"Please..."
"I can't."
"Why not?"
"..."
DON'T TALK,
JUST WHISPER...
Chapter 2
*****
'You are by no means ordered...'
'I can feel it...'
'We wanted revenge...'
'Just meet her, then take it from there...'
Morov's words echoed and circled many times in his head. He hadn't been able
to sleep in the last three days.
Marriage? Just to meet and then marry a woman he had never seen? Out of the
question!
Auron paced around his room. He had secluded himself for the past few days,
going out only at night to find food. God, he felt like a wild animal,
a scavenger of some sort only vacating the safety of his lair to
feed.
Lord Morov had not spoken to him since then. Not one word, a message,
or anything. He was just fine with the subject. It wasn't like he
had anything to say to the man just now.
And the worst part wasn't even that.
Tonight, she was coming.
Auron finally gave up on trying to make a hole on the floor and sat on
his bed.
What was he supposed to say to a woman he had never seen, and especially
one he was supposed to marry? His experience with women had been
limited at best; he'd never found the motivation or desire to take part
in courtship.
He tried to sign up for a mission; any mission, but it seemed that fate
itself had conspired against him. Either the roster had already been
filled, or they had just received an order not to let him go. It
was all a big conspiracy.
"Why me?" he said softly. That was the only thought on his mind for the past
few days. What man; PERSON, wouldn't ask the same as their fate had already
been mandated to them?
No one, he was sure.
*****
Auron wished he were a fiend of some kind, so that someone would simply
drive a sword through his skin and end his suffering.
With Lord Morov standing near him, Auron stood in his Lordships' private
dinning hall; a rather large room, prepared in file tile floors, elegant
tapestries and fancy sky-lights, awaiting the inevitable.
The arrival of his future 'wife'.
Auron was dressed in his best: his ceremonial robes: fancy leather boots;
not like the ones he usually wore, which seemed to never be rid of the mud
stains; these were adorned with small, round bucklets on either sides.
A fancy and loose fitting robe, colored in ocean blue, with the lightest
hint of green. He wore no chest plate today. Instead, he used expensive,
silver shoulder pads*, which shun at any contact with light. His face was
nice and clean-shaven. He considered cutting his hair, but he had grown
the ponytail that fell below his shoulder blades for a reason, so he
wasn't about to.
*(Sue me, I don't remember the proper name for those things.)
In fact, he could have been branded 'breath-taking' by any women who had
ever looked at him dressed like this.
But of course, that was just what he looked like. He would have much rather
be hunting down fiends in caves, stepping in dung and showered in sweat
than this.
He spared a glance a Morov. He was also dressed nicely, but his clothes were
more loose-fitting and a bit more casual. Well, the man was recieving
his daughter, not a Maester.
"She'll be here soon, Auron."
'Yippe,' Auron added in his mind.
"I just want her to get to know you with a nice dinner. Then, I won't be a
bother."
It's true, Morov had prepared a banquet for them. Auron had been fighting
to keep his stomach from growling. Eating only at night had formed into a
habit, and the tempting and steaming delicacies on the tables were appealing
to his senses.
The door made a began to open slowly, and Auron felt his stomach form a knot.
'Here she comes,' he thought. There was a small balcony near him. A quick
jump and a broken leg would be a welcome release right now.
Suddenly, the door was thrown ajar, and a quick blur ran straight across
the room. Auron was barely able to distinguish the figure of a tall woman
before Lord Morov was holding her in his arms in a tight hug.
"Daddy! I've missed you!" the woman practically screamed.
"My baby! How I've missed you!" Morov yelled in between breathes of his
histerical laughter.
Beside himself, Auron had to give a small chuckle.
After some hi-pitched squeals, the two finally straightened out. Morov kept
his arm around his daughter. "Auron, I'd like you to meet my daughter,
Gerrya."
Gerrya extended her hand and gave Auron a firm handshake. He was a little
surprised by the strength of the grip.
Of someone so fare, such strength was rare. (I made a rhyme)
From what he could see, Gerrya, daughter of Lord Morov was nothing like he
had expected. He was waiting to see a fine, well-brought up lady, dressed
in a silky dress that hugged her form, long gold hair that fell beyond
her waist, and as an understatement, one of those pointy hats.
Well, he was partly right about the hair. It wasn't blonde, but is was
long, neatly braided into a pigtail that reached just under her shoulder
blades. But, she was nothing of what he'd come to expect.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Gerrya."
"Charmed," he responded. He kicked himself at letting show the lack of
emotion. They didn't seem to notice.
Gerrya was a tall woman, slim in build but athletic. She wore clothes in
the latest fashion. A long-sleeve red shirt with a distinct sunrise pattern
to it, low cut jeans that showed off her shapely legs and open toe sandals.
He suddenly felt that he was overdressed. Which he was.
