A promise we won't regret.

Tuscan

As the air grew colder, and the leaves began to change, the young Lord Tuscan was noticing some changes within himself as well. He had always been excited to participate in rut, but he hadn’t any idea just how much he would be excited when he actually came of age. Now he knew. And it made him want to fight everyone. And everything as a few frightened squirrels and rabbits had learned. And perhaps best of all, he was clashing with his very own rack! It was a bit small, sure, but to Tuscan it was magnificent! Every puddle he saw he simply had to stop and admire the stag he was becoming. He was no colt anymore. He was a stag and he would rule this forest!

The desire for does was another thing that had come unexpectedly strong. He always knew that he would want them, and he had accepted that fact without caring why, but now he really did understand why. The eyes of a doe upon him excited him and gave him courage. He wanted to show them how formidable he was, impress them and win their love! Yes, the young male was feeling the fever of every stag his age, just having discovered this aspect of life. And he was ready.

There was one doe in particular he was trying to find, even if it meant wandering near the fearsome Lord Knox’s glade… Lady Ariadelle. He had met her a few years ago and immediately really liked her. He had promised to protect her last rut, since she was of age and had said she was nervous. He had still been a smooth-headed colt at the time but he had tried! And she hadn’t been claimed so as far as he was concerned, even if he had little to nothing to do with it, he had been defending does since he was four years old! Imagine how good he would do now, when he actually had a weapon, and the spirit of the stag within him. He could legitimately protect her from any threat, and he would take care of the beautiful Lady now! If she would have him (the contrary possibility had not really crossed his mind yet).

Lord Tuscan strolled through the forest as if he owned it, finally spotting the lovely pale coat. Her hair and tail were pure white, decorated delicately with flowers as always, and it was growing quite long. She looked like a grown doe! Forgetting his stagly manners in his eagerness, he cried out her name “Ariadelle!” He raced toward her, skidding to a stop as he got close and remembered his age and how he was an adult, and then he bowed deeply in greeting, though it was a gesture mostly just to show off his new antlers, even if they were little more than sharp stubs at the moment.

Ariadelle

A young pale doe frowned as she watched her nanny clear some of the beautiful autumn leaves by her den. She could have done it herself but Soraka had been stubborn about her not doing so, going so far as saying that it could ruin her perfectly groomed tail and flowers that she had worked so hard to put together just for the young lady. Ariadelle had merely sighed as she watched the older doe do the job, her snow-like mane and tail flowing slightly in the chilly wind as she stood outside the lush den her father had made when she had become of age.

“Are you sure there is nothing I can do to help, Sora?” She asked with a frustrated sigh as the nanny simply flicked her tail towards the younger before turning to the young doe with a warm smile. “I have already finished it all so why don’t you just relax while I go speak to your father? It seems like a wonderful day to take a nice walk and since you’ve been studying so hard recently, I believe you deserve it.” The dark hind told her Lady before she walked off towards her Knox’s section of the glades.

Ari sighed once more at Soraka’s antics before her ears caught the sound of someone calling her name. Turning her head she spotted a young stag running in her direction at a rather quick pace. Her eyes widened as she took a step back in fear of him running into her, though as silly as it sounded when he had skidded to a halt in front of her; mentally noting a small tinge of surprise when he didn’t fall on his face. Her honey gaze watched the young stag fix himself and then bow his head; noticing his small rack was forming, before she tilted her own head to look the other over.

“Lord Tuscan?” She questioned with a bit of surprise in her voice as she recognized that dark pelt from her earlier encounters with the young Lord. Mindful of her mane; she carefully lowered her head in greeting to the other before raising herself back up. “Lord Tuscan, what are you doing here? I had thought you did not like coming to my father’s glades?” The young Lady asked him curiously as she watched his frame; she was impressed he had been able to even say her full name without reverting to her nickname like he had a few times when they were younger. Even though he was a mere couple years younger than she; she could tell he was growing quite wonderfully into a handsome stag.

