The Half Elf and The Prince.

Chapter Nine

Malenetha and Branwyn walked through the palor have the Mayor's dropped the them. They both sat down and reflected on what happen at the Mayor's party.

"Can't believe some one would try to assassinate Prince Aeryn" Malenetha said trying to make sense of what happened.

"What I can't believe is that stupid half elf bitch." Branwyn hissed.

"First she ruined my date and than she fought that waiter like some kind of uncivilized brute." Branwyn completed

"Her name is Leigh, she saved the Prince's life, and it cost her everything." Malenetha replied becoming annoyed

"She is dying Branwyn, stop being cruel and jealous" she continued.

"Good, she should get on with it" Branwyn spat.

Malenetha couldn't take Branwyn's negativity and her jealousy. She could smell the jealousy coming off Branwyn.

Malenetha didn't know Leigh well, hardly anyone did, but she could tell those who did loved her dearly. She seen it in Prince Aeryn eyes when Leigh came down the stairs when they left for the party. She seen it again as she laid dying in his arms, she had also seen it in Randir eyes

Malenetha watched both mean struggle with the pain of learning they would lose her. Malenetha tried but she wasn't strong enough save her, she wished she had been.

Malenetha went to her room and changed from her. She had used alot of energy tring to heal Leigh. She watched Leigh save the Prince's life and that deserved her respect.

Malenetha laid on the bed as the days events replayed in her head. The day had started do nice.Her eyelids grew heavy as sleep found her.

The next morning Malenetha awoke the sun already in the sky. She got dressed and headed down stairs. She stopped and asked a guard if Randir and Prince had returned. She was told they both were at the temple, and would remain there.

She decided she would go to the temple and see if she could help. She had also found out three guards would be going and she could go with them.

Malenetha joined the guard, a young woman with a basket full of muffins, and sandwiches. The woman told Malenetha her name was Lydia.

They didn't take long to get to the temple. The two women wait as Randir gave the guards orders and then followed him to the room where Prince Aeryn sat besides Leigh bedside.

Lydia offered the basket and explained how she helped dress the evening before. She told Aeryn how Leigh treated her with kindness and offered her prayers.

Aeryn noded his head but didn't speak.

Malenetha sat bedside Leigh bed and took her hand. She sent several prayers for Leigh to Parnella. She hoped that her diety would listen.

She assumed that neither had left the room. She looked at Randir concern across his face.

"Randir would you like to get some fresh air?" She asked.

"No, I need to stay here." He returned

"You should go, Randir, I will be fine" Aeryn said.

Malenetha and Randir walked in temple garden. They sat one a bench under a large oak tree.

"Do you think, Prince Aeryn will be okay?" Malenetha asked Randir

He sighed and thought for a moment before he answered "Mal, I really don't think so."

"He in love with her then?" She asked already knowing the answer

"Yes, He has for a long time." Randir agreed

"What about you, do you love her?"She asked

"I care about her, she is a close friend." He told her and she liked his answer.

Malenetha found Randir very handsome and found she enjoyed his company. She didn't want to get hung up on an unavailable man.

"I really hope she will pull through." Malenetha offered put her hand on Randir's. They sat silently for a while before returning. She sent a couple more prayers to her goddess begging for Leigh's life.

Malenetha had grown tied and it had become late in the day. She gave her goodbyes to the Prince and to Randir.

She was surprised when Randir told her he would return with her.

They chatted on the way back. Randir told her all of his worries. She was happy to listen as she watched some of his stress release. He told how he worried for the Prince and how he was also lose a close friend.

Once they arrived back at the mansion Malenetha made sure Randir had some dinner before she let him go up stairs. She reminded him he had to take of himself to help his friends. He told he would return to the temple after he changed and picked up somethings. Malenetha made sure some food was pack for him to take for the Prince and other guardsmen, and sent it with Randir.

Not long after Randir was out the door Branwyn found her. Malenetha rolled her eyes this was going to give her a headache.

"Did you go to the temple?"Branwyn asked annoyed

"Was the Prince there?" She asked before Malenetha could answer.

"Yes, and yes he was." Malenetha replied

"Why is he still there, when will he come back." Branwyn whined

"Isn't she dead yet." Branwyn continued

Malenetha couldn't listen to Branwyn anymore, she didn't even try to excuse herself, she just walked away and went up stairs to here.

Branwyn had always been alot to deal with, but Malenetha found her increasingly difficult to deal with. Malenetha shrugged off her thoughts of Branwyn and started to focus on Randir.

She knew he was sad and would be mourning his friend but she hoped she would get to see him again. She would try and lessen his grief. She spent the rest of the night in her room, where she planned to avoid Branwyn.