Love Heals [Yassia]

[Oliver Strathmore of Mercia]

The castle of Mercia was abuzz with both business and excitement as the king and his two sons arrived home from their trip to Camelot the night before. They had guests in tow in the person of Princess Yassia of Ailantha, Lady Caitrin de Archer, a Mercian noble who had long stayed in Camelot, and her betrothed Sir Griflet Aubert. The queen, Lady Adelaide, had all welcomed her husband and sons herself, and had made sure the guests were well provided with the fine accommodations and superb service in the castle.

Today, a feast of a lunch had been prepared. Lady Adelaide had insisted that they all have lunch together as her own way of officially welcoming their guests to Mercia, and as a simple thanksgiving of sorts for her husband and sons to have returned home safely. It had been quite a hearty meal with family and friends around. As soon as the meal was over, they had all broken up to go about with their respective businesses. Lord Bayard had proceeded to the council chambers to get appraised with matters of the kingdom while he was away. Prince Oliver had respectfully excused himself with word that he was heading to the training grounds.

Prince Edmund himself had immediately rushed to Princess Yassia’s side only to have his mother beat him to it. "We are so happy to have you here with us, Princess. Please make yourself at home. If there’s anything you want, anything at all, do not hesitate to come to me. You can’t imagine my happiness when last night’s advance party had told me of our women guests. I am so glad you and Lady Caitrin had accepted my sons' invitations," Lady Adelaide told Yassia as the older woman gave the princess' hand a gentle squeeze. She was a fine woman, elegant and yet motherly. There was a strength about her as well that made her look all at home and in control in a family mostly made up of men and in a kingdom as stalwart and military stiff as Mercia. Lady Adelaide was a woman who knew her way with men without having to sacrifice her femininity in the process. In fact, it seems she knows just how to use her womanly wiles to get what she want from the men in her life.

“And me. Princess Yassia can always come to me as well, mother,” Edmund had interjected with a courteous smile as he stepped beside Yassia.

“Of course, Edmund. Now you be a gracious host, and show the princess around. I will see you at dinner tonight, my dear,” she said as she turned and made her way towards Caitrin and Griff.

Edmund offered his arm for Yassia to take, and started leading her out of the hall. “Have you had a good night’s rest, Princess? Were your chambers to your liking?” he asked her with a tender smile.

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

Despite all that was going on inside her, Yassia also could not deny that she felt welcome at the castle of Lord Bayard and his lady. Everyone apart from Oliver was showering her with the utmost attention, and she would have to have a heart of stone to not be moved by that. After Oliver and her had come to a very stiff consent, he was more or less keeping his own company. But if she had waited for ‘out of sight, out of mind’ she knew it would not come. Oliver was too imprinted into her heart and soul, there was no possible way she could forget about him so easily.
That didn’t mean though she could not try to enjoy what WAS being offered to her, instead of always wishing for what was being denied. Apart from Camelot, she had not been in any royal household for a long time, and she had not been in Camelot daily of course, most of the time staying at her uncle’s remote estate if there wasn’t a feast or another gathering.

So Yassia took everything she saw and witnessed in with utmost interest, and compared it to the things she knew. Mercia might not be so different from Ailantha after all, she saw the same consent about rules and customs there, and Lady Adelaide sometimes reminded her so strongly of her own mother it hurt sometimes. When it did not hurt, however, Yassia found herself enjoying the warmness practiacallradiating.from the Queen of Mercia, and she saw with sudden clarity what truly had been missing in both Camelot and Ailantha for years:The gentle hand of a woman by a strong rulers side.

After a very delicious lunch on their first day since arriving, Yassia suddenly found herself nearly surrounded by one half of the Mercian royal family. Out of the corner of her eye she had already seen Edmund approaching her, and she suppressed her slight unease and told herself to wise up. He was charming and he was a powerful young man, being the crown prince, so spending time with him would be as amiable as it might be profitable. What was the saying: There was no use in crying over spilt milk – and Oliver and her had done more than just spilling it, it might even have turned sour in the process.
But first, there was Lady Adelaide to deal with.
”I can’t say how much your warm welcome means to me, Lady Adelaide”, she responded with heartfelt affection. “Everyone has been more than kind to me” – well, everyone save one, but that didn’t belong here now – “and I hope I will find the time to have a lengthy conversation with you. I would glady learn more about this world my mother was born into.”

Then she turned to Edmund and directed another smile at him. “This knowledge gladdens my heart, Prince Edmund, you’ve been too kind from the start.” Without a second of hesitation she put her hand on arm and let herself being led out of the dining hall, quite curious to see more of this castle and its surroundings. Maybe she could now find the time to speak a little about her reason for coming to Camelot? And maybe if she put it rightly and well, he would offer to help her? The prospect of this made her heart flutter in her throat like an encaged bird. But she couldn’t make any mistake now, any wrong word could be fatal!
”I had a very good night’s rest indeed”, she replied, incling her head. And it wasn’t even a lie. The journey must have exhausted her so much she hadn’t had much time to fret or feel sad. Sleep had come rather quickly, and she could not remember if she had had any disturbing dreams. “And yes, everything is much to my liking. But I would even be comfortable with less, after spending so much time on the road. Sometimes it’s even hard to grasp I was once so used to have this kind of comfort daily without thinking twice about it. I certainly see it now with different eyes.”

[Oliver Strathmore of Mercia]

The day was bright and sunny, and Edmund was glad that it was for it afforded him the chance to spend it with Yassia, showing her around the kingdom. Somehow, he wanted her to see it for herself, to see what awaits her in Mercia. It was like showing her a part of himself. This was the place he called home. His family was here. His people were here. He grew up here, learned all he needed to know about life and becoming king in this very place. He wanted her to see that, wanted her to see him all comfortable in his element. Perhaps when she does, Edmund told himself, she'd look at her with more than just the trademark courtesy and gratitude that a guest would give her host. He wanted more. He wanted her.

"That's good to know. I wouldn't want want you feeling too ill at ease after having dragged you miles away from Camelot," Edmund replied with a smile. He wanted to make an impression, that was certain. So he took advantage of every opportunity that presented itself now that they were strolling the courtyards. Servants and commoners stopped in their tracks to bow before him, and Edmund was only too happy to greet them back.

Yassia's words about traveling on the road and forgetting to live in comfort caught Edmund's interest. He still couldn't imagine her traveling from Ailantha, crossing the seas practically all by herself. "A beautiful princess like you should be lavished with all the good things in life. You belong in these rich and opulent castles, princess. Life on the road, a hard life, is not the life for you," Edmund told her. He had no intention of belittling Yassia's journey, but it may as well have sounded like that without him knowing it. All he was thinking about was telling her that she belonged to the castle, not the roads. While Oliver would have lauded her for her strength and effort in taking risks and facing the dangers of coming to Albion, Edmund was sounding like he was discouraging her, that it was a reckless move on her part.

"Had affairs become so dismal in Ailantha that you have to leave your own kingdom and travel this far?" Yassia had told him, his father, and Oliver a bit about her reasons for coming to Albion. Edmund was more curious now to know more.

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

Yassia gave a chiming laugh at him putting their journey so drastically, and it was not in the least bit forced. She actually began to enjoy herself, it wasn’t as awkward as she had feared it would be. “Dragged? Did I look like I needed to be dragged?” she retorted, the laugh still audible in her voice. “I wanted to visit Mercia for a long time, and so I was most happy about your invitation.” She took a look around and let the scenery sink in. It was nothing like Ailantha, and it was also different from Camelot, a little darker maybe because of the tall dark trees in the surrounding forests, but it definitely had its own special charm. “And it’s even more beautiful than I expected it to be.”
How odd that she would be saying these words now. In her silent, stupid dreams she had always seen herself voicing these thoughts to Oliver and not his brother. But that was being unfair, she should finally stop comparing those two! Rationally speaking the odds would be speaking for Edmund far more than for Oliver. He was kind to her, he was charming and he wanted her to feel at home, he seeked her company instead of constantly fleeing her.
But he was the crown prince. And he also wasn’t the one that had stolen her heart.

