PART ONE HERITAGE

By: Lorelai Huffman

PROLOGUE

Tara opened her eyes and could feel his breath on the back of her neck and the warmth of his body touching hers. Her body still tingled from his touch. Her love for him was eternal.

She could see the full moon lighting up the night sky and illuminating his bedroom. Her moments of pleasure and rapture quickly fading as she silently slid out of his arms. She could still feel the strength of his body, the intense way he had held her, the roughness of his touch that had excited her and the fire that he had caused more than just inside her soul.

The night breeze blowing through the window blew her hair out of her eyes and cooled her skin. A tear ran down her cheek as her love for him overwhelmed her. She was torn between the right thing and her passion and love for him. A night she had never wanted to end, she now wanted to regret, but she didn't.

Tara wanted to stop time and be in his arms forever, but the world was beginning to become real again way too quickly. He had always been hers, how did she lose him? She gently stroked his cheek and ran her fingers down the muscles of his arm before she slid on her dress and quietly slid out the door.

She knew she couldn't bear to face him. She loved him too much to make him choose… again.

CHAPTER ONE

The morning sun shined bright over the hills of Yendor. Tam raced his gold and tan colt around the bend and through the thicket. A wide smile crossed his face as he realized he was going to win. He was going to beat her to the river! He had raced her a hundred times and each time he would be left licking his wounds as she claimed victory. She took great pleasure in beating him and she wasn't shy about it.

The sun was bright over Yendor that day and a pleasant breeze blew across the countryside.

Just then Tam heard the sound of beating hooves racing up behind him. Tara and Thunderbolt were trying to pass him in the last 200 yards, as they had done so many times before. Tam held on tight and shouted to his champion, "Come on Spirit, we can do it!" Tam crouched as low as he could on the colts back as it glided down the knoll, "One more hill and we have her!" The area was covered with loose dirt so he had to be watchful, but he was determined. He could hear his heart pounding in his ears and his face was flushed with anticipation of the victory.

For the first time ever Spirit beat Thunderbolt to the river.

"Hazaa! I knew today would be a magical day. Spirit and I have been training all season and victory is ours." Tam mimicked holding up a trophy above his head and used just a little magic to make the sounds of crowds cheering his name and daisies fell from the sky to the ground making a ring around him and Spirit.

His pants had been torn by a terribly placed rose bush that he had taken too close. His leg was cut and was bleeding just a little. Tam hadn't even noticed it in his pursuit to triumph over his longtime friend. He dismounted and ran his hand over his leg, "acti mino." Not only did his cut heel, but his pants also.

"I knew you had it in you Tam," Tara said with a huge smile as she dismounted. "Now you have to walk and soothe Thunderbolt so he won't be sad." "Here are his treats for you to feed him," she tossed Tam the sack full of snacks. Tam was one of Tara's best friends, but he had been an exceptional friend the last few months. She wasn't sure if Thunderbolt had taken it a little easy today or not, but she was glad that Tam was happy.

Tam's red hair was covered with perspiration, but his smile lit up the countryside as he continued to rejoice.

Tam patted the exquisite horse, Thunderbolt on his muzzle and fed him his treats while Tara brushed and congratulated Spirit. She led him to the edge of the water for a much needed drink. Spirit's nose chased away the platy fish on the edge of the water. The cool water refreshed the beautiful horse.

"Good boy Spirit," she said as she patted his head.

Tam was elated as he patted Thunderbolt's nose and said, "Better luck next time old man."

This displeased the sleek beauty. He took in a deep breath and ejected a discharge from his nostrils onto Tam's face. Tam fell backwards into the grass wiping his face with his sleeve and smiling up at the regal horse. He took his flask from the pocket of his vest and held it up in a silent toast the Thunderbolt.

Thunderbolt felt better now and trotted down the hill to join Spirit and the giggling uncontrollably Tara at the water's edge. Thunderbolt didn't mind doing things that would make Tara happy, but he wouldn't stand around and be patronized.

Tara spread out a large blanket and Tam unpacked their picnic basket. They had chicken and salmon and salad made from fresh greens. Tara had packed homemade apple pie and raisin bread along with Tam's favorite cherry blast wine. Tam had packed fresh fruit, muffins, bread and jam. Tam loved to eat and Tara loved to feed her friend. There wasn't a food in all the land that Tam didn't enjoy to eat. It was amazing that he could stay so fit and trim, but the fact that he never sat still for more than a minute was part of the reason. He had more energy than Tara had ever seen, of course not any of it was put toward his chores. As a matter of fact more energy was put into getting out of them instead of doing them.

There was a nice breeze blowing and the sun was high in the sky. Divine magical birds filled the air and the sky was brilliant with pink and lilac clouds. The snow from the top of Mount Ele glared in the sunlight like a giant diamond.

After Tam and Tara enjoyed their picnic breakfast they led the horses back to Tara's stable for a good wash, brush and lots of oats. The walk was about twenty minutes and Tam was still celebrating all the way to Tara's house.

Tara always took excellent care of her stables and her horses. Her horses were a very close second in importance to Tara, right next to her best friends.

While they were feeding and brushing the horses, Tam filled in any awkward silences with jokes and banter about his triumphant win over her. When Tam was ready to head home he locked the door to Spirit's stall and patted the horse's head, "Spirit, my man I will come and see you tomorrow and bring you a special treat to celebrate your victory."

Tam set off to his house to get his chores done and Tara was opening her front gate when she saw Dor sitting on her porch swing. Her porch was white and the railing that wrapped around her porch was also white. Her quaint little house was a light blue with cream colored trim. The house was encircled in red, white, pink and purple rose bushes that bloomed with magical beauty all year round.

Dor was short for Yendorus Validus Nostilious Atton. His family had been the leaders of Yendor for hundreds of years. They lead with pride and confidence. Tara had always respected Dor. He was the uncle of the new king.

Good magic protected Yendor from evil and dark magic and sealed the countryside in a protective magical shield that warned the royal guard if any dark magic was performed inside the barrier. Dark magic used within the barrier came with a penalty of death. The barrier had protected her home for almost three hundred years.

All creatures that practice good magic were free to live within the boundaries and several magical creatures had found refuge inside the borders of Yendor and now lived without fear of persecution or deportation. Yendor was a land of peace and love.

On the day of the king's coronation he is consumed by incredible magic and this magic has been passed from heir to heir through the generations. The family and everyone in it have strong magical powers of their own, but the king has enough magic to protect the entire countryside from invaders and they have lived in peace and without fear all of Tara's life.

She had not attended the coronation of Aaron Atton, the new king of Yendor, but she imagined it was a beautiful sight to see. She knew Aaron would use the increased magic to benefit Yendor and its people. Aaron would be an incredible king. He was kind and generous and caring just like his late father, Herron.

Tara had seen Dor in town on several occasions recently, but she would always walk the other way. They had been at the glass blowing shop at the same time. She had been there and she had ducked out and told Caz that she would come back and pay later in the day.

Dor's obligation was one hundred percent to his family heritage and his community which she understood, but her ears shunned the thought of choices made and lives changed forever.

Dor's beard sparkled with old magic as he smiled at her. Dor stood six feet seven inches tall and towered over most men, and most Ogres for that matter. Tara looked so small standing in front of him. Her five foot five inches and one hundred eight pounds made his shadow engulf her small frame, but she had nothing to fear from this man. Except the news that he was bringing her.

