Chapter 7- The Triplets of Laquaria
Glaze- Yes I know I'm evil, and to prove it I will now laugh sinisterly…OK, I'm done. But I'm not yet revealing anything more about the story behind Zane and Varien until later chapters: D
For some reason, the chapters I upload don't seem to show up unless I'm on author alert, because the summary still says I only have 5 chappies, but Glaze seems to be able to read them…erggg…. Ah well, enjoy chapter 7, and sorry for the cliffy! (Not :P)
Arya's POV
As Varien and I entered the library, I rushed to where I knew "The Pirates of the Azure Sea" was located. I was bound and bent to prove to him that Penelope, the protagonist of the story, rescued the princess, not Captain Nigel! Where he got that idea, I have no clue, but I knew I was right!
As I moved behind the shelves, I spotted Lord Zane. He looked up from his reading and beckoned me over. As the book I was looking for was in that direction anyways, I thought it would only be polite to say hello.
"Hello Princess Arya, may I inquire as to your presence here?"
"Well, I'm looking for a book…to…prove a point." I responded.
"I'm not entirely sure she needs to explain her being in her own library." An icily smooth voice said behind me. I turned to see Varien, and was puzzled by a look in his eyes that I had never seen before. Anger. I didn't understand, because I hadn't even introduced them yet. That reminded me…
"Oh Varien, may I introduce you to Lord Zane of Darin? Lord Zane, this is my…fiancé…Varien."
"Please to make your acquaintance Varien, I trust you will take good care of our dear Princess." Zane said formally, causing me to blush yet again.
"I assure you, I will." Varien replied, the look of resentment still in his eyes. In a frantic attempt to stop the stare down that was occurring, I told Varien that we should move on in order to complete the tour before luncheon. We left the library; and the look of hate completely disappeared from his eyes.
The next room to be visited was the music room. When my mother was alive, my sisters and I used to spend hours in here listening to her songs and being taught how to play music ourselves. Every moment I spent in this room reminded me of her, and Varien must have noticed my reminiscing, for he poked me in the shoulder.
"Princess, I was wondering whether or not you were able to play the pianoforte."
"Yes, only, I haven't practiced in a long time. Do you play?" I asked, immediately biting my tongue and covering my mouth with my palm. I had forgotten that he only had 6 fingers with which to play, and had probably lived in the forest for his whole life.
He laughed at my reaction and replied.
"No, but I wish I could. It is a very beautiful instrument. Would you play for me?"
"Ummm…well…as I said, I haven't really played in a while…" I muttered with hesitation.
"That's alright. I'm not judging you." He said with a large toothy grin.
"I'll give it a try…" I mumbled sitting on the ebony bench. I ran my fingers over the familiar keys, and tried to think of a song to play. Choosing one I thought I could remember well, I began to play, singing the accompanying lyrics.
A lonely dragon in the sky,
A lovely maiden did he spy,
Swooping down on leather wings,
Captured her and made her sing;
Sing it high and sing it low,
To the hills and down below,
Sing it loud with voices ringing,
How dragon loved her singing;
When a knight came riding by,
The lovely maiden did he spy,
Riding on his steed so bold,
Took the maiden from the dragon's hold;
Sing it high and sing it low,
To the hills and down below,
Sing it loud with voices ringing,
How the dragon missed her singing;
The maiden missed the dragon's cave,
So in the night she left the knave,
The dragon met her at the door,
And happily let out a roar;
Sing it high and sing it low,
To the hills and down below,
Sing it loud with voices ringing,
How the dragon loved her singing.
As I played the last chord I saw Varien's joyful face, and I beamed with pride. I assumed that like the dragon in the song, he didn't hear much music, so I resolved to teach him.
"Varien, would you like to learn to play a bit?"
"Really? You could teach me even when I only have…" He looked down gloomily at his hands. I took them in mine and smiled. Their scaly texture didn't even bother me.
"You only need one finger to play. Let me show you."
Clearly holding up one finger, I began to play the melody to a children's lullaby my mother used to sing.
"When you get good enough, I can even play the bottom chords for you." Varien's face resembled a child's on May Day, in a lizardy sort of way. I motioned for him to sit on the bench beside me and taught him the first few notes of the lullaby.
We agreed to continue the makeshift lessons the next day as the lunch bell rang, the incident with Lord Zane entirely forgotten.
Voila! Another chapter that I hope will make up for that cruel cliffie! Anyhoo, please R&R! Sorry about the song...poetry's not my forte...:D