With a discouraged sigh the Princess is settled on the floor, leaning up against an opened trunk. Her arms dipped into the trunk, feeling for the contents within. Sohai is within her bedchambers, but after her refusal for his assistance earlier, merely remains his stoic and quiet self in a position between the wardrobe and the doors--equal distance.

As per earlier warning, the not to secret door to the passageway begins to open. Theowyn brushes through the closet and walks within. "Princess. Lt. Commander." He addresses both with the brief bow of his head, though all too soon his eyes settle on Elyse. "Love?" The voice clearly holds a question to it as he watches Elyse motion through the drunk.

Elyse starts to rise from her position, slow and cautious not to trip over her skirts. She manages a distant smile in the direction of Theowyn's voice, but doesn't approach, "Darling," despite the distant smile, her tone is as warm as it always has been with Theowyn, since they professed their love together. "Did you enjoy your time on the hunt?" she smoothes her skirts down a bit. Sohai bows respectfully to the Prince, but says nothing.

The First Prince does begin to sweep his way toward the Princess. "It was enjoyable. Hunting proved to challenge my skills." The tone is content, his intense blue eyes not parting from his princess. When he is near enough his arm moves about the waist, and begins to draw her near. "You have been well?"

With his arm coming around her, Elyse doesn't withdraw right away. Instead, she does offer a gentle hug, and then starts to withdraw, lifting a hand to her forehead a moment, while she tries to focus on doing her best to appear like nothing is bothering her. She doesn't pull it off quite so well. Her voice and face are cast in a direction other than Theowyn's as she answers, "I have been . . . " she cannot lie, but perhaps a partial truth will suffice, "a little fatigued of late, but well-enough considering." She clears her throat and tries a change in subject, "How successful was the hunt, my Darling?"

Theowyn needs to blink a few times to realize that Elyse is pulling away a slight, his eyes trying to focuse on the Princess as he does honestly and briefly seem very confused. "We fed ourselves," he begins quietly, the bear not having been prepared yet and he certainly does not plan on ruining the surprise. The arm around her waist does release, in favor of stroking at her cheek with those light and loving motions. "Fatigued? Have you not been sleeping well, my love?" Theowyn's voice shows his concern, genuin. With all the passionate embraces of their greetings, this is strangely different.

Elyse reaches for the edge of the bed, nearby, and pulls away for the few paces which will bring her to the edge, where she leans against it for support, rather than leaning against Theowyn--which her heart would rather do, but her mind needs space. She lowers her hand from her forehead and says simply, "No." Light how she'd like to say more. Reluctance and worry evident in her features. She swallows visibly, her mind racing for something else to say or do.

Theowyn stays his distance this time, watching Elyse find her bed. Dumbfounded, that concern furthers on his features. This is way different then the huggy and kissy Princess he's had in the past, and he even goes as much as to take a step back. Theowyn's eyes go wider, but his expression is far from readable. His voice though, it tells a different story, as the concern is nearing a panic. "What's wrong? What happened? Did you hear back something from the King? Your sister?" Theowyn's voice furthers, attempting to reach for her. "Love...?"

Sohai watches dispassionately. Though he is curious at the Princess' apparently change of heart. He briefly considers the satisfaction of physically removing the prince for Elyse, but will wait until the matter becomes more than just a potential lover's quarrel. For Elyse, each question causes her to flinch. If only she could disguise her feelings better, this would be much easier. She takes a long breath, and exhales equally long. Then bites her lower lip to keep it from quivering which it so obviously wants to do, "Darling . . . " her voice is pained and whispered, "I'm not at liberty to give much detail . . . " she nearly has to choke that out, swallowing visibly again, "I just . . . I need . . I would like to have some time to sort things out."

Theowyn takes another step back, his eyes briefly fleeing toward the exit to this room. Whatever turmoil he is feeling within is well masked on his features, but less so on his voice. "Of course Princess Elyse, I have assumed too much," he nods quietly. Those feet can be heard shuffling to the side as he walks around the bed, or begins to do so. "I do not wish to be here uninvited." The next comes with the greatest straing. "If you will excuse me, Princess. I will take my leave then." He doesn't want too, it shows on his voice, but he will be far too stubborn.

Unable to withstand her breaking heart--moreso at his tone and reaction than any anxiety she might've felt, Elyse moves with the edge of the bed, towards his voice, her own choking back a sob, "I am trying to spare you!" then the other comes with a sob, unable to hold it back, "If you do not believe me now, then so be it, but know this now that they will kill me as assuredly as I am standing here now," tears streak down her cheek and she shakes her head, "I will do what I must to spare you that pain, my Heart, even if it means refusing you!!" And with that, she turns away from the sound of the Prince's voice, throwing herself on the bed and burying her face to weep incessently. Sohai arches an eyebrow and merely looks at the Prince, then back at the Princess, "Highness?" This is news to him.