Dor had always been nice to her when she was hanging around the palace with Aaron. She knew he had a really good heart, but business always came first with Dor. No wonder he had never been married or even fell in love because he just didn't have time for anything, but work. Dor is the captain of the royal guard and also the right hand man of the king. The new king was the son of Dor's beloved brother and Dor took his duties to him very seriously. Dor took care of Aaron as if he were his own son.

"Good afternoon Dor."

He smiled at her which she assumed was supposed to make her feel at ease. However, it did the exact opposite. It made her feel like she was a mouse who was sent to feed a hawk.

"Tara, please forgive the intrusion."

"No intrusion Dor. You know the royal family is always welcome here. Would you like some Snodgrass tea?"

Tara put the water on to boil, but Dor pointed at the kettle and it instantly started to whistle with boiling hot water. She placed the sugar and cream on the table in front of her visitor. Her kitchen was small, but comfortable. She always had fresh flowers in vases around the room. Tara served Dor his tea with lemon on the side and she was glad he had brought the water to a boil because she just wanted to know why he was there.

The air was thick between them. After three glasses of tea in almost total silence Dor began to explain how the family had decided for the king's wedding to take place in Yendor instead of Azron because of rumor of evil lurking and a plot to stop the wedding and hurt the new king.

"Aaron is to wed in three weeks. He will be arriving in two days and his future bride in seven. As you know, the union will increase the king's magic tenfold until he has his first heir to share it with and evil must not be permitted to interfere. Azron does not have the same capability to keep the king protected as we do here. I fear he is in imminent danger and I would rather he be here where I can protect him. I know that months have been put into this ceremony and it is so important to my family and to our people, but I don't want to take a chance on having something happen. I have the ability to protect him here and I will be damn sure no one hurts him."

Dor sat down his tea and stood from his chair, "As you know, most of our power is based here and even though it is possible Aaron could be protected there I will not take that chance." "I wanted to come and talk to you myself and not send someone. I have always liked you Tara. You are a nice girl and I am truly sorry about how all of this will affect you, but the greater good and the safety of my nephew must come first."

She tried to keep her face neutral. "Dor, I understand why you are here," Tara said as she stood up. "Aaron and I have been friends for a very long time."

"Friends?" Dor said with a kind smile with a hint of smirk.

"Dor, he made his choice and I have no choice, but to respect his decision. I understand that there are policies for the royal family and they have a duty to protect our way of life. I will not be an issue and my feelings will not be an issue either. I know it took a lot for you to come to me and that you are in charge of making sure that the king and future queen are protected, but there is nothing for you to worry about from me."

"Ok then, thank you so much for the tea and the company and Tara if there is anything I can ever do for you please send for me." Dor tipped his hat and out the door he went. Tara wondered why he didn't teleport from her home or use any number of spells at his disposal. But right now she didn't care. She had other worries that had been thrust upon her.

She had to admit to herself that it would have been easier to have the wedding far away. Tara ached with the thought of Aaron being in town in two days. From the time they had first met down by the river they were inseparable. Tara had lost both of her parents and Aaron had lost his mother in the same year. The two of them and Tam spent hours talking and dreaming about the future. They were young and free and had their whole lives ahead of them.

Tara and Aaron had never actually talked about getting married, but they knew how they felt about each other. They had leaned on each other whenever they were at a low point in their lives. They were always together when Aaron wasn't away at university. And even when he was there she would write him at least three days a week and give the letters to Tam who would place them in a magical carton and they would be sent to the matching carton that Aaron had with him.

She had loved him without hesitation since they first met. His ice blue eyes and jet black hair. She knew every inch of his perfect muscular body. But, he is the new king of Yendor and no matter what they had shared in the past, he would wed another. They would share the life that she had planned to share with her darling Aaron.

Tara made herself another cup of tea and sat in the large arm chair in her living room and thought about the first time he had told her that he loved her.

-----It was the summer of her seventeenth year. He had returned home from university for the summer parade season. He had brought her golden lilies dipped in fairy dust. The fairy dust would keep them alive and beautiful forever. To this day they were in a crystal vase on her bedside table. Many nights she would watch them glimmer and glow until she fell asleep.

Tara had gotten up early that day. She had volunteered to put together a large amount of foliage for the displays and also to decorate the main stage. Tara had been working on the farm, picking all the flowers and preparing for the parade grand event when she had lost her footing and fell face first into the mud. The basket of flowers she had been carrying flew through the air and she just barely got her hands under her so that her face was not completely engulfed in the muddy mess.

Her clothes were caked with mud and her usually flowing blonde hair was thick with a muddy mess as he came around the barn with her flowers. When their eyes met she forgot her appearance and was thrilled from head to toe that he was home. He had been very vague as to which day he would return home so she didn't know when to expect him. Aaron had been away too long and letters just were not the same as him being there in person. His muscular figure and perfect fitting clothes excited her.

"Good day my lady, cooling off?" he asked with a glint of devil in his eyes.

"A real gentleman would help a lady out," she said as she extending her hand to him.

Aaron sat down the flowers and removed his jacket. He pretended to spit into his hands and he flexed his muscles as if it would take a mighty feat to lift her small frame. As he reached for her she grabbed his hand and pulled him into the mud almost on top of her.

As she caked his hair and his pockets with mud they laughed and laughed and rolled around with no cares about how they looked. They both wanted this moment to last forever. They were together all the time, but there were very few times where they felt this intimate. Aaron touched Tara's cheek. Her skin was so soft and delicate under his touch. She parted her lips to speak, but before she could or even take a breath his soft lips were touching hers. Her heart fluttered with amazement and her knees were shaking. Her desire burned out of control deep within her. His eyes touched deep within her soul and she knew he would love her forever.

After a few moments he gently released her and she stared into his beautiful blue eyes breathless and content.

"I love you and I have missed you. There is a place in my heart that only you can fill."

Tara pushed him back into the mud and kissed him until they were both so aroused and excited that Aaron knew he must push her away before he lost control. He had to remember what she meant to him and that he would never want to take her here in the mud. She was his everything and he would always treat her as the most precious prize in the world.

Tara didn't want him to stop, but as he gently pulled away from her she released her grip on him. She missed him when he was gone, but when he returned it was like he had never left. Her place was by his side and they both knew it. The chemistry between them was pure and perfect. They both knew that nothing would ever come between them.

"My muddy friend shall we clean up and get some lunch?" Aaron said as he stood and offered her his hand.

"Well I hope you clean up, you look awful," Tara said taking his hand.

Aaron pulled her close and kissed her hard and held her tight. Not that Tara noticed anything but Aaron's kiss, but they were consumed in a whirlwind of magic and smoke. Tara felt her feet float from the ground and when they touched again she opened her eyes and they both looked immaculate. Aaron's hair was clean and perfectly combed and her blonde hair flowed once again over her shoulders and she was wearing her favorite summer dress.

"Shall we have lunch my lady and then I will help you with the rest of your preparation?"

Aaron and Tara walked arm in arm and he couldn't take his eyes off of her. He had missed her so much while he was away. Tara filled his every thought when he was away from her.-----

Now Tara sits in her living room dreading the thought of his presence and weeping at the thought that he shall wed another in three weeks' time.

CHAPTER TWO

"Aaron, look at this china that my cousin Anebel sent us," Eaglanna said motioning Aaron in from the patio. "Look at this pattern, it is beautiful. Look at the gold trim. It looks like the same pattern that Queen Diehi had in her dining room. I saw her castle with my father on our trip to Princian two years ago."

