Sorry it's been like forever since my last update! I've just been extremely busy, but anyways…. Oh by the way, I'm allowing anonymous reviews now.

Acknowledging Attraction

The next morning, the drizzle of the day before finally broke into a violent storm. And Fallon sat on the edge of the bed in the guest room she had been given, watching it rage in the dim dawn hours. She hadn't gotten much sleep at all the night before. Thoughts of Salomon had kept her up, tossing and turning in the bed. She knew that nothing good would have come of letting him bed her, and yet, his lips had felt so good… so right. She sighed and curled up on her side, still staring vacantly out the window. Well, there was no way she could leave today. The storm was too bad for any traveling to take place. So unlike what she had hoped for, she could not simply slip out of the castle unnoticed. She would have to face Salomon again today. She wondered what it would be like to see him again. Would he be cruel to her? Would he try to pretend that nothing had happened? That would probably be for the best. In any case, she knew that meeting him again would be awkward. She should have just stayed home where she belonged.

A knock came at her door and without waiting to be admitted, Bragnae walked in. "I wasn't sure if you'd be up yet or not," she said as she looked at Fallon laying motionlessly on the big bed, "Good morning, lass."

Last night before the dinner, Fallon and Bragnae had talked for a long time, both about Fallon and the mother that she never knew. The old woman seemed glad to reminisce and tell Fallon a lot about Isolde. It surprised Fallon, but she already felt herself warming up to Bragnae. She was happy to have her company on this gloomy morning.

"Good morning, Bragnae," she mumbled as she sat up again.

Bragnae's brow creased in suspicion, and she scrutinized Fallon's face with her wise old eyes a moment before saying. "What's happened?"

Fallon's eyes widened in surprise. "How…?" she began with wonder, but she quickly checked herself. "Nothing," she finished.

Bragnae barked a short laugh. "I've lived long enough to know something's wrong when people have their emotions written on their faces. You don't seem to be too good at hiding things. Now, what is it? Don't deny that something is wrong. I know."

Fallon huffed and rolled onto her other side so she would not have to meet Bragnae's knowing eyes. "I do not wish to talk about it."

Bragnae sighed and began to straighten things about the room, all the while making small talk to fill the silence. Fallon grunted periodically to show that she was not asleep. After a few moments, Bragnae came back and sat down on the bed beside her. "You remind me of your mother," she said quietly.

Fallon smiled sadly. Bragnae had told her that what seemed like a thousand times the night before. It was obvious that she missed her former charge. Fallon wished she could have known her mother.

"The way you act, your beauty, your whole manner," the aging woman continued, "She used to confide in me, you know. You could do the same."

Fallon rolled back towards her. "It's really not important," she said finally.

Bragnae shrugged. "Maybe not, but that doesn't change the fact that it's bothering you."

Fallon had to agree with that. She sighed again. "It doesn't matter. Honestly."

"It is about the young Lord Salomon, is it not?"

Fallon gaped at her. How did the woman know so bloody much?! Fallon mentally berated herself for being all to obvious. She wiped the stunned look of her face. "Of course not," she lied, "Why would he be of any importance to me?"

Bragnae shrugged and absently picked at a loose thread on the sheets. "I don't know…. Maybe because he is young and handsome and has obviously been admiring you since you two met yesterday morning."

Fallon blushed. "I have no idea what you are talking about."

"Don't try to lie to me," Bragnae warned, "I will always no. Your mother found that out. When I brought out the wine at dinner last night, I saw the way he looked at you. And then later when I came to inquire if you needed anything last night, you had just gotten in your room. Your cheeks were flushed- much like they are now- and you wouldn't let me get two words in. You practically slammed the door in my face. I may be old, but I'm not a dolt."

No, she's certainly far from that, Fallon thought with a surge of irritation. "I was tired, and I wanted to get to bed. My actions last night had nothing to do with Lord Salomon," she lied.

Bragnae snorted her disbelief. "I'm sure," she said with sarcasm. Then after a pause, she added with a little more compassion, "I was young once, and though I never was as beautiful as you or your mother, I had my share of suitors in my youth. I know what it's like to desire and be desired."

Fallon blushed again, her face turning a bright shade of crimson all the way up to her raven locks. "I do not desire him!" she exclaimed with indignation, "And he most certainly does not desire me!" Her blush deepened as images of their brief passion play the night before appeared in her mind. If Bragnae had seen that then there would be no denying how she desired Salomon, but luckily Fallon knew that no one had been near them.

Bragnae chortled. "Oh, and I suppose you were all hot and bothered last night for nothing?"

If at all possible, Fallon's cheeks turned even brighter. "I was not…!" she began heatedly, but she cut off with a growl, realizing that arguing would get her nowhere. It had become clear that there would be no deceiving Bragnae. "Oh! I just don't want to discuss it!" She felt like yelling at her, telling her that she had no business talking to her so personally… but she couldn't. For some reason, Fallon felt a kinship with the older woman. Probably because of her close ties with her mother. It seemed natural to talk like this with Bragnae. After a moment of silence, she sighed in resignation then said softly, "I don't even know him."

