Down By The River (Oliver)

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

(banner made by Cait <333)

There would be many reasons why Yassia shouldn’t feel comfortable in this situation at all, and many good reasons at that. If you looked at it with even just a little ounce of sense, she ought to feel all on edge, awkward and sad at the same time right now. This was her birthday, a day that reminded her of everything that had gone wrong in her life and had burdened her with a destiny that hadn’t been hers in the first place. Then there was the fact that she was sitting here with Oliver, whom she still had feelings for however much she tried to fight these sentiments. He had just seen her all but naked, even though he had no claim on her like that and didn’t want that. Hence the awkwardness. And then of course there was that little incident from just half an hour ago, where he had tricked her to kiss him. Hence being on edge.But fact was she DID feel comfortable, and almost happy, and she did NOT feel anything like she should given the situation. At least they were nearly negligible, the feelings. How was she supposed to make sense of any of this?

"Really? You are not joking? Wait--you said 'might.' What do I need to do to make it official?"
His excitement was moving, and Yassia couldn’t hold back the bright and fond smile that was tugging at her lips. Oliver seemed to live for his bow and arrow and his freedome as well, of course. It must have been so restricting to let go of these things even for just a few days.It probably would be the same with her, should anyone tell her she had to stop practicing her healing work. There had been a time when she thought she could give it up just like that, but over the years it had grown so much on her, even though some might think it unsuitable for a woman of her status. Like her mother Rhiannon, she once would be the queen that healed, and she would never let anyone tell her to refrain from it.
But his question was also valid, and for a moment Yassia cocked her head in thinking. The easiest thing would be… but then how could she?! That was so very scandalous… and it would lead only to more pain… to sweet pain… to a moment of what-could-be….

She could not hold herself back. She could not abstain from the easiest solution just because it was the one that would also please her most. Wasn’t that something the people here called a win-win situation?
”That is relatively easy”, she explained with a smile. “A simple demonstration will do. I’m here if anything should go wrong.” Now it became a little more delicate. “But I… would need a … clear view on the wound to judge.” Goodness, why was this so awkward?! He was her patient, yes? Nothing more… nothing more indeed…

Why did he have to speak of admiration? And why couldn’t she stop herself from dreaming more to these words? Being ‘just friends’ shouldn’t be so difficult right? She simply had to accept his words as words of friendship. She had spoken towards Caitrin of admiration as well once before, after all. It was all just between friends, like it should be. Friends could admire each other without any difficulty.
”You make it sound so grand”, she tried to evade his praise with an awkward hunching of her shoulders, “while I was only looking out for myself. There are people in this world who have to do more difficult things day by day.”
It intrigued Yassia that he really seemed to have read a book about her country. Oliver had promised her help, but she had not imagined such an amount of dedication. Well… he was trying to be a good friend. There could not be more to it.

”Well, until I crossed the sea I was on horseback, though we couldn’t travel very fast. Mircea and I…” Now she had done it, the memories came crashing down on her and she swallowed heavily. “We didn’t have time to plan our route and our knowledge was far and few between. I am sure we lost a great amount of time… and then the sea took him… and everything else I possessed.”

[Oliver Strathmore of Mercia]

Oliver was much too happy about Yassia's promise that he was willing to do whatever it takes to prove that he deserved it. Whether she was going to make him drink more of those bitter herbs to ward off infection or to make him stay in his room for a few more days, Oliver would endure it knowing the light at the end of the tunnel was near. He turned to look longingly at his bow and the quiver full of arrows that was slung over Arrow's back. Even if he wasn't going to use them, he would never leave the palace without them. They have been part of his life ever since. He would never be who he is without his bow and arrows.

