Sunday, October 30, 2011

Rudolph and Isadora, Part 100 – THE END

That night, the moon was full. Darkness settled on the palace like a gentle blanket. Fireflies flew through moonlit fields, and roses bloomed pale and full. A gentle breeze warmed the grounds, smelling like fresh grass and summertime.
     Isadora stepped out onto her balcony, letting the breeze play with the ends of her golden hair and the hem of her silver skirt. She knew Julien was inside, waiting for her. After that first awful night, he had changed completely. He now waited for her. He let her begin their tentative kisses. Her let her decide how far apart they slept in the enormous bed that stood in their room. She glanced back at him, sitting in a large armchair by the fire, reading a book. She liked him best at times like these, when he seemed ungaurded, relaxed, unprincely. He looked up, as if feeling her gaze, and smiled at her in that way of his, the one that had first loosened her heart when it was aching for Quin, the one that revealed his kindness, the one that seemed to say I'll still love you, no matter who you chose, all those months ago.
     "Julien?" she asked, stepping back into the bedroom. "Would you... would you like to go on a walk with me?"
     Standing up and gently taking her hand, he replied, "Of course. I'd love to, Isadora."
     They walked hand in hand through the long corridors out into the garden. Under the star-strewn sky, Isadora and Julien wandered through mazes of flowers, talking softly. Finally, Isadora stopped and faced her husband.
     "Julien, I just wanted to apologize. I'm... I'm so sorry."
     "What for?" he asked.
     "I've been awful to you in the past months. And so... I just wanted to apologize. And perhaps make it up to you somehow."
    "Oh Isadora - my Isadora -" Julien moved to embrace her, but before her could, she rose to her tiptoes and pressed her lips against his. As she pulled away, her cheeks colored, but she took Julien's hands in her own.
     "I love you, Julien."
     Julien opened his mouth as if to respond, but there was nothing more to say. Isadora put her arms around him and said, "I'll meet you inside in a moment, alright?"
     Julien nodded and walked back to the castle. Isadora stood for a moment in the garden, then turned and walked the other direction. She needed a moment to sort out her own feelings. A warm feeling in her chest rose to her throat, making her want to laugh and cry at the same time. She walked around the outskirts of the garden on her way back to the castle, gazing at the open fields surrounding her. She finally reached the main road again, and went to join Julien, but as she walked back, she saw a silhouette near the stables, dark against the full moon. A new stableboy, one whose silhouette made her think of the forest, homemade soup, and lost love.

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Post 99

Two months later....

Isadora sat beside Julien at the dining table, her mother and father at the head, tucking into the feast. Julien did not attempt to converse with his wife, for in the last couple of weeks he had noticed her frigidity towards him. It had begun shortly after the wedding, he noticed. Or possibly she despised him all along. Either way, she had had to marry him, because it had been his prize for brining her home after her escape with the stableboy.
And so, Julien was very surprised when Isadora weaved her arm through his as the last course was being taken away by the servants, and the dessert was being carted in. It was a very casual gesture between a husband and wife, but between Julien and Isadora, it was most rare.
In truth, Isadora had begun to warm up to Julien. She had married him against her wishes, for she had loved another, but now that it had been five months since her return, and five months of not seeing Quin, she had decided to make the most of the situation, or in other words, try and be happy.
Isadora took her husband's arm in her own and tangled their fingers together. Julien looked at her with surprise, then his face grew gentle and he gave her hand a slight squeeze.

This isn't so bad, Isadora mused, he is handsome, and he is my husband. Mother and father would never allow me to separate from him, and my heart is no longer shrouded by my love for Quin. I do miss him, and I miss Rudolph as well. But I must learn to love Julien. I must be happy, or I'll... I'll run off again. i won't be able to stand it.


That night Isadora kissed Julien for the first time. In reality, it was the second time they kissed, for the first was at the wedding. But there, Isadora's heart had beat for another, and she had not meant the kiss. Now though, she put effort into it. Mental effort. She really tried to make herself believe she loved Julien.

