A Walk on the Beach [Auron/Celeste 6/5 Afternoon]

[Auron Sterlyn]

As promised, Auron had approached his elder sister about an afternoon walk along the Northern beaches of Alska's shores. Now the pair was walking along the sand, just far enough so that the water did not lap against their shoes. Normally Auron would not be thrilled at the idea of sand along the soles of his shoes, but he wanted a place where he could feel confident his words would not be overheard. With the water protecting one side, the guards needed only to fan out in a half circle. They kept their distance out of respect for the young prince and the princess.

"So what do you think, Celeste?" Auron asked as he looked out at the ocean. "Do you think the beaches here rival the ones in Solbra?" He had a brief negative thought that the beaches on Strom would surpass all others, but he pushed it aside. He was bitter enough about his sister's future husband without adding on anger about her change in location. "I for one still believe Solbra's sport better sand and water."

[Celeste Castell]

Celeste walked along the beach, enjoying the salty air and the sand, even the sound of the water lapping against the shore. She hadn’t been for a walk on the beach in what felt like ages and it was pleasing to be able to do so again. She was also pleased to be able to spend more time with her younger brother and was glad that he had kept his promise.

She glanced at Auron when he spoke up before turning to look out at the ocean again. After a moment she turned back with a smile. “I’d have to agree with you. The sand on the shores of Solbra are finer, the water bluer ... making them far more beautiful.”

Celeste fell silent for a moment before suddenly asking, “Auron, are you ok with your engagement and with Aurora’s?” She knew that her youngest siblings had always been extremely close and she wondered how they were taking the eventual separation. There wasn’t anything she could do about it of course, but she did hope that they were both ok. At the very least she hoped that they could both develop good relationships with their soon to be spouses. “You do like Lady Sommara do you not? From what I’ve seen she seems like a nice young lady, though I haven’t really spoken with her much.”

[Auron Sterlyn]

The waves had a calming affect on the young prince, at least until Celeste brought up his betrothal. Oddly, he'd wanted to speak to her about it anyway, but he hadn't expected the topic to come up so quickly.

"The truth, dear sister?" he began, his eyes still searching well off shore. "I am far from ok with my engagement, and even less pleased with Aurora's. I don't understand why our brother sought to make such hasty arrangements without even consulting us. Or at least myself. Perhaps he was kind enough to talk to Aurora. Alrik threw her engagement in my face and then proceeded to mock me that he would soon sealing mine as well." The whole story tumbled out. How he'd gone to see Alrik enraged at discovering the wedding announcement on a piece of paper. Of how Alrik had no consideration for Auron's opinion or concerns. Over the last month Auron had held his tongue and slowly nursed his wounds, but when asked everything came rushing back.

"Sommara is..." Auron paused, "Acceptable at least. She is beautiful and proper. I suppose she will make for a fine princess. But I do not desire her. I don't want her. And Lord Island Scum?" He flashed Celeste a disgusted look. "Have we not looked our noses down upon Lord Rex and his basement family since the days of our birth? Why our brother would disgrace Aurora's beauty and poise with such likes as Rex Letalis I just cannot fathom. Of course, all this while he takes the noble and beautiful Fallon Severne to be his bride."

His blue eyes were hard as ice as shook his head, "I cannot stand him."

[Celeste Castell]

Celeste frowned as she listened to Auron. It bothered her to hear how Alrik had treated Auron when telling him about the engagements. On the one hand she understood that it had been Alrik’s decision who the twins married since he was the head of the household. However, she had never liked that rule to begin with and he certainly could have shared the news with Auron a little better.

She was definitely troubled to hear the whole story as it didn’t fit well with the image of her older brother. Alrik had always been kind and loving, she couldn’t imagine him acting in that way. Celeste had always figured that if she had still been unmarried by the time her brother became King, he might have taken her feelings in to account before saddling her into a marriage that she didn’t want. The fact that he hadn’t have done that with Auron and possibly Aurora as well didn’t fit very well with that image. On the other hand, maybe some of this story was just frustration on Auron’s part that he didn’t want to be separated from Aurora.

