Perchance to dream (Kotone)

[Merik Dragmire]

Palace of the Fairy Queen: Faron Forest: 09:24 PM

After Tabula Rasa departed the Fairy Palace, Merik waited for a few minutes before lying back on his pillow once more and sending a message to one of his guards back at the Fortress.

Aveil, I need you to write a message and deliver a gift for me...

As soon as he was complete he let his exhausted body drag him into sleep, though his mind was far from ready to rest...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Gerudo Fortress: Gerudo Desert: 09:28 PM

Aveil, one of the King's personal guard, had received Merik's message and had done as he requested. Hanging a Pirate's Charm and the note from a gash in the wall she turned and knocked on the door opposite them both. The note stated simply:

Kotone,

Be sure you wear this when you go to sleep tonight.

Her job done, and having been assured by her King beforehand that his adviser would understand, Aveil left for her own quarters eager to get some rest after a hard day...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Somewhere between worlds: ??:?? PM

In his dreams Merik found himself healed and sitting on a warm beach on some unknown island in the vastness of the ocean. He wasn't certain if he had been there before or if his mind had simply conjured it to look like any other pointless beach, but to be honest he didn't care as his mind was focused on a single thing...well person.

Staring out at the ocean his mind sent out a call every few minutes in the hopes of making the bond and bringing her to him. The call was simple, only a single word, but the force of his will was enough to project it between worlds.

Kotone...[/i]

[Kotone]

Kotone been working all over even happy at time however she been taking more and more breaks. It was hard for her to keep up with everything. She would get Ruma to help her but she been busy with Merik plans she could and will not bother her sister with matters like this. She knew the other Gerudo women are starting to notices her being different but they seem it had something to do with Merik being gone for a long time. Kotone rather them still think that as it hard for right now to think. The Letter she got from the Princess was.... something that trouble her.

But like any day she finished up with a bath alone then headed on to bed. However she paused at the note and the necklace. She sighed as she had no idea what this was for. She does not wear the silly charm at all. No she hated it really. The idea of talking from the mind was impossible for her as... well not really impossible but... she was scared. Being with out a voice this long then hearing a voice or saying something with out speaking was something scary for her.

Really she was about to throw the thing in the trash but she stop. She looked at it and wonder in deep thought as she held it in her hands. First thought came to mind was Merik and the first time he tried to get her to wear it. Well that did not end well but he did not push it on her after that. She gave a silent laugh remember a black eye... she did not know he would not caught it.

She put it on her as she wore a long black night gown as she went to bed. She snugged up for a pillow resting her tried body. She knew she been pushing herself hard but she knew she had to. Her eyes closed and she filly went to sleep around 10:45 PM.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In Merik's dream ... well half of Merik's dream started to change as the clouds were chaning in to book and the sand in to stone floor it was starting to turn in to a library or rather Kotone's room. But oddly words were flying around and out of the books. It seem rather peaceful really as Kotone started to appear but talking. Not signing but really talking in a voice Merik knew from when they were kids but a bit different. She was wearing a normal gerudo outfit as she was walking back and forth talking to herself.

"Ok all I have to do is safe guard to fort with a extra lining of stone pillars to the sides that are a 100 and more year older. This way the structure will be sound and it be seal with a poxy that Ruma made in her lab so it be seal and not seen as it been mingle with" She said as she nods with that idea and looked up and took her finger and check mark off some words in the air that was like a checklist. She looked at the next thing on the list not even noticing the clash of dreams as it did not seem to even faze her.

"Ok next is.." She paused as she and looked at Merik with a stern look on her face. She walked over not even noticing she was walking from stone to sand. She went right up to him waiting for him to stand up but as he did or will she went and step on his foot have with her heel then punch him under the chin in the throat then side elbow him in the ribs. She turn away walking back as she tap her chin in thought. "Maybe not that... Maybe nuts then neck...Maybe I should explain to him first.... no if I don't do this first I won't get my anger out and his punishment will go. He won't learn" She said as she nods to herself. "Ok lets try again" She said turning around.

[Merik Dragmire]

Merik sat there staring at the ocean for an unknown amount of time before he heard an unknown and yet very familiar voice. Turning around he couldn't help but smirk as he saw his dream clashing with Kotone's.

