"My Queen, that was the third mob this week, why do you keep sending them away? Why not just give them what they ask?" Braig asked from his spot in the guard that stood on either side of the queen.

The queen gave a small laugh and smiled up at her commanding knight. Her kind nature was showing through at every point. Braig looked down and away from the pink haired beauty, feeling foolish for questioning the queens intentions.

"Because, Braig, I don't have what they want. They ask for knights which hold the keys, but I have not any. So I simply tell them where they are, but that they are too young to fight. Because the only knights with keys that live close enough to come to this city, are merely young boys. I couldn't bring them here at that age." The queen smiled, and looked out across the hall.

A knock came upon the grand doors and they opened. A tall man stood in the door way. He had long white hair and golden eyes. He bowed to the queen and made his way across the hall. His footsteps were echoed by softer and tinier ones. The queen turned her head to look around the man and saw two young boys.

The man, upon reaching the stair that sat before the thrown, kneeled and bowed his head.

"My queen, I have brought my sons to be trained by your knights. You see, they are the boys who hold the powers of the key. I know it is much to ask of regular knights to teach these boys of extraordinary power, but all they need to know is how to fight. The rest, in due time, they will figure out on their own." He lifted his head to look at the queen.

The queen had a small smile on her face. She brought her hand up and rested her chin on her palm. She looked peaceful, and quite happy. She stood and walked down the steps. Standing in front of the man, she held out her hand. After helping him up she walked around him to see the small boys. The younger of the two looked tired. He rubbed his eyes with the hand that didn't hold his brothers. He blinked up at the queen with bright blue orbs and smiled.

The queen giggled at the boy, he was quite adorable. The older boy just looked at the queen with sharp eyes and a protective grip on his brother's hand. The queen patted his silver haired head and kneeled to look at the boys closer.

"Could you tell me your names?" She asked.

The younger, brown haired, boy seemed a bit livelier at her question.

"I'm Sora!" He smiled excitedly.

"What a peaceful and strong name, Sora. And, your name young man?" She looked over at the older, silver haired, boy and smiled.

"Riku," He said, looking away with pink cheeks.

The queen giggled at his adorable reaction.

"Well boys, how old are you?"

"I'm 5 and Riku's 6!" Sora answered.

The queen stood and offered the boys her hand. Sora took it and dragged Riku along with him. The queen lead them up the stairs and sat them in her throne. Sora's face brightened as he sat there. Riku just smiled at his little brother's excitement.

"So, I know their names, but what is yours sir?" The queen walked back down the steps to face the white haired man.

"Ansem, Ansem the wise, but I prefer to go by DiZ." He said.

"I see. Well as you should know I don't accept any boys under the age of 10 to be I my knights. Although, since these boys are extraordinary I will allow them to stay here and study with my daughter until they are the proper age." The queen stared at DiZ, her eyes checking every inch of him.

She seemed to be looking for any sign of trickery or betrayal. As she watched him the air about her became more queenly and strong. DiZ bowed his head again and the queen's eyes no longer looked sharply at him. The air softened and it went back to her elegant sweetness.

"Thank you," DiZ said as he lifted his head.

"Braig, take the boys to the back garden. Kairi is there with her nanny. I think they might get along. Dilan, get the maids to prepare rooms for the boys and their father. I want them in the west wing. DiZ, would you mind continuing to talk in the drawing room?"

DiZ nodded as everyone went their separate ways.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

~In the Gardens~

Braig pointed out across the flowers to a little bouncing head of pink hair.

"That's our little princess, Kairi. You two go make friends with her now." He gave them a soft push on the shoulders and walked away chuckling.

Riku kept a firm grip on Sora's hand as he watched the man walk away.

"Riku, let's go play, let's go play," Sora chanted as he tugged Riku's hand towards the girl.

Riku sighed and let Sora lead him to the girl. Kairi looked up from where she was sitting, making a crown of flowers, to see the two boys coming her way. She smiled and stood. The boys approached her and she bowed.

"Hello I'm princess Kairi. It's nice to meet you," She said politely. She raised her head and Sora stuck his hand out to her.

"I'm Sora! It's nice to meet you, Kairi!" Sora gave a wide toothy grin.

Kairi blushed at him calling her by name and shook his hand sheepishly. Sora let go of Riku's hand and started to jump around the flower bed. Kairi looked up at Riku with a curious gaze. Riku turned his head away, his cheeks slightly pink from the gaze of the blue orbs.

"I'm Riku, it's nice to meet you, Princess," His words were quiet and shy.

Kairi smiled and turned towards Sora and put the crown of flowers on his head. Sora stopped mucking around and looked up, trying to see it. Kairi giggled at him as he shook his head to the side, getting a feel of the soft petal.

"What's this?" He asked pointing to the flowers on his head.

"It's a crown silly," Kairi answered, "You and Riku are my new friends, so I'm going to make you crowns so we can all be royalty."

Sora smiled and started to pick some flowers.

"The let's start making Riku's crown!"

Kairi joined Sora in picking flowers. Riku sat down and watched the two with a small smile. A little old lady came up to Riku's side and smiled at the boy. Riku bowed his head to the lady respectfully and she walked back and sat in her rocker just a few feet away and watched the children. Riku looked up at the sky, bored of watching the two string together the flowers. He closed his eyes just feeling the warm sun on his skin. A shadow covered his figure and he quickly opened his eyes.

Sora and Kairi stood in front of Riku, smiling. A petal fell on Riku's nose; he took it in his fingers and inspected it. He took his hand and touched the top of his head and felt a crown of flowers there. Riku stood, smiling, and started to tickle the two. Kairi got loose and soon they were all chasing each other.

DiZ watched from a window not far off from the garden. The queen walked up and stood beside him. She smiled as she watched the children play.

"It seems the decision to bring them here was a smart one. I don't think I've ever seen Riku smile like that, since that day." DiZ turned towards the queen with a solemn smile.

The queen set her hand upon his, which sat on the window sill, and smiled up at the man. Years to come were going to be exciting and eventful, for sure.