Fantasy The Coming of Two Kingdoms

[Silverwings]

Sevora led the way to the bakery, stopping to wait for the two, "Perhaps we can buy you asterian style clothes for while you're here. It'll be much cooler than the leather and wool you're use to. Typically we wear cotton or linen. Its thin and better for our warmer climate."

She turned, going into the bakery. As the three entered the baker and his two daughter gasped, "Your highness!"

The three gave bows and curtsies, earning a small laugh from the Princess as she bowed her head, "It is an honor to have you in today. What can we do for you?"

"I have important company," Sevora said and gestured to the Prince and his guard, "I was hoping you could sell us your freshest bread, or maybe make us something?"

The baker glanced at the prince, bowing again, "Yes, of course. It will be about an hour. Is this His royal highness from Ruvio?"

"It is. Prince Rhonin, Ruvan's chosen," She nodded, smiling at the prince. The baker grabbed something wrapped in cloth and went to the prince, "It is an honor to have someone of such high nobility here from another country. Have this."

When the prince took the cloth and opened it, it revealed a batch of fresh sugar cookies, still warm from the oven, "Just made. I know you will get many looks here, but I am one of few that hold no grudges. My father fought in the last war, died to your father, but that is no reason to blame you. Why... you must have been so little then. I know my girls were."

 

[Eonivar]

Rhonin looked about the shop, taking in the smells, some new, some not. It made his stomach growl louder.

It was funny as Rhonin was not used to this much formality. Even in Ruvio, usually, if he would walk into a bakery, it would be "My Prince" or more recently "Chosen Prince" and no bowing, and then they would more or less speak as equals. He did know elsewhere where he was just treated as a conventional traveler, granted an exotic one, he would not share his title, and it would be different depending on where he was.

So the baker's interest and Sevora's introduction caught him by surprise. His violet eyes widened and he smiled and bowed his head, taking the offered goods in both hands, feeling the warmth of the bowl. He spoke slowly the Asterian dialect which was not too far off the ancient elven tongue, unlike Ruvian which had become shorter and more dependant on inflection and purpose. It was accented but spoken well as Rhonin had a knack for spoken languages. "We have come to expect the attention, yes, it has been many generations since a Ruvian has stepped foot here in Asteria but it is a great comfort that you welcome us in such a kindly manner. My twin sister and I were just five years old when the last war occurred. Our people have been apart for so very long, our languages had even changed, even our coloring, but I hope that this is the beginning of a wonderful alliance of our folk, as I believe we both have a lot to share." He reached down and took a bite of the cookie and devoured it, he was starving. Speaking with his mouth full and reveling in the taste. "Wike these cookies, they arf amazing." He glanced back to Nevri and spoke in Ruvian as he knew she was not as good in other tongues or dialects. She had been standing by the doorway, a quiet shadow. "<Nefvri you should try these...>"

Nevri seemed to hesitantly step forward and take the offered cookie and take a small nibble of it. Her eyes widened some and she nodded appreciatively, nibbling a little more at it.

Rhonin ate another cookie. "My apologies, I have been starving all morning. This is Nevri my Royal Guard. She does not speak the Asterian dialect very well, but as you can see she also enjoys your cookies." Nevri blushed, smiled, and bowed her head appreciatively,

Rhonin continued. "These cookies would be amazing with some honey or syrup. In the southern region of the Obsidian Mountains, the Shani clans are particularly proud of their beekeepers and honey, and the far northern forests of the Danu, where Nevri is from, produces some of the most amazing sweet tree syrups. I know we would not be able to get either of those to you anytime soon, but I know some merchants that would love to come here and trade. I know our bakers would love to have this type of sugar you use. I will see about getting you a shipment. What are your names if I may ask?" As he snuck another cookie into his mouth.

 

[Silverwings]

"Oh, we have honey," The baker said as got a small jar and poured some into a little bowl, "It may not be what you have at home, but I think you may come to enjoy it. It is from a small village on the Asterian countryside. They produce delicious honey that has a nice almost mint like taste. I am Delimar and these are my daughters, Elaia and Vora. They were three and two during the war."