Celeste shoved her misgivings aside, determined to just be there for Auron as best she could. It didn’t really matter whether Alrik had really done these things or not at the moment. What mattered most was that Auron was feeling this way.

“I don’t know why Alrik made such arrangements Auron. I’m sure he had his reasons, but regardless of what they were he certainly could have talked to you about them. I can’t understand why he wouldn’t have told you about them before you found out from the wedding announcement. I can understand how that would have upset you, it would have upset me as well ... and then to be mocked about your own engagement. I don’t know. That just doesn’t sound like Alrik to me, but then I haven’t really talked with him in quite awhile ...”

Celeste was somewhat sad that Auron was being forced in to a marriage that he didn’t want. “You should try to get to know her better Auron. I know that you don’t ... desire her, but you might find that she could at least be a friend. It won’t be the best match in the world, but at least it’s a start. As for Rex Letalis ...”

She frowned and shook her head. Celeste didn’t understand that one either really. Auron was right. They had always thought less of Lord Rex and his family from the time they had been born. So why was it that Alrik that this would be a good match. Honestly, Celeste wasn’t happy about that one either. She didn’t want to think about her younger sister or any of her family married in to the Letalis family, though she had to believe that Alrik had his reasons. Again anything less just wouldn’t fit with the image she had of her big brother.

Briefly she thought back to the conversation she had had with Victor on the ship and had to wonder if maybe he was right. She did seem to hold this highly idolized picture of her big brother that wouldn’t easily break, even while talking with her younger sibling she was having trouble fitting his version of Alrik in with her own.

Celeste forced her mind back to the issue at hand. “Honestly Auron, I can’t really fathom that either. I don’t see why we should be joining our family with the Letalis family. It doesn’t make sense to me, but ... Alrik has to think of things that none of us even know about. I’m sure he has a reason, at least one that he feels is right. He has to ... did you ask him?”

She frowned once more upon seeing the ice in her brother’s gaze. It saddened her to think that the Sterlyn family relationship wasn’t as close as say the Castells seemed to be. “I’m sure he has his reasons Auron. He cares about all of us. I know he does, but he’s got other things to have to think about also ...” She fell silent knowing that none of those words would make Auron feel any better, but not really knowing what else to say.

[Auron Sterlyn]

Auron almost scoffed. "Why would he talk to me about them, Celeste. Did you happen to notice any time before where our brother felt he needed to speak to Aurora or I about the past, present or future? He's made almost no attempt in my eighteen years to have anything to do with Aurora or myself. Not like our parents were much better. Father did nothing to set a good example for any of us; sometimes I feel fortunate that we children are more level-headed than our parents happened to be. Besides, we both know that it's his right. I'm not upset that he chose for me," Auron paused, trying to put a finger on exactly how to phrase what he wished to say. There was no choice Alrik could make that Auron would have been pleased with anyway. "It's that. He could have been.. kinder about the matter, instead of treating me like a chess piece."

He shrugged his shoulders, "If he has reasons about Lord Scum, he did not feel inclined to share them with me. Nor does he have to, given his position as our great King." Sarcasm dripped from Auron's tongue even though he knew his sister loved and respected their brother. At the same time, Auron felt Celeste owed him some time as well; she'd been almost as neglectful in the past as Alrik had, although Auron could forgive her easier because she'd been gone for the half of his life he remembered better. "I just think he could have done better. At the very least, Alrik could have offered her up to Theodoric and dealt with the Letalis' on his own." Or heaven forbid I'd have suffered them for her instead... Rosalie seemed harmless enough. Auron had caught a glimpse of her during the dances at the ball. His mood had been foul enough that he hadn't bothered to greet her though. "I didn't ask. He wouldn't have told me anyway. He'd have given me some chide remark about how he has his reasons and that's that." Auron could still feel himself seething about the 'sealing your fate' comment.

