Say No To This

@ sun spirit

"I wanted it to happen too. And I agree, it would be nice if it happened again." He grinned softly, pulling her closer to press a loving kiss to her lips. "We'll be careful, Ceren, I promise. Get as much herbs as you want, and if anything happens again we'll use it." He reassured her, not wanting her to worry about getting caught by the Council.

He chuckled a bit at the thought of Ceren being friends with anyone else, shaking his head a little. "I couldn't picture Nyrel and Aerith as friends at that age, even without you. They picked on one another constantly. I'm surprised Nyrel even spoke to Aerith when he first came to the castle a year ago, as I'm pretty sure the last time they saw one another before that was when he wasn't twelve, and he told her that he'd be happy never to see her again." He chuckled at the memory. "You can't blame me for not believing he loves her after something like that."

---

Aerith giggled a little at his teasing, shaking her head before turning to press a kiss to the inside of his palm, scooting closer. "No dresses. They make me look bad... Besides, the last time I wore one was because my mother forced me to for a portrait, and I hate it." She huffed, resting her head against his chest as she looked at him. "I'll help you get new clothes today, anyway. That way we can do fun things tomorrow." She assured him with a smile, reaching up to brush her fingers over his cheeks and lips.

@ katahdin

As nervous as she was to have this conversation, Elwin’s overall calmness about it all soothed her nerves so that her smile seemed more relaxed as he drew her closer and she squeezed his hands. “Okay,” she agreed, returning his kiss. As he explained how Nyrel and Aerith had parted nearly ten years ago, she laughed softly, grinning a bit. “I remember that. They were so angry at each other, and I tried to get Aerith to promise not to mess with him anymore so they’d stay friends because I was afraid he’d convince our parents to leave the castle.”

---

As Aerith moved closer, Nyrel shifted a bit, helping her and using one arm to hold her against him. “You say that, but I bet you’d be gorgeous,” he countered with a lazy grin as he reached out and brushed her hair out of her face. “What kind of fun things?” He asked, pressing his hand over hers to still her wandering fingers and tilting his head to press a kiss to them.

@ sun spirit

Elwin chuckled as he pulled her closer, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "And now they're going to be married... I wonder if they remember that? When they met again in the infirmary a year ago they didn't seem to.. And it's entirely possible that Aerith had forgotten all about it." He held her happily in his arms, swaying gently as he hummed a bit, as if dancing with her while they talked about their childhood. "I haven't thought about being that age in a long time.. What else do you remember? You were so much younger, so I don't really know if you remember all of the stuff we did."

---

Aerith blushed as he wrapped his arm around her and told her he thought she'd be gorgeous, smiling a little as he brushed her hair away from her face. "The portrait is in here somewhere if you want to see it.. But I think you'll laugh at me." She snuggled closer, giggling as he caught her hand in his and pressed kisses to her fingertips. "We can learn how to cook in the kitchens, or we could go explore or go stay in the little cabin I found in the middle of the woods.." She listed off some of the options, shrugging a little. "If there's anything you want to do, we could do that too."

@ katahdin

Ceren smiled as Elwin began to sway with her and shifted to wrap her arms around his neck, feeling completely at peace like this. “I don’t know,” she admitted. “Neither of them has really talked to me about it. Nyrel has to remember, at least.” As they continued to sway together, she let her head lay against his chest, the sound of his heartbeat joining the humming during a lull. “I don’t think I do... I can’t remember ever not being friends with you and Aerith. I remember a lot though. Like when she wanted to find that forest spirit that supposedly ate children on full moons, but we ended up fighting vines instead and got poison oak for it. Then there was that ravine she wanted to explore and you argued with us about whether we should go and then you told on us.” She giggled softly. “I was so angry, I wouldn’t talk to you for a week, until Aerith and I snuck out without you and I ended up returning with a broken leg.”

