Ariala's smile was difficult to control. A few flowers had bloomed under her feet at his confession. "Then I suppose we'll be seeing more of each other then?" Ariala asked, the hope obvious in her voice.

Dimitrius nodded as his face unintentionally neared hers, "Aye. That is, only if you want to."

"Yes." Ariala said. "I'd like to." She said, closing the space between them by taking a step forward. "Would you like to?" She asked, looking up at him as innocently as possible.

Dimitrius nodded as he let go of her hand, only to caress her cheek gently. "Most definitely," he murmured, more so answering the internal conflict within than speaking to Ariala's question; yet more so answering to the unasked question, 'Do I want to kiss her?'

With a slight blush, he closed his eyes and the gap between their lips, placing a tender kiss upon her lips, fighting the urge to kiss her deeper as the sensation of bliss flowed through his lips.

Ariala stood shocked for a moment before she comprehended what was happening. Her eyes closed, her mouth opening slightly. She felt adrenaline pumping through her veins as she wrapped her arms around his neck, nervous to deepen the kiss yet unwilling to let go.

Hesitantly, Ariala released herself from the kiss before she lost her control and deepened the kiss too much too soon.

His other hand slipping around her waist, Dimitrius pulled Ariala closer as his hand slid gently into her hair, gently cupping the back of her head in his hand as he placed his lips upon hers once more, allowing the tip of his tongue to gently brush across her lips before he kissed her.

As he broke from the kiss, yet did not break the embrace, Dimitrius murmured softly as his eyes opened to look down at the beautiful blonde-haired, green-eyed girl in front of him, "I'm sorry Ariala, I really shouldn't have done that.. You probably already have someone.. I.. I just.. couldn't stop myself."

"I don't have anybody." Ariala said, placing another light kiss on his lips. "So don't apologize." She pulled him to another kiss, her tongue parting his lips.

Finally, she was able to pull back again. "But we are kind of in the middle of the village so perhaps when we meet again we should meet elsewhere." She said with a smile.

"I'm glad," Dimitrius chuckled as he stepped away from her, "But that means I'd better go. I'm sure well see each other again soon."

After placing a gentle kiss on her cheek, he made his way over to the rope ladder and began climbing down. Looking back up at her half way down the ladder, he sighed, "I'm really sorry Ariala.. I really shouldn't have done that until I broke things off with Emelaide, please forgive me. I acted impulsively.. I've never felt this way about someone, not even Emelaide. I got caught up and forgot my sense, it was unfair to you. I promise you, the next time I see you, I will be able to fully call you mine, if you still wish it."

"Of course I still wish it." She said with a smile. She ducked back into her friend's window to see that Erreminette was fully awake.

"Hi." Erreminette said with a large grin. "I told you so." She said in a joking tone. "I told you he liked you. I knew it, I knew it." She said teasingly.

"Okay, you were right. So what?" Ariala said, unable to keep the smile off her face.

Dimitrius grinned as he finished climbing the ladder. Soon after reaching the ground, he darted off in the direction of Winterglade and in search of Emelaide.

"You two are so cute together!" Erreminette squealed causing Ariala to blush.

"I cannot believe I didn't go swimming today!" An angry Marreck said, climbing through the window.

"You guys do know I have a door right?" Erreminette said.

"I can't believe I missed all the action!" Marreck whined again.

"Well you were seconds late for the latest action." Erreminette said, giving a smile to Ariala. She glanced back at Marreck's confused face, "Dimitrius and Ariala have just had their own action outside my window." Ariala blushed and smiled shyly.

Marreck's face became a beet red. "What happened to the Winter Elf he was with?" Marreck asked, the venom in his voice barely contained.

As Dimitrius ran out of the woods, he slowed his pace to a gentle stride. Making his way to Emelaide's cottage, he sighed.

Before he could knock on the door, he was confronted with Emelaide's father, a confused look on his face. "What are you doing here? Aren't you and Em picnicking in the woods again today?"

