Warnings: blood? Maybe? And apologies…

Chapter Sixteen: Ministrations and Explanations

"Come, Amyntas." Laertes directed quickly, the first to recover from the shock I had given them. "Bring your kit and meet me at the King's tent."

"Yes, sir." Amyntas nodded, and rushed out.

"Princess, please, stay here and wait for our return. I'm sure Matthew can find some way to keep you entertained." A tense smile stretched Laertes' lips, and he glared pointedly at the soldier.

"No, I will not stay here. I'm coming with you." I stood, quite ready to go with them.

"No, you won't come with us. It will be no place for a Princess." Laertes pushed me down. "Stay here."

I rolled my eyes, but didn't reply. Laertes left without another word. As soon as the tent flap had fallen back into place, however, I was outside and following Laertes.

"Princess," Matthew, the soldier, walked after me, looking lost. "Princess, please, come back to the tent."

"No." I continued walking. "I'm going to have a little…um…talk with Adrian." I shook his hand off, and whirled around when he tried to hold be back again. "Would you gainsay a Princess?"

Matthew looked ashamed. "N-no, milady."

"Good." I observed carefully which tent Laertes went into. "That one, eh?" It was a patched, unprepossessing affair of dirty cloth and a faded sigil sewn hastily onto the side. "Never would have guessed." I shrugged and waited a few moments more.

"P-princess?" Matthew tugged gently at my sleeve.

"What?"

"Please come this way."

"No thanks, I'm busy. Try back later, please." I smiled, hoping the grotesque gesture that stretched my lips resembled a smile in some minute way. I picked my way over to Adrian's tent, where two guardsmen were rooted firmly in place.

"I'm sorry, Princess Elensar, the Physicians have said no one is to be allowed in." The man on the left looked down at me as he spoke.

"Hi, my name is no one, now can I go in?" I glared up at him, impatiently tapping my foot.

"No, I'm sorry, milady, but no." The guard shifted his hand warningly to the hilt of his sword.

"I'm a Princess then, obey me. I rank you by quite a good deal, my friend." I leaned in closer, a bit conspiratorially, "I think that it's in your best interest to let me in."

"Milady, I cannot…"

"You can and you will." I smiled, and attempted to walk past him. He stopped me with a large hand.

"No."

I crossed my arms belligerently. "Adrian!" I yelled suddenly, startling the people around me. "I want to talk to you Adrian!"

Amyntas appeared at the entrance to the tent. "Princess! What do you think you're doing, yelling like that?"

"I want to see Adrian." I tried my best to look docile and sweet. 1'm certain that I failed miserably.

"You can't," the Physician seemed exasperated with me.

"Yes I can. I'll keep yelling to him from out here if you don't let me go in, too." I pushed past the guard, and he let me go by without protest.

"Princess…" Amyntas still blocked the tent door. "Please, stay outside. Its rather…messy." He grimaced.

"What kind of Princess do you think I am?" I asked him. "Do you think I'm some dainty little girl who will most certainly faint at the sight of blood?"

"No, but I thought to spare your sensibilities."

"Don't worry about my sensibilities. They'll survive."

He moved aside with a shrug, and muttered, "Whatever floats your boat."

I sailed past him and into the tent. I gasped; Adrian was covered in blood, Laertes was a gory mess as well, and there were massive amounts of crimson rags scattered about the tent.

"I never knew that we could bleed so much," I mumbled, feeling lightheaded for a moment. Amyntas took my elbow and tugged me gently toward the door. "No." I tugged away from him and took a deep breath.

"Princess! What are you doing in here?" Laertes spared a moment to glare at me, but immediately turned back to the King as soon as he moaned.

"Elensar…" Adrian lifted a hand weakly.

"You are an idiot, your majesty," I informed him coldly. "Did you know that? You are a godforsaken idiotic obsessive pig."

He mumbled something, and frowned. I thought I heard, "…unforgiving, cold hearted, mean bitch…"

"You're very flattering. I mean, I just love it whenever someone loves me so much that they would die for me!" I knelt beside his head. "But most lovers, m'dear, don't mean it quite so literally."

"I'm sorry." He opened his eyes to look up at me.

"Thank you." I smoothed his hair back a bit. "Adrian, why would you try and kill yourself over a foreign Princess who is from a land that harbors no special love for you or your country, and who harbors no tender emotions towards you, when you could easily have had Lady Ilea or one of your other court ladies?"

