I do not know or own any of the characters from Legend Of The Seeker, any original characters and the story are my property. The lyrics in Italics belong to Nightwish, all credit for the lyrics goes to them.
Chapter Ten... Darken Rahl.
Lady Gloriana has turned Alienne into quite the lady, I have to admit that I did not expect her to be as successful as she has been. I was curious to see just how much progress Alienne had made, I was pleasantly surprised at Alienne letting me lead the dance. I was also surprised at how much I liked having Alienne in my arms. I knew that it would not do to let anyone see how it had affected me so I pretended that all was fine and business as usual. It was only when I was alone in my private suite that I allowed myself to remember how it felt to have Alienne in my arms and close to me.
I do not know what it is that I am feeling, feelings do not come easy to one such as I. I did not want to react as I did last time she made me feel something, it is why I left immediately, I had to work through what was going on. Even now I am still not certain that I know what is happening to me. I will be able to hold it together during the ball, years of not showing my feelings has enabled me to disguise them from all the people around me. Perhaps I will summon Alienne to my room afterwards and see if she will personally entertain me, just to remind myself that I alone command her skill.
Alienne is in the hands of the maid, I have given orders that she is to be given the opportunity to bathe and be properly dressed. I am very curious as to how she will look in the dress and jewellery. If I know Alienne then she will try to resist the efforts to make her look like a lady, if only she would submit to it a bit more, she might enjoy herself. I could say that about many things when it comes to Alienne.
There is not long to wait now, I made my way up the main stairwell to Alienne's room, she doesn't know it but there is a secret stairwell that leads to her room. The room was originally intended for my mistress, should I have one. I cannot deny that I take some personal pleasure from having her in that room, I know that she would be furious and demand to be moved if she found out. Perhaps I will tell her one day, just to provoke her temper, the fiery and passionate side of her comes out when she is annoyed. It amuses me to see her that way, and gives me a small glimpse into a different side of her.
I knocked on the door and the maid opened it. 'Is Lady Alienne ready?'
'She is, Lord Rahl.'
'Good, you may go.' The maid curtseyed and left the room. Eva was sat on the bed, she was eating some cake that had clearly been given to her by the kitchen staff. They all love her, I am always being asked if she is coming to the castle so they can make her favourite foods. She is quite the charming little girl, perhaps she will keep that quality as she grows older. 'Hello Darken.'
'Hello Lady Eva.' Eva smiled and carried on eating her cake. 'Where is your sister?'
'She's behind the screen, she doesn't like being in fancy dresses.'
'That's enough, Eva.' Alienne came out from behind the screen and I looked at the dress that she was wearing.
The crushed red velvet dress clearly was expensive, I'd expected nothing less. I walked around Alienne, I wanted to get a proper a look at her and make sure that everything was as it should be. 'Excellent, come, the guests are waiting.'
'Eva will be properly looked after?'
'Indeed, the maid has her orders, she will be back after we have left.' Alienne nodded, she turned to Eva. 'Be a good girl, go to bed on time.'
'I will.' Eva hugged Alienne and then Alienne turned to me.
'I'm ready.' I held out my arm and she slipped hers through it, it was time.
I escorted Alienne through the palace corridors, I had to discuss certain things with Alienne before we reached the ballroom. 'Do you remember what I told you about tonight?'
'Don't worry, I'll be a good girl. I'll smile and fawn over the nobles, don't expect me to like it.'
'You don't have to like it. Tell me, are you a good girl all the time?'
'That is none of your business.'
'So that's a no then?' Alienne glared at me and I halted before the ballroom doors. I nodded to the Mord'Sith and they opened the doors.
I heard them announce my arrival and everyone in the ballroom bowed their heads, I am used to everyone paying homage to me, yet I cannot deny that it still gives me quite the thrill when I see it. 'You may rise. Welcome, honoured guests and nobles of neighbouring lands. Tonight, we celebrate our friendship with an evening of music, dancing, and singing. Indeed, I have a special treat for you tonight. There will be more about that later, for now, there is plenty of food to enjoy.' I clapped my hands together and everyone moved towards the tables, no doubt the people here would enjoy eating their fill at my expense.
Alienne sat in the next chair down from me on my left side, I hadn't failed to notice that many men were interested in her. None of them would dare approach her, they had all seen her enter with me. They know what will happen to them should they even think of going near her. I watched everyone as they ate and drank, Alienne ate carefully so as not spill anything on her dress. I noticed that her wine was left untouched. 'Lady Alienne, you do not like the wine?'
'I think it is best if I leave the wine alone, at least until after I have sang for your guests, Lord Rahl.'
'Indeed, a wise answer.' I wondered if she cared more than she admitted about doing a good job, I was quite curious to hear what she would sing, I was looking forward to it.
I sat back in my chair as the servants cleared the tables, I rose and held my hand out to Alienne and once again she took it without question. I walked to the centre of the room and turned to face my guests. 'As I mentioned earlier, I have a special treat for you. The woman stood beside me, Lady Alienne, happens to be extremely gifted in the art of singing. I have brought her here tonight so that you may enjoy her gift. Lady Alienne, when you are ready.' I left Alienne's side and went back to the comfortable seat that had been prepared for me.
