-Author's Note- I am sorry to all of you who liked my story and have been following it that I haven't updated it in FOREVER. I wrote the parts prior during my Winter Break, and since then I haven't really had the time, not the inclination, to write out the next chapter. But now it is summer break and I have tons of time on my hands, so I decided to give this story another crack. I still have no idea where I am going with it, and it had no plot, so…right now it is still just a bunch of fluff. I think I am going to try and end it on Nee and Bran's wedding day…seems like a good place to stop. But in the meantime, do any of you have ideas for where I should be going next? I love to hear from you guys!
-Chapter Six-
I quickly arrived at the stables at the southern edge of the estate to find Vidanric mounted on a stunning deep bay stallion I had no recollection of, even though I had very close relationships with almost every horse in the barn. My eyes, which as usual, Vidanric read like a book, gave my confusion and surprise away to him immediately, and I could see he was thoroughly enjoying my surprise. I suspected he was getting me back for confusing him up in my rooms earlier.
"But, 'Danric I thought you would've picked Versio…though I must admit, I have never seen this stunning fellow." I mumbled.
"Ah, my love, I did intend to ride Versio, but as I was going with Jon to get my tack, I saw this boy in a stall next to Versio. He was staring me straight in the eye, almost daring me to ride him. Well, as you know, I can not resist a challenge, so I decided to ride him instead." I nodded, acknowledging his tale, but my attention was thoroughly centered on the horse underneath him. He was indeed a gorgeous creature, perhaps one of the best in the stable. Nearly 17 hands tall at the withers and a deep blood bay, with eyes that held a spirit strong enough to conquer the strongest rider. I was impressed.
I turned to go into the stable, leaving Vidanric to familiarize himself with his new mount while I went to tack up my own. I noticed Oria standing just out of sight at the edge of the path and beckoned her over. "Oria, just who is that gorgeous horse that my fiancée is astride? Where did he come from?" We walked together into the barn.
"Well, Mistress, he is Riamon, a stallion that was bought by Lord Branaric on his last visit here, just before you departed for Athanarel."
I nodded my head in assent, remembering Bran's mention of taking a look at some horses on the day when I donned my first dinner gown and had a formal dinner in the castle. "Well, then, if Bran picked him out himself, I am sure he is an amazing creature. I suspect I shall need Versio to keep up, not just Kyrlei. Can you have Jon tack up Versio for me then? I am going to say 'hi' to Topaz." Oria nodded and walked off to find Jon and I headed towards the stall of my favorite old mount – Topaz.
Scarcely 15 minutes later were Vidanric and I trotting down my favorite trail, which lead into a nearby valley. He marveled at the expanse of bluewood trees all around, for this particular trail, aptly named the Bluewood Trail, lead through numerous stands of the precious wood.
We emerged from the wood to find ourselves standing on the edge of the valley, which stretched away from us for miles, flanked by other mountains marching into the distance and topped by wispy clouds. I heard a small intake of breath from my partner, who looked awe-struck as I looked over. "Its amazing, isn't it? This was my favorite place to come during the day." I said. Vidanric simply nodded. I heeled my horse into a slow canter, heading down into the valley, aiming for a stream I knew was a little distance ahead, which would be an ideal place to stop and have lunch.
The sun was just setting as 'Danric and I clattered into the stableyard, the horses blowing from our race to the barn. We laughed and dismounted as stablehands rushed out to grab the horses. Jon was there to take Riamon, looking anxious. "What is wrong, Jon?" I asked.
"Well, my Lady, my Lord, Oria has bade me to tell you that the Flower Day celebration starts at sundown," he answered.
I turned to Vidanric. "Well, my Lord, do you think you are up to our rustic traditions after our hard day's ride?"
"Mel, I think I could stand a little more excitement for the night, given that you are by my side."
I smiled and grabbed his hand, leading him up towards the castle to change and get ready for the party.
I donned a gown of russet and amber for the party, for wearing earth tones was an old tradition, and this particular gown was both quiet enough as to not distract attention from Kaldea and was able to get rather dirty. I met up with Vidanric, who was dressed in deep green and black, and headed out for the village. Vidanric seemed surprised that we were going on foot, but I explained that the village wasn't far and even though I was a noble, it was still considered rude for anyone to distract attention from the girl who was to be honored.
By the time we entered the town square, the party was in full swing, with happy dancers twirling around and other couples happily conversing on the edges of the dance floor. However, the party stopped when Vidanric and I entered the square. I suddenly remembered that no one in the village, apart from a few protestors, knew I had returned from Athanarel. Undaunted, I grabbed Vidanric's hand and walked over to Kaldea, who stood and bowed to me, and, looking confused as to the identity of Vidanric, bowed to him too.
