Say No To This

@ sun spirit

"Payment. I said I'd pay you for getting me breakfast, but I never specified how I'd pay you." She explained, offering him a little grin. "There's only three in the wild, and then I had three that I grew, so you can have one. If you sold it I'm sure you could get a lot for it, but whoever you sold it to probably wouldn't be able to care for it properly, and it'd die." She shrugged a little before moving over to where he'd set the tray of food, looking back over at him. "Does it matter which plate I take? I'd hate to eat your meal when you were kind enough to help me." She laughed a little, grabbing a fork and napkin from the tray as she waited for his answer.

---

Elwin chuckled a little, shaking his head. "I might have been young, and I might not of known what it was that I felt, but looking back I know that I did." He said, stroking her hair gently as he listened to her, nodding a little. "I understand, Ceren.. Take all the time you need. I just don't want to lose you." He assured, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead as he smiled down at her. "What should we tell the Council? They'll want some sort of explanation for why I'm putting off a marriage."

@ katahdin

Payment. He honestly hadn’t expected her to pay him when he’d brought breakfast for her, really just doing it out of kindness, he supposed. And then there was the question of her mentioning that he could sell the flower but it would undoubtedly die if he did. “Thank you, you didn’t have to... you should also know that I’ve never taken care of a plant before and it’ll die if you leave it with me. For the flower’s sake, you should take it back with you.” He smiled and nodded when she went to the food. “They’re the same. Either one’s fine.” He walked over and took a plate and some silverware after she’d picked hers, then led her over to his desk. It was the only thing in the room that wasn’t neat, and he had to move papers and books out of the way so that they could put down their breakfast. After bringing another chair from a different part of the room, it was a table they could eat at.

---

Ceren still shook her head a little at the thought that he’d been in love with her for so long, that it was even possible, but as serious as this conversation was, she knew he wasn’t joking with her. He meant it. And even if she hadn’t said yes to his proposal, he didn’t seem upset. She’d agreed to give him a chance, and he seemed happy to have that. And she thought she was happy to have it to, smiling as he pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Hey, you aren’t going to lose me,” she said, reaching out for one of his hands. “Even if, if I can’t say yes eventually, you and Aerith will always be my friends.” She couldn’t see anything making that different. However, when he mentioned the Council, she paused. “Can’t kings court like everyone else?” She asked. “Maybe they won’t arrange balls full of strange women anymore then...”

@ sun spirit

Aerith laughed a little, shaking her head. "But I don't have any other way of repaying you. I don't like owing people." She explained, taking her plate and following him over to his desk, waiting for him to clear it of his things before taking a seat when he brought her a chair, offering him a polite "Thank you" before she began to dig into her meal, letting out a small groan of approval as the warm food hit her hungry stomach. "I haven't had an un-burnt meal in ages." She sighed, savoring each bite of bacon and eggs, knowing that she'd be back to burnt food before she knew it. She looked at him for a while, studying him before finally asking. "Why were you up so early anyway? Don't nobles like their beauty sleep?"

---

Elwin nodded a little, smiling as she took his hands. He couldn't believe how lucky he was, both in having her as a friend, and the possibility of having her as a wife, although he chuckled when she mentioned the Council. "That sounds reasonable.. But the Council isn't known for being reasonable. They want me to marry before the end of the year and start producing heirs, as I'm the last member of my family, and if something happens to me the Royal line dies out, even if Aerith takes the throne after me." He explained, fiddling with a strand of her hair as he looked into her eyes. "I'd very much like to kiss you again.." He murmured softly, not wanting to just do it suddenly like he had done before, knowing he had surprised her.

@ katahdin

Nyrel shook his head a little at her stubbornness. "Okay, how about this? Repay me by not letting me kill that flower," he suggested with a small laugh. "Because I really would hate if it died within a week of you leaving it here." He'd already set his food down, but now he sat in the chair he'd brought to the desk, Aerith already having dug into her food. He chuckled as she devoured it as if she'd been starved for days and started into his own meal, albeit more slowly and with better table manners. "Why are your meals always burnt?" he asked curiously as he glanced over at her, then sighed at her question. "I certainly like mine, but I had a meeting with the Duke of Rochani, who is leaving the castle before noon and apparently enjoys starting his day early."

