Disclaimer: if I owned this plotline, I would be quite dead. I'm not, so I don't.

Warnings: this chapter gets a bit…spicy in parts.

Chapter Five: Seething Masses of Silk

"Announcing Princess Elensar of Meridian," The Herald boomed. I caught my breath as I stepped into the full light. I sauntered up to the throne and curtsied low before King Adrian, taking his hand and bringing up to my lips for a delicate kiss, all while being insulting and respectful at te same time.

"Remember," he murmured softly. "Five dances with me."

"I remember, your majesty," I snapped softly.

"Good." He smiled and turned to the next person who was coming up to greet him. I walked down the steps leading up to the throne and wandered over to the refreshment table.

I munched happily on the many delicacies that the servants had arranged with artistic skill. I longed for the dance floor, somewhat, as I hadn't danced since I had been home. My feet longed to remember the pattern of the steps and to feel the swirl of my skirts against my ankles as I spun around in the arms of my partner. Lost in my wishes, I finished off a particularly delicious cookie and tried to start in on my fingers before I noticed the young noble eyeing me with amusement.

"Yes?" I asked, wiping crumbs away and hoping desperately that my face was not flushing a brilliant scarlet.

"May I have this dance?" I didn't recognize him, but he smiled charmingly. Flipping a wayward strand of brown hair out of his eyes, he held out his hand.

"I'd be honored if you'd dance with me," I said, smiling in return and forgetting all about the crumbs. We stepped out onto the dance floor, and it was like coming home. Almost. What were missing were my sisters and their enchanted partners.

"No, Princess, I am honored to dance with you. I have been informed that you are a very good dancer." He smiled and we whirled apart. I looked up at Adrian and frowned. How much did he know?

"What is your name?" I asked my partner when we came together again.

"Lord Geoffrey of Glenwood. It's a province in Teheran." He smiled and his hands slid around my waist. "Teheran is neighbor to Delran; it's on the north side of Delran." His hand grasped mine in his, and I noticed that it was perfectly unblemished.

We spun apart, changing partners several times before meeting again. His hands encircled my waist again and he whispered in my ear, "You are a very good dancer, just like I have heard. Your skills are unparalleled from what I have seen here." His lips brushed my cheek as we parted, and I shivered. Geoffrey spun me around and I caught a glimpse of Adrian, sitting on his throne, back ramrod straight, watching me.

I returned to Geoffrey's arms within a mater of moments and stayed there for the short remainder of the song.

As many partners as there were dances after that, and I rarely got a chance to rest between songs claimed me. Finally, I sank gratefully into one of the little alcoves in the wall designed for dancers at rest or, more scandalously, lovers at dalliance. Closing my eyes, I let the feeling of stillness wash over me with relief.

"Elensar," I opened my eyes. Adrian was standing in front of me, holding out his hand and grinning. "I am very sorry to disturb you from your much deserved rest, but I have come to claim one of my dances. No worries for you, it is slower than those that you were previously dancing and this should give you some time to catch your breath."

"I'm just so delighted," I groaned, taking his hand and pulling myself up. I noticed a distinct difference between Geoffrey's grip and Adrian's. Adrian did not cling to me so possessively as Geoffrey had. I could only just feel the calluses that marred his palm.

"Come, I'm sure you are." Adrian smiled and walked out onto the floor with my hand held in his. The dance that Adrian had chosen was slower than most-although it still had the dancers moving around. Whereas the dance that Geoffrey had danced with me had the partners separating and changing hands many times, this did not. Adrian's left hand seemed to be a permanent fixture on my waist, his other hand holding tightly to mine.

I returned to the dreams that I had held in Meridian, before Adrian had abducted me. I thought of him simply as a man, and a rather handsome one at that. My reverie was broken as he spoke.

"Tell me," he said, murmuring the words close to my ear, "Wherever did you learn to dance so well?"

I pulled back suspiciously. "From the dancing masters at Meridian-Hall," I whispered back, taking note of the mischievous gleam in his eye.

"Surely even they could not dance as well as you," I noticed suddenly that his face was very close to mine, and I turned my cheek away from his. "You have the grace and suppleness of a dancer who practices every chance she gets, and yet I know how your schedules worked when I was in Meridian. There could have been no time for dancing then."

