Thank you, Ysengrinn. I'm glad you can't pick on me yet. After all, Amelia is happy and I'm not bashing her. *gasp* And the reason why Amelia's husband and his servants have Russian names is because the Russian monarchy had so many princelings running around that it's conceivable that one ended up on Lina's world.

Samanda

Uncommon Vows

Chapter Three: Sleepless Thoughts


Lina's POV:

"How long ago did you see him?" Amelia demanded.

Syphiel glanced curiously at me but replied. "Three days ago."

"He must have gotten it by now." Amelia was agitated as she spoke to herself.

A small furrow appeared on Syphiel's forehead. "Who?"

"Zelgadis, of course." Amelia said after she came out of her reverie.

A loud hush came over the group but Amelia didn't notice. Syphiel threw me an inquiring glance but I simply mouthed "Later" to her. She nodded to me once then went back to analyzing Amelia's behavior. After concluding that Amelia was simply nervous and not about to throw herself into a fit, Syphiel relaxed.

Gourry, on the other hand, simply continued smiling blankly at Syphiel and Amelia. He began polishing his sword for lack of anything better to do. I simply shook my head at the blonde swordsman. I kept my mouth shut because, after all, what am I supposed to say? He's no longer my responsibility so I can let him get away with whatever stupidity he's doing at the moment.

A servant came in bearing a tray of meats, cheeses and bread. A small barrel of wine was strapped to his back. He set the tray down on a table close to us then carefully put the wine down on the table. Napkins and wine glasses were produced and set down. He bowed once to Amelia then showed himself out.

Fifteen or twenty minutes was spent choosing what we wanted then sitting down to nibble and enjoy ourselves. I swirled the wine in my glass to check the color. I let it breathe for a few minutes before taking a small sip and savoring the flavor. Ah, Zelfilian wine. An excellent choice for a princess.

A collective silence fell over us. I was thinking of Zel and I'm sure that everyone was thinking of him as well. I have always enjoyed traveling with Zel, except for when he was annoying me. And he annoyed me plenty sometimes.

The way he brooded and the ever present dark expression on his face I remembered clearly. The way he would withdraw and seem to be miles away though he stood not ten feet from me came to my mind. His sarcastic, cutting tongue that he used so effectively to wound his prey. Those were all things that he did that annoyed me.

And I can remember with a little quiver of remorse that most things in the past that annoyed me usually ended up a la flambe. Of course I was more careful with Zel than I ever have been with anyone else. His sense of self was and continues to be so fragile. I had no wish to damage it. I treated him as I would any person I trusted and was friends with. That surprised him but later on I hoped he would draw comfort from that fact.

That to me, he was a person. In fact, he still is. There were two reasons that I befriended him. The first was that I liked him as a person. And the other was that everyone needs a friend sometimes.

And Zel needs a friend more than he comprehends. And all of his friends know that and try to be there for him when he needs us. I don't need to know that he appreciates me, or rather, us. I just need to know that every once in a while, an old friend of mine will seek out my company.

Suddenly Amelia stands up and walks to the window. I come out of my deep thoughts and realize that they have all been conversing around me while I was occupied. With a shock I notice that it's late evening.

"I must go." Amelia spoke then turned around to face us. She flashed us a smile. "I must go and get some sleep. The ceremony is tomorrow and I must look my best."

"Pleasant dreams, Miss Amelia." Syphiel spoke kindly.

I gave Amelia a small smile. "Goodnight, Amelia."

'G'night." Gourry chimed in.

Amelia nodded and looked happy."I will see you all tomorrow then."

She walked through the door and I could hear the sounds of her slippers and skirt rustling as she walked through the hall to her room. The sound faded and then disappeared altogether.

Syphiel turned to me immediately and asked. "Now what in Cephied is going on?"

"Amelia has forgiven Zel." I replied and then explained the conversation we had earlier. "And then she sent him a wedding invitation."

"Hmm..." Said a thoughtful Syphiel. "I'm glad that it has finally happened. Now both of them can start on the healing path of forgiveness."

I muttered. "Not if it only makes things worse."

Syphiel looked at me with her soft eyes. "Are you thinking that Zel might think that Amelia is trying to make him jealous?"

I dismissed that. "No, although that is a good thing to consider. What I'm referring to is something totally different. I know that the disaster damaged his trust in Amelia but I find myself wondering if he distrusts the rest of us to a smaller degree."

I see." Syphiel frowned. "It is a good possibility, Miss Lina."

I sighed heavily. "I hope that isn't true."

"It's late." Syphiel remarked as she glanced out the window. "Would you mind walking me to my chamber door, Gourry dear?"

Gourry flashed a brilliant smile. "Not at all."

Syphiel turned back towards me. "Lina?"

"No," I waved her off. "I'm fine here. I just want to think for a while."

After a few more assurances on my part, they finally left. I sunk back into my comfortable chair and sighed. I was still troubled and though I sought an answer, none came to my mind. I gave my sleepless thoughts free reign in the warm, lonely library that night.