He offered the small bowl of honey to the prince. It smelled faintly of mint and when tasted shared the taste of mint leaves. The baker spoke again as his daughters worked behind him quietly, "I would love such shipments to be able to provide such wonderful goods to the royal family. I hope that our forming alliance will be met well."

"Oh, I hope so too," Sevora said with a smile, "It is nice to see such supportive people here in our city."

"I believe you will meet similar kindness with the dressmaker and the enchantress. They both share my views on the alliance, we've spoken about it before. Where will you be heading after you've left here?" He asked.

"The butcher, to get some cured meat to make a nice meal," she said with a smile. The baker hummed, "I wish you luck. Though I dont believe he with send you away, your highness, I believe he may refuse entry to the Prince."

"Well, I suppose it can not all be sunshine and rainbows. Not everyone can be expected to be as kind as you," Sevora said as she glanced at Rhonin. This was to be expected. There wasn't much they could do about it.

 

[Eonivar]

Rhonin smiled and nodded at the introductions, making eye contact with the baker and each of his daughters. Rhonin was a natural flirt. Perhaps if the daughters had been Ruvian and he was not of his standing and position and engaged to Princess Sevora he would have flirted more with them, perhaps entertained a relationship with one of them, but he was Rhonin and he naturally restrained himself from such impulses with his years of upbringing and discipline.

In his normal routine of restraining such emotions, Rhonin turned and watched Sevora engage with the baker, the way she smiled, the way her mouth moved when she spoke, her body language, her lean slight form, her fair skin in contrast with the sundress she wore, the strands of her hair in the sunlight peeking through the window. It was at that moment, the realization of it all, that he would be able to flirt with her and engage her in the special and exciting dance that couples engage in, that he had seen many times, over and over again and that he had been forbidden to partake against the base instinct and culture of his people.

Is this love?

Rhonin dipped the cookies into the honey and munched on another. He was going to ruin his dinner but he had not had such sweets in some time. He could not help but stare at his bride to be and smile.

He listened to the baker and Sevora speak, following along as best he could in Asterian, noting the downtick of tone and uptick of seriousness, he quickly set the honey on the counter and wrapped up the few cookies that were left, and stick them in his carry pouch. He missed a final couple of sentences as Sevora started to turn to him to leave. He nodded at the baker and his daughters. "Thank you for your hospitality, kindness, and wonderful cookies. In Ruvian it would be returned with one word which means endearing thanks." He spoke the word in the sharp and nuanced accent of the Ruvian tongue, placing his hand on his heart, closing his eyes, and bowing his head.

He then turned and left with Sevora, Nevri holding open the door and diving the baker and his daughters a slight grin and nod.

Rhonin Switched back to the ancient elven shared tongue.

"My apologies your Royal Highness, I lost the last couple of sentences of your conversation, I am still getting used to the nuances of the Asterian tongue but I noticed a concern or worry, is there a problem?"

 

[Silverwings]

"The baker made note of the butcher's bitterness over the wars and toward your people. He mentioned the man may refuse your entry." The princess answered as they walked. She had now the loaf of bread from the baker, which smelled delightful, "We can make the exchange quick. Do you like ham? Its from our own farming district. They make a delicious smoked ham as well as a honey ham."

She stopped momentarily, looking over at her groom to be. He had been so natural interacting with the baker, as if he belonged here. He will make a wonderful king. She smiled softly, "You seem so natural here. I think it is wonderful that you're getting along well."

 

[Eonivar]

The Ruvian had an odd form of a shrug. They seemed to shake their head from side to side as Rhonin did currently, not turn their head like saying 'no' nor nod their head up and down like saying 'yes' but literally shake their head from side to side. He grinned. "My father always thought it important that the nobility and royal family connect to their subjects, I do not think it is any different than you were taught, your Royal Highness."

He reached over and took her hand with his left hand (he was left-handed) and gently brought his lips to the back of it, and then rubbed it against his cheek, lowering it and gesturing with his other hand out into town.

"Ham sounds great, we hunt boar back at home, usually have some sort of dinner when we get one or two. If you wish Nevri and I can wait outside, or I can go in, but I am not certain my charm would be able to change his feelings. As for me." He glanced over at her with a gleam in his violet color eyes, "I am just me, all-natural Prince Rhonin of Ruvio, your future husband and hopefully more to be, at your service." He bowed gracefully and giggled and trudged on, looking for a way he could sweep her off her feet somehow and spin her around without breaking protocol. But no such opportunity had come yet.

