Having retired shortly after dinner, Elyse thanked you for your escort back to her chambers. The Kamikatsu apartment seemed to have more activity than usual, but no one seemed to think anything amiss. After all, the people entering and leaving the apartment were either wearing Palace livery, or Kandori livery. She was not expected to come and visit you tonight, feeling someone tired from the activity of the day--visting nobles and advisors, who apparently have an interest in the Princess now that its more public knowledge that the Princess is formally courting the Prince.

The thief that has been sneaking around the apartment was thankfully (for him) close to the Princess' door when he heard a disturbance at the front. That's when one would usually role his eyes and ponder why in the Light his luck is so bad. He lips into her bedroom where the door was already opened a crack, and frantically searches the place on where to go. He's trapped, he knows it, and finds the only reasonable place of shelter is within the closet. A slight noise might be heard as his elbow lightly presses into the back. An empty thump, not a hard one expected. He begins to play around the cracks.

Elyse's voice can be heard at her bedchambers, with one of her servants. They both enter. It is some time as the Princess is undressed, washed, her luxuriant hair brushed a hundred times, and then helped to bed. During which the pair make idle chatter about this and that, mostly about Theowyn, the impending war, and Princess Etania--a sad note to their voices following the latter. When teh servant finally leaves, there is a creak in the bed, indicating Elyse is sitting back up again. What could she be doing?

The man in the closet continues his quiet breathing, beads of sweat pouring from his forehead as he knows he's in trouble now. Though perhaps there is an escape. He continues to finger along the door to the passageway until he finds the right place. It is out of despiration that he does, but it is certainly there. With a click the door opens.

Further creaking of the bed possibly be perceived as Elyse just turning over, at least to her guardsmen. But in truth, she is getting out of bed. She feels her way along the wall slowly, then pauses, tilting her head a listening at something within the quiet. She then shakes her head and resumes, thinking it her imagination. After all. What threat could happen in her own bedchambers. She reaches the side of the wardrobe, feeling along the wood and moving towards the door--probably long after the thief made his escape into the corridor.

The thief is not to sure where he is going throughthe corridor. he certainly isn't happy, and the fact that he found it alone is some twist of faith. Feeling safety within the corridor, he stops and folds his legs down. Safety. At least for now. He rests.

Elyse finds the knob on the wardrobe and slowly, quietly pulls the door open. A rather mischevious grin on the young Kandori's features. Theowyn is not expecting her but. . . she just can't resist. She can tell him she wants another dancing lesson as an excuse. If she needs one. Cautiously, blindly, she pulls herself up into the wardrobe and feels for the trigger to open the door, unless the door would have been left open?

The door is closed, though you may feel a hint of cloth trapped within the door. The man himself continues to sit and rest, his breathing finally calming to something more sensible. He begins to move further up the path. And as you open the door, he opens the one leading into Theowyn's room. The First Prince is not within.

Elyse doesn't seem to notice the cloth caught, or if she does, she thinks she misinterprets the feeling for something else . . . she does that. She does pause, however, stepping into the corridor and listening for a moment at what little noise she perceives, "Theowyn?" she whispers, closing the secret door to her own wardrobe.

The man haults, her voice having travelled the length of the corrodor and to his senses. Now the thief isn't the brightest apple, but he certainly knows that name is the same that of the First Prince. He also doesn't exactly realize that this passage leads into Theowyn's room, but the fact that his name is called out certainly hints that Theowyn would be around. As much as this confuses him, he tries to look into the room beyond the closet, though he sees nothing past the clothing. He goes very silent.

Absorbing the silence a lengthy moment, Elyse lets out a long breath and mutter, "Rodents . . . " bitterly, and continues on down the corridor towards the opening to Theowyn's closet, unaware that anyone is there. Her breathing seems a bit short, but it could be nervousness over just being in Theowyn's arms again. The only other sound is her slippered feet shuffling alongthe stone floor.

Its a good thing the door into Theowyn's room remains open, the noises of the man's breathing perhaps not as well echoed throughout the room. But soon, as the blind Princess feels her way through the horridor, she would certainly catch the sounds of the breaths. Someone breathing, yet footsteps not heard. It is fortunate for the thief that some flicker of light from the room that manages by the closet lights the sight of the silks of the Princess' robe.

Elyse freezes as she begins to sense the breathing, "Theowyn?" she asks again, her brow furrowing, "Is that you?" another whisper. She is probably within grabbing distance, this close, if need be. But she doesn't move forward and neither does she move back, "Theowyn . . . " her voice brooking on fear, and chastizing, "this isn't amusing," and at that she moves forward again, towards the thief.

It might all happen a little quick, the man having the aid of the light as the beautiful features of the Princess come into sight. There is a hesitation that comes to him, the thief uncertain of what he will do, the evil that lays inside him still unclear. Though something happens inside the room, likely a turn of the doorknob, though the noise is difficult to pick-out. You would suddenly feel the hand move around your lips while the other moves across your hair and presses to the back of your head. The intent is to insure not a whimper is sounded, and for one that is blind, the only likely warning was the brush against your hair.

Elyse only has the opportunity to inhale sharply as the hand comes around her mouth and hair. She struggles, hands flailing and body jerking backward, while the Princess tries to issue a cry, though obviously muffled. Her vacant eyes grow wide with fear. Her breathing becomes laborous.

The doors to the Princess Chambers do open. The man that holds you by the head roles you down to the ground with one motion. For now his instinct of survival comes into play, though certainly he will have a hard time fending her off and keeping her lips locked with his current hold. The door to Theowyn's chamber remains open, and beyond the clothing the sound another entering is heard. Theowyn gets trapped near the door speaking with a Guardsman. It is then that the thief slips away the hand around your neck to produce the blade. He does not know about the blindness, though the sudden cool metal against your throat might be a good indication of such.