When Yassia told him that a simple demonstration would do, he nodded attentively, excitement bubbling inside him. Earlier, before he decided to leave the confines of the castle to go out to the forest, he had inspected his wound, flexed his left arm and the muscles on his chest to make sure it was feeling better for a ride out. Yassia and Marcus had done a great job in patching him up that the wound was starting to be nothing but a thin albeit still clear line of scar across his chest. When she told him she needed to see the scar, Oliver might as well have ripped his tunic off in his eagerness for her 'judgment.' Yes, he was that excited. "If you say I'm good to go, I'd like to teach you some things...with a bow and arrow, I mean...that is if you want to learn...no worries if you don't want to..." he said, his voice losing strength, trailing at the end. He was initially excited at the prospect of sharing with her a part of himself, but then he realized belatedly that she might not want to. Trying to avoid any more awkwardness, Oliver turned his attention to the hares that were now expertly perched over the fire he had made. Satisfied, he then shifted to take his tunic off before moving closer to her so she could examine his wound. It needed drying anyway. If the conversation earlier had been awkward to Oliver, he was trying his best not to let the thought of Yassia examining his wound, maybe even touching the bare skin of his chest, make things even more uncomfortable. There was nothing here but a strictly healer-patient interaction, he was telling himself.

"It is grand. At least to me. Compared to you and your challenging journey from Ailantha to Camelot, I am practically green. It takes a really strong and determined person to accomplish what you have done," he replied, his voice brimming with awe and sincerity. What man could resist a woman like Yassia. Not only was the princess beautiful inside and out, she is strong and kind as well. She has a good heart. Edmund was going to be a very lucky man indeed, and then again Oliver had to immediately quash the hint of jealousy that was starting to crawl up inside him. Ignoring that feeling, he listened to her as she spoke about Mircea and how she had lost him. She had told him about Mircea first time they met, and he saw how his question made her remember her loss again. Oliver kicked himself mentally in the head. He was supposed to make her happy today not sad! "I am sorry...I didn't mean to make you remember losing him..." Oliver was now torn between asking about her brother and the journey. He didn't want to sound insensitive to her pains, but he also didn't want to see her so sad. "Let's talk about more pleasant things. You choose the subject this time," he suggested with a warm smile as he popped another berry into his mouth.

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

(banner made by Cait! <333)

Yassia didn’t even have to follow his gaze to guess what was going on in Oliver’s mind right now, but she couldn’t help it, trying to see the bow and quiver with his eyes. They surely were more than just a few pieces of wood and steel. They must symbolise his way of life for him, his freedom. When she saw that longing gaze, Yassia vowed to herself that if there was the slightest chance of the wound not being damaged by such actions, she would allow him to use it today. She wanted to see him happy and free, see more of that lovely soul she had met in the Forest of Balor a year ago, to finally forget the ugly side of him that had ruined their reunition so thoroughly. Some things would never be fixed again, and yet they had already agreed to be friends. It was not all you could hope for, but it was more than she had feared to be granted, and she knew she had to thank the stars alone for that.

"If you say I'm good to go, I'd like to teach you some things...with a bow and arrow, I mean...that is if you want to learn...no worries if you don't want to..."
She couldn’t help her breath accelerating a little bit at his first few words. It was truly a shame to even admit it, but there was just this slight, probably unwanted innuendo in his words of ‘teaching her’ that brought back memories from times long gone… when she had her true first kiss of love, in his arms. She had been so unsure and shy at first, felt even clumsy, but he had taught her well – but she could not allow her thoughts to go astray like that. It was in the past now, he was solely referring to shooting a bow.
And yet it was a wonderful idea! Yassia knew she shouldn’t be so eager, as it probably would only bring her more pain, but there was only so much she could do. Everything about Oliver had long since turned out to be her weak spot. So, before he could change his mind, she quickly said: “I do want to! The bow always fascinated me a s a weapon, and I would be interested to see what’s the difference between aiming an arrow and aiming a dagger.”
But all thoughts of shooting arrows or not were wiped away by a far more prominent… issue, the minute Oliver took off his shirt. Yassia had tried to prepare for it in the only way she could,trying to ignore it as if it was nothing, but that did not quite seem to work.

Praying to the stars her hands would not tremble, she disentangled the knot that held together the bandage and slowly, carefully took it away. The skin underneath was a little damp and crumpled, but as far as Yassia could see there was otherwise not much wrong with it.A final test would have to reveal it.
”I’m going to apply pressure to the scar now”, she explained while moving one hand on his shoulder blade as counter pressure and then prodded the scar gently with three fingers of the other hand. “Does it hurt in a piercing way or a dull throbbing way?” she asked, having to focus really hard NOT to think about she was touching Oliver’s bare skin right now. She was a healer, she needed to do this… and yet it felt like both her hands were on fire. “Be honest please! Lying will do you no good.” She almost expected the pain to be only dull though, as everything else seemed to suggest a good and fast healing. But she could err, and she would never forgive herself if she gave him her permission just because she was bias. She WANTED him to be able to use bow and arrow today.

