Endless Love

The emerald haired man kneeled before the lovely blonde queen, his face a mask of tragedy.

“Glenn, my dearest knight, what ails your heart...?” the soft-spoken blonde monarch asked, placing a slim hand upon the handsome man’s shoulder.

Glenn looked up, his emerald eyes telling the tale of a broken hearted man. “Queen Leene, your majesty..... Forgive me for my sorrowful countenance but despite being human again, happiness is beyond my reach,” he said, his voice even softer than Leene’s.

“I don’t understand..... Glenn, this should be a joyous time, for not only have you defeated the villainous Magus, but regained your humanity.....” the beautiful queen protested.

“Yes, your majesty... All this is true, but I still suffer the loss of the one I loved.......” Glenn said, his voice catching slightly.

“Glenn...... I do not understand.....” Leene said slowly, studying the pretty face of her knight.

“Your majesty..... When I lost Cyrus, I just did not just lose my hero, my mentor, my friend..... I lost my lover.....” Glenn confessed, hiding his face behind his emerald hair.

“I.... Glenn..... I’m so sorry.....” Leene said softly, not knowing quite what to say. Never had the young queen imagined that the relationship between the two men ran that deep.

“Forgive my boldness, my queen... But I can no longer hold this within me... I must share my story with you..... Or I will slowly pine for Cyrus unto my own death....” Glenn said, looking up to implore the queen with his bright green eyes.

Leene nodded, knowing that her knight obviously needed to share his feelings and experiences with her. She was honored that Glenn trusted her that much.

“It..... Began on the secret mission you sent us on... The first mission we went on together, to gather information on Magus......” Glenn began, unfolding the story.

I had just reached the age of 16. Cyrus was 21, and had been given a secret mission in your name. He chose me to come along, which thrilled me to no end. Cyrus was to go to the Denadoro Mountains, and learn what he could about Magus, the nefarious sorceror who ruled the approaching Mystic army.

The beginning of our journey was as normal, a rather peaceful and quiet trek south. This was of course before the war began, and hostilities were just beginning. Cyrus was unusually thoughtful, and given to periods of daydreaming. I found myself in awe of the man who had been my hero since childhood, and did my best to please him, which only caused him to become quieter, and more thoughtful.

We reached the sprawling Denadoro Mountains within a few days, with little conversation. I followed Cyrus up the base. I was beginning to feel unworthy, as Cyrus had been dead silent to me the entire day. I wondered what I had done to offend the noble night.

We stopped for lunch, and Cyrus silently ate his rations, even avoiding looking at me. I adored Cyrus... The thought of him being unhappy with me, bothered me.

“Sir Cyrus...?” I asked. “Please.. Tell me what I have done to offend thee, and I shall make it up to thee....”

Cyrus looked up at me, his clear blue eyes holding an emotion to which I was not familiar with. He pulled off his helmet and shook out his long golden blonde hair before speaking, looking away. “Glenn...... You..... You have not offended me, boy.... Just eat your lunch....” he sighed.

“But Sir Cyrus..!” I protested. “You have not spoken to me but as necessary.... Is it because I am unworthy to be your companion.....?”

Cyrus snapped his head up, his eyes flashing that strange emotion again. “No! Glenn, please..... You wouldn’t understand....” he said quietly, turning away again.

“But I would...” I began, before Cyrus cut me off.

“Silence! Speak no more of this.....” he said sharply, standing up.

I became quiet immediately, wishing not to anger him. We broke lunch and restarted the hike up the mountain base. Even as magnificent as the Denadoro Mountains were, I could appreciate the serene beauty of it, feeling that I had somehow offended Cyrus. When we broke camp for the night, I set about cooking as fine a meal as I could, with the rabbits he had caught. I brought him his bowl to where he was brooding by his tent, hoping he would forgive me for whatever I had done wrong.

“Sir Cyrus....? Your dinner.....” I said quietly, handing him the bowl of stew.

Cyrus took it gently, his fingers brushing across mine as he did so, causing an unfamiliar shiver to pass through my body. I gasped at the touch, and he looked up at me, his crystal blue eyes meeting my own emerald eyes.

“Thank you.... Glenn...” Cyrus whispered, his long fingers caressing my own, taking the bowl slowly. I swallowed when he stopped touching me, unsure of what had just passed between us.

