Of all the siblings I am the bad one. Here I am, trying to reform and be good like my brothers and sisters. *sweetly bats eyes and adjusts her halo*
 Anyhow. I thought I may as well post, and what better scene then the grub scene. Enjoy-the story not the grubs.
 Isilwen

Jessie was sitting with some of the women when D'Arcy walked over to her and sat down. He was holding something in his hand, but Jessie did not notice it at first; she was too busy braiding strains of leather together. She had no idea what it was going to be used for, but the woman had been teaching her how to do it.

D'Arcy watched her in silence, then he touched her arm to get her attention. “Jessie?” he asked.

She looked up and smiled at him. “Aye?”

He grinned, and held the bowl out to her. Jessie looked inside, and saw it was full of wiggling, white slugs. She looked up at D'Arcy, wondering what he wanted her to do with them. He noticed the look of confusion, and for a moment he looked confused to.

“Doesn't everyone know what to do with these?” he seemed to be saying. However, he gave a slight shrug of his shoulders, reached in the bowl, and grabbed one of the grubs. With an encouraging smile, he placed the grub in his mouth, and chewed.

Jessie felt sick. He didna dae what I thought he did, she tried to convince herself. He held the bowl out to her again, and she knew she was in for it. Sure, she ate Nate's cooking, but eating a grub was pushing it; wasn't it? Even she would not go that far!

D'Arcy did not take his eyes from her face. He seemed to be searching for the right word; when he finally found it Jessie had to smile, it was one of the words she had taught him.

“Eat!” he declared in triumph.

Jessie shook her head. “I canna!” she gasped; she looked down at the writhing grubs again. “I dinna eat bug D'Arcy!”

The only word he understood was eat and D'Arcy. He grinned even wider, and grabbed another one. He popped that one in his mouth, and ate it happily. Jessie closed her eyes and clenched her stomach, but D'Arcy did not seem to notice her agony. In fact, he went so far as to pick one up and held it out to her.

Jessie tried to pull back, but there was such a look of delight in D'Arcy's eyes, that she knew she couldn't. He was trying to be friendly to her, and share, apparently, a rare treat with her.

“Father, I think this is the weirdest think I've e'er done,” she whispered as she slowly took the grub from D'Arcy.

The fat thing wiggled between her fingers as she held it; she looked more closely at it and saw two beady black eyes; they seemed to be looking right at her.

“I canna dae this!” she moaned, she tried to hand it back, but D'Arcy wouldn't take it. He made eating motions.

Jessie screwed up her face, held her breath, and did whatever else she could think of to make it easier. She then looked at D'Arcy one last time and whispered, “'Tis yer fault if I die!” then she placed the grub in her mouth.

At first nothing happened, it just sat on her tongue. Then, it began to move around, and she almost choked. She could feel it crawling around inside her mouth, little feet on her tongue. She almost choked, but forced herself to remain clam. She decided not to chew it like D'Arcy did, but to swallow quickly. With one defiant gulp she swallowed, and nearly lost it.

She could feel it sliding all the way down, feet tickling her throat. Once it was down Jessie closed her eyes, and fought back the sick feeling in her gut. When she opened her eyes D'Arcy was grinning at her; at least he looked pleased. All Jessie could think of was how she had a grub wiggling about in her gut.

D'Arcy held the bowl out to her again, but Jessie knew without a doubt that she could not go through that again. Without a word she leaped up, and scrambled away to get a breath of fresh air; and tried not to loose her dinner-and the grub.

 From my new book, I will lift my eyes to the Hills. That is all :D I can't stay and chat all day now can I? :D

The sun was ruthless, it was almost as if it found delight in beating down on them. Striker whipped the sweat off his forehead and looked at his companions; the only one who did not seem to be having trouble with the merciless heat was Ben-Argon. Striker shook his head, he was going to freeze in the mountains.

“North west,” Callan was grumbling under his breath, “we'll never get back to the mountain at this rate! We are going to be drug all over this blasted desert!”

“You want my help or not?” Trystan demanded.

Callan did not answer him but continued muttering under his breath. As the days wore on things went from bad to worse. When the party had left Kallum's home they had taken as much food and water as they could carry, but as the days passed and their supply dwindled, patience followed it. Soon their tempers were as hot as the sun over head.

“Exactly who are we looking for, or are you just leading us on, hoping to find someone as we go,” Callan walked up beside Trystan and tried to draw him into a fight.

