Conclusion

Author: Gemini Title: Conclusion

Conclusion

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Title: Conclusion
Author: Gemini
Summary: Everything he had ever wanted, everything she had hoped for.
Rating: NC-17 [Lemon, M/F]
Pairing: Zelgadis/Amelia
Feedback: Sure. Advise me.
Spoilers: Not really.
Disclaimer: The Slayers series is property of: (c)1989-2003 Hajime Kanzaka / Rui Araizumi / Kadokawa Shoten / TV TOKYO / SOFTX / Marubeni. I do not make any profit from this fan work.
This was one of the first fanfics I ever wrote, way back in 1999. I wrote it for my best friend Moonspark who was then and is still now an unabashed Zel and Amelia love puppy. What IS it with her and the whole gloomy/genki dyanmic? She worships at the altar of Aoshi and Misao, as well. Oh well. It's not a bad story. Actually, it won second place in an Amelia/Zel fanfic contest, so I know it isn't bad at all. I have edited it, though, for flow and for one fuzzy disgustingly WAFFY moment that damn near killed me, so I had to smite it. Enjoy! -Gem
Zelgadis was human again. That was the only thought that coursed through his mind for the next few days. No matter what he was doing, eating, sleeping, walking, the same mantra went through his head. I’m human, I’m human, I’m human!
After all these years of hoping, searching, praying, he had found his cure. A small sorcerer’s guild buried in the wilderness where Rezo had first learnt magic, a dusty old journal and a miracle. And now he was human again. He had lost most of his magical ability with his demonic body, but he could still cast a few basic spells. This time, he was determined to become powerful by training and earn back all the magic that he had lost along with his stone skin. When his euphoria had worn off and he stopped running his fingers through his hair and touching his face, another thought came into his head. Amelia. It was sudden and a little surprising, how the princess had come into his thoughts. Of course, she had always been somewhere in his mind, but he had been too preoccupied with his curse to pay it much attention. But now...now he had the time and the inclanation to wonder about her.
It had been three years since he had left the justice-loving princess, and their companions, Lina and Gourry in Seyruun and had gone off on his own. They had been reluctant to let him go, but he had been adamant. This was something he had to do on his own. And he had done it, he was human again.
Zelgadis strolled through yet another small, anonymous village and paused at a full rain barrel to look at his reflection. The face that looked back at him could be bruised and broken and was very vulnerable. He smiled and poked at his reflection with his finger, causing ripples to break up his face. He straightened up, realizing that people had been staring. But, they hadn't been staring at him because of his appearance, no, they were all just wondering why a handsome young swordsman would pause to look at himself in a water barrel. Must be vain, they supposed. He grinned widely at them and continued on his way, his hair blown by the breeze, his uncovered face free to take in the sunshine. He hadn’t been this light hearted in years, he actually whistled. He whistled! Although he was hungry, he didn’t stop in the village. Seyruun was still about four days away and he wanted to get there as quickly as possible.
Everyday he thought of Amelia. He wondered what she looked like now, if she had changed. A nagging thought in the back of his head wondered if she had waited for him. He never actually proposed, nor had he ever really shown his feelings for her, but he hoped she had stayed true to her stubborn nature and waited for him to return. She had forced him to promise that, giving him one of her magical wristbands as insurance before he had left. Zelgadis prayed that she had waited for him. He knew she wasn’t shallow, but she was a princess, and, because of her sister's abandonment, she was the only heir to the throne. He was aware of the fact that there was probably tremendous pressure for her to marry and produce heirs. Children. Yet another reason why he had not wanted to be with her when he was a chimera. He was horrified at the thought that any of his children might be born as chimeras, if he could have had children at all.
Children, with Amelia? I have progressed, haven’t I? Four or five years ago I would have fainted at the thought. He chuckled to himself. But now, the hope that he and Amelia could be together was one that he cherished close to his heart.
He was now two days away from Seyruun and he thought he might burst before he got there. The closer he got, the more anxiety twisted in his gut, the more doubt set in. He wondered if he was doing the right thing, if she would still feel anything for him. Three years was a long time, after all. He scowled and pushed those thoughts to the back of his mind. Amelia wasn't like that. She wouldn't just give up on him, on them.
