Twin Star-Commencement-Elizabeth and the Council

        Desmond, the head councilman, called the council to order.  “Well, it looks as though Captain Ryan has brought the young lady in question with him today.”  He looked at the other members seated at the table, then turned his venerable gaze back to their visitor.  “Seeing as how this meeting will decide your future, it only seems fitting that you be present.  Welcome to our proceedings, Miss Elizabeth Garner.”

        Elizabeth gave a small curtsy in answer, too afraid that if she tried to speak, her voice would give away how afraid she was.  She managed a weak smile and an inconspicuous glance at Anthony’s face.  He wore an unyielding mask of indifference.  She almost thought she had imagined the emotions playing on his face outside this building, but then she felt a shiver run through him.  The mask was a masterpiece of the soldier, betraying nothing of what he thought or how he felt.

        The councilors began to read the reports that Anthony had written over the last month and a half. It was a true account of everything that had happened, good and bad.  He nodded, as each councilor finished, and answered yes when they asked for verbal confirmation.  Only Elizabeth’s inhuman hearing had noticed the slight quiver in his voice.

        Finally, Desmond asked, “Do you have a report for us today?”

        “Yes, sir.”  The captain pulled a rolled piece of parchment from the inside of his jacket pocket, stepped forward to the table, and handed the report to Desmond, before stepping back to take Elizabeth’s arm again.  She could only guess that he had written the report while she was changing.  Desmond read the report aloud.

        “Is this correct to the best of your knowledge, Captain Ryan?” At Anthony’s affirmative answer, Desmond continued, “And is there anything else that you wish to add?”

        “Yes, Councilman, there is. On the way here, Miss Elizabeth brought it to my attention that she could hear every conversation within the compound.”  At this, the council let out a collective gasp and whispered murmurs filled the room.  Even Desmond frowned at this information.

        “And she felt she could trust you with this information?”

        “Yes, sir.  She has been completely honest and forthright in every aspect of this last month and a half.  She has shared each experience with me, except the name of her attacker, and I have, in turn, shared them with the council.”

        “And the conversations that she heard?”  Desmond’s worried expression made it clear to them what he was referring to.

        “Mostly, she heard the plots of murder from every soldier in the compound, and the questions of my competence as captain.  She also told me that she had heard most of the conversations that you, the council, have had amongst yourselves.  She said that you had stated your opinions but would be open-minded and fair.  

        She, then, said that you had prepared for any outcome and that the soldiers would kill her at once if you give the order.  She made me swear that I would not interfere.  I’m to leave the building the moment you give the order for her death, sir.”

        “And tell me, captain, would you have interfered?”

        “Yes.  If I had not made the vow, I would have.  I do not agree that killing her is the answer. She is not a danger to anyone,” he smiled a little, and peeked at her from the corner of his eye, “unless you insult her hair.  In that case, she may assault you with a pillow.”  His smile disappeared, and the mask returned, as he continued, “In all seriousness, though, she has new abilities that she is just discovering. She can learn to control them and learn to use them to help in our fight against the vampires.  She has all of their strengths and none of their weaknesses…”

        “And that,” interrupted the severe woman to the right of Desmond, “Is exactly why we should be cautious. We do not know what she will become, and if we train her to fight alongside us, she could become our greatest enemy. Giving her insight into our army could destroy us!”

        “Miranda, that’s enough!” Desmond put his hand on the disagreeable woman’s shoulder for a moment, and continued, “As my fellow council member stated, there are many dangers she poses, but I agree that we could learn a lot from this young lady.  That is what is so hard about this decision.  We must balance our worries with what is right and just, or we become the very monsters that we came together to fight.  

        I think that all of the evidence that we have received today should be enough to make our decision. Please wait here, while we convene in private to deliberate.”  The council stood and started toward the deliberation room.  Desmond paused and turned to face Elizabeth.  “Young lady, I know that you will probably be able to hear our deliberations.”

        Elizabeth stepped forward, “Yes, sir.  I came here knowing that I may die, and I accept whatever decision you make.  I will not run; I won’t even fight, and I will not let anyone else do so, on my behalf.  If anyone is to die here, today, it will be me and me alone.”  At her words, a tear escaped her eye, and she quickly wiped it from her cheek.

        Desmond nodded with approval, and they all exited into the small room behind the long table. Anthony walked back toward the doors, where they had entered.  He retrieved two chairs from the back of the room and asked one of the guards to go out and get some food and water for them.  He brought the chairs back to where Elizabeth was standing and motioned for her to sit down.

        He sat beside her, close enough that their arms were touching.  He stared straight ahead, and whispered, “I thought this would be the best way to talk to you without the soldiers overhearing.  Tell me why you forced me to swear that oath, Rose.  Be honest, please.”

