"I'm sorry." She muttered softly. In the back of her mind Alynia recognized she was being selfish... He was trying to relax her, Alynia was sure of it. It might have been rather nonsensical of him to bring up Sable at such a time... But that too was only Oberron trying to do his job.

Still, she didnt didn't feel comfortable... Alynia still felt guilty and ashamed. She had done nothing to deserve his kindness... Not at this moment. Not now.

His queen pulled away from him, looking radiant against he backdrop of a starlit night. A hint of a glow suggested she was still aroused. That the fire ignited within her was not yet quenched. She rested modestly on her knees, her eyes not meeting with his.

"No..." She murmured softly. "Not Avalon.. not with Corte. I still wish to stay besides you.." There was a pause. "Anyway. It would be cruel to force Corte to spend his vacation watching over me."

The irony was evident... Alynia wanted to stay next to Oberron but leave him sexually frustrated? It had been a week or two since they had lain together. For once it was difficult for him to tell what was going through her mind.

A breathless sigh fluttered off her lips as she stood, summoning a silk night gown and panties from the upstairs. They were both green. Alynia slipped these on before hesitantly kissing him, dearly on the lips and then exiting the room. Leaving him with his thoughts and silence.

It was only a few hours later, when Oberron entered the master bedroom after such a confusing night, to find Alynia already resting. She faced away from him, huddled on the edge of her side of the mattress. Alynia had heard him enter the room, but had not acknowledged it.

She was pretending to be asleep, while in fact she was running the conversation she had earlier today through her head. Not the one with her husband, but an odd talk she had with the Royal Guard.

He had found her in a small and quiet study. Alynia was reading a book, but her mind was more preoccupied with holding back her tears. Corte had noticed and approached her.

He asked if the king had punished her. And perhaps that's why she was in tears. Alynia had shaken her head.

"He did nothing, he barely cared. He treated me the same as he had always treated me... When I s-should h-have been..." Alynia's voice had faultered, thinking whether or not she should reveal her thoughts to Corte.

But he was blunt with it, and being Fey he had no problems discussing sexual exploits. "Your highness, did you perhaps wish for the king to discipline you?"

Alynia was unsure how to respond, but her stuttering and blushing made words seem superfluous. Corte chuckled shaking his hand as if to stop her from trying. "I'm not the one that needs to know."

But lying in bed, Alynia still clung to the hope that Oberron could still read her. He usually was so fantastic at understanding what she needed and wanted too.

How could she approach him now after denying him before?

Inwardly he was disappointed of course, though who wouldn't be being this close and left unsated? Still he may have been knowledgeable about human culture somewhat though his understanding of it had not been perfect. Not even Oswald got everything right though Oberron was generally cluey about most things.

The was a faint rumble of thunder but it sounded distant. Oh, he was annoyed perhaps. Whether that was a slip up, or intentional was hard to say for there were times that Oberron was good at hiding things.

“It's alright,” he responded as he got up then helped her up.

“Then stay you shall,” he announced as Avalon was crossed off the list. His Fey mind was confused those. There was the glow of arousal, that was unmistakeable so how could she not desire this? It had to be some sort of human thing that would make no sense to his Fey mind.

Yet she wished to remain close to him. It was tough for him to work out comfort without sex but he considered that as being her need right now. He knew of humans to some degree.

Of course, Corte was a servant of the royal family. So it was no chore for him to be at the Queen's side but Oberron did not mention this to his wife. He was to busy considering the last few minutes and reconstructing them in his head.

Again he was confused by the kiss, it was not so often that that he was so baffled so easily as he had to get into the head of another species.

When later he had returned to the room he found that Alynia had already retired. He was quiet as far as closing the door behind him though he glanced towards the bed. At first it was to ensure that he had not stirred her but he watched her as he stood there by the door.

He must have done so for a few minutes as if he were debating waking her or perhaps thinking something over. She had not been alone as far as speaking to another of course. Now Corte was an excellent swordsman so if he had questions about swords he would speak to him.

But he desired to know about humans and it was Oswald that he had spent the better part of the evening with allowing Puck to take care of all the court stuff that he couldn't be bothered with.