"It is really nice," Aaron said, "It matches the flowers on the vase that your aunt Flora sent."

"I know, we have so many exquisite gifts. We will never find room to display them all. I will need a sitting room and a parlor and rooms for my books. We are getting so many lovely things it will take months to place everything."

"It will take months to deliver everything you own to Yendor," Aaron said with a wink. "Eaglanna, I will have a wing added to the castle just for you," he said in a mocking tone.

She ignored his sarcasm and kept on admiring the china. "Aaron, let's have lunch in the garden today. Jalulai can serve us out there. It is a warm and sunny afternoon and the flowers are in full bloom."

"Sounds great, I will go and change and meet you out there." Aaron went to his room and dressed for lunch. On his way back down the hall he passed Eaglanna's room and her door was ajar. He leaned in and looked around, "Hello, is anyone in here?" He didn't see anything so he pulled the door shut. Eaglanna liked her privacy and she would be upset to know that someone left her door open, but Aaron decided not to mention it since nothing was disturbed.

He came to the patio door and stood behind the curtain and watched his wife to be. Eaglanna was three years younger than Aaron. She had long blonde hair and big blue eyes. Her small frame and beautiful face would attract any man.

Eaglanna picked some flowers from the garden behind the patio and placed them in a glass vase near the centerpiece and opened the umbrella to shade the table. She sat and watched a couple butterflies dancing on top of the lilies that were growing along the side of the patio.

He stepped out as the servants brought lunch through the door in front of him.

The cook served roasted pork loin with chives for them to eat for lunch. It was Aaron's favorite and since he would be headed home tomorrow Eaglanna had it made especially for him.

Aaron joined Eaglanna at the table. Eaglanna had poured him a large glass of wine to complement his lunch. She handed it to him after he sat across the small patio table from her.

"Aaron, I was thinking that I would like to plant roses and lilies at your palace around all the gates. I could place tulips in window boxes outside every window."

"You can plant anything you want. It will be your home just as much as mine. There are already flowers in bloom on all the grounds of the palace, but you can feel free to add or alter anything that you want."

Aaron wanted to daydream about his home and about how beautiful it would look this time of year, but he stopped himself.

Instead Aaron watched Eaglanna daydream which he figured was about where she would place all the flowers and how they would look in full bloom. She did love flowers. She spent hours and hours reading her books sitting in the many gardens on the lands of her palace. Eaglanna always carried a book with her at all times in case she had a free minute to read. He wondered how many languages she could read and speak. Her libraries were filled with books from what looked like every realm and language imaginable.

"Aaron, tell me again about the beauty of our new home."

"Eaglanna, I have told you this story a hundred times."

"Yes, my love but you are leaving tomorrow and I would like to have it fresh in my mind until I join you in Yendor." Eaglanna smiled at Aaron and gave him a pouty lip and then back into a large smile.

Aaron gave in rather quickly this time because he was looking forward to digging into his lunch and he found it very hard to resist Eaglanna's innocent smile.

"Well, the capital city of Yendor sits on the countryside of the country of Yendor. It is cradled between three mountain ranges topped with snow and it meets the ocean that connects your country and mine on the fourth side just a mile from the palace. There are acres and acres of fruit trees along side of fields of Godetia, Lumex, Caspia, Candytuft and Stephanotis. There are waterfalls and nymphs run wild and Tonttus bless the lands with wealth and prosperity, they make all the lands of Yendor picturesque."

Eaglanna's eyes sparkled with excitement and she begged Aaron to continue.

"My father, King Herron was the fifth king in our lineage to protect the pact that was made almost three hundred years ago to protect Yendor from danger and evil magic. Back then Yendor was almost torn apart by war. In the battle between good and evil, many good souls were prematurely wiped from the face of the planet. The pact our family made barely saved Yendor from total destruction, but now Yendor is a breathtaking place full of magic and mystery and peace. Everyone knows everyone and it is an incredibly friendly place to live and they will welcome you with open arms as their new queen."

"I am glad to hear that," Eaglanna said with a half-smile while looking down at her lap.

"Is there something troubling you Eaglanna?" he said lightly touching her small, soft hand.

"It's just that I will be a stranger among them and I am marrying their favorite son. Their king that they love and adore. The only child of a king that they would have done anything for."

"Would you rather we have an auction for me?" Aaron said with a large smile and a wink.

She pulled her hand away from him, "You are so devilish my future husband." "Just for that you will not have the pleasure of my company for a few hours. I must go into the city for a while. I have ordered some things for my trip to Yendor that I must try them on to make sure they are perfect. Will you join me for dinner this evening?"

"I will. I am going to go for a ride and make sure that all my things are packed and sent to the ship and then I will meet you in the dining room around seven."

Aaron finished every last bite of his lunch and listened to Eaglanna talk about all the things that she wanted to do in her new home and how she couldn't wait to get there.

When Aaron finished he bowed and kissed Eaglanna's hand and then he was off to enjoy a nice lengthy ride around the hills of Azron.

Whenever he rode he always stopped at the top of the bluffs overlooking the ocean and thought about his home across the waters. His home that he would return to soon. The ship was docked and waiting to leave in the morning for Yendor. It was being loaded with boxes of wedding supplies and personal items that Eaglanna didn't want to leave behind. He would make sure they were placed for her in her cottage at the palace in Yendor. Tomorrow he would return to his beautiful home, of course it was sooner than he had anticipated.

Aaron had run away from his home. He had barely stayed for his own coronation.

CHAPTER THREE

As Aaron approached the stables after his long ride he thought about that day last week when everything wasn't as calm upon the return from his ride.

-----He could see that there was a large commotion in front of the castle. He stopped and dismounted to see what the problem was. Eaglanna's carriage was there and her packages from town. Aaron was approached by Busshal, first lieutenant of the royal guard.

"Your highness there has been a problem. We found these posted all over the streets and the pathways from the palace and into town."

Aaron took the parchment from Busshal and looked at it in amazement.

It read.

Death to Princess Eaglanna and Death to the King of Yendor. The wedding will not take place, but a funeral instead. The blood of the royal family will stain the streets of Azron and I will rule in their place.

Dark magic will once again rule over Yendor. You will never be safe within the limits of Azron! Return to your home King of Yendor or face the consequences.

Aaron couldn't believe what he was reading. The people of Azron had welcomed him with open arms and they loved princess Eaglanna and King Randolph. A lot of planning had gone into preparing Azron for a royal wedding and now Aaron feared for the safety of his future bride. Eaglanna had spent months planning every detail of the wedding.

Aaron had walked among the people of Azron for months and they seemed to him to be a friendly and peaceful country. However, Azron wasn't a protected environment the way Yendor was so those who used dark magic were free to come and go as they please and free to threaten harm to the royal family also.

Aaron had seen some strange people lurking around Azron, but he decided that it wasn't his place to judge. Aaron had made a point to avoid the darker streets of Azron and the magic shops. These were not his people and they did not have to follow the same rules of not using dark magic that the people of Yendor did.

Most of Azron seemed quiet and beautiful enough and Eaglanna was happy here, but at that moment Aaron was wishing he had paid more attention to the dark societies that inhabited the streets of Azron.

"Has Eaglanna seen these?" Aaron asked Busshal.

"Yes, your majesty and she is in her room with his majesty."