Julien, sho had been spotted in the company of several young women in the past few months - since he received no love from his wife - returned the kiss with the same urgency, for he wanted to save his marriage. He had fell for Isadora the moment he had seen her, and though she had stayed a distance from him, he never gave up the feeling.



Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Post ZERO and 1/2

I can't right this next to last post. Not now. I need time. I don't know what to do with SOMEONE. Must tie up loose ends.

Enjoy this in meantime:
Things people have typed into google that led them to this blog.


Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Post ZERO

Because there are only two posts left, I need time to think about this. My post will be for tomorrow.

Monday, October 24, 2011

Rudolph and Isadora, Part 98

The day of the wedding dawned, gray and wet, but no longer dripping rain from the heavy clouds that surrounded the castle. Isadora cracked open her eyelids, rose, and stretched. She had not been awoken by her lady-in-waiting pulling the curtains back from the grand windows that looked down upon the courtyard and from the glass door that led to her balcony, but although the room was still dim, she knew she could not fall back asleep. Today was the day. As her thoughts began to race, she felt the now-familiar butterflies that seemed to constantly rest in the pit of her stomach begin to wake. She tugged on the silk rope by her bed to call the ladies-in-waiting to her room. As she waited for them, she ran her finger down the beautiful white dress she was to wear that afternoon. It was lovelier than anything she had ever worn before, yet she hesitated to put it on. At the last moment, she pushed the dress away and took out a plain dress the color of a summer sky. The ladies-in-waiting entered and began to arrange her hair and set out the wedding dress, but she refused to let them prepare her for the afternoon. As she slipped into the blue dress instead, she looked out the window, determined to have one last morning to herself.

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Part 97

Isadora shrugged out of her formal evening gown. The smooth silk pooled around her feet, and she had to smile, remembering the feeling of the rough burlap Julien had made her wear. Julien. She was to marry the man the next day. A man who had made her wear burlap, had made her leave her friends. 
She tired not to sob, distracting herself by sifting through her dresser for her night clothes. She dressed herself in a thin cotton nightgown before moving over to sit once again on the stone ledge by the window. It was still raining, and Isadora watched as her face, mirrored on the dark glass, began to cry. Her tears became one with the falling rain, and it was beautiful to her. She smiled again, but it was a sad smile. And she cried, scared that she would never smile again like she had with Quin, or with Rudolph so long ago. 

That evening she had dined with the entire royal family. It was necessary, for they would all be present the following day at the wedding, and they were all curious to see who the groom would be, for the royal family was a jealous one, always wanting to be next in line for the most power. Isadora, the only child of her parents, would be Queen someday. And Julien would be King. Isadora shivered then, and now, when she found out and realized Julien would have all that power. And they would have to have children. She dreaded the thought and pushed it from her mind as always.

Dinner had been steamed lamb with vegetables, whole pigs roasted on spits with sliced oranges, and for dessert there were pies the size of wagon wheels, and candied strawberries for the children. 

"Why is it, that after eating the most wonderful foods in the kingdom tonight, I crave Quin's homemade soup?"  Isadora asked her reflection. It stared back, tears staining the cheeks.

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Rudolph and Isadora, Part 96

The king had accepted her bargain and she had docilely accepted her betrothal. She went about her daily life, but it was like putting thin gauze over a stab to the heart. She knew she had made the right decision - she couldn't have let Rudolph be locked away - yet she knew she would never be happy as Julien's wife.

***

Across the rain-soaked grounds of the palace, through the grand avenues of the capital, past the bustling city, Rudolph and Alisen lived on the outskirts of town. They were not yet married, nor really settled down, but they neighbors winked when they saw the girl their Rudolph had picked up on his travels, and the rumors said that Rudolph was going to ask the girl to marry him any day – if she didn't ask him first. Although he was prone to staring out the window on some days, he was happy with Alisen, and beginning to see the rest of his life fall into place. He was eighteen, he had a wonderful girl whom he was still in love with, and he was happy. It was time to let the princess go.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Part 95

Three Months Later...

