The Maze
Hello again to y'all! Thanks for all the beautiful reviews, and I'm terribly sorry it took so long to post this next chapter. I can only be on the computer on weekends! Blackrose25: I know perfectly well what you mean. my flute still smells like rainwater! Slipper-rose: Thanks, but it's not that good. and I'll explain Mel's seeming boldness, don't worry! Felsong: I know Nee's very proper. but I'll bet she has an impish nature underneath that she only shows to people she really trusts. so I wanted to elaborate on that a bit. Mooseyfate: Gahhh! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean that, I didn't have the book with me, I should've checked it out, but I didn't. anyway, ignore the whole thing about Danric being at Mel's party! It was a glitch. Sorry!
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Nee was still smiling as she walked out of Mel's room, a copy of Mel's poem in her own handwriting and the memory of Vidanric's note fresh in her mind. A plan began to form. Danric obviously felt something for Mel, and she returned his feelings, even though she did not know that it was Danric that she loved.
She tapped the tapestry that led to the alcove after she had seen the light flickering beneath it. Then she walked in, her eyes meeting Danric's own, inquiring gray orbs.
"Good evening." He hardly glanced at her as he continued to read.
Unsure of his reaction, she placed Mel's poem in front of him. "Mel wrote that. I thought that you might want to read it."
"Did she wish me to read it?"
"It's intended for you." In a way, she added to herself. She watched him as he read it, wishing vainly that she had her fan.
For a moment, his face changed, becoming softer, more thoughtful. Then it regained it's normal look again as he looked back at Nee. "How much do you know, and how, pray, did you discover it?"
Nee considered lying; then rejected the idea. "I found the papers on Mel's desk when I went in to check on her. and fitting all the pieces together was rather easy after that."
"Curiosity killed the cat, Nee." He said this softly, but not with anger.
"I know. umm. do you have anything going on tomorrow night?"
Suspicion darkened his gray eyes. "Why?"
"Just. because." He raised his eyebrows and she looked down. "All right. Mel hasn't been to the maze yet, so I was going to take her tomorrow night. But since she's never been there, it would be very easy for her to lose me, or vice versa. She'd need someone to help her out."
"On Meliara's list of preferred rescuers, I would most probably be last. Besides, I have already accomplished getting her to race with me in the morning. I do not wish to continue to apply pressure to what little luck I seem to be having."
She shrugged. "All right, then. Mel will just be lost in the maze with no one to help her out, then."
He stiffened, anger darkening his gaze. "You will not leave Mel alone. The maze is dangerous. She could easily be injured."
"Then she should have someone there to protect her, shouldn't she?" Nee smiled sweetly. "Goodnight, Danric." She left before he could say anything else.
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Mel woke the next morning with a splitting headache, so she did not notice the absence of several of her documents from the Unknown. Mora laid out Mel's riding clothes and was now giving her a tonic for her headache. Before Mel really knew what was happening, she was mounted on a chestnut by the name of Lightning. On one side was Savona, riding a palomino, and on her other was the Marquis, mounted on his gray and dressed in light blue. No one else participated in the race besides Tamora, Elenet, and Bran, so not many people came to watch.
"Are you all right, Mel? Though your radiant beauty continues to shine, you look. down." Russav smiled at her as he patted her hand.
She attempted a smile. "I'm fine, thank you. I just have a bit of a headache."
The promise of a challenge glittered in his eyes. "Are you taking it easy on us today, then?"
She laughed, and then bent her head to hide her grimace of pain. "I will not go easy on you, Russav. You'd better hope your horse is fast, or you'll be choking on mine's dust." Then she nearly choked as she remembered that Shevraeth had been listening to her every word and could easily take her words as a challenge. Blushing, se remembered their conversation last night, and wondered why she hadn't been embarrassed then. Perhaps it was because she was so tired at the time. yes that must be it. Shevraeth said nothing, to her relief.
The race was close to starting, so all of the riders lined up, then they were off. At first, Russav and Shevraeth led, but then Elenet and Tamora took their place, and then Bran and the Marquis. Mel held Lightning back until the last leg of the race, and then urged him forward until they had taken Bran's place. Shevraeth's gray and Lightning crossed the finishing line at the same time.
