Magic's Reluctant Bride (closed for maurader13

[marauder13]

Jeral's reaction to their arrival made Len feel happier. He had the normal chaperone's reaction to their charge sneaking off. The fact the man didn't draw his sword was an added plus as far as Len was concerned.

The stew like meal that Len had been cooking was still fine, so he served both of them, as well as supplying Mel with some of her favoured wine. They ate quietly, stealing looks at each other with smiles and feigned embarrassment.

"You are welcome to stay as long as you like. I will do my best to ensure the hospitality of the House of Selkor is unmatched during your stay." His smile took on a slightly naughty aspect. "But again, I would like to come back to Brask with you, and seek your father's permission to court you properly. I still want you to be my wife, but only if that is what you want."

Once the meal was complete, Len organized for everything to be cleaned up. Mel watched as an air elemental she could barely see carried items over to a water elemental to clean, before returning them to the campsite. Once the task was complete, both dissipated.

"Well, is there anything that you'd like to do now?"

 

[AngelofDeath]

With her stomach full Mel sat back, her hands resting in the pillows as she watched the elementals go about cleaning up camp. They certainly made things easier, so far she found herself being able to handle the fact they would be a part of her life if she married Len. There was more to the world she was possibly going to step into and she wanted to know more.

"I can stay a few more days. I think my father and I need some space right now. We haven't really talked and its not or rather that part in all this is not something I wish to discuss with him. I don't even think it's really sunk in that he's part of the reason I left. I would like that Len. This is how it should have been from the beginning." At least Len hadn't jumped to the conclusion that last night meant she had made up her mind.

She hadn't really. While unsure of the fact that she still wanted to marry him, Mel was very sure she wanted Len. Everything else that went along with that was still up in the air.

"Well, is there anything that you'd like to do now?"

"Talk I suppose. I mean we've talked but I don't think we've really talk you now. About us, about what this all of this would mean for us. Once my father passes unless I abdicate the throne and name one of my cousins as successor the two kingdoms will be under one rule, something I don't think has happened in...centuries. I don't even think anyone remembers why there was a split and why there was even a war. But that will only play a small part in our lives if we get married. I've always for the most part been allowed to explore my hobbies and enjoy them, but from what I have heard so far you didn't have that chance until you were much older so tell me about that. Why gems? Why a merchant?"

Mel was genuinely interested in learning about the man she might marry. Well now she was now that she had met him and fallen in love with him. Was a small part of her still mad? Yes, but if Len hadn't done what he had it wouldn't have happened and Mel wouldn't have changed her opinion of the man she hadn't even met yet.

 

[marauder13]

"Talk I suppose. I mean we've talked but I don't think we've really talk you now. About us, about what this all of this would mean for us."

"About us? I would like to think that we can get to know each other properly. That you will find I am the same man that I was when traveling with you. That we can actually marry, living happily together. The matters of rulership I don't care about right now. All I care about is the woman sitting with me."

"But that will only play a small part in our lives if we get married. I've always for the most part been allowed to explore my hobbies and enjoy them, but from what I have heard so far you didn't have that chance until you were much older so tell me about that. Why gems? Why a merchant?"

"And if you are my wife, I see no reason to deny you that chance to explore your hobbies. As long as they do not threaten your life too greatly.

"Gems? Well, that happened when I summoned my first elemental of the Court of Earth that had a passable understanding of the ways of humans. He referred to me as 'Lord of Crystal'. Part of my Spark, my Flame, he recognized. He spoke to me of what he meant, and how I could tell what my affinity was. I can use Emeralds with spells that leave my greatest teachers envious." Len blushed a little. "The pendant I gave you served a useful purpose. Mine," he tapped the largest stone of his pendant, "stops people from scrying me. I created a link between the two stones, allowing me to offer you protection against scrying as well. The Court of Noden tried to find you at least once that I was aware of. But I only thought of it after I found the pendant.

"As for being a merchant? My needs for Emeralds are very precise. it is hard to tell someone what to look for in a good stone for my magics. So, I get them myself. It was the only way I could convince my parents to allow me to travel. When I was fortunate, I was able to travel alone, rather than with Royal Guards trying to look like mercenaries." Len shook his head.

