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 early morning sun glints on the gleaming white walls that surround the Palace, making you squint your eyes against their brilliance. A fine sprinkling of pristine snow lies upon the ground, and the water in the redstone fountain has a thick layer of ice on its surface. 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.

Today is Tenday, 27 Jumara, 998 NE. It is a Winter morning.

Demonder walks into the Queen's Gardens from the west.

Sitting quietly within the gardens appears to be a young woman wrapped within a warm, fine woolen cloak. Lately, she appears to be frequenting this area quite often. Lady Rennar holds a book within her gloved hands, occassionally turning a page as she reads through the contents. She seems to be almost finished this particular tome, one that she's had with her since her stay within the Palace. She does not look up at the crunching of feet upon the snow, not with so many visitors to the white, snowy gardens this morning already - mostly staff and servants seeking a shortcut to another part of the palace.

From the courtyard, Demonder approaches with a servant that carries a tray with two steaming cups. The lord is limping still, though his knee actually bends as he walks this time around. Likely already having spied Rennar out from the balcony, the cups of tea are prepared for the two. Demonder takes his glass, while the other is offered to Rennar by the servant that bends to her level. "My tea has some herbs for the pain, apparantly," Demonder notes first, before offering a light smile. There's a strange edge in his eyes. "I thought you might like something warm to drink this morning."

Surprise takes Rennar as the servant lowers himself next to her to offer the tea. This was not something she was expecting, and nearly jumps back, despite the fact that the bench prevents her. Quickly, she looks up at the sound of the voice, fear and yet a strange mix of relief showing upon her features, "Demonder..." A crimson blush comes to her cheeks, "you frightened me." There is truth to her words. She glances to the tea, carefully closing the book and settling it within her lap, not wanting the snow to ruin its cover, "Thank you..." She doesn't say much more than that, looking as if she hadn't gotten much sleep the night before. Rumors run ramprant about the Palace that she was seen arguing with the Captain-General profusely the night before, making the man angry enough to destroy Palace property.

Demonder would have had matters investigated, to be certain, if only by asking questions from servants. Not having found his intended within the gardens or guest chambers of the palace the night before, and then hearing about the argument in the morning, the lord's concern becomes more evident. He knows nothing of the evening before and her exchange with Turail, but he has heard about the rumours of her and the guard. "You had a busy night last night?" It is less the question really. "Renni, I wish you would call on me before running around like that. You have me worry about you." His concern would not show as much as if he had known of her trip out of the palace, but the concern in his voice is heavy still.

"Running around?" Confusion seems heavy within Rennar's eyes, and something seems to niggle at her. Had Ealam told Demonder? After nearly promising not to? A small frown comes to her lips, though disappears shortly after. She starts to say something, but notes how not worried Demonder is being and curiosity enters her eyes, "I was busy, yes, but I do not recall 'running around'."

"I had heard about the incident," Demonder goes on. Perhaps he is being vague to not say too much with the servants around. "Renni, why don't you call on me before getting yourself into arguments like that?" At least with those words he makes it more clear of which incident he is referring too. Demonder takes a careful sip of the hot tea before placing it down beside him on the bench. He turns his body more towards Rennar, his fingers brushing against her cheek. "I know I have been busy with House Roesone matter, but..." his eyes are casted down, as he takes the look of shame upon him. "I'm sorry for not being here more for you."

"Because..." Rennar starts, a touch of relief entering into her eyes. She quickly disguises it, lowering her eyes away from Demonder as she takes a small sip of her tea, "It was my battle to fight. Durnik," There's that determined look in her eye, which benotes some sort of determination in not giving the man his proper, respectful title, "refused me the information I requested, not you. And, further refused me after discovering I had spoken to the Queen and been granted leave to know all about my sister."

Demonder turns away from Rennar to take the hot mug of tea from the bench. As he sips at it, there's a reserved mannor to his contemplation. One that is unlike his typical lack-of-thought observations when the emotions are running high. Demonder does look stressed, at least to some point, his eyes indicating he has had very little sleep. "I waited in the sitting room for you for hours last night. You were not in the garden, not in the chambers. I even asked to see if you were speaking with the Queen." Demonder's eyes cast downward then, as he does not seem to dare to watch Rennar's expression at his words. "Kael wished to speak with me, I was pulled away for most of the night after-that. But..." he, of course, wants to ask where she was. "I don't need to know where you are every moment of the day, Renni, but you've already gone missing once. When you are not to be found, I thought you might have gone missing."

