Nobles' Sitting Room: Royal Palace of Andor, Caemlyn(#746RLM$)

Meridon blances over his other shoulder then - this one is neatly by his side, that hand resting in his lap. He takes in the sight of Theowyn and inclines his head respectfully in precisely the same way he did for Elyse, before looking back to Rio once again.

Rio blinks. "Madmen? I sometimes wonder if only the insane end up with crowns on their heads...." She shakes her head and drinks more of her tea.

The pair of Honor Guard give brief, appropriate bows to Meridon at his nod, and wait for Elyse to indicate she wants to be lead further into the room. Finally, she murmurs, "Yes, Leftenant. To a seat by the fire, perhaps, if one is available?" With a nod and a murmur to confirm, the escort gracefully guides the young blind woman further into the room, and towards a vacant seat by the fireplace. Though, with that distant gaze Elyse always seems to appear deep in thought, the rest of her body-language, more cautious than usually, indicates that there is much on this young woman's mind, perhaps.

Meridon shakes his head, disaffirming the notion. "These madmen wear helmets, not crowns. They carry lances instead of sceptors. They are no friends of Otheath, nor Ghealdan, as I see it. And no friends of Amadicia."

Theowyn makes his un-announced entrance from his chambers, lightly closing the door behind him before heading into the nobles' sitting room. The First Prince is dressed casually this evening, though he is armed with his sword. A Queen's Guard casual follows Theowyn into the room, though he stays at the distance. Perhaps catching the last of the conversation, Theowyn inclines his head in a hint of curiousity to both Meridon and Rio, though his eyes can't help but focus on the Princess that heads to the fireplace. "Light Illume," he states quietly to those immidiately closer, though loud enough to be heard by all those within.

Rio nods. "I only hope that I do not have to deal with a war there as well. Perhaps another sister will be sent to help with the situation there one day." If one is not already on the scene which is highly likely. "You are of Ghealdan, I can see it in your features, Lord Meridon. How long have you been away from home?" Rio continues to drink her tea as she sits on a couch near Meridon.

"Over three years," Meridon replies. "And I warrant more than one of your sisters would be required to root out that infestation." He breathes deeply through his nose and lets the topic drop. "I expect it shall be several more before I shall return. The longer I wish to keep from marriage, the longer I shall stay away."

The pensive look is replaced with a warm, genuine smile from Elyse as the First Prince greets the occupants of the room. Before she is fully settled in her seat, she straightens, dipping into a courtly curtsey in the direction of the Prince's voice, "Peace favour your sword, my Prince."

"Princess Elyse," Theowyn breaths lightly, after excusing himself with a few nods and heading toward the seat she has selected. "Has everything been going well?" As he moves to face the sofa, those blue eyes lightly glide across her before noting her guard.

Rio is now amused by the young lordling. "Escaping marriage? You men are all alike." She shakes her head at you.

Meridon smiles slightly. "Mmm. Yes. We would not survive women if we had no common support." His smile broadens, if only for a moment.

Rio chuckles. "Well, in my own way I am similar. I have never married and probably never will. Aes Sedai tend to bond instead. It is...easier. What is your woman like? The one you are escaping?"

Elyse's expression brightens all the more at his approach. And she responds in a tone harboring similar warmth as her smile, "Going well? Yes, I imagine my affairs to be going swimmingly compared to others, my Prince." She doesn't specify on purpose, "More's the pity, naturally." She brushes the silken skirt of her gown a bit, though her head remains fixed in a vague tilted directed at Theowyn's voice. Her deep-blue eyes gaze absently beyond him. The Honor Guard bow deeply to the Prince as he approaches.

Meridon raises his hands in ignorance. "Mother only said that if I did not consent to the idea of the trip, she would marry me to the first who would have me. If I went, she would still marry me, but she would choose more carefully. I suppose if I am gone long enough, all choices will have ... been otherwise spoken for."

Lorewyr climbs up the spiraling staircase, from the lower levels of the Palace.

Lorewyr descends the white spiral, headed for the lower levels of the Palace.

Lorewyr climbs up the spiraling staircase, from the lower levels of the Palace.

Rio smiles at the lordling. "Most logical, Lord Meridon."

Theowyn adjusts the belt of his sword before taking a seat at the edge of the sofa, turning his body toward Elyse. They certainly have grown familiar with eachother, Theowyn ignoring the polite protocol of asking. "The promise of winter certainly has you in good spirits?" Theowyn teases lightly, though curious at her statement. "There is something you mean specifically, Princess, in that?"