A servant came to take Lightning, leaving her with Shevraeth, who still held the reins to his gray. "An excellent race, Meliara." He bowed.
She blushed, dipping into a curtsy. The gray stepped around his Master to push his nose against a surprised Mel's shoulder, nearly knocking her over in the process. She smiled and held onto his neck for balance before running her hands along his head. "You're a fine horse, aren't you?" She crooned.
He watched her as she petted his horse, open admiration in her eyes, and he had to fight not to push her away from his horse so she would look at him instead. "He usually doesn't take to anyone so quickly."
She looked about to say something, but the bell for petitioner's court rang, giving him an excuse to get away and try to understand these odd emotions. He bowed to her again as a servant took his horse, then retreated.
Mel stared after him, confusion roiling through her. He said he wanted to repair their relationship, yet when he got a chance to talk, he acted so uncomfortable. then anger and hurt washed over her. He's not serious, she decided. He probably just thinks I'm the barefoot, ignorant that's as terrible to be around as a swarm of bees. She stomped off to her room, her headache pounding as she tried to find out why she felt this way.
Nee watched her go, a smug smile on her face as she flicked her fan gently into the "guard" position.
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Danric came out of petitioner's court and went to his rooms to change into different clothes. Sighing, he looked out his window to search the grounds uselessly for Mel. Life! He was Vidanric, the Marquis of Shevraeth, the man who would be king, and he was jealous of a horse because of that woman. Shaking his head, he was about to leave when he found the letter waiting for him.
He picked it up, broke the seal, and then read aloud. "You have given me much to think about. Will you wear the ring, then, if I ask it?" He frowned a little as he pulled a sheet of plain paper out and a quill.
"You should tell her yes."
He jumped slightly, and then looked accusingly at Nee. "You shouldn't sneak up on people who are reading."
"Oh, but it is such interesting reading." Nee took Meliara's letter, studying it.
"How did you get in here, anyway?" "Servants, Danric. They are ever so useful in helping a matchmaker at work. On second thought, don't reply just yet. Give her a little time to wonder about your answer."
"I do believe that I have kept this relationship going without your help, and can continue to do so without your guidance."
"Unfortunately, I know her better than you, so I have a better idea of how to hook her. But, then again, if you wish for this relationship to progress." She trailed off delicately.
He sighed. "Fine, then. What do you propose I do?"
She told him her plan, and then left him there to think it over. Just outside of the tapestry, listening to their every word, was Savona!
"I am disappointed with you, Nee. I thought you had more sense than this." His face was stern.
"But. they need to get together, I couldn't just-"
"Of course they need to get together! What do you think I've been trying to arrange here? And how can you even try justifying leaving me out of any plot against my dear cousin? I'm very hurt by it, Nee."
She smiled. "Well, come. I'll fill you in as we go." He smiled and took her arm, listening to what she told him avidly.
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Mel decided, upon further thoughts of her situation; that it would simply be easier to give up trying to understand what happened between her and the Marquis. There were so many misunderstandings between them, and trying to figure out why she cared what he thought of her so much only made her headache worse.
So, she dressed in a blue walking dress and met Nee outside, near the maze's entrance. She looked. a little odd, but Mel shrugged it off.
"Come on, Mel. Just be careful not to get lost." Nee led them in, Mel following closely. They reached a crossroad just as the moon went behind a cloud, and Mel could see nothing. Nee smiled to herself as she heard Mel call her name, but she said nothing. Mel went to the left, so Nee went to the right, fingering her summoning stone.
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Though she was not in the dark anymore, she couldn't find Nee anywhere.
Mel tried to calm down, bring her breathing back to normal, but her body wouldn't obey. Irrationally, she began to run, hoping she'd find her way out. The maze seemed to be trying to stop her, dead ends would make her have to turn around, her clothes would snag on a branch, or a root would appear out of nowhere to try to trip her.
She ran around a corner, breathing hard, and then ran into something without leaves or branches. Both she and whatever she had run into fell onto the ground, and she found that it was a man, a man with light colored hair.
All right, I'd better stop here before I stay up all night trying to post this next part. I know it's been a long time, I'm so sorry! Any questions, comments, corrections, flames, I'll be happy to take them.
Oh, yes. Characters= Sherwood's, Setting except for maze=Sherwood's, maze= MINE!!! Any questions?
