Disclaimer: I don't own Legend of Dragoon, SCEA has the rights to that!
Author's Note: This is my first LOD fanfic, so please tell me what you think! I would also like to thank my editors (my sibs) for their input to make the story better.
"Another Legend"
By Shinshia101
Chapter 1
"But, what is it?" the boy asked as he scrutinized his new present. A single curve formed on his forehead as he threw the sphere into the air and caught it in his hands. "Is it a ball to play with? Does it turn into something else? Tell me, father!" His father only laughed and lifted the boy from the floor, placing him in his arms.
"Tristan, it's a gift! Why are you complaining?" The hefty man gazed at his son with a fake frown. "What? You don't like it?" He snatched the orb from the boy's hands. "It was rather an expensive little thing. If you don't want it, I'll just return it for something more to your liking…"
The child grabbed the small ball from his father's hands. "No, I like it. Thank you, father."
The man grinned and sat down on a chair, adjusting his grateful son onto his lap. "Want to know something, Tristan? When I went to market and saw this little thing I thought of you."
"You did?" Tristan moved closer, interested in his father's tale.
"I saw it as something that you had to have. It was as if it was calling me. So I went to the vendor and asked how much it was. He must have noticed my interest because he told me the price was 1000 gold coins."
"1000 gold coins!" Tristan's green eyes widened. He couldn't even count that high!
The older man stroke the bottom of his beard. "Did I say 1000? No he said 2000!" The little boy gasped. His father smirked. Although the actual price of the orb was much lower than what he had told his son, he felt that a 'little' exaggeration wouldn't hurt. It just made the tale that more interesting. "But you know your old man, I love to bargain. So I told him that I would take it for only 50 gold coins and that was final. Not any higher; I was fierce with him. We argued back and forth until finally he gave it to me for 25 gold coins!"
"Wow!" The boy was amazed at his father's bargaining skills. He wondered if he could ever be that good one day.
The russet haired man ruffled his son's black hair. "You know what? I believe that this little thing will bless you with good fortune! Don't you agree?"
Tristan tilted his head as he rotated the dark purple orb around in his pale hands. "Good…fortune?"
"Anton, don't start putting silly fairy-tales into the boy's head!"
The sudden sound of a woman's voice caused both males to turn their heads. The woman, Jules, had her hands on her hips as she glared at her husband. Her long black hair was tied up in a high bun, with a few strands of hair coming down her face; and her brown eyes was full of irritation. When will her husband stop embellishing everything he said to the boy?
"I was just telling him a story, dear." Anton said defensively. He couldn't help but smile at his son's innocence and naivety.
Jules shook her. She looked at her seven year old son and extended her arm, beckoning to take her hand.
"Come Tristan. Let's go get you something to eat…" She noticed that he was clutching his orb tightly. "Ah put that thing down!" she said, referring to the 'orb of good fortune'.
Tristan shook his head vigorously. "I can't mother. I have to keep it with me always in order to be blessed with good fortune!"
Jules shot another glare as her husband laughed. "Look what you have done!"
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"Alright Tristy, it's bedtime." Jules said as she led the boy to his room.
"But Maaahm, I'm not…" An unwanted yawn escaped though his lips. "…tired." He crawled into bed and pulled the covers under his chin, still clutching his purple orb. "I'll only sleep if you sing for me."
"Of course." She smiled. She thought for a moment, trying to come up with a melody.
When daytime turns to night
When the moon shines bright
When you're tucked in tight
When everything's alright
Slip softly to that place
Where secret thoughts run free
And there come face to face
With who you want to be
Make a wish
It's up to you
Find the strength inside
Then watch your dreams come true
You don't need a shooting star
The magic's right there in your heart
Close your eyes
Believe
And make a wish
I've always hoped for happiness
And finally fulfilled my wish
'Cause I just need
To see you smile
Make a wish
It's up to you
Find the strength inside
Then watch your dreams come true
You don't need a shooting star
The magic's right there in your heart
Close your eyes
Believe
And make a wish
When she had finished, Jules gazed at her son. He was on his side with his eyes closed. Thinking that he was asleep, she leaned down and kissed him on the head.
