(we interrupt this story for a brief-ish A/N)
I know it takes me a while to update but I'm having more family problems. My parent's are freakin. Divorce papers around the corner. Thanx for the reviews. All the pointers, constructive criticism, jokes and raves. Wow, raves, people telling me they like the story. : ) I absolutely love reviewers. You guys rock. Luv ya!
O.k. This chapter was fun to write. It took me 3 drafts. If it sux tell me. Daine is a little ooc and it starts out pretty slow. This is the first big one for Numy and Daine. Yay!
Disclaimer: I own only this plot sobs uncontrollably
Now back to your regularly scheduled chappie: Amoreax
Amoreax
After about a quarter of an hour, Daine wished she had never decided to put on the blindfold. She couldn't see the road and probably looked ridiculous to passerby. Although she hadn't heard any traffic since they had left the stable. Cloud wasn't going very fast and would barely converse with Daine, let alone confide in their destination. So Daine had to sit in the saddle wondering and waiting as patiently as she could.
Finally, an hour and a half later, they stopped and cloud said,
'You can take off the eye-band now' Daine obliged and found cloud and herself sitting in front of the entry gate to a small castle. Daine dismounted and grabbed Cloud's reins. As she led her up the entry path she looked around.
The castle was in half ruins, the gate was only partway on it's hinges and the path's cobbling was missing stones. Ivy covered almost every inch of wall and roof space. They had reached the steps up the entry way when Daine saw a small horse roost (for those who don't know, that is a small shed for horses, like a stable for temporary guests). It was half hidden behind some shrubbery and a horse already occupied part of it. Spots (not darkmoon, lol) was unsaddled and drinking water from a small trough. Daine greeted him and commenced to unsaddling cloud, who immediately pranced over to spots. Daine watched as Cloud dunked her head in the water and shook her mane all over Spots, sending ribbons flying every which way. Spots followed suit and Daine laughed.
' Flirt'
' This from a girl who flirts with the royal guards' Daine blushed softly.
' Don't go there'
' Just go find your Stork-man'
At this Spots joined in.
' He's in the south courtyard, follow the shrubbery till you get to the gate then go through the gate.'
' Thank you' Daine turned and left the roost. She saw the shrubbery Spots had told her about and began to walk towards them. No sooner had she reached them when there was a rustling and leaves and buds began to form along the entire row of shrubs. Before her eyes they trimmed and sprouted and the path became lush with grass. Even the ivy along the walls sprouted buds. She smirked and muttered to herself,
"Again, this man has way too much time on his hands." She reached for a bud and was not surprised when it bloomed and opened into one of the most beautiful roses she had ever seen.
Smiling she began to walk down the path, The only noises being her dress rustling and the soft noise her slippers barely made. She could not yet see the gate and she was almost to the corner of the castle. The shrubs were getting higher and the flowers bigger. She reached the corner and the gate lay ten feet off. She walked to it and pulled off the note that had been attached to the door.
Love,
I am waiting inside for you.
All my love
Numair
She put the note in her shoulder bag and reached for the door. At her touch it swung open and admitted her into what looked to be an old garden. She looked around and a crisp sense of De ja vu hit her. The garden was old and looked as if it had been unused for years. Leaves and twigs littered the ground and an unmoving fountain stood twenty feet to her right. Benches and broken statues of gods and goddesses adorned corners. She looked around more and saw a saddle blanket laying to her left. She moved towards it and stopped suddenly when a cold wind swept through the garden. For the second time her surroundings took on a dramatic change. Brown leaves disappeared, New leaves sprouted, flowers bloomed, the statues repaired, stepping stones moved back to their places and the sound of rushing water hit her when the fountain began to move. She took a deep breath and headed for the blanket once again.
She gasped loudly when a pair of strong arms grabbed her from behind. Numair spun her around and lifted her into his arms. She began to open her mouth but her mouth began suddenly, pleasantly, occupied. A few moments later, he set her down and said,
" Good afternoon, love and what brings you here this lovely day"
" Yes Numair, Why am I here?"
" All in good time love, Now are you hungry?"
" Yes, starving"
" Why? Didn't you eat breakfast?" he smirked at her.
" No dear, I was too busy fixing a broken bird's wing and discovering some things from you."
He smiled and she gave him a swift kiss. He then led her over to the blanket and waved a hand. A large cushion appeared along with several platters of fruits and other assorted foods. He moved to the cushion and motioned for her to sit. She sat,
" Numair, what are you doing?"
" Eating lunch. Do you want any grapes?" He lifted up a bowl of grapes and she sighed. It was just like him to change the subject. She decided it was best for both of them to wait till he was ready for whatever he was doing. She removed her thin riding cloak and shoulder bag and took the bowl from him. He sampled some food and leaned back into the cushion. She climbed into his lap and sat there.
