Pilgrimage – Reunion

Part Two

        Zelgadis looked away from the book, tears threatening, burning in his eyes. He’d had no idea that Amelia was writing these. What was worse was that he hadn’t known a great many things that had transpired. He hadn’t been privy to the conversation that Lina had with Amelia, hadn’t known that intimacy of mental contact. He hadn’t been able to sense the raging mental battle within Lina.

        But Amelia had been able to. That single mental touch had opened a channel between the two girls. They hadn’t ever discussed the events of that night in their meetings, instead focusing on the good memories, the antics and the fun.

        Her step in the doorway caused him to look up guiltily, and without comment she walked over and took the book from him. He’d only read a few pages, but he felt as if he’d broken her confidence.

        “Amelia… I…” he started, emotions thick in his throat.

        “If I hadn’t wanted them read, I would not have left them here,” Amelia said quietly, looking at the cover of the book and the handwriting that was ten years younger.

        He looked at the book himself, eyes still burning with emotion. “I… I didn’t know that you…”

        “You couldn’t have known, Zelgadis. I didn’t know that Lina could do that. I don’t think that she meant to link to me… at least, not like that…” she replied softly.

        He looked to her, seeing her pain etched across her face, and for the first time in many years, he reached out to someone instead of focusing in on himself. He put his hand on her shoulder and pulled her around to him, reminding himself to embrace her gently, and felt her stiffen in his arms. A moment of uncertainty passed, then she slipped her free arm around him and started to cry.

        Perhaps, if the situation had been different, he would have wondered at himself and his willingness to touch and be touched. But right now, it seemed the only thing that he could offer to her.

        They stood there for a long time, her sobs finally drawing the attention of a guard who burst into the room, only to stand confused at the sight of Zelgadis holding Amelia to him as she cried. Aquamarine eyes flickered to the guard, an unspoken challenge flashing within them.

        But the guard knew Zelgadis, knew the long friendship between the chimera and Queen. He nodded gravely to Zelgadis and turned, closing the door to the drawing room behind him.

        Zelgadis carefully drew Amelia towards a couch, and when they were both seated, she looked at him through teary eyes, trying to compose herself. “I’m sorry… I shouldn’t…”

        He shook his head. “No, Amelia. You don’t have to apologize for anything. I… wish that I had known before…” He was managing to control his own emotions, but barely. He knew she needed someone to talk to, and he couldn’t talk to her if he was too busy raging at the injustice of it all. Injustice. She really did wear off on me more than I thought...

        Amelia sighed and opened the book to where Zelgadis had been. Taking a breath, she started to read aloud.