The futile struggling continues up until she feel the balde at her throat, then she goes very still and very quiet. But she can't help her hard breathing, she's frightened after all. She remains rigid on the floor of the corridor with the thief holding her tight and pressing that hard edge against her throat, she easily can guess what is it, yes. It certainly doesn't feel pleasant.

The door to the chambers once again closes, and this time the Prince is likely alone. The slow process of undressing begins, it has been a long night, but for the thief as well. Holding her down on the cold floor, his eyes peer out through the closet before he becomes increasingly concerned. THe threat is well implied, the edge of the blade pressing against your skin as he moves to close the door.

Elyse doesn't even swallow with the blade so close there, as she slowly begins to recover from her heavy breathing, trying to get that under control lest the assailant think she might be a threat to him that way and silence her for good. Easy, however, she nudges her toes along the floor, and her fingers wherever they fell when she was taken down, trying to get her barings within the corridor. The rest of her remains rigid and does not resist her captor.

The thief hardly knows what to do next, unwanting to give away his location by creating a disturbance in moving himself and Elyse. He does shift a little, amoving his knee against Elyse's rib as he frees himself almost completely from her but for the knife. The Princess could likely feel his body weight shifting, and then the shound of the door shutting ever so slowly. This, as Theowyn can be heard approaching the closet.

With everything freed except the blade at her throat, and the feeling in the stone of Theowyn's approach, Elyse's mind races for what to do. She finds the wall with her toes and fingers on one side, and her other hand lays flat against the floor. She waits, her breathing growing laborous once more as panic nearly grips her. Think, Elyse, think. You're a Borderlander. You won't be victimized this way . . . at the sound of Theowyn opening the front of his closet she risks her life, crying out--panic thick within her call, "Theow--!" the rest is lost in a garbled cry as she tries to thrust her shoulder into the thief, using the wall and floor as a push-off point, and then her own instinct for self-perservation. She hopes he wasn't expecting that, and perhaps her throat might not be cut, not at least with the direction she's pushing herself, further into the man. Her chest is likely very vulnerable, though, perhaps her collar bone . . .

Much like the call, the thief nearly panics at the silence being broken. He had been so focused on closing the door, so focused on the Prince that approached, that the quiet being suddenly broken comes at a surprise. And next the push, one that is further complicated by the Prince that tears the door open. The thief is loses his balance at the impact, too surprised to press down on the knife, though the push does send a cut across Elyse's skin just past the collar bone. The cut is light, and would have been worse if the thief did not react with pure instict by attempting to thrust the knife toward the opening door. The swing easily misses, Theowyn reaching the man with a tight grab of his arm as the knife swings by. Elyse could likely hear the sudden lift of the man and the hurling of clothing and such with Theowyn tugs at him hard and out of the passageway. As the thief lands on the floor within Theowyn's room, he begins to quiver away. A simple thief, he was not ready for this, not raising a knife to a Princess or swinging at a Prince. "Guards!" The door bursts in some moments later, and as guards make their approach, Theowyn heads toward the closet. "Elyse!" her name called in dear despirate form as he pushes through.

Nolan comes into the room.

Nolan has arrived.

Nolan slips inside behind the Guards, hand reaching for the knife hilt at his belt, but not drawing just yet.

Elyse doesn't cry out at the slicing of her flesh, but she does gasp, and struggle to get away on hand and foot even as she feels the thief being pulled away from her, she cannot fully realize what is going on, the success, or lack thereof. She is merely reacting on instinct for survival and scampers away as best she can along the secret passageway floor, away from the direction of the assailant, and only pauses when she hears Theowyn's voice, her hands moving forward, above her head to grasp . . . a boot? Yep, there was an accomplice hidden elswhere within the Princess' Chambers who had been in Alianthe's at the time of the unexpected arrival, and managed in the interim, to seek out his thieving friend, only to find this Princess at his feet. In the dim corridor the unmistakable sound of a short sword unsheathing, and the sudden startled yelp of the Princess as she is dragged to her feet, large hand wrapping around her slender throat beginning to choke her, though not too much. The other hand holds his sword out towards Theowyn in the narrow secret corridor, "Stay where you are . . . " the brigand warns, "Else, I'll crush her pretty lil throat . . ." his voice rings with grim determination.

The First Prince is far from dressed, wearing a light over-shirt with loosened ties and slacks that are casual. He had just returned from meetings, after-all. The Queen's Guard tend to the man sprawled a fair distance away from the closet that Theowyn had rushed toward and halfway into until the sound of the sword is heard. Theowyn is unarmed, though for a Warder trained of the Tower that is little consolation for the source of Theowyn's anger. Then again, having the Princess well strapped in a cletched hand is another matter. "You'll not make it ten paces out of here," Theowyn manages, his blue eyes setting on the man and looking past the woman that he loves and her pain. "No reward will be gained for the dead man that kills the Princess." Theowyn does make himself the easy target, taking a step forward with his arms well raised. Unarmed. He does tempt the man, he hopes.

Nolan studies what he can see of the corridor in Theowyn's closet for a few moments, examining it's structure. The next room over would be the Princess', would it not? He slips back out into the sitting room and attempts to come at the thief from behind.

With that step the desperate thief clenches his strong fist around Elyse's throat, who brings her hands up, trying to claw his tight grip away from her bruising throat. Even if the light wasn't good enough to see, the rasping of her breath as he clenches his grip more around her would be enough to tell that he's killing her slowly. His back is up against the paneled secret doorway to Elyse's room; he is, effectively pinned. But he knows leverage when he has it, and uses that sickly sound of the Princess trying to breath to instill motivation for the Prince to stop moving forward, "I *said* stay where you are . . . you may kill me, I know, whether I escape this blasted passageway or not, but can you live without your dear Kandori tart?" He gestures forward with the sword, not knowing Nolan slipped away, from this angle and perspective, "Now, ease off, Your Highness, and I'll loosen my grip, see?"

