Days passed slowly for Rion. Most of the time was spent inside, either with
Mir or Ari, since the two of them would refuse to spend time with each
other. Occasionally the sun would break through the clouds and he would go
outside under the bare trees, delighting in the feel of fresh air.
Gradually the snowstorms became fewer, and the air grew warmer. He sat outside with Mir, noting the receding snow. The ground had been white for so long, but now patches of brown earth were showing through.
"How soon, do you think?" Mir asked.
"I don't think it would be safe yet," Rion said, "we don't want to risk a storm. We should wait until the snow's completely gone and the flowers are beginning to appear."
"You just don't want to leave your precious Ari." Rion bit down an angry retort, close to losing his temper that Mir still chose to be so idiotic.
"The longer we wait the more likely we are to reach home safely. I don't want to escape this place only to drown halfway back." He stopped when he heard footsteps behind him, and turned. His worry at being discovered faded when he saw it was only Ari, but the hurt expression on her face worried him more.
"Ari," he said, getting to his feet and starting towards her, only to have her step back.
"When were you going to tell me?" she asked, "When were you going to tell me you were leaving?"
"I'm sorry, Ari," Rion said.
"Were you just going to go? Were you even going to say goodbye?"
"And have you tell your father everything we've planned," Mir said angrily, "We don't want to tell our plans to spies."
"Spies?" she said, "Is that all you think of me?"
"No, Ari, of course not," Rion said, placing a hand on her arm. She shoved him away.
"If you don't want to talk to me, then I certainly don't want to talk to you," she snapped, then turned. Rion almost started after her, but Mir grabbed his arm.
"You're better off without her," he said.
***
Ari stormed down the corridors, heedless of where she was going. So Rion thought she was a spy, did he? Well, she'd prove otherwise. She wouldn't say a word about this to anyone. She was no spy. Besides, she didn't want him here. It was better that she just let him go so she would never have to look at him again.
She stopped, hearing the name Gondor spoken. She was standing outside her father's study. Curiosity raised, she moved closer to the door to listen. Her heart almost missed a beat as she heard what was being said. She had to go find Rion!
No. Why should she care? He'd find out soon enough.
Calmly, slowly, she moved towards her room. She didn't care what happened to Rion. He'd find out what her father was planning and then she wouldn't have to worry any more.
But even as she thought it, tears flowed down her cheeks.
***
Author's note: Sorry it's such a short chapter, but we're nearing the climax now and I wanted to speed things up a bit. As always, please review.
Gradually the snowstorms became fewer, and the air grew warmer. He sat outside with Mir, noting the receding snow. The ground had been white for so long, but now patches of brown earth were showing through.
"How soon, do you think?" Mir asked.
"I don't think it would be safe yet," Rion said, "we don't want to risk a storm. We should wait until the snow's completely gone and the flowers are beginning to appear."
"You just don't want to leave your precious Ari." Rion bit down an angry retort, close to losing his temper that Mir still chose to be so idiotic.
"The longer we wait the more likely we are to reach home safely. I don't want to escape this place only to drown halfway back." He stopped when he heard footsteps behind him, and turned. His worry at being discovered faded when he saw it was only Ari, but the hurt expression on her face worried him more.
"Ari," he said, getting to his feet and starting towards her, only to have her step back.
"When were you going to tell me?" she asked, "When were you going to tell me you were leaving?"
"I'm sorry, Ari," Rion said.
"Were you just going to go? Were you even going to say goodbye?"
"And have you tell your father everything we've planned," Mir said angrily, "We don't want to tell our plans to spies."
"Spies?" she said, "Is that all you think of me?"
"No, Ari, of course not," Rion said, placing a hand on her arm. She shoved him away.
"If you don't want to talk to me, then I certainly don't want to talk to you," she snapped, then turned. Rion almost started after her, but Mir grabbed his arm.
"You're better off without her," he said.
***
Ari stormed down the corridors, heedless of where she was going. So Rion thought she was a spy, did he? Well, she'd prove otherwise. She wouldn't say a word about this to anyone. She was no spy. Besides, she didn't want him here. It was better that she just let him go so she would never have to look at him again.
She stopped, hearing the name Gondor spoken. She was standing outside her father's study. Curiosity raised, she moved closer to the door to listen. Her heart almost missed a beat as she heard what was being said. She had to go find Rion!
No. Why should she care? He'd find out soon enough.
Calmly, slowly, she moved towards her room. She didn't care what happened to Rion. He'd find out what her father was planning and then she wouldn't have to worry any more.
But even as she thought it, tears flowed down her cheeks.
***
Author's note: Sorry it's such a short chapter, but we're nearing the climax now and I wanted to speed things up a bit. As always, please review.