Aaron hurried up the large winding staircase and sprinted down the hall and into Eaglanna's room. She was sitting in a chair by the window looking out over her homeland and crying. Her father was sitting beside her. He had been trying to comfort her ever since she had returned, but nothing would stop her from weeping.

"Everything will be alright my dear. It isn't the people of Azron doing this, but some evil sorcerer or wizard that feels they deserve things that they don't. So much power and so little regard for life. I worry some days about the future of our home."

"Me too father, but our alliance with Yendor will help to improve everything. These are our people and it still hurts. Azron is our home, these people are my family. Why wouldn't they love and welcome Aaron the way that we do? We have planned this wedding for months and everything was perfect until now. I don't… I don't know what to do!"

"Please excuse the interruption," Aaron said as he walked into the room.

Eaglanna ran over and put her arms around him and held him close. Her tears fell upon his shirt. With a deep sigh she said, "Aaron I am so sad, I don't understand why this is happening." "I am so frightened that someone would try to hurt me or to hurt you."

"Everything will be alright," Aaron said as he led her back to her chair and handed her a fresh handkerchief from her armoire to wipe away her tears. He placed his hands on her shoulders and she gently laid her cheek against his hand.

King Randolph stood to face Aaron, "My boy Azron has always been a peaceful place so we do not have the protection here that Yendor can provide." "I know that a lot of work has been put into the royal wedding, but perhaps we should discuss moving the wedding to the safety of Yendor. She is my only child and I couldn't bear it if something happened to her. I don't want to give in to these threats, but right now I have to think of the safety of Eaglanna and your safety. Where would Yendor be if anything happened to you and I just don't believe that we have the facilities to keep you safe? I want her to have the most incredible wedding that she can imagine. I know that everything is planned for here, but her safety outweighs everything. I am sure with the help of your family and the powerful magic that your family wields you will be able to give her a proper wedding my son. I will put the power of my crown behind this and have everything sent to Yendor in preparation for the royal wedding."

Before Aaron could speak Eaglanna jumped to her feet.

"Oh Aaron that is a wonderful idea," Eaglanna said wiping the tears from her eyes. She had a look of hope now that had replaced her sadness and fear, "I could see my new home and be among its wonderful people even sooner."

"And most of all, my dear, you would be safe," her father said with a smile. "Aaron just tell me what you need and I will send my fastest ship to Yendor with the information."

Aaron felt that the King knew best about the resources of Azron and maybe they would be safer at his palace in Yendor. He would need a few days to prepare for Eaglanna's arrival and he knew that his uncle would take care of everything else. A royal wedding was a monumental event, especially this wedding and what it means for his home. Aaron has powerful magic, but not as powerful as he would be inside the magical barriers of Yendor. And not as powerful as he will be at the conclusion of his wedding ceremony. In the long run things for the wedding would run smoother if it took place in Azron, but Aaron was not willing to take a chance on his life or on Eaglanna's so he conceded to their wishes.

Aaron was silent for a few moments as he worked through everything in his mind and when he finally spoke he took Eaglanna by the hand and said, "I will leave for Yendor next Tuesday to make all the arrangements," "Eaglanna it should be safe for you to come to Yendor by the following Sunday and we will be married two weeks from then as scheduled." "My uncle will make sure that anyone you wish to attend the ceremony will be brought to Yendor all I will need is a list which I am sure you have," he said smiling at Eaglanna.

Eaglanna jumped up and gave Aaron a big hug.

"Aaron I am so excited. I will start packing today and we will have everything shipped over for the parties and the wedding and the honeymoon!"

Aaron could tell that Eaglanna was very excited and he was glad that she wasn't upset any more. She was like a child preparing for a big party throwing all of her clothes on the bed.

He quietly left the room while she was digging through her closet looking for suit cases, pulling out trunks and telling her father how excited she was. Aaron was amazed that she had anything left to pack. Several carriages worth of Eaglanna's personal items had already been packaged and taken to the ship to be delivered to Yendor.

As Aaron pulled the door closed behind him and leaned against the wall with his eyes closed. He let out a slow deep breath. He knew that there would be at least one person who would not be excited that the wedding had been moved. Adrenaline was pumping through his body and his heart was racing with what would come next. But he had little choice. He had to prepare to return home earlier than expected. He had run away and now he was on the road back to face decisions made.

The time he had spent in Azron had made it a little easier not to think about things. But, being back in Yendor would make things more challenging. He knew he had to be responsible for the choices that he had made. He wanted the royal wedding to take place in Azron instead of Yendor in the first place, but now he had to face the journey home. He had run away and now he must return and face his future.

He would learn to love Eaglanna and he would make her a good husband. He didn't like the idea of giving into threats any more then King Randolph, but the best thing he could do is get married and receive the magic that was rightfully his. Then he could do more about the threats.

Then he could track down this fiend and put a stop to him once and forever. Aaron was a good hearted man, but no one would threaten what was his. Aaron would protect Yendor and all of its people with his dying breath. He wanted to storm through the streets of Azron and find this evil monster who threatened them. He wanted to write the most powerful spell of all time and seek out this demon and destroy him. But, what he wanted to do and what was in his power to do right this moment were two different things. He was a guest in this country and at this palace so for right now he would respect the wishes of the king and return to Yendor to prepare for his wedding.-----

Aaron took the horse to the immense stables that the king had built for his daughter. He led Her Beauty into her stall and brushed and fed her. He wanted to get some reading done and clean up before he met Eaglanna for dinner. He tried to be just as excited as she to go to Yendor and he hoped that he would be able to make her happy. Aaron had stopped thinking about his happiness a long time ago and he put all of his energy into making Eaglanna happy. After all, it wasn't her fault that he found himself in this situation.

Aaron was leaving for Yendor tomorrow to make preparations for having the wedding there. King Randolph had sent one of his ships to Yendor with all the information about the wedding and the threat and anything else that Aaron thought his uncle needed to know to protect the princess. He had packed everything of his and everything that he had purchased during his stay in Azron. Aaron had picked up a new bow with arrows for Tam and a leather satchel for his uncle with his initials embroidered in the side. Several times he had found himself looking at things that he knew Tara would love, but he was always careful to put them back. He would never even think about purchasing anything for Eaglanna that he wanted to see on Tara.

In his heart he looked forward to returning home even though it wouldn't be easy.

He and Eaglanna would be married and would live happily in the palace surrounded by the majestic mountains of Yendor and the vast blue ocean that connected their homes. They would have strong sons who would continue the magic pact and fulfill the family destiny. He would make sure his sons had the same love and affection and teachings that his father had given to him. A father had never loved a son more than Herron had loved Aaron. Not just after the loss of his mother, but even before Aaron knew his father cherished him more than anything in the universe. King Herron was a regal, kind man and a father every boy wished he had.

Aaron would leave first thing in the morning on his ship. He had received a message from his uncle during dinner last night letting him know that everything had been prepared for his arrival and that things were in motion to make sure the wedding went off without any trouble.

King Randolph had every magical creature at his disposal trying to identify the threat, but they had come up with nothing. The same thing was being done on the other side of the ocean, but alas nothing there either. No evil spirit would dare infringed on the sanctity of Yendor and no dark magician would ever confront Dor face to face.

Aaron had a lot of respect for this uncle and he trusted that everything would be well. The ship would leave Azron before Eaglanna would rise in the morning so they walked on the patio after dinner that evening to say goodbye.

"Eaglanna, you have nothing to worry about."

