Aideen's Answer

-Chapter Four-

Aideen snapped out of her reverie when one of the logs fell in the fireplace.
She stood up and stretched, 'A lot happened because of that attack,' she thought. 'The walls were expanded to make room for the training grounds and stables, so there is no longer practice in the woods. Samantha was saved by Eric, who she has been corresponding with since she returned home, Jayden made sure the head bandit paid for his crimes, and Kevin, dear Kevin. He was rewarded for his quick thinking regarding my safety and invited to dine with my family, thus furthering our acquaintance and beginning the best time of my life. Which reminds me,' she glanced at the small watch pinned to the bodice of her dress, 'It's almost time! I must get ready!'
She quickly exited the library and dashed to her chambers. Once the door was closed safely behind her, she began to fix her dress and make sure all was right with her hair. She let out a relieved breath that Regan was having her midday meal with the other servants right now. Her excuses were becoming somewhat thin and she knew Regan suspected she was hiding something.
'Ooh well,' she thought. 'Now isn't the time to dwell on that, I'm ready!'
She tried not to hurry too much as she walked downstairs, down the hall and toward the door. Suddenly, she heard voices and knew with certainty that the servants had finished their meal. She sped up and began mumbling loudly about Ginger, saddles and horseback riding. Aideen darted out the door and let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding when she entered the courtyard. With that, all she had to do was go around the stables and to the back gate. There, she oh-so-politely asked the guards to allow her access to the woods for her daily walk. After promising, as always, to be careful and stay on the path, they opened the gate. She started on the familiar trail, forcing herself not to run.
'It truly is a glorious day,' Aideen mused. 'I believe it's just about perfect!'
Then her mind returned to happenings in the castle and her parents plans, and it quickly dampened her mood.
'Well,' she thought. 'At least the weather is. Perfect, that is.'
Her steps quickened, as if her feet were moving of their own accord as she went deeper into the familiar forest. There it was, the almost-overgrown path that would take her to her destination. Long forgotten, this trail was overlooked when one was traveling down the main path, which is exactly what made it perfect. She walked for a bit then came upon the clearing, 'their' clearing. Undiscovered by most, it had become their special spot and meeting place. She moved some branches aside and stepped into the sunlight.
And there he stood.
"Kevin!" She called out.
He turned and, as always, her heart thundered in her chest as their eyes met.
That familiar, playful smile fell upon his lips as he rushed toward her. His hands clasped around her waist and he lifted her up and spun her around.
Aideen laughed in delight as he set her down and allowed her head to rest on his chest.
"I never want to leave the safety of your arms," she murmured.
"Well, my Love, I would have no problem with that."
She smiled and looked up into the face she so adored.
'My dear Kevin,' she thought. 'I could never love another.'
"I shall hope you never have to," he answered.
"Oh! I did not mean to speak those thoughts!" She said, suddenly flustered.
'Don't do this,' She thought, furious with herself. 'Don't tell him. It will only upset him and ruin the little time you have together. Only tell him after you have a plan to get out of all this.'
"It's there something wrong, my dear?" Kevin asked as he smoothed some hair from her face and left his hand resting upon her cheek.
"Of course not, I'm just, slightly worried about my parents finding out about this. I know they suspect something and I just can't-"
"Shhh, my Love, you worry far too much! I am still saving up my wages. But you know I cannot declare my love for you and ask for your hand as of yet! Your father would laugh in my face!"
"I know your reasoning, and I support you fully, my dear. I'm simply afraid of what will happen if we wait too long to tell them. They will already feel I betrayed them and I don't want to make it worse, if I can help it."
His look was pleading and made her heart lurch.
"Please, my Love, be patient with me. Give me some more time," he whispered.
"Of course, Kevin, of course I will. Your love is worth waiting for," Aideen answered with a smile.
The expression of tremendous relief that crossed his features made her feel slightly guilty for bringing up the subject in the first place.
But when she looked at him again, that look was gone and he was staring at her intently. A slow smile crossed his features as he watched her.
"Why are you looking at me that way? Is there something on my dress?" She asked, and began checking her skirts to see if anything stained them.
A deep chuckle met her ears right before she felt a finger lift her chin. His green eyes sparked.
"No, my darling, nothing is wrong. I was staring for one simple reason. You are, by far, the most beautiful woman that I have ever had the pleasure of laying eyes upon."
Aideen was mortified to feel a blush heating her cheeks, so she quickly dropped her eyes.
"Why, thank you, Kevin," she finally answered, her eyes still downcast.
"Look at me, my dear."
Aideen obeyed, her blues eyes meeting his green ones.
Softly, he stroked her cheek before he spoke.
"I truly hope you don't dislike being called beautiful, for I cannot think of a single word that better describes you! And I plan to inform you of your beauty upon our every meeting."
"It is certainly not that I dislike it! I suppose, I'm merely unaccustomed to it."
"Why?"
"Why? Well, is it not obvious? I could count on one hand the number of times I've been complimented in that way."
"I shall have to rectify that!"
With that, Kevin knelt on one knee in front of her and took her hand. Then, he began to recite.

" 'Already rejoicing, I begin to love,
For I am made better by one who is,
Beyond dispute,
The best a man ever saw or heard.

By her joy a sick man can recover,
By her wrath one well can die,
A wise man turn to childishness,
A fine man see his beauty change,
The most courtly man become a churl,
And any churl become courtly.' "

"Oh Kevin," Aideen whispered when he stood before her once again.
"Guilhem of Aquitane was to thank for those words, not I," Kevin said with a smile that held a note of bashfulness.
Seeing it, Aideen took his hand, held it to her cheek then smiled into his eyes.
"I love you so much, my darling. That was the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me," she whispered.
"And I love you as well, my dear."

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Woooow, I'm so tired right now that the words are staring to blur so if I made any horrible spelling mistakes, I'll try to fix them yet. Thanks for reading!! Hope you liked it:)