"Why are they lions?"
Alfor turned to his wife, surprised, before chuckling softly. Before them sat five hulking structures designed not only to protect Altea, but all free worlds. The newly constructed behemoths would be legendary. Altea had never seen their like. No king before had possessed the daring and imagination for such a project. A project which had been a decathebe in the making! And her reaction was—
"I just don't understand why they're lions," she said, smiling impishly. Alfor snorted, and looked so shocked at the odd sound, she felt herself beaming radiantly at her ridiculous husband. Alfor cleared his throat, sobering. The royal guards were watching after all.
"Well you see My Love, lions have been symbols of leadership and strength for over twelve eonethbe. They will inspire hope and command respect all throughout—"
He cut himself off. She had dropped her chin and was giving him that look.
"What?" His voice had squeaked and he was crossing his arms defensively. Alfor really wished he sounded less like a child right now, but he was proud of his lions!
The Queen's expression softened. "You just thought they'd look cool, didn't you."
His cheeks flushed. "No 'Miri, it's symbolic."
There was the knowing look again. Quiznak, his cheeks were bright red. How did she know him so well?
"Lions are cool," he mumbled. 'Miri grinned and pressed a soft kiss to his crimson cheek.
Turning back to the metallic creatures she frowned, her brows furrowing.
"They do not seem as though they could protect much as they are, Alfor."
The king nodded, white hair falling into his eyes, which he tried fervently to blow away. She brushed it behind a pointed ear with a gentle hand. Both pairs of youthful eyes crinkled as they smiled. Alfor took the hand that still rested near his ear, and kissed it, before letting it fall and facing the lions once more.
"Four of the lions do not yet possess quintessence. Choosing worthy spirits has been…challenging."
His wife nodded. "I feel life from the Green Lion. Who's spirit have you chosen?"
"Cnathus'."
'Miri whirled on him. "Cnathus?! The hippy!"
Alfor's eyes widened and he stuttered as he defended his choice.
"C-Cnathus was one of my father's most trusted advisors. He was a genius of strategy and innovation. He was a good friend of my family. His loyalty and genius will never waver in defense of the universe."
Alfor stuck his chin up proudly. He'd stopped stuttering and he was very proud of that fact.
'Miri looked at him like he was insane. "Cnathus was a cracked old nutter!"
"He made healing pods sixty-two percent more efficient!" Quiznak. He sounded like a pouting child again. "He was working on the lions themselves before he died!"
"He stopped working on the lions for over a year in order to focus his attention of the Save the Weblum foundation!"
Alfor shrank in on himself a little. "Nature's important too," he murmured.
'Miri crossed her arms. "Uh-huh. Is that why the Green Lion is rolling in the juniberry flowers?"
Alfor swiveled his head to see that the lion was indeed crushing the delicate purple flowers with all his massive weight."
"Quiznak," Alfor cursed before dashing forward, chasing the rouge lion.
'Miri laughed, running after him. She paused for breath at the edge of the the field of flowers, a hand at her stomach. She laughed breathily, watching her husband trying to reason with the large cat while avoiding his flailing paws. She tilted her head down, addressing her abdomen.
"Maybe we'll tell him about you later. When Papa's not so busy, eh?"