Well, this is it. The sequel you've all been waiting for! For those who have not yet read Two Weeks, I suggest you read that first cuz then this will make more sense. And you'll like it, I promise! :D
Prepare for more insanity as crazygunbladergirl presents...
Fourteen More Days
Chapter 1 -- Just Eating Fish, In Which Chaos Begins Anew
"Nestling? Nestling! Wake up! Do you have any idea what time it is?"
Our lovely friend Naesala groaned and rolled over in bed, covering his ears with a pillow. "Go away, Nealuchi!"
"The sun has been up for nine hours now! Everyone else has already eaten lunch!"
"That's nice. Now let me sleep."
"Princess Leanne is arriving in three hours!"
Naesala instantly shot out of bed and threw on his best outfit. Within the span of about five minutes he was perfectly dressed and well-groomed.
Why didn't he wake me up earlier? he thought as he rushed down the hallway. The garden hasn't been watered! The silk dresses haven't arrived! My hair is still a mess! He stopped to look at his hair in a mirror.
It had been three months since the end of those two weeks that had allow most of Naesala's dreams to come true. Most of them. Leanne had written to him every day, and, of course, he always responded. She was finally finished with her obligations in Gallia and was free to visit him whenever he pleased. That is, with her brother Reyson's consent. Reyson was still unsure about the whole arrangement, since his sister was so naive and her beau was a horny pirate.
However, Leanne and Reyson were now coming to stay in Kilvas for a grand total of... two weeks! Naesala had wanted more, of course, but Reyson refused. The heron prince was hopeful that since Naesala hadn't gotten into Leanne's pants during his two-week visit to Gallia, he wouldn't succeed in doing so for this two-week visit. So two weeks became the established visiting period, and Naesala already had a new plan up his sleeve.
We're going to get married and have babies! Lots and lots of babies! 400 BABIES! Because, of course, we won't be able to keep off of each other for long--
Naesala was pulled out of his private reverie by the sight the newly-planted garden out the window. Nealuchi had spent weeks researching what kind of plants would grow in the rocky terrain of Kilvas. The rest of the flowers were grown artificially with the aid of beorc magic, compliments of Mist, whom they had kidnapped from Crimea temporarily to help with the garden. Ike's younger sister had just been returned yesterday, along with many apologies from Nealuchi.
Naesala grinned as he looked over the garden. She'll love it! he thought excitedly. It's like Gallia and Serenes had a baby in Kilvas!
Nealuchi stood beside him and chuckled at his king's approval. "So you've taken an interest in gardening now?"
"Of course not. I don't know what any of those flowers are called."
"Well, I came to inform you that the silk just came in. Would you like to look it over?"
Naesala's eyes lit up. "The dresses are green and white, right?"
"Yes, Nestling. There are a few ivory, champagne, and cream colors in there, too, to compliment the green. The dressmakers in Begnion suggested it," the old crow explained.
"Fine, fine. I'll look it over later."
The silk, of course, had been stolen from the merchant ships Nealuchi and the crow army attacked in their successful raid. But Leanne and Reyson didn't need to know that.
Three hours later, the heron siblings arrived from Gallia. Reyson looked quite unpleasant, but Leanne was absolutely radiant. On seeing Naesala she rushed up to him and hugged him.
"What, no kiss?" Naesala whispered.
"Reyson..." she muttered in his ear.
"Ah, I see." The realization suddenly came to him that these two weeks would be much more frustrating than he had planned. However, he knew he could easily outsmart the white prince, since he had done it several times before.
"Welcome to Kilvas, my esteemed heron friends!" Naesala exclaimed with a dramatic bow. "I do hope you will enjoy your time here."
Reyson nodded. "Yes, Leanne has really been looking forward to this visit."
"And you?"
"Um... sure."
Nealuchi came up to them. "I am sure you two are quite hungry after your long flight. We have dinner all prepared, if you are ready to eat."
"Ah, thank you, Nealuchi!" Reyson smiled. "I will admit I am a bit hungry. Come, Leanne, let's go get some dinner!"
Leanne frowned. "I want eat with Naesala."
"Ah, dear, you should probably go with your brother," Naesala whispered. "We don't want to upset him so early on."
She turned to him with determination in her eyes. "I eat with Naesala! I wanting to talk for so long!"
Reyson grabbed her hand. "He can come with us, Leanne. What do you need to talk about in private?"
"You not understand. You single." She smiled, though it was more of a smirk. "I courting."
Wow, she's even more stubborn than her brother, Naesala thought.
Reyson sighed. "Fine, Leanne. But I'll be checking in on you every once in a while, okay?"
"Okay!" She took Naesala's hand and led him away. "See? Now we alone!"
"You don't have to be so forceful, darling. That's my job."
She sighed. "I sorry... I just miss you so much! Reyson not let us kiss..."
"Well, we could always kiss late--"
She threw her arms around him and kissed him passionately.
"Darling," he gasped once she had let go, "I think I've been a bad influence on you."
