Disclaimer: If I told you I owned everything, what would you do to me?
Huh?! Huh?! Huh?! Well, I own everything! weird awkward silence Ok, fine!
I own my characters and nothing more! cries But I want Legolas! He's so
hot! Please can I have him for one day?! I will love you forever!
'Ok, Rusty, calm down,' says the little voice inside my head. Alright,
alright! I'll shut up! Just know that I am more obsessed with him than any
of you! I have so many posters of him on my wall that I had to start
putting them on my ceiling! Plus, I have a life-size, cardboard stand-up of
him and every piece of merchandise you can imagine! I bought three copies
of the Two Towers just so I could have the ones with him on it!
Yours Truly, Rusty
Chapter Ten: Marriage, Spring, and a Kiss
It was dark by the time that Ivellios had reached his destination. He
climbed up the wooden ladder and slipped into the room where the sleeping elf maiden lay. He stood and waited, deeply admiring her beauty before two other elves followed him up to the flet-dragging two struggling figured behind them. "Let's get this over with," he whispered.
The two elves nodded and drew their swords. Ivellios strode over to the bedside and stared down at the sleeping elf. "Wake up." He pulled the blanket from on top of her and tossed it aside. "Wake up, me heri, your friends need you."
Slowly the bold green eyes of Aliana opened and she looked around. She sat up and leaned against a pillow-a slow and painful process. She shivered in the cold and reached for her blanket. Not finding it, she continued to stare at the five figures in the room.
Ivellios smiled that cruel, sly smile he was so famous for by now. "Good evening, Aliana. What good fortune for you to have finally woken up. Your friends are in great need of your help."
A voice could be heard from one of the figures, though Aliana could not see anything as her eyes were still adjusting to the light. "We don't need her help!"
Aliana continued to stare at Ivellios in confusion. "You see, if you don't agree to my terms, you and your pathetic little friends will be no more."
"My friends are not pathetic!" Aliana cried.
"Oh, so now you actually care about us?!" Aliana looked over and was finally able to see Rina standing in the corner, an elf holding a sword at her throat. In the other corner, she saw Ben in the same situation.
The elf maiden looked at her friends pleadingly. "I've always cared about you! Why can't you see that?! Is this because of what I said this afternoon?! My quarrel was not with you two but the prince himself!"
Rina pushed the elf aside and narrowed her eyes. "What was said this afternoon was of little importance. It is your actions throughout these past weeks that caused this. I never thought you could be such a heartless, lying person! But I guess all of us are wrong at times..."
"Rina, you must understand how I feel in this situation! I didn't ask him to come with me! I was perfectly content going by myself, but then here comes Mr. Perfect wanting to be my knight in shining armor!"
"I don't think I understand anything about you anymore, Aliana! You used to be my best friend, but now... I don't know who you are anymore."
Ivellios watched the three with a content look upon his face, but he was growing irritated. "As much as I'd love to stay here and listen to two best friends ramble on and watch their friendship fall apart, I have other things to do. Aliana, either you agree to stay here with me and become my bride, or the three of you die."
Obviously the noise and yelling had been very loud because Maleena stood in the room now, holding a candle and wearing a long white nightgown. "What's going on in here? Ivellios, what are you doing here? It's late, Aliana needs her rest and-"
Her words were cut short as a sword crashed down upon her head-the flat side against her skin. She fell to the floor in a heap, a little blood caked in her brown hair but she still breathed. Aliana gasped and reached out for her, but Ivellios grabbed her wrist and flung her backwards. Her face was mixed with fear and anger, but she did not cry. Her hair was so messy by now that it looked more like a beehive.
"Why do you still want me?! Take your Prince and go! I'm sure he would have no objections if he never saw me again as long as he lived!"
"I have come to a realization of myself, me heri. I no longer care about that weakling Prince of yours, I just want back at you. Ever since Legolas brought you to me on that horrid day, my life has gone from bad to worse. And it is entirely your fault. So, as long as I get back at you in some way, then I will have been avenged."