“They are not the easiest people to find,” Trystan muttered.

“Who are they?” Striker did not speak much, and each time he did his voice was cold and hard.

Trystan laid his hand on the hit of his long, thin sword. “They are the, the Scouts.”

Callan stopped dead in his tracks. “You never said anything about the Scouts!” he snapped, he grabbed Trystan's arm and spun him around.

Trystan shrugged his shoulders. “I promised you an army, what does it matter if they are nobleman's guards or Scouts?”

“Are you as dumb as all that?” Callan demanded, “Scouts and Rangers do not fight together.”

Ben-Argon shifted his feet, he knew trouble was brewing.

“It is time for a change,” Trystan said in a scornful tone in his voice. “Once they find out the Sea Raiders have invaded I am sure they will help...”

“We don't need help from Scouts!” Callan growled, “I knew I should not have trusted you!”

“Where else are you going to get help?” Trystan's eyes flashed, “the noblemen? Take it from someone who has lived in the desert; the noblemen care nothing but for themselves! You won't even be able to get farmers to help! They have their own troubles with harvest! If anyone helps you it will be the Scouts!”

“And how exactly are they going to help me?” Callan snapped.

“They will help take your head from your shoulders,” Striker grinned.

Callan turned on him. “Maybe they will do the same to you! That would be one consolation!”

There was a gleam in Striker's eyes, as if he agreed.

Ben-Argon stepped into the middle of it all. “I wouldn't be worrying about them yet,” he said, “seeing as we have to find them first.”

“Easier said then done,” Striker muttered under his breath. They all turned and looked at him with surprise; he quickly shaded his eyes and studied the countryside.

“What do you know about this?” Callan took a step closer to him.

“Does it really matter what I know?” Striker demanded.

Trystan crossed his arms over his chest. “It might,” he said warily; he looked very closely at Striker. “Have you seen the Scouts before?”

Striker bit his bottom lips until he tasted blood; he had a sudden urge to yell and hit something. “It doesna matter,” he muttered, “now, are we going to stand here all day?”

Striker moved forward, walking quickly. The others hurried after him and let the subject drop for the time being. A few days later another spat started between them, this time it was started by Ben-Argon.

“Oh! What I wouldn't give for a roasted fowl right now!” he said as he placed a hand over his growling stomach.

Callan, who had yet to get out of his foul mood, grumbled, “Now we shall have to put up with a whinny nobleman!”

Ben-Argon turned on him, hand on his dagger. “What?” he snapped.

“Nothing,” Callan snapped back.

Ben-Argon ground his teeth. “That was nothing!”

“Knock it off you two,” Striker muttered, “you are acting like children!”

Ben-Argon and Callan both turned on Striker. “Children!” they snapped.

Striker glared at them and Trystan rolled his eyes. “I am with Striker on this one,” he muttered.

“Keep out of this!” Callan growled.

A fight nearly broke out at that moment, would have, had not a sudden shadow passed over them. All four of them looked up, they were very surprised to see a huge, black cloud drifting between them and the sun.

“What is that?” Callan asked, he could hardly believe what he was seeing.

“Rain cloud?” Ben-Argon asked, not being able to see it he could only guess. He felt sure it could not be a rain cloud as he could not smell rain in the air; and it was the wrong time of year.

“It is too, dark,” Trystan rubbed his head uncertainly. “I haven't seen anything like it before Ben-Argon,” he added after a moment.

Striker studied the cloud, it was not moving, just hanging in the sky; and it was all alone, all around it the sky was blue. “How could it have just appeared like that?” he asked no one in particular.

Callan shook his head. “Well, it can't do us any harm since it is in the sky, we should keep walking.”

They followed this plan, but the cloud had sobered them a great deal. All that day they could think about nothing else but that huge black cloud, and as they walked it seemed to follow them. It might not have been too bad had it, in blocking out the sun, lessened the heat; but if anything it only made things worse. Now the air was heavy and it was hard to breath, stuffy.

“We need to stop,” Trystan was the one who first said it. The others were more then ready to agree by then, and they sank down to the sand; without a word they all opened their water flasks and took drinks.

“We have to get out from under that cloud,” Striker looked up at it again; it seemed to him as if it was lowering in the sky, he rubbed his eyes.

