Siraviel:

The next morning I awoke to sun beams dancing merrily upon my face. The blankets were soft and warm around me. I felt safe, secure. That feeling felt marvelous till I wakened unto reality. The King wanted to marry me. The King who was really a pig wanted to marry me. The King which I had slapped. I could not help but wonder if he still wanted to marry me. He had said that my father had agreed. Had he asked already? No doubt my father would agree. Aronyth acted like a perfect gentleman in front of them all. He had them all in the palm of his hand. My mind was swimming in a puddle, no ocean, of worries, doubts, and fears. And what of Seleth? My cheeks grew hot thinking about him. I had known him since before I could walk. No matter how much the entire evening had seemed like a dream, or a nightmare, the part with Seleth was the most unreal of all.

A knock sounded on my door that interrupted my thoughts. I looked up and saw a elderly face peering in at me curiously. I nodded and she stepped into the room looking embarrassed.

I could not help but smile, "May I help you?"

"Oh yes my lady, yes, so sorry to wake you miss. I am that sorry but the King wishes to sup with you this morning over breakfast. He asks you to dress as quickly as possible. The Lord and Lady of Rohan will be there as well miss."

"What is your name?"

Her face looked surprised, "Why it is Ayleni miss."

"Thank you Ayleni, and please, call me Siraviel or Sira if you like."

"Oh my, thank you mis… Siraviel, Lady."

I smiled and lay back down.

"And Siraviel, miss, let me give you a word of warning. You will not want to take your time."

She shut the door softly behind her and I got up from the bed. Shortly after another person came into my room.

"Good marrow lady. My name is Arievyel."

I look at her oddly, "Good marrow. Can I do something for you…"

"Oh no lady. Please forgive my intrusion but I needed to speak with you, about Aronyth…"

I entered the room where he was, with my head held high. My parents were there sitting next to Aronyth. I noticed there was only one other chair, conveniently placed next to Aronyth. I would not be treated as a doll. I would not be tamed or mastered or bought. I was very calm. I walked over to mother and kissed her on the cheek. I smiled at father. I was calm although I wanted to beat my fists on the table and scream, "WHY ME? WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME?!" But I didn't. I walked over to where the chair was and looked up at the snake that called himself a King. I triumphantly noted that the red mark on his otherwise flawless cheek had not faded.

He stood up and pulled out my chair. He then managed to grab my hand and tried to kiss it. Tried. I ripped it out of his filthy hand much to the shock of my mother.

"Forgive me my Lord. I developed a nasty rash all over myself last night. It could be quite contagious. I would not recommend touching me for awhile. For your safety of course."

I grinned, he scowled but let me sit down.

He began to speak, "Well now that you are here with us my dear, let us begin to talk of marriage. I want to be wed to you as soon as possible my love."

He smiled. His smile reminded me of tiger before moving in for it's kill. I smiled back just as sweetly.

"But dearest, you said we should wait till the next summer at least until we wed."

"I don't recall…" He spat menacingly.

"Oh but you did say that, I remember quite clearly. We were discussing it in your chambers. Don't you recall after we left the ball. You were showing me your… palace, and we were alone, and…"

"Oh yes! Now I recall." He said, eyes burning, "But I am so much in love each day gets harder for me to have to be alone."

"Oh but my King, you are never alone. Why only this morning I was speaking to, what is her name… oh yes Arievyel."

Aronyth turned pale. "Oh…"

"Yes. It seems she was scheduled to leave yesterday but missed the carriage. She came to my rooms to give me some advice on our relationship together since she knew you so well."

"Oh," he paused before continuing, "I see. She was a lady in waiting but was called away to see to her, um grandmother who is dying of um, ammonia of the, uh, liver. Yes, very urgent, poor thing. Let us not speak of such tragic things here. Moving on to the marriage prospect. I will agree to a spring wedding but no later."

My mother burst in, "Oh a spring wedding. How lovely! Your father and I were married in the spring!"

"So it's settled then." Aronyth smiled at me. I glared at the fabric in the cushion. Mother smiled at Aronyth then at father. Everyone smiled at everyone. They were all so pleased about deciding my future they conveniently forgot to ask me what I wanted! Everybody was so tickled with the arrangement, that is everyone except me.