OUR LIGHT THAT SHINES STRONG

Author's Notes: This story takes place between TRY and Revolution. Specifically, right before the start of Revolution. I, for one, am interested to know how Zel suddenly got Knighted as Amelia's protector, and why it seems he rushed back to Seyruun on her whim, after he was out in gods-know-where at the end of TRY.

So this is that story. I love Amelia and Zel, and the comfortable rut they're in!

Seyruun. Its high white walls glowed in the summer sun, and Zelgadis brushed a bit of perspiration off his forehead with the back of his sleeve. He entered the castle gates with his mask and hood up, despite the heat.

The castle guards recognized the strange, quiet man. They let him pass, giving him slight nods of welcoming. Zelgadis acknowledged them with his eyes but kept walking.

He was back. Amelia sat in the library, which had a huge window overlooking the main entrance. She found herself fidgeting nervously. It had only been a year since she had last seen him. A year since they had helped defeat Darkstar, along with their friends Lina and Gourry.

In that year, Zelgadis had written to Amelia only twice. Once to let her know that he was doing fine and had gone out to the deserts to follow a lead for his cure, and the second time in response to the letter she had sent, asking him to please come back to Seyruun. She hadn't gone into specifics, just that she had been requested on a mission for the kingdom of Ruvinagard to locate Lina Inverse. If she were to go, she would only go with Zelgadis by her side.

His return letter was short and to the point. It simply said, "I'm on my way."

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she saw him walking up to the castle. She bolted from her seat and ran down to meet him.

He heard her before he saw her. He heard the steady thump of running footsteps, and then suddenly she was in his arms.

"Zelgadis-san!" she yelled, and he spun her around to slow her momentum a bit.

Giving her one of his small smiles, he said, "Nice to see you too, Amelia."

They stood like that in front of the castle for a bit. Amelia purposefully stayed in his strong arms, looking up into his eyes. Zel kept eye contact with the petite princess, despite the blush he knew was starting to creep up his nose.

Finally, he cleared his throat and said, "Amelia, I have something for you."

Amelia stepped away from him and looked down and he rustled around in his pocket. She saw the pink ribbon first.

Reaching out to her, he handed her the bracelet she had given him the night he left one year earlier.

She pushed his hand away.

"No, it's yours. I only want it when you're back for good." She smiled up at him, just the slightest hint of sadness in her eyes.

"Besides, I have an extra."

Being with him again was like a dream. She had been missing him terribly for a year, and felt that soon she'd wake up and he'd be gone.

Gone, just like the night she gave him the bracelet.

It was a cool night. There was a full moon high in the sky, and Zelgadis couldn't sleep. It had only been a week since they defeated Darkstar, and subsequently the Mazoku/Dragon Valgarv, and his adrenaline was still pumping.

The chimera decided he wasn't getting any younger, and quietly began packing up his gear to hit the road. He would leave and just let his friends sleep.

He turned back towards the campfire and saw three sleeping forms. He focused more on the smallest form, closest to where he, himself, had been laying.

He decided he wouldn't even wake Amelia. It would be easier for her, not having to say goodbye.

As he began filling his canteen and rolling up his sleeping bag, he felt a presence behind him.

"Zelgadis-san?" Came the soft, questioning voice.

Zelgadis flinched. Damn, it had to be her.

"I'm sorry I woke you, Amelia," he said, not looking up from what he was doing.

"I was already awake," she said. There was something in her voice that made him finally look up.

She stood there looking sullen in her traveling clothes, minus the cape and accessories, and barefoot. One of her hands was behind her back.

"Zelgadis-san," she went on, removing her arm from behind her, "I want you to have this."

It was one of the bracelets she always wore. The blue gem caught some of the firelight and shone brightly.

"Amelia…" Zelgadis began, but she shushed him with a finger on his lips.

"I won't take no for an answer," she said with a sad smile. Zelgadis reached out and clasped hands with her. They came close together, closer than they ever had outside of battle, and the bracelet dangled from in between their intertwined fingers.

"Why?" Was all he could think to say.

"So you won't forget to come back to me," was her answer.

Another moment of blessed closeness, and then he turned to go.

Zelgadis pocketed the bracelet again, and followed Amelia back into the castle.

"Thank you for coming so quickly," Amelia said, looking over her shoulder at him. "Daddy would like to see you right away for some kind of official ceremony."

"What kind of ceremony?" Zelgadis asked, suspiciously.

Amelia shrugged. "I have no idea!"

They entered the throne room and Prince Phil stood up in all his glory and announced, "Zelgadis-dono! Thank you for coming to see my little girl!" He then gave Zel one of his patented bear hugs of death.

"N-No problem," Zelgadis said, blushing a bit.

"We have some official business to attend to, and then the two of you can spend a little time catching up!"

Phil went back to this throne and one of his guards handed him an unsheathed sword.

"Zelgadis-dono, if you could please kneel," the crown prince of Seyruun said.

"A-All right…" The chimera nervously got down on one knee, trying not to take his eyes off the hulking prince.

"I, Prince Philionel, hereby dub thee the official Knight and Protector of my precious daughter, Amelia!"

Phil tapped the sword lightly on each of Zel's shoulders and then told him to rise.

Feeling puzzled and slightly embarrassed, Zelgadis stood up and got a pat on the back from the prince that almost knocked him flat on his face.

"There you go, my boy! It's finally official! You're working for me and the kingdom of Seyruun in your travels with Amelia now! Now you kids go talk and get caught up!"

With that, he shooed them out of the room.

"Why do I get the feeling your father is trying to get us alone?" Zelgadis asked Amelia with a smirk.

Amelia blushed faintly and said, "Daddy is just concerned about me. He started to catch on that I wasn't interested in marrying any of the self-centered and unjust princes who came to call."

At that, Zelgadis' eyes widened. The thought of Amelia being married off to some prince never even crossed his mind. He always thought of her as someone who would always be there, waiting for him…

But that wasn't really fair. Zelgadis chided himself for being a selfish asshole.

"And why is it that you're not interested in marrying?" Zelgadis asked, in what he thought was a nonchalant way. "You told me once that you want to be a bride someday."

Amelia nodded, a slight blush crossing her cheeks.

"Well, yes, but I will only be a bride for the right man."

Zelgadis said nothing else. He thought it would be best to let that train of thought jump the proverbial track.

They walked into the library and sat down together on the couch. Zelgadis enjoyed their comfortable closeness and waited to meet with some Inspector from Ruvinagard. He didn't mind the Inspector's tardiness, as he sat quietly on the couch with Amelia. It gave him time to think.

Amelia had somehow worked her way under his skin and become a staple in his life. He had never once considered that fact that one day he might come to Seyruun and she wouldn't be there. The thought panicked him a bit, but he couldn't figure out why.

Slowly, warily, Zelgadis reached out his right hand and gently laid it on top of Amelia's left.

Amelia just looked at him and smiled her bright smile.

Zelgadis let out a sigh of relief.

In that moment…in her smile…he knew he would never have to worry.

She would always be there.