As the royal carriage pulled into the palace courtyard, Aldric turned to Elara with a weary sigh. "Elara, I think I need some time alone to reflect on our visit. Would you mind if I retired to my study for a while?"
Elara's eyes widened, a flicker of disappointment and anger crossing her face. "Alone? But surely you must be exhausted after such an emotional day. Wouldn't you rather rest in our chambers? I could have some wine brought up, perhaps a light meal..."
Aldric shook his head, his voice gentle but firm. "Thank you, but no. I need some solitude to gather my thoughts."
As they stepped from the carriage, Elara laid a hand on Aldric's arm. "Are you certain, Your Majesty? I worry about you when you brood alone."
"I'll be fine," Aldric assured her, patting her hand before gently disengaging himself. "I won't be long."
He strode away, a pair of guards falling into step behind him. As he neared his study, however, Aldric found himself longing for fresh air and open space. On impulse, he changed direction, heading for the palace gardens.
At the garden entrance, Aldric turned to his guards. "I'd like some time alone, if you please. Wait here."
One of the guards, a grizzled veteran named Gareth, stepped forward with a frown. "Begging your pardon, Your Majesty, but it's not safe for you to be alone, even in the gardens. Perhaps one of us could—"
"No," Aldric cut him off, his tone brooking no argument. "I appreciate your concern, Gareth, but I need solitude. I won't go far, and I'll call if I need you."
Reluctantly, the guards stood down, watching as their king disappeared into the moonlit gardens.
Aldric wandered the familiar paths, his mind swirling with memories of the orphans, of his own childhood, of the weight of the crown he now bore. Lost in thought, he almost missed the flicker of movement near the servants' quarters.
Instinctively, Aldric stepped behind the shurbs, watching as a slender figure emerged from the shadows. His heart quickened as he recognized the graceful gait, the curve of her neck...
"Xena?" he called out softly.
The figure froze, then slowly turned. Xena's eyes widened as she saw Aldric, and she dropped into a hasty curtsy. "Your Majesty! I... I didn't expect to see anyone out here at this hour."
Aldric stepped forward, a smile playing at his lips despite the oddness of the situation. "Nor did I. Where are you headed so late at night, Xena? And alone, no less?"
Xena's mind raced, searching for a plausible excuse. "I... I couldn't sleep, Your Majesty. I thought a walk might clear my head."
Aldric's brow furrowed with concern. "At this hour? It's not safe for a young woman to wander alone, even within the palace grounds."
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty," Xena murmured, her eyes downcast. "I didn't think—"
"No harm done," Aldric interrupted gently. He gestured to a nearby bench. "Since we're both here seeking solitude, perhaps we might keep each other company for a moment?"
Xena hesitated, acutely aware of the passing time. The meeting... but how could she refuse the king?
As they sat, Aldric studied Xena's face in the moonlight. There was a tension in her features, a wariness that tugged at his heart. "You seem troubled, Xena. Is everything alright?"
Xena forced a smile. "Of course, Your Majesty. I'm just... tired, I suppose."
Aldric shook his head. "Please, there's no need for such formality when we're alone. Call me Aldric." He paused, then added softly, "And I hope you know you can speak freely with me. I may be king, but I'd like to think I can also be a friend."
Xena's breath caught in her throat. She looked up, meeting Aldric's earnest gaze. For a moment, she allowed herself to imagine what it would be like to truly confide in him, to share the burden she carried.
"Your Majesty," she began hesitantly. "I... I'm not sure I know how to be free with you. There's so much..."
Aldric leaned closer, his voice low and gentle. "So much what, Xena? What is it that weighs so heavily on you?"
Xena's heart raced, but the memory of her sister, of the Shadow King's threats, held her back.
"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I can't... I shouldn't..."
Aldric reached out, his hand hovering near hers but not quite touching. "Xena, please. Whatever it is, you can trust me. I want to help, if I can."
Xena looked into his eyes, seeing the sincerity there. For a wild moment, she considered telling him everything – about her sister, about the Shadow King, about the impossible choice she faced.
But before she could speak, a distant bell tolled, marking the hour. Eleven chimes. The meeting. Xena's stomach clenched with fear and indecision.
Aldric noticed her sudden pallor. "Xena? What is it? You look so frightened and shaken."
Xena stood abruptly, her hands trembling. "I'm sorry, Your Majesty. I... I have to go. I shouldn't be here."
Aldric rose as well, confusion and concern etched on his face. "Xena, wait. Please, don't run away. Whatever's troubling you, can you at least confide in me?"
Xena shook her head, tears stinging her eyes. "You don't understand. You can't understand. I'm not who you think I am."
"Then tell me who you are," Aldric pleaded. "Help me understand."
For a long moment, they stood facing each other in the moonlit garden, the air heavy with unspoken truths. Xena's heart pounded, torn between her mission and the unexpected connection she felt with this man, the one whose life she is after.
Finally, she took a deep breath. "Your Majesty. I wish I could explain. But there are things in my past, things I've done... If you knew the truth, you'd never look at me the same way again."
Aldric stepped closer, his voice low and intense. "Try me, Xena. I've seen more of the world than you might think. Whatever it is, you can at least try by sharing it with me."
Xena's resolve wavered. She looked into Aldric's eyes, seeing the warmth and acceptance there. For a moment, she allowed herself to imagine a different life, one where she could be honest, where she could trust...
But the memory of her sister's face, of the Shadow King's threats, steeled her resolve. She took a step back, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty. I truly am. But some secrets are too dangerous to share. Even with a king."
With that, she bowed low, turned and fled into the darkness, leaving Aldric alone in the garden, his hand outstretched towards her retreating form.
As Xena disappeared from view, Aldric's arm fell to his side. He stood motionless, staring at the spot where she had been, his mind reeling with questions and conflicting emotions.
"Xena," he murmured to the empty garden, "what are you hiding? And why do I feel like my entire world has just shifted on its axis?"
The night air offered no answers, only the faint scent of roses and the lingering warmth where Xena had sat beside him. Aldric sank back onto the bench, his head in his hands, knowing that sleep would elude him tonight.