My breathing was coming faster, and I could feel my heartbeat pounding through my chest. "It must be a gift then," I said, amazed, and pleased, that my voice was devoid of any emotion.

"Is it?" Adrian asked softly. Everything seemed to be closing in on me, and I shivered violently.

"Adrian, stop," I begged him, feeling the tears welling in my eyes. Suddenly, I realized for how much I proclaimed that I didn't care if I fulfilled that cursed prophecy, I did care. A lot. I didn't want it to come true at all.

He inhaled sharply and sighed, lifting his head up. "I'm sorry, that was not proper of me to question you in such a manner."

I sniffled a little, nodding my head. I was certain now. He had to know, or at least suspect.

When the slow promenade ended, Adrian took his leave of me to go find another partner to dance with.

"I have four dances still to claim," he said softly, letting the fingertips of his left hand trail across my waist.

I noticed another young man glancing at me every few seconds and I backed away from Adrian. "Good night, I will see you again." Adrian's face crumpled for a moment at the formal chill that coated my voice, and then the royal mask slipped back on again.

"I will, milady Princess." Adrian said, bowing formally. He turned and walked away, and I watched the fine fabric on his jacket rippling with every move he made.

"Milady Princess Elensar, may I have this dance?" My latest prospective partner made his move.

"Of course," I accepted his offer, smiling and wondering where all the people had come from.

I danced two more dances, including another waltz with Lord Geoffrey, before Adrian came to claim me again.

"Elensar, I claim my second dance," Adrian said from behind me. Lord Geoffrey bowed low and surrendered me to the King. 

"Your majesty," I said in greeting, keeping up my cool façade with him. Adrian had picked a graceful allemande to dance to, and once again, I was grateful for the respite from the fast dances.

Just as the music was ending, Adrian murmured, "Don't wear out your shoes tonight, my dear dancing Princess."

I stared at him stupidly for a moment, not entirely sure what to make of him, or the situation. Then a new partner swept me up and I was caught up in the whirl of the pavan. I could tell it was getting later. The dances were getting wilder, meaning that someone had dipped into the wine one too many times.

"Elensar." Adrian's hand weighed heavily on my shoulder. "Come."

I went with him without a word. He led me to a smaller ballroom where couples still waltzed around in an orderly manner.

His hand found mine, and our fingers twined together. I lifted the other hand in time with the music and began to whirl around the ballroom with him. At one point, the steps in the dance had us pressed so close together that I could feel the heat radiating from his body. His hands rested lightly on my stomach and mine were on his hips. The beautiful river-like quality of the music soon had us flowing apart again, then together, all in a graceful pattern of steps and coordinated spins.

Then song ended with a long held note, and Adrian pulled me to him to hold it out. The musicians seemed to stretch the note out into infinity, and I began to relax against Adrian.

"Dance with me," he said as the fermata ended and a lively gavotte began.

"I'd be honored," I said, desperately clinging to my last reserve of chilliness. Then, we reeled off into the fancy footwork and complex patterns of the song. I met hands with many partners, being lifted up by every third one. For once I was happy that I was still small, and by the relieved looks on my partners faces, they were too.

At one point (as it was doomed to happen) my third partner was Adrian. I looked on his face and smiled as I rose into the air. He picked me up with an ease that my other partners hadn't possessed. His hands were strong and steady around my waist…and then I was back on the ground and stepping off.

Once the dancers had reached their original partners again, the dance ended. Many of the dancers were smiling and exhilarated, including myself.

"Elensar, come walk with me." Adrian took my hand and pulled me away. The night had drawn on long enough that I had forgotten any previous grudges or fears and so I happily followed him. I was not in the slightest bit worried that he might pull something akin to unbuttoning my dress in the grand hall.

I followed his footsteps until we were outside in the wan moonlight. His fingers were locked within my own and I could feel the warmth from his hand.

"Here we are," he said, his words caressing my ears.

"Where?" I inquired.

"In the Gardens." Adrian put a finger on my lips. "Quiet. Just enjoy it."

For once, I didn't argue with him. The night was chilly, and I shivered slightly. Adrian draped an arm around my shoulder, pulling me toward him. I was glad of his added warmth, for my dress was made for the more forgiving indoor environment.