A frown creased his forehead and he grunted in pain. "Damn you Elensar. The world," he sucked in his breath in a painful gasp, "does not," a muttered curse and a wince, "revolve around you." He cried out, and I looked to Laertes, worried.

"He'll be fine. Just stitching him up. I think being dead drunk saved his life here. He missed anything vital by a few inches on all sides. Didn't go deep enough, anyhow. Lucky bastard." Laertes took another stitch and Adrian cried out again.

I looked away. "Will he live?"

"Of course he will, girl. I've seen worse than this, too. Our King's in good health, so he should survive." Laertes grimly continued on his work. Suddenly, he looked up at me. "Leave now, Princess. I'll have a soldier call you when he's lucid."

"No. I'll stay." Some perverse feeling of guilt persuaded me to want to stay for the entire gruesome procedure. "He did this because of me. I did this to him. I should watch the consequences."

"No, you shouldn't. Get out. This isn't a place for you. Get out now." Laertes then proceeded to ignore me and let Amyntas take care of me.

"Princess, please." The other physician helped me up and led me out of the hospital tent, depositing me into the care of Matthew. "Take her to bed, please."

I glanced at the darkening sky, and forewent any protesting. "Thank you."

"It is my duty, milady." Matthew led me to my tent and closed the door once I was safely inside. "Goodnight, Princess. He'll be fine."

"Thank you, Soldier." I curled up in a little ball and soon was fast asleep.

"Milady Princess, the King is awake." Matthew knelt beside me and gently shook me.

"Thank you, Matthew." I stretched and crawled out of the tent into the crisp morning air.

"He called for, specifically." The soft-spoken soldier walked beside me on my way to Adrian's tent.

"Really?" I smiled a private smile, letting my imagination take off and wondering if he would try to seduce me right there and then. "Do you know why?"

"No, I do not know, milady." We reached the hospital tent in short order and Matthew left me there.

"Ah, Princess Elensar, just the girl who King Adrian wants to see!" Laertes, a very tired smiled on his face, laughed a bit cynically. "Please, go in. Try not to kill him or anything like that. I just stitched him up. Wouldn't want all that good work to go to waste, now would we?"

"Are you feeling alright, Laertes?" I raised an eyebrow, thinking that he sounded slightly drunk as well.

"Yes, yes of course. Just need some sleep, that's all." The elder physician shook his head and trudged off.

I slipped into the tent silently, hoping the dilapidated thing wouldn't collapse around us.

"Hello Adrian." Standing hunched over in the cramped tent, I looked at his silhouette.

"Elensar," Adrian sighed. "There are things I need to explain to you."

"Isn't there always?" I inquired dryly.

"Be serious, please, for both of our sakes." He patted the floor space next to him. "Come, sit here."

I went and sat. His hand found mine and he squeezed it gently. "You said," I reminded him rather tersely, "That there are things that you need to explain to me?"

"Yes, I did, didn't I?" Adrian rubbed at his eyes. "You're sister is here."

"What?" I couldn't believe what he had just told me. "What did you just say?"

"Evadne is here, and she's coming to claim you." Adrian looked over at me, his gaze worn and lost. "She's already sent several missives to me demanding you back."

"Why would she do that?" I glared at him. "You're lying to me, aren't you? You just want to get my hopes up that someone from back home actually came to rescue me after all this time." I sniffled angrily. "That's just cruel, Adrian, even for you."

"Shhh," He wiped away a few tears from my cheek. "It's not a joke. She's here. I should know," he chuckled cynically, "She's the one whose been burning up my country."

"What?" The blood drained out of my face, and I sat there, stunned.

"Yes, your lovely eldest sister has been ransacking my country in search of you. I know you don't –won't- believe me, but she has. Here." He handed me a few slips of paper. I read each one carefully.

August 31st, 245

My dearest Adrian, King of Delran-

As you have my youngest sister, Elensar, in your custody, I would like to reclaim her. Please, send her to Merihan Port. My ships and my General will be waiting there for you and her. They sail under the Silver Suns.

