Aronyth:
I rubbed my face tenderly. I thought back to the slap and my face grew hot with anger. How dare she defy me! Me! The King of Gondor! I hastily put a smile back onto my face before entering the ballroom. It wouldn't do to have the guests see me upset.
I stepped into the room and everyone ceased dancing and the music stopped. The people bowed and looked up at me.
"Continue!" I yelled with a wave of my hand.
The music started again and the dancing continued. I noted King Faramir and Queen Eowyn sitting together in a corner. I walked over to them and bowed.
"I trust you are enjoying yourselves," I said to Faramir, "I am just so pleased to have you occupy our fair city. And Lady Eowyn! If it is possible you look even fairer than the last time we met." I bent down and kissed her hand. She looked up at me, obviously pleased.
"Why thank you Aronyth. How kind of you!"
"My Lord, I was hoping to speak to you again of your lovely daughter. We are quite taken with each other and I hoped to speak with you of marriage. I would like to make your Siraviel my Siraviel."
Faramir smiled at me.
"Well it seems she does like you, she didn't leave your side all night. She has never done that with any other man before. And she is of age to marry… I don't know. What do you think Eowyn?"
"Well," Eowyn began smiling at me, "I think it is a marvelous idea. I hope you two will be very happy together just as your parents were."
"I am so pleased you approve. Your approval was so important to her. My Lord, my Lady, I have not known your daughter that long. I do not know her favorite color or what type of food she prefers. I do not know what month is her favorite or whether she favors summer or spring, the night or the day. But I wish to. I will speak with you again on this matter. Now, please excuse me but I must be off to check up on the other guests. Have a lovely evening."
I strode up to Filith.
"Are you enjoying yourself?"
He looked up, surprised to see me. "Why yes your majesty, thank you."
"Please, call me Aronyth. There is no need for such formalities between us. We are practically the same age and both of royal stature. You will know someday the trials of being a king. It is a noble position, but a lonely one. I do not have many companions. I would like it very much if we could be friends since we will soon be brothers."
"What?!"
"Your sister and I are to be married. She was worried that you, her brother, would think it to soon. She was too afraid to ask you herself if you approved of the marriage. Your approval means the world to her. We are deeply in love but she admires you so."
"I would be honored to be your brother."
I held out my hand and he shook it. I had them all twisted around my finger. I would have whatever I wanted and no one could stop me.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Seleth:
I looked around the ballroom but could not find Siraviel. I saw Aronyth standing alone but Sira was no where to be seen. I left the ballroom and went to look for her. She wasn't in any of the halls so I steered towards her rooms.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Siraviel:
I ran down the hallway, tears streaming down my cheeks. I tried to erase the memory of it all from my head but it was impossible. I ran into my room and slammed the door. I made a decision, I could not tell my family about what happened. They were all taken with Aronyth and would not believe a word I said. No, I could not tell them anything. I would have to deal with it myself. There was only one person I could tell. And at that moment, the very person I wanted to speak to came into my room.
"Seleth!"
Seleth ran over to my bed and sat down next to me.
"Oh my lord Sira. What happened to you?!"
I told him the whole story, every single hurtful detail. Once I was finished, I began to cry. I leaned on his shoulder and sobbed. He hugged me and rocked back and forth. When my crying died down, I looked up at him. Seleth looked so good. He was my one true friend and I loved him for it. He looked at me with his bright green eyes. Then he leaned over and kissed me tenderly on the cheek but drew back abruptly.
"I am so sorry Sira. I should never have done that when you were already in pain. I am so sorry. I will leave you now."
He began to stand up to leave but I shook me head and he sat down again. I bent forward and gently kissed his lips. He looked at me, his face filled with confusion, then he smiled and kissed me again. He stood up and kissed me a last time. He stopped then and I loved him for it. He told me goodnight and shut my door quietly. I fell onto my bed more confused than ever.