Ben began to laugh. "So, you'll get back at her by marrying her? You detest her so much yet you wish to wed her?" He and Rina both had tears in their eyes from the amusement.
"Silence!" Ivellios cried. He turned to Aliana and inched closer to her. "I may hate her, but I lust for her also. She is the most beautiful elf I have ever seen. Her eyes remind me of a cold day at sea as the ocean waves lash upon the shore. Her hair is as smooth as silk and as soft as snow."
He caressed her face gently and grinned. Aliana could see the lust in his eyes, the want, the need to feel her skin against his. She was scared of it and tried to draw away. But she found there was nowhere else to go. She tried to scream, but her words stuck in her throat like winter's snow to the sunless ground.
But he quickly drew away and pulled his sword from its scabbard. For long moments he stood, gazing at its sharp tip lovingly. "So," he began at last, "what is your decision?" He pressed the cold edge of the blade against Aliana's neck and smiled. "Either way, I win, so it makes little difference to me."
She shivered and averted her eyes from the horrid sneer upon his face. The pain of Ivellios's blade grew more unbearable with each passing second and the sharp blade dug into her skin, drawing blood. Ivellios waited very patiently, knowing he would either kill her, or marry her-both of which were fine with him.
Never in a million years would she marry such an evil being, and she would have said no in an instant if her friends' lives were not at stake. But they could handle themselves against these two elves, couldn't they? They didn't look too harmful.
Rina reached for her sword, but found that her scabbard was empty. She gasped and looked down. Sure enough, no weapon could be seen. Even her daggers were missing. Ivellios noticed her angry voice muttering and smiled. "I think you do need Aliana's help-whether you want it or not. So, my dear, what is your decision?"
She took a deep breath and stood up proudly. "Alright...I will agree to your terms if you let my friends go."
"No!" Ben gasped. There was a long pause in which Ivellios looked overjoyed with himself. The faces of the two unknown elves hung with despair. Obviously they had hoped there would be killing on this night. Rina didn't quiet know what to say. She was overwhelmed with anger because her life had been left in someone else's hands, and sadness and love over what Aliana had just done.
But that silence was broken when a clear elven voice could be heard clearly from behind everyone. "She will do nothing of the sort, Ivellios." They were all startled and jumped before turning around and staring at Legolas.
All except Ivellios. "Ah, my Prince. I was wondering when you might show up. But I am afraid there is nothing you can do. The Lady Aliana has already given her word and you're too late."
"I did not come for her. I came to make sure you did not harm ant innocent people in your devious plot," Legolas explained calmly.
"Oh, Mr. High and Mighty come to save the day," Ivellios said with a sneer. "Yet you do not come to rescue your love?"
Legolas stepped forward and his clam state-of-mind was replaced with one of anger and hatred. But he took a deep breath and shook his head. "Let her go, Ivellios. She does not belong here. I do not know where she came from, for I do not believe it was from this world, but I know that she belongs there, with her people. As I do with mine. Now leave here before I call the guards."
Ivellios clenched his fists and waved them about furiously. "This is not the end! Nor is it the last time you will see me! I will have my revenge, Aliana!" With those last words, he turned and almost jumped down the doorway at the floor, the two elves following him quickly.
Aliana strode over to Legolas and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Thank you, I-"
But she could not finish her sentence. He turned from her in a cold manor and was gone without even acknowledging that he had heard or understood her. She knew then that what she had said was wrong. She knew that he could never forgive her for what she had done. And who could blame him? She had been heartless, as Rina put it. He was only trying to help her, maybe save her life, and she had pushed him away for the last time.
The moonlight slowly began to slip across the wooden floor and stars twinkled in the sky encouragingly, as if daring someone to speak. After watching these stars for quite a while, Rina looked up at Aliana. "I'm sorry for getting so angry. And thank you. You would have given up your own life for that of Ben and mine."
