CHAPTER 25 Obi Earns a Major Dream

"Obi," Ilena said timidly. "May I call for Rio briefly?"

He looked at her. "Will I have to let you go?" he asked.

"Ah, perhaps briefly," she admitted.

Obi sighed. "It's alright," he allowed her.

Ilena sent a whispered call out and Rio came flying through the door. Ilena held her arms out to her and Rio was immediately on the bed holding Ilena to her, shivering. "I'm sorry we needed to send Leah away," Ilena said to Rio. "She'll be back soon. She's gone to get the tea for me."

"Ah, it's you?" Rio asked.

"Mm," affirmed Ilena. Rio took a deep breath and changed to be the one comforting Ilena.

Obi sat back against the wall, watching the exchange. He really did think they were very cute together. Rio was aghast for Ilena about the herb to prevent pregnancies being stolen so meanly from her. She was comforting, soothing away Ilena's fears as being of little moment for one so strong as Ilena. He could see that in each thing Ilena asked for her strength in, Rio's strength did actually return, until finally she was able to face him again.

When Rio's eyes finally met Obi's, he smiled at her. She stopped and took a breath of surprise, as if wondering if she should have been there on the bed. Obi reached over and took hold of her little finger, which he could reach because she was still holding Ilena, pinning her in place, though his hold was gentle. "I've told you before, Rio. It's okay to tell me what you need to tell me. I rely on you to help me see what I can't. It is a new thing to not scold me for being with Ilena in this way, but all the rest is the same. Indeed, I'll need you to see when she does need me and I'm not aware of it. That scolding will be most important, I think."

"Ah," Rio hid her face in Ilena, similarly to his own action. "But Master Obi, your eyes are very difficult to face."

"Oh? And why is that?" Obi asked her, still not letting go of her.

"Because they say...if I don't, you will eat me."

Ilena giggled. Obi smiled. "I won't eat you, Rio, but I will be very disappointed. Please become stronger." Ilena squeezed Rio in support also. Rio took a deep breath and nodded.

"He let you come on the bed, didn't he?" Ilena said to her.

"Yes," answered Rio, "But he still looks like he would rather eat me for it."

"Ah, sorry," Obi said, releasing her. "I'm still in protective mode. You're safe, as long as you don't try to take her off the bed. It will likely be like this for a few more days, until I've settled." He looked at her out of the corner of his eye. "But you've already experienced this before. It isn't new."

Rio sighed. "Yes, I suppose that is true. Except last time you wouldn't have let me up on the bed."

"You didn't ask, so how do you know?"

Rio considered it. "No," she said slowly, "that day I recognized Father finally, you would have."

Obi nodded. "And do you remember what I said then?"

"That you're always Father, and Father is Master Obi."

"That's right. That also hasn't changed, except that now I am really both of those things."

Rio trembled, and Ilena sat up and pushed her until she was in Obi's arms. Obi held her gently as she cried, Ilena holding Rio's hand in hers. As Rio's tears began to subside, Obi looked at Ilena asking for understanding. Ilena paused, then said quietly, "Rio has needed Father's comfort for some time. For a girl, her relationship with her father is everything to her of comfort, strength, and protection. My effect as Mother is equally more effective on men than women because I give them the ultimate source of comfort, unconditional love, and pride they needed as boys, and still need as men. Because of Rio's past, there have been none to be her father for too long. She will not fear your eyes any more. You have swept out the last of the darkness for her, in giving her the comfort and protection she needs. You'll need to watch her continuously for signs she needs another cleaning, though."

Obi nodded, thinking of what Elandra had said about wanting to see his light and it being different from Mother's, and turned back to Rio. He wiped her cheek, then fished for his handkerchief, handing it to her. She wiped her face while still leaning on him, resting in the comfort of his arms until Ilena tugged at her hand. "Leah is arriving. She will not understand yet."

