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1. [DL-W] Battle Lines (JP)
From: "Arlene" <wondermom@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
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Message: 1
Date: Fri, 25 Mar 2005 22:55:26 -0500
From: "Arlene" <wondermom@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
Subject: [DL-W] Battle Lines (JP)
Past Mid-Night
Day 16
Trinale's Garden
Reginald took a deep breath of relief as the door to the Fowler's guest
quarters shut and left him out in the cool night air. He waited for a
moment to gather his thoughts and make note of all that he had learned
this evening.
Miss Jennifer was certainly a chatty little thing...and he thought
slightly amused...catty as well. Yes once she found her way to court
she would most definitely be able to handle herself.
He turned and made his way back toward his suite and thought better of
it. He needed to sort a few things out...and if what he had learned
was
indeed the truth...there would be hell to pay.
As he walked toward the Gardens of some past person, who once lived
here
and whose only claim to fame was a piece of ground and some vegetation
named after her, he heard the soft whispers of a couple ambling and
meandering their way through the garden paths.
He stepped back into the shadows and almost gave his presence away as
Reolden and the Warrenlady walked past definitely in lost in each
other's company.
He waited until they passed a safe distance and he stepped out onto the
path. How quaint he thought, nothing like a little dalliance to soothe
the nerves while one waited in this mud hole.
Yes, he thought, this place is just a mud hole for the populace to rut
and wallow in the mud. With his thought returning to the words spoken
to
him by his dinner guest this evening, Reginald once again felt his ire
and rage swell within and burn its way up his throat.
HOW dare he!
HOW dare she!
Reginald paced around the garden path as he worked up just what he
needed to explain once again to the heir apparent. Sadly it was not
apparent to him...or others. This land needed a strong ruler...firm
and
swift with his dealings; not messing around with the council of Lords
and their wishes and whims.
---
Outside Warrenlady's Apartment
"I had a wonderful evening." Merissa whispered.
"As did I," Reolden replied, wishing that the evening didn't have to
end
just yet, but knowing that intellect would win out over passion.
"I would invite you in, but I'm sure everyone is sleeping and.."
Th'rin, Merissa thought, would be devastated.
Reolden chuckled softly. "I wish...things were different, Merissa." He
leaned down and kissed the enchanting Warrenlady good night before
taking his leave.
Merissa closed the door behind her and let out a deep sigh.
---
Trinale's Garden
J'red ached with the thought of leaving Ari alone and crying. What had
he said to offend her so? Surely she was resigned now to going to
court?
Isn't that what Miss Meri had said? Yet, Ari's own words had indicated
otherwise. J'red felt a faint spark of hope begin to burn. Perhaps he
should tell her that he wanted nothing more than to have her stay there
in the warren.
His feet took direction of their own, as J'red pondered his dilemma.
Before long he was crossing the bridge into the warren proper and
heading towards Trinale's Garden.
He found a secluded glade and sat on a bench, conveniently placed there
in the shadows. He wished he were sharing the darkness with Ari and
wondered if they ever would share special moments like that again.
---
Reolden retraced his steps, going back toward the VIP quarters on the
non-joined side of the warren. But he found himself thinking,
wistfully, about Merissa. He could drown in the dark pools of her eyes.
He could lose himself in the liquid tones of her laughter. His hands
ached to touch the silky smoothness of her skin. But she was not his,
and could never be his. They were living in two very different worlds.
"It is so unfair!" He called into the night.
J'red recognized the voice and peered out from where he was sitting to
see Reolden standing alone in a pool of light made by one of the gas
lamps. Was he waiting for someone?
"Yes, it is unfair," interjected a sneering tone that broke the soft
stillness of the night.
"It is most unfair...that, I, Reginald, 17th Earl of Ravencroft would
have to be kept waiting for that which was promised."
"Reginald.." Reolden spoke softly into the night air as he turned
around
to face his foe. "We have had this discussion before...Ari has the
right to...."
"The Lady Arideregh has NO rights...and you know why." He spat back.
"She belongs to me...as promised by the king YOUR father. I tire of
dallying in such company that is beneath me."
"You of course have every right to take your leave...and withdraw from
here...if the company and setting is so far beneath you. We would not
wish to have your standards lowered now would we?" Reolden shot back.
