The Power Inside

He watched Clare as she stumbled over her words. So much like Niella it brought a prang to his heart. He’d missed them both, trapped in the cave as a frog, not knowing what had happened to the two women he loved most or any of his friends.

But then, Madison had set him free and the moment he saw Clare he knew. And the knight had kept his silence. “I would have said something sooner,” He spoke, letting their hands fall away from each other. “But Udonna told me about you using Niella’s powers and if you’d been able to use mine too…I couldn’t bear to let the forces of darkness use you again.”

As she listened to his explanation, still reeling from this whole revelation, it started to make more sense- at least why she was only just learning now.  He had been trapped for over a decade, so that explained why he wasn’t around for most of her life.  And to hear that he didn’t want her to know about possibly having his powers to protect her...she’d been upset when she learned her mother’s powers were hidden from her, but Udonna helped her out of it.  Now she was able to accept his words easier.  Still, something did eat at her...

Daggeron blinked and looked at Clare, focusing on her curious and confused gaze. “Um…yes.” Well crap, not exactly how he’d planned to broach the subject but then again he hadn’t exactly had a plan to begin with.

He took a breath and took her hand. He steeled his nerves before speaking, “Clare…I lived with your mother because, well, your father…is me.” He held his breath, his eyes locked on hers as he waited for her reaction.

Well that just raised even further questions.  Sure, the way he talked about them made it sound like he was definitely close to her mother, but not that close.  Was her father ever concerned about their relationship?

She couldn’t pull her hand away when he took it, too focused on his face.  It seemed he was trying hard to speak up about something...then he finally began to talk once more...

It was as though the world froze.  Her eyes stared wide right into his, mouth hanging open slightly.  While her shock didn’t seem incredible, it was clearly quite profound.  All of a sudden she was just aware of how little she could feel her heart beating.  All those years of living thinking she was an orphan, and now...to have a bombshell dropped upon her like this...

“A few months really,” Daggeron replied offhandedly, “Niella gave birth to you oh…about three months after Udonna gave birth to Bowen.” He shifted a little, settling himself more comfortably on the log. Daggeron then let out a chuckle, “Those two, wonderful sisters, pregnant together, it was all Leanbow and I could do to keep up with them. I can’t tell you how many times I was forced to get up in the middle of the night because your mother was craving stickleberries.”

So lost in telling his story that Daggeron wasn’t even aware of his choice in wording.

Clare had stopped working on picking the plants entirely, still squatting down to their level but looking up at Daggeron.  Hearing him talk about her mom and aunt having her and Nick- well, Bowen- together had drawn her interest too much, filling her heart with a familial warmth she didn’t get to experience very often.  She looked more than happy to listen to all that he said...

Daggeron settled himself on the log next to the plant Clare was currently picking. A small smile lit his face when she mentioned Niella. “I heard you wielded her power not long before my curse was broken. Now that would have been a sight to see. I would have been worried beyond reason, but with good reason. I would be loathe to see you suffer the same fate as Niella.”

He took a breath, why was he so nervous? Clare was too much like Niella to be angry at him for not being around, especially since she knew exactly why.

“Udonna’s told me you haven’t actually met your parents, and she doesn’t speak of them often,” He spoke. “What if I told you that I knew them? And it would be an honor to tell you about them.”

Her eyes widened at his proposal.  It didn’t surprise her very much that he knew her parents- he disappeared shortly before her mom died, after all- but hearing that he could tell her about them...it was beyond tempting.

Daggeron grabbed the coat of the back of his chair and slipped it on as he caught up with Clare.

They walked in companionable silence for a while. When they reached a planet, Daggeron cleared his throat, “Hey Clare…can I ask you something?” 

Clare had wanted to start up some kind of conversation as they walked along, but she just couldn’t think of a starting point.  After all, to her it didn’t really seem like they had a lot in common.

Daggeron had mulled over for some time about when to tell Clare about who he really was to her. Now that the Master was gone it seemed like every opportunity that presented itself had been ruined somehow.

Thankfully, as Clare announced that she was leaving he’d finished his conversation with Chip about the finer points of brooms verses carpets, so he took the chance to speak the second an idea formed in his mind. He had actually forgotten the significance of this particular day. More concerned with actually speaking with Clare after what he had confirmed with Udonna.

“Hold on Clare,” Daggeron said, bringing himself to a standing position. “I’d like to come with you if you don’t mind. Stretch my legs a little as it were.”

Daggeron ignored the looks from Udonna and Leanbow. They knew right away exactly what he was up to, though they couldn’t blame him for wanting the chance to be alone with Clare.

The others didn’t seem too phased by Daggeron’s words though Chip looked a little disappointed that their conversation was over. 

Clare’s stride broke when Daggeron spoke up, turning on one foot to face him.  It wasn’t often that he needed her attention.  Had she forgotten something after all?  Did he want her to add something to the list?  Hopefully she’d know what-

She blinked, looking confused by his statement.  That was a bit unexpected.  Only Udonna had ever joined her on her errands, and that was when she wanted to talk to her about something important.  It wasn’t that she minded him asking- far from it, she would welcome the company- it was just out of left field.