Okay here's the next chapter, finally, finally Mel and Danric meet. I rushed it a bit but tell me what you think...ANd review, all of you. Otherwise I will not write. humph. lol.

Chapter 6: Two Sides of the Same Coin?

He was the boy-man from the journey.

He was the one who had saved my life.

His name was Bran.

I felt my knees weaken beneath me and leaned into Flauvic's arm as he looked at me worriedly. With good reason; I hadn't even puked when I had killed my first man, an assassin after the queen of Sartor. I knew my thoughts were wandering, trying to block out the reality I had before me. The first real proof my father was the monster I had been told he was. I now realized the last thread of hope had broken, that faint clutching glimmer which told me there might be an explanation. I heard voices murmuring around me, thankfully not about me but the prisoner who would most probably be executed. I slowly regained consciousness of my surroundings, with Flauvic's steady stream of small talk trying to appear to the court as a normal couple. I let him guide me to the buffet, his strong arm securely around my waist. In the back of my mind I knew it was improper but then again, it was Flauvic, it couldn't matter. Then suddenly he changed direction, I registered the vultures just waiting to pounce on us, and instead he led me outside, on the terrace.

'Here, fresh air is what I always suggest to young ladies swooning at the sight of me.'

I had regained my senses enough to snort which was exactly what he wanted.

'Oh I am sure you have to constantly give out that advice. You probably receive more demands in marriage than Tamara and that would be saying something.'

Flauvic grimaced slightly and raised a pointed eyebrow indicatively; I turned around and winced inwardly as I saw a perfect vision composed of Savona and Tamara strolling towards us. I wondered how much they heard as Tamara started:

'Did I hear my name?'

Flauvic smoothly answered giving a slight bow:

'We were just commenting at your ability to attract all the eligible bachelors at this party.'

Tamara's smile tightened imperceptibly not believing us but hid it in a brilliant display of a smile opening her dainty lips to riposte, but Savona cut in:

'I must be losing my touch, was I not mentioned in this riveting conversation?'

I snorted again, perhaps unladylike but genuine:

'I believe Lord Russav, that if we talk anymore of you, we'll have to erect statues in every square.'

Savona laughed genuinely at this. Maybe I could survive this day, I thought, my hand still clasped around Flauvic's slender arm. It wasn't that bad, and although I was not adept enough to read Savona thoroughly I liked his exaggerated flirting. I wondered at the odds of finding Lord Dreever between the vultures and get him to promise me a chess game while the conversation flowed smoothly between three very experienced players. I detected a note of annoyance in Tamara's features which she could not conceal and Savona's smile was a bit too innocent for him not to know he was causing it.

'Well, well, this is where you were hiding, daughter.'

My smile became stuck in place as my hand hidden underneath Flauvic's arm tightened until I could feel it whiten even more. I felt nauseated, the whole nightmare coming back.

'I was not hiding, your Highness.'

I pointedly listened to his rule of maintaining decorum, even if that was a bit too much. He didn't say anything though he raised his eyebrow:

'Daughter,' he replied distinctly, 'This is Vidanric Shevraeth, heir to the Ranselaeus estates.'

The man hiding slightly in my fathers shadow emerged. I could finally see the colour of his eyes, which was a limpid grey. His half lidded gaze dissected me as he drawled:

'Delighted to make your acquaintance.'

At that moment I decided I hated everything from his eyes to his overly fashionable coat. I narrowed my eyes at my father as I replied quietly:

'I have heard much about you.'

'Oh yes, Vidanric, I told Lady Meliara about your prowess in chess.'

'My daughter does not like chess.' The King said coldly.'

Aaaah yes, in my father's eyes chess must be a men's game. I debated which one to annoy and chose Shevraeth; they'll be plenty of time for my father.

'I find the game suddenly not to my taste, a pity to be sure. I'm sure I will find many other occupations.'

I felt a faint rumble in Flauvic's chest and I knew he must be silently laughing.

'Well then I assume you are an excellent dancer? May I tempt you?'

