fellowshippers | Fic: Whoever You May Be Ch.5

Title: Whoever You May Be
Author: Cesi
Rating: R
Pairing: V/O
Summary: Liv enjoys the power and pleasure of nobility, while Orlando suffers the harsh life of a commoner. The arrival of a Danish Lord may put them in their rightful place. Can you live a life, and keep a love that's destined for someone else? AU. V/O *slight mention of mpreg*
Feedback: Yes please! I love constructive criticism : ) Thanks to everyone who’s still reading!
Disclaimer: Not mine, they belong to themselves.
Beta: Thanks to NJ, by sister at heart = )

*Warning: Slight mention of mpreg

A/N: The towns described in the story are either named after the towns in Thomas Hardy’s novels such as Marlott and Talbothays, or from slash pairings such as Turrow = )

Chapter 5-The Beggar and the Thief

Andy’s eyes darkened at the sight of Bernard. Without another thought, Andy’s hands dove for the knife on the table, his fingers twisting dangerously around the lethal blade....

“Don’t!” Miranda begged, seizing Andy’s knife-held hand, “For me, Andy please…don’t.” She felt the intense grip of his hand loosen as he reluctantly released the knife. She looked into his eyes with gratitude and relief, but another voice cut her off before she could voice her thanks.

“Miranda,” Bernard said numbly, his face hardening bitterly at the sight of Miranda and Andy’s
joined hands. Miranda quickly freed Andy’s hand as she turned to face her uncle in unquestioned obedience.

“Miss Olivia has woken,” Bernard continued, “Go and tend to your charge Miranda.”

Miranda barely nodded as she quickly took up the tray. Before disappearing through the door, she cast another pleading look towards Andy, the man answered back with a sigh of defeat as he watched her leave.

“You should be careful Serkis,” Bernard said as he neared the broken glass scattered all over the floor, “You still have a way of breaking everything you touch,” Andy stood his ground as Bernard picked the knife up, flimsily waving it in front of Andy’s face, “Don’t want to see you hurt yourself.” In a single, powerful thrust Bernard embedded the knife into the table.

“Don’t fuck around with my niece Serkis,” Bernard hissed, “Or this knife will find itself lodged elsewhere, much to my pleasure and your pain.”

“I’ll stop when you’re locked away or when your dead, which ever comes first, I have no preference.”

“We both know you can’t hurt me…It’s not in you.” Bernard nodded towards the door, “You can’t because of her. Weak, Serkis, that’s what you are, a damn coward. Your threats are empty. As long as she’s here, you can’t touch me.”

“A coward Bernard? You call me a coward while you hide behind a woman and a little child for protection?” Andy shot back. Bernard’s eyes clouded with anger. Merely a few inches from each other, both men could have delivered a punch straight across the other’s face, but neither wanted to create a scene, not with so many people nearby. Andy forced his hands to stay at his side, fighting the urge to just knockout the man before him.

“How dare you accuse me of hiding! Even you can’t deny your own cowardly nature. It’s why you so desperately want Miranda’s forgiveness, right? You had no trouble betraying us to save your own skin! You lead my family straight to their slaughter, you fucking bastard.” Bernard’s eyes gleamed red with pure hatred.

“I had no choice! I’ve told you before Bernard! I did not run, I did not betray you to them! Do you really believe that I wanted them to…to…” Andy couldn’t bring himself to say it, his voice shook with frustration.

“Say it Serkis. Go on. I haven’t forgotten, I remind myself of what they did to my family every day! Everything reminds me of that night!” Bernard’s voice trembled with grief as an image of little girl passed through his mind, her smile haunting him, leaving a cold touch in his heart.

“If everything reminds you of that night… then why? Why do you torture Orlando?” Andy demanded, “After all that happened, you should be the last person to ever do that to him! I never imagined you could do such things to your own blood! You have become just like Lord…”

“Don’t! Don’t you dare speak that bastard’s name! How dare you compare me to him?” Andy watched miserably as the anger etched on Bernard’s face intensified into rage and utter despair.