Rio nodded and sat up. Shyly, she said thank you to Obi who smiled back at her, then backed off of the bed. Obi reached out and took Ilena into his arms again gently - Father taking Mother back - and kissed her just as gently. He looked into her eyes and brushed her hair back from her face. "You are beautiful," he said to her. She smiled up at him. "Ilena, is it really true that to a girl, her relationship with her father is everything of comfort, strength and protection?" Ilena nodded. Obi looked into her eyes with all the tender compassion of Father he could muster. "I know another woman who needs the darkness of her heart washed clean, another little girl who needs the arms of her father. Do you know where she is? Can you find her for me?" His tone of voice became that he used on all children.

Ilena's eyes became afraid and she shook her head, but her hand clenched his jacket unconsciously, seeking comfort, and her body sought release. Obi tilted his head and brushed his fingers across her brow and down her temple, his eyes sad but kind. "I think you can, Ilena. Tell her it's important. I'm here. I'll wait."

Ilena gasped, her eyes going wide. "O-Obi?"

"Mmm?"

"W-why?"

"Because it is time." His eyes would not let her run away. He could feel the others of the Immediate Family gathering above him and in the room with him as Leah, just returned a few minutes before entered. Rio went to her side.

Ilena shivered and cowered, but could neither look away from his eyes nor escape his tender grasp. Her breathing increased as if she were running, and he comforted her again with touch. At his touch, she was released enough to close her eyes, and she turned her face into his chest. "Princess Thailena," he called, as if to a young child, "please come speak with me."

Ilena's trembling stopped and she turned to face him again. Her eyes were full of distrust and pain suppressed with coldness. "What have I to do with you?" she asked, but he could hear the overtones of the child. His eyes remained sadly compassionate.

"What is it that you found difficult?" He asked her the words he had trained her to, but said them knowing he was speaking with a child.

"I was abandoned and murdered with my cousin." Her answer was cold but as direct as always.

"It hurt to see one you loved killed before your eyes, didn't it?" Ilena nodded. "But you are very much alive, Princess. Will you lay the sword down? It isn't necessary any more." Her eyes unfocused and, after a moment, her body relaxed. She looked at him again and waited. "Thank you," he smiled at her briefly. "What is it that you need?"

"To understand why I was left behind," she answered.

Obi nodded. He lifted his head and looked upwards towards the upper office. Petroi, come sit above me so that I may hear, and tell me a story of a father's love.

After a brief pause, Petroi's story began and Obi looked down into Ilena's eyes again.

Prince Raoul was a man who doted on his only daughter, easily caught by her charm, but in the matters of her safety and her future, he was very strict. I had to work very hard to earn even his barest acceptance... As I waited that morning in the breakfast room for the Princess to be brought by her nurse, he walked over to me and quietly told me that in the night each exit from the city had been surrounded by armed men who by daylight were beheading upon sight any person wearing the livery or uniform of the castle, and questioning all others who passed through. He told me that when we went out that day I should be sure to wear clothing that would protect me, setting aside the clothes of the castle. He said that they expected the internal attack to come some time later that day or in that night. He gave me the location of a safe house and said that I should not bring the Princess back to the castle, but take her there and wait. If he could, he would send someone to come and watch with me over his daughter. His eyes were full of sorrow and pain, and I could only feel grief for my liege. I bowed and promised I would watch over his precious treasure. There was silence for a moment. Ilena was listening closely, trying to understand.

He went to his Lady Wife and held her tenderly, and when their daughter was brought to them, they held her close to them and expressed their love to her until she impatiently pushed them away, eager for her meal. When they were done, they told her that she should do all that she could to find her answers that day, and not return until she was satisfied. In this way they ensured she would be out of the castle at the time of the fighting. They held her close one more time, then she left to prepare for her disguised visit to the city. Her Lady Mother turned to me and said, 'She will not understand, nor remember, but if you can, tell her we loved her until the end.' Ilena shuddered in Obi's arms, and he brushed her forehead with his lips.

I begged them to flee, to save themselves also. Prince Raoul smiled sadly and said that their best hope was to have Princess Thailena lost in the city and attempt to draw off the enemy from one of the gates so that we might gain our freedom from the city. If they could survive, they would, but the Princess's future was the more important thing to protect this day. Of all the members of the royal family, only her parents had ever believed her words. Only they had a plan prepared for her.