 

[Silverwings]

Sevora giggled at her prince's antics, "You seem far more natural at speaking than I am. You capture people with your words. I capture with the eyes. It is my skill. Since I was a little girl I would silence a room by entering. How do you do it?"

As they spoke, she led him to to the butcher, standing outside to talk with the prince. She seemed more interested it that than getting food at the moment, "I hope to one day be able to speak with such honeyed words."

 

[Eonivar]

Rhonin smiled. "Well you silenced me when we saw each other for the first time, so that is impressive power. And I have been told that I do not shut up when I am supposed to, although that is more of a joke with me, part of using words is tact, knowing when to speak and when to listen. A lot of words and persuasion is understanding your audience, and trying to look at things from their point of view, and making sure your words will be heard and understood. And like everything practice, practice, practice. Ruvians are naturally social folk, outgoing, extroverted, and not necessarily internal, private, and introverted like what I have observed with Asterians such as yourself." He tilted his head and looked over at the Butcher's shop.

"So maybe we can talk to this Butcher. What's his name? Do you know him well? His family? Anything you can tell me about him?"

 

[Silverwings]

"His name is Romus Gilliard. Pretty much his entire family fought in the war. To my understanding only he made it home," Sevora answered, "Personally, I dont know much about the man. He's always kept to himself from what I've experienced. He does his job and that is all."

Sevora turned, entering the butcher's shop. It was cold, keeping the meats fresh, something the Ruvian's would enjoy compared to the heat of the area. The butcher was in the process of cutting apart a large animal carcass when he turned, "Your highness! What can I do for you today?"

"Just a bit of your smoked ham, sir." she answered with a gentle smile. Romus nodded and glanced over her shoulder, only to frown at the Prince and his guard. He grumbled under his breath as he turned to cut the ham, doing so in a threatening manner.

 

[Eonivar]

Both Rhonin and Nevri looked up at the mention of the man's name, they turned and looked at each other, their looks conveyed a reemerged pain and sorrow long-buried.

Rhonin turned to follow Sevora into the butcher. Nevri's loud whisper stopped him.
<in Ruvian>
"<My Prince? Did you bring it?>"

Rhonin turned and looked at the Royal Guard who had known him since he was born. His face was serious, he looked down a moment in reflection before, his hand reaching up to something around his neck, before reaching up and undoing the necklace and holding it in his hand.

"<Yes, I brought everything. He needs to know. He has the right as her father to know her part in the war and that her sacrifice was what brought our people to this point. We owe him his daughter's memory. Rowan would want us to return them to him. You need it too Nevri. You need this closure so you too can move on.>"

Nevri nodded as Rhonin turned and followed Sevora in.

Rhonin looked around the shop, noticing the hung shield and sword, the medals, the memories and keepsakes of war, and also family.

He then focused on the man himself. Streaks of grey in his bound hair from years of age and stress. The tensioning of his body as he noticed the Ruvians in the room, the grip, and striking of the cleaver on the meat.

Rhonin waited for a moment after Romus finished cutting turned toward Sevora, purposely avoiding Rhonin's gaze. Rhonin spoke in slow Asterian carefully choosing his words.

"Master Gilliard, I wish a moment of your attention. Just a moment. Know that I am not seeking to heal your wounds, to change your mind, or right any wrongs, I do not have any right to do that. I was five years old when the war occurred I had no influence over the events that happened, and only became aware of them later in life. Her Royal Highness is unaware that in this moment she brought us together and I never expected to be able to return what is your daughter Aelis's to you, although since I knew I was coming to Asteria, I was hoping that I may get an opportunity to do so." He reached up and placed a beautifully wrought pendant made of a silver-white metal which color was so very unique. The pendant seemed to almost float there.

