Ariala nodded, bending her head to keep her eyes away from his, as she began to trace the planes of his chest with her finger. "You said that we should wait so maybe we should just go to bed." She said, moving to take his hand in her's and lead him into the bedroom.

When they were in the bedroom, Dimitrius shut the door behind him and pulled Ariala towards him, "Hey.. look at me," he murmured softly as he gently tilted her chin up so that they're eyes met. Searching her eyes as he gently caressed her cheek, he continued in the same hushed tone, "Are you angry with me? Ari.. I.. It's not that I don't want to, please don't think that.. I just.. I.. I don't want you to regret it is all.."

"I'm not angry." Ariala said quietly. She wanted to duck her head out of embarressment as another blush spread across her cheeks. "I know that you just want to do what's best for me. I just..." Her voice trailed off as she searched for the right thing to say. "I love you Dimitrius and I'm willing to wait. It just gets more difficult to stop. My willpower is horrible." She admitted sheepishly. "And please don't think I'd regret anything between us." She added. "I love you."

Dimitrius smiled as his thumb gently brushed against her lips before he placed a deep, tender kiss upon them.

"I love you too, Ariala.. You don't know how hard it is for me to simply sleep beside you when you tease me this much while you're awake.. You think your willpower is horrible? You make mine crumble the moment you pull me close.. I keep myself in check only for your sake.. I love you more than anything in Antronesia, and I want nothing more than to take that journey with you, but not until you're sure about this. When you're ready, we'll take that step I promise, you need only show me you're ready," he murmured softly between kisses.

Forcing himself to break away, Dimitrius gently caressed Ariala's cheek, "I'll be right back - I don't have any clothes here, I need to run back and get them. Besides, I need to tell Auntie that we won't be joining her for dinner tonight."

"Alright." Ariala said, forcing back a sigh when his lips left her's. She turned to face the mirror and began to brush her long hair. "Can you tell Cindalina that I'm sorry that I won't be there tonight? I really do want to go over the plans with her." She asked Dimitrius, her long curls becoming tamed as she spoke.

Slipping his arms around her waist, Dimitrius placed a tender kiss upon her neck. Murmuring a soft reply, his lips brushed against her skin, "Of course, love. We'll reschedule for tomorrow night. You'd best tell Marreck and Erreminette as well, they're probably waiting for you to head over. I'll be back shortly, wait for me?" he added softly as he placed another tender kiss upon her neck and shoulder before slipping out of the room, out of the house, down the rope ladder, and running towards Winterglade.

Ariala tiptoed to Dimeria's room once to make sure she was okay, anxious about leaving her alone if only for a few moments. Ariala left the house quietly, spotting Dimitrius's running figure flying across the grass before turning to Erreminette's house. "Change of plans." She said as she entered the room.

"We won't be going to Winterglade?" Erreminette asked, confused.

"Sorry, not tonight." Ariala said. "Dimitrius and I are watching his sister, Dimeria, and we won't be able to go. Are you free tomorrow?" Ariala asked.

"I'm good." Marreck said to which Erreminette nodded in agreement. "But the day after that I have lessons."

"So do I." Ariala sighed. "They make me so tired."

"So the tomorrow then?" Erreminette asked, feeling a small amount of jealous followed by a pang of guilt.

"Tomorrow." Ariala said. "But I have to get back to my house. It makes me anxious to leave Dimeria there alone. Even if she's sleeping." She said, giving both friends a quick hug before running out the door.

Dimitrius stopped by Emelaide's and found her pulling a sheet of cookies out of the oven.

Dimitrius chuckled as he walked over and stole one from the tray, popping it into his mouth as he spoke, "Dinner's tomorrow night, can you make it?"

Emelaide rolled her eyes as she put one hand no her hip while the other fanned the cookies with a pot holder, "Aye, I can make it. I see you've given up knocking. Really taking on the brother role aren't you."

Dimitrius laughed, "Hey, better than making you an outcast, right?"

Emelaide rolled her eyes, "Ha ha, very funny. You know very well you'd never do such a thing."

