` ` Ctimene Chooses Faron ` `

Something about standing in front of all these people didn't scare me. I was used to the attention. Eyes, many of which were filled with ill intent lay on me, where I held ground and got ready to speak. I could read their faces. Their wishes. Their fantasies I wanted no part of. Tradition be damned, I had no decorative vase to be given to the highest bidder. I turned around, my target was my father who sat behind me. Reaching his heel, I bent my head to him, his little girl asking him one more favor, a whisper full of my plea filled hopes. With a soft nod, he stepped past me and to the front of the cleared stage.

"My daughter will be choosing her own suitor to marry. I decree it." His words were strong enough to shake a building, I thought as my shoulder went slack with relief. I had a choice.

My steps back to the front of the stage were quick in pace, more ready to get my words from where they sat in my throat. My eyes wander the crowd for Fae, wondering if he showed up. Fae was nowhere to be seen at first glance. My heart sunk but hope still held firm as I watched the crowd grow more eager to hear whom I chose to wed. I clear my throat and let my words run free over the crowded hall.

"You all have gathered here wondering who I have chosen to be my husband. All of you stand eager to know who caught my eye. Truth be told, how am I to choose from a room full of people I don't even know."

"What does that even mean! You know who I am!" A voice boomed from the front of the pack of gathered men. A man with dark locks that lay framing a strong face of a warrior.

"Yes, I know WHO you are, but I know nothing about you. You are Panagiotis the strong. A warrior and a leader." My eyes traveled to the man next to Panagiotis. "And you are Alekos the loyal and brave." I shift to a man to the left of the room. "You are Damon the fierce and true." I focus back to the crowd in the room. "But I know nothing of you apart from face and title. I am not a prize. I am not a trophy. Every man here is here for my name, my title and my money. Some are here for status, some for the riches and some for the power, but none of you have the heart, the passion and the love I seek." My eyes catch a glimpse of somethinng colorful, moving amongst the crowd. A figure that never shy away from standing out. Straw colored hair, short in stature and decorated with freckles on the bridge of Faer nose. Faron. My breath hitched, eyes locking with Faer eyes. He came after all... "none of you... but one." The men who made the room full started to search my gaze, looking at each other with a curious gaze. All of them were trying to piece a puzzle with every stare, wondering who I saw favor in. My eyes never lifted to look anywhere but at Him. Soon the crowd started to part, people catching on to where I lay my regard, creating an opening around Faron. I could see Faer clear as day now. "Faer perfect, like a fig tree grown in a land full of sandy ground that endlessly fought to stop Faer roots. Hair like sunshine, eyes like golden honey. He is kind, like no man who has ever known me before and my favor lies in faer. If he shall have me... I chose Faron." My voice hitched on Faer name. My breath overtook the sound my words carried, as if I was out of breath. Had I been holding it? I did not know, but one thing I did know was that my heart beat faster than a bird flaps its wings.

Fae stood before me, surrounded by faces I cared less to know. I only cared about one face in this room, and that was his. I felt like it was just me and faer in this moment. We were two people from a totally different world who met by chance.

It started with a fig tree. When we first met, Fae frightened me. I remember I scraped my knee, which worried faer more than it should have. One small stumble from a tree and suddenly I was face to face with someone who saw the world in a light, just as bright as the smile on faer lips. He didn't know who I was, something I was not used to, but I didn't bother giving information on my status. Something about being nobody but just a girl felt free. We sat in that tree, sharing the figs it grew on its branches, and talked for hours. I couldn't stop laughing.