He was passing a small inn, decorated with a sign of a dragon breathing fire, when he became aware of what sounded like a fight coming from inside. There were loud, angry voices and one of them sounded awfully familiar. He paused and cocked his head, listening to the voice, wondering if he could possibly be right. He was just about to make up his mind when a solid wooden chair flew through the window with a crash and beamed him on the head. For possibly the first time ever, he wished he was still a chimera. The chair that normally would have broken on impact with his head, smacked into him and knocked him unconscious.
“Is he awake yet?” a familiar voice swam into his head. Zelgadis groaned and raised his hand to his head to feel the large bump that throbbed pullyully.
“I think he's about to be.” A man's voice responded. "Do me a favor Lina and take it easy, will you? We can't afford to keep replacing windows." Zelgadis’ head jerked up and his eyes snapped open
Did he say Lina? he thought. A blonde blur hovered over him. He rubbed his eyes and focused. “Gourry? Is that you?” The blur shifted into the smiling face of the former Swordsman of Light.
“Glad to see Lina didn't kill you.” Gourry said, patting Zelgadis’ hand.
Lina was hovering at the end of the bed, looking vastly relieved. “Well, thank Ceified. I was afraid I had killed you! How ironic would that have been, facing down Shabranigdo and Dark Star, and then finally becoming human only to be taken out by a chair." She smiled at her quip.
Zelgadis grinned and forgot his pain for the moment. He wanted to show off. Spreading his arms out, he asked “What do you think?”
Gourry chuckled. "It's great, obviously."
Lina nodded vigorously. "Of course. What kind of spell was it? A hybrid?" Her eyes shown with curiosity. Lina was always eager to learn anything having to do with magic.
Zel was about to answer when he saw something gleaming on Lina's finger. It looked like a ring. Wide-eyed, he pointed to her hand. "Is that...did you...?"
Lina blushed slightly. "Yeah. We did. About a year and a half ago."
For some reason, the idea of Lina being married struck Zelgadis as slightly shocking. He had gotten used to the idea of Lina and Gourry together, but marriage for him involved settling down and he could never see Lina do that.
“You actually got her to marry you? She actually walked down the aisle in a dress and said the vows and everything?” he asked Gourry. Lina scowled.
"I'm right here, you know!" She protested, giving them both an evil look.
“Yup. Amelia picked out the dress and pretty much planned the whole thing. ” Said Gourry, confirming that yes, Lina Inverse had not only worn a dress, but she had done it in front of a room of people. That was only slightly more surprising than the idea that she had actually grown up enough to admit her feelings for Gourry. Zelgadis was momentarily stunned. He just kept looking from Lina to Gourry and back again.
“What?” asked Lina, starting to look a little grumpy. Gourry just laughed good naturedly and took the bowl that held some cool water and the cloth he had been mopping Zel’s forehead with.
“I need to get downstairs, I think I left the door unlocked. Plus, I need to patch up the window. Lina, I really wish you would stop doing that, especially in your condition and all.” He walked towards the door, kissing Lina’s cheek as he passed her. It was then that Zelgadis noticed something else. Lina was pregnant. VERY pregnant. His head was about to explode. Everything was changing so fast. First he was human and now Lina and Gourry were married and expecting a child. Briefly he wondered if he had wandered into some bizarre parallel universe, or maybe he was dreaming. He would wake up and not only would he still be a chimera, but Lina and Gourry would be back to their old selves and fighting over chicken or something stupid that Gourry had said.
Lina waddled over to him and carefully lowered herself into a nearby chair. “Ugh. I really hate this sometimes. I feel like I just ate a twenty course meal and had seconds.” She rested her hands on her belly and studied Zelgadis with her sharp eyes, taking in every bit of his new appearance. “So how does it feel? I mean, to be human again.” She asked.
Zel momentarily forgot his shock and ran his hands through his hair, wincing at the pain as he brushed past the lump. Lina blushed a little.
“Heh heh, sorry about that. I’ve been having really crazy mood swings lately and this guy called me fat and I just, well, lost control.” She said, slightly embarassed.
Zel smiled. “I take it he’s a crispy critter right now?” he asked.
Lina looked thoughtful and patted her belly. “Actually, I can’t use magic. It’s really strange. I can cast some really low level spells, but that’s it.”
