Chapter Nine:

Elia glanced around the room blinking at its brightness. It was large with arched ceilings of white ivory. Dark and white stone winged statues lined upon pedestals as the floor was made of white and black obsidian marble. From the ceiling hung a giant chandelier that marveled her. Far from her rested a long table that appeared made of obsidian and clear glass. The chairs surrounding the table were cushioned and dark with smooth texture. At the far end of the table was a magnificent chair, obviously for Noctis. twelve men, in their late thirties and older; were dressed in black suits, some already sitting in the lavished seats as others remained upright talking in low voices. She sighed but her spirits lifted as she saw Myles as one of them sitting furthest away. He was seated down, a cup of a steaming drink in hand with his eyes directed towards her. A kind smile formed upon his lips, and beckoned her over with a lazy wave of his hand. She smiled thankful of his hospitality and headed towards him.

"We didn't send for a servant, maid." One of the men snapped.

She stared at one of the men, who frowned at her looking at her disapprovingly. One by one, heads swerved to meet the new body and watch the commotion.

Elia returned the hostile look, "That's because I'm not a maid or a servant for you to boss around." She replied calmly tilting her chin up confident, "The Prince let me come on his own accord."

The lines of his frown deepened as the conselor scowled, "Someone like you has no place in this room." He advanced towards her with big steps, "So I suggest you leave before I send in one of the guards to rid of you."

"And how do you think I got in?" she demanded right at his face, "I have a special invitation to belong here." Her voice reamined firm trying to suppress her growing rage.

The advisor stared dumbfounded at her attitude; the other council members watched with similar faces. Elia glanced at Myles for backup but to her bewilderment, Myles only sipped from his cup, his posture smug as if enjoying a rather entertaining show.

The man regained his hot attitude and frowned angrily. "Women do not belong here! Or belong in wars, they raise children, cook and clean, not fight in battle! I expect you to do the same."

Big mistake.

Elia glared, shaking with uttermost fury, "That's it!" she shouted. She shoved a finger at his face, "Look, I'm not some feeble woman who runs and hides at the sight of danger, I fight!" Her metallic blue eyes darkened considerably "And I'm tired of people like you who try to boss me because of my appearance. No one and I mean no one, can tell me what I can or cannot do except me! And if you don't like it; then that's too bad, I won't change who I am for someone else. I know who I am, you don't!"

His brown eyes darkened angrily, "Why you little b—"

"Advisor Laus."

The advisor stopped whatever he was saying. Elia stared at the cool voice, refreshing and soothing as a tide. The two turned their startled face synchronized to the speaker. Noctis was at the doorway, the doors released an echo as it closed. His blue eyes was fixed on the man named Laus with a stiff upper lip. Then his eyes trapped Elia's.

The color drained from the advisor's face, "Your majesty." He murmured.

The Prince left her eyes and flashed back to his, "Laus." He replied loftily.

"Are you ready to begin?" Myles requested speaking finally through the awkward silence, "The meeting must begin sooner or later now that you have arrived, my lord."

He nodded turning towards his kind advisor, "Very well."

One by one, the councilmen began to seat themselves down, the scene over. Elia watched Laus eye her disdainfully; she sighed wearily. How many more would she have to prove her worth? Cool fingertips pressed against her cheek adjusting her face towards him, Noctis gazed at her. Though he said nothing, emotions seemed to spill out like tears in his eyes. His eyes roamed over her face, as if savoring something of her she didn't know but made her feel warm. Then his hand drew away as he did his face expression just as empty and detached. Elia sighed feeling her skin burn but felt no pain.

She cursed herself for the feelings that made her uncomfortable. She hated feeling like her knees could give out at any second! She closed her eyes finding great calm staring into darkness and when she was sure that she wouldn't scream Elia opened her eyes to find a chair. The seats that caught her attention were filled making her stomach sink. Was this some joke? She stared to feel embarrassed just standing until someone cleared his throat, someone impatient. Her eyes caught blue; Noctis raised a finger to beckon her near. She blinked feeling hot again but obediently walked to his side. He sat in the most lavished chair at the far end; the one she knew was his. Though it suited him, he shifted as if the seat was uncomfortable. When she was closer, he waved his hand wordless in a small motion at the lone seat that was between him and Myles. She smiled abashed and seated herself down besides him waiting. Despite Myle's encouraging smile and squeeze of his hand that slid to hold hers, she felt stupid. The councilmen said nothing to her, staring as if she was a wild beast entering their homes. Emotions ranging from puzzlement to disapproval set upon their faces. She suppressed a sigh.

"Are we all ready?" Noctis finally asked the council men, each of them inclined their heads with a polite bow. "Good." Noctis muttered quietly aside so none other then Elia could hear. Her tips twitched resisting smiling to show her amusement. His head cocked towards the men with folded hands pressed against the fine desk, "Let's begin." He barked.

Her urge to smile faltered. Elia clutched the hem of her skirt suppressing the urge to reprimand him in front of the entire court. He's just lucky he's royalty. She reflected bitterly. And cute. Put in another voice. Angrily, she venomously denied the thought shutting up the irritating voice and glared hard at the table unaware of Noctis throwing her a quizzical look before a council member started.

