Truly Gifted
Chapter 4: Premonition
Elenet was avoiding me!
It sounded weird even to myself, that I thought I was probably just being sensitive. Why in the world would she avoid me? We grew up together, we played together and we even learned how to dance together! Not wanting to leave this troubling matter unsettled, I "cornered" her while we were talking a walk in the gardens.
"Elenet, is something wrong? You've been acting all uncomfortable around me all this while, and its not like you to be like this." I said all this in my usual mild manner, but a hint of urgency crept into my voice.
She was silent for quite a while, and I was afraid that I had frightened her. Why were all the women in my life so secretive all of a sudden? "Nothing's wrong, Danric. I just feel lonely at times. Remember the conversation we had a few nights before?" I nodded. "I found the man I couldn't live without, and he too found the woman he couldn't live without. Sadly, that woman wasn't me."
My usually eloquent tongue just managed to utter an "Oh".
"He isn't the only pebble on the beach, you know. Besides, you deserve better," I added.
She nodded. "But he was one of the best."
"One of?" I asked with an eyebrow raised. "Who is he, anyway? To be held in such high esteem by one such as yourself?"
The protracted silence grew uncomfortable. "He was and still is a friend, that is all you need to know." That ended the subject, and I steered the conversation to safer waters.
Over the next few days, Elenet and I rode around Grumareth addressing whatever problems the people raised. She had refused to stay at home as I had suggested, saying that it was her lands, and she should not leave everything to me. Unable to convince her otherwise, I relented.
Besides raising their fears and queries to me, the people of Grumareth also thanked me for "getting rid off Galdran the Goon" as the baker's wife put it. Wouldn't Mel be happy to learn of a new nickname for Greedy Galdran!
Her husband chided her for speaking thus so in front of me, and hastily apologised on her behalf. "Think naught of it," I replied with a smile and a wave of my neatly gloved hand. "In fact," I added, "You'd be pleased to know that my wife has a nickname for him herself. Now, we call him Greedy Galdran."
The baker gaped open-mouthed at me, but recovered when his wife nudged him in the ribs and gave him a triumphant smile as if to say, "I told you it'd be all right". "Your queen's got spunk," added an old lady with a hunched back, "Which probably do you court types quite a bit of good, ain't it?"
Everyone stared at her in shock, including Elenet. "Granny, the audacity!" exclaimed one. "Quick, apologise!" cried another. The old lady just shrugged. "It's true, ain't it? I'd like to see the kind of babes they'd have," she added matter-of-factly.
The word "babes" stung, but I just smiled at her and said, "Actually, I'm interested in finding out what kind of babes we'd have too. You'll be one of the first to know what they're like - I assure you." This made them all laugh and lightened the mood somewhat.
The old lady just hobbled closer towards me (one of the servants moved to stop her, but I raised my hand to stop him) as I sat astride my horse and patted me on the knee. "You do that, laddie. It'd make old Granny Mina's day. And don't worry 'bout it, the best things come when you least expect them to."
Old Granny Mina's words continued to haunt me for the rest of my stay. "The best things come when you least expect them to". Was it a premonition?
The remaining days passed swiftly, and suddenly I was back home, riding in through the grey mist on my birthday. The entire courtyard was filled with an astonishing number of people. Footmen and errand runners, mostly military, waited in the courtyard as my riders and I dismounted. "So much for privacy", I thought wryly, casting an appraising glance in Mel's way. She smiled, and some of my weariness dropped away (it worked every time!).
That glance was all we had, but I did not fail to notice an expression of nervousness on her face. Was she not happy to see me? "But she had smiled - lovingly - at you, you dolt!" I reminded myself. However, I could not help my brow from tensing before I turned away, leading a train of messengers inside.
There was a continual stream of messengers dashing in and out of my interview room as the afternoon progressed; when the evening bells rang out, I was still busy with all sorts of paper work. I sighed inwardly.
I was still in the midst of signing more documents and issuing even more orders when my cousin burst into the room. And I mean burst. The oaf just flung open the doors with all his strength. Luckily, no one was standing near those great wooden doors. I hate to imagine what would've happened to them if they had been in the line of fire.
"What is it, Russav?" I asked tiredly in my usual court drawl. "Haven't you heard of knocking? And that doors are meant to be opened and not flung?"
All noise ceased as the messengers stopped whatever they were doing to watch. "Out. All of you," commanded Russav, as he sat on the cushion across me. The messengers looked at me for approval, at which I could only sigh in exasperation. They took this for a "yes" and walked slowly and silently out of the room.
Impatient as he was, Russav said rather loudly, "Forget about stealth. Can't you all hurry? This is an emergency!" That sent them scurrying out of the room like so many mice. I rested my head in my hands and looked at him through my fingers. "What?" I mumbled I. had no need for a court mask with my cousin.
"What? What? Is that all you can say, you ungrateful fellow?" Boy, he was really riled.
