Chapter 25

Startled, she spun round to find Sarek standing there. Realising it was him she let out a deep breath and walked to him gratefully.

"I'm so glad you came. I was beginning to get worried!" she said anxiously.

"Is there something amiss?" His dark eyes watched her carefully.

Still a little unsettled she felt a sudden loss of confidence. She didn't want to appear to be overreacting. The last thing she wanted was for him to think she was distrustful. But she couldn't deny what she had heard. Looking up into his eyes she decided to tell him the truth.

"I... I thought I heard someone in pain." She glanced down the passage and pointed. "It seemed to come from that door. I… I didn't know what to do," she explained.

Sarek regarded her thoughtfully for a moment.

"That passageway leads to the infirmary. Some of the patients that reside there are quite unwell. However, you need not worry. They are well cared for," he said.

Amanda nodded vaguely and glanced down the passage. She still felt a bit spooked.

"If you are ready, we must proceed to the meeting." His deep voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Meeting?" she asked curiously.

Sarek nodded and gestured for her to follow. She followed him along through various passageways until they entered the inner courtyard of the house. Although it was raining outside the Vulcans that were present were sheltered by a glass roof. It was another large meeting area that contained rows of benches and cushions. It almost seemed like a village hall.

Realising that Sarek's figure was starting to recede into the distance, Amanda hurried to cross the hall to the other wing. This time the environment was much more closed. A corridor of doors greeted them with nothing to indicate whether one was different from the other. Sarek purposefully entered one of them. Following him, she found herself in what appeared to be an office or study room. A ring of chairs with attached desk screens lay at the centre.

Amanda's eyes widened as she recognised Svelda, the Vulcan woman from the conference. Svelda rose elegantly and raised her hand in the 'taal,' a traditional Vulcan hand salute. Sarek returned the gesture in kind. As Svelda turned to face her, Amanda felt herself being surveyed.

"Greetings," Amanda said awkwardly.

Svelda gestured to one of the chairs.

"Sit," she commanded.

Amanda raised an eyebrow at Sarek but complied. Sitting down she folded her hands in her lap. This wasn't exactly the private meeting she had envisioned with Sarek. She shuffled in her seat awkwardly. For some reason her feet weren't quite touching the floor…

"You must be made aware of the duties you must perform as a Vulcan wife," Svelda began.

Amanda shot a look at Sarek as if to say: "Is she for real?" He merely watched her with an almost curious expression. Amanda bit her lip. What was she supposed to say to that?

"I don't think this is appropriate. My relationship with Sarek is private," Amanda said firmly. She looked to him for reassurance but he didn't move. "And what exactly is your purpose here?" she asked.

Svelda's statuesque form betrayed no emotion.

"She is bold," Svelda said, turning to Sarek.

"It has been noted," he agreed.

Seeming appeased with his acknowledgement Svelda returned her gaze back onto Amanda. Amanda's eyes narrowed. Well?

"My purpose here is to prepare you for your travel to Vulcan and all that that implies," she explained.

"But that's over six months away!" Amanda exclaimed. She suddenly realised she was speaking in standard again. "Sorry, but is this not too soon?"

She was sure she had only agreed to this engagement a few hours ago. She wasn't expecting it to affect her life just yet! Svelda's cool eyes regarded her for a moment before she continued.

"There are many preparations that need to be made. Your fitness will need to be greatly improved along with your knowledge. You will need to study our language, culture and history before you attempt to travel there."

"But I can already speak Vulcan," Amanda interrupted. She couldn't help herself. "Why can't I learn all that whilst I'm there? I'll be staying for a year as it is!" she said exasperated.

Svelda continued to speak as if she hadn't heard her.

"You will also learn to control your emotions whilst in the presence of other Vulcans," she said pointedly. "There will be a series of tests for you to complete and you must pass them all before you can descend to the surface of Vulcan."

Amanda stood up from her seat in outrage. Tests? This was just getting ridiculous. She landed a furious glare on Sarek who still remained silent. Her hands balled into fists.

"I wish to have a private word with my fiancé," she growled.

Svelda looked at her blankly. Fine, Amanda thought. Summing up as much power as she could she spoke more forcefully.

"You are dismissed." Her voice brimmed with a gravitas she had not known she possessed.

Svelda looked to Sarek for instruction. He nodded. Svelda rose gracefully from her chair and gave Amanda one last chilling look as she exited the room. She had to admit she was getting used to those.

Alone at last, Amanda placed her hands on her hips and faced Sarek.

"What on Earth was that all about?!"

Sarek placed his fingertips together in front of him as he considered her.

"For your first meeting with Vulcans, that was not successful," he stated. "Do you intend to dismiss every Vulcan that you see on its surface?" he asked.

Amanda flushed a little at his tone. How was she in the wrong here?

"Of course not." She huffed. "But you don't allow your people to dictate your actions to you so why should I?" she countered.

She was trying to look intimidating as she glowered over him sitting in his chair but as usual he was unfazed. If only she had a water pistol…

"It is logical to accept the advice of those wiser than you," he stated.

She moved to speak but he held up his hand to stop her.

"It is how social status operates on Vulcan. The more you achieve and the more experience you have the higher your standing. I would not be Ambassador to Vulcan if I did not possess a wealth of both of these qualities," he explained.

Amanda thought about this for a moment.

"So… in Vulcan terms I have no experience or wisdom so everyone is going to dictate to me?" she asked uncertainly.

"Logically, yes. Until you become more familiar with our ways it is best to follow the instruction of others."

"But what if they get me into trouble? I can't just put my faith in total strangers!" she exclaimed.

He paused to consider her question carefully.

"I cannot deny that there may be those that may try to deceive you. However it is not my intention to leave you alone. You will have Svelda, Se'tek and I to consult for advice," he assured.

"Se'tek is coming?" she asked, surprised.

"Indeed, with the extension of his family it is time for him to return to Vulcan."

Amanda smiled. Maybe she would get to see his child after all!

"Does your Matriarch know that I'm coming yet?" she wondered.

"No. She will be informed when we announce our engagement to the general public."

Amanda grimaced.

"You seem to be leaving her no room for manoeuvre. How do you know she will be against us? I'm not sure forcing it on her is our best option," she frowned with worry.

Sarek's dark eyes watched her closely.

"She is the wisest member of my Clan and she has dictated that I will marry a Vulcan wife. I am going against her wishes by selecting from outside her chosen. She will attempt to correct this for my benefit. Therefore she cannot be given room for manoeuvre."

His voice took on a darker tone.

"As soon as you set foot on Vulcan she will attempt to scare you away. That is why such preparations must be made," he said assuredly.

Amanda found herself swallowing subconsciously. This was starting to sound a little too much like Romeo and Juliet. She hoped the ending would be drastically different.

As Amanda's thoughts wandered, Sarek approached her in such a manner that Amanda instantly knew that he was being very serious.

"Although I will do my best not to leave your side Amanda, there may come a time when you will have to face her alone. You will have to be strong for me," his palm cupped her cheek. Amanda smiled and leant into the warmth of his hand.

Looking up at him, her eyes twinkled with mischief.

"I'm bold, remember?" She grinned.

Sarek leaned forward to rest his forehead against hers.

"Indeed you are my k'diwa. Indeed you are."