Chapter 50

Author's Note- (throws a Chapter 50 party) to give you an update: 50 chapters, 173 pages at the start of this one, and 381 reviews at the time of publication. It is safe to say that you are the best readers and reviewers, ever. (Hands out cookies)

Eliena, Sam, Alanna, and Jonathan sat in the monarchs' private study, listening to proposals for the wedding from some of the Eastern Lands' finest event planners. So far, each one made Eliena cringe more.

One suggested everything be pink and frilly. Only when Alanna started bellowing did he crawl out. Another proposed making it a Grand Progress wedding. Jonathan showed him out. Yet another explained his plan, starting with, "There will be enough alcohol to keep Tortall drunk for ten years." Sam stopped him there with, "Next!"

The fourth event planner that came in nearly had Eliena showing her out the door. First off, she was barely twenty years old, and really quite ugly. Her hair was a muddy brown, her eyes pale blue, and her clothes rumpled. When she met the princess's eyes, however, Eliena saw an inner strength to the woman, something that aged her ten years.

"Hello. I am Madeline of Linden. It is my honor to present to you my plan for the royal wedding between her royal highness Princess Eliena of Conté and her betrothed, Samuel Fletcher," she began formally. Jonathan nodded.

"Continue," he prompted.

Madeline unveiled the rectangle she had brought to reveal an intricate drawing of the gardens. "I want her highness's wedding to be as romantic as possible." Eliena sat up straighter. "That is why I propose holding it in the gardens at sunset—the gardens will keep the temperature regulated and the sunset will cast an array of lovely colors. Following the ceremony, a reception will be held in the grand ballroom and the gardens adjacent to it. There will be a grand feast, of course, as Court tradition holds. I suggest keeping it as simple as possible, allowing the princess and her future husband to be the greatest decoration of all." Eliena smiled. This woman was amazing.

"Thank you," Eliena said. Madeline curtsied.

"It has been my pleasure, your highness." She left her drawing and walked out after acknowledging the presence of the king and queen.

The remaining presentations were a blur—the only one Eliena cared about was Madeline of Linden's. At the end, she turned to her parents and Sam and said, "Madeline of Linden."

"What?" they asked.

"I want Madeline of Linden's plan. She captured my idea beautifully," Eliena replied.

"I rather liked the Yamani woman's," Alanna commented. "She kept it simple, but she had flowers. It was a very Yamani wedding, and they seem lovely." The fact that her mother had just said something utterly noble went right past Eliena.

"No." She turned to Sam. "What do you think?"

"As long as it makes ye happy, Eli, I don't care much," he said. "I liked Madeline's t', though."

"It is ultimately your decision, Eliena," Jonathan reminded her. "But I agree with your mother. We are working on that marriage for Roald…"

"So let him have the Yamani wedding and let me have the one I want," she retorted. "And I want Madeline of Linden."

"Then you shall have her," Jonathan decided. A servant opened the door.

"Pardon me, your majesties, your highness, my lord, but the planners are saying they must return for dinner," he explained with a bow.

"Send them in," Alanna commanded. The event planners filed in, with Eliena's choice at the rear. She stood a few steps back from the others, taking in the scene with her pale eyes.

"I have made my decision," Eliena said, her voice ringing. "Will Madeline of Linden please step forward?" The woman did so. "My lady, you have captured my idea of the wedding in your plan. I would be honored if you would plan my wedding with me."

"The honor would be mine alone, your highness," she replied with a curtsy. When she looked up, her eyes smiled, even if her mouth did not. "It delights me to hear that my plan was acceptable to your highness." The denied planners left, muttering.

"Please, if you are to plan my wedding, you are to call me Eliena," Eliena told the woman.

"Then I am Madeline to your—Eliena."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Do you like Madeline's plan?" Eliena asked Sam later, as they stood outside the door to her chambers.

"It doesn't matter now," he replied. She raised her eyebrows and Sam sighed. "I said it afore, Eli, it doesn't matter t' me. As long as ye like it, that's wha' I care 'bout."

"Aw, you're too sweet." She pecked him on the lips. "But, really, do you?"

He shrugged. "Its nice enough. I liked th' weddin' Numair an' Daine had, m'self. Real simple, wit' only close friends 'n family."

"I'd like that too," Eliena confessed. "But, I'm the princess and all…" her voice drifted off. Sam nodded.

"I know wha' ye mean. I'd also like fer some o' my men t' come, but if it's a big t' d', I don't think that'd be th' best idea," he told her.

"I'll work something out," she promised. "We'll need the allies of the Rogue. We've already got them close, but I'd like them closer. I don't want to alienate commoners, because they're a big part of Tortall—big as the nobles." Sam smiled.

"Ye know, I don't think I've ever heard a noble talk so well 'bout us common folk," he remarked. "An' here ye are, carin' like ye d' 'bout us. Means a lot, it does." Eliena kissed him.

"Well, there's a certain commoner who means the world to me," she replied. Sam chuckled. "I should get to bed. Wedding plans start in the morning." She smiled. "Good night." She opened the door and walked in.

"Wait." Sam put his foot in the door as she closed it. Eliena's eyes met his, full of innocence.

"Yes?" Sam pushed the door open and kissed her deeply, making her head spin. Eliena was unable to do anything but fall into his arms, allowing him to kiss her. Finally, she collected herself enough to return his kiss with the same intensity. Sam kicked the door shut and continued kissing her. It was like he was afraid he'd never hold her again. Eliena entwined her fingers in his hair, enjoying the heat of his body against hers. Sam pulled her closer and closer and closer, until she could scarcely breathe.

"Sam… I can't…Sam, wait." Eliena pushed him away. Sam looked at her quizzically. "I couldn't breathe," she explained. Sam nodded and brushed hairs from her face.

"I'll go," he whispered. "G'night." Eliena grabbed his arm.

"I didn't say go." She looked at him through her long black lashes.

"Ye didn't say stay either," he reminded her.

"Stay," she told him.

"As ye wish, yer highness." Sam bowed. Once he was straight again, he grabbed his betrothed around the waist and pulled her firmly against him. She looked up into his eyes and a smile spread across her face. "Yer so lovely when ye smile." He slid his hand up her neck and into her hair, pulling her face toward his in a searing kiss.

Author's Note- hm…I can't decide if I liked that chapter or not. REVIEW.