He might be right that the life on the road was nothing for her, but she had survived it, and in the end had even felt a little regret about letting it go, even though that was ridiculous of course. She knew she belonged in a castle, that was what she had been born to, but it was not any castle: she belonged in Ailantha, where she would rule as someone who had seen the world and not only lived in an ivory tower all her life. Yassia was convinced her travels and all the setbacks had made her stronger.
And also, the tone he had taken on irritated her. Was he… was he actually downtalking what she had done? In a way that even chided her for having done such a stupid thing? She doubted he had meant it that way, but it still stung.
”Well, sometimes necissity makes us do things we should not”, she explained, trying to keep the irritation out of her voice. “Of course you wish it could have been easier, could have been different, but you also have to fight for what you think is right, yes?”

Well at least the conversation was now turning into the right direction. Yassia took a moment to gather her thoughts and think on how to best put her situation. She didn’t want to sound like she was complaining, but he needed to know details should he ever decide to aid her.
”Dismal… yes you could say that”, she began. “Somehow the stars have not shone down in favor of the Dyfrène dynasty for a while. My father died untimely before he could produce another male heir, and so my power-hungry uncle Guifré saw his chance. Before a new leader could succeed the throne, the crown council was the one making decisions. So my uncle tried to marry me off to his son. He wanted to tell them it was for the best, but I knew what he really was after: His son is weak in character, but he himself is cunning. He would have used him only as a marionette to practically rule in his place. I could not consent to that, so I fled.”

[Oliver Strathmore of Mercia]

Edmund liked the way she laughed. It was so carefree and uninhibited. If he didn't know any better, Yassia seemed to have enjoyed the journey to Mercia more than he did. For him, a lot of things had gone wrong during the trip. Most of them took him away from Yassia. He had also become sick halfway through it, that he was mostly relegated to the carriages for he was too sick to ride. It was a tad bit shameful for him, but then again the physician's orders where orders. And no matter how much he wanted to have ridden on his horse, he was too dizzy, his stomach too queasy to sit up properly. Thankfully, a good night's rest and the full stock of remedies from the castle had healed Edmund quickly and nursed him back to the pink of health in no time.

"Thank you. Some would say it's quite a bleak place with all the forest all around it, but it's home," replied Edmund with a smile. He was quite proud of it in fact. The forest surrounding the castle served to camouflage it from oncoming hordes in the event of a war. It is well-manned and patrolled by Mercian troops. "We are using the forest to our advantage. It protects us and hides us from our enemies at the same time. The forest itself is a weapon against the uninitiated." While Edmund knew they had fortifications added to the forest, it was Oliver who knew exactly what and where they were. His hunter of a brother was only too keen to supervise putting them up himself, feeling all at home there than in the castle. "Oliver is probably out there checking them all one by one. He loves the forest more than the walls of the castle I tell you," he remarked with a chuckle, sounding amused at his brother's preference for the jungle than the comforts of the castle. Edmund and Oliver were total opposites, but Oliver was only too willing to give Edmund whatever he liked that they almost always get along quite well.

"Of course, and it is quite brave of you to have gone through such hardships. Only a strong woman could have survived that and I admire you," Edmund replied, somehow taking his words back. He did admire Yassia for her courage, but still that doesn't mean that he totally liked what she did. He hoped she wouldn't be so stubborn when she becomes queen, he told himself. His queen.

Edmund listened attentively to her tale, and somehow understood now what she had to leave. "Do you not like the son?" Edmund asked with a sly smile. Then his look turned serious. "But with you gone from Ailantha now, your uncle still got what he wanted, right? You practically offered the kingdom to him on a silver platter." Edmund was not seeing her rationale in this. Perhaps he had missed something here.

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

Yassia hid a smile as she listened to Edmund’s words. She should have guessed the conversation would sooner or later take this turn. Seriously, was that all men cared about? Fortification, camouflage and war? It really seemed to be a big topic for princes in general. When Vortigern had tortured her he had wanted to know details about Ailantha’s defenses in general and the castle’s in particular. It was all for these games of war. Build your own castle and try to overthrow those of the others… and sadly it was this stupid game that caused so much pain in the world. Ailantha had not taken part in it for so many years, but now with her uncle all but in charge, there was no telling where it would all lead.
And then Edmund spoke about Oliver, and Yassia’s first impulse was to just not listen, to close her ears off to what he was saying, as she did not want Oliver to enter her thoughts yet again, but she couldn’t help but listening nevertheless, as what Edmund said was rather intriguing. This was more the Oliver she knew, not the one he had been posing as ever since… posing? Hadn’t she been convinced just moments before that this was the real Oliver and that his carefree, kind self had been nothing but a lie? How come that a single word by Edmund could turn this view upside down?
Because he knows him better than you do…. A small voice in her head replied. Because he is his brother…

”Is that so?” she commented, acting the innocent. No one could know after all that she knew this side of Oliver very well indeed. “Well, I myself have seen the dangers of a forest first hand, and I probably wouldn’t trade them for a castle for long. Then again… the forest CAN be beautiful and even castle walls can be more a prison than protection. It all depends on the intentions both have towards you.” She mused rather thoughtfully. While escaping from the prison her own castle had become to her, the forest and the so-called wilderness had been the epitome of freedom to Yassia, because they had been the medium that would bring her to safety. It really all depended on the situation you found yourself in, and she could not blame Oliver for liking the nature around him. It might be a little irresponsible to always keep away and play the huntsman, but then he had a brother that was responsible enough for them both as it seemed. There truly could not be two brothers as different as Oliver and Edmund of Mercia.

Now he told her he admired her for her bravery, but somehow Yassia couldn’t quite shake off the feeling that it was nothing but lip service, that he had caught on her irritation and now sought to appease her. But why was she thinking so badly of him? It surely wasn’t deserved! He might be a little more courteous than his brother, but that was something she had grown up to, yes? She should get used to it again, before it got her into serious trouble.
”I only did what I thought was the best for my kingdom”, she warded off his praise. “I never sought to be admired.” Funny, wasn’t it? Again this was a sentence she had said once before… but to Oliver… about Edmund. And now she was walking in circles once again.

A bitter laugh escaped Yassia’s lips at Edmund’s jibe. He had probably meant well, but he had just right hit a huge nerve. “I could never like him! He might have been handsome and all the ladies of the court swooned at his sheer sight, but he was weak, completely under his father’s thumb!” She nearly spat that out, but then took a deep breath, calming both her mood and her voice. “Forgive me… I should not have spoken in such a manner.”
She winced at his next words. Again he was hitting a nerve and this time she was not as forgiving. What did he know, really?! He only had heard half of the story and was nothing but assuming!
”Don’t think I don’t know that”, she forced out between gritted teeth. “But I did not flee to save myself, I fled to find help! I knew I still had relatives here from my mother’s side and they were my only hope! If I stayed, Guifré would have got the kingdom for sure and forever!”

[Oliver Strathmore of Mercia]

Edmund resisted sounding off on Yassia's expressed affinity for the forest. Oliver had been quite a thorn on his father's neck during his rebellious teenage years when he would just run off to the forest and not come home for days at a time. Was Yassia of the sort? He can't have a queen who would prefer the rugged discomfort of the jungle more than the luxury and cosiness of the castle. He needed a queen who would grace the halls of Mercia with her beauty and play the genial host their guests. "You know you sound just like my brother," Edmund said chuckling, trying not to show his slight dismay in the fact. "I never really understood the lure that the forest held for Oliver until I found out he had a gypsy lover who practically lived in the jungle. Have you had a similar experience? Is that why the dangers could never keep you away?" Edmund asked trying to be playful and curious, to understand why Yassia thought that way. He had initially expected her to be like every other princess out there who prefer the pomp and pageantry of the courts. Well, when the time comes, Edmund knew he could find a way to make Yassia change her mind.

"As you say, princess, but you couldn't take that away from me now. I don't meet princesses like you everyday," Edmund said gently, sounding a bit apologetic. The tone in Yassia's voice told Edmund he had stepped on fragile maybe even sacred grounds, and he needed to tread carefully. He had after all invited her to Mercia to woo her, not to alienate her. From her words, it seems Yassia was all about marrying more for love than for duty. Edmund can certainly find a way to charm her in his own way. Had he not charmed other women, women from all walks of life, before? Surely, Yassia would be an easy conquest. He already have her here. All Yassia needed was a push in the right direction to make her realize his intentions and reciprocate it.

