Vows of Blood and Honor

Sebastian had been told by Briar's mother Merrila that the daughter was the image of the man, but hearing it and seeing a masculine version of Rosaleen Dhu were two different things.

The elf that walked across the parlor was almost eerily graceful and seemed as dangerous as the panther that leapt on his arm. His face was cold and lacked the subtle pale rose undertones and the dimples his daughter possessed. Her face was softer somehow, as though the sculptor of the daughter had been in a gentler mood than when the father had been created.

Sebastian rose and offered a sketch of a bow and a lazily bored grin. "A pleasure Lord Dhulouragne." He greeted the elf. "I am Prince Sebastian Obarskyr." Sebastian had decided that until he knew Briar's father better the mask of the fool courtier would remain firmly in place. How Vidanalas reacted to a courtier such as Sebastian would tell the future spymaster and assassin much of the elf. "Forgive my momentary lapse of courtesy, my mind was elsewhere." Languid arrogance tinged his voice beneath the sincerity.

"I am Vidanalas Dhulouragne." The elf nodded politely. No Tel'Quessir had ever knelt to a princeling such as this one and he would not be the first. "You spoke in your missive of having information regarding the child who claims she is mine?" He regarded the young man coolly, taking in his appearance and manner, while not wishing to give away how intrigued he was at the thought of a daughter.

The prince was a beautiful young man, with some elven blood, through both parents from what Vidan had heard. His face was angular but not sharp and his eyes were a deep sapphire blue. Golden hair sprung from his head in curls that had been cut in an attempt to gain control over what could well prove to be unruliness since the locks appeared to be very thick. A bit shorter than Vidan, though he appeared to be a few inches short of six feet tall, the prince was elegantly and richly garbed though there was nothing about him that was not tasteful. Ostentation did not appear to be his style.

Vidan was interested to note that Sebastian wore a long sword at his belt and that while it appeared to be a very fine blade the scabbard and guard indicated that it was also not simply a dress blade. He also noticed that Sebastian made no comment on Vidan's lack of peace bonds. His curiosity got the better of him and he asked why.

Sebastian's smile was amused at both the question and himself it seemed, and he drawled in his lazy sensual voice. "'Gainst a Bladesinger of the Cormanthor, what effect could peace bonds hope to achieve? Certainly I've never met a Tel'Quessir whose sword was not instantly out of its sheath when danger presented itself, bonds or no."

"You've heard of Bladesingers then?" Vidan was intrigued in spite of the young man's manner. Though the elven nation was not as closed off as it once was, there were few humans who showed any interest in the different paths of the elven warriors.

Sebastian regarded him incredulously. "How could I not?" He asked. "I am related to one by marriage. And if you are her equal then I am right in not insisting on peace bonds."

Vidan frowned for a moment and then his expression cleared. "I had forgotten for a moment the name of the Tel'Quessir whom Lady Shenandoah married." He said with a brief smile. "Lord Craulnober is your grandfather I believe."

Sebastian nodded. "Yes. So I am not precisely unfamiliar with the elven people, nor with the situation in which you find yourself."

"Situation?" Vidan's eyes narrowed. He had little patience with anyone who made such assumptions on small acquaintance.

"Yes." Sebastian drawled the word. "My mother was separated from my grandfather for the first twenty years of her life. Though he, unlike yourself, was aware of the fact that he'd sired a daughter."

"It remains to be seen if I have sired any child." Vidan told him coolly. "I was in your country almost twenty years ago and more, and my name is similar to the one she gives as her fathers, but there is no more proof than that."

Sebastian smiled just as coolly and nodded. "Much remains to be seen." He replied in a bored tone. "If you will accompany me?" He gestured towards the door.

Vidanalas flexed his fingers in impatience, caught himself doing it and concentrated instead on breathing evenly and controlling the temper which he'd been warned again and again was too easily provoked. He nodded and followed the arrogant young man out of the room and down the hall. They entered a small antechamber and Sebastian smiled proudly. "My personal bard is giving a private performance for some friends of mine." He said as if showing off a favorite toy. "You will enjoy this, it is almost over but I think…yes there will be at least one more song." He looked at the elf whose irritation with the courtier was showing a bit. "Sit down, sit down, you'll like it I promise." The prince insisted.

Inwardly Sebastian chuckled and reminded himself not to overdo the act. But it was important to him that Briar's father recognize her talent before he knew her as his daughter.