The advisor cleared his throat, "Our majesty has announced that Andreas will attack again in only a matter of days." He informed gravely in his thin voice. Elia flashed her eyes to her friend surprised but he didn't look at her, his large hands hiding part of his face listening. The counselor pointed at the giant map centered on the table, "The entire city will be the battlefield and I'm afraid that the castle is a part of it. As we speak, our men continue to train and get fitted for the call of war as our mages are trying to create shields for them as well." He added lightly.

Noctis nodded respectfully, "Any plans for the invasion?"

Laus was the first to speak, "You majesty, I suggest we attack straight forward." He proposed.

Elia's eyes glinted at his puffed chest that vividly reminded her of a stuffed pigeon. She muffled a outburst of laughter trying to act as if she had a cough but it came out wrong that made her sound like she had choked. No one seemed to notice beside Myles whose beard twitched madly.

She focused herself to focus on Laus, "Our footmen can handle them and bring in the large infantry behind them." Noctis tilted his head nodded a bit considering the thought, Laus looked smug.

Elia frowned fore thinking the situation. If they were to charge, she could only see blood and even more innocent lives taken. Then she could see Andreas standing far in the back, imagined his smile as he declared victory. She huffed clutching a handful of her black skirt.

"No."

Everyone, pardon Noctis and Myles, turned at her remark surprised as if they had forgotten her. Of course they would, her thought snarled bitterly, I'm a woman and women don't belong her!

Her metallic blue eyes scanned the map, "We shouldn't risk too many lives. The army isn't the main thing, true their numbers will be huge, but they're just puppets. Andreas only wants to find the important people and pick them off! We—"

Laus frowned "My plan works perfectly!" he interrupted.

Noctis cleared his throat sharply once more, Laus fell silently muttering under his breath, "You are being rude, Laus. She didn't speak up as you spoke so you should do the same." He chided. His eyes turned back to Elia, "Continue." He encouraged.

Elia smiled with silent gratitude before it faltered focusing back at the large document in front of her, "Andreas only wants the crystal. That's all. Everything, every fighting body under him and every command is just a decoy!"

Laus snarled, his lips curled back to a sneer, "I will NOT have a mere woman tell us men what is happening in this fight!"

"This meeting isn't about me being a woman but on the fact that a couple days from now, Tenebrae will be under war!" She shouted banging her fists on the table disrupting most of the scattered papers besides her. With a growl of an apology to Noctis, she sat back down glowering back at the shaken advisor who then recovered and glared back.

"Not a bad idea." Laus's head cocked to Myles as the kind advisor spoke up, his gray eyes alit nodding his head "I believe that Elia knows what she's talking about, please impress us—"

"Or entertain." Laus snarled quietly.

Myles ignored him, "With your idea." He finished.

Elia froze. What plan? She merely pointed out the obvious! Her eyes roamed quickly trying to piece up together something quick and good to say. She didn't need to look to see Laus's lip curve into a smug smile at her failing attempt to plan.

Noctis stepped in, perhaps noticing her anxiety and sparing her of embarrassment or perhaps taking advantage of the unused silence, "Andreas, as Elia said, is no more then after the crystal which… I possess." Elia's heart thumped as he nearly said we. He inhaled a deep breath,"As anyone should know a king is nothing without people or else he would be nothing and rule nothing." His voice, even lower wavered. His azure eyes gazing lost before continuing though the chilling silence, "I don't want my people killed. I don't want innocent blood spilled so I agree with Elia, if Andreas is using a diversion then we should use his plan right against him. I want a small team, perhaps five, that will take down Andreas. They will be the strongest and most loyal fighters we have. And tell the mages to stop making the shields, make one giant magical barrier around my castle so then my people can take refuge. Women and children and even some of the elderly." Elia glared at Laus's lit eyes on her as Noctis said women.

"A diversion..." She whispered amazed, her smile growing until it could stretch no more, "What are they to do besides flee without Andreas to command them?" Noctis nodded silently, a mere bob of his head.

"So, who will be in the team my lord?" she glanced around for the voice but was too distracted by Noctis to look.

"Felix, Gareth and Durante will accompany Elia and me." The Prince said without hesitation much to her surprise, "They will be the three."

One of the mentors looked concerned, "Prince Caelum." Elia blinked surprised, Caelum? Is that his surname? She peeked at Noctis out of the corner of her eyes, "Don't you want some of the high guards to serve you? Surely they are more trained to protect you in the matter."

Noctis shook his head, "I'm not looking for guards to protect me, but to help protect the city." He replied sternly, "I've trusted them and they have never failed me. They are perfect."

The two advisors nodded satisfied. Elia grinned to her pleasure but still confused by the chosen three, "And you agree with his choices, Lady?"

Elia tilted her head at that title of being called Lady but then smiled winning the advisor's hospitality, "Well, I am but a faithful servant to Prince Caelum." She noticed his eyes narrowed at her briefly at this, she bit back a smile, "If he trusts them, then I do."

