Magic's Reluctant Bride (closed for maurader13

[marauder13]

The look he got from her said something totally different to what her words said.

"Honestly I simply wished to look around and see if anything caught my eye really. And I would love to have your company, beside I can't guard you if you aren't near me."

He simply walked with her, looking around and watching the general going's on. While Melisandra was busy haggling over the cost of the shirts she was getting for him, he got a warning from his guardian. The ice cold breeze that ran down his neck. He turned in time to throw the pickpocket off his aim. The youth's arm was grabbed tightly, bringing a startled yelp from the thief.

"Tell your friends to leave me alone, lest I call on the hounds of Gehenna to hunt you all down." Lentharian whispered to the boy, letting his native accent shine through.

The boy's eyes widened, he quickly waved his free hand in the air, warding off evil as he whispered, "Noden." He ran as soon as Lentharian released him.

The rest of the shopping done, they headed back to their room. Lentharian 'allowed' Melisandra to go upstairs first, carefully watching her walk the entire distance. He wasted little time securing his gems in his saddle gear, and sat down beside Melisandra.

"There have been times when I have been ridiculed for carrying a fortune in gems without having guard around me. But then, no one suspects that someone like me would be carrying such fortune. So it works well. But then again, having a bodyguard like you is something I could grow accustomed to."

He leaned forward slowly, gently kissing Melisandra. His heart raced a little faster as his lips tasted hers. A soft moan of pleasure escaped his lips before he broke it off, looking down and smiling happily.

"Thank you."

 

[AngelofDeath]

Pushing the honey cake to the side on the table, Mel reached up and pulled Len back down for another kiss, this one lasting much longer. When she pulled back she smiled up at him. "You're welcome," she let Len straighten himself while she got to her feet and removed her sword, once that was done she took her boots off and made herself comfortable on the bed. The moment was perfect, almost TOO perfect really.

Letting her eyes roam over him Mel sighed softly, "Admittedly had my first sight of you not been you fighting I might have honestly underestimated you as well. Despite having been tutored not to. I am glad my first assumption about you were wrong. These last few days have been better than planned." When he joined her on the bed, Mel traced her fingers over his face. No he wasn't overtly handsome, nor did he throw off the air of refined nobility that always seemed to call to those set on making trouble, but Len was more than he appeared to be. That much she knew about him amongst everything else. Another soft sigh eased from between her lips as his arms encircled her, pulling them closer together, so much so that Mel was almost seated in his lap.

Their lips met again, tenderly but full of passion. They had all of the day to explore one another, and Mel for one planned to put all of that time to good use. Her hand slid into his lap, palming his swelling cock gently. His hands made her groan into his mouth, as they found their way under her shirt, squeezing her sides.

 

[marauder13]

Having Melisandra so close was now feeling natural. His desire for her was strong, and tasting her lips again was a blessing bestowed by the Gods. He didn't flinch when her hand reached his cock, rubbing it through the fabric of his pants. It sent pleasant shivers through his body.

He managed to get his hands under her shirt, running them up her flanks, over the bodice that she wore underneath. With a playful smile as he continued to kiss her, his hands found the binding, and made quick work of loosening it.

He broke off the kiss, looking into her eyes. "I have never felt this way about another person. Ever. I want this to last as long as possible, Mel." He leaned in and kissed her again, passionately, remembering some of the ways that seemed to make Mel happier. His hands roamed about her body, clothed and bare, feeling her, touching her, showing her how much he loved her.

He moved to her neck, kissing and biting it lightly. He started to undo her top, his hands fumbling as he concentrated on her neck.

 

[AngelofDeath]

Len's actions drew moans and a soft laugh from me as she pushed his hands away long enough to finish the work his hands had started, though the feel of his mouth and teeth at her neck made hard work of it. Once her shirt was open though Len's hands returned and filled themselves with her breasts. She let him strip away the shirt and bodice as he had the night before, only this time he did it the confidence that Mel wouldn't stop him.

This time he did pull her into his lap, her legs wrapping around him as he used his hands and mouth upon her neck and breasts once more. She squirmed and moaned in his lap, grinding their bodies together, the heat of his shaft pressed against her core through their clothing. His words still tugged at her, "I want this to last as long as possible, Mel.", only because it couldn't last forever. He would have to return to Noden and the woman waiting for him. The edge of his teeth pushed that thought aside. For now he was hers and she was his equally.

His left arm curled around her hips, pulling their bodies as close as possible, considering they were still dressed. Mel's fingers threaded through his hair, holding Len against her neck. "Gods, you make me ache and burn Len," If it was possible to be consumed by passion the two of them were on the brink of being completely taken over. Len's right hand stroked over her breast, making her nipple draw tight in response.

 

[marauder13]

Lentharian felt Melisandra's hands working to remove his shirt, feeling her tugging impatiently on the clothing. He arched himself a little to allow her a little better access while he continued to hold, caress, kiss and bite her. With a few short interruptions in what he was doing, Mel finally got him topless as well.

"Gods, you make me ache and burn Len."

"I hope in a good manner, Mel." Lentharian answered. Without any warning, he allowed himself to collapse back onto the bed, with Melisandra on top of him. He looked at her face, framed by her reddish blonde locks. He smiled while stealing a brief kiss from her.

"You seem to have me trapped. How can I possibly escape?" He made a grand show of thinking. "I know, I shall create a distraction." He raised his head to kiss her again, but his hands went straight down to where his pants were tied, quickly loosening them and pulling them down a little. He laughed, going for Melisandra's pants, and untying them.