"I understand this is a trying time and all, things are pretty crazy and need to be taken care of...but really? You're working in your sleep sweetheart." he said with a smirk as she finally seemed to notice him sitting there.

He let her get a bit closer before starting to vacate his spot when the unthinkable happened and he realized he was in big trouble. She only ever got that look when she was really upset with him and she never got angrier than when he got himself hurt. Then she stamped down on his foot...and then she punched him in the neck and then she smacked him in the ribs. He jumped back as she started talking to herself again about attacking him more and he naturally moved to protect the jewels.

"Damnation Kotone, I know I screwed up...and yes I am lying half dead in a sickbed but you don't gotta take it out on my boys...they've never been anything but nice to you."

[Kotone]

Kotone blinks as she step back as she see him cover his self and yelled at her. This snap her out of her dream alone as she was really seeing his part now. "W-what?" She said startle at this as never once she seen anything like this. "Brother?" She question him as she did not think this could happen as she looked around. Her own dream was faded away in to the beach area as she started to see his dream now.

"Oh my... how this is happening" She said as she cup her hands over her mouth in shock. "I mean I read in Dream journey once about share dreams but nothing like this" She said as she was thinking of the book a book popped up with the title on it as the dream book she once read before over her head. "Of course there was charm but even then I don't think in the books I read I ever seen a case like this... Maybe under volume 4, section 12, paragraph three was talking about something along these line but it was to-" She went on talking as more books popped up flipping pages on what she was thinking.

Kotone after all as a wise person but with her unable to talk she can't express it as she would in her dreams. She can really talk and think about all the scrolls and books she read. She was the Adviser to the king so she had to know a lot. It still sicken her that she could not help Merik get out of being in trouble with the kingdom. With that thought she frown at the thought of the letter from the Zelda. With that the letter appeared with Zelda seal on it and all.

[Merik Dragmire]

Once it became apparent that he wasn't going to be attacked again, Merik relaxed his guard. He listened patiently as Kotone continued talking, books and scrolls appearing all over the place as she did so, though once one of the books appeared on his head he decided it was probably time he stop this. Quickly crossing to her he placed a single finger to her lips.

"Seeing as I don't get to say this...EVER...allow me to enjoy it for just a second: Kotone, you are rambling about a lot of stuff that I can't even begin to follow right now. Take a deep breath and calm down." he said as a final item appeared that she certainly hadn't been talking about. Smiling at her he continued on. "In most cases of use the Pirate's Charm creates a two-way telepathic channel between users for them to communicate; obviously there are other ways of communication that can be used with it but for the moment that's the one of consequence. Now if two people are dreaming and that bridge is made it is possible for the two dreams to intersect, as your library is repeatedly trying to do to my island...and I'm more than a little curious, you spend your nights dreaming of working and beating the hell out of me? I always figured whatever I was doing in your dreams was a bit more fun for dream-me..."

Taking a few steps from her he grabbed the letter from Zelda and quickly read through it, not really caring for privacy at the moment as it was damn near war time and a message from his enemy.

"Blah blah blah, Zenethil's a saint, blah blah blah, Merik is evil...wait...I did what!? When the hell did I write a letter to Zelda, much less threaten her and out myself as the King...? Hm, someone is playing her and she's too stupid to realize it...I'm actually not that surprised. Let's see, I 'infiltrated the castle as a wanted man', I actually walked into the castle not knowing I was wanted WITH Nairore's assistance; Nairore survived that's a shame but not unexpected I did throw her at a unit of Knights; I did set fire to the stables, well at least her majesty can get one fact right. Blah blah blah, fair trial that's a laugh, blah blah blah, praise the Hylians." he finished and flung away the letter in disgust. "Well I suppose I'll have a few additions and changes to make to the letter I was going to send her tomorrow."

[Kotone]

Kotone blinks as she was told to well... shut up. First time in a super long time since he ever heard her voice and he tell her to well be quite. She could not help it she had to mostly dumb everything down to make a point across in using her hands. Or heck her lip as most people don't know how to lip read that well. So the only time she get to truly speak is in her dream and well talking to herself is all she does. It hard to stop when its only your self talking she not use to having someone else in her dream. As for beating up Merik well she only did that ... tonight. Other times it be the bug in a bottle and a good shake or took thousands times with evil laughs of course.

