Prologue. Flower

The sky was overcast but she didn't care. She was just glad to be rid of her council and away from the stuffy air of the palace. She didn't hate it, as it was her home, but it was starting to feel less like one and more like the battlegrounds that surrounded her and her family. In her hands was a book, written works all by Voltaire. To her there was nothing better than relaxing in the gardens with a book written by one of her favorite philosophers. If only her lord husband was there to enjoy it with her…

The queen sighed and put down her book. Even Voltaire couldn't replace the joys of having her beloved Zaphod with her. He'd left only a few weeks ago, after they'd heard that their troops were losing heart on the battlefield. It amazed her to no end how such a small House could inspire such fear and hate.

And to think it was all her fault…

"Your majesty" a voice she knew all too well pulled her from her thoughts.
"Yossarian…" she rose from her place on the stone bench, the book forgotten.

Her brother in law and former king bowed respectfully. Yossarian was a fairly unusual looking man. Tall and somewhat lanky looking. He was old, appeared to be much older than his brother Zaphod who was actually older. Queen Flower wondered if perhaps this terrible change was due to stress. Once his hair had been dark as a raven's wing but now shined gray like silver in a certain light. He was very neatly kept for a man of his circumstances. Once he was a proud man, and perhaps deep down he still was, but now he was nothing more than an advisor and priest to the people. He'd helped the queen on many occasions in their younger years and…it was another time Flower didn't care to reflect on.

Yossarian rose again and stood tall. He appeared normally stone faced but his eyes would say a lot. There was concern, some anger, and fear in them. Out of all the things that made this strange man stand out, his eyes seem to be the most prominent thing. They appeared to be a light blue gray color full of thoughts and secrecy. In his younger years Yossarian had been quite a handsome man, but he'd fallen so far now…

"News…from the battlefield" he said his accented voice quiet for now.
"Report" Flower commanded assertively.
"House Zappa has fallen" he almost hesitated.
"Survivors?"
"Lady Punk and Lord Houdini have both disappeared. Lola, the former Lady is dead, but her husband is missing as well. The only survivor they're aware of is the child they sent to live with House Young Ones".
"Boy or girl?"
"I believe it was a daughter".

Flower sighed. This wasn't good. One House was already obsolete. House Aztec appeared to be targeting everyone. With another House nearly gone, it only spelled bad news.

"No sons?"
"They have not seen any, of Punk's or Lola's".

Flower cursed. The situation was getting more and more desperate. One House was gone and one was on the brink of extinction in less than three months. Maybelline, self proclaimed Lady of House Aztec, was literally on the war path and nothing appeared to be stopping her.

"And…Zaphod?"
"Alive and well I believe. We've lost some banner men and soldiers but not too many. We've suffered heavier losses but the Aztecs remain firm in their cause…and you know exactly what that cause is".
"Watch your tongue, Yossarian. I know exactly what she wants and she's not getting it".
"Why not?! She has a claim, a legitimate one".
"She is a bastard child. I love her like my other children, but they can in the very least claim legitimacy".
"And so could she if you just legitimize her again! She doesn't have to take what's yours but she doesn't deserve to be called a bastard either. My queen I beseech you. Two Houses, two families, one of which was an ancestral family to the rest of us, are gone because of this foolish decision. Legitimize the girl, give her what she wants and no more blood will flow".
"She was not conceived in love. You and I both know that".
"I understand that you did not love her father, that's fine. But the least you can do is make sure that she has something to show for her royal blood".
"She did. My husband raised her as his own and gave her all the privilege that we could give her. But as my marriage to her father was annulled I cannot let her take what rightfully belongs to my oldest, non-married daughter. It's both rightful and tradition".

She kept a sharp eye on this strange man. Yossarian was a bastard from the House Lazuli, one of Flower's former enemies, and he wasn't one to be entirely trusted. The man was smart, far more battle inclined than his political younger brother, and he'd helped her win many battles. Flower knew that treachery was beyond Yossarian, but at times, the man's actions were indeed questionable.

"Are there no other Houses we can turn to?" Flower asked.
"Just the House Commandos at this point unfortunately".

The idea of talking with the members of this somewhat warmongering house was a bit of a touchy subject for the queen. There was bad blood between her husband Zaphod and the Lord of House Commando, known now only as Hannibal, and his wife Nikita was known for being hostile. Flower wouldn't have it. She shook her head at the thought. If anything, the Commandos were just as vicious as House Aztecs and the queen hadn't made it this far by taking silly chances.

"What of House Young Ones?" she asked.
"They might be willing to compromise, but you have to remember, their Lord Regent is the older brother of Hannibal".
"And you act as though that matters to me".
"It should".
"Douglas and I have had many meetings in the past. Hannibal should know by now that his brother is a representative of his house and others he feels need or deserve it. Douglas is a diplomat and Hannibal simply has to accept that. And what of their lady?"
"Lady Elysa-"
"I thought her name was Mary Ellen?"
"She goes by Elysa, her middle name, now, since Morgause's passing. From what I've heard from Douglas she'd be willing to compromise as long as it protects her family. But they also have the Zappa girl…"
"Another compromising tool. She was probably sent there in hopes of marrying Douglas".
"He's much too old for her".
"Punk and Houdini have always been ambitious".
"Of course they have. It's in their blood".
"Any more news?"
"When Zaphod sends more word I will surely let you know. I take it you wish for me to send a note to the Young Ones?"
"As soon as you can…please".

Yossarian bowed and left the queen to her own devices. Flower watched as he left, trying her best not to show fear for her beloved husband. She couldn't show fear, not now while everything seemed to be falling all around her. In the face of adversity, as Queen and Lady of House Whiskers, Flower had to be at her strongest now.

Author's note: So I'm back with something a little different. Meerkat Manor humanized everyone! Sorry if it comes off a little like Game of Thrones, I totally didn't mean for that to happen. Also some things that are in Meerkat Manor (Like everyone being related to everyone somehow or other) may be changed in this story so I can't say it stays totally true to canon. Anyway, please leave a review they're a huge help and they spur me along as I try to type this and make it good. Thanks a ton