100 reviews guys! Thanks so much! (tear tear) You guys make me all so happy! Just for you, a DOUBLE update!
Tiger Lily21: True that, true that. Poor, and yet, lucky Aiden. Yay for Riddles!
fell4adeadguy: Well, she doesn't drink wine that often. It's actually illegal to serve alchohol in major royal venues for that exact reason.
letylyf: It wasn't really supposed to be Old English, just really bad English. Hmm... maybe. (sly smile)
Glaze: again. Hmm... Maybe (sly smile) I'm trying not to give away any secrets here, although some of my riddles are painfully obvious. Poor Danni.
moonlight and starlight: I think Aiden is just flying by the seat of his pants at the moment. He's hoping to get the sword, then make the plan.
fantasygirl16: Thank you. Yeah, she's going to be hungover.
naughty little munchkin: Thank you. :cD Danni is a sweety, even drunk. I'm excited to get to the Cave. I've got some great ideas for it, and I hope that everyone likes it as much as I do.
Sirenic Griffin: My Christmas holidays ended on January 3rd. I get a week off for exams. Yeah, it always happens with me and my friends, and then I feel bad for leaving someone else out. Yeah, the man who knocked it over was really, uh, 'strong'. Hee hee.
ruberduckysrfun: Crashed computers are bummers. (shakes head)
rainkisser: Thank you! I do update quite frequently, don't I?
Two slightly shorter chapters, but I promise that the next ones will be JAM PACKED FULL OF EXCITING GOODNESS!
JAM PACKED I TELL YOU!
-Lulai
Chapter Fifteen: A Proposal
King Gerald stood by the window, staring pensively out into the horizon. His wife came up behind him, slipping a hand over his shoulder. He looked down at her with a sad smile and pulled her into the crook of his arm.
"I'm sure Aiden is fine," Theo said from where he sat on the bed beside Lynn. "We would definitely know if Vardon had captured him."
Gerald ran his fingers through his hair. "I know," he said. "My son is very resilient. I'm just worried what will happen if Vardon finds him. I'm not sure if he'll even bother bringing him back." He left the rest of the statement unsaid.
"Gerald, stop being so brooding," Rollo said, rising from his chair beside the fire. He patted the hand of his wife before crossing to the window. "We are all worried about Aiden, but standing here thinking 'What if?' isn't helping anyone, least of all your son."
Gerald turned to look at his brother. He gave a weak smile. "You're right, of course, Rollo. It's a wonder that you weren't born first."
Rollo shrugged. "Pure luck, I guess."
He stood behind his wife, his hands on her shoulders. "Now, we should-"
Rollo was interrupted by a knock at the door. Gerald disengaged himself from Isabella and answered it.
"A summons," a snooty page said, holding out a card. He turned sharply on one heel and stomped away.
Gerald read the note, then snorted and crumpled the letter, tossing it away angrily. "He wants us to come to dinner. To gloat, I suppose." He crossed his arms over his chest. "I would rather cut off my own arm than have supper with that man."
"Now, Father," Lynn said, standing up from her bed, "you wouldn't want to be doing that. Then you couldn't give me your grizzly bear hugs anymore." She offered him a sunny smile. "We should go and act honoured."
"What?" Gerald said, looking at his daughter suspiciously. "Be honoured to be able to eat dinner with that worm? Never!"
"She didn't say that we had to be honoured," Sarah said slowly, catching on, "just act honoured."
"Yes," Lynn said with a nod at Sarah. "Perhaps if Vardon doesn't deem us such a threat anymore, he will allow us more of a free range of the castle. Then Theo and I can visit the library and look up information on Faerie Snares, and possibly free Lark."
"And you say this 'Lark' is the source of all his power?" Isabella asked.
"Yes," Theo said. "If free Lark, then Vardon will be ridiculously easy to beat."
"Fine," Gerald growled.
They dressed impeccably for dinner. Then, arranged in pairs, they entered the dining room, heads held regally high.
"Ah," Vardon said, rising and spreading his arms, "I'm so delighted to have you join us, my lords and ladies. Please, be seated." He gave an oily smirk. "Princess Krysalyn, if you would be so kind as to sit by me, I have reserved you a seat."
"Of course," Lynn said, smoothly, only the slight crease between her black eyebrows showing her misgivings. She slid her arm out of Theo's arm and walk sedately over to where Vardon was indicating. The other members of their little party took the rest of the empty chairs.
