A/N: It seems that everyone who reads this – or at least, everyone who reviews – is also a hopeless romantic like me. Yay! Fluff will rule the world!

charmgirl: Thanks! Here you go!

JennyT: Heheheheheh. Thanks.

Shaylee Isobel: Wow! Thanks so much! I can't wait for your HP story!

danric-lover: Thanks. I'm sorry this isn't about your favorite CD guy, but I guess Bran's okay!

FelSong: Goosebumps? *scratches her head* Hm. I don't know why, I probably couldn't live with out it! Although I did before I hit puberty, but anyway…

 Meghan: Thanks! Yeah, I thought that was something that Vidanric would do, without openly showing his "feelings" for Mel. Please continue "The Importance of Being Russav" – I love it!

Alqualyne: Yup, I'm Indian too! My mom's from Kerala and my dad is from Madras, or Chennai, depending on which name you use. My mom's mother tongue was Malayalam, and my dad speaks Tamil, but mostly if we don't speak English at home we speak Tamil. That's so cool that you are too! There are so few of us in America. *sighs*

Disclaimer: Sherwood Smith and her magnificent book, Crown Duel, own all the characters, places, and important events in "Light and Water". I own a dog, tons of books, an ff.net account, a pencil, some earrings, a tennis racquet, the word "anyway", and lots of other stuff that really has nothing to do with this story. (Anyway…)

~ * ~ * ~

The Absence of Meliara

Bran and I had a little bit of fun hiding the fact that we were already engaged. But it didn't really need to be that much of a secret – everyone was pleased that Bran was finally courting me, and anticipated the event soon. Elenet was also pleased, and even Tamara seemed amiable about the relationship.

About two months later, in the middle of autumn, Bran "proposed" again, and the next day we both wore our almost-matching necklaces. Our wedding was planned for the next year's Midsummer Day, and everyone looked forward to it cheerily.

But some strange things happened. Firstly, Bran's sister Meliara still had not made her appearance at Athanarel. By now everyone had tired of asking Branaric about it, but I think that they secretly still wondered. He himself was worried, and confided his thoughts in me.

"She's never wanted to come here," he said flatly. "She's a wonderful person – much better than I am – but Father and Mother always taught us to distrust courtiers. We were made to believe that they can hide anything besides their court mask and it's not good to never know what they're thinking."

"I suppose it's true," I said slowly, digesting it and trying to look at ourselves from an outsider's view."

"Perhaps, but it isn't as negative as we were told. Anyway, like I said, Mel remembers things better than I do. I only remembered our lessons after I had already arrived, made friends, and – " he looked at me with a cheeky grin " – fallen in love with you."

I ignored him. "Have you tried to ask her to come in your letters?"

"At least twenty times, burn it!"

 "Well, have you told her about me, or us being engaged?"

His eyes widened and he said, "Thanks for reminding me! I've mentioned you, but I never told her about, well, us, or the wedding. Let me go do that now. Maybe that will convince her to come."

But it didn't seem to be working. For the next few months, there was no sign of Meliara Astiar or any letter from her saying that she would come. Bran didn't mention it and I didn't ask him, so I do not know what she did write in her letters. But there were a few other things that took our attention.

It started when we were all at the races. It was about four months after Galdran had been defeated. Elenet and I had grown into a habit since childhood of watching our friends compete, as we had done before at the sword fighting matches. Vidanric, as usual, was leading.

"Very well done," said a honeyed voice from behind us. "Very well done indeed, Danric!" We turned to see my cousin Tamara, leisurely walking over in a flamboyant red gown. She twirled her fan idly and smiled sweetly to Vidanric with a low curtsy. But her voice or actions were not mocking at all.

What is she playing at? I thought to myself. And where are Savona and her crowd of swains?

Vidanric replied with a sweeping bow, but his expressions were hidden behind his perfected Court mask. "I thank you for your kind words, Lady Tamara," he said formally. "But I can take no credit for what my faithful steed has accomplished."