My eyes adjusted to the different lighting and I became aware of a pond reflecting bits of moonlight near us. The precious blooms of the moonflower encircled the pond. I sighed at the exquisite beauty of it all. We had nothing near so beautiful as the moonflower in Meridian, and certainly no ponds to reflect the tiniest bit of moonlight. We had instead, huge lakes, tumbling waterfalls, shaded forest and acres of swampland.

I drank it all in, savoring every last memory of the nightly beauty.

"Do you think that they are beautiful?" Adrian's warm voice startled me out of my rumination.

"Yes," I replied, pulling away so I could look him in the eyes.

"They are nothing compared to you," he said, a tender smile playing around his lips.

I felt a hot blush seeping through my neck and face at his romanticism. "You flatter me unduly," I protested.

"No, no one could flatter you enough, my dear," The smiled grew broader and his eyes danced. "No matter how much I might try."

I shivered and lowered my eyes to my hands, both of which were still intertwined with Adrian's. A feeling of pleasure suffused me, and I wasn't quite sure what to do with it except smile.

Adrian withdrew first one hand, then the other from my grasp and placed one on either side of my face. His eyes bored into me, and I felt as if he could tell every thought that I was thinking. I closed my eyes, partially because of that feeling and partly because I was afraid.

"There are no words for you, Elensar, my love. There are only emotions." Adrian said, his breath misting over my face. I opened my eyes again, and he smiled slowly, first with a crinkling of the eyes, then with his lips. Oh his lips- I couldn't take my eyes away from that and then…

I was crushed against him, caught in the grips of a passionate kiss. It was wonderful and terrifying; it electrified me to the core of my being, shocking me beyond belief. I was so lost in Adrian's ardor that reason slowly slipped away, leaving me quite helpless in his arms. I was no longer a Princess, and he was no longer the King; we were simply in existence.

Longing suffused me, and I kissed him back, tentatively at first, and then with a passion that matched his own. My arms slipped around his neck to draw him even closer to me, and he made a happy sound that was muffled by my lips.

Fortunately, reality chose that moment to strike a harsh blow. I pulled back from Adrian and stared at him, my heart fluttering about my chest like a caged bird.

"Elensar-" His words came out strangled, and he tried to pull me back to him. I slapped him, a resounding smack hanging in the air.

"No." One of his hands went up to his cheek and I shook my head. "No," I said again, but softer.

"Yes," Adrian replied, so caught up in his passion that he forgot the red handprint covering his cheek. His hands reached out for me and pulled me close again, his mouth taking possession of mine.

My strength was no match for his, but I did know how to use what power I had to my greatest advantage. I slipped my hands around his waist and began to poke and pinch him in the sensitive, tender spots I knew were there.

"What are you doing?" He asked hoarsely, his eyes wild in the moonlight.

"I should ask the same of you," I retorted angrily, standing up.

"Elensar, come here!" He grabbed my hand and tried to pull me back.

"No!" I wrenched myself free and bunched my skirts in my hands, preparing to run if he made another move toward me. "You can't keep me here any longer!" I hissed at him through clenched teeth. Then I did run.

Author's Note: ::sigh:: For all of those who have been begging for Elensar to do something, well…ta da! She did something, and will do more things…in the next chapter, of course. Until then- Review! Review! Review!

Chattings to lovely Reviewers…

Flummoxed: ::hands over some s'mores:: They were yummy! You've given up on her running away, eh? What do you say now? I'm glad you can see the showing and not telling- I'm positive you'll get it in your own writing soon!

 Zagato: Here, have an update! :D

No Myridon:  Oooh! I can keep you off balance…hehe. I'm glad that this has the element of surprise! And I get smiley faces and gold stars? I feel special!

Miss Piratess: Lord Raven? He appears again, no worries. He's not extremely important, but he is more involved with the plot than the rest of Adrian's Court (or, the Palace of Psychos). You'll see…:D As for romance between Raven and Elensar, well, he's rather too old for her, so…you can have him! He's all yours! :oP

Turwen: You think she's believable?!?! Yay!!! :: very happy dance::

Maple Rose: Yeah, I always find it slightly annoying when all the Pretty Princess Heroes don't like feminine things…it doesn't seem quite right, to me. So I made Elensar different! Planning? Maybe

Thank you much to all of you! ::hugs::