Disclaimer: Sherwood Smith is the sole owner of characters, places, and
things mentioned in the book(s) Crown Duel. Some activities belong to her
as well, although most interactions are of my own creation.
We walked slowly through the grand halls of our palace at Athanarel towards the stable grounds where Vindanric's gray steed awaited. I had several thoughts and feelings controlling my mind that, despite my futile attempts at keeping them hidden, my husband quickly noticed.
"Meliara, what is on your mind?" Vidanric asked, a slight look of concern crawling across his face.
"Well, it just seems that you have been a little out of character lately, Danric. Or so our friends have thought, anyway," I said slowly.
"I have realized that. I am ecstatic, that is all," he replied. He then glanced at my face for a brief instant before asking, "Was there a mistake? Did I embarrass myself?"
"No, Danric. At least, from my point of view, you were merely a joyous father sharing his happy news with his family and friends. What could be wrong in that?"
Vidanric furrowed his brow in thought, although only for a trice. "So, my behavior was not unnecessary or over dramatic?"
My laugh was light and airy as I replied, "No. It was perfect. I would have been worried if you presented the news with your courtly finesse, mask, and drawl." I mocked the drawl and face as I then said, "Mother, Father, Branaric, Nimiar, and Russav, we have some joyous news of which we would like to share with you. My wife, Meliara, is expecting a child come spring."
The two of us shared a laugh and then realized we were just inside the doors leading out to the stable grounds. We paused our walking as Vidanric raised a speculative eyebrow and said, "That was a really pitiful imitation, my dear. Is that the best you can do?"
I raised my own eyebrow and mocked him again saying, "No, my good sir. I have many more imitations, each more horrible sounding than the former." By the end of the statement I was laughing and Vidanric was smiling, the corners of his eyes gleaming.
A palace servant opened the broad door and led us outside to where Vidanric's gray was patiently waiting. The horse tossed its head and snorted upon our approach. My husband helped boost me up into the saddle and then hoisted himself up behind me. I felt him wrap his strong arm around my waist and was promptly handed the reins, by the servant, into his other hand. The horse meandered forward at an agreeable pace and after a few moments, Russav, the Duke of Savona, was riding along our right side, mounted on a sleek, black stallion with a silver mane and tail. Russav's stallion reared back at the sudden command to approach an unfamiliar horse.
"Life, this stallion is skittish!" Russav shouted. "Vidanric, whatever do you suppose is wrong?"
"Russav, I assume that your abrupt command for the horse to approach my own frightened it substantially," Vidanric calmly replied.
Russav eased his steed a slight distance farther away from Danric's gray, resulting in an obvious change in the horse's demeanor.
"Now, Russav, whose presences should we expect to see on this riding party," I asked.
"Lady Meliara, I believe I have invited your brother and his wife, Ladies Trishe, Renna, Tamara, Arasa, and Elenet," he said, counting the names off on his fingers before continuing with, "Geral, Lords Deric and Olervec, and the three of us, of course. Hmm, do you think it shall be overcrowded?"
"It appears that this shall be a fairly pleasant outing you have organized, cousin. I assure you that the company is a perfect blend of friends and acquaintances, and I do believe that it will be thoroughly enjoyable," Vidanric replied.
The three of us approaching the designated meeting area with Bran, Nee, and Elenet already present and sitting lazily on a blanket under the shade of a tree. Vidanric and Russav dismounted and my husband helped me down while Russav tied the horses to the horse post along with the other steeds.
"Meliara, please come and sit here by Elenet and I," Nee called.
I smiled and carefully walked across the soft grass to where the two ladies sat quietly chatting. Elenet's soft laugh abruptly stopped when I reached the pair of ladies. A brief look of pain flashed across her face as she glanced from me to Vidanric and then back to myself. I felt a pang of sorrow for her, as I had recently married the man she had come to love. She tended to be reserved around me, and I assumed that it was due to that fact.
"Good afternoon, or evening, whichever you prefer," I said as I plopped down next to Nee. "Hello, Elenet! How are things going for you today? Not so out-of-spirits, I hope?"
Elenet simply replied, "No, Your Majesty. I have been quite well."
An awkward silence followed the statement until Vidanric walked over and asked if any of us wished for a cup of tea, coffee, or hot chocolate. I asked for chocolate but Nee and Elenet graciously declined the offer. I heard a high-pitched laugh and looked over my right shoulder to see the rest of the riding party arrive. Tamara looked spectacular in a blue sapphire colored gown, riding sidesaddle alongside Lady Trishe. Moments later they were walking and mingling amongst us already present. Vidanric returned with two steaming cups of chocolate, one for me and the other for himself. Nee, Elenet, and I stood up and greeted the newcomers. After partaking in the warm drinks, the entire party mounted their horses again and set off in the direction of the gardens.
The company was pleasant, as well as the dinner Tamara had prepared, which was waiting for us when we returned. After time changed second blue, our acquaintances said cordial goodbyes and departed off to their rooms for quiet evening activities. Vidanric and I were the last to leave, and upon entering our own rooms in the Royal Wing, Vidanric turned and quickly drew his sword.
"Vidanric, what is wrong?" I demanded, clearly confused.
"Shh!" He quickly glanced around the room, spotted a tapestry, and I saw his eyes narrow. He slowly stalked over to the tapestry, and as he yanked it aside, I let out a piercing scream.
