Chapter Two

Amira sat in the window seat, clutching a letter in her hands while looking out the window. She was so deep in thought that when she felt a tap on her shoulder, she gasped out loud.

"Melva!" she said when she turned her head and saw who was behind her. "You nearly gave me a heart attack!"

Amira's sister-in-law chuckled and sat across from where Amira was clutching her knees to her chest.

"I guess you're here about the letter," said Amira with a sigh, gently setting it between them with a flutter of parchment.

"He wrote you a letter, did he?" said Melva with a raised brow. "I thought I was the only one he sent letters to."

Amira scowled. "My brother has always communicated better in writing and has been sending me letters since I was old enough to read, even if we happen in be in the same castle at the same time."

Melva laughed again and reached for the letter. "I assume," she said, "that if the letters I receive are anything to go by, he's already covered every counter-argument you could come up with and has a reason while it's still better to see things his way."

"Yes and it's bloody annoying. I don't want to marry the high king, but it's all in the name of Archenland," she finished with dry flourish, throwing her arms out. "And even though he explained it, I still don't see how an alliance will help boost our economy. But then I've never understood his numerical explanations."

Amira fell silent as she waited for Melva to finish reading her letter. "Well?" she asked when Melva finally put it down.

Melva looked at her thoughtfully and asked, "How do you feel about it?"

"Well, it doesn't matter how I feel, does it?" said Amira bitterly. "I could never say no to the king, my own brother, could I?"

"I guessed that," said Melva wryly. "But what do you think about the specifics, the high king himself, for example?"

Amira shrugged. "I don't know," she said. "I've never met him personally. I saw him once at some function, but I'm only a princess--he talked to my brother and I didn't get a second glance. His sisters talked to me though, both of them. They were cordial enough, I suppose. From that experience I don't think I have much of a chance getting his attention, do I? Why would he pay attention to me when he hasn't before?"

"Because he'll be looking for you."

"Aren't you forgetting that I'll be competing for his attention?"

Melva laughed. "And what do you think I had to do to get your brother?" she asked.

Amira wrinkled her nose. "Actually, I'd rather not think about it, thank you."

Melva just smiled and said, "Well it's simple really. I--" Amira cut her off.

"Please, Melva, spare me the details. There are just some things that a girl doesn't need know about her brother," she said. They looked at each other, and laughed.

After they had calmed down Melva looked at Amira.

"Amira, I really believe that you should give this a chance. You never know, the high king could love you." Amira scoffed at Melva.

"Love me? I will believe that when pigs fly!"

After their entertaining conversation, Melva had been fetched by a servant to attend to her three month old daughter, so Amira, though she loved seeing her niece dearly, decided to go on a ride rather than accompany her sister-in-law. She went down to the stables and after she had saddled her beloved horse, Hasana, she rode off.

"I think I chose exactly the wrong time of day to go for a ride," mused Amira as she slowed her horse to a trot.

"Quite right," said Hasana with a toss of her mane. "It's entirely too hot, for my way of thinking. I wouldn't mind stopping at that stream over there for a drink, if you have nowhere better in mind."

"I hadn't planned a set course," admitted Amira. She slackened her reins in unspoken consent for Hasana to go where she pleased and the good horse immediately set for the stream.

"Amira!"

Amira heard the voice calling and turned in her saddle to seek out who it was. Hasana, too, looked over her shoulder and huffed in displeasure.

"It's your brother," Hasana said, "and that--that, overgrown stallion of his!"

Amira looked and saw that Hasana was right-- it was her twin brother, Damien, and his horse Bronwyn.

"What, ho!" said Damien in greeting as he approached.

"What ho, yourself," said Amira wryly.

"Seen our kingly brother recently?"

"No," said Amira, "as a matter of fact, I haven't seen Ulrich."

"But you did get his letter?"

Amira rolled her eyes. "Of course," she said. "It's not like it could have gotten lost in the fifteen minutes it took for the servant to deliver it to me."

"You never know," said Damien cheekily. "So, I guess you're aware that Ulrich is preparing your escort as we speak?"

"Botheration!" said Amira. "I had hoped-- do you think he would allow me to travel to Cair Paravel on my own? I was hoping for some alone time and the journey would be a perfect time for it."

"Why don't you ask me yourself," said a voice behind the two of them.

"Ulrich!" said Damien heartily. "Nice to see you've joined the party."

Ulrich urged his horse forward until the three of them were abreast of the stream. "So," said Ulrich, "you'd rather appear at Cair Paravel without an entourage? You do realize, of course, how that would look to the other nobility?"

Amira shrugged. "I don't really care," she said. "I don't think that sort of thing should matter."

"Neither do I," said Ulrich. "I only thought you might. But if you don't, I suppose I see no harm in going alone."

"The only problem I can foresee is Melva," said Amira. "I don't think she'll approve of me going without someone with me. She'll probably say it's dangerous."

"We won't tell her then," said Damien.

"Better yet," threw in Ulrich, "we not only won't tell her, but the pair of you can leave in the middle of the night."

"Yes, I suppose I don't mind if Damien comes," said Amira.

"Sounds fun to me," said Damien.

"It's settled then," said Ulrich. "I'll continue with the preparations as if nothing has changed."