I felt safe enough to sleep here now, knowing that Ryce was no more than six feet away from me and Boromir at the other side. We were getting close to Rivendell. Tomorrow we would pass through the mountains that lead there. But I could not fall asleep and I was starting to worry myself with thoughts of an uncertain future, and so I thought of a happier memory, back when I was younger and I was too young to realize it, but it all was a part of the process of me falling for Eomer.
Memory
He was soon to go from 19 years of age to 20, making me only 15 at the time. As tradition required, he would have to choose his life's path before his twentieth year. He had been joining groups of Riders of Rohan for a while, to learn the ways of a Ride, but the following Ride Out would be different.
Everyone in the Mark was free to choose whichever life's path one desired. Some started studying for it young, as they could be taught by their families. This was usually the path the ones took that desired to be blacksmiths, carpenters, farmers, bakers, and traders. Other paths were harder, such as becoming healers or hunters. They would have to go in training with Masters and it could take years. And then there was the path to aid the King, which is what Eomer always desired to do: aid the King.
Everyone was required to choose before their twentieth birth day, as that was the latest one could decide on their own free will. If one could not decide or there were too many interests to choose from, one would be appointed a position in the easier fields. Being a healer, hunter, or anything harder required passion, and everyone knew that passion would manifest in someone who did not have trouble deciding their life's path. Then there was the path to becoming a Horse Master which is actually one of the hardest. Not everyone could tame our stallions, nor care for the mares or raise a filly. Some have jokingly said it was easier to become part of the Kings counsel than it was to be a member of the horse breeders.
The path to serve the King, to be a Rohirric Rider, was different. One had to prove oneself, show the possibilities one had to offer. It required going out on Rides with the riders to observe and train. The year Eomer turned 20, so did Eothain. That year a new Marshal would be chosen. They would Ride Out with both Eomer and Eothain, they would be tested, and upon returning it would be revealed to everyone who the new Marshal would be.
Eothain and Eomer both desired becoming Marshal, they both came from Rider fathers and their ambition to follow in their steps was admirable, as they had both passed away during the same attack when the boys were 10 years old. Everyone in Edoras knew the boys would both go on that fateful Ride Out, and none could say who would come back as the Marshall.
What I had found most interesting and intriguing, was that there was no angry competitiveness between the two soon to be men. None at all. They never spoke ill of each other, quite on the contrary, they were and still are the closest and best of friends. There was not a single bone in their bodies that would not accept who would lead and who would follow. Who would be Marshal and who would be his second. I had never seen anything like it, I used to think, but now I realize I did indeed have that, with Ryce and in our own way. I remember how Eowyn used to have such trouble believing she and Ryce were equal to me and nothing would ever change that. Luckily that understanding grew as time went by, and now we are as thick as thieves.
The first day of his journey of learning, he was riding all day but would return the evening. The 6 days that followed he would sleep in the plains of the mark. I was waiting eagerly for his return and Eowyn had found me too impatient to be patient with, so she had left me on one of the balconies of Meduseld on the fourth day and I returned there the next two days by myself.
I was leaning on the balconies edge, and it was getting pretty dark already. I finally had tired myself from walking around in circles trying to spot his group in the distance, but I never saw anything. After a while it had gotten too dark to be able to see outside of the walls, so I focused on the inside of the walls instead.
All the warm colours coming from windows and their inside hearths, outside campfires and burning torches lit up a tensed nights events at Edoras. Everyone knew it was starting to get pretty late for the riders to return, although it could be pretty normal at some Ride outs. Yet we all sensed this might be different as they had not gone too far nor to too dangerous places.
I tasted blood as I had been biting my lip unconsciously, but this was a bitter wake up call. As I was about to go in for a glass of water, I heard excited voices as the gates opened for the riders, as was part of the tradition. I forgot about the metal taste in my mouth as I ran down the steps. My intuition had made me worry about them and so I quickly made my way through everyone else who were going to welcome back the riders, mumbling sorry here and there.
When I finally reached them, Eomer was at the front, leading the Riders, and had just dismounted Firefoot. He was wearing the Marshall helmet. He would become the leader.
The actual choosing ceremony takes place only between the riders before the night of their return, marking his first lead back home the following day. No one outside of the Riders really knew what happens during that ceremony, which I always thought was very interesting and I had asked many questions about it. No one would answer me, though.
