She was growing fonder of the couch every minute. It was so comfortable. Firmly supportive, but the cushion craddled her perfectly. It wasn't uncomfortable to keep her legs tucked up beneath her. The leather helped keep her toes warm. She was beginning to firmly decide that she should order one be shipped back home. The current couch that decorated her sitting room was well worn. It needed to be retired.
Leaning an elbow against the arm of the couch, she used her free hand to adjust the blanket on her lap. Tucked it up under her knees, and secured at her hips. That, plus the gentle heat of the stove was creating a comforting calm. She almost felt sleepy. If only she could be, it had been a restless night.
Sleep had taken her. She just didn't know when. Even with several cups of calming tea in her belly, it had done nothing. It was mental exhaustion that had extinguished the flame of consciousness. Even then, the sleep had been blank. The few hours of rest had quieted her brain, but it had left her heart sore. She still felt so fragile and confused. Especially now that she was sure a little seed of hope and anticipation had somehow planted itself in her heart.
A dull clattering pulled her attention. Placing her chin in her hand, she looked out the window. The long lush green of the training field seemed to stretch until it hugged the curve of the horizon. Even with such a large expanse, it barely contained the army that walked upon it. Each division was separated into it's own section. Scattered among them were devices of endurance. Sand pits, battle mannequins, and wooden structures.
She lazily watched the closest division. They were grouped off. Each had a solider on defense at it's center. The rest were trying their best to break through the defenses, charging all at once. By the look of their weapons, she assumed them to be part of the Berserker division. They were all duel wielding battle axes. Blurs of silver spun in the air. They caught the morning sun just as their armor did.
A particular circle caught her attention. Their dance was more aggressive than the rest. Desperate almost. The man in the middle was easily deflecting their attacks. He was like a snake. Graceful but deadly. The power behind his axes was massive enough to be visible. In growing awe she watched him obliterate the singular onslaught of his fellow berserkers. It was almost like he had eyes in the back of his head. He was already on the counter attack before he would turn. Not once did they have to reset, no one could land a blow.
She marveled at how his skill was superior to the rest. There was no doubt in her mind that he was a high ranking officer. Or part of Command rank.
The window didn't completely cut out the sound of a shrill whistle. Like a stone hitting the ground, movement instantly ceased. They were all heavily breathing, hands on their hips. Attention snapped in a direction, all heads turned. She couldn't see the person of interest. They were outside the scope of her window. Helmets started coming off. The man she'd been fascinated with removed his.
Her heart tingled up against her sternum.
It was the Prince. Prince John.
She reveled in what a strange coincidence it was that it was he who she'd been watching. Lady Fate was toying with her, tantalizing her brain. She shifted forward, as if it getting closer to the window would help her see him better. His brows were furrowed. Heaving for air as he sat his helmet on his hip with one arm. His axes hung from straps on his other hand. He rolled his neck, closed his eyes, and hung his head back. It seemed like he was either soaking up the sun or thanking the gods for relief. Even with a look of exhaustion on his face with matted sweaty hair, he still looked handsome.
“What has caught your attention?”
She jumped in her skin. Gledora was raising an eyebrow at her when she snapped her head. She was holding a metal pot by the handle. Steam was snaking from it's spout. Two white mugs hung off of fingers in her other hand. Her curious smile made it impossible to keep the heat off her face. Gledora offered her a mug. She broke eye contact as she took it. Obediently she held still as hot water was poured over an assortment of dried herbs.
“I was simply watching morning drills.” She quietly mumbled.
Gentle warmth began seeping through the earthenware and into her palms.
“I doubt morning drills would hold your interest that keenly.” Gledora flatly responded.
She bit her lip in embarrassment, wishing she could hide behind her cup of tea. Heat was traveling up to her ears. She covertly watched Gledora pour herself a cup. The the pot was then placed on top on a square cloth on the surface of the coffee table. Sitting a cushion away from her, she could hear her blowing across the tea. She did the same.
“I was…I was admiring the Prince.” She quietly admitted.
