I hate to go so long between updates! Sorry!
The last sliver of the second sun had just dipped below the horizon when Azkadellia pushed open the library doors. The orange light was streaming in through the window onto Ambrose, who was sitting at the table, thumbing through Ancient Languages of the Outer Zone. He looked up.
"Hi there."
She smiled and pulled up a chair next to him, setting a stack of writing paper and pen in front of her.
"Thanks so much for doing this, Ambrose."
It was his turn to smile. "What are friends for?"
Taking the pen in hand, she took one sheet of paper off the stack and pushed the rest to the side. She stared at the blank page for a moment, then looked up at him.
"What now?"
"Jot down what things you want to tell her. What do you want to make sure is included?"
Az bit the end of the pen in thought. "How much I missed her while I was gone."
"Good. Write it down. We're just taking notes. What else?"
She looked at the paper again, then up at Ambrose. "How I tried to fight the witch."
"Okay."
"How I'm sorry that I don't seem to be measuring up to her standards."
Azkadellia was writing furiously now. She got two-thirds of the way down the page and then froze. After a moment, she looked up at him with tear-filled eyes.
"Would it be inappropriate to ask her why she didn't save me?" she whispered.
A sad smile crossed Ambrose's face and he took her hand in his. "You're writing to your mother, not to a queen. Whatever's on your heart, Az. Put it down."
She nodded and wrote it down.
"Is that everything?" He asked gently.
"I think so."
"Okay, now we need to put these in an order that makes sense. What do you want to say first?"
They worked until long after dark. Ambrose glanced up at the ancient grandfather clock in the corner as Azkadellia crumpled another sheet of paper and threw it to the side.
"It's almost midnight, Az."
Azkadellia looked up at the clock, growled, then banged her head on the table. "I'm never going to get this right! She's going to think I'm completely incompetent."
Ambrose reached over and gently lifted the pen from her hand while sliding the small stack of paper away from her. "It's late. You're tired." Lifting up the top page, he scanned the writing. "This is a good start. Let it sit overnight and we can continue tomorrow."
She ran her fingers through her hair and sighed. "All right. Meet me here tomorrow after my lessons?"
"As soon as I'm done with the 3:00 agriculture briefing." They stood up and Ambrose pushed in her chair. "May I escort you to your residence, Princess?" he asked formally, smiling.
A small smile graced Az's lips as she took his arm. "Why, thank you, good sir."
"Ambrose, you've been so sweet to me lately. I really appreciate it." Az confessed as they approached her room. "Most people avoid me like a contagious disease."
"Not the important ones. Everyone else will come around."
"That's what everyone says. Sometimes I'm just not sure."
They stopped in front of her door. Ambrose took her hands in his. "Azkadellia, you are a beautiful, smart, thoughtful, witty, caring woman. You just need to show everyone."
Her face softened and she hugged him tightly. "I don't know what I'd do without, you."
He was grinning as she stepped back. "Good night, Azkadee."
She reached back and turned the door handle, biting her lower lip. "Good night, Ambrose."
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