Upon returning to Edoras, the new Marshal would then be accepted by the people as if it were the natural thing to have happened. But, if someone from Rohan would have a complaint, they would have to take it to the King himself the next day.
Only the King would hear the complaint and then discuss with the Marshall himself what decision would be made, and then based on that, the King could choose whether to trust the person that refused or his riders. That had never happened before. Yet it was an old rule our kin before us thought necessary to include, and so we kept it. I never would have thought I would have experienced the first time for that in my years, but I did not want to think about that now.
I came to a complete standstill when I saw Eomer's back and felt my heart flutter. He would be the new Marshal and I could not have been prouder.
My heart dropped when he turned around though, as his face was covered in blood and so was his armor. He had not seen me yet and suddenly I became aware of all the shouting around me.
'Make way! The King is hurt,' now my heart was in my throat and I found it hard to swallow. At once I saw the King struggling to dismount, but my mother had been quick to his aid as he stepped down and gave him mead. It was up to Eomer to speak now. I don't even think I blinked once before he finally spoke.
'We were attacked by free folk close to Entwood. They felt we were trespassing in their territory. Theoden King took an arrow to his shoulder, but Háma believes it to be superficial. The King will be fine,' he said. The air felt instantly lighter and felt it nice to breathe again. Eothain was now his second and slapped Eomers' shoulder patch before adding, 'That arrow would have been the Kings head if it was not for Eomer,' this earned some surprised gasps.
It was widely known the people of Rohan were close to one another, but there were limits to the candor of the riders to us normal folk. This little addition of Eothain was an example of that. But when I looked at the King he smiled slightly at Eothain, before turning to Eomer and sincerely bowed his head to him.
That had been absolutely spectacular and rare to say the least. The King does not bow to anyone, in some cultures only to other kings, so this was a great honor for Eomer.
'I thank you,' the King said.
'I see you,' Eomer responded. The king was then slowly making his way inside with the help of my mother and some of his riders followed, others stabled the horses, but they all walked by Eomer to pride him before going away. I was close to reaching the limits of my very little patience and walked over to him, just as Eothain walked away and lucky for me, he was the last.
What I really had wanted to do was hug him fiercely, but that kind of fierce urge was new to me and I felt too shy to act on it.
'Eomer,' I had said. He quickly spun around as I had startled him.
'Sorrun! Bema, you walk silently,' he sounded utterly surprised, still a bit in shock. He looked at me funny for three seconds before he started to dirt himself off a bit. It clicked.
'Eomer, if you think you can hug me after you've dusted off a little bit and wiped a bit of blood away, I must ask you to think again,'
He didn't really listen to me, ever, as he pulled me in a tight embrace. I felt my cheeks get red and my hands a bit clammy. I let him crush me for a few moments before I returned the hug, to which he immediately hissed and pulled back.
'You are hurt!' I said accusingly. I looked up at him and he was grinning down.
'Small price to pay! I shall not complain,' he said. I noticed him shift from his left leg to his right.
'That depends!' I said.
'On what?' he asked. He shifted again.
'How badly you are hurt! Where are you hurt, anyway?' I moved closer to inspect him, but he stopped me by putting one hand on my shoulders.
'You have not even congratulated me, you know,' he said. I pressed my lips together.
'I am aware. I shall do so after I made certain I am not congratulating a dead man,' he burst out laughing and only cringed slightly in pain.
'You have such a flair for the dramatic,' he said. I crossed my arms and he raised his eyebrows while a small smile lingered on his lips as if he were saying I was making his point. I raised one eyebrow as we both stayed silent for moments. Then he cast his eyes to the sky, sighed, and lifted up a bit of his shirt that was sticking out from under his chestplate. I saw a small red cut on his side, but it had already stopped bleeding. I felt relieved, and then my eyes strayed to the rest of his body that he had uncovered as he had lifted up his shirt.
I had never seen a man's belly before. I did not know there would be hair under the navel. I was about to ask why there was hair there, but at the last moment I caught myself. That would have been inappropriate. I felt myself go red. I also saw his belly was not soft like mine or my mom's, or Olfete's or Eowyns, but it looked hard and I could see shapes in them as if it were a stone road. Were those muscles? Did I not have those muscles? Eomer dropped his shirt and I was convinced I was bright red now. I pushed myself to look up at him and he was grinning broadly at me. I did not meet his gaze.
'See? It is but a scratch,' he said. I swallowed and nodded.
