A Light in the Darkness: Unveiled

by LadyAlambiel

A sorcerer challenged by Aslan. Love and friendship alike are tested by his presence. And the Gentle Queen faces her own challenge when the sorcerer's true colors are unveiled.

37. Chapter Thirty-Seven: What Now?

Disclaimer: I don't own Narnia or any characters you may recognize from the books or the movies, I wish I did but I don't... I also don't own the Narnian Calendar. It belongs to Elecktrum who was kind enough to let me borrow it for my story. Her own stories are awesome and you should go read them too.

Summary: A sorcerer challenged by Aslan. Love and friendship alike are tested by his presence. And the Gentle Queen faces her own challenge when the sorcerer's true colors are unveiled.

A/N: If you have not read the first eight stories in the A Light in the Darkness main story arc (Awakened, Shadowed, Revealed, Concealed, Rekindled, Refracted, Reflected, and Veiled), I highly recommend you do so for the full experience. However, I have included a quick summary of the previous stories so if you want to give this one a whirl on its own, you can.

Chapter Thirty-Seven: What Now?

Two hours after the deaths of Tarkaan Babak and Tarkheena Zinat, Edmund surveyed the small council room. Oreius and Kat, Peter and Thalia, Susan and Lucy, and Paniz were all present. Edmund cleared his throat. "All right, we know why we're here. Might as well get to it. Lady Paniz? Do you know if Zinat goaded the Tarkaan into attacking the Princess Consort?"

The lady bowed her head. "I fear Zinat has . . . had sought to provoke such an encounter from the moment she learned Babak had been assigned as ambassador."

"What do you mean?" Lucy asked, her blue eyes filling with sympathy.

Paniz's wide dark eyes remained open, allowing Edmund to see the truth in their depths, as she sighed wearily. "The isolation of the Tarkaan's wives is not typical, at least when we travel with him. This was the first time Babak required such stringent isolation from other men. It was Zinat who spoke to him of the evils in the gazes of the male northern demons." A blush darkened her caramel skin as she darted a nervous gaze at Oreius where he stood, arms folded over his chest, just to the right of Kat's chair. "She was the one who convinced him that any male in our vicinity might unleash a northern curse on us, on my babe. I have always known of Zinat's clawing ways but it was here that she chose to make her final moves. From the time we left the estate to this morning, Zinat whispered her sweet poisons to Babak. My husband is . . . was not a good man though the Tisroc (may he live forever) counted him as a favorite but he was rarely so foolish as I witnessed during our time here."

Edmund nodded. It seemed Tarkheena Zinat had been even more dangerous than the infamous Lady Macbeth. "How did she goad the Tarkaan today?"

"It started before Shirin died. Zinat . . . She pushed for Babak to give me permission to summon the Narnian healers when Shirin worsened after I summoned your aid in secret. And then she insisted Narnian healers be summoned again after—" Paniz paused, lips trembling and unshed tears glistening in her eyes, making Edmund shift nervously. Then the Calormene woman took a deep breath. "After she slipped the herbs to force childbirth before its proper time into my food and drink. Zinat always intended to blame you for the loss of Shirin and myself. When I did not die, she was infuriated. Babak inquired of the healers whether I could still bear children. Once he learned I could, he informed Zinat that he would bow to my father's demands that my own rank be honored."

"How did you learn this?" Edmund scowled. "Was he actually rash enough to inform her of this in front of you?"

Paniz offered the saddest of smiles. "He informed Zinat by addressing me. He was appeased at first to hear the stillborn child was only a girl child. He married off his daughters by Zinat when they reached their eleventh year. My sons were the valued ones in his eyes. Babak so enjoyed to push Zinat into fighting to keep his favor."

Kat propped her chin on her fist, making Edmund wonder what spanner she was about to toss in the works, as she studied Paniz. "Babak came in here raging about Shirin and the babe being stolen from him. Did Zinat find out that we hid the baby?"

