This chapter doesn't really have a storyline but (hopefully) the later ones will. And they will have lots of fluff. I like fluff. Yay! Don't forget to review. And I'm sorry if I got any details wrong (or grammar for that matter). I tried my best. Point them out to me and I'll fix them. Anyway...

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Chapter One

Vanyel Ashkevron lounged indolently on the couch in the common room. It was early evening and he was reminiscing about his past.

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He had been born and reared on the holding Forst Reach, eldest son to Lord Withen and Lady Treesa. For his entire childhood, others, children and adults alike, had mocked him because of his tendency to be somewhat 'feminine'.

Treesa had always dressed him up in the finest clothes, ones that accentuated his extreme beauty. Vanyel had played off this beauty, using it to win bed-partners and to charm women.

He was also an extremely talented musician; his dream had been to become a Bard.

His father, Withen, however had always been disdainful towards his eldest son. He felt him to be weak and tried his very best to make him more of a 'man'.

His father's repulsion of him and others mockery had equated to Van being a very miserable young man. He pulled into himself, hiding behind an arrogant façade, never truly coming out for anyone. Whenever he was in the public eye, Van would become a contemptuous, full-of-himself ass but, as soon as he was alone, his control would waver and he would find himself crying for hours on end.

That was his life, blundering through each day alone, hatred pouring in from all angles.

Then that momentous day had come, the one that altered the rest of his life. Van had been minding his own business when he overheard Withen and Treesa talking. At dinner it was announced – Vanyel was being sent to live with his aunt, Savil, in Haven.

He had never felt worse in his entire, miserable life. They couldn't even bear to have him near them; he was being exiled. Vanyel was alone, completely alone. Darkness had closed in around him and he had fought against crying.

Troubled, dream-haunted sleep had followed him until he found it – the ice dream. A dull grey sky... a plain of snow and ice... completely empty... completely featureless.

Vanyel had felt numb in this monotonous land, not aching nor on the verge of tears. Just numb. It was here that he finally felt secure and he had savoured this unfeeling.

'If no one touches me – no one can hurt me. All I have to do is never care.'

It was like the answer to some long-discarded plea to the gods. This dream, it could keep him safe. He could use it as a shield against the actions of others. No matter what happened, who hated him, no one could ever hurt him again.

It was the key, this dream, against pain, against loneliness. It had given him the strength to maintain his indifference, though it had started to stop being a mask.

Van was depressed. He felt worthless; no one cared.

'I can't afford hope anymore...'

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Van shivered, pulling his knees up and hugging them. At that moment, Tylendel came in, having finally escaped from classes.

Vanyel was so preoccupied, so lost in his thoughts, that 'Lendel frowned, concerned for his partner. Moving swiftly across the room, he sat beside his love, encircling him in his strong, warm arms.

Van froze, as was habit, then relaxed minutely, still unsure.

"Van-ashke, what's wrong?" Tylendel asked softly, worried about Van's response to his action.

Gently he turned Van around in his arms so that they were facing each other. Vanyel looked down, but not before 'Lendel could see the single tear that flowed down his cheek.

"Oh, ashke," 'Lendel said, pulling him into a hug. "You were remembering, weren't you?"

Sniffing, Vanyel nodded, burying his face into 'Lendel's shoulder. Gingerly, Tylendel stroked Van's hair and back before lifting his head to look in his silver eyes.

"Van-ashke, it's over now. You won't ever need to feel like that again," he smiled. "You have me. I will never leave you, ashke. I love you."

And with that, he pulled Van into a tender kiss, full of love and warmth.

As they parted, Van smiled. All was good in his life for once. He was finally happy.

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Corny, I know. But please review!

More chapters to come. At least I hope so. But there's no point in continuing if no one is going to review (hint, hint).