Author's note: This one is kinda short, but I put up chapter three as well.  Thanks!

Disclaimer: see intro chapter

            "Venny? Venny, you have to get out of bed sometime.  You'll drown yourself with all those tears," a flowing voice said in Elvish.

            Arwen tried to comfort her daughter for the fifth time, yet nothing worked.  Not even Elvish, which had always worked before.

            Venitia had been in bed for three days since Thaddeus had left.  Her mind was blank, and she couldn't think straight.

            "Honey, he did not leave because of you," her mother continued in Elvish. "Some people are not born to rule.  They become frightened."

            "Then why would he say he never loved me?" Venitia spoke for the first time.

            "Think, dear. Did you ever love him? Truly?"

            Venitia thought about this. She's wrong.  I did love him! Didn't I?

            Arwen kissed her daughter's forehead and left the room.  The youngest daughter, Muriel, who was only ten years of age, crept into the room.

            "Venitia? I made you some soup," she practically whispered.

            "Thank you Muriel! Did you do it all by yourself?"

            The little girl nodded.  "And I painted you this," she said and handed her older sister a painting.

            "It's beautiful! Thank you! I am going to keep it right here while I eat my wonderful soup," Venitia smiled. 

            After her soup, Venitia finally got out of bed.  She dressed quickly and sneaked out of the palace and into the woods.

            She made her way to a clearing where she had always come to think as a child.  She lay down and started to think. Of when she first met Thaddeus, of their courtship, of how she felt around him. 

            Why, I didn't feel anything when I was around him, she thought in amazement.  It was all in my head.

            Feeling completely confused yet more level-headed, she headed back toward her room to take a bath.  Suddenly she saw Lady Bernadine, the most odious woman in court.  Venitia tried to move quickly, but Bernadine was faster.

            "You poor, poor thing! That wretched man just leaving you like that! Oh, your highness, we feel for you, we really do! To think how you must feel! Alone, abandoned, deserted! It must be dreadful!" she exclaimed.

            "I'm…I'm fine, Lady Bernadine.  Or at least I will be," Venny said politely. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to see my father," she lied.

            "The king! Oh, but of course, dear! But if you need anything, anything at all, my young son and I are here for you!" she called after Venny. 

            Venitia made it to her room and shut and locked the door.  She made her way over to her bathroom and started a bath.  She got into the water and felt all of her sadness leave her.  She got out feeling better than ever.