"Of course, love." Marreck said, releasing his grip on her and slipping under the covers. Pulling Emelaide against him again. Marreck kissed her forehead before resting his chin on her forehead. "Sweet dreams." He said before closing his eyes to rest.

Emelaide had a smile on her face as she snuggled in next to Marreck, content with just having him near as she drifted off to sleep, only to revert back into the 'sleep-mode' she was in the previous day a few hours later.

*THE NEXT DAY*
Ariala woke slowly, her body still sore from her lesson the day before. She remembered Adan being in the house and helping her to bed. Quickly she checked under the covers, happy to see she was stil in the clothes the day before.

Ariala climbed out of bed, quickly showering then changing into Winterglade clothing. She pulled on the white wool tights, hot pink mini skirt and white turtleneck. As she moved to the kitchen, seeing the strawberry toast and tea. Ariala smiled, Adan wasn't completely heartless after all, she thought to herself before enjoying her breakfast and leaving for Winterglade.

Dimitrius woke with a start, having dreamt that Emelaide had died and everyone in Winterglade and Elimlee blamed him and accused him of murdering her. Rubbing his eyes, Dimitrius turned over and tried to fall back asleep, wishing he Marreck would just leave Winterglade so he could speak to Emelaide and straighten everything out with her. He knew he acted cruel yesterday, and wished more than anything to make amends, which was hard to do with Marreck sticking around like glue.

Ariala ran to the border and wrapped her nose and mouth behind a hot pink scarf she had grabbed before leaving. She ran through the woods, more comfortable with the warm clothing yet the cold was still uncomfortable. Ariala remembered the path to Dimitrius's aunt's house. Knocking on the door, Ariala stood and wrapped her arms around herself.

It took a few moments for Cindalina to get to the door and open it, but when she did her face brightened, "Ariala! What a wonderful surprise! What are you doing in Winterglade at this hour? Come, come inside before you freeze! How are you? Is Dimitrius coming?"

"Oh." Ariala said. "I thought he was already here. He told me to meet him here today." She said, unwrapping the scarf so that her voice wouldn't be muffled. "Not that its not a pleasure to see you also." She said with a smile.

"Of course dear," Cindalina said with a smile, "No, he's not here yet. He's probably still sleeping since he doesn't have classes. And with what happened yesterday between him and Marreck and Emelaide, it wouldn't surprise me if the poor dear's tuckered out!"

"What happened?" Ariala asked, raising her eyebrows. Her stomach felt sick as she thought of the possiblity of him leaving her. What if they'd gotten back together... She thought. She stood, her mind running wild with the possiblities of what could've happened. Is that why Cindalina's being this nice? She asked herself.

Cindalina smiled as she rested a hand on Ariala's shoulder, "If your thoughts are filled with Emelaide and Dimitrius getting back together, push them from your thoughts this very moment. Come, I just made tea, so have a cup with me and I'll tell you about their fiasco, alright? It's childish and Dimitrius got what he deserved, though he didn't quite like it when I told him that. But, if he learned to control that temper of his occasionally, Marreck wouldn't have used his magic to try and strangle Dimitrius and Dimitrius in turn wouldn't have had to kill the plant with his magic. But don't let me get ahead of myself, dear, come and I'll tell you what started it."

Ariala's mouth gaped as she took in what Cindalina had just said. Marreck was strangling Dimitrius? Why were they even fighting? Ariala sat at the table, taking a cup of tea and waited patiently for Cindalina to explain what had happened.

Over tea, Cindalina told Ariala of everything - from Emelaide getting angry and yelling at Dimitrius, to Dimitrius getting angry with Emelaide and wishing her dead, to Marreck and his fight - not sugar coating it a bit and telling Ariala precisely how it occurred.

"..so you see, Marreck wasn't in the wrong, he was just trying to protect the one he loved. Emelaide, though when she and Dimitrius fight it does bring out the worst in him, was partially in the wrong for letting her temper get the best of her as well and egging him on. And Dimitrius, well, he had it coming and was in the wrong as well, even if he did try and redeem himself. But, even though they had a quarrel, we all know Dimitrius would never truly wish Marreck and Emelaide's death. His temper simply got the best of him and it came out wrong as it usually does."

"Why couldn't Marreck and Dimitrius ever get along?" Ariala asked, her stomach twisting in knots. Dimitrius had never seemed cruel in any way since Ariala had met him. Adan hadn't been cruel at first either... Ariala thought. No! Don't go there... She told herself. She shut her eyes, refusing to compare Dimitrius to Adan. Two completely different elves... She repeated in her head, putting the thought out of her mind.

"They're too different, I expect. Not only that, he doesn't like it when others try to break him and the one he loves apart. Dimitrius isn't a cruel person, please don't think that of him, and he'd never do anything to hurt you. He simply can't forgive Marreck for his previous treatment of him and he's afraid Marreck's heart isn't with Emelaide fully, and that he still loves you. Dimitrius, he.. he fears you will grow to love Marreck because you two are so similar and you both make things grow, while Dimitrius simply kills plants ever year. And he's afraid Emelaide will get hurt in the process. Yes, Dimitrius loves Emelaide, he's loved her ever since he quit going to school at the court and transferred to the village school and laid eyes on her. He immediately made it known that she was his and no one was to try and date her. But, his love was not a love that a man and a woman should have. His love for her was as a sister, but he did not realize that until later on when he met you."