'How is Theoden King?' I asked.
'He will be fine, really. The arrow merely scratched his skin,' I was not sure if I believed him as I recalled the way my mother had reacted to seeing the King hurt, but it did not look like Eomer was lying to me.
'You still have not congratulated me, firebug,' he said.
'Nothing gets past you, eh?' I said dryly.
'I just really want to hear you say it,' he said earnestly. I felt my face get red again and I did not dare meet his eyes. The people of Rohan were no writers, but they had a way with words and valued honesty and care in their phrasing.
'I congratulate you,' I said, as that was the valued custom to say, 'on achieving your desire to become Marshall to the King. I know you shall aid him well. The Riders shall prosper under your command and I feel you will share many victories. I am proud of you,' I practically whispered the last bit. I did not quite look him in the eye yet, instead I was focussing on a stray hair on his forehead. He was silent for so long that I grew even more nervous and eventually could not help myself and I looked him in the eyes. He smiled then.
'Dance with me tonight. To celebrate,' he said. I smiled back and nodded, not trusting my voice. He hurried off then, and I was left there with my own thoughts. I felt a strange sensation in my stomach, while also feeling stupid for the elaborate answer I had given him when he wanted me to congratulate him. Why had I said all that?
/ / /
'You should wear dresses more often,' my mother said as we were both standing in front of the looking glass. I sighed. We have had that discussion many times before.
'It is not practical during the day and there are hardly any occasions for it,' I said. She smiled and sighed.
'I hear you. That is what you always say, dearest. And then I say "but there are plenty! You just do not attend them", and then you say "because they bore me! I would much rather walk around in leggings all day. They are comfortable" I would agree again and then say…'
'"I know, sweetheart, but you are close to coming of age and so you must start looking that way. It would not be fair to our men if you suddenly start dressing like a woman only the year before you become one. Graduality is key,"' I said. She was smiling at me through the looking glass and I smiled back.
'Precisely. Besides, I do not think one particular man would like it if he suddenly had to fight for your attention while he never had to before,' Shocked I turned towards her and I felt that strange sensation in my stomach again. It was… pleasant somehow. It did not stop me from getting red, though. She started laughing out loud.
'I do not know what you mean,' I said as I looked back at the glass and started adjusting the braids in my hair, even though the braids were perfect. She chuckled softly.
'I only tease, dearest. Now, stop touching your hair or you will undo all my hard work,'
/ / /
The dinner was exquisite. The food served at feasts that were held in the honor of the Riders were always very diverse in vegetables and fruits, as the men mostly ate meat while they were away. Bringing fruits and vegetables was only extra weight and meat could be hunted on the road. Every home in Edoras would enjoy a festive meal tonight in honor of the new Marshal, but Meduseld was not big enough to host everyone and so if one wanted a spot in the great Golden Hall, one had to be early. Somehow we had managed to run a little late, but there was still room at the table where Ryce and Aldin were seated. As soon as I saw that I shot them grateful looks. Their table was only one table away from Eomer, I thought, and as soon as I did I wondered why I had that thought.
After the dinner, all the tables were moved to one of the antichambers to make room for the bard, flute, and harp players as well as to have room to dance. I was wondering which bard was going to perform tonight as Eowyn walked up to me together with Theodred Prince. I had to refrain myself from bowing to him, because he had recently told me off about it, saying we were past such formalities. Until he would become King, that was.
'How is your father?' I asked him as he took my outstretched hand to lightly kiss my knuckles. He was the only one who did that, I figured it was some sort of compromise on a greeting.
'He is well, thanks to the care of your mother. I will find her later to express my gratitude. How do you fare?' I always found Theodred slightly intimidating, as he was a bit older than me and somehow he always made that noticeable in the way he spoke to me.
'I am quite well, thank you,' at a loss for what to say next I started fearing an awkward silence, but he did not seem to share my concern.
'May I inquire, have you been asked to dance to the opening song yet?' I blinked rapidly, not expecting the conversation to take this turn. I recalled my conversation with Eomer, but he did not explicitly say the first dance.
'I have not,' Eowyn shot me a look and I tried to ignore her burning eyes.
'It is settled then. After the bard tells his story, we shall share the first dance,' before I could say anything else, he walked off. I turned to Eowyn.
'What are you doing?' she asked curiously.
'What am I doing? He asked me, you should know this, you stood right there!' I said.