Tuscan

“Lord Tuscan?” He loved the way his name sounded when she said it. “That’s right, my Lady!” Tuscan said proudly. He wasn’t surprised that she was shocked! He was basically a new stag at this point, no longer the colt he used to be! He was bigger and stronger and fiercer and he had antlers! He perked his ears as she asked the question, his mood, however great, dampened a bit at the mention of Lord Knox. His dark red eyes flicked around for a moment, as if afraid the huge stag was around. But he wasn't. It was just Ariadelle and himself. Whew, good.

With the coast deemed clear he squared his shoulder, lifting his head all the higher, “Heh, I am no fawn anymore. No stag can keep me away from anywhere I want to go.” His tune may be a bit different if faced with Lord Knox himself, but he was confident he would not need to back up that claim. “And if you are here, perhaps I do quite like your father’s glades.” He smiled as he tried to be smooth. He still did wish that Ariadelle wasn’t here, though. Trying not to sound too hopeful, he asked,“Do you like your father’s glades?”

Ariadelle

Ari raised a delicate brow as he straightened, responding to his questioned name with pride; her warm hazelnut gaze watching him as she spotted those adorable orbs glancing around the area in caution after her comment on this being her father’s home. The doe was not surprised seeing as the history her father had was great in both good and bad terms but it did make her giggle a little at his concern over whether the old stag would just pop out and attack him, it was kind of cute.

“Do not fret, Tuscan. Father is busy and near has no time to come to my side of the glades. Soraka just left a minute or so ago as well to speak with him about allowing me to wonder Glenmore.” She assured him thoughtfully with a smile after listening to him speak of how no one could keep him away; tilting her head slightly to move part of her mane; that had fallen during the bow, away from her face so she could see him with both eyes.

She paused in her work though hearing both his statement and question. Her eyes locked on his for a moment; slightly widened as she watched him smile before she partially closed them and looked away.

Hesitation was evident in her frame before she opened her jaw and answered the other honestly. “No. As much as I love father and my siblings… I am lonely aside from Soraka.” She admitted with a saddened look as she lifted her head to look back at him. “All my sisters have left once they were of age and I’m still here nearly three years later after my coming of age. I am happy for them, I really am… But I envy them as well.”

Ariadelle paused in her words, her mind catching up to her as she realized just how much she had spilled to this albeit young stag, but a Lord nonetheless. Looking away again she lift a leg and to try and wipe at her eyes as she felt tears threatening to fall. “Ah. Apologies, Lord Tuscan. I’m already blabbering like an old hind. I’m sorry for causing you any trouble. I can escort you if you wish to leave, I’d understand.” She told him, lifting her head to give him a small yet sorrowful smile. “I don’t think you’d want to be around me when I start talking like those old coots that hang around father. Apologies once again, Lord. I should have kept my mouth closed in your presence.” The young doe finished, giving Tuscan another bow, letting her mane fall forward to hide her shameful face.

Tuscan

He relaxed even further, his confidence rising, when Ariadelle revealed that Lord Knox was occupied and rarely came by to visit her. Tuscan liked to hear that, because it meant he was unlikely to meet him here and now, and also because it meant that perhaps Ariadelle would prefer a glade where she was paid more attention. Such as…. his, perhaps. Either way he didn’t want Ariadelle to know that he was nervous! “Haha, don’t worry I wasn’t fretting! Lord Knox can come if he’d like, he doesn’t scare me,” he lied.

He grinned at her when she tossed a bit of her mane aside that had fallen over her face. She sure was a beautiful doe, so graceful and mature especially because she was a few years his senior, nearly full grown and in her prime… he didn't know what to make of her reaction to his question. He flicked his tail, hoping that her words would reveal a favorable answer.

He perked his ears when she hesitated, wondering what was bothering her so, wondering if maybe he could help. Then she revealed her uncertainty, how lonely she was, how she envied those does who had stags of their own.

She wiped her eyes with her foreleg, wait, was she crying? Tuscan frowned. He wasn’t that sensitive a stag, he wasn’t all that nice, but good and beautiful royal does shouldn’t be crying! And if they were, well, it was his job as a Lordly royal Lord to try and stop it! Lady Ariadelle should be in a home where she is treasured and protected, not one where she feels unhappy enough to cry!