It seemed like nothing she said would change Oliver’s mind about her supposed grandness, so Yassia gave up and flashed him a thankful, yet still slightly uneasy smile. When he began to apologize once again though, she had to interfere. Goodness, would he ever stop feeling bad? It was HER who was to blame here, with constantly killing the mood!
”No, Oliver”, she protested softly, taking a deep breath. “We will NOT change the subject. I finally need to get to terms with this, it’s been long enough. I have to move on. Mircea is dead, and so are many I once knew and loved, but I can’t keep on focussing on what I lost, but on what I gained.” Her smile turned warm. “I am the richest and luckiest girl in the world to have friends that care for me. Like Caitrin. Like you…”

[Oliver Strathmore of Mercia]

Will the awkwardness and the unguarded moments ever end for him? Before Oliver could even think about taking back his bumbling offer, Yassia had interjected in the affirmative, and he just couldn't hide his extreme pleasure. A wide grin appeared on his face, one that looked a little too pleased at the wonderful surprise. "Really?" he exclaimed a little too excitedly. Knowing his unguarded reaction couldn't easily disguise his emotions, Oliver immediately turned his attention back to the hares and the little bonfire he had going, just so he wouldn't look at Yassia in the face. He could already feel heat rising up his cheeks as it were. "I mean, you're very good with a dagger. Should be interesting to see you with a bow and arrow..." he replied while poking the embers with a stick, his eyes a little too occupied on the fire than anything else. So much for guarding his feelings in front of Yassia...and not making another fool of himself after that kissing incident earlier today. Such a dilemma he was in really. He should be avoiding Yassia, but he couldn't bear the thought of not seeing her or spending time with her that he made the offer for them to be friends. Now that they are "friends" and are spending time with each other, Oliver couldn't help but want more. It sure felt like he was playing with fire, but heavens was it a warm and glorious fire. He'd rather burn in it than live without it. But before his thoughts could go any further, Oliver caught himself and reined all emotions in again. Nothing can ever happen between them. Remember your vow, Oliver. His mind filled with all these words as he tried to collect himself again.

But the Fates didn't seem to want to make things easy for the young prince. He turned his attention back to Yassia when he felt her lean in to take the bandage on his wound away. He couldn't even trust himself to speak when she told him she was going to apply pressure on the scar. He took a deep breath, not in fear of any possible pain, but from the anticipated contact. Yassia was so near...and yet so far. He managed a small smile and then shook his head at her question. "Barely a stretching ache, nothing more," he said while looking down at her fingers on his scar. When she implored him to tell the truth, Oliver lifted his head up and his eyes met hers. "And I'm not saying that just so I can shoot with my bow and arrow today," he said, his voice sure and truthful.

Oliver didn't know what to say to Yassia putting her foot down on her trying to escape the horrors of her past. One thing was sure though, he knew the feeling that was rising up inside him as he listened to her talk about facing them all and coming to terms with them. Yes, it was admiration yet again. And somehow, he felt proud of her, watching her, listening to her speak with such conviction. This time, Oliver could no longer stop himself. He took her hands in his and gave it a gentle, reassuring squeeze. "You will always have Caitrin. And you will always have me," he said, looking deep into her eyes. Even though she had relegated him to being just her friend, Oliver knew he would always be there for her. And knowing Caitrin, Yassia would also have a lifetime friend in her as well. "Just as you will always have your family in your heart." He sat there, holding her hand, and looking into her eyes. They were the most beautiful eyes he had ever had the greatest fortune of gazing into for the first time a year ago. They were eyes that he knew could make and unmake him, and bare all of the deepest and innermost desires of his heart for her to see or feast upon. And bare all he did. For a fleeting moment there, Oliver felt like his eyes had betrayed him and made him open himself up a little too much to Yassia. Realizing what just happened, him slipping yet again, Oliver averted his eyes. "Look, our meal's almost done!" he exclaimed as he picked up one of the skewer and bit on the meat. "Tastes like...hare," he teased, a grin on his face, the emotions from the earlier moment all covered up and masked now.

