We'll Meet Again WHO Aisling OT Flynn Rosewood WHAT Two siblings reunite WHERE Rosewood Heights, Rosewood Manor WHEN Monday, May 8th, 2017 (11:52AM)
Flynn woke to a dreary Monday morning at around seven. He had hoped that for his sister's arrival it would be a sunnier spring day rather than a rainy one, but alas, it was not to be so. He had informed his hotel staff in plenty of time that he would not be available, but if an emergency occurred, Flynn could be contacted, of course. The faerie dallied by having breakfast in his study and by reading the Herald, mostly to keep his mind from wandering to the arrival of Aisling and getting overly nervous.
Yet nervous he was as the faerie shoved aside his barely touched plate and spun his chair to face one of the windows that overlooked the back grounds. In the distance, he could see the stables and barracks and the barely discernable guards going about their assignments and routines. A smile curved his mouth when he saw the familiar mop of hair that identified Toby as the fae broke away from the group to head back toward the mansion. As he so often did, Flynn couldn't help but compare his relationship with Toby to his relationship with Cavan. The bond he had with Toby had been forged through blood, sweat, and tears, creating a level of loyalty to one another that was unmatched. There was almost nothing the two wouldn't do for the other. He and Cavan, however… Up until Cavan had twisted the knife in his back, Flynn had loved his brother and he thought with time, the animosity, the jealousy Cavan held against him would fade. He assumed—poorly—that Cavan would've had his back where it counted on the simple fact that they were brothers. Flynn realized far too late that his brothers ambitions far exceeded his love for the brother that stood in his way. A sigh was heaved at the loss, even after so many centuries.
Of course, with his mind on Cavan, thoughts of Aisling didn't stray far behind. Unlike his bond with Cavan, he and Aisling had been close. Before his exile, they spoke often with each other, confided dreams and secrets to one another, and Flynn had enjoyed teaching her how to use a sword and to play chess. His absence had to have been difficult for her and he only hoped that Malachi proved to be a much-needed balm. Her arrival to Rosewood Manor would be an equally needed change and he only wished that Malachi could be there with her so that he could get a better sense of the other faerie prince.
Eventually, Flynn got up to get dressed—it wouldn't do to look like a sloband as he went to meet Toby halfway, his thoughts traveled to their father. While he was ecstatic that Aisling was coming, he had hoped as he read her letter over and over that some mention of Liber's attendance would be included, some mention that their father was eager to see his son. Centuries later and his father's pride still managed to hurt him. As he approached Toby, he shoved all the negative thoughts surrounding his father aside and waited for Aisling to arrive.
Aisling had waited centuries for this moment. She had gone through a dozen different outfits, from formal court attire to more contemporary mortal fashions, finally settling on the look of a cream colored tea length dress with a pattern of pink cherry blossoms working its way up from the hem. Morgan had dutifully served as her sartorial adviser, which she was immensely grateful for, having no real frame of reference for what life was like outside the Spring Court, much less in the mortal realm.
She spent the entire car ride to Flynnwood's manor nervously fiddling with the golden cuff Malachi had gifted her, even as she marveled at the sights of the world around her. It was at once quaint and incredible, and she had to remind herself not to stare or let her mouth hang open in amazement. Although she couldn't quite imagine leaving Faerie behind permanently, she was beginning to understand the allure of the mortal realm, and why so many of her kind chose to visit.
They pulled up in the front driveway of the manor, and Aisling let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding as the car door opened and she stepped out. After all this time, she couldn't believe the moment had finally arrived. Her heart beat in her throat with each step she took closer to the door, as she was suddenly filled with anxiety and dread. What if he isn't the way I remember? What if I'm not the he way he remembers? What if he was expecting more? What if...?
She forced herself to quiet her thoughts, and waited patiently for the door to open. When it finally did, it felt as if it took an eternity, the slowest moment of her life. But there, waiting on the other side, was Flynnwood - dressed in very chic mortal attire, but she would have known her brother anywhere.
Centuries of training and decorum vanished from her mind. Without a moment's hesitation, she broke into a wide smile and dashed through the doorway to her brother.
"Flynnwood!" she cried, throwing her arms around him in a tight embrace. "It's really you!"
The prince usually considered himself the calm and collected sort, at least that was always the case outwardly. Showing signs of weakness at Court usually meant something unpleasant, so he had quickly adopted a carefree yet likeable demeanor when he was old enough to understand political ramifications. His attitude more often than not ended with favorable outcomes for all because he was liked. His only regret from that time was he wished that he hadn't been so foolhardy, stubborn, and a touch too arrogant for his own good. Events would have unfolded in a very different fashion if Flynn hadn't been so arrogant. Still, if anyone from his time at Court could see him now, pacing the foyer like a nervous teenager waiting for his Prom date to come down the stairs, looks of surprise would light across their faces.
