To Meet a Princess [Isadora]

[cherryblossom131]

Gwent. Elyan could hardly believe that he had travelled all the way to Gwent. After spending a few months on the borders of Escetia shortly after he left Camelot he'd thought he would have to return, but no. He'd decided to carry on travelling. Wasn't that the point of him leaving in the first place? He wanted to have a bit of an adventure and explore. That's exactly what Elyan was looking for in this kingdom. After spending the night in a cheap inn, it was time for a little trip to the market. That's where he could truly explore. It's where everything really happened. Not in the upper towns or the castle, but the market. He'd learnt that much on his travels. With his few belongings and a sword in his scabbard, just in case he'd learnt that too the hard way, he set off.

When he arrived at the market he wasted no time and started exploring different stalls. He mentally noted all the things that were so much different to what he'd find at the market in Camelot. One stall in particular caught his eye though, it sold jewellery and there was one necklace that he couldn't take his eyes off. It was a simple silver necklace with an intricately designed single pendant in the shape of a flower. He could already imagine it on his sister. It was beautiful and although it had been months since he left Camelot he knew she'd love it. He was still dreading the moment when he'd have to go back. Although time had passed, he'd left after an extremely heated argument with his father where hurtful words were uttered from both of their lips. It's what finally prompted him to leave after so long of him just wanting to. He wasn't looking forward to facing his father. He looked at the small piece of parchment next to the necklace stating the price and knew without even looking into his small pouch of coins that there was no way he'd be able to afford it. "There's no chance you could maybe sell this for half the price?" Elyan asked hopefully picking up the piece of jewellery. The man behind the stall merely laughed at Elyan. "I'll take that as a no," he sighed. "Sorry Gwen," he muttered to himself.

[isadora]

Isadora always enjoyed a trip down to the markets. Mingle with the common folk, make sure all was well, and of course, she couldn't object to a bit of shopping while she was here. Things were always so much more vibrant down here, it was just so alive, it always made her feel somewhat stifled when she went back to the quiet stone walls of the castle, but she never regretted a trip to the markets anyway. They were the pride of Gwent, the reason so many people came here, and she used to come walking here with her mother and father when she was just a child, and with her father after her mother's death. Lately, she hadn't had anyone to share her walks with, but she enjoyed them just the same.

As always, she smiled at anyone who glanced her way, politely greeting those who spoke to her and perusing the wares of the merchants with interest. She couldn't possibly know everyone in the marketplace, although most of the faces were familiar to her, she only knew the names of a few. And of course, there were the newcomers. There were many of them in Gwent, people who she couldn't possibly recognize because they were just passing through and likely wouldn't even be there the next day.

There was one such man looking at jewellery at a stall Isadora was familiar with, and though she didn't mean to eavesdrop, she heard his one-sided exchange about a piece of jewellery she couldn't quite see. She heard the disappointment in his voice when he apologized to someone who wasn't there, but it was the name itself that caught her attention. She might be biased when it came to her kingdom, but she had to admit she liked the sound of it. "Gwen, what a pretty name. Does it belong to your sweetheart?" She asked unabashedly, smiling.

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[cherryblossom131]

He sighed dejectedly and put down the necklace again. Maybe after he earned some more money he could come back and buy if it was still there. But by the evident beauty he doubted it would be and there was no way he'd be able to earn that much money quickly enough. "Gwen, what a pretty name. Does it belong to your sweetheart?" He snapped himself out of his thoughts on the necklace and gazed up to see a woman standing before him. She was definitely beautiful, there was no doubt about that. But there was something different about her, from the clothes she was wearing to the very way she stood with her back straight and shoulders back. He finally realised that she had asked him a question and stopped thinking about why she was different.

"Uhh no, Gwen is my sister's name." He picked up the necklace again. "I'd been hoping to this for her, but I guess I'll have to wait another day." It would be her birthday in a few months since he'd left shortly before her last one. Maybe he'd be back by then with the necklace in hand, all things forgiven. It was an unlikely fantasy, he decided there wasn't any point in brooding now. He definitely didn't need to burden her with his problems though. "Are you looking to buy something for yourself?" He asked, smiling at her. "Sorry, I'm Elyan," he introduced himself and held out a hand. Despite traveling alone for a few months he still had his manners. He also wanted to learn her name and maybe figure out why she seemed to stand out to him.

[isadora]

She was pleasantly surprised when he answered in the negative, the name instead belonging to his sister. How sweet of him! It was quite charming to see a man who cared so much for his sister that he would spend his hard earned money on a necklace to see her smile, rather than a pint at the tavern or an evening of company. "What's the occasion?" She asked, wondering if there was a special reason he wanted to get a gift for his sister. She might be prying into his affairs too much, but that didn't seem to bother her. She was a princess, she was quite used to people answering her questions without complaint.

She shook her head when he asked if she was looking for something for herself. "Not at the moment, no." Isadora had plenty of jewels, but honestly, the best ones, all her favourites, had come as gifts from other people. There was just something more special about an item when it came from someone who cared about you, rather than something that you purchased for yourself. She nodded when he introduced himself. "A pleasure to meet you, Elyan. My name is Isadora." It was less formal than her typical introductions, but the markets were hardly a place for formality.

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[cherryblossom131]

"What's the occasion?" He looked back at the pendant and sighed. "It's her birthday soon," he smiled. "We haven't exactly been on the best of terms recently." What with him practically abandoning her and all. They hadn't spoken face to face in a year. He'd sent her a few letters, but he was running out of idea about what to say. He didn't want to tell her about his travels for fear it would sound like he was gloating. He couldn't apologise either, because acting like he regretted leaving was just that; an act. He'd be lying to her, and he hated doing that. He was enjoying seeing the lands further than Camelot's walls. He'd learnt so much already, and just thinking about how much more was out there made him want to run out and discover it. It was difficult to explain, most of all to her. She probably hated him anyway, after everything, but he did honestly miss her terribly. She meant the world to him, and if getting her a simple necklace would make her any happier than he'd get her hundreds. He just needed to earn a little more money, that's all.

He creased his eyebrows when she said she wasn't there to purchase anything. "I mean no offence in saying this, but what brings you to the market then?" Maybe she didn't have enough money to buy anything either. But judging by what she wore, she didn't look like she couldn't afford something. Isadora. Why did that sound familiar? He could have sworn he'd heard someone in the city say that name before. It didn't sound very common, but then what other explanation was there? "That's a beautiful name," he said politely with a smile. "So what do you do Isadora?" He meant job-wise. Although maybe she was a worked at home. "If you don't mind me asking, that is," he said with a teasing smile.