Isadora stood in her room. The walls were covered in intricate tapestries and the floor was a cold white marble. A single dark wood bed stood in the center of the room, gentle curves of white fabric swaddling the bed-poles. There were two rooms like this to the door on her left, filled with clothes and books instead of a bed. But isadora remained in this room, unmoving.
Finally she moved over to the sole window in the room, a tall peaked window that was common along the castle walls. She sat on the stone ledge beside the window and looked out into the rain.
Three months had passed since she had kissed Quin.
Three months had passed since she had been taken from him.
In one day she would be the bride to a man she did not love.

"Darling! You worried us!" Was what Isadora's mother, Queen Isabella, said upon Isadora's return by Julien. Isadora was impressed that her mother had been able to fake happiness. Of course, when Julien had left, Queen Isabella had turned on her daughter with such a rage, Isadora had to step back serveral feet. She caught a few words such as, "...laughing-stock!" and "How could you!" and "You're lucky your father is visiting in the North!".
Isadora did agree on the last point, for her father's temper surpassed that of her mothers. But it wasn't so much the anger of her father that scared her, but his ways of getting back at people.
And so, when he arrived back to the palace three days after her return, and was did speak once to her, Isadora knew something was going to happen.
Sure enough, a month ago, King Ji said to her, "You are to be married in a fortnight. Go to the seamstress and be fitted for a gown." Isadora had been shocked out of her mind. Although the shock lessened and turned to annoyance when she discovered it was Lord Julien who wished for her hand, and had asked for it instead of the great amount of wealth that was to be his reward for her 'capture'.

So now, Isadora watched the rain and dreaded the next day, when she would be tied to a man who she had know for a day, a man she did not love.  She loved Quin. She knew she loved Quin. And that day, that day three months ago was when she found that he loved her as well.
Ah well, she thought, trying to console herself, at least I found out before...I left. At least Rudolph gets to be happy. Of course mother and father did not want him back at the castle, and of course they would have kept him in the dungeon, thrown all the blame on him. But... they didn't because of me. 


Isadora pictured her father again, telling her about the proposal she was to accept.
"Now, Isadora. You will marry him. he is a lord, he is respected, and he did bring you back. He has every right to you." Isadora had felt furious when he had said this.
"No one has a right to me except those whom I choose." She had retorted, icily. It made her father heat up.
"Ah, right. Of course. Of course, how could I forget how you let that filthy stable-boy put his hands all over you. Yes, yes. You have very high standards when it comes to men. No matter, he will be locked away soon forever."
"No, father! Do not punish him! It wasn't his fault!"
"You say he wasn't to blame?"
"No. He was not to blame. It as all me. Please, let him go, back to the woods."
"I don't bargain, daughter."
"But it is a good bargain. You set him free and I will marry Lord Julien, without any complaint."

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Part ZERO

Pica, I have plans for EPIC post, will write it 2moro. Hang in there, skipper.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Rudolph and Isadora, Part 94

Isadora sunk her head onto Quin's shoulder and let herself be held in his firm arms, blissfully drowning out the world in her own happiness. She was with Quin again, and he was alright, and Rudolph was alive - although she tried not to think much of Rudolph - and Quin loved her, and Quin had kissed her and she was in love with him, in love with the world.
     But then she was ripped from her bliss by a rough hand that tore her from Quin's arms and threw her onto a horse. Jumping up behind her, the royal guard spurred the horse on, toward the cold and forbidding palace where all emotion was drained and restrained to subtle glances and tilts of a fan, away from Quin, away from love.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Part 93