Unaware that his sister was plagued with similar questions of What If, Flynn had spent the last two minutes feeling like two thousand years had passed. What if his exile had affected Aisling so much that she had changed from the vivacious sister he knew and loved to someone reserved and cold? Even worse, without him around, what if Cavan, the only sibling she'd have left at the time, had influenced her too much in Flynn's absence? It would break his heart in a million pieces if either scenario were the case. Aisling always carried a light inside her and Flynn desperately hoped that life at Court hadn't dimmed it.
The next minute, when the guard at the front gate had informed Toby that Aisling and her small entourage had passed through, felt like a million years. He nervously fiddled with the cuff of his light gray sport coat that he wore over a deep purple vest and light pink dress shirt, the collar open. A tie had been suggested that Flynn politely declined as he wanted a casual atmosphere instead of a feeling of formality hanging in the air. Which is why instead of khakis or chinos, he had opted for a pair of jeans in a medium blue and wore a pair of light brown Chukka's to complete the ensemble. Whatever reservations Flynn had about his meeting with Aisling, however, were dispelled when the door opened.
A bright smile matched the one that lit up his sister's face as she crossed the threshold of the manor. In reaction, Flynn's arms spread wide, "Yes, it's really me!" He laughed even as warmth pricked at his eyes and he embraced Aisling, his hold tightening to lift her while he spun them, "I'm so glad you're here - You've no idea how much I missed you!"
For a moment, it was as if she were a small child again, wrapped up in her brother's arms as he returned to the palace. It hadn't mattered if Flynnwood had been absent for months or hours; when he returned, she had always been there to greet him with a warm smile, running into his arms so he could spin her around as they laughed.
Now, after so many years, she was overwhelmed with joy to know that he hadn't changed. She couldn't help but laugh, the sound of her voice floating high above their heads even as tears began to sting at the corners of her eyes.
"How much you've missed me?" she laughed, refusing to let go of him even for a moment. "All the times I've thought of you and dreamt of you... I've seen you a thousand times before this and never been able to touch you."
She sniffled a little, her cheeks turning rosy in embarrassment. She was a Princess, she should have better control of herself, even among family and trusted friends. Cavan would have been so disappointed to see her this way, which made her lean into her emotions even further.
"You're really here," she sighed. "I'm really with you."
"Yes!" The monosyllabic word was expelled with a laugh, the heel of his hand lifting to brush away the tears on his cheeks as the word died on the sharp sob he sucked in. Although Aisling had referred to herself, she was right. How often had he thought of her over the centuries? Walked across the grass of the yard and heard the trees whispering to each other and knew, just knew that Aisling would want to know what they were gossiping about and run off to find out. Just like he knew his security team would enjoy teaching the two of them the latest martial arts techniques or how much he knew the two of them would enjoy riding across the grounds together. Until now, however, those had been bittersweet questions, fantasies and What Ifs that plucked at the heartstrings that could've been easily remedied if Flynn or his father hadn't been so damn stubborn. But, it didn't matter any longer. Aisling was here now as he briefly squeezed her tighter.
"It doesn't matter where you are, Aisling. If you're there, or you're here and I'm with you, I'm home." Reluctantly, Flynn straightened with a sigh. Even for the two of them, after having been separated for so long, they were pushing the envelope on proper decorum. Looking between the two of them, they had to look a sight and the exiled prince let out a bark of laughter as he pulled out the purple handkerchief from the front pocket of his sportcoat. Snapping it open with a flick of his wrist, he held it out to Aisling as he murmured a joke, "Look at us, two peas in a pod!"
"As if we'd never been apart," Aisling laughed through a sniffle, taking the offered handkerchief.
She dabbed lightly at her cheeks, the sparkling tears of joy that had spilled soaking into the rich fabric. But in that moment of silence, her words echoed in her mind bringing the unfortunate truth back to the surface of her mind. Her smile slowly dimmed until her expression darkened, her lips forming the slightest frown as her brow knit together.
"But we have been. For so long," she murmured, largely to herself, as she handed the handkerchief back to her brother. And it's all Cavan's fault, she added silently.
She drew a deep breath, closing her eyes for a moment as she regained her composure. Her face returned to its practiced, pleasantly neutral smile as she cleared her throat and presented herself with a small curtsy.
"Prince Flynnwood, I bring you the tidings of the Spring Court," she said formally. "Now, shall we have tea?"
A gleam returned to her eye. "I have much to tell you."