Vidan reluctantly sat down and shot an annoyed glance at the prince who was standing at the shutters which were slatted open to allow sound through but angled so the occupants of the other room were oblivious to observers. Sebastian could see out but those on the opposite side couldn't see in.

The prince smiled. Briar had donned one of her simplest and yet most becoming gowns to perform for the courtiers. The elegant clinging silk was of such a dark burgundy it was almost black. It was of drow make and when Shen had given the fabric to her young friend she had commented that the color was close to the leaves of an ancient Blood Tree. It had been a parting gift since Elaith and his family spent part of each season in Waterdeep and part of it in Cormyr with Sabine's family.

Briar had been awed by the gift and her near reverent look had made Shen laugh and hug the girl affectionately. Both of them following the same goddess and loving music and swordplay as they did, the two women had much in common, including as Shen had remarked once, loving impossibly wonderful occasionally arrogant men.

As he watched Briar turned towards the shutters slightly and a slight smile curved her lips. Sebastian smothered a chuckle as he realized Briar knew he was there. One lock of black hair fell over her shoulder, escaping from the silver cord net that held it. She slid her fingers along the strings of her harp and the music rang with a sweetness that could not be denied.

Sebastian forgot to watch Vidan as he had intended, as always Briar's music, and knowing when she sang of love she sang of him, entranced him.

"Forever is a broken fairy tale
Forever is a promise that will fail
Unless our mortality we can shed
I'll make you a different vow instead.

I promise to love you now
I promise to love you true
Cherish every fault and virtue inside you
I can't promise you forever, I don't know how
But I'll love you now.

I will give my heart from moment to moment
Take everyday as a gift gods sent
And each day no matter how afraid
In my heart hold a love I'll never trade.

I promise to love you now
I promise to love you true
Cherish every fault and virtue inside you
I can't promise you forever, I don't know how
But I'll love you now.

In a moment we can find eternity
Within our hearts the truth, finally see.
I'll make this promise over and over again
In joy or sorrow, in sunshine or rain.

I promise to love you now
I promise to love you true
Cherish every fault and virtue inside you
I can't promise you forever, I don't know how
But I'll love you now.

I'll love you for now."

The elf took a deep breath, hoping it wasn't a gasp. The beauty of the music left him shaken and awed. That anyone, no matter what race, could create such aching loveliness was amazing. Vidan looked up, expecting to see the prince regarding him with smug pride.

Instead, the elf saw Sebastian standing before the shutters. His eyes had drifted closed and an expression of peace and joy and rapturous love chased over his face before the music died away completely. The prince sighed and opened his eyes turning to find the elf regarding him somberly.

Unashamedly Sebastian wiped a hand over his eyes and smiled. "She is magnificent is she not?" The possessive pride that had made his words seem like a child's earlier was gone, leaving only a deep wonder and pride in the woman's ability. Vidan nodded almost warily. Sebastian continued. "I never thought to find in another the same quality of music I heard all my life. Music is like blood to me."

Vidanalas said slowly. "She is indeed exquisitely gifted." He rose. "Thank you for insisting that I listen. I shall never forget." He frowned slightly in puzzlement. "You are right, she does indeed equal Lady Shenandoah in talent."

Sebastian nodded his agreement. "Yes. Just as Lady Shen and my bard are the equal of my mother." At the elf's look of surprise he nodded again. "When I said I was raised with music I was speaking of my mother. Her mother was a bard. Mother loves music, she passed that love to me, though I've little talent for creating it." His manner, for a moment serious, lightened and he grinned. "Would you like to meet her?"

"Your bard or my daughter, or your mother?" Vidanalas queried dryly, his sardonic expression clearly stating that he believed Sebastian had forgotten his reasons for the appointment.

Sebastian just grinned and made a shushing movement with his hand as the courtiers left the music room. Without saying another word to Vidan he opened the door to the room and called. "Briar, that was wonderful!"

A sweet soft voice replied. "Thank you Sebastian. How much did you hear?" Briar smiled at her love adoringly.

Sebastian beckoned for Vidan to come forward. "We only arrived in time for the last song." He explained as the bard came closer to him, setting her harp on the small table by her chair. Vidan opened the other half of the double doors and then stood still in shocked amazement.

Briar blinked at the elf who stood next to Sebastian and her hand fumbled for her loves who took her slim fingers and tenderly clasped them within his. Nothing could have prepared her for the sight of her father.