And then she was crying. Tears falling like mad, coating her face. She couldn't stop. She didn't know if she  was too happy, or sad. She didn't understand anything about her emotions at that point. She just stood and cried.
And then she was smothered by someone. Someone was holding her. Hugging her. She didn't know who it was but she held on with all her strength.
Finally, and what seemed like hours later, Isadora opened her eyes, sticky with salt, and looked straight into Quin's face.
She couldn't help it. She smiled, and then kissed him. She was conscious that Rudolph was somewhere near, and her heart twisted painfully with the thought of his reaction. But she really felt like she couldn't help what she did. She pressed her mouth against Quin's and they became one.
There was a commotion, the woman who had run out in front of the horses had been caught up with by the group running behind her, and she was pinned down. Quin glanced over at one point, worried. But then he turned back to Isadora and wrapped his arms around her so tight, as if he really were trying to make them into one being.

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Rudolph and Isadora, Part 92

Isadora gasped as she saw the large group round the corner. If she'd had time to register what was happening she would have been confused, but as it was, she felt only terror. The driver had reacted quickly enough to stop the horses from running over the madwoman in the middle of the road, but she was still running forward. Isadora threw open the door to the carriage and jumped out, realizing that although the woman was in the middle of the road, it was safe for her than in the carriage, as the horses were startled and quickly becoming frenzied by the large group running toward them.
     She got safely out of the way of both the carriage and the horses, and looked up. Immediately, she felt as if a large weight had been placed on her chest. Quin and Rudolph were both in front of her, running side by side at the head of the group. Rudolph was white with shock, and Quin was bleeding from the shoulder. They appeared not to notice her, trying to catch the woman still running down the road, cackling madly.

Friday, October 14, 2011

Part 91

While Isadora floated in a hazy cloud of remembrance of the great big impersonal castle she grew up in, Quin, Arin, Daril, Rudolph, and Lilia spewed worry from their very pores as they gazed down at Ros, who remained huddled on the floor. She said nothing, not even bastard.
Then, all of a sudden, just as Allisen began making her way downstairs due to the curiosity she had at the commotion, Ros took off, sprinting, out of the house. The five worried people downstairs took off after her, shouting after her. Allisen followed as well, for she did not like the idea of being left out of anything, and also, because she didn't want to be without Rudolph.
The six, seven with Ros included, leading the way, hurried down the dirt path towards the city. There were all panting, all out of shape.
It was then that the carriage appeared, turning at a bend in the road. Isadora noticed the group a moment before the driver. He pulled the reins and the horses neighed and threw their front hooves into the air.

Rudolph and Isadora, Part 90

The door was roughly opened by one of the guards and Isadora was led from the room, eyes downcast and blurring. The guards grip was firm without being harsh, but Isadora shuttered as Julien walked behind her. She did not speak, but Julien filled the silence himself.
     "Didn't wanna do this, y'know? Turning you in... nah, it's not... not right. But we can't have a missing princess, right?" He chuckled a bit, and continued. "An' I felt kind of bad telling the royals I found you, but then, y'know, it got easier after a few glasses." Julien rambled on, and Isadora eventually tuned him out, focusing intead on the sound of the guards boots, Julien's dress shoes, and her own small feet, first on the marble of the hallways, then down the gravel path to the waiting carriage.
     "In you get," one of the guards said, but Isadora did not move.
     "If my host -" she glared at him "- finds it permissible, I will ride, thank you."
     "Ride... yes, you can ride. Get in," Isadora stared at him, unsure of his meaning, until he pointed at the other guard. "The princess is going to ride. Get in the carriage."
     "Your lordship, I do not think that is advisable," the guard ventured.
     "Yes, yes. 'Kay, then. Princess, in the carriage for you." He stumbled, then said, "You know, I think I'll stay here for now. I seem a bit hazy. Why don't I catch up with you all tomorrow?" He bowed to Isadora, then to the guards, and said, "Princess, perhaps a goodbye kiss before your departure?" He stepped forward but Isadora spun on her heel, and, relieved not to be sharing a carriage with the lord, sat down and closed the door firmly. She rapped on the carriage roof, signaling to begin driving. As the wheels started to turn, she was at once apprehensive and resigned. She was going home.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Part 89

