Chapter 9: Chapter 9


Whoo! Getting down to the end ^^ Two more chapters left now...and then...the sequel which is building on the remake. Things are changing a bit in small snippets but chapter 10 and 11 have more differences from the originals.

hope you all enjoy!

The morning light came into Elincia's bedroom with a calm soothing feel, filling her room with the soft pink and golden colors of the sunrise across her floor and walls. She stirred as the light crept across her face now opening her dark brown orbs slowly blinking in the morning light.

It was a lonely morning though...

She sat up and moved to the edge of her bed letting her feet slowly touch the ice cold floor facing the dawn with a forlorn look wrapping her arms lightly around herself. It seemed only yesterday she was in the warm embrace of Tibarn gazing at the sky without a care in the world.

It had been a happy moment but good things just didn't seem to last. Elincia sighed and stretched out her arms above her head with a yawn eyes closing briefly before shuffling across the dawn tinged floor to her vanity.

She opened the box containing his feather tracing it lightly with a bitter smile. It wasn't fair...it just wasn't fair. However Elincia wasn't going to cry over it like a child. She had to be strong for her people. She was the queen of Crimea and she had to persevere no matter the cost!

Even if it meant burying her heart in a shell of cold stone and ice. Quietly she walked to her window watching the morning sun crawl into the sky bathing the world in a silvery-orange glow. A beautiful sight and she couldn't help but give a small smile.

Elincia let out a sigh and moved to get dress, her mind calming a bit in the simple task as she took a step back to try and clear her troubled thoughts. She did love him and she knew his feelings where the same. It just couldn't happen between them. They each had their duties to follow.

The last few buttons of her dress were done up as she casually straightened the garment out. Nothing was planed to day. The meetings that have often plagued her schedule and the public appearances have skipped over this day thankfully.

The meetings had been more stressful than usual, the nobles even more disdainful of her being the queen now with her uncle having returned to Crimea. Even though her uncle had made it clear he did not want the throne, the nobles still brought it up leading to heated debates and headaches.

They where using the argument that she would never bring forth an heir which may or may not have been true. At the moment Elincia's heart wasn't into being with another man. It just would be an empty unhappy relationship that most royalty was forced into.

Elincia didn't want that. Every since she had been a young girl she had always dreamed of her prince charming that would come and sweep her off her feet and she would get her happily ever after like every princess in the fairytale recieved.

The queen sighed as she exited her room into the dawn filled hallway walking towards the banquet hall for a late breakfast. It was her day off from everything and a day to enjoy as best she could.

"Well it looks like I wasn't the only one too oversleep," A cheery Lucia said jogging to catch up with Elincia, "A day off is a day off right?"

Elincia gave a small smile, "Yes. It would be shame to throw it away with an early wake-up you are right. I haven't had a restful sleep like that in ages,"

"I couldn't agree with you more," Lucia said with a smile, "I mean why do they schedule all those meetings so early? Just so the noblemen can have their afternoon hunting parties?"

Elincia giggled as the two of them walked by the closed council room doors, the sunlight streaming down and the smell of breakfast coming up the...wait.

The young queen paused and turned to look at the doors. The council room was always open unless a meeting was in session...what was going on that they had the doors closed today? Lucia glanced at her friend and followed her eyes to the closed doors and her brow furrowed.

"odd..."Lucia said moving towards them. She leaned forward putting her ear to the door, "sounds like there are voices from inside!"

Elincia's eyes widen and she quickly moved up beside her friend and also heard the muffled voices of men speaking, "A meeting today? Without me?" Elincia whispered in confusion.

Lucia frowned and cracked the door open allowing the words being spoken to reach their ears.

"It is clear the young queen doesn't have the experience to lead Crimea in times of peace, she was thrust into the position during trying times...times when we thought a legitimate and capable heir was lost."

That would be the duke of the northern providence, his stuffy dry voice was easy to distinguish.

