Dangerous Engagement
Disclaimer: All characters and most story elements belong to the brilliant Sherwood Smith, I'm just borrowing them for a while ;-).
Chapter 1 – From Meliara's Point of View
That long, silent moment will be suspended in my memory forever. Danric held me tight against his chest as we stared at the great Goldenwood tree that was Flauvic. A moment before he had threatened our lives, our loved ones, and our country – and seconds later the quiet was broken by Vidanric's shuddering sigh.
I realized that we were at last safe – the Hill Folk had blessed us and once again used their magic to spare our lives – and as kisses rained down on me I knew exactly how I wanted to spend mine.
Suddenly Vidanric stopped and I felt his arms tense around me.
"What is it?" I asked, feeling a bit lightheaded, which I had assumed was due to the touch of Danric's lips. "I thought – what's wrong? Is the country still in danger?"
"Shh. Not Remalna. Lay still a minute – you're bleeding where Flauvic's knife cut you."
He laid me carefully on the stone floor, and suddenly I had the weird, thankful thought that my coronet braid made a useful pillow. For the first time I felt the sting of the cut on my neck. Vidanric carefully opened the collar of my tunic, now red with blood.
"It doesn't look too deep," he murmured, but his face looked pale and anxious. Pulling a small knife from his belt, he cut a few strips from his clean, white undershirt and held them against the cut. I lay there a few moments, thinking a bit more clearly, watching Vidanric and feeling his gentle hand on my neck.
"Maybe I should be worried about bleeding to death, or something," I grinned, "but I can't help feeling safe when you're with me, now that I realize we're on the same side in this duel."
"Is that all I'm good for?" he joked, "Protection? I confess, I was hoping you might be interested in a few more of my services." I laughed, which seemed to be enough answer as he leaned down to kiss me, still holding the cloth over my cut.
As I closed my eyes, enjoying the sensation, I realized his words (once again) had another meaning: he was still wondering what my thoughts were about a queen's golden throne.
As Vidanric reluctantly pulled back from our kiss in order to check my bandaged cut I glanced around the throne room. A pair of servants snored quietly by the doors. The stones that had once comprised Grumareth glittered at me, jolting my thoughts away from my own predicament and back into focus.
"The cut is bleeding less," Danric was saying, "but it will start up again if you move around too much. I should take you back to your room so you can rest."
"No," I countered, "Not yet. Listen, we really should begin the search of the Merinder's house – it'll be easiest while everyone is still out from the Hill Folk's spell. There might be valuable evidence of future plots they concocted."
Vidanric frowned at me, looking worried, but I continued before he could interrupt.
"We might find clues about their schemes or letters to partners or lackeys! And don't say you'll search the house by yourself, it'll take forever – especially if you carry me all the way to my room and then go back to the Merinder's. The servants could be awake by then, and we'll miss our chance!"
I was already sitting up and holding the bandages against my neck. He blinked at me, then laughed.
"Alright, but you shouldn't walk; I insist on carrying you."
"Fine by me," I returned, hoping that he wouldn't notice my light-headedness. I really didn't want to miss out on the action, or an opportunity to feel Danric's touch. He carefully scooped me up and cradled me out the throne room doors.
- - * - * - -
"What happened?" As the Merinder house came into view it was apparent that the place had been hastily abandoned. The expensive doors creaked open and shut slowly in the wind; there were no sleeping servants inside or out.
"Looks like the servants got a notion of Flauvic's schemes and bolted," theorized Danric as he set me on a pile of cushions. "Good for them," he added. He began to look purposefully through a writing desk but I just leaned further back on the pillows – despite my stubborn attitude, my body just didn't want to keep up.
"Not much here," Vidanric's voice said from far away. I tried to sit up staighter and pay attention, to listen to what he was saying. The bandages felt very wet against my neck and hand. I tried to open my mouth and point this out – and that's the last thing I remember.
- - * - * - -
Late-morning sun streamed through my eyelids and I woke up groggily, wondering why Mora hadn't rousted me out of bed. The sheets itched at my neck, but when I sat up and pulled the bedclothes back the itch remained. Reaching up, I felt new, clean bandages and remember Flauvic's knife, Vidanric's care, and my blackout on the Merinder's cushions.
I glanced around and noticed my bloodstained tunic was gone (just as well, I thought, it was filthy) and I was still wearing my rather grimy shirt and riding trousers. The stillness of the palace reminded me that everyone in Athanarel except Vidanric and myself were probably still sleeping off the Hill Folk's spell.
Where was Vidanric? I glanced around hopefully, even though it was clear I was alone. Instinctively looking to my writing desk, I was amazed to find a note, hastily written:
My Meliara,
I hope to return before you awaken, but if I am absent please forgive me. I've just glimpsed a group of my Renselaeus riders entering the palace gates. I must deliver their orders (I'm sure you'll agree it best for me to meet them outside rather than summoning them up to your bedchamber, which would surely inspire gossip even from my own trusted officers). Please rest up – everyone is sleeping soundly and you should do the same.
With love, Danric
The note made me grin, and I hurried to the window to see if the riders were still in view. I could see nothing but the usual garden scenery. A part of me wanted to find Vidanric and hear the news from the riders, watch him give orders in a kingly manner, and then take his mind off all the administrative details – but I was still feeling pretty woozy.
So I scribbled a message explaining I was in the baths, left it in an obvious place, and hurried down the tile steps.
**I consolidated this chapter from three short chapters, it just made a lot more sense to put them all together. Anyway, I hope you liked the story so far, and it is going someplace. I hope the characters seem in character so far.
The next chapter is from Vidanric's POV, telling what happened after Mel blacked out. Then back to more fluff and kissing. Oh, how I enjoy writing the fluff.
Please Review! Thanks! ~Shannon
