Sitting Room: Rennar's Apartments, Tiras Lorn

This is the outer chamber to Rennar's rooms. It resembles a small sitting room and appears to be lavishly decorated in antique hardwood furniture, with a traditional red velvet covering any of the upholstery. There is a large bay window, with a window seat, that looks out onto the streets of Caemlyn; a small flowering plant hangs in the window, catching the sun's rays. There is a loveseat, settee and small table in the room for those who might care to sit down and rest.

There are two doors in this room, both are sturdy and made of a dark-stained, heavy oak wood; one leads into a private bedchamber and the other leads back out into the hallway.

Demonder

When Demonder makes his entrance, his expression would be strangely different. Though he doesn't turn toward Rennar directly, he does head for his closet and begins to strip off one shirt, and take on the other. One of particular good taste. "Renni, are you ready to head out?" he asks, his back toward the room.

"Head out...?" Rennar asks, sitting at the table where she brushes her hair. There is a puzzled expression touching her features, as well as sounding in her voice.

"To the Palace," Demonder's tone would seem to indicate that this was the most obvious thing in the world. "Did you not receive my message earlier in the day? The last time we were there, I grew concern at what the abrupt departure might indicate, so I thought we would make our appearance known just out of casual surprise."

"I would think it indicated me wanting to go home." Rennar voice seems to indicate that was as obvious as well. She shrugs her shoulders a bit, turning to regard Demonder. "Why would I care what others think about me?"

"Because your Daughter-Heir, and the Prince wishes to insure he label you everywhere you go," Demonder frowns at that, beginning to slip on that fine silk shirt, his back still to the room. "And if you have views on the matter, they are best expressed within the Palace. This knowledge was somewhat public before, I realize, since the tragedy a few years back. But making it blatantly obvious as he is doing is making this an issue that requires addressing." Demonder's tone hints at him being pleased with his deductions, if not a little surprised.

"I never received your message, and that's all the more reason for me /not/ to go. Going would only give credence to his claims, regardless that they are indeed true. I don't want people thinking of me as their next Queen." Rennar seems to sigh at that, leaning back in her chair, "I am not, nor will I ever be cut out for such a position."

"You will do as duty proclaims." Demonder's tone is supportive, offering the confidence he has in Renni. "I know you, my love. Duty and honor leads your path. And though you may have absolutely no interest in this matter, it has obviously shown an interest to you." Demonder sighs, the next a complaint on Theowyn. "Besides, I doubt even a flat denial of the truth would dis-credit Theowyn's insistance."

"The Prince's insistance is just that, insistance. No one but the Queen can honestly give credance to whatever position I hold." Rennar comments quietly, "And she has not done so for years. I hardly believe I am her chosen heir any longer, no matter what the First Prince states." She goes back to being difficult, returning to brushing her hair.

Demonder puffs out the corners of his silk shirt, setting the seem just right against his broad shoulders before taking a cloak and swinging it across. "Renni, a royal herald having your position announced hardly reveals the source of statement. Even if it was Theowyn, it could have very easily been the Queen. And besides, only a denial would create doubt. Though I do not believe we want to flat out lie, so perhaps we should go with what you suggest, and simply assume you are not?" Demonder turns to his wife, and begins to stride toward her. "Come, we should not get there too late."

"Late for what?" Again, Rennar turns to regard Demonder. "There are no events or plans from the Queen that direct that I must go there. I can't see how I can possibly be late for something I'm not expected to attend."

"Late, because if we arrive there too late, many of the nobles will be sleeping," Demonder sweeps on through the room, speaking just as quick as he moves in behind Rennar. Both large hands go to her shoulder, and the likely interrupting her hair brushing. "I am sure the Prince is not about either."

"Good, let them sleep. House Hune has enough worries than to have to worry about them." The words come out as a dark grumbling. Rennar is far from thrilled at the prospect of going to the Palace, much prefering to stay away.

Demonder leans forward, and almost around. One hand tucks beneath Rennar's chin, as he attempts to lift her gaze sky-ways, or rather toward his lips. "Come Renni, it will be for the best of House Hune. I do grow curious what others will say with you there, and how much thought they have given to this matter."

