 |  Daine crept into their room the next day with some interesting news. Numair was sitting by the window, rapidly scribbling down some notes. When she entered, he looked up and grinned. She smiled back and went to sit down beside him. "What are you writing?" Daine asked. "The rest of our guest list. Honestly magelet, I didn't know we knew so many people." He shook his head and went back to writing. Daine bit her lip. This was going to be a bit harder than she thought. "Ummm......... we have a bit of a problem." Numair looked up again but this time held her gaze. She blushed and continued. "You of all people should know how I've made friends with so many animals. Well a certain few want to come to the wedding." Numair relaxed, glad to know it wasn't anything serious. For a second he thoght she was going to say something like, she was pregnant or was going to call of the wedding. "And who might those be?" He asked, but already had a suspicion as to who they were. "Kit and Zek will come whether we want them to or not." Numair nodded. "I don't think anybody will object to that." "Then there's Cloud. She told me she will come even if it meant by force." "That might be a problem." He sighed and gazed out the window. "I might be able to convince people...," Numair trailed off wondering if this was going to be a task that somebody would label 'impossible'. Just how many people would accept a shaggy, temperamental, gray mountain pony mingling with them? He glanced at his fiancee. She realized they were asking a bit much but Cloud was the only living family she had. His heart gave in and the mage heaved a mock serious sigh. "Very well then. But you have to deal with Lorenzo and make sure Cloud doesn't try to take a bite out of someone just for the fun of it." Daine smiled widely and threw her arms about his neck. "You don't know how much this means to me Numair. Thank you." She murmured and gave him a soft, swift kiss. "I'd better go tell her the good news before her temper gets the better of her." Daine said and got up to go visit her pony. Daine disappeared down the hall and out into the fresh air. The girl hurried over to the paddocks ( the pony refused to stay in a stall) where Cloud was staying and leaped over the fence. In an instant ten ponies of different colors crowded around her, nuzzling her pockets for treats. Laughing, Daine made her way over to Cloud who was standing at the back of the herd, sulking. 'What did the stork man say?' Cloud asked hesitantly. "He said yes but you have to be on your best behavior got it?" Daine replied and hugged her mare. Cloud nodded her head. 'Will you have anytime to go for a ride? I think I need to stretch my legs.' Daine grinned. "Of course I do. Nobody seems to need my help and Numair probably expected this." She threaded her way through the herd and leaped over the fence. Cloud followed suite, and landed daintily on the other side. Then both pony and girl headed towards the stables. That night they had an uneventful dinner with the group of wedding guests who had already arrived. Daine, being tired from her long ride earlier, went straight up to their apartment and instantly fell asleep. Numair made sure she was settled before going to his rendezvous with Alanna. The King's Champion stood beside the stable door, sword in hand. When Numair came up behind her, she swung around nearly getting him in the chest. "Watch where you put that thing. I can't always be on the lookout," Numair retorted as Alanna sheepishly let the sword drop. "Why did you ask me to come here? And in the middle of the night no less?" Alanna demanded. "It's not the middle of the night and I need your help with something for Daine." He replied, keeping his voice low, "It's a special gift." Alanna gave him a strange look, "You already gave her the ring. What else could you have in mind?" "Wait here." He told her and crept into the darkened stable. He appeared moments later clutching a medium sized box. There were holes punched into the lid and scuffling sounds could be heard. "I need you to take care of it until after the wedding. If I kept it around , Daine would sense it and we can't have that happening." Numair handed the box over to Alanna and she discovered it felt heavy. "What is it?" She asked. "Open it up when you're back in your room and you'll find out. It will need to be fed and let out each day as well." Numair answered, "I have to go now, but take good care of it." "Wait!" Numair turned. " You owe me big time for this buddy." Alanna said. He grinned, "I was expecting this. Just don't ask me for a favor when I'm trying to do something to help myself." "Fine by me." She replied and walked off into the shadows. When
she was sure Numair couldn't see her, Alanna gently put the box down and opened the lid. As she was opening the lid, a furry black head poked out followed by two brown eyes, droopy ears, and a wet, black nose. Alanna giggled in spite of herself. Numair giving someone a puppy? He must really love her. The knight thought, still trying to suppress a laugh. The little thing was now sniffing the night air, it's ears pricked forward. Alanna grinned and carefully lifted the puppy out, she tucked it beneath her arm and continued on towards her room.
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