Arden was taller than Theo with dark raven black hair, light 

blue eyes and a strong jaw line. He looked dreamy but was not 

liked as much, for his temper was deadly and he held fatal 

grudges. 

He had hated Theo since his trip to Anmara as a boy. It 

was then that he realised that Deladra was below Anmara. He 

could not bear that his father, king Aiden was bowing to someone 

else. He felt it unfair that the Lords of Anmara had the ultimate 

power. 

It was a lot later that he came to know that Anmara had 

proposed the alliance initially to end the conflicts which indeed led 

to stability in the isles, and hence the respect was well deserved. 

But he was reluctant to accept it. He was determined that it was 

one's qualities that made them worthy to be a leader and it's not 

something one just inherits. 

When he thought of Theo, he saw Anmara's future king, and this made him lose control. 

However, the one thing that Arden despised the most about Theo was that he 

had his mother. Arden's mother had passed away soon after his 

birth, and he never knew mother's love. It was the only thing in the 

world he wished for as a child. 

He missed her dearly and felt lonely, and that was the main reason behind his anger. 

He was envious that Theo had everything and a mother too. He had 

made a vow to himself that he would ignore Theo and Anmara 

henceforth, but now that they had to request Anmara's assistance, it 

made him furious. 

He tried to convince his father not to, and had got it postponed for long, 

costing the Delarian army dearly. King Aiden had no choice but to

order the general to do it without waiting for his son as it was 

inevitable. 

Though Arden's wounds were healing externally there 

was a silent storm brewing inside of him and Theo's arrival was not 

helping.

Theo and the others walked to the end of the corridors to reach 

their chambers. Pavo opened the doors to Theo's chamber.

 

'I hope it will be to your liking. Sela and Dena would be in the 

chamber right next to you. If you need anything else sire, do let one 

of the guards know. If that is all, I will take your leave for now and let 

you get some air.' Pavo bowed and turned to leave.

 

'Pavo!'

'Sire!' Pavo turned around startled.

 

'Send me the best wine in the land,' Theo ordered in a 

commanding tone.

Pavo looked at Sela and Dena. 

'Certainly sire,' he nodded and walked away.

'We have just arrived here and will be at dinner in a while, 

did you have to ask for a drink now sire?' Sela goaded.

'There is nothing to it, look at this chamber!' Theo laid back on 

the bed, 'Aaaahhh, the art up there…. was it painted by angels?' he 

caressed the sheet, 'Woven with gold! It seems like they are trying to 

impress me,' he paused. 'What are they trying to prove here,' he 

smirked as he stood up, 'What do you think Dena?' he grabbed an 

apple from the bowl and sat in a chair biting into it. 'Let me rest for a 

while. Do not dare disturb me!' he warned.

'Spare me sire, there is something of utmost urgency that you 

need to be made aware of….' Sela was interrupted.

'You always have something to say Sela. It can wait. I must lay 

down before dinner. I somehow get this feeling that it is going to be 

tiresome, and what is with Arden, he seems very …. tense!'

'But sire…'

 

'Not now Sela!' Theo got up from the chair leaving the half￾bitten apple on the table, 

'My back hurts, I need some time to myself. If you insist on staying and talking, 

maybe we should make amendments to the dinner plans,' he started undressing.

 

Sela sighed and left followed by Dena without a word. Once 

they were in their chamber Dena looked at his brother,

'You know him more than anyone else, seriously, why do 

you even try?'

 

'We have had this conversation many a time before. It is my duty, 

and I will not quit trying. He will listen someday, and I will wait for 

that day.'

 

'You are too righteous brother,' Dena embraced Sela.

 

'Dinner might actually be a long one,' he added smiling as he 

washed up

'I am afraid it will be, prince Theoden was not ready to listen, but 

I needed to say something....…to him and you brother. This burden I have been 

bearing for days now, I cannot keep it in anymore since we are here. It 

is bound to come up at dinner and I dread what will come of it….,' he 

paused washing up and gazed into the distance.

'You kept saying that I would know at the right moment, guess 

it is nary.'

'Soon enough! We will need to keep up our strengths for 

tonight,' Sela blew out air laying onto the cot.

Theo, Sela, and Dena arrived at the halls to meet the others over 

supper. 

The walls in there caught Theo's attention, they were covered 

in distinctive colour tiled patterns,

'It doesn't compare to Orelia but I must say, I am impressed by the 

attention to detail throughout. It does seem unique and ornate.'

Theo was reckless,but he always took time to notice when 

it came down to comparing the other isles to his own.

'Welcome prince Theoden, glad to see you all again. I presume 

your chamber was comfortable enough and you had some 

well-deserved rest,' king Aiden enquired.

 

Before Theo could say something, Sela replied on his behalf,

'Quite comfortable sire,' and Theo smiled.

 

'Let us have some food then,' Aiden grinned.