Lover

[LightofHeaven]

((Nope, different couple.))

Dale knew the queen was lying. He just stared at her. She did not look the least bit fatigued. Her smile, though still beautiful, seemed forced upon her dazzling face and her eyes seemed near distant.
He knew she was worried about the absense of His Majesty.

He knew better than to address the queen on her untruthfulness, so he let it be. "Ah, but it is your anniversary! There will be a good many guests and a great deal of activity. I believe you will be sound asleep by the time you touchthe pillow."

 

[StarSplitter87]

Laughing heart fully, her shimmering chuckle echoing serenely off of the dining hall's course stone walls, the Queen bore her teeth in brief amusement and after a moment replied, "Indeed, sir, indeed. No elixer will be needed to be sure once all the guests arrive."

 

[CJF]

Trista pretended not to be listening, as she sat staring at the lovely floral decorations through out the hall. But, of course, when the subject was as interesting as the one she was hearing, one would be daft indeed not to eavesdrop. Of course the Queen was upset that her husband had yet to be seen, and on their anniversary! What were people making marriage these days? Maybe today won't be as dull as I orinially thought?

 

[K9Guardian]

And then, without herald, King Jadir al Anwar entered the dining hall. A tall man whose features looked to be carved from finest marble, he surveyed the room in one imperious sweep and smiled. There seemed to be a tighness around his deep blue eyes.

“Ah, I see I am late. Well then.” He strode over to stand behind the Queen’s chair, placing his hands on her shoulders. “Is everyone well this fine morning? What trouble has my wife given you today?” This last was aid in gentle teasing, accompanied by a light squeeze of her shoulders.

 

[StarSplitter87]

With a bit of a silent thrill, the Queen spotted her King's arrival and as he stood behind her, his rough warrior hands gentle upon her shoulders, she smiled up at him and placed upon his right hand her softer left, "Aye, my lord, I have been giving them a good deal of trouble. Best sit and eat to gain your strength so that you may defend them against the tempest my wit."

 

[CJF]

Trista stared at them a moment, and then averted her gaze to the table. Unwanted memories flooded through her mind, causing tears to spring to her eyes, but she willed them back and actually managed to look back the King and Queen. Coming had not been a good idea, she could already see that. But now she hated it even more, with her emotions going through spins and drops. Just stay calm. It'll all be over and you'll be alone again, in the safety of your secluded world of denial.

 

[MissCellaFane]

When at last King Jadir swept into the dining hall, Roden let out a sigh. Finally they would be able to eat. He watched the king walk up to his wife and squeeze her shoulders, smiling down upon her. And suddenly Roden wasn't hungry anymore. For his queen's saddened demeanor had vanished and was replaced with gladness when the king entered. Jealousy consumed Roden once again, his eyes narrowing. It should be his appearance that brightened Queen Kaira's face. It should be his light touch on her shoulders and his hand covered so delicately with hers. It should be his eyes that she gazed into so lovingly.

With disgust, Roden looked away, willing the king to sit so they could start this meal; so they could get it over with. As he did so he noticed the elven maiden seemed to be near tears, and they weren't happy tears. So, he wasn't the only one whose heart didn't fill with joy when he watched the king and queen exchange intimate looks. He felt a sudden kinship with her, as a brother might with his sister. Here was one person who understood. His demeanor softened somewhat and he glanced up at the table again, watching the queen's lips move as she spoke to the king, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. Someday, he would find a way to make her smile at him that way. But until then, he could only imagine it and that would suffice.....for now.

 

[LightofHeaven]

Dale chuckled at the king's tease. It always seemed to brighten the room seeing the king and queen together. it was strange though that the queen seemed not the least bit at the verge of outburst for the king's lateness in the last days. But, of course, he had only just arrived. Perhaps, she would demand an exlanation later. Where had he been?

"No, Your Majesty, no trouble at all." Dale answered. "In fact, I believe, pardon me for saying, your lateness has turned our stomachs into scavanging beasts."

 

[K9Guardian]

Chuckling, Jadir pulled up the chair at the head of the table and sat. “Then let us slay those beasts with a fine meal, shall we?” with a wave, he gestured for the servants to begin filling dishes. They did so at once, racing around to everyone with platters and wine pitchers. As the hustle went on, the King turned his attention on Roden.

“Now, Roden, I have a request. Have you a potion to aid my head? These past days have been quite trying; I confess to have rather a splitting ache.”

E rubbed his temple emphatically. There were streaks of white in his otherwise golden hair.

 

[MissCellaFane]

The king's voice broke into Roden's daydreams so suddenly that he gave a slight start and, in truth, only heard the last part of what the king said because of it. "...have rather a splitting ache." Roden's mind raced for a moment trying to figure out what King Jadir was saying without looking incompetent, especially in front of the queen. He glanced at her for a fraction of a second as though expecting some kind of hint from her, before looking back into the king's eyes. The king began rubbing his temple and Roden felt relief flood through him. A headache.

Roden nodded in a business-like manner as if he'd known exactly what the king said the whole time. "Of course, My Lord. I have just the tonic. Would you like me to retrieve it now or bring it to you after breakfast?"

 

[CJF]

Trista's eyes narrowed ever so slightly, as she looked from Roden, to the Queen, to the King and then back to Roden. He hadn't seemed to have heard what the King said. Why she found that strange was beyond her; and why she was taking such an interest in the first was even more baffling. Trista, mind your own business! You don't want to be noticed, so stop butting in where you don't belong! she thought to herself.

