Farin Northguard
It was as though magic had come over the hall as soon as the first note shimmered in the air. Farin smiled as she watched Alik dance about. It seemed that there was always something more to learn. Although he played a Tundran song, it felt as if he had introduced the warmth of the Plains, like a cozy fire.
"Tell me that the night is long
tell me that the moon is glowing
fill my glass, I'll sing a song
and we'll start the music flowing . . ."
Until she noticed the princes and her sisters looking at her, Farin hadn't realized she was singing along and swaying to Alik's music. But she didn't mind the attention at all.
"Come on, let's dance!" she exclaimed to her sisters, though she didn't care if they didn't follow her. She jumped from her seat and spun away. This was a good time as any to dance and have fun.
The cheers flew past Farin's ears as she moved to the music. A kick and a flip of her skirt, then she was skipping, spinning, until she was in front of Alik. She met his eyes full of laughter and they danced together, not touching but in synchronization with every step and twirl. As the prince played his violin, the words to the song tumbled from Farin's smiling lips. It was as though they were the only two people in the room.
But as the song neared the end, at which there would usually be a barrage of deep drum beats, Farin blinked. She stumbled slightly, but recovered before anyone could take much notice of it.
What am I doing? Was Farin falling too quickly into this? They all had only met that day. But still . . . he seemed so kind and didn't mind her small deviations from standard protocol as a princess. What should I do?
Before she could think of a reasonable plan, Alik flourished his bow high in the air with the final note. Claps and hollers sounded all over the room. Farin realized that many of the people, whether gentry or commoner, Plain or Tundran, had joined them on the floor to dance and sing together, putting aside their differences for a moment of joy while King Rolan and Farin's mother looked on with expressions of the least worry since the royal families had met. She couldn't deny that Alik had a strong charisma that could make others around him happy.
Alik came to her side, putting a hand on her shoulder. "That was fun," he said, grinning. "You were wonderful."
Farin glanced at his hand for a moment, but quickly pulled a smile on. "Thank you," she replied. She hesitated, then added, "Alik."
She had a lot of thinking to do when she was alone again.
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