Planning a Proposal

Lounging in his father's study Aiden was happy with the way things had turned out the other day. Though it started off well with Jade, then declined with father, it picked right back up at the end of the day when Fergus talked some sense into the man. And dinner wasn't half bad, the young warrior rogue mused with a smile remembering he had started to burn the stew the other day. Today however was all reserved for planning the proposal; he even called off all sparring, training, cleaning, and really anything that would hinder him in making this plan perfect. The one thing he hadn't planned on though was his mother's guest interrupting his peace.

Pouring over a map of locations in the Teyrnir Aiden thought would be an acceptable place to propose the red door lightly squeaked open; ignoring the sound he didn't even look up, "I said I was not available for anything today. Please leave," the preoccupied lord requested with a wave of his hand.

"Is that anyway to treat our guests?" Eleanor asked leading her three guests into the room, "and besides you have enough time to spare for my guests," she chided her son.

"Alright mother," looking up thoughtfully from the map he sighed, "I'll entertain your guests but only for a time. I have to get this right,"

"Oh, don't worry so much my darling boy," his mother reassured.

"I am no longer a boy mother. I haven't been for some time now." he said rising from the wooden chair stretching his arms overhead then walked towards her.

"I know my boy. You've grown into a fine young man, and now you're well you know." she responded placing a hand upon his stubbled cheek smiling before introducing her guests, "You remember Lady Landrah, darling, don't you?" the Teyrna asked turning to an older woman in noble clothing.

"I believe we last met at your mother's spring salon," Landrah recalled.

"Of course it is lovely to see you again," he lied holding back a shiver. As Aiden recalled he received a little too much attention from the woman before him.

"You're too kind dear boy, didn't I spend most of the salon shamelessly flirting with you?"

"Right in front of your family too," the young man to her right embarrassedly pointed out.

Yeah, and mine. If anyone should be more embarrassed by her actions it should be me. Jade had a field day with that. Aiden groaned silently.

"You remember my son Dairon? I believe you two sparred together in the last tourney," the lady gestured to her son.

"And you beat me handedly too, my Lord" the boy seemed to add as if kissing his ass.

"Haven't been bested yet," he replied rather cockily at the man who is more like a boy.

"And this is my lady in waiting, Iona," the elven woman stepped forward hearing her name called, "well do say something dear."

"It is a pleasure to meet you my Lord," the beautiful blonde spoke with a curtsy, "I have heard much about you." she blushed lightly a smile crossing her lips.

"Don't look now Eleanor, but I believe the girl has a crush on your lad," Landrah shamelessly pointed out causing Iona to turn a shade redder than Aiden had believed possible.

"Lady Landrah!"

"You flatter me," Aiden commented with a small bow to the lady in waiting, "but sadly I am taken, and was planning the proposal."

"I'll take that as you asking us to kindly leave?" his mother noted.

"Please?" he drew out the word with a smile.

"Come Eleanor let him plan his proposal. I think I will go and rest before dinner." she said turning to the Teyrna then to her son, "I will see you at dinner."

"Of course mother. I think we will stay in here if that's alright with you m'lord?" Dairon asked politely.

"Yes, that will be fine."

Watching his mother and friend leave he sat back down at the deals continuing to paw over his plans for proposing. Well I know of a location overlooking some fields that would be a good-

"Excuse me my Lord, but if I may inquire; whose study is this?" Dairon rudely interrupted his thoughts.

Cursing the boy under his breath the annoyed Lord looked up, "It has been used as the Teyrn's study since before the time of Calenhad. The book collection belonged to my grandfather, and as of right now belongs to my father; though I often use it myself as I am doing right now." he responded in kind returning to his work.

Now where was I? Oh, yeah that cliff that overlooks the field. I've been there a few times on dates, well not exactly dates. All we really did was….Nope. Not there. Damn it. Still scouring the map for an area that is romantic where he didn't have any relations Lady Landrah's son felt the need to disturb him again.

"It's quite the collection. You said it was you grandfathers, yes?" the minor lord asked while hovering over Aiden's shoulder.

Taking a deep breath he remained calm when replying, "Yes, that is what I said." waiting for the annoyances response he didn't go back to the planning he should have been doing.

"Do you have a favorite book?"

Thinking of all the books he's read a smile crosses the young lord's lips, "Why yes I do. The Art of Passionate Love by Brother Capria." That should get him to shut up, but it really is a good book. My favorite is on page sixty-nine.

"Oh, that was banned by the Chantry wasn't it?" he said in all but a whisper, like it was some big secret.

Tired of Dairon's questioning Aiden was done being polite, "Dairon, shitbag, whatever your name is leave me alone," he growled rising from the chair and getting into the whelps face, "or so help me you will be walking out of here less than a man. I keep a dagger on me at all times, so I suggest for the time being you leave me alone. Got it?"

An audible gulp past the redhead's lips at the lord's threat. Shaking his head yes in response he quickly left the study. Not even a goodbye? The lord laughed before going back to his plans.

Finally. Peace and quiet...He breathed feeling much better since the other man vacated the room leaving only himself and Iona who seemed to be content with the quiet. Sitting back down his eyes fell on the perfect spot on the map. A hill overlooking the bay on one side and the pass to get to the city from Amaranthine sat a mile outside of Highever; undeveloped land that no houses, buildings, or outposts rested on.

Perfect, but how are we going to get there? Walking would be too much of a hassle and not very romantic either, well it would be if it wasn't so far away. Recalling the words engraved on the ring he knew how he was going to get there, and how he was going to pick her up. All he needed to do now was have Nan make a separate dinner for the two, let his family know that he wouldn't be joining them for dinner tomorrow night, and teach Bax to carry a ring box between his teeth so he didn't slobber all over it.