Before Aliana could answer, she was gone without a second glance. Rina was still upset with her and Aliana knew it. 'Could things get any worse?' she wondered. Two friends mad at her, she was probably off to Isengard on her own, and now she had to go back home. No one wanted her there.
She didn't notice Ben walk over and hug her. His arms gave her comfort. The knowledge that she had one friend left in the world made the tears that had began to fall, fall even harder. She threw her arms around him and rested her head against his shoulder. "It's alright. It'll be fine by the morning, I promise. Get some rest."
He led Aliana to her bedside and she sat down. "Maleena-" The two looked over at the unconscious elf lying on the floor. "We have to do something." Ben knelt down beside her and took her in his arms. "Her room is over there."
"Don't worry about Maleena. Get some rest and I'll be back to see you in the morning," Ben said softly but harshly.
Aliana leaned backwards and felt the old pain in her ribs return, along with the pain from her wound and many other cuts and bruises. Oh, what she wouldn't give now for a hot bath and a warm cup of coffee. She heard Ben leave the room and eagerly closed her eyes. In an instant, she was asleep, dreaming about Halloween night back home.
The company stayed in Lothlorien for many weeks. Rina had long since gotten over her quarrel with Aliana and Ivellios had left without a trace. It was a sunny but cold winter afternoon and Ben sat at Aliana's bedside. "Maleena says you're well enough to go to the Spring Festival!"
"Spring? It seems as if it were only just the start of winter..."
"Yeah, I know! But perhaps they measure their days differently than we do, or we have miscalculated the time. But anyways, Galadriel herself invited us to the Spring Festival! Wouldn't it be wonderful?! Beautiful flowers, good food, dancing! Oh, I just can't wait!"
Aliana smiled. "It sure doesn't take a lot to excite you, does it Ben?" She laughed joyously and smiled. "I just hope they will have lembras, although I doubt it. It's very good, you know. I'd always wanted to taste it, but I never imagined it to be as good as it actually was!"
"There's only one problem," Ben said, somewhat disheartened. His smiled faded and was replaced with a nervous frown. He avoided Aliana's eyes and wrung his hands uncomfortably. "You've been asked to be the Spring Goddess..."
"The what?"
"The Spring Goddess," came a voice from the room beside them. Maleena walked briskly to Aliana's side. "Every year, a new woman is chosen to act as the Goddess. She sits at Lady Galadriel's side and represents the coming of spring. It's quite an honor, actually. Why, I myself was chosen a few years ago-when I was younger, of course. You'll wear the most beautiful dress-a new one every year-and a tiara of flowers-"
"Wait, flowers, a dress?! I don't think so! I've been already been made to wear a dress once, and I won't do it again!" Aliana stubbornly crossed her arms and frowned.
"Oh, it's not so bad," Maleena assured. "And it's only for one day. Besides, you get to dance with the Harvest God-whoever that may be. I haven't heard yet."
Ben bit his lower lip and stood up. He paced the room nervously, muttering incoherent nonsense to himself. The two girls watched him closely, following his every move, knowing what he was about to say. "Well, out with it!" Aliana cried hurriedly.
"Well, you see, that's the problem... The dancing, I mean..."
Maleena looked at him gleefully, as a child appears when they open the biggest box on Christmas morning. "Well, who is it?!"
"Um...well...I..."
Aliana stood up impatiently. "Well?! It can't be that bad!"
Ben stopped pacing and stood still. He lifted his head and stared at the two elves. With a sigh, he answered. "Legolas."
Aliana threw her arms in the air. "That's it! I AM NOT going to be the Spring Goddess!" The next few minutes were filled with her ranting and raving so loudly that not a word of it could be discerned by either person. Ben and Maleena watched her calmly for the most part, only butting in now and then to ask her to repeat herself.
