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Darkness in the Twilight	By : LunarCrystal Category: +. to F > Escaflowne Views: 1998 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Escaflowne, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

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Darkness in the Twilight

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By Psycho Ferret and LunarCrystal

Icarus

Allen easily got frustrated with his own
handicap, irritated that he could no longer function as he could before, that
he needed someone else's aid just to wander the halls of his own damnable
home. He drew away from them, all but
for Celena, who was always at his side. AlE>Always.

�They do not ache.� Allen shrugged slightly, still
frustrated. He had once had the finesse,
the grace and ease of movement unlike any other. But now...

�Celena, would you be so
kind as to draw the curtains,� Icarus said, and pulled a mirror from his pocket
as the girl quickly obeyed. There was sudden burst of sunlight in the room.
Icarus used the mirror to redirect the sunlight briefly into Allen's empty
gaze. The knight did not flinch, nor did his pupils dilate. The young alchemist
pulled back with a grim look.

�That's fine, Miss Schezar, thank you.�
Celena, sad and dismayed, slowly closed the curtains again.

Allen frowned slightly. The cleric didn't seem to think anything good
about it.

�Be honest with it,� he murmured softly,
though frightened of the most likely answer.
�what do you think?�

Icarus might have been young, but he refused
to be blunt, even at the knight's insistence. �Sir Schezar, I would think that
you should take rest. I cannot determine how long this will last for you,
honestly. All I can suggest is that you take your time with it.�

�You do know, don't you?� Allen turned his sightless gaze towards him,
frowning a bit. �Tell me so that I might
force myself to adjust to it.�

The healer sighed deeply. �Very
well, Sir Schezar. From what I could gather, your eyes sustained too
much pressure. There are vessels that hold blood and give oxygen to them in
your eyes, but . . . your pupils have been paralyzed, and those vessels have
burst. They will retain their color, but - I'm afraid they will not be of use
to you anymore.�

Just as he had feared. Just as Gaddes had assured him it wouldn't
be. Allen was silent for a long moment,
then nodded. Too calm. He was too calm about it. He'd just been told that he wouldn't ever be
able to see again, his sight wouldn't come back... and all he offered in return
to the words was a nod.

At least he knew... he would begin forcing
himself to get used to it. He'd train,
he'd do anything he could to function the way he did before... or at least as
close to it as he could.

It was automatic how Celena went to Allen's
side, seated where he was, and she knelt and took his arm. Icarus watched them
sadly, gathering his bag and searching through it for a vile of herbs. He
handed the vile to Celena. �Here is some medicine, to help with circulation.
It's all I can offer.� he said his words almost apologetically. He closed his
bag and started to gather his coat. Celena did not stop him.

She looked up at her brother, who appeared to
be watching the door to his room with a stern gaze, but she knew that he saw
nothing - nothing but darkness. �What now, Allen?� asked Celena after the
healer had left them.

Allen shrugged slightly with a sigh. �What can I do but learn to deal with
it? When Gaddes comes, I'll make sure to
set up a time to train. I have to learn
to fight like this.� Allen was
determined to not let this win him over.
He'd defeat it, damn it.

He might have spoken calmly, but deep down, he
was anything but. Fear and anger both
bubbled up.

�Train? You cannot train like
this!� Celena insisted, �My dear brother, you are blind! You could be hurt even
more, and I would not have that happen to you again. Please, Allen.�

�I must.
I am still a knight, Celena. And
I cannot be so if I cannot defend myself or my king. And you. Even if I am blind, I still have to defend
these people, especially you.�

�I am not such a frail thing to be protected.�
she said angrily, standing and towering over Allen, �And if you cannot see
that, then you truly are blind in mthanthan just your
unseeing eyes.�

�Can you even let me do that? Do you even understand how helpless I feel
now? I'm blind, Celena, blind.
I couldn't help you when you were taken, I just barely got you back...
let me have some worth.� Allen clenched
his fists tightly to his chest, head bowed, shoulder's shaking.

Her heart broke and she wept for him, felt
pity for him. The girl's breath wavered and her voice
trembled. �Of course,� she whispered, �Of course, yes. But - but, Allen . . . I
. . .�

�Just... let me. Let me find some worth in what I have left,
please.� Allen sighed softly, shaking
his head.

�What you have left?� she asked, her voice
soft, �You have me, Allen. And I am
not a child to be protected anymore.� She embraced him then, her touch
surprising him for he did not see it coming, �You will train, and I will train
with you.�

�I know I have you and I am thankful for it...
but I still... I feel I must protect you.
I wasn't able to do it before, but now that I have you back, I
must. I have to, even... if I cannot
defend myself.� He started slightly at
his sister's touch, but sighed against her.
�I would be glad to have you at my side...�

She sighed happily, weary with sorrow. �I am
glad.�

Allen being as stubborn as he was, began to train with his second in command and his
sister the very next day. Gaddes led the siblings to the fields behind the
Schezar manors. He had swords wrapped in canvas that he carried in his arms.
Their walk through the grass was silent. Celena had dressed in her brother's
clothes. She hadn't told him, and she was glad that Gaddes made no mention of
it either. Both knew that Allen disapproved of a lady to dress inappropriately.

