"What do you intend to do with me, Tairan?"

"I mean to keep you here until those in authority become more reasonable," he responded icily and came to sit down again.

"Do you think my father will really give you my hand in marriage when I am already Hamir's?"

"Yes, and do you want to know the reason why?"

"No, but you will tell me in any case."

"Your Hamir will be dead in three days time."

Her eyes instantly seared and she leapt out of her chair. He sat calmly still enjoying her performance.

"You think I seriously had not a plan to bring about Hamir's end? I have scorned my brother for many years. I will end his life myself."

"Not if I have something to say about it."

"But you will not," he commanded.

He eased out of his chair and faced her. She grew unnerved by his close presence. He was much taller than she with well built muscles and strong hands due to the many battles he had fought. She observed the sword resting at his side. He wielded an authority that men listened to. And men feared him. Araiel did not wish to fear him, but at the same time, she could not ignore her helpless state.

"You are so beautiful," he murmured his breath floating across her face. "The sons do not do you justice. And now," he firmly put a hand upon her waist to steady her. "How old are you Araiel?"

"I shall be nineteen soon."

She looked down at the hands grasping her waist and tried to be calm, but it was impossible with every fiery hatred coursing through her. Slowly, he intertwined an arm around her waist bringing her closer. He forced his chest upon her and easily grinned relishing her fear.

"If our places had been reversed, you would have loved me the same," he murmured against her ear causing the hairs on her neck to stand on end. "You should have been rightfully mine. After all, why do you think that you have not been able to bear a child yet for Hamir?" she widened her eyes looking up. "He cannot give you a child, Araiel. He tries to deny it, but he cannot."

"I don't believe you," but he could see a tear forming in her eye.

Softly, he rubbed a hand across her cheek and settled it there. "I can give you children. I will protect your city. Hamir is not a fighter. He never has been. He cannot give you the protection that you need. But I can. And I can give you the heirs that we need."

"There is no WE!"

She instantly began to struggle, but held her fast. Before she knew it, Tairan's mouth was upon hers brutally delving and searching. She finally gave up on resisting and melted into his arms. He lowered her to the soft sand with an arm wrapped carefully around her waist all the while kissing her. Just as he moved his lips to her neck, Araiel let out a cry of protest.

"No!" she instantly gripped her stomach and closed her eyes.

He looked down at her in surprise as he rolled onto her stomach holding it tight.

"Something's wrong! Oh…" her words trailed off, and she fainted into the ground.

Tairan confusedly picked her up and carried her to the healer's tent. He gently set her down upon one of the beds as an old woman put a soft damp rag upon the Princess's head.

"I will return in an hour," he decisively stated.

King Araron read the note and handed it to Hamir. Hamir threw it to the ground in disgust and spat upon it. He screamed in agony throwing his knuckles into one of the pillars.

"I should never have let her leave my side!" he exclaimed.

"We cannot change the past, Hamir," Araron replied. "There is only one thing left to do."
"He wants me to come alone," Hamir stated.

"Yes, I have heard that you are not on good terms with your brother."
"No, he wishes to kill me. I have seen that for many years. But if he has defiled her in any way, I will tear out his heart with my bare hands."
"Will you go alone?"

Hamir sighed rubbing his eyes. "Yes, I will. I love Araiel, and I will not see her killed."

"And if you are killed, what of that?"

"My brother will not be so cowardice as to simply shoot me in the heart. He will challenge me to a one on one battle. He wants to prove to me that he is stronger and more capable of running a country."

"I guess we shall know in three days time who is."

Araiel had awoken minutes after Tairan left. The healer gave her a sweet spicy tea to drink which calmed her unsettled nerves.

"My lady, do you understand what I have told you?" she asked the Princess.

"Yes, I do. Thank you for everything you have done. What was your name?"

"My name is Louisia."

"Thank you, Louisia."

Tairan stepped into the room. Araiel should have known he would be somewhat early. He walked to her side and bade the healer leave.

"Were you pretending?" he frowned his hazel eyes boring two deep holes into hers.

"It was just a sharp pain in my side. A fading cramp."

"Then I assume you will have no trouble if I take you to my practice rings tomorrow and challenge you?"

"No," she murmured softly tracing her thumb across the still warm mug. "I will go."

"Good, I will let you sleep here tonight. Hamir will be here in two days time. You will wish to rest for tomorrow."

Before he left, Tairan set a hand against her cheek. She closed her eyes looking away in disgust.

"You will come to appreciate me in time."

With no other words spoken, Tairan left the tent. The healer returned shortly afterward.

"You may have my bed tonight, lady," Louisia spoke. "I shall sleep on the cushions."

"You do not mind?" Araiel asked.

"Not at all. The tea has helped, yes?"

"Yes it has. Thank you again."

Araiel slowly drifted off to sleep wondering what the next day would be like.

Tairan awoke her early. She wanted nothing more than to go back to sleep, but he took her arm within his grip and propelled her upward.

"Come, come now. The day is wasting. There are clothes for you on the bed."

Araiel groaned in protest as he left the tent quickly for her to change. She felt sick still and did not wish to go to the practice ring. Araiel squeezed into the tight leggings and tucked the long waist shirt inside. She slowly pulled her long hair into a braid keeping it out of her face. Tairan was waiting for her outside the tent. He handed her a bow and a quiver.

"You will show me your archery. And then I shall show you my sword play. Come…"

Araiel matched him easily. She was not even distracted by the other many men who were there skillfully training for an upcoming battle. She kept her eyes fixed on the targets at all times striking every single one with sheer accuracy. She hit the bulls eye very time. Tairan attempted to match her skill but grew more agitated by the minute. He hit the targets but never grew close to her arrows.

"You will teach me how you do this some time," he firmly said.

"It takes many years and much patience to learn. And do not forget I have the eyes of an elf."

He turned to her and took her hand escorting her to the sword ring. Many men were already there. When they saw their leader, they instantly ceased their fighting and turned to pay him respects. He merely held up his right hand.

"Hama, Ceten, come you two will go against me today."

Hama and Ceten, two soldiers, exchanged worried looks but simply bowed in response. Araiel held her jaw firm as she watched Tairan rip his cloak off and remove his tunic revealing his rock hard chest and bulging biceps. He entered the ring grasping two swords. The two men were arrayed in full armor suits, and they equally carried two swords. They were bigger and bulkier than Tairan, but intuition told Araiel that strength was not it completely. The fight began, and she instantly widened her eyes as Tairan took off in a flash. His fire was insatiable. She could not keep track of the number of moves he made or how he knocked his opponents down in merely seconds. He swung his swords in semicircles and brought them together in a loud triumphant clang. The audience roared a thunderous applause. All Araiel wished to do was turn away. Tairan approached her not even a drop of sweat upon his brow.

"Now, we will go to a quieter practice ring, and I will teach you what I know."