"Yes and lord Renning has a lovely wife now...one that could produce a sure heir to the country unlike our queen," the low voice of another lord put in.

"True but he has stepped aside and without a legitimate reason..."

"We will have a legitimate reason my fellows. The time and era has brought a new age of treaties to our doorsteps,"

Elincia and Lucia's eyes went wide. They knew that elegant voice and honeyed words. Lucia turned to her friend her eyes wide whispering only one word, "Bastion!"

"Then pray tell us oh master of words what is the reason we can give that can sway Lord Renning otherwise?" One lord drawled out arching an eyebrow.

Bastion smiled thinly, "The pieces are already in place my comrades. All that is left to do is to get full support and send the request. We live in a new time my friends. We should start to extend the hand of friendship once more to our allies." he smiled wider to all present making sure to look each one present in the eye, "Our previous king started to seal peace between our nation and Gallia. We should continue his work to honor his name,"

The other lords grumbled in agreement and a few loud "here here"s where heard as well as Bastian smiled again. He had hooked them now to deliver the tempting prize in accordance to Naesala's and his plan hatched carefully between the two.

"Friends, the spices of Phoenicis are a rare treat and a bone to any country that can get out a deal between the two nations however the hawks are not know to trust Beroc policy as you know, feeling that a flimsy paper pact cannot be ones sworn word,"

More grunts of agreement echoed in the room and the nobles leaned close now very interested in what Count Bastion was proposing.

"We have a commodity that the hawks I feel will take and be content with opening up a wealthy trade for our nation," Bastion said trailing of to let the idea sink.

One noble stood up with a frown, "How? How does Crimea get access over Phoenicis? What kind of pact will they see as binding?"

Hook, line and sinker. Bastion grinned, "Marriage of course. The hawk king himself is unwed and our darling queen Elincia could be offered as his bride in return for open trade routes and peace between our nations,"

Elincia felt numb at his words as the nobles let out a cheer quickly agreeing and signing a document that Bastion had provided. Her mind was in a state of shock. Dethroned and given away for a trade route? But why would Bastion do this to her! Why!

"Offered as his bride..." the words echoed around her head sending with her sorrow a jolt of hope. Married. Married to Tibarn legally to seal a pact between two nations...to be no longer Elincia Queen of Crimea but to be Elincia Queen of the Skies and the Queen of Phoenicis.

Lucia tugged on her friends arm pulling her away from the cheering nobles, "Elincia...I'm...I don't know what to say," she said mournfully, " I don't know why Bastion would betray us like this,"

The blue haired woman was fuming. Shipping Elincia away over some stupid trade route to wed the hawk king was totally unf...she paused.

Elincia was going to be Tibarn's bride now in a way no one else could've seen. The two would be together because both were considered royalty and single royalty was always an open invitation to seal deals between nations. It helped a lot as well that said king would probably attack anyone in the bird nation who so much as said he shouldn't take this deal.

But it would mean leaving Crimea...

Lucia bit her lip wondering if this sneaky underhanded way was what was needed to bring Elincia and Tibarn together if it meant leaving her homeland to dwell in Phonecia. She wouldn't be alone of course. She would have Tibarn and Leanne...but Lucia would miss her friend dearly.

"It won't pass Elincia," Lucia said with a small smile, "your uncle will never agree to this,"

The young queen rubbed at one eye trying to hide the tears, of joy or sadness she could not tell , nodding to her friend,"Your are right. We can only hope such...recklessness is just the prattling of a few nobles,"

The two made their way to a dreary breakfast now even with the sounds of jubilation still ringing in their ears from the room, and the soft tinge of dawn floating into the room.

~O~

Janaff had never seen Tibarn this angry in all his life. He had grown up with Tibarn and so had seen more temper tantrums and fits of rage then anyone else but this one...this one blew all those times away.

The document Tibarn was reading was crinkling under his grip and with the angry glare he was giving it, the paper was more then likely to burst into flames, "And who do they think they are doing this to her!"