"What I would like to know is if you decide to marry me, will Jeral forgive me and accept me?"

 

[AngelofDeath]

Mel laughed softly, "I can't really say on that one. I am sure he'll forgive you in time. If I forgive you whether we marry or not, he'll stop contemplating sever bodily harm in your case." She appreciated Jeral's fierce protectiveness of her and she knew he wouldn't have given her Len's message if he didn't wish to see her happy and had some faith that deep down Len was a good man.

Picking up Len's hand as he sat down beside her, Mel ran the pad of her thumbs over his knuckles slowly. He wasn't what she expected or had planned on, but something you had to throw your plan out of the window and take whatever life gave you.

"And there isn't much danger with horse racing short of being thrown or loosing a horse. It's hard word but also exciting and a bit relaxing actually." She laughed, "I know it sounds strange, but being on the back of a horse at full gallop, both your minds on nothing but the finish line, its soothing almost."

Mel turned her head to watch her horse graze, "Any of the nobles i know who are involved, don't race. Most don't know much about their own horses past the fact they are fast and what their names are. I enjoy being involved, watching them coming into this world, watching that first race, winning that race. Not to mention being involved as much as I am meant getting to know the people around me, servant and noble. Dealing in animals gave me an insight into the people who would have my ear more than those under them. One small plus is that if I do marry you I won't have my father's adviser in my ear and I won't have to deal with the trouble of dismissing him."

Looking back at Len she smiled, "but we are supposed to be talking about you right now though I believe. We can talk about my distaste for Luc and how I wish my father would stop listening to him later."

 

[marauder13]

"Well, there's not much more I can think of telling you, Mel. It has been in the last year that my tutelage in many areas finished, and I was then brought into court to watch and learn from my Father. To see what various nobles were trustworthy, which ones were not. But my arcane studies have progressed unchanged, and will probably do so for the rest of my life.

"All I knew was that I would become the next king of Noden, and that everything I had gone through was in preparation for that eventuality. I saw that it would make me a good ruler, or at least give me the tools to be a good ruler when the time came.

"But when I met you, and told you about that part of my life, you got me to think about what I wanted. Me... Len, the man. Not the Prince. Since then, I have been thinking about that. I'm so locked up in what I have done, how I have been shaped, trained, tutored, that I have difficulty looking beyond that. But you, Mel, you saw past it, and helped me unlock a little part of me. I will be forever grateful for that. I guess it'll give me something to do in those freed up moments."

Len allowed himself to lie on the ground, looking up into the slowly dimming skies. He felt the wash of the power of Mother Earth all around him, and he felt relaxed by it.

"I will admit that I am not comfortable with the feeling that I am waiting on you to make a decision. When I have had so little control over my own life, but never felt it due to the fact that it was not something I truly desired, I have found something I desire above all others, but it's not my choice to make. I feel like screaming at the Gods for how unfair it is. But it involves you, so I know that I have to be patient, and respect your decision."

He turned his head to look at her. "If you decide not to marry me, I will accept it. There is not doubt of that. I'm not sure what I will do after that. But I will deal with that if you decide not to marry me."

 

[AngelofDeath]

Mel nodded, biting down on her lip to stop the thought in her head. She did want to marry Len. She just had to be sure and right now she wasn't entirely sure than he and to the greater extent, Noden were the right thing for her. "I am glad that I could do that for you." Mel blushed slightly thinking about some of the things she had said to Len when they had first met. Not just what she had said to him about himself, but also the man she thought her fiance was like.

"Some of the things I said... it would be a lie to say that I didn't mean them. Now that I know you I know you are not weak. Far from it. I don't know why you would even have still been interested in me after I shared my rather rash opinion of you." Mel's head dropped sending her hair into her face, blocked her from his view. "I am sorry for what I said though Len." She laid her hand on his leg, giving it a squeeze.

Laying back, herself she watch the clouds roll by. Off in the distance she could hear Jeral and the others walking off, possibly going to hunt for something to eat or just stretching their legs.