It not often she hear how it works but it was cool so she listen in how or rarely the charm works like this. It was cool and she needed to write it down in a book when she wake up. With thought thought she made a metal checklist to do so later on. In her dreams she working even then if not in the fort but in her heat always trying to solve problem in her life or others and try to make the gerudo race better. She rub her head as she laughed a bit as he said he about dream him. "Sorry but... You asked for it for well... Cheating on me. Plus getting..Nara I mean the Knight girl pregnant. How would you think I take this? Don't even try to say it was to carry on the Dragmire name as that won't cut it!" She started to snap at him. "I trusted you and you go and ... do that when your post to be getting stronger on your training then doing... that. Of course I don't believe that letter part either as I don't think your that dumb to write a letter to zelda stating that stuff" She said to him.

"If I knew this would happen I would of gone with you no matter what. Then this event would not had happen and you be on the way home. Ruma been working hard on your plans which I'm surprise how it is going. However she has not show her head in months out of her lab and been driving her on the edge. So I been left with the paper work and routines of taking control of the tribe until you come back. So much coming back with in a week but seeing you are being healed I hope to see you.. for real soon" She said to him as she nods.

She knew she was talking to him rather to much but this is how she is. Having a voice in the dream is what she did. She does not get this in real life and telling him what on her mind after all this time was now coming out. "Zero been caught... traitor he is telling your the pirate king then even more so Ruma said Night was the one that got Zero caught at the fest. I was hoping to break him out before anything happen before... well he told but that did not happen. I know there a lot of things I had not told you thought I had not be lying to you... no I never lie to you ever. However I'm pregnant I'm almost 5 month now and not even Ruma know. If she does she to tried to know what to do. Everyone else does not know but they feel something up. However they think it me missing you which is true and all but it not the true reason. I really did not want to tell you as you get worry and not go on your trip to get stronger for the gerudo tribe. Maybe I should of... maybe then you would not be in this mess again. If so I'm sorry" She said as she bow her head to him.

[Merik Dragmire]

"Despite what the rumor of the day holds, I did not sleep with Nairore. IF I was going to cheat on you, why would I waste time trying to convince her to let me into her bed when I could have easily walked down the hall to the more than willing and eager Fairy Queen? I had enough trouble working to convince Nairore not to try and kill me in my sleep, which worked like a charm by the way we became such good friends I got my throat slit from behind. I don't believe she was pregnant, but even had she been it wouldn't have changed my actions: I intended to kill her and if she was pregnant that would have killed her children anyway, its a shame for them but that's life." Merik growled, angry that word had gotten out about that part of his journey and back to Kotone. After a few seconds his anger had cooled and he gave her a faint smile. "But I'm sure that there is more than a few things I've done in the past to warrant that little beating."

"I'm glad to hear that Ruma has made good progress on the project...it's going to be needed to help our people in the days to come..." he fell silent as she resumed talking and shook his head at the mention of Caramon selling him out. "He makes mistakes but Caramon wasn't the one who sold me out. If anything I'd be more than willing to bet Nightmare is connected to the leak in some way. He has known I was the Pirate King for a while but I was willing to overlook it from the fact that I didn't expect him to ever bow before Zelda...but he might feel that he's far enough back to try and play everyone against each other. Were Zelda and I to wipe each other out there would be no one left who could outmatch him...watch out for him in the future in case he tries to make a move. If things start to look bad then send word to the tribes to head for the Bay and lie low there; and if that does happen leave a few little 'gifts' for whoever tries to take the Fortress."

Her final words caught him completely offguard and he stood dumbfounded for a second before rushing forward and wrapping his arms around her as he kissed her. He held her silently for a few seconds giving thanks before taking a step back.

"Then you'll need to be especially careful in the times to come. If you have to leave our name behind to stay hidden then do it but at the first sign of trouble you need to go into hiding." he trailed off as the knowledge sank in that he'd never get to see his daughter. He coughed lightly before continuing. "You're going to have to be strong to keep our daughter in line...she is going to be a real handful but I have faith in you..."

