pop_fanfiction | Love, War, and Time (Reply)

Title: Love, War,and Time
Prompt: None
Summary: The Prince's luck is short lived after hearing of a devious plot concerning the fabled Dagger Of Time whilst passing though India. The Prince must battle the evil Zurvan, The Sands of time, The Dark Mysterious Prince within him, and his passion for the princess of India. This is a combination of SOT/WW/TT.
Author: Wakanda_ 8
Rating: T
Chapters:3/18
Character(s):The Prince, The Dark Prince, Princess Farah, Zurvan/Vizier
Pairing(s):Prince/Farah

Chapter 4: Farah's hidden secret

The next morning the Prince dragged himself out of his bed. He was exhausted from another night, he nearly fell asleep as he tried sheathing his sword but missed. The loud clattering to the floor startled him awake. He then headed to the royal dinning room for breakfast, though his mind wasn’t on sustenance.

Should he reveal his identity? Would she understand? 'Ha, she'd probably kill me in my sleep.' He thought bitterly as he opened the dinning hall doors. "Ah, my son, so nice of you to join us. Out on another midnight stroll?" Sharaman smiled setting down his goblet.
"You know me father, always looking for adventure," He replied stifling a yawn. Prince bowed to some extent to Farah before taking his seat and serving himself so of the fresh fruit. The Prince could tell that Farah was watching him, so he looked away pretended to concentrate on his food. "Surely you'd like a tour guide?" The Sultan smiled. Prince laughed modestly, "Thank you for your kind offer, but I have learned in my travels to truly experience a new place, you do so on your own." He said. The Indian king nodded with a laugh. "Good answer."

The Vizier crept into the room, staff in hand. The Prince carefully removed his hand from his goblet unconsciously put his hand to his weapon. Farah saw this action and looked to the Vizier closely. "M'lord, we have a small problem that needs your assistants." He whispered to his King. The sultan immediately stood, "My dear, please keep our guest company while I see to something." He said and the Vizier and the Indian king rushed out the room.

Prince could see the worry look creeping into Farah’s expression as he father left the room. When they all finished Sharaman went back to arranging their provisions, so the Prince joined Farah in the garden.

Farah stood once more with her bow and arrow and practiced her shooting. Prince sat on the stone bench behind her watching. "Very impressive," He commented as she hit the bulls-eye without effort. "Have you any skill with a weapon other than a sword?" Farah asked not looking to him.

"Yes, I was trained in a large variety of weapons," He answered.

"You seemed defensive when the Vizier came in this morning," She began. The Prince was actually hoping that she hadn't noticed, but knowing Farah she was always very mindful of her surroundings. "In all due respect Princess, I don't trust your Vizier; he seems like he’s hiding something,“ He replied honestly. Farah released another arrow before turned to the Prince in surprise. "Nor I."

"How can you not trust your own Vizier?" Prince asked although he knew all too well of why she dislike the Vizier.

"I'm not sure; he use to sneak about my bedroom, but he had stopped doing that, I think he was looking for something," She said putting her hand unconsciously to her medallion. The Prince glanced down at the Medallion and, in realization, his eyes widened.

‘that's right he wants her medallion for something, but it's just a necklace.' He thought. "Something wrong?" Farah asked turning away. "I was just wondering, why does you medallion glow so softly like that?" He said causally.

Farah fired another shot before facing the Prince again, "It was my mother's," She said undoing the metal clasp to have a better look. "It's always glows in the day light, it's nothing but gold." She said. Prince nodded slightly disappointed. "It is beautiful." He said masking the disappointment.

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Farah couldn't help but feel that the Prince wanted to know more about her medallion. Surely he didn't see any real value to it. That afternoon Farah sat at the fire in the library reading a of herbs she found, while wondering why the Prince asked about her medallion, but what bothered her the most was the dark stranger. He seemed familiar but his voice wasn't like anything she heard, it was always calm and light, and even though he was protecting her, she somehow trusted him. But he didn't trust her.

She sighed closing the book watching the dancing flames. Who was he? She knew she shouldn't be worried, he didn't seem to mean any harm. Maybe she'd show him the treasure vault, maybe it could help him. "I'll take him tonight." She decided aloud.

"Take who?"

Farah whipped her head round facing the Prince who stood holding a red gold leafed book. "Do you often talk to yourself?"

"N-no," She stammered now standing. "And what are you doing here?"

The Prince smirked confidently as he gestured to the book, "I was reading a book."

"Well, that quiet obvious." She frowned. "Did I scare you Princess?" He teased. Farah snorted as she sat back down turning her attention to her book once more. The Prince followed suit and sat beside her. "What are you reading?" He asked. "Nothing of your interest, I'm sure," She countered. "Try me." The Prince challenged. Farah turned over the book revealing the cover. "Life and Herbs," He read. "I read that, very interesting."

Farah raised an eyebrow in surprise. "You read?" She said not meaning for it to come out as it did.