Lorewyr walks up the stairs, the young Herald glancing around slightly. He blinks at the.... conglomeration of people here. He bows to Theowyn, and Rio, inclining his head to those he doesn't know. He pauses a moment, seeming to steel himself, before moving toward the Queen's Quarters, and knocking lightly on her door.

Meridon inclines his head just so to Rio. "Thank you, Aes Sedai."

Rio glances at Lorewyr as he moves to the queen's chamber. "Is Aislynn within, Herald?" she asks the man politely.

Lorewyr glances at Rio Sedai, and bows again, "I am unsure, Rio Sedai." His rich voice flows out. He blinks as the door opens, and a servant, an older chambermaid opens the door, to show the Herald in. He glances at this, then back to Rio Sedai, saying, "It would appear so."

Lorewyr turns, and enters the room after the chambermaid.

Lorewyr walks through a pair of gilded doors, into the Queen's Chambers.

Rio rises to her feet smoothly. She inclines her head to Meridon. "If you will excuse me, there is a matter that I've been waiting to speak to the Queen about. I do hope that we can finish our conversation another time, however."

Rio stands and leaves the Sofa.

Meridon returns the inclination. "Of course. Light preserve you."

Rio makes her way through the sitting room and over to the queen's chambers. She knocks and then one of the guards opens the door and allows her to enter the queen's suite.

Rio walks softly through a pair of gilded doors, into the Queen's Chambers.

Elyse lowers herself gracefully into the seat she had intended, and was positioned for herself. A lilting chuckle is in answer to Theowyn's teasing, her golden locks spilling past her shoulders with the motion of her head. Her eyes not upon the Prince, but elsewhere in the room, and her ear tilted a bit more towards his voice, she replies, "The cooler weather does remind me of home, indeed. And to think, I have been here nearly a full year to witness all of Andor's seasons, my Prince. Not many Kandori can lay claim to that pleasure." Her tone is sincere, and still warm, even as she folds her hands neatly in her lap and answers the latter with a slight flush ofher cheeks, "Well, perhaps, my Prince. I only wish that I could be of better service to Andor while I benefit from its hospitality." There is a guarded tone to her answer, as if she is not certain who is within earshot and who is not.

"I long for the warmth of summer," Theowyn teases, his hand moving to brush across Elsye's arm. While he looks throughout the room briefly enough, the First Prince leans forward to speak with Elyse more quietly. "There's no doubt in my mind that you've been up to some matter or another?" A light pleased tone lingers in his voice.

Meridon glances briefly over his shoulder again, at the happy couple. He's on his Settee, though, and thus happy. He reaches beneath his coat and withdraws a small, wood-bound book. He flips it open casually to a ribbon-marked page.

The flush of her cheeks deepens slightly, and it is accompanied by a demure smile. Elyse nods once, "You refer, I imagine, to the recent visit I have made to the dungeons, my Prince?" There is an apologetic tone to her voice. Her hand moves to try and grasp Theowyn's as his hand brushes across her arm.

Theowyn's hand moves around her own, his eyebrow raised at an incline. "There was mild gossip to that affect, though I was not certain whether it was a practical joke..." A teasing grin shows, as he leans forward to light press his lips on Elyse's cheek. "So am I to assume that my Princess went into the depths of Caemlyn's dungeons?"

Meridon turns a page and snorts at the illustration on it.

Elyse blushes yet more, and bows her head a little in a sheepish expression, then lifts it again. Her tone seems confident, though polite and not overly-assertive, "Well, yes. Twas not for long, I assure you, my Prince. And not without proper escort." She seems thoughtful before stating, "I wanted to speak with the accused directly." A frown tugs at her lips.

Theowyn squeezes Elyse's arm with reassurance. "There is no harm in that. And considering the sensitive nature of the case, Lord Daric might be appreciative of a more neutral party. I do not underestimate his position. We know he mistrusts House Versyr, and the Head of his House is a Gaidin. That, no less faced with the possibility of charges in the murder of an Aes Seda." Though the eyes darken at that, his voice still remains soft and reassuring.

Elyse straightens a little, squeezing Theowyn's hand affectionately, "Yes, well, I set him straight on the matter of my opinions of House Versyr, rest assured. I'm not so certain I could be of any service to his plight, but I was concerned that he was being held in such conditions without formal charges, my Prince. A circumstance, I have since learned, has been remedied. Though, forsooth, it is not my place to judge Andoran custom and law, my Prince." Her free hand smoothes the material in her lap, there is more. The thougthful, uncertain expression on her countenance confirms it.