"How silly of me, I meant to do yours, but did mine instead. Oh well." Lentharian managed to wriggle around a little and shed his pants, all the while kissing Melisandra all over her face.

"It does seem a little unfair, My Lady, that you're still attired while I am not. We shall have to fix that, wont we." With much laughter, fumbling and much enjoyment by them both, Melisandra's pants fell to the floor with Lentharian's.

 

[AngelofDeath]

A blush ran along her cheeks as she lay sprawled atop Len naked as could be. The feel of his body pressed to her and the hard prodding of his cock against her deepened the ache growing inside of her. "Well you seem to have even the playing field, Len. Now we are both without a stitch of clothing on or between us." Lower her head she brushed her lips over his, her hair flowing over his skin like silk. Mel's right hand came up to cup the side of his face, her thumb, stroking along his bottom lip.

"I'm going to remember this day for a very long time Len," her hips rolled against him, the heat of him calling to her as her body dripped for him. He was quick to match her movements, the two of them dragging the moment out for as long as they could, enjoying the prelude to the act. Her back arched, making her nipples brush his chest as his hands scorched a path down her back to her hips and the curve of her buttocks.

It was a selfish thought, but she had it none the less, she wanted Len to remember this for as long as possible. She let out a shaking moan as Len shifted under his as he lifted her hips before easing his way back into her. Even after last night Mel was tight around him, her passion coating every inch of his cock as he pulled her down onto him fully. Mel whimpered softly, her whole body trembling as he pulsed inside of her. The heat of his hands was only second to the fire burning inside of her.

When she pushed herself up with her hands on the bed, Mel gasped out sharply, Len cock was seated inside of her as deep as possible. Her hips were moving slowly of their own accord, rocking her body atop his. Even, white teeth sank themselves into her bottom lip, barely holding back the moan. Len's hands didn't move though, they stayed belted to her waist, moving her as he thrust up into her.

 

[marauder13]

Their bodies moved together, slowly, unsure of the pace and rhythm and who was setting it. Lentharian looked up at Melisandra's face, with her lost in the pleasure of the moment. He felt her tight slippery hold on him as he moved within her, the constant pressure moving him slowly to his peak of pleasure.

He felt her body trembling as she moved. Her soft moans from her closed mouth soon gave way to louder sounds of pleasure as she needed more air that her nose would allow her. The cascade of her light coloured hair as it shone in the light coming through the windows drew his attention back to her face. He let go of her waist, bringing his hands up behind her shoulders, pulling her down until he could kiss her. With the touch of her lips to his, all semblance of self control vanished.

He started thrusting harder and faster. His desire for her took over. He wanted her. He wanted to hear her crying out as she climaxed. He wanted to fill her with his love for her. He held her tightly, kissing her continuously between pauses for breath. The constant rocking of their bodies never ceasing, only getting faster and more frenzied.

Lentharian was feeling the sweat of both their bodies pooling on his as he felt himself tighten low in his body. "Mel... Mel.. I..." He spoke no more as his grunt was cut off by the rough kiss he gave Melisandra as he started to fill her with his seed. He pushed himself deep within her, pulling her closer to himself at the same time. Waves of bliss washed over him with each spasm of his body. The intensity was greater this time than previously, though he cared little for the reasons. As he mind was regaining some control, he was aware of Melisandra's body shaking above him, and the warm flow of fluid tricking between his legs.

He looked into her sea coloured eyes, trying to think of the words to tell her what she meant to him, and how he felt. Instead, he kissed her. Deeply, lovingly and for as long as he could.

 

[AngelofDeath]

Last night had been so tender, so loving compared to that moment. No less loving but filled with more of a burning need to please each other. Mel couldn't tell where she ended and Len began. When he had started to move harder and faster inside of her, her moans were lost in their shared kiss. He stroked the fires deep and high within her until it just washed over them both and left her trembling and moaning atop him. Her body clenching around him tightly as he filled her with his seed.

Mel's eyes met his as the world slowly stopped spinning, his eyes were filled with the words he was search for to express himself. When their lips met again, she melted against him, content to just lay there with him, cleaning up could wait. And it did wait as they made love several more times, before sharing the sizable tub together.

They only returned to the bed after Len dressed long enough to head back down to fetch a jug of wine fore them both. They drank and split the honey cake, letting the day slip away from them as they laid on the bed talking, Mel about doing her best to try and keep her up with boy she'd trained with, and Len about his own childhood. At one point they ended up stretched out before the fire where they loved each other until Mel was sore and Len's chest, back and arms bore the marks of her nails. Curled up the bed one more as the sun began to dip Mel pressed a kiss to Len's shoulder as he dozed next to her. His arm was so tight around her hips that she was sure he had no intention of letting her go. Her fingers combed through his hair as it had when she had watched over him after the attack. With a sigh she laid her head down and joined him in sleep.

Down in the city though for nearly two hours the Royal Guard of Brask had been questioning people in their search for Melisandra and eventually where directed to the inn where the couple lay sleeping. The thunderous sound of booted feet on the stairs, did not wake either Mel or Len, but the door to their room being slammed open had both Len and Mel sitting up in shock. She instantly dragged the sheet up to cover herself as Jeral strode forward, now in his 40s the Captain of the Guard was imposing as ever. The look in his eyes was one she had never seen directed her way, disappointment. Of course when he dragged his eyes from her to look at Len, that quickly changed to anger and something more.

