Alright let's get on with it. Here's chapter 8.
Disclaimer: I do not own Penguins of Madagascar.
Marlene was carried along for the dozenth time of the day. At leaset she was in a chair carried by two lemurs instead of over a dozen with their hands, so the trip was a little smoother this time. Nearby she could see Maire being carried along as well. They were just leaving the palace when they were stopped all of a sudden.
"Hey, why did we stop?" Marlene asked.
Just as she said that, something was draped down over her head and down her body. She was in darkness momentarily, but as her vision came back she could see the same thing going with Marie. Some paws were on Marlene's arms and were pulled out from her as whatever was placed over her came to a rest. She looked down to see that she was wearing a red embroidered gown and Marie was wearing one too. Except her's was purple.
"Hey what is up with this?" Marlene asked indicating the gown she was in.
Marie looked back and said, "We are royal. This is your coranation attire. Consider it a great privilage."
Marlene looked down at the embroidered gown she was in. She liked how it felt on her to say the least.
"That works I guess," Marlene said to herself.
The group of lemurs carried the two of them towards the kingdom border. Three lemurs headed the group and each one of them carried a torch to guide the rest. The sun was already down and darkness had consumed the area. Marlene had to admit, it all looked incredible. The orange glow of the lit torches, the silhouette of all the lemurs, plus the local flora in the glow of the torch light looked incredible.
"So how much farther do we have to go?" Marlene asked after a few minutes.
A minute or two later she got her answer when she was set down on an elevated plain. She turned her head to see Marie being set down to her right. In front of her were even more lemurs observing them. She turned to the left two see another chair being carried up to them. Sitting there was Julien looking all polished up. His fur looked smoother than ever and he wore a brand new crown on top of his head. He must have been groomed to extent since his arrival as well. Unlike Marie and Marlene, he was not clothed.
Marie stood up and walked to the area between Julien and Marlene. Her purple gown brushing against the ground as she walked by. Marie turned towards the large gathering of lemurs and began to adress them.
"Subjects from the western kingdom and the eastern kingdom. There is much to celebrate tonight. For the first time in a long time we are gathered together and for what? My son has returned from his stay across the oceans. And he has brought with him incredible news. He has finally found himself a queen. This otter right here," Marie said and then pointed to Marlene.
The crowd cheered as Marie made her announcment and Marlene blushed from embaressment.
"But there is a problem. She is a commoner, but that can be fixed here tonight," Marie continued and motioned for one of her subjects to come forward.
The subject walked forward and held a round object made of leaves and flowers all weaved together. Marie took the item and walked back over to Marlene. Marlene got a better look at what it was that Marie and realized what it was that she had, it was a tiara. Or at least the lemur equivalant of a tiara. Marie placed it upon Marlene's head and smiled.
"I now appoint you duchess of the eastern lemur kingdom," Marie announced and the gathering cheered again.
Marie turned to Julien and said, "And now my son. You may speak with your soon to be bride."
Julien stood up from his chair and Marie motioned for Marlene to do the same. Marlene did just that and walked towards Marie and Julien did the same. Marlene could feel her gown brush against the ground as she approached Julien and they stopped in front of Marie and faced each other. Julien took Marlene's paw and gave it a light kiss. Marlene had to admit, she was surprised to see Julien actually using manners for once.
Julien cleared his throat and said, "My dearest Marlene. When I frist met you, I have to admit I rarely gave a second thought about you. But after a few closer encounters, I began to realize there was more to you than I originally thought. I noticed your willingness to assist me your king, your encouragment for romance that I found useful, and of course your stunning beauty that I have admired."
Marlene knew all the stuff that Julien was talking about. He was reffering to the time she tried to help win the internet contest. When they tried to help Phil win the heart of Lulu the female chimp from Hoboken, but then again Julien probably found some way to use that to his advantage. And the last one Marlene figured was when she got her fur bleached and everyone thought she was an arctic mink named Arlene. Oh how that memory haunted her.
"So I hate to be admitting it, but I was a fool for not giving you more thought. But now all of that has changed. Marlene, would you please give me the privlege of walking with me tonight?" Julien asked her.
Marie bent down to Marlene's ear and whispered, "I would do it. After tonight, you won't see him again until the wedding itself."