"Just because he has other responsibilities does not mean I will forgive him for his lack of caring in regards to me."

He stopped to stare out at the water, his mind wandering off to think of other people and places besides his brother. The tide was coming in, the waves crawling up the beach toward their feet at a faster rate. The ocean was turbulent, a perfect reflection of the troubles in his heart. "Celeste, have you ever had someone else in mind besides Victor. Someone else you would have far preferred to wed, no matter how impossible such a match would have been?"

[Celeste Castell]

Celeste listened to what Auron was saying, but she didn’t respond right away. As much as she’d like to deny it, she knew as well as Auron did that Alrik hadn’t spent much time with either of the twins. Father and Mother weren’t much better as Auron said, in fact he was right ... it was a wonder that they all seemed more level headed then either of their parents were. “He could have been kinder, that’s certainly true. Alrik didn’t have to mock you about any of this. He should know himself how hard it is to let someone choose for you, especially if you don’t like the choice. He definitely could have been more understanding about that.”

She heard the sarcasm in Auron’s tone, but Celeste kept herself from reacting. She was here for Auron right now. It wouldn’t do to defend Alrik, especially when she agreed with everything that Auron was saying. “More then likely he didn’t choose Theodoric because he was fancying Fallon, which isn’t at all fair.” Celeste glanced over at her brother for a moment before admitting, “You’re probably right. If he had wanted to explain himself the he would have done so without you asking.”

Celeste nodded when Auron said that just because Alrik had other responsibilities didn’t mean that Auron would forgive him for his lack of caring. Alrik might indeed have other responsibilities, but he was suppose to be responsible to his family as well.

She froze in surprise at Auron’s next words. Celeste had promised never to think of Malic again and yet here Auron was asking her the very question that would prompt such thought. She briefly considered lying to him and denying ever feeling such a way, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. Auron was having a serious conversation with her, perhaps the first in a very long time and she didn’t want to lie to him. It wasn’t as if Victor would ever find out and anyway just talking about him wouldn’t be the same as thinking about him ... right? She would only be talking about her past feelings.

Celeste was silent for a long moment, just staring out at the sea. Finally though she sighed softly and said, “Yes, there was someone that I longed for all those years ago.” She refused to admit that she had still been longing for that person even recently, that was something that would involve talking about her troubled marriage and she wouldn’t do that. Glancing back over at Auron curiously she couldn’t help asking, “Did ... did you have someone else in mind Auron?”

[Auron Sterlyn]

Auron nodded, anger still flickering in his eyes. "He should have known better given that father doomed him to a horrible match as well. I will never understand why Connor betrothed his son off to a Mar-Stellar. Perhaps Alrik is no better, forcing others to take on the horrid marriage responsibilities that he won't himself." He almost laughed, "Or maybe there is something about Mar-Stellar we don't know, given that they managed to wed up their second daughter as well. Alathia herself must have whispered something in Lord Theo's ear for that one, or maybe he's as sadistic as our dear brother when it comes to tormenting siblings."

Auron missed the suprised that hit Celeste, his eyes still focused off on the horizon. He assumed her pause was simply a way to come up with some sisterly answer. He was caught off guard when she actually responded with a yes, not because he didn't think his sister would have dreams but because he didn't expect her to share them with him. The question had been almost rhetorical; he was obviously referring to himself. But then, perhaps Celeste really would be far more understanding than Alrik could ever hope to be.

He turned back to his sister, a sad smile on his face. "I did, Celeste. But even before my brother's decision I could have never wed this person. There are too many reasons why, reasons I don't plan to discuss. I only wanted to know how you make yourself forget. How did you accept that you would wed Victor when you really longed for another? I know that it's easy to say 'well that's our duty as Sterlyns', but living the duty and coming to terms with it are two different things."