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

(banner made by Cait <333)

She wouldn’t have expected such a bright reaction from Oliver by agreeing to his offer, but Yassia found herself getting even more excited now. If it didn’t make him feel awkward or anything, then she would not have to feel guilty in any way, she could savour it. But of course, this open excitement shown by him held its down sides. Of course her treacherous heart and mind started to overinterpret again. Why was he so happy to teach her? Could it be he really wanted to spend more time with her? Maybe even more in just the usual ‘friends spend time with friends’ way? Oh dear, she should not go down that road again! It would only end with the next rebuke and, truth be told, she could do without that. She had her pride did she not?! She would not jump at his every call and whim! For a moment Yassia was even tempted to reject the offer again just because. Just because she wanted to appear strong. Wanted to show him that he could not have it all without commitment. But of course she didn’t. The temptation from the other side was too strong.”Don’t worry, this time I won’t use you as a target”, she tried a joke, but it sounded lame even to her own ears. Was that he reason he didn’t look up and rather focussed on the fire? Because he as well suddenly remembered the last time she had shown him her skill with a dagger? How to save the situation again? “I guess it needs much strength to even just straighten it, yes?”

Yassia nodded, content with his answer, and also not quite sure if she could trust her voice to speak without quivering. Everything in her ached to prolong this moment, just keep her fingers in place, or even – what a thought! – caress the skin around the scar. Yassia had to fight hard even keeping her mind in check and in action, without being reduced to a melting puddle on the ground. Why could Oliver have such an effect on her? He wasn’t even doing so much, and yet she could not help herself!
After what seemed like an eternity, and yet could not have been more than a few heartbeats, she finally mustered the strength to both draw back her hand and say something. So occupied with keeping a level head she was, his own difficulties to do the same completely escaped her.
”Alright then, but let’s eat first! Every huntsman needs his strength!”

And Oliver just kept on tearing at the walls she had built around her heart after their big fight, which she had sworn never to let be assaulted again. He made it seem so effortless, as if they were not even there. A single tender word out of his mouth let her forget everything she had decided on. That was by no means to be called fair, but apparently that was her lot in life. She couldn’t help feeling like washed over by a gentle, warm spring rain as he told her she would always have him as a friend. This simple sentence made the sheer thought of departing from him almost unbearable. Why couldn’t she take them all with her? She would be very lonely in Ailantha without her friends, that was for sure.
And yet, there was more… or was there? Oliver took her hand and he held her gaze, probably not even knowing what he was doing to her… and yet for the blink of an eye it seemed like he had drawn back a veil from his soul, baring his all before her in one simple look of his eyes, telling her… Yassia’s breath caught in her throat at what she thought to read in his eyes. Could it be?! Involuntarily she squeezed his hand tighter, moving her thumb over the back of his hand – but as soon as she had seen it, it was gone again, and Oliver broke the spell by focussing again on their meal.
To occupy her hands, Yassia snatched another berry, then eagerly extended a hand for the skewer. “As long as it doesn’t taste like squirrel, I’m fine with everything! Pleeaaaase, let me have some? I’m starving!”


No, of course she wasn’t, she knew by now how that felt, and she had had a hearty breakfast in the castle. But there were two – no, three reasons for her eagerness on the food: First, anything was better than mulling over her emotions right now, second, she was interested to see the result of Oliver’s cooking and third: the sooner they ate, the sooner they could start practicing.

[Oliver Strathmore of Mercia]

”Don’t worry, this time I won’t use you as a target.”

“And I’ll do my best not to give you any more reasons to,” Oliver replied with a teasing smile. He actually meant that to be a promise than a joke. That was a rather sad memory, but now that he and Yassia have called a truce of sorts, Oliver was determined to put it all behind him. He deserved that one for being such a big pain in the bottom anyway. Now, he was going to make it all up to her. One day at a time, Oliver was going to show Yassia exactly how he regretted that moment, how he wished he didn’t let his stupid pride get in the way for he knew how much it had cost him. Had he kept his wits about him, he and Yassia would have been more than just friends now, and Edmund wouldn't have claimed her for his own without her knowing it. ”More or less the same amount of strength you have put into that dagger throw.” If Yassia can throw a dagger that could lodge itself strongly onto a tree, she can shoot an arrow that could kill a man…or a deer. Oliver was seriously excited to find out for sure.