All of them were blissfully unaware of the eyes that were watching them, Len and Mel in particular. Already a plan was forming in their watcher's mind on how to disrupt the peaceful moment they were sharing.

Rolling onto her side she look over him, "Len right now, if you could do anything with your life as you saw fit, whatever the outcome what would you do? Marrying me would be the most obvious, but what else? Honestly if your life was your own, no duty to take the throne and be king one day, what would make you most happy?"

 

[marauder13]

Len looked over at Mel as she started to share her thoughts.

"Some of the things I said... it would be a lie to say that I didn't mean them. Now that I know you I know you are not weak. Far from it. I don't know why you would even have still been interested in me after I shared my rather rash opinion of you. I am sorry for what I said though Len."

"I know you meant them when you said them. I wanted to know why you thought that way, so I could change your mind. I found that you were a woman with her own thoughts, and the courage to share them. That appealed to me, a lot. And I found out the woman who spoke them was worthy of knowing better."

"Len right now, if you could do anything with your life as you saw fit, whatever the outcome what would you do? Marrying me would be the most obvious, but what else? Honestly if your life was your own, no duty to take the throne and be king one day, what would make you most happy?"

Len's eyes narrowed while he thought about that question. "That's difficult to answer, Mel. All I have ever known is to be a King, and a spellcaster. Being a merchant has its appeals, mainly because I can get away from being the Crown Prince. I would have to say being a spellcaster makes me happiest. Finding out how best to tap the powers the Gods blessed me with, to view things that most other people would never see, to talk to creatures from other places outside our own, and learn from them."

Len looked into the sky, relaxing in Mel's presence. "Actually, I would like to spend some time finding out what I might like. Who knows, I might be an excellent baker, or wine maker." Len laughed at the thoughts before he seriously wondered what his life could be like without the Crown of Noden looming on the horizon.

 

[AngelofDeath]

Mel laughed softly, "Hmm you making wine. It's possible, and there is plenty of good open areas of land. I even know someone who would be nice enough to lend you a few starter plants." She leaned over to lay her head on his chest, "I'm talking about myself of course. You could be good at it." Mel let out something between a yawn and sigh as she made herself comfortable against him. "There is nothing wrong with wanting to find what else calls to you. We are more than just the spot in life we have been born into. As long as you don't want to be a fish merchant I think we'll be just fine."

She crinkled her nose up, "I love you Len, but not enough to love you smelling of fish all the time." Another woman might have worried that Len's road to self discovery would lead him away from them. Mel didn't have that worry. Len finding what truly made him happy beyond her and being a good and fair ruler could never be a bad thing. It would make him a better person in the long run.

"I know you said you wanted to come back with us to speak to my father, but I was also thinking, since you've gotten to show me part of what makes you happy I could do the same."

Mel pushed herself up to look him in the eyes," I'm sure I could find a few other owners in the mood for an impromptu race. Mine haven't had a chance to stretch their legs in a few months and despite having spent more than my fair share in the saddle lately, I am just as eager for a good run."

 

[marauder13]

Len enjoyed just relaxing and talking with Mel. He had few occasions to just be himself, and he was cherishing those moments with Mel when he could do just that. Of course, he found her contact lying against him to be something else to cherish too. He loved how she would stand up for herself, speak her mind. How she loved him, and made it very clear to him.

" I'm sure I could find a few other owners in the mood for an impromptu race. Mine haven't had a chance to stretch their legs in a few months and despite having spent more than my fair share in the saddle lately, I am just as eager for a good run."

"Now, should I play fair? Let my nobles steed perform on his own meagre merits? He does possess a few... enhancements that I can make full use of. It might not mean that he'll win if I use them, but he wont come last." Len's expression was rather cheeky. "After all, the... honour of Noden and Selkor would be effected by this race... impromtu or not.

"But more importantly, when were you thinking of having this race? As part of the journey back to Brask? I'm hoping so, because it would give me more time to persuade you to allow me to level the field a little." Len leaned in to give Mel a tender kiss. Once their lips separated, his eyes opened slowly. "Of course, you could try and persuade me to not level the field. Though, I have not met anyone that persuasive... yet."