Arin watched as Ros came up sprinting from the front of the house and barged through the front door. She was a mess, hair like cobwebs, mad gleam in her eyes. She cackled, showing pointed teeth. 
Arin had called out to Lilia when he saw her approaching, he had recognized her from a distance: her familiar shape coming towards the house. Now though, he was terrified out of his mind and he howled for his sister. 
Lilia, paused midway on the staircase, turned slowly to look at her aunt. She was white, ghostly white as she came down slowly and stood beside Arin, who had collapsed onto the floor.
By this time, Rudolph and Quin were racing into the house, for they had heard shouting. Rudolph froze in the threshold, clutching it with a death grip, sagging slightly against it.
Ros was quite a sight, with her wild face, wild hair, and torn clothes. She spooked everyone. Everyone that is except Quin. Quin, who at long last laid eyes on his mother. 
He rushed to her, held her in his arms, laughed, cried. He sang with happiness.  But when she bit him hard on the shoulder, he retreated, and the veil that had lowered over his eyes upon seeing his mother once again was snatched away and he stood in speechless pain, clutching his shoulder, over the feral woman. 
"What has happened to you, mother?" He asked quietly. So quietly. Her eyes snapped to attention towards his and she drank him in. Her son. She did not recognize him. 
"Bastard. Bastard." She moaned. 
Quin was in agony, wanting to help her, but fearing what she might to do him next. He settled on squatting beside her.
Lilia, Arin, and Rudolph remained frozen. That's when Daril entered, basket in his strong hands, basket holding crockery jars full of food, jars that were smashed to slivers when he saw the love of his life in the house.
"Ros?" He whimpered. He moved closer to her, wrapped his arms around him
"Ros, oh Ros, sweetheart. I thought I had lost you. I...I was so scared I had lost you..." He sobbed into her ripped clothes.
Quin was a bit peeved, jealous that his long lost mother let Daril hug her and not her own son. And so, when Ros bit Daril on the hand, drawing blood, Quin couldn't help but feel a bit better.


Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Rudolph and Isadora, Part 88

From the kitchen window, Lilia watched the the two young men stare at each other. She felt bad for her little cousin, who was so obviously in love with the girl Isadora. She had met him only when he had been very young, at some family gathering or another, but her aunt Ros had stayed with her and Arin often. She caught Alisen's eye and waved her in, leaving the boys to settle their differences outside. There was nothing she could do to help them. Alisen, on the other had, could use a little cheering up.
     "Hello, Alisen," she said with a slight smile. "Would you like to help me--" She broke off as she saw Alisen's stormy look. "Alisen?"
     "Hello, Lilia." Alisen grumbled. "Care to see the fireworks?" She guestured toward the window. "Is that pathetic princess all they care about? Honestly." She threw herself into a chair, and stood up almost immediately. "I can't stand this," she said, and walked out of the kitchen toward the rest of the house. Lilia was left, stunned. She took one last glance at the boys, decided they'd be fine without her interference, and left to follow Alisen. When she reached the other side of the small house, she turned to go up the stairs when she heard Arin's shout.
     "Lilia! Lilia! It's Aunt Ros!"

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Part 87

Isadora stood, not understanding. She forced her mouth to open, to speak.
"I'm...leaving?"
Julien stepped through the threshold, swaying a bit from his heavy drinking. He nodded.
"Yeah. G-g-g-oing home..palace..p-p-rincess in p-palace." He tried to take hold of her arm, but she side-stepped him. She didn't meet to anger him, but she did not feel comfortable being touched by a drunkard. Nonetheless, he was obviously offended, for he shouted behind him for the maids to get Isadora ready. They scurried in, timid with heads ducked. They pulled from the closet thick riding clothes and laid them out on the bed. Then they stood beside the bed and waited for the men to leave so they could dress Isadora.
Julien caught on a few moments later, after some sauntering about. He swayed out, followed by the guards.

