Dangerous Engagement

Disclaimer: I hold no delusions: All characters and inspiration belong to the creative mind of Sherwood Smith.

Chapter 7 – From Vidanric's Point of View

I had truly begun to look forward to the engagement announcement.

My courageous fiancé had just decided to allow her brother to tell whomever he desired about a certain brush of lips exchanged in his eyesight. I knew Meliara's decision meant she would smile easily as she took my hand in marriage, and the throne, without worry or self-doubt.

Her resolve made me feel particularly gratified when I was able to provide some soothing caresses. We sat in comfortable embrace for a long time, Meliara in my lap, leaning against my chest and I leaning against the pillows. My fingers slid through Mel's hair as she breathed deeply into my tunic. I felt completely peaceful and content… well, I was somewhat hungry.

And as if her thoughts paralleled mine, Mel's stomach growled and fractured the silence.

"When was the last time you had something to eat?" I asked. Mel shrugged, blushing at the rather loud proclamation of hunger.

"Eat? I faintly remember a necessity by that name," she joked in a drawling Court voice imitation. "Does it include mouthfuls of hot pastries and chocolate?"

"If my lady wishes it so," answered a figure entering the antechamber.

"Mora!" Meliara cried, smiling at her maid. "You're awake and well! And with perfect timing, as always. Would you mind…?"

"Not at all," replied Mora quickly. "It is my duty. I'll see about the refreshments at once." Striding back to the tapestry, she paused. "You may benefit from the privacy and seclusion of the bedchamber, my lady," she added before sweeping from the room. Meliara blushed again, noticing our fairly amorous arrangement, and got to her feet. I was certain that the maid had stalled her entrance for some time, waiting until her services were needed before stepping into the intimate scene. Mora was one of the most discreet servants in Athanarel and she truly cared about Meliara. Her aid had also made our courtship correspondence possible. There was not time for reflection on the matter, however.

"Hurry up, Danric!" Mel beckoned from the bedchamber doorway. She looked as if she expected Tamara and the rest of the gossips to stick their noses into the room at any second. I grinned and stood up extremely slowly, yawning hugely and stretching. Mel sighed exasperatedly and pulled me through the tapestry.

"Slow down, my lady. The bedchamber is not a place one should rush things," I teased. She responded by pushing me down on some pillows.

"Huh. Hints like that won't be much use until we're married," she denounced airily, taking a seat next to me by a low table. I glanced at the bed across the room, which had held an unconscious, bleeding Meliara hours earlier. Mel's strength, judging from that shove, had returned since her faint at the Merinder house. I recalled laying her out on the bed and tore my eyes away from it. So near, yet so far, I thought, and decided to return the conversation to a more forthright topic

"It will be months until we're married, even longer than a normal engagement. The preparations for a royal wedding and coronation will be exhausting. I believe we will be expected to share the date of the events at the announcement party."

"Well, if the arrangements are going to take as long as you suppose, we should schedule quite far into the future. Will preparations be ready by the fall?" I shook my head, feeling doubtful. "How about winter, then? The first of the New Year, maybe? That seems fitting: A New Year, a new king."

"And queen," I added. "Commendable idea. My mother will be pleased to have the date settled. And I will thoroughly enjoy the Court's reaction at the announcement party."

"Oh! The party won't be until after Bran and Nee are married, will it? We should wait to announce the engagement; it's only fair to them. I don't want to steal everyone's attention on the eve of their vows. How many days is it until their wedding, anyway?"

"Hmm… We've been in the wilderness for quite some time. I think the wedding is in four days. The timing really is a blessing."

"Four days!" Meliara looked as if she had seen Greedy Galdran's ghost. "Only four days to prepare! How is the timing a blessing?"

"Nee's staff is very capable, they'll have everything arranged with time to spare," I reassured her. "And the shorter the time we have to wait to make the announcement, the smaller the chance we'll be discovered before we want everyone to know."

Mel nodded and snuggled closer to me. "We'll just have to keep our affections subtle so that the Court doesn't start craning their necks at us when they should be watching Nee walk down the aisle."

Mora entered the bedchamber at that moment, carrying a tray of fresh apple tarts and steaming cups of chocolate. She set the tray down, and glancing back at the tapestry, announced, "You have a visitor, Lord Vidanric."

"A visitor?" Mel repeated, dropping a pastry. "Who would know that you're here?" Mora exited, and I wondered for a moment if Captain Nessaren had returned, or if my parents had decided to drop by. I then remembered that the entire palace might know my location by now – Meliara had chosen not to interfere with Bran's predictably tactless pronouncements. These thoughts were cut short as a hand thrust aside the tapestry and Russav stepped into the room.

"Aha!" he declared, grinning so widely I thought (and rather hoped) it was hurting his face. Crossing his arms, he continued to smirk at the pair of us, waiting for an explanation, all while holding in enormous amounts of laughter. Why must my best friend be so annoyingly brilliant at deducing romance? Surprising him with the announcement of our engagement would have been extremely satisfying – I should have known he would find out before then. I decided to play for time.

"Aha, what, my dear cousin?" I asked, employing my best Court mask. "Lady Meliara and I are sharing the evening meal, something heroes of Remalna can surely hope to enjoy in peace." Russav wouldn't be dismissed that easily. He continued to smile as if he was the world's greatest detective.

"Yes, heroes of Remalna can have hopes of peaceful dinners. But not future kings. Or queens." Meliara blushed crimson.

