Dangerous Engagement

Disclaimer: I hold no delusions: All characters and inspiration belong to the creative mind of Sherwood Smith. SS Rocks!

Chapter 8 – From Meliara's Point of View

"Please wake up, my lady."

I tried to stuff a pillow over my head as Mora shook my shoulder gently. Vidanric and Savona's exit and my consequent surrender to sleep seemed like only minutes ago, not hours. The peaceful night had been hardly adequate to restore my tired muscles after days of riding. Still, I smiled into the pillows, a private meeting with a certain fiancé might be in my cards today.

With this thought in mind I surprised Mora by springing out of bed without further urging. My stiff muscles and bandaged neck somewhat hindered my movements but I managed to bolt down my fragrant morning tea and hurry off to the baths with a smile on my face. I returned quickly and had soon changed into a flowing green gown embroidered with sky blue trim. Mora then deftly combed and arranged my locks, plaiting two sections of hair to just past my ears and leaving the remainder to stream loosely down my back. The older woman stepped back and nodded, plucking a small item off the vanity.

"I picked this for you earlier in the morning," she said. "For a finishing touch. " I gasped in surprise as she affixed a beautiful gardenia behind my ear. The white petals contrasted my hair elegantly and also called to mind the flower's main symbolic meaning.

"Purity," I grinned. "Is this a hint that I should behave myself?"

"Just as you like it, my lady," replied Mora with twinkling eyes. "But you know the other meanings as well, I believe?" I thought back to my lessons on courtly behavior in Tlanth last winter. Nee had taught me the symbolism behind most of Remalna's blossoms, thinking it prudent that I understand the innuendo utilized in Athanarel.

"Hmm… The Gardenia also represents Refinement. It symbolizes Sweet Love, and when given to someone, means 'You're Lovely'. One of the more obscure meanings is Secret Love," I recited, wondering if the flower would draw unwanted inquisition.

"An artful allusion to the love shared by you and the Marquis," Mora concluded, then advised, "I would suggest distracting the Court with tales of the Hill Folk, and your own heroism, if they should trouble themselves with questions of symbolism." I just shook my head at her generous compliments and grinned, feeling reassured. Vidanric would enjoy the bloom – and the courtiers' oblivious reactions it.

- - * - * - -

After the bandages on my neck were carefully removed and replaced (a necessary precaution, Mora had insisted, although the cut was healing well) I made my way down to the Throne Room, where I hoped to find some of my friends congregated. Bran and Nee had not been in their rooms and showing up in Vidanric's chambers would have been one of the least tactful feats of my life. And that is definitely saying something, I thought grimly, as two liveried servants pulled open the doors leading to Flauvic's new habitat.

I stepped into the chamber and felt rejuvenated with good luck. Some thirty paces in front of me stood Vidanric, gloved hands clasped behind him, examining Flauvic-the-Goldenwood with Savona and several other lords. I studied him from across the room for a moment as he drawled diplomatic answers to the courtiers' questions. Taking in his tall figure, I decided that his long, pale hair contrasted the dark tunic he wore quite nicely. I had seen him before in similar colors and thought him formidable and remote, I reflected. Just as the thought of his affection would have inspired anxiety in me a few months ago, it equally elated and thrilled me now.

"Mel!" My musings were interrupted by a quick shout.

Danric so diverted my thoughts that I had failed to notice the other groups of servants and courtiers milling about the room. Starting, I saw Bran hasten over to me as his voice reverberated through the chamber, drawing the attention of crowd. As he dodged between servants clearing away rubble I noticed the clear stones that were once Garumareth being placed carefully in box. I had no time to consider the matter, however, as Bran stopped short in front of me and put his fists on his hips.

"Life, sister! Tell me who's at fault here." I stared at him blankly for a second as Nee joined us, hurrying daintily in Bran's wake.

"Who's at fault where?" I asked, feeling uneasy. Multiple pairs of eyes were flitting towards the commotion.

"Well… nowhere specific, I guess. But someone is at fault, and its either me or Nee," proclaimed Bran loudly. "She hasn't stopped her shushing and elbowing for hours! I've just been wanting to spread the cheer about you and – " Nee clapped her hand over Bran's mouth.