---

Married before the end of the year, but it was already summer. That didn't leave much time at all... And heirs... Ceren took a breath at the enormity of that, even as Elwin played with her hair as if he weren't worried in the least. "I'll answer as soon as I can, but I can't just say yes. If we both just loved each other as friends and you didn't like anyone but absolutely needed to marry, maybe to help you I could. But knowing how you feel, I can't unless I think I love you too, because that wouldn't be fair..." She trailed off, looking into his eyes, and her cheeks reddened as he spoke. Compared to kissing Theseus, their last kiss had been very nice, and she realized that she wouldn't mind another one. She gave him a little nod, a smile beginning to tug at the edges of her mouth. "I think I'd like that," she whispered.

@ sun spirit

Aerith smiled a little, considering his offer for a moment before nodding. "Sounds fair. Deal." She nodded a little as he spoke of the Duke of Rochani, frowning for a moment in thought before grinning sheepishly. "I think that's the Duke who was in the room that I threw the halberd in last night.. I bet he appreciated it more than it seemed." She laughed between bites of food, although her laughter disappeared when he asked about her burnt food, shrugging a little as she took a long sip of water. "The people in the kitchen don't like me much. And neither do the maids, or the guards, for that matter... I don't think anyone really likes me, to be honest." She shrugged before taking another bite of her eggs.

---

"There's no rush, Ceren. The Council may want me to marry by the end of the year, but they can't force me. They don't have that power, and I'd be more than happy to wait for you. And I understand your hesitation, it's completely understandable." Elwin reassured her, stroking her cheek gently. He grinned as she said she'd like it if they kissed again, running his fingers through her hair gently, admiring her pretty blush. He leaned forward a bit, giving her a teasing wink before he pressed their lips together, kissing her lovingly as he drew her closer.

@ katahdin

"Thanks," Nyrel smiled, glad that she would take the orchid back, rather than leave him to care for it and undoubtedly kill it--at least, that's what he thought they'd agreed on. Breakfast was good--a couple of homemade biscuits that he'd eaten first, and now he was working on his eggs, saving the strips of bacon for last. When she admitted that she suspected she threw the halberd into the duke's room, Nyrel laughed, his fork halting halfway to his mouth with eggs still scooped on it. "No wonder he didn't seem as cheery this morning."

He hadn't realized it would happen when he asked the question, but her laughter diminished, and the conversation became more serious after he'd asked about her burnt breakfast. He watched her as she spoke, but she didn't pause in eating her meal as she answered him. "I like you," he said, then, remembering what she'd asked him last night, continued, "And Elwin was right when he said that you'll find someone who loves you one day. And because you don't play by the rules everyone else does, you'll even have the comfort of knowing for sure that they do. Unfortunately, you're just going to have to wait to find someone who can see you're smart and adventurous, not a freak, and not be intimidated by it."

---

Ceren breathed a little easier with Elwin's reassurances, giving him a nod and a smile. "Thank you, Elwin. I know you've got to be tired of dealing with them trying to push marriage on you and hearing that I don't feel the same as you can't be easy, so thank you for being patient and being the only person who isn't trying to push me to do what they want." With everything that'd happened, she was realizing that more than anything, she just wanted to be able to choose what she did with her life, and it felt good knowing he was on her side.

Part of her wanted to hide behind her hair or hope that he hadn't seen her blush, but as close as they sat, how they were leaned towards each other already and he was smiling at her, Ceren knew he'd already seen it. For a moment she was just grateful that he didn't tease her, and the next moment was taken up by him as he leaned in and his lips were on hers once again. She made a small, surprised noise against his mouth as she felt his arm slip around her and pull her to him, almost no space left between them now, and though she was horribly unsure what to do with any part of her, just like in their dance earlier that evening, somehow her arms found their way around his neck and her hand into his hair as they slowly kissed. When they pulled back this time, it wasn't far, and she could still feel his breath as she softly murmured, "At this rate, neither of us is going to be able to sleep." That woke up the healer in her just enough to pull back a little more. "I'll get you another glass of milk, and then I should go. Taliesin was tired, so I sent him home." She gave him a little smile. "Even if you're worried, I'm still Royal Healer, and I have to take care of my infirmary."

