 Tristan tiptoed his way along the corridor dragging the unmistakable smell of horse and fresh hay with him. His hair, which was in its now-usual tousled state, was scattered with dried grass. He was too excited to care. Pressing himself against the wall he peered around the corner to check for the night watchman. The coast was clear. The prince continued along the corridor, listening intently for the sound of approaching footsteps. It was even more important than usual that he not get caught; he would kick himself if he missed it. He stuck to the carpet that ran down the middle of the corridor as it muffled the sound of his boots, but it came with the added disadvantage of having to stay exposed. The light from the lanterns cast their strongest glow across the runner and if anyone were to appear they would spot the prince instantly. As Tristan approached a stairwell he heard the sound of raised voices and threw himself back against the wall. His feet hit the floorboards with an echoing sound which was loud enough to make him wince.
"Did you hear something?" he heard a voice enquire from the staircase. A silence followed as both guards strained to listen. It was a relief when they decided it had been nothing, but it was also time for a change of plan.
He tucked his boots under his arms as he moved through the shadows at the side of the corridor in socks and finally rounded the corner onto the corridor which played host to Alethea's room. Tristan hurried over to her door and knocked softly on the wood.
"Thea," he hissed into the darkness before knocking again, as loud as he dared. "Alethea! Open the door, it's me. Its Tristan." The prince waited but received nothing back but silence. Feeling a little exasperated he tried again, first with a knock and then a louder call. "Come on, Thea -you've got to come, I've got something to show you." Still nothing. Was she ignoring him? Tristan's stomach gave an uncomfortable squirm. It had been naive of him to imagine that his meeting with Megan in the orchard would stay a secret. Apparently Megan had been unable to stay silent for more than a couple of days. He was annoyed with her for it; so little of his life was private and it had been a secret so easily kept. Growing up was hard enough without everyone in the castle knowing every little thing you did.
In his frustration Tristan knocked on the door again a little too loudly. He froze, listening again for any signs of movement. When he was satisfied he made one final attempt. "Please, Thea! I promise you'll love it but if we don't go soon we'll miss it."
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