“Because…because you inflict Orlando with the same horrors he put your family through! He and Miranda are the only ones left! And yet you treat them like Lord Eric…”

With a demonic growl, Bernard lunged for Andy’s throat.

“Never say that name in front of me!” Bernard pushed Andy aside, his hands still tense and murderous.

As Bernard’s hands freed his neck, Andy drew a fist back on instinct, ready to strike back with all he had. But the memory of Miranda’s pleading look stilled his hand.

“You’re right. I can’t touch you. I won’t for Miranda’s sake, and for her son,” Andy admitted as he lowered his fist, “But I swear Bernard, I won’t let you ruin the boy completely. Everything you do to destroy him, I will counter. I will make sure he doesn’t grow to become what you are. He deserves a better fate.”

The older man moved, as if he wanted to say something, but instead he turned away and ran out of the kitchen. Andy dragged a chair close and collapsed as his strength left him. He shut his eyes tightly, fighting the piercing sting of withheld tears. He rested his weary head in his hands, thinking back on all that he had done. He saw frightening things, dreadful events that he helped create, and the memories stained him even now.

Outside the manor, Bernard was enslaved by his own realm of memories. In the darkness of the new morning, a familiar sky spread itself above him. It was a sky ready to burst with torrents of rain and wind, a sky ready to unleash its furry and emotion on the world. It was the same sky that watched as he fell beyond redemption, those long years ago. In the shadows, he thought he heard a small voice call to him from a distant place. He shook his head, trying to push the illusion away. But still the frail voice called to him in earnest, begging, pleading…suffering. Once again his mind was throttled to another time when he would smile contently as his little daughter, his angel, wrapped her arms around his neck, smiling as she greeted him home.

Home. He thought bitterly. A home destroyed in a single night.

******

“Liv,” Lady Cate said sweetly, gently stroking the child’s dark hair, “Liv…can you hear me?”

Liv’s blue eyes fluttered opened at her mother’s touch, she looked up at the gentle noblewoman beside her, holding her in a loving embrace.

“Mommy!” Liv smiled happily as she rose to hug her mother, only to have a sharp sting rip through her chest. She fell back on the bed in shock, an anguished groan escaping her lips.

“Hush love, it’s alright…” Cate comforted her daughter as the small child began to cry, “The doctors say you need to rest before you can get up again. Love, please don’t cry…I’m here.” Cate soothed the child.

“W-why? Why does it hurt? M-mommy…. “ Liv sobbed as she felt something constrict deep inside her, “Mommy...make it stop, p-please…”

Cate drew Liv closer, kissing the top of her daughter’s head tenderly, “Love, just rest… We’ll give you the medicine as soon as you get some more sleep…”

“Medicine?” Liv cried, horrified. She had barely taken any medicine in her life! Was something wrong with her? She continued to sob as Cate held her gently. The Lady was grateful that Liv couldn’t see her eyes, she didn’t want her daughter seeing her fear and anxiety. Cate brushed the tears from her daughter’s face before wiping away her own.

“Love, it’s alright…you just need some medicine to help you with your…condition.” Cate answered softly, “Just rest for awhile … I’ll watch over you. You needn’t be afraid.” Cate embraced her daughter tenderly, rocking her precious baby to sleep. For awhile they stayed that way. Cate could feel Liv’s heavy breathing, unconsciously matching her own breathing with her daughter’s, as if she were breathing for them both.

“Mommy? Do you love me?” Liv asked, her voice hushed and meek. Cate looked down at the child in her arms, knowing her answer, but not knowing exactly how to say it.

“Of course I do Liv…you’re my baby.” Cate kissed her head once more in reassurance, “You’re everything your father and I prayed for. You’re our deepest wish granted…I love you Liv…nothing will change that.”

“Do you love me more than Orli?” Liv asked nervously, preparing herself for the worse.

“Liv…I…why would you ask such a thing?” Cate asked, not knowing how to respond. Liv shifted painfully to meet her mother’s eyes, her doubts and fears overflowing in spheres of blue.