Gerrya hugged her father tightly. "Oh daddy, I have so much to tell you!"
"I know, I know my sweet, but first, let's eat. I'm sure you're hungry."
Gerrya nodded and bolted to the banquet table, where she asked the cooks
to serve a bit from every tray. Soon, she was impossibly balancing
two huge plates of food, making her way to the table where Auron and
Morov were sitting.
After witnessing her questionable table manners, Auron was really starting
to wonder if this was a woman indeed, instead of some kind of starved fiend.
She had completely cleaned both her plates and had asked for a few refills
on her drink. She was now patting her stomach contently.
Auron himself had only chosen a tray of steamed vegetables, rice and a little
meat; his appetite seemed to have vanished into thin air.
"Man, it's been a while since I ate myself silly!" Gerrya gave a glad belch,
covering her mouth timidly and excusing herself.
Morov too had finished. He got up, whispered something into her ear, and
faced Auron. "Well Auron, I have an early appointment, so I'm afraid I must
retire for the evening. I'll leave you two alone."
Morov hugged his daughter and left. Gerrya made a cute face and left to the
balcony.
Auron sighed. He wanted to retire to bed himself, but he felt obligated to
talk to her.
Aside from that, he wanted to apologize for sounding so cold earlier.
He readied himself, stood from his seat and walked towards the balcony.
Gerrya was leaning on the railing, the wind picking up loose strands of
hair and fluttering them around. Auron stopped in the doorway. He was
a bit...
The rumors did do her justice. Although she didn't seem like some goddess
come down to Spira for daliance, she was rather breathtaking. There was a
unique charm about her that was alluring and mysterious. He couldn't
quite put his finger on it, but it was there.
"Are you just gonna gawk at me all night, or you gonna join me?"
Auron shook his head and stood next to her, mimicking her pose.
"I apologise if I sounded a little cold earlier. It was a..."
"A reaction, I know. No worries."
Auron smiled. He breathed in deep, letting the cold air fill his lungs,
and he turned to Gerrya. He opened his eyes, and jumped back in surprise.
She was standing scant inches close to him, with a small piece of fruit pie
on a dish in her hands and a side smile on her face.
"I sneaked it from the cooks. Looked like you could use it."
Auron took the plate, but shook his head. "Thank you, but..."
"I doubt only veggies and rice can sustain a man of your size." Gerrya
reached out and touched Auron's left arm, giving it a hard squeeze. "Nice
and strong; just what I expected."
Auron was surprised at her audacity. He was going to pull away, but he
actually took the opportunity to study her.
She was tall, as tall as Morov, who was only a few inches shorter than him.
Her eyes were a deep brown. Her skin was of a creamy color, slightly
tanned. She was... charming.
"I half expected you to be some ugly fat guy, but here you are, a muscular
hunk who dresses as if he's seeing a Maester."
Auron cleared his throat. "Well, truth be told, you didn't fill my
expectations either."
"Let me guess: dumb blonde in a weird dress that only knows how to say ha
ha."
Auron chuckled. Not many were able to get a rise from him.
Gerrya smiled, letting go of his arm. "You don't have to play charades with
me. I already know why all the formality."
Auron opened his mouth, but she held her finger to it.
"My daddy can't keep anything from me. So..." She paced around him, her hands
behind her back. "I was gonna tell you off, but seeing as to how you're so
good-lookin', well, I think I'll have some fun with this."
Auron didn't know what to say. He wanted her to say that she hated him, and
then run away, but, her proposal was nothing of what he expected. She
actually wanted this?
Gerrya stood right in front of him, looking straight into his eyes. "I guess
we'll talk in the morning then."
In a quick move, she seized his head and pressed her lips to his. He was
surprised, but it was so sudden, and it was really quick. She started
to walk away, running a finger up his chin.
"See ya tomorrow, handsome." She literally skipped through the hall and left
to the bed chambers.
Auron stood there for a few minutes, trying to make sense of what just
happened. Gerrya, his 'betrothed', whom he had so hoped for to hate him,
had just kissed him, and said she 'might just give it a try.' Now more
than ever he wished he understood women.
He sighed and left the hall himself. This was going to be yet another
sleepless night.
End of Chapter 2
A.N.
I am so sorry for the utter lack of updates, but life hit me with sarcasm
lately, and it's been hard to focus. After a freaky girl incident that lasted
for about a month, I entered a writing contest, in which I had to write
about 150 pages. First prize is 3 grand and a one book publishing deal.
I was announced as one of the 5 finalists, but I'll find out if I won
until the end of the month. And to top it all off, I got Kingdon Hearts.
So, in any little spare time I had was to play. I apologise, but now
I'm gonna go back to my old update habits, so there'll be a new chapter
about every two weeks.
'Till next time...
