Tricked-Cara, Tiggi and oO Renn Oo

Reine exchanged kind words with the doctor followed by the doctor sitting Micaiah down and tending to her leg, to avoid the effort of walking. He had all the apropriate things in the pharmacy that Reine had run to retrieve. All too soon Micaiah had a bound leg and crutch. reine smiled sympathetically and sat down by her feet. Tying the binding to a close she cut it and gave the rest back to the doctor. She gave him three pieces which he gratefully recieved before returning back to his work, wishing a safe journey.

Otal bowed deeply to the woman, his face a handsome mask. She curtseyed before offering him her hand which he kissed. He could only see Elincia in his mind even though this womans beuty was overwhelming. They dined peacefully, her laughing at his subtle jokes and he being a gentleman and pretending to admire her. She was vulgar and naive. his mouth twisted with contempt when she wasn't looking.
After eating they strolled by the river. She held his hand lovingly. Obviously she had formed a brilliant attraction for him already. Then the subject he knew had been on her mind all day came forward, "So, we are to be married." she said proudly. He turned his head and nodded once. "You are happy aren't you?" she asked him, suddenly tears in her eyes. He felt like laughing. Her childish nature amused him awfully. He composed his face and brushed away her tears "Of course my love. It seems we have belonged togther for eternity." he lied. these words were meant for another. Their wedding was planned soon enough. He only complied because he wished to be a god. He wished to keep his life. She was with him morning and night for weeks on end. Caressing him and giggling. He hated her. He wished to see Elincia again.
One day many weeks later he went to the riverbank and opened a blue crystal, dropping fairy dust into the inside. It would sing of his love for Elincia when it found her. He threaded a silver chain through it and dropped it in the river. It would find his true love. The next day he was to be married. The day his life would be ruined.

Micaiah wasn't surprised when Elincia told her that she and Aidan were not to be married. She knew there was something more to it, but she did not worry. Autum came, and so did their seventeenth birthday. It was a beautiful day. Elincia was at her happiest and that meant that Micaiah was too. After a month. Elincia wanted to move away into her own home. Micaiah found this a bit strange, but she trusted Elincia, and so she moved a few villages away. Micaiah stayed with Reine on the farm.

After a few days in her own house, Elincia decided to look for Otal. She ran along the wide river, and saw a crystal floating in the water. Elincia picked it up and opened it. It sang of love to her. Tears fell from her eyes as she closed it. Otal? He must be nearby... She ran into the woods.

*I'm leaving RPM for a while. Soz. You can use Marina, but please don't kill her... I'm planning on comming back one day (in a couple of months, probably...*

The night was darkening but Otal didn't move from the riverbank. His soon to be wife came to find him, her dress flowing behind her and her face a picture of sunlight. He got up and walked towards her. She put her hand to his face. He stiffened but kept his face composed. "What is wrong my love?" she asked him gently, resting her head on his shoulder. He fought against the temptation to throw her to the river and wrapped his arm's around her. It felt so wrong. He shhok his head and said "I was marvelling at how your beauty even outdoes the sky and the river. She laughed shrilly and sank into his arms. He took her ahdn and led her away, into the forest. He heard the tramping of feet and looked around. "Who is it Otal? I'm scared." she said clutching his cloak. He couldn't help himself, he laughed loudly and scornfully. She looked at him in surprise and pushed herself away from him. "That was a wicked thing to do my love!Wicked! You apologize or we shall not be married tomorrow!" she said like a child. He muttered a curse then said "My love, I am sorry. The nnight air is getting to me, believe me when I say that is all it is! Now go inside. Await me in the dining hall." he said and she believed him. She rushed away justas Otal turned around to see the bushes rustling.
Elincia.

Elincia ran up to Otal and put her arms around him. Her lips touching his. 'Otal! I have missed you so much!' She told him letting go. 'I am Seventeen now! And...Oh Otal it is so good to see you!' Tears of happiness ran down her pale cheeks.

Otal looked over his shoulder and was relieved to see the princess had disappeared. He released Elincia's arm's from around him and stepped back. "Elincia, don't cry." he said, too harshly. "You have to go. Much has happened... You must know that I do feel. Only for you I feel! But I cannot marry you." he said and looked away into the trees.