“Which one?”
“The one from my vision.”
Gledora snorted.
“You sure that is him you are seeing, and not just a trick from the sleep deprivation of your mind?” Her voice was almost teasing.
“I am in no doubt it is him,” She paused to look out the window, “His face is impossible to forget.”
He was still in the same spot, but his focus had returned to join everyone else's. Face was more relaxed and his mouth was no longer parted to inhale.
Gledora softly laughed, “What thoughts has your mind conjured in the night?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, has any part of your opinions been altered?”
“What is there to alter?”
“L'Lea,” Her tone changed to gentle chiding,“I am a mother of two youths, do not go in circles with me. My question would not have brought such color to your face had something not changed.”
She was found out. With a soft sigh, she adjusted the cup into one hand. Her fingertips were warmer that usual as she rubbed the bubbling feelings under her sternum. For a long minute she watched him. They were beginning to intermingle. Reformulating groups. It took some concentration to keep her eye on him.
“Is it foolish to say I find myself cautiously eager for our relations to begin?” She almost whispered.
“I do not see why that would be a form of folly.”
A silence before Gledora spoke again.
“Do you desire him?”
She finally sipped at her tea, trying to put her gut response into words. The tangy sweetness of it played across her tongue as she thought.
“Yes…I do. Even though he is a stranger, it feels as if I am intimately attached to him. The desire, to find love and to give it, that was buried so long ago, has been resurrected. Lady Fate finally giving me the opportunity is creating anticipation. It sings within me.” She quietly divulged.
Gledora thoughtfully hummed. Prince John slipped his helmet back on, and he was lost to her. He blended in with the rest of his comrades. With a sigh, she sipped her tea. Her attention was back at her handmaid. Gledora was blankly staring across the room. The lip of the mug held against her chin. Her nails lightly tapped the material.
“Do you intend to inform him?”
“At this point, no. It was only one vision, and it gave no clues as to how it will begin.”
Gledora glanced at her.
“Will you attempt to gain more visions from him?”
She quickly shook her head, “No, I could barely handle the first.”
“But it may help ease your disturbance to have more context of your involvement.”
She took another sip of her tea.
“The Welcome Banquet is tonight. It would be a grand opportunity to interact with him.” Gledora added.
Her heart skipped.
“No…”
Gledora snorted again, “You are eager to begin relations but refuse to engage.”
She gave her a look of distress.
“My nerves will have me make a fool of myself!” She argued.
“That is not true.”
“It truely is! How am I to keep sane when all I will be able to think of is how I lay under him in erotic satisfaction as his lover? I will have nothing to say!” She nearly exclaimed.
Gledora outright laughed.
“L'Lea, you will have more than enough to say. You are far too old to be letting your emotions overpower your logic.”
She pouted as she looked into her cup.
“Love is illogical.” She huffed.
“So it is, but that is no excuse to avoid something that creates both fear and excitement within you.”
She sighed, forcing her fingers harder into her chest. Her nails began to dig into her skin.
“Maybe I am different, but when I found myself experiencing what you are now, I could not withhold myself. I had to pursue Nimue. It made me unable to rest until she was mine.” Gledora said.
“I could never be so bold.” She whispered.
“That is not final. You may feel differently in the future.”
“I do not know…”
She looked up when Gledora shifted.
“Regardless, it would behoove you to logically approach this conundrum. I highly encourage you to at least interact with him once this evening.”
Her eyes were flicking back and forth between hers. It almost made her feel like a child under such a gaze. The emotions and apprehension made her feel foolish. She had to admitt to herself that she was being completely illogical. Even so, she wasn't going to cave so easily. Another sip of her tea as she looked out the window again to escape her stare.
“If circumstances arise, I will take the opportunity. If not, I will leave the subject where it lies.” She slowly replied.
Gledora snorted a laugh.
“At times it escapes me how stubborn you are.”
That made her half giggle, “It would be a shame to make your role too easy.”
Gledora chuckled outright.
“How regrettable.”
