is it that obvious?" Zel looked off in the distance as
he asked this of the younger man.
"Only because I know what it like to love her." Gourry
said this softly.
"Last night she said that there was someone that she
loved.....maybe it is you...." Zel's voice trailed off.
"No, Zel it's not me. It's you. Hell she is a sister to me
now. A few years ago yes I did love her like that, but she has always loved
another, even when she didn't realize that she did."
"Do the girls know about how she feels about me?"
"No, and they won't until Lina tells them. I am the only one
she let's get away with waking her up in the morning. And that is only because I
can dodge the fireball that comes after it. But before she wakes up sometimes
she talks in her sleep. Mostly calling your name. It broke my heart at first,
but then I was very worried that you would break her heart, so I took the role
of brother to heart."
"Thank you for telling me this Gourry. Where was Lina this
morning? I didn't see her." Worry crept into Zel's voice.
"I couldn't bring myself to wake her up. Why don't you go up
there and do it for us. Oh, helpful hint, duck to the left and stay low."
Gourry called this after the man who was now walking into the Inn.
Inside Lina's Room
Zel carefully walked into Lina's room and noticed right off what
Gourry did earlier. Silently he cursed himself for making her cry. Before
approaching her to wake her, he simply looked at her. She was on her side, one
hand was balled up next to her face, the other was slightly bent, palm down on
the place next to her. His eyes traveled down her body. Her right leg was
slightly bent and her left leg was stretched out all the way and was laying over
her right leg. His shirt barely covered her bottom and the effect made it seems
as if her legs would never end. Zel closed his eyes and prayed for courage as he
walked over closer to the bed.
Zel knelt down on the floor next to her head. With one hand he
brushed the stray locks of hair away from her face. In her tired state she
slowly opened her eyes at the gentle touch.
"Zel?" Surprise was evident in her sleepy voice.
"It's me. I.....I talked to Gourry earlier. He didn't have
the heart to wake you." Lina opened her eyes quickly at that and looked out
he window.
"It's almost noon. Why are you here though?"
"I know I am part of the reason that he didn't wake you
up."
"What?"
"The tears. My sweet, innocent Lina. It has always been you.
I was afraid, then when Gourry told me of what he had noticed about your
behavior, I put things together. I was so afraid last night that I was too late.
That you loved someone else and I would never find someone who loved me and
accepted me for who I am rather that what I am." A tear fell from the proud
man's eye.
"Zel......I thought I was foolish to love you for so long
when it seemed you barely even cared. You have always been the only one, and you
always will be." Zel took this as his cue to kiss her. That is exactly what
he did.
Downstairs
"Gourry where is Zel now? And why isn't Lina down here yet?
Her food is really cold now." Amelia was whining at him again. He only
looked at her and smiled. Sylphil looked at Gourry.
"You are up to something Gourry Gabrieve and don't bother
denying it. You had that same exact look on your face last night when....."
Sylphil noticed that Gourry had place his hands over Amelia's ears. It was then
she realized what she had been about to say, and turned a bright shade of red.
"Amelia to answer your first question I sent Zel to wake
Lina up. And for your second here she is now." Gourry had a cocky grin on
his face as the two came walking down the stairs together......Hand in hand.
"So that's what you were up to. I thought I was the only one
who noticed." Sylphil said this as she put her arms around Gourry's waist.
She then added after a minute of looking at the two of them. "I thought I
was the only one who noticed."
"Hi guys....Guess what!!!" Lina was her
characteristically bubbly self as she and Zel approached the other three.
"Uh......You're hungry?" Sylphil said this while trying
not to laugh.
"You want to go on another adventure?" Gourry said this
also stifling a laugh at the exasperated face Lina was making.
"Well yes to both....but that's not what I wanted you to
guess. Amelia, do you want to guess?" Lina looked at the young girl.
"You want to kill me slowly and painfully?"
"Uh.....No, not even close." Lina looked up at Zel. He
nodded at her and cleared his throat a little.
"Lina has agreed to marry me. You are all invited of course,
without you it wouldn't be right." Sylphil and Gourry enveloped the couple
in a huge group hug giving their congratulations. Caught up in the excitement
only one of the four people noticed a teary eyed Amelia slipping out of the Inn.
"Excuse me guys." Lina said this as she gave a
apologetic glance toward Zel and left him with the other two.
"Amelia?" Lina walked over to the younger woman and
placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Why you? Why not me?" Amelia sobbed harder, and all
Lina could do was stare.
"I don't know why me, Amelia. All I know is that it was. I
didn't ask for it to be me....it just happened that way." Lina moved to sit
next to the crying girl.
"You know I have never been good at this whole put others
before you thing, but I am trying. I hope you will still come to the wedding.
You won't have to be a servant this time. Well..I was kind of hoping that you
would be my maid of Honor."
"Your maid of honor? Isn't that supposed to be a sister's
duty?" Amelia sniffled a little and started to wipe away the tears.
"I rather have you then Luna there any day. This means you
forgive me right?"
"Oh, Lina! How could I stay mad?" The younger woman
threw her arms around the neck of the older one.
One month Later
Lina's dress was a simple white dress, but it looked fabulous on
her. It was strapless and the lace up bodice was cut low and showed a modest
amount of cleavage. The back was cut lower so that it started about halfway down
her back. The skirt was a loose flowing satin dress that hung to her hips and
fell gently around the rest of her legs.
"Ready to go, Lina?" Lina turned away from the mirror
and looked at Gourry as he came in.
"Ready as I will ever be." Lina was all smiles as she
took Gourry's arm.
"You look beautiful, Lina. Zel is a lucky son of a
bitch." Lina blushed at the compliment then picked up her bouquet as they
were walking out to the hall.
As she and Gourry walked into the main room of the church, she
heard a gasp coming from the groom. Lina looked up at her soon to be husband,
and smiled shyly.
"I told you that you looked great in that dress."
Amelia whispered this to Lina as Lina was taking her place next to Zel.
"He's never seen me in a dress before."
Amelia giggled a little then quickly composed herself after
getting a warning look from Sylphil.
Unlike the wedding Lina was in years ago, this one went just
fine, not one objection or fireball was thrown, and the two flew off for their
Honeymoon, leaving Gourry and Sylphil to take care of the mess, and Amelia
holding the bouquet wishing her friends the best of happiness.