"I believe this was a gift from you to your daughter when she came of age. That is what was mentioned in my brother Rowan's journal when she gave it to him as a token of her love. My brother was wearing it around his neck when he and Aelis died together. It was later given to me." He reached into his satchel and pulled out a beautifully bound white leather book and set it on the counter next to the pendant. "This a bound collection of the letters my brother and your daughter wrote to each other during the war. It also has a lot of his drawings and pictures that he had made of her. I translated my brother's ancient elven writings to Asterian script. This is the original copy, I made my own copy line by line to keep for my own memory of him and to show my own people what actually happened. I even copied the pictures. Aelis's writing is distinct and exquisite. Originally they met by chance, they were both on a scouting mission and ran into each other, they fought off and on, but got stuck in a storm and they decided to call a truce to survive the storm. They spent a week together out in the wilderness alone but parted friends each going back to their armies. Despite fighting against each other they would continue a dialogue that spanned over the twenty long years of the war. They would meet under a flag of truce in secret to continue this dialogue, this relationship that they had started. They eventually fell in love. But as the war went on, their superiors on either side would not listen to them or their pleas to stop the conflict. They discovered the only way they felt they could stop the war was to sacrifice each other. And that is they did at the Battle of the Last Gate in Hearthhome in Ruvio. I discovered later on that what was sung and told about the battle was not what actually happened. So I asked a witness, someone who was there, who knew about t it, she is here with us now. " He brought Nevri up to introduce her. "This is my Royal Guard, Nevri, she was my brother Rowan's second in command and a childhood friend of his. She was there. She witnessed it all. She accompanied him to the secret meetings. She kept their secret, as I believe Aelis' second kept his. She watched their love bloom much to her own broken heart as she too loved my brother. She verified what happened. That they fought, they killed other in their own loving embrace, giving each other their last breath, their last kiss, in hope that our people would stop the war, the violence, and madness. That the Gods would awaken and help stop what was happening. And they did. And here we are nineteen years later."

Rhonin was silent a moment, tapped on the book. Rhonin sighed sadly, in a way that it seemed to bring closure to himself. "It's all here. Who they were, how they grew together, and how they decided to die for the people they loved so dearly. I added the accounts of the battle to the end of it so the truth could be known."

He looked back up at the Butcher hoping he would meet his eyes. "Master Gilliard, I cannot bring her back. I cannot go back to the past and stop what had happened with our people. I cannot bring back the dead as much as I would love to do for both of our people. I can give you back these things of hers and tell you that she died loving you, her family, and her people, she died to stop the madness and bring peace to all of us. Beyond that, what you do with them is up to you and you alone. You are her father and have that right. Thank you for your time and service Master Gilliard."

Rhonin paused, took a step back, and waited to see if the Butcher just wanted them to leave or for them to stay and answer questions.

 

[Silverwings]

The butcher stared at the pendant now in his hand. He remembered the day he gave it to her. His little Aelis. She was already well trained when she came of age. Her golden hair had been tied in a high knot. He remembered the smile when she saw it. Holding her in a fatherly embrace. He remembered the way her amber eyes lit up when she opened the trinket box it was in.

The sword and shield that hung on the wall were the ones she had used in battle. The only thing he had left of his beloved Aelis, "My little girl.."

Romus lifted his eyes to the prince, soft tears filling them, "You brought my little girl home. Thank you.. If ever you need anything of me, I will willingly oblige. It is the least I can do for the gift you have given me."

Sevora was shocked to hear the story. To see the rugged older man tear up at the sight of the pendant. She had never known this story, but then, she never heard much about the war except for the few war stories and how it resulted in her being betrothed to Rhonin. She smiled a bit now, seeing the man become more open to the Ruvians.

 

[Eonivar]

Rhonin nodded at the man's reaction, tears ran down Nevri's face. Rhonin answered him. "You have given enough in your service and in your daughter's service, good sir. Continue to support your king and queen, and support your princess as you have been doing so your whole life. Support peace between our people. It is through the King and Queen's blessing that I am marrying your Princess," He smiled and looked towards Sevora, "This intelligent and beautiful Princess, and I then will be your Prince. After things settle down, I would love to sit down with you and speak of your daughter, so I may tell her story to others. She was a hero, and her story needs to be told to all, both Asterian or Ruvian. For now, thank you again for your time and service. Until next time." Rhonin bowed.

Rhonin waited for the Butcher to finish their food and return it to the Princess. They then turned and left. Rhonin touched Sevora's arm as they walked down the street. "Your Royal Highness, I apologize for not preparing you for that. You had mentioned his name and then went on in. We did not even realize he was here. We knew Aelis was common-born. It was a coincidence that we ended up crossing paths. Fortunately, it was one coincidence I had prepared for."

