Rock of Ages
Lori’s heart instantly leapt into her throat. She looked from Eric to Aiden, desperately trying to calm the panic that was threatening to choke her. She took a deep breath and managed a nervous laugh. “I’m afraid I’ve brought no instruments with me,” she said lamely.
In the middle of all of her eating and challenging, she’d forgotten everyone expected her to perform. It had slipped her mind entirely and now every morsel of food she’d swallowed was rioting viciously in her stomach, threatening to come back up. She was pretty sure the only performance she’d be putting on was the Linda Blair kind.
“No worries dear sister, I brought mine.” Desmond grinned and sure enough he whipped out a small guitar-like instrument and began strumming it expertly. It looked like a cross between a Spanish guitar and a violin, almost like an odd mandolin.
She threw him the nastiest glare she could manage while trying not to puke. Where the hell had he been hiding that thing she wondered? He didn’t bother to acknowledge her fury, only kept his ear cocked low to his instrument as he tuned it.
When he was done Desmond turned to Eric, “What shall it be tonight Lord McKenna? A heroic tale of brave warriors and insatiable women?” he stressed the word insatiable so that all the warriors around them laughed and poked one another good-naturedly. Then his voice became low and melodic, adding to the drama of the moment, “Perhaps a poem of mythical beasts and ancient gods is more in order? Or shall it be a song of true love found and tragically lost?” he turned and glanced back to Lori before returning his amber gaze to clan leader, “Or would you have the lady choose?” he asked quietly, eyes twinkling as he knew the answer to that question before he ever asked it.
Eric looked thoughtful for a moment before giving Lori a look that would’ve melted her into the floor if she hadn’t been so terrified.
“’Tis always the choice of the lady for what she cares to sing,” he replied huskily, “A woman should always choose what best suits her mood or her taste.”
Aiden coughed and the other women in the hall threw Lori knowing smiles.
Lori gritted her teeth and attempted to smile but feared it was nothing more than a scary grimace. Rising slowly from the table she spoke to Desmond in a sweet voice, “May I have a word with you brother?”
“Of course!” Desmond said jumping to his feet, “Let us discuss and select a worthy piece for our first performance.”
When they’d walked a safe distance out of earshot Lori glared at him, “You jerk! What the hell do I sing to these people?”
“Just pick a poem or a song, princess. Anything you want, I can play it all,” he winked.
“Sorry, I didn’t memorize Beowulf you ass! And it’s not exactly like I can just belt out some Lady Gaga to these people. I can’t even remember the lyrics to Danny Boy for God’s sake,” she hissed ready to strangle him.
"Ok, that last one’s Irish, and these people are more of a highland flavor though not really like our Scots back home…”
“Who gives a shit? The problem here is that I can’t sing Desmond,” she spat out.
“Sure you can.”
“No I can’t.”
Des shook his head like he was trying to talk some sense into a terrified five year old, “You don’t get it Lori. You can sing. Ok, so maybe you’re not exactly winning any American Idol or X Factor competitions back home, but compared to these people you have a voice like an angel. Really. I’m serious. You have no idea how bad these people’s singing is….” He shuddered a little, “C’mon, you got this one Lori. Stop being such a wuss.” He turned and walked back to stand in front of everyone before she could say another word.
As the crowd settled down, Desmond stood to his full height. When he spoke, his voice boomed around the crowded hall, “My sister and I have decided upon songs of dreams and love, some lost and some found.”
Everyone murmured excitedly as Lori took her place by his side. She inhaled deeply and closed her eyes as she said a brief prayer to herself: Please God, I know I haven’t been to church in a while but I really need your help here. If you can find it in you to help me get through this I promise to go back to mass every Sunday for the rest of my life. All I ask is that you give me strength to make it through these next few minutes without dying of mortal fright or embarrassment. Help me live through this hell so I can kill Desmond when I’m done. Amen. She crossed herself before opening her eyes and looking out over the crowd of excited people.
Des leaned over and whispered in her ear, “Don’t think the big guy will help you get out of this one, cupcake."
“That’s where you’re wrong. He’s always listening,” she retorted.
He shrugged, “Whatever makes you feel better. No worries though, I got you covered.”
Lori gave him a withering look, but Des only grinned and turned around to face their audience. In an effort to keep calm, Lori closed her eyes as she listened to him strum his guitar and begin the melody. It took her a second to realize which song he’d selected, but it was as familiar to her as her own name. But it couldn’t be…could it? It sounded suspiciously like the same song she’d belted out in the shower yesterday morning, only slower, less electric guitar and more lyre.
Inside her mind she heard Desmond speak:
Careful there David Lee Roth, not too much shouting or you might hurt yourself. Take it nice and easy.
Inhaling deeply Lori closed her eyes and started her medieval rendition of Aerosmith’s Dream On.
She began softly at first, a nervous tremble in her voice as she sang the first bars of the first verse. She focused on seeing herself at home, alone in her bedroom with only her hairbrush and a full-length mirror. There was no crowd, no immortal warriors, no hellish demi-god bound and determined to whore her out. She didn’t think about anything or anyone except for this single moment in time.
As Lori focused on the music, she felt the words come out naturally as she let go and belted out the lyrics. Aerosmith’s rock song became a sweet power ballad as she dragged out the notes to match Desmond’s tempo.
Eyes closed, Lori swayed as her head moved in time to the music. She sang for all she was worth, hitting every high note as best she could. She wasn’t a great singer by any stretch of the imagination, but Desmond had been right: she didn’t sound half bad.
For the moment she felt free as the music swept her away, taking everyone in the dining hall along for the ride. When the bridge came, she hit the high note and kept it going really connecting with the lyrics as they reminded her of her life. One line in particular felt true to her last couple of years: “Half my life is in books written pages, live and learn from fools and from sages.”
When the first song ended, Desmond went right into Bon Jovi’s classic Livin’ on a Prayer, his fingers flying over his instrument. He played expertly and Lori never opened her eyes as she stayed lost inside the music. As she sang the tears streamed down her face unnoticed, and if she did feel the slight wetness on her cheeks, she was too involved to even care. Every soul in the room was touched by the well of emotion she brought to the lyrics. It was both beautiful and painful to witness.
And true to his word Desmond knew exactly which songs to play. Every song she knew from years of singing alone in her room. Some were from her childhood while others were more modern but they were all her favorites. They ended their performance with a duet of Fleetwood Mac’s Dreams. Desmond’s voice was lilting and deep, giving a strong balance to her higher tenor.
When she opened her eyes every person there regarded them with a mixture of awe and disbelief. Unsure of herself, she looked over at Desmond who winked and grabbed her hand as they bowed together. The dining hall erupted in loud applause and wild cheering as they took their bows. Eric stood and was quickly followed by the rest as they gave them both a standing ovation.
Lori didn’t know what to feel anymore. Most of the songs she sang usually filled her with sadness and lost hope, but listening to everyone’s cheers filled a deep well inside herself she hadn’t even known was empty. She’d been sad for so long, she just thought it was normal. But now, for this little slice in time, her sadness was forgotten. Unable to help herself she threw her arms around Desmond and gave him a big hug.
It would be among the last ones she’d ever give him in her life.
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A/N: So, there are a LOT of great songs I could've picked from, but I picked the ones that were playing on my iTunes and gave me the idea for this story (this chapter specifically). Hope you all enjoyed them and thanks so much for reading!! =c] Wendy