Not One but Two?

With the King out to inspect the eastern soldier camps the palace guard took on reinforcements. For this they billeted Squads of soldiers until the royal guard returned. Einor’s squads had been selected for this this time. It was considered an honor and of late he and his men had distinguished themselves apart from the other soldiers. His men stood in the courtyard. It was mid-afternoon and he had only just given his orders. As they broke apart to head smartly to their posts he was surprised to see Ariana watching from the eastern doors. He smiled and gave her a wave as he stepped up toward her.
‘Well, I’d say fancy meeting you here but since you ‘live’ here I suppose I will just say...It is very good to see you again Princess,” he said and took a cursory look around. Here on the grounds she had 2 guards that followed her everywhere but they always kept their distance and tried to be unobtrusive.
“I...have not been able to get you outta my head of late Ariana,” he said in a very warm tone. “Seeing you again has...brought back fond memories. Memories of our friendship...and of...other things,” he said softly and lowered his eyes.
Einor as always was quite dashing in his uniform. He was a stickler for cleanliness and every inch of him was smartly pressed if it involved fabric or shined brightly if it involved metal. She also noticed that he had changed his hair back to how he used to wear it long ago. Did he do that for her specifically? Or by accident? In either case he was looking at her now and his smile was for her and her alone.

Ariana had gone to bed that evening feeling hopeful for the future of herself and her daughter, but with thoughts of Einor lingering still in her mind. In fact, he had been the last person she had thought of before slipping to sleep. The following morning she learned that her father was heading out to inspect the eastern soldier camps. She knew that that meant that non-palace guards would be brought in to reinforce those that were left behind. Being chosen for such a duty was a high honor and it did not surprise Ariana to learn that Einor and his men had been chosen. Everything she had heard about him of late had been excellent and it was clear he was on a path towards becoming a very high ranking soldier.

She knew in her heart that she should stay away from Einor and keep their interactions impersonal, but she could not help herself and she slowly wandered over to look out over the courtyard where he and his men had gathered. She caught his eye and she saw him smile at her and wave. She felt that familiar, warm feeling come over her as he made his way towards her. She couldn't help but smile at his greeting. However, as the tone of his voice changed from friendly to something much more intimate thoughts of being in his arms came into her head. She could almost feel his strong arms wrapping around her and holding her close. She could almost taste his lips upon her own.

She desperately tried to think of something to say. She felt those old impulsive feelings start to come back to her and she fought hard to keep them at bay. However, the look in her eyes as she looked up into his own would tell him everything he needed to know.

"Merylan..." was all she could think of to say to break the spell she felt herself falling under.

“We are not betrothed yet Ariana,” he said and took another step closer to her. “Must I make it plainer to you than I already have? My heart knows when you are near long before my eyes see you. I don’t care what everyone thinks,” he said but she’d know that wasn’t exactly true. He did care. He was a career minded man. One that was going to go far with only the sky itself to give him limits.

“I care deeply for Meryl...I don’t know, maybe I do love her but seeing you again...its not so simple in my head..or in my heart “ he said and looked down at the floor. There was no red in his cheeks. Einor didn’t feel apprehension or get embarrassed by his feelings. He felt how he felt right or wrong.

Ariana felt her heart begin to beat harder in her chest as Einor stepped closer to her. Her mind began to get muddled and she found she couldn’t think straight. All she could think about was Einor and how much she wanted to be in his arms right then. Him being so close she could smell him. He smelled like a soldier and looking into his eyes she could picture herself with him. However, reality quickly began to settle over her. She had a daughter and now Floran was starting to court her.

“I have a daughter Einor,” she replied gently. “You wouldn’t just get me, but a one and a half year old as well. Are you prepared for something like that?”

“I don’t know, I just know how I feel. You left so abruptly. I have always thought we had unfinished business between us,” he said uneasily. She had hurt him and didn’t even say goodbye. He knew about Lucas and kept her secrets but it still hurt.
“And I know you have Meliara. I’m not blind. I don’t have all of the answers. Few in fact. I will speak to Meryl,” he added as his hands flinched toward her but he kept them at his sides. Obviously he was unsettled now. His words were fractured, his sentences barely cohesive as she tangled his wits.

Ariana hated unsettling Einor, but he needed to think everything over and understand what being with her would mean. Her reputation was also not what it once had been and she was unsure how that might affect him.

“Your choice is your own,” Ariana replied regarding Merylan. “However, I think you should know that I was introduced to another man last night at dinner and he seems rather interested in me as well. He is a free man and at this point you are not. Please understand that I have already caused too much scandal among my family. I cannot cause anymore by being seen in possibly considered uncompromising situations with a man seriously courting another woman. Before you decide to end your relationship with Merylan I want you to truly consider what being with me would mean. I also may not choose you. Please don’t be hurt by this. I...I love you Einor, but my daughter is my first priority and whatever decision I make will be based on what is best for the both of us.”

