Guardian Elves

Mereneth gave her sister a look and laughed a little. "No!! Nothing! We just....just danced! And then I gave him a tour!" she laughed again.

"Riiiiiight," Monique giggled: "I'll take that, sure..."
Mereneth rolled her eyes as Monique commented:
"I eavesdropped on you two--for SOME MYSTERIOUS REASON that I CERTAINLY COULDN'T GUESS; you were talking about loved onessss."

Mereneth gasped and closed her book. "You were eavesdropping?! Moniiiiiiique!!!" she crossed her arms. "That's so rude!!" then she giggled a little. "Okay, okay....yes we were. But it wasn't anything like that! He was...just asking me if I had someone special in mind...that's all." she blushed.

"And next he'll casually bring up the subject of what kind of man you'll want to marry," Monique joked: "Mereneth, why won't you admit that he likes you?"
She smiled teasingly:
"AND WHY don't you admit that you like him?"

Mereneth blushed and looked down. "B-because...um..." she crossed her arms. "I don't know if I really like him yet! We've only known eachother for a couple days Monique!!"

"That's true," Monique admitted: "You know, to be quite honest, part of me doesn't trust him--or at least, how he CAME here."

Mereneth leaned forward and blinked. "W-what do you mean?" she muttered quietly.

Monique shrugged:
"The Ice Witch is incredibly powerful; she could've caught Shoun if she wanted to. Part of me's wondering if she let him get away so he can--get to us."
Monique shuddered a little, as she wrapped the shawl around her shoulders tightly against the cold.

Mereneth's eyes widened and she stared down at her lap. "That....that could be possible...but..." she brought her legs up to her chest and also shivered. "We just have to hope the opposite." she mumbled.

"Well, this is the only time I hope I'm wrong..." Monique commented: "Well, you better get some sleep."
She hugged her sister, and said her good nights, while secretly planning to sneak off elsewhere.

Mereneth watched her go, then got up and quitely walked over to her window, looking out at the night sky, the starts shining bright. She closed her eyes and sighed.

Monique quietly sneaked out of the castle---it took some doing because of all the guards, as well as stairwells, and tunnels, but she managed.
She drew her hood tightly over her head, as she took one last look at the castle. Monique swallowed nervously as she ran out of sight (she didn't want to take any of the horses, because all horses speak in this realm, and they might've tattled on her to her family).

Mereneth opened her eyes, then saw some movement down below. She stuck her head out the window and watched as a cloaked person ran away from the castle. Mereneth blinked. I wonder who that is...?

Monique could feel eyes watching her; she hurried her pace. Finally she was in the village--after passing through the village, she managed to get out side the city gates where someone was waiting for her.
"Hello Monique," An attractive man's voice addressed her from the shadows.
Monique's eyes brightened as she sighed.
"Hello Peter!"
He ran out of the shadow of the trees, as she skipped to him, and they hugged each other--shortly after they softly kissed.
"I've missed you!" Monique sighed softly as they held eachother.
"I've missed you more, my dear," he whispered back: "I wish I could see you more often, but," He managed a sad laugh: "Your family doesn't approve of me."
Monique laughed in disgust:
"I know...they maybe the wisest elves in Melas-Notsniw, but they don't know everything."
Unknown to her, a nasty smile crawled onto Peter's mouth, as he held her close.
His thoughts laughed evilly:
"They certainly don't, Monique--and they'll never know what's going to hit them!"

Mereneth couldn't sleep so she grabbed a candle and walked outside of her room quitely, then went down the hall to the library. I need a new book anyways. She smiled and opened the big oak door slowly, then went inside and her heart soared as she saw bookshelves, upon bookshelves of books. They had the biggest library in the kingdom, two floors of nothing but books. Mereneth smiled and walked farther in. She had a place set up for herself by one of the tall windows when she just wanted to get away from everything and read. Mereneth giggled a little as she saw piles of books by the comfty chair she sat in. She sat in the chair and put the candle on the windowsill, then picked up a book.

Monique sighed as she looked into Peter's eyes, and he placed his hand on her cheek.
"So, my darling," He quietly cooed: "What has been going on around the castle?"
Monique tweeted sweetly.
"Nothing really--a sort-of stranger named Shoun is staying with us," She giggled: "I think he likes Mereneth."
"REALLY now?" Peter's voice perked with interest: "Please tell me more."
********
Shoun couldn't sleep at all tonight. He tossed, turned, and tried to sleep, tossed and turned and tried to sleep, and for a change of pace: turned, tossed, and tried to sleep.
Finally, he threw the covers back, and began to wonder around the castle...
Coincidentally, he went into the library where he found Mereneth quietly reading by candlelight.
"Hello!" He greeted her softly: "What are you doing up?"

Mereneth looked up in surprise. "Oh!! Shoun!" she laughed a little and marked her page, then closed the book. "Just reading. I couldn't sleep so I came to read. As always." she smiled. "What about you? Can't sleep?"

Shoun yawned as he stretched:
"Yes--even though I'm exhausted, I can't sleep a wink."
He sat down on the floor, and looked at her sleepily.
"So, what are you reading?"
********
"Well, I can just tell that they both like eachother, although they won't admit it." Monique giggled: "I think they might fall in love soon."
Peter's voice smiled:
"How sweet...anything else?"
Monique hummed in thought:
"Not that I can think of...why?"
"Just wondering...after all, your family does involve you; therefore it makes them important to me."
Monique's voice melted:
"Thank you."
He quietly smirked to himself; this lovesick fool was so easy to manipulate.
"Well, I have to go now, my love."
"So soon?" Monique sounded hurt.
"Yes...I'm sorry." His lips pressed hers, as he whispered: "Good bye, my sweet--until we meet again."
She hugged him tightly:
"Good bye, my dear."
And then, their paths parted.

Mereneth held up the book's title so he could see. "Just a random book." she laughed, then remembered what Monique said about Shoun and she looked down, lowering her book. 

Shoun frowned:
"Something wrong?"

Mereneth's eyes widened and she put on a smile. "N-no!! Nothing's wrong!!" she laughed. "Just kinda bored since I can't go to sleep."

Shoun frowned in suspicion; she was disturbed by him, and he felt it.
"You don't trust me, do you?"

Mereneth sighed. "I do...but someone else doesn't." she muttered quietly. She smiled a little. "I mean, I DO trust you....it's just all a little confusing right now I guess."

Shoun looked away, offended and hurt:
"I should've known I wasn't truly welcome here..." He looked back at her, and stood up: "Clearly Alexander and I have imposed on your hospitality far too long. Give your family our thanks, but don't tell them until we're gone...I don't want them to keep me a prisoner any longer!"

Mereneth gasped and reached out, grabbing his hand. "NO!!!!!" she said a little too loud. She winced. "I-I mean..." she blushed and let go of his hand. "I...please...uh...." she swallowed hard. "Don't go..."