Warnings: Swords hurt. Do not attempt to beat each other over the head with swords at home; it makes you turn funny colors, like purple.
Chapter Nineteen: Mincing Words and Crossing Swords
The rest of our journey to Camlate, the capitol city of Meridian, was quite uneventful. I spent brief parts of my days, usually the mornings, riding with Evadne in her carriage. The rest of the day, I would gallivant about on my black palfrey, enjoying being home at last.
There were still times when I thought of Adrian, and missed him greatly. I missed the caustic verbal sparring that we had done, hurting each other with cruel words and senseless comments. I thought about the first time that he had kissed me, and shivered with a nefarious pleasure that ran through my entire body.
At night, when I was alone, I would take out the drawing that I had done of Adrian and look at it. I had his face etched into my memory, and I began drawing again, whenever I could.
Evadne wished at first, to see what I drew, but after she saw that all my artistic endeavors were "wasted on the King of Delran," she didn't bother asking any longer. That suited me just fine. If she wouldn't appreciate them, then she couldn't see my drawings.
When we made our arrival in Camlate, it was mid October. I was wrapped in my cloak, shivering on my palfrey as the trumpets blared, flags were waved and the people greeted me as they had in the port we had arrived in. Everyone seemed glad to have the Youngest Princess back.
As we approached the palace, Evadne stepped out of her gilded carriage and I attempted to shake a few of the dried petals out of my hair. We ascended the steps in tandem, looking every bit the Princesses we were.
"Their Highnesses, Princesses Evadne and Elensar." I stood tall and proud beside Evadne as the herald announced us, smiling happily at everyone.
"My dears, so good to have you back." The figure on the throne stood. "Elensar, come here. I do believe you've grown!"
I squealed excitedly and ran to my father, scooping up my skirts so I wouldn't trip and disgrace myself. "Papa!" He embraced me tightly, and I murmured into his furry ruff, "I missed you."
"I missed you, my little darling." He held onto me for a moment more and then released me. We turned and he greeted Evadne, who had advanced at a decorous pace toward the throne. "Ah, Evadne, I'm so," He hesitated, "Glad you're back, daughter."
"As am I, Father." She curtsied low before him, reminding me of all the etiquette that I had discarded in my excitement.
"'Lensar!" I spun around as my younger brother dashed through a side door toward me.
He grabbed me a bear hug and I giggled, "Owen!" We spun around in a happy little world that consisted of just the two of us. "You've grown!" I squeaked happily, noting how he stood almost a head taller than I.
"I have, haven't I?" He looked down at me. "You'll have to tell me everything, you know." He tried to look serious
"Yes, of course I will," I told him, then started as a delicate throat was cleared behind me. "Later."
"Elensar, have you no time for me?" The rich voice that graced my ears was full of remonstrative mirth.
"Of course I do Alyssa," I cried happily, throwing myself into her arms.
Her fingers tangled in my hair as she hugged me close. "You don't know how much I've missed you, dearest," she murmured softly.
"I missed you more," I said, pulling away and making a face. "After all, you had our sisters to keep you company. All I had," I stated indignantly, "Were the courtiers of Delran." I shook my head disparagingly, "They offered me almost naught but ways to further their own ambitions and thinly concealed contempt." I sighed, dramatically morose. "I survived through all of that, to come back home!"
"Oh Elensar, don't be silly," Alyssa reprimanded, her eyes sparkling with delight. "You can tell me all about it later!"
"You can be sure that I will," I said, grinning wickedly.
"Daughter," My father placed a heavy hand on my shoulder, "I think that we would all like to hear the tales of your rather unprecedented trip, but at the moment it would be best if you and Evadne rested from you travels. I know you must be exhausted."
"Yes, Father." I hugged him again, nestling my head into his shoulder. I turned to Evadne. "Shall we, sister?"
"Yes, let's." She took my elbow and we exited the hall together, stately, regal and completely princess-like.
Oh how I despised her.
Later that night, I awoke to the sound of fabric slipping across the cold stone floor of the hallway that connected our individual rooms. Soft giggles and whispered conversations shattered my sleep and the silence of the night.
My sisters were going to the dance, and they had not woken me. I pressed my face into the pillow and let the fine fabric catch my tears.