With all my love, Evadne, Eldest of Meridian

September 8th, 245

Adrian Theylell, King of Delran

I've asked you once politely to return my sister to me. Your response was rather less than amusing, my dear. I will not agree to your terms, I am a married woman and Elensar is not even yet a woman; she will come home with me by the end of September, whether you like it or not. My General waits still at Merihan Port and the Silver Suns still fly from the poles. I would recommend that you send my sister immediately, and with the cessation of all uncouth demands and improper references or I shall retaliate in a way you will not enjoy.

Evadne Kelledy, Eldest of Meridian

September 15th, 245

King Adrian Theylell of Delran,

If Princess Elensar Kelledy is not returned to Merihan Port at once, another town will burn. Which would you like it to be? I give you your choice: another town burned to ashes, its inhabitants slain, or my sister in the hands of my General.

Crown Princess Evadne Kelledy of Meridian

September 19th, 245

King of Delran

Send my sister to me at once. I will not consent, my father the King of Meridian will not consent and she will not consent to your suit of her. She is not of the age of consent, there is one year left before she is; therefore you cannot marry her.

Three towns have been leveled, Adrian, would you like a fourth to join them? I have given you my ultimatum; do you care enough about your country to let her go, or will you condemn your country to death whilst you try to seduce my sister? Under all of our laws, it would be considered rape if you do bed her, which I think you should know.

Send my sister to Merihan Port or watch another town burn.

Crown Princess of Meridian

The last letter was dated two days before, on my name day. I looked up at Adrian, and whispered, "Why didn't you tell me about these?" I held up the small pile of papers.

"First you were missing, and then you hated me." He looked sad as well, "I couldn't stand that. Elensar, I do want you to marry me, really I do. That's why I must know your secret." A finger brushed lightly over my lips. He sighed when I didn't speak, and continued, "I demanded that she either give herself to me or that I could have you." He smiled a bit. "I didn't think she'd agree, anyway. Once she started burning my towns, however, it was a completely different matter."

"That doesn't sound like Evadne, though," I protested. "She may be cruel at times, and she may seem heartless, but I don't think she would burn down the homes of innocents, with them still inside." I wrapped my arms securely around my knees. "Why didn't you protect your people after the first town was burned?"

"I didn't believe her at first. I thought it was just like something she would say to try and lure me into one of her traps." Adrian ran a hand through his hair and looked quite disgusted with himself. "I wasn't very diplomatic in my response, I suppose, and she must have taken in the wrong way. Then, after it was too late, the reports came that she had burned my towns. She had killed my people." I saw a tear sparkling down his cheek in the weak light that filtered through the tent. "This could mean war, and all over you, Elensar. Does this make you happy?" The question was filled with bitterness.

"No. It doesn't." I sniffled and swiped at my eyes. "Why didn't you believe her?"

"In retrospect, I'm asking myself the same question, Elensar." He chewed on his lower lip thoughtfully. "I spent over three months in bed with your sister, Elensar. I thought I knew here, and what she would be likely to do. I was wrong. Dead wrong." He chuckled at the macabre humor in his statement. "And why the next two towns as well, you ask?"

I nodded. "Why did they burn too?"

"I'm fairly certain that she had soldiers or even spies placed at the towns that were burned before hand. She gave them the go-ahead as soon as she got my response, I think." Adrian looked over at me. "I thought I knew her, Elensar. I'm sorry."

"You don't have to be sorry for me, Adrian. Be sorry for your country." I brushed away the tears that still glistened on his face. "Why did you try to leave your country, when they were under attack. They need you as their leader, Adrian."

"I'm a horrible leader, if I let this happen." He frowned. "I didn't think that they would want me as their King anymore."

"These people love you, Adrian. They need a King as well." I smiled gently at him, "Who would rule in your stead? You have no heirs and no Queen, you have no living near-relatives."

"Lord Nethal would rule if I were to die. He knows what he is doing, I must give him that." Adrian smiled weakly.

"They wouldn't accept him, I don't think."

"Who?"

"The people. They love you, not him. Just as…" I stopped, confused as to what I was about to say.

"Just as what?" He asked me, dry amusement embedded in his voice

I smiled and shook my head. "Have you written to Evadne yet?" I asked.

"No. I thought I would do that after I showed the letters to you." He caught my hand in his own. "Would you like to write?"

I pulled my hand gently away. "Yes, I'll do it." I stood. "I'll go get paper and ink from someone."