[Kotone]

Kotone blinks as Merik was getting upset at what she told him. It seem like Zelda was telling lies to make her hate Merik. Of course that was it! Merik would never go and be with another women now he was with her. He loved her and that made everything more clearer. Zelda did not know this but she still try to make their people look bad. Why did she even doubt Merik like that? They grew up together and Merik would lie to her anyhow. She bows to Merik sorry that she ever doubted him. "Sorry I guess I should not listen or rather read lie coming from the Zelda letter. Sorry for even doubting you" She said to him as she was sorry. She was blushed at letting her mind think other the true truth. Even more he was not upset that she hit him over it but took it saying it was for the times before. Merik was so understanding.

"Nightmare?..." She shiver as she never seen the guy but report say he was a most scary of dragons. Well she does not know how to much as she never meet the guy only heard of him really. Well most read reports of Merik encounter with him and other reports even ones when Ruma meet him. However from all she read and read it seem to her that Nightmare was the true evil here and no one was seeing it. No they putting the blame on Merik to hide what nightmare might be doing. She blinks and nods as the bay was a last resort thing but it will be done.

Kotone blinks as he rush to her in a hug or embrace around her as he kissed her. Her face flushed as shiver ran down her whole body. This was a lovely dream as she felt so warm now even it was dreaming. She could not wait until Merik comes back home after all and she really feel his arms around her like she does at this moment. "Don't worry I do as our mother did and hide away. However I don't feel right leaving our people with out a leader so please come back as soon you can" She said to him as she lay her head on his shoulder. "We all miss you but. .... mostly me" She said as she closed her eyes a bit.

[Merik Dragmire]

"If you have to then establish a proxy to rule in your stead and relay your orders to them. Protection of you, Ruma, and our daughter is top priority...our family must survive." Merik said sadly as Kotone lay her head on his shoulder.

He held her silently knowing this was the last time he'd ever get to hold her, even if it was just in a dream. She was going to be brokenhearted when he revealed the truth to her and it pained him that he would have to tell her. Finally he steeled his resolve and lifted her head so she was looking at him.

"Kotone...the Knight's know I'm here. I don't think they've started into the forest yet but I expect them to arrive tomorrow or the day after at the latest. Titania has told me she refuses to give me up to the them or to let them in to take me...but I'm not going to let her people get slaughtered to keep me safe and I'm certainly not getting cut down lying in bed..." he trailed off and took a few steadying breaths before continuing. "I'm due for a meeting with the healers in the morning and then I'm going to leave. I'm not going to get far and there isn't really anywhere I can go. The Knights are to the west, Nightmare's territory is to the north, and hundreds of miles of forest are to the east and south before reaching the ocean...I had counted on the Knights taking longer to catch my trail but now I'm boxed in...I'm not getting out of here Kotone..."

[Kotone]

Kotone like this dream to so as her thoughts were clear with Merik with her. However it was getting rather upsetting knowing their tribe and family was in danger. Why can't their people live peaceful life like everyone else. Why do they have to be the ones to be put blame on? It did not seem fair as even as a kid they were hiding from the world she really did not want her daughter to grow up like that.

Her head was lifted up as he started to tell her the cold truth of what might happen to him. Her face started to get very upset as she tried not to look at him as he kept talking. The idea of never seeing him again or having a true hug by him was something she did not want to hear. No she did not want to hear this at all. "Stop please... no" She said as tears started in her eyes. Tears that not once ever seen the day of air started to form. Not only in the dream world but in real life she was starting to cry.

"No... there... got be another way... We .. we send ship to the ocean to get to you... or... or.. I beg the sky pirates to take you home or something" She said as she did not want to hear that Merik was on a trail of death. No not after working so hard to keep the tribe alive and all. No even more so she wanted him around to see their daughter born and him to name her.

[Merik Dragmire]

Merik knew this would be a difficult conversation to have and he had been certain that the truth would bring Kotone to tears...it certainly didn't help things to know that he was completely right in this case. Sadly smiling at her he reached up and gently brushed away her tears.

"I wouldn't last the trip through the forest to reach the ocean sweetheart; and even if I was willing to beg for help from the sky pirates it wouldn't change matters, I'd return to the fortress and it would be all out war... I don't want to put you and Ruma in danger from that, much less a baby. I don't want to die but if my death will bring about a level of relative normalcy for our people and our family then I'll take death."

His hand began to rub soothingly along her back as he tried to figure out an impossible way to calm her.

"It's going to hurt, and it's going to be hard...but you're strong Kotone...you'll survive and I know our daughter will bring you happiness again." he said before breaking into a slight grin and trying to break the tension. "Besides, we always knew I'd do something stupid that would get me killed one day...though I always assumed it would involve T.R., the Defiant, and a lot of bomb powder..."