His wings where tensed up angrily and everyone present was taking a step back except for the glacier in the room, the former raven king Naesala who stood calmly in the face of the raging volcano.

"It seems it is just merely a beroc political thing Tibarn. Such political moves are quite common I've heard isn't' that right Reyson?" the raven said glancing at the heron.

Reyson gave a strained look at Naesala that clearly read that he didn't want to be dragged into this mostly since he was the one who handed the message to Tibarn and the age old saying of don't shoot the messenger never applied to Tibarn.

"Do I look like I care?" Tibarn snarled turning his terrible glare on the raven, "This is...!"

"You should care," Naesala interrupted, "Since we are going to have to deal with beroc politics now with the new peace forming between our races. You shouldn't let your...personal feelings, get in the way of political decisions,"

Janaff glanced at Ulki his face was white as a sheet of paper, "Oh no..." he said softly. Tibarn's eye twitched slightly his wings puffing up even more with a look of murder in his eye directed at Naesala.

Those words where fighting words in the hawk mentality and provoking a hawk who was already ready to murder someone. Naesala only smiled widely crossing his arms, "Something wrong? I was only pointing out you seemed to be getting really hot under the neck feathers for something like a treaty,"

"Shut your damn mouth before I rip off your beak and use it to make a necklace," Tibarn growled fuming at the raven.

"Now Tibarn. I'm only saying I like the treaty. It has a good binding with you getting married to the former queen Elincia and in a completely legal way and opening the doors up to more friendly laguz beroc relationships," The raven was a little irked himself but kept it hidden under a mask of indifference.

The plan was perfect if all the pieces went the way they should. Bastion had sent word all was clear on his end, now it was just getting Tibarn to give in and go through with this. It would get rid of the moody often angered Tibarn hopefully to have the beroc queen he fancied around and who knows? Maybe she could teach him some patients with politics?

Tibarn glared at Naesala but perhaps a bit less as he took his seat again hunched over,"...is this in our combined nations best interests?" he have growled looking around at everyone present as if they where all enemies.

Reyson took a deep breath summoning up his own stubborn streak, "It would be very beneficial as well as making a very strong outreach to improve relationships between laguz and beroc,"

Tibarn closed his eyes briefly frowning, "So all about the treaty...probably the same on the beroc side of the argument," he said before opening his eyes.

"More then likely," Naesala put in, "A single king always makes marriage the most sought out and binding treaty,"

Tibarn glowered at him but Reyson hastily injected before anything else could be said, "The spice trade of Phonecia would benefit Crimea greatly so a marriage would strengthen that bond that is all...but I don't think they would do this to force her into a relationship with you,"

That caught the hawk kings attention. It was true that neither he nor Elincia where truly being forced into a marriage where they didn't care for each other or loathed the other completely. Still it was forced in a sense that her own countrymen where tossing her out due to hurt feelings and discontent that remained from the rebellion as well as her uncle's return.

He sighed, "Fine...if you believe it is a beneficial treaty..." he closed his eyes, "then let's get this over with,"

Even though he felt a stab of guilt for accepting the proposition for Elincia's sake of taking her away from her homeland, he felt a small sense of joy for the first time in a while. Among the hustle and bustle of the subordinates around him, he gave a small smile.

It seems that in the end they had both been wrong. Their positions in life could bring them together.

~0~

Elincia looked down briefly as the land gave way to blue ocean, the warm breeze sending her hair tossing about gently. Three months of preparation and wedding plans where finally coming to a close. The initial sorrow had faded some especially at the letters that had started up shortly after the proposition was accepted between her and Tibarn.

"Well the weather is nicer down here," Lucia said her eyes closed enjoying the warm breeze, "Seems like you won't be worrying about the snow down here!"