@ sun spirit

Aerith looked up from her meal when he said that he liked her, falling silent as she listened to his answer to her question from the night before, a faint blush creeping up her cheeks as she listened to his praises of her. While her brain attempted to argue that he was just kissing her ass, that he didn't mean his kind words and that he was just saying it to get on her good side, her heart refused to listen, warmth filling her chest as butterflies danced in her stomach, although that could be explained by eating her breakfast so quickly.

She nodded a little, looking away from his eyes, afraid she'd been staring, instead focusing on the plates of breakfast on the table, noting that he hadn't yet eaten his bacon, and quietly wondering to herself whether she could manage to take a piece without him noticing. "You're being very kind again, Nyrel... It's more than I deserve. Thank you."

---

,

Elwin was happy enough just holding her in his arms and kissing her, and knew that if she ended up saying yes to his proposal, he'd be absolutely over the moon. He kept one hand around her waist as they kissed, his other moving to run through her hair, savoring the moment in case he never got another like this, although he prayed that he would. When they pulled back he grinned at her, pressing a small kiss to the tip of her nose as he chuckled. "You're such a worrywart, Ceren.. You are the Royal Healer, but that doesn't mean you have to do everything yourself." He reassured her, pressing another quick kiss to her lips before he released her, knowing there was no way to convince her to stay once she'd set her mind.

"And the next time someone gives you a hard time about your job, don't be afraid to be more assertive. When I was first crowned, every decision I made was being second guessed by the Council, until I cussed one particularly obnoxious Count one day, and they never second guessed me again." He chuckled a little at the memory, shaking his head. "You don't have to do the same thing, but if you keep letting people second guess you, they'll never respect you. My approval isn't enough."

@ katahdin

The more he spoke to her, the more Nyrel noticed Aerith blush occasionally, usually in answer to something he said or did. At first, it was winking--she wasn't the only one he did that with though. He did it with plenty of women, being playful. But more recently, it seemed to be when he was serious and what she called "kind" but he called honest. Between the blushes and other little cues, he was beginning to wonder if maybe she liked him and the reason she'd asked her question in the first place was a sort of test to see if he felt the same way.

And while he enjoyed her company and thought maybe he could, Nyrel knew it wasn't something he'd ever act on. He had to keep his family in a good position, and while he felt for Aerith, there were too many who disliked her for it to be a good idea to attempt to court her. So he kept quiet about her occasional blushes and kept things friendly, giving her a smile as she thanked him. "I'm being honest and kind this time, but it's as much as you deserve. No one should think they're unlovable," he said, finishing off his eggs. Then, having saved the best for last, he picked up a strip of bacon and blissfully bit into it.

---

Ceren frowned at Elwin as he called her a worrywort, but it was only half a frown at best, since she seemed unable to push back the smile that pushed to the surface. Any traces of a frown completely vanished when he kissed her again, even if it only lasted a second. There was just something about the casualness of it that warmed her. "I don't do everything myself. The others help a lot. It's just that I'm the only one around right now," she explained in an attempt to defend herself.

Then he was giving her advice--it hadn't really been said but they both seemed to understand she was staying in the castle as Royal Healer and not going to study in the Northern Territories--and the mood sobered a bit. "Thank you. I know I need to do something. I just can't figure out what. I can't stop my patients from asking another healer for their opinion or if I'm qualified when I'm away doing something else, and the others usually take care of the patients before I can. The only thing I've been able to come up with is running the infirmary by myself for a week, but I guess that goes back to doing everything by myself."

@ sun spirit

Aerith finished the last of her breakfast, savoring the last bite of bacon as she leaned back contently in her chair, closing here eyes as she let herself relax for a moment. She knew it was foolish of her to believe that he could ever like her that way, and it was even more foolish for her to develop feelings for him in the first place. He was Ceren's brother, and she knew that he was a liar and manipulator, someone who was only interested in what he thinks is best for himself. And, even though it hurt her to think it, she knew that she wasn't the best thing for anyone.

