The Yule Ball

"I did." Aslan replied, scribbling in his notebook again. "Heard that he was trying to turn you and Descartes into his minions or something."

Sonia looked down at the floor suddenly finding it incredibly interesting. "Yeah, well, I guess those nasty rumors were true." she says feeling hurt and embarrassed.

"So your father betrayed you. What a surprise." Aslan said contemptuously. "Will you forgive him for it?"

"Yes." Sonia said without hesitation. "If he truly turns then, yes, I will forgive him. I always have, and I always will. Why?"

"After what he did you still want to forgive him?" Aslan said incredulously. "Seems rather pathetic and naive if you ask.."
"Enough Aslan!" Elrohir cut in, shutting the door loudly as he came in.
Aslan glared over at Elrohir, but clamped his mouth shut. Elrohir walked over to him, leaning close enough that only Aslan could hear him. "Stop antagonizing her! Darius is not your father!" he hissed.
"I know that!" Aslan snapped back.
"Then stop acting like it!"
Aslan glared venomously at Elrohir then shoved past him and stormed from the room, slamming the door behind him.

Sonia sighed. She walked towards the door. "This isn't worth it, Erohir." she whispered just loud enough for him to hear. "You should never have to go through this."

"It is worth it Sonia." Elrohir insisted. "I don't care about going through all this if it means going through it for you."

Sonia shook her head and turned away so he couldn't see her tears. "Aslan is right. I am pathetic and naive."

Elrohir took Sonia by the shoulder and gently turned her to face him. "No, he's wrong. Aslan only said that because he was angry. He hates his father, so he can't possibly understand why you would forgive yours. Please don't give up Sonia."

Sonia shook her head. "He's right. I should be angry, but I'm not."

"Whether you're angry or not is your decision. Darius is your father afterall, regardless of what he's done. Don't do anything rash just because Aslan lost his temper." Elrohir replied. "You are the only one who wants to prove Darius' innocence, remember? If you give up on him, Aslan won't try to prove anything."

"It sounds as though Aslan doesn't want to prove anything." Sonia says. "Elrohir, I'm scared. . .really scared. I don't know anything that's going on."

"Perhaps not." Elrohir sighed. "But he will do what you ask him, regardless of his personal feelings." He ran a hand through his hair fretfully, frowning slightly. "I don't know what's going on either, but I don't want you too be scared either."

Sonia smiled. She hugged Elrohir before walking towards her bed. "Thank you." she tells him.

Elrohir returned the smile. "You're welcome. Get some rest, I'm going to go have a chat with Aslan. ok?"

Sonia looked skeptical but climbed in bed anyways. She soon fell fast asleep.

Elrohir found Aslan in his office shuffling through a pile of parchment. He turned when Elrohir came in, then went back to what he was doing.
"That was uncalled for...what I said earlier. I'm sorry."
"You don't usually lose control like that Aslan. What happened?"
Aslan shrugged. "I don't know. Just stress I guess."
"Are you still going to help Sonia? With proving Darius' innocence I mean."
"Of course I am." Aslan replied. "I said I would, didn't I? But, I want you to know Elrohir what I'm finding does not inspire much confidence in Darius."
Elrohir sighed and turned back to leave. "I'll tell Sonia you're making progress. You'll have to come to grips with what you father did someday Aslan, you know that."
"Of course I know. Just need some time to forgive him first. Tell Sonia she'll just need to stay here for another day or two, then she can leave."
Aslan handed Elrohir a steaming potion in a large chalise as he walked out the door. "And give her this too, should help that mild case of bronchitis she has and boost her immune system a bit."

When Elrohir entered the room, Sonia was up. She yawned as she sang just under her breath.

"Feeling better?" Elrohir asked, handing her the potion Aslan had sent. "Aslan says to drink this."

Sonia smiled softly. "A little, yes. I'll have to thank him." She says downing it.