Conceiving an alliance [Neithan/Estelle]

[Evôn Siras Ąrdemíe]

3 days after the meeting in Henzhe…

(for the first part of these developments, click here)

Evon had relentlessly pondered for three nights and its days. It had been decided, with his friend and King Neithan Ardemie, that the most important reunion of the recent months would not be held in the royal dome in Denali. Instead, as to maintain the utmost secrecy (which was crucial in this matter), they had decided to meet in the grand cave of Zell-Acron. This cave, which you could only reach by swimming underwater through halls and pathways, would be the perfect hideout. These days, no faun came to its water for a swim… they were all leagues away, training and fighting a war.

And thus, as it was, Estelle had rested for some days from her long trip, while Evon and Neithan discussed (time and time again) the pros and cons of a strategy such as what they all had in mind. Would this all end well? They could not know… but, as of today, in the midst of loss and defeat, it was their safest bet. 

Evon had desired to arrive first, and thus had begun the descent a couple of hours before the meeting time. He only wore a bock skin loincloth, so as to dive to the depths of this cave comfortably. He carefully observed, as he swam through the hallways, the paintings in the wall and in the ceiling. What strange civilisation had inhabited this place before? Legends said that an antique race of merwomen and mermen occupied all of this system of underwater caves… but this was only a myth.

Thus, he reached the vast lake where he could finally emerge from the water and breathe again. He had nearly lost all oxygen, but fauns had very resilient lungs for swimming. Still, he arose panting, grasping for air, and slowly made his way to the stairway which led to the vast halls, dripping and leaving a water trail behind him.

He crossed the dark pathway and made his way towards the hall. As he reached it, the only thing running through his mind was “is this a mistake?”… and he could not help but wondering, as well, when the beautiful Nayeli lady would arrive. These days with her pacing around the castle had been torture, if only because he had wanted to speak to her during every waking moment. However, he knew that he had to behave, since this girl was the key to resolving the issues of the fauns. He did not want to anger her, or to make her uncomfortable. Estelle’s face remained on his mind as he organized the room and waited patiently for his King and the lady. 

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[Estelle Maëve]

Estelle had enjoyed the last few days, if only because she had had the chance of calmly composing herself after the long trip south that she had undertaken from Galadia. She had traversed the lands by horse, by water and even by air, travelling in a Tolerz for a small part of her voyage. For the first time in many weeks, thus, she had the chance to rest, to take a bath, to eat something more than nuts and berries. Elves were resilient, but there was just so much that a young Nayeli girl could take before feeling weak, dehydrated and hungry. Luckily, she had met Lord Evon just when her spirit was weakening. 

And this Lord Evon… well, he was a man beyond words. Many times she had stepped outside of her chamber during the morning and the afternoon, pacing around the gardens and galleries and halls of the castles, secretly hoping that she would see the tall Lenneck man. Of course, she felt embarrassed by her thoughts and hopes, so whenever she heard him or felt him near, she scurried back to her room. Just like a child! What was happening to her, she wondered? It had been so long since she had felt like this, and she was always so calm and composed! Especially in matters of the crown, when her utmost professionalism and neutrality were expected.

But how could she ignore this man? It was impossible not to observe him, his handsome face, his emerald eyes, his bronzed arms and toned body… oh, she felt just like a young girl again! And, in all truth, she also felt pleased that she could still feel all that she was feeling… Estelle had thought, for quite some time, that nobody could make her feel this way in all of Destina. She was indeed mistaken!

But nobody could know. It was imperative that this attraction remained secret. What would the fauns think of her, if they realized that her mind was not occupied with politics, but rather with this attraction! How excruciating and juvenile!

All these thoughts ran through her head on her way to the cave. As she plunged into the lake which led to the underwater halls, her heart started racing. And it was not due to the lack of oxygen, precisely. She simply wished with all her might to see Evon.

Today she had chosen to wear a dress which would not affect her swimming, and which would hopefully cover her body and her curves. The long blue layers of satin surrounded her as she dived, deeper and deeper still, into the confines of Zell-Acron. Just as she felt that she was running out of air, the halls opened up to a vast expanse of water, and she knew that she had arrived to the lake where she could emerge. Light shone through the water, and she hurried up.