"No, not you. Lyre." She smiled innocently.
They sat out on the balcony attached to Naesala's room for dinner. Naesala suggested it, making sure that Reyson wasn't following them. He'll get the wrong idea, as usual, he thought as Nealuchi came in with their dinner.
"Fresh trout with butter!" the old crow explained as he put the dishes on the table. "Nestling suggested it."
"Thank you!" Leanne exclaimed. "I like!"
Once Nealuchi had left, Leanne began to admire the view from the balcony. She marveled at the sun glittering off of the ocean, though the rocks did not necessarily appeal to her. However, she did notice a bit of greenery below.
"What that?" she asked, pointing down at the trees.
"Your surprise," Naesala answered. "But you can't see it until tomorrow."
"Why not?" Leanne frowned. "I waiting long enough."
Because that last little bit wasn't finished... Nealuchi said he would have it done by tomorrow. I hope he was right... The raven king grinned. "You can't really appreciate it so late in the day. You'll need a whole day to spend in it."
"Really?" Leanne's eyes widened with excitement. "Can't wait!" Then she looked out over the ocean at the slowly setting sun. "So many colors," she whispered. "Ocean pretty."
"You think so?" Naesala grinned. Excellent, she'll want to stay if she can see the ocean every day! One more point for me!
Leanne nodded. Then she asked, "Sunrise pretty?"
"I guess so. I haven't watched it in a while." He was usually still fast asleep at that point.
"Maybe, tomorrow... you watch sunrise with me?" she asked hopefully.
"Watch the sunrise with you? From the balcony, you mean?"
She smiled and nodded.
How romantic would that be! Oh, Leanne, you're certainly getting good at this! He grinned. "Of course I'll watch it with you tomorrow! Just make sure Reyson doesn't find out."
Naesala then heard a light cough from the other side of the door.
"Dammit, he's listening in on us," he whispered.
"Reyson?"
"Yes." Then he got a brilliant idea. "Leanne, I have a brilliant idea. Play along." He took up a forkful of fish and slowly ate it from the fork, making loud "yummy" noises. "Oh, you're so good... so good..." He let out a sigh. "I've waited so long to taste you..."
Leanne caught on and took up a bit of fish. "Mmmm..." she sighed.
"You're so delicious... Give me more!"
Reyson burst through the door onto the balcony. "NAESALA!! JUST WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU're..." His voice trailed off as they looked at him in mock confusion.
"We're just eating our fish, Reyson," Naesala explained with an innocent expression. "What did you think we were doing?"
Reyson tried to formulate words from his mouth but was failing miserably. "Wh... ng... y... mh..." He then let out a frustrated groan and stormed off.
Naesala grinned. "He certainly has a dirty mind. We were just eating fish..."
Leanne let out a burst of laughter. "You so bad! You make Reyson upset!"
Naesala turned to her. "Well, darling, that was fun. I think I've found a way to make this little visit more entertaining."
"Now we kiss?" she asked.
"Of course, darling."
After dinner they returned to the main hall, where Reyson was waiting. His frown showed that he was still upset at Naesala for his little trick.
"Aw, come on, Reyson! Can't you take a little joke?" Naesala asked him in a casual tone. "Your sister thought it was funny."
"I'm going to get a heart attack before these two weeks are over," Reyson muttered. "Father told me to keep watch on Leanne."
"Fine, fine." Naesala stretched his wings. "Well, Leanne, would you like a tour of the lovely grounds of Kilvas?"
The heron princess shook her head. "I sorry. I tired. Long day. Maybe tomorrow."
"All right, then. Good night, Leanne!" Naesala glanced over to Reyson, who was watching them carefully. "Can I at least give her a good night kiss?"
"I suppose..."
Naesala leaned in and kissed her lightly on both cheeks before touching on her lips. "Good night."
"Night-night!" Leanne smiled and ran off to her room.
Reyson sighed. "Please, Naesala, at least behave yourself for this trip."
"What, do you want me to have her in by sundown every night, and I'm not allowed in her room without a chaperone?" the raven asked mockingly.
"Something like that..."
"Reyson, Reyson..." Naesala walked over to him and gave him a pat on the back. "I am going to make sure to find a woman for you so that you'll lighten up."
Reyson rolled his eyes. "Thank you, I guess, but I really don't have time for that sort of thing."
"Oh, you will, my friend! You will make time when the right girl comes along!" Naesala winked. "How about a drink?"
"You know how I despise your rum..."
"Oh, party-pooper." Naesala laughed and began to walk off.
Suddenly, he heard Reyson gasp behind him. "Wait, Naesala! You better not be drinking with her! You're bad enough sober, but if you're both under the influence who knows what you'll do!"
Naesala turned around and grinned. "Who knows? We could always find out."
Reyson glared at him. "You're so impossible sometimes..."
"Jo-king!" Naesala shook his head. "I'll see you tomorrow, then. Good night!"
"Good night," Reyson muttered.