Isadora stood rigid as the maids stripped her and replaced the soft sleeping clothes with the clothes that felt like burlap, clothes she felt she could not breathe in. They buckled on her boots and pulled her hair back into a tight bun. Her eyes teared from the sting of her hair being pulled. That was all it took. She began crying, really crying. And her tears embarrassed the maids, who had finished dressing her and making the bed. The bed they had just pulled the covers back for her on.
They hurried out, not even glancing back at her shaking form.

Isadora collapsed onto the bed, feeling only a momentary flicker of guilt for rumpling up the bed-sheets again. She didn't want to leave. Going back home meant she would not be able to return to the woods, to the small house, to Quin. And to Rudolph, she hastily reminded herself.

But, now that she was at the end of her journey, her escape; now that they was no more that she felt she could possibly do to get out of returning home, she could let herself really understand her emotions, her feelings for the two boys. Now she let herself accept that her love for Rudolph was whole, but different from that of Quin. She felt an attachment to Quin, so much so that she knew as soon as she was once again reunited with her cold large bedroom back in the palace and her cold hard parents, she would break.

There was a loud bang on the door and Isadora sat up, head spinning. She could hear Julien's voice calling out, "P-p-princess... time to go home.. t-time to leave."

Monday, October 10, 2011

Rudolph and Isadora, Part 86

     "So," Julien said, with a twinkle in his sapphire eyes, "why don't you tell me about your friends in Tennur? Your mind is on them already, and I'd love to hear about your adventures of late."
     No longer restricted to talking about the pleasant weather and nodding as Julien told her of all the events she had missed while she had been absent from court, Isadora gladly began to tell her host of Quin and Jodra. She told of evenings together in the small house and days exploring the surrounding forest with her kind, dark-eyed friend at her side. She was careful not to mention how she had come to meet Quin in the first place, focusing only on the good times she'd had in his company. She even told about the day in the city, and Lilia's house. She stopped just short of telling Julien about Quin's words to her the night before he left. I love... you, he had said. Isadora clutched those words to her heart as she recounted her days with the boy who loved her.
     Meanwhile, the food came and went, and Isadrora picked lightly; the wine was refilled again and again, and Julien drank heavily. Finally, when the windows outside had been to dark to see through for some time, Julien rose, and swaying only slightly, led her to her room.
     Isadora undressed without the help of the maids from earlier in the afternoon, and changed into a nightdress, preparing for bed. As she lifted the luxurious covers from the large bed, there was a knock at the door. Puzzled but not concerned, she wrapped a dressing gown around her nightgown-clad frame and opened the door. On the other side stood two heavyset guards in royal uniform. Julien stood behind them.
     "Evening, Majesty," one of the guards said. "We're here to escort you home."

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Part 85

Quin trampled roots and undergrowth as he made his way back to the house. He dreaded talking to Rudolph about his life with Isadora, so he took his time. Alisen, on the other hand, was someone he was excited to talk with. Although he shared his heart with Isadora, there was a small warm place there for Alisen. Ever since he had first seen her, together with Rudolph, the warm place had persisted.
It was her eyes, it must have been. There were lovely, like a cat's. There were a bit narrowed, and brilliantly blue, with a small lining of tiger-orange. Altogether they shimmered and together with her long black lashes and tan face framed with shoulder-length dark hair, she was beautiful.
Isadora was pretty also. Not the kind of beautiful Alisen was, more resigned, delicate. And it was her voice, like a song, that was so attractive about her. When she spoke, everything else fell away in silence, peeled off the earth.