“And how are we going to do that?” Ben-Argon asked, he fought back a yawn. It struck him how tried he was, he wondered what was causing it. “I think I could sleep for a whole week,” he said over a yawn.

Trystan stared at him. “Are you feeling well Ben-Argon?” he asked quickly.

“Yes,” Ben-Argon nodded his head, annoyance in his voice, “you don't have to worry about me all the time, I am not fail just because I am blind!”

Callan leaped to his feet suddenly. “What is that?” he demanded, he stepped on something.

“What?” Striker looked up at him.

Callan pulled his foot up and everyone but Ben-Argon looked down. Trystan's face went as white as a sheet and he leaped to his feet; Callan saw the look of horror on his face and jumped up as well. Striker took a step backwards and Ben-Argon stood as well, though he had no clue as to what was going on.

“What is it?” he asked.

“One of the Scorpions!” Trystan said in a tight voice.

Ben-Argon took a step backwards, his face went as white as Trystan's.

Striker knelt down by the dead bug while Trystan looked at the cloud again. “What is so bad about one scorpion?” he asked, he had heard about them of course, but this one was dead now; no harm there.

“We have to get out of here,” Trystan suddenly said.

Striker looked up. “Why?” he asked, “what is going on here?”

Ben-Argon fixed his blind eyes on Striker. “Scorpions do not travel alone,” he said, “they travel in packs, and they fly. That is no cloud, it is a swarm of scorpions, very deadly scorpions!”

Striker looked at the cloud again, even as he looked he saw something black drop from it and fly at him; it dropped to the ground at his feet, and for the first time he got a good look at a desert scorpion. It was as black as night, except the tip of its stinger and its eyes which were blood red. The scorpion was not more then two inches long, its tale was the same length. Its wing were glossy black and folded at its side; it was truly hideous.

It fixed its red eyes on Striker as he stood staring at it, then it darted forward and extended its tale. Striker drew his sword and leaped out of the way; when the bug was within range he chopped it in half. He looked back up at the cloud.

“Come on!” Trystan snapped, he pulled everyone out of their state of horror. Quickly they hurried after him.

Before leaving though, Striker looked back down at the scorpion and saw that its blood, which was like acid, was eating away at the sand. He ran after the others, suddenly feeling sick; fear was an unknown feeling to him. Even as he took off running he felt, rather then hurried, a buzzing in the air. Looking back he felt his stomach drop to his boots when he saw that the cloud was moving, coming right at them!

“Run!” he yelled, though he knew the others did not need him telling them that. Trystan grabbed Ben-Argon's arm and they took off. They were able to run faster over the sand then Callan and Striker, but the other two had a good motive for keeping up.

As they ran, and the buzzing came closer, they knew there was no way they could out run them; when the first scorpion darted past them this was confirmed. Striker, who still had his sword in his hand, spun around and cut one in half as it flew through the air; it fell to the sand and started sizzling.

Trystan let go of Ben-Argon's arm and drew his own sword, Callan saw what they were doing and followed their example. With a sinking dread Ben-Argon did the same. They all stood, back to back in a tight circle as the scorpions descended on them, covering them in blackness.

Buzzing filled their ears as the scorpions flew around them, they could see nothing but the blood red; it was for this that they aimed. They knew they hit them when they heard a hissing, sizzling noise. The scorpions were so close together, however, that there was little risk of missing; even Ben-Argon stuck down many just by swinging his sword about.

They were doing rather well, until they noticed something, they were not cutting down as many. When they took a closer look horror filled them; the acid was eating away at their swords!

“We have to get out of this!” Callan yelled at the same time Striker yelled out in pain.

“I've been stung!” he cried.

Callan was still swinging his sword, but one managed to break past and sting him on the arm; instantly a fiery hot pain tore through his arm, then it went numb. His useless sword fell from his hand and dropped to the sand. The scorpions seemed to realize they had the upper hand and moved in; they began to sting the young men without mercy. They all dropped to the sand and tried to protect their heads with their hands.

As weariness washed over them all Ben-Argon heard something that broke through the constant buzzing; he listened and thought it sounded like the wings of a huge bird. Suddenly a shriek filled the air; they covered their ears, it almost felt as if it was going to burst their ear drums. The buzzing grew louder, it seemed to be lifting them and carrying them off, it was followed by another shriek, then silence; deadly silence.