“Huh. I guess that makes sense…I mean, if you take into account what happens when it’s 'that time of the month' it’s not too shocking that you would lose your powers during pregnancy.” Zel replied.
“Anyway,” said Lina, “tell me how it feels to be human again.”
Zel smiled. “It’s the most wonderful feeling, I can’t describe it.” He wanted to ask her about Amelia, but was afraid of what she’d tell him. So, he asked her a different question. “So where am I, anyway? An inn?” Lina sat up a little and looked proud.
“It’s our inn, Gourry’s and mine. We own it.” She said, sweeping her arm around the room.
“Really?” asked Zelgadis. This night was definitely going down on his list of nights where nothing but weird things happened, along with the night when Noonza got drunk and that time when he met those transvestite dwarves.
Lina nodded. “It was a wedding present, from Amelia and Prince Phil.” Amelia again.
Zel felt his heart beat faster at the mention of her name. “So, how is Amelia?” he asked carefully.
Lina, of course, didn’t miss a thing. “I take it you’re on your way to Seyruun to see her.” She said.
Zel blushed a little and looked down at the bed sheets, where his hands were nervously picking at a stray thread. Looking up at the red head, he nodded.
Lina folded her hands across her belly and looked smug. “And to think, you were teasing me and Gourry about having a clue? Ha ha.”
Zel turned a little redder, but looked at Lina seriously. "Is she...I mean...will she..."
“Not married, not engaged and most probably dying to see you.” Lina answered with a smile. Zelgadis gave a little sigh of relief and laid back into his pillows.
The next morning he was off on horse borrowed from Lina and Gourry. He waved to them as he rode away and they both waved back energetically.
“Invite us to the wedding!” Lina called out. When he was no longer in sight, they turned and went back into the inn.
“Hey, Lina, do you think it will work out?” Gourry asked.
"Of course, jellyfish brains!” She replied with an arched eyebrow, but her words were more like endearments than insults, they both knew that.
Gourry smiled at his glowing wife. Bending down, he kissed her big belly. He straightened up and kissed her forehead.
“Good. Now, I have to go clean the kitchen and then I have to go to town and get some s fos for the window.” Lina nodded and kissed him back. She watched Gourry as he walked into the kitchen and patted her belly absently before going back into the dining room to see about straightening it up.
Amelia, for some reason, was jittery. Something was going to happen, she could feel it in her bones. She couldn’t sit still, flitting from one end of the palace to another, nothing holding her attention for too long. She wandeintointo the library where her father was reading, listlessly picked up a book, thumbed through it, put it down and began pacing the room.
“Amelia, what ever is the matter?” asked Prince Phil, concern for his daughter in his voice.
“Oh, Daddy, I don17;t17;t know. I just feel like something is going to happen and I can’t sit still.” She replied, chewing her bottom lip.
Phil looked at his daughter and thought for the millionth time that she looked so much like her mother. She had grown so much, not just physically, but mentally as well in the past three years. He was still surprised at how she would calmly voice her opinion about something or how she would argue philosophical matters with his priests. She was a woman now and that upset him. Four times, much to his relief, she had turned down marriage proposals. He just couldn’t stomach the thought of his little girl married. Oh, he knew he was being unreasonable and that, if anything, he should be pushing her to get married. She was the next in line for the throne and there was always a question of heirs. His advisors had told him again and again, “Princess Amelia needs to find a husband. She needs to produce an heir.” But he hadn’t wanted to hear it. Now, as he looked at her, he got the strangest feeling that he was about to lose his little girl.
When Zelgadis saw the outer walls of Seyruun, his heart swelled. The flags of the royal family were flying, indicating that they were in residence. She was near, he could feel it. He trotted into the city, and he was, as always, amazed by it. It teemed with people going about their daily activities, talking and laughing and living. He still felt slightly apart from them, a residual effect from his days as a chimera, when he would skulk about in the shadows, trying not to be seen. But, as he dismounted his horse and tied it to a conveniently located hitching post, he couldn't help but feel energized by the city's life force.
He followed the familiar streets towards where the palace sat, looming over the city like a guardian diety He reached the main gate and the palace guards immediately blocked his way and demanded his business. Zelgadis reached into his travel pack and produced a package with a letter attached. “Could you give this to Her Royal Highness, Princess Amelia? It is a very important message from an old friend. I’ll wait here for her response.”
