Author's note: I was browsing around Fanfiction.net one day and found out there were only a few Sherwood Smith tales. Gasp. Shock. Horror. I decided to start this story to bring you vignettes (short stories) of Danric-and- Mel-goodness. Each chapter has it's own story, what would happen if someone did something slightly different than they did in the books. I cannot promise you I will update soon, but if I get bundles of reviews, I will work a lot faster. Let the story begin! (This chapter starts with an excerpt.)

Disclaimer: Everything belongs to Sherwood Smith, save the plot line.

Discoveries: Chapter One of Hope is All

By Coppercurls

(Excerpt from Court Duel)

In my room, I found Mora sewing. She looked at me in surprise, and hastily got to her feet to curtsy.

"Never mind that," I said. "Tell me, who brings letters and things?"

"The runners, my lady," she said.

"Can you find out who sent a runner?" When she hesitated, I said, "Look, I just want to find out who gave me these gifts. I know under the old king, people could be bribed. Is that true now? Please, speak plain. I won't tell anyone what you tell me, and I won't make trouble."

Mora pursed her lips. "There are times when the runners can be bribed, my lady," she said carefully."But not all of them. Were it to get out, they could lose their position."

"So everyone belowstairs doesn't know everything?"

"No, my lady. many people use personal runners to deliver things to the palace runners; and the loyal ones don't talk."

"Ah hah!" I exclaimed. "Then tell me this: Can something be returned along the same route, even though I don't know to whom it's going?"

She though a bit, then nodded. "I think that can be arranged."

"Good. Then let me pen a message, and please see that it gets sent right away." I dived down onto the cushions beside the desk and rummaged about, and came up with pen and writing paper. On the paper I wrote: The gifts are beautiful, and I thank you, but what do they mean?

I signed my name, sealed the letter, and handed it to Mora.

She left at once, and I was severely tempted to try to follow her.

(End Excerpt)

I spent a moment trying to shrug that feeling off, but it was firmly implanted in my heart. I had to figure out who it was, and as soon as possible. If this anonymous person didn't want me to eventually find out about him, then why did he send a ring in the first place?

All these thoughts shot across my mind in a matter of seconds, leaving me slightly dazed. I rapidly discarded my slippers and sneaked down the cunningly hidden staircase that spiraled down to where the servants stayed, my completely bare feet making a barely audible padding sound.

Mora was moving slowly, her thoughts seemed to be elsewhere. She strode to a burly man in his early thirties and carefully pronounced, "I would like to speak with whichever runner delivered a gift to my lady, Countess Meliara Astiar of Tlanth."

The man grunted and gave Mora a quick nod. He then marched over to a door of cheap wood, knocked and disappeared without a word.

By then I had descended to the lower floor of the palace, and had hidden behind a sickly-looking plant, peeking at the discussion Mora was having with a servant who had an astonishingly large nose.

They were too far away for me to hear any word they said, yet I could tell when their talk ended because Mora began walking briskly towards the staircase.

My heart skipped a beat. My hiding place was viewable from be the staircase. I had to act quickly.

I ducked under the stairs, hoping Mora wouldn't notice me, for I knew it was likely she would.

Luck was with me this time. Mora stepped up the staircase without even casting a glance at my current spot.

As soon as I was positive Mora was in my quarters again, I dashed after the runner, as noiseless as possible.

The runner kept up a swift pace, his boots squeaking on the floor. He ascended another staircase, and I shortly after him.

After quite an exhausting chase the runner came to the royal library, murmured to the servants, and entered the library. I flounced up to the servants manning the doors and asked them to open the doors. Still no thoughts were registering in my mind on who this anonymous admirer could be.

The servants opened the doors, happy to oblige.

The runner lifted the tapestry and entered the records study.

I scowled inwardly, cursing myself for getting into this position. The runner would have to come back this way. What was I supposed to do?

I tried to make the best of it by grabbing a couple of books and faking interest as I skimmed through them. The runner I had followed emerged from the small room and left, with a small smile to me.

I peered over my shoulder to confirm the runner had exited the library. When I found out he had, I slammed the books shut, placed them in their original spots and meekly advanced to the tapestry.

I gulped. I was just as scared as the time I had stayed in Galdran's dungeon, before Azmus rescued me. But this time Azmus wasn't here to save me. I was alone. Well, not entirely alone, if you counted the mysterious admirer of mine who was behind the tapestry in front of me. All that separated me from him was, to put it quite frankly, a piece of cloth.

Taking a deep breath, a pushed away the tapestry and found myself once again gazing into the intense gray eyes of the Marquis of Shevraeth.

I gaped. I shut my mouth to only open it and gape again. Shevraeth? My anonymous admirer? More like sworn enemy. At least, to me. Did he feel differently? I hadn't known. Well, maybe that was the whole "anonymous" part.

I tried to cover up my shock with one of the famous court masks, but Shevraeth always knew how to read my face.

He was silent, as was I. Our eyes were locked on each other's. The passion and hope in Shevrath's was unmistakable.

He loved me.

I made an attempt to retreat, but I felt too weak in the knees to do so. I fell down and hurriedly struggled to my feet.

Shevraeth looked partly amused, even in this awkward scenario.

"So you know." Was what he said, in a statement rather then a question.

I thought about pretending I had no idea what he was talking about, but decided against it. I was no liar. Besides, it would probably make the situation worse.

My reply was a dumbfounded nod.

We resumed our staring for a minute or two.

Shevraeth, seeing this was going no where, got up and walked towards me, the sound of his shoes echoing.

I glanced up. His eyes were on me. Warmth flooded through me. Quickly I looked down, afraid to see that look in his eyes again.

Even as my gaze was on my bare feet, I could see his legs. He stood that close."Meliara. Please look at me."he pleaded, voice a bit croaky with fear.

Reluctantly, I turned my gaze upwards.

Shevaeth was smiling, a true smile, not a courtly polite one. A smile filled with love.

In a matter of seconds, his mouth was on mine, his breath warmly mingling with my own.

I shivered in delight. It was then it struck me.

I loved him back.

Maybe that was why I held such resentment towards him. I had never loved anyone out of the family, and he had stolen my heart.

Shevaerth took his mouth away. I had not wanted that kiss to end. I pulled him back for another kiss, gentler this time.

After quite a lot of soft caresses and brief kisses, Shevaerth pulled away with a strangled laugh.

"I thought you hated me." He told me before tweaking my nose.

"So did I, Vidanric. So did I." I replied, then showered him with my new discovered love.

Author's Note: That's the end! I hope you liked it! If you did, please submit a review. They make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.