<div class="floatright"><div align="center">Adrianne Quil'lae<br/>(http://i.imgur.com/BN6bXce.jpg)</div></div><br/>Tehr listened intently to Rosalyn's explanation of her troubles and gave it deep thought.  Finally he spoke,<strong> "I would guess that this elven visitor who has plagued you, Adrianne, is of the Quil'lae family then?"</strong>Rosalyn nodded, confirming his suspicions.<br/><br/><strong>"Would I also be correct in assuming that elven court politics moves at a slightly slower pace then what you may have seen here during your time in Londinium?"</strong><br/><br/>Rosalyn pondered that question for a heartbeat before answering,<strong>"Mostly, yes.  While we tend to take a longer view of things, and with lifespans measured in centuries as opposed to decades, it seems natural to do so.  There have been machinations in the elven court that have been turning for human lifetimes.  Nothing is ever resolved, simply shifts in the balance, in the power structure.  What happened with that house Dale recently, nothing so violent or sudden has happened in our courts.  No elven house would be so bold, so brash, would risk so much so suddenly.  Nor, outside of an open war, has an elven family ever been disbanded, made anathema the way that house was.  But sometimes events do force rapid decision, and events that unfold on one day can see results or actions the very next."</strong><br/><br/>Tehr stood and paced the room for a few strides, the magical gems hanging still above his head and moving with him,<strong>"So would it be safe to assume that neither family, Quil'lae nor Adamora will take any great action in the next few weeks?"</strong><br/><br/>Rosalyn shrugged her shoulders,<strong>"It is unknowable, but I do not sense an end game gambit coming from either of them right now.  Both are applying subtle and slow pressure, and seeing results.  I would hazard a guess that they would continue what is working for them currently, and shift their plans accordingly."</strong><br/><br/>A plan, the seed of an idea started to come to Tehr's mind.  In truth his thinking about House Saari as well as what Rosalyn had said had created it.  But he was almost afraid to bring it up to the beautiful elf maid.  He strode to where she sat and knelt at her feet, taking her hands in his and gazing into her eyes,<strong>"Rosalyn, I need to say something to you and I need you to understand it.  I feel for you things I've never felt for anyone.  I would not bring you pain, and I wish to help you.  I do not know if what I feel is love, but I can not imagine it to be anything else.  I am sorry to be so blunt in this, but I am human.  From the moment I met you, you've ensorcled me with your beauty.  Getting to know you, become your friend, has changed those feelings, but only strengthening them.  I do not ask you to say that you feel the same but I need you to know this."</strong><br/><br/>Rosalyn met his stare unblinkingly and brought a hand to his cheek cupping his face gently as she whispered,<strong>"I know Tehr.  Love among the elves is different then the humans.  We often fall into love in a similar rush, it is called 'ta hai ein' or the love that burns like a flame.  Some elven people go through it many times throughout their lives.  There is also a love known as 'fa sie hai ein' which is the love that burns like a flame then tempers into  a glowing ember, dulled slightly in intensity, but lasting far far longer."</strong>Her voice dropped to a whisper as her face inched closer and closer to Tehr's,<strong>"as long as even an elf might live."</strong><br/><br/>Tehr swallowed and raised his face towards Rosalyn's.  Their lips met and they kissed, and Tehr felt the passion rage in him, felt the fire for her burn, but also felt the restraint.  This was not the moment to let his lust explode, this was something deeper, slower, more spiritual.  A long while passed as they embraced, kissing, and when she finally pulled away they were both on the same couch, she sitting in his lap, arms about his neck.  She rested her head on his shoulder and asked,<strong>"Why did you feel the need to tell me that which I already knew?"</strong><br/><br/>Tehr sighed, this would not be easy to bring up, but he must,<strong>"You said that the Quil'lae family has only insinuated that you are looking for a human husband, someone to give you a half human child, so that you might rule without an elven king to lord over you, yes?"</strong>Rosalyn nodded her head without lifting it from Tehr's shoulder, and instead pressed her forehead into his neck after nodding.