Post by Gareth Trakand on Feb 23, 2022 4:21:33 GMT
The morning light streamed into his room as Gareth pulled open the curtains on the window. While he gazed out upon the Rashai ranch, he recalled how it had been a week since Sunday. He’d stopped shutting himself into his room and started to busy himself with helping out in the kitchens or drawing in his sketchbook. He was suppressing his pain with any distraction he could. It was perhaps not the healthiest tactic, but it was the only way the man knew how to cope at the moment. He also spent more time with Ishara, Elaira, and Taivin, though things were awkward between him and Taivin. But Gareth tried his best to repair their bond and not feel guilty when he looked at the man. Which thus far was proving to be a difficult feat.
Just the day before, Ishara had mentioned the prospects of returning home. Although he missed his parents, Andor, his horse, and his room, Gareth was also terrified of facing his parents after everything he’d done. Would they be ashamed of him?! Or Angry?! Or Scared?! Perhaps they’d disown him and toss him into the streets! No. They’d never do that. But regardless of their response, he couldn’t help but be a touch unwilling to find out how they might react. Going home meant facing everything that happened. It meant admitting his faults to the rest of the world, and he was not ready for that. He sighed then walked over to the bed to start getting dressed. He might not desire to face the world, but he also knew that he couldn’t hide away at Taivin’s home forever either. At least today, Gareth would have a wonderful distraction from needing to make a decision. A smile lit on his face from merely thinking about it.
He darted excitedly down the stairs and into the kitchen, where the main cook, Rosela Velyan, waited for him. She had everything sitting out that he’d asked for a few days before, and the two went straight to work preparing a few goodies for the picnic he had planned. Once the food was ready, they packed it all into a basket, along with a bottle of wine and a bouquet of wildflowers he’d picked while the chicken was roasting. Gareth then handed it off to a servant he’d convinced to help him pull off his surprise. The boy would set up the spot Gareth had discussed with him while the young royal headed back upstairs to bathe and dress in something a touch finer than his everyday wear. He checked over his appearance in the mirror, adjusted his coat, then headed out to find Elaira. She was sitting in the parlor reading a book. The sunlight from the window cascaded around her like a radiant shawl. And Elaira’s rose-gold tresses were pinned up in tight ringlets, while the blue dress she wore brought out the color in her gray-blue eyes. She curled her lips up into a warm smile, and honestly, he couldn’t help but compare her look to a beautiful portrait one might behold in a museum. He almost hated to disrupt her, but he walked across the room and sat next to her anyway.
“Good morning Ellisande, I apologize for disturbing you, but I was hoping that you’d perhaps join me for a ride? There’s a beautiful lake that I came across the other day that I’d love to share with you.”
Gareth was delighted when she agreed to join him, especially since he’d put so much effort into his surprise for her but also because he was looking forward to finally being alone with her. Unfortunately, they were torn apart before exploring their newfound feelings, so it was about time Gareth rectified that. She linked her arm with his before the pair strolled out to the stables, where two horses were already saddled and waiting for them. And after he helped Elaira onto her horse, they rode off towards the lake. They conversed about the beauty of Saldaea and how much inspiration it provided both of them in their latest drawings. Gareth even joked about one of his plant drawings looking a bit suggestive until he fixed it. He hadn’t laughed like this since the holiday. Being with Elaira always filled him with pure happiness, and he was grateful to have her back in his life. She eased the anguish of his past with her goodness and light. It was another reason he had no desire to return to Andor yet because that would mean parting ways with her once more.
At last, the lake came into view, and Gareth brought his borrowed stead to a halt, motioning for her to do the same. Once she did, the young royal climbed out of the saddle before he assisted her down to the ground with a quaint smirk.
“Now, I need you to trust me here and close your eyes. I have a surprise for you.”
Once again, she agreed, and he lovingly covered her eyes with his hands. Gareth then led her carefully towards a spot under a sizeable flowering willow tree near the water. Laid out beneath the tree was a large red blanket and matching pillows along with the basket he’d prepared beside it. In the basket was the wine, a variety of cheeses, fruits, a roasted chicken, two honey cakes, and the flowers he picked. He was pretty pleased and grateful to the boy who’d set everything up for him. He’d have to thank the lad again when they returned. But for now, he stood Elaira perfectly in front of the spread before revealing it to her.