"Bran!" she hissed. "I've been telling you to keep quiet about Mel's… relationship with you-know-who!" She whispered the last part in such a conspiratorial tone that I had the urge to jerk my head up and send shifty, menacing glances at the nearby servants. Instead I restrained myself and forced a smile.

"Thank you for the well-timed shushes, elbows, and claps on the mouth," I told Nee pointedly as she removed her hand from Bran's lips.

He sighed exasperatedly. "So I'm at fault, huh. Is anyone going to get around to explaining why we have to keep… you-know-what… a secret?" Bran sent a quick, unhelpful glance over his shoulder as he uttered this question, causing more stares and whispers to emanate from the surreptitiously watching crowd. It was my turn to sigh as I dropped my voice to explain.

"Nee probably thought I just wasn't ready to deal with all of the speculation that will surely follow the news. She was partially right, because I do want to enjoy a private life while I still can. And thank you again for keeping track of Bran," I added to Nee, who nodded, waiting for me to proceed. Bran rolled his eyes. I ignored this and quietly continued.

"But mainly, I don't want your wedding to be superceded by the news. We've decided to wait to announce our… change in status… until after you two have been honored. You deserve the full attention and admiration of the Court." Nee sent me a gratifying smile and squeezed my hand as a subtle thanks. Bran, as usual, decided that a quiet, tactful reply was just not expressive enough.

"Burn it! I should have known you had a good reason – and you were looking out for Nee and I the whole time!" he exclaimed, thanking me with a bone-crushing hug that lifted me off my feet.

"Is your wound alright?" Nee asked worriedly as Bran returned me to the ground and wrapped a contented arm around her waist. I ran a hand over the bandages, nodded, and then carefully felt the gardenia behind my ear, hoping it hadn't been crushed in the embrace. I needn't have worried.

"Meliara!" declared a voice from behind me. "I am truly awed to be in your presence, dearest Countess. Will you permit me to address you by the equally appropriate title of 'lovely Hill Folk rescuer'? Or 'darling hostile-takeover thwarter'? Or 'amazing wagoneer trouncer'?"

I whirled around to find Savona grinning down at me as he poured forth more extravagant requests. He was flanked by Lord Deric, several other curious courtiers, and a very amused Vidanric. Savona glanced at the gardenia in my hair and beamed still larger. "Or perhaps I should simply compliment your charming taste in flower blossoms," he winked, recalling its obscure symbolism easily.

"I quite agree about the flower," Deric jumped in, "but do tell, what is all this about saving the Hill Folk? And defeating wagoneers?" I noticed Vidanric suppress a grin at the courtiers' completely oblivious reactions to the gardenia's meaning.

"Ah, Deric, nothing gets past you," said Savona solemnly, controlling his mirth perfectly as he turned to me. "Lady Meliara, will you soon expound on the scanty details provided by my distinctly close-mouthed cousin? We've garnered little more than a few tantalizing hints from him about your triumphs during the Merinder crown attempt."

"Come now, Russav," drawled Vidanric, "you surely cannot expect the Countess to relate her many successes in her current condition." He gestured smoothly to my bandaged neck. I realized he was seeking to give me an out – and then I had a sudden idea.

"Thank you for your concern," I replied, sweeping a curtsy. "My health has fared better since yesterday. If it continues to improve, perhaps recent developments could be detailed fairly soon… Did I hear correctly that Princess Elestra will be holding a celebration in a few days' time?" I strove to keep a look of innocent question on my face. Vidanric's mouth quirked ever so slightly as he responded.

"You are quite right, my lady. My mother would be delighted to have you grace the party as an honored guest. The gathering will be an excellent opportunity for us to divulge information to the Court, should you desire."

"A brilliant idea, Danric," Savona commended. "As always, you initiate whims as easily as if they'd been planned." I could tell Savona was struggling not to smirk as he watched me work to arrange my face in a bland, 'I-am-definitely-not-thinking-about-Danric's-addictive-lips' expression. Vidanric must have thought that I looked altogether too much in love with him, because he made a miniscule gesture noticed only by Nee and cleared his throat.

