Author's note: Just a quickie that Teagan means attractive in Celtic and Tamanna means desire in Hindi. You'll do the math.
"Almira! Almira, I told you I do not like practical jokes!" Venitia yelled into her sister's room.
"What are you talking about?" Almira said as she came out of her room.
It was a Sunday morning, the one day that Venny did not have training. Her physique had changed quite dramatically; she was more toned and fuller than she had been before.
She had woken up to a dozen roses at her door with a note saying:
Dear Princess Venitia,
Please pardon the anonymity of this letter. You are far too beautiful and magnificent to know what a humble human this is who dotes on you. For now I only wish that you accept this praise and know that someone loves you.
Your secret admirer
"This!" Venny shouted as she thrust the paper and flowers into her sister's shocked face. "I have told you before, things like this are not funny!"
"But…sister…I swear, I didn't…" Almira stuttered.
"Don't play dumb with me, I know it was you. It'll be better if you admit it now!"
"But…Ven, I didn't! Honest!" poor Almira cried.
Venny growled. "I'll let you off this time since you're leaving. But don't expect to get off so easy next time!"
She stormed back out of the room, still clutching the flowers and the note. Safely back in her room, she made sure no one was about to come marching in. Then she pulled the note back out and read it again.
Well, it certainly wasn't the most poetic of notes, but still…Venitia's heart was still skipping beats, even though she was yelling at herself for doing so. It probably is Almira…how can I be this silly? Besides, even if it is real, who wants a man who can't even tell you who he is? she reasoned with herself.
Later that day, the family gathered to see Almira off, who was going on a trip to see the rest of her land. The girl had never left the city before, and was quite keen on doing so.
After Almira was safely on her way, Aragorn made an announcement. "You all remember Lady Emilia, her son Teagan and her daughter Tamanna. They are coming to visit tomorrow. Let's show them a warm welcome, shall we?" he said.
Lady Emilia? Hmm, I don't remember them, Venitia thought.
The next day, she was up and at 'em with Donovan, but they were interrupted by Arwen.
"Lady Emilia and her children have arrived. If you do not mind, Donovan, can Venitia have the rest of the day off? We would like her to welcome her guests," she said.
"Not at all, your majesty," he said.
Venitia shrugged at him and followed her mother. She saw Donovan start to put away their weapons.
"I thought you should wear the blue dress, it brings out your eyes so nicely," Arwen was saying.
Venitia brought her attention back to her mother. "Yes, mother. Shall I meet you in the front hall?"
"Yes. Venitia, try to hurry. They can't wait around all day," she advised.
Venitia started to protest when Arwen pushed her into her room and shut the door. Venny changed into the blue dress and swept her hair up.
She walked slowly to the front hall, practicing her sword moves. Servants looked at her strangely until she decided to stop.
She finally reached the tall and majestic front hall, where she saw a tall, beautiful woman with white-blond hair that reminded her of her father's friend, the elf Legolas. Next to her was a similarly tall girl with a bit darker hair, though not much. She in turn was also gorgeous. Next to her was a young man, probably the same age as Venny herself. He had a light brown hair and from where she was standing, was quite muscular and tan.
"Ah, there she is," Aragorn said, bringing Venny back to her senses. She walked from where she was behind a pillar toward them with a smile on her face.
"Lady Emilia, this is my oldest daughter Venitia. Venitia, this is Lady Emilia and her two children, Tamanna and Teagan," he said formally.
"Oh, my dear, the talk of your beauty is nothing compared to the real thing," Lady Emilia gushed.
Blushing, Venitia murmured a 'thank you'.
"Yes, I have heard talk, yet…forgive me your highness. Teagan, your humble servant," the young man said, bowing.
Now blushing more furiously than ever, Ven looked more closely at the specimen before her. His eyes were so blue they were almost violet, and his skin was indeed very tan. She herself looked as pale as a corpse compared to him. She smiled back at his radiant grin.
"Well, don't hog her, you silly boy," came a haughty voice. "My name is Tamanna, your highness."
Venitia fought hard to smile at the cold face in front of her, but failed. She ended up nodding.
"I am sorry you could not meet our middle daughter, Almira. She has gone with some of the soldiers to see the country. She is quite the diplomat," Aragorn said.
"How wonderful! To have three such ambitious daughters! And all so beautiful! How positively marvelous!" Lady Emilia exclaimed.
"We are very proud," Arwen said.
"Would you like a tour? Or would you rather rest from your long journey?" Aragorn offered.
"Oh, we must rest, we haven't gotten our beauty sleep in days, have we my sweet?" Lady Emilia addressed her daughter.
"Well, our servants will direct you to your quarters," Aragorn said.
"I would rather a tour," Teagan said. "Your palace is quite wonderful."
"Well, I am sure Venitia would love to show you around," Aragorn said.
"Wonderful!" Teagan said.
Venitia smiled. "Well…where shall we begin?"
They walked, and they walked, as Venitia pointed out the more interesting things about the palace. She told him story after story of her father's journey and the war, as Teagan kept requesting them. Finally they reached outside.
Wow, I am actually enjoying this, she thought. She told him of how she was training, which he found fascinating.
"This is amazing. You are amazing. The women I know would never take up a challenge like that," he said.
She smiled and went to show him the stables.
There they found Donovan, shirtless, feeding Sky. Venitia felt her heart skip a beat as she stood staring at him. Finally she cleared her head and said to Teagan, "This is the man who is training me. Donovan!" she yelled.
He looked up with a smile which turned to a frown as he saw that she was with someone.
"Donovan, this is Teagan. Teagan, Donovan," she introduced them.
They shook hands, though rather quickly. They seemed to be sizing each other up when Venitia realized this was rather awkward, though she didn't know why.
"So…feeding Sky?" she asked stupidly.
"Oh, yeah. He was being stubborn today, so I didn't give him much," he said.
Venny laughed. "Remember that time when you forgot to feed him and he almost kneed you in the nose?"
They both laughed. Teagan laughed courteously.
"Oh, Teagan. I have to tell you a lot of stories," she said.
Donovan abruptly stopped laughing. They heard a bell in the distance.
"Dinner! I almost forgot! Donovan, are you coming?" she asked.
"Oh…no. I think I'll stay out here this evening."
"Okay. I'll see you tomorrow morning, right?"
"Five o'clock…"
"…on the dot," she finished. She led Teagan away toward the palace.
Why was that so awkward? It's not like I was introducing Teagan as my husband or anything…Venitia couldn't figure it out.
After dinner, Teagan led her back to her room.
"Good night, your highness. Sleep well," he said.
"Venitia. My name is Venitia."
He smiled mischievously. "Venitia, then." He smiled again and walked away.
She couldn't help smiling to herself as she walked into her room. She lit some more candles and started to change when she found that her bed was covered in rose petals, with another note on top.
To try to find another woman as beautiful or as breathtaking as you would be fruitless. To watch you, your every movement graceful, is both invigorating and heart-breaking. To know I may never have you is pain. Yet I want you to know, that no matter where I am, or who you are with, I will always love you.
Your secret admirerVenitia took a deep breath and sat down on the bed. Who could it be? Then she remembered Teagan's mischievous smile. But it couldn't be him, he just arrived!
She fell asleep still wondering.
