If Only

By the time the trio had reached the castle, Duchess Ashleigh had come down to greet them properly. She embraced the princess, who had thrown back her hood to reveal her face, and kissed the lovely blue-eyed woman on both cheeks.

"Princess Mairwen, my dear! I am delighted to see you, though I do wish it were under happier circumstances." The duchess caressed the other's face gently before releasing her.

Mairwen was comforted by the woman's affection. She curtsied before her cousin. "I am glad to see you."

"Welcome back, Advisor Junayd. We were beginning to worry about you." Duchess Ashleigh dipped her head to the burly man. She then turned to the third member of the group. His head was shrouded by an impenetrable hood.

Alaron shifted uncomfortably under her gaze. The last time he had been to her home, had been a prisoner of the Emperor and was nearly poisoned by a fanatical servant. He bowed deeply.

"Duchess Ashleigh," he said in a deep voice. "It is an honor to meet you."

The Duchess raised one eyebrow. "If I am not mistaken, we have met before."

The man stiffened, but managed to stand straight once more. Mairwen stepped in quickly. "You met the Guardian at my wedding, though you may not have been properly introduced."

"I see. I am sure that is the only explanation," Ashleigh answered dubiously, "What shall I call you?"

"Guardian," Alaron responded.

Ashleigh pursed her lips. "Very well, Guardian. Welcome to my home."

The young man heaved a sigh of relief as the duchess shifted her gaze back to Mairwen. She hooked her arm into the princess's and led her further into the foyer.

"Such wild weather we are having! It hardly ever rains so close to winter," Ashleigh tried to broach the subject carefully. "I am sorry you got caught up in one of Oblivion's eccentricities. Very sorry indeed."

"Eira told you what happened, I assume." The princess did not want to have to explain if her subordinate already had done so. Mairwen was not even sure the words would come even if she tried to force them out. So she was relieved when Ashleigh nodded somberly.

"Your guard told us of the mishap. I am so sorry we were unable to let you in the doors. I feel responsible, yet we have to keep the gates shut and sealed when rain threatens us, or we may get caught unaware."

"I understand," the princess nodded.

The Duchess continued, "As soon as the weather cleared, I sent out all of the boats who could navigate the tide. Your guard volunteered to go with one of them. She claimed it was because she knew what the prince looked like, but I could see how much she wanted to feel useful. She must have a lot of respect for your husband." Ashleigh squeezed the young woman's arm.

"We all do," Junayd broke in so the princess would not have to respond. Even from behind, he could see that the young woman was close to breaking.

The duchess could see it too, but there was one more thing she needed to discuss. "I hate to bring this up, but you are going to find out, and it is better if you hear it from me. I did send a few of the boats to drag the bottom. I do not hope we find anything there..."

"But it is better than not knowing," Mairwen agreed. "There is no need to waste everyone's time if...if..."

The blue-eyed woman felt her knees weaken. Ashleigh could feel the sudden shift in weight, but there was little she could do except hold onto Mairwen's arm. However, her intervention turned out to be unnecessary.

From behind, two strong arms scooped up the princess's failing form as Alaron took her firmly in his arms.

"Her Highness needs to rest," the Guardian said firmly. "Do you have a place for her to sleep?"

"I have rooms for both of you prepared. I will escort you myself. Advisor Junayd?" the Duchess lifted her chin to see if the burly man would join them.

Junayd bowed. "I will check on the status of things before retiring, thank you, Duchess."

"Very good. We will meet again soon. I am sure there is still much to discuss." Although Duchess Ashleigh also must have been tired-- she had been roused in the night by both the storm and the news-- she stood with her back perfectly straight and showed no signs of fatigue.

Alaron was impressed with her resolve. Ashleigh seemed exceptionally level-headed, yet he was sure she did care. He wondered at the many facets of the woman as he carried the princess down the hall.

"You must know Her Highness very well," Ashleigh said pleasantly.

The silver-eyed man was taken aback at her words. "What do you mean?"

"I mean you were the one who sat with Zan at the wedding, were you not?" the Duchess asked innocently. However, Alaron could feel the question was far from innocent.

"As the princess said, I was at the wedding. Does it matter where I sat?" He became defensive.

Ashleigh went on, barely acknowledging his response. "And you were very quick to rescue the princess when she fainted."

"She was falling!" Alaron could not believe the accusation.

"Yes, but the way you are holding her is quite familiar. Most, I would guess, would hold such a royal jewel in the most careful and delicate manner. You are carrying her like its the most natural thing in the world. I do wonder what her husband will think about that when he returns." The Duchess cut her eyes at the hooded Guardian and tilted her head.

Was she accusing him of having something to do with Renat's disappearance? "I do not like your insinuation, Duchess Ashleigh. I am as devastated as Mair--Princess Mairwen about the prince being swept up in the current. I nearly drown because I held off the monsters while he climbed the rope ladder."

Ashleigh's eyes sparked with mischief. Whatever had been her aim, it seemed she had achieved her goal. "My apologies. I was not suspecting you of foul play. How rude of me to offend my guest!" She came to a large white door and turned the handle.

Together they entered, and Alaron lay the princess on the bed. Ashleigh noted how he gently set the cloaked woman on the pillows.

The Duchess motioned to the exit. "Your room is next door. Allow me to..."

"I will wait until the princess awakens. I don't want her to feel alone," the ache in the man's voice touched Ashleigh's heart. Her opinion of him softened slightly.

"I will keep you company then. You should not need to feel alone either." Slipping her head out into the hall, the duchess had two comfortable chairs brought in for them to sit. They were unusually plush, more akin to upright beds than chairs.

'Very clever,' Alaron thought, but her politely accepted her kindness. "Thank you, Your Grace."

"I always try to be hospitable to my guests, no matter how mysterious," Ashleigh winked. Then she lowered her voice so as not to disturb the resting princess. "Now please tell me about these monsters you mentioned. Are they the same ones that were mentioned by Advisor Junayd?"

Alaron brought his hand to his chin. "Did the advisor mention large lizards?"

"He did not," Ashleigh's placid expression changed slightly.

"Then they are not the same." Alaron went on to describe the creatures in great detail including their possible aversion to garlic. Ashleigh asked questions, but mostly listened pensively.

When the Guardian had finished, the Duchess folded her hands graciously in her lap.

"You have given me much to think about, Guardian. I will have to inform the soldiers so we can make adjustments." She sighed, leaning back into the soft folds of the chair.

"I guess there is no rush just now." Alaron also became comfortable in his seat. Now that the duchess was not grilling him about his relationship with his sister, the man found he did not dislike her presence.

"We have at least a few days before much can happen. Until the water goes down, the creatures will not be able to attack with any real force. It is unlikely they have boats like we do.

"I see…" Alaron's eyelids were becoming heavy. He forced himself to focus; he wanted to be vigilant for his sister's sake.

'I should go check on the search,' the Guardian reminded himself. He should have more energy than a regular human, but fighting the lizards, facing the storm, and, most of all, the hopeless waiting on the edge of the battlement—all of it had taken a heavy toll.

Ashleigh had fallen strangely silent. Perhaps she sensed his exhaustion and decided to bother him no further. He was not sure if he could answer another question coherently anyway. The chair was so soft and his mind was so clouded. If only he could escape from this comfort…If only...

Sleep took him.