The pause is not long, Theowyn indeed taking a step back, though it far from complete. He stands on his toes, preparing to leap at the man in hopes he will avoid the sword. A Queen's Guard follows into the tunnel, stopping short in his tracks a few paces away. The darkness makes it difficult to see, but the brilliance of any blade still would hold a reflection from the slightest light. The Guardsman has his sword free, and is some steps behind Theowyn, not a danger to the man yet, though Theowyn reaches back with his arm. Theowyn waits to see if the grip loosens.

Nolan comes upon the closed panel in Elyse's closet, running his hand along it he judges to be not too sturdy. He pulls his dueling knife and shoves it bladefirst through the thin panel at chest level, hoping to wound the thief and give Theowyn an opening of some sort.

The captor doesn't move from his position against the closed panel, but he does loosen his grip, slightly. Its still tight, and Elyse still holds her hands at the grip, a futile attempt given his superior strength. But at least she isn't rasping anymore, and her throat isn't in immediate danger of being crushed. For now. "Good," the man says gently, "Now ease off a little more, and this Borderland vixen might live to see her wedding day." She would be indignant at that, but well, she's in no position to show offense right now. He pushes off from the paneled door, pushing Elyse a pace ahead of him and still holding the sword outstretched before him, and his grip remains encircled around Elyse's throat. Just as he pushes off, Nolan's dueling knife pushes through. Not enough to hurt him save but perhaps for a scratch, but enough to startle him, and the perpetrator throws his back to the corridor wall, "Arrrgh!" he cries, swordarm outstretched towards Theowyn, while Elyse is resituated like a human shield, facing the front and the side of him towards the paneled door to Elyse's room, where Nolan and a large handful of Kandori guardsmen are waiting, "I'll bloody kill her! I will!" he exclaims in desperation, his grip tightening around the Princess' throat while his head turns to and fro not wanting to linger on Theowyn on one side, or the unexpected attack from Nolon on the other side, for too long and drop his guard.

The Kandori let Nolan in after a brief bit of muted persuasion. He had been introduced to them all after all, and they know why he's there. If he is alarmed, they are. After clearing out the single servant that had been puttering around the sitting room, they now away beyond the closed door of the secret panel to Elyse's room, with Nolan. All about to pile in if necessary, but not wanting to cause the Princess' death with a hasty advance.

The door opening on the other side gives Theowyn a surprising moment, and though he leaps forward, the sword nearing his body forces a swift move to the side and back. Withough care, he grabs at the sword from the Guardsman behind him, the exchanging beging brief. "You have your last chance," Theowyn whispers at a volume enough for the thief to hear. "You will be dead before you have a chance to harm her another moment." The sword does begin to come around, Theowyn hoping the man is not dexterious enough to defend his sword arm from the swinging sword, attempt to strangle the Princess, and avoid the attack on the other side.

Nolan can't do much more that won't risk the Princess other than withdraw his knife from the door and listen. It's all up to the Prince now.

The perpetrator growls, his attention returning to the Prince at his words and with a final powerful thrust, pushes the Princess away, turning his body at the same time to better face the Prince with his sword. In the narrow passage, the Princess is thrown against the opposite wall with a sickening smack as her forehead meets hard stone and she slumps to the floor, her body limp in a pool of silks that are her nightshift and robe, partially blocking the paneled doorway to her wardrobe, though she is light and its conceivable she could be pushed aside enough to open the door and retrieve her. The armed man now freed of the cumbersome Princess advances on the Prince, desparation, fear, and rage filling his motions in the narrow corridor as he swings his swordarm away from any descending attack and tries a quick thrusting motion. Light help him, he's not only bold enough to attack the Prince, but bold enough to attack a trained Warder!

The smack of Elyse's forehead against the wall sets Theowyn's mind spinning. All this time he had used the void to ignore the obvious pain she was in, but that nearly faulters his centration as his eyes turn to her limp body. Theowyn nearly does not block the thrusting sword when concern threatens the void, though does take a step back and a breath before truly letting his blade swing through the air. In the tight quarters it is his wrists that are used, blocking the path of his thrusts and twisting for quick slices. The Guardsman behind is forced to step back some, though already a group of the Queen's Guard form at the entrance on Theowyn's side of the room. The dual does begin, though Theowyn having the specific plan to block his attackers blade against the wall before stepping forward into a puncturing blow.

After hearing the sword fight start, Nolan shoves open the closed panel. When he sees, the unconscious Princess, he kneels down to pick her up and get her out of the tunnel and to her bed.

A few more grunts and grrrs are issued from the assailant as he tries to push Theowyn back, but is quickly put on the defensive as the Warder's trained skilled slices make a few marks on the perpetrator's unguarded forearms. His desperation builds, which puts him at more risk for careless mistakes, though his fury and panic perhaps keeps him formidable for longer than his friend had been. As he is inched back further to where the Princess had landed, Theowyn's intended strike lands, and with the thief's blade knocked against the wall, the knuckles raking against the stone, the sword falls from his grasp and he is wide open for that puncturing blow. He doubles over as Theowyn's sword finds its way into him, staggering, his shoulder hitting the wall before he slumps the rest of the way, sliding off Theowyn's sword. Not quite dead yet, but not feeling bettah either. His breathing comes in nearly the same laboured breathing as Elyse's had moments before, his bare hands gripping the bloody wound made at his middle. "Oh . . . blood and bloody ashes," he rasps.

Theowyn might regret not attempting to disarm the man later, the anger finally allowed to show within his gaze as the man slips off the sword. The weapon gets discarded to the side. Theowyn's shirt showing hints of blood, his brow a hint of sweat, though otherwise he shows little sign of the battle that took place. He does watch the man carefully though, as he moves to slip past him and into the bedroom of the Princess. The Queen's Guard begin to handle the matter of the thieves, as Theowyn will likely be forced to see the unconcious and injured Princess. He nears the bed in slow steps.

Nolan bows from his position by the bed where he was checking Elyse's head wound. Oh look, it's the Altaran musician.

