"The Merits of Flying"
By LadyCleo
AU – How the movie should have gone. Andrew interrupts the moment before Mia and Nicholas kiss. Mia/Andrew all the way and inspired by frankiebaby's "A Royal Duty." If you like – review as encouragement.
Author's Note: I accidentally misspelled Lilly in chapter four– so that's fixed now. Big thank you to all the reviewers! It's much appreciated – it also encourages the muse like no other.
Chapter Five
"That's enough flaming ones for now. Are you sure I didn't burn you?" Mia lowered the bow and took a step closer to where Andrew was trying to put the flames out.
Lilly snorted making a gesture at the sleeve, "Of course you did. Look at his coat."
Andrew shook his head, "No, no, it's very minor. You just sort of seared the sleeve. Look." Giving one last pat to the charred sleeve he looked up to smile at Mia.
Mia nodded slowly and turned back to her target. Picking up her next arrow she shot it off, almost immediately shouting "Sorry," as it forced her two maids to duck to the ground. "I really suck at this."
"Look," Andrew declared, stepping around Mia he motioned towards the bow, "may I make a suggestion." Mia nodded. "I may not be an expert bowman, but what I do know is that you need to relax a little." Dropping his hands to her shoulder he straightened her back and then gently set her arms into the correct posture. "Breathe," he commanded guiding her hands, "and release."
The arrow shot forward, but thudded into a nearby tree nowhere near the original mark. "At least it went straight and didn't curve like the last couple." Lilly commented from the relative safety of the sidelines.
"Mia, you're not focusing. You have far too much on your mind, relax." Andrew grabbed another arrow and helped her set it into place. "I know you can do this, now just- just close your eyes for a second."
Taking a deep breathe, Mia slowly closed her eyes. "Suppose," Andrew whispered as he took a step closer to her, one hand falling to her waist as the other gently corrected her elbow, "Suppose for a second that you were not being bullied into marriage."
Mia nodded, opening her eyes she focused on the target and released the arrow. It sailed clumsily forward, nicking the side of the ring and invoking a half moan from her lips.
"No, that was better," Andrew corrected as Mia slowly set another arrow into place. "Now suppose that there are no would-be usurpers to your throne."
A small chuckle slipped past her lips, "Wouldn't that be great."
"Play along please," Andrew ordered gently as he fixed her hand position on the bow. "Breathe and-" his hand fell back down to her waist, "relax – release." The arrow missed the ring but thudded into the corner of the target.
A grin flashed across Mia's face as she reached for another arrow. Andrew chuckled lightly as he watched her correct her arms. "Brilliant, now," he whispered, voice dropping to barely audible, hand still lingering on her waist. "Suppose- suppose that I am falling madly in love with you."
The arrow darted forward, sailing straight through the hoop and thudding into the center of the target. In the background Lilly let off a whoop as the maids started madly clapping.
"Now suppose-" Andrew continued, voice slightly trembling as Mia slowly titled her head around to stare up at him, "suppose it's true." It got very quiet suddenly, as though Lilly and the maids had disappeared.
"Andrew, I-" Mia felt her face flush slightly as she slowly turned to face him. Starring up into his eyes she suddenly got the impression that she was Alice, standing beneath the mirrors reflection- on the verge of Wonderland. It was all somehow impeding her ability to speak.
"Mia-" his voice was almost hoarse, eyes darting rapidly between her eyes and tracing her lips. "Mia, may I-" Lifting her chin gently he leaned in closer, watching her lower lip tremble. His hand slipped slowly from her waist to the small of her back, stirring up a flock of butterflies in the pit of her stomach.
Mia gave a curt nod, her free hand climbing up to gently take a hold of his lapel. Andrew slowly lowered his head towards her- standing on her tip toes Mia met him half way, her lips pressing firmly to his.
A bolt of life seemed to jolt up through her body- whoever had said comfortable meant no chemistry had obviously been senseless. The bow dropped the ground as Mia shifted to wrap her arms around his neck. Andrew groaned slightly, pulling her closer, unintentionally lifting her feet of the ground for a second as he deepened the kiss, exploring the curve of her lips. His right hand shifted up to her arm, gently stroking the bare skin as he angled his head, breathing her in. The world seemed to catapult around him as music floated through the air. For heavens sakes he was hearing music! Although, to be perfectly honest he would not have chosen Rachmaninoff for this moment-
Mia shifted against him, pulling away gently with an odd look of bafflement pinned on her face. "Are you," she paused for a second, her head angling slightly as though she were trying to listen to a conversation more closely. "Are you hearing music?"