“Surprise, my dear. I felt that we’d earned a day to ourselves, and so I set this all up so we could do just that. I hope you like it.” He fetched the wildflowers from the basket and handed them to her. “These are for you. For always being the light in my life.” Gareth then cupped her cheek with his hand before he leaned in and gently kissed her upon the mouth. After their lips parted, he nuzzled his nose against her neck as he whispered into her ear, “I love you.”
Just the day before, Ishara had mentioned the prospects of returning home. Although he missed his parents, Andor, his horse, and his room, Gareth was also terrified of facing his parents after everything he’d done. Would they be ashamed of him?! Or Angry?! Or Scared?! Perhaps they’d disown him and toss him into the streets! No. They’d never do that. But regardless of their response, he couldn’t help but be a touch unwilling to find out how they might react. Going home meant facing everything that happened. It meant admitting his faults to the rest of the world, and he was not ready for that. He sighed then walked over to the bed to start getting dressed. He might not desire to face the world, but he also knew that he couldn’t hide away at Taivin’s home forever either. At least today, Gareth would have a wonderful distraction from needing to make a decision. A smile lit on his face from merely thinking about it.
He darted excitedly down the stairs and into the kitchen, where the main cook, Rosela Velyan, waited for him. She had everything sitting out that he’d asked for a few days before, and the two went straight to work preparing a few goodies for the picnic he had planned. Once the food was ready, they packed it all into a basket, along with a bottle of wine and a bouquet of wildflowers he’d picked while the chicken was roasting. Gareth then handed it off to a servant he’d convinced to help him pull off his surprise. The boy would set up the spot Gareth had discussed with him while the young royal headed back upstairs to bathe and dress in something a touch finer than his everyday wear. He checked over his appearance in the mirror, adjusted his coat, then headed out to find Elaira. She was sitting in the parlor reading a book. The sunlight from the window cascaded around her like a radiant shawl. And Elaira’s rose-gold tresses were pinned up in tight ringlets, while the blue dress she wore brought out the color in her gray-blue eyes. She curled her lips up into a warm smile, and honestly, he couldn’t help but compare her look to a beautiful portrait one might behold in a museum. He almost hated to disrupt her, but he walked across the room and sat next to her anyway.
“Good morning Ellisande, I apologize for disturbing you, but I was hoping that you’d perhaps join me for a ride? There’s a beautiful lake that I came across the other day that I’d love to share with you.”
Gareth was delighted when she agreed to join him, especially since he’d put so much effort into his surprise for her but also because he was looking forward to finally being alone with her. Unfortunately, they were torn apart before exploring their newfound feelings, so it was about time Gareth rectified that. She linked her arm with his before the pair strolled out to the stables, where two horses were already saddled and waiting for them. And after he helped Elaira onto her horse, they rode off towards the lake. They conversed about the beauty of Saldaea and how much inspiration it provided both of them in their latest drawings. Gareth even joked about one of his plant drawings looking a bit suggestive until he fixed it. He hadn’t laughed like this since the holiday. Being with Elaira always filled him with pure happiness, and he was grateful to have her back in his life. She eased the anguish of his past with her goodness and light. It was another reason he had no desire to return to Andor yet because that would mean parting ways with her once more.
At last, the lake came into view, and Gareth brought his borrowed stead to a halt, motioning for her to do the same. Once she did, the young royal climbed out of the saddle before he assisted her down to the ground with a quaint smirk.
“Now, I need you to trust me here and close your eyes. I have a surprise for you.”
Once again, she agreed, and he lovingly covered her eyes with his hands. Gareth then led her carefully towards a spot under a sizeable flowering willow tree near the water. Laid out beneath the tree was a large red blanket and matching pillows along with the basket he’d prepared beside it. In the basket was the wine, a variety of cheeses, fruits, a roasted chicken, two honey cakes, and the flowers he picked. He was pretty pleased and grateful to the boy who’d set everything up for him. He’d have to thank the lad again when they returned. But for now, he stood Elaira perfectly in front of the spread before revealing it to her.
“Surprise, my dear. I felt that we’d earned a day to ourselves, and so I set this all up so we could do just that. I hope you like it.” He fetched the wildflowers from the basket and handed them to her. “These are for you. For always being the light in my life.” Gareth then cupped her cheek with his hand before he leaned in and gently kissed her upon the mouth. After their lips parted, he nuzzled his nose against her neck as he whispered into her ear, “I love you.”