He went out on the balcony to take in the night's air and clear his head a little. Of course Oswald had nothing definitive to tell him. This was all his own doing and he returned a few moments later closing the sliding door that lead out to the balcony closed behind him.

“Get up, Alynia.” His tone was even though their was a the onset of a sudden storm. Within a moment there would be a downpour of copious amounts of rain.

Did he know she was faking or just guessing as his tone was no louder than conversation, then again if he knew she were still awake he need not be so loud.

Though he had been quiet, Alynia could hear the door click open then shut again. There was no one else it could be besides the King of the Fey. It was Oberron... And Alynia debated turning to face him but she couldn't bring herself to. She had to prevent herself from fidgeting... In an odd way she could almost feel his sharp gaze. What was he looking at her for?

The room had been completely silent, and any sort of sound at all stood out against the quiet backdrop. She heard his footsteps walk toward the balcony and walk outside. Alynia had left the door open before she had climbed into bed. The night air was cool and crisp, and the tiny whispers of wind that wafted though the room made the air smell clean and fresh.

Alynia assumed he had gone out there to clear his mind. The view of the kingdom was fantastic... And she honestly couldn't blame him for delaying sleeping besides her. The girl let out an airy sigh... had circumstances been different she probably would have gotten up to join him. But it didn't feel right at the present time.

She strained her ears to listen, as Oberron walked back into their bedroom. The balcony doors were closed behind
him. Alynia bit her lip, expecting him to draw near, a slight dip of the bed, and then a quiet night.

But suddenly he spoke, and his words made her breath catch in her throat. Her eyes blinked open, not tired in the least. It was going to be a long night for her anyway. Then she heard it, the pitter patter or rain pouring down on the windows and roof tops of the castle. The night had been clear and cloudless a few moment ago... so it was clear to her Oberron was trying to get a message across. He didnt seem happy.

Now Alynia was nervous... Unsure of what to expect... Had Corte told him something? She turned her head to look at him, squeaking slightly. His violet eyes seemed illuminated in the darkness. It seemed rather dramatic... The rain and his tone...

That even tone that sent wracking shivers up her spine. How could so few words make her stomach churn like it was? Perhaps it was because Alynia still was unfulfilled from earlier that day. And she had climaxed once... Her husband was probably worse off than her.

She sat up uncertainly, facing him with a timid expression. Pressing her lips together, she motioned toward a bedside lamp. The single flickering flame, lit through magical means, casted a dim glow... But it was enough for her to see his face and him hers.

"You knew I was awake." She commented... That was all she said. Alynia had a impression that Oberron had something to say.

Indeed, what was he looking for? He was quiet as he analyzed her. See he was rather good at detecting rouses as was the case for so often people had tried to deceive him and Oberron had a knack for seeing through such deceptions. He did not address this though, he was still wrapped up in his own thoughts on the matter, what Oswald had told him … a lot of things still did not make sense to him but he didn't think that he was going to ever really figure it out in a few hours. Maybe a few months but never in a single night.

He reflected on his thoughts for a moment, but really who was going to suffer more because of that decision? In the old days pre-Alynia this might not be as bad for him. He had cleared his head a little as he considered and reconsidered his thoughts on the matter.

When he returned inside soon thereafter the rains started washing down from the heavens. The droplets were thick and fierce indicating that he was not in the best of moods unless of course he made it rain by a whim as if it seemed somewhat fitting.

He of course had gone against her expectations though earlier tonight she had gone against his own. He was still trying to make sense of it beyond the fact that it was a human thing and just leaving it at that for Oberron got so insightful by understanding what was really going on here.

Instead of shrugging something off as a 'Human' thing next time around he might be able to predict matters a little differently and show some of that insight that he had been so good at in the past. See, understanding matters had been his forte.

Soon his wives eyes blinked open. He had been unsure if she were awake having watched her when he entered he was looking for the signs of deception. He was pretty good at figuring them out and figured that she wished to avoid talking by ignoring this situation. Admirable if she were fey, in a decade or two this matter would be nothing … but she was not fey and they did not have a few decades to burn on this matter.