" Love, do you like the dress?"
" I love it, it doesn't wrinkle or stain, and it's so lovely. Where did you get it?"
" Oh, I have had a lot of time on my hands lately." She laughed softly, when he looked at her strangely, she just smiled.
"Daine, I've been thinking a lot lately."
" About what?"
" Well, about… us"
" What about us?" She didn't like the way this was going.
" I, uh," he paused " Never mind" She sighed and leaned into him.
He put his arms around her and they sat like that for some time. Both of them thinking, both quiet. It had been a while and the sun had already began to set when Numair dropped his head to her level and asked her to get up. She stood and he with her.
He grabbed her hand and asked her to come with him. He led her through the garden to another path. This path was lined with more roses and a light was coming from the end. She followed him down it. When they got to the end it opened onto a large, round terrace. A fountain lit in the center and the view from the terrace showed forested areas and in the distance, a lake. Shrubs, flowers and ornamental trees adorned all open area but the thin path. The path led to a small bench. She walked to the bench and sat upon it glorying in the warm glow of twilight. He stood next to her and fiddled in his pocket. She barely noticed and just watched the sun fall below the horizon.
She was lost in her own mind when Numair moved and sat in front of her on his knees. She looked down at him in wonder. He grabbed her left hand and pulled out the black bag from his pocket. He muttered something and tipped it over her palm. A yellow bud slipped out. It settled into her open palm and they both watched as it opened petal by petal. Two petals were still closed when Numair looked into her face.
" Daine, I love you. My hope is that you feel the same." One of the petals opened. Oh no, he can't, oh, I…
"Verelidaine Sarrasri, will you marry me?" The last petal opened and everything became clear when she saw the ring exposed on the soft rose petals.
Her dream, his nervousness and the day. She looked into his eyes and saw the uncertainty there as he assessed her shocked face. Her face brightened as she thought about this and she basically launched herself from the bench and onto Numair, her Numair.
"Oh Yes"
He opened his mouth and it was her this time that stopped the words from coming. She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. It was several minutes before they separated and when they did they were both smiling widely. After a few moments he regained his senses and picked up the ring from where it sat on the bench. He resettled her to sit in front of him. He then lifted her left hand and slid on the ring.
It was a perfect fit. She sat admiring it for a moment. It was a simple gold band with both of their names on it. In between the names was a tiny rose. She smiled and kissed him again. She loved him and now she knew for sure that he loved her. Ma will be so happy. Wait…
Daine pulled back and a startled expression came over Numair.
" What's wrong?" She could tell he thought she was doubting her answer, but it wasn't that.
" Numair, How are we going to tell everyone?"
" Daine, we can figure it out later, for now, relax." He stood up. " These stones are not so comfortable, Do you want to go back to the blanket?"
She nodded and they walked back down the path and into the garden. There he sat with his back against the cushions, while she settled into his arms.
I'm going to marry Numair Salmalin, Verelidaine Salmalin. She decided she liked that name. She closed her eyes as he held her.
They sat in silence for what seemed like hours when Numair noticed it was very late.
" We should, be getting back magelet" No answer.
"Magelet?" He craned his neck to see her face. She was asleep. He smiled at the innocent look on her face and awkwardly stood with her in his arms. He waved his hand from under her and the cushions, blanket and basket disappeared. He then traveled out of the garden and to the roost. Where he had to set Daine into the straw to saddle the horses. Cloud looked at Numair as to say, See what you did?
Numair attempted to tie Cloud onto Spots' lead rein, but she nipped at him. He sighed and mounted Spots with Daine cradled in front of him. Smirking slightly he set off for home with cloud trotting beside him.
A/N: O.k. I particularly didn't like how this chappie went (as far as sentences go- don't call me conceited but I happen to like the plot.). But it's like 2:00 a.m. And I really want this put up. I know that there may very well be spelling mistakes. But give an insomniac a break. Thank you again reviewers. You guys rock. They are a little ooc, I know please don't flame on that. Oh and by the way, if you guys have any ideas for how people should react to the news, I would love it, Although I will have none of Daine or Numair's admirers committing suicide. Reviewers get cake and popcorn.
Mini contest's
I need names and gender ideas for Daine's baby.
Also the first reviewer gets to be the pastor person at the wedding. YAY! (Please put your name or I will use your account name)
And if you want to be mentioned at the feast in the next chapter. Put your name or account name and who you want to be ( a.e. Waiter, knight, Countess, Duke/ duchess, lord/lady etc) I hope the next chapter will be full of me trying to work in names of people in a feast. Try to keep it as a Tortallen somebody, so no D.J.s or yetis etc. I know, I took all the fun. :) see you soon.
Love,
Authoress Tonx