Somewhere deep down, when she said that name it struck a chord in me. "Please forgive my ignorance, but where might I have heard those names?"

Shaking her head she spoke, "Oh, do not worry of it, you are the same age as me, and your island, though lovely is isolated. I speak of my grandparents, who fought in the War of the Ring, but enough of that for now." She paused, "you'd better eat, else there'll be noting left."

"Of course, your highness." I dipped another curtsey and turned back toward the table. My sisters, spread amid the black and silver uniforms, were laughing and talking with the diplomats, each one held a small court around her save Josilyn, who spoke to a single man, brushed off in a corner.

Watching them I picked up a fine silver plate and walked down the table, reaching over heads and thought conversations, each time saying excuse me, for the food. After I had finished, I found an empty spot betwixt two Gondorian men. They stood as I approached the chair and sat after they helped me into my chair.

"Thank you." I said.

The one to my right looked about my age, he had sandy colored hair, and sharp green eyes and a pixie look about him, "Think nothing of it, my lady. I am called Malifh, but in private company, just Mal will do. And this," he said gesturing to the man on the other side of me, is Henry."

Looking at Henry I saw the opposite of Mal's features, where Mal was tanned, Henry was pale, his eyes were nearly black and his hair just as dark. He smiled shyly at me and nodded a greeting, "M'lady,"

Mal pulled my attention away from Henry, "You'll have to forgive him, he is quite shy."

Oh no, don't worry about it," I say as I begin to eat, I look at Henry, "I am not offended."

Mal propped his elbow on the table and his head in his hand, "So, you must be one of the infamous Ladies of Flwse?" he asked with a mischievous smile.

"I'm afraid I don't know what you mean." I answered slightly confused."

"You are the talk of the mainland- Gondor and Roahn although some think it is just a myth. Seven daughters of a lord, each as beautiful as tears of the moon or the heart of the sea; and from what I've seen, it's all true. There are so many poets, and noblemen and indeed just men that want to come here just to see if the tales are true."

As he spoke, I couldn't help but stare at him. When I realized this I immediately put my eyes in my eggs. "You can't be serious. No one even knows of our existence."

"Oh, but all that has changed. The world knows of the beauty that is Flwse, and of the maidens that dwell here. Our visit, I assure you, will not be that last."

"I…don't know what to say."

"Your name should be enough My Lady." Henry said softly.

I looked back at him with kindness, "Of course, I have been rude. I am Falisa of Flwse,"

"Ah," Mal said with raised eyebrow and his mischievous smile that always seemed to be on his face. "You are the Fifth Lady of Flwse, they say you are the musical one."

I continued to eat, "I'm not sure who they are but I'm certain they don't know a thing about me. And neither do you." I said in a frosty tone. I'm not sure why I was so angry with that but I was indeed so angry that without finishing my breakfast I stood, "Good day, Henry, Malifh." and left.

"I'm not sure," I found myself talking to Avery after breakfast, "He just made me angry."

Back in our room I sat on her bed as she brushed her hair out. "Well, I'd say he was just trying to be friendly, you know. Strike up a conversation. What did you say his name was, again?"

"Mal. I mean Malifh." I addressed him by his full name, refraining from the intimacy of nicknames.

Avery's brush suddenly clattered to the floor as the gasped.

"What?" I prompted.

"Malifh of Gondor?"

"I guess." I said my voice toned with irritation.

She turned around in her chair to face me, "I guess you don't know that Malifh of Gondor is the first cousin of the princess, then did you?"

"He's what!"

D'neo rolled over on her bed and glared at us, "Just what is with all this noise? I'm trying to write a poem over here and the pair of you are gossiping away."
My dark haired pixie sister smiled with her eyes, then her mouth. "You won't believe it even if I tell you."

That got the attention of everyone in the room, suddenly all eyes were fixed on me. Avery continued, "Your sister little ole' Falisa, just blew off the cousin of the princess, yelled at him and everything."

"You did what?" five voices said in unison, along with a barrage of "I can't believe this." And "what for" and "Why did you ever do that?"

And I all I could do is sit there and think, I just offended the Princesses cousin. What ever am I going to do?

After my sisters got done yelling I excused myself to the garden, hoping to get in some good thinking in about how I was going to apologize to Mal. I mean Malifh. As I strolled down the hall, and I must confess I was strolling quite a bit fast, I thought about what I would say. 'Goodness me, I've just been informed of who you are and I'm horribly sorry' didn't seem like it was good enough in this instance. But it is not in my nature to be a simpering fool either.

I was so wrapped in my own thoughts I hardly noticed the Princess until I walked into her, sending both she and I into an unlady-like sprawl on the floor.

"My lady!" I exclaimed when I realized, "Oh my goodness, I am so sorry!" as I spoke we helped each other to our feet.

Chuckling she answered, "Oh, don't worry overmuch about it. I wasn't watching where I was going."

After being righted, I searched myself for injury. I noticed a small tear at the bottom of my skirt but that could mend. "Are you sure you're alright?" I asked again,

"Sure," she replied, dusting off her purple gown, "No harm done."

We looked at each other and smiled.