"I was within the Palace walls..." Rennar assures Demonder, though that's not the exact entire truth. "I went to visit my uncle, within the dungeons." Her voice trails at the end of that comment, her turn to move away from Demonder, or at least turn her back on him to hide her expression, mixed with pain and other emotions. "After that I went to speak with the Queen about findings from Master Chade. He may be able to help produce a portrait of the man who was last seen with Calisa." She comments quietly, an important find indeed, "At least, working with Mistress Shalayne."

"You did?" Demonder's voice changes then, and somehow he is unable to sit down any longer. Placing the mug down first, he stands with the aid of the bench, and then bends down in pain to take the mug in hand. Apparantly he had wanted to pace back and forth, though it not a great idea with his limp. Regardless, he takes a long sip of the tea and then does begin to 'pace' as best he can. There are many questions that come to mind, though one is almost of more priority then the rest. "Did you speak with the Queen on the issues of the threat for information?" he whispers that quietly enough for only Rennar to hear, his eyes moving across the gardens to insure no one is within hearing range. And then once again, Demonder leans back on the bench to sit. The tea shakes in his hand, a touch spilling on him. Ouching at it, Demonder places it down before lifting the shirt from his skin.

Gently, Rennar reaches out a hand to touch the spot that must surely have burned Demonder from the burned tea. Her hand does not rest there long, her touch gentle and soft, before she retracts it back to her lap. Her own mug of tea remains untouched, thus far - perhaps allowing some of the cold wintry air to cool it. In truth, however, she has not been eatting or consuming much, thusly contributing to her own poor state of health aside from that which has occured mentally. "I did." She comments quietly, "I suggested to her that perhaps..." She lowers her voice so that only she and Demonder can hear one another, "... that a death of sorts be predicted, either that of her husband or her Gaidin, though if I recall right, they are both her Gaidin. A loss of that magnitude, I am told, is very great for an Aes Sedai to handle. I think it would be a foreboding thought to think you would have to lose someone who is more a part of your life than a married couple, sharing emotions and thoughts more strongly." A shiver runs through Rennar at that, her eyes and manner still vaguely meek. "I told her, however, that I would run the idea by you first, then go back to her with what we decide before they are told anything."

Demonder smiles softly at the touch of Rennar's hand. With the tea down, he once again turns to face her. Without much thought, he simply nods. "That is a matter that will keep them happy. Something they would wait on before doing whatever they wish to do. I will not give them a set time, as you would not know either way, but if they are told within the year they might feel the need to wait until an 'accident' is to happen that would make the Queen weaker." The accident part left to Demonder's inclusion, as it would mean the Gaidin would die without the intervention of those that wish to make a run for the Queen. Demonder's hand touches upon Rennar's shoulder. "They may come for me as early as today. It is the 4th day. Later this evening I will take a walk through the city and wait until I am approached. That is how they seem to reach me. Perhaps I will have guards with me, but they will need to be disguised. Catching the man that speaks to me would be of great value." Demonder's own plans set sail.

There is a longing on Rennar's features which suggest she wants to go with Demonder when he goes to meet them again. Her brow furrows and her lips purse, though all she does is nod. She has her own plans. They involve the Ferret Run once more, despite what happened within the earlier evening. "I wish that I could come with you, but I can see that you would insist otherwise." She pauses, turning her eyes to her hands, "Demonder, I am not a china doll that would break at the merest incidences. Were I, I would not have survived my ordeal with my uncle, and I did survive." Her words are gentle, soft, and hopeful to get her point through. "Were they to send assassins after me here, while you were away meeting with them, there's nothing about which would stop them from succeeding, not even the Guard. All it would take is an arrow or crossbow bolt from a concealed place. Or a dagger within my back, passing servants within the Halls."