Edmund sat up straight but the words scolding Kat for the lie about the state of the baby did not come. Lucy gasped, clapping her hands together as a bright smile lit her face. "Your baby's alive!"

Paniz nodded. Then Susan gently asked, "Why did you tell us the baby was stillborn, Kat? Surely we could be trusted."

"Of course. I was going to tell you all about the babe as soon as the Calormenes left." Kat glanced around at them all and then shrugged. "I did not say so before because I figured if Babak would ask after the baby, then he would ask one of you and you could honestly tell him you were told of the stillbirth. I told Oreius the truth of the matter last night but how many Tarkaans would question a Centaur?"

"I begged the Princess Royal to take my jewel and hide her so she may live here in the North. Zinat never knew that we had succeeded in hiding her. She merely seized the opportunity to continue forcing a conflict between Babak and you, O Kings and Queens. She wanted revenge for Babak straying from her and, as she held the blade to my throat to take my life, she intended to return to Calormen and take my sons as her own." Paniz's voice trembled a little as she added, "I will not see my daughter share Shirin's fate. I will not see her traded to a man as cruel as Babak. The Princess Royal has promised to find a good family, a kind family who will love my jewel for me and they will raise her in freedom."

"Oh." Lucy's eyes went round and then she turned to him and Peter. "Can't we extend sanctuary to Paniz? That way," she beamed at the Calormene woman, "you can raise your baby and if your sons want to come north, I'm sure we could find a way to arrange that."

Edmund noticed the sadness did not leave Paniz's eyes even as Thalia dipped her head to whisper in Peter's ear. He wouldn't be surprised if his sister-in-law were in agreement with Lucy. Shirin's death had hit her the hardest. "Wait a minute, Lu. Lady, I mean, Tarkheena Paniz, you have something you would like to say?"

The lady bowed her head but didn't quite hide her surprise and slight pleasure at being addressed properly. Then she looked around the room, focusing on Lucy and Thalia, and smiled sadly once more. "You are more than merciful, O Kings and Queens, but I cannot stay in the North. I must return to my husband's estates in Tashbaan. My sons yet need me. The eldest is but five and the younger is not quite two years his junior. They are the delight of my eyes and the sun would be forever darkened in mine eyes should I leave them to the mercies of the Tisroc (may he live forever)'s choosing of a guardian. My father is first cousin to the Tisroc (may he live forever) and he will act as my protector as I stand as Tarkheena over Babak's properties. He will not require me to remarry for to do so would risk Babak's heirs. And to bring Babak's heirs here . . . No, I could not repay your kindness with such treacherous dealings."

"But your daughter . . ."

"Has been buried." Paniz laid a slender hand over her heart. "I held my little jewel and kissed her. But for her sake, she must be buried in my heart. She shall be another woman's daughter, not the daughter of Paniz. For this, O Queen, is how a mother might give her child the greatest of gifts. I must go to my sons. It is they who need me most." She paused then added almost shyly, "And I shall teach them of the Great Lion's true nature and why His favor is a thousand times better than that of Tash or any of the other gods and goddesses."

Susan shot Edmund a glance that he didn't really know how he was supposed to interpret it. Why did his sisters always seem to think that he could automatically decipher their myriad expressions? He guessed more than half the time. All of the time when they didn't smile or frown or pout. When he didn't react fast enough, his elder sister gave the slightest shake of her head and then asked, "What about Zinat's death?"

"I will tell my father that she perished by her own hand after her plot to kill the rival wives did not fully work. That is truth. If Ziant had not been so obsessed with removing Shirin and myself as well as satisfying her need for revenge against the Narnian woman Babak took as mistress, she would not have died. The Tisroc (may he live forever) will believe my father's words in this matter and when my father informs him that Babak foolishly endangered the treaty with Narnia by listening to his grief and wrongfully attacked the High King's bride." Paniz paused then added softly, "With your permissions and blessings, O Kings and Queens, I would have my ship sail this very day."