Andrew frowned, "Rachmaninoff?"
"Yes!"
Both turned their heads towards the oncoming sound as Lord Nicholas walked around the corner of the garden. The other man stopped short, his mouth gaping open for a second at the sight that greeted him. Mia felt a small blush hue her cheeks as she realized that Andrew was still standing with little to no space between them. His hands reluctantly released her as he took a small step back.
"Lord Nicholas," Mia greeted finding her voice first, though it cracked slightly when she spoke. "I see you're still enjoying our gardens." The other man nodded as he slowly approached the pair, "Andrew and I were just practicing for the ceremony."
Nicholas frowned, genuinely confused. From the looks of it they could have been practicing either archery or wedding vows. "Which ceremony?"
Andrew's shoulder stiffened slightly, "I beg your pardon?"
Mia's head jerked around to stare at Andrew, startled by the slight tremor of hostility in his voice. "The coronation, of course," she answered finally. Reaching out she linked her arm with Andrew's. "Andrew was helping me with the bow and arrow. Lilly and I were-" Mia paused as she realized that at some point before Nicholas' arrival Lilly had discreetly disappeared. "That is I was just-"
"Might I inquire," Andrew interrupted, eyes pinned on Nicholas, "What brings you around?"
"Just happened to be taking a stroll," Nicholas answered back. "I trust there is nothing wrong with that."
Something tugged at Mia's free arm and she turned to see Lilly, having reappeared on the scene, with a very confused expression, "What's going on? I leave you smooching Prince Charming here and come back to find you entertaining a rat."
Andrew frowned, slowly pulling his arm away from Mia, "What a striking coincidence, that Mia should be practicing here, at her usual time, and that you should choose this section of the gardens to stroll through." A slight frown worked its way into the corner of Andrew's lips as he continued. "It seems peculiar to me that you should just happen to find yourself consistently running into Mia."
"Andrew," Mia whispered, tugging gently on his sleeve, "Andrew what are you doing?"
"I find nothing odd about that," Nicholas answered. "And in this case it is not a coincidence; I came over to speak to Her Highness."
Andrew raised an eyebrow and took a slow step forward, "Really? On what matter?"
Dropping her voice, Mia turned her head towards Lilly, "Okay, this is getting really weird."
"You said it sister. Maybe we ought to separate the boys." Lilly motioned towards Nicholas, "Should I shoo him? I can shoo him. Just tell me which one you want to shoo."
Mia slowly shook her head, "I don't think it's going to be that easy."
"If you must know, it's a matter that doesn't concern you." Nicholas rolled his shoulders back. "State politics and such- after all, you're not a state member yet."
"Interesting point." Andrew took another step closer. "Tell me, what exactly would a usurper, such as yourself, need to discuss with his intended victim?" The two men were now glaring at each other in what Lilly would call a 'she's mine- back off' battle of the eyeballs.
"Okay," Mia interrupted, "I think we're going to end this now. If you'll excuse us," Reaching out Mia grabbed Andrew's arm and started tugging him in the opposite direction. "We're scheduled to meet Lord and Lady Jacoby on the south lawn for lunch, wouldn't want to keep the future in-law's waiting."
"Of course," Nicholas nodded folding his hands behind his back as he watched the pair, "Wouldn't want to upset Lady Jacoby, after all she is the arranger of matrimonial bliss." Whither the comment was said to upset or simply state the facts, Mia wasn't sure. But Andrew suddenly planted his feet into the ground, she had a feeling he wasn't going anywhere yet.
"Is there something you wish to say?" This time there was no mistaking the hostile edge in Andrew's voice. The usual calm exterior had been washed away and replaced with a tense version that Mia wasn't quite prepared to see.
"No, there isn't." Nicholas admitted with a slight smile. "I'll just go about my day and you just go about your 'duty.'"
Fire and brimstone flashed through Andrew's eyes as he pulled himself straight, "Right!" Rearing back his fist, he clocked the other man clean in the jaw- watching with satisfaction as Nicholas stumbled backwards, cursing. Pulling away, Andrew straightened his suit jacket and turned back to the gaping Mia. "Shall we go?"