---

“Well, if you don’t mind me seeing it, I’d love to,” Nyrel replied with a smile, kissing her forehead. He liked that she sometimes blushed at the things he said, that he was able to compliment her in such a way as to have that reaction, whether or not she believed that he meant every word. “I’m surprised to hear you don’t want to spend the day kissing,” he teased, pressing another kiss to her fingertips. “Honestly though, anything that includes spending a day with you sounds heavenly. We could even split up our time. Cook and kiss,” here he winked, “and check out this cabin you mentioned.”

@ sun spirit

Elwin chuckled a little as they reminisced about their childhood adventures, happily leading her in the little dance they'd started as he led them around the room. "I remember that. You were so upset at me, but I still got to have my 'I told you so' moment when you came back with a broken leg. And Aerith was very upset about going behind my back so she gave me a nice plant and drew me a picture as an apology.. I think I still have the picture somewhere." He chuckled, making a mental note to try to find it later.

---

"Maybe later. I don't want to get up yet." Aerith smiled, giggling as he suggested they spend the day kissing. "That could work too, you know.. Kissing is always nice." She smiled, gently smoothing her hands over his chest. "But I'd be happy to show you the cabin. It takes a while to get there, but it's worth it because it's quiet and there are no fussy nobles to yell at you and tell you what to do... it can be our secret forest home if we want."

@ katahdin

“And the worst part was that I was in the infirmary and couldn’t get away from your gloating,” Ceren teased with a little chuckle. “At least Aerith could draw a picture and be done with it. I was trapped until my leg healed.” As punishment for sneaking out, her parents had made her stay in her room until her leg healed, unable to have company. Unfortunately, they’d forgotten her room was on the first floor and easily accessible by window.

---

Nyrel shook his head. “Not later, tomorrow,” he said, pressing a kiss to her lips. “We’re spending the day in bed, remember?” He was glad to hear she was open to a day of kissing though; that sounded like a day to look forward to. He sat up a little as she talked about the cabin, propping himself on his elbow and gazing down at her. “Secret forest home, huh? What does it look like?” He reached out, trailing his fingers down her cheek.

@ sun spirit

"But you put up with my gloating so well." He pointed out with a little grin. "Besides, I like to think that you enjoyed the sleepovers Aerith and I had with you. We kept you entertained even when your parents wouldn't let you leave your room. And if I remember correctly, Aerith sat with you and drew all sorts of pictures while you were healing. And we'd sneak you treats from dinner because your mom said you couldn't have any." He pressed a gentle kiss to her lips, twirling her around gently as they danced, holding her close to his chest. He was glad that he'd sort of convinced her to stay, at least for the time being, as just talking like this was very nice.

---

Aerith happily returned the kiss, smiling against his lips as she looked up at him, nodding a little. "You're right, I forgot we're spending the day in bed." She giggled, shifting as he propped himself up to look down at her, finger reaching up to play with the ties on his shirt while he trailed his fingers across her cheek. "It looks like most little cabins, I suppose... There's a little woodstove to keep the place warm and to cook things on, and there's a bed with lots of blankets, and a few chairs by the windows that look out into the forest.. It's very peaceful and nice, but it's kind of small."

@ katahdin

Ceren grinned at him. "I had to put up with the gloating. You guys were sneaking in and bringing me treats!" That wasn't entirely true. She didn't put up with his gloating just because he was bringing her treats, but she didn't mind teasing him about it either, since he would know better than to believe that she'd put up with him for treats. She gladly returned his kiss as they continued to slowly move around his room, their swaying a little more like dancing now. It was nice though, the moment relaxing and intimate. At least, until there was suddenly a frantic knocking at the door.

---

As she described the cabin, Nyrel smiled, thinking it definitely sounded small from her description but also kind of peaceful. "Are you sure it doesn't belong to anyone?" he asked. The thought of someone leaving behind a cabin, furnished with chairs and bedding, didn't make a lot of sense to him. Even so... "If it really is empty, it does sound like a nice escape."

