Sorry for the wait, personal issues kept me from writing for a bit. I feel a little bit out of practice, and maybe it shows. Constructive reviews, thoughts, ideas, and everything else are always welcome! They warm my soul.

Disclaimer: I don't claim to have any rights or ownership of the Enchanted Forest or its respective characters. I receive no profit, as this is just for fun. I will, however, take credit for original characters that I throw into the mix.

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Chapter Two: In which a proposal is thwarted, intentions revealed, and worry sets in.

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"The other thing I wanted to—need to," he corrected himself as he spoke, "ask, is something I've been meaning to for quite some time…"

Shiara remained quiet, and lifted her hand up to his cheek in encouragement. Daystar found her eyes and smiled, "Shiara…"

Shiara was holding her breath, not even aware that she was doing so until Daystar continued.

"Drat!" Daystar exclaimed suddenly, dropping his connection with her eyes as he suddenly stood up.

Shiara let out an audible sigh and felt her heart sink. Berating herself silently for being so hopeful, she quickly looked up to her lover's form.

"What is it?" She asked with an annoyed curiosity.

"I'm being called upon," he answered hastily, frustrated that he had been interrupted mentally while he was in the middle of something extremely important.

"How do you know that?" Shiara asked, not having heard anyone at the door.

"This silly thread here," Daystar said as he pointed to an invisible chord a few feet above his head. "It's vibrating loudly, and it's red."

Shiara looked up to where he was pointing, but couldn't see or hear anything. She never did understand what classified as his magic; Daystar and his father went on about it as if it were commonplace, though. She knew that Daystar was an even-tempered person, and that it really took a lot to upset him due to his annoying level of patience. And so when she saw him fold his arms over his chest in mild anger, she smirked and stood up.

"Hush now, darling," Shiara said gently, and took his hands within her own. "The sooner you go, the sooner you can return."

"Mm, you're right," he said quietly as he squeezed her hands in response. Daystar's expression quickly changed to happiness, a grin gracing his lips as he looked at her.

"And don't you forget it," she said playfully, leaning up to give him a quick kiss.

"I won't be long,"

Shiara smirked and let go of his hands to let her arms fold across her chest, "You're still here?" She replied, raising an eyebrow in jest.

Daystar couldn't help but to laugh, and with a quick twitch of his fingers he was gone.

Rolling her eyes fondly, Shiara walked over to the balcony for some fresh air. She pulled back the large drapes and stepped onto the stone terrace, "He seemed so nervous, before…" Shiara spoke quietly to herself, leaning against the parapet along the balcony's edge. Looking out casually to the grounds below, she spotted what looked to be a carriage by the main doors. Squinting against the sunlight to get a better glimpse, she tried to no avail to make out better detail. She gave up after a few minutes, and decided to enjoy the sun while she could.

"Shiara?" She heard from inside, and she turned around to lean against the stone wall.

"Out here!" Shiara called and watched as Daystar came out to talk to her. "Back so soon?"

Daystar smiled and walked up her, setting his arms lightly around her waist. "Not so fortunate. It seems my parents want to speak to the both of us."

Wrapping her arms around his neck, she turned her head to glance to the main doors. "Does it have something to do with her guests here?"

"Hm?" He followed her gaze and squinted for a slight moment, and then shrugged nonchalantly. "I suppose so. Curious?"

"Very much so."

Daystar leaned down and captured her lips in a gentle kiss. "Ready?"

Shiara smiled, "Let's just get this over with."

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Their surroundings disappeared quickly, and the not so familiar room of Mendanbar's study filled their vision. Cimorene and Mendanbar looked up to the two, their faces showing obvious displeasure with something.

"It seems we have a … minor problem-" Mendanbar started, getting right to the point.

"Dear.." Cimorene interrupted softly, and her husband corrected himself.

"-Major problem." He said gently, and ran his hand through his hair in frustration.

Shiara glanced over to Daystar questionably, and he gave a confused shrug in return.

"What is it?" Daystar asked, not understanding what was going on. Cimorene and Mendanbar looked away from their son, neither of them not sure of how to tell him the news.

"Oh come on! No need to drag it out! You there!" The wooden gargoyle spoke up impatiently, pointing at Daystar with a pointed claw.

All four of them lifted their heads toward the gargoyle, and Daystar pointed to himself in confusion.

"Yes, you! You're getting hitched!" The gargoyle yelled impatiently from his corner, and the royal couple held their hands to their forehead at his bluntness. It did nothing to help their headaches.

"What?!" Daystar and Shiara said simultaneously, and immediately looked to Mendanbar and Cimorene to explain.

"Er- well, it seems that my great grandfather made this agreement with this kingdom a long time ago to prevent war." Mendanbar said quickly, and looked at his son apologetically.

"And it was documented and sealed officially, but it was forgotten quite quickly after that, when a new heir took over the other kingdom's throne." Cimorene said, continuing where her husband took off.

"The treaty stated that the two kingdoms would join together by marriage when the next possible alignment could be made. It skipped several generations, due to the fact that no one remembered the agreement, and there were never two individuals of the appropriate age and royal blood available at the same time before." Mendanbar shrugged, picking up a scroll off of the desk. He handed it to Daystar, wanting to offer proof of what they were telling him.