Demonder's eyes cast downward, as he watches the many footsteps in the snow. Once again, he attempts at the tea, drinking it faster still even as the steam rises from it against the cold winter air. "Indeed it woule be best if you were not there, as they had given me drugs to have you say the truth to me without you remembering having said a word." Demonder shrugs at the last words. "The man wasn't certain about hte last." Of course, that steady pondering continues. "What of the meeting with the Children?" he finally asks in a careful tone. "I will go with you. The Palace blacksmith is about finished a new weapon for me, one that is better suited for my style." The axe he had looked well used, and not a weapon a noble would wear. This could be the last step in releasing himself from the sword and bonds to house House, as to the viewing Rennar had when they first met.

A considering expression touches Rennar's eyes, "I have decided to put off such a meeting until I talked to the Queen over the matters of my concern. She has ensured me that Durnik will reveal all that he knows of my sister." Her words are a soft murmuring, "A matter in which he and I argued about quite profusely last evening. Even though the Queen had ordered him to do so, he wishes to hear those words from her mouth, not trusting my word upon the matter. Clearly, I would not say that she had backed my issue upon the matter unless she had. I would /not/ betray the priveledges of being her friend in that sense."

Demonder almost slumps down on the bench before he lifts himself straight-backed and stiff. He doesn't exactly want to speak his next words, but he does so, and likely with much thought placed upon it. "You can see things others can't," he states the first with a simple matter of fact voice, his eyes constantly scanning the gardens to insure there are none within range of his whispered voice. "There would be no other reason to risk your safety to look for your sister, as others that are more experience are doing just that, but for what you see." There is a sense of approval in his voice, one that would not argue what she planned on doing with her meeting with the Children. "But love," and for this he turns to her. "I am to be your husband. I am the man that is in trusted with your safety. You are the next in line until the Queen gives birth to an heir..." a female heir. Demonder lets the words sit. "Do not do anything rash without speaking with me." His words are more the pleading then even a tone one would use for a request, and far from that of an order. But, Demonder's eyes hint of more at her disagreement.

"Demonder, had I not the visions," Rennar begins her voice low enough not to be heard by any around, "I would still do the same that I am now. I would argue till I was blue in the face if but to glean word of what they have found. I would like to set my own investigation into place, with people I trust more than the Queen's own Guard, however they are hampering that. I could bloody care less about their experience, so long as Calisa is safe in the end, and away from unwanted influence." She shifts slightly, lifting her gaze to observe the gardens, "My family is what matters most to me, and if I had to, I would lay down my life for them. Another heir, one with more ability and talent than myself for such matters, can always be found. I am not the only person Aislynn trusts." There is a sort of acceptance to her words, as if she truly believes them, "But, were I to do anything on my own, I would take the greatest of care and effort."

With no surprise, Demonder isn't exactly thrilled with those words. Even when she insists that greater care will be used. The lord's eyes trail across the gardens as well. "You are the first she trusts, and therefore the most fitting for the position." Demonder let's those words sit, as he leans back against the bench. "Although I'm certain the Queen's second would do a good job, I'd rather have the Queen's first choice run the country of Andor then the one she is forced to select if things were to work out otherwise." And then, constatly shifting, Demonder faces Rennar once again after placing down the tea. His fingers move to her cheek, guiding her toward him. "Renni, I am to be your husband. You must let me help you." The words are soft, in fact, as Demonder demands nothing in tone.

It takes Rennar several long moments to consider the words being spoken to her, not that any of them really change her mind - set by Durnik's actions quite firmly. Had he acted otherwise, she might not be so willing to through herself into the heat of things. It is then that she takes a sip of her tea, more so to occupy herself with something else, then to have to face answering Demonder's words. She shifts about slightly, much like Demonder did before, looking vaguely uncomfortable discussing her fate and future, and being reminded of who she is exactly. At this point, she'd bless the Creator had she not the title and position she bore right now. "How do you want to help, how /can/ you help?" She answers, glancing briefly at her fiance before turning her gaze away.

Perhaps in that brief gaze at Demonder, Rennar would notice the sudden pain inflicting by her words. Demonder shakes that pain away, stuffing it deep inside him as with much everything else he feels. "I would hope I'm the armed guard that you could trust the most," Demonder murmers those words, uncertainty hitting his expression. "For whatever you do, I can be by your side to insure your safety." The lord lowers himself to the level of a guard, one sworn to her protection more with commitment then any other.

