#alecane

"Cmon! You said you'd teach me to dance!"

"I'm not in the mood, pup."

"Oh, what's upset the Princess today? Did Daddy not get you the pony you wanted?"

She shot him a look, and the smile faded. "Oh, shit, it's true, isn't it?"

"I... don't want to discuss it."

"Yeah, fair enough." He sat next to her, looking out over the village as the sun set, the lights glowing warm in the cool air. They sat in companionable silence for a while, Thane carving into a piece of wood. "Y'know, Fen's the only dad I've ever known. There's a saying that... Uh... You can pick your friends, but not your family or something. Well it-"

"I said I don't wish to discuss it."

"You aren't! You're sitting there and listening and I'm making a beautiful and moving speech, so shut up."

"Excuse me?"

"Oh shit, sorry, uh, prithee, milady, would it please thee to shut up?" She laughed, and he grinned. "Anyway, I reckon it's bullshit. Blood doesn't mean anything. I know you're with those purebloods, all Muggle-hating and stuff, but speaking from experience, pure blood, or impure, it all spills just as easy. Just cus some dickhead happens to share your blood don't mean he has any kinda claim over you."

"He does have claim-"

"And what's he gonna do? If you decide to tell him to bugger off, what could he actually do? Evan could protect you, we could protect you."

She smiled, faintly. "Very gallant of you, Thane. But it's too late for me."

"It's never too late, Princess. You've got most of your life ahead of you. Are you gonna live it the way your dad wants you to, or the way you want you to?"

They held each other's gaze, for a moment, and then he smiled, springing to his feet, landing silently like a cat, and held his hand out. "Now, dance with me."