unwanted treaty. (( for scy, mature R,.))

The moment that golden sun peeked its lovely rays over the horizon, Aodhan was up, the son of the General for the royal army, he had his own spread of land plus a two story house all to himself. Though he was not one to just sit about and be lazy while enjoying the gifts and such from his father and the royal family. He owned his right to the land by fighting along side his father, this year however, he was allowed to stay home and work his land and help with the shortage of food the town was having. Three month's into it he was definitely enjoying the feel of working his own land along side a few of the other workers, already he could tell that the crops he had grown would help tremendously with the shortage of food.

Granted he couldn't grow everything so he took the logical step and made sure he had the healthier things like, wheat and such for flour and bread, then corn and perhaps a few other vegetables.. He also had a ton of chickens which , every day he checked, and he only kept a small portion of the eggs before sending the rest to the market to sell. Whatever didn't get sold he gave away to the families who didn't have the money for it, or if it was able to be stored without going bad, it would be stored in the silo bins for the hard winter's ahead.

He made his breakfast quickly , just a small meal of scrambled egg's a few bacon strips and fresh bread with freshly made juice. he only took about ten minutes to eat, clean his mess up before sitting down and pulling on his work boots, it was going to be another hot day but he didn't mind. . reaching over he slid on a light colored button up shirt, though left the buttons undone as he walked outside, smiling as his men where already there working away on the weed's in the field's . The workers lived on the property as well. They had a small housing unit to the left which had everything they needed, kitchen, rooms and washroom's and such.

Stretching his muscles he waved to the workers before picking up the baskets and spent the first hour going from coop to coop, hand picking out the eggs, before sending those freshly gathered egg's to the early morning market. Then came the hard stuff, after a few words with his workers and some laughing together, he picked up several tools before setting to work for the next six hours on de-weeding several rows and rows of crops, then went around and checked the progress of the corn. making a mental note that in the next week or so they would be ready for picking. Sometime during the six hours he had taken his shirt off, muscles bunching with each swing of the hoe or whatever tool he was working with. sweating like a dog from the heat of the sun. . Taking a small break he leaned on the hoe and whipped his forehead with a clothe from his pocket when he noticed the palace messenger coming up on his horse.. frowning , he wondered what was going on since currently there was no fighting at the moment between both sides. they where at a stand still and currently working on a treaty. for what, he didn't know. At the sight of the messenger though he got a sinking feeling in his gut..'' i seriously hope your bringing me some good news there mister."

The Hadrian messenger looked a little worse for wear. Granted, he'd been given fresh horses between stops, but he himself was exhausted. His cape was tattered and a bit on the dirty side, and he armor was in need of a good spit and polish. He scowled, though not necessarily with Aodhan. He had fought in the war as hard as any on either side.
"Well, that depends on your point of view, sir." he said. "If you look at it as a way to finally end the war and possibly begin the healing process, then yes, it's very good news. But, if one is loyal to thier country it's not the best news, and if one despises the other side then it's horrible news. But good, fair, or horrible, the news is that you, sir, are summoned to Castle Hadri, to finalize the treaty between Hadri and Askyia by marriage, to our Princess Sarriana. This is the will of your father, your king, and our queen. Accepting is mandatory. You will be expected to arrive within a week. Failure to do so will be seen as violation of the treaty and considered an act of war."
The messenger scowled. "Trust me, I hate it as much as you do. I would rather see my princess die than be married to some Esky. But I am loyal to my queen, and tire of seeing my brothers in arms fall on the field to die slowly."

He arched a brow as the messenger began to go on and on about how one can take the news.. tightening his hand on the handle of the hoe, he side'' get on with it , Hadrian. '' grumbled under his breath. before his look soured even more at the news finally being giving him and he tried his damn hardest not to give the Hadrian messenger a dark scowl. . in fact the only thing he did was slowly relax and raised a dark brow at his own scowling and hateful words.. '' really now? .. what, think your princess is not worthy of a general's son?" , the messenger was pretty much insulting him by his words, even if he wasn't meaning too, out the corner of his eyes he could see some of his workers give a sour look and stand up straighter as if to defend their boss and friend. shaking his head to get them to relax , he turned his gaze to the messenger'' so be it.. tell. them i will be arriving in one week at the date they requested. ''

Oh he was far from happy about this, he didn't mind getting married, but he seriously would have liked to have his own pick. and to the other side's princess?, that wasn't very appealing either. But he was loyal to his people and would do what he needed to do to ensure peace among them.. he was only marrying the woman, he didn't have to bed her, which was fine with him. '' your dismissed'' with that he turned away from the messenger, affectively ignoring him now as he picked up the farming tool and set it back against the side of the house as he headed up the stairs to his home to wash up and prepare for what was to come. he was pretty sure that once the princess found out, she would be just as pissed as he was.