"Speaking of plans, I believe there are still a few matters of concern that must be attended to. Lord Branaric? Lady Nimiar? Lady Meliara? Shall we proceed to business?"

"Thank you for the reminder, Lord Vidanric," curtsied Nee, delivering a smooth group farewell and steering an obviously bewildered Bran toward the throne room doors. Although equally confused, I managed a polite goodbye.

"Until Princess Elestra's celebration, my heroes," Savona bowed. "I suspect it will be quite an engaging evening." Vidanric shot him a look of perfect detachment, bowed in return, and escorted me quickly out of the chamber behind Bran and Nee.

"Thank you for the nimble assistance," Vidanric told Nee in an undertone once we were outside the doors and the liveried servants' hearing. I grimaced.

"Is my face so easy to read that I'll have to be continually whisked out of rooms until the announcement?"

"Is that why we're out here?" wondered Bran. Vidanric shook his head slightly.

"I was simply hoping to have a word with Meliara, and Nee was kind enough to exit the room, at my suggestion, so as not to arouse conjecture about an increase in companionable forays between the Countess and myself. I'm afraid our attempt at subtlety has caused you some inconvenience."

"Not at all," replied Nee warmly. "Bran and I have a few wedding details to look over anyway – should we relate that as the 'matter of concern' that drew us from the throne room?"

"A fitting excuse," Danric agreed. Bran and Nee set off for their rooms, and I expected Vidanric and I to follow. Instead he drew me down a hallway leading toward the royal library and memoir archive. Our journey ended at a set of strong, plain doors that Vidanric unlocked and held open for my entry. I stepped inside and found myself ensconced in a maze of boxes, bookshelves, wooden chests, and display cases, all holding an array of books and artifacts. Walking carefully down a narrow aisle I inspected the room's contents in semi-darkness as Vidanric locked the heavy doors. The metallic clank of the key resonated loudly in the muffled chamber and made me feel slightly uneasy. Locks and protections were usually unnecessary for interior doors where tapestries would suffice. Usually, unless the area was private or forbidden.

"Is this a restricted archive?" I asked suddenly, turning back to Vidanric. He smiled and beckoned me back down the aisle toward a stack of books.

"Perfectly correct. Some of the more interesting artifacts in Athanarel are stored here. Most of the items are too private or downright dangerous to put on display and the Court generally isn't granted access." I nodded, squinting as I tried to read his expression in the dim light. "Many of the items preserved here would be damaged by sunlight," he explained. "As such, this room is kept dimmed, despite the hindrance to observers. I doubt if these newest acquisitions are as delicate, however."

He tapped the adjacent stack of books with a gloved hand. Picking up the first on the stack, I lifted its heavy cover and flipped through the pages impatiently before dropping it back on the pile.

"You realize I can't understand a word of that text," I frowned, "as it's written in another language. Why exactly am I looking through these books?" I was frustrated. Danric had, for some incomprehensible reason, decided we should spend our time alone inspecting a dreary archive. Was this all he wanted me for? I had been expecting something a bit more… gratifying. Vidanric sent me an assessing glance, removing and setting aside his gloves.

"These books were Flauvic's guides to spell casting and magical power, locked here after we recovered them from the Merinder house. As to the reason you are looking through them… I thought an 'examination' of the spellbooks that aided Flauvic's attack would be a plausible matter to draw us away from the delightful scrutiny of the court." He moved closer to me, looking apologetic. "I'm afraid I rather manipulated an exit for you without your consent, with the sole purpose of commandeering your private presence." He waited for a response, and I smiled and slid my arms around his neck, feeling elated.

"No need to apologize for flattery!" I grinned, and hinted, "Will a kiss express my opinion of your fiendish deception?" His laughing eyes lit up the shadowy room as he drew me close and contentedly kissed my hair, and then my cheek, making my skin tingle. I pulled his face down to mine for a deep, earnest kiss. After a moment Danric broke away and took my hands in his, shaking his head and laughing.

"And I thought you were angry! You always detested being kept in the dark about my strategies during the rebellion."

