I own nothing but I hope you enjoy it anyways.

Princess Alana had despaired of her beloved brother ever finding a mate. Not that he lacked any admirers, but none of the Elvin maidens were good enough for him. Izzard was a warrior, strong and independent and the girls all swooned at the sight of their prince, hoping he would be their prince charming. No doubt there was even a few who hoped they could marry him and convince him to challenge her for the right to the crown.

As the firstborn and son of the king it should by all rights go to him, but Izzard had never wanted the crown. He had sworn that it would have a fitting queen and that queen would be her. He had sworn to protect and love her, and in times of need he would be her adviser. But he would always be her protector and brother, and then came the faithful meeting in the woods with the mischievous little high elf and for the first time in her long memory she saw her brother care for someone who wasn't family.

Yet it was in this moment as she watched her brother gently lift the pot from the girls head and unwind the blanket that she knew beyond any doubt that there was finally someone worthy of him. This slip of a girl had sought to make her brother smile, not with the crown in mind or to gain favor, but simply because she thought him too brooding and thought he needed to smile more.

Being drawn into the game had been incredibly fun and it wasn't until Audry let out a jaw splitting yawn that her brother called the night to a close and gently lifted the small frame into his arms and she watched the slight smile cross his lips as he carried her to her own quarters.

"She is good for him is she not?" The soothing voice of her father stated, startling her. She turned to face him and gave a slight bow. "I am sorry to say I have not seen him smile since your mother died when you were but a babe. I know you do not remember her but your brother thought the world of her. I feared after her death he would never again find any peace. It is why I accepted his decision to step down as my heir and why I allowed him to be your protector. I hoped he would manage some peace."

"I am sorry Atar." Alana stated, turning her face from him only for him to gently grasp her chin and force her eyes to meet his.

"You have no reason to be my beloved daughter. Your mother wanted you more than anything in the world. She and Izzard both knew that her chances of surviving were minimal. That she lasted long enough to name you and to see her beloved son pledge to be your protector showed her strength. Neither I nor Izzard have ever placed her death at your feet. It is not your burden to bare." The king stated his eyes filled with love.

"Do you think the young elf will heal his heart Atar?" She questioned.

"I think she will make him a fine wife, she does not seek the crown nor anything but his happiness." He stated and Alana's eyes went wide as she stared into his knowing gaze.

"I am not blinded Alana. I know well that some of his suitors seek only the crown. I had worried at first when the child was brought in that she would be just another pretty face and behind her smiles would be nothing but greed."

"Then why order him to protect her? Why allow her to live here? What changed?" Alana questioned. It was not that she didn't like Audry, on the contrary Audry was a hope to a prayer she had feared would never be answered.

"Izzard would have protected her even if I had not asked it of him and if I had banished her from the castle I fear he would have followed after her. Here I knew where she was and could keep an eye out but it was when she found out he was my son that set my fears at ease." The king stated and Alana blinked owlishly. She had not yet returned when Audry had awoken and had not been present for the revelation that Izzard was a prince, and by all rights could claim the title after their father passed.

A mischievous smile lit the king's face as mirth lit his eyes and he opened his mouth to explain what had happened:

"A prince? You're telling me silent and brooding mister I-can't-smile-to-save-my-life is your son and a prince and you order him to protect me? Miss I-can't-stay-out-of-trouble-for-more-than-five-minutes. Daughter of the infamous Prongs and heir of the Marauder legacy? No offence but are you insane? Scratch that you have to be crazy." Audry stated with a roll of her eyes before turning to look at Izzard who stood ram rod straight.

"I hope you know title or no title I will prank you if you even think about trying to make me call you my prince or some other dingbat title. And if you think for a moment that it gives you leverage over me than allow me to remind you that I've lived with King Arthur and his advisor Merlin for the last few years and I have never bowed to ether of them and have taken great amounts of pleasure in pranking the idiot queen. I don't bow to anyone, king queen prince or princess. You could be the gardener for all I care." She stated before turning back to the king with a sigh.

"Your nuts, I hope you know that. I really am a trouble magnet ask Arthur Ask anyone. If you expect to have a son I suggest placing someone else as my protector if you insist I must have one. Not that I would think you anymore sane if you did." She stated and Izzards eyes darkened at the suggestion of someone else protecting the little elf. He barely suppressed a growl.

"If you truly are as prone to trouble as you assume than you would need my best to protect you, and the best happens to be Izzard child. I do not see why you are doubting his capabilities." The king stated barely hiding his amusement at the girl's cheek.

"I'm not doubting that he could handle himself. I'm doubting that he could survive the crazy things that happen around and too me. Do you know why I'm able to take being an elf, after thinking I was human all my life, so well? Because oddly enough this is in t the weirdest thing to of ever happened to me. Not even close." Again she sighed before turning to Izzard.

"Did you agree to this madness?" She asked and Izzard gave a tight nod. Do you still agree to this madness? I won't have you playing babysitter if you don't want to." She stated and again he nodded. "Fine, but it's your funeral. Don't say I didn't warn you. Stupid prince." She stated before stalking off mumbling about idiots she would have to save because they thought they could protect her from the craziness that was her life:

"She insulted Izzard?" Alana asked with wide eyes, a laugh leaving her lips.

"Oh yes, it was then that I knew she would not chase the crown. I truly believe she could care less if he were a prince or a peasant."

"I am surprised, I mean I know she doesn't care about titles or anything but to insinuate that Izzard could not protect her while he was standing there and to you, his lord and father is rather amusing to think about.

"I agree, but that is not the issue at hand daughter." The king stated with a frown. I am aware that Izzard is not the most outspoken of men, he prefers to brood where Audry is very friendly and mischievous I fear that if he does not do something about his growing attachment to her then our little elf will find another and then your brother may be broken beyond repair."

"You wish to set them up? To force Izzard to come to terms with his heart?" Alana asked with a mischievous smile.

"Indeed, a winter wedding would be beautiful." The king stated with a slight smirk across his lips.

"The only way to get my dear brother to come to his since about our little elf is to make him jealous, I have no doubt he would not take kindly to other men wanting her." Alana stated and the king nodded his head.

"Indeed, I propose we get some of our Kallo's to pursue her, with the knowledge that she is not to know they are trying to make Izzard jealous, I have no wish to be the target of her ire."

"Neither do I Atar." Alana stated as she nodded her head in agreement and left to make plans. She would see her brother happy and mated by the years end. She would not fail in this task.