The elf had suffered an even greater shock. This girl…this beauty who looked so like and yet unlike him, for she was unique, she was the source of the exquisite music. The fact that he did indeed have a daughter was born home to him in such completeness that he felt it clamoring in his blood. She stood so proudly before him, slender and shining. Vaguely he heard Sebastian say something and blinked.

Sebastian smiled slightly with amusement and repeated his words. "Lord Dhulouragne, I would like you to meet my Lady Bard, The Black Rose." He held Briar's hand as she curtseyed to her father. "Briar, this is Lord Vidanalas Dhulouragne."

Briar smiled with trembling lips, her dimples appeared, warming her regal face. "I am Rosaleen Dhu." She said softly. "I am honored to meet you Lord Dhulouragne." She didn't know exactly what Sebastian was up to, but she trusted in his intentions for the best.

"The honor is mine." The elf said huskily and Briar understood that Sebastian was playing his part and also giving the elf time to collect himself. "I was once called Vidan Dhu." He offered. "It was easier for humans to say than my full name."

"I think you knew my mother." Briar murmured. "Merrila from Serendal." She tilted her head slightly. "You were a friend to my uncle Mory."

"Yes." Vidan nodded, the name sparking his memory and he realized why her sweetness of manner was so familiar. "Your way of speaking is very like her."

"She always told me I had your wicked tongue." The bard returned smartly and a grin widened her pink mouth. "I'm sorry. As you can see, my sense of the ridiculous sometimes gets away from me."

"Please don't be sorry. If, as you say, you are like me, then you should be able to be who you are when you are in my company." Vidan said quietly. "Is your mother… is she well?" He plainly feared to ask whether or not Merrila lived.

"She is very well sir. She and her brothers came to Aeliara six months ago." Briar told him happily.

Vidan smiled. "Please, if you cannot bring yourself to call me Father, then at least use my name, the one your mother called me." He laughed. "Vidanalas is a good name but rather a mouthful when in a hurry."

Briar nodded her assent and looked happily up at Sebastian who smiled affectionately. "You have no more doubts sir?" He inquired lazily, his raised brow a faint taunt of reminder that the elf had not believed Briar to be his child.

"Not since I saw her." He shook his head. "You must understand." He said to Briar apologetically. "I did not see how it could be true. I had no children."

His use of the past tense was not lost on Sebastian whose estimation of the elf rose a notch. "Good." The prince drawled. His other hand rose from his belt to brush a lock of hair back from Briar's face. It was done with such affection and intimacy that it was obvious Sebastian had performed the same act many times before.

"Yes." The elf's tone had cooled slightly and Briar looked at him warily. She found him looking not at her but at Sebastian and she could have sworn there was almost a tone of warning in his voice. "Your personal bard has a father now." Vidan continued. "And I will not fail in my duties to her."

Sebastian met the elf's gaze and thought he hadn't seen green eyes so cold since Briar had disliked him a year ago. "She is more than a bard to me." He said, the arrogance in his tone increasing even as the languid quality to his words vanished.

"She is a lady to be respected and honored." Vidan ground out the words. Unsaid but still echoing as if shouted was his sentiment. 'not a wench to be taken as a concubine.'

Briar lifted her chin and regarded her father coolly. "We must introduce you to Sebastian's parents and the rest of his family. You must also meet my heart brother Dragon." Her dark green eyes glittered as they almost glared into his. "Dragon has been a brother to me almost since leaving Serendal. Sebastian can vouch for his protectiveness."

"Sweet Lord of Night can I." Sebastian muttered under his breath in a not entirely humorous way. Briar's elbow to his ribs turned his mutterings into a cough and he bent slightly and winked up at her when her father couldn't see.

"I would be honored to meet their majesties." Vidan replied in a more quiet tone. "And the man you honor with the name brother, daughter." Wonder colored his voice as he hovered over the last word. He smiled slightly and repeated it looking at her. "Daughter."

She nodded. "Yes, in many ways." She tucked her arm through Sebastian's and slipped the other through Vidan's. "I think they will be in your mother's violet parlor." She said. "Since Andreas said he would inform them of the anticipated course of events." Gently but firmly she led them both from the music room.

