Sereniah

Alena smiled and knelt beside her, "its quite alright. You are just as beautiful as Meridia." Alena hand a larger piece of the bread to the older woman. "I'd like to come everyday to keep company. I'll help around the house." She took the womans hand her eyes shimmering. "I can't stay long today. I'm afraid, but with your permission I'd like Tristan to escort me home." She stood and reached into her cloak pulling aruby necklace of her mother's out and set it in the womans hand. "This belonged to my mother. If you need me at any momeny hold this and ask my name i shall know and come."

Tristan's mother held the delicate necklace in her hands, an exasperated look on her face, "Your highness... Thank you... It's so beautiful. I'll keep good care of it. I'll cherish it. I'm so blessed." She paused and admired the necklace, then looked up at Tristan with a smile. "Go, son. Escort her back to her palace. I'm sure she has much more important duties at hand." She laughed, the moment was filled with pure joy she hadn't felt in years. "Oh thank you so much. Thank you so much for everything, this is just marvelous. I can't believe this is even happening... I can't believe it all. Oh I'm going to die a happy woman for sure."

Struck by her words, Tristan drew closer to his mother, "Mother don't say that. I'm not going to let you die, not if I can help it." "We all know it's going to happen dear..." "Well I will do my best to keep you alive and well. I've always tried, I try so hard." He kissed his mother on her hand that still adorned her wedding ring, then stepped back next to Alena. Once again he looked into her eyes and felt like he was dreaming. "Princess Alena... I'd be honored to escort you back to your palace. I'm sure people are waiting for you."

"I look forward to seeing you again," she smiled and took Tristan's elbow. As they started walking, shr waited until they were out of ear shot. "My sister Princess Arinia, she has gone missing. I need your help to search for her." She looked down at the ground as they walked then up at her escort. Alena glanced back toward the house and suddenly felt bad for asking the boys assistance. "No.. nevermind.. forgive me just.. if you hear something please call for me.." She turned back toward the palace silently, deep in thought.

"Princess Arinia has gone missing? That's terrible! I can help, you know. It would be a pleasure of mine. Princess, after all you've done for me I am surely forever in your debt. Like I said, if you need anything just ask. It would be an honor to help you look for your sister." He trailed after her, unsure of whether or not she truly wanted her help.
He stumbled a little, letting his mind wander as he reflected over all of what had happened that day. The day wasn't even half way over and just look at where he was now... Practically friends with a beautiful princess that he had a crush on. This wouldn't have happened if he would've never stolen from the Baker, although he did what he had to do. Perhaps it was fate? Maybe so... The more he thought about it, the more he began to realize that he was a bit thankful for stealing. He would've never met Princess Alena if it hadn't been for committing a crime.
"Do you have any idea where she would've gone? Any idea at all? Does your father know? Give me the details. We'll find her, I promise. I'm sure she's perfectly fine wherever she is. Don't you worry." Tristan smiled warmly in attempt to comfort Princess Alena. He just didn't want to seem desperate.

"All that was left was a molten rock..," Alena looked toward Tristan. She gazed at him his dark hair....She blushed looking ahead. "I think shes at the volcano," she didnt have proof but she hoped she knew. They came to the castle gates and she turned to the boy. "Thank you for escorting me. I shall see you tomorrow." She smiled and kissed his cheek before leaving.

As Alena kissed Tristan's cheek he blushed immensely as his heart skipped a beat. "Uh.. Um.." He stammered while he rubbed the back of his neck shyly, "I'll see you tomorrow as well, my lady." He smiled once more at her beauty, and watched her go as he left. Wow. What a woman! He thought. Such beauty and graciousness like no other... He rubbed his cheek where her lips had caressed, smiling handsomely as he reminisced over what had just recently happened. Quickly, he snapped out of it. He didn't want to look like a fool, especially in public.

He began to walk home, quietly this time. He didn't stop to say hello to anyone, or try to pick up some food for the way home. He just strode by, his hands in his pockets, staring at the ground as he was lost in his thoughts. Where could Princess Arinia be? The question was played through his mind over and over like a symphony. Why would she be at the volcano? Was she kidnapped? Could she be dead? His worries and concern made him distraught. He promised himself he would return Arinia to her family if it was the last thing he'd do.

As he nearly reached his house a pain suddenly struck him in the chest, he coughed a little at first. He signed, then coughed even more. He couldn't stop. He bursted through the door, coughing like mad as he tried to find a glass to fill with water. Finally, he drank the water which quenched his dry throat. Dry throat? Chest pains? That's how it started out for his mother. A simple dry throat with some chest congestion. Next, a fever. He approached his mother and she stared at him solemnly. "Tristan. Dear, if you've got it I'm... I'm so sorry."