Prince nodded understanding what she meant. "All warriors are taught to be ruthless with their fighting as well with their studies." He winked playfully. "I did not know that." She said closing her book. "There is much you don't know about us blood thirsty Persians," He said before taking his leave with book in hand.

Later on as the Indian sun sat and families and workers headed home for supper, Farah once again took her seat at the table noticing the Prince once again tense as the Vizier sat next to Farah. The Persian king repeatedly thanked Farah's Father for extending their stay while and all the while Farah continued to watch the Prince, figuring that his hand was clenching possibly onto a concealed dagger. What did he really have against the Vizier? Surely they have no real relationship that could put him on edge? Farah was puzzled but smiled modest and joined in the general dinner conversation for the rest of the evening.

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Prince once again headed to the balcony, masking his face, and waiting for Farah to enter the room. She seemed to have been watching him intently at dinner which made him think that she was beginning to put two and two together.

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The Vizier stood in the library by the fire place caressing his golden jewel head snake staff. He was waiting for his servant to come with news. When the door finally opened the Vizier looked up raising an interested eyebrow. "Master, I have some news for you," The man began with a bow. "What is it?" The Vizier said before crumbling into a fit of coughs. The man servant hurried to the aid of his master keeping him on his feet until it was over. "Tell me the news," The Vizier wheezed. "My Lord, i believe there is someone watching over the princess, I could not see the being but I saw the shadow as I was leaving the room of the princess," The servant held his breath hoping that the news was worthy.

"What an interesting development, that was why I heard her talking before," He said to himself. "And I spied her in the library saying that she would take this person someplace tonight. I have a man watching just in case it does happen." He continued. "Very good, I suspect it's that bastard of a prince watching over the beautiful Princess, it's a good thing I ordered for their provisions to be sabotaged. I'll give the signal soon. If she's taking the Prince to where I think she's taking him than I need you to keep a close watch on him and keep me posted." The Vizier commanded and the servant bowed and walked silently out the room. "It's almost time." The Vizier grinned darkly looking into the fire with the blaring thought of glory and immortality.

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When Farah finally came into her chambers, she immediately locked her door and in the dark listened for the mysterious stranger. "Are you here?" She whispered. The Prince studied her for a moment before answering, "Yes."

Farah breathed relieved and headed to her wardrobe changing into a two piece sari of red and gold leaving the sash behind. She than pulled her hair back into a pony tail with a gold bands around the base of her hair and the end. A strand of hair fell down her face as she checked herself routinely in the mirror before she hurried over to the gate to better see that shadow man in the bright full moon. "I wish to take you someplace," She said walking onto the balcony cautiously, her bow and arrows in hand. "Why?" The Prince noticing her anxiety. "Because I think I know what the Vizier is after or at least it's something that he has had his greedy eye on; will you come with me?" She asked opening the gates to the balcony seeing him standing under the moon light.

The Prince's heart sped up as he nodded. "It's a ways journey, but we will be there before sun rise," She said walking over to the balcony edge, the Prince followed but paused. "It's too dangerous for you," He said taking her arm and pulling her onto his back She was hardly a weight for him. "Hold on tight." He said feeling her grip tighten as he jumped to the trees ahead and slid down to the grassy ground. Farah let go and motioned him to follow her. He wonder where she was taking him, but didn’t speak a word of his curiosity.

Farah went guided the Prince to the stables , quickly grabbing horses before racing off though the sand dunes for two hours, and finally, when he couldn't take it anymore:

"Where are we going?" He whined. "My Father's treasure vault," She answered pushing her horse harder. 'Treasure Vault?' He thought. As a child the Prince heard stories of this legendary treasure vault and the wonder within. Farah finally stopped at the very far wall of her palace and they stood at the door of an even greater palace with the largest wooden doors the Prince had seen yet on his travels. Farah put a finger to her lips and walked past the door to the stone wall and pushed a rock large enough for them both to crawl through.

Farah went first and then the Prince. They stood admiring the a vast old styled palace. "A little over the top for a treasure vault." The Prince said with sarcasm that he hoped Farah didn't recognize. "This is also a part of our palace but this is a very secret way that is constantly guarded," She said with a grunt as she pushed the stone back into place. "Come this way," She said walking to a flight of marble stairs that went down into the darkness.

Farah took the Prince though different corridors and rooms that were decorated handsomely with red Indian rugs and linen curtains. He was silent the whole way as he examined each path and room carefully. He couldn't help but feel a strange sense of dread over coming him as he followed the beautiful princess.

"We’re almost there," She said walking out a room and onto a balcony that lead down. "How far does this go?" He asked. "Just one more flight of stairs, we conceal it in a maze of sorts so to make if harder for our enemies to find it." She answered.