@ sun spirit

Elwin was about to say something else when he heard the frantic knock at the door, letting out a long sigh as he leaned down to rest his forehead against hers. "It had to happen sooner or later.." He murmured, pressing one last lingering kiss to her lips before moving to open the door, one of the senior members of the Council rushing in after bowing politely to him.

"Your Majesty, I'm sorry to interrupt, but- Oh, Lady Ceren, you're here too. That's good actually, you should hear this." He said quickly, looking between the two of them as Elwin moved back over to Ceren's side. "What is it?" Elwin asked worriedly, glancing at Ceren for a moment before looking back at the Council member.

"You see, your Majesty, the Council members have heard rumors about Lord Nyrel's return, and his engagement to Princess Aerith.. As things stand, we cannot allow the engagement to continue, or the marriage to occur." He stated simply, looking at the king. "Princess Aerith marrying Lady Ceren's brother would be seen by some of the nobles as an act of favoritism on the part of the royal family, and Princess Aerith's marriage was always intended to be political one. Your mother had suggested that she marry the Duke of Briar Glen's son, Lord Fenian Norren, as their province in the south is quite large and the Duke is quite the influential member of the nobility. We advise that the Princess and Lord Stonewater's engagement be terminated immediately, and that Lord Stonewater be sent to Ashwick immediately, to avoid the Princess doing anything regrettable."

---

"I'm sure it belongs to me. I bought it." Aerith grinned up at him sheepishly, giving a little shrug. "Well.. Technically, Elwin bought it.. But he doesn't know. So don't go telling him, ok? I don't want him to be mad.." Aerith smiled up at him, reaching up to run her fingers over his cheeks once more. "Do you really think it sounds nice? Or are you just saying that? Because you can tell me if it doesn't, I won't be mad." She promised.

@ katahdin

Ceren had settled so much into the moment that the knocking at the door startled her, though, as Elwin said, it was bound to happen eventually. "I know," she responded softly, returning his kiss, and stepped back as he went to open his door. It was a Council-member of course, but before the thought of stepping out so they could talk crossed their mind, she was being included in whatever he wanted to talk about. What could it be, that they both needed to hear it?

She reached for Elwin's hand, holding it as the councilman brought up the subject of her brother's marriage to Aerith. She wasn't even sure how anyone at heard about it, since it had just happened yesterday, and the two had seemed far too wrapped up in each other to tell anyone. Even she and Elwin had just found out. As the man talked though, she found herself tightening her hand around Elwin's. "It isn't favoritism," she argued on behalf of her friend and brother. "They just fell in love. They've both been miserable this past year while they've been separated. Besides, Lord Fenian almost got Aerith killed last year on a hunt. Even if she weren't in love, I know she wouldn't marry him. You can't separate them."

---

Nyrel's look of confusion turned to one of amazement and then amusement as Aerith admitted that she'd somehow bought the cabin under Elwin's name. "I won't, I promise," he assured her with laughter in his eyes as he covered her hand with his. "As long as you promise to tell me the story of how this happened one day. Of course it sounds nice though. I mean… for visits. I'm not ashamed to admit I'm accustomed to a certain amount of cleanliness and comfort, so while I might not like to live there, visiting whenever we get sick of things here or need a change of scenery does have its appeal."

@ sun spirit

"I'm sorry Lady Ceren, but even if they are in love, it will seem like favoritism to the other nobility. And the late Queen's suggestion does not have to be honored, but another suitor can be found for the Princess to marry. I know this must be hard to hear because Lord Nyrel is your brother, but your future children will likely not pick their own spouses and will be married off for political favor, it's not uncommon. I will inform Princess Aerith of what has been decided, and-"

"I'll do it." Elwin interjected, his grip on Ceren's hand incredibly tight as he looked at the Council member. "She'll take it better from me. I'll do it." He offered again.

"Very well. A carriage to Ashwick will be available by midday to return Lord Stonewater to his home. Good day, your Majesty." He said with a bow before leaving, the door shutting behind him.