I had come home willingly, gladly, thinking to find a warm welcome and ready to slip happily back into our old routine. I left Adrian, one who accepted and loved me, for my sisters and their cold rejection.
I cried until I had a headache and I felt numb all the way through.
"Here." I jumped as Alyssa rubbed my back soothingly. She offered me a glass of water. "It'll help, Elensar."
I sniffled, and sat up. "Thanks." I gulped it down miserably. "Did you leave early?" I asked, noting she wore her gown and shoes.
"Yes," She said, smiling sadly, "It's just not that same when you're so close and yet not with us- not with me." Alyssa sat beside me on the bed. "When you were across an ocean, I could bear your absence. I knew that there was no way you could be there then, but now…" She trailed off, twirling a golden strand of hair around her fingers idly. "Now you seem so close and yet so far."
"I'm right beside you," I pointed out helpfully, "So I am not far at all." I laughed, and Alyssa smiled.
"Yes, you are close to me now." She hugged me close. "I missed you while you were away."
I frowned, and pulled away, my forgotten doubts rushing back in an instant. "Alyssa, why didn't you send someone for me?"
"I did, Elensar, I did." Her brow furrowed. "Evadne said that they were turned away."
I stared at her, perplexed. "There were no ships. Adrian, King Adrian, would have told me."
"Why would he have told you anything?" Alyssa smiled slightly, trying to make up for the hurt on my face.
"He liked to watch me suffer," I stated simply. "But there were no ships."
Alyssa patted my hand, "I sent them, I really did. I'm not lying, Elensar." She studied her hands, and whispered, "Evadne must have stopped them before they got out of the harbor."
"Alright." My hands were suddenly fascinating as well. "It's alright. I suppose, if she did want me gone, that she would prevent me from coming back for as long as possible."
Alyssa looked up at me, her blue eyes clouded with confusion. "Why did Evadne want you gone?"
I smiled rather bitterly. "Do you remember the soothsayer who came through months past?" When she nodded, I continued. "I am 'slated to betray us all,' as Evadne so kindly put it. She sent me away, to prevent that from happening, I suppose."
Alyssa frowned. "That doesn't make sense. Why would she send you away if she knows that you are going to tell the secret? It's almost as if she wants you to…" An angry looking burst across her face, and she swore under her breath. "That bitch."
Her outburst surprised me, but suddenly, I understood, and agreed. "Indeed."
Alyssa hugged me again. "Elensar, remember, I am on your side." I hugged her back. "You must tell me all about King Adrian," She whispered, giggling, into my ear. "I heard he proposed to you."
I grinned, "That he did." As she yawned, I laughed and said, "Tomorrow, though. Then I will tell you."
"Yes, tomorrow. I need my beauty sleep." She tossed her hair and winked. "Sleep tight, sister."
"And you, Alyssa." I snuggled back into my blankets and slept soundly until morning.
Over breakfast, Father seemed pensive. Our meal was eaten in silence until he spoke.
"Which one of you was not included last night?" His dark eyes searched our faces, seeking out any answer for his question. "There were only eleven shoes lying tattered in the pile this morning, and yet there are twelve of you. Who did not dance?"
We looked to Evadne for our answers, and Father did too. She lifted her chin and held his gaze, "None of us danced. We slept. All twelve of us slept last night, as we do every night."
"How did you shoes wear out, then, if you slept? They cannot wear themselves out!" Father pushed his chair out from the table and stormed out angrily, muttering obscenities about our secrecy.
Evadne smiled with satisfaction and sat back in her chair. "I'm proud of you, my sisters, especially you, Elensar." She affected worry, "I was so afraid that you would reveal our secret when he asked, you know."
I flushed and she laughed. "I wouldn't do that. I will not betray our secret, sister, you on the other hand…" I let the suggestions dangle perilously in the air. "I'll take my leave of you now," I said, and left.
I changed out of the morning robe, which had been appropriate for breakfast, but not for after, into the more practical day gown. My maid seemed clumsy after my experience with Marilyn and Ashleigh of Delran, but I reminded myself that this was home and not Delran.
"Thank you," I told the girl, sincere in my thanks. She dimpled, for I had never really acknowledged her presence before; she had always been just another part of my life.