Tristan said nothing. Just stared into his mother's weary eyes. "I'll be okay."

Alena reached her fathers throne room. Taking a deep breath, she braced herself for the worst. "Father?" The king looked up and opened his arms to his daughter. "I was so worried. You make it seem like we accept thievery in our kingdom." Alena snuggled up in her fathers lap like she did as a young child, "oh father his mother was dying I only wanted to prove we are understanding people. Mother would have done the same thing." His face softened and he held his daughter close to him his heartbeat loud in her ear. "I know. I know."

Tristan slowly crouched down and sat on the floor as he outstretched his arms for Meridia. She clumsily walked over with an adorable smile on her face and collapsed in his arms. She placed her little arms around his neck. He smiled. There was nothing like feeling important to a small innocent child. He kissed her forehead gently as she quietly sucked on her thumb. It was a constant habit she never grew out of. Tristan's mother watched her children with teary eyes as she placed her hand on her chest and embraced the moment. She was a very emotional person, and adored her children with every fiber of her being. Tristan let out a peaceful sigh as Meridia fell asleep on his chest. Maybe things were starting to look up for the Hoult family for once.

Looking around at the house his father built, Tristan felt a sense of disappointment. It was just a plain, small, wooden house, with rotting boards and a leaky roof. The floor boards creaked with every step and the place smelled of smoke from the wood furnace. This wasn't a place for the Hoult's to live, and it wasn't especially a place to raise a child. The home was nearly decrepit from what it seemed, and surprisingly had survived through a termite infestation. He couldn't help but wonder if the Princess thought less of him for being so poor and living in such conditions. How embarrassing...

Alena laid in her bed that evening wondering aside herself what Tristan was doing. She shook her head and got up walking to ber window. I shouldnt be taking him from his family, she thought. Although she knew it was him she wanted to help her, she felt guilty. If only Arinia hadnt gone missing she could have someone to talk about it with. Arinia always understood Alena. As the princess laid back down, a new maid Flora came to check on her. After a sip of tea, Alena fell right to sleep.

Alena walked by herself through a forrest. She wandered along until she saw movement our of the corner of her eyes. She tuened and saw Arinia. "My sister," Arinia smiled. "Be not afraid. At the moment im safe. Do not come for me alone." Suddenly her sisters eyes became startled. Alena reached for her. Arinia screamed and disappeared.

Alena screamed and sit up quickly. A guard and her father ran in. "Alena! Alena my sweet daughter. Whats wrong ?" Alena shook sobbing. Arinia, she saw Arinia. I need to talk to Tristan, she thought. It never once occured to her that she had begun to trust this boy. A stranger. She stood and grabbed her cloak and took off out the door. Her father called after her. She didnt stop to explain just called over her shoulder, "I'll be back later, i promise." She turned and ran toward Tristans home.

Approaching the door, she knock cautiously. Her eyes red and her cheeks stained from the tears that still streamed down her face. Please answer, please, she mumbled. She looked around realizing exactly how late it was. Her guilt returned as she sank to her knees ahaking again.

Alena laid in her bed that evening wondering aside herself what Tristan was doing. She shook her head and got up walking to ber window. I shouldnt be taking him from his family, she thought. Although she knew it was him she wanted to help her, she felt guilty. If only Arinia hadnt gone missing she could have someone to talk about it with. Arinia always understood Alena. As the princess laid back down, a new maid Flora came to check on her. After a sip of tea, Alena fell right to sleep.

Alena walked by herself through a forrest. She wandered along until she saw movement our of the corner of her eyes. She tuened and saw Arinia. "My sister," Arinia smiled. "Be not afraid. At the moment im safe. Do not come for me alone." Suddenly her sisters eyes became startled. Alena reached for her. Arinia screamed and disappeared.

Alena screamed and sit up quickly. A guard and her father ran in. "Alena! Alena my sweet daughter. Whats wrong ?" Alena shook sobbing. Arinia, she saw Arinia. I need to talk to Tristan, she thought. It never once occured to her that she had begun to trust this boy. A stranger. She stood and grabbed her cloak and took off out the door. Her father called after her. She didnt stop to explain just called over her shoulder, "I'll be back later, i promise." She turned and ran toward Tristans home.