Briar leant against Sebastian in exhaustion. Her father had just taken his leave of them. His manner when he had met Sebastian's family and Dragon had been all that was polite but clearly he was reserving judgment until he decided he knew them better. The elf had considered a moment and then politely refused the Obarskyrs offer of hospitality, explaining gently that he was long of the elven lands and the embassy reminded him of his home. He had inclined his head respectfully and expressed the hope that he had not given offence with his preference.

The king and queen had graciously expressed their wish that his comfort was their only concern, and should he require anything he need only express the desire. Tactfully the king had noted that Lord Dhulouragne would certainly wish to visit his daughter at her home.

Vidanalas had learned in the conversation that followed that Briar kept her own apartments and did not live in the palace. This was something that seemed to please him and he grew even more pleased when he noted Dragon's forbidding aspect and learned the warrior mage had taken rooms next to Briar's.

Vidan had been very gentle in his dealings with Briar, calling her by her proper name and asking politely if he could call upon her the next morning. When he was told she would be sparring at dawn he immediately requested that he be allowed to watch. She had acquiesced after a slight hesitation and shortly afterward her father had excused himself.

"He does not like me." She said forlornly.

"My Rose, he loves you already." Sebastian said in surprise. "How can you doubt that?"

Briar looked up at him and shrugged. "He might love me, in an abstract way, but he does not like me. How can he when he does not know me?" She asked.

"Easily." Sebastian told her. His family around him nodded their agreement.

"Briar, as someone who has been in similar circumstances I can tell you that he does love you." Sabine said in a quiet though firm voice. "You have only to look in his eyes to see the pride and delight he takes in you. It is there and in time you will recognize it."

"But he doesn't like Sebastian." Briar's eyes welled up with tears and she looked at her love again. "And he didn't say a word about my music."

"When Sebastian has his courtier's hat on, I don't like him much." Amon commented. "You can hardly blame Vidanalas for that. Sebastian isn't meant to be likable, not by a father whose instincts to protect his child are roused."

"As for your music." Dragon rasped. "Likely he was too stunned by your talent to say a thing. Sometimes silence is the greatest tribute."

Briar looked at them hopefully. "Do you think so?"

Lorelei gave a delicate shudder of distaste. "He immediately wished to see you sparring which means rising at near dawn and nothing but love inspires that sort of devotion." She pointed out.

Dragon's dark chuckle rumbled from his chest. "Does your love for me pale then, that you do not wish to spar with me?" He teased.

Lorelei looked almost indignant for a moment and then smiled sweetly. "Not at all. You have never invited me to do so. Do you wish me to face you down the length of a blade I will." Dragon eyed her warily. Her words were such tempting bait he looked for a hook. His suspicion was confirmed when she continued. "So long as for every morning I rise at dawn you remain with me at my court duties that night, until they end in the wee hours."

Dragon's laugh was delighted and proud. "I see no need for you to practice the blade when your tongue is as sharp as any sword and defends you so capably. He lifted Lorelei's hand and brushed his lips over her knuckles.

The reply Lorelei would have made died on her lips as Dragon's mouth touched the suddenly unbearably sensitive skin of her fingers.

"Rarely have I seen Lorelei speechless." Sebastian quipped from where he sat holding Briar. "Well done Dragon."

Lorelei flushed and her gaze snapped to her younger brother. "'Tis not so well and good." She retorted. "In neither the deed, or the result." Amber eyes glittered as she coldly curtsied to her parents and regally swept from the room.

Asrai shivered and Faith beside her gave a low laugh, tugging at the younger girls hair playfully.

"She is very like Grandfather at times." Andreas commented.

Amon frowned in concern. "But 'tis unusual for so little a thing to annoy her so greatly." He looked at Dragon with concern. "Is all as it should be between the two of you?"

Dragon's gaze grew darker and he sighed. "As far as my heart is concerned, yes." A rare smile lightened his face. "Your daughter has had her own way often, and dealt with striplings too easily led. She is learning I will not be manipulated or sweet-talked into granting her every wish."

Amon sighed and nodded his understanding, ruefully rolling his eyes as his sons burst into unsympathetic laughter.

Dragon shook his head at them and kissed the top of his sister's head and nodded to Asrai and Faith. He bowed to Sabine and Amon politely and said in a quiet voice. "If you will excuse me. I must see that Lorelei is well. I do not mind her pride being pricked a bit, but I would not have her heart bruised for the world." His rasping tones were nothing if not fervent and he strode purposefully from the room.

TBC