"Jeral, I..." he just turned from them both and moved to grab their clothes.

Tossing the clothing at them both he and the rest of the guard turned their backs, "Dress yourself and let's go."

"Jeral, please, you can..." she started as she pulled her bodice on. He raised his hand cutting her off before pointing a finger at her.

"Don't start down that road Melisandra. Do not ask me or my men to commit treason. I know you were not happy, but this," he waved his hand in their direction, "to debase yourself and your station." The older man's frustration was evident and the way he spoke.

Sucking back tears of humiliation and her own frustration Mel slid from the bed and dressed. Looking at Len she wanted to tell him to run as soon as they were outside, but she knew he wouldn't leave her and it wasn't like the guard would let him get away. Instead she simply dressed as fast as she could and gathered her saddle bags. The same boys she had told him about now stood in front of them, stone faced, but Mel knew that they were just as upset as Jeral was.

"I want your word none of you will lay a hand on Len. Nothing happened here that I didn't want. I can't fight all of you but I can bloody enough of you to make the rest think twice."

"We won't lay a hand on him. His fate is in the hands of your father and his own rulers." That was as much as she was going to get and she knew it. Once Len was dressed they headed out and collected all their horses and headed out of Kraala and back towards Brask. Mel rode beside Jeral with 3 of the five remaining guards between her and Len. Several times she looked back at Len, to make sure he was still there. When they made camp well after sunset the guards made sure to keep themselves between the two of them. Mel watch Jeral as he paced back and forth. Eventually he stopped in front of her.

"What in the name of the gods were you thinking Mel? Where were you going to go? Do you know how frantic your father has been? Do you even care? Of course not. You've been in Kraala acting like a whore with some Noden merchant! Even better your future husband seems to have gone missing as well. Do you know how close the two kingdoms have come to going to war again?!"

"What do you want me to say Jeral? Was I supposed to let my father force me into a marriage I did not want with a man I did not want? I couldn't do it," She got to her feet, staring up at the man she had loved for much of her life. Of course that love had turned to respect once it became clear that it would never be returned.

"You couldn't marry their prince but you could let the first one who crossed your path into your bed? You were never a stupid girl Mel, I know you too well." He pointed toward Len across the fire, "He was just a means to an end, wasn't he? You slept with him on the off chance that if you were found, you at least had one last bargaining chip to get out of this marriage. That you weren't a virgin."

She looked away from him and the eyes that had turned her way, it was true. The affair with Len had started that way, but it hadn't stayed that way. "Yes," maybe things would go better for Len in the end if he hated her.

 

[marauder13]

Being surrounded by three rather angry members of the Brask Royal guard that kept him away from Melisandra during the ride allowed Lentharian some quiet time to relive the joyous afternoon they had spent together. They had loved each other freely, along with periods of time just spent in peaceful company. The honey cake and the wine ranked as one of the finest meals he ever ate.

When the door shattered, Lentharian was within a breath of killing all of the Royal Guardsmen before he recognized them for who they were. He recognized he look in the faces of the men when they looked at him. They wanted to kill him for what he did to their Princess. But they were highly trained, and kept to their orders, which included not killing him.

Still, his memories returned to the more delightful events of the day until they made camp. Again they made sure that he and Melisandra were kept apart. He was content to let them do their job, because he knew that they would easily kill him if he gave them the chance to 'avenge' her. So, Lentharian sat down, silently wondering what they would think if they knew who he really was.

"You couldn't marry their prince but you could let the first one who crossed your path into your bed? You were never a stupid girl Mel, I know you too well."

Jeral's voice would have carried for miles given the strength he was putting behind it. Lentharian's attention was caught by that line. He felt his hackles rise slightly as he watched Melisandra come under attack from this man.

"He was just a means to an end, wasn't he? You slept with him on the off chance that if you were found, you at least had one last bargaining chip to get out of this marriage. That you weren't a virgin."

The man's tone, bearing entire manner offended the Crown Prince of Noden. That a commoner like him would address a member of nobility in that manner infuriated him to the point where he found himself on his feet and moving towards his stricken fiance.

"Halt!" One of the younger guardsmen moved to intercept Lentharian, placing himself directly in the Prince's path. "This is not a matter for you, merchant."

Lentharian gave the man a stony stare before pushing him aside and resuming his determined stride towards Melisandra and Jeral. Two other guardsmen raced to him, grabbing him to haul him back. He thrashed against the hold, and received a blow to the stomach for his efforts. Lentharian wrenched an arm free, and slammed a blow to the face of the one that struck him. He was about to strike another of the guards when he took a blow to the back of his head that stunned him.

Vaguely aware of his surrounds, he was dragged back to where he had been sitting, and was efficiently restrained.

 

[AngelofDeath]

Mel would have gone to Len had Jeral not caught her arm, she shrugged him off, "You may be instructed to bring me home, but you weren't instructed to touch me."

"And what does a merchant, a near stranger mean to you? This isn't a game Melisandra, your lover will be lucky if he's not imprisoned or executed for treason. Unless you plan to lie and say he didn't know who you were." Jeral watched as Len was restrained. For a merchant he could fight and it clear to him that he did feel something toward the princess, even if it was simply the urge to protect her from her own men.

"What Len is to me is none of your business." She started to walk away from him again when Jeral grabbed her once more.

