peerless_thayet | (no subject)

The evening meal had been a trying affair. Two nobles from neighboring holdings near the coast had gotten into an argument over a stretch of land, their tempers fueled by wine. Thayet attempted to mediate, her mind wandering back to a time when she had believed herself free of court intrigues. She smiled, she placated, and she smiled some more. Feeling Buri's watchful eye, she looked toward her friend and winked, well aware that things could be much, much worse.

If only the wedding were over and done.

She's in no hurry to be Queen, but is without doubt eager to be Jonathan's wife. Sometimes she stays awake well into the night thinking of all the great things they will accomplish together. The majority of her life might have been spent in Sarain, but Tortall is home.

On this particular night, Thayet escapes to the palace gardens, humming as she roams the paths and dreams of all that will come to pass. Jon has been away most of the day, but she knows he will find her before retiring. This is the one time of day when they feel free to be man and woman, not King and future Queen.

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"Not really, no. They were engaged in a serious land dispute before I managed to distract them. I'm beginning to believe you were absent on purpose, your Majesty. Was this a test of my diplomatic skills?"

Amused, she gently brushes at a spot of dirt on his tunic.

He shakes his head. "I swear, I should know better by now than to let the two of them in a room together. I don't suppose the serving staff remembered to water down their wine?"

He makes a face. "I'd rather have been there with you, love. But Gary is right - it's important for people to meet me face to face."

"Judging by their breath, I'm fairly certain the wine they imbibed was full strength."

She lifts her head and nods.

"All teasing aside, I agree. It's important for the people to see your face and realize you are a man as well as a king. If you show them this, it will be much harder to keep rumors against you alive. I think we should continue such trips after we are married."

"I need to remind the staff firmly about them again."

Jon nods back and then winces slightly at the word "married". "I'm sorry I haven't been as active in planning the wedding, Thayet. I'm not avoiding it, I swear." He grins. "Though I did use it as a threat on Alanna - I told her that you would love help with the plans."

"It is a pity we cannot pass fruit juice off as wine."

Surprised, Thayet fingers the curve of her nose and bites back a smile. It's not hard to imagine the knight's reaction to this, especially as she had threatened as much herself when Alanna was ill.

"You've had a great deal on your mind," she says softly, lifting her hand to his cheek. "Tell me, did she curse immediately or wait for you to leave?

Jon laughs. "She has an amazing look on her face, I don't think I've ever seen anything like it. It was horror mixed with terror, fantastic."

Concentrating, Thayet takes a step back, clasping her hands before her at the waist. The light is dim, but the face she makes is quite funny and reminiscent of Alanna in full temper.

She holds it for a mere moment, quickly losing her composure and laughing.

"I do believe I have seen that particular expression. You were not there the day I gave her a list of wedding chores. Half in jest, mind, but it certainly took her mind off her illness."

Jon laughs even harder, both at Thayet's impression and at Alanna's imagined face.

He manages to calm himself and looks at Thayet. "Is there more I should be doing, for the wedding I mean? I feel like I haven't been helping you like I should."

"Meeting with your advisers and picking a date would help immensely," she replies dryly.

"Ahh. Yes." Jon looks uncomfortable. "Well, it would help to have you there for your input, my dear. I'm sure they'll be interested in all those details you've been planning."

"If one uses 'interested' in the loosest definition of the word, perhaps."

She brightens, but there's a puzzled look in her eyes.

"You're serious, aren't you? Me, attend a meeting of your council?"

Jon looks at her seriously. "Yes, of course." He takes her hands in his. "Thayet, you are one of the most intelligent, inquisitive and politically-minded people I know, and trust me, I know too many. You are an invaluable resource to me and I want our marriage to be a partnership, in all ways."

"My, you certainly know how to turn a girl's head!"

Squeezing his hands, the princess feels several calluses and knows she has more than a few herself. The past year or so has been hard, rebuilding both sobering and rewarding, and there are still difficult times ahead.

"Perhaps we can take the opportunity to discuss some of our other ideas. The schools, for example."

Jon grins and squeezes back. "Absolutely. The council won't even know what hit them."

"I don't want to stun them too much," she whispers with a smile. "Their cooperation will be needed."

Leaning forward, she kisses him softly.

"No more than two months, Highness. I'm growing as impatient as your Champion."

Jon nods, not moving away from her mouth. "As am I." He meets her lips again, pulling her close to him.

Captivated, she melts into him, rediscovering the feel of his mouth and the way his muscles bunch under her hands.

"Now what will your courtiers think," she murmurs, "if they find you carrying on so in the palace gardens?"

He pulls away reluctantly, brushing a lock of hair away from her face. "I think they would agree that I am a very lucky man."

"You think so?" Smiling, she leans into his hand. "Here I was thinking they would be quick to point out that I am a lucky woman."

She sighs softly, her eyes fluttering closed as the breeze picks up once more.

"Would you grant your lucky future wife a favor, Jonathan?"

He smiles down at her and leans to kiss her again, hesistating just before he meets her lips to whisper, "Anything."

There's a spark of mischief in her eyes when she finally opens them.

"Next time you visit this Milliways place of yours, I want to accompany you. I haven't spent nearly enough time there."

He pulls back and cocks his head, a slight look of worry crosses his face. He's not entirely sure that Thayet would be safe around Josiane. But if I'm there and possibly Alanna...

"Of course. I'd love it."

"Good, that's settled then."

Her smile widens. The sound of a metal hinge scraping and horse hooves striking cobblestones breaks the silence. Twining her fingers through his, Thayet begins to pull Jon further into the garden.

"Come, let us finish our walk. We will both be needed soon, I have no doubt."