We walked slowly through the grand halls of our palace at Athanarel towards the stable grounds where Vindanric's gray steed awaited. I had several thoughts and feelings controlling my mind that, despite my futile attempts at keeping them hidden, my husband quickly noticed.
"Meliara, what is on your mind?" Vidanric asked, a slight look of concern crawling across his face.
"Well, it just seems that you have been a little out of character lately, Danric. Or so our friends have thought, anyway," I said slowly.
"I have realized that. I am ecstatic, that is all," he replied. He then glanced at my face for a brief instant before asking, "Was there a mistake? Did I embarrass myself?"
"No, Danric. At least, from my point of view, you were merely a joyous father sharing his happy news with his family and friends. What could be wrong in that?"
Vidanric furrowed his brow in thought, although only for a trice. "So, my behavior was not unnecessary or over dramatic?"
My laugh was light and airy as I replied, "No. It was perfect. I would have been worried if you presented the news with your courtly finesse, mask, and drawl." I mocked the drawl and face as I then said, "Mother, Father, Branaric, Nimiar, and Russav, we have some joyous news of which we would like to share with you. My wife, Meliara, is expecting a child come spring."
The two of us shared a laugh and then realized we were just inside the doors leading out to the stable grounds. We paused our walking as Vidanric raised a speculative eyebrow and said, "That was a really pitiful imitation, my dear. Is that the best you can do?"
I raised my own eyebrow and mocked him again saying, "No, my good sir. I have many more imitations, each more horrible sounding than the former." By the end of the statement I was laughing and Vidanric was smiling, the corners of his eyes gleaming.
A palace servant opened the broad door and led us outside to where Vidanric's gray was patiently waiting. The horse tossed its head and snorted upon our approach. My husband helped boost me up into the saddle and then hoisted himself up behind me. I felt him wrap his strong arm around my waist and was promptly handed the reins, by the servant, into his other hand. The horse meandered forward at an agreeable pace and after a few moments, Russav, the Duke of Savona, was riding along our right side, mounted on a sleek, black stallion with a silver mane and tail. Russav's stallion reared back at the sudden command to approach an unfamiliar horse.
"Life, this stallion is skittish!" Russav shouted. "Vidanric, whatever do you suppose is wrong?"
"Russav, I assume that your abrupt command for the horse to approach my own frightened it substantially," Vidanric calmly replied.
Russav eased his steed a slight distance farther away from Danric's gray, resulting in an obvious change in the horse's demeanor.
"Now, Russav, whose presences should we expect to see on this riding party," I asked.
"Lady Meliara, I believe I have invited your brother and his wife, Ladies Trishe, Renna, Tamara, Arasa, and Elenet," he said, counting the names off on his fingers before continuing with, "Geral, Lords Deric and Olervec, and the three of us, of course. Hmm, do you think it shall be overcrowded?"
"It appears that this shall be a fairly pleasant outing you have organized, cousin. I assure you that the company is a perfect blend of friends and acquaintances, and I do believe that it will be thoroughly enjoyable," Vidanric replied.
The three of us approaching the designated meeting area with Bran, Nee, and Elenet already present and sitting lazily on a blanket under the shade of a tree. Vidanric and Russav dismounted and my husband helped me down while Russav tied the horses to the horse post along with the other steeds.
"Meliara, please come and sit here by Elenet and I," Nee called.
I smiled and carefully walked across the soft grass to where the two ladies sat quietly chatting. Elenet's soft laugh abruptly stopped when I reached the pair of ladies. A brief look of pain flashed across her face as she glanced from me to Vidanric and then back to myself. I felt a pang of sorrow for her, as I had recently married the man she had come to love. She tended to be reserved around me, and I assumed that it was due to that fact.
"Good afternoon, or evening, whichever you prefer," I said as I plopped down next to Nee. "Hello, Elenet! How are things going for you today? Not so out-of-spirits, I hope?"
Elenet simply replied, "No, Your Majesty. I have been quite well."
An awkward silence followed the statement until Vidanric walked over and asked if any of us wished for a cup of tea, coffee, or hot chocolate. I asked for chocolate but Nee and Elenet graciously declined the offer. I heard a high-pitched laugh and looked over my right shoulder to see the rest of the riding party arrive. Tamara looked spectacular in a blue sapphire colored gown, riding sidesaddle alongside Lady Trishe. Moments later they were walking and mingling amongst us already present. Vidanric returned with two steaming cups of chocolate, one for me and the other for himself. Nee, Elenet, and I stood up and greeted the newcomers. After partaking in the warm drinks, the entire party mounted their horses again and set off in the direction of the gardens.
The company was pleasant, as well as the dinner Tamara had prepared, which was waiting for us when we returned. After time changed second blue, our acquaintances said cordial goodbyes and departed off to their rooms for quiet evening activities. Vidanric and I were the last to leave, and upon entering our own rooms in the Royal Wing, Vidanric turned and quickly drew his sword.
"Vidanric, what is wrong?" I demanded, clearly confused.
"Shh!" He quickly glanced around the room, spotted a tapestry, and I saw his eyes narrow. He slowly stalked over to the tapestry, and as he yanked it aside, I let out a piercing scream.