"I know, but I will miss you. I know you have only been here a few months, but I feel that we have known each other forever. I had always dreamed of my prince charming and here you are. I was worried about meeting and marrying a stranger, but Aaron you are a good man and I do love you. But when we return from our honeymoon you will have to take on your duties as king full time and I have been very spoiled having you here with me every minute, having you at my beck and call. How shall I spend my days when I am your queen? Flowers and books cannot warm a woman's heart."

"I will make you happy Eaglanna, I promise. It is getting late and I have to …"

"Yes, you have to get up early." She smiled at him and touched his hand and said, "I look forward to seeing you again in my new home."

Aaron walked Eaglanna back to her room and opened the door for her. She took his hand and pulled him close. As he towered over her small frame she gave him a light kiss on the cheek and said, "I will see you again very soon my special Aaron." She went into her room and closed the door behind her.

Aaron took a deep breath and wished that his heart raced at the touch of his future bride. He went to his room to make sure he wasn't forgetting anything. He had no idea if he would ever return to Azron. It wasn't his home and he couldn't wait to see Tam.

CHAPTER FOUR

Aaron looked out over the water and breathed in the salty smell of the air. There was nothing more stunning then the waters of his homeland. The crystal clear waves swayed the great ship as a mother would rock a child. In a few hours he would see the shores of his home. Soon he would be able to see the grand castles and the extraordinary mountain ranges and the pastures full of fruit. His countryside as far as the eye could see and beyond. The land that he cherished, that he had missed, the home and the girl that filled his dreams. He had tremors when he thought of her touch, his muscles filled with electricity at the thought of touching her.

Aaron leaned back against the deck with the breeze in his hair and the warmth of the sun upon his face. Even with the magic powered engines it would still be a few hours before he was home.

He closed his eyes and with a big sigh and let himself think about that day. The day that changed his destiny. That day he made the hardest choice of his life.

Aaron had always known about the obligations that would be bestowed upon him when he became king. He would become the most powerful wizard in the land. When he takes a bride at the moment of their union, when it is sealed with a kiss, a magical agreement is reached that there will be an heir to the throne. Then the royal family is bestowed enough magic to protect all of Yendor and its people.

Aaron had always imagined that his father would rule over Yendor forever. Herron was a kind ruler. He had protected their lands for almost eighty years. He had made the countryside prosper and the families thrive. All likes of good magical creatures lived in peace inside the borders of the protection spell.

There had been a dark time when Yendor was unprotected and dark wizards battled the forces of good to control the magic of Yendor. Herron's ancestors made a magical pact nearly three hundred years ago that would protect their homeland from dark magic. Herron's ancestors paid a great price for that pact, but it had remained in effect for as far back as anyone now living in the capital city could remember.

Aaron had a happy childhood. He never wanted or needed for anything. When he was a young man he and his best friend's Tam and Tara were inseparable. Aaron lost his mother in the spring and Tara lost her parents in the summer. Aaron and Tam had been riding down by the river and saw this young girl with long blonde hair and sad green eyes. She was sitting by the river with a large basket of freshly cut roses. She was pulling off the pedals and dropping them one at a time into the water and watching the current take them away. After that day the three of them were best friends. They rode and swam and climbed mountains and played endless games of hide and seek in the royal palace. They leaned on each other to get through what was the lowest point of their young lives.

Tara had never treated him as a prince or as a future king, just as a friend. Aaron rejected most things that had to do with his royal birthright. He wanted to be a good man and live a good life, but he didn't want to attend balls and go on royal visits to faraway lands.

Aaron didn't have any siblings, but he figured his friend Tam would be the next best thing. All males born under the magic boundaries of Yendor could levitate at birth. It wasn't until they grew older that the families would be able to tell what unique powers each son would have and how strong they would become. Tam would usually use his powers to get into trouble and Aaron would usually use his to get Tam out of trouble.

Aaron remembered that night with his father.

-----"Father, I want to ask Tara to be my wife." Aaron remembered saying to his father on that night as he paced back and forth in his father's study running his fingers through his hair over and over.

"Aaron, my son you know you are going to be king. The king of Yendor must marry into a proper magical family. As the future king you must marry Eaglanna of Azron, she has been chosen. She will make you a proper wife. Her magical heritage will make the magical transference easier. She has passed all the tests in order to become your queen. She is perfect for you and for Yendor."

"Father, I am a man first, then a king and then a wizard. I will do my duty to protect our home from dark magic and evil, but I love her and I will never love another. Tara is from a magical family and she would respect everything that we stand for."

"Aaron, I would ask you to be a son first and realize I don't ask this lightly. I understand your heart leads you in one direction, but your priorities need to lead you in another. Tara is not suitable to be queen. Her family were crusaders, yes they were crusaders for good, but that is not enough to be a proper queen. Eaglanna, has breeding and she has been a princess all of her life. She has traveled and the union between Azron and Yendor will benefit everyone." Aaron slammed his fist down on the edge of his father's desk. "My son," King Herron paused and took a breath. He walked over to Aaron who was now looking out the window and calmed the tone in his voice. "Aaron, it is your duty, your obligation, your destiny. I don't want to seem like I don't care about your feeling my son. I love you more than anything, but we have an obligation to our people, to our way of life and what has been expected of you was never hidden from you. You have known what your obligation would be your entire life. This is about our people and your heritage and what is expected of a king."

Herron paused and looked out the window deep in thought. The room was silent for a few minutes and then Herron turned to his son.

"Sleep on it and you will see that what I am asking you to do is what is best for our people, which would include Tara. In a protected Yendor she will be safe, in an unprotected Yendor as your queen she would be a target. You will join with Eaglanna Laupha and reign as the greatest king in the history of our nation. Tara will move on and have a life of her own. It is my hope that you will see in the light of day that this is the only choice. This is the choice that a father would ask of his only child."

After Aaron left his father, his head was spinning. His father's words echoed in his head and Tara's smile tore at his heart. He loved his father more than life, but he would never be happy unless Tara was at his side. Her love completed him. Her smile gave him a reason to jump out of bed each day and face the world with energy and enthusiasm. Her touch moved him from head to toe. The thought of touching her sent him into an ecstasy he had never known. There forms fit together perfectly as if molded from the same clay.

Aaron went to bed and dreamed about a bright spring day where daisies and pixies filled the air and a beautiful woman with flowing blond hair and a white veiled wedding dress took his hand in the grand hall of the church. He couldn't see her face, but he dreamed that they exchanged rings and when he leaned in to raise the veil …

Aaron heard a loud noise that woke him from his dream.

"Your highness please come right away, it is the King!" Aaron heard someone shout.

Aaron remembered walking into his father's room. His uncle Dor stopped him just inside the door.

"He's gone my boy, passed away in his sleep," Dor said reaching out to support Aaron as he sank to the ground. Dor's eyes were red and sunken back into his head. Aaron thought his uncle looked like the life force had been drained from him.

Aaron had no strength in his legs. He sat there on the floor for a long time with people coming and going, but he didn't say a word and if anyone spoke to him he didn't notice. His heart grew heavier and heavier. He didn't know the doctor had come and gone. He had no idea they had come in and dressed the king in his royal robes and crown.

After a very long time he stood up and walked outside onto the balcony of his father's room, still unsteady on his feet. His heart was so heavy he couldn't breathe. He leaned over the balcony and vomited.