Gathering her attention he waited for her to steal herself for what was to come, the storm ample warning that something bothered him. Corte had held her words in confidence and had not told his King anything. Perhaps he would have if matters remained the same for an extended period of time. Of course he did not expect it to last very long though if it did then he might have considered it had not a promise not to speak of it.

Fey were so easy to trust at points. If they didn't enter into a promise to keep quiet about something then you knew they could not be trusted.

“It was a calculated guess. It seemed likely that you would still be awake.” He nodded. “Shut off the light ...”

He had waited for her to comply before he escorted her back to the scene of the crime so to speak. The tower where it had all begun. The illusion of that forest clearing stuck out of course and it was here that he brought her without explaining along the way.

“Incredible, isn't it? It was the place where Aegir died and Oberron was born. Right there, beside that tree.” He pointed. “I think you will like that one.

He was right... even if he had simply stayed silent, and gotten in bed besides her, Alynia felt that she would have still remained alert. It was a smart approach of him to not put the problem aside, and instead try to confront it upright... Atleast that's what Alynia thought he was preparing to do.

He ordered her to shut off the light... And Alynia blinked in confusion. But the directness of such a command implied that he meant business... She obeyed without question snapping her fingers and letting the dark surround them once more.

Her eyes still watched him carefully as he made his way back to the door, opening it, obviously expecting her to follow. Oh gosh, where was he taking her? Alynia gulped, but climbed out of bed.

She didn't understand why she felt so cold all of a sudden. It had been a rather warm day... But she had goosebumps as she wrapped her arms around herself trailing behind her husband. Her feet felt freezing against the merciless stone floor. She hoped where ever he was taking her wasnt all too far.

The corridors he lead her down were completely dark, and completely empty. At this time at night, even the servants were asleep. Naturally, a few guards should still be awake watching the entrances... But otherwise it was as quiet enough to hear a pin drop.

He did not speak, so Alynia didn't ask questions. Though she seemed rather flustered as they ascended the stairwell to the tower in which things had begun to take a wrong turn.

He opened the door and motioned her inside. A wave of relief passed her features as the soles of her feet were her with soft grass. Perhaps he was implying he wanted to try again... Try and recreate and replay the moment. Was he so intent of having her right here?

She was still as her eyes peered at the illusionary sky... Wondering what they were doing here. Alynia waited for Oberron to speak first and when he did she tilted her head with interest. Not what she expected him to say... But the day had been filled with strange twists and turns. She wasnt really sure what to expect anymore.

"I suppose that's interesting." She replied. Though she ruminated in her head whether or not Aegir had truly died. If was possible for him to resume his previous form... Oh goodness is that what he was going to do? He wouldn't... Not in the castle right? She didn't want to think what would happen if he was caught!

"What one are you saying I will like?" She finally wondered outloud, unable to keep the curiosity in. Her voice was modest and soft... Not wanting to seem like she was interrupting him.

The fey method of doing things had been quiet the opposite than the human one. When one lived so long getting to things had not been so pressing. But humans being relatively short lived tended to address these matters early on as was only natural of course.

He had lead her on, motioning down magically lit corridors. His features stoic and unreadable as they drifted away leaving her nervous. The storm continued outside and while it had rained by his will in the past to assist the crops.

Then they came to a point less used at night. The corridors were dark now though with a snap of his fingers he generated a flowing yellow-white sphere that floated ahead of them, illuminating the way to the familiar tower that had been his home for so long in the recent past.

No doubt he had picked up on her flustered state as the ascended the stone steps to the tower, Oberron still calculating with each step that they took until at last she was ushered inside the tower, the illusionary grass beneath her feet. He did not shut the door as he entered and thus, this time at least the door had remained in the illusion though it was cast between a few trees with nothing to support it in it's upright position.

Oberron moved into the chamber behind her, his eyes taking in the surroundings though their were no animals her today to greet them. Just the forest and the clearing of a very real place in the Great Wood.
He seemed to look it over as his mind conjured up an old memory.

