Two Becomes Three

OOC-I made an offer on a house today that was accepted! I am both excited and terrified about everything lol

ooc stock up on Vinegar and spray bottles! Works crazy today!

OOC-lol I'll have to do that.

They did make it through though they were stopped several times by Nobles and friends of their family. There was a tall man in a long, green coat that stood with his back to them. He had long, dark hair just like Deshane's but when he turned she saw his face and though he was quite handsome he was not her beloved. As of tonight he was 6 days overdue, nearly an entire week with no message, no word or sign that they had even found a body. Her family was in the main hall. The King and Queen had seen her and moved with their guards up to them. They both looked at her and though she seemed to put on a straight face they both crowded in and hugged her.

"We are doing everything we can do find him Calene. Just like any one of you, I'll not stop looking until he is found so enjoy tonight, tomorrow is another day," Elessar said with an aura of confidence that always affected the people he was near.

Calene's heart nearly stopped in her chest as her eyes spied a man that looked like Deshane from behind. She held her breath as hopeful tears came to her eyes, but as the man turned and she got a glimpse of his face her hopes were shattered. She slowly walked over towards her parents and greeted them with the strongest face she could muster. Just having her family near gave her strength, but she knew that she was not going to be able to enjoy tonight. She doubted she would enjoy much of anything until Deshane was returned to her. Nevertheless, she knew she had a duty to perform and so she mingled as best she could with those at the ball, though she was clearly not her normal self.

She had many nobles ask her to dance. Most seemed to want to talk politics and their issues but some said encouraging and kind things like how radiant she looked. Her father danced with her to but it was when he danced with Nauriel did everyone stop and take notice. Even now it seemed they were as limber and graceful as they had ever been, especially Nauriel who had always been a great dancer.

While they sat down at dinner, Ham and pears in a sweet sauce with root vegetables, squash and potatoes. A guard came over and spoke into the King's ear. it was brief but Calene saw him look straight at her then away again and his expression made a cold chill run across her back. he played it off like a King would then he whispered something to Nauriel. she got no such looks from her though though it was the absence in itself that made her think that they had learned something and the news was not good at all.

Calene politely accepted any request to dance, though she wished she was in the arms of her beloved instead. Watching her parents dance only made her miss Deshane even more and she had to fight back a few tears that threatened to stream down her cheeks. When it was time for dinner, she took her place with the rest of her family at the head of the table. She knew she needed to eat for the baby's sake, but she didn't have much of an appetite. She was about to force herself to eat some ham when she saw the guard walk straight over to her father. She couldn't hear what he was whispering, but she saw her father look straight at her. He quickly looked away, but that look was enough to make her feel physically ill. She clenched her fists and tried to force herself to relax, but she felt the room almost spinning around her. She couldn't just sit there. She suddenly got up from the table and rushed out of the room.

Both Kressara and Nauriel got up when she did. Kressara because she had been instructed to. Her mother because she had a feeling Calene knew what was being passed to them. Their scouting party had returned with a body. A man about Deshane's age and height but terribly mangled and half eaten. The King had given orders for him to be alerted when any news of this was available and they had actually brought the body in a cart just away from the party. It was down the road in case the king wanted to inspect it immediately. As she stepped outside, servants came up to her with trays of food and drink. They stepped away when she made no cognizance of them. Several guardsmen who were ordered to watch over the royal family had moved closer to her but there was a terrible smell that emanated from the cart conspicuously parked with guards all around it.

Calene moved quickly, though she was barely aware of her legs moving. Everything around her seemed fuzzy and almost unreal...she felt as if she were dreaming. The smell hit her nose before she even saw the cart and nearly caused her to double over. She began to visibly tremble and tears began to stream down her cheeks. She stopped moving because she was too afraid to see who was in the cart.

"Calene!" Her mother called out to her. Her tone was not pleased but it was mixed with worry. Worry that her daughter was far to observant for her own good. Still she couldn't have her going without proper security. She pointed a finger at the guard closest to them. "You, tell them to move on..NOW!" She barked. "Y-yes my Queen," the guard said then ran off toward the wagon in a dead run. Kressara stopped confused when she reached Calene. "Calene...what's wrong? What's happening?" She sounded frightened to Calene's eyes. And she clutched at something that appeared to be hidden in her dress. "Calene...please, you're..you're scaring me," she said wide-eyed and looked around.

Calene could hear her mother, but it sounded distant in her ears. She suddenly felt panic unlike any she had ever felt before rise up within her. She didn't realize it, but she began sobbing and nearly yelling.

"Who is it?! Is it him?!"

OOC-Just got back from voting And now I'm about to head to work lol

Naurel arrived quickly and she took Calene into her arms. Kressara was there as well and now frightened half to her wits. “Calene...that’s enough! You scaring your sister!” She snapped. The cart started off quickly and guards took hold of their swords as if there was some kind of danger nearby. Elessar watched from the door and he closed his eyes as Calene began to break down. Soon after a coach galloped near them and stopped. Elessar picked her up and put her inside himself. “You two go with her...please,” he asked and both Nauriel and Kressara nodded and complied. Wth a heavy heart Elessar went back up the steps though he definitely didn’t want to. Nauriel let Calene cry in her lap and she murmured soothing tones. “Nothing is certain Calene,” she told her over and over.

ooc: i think we can start a new thread with her waking up?

OOC-Sure

OOC-Sorry, I was in a meeting. Is she waking up from having fainted or did the healer's give her something that made her fall asleep?

ooc-work is crazy right now...I would think she was tended to by her family and then put in her bed in her room in the palace. she could wake up from there.

How much longer did you want this to go?

OOC-That is up to you and when you want to bring back Deshane. I'm not sure she can handle much more of this lol

New thread