(A/N: Wow, thanks for the review! And now here's the second installment!)

Bed of Roses

Chapter One

Preparations were underway for Gavin's Eighteenth Birthday Celebration. The whole country would celebrate with the Royal Family, and the entire town of Frell was invited to a night of music, dance and food. While the Lords and Ladies ate and danced in the inner courtyard, the rest of the Kyrrians would celebrate just outside the castle and fireworks would be let loose as the clock struck midnight. The party wouldn't be until next week, but the cooks were already preparing stews and invitations were being sent out.

King Charmont, ruler of Kyrria, would be coming home tomorrow and would be greatly welcomed by his family. Ella had missed Char so much, had desperately wanted to go out with him on his journey, but her infant daughter was not yet ready for travel. Princess Eleanor, named for her mother's line, was the first daughter and youngest out of her four older brothers.

Ella sat at the table, a richly brocaded blanket covering her so she could feed her baby, and watched as her sons trooped in. Eric was five years old with curly black hair and a very jovial, angelic face. Jerrold was next and at eleven years old looked like the exact image of his namesake, Char's Father. Jerrold and Mark, who was thirteen and looked like a mix of Ella and Char, were very mischievous and on a number of occasions were found just around the corner when a poor girl screamed because of a dead mouse or bird. And Gavin, her oldest and first, with a serious set face, came in last and sat at the head of the table.

"Good morning Mother," Gavin said before eating.

Ella smiled at Gavin and watched as he merely picked at his food, as if his mind were on more important things other than nourishment.

"Do you have any plans today, Gavin?" She asked.

"I was planning on going to the aviary and check on the phoenix. It won't heal properly and the Keeper is afraid it will never can be released back into the wild." Gavin paused, "How about you, Mother?"

"I was just going to check on the preparations for your big day, that's all. And make sure Jerrold and Mark don't skip their lessons again." Ella said the last sentence in a somewhat serious tone, though her eyes shone bright with forgiveness.

"Mother, they're so boring." Jerrold moaned, holding out the last word.

"We just went to check on a fox and her pups, is all." Mark said as an excuse. "They're like rolly polly balls of red fur!"

"Well, you'll have time enough to run around, but you also must pay attention to your lessons. I'm counting on you, Eric, to keep an eye on those two." Ella winked at her youngest boy.

"Oh, Mawther, I'll do my bary best." Eric looked solemn and straightened up in his chair at the prospect at such a responsible job, it took all of Ella's strength not to laugh.

As soon as breakfast was finished, the youngest boys were marched off to their lessons and Ella handed Eleanor to the Nanny and went to the kitchens. Gavin walked away from the castle and to the Menagerie and was greeted by Simon and his son, Timothy.

"Is she still melancholy?" Gavin asked immediately as they headed towards the phoenix's cage.

"Yes, Your Highness." Simon said, fumbling with his keys. He opened the gate and Gavin walked in.

The phoenix was in the corner, her bright red and orange plumage sleek against her body, except for at her wing joint. Someone had found her in the woods, broken winged and on the verge of dying. Gavin didn't know if the beautiful bird would live out it's life to burst into flame and then revive a baby chick. He had only ever heard of a phoenix dying, and that was a second hand tale. He hoped this one would be healed.

"Have you tried to set the wing?" Gavin asked.

"Yes, Sir, we have." Timothy spoke up, "But every time we get near it makes that blood curdling scream and we can't concentrate. I don't think it wants to be healed."

Gavin walked closer to the bird, admiring the shimmer of its feathers and its slender neck and golden beak. It was sad to think that phoenixes, once thought immortal birds, also die. He had been only nine when his Grandfather died, and he didn't quite understand what it meant, not being able to have him around any more. Queen Daria moved into a chateau in the country to live out the rest of her days in peace and quiet.

Staring at the bird was a form of release for Gavin. He could loose himself in its beauty and be able to think about the complications of his life without having to suffer the anxiety he often felt. He too would soon leave behind a former life and arise out of the ashes into the next stage. He would no longer be Prince, the eldest of the Kings sons, but would be Prince Regent, and with the title would come a whole sleuth of responsibilities. First of all, he knew, would be to spend a year in Ayortha.

Ayortha, the country by the sea, a mix of hot sands and tropical forests. He had heard the country described as very exotic, the air thick with the smell of spices, and their tropical forests constantly being drenched by rains. He knew it was his duty to go, but he dreaded it, loathed it.