"Ahh, the little lap dog does have a bark." Reginald retorted sharply.
"Now...we also have another little issue to discuss...the condition of
my bride."
"Condition? What condition? Reginald...I tire of your games and
endless
prattle. Speak plain...there are NO court dogs to hear the sound of
your
bark."
"Careful Reolden...with your bold words...one would suspect you of
growing a back bone. That is not healthy in these times...."
"I have stated my position concerning my cousin Reginald, and it
remains
the same as yesterday." Reolden spoke simply and without the passion he
truly felt. He was not about to make things worse for his cousin. If
he could but get the answer to his one question...one that would and
could make a difference in her fate.
"Well, I demand satisfaction." Reginald stated wondering how one who
was
raised in court all of his life, one given and handed everything to him
could be so dense and obtuse as the one standing before him.
"For what?" Reolden asked clearly confused. "Reginald the hour is
late...and much is needed to be done for..."
"I have been told...by several that the Lady Arideregh is not pure, nor
chaste." Reginald spat out his outrage. He would not be made a fool of,
nor would he ever allow that bit of information to get out.
Reolden stood as if struck dumb for a moment until the surprise passed
and the news of it sank in and settled in his mind. He smiled, for
perhaps this was going to be her salvation.
"I see." He replied. Reginald watching him saw that this news had
caught him unawares.
"Yes, and I blame Lady Cicely." He added.
"Yes, yes you would." Reolden responded with a slight smirk. "You and
my father have that in common."
"This is NO laughing matter Reolden; and I for one wish to know what
you
mean to do about it?"
"What do you wish me to do about it Reginald?" he asked simply. "Ari
is
a dragonrider...and with that blessing comes some consequences with it.
No one will think less of her...or her station because of it."
"NO one will know of it." He answered swiftly. "She is mine...to do as
I
wish, and see fit. She will learn her place or suffer the
consequences."
"I do not like the sound of that Reginald. You can not do what you
wish
with her...she is a Dragonrider, and obviously you do not understand
what that means."
"She is MINE." He hissed savagely as he took a step closer to the
Prince. His indignation had returned and he was simply tired of all
the
pretense.
Reolden felt the urge to smack the smug look off of Reginald's
weasel-like face, but as he moved to step forward he was stopped cold
by
a sound coming from behind him; the sound of steel being slowly drawn
from a sheath. It was just like Reginald to have someone waiting in
the
dark.
The sound of steel against steel broke the paused silence that had
passed between the two men. Reginald looked over Reolden's shoulder and
was stunned into silence as a figure slowly and with controlled
movements edged his way and stopped as he stood by the side of the
Prince.
If Reginald had not been so shocked to see whom it was...he would have
thought for a moment that Reolden had actually set up this meeting to
attempt to remove him from the situation.
But, now Reginald was back in control and he knew that Reolden did not
have that forethought, another reason why he was unfit to rule or lead.
"I see the lap dog has one in training." Reginald retorted as he glared
at the interloper.
Reolden watched as the shadowy figure entered the pool of light cast by
the glow of the gas lamp, and was surprised to see the sword point
leveled not at himself, but at the Earl. He was even more surprised to
see the man he thought to be keeping his cousin company standing
between
him and the Earl.
"A man of your standing should be careful what you say to *Our*
Prince,"
J'red said softly, but firmly.
Having been given this opportunity to study the one who had dared to
trifle with his bride; Reginald stood his ground and acted nonchalant.
Inside he was seething, and he was keeping score. One did not get to
his level of power and position without keeping very good score.
Obviously her raising and teaching had major flaws, and he could not
entirely blame her for this. For she was without doubt raised in total
isolation, and if her mother was half the demon spawn he knew her to
be...she did exactly what she had threatened to do.
No, he would take her from here, and settle her in one of his bigger
country estates...and begin the retraining process, and help her see
what her true worth was.
Of course...should she prove un-teachable, or un-trainable, then well,
let's hope her breeding qualities were a tad higher. She was only use
to him as long as she could whelp him a son...and then her lands.