He lowered his voice for her ears only, "If you want him to live I suggest you figure out how best to pacify your father. Even then that may not save him from the Nodens. You should have never stopped riding if you truly intended to get away." He let her go and Mel just looked at him over her shoulder before she made her way to Len.

"Let her sit with him if she wants," Jeral made his way to his bedroll and sat down. The guard with the bloody nose just shook his head and went to his own bed roll while the rest went to their own or to stand guard.

Seeing him with his hands bound behind him, tore at her heart. Mel touched his cheek, "I am so sorry Len." This time she didn't stop the tears that gathered in her eyes. "I promise you I will fix this."

 

[marauder13]

When he came to his senses enough, Lentharian was chastising himself severely for not thinking through his actions. He was fortunate that they just knocked him senseless and tied him up. Given the looks he had been receiving, it could have been much worse.

He felt the light touch of Melisandra's hand on his cheek, he brushes of her hand brushing away his anger at how she was spoken to, and how he behaved. His head hurt, an annoying reminder of his lack of thinking.

"I promise you I will fix this."

"Mel, promise me you will look after yourself first. I can look after myself. I've... I've learned my lesson. I think it will be best for us both if we stay apart on our travel back to Brask. I'll also not try and defend your honour in the stupid fashion I tried just before."

He didn't want to get into any further fights with the Brask Royal Guard, given that he was from Noden, they thought he was a commoner and he had only ever been taught to kill in a fight. He had heard that Noden and Brask were close to war again, and the death of the Crown Prince would make the war inevitable, and very, very messy.

Noden had always fought defensive wars against Brask. If he died, Brask would feel the full wrath of Noden, and that was something he didn't want resting on his soul. Of course, the Brask Royal family would be the first target of Noden. Having Melisandra die made him cold to the core of his being.

 

[AngelofDeath]

Mel, looked from him to the Guard and then back at him, "He didn't mean most of it, but I doubt he was expecting to find me as they did. If he's telling the truth about Brask and Noden being close to war and the Prince being missing I don't hold his anger against him."

Not caring what the Guard though she leaned in and brushed her lips over his, "It may have been stupid, but it was touching none the less, Len. " She touched the back of his head gently, thankfully the skin wasn't broken, but he would have a nice lump for his troubles. She got to her feet, the soft easy going look easing from her eyes to be replaced with the more serious one he had seen on her face when they first met. Mel mouthed softly, "I love you," before turning and walking to her own bedroll. Everyone's eyes bore into her but her head remained high. She would not be ashamed for what she did.

She may have given herself to Len and they may have been sent to fetch her, but she was still their Princess. Jeral had wisely collected their swords from them, lowering the odds of another incident. Laying down Mel immediately closed her eyes because seeing Len bound was too much. Come first light they would be headed on their way to Brask.

 

[marauder13]

Melisandra's thanks and understanding eased the pain further. He was also grateful that the guardsmen had secured him without cutting off circulation. It was uncomfortable to get to sleep, but he managed it.

Through the night, his mind replayed events of their time together. The initial meeting. The two separate bathing incidents. Their time together in Kraala. All the while, Melisandra, Princess of Brask, was unknowingly traveling with her fiance, Lentharian Selkortaran, Prince of Noden.

Morning came, and the guardsmen unbound him to allow him to ride on his horse. He spent the entire time pondering when he would break the news to Melisandra. More importantly, how he would do it too. He knew, quite rightfully, she would be angry and upset with him for what he did. But he was beyond caring about such matters. Most importantly was trying to stop Noden and Brask going to war again. He could only do then when they reached Brask itself. Trying to do any form of magic in his current placement would see him dealt with swiftly and permanently.

When he wasn't distracted by his own thoughts, he spent his time admiring Melisandra. He didn't bother to hide it, and he knew it was irritating the Guardsmen, but he owed them a little discomfort for the pain he was suffering. Plus, he wanted to get as much locked away in his memory as he could before everything went terribly wrong when they reached Brask.

 

[AngelofDeath]

The ride home was long and tedious and slightly painful. Mel was not one to get saddle sore, but Len had left her sore when they had finally gone to sleep back at the inn. Jeral's insistence that they only stop when absolutely needed, meant that she got little to no relief. Now and then she would look Len's way, feeling his eyes on her. She did her best to keep the worry off her face, but in all honesty she was worried. It didn't matter that she had been the one to do the seducing, Len would still be blamed for it all and if her father wasn't feeling charitable, more than likely killed for it. When they made camp for a second time, things went more smoothly, though the air was still thick with the tension.

As they finally made their way into Brask, Jeral dropped back to ride beside Len. Mel turned her head, but he was too far back for her to hear what he said.

"I don't enjoy being in this position. Mel has always been like a younger sister or daughter to me. Gods I almost laughed when I heard she had run off. Only almost because I knew I would have to bring her home, kicking and screaming if need be. I expected that actually, and can only assume you are the reason she didn't. Considering how you tried to stand up for her the first night I can see why she's taking the high road."

Jeral sighed and shook his head, "If I could have I might have left her in Kraal, but I cannot and will not betray my king. A king you should hope is willing to let you return to Noden in one piece. If she is lucky her fiance will be found in the bed of some woman and this whole damned marriage will be called off." With one last look at Len, the captain returned to Mel's side as they came upon the Castle gates.

 

[marauder13]

The City of Brask drew closer, Jeral pulled along side Lentharian.