 

[AngelofDeath]

Mel laughed softly and shook her head, "Well I meant once we got home, but if you want on the way there we can see what your mount can do. And beside if you lose I'll just trade one of my colts that is showing good potential for something. What exactly I don't know so that will just mean you will owe me a favor." Mel winked at him.

Moving closer she ran her lips over his jaw, "And just what would it take to persuade Lentharian Selkor to level the playing field? Hmm what could a simple maid such as myself have to tempt you with." There was laughter in her voice and eyes, but she did sound serious as well. As long as she and Len could maintain this ease between them, there was hope for this marriage. She sat up combing her hair back as she continued, "You already have this lady's favor and heart. And my hand is not something to bargain with. I've already promised you a horse so perhaps several barrels of Brask wine? It might go a long way to loosen the stiff necks I will have to come face to face with at some point in Noden."

////"A race? Oh yes please, race. Race until you break your foolish neck, Melissandra. Thank you for making this so much easier for me. " The eyes watching them continued to burn with hatred. When they focused in on the smile upon Len's face their rage grew to an uncontrolled level that lightning ripped through the cloud filled but sunny day, striking a near by tree and sending a branch falling to the ground, barely missing the couple. Dry laughter filled the air as the two scrambled to their feet and Mel's ever faithful guards came rushing into the clearing. Turning away from the black obsidian scrying mirror the image blurred and faded////

Mel's chest was heaving as she stared at the fallen branch, the end still glowing red from where the lightning had struck it. Of course the crash had brought Jeral and the others running to see what all the commotion was.

"Dry lightning, the very bane of summer," Jeral shook his head as he looked skyward.

 

[marauder13]

"And just what would it take to persuade Lentharian Selkor to level the playing field? Hmm what could a simple maid such as myself have to tempt you with."

Len could see that she was being somewhat light hearted with her question, but the seriousness was there too. He enjoyed that complexity, the depth that she could achieve. She would not be a person he would ever grow bored of, never tire listening to, always enjoy her company.

"You already have this lady's favor and heart. And my hand is not something to bargain with. I've already promised you a horse so perhaps several barrels of Brask wine? It might go a long way to loosen the stiff necks I will have to come face to face with at some point in Noden."

"I am fairly certain that the simple maid would be able to be quite convincing if she set her mind to it. And of the matters raised, your hand is not something I would bargain with."

The lightning strike was unanticipated. The falling branch struck the ground far too close for Len's comfort and he rolled away from Mel for a moment, gazing into the sky. He heard the rush of feet as the Brask guards burst into the camp.

"Dry lightning, the very bane of summer," Jeral shook his head as he looked skyward.

"Yes, dry lightning," Len said distractedly. He felt that something wasn't right, but couldn't place what it was. He moved away from the rest of the Brask natives, and sat down. He filtered out everything else that was happening, listening only to the whispers of the wind. Even the lightest breeze carried the songs of the Court of Air, spoken in their own native tongue. Included in that Court were the spirits of the Clouds and Storms which caused lightning. He could hear some of the songs, and none of them carried the lusty tunes of such spirits when they rejoiced in the play that made thunder and lightning.

Len frowned as his eyes opened. Was it an attempt on them, either an individual or both? If so, who would do it? Was it just a trick of the Court of Air? Some spirit being playful?

Len stood up,and walked back to Mel. "Mel," he spoke quietly, "I think we should return you home tomorrow. It would make me feel more comfortable knowing you were home."

 

[AngelofDeath]

Mel just looked at Len and nodded her head. She could tell he was worried, about what she couldn't say, but that didn't mean she planned to discount it. Jeral and one of the other guards moved the still smolder branch from the camp and then made sure the embers were out before they returned to their own camp, short nods given to them both.

Admittedly the lightning strike had seemed rather well timed in her mind as well. If she hadn't seen Len call the wind to his aid in the fight with the eelsnake, Mel would have been keen to say that it was impossible for anyone to call and control the weather or parts of it. Now she wasn't so sure, but then who could want to hurt them? Mel had no enemies to speak of, but what about him? She shook her head and returned her focus to her lover.

