The next year, or so, was the most wonderful of my life, to date. One of the best things was that everyone thought my preoccupation was related to wedding plans, and my frequent absences to semi-official celebrations with my peers.
I had just spent the better part of a night with Galeorhin, and both of us had to return to our homes.
"Galeorhin?" I said his name quietly, I had just been overcome by the strangest feeling of...danger, I thought but I wasn't sure.
"Yes Lheora Yhanni?"
"I..." My voice faltered, I wasn't sure how I could explain to him what I had just felt. "I, just wanted to say something before you go."
"You'll see me tomorrow," he pointed out. "We're leaving at sunset remember?"
"Just in case."
"As you wish." He stood in front of me, I wrapped my arms around him.
"I love you," I spoke in the human language, which we both knew and practiced with each other.
(The closest elven phrase literally translates as 'I have great regard for you' and is used among couples, it is more a social greeting. - AL)
"Lheora Yhanni, I love you," he replied sincerely, I let out the breath I didn't know I was holding, "for as long as we both live."
"As long as we both live," I agreed, completing the human joining vow.
We spoke no more to each other, but left in silence.
The next day I, unobtrusively, packed a small bag and left it hidden near a transport unit.
Everything was going according to our well thought out plans, then just as I was about to leave a messenger came to the door.
"I have a summons for Lady Lheora Yhanni Nikaria, to the Chambers of Council."
"I am she," I replied, he nodded and bid me accompany him, as we walked I 'called' out to Galeorhin.
<< I'm going to be late, >> I told him quickly.
<< I was just going to tell you the same, >> he replied, << I have been summoned to the Council Chambers. >>
<< How odd, so have I, but I thought it was some pre-betrothal ceremony I don't know about. >>
<< Very odd indeed, >> he agreed.
The Council Chambers are in fact a large stone building, when we are completely surrounded by rock our mind magic does not work.
I felt the moment he entered the stone chamber and hoped that neither of us would be in there for long. The messenger lead me to a small anteroom and told me to wait until my name was called, at that point I was starting to feel nervous.
I stood in the centre of the cold stone chamber and shivered involuntarily, my feelings of unease had increased.
"Lheora Yhanni of House Nikaria," began an unseen voice in a High-Formal tone, "you stand accused of consorting with the Dark Arts, you will stand trial in six months."
I was stunned, wondering how they could possibly have found out, obviously someone had betrayed us.
<< Galeorhin! >> I called desperately, to no reply.
I was led away, too surprised to react or attempt escape, they put me a room made entirely of stone -- something that must have taken along time to create, and I could not contact Galeorhin while it dulled my magic.
There is little I can say about those months, save the one event of significance between arrest and trial.
"Lady Lhanni Nikaria-Calourhy," announced the guard, I stood and curtseyed to my Mother.
"Lheora Yhanni, as the Matriarch of House Nikaria, I am here to make a Formal inquiry about the charges that have been laid against you."
My Mothers extreme Formality, combined with my lack of contact with anyone for thirty-four days had made me unsociable to say the least.
"Why don't you ask me simply then?" I snapped.
"Very well," she replied, unfazed. "Is it True?"
"Yes, I have been consorting with the Dark Arts, for the last ten years in fact," I saw no reason to prevaricate clearly they had proof anyway.
"It is my Duty to inform you that, in view of your confession, I and the Matriarch of Calourhy as well as the council of those Houses have decided to Disown you from said Houses, the decision will be Formalised when the trial is complete."
"As you say, My Lady," I made the expected Formal reply, and she left.