"I never said I was unlovable. Ceren and Elwin love me. I just don't think I'm the kind of girl someone brings home to their parents." She explained stretching her arms up above her head and her legs out underneath the table, accidentally kicking him as she tried to work out the tenseness in her muscles. Her eyes opened when she felt her foot connect with his shin, frowning a little. "Oops, sorry."

---

Elwin shook his head a little. "If they doubt you and ask for a second opinion from a different healer, you confidently tell them that you are the Royal Healer, the best in charge, and you are confident in your diagnoses. Then if they get fussy, just say you'll call the guards on them and they'll be removed from the infirmary if they don't calm down." He chuckled a little, smiling at her as he tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "And if your healers doubt you, you tell them that replacements can easily be found if they're not going to cooperate with you and follow your orders. I know it seems harsh, but if you keep letting them walk all over you, you'll never get the respect you deserve. Stand up for yourself, Ceren." He smiled, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead before sighing as he glanced at the clock again.

"I suppose you should get going.. Will I see you tomorrow?" He asked hopefully, giving her hands a final squeeze before he released them.

@ katahdin

Nyrel considered what she was saying as he continued to slowly eat his bacon, savoring it. He nearly told her that she'd just have to find someone who didn't have parents, but he knew what a thin line he was walking with her and that felt too close to it. So instead he remained silent, continuing to crunch on his bacon as she took the time to stretch. His mouth was actually full when she accidentally kicked him, and he turned a look on her, more surprised than hurt, that relaxed when she apologized. He rolled his eyes good-naturedly, holding a finger up to signal he needed a minute, and after he'd swallowed his bite of food, said, "It's okay. It'll take more than a little kick to hurt me."

Since he was almost full and had two pieces of bacon left, he offered her one and took the last for himself, which he finished quickly and washed down with water. When they were both done with that, he motioned behind them to the terrarium she'd left. "Are you keeping the orchid then, or showing me how not to kill it?" he asked, turning to her with a smile.

---

Ceren nearly argued with Elwin, because that felt too much like refusing to treat someone, and she couldn't do that. What if someone was badly hurt, such as Aerith the last time she'd come in? But she reminded herself that that wouldn't be a problem if someone was so bad off they needed immediate help. And while she wasn't entirely comfortable with his suggestion, maybe it could work until people stopped questioning her based on her age. "I'll try it," she assured him with a little smile. "The other healers aren't a problem anymore. I wasn't very assertive when I got back, but Aerith actually helped me with them because she only wanted to see me," she admitted. "They saw firsthand how good I was, and they listen to me now."

Then it was time to leave--before she ended up staying after all--and Ceren couldn't help the happy little smile that found her at Elwin's question. "I'm sure we'll both end up oversleeping, but if you can make time, I'd love to see more of you." She hesitated, then leaned in and kissed his cheek. "If you want, I can be back in a couple of minutes with more milk. If not... goodnight," she said softly as she climbed down off the bed.

@ sun spirit

Aerith grinned sheepishly at his comment, glad that he wasn't upset about the kick. She was very grateful when he offered her the last piece of bacon, savoring each bite with a little hum of contentment, and after finishing she sighed, finishing her glass of water before standing as if to leave. However, when he asked her to show him how to care for the orchid her eyes lit up a bit, nodding. "I thought you didn't want it.. But I'd be happy to teach you, it's pretty easy." She reassured him as she moved to bring their dirty plates back to the tray, carefully stacking the plates and silverware before moving over to the window. Once he walked over she explained the instructions for how to care for it, which weren't that complicated, the little flower and foliage on the inside of the glass container only needing a light mist of water once every few weeks, or only when the soil looked dry, and needed the top to be taken off of the glass container once a month for twenty minutes or so to let in fresh air.

