Slipping out of the now cold water, Maerad found a warm robe and quickly pulled it around her wet body. Quickly she made her way back to her bed chamber. Slipping back into her room, she had hoped to dress quickly and then find Cadvan to finish their earlier discussion. Only as she opened the door she found a note laid gingerly on her bed. The simple words written by Cadvan both confused her and angered her.

What possible business could he have here, now? The nameless one was dead an so were most if not all of his followers. Her mind raced could their reconcile only be because of some new threat that her special powers were needed for? Once again would she only be tool to keep peace in the name of the light? Maerad heart sank deeper with each thought that crossed her mind.

At first Maerad thought about leaving this place with out ever finding out the nature of Cadvan's so called "work", but no. no this was something she could not do. Instead she sat somberly on the soft bed and though of the times that Cadvan could have been lost to her. She counted them to herself. .. Twice by the winter king and once at the hands of the Landrost, but more recent by her own stubbornness. This she could not bring her self to do again. She could not allow herself to leave till she spoke to Cadvan and he decided what must happen next. Rather it be only to a companion helping to preserve the light or to be as one.

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Leaving Maerad's room Cadvan found the innkeeper and asked that Maerad be served a simple dinner to her room later that night. After seeing that Maerad would be taken care of for the moment although he regretted how vague his letter was , he made his way to the inner circle.

Finding quickly the first bard of the city he asked for a private meeting. With word beginning to trickle in that the nameless one was no more and that chosen one traveled with Cadvan, the meeting was quickly approved. Cadvan was escorted to a quaint sitting area to await the noble bard.

Sitting in an informal meeting room Cadvan sat on a couch and awaited for the first bard to appear. Much to his surprise he was met not by the first bard of the city but the first bard of Annar.

"by the light Nelac, how did you get here?"

"Cadvan if you truly are to marry an Elidhu then you must stop thinking as a bard." Nelac had only been half joking but was right. If Cadvan were truly to marry Maerad than he must forget about distance between the schools and the time it took to reach them. For Maerad or her Elidhu family could travel from one end of Annar to the other with out ever changing days if they so whished.

Cadvan nearly asked how Nelac knew but thought it better not to. He knew the answer would be the same to his last question… Ardina.

Slowly making his way over to the couch Nelac tried to asked with out laughing, " Have you figured out how to ask her yet?"

His face turned almost white as snow. How could Nelac ask such a question. That question , the one he had no answer to nor how to say. He did not need to answer Nelac nor make any gestures the expression on his face told all that was needed to be said.

After speaking to Nelac for nearly half the night Cadvan was escorted by a lovely thin woman that was about Maerad's weight and build. She took him a large room filled with some of the finest dresses in all of Milhol. Choosing carefully he found one that would bring out the beauty of Maerad's eyes and would set well against her soft pail skin. After folding the delicate material and placing it into a bit of wrapping Cadvan went to set his well laid plan into motion.

Slipping quietly in to Maerad's room he watched her sleep for a few moments. The soft moonlight illuminated against her soft skin. Causing her to look as if she were glowing by her own will. Cadvan stopped and stared at his love so peacefully sleeping. After a few long moments he left the small package on the stand next to her bed, where she would be sure to see it when she woke. Placing another simple note next to his gift Cadvan slipped unnoticed out of the room , then into his own for the remainder of the night.

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Maerad woke the as the early morning light came beaming into her room. Again she woke alone but she was not as sorrowful as she was back in Turbansk. Yawning she glanced over to the night stand finding a present and another note written by Cadvan;

My dearest love,

A gift for you is not enough to show you how I feel, but alas it must due for now.

- Cadvan

Maerad squealed in delight. Cadvan had gotten her a gift but was it the gift that Ardina had spoke about her mind raced as she carefully opened the wrapping. The soft royal blue dress shimmered in the sunlight. The material felt as water between her fingertips. So soft it felt almost almost to delicate to wear. Carefully she slipped it on as the dress hugged her womanly curves. Taking a deep breath she looked at herself in the mirror. She looked much older than her true age, but beautiful even if only by her own eyes. Fussing about herself she tried to do something ravishing with her hair but was unable to do anything with it. She needed help but had no knowledge of who she may ask in this vast city.

With hope of looking perfect for Cadvan fleeting her, a gentle knock came from the door. Staring curiously at the wooden door Maerad politely asked, " who it is?"

The door open slightly and a soft wrinkled hand wrapped around the door. Covering her mouth so not to squeal Maerad saw the one who had disturbed her fussing.