"With honor, sir." the messenger said. Oh he'd meant every word, and he despised the very idea of his beloved princess wed to this... this... fiend from Askyia. He wheeled his horse around and galloped off, groaning with the knowledge that before he could go home he would have to visit the Eskies' royals once again.

Meanwhile, across the border and miles away, a very pissed princess was slamming things about in her room. Sarriana, right now, wished that she was anything but a princess. She'd always dreamed about who she'd marry, but in those dreams it wasn't some Esky son of a jackal. She hated to see her beloved soldiers fall, but the destruction of her room and just about every other room in Castle Hadria, and all the empty spots in her private soldiers' lineup served as a reminder of how much she hated their kind.
"Damn Eskies....." she growled as she sorted through the wreckage that had once been her bedchamber. "Can't even leave a girl a decent place to sleep."
It had been two days since the messenger had returned, and her would-be husband was due to arrive either today or tomorrow, and she was livid. "Bastard isn't touching me." she promised herself.
There was a knock on the door. "And what do you want?" Sari demanded.
"Highness, your mother--"
"Tell my mother that I am not in a place to see her right now."
"But highness--!"
"YOU ARE DISMISSED, SIR!!"
When the head of household had left, she slammed and locked her door and went to a special place under her bed, actually crawling under it on her belly.
Ever since Sari had been a small child, she'd always hid under the bed. Even played under there with her dolls. Of course, she'd always been the odd sort, having her dolls be soldiers and fighting to save Hadri from every foe. It wasn't until later that she'd made this playtime fantasy a grim reality.
She didn't hide under the bed anymore--she was too big and could barely scoot along on her belly, but in the back corner and just inside her bedpost, she lifted a loose floorboard there.
One small consolation--her most precious treasures were still safely tucked away beneath it, right where she'd left them. She pulled out a journal, and backed out from under the bed, her dress dusty with the effort but her spirit lifted a little.
Sarriana then got up and sat at the remnants of her desk, and began to scribble and scrawl furiously to her one true confidante.

He took the few days he could to pack and get things settled, left a list for his workers to do and keep an eye out, after all he didn't want his crops going bad before he even got back. Once that was done he saddled up his horse and now made his way to the Hadri's castle. He still wasn't happy by the whole ordeal but he was being a man about it, taking it with pride, though swearing he wouldn't touch the woman.

Once he arrived and climbed off his stallion he was lead into the main hall, where he could easily hear the destruction of a room up the stairs, not knowing what it was he ignored it as he spotted the queen and actually gave the first bit of a smile, he liked the Queen, like his Queen, she was a smart woman, and if rumors where right, she was the one who was trying to put an end to the whole bloody war.. in his full gear ((outfit in the picture)). he stood straighter and gave a respective bow to her. '' at your request ma'am, i am here.. '' he was being extremely polite, better then what he had done with the messenger that was for sure.

