Plucking her harp strings, the Princess of Kandor's soprano voice can be heard accompanying the well-skilled strumming even a little into the Hall. It is a love ballad, by the tempo. And Elyse's heart is fully involved within the emotions of the music as she expresses herself to the lofty rafters of the Kamikatsu suite.

The First Prince makes his quiet entrance. From the hallway he could hear her song, and such not wanting to interfere, he simply stands there at the mouth of the room enjoying the sounds of her voice. Theowyn barely acknowledges those that may bow to him, his attention almost entirely on Elyse.

Elyse finishes the song, and the ladies-in-waiting along with the servants in the room, applaud quietly, murmuring appropriate praise. Elyse smiles softly, not exactly glowing proudly from the praise but she does seems appreciative. Its at this point that the guards at the doors announce The First Prince, and with a blush, Elyse rises from her seat, brushing down the skirt of her gown unnecesarily. "My Prince," comes Elyse's warm and smooth address.

A light smile spreads across his features as he begins to clap a distinguised and well tempoed glap while in his approach. "My Princess. My beautiful Princess, gracing my heart with her song." Theowyn does take her, though perhaps by surprise, as his arm wraps about her waist and he pulls her toward him with a swoop attempting to capture her in a quick embrace.

Elyse lets out some light, surprised laughter, a maiden's giggle, as she is swept into his embrace. Her features bright with delight at being within Theowyn's arms. She grips his all the more tightly, both for support and for pleasure. When her feet settle more firmly back to the floor, she grins with joy. Her deep blue blank stare past Theowyn's shoulder as she sighs with contentment, "My love," comes her heart-felt murmur, her hands resting against his strong chest. The servants continue their chores, while the ladies-in-waiting rise and curtsey, smiling to one another at the affectionate display. "All is well, I trust, my Heart?" Elyse asks, still within his warm embrace.

Theowyn does settle her feet to the floor, his head leaning forward enough so that his lips lightly press against Elyse's cheek. The brief press, the way he pulls you tigether against his body, causes the search for more kisses. Each one is deep felt and pressed unto your cheek. When he pulls away, it is by only an inch. "All is well, love. Now that we are near once again."

Elyse smiles warmly, genuinely and returns the affectionate caresses to his cheek, "Oh good." She tilts her head a bit in the direction of one of the servants, "Some tea, please?" Which is answered verbally to confirm, and also with a curtsey as the servant bgins to prepare, "So, nothing terrible to report? The . . . " she swallows visibly and tries an uncertain smile, "Dragon-man hasn't harmed you I see, my Love?"

"The Queen has yet to respond to his 'offer' to see us," Theowyn informs lightly. With one arm snuggly fit around Elyse's waist, he begins to turn away from Elyse to lead her toward the sofa. "Though we met with his young following, and have generally concluded this is near laughable if not for the chance that Lord Dain may indeed be mad. A child, maybe fourteen or fifteen, is a leader in one of his group of followers. That's just, odd."

Elyse follows Theowyn to the sofa easily, it could appear she was born to be at his side for the fluidity and grace, and surety of her movements there. Her brow is slightly furrowed and the smile is replaced with a look contemplation. "Were it not for my younger sister, who is but four and ten seasons herself, I think I might be more inclined to laugh. I fear you must not underestimate this young man if he has indeed a following at his back as suggested. What is he like, Dearest?"

Theowyn frowns a touch at the comment. "He is but a boy. Aislynn and I were only a bit longer when we took Andor, though with the help of experienced men, and with the training of our royal youth. This... this boy, an adopted son of a noble house. I wonder if he has any concept of how much coin he will need to continue feeding his band of troops, or where his wasteful over-confidence will take him." Leading Elyse unto the sofa, Theowyn sits next to her, already turning in her direction.

Elyse nods, listening a long moment. She is seated beside the Prince easily and quietly as she listens, though it may appear she is unattentive with the direction of her absent gaze, that is indeed, not the case. She shakes her head, "I mourn for the loss that will occur then, for this young Dragonsworn and his band."