When she apologized, Edmund stopped walking and rested his hand over hers. "There is nothing to forgive and there is nothing for you to apologize for, princess. You should have never been forced into a union not of your liking. Nothing but misery and sadness will come out of it." Part of him was glad that she knew how to stand her ground for he needed a strong queen. But another part of him was worried that she might just be too stubborn to see reason when the time comes for him to make his intentions known. Edmund definitely had his work cut out for him with regards to Yassia indeed.

"Now it is my turn to ask for forgiveness. I realized I was already stating the obvious. Had I known that you crossed the seas, risked your life to find help...well, I would have easily understood your predicament. Forgive me, princess." Edmund was sincere this time, looking her in the eyes when he apologized for his tactlessness. He can be quite thick at times, but Yassia's tone had left nothing to the imagination. Edmund knew he had crossed the line. "I can't promise you much, not yet until I have spoken to my father, but I will do all I can to help you. Tell me about your mother's relatives here in Albion. I can at least send out word to help you find them." That much he could do for her, and hopefully earn him some points from her in that department.

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

It cost Yassia much to not wince as Edmund told her she sounded like Oliver. Really, did he HAVE to rub it in?! Of course he did not know anything and was just making a casual comment, but that didn’t make it any less ridiculous. She, like Oliver?! That’ll be the day! But then, she could not firmly deny it as little as she could agree to it, because for all Edmund knew she had never met his brother in all her life.
And that’s also why she had to lie now, about her relationship with the forest. Yassia hated to lie though when growing up in a viper’s nest that every court could be, you practically imbibed the talent for it from infancy, learning to say one thing and yet meaning another. For Edmund might not know it but he had hit straight home: Ever since meeting with Oliver and after that enchanted night under the stars and save in his arms, Yassia’s view on nature in general and the forest in particular had changed entirely. Now she could see the beauty and magic of it,and not only the danger. After meeting Oliver, she had no longer been afraid of sleeping there at night, she could always cling to her memories with him and wish he was there.
”Me, and a gypsy lover?” she laughed and took the whole question as a joke. “Now you have ideas, Prince Edmund! No, I can assure you, even though I don’t fear the forest as much as I probably should,I would not trade it for the comfort of a castle.” At least not for long. “I just had an elder brother, you know”, she finished off, hoping that would throw him off this particular track. And she also hoped in time the stings of jealousy would cease that she had every time someone mentioned Oliver’s former love.

"As you say, princess, but you couldn't take that away from me now. I don't meet princesses like you everyday,"
Now he was being all the gentleman again, and Yassia found herself relaxing. In a way, she liked his company, she just had to let go of other, disturbing thoughts and focus on the present, not the past.
”Well I hope for the world that there are not many more princesses having to go through the same ordeals”, she replied with a soft smile. “I’d gladly be a novelty only for that sake.”

Feeling his hand on hers felt a little out of place for Yassia just now, but she did not retract it for fear of alienating him. There was nothing to that gesture, she told herself firmly. He was just being nice and nothing more. And she appreciated his kindness. No one not cursed with a similar temper could quite estimate the shame you felt after you had a slip of your tongue. It felt like worms eating your guts away, and Yassia most of the time would do anything to turn back time and alter her words. So every show of forgiveness was a great relief indeed, even though this had been nothing compared to what she was capable off. She could do far worse… and she had. Sweet stars, she had once nearly killed Oliver in her rage! And there he was again… master of her thoughts…

Sweet stars, this was all getting too conflicted! It was time she had another lengthy conversation with Caitrin. But could she really burden her friend constantly with her heartaches? She was here to get a pre-wedding party after all!
”But can I afford to let my heart rule in such matters?” she asked. “If I had not known this to be bad for my kingdom as well, I would have married him. So looking at it that way, it was very convenient that I knew it was the wrong choice all the way.”

Edmund’s sincere apology made her anger melt away like snow under the sun. He really meant it this time, no lip service involved, she could see that. And it was a good sign he could go out of his way and admit a fault like that, not many people could do that… Oliver for one. He had never truly apologized for what he had thrown at her in his fit of anger. And as long as he did not apologize she would never truly forgive him.
”Don’t apologize, Edmund”, she protested softly, now locking his gaze. “I can’t assume you understand things that are not of your world, but just coming from my head. I needed to clarify more.” Smiling, she squezed his hand. “I have already found my one and only relative left, Sir Kaye, an old knight of Camelot. His intercession was heard before Uther, but it seems Camelot has too much on its plate to help me for now, what with all the danger surrounding it.”

[Oliver Strathmore of Mercia]

Edmund laughed with Yassia at the idea of having a gypsy lover. Even until now, he never really understood why Oliver was so taken by that nomad. “I wouldn’t trade the comforts of a castle for anything either. I just did’t see why my brother took it to a point where father had to make him choose between her and his title. I’m just glad Oliver saw reason in the end,” Edmund remarked nonchalantly as he led Yassia around a corner of the castle towards the stables. There were quite a number of fine-looking thoroughbred horses being taken cared of by able stable hands. The caretakers paused when they saw Edmund, and greeted him and the princess when they passed by. Edmund cordially nodded his head in return. When Yassia spoke about having an elder brother, Edmund looked at her with genuine interest. “I hope he wasn’t as handful as my own brother. Tell me about him,” he said with a smile.

”Well I hope for the world that there are not many more princesses having to go through the same ordeals.”

“While I admire your courage, I do agree with you and do not wish such an ordeal to any princess, or to anybody for that matter,” Edmund replied. From their conversation so far, Edmund could see that the princess he saw in Yassia was a product of these experiences. She’s probably of the same age as Oliver, but she acts a great deal more mature than his own brother does sometimes. This maybe perhaps owing to the hardships that she went through in her life. She was a woman in the truest sense of the word, the kind of woman Edmund desperately wanted to rule Mercia beside him one day.

“I am fortunate to never have been in a situation where my heart was in conflict with my head. Both your heart and your head spoke the same thing that time, so that was indeed a convenient decision for you to make. But have you ever experienced being conflicted? Did you listen to your heart or your head?” It was an honest question, and Edmund was keen to know exactly how Yassia would react if put in such a predicament. In a way, this conversation was some sort of an interview. He wanted to know more about Yassia as much as he could. He wanted to see if they were ever compatible at least. Earlier, he was rather disappointed that she showed traits so much like those of his brother, but as their talk continued on, he saw that she could be just as level-headed and reasonable as he was. That was a good thing.

To have her look at him like that, her beautiful eyes locking his gaze, her soft voice like music to his ears, it tugged at his heart, and Edmund was entranced that he didn’t even notice she had not addressed him by his title. Not that it mattered to him. He was just mesmerized, and he knew right this moment, his heart and his head were singing the same tune. He didn’t hear much of what she was saying, and it wasn’t until she squeezed his hand did he snap out of his momentary trance. “I understand, Camelot does have their own problems to take care of first. But what kind of help do you need exactly?” In that moment, Edmund knew that he would give Yassia what she wanted and needed, whatever it may be.

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

In all frank honesty, Yassia did not want to hear more about this particular topic, but then she was also drinking in every word Edmund said like a sponge. This might be her only chance to get to know more about Oliver from a so far unbiased side. If she asked Caitrin, her friend would immediately know where her questions were headed and she might alter her answer thus. Plus, she hadn’t seen Oliver in years while Edmund saw him practically every day Oliver chose to stay in Mercia and not run after some precious game with his friends.
But what Edmund said now, about how his brother had nearly forwent his title to be with what gypsy woman, made Yassia pale. He must have been truly madly and deeply in love with this woman to risk such a fate, and yet he had decided with his head and not his heart in the end. If this woman had been only half as much in love with him, it must have broken her own heart. When he had told her of this incident a year ago, it hadn’t sounded so… universal. Their own, petty story seemed nothing against it, and maybe that was why he had been so easy on forgetting it, despite his words.
”I… didn’t know it went that far”, she whispered, but in an instant recognzed her slip. She didn’t sound like someone hearing this for the first time! Hastily she corrected: “I mean… I couldn’t IMAGINE something like that going that far… and I’m glad as well he made the right choice.”