 

[Silverwings]

"I think this was something he needed. And I thank you. For being so kind to his even though he seemed to dislike you and your people," Sevora said with a soft smile. She found the man's selflessness to be an attractive feature. Something she herself strived for. He was already treating her own people as his own. Showing kindness and his own sort of grace, "Shall we find a nice shaded area to sit and eat? I know a beautiful spot."

Before the prince could answer, Sevora took his hand, leading him through the streets, weaving and winding past houses upon houses, being sure not to lose Nevri. Soon they came upon a large cherry blossom tree. The sweet smell of the blooms filled the area even before they could see it, and just as promised, the area had plenty of shade to keep the area nice and cool. Sevora smiled, "We can sit on the roots to eat. It will be nice."

 

[Eonivar]

The Prince of Ruvio quieted and followed along letting Sevora guide him to their spot to eat. The emotions of the last moment were still raw, and while he was good at not showing it, he was somewhat tense after the fact, and still hungry and hot. He so wanted to strip these clothes down to the bare minimum but he knew they could not do so here, he was unused to have his hair bound for so long and his head hurt some, but he was with Sevora and that pleased him. He had been doing pretty well as the long day had gone on, but he was beginning to weary.

He found a comfortable spot amongst the roots of the tree near Sevora and sat down with his legs spread out and his back against the tree.

 

[Silverwings]

"You look weary and tired," Sevora said, making a sandwich for the prince, "Should we get you more weather appropriate clothes next? So you aren't so hot? I can only imagine how unbearable it must be for the two of you to have to walk around in such warm clothing."

She handed him the sandwich and made another for Nevri, "Here, im sure you're hungry too."

She was quite for a moment before looking to the Prince and taking a hand, "Was that story true? About his daughter and your brother? Can you tell me about it?"

 

[Eonivar]

Nevri silently shrugged at the suggestion. She has been a soldier for most of her life and used to wearing armor in all sorts of weather. She was hot, yes, but she had learned to not let it bother her too much. She drank a lot of water. She reached over and handed her canteen to Rhonin to drink to make sure he would drink. Rhonin took it and drank. He was very obedient to her, his silent guardian.

Rhonin was well-traveled, but while trained to wear armor, preferred not to, particularly after he received his tattoos. Master Pallas had always told him that he did not need armor and that Rovun's connection with him would armor him. The leather armor he had worn when entering Asteria was mainly ceremonial worn at his father's request.

Still, their blood ran hot, and they clearly were not comfortable in the more temperate and warmer regions.

Rhonin grinned handing the canteen back to Nevri, before taking the sandwich in his other hand, as Sevora reached over to take his hand again. He enjoyed the fact that she would reach out to him physically when she wanted to connect. A very Ruvian thing to do. "Well normally we would just take our clothes off in Ruvio when it gets warm, particularly in the southern regions during the summer or around the warm hearthfires of our homes during the long winters, we admire our unadorned bodies, they are accepted and not taken for granted or as a suggestion for something else, but based on what you have said and what I can observe your people do not look upon the showing of one's body as accepted, at least it does not seem so. Our clothing tends on the heavier side with our climate, wools, furs, heavier linen and such. So I think lighter clothing would be appreciated here for me, I suspect Nevri will not want to change out of her armor though. But she has served as a soldier for many years and used to wearing her armor and clothing through many climates."

He took a bite out of his sandwich and chewed a bit. He was hungry but made sure to make sure he ate slowly. He then responded to her question regarding Aelis Gilliard.

"The story of Aelis and Rowan is all very true. Although it took me and my sister a few years to suss out the real story. Even though we were only five years old when Rowan passed, he left a strong memory with the two of us. We were born during the war. A war I think was started partially by the death of our eldest sister but I have never been able to discern a cause, and my parents will not speak of it. Rowan saw us as the hope to end the war. As the campaign grew closer and closer to Ruvio, he would be around more and spend what time he could with us as infants and toddlers. Rowan was very much like you in terms of being able to silence a room with just a look."


