~~~~~

A letter is left at Rennar's door, it closed with the seal of House Roesone. It reads:

Dearest love,

You've made yourself perfectly clear on this day. Perhaps it is a sense of duty for your safety that left me blind to it, or perhaps it is that I'm not justly accused to the extremes of your comparison. Regardless of our disagreement, my love for you has not fallen, as I hope you feel no less for me as the day you agreed to be my wife. It is by simple choice that we are together, and not by duty. Perhaps that choice has been made for us and the entaglement of our hearts, as it was the day I first met eyes with you within the Tower courtyard. I chased you in then, as I will again, and will still when I have you.

If you may take forgiveness in my words, for I mean not to serve as a reminder of the worst months of our lives. Have you still love for me, and have you forgiveness for me, please heed my instructions. They are not meant to control your ways, but to give you what you seek. For it is together that we will find happiness. My instructions are simple, and the intent you will know by them. I wish you to forgive me first, Renni, and then find me at the Seamstress's office at Heartsblush Square. Wear nothing that claims you by title or by name, and bring nothing else but a commoner dress.

With all the love in my heart,
Demonder Roesone.

~~~~~

Courtyard Gardens: Tiras Lorn, Caemlyn

Large white stone surrounds the courtyard of House Hune. Set into the western wall is the gate, leading out of the manor. The manor house itself lies to the east. A large marble portico runs down the middle of the courtyard in a north/south direction, effectively dividing the large yard in half. It is large enough to hold several wagons, and contains the stables in the northwest corner. The half of the yard closest to the manor house is contained by the portico which runs along the courtyard walls as well, and connect to the house. This creates a covered walkway to protect you from the elements; shade from the sun, and a roof to keep off rain and snow. The ground here is paved with stone, with only a few weeds growing up here and there. In the center of the paved area is a square flower garden.

Demonder pulls open the gate and comes in from the path.

Sitting amongst the many benches within the Hune Gardens is Rennar. Her legs are pulled up beneath her, and there's a book within her lap. She appears to be reading, yet at the same time not really paying attention to the pages she flips through.

Demonder makes his way through the gates of Tiras Lorn in a slight huff that disappears when his eyes settle on Rennar someway through his path toward the building. The lord closes his eyes for a long moment, stopping in his steps and taking a deep breath. He's attempting to think things through, not say the first thing that comes to mind. This comes at some strain to someone like Demonder. After releasing that long breath, he slowly begins to head toward Rennar.

Rennar does not look up from her book. From the looks of things she's caught up in her own thoughts, rather than really reading the pages before her. She simply turns them to appear as if she's captured in the text, for any passersby that might happen through the area - staff, family, friends, and the like.

The feet tracking across the grass and walk-way come closer, and with determining force. Though Demonder himself appears as reserved as likely. The entire serious air about him, with no dramatic flair, almost makes him look less attractive. Demonder with a smile or dramatic expression simply isn't the same. Anyway, he stops some steps away, and comes down to one knee so he may look to her eyes more specifically. "Cathryn had said you wouldn't show," he begins quietly, a hopeful tone in his voice. "And I don't blame you. The letter was foolish. At least some of it was."

Rennar glances up from her book as Demonder kneels. "Why would I go out into the city and endanger myself, M'lord?" She inquires, her tone almost innocent. "Particularly when I am perfectly safe behind these walls, hidden away?" Aside from her words, there is nothing in her tone that hints at sarcasm. They appear to merely be questions. More so, there is a certain resignation, as if she's just given up and given in to what fate has deemed for her.

For a moment Demonder would break up into a fit of frustration. And then he doesn't. Instead, he nods slowly rises his head, a hand threatening to touch her, but then he holds that back as well. "Renni, I never asked you to stay within your estate. That's not something I ever intended." His words are spoken slowly, clearly, and in a soft tone. "I just wanted you to be safe when you to venture out, as you are in here." Of course, all of this ignores the fact that Renni was originally ripped away from Demonder within the manor, while well guarded, and with the Queen and her guards in the building at the time. But then, Demonder tries.

