It was evening. The crickets chirped softly in the grass serenading the world to it's nightly slumber. A gentle breeze, cool and frm the north, blew down through the trees rustling the leaves and making them dance. Shadows of the night were getting longer and longer the darkness beginning to settle in quite a bit. It was nearing twilight, the last of the sunset was beginning to die over the horizon as Lady Ziare looked over at Lord Vladamir. Already they had been out for a day. Riding through the country a good pace last night before camping out a little while. But now their destination was in sight. A large mannor with hundreds of trees planted in straight rows lay before them. They had crested the hill that made her family's manor lay within a valley. The home already cast in it's own shadow, no one really about, the excitement of coming home was almost too much for the young woman that sat astride her horse, Blossom. They stopped at the top of the hill and looked down at the large white panneled manor. Set in the front of the large orchard, the servants homes out in the back just past all the trees. Lights flickered by candles inside the windows of all the homes hers and the servants.

"This is it." she said softly. "I can't beleive it. I.. I have never been away from home for long before, it feels strange being back suddenly, you know." she said softly to Vladamir who was close at her side.

It had rained last night, forcing them within their tent. Together they had made room for their packs and themselves and had slept in the tent with the rain pouring down around them. But it would be nice to have a solid roof over her head finally. Just for a day or so, to share her home with Vlad before they moved on, depending on Lizzy's condition to the other realm to visit his own. She looked down as the wind ruffled the bows of the trees below sending the soft but heady scent of fruit up to them on the hill. she smiled and closed her eyes the wind playing with her curls as she inhaled the scent the aroma from the air. It was amazingly wonderful. It felt good, so very good to inhale this scent again. It was the sent more than anything that truly was home.

"Let's go down." she told him.

Nudging Blossom into a soft walk she began making her way down the trail that led into the valley. Vlad was behind her since she knew the way and he didn't and the light was not getting any better. It was still another twenty or so minutes almost two candlemarks before they got to the base of the valley and began heading into the homestead itself.

"Visitors! visitors!" cried the stable boy as they came trotting in. Ziare pulled Blossom to a stop and smiled down and Rodrick.

"Rod, you have grown up to be quite the fine looking lad." she said with a smile.

"M'Lady Ziare!" he said exhuberantly. "It is a pleasure to see you once more"

He offered a hand and Ziare slid herself down off of Blossom and retrieved her bags. The front door opened since the call of visitors had been heard, her mother and father standing in the halo glow of the inner lamps while they looked out into the darkness.

"Mother!" she exclaimed. Ziare moved in very unladylike fashion and picked up her skirts and ran to her mother throwing herself into her mother's arms. Her mother's thin arms held her daughter closely with a bright smile on her face while her father dubiously checked out Vlad who was just now disembarking from his saddle.

"Who's the lad?" her father asked bringing Ziare back to reality.

"Oh! That is Lord Vladamir Reinhart from the Emerald Realm, he was at Sapphire court and offered to be my escort here. I needed someone to come with me, and I didn't know who to ask, and Lord Vladamir said he would accompany me." she said brightly as she smiled at her father.

"I see." her father said furrowing his brow. "What of that Lord Daniel you write home about?" he asked.

"He is always.. so busy." she said softly as she looked down. Her father's eyes softened and he pulled his daughter into his embrace and held her there kissing the top of her head.

"Well we're happy you're home, and the lad can stay as well, we'll make up a room for him after we eat, you're just in time for your mother's home cooking." he said with a grin as he nodded his appreciation to Vlad and led Ziare into the house leaving the door open for Vlad.

Once inside in the light you could see where Ziare got her appearances from. She had her father's pitch black hair that turned blue in the light. Her mother's complexion and figure, and both of them had given her their green eyes that would rival any emerald realm color. Ziare stood happily for a moment surrounded by everyone. A young girl that was a miniature version of Ziare surely to break hearts when she went to court. A young man that had curly black hair and his father's complextion came out and embraced his sister tightly. And his wife, a thin blonde, strained looking woman with child came hobbling out to see about the rucuss.

"Everyone, this is Lord Vladamir." she said as she broke away from the group and came across the room taking his hand and pulling him close. Ziare was positively glowing being back with her family. Family was where she belonged and anyone that saw her in this moment would see that for sure. Her eyes light up with a sparkle they seldom had at court. Her skin seemed to glow and radiate her happiness at being home. And she was so happy to share it with Vladamir that it was hard not to want to sweep him up in a hug with the rest of them. Once he stood by her side she pointed everyone out by name.

"My mother Katherine, my father Seighart, my brother Seighart, his wife Constance, my little sister Natasha, and.." Ziare looked around.

"She is asleep." her mother said softly. Ziare looked worried. "Don't fret dear, is this why you came home?" she asked. Ziare nodded. "You always were a worrier, Lizzy is fine. She's over the fever now, the doctor came down not too long past, yesterday morn and gave her some herbs, she sleeps off the last of the illness." her mother assured. Ziare let out a breath she hadn't known she was holding. Her hand that was still holding Vlad's without realizing it slowly lessened it's grip, it didn't let go, but she wasn't clenching it anymore.

"So how long will you stay?" Natasha asked excitedly. ziare chuckled.

"Oh a day or so since Lizzy is better. I was terribly worried, we left night past, right after the masquerede." she confessed. Her father's brow rose.

"Well it's good that you're here and probably tired from your journey. You and Natasha can share the room, and we'll put Vladamir in the one next to it that you used to sleep in Zi." he said with a smile.

"Sounds perfectly fine father." she said softly.

"Well lets eat while you both fill us in on court! I want to know everything!" her mother said with a smile. She looked at Vladamir. "It's good to have you Vladamir, while you're here you're family, so act and be treated as such. Make yourself at home and feel free to tell us anything about court you like." she said with a smile.

They all headed into the dining area. A long wooden table worn smoothe through the ages lay in the center dominating the room. Food was already set and plates but her mother quickly added two sets to the end side by side. The ladies sat first and then the men before the plates and bowls began being passed around and the chatter began.

"So! How did you two meet!?" Natasha said her eyes were already soft and yearning towards the quite handsome Vladamir. Ziare nudged her sister under the table and narrowed her gaze.

From the moment they got to the stables Vlad could not help but smile as he noticed Ziare growing happier with every passing moment. He dismounted from his black charger Raider holding the reigns in his hand petting the beasts neck to keep it claim as her mother and father came out from the mannor. He chuckled lightly to himself as Ziare dashed to her mother as quickly as she could throwing herself into her arms. It was good and warmed his heart to see such affections being shared, it was the happiest he had seen Ziare since the night they had spent watching stars beneath the apple trees near the river. He heard her father ask how the lad was and before he could open his mouth Ziare answered for him.

He felt slightly awkward especially when he asked of lord lord Daniel but she seemed to answer in a fitting truthful way which seemed to satisfy her father who pulled her into a loving embrace. The young stable boy came and took the reigns from Vlad just as the family retreated back to their home Vlad no more then three steps behind them

When he entered and saw them all in the light he could not help but as feel some one had had cast a spell and created doppelgangers of her parents. Everyone looked similar to Ziare and her parents in some way. Her younger sister was indeed the spitting imagine of her. Vlad said nothing but looked on with a gentle smile, to see Ziare in her habitat the place were she belong was truly something beauty and she seemed glow with a radiance he had never seen before. He came by her side as she began to point and name everyone in her house finally giving names to the welcoming faces.

And then it was finally spoke of, what they had traveled so quickly here for, Lizzy. He was relieved to know the young girl was feeling better and that it was not as serious as Ziare had made him feared, she had enough sorrows at the court and their hurtful rumors he could not imagine what the young lady would be like should anything had befallen her sister. He felt her grip on her hand loosen though she still did not let go which he had no problems with, having her hold onto him was one of his many secret desires to be had.

It was then her younger sister asked how long they would be staying, he was surprised Ziare was willing to take leave so quickly but he was more then happy to stay as long as she wished. And then her father spoke of their sleeping arrangements and smiled as he heard he would be taking her old room. He wished the walls could speak to him and tell him all about the Lady he was so very fond of.

He mother spoke and it put a smile on his face, she seemed so interested in the court, she then called him family and his face grew warm, though he had not given himself away just yet if he had it his way one day he might actually be one of the family. “Please if I am to be considered family call me Vlad” he said with a small smile on his lips

Soon the all entered the dinning area , it looked like quite the spread laid out for them and he could not be happier. A man of Vlads size ate a lot without truly knowing it and he had long for a home cook meal instead of what the palaces cooks seemed to turn out every day. After they all took their seats the mood changed and he could see how close this family truly was. And then just as he expected one had decided to ask how the met and he could see the look on Ziares face nearly causing him to laugh himself. “Well we happened to meet by chance really…I was heading to the stables just as a stallion had gotten loose” Vlad paused as a bowl was passed to him and he piled some food on his plate. “The beast headed straight for Lady Ziare and without a second though I ran to her and pushed her out of the way from what could have been a nasty accident”

The room had seemed to quite as he spoke and he could almost feel her fathers eyes on him. He cleared his throat quickly an continued “She wished to show he gratitude and so I requested her company for dinner…after some of the most plesant conversation I have had in some time it seemed that we had become friends” He looked over at her parents “So of course when she told me of her trip home I took it upon myself to escort her here”

All eyes were on Vladamir as he began to speak on how they had met. The food was being passed around the table to each of them, delicious potatoes, green beans, and even some roast that was tender and cut into nice slices. There were rolls and other vegetables as well as preserved apples and an apple pie waiting for desert on the counter to the side. The food was passed around but the attention was on Vladamir and his story. When he began to explain how the horse hand intended to run down Ziare her mother gasped and her father nearly dropped the bowl of fresh green beans but caught it before anything could happen to it. Natasha was in awe. Her sisters savior!!

