Hi Everyone! Sorry it took us so long to update but I (Merenwen) was lazy and didn't write anything for a very long time. I know I'm naughty but I don't think the third chapter will take as long because I'm already like half way through it. And I'm also very sorry that it's not very long despite the long wait. Now I'm just blabbering on and no one wants to really hear this. Oh, here's some quick notes to reviewers.

PJ Blindclown: Well, thanks! I'm glad you liked it. I try to put thought into all my writing. Sorry that this chapter didn't come sooner.

Writer of Fantasy: Well, I will try to be a little less confusing in later chapters. Hopefully this one won't be too confusing, but I'm not sure I understand it all.

Also thanks to bloodeath, CairneBloodhoof37, neosun7, SUPERSEXY1 and last, but of course not least (pleading for more makes me happy… I love when people grovel at my feet…) Demon Kairos. Onto the story…

Chapter 2: Lovers' Rendezvous

Lief bowed to Jasmine and she laughed. He held the flower out to her and she took it from him and held it to her nose. She breathed the beautiful scent in.

Now, since they defeated the Shadow Lord, she treasured every moment she got to spend with Lief. He was busy and did not have too much free time, but he was still her best friend. More than that though - they were lovers.

She knew Lief loved her. He had given her a hint, long ago it seemed now. After they had come back from the Shadowlands and Jasmine had found out that Lief was not going marry Marilyn after all. He had told her that, when the time came, he would marry the girl/woman he loved, if she would have him. He had smiled when she had replied and said that she was sure that the certain girl would, when the time came.

She looked up and saw him smiling at her. She smiled back. She loved his smile. It was cute, and, in a way, childish. Seeing him smile had not been a normal occurrence during their war against the Shadow Lord, but now it seemed that he just could not stop smiling.

"Shall we take a walk in the garden, Jasmine?" he asked her.

"Why not?" she replied. They walked slowly in silence for a while. Then Lief stopped. Jasmine continued a few paces, then stopped and looked back at him.

Then he said, "Jasmine, will you come on a picnic with me in a couple of days?"

"Sure Lief. Whatever you want… your Highness." Jasmine laughed along with Lief. He smiled again. He was so happy now that they had defeated the Shadow Lord. This thought made her happy too.

"Will anyone else be there? At the picnic I mean?" she asked him.

"Well, Kree and Filli, if you want them to come," Lief said with another smile. "But, otherwise, no one else."

"Good," she replied with a smile of her own.

"Why is that so good?" Lief asked.

"Just because I hardly ever get to spend much time alone with you. It will be good to be able to talk to you without someone else listening in on our conversation," she said.

"I agree," Lief replied.

He took hold of her hand her hand, as they sat on the grass, and pulled her into a hug as he kissed her on the forehead. She leant against his chest and closed her eyes.

"I wish you could just relax for a bit. You've always got so much to do," she said, her eyes still closed.

"I know, but that will change once everything settles down."

"I know. I hope that's soon."

"Silver and blue, or blue and green? Or all three?" Sharn asked the two men standing there.

"All three," said both of the men in unison.

"I guess we'll do that then," she answered. "I hope Lief will be ready by the time of the ball. If he is not I do not know what we will do. I guess the ball would go on without the announcement."

"He'll be ready. I know that," Barda said. Doom just looked blankly at the decorations.

Marilyn looked up at Ranesh, "When will this baby be born?" she placed her hand on her stomach as she said this.

"When ever it feels ready," Ranesh soothed her and placed his hand over hers on her stomach.

"Well, I do hope it's soon."

"So do I, my love – for your sake," he said.

They were sitting in the library, at a table, talking about names for their beautiful baby.

"What about Halli for a girl and Torin for a boy?" Marilyn asked her beloved husband.

"I think those are beautiful names, my darling. I do hope this baby comes into the world swiftly. That is best for you and the baby."

"I hope this also, my husband," Marilyn said, Ranesh kissed her gently on the lips, then on the nose.

Jasmine walked slowly through the hallways in the palace, twirling the Jasmine flower around in her hand. A picnic? What a romantic idea, Jasmine thought. It was just like Lief to come up with something like that. He could be romantic when he felt like it.

"Lady Jasmine?" A servant girl stood at the end of the hallway. "Sharn sent me to make sure that you were alright to find your room here in the palace."

"I'm fine, but it would be wonderful to have some company. Do you know where Lief is?" Jasmine asked, as she fell in step beside the girl.

"No miss, I haven't seen him," the servant girl answered. Suddenly Jasmine looked down through the hallway, and dropped the Jasmine flower that had been in her hand.

"It can't be!" she said with a slight smile and an astonished look on her face.