"Well that was a bit of a mood killer. Apparently the flora doesn't agree with such heated and bawdy talk, but you still have to answer the question, Len." She took his hand and pulled him back towards the pillows. Mel was in no hurry to return home, but she would if it would make him feel better. Of course once they were in Brask, whatever time they spent together in private would have to be stolen moments.

Whats done is done, but that didn't mean her father would be pleased to her of Mel sneaking into Len's guest rooms or vice versa.

On the pillows once more, she continued to hold Len's hand, her thumb brushing over his knuckles. "So what is your answer if you have one that is?

 

[marauder13]

Len watched the guardsmen do a little cleaning up after the lightning strike, then watched them as they left. He was still distracted by the possible cause of the sudden lightning bolt.

"Well that was a bit of a mood killer. Apparently the flora doesn't agree with such heated and bawdy talk, but you still have to answer the question, Len."

Len found himself falling back onto the pillows, a stifled cry of surprise, turned into a laugh by the time hit hit the pillows. He looked over at the woman who changed his life in such a dramatic way. He never thought he would encounter someone like her. She was so unlike any of the nobles he had met in Noden. She was a breath of fresh air in his life, and he didn't want to loose it.

She continued to hold his hand, gently rubbing it in a very distracting manner.

"So what is your answer if you have one that is?"

"Well, if you do something like that, only more wide spread on my body, that will definitely cast you in a more favourable light, my love." He leaned forward and kissed her. "I think you need a bath. And, as your fiance, I feel obligated to protect you while you bathe. And the best way to do that is to be as close to you as I can be." His grin was positively wicked.

 

[AngelofDeath]

As her face grew hot with blush Mel looked skyward for a quick second checking for any more stray bolts of lightning as she leaned closer if possible into Len. "You are a very, very wicked man you know this right?"

Letting her eyes drop as she ran her tongue over her bottom lip, "Well since you insist on being so close then I will have to make sure I do as you suggested a moment ago, now won't I?" Still holding onto his hand they got back to their feet and after gathering their soap and wash clothes the couples headed off to the water.

It was only after Mel was sure none of the guards were around, did she begin to strip down out of her clothes. As she was lifting her shirt over her, she caught Len, looking her way. "See something that catches your eyes?" Tossing the shirt at him, she finished undressing and walked out into the cool water until she was waist deep waiting for him to join her.

They might as well enjoy some uninterrupted time together while they could.

 

[marauder13]

Len found he enjoyed the colouring of Mel's face at his suggestion. That she was able to think some naughty thoughts too helped him to relax.

"You are a very, very wicked man you know this right?"

"Me? I am an innocent. At least I was until I was so ruthlessly seduced by a siren from Brask."

The two were soon walking to the lake, armed with everything they needed to bathe. Strangely, Len started to feel a little embarrassed at the thought of bathing with her. He frowned and smiled at the thought, considering everything else they had already done. Once at the water's edge, Mel hesitated, listening carefully. Len was about to tell her that she need not listen so intently, because he knew exactly that the guardsmen had not entered the Mother Earth's special place. That he could feel the presence of anyone else in the place now that he had taken the time to get to connect with it. He and Mel were the only people present. But before he spoke, Mel started to remove her clothing. He stood, staring at her, almost entranced by her beauty.

"See something that catches your eyes?"

He opened his mouth to answer only to find Mel's shirt covering his face. He uncovered his face quickly, and proceeded to watch her reveal her natural glory to him. She she strode out into the water, he wasted no time in shedding his own clothing and joining her in the pool.

He took the soap from her, and proceeded to wash her body, though he did pause in places from time to time when his rubbing of her produced sounds of pleasure. He found the act of washing her to be arousing, when though there was little actual intent there. Not at the start anyway. When the roles were reversed, again, just the feel of her hands helping to clean him was very pleasant.

Once the work of cleaning themselves was complete, Len gathered Mel in a hug, and drew her under the water with him. When they surfaced, and Mel stopped try to hit him, he took her in a passionate kiss, thinking of nothing more than enjoying the company of the beautiful woman in the water with him.