And the Kandori guards seem to know him. Even better. ;)

Bruising shows on Elyse's tender throat, and on her forehead, and likely a few places not revealed under the covers in her bed. The Kandori split up, some returning to their posts, others helping the Queen's Guard with the thieves and a couple yet who go to investigate the rest of the Kamikatsu apartments for more thieves if there are any. A single servant, the one that had been remaining until ushered out, is called back in and begins preliminary attention to the head trauma, dabbing at it with a cool cloth until the Wisdoms can arrive. As Theowyn approaches, however, she starts to back away from the unconscious Princess, not quite certain where she should be, though her instincts think she should be allowed to continue. In stepping away, the servant curtseys to the Prince, and awaits his instruction, as the highest ranking official. She then darts a quick look to Elyse, who moans slightly, and stirs, apparently starting to come around.

Oh yeah, and the cut on her chest.

Theowyn takes almost no notice of those around as he approaches Elyse. Seeing over her injuries, he even ignores the servant that seems to be waiting for his directions. Theowyn sits beside her within the bed, his eyes deep with concern. "Call on Alwyne Sedai," he doesn't give the directions to anyone specific. As his attentions turn more on Elyse, his finger slowly strokes at her hopefully uninjured cheek. "Princess...?" he whispers the question quietly as he sees signs of her coming around.

The servant curtseys and departs without a word. Going to fetch the Sedai. Elyse does indeed start to come around, her eyelids fluttering open to offer that same vacant stare, "Theowyn?" she whispers, lids drooping lazily. She presses her uninjured cheek against the stroke of his cheek, her one hand moving to grasp his hand while the other reaching out for him gently, blindly, "Where am I . . we?" she asks in a whisper, then, "Are you alright? Uninjured, my Heart?" she asks suddenly as the memory of events come to her . . . her lids start too droop again, and she fights to stay conscious and alert, awaiting your answer . . .

Princess Kamikatsu's Bedchamber

Bruising shows on Elyse's tender throat, and on her forehead, and likely a few places not revealed under the covers in her bed. The Kandori split up, some returning to their posts, others helping the Queen's Guard with the thieves and a couple yet who go to investigate the rest of the Kamikatsu apartments for more thieves if there are any. A single servant, the one that had been remaining until ushered out, is called back in and begins preliminary attention to the head trauma, dabbing at it with a cool cloth until the Wisdoms can arrive. As Theowyn approaches, however, she starts to back away from the unconscious Princess, not quite certain where she should be, though her instincts think she should be allowed to continue. In stepping away, the servant curtseys to the Prince, and awaits his instruction, as the highest ranking official. She then darts a quick look to Elyse, who moans slightly, and stirs, apparently starting to come around.

Oh yeah, and the cut on her chest.

Theowyn takes almost no notice of those around as he approaches Elyse. Seeing over her injuries, he even ignores the servant that seems to be waiting for his directions. Theowyn sits beside her within the bed, his eyes deep with concern. "Call on Alwyne Sedai," he doesn't give the directions to anyone specific. As his attentions turn more on Elyse, his finger slowly strokes at her hopefully uninjured cheek. "Princess...?" he whispers the question quietly as he sees signs of her coming around.

The servant curtseys and departs without a word. Going to fetch the Sedai. Elyse does indeed start to come around, her eyelids fluttering open to offer that same vacant stare, "Theowyn?" she whispers, lids drooping lazily. She presses her uninjured cheek against the stroke of his cheek, her one hand moving to grasp his hand while the other reaching out for him gently, blindly, "Where am I . . we?" she asks in a whisper, then, "Are you alright? Uninjured, my Heart?" she asks suddenly as the memory of events come to her . . . her lids start too droop again, and she fights to stay conscious and alert, awaiting your answer . . .

Nolan stands out of the way and waits patiently to be noticed.

The bed further moves to Theowyn's form as he reaches over to continue the stroking brushes on Elyse's cheek. He insures her attentions are away from sleep, while at the same time he takes closer notice of her injuries. "You are in your chambers, my love. And safe now. We are all safe now. But we need to worry on you now," he tells her quietly, the hand lifting away to brush a few strands of hair from her forehead without touching on the bruise. There is a pause, before Theowyn's eyes widen at a thought, and he does turn to Nolan there. "Sir, thank-you," he adds further, a questioning tone in his voice, as though seeking a name.

Nolan smiles and bows as Theowyn thanks him, but the smile is quickly replaced by an apologetic look as he makes a speaking gesture with his hand, then touches his chest and shakes his head.

The eyelids of the Princess do fall back down, not terribly significant since she can't see anyway, though she continues to murmur softly so is not quite back into unconsciousness, "I've taken . . . worse . . . " not quite the truth, considering the struggle she's having at remaining conscious--but she is trying to be strong and brave about it, like any Borderlander would. "That . . . . man . . ?" she whispers, with a worried undertone in her voice. There were actually two, but hey, she's blind adn doesn't quite have her wits about her.

Though it cannot be claimed that the man "bursts in," Sohai's quick and graceful stides when something has him rushed haev been known to draw attention. Upon arriving, the Lt. Commander quckly assesses the room and the occupants within. His gaze only lingers on two places, the opened wardrobe leading to the secret passage where a few mne still linger to investigate and the Princess lying beneath the sheets of her bed. Another Kandori soldier moves to meet Sohai, offering a more full report than he had received previously.

"A mute, it seems, the one playing the music during our walk some days ago," Theowyn tells Elyse before his attentions return to her. Concern shows on his features, as he attempts to keep her talking. "I would almost think he knows the Guards here," this he concludes from his earlier, and brief, observation as the Kandori guard did not object to Nolan being within the room. At the bursting in of the Lt. Commander, Theowyn's eyes rest on him. "Sohai is here..." he adds further, and somehow manages to ignore the man for now, his focus coming to the Princess that he caresses with his hand. "A Wisdom is coming, as is an Aes Sedai, if the servants find her."