"I take part of the blame for that. There was a miscommunication in documents sent between Lt. Cronus and Lord daric," Theowyn explains lightly enough. "Once the order was signed, he was only to be held for questioning, and then released. Apparently Lt. Cronus and others believed it would have been best to keep him longer. But yes, he has been released. Under what circumstances, I have yet to know."

Meridon flips another page, and he continues to read slowly, silently, only moving to cross his legs.

Elyse looks visibly relieved, and sighs softly, "I'm glad to hear on't. Truly." She pauses before continuing, in a curious tone, "Lord Daric also indicated that he was not permitted to see the crime scene, or the body. Is this true, my Prince." Her tone seem more that she is merely curious, and not suggesting that he should be allowed to see the crime scene or body.

Theowyn leans back a hint at the question, considering the matter. "I was not informed of such a request, nor would I be. The trouble of not having served in the Queen's Guard as a guardsman, is I have little experience with protocol. I do not know if this would be typical, for the accused to see the body. I am certain someone on his behalf could view both the crime scene and the body." Theowyn leans back on the sofa. "In truth, I do not wish to bias the investigation. Lord Daric has already stated his thoughts on House Versyr. By being directly involved, I could do just that."

Meridon hmm's to himself, and blinks slowly at his book. Pages continue to turn, slowly.

Elyse nods sagely, lapsing into a lengthy silence and then leaning a little in the direction of the First Prince's voice, She mutters to Theowyn, "The... Prince .... . I... is... and... enemies... I... directly.... had thought," she sighs a bit, her brow furrowed, "Truthfully I do not know what I thought. Perhaps it was a mistake. I just cannot help but feel partially responsible for her death."

You sense Elyse nods sagely, lapsing into a lengthy silence and then leaning a little in the direction of the First Prince's voice, "The Ring, my Prince . . . I fear it is the cause to all of this, and I fear it has fallen into the hands of my enemies . . . I am afraid I did not get very far with Lord Daric directly. I had thought," she sighs a bit, her brow furrowed, "Truthfully I do not know what I thought. Perhaps it was a mistake. I just cannot help but feel partially responsible for her death."

"The ring?" The First Prince likely nearly had forgotten, his eyes going wide at the suggestion. Once again his focus is clealry on her. "Do you know what it did? Was she clear on its purpose?" he asks next, thoughts already scrambling.

A sharp inhale, probably an aborted yawn, escapes from Meridon. He blinks heavily, then lifts the book closer to his eyes to peer at a particular illustration.

Elyse shakes her head with regret evident in her features, "No, I'm afraid I know no more than I did before. She did not know its use either and intended to study it. In fact, she took the entire stone it was hidden within, and not the ring itself. She said that she would make it known that she had it, and that it was no longer in my possession--for my safety. So that I would suffer no more attempts on my life, my Prince. And not but a few days afterward, her disappearance was recorded." Elyse smoothes her skirt once more. She wears the expression of guilt just as if she was the one to drive the killing wound into the Sedai herself, personally. This has weighed heavy on her mind for some tiem, it would seem.

Lorewyr walks from the Queen's Chambers, entering the Sitting Room.

Lorewyr steps out of the room, and shouts loudly, "YESSS!!!"

The leaps in logic continue, until Theowyn finally inclines his head in agreement. "It will be a matter to look into. Caenna Sedai knew the risks of her trade, and of what she possessed. Though yes, we need to find its location, and hope it is currently safely locked away in the White Tower." Theowyn's fingers reach around hers and squeeze, though now he is more distracted by thought. "So what did it look like, the object that she took?" Theowyn looks to Lorewyr with surprise.

Elyse opens her mouth as she is about to answer the First Prince and then gives a visble start to the sudden shout. Her head tilts a little more in that direction.

Meridon peers up from his book and examines Lorewyr.

Lorewyr turns, and blinking suddenly noticing that people are here, he blushes, and says a lot quieter, "Excuse me." He turns for the stairs.

Inarin walks from the Queen's Chambers, entering the Sitting Room.

Inarin steps out of the suite, looking vaguely irritated.

Meridon, fresh from his glance up at Lorewyr, peers up at the white-garbed fellow now. A book rests open in his lap.

Theowyn offers brief whispers of reassurance as he watches Lorewyr turn the corner, and then stops Inarin step out. "Lord Captain?" he asks from across the room, sitting with Elyse near the fireplace.

