A Tale of Ages
Summary: Months after the downfall of the evil witch, DG along with her friends and family try to take up where life left off before the witch's evil reign. Talk of Longcoats still buzz through the kingdom and security is tightened around the princesses. And is the witch really gone? Cain/DG
Disclaimer: I do not own anything from the Tin Man series, characters or otherwise. If I did all those hints for DG/Cain would have been realized and resolved.
Prologue: Another day another policy
DG sighed and set down the last bit of paper work for the next ball as her mother was still in the north rim tending to some political issues and wouldn't be back until the next day. Azkadelia wasn't up for the paper work since not only her physical, but also her emotional scars were still healing from her possession. She was doing better thanks to Raw and some of the other viewers recently released from the dungeons. It had been close to two months since the eclipse, but it was a slow journey to recovery and self forgiveness. DG was never sure if Azkadelia was going to ask for the throne back. She doubted it, but in a way still hoped for it. If her elder sister didn't take place as queen succeeding her mother, then she would be next in line. And she wasn't up for being a queen. She was barely taking the princess thing in stride.
She placed the pen back into the ink well and pushed the papers off to the side. She looked at the chair just off to the side of the room and saw one of her best friends in the world, who just so happened to be the reinstated Queen's Advisor.
Glitch's brain was still in a glass jar outside his head, but they had recently found a new alchemist who could put it back in. The operation was scheduled for the next day and everyone could see his excitement as he walked through the halls. He had promised everyone- especially DG- that he wouldn't be any different than he was now- except that his synapses would finally be firing correctly. His mind was getting clearer since he was connected to Ambrose through Raw at least once a day and understood most of his duties if not all of them.
But for the present, he was dead to the world, his chin to his chest and a light snore forming from his mouth. He knocked out while he waited for DG to finish the paperwork.
DG grinned and shook her head at her friend, 'No wonder he didn't go with mother. He's just as worn down as the rest of us. I guess getting a whole world back in order is tiring work for the right hand man to the throne.'
"Glitch?" DG asked from the desk and then stood up going over to her friend, "Glitch, I'm done."
Glitch popped his eyes open and yawned, "Good morning."
"It's three in the afternoon, Glitch," DG reminded him and handed him the papers that she had finished, "Here."
"Is it?" he stood up and shook his head as he took the papers underarm and tapped the side of his head, "I should be getting ready for my hook up with my other half then, shouldn't I?"
"Might be a good thing," DG smiled at him.
"I should be getting ready for my hook-" he saw her sympathetic face and sighed, "I was repeating myself again, wasn't I?"
She nodded.
"I'm sorry you had to be locked up in the library doing all this paper work, DG," he apologized as he shifted the papers, "It just had to be done for the ball at the end of the week."
"It's no problem, Glitch. I have to help mother somehow. It wouldn't be good if she came home to find a stack of paper for a ball planned the day after," she sighed and got a smirk on her face as she opened the door to the library, "Besides you got me out of my princess classes today. I should be grateful."
"Now is that anyway for a princess to be talking?" a voice came from beside the door.
Both DG and Glitch turned their head to find Wyatt Cain leaning on the wall next to the doors, apparently waiting for them to come out. An ever present hand over his firearm and his hat tilted just over his eyes only confirmed that it was indeed the former Tin Man they had traveled with. Glitch smiled and almost laughed at the sight of him.
"Well, if it isn't our old friend, the Tin Man," Glitch laughed a bit more and patted Cain on the shoulder, "Back from setting things up out in the wild?"
"You could say that," he nodded and straightened himself up, "I think Jeb could take everything from there. He's been doing it for years without my help anyway."
"I guess so," Glitch nodded with the constant confused look upon his face. Then after a moment repeated, "I guess so."
"What's with the new outfit?" Cain asked with a strong pat on Glitch's back which discontinued his loop.
"Ah," Glitch looked down and after a moment of confusion turned back to him, "I was reinstated as Queen's Advisor. Just after you left, I think…"
"That's right," DG walked beside Glitch and smiled softly, "Just after you were called away. It's good to see you back."
"Princess," Cain bowed and tipped the front of his hat at DG.
"Mister Cain," DG bowed her head a little as a wider smile spread on her face.
"How come he gets to call you princess and I don't?" Glitch asked with a frown.