"It's lucky you were there." her mother was the first to speak. Seighart, her brother's brow furrowed softly as he went into thought, something was going on here and he knew it. Ziare had sent him letters personally because he knew of court and how hard it was, and she never seemed this happy in her letters. So, something had happened between her last letter and now, and he beleived it was this .. Vlad.

"I really am lucky. He came at him, as black as the horse, clad in silk and threw me off it's course and to the side. I was barely hurt too, a small bruise and that was it. Of course I had to thank him properly, so we had dinner together that night in the Great Hall, and watched the stars for a little while." she said with a soft smile as she picked up her fork and began to eat.

"Interesting he was in the right place at the right time." her brother said as he eyes Vlad interestingly. There was something about the lad, he was going to have to get him alone later and talk to the boy see what he had to say.

"So, young Vlad, you've decided to take the care of our daughter into your hands?" her father said looking at Seighart it was easy to see the concern in Ziare's brothers eyes. So he was beginning to wonder what Seig thought about this.

"Oh Papa." Ziare said with a roll of her eyes. "Leave him be, he's been nothing but kind to me, and offered to bring me all this way on a trip he intended to lead alone." she said. That caught Seig's attention.

"And just.. where are you headed Vlad, taking my sister along with you has to slow you down a great deal. What travels do you lead?" he asked curiously.

He immediately noticed her brothers eyes on him, he felt uneasy and had a feeling his story was not being trusted. He ate a portion of the food on his plate which was truly delicious, the roast was the tenderest he could remember having in many years. Her father spoke and he nearly chocked on the food in his mouth not expecting that kind of assumption to be made. Luckily before he could say anything Ziare jumped in and for a moment saved him from the preverbal fire.

He was feeling a bit uneasy but he figured her family had to warm up to him, after all he was a tall dark and handsome stranger who just strolled in with their daughter with no announcement or letter sent before them. All they knew so far was that he had escorted their daughter home and that him and Ziare had met in the court everything else could just be a story of fiction made up by the young lord and lady. And then just as he thought he would be able to enjoy dinner her brother spoke once more forcing him to swallow what he had in his mouth and taking a sip of water before he could respond to the question he knew that was bound to come up.

“My travels lead me to my home land in the Emerald realm, my brothers are to turn 12 soon and while I might arrive a few days early I have to be there to give them a bear hug that has been long in wait” Vlad said with a small smile. It was indeed the truth though he had not actually told Lady Ziare about it. It was why he had been in such a hurry to leave in the first place though he knew he would still have time even if they stopped for a few days at her parents estate to check on her sister Lizzy.

“Believe me she slows me down no more then I would myself, I was giving myself extra time to be on the road to see what the sapphire realm had to offer, and from what Ziare had told me about your orchards both of their bounty and beauty I could not pass up the chance to see them…as well as keep Ziare safe on her travels as well”

"So your family still resides in the Emerald realm?" her father asked curiously. "Why on earth did they send you to Sapphire court?" he asked.

Poor boy must be homesick and out of his mind. He knew that Ziare would be home sick she was always someone that adored the orchards and would be in them more often than not if her mother didn't keep a close eye on her. Ziare knew the names of all the servants and their familys and had often times helped care for them when they were sick and their parents needed to work. Ziare was a kind soul through and through and he hoped that the court had found what a wonderful person she could be. But he had heard rumors. Many people from court, other realtives of the Eddingtons were fast to send letters boasting about Ziare in the gossip and how she had risen because of her skirts and nothing else. After Vlad's answer her father looked at Ziare who was blushing softly at the knowledge that she didn't slow Vladamir down in the least. Her father smiled, Ziare.. had found someone she liked even if neither admitted it.

"Ziare, tell us about this Lord Daniel you wrote home about." her mother said looking at her eldest daughter. Ziare thought about it for a moment.

"He has dark hair, it's longer now, and ties it back at the nape of his neck. Pale skin, slight trim and thin, but good looking. He has a nice voice and is often seen with Ambassador Alejandro." she said softly. Her father frowned, she was describing him as if he was a steed not the man she wished to marry.

"And, you two have spent much time together?" her father asked watching his daughter's face fall.

"No, not really. He is busy with the Ambassador and I.. don't see him very much at all now. Since the barge ride I have seen him twice. Once during a dinner, and once at the masquerede where we shared a dance." she said softly picking at her plate now.

"He .. doesn't make time for you during his day?" Constance asked curiously and softly she had a soft voice and her hand was on Seig's.

"No.. no he doesn't." she said softly. She looked down and pushed her green beans around her plate softly.

"And you're courting him?" her mother chimed in. Ziare nodded. "He asked you right?"

"Yes, he did, the night of the barge ride." she said softly.

"Have you done something to earn his disfavor?" her father asked suddenly.

"Seighart!" her mother looked at her father incredulously.

"Well.. we have heard rumors and I was curious." he said as if it was a normal thing.

"No, I don't beleive I have. The rumors are harsh but none of them are true. The King favors me, but I did nothing but spend time with him to gain such favor. He kissed me and not the other way around and I am tired.. TIRED of people thinking I am such a foolish woman that I would throw myself away."

She rose and got out of her seat and began to move towards the outter door. She had tears streaming down her cheeks as she opened the door and stepped outside.

"See what you did now dear?" Katherine said, her father sighed.

"I .. did't.. and.. I just .." he sighed

"Vladamir would you like to go after her, I'm sure she's in the orchard, third row under the second tree. That's where she likes to go when she's upset." her mother said softly with a gentle smile at the young boy.

“Honestly, they sent me here because our king believes young men marrying sapphire women will strength the bonds between the realms…so my father looking to be in favor of his highness sent me here to fend for myself” Vlad sad a bit sadly. “I know how ignorant such thoughts of politics are but I still cant believe my father sent me here just to have my brothers fights with one another for the families wealth once they are of age” Vlad went right back to eating as though pushing those thoughts into the back of his head.

Soon came talk of Lord daniel and immediately his fork began to play with his own green beans or anything else on his plate her could. He had to bite his tongue when it came to that lord knowing how taken both him and Ziare were with one another. And as he kept to himself the conversation turned from bitter sweet to sour as talk of the court and rumors arose at the dinner conversation. And then before he knew it Ziare dashed away from the table and Vladamir felt cursed this having been the second time she had run off in the middle of a meal they shared.

He rose to his feet before her mother even said anything to him, he like lady Ziare to much to just have her run off and he wished to be with her privately seeing as how his company seemed calming to her. “Third row…second tree…..thank you madam” He began to walk with a worried look on his brow his emerald eyes glistening with fears for Lady Ziare. “I’ll return with her when she ready” he yelled out as he ran out the door giving chase to her.

He went straight to the orchards and followed her mothers instruntions, and there she was sitting beneath the second tree, in the third row, he hand cupped at her face sobbing. He took a deep breath as he prepared for what may come. He then slowly wlaked his way over to her his eyes focused on her through the darkness. “Lady Ziare” he said softly growing closer to her.

He wasted no time in coming to her side and sitting right beside her his arm coming round her back letting her lean into him if she so needed to. “Ziare…please do not cry, you have so much to be happy about this moment…tears should not have the right to stain your flawless features” he said softly trying to comfort her.

He came to her. She knew that he would, he always did. Twice now their dinner had been ruined for gossip. He sat down beside her and put his arm around her. She waisted no time in leaning against him her tears rolling down her cheeks as she cried. How could her family think she was like that. Her father most of all they had been close when she had grown up. She looked up at him softly as he cradled her close and she cried more burrowing into him he pulled her up into his lap so he could hold her better and she cried softly on his shoulder letting a lot of fustrations out in this moment as he stroked her back softly and her hair with the other hand. She cried for some time saying nothing letting so many things out at once. It seemed now that the flood gates had opened there was no stopping them. But soon she began to grow quiet, and soon she lay there sniffing softly. Opening her swollen eyes she saw a hankerchief in his hand come up and wipe her tears off her cheeks. She blushed deeply and smiled allowing him to do just that. He of course used it as an excuse to brush her cheeks with his fingers.

"I'm sorry, I can't apparently sit through a meal with you. It really could become a problem one day." she chuckled taking his hankercheif softly and wiping her eyes and her nose with it gently.

"I hate court." she confessed laying her head against his chest again as he stroked her arm softly with one hand and held her up with the other arm. She shook her head softly she ws really exasperated with the whole institution. "Why do people have to be so cruel? I wish I was already married and with a husband raising a family. Where I didn't have to worry about so much." she confessed to him softly.

She could hear him chuckle as he held her there in his arms stroking her softly getting her to calm down as much as he could. She was beginning to relax. She hated thinking that people thought so little of her, she really was't a bad person but if you listened to the gossip you would think that she was and that was something she didn't need. She was soft hearted at times and it was hard for her to look past things that made her seem like she was such a bad person. She sighed gently as she felt Vladamir's hand come up to her cheek and stroke it softly moving back down and through her curls gently, the large ringlets were soft and beautiful giving her an elegant look. It was a very bold moment for him, to touch a lady's face and hair was a very large statement, it was saying there was much more to him in regards to her than she had thought.