What his intentions were had been unclear and if he could move from Unseelie to Fey it only made sense that he could move in the opposite direction right? It was then she had recalled that she was suppose to ask Oswald something, something Oberron had told her after he had revealed his birth-form to her, something about a weapon that might have clued her in here though he was not banking on her knowing this as he pointed to the tree he was referring to.

“I've been to this spot a few years back and have visited it on occasion. It is one thing to know of the illusion but that is a pale comparison to the actual place. Go look at the tree.”

Patiently he waited for her to comply. He had to prompt her to touch it and when she had glowing runes appeared in the Fey script. Rather than being carved in with a dagger no harm was brought to the tree though it was an illusion, the sort that a child might have made with their names set inside a hear.

Though as she comprehended this she would fell a hand on her shoulder, strong and firm he turns her around pressing her back to the tree, his lips pressing to hers forcefully at first then becoming more gentle in nature.

His hand flows to her hip pinning her into place though it might have seemed that he had 'fey business' in mind he draws back.

“Know that I can never hate you, Aly. You have given me so much but -” he paused his eyes shifting away uncertainly then returning as his lips press against hers once more. “But it will be some time before we can see each other again.”

Wondering why he was suddenly so reminiscent of his past, Alynia was rather confused to what Oberron was intending to do... Then again it was only fair as he was just as puzzled as to why she felt so insecure.

Honestly, she hadnt known that this spot had such significance to him. For so long, Alynia had believed the forest clearing depicted here was simply just another secluded part of the kingdom. But if it was as he claimed, where Aegir died and Oberron born... Then why did he keep it so close? Sentimental reasons? A reminder of his old life?

Walking foward hesitantly she leaned foward slightly to peer at the tree he was speaking about. It looked impressively ancient, rough peeling bark, a fresh earthy scent... Alynia didn't know what she was looking for. Truthfully, to her it looked like any old tree..

At his words, she reached foward touching the trunk. Her small fingers traced along the grooves of the wood, until suddenly a glow surfaces. A blue light that shaped itself into carvings... Runes. Her eyes widened at the discovery... Never had she known that these were here.

Alynia leaned forward, examining the tree with much more interest. The words were written in Fey... She looked thoughtful as her mind worked frantically deciphering the code and translating to English. What did it say? What mysteries could this reveal about her king?

For a moment, Alynia had almost forgotten that she and her husband had issues to settle, but she was quickly reminded as a strong hand turned her to face the man in question.

For a split second those honey brown eyes blinked up at him innocently right before he pressed her against the tree she had just been observing.

Alynia gasped for air as she was suddenly left breathless at the dominance of her husband. His lips were upon hers in a forceful liplock... She whimpered desirably at his strength. His fingers pinned her hips to the tree, so Alynia couldn't have pulled away if she wanted to.

She bit her bottom lip and ducked her head down abashedly as Oberron pulled away. Her hands stayed at her sides, finger pressing nervously into the bark behind her. Though her eyes found it difficult to meet his gaze, she listened to his words carefully.

"I-i know that... but there's s-still a few weeks until then..." Alynia replied rather uncertain if that's what he wanted to hear.

Of course there was always a method to his madness even when it did not make sense for months. Often he could see those long term problems, age making it knowledge that he had acquire enough though experience.

So it had seemed that they were a little clueless to on another even as they had tried to get into the head of another species.

There were meanings behind so much that he did. Sometimes these meanings were only significant to him and for years this glade served in that capacity. No one knew of it's true significant outside of the King and now Alynia.

He had spent all those long years year reminded of his transition, reminded of the forest that he thought that he would never see again. But the exact significance eluded her. Was it a reminder of a changed life, pf what he was once? An indication that all things could change if they set their minds to it or possibly this symbolized regret of that change, a yearning for what he had lost when he gave up being Unseelie, that was another element that could have factored into this, a reminder that if he were still an Unseelie Sable would not have a reason to imprison him.

His graphitti of course never harmed the trees. His wizard marks usually gibberish of some sort or another though always invisible unless he made the magic visible, like now.

