.:Father's Announcement:.

The winter of that year saw a violent and bloody uprising amongst the dwarves in the southern part of Tirrius. My father sent the King's Own to 'settle' the unrest, which no doubt saw the deaths of many a dwarf king from the various clans, though I was not permitted to hear the report given by the Commander of the King's Own once the soldiers returned from their quest. I was not permitted to listen to such disturbing talks of battles and was instead ordered to take breakfast with the Queen in her chambers, before I left for my daily lessons in tapestry, dancing, music, and the little magic my father would permit his children to learn.

I sat before the Queen, only half listening to her talk as she tried to fill me in on court's latest gossip. A dragon egg had been discovered by Lord Girnal on his estate some weeks before; an visiting ambassador from the elves was to be arriving in a few days time to organise yet another peace treaty; the mer-people were up in arms about the fishing route that had been set up through their water; and...

My stepmother stopped talking, taking in my distant gaze. She set down her cup and touched my hands lightly, startling out of my thoughts. "Eloryn, you look pale. Pray tell what troubles you?"

I tried to smile, bowing my head humbly. "Forgive me, Catheryn. I was miles away."

The Queen smiled warmly. In the books in the nursery, stepmothers are always portrayed as fearsome, mean, ugly people who force their stepchildren to cook and clean for them against their will, but that was not so with my father's second wife. Catheryn seemed to be more like a proper parent to me than my own father was, and she certainly tried to make up as best as she could for my father's iciness towards me. I was lucky in that respects, for I truly was Catheryn's blood – Father had married my mother's older sister shortly after my eighth birthday. Apart from being my Queen and stepmother, Queen Catheryn was also my aunt.

"I feel so bad for you that your eighteenth birthday has been overshadowed by this terrible business with the dwarf clans," the Queen said seriously, as a servant brought in another tray of toasted buns and sweet jam. "I am glad, at least, that my brother from Igorance has insisted to come here to Tirrius for the banquet in your honour."

I nodded, pretending to look excited. If the king of Tirrius hadn't said he would come for the celebrations, there wouldn't be a banquet being held anyway.

"When does my uncle arrive?" I queried. "Igorance is a two day journey away by ship, and a six day ride."

"He'll be here in three days, Eloryn." Before she could say anything else the door flew opened and my father walked in, followed by a dazed-looking servant. Catheryn and I leapt to our feet, curtsying to the King as he glanced at us. His eyes narrowed as he saw me. "My lord! This is a surprise," the Queen said, walking towards Father. "How was the report?"

"Terrible," the King answered in his gruff growl of a voice. "The loss of our loyal men has been greater than we had first expected. I do not wish Eloryn to hear of such matters – she wouldn't understand them." His voice was hard. "You may leave."

No one angers the King. I curtsied again, hoping to get away as quickly as I could. The King stepped aside to let me pass, eyes narrowed as he watched me head towards the door. Suddenly he reached out and snared my arm, remembering something he had forgotten. His touch was fleeting and he dropped my arm as though it had turned into a snake.

"You are eighteen and it's about time you were wed. I am currently thinking over a marriage proposal from the King of Casarno. You hall meet him at the...banquet. That is all."

I curtsied again. "Thank you, Majesty." And then I was gone.

"A birthday party!" squealed Millie, as she hurried around my chamber that night. "A birthday party for my baby! And soon my baby will be married!" My lady's maid was more excited about the news than I was. "And to the King of Casarno! I hear he's young and good looking, my child – you'll do good by him."

"Millie, please," I complained in a half giggle, holding up a hands in surrender. "I shall just have to see when I meet him, won't I?"

My lady's maid, who had been caring for me for all of my life, laughed at my obvious embarrassment and excitement. She gathered me in a tight hug, then released me and pointed towards my bed. "Go on, child – off to bed with you."

Maybe it was the excitement of the unknown that made me fall quickly into a peaceful slumber. But a peaceful slumber is not what I usually enjoy, for my dreams are frequent. And I only ever have one dream. I only ever dream of one man.

I walked quietly along the dirt track, feeling as lost and hopeless as ever. I was in a forest of tall trees, whose barks glistened and shone brighter than the moon at night. These soldiers of white light dazzled me, forcing me to cast my eyes to the ground. It was only then that he came, appearing behind me and laying his hands on my shoulders. I continued to walk, and he was standing right behind me.

"Will you look at me?" His voice was young yet deep, and sounded like it belonged to one who had seen much pain and suffering through his life. "Will you not tonight look upon my face at last?"

"No."

The man behind me sighed sadly, hands still on my shoulders. "All these years I hear your voice, yet I never see your face. I wish I could. Why will you not look at me? Why won't you tell me who you are?"

The answer was hard in coming."You wouldn't like me if you knew," I whispered. "You would wish you'd never dreamt of me."

"Do I scare you?" the man asked, as though I hadn't even spoken.

That question was more than easy for me to answer. "Yes."

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