"You are too modest," Tamara said with a smile. "After all, where would a horse be without a trainer or a rider?"

Vidanric inclined his head, nodding but making no comment.

"Since you already seem to have beaten all your opponents – " Tamara indicated the other men and women "– why don't you accompany me on a walk, Danric?"

Elenet and I stared as the two set off into the gardens, Tamara chatting lively and Vidanric in his usual polite way.

"What was that all about?" Elenet looked worried.

"I don't know," I replied thoughtfully. "I always thought Tamara was keen on Savona."

Derric, who heard us, snorted cheerfully. "Not any more!" He strode off, back to the races.

I looked at Elenet's tense face. She and Vidanric had always been like brother and sister. "Don't worry, Elenet. Vidanric is much too smart to let Tamara string him along as she does everyone else."

"Why do you think she is interested in him anyway?" 

I remembered what I had thought before about Tamara wanting a war hero. "Well, he does have more prestige than Savona, being a war hero and all."

Elenet looked more relieved. "That's true. And he is also in line for the throne, which ups his status."

"The throne?" I repeated, surprised.

"Yes, didn't you know? The Renselaeus line is the most regal of our time, and it was decided that he would be the best ruler."

"I agree," I said firmly. I had seen Vidanric enough times in the Petitioner's Court to know that he would be a fair and just ruler.

"As do I. But obviously Tamara thinks that a king is better than a mere duke."

"Mere?" I snorted. "She has high tastes. Too high."

For the next few weeks, it seemed as if Tamara were trying to catch Vidanric in her stuffed-to-the-brim net. She didn't openly do much, but she flirted less with the usual men, especially Savona, and more with Danric. He himself didn't to change much, and Russav didn't even seem to notice.

~ * ~ * ~

A few days later, Elenet departed for Grumareth. She had received a letter from one of her relatives, begging her to return and help the situation.

"But Elenet," I said unhappily when she had told me, "I thought you were staying at the palace permanently!"

Elenet shook her head sadly. "I'm sorry, Nee. They need me there. Besides, you have Bran to keep you company."

"I suppose," I said reluctantly. "Will you come back soon?"

"Maybe in a few months – if I get the time. But I don't think it will ever be permanent."

As Bran and I watched Elenet's coach fading off into the horizon, he put his arms around my waist from behind me and kissed my neck softly. "It's okay, Nee, you still have me," he said, echoing Elenet's words.

"Yes," I said gratefully as I turned to face him, sliding into his grasp.

"And I will never leave you," he whispered. "Never."

~ * ~ * ~

Six months after Galdran's defeat, Bran's sister had still not arrived or made any sign of planning to come. "I think we should go fetch her, Nee," said Bran one day. "She needs convincing and the assurance that her precious Tlanth will still function while she's gone. And she has to meet you!"

"Then why don't you write and tell her that we are coming?" I agreed.

"Well…" Bran looked sheepish. "Don't you think it would be fun to make it a surprise?"

I was doubtful, but then again, I didn't know Meliara like he did. Perhaps she would enjoy such a surprise.

"And I'm inviting Danric to come with us," he continued. "They've met before, so I don't think that will be a problem."

I thought of Tamara's new conquest and agreed heartily to take him away from my greedy cousin.

A few days later, we left. The journey was pleasant and the weather was nice. Most of the time, I was in the coach by myself, while the men rode, but sometimes Vidanric or Bran would accompany me inside, or sometimes I would ride.

After a few days, we arrived at Tlanth. Danric and I looked out the window at a beautiful place with rolling hills and the characteristic color trees of Remalna. Goldenwoods, redwoods, bluewoods, and violetwoods dotted the hills and glowed radiantly in the sunlight.

The coach rumbled through the gates of a small castle. It looked as if it had once been a rather ramshackle place, but improvements were being made and it looked decently modern.

Outside the castle stood a rather short maiden about my age, barefoot and wearing a somewhat scruffy tunic.

I finally got my first look at Countess Meliara Astiar of Tlanth.

~ * ~ * ~

A/N: Things are moving much faster now. Please review!