Elyse nods faintly, turning her head more against Theowyn's hand and murmuring, "So . . . tired . . want . . to sleep . . " and gives another soft exhale of breath, nestled in amongst her blankets . . . "Etania . . " Sohai continues to have a few words with his subordinate, looking grimly at Theowyn and the Princess before returning his attention to the guardsmen, and then nods, issuing quiet orders to clear everyone out save Nolan, Theowyn, and himself. Sohai moves to stand sentry, himself, at the newly discovered entrance, the wardrobe. His eyes fall on Nolan as he passes and he bows a bit to the noble Alaran, "Peace favour your sword, Lord Nolan. You have my gratitude for your assistance tonight." He doesn't do the same to Theowyn, but it could be that he allows the Prince his attention to the Princess, rather than an actual snub.

Nolan smiles and nods to Sohai at the greeting.

"My love," Theowyn's voice nearly begs for her attentions, as he sees her drifting off. The Prince knows enough to realize the injuries must be serious. Leaning forward, he sets himself over her vacant eyes. "Elyse... tell me, were you blind from birth?" he asks, hoping this will trigger some focus to the matter. A good thing he's not directly facing the Lt. Commander, and can easily ignore the man and forget the explinations he'll set about the passage.

Elyse flutters her eyeslids open once more, as if, the question made her doubt her blindness momentarily in her dazed state and then those lids go heavy again, though don't fully close, "Yes . . . " not quite sad, after all, how can you miss something you've never known? Still she knows its a disadvantage--tonight being a prime example of just how much a disadvantage it could be . . . "What . . . do purple . . flowers . . . look like?" she suddenly asks, though her tone remains a whisper. Her hands move a little, trying to feel for Theowyn--any part of him--and her cheek remains nuzzled against his hand until he removes it. Sohai has nothing further to add, though, if he gets an opportunity to speak to the Prince alone, he'll take advantage of it. For now, his attentions remain divided on the door to the wardrobe, the Princess, and the rest of the room.

Nolan leans against one of the walls and slides down into a sitting position. At Elyse's question about purple flowers causes a sorrowful expression to pass over his face as he watches the scene before him.

Alwyne has arrived.

Alwyne sweeps into the room, not bothering to knock, and looks around almost imperiously.

The Prince dares further, attempting to keep her attentions on him and life, for sleep would certainly lead to her death. The impatience for a Wisdom or Aes Sedai to enter does not show, but he certainly tenses him inside. The kiss is but a near brush of their lips, strands of his fair falling to her. "Princess, focus on me." Of course, this would be easier with a person that could see. For one that does not, she must feel. He grasps her hand tightly with his free hand. "Purple flowers are light in their attentions, though radiant in beauty when one looks to them. Their peddles are soft and smooth, well shaped around the center." Theowyn lays on the bed over Princess Elyse. Nolan and the Lt. Commander are off to the side.

Alwyne raises her eyebrow slightly. "What has happened?" she asks, as she quickly moves over to the bedside.

Nolan is sitting on the floor, leaning against one of the walls, watching the Princess with concern. At Alwyne's entrance, he stands and bows to the Aes Sedai.

Alwyne absently inclines her head to Nolan, though her full attention is on the girl.

Sohai bows respectfully to the Sedai as she enters, from his position next to, oddly, a closed wardrobe--almost as if the wardrobe was being guarded. Elyse remains barely on the point of consciousness, gripping Theowyn's offered hands tightly, her eyelids blinking sleepily--the vacant gaze remains beneath them. "Purple . . . Sedai" she murmurs, then in a sudden whisper, "Theowyn? . . . I owe them . . . so much . . . already . . . I don't want . . . to be indebted . . further . . Daes Dae'mar . . . " her grip loosens on his hands . . .

With the entrance of the Aes Sedai, relief takes to his features. Theowyn lifts away from Elyse, though once again his eyes focus on her. "Alwyne Sedai is here. Do you remember her from the event we went too, we spoke with her?" Again, he keeps her thinking though lifts away. "Alwyne Sedai," the voice is less warm and more urgent with authority. "Princess Elyse, I believe the hit to the head is the worse of it. She was out for a few moments, came too, but now is drifting away." Its diffult for Theowyn to maintain his composure, but he does.

Alwyne nods and moves over to the side of the bed. She seats herself next to the princess, and holds Elyse's head lightly between her hands. The Aes Sedai's expression remains smooth, though she suddenly appears to be looking -through- the girl.

Elyse lets out a long breath, eyes drifting closed fully now, but with Theowyn's movements her hands grow alert once more and she tries to cling to him with half her strength. The rest of her strength is spent on trying to remain conscious. Then, suddenly, violently, the Princess shudders as the chill of Healing washes through her lithe form. She doesn't flail, but wherever her grip lay, bei it Theowyn or the sheets if he's moved too far for her reach, she digs her nails in, fists clenched to a knuckle-white, her teeth gritting together, and her eyes squinted shut. Finally, her back arches, and she unclenches her teet to suck in a sharp breath of air, head tossed back . . . then sinks back into the soft mattress beneath her, expelling the huge breath in a somewhat contented, though obviously weary, sigh. Her bruises on her throat and forehead are gone, and the cut on her chest completely healed as if it never existed. As any Healing would for a person being Healed, she needs rest now more than ever. She drifts softly into a normal and safe slumber . . .

Alwyne allows her hands to linger on the princess's head for one more moment, apparently waiting for something, then removes them and stands gracefully. "As I asked before, what happened here?"

Theowyn did not edge from the bed for more then what was required for Alwyne to focus on Elyse, and so he contently takes the pain of her nails digging into his skin. There is an almost relief when the Healing begins, even with Elyse's struggle, knowing full well that it will be better soon. At least hoping, assuming no other complications. When she falls to her sleep, he offers a "Goodnight Princess..." before too sighing lightly in a state of relief. "Thank-you Sister," he states, eyes not leaving Elyse. He seems to leave the matter of what happened for someone else to explain, Theowyn not shifting his attentions away from Elyse, even now when she is safe in her dreams.