“Y-you’re welcome....” I stammered, blushing now, and tried to back away, and ended up falling on my rear end in my confusion.

Cyrus seemed to be concentrating fully on his bowl of stew, no longer paying any attention to me. I hurriedly got my own bowl and ran back to my tent, wondering what exactly that touch had meant. I shuddered t the memory, feeling warm. I had never been touched like that, looked at like that.....

Cyrus finished his bowl and then went into his tent, glancing at me, his eyes flashing that same odd emotion to which I was unfamiliar. I gaped back at him, wishing he would speak to me, come to me... touch me....

I shook my head and went into my tent, unusual visions of Cyrus accompanying me to my bedroll. I couldn’t stop thinking about him, or the way he had been looking at me. I wanted more, I knew that, but I wasn’t quite exactly what it is that I wanted more of. I eventually went to sleep, even dreaming of the golden haired knight....

Cyrus woke before I did, and I rose to the smell of breakfast. I peeked outside my tent, watching him move while he cooked. He wore a half-buttoned shirt, and trousers that clung to his toned body, causing more visions to rise in my head. He looked up suddenly, his eyes meeting mine, causing me to gasp and retreat into my tent.

“Glenn....” Cyrus said clearly after a few minutes. “We will not get anywhere with you hiding like a mouse in your tent. Come out and eat.”

I swallowed hard, adjusting my clothing, and fussing with my appearance, though I never had before. I came out and sat across from Cyrus, helping myself to breakfast. Cyrus was watching me intently.

“A fork, Glenn...?” Cyrus asked calmly, holding out a fork to me. I glanced up and grinned sheepishly, reaching out to take the fork.

Once again, he brushed his fingers across mine, causing a thrill to pass through my body. Cyrus’ eyes met mine again, but he was much closer this time. He was leaning into me, his handsome face seeming almost hungry for something.....

I fell back, feeling confused and a little frightened. I blinked hard at Cyrus, not really understanding what was happening between us. Cyrus sighed and pulled back, looking a little hurt.

“Eat your breakfast before it gets cold, Glenn... We need to get going,” he said quietly, turning away to pack up.

I picked at my food, not feeling terribly hungry. I ate about half before I began to pack my own belongings. We were soon into the Denadoro Mountains, climbing up. The mountain became eerily silent, and rather cold the higher we got. The shadows grew longer, and it seemed as if twilight was upon us, but it was only noon.

“Sir Cyrus...? What is this....?” I asked Cyrus, who had his hand upon his hilt.

“The queen asked us to investigate the actions of Magus, the mage who commands the Mystic army. If this is not magic, then I am a frog who speaks.....” Cyrus said sternly.

I gulped, as at that time I had never been in true battle before. The sky seemed to darken more, and the trees began to rustle with ill wind. Small shapes appeared in the corner of my eye, disappearing when I turned to look at them.

Cyrus pulled out the Masamune, which was my clue to pull out my own bronze sword. We went back to back, hearing footsteps approach and then dozens of monstrous creatures burst from the trees, growling and spitting.

I had never been more frightened in my entire life. Cyrus gave a loud war cry, swinging the Masamune around with righteous fury, slaying all the little devils that came within swordlength of him. My hands shook, but I also managed to kill a few, mostly by sheer luck. Cyrus did his best to protect me, but it seemed the waves of mystics would never end. One fell back, only to be replaced by another. The smell of blood, and the sound of pain overwhelmed me.

And suddenly, as swiftly as the attack had begun, it ended. Dozens of mystics lay slain on the blood-slicked ground, and several other fled back into the trees. Both Cyrus and I looked at each other. His eyes were wild from the fight, but we both seemed for the most part unharmed.

And then I felt a sharp tug, and realized my body was floating in mid-air, drifting towards a blue-cloaked figure we hadn’t seen before.

“Let him go, Sorceror!!!!!!” Cyrus screamed, brandishing the Masamune.

I felt myself drift into the waiting arms of the figure, feeling his strong arms clutch me tight, his nails digging painfully into my shoulders. I could hear a soft rumble in his chest as cruel laughter escaped his pale lips. I tried to move, but he had paralyzed me with his magic. A lock of azure hair fell across his face, and I looked up into hard, red eyes, blazing with hatred and vengeance.

