Gorlan Fief

Twelve Years Prior to Morgarath's Rebellion

It was too hot in the crowded ballroom, the girl thought, weaving her way through the knights and Barons who had made the journey to Castle Gorlan. She didn't know why they had come. The annual Tournament wasn't for another three months at least, and the Baron of this particular Fief wasn't that well-known for throwing extravagant balls and parties, although he was an excellent host.

Her father, a well-known knight of the realm was talking to him now, the host of the party, who stood, tall and regal in a black suit, with only a small patch of gold to break the monotony. She glanced at her gown, over-sparkled, in her opinion, in a brilliant shade of blue. It had been her sister's before she'd been married. Her lucky dress, her mother had commented. Maybe the eighteen-year-old would be able to find her own suitor in it as well.

Elizabeth Wheeler had shaken her head at the comment, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. She wasn't ready for marriage, hadn't found her perfect match.

But maybe today that would change.

She could see her father gesturing at her now, and she smiled at him as she moved to his side, making a polite bow as she neared the Baron. Dark eyes wandered her face, and she forced her eyes to stay on his. He was good looking, she had to admit, although older than she was.

"Lord Morgarath, allow me to introduce my youngest daughter, Elizabeth." Stevyn Wheeler said a small smile on his face as he watched his daughter.

Elizabeth held one hand out, palm down, like her mother had taught her to do since she was able to fully understand why. Manners dictated such formality, though she nearly wanted to pull her hand away as the Baron raised it to his lips, pressing a light kiss to it. A small hint of color appeared on her cheeks, and she nearly missed the Baron's next words.

"Stevyn, my friend, why haven't you found a match for this one?"

The other man glanced at his daughter, who had looked away, hiding a small smile not very well. She was enjoying this, Stevyn thought, a trifle sourly. "Haven't been able to!" he said. "She's scared off most suitors that came calling."

"And I thought that was the father's job," Morgarath commented, and Elizabeth could feel more color rising on her cheeks, could feel the Baron's eyes on her once more. "If I may," he asked her now, offering an arm for her to take. She looked at her father now, who nodded, and she took the proffered arm, allowing him to lead her away, towards a quieter part of the ballroom. She wondered why he was doing this. He hadn't seemed interested in any of the unmarried ladies who had spoken to him so far and she could feel the jealous glances of several of those ladies as they passed them.

Still, she couldn't help but feel a little bit proud, a warm glow of something heating up her chest as he finally turned his gaze onto her. "You seem to be happy about something, Lady Elizabeth."

"Please, call me Eliza, Lord Morgarath," she replied. "Only my parents call me Elizabeth and even then, its when I'm in trouble or in formal situations."

"This feels like a formal situation."

"Only because of the occasion," she flashed at him. "If anything, this is another way to show off the strength and power of Gorlan, I wager." When the Baron looked slightly surprised and drew breath to challenge that, she continued, forestalling him. "Or, I suppose it could be a way for a grumpy bachelor to find the woman of his dreams. His missing link."

It was the Baron's turn to color slightly, and she turned a winning smile on him, suddenly realizing what that glow in her chest was. It was maybe something all the other ladies had felt, but now...now it seemed different somehow. Like she was falling...

She smiled at him as he leaned closer. "It seems you can see right through me. No wonder you've scared so many suitors off. But, I'm afraid you'll find me a tougher suitor to scare."

She brushed a strand of red hair behind her ear and looked up at him, amber colored brown eyes studying his black ones. "I rather hope I don't," she said, smiling up at him. He took a moment to study her before pulling away, leaving her to watch him as he turned, facing her father. Stevyn was watching them closely, and he felt a small glow of satisfaction, knowing he'd found a match for his daughter.

Two months later, the two were married, in the warmth of the summertime sun. She smiled at him, as the day slowly turned into night. She stood next to him, looking small next to his tall frame. She was nervous. She now bore the title of Baroness, the Lady Elizabeth of Gorlan Fief. She wondered if she was good enough, and the thought plagued her throughout the night, smiling at those who seemed jealous, once even placing a flower in the hair of a small girl who had given it to her. Eliza smiled at the young child, and, even though it didn't seem proper, deftly weaved a crown of her wedding flowers, placing it on the child's head and smiling wider as she watched the girl run to show her friends.

"They love you already," Morgarath told her, hand in hers now. She looked at him, the smile still lighting up her features. It was that that had made him fall, he thought. That and her wit.

She shrugged lightly now, leaning against him. "I hope so," she said. "And I hope we can go inside soon. I can't wait to get out of these shoes..."

"Uncomfortable?"

She nodded. "What about you?" she asked. "You have to wear dress armor for this. That can't be too comfortable."

"One gets used to it," he said, and she raised an eyebrow at him. "What is that look for?"

"Oh, its nothing," she said. "I was just thinking you might want to get out of that armor..."

He took in her flushed features, slowly realizing what she was implying. He smiled at her, and then lead her back to the castle, a small smirk on his face as he left orders for them to not be disturbed.