The guard eyed the package and Zelgadis for a long moment before deciding it was okay. He summoned a foot soldier and gave him orders to deliver the package to the princess. “And tell her he’s waiting at the main gate for her response.” He said and dismissed the soldier.
Zelgadis, for his part, was more nervous than he had ever been in his entire life. He felt a bead a sweat trickle down his forehead and he swiped at it with slightly shaky hands.
Amelia was on her thirtieth lap in the library when there was a slight tap on the door and a soldier entered.
“Yes?” asked Prince Phil, rising from his seat.
"I have a message for Her Royal Highness, Princess Amelia." The guard replied, bowing. “The gentleman who sent this is waiting at the main gate for your response, my lady.”
Amelia’s shaking hands reached out and accepted the package. She opened the box first and felt tears come into her eyes. It was her wristband with the talisman on it that she had given to Zelgadis before he left. She opened the note and read the words written on it in the precise handwriting she knew so well. “I thought I should return this to you.” The note said. Amelia felt like she was going to explode, just fly to pieces. Instead, she turned and ran out the door.
Amelia pounded down the stairs, her heart soaring, tears flowing down her face. He was here, he was finally here! She burst out of the main doors, startling the guards and nearly falling on her face. But she regained her balance and flew to the main gate, her dress billowing behind her.
Zelgadis saw her coming and she took his breath away. She was taller, her hair was longer, too. She looked graceful, even when she almost fell on her face as she rushed out the door. Amelia shouted to the guards to open the gates. Neither of them heard the loud groan of the hinges as the gates opened, nor did they hear the clatter and bustle of the busy city around them. They only heard and saw one thing: each other.
He’s human! Amelia thought as she rushed towards him. He looked so handsome, standing behind the gate with hands clenched at his sides and a slightly nervous expression on his face. He took a step forward and another and another and soon he and Amelia were rushing towards each other. Amelia reached him and nearly knocked him over with the force of her embrace. He regained his balance and wrapped his arms around her slender waist, burying his head in her hair.
“Amelia.” He whispered. Finally. She smelled like roses and for a moment, he just enjoyed the feeling of her silky hair against his chin. But he had to see her, look at her, so he gently pushed her away.
Holding her at arms length, he studied her. Her big blue eyes were wet with tears that trickled down her cheek. He gently wiped them away with his thumb, enjoying the sensation of her skin. She was beautiful. While he was away, she had grown into a woman. “Amelia, you take my breath away.” He told her. She smiled up at him.
“Zelgadis…you, you’re human.” This time, she was the one doing the studying. She ran her hands over his face and through his hair, which no longer was made of wire. “You’re wonderful. But I always thought that.”
Zelgadis smiled, a wide, wonderful smile, and, with the palace guards and the whole city of Seyruun looking on, he kissed her.
They were married in a simple ceremony a little more than a month later. They would have liked to marry sooner, but Lina had her baby not long after they were reunited, so they waited until she was well enough to travel. Zelgadis and Amelia were eager to see the child, and maybe just a little curious about it. It was, after all, the child of Lina Inverse, Bandit Killer, Dragon Spooker, enemy of all living things and Gourry Gabriev, Swordsman of Light.
Little Lara Gabriev won everyone’s hearts. She had inherited her father’s good humor and Lina’s red hair. Gourry was absolutely enthralled with the child and at only a few weeks old, she had him wrapped around her tiny finger. She slept in her mother’s arms during the ceremony and played with her father’s hair during the small dinner afterwards. Amelia smiled at the baby and played with her, while entertaining visions of motherhood and the children she and Zelgadis would have. Zelgadis surprised everyone when he asked if he could hold the child. He cradled her in his arms and smiled a little. He was happy, but he still didn't feel quite right, there was something unresolved. Zelgadis pushed the thought to the back of his mind. He gave the sleeping child back to her mother and went to find Amelia. She was talking to her father. Zelgadis walked up to them and bowed to Prince Phil, who bowed back. He then grabbed his new wife around the waist and led her to the dance floor, where they waltzed in perfect time.