Rhonin looked far away, his violet eyes gazing in the vague past of his childhood. "His death and the end of the war came suddenly. Neither my sister nor myself remember that day well, other than being high up on the mountain looking down at our burning city, the rumbling of the mountain, the storm that came after, the smell of ash, and the crash of thunder. We still have nightmares about that night. And Rowan never came back to us, to sing to us, and dance with us as he usually did. To whisper and tell us of his love, always unnamed for fear of discovery. How she would enjoy the two of us and would love to meet us. We remember the funeral where his body was burned. He was just still and unmoving. Which was very unlike our dear brother who was always active and full of life and emotion, strong and powerful. He was our fire in the night that was taken away from us." Rhonin's eyes moistened and turned glassy. "Everytime I think I am over his loss, the sorrow returns. I am always afraid that i will forget him. Forget his face, his voice, the way he moved. And that the sorrow is just a way for me to remember him and not lose him forever." Nevri had turned away, not wanting to show how she felt.

Rhonin took a deep breath and squeezed Sevora's hand. "In dealing with our loss, when we learned to read, Reena and I started to look into who Rowan was. That is where we got to know Nevri. We found his things and started to go through them. I found his journal, it had been written up until the very day he died. It had everything. He had even written letters to be delivered to Aelis in someway in case of his death. He had drawn pictures of her, of us as little ones to show her." Rhonin reached into his satchel.

It was now that Sevora noticed that this satchel of his was odd. It did not appear to be of elven make. It was of faded brown leather. And that what he pulled out of it, did not seem to fit the size of the satchel. He pulled out a thick and good-sized book that had many ribbons and papers in it.

Rhonin grinned. "Rowan was a journaler, he liked to write his thoughts down on paper , the funny thing is that he was not the best at Storytelling, but he could write and draw well. He could fight and improvise in speech but telling a story was very hard for him unless he wrote it down first. "

He pulled out a paper and shown her a drawn picture of an elven man's, there was some semblance to Rhonin in the shape of his face and his smile, but he seemed different. "This was Rowan. A self-portrait I think." He pulled out another paper to show the picture of a sleeping elven woman in a cloak, it was colored. She had blond hair bound up in an Asterian military style. She recognized the coloring of her cloak and armor. "Aelis Gilliard, this is one of many of her, I think this was drawn when they first met."

 

[Silverwings]

As Sevora listened to the prince speaking on the emotional matter, she rested her head on his shoulder. Even in an emotional state, the prince had a way with story telling. She could listen for hours upon hours to him. It made her want to curl up like she would as a little girl listening to her mother read stories for the library.

Finally, when the prince pulled the journal from his satchel, Sevora picked her head back up, looking at the drawings. His brothers drawings were well done. She noted the similarity between Rhonin and his older brother. They shared the same nose, eyes, and chin, "You look just like your brother. You are both very handsome."

Even the drawing of Aelis was wonderful, "Oh, she is beautiful. She have a painting of her in the castle. She was one of the best knights we had during the war, according to my father. They had a painting done the last time she returned home. No one knew she'd never come home again. They couldn't afford to carry her home so they had to have her funeral in Ruvio at one of the makeshift camps my father had."

She frowned, the first of negative emotions she showed the prince. Even with negative emotions, her face was still gentle and inviting, "I dont want to see any more wars. Nothing good has ever come of them. It only results in unfortunate death and dwindling resources. I was happy when my father told me I would be marrying you. The idea that we may be able to end the warring was wonderful to me, and still is, though I know now that I'm older that it won't happen so quickly."

 

[Eonivar]

Rhonin emotions had seemed to settle some when he felt Sevora's head on his shoulder, he slowly let go of her hand and then reached around her to hold her.

As he looked down at his brother's picture. "Rowen was well-loved and respected, there were many in Ruvio that was hoping my father would step down and allow Rowan to become King as they thought he could stop the war, but others felt that giving in at that point in the war was a sign of weakness and continued. Alas, it ended tragically for everyone. I miss him. Mother has not been the same after he died. That was when my mother and father's parting began."

He paused shocked at the news that Aelis was not returned to Asteria for burial. It seemed to surprise him greatly. A look of concern crossed his face. He went to say something but he waited for Sevora to continue. This was something he was going to bring up later.

