Getting there....but not quite.
Disclaimer: I own nothing, save Adelinde and a few other characters.
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Chapter Four
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Adelinde shivered in the chill wind blowing across the courtyard of Cair Paravel. She sat still as a statue in the castle gardens, waiting – although what she was waiting for, she wasn't quite sure.
"My Lady?" asked a voice behind her. She turned with a start, but jumped up and curtsied when she saw it was High King Peter.
"Your Majesty..." she said, not meeting his eyes. "To what do I owe this honour?"
"Actually," admitted King Peter, rubbing the back of his neck, "I was looking for Edmund..."
Adelinde's expression turned sour. "I can say with complete honesty, Your Highness, that I do not know where your royal brother King Edmund is."
King Peter frowned at her expression and tone. "Does my Lady have some quarrel with my brother?" he asked, raising one blond eyebrow.
She sighed. "I should not, for he meant only the best for me, but I do not like to be pitied," Adelinde got a fierce glint in her eye as she looked at the High King.
King Peter looked down at her with understanding in his wide eyes. "I'm sure Edmund meant no harm, my Lady," he said, kindly, "He has been in bad places before and he does not like it when other people are."
"I am perfectly capable of handling my situation on my own, though I thank you for your concern, Your Majesty," Adelinde said shortly, trying her best not to be rude.
King Peter smiled. "I am well aware of that fact, my Lady, and I am sure Edmund is also aware of that, but that does not mean that we don't still want to help. You're just the type of person one wants to help!"
"Oh, really, my King?" she said, raising her eyebrows, "And what type of person is that? Young and female?"
"Well, yes, but also kind, beautiful-"
"Beautiful!" cried Adelinde, "Surely, you must be mistaken!"
"Why, my Lady, I do believe you just interrupted a king!" King Peter said, with mock hurt. Then he laughed a bit. "But, nay, I do not believe that I am mistaken. The whole court is talking about you, my Lady. Talking of the beautiful foreigner that has stolen the hearts of both of the Kings!"
Adelinde feigned a look of shock. "Oh?" she said, tilting her chin downward, "And have I?"
"You may have, and you mayn't have," said King Peter cagily.
"That is not an answer, your Majesty," said Adelinde innocently.
"Be that as it may..." King Peter began, but he was interrupted by the sound of footsteps on the cobblestones. Both turned and looked toward the source of the sound. It was King Edmund.
Adelinde turned her expression cold.
"Ed!" Cried King Peter happily, "I was just looking for you!"
"Please don't take this personally, Peter," said King Edmund, "But I was not looking for you. In fact," he added, "I was looking for Adelinde."
"What is it that I can assist you with, Your Majesty?" Adelinde said, returning to the formality.
"I...I just wished to speak with you, my Lady," King Edmund said nervously. "Peter...if you would leave us?"
"Alright then, brother!" said King Peter, giving King Edmund a good-hearted slap on the back. "But after you're done speaking with her, I need to speak to you in my study."
King Edmund nodded as King Peter walked away.
"So, what may I help you with?" said Adelinde again. She wanted very much to make up with Edmund, but it was also a bit of fun to keep him thinking she was angry. It gave her leverage against him.
"I...I wanted to apologize to you, my Lady, for anything I did earlier to offend you. It was not my intent to cause you any pain, emotional, or physical. I hope to never do so again." The apology sounded very rehearsed and overused to Adelinde, and she frowned at him.
"Your Highness," she said sharply, "As much as I would love to accept your apology, I am afraid that I cannot accept something so rehearsed. With all due respect, it honestly sounds like you scripted that on your way to find me. Am I right, my King?"
King Edmund laughed shakily. "Aye, my Lady. I was...Honestly, I suppose I was just terribly nervous."
"Nervous, King Edmund?" asked Adelinde. She was prepared for a lot of things, but not this. "Why would you ever have reason to be nervous?"
King Edmund sighed. "It's just...Oh, bother! I apologize, my Lady...I have never been skilled with talking to women. But you...You seem to affect me more than most. It's all terribly confusing. And as rehearsed as it sounds, I really am sorry for any pain I caused you. It was never what I meant."
Adelinde smiled a bit. This was exactly what she wanted. He was asking her for her forgiveness...at this moment, whether she was aware of it or not, she had the power to break him or raise him.
"I may not forgive you completely, my King, not immediately, but I will forgive you for the pity." She looked at him fiercely. "But know this, King Edmund – I will not be pitied, no matter how pitiable my situation is. There are those who have it far worse, who deserve to be pitied. But you will not find that in me."
"My Lady," King Edmund said, stepping forward and touching her arm, "I have to make this up to you. I would be honoured to escort you to next weekend's Harvest Ball."
Adelinde smiled sweetly. "It would be my pleasure, King Edmund. Shall you meet me at my room on the night?"
"Aye, my Lady. I-"
"King Edmund, how many times do I have to say it, please just call me Adelinde," she said, "I've said it before – I am no lady."
"Well, since I am to escort you to the Ball, I insist you call me Edmund." He grinned at her, his eyes shinning.
"Aye, K- Edmund," she said, smiling at him. The smile was, for once, sincere. Then she turned away from Edmund and back toward the castle.
"Oh! And one last thing, Adelinde!" he said, catching her arm. "My siblings have also expressed a wish for you to address them by their first names. They all agree with me – it's quite confusing with two kings and two queens."
"I shall try to remember, Edmund," she said, smiling sweetly. He smiled back.
"Then you may go," he said, releasing her arm.
As she walked away, Adelinde grinned to herself. Edmund really was a sweet boy…it was almost…a pity.
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So I worked on this forever. It took the the longest of the chapters so far. =P