He had to get away. He couldn't be here right now, and he had no strength to use magic so he took the back stairs and made his way to the stable and mounted his favorite horse Thunderbolt. Thunderbolt was jumping and unsteady, almost as if he knew what had happened. Aaron barely got the saddle on the horse's back. All the horses began to buck in their stalls, something horrible had happened and they knew it.

Aaron rode to Tara's house with Thunderbolt leading the way. He didn't even remember making the journey. He didn't remember holding on, but he hadn't fallen off so he assumed he had held onto the saddle at some point. Aaron's entire body hurt everywhere all at once.

He realized he had arrived when Thunderbolt stopped outside the house. He tied Thunderbolt to the railing and walked onto the porch. He couldn't bring himself to knock. He gave way to the weight of his body and slumped down onto the swing on Tara's porch. He placed his head in his hands and sobbed like a child.

Tara heard him arrive and opened the door and saw him sitting their ashen with tears rolling down his face.

She held him and he buried his face in her hair and held her tighter then he had every held her before, "Aaron what is it, what has happened?"

Aaron still has nightmares about the look on her face when he explained to her the conversation he had with his father the night before and how he must honor his father's dying wish to be the king he wanted him to be.

Tara was in shock and she couldn't understand what was happening. She couldn't move or speak, just cry and shake her head.

He left her sitting on the swing crying, he didn't know what to do. As he walked away he could hear her saying, "Aaron, don't go, don't do this!" "There has to be another way."

He wanted to take away her pain and make everything alright again, but he was destroyed inside and didn't know which way to turn. He just needed to get away from everything. He needed to escape the pain that the death of his father and the loss of his true love were causing him.

He walked from her house leaving Thunderbolt tied up outside her porch. She had always loved that horse and he her. Aaron wanted Tara to have a part of him to love.

Aaron's coronation was the day before his father's funeral. Neither of his best friends were there to see him become king. He had stayed in Yendor until the funeral was over. He sat next to his father's grave in the pouring down rain for hours in silence with tears running down his face.

Finally Dor had convinced him to leave the cemetery. He went straight to his room, packed a bag and boarded a ship to Azron.-----

He had been living in Azron with Eaglanna ever since. But now looking back the months he had spent in Azron seemed liked years and at this minute he yearned to have his feet planted on his homeland.

He made his choice to honor his father's last wish and now he is going home to face the consequences of his choice. A home that would no longer have the presence of his father or the warm smile of his friend. 

CHAPTER FIVE

Tara could hear the music welcoming the king home. She sat on her porch and listened to the music and the cannons while she waited for her friend Moogie to arrive.

Everyone in the city had been excited about Aaron's return home. They had planned a parade and a party and everyone she knew would be there. Tam had offered to spend the day with her, but she knew it was more important for him to welcome Aaron home. Aaron had been gone for months and he would need to see the face of at least one of his best friends waiting to welcome him home.

Tam had not gone to see Aaron in Azron. Instead he stayed to comfort Tara. Tara knew that he would have missed Tam horribly and wanted Tam to be the first face he saw when he returned home.

Tam had confided in her that he would not be part of the wedding party. He loved Aaron, but he also loved Tara.

Tam would give her a shoulder to cry on when she needed it and try to make her laugh when she needed that to. He had kept his opinions to himself because he knew Aaron could never be happy without Tara, but he knew she would need him more that day then Aaron would.

Tam had never had any romantic feelings for Tara, she was as much a sister to him as Aaron was a brother. They were three parts of the same person, they shared one heart and one soul.

Tam and Tara had talked for hours about going away and not returning until after the wedding, but what would that solve? The newlyweds would be living here just a stone's throw away from her home. So she decided to stand tall and proud because she had done nothing wrong. Of course she wouldn't say it out loud, but neither one of them had done anything wrong. She couldn't claim what was not hers to have. Aaron had made a choice and if she thought begging him to change his mind would work maybe she would do it, but he left and he is marrying someone else. She wished she knew what to do, she wished she knew what was right.

She wished she knew what would stop the pain in her heart.

Aaron's ship had smooth sailing all the way home. He could hear the roar of the crowd when the ship was still two miles out. He watched as they passed large groups of people waiting on the sides of the harbor and waving to him. He loved his home, he had always been happy here. When he had been away at university he would always look forward to returning home. He looked forward to fishing and hunting and horseback riding with his friends.

He had wanted to use a spell to send him directly to Yendor, but a spell that powerful would weaken Aaron. Dor said that he didn't want Aaron using any magic so that if anyone was using magic around him it would be sensed by the clerics and the guards.

Aaron smiled when he could see the incredibly large crowd that had gathered to welcome him. Music and confetti filled the air. There was cannon fire in the distance and when the ship sounded its horn the crowd went wild.

Aaron had always played his part in the background of all the ceremonial activities that his father had to attend. He hated to dress up and act like a prince. He would much rather put on a pair of comfortable pants and walk among his people and his friends.

As the ship pulled to the dock he saw a smiling face that made him leap from the deck to the dock almost knocking Tam off of his feet. Good magic engulfed Aaron. There were lights and balloons everywhere. Pixies and fairies filled the air as flowers fell from the heavens to make a path for the king. The waters of the ocean sprouted into fountains that cascaded twenty feet into the air and turned colors.

The two friends shared a hug and a smile at each other. Tam bowed jokingly, "My king, welcome home, I am humbled in your presence."

Aaron gave Tam a friendly push and turned to face his uncle.

"My boy you look well, welcome home," his uncle said extending his hand to shake Aarons.

"Thank you uncle, quite a turnout today," Aaron said as he looked around at the hundreds of Yendorians who had come to welcome home their king. He could see the front of the parade starting around the bend and passing the grand stand. There were large balloons, music, clowns, jugglers. They were leading fire eaters, the pageant queen and all sorts of exquisite horses. They passed by a mystic conjurer and a unicorn was brought forth with a wreath of flowers on his horn that a beautiful nymph removed and Aaron bent down so she could place it around his neck.

A fortune teller approached Aaron and grabbed his hand, "Would you like your fortune read your highness?"

Before Aaron could answer Dor led him away and hit him on the back, "You are adored my boy, enjoy the food and music for a while and when you return to the palace we need to speak." Dor waved his hand and Aaron's royal dress uniform became comfortable pants and a shirt.

"Of course I will uncle, but for now let's eat!"

Tam walked behind Aaron and Dor. He wished there was something he could do for his friends, but for now he would support each one of them separately. It tugged at his heart that Tara was sitting alone in her home while he was here with Aaron. The three of them should be partying together.

Tam thought that Aaron seemed happy enough as they drank, danced and greeted the people of the town. They sat and watched the parade. All the magical creatures of Yendor had come out to say hello and to say how much they had missed Aaron. Everyone was so happy to see him, they had missed their king. There had been no chance to celebrate because everyone was mourning the tragic loss of King Herron and the quick departure of Aaron to Azron. A hole had been left in the hearts of all the Yendorians until this moment.

Tam made sure that Aaron kept eating and drinking and made him dance a few times. He was so happy to have his friend back. Aaron had written to Tam and asked him to come to Azron and spend some time there with him.

Tam knew that Aaron probably needed him after everything that had happened, but he had to be here for Tara because Tam knew after everything was said and done Aaron would want her protected and taken care of more than him. He had a new fiancé and a new father-in-law to be with a new country to explore and he had to prepare to be king.