The question about her brother proved an amiable distraction, and Yassia all too eagerly delved into it.
”Ramon was a few years older than me and heir to the throne.We’ve never been inseperable, but we got along well. He was no rascal, he recognized his duties and acted on them, but sometimes he could be found ‘kidnapping’ his siter to the nearby forest, to teach her how to throw daggers so their parents wouldn’t know.” A weary smile crossed her face. “Only when he died when I was fourteen, I realized I had pretty much taken him for granted. How much he really meant to me, because he simply had always been there.” The wound of losing him had hower healed over the years,while the wound that had been caused by Mircea’s death was still raw and fresh. She better not talked about him too often, even though she would want to.

Slowly Yassia began to ask herself why Edmund was asking all of these deep questions that seemed to put her through some sort of acid test. Was that what he wanted? Test her? Or was she being paranoid and he was just genuinely interested? Normally the questions that were asked by courtiers were more superfluos, something you could start a light conversation over, but this went deeper. It actually almost went to her core, and this of all questions brough her desperately near to another incident with Oliver again. For a weird moment Yassia even wondered if Edmund knew… and wanted to set a trap. But that was ridiculous of course.
Knowing she could not lie about such a strong subject too well,Yassia tried to keep it vague.
”Once”, she admitted, casting her eyes down as if she was ashamed, while in fact she desperately tried to mask the truth in her eyes, afraid her could read it. “Once there was a time when I had a wild moment and actually wanted to leave my quest, because I thought I had found something more, something better, not regarding the wellbeing of my people.” Again she sighed and then looked up as she deemed it safe again. “But the sheer fact that I am here proves my head won out over my heart.”

And yet, what if she had taken the risk? Now she knew who Oliver was, she knew she simply should have told him the truth back then. He would have been surprised perhaps, but it would have eliminated all their problems in one go. Their love would have had a future and she would not have wasted a year in Camelot, waiting for help that probably would not come. A needless detour, a cruel twist of fate by unforgiving stars. And now it was too late.
”I don’t need all that much”, she explained to his gladly easier question. “You know how it is in politics, sometimes a little saber-rattling succeeds were an open confrontation could fail. I need to return with the open evidence of that I am not alone, that I have support from a mighty kingdom that will aid me, and that will show my uncle he won’t get away with ursupation.” At least she hoped that would be enough.

[Oliver Strathmore of Mercia]

Edmund thought he heard a small whisper coming from Yassia, but easily dismissed it when she spoke out loud. Edmund nodded. "Same here. I do know he has completely moved on though. I overheard him talking to mother when he came home after hunting in the Forest of Balor last year that he was 'in love' with a nomad woman, and that he would instantly marry her if he'd meet her again. He never learns," Edmund chuckled shaking his head in obvious amusement. He cared for his brother as older brothers do, but he just wished Oliver would, for once, stop playing around and take life seriously. Although, Edmund had to admit that, since returning from that hunting trip down south, Oliver had become more interested in matters of the kingdom. He had actually hadn't gone on a days-long hunting trip since then. He was almost always by Edmund's side during council meetings or in the library poring over books of all kind. Edmund knew Lord Bayard was most proud of the change he had seen in his youngest son when the king of Mercia appointed Oliver as an esteemed member of the council before they had left for Camelot for Arthur's coronation.

"Enough about my rascal of a brother. Your brother sounds fantastic. I am so sorry for your loss." Edmund could only imagine the pain it must have caused Yassia to have someone she was closed to be taken away from her at such a young age. He had been fortunate to still have his own family in tact, but Yassia had lost so much. In a way, she had lost everything. She had lost her family, and she was on the verge of losing her kingdom as well. "We never really realize how dear our loved ones are to us until they are gone. It's a cruel fact of life," Edmund said in his efforts to comfort her. He could see that Yassia seem to be well past that sadness of losing her brother Ramon, and was looking back at the lessons she had learned from it with such wisdom, and that made Edmund quite in awe of her.

He listened curiously, deeply interested, as Yassia told him about her one moment of conflict. "Perhaps it was a test of sorts for you, princess, to know how committed and determined you are to your cause. Temptations are everywhere, I'm glad you didn't allow it take you. I never would have been given this wonderful honor to spend time with you here in my own home had it been otherwise," Edmund said, his voice taking on a soft and tender tone near the end. He was truly happy of this precious moment he had with Yassia.

Although Edmund could never really understand how it must have felt like to be conflicted, he truly admired Yassia's resilience in overcoming her conflict. His heart had always been in complete unison with his head. As Crown Prince, all he wanted was for the good of the kingdom. It was his duty, his head constantly tells him. And his heart had never wavered from it. Perhaps, it had something to do with how he was brought up by his father, the traits and values the old man had instilled in him growing up.

Nodding as Yassia outlined exactly what she needed to win Ailantha back, Edmund gave her hand another gentle squeeze. "You are not alone. You have friends here in Albion, here in Mercia, who would gladly help you take back what is rightfully yours." They had continued walking past the stables and out to an open area where the clanging of swords can be heard ringing in the air. Edmund's face lit up with sudden realization as he remembered who was practicing right now in the training grounds. Turning to Yassia, Edmund took her hand and led her out to the training grounds not far ahead. "I know father would hear my plea on your behalf. But I know someone who excels at making strategies, who can talk to the council like he owns them, and get all of them to grant you what you need in the blink of an eye." With a smile, Edmund gestured towards the middle of the grounds, to where his brother Prince Oliver was earnestly focused at dueling swords with one of the knights.

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

Yassia was still too deep in thoughts of her own, trying to push Oliver out of her mind, even though Edmund seemed to quite warm up to the topic of his rascal brother, and so she didn’t pay too much heed to Edmund’s further words at first, until a few of them hit her like a mace.
“…in the Forest of Balor…”
The Forest of Balor?! Oh sweetest stars, Edmund was talking about THE DAY! Like in trance, Yassia listened on, and hadn’t even noticed she had stopped on the spot, unable to walk further. What she heard there was unbelievable! Only a few days before and up to this very minute she had tried, had even forced herself to believe that Oliver had not loved her even back then, that he was guilty of the things he had accused her of. But now?! Edmund had overheard him saying he wanted to marry the nomad, HER, whenever they met again. Well, that had worked out well.
“He… what?!” Her voice seemed to come from far away, as she still tried to process what had been said, she just couldn’t do everything at once as the whole fragile card house she had built herself out of the ruins of their last argument came tumbling down again. But then she saw Edmund still standing beside her and she tried a smile. “I’m sorry… that… I mean I just hadn’t imagined that of him.” All too true…

It was hard to focus on anything else now, but for Edmund’s sake and for the sake of the agreement she had with Oliver, she had to appear normal. No one could know. She might have cursed him to the lowest parts of hell, but she would honor their agreement. If only for her own sake. She was walking on a fragile bridge and only Edmund’s goodwill was what kept her from falling for now, if she lost that, she would lose a great deal more than just a friend.
“It is a cruel fact, but I think we can learn from it in the end”, she suggested with a soft smile. “We can learn that we cannot waste time over too many petty arguments, and that we ought to love our family and friends like they are, instead of forcing them to change too much. That might leave us with too many regrets should we ever lose them.”

A test? It was not the first time Yassia was presented with such an interpretation of her ordeals, but she still had her problems with it. She had once talked to Oliver about the untimely death of Mircea had made them meet, and she always had thought that a successfully mastered test would leave you with some kind of reward. But what had she gained by not giving in to Oliver and her silent dreams? Fate was now laughing her in the face, showing her that if she had given in, she would have gotten everything she wanted. Oliver had wanted to marry her, he had loved her. She would have gained a year. Where was the justice in that?
“Maybe…” she replied, forcing another smile on her face. She could not hurt him by doubting she was gaining time with him as some sort of reward. He did not know the truth. “I am glad to be here as well.”

But now Edmund was all but saying he would help her out and Yassia could feel her tense muscles relax, and a heartfelt smile lit up her face. Help was near, she had finally found the altruistic, friendly attitude that would aid her in winning back what was hers. She hadn’t known how much this pending question had burdened her until she felt said burden being lifted off her shoulders.
“This means more to me than I could possibly express, Edmund! No thanks in the world could cover my gratitude!” Only then she recognized the sound that had been in the back of her mind for a little while now, and a second later Oliver came into her visual field, exercising with a sword. Her step faltering the tiniest bit, she took in his glorious features, but she forced herself to snap out of it.
“Him you mean?” her surprise was genuine. “That doesn’t sound at all like the rascal you depicted earlier.” Could it really be Oliver had not forgotten about his vow in the forest? It would be too good to be true.