The power in his grasp was undeniable. He held her fast against that tree that he had her investigate and perhaps she had though that he would take her then in their with the passion of the storm that resided in his blood. A rage that encompassed him that he submitted to and simply took her then and there leaving her senseless though he did not submitted to that rage, no he had other plans.

He had her breathless against that tree, violet eyes gazing upon her as a pale white glow encompassed him briefly. The residue from that kiss had only lingered on for a few moments longer after they had broke it as if they bodies had yearned to burst forth and encompass each other in a sudden brilliance that had matched the frenzied movements of their bodies.

But with her eyes refusing to met hers it would have been unlikely that he was repeating himself so soon for the hell of it already. He shook his head slightly, the pale light fading away from them as they spoke.

“I have changed my mind, Alynia. You will stay here until your impending marriage, after which you will be sent back to your Shadow for a season.

“Until Ian is captured here is where you will remain.” If she wished to feel guilty about matters then so be it. “After your union with Ian is dissolve you will spend a year year in quiet contemplation. Other than the time you spend on your Shadow all your time will be spent here. This place was once a prison, it will be a prison once more. You won't see me again until you sentence has run it's course, close to a year and five months. You will receive no news of the outside world and what is going on, you will simply exist and continue your studies.”

He radiated want... Or so Alynia thought. His lips impassioned and deliciously warm. A sweet melody of whimpers left her throat as her knees buckled beneath her.

She leaned back against the tree to support her weight, feeling very fragile and even more sensitive. Alynia was bit light headed and weak against him.

But it was embarrassing... How terribly she wanted his thick rod to mercilessly fill her... a blush painted her cheeks at the thought but such a color was barely visable in the night. At the same time how much she dreaded his attention... that undeserved tenderness.

She briefly glowed that pale silver light, as did he... But as the light faded his features became harder. His eyes became more sharp... Almost cold. Alynia had no where to hide from his piecing gaze, but she did her best not to cower in his presence.

An astounded expression crossed her features as she listened to his verdict. Her eyes glanced up at him meekly, hoping that this was some kind of joke or game... But Oberron seemed very solemn.

Alynia could admit to herself now, she wanted punishment. Yes, she wanted her husband to be angry, jealous, and firm handed with her. Force the apologies out of her, make her earn his forgiveness... But not like this.

A moment of silence descended upon them as the words sunk into his shocked wife. Tears were peeking out the corner of her eyes.

When Alynia did find the will to speak, she did so slowly and carefully. "I've said a-and done horrible things... it makes sense that I-I would deserve this."

She bit her lip uncertainly... He was so close.

"But p-please... There has to b-be another way.." Something shorter, something quicker... Alynia was feeling a bit desperate... Solitary confinement, for a year at that, seemed unbearable to her.

"I d-don't think I can handle an entire year w-without you." Alynia admitted softly...

Indeed Oberron radiated want, that need for closeness. She had been his only outlet for sexual counters these past few years and he had tamed it down too to be considerate of her own desires and needs. Of course, after this he had toyed with the idea of her showing him just how much she loved him … publically.

That would finish off her punishment nicely, Oswald had ingrained in him. She was feeling guilty and thought that she should be punished in someway. He could be rather harsh in his punishments though this one would effect him severely he knew that she would feel such a harsh sting as well as an eagerness in counting down the remaining days of her lengthy punishment.

But she felt the need to be punished. Really, he did not want to do this …

She was not alone in that want, that need for he desired to very much comply with those baser instincts. Pressing into her welcoming folds as he took her here and now, slicing into her with that thickness of his enjoying each press that their bodies made against each other.

Such a luscious thought slipped away though for that was not a suitable punishment after all.

It had not been so often that she saw that gaze and never before had he directed at her. That violet intensity to his eyes though it was not to the intensity that she had so often saw within him, he was displeased though clearly not furious yet,

Indeed he had realized that this was not the form of punishment that she was looking for and that is why he selected it. Punishment, true punishment, had been doing those things that you did not wish to do. He was impassive as he mad his decree. There had been no humor in making their absence so sudden and four times as long as it needed to be, well just over four times as long in fact.