"Vlad." she whispered. Her face moved as she looked up at him in the darkness catching his hand gently in her own she moved it back to her face cupping her cheek as she looked into his eyes. "I'm so happy that you brought me here. I feel so much better knowing that Lizzy is better. Still ill but better than before, I was so worried, and I'm glad that, you will be able to see your brothers' for their birthday." she said with a soft smile.

His thumb stroked her cheek as they locked eyes in the dark. She smiled softly this was the first time she had let him really touch her face like this, because it meant more than just a touch. She touched his own cheek softly and gently hestitantly. They shouldn't be doing this, she was taken but he was the one that had been with her for weeks spending every day with her. he was the one that took her places, and listened when she spoke, and spent his days with her and ate his meals with her. They were nearly inseperable. She sighed softly and looked into his eyes.

"We should get back. Thank you for coming after me. You always do, I knew you would." she whispered honestly to him. They were having such a moment here that she didn't know what else to do, she knew if she didn't stop it soon they would make a mistake. Slowly her hand slid from his cheek and she stood up with a swish of her skirts around her body. Once he stood she grinned.

"Bet you can't catch me." she giggled softly and pulled her skirts up just enough so they didn't brush the grass and began running and laughing back towards the house with a bright smile on her face.

He cradled her in his arms for as long as he could, he could not help but stroke at her back or at her hair as she cried into him. It pained him so much to she her this way, she was so kind hearted and he knew she was hurt easily. This was worse then the court though, this had been her own father questioning her and he could not imagine how badly that must hurt especially when the family seemed so close though he knew he could not say that about his own father.

After she had calmed and he had wiped her face his hand came up stroking at her face and moving back through her hair. Her skin was as flawless as the finest silk and her hair was softer then anything he could think of, their curls played with his finger tips softly catching his fingers before allowing them to pass in a soft gentle motion. He knew he should not be touching her like this he knew he had no right and yet the dealing of the court and what was expected from society seemed to trivial at the moment. Damn what was right or what was wrong, he cared for her and he had been for some time, he would have made some type of move already but lord daniel was never around to challenge formally .

She whispered his name in a way that it seemed to be carried on the gentle apple scent air itself catching his hand and letting him cup at her face. She said she was happy mentioning both lizzy and his brothers Diego and Deacon. His thumb could not help but stroke at her cheek as the locked eyes in the dark smiling softly at him. His head began to lean in after she mentioned going back and touched her delicate hand to his face he was going to kiss her until with a swish she seemed to disappear standing up, with a sigh he stood as well only to have a foot race ensue.

Quickly he ran after her, he was a large man but his legs were longer and stronger then her own, and their fashions favored him instead of her with her many skirts. He caught her his arms wrapping around her waste no more the thirty feet from the house he laughed as he stopped and of coursed stopped her as well in his grip He chuckled for a moment holding her to him. “I hope its not much you bet” he said to her in a gentle tone .

He spun her around and he looked down into her eyes which seemed to shimmer in the faint lights of the stars. Lord Daniel did not deserve her, he truly didn’t. It was him not Daniel who shared his days with her, it was him who she laughed and dinned with letting wine warm their blood over dinner. Vlad decided in this moment that he held her infront of him, her beauty enhanced by the night that he would act on feelings that while he knew were wrong because of the court and tradition , felt so right in his heart.

He leaned in and captured her lips to his own softly but without hesitation , he knew her and he hoped she would not take offense to such a bold moved. But as his lips pressed gently upon her own the only thing he pray for was that this moment need not end.

Ziare ran through the orchard. Her curls bouncing with every step her hands clasping her skirts as she ran laughing through the orchard. She loved being home she felt so happy here. She ran and laughed hearing his larger and more heavy footsteps behind her. She knew he would catch up to her. And he did. He ran up to her and his hand closed around her arm. She laughed as he spun her around bringing her close. They were close to her house and she was breathing heavily, not so much from the exertion though that was part of it since she didn't get that much exercise. She looked up at him as he pulled her closer to him and she blushed brightly even in the moonlight. He told her that he hoped she had not bet too much. His hand guided her closer and she went willingly her skirts brushing the grass as she looked up into his eyes. There was something there, in his eyes that she had never seen before. Not to this extent anyway.

He pulled her in close and she felt his hand on her cheek again. She knew what was coming. But she couldn't move or tell him know. Her heart had found it's way up into her throat. She swallowed hard as he pulled her one more inch closer to him her skirts against his legs and her body so close to his she could feel the heat coming off of his body. Then he gently leaned down and pressed his lips to hers.

She came alive.

Her heart beat frantically. Her breath was almost non extistant. Ziare's body trembled softly in his arms while they kissed softly under the moonlight. His arm came around her tightly pressing her to him. Never before had she felt this depth from a kiss, it was so wonderful she felt as though she found a piece of herself that had been missing for so long. The kiss was so soft and gentle, his hand on her cheek stroked softly brushing her hair back behind her shoulder while his lips danced with hers. When the kiss broke she gasped softly her eyes opened slowly and looked into his eyes. They were so soft, his eyes, like he was telling her someting with his eyes that she could not quite decode just yet. She was still shaking just slightly.

"I.. wow..." she whispered softly as her shaking hand moved up and touched her lips that seemed to be unable to stop tingling from the sensations of moments ago.

"We. we should go inside, they'll get worried." she whispered softly as she looked up at him and blushed severly turning from him she took his arm and together they headed back inside.

"You're back!" Natasha said brightly getting up from her seat where she had been reading. "Mother put your meal in the oven, so it's still warm, she and dad went to the back porch for the evening, so you can have a nice dinner."
Natasha giggled seeing Ziare's blush and flashed her a look that said 'we're talking about it later' and then headed off. Ziare smiled and she left Vlad getting their meals out of the oven and sitting back down.

"Please, won't you join me to finish our meals?" she asked curiously.

She was blushing so heavily and looked so shocked at his actions. She said nothing about it but a simple wow before she mentioned them going back inside before her family got to worried. She took him by the arm and together they ventured back into her home where he prey her family wasn’t awaiting to see the blush on Lady Ziares face.

When they entered it was Ziares young doppelganger they first saw, she was reading to herself telling them that her mother had put their meals in the oven to keep them warm. When the little one finally looked he could not help but admire the same giggle she shared with Ziare. It was clear what the little one noticed though Vlad could say nothing without implicating them both. His kiss clearly explained his feeling to her or so he though, and though she kissed him back, allowing their lips to dance with one anothers it was yet to be determined if she felt the same way for him or if she had just given into his passions for the moment.

They got their meals from the oven and sat back down “Of course Ziare” he said sitting down next to her like he had before. He knew it was wrong to sit next to a lady that was taken when so many other seats were available but still that had never stopped him before. They both began to eat at their meals quietly, awkwardness still in the air around them as neither said anything. And after he had seen her actually take a few bits of her food he could not help but speak.

“You know…if I over stepped by bounds I am sorry” he said to her lightly, his words barely loud enough for her to hear. “If I did I will ride back to the palace and have them send an escort for you…but know, such acts were not from lust”

Ziare began to eat her meal. Slowly savoring the still warm food. She had truly missed her mother's cooking. Her mother was a genius in the kitchen and she had made sure all her daughters knew how to cook though Ziare might be out of practice since she didn't get a chance to use that ability when she was in court. She ate softly the silence was a little awkward but she was beginning to feel more and more like herself. Less like she was flying and more like she had finally gotten in touch with the ground once more. She reached up and tucked her hair behind her ears as she finished her meal and lifted the glass of water to her lips taking a gentle sip of the cool refreshin fluid. It was then she spoke. Her eyes widened as she finished the sip quickly and placed her stoneware down.

"No.. it .. it isn't that." she said softly. Her hand moved softly and lay itself on his arms. "I.. I've never .. felt that way from a kiss before." she confessed softly her eyes closing.

"I'm quite confused on what to do now. I need.. time to think Vladamir, I have to decide what to do. I have to make choices, and no matter what I do it will end up hurting someone along the way. So, I need to ask you, for time, to think it over." she whispered softly.

Her eyes opened and she looked over at him softly. Giving him a soft smile she reached up and touched his cheek gently. He was sitting right next to her, where he always sat, where he seemed to belong. She blushed softly and leaned in tucking his hair behind his ear as she kissed his cheek softly closing her eyes softly while her lips connected to his cheek. Breaking it she smiled softly as she looked fondly into his eyes.

"Tomorrow, we can go for a walk in the orchards and have a picnic if you like." she said softly looking into his eyes folding her hands into her lap as she smiled. "What do you think?" she asked with a smile.

She said she had never felt that way from a kiss before and his heart became a flutter, they had a connection the to of them though unspoken, they were always there for one another and their friendship had become deep within the weeks they knew one another.

She asked him for time. He sighed but he understood knowing how fragile her heart was and how she wished to hurt no one along the way. She was so caring and yet received such harshness in the court something he could never understand. He smiled at her and gave her a little nod . He knew he had a lot to contend with, not only was their lord Daniel who seemed well off and making political friendships but Vladamir knew the king also favored her, not only bestowing a title upon her but also sharing his kiss with her as well. “Take the time you need…I understand your don’t with to hurt anyone,,,but do not make the choice which will hurt you” he said to her

She tucked his hair behind his ear, and then did something which made his heart skip a beat at the mere caress of her lips on his cheek. When it broke he looked at her, their eyes seemed to look fondly at one anothers though his also had a sense of longing in them.