"Where you headed?" Princess Elween prompted, "Because I was actually going for a stroll in your garden, if you would care to join me."

"Actually, my lady, that is where I am going and I would love to join you."

"Please," she said we began to walk, "If you would just call me Lady Elween instead of my lady it's much less formal."

"Of course my la- I mean Lady Elween, it would be my pleasure."

As we walked toward the garden we chatted about the weather and other silly things. It didn't take us very long to reach the garden.

It was still fresh from the morning mist, and the flowers glisined under the moisture. Our garden was our pride, my sisters and I, we had all sorts for flowers in every shape in every color from the dark red Bleeding Thumbs, who's petals were tear shaped and opened only in the morning, to the prickle berry bushes, who's sweet-sour berries were nearly white.

"Your garden is lovely," Lady Elween breathed as she took in the landscape.

"Thank You. My sisters and I planted it together."

"You did a lovely job."

"Thank you."

AS we stepped onto the flagstone path she turned to me, "When I go to my garden at home it's usually because I have some thinking to do. Dare I ask why you were on your way here?"

I sighed before I answered, "I come to thing, yes that's true, but it's also a sanctuary. I know every place in this garden, every place to hide," my voice carried to her ears over the churning water, but no farther, "I come to escape my sisters, my parents," with a pause and a laugh I continued, "my problems."

The princess stopped to bend over a light blue flower bush, "and what problems would a lovely lady as your self have?"

"Well…" I began. "I was rude to some one over breakfast, and for no reason, he was just trying to be funny I guess,"

"Did he tease you?" he said to the flower.

"Yes. But that is no excuse, I have to apologize."

"Who, may I ask, teased you?"

When I didn't answer she laughed and turned to me, "You don't have to tell me but, did you ever stop to think, that he teased you because he thought you were pretty?"

And at that she once again started down the path, leaving me sputtering and curious.

I sat in the garden for a while after that, thinking and wondering about trying to decide what I would say to Mal. I mean Malifh. And as I sat and thought wouldn't you know it, my sister Josilyn flitted out into the garden and then not five minuets later Henry came after that.

Now, as a younger sister, you can't just expect me to walk away from that can you? So discretely, I followed them all the way to the cliffs. When Henry finally caught up with Josilyn she turned to him and smiled. Ducking behind topiary I watched the scene unfold. He grasped her hands and spoke softly to her. I could tell it was some mushey-lovey stuff by the glisten in her eyes. The wind whipped around them, blowing hair and cloth about and in the magic of the moment, they kissed. I suddenly felt embarrassed and lonely. Without disturbing them I turned to walk away, back towards the keep.

Back inside I walked the halls like a waif, dreading the noon-meal because I would have to face Mal again. I mean Malifh. After that thought I decided to go get my harp I desperately needed distracted. I was all set and on my way when wouldn't you know it, but I walked straight into Mal.

His hands went round my waist to secure me and lingered there a moment too long.

"My lady," he murmured in apology.

"No don't" I said, stepping back from him, "I should be the one to apologize. I was rude and cross with you this morn with out just cause and I-"

"No, please, I presumed to know you, you were correct. I do not know you or your family," he paused, "but I would like to."

Taken aback by his change in tone I raised my eyebrow in question, "Me, or my family?"

"You."

Blushing, I found myself speechless and let me assure you that does not happen often. "I'm not…uhm…" I sputtered, trying to regrasp the world I'd held so firmly. Nothing like this had ever happened to me before.

Mal seemed to find my stupidity charming. He smiled, "I was talking with Avery, and she told me you are to perform at tomorrows feast."

Suddenly my world came back into focus, he was just being his charming self, and why should I worry about that? Why had I become flustered, he was just being polite, "Yes, that is true, although I do not really wish to, I must. I am the best musician of the lot of them." I studied him. Oh, he was handsome alright and friendly to boot. He was taller than me by a hand-span, well muscled, trim waist, and… what that I pipe?

"Do you play the pipe?"

He glanced down at his side and smiled, "Oh, yes I do."

"Would you play with me tomorrow? I would be honored."

If it was possible, his smile got brighter, "No, I confess, I would be the honored one. I would love to. Shall we meet and practice tomorrow?"

"I think that would be best." For the first time I really looked at him and for some reason, I could not stop my smile from coming. I started to speak but the noon-meal bell rung just as I opened my mouth,

"Time for the noon-day," I said aloud. "Would you care to escort me?"

"Certainly." Mal replied and offered me his arm.

It seemed all was well. I sat with my sisters and laughed and was charming and did all the things the daughter of a host lord are supposed to do. As I rose to take a turn about the room after I'd finished me meal. As I walked, I lost myself in the conversation Mal and I had had. Half of me believed he was just being nice while the other half…. Well I'm not sure what it believes.

"…and isn't it lovely Fal?"

I turned at the interrupting and discovered Joislyn was there.

"Oh, Jos…"

"You haven't herd a word I've said have you," she said fixing an accusing stare on me.

"Uh…"

"Lord Henry has… he has requested my hand!" she whispered excitedly.

I spoke before I had tome to think about what she had said, "For what? He had two of his own and they work perfectly!"

"In marriage."

"What?"