"Kaldea, I am so glad I could be here to see you on your Flower Day. I must admit, I had forgotten about it while caught up with the affairs of Athanarel. I had actually just come to Tlanth to give Vidanric, or actually, to force Vidanric, to take some much needed respite from all his work. But nonetheless, congratulations." Kaldea looked surprised to see me, but her ensuing hug was warmer than ever.
"So, my Lady, I take this stranger standing next to you to be Vidanric. If I am not mistaken, is he not the man most likely to be crowned the next king or Remalna?" Kaldea answered, looking from my to Vidanric, trying to ascertain our relationship.
I nodded, and an audible murmur ran through the crowd in the square. I turned from Kaldea and faced the crowd, steeling myself for what I was about to do. "I am glad to see you all doing well and prospering in my absence, and that of Lord Branaric's. I am sorry to say that I will not be staying for very much longer, but when your Lord and the lady Nimiar Argilar are wed in a mere week, they will be returning to Tlanth. As some of you must have noticed, the Lord that stands beside me is indeed Lord Vidanric Renselaeus, the man who, with our county's help, brought about the fall of Galdran, and the man who is soon to be crowned King of Remalna. It is also my pleasure, though I regret to steal any attention from Kaldea, the girl, nay the woman, we should be recognizing, to announce that Lord Vidanric and I are soon to be wed." I took Vidanric's hand and squeezed it, not sure of what the reaction would be from the crowd. Despite Vidanric's brief visit here before, many people, mainly those who were rebels and their families, still though Vidanric to be the man they saw on the battlefield. They still thought him to be the man I had only recently realized he was not – an enemy. I did not know how they would take my announcement that I was to marry him.
A great shout rose from the crowd, though one of joy, not anger. Kaldea stepped forward and gave me another hug, a gesture that seemed to restart the party. She grabbed the hand of a boy standing next to her, whom I could only assume was one of her flirts, and then grabbed my hand. Still holding Vidanric's hand, we were all dragged out onto the dance floor by Kaldea, who signaled the band to take up a quick tune, which I quickly recognized as one of my old favorites. Kaldea, her flirt, and I quickly fell into the steps of the old dance, leaving Vidanric rather out of the loop. I stopped dancing for a moment to grab his hand and bring him into the dance. I could tell he was nervous because he did not know the dance, but I assured him that it did not matter. He still looked reserved, but I pulled him in anyway.
After a few dances, Vidanric and I retired to the edge of the dance floor, where we were subject to a barrage of congratulations by what seemed like everyone in the village. We stayed on the side of the dance floor while the party stretched long into the night. Howver, when the moon was riding high up in the sky, I took Vidanric's hand and lead him silently away from the party and into the night beyond, taking a trail definetly not heading towards the castle.
-Chapter Six-
I quickly arrived at the stables at the southern edge of the estate to find Vidanric mounted on a stunning deep bay stallion I had no recollection of, even though I had very close relationships with almost every horse in the barn. My eyes, which as usual, Vidanric read like a book, gave my confusion and surprise away to him immediately, and I could see he was thoroughly enjoying my surprise. I suspected he was getting me back for confusing him up in my rooms earlier.
"But, 'Danric I thought you would've picked Versio…though I must admit, I have never seen this stunning fellow." I mumbled.
"Ah, my love, I did intend to ride Versio, but as I was going with Jon to get my tack, I saw this boy in a stall next to Versio. He was staring me straight in the eye, almost daring me to ride him. Well, as you know, I can not resist a challenge, so I decided to ride him instead." I nodded, acknowledging his tale, but my attention was thoroughly centered on the horse underneath him. He was indeed a gorgeous creature, perhaps one of the best in the stable. Nearly 17 hands tall at the withers and a deep blood bay, with eyes that held a spirit strong enough to conquer the strongest rider. I was impressed.
I turned to go into the stable, leaving Vidanric to familiarize himself with his new mount while I went to tack up my own. I noticed Oria standing just out of sight at the edge of the path and beckoned her over. "Oria, just who is that gorgeous horse that my fiancée is astride? Where did he come from?" We walked together into the barn.
"Well, Mistress, he is Riamon, a stallion that was bought by Lord Branaric on his last visit here, just before you departed for Athanarel."
I nodded my head in assent, remembering Bran's mention of taking a look at some horses on the day when I donned my first dinner gown and had a formal dinner in the castle. "Well, then, if Bran picked him out himself, I am sure he is an amazing creature. I suspect I shall need Versio to keep up, not just Kyrlei. Can you have Jon tack up Versio for me then? I am going to say 'hi' to Topaz." Oria nodded and walked off to find Jon and I headed towards the stall of my favorite old mount – Topaz.
Scarcely 15 minutes later were Vidanric and I trotting down my favorite trail, which lead into a nearby valley. He marveled at the expanse of bluewood trees all around, for this particular trail, aptly named the Bluewood Trail, lead through numerous stands of the precious wood.
