Okay, next chappie, as I promised. Btw, I know this is random, but if any of you know good harry potter fanfics where harry goes back in time to meet his parents undercover. I don't know what's wrong but i'm suddenly obsessed with the whole harry potter time travel thingy. I read on 'Just hold me whil i'm here' or something like that, and I loved the way they portrayed Harry's pain. Anyway, back to the story, and credit for the lack of mistakes goes to Meneldur.

Bran?!

'Lady Meliara, Lady Meliara…wake up.'

The voice slowly penetrated my warm haze, as I realized Nee's arms were around me still, sitting up blearily I rubbed my eyes, Nee, a sound sleeper as always, was still fast asleep, in the same position as yesterday. I looked up and quickly closed my eyes, as Mora opened all the curtains, sunlight streaming through, it must already be late morning I realized.

'What now, Mora?'

'Hush, now, the king just sent a messenger informing us we have to be in the ceremonial court in an hour. You will probably be introduced formally.'

She clucked as she eyes my hair, and continued:

'You need a formal court dress, and then your hair, oh gracious how are we ever going to finish?'

By that time, even Nee had woken up, and immediately took charge of the situation.

'Mora, get our gowns, I'll take care of her hair, and get Conrad to escort us.'

Slowly, things started to seem clearer, and my heart plunged with dread, I decided against whining to Nee about not wanting to go, I had acted enough like a child yesterday. Nee had always been good with my hair, she had also been the one who had forbid me to cut it when it interfered with my training. As my hair was deftly being coiled around a formal headdress, I looked as always in amazement at Nee's knack at anything feminine. Meanwhile Mora had bustled in with our gowns, and I was soon carefully inserted into a silver gown which seemed to ripple with the light and matched my head dress. It had an ethereal quality I couldn't help but notice and I never cared about gowns. But when I looked at myself in the full length mirror I heard a catch in Mora's voice as she said:

'You look beautiful m'Lady.'

Meanwhile Nee had gone to her room get prepared. She came back in a crimson and peach gown, accentuating the blonde in her hair, which was simply held up.

'How come you don't have to suffer the weight of a head dress?' I asked her grumpily.

'You already know the answer to that. Now put this on, your father sent it.'

I looked at her in distaste, 'I'm not putting anything he gave me.'

Nee sighed as she opened the velvet box to show a slender necklace of blue and silver ice stones. Even I gasped at the beauty, and Nee silently clasped it around my neck. I felt a slight tingle.

'You cannot afford to anger him Mel, please be cautious. If it makes you feel better, he took the heirloom from Flauvic, and Flauvic sent this message with it.'

She held up a paper, I grasped it eagerly.

My dear Mellie,
I hope you are feeling better.
Examine the trinket and work out what I added!
Yours ever,
Flauvie.

I stared at it thoughtfully, it did have a magic tingle, well I would work it out later.

'Come on, we really need to go Mel.'

I sighed in acceptance and took her hand, and then suddenly I remembered something and rushed to the room still full of boxes.

'Mora where's one of the fans Yustenvas gave me?'

'You are not taking that thing to court Mel!'

I grinned, as Nee rolled her eyes. Slowly Mora handed it out to me from one of the boxes frowning. The said fan did look harmless enough,

'Look Mora, it matches my dress,'

I said knowing full well this wouldn't soften her.

'I need to protect myself,'

I called after her as Nee dragged me out of our apartments. The said fan was one of a collection of fans Yussie (Yustnesveas Queen of Sartor) had given me. My two favorite ones were the Tessen and the Mu Puche. Both were deadly, they could either emit toxins from secret compartments, hide finger sized razor blades or were iron strong permitting the defence against sword or spear. The Tessen I held in my hands expertly was the latter. Yussie had taught me how to use it passably well during the time her passion was subtle fighting weapons that could be used in court. She changed her passion every year, I think her current one was horses that could memorize words, but I wasn't sure. By the time I was doused out my revelry and into the real world Conrad was with us and we were slowing down. Nee stopped in front of a grand door. She looked at me into the eyes and said carefully in front of the two valets: 'Don't do anything foolish. Please don't try to go into a justice agenda. And don't offend your father whatever you do.'

Then she turned around, leaving me and Conrad.

'Nee? Where are you going? You have to come with me.'

She smiled a bit, 'Oh no, this is your place, I cannot come with you, I'm going to join the court from the normal entrance. Good Luck.'

And with that she departed. I stared at her retreating back longingly. Meanwhile the two valets had opened the grand doors and were waiting patiently for me to enter; with a nudge from Conrad I entered a small room. Conrad guided me through it to another doorway and opened it himself, bowing deeply he whispered:

'M'lady.'

