Together Forever and Ever, But Only For Now 1

Author Note: So, I was reading some fics on here, and I couldn't help but notice how there aren't really any stories about the sole journey all the Garde and Cepans took together from Lorien on the ship. It's mentioned some scenes in the books and all, but still….I thought I'd do my own version!

So, um….enjoy! :D

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If there was one thing the little menace didn't like, it was being told what to do. So, needless to say, he was not exactly amused when he was stuck on a ship with a bunch of other kids and adults who were supposed to be in complete control of him.

"Hey, people!" he shouted at the top of his lungs to be heard over to commotion from everybody now on the ship, "where are we going?!"

"Nine…" Sandor sighed, putting one hand over the little boy's mouth and pulling him off toward the corner of the ship furthest from the rest of Loric, "calm down, buddy."

"What if I don't want to?" Nine retorted, squirming against his Cepan's hold on his arm, "and why are you calling me 'Nine'? That's not my name, Sandor!"

"It is now," the young man replied firmly, placing his hand back over his charge's mouth, "got it?"

"But why?" the five year old whined, batting away his Cepan's hand with a huge pout on his face.

"Don't worry about why right now," the young man's face was grave as he scooped up his charge, sitting on the floor and surveying what was going on with the others.

It was a tragic sight to see, even for the once highly rebellious young man.

As it was, everybody was a mess. Number One was staring at her feet, trembling. She was the oldest of the others, about nine years old. As he watched her, Sandor could only think of how she would always remember the destruction that they were now blasting away from that night. How she'd remember her family in full detail, and the beauty of the dying Lorien.

Good luck, little one, he thought with a frown, looking to the next little girl, Number Two.

She was six years old, crying with her knees to her chest. Her Cepan was sitting beside her, one weathered hand on her back for as much comfort as he could manage with tears rolling down his face as well. Number Three , who was three, was sitting in the opposite corner of the ship, beside another girl- Number Seven, who was seven. Both of them were crying, fear evident across their faces, but their hands were clasped together tightly.

Number Six was about five, sitting near a box of toys with her Cepan, who was pacing anxiously. The young girl simply watched, her eyes confused but her face afraid. Across from her, Number Four, who looked about as old as his number, was asking his Cepan what was going on. For a reply, his Cepan just looked away and shook his head.

Needless to say, it broke the younger man's heart to hear his answer to Four's question of where his grandparents were.

"Far away, Quinnth," his Cepan, who Sandor knew as Brandon, replied with his voice distanced and grieving.

A blonde girl who looked about five- Number Five- was sitting in her Cepan's lap in a chair at a big white table. Finally, Number Eight, who looked like he was seven like Number Seven, was staring at the door. His big green eyes were full of shock, like he could hardly believe what he just saw.

"Eight," his Cepan's voice was barely above a whisper, but it was heard in the deathly silent room, "are you alright, son?"

His lower lip trembled. Before anyone could move, he burst into tears, which only upset Seven and Three even more. From where he was still squirming against his grip, Nine looked up in alarm. His eyes quickly found Eight, which inspired the younger boy to waltz over there confidently and fearlessly.

"Hey!" he asked in the same loud, obnoxious voice he'd used only a few minutes ago, "what're you cryin' about?"

"I….my brothers…" Eight sniffled, wiping his eyes furiously as his Cepan put his hands on his charge's shoulders, "I just….they just….turned into dust!"

"Dust?" Nine repeated as the older youth whimpered and his Cepan held him closer and tighter, "how they do that?!"

"Nine!" Sandor scolded, scooping up the little boy and trying to carry him off, "leave him alone!"

"I don't know!" Eight just cried his eyes out, dropping to his knees and sobbing into his hands. Slowly, Seven crawled over, still clutching Three's hand as she took one of his tear-soaked palms in her gentle, trembling grasp.

Their tears seemed to inspire Four, who's lip was trembling the entire time as it was. Covering his eyes, he quietly began to sob himself, shrinking away from Seven's teary eyed gaze. His Cepan began pulling him into his lap for some level of comfort, but the young blonde just squirmed free, stalking into the corner and pressing is forehead to the cold titanium. Six got to her feet at that point, taking his hips in her grasp and yanking him against her suddenly.

Both of their Cepans could only watch, slightly amused as the four year old started kicking. She just glared, holding him tighter against herself.

"Stop fighting me!" she ordered strictly.

Eyes widening with fear, he immediately stopped his struggles. With a small smirk, she sat down carelessly, holding him as if he was her younger brother. Four just sniffled, crying into her chest helplessly as she rubbed his back. He didn't know it, but all she could think of was her actual young brother, the one she had to run away from with Katarina.

The sweetness she still showed through her rougher nature kind of broke Sandor's heart.

Five just looked away, crossing her arms with a sour look on her face. She was evidently quite jealous of all the attention, like she was used to getting more than that. Once again, his little menace of an assignment had to jump at the chance at getting under someone's skin.

"What's your sitch?" he asked, plopping in a chair beside the two; both of them instantly recoiled.

"Stop being a jerkface!" One suddenly demanded, grabbing the younger boy's ear, "and leave everybody alone!"

"Who you think you talking too?" Nine snapped in reply, putting up his tiny fists.

"Erican!" Sandor finally said firmly, reaching out to grab him again.

"Bellintine!" One's Cepan scolded just as strictly, grabbing the young girl's shoulder, "leave him alone!"

"She started it!" the five-year-old boy complained as he was pulled away, toward a corner.

What have you Elders gotten me into? Sandor could only wonder helplessly as he faced the unruly little boy to the corner.

Author Note: And there is the first chapter! This story will follow all of their journey, through all of their perspectives. How'd you like the first chapter?

P.S. The Last Days of Lorien on Tuesday! EEEEEEEEP! :D