'You are going to dance. With my cousin. With Theodred,' she said.
'Are you certain? I thought he asked me to climb the Sarn Gebir with him!' she grinned broadly.
'Please. You would never. He knows that. People will talk, seeing you two dance,' she added and she seemed very happy with that. And Eomer thinks I have a flair for drama.
'People are going to talk about what?' Aldin asked from behind me. I tried to tell Eowyn to stay quiet with my expression, but she either did not see or chose to ignore it.
'Sorrun is going to dance. With Theodred,' she said, still grinning. Aldin started laughing.
'Which dance?' he asked.
'The first one,' she replied.
'Ah, not the last? Now that would leave people talking for the rest of the season!' I felt the redness return. Had I ever blushed this much in one day?
'Pardon me. I must have heard wrong. Sorrun is going to dance?' Ryce had appeared out of thin air behind Eowyn. I felt myself getting angry. They were making a fool out of me.
'She is. With Theodred,' Eowyn added.
'It does not matter with whom! I do not remember the last time you danced with anyone, Runny,' Ryce said. The people around us started to move towards the bard. He would begin with telling a story soon. And then, if we were lucky, maybe another story before he would start to sing and we would dance. I swallowed.
'That is because I have not,' I said through gritted teeth.
'Sure you have. We have danced on several occasions. As you have with your mother, and Olfete, and -' Eowyn started, then she fell silent.
'There is a shocking lack of men on that list,' Aldin stated. I wondered how much redder I could get.
'I never thought I would see the day. Sorry is dancing with us mere males! I claim another dance,' Ryce said.
'As do I,' Aldin said.
'Well, if we are not careful the whole of Edoras will be asking her for a dance! The bard does not know enough songs for you to dance with everyone,' Eowyn said. The three of them were enjoying this too much for my liking.
'Enough. Theodred asked me if I wanted to dance the first dance with him and I said yes. Why is that so funny to you?' I damned myself for uttering the question, because I knew I would not like the answer. It had gotten quiet around us and we realised the bard had started his tale. We lowered our voices and moved further away from the crowd.
'We all assumed your first dance would be with Eomer,' Aldin said. Strange feeling in my stomach again. I would have liked that, now that he mentioned it.
'He did ask me to dance with him, just after he returned this afternoon,' I said. They fell silent. Then, in perfect synchronisation, Aldin and Ryce started laughing. Eowyn, however, looked concerned. She poked them both in the sides and they lowered their volume.
'He had not specifically said the first?' she asked.
'No. Why are you laughing so?' I asked the boys. That only increased their laughter.
'He will get so angry,' Ryce said in between laughs.
'Do not be silly,' I said. The feeling in my stomach got more intense and I found it could be best described as a fluttering feeling.
'Cannot wait to see his face when he finds out,' Aldin said while still laughing.
'Sorrun, usually when someone asks someone to dance, they mean the first dance. Only the last dance is specified mostly, because of the message it sends,' I blinked a couple of times.
'What! How does that make sense? How is someone to know that the first dance is implied? How should someone know how many others have been asked to dance, too? And what message is sent with dancing the last dance together?' I was so confused. Ryce and Aldin had stepped outside on one of the balconies yet I could still hear their laughter.
'You never really pay attention to these kinds of things, Sor. You really should. If someone asks you specifically to dance before the dance, they usually mean the first dance. Every other dance in between the first and the last is asked during the feast as they walk up to the one they want to dance with and await their answer then and there. As for the last dance… have you never noticed that the last song is always announced? And that the only ones dancing are siblings with each other, married couples and betrothed? And children, but they do not count,' I swallowed. No, I had never noticed that.
'Oh no. So I promised my first dance to Eomer and Theodred?' I asked in disbelief. I did not want to disrespect either of them by turning one down so close to the dance. Eowyn nodded.
'I would say you take your word back from Theodred. He was the second to ask, and…'she fell silent.
'And?!' I said impatiently as she did not finish her sentence.
'And he would not get as mad as Eomer,'
'Why do you all think he would get so angry? He should have been more clear in asking me which dance he meant!' I countered.
'Well, now you know what it means, who do you want to have the first dance with?' she asked. I knew my answer almost immediately, but I could not back down from my word to the prince. So I pressed my lips together and sighed. Eowyn nodded as she understood my mental turmoil.