Rennar quirks a brow at Demonder, then murmurs quietly, "I am no more safe out within the streets of Caemlyn, than I am within my own manor. That an assassin and his men got within the manor several times speaks of just how safe I am, if they really wanted to kill me." She comments, shrugging her shoulders, "At least here, I can rest well in knowing it will be quick, rather than a struggle." Again, her words are not meant to hurt. They are simply how she feels about matters. She lowers her eyes, then sighs, "Either way, I am caged, either by fear, or other reasons. So, why leave? Everything that I want or need can be brought to me, or come through the gates of Tiras Lorn."

Surprisingly, Rennar does make a good argument. Demonder could not have said it better himself, really. "I had plans for us tonight. There's a small inn away from Caemlyn we could go to. To be away from anything. It's as you say, Renni. It's the reality of it, I suppose. I suppose it all matters little when it comes down to things. That's why I want to apologize for causing problems between us. It's my fault." Demonder's voice is surprisingly undramatic.

"You should not blame yourself for a situation you did not create." Rennar speaks in a quiet voice, her eyes taking in her fiance in a carefully guarded manner, "As far as going out..." She shakes her head, "I meant what I said... I am not leaving."

"Uh?" It's the only thing that manages to come out of Demonder with the last of Rennar's words. There's a moment his lip actually quivers, and then he starts to settle himself into that controlled pose that tries to look at this matter more rationally. "But you like leaving here to explore. And it's like you said, your no more safer here then there. And, I had something nice planned for us." Demonder pleads those last words.

Delicately, Rennar lifts a brow at Demonder, "Surely, anything that you had planned outside these walls could also be done here?" She inquires. Difficult to the last, but at least she's not being uncivil about it this time. Resignation just resounds through her.

Demonder pauses briefly. At this point, Rennar is being too logical, and the surprise is showing a touch. "Yes, well. That's true. But we can't ride our horses through a path away from Caemlyn in here. We can't look up into the stars while riding and chatting..." Demonder slows in his words, his eyes trying to peer into her. "Renni, I wanted us to share a night together. Not in that way, but to spend it together. To depend on eachother. To slip away from all this."

"Then I can arrange for the staff to have the evening off, and give them enough coin to stay within the city for just this one night." Rennar comments quietly, raising her eyes once more to regard Demonder. "As much as I love horses and riding..." She shakes her head slightly, showing she's no interest in it, "I've been thinking about dropping the breeding program, and going into something else entirely. There's no sense in doing something if I will not be taking an active interest in it."

Demonder's shoulders sink, his eyes finally looking away. For whatever inch she gives into comprosing his plans, she drops a dream she had been so excited about the year before. Still on one knee, his hand motions through her hair. "You can do as you'd like, my love. But horses are your passion. Give it time before making such a decision, as I know you intend to do." Not like Renni to be rash, at least Demonder hopes that doesn't change. "Can you do that, release the staff, for us? If you want, you can talk with me about what other interests you'd like to explore." Demonder is being surprisingly calm.

"I have already thought about it a great deal. With Calisa admitting to being a darkfriend, and other things going on about is, I've no time to keep up with the project. Perhaps later... years down the road, I'll consider looking into it again, but for now..." Rennar shakes her head, setting her book beside her upon the bench. Likely, that decision was the hardest for her to make, considering all the time and effort she's put into the project already. "I've already started the seeds to find buyers for the mares and steeds, all except for a few to provide the family with horses without having to buy each time we want one."

Rennar continues, "As far as releasing the staff, aye... I can. They'll still be paid for the evening."

Demonder nods slowly with each of Rennar's words, eyes casting downward once again. "Renni, maybe you'd consider placing me more in charge of the project? It would give me something to do beyond bothering you about matters you don't need to be bothered about." Demonder is reserved still, strangely so, but he tries to be the man that he feels Rennar needs.