“And that is why you will do it,” Oberron admitted. “You will be stronger for it. There are indeed shorter methods but they are not in play here.”

He nods as he makes it clear that the decision has been made. All that was required was for her to carry it out though they would have little more than a year apart.

“It will not be a year of solitary confinement though near that seeing you will have a brief stint in your Shadow.”

He remained close to her. His violet eyes could see the hurt in her features, the pain there. And with the human passage of time too … this was going to be difficult on him to say the least, a year without her but for him a year passed by much quicker.

But there was no mercy with his decision. There couldn't be as his hands slip into her own. “You have brought this upon yourself. I am Fey, I could careless of these things but you will learn this. You will have time to reflect on that and come to an understanding. I did not wish to do this, Aly though I have spoken.”

Alynia was in disbelief. She was going to be imprisoned by her own husband! This was not how she wanted things to go... And could not for the life of her see how this was going to solve the crisis she was facing.

"You can't do this!" She cried in protest, though of course she knew this wasn't true. He had the authority over her... but only because she was human instead of Fey. "You know a year is too long!"

Alynia hated it even more that Oberron was trying to put a positive spin on it. All this nonsense that she would be stronger, that shorter methods weren't an option. She could see no reason for them not to be! A week, or even a few months she could understand... But an entire year? Why must her suffering be so much prolonged?

Alynia didn't understand, and she felt increasing frustrated as well. Tears welled up in her eyes, especially as he tried to be tender with her... as if taking her hands at this point would be some sort of comfort to her.

Oberron didn't understand, and how could he? To her his logic was failed. It wasn't just a matter of going easy and hard on her, but the entire idea. She would regret more and more with every passing day, until the guilt would simply overwhelm her. There was no redemption, she would simply sink further with shame.

Alynia didn't understand how this would help her. She was embittered, and she felt helpless. If she simply hadnt kept Ian a secret... If she hadnt frozen up. Had she used magic or the articles her husband had given her... None of this would have happened.

Powerless and bitter, cursing at herself, Ian, and Oberron too. Alynia's frustration was at a boiling point as she could no longer keep it together. She was crying now too, there was no holding those tears back as they silently streamed down her cheeks, dripping onto her dress. Alynia wiped them away stubbornly, feeling foolish and inferior.

"How did I bring imprisonment upon myself? Because I wouldn't sleep with you for an afternoon?" She demanded, getting more riled up by the moment. "Is this what you do with girls who won't have sex with you?" Her hands pulled away from his abruptly, clenching into small fists. "It's because you won't punish me like a man! You would rather just lock me away instead of facing these issues yourself!"

It was impossibly rare, if it happened at all that his wife raised her voice, but she was felt so conflicted and confused she didn't know what to make of what was happening anymore! In the midst of her restlessness Alynia had crossed a few lines thay she hadnt intended to cross. But in the end, if the king was just going to lock her up anyway it barely mattered.

She might not see any sense in it though perhaps she would take away from the experience. It was Oberron's hope that she would take away something from all this since the mater was going to be torturous for them both after all. Perhaps it was some of those human sensibilities he had wished to dull, to get her to understand that these things were as he said, that this was no big deal for a fey, that she shouldn't have sought punishment for this when she was forgiven. It was not her fault after all, he had made it clear that he wasn't going to treat her as being responsible for what happened to her.

Either she would learn or not. Perhaps though if there was a next time and he hoped for her sake that there wasn't though with the nature of the realm he doubted it. But the next time she experienced something like this she wouldn't feel as bad about it, or wouldn't be so troubled by it. Of course she just might suffer in silence too. He had not wanted that though there was a chance that she would come around, she had more than enough time to consider things.

“Can't?” Those violet eyes darkened a little then relaxed as if he had remembered who he was speaking to. Can't was something that he was not use to hearing. Of course he had always ready to improvise something.

