Okay, I'm too excited to be actually writing another fanfic to wait to update. Woot, I love writing fanfics, but when I don't write them I miss the reviews! Lol, reviews rock my socks.

cough DANRIC RULES! cough

EXAMS ARE OVER!! cough oh the wonderfulness that is the end of exams!

Disclaimer: no I don't own Crown Duel. Sigh. Sherwood Smith ROCKS MY SOCKS!

Chapter two: Care to Dance?

Shevraeth and I sat in silence for a few moments, me trying not to look at him, and he bent over his parchment again. The moments lengthened, until I couldn't bear it anymore.

"I'm going to wait for Nee and Bran," I said, getting up abruptly.

"They won't be here for awhile yet," Shevraeth said, looking up. "I believe they'll arrive in time for dinner, but not long before that." I shrugged my shoulders and went down to the inn's common room.

Firmly keeping to what I'd said, I sat at a table near the window. I watched for my brother and Nee for a while, but I soon realised that it was no use looking for them when I knew they weren't coming. I fell asleep there at the table.

A few hours later I was awakened by a fuss near the door. Shaking the sleep from my eyes, I got a hold of what was going on. Nee and Bran had arrived, and the innkeeper was getting them settled in their room. I stood shakily on my legs, still trying to wake up properly.

"Finally," I said, reaching Bran and Nee. "I need dry clothes," I begged, "now."

"What're you doing down here?" Bran asked, considerably surprised.

"Watching for you," I said. "And sleeping, though that wasn't planned."

"Why did you sleep down here?" Nee piped up. "Surely Danric got us all rooms?"

"Oh he did," I said. "I just--ah--felt like coming down here." If Bran and Nee noticed the lapse neither said anything. They both shrugged and we made our way upstairs. Mora and the servants were already in my room unpacking some clothes for me.

"Life! I'm so glad you're here," I said. I changed hurriedly, and went out to Shevraeth's parlour, where Bran and Nee were having an apparently engrossing conversation. Shevraeth was nowhere to be seen. I walked in, and Bran and Nee stopped talking.

"What?" I asked, as they both looked up at me. "What's going on?" Nee pasted on a big smile.

"Nothing, Mel, nothing," she said. "Come join us, dinner's on the way."

"What were you talking about?" I asked.

"Life, Mel, do we have to tell you everything?" Bran asked, irritated.

"Well you were acting suspicious. I'm not about to let it drop. And why are you so annoyed? I just asked a question." Nee shot Bran a look. He sighed and shook his head.

"I'm not annoyed with you, Mel. Just tired. Oh good, here's dinner." I shot an irritable look at Bran before we sat down to dinner. Shevraeth came in a moment later, offering a brief apology for being late.

"Sit down, sit down," Nee ushered. "How was your day?" she asked.

"Fine," I answered. "Wet, cold, muddy. Just perfect." I sneaked a glance at Shevraeth, but he was eating, paying no particular attention to anyone. I looked back to Nee. "I'm so glad to be dry," I said.

"You shouldn't have been riding then," Bran said cheerfully. "Should've been sensible and stayed in the coach."

"With you two?" I asked, wrinkling my nose. "Ugh!" We all laughed.

"What about you, Danric? Wet and muddy?" Bran asked.

"Not so," Shevraeth drawled. "I thought to bring along a cloak." He lifted his eyebrows at me and smiled. I smirked.

"So who won?" Nee asked, grinning. I coughed and looked at Shevraeth. Our eyes met for a moment.

"He did," I said, striving to keep my voice neutral. Nee raised her eyebrows, a mischievous look in her eyes. My response seemed to end the conversation, and we turned to our dinner. I kept my eyes on Shevraeath.

"Cheater," I mouthed when Bran and Nee weren't looking, and his smile deepened.

"So what entertainment have we got in store tonight?" I asked Nee, after a few moments silence. She shrugged.

"Let's go dancing again, please," I asked, my eyes pleading. Nee laughed.

"I don't see why not," she said. "Want to come?" she asked my brother and Shevraeth. They both grunted noncommittally.

After dinner Nee and I went down to the common room from where some lively music was floating. We mingled and danced happily for quite some time. We were both flushed from the dance when the musicians in the corner slowed the beat. As couples stepped onto the floor to enjoy the quiet music, I stepped outside to feel the cool air on my face.

I leaned against the door and enjoyed the soft music the came drifting out of the inn. I looked up and was disappointed to see the stars were still veiled; I hoped it wouldn't rain again tomorrow. I was excited about our arrival at Athanarel; I hoped I wouldn't make too big a fool of myself, but waiting to see if I would was just terrible. I wondered about the people that I was going to meet. Would they be like Nee? Or would they anger me like Shevraeth? I sighed and shook my head. No use wondering. I'd find out when I got there.

"Why the sigh?" asked a quiet voice to my left. I started and looked around, but it was dark and I couldn't see much. I looked closer and saw the light from the inn shining faintly on long blond hair, and glistening on fine black clothes. It was Shevraeth.

"Just thinking," I mumbled.

"About what?" he asked.

"Nothing in particular," I said, not happy about being interrogated. Shevraeth 'hmm'ed, and leaned on the wall next to me.

"Are you having fun?" he asked, after a moment.

"I was enjoying a nice moment alone," I replied. Shevraeth made a sudden movement. I looked at him.

"I apologise," he said. I nodded briefly, but he didn't move, just stood there. I listened to the music, which was still slow. I couldn't possibly go back in right now, and stand there like a fool near the wall. I had to wait to make my escape.

I was uncomfortable. I tried to ignore him, to get him to see that I didn't appreciate his company, but he still didn't move. I coughed slightly, and looked everywhere but at him. Shevraeth drew a deep breath beside me.

"Would you like to dance?"

HAHAHAHAHA

I love cliffhangers. They're my best friends. giggles like a fool wee, this is fun!

I don't really know where this is going. We'll all just have to wait and see!

Please review, they feed the little guy in the swivel chair in my brain. He'd be ever so glad to get some good reviews (yum, yum!), flames will be used to warm his feet on cold winter nights. (Though it's not winter yet.) Criticisms? Do I need to work on dialogue or check grammar? Do I need to check for consistencies between the book and fic? Are they out of Character? gets worked up please tell me!