BlackDragon
"I can't."
"Why not?"
"..."
DON'T TALK,
JUST WHISPER...
Chapter 2
*****
'You are by no means ordered...'
'I can feel it...'
'We wanted revenge...'
'Just meet her, then take it from there...'
Morov's words echoed and circled many times in his head. He hadn't been able
to sleep in the last three days.
Marriage? Just to meet and then marry a woman he had never seen? Out of the
question!
Auron paced around his room. He had secluded himself for the past few days,
going out only at night to find food. God, he felt like a wild animal,
a scavenger of some sort only vacating the safety of his lair to
feed.
Lord Morov had not spoken to him since then. Not one word, a message,
or anything. He was just fine with the subject. It wasn't like he
had anything to say to the man just now.
And the worst part wasn't even that.
Tonight, she was coming.
Auron finally gave up on trying to make a hole on the floor and sat on
his bed.
What was he supposed to say to a woman he had never seen, and especially
one he was supposed to marry? His experience with women had been
limited at best; he'd never found the motivation or desire to take part
in courtship.
He tried to sign up for a mission; any mission, but it seemed that fate
itself had conspired against him. Either the roster had already been
filled, or they had just received an order not to let him go. It
was all a big conspiracy.
"Why me?" he said softly. That was the only thought on his mind for the past
few days. What man; PERSON, wouldn't ask the same as their fate had already
been mandated to them?
No one, he was sure.
*****
Auron wished he were a fiend of some kind, so that someone would simply
drive a sword through his skin and end his suffering.
With Lord Morov standing near him, Auron stood in his Lordships' private
dinning hall; a rather large room, prepared in file tile floors, elegant
tapestries and fancy sky-lights, awaiting the inevitable.
The arrival of his future 'wife'.
Auron was dressed in his best: his ceremonial robes: fancy leather boots;
not like the ones he usually wore, which seemed to never be rid of the mud
stains; these were adorned with small, round bucklets on either sides.
A fancy and loose fitting robe, colored in ocean blue, with the lightest
hint of green. He wore no chest plate today. Instead, he used expensive,
silver shoulder pads*, which shun at any contact with light. His face was
nice and clean-shaven. He considered cutting his hair, but he had grown
the ponytail that fell below his shoulder blades for a reason, so he
wasn't about to.
*(Sue me, I don't remember the proper name for those things.)
In fact, he could have been branded 'breath-taking' by any women who had
ever looked at him dressed like this.
But of course, that was just what he looked like. He would have much rather
be hunting down fiends in caves, stepping in dung and showered in sweat
than this.
He spared a glance a Morov. He was also dressed nicely, but his clothes were
more loose-fitting and a bit more casual. Well, the man was recieving
his daughter, not a Maester.
"She'll be here soon, Auron."
'Yippe,' Auron added in his mind.
"I just want her to get to know you with a nice dinner. Then, I won't be a
bother."
It's true, Morov had prepared a banquet for them. Auron had been fighting
to keep his stomach from growling. Eating only at night had formed into a
habit, and the tempting and steaming delicacies on the tables were appealing
to his senses.
The door made a began to open slowly, and Auron felt his stomach form a knot.
'Here she comes,' he thought. There was a small balcony near him. A quick
jump and a broken leg would be a welcome release right now.
Suddenly, the door was thrown ajar, and a quick blur ran straight across
the room. Auron was barely able to distinguish the figure of a tall woman
before Lord Morov was holding her in his arms in a tight hug.
"Daddy! I've missed you!" the woman practically screamed.
"My baby! How I've missed you!" Morov yelled in between breathes of his
histerical laughter.
Beside himself, Auron had to give a small chuckle.
After some hi-pitched squeals, the two finally straightened out. Morov kept
his arm around his daughter. "Auron, I'd like you to meet my daughter,
Gerrya."
Gerrya extended her hand and gave Auron a firm handshake. He was a little
surprised by the strength of the grip.
Of someone so fare, such strength was rare. (I made a rhyme)
From what he could see, Gerrya, daughter of Lord Morov was nothing like he
had expected. He was waiting to see a fine, well-brought up lady, dressed
in a silky dress that hugged her form, long gold hair that fell beyond
her waist, and as an understatement, one of those pointy hats.
Well, he was partly right about the hair. It wasn't blonde, but is was
long, neatly braided into a pigtail that reached just under her shoulder
blades. But, she was nothing of what he'd come to expect.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Gerrya."
"Charmed," he responded. He kicked himself at letting show the lack of
emotion. They didn't seem to notice.
Gerrya was a tall woman, slim in build but athletic. She wore clothes in
the latest fashion. A long-sleeve red shirt with a distinct sunrise pattern
to it, low cut jeans that showed off her shapely legs and open toe sandals.
He suddenly felt that he was overdressed. Which he was.