“A picnic you say….I think it would be lovely…and I would like to practice the harp as well while we enjoy the day…practicing on a horses trot was not the most enjoyable thing I could remember” he said with a light chuckle

He turned to the rest of his food and then at Ziare, His hand found her own in her lap clasping on them. “Speaking of a harp…after we eat, I bet if you went to Lizzy and played her a tune you would be ensuring her sweet dreams with the gracefulness in which you play” he said to her with a light smile on his lips and softness in his eyes.

Ziare blushed. In the end she knew of several things that in the end would hurt her more. She knew in her heart the decision she would make but she had to weigh in all the choices and options first because she had to make sure that her life would not be ruined, that her heart would remain intact. She watched him eat he tended to eat a great deal more than her and she usually finished well before he did. She never minded waiting though he was always so kind and spent so much time with her that when she was forced to her rooms at night to be alone she wished for his company. Not to lie in her bed. Though she had dreams of him holding her, but to talk to and laugh with because that was the position he filled the most. And in the morning they met up in the garden to plan their day and spent another funfilled day together doing nothing but having fun and being together laughing and talking and wishing their dreams. Getting to know each other more deeply than she had known anyone else she had met at the court.

His hand found hers and she blushed smiling as she looked up into his green eyes once more. He told her that he wanted them to practice the harp tomorrow since they would be on a stable surface and she chuckled softly unaware that they were being watched in their soft moment together holding hands as his eyes devoured her own. She smiled softly as he told her that she should play for Lizzy to make her feel better. She smiled brighter he was always such a kind man and his idea did make sense. Her hands squeezed his own softly.

"You're right, it's a wonderful idea. I think I will." she said softly. Her hand reached up and touched his face gently. "I will see you soon then, to wish you goodnight."

She rose then and headed down the long dark hall. To one retrieve her harp from her room with Natasha, but two, to play for her little sister. And soon the sound of her gentle but oh so beautiful harp music filtered through the home and seemed to relax the environment all together. But before Vladamir could go anywhere or get too comfy on his own Seighart her bother came out and sat across from him at the table staring at the black headed lad with his cool blue eyes.

"I got a few questions for you." he said running his hand over the stubble on his cheeks and chin. "What are your intentions with my sister? She is already being courted, yet you touch her and talk to her like she is yours. And furthermore, I can tell you have something for her, the way you look at her I have seen it before. So I ask again, what are your intention with Ziare, she is fragile, always has been, the kind of woman that wears her heart on her sleeve, I am only looking out for my younger sister." he explained looking at Vlad straight in the eye.

He sat for a few moments digesting the large meal he had just finished off, he would have to retire to his room to do some exercises before bed. He kept with his training daily though more often at night in his cambers since his days had been filled with Ziares company. He music began to fill the air of the home bringing beauty to everything within its walls. He sighed, she may be a good teacher but he knew his hands would never be graceful enough to master the harp the way she had even with her teachings.

It was then before he was about to get up company found him, sitting across the table from him “Good evening Seighart” he said as her older brother sat down. He noticed that look in his eyes, cool and penetrating, vlads brow cocked. He had been found out apparently and her brother seemed to want answers about his intentions. looking him straight in his eyes as he did. Vladamir leaned back in his seat alittle. “Well…I see you acted alone…to tell you the truth I excepted her father to be the one spying on me with your sister”

He let out a sigh and leaned forward his back hunching as his elbows rested on the table though his eyes keeping with Seigharts. “What would you do…if the women you liked had a man not married to her mind you who kept ignoring her, Lord Daniel is a fool and clearly does not care for Ziare the way he should” he paused and his back straightened out “I care for Lady Ziare, and as far as my intentions go…at the moment I must wait to know if they can even be intentions of illousions I created for myself…after all if her choice be that swine Daniel to duel him, to try and win her favors would be all in vain….To me your sister has a voice, an opinion…even if everyone else ignores it I do not”

Vlad stood from the table “I know you watch for her as a brother should…but during those weeks at the court it was my eyes which watched for her, if you think my intentions would turn sour just due to a change in scenery you are mistaken….now if you excuse me…I think it best I rest for now before I say anything stupid…the two of us did have a long ride here after all”

Seighart looked at Vlad as he leaned forward and began spilling. About how he cared for Ziare and how this Lord Daniel person was ignoring her. How he was the one that was looking out for her and spending his time with her, making sure she was happy and had indeed quite gotten smitten with the lovely Ziare. His brow rose when his words took on a more cold tone and Seig rose and placed a hand on Vlad's shoulder.

"Please do not misunderstand, I wish to ask you a few more things. I .. I care for my sister, she is who I looked after since she was old enough to walk. We're close, just one year apart and I worry about her." he admitted.

Seig sat back down and motioned for Vlad to do the same. He had a few more questions while Ziare was busy and knew he would not get another chance.

"I want to ask you about court. Those rumors... they can't be true, I know my sister and if she earned anything it wasn't that way. But I wish to know of this Lord Daniel. You see, at first her letters home were filled with the people she met. Lord Mathew, Lord Atticus, Lord Issac, so many people. She wrote about the King and how he gave her the horse and how she couldn't wait to come home. But lately her letters have seemed much more distant. Like she's trying to be happy when she isn't. I know my sister currently better than anyone, and the way she ran out of here tonight.. I could see the hurt those rumors cause. But.. I want to know mostly about this Daniel person." he said.

"Tell me what is it that keeps him from my sister? Why is it not he that sits here tonight? Why is it not he that is there for her, saving her life, being her days, and why is it not he that is there consoling her when the rumors hurt her the way I know they do. What is it? What is this person like?" he asked with a sigh obviously upset about a situation he could not do anything about.

"And.. lets say.. that if it's Ziare happiness that is on the line, what are you prepared to do about it? Would you see her married off to someone that doesn't care,..." he asked looking up at Vlad.

Vlad sat back down at his request only to have more questions thrown his way. Her brother was indeed the over protective one but he himself was no better with his brothers.. Lord Daniel became the topic of his new questioning, that man which he dispised so very much, if it were up to him he would take his foreign Katana and use it to relieve lord daniel of his calm to Ziare as well as his head.

“She tells me it is his business which keep him from her, she had only seen him twice in several weeks and I have yet to see him myself.” He let out a sigh. “I know it was said they shared a dance the night of the costume ball and that is the only time she had seen him since the both of us met…personally I think she is already his and that he may do as he wish no longer needing to whoo her”

A pause was had and then Seighart asked him a question he knew he was bound to ask and Vladamir shut his eyes and bit his lower lip. “Your sister…if she choose him then I will do my very best to fight for her favor….But I kid you not Seighart when I say that if Daniels head I must take and be forced to live my life in prison or forced to the gallows then I would walk tall into the hang mans noose”

He stood and smiled at him “She is lucky…blessed to have you all in her family…As long as you are all here and keep loving her Ziare will always find something to make her happy…now I must bid you fare well” he said with a small bow and walked away happy to have ended such a conversation which he knew her father would have just loved to over heard. He traveled his way to his room and disrobed to his leggings sitting on the edge of his bed breathing deeply to himself before he would start his nightly rituals.

Seighart frowned. It was as he had thought. Now that the prize of his sister had been obtained the young Lord Daniel didn't seem to think his sister was important. Ziare was a social creature she craved attention and that from those she was close to. He was alienating himself from her every day he did not spend with her that Vladamir did. The black headed youth rose bidding Seighart a goodnight, and the yound lad rose too after Vlad was out of sight and went to tell his parents what little he had learned. It was good that Vlad would fight for her, because he might have to in the end. Ziare was a beautiful woman, even he could see that, but she was soft and caring and gave herself completely into something. He chewed on the end of his thumb as he walked around the back of the house to where his parents sat.

Inside Ziare's music stopped and she tucked Lizzy into her covers a bit more and then blew out the small candle returning to the room next to it. The one she would share tonight with her sister Natasha. And just as expected Natasha was a ball of energy waiting for Ziare to come in and ambush her. Ziare chuckled and placed her harp in it's case and put it away untying the back of her dress she began to get ready for bed.

"Tell me!" Nastasha said quickly unable to hold it in any longer. Luckily, for Vlad, he would hear this as his room was right next door and the walls were thin enough.

"Tell you what dear sister I have no idea what you speak of." Ziare grinned holding up her hair brush.

"Oh you blackmail me! fine, I brush you speak." Natasha said plopping down on Ziare's bed against the wall and began to brush out Ziare's long hair.

"What do you wish to know?" she asked.

"About Vladamir, what do you think about him?" she asked softly but loud enough to hear.

"I like him quite a bit." she admitted.

"Like him? Or love him?" Natasha asked.

"Natasha! Are you always so bold!?" Ziare scolded and was given a giggle in response.

"You are dodging dear sister.."

"Natasha.. I.. I feel something so deep that it aches to be parted from him. Even at night.. I.. I wish to have his company. To talk to me, to smile.. oh Nattie have you seen his smile." Ziare said passionatly. "It's like the sun, I remember the first time I saw it.. I nearly died from heart failure."

Natasha giggled not even minding her sister bringing out her nick name.

"And I think he loves you." said Natasha. Ziare blushed.

"You think?" she asked curiously truly curious.

"Definatly. I see the way he looks at you, I should be so lucky to find a mand that did for me. And besides, the way he consumes your days and I am sure that you are not the only one lonely at night. And I've noticed too that he always finds away to look at you. Even at dinner, the corner of his eye, scanning the room, he always is looking at and for you. Always aware of your presence." she said with a smile. "You're blushing Zia."

"I can't help it, I don't really talk about things like this any longer." Ziare admitted.

"Court must be dull." Natasha sighed. Ziare laughed.