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Thalia's heart went out to Paniz. The Calormene woman who had suffered so much had left with her head held high. Thalia doubted she could ever be so strong as to leave her own seedling behind in another land to be raised by strangers. She pressed a hand against her stomach, briefly wondering when she would give Peter a seedling. Her mother had had her elder sister within two years of marrying her father.

An arm wrapped around her shoulders and she leaned against her husband as they walked up to the palace. Peter kissed her hair. Then a flurry of words she didn't understand pulled Thalia's attention to the palace. The Princess Royal was standing inside the open doors, facing the General. The Centaur had crossed his brawny arms over his chest and was listening to his wife with a distinct scowl.

King Edmund came up on her left, frowning. "Now what?"

Just then the General raised a finger and stated, "This once."

The Princess Royal grinned and then walked toward them with the General trailing her. "Come on, there's something you should see."

Thalia smiled and reached up to squeeze Peter's hand. Alambiel was finally going to show them where the baby was hidden (she had refused to tell them while Paniz was still present). Lucy and Susan came up on either side of the Princess Royal, questioning her in whispers. But she only shook her head. "You'll see when we get there."

The walk took longer than Thalia expected as they did not stop in the houses where many of the married soldiers made their homes. Nor did they go to the craftsmen and those servants who preferred to live outside the palace. Instead, the Princess Royal led them to a small cottage tucked in the shadows of the western side of the palace. Thalia listened but heard no cry of a little seedling. She instinctively softened her steps as the Princess Royal opened the door, not wanting to wake the little one. The main room was bare of anything save a few benches, an armchair, and a table. Alambiel opened the door to the right and ducked inside.

Thalia tensed as she recognized Tuulea's low murmur. Then she walked forward, still clutching Peter's hand, to peer inside the room. Alambiel was speaking softly to Tuulea, who was sitting in a chair. But there was no cradle for a seedling in the room. Instead, Thalia clapped a hand over her mouth to keep from crying out as tears spilled forth. On the bed, sleeping on her stomach with her dark hair tumbling over her face, was Shirin.

She backed away as the Princess Royal emerged from the room and noticed King Edmund had taken each of her sisters-in-law by the elbow and was guiding them to sit on one of the benches. The Queens both had handkerchiefs out while the General was giving his wife a strange look. He had not known either. Alambiel shrugged. "Surprise."

"Surprise?" Queen Susan whispered. "Kat, we saw Shirin burned on that funeral pyre."

"Actually, you saw a casket burn on that funeral pyre." Alambiel paused then added, "And the goose that was . . . liberated . . . from the kitchens to add some weight. Shirin doesn't weigh all that much."

Thalia shook her head, still feeling bewildered. "But I saw her die. She did not breathe. She had no heartbeat."

Then Peter leaned forward, hands clasped in front of him. "And just who knew about this?"

"Paniz, Tuulea because we needed her help with the plan, me, oh and Edmund."

"What?"

The Queens turned on their youngest brother, frowning fiercely (well, Lucy's was more of a pout). Susan demanded, "And why were we not informed?"

"What was the loophole?" Queen Lucy asked.

Thalia said nothing as Edmund raised his hands. "Wait, slow down. Look, we didn't tell anyone we didn't have to, not even Oreius." He turned to the General. "Did Kat tell you?"

"She did not. I believed the filly had died."

The Just gave a curt nod. "There you see. We didn't have a lot of time after I found the treaty addressing 'second lives.' Shirin had to die. Once she did, she would be considered a ghost at best if she ever returned to Calormen."

Alambiel looked at her as she took over the explanation, "I recalled Tuulea discussing certain herbs that when combined can achieve a very convincing imitation of death. Breathing, heartrate, it all drops to a level that the person who has been given it is dead to observers to the point that even Talking Beasts would be fooled. However, there is great risk involved, especially when the concoction is given to female patients. The person given the dose can go to sleep and simply never wake again. I'm not familiar enough with the formula to know how much to give to a wounded, weakened human girl plus she would need the antidote given to her within a certain amount of time."

