Chapter 2

nuts4u

@nuts4u

Chapter 2: TRUST

'She wasn't eating. Dammit, she needed to do that to stay warm. There was no telling how long this could go on' he thought when he saw the serving women whom he has sent with food to Khushi came back with fallen face and informed him that she is not ready to eat anything. He wanted to send her back but he can't appear overly concerned as it was he was taking a chance staying near. Right now from his position near a corner of the stable he could see the post, he hoped could not be seen himself. The sight of Khushi tide there tore him. He had TRUST her then his love but to get the real culprit he has to do this...

With deep sigh, he settled back against the wall of the stable. His tow horses Dawn and Night, whom Khushi adore so much whinnied as though they sensed their master's unhappiness. He still remember when he brought Khushi to his Kingdom( Landsend) first time...

Flashback

They were sailing in a ship from last 15 days after their marriage when they reached his kingdom on next afternoon it came upon them in a rush, so it seemed to Khushi, one moment the world was all blue, sky and sea together and the next it was green lit through with slashes of white and gray. The contrast was dazzling. And the land rose, sudden and sharp Khushi gasped.

The world seemed out of kilter, no longer mainly flat as she had always known it but dominated by height. The rugged peaks, some she could see still harboring snow in rocky clefts despite the summer season, seemed to hold up the sky. Here and there along their slopes and the valleys between, she could make out the gold of field ripening in the sun, the green of pasturage and deep, sweeping swathes of pine. Fingers of the sea glittering in the sunlight, reached between folds of the mountains as though to challenge their supremacy. By look on her face he came to know that his Queen loved her kingdom...

When they brought his horses Khushi was so happy to see them " Oh, look at you!" Kushi crooned in sheer delight at the lithe, powerful animals. She adored horses had ever since as a tiny child. "Aren't you just wonderful! Aren't you the most beautiful horses ever?"

They agreed with her heartily, tossing their proud heads and nuzzling her until she burst out laughing. The sight left Arnav gap with surprise along with his people who came to receive their King who brought Queen for them .

When he asked her to ride one of them she happily rode Down and a loud cheers burst into air. Khushi got confused with and Asked Aranv " I don't understand your people were so quite and now...they were cheering, the women nodding in approval and the men going so far as to toss their caps into the air. Children were running alongside the horses."

Arnav grinned. " Did I mentioned no one ever rids these two except me."

She could not have heard him right." No one?"

"Only me, he confirmed. " Several of my warriors have tried but they were all thrown". Laughter bubbled up in her.

Flashback End...

He knew back then his horses TRUSTED her. Arnav made sure he was well concealed and continue to watch.

The people of Landsend were sensible that their ASR would not appreciate their gawking or they had simply found it too disturbing to see a women they had come to like in such distress. Even the guards in the watchtowers kept their backs to the yard.

Finally night fall Aranv stretched to ease the stiffness in his back and legs. His people would presume he was in his Chamber, brooding over the treachery of his wife. It was his hope that whoever among them had thought to harm her, if indeed there was such person, would make himself known shortly. She was tide, helpless. His stomach twisted never in his wildest imaginings would he have conceived of using Khushi in such a way, to lure out a traitor.

Over and over, he told himself she was not in real danger. He would see anyone entering the yard immediately, long before as assailant could get near the post , and when he did see him...

There was some grim comfort in considering the price he would exact but it did not distract him from his vigil. Utterly still, all but invisible against the wall of stable, he kept watch over his life Khushi.

The moon was high in the sky when Khushi jerked awake suddenly. She was startled to discover she had slept, disbelieving really, for never would she have thought that possible. Yet exhaustion had finally over taken her.

She had been dreaming of Aranv, imagining him there with her. What a cruel,stupid trick for her mind to play. Better she not sleep as all than surrender to such pitiful fantasies. It was very quiet in the yard. The moon was full and shining over all. Sharply etched shadows stretched across the ground. She heard a sudden whish of an Owl embarking on his night flight.

Her faith TRUST wont fail she knew unlike her father, Arnav was not a cruel or vengeful man. He would not hurt her. She had only to wait until the truth became evident to him.

She stared into the silvered night, straining to see nothing moved in the yard. There was not a hint of any one about. And yet the conviction grew swiftly in her that she was not alone.

Hesitantly, feeling just a little foolish yet emboldened by yearning she could not deny, she whispered, "Arnav? Are you there? Can you hear me?"

Scarcely believing that she had guessed his presence, Aranv told himself he should not answer. The very person he hunted might already about, only waiting for what seemed a safe moment. He could wreck it all by speaking. And yet he could not withstand the soft pleading in her voice.

Tensely, he answered. " Khushi, be quite. No one must know I am here. "

Joy flooded her. She had to suppress the urge to shout with relief. Her faith Her TRUST was not misplaced. He had not left her alone in the cold and dark.