Chapter 8

That night as evening neared Trommel worked hard preparing dinner with the cook for everyone at the manor. He had suggested to Lord Jyscal that he be present at this nights dinner with Seymour and Meena so he could share the news with them of his engagement. He knew Lord Jyscal was a busy man and often worked late past dinnertime so it took a bit of coaxing to get him to join with the others. Lord Jyscal should be happy to hear the news of his engagement with Meena as he had worked his whole life to bring humans and Guado together.

As Trommel brought the plates of food into the dining room and set them down for everyone in his normal fashion he caught sight of Meena's big blue eyes staring at him. She smiled gently as her eyes met his. Trommel stood for a second staring back at her losing himself. He was so deeply in love with her he had forgotten everything else around him for a second. Quickly he snapped out of his daze and back to his tasks at hand. Seymour looked over slightly at Meena suspiciously as he sensed something between the two. His eyes darted to Trommel as he tried to figure out what it was.

"Seymour my son," Jyscal said looking over. "Tell me how is Macalania temple faring? I heard they were considering you for the position of high priest."

"Yes, today they sent word that they had chosen me for high priest, tomorrow I will leave again to make another trip there, they will be ordaining me."

"That is wonderful Seymour!" Meena exclaimed happily.

Jyscal looked across the table at Seymour, his twisted green bearded face lit by the light of the chandelier. His face revealed its many wrinkles as he smiled in approval and pride at his sons accomplishment.

"Rightly so, it is very impressive a man of your age becoming a high priest. I am honored to have such a son." He said bowing his head slightly to him.

"Beyond his years, even in summoning." Meena said gently placing her tiny pale hand on the purple robed shoulder of her much larger nephew proudly. "You started when you were so young." She said leaning forward so her deep blue eyes met his light sapphire eyes. There was so much there between them as Meena realized as she looked at Seymour. Meena was proud of him as if he were her son. With all of their time together, good times and bad a deep bond had developed reinforcing their blood kinship with one another.

"Oh, please." Seymour raising his hand to his face becoming embarrassed of their praise.

"One day Seymour you shall take my place as a Maester of Yevon and leader to the Guado. I have confidence in you that you will be more than prepared on that day to take up my role."

Seymour nodded from across the table slowly not saying anything as if he didn't want to speak of the subject of him becoming a Maester.

"Meena," Jyscal said as he took a pause in-between bites. "Has anyone ever told you of the origin of the Guado?"

"No," She said with a surprised curiosity. Seymour sighed slightly next to her as if he had been thrown into a subject he'd rather not speak of.

"Well, there is a very interesting legend about our people that has been passed down through the generations. According to this legend the Guado were originally a type of elf, living at peace and at home with the forests. One day a man ventured out into an undiscovered grove, he saw there a beautiful being that seemed half human and half tree, it was known as a Dryad, the living spirit of a tree. It is said, the two fell in love and their offspring are our ancestors. Is it any wonder why we have such a strong connection with the trees and forests?"

"So that must be how you can talk with trees." Meena said recalling her sisters account.

"Yes, and your sister thought I was mad when she saw me speak to one for the first time. Trees have a spirit beyond elders, they are wise, they have seen beyond the years of most mortals," Jyscal said looking off as if remembering some past conversation. "Seymour must know this as well." He said gesturing over to his blue haired son.

Seymour looked up from his plate listlessly grasping his fork with the same elegance as his Father.

"They have not always elected to talk with me, as I am only half Guado." He said sounding somewhat disappointed. "They have learned to distrust most humans." He said sighing.

"They don't like humans?" Meena said in disbelief.

"The trees do not mind to be harvested," Jyscal reasoned. "it is the when greed clears entire forests that they begin to become untrusting and even hate." Jyscal said sadly.

"Oh," Meena said looking down. She felt terrible for the forests that had been destroyed by human hands.

"It's not your fault," Seymour said looking over to her. He could sense almost every feeling coming from Meena without her having to even say a word.

They continued eating and having light hearted conversation until they were through eating. Trommel came through the door once more to clear the plates. Meena's attention immediately focused on him again. As Trommel finished taking their plates he didn't leave but rather stood at the end of the table. He cleared his throat and looked to Jyscal.

"Lord Jyscal, please excuse me, may I have a moment to say something?" he asked him respectfully.

Meena looked to Trommel and smiled, knowing well what he was going to announce.

"Why yes Trommel, go ahead." He said waving his long hand out to him in approval.

"I would just like to announce to everyone that I and Lady Meena are engaged." He said extending his hand lovingly towards Meena.

Seymour's eyes went wide and he looked back to Meena quickly.

"I did not think this would happen so soon." he said lowly to her. Meena smiled and nodded shyly. Jyscal had almost a look of disappointment on his face as Meena and Trommel looked to him. His eyes were lowered and glazed.