But, no matter how hard she tried, this was all too intruiging to ignore. The elf could have cursed herself, for her curiosity. You really have been out of company for far too long...

 

[StarSplitter87]

"How lovely of you Roden." The Queen smiled patiently, she wanted to begin the meal and spend the day with her King and friends. They had a good deal planned in the gardens with a series of small games such as crochet and a few tables set up for chess. It was going to be a lovely day, thanks to Shaula's temper mastered by her good sense to not cloud up the day when she knew the celebration that awaited in the yard.

There was also to be a magic show, something the Queen was looking forward too, a composition of the student magicians in the Castle of Magic. But none of the that was really important at the time, only her King and the day they would spend together, "After he eats, perhaps. Tonics do tend to queeze his stomach if not coupled with food." Quickly she added to Roden, "Not that it is your tonic's fault of course." She added a kind smile, placing her hand upon the table in his direction, "Simply it is the way of your craft. You cannot abide every discomfort."

 

[MissCellaFane]

Roden had been purposefully keeping his gaze on the king, expecting an answer from him. But, in a pleasant turn of events, the queen answered for him. Her voice was soft and, though it was slightly more formal than Roden would have liked, it washed over him like a warm rain. "After he eats, perhaps. Tonics do tend to queeze his stomach if not coupled with food. Not that it is your tonic's fault of course." She added quickly, as though she had in some way offended him. But she could never offend him, not with a statement like that. It brought him great pleasure simply to have her speaking to him.

"Simply it is the way of your craft. You cannot abide every discomfort." At that she stretched out her hand slightly in his direction, resting it on the table. His eyes darted down to her hand and the back up to her eyes, her friendly gaze stirring a fire within him. How he would have loved the freedom to reach out and take her hand. Of course, he'd have to reach across about five people who were sitting between him and his queen, but that seemed such a trivial thing at the moment.

Instead, Roden dipped his head in a sign of respect. "A wise counsel, My Queen, as always." He could see she was about to turn back to King Jadir, and, in an effort to keep her attention on himself, said, "Is the chess tournament going to be held this year, My Lady? If so, I should very much like to join."

 

[StarSplitter87]

Smiling her elegant smile, how it did light up her face, the Queen replied, "Yes, of course. I planned on joining in this year, but I fear my time is taken into organizing and spending my day with my King." She touched her face in thought, reaching her other hand to embrace the King's hand, and then returned her gaze and smile at Roden, "But if you wish to join in, I am more than happy to oblige you. We can always use more players."

 

[CJF]

Trista simply could not believe what was unfolding before her! Could it be? Stop it! It is no concern of yours! Oh, but it was just too much! She couldn't help it. If she guessed right, this Roden had feelings for the Queen! Her eyes went from Roden to the Queen and then rested on the King. Did he know? If he did, he made no signs of it. Did the Queen return this man's affections? That she couldn't tell.

After a moment, she let her gaze take in the room, if only to avert her gaze so no one saw her interest. After all, if the wrong people knew of this...well, things would be very unpleasant for more than one person. Curse your curiosity Trista. You'd better have stayed home. Now you find yourself in the middle of a drama you coud have avoided! Well done. I hope you're happy. But she wasn't. Infact, she was far from happy.

 

[MissCellaFane]

Roden wasn't sure which disappointed him more; the fact that Queen Kaira had grasped the king's hand, or the fact that Roden wouldn't be sitting across from Kaira later in the day during a tournament match. "I shall be delighted to enter, My Lady. Thank-you. But may I express my disappointment in hearing you will not be able to enter. I had hoped to challenge you as I hear you have quite an aptitude for chess and have beaten many a fierce opponent." Not sure whether or not he had said too much, Roden inclined his head toward King Jadir. "And My Lord as well. Both of you should consider entering, for I also have a fondness for the game and would be so pleased to have played both my king and my queen, even if I am not victorious."

 

[StarSplitter87]

Smiling at Roden, the Queen nodded, "I may just. I do miss the challenge of the game. I would be honored to have you as an opponent. But for now," She turned to her King, "Let us eat, lest we starve to death." At this she tugged on his arm and gave him a most sweet smile, her lips curling just a little as she let the real power of her eyes soak into his.

 

[K9Guardian]

“Thank you, Roden. After will do.” Jadir smiled back at his wife, letting her gaze wash over him the way a river gushes and flows around a boulder. He never kissed her while he sat before the court as King of Union, but tonight when they were alone, there would be kisses and more. Gently removing his hand from hers, he picked up his fork and took a bite to indicate that everyone should eat.

As they all did so, he struck up a conversation with Dale. “lancer, you are aware of the rumors from the elven nations?”

 

[StarSplitter87]

Smiling in return upon her King, the Queen began to eat a few moments after he had begun, the breakfast was officially underway. Wondering whom would speak first this fine morning, she listened intently upon the conversation that Jadir had with Dale.

 

[LightofHeaven]

Dale took a spoonful of oatmeal before looking up at the King as he addressed him.


"Lancir, you are aware of the rumors from the elven nationsw?"

Dale saw the elven maiden sitting in his wife's seat across from him out of the corner of his eye. He hoped that she would not be offended, whatever be the rumors from her own race. He swallowed, "What rumors, Your Majesty?"