My feeble adimts at being romantic

Rean-Hammon let go of her hand and said, “We can stay here and rest and then continue on.”

Eliase slowly sat down, feeling all about her in the darkness and wondering how Rean-Hammon could live like this. He sat down beside her and she was comforted with his presence, it made her feel safer.

“We will be out of here soon,” he said as though he was able to read her thoughts.

She sighed and asked, “How are you able to endure, being in blackness all the time?”

He laughed softly. “You get used to it I guess, I am not saying it is easy. Knowing I shall never look upon the sun, or the King's wondrous creation, nor shall I ever see my friend's faces.”

Eliase shuddered. “That is sad.”

He sighed and then said almost fearfully, “May I, can I please.” He sighed again and whispered, “Can I touch your face to see what you look like?” He had never dared to ask anyone before and was nervous at the thought.

She froze for a moment and then said softly, “Yes.”

Slowly Rean-Hammon reached up his hand and traced out her features. She sat very still as she felt his fingers on her cheek. She could not help but smile at his gentle touch. For a Ranger he was not rough and his hands where not hard.

He was smiling too. He could almost see her in his minds eye now. She had high cheek bones, soft rounded cheeks. Her chin was sharp but was well suited for her face. Her forehead was high and smooth, her hair pulled back from. Her eyes, he slowly traced his finger tips around them, where large and he imagined them bright. She was lovely, just as he had always thought, and for the first time Rean-Hammon wished more then anything that he was not blind and could look full upon her face.

He ran his finger tips down her cheek again and she reached up and grabbed his hand and his heart skipped a beat, and that was when he knew, he was falling in love with Eliase. He reached out his other hand and ran his fingers down her other cheek until she grabbed that hand, holding both of his.

Rean-Hammon breathed slowly and without thinking leaned forward, closer to her. He could feel her breath on his face before he realized what he was doing and sat back and blinked. He had almost kissed her! What was wrong with him? He had always held to the conviction that one should wait till the wedding to kiss and now he had almost done it!

He gently removed his hands from her and sat back as he thought. He did not want to hurt her, and what if she was not the one he was supposed to marry? How could he go and give a piece of his heart away just like that, and take a piece of hers? No he was not going to do that! And he was not going to think about it anymore until he knew for sure if she was the one, or wasn't. He would ask the King to guard his heart for him.

The room was in a constant buzz until the door opened again and Theobald entered. Everyone fell silent and bowed to their king. Theobald looked across the room and his eyes met Maddock's. Maddock grinned and him and bowed low.

Theobald held his head high as he walked across the room and to the center of the room where a short box stood. He stepped up onto this and everyone stood back up and faced him. Theobald looked at them all and then once more his eyes met Maddock and he gave him a slight nod.

Maddock moved forward until he was standing at his king's left. Theobald looked down at him and then lifting his eyes again said, “We are all gathered here today to join in the celebration of Sir Maddock and Lady Carlyss.”

Everyone smiled and Maddock and Carlyss's mothers locked hands and started to cry quietly. Kenrick stepped up behind them and rested his hands on their shoulders.

Theobald smiled and turning his head looked down at Maddock. “Before these witnesses Maddock, these your friends and family, do you openly declare your love for Carlyss?”

Maddock squared his shoulders and said clearly as his heart pounded in his chest as though it would escape, “Yes, I do.”

Theobald nodded slightly and still addressing Maddock asked, “And why do you love Carlyss.”

This was part of the old Hemlocan tradition. Each of the to be married couple would tell all preset why they loved the one they were marrying. It was believed if they shrank from doing this on their wedding day they would not be able to do it the rest of their lives.

Maddock, however, had no problem telling why he loved Carlyss, he had a hard time keeping it to only a few things. Maddock looked about the room. He knew Carlyss was in there by now, though he could not see her. He smiled at the thought that she would be listening and said, “I love Carlyss for her love for our King, for her courage and her caring, her loving heart and kindness.”

Theobald grinned openly at his friend and then asked, “And what of the Lady Carlyss?”

Silence filled the room and Maddock glanced about as he looked for her. There was a soft rustling at his left and Maddock turned his head as his heart beat faster, though he had not thought it could beat any faster. The crowd parted and Carlyss stepped forward. She was dressed in a white dress that was outlined in light blue. Her red hair was braided and twisted over her head. She was smiling and her cheeks where bright read, and Maddock knew he was going to fall over.