<strong> "So do your people consider half elves to be a stain, a disgrace of some sort?"</strong><br/><br/><strong>"Mmmm no, not my people exactly.  There are some who see it that way, and the Quil'lae family would seem to.  But as a general rule among all elves, no.  It is also that I stand to inherit my house's legacy, and would make a fine bride for several elven noblemen.  A joining of families between several of them and family Caleor would create a powerful force in elven politics.  But were I married to a member of house Quil'lae, or one of their allies, then Caleor would be much more manageable for them.  Why do you ask?"</strong><br/><br/><strong>"Well I had a thought, a germ of an idea, a start of a plan, but I hesitate to bring it up for I would not harm you emotionally even one iota."</strong><br/><br/>She raised her head slightly and kissed his neck,<strong>"Speak your plan, I will not judge you, even if I dislike your idea."</strong><br/><br/>Tehr nodded and took a deep breath,<strong>"If the Quil'lae family wounds you with mention of a human husband or child, what would happen to their pride and their station were Adrienne to find herself heavy with a half human child of her own?"</strong><br/><br/>Rosalyn gasped and pulled away from Tehr in shock.  But to Tehr's immense releif there was a rather delicious wicked smile on her face,<strong> "You're suggesting that you put your seed into her!"</strong><br/><br/>Tehr felt the need to defend himself,<strong>"I said it was just the start of an idea, I didn't mean to offend you wi.."</strong><br/><br/><strong>"You didn't Tehr, you didn't.  In fact it is a fantastic idea.  A slow burning one for certain, as the effects would likely not take place for a few months at the earliest.  But while some elves,"</strong>she blushed and looked down, avoiding his gaze,<strong>"Would be honored to carry your child, to be bound to you.  Adrienne and her family certainly would not see it the same way.  It would instantly discredit them as they've often disdained the mixing of elven and other races bloodlines.  They would lose the ability to criticise me, or any elf, who dealt with humans on any level.  More they would seem quite the hypocrite in court, and such a slight would take many years to clear.  It would not affect them greatly, but it certainly would knock them down a few pegs, and for quite a while."</strong><br/><br/>Tehr turned her face back towards his, kissed her lips gently and asked,<strong>"But would you be ok with such a thing?"</strong><br/><br/><strong>"I...I would need to think on it.  I fear that if she had a carnal relationship with you, that she might try to manipulate you, or use you.  As I said it would take several months before she became aware of any pregnancy.  Besides, Elven women are only fertile a few times a year, how could you know that..... um... your plan...."</strong><br/><br/>Tehr grinned,<strong>"You forget, we have just added a priestess of Vesta to our home.  I would be amazed and shocked if she did not know spells of fertility.  It would be a simple matter to infuse a bottle of wine..."</strong>Tehr trailed off.<br/><br/>Rosalyn bit her lower lip,<strong>"She did show interest in you, I'm sure with your charm..."</strong>She disintangled herself from Tehr's lap and stood, "I must think on this for a little bit, but I admit it is not a terrible plan.  I simply worry about what she might do if she thinks she has her hooks in you.  I shall mull it over and speak with you about this soon, maybe when we can be alone together for a while?"  She smiled and moved towards the door.  Then stopping just inside the doorway she turned and added,<strong> "Also, I will admit a fair bit of jealousy over the plan.  I shall have to see if I can overcome that."</strong><br/><br/>Then she was gone, leaving Tehr alone in the living room to ponder all that had happened.  Jealousy?  Over carrying his child or simply having carnal relations with him?  What did Rosalyn mean?  She spoke of love, elven love, as if she felt the same, but never said it.  Tehr punched the couch cushion next to him, gods above and below she was so frustrating.  Was this what love was?  Frustration and the feeling that you never wanted that person to stop frustrating you?  He sighed, collected himself, allowed his semi erect cock to flag as he slowed his breathing and then gathered his staff, eager to see how Alex, Christina, and Carolyn were getting along.  They had to be in the middle of their tour by now, unless they'd made an extended stop in the bedroom.