No chivalry is lost! [ROSABEL]

[lor]

Yes, Majesty. Was the word of the day. It was the word most days if not all day. There was rarely room for no, Majesty. It almost took the enjoyment out of it, but the authority was something quite thrilling. So the doors opened to the castle, of Celidoine. The day was rather gloomy, and not just because of the recent events. it was even felt through the sunshine. Lorcan returned from his trip. Well, it was a rather short trip. Bringing justice to their rightful place upon their knees and securing the thriving prosperity of Celidoine. For now, the young king breathed at the sign of peace. The retreat into his castle. That sung like a fairy tale from the inside out. It held all the masks it needed. It required for the outsiders to seek hope, to believe that fairy tales could be true. For the most part the castle was joyous. For the most part since the crowning. The change in hands, to the young yet very worthy Lorcan. Yet, even in the faint cracks there was vast hints of the secrets hidden. This place hadn't always been so, so Joyous. It had moments vast from even hint at the word. His crystal eyes twisted in through a distant memory that only he seemed to recall.

As his suitors took his coat as his arms slipped out them. A faint smirked appeared from the remembered hardships he had seen and felt. It had very much shaped his mind, whether he'd admit it or not. Then with a slightly extra breath, the ghosts vanished. Rushed to hide in the walls, buried for another time soon. Perhaps visit him in his sleep tonight. They usually companied alongside Kathryn, the one faint light in his nightmares. There was little nights he wasn't woken up from the dreams being just to vivid. To painful. Even Kathryn's visits would bring back tragic thoughts in amongst the more sweeter moments, which were random. The past months she had visited him more. He couldn't figure if there was a reason for this. A reason at all. His head nodded to his men, he was seeking some time alone or at least time to unwind. Which in these days was coming to be rare.

Then as if the sunshine herself, graced him with her presence from the stairs before him. It warmed his smile to see his sister. As Linnadhiel welcomed him with a smile all her own. Lorcan could tell she had waited his return, still fearful he might not return. This part did guilt him, but he couldn't show it. He had to assure her that he would be fine, even though he could never really know. Linn was dressed in a silk hunter green corset dress, finely crafted. With her blond locks in curls and ringlets, running freely down her back, with a fine hat that matched. She was young and very beautiful as always. Lorcan wore his darker tones as usual. He took Linn's hand as he met her at the base of the staircase. His lips curling into a pleasant smile. Glad to be greeted with such delight after his return. Kissing her hand lightly, then smiled again.

"Good day, Milady. Beaming with such beauty as always. How has the course of your day been going?..."

'Oh, Lorcan. I am pleased to see you have returned more or less intact. Hmmmm, yes I daresay the sun is beaming beautifully, as always. But, thank-you dear brother, you are looking dark and handsome as only you can do so well... It has been rather still today. You know with all the preparations, I just don't know if I can be anymore of a distraction for Isolde... What about you? Was the trip a success? Did you work your magical persuasion? I have yet to see someone you haven't nor say no.'

Linn's voice beamed of her purity and light heartiness. Hugging Lorcan after the small affection to her hand and Lorcan gladly returned the hug. Just tight affections Lorcan wasn't so comfortable doing besides his two sisters or once Kathryn, but that was of a different kind of affection. His eyes worked with hinting of plentiful thoughts behind, but really not much was churning as of now. He took her arm around in his as they walked a bit as Linn mentioned how uneventful the day had been in and around the castle. His eyes traced the floor as Linn mentioned their sister. There was really little either of them could do, than just be here. Which with Lorcan's duties was hard, but he was here enough he had thought. Besides, Linn was always here. It was a little sad, but she was young. She had little need to be travelling, well much anyways. The need for adventure was more or less locked in each sibling. That need for something greater. Lorcan knew the mixed feelings were more the cause to Isolde. She hadn't been in love with Mark, but still there was guilt that she should feel more. She was of a very kind heart. Much like their mother. It was a tough thing to have, but it was also a very great thing. Lorcan escaped a soft laughter as Linn asked about his day. As she spoke of his so called 'Magic persuasion' knowing she had little idea how ironic that really was.

"It was rather successful. Rather quick than it had been expected, but yes all is well. I think it more my magical charm, Just don't tell anyone. Who knows where we'd be without it... Where is Isolde?"

'Shhhh, our secret then... In her chambers. I'm sure she'll be pleased on your return and for you company. Although I think she isn't going to be much anything else until, Tristan is here. I just hope it is soon. Have you any words of such?'

The sunlight leading the two down the hall a little more ways. The footsteps in toe. Lorcan smiled as Linn joked. For someone so young, she knew more than she appeared and she had a very good talent in lightening people up. She was a good friend just as much as she was a sister. A beloved sister. They stopped as Linn spoke Isolde was in her room. Lorcan's eyes then ran back towards the stairs as he nodded. Smiling still, his head nodded again as Linn spoke of Tristan. He knew the tightness of such a link between this man and his sister. How much hold he held over her. This was truly where his sister's heart laid. He knew much be the same in Tristan's heart, that all should come together nicely. Oh, so Lorcan hoped. He would give anything to see his Kathryn again, in a way beyond his wildest dreams. His train of thought cut short as was the gaze of his eyes, as Linn asked.