The Queen, Gail, was a level-headed sort. She'd spent most of her life trying to undo her father's wretched war, all over trading rights and a dammed up river. She Cringed every time she recalled how many lives had been lost, on both sides, because of her father's idiocy.
She was a pleasant, middle-aged woman who looked tired and tattered, and who looked every bit the single parent of a headstrong daughter who'd rather be out riding and fighting with her men than stuck inside ruling a kingdom.
But when her brother had died in his infancy, struck down by the same illness that nine years later had killed her husband and left Gail a widowed mother to an eight-year old, she'd had no other choice. Sarriana was the sole heir to the Hadrian crown, and Gail had had to raise her to fill not only her role as a princess but to take up the responsibilities her elder brother would have had.
When she saw the strapping youth before her, she analyzed him. This was actually the first time she'd seen him and now was grateful that she'd selected him over another high-ranking suitor--she would have selected the Askyian crown prince but due to the fact that not only had he left her castle in thew ruined state it was in and that it had been Sari's hand that had dealt the blows that later killed him, before she'd been dragged away by her soldiers, that, of course, was a complication.
"hello, young man." she said. "My apologies for not providing a better welcoming party but as you can see--"
There was a shout from the men that were at work repairing the throne room, and a beam they'd been trying to lift began to fall, straining against the pulleys.
On instinct, Gail quickly rose from her broken throne and raced over, catching the beam as it fell and struggling to hold her ground. She locked her stance, and with her pushing up from the base and the men pulling it up from the top, the disaster was averted and Gail, panting slightly, and inspecting a splinter she'd just now gotten, continued to speak.
"....we're in a state of chaos at the moment."
She wiped the sweat from her pretty brow then turned to face her future son in law once more. "I also apologize ahead of time and on behalf of my daughter. She's trying to fix her room from the raid, and has been in a terribly foul mood for weeks. Even more so when I told her about your King's condition for the treaty... But at least the young man I see before me is a good one, from the looks of you. Perhaps you can tame m wild daughter for me--heaven knows I've been trying for years. Come, I will take you to her."

Seeing the beam fixing to fall and the queen rushing over to help, made him like her more, he moved over as well to help with it and when it was no longer in risk of falling again he straighted up once more and carefully eyed the queen. " well thank you m'lady. i assure you though, i was not among those that raided your lovely home . '' in fact he would rather tie the other side up rather then kill them. he tried to save as many lives as he could but if he was forced to take a life, he wouldn't regret it. " do you need any more help here?" he eyed the state of the chaos before turning his gaze back to her before smiling wide.. " well thank you again M'lady. i assure you i am not as bad as some people think i am. "

he took in everything, how she looked and how tired she seemed to be, looking down at her hand he held his own out '' i can get that for you if you like?" he motioned to the splinter, he had plenty and knew how to skillfully take them out without a single bit of pain. .. he arched a brow when she spoke of her daughter, and inward he gave a sigh. . before frowning'' well i can try and teach her some things,.. '' he frowned slightly before giving a small smile.'' if i may suggest though.. once we wed.. i take her back to my home?.. its the best place i can think of to start teaching her things.. if you are worried for her safety m'lady i have no problem with you coming to visit whenever you wish, i have the room. .. its just.. '' he glanced around and grimaced slightly '' i would not feel comfortable living here, with well.. everyone hating what i am.. i would end up having to watch my back instead of focusing on teaching your daughter.. and i assure you she will not be harmed in my care."

Gail, curious now, tentatively offered him her splintered hand. "...In fact, I was about to ask you about that, young man." she said, arching a brow at his method. "It may seem cruel, but I think it's best for Sari to get away from here for a while. And rest assured she's not afraid to get her hands dirty, as I believe she's shown us. She would always rather be out riding and hunting with her soldiers than attending the duties of a princess. I believe that once you crack her stubborn shell, she'll be a good wife for you."
She flexed her hand once it was free of the invasive thorn, and then put it at her side. "Come, young Aodhan. It's time you met her."

Sarriana had calmed down a bit now. Writing in her journal always helped. As she heard the voices coming down the castle hallway, she sighed, and ducked under her bed quickly enough to stash the book in its place before busying herself with repairs.

"...Well, I don't think Sari will be much more comfortable in Askyia than you in Hadri, young man. After all, as i regret, it was her hand that slayed your prince. I feel terrible for your princess."
Gail knocked, and with a muttered "Come in," she opened the door and escorted Aodhan inside.
Sari's eyes widened a little--she hadn't been expecting a handsome fiance`, but that didn't change her mind. She dusted off her dress, then spoke with a calm voice to the queen, "Mother, might you leave us alone for a bit? I'm sure we have much to discuss, my fiance` and I."
Gail raised her eyebrow. She had a notion that despite the calm in her daughter's voice, her conviction was anything but calm. But, if they were to be married, then they needed to be able to talk to each other.
"Very well. I will go help the men in the hallway."
With that, the queen saw herself out, and vanished just as she said she would.