[Oliver Strathmore of Mercia]

"Me neither!" Edmund exclaimed with mirth as he agreed to Yassia's words. After all that had happened, Oliver, it seemed, still haven't gotten enough of nomad women. Either that or he was really trying to rile his father up. But then it couldn't be the case, because the change in his brother had been unmistakable. It was like he had made a 180-degree turn from his old ways. If Edmund hadn't seen glimpses of Oliver's mischief every now and then, he would have thought his brother to be bewitched. But no, Oliver had finally decided to straighten his ways. For over a year now, his brother had given him valuable advice on how things ought to be done, how dealings ought to be accomplished in favor of the kingdom. Oliver's profound knowledge and relationship with the common people had proved instrumental in the many decisions that Edmund himself had to make on affairs that had been handed down to him as Crown Prince. As member of the council now, he knew his brother would prove even more helpful with his unbelievably world-wise inputs and thorough knowledge of the world outside of the kingdom. "He's probably just making a joke out of it. He loves to make my mother laugh and to give father the occasional heart attack."

Edmund was pleased to hear that Yassia was glad to be here as well. It had been a while since the halls of Mercia had been graced by visitors, lovely and esteemed ones such as her, Caitrin, and Griff. At least, Edmund knew it made his mother quite happy to be entertaining guests that were neither visiting for pure business nor for political reasons. This was all for friendship.

"Don't thank me yet. We still have a lot of work to do," Edmund told Yassia with a wink. Lord Bayard had been in the endless process of acquiring new allies. To add the Kingdom of Ailantha to that list would certainly be a good boon. They hadn't spread that far overseas, but who knows what a totally foreign ally would bring to them.

“That doesn’t sound at all like the rascal you depicted earlier.” A hearty laugh issued out of Edmund at Yassia's remark. Indeed, after all the stories he had told her about his brother, it was hard to believe that Oliver would prove to be helpful in any way. "Oh, he can still be the rascal if he wanted to be. At least now, he's a little less selfish and more focused on the good of the kingdom than anything else." Edmund watched his brother duel for a moment. An excellent sword fighter himself, he watched with intent as his brother parried with the knight. He knew Oliver excelled in archery, but his brother needed work with the sword. Then an idea came to Edmund. "Come, princess. Let's see if we can talk my brother into presenting your case to the Mercian council," he told Yassia with a knowing glint in his eyes. His hand resting on the small of Yassia's back, he led her to where the rest of the knights stood watching and cheering on the current duel. They acknowledged the prince and the princess when they arrived.

From the corner of his eyes, Oliver had seen them the very moment they arrived at the training grounds. Specifically, he saw Yassia first. It seemed like his senses were attuned to her, and they always seemed to jump with joy every time she was nearby. He immediately felt his muscles tense at the thought of her watching him duel at a sport that he didn't exactly excel in. Despite the current state their "relationship" was in at the moment, Oliver still wanted to make a good impression of himself to her. But no, not with swords, this was Edmund's turf not his. But then again there was nothing he could do but give it his best.

It didn't surprise him that it was Edmund who was showing Yassia around the castle. He had to admire his brother's determination to win the princess and in the process slowly woo her. If there ever was a person who knows what he wanted and strives with his might and mind to get it, it was Edmund. The thought of Edmund and Yassia together brought a quick stab of pain in his chest, but he knew he had to stay away and let things take their course the way Edmund wanted them. It would be all for the good of Mercia and maybe even Ailantha, and that was more important. And besides, he had lost Yassia forever. He had no more place in her heart. It would have been very complicated if their relationship now had been what it was a year before. In a way, Oliver thought this was convenient. No matter how much it hurts him right now, it was working well for everybody else. That was all that matters.

After a couple more swishing and slashing of the swords, the duel ended with the knight stumbling back, Oliver's sword at his throat. Claps and cheers resounded around them as Oliver reached a hand out to help the knight up. "You're getting better at this, sire," the knight said as he clapped Oliver in the back. Inwardly though, Oliver thought the knight had gone easy on him. He still had a long way to go when it comes to fighting with swords. "Thanks!" Still he replied with a small smile before making his way towards where Edmund and Yassia were standing. He nodded at his brother, and gave Yassia a small bow. He took his fighting glove off and reached out to take Yassia's hand and kissed it. The feel of her soft dainty hand in his sent the unmistakable jolt of electricity that was getting all too familiar, but one which Oliver could never get used to. He would never get used to her, never get enough of her. Earlier, it had been rather hard concentrating, sitting across her by the table during lunch. She looked just as beautiful as ever. A man would be a fool not to notice how radiant and heartbreakingly lovely the Princess of Ailantha was in her simple elegance. He should know. He had heard some of the knights and the servant boys talk about her with such admiration earlier. Oliver was about to say something, but Edmund had spoken up first.

"Congratulations, brother!" Edmund enthused, and Oliver slowly dropped Yassia's hand as he turned back to his brother, completely avoiding her eyes.

"Sir Raymund went easy on me," Oliver replied humbly.

"You want to duel with someone who will not?"

Oliver didn't miss the suggestive tone in his brother's voice. "I wouldn't want to take you away from the princess."

"Oh, I'm sure Princess Yassia will enjoy a good and friendly duel. Will you not, Princess? And besides, Oliver, she's our guest, it's our duty to entertain her."

There was nothing Oliver could say to that, so he nodded before turning back towards the grounds while Edmund prepared himself for the fight. Trust his brother to show off his prowess with the sword to Yassia with him on the grounds. Oliver knew this wouldn't end well. Edmund was a far better swordsman than anybody in the kingdom. Oliver knew he would be eating dust in no time. But still, he couldn't openly refuse his brother in front of Yassia now, could he? He sighed as he watched Edmund choose a training sword, then his eyes flickered over to where Yassia was standing and caught her eyes for a split second before he immediately broke the gaze off. All for the love Mercia, he told himself. When the knights and the servants realized what was coming up, a loud cheer went up in the air.

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

How was it possible to fall from the highest heights of hope down to the harsh reality and being soused with ice cold water on top of it within seconds?! Really, the amount of emotional changes Edmund had put her through in the last couple of minutes couldn’t be called anything but crazy, and yet he had not the slightest inkling of it all.
A joke. It could all be nothing but a joke. He enjoyed to make his mother laugh and give his father near heart attacks. There needn’t be anything behind those words at all. What a fool she was to readily assume he had really meant it! Didn’t his latest behavior show he did not want her anymore? It didn’t matter what had been back then, it was as distant and unreachable as a dream. The thought hurt Yassia deep inside, but she knew she had to pull strength from that pain. She had to move on. He had. And it should be enough to know that them meeting and him making his vow had made Oliver change his ways, so that his family now could be proud of him. It should be enough… but somehow it wasn’t.
“A joke… of course”, she answered with a fake smile. “That sounds more likely. We cannot change who we are after all.”

Edmund was right, there still was a long way to go, and even he could not decide things all on his own. His father needed to agree to this rescue plan, and also possibly some sort of council. Yassia didn’t know how things worked here in Mercia, but she had witnessed first hand in her own kingdom that a king was only sovereign as long as the crown council, mostly consisting of trusted lords of the realm, stood beside him in the matters. Without their consent, he could do nigh to nothing. Guifré had gotten to know their strength in their denial to change the rules of succession in his favor, but then they had also nearly turned on Yassia, wanting her to agree to marrying her cousin. So Edmund could promise all he wanted in advance, he was right to smother her high hopes.
“Yes, you are entirely right, the way to go is still long and might not be easy, but it’s the consent that matters to me most”, she looked at him pointedly. “To know that I am, in fact, not alone in this fight.”

Yassia was far too caught up in watching Oliver’s swift and elegant movements with the sword to pay any more heed to what Edmund said to her. She heard the words, but she didn’t take them in, fascinated with the fight before her. She had never felt the urge to be able to handle a blade herself, but she loved watching duels nevertheless, their deathly elegance that seemed almost like a dance sometimes, with the whole body in motion. Of course, this was only a training fight and therefore didn’t hold the anxious thrill of a real fight to the death, but that didn’t make it any less fascinating. Even with her little expertize, Yassia could tell that Oliver might not be in his right element when wielding a sword. He was good, no question of that, but she wondered if Edmund would be better.