“I want to know why you like him so much…did I…did I do something wrong Mommy?” Liv sobbed, her heart broken, “Because if I did, just t-tell me how to fix it! I-I’ll try to fix it Mommy, I p-promise! Just don’t love him more! Don’t love him more than me!”

Cate was in shock as her daughter clung to her, crying and gripping at her clothes. Liv was truly terrified. She really believed her mommy would leave her. She didn’t want her mommy to go!

“I’m your d-daughter Mommy! You’re s-suppose to l-love m-me right?” Liv cried, “Not him!” She gasped as another spasm of pain tore deep in her chest. She released Cate from her grip and settled in her mother’s arms.

“Oh Liv…,” Cate wept as she kissed her child once more, wiping the tears away gently, “I never want you to think that way! Don’t ever think or say such things again! I love you…” Cate whispered adoringly, tears slipping down her eyes as Liv buried her face in their embrace.

“I’ve waited for so long to have you …Of course I love you Liv, you’re my child, my answered prayer…even if you turn this world upside down, nothing can change the fact that I love you so much…my precious baby…” Cate wept with the love only a mother could ever possess for her child. Liv truly was everything to her. She hated watching the doctors argue among themselves while her daughter shook with pain. She would have died if it meant her daughter’s survival. She loved Liv…her daughter was in every waking thought.

Every thought that didn’t involve Orlando.

Cate felt ashamed. How could she think of him now? Of all the times, when her own child needed her the most…

“So…so you love me more than him?” Liv asked again between her heavy breathing.

“Liv…I…yes…”Cate finally answered, afraid of her own indecision, and afraid of what might happen to Liv if she heard an answer that would upset her, “It’s just…I can’t help but like him. I love you Liv. Don’t ever doubt that…but he just reminds me…he makes me wonder what your brothers and sisters might have been like…” Cate confessed softly, “I’d like it very much, Liv, if you would be his friend again…”

Liv stirred weakly as she gazed up from Cate’s embrace, “His friend?”

“He is very dear to me Liv…it would make me very happy to see two people that mean so much to me get along. Please darling…for your mommy?” Cate smiled sweetly as Liv gave in to a hesitant smile. The small child nodded slowly as she drew even closer to her mother.

“Alright Mommy…I’ll try,” Liv smiled as she felt Cate’s embrace tighten. She loved being right where she was. She had her mommy all to herself, no one else in compete with. Best of all, her mommy loved her more than anything, and anyone else.

“I love you Mommy,” Liv said happily, the pain inside her fading away as she rested her head against her mother’s heartbeat.

“My Lady?” The noblewoman turned her eyes towards the door as Miranda came in, carrying a tray of food. There was a smile on her face as she entered, placing the tray beside Lady Cate, her eyes never leaving Liv.

“Are you feeling better miss?” Miranda asked gently. Liv gave a muffled “yes” and settled deeper into Cate’s embrace, she didn’t so much as give Miranda a passing look in her contentment.

“Thank you Miranda,” Cate said kindly to make up for her daughter’s sudden indifference.

“Y-you’re both welcome…” Miranda answered, hurt by Liv’s treatment, but even more jealous of Cate. Miranda watched as the Lady embraced, kissed, and comforted the sick child. A place that should have been hers. Miranda turned her eyes away quickly before she did something she would regret. Even at a distance, she heard Liv’s deep breathing, and it scared her. What was wrong with her daughter? Was she is pain right now? Miranda wanted to know! She wanted to be the one who held Liv, to comfort and protect her, to reassure her that she was loved.

“Miranda?” Liv’s voice perked up as she lifted her head from her hiding place.

“Yes?” Miranda said, all her attention focused on the child, eager to hear every word she would say.

“Um…can you bring Orlando here? I…I want to see him.” Liv smiled at Lady Cate, then back at Miranda, “Maybe…tomorrow?”

“Liv, not tomorrow,” Cate said firmly before Miranda could answer, “You’re not to leave this bed for a few more days.”

“But Mommy,” Liv protested, batting her blue eyes furiously, “I don’t want to wait!”

“I’m sorry Liv, but the doctors say that you must. Love, it’s for your own good…” Cate explained gently as Liv grew more impatient.