Reginald smiled sardonically as he thought of her lands. He already
had
something in the works that would guarantee them to him within a year's
time. How appropriate if the title of her lands, would fall on the day
of his son's birth.
"And one of YOUR standing and position should be very careful how he
treats his betters." Reginald replied smoothly as though he did not
have
a sword brandished in his face.
J'red snorted, "I have only three above me in this warren, the
warrenlady and the two junior queenriders. You, sir, have no standing
in this warren."
Reolden chuckled, yes, that was it exactly. They were not subject to
the King's Laws here.
Reginald smirked and coughed back a retort. So, this was the leverage
they were going to try to use to keep his bride here? Well, that was
good to know, for he already had other ideas and ways to ensure that
she
would leave with him.
"I have no business with you boy, go toddle on home and leave us men
here to finish our business." Reginald said with his condescending tone
and air.
"Actually," Reolden spoke up before J'red could even manage to
formulate
a reply, "Reginald and I have no business to discuss. However,"
Reolden
turned his back on the Earl and addressed the Wingleader, "J'red, if
you
would care to accompany me back to my suite for some brandy?" Reolden
left the question hanging, but it was obvious it was not a request.
"Of course, I would be delighted," J'red replied immediately.
"Good. And good evening to you, Reginald. Enjoy your stroll."
Reolden
turned down the path and began to walk away, as if this had been
nothing
other than the greeting of a friend along a walk.
Reginald stood his ground and acted like he did not perceive the insult
that was just handed to him. Who did Reolden really think he was?
Well, he would find out soon enough, and as for that upstart he, too,
would soon find himself on the losing end of the battle.
Reginald waited until he could not longer hear their footsteps and made
his way back to his quarters. One thing was for certain, she would
have
to be taken, and he was pretty sure he knew who could do the job
without
anyone noticing.
Now, all he had to do was figure out how to distract Ashch'eon. He had
not been prepared for that little surprise, but Reginald always got
what
he wanted...and he was sure this time would not be any different.
---
Prince Reolden's Suite
Reolden dismissed the servants and poured the brandy himself. He
handed
one of the two large snifters to J'red. After seating himself, he
nodded
to J'red to take a seat, in the very chair that Ari had occupied only a
short time earlier.
J'red sat. He struggled to keep his eyes from straying to the darkened
hallway and focus on the prince.
"I suppose you want to know what that was about?" Reolden asked.
"I'm sure it was none of my..." J'red began.
"Are you sure?" Reolden asked with a smile. Reolden watched a mixture
of emotions play across the Wingleader's face and knew that he was
keeping something to himself...or was he hiding something? Taking a
sip
and finding he could not sit still rose and walked to the fireplace,
resting his arm on the mantle and putting his drink down. He began to
pace. He hoped the hints of the things he had witnessed were what it
was, and he could give his cousin a simple solution to this quagmire of
a situation.
"I suppose I should try to give you a bit of history, and this long
standing animosity between us." Reolden began. "Reginald is the 17th
Earl of Ravencroft and is not only very wealthy, but powerful. His
grandfather had one time been betrothed to Ari's mother the Lady
Cicely."
J'red nodded having remembered some of what his father had told him
over
dinner one night. J'red tried to pull his thoughts back to hear what
his
prince had to say.
"Well, to make a long story short, it did not happen, and they have
resented that fact since. Somehow..." Reolden took a sip of his drink
to give him courage to speak about his father the way he knew that he
must. "My father for whatever reason, betrothed Ari to Reginald, but I
believe, it was to be compensation for the perceived slight when Cicely
backed out of her arranged marriage."
J'red swallowed a sip from his drink and glanced toward the darkened
hallway. "How could he? To that blow-hard? Does she know?" He
whispered trying to still the rising indignation.
Reolden sighed deeply and shook his head. "No. I did not even know it
until Reginald showed. I am heart sick at that thought."
J'red nodded and knew how he felt. It was hard enough to let her go to
Reolden...but he could not stand by and let her...she would not survive
such an ordeal. He glanced towards the darkened hallway, and wondered
if she were sleeping...would she hear them?
Reolden noticed the nervous and constant gazing to the hallway.
Reolden
turned to see if perchance there was someone standing there. He looked
back to J'red and smiled.