"Because you actually listen to me," DG frowned back, "Unlike some stubborn ex-Tin Men…"
"Right," Glitch nodded and looked down the hall where a large clock was over one of the doorways, "That's right! Connection time. I got to find Raw. I'll catch up later."
"Don't forget to drop off the paper work so I don't need to do it over!" DG called after him as he made a turn toward one of the other advisor's offices. She turned back to Cain and sighed, "Well, you want to be a gentleman and escort a princess to her quarters?"
At first he didn't respond, but soon nodded and held out an arm for her. She took it and they began to walk toward the Royal family cambers. On their way he looked at the bottom half of her assemble and had to smirk.
"I thought you said you were going to fight tooth and nail to stay out of dresses," he paused and looked at the frown on DG's face, "Or did that change in the two weeks I was gone too?"
"Let's just call it a temporary peace treaty with my mother," DG sighed and pulled at what most called a day gown. It reminded her of one of her mother's dresses that she used to wear around when DG and Azkadelia were still both children.
"It looks nice on you," he said out of no where and DG was a little surprised.
"Was that a compliment I heard coming from your mouth, Mister Cain?" she laughed with her words.
"If you take it as one."
She paused for a moment and tried to calm herself so she could catch the blush before it continued to her cheeks, "So how long you staying with us this time?"
"I don't know," he took a deep breath, "I was going to head back toward Central City to clear some things up, but a letter from your mother called me back to Finaqua. So here I am."
"And my mother no where in sight to explain her actions," DG nodded. She almost felt disappointed that he didn't come back just to be back, but because he was ordered by her mother to do so.
"I'm taking that as you don't know what she's got in store for me."
"No idea what so ever. She should be back by tomorrow afternoon at the latest," she sighed, "What kept you so long? Other than a detour to Central City…"
"Just a lot of running around, rounding up some Longcoats and the like. I guess the royal armada wanted both Cains out there, but found out they only needed one in the end."
DG nodded in somewhat understanding, "It would be nice if you stayed around for a while."
He slowed down as they neared her room. It slipped out from her mouth before she caught it and she could only smile up at him. It was the truth. She missed Wyatt Cain, ex-Tin Man and friend. She needed someone to stomp down on Glitch's optimism every once in a while. Raw was so busy helping the other viewers that he and DG barely have anytime to sit and just talk anymore. Besides she missed his sarcasm and his surprisingly comfortable presence.
He looked at her and found one of her genuine smiles on her face. She almost saw something different in his eye just then. Something that she hadn't seen from him since the day they stopped the witch and the double eclipse. Right before they went into the tower. Where he grabbed her in a hug and then stepped away. And then before she could confirm it, the something was gone and it was stone faced Cain again.
"How is Jeb?" she asked.
"He's fine," Cain nodded, apparently grateful for the change in conversation, "Laid out a plan and stuck to it. He's got a good head on his shoulders. A lot of girls looking at him recently too."
"Takes after his father," DG said and then blushed unable to stop it this time, "I mean, with the good head on his shoulders."
'What's wrong with me?' she looked toward her door not wanting to see Cain's reaction to her slip up, 'Keep it together.'
Cain stopped her and held her at arm's length. She furrowed her brows as he looked her over. He didn't say anything but just shook his head with a thought. He turned to her door and opened it for her without another word. He stood to the side waiting for her to step inside.
She stood there and looked back at him.
"What?" he still held the door for her.
"What was that about?"
He shook his head again, "You've grown since I first met you. I was just noticing was all."
She paused and then walked toward her room, "Cain?"
"Yeah, princess?"
"Do you need to rush off anywhere?" he sighed and shook his head knowing what she was really asking, "I think some catching up is in order, don't you? A princess needs to know the workings of her kingdom from the point of view of someone that's been outside the palace walls."
She smiled and tilted her head to have him follow her into her quarters. He followed and left the door open just a little like a gentleman usually does when he is in a lady's quarters alone with said lady.
Queen Lavender Eyes was early in arrival and made it back to Finaqua only an hour after sundown. The northern realms were over exaggerating on the political issues they had and they were over with quickly. Despite the quick political workings she was worried in a completely different area. Her mind was not put to ease by the rumors and threats that she had heard while abroad. Ahamo was along side her on the coach ride back to Finaqua and looked up at this wife.