---

Elwin chuckled a little, nodding as he squeezed her hands reassuringly. "You'll figure it out, I'm sure." He reassured, smiling at her kindly as he watched her slip off of his bed. "If you come back, I won't let you leave." He grinned, and although he had said it teasingly, he meant every word. He wanted her to stay and if she left now that was fine, but if she came back he wasn't sure he could let her leave again, even if she protested. He waved her away, however as he laid back against the pillows. "I'll be fine, Ceren. The one glass was more than enough. You should get to bed." He said, biting back a yawn. "Goodnight, Ceren."

@ katahdin

Months had passed, and not only had Nyrel managed not to kill the orchid he’d been gifted, he was spending increasingly more time with Aerith. It was never anything other than friendly exchanges, usually while they were alone, but more and more, he was realizing that he really liked her. More than he cared to admit. Courting Aerith would be the equivalent of social suicide with the nobles around the castle though, so he ignored his emerging feelings. He even attempted to keep himself busy, thinking that maybe with time, they’d just drift apart naturally and that could be the end of that. It was working too, for about a week.

The next time he saw her, it was as he was preparing for a hunt in the forests west of the castle, an event many nobles were attending, and he ran into her in the stables, where he’d gone to ready his horse. “Aerith,” he said, surprised, and took her in, automatically offering a warm smile. The bow and quiver slung over her shoulders clued him in that she would be part of the hunt. “I’m surprised to see you here.” From his experience, she usually didn’t willingly participate in functions involving other nobles unless she had something planned—such as firecrackers at a ball. He could only assume she was planning on entertaining herself this afternoon.

---

Ceren had left the infirmary a little while ago with the excuse that she would be grabbing lunch in the kitchens and picking herbs, but the basket that hung off her arm was actually full with lunch. Since the night Elwin had confessed, they’d started spending a lot more time together, mostly on little private outings, and this time, she was the one who’d asked him to meet her. She had something to tell him, and her emotions were wound in this little tight ball of energy in her stomach because of it. She’d promised to give him her answer once she knew how she felt, and something within her insisted that she couldn’t just blurt it out the next time she saw him. It should be special.

So she’d asked him to meet her for a picnic in the gardens. All of the flowers of spring and summer had died, and it looked overall far less stunning than it had in previous months, but the roses were in full bloom, and she’d asked him to meet her in the middle of them all, where it would be prettiest. When she got there, she pulled out the blanket she’d brought and spread it over the ground, then placed the basket in the middle and pulled out the food she’d packed for them, setting it all out. When she was done, she stood back, inspecting her handiwork, and since she hadn’t seen Elwin yet, waited while fiddling with her fingers, her nerves playing with her even though she knew there was no reason to be nervous at all.

@ sun spirit

The week when Nyrel had attempted to distance himself from Aerith had been quite eventful for the young woman. She had been injured in an ambush on the Council when they had been traveling a short distance for some meeting or other event, and while the guards had quickly taken Elwin to safety, Aerith had been the only one left to defend the nobility traveling with them. She'd been stabbed twice and had numerous cuts and gashes, but had still managed to kill the attackers before she passed out, the very grateful nobility promptly returning her to the castle to be treated by Ceren. She had spent the remainder of the week in the infirmary healing, the nobility who had been with her very grateful, and their opinions of her having improved greatly, enough so that she had been invited on their annual hunting trip, something that she looked forward to after spending a week cooped up in the infirmary with Ceren fussing over her.

She looked up from where she was adjusting her horse's saddle when she heard the familiar voice, that familiar warmth filling her chest and causing her heartbeat to quicken even before she turned to look at him, offering him a polite smile in return. "Oh, hello, Nyrel." She was a little upset that he hadn't come to visit her in the infirmary, although she'd spent most of the first few days sleeping while Ceren and the other healers tended to her wounds, but when she had asked they said no one but Elwin and a few of the nobles she had saved had come to visit. "I'm just as surprised to see you here. Whose ass did you kiss to get invited?" She said teasingly, snickering to herself as she checked the saddle again before fully turning to look at him. While she had looked quite terrible when she had first gone to the infirmary with her injuries, she was good as new, only the occasional pain from where she'd been stabbed in the stomach and a small gash on her cheek, which she had insisted Ceren not heal, claiming that she wanted to have it scar because "every good General has a scar on their face."