Getting out of the water, her dress dripping, she spotted the stairs and hurried to them. Then there was a long, dark passage with beautiful golden painting in the walls. She felt amazed by all the mystery that these walls held, yet she pressed on. The dress had stuck to her skin now, enfolding her body snugly, and she realized that perhaps this wasn’t the best attire that she could have picked. She looked decent and beautiful, but she had not wanted her curves to show in this manner. However, she thought, it was either this or coming slightly clad with a waistcloth and a cropped top, which would have made it easier to swim in but would have shown too much skin.

With these thoughts in mind, but trying to look confident and relaxed, she stepped in. There he was, across the room, seemingly waiting for the King and for her to arrive. How long had Evon waited, she wondered?

“Good evening, Lord Evon… I excuse myself for the delay. It is a… a pleasure to meet you. We have serious matters to discuss tonight, and this seems like an ideal place to do such a thing. It is also breathtakingly beautiful.” She hoped to sound polite and not enamored… “I also wanted to thank you for letting me stay in the royal dome, I had the most pleasant time in the gardens and the galleries…” she smiled, coyly.

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[Evôn Siras Ąrdemíe]

Evon had set up the chamber for the three of them. He placed three comfortable seats in a circle and, as he finished shuffling them around, he could hear footsteps, and suddenly Estelle Maeve arrived, in all her splendor. Her hair was wet, of course, and her skin was damp.

The dress she wore had been completely soaked in water, and thus hugged her curves in a subtle, yet provocative way. Of course, Evon struggled to keep his eyes off her body… although it proved impossible to do so. He had promised himself that he would remain friendly with her, at least until the discussion was over, and thus he tried to concentrate on her face… her lips, her eyes… what was there that did not entice him? Evon was doomed!

However, if it had been difficult to behave himself in the castle with the lady pacing around the gardens, it would be ten times as challenging to have her here, in front of him. With her beauty without par, there was no doubt that his attraction would be obvious… Evon simply hoped he could remain calm, and not make a fool of himself.

Estelle, for her part, looked serene. She began speaking, and Evon felt intoxicated by the sound of her melodious voice, which he had not heard since the day in the jungle when they had met.

She excused herself for the delay, and Evon shook his head as she spoke. He did not mind it, and he had arrived earlier than the others on purpose. The Nayeli girl mentioned the beauty of the place, and Evon agreed… he did a gesture so as to reply, but she continued, this time thanking him for accommodating her at Denali. Evon had wanted to give her the best possible courtesies, and for everyone to treat her like a princess. Of course, nobody had to know that what he felt was an incredible infatuation, so he did tell the maids and cooks that she was part of eleven royalty! Evidently, she was treated with all the honors that this title suggested.

Estelle smiled now, and she looked innocent, more innocent than he had ever seen in her. He felt a knot in his stomach (so juvenile! He had to control these feelings!), and he smiled right back at her. As the lady spoke, he moved closer to her…

“It is breathtakingly beautiful, indeed…” he said, not looking around him at all, but directing this comment straight to Estelle. Had he been too obvious? He turned around to pretend he was indeed referring to this location. He cleared his throat and looked back at her once more; he closed in one or two more steps in her direction… he was absolutely drawn to her. “I am pleased that you enjoyed your stay at Denali, my lady. I hope that you linger more time with us… do you have to depart soon? Or are you planning to inform your Queen of these events by letter? I surely hope for the later…” too obvious, Evon, too obvious… “What I mean to say is, these matters must be discussed further, this alliance will not be an easy deal… it is imperative that you remain so that everything is planned thoroughly.”

Evon smiled kindly at her, he did not want to talk only of business. He had so many questions for her; he wanted to know everything about this elven woman. “Either way… we are very happy that you were the one sent in Queen Avanna’s name… I am particularly grateful, indeed-” but he was cut short, for another’s footsteps could be heard coming from the hall.

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