Alienne moved to the place where I had been stood and the orchestra started to play behind her, I had no idea what she would be singing but I knew that it would be good.
6.30 winter morn
Snow keeps falling, silent dawn
A rose by any other name
Eva leaves her swanbrook home
A kindest heart which always made
Me ashamed of my own
She walks alone but not without her name
So Eva was her inspiration for this song, it was fitting considering her reasons for being here, it was as if she was reminding me of exactly why she was doing this. Have my efforts to win her around not been received? I looked around at the other people in the room, it appears Alienne's magical voice doesn't just work on me. Every eye in the room was on her, she was already commanding their attention.
Eva flies away
Dreams the world far away
In this cruel children's game
There's no friend to call her name
Eva sails away
Dreams the world far away
The Good in her will be my sunflower field
Part of me wished that we were alone, that was singing to me and only me. I was quite jealous of everyone that was in here, even the Mord'Sith had all their attention trained on Alienne. I shall have to speak with them later, they are supposed to be on the look out for danger to me and they are distracted by a singing woman. Alienne must truly be magical if she can get the attention of the Mord'Sith and distract them from their duties.
Mocked by man to depths of shame
Little girl with life ahead
For a memory of one kind word
She would stay among the beasts
Time for one more daring dream
Before her escape, edenbeam
We kill her with her own loving heart
Were these Alienne's fears for Eva coming out, it was a hard world out there and there are many that are crushed by it. I had forgotten the rest of the people in this room, I focused all my attention on Alienne, her eyes were closed and she was putting all her emotions for Eva into the song. I didn't know if there were any people in this room that were unmoved by what they were hearing, I didn't care, all that mattered was that once again Alienne was somehow making me feel better about myself. It was almost like a drug, how long would it be before I would be totally hooked on the feelings that she brought out in me?
Eva flies away
Dreams the world far away
In this cruel children's game
There's no friend to call her name
Eva sails away
Dreams the world far away
The Good in her will be my sunflower field
I forced myself to look around the room, every person was looking directly at Alienne, I could see the appreciation in their eyes. The satisfaction of knowing that her talent belonged to me was immense, I was sharing her talent with them but it was still mine. I would take great pleasure in denying them access to it unless they were here in this palace, it is my right as the Lord Rahl. It is my right to own the best of everything.
Eva flies away
Dreams the world far away
In this cruel children's game
There's no friend to call her name
Eva sails away
Dreams the world far away
The Good in her will be my sunflower field
The music faded out and was soon replaced by applause that sounded all round the room. Alienne had done well, I would have to reward her for her efforts this evening. I made my way to where Alienne was stood and waited for the room to fall silent once more. I vaguely caught sight of the Mord'Sith shaking their heads to remove the spell that Alienne had cast over them. 'My honoured guests, it is now time for dancing. I sincerely hope that you will all join me.' I allowed my hand to slide along Alienne's back, she tensed up but didn't move away. 'Come, Lady Alienne, it is time for the dance.'
'Yes, Lord Rahl.' I pulled her into the correct hold and when the music started I once again followed the movements of the dance.
The other couples joined us shortly, I sensed that several of the men were jealous of me. I was quite happy about that, my reputation would ensure that they would stay away from Alienne. I turned my mind away from them and focused on Alienne. There was much to enjoy when she was this close to me, especially now that she was wearing a proper dress. I vowed to enjoy this moment as much as possible, it was nearing the end of the dance and once the music faded out I bowed to Alienne, she curtseyed back and slipped her arm through mine. I was grateful for the effort that she had put in this evening.
I was leading Alienne to the other side of the ballroom when one of the women stopped us on the way. 'Lord Rahl.'
'Lady Alienne, may I introduce you to Lady Hawthorne.'
'Pleased to make your acquaintance, Lady Hawthorne.'
'She is a diamond, Lord Rahl. Perhaps I could borrow her for my court, I am certain they would enjoy her gift.'
'I am sure they would, Lady Hawthorne, unfortunately I require Lady Alienne here for the time being.'
'Of course, Lord Rahl.' Lady Hawthorne bowed to me and disappeared into the crowd.
I turned back to Alienne. 'Lord Rahl, if I may, I wish to say goodnight to Eva.'
'Of course, Lady Alienne.'
'Thank you.' I watched Alienne as she left the room, I couldn't deny her this one small thing, she had done a lot for me this evening. I turned my mind to my guests, they would want to see that my attention was on them. I nodded to Egremont and he readied the passageways that the guests would take out of the palace.
I tried to hide my impatience as the last guests left the palace, it was important that I saw them out personally. Once they had all gone I dismissed the Mord'Sith that weren't required to guard me through the night. 'Mistress Natalia.'
Yes, Lord Rahl.'
'Go to Lady Alienne, bring her to my private chambers.'
'I will do as you ask Lord Rahl, what should I tell her if she asks why?'
'Just tell her that I have need of her presence.' Mistress Natalia bowed her head and went to find Alienne.
I went to my private chambers, I had a desperate need to get out of my robes and into something more comfortable. I wished to relax and Alienne's company would be the perfect way to do that. I started to strip off the cumbersome robes and awaited Alienne's arrival.