“May I ask what’s happened to Miss Liv?” Miranda asked boldly, her concern grew as Lady Cate placed a tender hand on her daughter’s chest.

“It’s her heart.”

****** One Week Later *****

“But Mother, I’ll be alright…see, it’s better,” Orlando protested as he pulled his dark hair back, revealing his face fully for the first time in days.

“No Orlando,” Miranda said as she thrust a small pouch of coins in his hand, “Don’t argue with me, you will do as you’re told. I want your face presentable when you visit Liv.”

“But Mother I…”

“No! If you don’t get to Talbothays by the day’s end, you’ll have even more bruises to deal with, do you hear me Orlando?” Miranda yanked the boy’s hair to the front of his face once more, “You look like a beaten rag doll. Hurry up, and don’t lose any money left over, do you understand? I don’t want uncle’s hard-earned money to go to waste. What are you waiting for?” Miranda barked as she pointed to the door.

Orlando tied the pouch securely around his neck, hiding it beneath his shirt. He didn’t want to leave his mother by herself, there were still plenty of chores left unfinished, and he didn’t want his mother having to do what should have his responsibility. Even though the coins were meager, to Orlando they felt heavy. Bernard had worked for this money. It didn’t feel right to Orlando that he should carry something belonging to another, especially his uncle.

“Thank you Mother,” said Orlando as he turned back for a final glimpse of Miranda. She didn’t even look up from her cleaning. Orlando walked out the door, patting the pouch beneath his shirt, reminding himself of what he needed to do.

“Talbothays,” Orlando muttered as he went down the muddy path that led to the rest of the village. Aside from the house, the only place Orlando had even really been too was the manor. If he wasn’t with his mother in the manor, he was home alone tending to the house and animals. He had been to Talbothays once before, and wondered if the village had changed much.

He never left his own village of Riverdale, and his one prior visit to Talbothays was a bit of a culture shock. Riverdale was usually quiet, busy yes, but there was a certain calm and order in the town. But Talbothays was bustling and noisy. He could still remember vendors shouting and arguing with their customers, and each other. Talbothays was so packed with people. He remembered how difficult it was to get through the street without running into a person, a cart, or an animal.

“Orli!”

Orlando turned around to the caller and smiled as he saw a familiar friend bounce along beside him.

“Good morning Dom,” Orlando greeted his friend brightly. The Monaghans had a special talent for making Orlando feel better even in the most depressing of days, and young Dominic seemed to have a triple dose of that elusive skill.

“Are you feeling better?” Dom asked, trying to get a better look at his friend’s face behind all the long curls covering it.

“Mother doesn’t think so,” Orlando answered, pulling more of his hair down.

“I don’t think so either,” Dominic said, frowning a bit as he caught a glimpse of Orlando’s cuts as the dark curls parted a bit. Orlando replied, tapping the pouch around his neck.

“She wants me to go to the apothecary shop to buy ointment to help my bruises heal,” a trace of hope lingered in his voice. Perhaps it was his mother’s own way of showing him that she cared. Orlando smiled at the possibility.

“At Talbothays?” Dom brightened as he put an arm around Orli’s shoulders, “I’m headed the same way. By order of the queen as well…”

“And what did the queen want?”

“My dear Mother told me to get to the apothecary and buy medicine before our entire house becomes a breathing plague. If I fail this mission, I’ll be banished from the castle.” Dominic said playfully.

It was one of the reasons Orlando enjoyed being with Dom and his family. The Monaghan family was huge and they were all crammed together in a crumbling house with barely anything to live on. They were pathetically poor and sickly and in spite of their hard work they always came short of what they needed. But in the face of poverty and need, they always stuck together and hoped for the best.

And Dominic was the epitome of the Monaghan blood. He displayed their playfulness and easy-going nature whenever the fates turned sour against him. When it came to his cousins and his friends however, Dom could go from easy-going to damn right protective. Orlando didn’t tell Dom about how he suffered by Bernard’s hands. Andy would at least think about his actions. But Orlando knew Dom wouldn’t think twice about telling someone about Bernard’s ill treatment. Along with his protective nature, Dom had a way of acting and saying things without much thought.

