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It was hard to tell how long they sat there, Y'roden was more than
content and completely lost in Silverthorn's soul. He took great
comfort in their ability to do just this, in the knowledge that he
could find peace simply in her presence. Someday, when he ascended the
throne, she would be his Queen. He would need that quiet comfort
desperately then, when the weight of the world sat on his shoulders.
"Marry me?," he asked without thinking, the words out of his mouth
before he fully comprehended what he was saying.
Startled, Silverthorn's eyes opened abruptly, her gaze
going to his face. Her thoughts were in complete disorder and she
barely managed to stop herself from gaping at him stupidly. Trying to
get a grip on her brain again she said, "are you sure?" She knew that
was probably a stupid question but she couldn't help it. When she was
young she had envisioned her future as one that included a husband,
children, family. She had given up on those notions a long time ago and
had never since expected to marry, or even to be asked. This was
possibly the one man for whom she might even consider the idea again
though.
Rather startled himself, Y'roden gazed
back at Silverthorn for a moment, his expression dead serious. "Wait,"
he said, "Let me do this properly." Sliding his arm under her legs he
rose, lifting Silverthorn with him. He settled her into the chair they
had been seated in and knelt down on one knee in front of her. Taking
her hand he caught her gaze as his free hand closed in on itself, the
soft green glow of his magic shining through Ro's fingers as he called
something forth. A family heirloom that had been tucked away for a very
long time. He opened his palm and flipped the ring up between his thumb
and index finger.
He smiled then, the expression in his eyes full of love and the most
important question he had ever asked anyone. "Arianne, will you do me
the honor of becoming my wife?"
For a moment Silverthorn sat there in stunned silence,
unable to speak. She loved him so much, how could she possibly say no?
An almost shy smile crossed her face, "yes" she said. Her tone was
almost a whisper.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
....Y'roden's eyes slid open rather sleepily and he watched Silverthorn
study the ring. The emerald sparkled softly in the firelight, its hue
the same shade as Y'roden's iris'. "It's an heirloom," he said in a
whisper, "Passed down through my Amil's side of the family. It was made
from the D'riel emerald itself, fashioned when they shaped the stone
into the object of power it is now."
He reached out and touched her finger, "The ring is a
symbol of the D'riel line, of their strength, loyalty and
perserverance. We have been the Kings of S'hea since time immemorial.
You are inheriting a family along with me you know, and you will have
to forgive them ahead of time. They are a closely networked bunch, and
they will dote on you a bit."
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