Theowyn stops in his tracks and turns to Elyse, watching her fling herself on the bed with the sobs. Those words ring in his ears, his features going white. "Elyse..." its a whisper that will likely not be heard over her sobbing, the man standing there unable to move. His honor will not let him move toward her, not when she wishes to refuse him. But his burning love wants to hold her, wants to tell her all will be better. He stands froozen. "Lt. Commander, what in the Light is she talking about?" He doesn't turn to Sohai, not having faced the man during this, but he certainly expects Sohai to have an answer.

Sohai shakes his head grimly, and remains standing where he is as well, "I do not know, Your Highness," he ponders a moment, "But Her Highness has been melancholy and distracted ever since a private, and *unsanctioned*," he emphasizes, disapproval evident in his tone, "conversation she had with Advisor Reslaric of House Roesone . . . we had assumed, Your Highness, that she missed you, since the meeting coincided with your departure for the hunting excursion." He then turns with a look of concern to the weeping Princess, and tries, "With all due respect, Your Highness, if you would but heed my advice and not wander off into headge mazes alone, your survivability would be much more assured." Well, it was an effort, but a strictly military man is not the best choice to offer comfort or compassion. Elyse appears not to hear, or not to listen, though her weeping lessons slowly . . .

"Lt. Commander," Theowyn begins slowly, a fist forming at his side as he stays within that one spot, not moving sinse she announced she will refuse him. "I can not near the Princess if she does not wish it. I will not." The pain shows on his voice. "Unless you feel she is acting beyond reasonable means. That... she is making no sense." The last comes as a whisper, Theowyn's body somehow needing to move forward. "What did he tell her?" Another near whisper. Theowyn is strained, his eyes setting for some point higher.

Sohai watches the Princess grimly, as her weeping slows, "She does appear in some emotional distress, Your Highness," the concession is a reluctant one, then he shakes his head, "She would not permit guards within earshot, nor has she deemed the point to their private conversation worthy enough for anyone else's ears. Unless, of course, she has confided in the Lady Alianthe--without my knowledge, Your Grace." Elyse stirs from her position on the bed, face turned towards the voices, "Must you go on about me as if I'm not here?" well, at least she's starting to make better sense. The next is accompanied with a sniffle, her face still wet with tears though she no longer weeps, "There is a reason I've not spoken about the meeting. Advisor Reslaric spoke with me in confidence, and I'm honorbound to protect that confidence, even if it . . . " she doesn't finish, biting her lower lip once more, and then gasping, "Oh, Theowyn . . . I wish . . *sniffle* I am so terribly sorry, my Heart . . ." her hand stretches out towards where she heard his voice last.

Theowyn listens patiently, not even blinking as Elyse speaks once more. He seems even half hesitant as she envites him unto the bed, still not looking to Sohai, and still rather uncertain. "Princess, unless you've sworn an Oath, I suggest you tell me what the man said. I will certainly go to him now and demand answers otherwise. What choice do I have when you speak the words you did earlier? When you make the logic that by refusing me you will not hurt me. What do you wish me to think?" Theowyn's voice is holding a level of pain within it, as he stands there unmoving. The anger for the Advisor is already far too apparent, he not having liked the Cairhienin much to begin with after their first meeting.

Elyse lowers her hand and grips the bedspread, "No!" she says in a worried whisper, "My Prince! You mustn't!" her features contort between worry, fear, and anger and finally she swallows, her voice forced calm, "Very well, if I tell you, will you promise me that you will not confront the Advisor?" she pauses and lifts her chin, schooling her features to a more dignified appearance, "Will you promise?"

Sohai looks curiously at the Prince for his reaction, but offers nothing.

Theowyn features cool, even with her words spoke, they begin to cool. The Prince begins to move around the bed and to the side. The mattress sinks under his weight as he sighs. "I will not ask you to break a promise..." his voice trails, eyes closing as he leans his head back. "I can not promise not confronting the Advisor, however." The mattress of the bed struggles further as he turns toward Elyse, eyes falling to her as his voice lightens. "What could he possibly tell you that would have you react this way? I love you, Elyse. I want to be with you. Why in Light would you push me away like that?"

Now a guilty look shadows her features and she shamefully turns her head away from Theowyn. Elyse murmurs, "I . . . I don't know. I thought maybe . . . but it was harder to do than I prepared myself for. I'm sorry." Sighing, she puts her hand to her forehead, rubbing it as if she has a headache, "Sohai, I beg of you, just this once? Overlook the Prince's presence and respect our privacy . . . just a moment, please?" Her tone is plaintive as she gathers her thoughts together. Sohai gives Theowyn a long measuring look, very long, then bows, "I will be but right outside the door, Your Highness, call if you have need," and with that the Lt. Commander reluctantly departs. Her weeping must have tugged on his heart strings more than he let on.

The movement on the bed increases before an arm comes around her shoulder, slowly urging her to turn his way. "I'm sorry," he whispers, encouraging her closer with the motions of his arms as he continues to whisper. "Elyse, if he said something to hurt you or to attempt to pit us apart, then I need to know." Reslaric is Cairhienin after-all. The warmth and affection is in his voice, the need to know is ever clear.

Elyse does not pull away this time, in fact the embrace she offers could rival all of the warm embraces she's ever given him. She clings tightly, resting her head against his chest, seeking comfort and reassurance, "No . . I believe him. He swore an Oath truth of his words." There is a moments pause, and the squints her eyes, forcing herself to suggest something untrue, even if it isn't quite a lie, in the trues sense of the word, "He has reliable sources or he would not be in the position he is in now." She takes a deep breath and lets out everything in her exhale, "It was not to part us, Theowyn, but an effort to save me. He has recently been made aware of some specifics of the plot to have me slain, and at great risk to himself, made them known to me. He does not know the specifics of my assassination, but he knows I will be betrayed and assassinated as a result of my misplaced trust . . . unless, something tremendous can be accomplished to thwart it." She swallows, "I had resolved to prepare you for my death, a death that you would not share according to the Advisor's source, and in doing so, I only broke my own heart--I am a weak foolish girl!"

"Your death?" Most of her other words seem to pale in comparison, as he deepens the embrace upon her bed. A hand moves around her shoulders and begins to brush at her cheeks, as his lips start to kiss the tears that are likely on your cheek. "Elyse, my love, all will be well," he urges, gently rocking her from side to side. "We will keep you safe. Myself, the Lt. Commander, and all the others. We will all keep you safe, to protect you." Theowyn shows his confidence in being able to protect her. "All will end well." He would have no comprehension of what Elyse was told.

Elyse lets out a deep sigh, somehow relieved that Theowyn does not take her words as seriously as they were meant, somehow determined to make it as easy on the Prince as possible while at the same time resigned to her Fate. "Yes," she nods sagely, "All will end as the Light willing." Her voice rather grim and eerily calm, "I'm sorry for doubting you, my Love. It won't happen again."

Theowyn takes greater control of her cheek, caressing her as much as he guides her to his lips. The Prince's chest lifts with each heated breath, as he begins to both calm from her earlier words and grow in uncertainty of what it all could mean. As he claims a light kiss, one that barely brushes her lips, he finds her vacant eyes to peer into. "My love, you could not save my heart by pulling away. To think that you would leave me by choice, to turn away, it would..." Theowyn doesn't go on, as he further claims another kiss with the tender touch of his lips. "I love you."

Elyse returns the affectionate kisses, gripping you all the more tightly, though sedate determination wrestles in her mind with emotional desire and pain. "I love you, Dearheart," kissing you tenderly once more before adding, "Oh, how I wish we could be married now, so that I may offer myself to you as a wife should . . . before . . " she lets that sentiment lapse into another passionate kiss. She won't bother trying to convince you of her fate . . . pausing in another kiss she gasps, "I love you and no other, nor shall I, Theowyn Versyr. I would never leave you by my own choice. Never," her sincere words are a whisper of warmth and passion.

The words set off those fierce passions within Theowyn. Some moments ago he had thought he would lose you, anger had filled his blood for the man that was likely responsible... and now, as you speak your wish to give yourself to him, the passion in your voice, the affectionate kiss... Theowyn's hand reaches to the back of your neck, slowly stroking through your hairline before pulling you into an impassioned kiss. Hungry for your love, the tongue easily begins to penetrate yours, beginning that delightful dance as his body presses against your own. The kiss is not released, not until the need for air determines the end. "Light, I love you, Elyse. I need you." The words are said between heated breaths, his eyes burning fierce with passion as is his voice.

Lying back a little more now, Elyse continues to cling to you, attempting to pull you down with her . . . to the surface of the bed beneath the couple. She seeks your lips with hers, her yearning clear, her hands moving across your form as she whispers, "I love you, Theowyn. And I need you too. More than I--" and the rest is buried in a deep and passionate kiss, her breathing short and hard, the gasps, "Take me . . . my Prince?" tears streaming from her eyes as she condemns her good name by offering her virtue before marriage. Fortunately for that good name, Sohai steps back into the bedchambers, closing the door quietly behind him and though he could do quite worse, and the thought of physically removing the Prince from the Princess would please him more than what he does do--a simple but loud clearing of his throat.

It is likely better that Theowyn has no chance to answer, his lips heated and wanting as they continue the kiss until the entrance of the Lt. Commander becomes all too clear. He parts away from her lips, slowly pulling away from the kiss. "Better, Princess?" he asks quietly, attempting to hide the painful and fierce need that is so real within him. Every so slowly, unhurried but persistant, he lifts his body away from you. "Time for me to go..."