Tam had wanted to go to his friend, but he couldn't leave Tara alone just as Aaron couldn't stay here with her. She was in bed for days after he had left and she hadn't left the house for weeks after his departure. She was destroyed. Tam would sit on her porch for hours and watch her through the window. He would hope that she would ask him for something, for anything so he would have some usefulness in his life. He made sure that her farm and orchards kept running and that her supplies were ordered and the horses taken care of. He had stepped in and been the best friend that he could be. At one point he thought she may never leave the house again.

As the sun began to set, the best friends found themselves sitting on the end of the dock watching it sink into the ocean watching fireworks fill the sky.

Tam decided that he would be the first to ask, to find out if Aaron needed to talk, "So old man tell me about your fiancé."

"Her name is Eaglanna, she is sweet and kind and beautiful. Her family comes from powerful magic. She has long blonde hair and big green eyes."

"Ok and I read that in the 'Ten ways to marry a princess' brochure, now how about you tell me about the future queen of my country and the future wife to my best friend."

"She enjoys growing flowers. She has a colony of magic fire flies in the gardens around her castle that lights up the grounds with a brilliant glow. She doesn't practice much magic to the dismay of my future father-in- law. Eaglanna likes to read, her family has a library that takes up three rooms. I have never seen so many books in so many different languages."

Aaron took a long drink from his mug.

"I was apprehensive at meeting and marrying a stranger, I had just lost my father and I was in a daze for weeks, but she was patient and kind. She is a really good person, with a good heart and we had fun together until the rumors of the dark magic and threats of stopping the wedding started to circulate. Everyone agreed it would be much safer to have the wedding here." Aaron looked away from Tam and back across the water as he added, "I didn't do it to hurt her and I wouldn't hurt her on purpose for anything."

Tam stood without responding and said, "Let's have another drink." "It's time to return to the celebration of your home coming. Let's see if I can still drink you under the table!"

Tara went fishing with her friend Moogie down at the river until the bright sun was low in the sky. She caught a few fish, but she returned them to the water. She hadn't eaten anything that day, but Moogie made sure she drank lots of water.

"The air seems chilled for this time of year," Tara stated slipping on her shoes, "Almost as if a storm looms around the bend."

The ladies packed up their gear in silence and headed home.

After putting everything away Tara sent Moogie home. She wanted Moogie to be able to enjoy some of the festivities of the king's homecoming celebration. Fire workers started to fill the night sky.

She had thought about going down to the celebration just to get a glimpse of him, but she knew it would hurt too much. She couldn't ever remember a time she had gone to him when he had returned home from his travels. She didn't have to because she knew that her house would be his first stop upon his return. He would always bring her something from wherever he had been.

So she sat on her porch for a while and looked up the night sky. It was breathtaking and sad at the same time. She recalled many nights where her and Aaron just laid in the grass and stared at the night sky. She watched the sky until the fireworks display came to an end.

She stood to go in the house and in a very low whisper she said, "Welcome home Aaron."

CHAPTER SIX

Tara awoke early the next morning and could smell honeysuckles and roses through her window. She dressed in her most comfortable clothes and pulled up her hair on top of her head.

She decided she would pamper herself today. She needed some herbs from town and she wanted to deliver some items to her friend Jolykh. She packed a large basket for Jolykh and tied it with a large blue bow.

Tara had promised Thunderbolt and Spirit a nice bath and brushing. She let the horses out to run in the pasture. She was going to ride Thunderbolt into town that morning, but he was a little restless so she decided to walk. After all it was a beautiful day. Most days in Yendor the temperature was seventy-nine degrees and sunny with a nice breeze. With only a few exceptions, it seemed to rain just enough for the crops to grow tall and strong. There were some benefits to living in a magical land.

She figured Tam would come by today after his hangover subsided. Her friend did love to celebrate, usually though she was responsible for getting him home safe. Which sometimes is more fun than it should be.

She remembered last summer when the three of them were celebrating Tam's birthday for three straight days and nights. Tara believed they consumed more alcohol that weekend then the entire fleet on New Year's Eve. They drank at her house and then at the Road End Tavern and then at the Red Lady Inn and they made sure they had plenty to drink into the next day until they could refill their supply.

-----They found themselves Sunday night down by the old mill. Tam had insisted he could scale the iron oak and hang from her tallest branch without the use of any magic. He covered his clothes and hair in sap and wrapped vines around his waist like a belt, and then he tucked two pints of cherry blast wine in his pockets and set off to accomplish his task.

At this point his two friends could only watch, gasping for air with tears running down their faces from laughing so heartily. They learned a long time ago not to try and talk Tam out of anything because it just made it worse.

He hung from a branch about 18 feet from the ground upside down, swaying back and forth and humming very loudly what sounded more like crazy fits of laughter riddled with intermittent humming noises. Tara and Aaron pelted him with acorns that Aaron was conjuring.

Tam could feel the burning in his legs, but he was determined to finish his task. He chugged a pint before attempting to make his way to the next branch. "I am a mighty man, I am a mighty, mighty man," Tam began to sing over and over again as he reached the next branch and the next. He looked like a Katilian monkey, but they were much cuter.

He reached one that was about fifty feet above the ground, as he tried to steady himself the branch cracked and he fell to a lower branch. The vine around his waist caught on a couple of smaller branches and slowed him down. In a split second Tam was hanging upside down and his momentum swung him against the mighty iron tree with great enough force to knock him unconscious and busted his pint of cherry blast wine all over him.

Aaron levitated up and moved his hands over the vines. They disintegrated and Aaron held out his palms and maneuvered Tam slowly to the ground.

"Aaron be careful of his head, there is nothing inside of it but still." Tara helped to support his head. A big groan from Tam and some drool let them know he was still alive, but now all three of them were covered in sap, wine and twigs.

Aaron and Tara drug Tam to Tara's barn and tossed him onto a large pile of hay. And now Tam smelled like alcohol, sap and hay.

"He isn't laying on my bed covered in that mess," Tara said falling into the hay next to Tam. "And you know what, neither am I," she said pulling one of the extra blankets over herself. It was scratchy, but it was warm and cozy.

Aaron stretched out next to her and made himself a pillow from a pile of hay. He lay down next to Tara and closed his eyes. He could smell her hair and he reached out and ran his fingers down the nape of her neck. She had fallen fast asleep and he could feel sleep coming on fast, but he felt warm and happy and fell asleep with his arm wrapped around her.

They all slept late into the morning of the next day covered in sap, wine, twigs and hay.-----

A smile came over Tara's face as she remembered what fun they had that weekend and all the days, months and years leading up to it. They always had fun together, whether through mischief or adventure there was never a dull moment when they were together.

She strutted off to see her friend Jolykh over on Pine road.

Tara could see her friend standing in the window of her kitchen. Jolykh was older then Tara, about ten years. She had short brown hair and a killer smile. Jolykh had a lot of men and woman who worked for her, who tended the many acres of her land. Whenever Tara went away Jolykh would send some of them over to help tend her farm and water her flowers and feed her horses.

Jolykh had been married four times, but currently she didn't have a husband. After each husband left her she would always say that she was too much of a woman for them. Too independent and self-spoken. But, recently she had been talking about this man that she had met in the next town over when she was there peddling some of the incredible jewelry that she makes. Apparently his name is Jerome and he just swept her off of her feet, which would be sweeter if he wasn't a shoe peddler. She had been to see him one or two times in the past couple of months. She had always asked Tara to accompany her, but Tara declined. Jolykh told Tara that she needed some time away from Yendor and that she should be ashamed making a woman of Jolykh's age travel alone. Then they would both laugh.