"I haven't had word, but I'm sure he'll come. Besides we both know if he doesn't, Isolde will go find him... Until then we just got to be here, how ever we can. Are you coming?... Are you heading out?"

Lorcan's head shook as his voice rolled it out in his irish accent. Adding hope to it as he was sure Tristan would come. Whether he'd just loom in the shadows and just gaze upon everything, Lorcan didn't know. How much had changed? That even less Lorcan knew. He knew very little really in regards of the relationship, but enough. It really was just a matter until which either one chose to meet the other, to keep an eye on Isolde. To just be here. For there was a chance. Lorcan. Linn. Wouldn't see much of her. If all went well with the reunion with Tristan. Wasn't it expected? Lorcan shrugged knowing even less. He made way for the stairs just a couple steps. His attention returning to Linn, two on one could work out for the better he smirked. His eyes then retracing her hat and clothes. Perhaps she was going out. It toyed at him of where, hoping it was not far, unless she was well protected.

'Yes, actually. But do not threat I am merely visiting the gardens. I have a lesson to attend to and I wouldn't expect the garden gnomes to swallow me whole... I'll return soon, unharmed I promise. '

Linnadhiel's voice heightened amused that Lorcan was surprised at this, but with his absences lately she wasn't surprised he hadn't noticed. She joked about the threats that could come out of the gardens. In which Lorcan rolled his eyes slightly. As he nodded as she spoke. Then she nodded her head then made for the door to leave. Lorcan nodded in response. Muttering to himself that an attack of such things wouldn't really surprise him. Stranger things had happened, but he couldn't stop her. The gardens were safe enough. Still as his smile seeking to exist as Linn was now becoming a young woman, the desires to seek well life was bound to come more heightened. Despite he felt Linn's attempt to hold both Lorcan and Isolde. From slipping away entirely. Linn would soon turn to her own desires and seek more. Lorcan would just need to be watchful as to how much and where these she sought. Knowing in the end there be little he could really stop the change no Linn. She was young and so precious, but she was stronger than she looked. She was smarter than most give her credit.

Soon after the midst of his deep thoughts and his eyes tracing the door. He made way up the stairs. Which he had graced too many times, he sure lost count years ago. The castle was much changed since he took hold. There was essence of life brought back into it, yet he still felt the same ghosts as he always did. The hauntings around the corners and which rattled at his chamber door at night. Feeling the sunlight through the window warm his cheek. Yet as his hand grazed it, it was icy at the touch. Making him stop, his eyes contemplating the reasonings for it. As his fingers dropped rubbed between the themselves before returning to his side. Before his hand rattled upon his sister's door. Three good taps. As the music from her harps faintly blew underneath the door, to play gently against his ears. Of an old song, a very old song. Making him stop short and remember a memory. Several in fact. Before these memories could take full shape. The door was opened. Sibeal stood before him. He smiled. As she asked him to come in. Lowered his head to greet her. It didn't take long before his eyes set upon Isolde. Her fingers like an angel running along the strings. Her eyes had been tracing the courtyard, though they now slowly caught sight of Lorcan.

"How are you, Isolde? Really?"

He smiled gently hiding the fact his mind working at the fact he knew why and where her eyes were really lingering for. He smiled softly. As Sibeal made exit. Isolde's hand quitting after a couple more notes. As Lorcan walked to where she stood. As she smiled to see he had returned safely, but he could clearly read the stress that had laid on her mind for far too long. Happiness seeking for her only a short time, but they were quickly killed. Either by Isolde herself or just from any thought that just seeking to undo her.

---

Music: Paramore - Brighter

[jezzy]

It had been another quiet day. Vastly too quiet. Even after the many hours spent in the church for the preparations. Now was the time for herself. There was only so much Isolde could give to check over objects and necessaries. It least gave her something to do, but it really wasn't helping her mind so much. These days were filled with so much. With the memories of the past, present and possible future. For a moment Isolde had thought her future was much the one she had been forced in with Mark. Yet here she sat at her harp, in Celidoine planing his funeral and wondering if the man she truly loved would still hold her heart. As she still held his. Could they have something that seemed for so long, hopeless. Were they given a chance? This was all Isolde dreaming it all could be. How was she to know what Tristan would think? She had thought she knew Tristan. Even now where she sat, believed she knew what laid in his heart. For it laid within her own. She loved him. That was the base of it. Yet, so much had happened. She still needed to let go of Mark for good. Otherwise even though dead he could still lay an anchor over their lives. Guilt. Yes. There was guilt. There was mostly confusion. For Isolde knew how she felt and yet there was that knowing she could probably be feeling something else. That was what would be expected of her. After all as her head lowered through the window. Mark deserved to be buried, with at least some care. It felt bad to think to just brush him off as if he meant nothing in this world. He just didn't mean anything to Isolde. Not so much in that way. He tried in ways to be a caring man, but in it all Isolde only ever loved one man. That was Tristan. Where ever she went and what ever she did, her heart beat for only his.