“But I can, Aly. And I will for your sake,” Oberron could be cruel when he had needed to attacking a problem or situation as effectively as possible. He knew that this would be harsh without causing any physical pain which he was loath to do. She was looking for something much shorter but there was another lesson here. Be careful of what you wished for, you just might get it …

She had wished to be punished she was being punished …

Of course he noted the tears brimming up in her eyes though he had to remain firm here. His thumbs tracing haphazardly over the backs of her palms. Sometimes you had to be cruel in order to be kind … he was being cruel now. If after the year she did not wish to wed him then, well, he would reach that point. He would wait on her though. There would be no replacement Queen during the year though he could have had one and simply not renewed their marriage in the final season.

His resolve had not softened at her tears, he had expected them though not the words. He had expected some begging, some pleading but she surprised him by drawing back and he shook his head slightly.

“I had no intention of punishing you, Alynia. I had told you early on that these things did not matter but they seemed to matter to you. You got your wish, you are being punished, of course a punishment by it's very nature is suppose to be something you don't wish.”

His eyes stormed over, his hands clenching into fists. The thunder came then as he glared at her. “If I wanted sex don't you think I could have just taken it? I have given into these human notions of commitment for the past three years, Alynia. Perhaps I shouldn't have had. Perhaps I have placed too much pressure on you by choosing to follow human customs in this matter rather than fey ones. Do you honestly think that there would be a shortage of candidates if that was all that I had wanted.” He shook his head, quite angry now, that much apparent from the storm raging outside.

“Good bye, Alynia!” There was more of course but he bit his tongue as he turned towards the door getting ready to depart, anger seething through him as he turned though now he had been consider that Queen vacancy again. No, he was not going to fill it but he wondered now if he was going to renew it in a year's time. Of course he had no wish to consider it now, a year was a long time to cool down after all.

Oberron remained resolute, but Alynia remained unwavering as well. He was sure he was doing the right thing, and she was convinced his course was aimless. At this point neither seemed willing to back down on their beliefs. Alynia crossed her arms defensively, glaring back at him daringly through sad eyes.

He was affected very little, if at all by her tears. She didnt want his sympathy anyway... Alynia couldn't help it. She felt foolish for crying, but the barrage of bottled up emtions had broken all at once and unleashed upon the man she had thought could prevent it.

"Oh, you just keep convincing yourself this is for my sake, it's for my own good!" Alynia exclaimed incredulously. It infuriated her that he sought so valiantly to remain the saint when she believed he was being unreasonable. "It seems to me that locking me away just happens to be so much more convinient for you!"

Alynia wasn't trying to deliberately make him mad, she was outraged herself in response to such an unrightful sentence. Her cheeks were stained with tears. She didn't understand why Oberron was making this so difficult. Why such drastic measures were needed.

It was more than obvious he was ticked off by her words, and they were meant to sting. His eyes were dangerously dark, warning her of the thin ice she was skating across. But intentionally or not, she paid no heed.

"Of course it matters to me!" She shouted in tears. "I wanted to die after what Ian did to me! I'd never felt so awful in my life!" And all she had wanted was to return home, face some sort of atonement. A day, a week, a month at the most... and then her husband could continue loving her. Why couldn't it have just ended up like that?

"But it is more than clear that none of that matters to you anyway. It's just a burden isn't it? Your human wife stopping you from having a harem" Her words were bitterly sarcastic, and very much unlike her.

After three years of a blissful marriage, this was the royal couple's first real spat. And truthfully, Alynia was scared... She was unclear of how much of her own words she meant. And an entire year apart?

She regretted some of what she said... But that didnt matter either. Perhaps these were things he needed to hear from his wife. Issues that have been dormant within, only to finally set off by a trigger.

He turned to leave, and Alynia ignored the pang in her heart that wanted to stop him. But seriously? He was going to just leave her like this? When there was so much unsaid and so much undone. She took in a big breath, shaking from cold and fury and replied... "Fine! Go screw a nymph, your highness!"

He had never had to be this cruel to her and even so he was holding back a bit, they had been on different pages of the same book it had seemed, no of different books for if it were the same book then the one that had read further on would know what the other was speaking about.

Her words of course had been hurtful to him but he did his best to ignore them, analyzing them and finding structure within them to organize his own thoughts.

He had been known as Oberron of Storms and that was more than a reference of him making a rain storm such as the one outside now from encompassing the land.