I ran down to the practice courts, where I knew I could find Owen. I picked the white cotton fabric of my skirts up and sprinted down the hallways, scandalizing half the servants and courtiers on my first full day back in court by showing them my ankles.
"Owen!" I called as I reached the open-air courts. "Where is Prince Owen?" I asked anyone.
"Here, 'Lensar," He responded, covering my eyes. I squirmed out of his grip and faced him.
"There you are!" I grinned. "I was looking for you."
"I know." He smiled mischievously, "You want to see me beaten into the dust by our honorable knights, don't you?"
I nodded emphatically. "It's fun to watch." I patted him on the head condescendingly, "I still love you even if you lose."
"Such support I get, and from my sister no less!" He hefted his practice blade experimentally. "Who would beat me into the dust today for my beloved sister's entertainment?"
Laughed answered him at first, then one of the knights stepped forward. "If it pleases milady Elensar, then I would be happy to leave this child who thinks he can fight covered in dust."
I nodded solemnly. "You shall do, Sir Dhal. I have faith in you."
"Thank you, milady." Dhal donned his protective padding and gloves as Owen did the same. "I shall not let you down!" He declared, rushing Owen.
Owen, prepared for this, parried the blow and sought to land one of his own. After the first exaggerated blows, the practice settled into a more serious rhythm. I watched as Owen danced out of the way just in time, and as Dhal did not. Then Owen was too slow and Dhal arched out of the way of the thrust.
It was a spectacular thing to watch, their practice. Some have described it as a dance and it can be that. It is also more savage than a dance would ever be, as dancers are not trying to murder their fellows.
Finally, Dhal slipped inside Owen's guard and knocked him to the ground, effectively killing him.
"Milady, my dear Princess, I have rid you of this filth that so plagued you." Dhal bowed. I'm sure he would have continued with his flowery speech had Owen not swept his feet out from under him.
They sprawled on the ground, in the dirt, both breathing heavily and both sweaty.
"Lovely!" I said, laughing. "A good ending."
Both the competitors stood and bowed to me. Owen congratulated Dhal and they walked to me, laughing good-naturedly.
"Elensar," Owen clapped me on the shoulder, "You should try this sometime."
"I could never!" I protested, thinking how absurd it would look if I were to carry a sword. "I think I prefer watching you and Dhal, Owen. It's much safer that way."
Dhal looked at Owen and agreed wholeheartedly with me. "You don't want to have him barraging you with blows, that's for sure. He'll keep at it until you're down and out."
Owen looked embarrassed and shrugged. "I suppose so. My technique, however, is non-existent when I do that."
"That's fine with me," I told him, standing. "It was a good fight to watch."
"Thank you, Princess." Dhal bowed and Owen hugged me.
"I still think you should try your hand at sword work," He whispered in my ear.
"So you can beat me into the dust? I think not! I much prefer watching you get that honor," I replied in a conspiratorial whisper.
"Thank you," He said dryly.
"Anytime."
"Elensar!" Evadne's shriek reverberated through the practice court, and both Owen and I flinched.
Author's Note: This chapter is brought to you by the wonderful absence of school from my day. I'm such a rebel.
Anyway, a big thank you to all who reviewed and please, pretty pleas with a cherry on top review again! I also got this chapter up in a fairly reasonable amount of time, too. I'm very sorry, but the chapters might start coming a little slower now, as I have only written two chapters ahead of this. I'm still working on Chapter Twenty-One, although it is almost done. That particular chapter should make everyone happy. Now, nough of my rambling…
Shout Outs:
Cheekychik: Good idea about not promising chapters…Knowing Lord Raven, he'll burn to a crisp within minutes of stepping out onto the luxurious golf course of the resort…lol.
Fell4adeadguy: I agree!
Stubble96: Thank you for leaving me with all of my body parts intact! Now the story might never end, just so I can keep my toesies!
Misty Queen: Thank you! :oD
TinkerBell394587: I've read Great Expectations, and that was horrible as well. Maybe I should just make a general statement that anything written by Dickens could qualify as the worst book ever written…I'm glad you like my story though, even though I am not celebrated as the greatest novelist of all time! :oP
Miss Piratess: Elensar? A snob? No! Well, I guess…haha. :o) You pick the strangest characters to like…first Lord Raven and now Evadne? Well, whatever floats your boat!