"The horse project was one that I wanted to be bothered about, above anything else. I considered it my main priority before all chaos broke loose." Rennar murmurs, using gentle tones and words, "I would much rather head it myself, if I could. But, I can't. If you wish to make suggestions for other ways to gain money and profits, I am open to those suggestions, however that project is already well on it's way to being disbanded."

Demonder finally stands from his position on one knee, not liking what he's hearing but not offering any protest either. Reserved as he is, he simply nods. "I'll give it some thought. I'm sure there's no persistant need for further profit, however?" he asks simply, waiting to see if Rennar will stand with him.

"That will depend on how the sale of the horses go. Monies lost in this project will need to be replaced. Feed and hay will be used for family stock, rather than the business stock, so that takes away our worry for them for a while." Rennar shrugs her shoulder, "Then there's all the other usual expenses, but I think we'll manage fine for a small while at least."

Demonder slowly extends his hand to Rennar. "Would you prefer staying the gardens?" he asks first, before nodding slowly in their topic of conversation. "It will be something to discuss further another time. Though if it a matter of finances, it will be a priority of course. It's as you say, we live as we can with what we can do." Perhaps the pause is enough to change the subject, Demonder going on. "Let's enjoy tonight, Renni. It's been some time we've had a quiet evening."

Rennar looks at the hand a few brief moments, then gently takes it. She holds her book in her other hand, and rises from her seat, "In the house, or out here, it makes no difference to me." And from her manner and demeanor, her words seem to ring true. "I need to go inside anyway and let others know that they've the rest of the evening off."

"Renni, are we okay?" Demonder asks as he takes her hand, and slowly turns toward the building. "These events have placed strain on us, Renni, but the words in my letter ring true. I don't want to be compared to your uncle, I don't want to make life more difficult for you. You have enough of that." One could almost sense the tinge of anger at being compared to Jeffrin, but it flows away with Demonder's controlled manner.

The hand held gently squeezes Demonder's own, "Aside from a few disagreements, I would like to think we are fine... though at times I do wonder." Rennar's words come off-handedly. "We are so different, you and I. At least, in some of the things we do, or take interest in."

Demonder still isn't certain how to take Rennar. He's been so used to the challenges and arguments, or playfullness and lighter moods, that this neutral area seems foreign. Demonder squeezes her hand in return. "You did choose your husband, Renni. As High Seat, you should have known better. I was mearly driven by love and lust." Demonder clealry teases now, but in a reserved fashion.

"I don't care for being High Seat." Rennar states in a simple manner, "I care more about being the person that I am, rather than defined by title or position." There's a smirk that comes to her lips. "Though you might have noticed that already. And, it was my heart that chose my husband, not me. And, in part, fate."

Demonder knows all that full well. "Faith, my love?" Demonder asks quietly as they make their way up the stairs. "And here I thought you had fallen for my charm?" There's a touch of disappointment in his voice that she hadn't mentioned his charm.

"Fate, not faith." Rennar comments quietly, glancing askance at Demonder. "Just as it was fate that determined the Hunt for the Horn would be called." She gives a small shrug of her shoulders at that, still walking toward the House.

"You know, on the chance that the Horn is within Caemlyn," Demonder begins slowly. "I might swear myself in as a Hunter. It would be rather prestiges, you know." It's difficult to tell whether or not Demonder is joking.

Rennar misses a step at Demonder's words. She lets go of his hand, then looks to him, "There's no real evidence that it is here." She comments, keeping her voice and face neutral, "And Hunters, from what i remember, drop everything of thier lives and roam the countryside... is that what you really want to do?" Her eyes search Demonder's feautres, and there's an uncertainty that begins to form upon her own, almost as if rethinking plans and things which had been at least tentatively decided.

Demonder shakes his head in a determined fashion. "No, of course not. And I'd not wish to mock the process. So if I were to swear in the oaths, and do nothing more then to seek the Horn beneath your bed, I'd still think that a valliant use of my effort? Besides which, Dane is already working on lyrics." Demonder smiles in reassurance, seeing if that will hint to his humor over the matter.