Finally Aliana could yell no more, giving Ben the chance to get a word in. "Oh, come on, Aliana. You only have to dance with him! It's not that bad!"
"No!" she cried. "I won't do it!"
A sharp voice came from a new figure now standing in the center of the room. "Lady Galadriel has shown you her hospitality and allowed you to stay here in the safety of the Golden Woods for as long as you like! Now she wishes to bless you further by bestowing this great honor upon you!" Rina now shouted at the distressed girl-a pastime she found quite enjoyable. "Don't you think it only fair that you respect her wishes and act as the Spring Goddess at the Spring Festival?!"
Aliana was so tired of yelling by now that she quite easily gave into her friends. "Alright! I'll do it! As long as I don't have to sit next to him!"
Maleena smiled guiltily. "That's part of the tradition, too..."
Aliana let out a scream of rage and began to descend the ladder in the center of the room. Maleena looked worried and anxiously began to nibble at her bottom lip. "Oh my, that didn't go well at all. Do you think she'll still do it?"
"Don't worry," Rina said with a grin. "If I know Aliana, she'll do it. Just as long as none of us mention the part about him having to kiss her at the end of the festival to signify the beginning of spring and the end of the winter season."
"What?!" came an angry and surprised voice from the ground.
"I think she heard you." The three of them laughed and then Ben immediately looked up at Maleena . "She hasn't been out of bed for a long time, will she be alright? I mean, can she be up and walking around now?"
"Oh, she'll be fine." She walked over and stared down at her through an open window. Seeing a familiar figure walking towards the livid Aliana, she smiled. "Yes, I'm sure she'll be fine."
The elf gave Rina and Ben a knowing smile and went back to her own room next door. The two friends rushed to the window, but there was no need. The noise Aliana was making could have told them exactly what Maleena was talking about. "We shouldn't disturb them."
"No, of course not," Ben agreed, his voice almost fearful. "I'd hate to get caught in the middle of this one."
The two linked arms and skipped outside onto one of the many walkways that joined the various flets above the ground. Each of them were deep in there own thoughts, but none of these thoughts were spoken. Ben was remembering the good times he and Alexus (AN: That may have been confusing, but it wasn't Aliana back then, it was Alexus.) had shared back home. Rina was considering the possibilities of her staying here and not going back to her own world.
Yours Truly, Rusty
Chapter Ten: Marriage, Spring, and a Kiss
It was dark by the time that Ivellios had reached his destination. He
climbed up the wooden ladder and slipped into the room where the sleeping elf maiden lay. He stood and waited, deeply admiring her beauty before two other elves followed him up to the flet-dragging two struggling figured behind them. "Let's get this over with," he whispered.
The two elves nodded and drew their swords. Ivellios strode over to the bedside and stared down at the sleeping elf. "Wake up." He pulled the blanket from on top of her and tossed it aside. "Wake up, me heri, your friends need you."
Slowly the bold green eyes of Aliana opened and she looked around. She sat up and leaned against a pillow-a slow and painful process. She shivered in the cold and reached for her blanket. Not finding it, she continued to stare at the five figures in the room.
Ivellios smiled that cruel, sly smile he was so famous for by now. "Good evening, Aliana. What good fortune for you to have finally woken up. Your friends are in great need of your help."
A voice could be heard from one of the figures, though Aliana could not see anything as her eyes were still adjusting to the light. "We don't need her help!"
Aliana continued to stare at Ivellios in confusion. "You see, if you don't agree to my terms, you and your pathetic little friends will be no more."
"My friends are not pathetic!" Aliana cried.
"Oh, so now you actually care about us?!" Aliana looked over and was finally able to see Rina standing in the corner, an elf holding a sword at her throat. In the other corner, she saw Ben in the same situation.
The elf maiden looked at her friends pleadingly. "I've always cared about you! Why can't you see that?! Is this because of what I said this afternoon?! My quarrel was not with you two but the prince himself!"