Alwyne inclines her head to Theowyn, but still waits for an answer.

Nolan waits for the Princess to fall asleep, then moves to follow Theowyn out of the room. He offers Alwyne another bow as he passes.

Nolan waits for the Princess to fall asleep, then moves to leave the room. His work is done here. He offers Alwyne a bow as he passes.

Sohai glances around the room, thinking Theowyn, who was there afterall, and isn't mute like Nolan, would best answer the Sedai's question. Since the Prince does not seem to offer one, the Lt. Commander clears his throat and dips his head respectfully to the Sedai before beginning, "I was not present, Aes Sedai," his voice a rumbling, but quiet sound, "but the report given me was that Princess Elyse was taken hostage by one of two men, who were apparently aware of a secret passageway between this wardrobe," gesturing to the wardrobe, "And The First Prince of the Sword's closet. The First Prince encountered the perpetrators, subdued one, and attempted to subdue teh other, when the Princess was knocked against the corridor wall. Lord Nolan here, managed to retrieve her unconscious form while the First Prince dispatched the offending party. That, Aes Sedai, is what I have been informed, however perhaps the First Prince of the Sword may elaborate more detail." Detail that Soahi wouldn't mind having as well.

Alwyne, who had raised one eyebrow slightly at the mention of the passageway, says, "It only connects the two rooms, you say? From one straight to the other?"

Sohai nods once, "Yes, Aes Sedai."

Theowyn is obviously aware of the Sohai's words, though he shows no signs of that until he nods his head briefly. Those brilliant blue eyes continue to watch Elyse, his hand returning to her cheek feeling the warmth of her skin, insuring she is well for his own benefit. "There is a passageway connecting the two rooms, one which will remain unknown for those that have not witnessed it themselves." The voice is stern, the anger over what happened earlier still showing. The reasons are obvious, as are the implications of such a passage between courting royals.

Sohai's expression does not change. Kandori know how to keep their tongue. Especially when it would cost the reputation of their Princess if they didn't.

Alwyne frowns slightly. "That suggests that the miscreants started out either in this room of the Prince's." She looks at Theowyn. "If you could elaborate on the commander's statement?" She adds, "The Princess will recover."

Sohai watches to see how the Warder dances with the Aes Sedai with a stoic expression. The Princess remains deep in slumber.

Theowyn's eyes do not part from Elyse. The words are half distracted. "I could only assume they began here. When I was made aware of something not being right, I removed the one man that held the Princess hostage. She pushed the man off, even though he was holding a knife to her. When I was removing him from the passageway the other man must have jumped her, coming from this side."

Alwyne says "I do not see how the passageway comes into that, unless they entered in your room and came through the wardrobe to grab her here."

Alwyne says "I do not follow, exactly. They entered this room through her door, past her guards, and attempted to attack her. You heard, and rushed in, then one attempted to escape through the passageway. Is that what happened? Or did they enter through the passageway as well?"

Too bad the Princess is asleep. She could answer that. Sohai remains quietly beside the door to the wardrobe.

Theowyn's attentions finally drift up to Alwyne, the strain showing on his features. The Prince has been an inpatient one lately, but now its more the matter of dealing with nearly losing Elyse. "I speculate the entrance was from this side, only that." Theowyn looks to Elyse, and nods finally. "There is no more to tell then what has been said."

Alwyne says "Both men are dead, then?"

"Only the one," Theowyn's lack of patience is beginning to show. The man is clearly well trained of the Tower, and becoming likely over-confident in his position. "The Queen's Guard will be of better aid when they begin their formal investigation." Turning to Sohai, he nods. "Lt. Commander, we will see to the passageways being locked by key on both ends. My men will be told that the knowledge of its existance is not to be compromised. The channel should be explored. The Queen's Guard will handle the matter, but your men can assist." There is a pause before he asks the next, his voice strained. "If you will permit me to stay here the night so that I may be here for her when she wakes. I can best answer her questions." And best comfort her, as he will believe, but he leaves that unspoken.

Sohai quirks an eyebrow. The Prince recognizing Sohai's authority over their courtship since King Mahal finally agreed to it by missive is something that impresses him. Perhaps the Prince may be deserving of the Princess yet. Sohai bows, slightly deeper than he has before, "Of course, Your Highness." He straightens then, and adds in a calm voice, "If I may be permitted to remain as well, I would like a moment of your time to discuss the matter more privately . . . at your convenience, of course."

A sense of calm does show over Theowyn when he looks to Elyse. Perhaps that concern he had of her waking up confused and without answers is no longer there. "Of course, Lt. Commander," Theowyn nods in respect as he turns back to Sohai.

Alwyne waits for Theowyn to reply to Sohai before saying, "I have one last question, Prince Theowyn, before I leave. Were they trying to kidnap her, or kill her? They could not have been counting on the passageway for escape unless they were certain you would not be in your room, and they could not be certain of that."

"If it was an attempt on her life, she'd not be here right now." The conclusion almost surprised Theowyn, though he reconfirms it with a nod.

Alwyne nods as well. "I assume the other man is not available for questioning?"

Theowyn's gaze returns to Elyse, his voice once again half-distracted as he continues to struggle with the events. "I will insure the Queen's Guard will know of your offer to assist in questioning, if that is required."

Alwyne inclines her head slightly, aware of the prince's distraction. "Then I will leave you for now. I would request that any new information that is found and that can be shared is reported." Her tone makes the request sound more like an order, however.

Sohai would smirk at that, ifhe weren't so stone-faced and concerned for Elyse's well-being at the moment.