Sarriana cleared her throat. "So you are the one?"

he smiled, sliding his fingers lightly over her palm before he was able to carefully pull the thorn out, when she took her hand back he listened to her words'' true. but then again where i live, is not a castle full of guards and such.. My land is just a simple plot. large house , which only i live in so she won't be surrounded by others like me.. my workers have their own housings.. "

he followed her up the stairs, keeping calm as he gave another nod of understanding. " well good. that means she won't be too uncomfortable with some of the chores we will be doing at the house'' he gave a gentle smile'' unless she is afraid of wee little weeds. " when they stepped into the room he arched a brow at her reaction to him, as well as her demand they be left alone. something he wasn't sure would be a good idea. but oh well.

Once her mother left he slid his gaze over to her. ''mmm so it would seem. " he stayed still, letting her stare all she wanted as he looked her over. she was pretty , but it didn't change the fact that it was her hand that delt the death blow to the prince. something he was definitely not liking.

Sari got in a good look at her fiance`, then sat down, then spoke.
"Make yourself comfortable. As you can see my room is in shambles at the moment, so I'm afraid you may have to improvise."
She straightened her skirts and pulled them down, then spoke again. "I don't like this arrangement, and I have a feeling that neither do you. But we do it for the future of our peoples, and to counteract my grandfather's psychotic war. Therefore, I look at our marriage as an engagement into a business partnership and nothing else. However, I have no intention of being bedded by you. Feel free to find a mistress, and I will attend my needs with a man of my choosing."
Yes, she was a bold and brash one, but one thing she had inherited from her mother was a level head. Her recklessness had come from her father--leading to an interesting clash of traits.
"Then there is the matter of your prince, which I know your country remains angry with me for. I want you to know up front that I had no qualms with your prince, until he invaded my home like a common criminal in the dead of night. And like the she-wolf defends her young, so too did I defend what is mine."

He arched a brow, still standing.. '' no thanks, i will stand. '' he was polite as he declined, glancing around before looking back at him, trying not to be irked by her words of his prince. he had to keep from gritting his teeth together, though earlier he had said he wouldn't bed her and find satisfaction elsewhere, though now he was changing his mind . holding a hand up he narrowed his eyes'' lets just hold it right there missy... yes this marriage is a partner ship, a different kind of course, but if you think your going to go sleep around with other men, best think again.. wouldn't want everyone thinking i was just letting you tarnish my image like that now would we?" going to stand in front of her he watched her. before giving a half smirk. '' you either share my bed, or get no satisfaction at all. your pick, because i warn you , and give you my word that if i find out another man has touched you , i will skin him alive..i promise you that. '' leaning close to make his point he spoke again , his voice low and deadly.. '' don't care if its men on my side.. or yours.. you want to cause more blood shed, then go ahead.. sleep around.. don't say i didn't warn you .. "

Moving away from her and standing near the door again he casually slid his fingers over the hilt of his sword.. '' by the way, once the marriage is over you are coming with me to my home. your mother has already aproved, i already assured her that if she was worried for your safety she can come and visit any time she wants, you will not be harmed while in my care by me, nor anyone who works for me or for that matter, anyone on my side.. i suggest you pack sooner, rather then later because i am not a very patient man.'' with that he left the room, letting her stew on that.. *first lesson little princess,, you don't always get what you want* he gave a slight smile at that thought, he was going to teach her yet, and he always made good on his promises, he didn't know why he suddenly changed his mind, but now that he put more thought into it, he started to think it was a good idea to keep her from sleeping around.

Sari leaned back, eyes narrowed, as he moved in, invading her personal space. She listened to his little monologue, then instead of letting him pull away she firmly but delicately pushed him away. "Kindly do not get that close to me until I am your property, General's Son."
But when he made his proclamation about taking her to his country, and left before she could retort, she bristled. Sarriana peeked around the corner to where her fiance` was slipping down the hallway, and she did a little slipping of her own, opening the secret passageway that led out of her room, and following it to where she needed to go. As a child, she'd played in these tunnels, and even before she'd been required to, she had them memorized, a virtual map in her head.
Quietly slipping out of an exit tunnel, she came out into a tapestried nook where once there's been a suit of armor, now just a rusted pile of scrap metal.
Not touching the metal that would give her away, she produced two knives from within her bodice--how she was keeping them there comfortably she'd never tell--and listened.
When the arrogant steps of her fiance where passing by her nook, she lashed out, and grabbed him, one blade at his throat, the other at his gut, and before he could make a sound she whirled him around, and back inside the passage, the wall sealing shut behind them with a dull, resonant THUD, one that carried a tone of the finality of a crypt.
The passage behind the wall was more of a room, and even had a few shafts of light flooding the dusty floor, from tiny holes in the mortar designed to let in air should the royals be forced to hide within it for a while. From the outside, the skillful masonry made the holes invisible to the unknowing eye.
Sari kept the blades in line with his vitals, and spoke again, using the same diplomatic tone she had before.
"If you want me in your bed, then fine. But what is to stop me, I wonder, from slitting your throat in the middle of the night and leaving your handsome corpse for the nocturnal tribes?"