He listened and watched her, their faces were close. He saw her frown and his heart ached. He had set his food down and reached up and brushed her cheek with his other hand. His look softened at her mention of wanting to stop the wars. "No peace will not happen quickly, but it is still happening. And together we will make it happen." He wanted to lean in and kiss her but he was not sure if that was proper again. The last thing he wanted to do was to offend her by coming off too aggressive.

So there was this awkward moment with them. Face to face, staring at each other. When in doubt ask. He kind of whispered. "So Sevora...what am I allowed to do here? Can I kiss you or do I have to wait? I really want to kiss you. I know we have met this morning. But...you are intoxicating. And we are getting married...."

 

[Silverwings]

Sevora smiled at the mention and admittance of him wanting to kiss her, blushing lightly. They would be married soon, "I believe it is appropriate to kiss in this instance, my prince."

The way she said the words were no longer in a form of respect alone. The way she had said My prince now, served as an endearing term. Something that expressed some form of affection. It would serve as a more formal term than what one may say to a lover they'd known for years My love or My dear.

Sevora smiled, leaning gently into the hand on her cheek. Asterians weren't normally affectionate with touch, but Sevora seemed to enjoy it. The constant gentle touches pleased her. Making her feel as though she were special, not just because she was a princess, but as a person. This was a Ruvian tradition that she wanted to pick up.

 

[Eonivar]

Rhonin paused at this moment, remembering every part of the woman's face before his eyes. His eyes around a moment to remember the place they were in, and those present. He would draw this moment. He would always remember it, probably until the day he would leave this world.

He leaned in ever so slowly and brought his lips to hers. Rhonin remembered an entry that his brother Rowan made in his journal when he first kissed Aelis. He made a remark about the interesting comfort of his warm and her cooler lips coming together. Later on in his journal, Rowan would make the same remark regarding when they were touching or holding each other. Rowan had remarked that it felt when they were together it was the perfect temperature to live. The perfect feeling of two souls who were meant to be together.

Rhonin lingered long in their kiss. He could not agree more. Her lips felt so right, so comfortable. After what seemed to be an eternity and yet not long enough, Rhonin reluctantly let go and released, a bit nervous, a bit exhilarated, completely in love. He smiled and shut his eyes and leaned his forehead against hers, and then kind of nuzzled her, brushing his cheek against her, before opening them again and gazing into her eyes some more.

 

[Silverwings]

Sevora closed her eyes to the kiss. It was some so new. The warmth of his lips on hers. The feeling in her heart. She smiled as the kiss continued. And when it broke, her eyes opened, shining more than they had before. They seemed brighter and happier. She giggles a bit as the prince nuzzled her cheek. Another Ruvian form of affection she found herself enjoying, "That was wonderful. I never would have expected anything like it. "

She found herself with her hand of Rhonin's chest. It came naturally. The affection and gentle touches. It was new but seemed so familiar. She felt as though something guided her to be affectionate in this way, "It feels so natural to be this way. To touch and kiss like this."

 

[Eonivar]

The rest of the evening continued mainly with more kissing, touching of their faces (not the hair), and holding hands. They walked back to the castle after the sun had gone down and the moon, Asteria's light, shown down on them, lighting their way back, and showing them her favor. There was a long lingering kiss goodnight in the shadows of the towers before they went off to their respective rooms to dream of the days to come and look forward to the coming day to where they would no longer sleep alone.

Rhonin was exhausted as he returned to his room, his mind lingered on Sevora...his mother saw him and asked him how it went. Rhonin smiled at his mother. His mother knew immediately how he felt and smiled back at him, pleased. "Go to sleep, you will see her tomorrow."

Rhonin slept well, Rhonin never dreamed visual dreams, his dreams were of feeling, sounds, smells, and touch. He heard Sevora's voice calling him, the touch of her lips, the smell of her skin, and the coolness of her hands.

Rhonin was allowed to sleep in with the celebration occurring that evening and probably was going to go into the next morning, which was to celebrate Rhonin's and Sevora's betrothal, the arrival of the Ruvian delegation, and the end of the conflict between Asteria and Ruvio.

 

[Silverwings]

The long night for the two made for an easy night's sleep. Sevora was more than exhausted from the day's excitement and fell asleep quite quickly. Her dreams filled with Rhonin's smile and voice. His warmth surrounding her and his lips on hers. After only one day, the princess found herself excited for thw wedding to come.

