The Secrets of Llawnech

Alicia was in the library working on some treaties that Siobhan had left her.

Gwen sat herself down beside her sister in silence.

"Are you okay?" Alicia asked as she looked up rom hr papers.

Gwen shook her head in the negative, "I was told to attend a meal this morning, Siobhan was there along with many others. Apparantly a gentleman in some country I do not even know how to pronounce has taken some kind of fancy to me, and I do not have a choice in the matter." She told her sadly, before showing her the ring.

"Have you told Hayden?" She askd quitly, not wanting the other people in the library to hear, since she wasn't evn supposed to know.

"He heard. They had him on guard duty, so he knows." Gwen mumbled quietly. "He is still working."

Alicia nodded. "So, what's the plan?"

"I don't know," She whispered, voice trembling slightly as she tried to stop herself crying. "I begged her not to make me and she said I didn't have a choice, I have never begged that much before and she was ice cold."

Alicia moved to hug her sister tightly.

Gwen buried her face against her shoulder, silent tears escaping her eyes once she was aware no one could see. "I don't know what to do. What do I do?"

"I don't know." She whispered. "I'll think of something."

"Now this is all going to be so much more dangerous for Hayden too."

"Not if people don't know."

"More dangerous if they find out, though and what if he doesn't want to take that kind of risk? What if he sees this means we won't have a future... what if its right?"

"You need to talk to him and decide together."

"This isn't fair."

"I know, but go and talk to him and then both of you meet me in my rooms tonight." She told her. "We will come up with a plan together."

Gwen swallowed thickly and nodded. "Thank you. Thank you so much, I dont know what I would do without you."

"Be a blubbering mess probably, now go if Siobhan comes looking for either of you I won't tell a soul."

"Be a blubbering mess probably, now go if Siobhan comes looking for either of you I won't tell a soul."

Gwen nodded, hugging her before getting up and walking back to where she had last saw Hayden.

Hayden was still where he had been the first time she had seen them, the other royals and diplomats not having finished with dinner yet.

"Come with me," Gwen whispered hoarsely as she approached him.

H nodded and he followed her. "As you wish it your highness."

Gwen quietly led him to her quarters, closing the door behind them both and whispering, "Well... thoughts, feelings?"