Carlyss moved to Theobald's other side and Theobald smiled at her. “And what of you Carlyss, do you love this man? Would you be willing to openly declare that love?”

He said it doubtfully, and Maddock smiled as Carlyss looked over at him and said, “Of course I love him!”

Theobald smiled. “And why do you love him?”

Carlyss smiled and looking at Maddock said, “His love for our King, and I gave him my heart, how can I not but love him?”

Theobald smiled and facing the crowd asked, “And does someone give this maid away?”

Thaddeus and Yorick stepped forward. “We do,” they said together.

Theobald bowed his head to them and they stepped toward Carlyss and Maddock. They shook Maddock's hand and then hugged Carlyss. And then the dance started.

The dance was more of a game. Maddock would have to try and reach Carlyss while everyone else tried to keep them apart. It was to symbolize how he was to look after her the rest of her life and no matter what always come for her.

The moment the dance started Maddock found Carlyss was swept away by her father and brother. He moved after her weaving in and out of the dancers. He would come close to her, would be within reaching distance when someone would dance off with her. Maddock would then go after her, more determined then ever to catch her.

Carlyss would smile at him when he got close and hold out her hands for him. Maddock would then press on harder, only to be pushed back. Finally he gave up being somewhat gentlemanly about it and pushed through until he was at her side.

Yorick then stepped up to her side and pulled her close. Maddock looked him in the eyes and said, “I have come for my bride.”

Yorick looked him up and down doubtfully and then smiled. “I have seen you prove yourself Sir Maddock, I give my sister to you.”

Maddock held out his hands to her as Theobald, who had been watching from his box, called out, “I now declare Maddock and Carlyss married!”

Maddock pulled her into his arms, or rather she rushed into his arms. He smiled down at her as he held her close, and then bent his head and kissed her. Everyone cheered and Carlyss giggled, but held tight to Maddock as she returned his kiss.

Without a word Maddock picked her up, sweeping her off her feet, and carried her out of the ballroom. Everyone watched them leave and smiled as the door closed on them. A moment later they all gasped when they heard a loud pop. Rushing to the door they saw Maddock and Carlyss standing in the hall facing his grinning brothers and Yorick who had bucket and a couple of Maddock's small rocks.

Maddock shook his head at the two of them and Kenrick said with a beaming smile, “We did not want you to forget us.”

Maddock looked his brother in the eyes and said, “I shall get you for this later.”

Kenrick just grinned as Maddock once again picked up his bride and carried her off. The couple was always allowed an hours peace before they went back to join the celebration. Maddock and Carlyss spent their first hour as husband and wife in the greenhouse.

Maddock nudged open the door with his booted foot and carried her inside, kicking the door closed behind him. Carlyss giggled and resting her head against his, said, “You can set me down you know.”

Maddock's heart was hammering so hard he could barely breath. “No, I shall never want to set you down again,” he said and once more kissed her.

He carried her to an old, twisted tree and sat down. She sat at his side, his arms about her, and she leaned her head against his chest so she could listen to his heart beat. He gently brushed her hair off her cheek and twisted it about his fingers. For along time they said nothing, but there was really do need to say anything, they were together and had each other.

The hour passed to quickly for them, but they returned to the celebration which lasted far into the night. When it was finally over Maddock carried Carlyss upstairs and to their bed chamber. They found someone had come in during some part of the day and had decorated it. Maddock laughed as his eyes traveled about the room which now definitely had a girl's touch to it, and laughed.

“I suppose they thought it was not quite fit for you,” he said.

Carlyss giggled. “I am not sure I care what it looks like as long as you are here.”

Maddock laughed again. “I shall always be here Carlyss, I will never leave you!”

Maddock woke early the next morning. He looked over at Carlyss who was still fast asleep beside him. He smiled and pushed himself up on one elbow, careful not to awaken her. Her red hair was pooled about the pillow, he reached over and stroked it. He still had the lock she had given him the day he had dueled Reid for her life.

He smiled as he remembered all the trails and sorrows they had faced. He smiled because, though he knew they were not over, they did not seem to matter anymore. He had nearly lost her so many times, but now, now nothing could part them.

He smiled again and traced his fingers down her cheek. She smiled in her sleep and reaching up took his hand, holding it fast as she dreamed. He gently patted her hand and grinned, too content to move.