We emerged from the wood to find ourselves standing on the edge of the valley, which stretched away from us for miles, flanked by other mountains marching into the distance and topped by wispy clouds. I heard a small intake of breath from my partner, who looked awe-struck as I looked over. "Its amazing, isn't it? This was my favorite place to come during the day." I said. Vidanric simply nodded. I heeled my horse into a slow canter, heading down into the valley, aiming for a stream I knew was a little distance ahead, which would be an ideal place to stop and have lunch.
The sun was just setting as 'Danric and I clattered into the stableyard, the horses blowing from our race to the barn. We laughed and dismounted as stablehands rushed out to grab the horses. Jon was there to take Riamon, looking anxious. "What is wrong, Jon?" I asked.
"Well, my Lady, my Lord, Oria has bade me to tell you that the Flower Day celebration starts at sundown," he answered.
I turned to Vidanric. "Well, my Lord, do you think you are up to our rustic traditions after our hard day's ride?"
"Mel, I think I could stand a little more excitement for the night, given that you are by my side."
I smiled and grabbed his hand, leading him up towards the castle to change and get ready for the party.
I donned a gown of russet and amber for the party, for wearing earth tones was an old tradition, and this particular gown was both quiet enough as to not distract attention from Kaldea and was able to get rather dirty. I met up with Vidanric, who was dressed in deep green and black, and headed out for the village. Vidanric seemed surprised that we were going on foot, but I explained that the village wasn't far and even though I was a noble, it was still considered rude for anyone to distract attention from the girl who was to be honored.
By the time we entered the town square, the party was in full swing, with happy dancers twirling around and other couples happily conversing on the edges of the dance floor. However, the party stopped when Vidanric and I entered the square. I suddenly remembered that no one in the village, apart from a few protestors, knew I had returned from Athanarel. Undaunted, I grabbed Vidanric's hand and walked over to Kaldea, who stood and bowed to me, and, looking confused as to the identity of Vidanric, bowed to him too.
"Kaldea, I am so glad I could be here to see you on your Flower Day. I must admit, I had forgotten about it while caught up with the affairs of Athanarel. I had actually just come to Tlanth to give Vidanric, or actually, to force Vidanric, to take some much needed respite from all his work. But nonetheless, congratulations." Kaldea looked surprised to see me, but her ensuing hug was warmer than ever.
"So, my Lady, I take this stranger standing next to you to be Vidanric. If I am not mistaken, is he not the man most likely to be crowned the next king or Remalna?" Kaldea answered, looking from my to Vidanric, trying to ascertain our relationship.
I nodded, and an audible murmur ran through the crowd in the square. I turned from Kaldea and faced the crowd, steeling myself for what I was about to do. "I am glad to see you all doing well and prospering in my absence, and that of Lord Branaric's. I am sorry to say that I will not be staying for very much longer, but when your Lord and the lady Nimiar Argilar are wed in a mere week, they will be returning to Tlanth. As some of you must have noticed, the Lord that stands beside me is indeed Lord Vidanric Renselaeus, the man who, with our county's help, brought about the fall of Galdran, and the man who is soon to be crowned King of Remalna. It is also my pleasure, though I regret to steal any attention from Kaldea, the girl, nay the woman, we should be recognizing, to announce that Lord Vidanric and I are soon to be wed." I took Vidanric's hand and squeezed it, not sure of what the reaction would be from the crowd. Despite Vidanric's brief visit here before, many people, mainly those who were rebels and their families, still though Vidanric to be the man they saw on the battlefield. They still thought him to be the man I had only recently realized he was not – an enemy. I did not know how they would take my announcement that I was to marry him.
A great shout rose from the crowd, though one of joy, not anger. Kaldea stepped forward and gave me another hug, a gesture that seemed to restart the party. She grabbed the hand of a boy standing next to her, whom I could only assume was one of her flirts, and then grabbed my hand. Still holding Vidanric's hand, we were all dragged out onto the dance floor by Kaldea, who signaled the band to take up a quick tune, which I quickly recognized as one of my old favorites. Kaldea, her flirt, and I quickly fell into the steps of the old dance, leaving Vidanric rather out of the loop. I stopped dancing for a moment to grab his hand and bring him into the dance. I could tell he was nervous because he did not know the dance, but I assured him that it did not matter. He still looked reserved, but I pulled him in anyway.
After a few dances, Vidanric and I retired to the edge of the dance floor, where we were subject to a barrage of congratulations by what seemed like everyone in the village. We stayed on the side of the dance floor while the party stretched long into the night. Howver, when the moon was riding high up in the sky, I took Vidanric's hand and lead him silently away from the party and into the night beyond, taking a trail definetly not heading towards the castle.