"That still means you'd have to travel to Illian to give oaths to do that much." Rennar comments, shrugging her shoulders. She takes it all in stride, but gives no hint of any humor on her own part. "And I'm sure whatever you decide to do, your bard will have fine lyrics on the matter."

Demonder sighs slightly. "I will? I had not planned on travelling for the occasion. Unless you would consider us going?" That hopeful tone fades as his hand begins to search hers out. "Forget I mentioned in Renni. I need no Hunt nor lyrcs. They'd be nice, but there not near the list on my priorities."

Rennar allows her hand to be retaken as they travel toward the manor house once more, "It is not something I would consider doing, no. I've travelled from Caemlyn once. I can say I've done that much at least. After my first experience, I have no intention of leaving the country again."

Better she say her country then insisting on not leaving the manor. Demonder leads Rennar into the manor, his eyes searching her for a moment before looking forward to within. "Lady Cathryn spoke fondly of you, Renni. And she kept reminding me that whatever duty I feel as your intended, it will be ten times that as husband. And still even then only a quarter of what you take on. At times, I wish you had trailed away on the horse when you threatened to leave. And I'd follow. We'd make-up, of course, and go on together."

You climb the stairs to the main door, and enter the house.

Entrance Hall: Tiras Lorn, Caemlyn

You are in the foyer, or entrance hall, of House Hune. The walls around you are made of white stone, and the floor is made of marble. Set into the middle of the floor is a stone mosaic of the House Hune sigil. Doors and archways lead off of the foyer into other parts of the building. But the most predominant feature here is the staircase. It stands opposite the doors to the courtyard, and is made of marble. It is in a horseshoe shape, with the two ends beginning on the floor, and the height of the crescent reaching the second floor. There is a small landing at the climax of the staircase, so it is possible to go from one end of the stairs to the other without actually leaving the foyer. The small landing area leads into the upstairs hallway, but is also useful as an area from which to address large crowds in the foyer. Under the landing area is the door to the kitchen. In the south wall is the door to the Steward's Office, and the north wall contains the entrance to the Grand Hall. A large fireplace also rests in the north wall, and gives heat to the main floor during the winter.

Demonder enters the hall from the courtyard gardens.

Rennar pauses just inside the door,turning her attention to Demonder, "Do you ever regret asking for my hand in marriage?" Her words are curiosity, as her eyes search Demonder's own for a hint of his answer.

"And continue life in the bore that I lived before?" Demonder counters her questoin with his own, his eyes showing nothing but amusement that she would ask. Still holding her hand, as she faces him, the other presses firmly on Rennar's cheek. "You're not the woman I'd thought to marry, perhaps. I hard an odd fantasy before seeing you on that subject, and then at your sight, you became my fantasy. That is all that I can say, as I'm certain there is no other like you. And if they were, certainly not as beautiful. It is you that I want to marry."

Rennar nods her head lightly, a hint of a smile coming to her lips, though nothing more. "I am glad." She comments, then adds curiously, "And what else did you and Lady Cathyrn speak about?"

"Horses." Demonder responds quickly, about the only answer that came to mind in that instance. "And how a horse is no good trying to push the carriage, but takes its occupant to safety when pulling." Demonder shrugs. "Or something along those lines. Beyond that, she thinks highly of you. And thinks I need plenty of growing to reach that high."

"She was surprised, I think, to find out we were wedding, and happy at the same time. I think she feels I will be some sort of good influence on you." Rennar comments in her normal quiet manner, then lets go of Demonder's hand once more to venture forward into the House some, "I told her that members of Roesone under estimate your true worth."

There are a few things Demonder rarely expects to come from Rennar's lips, and one of them (at least recently) has been any sort of praise. So Demonder almost carries on in his usual manner as though completely ignoring the comment. Then his eyes go wide at the prospect of what she had said. And then, now realiing what she did say, he goes on as though she had not said a complement to begin with. "Where did you need to go?" he changes the subject a touch, before reaching with the hand and her cheek and guiding her into a slow kiss.

