Author's Note- OK, listen. I understand that many of you are… less than thrilled that Eliena and Leo will not be ending up together, but I have to tell you this:
The story is mine, which means that, ultimately, I make the choices that are best for my story. I love Leo sometimes, but I am bored writing him. If you want to write an Eliena/Leo fic and put it up, feel free to do so. (Just send me the summary first, so I know you aren't going to be awful to Eli, who I love.) But do not complain about how Eliena and Leo should be together, because I will not be nice about it.
I intend on putting a full explanation of WHY ELIENA AND LEO ARE NOT TOGETHER up on my homepage after I finish with this chapter, so you can check that out.
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"So," Eliena commented, leaning back against her red chair, "you're the King of Thieves now, eh?"
"Aye," Sam replied with a nod. "I am."
"Isn't that something," Eliena said, taking a drag from her tankard of the Dove's finest ale. "That the Crown Princess is friends with the King of Thieves. Kind of like my father and Uncle George." She grinned, and took another swallow.
"Whatever ye say, Eli," Sam responded, taking a sip of his own ale. "Ye might wan' t' slow down a bit on yer ale, though, lass. This is strong stuff." (AN- Alanna22039, I am REALLY wishing I had your commoner accent writing skills about now!)
"Mm hm." Eliena took a big gulp of ale and smiled at him, the froth on her upper lip. "You know, Sam, many of the men at Court would love to take advantage of me when I'm drunk." She leaned in toward him, cocking a black eyebrow. "Are you honestly going to tell me that the most dishonest man in Tortall is going to preserve my honor as a woman and not try to get me into bed with him?" She shook her head and leaned back again. "I don't believe it."
Sam put his hand to his heart like he was wounded. "Ye consider me th' mos' dishonest man in Tortall? I'm hurt." Eliena rolled her eyes.
"Right," she snorted. "Now, tell me, are you covering the fact that you do wish to sleep with me or do you really find me so repulsive that you don't want me in your bed."
"Now, Eliena," Sam said, "ye know I 'ate it when ye ask me questions like that. A man is askin' fer troubled answerin' one of those."
"Just answer the question," Eliena told him.
"Ye and I both know ye aren't repulsive," Sam replied. "And somethin' tells me ye aren't exactly th' most honorable woman."
"Only you could get away with saying that, Sam," Eliena said, smiling as she took another swallow of ale. "But, you're right. Two guesses at who 'dishonored' me."
"Leo," Sam tried. Eliena frowned and swore. Sam laughed. "Where did ye learn that word, lass? Here?"
"No," Eliena told him smugly. "My mother has a large vocabulary of swears, as does Uncle George, and many of the soldiers I know. It was only a matter of time before I picked them up." She leaned in to him again, studying his eyes. "You know, you're got really great eyes." Those eyes widened.
"Eliena, how drunk are ye?" Sam asked, with a nervous chuckle. "Yer talkin' about my eyes? They're brown."
"No," Eliena protested. "They're the color of this really great ale. That kind of warm, honey brown, but darker than honey."
"Yer talkin' crazy," Sam told her. She shook her head and went to speak, but Sam cut her off. "Lass, if anyone here has got great eyes its ye. Every man in Tortall takes a look at ye—sees yer eyes—and falls in love wit' ye."
"Except you," Eliena reminded him. Sam's face became serious.
"Nay, me included." Eliena raised an eyebrow.
"You saying something, Fletcher?" she wanted to know, putting down her tankard.
"Maybe," he replied. She raised her eyebrow higher. "OK, yes."
"Then spit it out," she commanded.
"Eli, I love ye."
"As a friend?"
"Are ye really goin' t' make me say it?"
"Uh, yes."
"I think ye know what I mean."
"I think you need to stop avoiding the question like some of the stupider Court nobles and just come out and say what you mean." Sam sighed.
"I love ye, Eli, and not just as my best friend." Eliena grinned.
"Now was that so hard?" she asked him sweetly. Sam glared at her. She leaned forward even farther; so close that Sam could feel the heat of her breath. "Remember how I told you your eyes were like ale?" Sam nodded. "Well I think I'm drunk."
"I told ye this was strong stuff! Why don't ye listen?" he demanded. Eliena shook her head.
"I'm not drunk on the ale," she replied.
"Then wha' are ye drunk on, lass?"
"Your eyes." Sam slid his hands into her hair and drew him closer.
"Ye know wha', Eliena of Conté?" he asked.
"What?" she replied.
"I think ye've become a tease." Eliena went to draw back. "No." She looked at him, violet eyes puzzled. "I think ye've also become a true lady. A lady who knows wha' she wants, and is goin' t' throw 'herself int' it, no matter what." He kissed her gently. "And I've always 'ad a soft spot for ye." Eliena grinned. Sam went to kiss her again, but she stood up.
"You know, Sam, I think I should go now," she admitted. "I've been here almost all day—its almost lunch! My parents will be worried. Walk me out?" He followed her, in silence, to the stables. She mounted up, but Sam caught her hand.
"Is it that I'm movin' t' fast?" he wanted to know. Eliena shook her head.
"No. Its me." With that, she gave Chubby a nudge and rode off toward the palace.
Author's Note- Eliena isn't going to make this easy on Sam, not at all. REVIEW.