'What?' Elincia asked wiping away her tears. 'You Tricked me didn't you?' She took a few steps backwards. 'I cant beilive it! How Could you!' Elincia turned on her heel and ran.

Micaiah felt the stab of sadness in Elincia. 'Reine something is bothering me...'

Otal squared his shoulders and thought that her bitterness must be for the best. He looked down upon her and was almost forced to shift his gaze as he saw the sorrow in her eyes. "Elincia, I have not tricked you..." he lyed, "There are people around who are a threat to you. You must leave for my family have threatened my position. It is of great importance, as are you... but I must choose one." he said, keeping all traces of saddness from his voice even thought they were almost bursting from his lips. "I'm sorry" he said then turned and walked away.

Elincia ran, not knowing where she was going. After awhile, she stopped by a stream. Elincia pulled her boots of and dunked her warm feet into the icy cold water. Where did I go wrong...?

Otal saw his brother at the palace staring down at the river. He followed his gaze but saw nothing. When he looked back his brother was gone.

The brother, Arienor, knew the most beautiful women in the kingdom was the princess. How he envied Otal who was to marry her, who didn't even love her. Then for the first time, he beheld a beauty that was almost that of the princess. Not an external beauty of smooth skin and golden ringlets, but that of an inner beauty. He flew down the steps his cape flying behind him and flew down to the river. He stood opposite the girl. His heartbeat quickened as he took her in. "Why are you here alone, beauty?" he asked her tenderly.

*I think it would be cool if he fell in love with Elincia. Before he loved the princess but he should get married to the princess in the end.*

*Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. Should Elincia like him a little too?*

Elinica jumped. She pulled her feet out of the water, and pulled her boots back on. 'Oh well...I was just sitting here thinking about how unlucky I am with men...' Elincia told him as she stood up. 'I think I will be going now...'

*Yeah, but probably not as much as she likes Otal but he'll love her more than he loves the princess. Otal loves her loads more than the princess. He doesn't even like the princess*

Arienor laughed softly then followed her on the other side of the river as she walked upstream. "Please," he said "Won't you tell me your name? I believe if I don't know it I will never be content in my eternity of living." he said and stopped walking. His golden hair glowed in the sunset and his athletic body stood dominnt as a silouette. He waited expectantly. Who was this brilliant creature? he thought.

Otal found his lady waiting inside, leaning gently against the arm of a sofa. He sighed and sat down. She leant on him and caressed his cheek. He looked up at her and said "I don't deserve you..." very softly. She laughed and sat down beside him, putting her head on his shoulder. What he meant was that he didn't deserve anyone, especcially not Elincia. But of course he didn't say this.

Elincia looked up at the man. 'Elincia' She told him. 'And yours?' She brushed her silver hair out of her face. Elincia wrapped her cloak further around her.

Micaiah felt no more sadness. 'Oh...Don't worry.' She turned back to the farm work.

Arienor atepped over the river, gently and offered his hand to Elincia. "I mean no harm, Elincia. I only wish to help you. You must be very far from home. I know there are no villages or singular houses for miles. Please, come inside. I will find you something to eat. With that he took her hand and lead her into the palace. Food was soon laid down on the table and he offered Elincia a seat.
"It's a pity my brother can't dine tonight. I'm sure you two should have got on splendidly." He said seating himself by the window. He didn't think it a pity really. He and the young girl need not be blighted by Otal tonight. "Perhaps not though... He is the joker of the pack I suppose." he said and sighed, flipping his watch in his hand.

Otal felt the presence of his brother and looked into the dinner hall from the sofa. He was talking to somone but Otal didn't care who. He couldn't see this person and they couldn't see him so there was no need to worry. his fiancee had gone up to bed and he was alone with his thoughts.

*I don't know what you think, but maybe Arienor and Micaiah get together?*

Elincia smiled. He was nothing like Otal, in looks and personality, but she noticed a small trace that made them alike. 'I cannot stay long. People will wonder where I have gone, and then my sister will come looking for me.' Elincia sighed. 'I'm sure I would have got on well with your brother...Are you related to Otal at all?' She asked him.

Arienor smield and said "Yes, he's my brother" then said "But, yes. It's best that you get home. But I'm sure that it is my duty to escort you home as the night is darkening" he said and offered her his arm to walk back through the woods. He lighted a torch and held it to the air as thay stepped through the forest.