"I was - and still am - busy and tired, Russav. Forgive me for my slowness." It took quite a lot to get my cousin this angry, and usually this anger was directed to Tamara, since she was more often than not the cause of it.
"This is rich! You've forgotten, haven't you?" he asked, crossing his massive arms across his equally massive chest. I just looked at him blankly. All I could think about right now was my bed and Mel. Mel! My eyes widened in understanding. "Ah, now you've got it," said Russav dryly, "Sure took your time didn't you?"
"Oh no," I groaned.
"Well, what are you waiting for? Or do you need me to challenge you to a duel before you get off your fat behind?" he asked, an indignant gleam in his eyes as he leaned across the table to look at me.
Using my hands, I heaved myself out of my seat and walked briskly towards the nearest mirror I could find. Satisfied that I did not look a complete mess, I followed Russav - with a spring in my step - down the winding hallways to the ballroom where my surprise was waiting.
I could hardly wait!
I felt like a child who couldn't wait to open his present, and was momentarily embarrassed by my immature behaviour and childish glee.
A/N: Second last chapter! I'm seriously considering continuing with this fanfic, but do be warned that nothing really big and fantastic will happen. It would be fluff more or less, with may be a mention of the war. This chapter was fun to write, so I hope you guys enjoy it!
FF.net has been acting up, so there are funny symbols all over the place. This is NOT my fault!
To the reviewers~
Ok, a couple of people (e.g. Black Rose and Rhiannon) have kinda flamed me for blatantly lifting from the original story. Yeah, I did that, but it's out of pure laziness and the fact that I already had it in soft copy. Lousy excuse, I know, but it's the best I've got. Besides, it gives me more time to write what I think Vidanric thought and felt. This IS the whole reason for this story. But to appease those people mentioned above, I will try to do something about chapter 5, which is lifted again. Try. Which means I can't guarantee anything.
** I will only answer people in my thank-yous from now on, because most of you either compliment (or flame) me. That was an exaggeration, but flames do hurt! This doesn't mean that I've forgotten the rest of you guys!
Deliandery: What do you mean by "he doesn't seem to have a certain way of acting"? Please tell me, so I can improve in the future.
Phaerie, Danric-lover: No, he does NOT make a connection about Elenet and he is NOT dense, only later and I quote Sherwood Smith "retrospectively". Which means he just discovers that she becomes her usual self again after she fell in love with some one else. I intend to write on that!
Black Rose: I will try to get back to FLUFF, but its hard to do that without Mel around, yeah?
Thanks to all the reviewers!
Chapter 4: Premonition
Elenet was avoiding me!
It sounded weird even to myself, that I thought I was probably just being sensitive. Why in the world would she avoid me? We grew up together, we played together and we even learned how to dance together! Not wanting to leave this troubling matter unsettled, I "cornered" her while we were talking a walk in the gardens.
"Elenet, is something wrong? You've been acting all uncomfortable around me all this while, and its not like you to be like this." I said all this in my usual mild manner, but a hint of urgency crept into my voice.
She was silent for quite a while, and I was afraid that I had frightened her. Why were all the women in my life so secretive all of a sudden? "Nothing's wrong, Danric. I just feel lonely at times. Remember the conversation we had a few nights before?" I nodded. "I found the man I couldn't live without, and he too found the woman he couldn't live without. Sadly, that woman wasn't me."
My usually eloquent tongue just managed to utter an "Oh".
"He isn't the only pebble on the beach, you know. Besides, you deserve better," I added.
She nodded. "But he was one of the best."
"One of?" I asked with an eyebrow raised. "Who is he, anyway? To be held in such high esteem by one such as yourself?"
The protracted silence grew uncomfortable. "He was and still is a friend, that is all you need to know." That ended the subject, and I steered the conversation to safer waters.
Over the next few days, Elenet and I rode around Grumareth addressing whatever problems the people raised. She had refused to stay at home as I had suggested, saying that it was her lands, and she should not leave everything to me. Unable to convince her otherwise, I relented.
Besides raising their fears and queries to me, the people of Grumareth also thanked me for "getting rid off Galdran the Goon" as the baker's wife put it. Wouldn't Mel be happy to learn of a new nickname for Greedy Galdran!
Her husband chided her for speaking thus so in front of me, and hastily apologised on her behalf. "Think naught of it," I replied with a smile and a wave of my neatly gloved hand. "In fact," I added, "You'd be pleased to know that my wife has a nickname for him herself. Now, we call him Greedy Galdran."
The baker gaped open-mouthed at me, but recovered when his wife nudged him in the ribs and gave him a triumphant smile as if to say, "I told you it'd be all right". "Your queen's got spunk," added an old lady with a hunched back, "Which probably do you court types quite a bit of good, ain't it?"
Everyone stared at her in shock, including Elenet. "Granny, the audacity!" exclaimed one. "Quick, apologise!" cried another. The old lady just shrugged. "It's true, ain't it? I'd like to see the kind of babes they'd have," she added matter-of-factly.