Approaching the door, she knock cautiously. Her eyes red and her cheeks stained from the tears that still streamed down her face. Please answer, please, she mumbled. She looked around realizing exactly how late it was. Her guilt returned as she sank to her knees ahaking again.

Tristan was sleeping soundly with his sister snuggled in his arms when suddenly a few knocks came at the door. His eyes slowly opened as he sighed. He never got much sleep anyway. He listened for more knocks. The house moaned and creaked, something scuttled on the floor. The usual. Thinking his mind was playing tricks on him he briefly closed his sleepy eyes until a few more knocks came. Slowly but surely he arose from his bed, tucked his sister back under the covers, rubbed his eyes and sauntered out of his room and over towards the front door. Nobody ever visited the Hoults, and it wasn't even more rare that someone was at his door so late. Half asleep he opened the door just a crack to see who was there. He saw no one until his eyes fell upon the Princess who was on the ground shaking.

Startled, Tristan crouched down and held the Princess close, his arms wrapped around her in comfort. "Princess Alena!" He pulled away and looked in her eyes with concern. "Whatever it is, it's okay, everything is going to be fine. What are you doing here? Has something happened to your sister? Are you hurt? Maybe you should come in before the town gets worried as well. We definitely don't need them involved. You can have some tea and explain to me what is going on. You have me so worried, Princess!"

Alena looked up into his eyes a look of fear and determination in her own. "I saw her... i saw Arinia. In my dream. She she-" a burst of sobs interrupted her sentence. She turned against Tristan hiding her face and sobbed. "I..im so sorry i.... ccame so... so late" she mumbled trying to control herself. "Im so sorey," was all she managed at a whisper.

"Shh. It's fine. You can come to me at any time you need, Princess. If you need anything you know I'm always here. Just come on in. Everything is going to be fine." Tristan gathered Princess Alena in his arms and carried her inside to the decorative bench they had near the front door. As carefully as he could he placed the lovely Princess on the bench. He could tell she was very distressed, she needed comfort and a peace of mind. He took her hand. "My lady, you needn't apologize for coming so late... Like I said I am forever in debt to you. We'll start looking for your sister at dawn, alright? She will be returned home safely."

It was then when Meridia stumbled out of Tristan's bedroom with her blonde locks a mess. She rubbed her sleepy eyes and looked around for the voice of her brother as for she hated sleeping alone. At first she didn't realize who he was talking to and as soon as Meridia saw the Princess she shyly began to suck her thumb and then stumbled into the shared bedroom with her mother.

Tristan watched his sister go, then turned back to Alena. "Would you something to drink? The only thing we really have is herbal tea. My mother makes the best when she can. It'll help you relax for sure." Frowning, he looked down at he floor. "I can't even image what this must be like for you, how stressful it must be. I'm truly sorry."

She held tightly to his hand as if letting go of it was letting go of hope. "I just want my sister back," she whispered softly her eyes staring hard arlt the ground. Alena was afraid to look him in the eyes for the fear of guilt taking over. "I feel horrible asking you away from your family." Her voice crackes as she struggled to swallow back her tears and sobbing. "They need you. I need you." Her body shook with her voice. "But your family is most important. I can ride off in search." Her mind flashed back to the dream of Arinia begging her not to come alone. What had she been through, Alenas thought brought a tear to her eyes and it fell before she could blink it away. "I... I..." Alena could not speak for she knew if she tried she'd cry once more.

"I'm not letting you go anywhere alone, Alena. Especially if this is a dangerous task. We don't exactly know what kind of trouble your sister is in. If something were to happen to you... I'd be a mess. I'd be lost in this life. Don't cry anymore." Tristan wiped a tear off of her cheek. "No more tears from those beautiful eyes, okay? My family will be just fine. Sure, they rely on me for their essentials, but if I leave here everything they need they'll be just fine. Meridia is a smart little girl, she could surely take care of her mother with a little assistance. She's going to have to learn somehow, especially if something were to happen to me." Tristan knelt down on one knee and examined her lovely features. She was beautiful, perfect even when she was upset. He placed a hand on her cheek. "Princess, look at me. I understand what you're going through. For the last time you needn't be afraid to ask me for your help. It would surely be an honor to serve you." He sighed, he felt a pain in his chest. He coughed, wheezed, then continued, "Alena... Everything is going to be fine. I promise." He glanced at her seemingly soft lips, then back into her eyes. He could get lost in them.

