Everyone – Just exactly am I going with this story? I really have no clue ^-^ I suppose it's that line in the epilogue that says "…they returned to Tlanth soon after, leaving me to set out the stones for my new life-path…" or something like that. So I should start in on that, huh? I'm basically just meandering along with this story- thanks so much for loving it!

I read through the epilogue a few nights ago, and I wrote down all the lines that could have some meaning or other to use in this story. When I finished, I found I had definitely enough material to carry me to Vidanric's and Mel's wedding, so we're going! Yippee! I had a lot of fun with Savona in this chapter- maybe I should include Tamara in some future chapters, as one reviewer wanted. We'll see!

          Just how do you go about announcing an engagement? I pondered the question as I ate breakfast alone. Nee had moved to Bran's quarters, and with Elenet gone, our daily breakfasts had disintegrated.

          I wanted to tell Nee and Bran first, before everyone else knew, but I didn't know how to go about telling everyone. Just stand up with Vidanric at a ball, and announce, "Sorry to interrupt the dancing, but we're betrothed"? I could imagine myself blushing a tulip shade of red. No, that wouldn't do. There had to be something else.

          I walked to the library, and before going into the alcove, looked up books on betrothal customs. It took me awhile, not being familiar with that part of the library- customs always bored me. When I finally found a dusty, obviously ancient tome, I lugged it to the alcove. Vidanric wasn't there, so I settled into the window seat and started reading.

          It was boring. I skipped through pages about manners and so on, and struggled through meaningless passages. Finally, I found the page I was looking for.

          Customarily a betrothed couple will announce their engagement to close ones before announcing it to all of Court. The woman will tell her friends, and the man likewise. Family must be written to before.

          When announcing to all of Court, there are various ways of making the betrothal public. The lady may host a party where they tell the guests of the engagement. More demure couples that desire to call less attention to themselves may also wear a necklace of crystal while the man wears a bracelet of the same design. Worn on the same day, the Court will understand that they are together. Crystal symbolizes truth and trust- the foundation of marriage. On the day the crystals are worn, the lady can also wear a rose- the flower of love- in her hair.

          Demure? That word described almost the opposite of me. However, the idea did not. It seemed perfect- an old tradition that had been learned but has not been used for a long while. The ones smart enough to remember that forgotten tradition would know- and definitely pass it on. Plus, I liked the idea of bringing back a tradition- and it was idea tinged with mystery. There would be many at Court who would see the crystals and not be able to recall what exactly they stood for, although knowing it meant something important. I laughed out loud in childish glee.

"It'll be so funny to see them!" I crowed.

"See what?" drawled a familiar voice from the doorway. However, it wasn't Vidanric's voice. I twisted my head around to see Savona leaning in the doorway gazing at me with some inscrutable expression. Then he smiled. Hastily, I shut the book, and put the cover down towards my lap, unreadable by Russav.

"See Bran and Nee," I hastily improvised.

"Why, may I ask?"

"Because…I've been making some changes in Tlanth through the stewardess. I'd love to see their faces," I continued desperately. It was a horrible lie, and I was sure Savona knew it.

"Indeed," he said, and didn't press any further. He wandered over to Vidanric's desk.

"Danric's not here?" he asked.

"No," I answered. "Haven't seen him all day."

I hesitated, then pounced on something I badly wanted to know. "Savona," I said unnecessarily. "I know about you…helping me when I first come to Court."
He grinned, sitting down. "Vidanric told you?"

"Yes," I said, wondering how much he was guessing at. "During our ride to Athanerel."

I hoped he had guessed about Vidanric and I, and plowed on heedlessly. "You know when you told him that his cause wasn't entirely hopeless?" I asked, the beginnings of a blush creeping up my neck. Savona just grinned wider, clearly enjoying this talk.

"Yes, I do remember something about that," he replied wickedly.

"Well, how did you know?" I asked, finally arriving at the question.

"Ahh," he mused. "Interesting question."
"Russav!"

"Alright, don't send the Hill Folk after me. You remember the ball I held for you?"
"How could I not forget all that purple?" I joked.