Feeling Edmund’s hand on the small of her back into reality somewhat, but not completely. It was a fond gesture, but it was not over-intrusive and so she let it happen. Maybe he had realized the absence of her mind and wanted to guide her in the right direction?
“Yes, let’s ask him, if he’s not too busy right now”, she answered belatedly to his suggestion, but just when she said that, it nearly drowned in the uproaring cheer as Oliver suddenly lunged forward, caught the other knight by surprise and only a heartbeat later had the tip of his sword at the other’s throat. It was a clear victory, and Yassia impulsively joined in the cheer, but of course only by clapping her hands, everything else would have not been befitting. She couldn’t quite suppress the surge of happiness she felt for him in that moment, and her heart started to beat in a frenzy as he approached her.

He kissed her hand. She knew it was nothing but a courteous gesture, a necessity, but her heart was slow to learn, as was her body. Every inch of her skin he touched either with his breath as he aspirated a kiss on the back of her hand or by holding said hand, sprung alive and felt like being set aflame. There was no stopping the memories that came surging into her mind as this simple gesture, memories of her snuggling into his strong, supporting arms… but she needed to stop!! These were only memories never to return! And in the meantime he had insulted her, had called her a nothing short of a whore, an evil witch. He might have matured, but he had also closed his heart to her.

As they decided on another fight, Yassia forced herself to smile and incline her head gracefully. In all honesty, she had nothing against watching a little more fighting, especially not when that also meant it would put the awkward talk between her and Oliver a little bit off. Asking him for help, him of all people! Taking a few steps back, she crossed her hands over her bosom, a totally courteous and modest posture, but she did it more out of habit, because she felt comfortable in it… and because it kept her hands occupied.
“Good luck, my prince”, she called out, and everyone would have assumed she meant Edmund. Maybe her mind had even meant to, but her eyes, her treacherous eyes had found Oliver in the moment she spoke these word. And it was also the very same moment he seemed to look at her, which sent Yassia’s heart into another frenzy.

[Oliver Strathmore of Mercia]

“Good luck, my prince.”

Oliver had wanted to think Yassia was wishing him, and not Edmund, luck. She had looked so graceful, every bit the courteous princess, when she crossed her hands over her bosom. To him, it showed how sincere she was in her wish for luck, and his mind desperately wanted to steal it away from Edmund. Of course, it was for Edmund. Even if their eyes had met just when she said the words, it was Edmund whom other would think she was wishing luck for. They had arrived together at the training grounds after all, after having probably spent a considerable time together in other places in the castle before coming over. Oliver did know he needed that luck more than Edmund does. A master of the sword, Edmund can duel with him blindfolded and he would still win over Oliver. That was how good Edmund was, and how bad Oliver was in comparison to his brother.

Edmund had crossed the grounds to where Oliver stood waiting for him. He had an all too pleasant smile on his face, and Oliver felt a sliver of envy crawl up inside him. Of course, his brother was pleased. Had he not spent the morning with their beautiful guest? Oliver stomped the feelings down as soon as it had risen up. He needed to focus on the fight.

"There is something I was hoping I could ask your help with, Oliver," Edmund said as they both whipped their swords out and stood on guard.

What was Edmund doing? Was he trying to distract him? "What is it?" Oliver replied as they started moving in a semi-circle. Trust Edmund to talk to him casually while he himself was trying his best to focus.

"The princess is in need of help," Edmund said as he drew the first slash from left to right.

At his words, Oliver almost missed the slash and had jumped back just in time before it sliced him. Now, he was starting to suspect his brother was up to something. "What kind of help?"

Edmund saw an opening and thrust his sword towards Oliver's midsection. "The military kind."

This time, Oliver was prepared and slid to the side as his sword met Edmund's to parry the thrust away from him. "Is she going to war?"

"She's going to take back her kingdom from her usurper uncle." Edmund had brought his sword over his head and was bringing it down on Oliver. And Oliver grunted as his sword met Edmund's heavy blow in an all too weak a block.

"Concentrate, Oliver."

"How can I when you're distracting me?"

"I am not. I'm just asking for your help."

"Why does it concern you?" Oliver had to ask even though he already knew his answer, and then took the opportunity to drive his sword through Edmund's shoulder.

Of course, Edmund had easily sidestepped it and retaliated with his own slash that tore Oliver's sleeve, barely missing his arm. The near hit drew a gasp from the crowd, and then a respectful clap thereafter.

"I promised her I'll ask you to talk to the council."

"You what?!" Oliver had been expecting Edmund to tell him he had promised Yassia he would talk to Lord Bayard. But to have Edmund include him in his promise to Yassia, well, that was something totally out of the blue.

"Come on, help me out here, brother. Please," This time Edmund's strike was not as forceful as the previous ones, as if he was giving his brother some respite while he asked for his favor. Oliver easily blocked his brother's weak strike. "Take a breather," Edmund remarked as he turned away from his brother and fixed his gloves.

Edmund need not tell Oliver what he exactly meant by helping him out. His brother was definitely trying to win Yassia, get into her good graces. What better way to do that than to give her exactly what she needed. Yes, when Edmund decides to commit to something, he gives it his 100 percent. Who was Oliver to contest that?

Oliver turned his head to where Yassia was. Standing not far behind her, watching the duel just as intently, was the Lady Adelaide. Since when did she arrive in the training grounds? Oliver wondered.

When the queen saw his youngest son looking her way, she waved at him and stepped forward to stand beside Yassia. She cocked her head in Yassia's direction and smiled at his two dueling sons. "These boys, always at their games," the Queen remarked with a chuckle. "Sometimes I wish they'd forget the sword for once and go find themselves fine women to marry. I'm not getting any younger, I still want to be see my grandchildren before I off it."

As the brothers prepared to start another round, Oliver glimpsed his mother now talking to Yassia. He sincerely hoped she wasn't talking about wanting grandchildren again. Their mother, while she may be all composed and in control in court, can be a little too outspoken when it comes to matters that pertain to her sons...especially with ladies whom she liked. It wasn't hard to tell that Lady Adelaide was quite taken with the Princess of Ailantha.

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

Someone tell me why I am so nervous, Yassia thought as her hands tightened around each other as soon as both princes took up the weapons and started to circle each other like hungry wolves. This is nothing but a training fight, so get a grip on yourself, Prinèesa! Calling herself with her formal title in her own language helped a bit, as she had also adopted the mental tone of her father on the rare occasions he had needed to reprimand her. Nothing could help her better to get a grip than this one word sound in this particular, slightly warning way. And yet if could not chase away the feeling of unease completely, even though she tried to be nothing but rational. She also couldn’t help but notice that her anxiety was not equally divided between the two brothers, and that was what upset her most. After everything that happened, could she really still feel afraid for Oliver?! It was pathetic, really! He didn’t deserve her fear, he did deserve nothing from her! What did she care if his brother sliced him in half, he had that coming big time anyway!

But who was she fooling? Somehow he still had a place in her heart even though she tried so hard to fight it. And Edmund really was the better of the two with a sword, and he had said he won’t go easy on Oliver on top of it. A little anxiety was justified there, no? This was all just far too confusing, but glaldy for Yassia, the fight took on speed soon, so she forgot about her thoughts and merely focused on what she had to follow with her eyes.
It was obvious now that Edmund excelled in swordfight, and Yassia couldn’t help but admire his swiftness and cunning, he surely gave his brother scarcely time to breathe. Oliver stood his ground, but it was clear to see where the advantage lay. Maybe it wasn’t that bad she had wished him good luck earlier, he seemed to need it. It was no shame to have other specialties than swordplay, and Yassia surely didn’t belong to this kind of noblewoman who looked down on all other weapons. The sword might be deemed the most noble, but she had seen and witnessed first hand how good Oliver was with his bow, and she held far more admiration for this kind of weapon. If, of course, one HAD to use the word admiration.

From where she stood, Yassia could see that they were talking while exchanging blows, but she could not gather every word, as the wind got hold of the sound and diverted it as soon as it left their mouths. From the snippets she DID catch though, Yassia was surprised to realize Edmund apparently had chosen this opportunity to present her request to Oliver. Great! He might not know it, but there was probably nothing as distracting as anything concerned with herself for Oliver right now. She was his red rag, she realized that. And yet, she could not help but listen more closely, trying to catch Oliver’s replies. What would he say?
Meanwhile the fight was getting more heated, and Yassia found herself wincing, almost opening her mouth for an outcry as Edmund’s sword missed Oliver’s arm by a fraction of an inch, only tearing open the fabric of his sleeve, and gladly not his flesh.
"You what?!"
That rang clearly over the training ground and caused a few knights to exchange curious glances. Yassia was as intrigued as them, wondering what on earth Edmund exactly had said to provoke such an reaction from Oliver. Yassia’s stomach tightened in a sickening feeling, even though she could not even tell why. But there was something else afoot here, something she had realized earlier, she just still couldn’t put her finger on it.