"If you are worried that Ari will hear us...she is not there." Reolden
replied with a knowing smile.
J'red looked up startled, "How? I left her cr...uh, she went to her
room
before I left." J'red answered, hoping he did not have to explain how
and why he made his cousin cry.
He still had not figured it out.
Reolden studied J'red having caught the slip, and wondered what could
have dissolved Ari to tears. She was a pretty sturdy, fiery, little
thing, much to the displeasure of Miss Meri. Reolden liked that about
her.
Reolden chuckled softly and nodded, hoping to get this young lord to
relax a bit so he could ask him some questions. "She slips out every
night...she does not really like it here." He answered J'red. "I think
she prefers her dragon's company."
J'red chuckled and nodded and could not help but smile. "She sleeps
with him."
Reolden raised an eyebrow with curiosity and also found a path to
ferret
out what he needed to know. J'red smiled at the expression on the
Prince's face and laughed and nodded.
Reolden laughed with the image he had of her and of Azhy. No wonder
poor Miss Meri had such fits about her, and how much more it showed she
did not belong at court. He would miss seeing her, and enjoying her
ways, but she belonged here, with...he looked over at J'red and
wondered.
What was between them? Was it as deep as he thought? The rumors were
rampant and most left nothing to the imagination of their relationship.
Reolden felt the time was now. He had to ask him...had to see where
his
heart and thoughts lay. He moved back to the chair that faced J'red
and
sat down. Leaning against his knees, he leaned in to close the gap
between them.
"I am sorry that I need to ask this...but I need you to answer as
honestly as you can...for someone dear to me is in jeopardy, and I can
only see one way out."
"I will try to be as honest as I can your highness," J'red responded
sincerely.
"How do you feel about Ari?" Reolden asked finding himself holding his
breath.
"Well...she's the best dragonhealer and one of the best apothecaries
I've ever seen and...," J'red evaded, though his pride in her
accomplishment rang out in his praise of her.
"No," Reolden said, stopping J'red in his gush of praise, "I know what
you think of her professionally, I want to know what you think of
her...
personally."
J'red's face flushed, "Your highness, I never... I wouldn't have... if
I
had known...." He found that he could no longer meet the Prince's gaze
so he studied the patterns on the carpet.
"If you had known?" Reolden asked softly, "Known what exactly?"
"Miss Meri said..."
"Forget what Miss Meri said, for a moment," Reolden's voice again cut
in, "What she knows, or thinks she knows, I can find out from her.
J'red Fowler, I want to know how you feel about Ari."
J'red felt beads of perspiration ring his forehead, and he found it
hard
to breathe. His voice sounded far away in his ears, yet he heard
himself admitting, "I... I love her. I think I've loved her from the
first time she stood in front of me and scolded me for my
heavy-handedness and ill manners." He found himself smiling despite
his
extreme nervousness.
Reolden felt his breath leave his body and realized he had indeed been
holding it. Then he leaned back in his chair and laughed. He laughed
deep and hard, and it felt good. He had not realized how tensed and
stressed he had been feeling about his little cousin's welfare.
J'red blinked in surprise. That was not the response he had expected
to
that admission.
Reolden pulled himself back upright and grinned at the startled young
man who sat there before him, who had just admitted the most difficult
confession one could make. To share with another his vulnerability and
risk it all thinking how he felt would not make a difference.
"Well J'red Fowler," the Prince's tone less demanding and harsh. "I too
care deeply for her." He watched his face. "I have to admit, that I
have been very worried about her fate. She does not belong at court,
and like you said...she is a Dragonrider, and Dragonhealer...and she is
needed here.
"I need to ask you one more question. I do not wish to pressure you;
but
I need to know your intentions...concerning Ari."
"My... intentions, Sir?" J'red felt his mouth go dry. He hadn't dared
to let a thought of a future with Ari enter his mind; not since he'd
learned of Ari's royal birthright. Surely he had misunderstood? She
wasn't bound for the court? Reolden wasn't going to take her away? He
didn't want her? He had to be sure. "But I thought... aren't you? I
mean I thought when you came here... that you and Ari were to wed. But
you say your father promised her to Earl Reginald?"