"Come back quickly," he whispered, an expression of abject exhaustion on his face.

"I will." I ducked out of the tent and into the fall morning.

"Milady," Amyntas strode toward me. "Is he alright?"

"He's fine, Physician." I offered a small smile. "Do you have paper and pen?"

Amyntas looked relieved. "Yes, Princess. Wait here while I go get them."

"Thank you." I sank to the ground, trying to comprehend all that I had just learned. I untied the ribbon that had bound my hair for so long and began to toy with it, not paying all that much attention to the world around me. I watched the satiny material pool in the dirt and leaves and then unfold as I lifted it again.

Startled, I jumped when Amyntas returned.

"Milady," he said, placing a hand on my shoulder. "You're paper and ink." He handed me two thin pieces and a pen.

"Thank you."

"Also, milady," He spoke as he helped me up, "I believe you drew this. I found it in your bags. I thought you'd like to have it again." He smiled encouragingly and handed me the familiar square of paper.

"Not that damn thing again," I moaned, but took it anyway and slipped it into a pocket. "Thank you, Amyntas."

"You're welcome, Princess. It is an honor." He sketched a small bow and then left for another tent.

As I walked back to rejoin Adrian in his pile of canvas, I found that I would miss him. I would miss all of our fights and our romantic interludes. I would feel rather lost without his attempts at seduction and his proposals. I would feel almost out of place among my sisters after being the sole object of someone's affections for so long.

I entered the tent, and found Adrian asleep on his pallet. "Sleep well, my king."

I sat, and began to write.

September 21st, 245

Crown Princess Evadne Kelledy, Eldest of Meridian and Beloved Sister,

I am coming. I shall look for the Silver Suns flying above the water. I am coming.

With all hope and haste,

Princess Elensar Kelledy, Youngest of Meridian

I let the ink dry and then folded my missive. I tugged the ring gently off of Adrian's finger and sealed the letter with his signet, having none of my own.

"Soldier," I placed the letter in Matthew's hands, "Please see that this letter gets to Crown Princess Evadne Kelledy of Meridian or her second in command at once." I smiled. "Thank you, Matthew."

"Yes, Princess, at once." He bowed and jogged to the picket lines, where he quickly tacked a black horse and rode off, my letter in hand. I smiled and returned to Adrian.

Author's Note: ARGH. That would be the only word to really describe these last few weeks. First my family dragged me off to upstate New York, where I did not have access to any of my files. Then I was so busy getting ready for the exchange student that was coming to live with that I was rarely on the computer at all. Then she actually came, and she was really nice. However, she rather monopolized the computer and I was restricted to using it for only homework purposes while she was home. Whenever I was home, she was home, until now. Thank goodness! I'll shut up now, and stop explaining myself and making excuses…thanks for being patient with me!

To You:

Zagato: You found my livejournal, and you friended me! :D I friended you! Wow…that sounds so inane…but yeah. Yay!

Sealednectar: cringe My update was significantly slower…oops. I'm very sorry for that too. Next time I will try my very hardest to get it up a whole lot sooner…not two weeks later.

Miss Piratess: Yep, that'd be Adrian…

Cheekychik: Well, near death experiences can't happen too often, otherwise they lose their novelty. However, one every so often are good for readers, don't you agree? Romantic moods…sigh How…er…romantic. Hah!

Lilred-07: Haha, no worries, he lives! He is so cool. Lol.

F.A.Starhawk: It's amazing how desperate he is…sorry for the slowness of the update! :/

Stubble96: Don't feel bad about unloading on me- it adds a bit of personality to the reviews, spices things up a bit! :o)

Misty Queen: Thank you! Maybe he loves her…maybe he doesn't, although after this chapter it sure seems like he does!

Turwen: No…he can't die! He provides the romantic interest and conflict! They are intrinsic parts of the story, so for now, he lives.

No myridon: No, it wasn't nice at all for her to laugh. He did try to commit suicide though, although for more reasons than just unrequited love.

Midreamer: Well maybe not drunk with love, per se, but other, more alcoholic things…lol.

Alicia: Thank you! I didn't exactly update soon…:( Everyone loves the spunky Princess! :oP

Once More: Thank you so much for putting up with my erratic update schedule! I'm really horrible about that, but with school and unusual visitors, my world has been flipped upside down and then turned inside out.

Review Again Please!