Allen had a grip on Celena's upper arm, so
that she may guide him accurately. Though the ground was so uneven, there were
times that not even she could prevent him from tripping.

Allen had no idea what she was wearing and
didn't think to ask. He wasn't sure just
what she meant by training with him. For
the last part of the walk out there, Allen walked on his own,
without her arm for guidance. The
going was slower because of it, but he was determined. He couldn't depend on another for everything,
after all.

With his sword in his hand, a familiar
feeling, he relaxed slightly, the burdens lessening a little. It was good that his style of fighting didn't
force him to depend on his sight as much as others did, though it was an
important part. The weight of his sword
and the sway of the blade was very comfortable in his
hand, and he sighed softly. Perhaps
overcoming this would not be so difficult after all.

Celena kept her silence, merely unsheathing
the blade that Gaddes handed to her. She knew some sword technique, being as
stubborn as her brother and having coaxed Gaddes to teach her. Her training
wasn't complete, and she was glad for the opportunity to continue with her
brother. Allen had his sword drawn, the tip was toward
the ground.

With her own sword, she tapped against the metal
of Allen's, making him turn toward the vibrations. Gaddes was the one that
spoke from behind her.

�Just start with some simple moves, not even
full swings, okay?�

Allen nodded slightly, resting on the balls of
his feet, bowing his head slightly, just listening. The sword was drawn up, held loosely in his
hand, comfortably against the gloved palm.
Even blind, he moved fast. Nothing too difficult to parry, something along the lines of what a
beginner would do. He was doing
this for her benefit... as much as his own.
He wanted to test his limits, after all.

�The movements will be familiar to you,� said
Gaddes, and Celena brought up the tip of her sword. �Listen to the enemy's
sword as it lifts into the air. Upper block!�

Ah, yes, the familiarities. He allowed himself to be lost in it, even
though it was still simple movements.
Recalling the layout of the land, fields he'd played in since he was a
child, where he himself had learnt to fight.
When he didn't have to think so much about his movements, he was fine,
his grace returned, the ease for which he moved.

Celena clashed her sword against his as it
moved upward, and she was glad to see his blade moving like it had so many
times. But he still did not see her moves coming, and just listening to the
swing of her sword could not prevent possible injuries. They continued through
the very basic motions, practicing nothing too difficult.
p>

�Are you alright, Allen?� asked Celena
finally.

Allen flashed the first hint of a smile for a
long time, straightening slightly, the sword tip down in a sign of peace. Habit, really. �Far better than I have been.� Though he was somewhat frustrated with how
the exertion gnawed at him. But he'd
expected it, considering how little he'd moved about recently. But it would get easier, no doubt.

Celena smiled as well. �Then you know you've
been sparring with your sister?� She dropped her sword and embraced him
tenderly.

Allen arched a brow slightly, moving the sword
away to keep it carefully out of her way.
�But...�

Ah, no skirts.
The blonde frowned slightly... pants, of course. Mm... she must have
convinced Gaddes. �It isn't proper, you
know. Are you wearing gloves?�

�Um . . .� She grinned and took his free hand
into her own. �If I said no?�

Allen sighed, shaking his head and
clasping her hands. �If you're going to
do this, wear them.�Well, one must make amends in the king�s
court, mm?� Allen smiled slightly,
inclining his head.

But his words made her go quiet with thoughts
of their abominable king. �And what of that matter, brother?� she asked
finally.

�Of what? Ah, the king... Gaddes has informed me that
the Knights of Caeli, those who remain are to meet with the king in two day's
time.�

�To - discuss what, Allen?� she stepped away
from him, still holding his hand. She looked to Gaddes, who had been watching
them from under the shade of a tree. His face was grim, and she had to restrain
herself from gasping softly in realization - it was not to be a happy gathering
to take place in two days.

Allen shook his head slightly. �One, to assess the damage
done until the order. And, as
well, to figure out just what we're going to do. Likely this won't be the only raid.� He, himself, was grim about this. The meeting in general. He did not have good feelings about it at
all.

Out of a recent habit, Celena brought his hand
up to her fair face, and she nodded. �I understand. I will go with you in two
days to the palace. But for now, do you suppose we're finished for today?�

�You may go with me there, but you will not be
able to stay with me within the meeting itself.� Allen nodded slightly to her words. �We are, yes...�

Celena stepped away from Allen, who stood
helplessly as they gathered the swords - Celena gently releasing her brother's
grasp on his own blade so that she could sheath it and hand it to Gaddes. She
wasn't sure weather she should help her brother back to the manor as they
started on their way back. She would let Allen decide if he needed her
guidance.

