I know, I know, you all hate me for leaving you with such an evil cliffhanger. Giggles it's the second most rewarding part of writing fanfiction, I think. I think second only to getting reviewers who love my story. You may all throw rotten vegetables at me now. --Stands back against a target, arms spread wide-- Methinks you wont be hating after this chapter... (Lots of Danric sweetness coming up!!!!!!!!!!!)

Disclaimer: You know what? I rather liked my disclaimer from chapter six. I'll use it again: Vidanric isn't hot, Bran is subtle, Nee hates Bran, Tamara is kind and caring, Galdran isn't an egotistical b-----d, Flauvic is ugly, and I'm Sherwood Smith. I kid you not!

((-))

Chapter eight: Love

At hearing my words, Vidanric's small smile turned instantly into a grin, lighting up his face.

"I was nervous, and scared," I explained. "I wasn't sure... and it didn't seem right. I don't know. But I didn't kiss you, and I left. And there was the harper and the bell... they surprised me. I was so confused, and surprised, and... well, I'm sorry."

"Mel, don't apologize," Vidanric said. "It's alright. I understand." I grinned gratefully. I gazed at him. With my eyes I traced every line on his face-- his straight nose, his lips, his eyes and eyebrows. My eyes danced over his shining blond hair, his broad shoulders.

"Can I kiss you now?" I asked. For an answer, he slid an arm around my waist, and pulled me close.

"Do you want to?" he breathed.

"More than you know," I whispered. Vidanric smiled sweetly and leaned down to me. My lips had barely touched his when we heard a small cheer below us. Pulling away hastily, we both looked to the ground to see who it was that was spying on us. Nee and Bran were down there, clapping and grinning. Savona was with them, arms crossed, grinning broadly.

"You ruined my moment," I called down. They laughed.

"Kiss him again!" Savona called.

"I barely kissed him once!"

"We won't interrupt this time!" he replied.

I picked up the forgotten punch glass and flung it over the rail. Nee shrieked, but Bran and Savona laughed at me, jumping nimbly out of the way. I didn't hit any of them, but they took the hint and left us be.

"Did you know they were there?" I asked Vidanric. He shook his head. I looked past him into the ballroom. Thankfully, no one from that side had seen or heard the little spectacle. Vidanric grinned.

"Meet me out in the garden at first-white," he whispered. Then he went and joined the rest of the dancers in the ballroom. I waited on the balcony a few moments longer, then followed.

(-)

I danced a lot while I waited for midnight. I floated two feet off the ground. Slowly people trickled out of the ballroom. Nee and Bran came looking for me, to tease me. I was happy enough to follow them back to our rooms. Nee was yawning the whole way, and Bran let no secret of my Name Day plans as he teasingly bid me goodnight. I was happy they didn't know about my meeting with Vidanric at midnight.

I waited in my room until I was sure that Bran and Nee were settled, and then I stole outside. Fighting to keep down giddy laughter, I made my way to the garden just under the balcony where Vidanric and I had been just hours ago. I sat down on the edge of a bench and waited for Vidanric.

Just a few moments later, Vidanric arrived. I jumped up eagerly to greet him. He smiled, took my hand, and led me to the gardens. We silently walked through the beautiful garden, enjoying each other's company. I loved the feel of his hand in mine; it was warm and comforting. He led us to the centre of the garden, where I found, to my delight, a fountain. Vidanric stopped, and I leaned on his shoulder, my eyes on the fountain. Soon though, Vidanric turned to me.

"Mel..." he said. He reached up and stroked my face with one long finger. "I can't believe you're actually here in my arms," he said.

"Why's that?" I asked guardedly.

"Three days ago you probably wouldn't have stood this close to me for any reason," he replied. I smiled sheepishly.

"Probably not," I said. "But two days ago, I was this close to you. And I left without doing something important." Vidanric smiled tenderly. He looked around carefully, searching for spies. Then he slowly put his arm around me, and I placed my hands on his shoulders. He leaned down and kissed me slowly and sweetly. When he released me, his breath as ragged as mine, I smiled and gazed into his eyes.

"I'm sorry," I said sadly.

Vidanric looked confused. "Why? What have you done?"

"Everything," I said miserably. "I was terrible. I managed to turn every conversation into a fight. I baited you, and I fought you every step of the way. Life! Why didn't you just ignore me from the time you arrived at our castle?" Vidanric's face became solemn.