Once they had all been seated, Vardon raised his glass. "A toast, to my lovely princesses," he tipped his glass to them with an oily smirk, "and to their prompt parents. Already I have the titles of four of them, and it's only the second day. I'm sure the rest are in transit. After all, I would hate to have to kill any of you."
Theo looked at the row of princesses. They were of varied emotions: some looked close to tears, while others looked outraged.
Dinner was served. There was conversation, although strained, but very little from the royal family. King Gerald practically glowered throughout the entire meal, his black brows drawn together menacingly. Queen Isabella faired a little better, only the slight shake of her hands giving away her fears.
His parents were looking worriedly at the King and Queen as well. His father and he shared a look then Rollo gave a half smile and shrugged, turning back to his meal.
Theo's gaze finally came to rest on Lynn. She was looking remarkably well composed. Her face looked cool as Vardon talked on, and laughed irritatingly loud, and ate noisily. Only a slight flaring of her nostrils revealed her disgust as Vardon brushed his fingers over hers with a sly grin.
"Princess Krysalyn," Vardon announced loud enough for most of the head of the table to hear, "I have often admired you from a distance. Now that my rightful inheritance has been restored to me, I can't help but feel that I have stolen yours from you. But I am willing to rectify that matter. Be my wife and Queen of the whole land of Protantia." He had picked up her hand halfway through his announcement and now brought it to his lips.
"I'm sorry, my Lord Vardon," Lynn said, disengaging her hand from Vardon's grasp, "but I am already engaged to Theodore Par Barrish."
"The Bastard?" he asked, his eyes flying angrily to Theo's countenance. Theo pushed the shock deep down and glared back with a regal air.
"Yes, I am going to wed Theo, 'the bastard,'" Lynn said, her anger finally seeping into her voice. "And frankly, even if I wasn't going to wed 'the bastard', I still wouldn't be marrying you, you backstabbing, foul-smelling snake of a man!"
Vardon's face went as red as his coat. "Have it your way then!" he snarled, waving his hand. All of the family were suddenly back in the King's quarters.
Lynn sighed. "I'm sorry everyone, for losing my temper."
"No worries, dearest," Gerald said, pulling his daughter close. "Nobody blames you."
"Is it true?" Isabella asked, her eyes bright.
"Is what true?" Lynn responded.
"Are you really engaged to Theodore?"
"Oh," Lynn blushed slightly, looking at her toes, "well-"
"Of course it's true," Theo interrupted, coming to take her hand. "We wanted to announce it last night at dinner, but something came up," he said dryly.
"Congratulations!" Rollo said, giving Theo a mighty wallop on the back.
Sarah clapped her hands together, tears in her eyes. "This day could quite possibly be one of the best days of my life," she announced.
"This is excellent!" Gerald exclaimed. "You'll be a fine husband for my daughter."
"Thank you, sir," Theo said seriously. "I will take good care of your daughter."
Lynn gave Theo a 'What are you doing?" look, but Theo just winked at her.
"I suppose we must turn in," Rollo announced, "and come up with a new plan tomorrow."
Everyone agreed.
Theo and Lynn walked together down the hall, flanked on either side by two guards.
"What do you think you're doing," Lynn asked furiously, "lying to my parents like that?"
He stopped in front of the doors leading to Lynn's room. He glared at the guards, but they wouldn't budge.
"Lynn, love," Theo said, taking her shoulders in his hands and meeting her furious blue gaze, "I wasn't lying. Well, at least not completely."
"What?" Lynn asked, her anger fading to be replaced by confusion.
"I really was going to propose last night," Theo admitted. "But I was delayed. I thought that I would wait until this was all over, but then you announced it and stole all my fire." He gave her a grin.
"Oh, you!" Lynn said laughing. "Now what am I supposed to say?"
"Say yes," Theo asked, suddenly seriously.
"Of course yes!" Lynn said, throwing her arms around him and smothering his face in kisses. Theo held her and laughed, kissing her back.
A guard cleared his throat, and the two separated, slowly.
"I'll see you tomorrow, love," Theo whispered.
"Rest well, Theo," Lynn whispered back before going into her room. Two of the guards stayed beside her doors while the other two escorted Theo to his own room.
He whistled all the way down the hallway.