Rina pushed the elf aside and narrowed her eyes. "What was said this afternoon was of little importance. It is your actions throughout these past weeks that caused this. I never thought you could be such a heartless, lying person! But I guess all of us are wrong at times..."
"Rina, you must understand how I feel in this situation! I didn't ask him to come with me! I was perfectly content going by myself, but then here comes Mr. Perfect wanting to be my knight in shining armor!"
"I don't think I understand anything about you anymore, Aliana! You used to be my best friend, but now... I don't know who you are anymore."
Ivellios watched the three with a content look upon his face, but he was growing irritated. "As much as I'd love to stay here and listen to two best friends ramble on and watch their friendship fall apart, I have other things to do. Aliana, either you agree to stay here with me and become my bride, or the three of you die."
Obviously the noise and yelling had been very loud because Maleena stood in the room now, holding a candle and wearing a long white nightgown. "What's going on in here? Ivellios, what are you doing here? It's late, Aliana needs her rest and-"
Her words were cut short as a sword crashed down upon her head-the flat side against her skin. She fell to the floor in a heap, a little blood caked in her brown hair but she still breathed. Aliana gasped and reached out for her, but Ivellios grabbed her wrist and flung her backwards. Her face was mixed with fear and anger, but she did not cry. Her hair was so messy by now that it looked more like a beehive.
"Why do you still want me?! Take your Prince and go! I'm sure he would have no objections if he never saw me again as long as he lived!"
"I have come to a realization of myself, me heri. I no longer care about that weakling Prince of yours, I just want back at you. Ever since Legolas brought you to me on that horrid day, my life has gone from bad to worse. And it is entirely your fault. So, as long as I get back at you in some way, then I will have been avenged."
Ben began to laugh. "So, you'll get back at her by marrying her? You detest her so much yet you wish to wed her?" He and Rina both had tears in their eyes from the amusement.
"Silence!" Ivellios cried. He turned to Aliana and inched closer to her. "I may hate her, but I lust for her also. She is the most beautiful elf I have ever seen. Her eyes remind me of a cold day at sea as the ocean waves lash upon the shore. Her hair is as smooth as silk and as soft as snow."
He caressed her face gently and grinned. Aliana could see the lust in his eyes, the want, the need to feel her skin against his. She was scared of it and tried to draw away. But she found there was nowhere else to go. She tried to scream, but her words stuck in her throat like winter's snow to the sunless ground.
But he quickly drew away and pulled his sword from its scabbard. For long moments he stood, gazing at its sharp tip lovingly. "So," he began at last, "what is your decision?" He pressed the cold edge of the blade against Aliana's neck and smiled. "Either way, I win, so it makes little difference to me."
She shivered and averted her eyes from the horrid sneer upon his face. The pain of Ivellios's blade grew more unbearable with each passing second and the sharp blade dug into her skin, drawing blood. Ivellios waited very patiently, knowing he would either kill her, or marry her-both of which were fine with him.
Never in a million years would she marry such an evil being, and she would have said no in an instant if her friends' lives were not at stake. But they could handle themselves against these two elves, couldn't they? They didn't look too harmful.
Rina reached for her sword, but found that her scabbard was empty. She gasped and looked down. Sure enough, no weapon could be seen. Even her daggers were missing. Ivellios noticed her angry voice muttering and smiled. "I think you do need Aliana's help-whether you want it or not. So, my dear, what is your decision?"
She took a deep breath and stood up proudly. "Alright...I will agree to your terms if you let my friends go."
"No!" Ben gasped. There was a long pause in which Ivellios looked overjoyed with himself. The faces of the two unknown elves hung with despair. Obviously they had hoped there would be killing on this night. Rina didn't quiet know what to say. She was overwhelmed with anger because her life had been left in someone else's hands, and sadness and love over what Aliana had just done.