But he was not totally impassive either as she spoke of Ian, there was something in his eyes, something that she had rarely seen reflected there before though he kept her from a lot of situations that had invoked such a state of being from him. In this case though he was not directing it at her, never, regardless of how angered she got him and this … well this had been the worse of it in three years.

Oberron turned to go. He had seen tears, heard impassioned pleas and while he ignored them hers well … hers were a bit different though he wore an impassive face Oberron knew that he had to get out of that chamber soon.

He paused bristling at her words as he went to depart that chamber. He swallowed down the anger that she had provoke in them. Though he would leave her something to dwell over. “No, there will be no other. None could compare.”

And without further explanation he left her there the door vanishing upon him closing it. No doubt he was using his magic to secure it so she could not open it though her conjurations still would work. She found that she still could do most thinks but open the door.

She could hear the rain come down despite the illusion that surrounded her it was louder than the auditory components of this one.

So she was left there to her own devices for a while before the door opened once again, though expecting Oberron it had not been him.

“How's my favorite foot model holding up? I shouldn't be her but it's not as if Oberron could punish me too bad. Given Id know his secret and my being gets passed along. Why Corwin would get my memories if something should happen … in effect a portion of me is immortal and would remember any sorts of imprisonment or punishment.

“I have heard what he said, though my essence is as old as his … ever since he became Oberron 4000 years or so back I have known him in one form or another. At first I was skeptical of the change then thought that there was some sort of long term plan that I was suppose to be weary of. Then as he did more and more for the Fey it was clear that he was accumulated fully.

“But I know him better than Corte even, mu essence is far older than Corte who isn't even in his third century yet.”

Alynia watched wistfully through her blurred vision as her husband turned his back and left her. A shaky breath escaped her lips, hearing perhaps his last words to her for the next twelve months. Those golden brown eyes widened slightly as tears streamed down her cheeks. She wouldn't admit it, but his words touched her.

And she was left with that final flutter of her heart, as the magical sealed door closed behind him. Alynia leaned back against the rune carved tree, her eyes staring up at the illusionary night with mixed emotions: Disbelief, regret, guilt, reprieve aswell. The irony was that the sky seemed far reaching and endless... Yet she was completely trapped Ina circular tower. Still, Alynia felt very small.

As much as she tried, it seemed her tears wouldn't cease. It took a few hours for her to completely calm down. She sat down at the base of the tree in silence, letting her thoughts consume her. Alynia let out an airy sigh.

She stood, walking to the opposite side of the tower, examining the tree that concealed the doorway leading to the rest of he castle. Alynia didn't bother in trying to open it, knowing fully well Oberron was capable of sealing it from the outside.

She then went back to the center of the clearing, sitting down her eyes trained on the magnificent sky. It was a cloudless night for her, but he could still hear the pitter patter of rain and the occasional rumbles of thunder. A rainstorm was going outside in the real world, and Alynia barely felt as if she was a part of it.

With no more tears left to cry, Alynia felt tired, exhausted infact. She waved a hand experimentally, but was happy to find that she was able to conjure up a soft blanket and a pillow as well. If she recalled correctly, there was a bedroom hidden in the chamber... But Alynia couldn't bring herself to go find it. So wrapped up under her covers, she closed her eyes. Within minutes, Alynia fell asleep beneath the stars.

She woke up to the scraping sound of wood. Still a bit groggy, she pulled herself up slightly realizing the sound came from the door. Alynia blinked the sleep from her eyes, peering inquisitively at the door... To find that it was not Oberron. It was Oswald instead.

She raised her eyebrows in playful amusement, Oswald's nonchalant attitude was refreshing to her after such a tiring night.

"I'm as well as I could be..." She muttered raising her arms to stretch and then sighed again. "You've heard? I've been imprisoned for a year, which may not be long to you... But for me it seems impossible." Alynia looked downcast. "Though I suppose I deserve this as well..."

She listened to him, patting a spot in the grass besides her inviting him to sit. Obviously she was not at all minding the company. "I most certainly believe you know him better than I do. I guess I'm still surprised that he put me in here."