After there had been silence for a while, Leah shifted. Obi nodded, not taking his eyes from Ilena. "After Petroi had come for the Princess, both of them dressed for their usual disguised trip into the city, I set about cleaning the nursery. Princess Tatiana entered the nursery, accompanied by her Lord Husband. He watched as she slowly walked around the room, touching the things of her daughter that were precious memories to her. I didn't understand why they should visit this day. When she was content, she looked at me and said I should have the remainder of the day off and told me to go into the city to the marketplace, but to not wear anything to identify me as a member of the castle staff."

"I knew that they believed Princess Thailena's words, and thought they wanted me to also go and listen to hear for myself if what she had been saying was true in the ears of an adult. Her father then gave me a pouch of coins and asked that I deliver it to a certain house in the evening. They both thanked me, looking at me with such tenderness that I threw my arms around my Mistress and she held me, giving me comfort. I hoped later, after I understood, that she had been able to find some comfort then also." Rio was holding Leah tightly as the tears flowed down her face.

"When I finally had the courage to go to the house Prince Raoul had commanded me to go to, and found Petroi watching, and Princess Thailena safe and disguised as a boy, I was relieved beyond measure. Then, I realized that the coins I had been given to deliver were to be used by me to take care of her with Petroi, and I removed myself to a separate room and cried after my Mistress and Master and for the sake of a small Princess who was likely now alone in the world."

Obi could feel Leah's tears having an effect upon Ilena. She strained in his arms to turn to her nurse and surrogate mother, but Obi didn't want Ilena to comfort others this day. "Do you understand it, Princess, why you were left behind?" His eyes caught her's again. She looked at him with wild eyes. He was glad to see the cold wall broken. "Can you see it was because they desired to protect you? Because they loved you?" She shrank into herself and trembled.

"But-but…," her eyes filled with tears. "I saw them leave. Why didn't they come back for me? Why haven't I been able to find them?"

"Ah, poor Princess," he said sadly, and his own eyes filled with tears. He said tenderly, "They are dead. The history of Clarines said they were found beheaded just inside the Clarines border from Selicia, and that you were not found with them. You live, as they hoped. I am sure it's as Petroi has said, that they loved you until the very end."

Ilena closed her eyes and fought against the tears. Obi held her close to him. "Thailena, it is right to grieve those who we have lost." A sob escaped her, then another, until the dam burst and she could only cling to him, crying the inconsolable tears of a child bereft.

As Ilena faded from tears to sleep, as she usually did, Obi looked up. Rio was sitting on the edge of the bed looking at them. Leah had her face in a handkerchief, hiding the end of her tears. Rio gave him a little smile, her own eyes red, then handed him a handkerchief. Obi smiled at her and took the handkerchief from Rio. He gently cleaned Ilena's face and wiped his own eyes.

"Really," Obi said. "We must invest in a handkerchief factory. I have never seen one Family cry so much."

Rio looked at him accusingly. "You're the one who started it," she said.

"So I did," he said mildly.

"She never did once cry even on the day it happened, nor even after," Leah said. "We were very worried for her. Not until now has anyone been able to reach that part of her." She looked at Obi, a question in her eyes. He raised an eyebrow at her. "Why now?" Leah asked.

"It was my test," Obi said. Both women looked at him confused. He smiled at them, but didn't explain it. "Will you go make the tea, please, Leah," he said. She nodded and headed out the door. "Thayne, Petroi, please prepare yourselves. I will arrive shortly for your test." He kissed Ilena and brushed her hair back. "Thank you, Thailena. You were a very good girl," he whispered in her ear. He lay her down, then lay down next to her, his back still against the wall, his arm around her. For a time it felt like they were in the recovery room again. He listened to her breathe and studied the profile of her face.

It only took one step of Leah coming through the door with the tea for Ilena to open her eyes. Obi smiled at her. "Do you want the tea?" She nodded and her eyes searched for the source. Obi sat up and held out his hand to Leah. She had obediently brought two cups of the tea, and handed one to him now. He put it to his lips, breathing in the scent as he did. It reminded him of being in the pharmacy. He swallowed several sips, tasting the flavorful mixture. When he felt they were ready, one-handed he lifted Ilena up to sitting, and nodded to Leah that she could give the other tea cup to Ilena. Leah handed the second cup to Ilena, bowed, and moved to stand against the wall between the settee and the door.