"I don't enjoy being in this position. Mel has always been like a younger sister or daughter to me. Gods I almost laughed when I heard she had run off. Only almost because I knew I would have to bring her home, kicking and screaming if need be. I expected that actually, and can only assume you are the reason she didn't. Considering how you tried to stand up for her the first night I can see why she's taking the high road."

"If I could have I might have left her in Kraal, but I cannot and will not betray my king. A king you should hope is willing to let you return to Noden in one piece. If she is lucky her fiance will be found in the bed of some woman and this whole damned marriage will be called off."

Lentharian remained silent, stifling the desire to laugh at the comment about her fiance will be found in the bed of some woman. 'Well, he was. With his fiance.'

He kept himself calm as they rode through the gates of the Castle, and Melisandra's Ladies in Waiting flooded to her side, along with other concerned nobles and other parties. Lentharian was quickly led away by two of the Royal Guard, taken to a cell where he waited calmly for what was going to happen next.

When the guards returned, they were carrying a set of very function manacles. With a resigned look on his face, he complied with the instructions, and soon was escorted to the throne room of the King of Brask. From the first moments he saw his possible future Father-in-Law, he saw that the man was angry. Lentharian started running through his options of what powers he could bring to bear that would allow him to escape without bringing harm to the Court of Brask.

 

[AngelofDeath]

Before Melisandra had a moment to think once they were within the castle gates, the guard were taking Len to the dungeon and her maids were hurrying her to her room before she went before her father. She could only stand for them to make a fuss over her and to go on and on about her "ordeal" before Mel had shooed them out of her rooms and out of her site. Apparently her father had lied about the fact his daughter had left under her own power. Instead everyone had been led to believe that Mel had been waylaid while out riding.

For the simple fact she wanted to be there when Len was brought before her father, Mel chose not to remain in her room. Instead she bathed and changed her clothes. Her first foray into pacifying her father was to actually don one of her dresses. The material clung to her body and with her hair brushed out and her circlet on, Melisandra looked every inch the princess that she tried not to be.

Minutes later though she knew, changing her clothes would do very little to calm the ranging temper of her father. His voice could be heard through the doors of the throne room. Jeral was obviously letting him know about the state in which she had been found. Taking a deep breath she walked into the throne room to take her punishment.

King Elan looked from Jeral to Melisandra and shook his head. Off to the side of the throne, the representative of Noden stood, his face unreadable.

"Father I," and once again Melisandra was cut off.

"Do not start, daughter. Not only have you shamed this kingdom, but also this family. You not only acted in a fashion befitting a woman of your station but you also risked your life and jumped into the bed of some random merchant. Did you even think through the consequences of all this? Did it not occur to you that running off could put us on the brink of war?"

"You know that is that last thing I would ever want, Father. And from what Jeral has said Noden's Crown Prince has gone missing as well."

"It does not matter if he has. YOU are my child, not him. What man, prince or otherwise will have you now? Or want your hand should you give birth to the bastard child of a merchant?" Mel's hand strayed to her stomach, the fact hadn't occurred to her in the last few days. "Something else you didn't think about either." Behind them the throne room doors open and Len was led in, his hands shackled. "Now let's see what this merchant has to say for himself."

"Father, I asked Len into my bed. If anyone should be punished it should be me. I made sure he'd had plenty to drink before I offered myself to him. Please, just send him back to Noden, unharmed."

"Enough. He knew who you were, that you were supposed to marry his prince. Whether you seduced him or not, he knew you belonged to another. What he did amounts to treason." As Len was led forward, one of the guard gave him a nudge hard enough to send him to his knees beside Mel. "What do you have to say for yourself, merchant?"

 

[marauder13]

Lord Sardanya Selkor had rushed to the Throne Room. He had been notified that the Princess had been found and returned safely. But what was more important was that a citizen of Noden was found with her. He wanted to be there to make sure that his countryman was given as fair treatment as possible.

He had silently stood by as King Elan was berating his daughter over her rash actions. When he heard that a merchant of Noden was found with her, and they had..., he was going to make sure that they laid claim to the man, and that he was handed over to the Crown Prince to be punished.

The offender was brought forward, and Sardanya's face went white. He walked forward without thinking, only stopping at King Elan's command.

"Lord Selkor! I am not sure how matters are dealt with in your Royal Court, but dignitaries to this Court do not wander wherever they please!"

"My apologies, Your Majesty," Sardanya's gaze didn't shift from the chained man brought before the court. "But I have one important question for you, Your Majesty.

"Why is my cousin, the Crown Prince of Noden, in chains?"

 

[AngelofDeath]

Melisandra was never one for dramatics and fainting but at those words the world seemed to drop from under her. Everything around her from her father wanting to know why the Crown Prince was going around as a mere merchant to the sound of the shackles being removed from Len... no Lentharian, was just a dull roar in her ears as her mind played back everything from the moment the two of them had first met, searching for clues that had been missed.

She knew when Lentharian laid his hand on her arm, without looking, how could she not considering how often those hands had been on her body. All the conversation around them ceased however when the Crown Princess reacted the only way she could to hearing she had been with her fiance this whole time, that he had lied to her from the start.

"Don't you ever touch me again you bastard," Lentharian may have been expecting a slap, what he got was Mel's fist up close and personal with his jaw. It was enough to make him step back while her father, the entire court for that matter, stared in utter shock.

"Melisandra!" She ignored her father as hot tears ran down the side of her face.