"Good night Tristy."
When she closed the door to his room, Tristan opened his eyes, and sat up. He wasn't all that tired. He got out of bed and walked to the window. The night looked beautiful as the little stars covered the dark blanket in the sky. He looked at the orb in his hand and closed his eyes as he pulled it to his chest. He replayed his mother's son in his head.
Make a wish…I wish that I—
His thoughts were interrupted by a loud sound. He opened his eyes with a start and moved the brown drapes that obscured his full vision of the outside. His eyes widened at what he saw. The villagers were screaming, running, or falling. The color red was everywhere and random flashes of light kept appearing.
Terrified, Tristan ran out the door to look for his parents. As he ran down the hall, his father was running toward him. The large man scooped up the little boy with one arm and ran with his wife to the back of the house. When they got there, however they were greeted by a man in armor with silver hair that was in a high ponytail. Tristan noticed something on the man's back, but he didn't know what it was. His father stopped in his tracks and put his son to the ground, pushing the boy behind him.
"What do you want? What business do you Winglies have in our village?" the hefty man demanded.
"We have come for the Dragoon Spirit. We were informed that one was seen in this village. We have come to retrieve it." The silver haired man's voice sounded so emotionless and his red eyes were piecing. It made Tristan shiver and clutch his orb tighter.
"Dragoon what? What on earth are you talking about?"
"If you don't know the location, then your life is insignificant." The man began to move his arms in a strange way. First he made an oval in the air and started filling it with a more hand motions. But before the man could finish, Anton lounged at him.
"Run! Run, and don't look back!" he screamed at Jules and Tristan. The woman grabbed her son's hand and ran as fast as she could out the back door. As they ran, Tristan looked back and saw a bright light coming from his home, which was followed by a loud cry. He wanted to go back, back to his father, but his mother dragged him forward.
Jules quickly scanned the landscape. The village looked completely transformed. Everything was in complete ruin and fire covered almost every inch of it. Their only hope was down the mountain to the forest. She looked behind her and saw that other armored men were following them. She and her son ran and sought protection from a large oak tree. Jules put Tristan in front of her and bent to his level. She tried not to cry, not to panic; she knew that those types of emotions spread to children. She took a quick breath and gave him a weak smile.
"Sweetie, I want you to do something for Mommy. I want you to run as fast as you can to the forest and hide. Don't worry; I will be right behind you." She kissed his head and pushed him forward. "Go!" Jules watched as her son ran toward the forest. She then got up and turned around to meet two other silver haired men. A tear escaped from her eye.
Soa, please protect him…
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Tristan didn't look back, he couldn't look back. It seemed as if his legs were acting on their own, making him go forward. He didn't know if his mother was behind him or not, but he could only hope she was.
He skidded down the side of the mountain, but his quick movements caused him to trip and slide, scrapping his knee. The seven-year old curled up on the ground, clutching the injured leg. He rocked back and forth, blowing his cut. After a few seconds, he got up and limped the rest of the way down the mountain.
When he entered the forest, Tristan decided to look behind him. All he could see were trees, but something in his gut told him that those weren't the only things in the forest. Fearing that the strange men might find him, he hid behind a bush. A fountain of tears suddenly flowed out of his eyes and snot was running down his nose.
Mother…
Father…
The past events flashed into his mind. He couldn't believe this was happening. This was all a dream. Yes, it had to be! He was still in his bed and his parents were in the other room talking and laughing like they always did. He closed his eyes, praying that he would wake up from this nightmare.
"I just want to go home!" he sobbed.
An owl hooted, and he reopened his eyes. He was still in the forest: lost, cold, and scared. It was then that the young boy realized that he was alone. His parents were dead and he knew it, yet he didn't want to believe it. No, he refused to believe something like that could happen. His father was the strongest man he knew, he couldn't be…
Dead…?
