Disclaimer: Don't own anything, never have, never will. Don't earn money from this, never have, never will.
Author's note: Thanks guys, for taking the time to review and all... really appreciate the effort. But I should really tell you that this story isn't going to rush lot about the two love birds. I mean I don't really like romances to rush right straight to the love and marriage stuff…it's too fast. Yup, hope you understand. Oh yeah, this story is after the war.
Mystikal 19: Yeah, I guess I feel like that too. If you like idea, you could check my first fic out. It's about Eowyn and there are some views she has about Males. Thanks for the Review!
Deandra : Yeah, I've changed the "there" to "their" already, and the whole break thing, I realized only after it was too late. But now, I'm using "Xs". And it stays. Thanks for pointing it out. Also wanted to say how the Elfwine Chronicles rock! I love the whole series.
LothirielofGondor: This takes place after the war. And long chapters are hard, cos, I start rambling along, but I guess I'll get better at it as time goes by. But I'll try.
Taima 1: Glad you like it! And bout the line or italics thing, I actually had it, but apparently booted it out, and I realized they only recognized word characters. Silly of me, I know, but now, I've followed Deandra's suggestion and put "Xs". Thanks for suggesting it though, appreciate it.
Fluer 137: yeah, I also can't get enough of those fics, which is partly why I'm writing one. And the last chapter wasn't really a proper chapter actually, it was just a background default, to let you guys know how she feels about all the men around her, to reveal her character a bit. I'll try to update as soon as I can, but school's starting, so it might take me longer if the chaps are longer. Thanks anyway.
Wondereye: yeah I like long chapters too, but their hard to write. I find myself rambling about stuff which are not important. But I'll try.
Neverending Shadow: Glad you liked it! But you really should start your own accnt. you know. That way, you can work on individual stories. Remember, ASAP!
Rachel 791: Great that you like it. Really makes my day to find that you guys like reading it. Thanks!
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The Swan Princess and the Horse Lord
Lothiriel POV
I was lounging in my room, waiting for the rain to die down before sneaking out to the stables. Snowfoam, would definitely get restless after not being ridden for such a long time.
I lay on my bed, looking out the window, admiring the tiny raindrops, and thinking of how nice it would be to be out in the rain. I haven't done that in ages, after being reprimanded by my father for not acting like a "proper court lady" should. I couldn't really care for whims about proper behavior of a court lady, but I hardly ever liked to let my father down.
There was a knock on my door, and my hand maid, Alassiel came in. We've been friends for a long time since we were both sixteen. She was very meek and shy then, refusing to go past the "my lady" phrase, but after some persuasion, she finally started to call me by my name. Soon after, she even started to call me by my nickname. I also suspect she's had a crush on my brother, Amrothos, since she first came in. and I tease her mercilessly about it.
"What would you like to do today, Riel?"
"I think I'll go to the stables after the rain dies down, although after that, I wouldn't mind going to the library for a while before mid-day meal."
"Really, Riel, the maids are starting to gossip that you'll stay an old hag forever! You should go socialize more often. You know, go to those, what do they call it, archery contests or something. Catch a few winks here and there, if you get my meaning, not being cooped up here like you've got a hideous face."
"Ala, you know better then to listen to those women, gossiping for no reason. And you also know I detest going to social functions, whatever made you suggest such a thing?"
"I'm sorry, just thought I should help liven you up a bit. You seem so withdrawn lately."
"I guess so. It's just that if I knew my father well, and I do, he will want to see me married off soon, and I don't want that. I'm happy here. I'm fine with things just as they are." I sighed and started to fiddle with the hem of my sleeve. "It's this whole marriage thing. Ada is just too eager to see me off. I just know that any moment, he'll want me to see him in his study to further discuss my future 'prospects'."
And right at that moment, there was a knock on my door and Amrothos poked his head in.
I turned to catch Ala's reaction, only to find her looking at everything but my brother.
"Riel, Ada wants to see you in his study. Now." He said, then looked as if considering if he should accompany me for a while. I exchanged a look with Ala, recalling what I had just said a few moment earlier.
"Come in Amrothos" I said slyly, catching Ala's glare. Amrothos closed the door behind him and noticed Ala. He smiled and nodded briefly at her, but only I caught her face turn red.
"What does he want to see me for?" I asked, already knowing the answer, but wanted to see what Amrothos thought about it. Out of three brothers, I was closer to him, and we shared many interests and views.
"I think you should already know what he wants to talk to you about, the thing is, what do you think about it?" Darn, he had beaten me to the question.
"I don't want to settle down just yet." I said to him straight, looking at him to catch his reaction, but he hid it carefully. I knew he was trying to come to an answer to please me, yet not to offend Ada in anyway.
"I know how you feel, Riel. Life is fine now, with the war over and the rebuilding going smoothly, but you have to think about your future. I also know that you wouldn't mind living an old maid for life if you had to, but we both know that Ada would never allow this. It's not possible for time to stop, Riel, you have to plan ahead. Besides, now with the Dark Lord out of our hair, Kingdoms are being rebuild, and there will be a few who WILL ask you hand in marriage to form an alliance with Gondor and Dol Amroth. This is how it goes, I'm sorry if you don't like it, because I don't like it either, but we can't do anything about it."