 

[AngelofDeath]

Mel slid her arms around him, pulling Len close as his tongue continued to explore hers and her mouth. When he had pulled them under Mel had barely had the time to get away. Of course the iron tight grip he'd had on her played into that as well. Of course once she started to get her revenge on him, Len had pulled them back up from under the water. It was perfect. Bathing each other had been an experience, and as expected Len's hands and fingers had strayed all over her flesh and lingering in areas that had her leaning into his hands while fighting her own moans.

She had returned his ministrations in spades, which resulted in the now hard rise of his cock, pressing against her stomach. Though Mel had been the more behaved of the two, her touch had not been no less arousing. As they kiss she slipped her hand between them and wrapped her slim fingers around his shaft. On the way down, the tips of her fingers had traced over his scars again. Proof that he was more than just a spoiled and pampered prince.

As she took him in her hand, Len groaned as his kiss grew more passionate. His own fingers dug into her wet flesh, pulling them closed together. The sun shone down on the lovers and even if it hadn't it would have taken a sudden fog bank to hide them from any who might come by.

There was a certain amount of thrill, being out in the open with him as they were. Even if her guards walked upon them, embraced and naked in the water they would not say anything. It wouldn't stop stares or whispers, but she no longer cared. Being with Len was what mattered to her at the moment. Everyone else be damned. Pulling one hand up towards her breast, Mel began to stroke Len slowly, remembering what she had learned he liked while they had been at the Inn together.

 

[marauder13]

When Mel took Len in hand, it felt like his knees were going to give out. Each stroke sent another wave of pure pleasure through him that made it rather hard to think about much.

He found he could not get enough of kissing Mel, and would only break contact to reposition his lips on hers, or to take a breath. He slid one of his hands down her torso, loving the soft, gentle curves of her body until his hand found the apex of her legs. Managing to gather enough coherent thought to both remember what to do and put it into action, his middle finger found the gateway to paradise, and gave to her what she was giving to him.

Mel brought his other hand up to her breast, and he knew what to do to bring more sounds of delight from her mouth. Len broke off the kissing so he could breath more, and gaze on his love's face, and drink in her beauty.

He ceased pleasing her with his hands, wrapping his arms around her again, drawing her closer to him. He dipped down a little and raised her as he pulled her in closer, lining her up once they were pressed together, easing himself into her. He sighed a groan as he was sheathed within her tight confines, feeling the mix of physical and emotional sensations sweeping him as their bodies join each other again. Len didn't care if the Brask Guardsmen returned, or even if her Father walked in on them. He loved Mel and wanted to show her again just how important she was to him. He wanted to take her back to the highest place of joy, and let her bask there in all of its splendors.

 

[AngelofDeath]

Just as it had back at the Inn, the world fell away, leaving just the two of them and their emotions. Len wanted to Court her and she would let him, but her heart already know what her mind wasn't fully ready to admit yet. She loved him and didn't want to be without him. Wrapping her arms and legs around him, she let Len love her body and vice versa. The pair took their time and at some point ended up on the shore of the lake, Mel doing her best not to scream her pleasure and failing miserably at that task while Len filled her body with every drop he had to give her.

Eventually they did dress and return back to their camp. Once again Mel found herself blushing as it was obvious Jeral or one of the other guards had come through, from the obvious footprints that had been halfway to the lake and then turned around and the two rabbits that were now staked out over the fire for them.

She shook her head as the laughter just overcame her. When Len looked at her she laughed even harder until she finally caught her breath after coughing a few times. "Its just funny, considering not that long ago, they were kicking the door in on us. I'm not going to pretend that they are any more accepting at the moment, but its not as if any of them are still trying to crack your lovely skull anymore."

 

[marauder13]

"Its just funny, considering not that long ago, they were kicking the door in on us. I'm not going to pretend that they are any more accepting at the moment, but its not as if any of them are still trying to crack your lovely skull anymore."