It was getting late and almost everyone had left. Lina and Gourry had taken their baby and gone to sleep in one of the palace guestrooms. Zelgadis was sitting at a table, one hand absently stirring a drink, the other arm supporting the tired head of Amelia.
“Zel?” Amelia asked, her voice slightly nervous.
“Yeah?” he replied, looking down at her.
“I’m kind of tired. I guess, um, well, we should go to bed.” She blushed bright red. Zelgadis chuckled and kissed Amelia on the forehead.
“I suppose we should.” They got up and said their good nights to everyone that was still there, ignoring the sly looks some of the people gave them.
Amelia led the way to her bedroom that they would now share. She walked a little faster than Zelgadis, blushing and nervous. He kept a leisurely pace behind her, amused and a little pleased at her nervousness. He thought it was cute. Amelia hesitated at the doors of her room, turning around to see if Zel was behind her. He was standing at her elbow, a small smile quirked on his lips. As much as she had dreamed of this moment, she had no idea what to expect and had little to go on, just a few whispered conversations with servants and once, with Lina, who had been almost as embarrassed as she was. She hesitated a little more, her hand making a move to open the door when Zelgadis swept her up in his arms and kicked open the door. She squealed at his sudden action. He smiled and stepped over the threshold, kicking the door shut with his foot before depositing her on her feet. He leaned on the heavy wood door frame, grinning wickedly. “Well here we are.” He said. Amelia stood in front of him, looking embarrassed and unsure and maybe a little scared. His heart melted at the sight of her, standing in front of him, scared and trying not to show it. He held his hand out to her and she took it, allowing herself to be drawn into the warmth of his embrace.
“We don’t have to do anything tonight, if you don’t want to.” Zel murmured into hair.air. Amelia gave Zel a squeeze, she felt like she was going to cry. He would wait if she wanted. That was all she needed. Amelia unwrapped herself from his arms and caressed his face. She drew him down to her and they kissed for a long time. Finally, Zel pulled away and looked Amelia in the eye. “Are you sure?” he asked. Amelia answered by kissing him again, this time, running her hands across his muscular chest. She helped him shrug out of his jacket and then her small hands eagerly unbuttoned his shirt. Zel sighed into her mouth and savored the feel of her hands on his skin. It had been a very long time since he had been with a woman, since before Rezo had turned him into a chimera and he had forgotten what it felt like to hold someone so close and to feel their heartbeat.
Amelia broke their kiss and shyly looked at Zelgadis. Gods, he was handsome. She thought. Handsome and smart and kind and perfect and all hers. She didn’t care if he was a chimera or a human, she loved him and that was that. “What?” Zelgadis looked down at his brand new wife with a slightly amused look on his face.
Amelia smiled at him. “I love you.” She said. “I always have. I never cared what you looked like, to me you were always perfect.”
Zel kissed her sweetly, silently thanking her for being as wonderful as she was and for loving him. He broke off the kiss and picked Amelia up again, this time taking her to their bed. He gently laid her down, as if she was made of glass. “I love you, too.” He said and kissed her passionately.
That night, Zelgadis had what started out as a bad dream. Rezo was turning him into a chimera again, the old nightmare was back. But, suddenly, the nightmare vanished and Zel found himself standing in the place where he, Lina and Gourry had battled Shabranigdo and won, with Rezo’s help. He heard the familiar jingle of a staff and turned around to see Rezo standing behind him, looking at him with opened eyes. “You?” Zelgadis asked, startled.
Rezo bowed his head, his expression pained. “Zelgadis, please, forgive me for all that I did. I cannot rest until you do, and you will never have peace.”
Zelgadis did something he never thought he would, he forgave the man who had very nearly ruined his life. “I forgive you. Rest peacefully, Rezo.” Rezo smiled and faded away, leaving Zelgadis alone on the clearing. He was free, free of any hatred or misgiving. Free of all the pain and humiliation and anger. Completely free. Zelgadis stirred and woke up. He looked down at the head that was resting on his chest. Amelia slept peacefully, stirring a little when Zelgadis stroked her dark hair. He smiled and closed his eyes. He had no more bad dreams that night.

Oh ho ho! Want to know what happened between the kissing and the bad dream? Well, now you can! Read my first and only lemon! Conclusion: Zel and Amelia's Wedding Night...the next chapter!

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