Author's note: Hey guys (: Thank you so much for the awesome reviews! Just a couple of things to say… the characters and places (except Suri and Siria—so far) belong to Alison Croggon and please, please, please review! I'll love you for life! :D well, here's the next chapter, I hope you like it!!
Chapter Four
A shiver ran through Maerad's body as she stared out the open window at the gate of Innail. From a distance, a person would have easily mistaken her for a marble statue sculpted with her chin resting on her clenched fists. Her eyes were focused on the four cloaked riders anxiously waiting for the iron-clad door to open. Maerad stared mindlessly as Cadvan's leather gloved hand stroked Darsor's, his horse, neck. Cadvan's head swung towards her and Maerad held her breath, as if—even in the space dividing them—he knew she'd be watching. A bitter distaste filled her mouth and she turned away from the window to sit on her bed.
Pulling her knees up to her chest, she let a tear slide down her cheek, knowing in her heart that she should be down by the gate bidding Cadvan adieu instead of sitting alone in the cold lost in her own sorrowful thoughts. A knock on her door threw her out of her trance and she looked up as Hem stuck his head inside cautiously, "Maerad?"
Maerad let her feet slide off the bed and fall to the ground and held a hand out to Hem. Hem's shuffled across the room and took her outstretched hand in his, "Maerad, do you not want to say goodbye to Cadvan? Saliman's holding the gates in case you—"
Shaking her head, Maerad pulled her hand away from his, "No." She said harshly, "I do not wish to say goodbye to him."
"But why not?" Hem asked, confused.
Maerad stepped back to the window and rested her hands on the sill. A light breeze lifted locks of her hair and she breathed in the fresh air, "Because, Hem. Goodbye seems…too formal." Maerad turned and leaned against the wooden frame, "I feel like…if I say goodbye to Cadvan, I'd never see him again."
"You know that's not true!" Hem interjected.
Maerad shrugged, "That is how I see it." She glanced over her shoulder at the riders impatiently waiting to leave Innail, "No, I do not wish to say goodbye to Cadvan."
Hem stood silently beside her bed, twiddling his thumbs. Maerad watched as the gate finally slid open and three riders gallop through as soon as it was wide enough. One lingered behind and turned his reluctant horse around. Lifting his head, Maerad saw Cadvan's eyes as clear as if he were standing directly in front of her.
Using a silent language, he raised his hand towards her in a motionless wave and dropped it down to his waist. Forlornly, he nodded once, grasped his reins and thundered after his friends down the dirt matted road.
Once he had disappeared in the distance, Maerad shut her windows and pressed her forehead against the shutters. Wrapping her arms around herself, she let the tears stream down her face in narrow streams. Catching her breath for the briefest second, she whispered, "I love you, too, Cadvan."
~*~*~*~
Hem shut the door softly behind him as he slipped out of Maerad's room. Even through the thick wooden door, he could hear her muffled sobs. His heart clenched at every cry that seeped through the door. Shaking his head, he walked down the hallway, his shoes making a soft patter with every step.
He continued in silence, eyes focused on the tiled floor, mind in another world. "Hem?" a small voice whispered behind him.
Startled, he spun around, his muscles tense. Suri's slight frame leaned against the doorway leading to her room. Her overly large nightgown fell over her shoulders and brushed the floor at her feet. To Hem, she looked like a ghost. "Suri." He sighed, "You scared me."
"I apologize," Suri giggled, "I had no idea a Bard whom I have heard so much about could be that easily frightened."
Hem narrowed his eyes, "Do you need anything?" He huffed impatiently.
"No, just company." Suri mumbled, "I have no idea what to do."
Hem stepped towards her, "You could follow me. I am going to find Saliman—he should be near the gates—if you are able."
"I'm fine to do what I please." Suri assured him, "I have been pent up inside a room for far too long."
Hem stared disdainfully at her nightdress, "Do you have anything else to wear?"
Suri's lips pulled down into a slight frown, "This is not acceptable?"
Shaking his head, Hem motioned for Suri to follow him as he brushed past her into her room. An iron tray sat at her bedside with a porcelain bowl perched on top of it—the dohl that was once inside was scraped clean and gone. Hem threw open the wardrobe to reveal silk and cotton gowns of every color.
Suri gasped and reached out to stroke the fabric with a wonder-filled expression plastered on her face. "I am allowed to wear these?"
"I do not see why not." Hem said, "They are here for your use so I am certain you may wear them."
Suri didn't reply and went on to press the fabric against her cheek. "I need to find Saliman." Hem said staring out the open window.
Waving him off, Suri laughed, "Go ahead, I will find you and your Saliman later."
Hem nodded and walked away, passing Siria on his way out. Siria whimpered, and wagged her tail, It is a beautiful day, my friend. Why are you inside?
Why are you? Hem asked in return, It is a good day, I am heading out now.
I came to fetch my friend. Surely we will see you soon? Siria whined, Outside?
Hem smiled and scratched Siria's ear before walking off down the hall.
Author's note: Ok, ok, so it's not exactly the best chapter. Just thought it'd help bridge things along. Well, review anyways. I'll update as soon as possible (:
