Aideen's Answer

-Chapter Eighteen-

"That is-why-that is simply," Jayden began.

"Brilliant," Jeremy finished.

"What was that?" All three occupants of the room asked.

"It is quite brilliant," Jeremy said again. "Extremely cunning. To infiltrate a castle, not to mention kingdom, such as ours would be no easy task. But to weaken it from the inside out? Why, that would heighten the enemies chances considerably! We are dealing with someone who is patient, not to mention clever. Tell us, Father, have you any ideas on who that could be?"

"I do have a few, yes. It seems that every king has some enemies, despite my efforts to prevent it," Daniel answered gravely.

Aideen could hear a chair moving, then footsteps. She could easily imagine her mother going to her father and putting her hand on his shoulder in order to comfort him and show her support.

The four of them then began to discuss possible plans, foes and strategies, but the eavesdropping princess had heard quite enough. She backed away from the door and walked slowly in the direction of her bedroom. Her muddied thoughts were swirling about in her head.

'An attack?' She thought, 'Truly? Who on earth would wish to attack the castle? And, more importantly, why?'

Aideen dwelt upon this as she went up to her room. She wondered about it as she changed into her powder blue riding habit. And still it filled her head as she meandered to the stables. So distracted was she, that she did not even realize that there was someone standing directly in her path. Not until she was but two feet away from him did she look up and notice Kevin standing there.

"Kevin," She breathed as she came to a sudden halt.

"Good day, Princess," He said, smiling warmly at her.

Aideen glanced about quickly and noticed several knights as well as servants milling about. As they had an audience, she knew she must act accordingly.

"Good day, Sir Knight," She answered, nodding coolly in his direction.

His smile only grew as he watched her, "Lovely afternoon, is it not?"

"Indeed, it most certainly is," She said as she returned his smile.

'Why must he be so flawlessly handsome?' Aideen wondered, 'Why, I find myself unable to think coherently when those green eyes are upon me!'

"Ma'am?"

"Oh, I apologize Kev-um, Sir," She corrected quickly. "I was, ah, wool-gathering. Did you say something?"

Aideen thought she saw his eyes flash almost angrily, but it was gone in the next instant.

'I imagined it,' She thought dismissively.

"I merely questioned if you were planning to go for a ride," He answered easily, gesturing to her clothing.

"Ah," She said, "That was my intention, yes."

"Were you thinking to go alone?"

"I usually do," Aideen said with a smile, beginning to understand where this was going.

"Oh, milady, what with the trouble we have been having lately, I feel it would be most unsafe for you to venture out alone. Would you object terribly to my accompanying you?"

"Whatever you think is best, Sir Knight," Aideen answered him, looking down so that her grin was not quite as obvious.

"Excellent," Kevin said with an equally large smile. "I shall see to it that the horses are prepared."