"Meliara, I could no more ignore you than I could my need to eat, or to drink. Mel... I fell in love with you, if not from the day I took you before Gladran, then when I stayed at your castle." I struggled with the words.

"Fell in... love?"

I freed myself from his arms and wandered a few paces away. He fell in love with me, I thought to myself. In love. Am I ready to love this man? He loves me. He loves me. The words kept repeating themselves over and over in my mind. I couldn't grasp their meaning. He loves me, he loves me, he loves me... I was scared, that I admit freely. I wasn't ready to love him, not yet. Like Vidanric had already said, three days ago I wouldn't have been that near him. I turned to Vidanric, biting my lip.

"Mel," he asked, "are you okay?"

"Not completely," I whispered. "You... you l-love me?" I asked.

Vidanric smiled. "Meliara, yes. I love you so much. Mel, what's the matter?"

"I don't love you," I said, my voice barely audible. "I like you a lot, and I enjoy being with you... but I don't love you."

"Mel," he said, shaking his head, but miraculously, smiling. "Mel, I didn't expect you to love me. I just wanted a chance, one chance, to win your heart. You can't love me; you haven't even liked me for the last year of our acquaintance. Mel, all I ask is a chance. If you find you can't love me in return, I'll leave you be, though nothing could be more difficult. I want you to be happy. If your happiness lies with another man, so be it. If it lies across the mountains, alone with the hill folk, so be it! If it lies in another world, with chocolate and horses, so be it!" Vidanric's voice lowered. "If it lies here in the capital, with me, then I thank the gods for blessing me with your love."

Tears sprang to my eyes. Who could ever ask for a sweeter man? I let the tears spill from my eyes, smiling gratefully, happier than I have been in a long time. I reached out and pulled Vidanric close to me, wanting to feel his comforting arms around me.

"Thank you," I murmured into his chest. "Thank you."

((-))

I find it funny that I can write such fluff when I'm listening to a song called "Let There Be Guns" and "Rippy the Gator" by the Arrogant Worms. Try reading it with that song playing. Fluff! --runs from fluff singing--

"Billy's father rolled his wheelchair up upon a hill/ he wanted to put Bill where he would not get killed./ But he left him on a slope and into the swamp he rolled/ they dragged out his head but there was nothing left below!/ Cause Rippy the gator went chomp, chomp, chomp!/ Rippy the gator went chomp, chomp, chomp!/ passing the time by ending children's lives, down in the bottom of the swamp, swamp, swamp!"

--cough-- yup.

I think I should go out Danric hunting. There has to be a Danric in the world somewhere... and I want to find him first. :) He's so sweeeeeeeeeet!

If anyone ever finds Danric, please clone him and send me a copy, alright?

And now, please welcome: The wonderful, the magical...Review Responses!-- listens to non-existant wild cheering--

Wake-Robin- Haha, I had to end it there... it was the perfect cliffie oppotunity. here's the requested update!

FlamingPhoenix09- yay for the real Danric! much better than masked Danric. hope you like!

dreamerdoll- I'm very happy you think it's as good as the book! makes me happy. yes, they'll get together soon!

Asalon Ithilriel- Thanks for the compliment! I'm glad you think they're in character!

Lady Fate- I had to have a good cliffie! Even you readers have to admit it was the perfect spot for a cliffie! I didn't take for ever and ever to update, so you must be at least pleased with that, right? er... yeah? --cough-- I love it when Danric isn't the Mask... yay! I need to find me someone like him...

FelSong- Danric dearest was nervous! hehe, i thought it would be cute.

Erkith- I'm very happy you liked it. I was kind of nervous about having a panic attack... but I thought it would be cute! I love the cliffie... if you want, you can have a free throw with an apple!

StarGirl98-I'm thinking I will have the letters, only not from an unknown, and Mel will know who they're from... Danric! about running to Tlanth... do you want her to? It could be arranged. I would love to cater to your whims! hehe, seriously, if there's anything you particularily want to see, i'll put it in. thanks for your splendid review!

ShannonLynn- Be nitpicky all you want, please! I wasn't sure about that too... I couldn't think of a good word... ::Brain Fart!:: Imploring, Imploring.... ::pounds word into her head:: remember that next time.

czarina-kathryn- Thanks!

Legofiance- I had to have a cliffie! haha! I'm glad you like it so much! tell all your friends! mohaha! and read my other ficcys too!