Ilena lifted the teacup to her lips and breathed in the scent. A very faint tremor went through her and she placed the cup back on the saucer lightly, though she still held it. She took a moment to steady herself, then lifted the cup again and sipped a few sips of it, then set it back down. She asked him a question about an innocuous subject, asking for an opinion. He took another sip of his tea and answered it calmly. She breathed calmly through it, politely paying attention to his answer. She sipped her tea again. He asked her a question and she answered it with consideration, and followed up.

In the end, they had a full conversational tea and she didn't snap. Obi was pretty impressed, given the beginning. When he was done, he set his tea cup and saucer on the bed in front of Ilena. When she was done, she looked up to Leah who came to the bed again. Ilena picked up Obi's tea set and handed it to Leah, then handed the nurse her own. Leah bowed and left the room, closing the door behind her. Leah had passed her test as well. She had managed to wait patiently the whole time and respond properly, without emotional reaction to the treatment of Ilena.

Obi reached over to Ilena and she came obediently to him, but calmly. He set her between his legs again, but had her rest against a raised knee so that he could see her face. "Ilena, do you know why I had you face your past today?" he asked her.

Ilena considered it, her brow furrowed a bit briefly, then she looked at him, her face clearer. "Because I challenged you again."

"Mm," he barely nodded once. "Because I'm strong enough now, I will continue with this as long as necessary. However, I would like to know just how long you plan on continuing."

Ilena tipped her head, "Those have been the tests of Consort and Father. You are well on your way to completing the test of Lord of the household. The final test of Husband yet remains."

"That was a very direct answer, Wife dear," he said coolly.

"I'm sorry," she said. "I felt I should be honest, but it came out too analytic."

"You understand I'm also testing you?"

"Yes. If I may ask, how much longer shall it be?" her answer was properly humble.

Obi almost giggled, the absurdity of their game almost overturning his board. The problem was that he knew she was at the same time as deadly earnest as he was. This was his least favorite - having to play the game - but it was part of the training to be a high lord and playing it in that arena as a consort to a princess would have very high consequences if he didn't do it properly. Plus, because she was who she was, if he couldn't stay in front of her, he wouldn't be able to properly support her because she wouldn't be able to find strength in him.

"You may not," he answered. "It's because you did not answer properly," he added making it a penalty rather than an evasive slide. She dropped her eyes and was obediently accepting of the answer. "You will not present any challenges when Petroi comes to greet you, or I shall punish you. This is your warning."

Ilena shuddered slightly. "No, Obi. I shall be properly obedient."

He found it interesting that she was already not interested in meeting Petroi. Grandfather's words, and Obi's own, must have strongly influenced her. "Lie down on the bed. I would have you rest until I come to prepare you to receive him."

Ilena dipped her head and obediently lay down.

He leaned over Ilena and looked down at her, then kissed her and ran his hand down her body, waking it up to him. He nipped at her lip, then leaned over her and whispered in her opposite ear from him, so that his body overshadowed hers, "This is mine. Do not forget it."

Ilena wrapped her arms around him. "Never let me forget it," she whispered back. Her desperation to learn that particular lesson surprised him, but it was certainly related to her worry.

When he was done reminding her, he left the bed. Looking at her out the corner of his eyes, he said, "Don't leave. I'll come get you. I would have Leah and Rio help prepare you, but I'm still too deep in protection mode, I'm afraid. If I change my mind, I'll let them know."

Ilena reached for the pillow he had brought from his room and held it to her, nodding at him once she was settled. He looked at her, cocking his head, then he reached into the wardrobe and pulled out his cloak she had slept under before. He tossed it over her, gently touched the back of her hand with his fingers, then left the room.

He surprised the men in the Upper office when he arrived. He'd been unconsciously walking quietly and hadn't spoken since he'd been in the bedroom. He was rather glad he had. He got to see their relaxed poses for once. He scanned every person in the room quickly, the way he had the headquarters of the House of the Queen. They had been listening to his conversation with Ilena, of course. The general agreement was that he had been proper in his treatment of her, but it was Petroi's first test, as it had been the thing he had most struggled with before. Obi looked to him to see how he had fared. He was standing on one side of the door to his bedroom, as if on guard duty. Thayne stood at the other side.

