The Price of Friendship
A Round Robin Story


BY: Ravens, Inc Authors
Chapter Thirty-Two Written By: Archangel


Disclaimer: The characters created by Laurell K Hamilton used in this story are hers. We are merely borrowing them to explore our own writing ideas. No copyright infringement is intended. Please do not sue, we are doing this for our own amusement only, and for the enjoyment of our members. This story may not be posted anywhere else without the consent of all involved in writing it.

Rating for this posting: PG


The mirror chime sounded, making the three jolt awake.  Doyle looked 
around wildly for a moment before relaxing.  Frost stayed lounging on 
the bed next to him, while Merry worked her way out from under the 
covers.  

"Alright?"  Frost whispered to Doyle.  Doyle nodded slightly and 
closed his eyes.  Frost knew that Doyle would be listening, even if 
he looked to be asleep.  

Merry glanced at them.  "Ready?" she asked. 

"Yea," Frost replied.  Merry activated the mirror.

It showed Andais, with Cel, Barinthus and Rhys standing behind her.  
They were in a room neither Merry or Frost had seen before.

"I just wanted to let you know that we are going back home now.  If 
you do not here from one of us by morning, then it could be we aren't 
alive."  Andais said.  She was dressed as Merry had never seen her 
before.  Faded jeans, a white t-shirt and a leather bomber jacket.  
Her long black hair was being braided by Barinthus as she spoke.

"We wish you luck, my Queen,"  Merry replied.  

Andais laughed.  For once there was nothing sinster in the 
laugh.  "If something happens to me, then Barinthus will be regent 
until Laurella has her child and it can be declared heir.  If 
something is wrong with the child, then the first to produce a heir 
will rule.  If both Cel and I die, then you will become Queen, 
Meredith."

"If you die, I will revenge your death," came a hoarse whiper from 
behind Merry.

"Doyle?  I do not see you.  Where are you, my Darkness?" Andias asked.

Merry moved aside and Frost helped Doyle sit up some.

"Oh, Doyle.  I'm truely sorry."  Andias said softly.  "About your 
back and Laurella.  We had our time together, and it is past.  I 
never wanted to do anything that would delibertly hurt you.  However, 
circumstances can not be helped."

"No, my Queen, they can not," Doyle replied.

"We must go," Barinthus said as he secured the long braid to Andias' 
head.

"Good luck,"  Frost said as the Queen reached out and blanked out the 
mirror.

Doyle started to laugh.  Frost lowered him to the bed agian.  Merry 
climbed back in next to them.  They traded concerned looks as Doyle's 
laugh took a slightly hysterical note.  Then the laughter disolved to 
tears.

"Oh, Doyle," Merry whispered as both she and Frost cuddled in around 
him.  Doyle turned slightly towards Frost.

Frost understood at once.  He caught Merry's eye, and then glanced at 
the door.  She frowned.  Then she nodded and slid out of the bed.  
She closed the bedroom door behind her.

"Doyle?" Frost asked.  There was no response.  The dark Unseelie 
continued to cry silently for a moment.  Then, he spoke, his voice 
still that rough whisper.

"She's sorry.  She knew what she was doing, Frost.  The whole time.  
All the spell did to her was bring out her darkest desires.  It was 
Cel who Kevames cast the spell to control.  He just removed her self-
imposed boundaries.  She knew.

"Ella wasn't there.  She is not even on this contenent anymore, I 
don't think.  All this time, she was whispering into my head.  
Telling me what was happening.  Laurella has always been able to do 
that.  But when the Queen was speaking, her voice grew fainter in my 
head, and then was gone.  She never said she was traveling, though.  
So she maybe dead, or held by a spell.  But she is beyond my reach."

He was silent for a moment, then said "You are the only one I 
completely trust.  I love Laurella, but she is...an airhead, to quote 
a modern term.  She trusts people to easily.  You, I know would kill 
as I have had to, but you could easily lead the Ravens.  You may have 
to.  I don't know if I can do this anymore, Frost."

"Doyle, go to sleep.  Think about all of this after you have slept."  
Frost interjected.

"Only if you and Merry move me to another room, or go use one 
yourselves."

Frost stared at his friend for a moment.  Then he smiled and left.  
He grabbed Merry up from the couch and carried her into his room.


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