Bragnae shrugged. "But who's to say how long it takes for two people to develop an attraction? Maybe it's something that will vanish as quickly as it appeared." She met Fallon's eyes. "But maybe not."

Fallon held her gaze and found herself wondering about Bragnae's past. There seemed to be some emotional ties with what she was telling Fallon. But whether there was something like this in Bragnae's past or not, Fallon did not want to delve into it right then. She had enough on her mind. All that she could seem to think about were Salomon's insistent lips on hers and his hands urgently massaging her breasts. She could have moaned aloud at the need the memory stirred. He had awaked foreign feelings in her soul and body. Desires and needs that she knew that only he could satisfy.

"It doesn't matter," she said finally, the gloom in her voice fitting in perfectly with the weather, "He is nobly born, and I am not." She spoke both to herself and Bragnae.

"Ah, but you forget, my dear," Bragnae said as she lifted her eyebrows, "You are indeed nobly born. Maybe not nobly raised, but nobility is in your blood."

Fallon sat up straighter and looked at Bragnae with alarm. "You won't tell anyone will you? I don't want them to know. I just wanted to see where my mother and father lived, and then I was to be on my way. I am leaving as soon as this storm lets up." And that could not happen soon enough.

Bragnae's wrinkled face sagged in what Fallon took for as disappointment. "Of course I won't if you do not wish it, but…. Well, I was hoping you might choose to stay for a little while." She looked away towards the window where the storm was still raging. "It's just that I was so close to your mother," she continued in a soft voice, "She was the only thing I had for so long, and then when she disappeared. It's been rather lonely these years…. But then when I saw you yesterday, I thought maybe…. But if you must go, then you must go."

Fallon felt her resolve to be away from Castle Dor dissolving as she realized just how alone Bragnae must have felt for the past 16 years. She had devoted most of her life to catering to her mother. Fallon sighed, "Well," she said with a shrug, "I suppose a few days here wouldn't be too bad." She didn't know how much truth there was in that last statement. A few more days around Salomon could prove to be very very bad indeed.

Bragnae smiled a slightly sad smile of thanks. "I appreciate you indulging an old woman in her few pleasures. Know that anything you would like to know of your mother, I will gladly tell you." She sighed in frustration and began moving to the door. "But now I have some duties to attend to. I will come to you later tonight though, after dinner." When she was about half way to the door she paused. "Wait a moment. I'll be right back." And before Fallon could question what she was doing, Bragnae was out the door.

True to her word, only moments later, Bragnae returned. In her arms she carried a trunk. It wasn't a large trunk, but she was panting with the toll it took on her aging body so Fallon bounded from her seat at the bed to help her. They sat it down on the floor and Fallon asked, "What's this?"

Bragnae kneeled and open the trunk. Inside were fine, neatly folded, dresses. Fallon gasped at the sheer beauty and elegance of the garments. She had never owned any clothing half so marvelous as these. "They belonged to your mother," Bragnae told her.

Fallon's eyes widened as Bragnae pulled out the most beautiful dress she had ever seen in her life. It was made of flowing ruby red silk and had a gold flower pattern traveling up from the bottom hem to the hip. The neckline was cut in a low V. She reached out and felt the soft fabric. It was certainly a dress befitting a queen.

Bragnae thrust it out to her. "Put it on."

Fallon gaped. "I couldn't!"

"It was your mother's. Since she is no longer with us, it is rightfully yours. Of course you could."

"But won't Lord Marke notice…."

"Lord Mark is nearly as old as I am. He will not remember a dress that Isolde wore 16 years ago. Here. I'll help you."

Fallon hadn't dressed that morning and was only wearing her thin cotton shift. She took the lovely red dress from Bragnae's hands carefully. She stepped into it, pulled it up, stuck her arms into the sleeves, and then turned for Bragnae to do up the laces. Bragnae performed the task with skill, if not gentleness. A few times, she jerked the laces of the bodice so tight that Fallon gasped for breath. When she finished, she moved Fallon over to a full sized mirror so she could see herself.

"My, my," was all Bragnae said as Fallon stared at the woman in the mirror, hardly believing that it was her. She looked beautiful and regal. The neckline swooped down, revealing a tantalizing amount of ivory bosom and pale shoulders. The long sleeves flowed down until they just barely showed the tips of her slender fingers. The red silk sheathed her lush curves perfectly.

"Bragnae," she breathed, "It's beautiful!"

Bragnae nodded. "That it is, child. You look like royalty now. You look even more like your mother."

Fallon still could not tear her gaze from her reflection. It seemed as if she didn't even know the woman staring back at her.