"I would rather you be as safe as you wish to keep me." Rennar responds, her own reply just as soft as Demonder's were before. "Do you think i wish to see you any more harmed than you already are? Would you be of use in such an instance where my life become a risk?" Her words are not meant to hurt or sting Demonder, though she feels she must point out the obvious - he /is/ injured.

Inured. Where? Demonder would, of course, admit to no such fact. Not even with his upper legged buldged with wrapping and the apparant limp as he walks. "I would." There, his denial stated, he breezes by the rest of Rennar's words. "Renni..." her name trails as there is nothing more to say on the subject. Demonder returns to the distractions of the tea, though not without insuring to look Renni's direction for the hints of her emotions. As content as possible with their seeming indecision, Demonder moves on to other matter. "Perhaps you will peel your eyes away from your book and watch me train later this day? I'd rather insure you have confidence in my abilities, even with the limp." Truth likely told, this would be the first time Demonder would be training since the attack on him.

"If there is time, depending on how my audience with the Queen goes. I am to see her, along with Durnik, once more to ensure that he gives me all the information that I require. I requested this audience be before her, for if he lies, it would also be to his Queen, which is not something taken lightly." Rennar expresses her words with little emotion, like most things within the last few days. She does reach out and carefully squeeze Demonder's arm in reassurance, "If you are up to such a task, I would gladly come and watch, if but for a few moments."

Demonder nods his head slowly, though not without hesitation. "Do not have me greeving for you again, Renni." It is difficult to understand how to take those words, before Demonder turns his eyes to her. "It is not often a man's world is shaken apart, as it was, when you went missing. I would have gladly given my life to save yours. But worst of it all, I had no knowing of where you were, where to go, or if you were alive." Demonder's fingers stroke at her cheek, his eyes intense with that love that he feels for her, love that's managed to battle all other emotion within him. "As I've said before, I will worry to no end. I will want to insure that I will be there if danger comes for you..." so that he can place himself in front, of course, but he doesn't get that much into detail.

"I cannot promise that I will always keep out of harms way. Too many people know about me and my ability now." Rennar murmurs quietly, keeping her gaze away from Demonder's own, unable or unwilling to see his own pain and grief. "And, I do understand, partially, what you went through. It was not easy for me to be locked away, knowing that there were those who grieved for me. I wanted to call out and yell at the festival that I was fine, but..." Her voice trails, the reasons for that all too obvious.

"I know, my love," is the simply reply Demonder gives. With the next heavy breath, all that pain gets pushed down further, as he begins to slowly stand. With the last touch of struggle, he bends lower to take the mug of tea. Demonder goes strangely distant then, something of a plan forming can be seen in his expression. There are many more things he wishes to say, but not now. Not when they are both still in pain. "Try to run to me," he speaks vaguely, though looks to the maze. "Not away."

"Please remember, that for the last few years I have been dealing with a great many thing on my own. Changing how I am, how I react is not a simple matter, but I will try... it will not be easy, but I will try." Rennar murmurs quietly, shame imprinting itself upon her features, and perhaps a self-loating. Isn't she just that rat, afterall? Her self confidence still seems shattered, only showing itself at brief intervals here and there.

Being the man, Demonder has only some vague understanding of what possibly Rennar might be going through. The lord takes a last sip of the mug, spying out a servant for long enough so that she may take his empty mug away. Only when the servant does so, does Demonder go behind the bench. His strong and roughly skinned hands touch upon Rennar's shoulder, the warmth penetrating even through her cloak. "It will be better in time, Renni." His fingers begin to massage at her shoulder, his voice becoming oddly soft. "Your strength has been proven to those that can see. I only wish to help you as best I can."

"I know." Though two simple words, their return is just as soft as Demonder's own, "And yet, while I know, that still does not mean that my mind will stand to reason with that knowledge." Rennar gently lifts a hand to touch and squeeze one of Demonder's own. "All I can do is promise that I will try. Though, please do not be hurt or disappointed if I must go off and be alone to consider things. Sometimes," she pauses, looking up and over her shoulder and to Demonder, "sometimes that is the only way for me to digest things, and deal with the matter."