"Your claim is indeed persuasive, Lady." a consultant said quietly to her, "The plan bold yet daring and could save many lives." He chuckled playing with mustache, "Despite the obstacles in your path you have managed to overcome and prove that you are more then what you seem."

Listening at this, Elia answered with a warm smile with a courteous bow of her head, "Your praise is more then necessary sir."

The advisor who was the first to speak stood up to his seat, "Very well then." He claimed aloud, "The elite team is the real army then." He turned to her, "We are honored to have you attend this meeting Lady, and we trust your decisions to lead this mission."

Her metallic blue eyes broadened shocked, "Huh?" she whispered, "Me?"

The men nodded. Slowly, they stood from their seats and left the room vanishing behind the giant door. Laus smirked as he stopped in front of the door, "Break a leg." And Elia presumed that it wasn't a compliment.

She was still dazed after the meeting eyeing the corridors around her glassily. "Me?" she whispered, "They're counting on me to lead?"

"Of course." Noctis said besides her keeping easy pace with her. He gazed around with a sigh, "You told them the idea so now you proved yourself."

"But I thought by going there and giving the idea was proving myself." She sputtered.

He shook his head, "To prove yourself is not what you speak, it's how you act that shows who you really are."

Elia let out a short laugh that sounded distant, "As I recall, I was merely pointing out the obvious, you're the one who suggested the plan. Not me."

Noctis looked unaffected by her hard voice, "But you helped the meeting get to the right direction." He pointed out, "If you did nothing, we would still be off topic by now." He rolled his eyes at this, and by the expression that flashed across his face showed that when the advisors did get off topic, it was annoying. But his eyes rolled to her though keeping his face directed up front, "The way you stood up to Laus and his insults were interesting enough too…"

"You knew that he would torment me?!" How many secrets will he keep to himself?! "Does the crystal give you an ability to see the future?"

Noctis tilted his head, his lip twitching, "I guessed." He replied reassuringly, "But usually I am correct if I do."

She snorted at this waving his cockiness away, "Well you might have warned me," she said sourly, "I don't need more people hating me."

"He's jealous actually," he muttered, "Jealous of you."

She flushed, heated licking the back of her neck, "Of me?" she repeat unsure if she heard him right, "Why?"

His lip twitched again, "Remember how I complimented on his idea and he looked proud?" he asked her. She nodded, "For so long, he's been trying to impress me, trying to win both my attention and favor." He shook his head as if that was idea was preposterous.

"So he's jealous of me and doesn't hate me." stated Elia hesitant.

"You catch on quick. Excellent." Noctis remarked, "Maybe that wasn't too fast for you."

Elia snorted at him raising her chin a notch, "Well, I'm not dumb Prince Caelum."

His face froze glaring at her, who only took pleasure again instead of the fear, "I thought we went over that I didn't want to be called that." His leaking irritation only made her smile widen.

"I'm just kidding Noctis, relax." She let out a short laugh, "Man, you are so uptight and serious. Is this a man thing or all people in this castle like this?" He arched a dark eyebrow making her suddenly cautious, "Noctis?"

"You've never said my name before." He said his tone of voice was impossible to decipher.

She simply looked at him confused, "That's what friends do…right?"

Noctis didn't answer his eyes on her but didn't see her. Lost in thought. Again. Her gaze left his and saw a young woman, perhaps her age strut around the corner in front of them to talk guard. Her long, black wavy hair stretched down to her waist walking around with her head raised as if expected to be obeyed. Noctis's back stiffened breaking free of whatever went through his mind. The guard looked beyond her at them and pointed a finger at them.

The woman looked back, her blue eyes lit at the sight of him and her hands clutched her silver dress fleeing to Noctis, and with a shriek she ran into his arms. Elia jumped back shocked at the sudden movement, sending her mind haywire. Noctis sighed or groaned, she couldn't tell. Pity swelled in Elia for him, who looked as if he wished he was somewhere else.

The woman buried her head into his shirt, "Oh love, I missed you so much!" Tears already began to fall down the sides of her cheek but the woman ignored them as a look of triumph illuminated the blue in her eyes. "I knew you'd return after nights of worry! I felt so alone by myself."

Elia rolled her eyes feeling the pity prick into envy, What's her problem?

The young woman looked around him, "So where is your friend?" she asked interested placing her delicate hands on his arms. The growing envy struck her like a hammer. And it hit hard.

Noctis looked towards Elia, who raised an eyebrow trying to not show dark thoughts cussing through her mind, "Sera." He told her quietly, who followed his gaze, "This is Elia, the friend you've heard of." Elia's spirits lightened as he said friend. "Elia, this is Princess Sera… my fiancée."


*Deep breath* This was hard to do. Yeah, Elia, you go tell them. Yes, she is headstrong which is a good feature.

Laus in latin means 'Glory' in latin

Sera means 'Angel'

And that's it. Thanks for reading! Looking forward on working on Chapter Ten! WOOT!

~Animangame02freak