---

The past few months with Ceren had been the best of his life. While he hated the sneaking around, he loved that he was doing it with her, and greatly enjoyed the little trips and meals they had together, as well as the secret kisses he insisted on stealing from her when no one was looking. After the ambush earlier that week, Elwin had been very busy with the Council, trying to figure out who had orchestrated it and what should be done about it, so he was very grateful when Ceren had asked to have lunch with him, needing the break. Once he had finished with a stack of paperwork he left his study and made his way to the garden, going to the center where she had instructed him to meet her, grinning when he saw the picnic she had prepared for them.

"It's lovely, Cer." He said as he moved over to her, wrapping his arms around her waist and pressing a loving kiss to her lips, their first in almost a week. She had been just as busy as him tending to Aerith, and was sure that she was glad to have a break as well.

@ katahdin

Though Nyrel had heard that Aerith was in the infirmary, it was well after the fact when he'd been told that she'd been injured while protecting a procession of delegates. It was at that time that he'd also been told that she'd been cared for by the Royal Healer and quite amazingly. The person had seemed a little in awe of both women, one for her ferocity and the other for her healing skills. And hearing that everything was fine, Nyrel felt no pressing need to visit and check on her. She'd be more than fine with Ceren looking after her.

Still, some part of him had almost expected her to still be recuperating, not taking part in the annual hunt. Even so, she didn't seem upset with him, soon teasing him just as she normally would. "Oh, you know. I've kissed so much ass I can't keep up with everyone anymore," he returned with a chuckle as he approached his horse, who'd already been prepared for him. She was a black mare, eager for a ride, and as apology for not riding her in some time, he offered her an apple, which she immediately gobbled up. "What about you?" he asked Aerith, glancing over at her as she looked over her horse's saddle. "I never would've expected to see you here."

---

The last week without Elwin had felt a little lonely, even with Aerith and her other patients to keep her company--and busy--and somehow it was that short time apart that helped Ceren realize exactly how important he'd become to her. She still had her reservations about the whole queen thing, despite his reassurances, but she was ready to say yes, and it was partially happiness in seeing Elwin and partially the knowledge of what she had to tell him that had her smiling brightly when he walked up.

"I'm glad you like it," she said as she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back. It was something she'd been a little shy about when this had all first started but had quickly warmed up to. When they pulled back, she didn't go very far, her arms still around his neck as she met his eyes. "I know it's only been a week, but I missed you." She pushed up on her toes and kissed him again, quickly. When she pulled back, she was smiling again. "Come on, let's sit down. I'm sure you don't have too long for lunch, and I'd feel bad if I kept you from eating." With their hands entwined, she led him to the blanket and sat down with him on top of it, their lunch spread out in front of them.

@ sun spirit

Aerith was a little upset with him for not visiting, although she knew she had no reason to be upset, but couldn't really help it. She had thought that he liked her, not romantically or anything, but just as friends, and it had hurt a little when he hadn't come to see her. But she was doing her best to forget her anger with him, instead focusing her attention on the hunt ahead of them. "About five different nobles invited me.. I suppose they're trying to kiss my ass now." She grinned a little, laughing a bit as she took her horse's reigns to head outside, a nice young spotted mare, patting her neck gently before looking back at Nyrel.

"I should get going, I don't want to be late, and the other guys are probably about ready to leave." She said, waving a little before she headed outside with her horse following along beside her, not wanting to bother him when it seemed like he had been ignoring her for the past week, despite her feelings for him. Once outside she happily and politely greeted the nobles, smiling and chatting politely with them while they mounted their horses and prepared to head off into the forest for the big hunt. Her people skills had greatly improved, and it seemed like her standing with the nobility had improved over the last week alone, and could only go up.

---

Elwin grinned a little, happily keeping his arms around her as she kissed him again. "I missed you too. A lot." He smiled, brushing a hand over her hair, pressing a kiss to her forehead before following her over to the picnic blanket, taking a seat as he looked at the various foods she had brought. "This looks delicious, Ceren. Where did it come from? Did the kitchens give you a hard time for taking this?" He teased softly, chuckling as he pressed a kiss to her cheek once she was seated next to him. "I'm the King, Ceren, I can go back whenever I want." He chuckled a little as he squeezed her hand, leaning over to kiss her again.