After all of her words she turned away in shame, letting her mane hide her face and offering to escort him away. “No, no, my Lady… You’re wrong! I do want to be around you…” Tuscan trotted closer to her, lowing his head a bit to meet her gaze better, “I’m of age now too, you know. You don’t get the attention that you deserve here, but I can give it to you. If you come with me I’ll protect you, and make sure you aren’t lonely. You’re too beautiful to still be with your father. Come with me, and your sisters will be the ones to envy you.” He smiled, his brown eyes fixed on her, hopeful and full of confidence and promise. He had seen how a stag should treat their does. He was a strong young colt for his age. He knew that he could take care of a doe. Especially this doe, who he had always felt strongly for. He could do this, he could make her happy, if she’d just give him the chance!

Ariadelle

The doe couldn’t stop her noise of surprise when Tuscan spoke and lowered his own head near her own to meet her gaze. He actually wanted to be around her? Even when she had just rambled like a old hind? She swallowed the lump that formed in her throat as she watched him as he spoke, her heart beating against her ribs as she couldn’t believe the words he was telling her.

Lord Tuscan… The small colt who was such a proud little brat with a heart of gold wanted her? Lady Ariadelle of Lord Knox? The child of the doe who had a history and rumors behind her? Her mind was a cluster of confusion as she thought over his words for a couple more minutes before she came to a final decision.

Finally; she looked at him with a smile, a small though warm smile as she lifted her head to look at him for the stag he was growing into. He was right. He was of age and he was surely acting like a true stag of Glenmore. “You have grown so much in such a short time, Lord Tuscan. I… don’t know what you see in me for you to wish to have me in your home and life but I am happy knowing that someone I do hold close to me sees me worthy of their affection and protection.” She paused in her words before she lowered her head again to bow to him but this time she held her smile as she finally answered his offering. “I would be honored to join you, Tuscan.”

Tuscan

Tuscan waited, patiently at first, though as the minutes ticked by and the Dunalino was still deliberating, he felt his anxiety grow. What was taking so long? Wasn’t he the obvious choice? His insecurity reached out from within, his mind dancing between hurt and bitter resentment at the possibility that he would be rejected. What would he do? Well… who needs her! She’s got a dumb father anyway. Why would I want any of his brood in my harem? But such thoughts only came from fear and wanting her to be with him..

By the time Ariadelle’s soft honey-brown eyes finally rested on him his tail was flicking and his ears were flat. He was clearly quite anxious. When her statement began to seem like an acceptance Tuscan’s mind changed. He could have leaped forward and kissed her right there! But he restrained himself, his ears perking up and a smile spreading over his muzzle. “You are!” he said with barely restrained excitement as she mentioned being worthy, “of course you are!” And then she bowed, the picture of grace and beauty, as she finally said the words of acceptance. The smile on her face was genuine. It had to be! She likes me! She really likes me! Although he would never admit it, deep within Tuscan was just as happy to know that she thought him worthy of her. A rush of contentment filled him and he bowed in return to her, enjoying the weight of his little rack upon his head as he returned the gesture. When he lifted his head again, his excitement burned a hole in his Lordly facade, his voice eager as he said through a big smile, “You won’t regret this, Lady Ariadelle! Not ever!”

Lady Ariadelle

The young lord truly had grown in the few years she had known him. He was still the minor pest that bothered many other does and some stags alike but it made her happy knowing that young Lord Tuscan did desire her even if he did not like her father. Her warm honey gaze watching him as he bowed before her as well and then that smile… That same beautiful smile she had come to love seeing when he was but a young colt.

“I believe you, Tuscan. I know I will never regret it. Thank you for accepting me as well. I will be by your side for as long as you desire me there and I hope I don’t let you down as I stand there with you.” The hind spoke warmly to her; now chosen, Lord with a warm and genuine smile of her own.

Perhaps father would not be pleased at first with her choice, but… She would like to believe he’d trust her decision and that he’d be happy with her choice in the long run as she had finally found herself a Lord happy to take her in. Maybe one day she could bear a filly or colt of her own for Tuscan and let them meet their grandfather; the stag who had raised and taken care of her for all these years...