A clear look of dawning realisation appeared upon the heart shaped face of Lady Cheldarine. Her hand rose up to cover her mouth as if to prevent the words she had just spoken, amber beaded bangles catching the light of the fire as she did so. But it was too late, the unspoken, deeply buried secret that lingered over the court of Cirith Anyr had been resurrected. Brought back to life by a careless word.

[b]"Oh... of course. You would know nothing of her. It was so long ago, before the war even. Her name was Liveuta. She died."[/b]

There was a sudden crack from one of the burning logs in the hearth that spat sparks into the air. Lady Cheldarine jumped in her seat, eyes casting around the room as if looking for someone. But they were still alone. The serving woman had not yet returned. She took a closed her eyes and took a deep breath. 

[b]"I am sorry, I should not have brought her up and you should not either. Especially not to the King. He forbade anyone of speaking her name in his presence many years ago. It is a particularly sore subject for him, when the Queen died she-"[/b]

The door swung open and instantly Lady Cheldarine switched the subject to something completely different, an inane conversation about which young women at the court she approved of and could make potential matches for her son Elethiomel, and which she had reservations about. The serving woman brought the herbal tea to the table they sat at and it was poured and served to them along with selection of sweetmeats. The serving women returned to her place sitting unobtrusively at the back of the room.

They continued to talk for some time, but never about what they had spoken of alone.