"And that's why you got Tuulea involved," Lucy stated.

"Yes."

Thalia glanced at her husband then she asked the question most weighing on her mind, "What will happen to Shirin now?"

"Shirin is dead." The Princess Royal's tone brooked no argument as she reiterated, "The plan doesn't work if Shirin is not dead. When the foundling girl is sufficiently recovered from her injuries, I will take her to Hadassah House. She will be safe there and, once she has been given her new name, she can build a new life. Lanka and Tegene will help her heal from the wounds Babak left on her."

"But why can't she stay here?"

"She is Calormene and she was a part of a prominent Tarkaan's household. It is too dangerous for her to stay here in Cair Paravel."

Thalia nodded even though a small part of her had hoped to witness the sapling blossom in her new freedom. But surely the Princess Royal spoke the truth.

"What about the baby? Will she go to Hadassah House too?"

At Queen Susan's quiet question, Alambiel looked away. "No. I have made different arrangements for her. It would attract too much attention if I brought both a newborn and a twelve-year-old to Hadassah House close together, especially with both girls being Calormene. The fewer who know the exact arrangements I've made for them the better. Be satisfied with the knowledge that they shall both be safe." She stood and then nodded to the closed door. "She is still very weak so you will have to limit your visits to two people at a time. Tuulea will let you know when she is strong enough to have a true visit."

Thalia rose as well. "Then we should leave her to rest."

As they filed out of the little cottage, Thalia did wonder who Alambiel had entrusted the care of Paniz's daughter to but she decided the older Nymph was correct that it was better she only knew part of the details. Peter took her hand and she squeezed it, smiling. Shirin, or rather the girl formerly known as Shirin, was alive, praise Aslan. She was free and would live in the North safe from the horrors that would have awaited her in Calormen and in Babak's household. Thank Aslan, they had saved the little sapling.

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9 Frostmoon 1006

Alambiel looked comfortable with a foal in her arms. It was not the first time he had made such an observation and it would probably not be the last. Oreius glanced at where Alithia was playing with her son, who now babbled with great delight. He glanced at his friend. "Does he say anything recognizable yet?"

Ardon chuckled, a proud gleam in his eyes. "Yes, he-"

"No!" The colt crowed then pranced away from his dam to skitter under his sire, chortling to himself. "No! No, no, no!"

Alambiel snickered as she rocked the dark-haired filly. "All right, 'fess up. Is that his first or second word?"

"His first." Ardon leaned down to scoop the little colt up. To Oreius' chagrin, the little one had his wristlet and was chewing on it. It seemed that was still his favorite teething toy.

"So far our son has refused to say 'da' or 'mama' or anything except-"

"No!" cheered Solon.

Oreius' lips twitched while Alambiel laughed. Then she sobered. "The couple I contacted in regards to this little one has sent word of their pending arrival. Ardon, I've asked them to come to the western postern gate at third hour tomorrow morn."

"How will I recognize them?"

"They will recognize you. Tabitha and her husband are foresters from the Western Woods." Alambiel glanced at him then added softly, "Tabitha was the oldest girl rescued when Hadassah House was established. She is half-Calormene and half-Lone Islander so this one's darker coloring will not be suspect."

"What of her husband?"

"Jon is from the Seven Isles. They just had their firstborn, a son." Alambiel stroked the foal's dark cheek then handed her to Alithia. "She will be safe with them."

Oreius could not help but think of the dream where he had seen her holding a dark-haired filly. He would not speak of it now, though. It was not a conversation meant to be shared, not even with their friends. Ardon glanced at him. "Leaving so soon? You two have not visited us in sometime. And you, Alambiel, have not been seen outside the palace in months. There's talk among the soldiers."

Oreius scowled. "My wife's movements are not meant to be fodder for the gossips who have replaced my soldiers."