He had just rounded the corner when he felt the cold steal blades against his throat and belly before being yanked around, his fingers already circled around he offending wrists and jerked them away, though if it made her feel better he didn't use alot of force in it. considering he had enough time, thankfully to release who the hell it was before he had drawn his own weapon.

his back against the wall and in a matter of seconds he was already assessing where he was at before he narrowed his eyes and resisted the urge to shove her away and pin her hands against the wall . '' for one you little shit. you better stop and think what your damn actions are doing. you kill me and you will never stop this damn war, do you not have any brains what so ever in that pretty thick head of yours? . '' he leaned close, tightening his hold on the hand that held the blade to his throat before his other hand went and grabbed the blade at his belly , giving it a few quick twists to disarm her, not caring he was slicing his own hand up. before flinging the blade aside, leaving her just that one if she so desired to keep it as he leaned forward.. '' and another you best remember i am a general's son, highly trained better then any other soldier, think twice before pulling stunts like this again otherwise next time my blade may bury itself in your belly before i even know who it is that is attacking me. now are we done with this silly nonsense or do you wish to keep on going?"

She yelped as her wrists were twisted, but she was smiling. He had just passed the test. She listened to his words, and then said,
"And remember that I too am a soldier, my dear."
Then her whole persona switched, and her real self came through.
"And you've passed the test. It was worth the risk, but I had to be sure you could handle the situation."
She held up the other 'blade'. "Look at this. It's not even real. It's little more than the spun fiberglass our soldiers used to use in the tips of thier lances in tournament." She took it then and smashed it against the wall, where it shattered into a hundred harmless pieces. She also motioned with her eyes to the other blade, which had also shattered.
"Allow me to re-introduce myself. I am the Princess Sarriana of a broken kingdom that's been destroyed. I have nothing but the land I walk upon, and the fiance` I've been promised. Truth is, the arrangement was my idea, as was the treaty. I'm the one who suggested ending the war through our marriage."
She wriggled herself free of him, rubbing her aching wrists. "My mother and I made an agreement with each other to end this war. Truth is, I feel terrible about being the one to slay your prince. He was a good man--but too quick to follow his advisers' ideas. He never arranged the attack on my home. Our spies learned that it was someone who still stands within your court, a twistedly cruel man called Tuchax. It wasn't until after the attack and his death that we learned your prince was trying to stop the attack."
She lowered her eyes, looking upset. "I was only doing what I thought was right, and His Highness was innocent of the matter. I feel so guilty about it. And about leaving your princess without her brother."
She gently moved to pick up his hand, and trail her fingers along the cut in his palm.
"So I suggested to Mother the best way to end my grandfather's nonsense, by blood. Now, it was your king who suggested you, but the marriage was my idea, and I go into it willingly. My mother and I only put up the charade to test you. Many Hadrians will want you dead. They feel that thier princess is to be soiled by an 'Esky'. I had to make sure that they're assassination attempts would fail."

He gave a slight snort to her being a soldier comment, since of course, soldiers where not stupid enough to sneak on another soldier during a peace treaty, it just wasn't right. but he held his tongue. which became alot easier to do as his eyes widened at her words.and the more she spoke the more stunned he got, standing there a bit speechless as she took his hand and rubbed it.

He was still working his mind around the fact that those blades where shattered and the little stunt she just pulled.. he didn't know whether or not to be pissed or embarrassed.. he was going to take pissed, cause frankly he couldn't stand being embarrassed. Scowling at her he glanced away and held still as she tended to his hand, her touch , surprisingly gentle. Though when she mentioned Tuchax, he turned and narrowed his eyes at her again .. '' uh huh. though i can understand why you two did this, but don't hold it against me if i am a little pissed off lady. '' mumbled, he may have relaxed a little but he was suspicious, and who could blame him? he just got the worlds biggest scheme set upon him and he fell for it. though granted he passed, still. what a way to make a man feel like a horses ass.. .