Elincia giggled a bit, "True. I've always preferred the sun. You'll have to come down to see me in the winter Lucia,"

Lucia smiled, "You can guarantee that! I'm not about to be stuck inside with a cold while you are down here drinking lemonade and enjoying the warm weather and sunlight,"

Another warm breeze picked up as the outline of Phoenicis appeared on the horizon causing Elincia's trepidation to increase as well. Lucia, noticing her friends nervousness put a hand on her shoulder, "Relax. It will be okay"

Elincia nodded giving Lucia a thankful smile,"It is just...I never thought we could get married...I guess it is just I'm worried I'll do something wrong,"

"Don't worry! They probably have this planed down to the last tile on the floor. It is the biggest marriage that is not only binding two people together but two nations as well," Lucia said with a smile.

"We are all here for you,"

That was true for nearby, her Uncle was riding a borrowed Pegasus although having complained for a good bit about how he preferred his mount having four points of contact with the ground. He never did like flying.

She smiled as she watched him, knowing he would be with her when she went down the isle to hand her off to her future husband, "Oh dear Lucia! I just had a thought..." Elincia suddenly said turning to look at her best friend.

"I'll be the queen of the skies...but I can't even fly!" she giggles slightly, "That is kind of an odd title,"

Lucia chuckled, "well you are flying right now silly,"

"I guess you are right," Elincia said with a smile, " I hope...I hope that the other hawks will like me since I'll be living with them now,"

"Who wouldn't like a charming woman like you?" Lucia asked with a smile, "Of course they'll like you,"

The cliffs of Phonecia where tall, sun blasted red and brown, the wind carving out whistling smooth ravines, carrying the scent of the much wanted spices. It was a scent that made Elincia think of Tibarn. That same wild untamed scent that clung to his clothes.

Her Tibarn...Elincia smiled as they drew closer enjoying the feel of the wind. The circumstances still stung deeply and the the slight twinge of homesickness would probably grow worse over the days but she would be with the one she loved...together truly...and she could still help people being still a queen even if queen of a new nation.

Eventually ocean gave way to land the rocky landscape of Phoenicis, a place of firey rock and stout hearted plant-life holding onto the earth. In the distance the palace rose up, carved in an almost ancient look. Elincia looked at it in awe. Such an ancient structure showed just how old the hawk nation had stood...the history it had was practically written in every crack.

They began their descent easily into the courtyard of the ancient palace, the pegasus hooves touching lightly to the ground. Her uncle Renning landed a bit harder then everyone else with a 'hmph!' still not used to the flying horse.

Across the courtyard, came a group of bird laguz. There was Reyson smiling with Leanne as well as a smirking Naesala looking as cool and calm as ever. Janaff and Ulki where there as well dressed up flanking the figure that made Elincia's heart leap into her throat and her face blush a tinge of pink.

"Greetings Elincia..." Tibarn said with a smile offering a hand to her to help her dismount in a gentleman like fashion that brought a smile to her lips.

"Greetings Tibarn. I hope you are well?" She responded taking his hand feeling the familiar bubble of joy blossom within her.

He nodded lightly the slight uplifting of a smile at the corner of his mouth before turning to an approaching Renning, "greetings King Tibarn" he said with a solemn bow, "We meet at last,"

Tibarn bowed slightly back to the new king of Crimea,"The honor is mine,"

Then the conversation fell into politics and Elincia hid a giggle from the slightly strained smile Tibarn was giving at the topic. It was clear that the hawk king had no love of the subject much like herself.

Elincia smiled at him giving her own personal message of confidence feeling that happy feeling increase. It seemed all the pain and hurt she had been experiencing in the past few days was gone now from just being around him again.

He made her happy and despite the circumstances he heart felt lighter. She smiled wider, her face a glow as Tibarn turned to her, his discussion with Renning done and offered an arm, "I'll give you a tour my queen to be, " he said with a grin.

Elincia took his arm in hers gladly, happy to be close to him again, "That would be wonderful,"

It was a perfect day...