As Gavin's thoughts reached this extent, the phoenix slowly turned its head and looked strait into his eyes. He cooed softly to him and Gavin drew nearer. He held his hand out to the bird and gently stroke its head. The bird willingly let the Prince touch him, and without knowing, Simon and Timothy both came towards the bird and bound it's broken wing.

"That was some charming!" Timothy said as they locked the cage back up.

"How did you do it, Your Highness?" Simon asked in awe.

"I don't know," He replied honestly, "It was almost as if it willed me to stroke it."

"Take after your Mother, you do." Simon smiled.

~*~*~

"King Charmont is home!" The yell filled the castle as the servants sprang into action to make their Kings return as comfortable as possible.

Mark and Jerrold both ran away from the nursery, leaving a sputtering tutor behind and followed by the tiny Eric. Ella was already outside, holding Eleanor in her arms, and watching as the carriage pulled up to the front entry way. Ella walked quickly down the steps and towards the carriage and nearly cried as she saw Char climb out of the carriage.

"Ella!" He exclaimed, taking his wife in his arms, and stroking his daughter's cheek. "Why are you crying?" He asked, concerned.

"Oh, I don't know!" She laughed. "Do tears always have to follow a tragedy?"

"No, I suppose not," Just then the three youngest boys came running down the steps and bombarded their Father with hugs and questions.

"Did you see any ogres?."

"Did you fight a dragon?."

"Papa, did you bwing me anything?."

"Were you all good boys while I was gone?" Char placed his hands on his hips and looked down at his sons.

Mark and Jerrold exchanged glances, "Yessss." They said, crossing their fingers behind their backs.

"I was a good boy!" Eric said.

"Alright, there are presents in the carriage-" Char was no longer heard, for the three boys sprang towards the carriage, and each produced a parcel of some sort. "Where is Gavin?" He asked, turning to Ella.

"Last I heard he was down at the Menagerie," Ella shifted Eleanor in her arms. "You're back early. Did something happen?"

As they walked back towards the castle Char explained that he had met with good weather and fair road conditions, and decided to not stop for the evening, but made camp as late as they could, and continued as soon as the sun rose. He excused himself from Ella's side, and went in search of his son.

Char reached the Menagerie, but it seems he had just missed Gavin. Simon said that he went towards the old Estate and twenty minutes later Char found him sending under a candle tree.

"Father?" Gavin stood up at seeing Char come towards him.

Char looked at his son and noted the changes that had come over him. He no longer had a child's air about him, but seemed to stand taller, and looked more dignified. He looked so much like his Mother, inheriting her dark tresses and facial features. His son was no longer a child, but an adult.

"Let's go for a walk, shall we?" Char walked towards the old castle with his son by his side.

Gavin had heard the story of the castle and how Grandfather Jerrold grew up there, but when he was a boy the Royal Palace had relocated to the one they were in now. They entered the doorway and stood in the foyer.

"Did I ever tell you about the time that your Mother and I slid down this stair rail and were caught by her Father?" Char laughed at the memory.

"I think I remember you mentioning it," Gavin replied with a hint of a smile.

"Her Father looked furious at me and I was afraid I might have gotten her in a world of trouble. It was then that I knew I couldn't live without her."

Char stopped seeing Gavin look a little uncomfortable talking about his Parents love lives.

"Earlier that day we had tried to find a rumored secret passage. Instead we found the glass slippers that are now in the display case in the Great Hall." Char paused, "I'm telling you this because I want you to see that I was once young and had to face what you are now about to face. I talked with Semiedi, the King of Ayortha, and I've arranged for you to leave the night after your Eighteenth birthday to stay in his country. He is most welcome of you, and hopes one day his own son will come to us. He's had half a dozen girls, and is thankful that he now has a son which he tells me just started to walk."

Gavin took all this in, trying to tell himself that it would be a good thing to leave all he knew behind and experience this new way of life. But truth be told, he was scared.

"He has a couple daughters around your age," Char continued. "And I would not at all be angry if you returned with a young wife."

Gavin blushed and found it was hard to breath all of a sudden. "Father!"

"Of course any girl would welcome, as long as you are happy." Char amended.

"Father, that's not what I mean!"

"Then what is it?"

Gavin tried to collect his thoughts before saying, "Father, I-I have not even-That is there are pretty girls here, but-"

"What is it?"

Gavin thought about telling his Father about his recent dreams. Would he be considered insane if he said he was obsessed with a dream girl? One in which he had not actually seen, but heard her thoughts, felt her feelings, knew her pain?

"I would be happy Father to oblige your wishes, but I can make no promises."

Gavin walked off, back outside, leaving his Father looking after him.