"True. Well, that time you two were coming down the staircase, and Vidanric was saying something to you?"
I smiled, remembering. "He told me that I should think of it as a battle."

"Vidanric would say that," Savona said wryly. "Well, I could tell during that walk."

"How?"

He smiled secretly. "I could tell. Besides, I have to keep some secrets, don't I?"

          I pouted, then turned big eyes on Savona, who just laughed.

"Don't do that," he said. "It won't help. If I can resist Tamara's big-eyes look, I can resist anyone's."
I grinned despite myself. "It's a hopeless cause, then."

"Definitely," he replied. "What are you reading?"

I held up the book, since I was sure he knew by now.

"You don't strike me as the Lady who reads up on betrothal customs," Savona remarked.

I made a face. "I'm not. But I don't want to stand up and announce it, so I was trying to find a subtler way."
"Did you?"

"Yes," I smiled. "It's an old unused one."

"Good. Set Court on its heads," he said. He thought for a moment, his expression turning serious. "You'll make a good Queen."

I snorted at the unexpected compliment.
"Really," he persisted. "You can reform so many things. It's a great period for change in Remalna. You and Danric will be the ones to do it."
"Change what?" I asked.

"Milleners' taxes," he teased, and got up. "Want to come with me to the Throne Room? I'll bet my horse that he's there."

"I'm not betting you," I said, leaving the book on the window sill. "I heard about that bet that you made with Trishe once."
"I didn't cheat!"
"Don't play innocent, Savona- of course you did."

          Chattering gaily, we made our way to the Throne Room. Stepping inside, I saw that Savona had been right. Vidanric was in there, organizing some papers from Petitioners' Court.

"See?" I said to Savona. "You knew he was in here before."
"Did not," he protested as we walked to Vidanric.

"Did not do what?" Vidanric asked. "Knowing Russav, whatever it is I'm sure he did."

We all laughed, and Savona pretended a hurt expression. "I was just telling her I didn't know you were here."
 "Huh," Vidanric said thoughtfully. "I hate to say it, but he didn't."

"The only time it's ever happened," I retorted. "What are you doing here?"

Danric waved at all the papers. "Petitioners' papers that I forgot last afternoon."

"I figured out how to get around an announcement of the marriage!" I exclaimed, bursting to tell Danric the news.

He raised an eyebrow. "How?"

I stared pointedly at Savona. "Ahem," I said, and pointed to the door. "Out."

Savona laughed. "You were almost as good as Tamara," he chortled, and left.

"Now that's a compliment," Vidanric grinned. "Now how do we get around the bothersome announcement."
 "I was reading a book on the topic," I said. "And it said that if I wear a crystal necklace and you wear a crystal bracelet on the same day, it means that we've been betrothed. It's a forgotten custom, but if a few of the smart Court people get it, they can spread the word."
"Crystal- truth and trust," Danric mused, and smiled. "It makes sense."

"And I have to wear a rose in my hair," I grinned back. "That will help out the confused Court."

"I like it," Vidanric smiled. "When shall we wear the bracelet and necklace?"
"I have to get it ordered," I said. "Azmus can probably help." Azmus had gone back to his guise as a goldsmith after helping me, and hired out his services to various merchants.

"And uncover some covert plot while he's at it?" Vidanric teased.

"Well, you never know," I shrugged. "It's always a surprise with Azmus."

"I remember well enough," Vidanric said soberly. I recalled the day when he had decided to trust me and let me go save the Hill Folk. I could see that he was remembering it too- the night he had wrestled between love and what common sense was telling him, and had chosen love.

"That was in the past," I said softly. He looked down at me, and put his arms around my waist, drawing me in.

"For which I am thankful," he murmured, kissing me swiftly over and over until I could only hold on to him.

"You did that on purpose," I accused, clinging to him. He just laughed, and I reached up and kissed him back fiercely.

Review! Finals weeks are coming up, so I may not have time to update as quickly as I'd like to, but I swear that I'll try my best. In the meanwhile, keep the feedback coming!

-Alqualyne