"And only for one reason," Len chuckled in reply, "that they fear your wrath if they did. I think it's fairly clear to them now how you feel about me." Len's cheeks coloured a little realizing while Mel was the main source of the noise, there was little doubt that he was responsible in helping her make it. "Also, I guess i am proving to them that you do mean a lot to me, and that I am not just playing around."

Len went to check the cooking food, thankful of the thought that went into it.

"I think that the guardsmen believe that I am not feeding you well enough, and that they need to provide for you. Under normal circumstances, I would find that somewhat insulting. But, given the circumstances, I'll not mention it, nor get offended." He looked back at Mel, liking how the light made her beauty more radiant.

"I'm not sure, Melisandra of Brask, but have I actually told you that you are a beautiful woman? Because, in so many ways, you are a very beautiful woman."

 

[AngelofDeath]

Mel smiled and looked down, "No not lately you haven't, but you have said it before. And I don't think its a matter of you not feeding me, but more that they think it we are busy filling our stomachs," she moved closer, inhaling the smell of roasted rabbit, "that we won't have to time for you to continue to try and get an heir." She grabbed his hand and squeezed it. "That and of course eating means they won't have to hear me screaming like a very improper lady."

Her hand came up to cup his pink tinted cheek. Stroking her thumb against his cheekbone Mel gave him another smile. "Of course no such wickedness when back in Brask. We shall strive to behave ourselves and not submit to our rowdy lust." The laughter was back in her voice as they both knew that Len coming back to the castle with her would be rather interesting.

She did still have a faint sense of dread. The cart had been tipped once and they had both scrambled to right themselves. Would anything come out of the woodwork to set itself between them? Her eyes turned slowly gazing at the blackened tree branch or rather what was left. A few feet more to the right and it would have landed on them.

If anything were to happen to one or both of them at this moment, both kingdoms would be back where they were generations ago. Fueled with the anger and sorrow that only a parent could feel at the loss of a child, both would be ultimately torn apart and take each other down in the making.

 

[marauder13]

Len listened to Mel, smiling and trying hard not to laugh at the comments. She was right about all of it, but it didn't stop him from wanting to help her do it all again... and again... and again...

"Well, back at your home, we will have to just submit to the love we have for each other. That, I believe, would be a lot more sedate and quiet." He had a soft laugh, before becoming very proper. "Melisandra of Brask, Lentharian Selkortaran of Noden promises to show you the utmost respect and honour, as befitting a woman of your status and bearing. My actions shall not bring harsh or scurrilous talk about you. But I will demonstrate my worthiness as a future husband so that everyone has little doubt as to my intentions for you."

Len grinned broadly. "Or in plain language, I'll be good. While showing them how much I love you."

Len readied the rabbits for eating, and found some other food to go with it. He brought the laden plate to Mel, before getting his own and sitting down with her.

"Tonight, I would like for your guardsmen to come and eat with us. I would like to thank them for their loyalty, and their understanding, while you have been here. And it might help ease some of their desire to hurt me too."

 

[AngelofDeath]

"I think they have warmed up to you, at least as best they can, but I think sitting down over food will do some good. They are my guards, but they are also my friends, good friends. If they weren't they would have overreacted to what they saw and the Inn and that would have caused all sorts of problems. I am glad to have them around. And you as well."

She pipped a portion of rabbit meat into her mouth and chewed slowly. Wild rabbits also tasted better than farm raised ones. The meat was leaner and less fat. "I really have enjoyed all this. Heading for home means fitting ourselves back into our neat little roles." Mel broke off a piece of bread slowly, "Of course a horse race once home and settled will be a nice distraction from all that has been going on. Not to mention the fact I will have the opportunity to show you Brask's beauty outside of the rolling hills and wide fields."

Leaving her home for the man she had originally planned never to we, was harder than leaving to escape that marriage. That didn't mean that Mel couldn't show Len her home through her eyes and see the beauty that she saw. It also wasn't as if she would never return now and again.

 

[marauder13]

Len found himself staring at Mel again. He found her fascinating to look at, and to listen to. If she agreed to be his wife, he was looking forward to a lifetime of pleasure just from being with her.