It felt good. It felt right. Her hands against the bare skin of his chest checking his wound out, making sure it was all healing well as it should, was gentle yet firm. It gave this patient a feeling of assurance, of confidence, that whatever happens, this healer was going to be there to take care of him. Oliver basked in the moment, just enjoying it for whatever it’s worth. When she pulled away, he resisted the urge to pull her back to him. He wanted her close, very close. ”Thank you,” Oliver said trying his best not to jump up and down with happiness like a little kid would at the wonderful news.

The squeeze she had given his hand was not lost on Oliver, moreso the gentle caress her thumb made on the back of his hand. Oliver almost lost his wits again, and felt like wanting to pour his feelings all out to her, tell her everything, confess all. At that moment, he wished they were back in the Forest of Balor, the nomad and the hunter. He wanted to tell her just how much he ached for her every moment of every day, how he wanted to just spend all of his waking and non-waking hours with her. He wanted to tell her how his mind was always filled with thoughts of her ever since that day. Heavens! He wanted to whisk her away and just start a life together, him and her, away from the castles, away from all their royal titles, away from everybody. The last thought was what made Oliver turn away. Yassia deserved more than a sorry life like that. She deserved a life of comfort and luxury. He can never let her suffer like that again. To be queen beside Edmund, that was what she was destined to be, Oliver told himself.

He took the other hare that was still cooking over the fire and gently scraped away the burnt skin before handing it to Yassia. He took another bite from his hare and then bit on a berry, enjoying the interesting flavor the fruit added to the meat. “If you close your eyes and just savor the food in your mouth, you’d feel like you’re having lunch in the castle,” Oliver told her with a grin. Then he stood up and turned to grab a bag of water from Arrow’s pack and handed it to Yassia. ”Sorry it’s not much. Had I known I’d find you here, I would have brought a whole gallon,” he added, his eyes twinkling with mirth.

“Can you tell me more about your family? Your father sounds like a very good man,” Oliver asked her some time later when he had settled back down and continued eating. He wanted to know more about her family. He wanted her to talk about them. They might find it helpful when presenting her case to the council, but more importantly, it would help Yassia let all those bottled feelings about them out. She had probably already told Caitrin, and Oliver hoped she wouldn’t mind telling him more of her story as well.

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

The topic of shooting bow and arrow compared to throwing a knife intrigued Yassia more than she probably let on, and more than it probably should have. She was not exactly interested in fighting arts, and taking up a sword had never been on her wishlist. It simply wasn’t befitting for a princess to use arms at all, and even if that hadn’t been a deciding factor, wielding a sword held no appeal for Yassia whatsoever. Her brother had taught her how to throw daggers simply because he thought it could be a skill proving useful one day, to give her a sure hand and a good eye. It had been their little secret, as both her mother and father didn’t know anything about it until they died. After Ramon’s death she had continued with the practice simply for his sake, to honor his legacy and become good for him. They hadn’t been that close except for those moments out in the forest, which had been seldom enough with his many duties as Crown Prince. Still, over the years the sport had grown on her, it had become part of who she was, and on her journey towards Camelot, it had proven invaluable. More than once it had saved her skin, because no one expected it of her. There was no weapon easier to hide than throwing knives.

”You really think so?” she confirmed, cocking her head. “I can see where you come from, but throwing daggers is all about the impact strength in the moment you let them fly. Don’t you need a different kind of strength for the duration of straightening the bow?” Not that she was in any way an expert on any of those topics, but she found them intriguing nevertheless. Oliver was probably the first person she had ever met with whom she could launch into talk about distance weapons without being given the odd eye. That ought to be exploited, right? And anyway, any topic that navigated around delicate issues while still keeping them in amiable company could only be a good thing. Like this they would manage to stay friends. Without constant conflict, and it was distant enough for her heart to keep itself in check.