It was a supposed a question but his voice held no hesitance, I flushed angrily and prepared to give him a crushing set down but Galdran cut me to it:

'She'll be delighted. After all, that was Lady Limiar's main task to teach. I glared at him silently, threatening me with my friend, how could he? Now if I didn't dance Nee would be blamed. He had deliberately mispronounced her name too;while he probably already had spies examining our close relationship.

I silently let go of Flauvic's arm as I took Shevraeth's hand, a shiver at its coldness and looked at his face, a glimpse of a mocking smile in his eyes, maybe imagined. We walked silently, passerby's scattering from our path to the dance floor. Still not emitting a sound I place my hand on his arm, his on my waist, our other hand meeting and we slowly danced, I was still deep in thought. I was wondering at my father's insistence to dance with him. From what I had seen my father didn't like Shevraeth, I could see it in his eyes. But then why make him a potential suitor? And then I understood. To control him. My father usually killed all threats, and although I couldn't see how this man could be a threat with his apparent indolence and love for expensive clothing at least he hadn't been murdered yet. In that respect I actually felt sorry for the man. But then a cold thought entered my mind. Maybe I had it all wrong. After all, HE was the man that had imprisoned my savior. Perhaps he was my father's most trusted toadie and suddenly I felt all my dislike rushing back and I was sure I positively hated the man. At that moment he drawled:

'Are we going to remain silent for the whole dance?'

I stared at his eyes as we twirled around, staying mutinously quiet.

'I was expecting you to congratulate me on my catch at least.'

How did he know? How did he know what to say to annoy me out of my countenance? Nee had taught me well and I thought I had figured out the poker face but he was impossible.

'Congratulate you?'

'Well of course, as our king's daughter you should view all his victories as yours…'

'Oh really,' I breathed to him so quietly I wondered if he heard, 'Well then I congratulate you. How many soldiers did you need to capture that man? Let me guess, he was actually unarmed.'

I laid the sarcasm thick and in his eyes I thought I saw a flash of puzzlement, then he was back to the courtier mode as he smiled lazily.

'Did anyone ever tell you your eyes sparkle when you are angry?'

I ignored him as I continued: 'Tell me. What did Br-the prisoner ever do to you?' I hoped he didn't notice my slip up.

'I don't quite understand you I must confess.'

By then the dance was over but we were still on the side of the dance floor in the dance position.

'Really? Well let me explain it to you.'

I stepped back a step, removing his hand from my waist, and gripped my fan tightly.

'Do you ever question your orders? Or are you a mindless being? Do you just follow orders, commit atrocities which are not your fault because you were ordered so? I am asking what did he do to you to merit such punishment?'

'Enemy of the kingdom.'

His drawl was gone but he seemed to be trying hard to keep his devil-may-care attitude. My hands were shaking with restraint, trying not to hurt him with the lethal fan as much as my father had hurt me.

'Oh, and what did he do to deserve that title? Tell me, did he tell my father he didn't like his shoes?'

Shevraeth blinked:

'He sent traitorous letters-'

I couldn't help it anymore. I raised my fan and put all the weight I could muster behind it as I plunged at his head. But before my hand could reach its destination, an iron one enveloped my slight wrist. I gasped quietly and turned around to see Flauvic:

'Cousin, it seems you are bleeding,'

he was frowning and gently he removed the fan from my crisped hand and ran a light finger on the angry red welts created by the fan gripped too tightly in my hand. As soon as I saw it I started feeling it. A dull pain juxtaposed with my heightened senses.

'Come, let us have that looked by a healer.' Flauvic gave a brief nod at an arrested Shevraeth and firmly led my resisting body through curious courtiers.

As soon as we were out of the hall I let out a shaky laugh.

'Well that went well.'

But Flauvic frowned even more and started dragging me, making me walk two steps for every stride of his.

'Where are you taking me?'

I panted after him. He slowly stopped in front of two huge doors. We entered to a range of majestic oak shelves full of books, the library. Of course, the nearest courtier-less place around. Did they ven know how to read? He led me on to one of the smaller antechambers. There, he closed the door, and rounding on me his hands shook my shoulders none too gently.

'What could you have been thinking off?! Did all sense leave you?'

