Never After ((ON HOLD))

Thespan

I was first introduced to Prince Thespan of Loramar on my wedding day.

Allegedly, my future husband and the prince had grown up together, the latter living as a ward within the kingdom as a sign of peace and an upholding of a centuries' old treaty between the terrans and the elves. Like brothers, they spent almost every waking hour together, but as I observed the two throughout the matrimonial festivities, I should have known those hours together lasted well past the sun's descent over the horizon.

Like brothers...

But no brothers looked at each other like that.

But elves were known to be flirtatious. Men, women- it didn't matter. So as my spouse and I vowed ourselves to one another, it never crossed my mind that his thoughts were drifting anywhere beyond our bedroom activities set to begin the moment the guests gave us our leave.

My husband performed well in the bedroom that night, and for so many nights thereafter. Nine months later we were blessed with our first child- a daughter- and not long after her birth, I found myself expecting once again.

That was when the unexpected and unplanned missions and visits outside of the kingdom began to occur.

And Thespan, as Ambassador from Loramar, one of the kingdom's closest allies, was expected to accompany the prince on his diplomatic duties.

While his wife remained behind to care for their newborn and maintain the daily responsibilities within their castle, all the while waiting for his return.

And he did return.

Eventually.

For a night here and there.

Only to depart once again.

An unexpected skirmish in the south.

The need for aid and assistance in the north.

He would send me letters, keeping me updated on his progress and leaving me terms of endearment about how much he missed us.

The letters continued to arrive.

All on the same paper.

With the same pen.

But the handwriting changed.

One after another after another, almost daily.

A month later, I caught the guard delivering the stack to the scribe who managed our castle's correspondence. I watched as the coin was exchanged and the instructions given.

"Space them out this time," the guard instructed. "They can only write so much so fast."

That night, I left for Loramar.