The tender moment they had shared just now was irrevocably gone, and Yassia wasn’t sure if she should feel glad or sad about that fact. Probably glad was the better option for both of them, but she was even more glad it hadn’t ended in so much awkwardness like all those other moments before. The heart is slow to learn, wasn’t there that saying? Maybe they were slowly learning, both of them. They were seeing the boundaries now and even though they kept on toeing them, they both seemed to accept that going further was neither wished for nor allowed. At least that was how Yassia was seeing it, there was no way to tell how Oliver really felt. Once upon a time, he had been like an open book for her, as he hadn’t held anything back. At least she had thought he hadn’t. But if there was a way of understanding each other without the constant fallback into drama, Yassia would happily welcome it, as it meant she would not lose him. Maybe the time for moving on had come not even for her family issues, but also for love issues. Like she had said: Focus on what you had gained, not on what you lost.

The hare tasted wonderful, and Yassia savoured every bite, even though she burnt her tongue and mouth at first, not expecting the heat to be so immense. “Ow, someone’s biting back!” she joked with her mouth full, and then let it be followed by a quick: “Sorry, not very ladylike I know”, once she had swallowed the bite. Then she let her gaze wander over the beautiful meadow and the peacefully running river she had been inside just about an hour ago. This was truly an amiable place and she could understand Oliver’s love for being outside amongst all this. She gladly accepted the water to ease the slight stinging pain in her mouth, and then handed the waterskin back to Oliver. “I don’t be silly, I love this!” she chided him with a smile. “It is the best birth…”, quickly she caught herself and bit her lip. "I mean, the best day I had in a while." Maleeixo, she hadn’t meant to say this! He shouldn’t know! No one should know!

Gladly she took up the topic of her family, anything to distract him from her slip. It was far less painful thinking about them than she had expected. Maybe it was truly time to move on. “The Dyfrènes have been the ruling family for ages. My father was the fourty-seventh king ever since our records start, and the thirty-fifth that bore the name Dyfrène.” She paused and threw her head back to gaze at the clear sky, musing: “It’s quite a legacy. And I wish to honor the tradition of course. Did I ever tell you how it came to pass I have relatives in Camelot? I am sure you will love the story!”

[/color]

[Oliver Strathmore of Mercia]

More important than wanting to share a part of himself with her, Oliver actually wanted to make the most out of this moment he was being given. To be spending most of the day with Yassia, without Edmund hanging about, was more than what Oliver could ask for. His happiness at Yassia agreeing to learn the basics of archery was immeasurable, and he fervently hoped that he was not being such an inconvenience to her. While she may already be expertly skilled at throwing the dagger, a knowledge or two about the bow and arrow wouldn’t exactly hurt. Perhaps, in exchange Yassia could help him practice throwing daggers.

“Hmmm…it depends on your bow. There are always those that will feel easy to handle, pliable and yielding to your touch and grip, and then there are others that will feel too tightly strung,” Oliver replied in between bites from his hare. He was liking this conversation very much. He never expected Yassia to be very interested. He shouldn’t really be surprised. Yassia was no dainty damsel who needed rescuing every minute of every day. She can hold her own against anybody with her superb skill with the dagger. “You actually need less strength in archery. Compared to throwing knives by hand where the speed or power of your throw relies a lot on the strength of your muscles, in archery, the bow does most of the work for you.” It has been a long while since Oliver have had a conversation like this, and he was determined to take full advantage of it.

Oliver couldn’t help the laugh that escaped him when Yassia reacted to her still hot cooked hare, and then later apologized for not acting ladylike. He scoffed at her. “Who is to judge us here?” he remarked with a chucke, and then heaved a small sigh as he looked around him. Having spent most of his life outdoors than indoors, Oliver felt more at home here than in the castle really. The wide and vast forest felt like a sanctuary of sorts to him, a safe haven. And to be here with Yassia now, to be sharing his little piece of himself with her, it was indescribable. If Oliver had thought this place to be his little piece of heaven before, then he was wrong. Here, now, with Yassia, this is heaven.

He noticed her slip and just as easily ignored it. He didn’t want Yassia to think he was just doing all of this because it was her birthday. Oliver was doing this for that and more. Mentally though, Oliver had already taken note of the day of her birth and committed it to memory. He may not be able to give her a grand celebration with all the pomp and pageantry of the courts today, but Oliver was at least bent on making sure this day wouldn’t be like her previous ones. Oliver was determined to make this a truly happy birthday for her. “I’m happy to hear that,” he said, himself glad that she was enjoying the day as he was. ”And there will be more happy days like this, Yass. I guarantee that,” he added with a smile.