But that silence was broken when a clear elven voice could be heard clearly from behind everyone. "She will do nothing of the sort, Ivellios." They were all startled and jumped before turning around and staring at Legolas.
All except Ivellios. "Ah, my Prince. I was wondering when you might show up. But I am afraid there is nothing you can do. The Lady Aliana has already given her word and you're too late."
"I did not come for her. I came to make sure you did not harm ant innocent people in your devious plot," Legolas explained calmly.
"Oh, Mr. High and Mighty come to save the day," Ivellios said with a sneer. "Yet you do not come to rescue your love?"
Legolas stepped forward and his clam state-of-mind was replaced with one of anger and hatred. But he took a deep breath and shook his head. "Let her go, Ivellios. She does not belong here. I do not know where she came from, for I do not believe it was from this world, but I know that she belongs there, with her people. As I do with mine. Now leave here before I call the guards."
Ivellios clenched his fists and waved them about furiously. "This is not the end! Nor is it the last time you will see me! I will have my revenge, Aliana!" With those last words, he turned and almost jumped down the doorway at the floor, the two elves following him quickly.
Aliana strode over to Legolas and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Thank you, I-"
But she could not finish her sentence. He turned from her in a cold manor and was gone without even acknowledging that he had heard or understood her. She knew then that what she had said was wrong. She knew that he could never forgive her for what she had done. And who could blame him? She had been heartless, as Rina put it. He was only trying to help her, maybe save her life, and she had pushed him away for the last time.
The moonlight slowly began to slip across the wooden floor and stars twinkled in the sky encouragingly, as if daring someone to speak. After watching these stars for quite a while, Rina looked up at Aliana. "I'm sorry for getting so angry. And thank you. You would have given up your own life for that of Ben and mine."
Before Aliana could answer, she was gone without a second glance. Rina was still upset with her and Aliana knew it. 'Could things get any worse?' she wondered. Two friends mad at her, she was probably off to Isengard on her own, and now she had to go back home. No one wanted her there.
She didn't notice Ben walk over and hug her. His arms gave her comfort. The knowledge that she had one friend left in the world made the tears that had began to fall, fall even harder. She threw her arms around him and rested her head against his shoulder. "It's alright. It'll be fine by the morning, I promise. Get some rest."
He led Aliana to her bedside and she sat down. "Maleena-" The two looked over at the unconscious elf lying on the floor. "We have to do something." Ben knelt down beside her and took her in his arms. "Her room is over there."
"Don't worry about Maleena. Get some rest and I'll be back to see you in the morning," Ben said softly but harshly.
Aliana leaned backwards and felt the old pain in her ribs return, along with the pain from her wound and many other cuts and bruises. Oh, what she wouldn't give now for a hot bath and a warm cup of coffee. She heard Ben leave the room and eagerly closed her eyes. In an instant, she was asleep, dreaming about Halloween night back home.
The company stayed in Lothlorien for many weeks. Rina had long since gotten over her quarrel with Aliana and Ivellios had left without a trace. It was a sunny but cold winter afternoon and Ben sat at Aliana's bedside. "Maleena says you're well enough to go to the Spring Festival!"
"Spring? It seems as if it were only just the start of winter..."
"Yeah, I know! But perhaps they measure their days differently than we do, or we have miscalculated the time. But anyways, Galadriel herself invited us to the Spring Festival! Wouldn't it be wonderful?! Beautiful flowers, good food, dancing! Oh, I just can't wait!"
Aliana smiled. "It sure doesn't take a lot to excite you, does it Ben?" She laughed joyously and smiled. "I just hope they will have lembras, although I doubt it. It's very good, you know. I'd always wanted to taste it, but I never imagined it to be as good as it actually was!"
"There's only one problem," Ben said, somewhat disheartened. His smiled faded and was replaced with a nervous frown. He avoided Aliana's eyes and wrung his hands uncomfortably. "You've been asked to be the Spring Goddess..."