Turning back to her he forced himself to relax a little, flexing his fingers a little on the hand she had. '' next time, try not to pull a stunt like this in the future, i may not be so forgiving. only so much a man can take. "

"...I would be alarmed if you weren't angry." she said, wrapping his hand with a kerchief she pulled from her dress. "I'm not very good with healing; just the basics. My mother's a genius in it though."
She finished tying up her fiance`'s hand, then femininely sat on the flagstones. "It will be nice to ride out into the fields and see the wheat grow strong, not charred by flames; to see villages come back to life; to see little children playing on the rocks by the creek....." she said thoughtfully. "I've... actually never seen any of those things. My whole life our countries have been at war."
She looked up at him, the man with whom she would end all the suffering, and said, "I just want to see happiness. True happiness."
She looked him over, the dusty shafts of greyish yellow light casting exotic shadows upon him, and making a handsome man appear even more so. Then she pointed to the wall, and dropped her gaze.
"The fifth blue stone from the floor opens the wall again, if you're ready to leave."

he watched, even as she wrapped his hand, he couldn't keep his eyes off her, not sure why, maybe he was still a little cautious.. any soldier would be.. flexing his fingers again he shrugged'' it will heal just fine. just another mark of battle so to speak.'' he shrugged before leaning casually against the wall as well.. '' we can leave whenever you want to leave i suppose.. its your hiding place after all.. all though'' he glanced around again, then back to her, '' i would suggest we find somewhere out of here that is not out in the open, wouldn't want your people thinking you are trysting with the enemy before you are even wedded.. '' he had a point, last thing he wanted to do was make them think their princess is some harlot.

She was surprised when he didn't leave straight away. Then she smiled and blushed a little at his comment. "You have a good point there. But needless to say, I've had the tunnels memorized for as long as I can remember. I can take you to one exit while I emerge from another somewhere else."
She rubbed her wrists again, then said, "And you don't have to stay if you don't want to, really. I just... feel safer in these tunnels."

he arched a brow, watching her rub her wrists before sighing, reaching over and slid his fingers over her wrist as he pulled it forward gently to get a look at it, he hadn't twisted it or anything, his grip had probably been a bit too tight. he hadn't meant to , she surprised the hell out of him when she did that. ." your going to have to leave these tunnels sometime you know, your mom might send in a search party for you,. but i can stay as long as you want me to stay. '' though he knew they had to do the whole marriage thing sooner or later and her mother might not like it if they dissappeared for a while.

Sari watched him intently as he studied her sore wrists. No, he hadn’t twisted them. Not too badly anyway; not enough to make them swell. Jut hurt. But she supposed that was her own damn fault, but she had to make sure that he could ward off assassins.
“Well, you have a point I guess. As much as I’d like to sit here and get to know better the man I’m marrying, we don’t need any speculation. But I suppose in three days it won’t matter much anymore. But at least now you know who you’re getting, and I can rest better knowing that you know the truth. If we’re going to make this work we both have to be fully aware of the dangers we face.”
She stood up then, dusting off her already dusty skirts, and took his hand. And, though she wasn’t feeling bold enough to admit it right now, the princess was actually looking forward to her wedding in three days, considering as she said she and her fiance` were on the same page.
“Come on, then.” She led him down a series of stairs, and into some caverns. Of course, as she was supposed to she knew these passages like the back of her hand, and she guided him out of the caverns and to an artificial entrance.
“This will let you out near the stables. I’m going to back track and head for my room, so no one will question it.”
She touched a trinity symbol etched in the stone, and the pressure switch lifted up. She turned it a hundred and eighty degrees, and with a whoosh of air, the stone cracked open, revealing the old doorway.
“I’ll see you later, Aodhan. And remember, no one else knows our secret. So please act appropriately, alright?”

bloody woman is full of surprises he couldn't help that thought but seriously. she was. " being smart, of course i have a point. " he gave a slight grin at that, before lightly rubbing her wrist one last time before she took a hold of his hand and lead him down the passageways, of course it too was a bit of a shock to him that she actually grabbed his hand, for some reason he just couldn't see her as the nice type, but apparently she was.