"It is at times, mainly because I wish for things I cannot wish for, though remember my dream Nattie, Vladamir says that you can do that in the Emerald realm. I get to visit, we're going there next, and I can't wait to go." she said with a whistful sigh.

"Bring me back something!" Nattie said with a smile.

"Always." Ziare answered.

"So what of Lord Daniel, you said you don't see him very much." Natasha gently slid in. Ziare sighed.

"No, I don't, he's always so busy with the ambassador. Since the barge, I have seen him once for dinner and once for the dance. I feel as though now that he has the prize he was seeking I am no longer important. I.. I spend my days outside and now Vlad is my constant companion and he takes my mind off of everything but him. I feel.. whole when I'm with him Nattie, as if I need nothing else. No fancy titles, or anything.. just him." she sighed.

"So you DO love him don't you?" Nastasha ventured.

"Oh Nattie if only I knew if this was what love felt like. I suppose if I had to put a word to the feeling that is the one I would use."

"Not good enough Zia, say it, 'I love Vladamir', practice it with me now." Natasha teased.

"Oh Nattie! You tease! That's so mean!" Ziare said as she fought for the brush from her sister a giggling fit broke out between them and some moving around as the two girls got ready for bed. The candlelight went out and Ziare looked up at the ceiling touching the wall beside her the one that led to Vlad's room. "I do.. I do Nattie.. I really do." she said softly.

"You do what?" Nattie said turning on her side.

"Love him." Ziare admitted.

"Thought so. goodnight Zi." she said.

"Goodnight Nattie." Ziare said as she turned over in her bed and closed her eyes nestling up against the wall.

Vladamir had just finished doing several sets of push up the last of his evening exercises, he was now indeed ready to relax and fall into a nice slumber but as he sat on his bed waiting for his heart to he heard something come from the room next to him, it was her voice the voice of his angelic love Ziare and her sister. He was all but about to discard it and sleep but he heard his name said and immediately he found himself creeping next to the wall placin his ear against it to hear the to better.

His face could not help but brighten as he heard Ziare speak of him in such ways. To hear that she ached from their partings or how she spoke of his smile, it made his face grow warm. And to hear her sister speak saying that she though he loved her he could not help but speak to himself in a whisper “Its obvious enough for her sister to see so plainly?” he said in a low whisper. He did not realize his eyes looked for her so often but it was indeed the truth, when Ziare was around she was always in his line of view he always made sure of it.

He continued his ease dropping unable to take his ear away from the wall. He could not help it, he needed to know how it was she truly felt and it seemed her little sister though not intentionally was helping him out a great deal. It was cute to hear little Natasha tease her older sister in such ways the ways only sisters could.

Just as he though it was all coming to an end his heart nearly failed on his as her heard Ziare admit her love for him to her sister. He feel to his bed not needing to hear another word his right hand over his heart his eyes shimmering in the candle light of the room. This was the greatest new he could have ever hopped for. His heart beat loudly in his ears speeded from the thought of her loving him as he had come to love her. He knew before he left with Ziare he would have to thank her sister for giving him such a gift and filling his heart with such joy.

His eyes began to close for the night images of his lady Ziare running through his thoughts

When it was morning Ziare woke from a peaceful sleep her body pressed against the wall. Her eyes opened and she smiled. She was home, her favorite place in all of the world. Turning over she stretched softly and rose gently from her bed. Natasha was still sleeping and Ziare sat up brushing her hair out gently at the vanity, since sitting and straight it almost reached the floor in its lenght. She decided to leave it straight, something she only did for Vladamir since he seemed to like it. She pulled it up though since it was improper to leave it down and she tied it with a silk red ribbon and then stepped into her dress for the day. A deep red brown dress that accented her skin and made her hair only seem to shimmer more. She rose and slipped her slippers on her small feet and stepped out with both harps in her arms. The song birds outside were chirping beautifully as she headed down the hallway quietly and to the kitchen where she began to make a lunch.

"Ziare?" her father asked coming into the kitchen.

"Morning Papa." she said softly with a smile and hugged her father. He held her for quite some time, no one else in the house was awake yet, and so he held his daughter for several moments and ran his fingers through his hair.

"You've grown into quite a woman." he said softly as he pulled back letting Ziare go back to what she was doing. "Going out today?" he asked motioning to what she was making.

"Yes, I told Vladamir I would take him to the orchard for a picnic and music lessons. I've been teaching him to play the harp." she admitted.

"I see. The boy, how do you feel about him?" her father asked bringing her right to the point.

"Oh Papa, I .. I am rather fond of him." she said with a blush as she packed the sandwhiches away using some of last night's meat and began cutting up some fruit for them.

"And the Lord Daniel?" he asked looking at her as he leaned against the wall.

"I.. I don't know... I have a decision to make haven't I?" she asked with a smile.

"That you do, but know that we will support you however you decide, but.. Ziare.. decide for yourself. Something that will make you happy. I don't think your mother nor I could stand to see you unhappy just so that you think we are." he said as he patted her fondly on the shoulder and left her to her things.

Closing the basket sometime later she quickly walked down the hall and opened the door to Vladamir's room. It was.. unseemly to be in his room alone... especially since she had just closed the door. With a rustle of silk she came to his bed and sat on the edge of it softly as she looked at him sleeping softly sprawled out over most of the bed. A smile crossed her face, her heart almost hurt with the sight of him so peaceful. She gently leaned down and touchedh is face softly.

"Vladamir." she said softly with a smile. "It's time to wake. We have a picnic remember." she said softly stroking his cheek trying to get him to wake up, oh how she adored his sleeping form he was so cute when asleep.

He was dreaming, happy imagies filled his thoughts as he lay in bed dreaming of Ziare. She was his wife slightly older but her beauty had only intensified as she wore the latest of Emerald fashion. She was standing infront of his laughing at something smiling gently as she cradled a their new born daughter in her arms, they young one looking just like Ziare though had her fathers eyes. Their 4 year old son at his mothers dress demand he be allowed to hold his baby sister. It was a dream, that all it was right now. Though knowing she could love him made such dreams seem like a window into the future.

It was then he heard his name and the dream began to fade to light as his eyes slowly began to open. He was indeed the heavy sleeper and often relied on Vincenzo to wake him in the morning. If not he would sleep well into the noon looking to stay up all hours of the night. He mutter his mind still lost in his dream “Hmmm…Ziaire, let him hold his sister” in the faintest of whispers.

A moment passed and finally his eyes opened sleepily only to see Lady Ziare sitting next to him on the edge of his bed. He smiled at her and his hand came about resting on the bed and her waist, his thumb stroking at her back through her dress. “Good morning” he said before he let out a soft yawn “Is it time fore our picnic already?” he asked her having no idea what time it was.

Ziare blushed at his whisper. Let him hold his sister? Was he dreaming about her, and perhaps them being together in the future. She blushed softly as his eyes began to flutter open in the soft morning light that filtered through the window on the other side of the room. She smiled as he blinked sleepily and reached up carressing her waist and stroking her back. If this was how he woke up she hoped to wake him up more than just this morning. She chuckled softly and looked down into his eyes while he asked her if it was time for their picnic yet. She smiled she couldn't help it he was adorable in this instance, so out of his element, still sleepy and being woken up by her after a dream that apparently included her.

"Dreaming were we?" she asked softly as she touched his cheek softly not moving from the side of his bed she didn't wish to move just yet.

"Good morning. It is time to go when you are ready and not before." she said with a smile. "I have the harps and lunch ready I was only missing the most important part of the day." she said with a smile looking into his green eyes.

"I am happy you are here." she confessed to him softly her hand moved from his face to lay gently on his chest but didn't move just lay there right over his heart her eyes watching him softly with her own green orbs.

Her hand lay on his chest, such an improper thing to do and a bold statement as well. He smiled brightly at her as his other hand came and found the one which lay on his chest, his brows jumped up and down twice as a kind of early warning that his intentions were playful yet improper all in the same moment as he pulled her hand and forced her body onto the bed so that her upper half was ontop of him his eyes locking with her own. His heart beat wildly in his chest as one of his arms came around her holding her in her place for but a moment.

“I’m happy to be here” he said to her in a soft yet playful tone as he held her. He knew he should not be doing this but he liked her to much not to just hold her when he wanted and after last nights confessions he had the oddest of feelings she would not mind him doing so. He just looked into her eyes enjoying this moment which he had seized. “I have preyed to experience a morning like this…never had I ever imagined being blessed enough to see your face as I first wake” he paused for a moment before he let his arm loosen allowing her to get up if she wished to but she seemed to far into shock to just move yet. “ You may find me mad… but you should know I have cherished the night we first spent together near the river…and the night we spent together on our travel here, for both times you were the last thing I saw for my eyes shut…and the first thing they saw when they awakened”

He bit his lower lip “I wish you to know these things….I’m sorry if they offend but it is your right to know how I feel”

Ziare looked at him in surprise when she felt his hand come over her own. Not to mention she saw his eyebrows rise. What on Earth? She bit her lower lip looking at him curiously wondering what on earth he had planned for them. Suddenly he pulled her arm down suddenly and she fell her hair falling all over them in it's pony tail and she blushed now being so close to him. While they had shared a tent together they had never touched each other like this. She was half on top of him and her hair was spilling over his pillow. She blushed deeply as he looked into her eyes telling her that he was happy to be here as well. She smiled. She loved having him close by, he always made her so happy. And she couldn't help but love the time they spent together. He began to confess how much the night at the river meant to him how they had slept there at the river side, and each night in the tent. How waking up to her face and sleeping with it in his thoughts. She blushed deeper looking down at him her eyes softening.