Jolykh gave Tara a big smile and a wave when she saw her coming down the road.

"Good morning Jolykh," Tara yelled as she came along the white picket fence and into the yard. Jolykh had a beautiful home with a big wrap around porch. She had big parties during the summer months. Her yard would be full of large canopies and her porch full of chairs and flowers. She had a long white trellis that ran along the back of her house with flowers running through it that bloomed all year long.

"I have the Jasmine, daisies, onion sprigs, a few oranges and some vega root for you," Tara said holding up a handful of daisies.

"Sounds splendid, I have a basket full of goodies set aside for you," Jolykh said opening her storage bin and removing the basket for Tara. "I have neba root, teddet seeds, thyme, baybriar root and yitti bulbs."

"Oh thank you Jolykh, the horses love baybriar root sprinkled on their oats. It gives them a very shiny coat. Maybe I should try some for my hair."

"I think that you do ok my dear. I haven't seen you for a while, you look well. Not well rested but well in general. So Tara my girl, what are your plans for today?"

"I intend to pamper myself, maybe a nice long bath of bubbles with Jasmine mixed in, or a long seaweed wrap followed by some fishing. Tomorrow I will catch up on my work for the week."

"You work too hard any way my girl. I don't know how you get half the things done that you do. You always have that big cart ready each week for Benjamin to take to the market for you and you don't use a lick of magic."

Tara was picking through the basket that her friend had handed her as they walked around the outside of the house and along the fence. They were talking about the weather and that Jolykh had gone to see Jerome again.

"He gave me three pairs of shoes to bring home with me, I will have to show you the next time I come over," Jolykh said with a smile.

"Well you know Jo if he gives you four pairs then in some countries you would practically be married!"

Both ladies laughed.

Tara let her hair down and ran her fingers through her beautiful blonde hair while she and Jolykh chatted for a few more minutes about Jerome and the shoes. That was until Tara noticed a familiar face standing across the street.

Aaron was leaning against a beautiful full shade maple tree watching the ladies enjoy their conversation.

He had been walking by and had seen Tara and Jolykh walking out to the fence. He couldn't bring himself to turn and go the other way. His feet stuck to the ground as if they were glued, but he was content to stay and watch her as she smiled and laughed with her friend. He missed that glow in her eyes.

She truly was beautiful and pure of heart and his heart raced at the sight of her. His best friend, the love of his life, she knew things about him that no one else would ever know. They had a bond that would lapse time and space.

While he was watching her, he started to think about the last time he had seen her and how she had slipped away.

-----The love they made was powerful. Aaron kissed her eyes and her cheeks and her neck. A tear ran down Tara's cheek and he kissed it away. He wanted to be a part of her and never let her go. His mind was racing, and his body wanted hers.

He had pulled at her hair and lifted her on top of him. She moved up and down on him as their eyes locked. He cupped her incredible breasts as she took control and made his head spin with ecstasy.

He didn't want to stop. He didn't want to be without her. He didn't want to think about anything but her. As he climaxed, he heard her give a low squeal of delight. She collapsed on top of him. Her long hair was drenched with sweat and covered both of them.

Aaron held her close and tight, if she had pulled away in the moment he would have died. He thought she would drift off to sleep in his arms, but instead she started to gently caress and stroke him. First his stomach and then lower until he couldn't stand it any longer. He had to possess her once again.

The magic that flowed between them was endless, it was timeless and wonderful. She screamed his name and begged him not to stop. He licked her breasts and made her nipples hard as diamonds. He held her legs up and open as he penetrated her and she moaned with pleasure.

She was covered in sweat and her hair was wet and clung to her body. She bit her lip to try and prevent her screams of pure satisfaction as her head whirled with pleasure. He collapsed on the bed next to her and kissed her wildly and passionately. Before they were finished they had made love three times then Aaron collapsed from exhaustion. He wrapped his arms around her and whispered, "I love you," before succumbing to sleep. She had fallen asleep right after him.-----

Jolykh followed Tara's eyes and saw Aaron standing there. She took the basket back from Tara and placed it on the top of the fence. She lightly laid her hand on Tara's, smiled and walked back into her house.

Tara walked across the street with her heart pounding. She stopped about three feet from Aaron. He looked incredible, his muscular figure standing in the afternoon sun, his wavy black hair moving in the gentle breeze of the day.

She had thought about this moment for months and wondered if she would have the strength to face him or if she would turn and run, but her feet carried her swiftly across the street. She missed him, he had been her best friend, her lover, her everything for so long.

She was proud of how steady she held her voice as she said, "Good afternoon, Aaron."

"Tara, I hope you don't mind."

Tara cut him off with a wave of her hand and said, "It is really great to see you my old friend, I hear the weather is going to be perfect for your wedding."

"Tara," he said and reached for her hand.

"Aaron, I have made my peace with this situation. I understand why, I understand everything and I shall always be your friend. You will be an incredible king and I appreciate that you are going to fulfill your destiny and that you will be protecting me and mine. Good luck to you. Be happy." She could feel her knees begin to shake, she needed to get away now or she wouldn't be able to get away at all.

Aaron took her hand, "Tara."

She quickly and gently kissed his cheek and slid her hand out of his and walked away. She picked up her basket of goodies and headed across the meadow. She would take the long way to her next destination.

Aaron watched her walk away, his heart pounding in his ears. There really wasn't anything else he could say to her. He wanted to call to her and make her stop and listen to how sorry he was. But, that would only make him feel better. He wanted to tell her why he hadn't come after her that night.

Aaron felt defeated and he didn't know what else to do. He couldn't just stand outside of Jolykh's house all day so he took his list out of his pocket and looked over it again.

He had a lot of things he needed to get done to prepare for his wedding festivities and the arrival of his fiancé. Dor had offered to send servants to do everything, but Aaron wanted to do it himself. He wondered deep inside if it was his penance for the pain he had caused or if he might have wanted to run into her.

He had to purchase a few things for his hunting trip as well and if he didn't check in soon then his uncle would be sending out a search party for him.

Aaron looked toward the meadow and watched until Tara was out of sight. He had made a choice and Tara didn't let him waiver from it. She was truly the strongest, most incredible person he had ever known. He wanted to say that she had always been there when he needed her but the truth is that they had always been there for each other.

Tara walked until she could see the main street just around the bend. She sat down under a large tree and put her head in her hands and began to weep uncontrollably. Her heart ached and she couldn't catch her breath. She let it all out, all the emotions she had been suppressing, all the pain she had been denying since she had been told that he was returning to Yendor.

Her tears turned into rage and she threw her shoes and turned over her basket and she cried some more. She yelled into the air, "I hate you, I hate you!" She pounded the ground and soaked it with her tears until she could barely speak, "Aaron, Aaron why?"

When she had cried all she could, she sat up, wiped off her face and tried to pull herself together. She placed her items back in her basket. Finding her right shoe was something of a challenge, but besides being sweaty she felt better. The anger and anguish overwhelmed her and in one breath she had wanted to yell at him and in the next breath beg him to reconsider. She was lost without him.

Now sitting here under this tree she just felt silly. She was face to face with him and she ran away this time.

She stood up and decided to skip the other errands and fulfill her promise to her horses. She knew she could always speak freely to Tam, but right now she needed an ear that wouldn't talk back.