As her hands ran over the strong strings a tune from long ago, relaxed her mind. It even beamed a smile. Yes, even now Isolde could smile. It just was not all of the time. She couldn't be sad all the time and she couldn't be expected to be in mourning her whole life. These past years with Mark had been hard, forced, but to say that Isolde never smiled would be a lie. She envisioned as good as she could that it had been Tristan, but yet felt herself weep regularly. Isolde just could only cry so much. It was those parts of this stage in her life, the parts that had hints of joy which made this all a little stranger and hinted at the guilt. Which she knew wasn't so needed. Oh. Isolde let out a breath. Once Tristan was here. Once the funeral had passed and that part in her life was officially behind her. She would feel more at ease. Her lips smiled softly for she knew the moment Tristan walked back in her life, would be the moment all joy returned to her. Would be the moment she would feel the beating of her heart hurt for entirely different reason. As she thought about seeing Tristan, it played in images in her mind like so many times before. Even when Mark had been a live she dreamed of Tristan. Whether she slept or was a wake. She had promised him that she would think of him from time to time. Only it was more often than that. Perhaps it gave her reason to smile in the moments it counted. Oh her heart beamed with such light and hope. That this dream for so long, was so close. She simply needed to see him and there was a part of her. That knew she would need that pinching moment to make sure she is fully awake at the time. For sometimes like now when she envisioned Tristan, it seemed he was almost here. It wasn't so much of an obsession. For the most part it generally gave her peace.

Her blue eyes had been set through the window. Her eyes not entirely seeing the world below. As her mind trailed through many things. Mostly Tristan as it was most of these days. She hadn't noticed the door being rattled on nor answered. Until the door shut. She jumped a little. Her hands jolted off the strings. As her eyes were pulled out of her mind and upon her brother. Causing a beam to her lips and smiled to him. He was a joy to see, every time. She had rarely seen him when she lived with Mark and plus being king. Well, Lorcan was a busy man. She was pleased with the days she could get from him, she missed him the most these days. It was a bond that was very hard to break. He meant the world to Isolde as did Linnadhiel. The only thing that made it from being extra special. Was the lack of time their titles had given them. Though despite that, the siblings had still found the base of their affections. What ever the barriers. Love would always tie them and there would never be anything that would destroy that. Even if they held secrets from one another or had their own lives. They were always family and she knew they would always be there for one another. Even if not given a reason. Their love was all the reasons they needed.

"Oh, how I've missed you Lorcan. I am for the most part well, brother. Just a lot to deal with, I guess it can get a little heavy at times. Please sit with me... I am much better now you've returned. I hardly have seen you... You look well."

Isolde stood as she spoke. She had missed him terribly. As her arms motioned to embrace him with a kind and deep hug. Feeling his arms encase around her and it felt like she was safe. He was family. A feeling of a nice warm blanket. She sure missed him. They were not twins, but they had a tight bond. Very much based upon what they didn't say, but they just knew. Letting go her arms. As she answered his question. There wasn't a lot she thought she could say. She was sure Lorcan could simply tell by looking upon her. She knew she had been much like a shell. She had joy in between, but this was just an awkward time in general. That sort of limbo feeling. Split between Duty and trying to get use to the fact Isolde now had her life back. There were no walls up like before. She could maybe make choices. This was rather overwhelming. All the choice she wanted involved seeing Tristan, yet it had been so long. She knew her love never faded, but so many other things had changed. She had to just see him. Just see Tristan. She needed to completely put Mark behind her and just embrace what could come of her future.

Isolde motioned to one of the sofas nearby as lead Lorcan to sit beside her. Hoping to get a few moments to him to herself, before he jetted off again. He didn't need to be here so much, Isolde was simply delighted he was here when he could be and she knew he would wish to be here even more if he could. She sat close beside him as if it was something so normal to her. He was her brother. Her family. Her hand motioned to his cooled cheek. As her eyes looked over him. For the most part he looked well. Perhaps a little worn down from all the duties had upon his shoulders. Isolde was pleased he seemed to make the role fit him, rather than other way. So it was good chance, Lorcan wouldn't get lost within his greatness. That Isolde knew he had. He was not someone so easily explained. Yet, Isolde figured that was the point, which made him all that more unique and special. He held a deep mystery even to Isolde. Though in his soul, he was one of the kindest man. He had carried so much. Gone through so much with so little as a voice when he was younger. Isolde knew how much he just had kept inside. Which he probably still did. Yet, had this notion he knew exactly who he was. He knew the world around him. It was just the world was the one that needed to get to know and understand Lorcan. As Isolde smiled to her brother with the lightness of her touch. This was a comfort she knew was rare and she took it when she could. Blessed to have been given such beautiful siblings. Of course, they had moments when they disagreed or even argued. Though with all they went through, it made them unbreakable. As her eyes then trailed to the portrait of their mother as her head came to rest upon his shoulder. For a moment Lorcan made Isolde forget all that had troubled her. Tristan would come. If he didn't. Then Isolde would find him. Though in the mean time, she had time to spend with her family.

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Music:Savage Garden - Truly madly deeply
Location:Castle of Celidoine