"That is a curiosity that I do not share." Rennar states in a rather bland manner. She sighs deeply, rising to her feet. "If I /do/ go, it is to be with you. Not because of any directives or meetings or what have you that he seems to think he's set for me."

Demonder lifts up from above as Rennar stands, his arm near instantly moving about hers. "However it pleases you, my love. The gardens within the palace are beautiful, after-all, and it would do well for the walk. Yes? Plus, we have that carriage..." Demonder's voice trails, as he seems to really like that gift.

"Our own gardens would be better." The complaint comes. Rennar's not going to be happy about being made to go to the Palace. "Or the Arboretum. The Queen's gardens are for her own enjoyment."

Rennar leaves with Demonder.

Palace Courtyard: Royal Palace of Andor, Caemlyn

A large, wide-open courtyard surrounds the breathtaking beauty of the Royal Palace of Andor. The pale beauty of the famed Ogier stonework, its high terraces and balconies and golden domes making your eye travel higher and higher to see more. The courtyard is very austere, with well-tended patches of lawn offsetting the stark white of the paving stones.

Small groups of Queen's Guards patrol the area, keeping it safe from any intrusion. The smell of delicious foods cooking fills the air. The warm breeze brings the scent of roses on the air. Their heavy scent completely permeates the air here, creating an exotic feel. The massive, double doors to the Palace are guarded by a small group of Queen's Guards. A small path paved in white stone leads off to the east towards the Queen's Gardens and flagstones lead northwest towards the guard's practice yard. A hoof-beaten path angles towards the stables to the west and the great gates lead back north out to the Queen's Plaza.

Demonder

The carriage pulls up to the Palace doors, and the boy standing on the back stool jumps off to open the doors. Demonder parts away first, offering his arm to Rennar. "Besides, Renni, it is a beautiful building."

"It's just the Palace." Talks of buildings don't even seem to non-plus Rennar, her mood only seeming to grow more dour each time something about her position or the Palace is brought up. It would seem the years of estrangement are growing on Rennar. "There's nothing new about it, and there won't be."

Ian enters the courtyard through the sally-port in the great gates.

Ian walks through the gleaming white double doors, into the Royal Palace.

"True..." Demonder agrees, as he begins to lead Rennar toward the gardens. "Though to be honest, I have not spent as much time here as you did. It is still very unfamiliar to me." Demonder tries to hide the pleasant feeling he has within of bringing Rennar this far.

"Did. I no longer spend time here, nor should I be expected to do so, not with things between the Queen and I as sour as they are." Rennar states rather blandly once more. "Were she still a friend, she would have ensured years ago that I understood this. I can only deduce that my presense is not welcomed beyond the Prince's feelings that my... position... become clearer, or my need to be present during important talks. Not to mention I am 'useful' and a tool to them." Rennar snorts at the last. Honestly, she's starting to become jaded over the matter. There might not even be a friendship to salvage any longer.

"Love, do you believe the First Prince acts alone in this?" Demonder does go for the formal as they are in public. "I still am rather baffled by this matter between yourself and Aislynn. Not because I misunderstood what you have said, but because I'm confused as to why. I can't say the Queen seemed overly pleasant or unpleasant at the High Court, for example." Demonder leads into the gardens.

Demonder walks along a white stone path, to the east.

Rennar leaves with Demonder.

The Queen's Gardens: Royal Palace of Andor, Caemlyn

This circular expanse of garden curves around the backside of the Royal Palace. Flagstone paths meander off through the lush greenery, through trees and many flowering shrubs. Trellises with flowered vines crawl up the gleaming white walls that surround the palace. A white stone courtyard sits at the center of the gardens, with tall columns circling around it, holding up its golden-tiled roof.

The sounds of Palace servants going about their nightly chores and the noise of children laughing and playing in the distance drift over the garden. Flowers of every hue bloom on almost every tree and shrub in sight in the garden; roses of every color under the sun, purple Emond's Glory, and golden yellow sunburst. A white stone path leads back west to the Courtyard and a white stone staircase curves up near the Palace to a balcony that overlooks the gardens.