“Magus!!!!” Cyrus screamed, rushing the mage. Magus looked up, and waved a hand, throwing Cyrus back into the ground. He looked back at me, even as Cyrus tried to stumble to his feet.

“What a pretty plaything you have found for yourself, Cyrus... He is quite sweet, I must admit....” Magus purred, bringing a hand to my face, dragging a long nail across my cheek, causing a welt to appear. I tried to scream, but I couldn’t even manage that.

“Let him go!!!!” Cyrus screamed, tears pouring down his face. He tried to rush Magus again, but the sorceror cast a pain spell, causing my beloved hero to fall to the ground, yet he still glared at Magus in defiance.

“Do you love this boy, brave hero?” Magus hissed at Cyrus, grinning wickedly at me, fondling a lock of my green hair.

“Bastard... I will kill you....” Cyrus growled.

“Answer me, if you wish him to live.....” the Mystic commander grinned.

“Yes... I love him... And I will visit a thousand deaths upon you if you harm him....” Cyrus screamed, sounding hysterical.

“Love....” Magus spat. “I loved once..... My sister..... And she loved me..... And then it took her.... And I will destroy it for that.... I will destroy everything to set her free......”

“Please.... if you ever knew what love was like... Please do not harm the boy... please.....” Cyrus begged, causing a tear to slide down my cheek. Never had I imagined that Cyrus cared for me in such a way......

Magus’ face softened. “I know what love is like. And you, boy? Do you love this man?” he asked me.

“Yes....” I said without hesitation, knowing that I did love the only person who loved me, cared for me. I did not know it until that moment, but I had always loved Cyrus.

“Then I will honor your love, sir knight. I swear upon my sister’s love that I shall never kill this boy. But if you cross me again, sir knight, I will kill you. And curse your beautiful companion with a most horrific form.....” Magus hissed, releasing us as he floated up into the dark sky.

I fell to the ground even as Cyrus stood up, glaring hatefully at Magus. Magus looked down upon us, a cruel smile on his pale face, red eyes narrowed.

“Consider this a warning, sir knight. On our next encounter, I will not be so kind.......” Magus hissed, and disappeared into the darkness.

The darkness faded, and the sounds of the forest returned slowly, leaving me staring up at Cyrus, not knowing what to say or feel. Cyrus remained glaring at where we last saw Magus, then he hung his head.

“Cyrus....?” I asked tentatively.

He looked over, and pulled off his helmet, walking over to me slowly.

“Cyrus....? Did you mean.... what you said...?” I asked boldly.

“I did. And you...?” he asked, holding out his hand to me.

“Yes.....” I whispered, sliding my hand into his.

He bent down and kissed my hand, his crystal blue eyes meeting my own. “I love you, sweet Glenn. I always have. I will love you to my grave... And beyond....” he promised, leaning over to kiss my lips.

I met his lips with my own, kissing as hungrily as he did.....

“We were lovers for years, your Majesty..... Yet a shadow seemed to hang over us..... And that shadow was Magus. And true to the mage’s words.... He killed Cyrus, and visited a most horrific form upon me.... But was Cyrus said was true.... He loved me to his grave... And beyond.....” Glenn sobbed, his head resting upon the queen’s white-clad lap.

Leene sighed, her hand stroking the man’s emerald green hair. “Glenn... I am sorry..... I had no idea you and Cyrus loved each other..... I pity your loss, my knight.....” she soothed, her white-gloved hand resting on Glenn’s hair.

“But love is endless. For even as I put Cyrus’ ghost to rest, I knew he was waiting for me.... And I will love him to my grave.... And beyond....” Glenn vowed, standing up and wiping the tears from his face.

Queen Leene smiled sadly at her finest knight. “But live your life first, Glenn... I value your presence to much to lose you so soon.....” she said.

Glenn bowed deeply. “Of course, your majesty.... For suicide is the coward’s way out. I will die in battle, even as Cyrus did. I will serve as proudly as I am able,” he said sincerely.

“Godspeed, Glenn..... Good luck on you new mission,” Leene said, kissing Glenn upon the forehead.

“Thank you, your majesty..... Farewell... For now...” Glenn said, straightening and leaving.

Leene blew the knight a kiss as he leaved, looking sad, sympathizing with Glenn’s sorrow. But she knew that Glenn was not alone, for Cyrus would be watching over him until they could be together again.

For love is endless.

J. Marie Author Pairing Rating Subject