[Arien]

Alethea awoke early in the morning, and rolled out from underneath her covers as soon as her eyes were lifted. Alethea bathed and she quickly got dressed in to a white, laced dress with three- quarter length sleeves, and a skirt that casually fell to the floor. Her hair was brushed quickly while she opened the curtains to reveal the first lights of the morning creeping up on the city. She soon cast the bush aside on a near by table and headed for the door out into her smaller unused room, remembering to collect the key and book. She shut the door behind her and headed towards the doors that lead to the main corridor. Swiftly she placed the book back in its position, with key and all in it. And so she made her way down to the kitchens. Hardly anyone was waking yet and the large house was deserted. Its large painting glared at Alethea as she walked down the stairs on towards her destination.

As she rounded the corner she bumped into Ranne. “Good morn Ranne…” Alethea smiled pleasantly. She nodded gratefully in return and hurried off. Alethea turned to see where she was off to in such a hurry, it looked as though she was headed to her mothers room. No doubt she would want to speak to her daughters again this morning, well at least maybe to criticize Dryea again. Alethea was also surprised at herself, that she was so ready to sell her own sister out to her mother without a second thought. Or maybe it was to get back at her for her distasteful words against her and Adrama’s new friendship. Whatever it was it was strange. She had always loved her sister dearly and never would she have dreamed about doing such a thing. But then she thought back to what she had said to Adrama in the Park:

“I think she is false. This whole act she is putting on! Who does it fool? Her sweet smile, the air of innocence about her, even her beauty. She has fooled many of them, 'she is the perfect bride!' they all say over their over filled wine glasses and their overfilled heads. I don't know who she thinks she is fooling, but it is not I."

Had that really all been about Finduilas or….or was it Dryea she was talking about? Alethea didn’t want to think about, she didn’t know why she was thinking this about Dryea, her sister….her elder sister. The one she had always looked up to, that she always loved. Alethea could see no immediate reason why she would do this to her, but in the back of her mind something nagged slightly to be revealed. But Alethea shunned it away. That kind of thought would be scolded by her mother and sister and would not be any kind of asset to their plans. She shook it off and carried on down the corridor until she reached two large oak doors, which behind the kitchen was concealed.

She opened them slowly and looked around. A few of the maids were here, in fact all excluding Ranne. Alethea walked in a waved to Meirelle and sat down on the large wooden table where some raw vegetables were lain out. “Good morning Meirelle…” smiled Alethea to the maid as she cracked eggs into a frying pan over the boiling stove. Meirelle nodded back to her as she was quite busy with what she was doing, less she wanted to scald herself and Alethea certainly did not want that to happen to her and she some how suspected Meirelle did want it to happen either. Gwen and Rhe where also helping around the kitchen, and Gwen brought Alethea a cup of hot tea.

“Thank you Gwen,”

“That is ok Miss…” Alethea rolled her eyes slightly at the mention of Miss, but not disapprovingly. In an instance she flashed a smile at Gwen who looked rather embarrassed and quickly added, “….Alethea.” Alethea then stayed for a little while and finished her tea. She watched the m cook for a while and joked and conversed with them until Ranne came in and announced that Alethea was late for breakfast. Alethea gave a small sarcastic smile to Meirelle who laughed and then she was off to the dining room. She got their quickly as it had to be situated near to the kitchen, for obvious reasons. Alethea entered to see just Dryea sitting down at the table. A pang of guilt struck her and she wondered if she should apologise to her. Hesitating for a while they sat in complete silence. It was Dryea who broke it.

“Mother wishes to see us when we are finished, Ranne informed me just before you joined me.”

“Great….” Alethea murmured into her omelette. Dryea had heard, Alethea was informed of this by the clatter of Dryea’s spoon on to her china cup. Alethea slowly looked up to meet her sister face with a raised eyebrow.

“Yes, it is great…” she boldly said, her eyes full of anger, “And these meetings are serious! If you are too childish to realise that then don’t bother…..!” she trailed off.

“Don’t bother what!” Alethea’s temper soared.

“Coming….trying to do anything! You could put this whole thing in jeopardy! You and your childish friend…Adrama…”

Alethea rolled her eyes, “Oh shut up..”

“No! Can’t you take anything seriously, is it all such a chore for mother special little girl?!?” Now she was shouting.

“Look!” Althea was shouting as well, she had even got up from her seat. “I’m sorry! Just let it go, I didn’t mean to tell her about him, I’m sorry!”

“But you did!……What are you jealous!” this was getting childish now, Dryea had realised that way back, although it was still dawning on Alethea.

“Please I’m sorry!” Alethea couldn’t believe the words coming from her mouth, why was she seeking forgiveness? She knew why, she loved her sister and didn’t want to upset her, but maybe this time she had gone too far. “Please, be quiet….just..”

“Fine, I will.” And Dryea left. She left. It shocked Alethea, they had never shouted like since they were young. Alethea slouched down into her chair, her head spinning from what had just happened. Why would she argue like that? Either of them for that matter they both knew better. Alethea sighed and took a drink of water and then made her way to her mothers rooms.

[ August 18, 2003: Message edited by: Arien ]