“If one of us gets ill that pretty much seals it for the rest of us.” Dom sighed. They continued walking for a few more minutes, passing by quiet houses and the occasional shop. It had rained hard the last few days, and both boys were practically sinking into the mud as they trudged along the dirt street

Eventually, they came to the bridge that connected Riverdale to the surrounding villages. Dom helped Orlando get up cautiously, the old wood bending perilously even at their small weight. Orlando grabbed onto the wooden rails attached to the bridge for support as his foot slid on the slippery surface. He looked down at the raging river beneath them, its waters churning and lapping at the banks. Orlando felt Dom touch his shoulder, encouraging him to go forward. He pried his eyes off the twisting waters and moved on, still gripping the unsteady rails.

He felt a heavy burden lift as his feet touched solid ground again. Looking around him, Orlando was grateful for Dom’s presence. The two friends seemed to be the only souls from Riverdale on the path to Talbothays. The rain fell lightly as the clouds swept above them, deepening their darkness every second until they reached the point where Orlando couldn’t look at them anymore without fear.

Talbothays came to view within a few minutes. Nothing much had changed since Orlando’s last visit. His memory recognized the scent of the street and shops. Even some of the vendors remained in the same stations, as if time didn’t change them. Villagers argued and bargained with the various vendors, pointing out imperfections in the merchandise.

Dom slowed down as they past by a small bakery, inhaling the warm, inviting aroma deeply. He walked up to the window where the tasty creations were displayed, eyeing them greedily. Remembering his sick cousins, he took another breath of the sweet scent before catching up with Orlando.

As he ran up to his friend, Dom noticed another boy watching Orlando intently. He didn’t like it. Not one bit. The boy was leaning back on one of the shops, his dark brown eyes fixed on Orlando. Dom analyzed the stranger earnestly. He was far taller than any of them, judging by his height he was probably thirteen. His unkempt dirty blonde hair was tied back, a few strands veiling intense, prying eyes. His clothes were muddy and ridiculously wrinkled, and Dom saw that one of his sleeves was torn near the shoulder, revealing a long hideous mark. The mysterious boy finally noticed Dom staring at him and he went deeper in shadow.

Orlando never saw the boy who was so drawn to him however. He was too preoccupied looking for the apothecary. He kept glancing into the shops, but so far none appeared to sell what he needed. And then as his eyes drifted back to the street, he saw a figure curled up miserably in a corner. The sad figure was wrapped in dirty clothes, a torn cloak over his shoulders and a tattered hood covered his head. He shifted nervously as he held out his hand to the unfeeling crowd of people passing him by.

Orlando felt sorrow for the poor man. The hooded beggar turned towards Orlando’s direction, as if he could sense the sensitive soul that pitied him. Orlando turned quickly away as the beggar raised his head higher to see him. When Orlando looked back, the beggar was gone. He felt a tug on his sleeve as Dom led him into the apothecary.

The shop’s business was definitely at a high. There was barely any room to move around as a swarm of customers yelled for their parcels. There were several shopkeepers scampering about, filling orders and handing out salve, ointments, and herbs to the villagers. Dom caught one of the worker’s attention, and barked out his and Orlando’s order over the crowd’s commotion. The worker nodded and told them to wait for awhile before fighting her way through the masses.

Orlando stood next to the door, curiously watching the villagers pour in and out. He saw a tall young man with a chubby two-year old in his arms speaking to the shop owner in delight.

“See, what did I tell you? And you swore that you weren’t the type to settle down!” The shop owner laughed deeply. The man just smiled as his daughter wriggled in his arms, searching for a more comfortable position.

“I was wrong about a lot of things…” The man said as his daughter snuggled closer to him, “How would have guessed that my husband was one of them?”

“You two deserve such happiness. You must be glad that he was blessed with such a gift.”

“I am! I was over overjoyed when we found out he was a bearer.” A great, sappy smile broke across the young father’s face as his daughter cooed happily.

“This should help him for the next two months, just remember what I told you before and you’ll have no trouble,” the shop owner said kindly as he handed a flask to the young man.

