Seleth:

I walked down the hall the next morning but it felt like I could fly. My thoughts were ever occupied by the radiant Siraviel. I had always liked her and perhaps even loved her but now I knew for certain. I would make Siraviel my wife. I was of a noble station and could offer her a secure future. She was everything I had ever wanted. She was humorous, had a mind of her own, thoughtful, fun, and beautiful. I hoped she would take me but I didn't have any doubts. We had been practically best friends since our first days in the Rohan palace.

In a daydream, I almost ran into Filith.

"Why Seleth! You look as though you have just discovered the secret of life!"

"Oh I have Filith. I have."

"Well you must let me in on it later. But now I have fantastic news!

"What is it? What's going on?"

"I know you and Sira are close so I know you will be happy for her. King Aronyth has asked for her hand in marriage and she has accepted. They will be married in the spring but he is pushing for sooner. Father says she is delighted."

"No…"

Siraviel:

I ran through the hallway after I was finally allowed to leave the hell chamber. After asking for directions to the stables and archery fields, I rushed there as fast as I could go in the torturous garment that they called a gown. I found Celebreth inside one of the stalls, much more content than I was, chewing on some oats in a bucket. I patted her on the nose and grabbed my bow and arrows from my pack that the servants had forgotten to remove.

I walked out to the fields slowly, letting the wind caress my face with its gentle hands. My hair billowed behind me. I pulled an arrow from my pack and placed it on the bow. That tree would do nicely as a target. If I squinted, it looked exactly like Aronyth.

"Yes your majesty, no your majesty, why thank you your majesty, of course your majesty."

I shot the arrow and it hit the tree right in the middle.

"Take that your majesty," I said under my breath.

"Practicing for your lover?"

I whirled around to face a very sullen Seleth. He was glaring at me and prodding the grass with his shoe.

"What are you talking about?"

"Your fiancé of course, the love of your life, the one that you have given yourself to, your husband to be. Shall I put it in any other way for you?"

"I don't know what you're talking about Seleth. What's wrong with you?"

"You are getting married to Aronyth!!! How could you do this to me?! I thought we were in love. I thought somehow, we would end up together like in a beautiful fairy tale. The fairy take is over. The hero has died, the fair maiden is really a hideous witch, and the evil king has triumphed. I hope you are happy together, stuffed up in some castle, thinking of all your regrets and mistakes. My only mistake was ever thinking I loved a… a… a wench like you!"

"Seleth!!! I can't believe you would ever think that I would marry that… that pig!!! I never, ever, agreed to wed that monster. He agreed. He sucked up to mother, father, and he even fooled Filith. They set up the wedding. I had no say what so ever. I had no plan to wed Aronyth. I was going to refuse to marry him. I am in love with you Seleth, you."

"Of course you are. I see you are a jester as well as an enchantress. Have you always been interested in wealth and power alone? Or is that just a recent development? How long did it take you to seduce the King? We have only been here 3 days milady. You must work quickly. Have you given him what he wanted? Or are you saving that until he makes you a queen?"

My eyes began to tear and I angrily wiped them away. Seleth began to doubt himself then, for I never cry.

"Sira?"

"I do not know what has happened to you that makes you speak this way. I never wanted any of that. I was never interested in power or money. I thought you knew me well enough to realize this." The tears began to flow freely from my eyes and I hated myself for it.

Seleth opened his eyes widely as he finally realized his mistake.

"Sira, I am so sorry. Please forgive me. I jumped to conclusions and didn't think things through. Please…"

I brought my tears under control. I straitened my back and held my head high.

"My name is Siraviel, Lady of Rohan. That is all I shall be to you. You will show the proper respect to the Lady of Rohan since you can not show it to Sira. Perhaps I shall wed Aronyth. Perhaps not, but it is no concern of yours. Now good day to you, may the path you have chosen serve you well."

I walked off then, leaving him in the field. When I reached the castle gate I turned around slightly. Seleth was crouching with his head in his hands. I thought I saw a tear fall down his cheek but it must have been my imagination. Seleth didn't cry.

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