Theowyn's eyes briefly drift to Alwyne, his manner far from amused. "Sister, I should remind you that the Palace has an appointed Advising Aes Sedai, and any matters that require the attention of the Tower will be brought to her." The tone is far from pleasant, though shifts in the next statement. "I do thank-you for Healing Princess Elyse." Another pause, the next a near dismissal. "Light Illume, Alwyne Sedai."

Elyse stirs a bit in her sleep, but doesn't seem to be awakening, just shifting. She lets out a soft, vocal sigh as she nestles further against her pillow.

Alwyne raises her eyebrow slightly. For that much to show, she must be angered indeed. "Of course," she says smoothly, though her gaze is cold, sweeping across Sohai and the unconscious princess before coming to rest on Theowyn again. "And I would remind you that -all- Aes Sedai are representatives of the Tower. However, my Sister is the advisor, not I, and I obey the Tower. I would not have it said that I overstepped my position." She inclines her head. "Good day."

Correction: "As you remind me" before "my sister ist he advisor"

Alwyne adds, "And Light Illumine." She turns to step outside of the chambers.

Alwyne has left.

Theowyn manages to hold back the obvious sigh that is near the end of his breath as the Aes Sedai leaves. "Odd, how I thought she did over-step her authority," he manages those words, his voice still holding little amusement. Though at the earlier stirring of Elyse, Theowyn's hand moves to intertwine with hers. "Thank-you again, Lt. Commander."

Sohai nods once, "My thanks to you, as well, Your Highness. The Princess would be slain by now if it weren't for you. I do realize this," there is a pause, "Your Highness, I request permission to speak freely, if I may? Now that we are alone . . . "

"Of course, Lt. Commander." Once Elyse's hand is firmly in his grasp, Theowyn does turn to Sohai more fully.

Elyse's hand is a bit limp in her slumber, but the next time she stirs, she finds Theowyn's grip comforting, closing around it in some fashion. She lets out another contented sigh in her sleep. Sohai watches this a moment and there is a flash of . . . envy? in his eyes, before he schools his expression stoney-calm once more, straightening, "You must know that disagree with the King's command topermit your courtship," he pauses, but there is no sigh, no audible exhale of breath at all actually, "But it is His Majesty's command adn I will carry his orders with dispatch, if not alacrity. But if you will hear them, I will offer my reservations to you, Your Highness, because though I humbly submit my view that you do not deserve each other, I do see that you genuinely have regard for Her Highness--and her safety." That is perhaps the most anyone, outside the visiting Kandori, has ever heard Sohai speak in any one snigle moment.

There is a long pause, Theowyn offering a respectful bow of his head. "Men of honesty, honor, respect, and oath to their ruler," he finishes those words there, taking a brief pause before going on. "The King and the Princess is fortunate to have you in their service, Lt. Commander."

Sohai bows his head in return, "Thank you, Your Highness," he states before going on, "Forgive the rude tongue of a common Knave. I do not mean insult. I've simply not been well-tutored in language arts." There is a pause and this time you can hear the exhale of his breath, though its not quite a sigh, "She is too much in the pubilc eye here, Your Highness," looking to Elyse, "And the formal courtship only worsens it. Isuspect that she only reason she has not had another attempt made on her life up to this point is the tight security around the palace since the other two assassinations. Do I think her enemies known she is here? Absolutely. And they've likely known since before her arrival if that forged letter to His Majesty is any indication," He looks levelly at Theowyn, man to man, "As long as the courtship is permitted to continue, and the Princess is permitted, or expected, to make a circuit of the Court of Andor for social propriety while she is courting you, Your Highness, she is in danger--and given your own sentiments, so well known, you are as well, and your kingdom is." he ends it there, waiting for Theowyn to react before he offers more.

Sohai's words hit home, Theowyn makes it all too obvious as he lowers his eyes and begins to search the room, as though attempting to find answers within himself. The Prince squeezes the hand that he holds, and finally further shows his wrong by reacting with a slight nodding of his head. "Lt. Commander, all that you have said is true," Theowyn states flatly. He turns to Elyse then, taking her into his sights with that gaze that speaks of his affections for the Princess, and likely away from the eyes of Sohai. "Place a hundred guards at the entrance to her room, deliver her needs personally to insure no rogue servants pass through, and insure she never parts for entertainment or for company. Then you will have a safe environment. But at what cost to her?" Theowyn turns to Sohai when the last of the words were spoken, finding what he was looking for within her. "There is a line between safety and convenience in living, perhaps it has been crossed for selfish pleasures. A sense of duty requires me to be at some events outside the Palace, Elyse is certainly not bound to that. It is a matter I will think on."

Sohai listens quietly at length, even pausing to absorb it all before offering quietly, "Far Madding has no Court, Your Highness. We could away and arrive there with little inconvenience, or threat to security." It is merely a suggestion at this point, the way Sohai puts it. His eyes then moves to Elyse, who stirs again, though a little more violently, twisting in her sheets, her hands clenching into tight fists--no matter what they may be wrapped around, brow furrowed as if in pain. It would appear she is having a nightmare. She opens her mouth to issue a soft plaintive cry, "No . . . " Odd, it almost seems she is responding to Sohai's suggestion--though she is obviously still asleep, trapped in a nightmare.

The words are treated as more then just a simple suggestion, Theowyn's eyes once again losing their hold on Sohai in contemplation. If there are those moments that he realizes the selfishness of it all, there are those next moments when it all makes sense. Theowyn's attentions return to Elyse, as he squeezes her hand in an attempt to comfort. The other arm reaching across his body as to caress her cheek, his body leaning toward her. "I fear the costs of our separation will be certain, at your suggestion." Theowyn's voice is calm, near soothing. "It is too late, Lt. Commander. We /are/ in love. Such distance this early in our courting would break us both. At least now we live with eachother, and with hope."