"Well, yes – I felt manipulated, like a prisoner. But that's in the past now," I said, looking down at our clasped, ringed hands. I laughed and grinned impishly up at Vidanric. "So you can't always tell what I'm thinking, can you?"

"I freely admit I cannot," he agreed, adding, "I believe I never claimed that ability." I rolled my eyes and laughed again, thinking of all the times that he had divined my emotions easily. Vidanric smiled as he replaced one hand on my waist and smoothed a stray lock of my hair with the other. "Your laughter, on the other hand, always has the ability to enthrall me," he murmured, kissing me again. "Your expertise in disguising engagement announcement parties electrifies me. And your genius for exposing the Court's hilariously oblivious nature mesmerizes me," he continued.

I was feeling pretty giddy by now, not just from his compliments, but because he kissed me deeply after each one. My hands pressed against Danric's chest in an attempt to steady myself, and he settled one arm more snugly around me as he lightly touched the gardenia behind my ear with his free hand.

"Secret Love," I breathed, knowing no explanation was necessary. "Ours."

The shadowy, silent room made me feel the need to speak, but this was the most I could get out. I thought it was strange, as I looked into Vidanric's eyes, that they would be described as gray – that neutral color held no resemblance to the bright, intense gaze trained passionately on me now. A moment later, waves of ardency surged through me. I held tightly to Vidanric as he caressed and kissed me, his lips carefully avoiding my bandaged wound as they progressed up my neck, stopping at my ear. He met my lips once more before straightening up and attempting to draw away. I opened my eyes and realized my hands were gripping his tunic.

"It is very… judicious… that the gardenia represents Purity as well as Secret Love," he said, taking a deep breath. I nodded, removing my hands and smoothing his tunic.

"More like tedious," I responded as he replaced his gloves, hiding the shining Ekirth ring from view again. I couldn't help grumbling a bit – our embraces always ended too soon. I shook my head, clearing my thoughts and laughing a little. "Life! Mora really does know me well." Vidanric looked up quizzically and sighed.

"I desire to hear more, but – "

"The Court will wonder where we've been all this time," I concluded. I smiled a little. "Just a few more days until we announce the engagement and spend all the time we want with each other." Danric kissed me in agreement, unlocked the heavy doors and once again held them open for me.

Just a few more days, I repeated to myself. Fantasizing about unlimited time for rendezvous with Danric, I stepped into the hall and nearly collided with a very startled Elenet.

** Whew! Finally finished with this extremely long chapter! This is why I have taken so long to update (I'll take that demanding review as a compliment, Emboss! Hehe!), so I hope it was worth the wait. Blame AP History homework and my perfectionist tendencies.

Review time! First, tell me the chapter rocked. I am such a review-monger, aren't I? I could use the encouragement, though. Thanks! Then: Don't you just love that evil cliffhanger? (I know I do! Wahahaha!) Was the fluff good? (I sure do like writing the fluff, but it can be hard.) Do you want more or less of any of these? : dialogue / descriptions / action / fluff / certain characters. Socal-schitzophrenic (I spelled it right this time!) asked if I would keep writing the story until the wedding. I dunno. Maybe I should. The title is 'dangerous engagement', that kinda implies the entire engagement, I just don't know if I can come up with enough creative fluff and story ideas to fill up the whole six months – I was only planning to write up to the announcement. I might keep going if some people send in ideas for things they would like to see in the story!

Anyway, about the chapter. I looked up flower symbolism to find a good flower for 'secret love' and the gardenia was perfect. Very cool. Also, I wasn't implying that Deric is really stupid or anything for missing the symbolism, he and the rest of the Court were just more interested in hearing about the whole Merinder takeover thing. Yep. Did you like my scene in the invented 'restricted archive'? In the books it says Flauvic's spellbooks are locked away in an archive, so I just made it a cool forbidden archive to give Mel and Danric a little uninterrupted quality time. Did you think this chapter kinda rambled on for a bit? I just kept thinking of more dialogue that I wanted the characters to say. Does anyone know the plural form of rendezvous? I just left it at that in the story, I don't know if I used it correctly. Oh well. If you see any typos, feel free to point them out. Thanks to all reviewers! ~Shannon