I knew where Eomer was in the crowd as he towered over the rest and I gathered my courage as I walked up to him. I patted him on the shoulder and he turned around. He had to look down to see me and when he did, he smiled.
'Came to claim your dance?' He asked. I swallowed.
'I need to talk to you,' I said. His smile turned into a frown and he looked me over before looking me in my eyes again.
'Step outside with me,' I added. He nodded and took the lead. As we walked onto one of the balconies I double checked to see if Aldin and Ryce were not on this one, and when I saw no one else, I turned to him. I had no idea how much longer the bard would be telling his tale, so I had to hurry up. I just had not found the words yet. Why was this so hard?
'Tell me then,' he said, probably thinking I was silent for too long, so I inhaled deeply.
'IaccidentallypromisedTheodredthefirstdanceaswell,' I said faster than I had ever thought possible. Even I did not hear what I had said, but I knew. Eomer looked puzzled and then expressionless.
'You are going to have to repeat that,' he said. I looked up at him.
'I am sorry. Theodred asked me to dance the first dance - and I said yes because - I - you did not say you meant the first dance so I thought it could be any - I did not know - the order -' incomprehensive as I was being, I could tell he understood what I had said.
'I see. You are blaming me for promising your dance to two people,' his eyes were hard, but there was a weird smile around his lips.
'No - well - yes - no. I did not know that there was a specific… order to asking one to dance,' he raised an eyebrow.
'Did you not? I see,' he said.
'You do not believe me?'
'And so you decided to let me off instead of Theodred?' I frowned. He started doing that a lot lately, answering a question with another question.
'I asked you a question, too,' I said.
'I thought it was a statement. So are you denying us both or just me?' my friends were right, he was getting angry. He was fighting it, but he was getting angry. But I was getting angry, too.
'It was not a statement so answer me, Eomer, do you not believe me? Do you not believe I had no idea how our little court works?'
'Indeed I do not! You are soon to be of age and your mother is an honourable woman as is Olfete so I trust they have thought you the ways! Now answer me, Sorrun, did you also tell Theodred of your mistake?' I blinked in confusion.
'They are starting to teach me! I have never before shown interest in our court as you are well aware, I am always out with you or Eowyn or Aldin or Ryce! And no, I have not told Theodred -'
'Why?'
'Why what?'
'Why are you telling me this instead of Theodred!'
'Because he is my prince!' I said. I had not before noticed he was standing close to me. His shoulders had been going up and down fast, but now they abruptly stopped. His eyes bored into mine before he shut them momentarily.
'I see,' what?
'You see what?' I asked.
'And what does that make me? Easily disposable?'
'What? Eomer, no, not at all,'
'Then what, Sorrun?' he looked… hurt, somehow.
'You are my friend. My close friend. He is my prince, I could not deny him because I feel that would be dishonorable,'
'Your prince? I see -'
'Stop saying that, clearly you do not see! He is the prince, he is further away from me than you are which is why I felt you would understand, once I explained it to you. I would rather have my first dance with you, but as I made the mistake of promising the prince the first dance as well I feel I am obliged to carry out my promise to him. I did not do this to hurt you,' and as fast as my anger towards him had come it had gone as well. He was still looking at me only now I could not read his expression. He stayed silent for so long I could hear the soft tunes of the flute and harp. Inside they were getting ready for the dance. Theodred would be looking for me. It did not look like Eomer would say anything more, so I placed my hand right above his elbow.
'I did not do this to hurt you. I made a mistake, I am only now learning the ways of coming of age! I think I understand your anger, but please also try to understand my explanation. I am sorry. I hope you will still want to dance with me after, but I understand if you do not,' I said before I let go of his arm and walked inside.
/ / /
Luckily for me, the first dance was a fast and chipper song. I would not be able to dance a slower song with Theodred, because I had no idea how to carry myself with him. He intimidated me even more up close.
'Your mother seems close to my father,' Theodred started as the dance required us to move close together now.
'He has been to the healing rooms more often lately. My mother is there all the time,' I said. Was that okay for me to say about my King? I had no clue.
'Indeed, it seems he needs help addressing even a simple paper cut,' he said. Only when I saw him smile I felt like I could smile, too. Then his smile faded just the slightest bit.
'My father seems to enjoy her company. Tell me, has she ever spoken of him to you?' luckily for me, the next moves of the dance required us to part ways for a few steps so I could think of my answer.