"True, not to you. But if anyone harasses you, Ariala, or Dimeria they'll surely get that treatment," added Dimitrius as he finished the cookie.

"Dimeria? You've seen her? Oh Dimitrius! I'm so happy for you two! It's about time the poor girl met her brother!"

Dimitrius smiled, "Aye, she's staying over at Ariala's for the night, I'm headed over there now. I just ran here to pick up some clothes as well as tell you and Auntie that dinner will have to wait until tomorrow.

Emelaide smiled, "Would you like some cookies to bring back for Ariala and Ria?"

Dimitrius nodded as he teased, "Sure, they're not half bad this time! I'll pick them up on my way back through alright?"

Emelaide laughed as she set about getting the cookies put into a basket for him to take, "Sure thing, tell Lina 'Hello' for me."

"Of course," he replied as he headed out the door towards Cindalina's house.

After explaining the situation, he headed back to his place and grabbed a few sets of pajamas and regular clothes, along with boxers and socks. Piling them into a bag, he headed out of the house and back to Emelaide's where he picked up the cookies.

The basket in his hand and the bag slung over his shoulder, Dimitrius darted back towards Elimlee.

Ariala rushed back to the house, checking on Dimeria quickly before going into her bedroom. She changed into a lavender, silk night gown and shook her hair out of her back. A few stray hairs flew free causing Ariala to sigh. "Stupid hair." She murmured, picking up her brush and running it through her curls. People had offered to cut it for her but the thought of it brought tears to her eyes.

Having managed to tame her hair, Ariala moved back into the living and built a fire. Sitting in the loveseat, Ariala laid back and waited for Dimitrius to come back to her.

In moments he was back at the base of Ariala's tree. Quickly climbing the rope ladder, Dimitrius headed for Ariala's house. Opening the door, Dimitrius smiled as he saw Ariala sitting on the loveseat.

"I'm back. Auntie sends her love and says dinner tomorrow will be fine. Emelaide sends cookies for you and Dimeria, as well. They're not half bad, I promise you won't die from them," he added with a wink as he set the basket on the table and headed for the bedroom. Quickly changing into a pair of thin sweatpants Cindalina had made for him for his stays in Elimlee, Dimitrius put the bag in the corner of the bedroom near Ariala's closet out of the way.

Emerging from the bedroom, Dimitrius walked over to the loveseat and sat down, pulling Ariala towards him and snuggling down with her in front of the fireplace, "I brought a bag of clothes to keep here for when I stay so I don't have to keep running back and forth, I put them by your closet out of the way," he murmured softly against her neck between tender kisses, wrapping his arms around her waist as he spoke.

"Sounds perfect." Ariala whispered quietly as she snuggled closer to him. Reaching around her hand around the back of Dimitrius's neck, Ariala pulled im closer for a deep kiss before snuggling into the crook of his neck. "I think you should meet my parents. I mean, we're getting married and you've never met them. I'll understand if you don't want to but I think you should." Ariala said.

Placing a kiss on her neck, Dimitrius chuckled as he whispered, "I was actually thinking the same thing, love. I had hoped we'd run into them at the Palace, but with my parents there.. I'll admit, I'm quite glad we didn't. Simply name the day and we shall go to the Palace to introduce myself to them."

"We'll go together." Ariala said quickly, a little to quickly. "My parents have a different idea of my future plans then I do." She explained. "They expect me to work hard, live at the Palace, and marry..." Her voice trailed off slightly. "Well to them Adan could do no wrong. even when he left me at the alter my mother thought that we would still end up together." She said, rolling her eyes at the memory. "But then I went out to the border and found myself a gorgeous, strong, perfect Winter elf that I jusst fell in love with." Ariala smiled, lifting her head to give Dimitrius a kiss. "I'm not sure how that'll settle with them."

Dimitrius frowned, "I suppose you're right.. I hate having to be compared to that scoundrel though.. especially if he's that highly praised by your parents.. I think it'd be best if we don't mention the Royalty factor.. I.. I don't want them to like me simply because I'm the son of the King of Winterglade and technically the next heir to the throne. I want to be on 'equal footing' in your parents eyes."