Quin, caught up in his remembrance, suddenly found himself standing before the house, where Rudolph and Alisen could be seen huddled together on the porch. Seeing him standing there, they quickly rose, but did not separate.

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Rudolph and Isadora, Part 84

That evening, Isadora dined with Julien in the grand dining room at the Bellon estate. They sat facing each other on either side of a polished wooden table that stretched from one side of the room to the other. She was wearing a borrowed gown, not nearly as fine as those she'd worn in the palace, but worlds nicer than her clothing of late. As she and Julien chatted across the table, servants brought course after course to the table. She had instinctively returned to her castle manners, and acted as she had as a princess rather than a wandering girl in the forest. Daintily lifting a piece of beef stew to her lips, she suddenly thought of Quin, of how she might have had a nearly identical dish curled up next to him in front of the fire in his cozy home in the woods near Tennur. Jodra would join them for a time, and when she left, Quin and she would talk for hours, and she would gaze into the chocolate depths of his eyes, willing him to lean over and--
     She shook her head and returned to the conversation at hand. Julien was looking at her, having just asked a question that he obviously expected an answer to. After a moment he said, "Your majesty seems a little bit distracted tonight. Are you thinking about your friend from Tennur?"
     "Yes." She smiled softly. "Well - no. A different friend from Tennur." She laughed a little, and said, "I hope he's okay. But it is nice to be here. I must thank you for your kindness."
     Julien, smiling back at her, said, "It is no trouble at all," and lifted his glass to her before draining his wine.

Friday, October 7, 2011

Part 83

Quin had walked a long ways into the woods before he realized he had to turn around and go back to the house. He had been running on his adrenaline and now, as the sun peaked the sky, he was conscious of his thirst, his hunger, and the uncomfortable feeling of his heavy cloak of his warm back.
He didn't know what he had been thinking, just leaving like that. Now only he must have worried everyone, he had acted like a total idiot. He had left with no food, no water...nothing.

He sighed, switched his cloak from his back to over his shoulder, and headed back.
He would need to talk to Rudolph, and to Alisen. It would clear his head, he knew. He needed to get the full story of Isadora out of Rudolph, so that he could try to find her. And from Alisen, he needed to know how much the kiss he had witnessed really meant. So that when he did go out to find Isadora, he would know his search, if he succeed, would not have been in vain.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Rudolph and Isadora, Part 82

The princess stepped onto the brightly tiled and waxed floor of Julien's estate, finally feeling completely at ease. It was a feeling, she realized, that she had been searching for for many weeks.
     Julien gestured to the servant taking his coat and said, "Show her Highness to her room. Make sure she is properly cared for." He then turned to Isadora, gave a deep and flourished bow, and said with a sparkle in his eyes, "until dinner, your Majesty."
     After turning through the maze of corridors for some time, the servant led Isadora through a large, carved, wooden door. He turned to Isadora and said in a small, reedy voice, "Several maids will be here shortly to assist you, Majesty." He bowed and walked out of the room, leaving Isadora to gratefully rush to the bed and collapse upon it, unmoving, until the ladies-in-waiting came to draw her bath.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Part 81

Quin was madder than ever as he pounded up the staires to his room, ignoring the shouts that asked what he was doing. He grabbed his cloak from the peg in his room and exited through the back of the house.
Tramping through morning grass he felt his anger soften a bit into annoyance. He was annoyed at Rudolph, but he didn't really understans why. Afterall, now there would be no problem in having Isadora for his own.
But this thought plauged him, made him feel miserable, and he understood his anger and his annoyance in that moment: he did not want Isadora to be hurt, and although he would have sworn at that moment that she had feelings for him, he also knew she felt love towards Rudolph. And when she found out that he was wih another girl, she would be sad no doubt... devastated even.
And so, as Quin strode on, he decided that no matter what happened, be would be there for her always in any way she needed him.