Einors surprise was obvious and his mouth worked wordlessly as if chewing on her mention of another man. Jealousy sprang up in him almost immediately but as she went on it faded into a low murmur in the back of his head. She spoke sense ofcourse. She was now a mother and she had her babe to think about. He could not just enter into this because he wanted to be with her. That had been the old Ariana. Now he saw lines of tiredness and concern on the edges of her eyes. He could lose everything if she didn’t choose him and also if she did.
This whole thing had turned into the sharpest pickle that he had ever tasted. He looked quickly around them and for the moment no one was near or looking this way. In an instant he was just there. His arms around her, his lips pressed strongly on hers before she could refuse or rebuff him. He felt her almost begin to melt into him before he let her down and was turned away from her. The entire exchange only lasted for 3 or 4 seconds. Long enough for the taste and feel of him to linger on her lips. “As you say...my choice is my own Princess,” he said and started away from her briskly. His long legs carrying him far with each stride.
Ofcourse Nauriel had witnessed the entire exchange. She had had a hand in Einor being selected for this duty. Nauriel had been working behind the scenes to make this all happen without her husband. Elessar would have disapproved of her manipulations regardless of her reasonings behind it. Ariana’s happiness meant everything to her and she’d do almost anything to see her daughter know love again. She stepped toward her with no sign in her face that she had seen anything.
“Ariana, are you feeling aright? You’re flushed,” she said and felt her face with the back of her right hand. She actually knew the why of it but played it off. “Have you forgotten about the choosing? They are all waiting for you in the garden” she said and the fact that she hadn’t been more specific would tell Ariana which garden she meant.

Ariana hated telling Einor that there was another potential suitor, but she would rather him find out from her than from someone else. She didn't want to hurt either of them. She loved Einor, of that she knew, but her decision would be based on more than just love. Her daughter was the most important thing in her life and she would ensure the best future for her. Looking into Einor's eyes she wanted desperately to just tell him that if he ended his relationship with Merylan that she would marry him, but she could not do that to Floran. He was a good man with a good heart and she had indicated that she would consider him as a suitor. She could not go back on that. He deserved a chance to prove himself to her.

She did not realize what Einor was doing into she was in his arms suddenly. She felt his lips against her own and in an instant she melted into his arms. His lips felt wonderful against her own and she felt her heartbeat increase in her chest and her cheeks warm. She had not wanted the kiss to end, but she knew it should not have happened in the first place. After all he was still technically with Merylan and if anyone spotted them it could be disastrous for them both. As he pulled back her eyes fluttered open and she looked deeply into his own. Her love for him was plain to see. There was no hiding it or denying it. She could only wait and see what the future held.

As he stepped quickly away from her she watched him go, her cheeks still flush from the kiss. She had not heard her mother approach and was somewhat startled when she was suddenly beside her. She hoped that she had not witnessed what had just happened, but based on her comment she had not.

"Yes, I'm fine Mother," she replied. "It's nothing to worry about." She took a deep breath to calm and steady herself, not wanting to appear as flustered as she felt. When her mother went on to remind her about the choosing she blinked slightly. At the moment her mind was filled entirely with thoughts of Einor and it took her a moment to remember.

"Oh, yes of course Mother." She hesitated slightly before going on. "Mother, is this really necessary for me? I understand why Calista would need Ladies in Waiting as she is married to Eldarion and the future Queen, but I do not need such service."

“I’ve told you that it isn’t just about you, we lead by example and only by teaching and learning in turn can we ensure a prosperous future,” she said as they began to walk. “Nobles greater or lesser may one day produce an heir to a throne such as the one you sit upon by right. The one you forsook for your ‘baser’ needs,” she said with a glare.

She loved Ariana, it was easy to love fault in a child but being late and forgetting an appointment had irritated Nauriel to no end. “You will select 5 of the 9 to attend you. They will be yours to command and to teach how to properly tend you. And by tending you they will learn by your example,” she said then took Ariana’s hand and pulled her aside then continued in a softer voice.

“I know you appreciate your privacy but you will need to trust these women as they will need to trust you. Befriend them, endear them, impress them and show them who and what you are. I will not interfere in this. Reward them for their loyalty and disabuse them when they displease you,” she said and gestured harshly with her finger. “Kressara has 5 and so you shall as well,” She said. “If you send one away another will take her place by your own choosing or mine,” she added and they began to walk again.

Ariana had anticipated her mother's response, but it hurt when she spoke about giving in to her "baser" needs. Ariana said nothing in reply however. She simply walked along side her mother towards the garden where the women were waiting. She knew it was usually a very high honor for women to be chosen to be a lady in waiting, but she quietly wondered what these women truly thought of her. Most of what she had heard spoken about her since her return had not been kind and she hoped that these women perhaps thought differently. It would be difficult for her to befriend them if their thoughts of her were ill.

"Yes, Mother," was all Ariana said in response. Though Ariana knew that ultimately her parents loved her, regaining their trust was proving to be difficult. Ariana was prepared to do whatever it took to make her mother happy with her again, even if it was something she truly did not want.

ooc: new Thread