“Orli,” Dom called his friend as the worker gave them their orders. With great pain Dom surrendered the money, counting every coin that left his hand. The coin purse was a lot lighter when Orli tucked it under his shirt again. For some reason the tiny bottle of ointment didn’t feel heavy enough to have cost that much. He passed by the man holding the flask again. The father kissed his daughter’s nose playfully and she giggled wildly. Orlando smiled softly at the sight and for a moment wondered where his own father was.

“Orli! Look! Over there, do you see him?” Dom tugged him roughly into the street, pointing the corner of a nearby shop, “It’s the boy I saw earlier, the creepy one!”

“What are you talking about? What boy?” Orlando stood on his tip toes, trying to find whoever it was Dom was pointing to.

“That one!” Dom jabbed his finger in the air towards the dirty boy, “He’s been staring at you Orli. Do you think he’s following us?”

“Why would he follow us?” Orlando asked. He wasn’t too comfortable with the boy’s presence. There was something terribly familiar about the boy as his unreadable eyes met Orlando. Orlando couldn’t explain it, but he felt like they had seen each other before. The more he stared at the mysterious child, the more uneasy he felt. He recognized him, and yet…he couldn’t remember where or how they had met.

“I don’t know, but I don’t like him. Let’s go!” Dom grabbed Orli’s hand and led him away quickly. Orli felt the boy’s gaze traveling with him even as they turned the street.

“Get out! I’ve told you before, don’t go near my shop! You’re ruining business for me! Go away!” Orli pulled Dom back a furious shopkeeper threw a pile of rags in their path.

“Stay out Wenham! I’m warning you!” He spat as the beggar twitched weakly, a miserable moan escaping his cracked lips.

“Orli! Get back here!” Dom cried as he failed to hold on to his friend. Orlando was already beside the struggling heap of dirt and rags. This must have been the beggar he saw earlier, Orlando thought as he helped the man up. The beggar cringed against Orli’s touch, cowering his head further into his hood.

“Are you alright?” Orlando asked kindly as the poor, pathetic man mumbled beneath his breath. He couldn’t make out the words, but they were frantic and hushed. Orlando tried to help the man again, gently asking if he was alright. The young, gentle voice seemed to calm the beggar, his breathing becoming deep and even.

Finally, the filthy hood rose as the beggar meet Orlando’s eyes. And then a piercing scream wrecked the entire street.

“No! No! Stay away! I didn’t! I swear! No!” Orlando jumped as the beggar screamed madly, his eyes red and sickly, “NO! I told you…I…I didn’t! I didn’t kill you!” The man cried desperately to Orlando, begging for mercy, “I didn’t! You’re dead! You can’t hurt me! NO! Don’t! I didn’t kill anyone!”

The man trembled uncontrollably as insanity wrecked his words, pure untainted fear in his eyes. Then he struck Orlando with the strength like a demon-possessed man.

Orlando coughed as he saw scarlet drops dripping from his lips mingling with the mud and rain. He heard another frantic scream pierce the air accompanied by a sick crash of bones against earth.

“Orli!” Orlando felt Dom close by as he lifted his head. The beggar was backing away painfully, a shaking hand hovering over the sprained one. His hood was thrown back, revealing wild, hurt, and frightened eyes accompanied with a broken nose.

Orlando watched as the mysterious boy stood between him and his attacker. The boy’s powerful fist was drawn back, ready to inflict another deadly blow to the face of anyone who came near. Orlando gazed as this stranger who stood as a shield and a sword for him. The boy’s fist uncurled once he was satisfied with the beggar’s distance.

“Orli, are you okay?” Dom asked as Orlando’s eyes locked with his new savior.

“Thank you,” said Orlando as the stranger held out his hand. Orlando accepted the strong hand as the boy helped him stand. Orlando still couldn’t help but feel that he knew this boy. There was something horribly familiar in his stare and in the very power of his hands.

“I’m Orlando,” The younger of the two offered as the elder released their hands.

“Orlando…,” the other repeated softly. “My name is Karl.”

TBC…