'She always talks very highly of the King. She told me he sometimes reads to her and others in the healing rooms when he is there. She says he has a nice voice,' I said and for a moment I was afraid I had said too much. Then his smile grew bigger.
'Indeed he does. He could have been the bard if it were not for his royalty,' we both laughed at this. A little bit of the tension I felt had drained away, but I was still not completely at ease dancing with someone so… regal. That and I never was very good at making new friends. The four I had, I had for as long as I could remember and I could not really remember the point where we became as close as we were. I wanted to ask him why he was asking, but I dared not.
'Grima is concerned that your mother's intentions are… selfish,' Theodred then said, 'however, I do not agree, certainly not after what you have told me. Your candor is appreciated,' he said and as if he knew beforehand (which he probably did), the dance ended, we bowed to each other and he kissed my knuckles again. I wanted to say something, but then my eyes fell on Eomer who was standing next to us all of a sudden. He was looking at my hand, the one Theodred just kissed, the one Theodred was still holding. Why did that make me feel weird?
'Theodred. I hear Eowyn is eager to have the next dance with you,' Eomer said. He was looking at Theodred now, and he smirked.
'Is that so? How fortunate, most of the time it is I who has to ask for her hand in a dance! I take it you shall dance with Sorrun, then?' Theodred said. Still Eomer did not look at me. I was afraid he was going to say no, but then...
'I will, if she will have me,' I would if you would just look at me, because I wanted to nod as I did not trust my voice. What was happening to me?
Finally Theodred looked at me and so did Eomer. Then I nodded and Theodred took my hand and placed it on Eomer's. Theodred took off straight away and Eomer positioned himself in front of me, awaiting the starting tune of the music to see what kind of dance it was going to be.
'I think I understand,' he said. Oh oh, we were going to pick up where we left off. At least he did not sound angry, not really. I did feel a tension rise as soon as Eomer was so close.
'I am glad,' the tunes were soft and gentle, it would be a slow dance.
'I should not have reacted the way I did. It is only a dance, correct?' he asked.
'Yes,'
'How was it?'
'What?' I had gotten distracted by his eyes. Dancing was not as hard as I thought it would be, but I guessed it had to do with my partners and that they both could lead well.
'The dancing with Theodred. It seemed like you had fun,' he had seen me dance? That realisation felt… strange. Intimate, even. I shook that feeling away and smiled.
'It was. He asked about my mother,' I felt the grip in his hands tighten for a moment before it was gone.
'Did he indeed? What did he ask?'
'If she ever spoke to me about Theoden King. Theodred seems to think they are taking a liking towards each other,' and just like that, the tension was gone. What did he think Theodred and I were talking about?
'Yes, he has asked me about that as well. Asked if I saw a change in his behavior whenever he had gone to the healing rooms,'
'And have you?' I asked.
'Theoden has taken to whistling tunes lately. That is new,' I guess that was a yes. The dance started to go faster and I was struggling to keep up.
'You really have no experience with this, do you?' Eomer asked.
'No, why would I lie-iee,' all of a sudden he had lifted me off the floor by my waist and I put my hands on his shoulders to balance myself. He was slowly turning in a circle, all the while grinning from ear to ear and I could not help but smile myself. I looked around and saw others in the air as well and my smile turned into a giggle. Slowly he lowered me again and for the rest of our dance I could not look away from him. The fluttering feeling stayed put.
The song came to an end and from the corner of my eye I saw someone stopping next to us, so I turned and saw Aldin.
'I believe it is my turn,' he said happily.
'I am sorry, I did not quite catch that,' Eomer said. Strange, I heard Aldin perfectly.
'I said that I think it is my turn to dance with Sorrun,' Aldin said again, still happy but less certain. The music started again, and again it was a soft and gentle tone.
'Ah. I think you are wrong. Sorry,' Eomer grinned at Aldin, took both my hands and nearly dragged me after him as I was not good at moving around in dresses yet. I could not help but laugh at Eomer.
'I cannot believe you did that,' I said. Somewhere I was a bit annoyed he had just demanded the next dance from me and treated Aldin in such a way, but then I remembered our fight on the balcony and did not want to see him that angry at me again. I looked over at Aldin and saw him dancing with Ryce, so he was not really hurt either.
'You have not heard? The one who claims the second dance, claims all the dances,' he said. I looked at him with a mixture of shock and questioning, but soon he started laughing.
'Not funny,' I said in mock anger.
'It is to me,'