"The what?"
"The Spring Goddess," came a voice from the room beside them. Maleena walked briskly to Aliana's side. "Every year, a new woman is chosen to act as the Goddess. She sits at Lady Galadriel's side and represents the coming of spring. It's quite an honor, actually. Why, I myself was chosen a few years ago-when I was younger, of course. You'll wear the most beautiful dress-a new one every year-and a tiara of flowers-"
"Wait, flowers, a dress?! I don't think so! I've been already been made to wear a dress once, and I won't do it again!" Aliana stubbornly crossed her arms and frowned.
"Oh, it's not so bad," Maleena assured. "And it's only for one day. Besides, you get to dance with the Harvest God-whoever that may be. I haven't heard yet."
Ben bit his lower lip and stood up. He paced the room nervously, muttering incoherent nonsense to himself. The two girls watched him closely, following his every move, knowing what he was about to say. "Well, out with it!" Aliana cried hurriedly.
"Well, you see, that's the problem... The dancing, I mean..."
Maleena looked at him gleefully, as a child appears when they open the biggest box on Christmas morning. "Well, who is it?!"
"Um...well...I..."
Aliana stood up impatiently. "Well?! It can't be that bad!"
Ben stopped pacing and stood still. He lifted his head and stared at the two elves. With a sigh, he answered. "Legolas."
Aliana threw her arms in the air. "That's it! I AM NOT going to be the Spring Goddess!" The next few minutes were filled with her ranting and raving so loudly that not a word of it could be discerned by either person. Ben and Maleena watched her calmly for the most part, only butting in now and then to ask her to repeat herself.
Finally Aliana could yell no more, giving Ben the chance to get a word in. "Oh, come on, Aliana. You only have to dance with him! It's not that bad!"
"No!" she cried. "I won't do it!"
A sharp voice came from a new figure now standing in the center of the room. "Lady Galadriel has shown you her hospitality and allowed you to stay here in the safety of the Golden Woods for as long as you like! Now she wishes to bless you further by bestowing this great honor upon you!" Rina now shouted at the distressed girl-a pastime she found quite enjoyable. "Don't you think it only fair that you respect her wishes and act as the Spring Goddess at the Spring Festival?!"
Aliana was so tired of yelling by now that she quite easily gave into her friends. "Alright! I'll do it! As long as I don't have to sit next to him!"
Maleena smiled guiltily. "That's part of the tradition, too..."
Aliana let out a scream of rage and began to descend the ladder in the center of the room. Maleena looked worried and anxiously began to nibble at her bottom lip. "Oh my, that didn't go well at all. Do you think she'll still do it?"
"Don't worry," Rina said with a grin. "If I know Aliana, she'll do it. Just as long as none of us mention the part about him having to kiss her at the end of the festival to signify the beginning of spring and the end of the winter season."
"What?!" came an angry and surprised voice from the ground.
"I think she heard you." The three of them laughed and then Ben immediately looked up at Maleena . "She hasn't been out of bed for a long time, will she be alright? I mean, can she be up and walking around now?"
"Oh, she'll be fine." She walked over and stared down at her through an open window. Seeing a familiar figure walking towards the livid Aliana, she smiled. "Yes, I'm sure she'll be fine."
The elf gave Rina and Ben a knowing smile and went back to her own room next door. The two friends rushed to the window, but there was no need. The noise Aliana was making could have told them exactly what Maleena was talking about. "We shouldn't disturb them."
"No, of course not," Ben agreed, his voice almost fearful. "I'd hate to get caught in the middle of this one."
The two linked arms and skipped outside onto one of the many walkways that joined the various flets above the ground. Each of them were deep in there own thoughts, but none of these thoughts were spoken. Ben was remembering the good times he and Alexus (AN: That may have been confusing, but it wasn't Aliana back then, it was Alexus.) had shared back home. Rina was considering the possibilities of her staying here and not going back to her own world.