@ katahdin

Nyrel looked up from checking over his horse when Aerith spoke, eyebrows raised as Aerith cited the number of invitations she'd received. It didn't escape his notice that she wasn't being exact, either; it seemed like she didn't care to count and didn't think of it as a big deal. It was though. Her actions last week had garnered more attention than most could hope to make in years of careful planning, and with her reputation amongst the castle being so low already, if she was careful not to upset anyone too badly, this could only mean that her status could only rise.

"I'll be right out," he replied, blinking as she brought their very short conversation to an abrupt halt and left. True to his word, Nyrel finished checking his horse and followed, finding that he was the last to arrive and most of the nobles made a loose circle around Aerith, vying for her attention. Something nasty twisted low in his gut at the sight, but he pushed it away as best he could and offered up an amicable smile as he joined the group and apologized for holding them up. "Let's hunt, shall we?" he added as he climbed into his saddle.

---

Ceren blushed a little at Elwin's teasing, glancing down as he kissed her cheek. "They were fine with it. I might've told them that I was picking up a special lunch for me and Aerith though to celebrate her being out of the infirmary and back in her own room," she admitted. Except for the Council, who knew only so that they wouldn't harass Elwin about finding a wife, their relationship was a secret from everyone, even Aerith. It was kind of nice having it that way though. It meant they didn't have to share each other with others and had privacy and a little bubble of happiness that just existed between the two of them. It just also happened to mean that they'd learned how to sneak around to find that privacy.

"But you're a responsible king, so you won't take too long," she countered, smiling as he leaned in to kiss her again. "You really must've missed me," she teased as she linked their fingers together, looking into his eyes. Her stomach flipped, and suddenly she knew that she had to tell him now. "Elwin?" She shifted a bit to face him fully. "I told you months ago that I would let you know when I could answer your proposal. You've been amazingly patient waiting for me to decide, even if the Council hasn't been as understanding, and I wasn't sure when I'd know, but I think I know now. The past few months have been my happiest since I've come back, and that's mostly because of you. You're always so supportive, and you make me feel braver than I am, and I guess all of this is so I can say that I love you, El, and I'm really hoping you meant it when you said you were willing to wait on me, because I'd be honored to marry you."

@ sun spirit

Aerith was doing her best to keep up polite conversation with all the nobility who wanted to chat with her, although she was terribly bad at small talk, and looked quite uncomfortable seated on her horse with them all vying for her attention. Of course, quite a few of the younger nobility saw an opportunity in Aerith. Not only was she now a saint in the eyes of the older nobility after she had saved their lives, but she was also a close friend of the King. If they could get in her good graces and woo her, then not only would the younger nobility rise in the eyes of the older nobility, but would also be in the good graces of the King. So, many of the younger nobility were blatantly attempting to flirt with the young woman, although Aerith was either oblivious or purposefully ignoring them, as the only attention she really wanted was from Nyrel, but she knew that was too much to ask for.

She looked over at Nyrel when he arrived, relieved that everyone's attention was no longer focused on her, the nobility nodding in agreement before setting off into the woods. Happily headed off into the woods, trying to keep a bit of distance from the nobility, preferring to focus on the hunt rather than the small talk that the nobles enjoyed.

---

Elwin grinned a little as they sat on the picnic blanket, preparing a plate of food for himself, picking at his grapes as he listened to her, although his eyes widened as she became more serious, eyes lighting up when she said that she wanted to marry him. He squeezed both of her hands in his, looking at her. "Really? You mean it? You'll marry me?" He asked again, squeezing her hands again as he grinned excitedly, leaning down to press a loving kiss to her lips as he pulled her closer, forgetting his lunch as he was overwhelmed with happiness.

@ katahdin

As everyone took off, heading towards the woods where the hunting would take place, Nyrel noticed that Aerith lingered back, getting away from the others who'd just been attempting to command her attention, Outside of the group, in general. If he had to guess, he'd say her newfound fame didn't sit all that well with her. It took some internal debate, but Nyrel urged his horse over after some time, rather than join in on the idle chatter with the others. "How are your injuries?" he asked, eyes roaming over her as if searching for some sign of them. There was nothing he could see though, aside from the faint line of a scar across her cheek that he knew hadn't existed before.

