Dangerous Engagement

Disclaimer: All characters and most story elements belong to the brilliant Sherwood Smith, I'm just borrowing them for a while ;-).

Chapter 2 – From Vidanric's Point of View (Yay!)

This chapter rewinds the story a bit, starting back in the search of the Merinder House.

I glanced up while rummaging through a drawer in the Merinder's abandoned home and saw Meliara's limp, unconscious form. Cursing myself, I hurried over and tried to revive her with no luck – if I had just taken her to rest in her bedroom! She was always to one to get hurt. I didn't think of congratulating myself on the occasions that I lent my aid to her rescue. It was much too obvious (I felt, anyway) that the blame of her injuries always led back to me.

Blood was seeping past the useless bandage strips and soaking her tunic; it appeared that Flauvic's knife had nicked a vein. Wishing I could have taken a stab at him before he had sprouted a thick Goldenwood trunk, I gathered Mel in my arms and hurried feverishly back to the palace. If she lost much more blood she would need a Healer, and everyone in Athanarel was still in a deep sleep!

It didn't seem like a good idea to care for her in my own rooms, although they were closer. I was certain all those detestable gossips would suddenly awaken and spring to life, spreading their rumors. Instead I carried Meliara to her own chamber and laid her carefully down on the bed.

She was breathing normally but still losing blood. After some frantic searching I found bandages and a serum to close wounds in a cabinet, putting them to good use. Now that the bleeding had subsided, I wasn't sure whether to try to wake her or let her sleep for a while. She looked peaceful (and I knew if she woke up she'd want to get back in action and would probably cause more damage to the would) so I chose the latter.

I was about to tuck the covers over her when I realized she was still wearing her blood-soaked, rather grimy tunic (mine didn't look much better). I didn't think she should sleep in it, but it is never a good idea to remove clothing from an unsuspecting female. What if she thought I was some sort of creep?

Still, if I didn't remove it the sheets would get disgustingly bloodstained and she would wake up in an unsavory mess. I debated inwardly for a moment. Just do it, I told myself finally. It is for her own good, and you can tell her your reasons later and apologize if necessary. She has another shirt on underneath anyway, burn it! So I quickly removed the tunic and tucked the covers around her, trying not to enjoy myself by picturing several more clothing items disappearing on our wedding night.

As I tossed the tunic out movement in the window caught my eye. I recognized my chosen riders, led by Captain Nessaren, entering the palace gates. Hurriedly scrawling a note to Mel about my absence, I checked that she was still sleeping tranquilly, kissed her, and ran down to give orders.

My riders were quite a sight: tired, coated with mud, and utterly bewildered as they gazed at the Goldenwood branches poking through the throne room roof. I knew I couldn't look much better in my own bloodstained clothes, which Ness, one of my most trusted officers, pointed out.

"What happened – is Lady Meliara hurt?" Ness had taken a liking to Mel since she had escorted the countess to Renselaeus for me a year ago. I quickly reassured her that all was well (pretty much), and explained what had transpired, still feeling angry with myself about Mel's wound.

On my orders several riders set out to scour to palace and city for any of Flauvic's co-conspirators (although there wasn't much hope that they had lingered this long after his downfall) and the rest searched the Merinder house. We found Flauvic's Norsundian spell books and locked them away, after which all the remaining riders except Ness were put on a general patrol of the palace. I instructed the captain to head for my parents' rooms and wait with them until they awakened.

"And what are your orders then, my lord?" she prompted, as I had given incomplete instructions, my thoughts being with Mel. Shaking myself mentally, I continued, "Fill them in on all events and make sure they're feeling well. I should be able to meet with them shortly, after I attend to other duties. If they have any messages for me, send them to Lady Meliara's quarters."

Nessaren's eyes widened and I was slightly annoyed by the conspiratorial wink she gave me before bowing and setting off. Choosing to ignore this (I knew the captain would never spout my rather bold location to the other riders), I sprinted back up to Mel's rooms, glad there were no watchful courtiers awake at the moment.

Batting aside the tapestry I was disappointed to find the room empty, save a short note:

Dearest Danric,

Thought a bath would help.

Yours Always,

Mel

Glancing at my reflection in a mirror, I realized I looked alarming, and wisely set off for a bath of my own.

**Did you like it? Send in reviews, please! This is my first Vidanric POV chapter, I'm hoping I got the character right. Just couldn't resist watching Vidanric's inner turmoil over the whole tunic issue, lol. Thanks to all reviewers! More coming soon! ~Shannon