[Celeste Castell]

Celeste nodded, still a little uneasy with the conversation but willing to agree with what Auron was saying. “I can’t say that I really understand why Alrik was married to a Mar-Stellar, but ...” She shook her head, not really sure what to say. She was far too loyal to Alrik to say anything about him being no better then their father. “Maybe there is something about Mar-Stellar, I can’t say I ever really talked with any of them much.” Celeste frowned a little sadly when Auron mentioned the upcoming wedding between Kaedon and Ara-Lynn. Not because of the wedding particularly but because it brought to mind the loss of Nazraiel, someone she had cared about. She sighed softly before saying, “I can’t say that I know Lord Theo as well as I had known his older brother, but from what I’ve seen he’s always seemed like a nice enough person. However, there did seem to be tension between him and his younger brother when I met them back in Solbra.” Celeste wasn’t certain she liked to hear Alrik referred to as being sadistic, but she refrained from commenting on it.

She frowned sadly, knowing ho it felt to want someone you could never have. She almost asked who this mystery person was, but before she had even opened her mouth Celeste decided to let it go. Auron obviously didn’t want to talk about it and she wasn’t going to deny him his privacy. She nodded when he went on to say that there were too many reasons why and that he didn’t plan to discuss them. “I ...”

Celeste sighed softly before continuing, “To be honest Auron, I didn’t accept it, not really. It’s complicated and I don’t really feel like I can go in to all of it. It doesn’t just involve me, but I guess over time in my case I realized it was nothing more then a young girl’s crush that I never grew out of and the desire for something that I just didn’t have. If it was something more then that, a real honest love for someone, then I’m not sure how I’d get over that. I’m not really sure that you can. Love is a hard thing to understand sometimes. You’re right it is easy to say that it’s our duty, but an entirely different thing to actually come to terms with it. Obsessing over something that you can’t have will only make you miserable, but again ... I don’t really know how to tell you to make yourself forget.”

[Auron Sterlyn]

Auron hadn't spoke with the Mar-Stellar family much either. He'd avoided Dori-Mae and her brood like the plague, at least until the woman had passed away. Then occasionally, he'd look in on his nieces and nephew, but he still couldn't help but feel that their bloodlines were so weak on their mother's side. They are still Sterlyns. He pushed the thought aside, and went back to focusing on his own dilemma. Who Alrik had wed in the past didn't change that Auron was wedding an Ashpool in the future.

Auron turned to Celeste and took her hands in his. He smiled for her, if only as a way to show he appreciated her advice, even if it did him little good. For all the anger he had bottled up inside at his brother, none of it was ever meant to be directed at his sisters. "You're always so honest, Celeste. I don't think I'll ever forget, even if I only have one choice. I'll marry Sommara, for the family and for duty, but my heart will always belong to someone else. Love is unfair, but how can we help who we love? If circumstances had been different, perhaps my heart would belong elsewhere, but it doesn't." He reached over and gave Celeste a hug, grateful he could open up to her. He could talk to Aurora about almost anything... but not this. Not with their marriages hanging over both of them.

"Perhaps when I'm bedding my new wife I'll forget," he lied.

He pulled back and looked down at Celeste. "If you've gotten over your first crush, does that mean you were able to find happiness in your marriage?"

[Celeste Castell]

Celeste wished she could do more for Auron. It saddened her that he felt as if he’d never be able to forget whomever his heart belonged to. However, he was right. Love was unfair and they couldn’t help who they loved. She returned his hug and murmured, “I wish I could do more, but Auron ... Sommara might never be the one that your heart belongs to, but she still might be able to be a friend. Don’t hold yourself back from getting to know her better and letting her know you.”

She flushed a little at his next words but smiled and murmured, “Perhaps ...” Celeste didn’t really believe Auron. She knew how hard it was to forget someone, but maybe they were both wrong and he would be able to forget. She hoped that he would at least be happy at some point.