"Well, I shall go and brave your guardsmen, and pass on the good news."

Len stood, pausing long enough to give her a kiss before he walked off to find the guardsmen. It wasn't hard for him to do, as he cheated and had his guardian spirit find them for him. He was pleased to know they they took good measures to hide their presence from the mundane. But against creatures such as what he could call on, they had scant protection.

When he closed enough, he made sure that he was known to the sentry before closing on their actual camp. He played it safe by keeping his palms out, and facing forward. The slightly jovial mood died when he approached the campfire.

"Firstly, to whomever caught the rabbits for us, thank you. They were very tasty. But the reason for my being here is to invite all of you to dine with Melisandra and I when we have our evening meal. I would like to extend my thanks to all of you for not doing worse to me than what you did, and for helping to look after her in recent times of turmoil.

"I'm not sure what you think of me, and to a degree, I don't care. What is important to me is how Melisandra feels about me, and what she thinks of me. I do respect her a great deal, just as much as any of you I imagine. You are fine men who Melisandra can't speak highly enough of."

Len stood, feeling the unfriendly silence that enveloped the camp site. "Well, the offer is there. Let one of us know if you are going to join us."

Len turned to start walking out of the Guardsmen's camp.

 

[AngelofDeath]

"There is no need for that your Highness. We'll glad you join you two. Won't we boys?" Jeral's tone didn't really leave room for the two younger men to argue with their commanding officer. Not that they had seem all that quick to say no either for that matter.

"No sir," they got to their feet, gathering their food as well as their wine and after making sure the fire would not get out of control in their absence the foursome returned to Len and Mel's camp. Mel ever the nice hostess had four extra cups already filled with wine.

"Its about time your guys came back. I was almost ready to start eating without you."

Jeral shook his head while the others just laughed softly. They were used to Mel's somewhat irreverent nature and manners. "And you intended to drink all that wine by yourself? Mel I never knew you to be so selfish."

She waved her hand at him as she moved over to where her plate sat and made herself comfortable. "If I was selfish I wouldn't be in the mood to share any of this wonderful wine with you at all." She raised her glass to the older man with a wink as she took a sip.

"Are you sure you want to marry this girl Len?" Jeral's voice held a hint of laughter. "She's stubborn, opinionated. You'll never have a quite moment with her around. You sure you don't want someone a bit more meek, mild and quite." Jeral laughed all the more harder at the dirty look Mel gave him. "You've seen her with the sword, I am starting to think it was a bad idea to teach her after all."

 

[marauder13]

"There is no need for that your Highness. We'll glad you join you two. Won't we boys?"

Len smiled at the tone of command Jeral used with his subordinates. He had heard the Captain of the Guard at home speak exactly the same way. The four of them walk back to Len's camp site, when Mel has been a gracious hostess while he was gone.

"Its about time your guys came back. I was almost ready to start eating without you."

Len quietly watched Mel with her friends, falling back into habits long established, and revealing of the true woman. Their banter was light, and well practiced.

Jeral turned his attention to Len. He could see and hear the suppressed mirth as the older man spoke.

"Are you sure you want to marry this girl Len? She's stubborn, opinionated. You'll never have a quiet moment with her around. You sure you don't want someone a bit more meek, mild and quiet."

As Len was about to respond, Jeral started laughing. Len turned to see the look Mel was giving him, and joined Jeral in the laughter.

"You've seen her with the sword, I am starting to think it was a bad idea to teach her after all."

Len brought his laughter under control when Mel slapped his arm. He looked at the only other man Mel "loved", and cleared his throat.

"I know what I in for, Jeral. I traveled with her for a few days where she made her thoughts and opinions about me well known. Then again in the throne room of Brask. All the while, it didn't lessen my opinion of her at all. If anything, that fire is what makes her so attractive. Plus... she has helped me open my eyes to a number of important matters."

Len glanced sideways to Mel before looking back to Mel. "It's fine her knowing sword play. I can beat her," he stated matter of factly, "even without my personal blade. Plus having a future queen who knows how to use a blade will keep the Court on their toes."