Elwin turned to look at Ceren with a deep frown, squeezing her hands tightly. "I'm sorry to do this, but you can't work today.. I need you to help me plan a wedding."

---

Aerith giggled as she watched his expressions change, beaming when he covered her hand with his. "I'll tell you one day. And I'd be happy to take you to the cabin when you get bored of here. It's quaint, but nice." She reassured him, sitting up a little to press a kiss to his lips, finding it silly that they were spending so much time talking when they were supposed to be spending the day kissing.

@ katahdin

Ceren was ready to continue the argument as soon as the councilman finished, but Elwin interrupted before she could start again, squeezing her hand painfully. It was not his grip that caused her to stare at him in shock though; it was his compliant words. The door hardly clicked shut before she started, "You can't--" She stopped herself as he spoke. "You… what?"

---

"As long as you're there with me," Nyrel agreed, grinning as she kissed him. He returned the action, his hand sliding over her shoulder to cup the nape of her neck as his mouth moved her her own.

@ sun spirit

Elwin shook his head a little, releasing her hands to go to his wardrobe to get dressed properly, running a hand through his hair. "The Council wants Nyrel gone by midday. Fine, he'll be gone. But he'll also be married to Aerith and she'll be going with him to Ashwick, where they can spend a week or so on their honeymoon. The Council could annul the marriage if they get caught before it's consumated, so we have to get them married as quickly as possible without the Council knowing, and send them as far away as possible before the Council finds out, so that they can consumate it which will prevent the Council from being able to do anything legally. They won't like the marriage, but they won't be able to deny it." Elwin explained quickly while he dressed, not caring that Ceren was there while he changed from his pajamas to his nicer clothes after what had happened between them last night.

He returned to her when he was finished, pressing a quick kiss to her lips. "I need you to help Aerith get ready. Find her a dress, or help her into her armor or whatever silly outfit she wants. And have her pack a bag. I'll help Nyrel. He can borrow my clothes, we're about the same size, and all his things will be in Ashwick so I can focus on getting a priest and telling the carriage driver what's going on. Do you remember where the old chapel is in the abandoned section of the castle? The one where Aerith nearly scared us half to death that one time? We can have the ceremony there, as there's a door that leads outside and almost directly to the stables where the carriage will be waiting."

He returned to Ceren's side when he was finished dressing, looking at her worriedly. "Will you help me? Find Nyrel and send him here, he's probably with Aerith in her room. I'll help him while you help her, and in, let's say an hour we'll meet in the chapel.."

---

"I'd never go anywhere without you. We've agreed to never be apart, remember?" She murmured against his lips as she returned his kisses, her eyes closed peacefully as her hands reached up to lightly grip his shirt, tugging him closer as she leaned back down against the pillows.

@ katahdin

Elwin was a flurry of words and plans as he got dressed, and for a moment, Ceren could only wonder how he had managed to come up with all of this during the short time the councilman had been there. There was also relief though; he wasn't going to let the Council keep Aerith from marrying Nyrel. He was helping them. So, as he finished explaining and once more asked for her help, she reached out to take his hands. "Of course I'll help. If you can, get in contact with Alwyin. He's one of my healers, and he used to be a priest. I don't know if he can still perform marriages, but it's worth a shot." She squeezed his hands. "I'll go find Aerith and Nyrel."

---

Nyrel murmured his agreement as she returned his kiss, his body shifting to follow hers as she sank back into the pillows. Then a knock came at the door and following it, an all-too-familiar voice. "Aerith? Nyrel? Are you in there?" Nyrel groaned a little, inwardly cursing Ceren's timing as he moved away from Aerith and sat up.

@ sun spirit

"I loved you." Elwin beamed a bit as he listened to her agree to help, pressing a loving kiss to her lips before leaving the room to go find the healer that Ceren had mentioned. He'd pretend that he needed some medication or something to get him in private, and then he'd go back to his room to find Nyrel and help him get dressed for his wedding. It took twenty minutes or so to convince Alwyin to do the ceremony, promising him a raise and a few weeks of vacation, and once he'd finished giving the man instructions he headed back to his room to see Nyrel.