"It also says that if either party refuses to consent in such an alliance, the refusing kingdom must surrender all power to the monarchs of the kingdom willing to go through the ceremony." Cimorene continued gently, "We tried to talk with the future queen's ambassador, but they are quite determined on the matter Daystar."

"I'm sorry son, but it looks like you're getting married."

Shiara was the first to respond, thinking the matter completely absurd.

"This is ridiculous! Is that even considered a logical treaty? How long can an official document-" While she was debating the legal tendencies of the treaty with his parents, Daystar looked down at the scroll in slight disbelief. He was getting married. And to the wrong girl, he thought wistfully. Unrolling the parchment paper carefully, he began to read through the contract. Everyone was so engaged in what they were doing that the firm knock on the door hadn't been heard, and no one looked up to see Willin and the company he had brought in behind him.

"Uh.. if you'll just excuse me…" The small steward said to their guests, and ran over to the desk to try to get Mendanbar's attention.

Daystar hadn't noticed the intrusion, and continued to read until a foreign arm began to wrap itself around his. He looked up from the scroll and came face-to-face with a beautiful blonde haired blue-eyed princess.

"Gah!" Daystar exclaimed in surprise, and recoiled in horror a few feet away.

The Prince's outburst caused everyone to stop what they were doing and turn to him in silence. Willin took the opportunity to hurry back to the main attention of the room.

"Your Majesties, if I may; announcing the Ambassador Mabel of the Kingdom Relic, Princess Sylvia of Kingdom Relic, and the great hero Derek of Kingdom Relic." All curtseyed and bowed accordingly when they were properly announced, and it was enough formality to make Mendanbar sick.

Daystar's subconscious etiquette training kicked in, and he plastered on a great smile. "It's a pleasure," He bowed politely and reached for the princess' hand when she extended it. "Forgive my reaction from before, contact from someone so lovely startled me," He inwardly groaned when she giggled and wished she would take back her hand, but she didn't. He kissed it quickly and stepped back as fast as he could without it looking suspicious. "I am Prince Daystar, and this is my companion Shiara. I'm sure introductions with my parents have already been taken care of."

Shiara's arms were folded angrily across her chest, and she glared at the transaction. She knew it was just a Daystar complex, and he couldn't help being polite. But damned if she had to; she twitched when she heard the harpy giggle. Looking over this new princess she realized how quickly she was like the rest. Beautiful, elegantly dressed, slender and fair. And way too close to Daystar for her liking, in fact, she didn't like this Sylvia at all.

Mabel smiled at Daystar's astute sense of conversation, and looked over to Cimorene and Mendanbar. "Forgive our interruption Your Majesties; we were just about to propose that matters be further discussed tomorrow. We are rather weary from our journey, and would love the opportunity to rest."

"Of course. Willin, could you lead our guests to their rooms?" Cimorene asked nicely, grasping Mendanbar's hand as they began to file out of the study.

Before Sylvia left, she turned quickly and blew a kiss to Daystar, who blanched at the unexpected action. Mendanbar and Cimorene wrapped up the small procession, with Daystar and Shiara left still in the study.

Cimorene turned to Daystar and Shiara in sympathy before she left. "Rest up you two, we'll try to think of something tomorrow."

Daystar nodded and watched as the door closed. Shiara walked over to stand beside him, and he turned to face her. Aware that the gargoyle was still there, they both held back what they wanted to say until Daystar altered their surroundings.

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Materializing back to Daystar's room was both comforting and stressful to the both of them.

"Daystar! You're engaged!" Shiara began, stepping back to begin walking back and forth across the room. "To that- to that- argh!" The tips of her hair began to spark out of anger, and she began to pace a little quicker. "Can you believe the sheer audacity she had to walk right up to you like that?"

Daystar moved quickly to intercept her; he stopped her pacing by holding her in a snug embrace.

"I know, love." Daystar said gently, and felt Shiara sigh against him. She relaxed against him for a moment, not knowing how else to feel. "We'll figure something out," He continued calmly as he held her close. Everything felt so surreal; he hadn't expected this at all. They stayed like that for a moment before Shiara pushed him away from her.

"You kissed her!" She said indignantly, suddenly remembering what happened.

"I had to!"

"You didn't have to compliment her as well!"

"I had to say something to make her forget about the fact that I jumped in fright due to her face!" Daystar said seriously in defense, and watched as his lovers face change from anger to laughter. Shiara couldn't help it, and she sat down upon the edge of the bed.

"She scared you, huh?"

"I was reading! I don't pay attention when I'm reading!" Daystar said truthfully, moving to join her on the bed. He kissed her cheek gently, and layed down to try and relax. Shiara calmly looked down to him, and decided to lie down as well. Resting her head on his shoulder, she pondered something quietly as she felt Daystar's arm wrap around her.

She lifted a hand and looked at it in silent thought. Daystar jumped when he saw it catch fire. He didn't know she could engulf her hand in visible flames; she must really be angry. Her silent state of anger was rather eerie, and Daystar was grateful it was not directed at him. She had full control of her powers now; as if she wasn't dangerous before…

"Jealous?" He asked in good humor, turning his head to kiss her forehead gently.

"No." Shiara said seriously, although they both knew she was lying. They both watched the fire she created until she snapped her fingers, causing the flame she had to disappear. "She blows you a kiss like that one more time though and I'm melting her face off."

"Shiara!"