The Early Chronicles Book Five: By Desert Divided

Chapter 12

"Haven't you had enough riding to last you a year?"  Genevieve laughed as she handed Swanwhite her riding boots.  It had been two days since their return and it felt wonderful to be back with Genevieve pampering her again.  She smiled at the Dryad.

"I'll only be out for a bit.  The birch trees look beautiful this time of year and I want to make sure Kismir is still doing well."  She looked down at her flowing white dress the Dryad had dressed her in and her golden tresses loose and flowing.  Hardly riding outfit material, but she felt like a casual afternoon.

"Very well!  I'll have your dinner dress prepared upon your return."  Genevieve said with a peculiar smirk on her face.  It seemed as if she were fighting the urge to smile bigger, but Swanwhite merely shook her head and left, dismissing her curiosity.  

Kismir acted like a young colt out for the first time in the sunshine as Swanwhite rode him through the birch forests behind the castle training grounds.  The white bark and pale green leaves in the sunlight made the whole forest seem to glow in a white majesty.  Her hair flowed freely and her dress was so light and airy that she felt as if she could float away.  When she caught movement up ahead, she stopped Kismir and waited for the stranger to approach.  Goran appeared riding Valeon ahead of them.  He stopped several paces away from Swanwhite and Kismir, a grin slowly forming on his lips.  Swanwhite chuckled and then found herself blushing as she realized how handsome Goran looked with his soft white tunic contrasting with his black hair and facial hair.  

"It seems we both had the same idea."  She laughed.  Goran shifted in his saddle.

"Just as well.  A little bird told me you would be here."  He smiled at her slyly.  

"Genevieve!  That little snitch!"  Swanwhite laughed.  "I thought she seemed up to something!"

Goran dismounted and ground-tied Valeon and then walked up to Swanwhite who was still perched sidesaddle on Kismir.  He smiled up at her with a twinkle in his deep blue eyes and grasped one of her hands between both of his.  "You look rather lovely in this setting."  He said.  Swanwhite felt her heart skip a beat and her cheeks flushed as she looked down at his masculine yet tender face and felt his strong hands gripping hers.  "I wanted to tell you how proud I am of you."

"I did nothing."  She smiled and shook her head.  

"You were willing to sacrifice--what I hope-- was the thing most dear to you."  He raised an eyebrow cheekily but rubbed her hand between his.  "All to ensure the rest of us were safe."

"It was the thing most dear to me."  She leaned towards him earnestly, "I cannot tell you how empty I felt walking through those gates thinking I would never see you again."

"Watching you walk through the gates was the hardest thing I've ever had to do."  His face grew more serious, "But Aslan made you mine again, and I wish to ensure you always will be."  His eyes bore into hers, making her heart beat quicker as she realized what he was saying.  He released one of his hands from hers and produced something from his pocket.  As he brought it into the light and held it up to her, she gasped.  It was an elegantly-carved ring with a large yellow jewel in the center.  It caught the sunlight and glimmered within his grip and Swanwhite was convinced there was not a jewel as its equal.

"Oh Goran..." She gasped as she brought her eyes from the jewel back to the deep blue of his eyes.  His lips curved into a small side smile and his eyes twinkled.

"Will you marry me, my beautiful Queen Swanwhite?"  He asked in a soft rumbly voice.  Swanwhite felt her eyes beginning to glisten with moisture as she nodded her head until she found her voice.

"Yes.  A thousand times, yes, Goran."  A gasp of disbelief escaped her throat as he tenderly slipped the ring onto her finger.  Then she found herself pulled from the saddle in his strong grip and spun around in a circle, both of them laughing with tears in their eyes.  When he finally set her down, she eagerly kissed him and threw her arms around his neck.  

"There is one downside to this,"  Swanwhite said when they broke apart.  Goran's face grew quizzical.

"What is that?"

Swanwhite playfully tousled his hair and raised an eyebrow at him.  "I shall have to endure Genevieve's 'I told you so's'."  She said.  Goran laughed heartily and then kissed his bride-to-be in the beautiful white haze of the sunlight under the birch trees.