"It is much the same for me." she whispered. "I loved sleeping with you close, I always feel so alone in bed, so distant from everything, I always wish for someone close and lately that wish has been for you." she said softly.

"Vladamir.." she whispered her hand moved up to touch his face, their faces mere inches apart as she looked down at him fondly. A smile crossed her face it was gentle and kind but so full of feelings. "I.."

she blushed.

"We.. we should get ready to go.. before someone comes to look for us." she whispered softly so terribly wishing not to leave, she didn't want to be without his arms again, she felt amazing when she was in them. Gently she lay herself upon him, just the part he had pulled over on him. She lay her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes letting them embrace for a moment. She had never lay with anyone like this before and it felt amazing, like someting special, her heart was racing in her chest.

"I can.. hear your heartbeat." she whispered to him with a smile. "It is as fast as my own." she confessed with a blush.

It filled him with such joy to know she enjoyed to sleep close to him, he wished one day she would find more comfort sleeping in his arms as she seemed to wish for as well. He took such comfort in this moment the rest of the day seemed so drull knowing that if he wanted to have this picnic with her he would be forced to let go of her.

She whispered his name as though about to say something, touching his face saying much more to him then she had been able to let her words say as of yet. But soon said they should get going though she only lay her self mire firmly ontop his body. She did not wish to end this embrace and neither did he but he knew it would all have to come to an end eventually. “If that is true….then your heart must also ache the way mine does when we are forced to part” He said with a small sigh

He patted her back lightly “Come…you are right Ziare we should be going before some one comes looking for us….as much as it shall pain me you must leave the room unless you wish to see me in the nude while I change” he said with a small smile on his face>

"It does. My heart aches whe we have to be apart." she whispered.

They lay there for several moments. His arms around her and her body against his. It was so comfortable. Her head agaist his bare shoulder, she had not expected him not so sleep without a night shirt. She closed her eyes softly and relaxed gently. His fingers found her hair and she sighed softly relaxing even more now that he was messing with her hair. But this paradise could not last long before he told her that she needed to leave. So they were not discovered, and so that she would not see him naked. She blushed deeply at the thought and rose with a smile.

"I will await you in the kitchen." she said softly. With a mischevious smile she ducked down and kissedh is cheek gently before she straightened back up and rose. Turning she left his room and returned to the kitchen.

Lizzy sat in the kitchen with a bright smile on her face she raced over to her sister and threw herself against her skirts. Ziare chuckled and picked up the eight year old girl softly and smiled.

"Hey sweetie feeling better?" she asked with a chuckle. Lizzy nodded happily her chesnut hair already filled with tangles from running in the orchards.

"Nattie said you brought home a man!" said Lizzy. Ziare chuckled.

"I did indeed. And when he comes out why don't you give him a hug? I bet he would like that. He was worried about your health as much as I." she said brushing her sister's hair behind her face. She sat her sister on the floor. As soon as Vlad appeared she ambushed him.

"Are you going to be my new brother!?" she asked. Ziare chuckled in the kitchen her face slightly pink from the boldness that was her little sister.

He rubbed his cheek after she left the room his hands gracing the spot she had just kiss as he smiled softly to himself. She was special to him, she had a pure heart and was such a sweet young women. She was not like the wenches in the palace which spun such hurtful things from their mouths and used what was beneath their skirts to gain the kings favors. With a sigh he finally got from his bed and to his bag getting his clothes for the day. He picked out his normal blacks, while they seemed to be so dark he found the color much to his liking. Anything else he felt made him stand out to much and he hated to be an eye sore.

He retrieved his comb and with a few strokes fixed his bed tangled hair. He checked himself to make sure he was all but perfect for her, oh how he like to see her eyes be drawn to him how his always seemed to be drawn to her. With a sigh he Lay his sword which normally never left his side standing up against the wall near his bag, there was no need for it on her orchard though with the way he was feeling for her maybe it was lady Ziare who should be holding it to fend of his hands which begged to touch and hold her.

He stepped from his room and headed to the kitchen, he smiled seeing Ziare awaiting him with who he knew had to be Lizzy. Before a word was said the small girl ran to him and he bent down his hand outstretched taking hold of her and lifting her into the air letting the young girl hold and hug him as if she was his own sibling. “So you must be Lizzy…my my you had us all worried” he said first. The small girl then asked if he would be her new brother and he could not help but chuckle at such thoughts. Innocent children always asked what adults could not, it was their nature to be so bold.

"Lizzy calm down." Ziare said from the kitchen.

She went over to Vladamir and Lizz and smiled. He looked good holding a child in his arms. She blushed softly thinking about it as she looked up at Vlad. Gently she reached up and tucked his hair behind his ear and blushed softly. It was nice being around him she didn't know why she felt like she belonged so much when she was with him.

"I just wanna know." Lizzy said with a pout.

"Well how about we allow you to be the first to know if it comes to that." she chuckled.

"Okay. Can I go out and play now?" she asked looking over at Ziare hanging on vlad with a smile and nuzzling into him.

"Sure honey." she said taking Lizzy from Vlad she put her on the ground. The little girl giggled and ran outside barefoot as always and off to play with the boys getting dirty like she normally did. Ziare took Vlad's arm and watched her go softly her eyes fond looking after her little sister. "You.. you look good with her.. I mean.. with a child in your arms." she whispered with a deep blush.

"Ready?" she asked softly as she moved away from him softly before she could say anything else remotely stupid. She picked up the basket and motioned to the two cases for the harps. She would put them into his care. "We're going to the very back of the orchard. There is a lovely spot back there that we can enjoy, and a bench as well should we use it, it swings.. quite the invention." she said with a smile.

Gently she moved out the front door and out into the open. The breeze playing with the long strands of her straight black hair that blew around her beautifully dancing like ribbons on the wind. She waited and as he caught up she smiled taking his arm softly as they headed out. She led him towards the back walking slowly in no hurry just wanting to enjoy the beautiful scenery. The leaves were beginning to turn. Reds and oranges taking over the beautiful greens and the apples and fuits had already been picked.

"I would love to get married at this time of the year. It's my second favorite." she confessed. "It's so beautiful and I love the red colors I think it's lovely. The only other time I would like to get married at would be spring, when everything is in fresh bloom, but I would imagine that is more than popular and I wish mine to be a little different." she said with a smile.

"What of you?" she asked.

He smiled as little Lizzy ran outside to play, he remembered such days were he did the same in the streets of the emerald realm with his brothers and friends. Coming home filthy and looking like the children of unwashed beggers with a bright smile on his face, oh how he missed such carefree days that normally got him into so much trouble. She took his arm then softly and said something that reminded him of his dream. He looked at her and her blush filled cheeks which were redder then any apple that was to ever grow on her families orchard. “I am sure I would look even better when it is my child and hold…though I have a feeling it would be hard to take it from its mother” he said with a light smile

She moved away then and retrivevd the basket and motioned for him to pick up the harps which lay in their cases. She told him where they were going and he could only smile. “My what ever shall we do…in the orchards back with no eyes to watch at us” he said a bit playfully as he followed her out the door, the breeze which hit them immediately play with their hair. They began to walk their strides slow as they both seemed to wish to enjoy this time together.

He listened closely to her with ears at full attention. He only imagined how she would look in such a fine wedding dress in the colors of atutum which would play so beautifully with her pale skin and dark hair.

“Well the seasons do not chill in emerald as they do here, so it often seems like our fall and spring merge with summer as the only true barrier between them” He paused for a second thinking to himself “To be honest…it may sound mad but now in your land seems like the perfect time, this season is quite lovely” he chuckled “I don’t know why I say this but If I were to wed in this season…my wife would bare my child before the last leaf fell from the trees…and I would spend all winter snuggling in my bed with her stroking at her stomach and whispering to the life growing in her” He looked at her his cheeks aglow from blush “I know not of pretty weddings but only the days I wish to spend enjoying it with the bride who would have me”

She blushed. Why? Because she could picture it, but again like before she put herself in that place. In the position that was unfilled as of yet. she could imagine if they married in the fall. How they would use the colors of nature to play with their wedding. The reds and oranges the beautiful things that really made the world beautiful. And she could imagine how the winter nights, when the snow came could be used to hold each other close and enjoy their new family getting to know one another and being able to really grow together as a couple and a family. She blushed because she almost wished it were her in that position, how she would love to have someone that would care about her like that. That she would love to have someone around her even when she grew with pregnancy wanting to be with her and only her and wanting to help her through a winter where her emotions got the best of her and where she was constantly cold and needing comfort. It would be the best winter of anyone's life it that was how it was spent.

"I know that you would make a woman so happy doing that. I beleive that we fear our husbands will stray when we are with child. Because we are no longer thin and as beautiful as we were when we were not with child." she said softly as they continued down the path of the orchard.

She had spent much time alone with Vladamir since they had met, and she loved being beside him. And being beside him now was only making her wish for other things. That he would love her, and hold her. That he would care for her and take her into his arms. to tell her that she was special more so than she had ever thought before. They continued through the orchard heading into the back of it, they were half way there by now. She looked up at him and smiled.

"I love weddings. They're always so beautiful. I want mine to be beautiful too. I would love marry now. In Autumn. A white dress, red roses, and to use the leaves that fall from the trees as decorations. I would love to have the ladies that accompany me down the isle in the red silks of the season and in dresses that were full and beautiful. Their hair held high, I think I would leave mine mostly down though, for a wedding. Curled with flowers woven through it.." she smiled softly and fondly. She had never spoken of her wedding dreams with anyone, not even Daniel who had never asked.