        She sighed, and leaned her head on his shoulder, so he could hear her whispered reply, and to hide her face, as she answered, “Because I don’t want you to get hurt.”  She put her hand on his arm to stop his reply, and continued, “Also, because I have come to care for you… a lot more than I should, especially in so short a time.  I had not truly realized my feelings, until last night.”

The soldier returned then, giving them the food and water Anthony had requested.  He, then, returned to his place at the back of the room, and Elizabeth picked at the meal, as she began again.  “Doc and I were talking, and he forced me to admit to myself how I felt.  I thought about everything that had happened since that day I woke up to find you sitting next to me.

        My heart stopped, when I saw how hard I had hit you with the pillow that first day; the way that chair snapped back, and then, that sickening crack as it hit the ground.  I thought I had broken your neck.”  She smiled at the memory of him spitting out a mouthful of feathers.  

        “My affection only grew when you left me alone to grieve.  You were more than patient, never hovering or intrusive.  Then, there was your face when I opened the door… that first day and today.  I have only seen that look on one other man; it’s the way my father looked at my mother. You walked through the entire outpost today, completely oblivious to everything, except me on your arm.  

        You took me to that meadow trying to get my mind off the tragedy in my life, but when it inevitably came, you embraced it… and me.  You helped me to grieve.  I wouldn’t have thought I could love you more than that moment until you gave me this.”  Her hand caressed Brianna’s precious locket hanging around her neck. “My love for you grew exponentially.

        It has grown more and more every day.  I saw how much it hurt you to make that oath, and if it was not vital to my existence that you survive this, I would have backed down.  Now, when any sane person would run from such dangerous feelings, you give me a true token of your love, knowing I may die here.  It, and you gave me the strength to walk in, and face what’s coming next.”

        She raised her head to look at his face.  It broke her heart to see the single tear slide down his perfect face.  He never moved, he just took a breath and whispered, “I don’t think I can do this.  I have seen too much meaningless death to stand by while they kill you for no other reason than you exist.  I’ve spent too many years alone to…”

        “Don’t!  You swore you would, and it’s time for you to do as you promised.  I want you to get up, and walk out that door, right now.”  She let the tears come.  They had made their decision, and she would not let him be here for this.  

        It took a minute for her words to register with him.  He looked at her confused.  He saw her tears and realized what she was saying.  “What?  No!” He shook his head and set his jaw. Desperation and fear seized him, “Release me from my oath, please.  Don’t let this happen!”

        “No, I won’t.  Go now, they’re about to come back in!”  She released his arm and stood.          She felt him stand beside her, and for a moment, she did not think he was going to leave.  After a short pause, he turned and walked determinedly for the door.  She heard his whispered words, as he opened the door to her execution chamber, “I will love you, until the day I die,” and he was gone.

        Elizabeth was trembling with the effort to hold herself together.  The council entered the room quietly, only Desmond showing how much the decision had pained him.  They stood by their chairs waiting for the head council member to take his place at the center of the table.  

        Once he took his seat, they did also; then, Desmond turned his attention to the young woman standing before them.  “It seems, with the absence of Captain Ryan, that you have already overheard our decision. Yet, true to your word, you are still here.  You are a brave and admirable young woman, Miss Elizabeth Garner.  It pains me greatly to be the one to sentence you to death, but this committee has deemed your existence too dangerous to allow. For that, I am truly sorry.”  

        Desmond looked down at the young woman with pity in his eyes.  “Is there anything I can do for you before your sentence is carried out?”

        She cleared the growing lump from her throat, and spoke softly, as she removed the locket and choker from her neck and the bracelet from her wrist, “I would like you to give this to Captain Ryan, please, and tell him thank you for his kindness.”  She stepped slowly forward and placed the jewelry on the table in front of Desmond, then stepped back into place.  “One more thing?  Tell him, I’m sorry.”

        “I see.”  He picked up the jewelry, looking at each piece, and placed it carefully in his pocket.  She thought that he had paid particular attention to the choker, but she was not sure that she had not just imagined it.  “I will make sure he gets it.”  

        Desmond nodded a signal to one of the soldiers standing by the wall.  Elizabeth knelt on the floor, bowing her head so her neck was bared. She closed her eyes and readied herself for the killing blow.  

        She thought only of his face… as he slept in her lap, and as he opened the door to take her for her final walk, and then his parting words, I will love you until the day I die.  Peace filled her heart, and all the tense muscles in her body relaxed.  She was ready to die.  She had experienced all that life had to offer her.  She had no regrets.