He felt like he was almost beginning to favor her. She was stunning to him, graceful, elegant, kind, and most certainly perfect through his eyes. The fact that she was a princess made his heart sank. She was destined to be with a prince, not some peasant like himself. He was probably the poorest peasant around, yet she was the richest. From a family of luxurious royalty, a kind that Tristan had only dreamed of. Tristan had never felt this way about anyone, but then again he never really socialized with any girls around town. This feeling was so... different. He desired to be at her side, to protect her, hold her close and never let go. He longed for the adventure with her, because just being by her side made him happy. He just wanted her to stay safe.

Alena leaned toward him and pulled herself into his arms. The closeness was comfort but the warmth was even better. Slowly she relaxed, but the more she relaxes the more she felt exhausted the weight of being tired making her shake. She rested her head on his shoulder. "Tristan," she whispered. "Stay with me... please. I cant be alone." She looked up into his eyes and tried to smile.

Tristan held her close, "Anything for you, my dear." He smiled at her and brushed a few strands of hair out of her face. "You're so beautiful, Alena. Has anyone ever told you that?"

Alena shook her head. "No one has said it and meant it." A blush spread across her cheeks. He was the attractive one not her. So why was he complimenting me, she thought. Alena tilted her head watching his eyes curiously. For a moment she forgot all her worries, and just relaxed.

Tristan glanced at her lips, feeling a sudden desire to kiss her lips. He'd never felt this way towards anyone before. Alena was just perfect. He stared into her eyes wondering if she'd even feel the same. "Well.." He smiled shyly,"Now what do you want to do? It's pretty late, Princess. Would you want to stay the night? I know my home isn't much but... You could have my bed and I could sleep on the floor."

Alena nodded, " thank you but ill take the floor. It is your home." She stood wobbling slightly from exhaustion and looked around. "Besides, if we are to go out searching, there won't be comfort. You should take the last of it you can." Alena sat still wobbling then tried again. As she stood she balanced herself against him and giggled more from exhaustion then humor. "I've never felt so unbalanced." Suddenly her body tensed and her eyes looked straight ahead. Arinia stood straight ahead a new bruis forming on her once rosey cheeks. "Alena," she whispered. "Ride south I am south. I love you and father. Please be safe." Arinia then disappeared. "Arinia!" Tears formed in Alena's eyes once more. Her sister was hurt she needed to find her.

"I'm not letting you sleep on the floor, Alena. It's really not comfortable. I insist you sleep on the bed." Tristan wrapped his arms around Alena instinctively once he saw tears in her eyes. "Sh... We'll find your sister. It's okay. Those visions you're having are an advantage at least. If you keep having them perhaps it will lead us straight to her... You're so weak Alena. Here, let's sit you down." He led her into his bedroom and sat her on his bed. "There."

Alena looks up into Tristan's gentle eyes. They calmed her so easily. Her own eyes though began to slide shut in exhaustion. She curled up, "stay with me." Her voice barely above a whisper her eyes hardly staying open. "Don't leave me alone," with the last whisper her eyes shut and she fell into a dreamless sleep.

Tristan pulled the blankets up over top of her and tucked her in, then whispered, "Goodnight Princess." He watched her peacefully sleep and suddenly felt at ease. She was beautiful indeed. Exhausted he laid down on the floor, his body stiffening due to the hard floorboards. He coughed a little, glanced up at the princess, and fell asleep quickly. What a day.

Alena woke as the sun rose. She looked down seeing Tristan. She smiled and stroked his cheek lightly careful not to wake him. "Sleep well," she whispered then got up. Alena let her hair fall down her shoulders and stepped outside. Slowly, she walked walked to a patch of sun right infront of the house and lowered to her knees. She lifted her face eyes closed as the rays fell on her. It was a beautiful day, herblack curls shimmered in the sun. It was calm and relaxing. The quiet unlike the noisy bustling if the castle. She liked the quiet much better.

Tristan woke up moments later. He rubbed his eyes and sat up slowly, his back cracking in several spots out of stiffness, "Ugh my back!" He cracked his neck, stood up and stretched and almost forgot why he woke up on the floor. He looked over at his bed. Assuming she got up and left in the middle of the night he sighed out of disappointment. "Well... I don't blame her." Slowly he sauntered over to the kitchen and ate a loaf a bread for breakfast. It wasn't much but it would do. Tristan rubbed his eyes some more, fixed his hair, and decided to change into clean clothes. Meridia came bustling out of her room with her mom and clung to Tristan. Laughing he said, "Good morning little one," and handed her a piece of bread. He ruffled her hair, then picked her up, kissing her forehead.