They both laughed in unison. She swirled the now half empty cup of tea. She let her eyes travel over the field of soliders. Wondering where he was. A part of her wished she could watch him battle again.
“Do you wish to visit the city before this evening?” Gledora asked.
She could feel and hear her getting up from her seat. A long moment of pondering her question.
“I suppose. There is nothing of interest to entertain me here.” She replied with indifference.
“It is just as well. My children made me promise to aquire human trinkets and sweets for them. I should fulfill the request before our time becomes occupied. Let us get ready.”
A nod and she tipped her mug. With the last drop gone, and spent herbs left alone at it's base, Gledora whisked the cup from her hand. She pulled the blanket from her lap. A quick fold and it was hung from the armrest. She stood. With a smile of thanks, she walked to her room.

~~~

“Your frame has been thinning.” Gledora mumbled.
She watched her pluck at her dress in the washroom mirror. Her fingers shifted the pale pink satin that hung from bare shoulders. Strings tugged a structured bustier tighter around her ribs. It did very little to perk what little bust she had. Even though it was useless, Gledora tried to arrange the loose fabric that fell in tasteful pleats from the base of the basque waist. It was going to flow around her in any fashion it wished when she started walking again.
“It is your imagination.” She countered.
Gledora stopped to give her a sharp look of amusement through the reflection.
“Are you intent on disagreeing with me today, no matter how trivial?” Her tone was softly chiding.
She lightly laughed.
“I promise it is not intentional.”
Gledora grunted a hum, and returned to her nit picking.
“At least wear the pearls.” She gently urged.
“The dress is enough.”
“It needs accent.”
“It is beautiful on it's own.”
Another grunted hum. She could barely hear her mumble of complaint.
“…worse than Ela'thay...”
That made her giggle.
“Do you not enjoy being reminded of your daughter?”
Gledora visibly rolled her eyes in the mirror. It had her giggling further. Her visage disappeared momentarily. She returned with brush in hand. With a practiced touch, she had her hair parted to the side, pulled over one shoulder, with a small decorative braid pinned behind her ear to hold it in place.
“At least you do not fidget. My youngest insists on exaggerated animation when I attempt to primp her for any occasion.” Gledora sighed.
Even with that being said, a more affectionate smile spread across Gledora's lips. She knew she was fondly thinking of her children. She was sure she missed them.
A gesture, and she obediently turned to face her. With a once over, she was deemed ready with a nod. She stepped from the washroom. From over her shoulder she caught a glimpse of Gledora making last minute adjustments if her wardrobe. There wasn't much to be done. Her purple peplum dress laid perfectly on her figure. It's hem flowed down to the floor just as hers did. The dress made her look incredibly regal.
Quickly behind her, they exited their quarters. Two hundred cycles had drastically changed the castle. She obediently followed behind Gledora as she navigated. But even she was unsure of herself. They chanced upon an butler. He happily granted their request of guiding them to the ballroom. With him at the forefront, she took in more of the castle architecture she had missed in her distressed state from the day before.
Humans seemed to favor crisp lines and sharp angles. Deep granite colored bricks for walls gave the place the look of impenetrability. The solid feel of it was broken up with arched windows of stained glass. Long plush rugs, gaudy lamp mounts, and endless paintings. There was not a single plant to be found.
The ballroom was almost the same. It only boasted of finer materials. Plastered walls hand painted with scenes of prosperity, epic battles, and royal lineage. Square tiles repeated patterns along the floor. No chandeliers, but bowl like lamps hanging equidistant from each other. They cast a bright gold glare across everything. It made the fine porcelain dishes sparkle. Buffet tables were buried in food. Barely any space left on their surfaces. Large ‘L’ shaped bar boasted a group if bartenders. Countless alcohol bottles were their back drop.
It was already so crowded. Just keeping an eye in Gledora became a game. At times she would vanish. It was too loud to call out to her. Instead she kept pressing forward. Deeper and deeper they delved into the joyous chatter and compacted bodies. It became stifling.
She caught a glimpse of him.