The doors to the apartment open and with fluid bows, the guardsman assigned to herald the visitors, announces in rich Borderland vocal inflection, Lord Timuri. Following that announcement the man with distinguishing grey strides into the room with a purposeful gait. He bows, though, and then moves to approach nearer. His gaze lingering a little more warily upon Theowyn than Elyse, before turning to his 'neice' "Your Highnesses, forgive the intrusion, please," another, smaller bow, and then he straightens, "I have informed our men to make perparations for our departure, Elyse Dear. I'm sorry this comes with such short notice, but I've only just now received word from His Majesty myself, by pigeon. We are to away in the morrow."

There is irony in Theowyn's earlier words, the Prince now in his mid-twenties was once the over-confident kid. Even today he does not lack in confidence. "I wish them the pass, Light save us from the man that can channel..." Theowyn murmers, showing his obvious displeasure of having a male channeler near or in Caemlyn. "If it is any consolation, my brief encounters with Lord Dain before this were good. He is a good man, with a proper heart. But madness comes upon them all." At the entrance of another, Theowyn turns. And then blinks. He goes into moments of silence.

Elyse gasps, her hand moving to cover her lips and her features are plain surprise. She rises from her seat, "In the morrow, Uncle?" Her hands begin to shake a little, "What has happened?"

Timuri nods, looking a bit pained at his abrupt news to the Princess, and her reaction, but he felt it would be best. Besides, there is much preparation to make and the sooner the better. He clears his throat, "Word has arrived about a man who was proclaimed Dragon Reborn in Canluum, Your Highness. A battle was had there," the Advisor swallows, but shows no other signs of discomfort at relaying this information. He looks to Theowyn a moment, and then back to Elyse, speaking directly to her, "Shadowspawn descended from the Blight in droves, Your Highness, and this . . . man who apparently can channel, was instrumental in saving Canluum. His Majesty received a direct account from Lord Hyezu Aramasu himself. Your siblings have returned to Chachin, now, Your Highness. And His Majesty has asked me personally to provide you escort back to your home, back to support your kingdom as is your place . . . " with reluctance, he adds the last, ". . . unless the match has been approved already. Then I am to return alone." He looks at Theowyn now.

Although rumors of Canluum have hit Andor, the confirmation from Timuri somehow sets a grander truth to what before was only a passing thought. Passing only because of Andor's own Dragon Reborn, parked just outside the city walls, if not at times gaining entrance inside. The First Prince's features harden further, the skin going a touch pail. Theowyn moves to stand then, unconciously aiding Elyse if she wishes to stand, otherwise standing up alone. Releasing a heavy breath, Theowyn's eyes move to a distant point, as he adjusts the length of his shirt. "Lord Timuri. Princess Elyse's departure at this time would not be of benefit to the courting between Kandor and Andor. I speak of this on a selfish level, of course, less so on a national level though the national politics could not be ignored. Queen Aislynn has already approved the engagement of Princess Elyse into House Versyr. The bonds created by such a union are without value." Theowyn's eyes lower a touch, some shame coming from speaking on the ties that the nations would gain. He is better able to set his eyes on Timuri on the next. "Then it comes to this, Lord Timuri. I do love Princess Elyse. I love her strength and spirit, her thoughts and will. Take her away, and I not only lose a friend, but I lose the person that has become a part of me." Turning to Elyse, his hand does reach for her. "We wish to be engaged and married."

Elyse grasps Theowyn's hand gently, but with a possessive air. As if she will not be parted from that grasp, no matter what. His bold words wash over her like a cool blanket to douse her fear of separation from him, and she smiles, encouraged by his words, and even more by his formal request for her hand. She doesn't wait for Timuri's likely question, turning a bit more towards Theowyn's voice, and reaching out toward him with her other hand, meaning to clasp both of his in both of hers, she answers in a smooth, rich voice, "We do, Uncle. It is our fondest wish." She smiles, taking in and letting out a deep, calming breath, which seems to do nothing to hinder her swiftly beating heart.

Timuri was half expecting this. He eyes the couple speculatively, saying nothing for a moment. He folds his hands together briefly, in front of him. And finally, at long length he asks Elyse in a soft, rather fatherly tone, "Elyse . . . do you really feel you will be happier here, with this man, this First Prince of the Sword, as your husband, for the rest of your life . . . to hardly see your home again, to be submerged amongst the Southlanders, to be placed in much more harm and exposure here than you are in Chachin . . . tell me, my dearest neice, is this man worth it to you?"