“I...” Celeste hesitated, knowing that it would be a lie to say that she was entirely happy in her marriage. On the other hand she was happy with her children and she thought that perhaps she could be happy if she really worked at it Besides, she didn’t want Auron to worry about her and so she simply said, “Things aren’t perfect, but I’m happy for the most part ...”

[Auron Sterlyn]

Auron nodded. "I haven't ignored her. I have.. tried." Was that really true? Could Auron say he really tried? He'd spoken with her, escorted her, even flashed her in front of his sister as though that might suddenly make Aurora wish they were still unbetrothed. But he hadn't truly given Sommara a chance to get to know him, nor had he really bothered to get to know her. He'd kept his own walls of polite behavior and proper etiquette between them. But are you really ready to pull them down?

Listening to Celeste he wondered if he was doomed to having the less than perfect and probably unhappy relationship that she had, even if she wasn't admitting to such. Her hesitation spoke more than her words did, although Auron had never seen Celeste act anything but perfect in public. But then, wasn't that how he acted when he walked with Sommara? The vision of perfection? Perhaps he and Celeste were more alike than he realized. "You say you're happy, but it's not the same as the love you dreamed of. And I suppose that will be my fate. But I've never seen you derelict in your duties to House Castell. I suppose when I struggle, I will be thankful that at least my place is still in our Sterlyn home instead of someone else's."

[Celeste Castell]

Celeste nodded, though she didn’t say anything. It wasn’t for her to say whether Auron had really tried to get to know his fiancé or not. Technically she didn’t know one way or another, if he said he did then she would believe him. She had given her advice to her younger brother, it was up to him to decide whether he would follow it or not.

She tensed at Auron’s next words, though she forced herself to relax moments later. Celeste hadn’t meant to give off the impression that things weren’t perfect in her marriage, but now that she had there wasn’t anything she could do about it. “It’s ... it’s perhaps not what I dreamed of as a child when I dreamed of romance, but then I doubt that any love is as perfect as a child’s dreams.”

Celeste shrugged slightly before saying, “I’m Victor’s wife, as such it was only right that I never falter in my duties to his household. As for being thankful that you will be home in our Sterlyn home, I do miss our home in Solbra ... all the time, but Trista has become home as well.”

[Auron Sterlyn]

Auron kicked at the sandy beach with his toes as they walked. At least the setting he had chosen worked to keep him calm. Ever since his brother had announced their betrothals, Auron found himself becoming more and more withdrawn, more moody, more irritated with people in general. His sister's words were wise, even if Auron questioned whether she truly believed her own speeches. Celeste was kind-hearted and sweet, but she couldn't be considered naive. Not if she was surviving and thriving with the Castells. Auron respected the high family of war advisors who traced their lineage as far back as the Sterlyns, but he was oblivious to the cutthroat means the Castell family used to achieve their means. His sister's personality was opposite of every member of their family, especially her husband.

Auron reached over to squeeze Celeste's hand. "I've always been proud to have you as a sister, even if we did not have the chance to get to know each other better. As challenging as I'm sure being Lady Castell is, you have made the best match of the family, even if Alrik weds Fallon Severne. I doubt I will ever have the romance I dream of as well," Auron continued, his voice growing softer as the sound of the waves crashing up the beach as the tide fought with the sand for position calmed him down. "But if Sommara is to be my wife, then I should learn to accept her. She is," he paused, searching for the right description, "Simple and kind. She will be faithful and attentive to my needs. What else could I ask for?" Besides the woman that I love more than life itself?

[Celeste Castell]

Celeste smiled at her brother, still a little sad. “I’ve been proud to have you as a brother too Auron, you are a good man.” She wished that she could give Auron the romance he wanted, though she didn’t know who this mystery lady was. However, there was really nothing she could do. He would do his duty as he said and things would go from there. She could only hope that Sommara would eventually at least become his friend. At his last question Celeste sighed softly and said, “Happiness, but I guess that’s something that not everyone can get ...”