"This is good news, is it not Father?" Seymour said somewhat embarrassed by Jyscal's sloth like reaction.

Jyscal snapped out of it quickly and stood up.

"This is…this is wonderful news. Another great step in bringing the humans and Guado together." Jyscal walked around to the end of the table, his long robes flowing behind him. He grasped Trommel and hugged him gently.

"Congratulations and blessings to both of you." He said looking back at Meena. Even though Jyscal's attitude was happy as Meena looked at his eyes, they seemed sad. She wondered to herself, if perhaps Jyscal had wanted to marry her himself? She remembered back to when she had first arrived and how he had placed a gentle kiss on her, thinking it was his wife returning after all those years. She reminded him so much of the Anima he had lost there was a slight possibility that he had hoped to marry her as a replacement for his beloved. It seemed crazy to Meena as she thought it, but Jyscal had loved her so much that he might have just done anything to have some semblance of his past life with Anima.

"Trommel, my good man, if you wish you are free to use the manor for your ceremonies." Jyscal offered.

"Thank you Lord Jyscal. No formal plans have been laid yet, I will of course have to consult with Meena on the details." Trommel said looking deeply at Meena.

Later that evening Meena settled into her room once more for a nights sleep, she sat in front of the mirror brushing her long dark hair carefully. The wood on her door echoed as she heard someone knock. Meena got up quickly, nearly knocking over the stool she was sitting on, as she thought perhaps it might be Trommel. She unlatched the door and opened it. The door swung open to reveal Seymour standing there, his long twisting blue forelock hovering over her as he looked down at her.

"Meena we must talk," he said pushing past her into the room. Meena looked out into the hallway briefly and closed the door behind him.

"Yes Seymour, what is it?" she asked him, knowing well what he might have to say.

"I want to ask you, is this marriage what you want?" he said in all seriousness.

"Seymour, of course." She said slightly confused at his question.

"It worries me, I want to make sure that you have thought this through properly. I knew of Trommel's interest in you but I did not think he would rush to marry you so soon."

"I know its sudden Seymour, but I really do have feelings for Trommel. Ever since I have been here I have felt so safe and comforted with him, he cares for me so much. You must also consider that I and Trommel are slightly older and well, people don't live so long in Spira these days. Everyone marries when they are so young because of it. Honestly I thought I had lost all chances of becoming a wife, I always pushed away any suitors when I was younger."

"I…know why," Seymour said guiltily. "you cared for me so much you didn't want to place your attention anywhere else while you were raising me. You have been just like a Mother to me, caring for me when no one else would. For that I am eternally in your debt." Seymour smiled to himself with a distant memory . "I remember when you first came to Baaj, to get me and Mother. I was so sure when I first saw you that you would despise me. I thought you would hate me, but then you called me beautiful and you hugged me, just as loving as Mother would, I was so surprised." Seymour smiled with his blue eyes shining.

It was then Meena realized, how different things could have been if she had not come for Seymour, if she had not been there for him. To dry his tears, to hold him, to mourn with him when his mother died, to keep him company, and love him, to deny him that would surely mean his soul would've been ruined. She was overtook by a flood of emotions. Her eyes became watery as she tried to hold back her tears.

Seymour shifted sensing her emotions.

"Meena…" he said softly reaching out and holding her. "I've held you back for too long, be happy, get married. You have done more than enough for me. It's your life now."

"Seymour, I shall always be here for you. Now that you are grown you don't need me as much, but I shall always stay close. I love you." She said embracing him tightly.

"Look at you," she said taking a step back from him. "you have grown to be such a handsome man with so much to offer, one day you shall find a woman that steals your heart. Marry her, be her protector, just as Lord Zaon was for Lady Yunalesca. But most importantly, bring her happiness."

"I am sure one day I shall." He said blinking his azure eyes calmly. "I'll leave you to rest now, you've had a big day. Your nights in Guadosalam haven't exactly been very restful either." He said smiling to her. "I will be leaving for Macalania early tomorrow, so I probably won't see you again until I come back."

"That temple shall be in good hands with you overseeing it. Good training for the day you become a Maester like your Father."

Seymour nodded in quiet contemplation of the fact that one day he would take over for his Father, becoming a Maester and a leader to the Guado. A daunting task of privilege and responsibility for anyone.

Seymour left to his room and Meena settled into her bed once again, wondering if she would sleep through the night this time. She pulled the soft blankets over her and her eyes became heavy with sleep and she once again drifted off into a sweet dream.

Authors note: Please rate and review! I really like getting nice comments :D just makes my day!

Next chapter will involve Meena and Trommel's wedding and from there on I'm planning on getting on to Luca with Seymour and Yuna. ;)