"All that and more, Uncle." Comes Elyse's reply. Her head still turned in the direction of Theowyn's voice. Her gaze cast at the hollow of Theowyn's throat. Then she turns, loosing whatever grasp she had on Theowyn's own, and turning to better face Timuri. Falling to her knees, Elyse reaches out for him, which is an easy task as he had stepped forward to try and catch her. Her hansd gripping the Advisors clothes she turns her unseeing gaze up to him, continuing, "I would die a thousand deaths to be with him, Uncle, if I had to. I would do that and more. I love him that much." A tear begins to streak down on side of her face, and she swallows, "If I return with you tomorrow, I may live a long and healthy life, Uncle, but my heart and soul would have perished with the farewell kiss upon his very lips. If I leave tomorrow, rest assured that my body shall live and likely not find itself in the same danger as here, but my very heart and soul, the person that you know, that you in part raised, Dearest Uncle, would be lost, dead forever."

Theowyn stands there, watching Elyse plead, and his own heart drips for her. Taking that step forward, he does reach for her, so that she could stand once more. No words are spoke, as he he waits to listen for Timuri's response after asking Elyse the question.

Timuri looks down into that young woman's face. Gone is the regal air, now all is left is the personal relationship between the two. Which is as near to uncle and niece as can be without the bond of blood. He sighs, seeming to give in physically before even offering it verbally, "Elyse, my dearest Elyse," his smile is one of a conceding defeat as he reaches to cradle his cheek with his hand. Then he looks to Theowyn, and with the First Prince's aid, helps Elyse back to her feet. "Take each other's hands," the man speaks in a sober, soft tone.

his cheek=her cheek

Theowyn does as instructed by Timuri, seeing those signs of victory in this battle, as his eyes set on Elyse. Taking both her hands in his tight and warm hold, he searches out her eyes even when they never could truly look back upon him.

Elyse bows her head a bit deferrentially to the Advisor, and does as bidden. Smiling, though softly, as she feels Theowyn's hands in hers. She turns more in direction toward him, her eyes cast through him with a distant look, though she is very much attentive to what is going on presently.

Timuri places his right hand over their coupled hands, and in a nearly ritualistic and sober tone, says, "By the right and power granted me by His Majesty, King Mahal, Protector of the Land and Shield of the North, I bless this betrothal, in his name and in the name of the Light. May you both find Peace, Beauty, and Life." He lets go, and takes a step back, bowing formally to both.

Connected players on Caemlyn's channel:

Theowyn eyes brighten with each word. With light half steps he closes the distance between them, until both arms reach for Elyse and embrace her in a deep hug. This one does send her feet into the air, Theowyn lifting her up with her second swoop for the day. "I love you..." is all he manages, the emotional push within him needing to burst.

Elyse squeals with delight and pleasure at being swept once more, laughing and hugging Theowyn tightly, "I love you," then a bit more loudly, as a prcolamation, "I love you!" several of the women in the room blush and smile, giving wistful sighs periodically as they watch the display. Elyse tosses her head back and lets it out again with another squeal of girlish laughter, "I love you! I love you! Oh, how I love you!"

Timuri even manages a smile at the display. Then finally remembers his greater duty, and with a reluctant sigh before parting the company, speaks with a calm, business-like tone, "Our departure will be delayed long enough for the documents to be handled. I shall only take a handful of the men I brought with me. The rest, Your Highness," he addresses the First Prince, "Will be at your disposal. Preferrably to be dispensed to help ensure the security of your nation, and thereby the security of your future bride. But the details, I will leave to your direction." With another bow, he says, "Please excuse me, Your Highnesses," and takes his leave, heading for the door to begin preparing for his departure, without the Princess.

Theowyn rests from the celebrations only briefly, turning to Timuri. "Thank-you, Lord Timuri." The incling and bow of respect is no different then before, but there is certainly a joy in his eyes. As much as he'd like to say more, the need to simply spin Elyse about the room far outweighs the other. Theowyn does just that, spinning her slowly before pulling her within the depths of a kisses that is heated with his love. It is here that they celebrate their engagement for the remainder of the evening.