Yassia had been so enthralled with the fight she hadn’t even noticed someone approaching her from behind. She only saw the knights shuffle out of the corner of her eyes, and when she tore her gaze away from Oliver and Edmund, she saw Lady Adelaide standing next to her.
”Mylady!” she greeted softly, bowing her head, while her eyes still flickered towards the training ground. With more polite than real interest she listened to what their mother had to say and couldn’t help a fine smile playing around her lips. In any other circumstances she would have given this woman her full attention, as she deserved nothing less. In her whole demeanour, so blunt without being insolent, she reminded Yassia often enough so much of her own mother it hurt. That, she had learned also by being around Caitrin, must be the Albion way. In Ailantha, a lady would have never voiced her wishes for her sons to marry so openly. She would have hid it in little comments here and there, but never openly addressed the topic of grandchildren.

”But you are still young, Mylady”, she protested fervently. “And so are your sons! Give them a little time and I am sure they will find someone who will benefit both them and the kingdom.” Well, whoever Oliver would choose, she could only hope this someone would never betray him. Yassia’s heartbeat accelerated again as she saw Oliver quickly glancing her way and then preparing for another round. It had been rather gracious of Edmund to offer his brother some respite as he was already one combat in advance. Without even so much wanting it, she voiced her next train of thoughts:
”You can be proud of them, you know. Each of them has his own impeccable qualities. What one might lack, the other makes up for.”

[Oliver Strathmore of Mercia]

Lady Adelaide gave Yassia a warm smile. "You are so sweet, my dear. What I'd give to have a daughter like you," she replied wistfully. Last night, his husband had told her about their most esteemed guest who had traveled to Albion all the way from her kingdom across the seas to escape her uncle who had stolen the kingdom from her. And this morning, Edmund had told her more, or gushed more like. Oliver, to her surprise, was rather quiet and nonchalant about the princess. Too quiet, in fact, that the perceptive queen was a tad bit suspicious of Oliver's behavior. She knew her youngest son all to well to not tell her anything, anything at all about their beautiful and single lady guest. He had busied himself entertaining Lady Caitrin de Archer and Griff Aubert, which was all well and good because he had invited them himself. Still, something was tickling Lady Adelaide at the back of her mind concerning Oliver, and she made a mental note to speak with his son later.

"Oh, I am very proud of them. I see Lord Bayard in Edmund, mighty and determined, the makings of a strong king. Oliver will be his heart, his mind," she said as she turned to look at his sons with so much pride and love. Edmund had told her his intentions towards Princess Yassia, and the queen was all to willing and happy to help his son woo her. She doesn't know much about the princess yet, but from what she had seen so far, Yassia was a good person inside and out. The queen was determined to know more. "Edmund excels at the sword," she remarked as they watched Edmund and Oliver prepare for another round.

"Eyes on the fight, little brother." Edmund called Oliver's attention, and poised once again to duel with him. Reluctantly, Oliver had looked away from Yassia and his mother who it seemed had engaged themselves in a conversation, a conversation that Oliver desperately wanted to hear.

But since there was no hope for that, Oliver decided to focus all his attention on the duel at hand. He struck the first blow as he brandished his sword to the left and then to the right, advancing towards Edmund. Of course, his brother ready or not easily stepped back and blocked his attacks.

Then Edmund retaliated, and the two brothers moved back and forth in the middle of the training ground as they parried each other's attacks. This round proved to be a tad bit intense than the previous one as Edmund now was concentrating fully on it, giving his brother exactly what he had promised him earlier, a good and fair fight. And Oliver was only too willing to ride it. The loud clanging of the swords filled the air as both princes dueled with all their might. Not surprisingly, Edmund was always getting the upperhand, but Oliver was not giving up so easily. One had to credit him for his will and determination in trying to give Edmund and the audience a good fight.

"Told you I will not go easy on you," Edmund teased before thrusting the sword towards Oliver's right shoulder.

Oliver avoided the sword and chuckled. "And I appreciate it, brother."

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

Lady Adelaide’s words sent a warm shiver down Yassia’s spine. She had been given so much already, kindness and the offer of friendship above everything else, but this was more. It was almost like the ultimate accolade, coming from the woman she had so much admiration for. Yassia didn’t think she had heard that from anyone before, someone wishing to have a daughter just like her, and it made the moment all the more special. As she hadn’t been prepared for this kind of compliment, coming so sudden and yet so natural, Yassia couldn’t help the blush that tinted her cheeks.
”Well, I think I am far from being anyone’s ideal daughter”, she sighed and gave a little smile. “But thank you, Mylady. You can’t esteem how much that means to me.”
Somehow she had the feeling that Lady Adelaide wasn’t a woman who would say this just like that, without really meaning it. Albion in general was far less cryptic and – sometimes – false than she remembered her own court to be. Not that the noble folk of Ailantha didn’t have affections, they just didn’t act on them openly. Yassia’s own mother had had a hard time adapting to that, at least Suzanna had dropped the odd hint about that.

It was not hard to imagine what Lady Adelaide envisioned for her two sons. Yes, Edmund would probably make a good king, he had the will and the good heart to prove it, even in the short time Yassia was here she already had witnessed that. Mercia would probably prosper further under his rule, and since Edmund had no quarrel with Arthur, the two kingdoms surely would not renew the long war they had been in. And Oliver… yes he would be a good support for his elder brother, even though he should be careful not to let his hot head get the better of him. This was now the fourth view she had been given on Oliver in a relatively short time, and all those views differed from what he had been acting towards her. How could Oliver be Edmund’s heart and mind if he could be so insolent towards an honored guest? His behavior had been impeccable ever since they came to Mercia, but that was due to them having nigh to no interaction at all. He acted as if they didn’t knew each other… which was of course what they had agreed on.
”Edmund really seems to own his brother in swordfight”, she agreed with a little tense smile. “What does Oliver excel at? I am sure he has a forte.”
Of course she knew… and she had a scar to prove it.

Her eyes returned to the two young men who had just taken up the fight again. Oliver seemed to warm up to the fight, but it was evident he was more parrying instead of attacking himself, Edmund still had a huge advantage, and he was only getting started. Yassia couldn’t help but admire him for his skills, but the treacherous part of her heart feared for Oliver’s safety. Even in a training fight, things could go wrong, and even from a young age on, Yassia – assisting her mother – had had many chances to witness such occurances.
When Oliver escaped Edmund’s thrusting sword just in the nick of time, Yassia let go a little gasp, and immediately looked around to check if anyone had noticed.
”It’s been long since I last watched a swordfight”, she confessed in a low voice with a little sheepish grin. “And they both seem so determined, I hope they take care.”

The knights around them were shouting various encouragements, some backing up their crown prince while some – and Yassia even thought to recognize at least one of them – clearly were on Oliver’s side, cheering him onwards. It was evident that both brothers were very well liked, and Yassia had to admit she enjoyed herself, despite the slight tension she still could feel whenever her eyes focused on Oliver too long. There was just too much that time could not erase, however hard she tried to hate him or be indifferent. And yet she had to… it was best for everyone if the past stayed the past.

[Oliver Strathmore of Mercia]

It wasn't hard to see that the lady standing there beside her was every bit the princess that she is, and even more. Lady Adelaide had seen quite a fair share of princesses and other ladies of noble ilk grace the halls of Mercia, but she hadn't met anyone as forthcoming and still be as sweet as the Princess of Ailantha. Of course, she sounded curt and gracious, but Lady Adelaide could see and feel the sincerity and goodness emanating from her. What the queen would give to get to know her more herself. "The pleasure is all mine to have you as a guest here in Mercia, my dear. I do hope we can spend some time together just talk about things women talk about," she told Yassia with a small laugh. "Perhaps Caitrin, too, can join us," she added. At this point, the queen was anything but a queen. It was obvious how she missed the company of fine young ladies and she wanted to make the most out of this opportunity. Also, she wanted to get to know Yassia more for Edmund's benefit.

