A/N: Hey! This is my first fic…lemme know what you think!! R&R!!

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Meliara awoke in a cold sweat, her hands trembling.  She felt for Danric, but he wasn't there.  Why wasn't he ever there?!  He always had somewhere else to be whenever she needed him.  Now it was some trouble in the west, and before that it was raids on the southern border.  He always seemed to find a place and time for everyone but her.

Her rational side told her he loved her more than his work, but he needed to keep the country safe.  Her rational side also told her that she would be fine without him, but she wouldn't.  It had been almost six months since her miscarriage, but she still felt like it was only the day before.

She made her way into the bath chamber, washing her face, looking at herself in the mirror, blue eyes staring back.  She remembered the dream…

~~It was morning in her dream, right before court would meet. All the ladies were getting ready, but she was still abed. By the time she awoke and sped to court, she found her beloved Danric with another woman.  He was doing his best to hide a smile, but it shone in his provocative gray eyes.  The woman was giggling behind her fan, her blue eyes, matching Meliara's, were looking at her and mocking her.  The blonde had stolen her man.  Her Danric…gone. 

She would always spin around in her recurring dream, and Flauvic was there, smiling lustfully at her. She would try and scream for Danric, but her voice wouldn't come…it never came. Danric would be off flirting with his woman while she was dragged off by Flauvic.~~

She never believed the dream. She knew Flauvic was growing nicely in the old throne room, a lovely goldenwood tree.

She sighed and pulled on a robe and some slippers, making her way to the palace gardens, hoping they would relieve her of her stress.  The trees always rustled slightly, and the flowers left the air smelling sweet.  Nothing in the gardens could ever quite match the way the hills were…actually they were Bran's hills now.

Her slippers made soft noises on the stone pathways of the garden, her nightgown rustling about her ankles.  The garden was quiet…no one else was around…no one.  She felt so alone without her husband there.  Her brother was staying the Residence with Nee, but she wanted Danric's re-assuring arm about her shoulders, his lips on hers…

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Watching her from the shadows of the garden were two violet eyes with a small smirk creeping into them.  The queen was alone in the garden…the perfect place to strike, but he wouldn't allow it.  His plan was a secret.  She silently cursed him, biting her lip to keep from saying them allowed. His plan was taking too long…her plan would work faster…it would be easier.

--Don't even think about it Skye. We do not move until the opportune moment!—

--And when exactly it this opportune moment?!-- She replied to the voice in her head.  She never replied allowed, then people would think she was crazy.  It would also give away her very sensitive watch-post…

--When I say so.  Observe only!—

--Yes Sir.--  She grumbled back.  Her 'employer' so to speak, was a telepath of sorts.  It was rather annoying to have him be able to read her mind all the time…predicting her moves.  Actually…it was very annoying.

She slinked back slowly, making no noise as she slipped into the shadows by the castle walls, leaving the Queen to her thoughts.  She would strike soon…whether or not he said she could…she would.

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Meliara spun as she thought she heard something rustle in the bushes behind her.  She shook her head.  Her mind was playing tricks on her again…it was probably only an animal.  She sighed and plucked a ruby rose from the bush beside her, careful to avoid the thorns.  She placed it behind her ear, the red hue coming close to the color of her hair.

She sighed and moved towards the front gates, ears perking up at the sound of hoof beats in the cobblestone courtyard.  She ran as fast as she could without ripping her nightgown, out the garden gates and across the lawn to the stabling area, searching frantically for the dapple gray and his rider.

She walked up to the captain of the riding squad Danric had taken with him, "Derai? Derai, dear, where is Vidanric?" She asked urgently.

The man turned to see Meliara clad in only her nightgown and robe and chuckled slightly. "My, my, your Majesty, what are you doing about so late?" He asked with a soft chuckle.

Meliara scowled playfully at her friend.  She had met him a few months ago when Danric had dragged her along on some mission she knew nothing about, and didn't care to know about. "You know perfectly well that I am here to see Vidanric, so IF you don't mind…" She said, waiting for his answer.

"Ah, I thought I heard the commanding voice of the Lady of the House around here somewhere," a familiar voice said dryly, causing Mel to spin and narrow her eyes at him. "Ah, and the death glare to go with it I see…" Danric said, his voice betraying his amusement.

"Danric…" Mel said in a low, foreboding voice.

Derai chuckled softly, "I'd best be leaving before I get eaten alive too.  Your Majesties." He said with a low bow and he wandered off to stable his horse.

"Derai! Wait for me!" Danric called out teasingly before turning to look at his putting wife.  "Aw, c'mon Mel, don't pout.  It is very unbecoming!" he said, tweaking her nose.

"Oh yes, I quite forgot that." She said back, narrowing her eyes even more.

Danric laughed, scooping her up into his arms, kissing her gently, like he always did in public, and, as always, sending a shock up her spine at the sheer enjoyment of it.

Danric was home.

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A/N: So…whaddya think?! Please! REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW!!! I have another chapter in the works, but I won't post it unless it is wanted by SOMEONE…lol *teary eyed* all I want is to be loved! Lol, jk. Please give an honest opinion!!! PRETTY PRETTY PLEASE! Ooh, pretty pretty princess… ^.~ anyway…enough of my ramblings…go review!!