Fearing that Ariala was on the verge of tears, Cindalina bit her lower lip and immediately got up and went around the table to kneel beside Ariala and put her arms around her, "Oh, dear child, do not fear Dimitrius.. He loves you with all of his heart, please do not fear that he will leave you.."

"I think I should leave." Ariala said, feeling the tears formed in her eyes. This was all wrong. Why didn't Dimitrius believe that she loved him? If he was having doubts did that mean... The thoughts in Ariala's head swirled as she felt the familiar knot in her stomach. Ariala stood from the table and made her way to the door. "It was, uhm, nice seeing you again." She said before running out the door.

"Ariala, wait!" Cindalina sighed as she ran after Ariala. Pulling her to a stop just before she got through the door, Cindalina gently turned Ariala's face so that she could look her in the eyes. Cindalina shook her head gently as she reached out and brushed a tear from Ariala's chek, "No, child. You mustn't leave until I tell you one last thing. Dimitrius only got those thoughts during the fight with Marreck. When Marreck asked how you could stand Dimitrius, Dimitrius began to wonder. He began to wonder if he was somehow deceiving you due to his magic. He loves you, Ariala, and he knows you love him, why else would he wish to marry you and spend his life with you even if it means giving up the throne? After he and Marreck fought, he simply began to wonder if you might possibly grow to despise him due to him killing plants every year in the human world. I'm afraid I wasn't supposed to mention any of this to you, he meant to tell you himself. I'm afraid I just don't know when to stop talking and when to leave things be, please forgive me Ariala, I didn't mean to hurt you nor make you doubt Dimitrius."

Ariala bent her head, embarressed that Cindalina had seen her crying. "I just don't want to be humiliated again." Ariala said, fighting back a sob. "Now Adan's come back and he always stirs up everything. And if Dimitrius leaves me because of him, or even-or even." Her voice broke off for a moment while she took a deep breath to ease her tears. "What if Adan was right in leaving me? What if Dimitrius sees it?" She asked, a few stray tears falling down her cheeks.

Cindalina shook her head as she pulled Ariala into a hug and gently stroked her hair while she spoke in a soothing tone, "Nonsense, my dear, utter nonsense. That Adan is a fool for leaving you after having a chance to love someone like you. You're a true treasure, Ariala, and Dimitrius sees that. He isn't blind not to notice something truly wonderful when he has it. He loves you, more than life itself, please do not think otherwise. Nothing in this world will ever make Dimitrius leave you or stop loving you, not even when you tell him to get lost. He may stop coming around, and he may let you go on to lead your life, but his heart will always be in your hands and he will never stop loving you. Let us just hope my idiot brother-in-law allows this marriage to take place like he did the Autumn-wedding. However, even if he doesn't approve, Dimitrius will do it anyway. He's too proud and headstrong to listen to his father and obey all his commands like most folk do. If you'll have him, Dimitrius will move heaven and earth to be able to marry you. So please, do not worry about Dimitrius' feelings, alright my dear child?"

Ariala nodded, feeling the tears subside. Using the sleeves of her sweater, Ariala wiped her eyes. "I didn't want to cry." She said sheepishly. She took a deep breath to calm herself and felt oddly comforted by the woman's words. "Thank you." She mumbled, feeling like a child.

Cindalina smiled as she brushed the rest of the tears from Ariala's cheeks as she spoke softly, "Don't mention it, dear. A woman in love is allowed to cry, even if she does need someone to set things straight for her," she added with a wink, "Now, come inside. I have something that shall make you feel much better."

"What's that?" Ariala said as she followed Cindalina back inside the warm cottage. She should've remembered her scarf when she had started to leave as the wind had picked up slightly.

Cindalina smiled as she led Ariala towards the fireplace, "The rest of your wardrobe. Sit here and warm yourself while I fetch the clothing."

* * *

In moments she had returned pushing a rack full of clothing, "I'm afraid I went a little overboard and designed a few pieces of formal-wear and pajamas for you, I hope they're all to your liking," added Cindalina with a smile as she steered the rack in front of Ariala, "If there's anything you don't like, however, be sure to let me know and I'll put it back in the back for my new collection, alright?"

Ariala stood, her mouth gaping as she looked over the rack of clothes. "They're amazing. You're very talented Cindalina." She told the elder elf as she ran her hand along the different fabrics. Ariala spotted an outfit that was an emerald green dress paired with a small sweater. "They're all so beautiful." She said.

"Perfect!" Cindalina gushed, relieved Ariala loved the clothing, "I'm so glad you like them, Ariala. I was hoping you would. Now, about the white dress I gave you when you first came, do you plan on wearing it for the wedding? I'm only asking so that I may see if you wish any alterations to it. Have you and Dimitrius went to the Royals of your Kingdoms yet? Or is Dimitrius postponing the visit with his father?"

"I, uhm, I'm not sure." Ariala said, blushing. "We haven't gotten far past the 'yes' part." She admitted, holding up a blue dress with white trim. "But I do want to wear that dress to the wedding. Its only to bad Dimitrius has already seen it. Or is it only bad luck if its the actual wedding day?" She asked.