Reolden blinked in astonishment and found he was speechless. "Me? You
thought I was coming here to wed Ari? Where did you...oh...Miss Meri."
He nodded his head in understanding...and much began to come clear to
him.
All those daily missives and letters; and why she had not spoken to his
father about her Dragon. All the little hints once he was here. Why
Ari had been dressed in a similar manner that he found appealing.
Miss Meri knew about Reginald, and somehow she too had fallen under
Ari's impish spell and wanted something better. He smiled at the
thought
that his old nurse would try to find and mold someone to understand
him,
who shared similar things...such as dragons.
"No, J'red, I was asked to come here, to announce her ladyship, and
titles that were to be hers when she wed and the family lands became
hers." Reolden explained. "I came here to introduce her, and then take
her back to court for her to make her new home."
Reolden smiled weakly at J'red, suddenly embarrassed that his father,
for whom this young man would readily give his very life, was not
worthy
of such a sacrifice.
"I did not know about Reginald...until he showed up with his claims.
But, things are not as my father supposes...Ari is a Dragonrider...and
that means she can choose for herself to whom she gives her loyalty; to
the King or to the Dragon Lady. I wish to make sure she gets that
chance...that she is allowed to live the life that she so desperately
wishes."
Reolden looked at the young man before him and prayed his answer would
be the one that would give her the wings to fly and live free and
happy.
Not anyone's pawn anymore.
"And, so I ask again...what are your intensions concerning Ari?"
"If you are asking me if I wish to marry her... I must remind you that
I, too, am a dragonrider, and in addition, the Wingleader. I am not
free to make such a commitment; to take on lands and titles. But, if
you are asking me, if I would like to spend my life with Ari by my
side,
perhaps even as mates, then... yes. I would ask her in a second if I
thought I had a chance..." J'red's eyes widened slightly and he
suddenly understood what Ari had meant earlier, and why she had begun
to
cry. "Only, I haven't told her," J'red whispered, more to himself than
to Reolden.
Reolden nodded and let everything J'red said sink in and find its
place.
"I appreciate your honesty." He replied slowly. He understood the
meaning behind being mates within the Warren society. It was no less
of
a commitment than being wed in his world.
Was Ari being a Dragonrider enough to help keep her here? She would
have to renounce her lands...and that would indeed cause more problems
than he wished to dwell on. He had hoped for a deeper commitment, but
that was not his place to make...it was Ari's.
And, in truth the lands were not hers...yet. They became hers when her
mother died. And he knew that with his aunt Cicely, they would have a
long time before that happen. Many things could happen between then
and
now.
"Thank you for your honest response. But it is getting late...and there
is much to do tomorrow." Reolden said. "Why don't we call it a
night...and can I ask for your presence in the afternoon for a short
while?"
J'red nodded, and immediately rose to his feet, "Of course, your
highness. I am at your disposal. And... thank you for confiding in
me." J'red found himself smiling as he took his leave. He felt like
he
could fly, even without a dragon. Ari didn't want to go to court.
Reolden wasn't going to wed Ari. Reolden didn't want Ari to marry
Reginald, and he was pretty sure Ari didn't want to marry either of
them. He wanted to run to her. To tell her right then how he felt.
But, it would give away her secret of going to sleep with Azhy rather
than staying within the Prince's suite. He would wait until morning.
---
SUMMARY:
Day 16
After Midnight / Early AM
Reolden escorts Merissa home and is observed by Reginald. Reginald
waits for Reolden to return and confronts him in the garden where J'red
happens to be pondering his problem with Ari. Reginald's threats
against Ari and Reolden spur J'red to action and he draws his sword in
the Prince's defense. The Prince dismisses Reginald and invites J'red
to his suite for brandy. Over their drinks, Reolden explains some of
Ari's "history" and potential future, then Reolden confronts J'red
about
his feelings and intensions concerning Ari. J'red admits his true
feelings, and is relieved that Ari's future might not involve the court
and marriage to another man.
--
Respectfully submitted by:
Carys Murray
AKA
Reginald, 17th Earl of Ravencroft
Arlene Jacobs
AKA
J'red Fowler, rider of Firefly
And
Jointly writing
Prince Reolden, rider of Trendal
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