thunder

It's storming in Meltokio.

Jane's only there because the Elvish ambassador to Tethe'alla was one of her father's few close friends, and he's requested her presence at his Meltokian manor. She's got an idea of what to expect; his wife died just last year, and he's got three sons that need a mother. Jane is a prime candidate for a bride, she knows this. She's young and blonde, graduated from finishing school and comes from a respected, if not well liked, line of temple guardians. Not to mention, she's a great pianist, fluent in both Elvish and the primary human language and can cook and clean like nobody's business. The ambassador is a good guy, and it's not like he's unattractive or anything; but he's at least 200 years old. Can't he find someone just as good a little closer to his own age?

Jane is helped out of the carriage by a human boy who looks about twelve. She thanks him, but can't bring herself to move towards the steps of the manor. Her gown is getting soaked.

"Ya shouldn't be hangin' 'bout in the rain, missus," the boy says, heaving her trunk into his arms. He gestures towards the manor's front door. "Ladies first."

Later, after she's been introduced to his children and any important dignitaries who just happen to be hanging around, Jane is ushered into the parlor where the ambassador sits across from her drinking tea, and the scene is so familiar to her visit to Caspienne that it's almost funny. Almost.

The ambassador says nothing for a full five minutes, sipping tea and staring out the window at the rain-soaked people passing by. Jane grips her teacup tightly, tapping her painted fingernails against the delicate china in an erratic rhythm. She means to call his attention, to remind him that he has a guest, but he doesn't even seem to notice.

"I knew him," the ambassador says finally, still watching the rain. Jane glances at him.

"I beg your pardon?"

The ambassador finally looks up at her, expressionless. "Mithos," he says simply. Jane's stomach drops. "Well, to say I knew him is a bit of an exaggeration, I suppose," he continues wistfully. "I did meet him, though. When he and Martel ran away from Heimdall, the first place they came was the Elvish embassy. I'd received news of them, of course, from a rider sent out by the Elder, and I was forced to send them away."

He stops talking, eyes falling to the floor. "I met him again though, after the war had ended. It's only been three years, hasn't it?"

"Yes," Jane says quietly. "Three years."

"At the queen's ball, he was there. You were too, weren't you, and your father. I was afraid to talk to him at first, I thought he wouldn't have forgiven me for turning him and his sister away like that. But he didn't even seem to remember."

Oh, he remembered, Jane thinks irately. I'm sure he did.

The ambassador sighs and finishes off his tea. "I'm sorry for bringing you here," he says, glancing at Jane again. "I hope you don't mind. It was on such short notice after all."

"Oh, it's fine." No it's not.

"But there is a matter I would like to discuss with you…"

Here it goes…