Summary, rating etc. see first chapter
And I just realised I didn't put a disclaimer on it. Well, since it is fanfiction, you would sort of assume I wasn't trying to claim the characters, but here's a disclaimer anyway: Most of the characters aren't mine. My characters and the plotlines are, and I'm not trying to make any money out of them. Is that OK?
Kheva knocked quietly on his uncle's door. "Kheldar? Can I come in?"
"Of course."
"I need to ask your advice." Silk's eyebrow rose enquiringly, but Kheva ignored it.
"And why would you need my advice, my King?"
"I'm not king yet, and you know it. You're the only person who I can think of to ask."
"Ask what?"
"Well…" He suddenly wasn't so sure about telling Kheldar. Of course, he would give good advice, but that didn't mean he would get made fun of.
"Well what? Just get it out Kheva, I haven't got all morning."
"It doesn't matter. I can wait until later." He rose as if to leave, but Silk called him back.
"You've got me intrigued. What did you want advice with?"
"Well, Beldaran and I were talking last night." He hesitated, unsure of how to continue. Silk took the pause as an opportunity to make a witty remark about the two of them. "Actually it wasn't so much talking as she came into my room about midnight or so."
"Well, the comments 'Wasn't so much talking' and 'about midnight or so' have just given me a fascinating insight into the nature of your problem, but I don't see how I can help."
"One, it's nothing like that, and two, I seem to remember Belgarion telling me you spent six months or so doing it to Liselle. She just wanted to talk to me." He paused, and took a deep breath. Better just to get it out in the open. "She wants us to get married, but I don't know if we should. I mean, I love her, but with all the political state at the minute, I'm thinking I may have to marry some noblewoman just to calm it all down."
Silk thought it over. "I see your point, but don't marry to settle it all down. And I would recommend leaving it a while before you answer Beldaran as well. Just remember, she's only sixteen. Only just old enough to marry. And you're not much older than her. Enjoy life as a free man for a while, and then come back. See if you still love her. If you do, marry her. If you don't, don't marry her."
"Life as a free man? Kheldar, I'm being crowned in less than a year. Belgarion and Ce'Nedra were my age when they had Geran, and they were already being pressured into having children."
"There was no heir to the Rivan Throne. Right now, you have two, although if Porenn doesn't get everything sorted out soon, I wouldn't count on it. Maybe you should have children."
"You just changed your mind halfway through a sentence! I came to you because I thought you could help!"
"I'm thinking, I'm thinking…"
Kheva waited as Silk considered everything.
"You should wait until you're crowned. Then every noble family in Drasnia, and probably most of them from the rest of the world, will try to press a wife on you. That's when you tell them you and Beldaran want to get engaged. You will want to talk to Porenn about it first though. And possibly Belgarion."
"I'll talk to them. And Beldaran, to see what she thinks of the idea. Thank you so much for your help." With that, he got up and left the room.
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Kheva stood nervously outside Beldaran's door, shifting from foot to foot until her maid answered. It was such a long time to wait to get married. He didn't know if she would wait that long. Beldaran's maid bobbed a curtsey to him, and he nodded in reply. She stepped back to let him in, and show him into the bedchamber, where Beldaran was eating. Ordinarily, a man wouldn't be allowed in a Lady's bedchamber, but the Maid knew how close he and Beldaran were.
When she saw him, Beldaran put her tray down and jumped up to throw her arms around his neck. "Did you talk to them?" she asked excitedly.
"Not yet-" he started, but she interrupted.
"Not yet? What do you mean not yet? You promised me! You promised Kheva!" She paused to take a deep breath, and then carried on. "I don't know why I bother! What is the point in asking you to do anything? You don't listen to m-"
The rest of her words were muffled as he put a hand over her mouth. He winced as she bit his finger, but didn't move his hand.
"I spoke to Kheldar." He said. "I asked him what he thought we should do." He released the pressure on her mouth. She let him carry on. "He says we should wait until I've been crowned."
"But I don't want to wait Kheva! I want to marry you now!"
"I'm waiting for you!" He interrupted, irritated at her whining tone. She looked up at him expectantly. He desperately tried to think of what to say next. He hadn't thought past making her be quiet. "People tried to kill your mother before you were born! Belgarion's enemies! Not hers! I have enemies in Drasnia and I don't want you to get hurt and it to be my fault." Her face softened, and he sighed with relief. It was worked.
"I'm sorry" she said, her eyes downcast. "I really am."
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Kheva pulled he head up with gentle fingers and kissed her, just softly on the lips. "Don't be." He whispered, and kissed her again. She smiled at him, and he smiled back. "Well then," he said, "Should we talk to Mother or Belgarion first?"
"I don't mind. Who do you think is easier to persuade?" She hoped he said Porenn. Her father would do anything her mother said, usually without arguing.
"Belgarion. He'll do anything for you." True, but will mother?
"Well, off we go then."
They walked out of the room hand in hand…