Dimitrius sighed, "Aye, Sir, we were. She took off, I take it she hasn't been home?"

Emelaide's father, Lorcale, shook his head, "No, did something happen?"

"Nothing to worry about, Sir. I'm sure I'll find her, please do not worry."

Nodding, he patted Dimitrius on the shoulder, "I know it will, I trust you Dimitrius. You've taken wonderful care of my daughter, I know she'll be fine in your hands."

Dimitrius nodded as he quickly moved out of Lorcale's way so he could leave to where he was headed.

Sighing, Dimitrius ran to his cottage, hoping Emelaide would be there.

"He's going to break it off as we speak." Ariala said.

"And you're sure?" Marreck said, his voice harsh.

"Marreck, stop." Erreminette said but she was speaking on deaf ears.

"What-what do you mean?" Ariala said. Of course he would break it off. He had promised.

"Well you two live in different kingdoms. Whose to say he doesn't date both of you and just keep you from meeting again?" Marreck asked, a cruel smile had worked its way to his lips.

"He-he wouldn't do that to me." Ariala said, but her voice was shaking.

"Are you sure?" Marreck asked, taunting her now. "I bet he told you that he cares more about you then he ever did with that other girl." Noticing Ariala's face he laughed rudely. "He did, didn't he?"

Ariala felt faint. He had promised her, he had promised.

As he walked into the cottage, he heard noises coming from his bedroom. Closing the door behind him, he quickly made his way to his room and opened he door to find Emelaide standing there. Dimitrius sighed, "Em, what are you doing?"

"What's it look like, I just changed the bedsheets and made the bed. I can't trust you to do it, can I?"

Taking her hand in his, he gently pulled her out of the bedroom and led her to the living room, "We need to talk, love."

Sitting down, Emelaide was unusually quiet, until Dimitrius started to speak. But before Dimitrius could say a word, Emelaide rushed in as a tear trickled down her cheek, "I know. I already know what you're going to say. I screwed up, I admit it. I was wrong, I know. You're in love with that Elimlee girl, the blonde one, so you're breaking it off with me so you can be with her, right?"

Dimitrius, too dumbstruck by her words, simply nodded.

"I figured as much. The look you gave her in the wood.. it.. it looks deeper than out connection.."

"I don't know how to explain it, Em. I really don't."

"I know, I'm not asking you to. All I'm asking is for one last kiss.. please?"

Dimitrius sighed as he leaned over and kissed her. The kiss was passionate, deep, loving, tender - all his feelings for her rolled into that one single kiss.

Pulling away, both were breathing hard. Dimitrius kissed her forehead and sighed, "I'm really sorry Em.. please forgive me."

Resting her forehead against his, she smiled, "Don't worry, there's nothing to forgive. You know I'll always love you. If things don't ever work out, know that I'm waiting for you."

Dimitrius couldn't say anything, so he simply smiled and nodded.

Emelaide chuckled as she pinch his cheek gently as she stood up, "Don't sigh so much, you're in love! Be happy! We'll still be friends, so what's there to be sad about?" With a smile she walked across the living room and opened the front door. Looking back at Dimitrius she smiled, "I love you."

"I love you too, Em. Forgive me."

"Already forgiven," with that, she walked out the door, closing it behind her, and quickly made her way to her own cottage; where she promptly ran to her room and cried until sleep finally consumed her.

Ariala ran from the room with Erreminette and Marreck, mostly running from Marreck, to her own house where she dissapeared into her room for the night fighting a war with her insecurities.

"Marreck." Erreminette scolded, "How could you do that to her?"

"Oh come on. They meet once and they're together? I've known her for years." He said, trying to edge off the guilt of hurting her.

"And you're planning on showing your love by telling her how boys use her as a side dish. How dare you." Her tone was harsh.

"She can't be with him. She just can't." Marreck sighed before disappearing.

