Author's note: I wrote this a while ago, so it's not very good, but I hope you like it! Also, I wrote it before I read the last book, so, wasn't expecting all the sadness to come... *hides in a corner sobbing*

Rudric's Proposal

There was a knock at the door. Nia jumped up from patching Kalmar's shirt to answer it.

"Rudric!" Nia said when she opened the door, and then, as if he hadn't been there every day and night before: "What are you doing here? Come in out of the cold."

"Hello, Nia," Rudric said as he took the coat from his large shoulders and hung it on the rack by the door. "Nice to see you again."

"Here, I was just fixing these shirts." She lay the material on the sofa. "Kalmar seems to rip right through them training in the Durgan guild, you know," Nia explained.

"Yes, I'm sure the young king is as adventurous and rowdy as me when I was a boy."

Rudric didn't quite sound like himself. More strained and monotone. Nevertheless, Nia chuckled and said, "I doubt and boy could surpass you, Rudric."

"Nia, the reason I came over was to ask you something." He tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

Nia blushed. Stay calm, Nia, she said to herself. You're still a queen, not a little schoolgirl. "Yes?"

"I would like to ask if you would…erm…walk with me."

"Yes, of course, Rudric." She took of her apron and donned a winter cloak.

They walked for a long time, sometimes talking and sometimes silent. Snow began to fall.

Rudric stopped under a pine tree quite a ways from Chimney Hill. He plucked several needles from the tree and sniffed their fragrance. He flicked them away.

"I really do love snow. It makes me feel like the Maker is right beside us, caring for us," Nia observed.

Rudric said nothing.

"Is everything alright, Rudric? You haven't seemed yourself today."

"I'm perfectly fine." He placed his hand on Nia's shoulder. "Wonderful even. Nia, darling, I haven't felt this way in a really long time."

Rudric racked his brain for the perfect words.

"Nia, I…" He bent down and kissed her. "I love you, Nia. And I want to spend the rest of my life with you." He dropped down to one knee and took her hand in his. "I want to provide for you, and Janner, and Kalmar, and little Leeli, and give you everything. Nia, will you marry me?

Nia stood quietly for a moment, smiling, then, "Oh, yes, yes, Rudric, yes!"

Rudric rose, and Nia wrapped her arms around his neck.

On the walk back to Chimney Hill, they were like children—holding hands and swinging their arms back and forth.

Standing in front of the door, Rudric said, "I have some things to get done, but I may stop by tonight."

"I'll have to consult the children, of course. I'm sure they'll be fine with it," Nia said.

Rudric planted a soft kiss on her forehead. "Of course they will. I'll see you later."

"Bye, Rudric. I love you."

The End