['Five Years' by David Bowie]

Sera, Gailan, and Jareth filed into the large room along with the large crowd of other weary soldiers to sit before what remained of the designated council. Since their alliance, Trystian and Skalcus leaders had bonded to form the Peace Council of Kingdoms. It was a democratic body which would convene to deliberate and debate upon the higher decisions and fates of both worlds in a manner which was beneficial to all nine of the known galactic kingdoms. Some consideration had been paid to the discovery of a possible tenth kingdom in recent years, but that notion had been placed on the back burner under the stresses of war. The trio edged through the many seats and found a place where they could sit quietly together in the back of the room. Sera sighed with exasperation as she took her seat, Gailan to her left, Jareth to her right where they had remained both physically and metaphorically for the past 112 years, 5 months, and two days. Of the five council members who remained, there were two to represent the Skalcus Kingdom where Sera and Gailan called home, and three for Jareth's Trystian Kingdom. Lieutenant Kyan, one of the three, stood and held a hand in the air to quiet the pulsing crowd. There were a few shushes and low mutterings, then the room fell silent.

"Welcome", she addressed the room with diplomatic elegance. "My brothers and sisters, we have all suffered greatly. The war has ended, but I know we will continue to mourn the fallen who have so generously sacrificed their immortality for the greater good. May we greet them all again in another kingdom not yet discovered."

Kyan's eyes traced the room briefly before continuing. "To our Skalcus companions, our hearts are heavy in your hours of grief. Queen Damaris will be celebrated throughout our history as the woman who brought peace and alliance between our races. I am optimistic that our new bond will be cherished and affectionately maintained throughout eternity."

Sera and Jareth shared a quick glance as Kyan spoke. "It is difficult to move forward. I know you are weary and sorrowful, but the war has finally ended, and now we must unite to determine the fate of the Ninth Kingdom. With the Algorn's defeated, I have met with the elder of the Lucraine Clan of goblins and we have come to a mutual agreement. Colonization of the kingdom and destruction of its ancient cultures will be resisted, possibly even violently if necessary, and opposition to another war was a point of agreement between us both. Instead, the Lucraine Clan has agreed to adopt a matriarchal dominion. They ask that we cast our nominations for their new ruler. If said ruler is unsuccessful at gaining the support of the collective clans, they will be overturned and a new ruler shall be negotiated. Much like our own democracy."

The room erupted into incoherent rumbles. The trio of companions at the back of the room looked to one another with nervous shifts in their seats. Kyan held her hand in the air and raised her voice with regal patience. "Our continued presence within the Ninth Kingdom will not only provide protection for the peaceful clans who reside there, but it will also ensure security for the well-being of our own kingdoms. Destabilization of the lands from the Algorn Clan influence nearly destroyed their world, and subsequently would have impacted every known galactic kingdom. This is why we fought. This is why our brothers and sisters perished, why your queen was assassinated. This is what we must prevent in the future."

Sera sighed and leaned onto her knees with her elbows, feeling Jareth's supportive pat upon her shoulder as she rubbed her gritty tired eyes with her knuckles. They were all exhausted, but not once had her companions ever left her side or questioned her guidance. Some days, she felt they knew her better than she knew herself.

"So without further ado, I will cast my nomination for the seat of Queen of the Ninth Kingdom and all of its inhabitants." There was a light pause before Kyan raised her voice across the room, "Jareth." Sera's heart stopped. There was murmuring throughout the room again. "Where is your Skalcus Commander? Where is Seraphina?" Sera's eyes widened and she covered her mouth with both hands as she stared blankly at the floor, motionless. The hand on her shoulder gripped her gently, pulling her slowly up into sitting. "Ah, there you are, Commander." Five hundred and twenty heads were turned to face her where she sat in bewilderment. "I cannot think of a more qualified and compassionate ruler for the goblin clans than you, Seraphina. You lead us to victory and saved us from another hundred years of needless death and destruction. The clans respect and trust you as do I. I nominate you for queen."

Sera swallowed down a bolus of sickness rising in her throat but was otherwise paralyzed against providing any kind of response. Jareth's hand still rested upon her shoulder, the weight of it providing some sense of comfort. An eternal silence seemed to enchant the room. Sera's heart beat so wildly in her chest, she was certain everyone could hear it.

"I second the nomination", one of the Skalcus council members rose from their seats with a respectful bow.

"I third", added a Trystian.

The effect ignited a brushfire of supportive responses and applause from the audience. It appeared all in the room were in favor of the notion at hand. Gailan and Jareth were the only two who still sat in silence at Sera's side. She glanced to her right where Jareth challenged the floor with a solemn gaze. To her left, Gailan maintained her stoic outward appearance, but after 112 years, Sera could sense her inner turmoil. Without speaking, each of them seemed to know what the other was thinking. The deafening cacophony began to die down around them at the request of the council leader, and everyone returned to their seats.

"Sera", Kyan's voice was soft and pleading. "I know what I ask and what it means for you, but our nations need you. We need your selfless diplomacy and nurturing guidance. None other than you is equip for this task. Do you accept?"

Sera spared one last glace to her right. Her dearest friend, her guardian and private council had not removed his eyes from the floor. It was not in his right to speak on this matter, and she knew it, but she desperately wished he would. As if by some telepathic communication, Jareth seemed to hear her screaming at him.

What should I do? Jareth, what should I do? What about…us?

His eyes lifted to hers. While there had never been romantic tendencies between the pair to even suggest they might have shared something more intimate after the war, there was no denying that a century of companionship had forged a bond much more profound than anyone in the room or on the council could ever comprehend. If she accepted, she would lose him. Him and Gailan. And they all knew it.

"Do it", he whispered with a forced grin of approval.

"Sera?" Kyan pressed.

Sera swallowed again and took a deep breath, rising slowly from her seat to look over the sea of eyes awaiting her decision. Her focus returned to Kyan who shifted with nervous anticipation, her blue eyes pleading from behind her lightning bolt face markings.

"I accept."