"I would love to have a home, some place to call our own. A place to raise my children where they could run outside and play like my sisters and I did as young women. I would love that more than anything. To have a garden.. maybe some trees.. something large but beautiful." she said with a smile as she looked up at him into his eyes for a moment. "I wish for children, as many as I can have." she chuckled. "I.. I want a big family."

"What kind of family do you wish for Vlad?" she asked as they continued on their way.

He smiled at her first response. “I do not see why a man could ever stray because of a wife swollen with child…I remember seeing my mother round with the twins…she glowed like no other women those days” he paused “I know when it is my wife that glows so brightly with my child in her womb nothing shall be able to pry me from her” he sighed after he spoke lightly continuing their walk.

He listened to her his ears aflame with her words which play on his very heart as he pictured their wedding, yes their wedding. She was to be his even if she did not know it yet. He pictured her curls falling down cascading around her with flowers in her hair, dressed in the finest of dressing holding a bouquet of pink roses which would match her lips. He would be wearing his finest garments that day blues accented with light silvers which he knew would play with his complexion well.

She asked him what he wished for in a family as they continued forward and he smiled his eyes looking away and to the side. “6 children…I do not know how many will be of each gender, they could all be girls for what I care but as long as they are mine…All of us shall live in a villa in a villa in the emerald realm with a small estate here to enjoy the colder months as well as several summer” He paused “And I shall have to hounds for the children to play with who will spend their days outside playing endless games while I spend my days with my wife most likely making love to her when ever I could….our nights will be spent near fires with books…I want all my children to read and do math …to know music and sing till they are blue in the face if that will make them happy”

He looked at Ziare and smiled “And most of all…they will never be sent to the court…they are to find their own loves how they see fit..though after I tell them how I came about and fell for their mother I am sure they will flock to the court quickly themselves” his eyes looked gently upon Ziare “After all they will all want fairy tale meetings such as the one me and ther mother had to experience”

Six children seemed like a lot but it was perfect. She wanted as many children as she could have and six seemed like a perfectly good number. She could imagine a house filled with laughter and her children. Somewhere far away from court. a place just to raise her children where they could be happy and have a good time. Where they would be happy. She loved children even now she had a flock of children that followed her around at the palace because she was one of the few people that actually paid attention to them. And Vlad knew this as well, because often times when they had been together the children had come to her asking for a story or a song. And he never seemed to mind and so she indulged them. She would kneel in the grass and they would gather around her while she told another story or repeated one of their all time favorite ones that they asked for often. She had even once placed a game of kick ball with the children running through the greens and kicking the ball with them, she loved children and hoped to have her own someday.

He mentioned not making them go to court and she chuckled softly. she wasn't a large fan of court either and for the most obvious of reasons, he would know why. She had met some wonderful people there but she felt that she could have met a husband had she stayed home. But then on the other hand she would not have met Daniel or Vlad, or any of the other wonderful men she had met and the ladies as well. Still as they finally reached their picnic spot he was telling her about how he would tell the children how he had met their mother in a fairy tale manner. She raised her brow as she pulled away from him and turned around opening the basket she pulled out a large hand made quilt and unfurled it over the grass letting it fall gently to the grass before she stepped on it and sat down carefully arranging her skirts.

"And how do you know the woman that will be their mother, you'll meet in a fairy tale way?" she asked softly waiting for him to sit beside her.

It was beautiful out here, surrounded by the most beautiful trees that were turning the soft colors of autmn the rich beautiful colors that really accented Ziare's natural beauty. She placed her hands in her lap til he sat down and she took her harp from him taking the family heirloom and leaving him the one the king had gifted her with, that was beautifully carved and very expensive. "What if you just met her in a normal fashion? Or perhaps you speak of something else? Perhaps you hae already met this woman and have been keeping secrets from me not telling me of ths woman that has captured your heart." she said with a smile not opening her case just yet, waiting for his answer and the fact that she did enjoy talking to him, they were all alone out here it was a special spot just for them, and across from where the blanket sat a bench hung from a thick rope on a large branch and swung in the breeze.

He did not answer right away sitting beside her on the quilt. All he could do was grin for a moment as it was clear he had not figured out what it was he was getting at. He took the harp from her and sat it to the side for a moment as he listened to her questions. The air around them smelled so sweet the tree which once must have flowered so beautifully had left their mark in the very air itself. And the colors which danced around them in the trees only made him think of her even more intensely.

“You are right Ziare…I have been keeping it a secret from you” he aused his tone changing to a saddened one “I saw fit not to tell you because I fear it would ruin our friend ship” his eyes then looked up into her own their emerald color glistening in the light of the late morning “But my children will indeed love to hear how their heroic father raced against a stallion to save their mother from being trampled, and then instantly falling for the damsel as he looked into her eyes” he smiled at Ziare

“Ziare….” He whispered as he leaned in closer his face just inches away from her own “In case you have not noticed what your entire family has come to see in but a night….I have deep feelings for you…and when I kissed you last night I realized….your lips…they are a prize which I would fight to touch every minute of the day” his hand reached own and clasped her own in her lap “Ziare…I wish to confess to you…to say words that have been on my tongue for days on end….I love you…and I know you feel such things too…even if you can not say them to me you must know I am will to shout them out to the entire world”

She looked up at him. He said he had definatly been holding something back from her. She looked at him wondering just what woman at court had caught his eye. She looked up at him as he began to explain and her eyes began to grow wide. It was her. It was her story. The stallion. Him saving her life. She knew she had seen something special in his eyes the moment that they had met. The electricity seemed to spark from one another, connecting them in a way that she had never felt before upon meeting someone. He leaned closer. The way he said her name was like he was calling to her very soul.

"Yes?" she whispered completely lost in the moment.

She took the harp from her lap and sat it aside. He reached over and took her small hand. She blushed softly looking into his eyes and she blushed. He confessed things to her. That she didn't see something her family saw. Was something that obvious? She looked into his beautiful eyes as they seemed to implore her to accept him. He confessed. Telling her that he loved her. She gasped softly and blushed deeply as her hand held his a little tighter. For several minutes she couldnl't quite say anything so she squeezed his hand to tell him to give her a moment. Could he have heard her last night? Was that why he was being so bold? She was worried about what to do but she really missed him when he was gone, he was becoming her life, every day she spent with him they grew closer than ever before and she was beginning to love him more and more. And she did love him she knew that and apparently her family began to see it too.

"Vladamir." she whispered softly her eyes coming back up to his. She moved closer to him making her lips only a small inch apart. She blushed. "I do love you." she whispered her heart pounding in her chest.

"I really do. I.. I don't know when or how it happened but sometime over the days that we have spent together soley with one another no one else, I feel as though I have.. fallen so deeply for you there is now way out. You.. you consume me." she whispered and blushed again.

She closed the distance between them and placed her lips softly agianst his own. Her hand rose to his cheek and gently stroked it as they shared their second kiss. She closed her eyes softly giving herself into the kiss something she never really was able to do because she tended to hold herself back from expressing too much. But here they were. Away from court. Falling deeply for one another. And being able to express it for a moment in time. She kissed him softly but deeeply she couldn't help it, she craved his lips she had a hunger that only he seemed to sate.

She squeezed at his hand so tightly as though some one had taken the words from her and stolen her breath. He awaited her answer, every second made him feel as though his chest was about to bust with anticipation. And then just as he felt he would die she said it…she actually said words he would only dream her to say. Pure bliss, that was what this was, he was in heaven floating amoung the clouds as her angelic voice proclaimed her consumer her. He wished to shout out in joy, to dance with her to hold her close to him.

But it seemed his wishes came to slowly to him and she pressed her lips against his own. It felt as magical as the night before and the warmth of the sun which hit their faces through the trees made it feel as though the divine had taken mercy on them and finally had allowed them to be together. His arm came around her holding her tightly to him, they were free at this moment truly free to be with one another.

His other hand came up running through her hair and releasing it from its ribbon, their deep kiss never breaking and if up to him it never would. But all great things had to end some time, their lips parted slowly, lightly catching each other several times as each tried to break away from the other though could not. When it did end her brought his cheek to her own holding her there as he pant lightly his lips tingling from her own and his hand still tangled through her curled hair.

“Ziare…I do not think I can touch a harp this day…my hands the tremble nearly as fast as my heart beats for you” He said softly to her “When we part from here to travel…promise me I can hold you when we stop to sleep during our travels….promise me such things and I would give anything to you”

The kiss was the most amazing thing she had ever felt in her life. It was soft and gentle but passionate all the same. She almost moaned softly just because of the way she felt. His hand came up and moved through her hair pulled at the ribbon and placing it on the blanket beside them. Her hair, straight today, fell in a cascade of black silk around them and her shoulders, making her silk dress swish softly because of the way it ran against. His hand found her hair again and she sighed softly into the kiss she couldn't help it. How she adored the touch of his lips. Gently they began to try to part, but couldn't. He would kiss her again or she would kiss him. Several times they couldn't quite part yet and then finally they found a way to do just that. Gently she pulled back and looked into his eyes. He pulled her close again, his cheek against her own and she smiled softly closing her eyes. His hand still wrapped tightly in her hair, the silken straight locks falling down her back and shoulders, and the way his hand felt holding her there.