---

Aerith had begun to wrap her arms around his neck as he shifted closer to her, although she let out a frustrated little groan when she heard Ceren at the door. She pouted as Nyrel sat up, staring up at him for a moment as she tried to consider just ignoring Ceren, but she reluctantly sat up and slid out of bed, turning to Nyrel briefly before heading to the door. "Once Ceren gets whatever she wants we're going back to kissing, buddy. You can't get out of it that easily." She whispered teasingly before walking to the door and opening it with a frown as she looked at her friend. "What is it Ceren? We're busy."

@ katahdin

Nyrel chuckled. "You're assuming I'm trying to get out of it," he countered and let Aerith go. Normally he wouldn't mind answering the door, but the thought of anyone seeing him in Elwin's too-small clothes was enough to keep him under the covers.

Ceren was glad when Aerith opened the door and confirmed that Nyrel was with her, knowing that if they hadn't been in her room, they could've been anywhere in or around the castle. "I have to talk to you both. It's important. We can't do it in the hall though."

@ sun spirit

Aerith frowned as Ceren said she wanted to talk, sighing in frustration before she let her into the room, shutting the door behind her. "Fine, but I'm getting back into bed, because that was the plan for the day and I'm sticking to it." She stated as she hurried back over to her bed to crawl under the covers once more, sitting next to Nyrel happily.

"Now, what do you want?" She said, trying not to sound upset at the intrusion, but she had been really enjoying Nyrel's kisses, and wanted to start up again as soon as possible.

@ katahdin

Although Ceren had known that Nyrel and Aerith were in love and engaged, seeing them together sitting in Aerith's bed, looking so comfortable with each other was odd somehow. It seemed like Nyrel shared her view on it as well, meeting her gaze as if to say 'this is as weird for me as it is for you' for a moment. But then Aerith spoke up again, and she refocused herself on why she was here.

"The Council's decided you can't marry Nyrel. They want you to marry Fenian or someone else instead. If you guys want to marry before they can stop you, it has to be before midday. Elwin's finding a priest and getting it set up now, but Nyrel, you have to get a change of clothes from him, and Aerith, I'm supposed to help you get ready and get you packed. After the wedding, you're both going to Ashwick for a week to get you away from the Council so they can't annul the marriage." With everything out in the open, Ceren took a breath. "Any questions?"

Nyrel needed a moment for everything Ceren said to sink in, and when he did speak, it was to the woman sitting next to him. "Are you sure?" Aerith seemed happy at the thought of getting married to him yesterday, but even now, they'd been reunited for less than 24 hours. He didn't want her to rush into something she wasn't sure about.

@ sun spirit

Aerith frowned deeply as Ceren began to explain everything, her fingers gripping the blankets in front of her tightly as she began to panic slowly. "Wh-What? Th-They can't.. They can't do that Cer!" She began freak out, looking up at Nyrel with wide eyes, moving a hand to hold onto his shirt tightly.

"I don't want to marry Fenian. Or anyone else. I want to marry you, Nyrel. I-I can't lose you again.." She was nearly in tears at the thought of him being sent away again, and soon enough she had her arms wrapped around him tightly and her face tucked into his chest, as if that would keep him from leaving if the Council made him.

@ katahdin

Though he'd worried that maybe Aerith would second-guess marriage to him, Nyrel needn't have been, as he found out by her strong reaction to Ceren's news. He wrapped his arms around her tightly, holding her as she curled into him. "Hey, I'm not going anywhere," he assured her quietly and took a breath. "Right now, you've got to let me go though. And I mean literally, not figuratively. Ceren just said we only have until midday if we want to do this, and we slept through most the morning. We probably don't have much time left. So I've got to go find some clothes that fit, you've got to find a dress, and we're getting married a hell of a lot sooner than either of us expected."