As much as he would love to concentrate on what she was talking about, the expression that lit up her faces when she started speaking about her family was something Oliver found hard to ignore. It was clear that Yassia was very proud of her lineage, her heritage, her family, and Oliver admired her greatly for that. Like a curious little kid, Oliver was trying to learn as much as he can about Yassia. “Do tell me. I love stories, and I’m sure yours is a good one,” he replied clearly interested in the ties that had brought her here to Albion. Had it not been for these relatives, Oliver would have never met her. He would never have found that missing piece of his heart.

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

Yassia smiled inwardly as she heard Oliver’s answer. She should have known she would get an expert information now, and there was really nothing wrong with that. She loved the spark that seemed to light up his eyes when he talked about his favourite pastime. Such dedication was truly admireable! He might not be a match for his brother in swordfight, but he was a master with the bow, and frankly, Yassia liked this skill much more, as it mirrored her own. He was right, throwing knives and shooting arrows wasn’t so different after all, even though bow and arrow were far more elegant in Yassia’s eyes. Ramon himself had said once that he was teaching her a skill mostly mastered by thugs, which he had found highly amusing.”Not to mention the serious strength difference between men and women”, Yassia added with a little smile. “I am sure, I couldn’t do what you find relatively easy. One always judges from ones own abilities what seems easy and what seems hard, but I bet you could fight me and hold me down single-handed. I will have to see how much work the bow really does for me. Then again”, Yassia shrugged and held out one hand while the other was busy holding the skewer with her delicious hare, “you’re the expert, and I am most willing to try my luck. Caitrin once told me she’s good with a bow and I’m sure if she can do it, I can do it too, though probably not as gracefully.” Sometimes she almost forgot that Caitrin was Mercian too, as she seemed to be content to live in Camelot. It also brought back a quick flicker of rememberance about Caitrin’s and Oliver’s relationship back in those old days, but the memory was not laden with jealousy anymore. She gladly had moved past that.

Of course Oliver would not be offended by her unladylike behavior and that made it easier to dismiss the incident as well. Her apology had been born out of instinct more than anything, and had not been truly heartfelt. It would have been heartfelt in a different surroundings maybe, at a royal banquet or anything formal like that, but here she was only having a casual and delicious meal with a… with a friend. Out in the open and an absolute unroyal zone. She had done so many ‘unsuitable’ things today already, speaking with her mouth full would hardly unnerve anyone. It shouldn’t even unnerve herself. So she returned his smile with an almost mischievous one of her own and made a dismissive gesture. “You’re right, who should care! We can be the most royal brats we want today!”

He didn’t seem to have noticed her slip, and Yassia found herself relaxing again. Good. No explanation due, nothing that could tear open old wounds. It was better this way,and she vowed to guard her mouth a little closer from now on. Not that it ever would work, but there was no harm in trying and making good resolutions. Oliver’s promise was warming Yassia inside out, and she shot him a dazzling and heartfelt thankful smile. How wonderful that would be! Many more days as perfect as this one, but she probably shouldn’t get her hopes up. Something bad always happened when she did that. Still… the temptation to just let go was overwhelming and she would nothing ruin this wonderful day for her. The previous drama was all but forgotten.
”See, I’m the luckiest girl in the world!” she confirmed lightheartedly.

Oh how sweet he was, truly wanting to know more about her family’s history. She would have to ask him to do the same once she was finished, as she loved good stories at least as much as he did. Snatching another berry in preparation, she then shifted into a more comfortable position and began.
”This must have been one of my favourite stories when I was younger, and it was told every other year on my parent’s wedding anniversary. It has long since become a national legend and has been embellished beyond regognition. But this is how it was told to us, the royal children.” She flashed him a conspiratorial smile. “I am sure for my mother it was far less adventurous than it sounds, but she was born in Camelot, her name was Lady Rhiannon Griffiths, second child to Lord Cynewulf Griffiths, a former knight of the realm. On one day, close to her sixteenth birthday, she was captured by slave traders while collecting herbs and brought on the continent. They wanted to take her far far south, to the kingdom of Aragon, and they had to pass through France through that. Now, my father, young and adventurous Prince Diodore, was on a little journey beyond the borders of Ailantha and he encountered the party of slave traders. Now, guess what happened.” She challenged Oliver.

