Her we go, 22! I didn't know whether to take the short cut or the scenic route to the end so I'm compromising. Thanks, as always. for the support.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Much to our regret and my parent's distress Meliara did not return to our principality the next summer. The following summer she wrote yet another letter expressing her regret and vague excuses for her absence. To Russav and I she never wrote but I received reports from my agent of the situation in Tlanth.

The Astiar's have fortified the town wall. I do not know how or when it was done, and I almost missed it where it not by chance luck. Lady Meliara comes and goes often. Where to is something I have not been privy to. She always leaves with three men of her confidence. One always returns with the lady. The other two return separately…

I wondered how the Astiar's had funded such an expensive project. From the information gathered by Decklyn and my parents the situation in Tlanth was continuing to decline. Raiders had destroyed most of their harvest and attacked merchants. I trusted Meliara, being the cunning woman that she was, had found a way to offset the damage.

I, was on my way to my marquisate to manage some turbulence that had risen as a result of the King's merciless mandates, when I read the missive. It'd been almost two years and I still hungered for any news of her. Sitting in my humble accommodations, I, again, found myself scouring the message, brief as it was, for details I might have missed.

I'd hoped that time and distance would help me ease my wounds as they had in the past but instead, they only served to reassure that my sentiments for the frustratingly charming lady were different than those I'd felt before.

I shuffled through more reports. Some were useless, while others promising. It appeared that the King was on the brink of losing favor of the traditionalist. The prime factor in swaying them had been the sudden plummet of their assets. Many who had relied solely on gold generated from taxing merchants, trade smiths, and the guilds that supported their professions were struggling to meet Galdran's greedy demands.

The pressure for change was building and my time to act was too. The moment I had been preparing for almost all my life had finally come. Now it was a matter of time. I had to strike at the pinnacle of the turmoil.

Voices in the hall disrupted my thoughts.

"Our guild is grateful for your support. It is unfortunate that you are no longer able to back us. It would seem times are falling hard on all of us."

"I know this change will fall heavy on your shoulders Master Tevlin but you are very resourceful and will prevail."

Mel?

"May it be so. If there is ever anything I can do, to repay your kindness, all you need is ask."

"Thank you. Your discretion is enough. Fair well Master Tevlin."

"Fair well my lady."

I struggled against my better judgement. I wanted to see her, but it was best to let her be. I tried to ignore the conversation that had moved into the adjoining room. I paced to the opposite end of the room.

"Well that's the last of it. Let's get this home," Meliara's voice taunted me.

"Yes, my lady," was the response of one of her companions and swiftly the sound of two pairs of boots sounded as they walked out of the room.

"Jerrol go check on our shadow, then rest up. We'll leave in the morning."

"Yes, my lady. She's probably very confused as to how we managed to leave the other inn without her seeing us."

They both laughed.

She was steps away. The notion teased and mocked me. My hearing had never felt so heightened. I heard her shifting around, a grunt, a sigh, then the rustling of bed sheets.

I attempted and failed to resume my work. Just as I failed to pretend, I wasn't listening for sounds on the other side of the wall. Finally, when the sun finished setting, I gave up and decided to get some rest, while knowing that I would not be sleeping.

Light was breaking when I heard Meliara moving around once more. A girl brought her breakfast, while I dressed. I wanted to fool myself into thinking I was still debating whether I'd go to her or not, but my resolve had broken by the time I heard the girl picking up the dishes.

I waited only moments more for silence in the hallway. Most of the patrons were surely sleeping. Thinking no more on the subject I put my hat on, shielding my face from sight and stepped into the corridor. A swift glance to confirm it was empty, and I promptly stepped into the neighboring room.

She stood mid-room in front of the fireplace waiting for the sticks to ignite. She was too absorbed in her thoughts to notice me and I couldn't take my eyes off her.