"Well, are you going to congratulate us or stand there smirking all night?" she demanded.

Russav laughed out loud. "Finally, Danric, I was wondering if you would ever pull it off!" Thanks for the faith in my romantic prowess, I thought, scowling mentally. "Please, allow me to be the first to give my compliments to the lovely bride." He swooped down to kiss Mel's hand with an extravagant bow. "And allow me to deliver my astonished congratulations to her future husband." He bowed hugely once again and I returned it mockingly.

"Do tell, how did you descry my location?" I asked, wondering to how many people Bran had divulged the information.

"Ah, that was a fair amount of work, and I must call your attention to my troubles in the matter. After waking up some time ago and realizing that it was not, in fact, morning, I took it upon myself to scout out the reasons. I met some courtiers on the stairs, who informed me of the Merinder takeover business, so I stopped by your rooms, and finding no one, went to your parents to inquire after your whereabouts. They could give me no definite answers, which I found extremely intriguing. I then had a chance meeting with Count Branaric, who was cut short in mentioning something concerning the two of you by Lady Nimiar. Being the clever inquisitor that I am, I pieced the clues together and arrived here shortly." He grinned again. "So what have you two been up to?" His eyes traveled from the dinner table to the unmade, crumpled bedcovers and he raised a suggestive eyebrow.

I raised my own eyebrows and glared at him. "Do try to raise your mind above the mire once in a while, Cousin. It would surely behoove you." He just laughed at the implied threat and raised his hands a gesture of Apology. I shook my head, reminding myself that he was only joking, and turned back to the dinner and Mel.

"Yes, yes, finish your meal, my lovebirds," Russav commanded, "as I must part your pair for the remainder of the evening." Mel opened her mouth to argue but he continued, "No contradictions will be considered, I'm afraid. I certainly can't allow my cousin to be caught in a lady's bedchambers by another party, as it will surely be a gleeful gossip who strays into the unfortunately intimate scene next time." Mel closed her mouth and turned to me unhappily.

"He's right," I sighed. "Even if Nee has managed to stop Bran's tongue, there's no guarantee you won't have visitors this evening. They will most likely delight in spreading the gossip of our relationship." I swallowed the rest of my pastry quickly and got to my feet, pulling Mel up to say goodbye. Russav continued to grin – he was clearly bent on seeing proof of our new relationship. I turned my back to him and spoke to Mel.

"We'll have to avoid each other in public until the announcement party if we don't want to steal the Court's attention from Bran and Nee."

"I understand. Everyone in Court will read my feelings in my face! But we can still meet in private, right?" She looked at me hopefully.

"I desire to do so," I murmured. The look of loving anticipation on Meliara's face drove Russav's presence from my mind. I stepped close and wrapped my arms around her waist, and she lifted her chin and met my lips for a long moment. My heart began to beat faster, and I could feel Mel shivering slightly in my arms. I then remembered that a certain detective was still in the room and knew it was time to end the kiss. I pulled away and took Mel's hand, bowing low over her ringed fingers. "I shall see you soon, I hope, my lady."

"My wish is the same," she flushed, becoming aware of Russav's ceaseless smirking. I smiled reassuringly, turned, and "assisted" Russav's exit from the room, through the antechamber, and out into the hall.

"You're really in it deep, aren't you?" he laughed, his eyes dancing. "It certainly took you long enough – I was positive she would head back to those Hill Folk of hers before you ever got around to telling her!" He seemed to be having trouble walking down the corridor normally. He kept doubling up with laughter, making triumphant gestures, skipping, or punching me on the arm.

"I'm really in what deep?" I asked, hoping to bring his thoughts back to a coherent plane.

"LOVE!" he practically shouted. I elbowed him hard in the ribs as an harassed-looking woman stuck her head out of a tapestry. We bowed and muttered apologetic speeches before continuing down the hall.

"Will you please refrain from shouting out about our relationship in the future?" I asked shortly. "We're trying to keep a low profile, and you are not helping matters. I might also remind you that I'm going the be king in a few months, and you really aren't adding luster to my reputation by causing havoc." He just grinned again.

"I wouldn't have believed it… But those letters truly brought you two together. I just saw quite a bit of proof on that topic."

I grinned in spite of myself, then turned serious. "We're announcing our engagement at a party in a few days, so just keep it to yourself until then."

"I swear to keep this secret with my life," he promised, mock solemn. "So, how long until the wedding?"

"The wedding and coronation will take place on the same day. New Year's Day." I reported. Russav met my eyes and smiled mischievously.

"I guess I'm not the only one who'll have to keep his mind out of the mire for a while."

** Wow, that was really long. Also, it seems Mel and Danric only enjoyed one kiss! I'll have to add some more in the next installment. I hope Russav's appearance made up for some of the lack of fluff. This story sure does seem to include a whole ton of soap-opera-like interruptions and visitors, doesn't it? Tell me what you think and review! slipper-rose wondered why I made Vidanric's father so jocular, and my response is, I thought he would be in a very good mood after hearing that his son was engaged, and would be less formal since he was in private, and I wanted the scene to be interesting. We never really see the Prince in private w/ just his family in the books, so I just took some liberty with his character. Anyway, the next chapter should include an appearance by Elenet, I think. I hope everyone got the phrase I made up: Keep your mind out of the mire = Get your mind out of the gutter! Thanks to all reviewers! ~Shannon