Demonder, Methos, Lorewyr, Theowyn

Rennar arrives with Demonder.

From above, Rezna sighs and supposes he will just have to go mad with curiosity concerning this...accusation. A mad Cairhienian...not the sort of thing most sane men would want festering in theeir palace.

Theowyn looks up to the balcony. "Not at all, Ambassador. The gossip spread was entirely to do with the Children of the Light, though considering the source, I was asked of it." Theowyn releases the hold on Methos' shoulder. "It be best we keep an eye on him ourselves."

From above, Rezna speaks like a true Cairhienian politician now. "Why not just get rid of this guy who seems to make your life so difficult?"

Rennar speaks with Demonder as they both enter the gardens. It is very apparent that she's not at all happy with her predicament. 'What she does is her choice. She still has not told me otherwise, so I have to assume the worst.' She pauses, regarding her husband a moment longer, She mutters to Demonder, "Would you... someone who... murders... around..."

Demonder senses "Rennar speaks with Demonder as they both enter the gardens. It is very apparent that she's not at all happy with her predicament. 'What she does is her choice. She still has not told me otherwise, so I have to assume the worst.' She pauses, regarding her husband a moment longer, "Would you want someone who harbors kidnappers and potential murders hanging around your home?""

Methos turns to the new voices now, his eyes raising again. My, it seems as if the gardens are positively hopping with people tonight.

Lorewyr is sitting in the grass off to one side, idling watching the flowers.

"If I understand your implication, I did move in with you," Demonder notes with a slight shrug, as he seems to be near amusement. Not being noticing of much, he continues to lead Rennar in a random direction. "I am sure the matter could be mediated, in some respects. It should not fester longer."

"I fear the Children may do just that for us if this continues." Theowyn's tone is not entirely pleased by this prospect. "Though matters of this sort are not exactly dealt in the same manner as they would be in Cairhien." There is a brief pause, and humor shows in his words with the next, "Well, unless we are dealing with foreigners."

"What makes you think I want it mediated now." Rennar states in a calm fashion, answering her husband. "I've made my decision, nor is my mind likley to change."

From above, Rezna just snorts. What else can the little man do?

Methos smiles at the Prince's comment, and looks to him. "Might we be finished, Prince? I have a need to see to some other more menial duties I fear."

"Would you believe the First Prince and the Queen have a different set of intentions?" Demonder asks his wife next, looking to her. "I doubt this to be the case, not with a matter of this importance."

"Indeed, Methos. Thank-you for your time." Theowyn looks above once more, to insure that the Ambassador there didn't take his joke too seriously. Well, hard to tell with him being in the shadows. Theowyn begins to move toward the stairs.

From above, Rezna sighs and feels a particular meanial duty tugging at him also. His wife. He turns from the balcony and heads back inside the palace. Seems fresh air break is over.

Methos nods, and bows. He then moves in the direction of the training grounds.

"Were it so important, Demonder, things would have been settled long ago." Rennar's voice is low, yet firm. There is no changing her mind, it seems. "All it is, is business now. Business I want nothing to do with."

Lorewyr stands, brushing his hands off, "Ahhh, time to eat." He moves off, heading for the kitchen, and food.

Demonder slowly nods his head after considerable time spent in thought. "Though I do not disagree, is the Queen even aware of this dispute? She certainly has not indicated so, and beyond not offering invite, I have seen little evidence if mis-treatement. Though, I suppose that would be that professional line."

Rennar stops in her tracks, turning herself to regard Demonder more scrutinously. "If you are going to oppose every word I say, I might as well just return home now. You are no better than /he/ is." He, meaning Theowyn at this moment in time. She smirks and sniffs. "There is no relationship, period."

Its not difficult to have Demonder retreat in his pressing, though he is rather persistant when committed to a persuit. He swiftly turns to face Rennar, a hand cupping her cheek. "Love, I pressed too hard, I'm sorry..." he's very quick to spin around. "I just want to insure things get done that need to be done."