The woman was even more beautiful than I remembered with her hair braided and knotted on her head. My eyes wandered her length. A deep blue jacket brushed around her thighs. She wore a thin loosely tied shirt and dark hose beneath it, with boots that hit below her knee.

I silently walked over to her as the fire ignited. She hastily tossed in a sheet of paper and a bound book into the flames. Assured that they were being consumed she came out of her reverie and glanced over to the small table in front of me.

Her lips parted as she recognized me. She blinked in disbelief.

"V,vidanric," she stuttered.

Panic lit her face before her eyes flew between an unfinished letter on the table and me. Her face reddened as she moved to retrieve it.

I plucked it before she could reach it. I grinned as I saw my name scrawled on it. "Thank you I'll read it later," I said tucking it into my pocket, knowing well she had intended to burn it.

"I…I, what are you doing here?" she finally managed as she stared at me still in astonishment. Her eyes made a study of my dark riding gear as I had with hers.

"Luck," I answered simply.

A knock came at the tapestry. "My lady," a voice called.

Meliara looked to me then the entry. "Ready the horses, Jerrol. I'll, I'll be there shortly," she said rattled.

There was a pause before we heard her escort walk away. "I have to go," she whispered. Her eyes filled with conflict.

"I know," I told her pulling her into my arms. She stiffened briefly, then wrapped her arms around me. She laid her head on my chest and gripped the back of my tunic. The air thickened with unsaid words. With a deep breath and a final embrace, she released me, turned to see the fire out and walk away.

oOo

Dear Vidanric.

If only this time I had the courage to send this letter. How many more words will I pen to you only to have them swept away with the dust. There's so much I wish I could say to you.

I miss you. I miss Russav. I feel like I'm drowning in sadness and I can't reach to you. Then there's Galdran.

I feel control slipping through my fingers. What would you say to that? Control is an illusion. Yes, I hear your clever remarks even now. What do I do?

oOo

I'd only just returned from Sheveraeth when Russav burst into my chambers. "Is it true?" he demanded.

"Thank you for the kind welcome cousin", I remarked.

"Answer me"

"I don't know…"

"Is it true that you've been sneaking around with Meliara."

"Have I what?" I asked unable to hide my surprise. "No, I happened to stay at the same inn as her on my way to Shevraeth. I barely spoke a handful of words to her. How…?"

"It's all over court."

I groaned in disgust, "Meliara had a watcher after her and if she caught wind that I was there… any report is better than none."

Russav slammed his fist against the wall, "He knows her name."

He knew her name and worse it had been tied to mine. It was only a matter of time.

oOo

It seemed that the entire nobility held a collective breath as the doors opened to the throne room.

Her soft steps echoed in the silence. Thin sleeves of gossamer, hung off her delicate shoulders. An intricated lace bodice highlighted her small waist and sheer layers floated about her as she walked towards the throne. Her dress made the gowns of the other women in the room seem heavy.

Jealousy, intrigue, and lust filled the eyes of those that watch but ambivalence did not. They had been waiting to for her arrival since they'd heard the King had invited Shevraeth's alleged lover to court.

I could feel the scrutiny of the other nobles as they awaited a reaction, any reaction, from me but they got none.

"So you are the daughter of Tlanth?" Galdran declared, his arrogant voice filling the room.

"Yes, Meliara Astiar of Tlanth, my king" Meliara replied, voice sure and completely at ease, as she fell into a graceful curtsy that was sure to fill my mother with pride.

"Shame, there is no one to present you properly," the King mocked.

"I've been making introductions for myself since the age of two. I think I can manage well enough by now, your majesty," she answered with false grace.

Russav's face conveyed nothing but I could tell that if he could allow himself the luxury, in public or private, his palm would have met face in irritation.

Galdran threw his head back and laughed loudly. The courtiers joined him. "You are going to be fun, girl." he declared.

Meliara simply curtsied again, face impassive. "I hope so," she said taking the last word.

And there you have it folks. What do you think?