Of course, Nyrel realized that he needed to apologize for the distance he'd attempted to impose over the last week, but no lie he could think of to weave felt good enough. Though she never brought it up any more than teasing him about kissing ass, he was aware that she knew he played the same game every noble in the castle played. If he was anything less than sincere, he had a feeling that she would know it. No excuses then. "I'm sorry I didn't come and see you while you were in the infirmary. I won't say I didn't have my reasons, but it wasn't from a lack of caring. I really hope you believe me."

---

Residual nervousness knotted up Ceren's insides as she waited for Elwin's reaction, but that all faded the moment his eyes lit up. His grin was infectious, and she smiled, nodding. "I mean it," she assured with a grin and kissed him back. She wrapped her arms around his neck, fingers tangling in the back of his hair. "I love you El, and I need you in my life," she whispered when he pulled back, pressing her forehead to his. "I-I'm still not sure how I feel about being queen, and even if the Council tried to make me, I wouldn't give up being Royal Healer, but I don't want to leave for years to go study. I want to be here with you."

@ sun spirit

Aerith looked over at Nyrel when he rode up next to her, surprised that he wasn't talking with the other nobility. After all, this was the perfect opportunity for him to kiss some asses and get in their good graces. She frowned a bit when he asked about her injuries, shrugging a bit. "Ceren healed everything. You can't even tell I was stabbed, although sometimes I feel a little sore where the wounds were, but Ceren says it's all in my head, and that I'm just making it up to get honey." She shrugged a bit as she explained, looking ahead to see where they were going, wondering where the nobility planned to go to hunt, thinking over her favorite hunting spots. She looked over in surprise when he apologized for not visiting her, frowning a she shook her head. "No, it's fine, Nyrel.. The nurses said that I had plenty of visitors, although I don't know most of their names, but that isn't what counts, right? Whether you know them well?"

---

Elwin beamed, cupping her cheeks in his hands as he continued to press kisses all over her face, overwhelmingly happy. "I love you too, Ceren. So much. And I wouldn't imagine asking you to step down from your position as Royal Healer. You'll be a wonderful Queen, but you can be both." He smiled, pressing a small kiss to her forehead before reluctantly pulling back. "Not that I don't want to keep kissing you, but we ought to eat this lunch before it all goes to waste." He smiled, grabbing another grape before popping it into his mouth. "I'm very happy you said yes." He mumbled around his mouthful, smiling at her.

@ katahdin

Nyrel didn't miss Aerith's frown as he approached her, though he did his best not to acknowledge it as he talked to her rather than leave her to herself. He gave her a curious, uncertain look when she mentioned soreness where her wounds had been. "Are you making it up?" It seemed like the sort of mischievous thing she would do, but at the same time, it shouldn't be ignored if it was real. A small thread of worry wormed its way through him which he fought to ignore. This was why he'd kept his distance last week; he was starting to care about her, and with her standing with the nobles, he couldn't risk it going any further. In light of what had just happened though... maybe he could help her keep in the good graces of the nobility. He set that aside for the moment though, as she replied to his apology. "I suppose... but I've always heard that when you're sick or hurt, you want the people you care about around you." He gave her a little smile. "Not that I'm so self-absorbed that I'd put myself on that list."

---

Ceren laughed as Elwin kissed her face, almost having to push him away so he could talk without only getting one word out between kisses. "I know you wouldn't, but the Council might. I've seen the way they try to control what you do," she told him, smiling, and ducked him leaning in to press another kiss to her face so that she could kiss his cheek and laughed again as he suggested they eat lunch. "Sorry, I was afraid I might get too nervous if I waited until after we ate," she admitted sheepishly, going for the small bowl of apple slices--the apples having been freshly picked that morning. When he spoke again, she smiled and reached for his free hand. "I'm happy you asked. I don't know if I would've let myself think of you as anything other than a friend if you hadn't said something."