"You seem so sure in trusting me when you have no reason to." He went on as they walked down the stairs past a window that gave off some moon light. "I have my reasons and I believe you, there is something not right about the Vizier; the Prince of Persia even sees it." She said. Prince thought for a moment about what she had said and then stopped walking. "Then why is this such a secret?" He asked. Farah paused looking up to him. He could tell she was trying to read his darkened eyes. "Because it is a terrible power that must never be opened." She said darkly before continuing down the stairs. The prince didn’t argue the possibly seriousness of the situation, so he continued to follow.

"Why did you not share this information with the Prince?" He couldn't help but ask. "Because I don't believe we would see eye to eye. He is arrogant and prideful." She said with a frown. "Are men all not like that, I dare say that you are just as prideful as a man." He said. "Maybe, but I can't say for myself though he is; I feel as if he’s hiding something," said she, her tone threaded with uncertainty.

Farah finally stopped at another large door, but at this door she removed her medallion and pressed it into an indented space on the door as if it were and key. Not even a moment had passed when the medallion glowed brightly, nearly blinding them both.

When the glow dimmed, Farah removed the medallion clasping it back around her neck. Never had the Prince seen anything like it. "The Sands of Time." She announced as they walked into the glowing room. Farah shut the door behind them, the glowing hourglass drew the prince, fascinated him, but to move it would take a dozen of his father's men. "And above it; the Dagger of Time." She said pointing up to a light blue glow above the stone ledge. "It was created thousands of years ago and to open the hourglass would mean the end of time and humanity. My Medallion is connected to the hourglass and it protects me. My Mother gave it to me to keep and keep I shall." She explained.

"But why have you not simply destroyed it?" The Prince inquired looking to Farah who eyes were trained on the hourglass. "No amount of force is going to end the sands of time. But they say there is an empress of time and with the dagger she can stop it, end it even." She said. The Prince and Farah walked up a small tower of stairs and stood on top of the base that was right under the hourglass. "The Dagger of time is the most valuable of items," She explained as the Prince listened intently. "The dagger can open the hourglass and close it but only with a price of going back in time from the beginning; that's what my Father told me."

The Prince stepped forward to the thin glass that was between the stone wall looking through the distorted glass.

"It also has powers beyond any of your wildest dreams; they say the Sands can make you-"

"Immortal." Finished a voice.

Farah and the Prince turned around seeing the Vizier and a group of large minions. "Thank you for the history lesson Princess, but you have something I need," He said with a grin of evil. The Prince stepped forward protecting Farah. "Ah, I see you have a body guard as well." He smirked. "What are you doing here?" Farah asked putting her hand on her bow.

"I came to test a theory of power and I knew you would lead me to it." He grinned. "Seize them!"

"Farah get back!" The Prince ordered. "No, we have to get the dagger, he must not have it." Farah said pulling his arm as he unsheathed his sword ready to fight. "We must hurry." She said running and jumping to the other side of the room to a small ledge. The Prince followed. Farah took his hand and ran into a door way hearing the echoing shouts of the Vizier and his men. Skidded to a stopped at the moving pillars of spikes below them. The Prince jumped down and then turned helping the princess down. They easily ran past the spiked pillars and down a flooded hall where they climbed down once more into a large dark spacious room.

"This way!" Farah shouted reaching the top before the Prince. There was a long flight of stone stairs that lead down to the small area where the Dagger of Time lay in it's resting place. The stairs had no railing so they stayed closed to the side hoping not to fall. Farah glanced to the stairs hearing shouts. "They are behind us!"

The Prince and Farah headed to a statue that stood before them and at the top the faint blue glow shined. "Stay here." The Prince ordered and quickly climbed the statue. When he finally got to the shoulder of the male statue, he rebounded from wall to wall until he got to the top where the dagger rested dazzling him at the glowing sand in the handle of the dagger and the ancient design adorning the blade.

"Sand." He curiously before turning his attention to Farah as she readied her bow and arrow releasing as many as she could to slow down the Vizier’s men who were fast approaching. The Prince put the dagger in the small holder on his belt and then he carefully made his way to the bottom on the statue. "Help me!" Farah called and the Prince quickly rushed over and cut down the men their blood staining his sword. The Prince grabbed Farah after he pushed over a large bowl of burning oil, igniting the room.

"Show me the way out." He ordered quickly as Farah simply pointed and they both ran down another flight of stairs hearing the Vizier shouting at the men who weren't dead to capture them. Farah stopped at a staircase and pushed a wall in before grabbing the Prince. The door shut them in a silent dark hall. They held their breath as the men shouted, quickly running down the stairs opposite the hidden wall. And when it was silent Farah and the Prince breathed.

Farah fell to the floor at a lose of breath. The Prince took a seat on a flat stair, dagger in hand. "Where are we?" He asked looking to Farah as she covered her face as if collecting herself before she stood and answered the Prince who followed after her. "It is a secret passage I found as a child when I first was allowed to come here. No one knows of it expect my father and I." She answered with a frown as she looked at the prince. "At least we are safe for the time being." She said reaching up and grabbing the Prince’s revealing his true identity.