Hello again to y'all! Thanks for all the beautiful reviews, and I'm terribly sorry it took so long to post this next chapter. I can only be on the computer on weekends! Blackrose25: I know perfectly well what you mean. my flute still smells like rainwater! Slipper-rose: Thanks, but it's not that good. and I'll explain Mel's seeming boldness, don't worry! Felsong: I know Nee's very proper. but I'll bet she has an impish nature underneath that she only shows to people she really trusts. so I wanted to elaborate on that a bit. Mooseyfate: Gahhh! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean that, I didn't have the book with me, I should've checked it out, but I didn't. anyway, ignore the whole thing about Danric being at Mel's party! It was a glitch. Sorry!
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Nee was still smiling as she walked out of Mel's room, a copy of Mel's poem in her own handwriting and the memory of Vidanric's note fresh in her mind. A plan began to form. Danric obviously felt something for Mel, and she returned his feelings, even though she did not know that it was Danric that she loved.
She tapped the tapestry that led to the alcove after she had seen the light flickering beneath it. Then she walked in, her eyes meeting Danric's own, inquiring gray orbs.
"Good evening." He hardly glanced at her as he continued to read.
Unsure of his reaction, she placed Mel's poem in front of him. "Mel wrote that. I thought that you might want to read it."
"Did she wish me to read it?"
"It's intended for you." In a way, she added to herself. She watched him as he read it, wishing vainly that she had her fan.
For a moment, his face changed, becoming softer, more thoughtful. Then it regained it's normal look again as he looked back at Nee. "How much do you know, and how, pray, did you discover it?"
Nee considered lying; then rejected the idea. "I found the papers on Mel's desk when I went in to check on her. and fitting all the pieces together was rather easy after that."
"Curiosity killed the cat, Nee." He said this softly, but not with anger.
"I know. umm. do you have anything going on tomorrow night?"
Suspicion darkened his gray eyes. "Why?"
"Just. because." He raised his eyebrows and she looked down. "All right. Mel hasn't been to the maze yet, so I was going to take her tomorrow night. But since she's never been there, it would be very easy for her to lose me, or vice versa. She'd need someone to help her out."
"On Meliara's list of preferred rescuers, I would most probably be last. Besides, I have already accomplished getting her to race with me in the morning. I do not wish to continue to apply pressure to what little luck I seem to be having."
She shrugged. "All right, then. Mel will just be lost in the maze with no one to help her out, then."
He stiffened, anger darkening his gaze. "You will not leave Mel alone. The maze is dangerous. She could easily be injured."
"Then she should have someone there to protect her, shouldn't she?" Nee smiled sweetly. "Goodnight, Danric." She left before he could say anything else.
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Mel woke the next morning with a splitting headache, so she did not notice the absence of several of her documents from the Unknown. Mora laid out Mel's riding clothes and was now giving her a tonic for her headache. Before Mel really knew what was happening, she was mounted on a chestnut by the name of Lightning. On one side was Savona, riding a palomino, and on her other was the Marquis, mounted on his gray and dressed in light blue. No one else participated in the race besides Tamora, Elenet, and Bran, so not many people came to watch.
"Are you all right, Mel? Though your radiant beauty continues to shine, you look. down." Russav smiled at her as he patted her hand.
She attempted a smile. "I'm fine, thank you. I just have a bit of a headache."
The promise of a challenge glittered in his eyes. "Are you taking it easy on us today, then?"
She laughed, and then bent her head to hide her grimace of pain. "I will not go easy on you, Russav. You'd better hope your horse is fast, or you'll be choking on mine's dust." Then she nearly choked as she remembered that Shevraeth had been listening to her every word and could easily take her words as a challenge. Blushing, se remembered their conversation last night, and wondered why she hadn't been embarrassed then. Perhaps it was because she was so tired at the time. yes that must be it. Shevraeth said nothing, to her relief.
The race was close to starting, so all of the riders lined up, then they were off. At first, Russav and Shevraeth led, but then Elenet and Tamora took their place, and then Bran and the Marquis. Mel held Lightning back until the last leg of the race, and then urged him forward until they had taken Bran's place. Shevraeth's gray and Lightning crossed the finishing line at the same time.
A servant came to take Lightning, leaving her with Shevraeth, who still held the reins to his gray. "An excellent race, Meliara." He bowed.