"Your wife is still here, Kentauri." Alambiel gave him an arch look. "And I think it's time we had that talk." She grinned at Ardon and Alithia. "Oreius just doesn't want to visit because he'll be reminded that Solon is using his best wristlets as teething toys."

"No!" Solon grinned as he waved the wristlet in the air, narrowly avoiding his sire's chin. "No! No! No!"

He huffed in response to Alambiel's cheekiness. Although, he had to admire the fact that she still kept secret the fact that he had been so shaken by an interloper's threat as to restrict her movements. If the soldiers were gossiping about it, however . . .

As they finally left Ardon and Alithia's house, Oreius was not pleased to see one of his lieutenants approaching. The grizzled Satyr bowed. "General Oreius, there is a matter with the newest recruits. Captain Cletus said you will want to resolve this matter personally."

Oreius frowned. "Which recruits are involved?"

"Basil, Rooksmead, and Titus."

Two Centaurs and a Faun. Oreius glanced at Alambiel but she had anticipated his request as she turned to his lieutenant. "Maximus, would you escort me back to the palace? I have been meaning to ask after your granddaughter. Has Sybil had her baby yet?"

His lieutenant bowed again to him and then offered his arm to Alambiel. "She has not and informs her mother who informed me that she dearly wished she had. But it will be any day now."

"Well, I happen to have your leave of absence orders on my desk. Accompany me to my study, sir, and I will sign them so that you can go see your first great-grandbaby."

Oreius watched with carefully concealed amusement as his wife charmed Lieutenant Maximus into a rusty laugh. The Satyr was old enough to have served under their fathers and he could count on one hand the number of times the widower had laughed since the passing of his wife during the Long Winter. And Lieutenant Maximus was loyal to the royal house, both royal houses. Oreius watched them until they disappeared around the bend in the path leading up to the palace. Then he turned his attention to seeing just what three recruits had gotten up to that it required his personal involvement.

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"Alambiel?"

There was no response as Oreius entered their bedchamber. Skeat had been stationed in front of their quarters, confirming that Alambiel had returned, but his wife was nowhere to be found. Oreius walked out onto the balcony. No Alambiel. Then he noticed the other set of doors were cracked open. The second room leading off the balcony. He had never used it and had almost forgotten about it entirely. Oreius pushed the door open and spotted his wife tossing a cover over her easel. "Where you looking for me, Kentauri?"

"Yes." He glanced around the room, which was bare of any furnishings except for the easel, a chair, and a table with a lamp. "Why are you in here?"

"I was bored." Alambiel looked around. "I can't believe I didn't think to look around the balcony before now. You know, it's a good thing I found this room. It will be a nice nursery. Someday." She pushed her hair back nervously. "For now, though, I was thinking I could use it for my painting. That way I will actually get it done in peace."

"You cannot in the sitting room?"

"No, a chara, I can't. You have so many soldiers and pages coming through there on the way to your study that I can't even sit in there and read without them stopping and staring not to mention causing traffic jams. Apparently, it's that discombobulating for them to see me in your quarters without you lecturing or getting ready to chase me down to the beach. I don't want to go back to my old quarters for anything more than using my study. And, unlike you, the soldiers who come to see me have appointments so I know when they're going to drop by." Alambiel walked around him to blow out the lamp. "And you leave that painting alone. It's not done."

Oreius chuckled. "You always let me see them before completion."

"You can't see this one."

"Why?" He grinned then flexed for her. "In case you need a fresh reference."

Alambiel laughed. "What makes you think I'm painting you?"

"Why else would you hide it from me? And I seem to recall you saying that you liked to draw and paint me. I am your hero."

She pursed her lips, a twinkle in her eye. "Sometimes, O egotistical stallion, only sometimes."