***

Every night, for as long as Carlyss could remember, she had not been able to sleep without dreaming in some small way of the man who had called himself her father. Sometimes the nightmares where so bad she would wake up screaming, sometimes they were not, but they were always there.

Yet that night, as she lay asleep in Maddock's arms, never once did she dream about her father. Never once did he enter her dreams or her thoughts. And so that was why she slept late that day, she did not want the feeling of safety to end. Though deep down she knew it never would. She was Maddock's wife now, her father could never hurt her again.

 

Cheers filled the room and Theobald waited until they had fallen silent. “Let us therefore remember our King and His Son and their love for us, for us who do not deserve it.”

Once more this was met with hearty cheers. Once they had silenced Theobald looked over at Adele and said, “Also, there is one thing I would ask before we begin to eat.” And as everyone watched Theobald left his place at the head of the table and walked over to Adele's chair. All eyes followed them and Adele's cheeks turned as red as her hair, and only grew redder when King Theobald knelt beside her chair.

“Adele, I have come to realize I need someone wise and gentle to rule this kingdom with me, someone who will always be there for me. I have seen in you both wisdom and gentleness and an ability to rule well. And I have also come to realize that I love you more then I have ever loved anyone upon this earth, Adele, will you marry me?”

For a moment Adele's face drained all color, and then her cheeks reddened again, and then she almost looked ready to cry. Theobald stared up into her face without blinking, and she suddenly broke into a smile. Relief flooded Theobald and he returned her smile as he tried to stop his hands form shaking from nervousness.

“Of course I will marry you!” Adele exclaimed. “I love you!”

Theobald grinned and standing up held out his hand to her. She left her chair and stood beside him, resting her hand in his out held one. For a moment they just stood there as everyone smiled at them, and then Theobald found his voice and said, “May I introduce you all to my future bride.”

A loud cheer filled the room and Maddock grinned at the two of them. Then, while everyone started to eat Theobald and Adele slipped away so they could be alone for a while. Theobald led her up to the library where he closed the door and then led her over to a chair. Adele then noticed how red his face was.

She giggled at him as he sat in a chair across from her, rather he nearly fell into it. “You look terrified,” she said giggling gleefully.

“I was never one to make a grand show of things,” he admitted to her as he leaned forward. “But you are truly worth it.”

Adele stood up from her chair and walked over to him. He watched her until she crossed behind his chair and slipped something over his neck. His breath came in short gasps at having her so near him. Slowly he reached up and touched the small stone, hanging from a leather strap, that now rested against his chest.

“Your necklace?” he asked in confusion as Adele came around the chair and stood before him.

“When Yorick gave me the necklace he told me to save it and give it to the man I was to marry, like my heart. I give them both to you Theobald,” Adele said as she smiled at him.

Theobald touched the stone again. “I was watching when he gave it you,” he said as he looked up at her. “Would you believe it almost broke my heart because I thought you would never be able to love me?

Adele stared at him and then giggled softly and sadly. “I near about burned the castle down because I thought you loved Hidi and not me,” Adele said with lowered eyes.

Theobald laughed and meeting her gaze again asked, “You did? When?”

She told him about the incident and he laughed again. “I hid the burn marks with a rug,” she concluded.

Theobald smiled. “I was wondering why that rug was placed there.”

Adele knelt down before him and smiled. “I never thought I would be this happy!”

Theobald gently touched her chin. “You are happy then? Happy at the thought of having to marry a gloomy king?”

“You are not gloomy,” Adele scolded.

“You think so?” Theobald asked as he tried not to smile.

“No, you are quite cheerful!” she giggled again as she spoke and her giggle spread to Theobald until he broke out into a grin and leaping to his feet grabbed Adele's hands and spun her about the library. And outside the snow continued to fall softly upon the trees, wrapping the world in a white blanket and for a time hiding the evil that was lurking about.

 

And before Maddock could stop himself, he told the man. He told Carlyss’s father, mother, and brother and the three smiled and gave him their blessings. Then, as relief filled Maddock the jolly man leaned over to him and whispered coyly, “She is in the garden.”

Without a word Maddock slipped outside. Over head the moon cast her silvery light over all the earth, wrapping it in a gentle blanket. The small leaves that were trying to bud on the trees over head shimmered in the light as though little fairies had lit them.