"I know, I guess we'd better go to Ada now." I said getting up from my position and took the hand which Amrothos offered.
We made our way to Ada's study, and knocked on the door. Hearing someone say to enter, we did.
I walked over to my father and gave him a kiss on the cheek, spotting my elder brothers, Elphir and Erchirion by the fire, sharing a drink of wine.
"You wanted to see me Ada?" I asked.
"I believe you know what I want to talk to you about, Lothiriel." He looked at me, trying to gauge if I had a strong refusal to what he was about to say. But I wanted him to say it, get straight to the point, not to play with words. I was the one who played with words, not him, or my brothers. So, I decided to feign ignorance.
"I don't know, what did you want to see me about? Could it have to do with you getting me to dance with every possible male in the room? I don't know." I said, looking at him straight in the eye, but he was unable to meet my gaze. This was weird; usually I was the one, who couldn't hold his look, not the other way around. Then I feared the worst, did he already agree to marry me off? I masked my feeling, wanting him to get to the point.
"Riel, this is hard enough for me, please don't make it harder" he asked, with a hint of plea in his tone. Oh No, he has already agreed then. I felt my knees weakened.
"I have been approached by quite a few nobles, requesting for your hand in marriage. And, I mean, quite a few. I had wanted to agree to one specific gentleman, seeing that he is a good man.." he looked at me. And I held my breathe, hoping to hear that he did other wise.
"However, your brothers have persuaded me to wait a while, to get you to get to know him better." I let go the breathe I was holding. At least I still had time, time to think of something else, a plan to free me of this, man. I glanced at Elphir and Erchirion by the fireplace, and gave them a weak smile, which showed how grateful I was to them. Looking out the window, I realize that the rain had stop. Maybe I should go riding after this, to clear my mind. It'll be a bit muddy, but I need the break. "…Lord Lanus of Lebennin has approached me for my permission to, to er.., how shall I say this, to court you for a while."
I turned my head sharply to glare at my Ada. I rarely defied my father, but everyone knew that courtships led to betrothals, which in turn led to marraige! Agreeing to this courtship is like agreeing to give me away for marriage. And in my eyes, this meant death. Death for me. My spirit. I would never love that man. He was after all, a stranger from a foreign land, whom I've only danced with once. My spirit would die, from this. Just like I could feel it shriveling up right now, knowing that this arrangement would mean the worse for me.
"And you agreed." My voice low. It was more of a statement then a question. My tone was paved with venom, my ire rised, but I hid it, albeit thinly. Only Amrothos could read my feelings, Amrothos, Faramir and Ala. "and you agreed to this…this COURTSHIP!" I shouted, barely controlling my temper now.
My anger flared when he just forlornly avoided my gaze, and nodded his head. I hated this arrangement, this agreement; it had to be called off, no matter what.
"Lothiriel, I know this is hard to take but if you just give him time, you'll learn to accept him. Just give him time, Riel, and you'll be fine." He spoke softly now, trying to calm my anger.
"Ada, this conversation is over! And so is this non-existent COURTSHIP I have with Lord Lanus. It is Over." I hissed with raw anger in my eyes. I headed for the door, and was almost in the hall when someone grabbed my wrist. I knew it was Amrothos, pulling me back to talk it over, but I wasn't thinking right at the moment. I turned around and brought my hand to scratch his. I hadn't trimmed my nails yet, and they were quite long, but I really wasn't thinking right, I did it out of pique. I was fuming mad, raving in my head about this agreement. I was not consulted, and this concerned my life!
I ran out of the corridor, and into my room. How can this be possible? I kept asking myself. Half of me wanted to cry at my death sentence, to cry to let go off my anger, yet the other half wanted to laugh. To laugh at this sticky situation I was in. to laugh my distress off. I was at lost at what to feel now. I was numb from the different emotions I was feeling. Anger, hate, fear, distress, humor, stress, pressure. It flooded my senses and I was trapped. For once in my life, I didn't know what to do. To scream or to cry, to laugh or to frown. But I found I could do none. And I feared for myself, my spirit. My spirit was trapped in a burning furnace, consuming my life, scorching my senses, feelings and emotions. I had to clear my thoughts for a while, and I could only do that while riding in the fields or sailing
In the open sea. Seeing how the latter is not an option at such a short notice, I changed into my riding clothes and left for the stables.
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Okay,…here where you guys come in. I have many views and ways in which this story goes. However, I can't make up my mind as to which direction it should take. Just hit the review button and tell me what you think. I'm kinda leaning to one particular direction/plot. But just let me see what you guys would like, I might incorporate it in or something
Tell me what you think…and if you have any other ideas…just drop a review…
I also dun mind flames on this chapter…just give me feedback, I'm open to whatever you've got to say.