Chapter 8- The Triplets of Laquaria
Wow! Chapter 8 already… that's pretty crazy… I'm glad you like my little song, I used an online rhyming dictionary…bet meh… Enjoy!
Glaze- Thanks for another of your great reviews! The book has gone unnoticed, as Arya is attempting to avoid another confrontation between Varien and Zane…I wish her luck…(laughs evilly and rubs hands together)
Lulai- Thank you! (bows) I'm very glad you're enjoying it and yes, Varien is cute!
EarthAngel- I know what you mean about the whole update thing, my computer is doing the same thing and it is really frustrating me…Thanks for reviewing when you can! It means a lot!
Varien's POV
Arya and I spent the next few days in relative peace as we continued our morning routine; however today was to be different. Lord Zane was holding a ball in honor of the triple wedding, which was supposed to be in a fortnight. Arya and I didn't talk about it much, and I didn't push the topic on her, I didn't want to ruin our blooming friendship.
As the days went by, we spent much more time with one another, either in the library or the music room. My plan for causing a debate over the plot in "The Pirates of an Azure Sea" was a great success, and she had most defiantly proved my opinion wrong. And wrong, and wrong again. I had also learned the entire lullaby Arya had taught me my first day, and was now progressing into a Delrian folk tune I knew very well from my childhood. I didn't tell her that, and she was amazed at how well I could remember what she played.
I had also managed to avoid Lord Zane, but I feared that this evening's outing would make that extremely difficult for me, as I was a guest of honor. I knew very well how court gatherings functioned, and understood that Arya and I had to sit at the high table with Zane himself. All the effort it took for me to hide from my past was crumbling in my face, and I was just biding my time until Zane brought it up in a casual conversation with Arya.
"Varien? Are you in here?" I heard her ask from the door.
"Yes, I'll be right there Princess." I brushed off my royal blue suit and went to the door. Arya took my arm and we walked to the entrance to the palace. She had decided that I needed a new outfit to wear to this evening's ball, and to my dismay, that meant we had to go shopping. As we got into the carriage, Arya slipped, and almost hit the ground before I grabbed her. We both laughed, and the carriage headed off towards the town.
"I'm such a klutz, thanks for helping me!" She said between giggles.
"Your welcome, you really should be more careful, lest you break your royal leg." I replied.
"Oh yes, wouldn't that be a dreadful shame, no more dancing…" She laughed and rolled her eyes. We spent the rest of the ride in comfortable silence, until we reached the clothing emporium.
I felt like a mannequin as Arya and a rather nervous dressmaker chose fabrics and patterns and colors for me to try on. We were there for what felt like an hour before Arya appeared satisfied at her choice of a velvet, roan baldric.
"Perfect, now we can get Della to embroider something on it!"
"Well, now I don't really see the need to ask your sister to…"
"Nonsense, she'd love to! Now come on, we'd better go back to the palace to begin getting ready."
Perfectly understandable seeing as it was barely noon, and the ball didn't even begin until dinner…
"Oh come on Varien! That wasn't so bad was it?" I grimaced, and she punched me in the arm. Yes, my plan to show her true colors had proved most successful indeed.
Arya's POV
After only 4 days of knowing him, I felt completely comfortable in Varien's presence. Despite the fact that he wasn't the most attractive being in the world, he was kind and thoughtful, and the idea of marrying him didn't seem quite so appalling to me anymore.
When we returned to the palace, I told Varien I'd meet him at his room just before the supper bell rang, and dashed to Della's quarters. Knocking on the door, I heard Della's polite voice call for me to enter.
"Hey Della, I have a favor to ask you."
"What is it Arya? Is something troubling you?" She asked cautiously.
"Oh no, not at all, I was just wondering if you could embroider something really nice on this baldric for me." A smile of relief spread across Della's gentle face as she replied that she would be delighted.
"Hi Arya, where were you this morning?" Narie's voice inquired at the door.
"I went shopping with Varien, Della's going to embroider this for him." I responded holding up the article of clothing for Narie to see.
"Ahhh, I get it…that Varien sure is a sweetie isn't he. He's awfully well mannered for an…a hem. You two have been spending a lot of time together lately, we've missed you!"
"Oh come on Narie, you've had Devon to occupy yourself, who needs little old me…"
Della suddenly embraced Narie and I, tears streaming down her face.
"I'm going to miss you two so much, you must promise to come see me often!"
"Della, you're going to be queen, you sure don't need us around to bother you. Besides, you'll have a hubby to do that…" Narie giggled. "And besides, Arya's still going to be here, aren't you Arya."
"I guess so." I replied, picturing Varien and I living in the forest. Not going to happen.
"I'll get to work on this baldric Arya, and have it sent down to Varien when I'm finished." Della said. "We'd all better start getting ready, we are the guests of honor you know…"
With that, I left Della's room and went to my own to get prepared for the ball.
Well that's that! Please review! I know this was kind of uneventful, but it gave some background info…Can anyone guess how Varien knows Zane, I put some hints in the last couple of chapters…(hint hint) I should be posting chapter 9 today too! (I'm good)