Gerrya hugged her father tightly. "Oh daddy, I have so much to tell you!"
"I know, I know my sweet, but first, let's eat. I'm sure you're hungry."
Gerrya nodded and bolted to the banquet table, where she asked the cooks
to serve a bit from every tray. Soon, she was impossibly balancing
two huge plates of food, making her way to the table where Auron and
Morov were sitting.
After witnessing her questionable table manners, Auron was really starting
to wonder if this was a woman indeed, instead of some kind of starved fiend.
She had completely cleaned both her plates and had asked for a few refills
on her drink. She was now patting her stomach contently.
Auron himself had only chosen a tray of steamed vegetables, rice and a little
meat; his appetite seemed to have vanished into thin air.
"Man, it's been a while since I ate myself silly!" Gerrya gave a glad belch,
covering her mouth timidly and excusing herself.
Morov too had finished. He got up, whispered something into her ear, and
faced Auron. "Well Auron, I have an early appointment, so I'm afraid I must
retire for the evening. I'll leave you two alone."
Morov hugged his daughter and left. Gerrya made a cute face and left to the
balcony.
Auron sighed. He wanted to retire to bed himself, but he felt obligated to
talk to her.
Aside from that, he wanted to apologize for sounding so cold earlier.
He readied himself, stood from his seat and walked towards the balcony.
Gerrya was leaning on the railing, the wind picking up loose strands of
hair and fluttering them around. Auron stopped in the doorway. He was
a bit...
The rumors did do her justice. Although she didn't seem like some goddess
come down to Spira for daliance, she was rather breathtaking. There was a
unique charm about her that was alluring and mysterious. He couldn't
quite put his finger on it, but it was there.
"Are you just gonna gawk at me all night, or you gonna join me?"
Auron shook his head and stood next to her, mimicking her pose.
"I apologise if I sounded a little cold earlier. It was a..."
"A reaction, I know. No worries."
Auron smiled. He breathed in deep, letting the cold air fill his lungs,
and he turned to Gerrya. He opened his eyes, and jumped back in surprise.
She was standing scant inches close to him, with a small piece of fruit pie
on a dish in her hands and a side smile on her face.
"I sneaked it from the cooks. Looked like you could use it."
Auron took the plate, but shook his head. "Thank you, but..."
"I doubt only veggies and rice can sustain a man of your size." Gerrya
reached out and touched Auron's left arm, giving it a hard squeeze. "Nice
and strong; just what I expected."
Auron was surprised at her audacity. He was going to pull away, but he
actually took the opportunity to study her.
She was tall, as tall as Morov, who was only a few inches shorter than him.
Her eyes were a deep brown. Her skin was of a creamy color, slightly
tanned. She was... charming.
"I half expected you to be some ugly fat guy, but here you are, a muscular
hunk who dresses as if he's seeing a Maester."
Auron cleared his throat. "Well, truth be told, you didn't fill my
expectations either."
"Let me guess: dumb blonde in a weird dress that only knows how to say ha
ha."
Auron chuckled. Not many were able to get a rise from him.
Gerrya smiled, letting go of his arm. "You don't have to play charades with
me. I already know why all the formality."
Auron opened his mouth, but she held her finger to it.
"My daddy can't keep anything from me. So..." She paced around him, her hands
behind her back. "I was gonna tell you off, but seeing as to how you're so
good-lookin', well, I think I'll have some fun with this."
Auron didn't know what to say. He wanted her to say that she hated him, and
then run away, but, her proposal was nothing of what he expected. She
actually wanted this?
Gerrya stood right in front of him, looking straight into his eyes. "I guess
we'll talk in the morning then."
In a quick move, she seized his head and pressed her lips to his. He was
surprised, but it was so sudden, and it was really quick. She started
to walk away, running a finger up his chin.
"See ya tomorrow, handsome." She literally skipped through the hall and left
to the bed chambers.
Auron stood there for a few minutes, trying to make sense of what just
happened. Gerrya, his 'betrothed', whom he had so hoped for to hate him,
had just kissed him, and said she 'might just give it a try.' Now more
than ever he wished he understood women.
He sighed and left the hall himself. This was going to be yet another
sleepless night.
End of Chapter 2
A.N.
I am so sorry for the utter lack of updates, but life hit me with sarcasm
lately, and it's been hard to focus. After a freaky girl incident that lasted
for about a month, I entered a writing contest, in which I had to write
about 150 pages. First prize is 3 grand and a one book publishing deal.
I was announced as one of the 5 finalists, but I'll find out if I won
until the end of the month. And to top it all off, I got Kingdon Hearts.
So, in any little spare time I had was to play. I apologise, but now
I'm gonna go back to my old update habits, so there'll be a new chapter
about every two weeks.
'Till next time...
BlackDragon