I stared at him wordlessly, Flauvic never lost his temper with me, whatever scrape I got into he was always the cool composed wry friend.

'Well? Thanks to Lady Nimiar I heard about those fans in time. Attacking Lord Vidanric? Right now he is supposedly the king's favorite for his capture! And in front of the whole court? What were you thinking?!'

I looked at Flauvic annoyed:

'He was being an idiot.' I muttered.

'Really? Well then are you going to kill three quarters of the court?'

'But Flauvic, you don't know how he repulsed me, he and my father are just two sides of the same coi-'

'Well I hope you don't attack your father because then Lord knows what will happen.'

I rolled my eyes, 'I lost control, but nothing bad happened, see? Hopefully Shevraeth won't even have noticed I nearly attacked him.'

'I wouldn't be so sure…He plays the game well but...'

But then I gave him an innocent expression, lips pouted and eyes wide, and I knew Flauvic could never resist that face when I was young…And apparently he hadn't changed as he sighed and lightly his fingers touched the side of my face, pushing some hairs behind my ear.

'Thank you for stopping me', I started,

and then a twinge of pain made me look at my hands. I cursed loudly when I saw the blood had stained the silver gown.

'Oh no, now what do I do?'

Flauvic looked at my predicament, gently he took my hand and holding it up to his lips he muttered a few un intelligible phrases, the cut closed and the blood stopped flowing.

'I removed all pain but you'll have to leave it like that I'm afraid, otherwise Shevraeth might notice.'

'Him?'

I scoffed, then I perused my gown wandering which spell I should use to remove the stain, suddenly I had a better idea.

'Flauvie, can we go riding?'

'What? When we're supposed to be at court?'

'But my gown is already dirty and I daresay fresh air will do me good. Besides I need to tell you something important.'

After some time, as usual, he capitulated. We ran to the stables - well I did, Flauvic walked in his usual elegant tread. I laughed happily as we neared the stables and I heard Domitan's answering call. We quickly entered the stalls, Flauvic choosing his own mare, a white beauty and we raced off over the royal gardens. It was a wonderful day and I felt my spirits fly, and with it my determination for justice. We galloped for a long time. Flauvic had never been a good rider but he had noticeably improved. Still, the fifth time we reached a nearby hill he pleaded for a stop.

'Mel, come on, that's enough.'

I slowed Dom reluctantly and sprightly jumped off, nearly impossible with the ball gown I was wearing. While riding I had formulated a plan and it was time to put into action. Giving a quick glance to make sure we were all alone I advanced towards him. He took one look at my face and blanched, and Flauvic doesn't blanch easily.

'No, whatever you're going to say, no, I am not helping you with one of your crazy schemes, besides, helping you murder Shevraeth will make me a murderer too.'

I laughed nervously,

'no silly, I need you to help me with something else. You know the prisoner well, there is a long story behind it, but simply put he saved my life-'

'When you were ambushed on the road.'

I stared at him in astonishment,

'How did you know?'

'Those who wish to know, do. Actually, this time it was your knights who told me, they were really worried and I'm still investigating the matter.'

I dismissed this interesting piece of news for later as I ploughed on knowing Flauvic would try to distract me.

'Well, I want you to help me talk with the prisoner.'

'Mel, the prisoner is a level one enemy, there is no way you would be allowe-'

'Yes but with bribes-'

'Do you know what you're asking me? We're not children playing a prank anymore…'

I pleaded with my eyes, knowing they were more effective than any words. We stared at each other that way for at least a minute. Finally, Flauvic opened his mouth. It was at that point I heard a whistling sound, Flauvic launched himself on me, pushing me away and an arrow landed an inch from us, planting itself in the grass a hissing sound being heard as the poison on it dissolved the grass into mush.

So what do you think? Is Danric portrayed correctly. You mustn remember he has his court mask on with Mel, as she's Galdran's daughter...Oh and if you think I should do a few danric POVs to show what's he's thinking tell me in the review you're abut to write. Finally, I'm inventing this because of Meneldur's remark that Mel should be named princess not lady: In Remalna, the heir could not be chosen before they're 19. Although she is his heir obviously, she cannot be named so yet...