At Yassia' inquiry, a smile lit up Lady Adelaide's face. "Oliver is an excellent archer. He learned to shoot with a bow and arrow before he even learned how to walk," she replied chuckling as a nostalgic look came over her face. Even though Oliver, like Edmund, had trained early with the sword, it was the bow and arrow that had caught Oliver's fancy. "I'll tell him to show you, maybe even teach you. I'm sure he'd love to do it. He sometimes gives archery lessons to little children in the villages whenever he finds the time."

”It’s been long since I last watched a swordfight. And they both seem so determined, I hope they take care.” "I watch them train all the time, and yet I still never get used to seeing them pummel each other with the sword," Lady Adelaide responded without taking her eyes away from her sons, a worried look on her face. She had unknowingly balled her fist when Edmund almost struck Oliver.

Even with the light banter between the brothers, the duel was anything but light. Edmund was in the zone, and he was all pumped up giving his brother the fight that he had asked for. Although he knew at the back of his mind that Oliver would never win this one, he admired his brother's courage and bravado. His eyes flickered towards Yassia, and he wondered if she had seen enough of the fight to know this is his turf, sword fighting. He'd be a hypocrite not to admit that part of giving Oliver a duel was so Yassia could see him at his best, to impress her. Hopefully, after he wins the duel, she'd be fawning over him like most ladies do after seeing him triumph in tournaments. Edmund thought she had been holding back earlier, trying to be demure and coy. Perhaps, seeing him in his fighting glory would help remedy that, not that Oliver was making it difficult for him really.

Edmund had been rather distracted with his thoughts that he had not seen Oliver's oncoming strike from over his head, and he had staggered back to avoid it. "Focus, Edmund," Oliver said with a teasing smirk, knowing he had caught his brother at a most inopportune time. The hard gaze in his brother's eyes as he looked at Yassia was too much for Oliver that he thought he'd give his brother a good dousing. No matter how he tried to tell himself that he wouldn't stand in their way, he couldn't help the ugly head of jealousy rear its head when his brother starts to get all too cocky and possessive towards Yassia.

"I'll show you focus, little brother," Edmund replied and retaliated by advancing menacingly forward with a hard left followed by a strong right. He plowed onwards even as Oliver blocked his blows one after the other until he had backed his younger brother against the nearby wall at one end of the fenced arena. Oliver had nimbly stepped aside to avoid being trapped into a corner, and tried to throw his own strikes at Edmund only to have his older brother deflect them so easily. And then Edmund had the upperhand again.

It seemed to Oliver that his brother had not been amused when he had caught him unaware earlier while looking at Yassia that he seemed to let out his irritation in the duel. Sure, Oliver may be a hothead, but at least, he vents it out at the right venue. Edmund has this nasty habit of bottling them all in, letting it build up, and then release them all out at once to the detriment of others. In this case right now, to Oliver's.

Without as much as blinking an eye, Edmund brought his sword down hard from the right, but Oliver ably blocked it. Then Edmund quickly struck from the left, and Oliver was quick enough to ward it off as well. Not a second too soon, Edmund's sword then slashed in the direction of Oliver's neck, but the younger prince ducked just in time that it merely sliced the air. However, Edmund miscalculated his next move and didn't expect his brother to stay in place instead of moving out of the way. Oliver righted himself up just as Edmund brought his sword back for another slash. Oliver hadn't seen it coming, and he barely managed to jerk his head backwards before the sword could send it rolling to the ground. Unfortunately though, it didn't miss Oliver altogether. As Oliver jerked his head back, he had pushed his chest out and Edmund's sword ruthlessly sliced his upper left torso before Edmund could stop himself. The force of the blow and the sharpness of the sword had made Oliver cry out in pain as he fell back onto the ground, blood seeping out into an expanding patch of bright red on his beige-colored tunic.

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

Yassia gave a light chuckle as Lady Adelaide mentioned the ‘things women talk about’. It made her think back on a conversation now almost a year ago she had had with Caitrin.They had sounded off together against the typical women tasks like needlework, even though Yassia was not as opposed to them as Caitrin had appeared to be. They had sworn a solemn vow that they would kill each other before their lives became so dull stitching patterns was all they could talk about with each other, and even though it had been sounded only in jest, Yassia still would never let this subject come up between them as long as she could help it.
”That sounds wonderful to me”, she assured warmly, “and I really do hope we will be granted that time. Lady Caitrin will be most welcome to it, shall I ask her to join us when we have a set time, or do you want to ask her yourself?”
Hopefully there would really be little needlework involved or else Caitrin might consider declining that honor. On the other hand, if Caitrin was absent, Yassia feared to be interrogated about the wrong kinds of things, especially including her fancy of men, without having a friend near that knew about her situation and could steer the conversation to less painful topics. Even though Yassia felt like she could trust Lady Adelaide with more than her life and maybe her innermost thoughts, she had promised Oliver to keep their encounter a secret. She would honor this promise, because she had her pride!

Even though she knew most of it, Yassia couldn’t help but be all ears as Lady Adelaide told her more about Oliver. It was like she was acting under duress, like being coaxed by a drug, she just drank every information about Oliver in like her life depended on it – which was ridiculous of course; it only enforced the pain. Since when had she become such a masochist?
Nearly gasping in shock, she turned it skilfully into a little laugh, shaking her head. Learning from Oliver? Spending even more time with him? The treacherous part of her, the one that refused to forget him jubilated at the sheer thought, but she knew she could not do this. She had lost the right to that the moment he rejected her, for whatever twisted reason. She had vowed to herself she would not run after him, beg him to love her again, and if she didn’t honor this vow, she could as well forgo her whole pride.
”It is sweet of you to suggest that, Mylady, but I fear I might be hopeless.” She was lying now, openly lying for her poor heart’s sake. Throwing daggers like she had learned from her brother and later stepbrother demanded skill and a good aim as well. She probably wouldn’t even be that bad in archery.

Still, Oliver’s mother had done it now, and while Yassia still stried to focus on the fight, she could not shake off the images that unbiddenly crept into her mind. First she saw the adorable picture of Oliver teaching a few boys the basics of archery while they looked up to him in awe. He was good with children apparently… another side of him she hadn’t known. Slowly though that picture altered and she suddenly saw herself with him on a meadow, trying to hold a bow, while he laughed at her efforts and suddenly stepped behind her…
A loud gasp snapped her out of her ridiculous reverie, and when she focused her eyes on the field again, she saw that the air of the fight had somehow changed. Where before there had been reckless but still good-natured bantering, now there seemed to be solid determination. Edmund’s blows came as quick and vicious as the attacks of a poisonous snake, and Oliver was all but cornered, barely holding up. What had happened here?

Yassia’s right hand balled into a tight fist and she held her breath, feeling something like dread creeping onto her without even knowing why. Something was afoot. Something horrible, and all she could do was watch. Again and again Edmund’s sword came down on Oliver and twice he only escaped by a hair’s breath
”What are they doing?!” she exclaimed to no one in particular, “this is…”
Her further words drowned in another gasp from the audience that was itself cut short by a pained outcry – coming from Oliver!
At first, Yassia was too shocked to even move; like rooted on the spot she watched as Oliver staggered backwards and fell, and even before he hit the ground, Yassia saw blood seeping through the fabric of his tunic. For her it seemed like he fell in slow motion, horribly decelerated like this was not real, but a nightmare.
But the moment he hit the ground, the full impact of the incident caught up with Yassia. Forgetting all vows of secrecy, forgetting her pride and even forgetting all countenance, she rushed forward, past the shocked knights and a startled Edmund, crying out: “OLIVER!!!!”

Dropping to her knees beside him, she took his head up in her hands, feeling his wonderful locks between her fingers. But she had no time for nostalgia now. Her healer eyes skilfully estimated the situation. Much blood, but not too much to make it lethal. The blade had missed the heart by inches, thank the stars!
Striking lightly on Oliver’s cheek, she urged him: “Can you hear me? Wake up… oh please wake up!” The next would be stilling the bloodflow. As it was already stained by Oliver’s blood, Yassia ripped one of the long trails of her sleeve off without further ado. She had all but forgotten about her surroundings, there was only Oliver for now.