Oreius grabbed her by the hand as she walked past him and pulled her into an embrace. "Then I shall have to do better." He reached up to separate one of her golden strands then placed a kiss against the soft curl. He looked around the room. Alambiel had described it as being useful as a nursery. "Alambiel, do you wish to keep the foal? We could arrange it if you do."

Alambiel stepped back, removing herself from his arms and shaking her head. "No, no, we cannot do that to her. We know the Tisroc spies on us as much as he can manage through ambassadors and merchants alike. We have not been married long enough for the baby to be ours and to try to raise her here in Cair Paravel invites too much scrutiny by the wrong people. We would endanger her if we kept her, Oreius. And we would also endanger our continuously fragile peace with Calormen. No one will look twice at her in the Western Woods, at least no one who might carry rumor of a Calormene baby in Narnia to the wrong ears." She hurried out onto the balcony.

"You are correct. Forgive me for upsetting you." He followed her back into their bedchamber.

She offered him a little smile. "I am not upset. I am merely repeating the same arguments I used to convince myself to write Tabitha." She sat on the edge of the bed and then flopped backwards, throwing her arms above her head. "Whew! I am glad this is over, though. Too much stress is involved when the Calormenes come to town."

"You should change, should you not?"

His wife groaned. "Another banquet. Can we not skip this one? I mean, I have been very good. I have not skipped a single banquet that I was present in the Cair for since Sweethearts' Day, except for when Despoina convinced Susan to let me miss the last three. And you, my dear Kentauri, work too much. It's also Sixthday."

"Alambiel, change into something more comfortable." Oreius decided to prompt her to hurry. Taking her right leg in hand, he gently tugged off one of her boots. "I thought you promised Tuulea that you would start wearing shoes."

"Boots are shoes."

He chuckled as he turned his attention to her remaining boot. "One of these days you are going to find all your boots missing."

"Won't happen."

"Why not?"

"Coup."

"For your boots?" Oreius placed the items in question between his wife's wardrobe and dressing table where he would not trip over them in the morn. He looked over his shoulder when Alambiel didn't answer. She was still stretched across their bed, arms above her head, but something subtle had changed in her posture. "Alambiel?"

"Oreius, can I ask you something?"

"You already did. What troubles you?"

She sat up, propping herself up on her elbows. "Do you think we're too dangerous to be parents? I mean, with all these threats and vendettas and every once in a long while there is an assassin. Are our lives too . . . too public, too much of a target?" She looked down but he could almost feel the tension wafting from her as she continued in a soft, sad tone, "Babies are so vulnerable. But I don't want them to live their lives always worried, always guarded, always afraid of what monsters might be coming after them because their mama or da angered someone. And it would probably be me who caused most of the angry vendettas what with Murphy and his law. And some people just don't like me. At all."

"Chéadsearc," Oreius whispered, "Sweetheart, I promise you we are not too dangerous to be parents." He leaned forward, propping one hand on the mattress and cupping her cheek with the other. "I know we will have children, when Aslan wills it, and when we do, yes we will have to institute certain precautions to keep our children from being targeted. We will have to teach them to discern the appropriate times to approach us outside of our quarters and they will be assigned at least one guard. However, you and I will choose guards who can do more than protect them. The guards will be our foals' friends. Our foals will not see guards, only friends who are to be obeyed when necessary. Our foals shall be guarded but we shall guard their foalhood just as closely."

Alambiel leaned into his hand. "Do you truly believe that?"

He nodded. "With a dam so fierce as you, who would dare to approach our foals with harmful intent? None but the most foolhardy."

She finally smiled then turned her head to brush her lips against his palm. "And if I miss any, you will clean them up."

"Most certainly." Oreius rubbed his nose against Alambiel's, startling a laugh out of his wife. "Better, sweet?"

She grinned then kissed him. "Better. You know you're pretty good at this comforting husband stuff."

He chuckled as he straightened and then offered a playful bow. "I live to serve you, Princess."

A pillow came sailing through the air but he caught it before it could land on its mark. Alambiel's eyes were sparkling with a challenge. "Don't call me that."