Stubborn as he was, even though he was weary,
he walked himself back. There, without
the sword in hand, he moved slower, doing his best to keep from tripping
up. the
movements were not as graceful as they had been earlier, but even when he did
stumble, he brushed aside aid, reminding himself that he could not depend on
another forever.

�Steps, Allen.� Celena said sadly as they came
up to the back entrance that led into their kitchen.

Ah, yes, his biggest challenge yet. He slid his hand against the railing,
grasping it firmly and, well... taking his time navigating his way up the
steps. He'd take a step and tap the toe
of his boot lightly against the next one and step up on that one. Careful, slow goings, but
successful nonetheless.

Relieved that he did not fall this time,
Celena opened the back door and let them inside the house, Gaddes left their
swords with her and took his leave. Celena looked around the kitchen, empty and
plain. The smell was strong of onions and garlic, remnant of many glorious
meals prepared here. She set the canvas covered weapons upon the table in the
breakfast nook, and turned.

�Do you need help into the parlor?� She asked
of her brother.

�I believe I can make it,� he murmured softly,
nodding a little. One hand held lightly
out from his side to keep him from bumping into walls, he moved. The kitchen... from there, he followed the
map of the place in his mind, and upon reaching the parlor paused, recalling
the setup of the place. This pace of
his... it was tiring, really. So slow,
so different from what it had been be.

The blonde paused in the doorway, turning his
sightless gaze towards the voice, furrowing his brow slightly. It was regretful he did not have his sword at
his side.

�...Yes?�

�It is Icarus,� replied the young man, �I was
let in by one of the maids and told to wait here for your return from the
fields. She mentioned that you were training at the sword.�

�Ah, yes.
What can I do for you?� The
blonde arched a brow slightly, wondering why the cleric had returned... unless
he had news of some sort.

�Well, I came to give you something that might
prove useful to you.� said Icarus carefully, moving to retrieve his gift that
leaned against the wall.

Allen moved just inside the doorway, cocking
his head to the side slightly, curiously.
�Well... my thanks for whatever it might be...�

�Of course.� said Icarus. Gently, he took the
knight's hand and folded the sword-strong hands around a long rod that held the
weight of wood.

A cane, wasn't it? Ah, Gods... a cane. It would be useful, yes, to no ends, but even
still... it would further rub his weakness in his face. Though he did appreciate
the gesture immensely.

�Thank
you... I'm rather sure it will come in handy...�

Icarus saw something pass through Allen's
expression, almost too brief to detect. Icarus was no older than Allen himself,
and he could understand how it might feel to lose one's sight at such young
age.

�I only wish for your well being, Sir Allen.�
and he removed his hands from Allen's. �To use it, just sweep it in front of
you as you walk. It will probably help with steps and stairs - as I see your
home is quite full of them.�

�Mm, yes... I do appreciate the gesture. I'm sure I'll use it much.� Allen took Icarus' hand lightly in his gloved
ones, clasping in thankfully. me.� said Celena
logically, her tone sad. �But I understand. You don't want people to know about
you . . . like this.�

�If I don't use it, then I will be forced to
depend on myself.� It was something he'd
forced himself to stand by. While yes,
there were times he would need aid... he could not depend on another
forever. Not even Celena. The blonde knight shook his head slightly,
sighing softly. �The word will spread
fast enough... but even still. I will
not act the part of the cripple.�

�And what if you get lost? Should I have you
wander the road by yourself, only for you to move away from the path before you
knew it? Only to fall down steps that you could not see? Is your image so
important?�

�Would you have me think so low of myself,
then? Already I have fallen, Celena, would
you have me fall yet more? Yes, my
sister... image is much. The order are those untouched, the highest of the knights.�

�But you are blind!� she said, perfectly enunciating the words as if he were
deaf to them as well.

Allen turned his head away, grinding his teeth
tensely. �By my sight,
perhaps. But I will not allow it
to conquer my life.�

�But this you cannot hide!� she argued, �Why
do you insist to hide what your are? Are you so afraid
of the scrutinizing gazes that might fall upon you - shrewd looks from people
that you cannot see?�

�Is that so wrong, then? These people in this city looked up to me,
respected me. But who... who respects a
blind man? That respect will crumble. Is it such a horrid thing to not want to bear
it!?�

She took his hand. �Allen, listen to me. I'm
only interested in your well being. If you want to hide, then I will shield
you.�

Allen sighed heavily, drawing his hand away,
turning and carefully navigating his way through the parlor. It was not her he was disgusted with... but
himself. He could not loathe her as he
did himself. No, she had been there
beside him and still stood at his side.
No... no, he couldn't hate her.

But he could hate what he had become... and
that was precisely what he did.

�Allen, what is it?� she followed him into the
parlor, �What is it that you want of me?�

�Just... leave it be. Leave me to my ways. They will be more difficult, but I don't
care... I don't care how long it takes.�
Allen sighed heavily, resting his forehead against a pane of glass of
the window he paused beside. �I will
overcome this. I won't let it hold me
back. I can't.�

Celena sighed and left him to his brooding.
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Darkness in the Twilight