Pre-story A/N: Thank you to everybody who reviewed. I LOVE YOU!!!!!! It's always so great to know that people like what I write. Gives me a nice warm, tingly feeling inside, in the non-sexual kinda way. I don't really do long write-backs to reviewers, so I'm only going to answer the one's that made the biggest impression.
Meghan8- THANX! I capture his Flauvic-ness...I like that. Just a warning in case you really don't like him: he does become a good guy by the end, it just takes a lot of hard work... and some shoveling. Keep reading!
Wake-Robin- This is from waaaay back in Short Snippet: I was worried about poisoning, too, but I think I thought of a way around that. I hope. So glad we're on the same page.
Emerald-random- Again, from SS: sheepish look Well... It's not entirely from Flauvic's POV, but as it gets closer to the end I find myself going to his view more and more. I hope you like.
CHAPTER 2- Aftermath and Dinner
After Petitioners' Court ended, I was surrounded by courtiers who wanted to congratulate and denounce me for my decision, ask about what it had been like to be abducted by Flauvic, and to gossip with me. As you might expect, Tara of Savona was the leader of the gossipers.
"Well, I must say, I think he was much prettier as a tree!" she giggled. "Honestly! Did you ever see someone so dirty and gritty? Everything I had ever heard of Lord Flauvic was that he was amazingly handsome. I'm completely disappointed!"
"Just wait until he's clean," I said drolly. "He's much more impressive that way."
Tara's pale gold eyebrows inched up in speculation. I blushed. I didn't want her to think that I had any sort of inclination toward that man.
"It's only the truth," I said. "He is lovely, but he's not very nice."
After that, I was pretty much ignored. The real topic was Flauvic; I was just a temporary focus. I left my peers and drifted over to where my parents and older brother were talking with the Duke and Duchess of Savona, the Duchess of Grumareth, and my aunt and uncle. They saw me coming and Mother and Father smiled.
"That was impressive, Elestra," Father complimented. "I'm very proud of you. You showed mercy, but still you knew what needed to be done."
"And you made him sweat for a moment there," Mother smirked.
I laughed.
"We were all holding our breaths for a few moments," Alaraec said. "I never would have imagined that you had it in you to keep us in such suspense. I was worried that you would order Flauvic's head to be cut off right here in the Throne Room with everyone watching."
"I considered it," I admitted. "But I think that everyone deserves a second chance. After all, he told us himself that he went to see all of his old allies and none of them offered to help him. He has nowhere else to go."
Everyone was silent for a moment, thinking that over.
Savona shook his head and chuckled lightly.
"Well, this'll certainly be a new experience for him," he said. "I wonder how he's going to get on with all that work he'll be doing. I'd wager that he'll make a run for it before the first week is up."
"I never try to guess what Flauvic will be up to," Father said. "I am too often wrong."
I stayed with the adult group until the bell for first blue rang and we all went our separate ways. I walked back to my rooms and changed out of my elaborate, blue Court dress and into a riding habit. I had finished my lessons for the day, and didn't have much else to do. I went to the stables and found my cousin Kitten there, already mounted up, along with a few other young courtiers. I waved to them and went to get my horse, Bluewood, a descendent of my father's famous grey.
I was invited along with them to ride, but I declined. I was more in the mood for a solitary ride. I needed to think. Before I rode off, Phillo Keradec, red haired and thin, one of my cousin's suitors, invited me to a party that he was throwing next week. I agreed to come, and then left in the direction of the old ruins that had once been Merindar House. I found myself going there to think a lot. Today, I wondered what would happen it Flauvic did complete his year and a half. What would be done then? Would Father give him back his lands? Would he have to go out into the world and fend for himself? Should he even have been given a second chance? What if he tried to take over the kingdom again? What if he tried to hurt my family?
I had so many questions, but nobody had an answer for me. Except maybe Flauvic himself, but I doubted that he would be sharing his plans any time soon. I was going to have to wait and see what happened. I hated waiting. Patience has never been one of my virtues.
When I noticed rain clouds gathering in the west I turned Bluewood back toward Athanarel. I had dinner with my family that night, as usual, and privately marveled at how little disruption Flauvic was actually causing. Everything seemed to be going on as usual, like nothing had happened. The gossip was different, but no more than the usual amount.
I was tempted to ask Father what Flauvic's first duties would be. I didn't think that he would be getting the easy jobs just yet. I had a feeling that Mother would make sure that for the first month or so he would be mucking out the stables, or polishing every piece of silver in the palace, or something equally tiring and straining.
After we had finished with our meal, Alaraec went to the library archives to double check my story on Baron Eglestum's daughter. Oria was away at school, still, and I missed her, brat that she could be at times. Father put a hand on my shoulder and led me off to one side while Mother went to speak with a servant who was clearing away our dishes.
"I thought that you might like to know, Flauvic will be spending his first month of service in the palace kitchens," he said softly.
I nodded. "I figured it would be something like that," I confided. I frowned when a thought occurred to me. "You do know that this makes it easier for him to poison us?"
Father laughed. "It does, but I don't think he'll get the chance. He'll be scrubbing pots and taking out the garbage. He will never get close enough to the food to poison us, and I have seven of my best, along with the entire kitchen staff, watching him like a kingfisher watches trout."
That made me laugh. He escorted me back to my rooms and said good-night. He and Mother still had things to do before they went to bed, and I needed to tell Maureen that I would need a new dress for Phillo's party next week. That entailed choosing material, color, style, and embroidery patterns, and would likely take the rest of the night. Have I mentioned how much I hate court functions?
Post-story A/N: I think I forgot to title the first chapter. It was called "Hello Again." Just so you know. As for this chap, if you liked it, go review and tell me so. If you didn't like it, go review and tell me how to fix it. I apologize for any type-o's. Word Processor is supposed to catch them, but sometimes I don't pay attention to the little red squigglies.