Marlene thought for a moment and wondered if it would be a good idea for her to spend some time with him tonight. She saw how much Julien was trying to impress her tonight and believed that she should give him a better chance.
Marlene took a deep breath and said, "Okay King Julien. I will walk with you tonight."
Julien smiled happily and took Marlene's arm.
"Very well then my queen. We shall walk together. Come with me and you shall see something incredible," Julien said and then began walking away with Marlene still grasping his arm.
As they disappered from sight, Marie sighed and said, "Mother had better keep an eye. He may be grown, but chances are he's still as impulsive as ever. Mother knows best."
Marie turned to her subjects and said, "You are dismissed. The wedding is in two nights. Get some rest for tomorrow we prepare."
The crowd began to disperse as Marie followed her son and Marlene into the woodland.
(Marlene and Julien)
Julein escorted Marlene down a steady slope and towards what looked like a small pond behind some trees.
"Umm Julien where are we going? I don't want to rip this gown. Your mother will kill me if I do," Marlene said as Julien pulled her along.
Julien didn't answer her but as they approached the pond, he released his grip on her and pulled away some leaves.
"After you Marlene. But please be careful," Julien said to her.
Marlene nodded and walked past the leaves. She noticed that it wasn't just a pond, but a clearing that they were in. The moon was out tonight and cast down upon the water reflecting the light. Marlene was wowed by what she was seeing. Julien followed after her and sat down on rock next to her. Marlene saw what he was doing and sat right next to him.
"Why did you bring me here Julien?" Marlene asked.
Julien shrugged and said, "Well this place is off limits to everyone except royalty and I always liked it when I was younger. This was my second favorite place to come to when I wanted to be alone."
"Second favorite? What's first?" Marlene asked.
"Oh that is a crashed plane with some dead humans inside. But that would kill the mood," Julien answered her.
Marlene grimaced and said, "Oh, I see."
Julien shrugged again and said, "I thought that this would be more romantic."
Marlene chuckled and said, "So where did you learn to be romantic from?"
"From my father. He was spoiled like me, but he knew what the ladies liked," Julien answered.
"Oh, so then why did you try to hurt Fred when he was dating me? And why couldn't you be like this towards me before?"
"Oh, I just wanted to eliminate the competition. That way I could try to woo you without interference. And I don't know why I never done this before."
"Oh."
Julien nodded and he stood up. Marlene stood up and approached him.
"Marlene could you do me a favor please? Just this one little thing," Julien asked.
Marlene sighed and said, "What do you want Julien?"
Julien wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer.
"Kiss me please. Just once, so I can know what it's like," Julien requested.
"We're going to do that in two nights Julien. Can't you wait?" Marlene asked.
Julien shook his head and said, "I could. But I don't know if what I feel is real. I really don't. I think I want you, but my mind says I might not. I first felt it on the way here, like what I was doing was wrong."
"It was wrong Julien. You guys kidnapped me."
Julien sighed and said, "I know, but I wanted you so much. But now I need to know if it was worth it before it is too late."
Marlene sighed as well and said, "Alright, but only one kiss. Anything else can wait."
Julien nodded and the two puckered up their lips and pulled them together. Their lips came into contact and stayed together for several seconds. Marlene hated to admit, but she didn't hate the feeling. She had expected to be revolted from the thought of kissing Julien. Instead it felt different. She didn't know how to explain it. She didn't hate, in fact she thought she liked it. A moment or two later they pulled apart and looked at one another.
"Well? What did you think?" Marlene asked Julien.
Julien put a finger to her lips and said, "No no Marlene. I won't tell, but just know that I look forward to the ceremony. Now we need to be off. Mother must be wondering where we are."
Marlene nodded and Julien cleared the path for her again and the two walked off again.
From her perch in the tree, Marie looked down upon the two and smiled.
"As I said. Mother knows best," Marie said to herself.
Wow! Marlene and Julien kissed. I have to say, even I'm surprised. And I wrote the chapter. And to the Skilene fans, don't worry. There will be some conflict with this later on. I should also mention that this was my first real time writing romance so I apologize if it's not all that good.
Also I know it's really illogical for the animals to wear clothes, but I think that the lemurs here are fully aware of human way of life. They do throw parties with techno music after all.
I hope you guys have enjoyed and please remember to read and review please.
