Disclaimer – No, I do not own Sherwood's soul…mores the pity because I would have forced her to write a blinking sequel!!

Chapter – Horse play

Merry laughter drifted in the cool, crisp air. The lingering autumn was beginning to fade into winter although that had not stopped the court for enjoying one last social outing. The last horse race of the year had been organised by none other than Savona. Everyone was taking part in the gaiety – Renna, Nee, Bran, Trishe, Geral and even Mel had been persuaded by the handsome duke to join in.

"Lady Meliara", Savona bowed over her hand flamboyantly, "it is indeed an honour for you to grave your presence at my humble race." His dark eyes twinkled in mirth much like his fair cousin.

Appreciating Danric and Russav humour was still taking a little time to understand but Mel was now confident in her feelings for Danric to allow the barb court commentary go. She was becoming increasingly good at recognising their teasing and she enjoyed being included in the close comradely.

She smiled brightly at the duke. "It will depend on my winning, Russav to see if it was wise of me to appear."

His hand fluttered quickly to a fencer's hit accompanied with a smirk. Grasping her hand in his, he kissed it reverently before steering her to the rest of the group. Many of them were chatting and drinking until the races would start and the riders would separate for the watchers. Mel's eyes fell across everyone, nodding to the ones that saw her while her wandered around. She could not see him.

"He will be here", murmured Russav from the side of his mouth as they made their way over to Tamara who was sitting with Bran and Nee.

Mel blushed slightly. "I did not think I was being that obvious."

He quirked his head towards her and kindly smile, "The others will not notice. To them you and Danric are still at odds but I have the upper hand." Mel raised her eyebrows intrigued. Savona moved his head closer to the countess' ear. "I know for a fact that my poor love-sick cousin will be here because you are here." He resumed their walk as Mel devoured the words.

"Please tell me…know one else…you know…" Mel stuttered for a while, trying to form coherent sentences. It was too early in their relationship for the whole court to know about Vidanric and herself. She could not stand the accusation and the ever watching presence of courtier who would take great pleasure in ruining her reputation and therefore destroying their joining. Meliara was becoming more aware through the help of Danric to the darker side of court lie and how to avoid it.

Savona squeezed her hand in reassure. "I have not told a soul."

Mel breathed in deeply and smiled at the duke before she noticed the narrowing blue eyes of Tamara. Oh dear, Mel thought ruefully, not another fight!

As the couple was welcomed into the group, the tension between the illustrious pair was rising. Mel watched in fascination as Tamara and Russav started to throw barb comments at one another and trade insults with a pretty smile and a fan. Seeing the danger approaching, Mel quickly muttered an apology and ventured near the servants to beg for some tea.

Asking a young boy who scurried away to serve the Meliara Astair of Tlanth as quickly as he could, Mel pondered over peoples perceptions of her. She could not fathom why some still stared at her with a slightly awe expression and considered her a heroine to all of Remalna.

"Will I have to duel for your heart?" A soft spoken elegant masculine voice came from behind her.

Turning slightly to face the speaker, Mel meet Danric with a small smile but confusion written across her face. "Duel?" She looked beyond his shoulder and saw that everyone else was happily busy to notice them.

The humour shone brightly in Danric's eyes as nodded his head in front. "The young pup eager to please. I think that you might have another inconvenient swain."

"Don't be ridicule", Mel laughed lightly.

Grey eyes swept across Meliara' figure detailing how lovely she looked in mainly forest green riding gear with a hat at a sharp angle covering half of her beautiful face. The contrast of colour and her hair made the whole ensemble striking and he was not the only one to notice such a sight. Arriving slightly later than normal, Danric had a few moments to relish the way Mel interacts with everyone. It brought a certain warmth to his being just to observe her until Savona caught his attention with a knowing smirk across his face. Could his cousin be anymore annoying? He still hadn't dropped the nickname of smitten boy yet! That was a question not to answer.

"Your ladyship", said a squeak from her elbow. The gangly youth who was in the middle of growing handed over the cup and saucer with a slight wobble. Smiling her thanks to the servant, Mel took the tea and began to sip. Shaking his head to say no, Vidanric dismissed the boy. It was extremely hard not to roll his eyes at the scene.

Meliara continued to sip her tea although the twinkle in her blue eyes was noticeable, as Danric looked over at her. Then he did roll his eyes at being teased which brought a wide smile to her face. One up on him.

"My lords and ladies", exclaimed Russav standing in the middle of the group. "The race is about to begin!"

A loud cheer and clapping was given and Savona lapped it up by performing grand, flourishing bows to awaited audience.

"Are you riding your grey", Mel queried with a raise of her eyebrows.

A smile formed at his mouth as he remembered their first race from Carad-on-Whitewater to Lumm but in particular the wager that was set. With his riding gloves tucked into the side of his belt, Danric made a move to put them on while his mind glittered at the possibilities. The stake could be high.

"Indeed", he replied dryly. "Are you racing Lady Meliara?" A nod of her head was his answer. "Since this is a friendly race, would enjoy a wager to make it more of a challenge?" From the blush forming, he could imagine that her thoughts were going back into the past as well.

Straightening her posture with a steel glint in her eye, Meliara surveyed Danric. His calm and collected exterior was intact but the aura around him had a certain mischief that she likes.

"The wager?"

A fleeting boyish expression fell across his face before it returned to the usual court mask. Holding his arm out, Danric guided Mel towards their horses that were prancing in anticipation for the race. His thumb out of view stroking her palm which brought a shiver through her body as his touch always did. Glancing quickly at him, she smiled softly.

"My lord?"

Vidanric stood in front of her brown horse, holding the reins as she climbed into the saddle. He brought himself nearer to her knee and squeezed it quickly with an impish look in his eyes. Beckoning with his finger, Mel bent towards him. He was a strange mood.

"The loser has to inform the court of our relationship," is his usual court drawl although his hand managed to capture hers. Meliara thoughts scattered like seven mice from a cat. To announce their relationship publicly! Was she ready? Considering they had talked about the implications of when everyone would find out, she was surprised at his impulse. Staring straight into his grey eyes, she told read the turmoil of mixed emotions with love being at the forefront.

Silence stretched and Danric doubted that he might have gone too far. "Or a kiss?" For the first time in his life, nerves got the better of him.

"No," she stated resolutely, "I accept you first wager, Lord Vidanric. Nothing more to say than…" she smiled at him, "I hope you have a speech as hand." With an inner strength she did not know that she possessed, Meliara bent down and kissed Danric unexpectedly. He grasped her face, softly running his finger across her cheeks before spearing her hair to return the passionate kiss.

Breaking apart, she laughed loudly at the freedom that she felt, attracting many of the courtiers gazes while Vidanric stood next to her with his familiar mask but in a relaxed stances. Many muttered that they had missed something important between the two and tried to figure out what would have happened between the king-to-be and the country's heroine.

Gathering his horse, he swung effortlessly on his grey and spun the horses around to the start line right beside Mel who was taking this as serious as they first race. Barely aware of Savona standing at the side lines with a flag, counting down, Danric focus on the beautiful creature beside him who had taken the chance to fall in love with him. His own Mel.

"Go!"

The horses made in a sudden gallop and they were away.

Vidanric was slightly distracted – did Mel just stick her tongue out?

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Please review and tell me what you think….you might notice that the first chapter has been revised too!