In the morning, Sevora found herself awake early as usual. However, today would not be as calm. She was ushered to a bath where the servants would wash her hair for her. After was the fitting of her gown. It was long and made with such a light fabric that Sevora looked almost ethereal. Even after the gown was finished and taken back off of her, the seamstress took to starting on the Wedding gown for the wedding to come. Sevora found her entire morning to be filled with the seamstresses' time. This was something the princess found to be quick boring.

 

[Eonivar]

Rhonin's day started around mid-morning when he awoke along and then went through his meditation and exercise routine (sans clothes) in the privacy of his own room. The combination of mental exercises, stretches, meditation, and forms essential for him to maintain the balance of the power bestowed upon him by Rovan. He knew he probably would not have much opportunity in the coming days to do what he preferred to start his day out on (although it was odd for him as it was later in the morning and he was used to getting up before the dawn). The rest of the day was in discussion with his parents, and preparation for the celebration in the evening.

The sound of Ruvian music, drums, rain sticks, bells, and voices echoed from the guest wing as they practiced and prepared their dance offerings and presentations. While they understood that they were primarily observing the Asterian traditions, they thought it was fitting to offer them a taste of Ruvian dance and to tell their story, as it seemed to the Ruvians that the Asterians did not know much of their history. Some of the veteran Asterians tensed as the Ruvian war drums were a part of the way they used sound to intimidate their enemies. Rhonin delighted in the practice and workout of these dances which he would be taking a part in. They came back easily to him, he had been doing these dances and presentations since he was small. They had planned them back at Hearthhome when he had returned from his wandering. He enjoyed the workout and the sweat and the dance and vocalizations that came with them. He was excited to be able to present and dance for Sevora, hoping she would enjoy them and that they would please her, and maybe bring more understanding of the Ruvian people to the Asterian.

One of the Asterian servants, a friend of Sevoras, had peeked in on the practice and reported back to Sevora her observations. "The Ruvians, while they practiced, were very, unclothed, your Royal Highness, the Prince and the men participating, wore just a set of short pants and nothing else. The women wore a leather band around their chest, and skirts to permit movement. They all had their hair down like a commoner, which I understand is the Ruvian way, but I am still getting used to it. Of course, I believe they just wore this attire for practice and they would have more formal clothing for the celebration. They are all tattooed, the Prince was the most of all, and his tattoos seemed to glow from time to time. I think he will be showing some of his power in the presentation tonight." The Servant blushed some. "The Prince is very handsome and very strong. He could perform stretches of very impressive flexibility, he is athletic and graceful, and acrobatic. They all seemed to have been dancing their whole lives. Even their Guards are participating in the dance, and their Queen as well. I suspect that they will show us quite a spectacle tonight."

After a few hours of preparation, he and his parents and their attendants were assigned an Asterian expert to teach them the traditions and dances they would need to understand and take part in this celebration as well as the wedding. It was mostly done with Master Pallas and Rhonin translating but the Ruvians with their long traditions in dance and ceremony picked up the Asterian styles and dances quickly.

After that was a bath, a meal, and then dress for the evening to come.

 

[Silverwings]

Sevora could hear the pounding of the drums from her room, and wondered of the events that were unfolding elsewhere in the palace. She was finding herself bored just before her servant and friend came scurrying into the room, telling her of the things she saw the Ruvian's doing. Hearing of these things made Sevora giggle and blush. Rhonin is a powerful man, She thought as the woman spoke of his glowing marks and movements. She smiled, "Perhaps I should be preparing a dance as well."

She giggled lightly, knowing there wouldn't be enough time to practice a dance now. Though, she knew of one song all Asterians knew the dance to. A song everyone would recognize quickly, "Perhaps I should request at celebratory song be played. Go ask for the festival drums to be brought out."

The servant giggle and curtsied before running out to the king to tell him of the princess's request. With a nod, the request would be filled, making servants bring out the festival drums and the king hiring drummers last minute. Hearing of the approval of her request, Sevora cheered in her room, hugging the servant, "Oh this is wonderful news! I can't wait for Rhonin to see our cultural dances! He hope he will enjoy it."