"I should have let that damned Eelsnake eat you. All this time...you lied with every breath you took. Gods how stupid am I? It was just too convenient that I happened run into a "merchant" from Noden who was just on his way to Brask and then Kraala on business. Gods you must have been laughing to yourself as I went on and on about why I didn't want to marry you. Were you ever going to tell me? Were you?! Or were you just hopping I'd be so stupidly head over heels in love with you that the fact you had been lying to me from the moment we met would mean nothing?"

"Melisandra that is no way to speak to Prince Lentharian," Her father chided her.

She ignored him as she wiped at her face, "Go home Len, Lentharian whatever in the nine hells your name is. There is nothing for you here, least of all some stupid lovesick girl willing to forgive and forget because you were good in bed," She snatched the pendant he had given her from her neck and threw it at him before she turned and ran from the throne room. When he tried to follow her once more his path was blocked by Jeral and the Royal Guard, only this time they acted as friends and surrogate brothers to a woman they all cared about. If looks could kill Len would be a pile of smoldering ash.

When Mel reach her room she slammed the door shut, locked it and then slid to the floor, sobbing silently for the fool she had been and the trust that had been betrayed.

 

[marauder13]

The Guardsmen released him from his chains as he dimly heard King Elan say something to him, but his full attention was on Melisandra. He knew that when this happened, it would hurt her deeply, but he had not planned on his identity being revealed in that manner. He approached her to explain what he did. Her rebuke included a solid blow to the jaw that surprised everyone except for himself.

But what hurt the most, even more than the words, was the pendent that was flung at him. He tried to follow her, but the Guardsmen closed ranks, preventing him form following her.

"Melisandra! Mel! MEL!!" He cried out as he watched her disappearing from the room. He felt as though there was a lump of ice in his chest. He squatted down and picked up the pendant Melisandra threw at him, handed it over to Jeral. The man took the jewelry, confused as to what was happening and why.

"Why a merchant? Because I am a merchant. A merchant called Len Taran, trader of gemstones. It is the one time I can get away from having Guardsmen following my every step. Plus it allows me to follow up on matters of interest to me. By sheer chance while coming to Brask to meet Melisandra, I happened upon her being waylaid by four bandits. I had no idea who she was. I helped her and we got talking.

"While I may have omitted much, every word I have spoken to her has been the truth. All I sought was to find out more about her, her thoughts about me and the marriage and to change her mind about her pending marriage. I was traveling to Kraala anyway, and convinced her that it would be a wise move on her part to go there too. If nothing else, I could keep her protected while I learned more.

"But there was no way I was going to tell her who I was straight away. She would have ridden off in a hurry that she either would not have been found, or done her self a severe injury."

Lentharian's expression then grew furious.

"How could you? How dared you? Even though the marriage between Melisandra and I was a political one, doing so under the basis of a falsehood does not speak highly of Brask's thoughts of Noden. My Father and I were told that 'She is a quiet and high born lady. A blessing upon her station and the Royal House. Quite eager to be wed to the prince and unite our lands.' Further more, we were told that she was ready to become a wife and mother.

"Yet the woman I got to know, and love, is quite different from what you presented thankfully. She is a woman of spirit, intelligence, courage and resourcefulness. She didn't shy away once form helping it the making and breaking of camp, or of cooking. She is tender, caring, supportive. She aided me when I was wounded, not frightened by the blood, nor fearful of my wounds. She also took care of me while I healed. She has a wonderful singing voice too. One that I never grew tired of listening to." He saw some looks of surprise from the court.

"All of you look at me as if I deceived the Princess to some nefarious end. I did no such thing. We had the chance to get to know each other without the trapping of our titles, and other burdens. She is a woman like no other I have met. I am grateful for the chance to have gotten to know her. To know Melisandra. Not the Princess of Brask. But I did not present myself any differently to who I really am." Lentharian looked at the King and his advisor.

"With your leave, Your Majesty, I would like some time alone. I have many matters to think about." Lentharian didn't wait before turning to leave the Throne Room.

"One last matter, Your Majesty. I will not seek any debt or boon from the Royal House of Brask for saving the life of Melisandra. The fact that she is alive and unharmed is all the reward I seek." He took one look at Jeral, nodding briefly before exiting the Throne Room.

He walked less than a dozen paces before he leant against the wall, his eyes closed hearing not the words Melisandra said, but the hurt in her voice as she said them.

 

[AngelofDeath]

The court was in an uproar of the events of the evening and Jeral just shook his head. He dismissed the guards to their posts. For the simple fact he knew Mel would be too upset to do anything rash he went to go have a friendly word with the Noden prince. And by friendly he meant to pin the younger man's ear back. It was easy enough to find him and Jeral simply cleared his throat as he came to stand in front of the prince.

"Well you've really done yourself no favors with her. You're lucky she wasn't a man, otherwise that punch would have done some damage to your jaw. Not that I blame her. Yes, I am speaking out of turn, but I really don't care what you think of my speech at the moment, Noden. You've hurt someone who I have held close to my heart very deeply. IF it wouldn't plunge this kingdom headlong into war with yours and if at some point that Mel would have my head for it, I would do what I felt like doing when I found you two. Not because you bedded her, but because you hurt her more than her father has. I don't care what she said to you or even with how much wine you had, you knew who she was and who you really were to her, you should have told her the truth then or turned her down."