The word "babes" stung, but I just smiled at her and said, "Actually, I'm interested in finding out what kind of babes we'd have too. You'll be one of the first to know what they're like - I assure you." This made them all laugh and lightened the mood somewhat.
The old lady just hobbled closer towards me (one of the servants moved to stop her, but I raised my hand to stop him) as I sat astride my horse and patted me on the knee. "You do that, laddie. It'd make old Granny Mina's day. And don't worry 'bout it, the best things come when you least expect them to."
Old Granny Mina's words continued to haunt me for the rest of my stay. "The best things come when you least expect them to". Was it a premonition?
The remaining days passed swiftly, and suddenly I was back home, riding in through the grey mist on my birthday. The entire courtyard was filled with an astonishing number of people. Footmen and errand runners, mostly military, waited in the courtyard as my riders and I dismounted. "So much for privacy", I thought wryly, casting an appraising glance in Mel's way. She smiled, and some of my weariness dropped away (it worked every time!).
That glance was all we had, but I did not fail to notice an expression of nervousness on her face. Was she not happy to see me? "But she had smiled - lovingly - at you, you dolt!" I reminded myself. However, I could not help my brow from tensing before I turned away, leading a train of messengers inside.
There was a continual stream of messengers dashing in and out of my interview room as the afternoon progressed; when the evening bells rang out, I was still busy with all sorts of paper work. I sighed inwardly.
I was still in the midst of signing more documents and issuing even more orders when my cousin burst into the room. And I mean burst. The oaf just flung open the doors with all his strength. Luckily, no one was standing near those great wooden doors. I hate to imagine what would've happened to them if they had been in the line of fire.
"What is it, Russav?" I asked tiredly in my usual court drawl. "Haven't you heard of knocking? And that doors are meant to be opened and not flung?"
All noise ceased as the messengers stopped whatever they were doing to watch. "Out. All of you," commanded Russav, as he sat on the cushion across me. The messengers looked at me for approval, at which I could only sigh in exasperation. They took this for a "yes" and walked slowly and silently out of the room.
Impatient as he was, Russav said rather loudly, "Forget about stealth. Can't you all hurry? This is an emergency!" That sent them scurrying out of the room like so many mice. I rested my head in my hands and looked at him through my fingers. "What?" I mumbled I. had no need for a court mask with my cousin.
"What? What? Is that all you can say, you ungrateful fellow?" Boy, he was really riled.
"I was - and still am - busy and tired, Russav. Forgive me for my slowness." It took quite a lot to get my cousin this angry, and usually this anger was directed to Tamara, since she was more often than not the cause of it.
"This is rich! You've forgotten, haven't you?" he asked, crossing his massive arms across his equally massive chest. I just looked at him blankly. All I could think about right now was my bed and Mel. Mel! My eyes widened in understanding. "Ah, now you've got it," said Russav dryly, "Sure took your time didn't you?"
"Oh no," I groaned.
"Well, what are you waiting for? Or do you need me to challenge you to a duel before you get off your fat behind?" he asked, an indignant gleam in his eyes as he leaned across the table to look at me.
Using my hands, I heaved myself out of my seat and walked briskly towards the nearest mirror I could find. Satisfied that I did not look a complete mess, I followed Russav - with a spring in my step - down the winding hallways to the ballroom where my surprise was waiting.
I could hardly wait!
I felt like a child who couldn't wait to open his present, and was momentarily embarrassed by my immature behaviour and childish glee.
A/N: Second last chapter! I'm seriously considering continuing with this fanfic, but do be warned that nothing really big and fantastic will happen. It would be fluff more or less, with may be a mention of the war. This chapter was fun to write, so I hope you guys enjoy it!
FF.net has been acting up, so there are funny symbols all over the place. This is NOT my fault!
To the reviewers~
Ok, a couple of people (e.g. Black Rose and Rhiannon) have kinda flamed me for blatantly lifting from the original story. Yeah, I did that, but it's out of pure laziness and the fact that I already had it in soft copy. Lousy excuse, I know, but it's the best I've got. Besides, it gives me more time to write what I think Vidanric thought and felt. This IS the whole reason for this story. But to appease those people mentioned above, I will try to do something about chapter 5, which is lifted again. Try. Which means I can't guarantee anything.
** I will only answer people in my thank-yous from now on, because most of you either compliment (or flame) me. That was an exaggeration, but flames do hurt! This doesn't mean that I've forgotten the rest of you guys!
Deliandery: What do you mean by "he doesn't seem to have a certain way of acting"? Please tell me, so I can improve in the future.
Phaerie, Danric-lover: No, he does NOT make a connection about Elenet and he is NOT dense, only later and I quote Sherwood Smith "retrospectively". Which means he just discovers that she becomes her usual self again after she fell in love with some one else. I intend to write on that!
Black Rose: I will try to get back to FLUFF, but its hard to do that without Mel around, yeah?
Thanks to all the reviewers!