[Oliver Strathmore of Mercia]

”Not to mention the serious strength difference between men and women.” She has a point there, Oliver told himself, but since he wasn't really one for stereotyping women against men, he really didn't see it as much of a problem. He knew women are just as capable of handling weapons expertly as men does.

"One always judges from ones own abilities what seems easy and what seems hard, but I bet you could fight me and hold me down single-handed." Perhaps, yes. However, Oliver's thoughts got a bit distracted by Yassia's last point about him fighting her and easily holding her down single-handed. He knew she meant that in the context of a real skirmish, but Oliver tried but failed to resist the irresistible picture that formed in his mind. Him holding Yassia down. Him and Yassia. Yassia and him.

He reluctantly shrugged the crazy thoughts off when she mentioned Caitrin and her ability handling a bow. "Caitrin's good. Better than other men I know, actually. I hope she's been practicing, the last time we shot some arrows together was more than five years ago," he remarked. "If Caitrin can do it, I'm sure you can as well." Yassia can sure be modest about her abilities and capabilities which was actually one of the many wonderful things that endeared her more to Oliver.

Royal brats indeed! Oliver returned her quip with another laugh. In a forest where the only rules that matter are those of nature, they sure can be the brattiest and rudest prince and princess they want to be. Forget the rules of court today. This was all about having fun minus the limits imposed upon them by their titles. Ah, to live wild and free with Yassia. Wouldn't that be something?

With rapt attention, Oliver listened as Yassia told her story. He couldn’t help the worried crease on his forehead when she told about how her mother was abducted by slave traders and taken away from Camelot to another country. It must have been quite an harrowing experience for a young lady of the court. Then a smile appeared on his lips at the picture of her father, a young and adventurous prince. “He became Lady Rhiannon's knight in shining armor--slew the slave traders, rescued her and fell in love with her.” He couldn’t resist himself. It all sounded like a true-to-life fairy tale. He wondered exactly how Prince Diodore wooed the Lady Rhiannon, and made her his Queen.

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

The last time they shot some arrows together… somehow Yassia felt reminded once again of her silly argument with Caitrin and what she had told her about the kiss she had once shared with Oliver. Had it happened there? But her interest was merely that – curiosity and a weird mix of anticipation and fear. Caitrin and Oliver, that was a clear thing, or even not a thing at all, of the past. And it shouldn’t be of any concern to her anyway. And yet, the weird anticipation feeling remained in the back of her mind, making her wonder if training archery together could really lead to such intimate moments. If so, she maybe should shy away from it. The very confusing intimate moment had already happened today, and frankly, she didn’t know if she could go through that mix of emotions again without breaking, without starting to beg for his attention and affection. Now that of course was out of question.

“I’m lucky Cait’s such a good friend to me”, Yassia quipped with a mischievous wink, “cause otherwise she would be serious competition. She’s just so wonderful and confident in everything.” It was certainly true, Yassia had taken her friend as a role model in many things already, just not in her former attitude towards men. That was just too far away from Yassia’s character, to ever be taken into account. But all the confusion aside, Yassia still wanted to know what she could do with bow and arrow, just because she had the opportunity now. She surely had become more adventuresome and curious in some aspects over the last one and a half year.

Yassia hadn’t thought to be such a capturing storyteller, but the rapt attention on Oliver’s face made her almost feel proud and she dived deeper into the story, trying to tell it with as much detail and suspense as she could. It surely was of legend material, and already the people in her homeland had finished the beloved story with its tragical ending, that on one day the strong king could not be at his lady’s side when she needed him most and thus she had been slain. But even though Yassia still missed her mother, this was a wound that had had time to heal and so she didn’t lose her composure, she could stay focused on the happy part of the story.
“That is the summary, yes!” she agreed with Oliver, smiling broadly. “At first she only came to the court as a guest, while preparations were made to return her to Camelot, but over the weeks both fell in love with each other, and my mother decided to stay. She drew a firm line under her past.”

Now a little frown worked itself over Yassia’s face. This was something she never understood and it had caused her mother’s brother much pain, as she had learned over the time spent at his side in Camelot. “Her family didn’t even know she still lived, and her parents died thinking they had lost her. Her brother, my uncle Kaye, became a very bitter and sad man. I never understood why she didn’t tell them how wonderful her ordeal had turned out to be.”