Jeral tossed the pendant from hand to hand slowly as he kept on with his small lecture, "I admit Mel is as stubborn and hot headed as they come. I don't blame her for running, not when I knew her father and his advisors had more than likely painted a much rosier picture of her than what was true. Can you blame him though? Both of kingdoms have suffered through the years because of a stupid war, that I doubt anyone really knows the reason for any more. Busybody advisors on both sides pushing for a marriage as if that would guarantee a lasting peace. It takes a certain kind of man to be comfortable with a wife who can take of herself on top of putting him in his place if need be. King Elan has always wanted three things in life, for her to be safe, to he happy and to make sure she had the life her mother would have wanted for her. Its why he let her train under me. It wasn't until she grew into womanhood that he realized he had a daughter that would probably end up alone, if she were allowed to just do as she pleased. Do not doubt that Elan hated the deception, but he wanted the best for her and if that meant giving you the impression she was a typical lady of the court then so be it. Arranged marriages have never been about love or even about the people involved and I am quite sure you know this."

Closing the distance between himself and Len, Jeral dangled the pendant in front of him, "Now Prince Lentharian, give me one good reason why I shouldn't just return this to you rather than helping you get back in the good graces of Melisandra. And make it good because I will not stand for her to be hurt again. Neither will my men and all of us are willing to lay down our lives for her. So convince me that your little speech was not just talk and that she is more than just a warm body to you."

 

[marauder13]

Lentharian heard Jeral clear his throat, and the look he saw on the man's face was enough to tell him what was coming. He stood himself upright, and listened to the speech impassively, unblinking as the gruff older man said his piece.

"Now Prince Lentharian, give me one good reason why I shouldn't just return this to you rather than helping you get back in the good graces of Melisandra. And make it good because I will not stand for her to be hurt again. Neither will my men and all of us are willing to lay down our lives for her. So convince me that your little speech was not just talk and that she is more than just a warm body to you."

Lentharian ground his teeth on hearing the last line. "For starters, Jeral, I know all too well how much I have hurt her. Further, I don't care about your thoughts on the matter. Or anyone else's thoughts for that matter, apart from Melisandra. But let me show you how much she means to me."

Lentharian opened his shirt, exposing the scared left shoulder when the Eelsnake bit him. Lentharian never took his gaze from Jeral while he had his shoulder exposed.

"That's how much I love her, enough to put my life in danger to save hers. If that is not enough to sway you, or anyone else, then there is nothing else I can say."

 

[AngelofDeath]

"You may not care about my opinion, but I know you are smart enough to know that myself and the rest of the Royal Guard ill go out of our way to put ourselves between you and her if need be."

He leaned in and looked over the scar,"Eelsnakes are nasty creatures. You love her enough to die for her, but do you love her enough to leave her alone? I can't guarantee she'll even listen to me, now, tomorrow or any other day for that matter when it comes to you. I willing to help you, because you kept her safe, but if she doesn't want you or this marriage I want your word you'll leave her be. No one thought to speak to her before all this, but now is as good a time as any."

Jeral sighed and leaned against the wall as well, "I wouldn't bother if not for that fact I know she loves you. She wouldn't have been ready to take me and the guard on for you when she thought you were just a merchant incapable of taking us all on. She's a special woman, Len. I've had the pleasure of watching her grow from a stubborn little girl wanting her father's attention into a stubborn young woman who wants her father's respect and for some control."

 

[marauder13]

"You may not care about my opinion, but I know you are smart enough to know that myself and the rest of the Royal Guard will go out of our way to put ourselves between you and her if need be."

"I was merely returning the compliment about your speech before. And I know how high a regard the Royal Guard holds Melisandra. It pleases me to know that she inspires such loyalty in those charged to protect her."

"Eelsnakes are nasty creatures. You love her enough to die for her, but do you love her enough to leave her alone? I can't guarantee she'll even listen to me, now, tomorrow or any other day for that matter when it comes to you. I willing to help you, because you kept her safe, but if she doesn't want you or this marriage I want your word you'll leave her be. No one thought to speak to her before all this, but now is as good a time as any."

Lentharian just looked at Jeral as if the man claimed it was night time with the sun at it's zenith.

"I will be leaving here shortly, returning to my home to set a few matters straight there. Afterward, I will be spending some time relaxing, camping to be precise. The first place where we made camp after we first met. I will be there for a period of one week, as of tomorrow. Melisandra is more than welcome to come visit, with as many companions as she deems necessary.

"After that week has passed, then the only times we will meet again will be on official functions between our two kingdoms. Now, if you would be so kind to have my possessions return to me, I shall be leaving for Noden."

Lentharian adjusted his clothing, and there was a subtle shift in his stature and demeanor. By the time Jeral left his side, he was once more Lentharian Selkortaran, Crown Prince of Noden, even if he was still pained by what happened.

 

[AngelofDeath]

The next two days were at best stressful and at worst unbearable. Mel left her rooms for only brief periods of time, unwilling to deal with the stares and the hushed whispers of the court. She refused to speak to her father at all. Of course the intrigue that was her running away and apparent affair with her own fiance could not be contained to the Brask royal court alone and had made it to the ears of the court gossips of Noden. Everyone knew more or less what had occurred between the two of them and what they didn't know they elaborated on. The day Len had left, Mel had watched from her window. On the one hand she had been glad to see him go, but on the other it broke her heart. To her, him leaving was the final nail in the grave that held their relationship. When he had turned his head as if knowing Mel had been watching she moved out of view behind a curtain.