She blushed, dipping into a curtsy. The gray stepped around his Master to push his nose against a surprised Mel's shoulder, nearly knocking her over in the process. She smiled and held onto his neck for balance before running her hands along his head. "You're a fine horse, aren't you?" She crooned.
He watched her as she petted his horse, open admiration in her eyes, and he had to fight not to push her away from his horse so she would look at him instead. "He usually doesn't take to anyone so quickly."
She looked about to say something, but the bell for petitioner's court rang, giving him an excuse to get away and try to understand these odd emotions. He bowed to her again as a servant took his horse, then retreated.
Mel stared after him, confusion roiling through her. He said he wanted to repair their relationship, yet when he got a chance to talk, he acted so uncomfortable. then anger and hurt washed over her. He's not serious, she decided. He probably just thinks I'm the barefoot, ignorant that's as terrible to be around as a swarm of bees. She stomped off to her room, her headache pounding as she tried to find out why she felt this way.
Nee watched her go, a smug smile on her face as she flicked her fan gently into the "guard" position.
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Danric came out of petitioner's court and went to his rooms to change into different clothes. Sighing, he looked out his window to search the grounds uselessly for Mel. Life! He was Vidanric, the Marquis of Shevraeth, the man who would be king, and he was jealous of a horse because of that woman. Shaking his head, he was about to leave when he found the letter waiting for him.
He picked it up, broke the seal, and then read aloud. "You have given me much to think about. Will you wear the ring, then, if I ask it?" He frowned a little as he pulled a sheet of plain paper out and a quill.
"You should tell her yes."
He jumped slightly, and then looked accusingly at Nee. "You shouldn't sneak up on people who are reading."
"Oh, but it is such interesting reading." Nee took Meliara's letter, studying it.
"How did you get in here, anyway?" "Servants, Danric. They are ever so useful in helping a matchmaker at work. On second thought, don't reply just yet. Give her a little time to wonder about your answer."
"I do believe that I have kept this relationship going without your help, and can continue to do so without your guidance."
"Unfortunately, I know her better than you, so I have a better idea of how to hook her. But, then again, if you wish for this relationship to progress." She trailed off delicately.
He sighed. "Fine, then. What do you propose I do?"
She told him her plan, and then left him there to think it over. Just outside of the tapestry, listening to their every word, was Savona!
"I am disappointed with you, Nee. I thought you had more sense than this." His face was stern.
"But. they need to get together, I couldn't just-"
"Of course they need to get together! What do you think I've been trying to arrange here? And how can you even try justifying leaving me out of any plot against my dear cousin? I'm very hurt by it, Nee."
She smiled. "Well, come. I'll fill you in as we go." He smiled and took her arm, listening to what she told him avidly.
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Mel decided, upon further thoughts of her situation; that it would simply be easier to give up trying to understand what happened between her and the Marquis. There were so many misunderstandings between them, and trying to figure out why she cared what he thought of her so much only made her headache worse.
So, she dressed in a blue walking dress and met Nee outside, near the maze's entrance. She looked. a little odd, but Mel shrugged it off.
"Come on, Mel. Just be careful not to get lost." Nee led them in, Mel following closely. They reached a crossroad just as the moon went behind a cloud, and Mel could see nothing. Nee smiled to herself as she heard Mel call her name, but she said nothing. Mel went to the left, so Nee went to the right, fingering her summoning stone.
************************************************************************
Though she was not in the dark anymore, she couldn't find Nee anywhere.
Mel tried to calm down, bring her breathing back to normal, but her body wouldn't obey. Irrationally, she began to run, hoping she'd find her way out. The maze seemed to be trying to stop her, dead ends would make her have to turn around, her clothes would snag on a branch, or a root would appear out of nowhere to try to trip her.
She ran around a corner, breathing hard, and then ran into something without leaves or branches. Both she and whatever she had run into fell onto the ground, and she found that it was a man, a man with light colored hair.
All right, I'd better stop here before I stay up all night trying to post this next part. I know it's been a long time, I'm so sorry! Any questions, comments, corrections, flames, I'll be happy to take them.
Oh, yes. Characters= Sherwood's, Setting except for maze=Sherwood's, maze= MINE!!! Any questions?