Monday, October 3, 2011

Rudolph and Isadora, Part 80

Quin woke a short time later to the sound of a scuffle outside. He groggily made his way downstairs to join the others for breakfast. She and Arin were talking quietly in a corner of the kitchen, but they each tensed and stopped talking as he entered.
     "Morning," he greeted them as he plopped into a wooden chair by the breakfast table. As he grabbed a piece of bread, he noticed his cousins glancing out the window repeatedly. Eventually they came to sit by him, but Lilia kept looking back at it.
     "What are your plans for today?" Arin asked in an attempt at light conversation. Quin shrugged.
     "All my plans have come to nothing," he said. "I suppose I'll move on this afternoon, perhaps ask around at some other towns. Why do you ask?" Arin, distracted, seemed not to notice the question. "Have either of you heard about Isadora?" Quin asked after a moment. He wasn't able to stop her from invading his thoughts. Although he'd resolved not to look for her, he had to ask.
     "No. There's been no news," Lilia said lightly, resting a hand on his. "No one knows where she went." Quin stood up, frustrated, and strode to the window himself - just in time to see Rudolph lean over Alisen and brush his lips against hers. And to see Alisen return the kiss.
     That's it, Quin thought, turning away from the window. That boy is not going to win over my Isadora. I am.

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Part 79

Rudolph yanked himself away, but Alisen held on. They almost wrestled, then, for a short time. Rudolph found himself shoving at her, and she wrapped her arms tightly around his middle so that he could not be rid of her. Then he tripped on the clumsy-laid fire-log pile, and they both went down, Rudolph landing hard on his back, Alisen cushioned by his chest.
Although there was anger in the air still, she unlaced her arms and gingerly touched his cheek.
"Are you alright?" She whispered, urgently.
Rudolph did not move. He did not open his eyes. Alisen was appalled, and moved away from him, onto the grass, making to get help from the house.
Suddenly, Rudolph was upon her, clutching wrists and forcing them down onto the grass. He sat on her stomach-- and he wasn't light -- so that she was completely pinned down. She spat grass and cursed him for deceiving her. She had been so worried.
"Now then...What was it you wanted to talk to me about?" Rudolph smirked.
Alisen stared up at him with eyes of white-heat and spoke very slowly:
"I was going to apologize to you. Seems like you don't care about me though." She hadn't meant to say that last part. It just seemed like she should speak her mind, since she felt she had nothing left to lose with the boy. She was surprised when Rudolph's face changed from annoyed to wide-eyed with concern.
"Do you really think I don't care about you?" He asked. Alisen thought of a counter, while his weight on her stomach squeezed more air from her lungs.
"I'll answer...just...please...get off of me...can't breathe..." She whimpered.
Immediately, Rudolph leapt to his feet. Alisen clutched her middle and took deep breathes.
"What...have you been doing the past few days...besides eating." She teased with a smile.
Rudolph laughed, and plopped down next to her.
"But really" He said to her, "You feel I do not care for you?"
"Well. You haven't exactly been speaking to me. So..."
"You said something that hurt me. I needed time."
"So you disliked me."
"No! Well...to be perfectly honest with you... yes. But only for that day and the next. Then. I was still thinking about you. But...not with hatred in my heart. Something else."
Alisen's heart went haywire, and it felt like it really had jumped form her chest. And her stomach filled with the sensation of butterflies. She tried to keep still when she spoke next. "Is that bad?"
Rudolph tilted his head back, and Alisen saw the leaves sticking out of his hair. She reached over to pull them out. He caught her wrist, softly twisting his fingers with hers. He put his other arm around her, pulling her close, until the bridges of their noses touched and he could hear her pounding heartbeat, and she could feel his, beating her same wild rhythm.
"Not exactly." Rudolph whispered. And as his lips formed the words the brushed against Alisen's. And then they kissed, and Alisen tried not to cry, for she was so relieved he was not angry, and so relieved that he loved her, and happy that she was kissing the boy who she herself loved.