"They don't see what's best for me." Ariala said then laughed. "Which is odd considering they're parents." She said before noting Dimitrius's frown. "Maybe I shouldn't have mentioned it." She said quietly. Crawling onto his lap, Ariala set her legs on either side of Dimitrius's to face him better. "Even if my parents don't see things clearly." She said. "I want you to know that I love you. My parents won't change that." She said, giving him a small kiss before resting her forehead on his.

Clasping his hands on the small of her back, Dimitrius gave a small smile, "I know, love, I'll never doubt you love me, so please don't think that. It's just.. I don't think your parents will like me if they love Adan that much.. I mean, we're total opposites.. surely they'll dislike me.. I want their blessing before we marry... It won't effect our wedding plans, of course. We'll still marry even if they dislike me; I'd just prefer their blessing over their disapproval on our Wedding Day.."

"They'll see that I'm happy and I'm hoping that they'll just be happy that I'm happy." Ariala said before sighing and resting her head against Dimitrius's chest. "I'm not sure how many more times I can use happy in a sentence." She laughed quietly. "I always sound like an idiot when I'm around you." She admitted, her forehead resting on his chest, refusing to meet his eyes. "You should just stop me when I start rambling."

Dimitrius unclasped his hands and gently caressed her cheek as he tilted her face to meet his, "Ari, don't say that. You don't sound like an idiot. Besides, I like your rambling. It's one of your many cute features that I fell in love with," he added with a smile as he placed a a tender kiss upon her lips.

"And hopefully they will be happy for you, for us. But if they're not, that shouldn't stop us from taking the steps we wish to take in order to bring ourselves greater happiness. I couldn't bare the thought of not being able to call you my wife just because your parents like that miserable wretch Adan more than they like me."

Ariala could feel the blush on her cheeks, only causing her to blush more. Putting her arms around Dimitrius's neck, she moved her face closer to his. "I wouldn't allow my parents to ruin our wedding." She said before placing a small kiss on his lips. "As if we didn't have a enough parent problems with your father wanting to make us royalty." She sighed, tracing the length of Dimitrius's jaw with her finger.

Brushing his thumb gently against her lips, Dimitrius sighed, "I'm sorry, Ari.. I don't mean to cause so many problems for you.. Please forgive me.. I promise I'll try and straighten everything out with my father... Even if it means taking the name of King, but letting someone rule in my place, I'll do it if it will keep you from getting into the mix. I don't want you to have to deal with the court life.. It will drive you insane with all of the backstabbing and ruthlessness.. So please, don't worry about that any longer, I'll fix it as soon as I can.."

Ariala blinked out of surprise. "I think that came out differently then I'd planned. I wasn't blaming you." She said softly. "I know its going to be stressful but I love you and nothing's going to change it. Not even parents who can seem to grasp the idea of our marriage." She smiled, placing a kiss on Dimitrius's neck. Ariala settled her head into the crook of Dimitrius's neck, shifting her legs to be curled next to Dimitrius's side.

Dimitrius smiled as he gently ran his fingertips up and down her side, "I love you too, Ariala Gallagher, and I can't wait to make you my wife - the weeks truly cannot go by fast enough."

"I love you to." Ariala said, pulling Dimitrius's face towards her for a slow kiss. "I can't wait until we are finally married." She sighed, leaning to kiss him once more. "Its late. We should go to bed." She sighed, looking out the window, yet she didn't move as she was far to comfortable in Dimitrius's arms.

Smiling, Dimitrius nodded, "You're right, we probably should. We've got a long day of planning tomorrow, don't we."

Shifting Ariala as he stood up, Dimitrius cradled her in his arms and headed for the bedroom. Opening the door, and shutting it behind them with his foot, Dimitrius carried her to the bed and laid her down. Brushing the hair from her face, Dimitrius gently caressed Ariala's cheek as he placed a tender kiss upon her lips, "Tomorrow we'll meet Erreminette, Auntie, Marreck, and Emelaide for lunch to talk over the house plans. Then over dinner, we'll discuss the wedding, how does that sound?"

"That sounds perfect." Ariala said, arching her neck to give Dimitrius a last kiss before curling into his arms.