A SECRET PLACE

[Soleil]

-||- Continued from War At Sea -||-

Alexandria was told by one of the guards of the situation at hands, and it nearly shocked her. They had Lord Aramis here in the castle? What were they thinking!? But when they informed her of going to the secret library room, she knew Thais would be there, and now she was wondering why he would ever bring that man into the castle. Whatever decision that had to be made, she would have trusted Thais' decision. It was why she had put him in charge of Avalendor's military and he was to be king. These were decisions she would trust him with. She only frowned and nodded, asking the guards to come along with her for extra security. They agreed and moved towards the library. The doors were opened for her and she stepped inside. Her sapphire-colored eyes first went to Thais in a confused expression before she slowly glanced to Aramis, keeping a good distance away. Her hands were folded behind her back and she stared at Aramis a long moment before she finally spoke. "What do you want?"

-::- He stood behind Aramis' chair and rounded to stand in front of him when she noticed guards followed her. He shook his head softly and unsheathed his sword... At first it might look as though he switched sides.. -::- " No guards I gave him my word just us three... I'm sorry your highness.. " -::- He would bow softly before moving towards the guards to usher them outside.. -::- " You can wait outside.. If you here anything then you can come in, but until then I cannot allow your presence... " -::- He closed the door and would turn to move back to stand behind Aramis.. -::- " On my life I will protect you as long as I can... You know this. " -::- He would offer a smile but Aramis would feel the point of his sword against his back. -::- " You move towards her in a harmful way and your life ends here.. Got it? " -::- He was not on Sealis side and never would be, this would be revealed in that act.. -::-

Aramis turned his eyes to look at Alexandria when she stepped in. He waited until the guards were gone before he smiled slightly. "Queen Alexandria... You are looking beautiful as ever." He paused and while he would have stood up to speak with her, he decided against it, since Thais was standing behind him, ready to attack if he made any sudden movement. He sighed quietly and then proceeded on with what he came to say. "There is a chance you can save your little island here, my lady. And I think it would be very wise you take me up on my offer, or I will see to it that Avalendor is destroyed completely..."

Alexandria moved her arms to fold over her chest and she narrowed her eyes at him slightly. "I'm listening..." She knew that this wasn't going to be a fair bargain, and so she would wait to hear what he had to say. Not exactly thrilled by this whole thing. There was such power though in her hands right now. It would be easy to just take one of the swords off the wall and stab him with it, killing him instantly. It would rid of all of this. Or one motion to Thais, and perhaps he would do it. She just stood there, the thoughts crossed her mind. What would the consequences be if she did it? Would it end this war her way? Or would they still fight without their leader? Her eyes slowly wandered up to Thais for a moment until Aramis spoke.

Aramis stared back at her and then spoke calmly. "You know what I am after. What I want. Hand it over, and we will leave. But you also know that what this would mean if I had this. Avalendor would be part of the council again, under my rule. And you will still be able to rule Avalendor, of course. But I will have an arranged marriage for you... One that will assure none of this mess ever happens again." He fell silent then, his eyes watchful of her, waiting for her answer.

-::- Would he have done it though? Would he have gone back on his word to Aramis and end his life right there if she asked him to? Question was really why hadn't he done it already, and why was the man sitting here bound between then now as they spoke...? Alexandria most likely knew the hatred Thais held for the man and it wouldn't be hard to see as he glared down at the man between him and Alexandria as if he were a snake coiled in his path.. It wasn't till he heard it for the second time the fact that he could lose Alexandria once more it started to hit him... He frowned as his disaproval was clear on the arranged part, not to mention the fact Avalendor would be handed over to Saelis on a silver platter.. He didn't like this one bit, but it wasn't his kingdom to rule so the choice was not his but hers. -::-

Alexandria stood there, still. Her face frozen in thought, as she took in what he said and tried to even think of how to overcome this one. What could she do? Her lips parted and she stared back at him. "An arranged marriage? Why? Why could I not choose my own marriage and still have a man rule my kingdom? That is what you want, isn't it? For a man to be on your council rather than a woman...Yes? I am capable of finding my own husband." Her arms folded across her chest a bit more and she tilted her head, showing the man no expression, no fear or worry in that moment. She would not let him win this battle. No. She would stand her ground and fight for Avalendor if this was the only way to fight.

Aramis shook his head. "No. The arranged marriage would be to me. I've thought so long and very hard about this situation, really... And finally, one night, it hit me!" He let out a small chuckle. "I thought... Hmm, I do not have a wife...Alexandria needs a husband that can control her and her kingdom...and keep Avalendor into the council. What better man than myself to do all of that? It would be perfect. Imagine it, yah? Avalendor would just be another land of Saelis... And we would rule together... All the nations apart of Saelis. You're a beautiful woman, I'm sure our nights in bed would be lovely, and you can continue my heir, giving me many children, yes? We can be a happy family. I will be a good husband to you, I promise you that..."