Meanwhile, Ariala laid in her bed mumbling incoherently as she slipped in and out of consciousness.

.*. The Next Morning .*.
*******************

Dimitrius sighed as he laid in bed thinking over the previous day's events. What had started out as a perfectly normal day with his girlfriend Emelaide had turned into a nightmare that turned to bliss when he finally realized not only his feelings for a certain Elimlee elf, but his feelings were reciprocated by her. Although he felt terrible over what it meant for Emelaide, he couldn't help but be filled with joy over the fact that someone he loved more dearly than Emelaide loved him back. Thinking of his dearest Ariala and wondering how such a chance meeting had brought such feelings into his hear, he dressed and headed out to the kitchen for some breakfast.

Ariala woke the next morning after a restless night. She showered quickly, she needed to see Dimitrius. She would know when she saw him. She stopped by Erreminette's house, splitting toast between them as they sat talking.

"You'll know." Erreminette said, comforting her friend. "Remember how he made you feel. You deserve that. Don't let Marreck get in your way, what does he know?" She asked, giving Ariala a quick hug. "Go. Be with your Prince Charming while I try to get over this cold."

Ariala smiled and climbed out her friends window ignoring Erreminette calling behind her, "I have a door!"

Dimitrius hummed a human's sea shanty as he washed up after finishing his breakfast.

After a quick shower, he decided to take a walk in the woods, needing the fresh air to calm his thoughts and worried about 1. if Emelaide was going to be okay after yesterday, 2. if Ariala truly liked him, or possibly even loved him, and 3. if Erreminette was recovering quickly after Emelaide's tirade on the poor girl.

Ariala raced at top speed to the meadow. She found her way to the border and began backtracking, leaving flowers in her path. She hoped that he would find her path and follow the small trail to her in the middle of the meadow. Her stomach flopped with nervousness.

Its just Dimitrius. She tried to reason. If its meant to be, he'll find me...

Lost in his thoughts as he sat on an large, above ground tree root, he didn't hear the footsteps less than 50 yards away from him at the border. However, he did smell the flowers. His eyes opening, he looked in the direction of the smell and immediately began to follow it. When he came to the border, he saw a trail and his heart immediately plummeted in his chest. Whispering, he bent down and picked one of the flowers, "Ariala.. she's come to tell me goodbye.."

His heart heavy, he began following the flowers, letting the one in his hand fall to the ground below. Upon reaching her, he stared at the ground, unable to meet her gave, "I know why you've come.. you've come to say goodbye, haven't you.."

"Dimitrius." Ariala sighed with relief. He had found her, they were meant to be. She flew across the field and wrapped her arms around his neck, her head burrowing into his neck. She lifted her head and kissed his lips tenderly. "I knew you'd find me." She knew she must sound half crazed but he was here and that's what mattered most.

Dimitrius looked down at her, unable to move, utter confusion clearly written across his face, "Find you? What do you mean? You left that trail of flowers near the border so you could tell me there's someone else in person, right?"

Ariala nearly laughed in relief. "I left the trail beacuase-" She paused hesitantly, "this is going to make me seem crazy but I was listening to Marreck and I had to convince myself he was wrong so I made the trail and promised if you found me then Marreck was wrong and we were right to be together." She looked down at her feet sheepishly. "Of course now I sound crazy." She said laughing quietly, her arms still around his neck leaving her face inches from his. "But I didn't want him to be right..."

Kissing her forehead, his eyes lit up with their usual glow and his mood noticeably brightened, "What was he telling you that got you so worried and scared me half to death over?"

"He-he told me that, uhm, that you were going to be with both me and Emelaide at the same time." She said, the thought of how silly flowers couldn't change if he was with the Winter Elf. Ariala moved back from him, her arms dropping to her sides. "I mean reasonably you probably could, since we after all are from different kingdoms but I didn't want to believe you could do that to me..." She said, barely whispering.