He buried his head into his knees, still allowing the tears to flow. The salt from his tears stung his cut, but that was least of his concerns.
"I just…want my parents!" he moaned between sobs. He was crying so hard that his head started to hurt.
A dim light caused him to look at his hands. His purple ball was now glowing! He was surprised that he still had it.
Good fortune…it was suppose to give me good fortune! Now all I have is… He drew his arm back, about to throw it away when it dawned on him that it was all he had left of his family. He squeezed the ball tightly in his hands. He tried to remember his father's jolly laughs and his mother's beautiful face. He looked at the dark night sky.
Mother where are you? Are you and Father together? He stretched out his right arm to the sky. Please don't leave me! Take me with you…
Sudden movement woke Tristan from his trance. He wiped the tears from eyes and looked around. A howl immediately caught his attention. He then realized that he was still in the forest with ferocious beasts ready to devour him at any given time. He rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and got up quickly. He cringed when he put his weight on the wounded leg. He wobbled through the forest with his only source of light being his little orb, (He was grateful that he hadn't thrown it away.) and the crescent moon in the sky.
Tristan traveled all night long, wondering if he would ever get out of the forest. A cool breeze passed through and he shivered, pulling his clothes closer to his body to keep warm.
After several hours of walking he saw a few buildings in the distance. He hobbled as fast as he could toward it and entered a quiet city. When he entered, he noticed a large fountain and an unexpected feeling of thirst came over him. He tottered toward the fountain; placing his orb to the side, he scooped a handful of water and drank. After he had his fill he looked around. He was so tired and he needed a place to sleep, but it seemed that all the homes were locked. He picked up his ball and walked north from the fountain. Tristan soon stumbled upon a well in front of a large house; next to the house was an open stable. The boy walked to the stable that was occupied by a lone, snoozing horse. He fell into some free hay, exhausted.
Isabelle Slambert woke up early, just as the sun was rising. It had now become a habit, since her late son and husband always woke up early to head to Indels Castle for duty. The old woman sighed. She still had duties to attend to, even though she lived alone now. She cleaned the house every day, tended to the horse in the stables, and made Lavitz's bed, even though it wasn't necessary. It has been six years since her son died to save his country, dying with honor. The thought makes her so proud, but sad. There were times that she would go into the room and just cry.
She wrapped a scarf around her head, went to the storage room to grab a bucket and went outside to the well to fill it with water. The horse's nagging was as loud as ever.
"I'm coming Beatrice. I'm com—oh!" The shock caused her to drop her container. She couldn't believe her eyes; lying before her was a little boy curled up in hay.
What is he doing here? she thought. Was he sleeping here all night? Oh poor child, he must've been cold…
She bent down to touch him, but the boy shuddered and opened his eyes. When he saw her, he gasped and immediately moved himself closer into the dark stable. The woman took out her hand in a gentle manner.
"I won't hurt you, little one."
The boy looked at her hand, then at her face. He shunned the hand and got up himself, glaring at the old woman with dark green eyes. Isabelle's eyes glanced at the blooded knee that was dirty with grass and hay. If it wasn't treated, there was a good chance that it would get infected.
"You're hurt; come let's get that cleaned up." She beckoned him to the large house. Isabelle hoped that the boy would accept her invitation. After a long pause, the black haired boy stepped forward and followed the woman into the house.
Words from the Author: Hey guys, Shinshia101 here! I hope you liked the story so far. Yes, there are a lot of similarities between Tristan's and Dart's past I know, but bare with me. Isabelle is the name I gave to Lavitz's mother, since they didn't give her a name in the game. She never got the grandchild that she always wanted, but now she has Tristan!
Furthermore, the song sung by Jules was not made by me. It is called "Make a Wish" from the Pokémon Jirachi Movie (Yeah, I still watch Pokémon, well some of it anyway.).
R&R people! I would love to hear any questions, comments or criticism.
See you in Chapter 2!