Demonder fingers continue to massage Rennar's shoulders. Although once again not exactly content with her words, he accepts them as they are. "I will begin my long walks through the city in search of them," Demonder states reluctantly. "Upon my return I will send message to you if you are not near. I hope this will satisfy the Queen, as I have no other choice but to seek contact with them on this day. I fear the consiquences otherwise."

"What will you tell them?" There is a certain loathing in Rennar's voice, which seems to add to her tension. Demonder's hands will find that her shoulders are not easily cooperative. She turns her gaze back downward, looking out amonst the plants and trees of the gardens.

"What will you tell them?" There is a certain loathing in Rennar's voice, which seems to add to her tension. Demonder's hands will find that her shoulders are not easily cooperative. She turns her gaze back downward, looking out amonst the plants and trees of the gardens.

"As you and the Queen suggested, I will say," Demonder states quietly, his fingers pressing and pulling on the muscles of her shoulder. "It is a smart plan that might offer the Queen time. Time we can use to find who is responsable." Demonder takes a deep breath his eyes looking downward on his intended as his fingers try to work the tension away. "I can wait another day, if the Queen does mean to have confirmation of my words. But I'd rather have this over with, and see if there is chance to capture at least one that brings threat to us." There is a break in his words, as his thoughts change to her, and her level of tension. "Have a warm bath, Renni. You sit out here in the cold too long, you eat too little. You do not drink enough. Have a bath, enjoy in some food. We can eat if you wish?" the last a hope that maybe with him there she would it more. "Please."

"I wish to remain outside." Rennar's voice comes quickly, almost too quickly. One might have noticed she's spent time indoors enough only to get warm, and thawed, only to go out again.

"Why?" Demonder's question is simple enough, his fingers stopping their massaging motions for a moment as he goes on. "It is likely safer within, and certainly less likely to get you sick." The massage continues then.

"It is no safer within, than without." Rennar speaks, lowering her voice once more, "There are assassins placed within the palace, watching over me." There is a certain surity of her words.

"But why stay out here in the cold?" Demonder repeats the question slowly. Seeing that his massage is doing little to comfort Rennar, he does move to the other side of the bench and goes down to one knee before her. The action painful, but not as much as it was a few days ago.

"There are no confined spaced, except for the palace walls." Rennar admits in a quiet voice, avoiding Demonder's gaze. A shiver passes through her, obviously /not/ from the cold.

That, of course, did little to answer his question. And as Rennar avoids his eyes, Demonder's concern beckons him to do something more dramatic. For now, he holds back, eyes trying to seek her emotions out. "Would you return with me to your chambers? Or to mine? Maybe continue this in the sitting room, where we can have a meal?" Obviously, his earlier plan of running of to fight evil is being placed on hold, the concern for Rennar flatly obvious on his features.

From above, Emos glances around curiously as he onto the balcony from the sitting room.

From above, Emos leaves the balcony and glances around curiously as he down into the garden.

Emos glances around curiously as he down the winding staircase from the balcony and into the garden.

Emos walks through, waving, looking as if he is just wandering.

Again, in little ways, Rennar seems to defy Demonder' wishes. Not intentionally, of course. Her unconcious desire to just stay outside seems to win out, "I am fine." Her voice tries to reassure her fiance, her eyes now managing ot meet his own. "And I'm not hungry."

Demonder's features slowly take on their hardening form, his attempts to sooth and comfort Rennar coming to brick walls, and that frustrates him more then anything. But much like everything else, that gets pushed beneath, as his eyes look across her features. Demonder's finger trails the outline of her jaw, to the flesh of her cheek. "I'd think you would have returned to better nurishment by now." The lord is still on one knee before Rennar, the pants he wears slowly beginning to wet from the snow, as does his cloak where it touches about the ground. That matters little to Demonder. "If you do not start looking better soon, I will insure that you are fed myself." There's a promise in that voice. "With what you've been through, I do not wish to pretend I own or control you Renni, but in matters of health you need to take better care of yourself. I will have little choice but to insure you eat properly if this continues."

Emos glances around curiously as he along the white stone path, towards the Palace Courtyard.