"Here," Bragnae said after a moment. She reached for a brush. "Let me brush your hair."

Fallon waited patiently as Bragnae quickly and deftly worked through the few tangles in her raven black locks. When she was finished, the dark hair flowed in soft curls down to her mid back and over her partially exposed shoulders. Fallon couldn't help but steal another look at her reflection. She did look beautiful. Her eyes wondered down her body, and the only thought that came unbidden to her mind was: Salomon's blood will boil when he sees me in this! She blushed.

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Salomon was practicing swords with another young noble staying at Castle Dor. Since the storm was raging outside, they battled in one of the large banquet rooms rather than the courtyard. He brought his wooden blade down on the other young man's mercilessly. Sweat glistened on his bare chest, and he was panting. He always put his best effort into practicing the arts of war, but this afternoon he had worked even harder than he usually did. He was frustrated. Frustrated by his pending marriage and frustrated even more by his unceasing desire for Fallon. He had laid awake most of the night wishing she were there in the bed with him. He did a lot of thinking also.

And as he though near the early morning hours before dawn, he came to a revelation. His desire for Fallon was not only for her body, but also for her spirit, her soul. He found it odd, outrageous even, but for some reason it seemed as if he had known her forever, as if they were made for each other. It was absurd he knew, but he simply could not banish the thought.

He happened to glance away from his opponent for an instant and what he saw made his breath catch in his throat.

Fallon was strolling aimlessly a little ways away. She paused and began to examine an old vase, lightly tracing the carvings in it with her slim delicate fingers. She looked amazingly beautiful. Her long midnight black hair cascaded down her back and bare shoulders. The beautiful red silk dress she was wearing fit her like her was sure no other dress could. Her already tempting shape looked even more alluring. He barely bit back a groan of need as he looked at her perfectly formed breasts and bottom. She was….

"Umph!" The wind was knocked out of him, and clutching his side where his practice partner's sword had made contact, he fell to the ground. He growled in frustration. Damn the woman for being able to distract him so! He ground his teeth against the sharp pain as he felt around making sure that none of his ribs had been fractured. He directed a piercing glare at the other man as he pushed himself to his feet. Finally he forced himself to say, "Good hit," in acknowledgement to the young man's win. He wouldn't have been able to win if not for Fallon. He turned and stalked off, leaving his sword partner and the other men who had gathered there, toward where she was standing, still innocently examining the vase, unaware of the commotion she had caused.

When she finally looked up just as Salomon was nearing her. A startled and somewhat frightened look came to her face. She turned without so much as a nod of acknowledgment and began to briskly walk away. But Salomon would have none of it. He quickened his pace and followed her. She looked over her shoulder and must have seen the anger in his eyes for her pace became even faster. She walked and he followed her for a few moments, but since she was unfamiliar with the castle halls, she walked herself right into a dead end.

"Is there something I can help you with, milord?" she asked icily as she folded her arms beneath her breasts.

Salomon angrily opened his mouth, but then he realized he didn't know what to say. He couldn't really yell at her for distracting him just by her mere presence. So instead of speaking he just gazed at her and she at him. He noted with a hint of triumph that her eyes lingered for a long while on the gleaming muscles of his chest and abdomen. He let his eyes wander lazily down her form. He loved the way her ample bosom tapered down to her slim waist and then her lovely hips. He could just see the outline of her shapely legs through the thin material of the dress. His breathing quickened of its own accord.

He knew he had to say something soon or they would be in just the same position that they were in the night before. "That… that is a… umm… lovely dress," he finally managed, bringing his gaze back up to her emerald eyes.

She blushed scarlet. Then said, "And did you follow me here with that lethal look in your eyes just to tell me that?" Anger flashed in her eyes, and thunder rumbled loudly outside.

Salomon sighed. "I want to apologize to you, Fallon." He had to force the words out. Growing up as a prince, he wasn't used to having to apologize. "For… erm… last night." He cleared his throat nervously.

She blushed again. She opened and closed her mouth a few times, searching for words, finally she managed, "I accept your apology." After she said the words, she looked as if she had eaten something sour. Salomon could tell that she didn't care much for apologies and the like either.

Salomon stared down at the floor awkwardly, studying the patterns etched in the stone so he would have an excuse not to stare at the beautiful young woman standing in front of him. Finally, she voiced the exact thought that was on his mind. "But how are we going to prevent it from happening again?" she asked quietly.

At last, Salomon looked up into her eyes. "I have no idea, Fallon. I don't know if we can."

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Okay so end of chapter 5. What did you guys think? I'm having a little trouble trying to keep Bragnae in character because she wasn't really a huge part of the movie and it's been awhile since I've seen it anyways so it's hard for me to remember what she's like exactly. I may give her a little back story in one of the future chapters I'm not sure though. I also plan to bring in Salomon's betrothed, Gwen, in the next chapter so things should get a bit interesting… ;) Anyways please please please review!