Chapter 1-3
593 Words
Asphodel and Syssi’s visits to Alli’s became more frequent over the next few months. Asphodel did not deliberately keep her relationship with Vass secret from her parents. She just never bothered to tell them. It didn’t seem important they should know.
She was engrossed in her growing relationship with Vass. That was all that seemed important to the girl. He was kind and attentive, and always complimented her on how she looked.
Twice a week, she and Syssi went to Alli’s and met the two young men. This went on for two months. They danced and talked amongst the lights and music of the venue.
One evening, as they stood on the balcony of Alli’s, Vass turned to Asphodel and kissed her. An owl hooted in the tree next to them, and Vass smiled.
Turning to Asphodel, he said, “We always seem to meet where there are others, Aspho. Let’s go somewhere we can be on our own. Just the two of us.”
“I’d like that. Just the two of us.”
“Are you busy tomorrow? We could go for a walk. Perhaps out of the city.”
Asphodel smiled at him, her grey eyes dancing. “I’m not going anywhere tomorrow afternoon. Yes, let’s do that.”
The following afternoon, the sun shone and it was warm, being nearly midsummer. The pair sat outside the city, next to the river that flowed through it. A tree had fallen long ago, and its trunk lay across the clearing it had made.
They sat on the trunk, dangling their feet in the water to cool them. The river burbled along, ignoring everything except it’s own journey. Birds hopped from branch to branch, calling to each other. A pair of turtledoves sat on a tree close by, preening each other.
“Look at them.” Vass pointed to the birds. “They’re in love.”
The male flew up and called his coo-hoo-hoo-hooo, before landing next to his mate, and they began their preening again.
“Like I love you, Aspho.” He leaned over and kissed her.
She closed her eyes and felt as if she were flying with the doves. Once more, time stood still.
They talked and kissed, and kissed and talked, until Asphodel decided she had better return home before it became dark.
The pair continued meeting at places other than Alli’s, and took frequent walks in the land outside the city. If her mother thought anything, she assumed her daughter was out with Syssi somewhere.
* * * *
One day, after Asphodel and Vass had been seeing one another for almost a year, Asphodel’s father called her into his study.
“I have something to tell you,” he said. “Do you remember Frishillondor? He came here not long ago to eat with us, as I had business with him and wanted to help it along. Well, it seems he was quite taken with you, and he’s asked me for your hand in marriage.”
Asphodel gasped.
“Yes, it’s quite a surprise, isn’t it? And an honour, too. Your mother’s thrilled. He’s nearer in blood to the Elf Lord than even we are. His sister’s the Elf Lord’s mother. Fancy that! So of course, I agreed immediately.”
“No!” Asphodel cried. “I can’t marry him. He’s old. I won’t marry him.”
“Now, now, child,” her father replied. “He’s not so old. He’s younger than I am. Anyway, I insist on this marriage. It’ll be a big boost to our family. All our businesses will benefit greatly with him as a sponsor. We’ll discuss it when we get back from seeing your sister.”
Asphodel stamped her foot. “I said I won’t marry him, and I meant it.”
She ran out of the room, slamming the door behind her.
- Writer