-::- It took every ounce of him not to run the man through right then and there... The thought of this man being with the one woman he loved turned his stomach to knots threatening to rip all his insides from his body... Suddenly he felt sick and turned away, his sword becoming absent from the man' back as he turned his back to them both.. Would she accept these turns? He hoped she wouldn't with every ounce of him.... hoped... He moved away to sit on the edge not far from them but remained behind Aramis, for he knew he couldn't hide the hurt from that.. It was as if he'd just been stabbed and was rather thankful Aramis was oblivious to it all and what it meant to him what her decision would be.. -::- " You won't touch her... " -::- His words would come out a faint whisper till he realized he just said that allowed and all emotion would drain from his face leaving him just a stern and serious as before...He was good at hiding things when he really wanted to. -::-

Alexandria felt the room begin to spin as soon as Aramis made his proposal. She felt like the clock had stopped ticking and everything had frozen in place... Everything was just awaiting her answer now, so that the world could unfreeze and keep going. For a long moment, she said nothing. Her eyes moved over to Thais, watching him closely until he spoke his words. Her eyes widened slightly and she almost shook her head but stopped herself. She did not want Aramis to know, otherwise, he would have Thais killed if she ever did agree to this arangement. Could she agree to it? She did not want to. Not at all. She hated Aramis and all he stood for. He was a bad man and she had no doubts that he would abuse her, and get really upset and perhaps kill her once he found out she could not give him an heir. She did not want to be the queen of Saelis or see any of her people have to submit to his rule. He was a tyrant, and freedom would be lost, she was certain. Her eyes looked back to Thais, pleading with him to help her out...To let her know that if she said no they would be okay... That they could handle this war and that her people would not blame her for making the wrong decision. She felt so torn. Her duty was to Avalendor, as was her heart. But her heart also belonged to Thais...and the dream of ruling Avalendor together as a kingdom should be ruled.

-::- He would rise to his feet when she didn't speak.. The look she gave him said it all... He forced his feelings aside as he spoke from where he stood around five feet behind Aramis...He took a deep breath before speaking...-::- " I've seen how you rule.. With an iron fist.. You'd rather have people living out on the streets just so you can have your glory and gold... You honestly think the only reason she is fighting you is for power?!?!? " -::- His voice was starting to rise in his anger but he kept it down.. Forcing himself to keep himself at bay.. Calm and collected.. He reminded himself over and over.. Getting angry would get neither of them anywhere.. -::- " She fights so her people can have freedom, so they can live life happy, not wondering if they would survive the next day... " -::- He sighed and sheithed the sword finding no reason for it to be out. -::- " Your a fool... If all you think this is about is a meger power struggle then your are a bigger idiot than I first took you for. " -d

Aramis waited patiently for Alexandria's answer. Watching her until Thais spoke up. He turned his attention to him and then grinned. He had heard what he said before.. That he would never touch her. And now it came clear to him. "Ah... I see. So you are her lover..." He turned to Alexandria and laughed. "This is the man you would marry and allow to rule Avalendor?" He grinned and nodded. "Good to know..." He ignored Thais' words and turned his attention fully to Alexandria. "Your decision, your majesty? The lives of your people hang in the balance of this decision. Choose wisely..."

Alexandria slowly moved from the spot she stood at and she moved closer towards him, but more towards Thais. She saw in Aramis' eyes that he had bad thoughts about Thais and that he would do something to him now that he knew, or guessed that her heart belonged to him. She glanced to Thais' sword at his hip. It was so tempting to grab it from him and use it, killing Aramis. Zane had trained her well. She had all the faith in the world that she could do it, too. She slowly shook her head. "Right now, Lord Aramis... I am at a very good advantage of having you killed. I could do it myself. Tell me why I shouldn't just stab you right now in the chest and rid of all of this now..." Her brows furrowed and she moved closer towards Thais. "My answer is no. I will never let Avalendor be ruled by your evil tyrant ways. I rule Avalendor giving my people freedom and peace. That is what Avalendor is about. No. I have all the faith in this world, that my armies can defeat yours. So go ahead. Go back to your ship... Send your troops. This war is not over, yet." It almost killed her to say that. She did not want to see all the death and the destruction.