It was then he asked her something she could never have imagined to hear from his lips. She blushed deeply surely he could feel the heat from her cheeks as she did so. He asked to hold her. He asked to hold her at night as soon as they left the house tomorrow he wanted to hold her at night, to sleep holding her close like a man and a wife. She blushed and nodded. It was her dream as well, she had missed him so much last night wishing she could have had him beside her, if only in the same room not the same bed because she was so used to having him there now, two nights they had spent to get to her family's estate and two nights they had spent sharing a tent, through rain and shine they had shared the tent her bedding first and facing the wall and them him shortly there after both clothed still however.

"I would love to." she whispered softly as she kissed his cheek gently her hand rose and gently went through his hair as well. She loved being in his arms like this and this moment was very special to her, making her ehart grow fonder every moment that they were together. Finally she pulled back and ran her fingers down his cheek.

"You ruined your own music lesson." she chuckled softly. "But it's allright, we'll have plenty of time to work on it another time, and we can work on it at night in the tent before bed if you wish when we're on the road." she said with a smile.

"I want to share something with you." she said softly. She rose quickly as if she had never sat down and it was a graceful move. She left her hair down as she took his hand and pulled him up with a chuckle. When he was up she left her hand in his and led him with a smile over a few rows from where they had been, and between two trees stretched was a piece of canvas cloth that was strung tightly up off the ground in a hammock. "It's from the Amythest Realm, it's called a Hammock. I think it's comfortable but the best part is we can watch the clouds from it." she said with a smile.

"Watch, this is how you get on." she said as she pulled the clothe down and sat down on it before placing her legs in and laying down but scooting over so he had room and she patted the spot next to her. "Come on, we can watch the sky for a little bit since you can't play. which I think is merely an excuse to save your poor fingers from the torture from your mistress." she grinned playfully.

when he got in the hammock she did not stay on her side. She lay her head upon his shoulder and his arm went around her. Her hair covering his arm that was around her and on her back and waist. Some of her hair fell over the side spilling over in it's long and ample amount.

'It's it beeautiful?" she asked softly her green eyes looking skyward.

He got into the hammock with a laugh. She knew him all to well, the harp was not his specialty and while he wished to play his fingertips did hurt from their lessons. He got in an immediately she went straight to laying her head upon his shoulder and his arm came around her with not even a second thought. He loved holding her, he had found that out the moment he had come to her rescue that she was made for his strong arms and he was made to be hers.

They look up at the sky and watched the clouds shift through the sky. The hammock swung lightly rocking them back and forth in a gentle motion only adding to this all encompassing relaxation which seemed long over do for the both of them. His eyes followed a cloud which resembled that of a hare and he chuckled lightly. Clouds had the greatest lives and anything else on this world. They were free to travel were the wish and to take on what ever form pleased them, and while he realized they were not living things he truly wished he could live in such ways.

He hugged at lady Ziare bringing her into a tighter embrace. “This trip…it has been the greatest thing to have ever happened to me” he paused with a small sigh. “Ziare…I know you have hard decisions infront of you to make…and I am sorry for making you choose…but I could not keep this feelings I had for you to myself any longer”. He eyes shifted as to look at her bitting his lower lip “Can I ask though….do you think…your parents would except me as you have…I do not want you to have sour relations with you family for my sake”

Ziare and vlad began looking up at the sky. The blue sky was deep and the breeze played with the leaves and began to move her hair around. She closed her eyes and just enjoyed the day. Her mind was of course busy thinking about what she was going to do. She was taken for the most part. Lord Daniel had asked her to be his, but the problem was he was not around much anymore. His words still rung in her head. The ones frm the masquerede where he had sworn he would be there for her from now on. How was she to decide. He was willing to throw away his job with the ambassador to be with her more often. She sighed softly as she thought about it. No matter which one she chose she would hurt someone and the mere thought of it hurt her own heart making it heavy because she didn't want to hurt either of them. She loved being around them both but Daniel had indeed dropped the ball so to speak she had not seen him much and she felt in a way abandoned. Vlad had taken care of her, filling her days with fun and even though the gossip was indeed running rampant about how she had gone out with Vladamir and not returned til morning she did not care. It was true but they both knew nothing had happened except she had fallen asleep and he had been too nervous to wake her.

He held her tighter and her arm softly lay around his chest as she shifted her body to lay against him a little more. Her eyes remained closed as he shifted to speak to her. She smiled gently at her name. The way it rolled off his tongue. Her own name was an Amythest name, she had family there and roots that dated back some generations. But, she loved her name and she didn't care if anyone else did. She didn't care in the least bit. Her green eyes opened as he told her suddenly that he was sorry to tell her about his feelings afraid it might put her in a very hard position which it had. But she knew that it would have been hard regardless because she knew Daniel was a jealous man and she knew that when they did get married he would not like her being around other men as much and to loose Vladamir would be like losing a limb she had come to depend on. She chuckled at his last question.

"I beleive my family adores you love." she whispered softly looking into his eyes. Her eyes danced with the last word. "My sister is definatly all for you as is Lizzy. Natasha asked me all sorts of things last night she wouldn't leave me alone until I mentioned things that I had not meant to." she chuckled softly.

"My parents want me to be happy, and Seig, well he's a very hard person open up with. He always has been and is very protective of his little sisters. If anyone he's the one to win over because the rest just want me to be happy and Seig too just a bit harder than most to convince him." she said with a smile.

"And what of your family? Am I the kind of woman they would like for you?" she asked softly looking into his eyes.

He smiled, it was true her sisters seemed to adore him. They younger one was defiantly the cutest asking if he would be her brother. His parents were what worried him though not her brother. They always had final say in a marriage besides the king, it was them he had to prove himself to but to know they wished for her happiness was defiantly a relief for him.

She then asked him of his family and he could not help but chuckle. “That depends on which one you speak with” he said to her bringing himself into a more serious tone. “My brothers will adore you, they may even try and seduce you the little Casanovas they are….and my mother will just be happy to see that you make me happy” he sighed “As for father…well he wont care as long as you’re a women from sapphire…that was his only wish of me” he said almost apatheticly.

“You will like them though, my mother will try and feed you till you burst and my brothers shall most likely drive you insane with never end questions before trying to confuse you with their twin antics….I should warn you they may drive you to tear your own hair out as they did with their nanny” he said in a light chuckle. His eyes seemed to get lost in the clouds as they continued to flow by.

“Ziare…this may be a sour subject” he said knowing sooner or later they would both have to speak about it. “Can you tell me…what is it that made you fall for Lord Daniel” he sigh “It is not my place to ask such thing but I wish to know what it was…what miracle he was able to perform to get you to love him so deeply” he paused knowing this was none of his business but still he had to know just what it was that kept this man so dear in her heart even when he was not around for her.

Ziare looked up at him as he told her about his own family and what he thought they would be like with her. That his mother would love her and try to feed her too much. Ziare laughed softly as she looked over at Vladamir who was looking at her. He told her that his brothers would likely try to seduce her and she chuckled. He said his father would like her because she was sapphire and she smiled reaching up she touched his face gently. He was held to a certain life much like she was, she wished she didn't have to marry at court but could have found her own man. Though she would likely have never met the men she had and then she might have settled down with a farmer and been happy but not as rich as she was now. She looked into his eyes as he finished and then her eyes returned to the sky to just relax and just enjoy the moment with him holding her close like this as if they were together and would be forever. He then asked her a question that made her tense.

"Ummm oh.. well I.." she bit her lower lip trying to think of what was it that had made her fall head over heals for Daniel. He had been someone she had cared for a great deal.

"Well, at first it was the way he treated me. He was always such a gentlemen but more than that, he took care of me. Spent time with me. He made me laugh and smile. he made me feel as if I was his world and as you can imagine what woman wouldn't want to be the center of a man's universe." she said with a smile.

"I knew I liked him, but love was something I had never felt before. So I was at the barge ride, the King held before you came. And there, I met him and he was so mad at me. Not really at me but at the situation. You see I didn't want to be the only woman unescorted so I had asked another man, a Lord Mathew, that had been there at court with me, to be my escort. And many thought because he escorted me that we were courting which was not the case. And Daniel was so jealous he was hurt and I could see that but I had no idea that he cared so terribly much for me." she said honestly.

"He confessed that night. That he loved me. Now, i didn't, I was not ready to admit love, I wanted to make sure that it was right, I didn't want to say it and later find that I had thought it was love only to find that it was not. He asked me then and there, that night to court him. I coudln't say no, I had no reasn not to. So I accepted and we began to grow closer, but then he suddenly began to disappear right about the time the rumors started. During the masquerede he told me he was willing to quit his job with the ambassador and to be with me more, and I suppose if he did that, then things would be better between us. But can he? Does he love me enough to do that? I am not sure. He wants to meet my parents and he wants to set a wedding date as soon as possible and I.. I don't know if he has the time to love me as I wish to be loved." she finished in a soft whisper her eyes never leaving the sky.

“Lady ziare” he whispered his very words lighter then the winds as she seemed to just come out with all of this about her, about Daniel. He loved her and yet he felt he was ripping her apart from a man she seemed to want to love. He bit his lip as he thought about what could be done, he could not ask her to sever all ties with this man to be his own. He knew doing so would hurt her to much and he never wished to see her hurt especially when it came to pains of the heart

“When we return from my land….I believe it may be best I avoid you in the court” he said painfully as though some one was driving his own sword through him. “You Seem to like this Daniel…even though he parts from you you still seem able to say his name fondly” He sighed “I will give you all the time in the world to decided what it is you wish but please do not ask me to look upon you and lord Daniel as you take the time for this decision” he looked up into the sky not being able to look at her. He wanted so badly to have her but if she was torn between the to he had no idea what he could do