I took a deep breath and head held high I walked forward onto the top of a staircase which led into a great hall. It was crowded with nobles; a throne was carved on the other side of the room where I distinguished Galdran. The master of ceremony on my right started in a loud voice to the silent crowd:

'Her Royal Highness Princess Meliara Isabella Merindar vi Remalna.'

I kept my head higher as I slowly descended down the stairs. I saw Galdran smile as I approached him and I felt a shiver inside me. I looked serene on the outside as I walked up to him, crowds parting until I was finally before him and gave the protocol words I had been taught, for a split second I wondered who had made a protocol for a king who abandoned his daughter for 16 years in a foreign country.

'I have arrived your highness my father, Sartor's Queen gives you her greetings.'

What he had actually told me was not to trust anyone back at home, now I understood he meant my father, but I could hardly say that. I gingerly took the arm proffered by my father as we smiled and talked about the weather on my journey.

As if we hadn't met yesterday.

As if everyone in the court didn't know we met yesterday.

As if I hadn't found out he was a tyrant and a murderer.

The nobles around us had gone back to faking they were talking as a few encroached Galdran's every step, whispering compliments, on the other side, music had started and couples were dancing. I nearly zoned out while my father boasted of something or another, suddenly we halted as a watery eyed man stepped in front of us and bowed, saying in a raspy voice:

'Sire.'

I peeked a look at Galdran and saw him frown slightly.

'My Dear Daughter, it seems matters of the state will never leave me be, if you will....'

I nodded mechanically,

'Yes of course, I was just going to-'

'Dance with my cousin.'

Flauvic who suddenly had appeared out of nowhere said. I stared at him in surprise as he took my hand through his arm and steered me away, giving a nod to an already engrossed Galdran. I vaguely heard the man, probably a spy, talking about a new arrival before Flauvic whisked me away into the waltz, bypassing expertly several courtiers who had been converging on us.

'Thank you Flauvic, I don't know how you always know what I'm feeling,'

I whispered in his arms, as I closed my eyes to the horde around us and let the music guide me through the waltz. His arms tightened around my waist as he chuckled.

'I must admit this time I had help. Did you not have time to figure out the necklace?'

I opened my eyes and stared into his golden ones.

'I did not have time, why? What is it?'

He waved at the single silver earring in his ear,

'I connected it to this earring it is a mood detector. Whenever you are wearing this necklace, I can sense what you are feeling, although I did not need it today, I can still sense you when you are around each other, for example on the palace grounds.'

I gaped at him, as he expertly twirled me around.

'How-why would you do that?'

'Because you are ruled by your emotions, at least I may be around and help you get out of whatever scrape you invent next.'

I laughed quietly, 'So can I sense your mood too?'

'No.'

He smiled at me enigmatically, our gazes locking. A sudden commotion at the door caused both of us to jump. A sumptuous figure strode in and bowed to the king deeply. He was clad in black with blonde hair tied back. In the back of my head I knew I recognized him from somewhere. I heard Galdran talk:

'So you won your wager, Shevraeth, eh?'

So this was Savona's chess friend. Then he spoke:

'As well, Your Majesty, The dirt, the stretches of boredom…really had it taken two days more, I could not have supported it, much as I'd regret the damage to my reputation for reneging on a bet.'

I narrowed my eyes; I recognized the voice even if it was drawling now. It was the man from yesterday, than his face turned slightly and saw me; his eyes I finally saw were an unreadable grey. There was no mistake, he was the order-giving man. I saw shuffling behind, and with Flauvic right behind me I approached, not noticing the people parting for me until I was on the front lines. In the space in front, behind Shevraeth I saw a man approaching, with two long rows of guards on either side. No doubt, he was the man in chains yesterday. Then, three things happened nearly the same time. Galdran said:

'Are you certain someone hasn't been making a game of you? That looks like a peasant.'

The second was that the man was pushed forward.

The third was that I gave a soft gasp and fell back into Flauvic's arms, nearly dropping my lethal fan onto his feet.

I suddenly felt sick. Hopefully no one noticed me as they were all laughing at something Galdran said.

'Are you well?'

Flauvic asked worried, as all around me the room was revolving. I recognized the man.

He was the boy-man from the journey.

He was the one who had saved my life.

His name was Bran.

Like the cliffie? And how's the nice Flauvic?

Thanks to Meneldur for the fan idea. Oh, and did I mention Mels full name anywhere else, I'm not sure, I just invented her second name at the top of my head. Oh and the vi in her name is from code geass if anyone knows what that is...Well, review, if you want to see danric/mel conversation in the next chappie...