Adhamhnan Gairden, or Adham, as Princess Aria knew him, grimaced as he stood outside the princess's chambers standing guard, his right hand on the two handed blade sheathed at his side, ready at a split-second's notice to bring death to all who opposed him.  While looking down the halls, the tall, massive guard thought on how his life had played out.  The events that occurred were not as he had expected or planned.<br/><br/>While growing up, he was constantly being trained by the then Captain Guard Maideth Maernlylth.  During his time, Maideth was known as the best of swordmasters, and Adham absorbed all the elder taught, not only because Adham was very much intrigued by swordplay and magics, but also because the younger student borderline worshiped his mentor.  However, the young one's life was not just filled with training.  When free, he often escaped with the young Aria, spending countless hours on various escapades and adventures, all of which, her parents probably did not approve.<br/><br/>Adham continued to develop as a fierce fighter, to the point when he joined the guard, none in the courts or guard could best him, earning the nickname, "Death Incarnate."  The fact his father was killed early on in the young one's life and his mother sent him away brought a cold, burning anger in his soul which was only fostered by the highly sexual, yet detached way the Unseelie treated one another.  By the time he had fully developed, he had become cold and emotionless, except to two people.  The first was Maideth, who he cared for like a son does a father.  The second, Aria.  As they had grown, the time they spent together did not wain, always finding one another.  To him, Aria was one of the last he held out hope for bringing warmth and emotion to his soul.  She was the one who caused his soul to burn with a hot, unquenchable desire.<br/><br/>Six years ago, Maideth disappeared, no one able to provide the young guard any answers.  His absence only caused Adham to hide in his emotional shell even more, yet he held out hope to be named to the Captaincy.  Unfortunately, this was not to be, as an unknown Lord Cadrywn was brought in to be captain.  Early in the Captain's tenure, Adham knew they would not like one another.  Keith, as he liked to be known, was a strict, tough disciplinarian who did not understand the ways of Aria.  As Adham saw it, though she was a flirt, it was the guards' job to resist her temptations and retain their honor.  To the young guard, the Captain had no honor, and Adham resented Keith due to it.<br/><br/>As Aria's door opened, the guard clad in azure-colored armor turned to face the Princess who would be exiting her chambers in seconds.  The manner by which the dark-violet hues of her dress played upon her skin tone, hair color and eyes brought a smile to his face which he quickly banished once looking upon the Captain.  Kneeling, he took her free hand.  Summoning a thin layer of ice to his lips, he kissed upon her hand, then rose, still holding her hand.  "Princess, the visage you present is most glorious, and it shall be an honor as always to accompany you to the ball," Adham said, allowing her to place her hand to his elbow, walking with her in stride to their destination.