City of the Underground

Rendez Vous and the Archer

The hushed greenery rushed by in the twilight and the whipping of mahogany hair meshed into the scene. Kaylana was riding as hard as her stead would go. The hair that whipped her face stung but she didn't care. Her only focus was to get to Robert as fast as she could. He was waiting for her where they always met. Kaylana slowed her stead to a steady gallop. She was nearing the clearing space that led to their meeting spot.

She turned into the thick brush and passed by the ruling trees. The path was worn and familiar to her. She hardly had to guide the horse, for it was familiar to him as well. Through the twists and turns her mind began to roam once more. She would never be forced into a marriage. She was not owned by any man. She could only say she had ever truly loved two men in her life. The first had just betrayed her and the other was waiting for her just beyond the trees.

The young woman entered the clearing with tracks of tears still fresh on her face. The man that met her was tall and firm. A physique built on hard and constant labor. His work on his family farm showed through his well sculpted body. The sandy red hair that sat disheveled upon his head was always a tell tale sign he had wrangled the horses that day. Bits of bale still clung to his shirt. He went aside the horse to help the lady down before noting the intense anger etched on her face.

"My love. Pray, what's the matter?" He anxiously reached up to help her down. As soon as she was securely in his arms he began to stroke her rosy cheek. How he missed them. It had been a week since he'd seen her last. He knew it had been a rough time for them both but he was not expecting her to be in this state. His gaze steadily held hers as he thought how those lovely green eyes had captured him.

"Robert, I've left. I shall not be returning to the castle. Not ever." A determined gleam shown in her eyes. He recognized that look. Reasoning with her while she was in such a mood always proved difficult.

"What is all this nonsense I hear," he chuckled. He hoped his charm would offset her mood. "Why would you want to leave your family? And what of your father? I know how you love him so. I know it might take some time but they will come to accept our betrothal. I'm sure of it. Now is not the time for rash action, my love." He attempted to tuck a piece of fly away hair behind her dainty ear but she pushed away.

"Isn't it though? My betrothal to you will never stand. My father has just informed me that I'm already betrothed to be married...to the prince of Griffith." She turned away and crossed her arms over herself, wishing the words were untrue. "It is my only duty and worth as a daughter." Hot tears ran down anew as the pained thoughts resumed. "If there's any chance for us it is to leave and begin our own life."

Robert slowly began to understand. Her despair and severity attested to the truth of the matter. She never withdrew from his touch. He had, of course, thought of the possibility of this happening but he thought they'd have more time. More time to win over the king and her family.

"Ok," he breathed. "Let us both just calm down and think. There must be a wiser course of action. Some other way to be found through all this." Even as the words came out he knew there was only a slim chance that another way was possible.

"And what's to be found," she rounded on him. Her anxiety written on her face. "My father will never change his mind. Would you rather give up our love to placate my father?"

He eyed the dark grass before finally seeing the gap that had formed between the two of them. In all the startling news he had not noted the growing distance. He strode over to wrap his arms around her. Her soft form meshed so well into his own. He cupped her chin and lifted her face to his. Imploring brown eyes met hers.

"Do you truly believe this is about your father. Oh my Lana. Do you think I would willingly set the entire royal guard after us, putting you in harms way. You know full well that if they discovered the circumstances of your departure they would hunt us down ruthlessly. I could never do that to you. Your not made for that dogged life. Your worth is more to me than a few nights of passion or short lived romance. You're my life Lana."