"Change into something more comfortable, Wife."

His lady immediately made a face. "Oh fine. What's another banquet surrounded by people I don't want to talk to?" Oreius ignored her grumbling as she slipped off the bed then padded over to her wardrobe. "Oreius."

"Yes."

Alambiel stepped back from the wardrobe, allowing him to see inside. "Where are my clothes? There's nothing in here except my shoes." She reached down, plucked the boots up and then tossed them into the jumble of footwear camouflaging the floor of the wardrobe. Then she bent at the waist and opened the drawers. "Where are my clothes, Kentauri?" She straightened and looked at him. "Why are you grinning?"

Oreius cleared his throat. "I was enjoying the view."

"Of what?"

"You. You should check the drawers again. Perhaps you missed something."

Alambiel blushed a little and a smile fought its way free even as she shook her finger at him. "You have done something with my clothes. What exactly am I supposed to change into now?"

He picked up the long-sleeved dark green formal tunic he had been meant to wear to the banquet. "Try this on."

His wife gave him a look then snatched the tunic from him and sashayed into the bath. Oreius grinned (even if she did shut the door) and then he briefly opened his trunk. The mass of gowns, tunics, skirts, and every other article of clothing that had been in Alambiel's wardrobe was smashed in there. He would probably be in trouble when Alambiel, or rather Tuulea and Leeta, saw their state but he thought it was worth the risk.

"You know, I don't think this is really appropriate to wear to a banquet. Rather risqué, don't you think?"

Oreius took in the sight of his wife. She filled his tunic very nicely. His gaze trailed down to her legs. The hem of his tunic fell to her knees. However, he caught a glimpse of her thigh due to the split in either side of the tunic. And the curve of her calves were only accentuated by the daggers she was still wearing.

"Are you grinning because I'm wearing your tunic or my daggers? Or are you just enjoying the view again?"

"Very much." Oreius held his hand out to her. "Shall I remove them for you?"

Alambiel laughed as she rested her hand in his. Then she sat on the bench in front of her dressing table as primly as if she were wearing one of her finest gowns. Extending her right leg, she allowed him to remove that dagger. Then he removed the left dagger. Alambiel permitted him to help her up before she gave him a skeptical look. "What are you up to, Oreius? As much as I am enjoying your undivided attention, I believe we agreed that you did not want me to show my legs off for all Cair Paravel."

"Minx," he growled. "Come with me to the only banquet where you are perfectly attired to attend."

"Well, that sounds intriguing."

Oreius harrumphed, flicking his tail in feigned irritation, and then opened the bedchamber doors. Alambiel darted around him, not stopping until she reached the table laden with the supper he had instructed be delivered. She lifted the lids off the steaming dishes. "Venison pasties, pheasant, boiled potatoes, baked apples, buttered corn, salad, and broccoli with cheese sauce." Alambiel laughed and then spun to face him, her smile one of utter delight. "This is our date. You actually remembered."

He nodded then cleared his throat. "Well, the afters are not an exact match. Chocolate cake instead of the chocolate cherry trifle. I—" He grunted as Alambiel threw herself into his arms, peppering his face with kisses. "You do not mind then?"

She laughed. "Certainly not." She kissed him again. "I won't even use the ribbons tomorrow morn like I planned."

Oreius considered asking what ribbons Alambiel intended to use but then he decided it would be far better to simply enjoy his wife's attentions. At least she was pleased that he had reproduced the missed dinner. And he had not had to confess that he had spent several hours yesterday breathing down the cooks' necks until they had found the menu Alambiel originally used when she had them help her prepare it. His wife smiled up at him, once more murmuring her thankfulness that he made the effort. It was very difficult to think coherently when Alambiel kissed him breathless.

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A/N: Please Read and Review! Well, that's a relief. And Oreius is working on raking in those brownie points. ;) Leave a review and let me know what y'all thought about this one.