"I hope you are not thinking of fretting too long, my dear," he said.
"I don't like those rumors," she shook her head, "Or those threats. They were against our daughters."
"I know," he nodded, "But we have the best men in our royal guard and we have begun to take extra steps to ensure the safety of both of our girls."
"Even extra steps fall through."
"This is not taken lightly," he shook his head, "Nothing ill will come to our daughters."
"I pray you are right," she looks out the window and looks at the palace gleaming at the side of Finaqua's shores.
The queen entered the palace and was greeted by servants and some of the advisor's that stayed behind in her absence. Glitch being at the end of the welcoming line bowed deeply for the queen as she and her husband entered.
"Ambrose," she greeted warmly.
"Your majesty," he stood straight from his bow, "I hope that the ride went well."
"Very well," she nodded and took a hold of one of his hands, "Is everything in order?"
"The ball is going according to plan and everything seems to be in working order in our surrounding realms."
"I was asking more for your operation that is coming."
"Oh, yes," he smiled wider, "The new alchemist should be here tomorrow morning."
"Excellent. Then we shall not miss your wonderful rhythm at the ball the day after," she smiled again.
"I never lost my rhythm, your majesty," he smiled to himself.
She laughed a little and started to walk toward her and her daughter's quarters still hanging on to Ahamo's offered arm, "Anyone show up while we were away?"
Glitch followed close behind her, "Only Wyatt Cain, your majesty. He came a little before dinner. I believe he is talking with Princess DG at the moment. Has been since he's arrived."
"Is that so?" she smiled a little as Glitch nodded, "Thank you Ambrose."
"I believe that we shall say good night to our daughters and then retire," Ahamo added and Glitch bowed again as he began to walk toward his own quarters down a different hall from the royal family.
Both parents looked in on their older daughter first who was already asleep, still deprived from her full energy. Lavender Eyes crept in and pulled the blankets back over her older daughter and swiped some hair from her closed eyes. Ahamo leaned over and kissed her on her forehead and they both left the room quietly.
Down the hall they heard the loud talk from DG's room and peeked in the open door to find her and Wyatt Cain on her far window seat. She was blasting him with questions about his journey and told him about what had been happening around the palace while he was away. The queen never saw Wyatt Cain smile- save but a few times. Seeing him now, it seemed like the small smirk never left his face when talking with her younger daughter.
The queen lightly tapped on the door and caught both of the occupant's attentions. DG looked straight at her mother and smiled, "You're home."
Before anything else Wyatt Cain stood and took his hat off in respect to the Queen and the King consort. DG stood up and walked quickly- she feared that she would fall from her shoes if she ran- to her parents and hugged them both, "I missed you both."
"And we missed you, my angel," she said back and combed through some of her hair with her fingers, "It is getting past the time for sleep."
"I'm guessing that's code for bedtime?" she smirked in a smart-alec kind of matter, "Don't princesses choose their bedtime?"
"Not this one, we have more things to do tomorrow," Ahamo tapped the end of her nose and kissed her forehead, "A certain princess needs to get the waltz down before next the ball, I believe. No use to make a fool of yourself twice."
DG rolled her eyes from the memory of her first ball and nodded as she hugged her mother goodnight. She turned back to Cain who was still standing silently by as he rolled his hat in his hands. She smiled, "Pick up tomorrow, Mister Cain?"
"Sounds good to me, princess," he watched her when she smirked at her nickname and then ran into her huge closet for some clothes to sleep in. He turned to her parents and bowed respectfully, "Your majesties."
"Good evening, Mister Cain," the queen nodded and he stood, "I see that you received my letter."
Cain only nodded and put his hat back on his head.
"I believe that we have some things to discuss, but they will have to wait until morning I'm afraid."
Cain again nodded in understanding.
"You can take one of the empty rooms at the end of the hall if you like," the queen mentioned and walked out of the room.
"Thank you," he bowed again as she left.
Ahamo followed her and Cain was last. He took a long glance back into DG's room and then sighed to himself as he closed the doors. He then briskly turned down the hall and toward one of the rooms with their doors open.
Ahamo leaned toward his wife with a smile, "Even extra steps fall through, do they?"
"Maybe not all," she smiled back.
