Woot! Longer update! Heh, have gotten a bit slower at updating but it's not my fault..have gotten very..distracted:S Just started a new game ( lost oddysey, it's excellent). I get VERY distracted by those. Oh, and side note, I just finished this book called 'the time traveller's wife'. It's amazing and perfect and beautiful and heartbreaking and perfect. You should all read it.

Numair Salmalin strolled slowly through the royal stables, deep in thought. Obviously, his methods of confession had been utterly ineffective in regards to Daine. Perhaps, he was going about it all in the completely wrong way, perhaps what he needed was something more subtle, something less intimidating. At that moment, a brilliant idea struck him. He could write a letter! What could possibly go wrong with that? Not only would he have no chance to back out once he finished the letter, but no matter how many interruptions there were it was written down and could be read after. Numair smiled to himself, there was absolutely nothing that could go wrong with this plan. He merely had to write it and get it to her. The mage practically sprinted back to his rooms to retrieve parchment and a quill and spent the journey back to the stables pondering what to write.

A declaration of his feelings, of course, but he had to take care not to make it too bold or overwhelming. Perhaps it was best to keep it short and, if she was not repulsed (he cringed at the thought), ask her to meet him somewhere that night. Before he knew it he had reached clouds stall, the grey pony looking over the barrier at him curiously. A quick glance around told him that Daine was nowhere to be found so he quickly put the parchment up against the wood of the stall, expertly dodging and attempted 'love bite' from cloud, and began to write.

This may come as a shock and may not even be something that you wish to hear but I must ask that you read this through and give it your full attention. We have known each other for many years now, and in that time become very close friends. I, however, must admit that after all this time that I truly long to be more than just your friend. If you wish it, please come to meet me tonight in my rooms after dinner.

-Numair

Numair quickly scrolled his name at the bottom as he saw Daine and Onua approaching from the corner of his eye. Finishing, he shoved the letter onto the ledge of the stall where it was just out of sight of the two women although he thought he may have seen Daine glance at it, looking confused, as she reached him. She quickly shook it off however and greeted him warmly.

"Why hello master mage, to what do we owe this visit?" She said teasingly and Onua smiled.

"Really, it's not often that you courtiers descend from your lofty dwellings up there on the hill."

"Ladies! I'm hurt, to think that that's all you think of me!" He tried to sound casual, and return their gentle teasing, but he couldn't keep the nervous tone from his voice and his palms were beginning to get sweaty.

"Well you are the vainest mage in all of Tortall after all." Daine said, grinning wickedly at Onua.

"Horse lords, I've finally corrupted you." Onua said, in mock regret, as she hung her head.

"Right, well, lovely seeing you two; I think I should be getting back now." Numair said, turning around quickly and walking quickly away from the two very confused women. At the door to the stables he paused and looked back to see Daine picking up the parchment form the stall ledge as Onua turned to one of the other ponies. His breath caught in his throat and he turned to walk back to the castle, he really couldn't bear to watch her read it.

Numair paced nervously in his study, running his hands through his hair. She should be done with her meal by now if she was following her regular routine and yet she hadn't come to his rooms. Panic overtook him; maybe she wasn't coming at all. He clenched his fists and pushed the thoughts back, there was still plenty of time. A few more moments passed before he heard a soft knock on his door and he had stopped dead, having to clear his voice before being able to speak.

"Come in." He said, wincing at the slightly higher than normal octave his voice reached, and staring at the door in anticipation. He did now know, however, what to say when instead of Daine, Onua walked into his rooms.

"Onua, what are you doing here?" He asked, in utter confusion, and she looked around his room, not meeting his eyes.

"Well, she read your letter." She trailed off, putting a hand over her mouth. Numair felt his heart sinking; it had been so bad that she had had to send someone else. Numair sank into a nearby chair, putting his head in his hands.

"Hags bones, it was that bad?" Asking himself more than anyone.

"Well, yes and no." Numair looked up at the woman in confusion.

"What do you mean?"

"Well she read it, turned a very impressive shade of red, and handed it to me mumbling that you had left me something." Onua said slowly, a small smile playing across her features, and Numair jumped up in disbelief.

"What? No, that was for her, not you! I mean, I just, you're a great friend but" He was cut off as she started laughing loudly.

"Don't worry; I didn't think it was, you have no need to be careful about offending me."

"Well that's something at least, but, I mean, how can this be so hard?" He collapsed back into the chair and Onua sat on the arm of it, patting him on the shoulder.

"Well, did you think of, you know, putting her name on it? That might have helped."

"Well I thought she would figure it out, she's been pretty smart when it comes to just about everything else. I mean, really!" He was absolutely pouting now, that is, until another idea hit him. "No, no, no. Does that mean she still thinks that I am in love with you?" At this point he was really beginning to think that it couldn't possibly get any worse.

"Ah, don't you worry master mage; I took care of that for you. I just told her it was some joke we've had going." She said, waving her hand vaguely in the air. "She accepted it, no harm done there."

"Good. This should still be going better though." He sighed "Are you surprised?"

"Not even a little bit." She laughed briefly. "Horse lords Numair, she's the only one who doesn't know. In fact you'd better get your act together and do it soon or I'm going to owe Alanna three gold crowns."

"You have a bet going?" He asked weakly.

"Yes, so get moving, and no more letters. You can do better than that." The k'mir said, walking towards the door. As she left Numair just sank further into his chair. Maybe he should enlist some help, then again he couldn't imagine the chaos that would be involved if got a hand form any of the people he knew.

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