Elyse gives Theowyn's hand another squeeze, but remains quiet and merely attentive. As he addresses someone else, she doesn't move from her position, or the angle of her head towards the Queen's doors.

Theowyn turns his head away from Inarin, shrugging his should briefly, though also tensing a hint more. "You were saying, Princess?"

Inarin waits patiently over by the door of the Queen's Suite, though away from eavesdropping distance. The player, having been idled by a hungry dog that tried to eat his arm, apologizes for that. He nods towards Theowyn, politely.

Elyse turns her head a bit more towards Theowyn and nods, answering, "I can really only go by the feel, my Prince, asn it wasn't described to me in detail . . ." She pauses thoughtfully, "It was imbedded within one of my Onyx stones in my diadem. The center piece, actually, the largest. Smooth was the surface, and inset with a golden Tiger-eye stone in its center. It felt smooth to the touch, like glass, so well-polished, I imagine. Caenna Sedai said she could not see the actual ring within, but that was the object she sensed was the source of my troubles." She pauses a gain, swallowing, her throat starting to go a little dry, then continues, "We assumed it was a ring within, based on what my captors said, my Prince . . . do you think this was the cause? Do you think her death was all my fault, Theowyn?" dropping the title unexpectedly.

Meridon does not peer for any longer than necessary, however. His interest returns to his book as if there couldn't possibly be anything else needing so much attention.

Theowyn shakes his head, the other hand cupping Elyse's cheek. "It is something I will look into. But love, whether it was or wasn't the cause, it is not your fault. Caenna Sedai knew the risks she was taking." Theowyn tilts his head to the side as he leans forward. "I will send a messanger to the Tower to ask. This matter needs resolving. But do not blame yourself." With that, Theowyn motions Elyse into an embrace.

Rio walks softly from the Queen's Chambers, entering the Sitting Room.

Rio makes her way out of the queens chambers. Her eyes search the room until they alight upon the Child Inarin. "The queen will see you now," she tells the man gravely.

"Thank you, Rio Sedai." Inarin replies, simply, and then turns to head inside the Suite.

Inarin walks through a pair of gilded doors, into the Queen's Chambers.

Rio sighs and then begins to make her way toward her own quarters.

Meridon, done with the whole attentiveness bit, goes on with his reading. He flips a page in the wood-bound book and hmms.

Rio walk softly into your Suite after a doorman in the livery of the Gray Ajah opens the door.

Elyse returns the hug gently, smiling a little, feeling encouraged with Theoyn's reassurance, though her doubts do not fade completely. She mutters to Theowyn, "Thank..." Then lets out a small sigh, "I do hope I am not only adding to any other complication you must already suffer with affairs of state as they are?"

You sense Elyse returns the hug gently, smiling a little, feeling encouraged with Theoyn's reassurance, though her doubts do not fade completely. "Thank you, my Heart." Then lets out a small sigh, "I do hope I am not only adding to any other complication you must already suffer with affairs of state as they are?"

Meridon replaces the ribbon in his book and shuts it softly. With little ta-do, he stands, replaces the book in his coat, and heads for the stairs.

Meridon stands and leaves the Settee.

Meridon descends the white spiral, headed for the lower levels of the Palace.

"Complexity is welcomed if it helps to bring the truth behind a crime, even if the likelihood remote." While holding Elyse deep within the embrace, Theowyn whispers further in her hear. "My brave Princess, I do love you. And I will not have you worry on this. It will be dealt with, either result is not of your fault, but of the fault of those that wish to bring harm upon the good."

Elyse murmurs softly, still hugging warmly, pressing herself against Theowyn, "I love you, Theowyn."

Theowyn shifts on the sofa, and slowly begins to rise, while his arms support Elyse. "Time for bed, Princess?" he suggests quietly. "I look forward to a resful evening." Whether that means he'd like her to come by or not would only be clear in that wanting undertone of his voice.

Elyse smiles and rises easily with the Prince. Her Honor Guard positioning themselves behind the couple, "Yes, though I would like to meet with you when it is convenient, my Prince. I am selfish. I miss our time together." She blushes, pressing herself a little more closely against him.

Tyrion walks enters from the Guest Quarters.

With the escorting arm, Theowyn leads Elyse to her chambers and offers a kiss goodbye before finding his own.

Tyrion enters the room from the guest quarters, his stunted legs moved at an eager pace. His man Royce, a large man by nature, walks alongside.

Elyse returns the kiss goodnight, gentley, chastely, and then is lead into her chambers by her own escort.