[Nevtalathiel]

***DALE***


It was a summons from his father to return to the court immediately. Girion sighed and wondered what he had done or who he had offended now. He called out to his companions and turned his horse back towards Dale dejectedly; it was the worst day of hunting he had had for a long time, not even a sighting of a deer, and he suspected it would get worse once he arrived at the palace. He sighed. His father expected so much of him. Girion was a prince it was true, but he could not understand his father's apparent insistence that he have no fun and spend all his time discussing far off lands with dry old men.

About him, Girion's companions complained about the premature end to the day's sport, but he left them too it, riding a little ahead; for once he desired some time for quiet contemplation. His mind was cast back to the numerous previous occasions on which he had been called before his father in a similar fashion to answer for his short temper, raucousness or lack of tact. Then he had always been aware that he had done something, but now he could think of nothing he had done wrong nor anyone who might be disgruntled by his actions. His musings continued until he reached the stable and so deeply immersed was he in scouring his recent memories for faults that he did not exchange his usual pleasantries with the groom. Instead he vaulted the steps as quickly as possible and walked as fast as was courteous towards his father's throne room. He knocked and even waited for a reply before entering, he did not want to further increase his father's pending wrath. Inside the room he bowed to his father as a counsellor left.

"You called for me sire?" he asked in his best humble voice.

[ September 24, 2002: Message edited by: Nevtalathiel ]