She could only assume what was being said about her in Noden. While no one in Brask had dared share their opinion of her to her face, the looks on some court member's faces were all too easy to read. On top of that for three days straight she had barely slept and it was starting to show on Mel's face by way of dark circles under her eyes and they way she seemed to walk the halls, when she did leave her rooms as if she heard and saw nothing and no one. It tore at Elan's heart to know the role he had played in all of this. He knew her mother if she could would come from her grave and give him a piece of her mind for what he had pushed their only child to do. He wasn't the only one who was distressed by the fact she seemed to be wasting away, Jeral was slowly growing tired of it.

By day three he had had enough and caught Mel just as she left the safety of her room. Yelling at would do no good and he lost the nerve to try and raise her anger when he looked into her eyes. It was the same look she had given him when he said no to her marriage proposal. Before it had been the broken heart of a young girl who was more infatuated with him than in love. Now it was the look of a woman so lost she didn't know where to turn.

"What do you want?" Mel asked softly.

Jeral simply picked her hand up and dropped the pendant into it. Her curled her fingers over it before she could drop it. "He said he was going to spend the week where you two first made camp for a week. I am sick of seeing you ghosting about these halls. Go and see him, talk to him and then make up your mind. Be with him or forget him, but stop with this. You aren't living your life. You are better than this. The guard will be waiting to escort you if you wish to leave." Having said his peace he walked off, leaving her to think.

Two hours later Mel rode out from the castle, Jeral and three other members of the guard as an escort. King Elan had given his permission easily enough. He would have agreed to anything if it meant Mel would be back to her normal self. By mid afternoon Mel and the guard came upon Len and his camp. Jeral and his men made camp in the next clearing giving the two of them their privacy. After her horse was tied and her saddle bags were on the ground, Mel walked over to Len who had gotten to his feet. Looking at him she fought the urge to hit him again.

"Was any of it real? Or was it all some game to you? Were you just hope I'd be so lovestruck that I would just forgive you?"

 

[marauder13]

The moment Lentharian had received his possessions, and secured them all, he made his way to leave Brask and return home. He knew that Melisandra would not speak to him that day, and no one would let him within earshot of her anyway. Finally, every single member of the Royal Guard had an expression that told him how much they desired to run a sword through him. He had no desire to stay in such an environment for any longer than he needed to.

As he rode out, he chanced a look back at the Castle. There was the smallest movement at one window. He rode further, until he reached a copse of trees. He dismounted, and blindfolded his mount. With the aid of a stick, he scribed a circle in the dirt. When he spoke, his voice sounded like the wind moving through leaves of a tree. His voice rose higher in pitch until it was like a screaming gale. A large body of mist appeared within the circle, taking on a vaguely human form.

You called, Master?

"I ask that you honour the pact between us, and carry my mount and I to my home in the High Valley of Noden."

As you desire, Master. The mist enveloped Lentharian and his horse. The pair could feel the change in their location, the mist becoming a cloud that carried him back to the High Valley in Noden.

His reception in the Throne Room of Noden was a frosty as it was in Brask. Both of his parents took him to task over his actions. He stood quietly until they had finished their admonishment.

"If you are both finished, I have some diplomacy to take care of. Oh, please let the Court know that I will not abide any gossip concerning the Princess of Brask."

He quickly gathered all he needed for his stay. He gathered his mount, and with in a few hours of his arrival back in Noden, he was leaving again. He rode further up the High Valley. After two hours of riding, he arrived at a circle of smooth, dark stone. Unlike the rest of the valley, the patch of stone was warm. He dismounted, holding the reins loosely. He closed his eyes, bringing the image of the first place Mel and he camped after they met.

"Mother Earth. I have need to travel from this place to another. Please allow me the honour to ride the flow of your life bringing blood so I can reach that place of your blessing." He opened his mind to the place about him, feeling his request being answered. The scenery around him started to become indistinct, then blurring before everything turned a deep brown in colour before the blurring returned, and a new environment slowly became more clear. He found himself standing in the centre of their first camp site.

"Thank you, Mother Earth."

He quickly set up camp, including a tent. He dug a fire pit, calling on a Fire Salamander to rest in the base of the pit. He also summoned a number of elementals to take up station around the area. Lentharian waited.

On the third day of his camping, a small body of riders arrived at the camp site. Melisandra and four members of the Royal Guard stopped. He watched from where he sat as the Guardsman rode on, and Melisandra remained behind. She secured her horse and walked over to where Lentharian was now standing.

"Was any of it real? Or was it all some game to you? Were you just hope I'd be so lovestruck that I would just forgive you?"

The pain in her voice was still fresh and raw as the moment in the Throne Room in Brask. It hurt him to hear it in her voice. Plus, the haunted look in her face add to the pain.

"Yes, it was all real. But I never expected what happened to happen." Len pointed to some cushions on the ground under a larger tree. He poured them both some wine into sturdy earthenware cups. He handed one to Mel once she was settled.

"I was coming to meet your Father to be introduced to you. Once that was done, I was going on to Kraala to do the business that I did there. I am also Len Taran. He allows me to move about from time to time with being surrounded by guardsmen and the assorted toadies. So, when I encountered you, and you declared the reasons for your outing, there was no way I was going to use my other name. You probably would have run away.

"I wanted to know more about you, and why you didn't like me. There was no way you'd tell me anything useful, even if you did stay with me. What you saw was me. What you heard was true. I didn't tell you everything, that's all."

He took a long drink of the wine, looking at the salamander as it rolled in it's sleep.