-::- It was as if a huge weight lifted off his shoulders then and he couldn't help but grin at her answer.. See, she could make decisions... He trusted her and always would. His gaze would follow her till she stood beside him, she was right though.. Aramis' hands were bound and she'd probably have no trouble ending his life in one good stab or even slice across the throat.. He smirked at the thought and normally wouldn't hesitate to do so himself but he gave the man his word.. -::-

Aramis laughed at her little threat and shook his head. "Go ahead. You'll still have the other kingdoms that are under Saelis to fight off. They are all on my side. They fight in this war, don't they?" He knew that it was possible. Thais had placed him in the trap, making it easy for him to be killed. And he couldn't let that happen. He was bluffing and he knew it. He wasn't completely certain if the other kingdoms would fight. Most of them were fighting this war because he was making them. The others were too afraid to go against them knowing the strength and size of Saelis' army. He was surprised Alexandria would not back down. He laughed and shook his head again, glancing around as he thought about what to do. And then, he was up in a flash, out of the chair. He leaped out at Thais, grabbing his sword out of his sheath, with his hands still tied and he swung at Alexandria, slicing whatever he could, which happened to be her side at the positioning of his hands on the sword and the way he could bring his arms. He had managed to cut a large gash through her side, causing her to fall quickly.

-::- It seemed he let his guard down too soon.. When the man laughed naturally he narrowed his eyes though shook his head.. His gace shifted to Alexandra and before he knew it the man had lunged for his sword. He sneered and unsheathed his hunting knife. In the instant his father' sword left his waist he move between Alexandria and Aramis with the intent to protect her. So when he swung the sword it would have hit Thais' side instead of Alexandria.. His fathers sword being strong and sharp enough cut clean through his thin chainmail armor and clothing.. Cutting a deep gash into his side. He swung the hunting knife at the same time with the intent to slash the man' throat clean open and if he was successful sending blood spraying as he fell to his knee' holding his side as the blood poured through his fingertips. -::-

Though the gash that was supposed to be delivered to her, was guarded and instead given to Alexandria. Thais had moved in front of her and she was pushed out of the way by all the force of Aramis trying to get to her, and Thais jumping in the way. She fell quickly to the floor, with a cry of startle and she knew Thais had been injurred for her sake. Her eyes shot up towards the two and she heard Thais' sword fall to the floor, and she saw the sight of blood. Her eyes widened slightly and she remained down on the floor, as if that would keep her safe for a moment longer. Thais dropped to his knee, and Alexandria reached out to him, placing her hand on his foot before she pulled herself up off the floor, reaching for Thais' sword. She grabbed it and slowly stood up, eyes falling to Aramis and she glared at him. He was still alive, struggling though since Thais had sliced open his throat. But Alexandria would make sure he was dead. She was suddenly reminded of Zane's little chicken. That's all Aramis was. A chicken. She quickly moved, using Thais' sword to stab right through the man's chest. He gasped loudly before she pulled the sword back out and Aramis collapsed to the floor. Alexandria stood there, shocked almost. And the tears suddenly came pouring from her eyes before she rushed to Thais, her eyes searched for the wound he recieved until she saw his hands and all the blood, and her own hands immediately moved to help him cover over the wound. "Come on... We need to get you help. You're going to be okay... " She looked up at him, at his face and gave him a warm smile. A relieved smile. The both of them would be okay. The nightmare was over now. She leaned closer to him and gently pressed her lips to his in a quick kiss. "I love you, Thais... But you are a foolish man risking your life to save me." She grinned, knowing what he would say in response to that. And just then the doors of the room opened and the guards poured in, hearing all of the commotion. They saw Aramis dead on the ground and were in shock. Alexandria glanced up at them and tried to help Thais back up. "Please...Help me. He needs a healer now."

-::- Thais had fallen backwards to land on his back. For some reason he felt cold but he wasn't going to give up.. It'd take more that a deep gash to his side to take him out.. The sound of Aramis' death would allow him to relax.. The hunting knife was still clutched tightly in his hand like a life line as his free hand clutched his side trying to stop at least most of the blood from leaving him but failed as it started to pool at his side. He heard Alexandria and smiled weakly.. -::- " Better to have risked my life to save the woman I love than to watch her be hurt by the man I hate with a passion... " -::- He answered weakly.. He had kept his word in protecting Alexandria at all costs. The feeling of the guards grabbing his arms to help him to his feet caused him to loosen his grip on the hunting knife.. He gasped in pain of the gash in his side but would take the help of the guards and a mere 'thanks' escaped his lips... He gave Alexandra one last look before allowing the guards to half help him walk half carry him from the room most likely to head towards the infirmary. -::-

Alexandria helped them lift Thais up, and she called to another guard that was not helping with carrying Thais out. "Please get a few more guards to help you bring this body back to the port. And some more guards to guard me so I can announce this war is over...And they can all leave and go home." The guard nodded and rushed off to find others so that he could assist. They had come back into the room and carried the dead body out and back into a carriage, heading towards port. Alexandria had left with Thais and the guards, following them until they reached the entrance of the castle. She would wait for her guards then before leaving to announce the end of the war. Hopefully. She hoped that Lord Aramis' death would be what it would take to end all of this.