Elyse, however, reawakens with the fluttering of eyelids at Theowyn's affectionate caresses. She suddenly gasps, and sits up straight, gripping Theowyn where her hand held his, and the sheets where her hand did not. Her breathing also seems laboured, her bosom heaving beneath her nightshift and robe, not having been removed from before, and still showing a trickle of blood from her earlier wound. Luckily she can't see it.

Theowyn twists within the bed, his knee looping unto the matress as he moves to better embrace Elyse. She can feel an arm come around her shoulder, and Theowyn's whispers, "Elyse, all is well..." he reassures in a whisper. "Lt. Commander Sohai and I are here." Theowyn tries to encourage her into an embrace, so that she may give into him and lean against him. "You should go back to sleep, love. Unless you wish something to eat?"

Elyse does indeed calm down considerably, and moves to curl herself into Theowyn's offered embrace. Then shakes her head, "No . . . but, I am a bit parched. Some water, perhaps?" Her hands move to roam over Theowyn's body, wherever they find themselves, "You are unhurt, yes, Love?" she asks lightly.

"All is safe, Princess," Theowyn reassures, tensing a little as the Princess begins to feel at his chest while the Lt. Commander is within the room. "I am well," he reassures. Theowyn's hand slowly strokes at her shoulder as he encourages the embrace. "Perhaps we should part long enough so that you can get changed into cleaner clothes?" Well, he'll stretch the definition of what she is wearing as clothing. He waits that brief second to see of Sohai will call a servant, otherwise he does intend to go though would reluctantly leave the Princess he's embracing.

Sohai takes a long look at the offending wardrobe and then begins to move to the door, opening it a crack and murmuring to the guardsmen outside for a servant and some water. He then turns back and moves to stand between the bed and the wardrobe, looking to the Royal couple however, "A servant has been summoned, Your Highness, and will bring the requested chalice of water." He bows his head respectfully, pausing with hesitation, though he does ask, "Before more retainers arrive, Your Highness, forgive me, but I must ask . . . " the man actually seems nervous at the question he needs to ask.

Elyse blinks a bit, her brow furrowing with concern. What ever could make the officer of her legion of men so nervous? She remains in Theowyn's warm embrace, "Thank you, Lt. Commander. You may continue . . . "

Theowyn , perhaps surprisingly so, does not offer the Lt. Commander any aid in his attempts to address a subject that obviously makes him uncomfortable.

Sohai clears his throat, drawing a deep breath to calm himself and asks steadily, quite frankly, "It is unclear how long you were in the captor's possession, at least to any of us, Your Highness. Or if you were attacked more within your bedchambers before being dragged into the secret passageway . . . " he makes a grimace, "If Your Highness lingered in these brigands' possession long enough for one or both of them to . . . compomise . . . your virtue, Your Highness, merely affirm with a nod of your head and I will see to it personally that the surviving brigand is castrated immediately," a brief pause, "With the permission of The First Prince of the Sword, of course.'

Theowyn's expression changes to one of surprise at the suggestion of what could have happened, and less so as to the appropriate method of dealing with the method. Those eyes turn to her, near wide, having been so worried for her life and insuring she was well comforted, well, it hadn't even occured to the Prince's innocent mind.

Probably the deepest shade of blush to ever grace the Princess' features does so now. She even buries her head against Theowyn and there is a long moment where Sohai's chest nearly bursts at the thought of her sense of embarrassment being more shame and indicating that his suggestion is correct. His cold stare seeks Theowyn's, barely checked rage and murderous intent in the Lt. Commander's eyes. He seems not to breathe, waiting for Elyse to give a more clear answer . . . and finally, she does, a shake of her head, still buried against Theowyn's chest unless he's moved away, "No . . . my virtue is very much still intact, Lt. Commander." Sohai relaxes noticeably, letting out the breath he had been holding and nods once.

The void is the main shelter that Theowyn can seek on this matter. He luckily misses Sohai's gaze, though that alone would have set chills down his spine. Chills still come, and as Elyse confirms that her virtues are intact, Theowyn does release the breath he had been holding. Holding her within the warmth of his embrace, his hand lightly strokes at her shoulder, the other moving through her hair. Theowyn wouldn't know what to say after this, and decides its best that he focuses on comforting the Princess. An uncomfortable moment, to be sure.

That uncomfortable silence lingers until there is the creaking of the door to the sitting room, and the guards outside admit a servant woman in Kandori livery. She curtseys to those present, averts her gaze from the Royal couple and brings the serving tray with a chalice of water and a pitcher for a refill, further into the room. Sohai nods once to her, and then moves back to his position beside the wardrobe.

After getting the requested drink of water, and being helped into another, cleaner nightshift, while the gentlemen are turns around, of course, Elyse is helped back into bed. She has remained awkwardly quiet since being asked that difficult question by Sohai. But now . . now that she is back in bed under hs covers she speaks up, "My Prince?"

Theowyn had found a nice and comfortable chair to sit on, one which he was planning on spending the remainder of the night. Better then standing, at any regard. "Yes, Princess?"

Elyse curls up under the covers, letting the servant tuck her in, but she stretches an arm toward him, "Can you . . . will you . . . stay with me all night?" a pause, "With the Lt. Commander, of course."

toward him=toward the sound of his voice

Theowyn stands up from the seat with a moment of hesitation. As he nears the bed, he looks to Sohai only briefly. Setting down on the bed, his hand moves to take hers. "Of course, Princess..." Theowyn's voice flows through too much affection, too much love, his eyes searching out her features in that attraction that he feels.

With that look, Sohai meets it, nodding his silent approval. Nothing else. Elyse smiles, sighing and seeming relieved, and she whispers--uncaring who may overhear now, "I love you," to Theowyn, and sinking back into her pillow, closing her eyes.

Theowyn shifts down enough to place a light kiss on her lips. "I love you too," he whispers quietly. The warmth of his hand finds the familiar smoothness of her cheek, caressing her with light touches while he watches the Princess near her sleep. Theowyn doesn't part from his place beside her until Elyse is in a deep sleep. Soon the dreams find him as well.