With her back to Demonder, having walked away from him, Rennar completely missed his range of reactions. "I needn't go anywhere exce-" Her words are cut off as her fiance moves to her side and guides her into a kiss, one which she does not break away from right away, and when she does, it is with a great deal of reluctance. She clears her throat slightly, then continues, "except to Genette, who will take care of the staff's dismissal."

Demonder releases Rennar, with a slightly satisfied smile. "Where would you like spend the evening then? I'll meet you there upon your return?" he asks quietly, eyes lightly folding away from her as he shakes his head in a light amusement over something.

"I have not thought that far ahead, Lord Roesone." Rennar comments quietly, eyes going toward the Kitchens, which house Genette and many of the other staff.

Demonder shrugs a shoulder, settling in on following Rennar into the kitchens then. "When's the last time you had the manor without servants?" he chuckles again as he waits for her to finish up with that.

"Willingly?" Rennar responds, without flinching even, "I tend to give them a night off every two weeks, sometimes two nights off. They work hard, and deserve a rest as much as anyone else."

Rennar adds, "I know how to fend for myself in the Kitchens. I was not a spoiled, coddled child, like most nobles."

Demonder couldn't remember the last time House Roesone was without servants. Well, with the exception of when it burnt down. "I was hardly the coddled child, but I don't think I'd have a chance in survival if someone were not to prepare a meal for me. Even the guards I had most contact with as a teenager were fed well while on duty," he notes with an amused look. "You've yet to cook for me. Now that I know, I think it'll be a new point of bother. I've given up on the Domani dress, idea, you see."

"Perhaps I might, someday." Rennar responds, "But, only if you learn to cook in return, and make a meal for me, no matter how horrible it turns out." This last is said with a brief touch of amusement.

"Cook?" Demonder might as well be saying 'Swim through a sea of sharks while tugging a boat that's tied to my ankle, during a storm that sends the boat beneath the sea.' "Of course, I could learn. Though I haven't seen any compromise on the entire Domani dress issue, I'd think I could get at least one meal cooked before I need to show any talent in the art."

Rennar quirks a brow, "You'd hardly fit into Domani silks yourself, Lord Roesone, nor are they proper garments for any woman." She sniffs faintly, "My compromise is one we both can share in and experience, together And, I'm not looking for any culinary talent. Of course, you don't have to if you feel it is beyond anything you feel you should do."

Demonder has a spark of something within him. Perhaps it a thought. "I think I'd rather agree. There's certain things that could be done together. I'd hardly believe you the woman to prance around parading yourself unproperly. Even in private. But, things done together share in the experiences of a relationship." Demonder tries to make sense of his thoughts. "Like dancing." A far stretch to a Sa'sara, which would only have Renni dancing, while Demonder watches. "And making love."

Rennar shakes her head a bit, holding out a hand defensively, "I am no dancer." She comments in a quiet manner. "I tended to avoid public functions where possible that required dancing." She makes no comment on the last, either ignoring it, or having nothing to say about it.

Demonder sighs again. In all honestly, this matter of domani dresses and Sa'sara dancing is more to bother and peave Renni then to much of Demonder's caring. He'd not mind, but also wouldn't want to change her. Yet, the challenge is there. "Oh, right. Public functions. I've not certain if you've received the invitation for the ball in the Roesone manor? I'd be delighted if you were my date for the evening."

"I will have to consider the invitation." Rennar comments quietly, "Afterall, I have resigned myself to staying within the grounds of my own manor." At this, she steps away from Demonder slightly, and starts for the kitchen. Not a good answer, but at least she didn't flatly refuse him.

Demonder points toward where the Roesone manor would be. "But it's just down the streets," he pleads as they move toward the kitchen. And then, he simply settles into his less playful self. "It could be rather interesting, seeing Pitor, Turail, and Daric within the same room."

Rennar pauses, glancing over her shoulder. She chuckles, "That's all the more reason for me to stay home, Lord Demonder." She comments in a soft manner, shaking her head a bit. "I don't like the game as it is, and with Pitor and Turail making bids for the House..." She shakes her head, "That ought to be interesting."