*yeah.... I'm not sure because then the princess wouldn't have anyone. Because i thought originally that he loved the princess - but it would be better for him and Micaiah to get together wouldn't it?*

*Whatever you think is best*

'I am sure you would get on well with my twin Micaiah. She is very much like you...' Elincia told him. 'Thankyou very much, but I think I will walk the rest alone.' She stopped, hesitated and then said 'You...you are nothing like Otal...'

*Your ideas best!! ^^*

Arienor smiled and said "Your right. I am nothing like him... I will leave you here them, miss. But I must tell you I will never forget your beauty." he said and kissed her hand. he then left her, but waited until his highly trained ears heard her back to the road.

Elincia reached the road, and looked back before walking back to the cottage. I must tell Micaiah and Reine where I have been She thought. Elincia felt like she should be happy that she was now not under Otal's spell, but she really wanted to sit and cry.

Arienor tripped happily home, wondering about the mysterious Elinica. He reached the hall and spotted Otal. "My brother, I have just met the most curious young woman." Otals head snapped up and questioned his soul. "Never mind.." muttered Arienor and turned the other way.

Otal sprinted back to the road, just to see a last glimpse of her. He saw her soft hair sway in the wind, then she was gone. Otal returned home to his princess.

*Happy Birthday, yesterday!*

Micaiah saw her sister through the kitchen window. 'Elincia?' She said aloud. The snow fell heavily outside, but she did not stop to get a cloak. Micaiah's feet left small footprints that were soon covered over. She grabbed her twins cold hands. 'What happened? What haven't you told me?' She asked her. 'Don't think that I can't tell. I am your twin!'

Elincia looked into Micaiah's golden eyes. 'I...I moved because...Otal. He told me not to tell you, and he tricked me!'

Arienor pledged to himself that when the daylight came he would find elincia to see if she was safe at home.

Reine sat on the staircase listening worriedly to Elinica and Micaiah. She tip toed gently to the door and peered round into the kitchen "Is everything okay?" she asked timidly.

Micaiah shook her head. 'Elincia went to see Otal.' Elincia realized how stupid she had been. 'I'm sorry...he...he told me not to tell anyone...' she told them between her sobs. 'Why? Why after everything?'

Reine came forward shook her head sadly. "Don't blame yourself. His gift is trickery." she said and decided to make a brew to help sadness. She picked some fennel, rosehips and went to collect the honey from the bees. She ground the herbs and put them in a mug, sprinkling them with fairy dust. She then added hot water and stirred in the honey. It was to encourgae optimism and happiness. She handed it to Elincia and told her to drink it while it was still warm. She smiled kindly and wondered whether she should leave. Perhaps it was a personal moment for Micaiah and Reine. She began to sing one of her songs and left to go outside. She told them she was going to collect the gingerchants while there was still daylight. She rode along a path scanning the side of the paths for rare plants. She managed to pick three and place them in her basket. When she was ready to turn back she came across a familiar face. Arienor. She smiled with delight at seeing her old friend and his face lit up at seeing her. They embraced and exchanged welcomes. Eventually Reine convinced him to come to the farm the next day. He grudgingly agreed while saying that life at the palace wasn't quite right.
Reine set off home in high spirits, bobbing along merrily on her mare. When she reached the farm she sat down in the moonlight for a few moments. There wasn't a cloud in the sky now, the night had cleared with her happy spirits. She entered through the front door and smiled at her firneds. She hoped everyone had cheered up.

Elincia sipped the drink slowly. When it was gone, she stood up. Micaiah put her arms around her. 'I think I have an idea...' Micaiah told Elincia. 'Now that he knows that you are here, Otal will not stop until you have come to nothing...then he will choose another victim. You must leave. Just for awhile. Then I can pretend to be you. I can say that I, you have gone away. When Otal comes I will hurt him...' Elincia realized how different she and Micaiah really were. She nodded. 'Where shall I go?' Elincia asked. 'To our half siblings...' Micaiah helped Elincia pack, then took their horse out of the stables. Elincia mounted and smiled as she saw Reine. Then rode out onto the road. Micaiah walked over and told Reine where Elincia was going, and of the plan.