It takes Rennar a few moments to consider and digest the words spoken to her. A brow lifts quietly at her fiance, then her eyes move about the gardens once more. She /did/ answer his question. The gardens provide open spaces, as opposed to closed. "I will come to dine with you tonight." She finally manages, making a small promise to her fiance, one that surely would put him at ease some, "But I really am not hungry right now." She reaches out to gently caress Demonder's own cheek, her eyes begging, pleading with him to find some understanding.

"Good." There is at least some level of satisfaction in his voice. As that playful part of Demonder screams to come out, the lord brushes her cheek once more as a distraction while the other tickles her side with a quick motion. It likely not very active, not with her wearing the clothing to fight away the cold, but the intention is there. "You are not eating enough," he repeats once again. "I want to have a radiating wife on my wedding night, and now one that is not nurished enough."

The young Lady appears to jump away from the quick movement, base instinct reactions taking over as his hands flash toward her. Eyes go wide, brightly at Demonder, looking almost wild a moment. Just as suddenly, that wild look dashes away, replaced one of shame as she realizes the impact of what she's just done. "Light... why can't this horror end." She murmurs, tears brimming her eyes. She wants to look away, she really really does - though she doesn't. It's more important to meet Demonder's eyes, her own painfilled and half frightened, in an attempt to reassure him that she had not meant to pull away.

There is a moment of pain as Rennar tries to move away from his hand, and then, at the sight of her brave eyes attempting to keep locked with his, Demonder breaks down. He simply wraps both arms around her, as he lifts forward enough from his kneeing position to pull her in closely against him. Demonder's hurt leg trembles from the position, but he holds it until he moves over to the side to sit on the bench, but not releasing his fiance from the embrace. "I'm sorry," he begins to repeat several times, the stroking of his hands on her back and head somehow encouraging her to let lose the tears.

The tears that threaten, do not come. It is more important for her to attempt to give Demonder support, to assure him that she is alright. She shakes her head quietly, though allows herself to move with Demonder - perhaps thinking it a small comfort to him to have her so near, "It is not your fault." There is a fierceness to her voice that surprises her, shown by the widening of her eyes. "Don't you ever think that." Her words continue, their fierceness maintained. Her arms seek to wrap around Demonder, to pull him into her own embrace, and give him the support, love and warmth that he's tried to show her over the days. To break, for her, would be to shatter all that she is. She must remain strong.

Although not so in need of her support, he is in need of seeing her break into tears. To release what pain she feels. For Demonder, all that he keeps within begins to boil-over, but the yound lord is barely aware of that which he attempts to ignore. As the two hold eachother, each trying to offer the other comfort, Demonder simply nods, unable to say anything for the longest of time. Not until he releases the embrace, eyes vague on emotion as they look to her. "I need to go..." he whispers reluctantly.

"I will see you tonight... for dinner?" Reluctantly, Rennar lets go of Demonder, moving over just a bit to allow him to rise. Her eyes carefully regard him, worry, concer, and a bit of dread entering her expression.

"You will, my love." Demonder speaks those words with warmth, using the back of the bench to aid his standing. Then he takes a step back, eyes still watching her. "Do not worry, everything will be well." He is referring to his meeting. "I will be there tonight."

"I cannot help but worry, Demonder, until you are out of harm's way." Funny that she would be as worried over him as he her - but then, their love is strong. "I will wait for you within the dining hall." Rennar murmurs quietly.

In one last attempt to be charming, Demonder takes her hand within his. That passion for life inside him having no sense of the pain, as he leans forward and down by bending his knees, a very painful act to be sure, in order so that he may kiss the back of her hand. "Until then," Demonder states, that smile lacking, but his lips do tug upwards at the hint of it. Demonder releases her hand and then straigthens.

"Until then." Rennar echos. Her eyes quietly regard him and a hand gently reaches out to touch his cheek, the lightest of caresses. It is almost as if she's saying goodbye, but she doesn't formulate those words.

It would not be unlike Demonder to attempt a normal walk away. He does, struggling with each step after he turns and heads toward the courtyard. The movement of his knee causes him pain, his face wincing in the pain, but he would almost have the appearance of walking unhindered. Almost. And only until he turns the corner to move away from view.