[Kotone]

Kotone shook her head as she not going to give upa s tears kept coming down her face. "No... there has to be.. a way" She said as tears kept going. "I... I make a promise. Merik no... don't give up hope" She said as she cling on to him as she put her face in to his chest. She did not care for the knight how could they do this to them? They were already curse people why do they have to do this to them. Why do they have to go after Merik. He was only protecting his tribe and even now he thinks of other before his self. How can someone evil do that? Merik is not evil in Kotone mind.

"No... I want you" She said to him as she loved him. "I-I... find a way. Even if I ... I have to bring you back to life" She said as she did not want him to leave her. As she went on crying a bit harder now seeing this might or will be the last time she see him. Just made this worst for her as she never cried this hard before. No one she was losing the one she love, a family member but also she breaking her mother promise to keep Merik alive. She never broke any promise in her life and here she was breaking one.

Kotone cough a bit as her image of herself in the dream started to break up as tear fell off her cheeks as soon as they appeared. Each time she cough her image would disappear only to reappear a second or two later. Kotone outside the dream was coughing as her noise was running and real tears were going down her face.

[Merik Dragmire]

As Kotone began to flicker in and out of the dream, Merik's gaze turned serious as he locked onto her disappearing body. He knew he'd have to get her back in control or he'd lose her, possibly for the last time.

"C'mon Kotone, you've got to be strong and more than a little calm right now. If you wake up the connection will be broken and I don't know if I'll be able to reform it. Just take a breath and calm yourself." he said softly as his arms remain wrapped around her even as she disappeared again.

"The time comes for us all to move onto the next life, this is my time and I accept that. I don't want to leave you behind but I have to...You have to be one and whole for many years. You have so much to enjoy and to be and to do. It isn't yet time for you so you have to just keep on moving forward and one day we'll be back together."

He placed a kiss on the top of her head as he held her a little tighter, trying everything he could think of to ease her pain even as he knew that he was only adding to it with each passing second.

[Kotone]

Kotone was disappearing and reappearing after ever cough as tears ran down her cheeks. The idea no seeing him again did not help her clam herself one bit. Merik life was going to end at a early age because of people and their fairy tales. This is why she got in to history to find out the truth. Find out why is their people curse like this. Why can't they get along with everyone else instead of being the people people point fingers too. The soft kiss to her forehead felt real to her even if it was a dream and it was not real.

She took some deep breaths as her tears started to dry up. More deep breathing and her saddens was pushed away like before. Idea in her head started to move as books started to pile up around. History, ruin plate, scrolls and so on from everything Kotone ever learn or read off of. A library of history in her head and she still wanted to know more. However remember all of this helped her stay calm.

She knew it was a lie for calm her down for her. A lie saying he come back in the next life or in death. The Undertaker will never let them be together not even in death. Death was cruel thing even in life. Everyone and everything was out to their their tribe break them apart and do what. What was the whole meaning of this post to do? What is the outcome of destroying the tribe? She did not know and she wonder if the temples in this land would have those answers.

[Merik Dragmire]

As Kotone started to calm down Merik found the area becoming a bit crowded as more of her mental library began to appear on the beach. Gently leading her away to an, as of yet, uncluttered section along the shoreline.

"You'll have to watch for spies, both physical and spiritual, in the future. It's not that I don't trust our own people but many have turned to the mercenary life and could turn against us. On the other side it's time we stopped the Poes from having free range of movement around us. I've never bothered before because Elohim is little more than a spoiled child and it has just been easier to ignore his whining. Now that we're at the onset of war he could attempt to prove himself a more tangible annoyance if he chooses to join with Zelda."

His eyes turned towards the ocean slowly rolling in and out, completely oblivious to the two people standing so near and their problems. His mind raced through various possibilities for removing the spirits before he decided that in this particular case the simplest answer was the best one.

"I think it's time we bolstered our force of witches, particularly those skilled at dealing with the dead. We've had them scattered about keeping the spirits from interfering with the other villages but a specialized group within the army would prove most useful. In particular I'd recommend finding a few especially skilled to serve as additional bodyguards for yourself and the other Viziers. That should limit his pool of knowledge from our side."