Once they reached the end of wherever they where at, and she once again spoke, he rolled his eyes. " i am not daft woman.. i know how to keep secrets. " he glanced at the door, still alittle impressed with it before he looked back at her and sighed" alright, just.. try not t get lost will you ?. i know you know this place but seriously . i would hate to have to come back in here in search of that lovely arse of your's all because you went and got lost..." he frowned" think i would get lost in this bloody place too." sighed before stepping out of the doorway and glanced around then back at her. " three days.. then we leave this place. "

and with that he turned and headed to the front of the castle once again, he might have been a little gruff with her, but hell, she layed one hell of a whopper on him and he was still reeling from it. He didn't know what he was going to do for the next three days, he certainly didn't want to stay here that was for sure since he kept feeling like he had a stinking target on his back. . He was itching to get back home and sink his fingers into the dirt to work the land.

Shaking his head he headed back inside the castle and sought out the queen, he would ask if there was anything he could do to help while he was here till the wedding. and maybe, tell her that her daughter as one mean streak in her.

Her emotional high faded a little when he reminded her that she wouldn’t be staying at home—she wouldn’t feel much more comfortable there than he would here. She had, after all, killed their prince.
But, nonetheless she manned up and put a smile on her face.
She laughed at his comment about her getting lost, and then after they parted she quickly, not getting lost, made her way back through the caverns and corridors until she found the one that opened onto her room. Slipping into the comfort of a room nearly put back together, she spent her time relaxing, writing in her diary, and straightening out her things until the place looked decent enough again. Though some things would never go away, like the burn marks in her rugs, and the scuffs in the stone of her walls.

~~~~~

Gail was back in her throne room, up on the scaffolding as she helped the men finish their repairs for the day.
When Aodhan made his way back, one of the men cleared his throat and got his queen’s attention, and Gail smiled down at him from her precarious perch.
“You’re back earlier than I expected. Did everything go alright?”

He gave a small smile to the queen as he found her in the Throne room, looking up at her he arched a brow. " ma'am you really shouldn't be up there. if you like i can take your place up there and finish the repairs. i wouldn't want you to get hurt and i am pretty sure your loyal subjects would feel the same way." he glanced tot he men then returned his gaze back to Gail. " better then i expected.. though granted she does have some fire in her, and meaner then a rattle snake but nothing i can't handle."

he glanced around slightly before unhooking his sword from his waist and set it gently aside, waiting for her to get down so he could take her place." i am sure you have much to do around here and i would be glad to help. for the remainder of my time here. "

Gail was liking the lad more and more. “Oddly enough, young Aodhan, even though my subjects would agree with your observations, I wouldn’t feel comfortable if I didn’t help. But I do appreciate your offer.”
With surprising skill, the queen climbed down.
With his remark about her daughter, she laughed heartily. “I’ve been telling her that for years. She’s as stubborn as I was at her age—though she got a lot of it from her father.”
She straightened her dress, then spoke again.
“Come with me, Aodhan. I would prefer you to be well rested, because I have something I wish to discuss with you concerning tomorrow.”
She led him away from the throne room, and into the unoccupied grand foyer. Then she turned to him and said, “Young man, I know you aren’t thrilled to be here; feeling unwelcome and looked at by some as a scoundrel, all because you were born on the other side. Some will try and assassinate you, trying to ‘free’ their princess from Askyian clutches.
“And as reluctant as I am to see my daughter leave and go to a place where she will be sneered as much you here, I know her. And I know that waiting only makes her antsy and of foul temper. And that’s no way to enjoy one’s wedding night. As such, if you have no complaints I am moving the wedding to tomorrow. You will spend the night here where she’s comfortable, and then the day after you may take her and return to your homeland.”

He arched a brow, getting more curious as he watched her climb down, following her lead however he picked up his sword once again , not wanting to lose it as he strapped it back on. " i doubt i will rest well but i think i can manage. " he gave a small smile as he followed her into the foyer. stopping only when she stopped. he shrugged at her description of what some might do. " understandable. . oh?"

now he was definitely curious to see what she had to say. crossing his arms over his chest he waited and listened patiently , frowning as she spoke of wanting to move the wedding up. " well, wouldn't want to make her wait i suppose. " he arched a brow as she mentioned it not being a way to enjoy a wedding night. " No offense ma'am but i doubt she would want to touch or be touched on our wedding night.." he glanced around before leaning forward., keeping his voice low. " even if the scheme you and here thought up was a bit.. rash.. "