ONCE UPON A MIDWINTER
a/n: This is my first fic, though I have spent months reading others and writing this one. Constructive criticism is welcomed, as are flamers.They make me laugh! Anyways, on to the story.
Chapter 1:
Midwinter had always been one of Lianne's favorite times of the year. The she had only been attending the Midwinter Balls for 3 years, she had always been excited by the decorations and gifts. As far back as she could remember, she recalled her parents dressed in all of their splendor bidding her goodnight before they left to dance the night away.
Several years ago it had been time for Roald to attend. Then Shinkokami, now his wife of 2 years, had been introduced to the Tortallan Court. So too had Kally, now ruling as the Emperor of Carthak, and Liam. Then it had been Lianne's turn.
She remembered everything that had happened on the night of her very first Midwinter Ball vividly. She sighed happily now, remembering. Her dress had been fantastic, a hazel green that brought out her hazel eyes. Her hair had been coiled and pinned, much like it was now.
Her reminiscing was interrupted by her mother's musical voice. "Lia," it teased, no less than the eyes than Lianne herself had inherited. "Why are you out here, in the cold? There are plenty of young men inside to warm a young sixteen year old girl, much like yourself. And I must admit, that Faleron is looking quite handsome tonight."
"Mother!" Lianne cried, a blush spreading across her face. She didn't like talking about her love interest, especially not with her mother. "You're married! Da'll be upset."
Thayet's laugh was a reassuring sound. "No, he's too captivated by the other women in there." Lia grinned, knowing her mother was joking. "Come, we'll enter together.
Lianne had been inside the ballroom for quite some time now. 'Where did Faleron go?' she wondered to herself. She had seen him when she had entered, but she was sure that she had seen him heading outside to the gardens not more than 5 minutes ago. She decided to follow him.
She slipped outside, hoping she would not be missed. She knew that that would be unlikely. Considering the fact that she was still considered to be the only eligible Princess, even though she had been with Faleron for a year (a/n I'm not sure if they had girlfriends and boyfriends and all that stuff back then, but just bare with me, ok?). Breathing in the cool night air, she began to stroll through the gardens. As she walked, she reflected on her relationship with Faleron.
None of the information about her and Faleron was kept secret. She wished with an aching heart that some of the more private stuff had not gotten out, but alas, it had. She also wished that she could find out how anybody had known about it in the first place.
Whenever she was with Faleron, she felt as if her heart just rose through her body and into her throat. This only happened when she was around him, and she loved it. No one else could make her feel so happy.
Turning a bend, she sensed that Faleron was near. As always, her heart rose to it's familiar place at the back of her throat. She turned another bend and stopped dead. What she saw was enough to make her heart cease it's beating, tumble out of her wide open mouth, and fall to the ground, shattering into a million pieces.
