“Yes, but the stranger part is the rest of the story. They think that Melenthia is the Chosen One, that she was given Tanith, the magical Elvin made sword from the prophecy for a reason. They say Fallon wants to marry her to have power over her so that she can’t destroy him.”
“Melenthia? The Chosen One? Now I really have heard everything.”
“She’s different. She’s been an odd girl since birth, and she was given Tanith from the elves. No one receives a gift like that from the elves for no reason, especially not an odd, ordinary girl.”
Alekzand’r stared at Dain. “You’re insane. There’s no way Melenthia is the savior of Aelethia.”
“What if you’re wrong?”
“Then I’m wrong, but what if you’re right? How would she ever defeat Fallon and whatever evil he’s bringing forth?”
“I don’t know. When Sol gets here maybe we’ll have the answers to that riddle.”
“I’ll admit that she’s an odd girl, and the gift from the elves has always had me wondering, but I hardly want to believe that she could be the one. However, the Tanith Prophecy does seem to be an especially talked about subject as of late.”
“Did you not tell me once that sometimes the ones we think are insignificant can have the biggest impact?”
“Yes, I believe I quoted Sol a time or two, but only to get you to see the value of the people who you rule over. To show you that without them, you have no kingdom to rule. Everyone, down to the smallest child, has value.”
“Yes, I know. What if that saying could be true for Melenthia as well? What if she really is the one to save us all?”
“Then I’m afraid for her. Do we even know if Fallon is the one to bring forth the downfall of Aelethia? I know he’s evil, and his powers are obviously great, but is he really the Dark One that is supposed to engulf the world?”
Dain shrugged. “I know no more than you, my friend. The thought of it frankly scares the hell out of me though.”
“I too, Your Majesty.”
Melenthia entered the room and both men looked her way. She curtsied and looked at them, not speaking for a bit, then, “I apologize for interrupting, but I wanted to talk about that ride into town you promised weeks ago. I need to get some fresh air, a change in scenery.”
In the few weeks that she had been there, they had gotten to know each other a bit. She was starting to feel comfortable now that she knew she had nothing to fear from him. He was taken with her easy going nature and joy of life. Even in her current predicament, when she was far from home and her future was uncertain, she managed to keep a positive outlook and found joy in the smallest things. He was really starting to like her. Her beauty aside, she was fun to be with and made him feel a sense of peace when she was around. Being used to roaming free and being able to go where you want and do what you want, he imagined that being cooped up was not easy for her. Taking her into town for a little enjoyment was the least he could do.
“Ah yes, the ride into town. I did say that didn’t I? I think that can be arranged. Are you wanting to go today?”
“If it’s possible. I would like to change first. This is hardly riding attire.”
Dain stared at her, wearing another gown that accentuated her ample womanly attributes. His staff did an extraordinary job at bringing in suitable clothes for her. They seemed like they were made just for her. He thought about the discussion that he’d just had with Alek. Could it be that this lovely but feisty woman could be the one the prophecy spoke about, the one to bring order and destroy evil? She certainly had the tenacity and the spit fire to start a fight, but could she actually win one?
She stared at him, and he smiled.
“Very well. I’ll have the staff prepare your horse and have an armed guard waiting in the bailey for you. Is there anything you require to take?”
“No. I just need a change of scenery. I get restless easy.”
“Yes, I would imagine so. Give us a few minutes to finish up here, and we’ll get that arranged.”
She curtsied to him and left the room. Dain watched her go, that feeling of desire passing through him again. He wondered why he fancied her so much. It was true that beautiful women generally turned his head, and it doesn’t take much more than a bat of the eyelashes normally to get his attention, but with her, he could feel something stirring down deep. The thought of her being the Chosen One just heightened his intrigue and desire. Not only would that make her a desirable woman, but also a powerful one.
He shook the thoughts away. He made a promise to Alek, and in doing so, to Kevaan as well, that he would not do anything to make her distrustful of him. He also made a promise to himself that Annika was the last of his flings, that the next one would be the only one.