Slipping away from the castle Maddock could still hear the music playing, the gentleness of it drifting through the night and adding to the enchantment. He smiled as his heart started to beat rapidly. He was about to tell the girl he loved, that he loved her, and all the sudden he felt faint and light headed. And yet, on he went, ducking under low hanging branches till he reached the center of the garden, and there he saw her.

She was standing under one of the few trees that had any flowers on them, in the light they were white, in the moonlight they were silver. The gentle night wind was sighing through the branches, making the flowers dance and giggle as though the wind was tickling them. As the moon light wove through the dancing branches the light seemed to be dancing over Carlyss, casting shadows and lights all about her.

Maddock ducked behind a tree as he watched her. Her face was turned upward so that the moonlight shone upon her features, outlining her rosy cheeks and bright eyes that seemed to sparkle like two stars. Her lips were turned up into a soft smile. Her red hair was pulled back in braids that crossed over her head, though some of the hair had escaped and was falling about her face and neck, outlining her features even more.

He smiled; someone had woven some of the white flowers from the tree into her braids. Her dress fell in soft folds, just touching the short green grass. She looked more lovely then usual in the moonlight he decided, and as he watched her he wondered how he could talk to her, when he could not even breathe to look at her!

***

My heart was full, my joy was over flowing, and my love for the King was unspeakable. As I stood under that tree these were my thoughts, and I wanted to laugh and cry at the same time, but did neither.

“I cannot be any happier then I am right now!” I whispered up at the stars as they cast their glorious light down on me.

“Your joy is not yet full My daughter,” the voice I knew so well whispered, a soft, eager laugh followed it.

I closed my eyes and smiled sadly as I thought about him, Maddock. If only I could put aside these thoughts of love, for I knew he loved Adele. And yet, as I stood there, I imagined I heard the sound of a foot step, one I thought I well knew. I kept my eyes closed; not wanting my imaging’s to leave.

As I stood there I heard the man come closer, I heard his soft breathing and I smiled. I could picture him in my mind, his reddish blond hair looking as though it could use a good brushing, his blue eyes shinning with mischievousness and kindness, his smile that always brightened me up.

As I stood there, eyes closed, watching what I thought was my imagining of Maddock, I felt someone touch my hand, and my eyes flew open. I gasped in surprise, for there, before, stood the real Maddock! He smiled at me, though he looked nervous and pale.

“Maddock!” I whispered as my heart started to pound.

“Carlyss,” He smiled at me, and then stammered, “I wanted to come tell you how happy I am for you.”

I lowered my head and smiled, “Thank you.”

We stood for a moment in silence, and then Maddock let out a pent up breath and said, “I cannot do this!”

I looked up and my eyes met his clear blue ones. Reaching out he grabbed my hand and said in a whisper, though loud enough for me to hear, “I tried to tell you many times, sometimes I could not tell you, others I tried and something would happen before I could.”

I swayed slightly and whispered feebly, “Tell me what?”

“Can’t you guess?” He asked tenderly.

I squashed the hope that rose in me. “No.”

“I love you Carlyss,” his words rang in my ears and yet seemed unbelievable.

He saw the doubt in my eyes. “’Tis true, I have loved you since they day I carried you home. Didn’t you ever wonder why I climbed that tree that day? Didn’t you ever wonder why I used to follow you about and try to get you to talk? I have always cared for you, and now I love you so much I cannot be parted from you.”

“You love me?” I managed to whisper.

He smiled. “More then ever man loved a woman. When I think of having to go through all the years of my life without you, I don’t see how I can live. Yet, if you do not love me, if you love another, I give you my blessing. Only I had to tell you.”

Tears escaped my eyes and I choked back a sob as I said, “I thought you loved Adele.”

Maddock whipped my tears away with his finger tips. “You and you only,” he said gently. “Do you love me?”

“More then I can ever say,” I smiled through my tears. “I was broken hearted thinking you did not love me.”

Maddock’s face shone the joy he felt as he clung to my hand. “Never let your heart break again sweet Carlyss, never doubt my love.”

“My heart can’t break,” I returned, “because I give it all to you.”

“I will keep it safe.”

I smiled and Maddock said gently, “Can I have this dance?”

I nodded my head, and under the blossoming tree and the silver moonlight we danced, and for a time we forgot all around us, relishing the joy and hope that can only come when two people who love the King with their whole hearts, are granted the chance to share that love together, and with each other.