Obi greeted Grandfather with a nod and walked up to stand in front of Petroi. "Have you had your question answered?" he asked neutrally, but with power.

Petroi bowed, "Yes, Master Obi. Thank you."

"And your judgement?" Obi pressed him.

"I have not yet met anyone who can see as deeply into her motivations, Master Obi."

Obi was quiet for a moment. "While it is my responsibility to see them and properly educate her, Master and King Brother both understand with great clarity. Please understand this." Obi turned and left him, walking over to Grandfather and the main desk. He placed the fingertips of one hand on the desk. Grandfather rose and relinquished the seat to Obi, bowing as Obi sat. He nodded and Grandfather gestured to Thayne and Petroi. They both moved to stand in front of the desk at rest attention.

Obi began with the basic questions he had been asked when he was raised to Page. It was basic warm up for all of them, and practice for himself. When he had covered the ones he could remember, he concentrated his remaining questions on things pertaining to their partnership, wanting to emphasize again that this was the main purpose of the retraining. He allowed Grandfather to question them when he was done. Grandfather first asked the few Page questions Obi had forgotten and he listened closely to remember them for the next time. Grandfather focused after that on questions pertaining to proper service, as it was his responsibility to fix his own errors in that area. Obi listened closely also to these questions wanting to make sure there wasn't anything left out he cared about.

When all of the questions had been answered, Grandfather looked to Obi. Obi looked at him a moment, then tilted his head. Grandfather gave a half-bow, half-nod. Obi turned to Thayne and Petroi and looked at them. He stood and rested one hand's fingertips on the desk. "Marcus, Henry, head down by way of the balcony. Take up the same positions, but standing by the doors. Close them behind you please. The rest of you, come with me." As he moved past them, they fell in behind him.

"Wait here," he instructed them at the door to the Lower office. He went in and collected Ilena from the bed. He was very careful how he handled her, allowing her to be submissive yet calm, showing her a stern and calm demeanor so she could be settled. He did not talk much with her, having already given her her instructions. Now was the test to see what she would do.

When he had her placed in her wheelchair just to the left of her desk, as the room is entered from the door, he did a quick scan of the room. Marcus and Henry were where they were supposed to be, standing at rest attention to either side of the closed patio door, facing towards the room. Their formal stance further stabilized Ilena, the way he had wanted. Rio and Leah had gone into formal servant's poses against the wall to their room, as they tended to when things got formal. That was good. Holding to their traditional places was comforting to Ilena. He stood just behind Ilena on her left, where he could watch what they both did, but also reach her if he needed to. He looked down at her to see she was looking up at him.

"Are you ready?" he asked her kindly. She took a silent breath and nodded, looking forward again and walking through her process to relax and become composed. Obi nodded to Rio. Rio walked to the door and opened it, formally inviting the three men in, returning to her place when she had closed the door behind them.

Grandfather walked up to stand before Obi a few paces off. He bowed, then stepped to the side, revealing Thayne and Petroi. He spoke but neither Obi nor Ilena were paying attention to his words of introduction. Obi was paying attention to both Ilena and Petroi, not an easy task, and Ilena was paying attention to Petroi, though Obi thought it was interesting that she greeted Thayne first with her eyes. Even with First Son finally present, she was still Mother enough to not forget Second Son.

Ilena waited until Petroi had composed himself, needing just about as much time herself, then said, "It is good to see you again Petroi. Obi has taught me recently that I have erred in believing that to protect those precious to me, I needed to remove myself from them. Because I have considered you most precious, I have kept myself from you for far too long and have damaged you the most. I hope you can find it possible to forgive my lack of understanding." Ilena bowed to Petroi, holding it for a long repentant moment, then raised herself up again, looking him in the eye calmly.

Petroi was, not surprisingly, moved by the fact that her first words were of apology. Quite a number of emotions flitted through his eyes, though he managed to keep his face composed. He finally answered, "Thank you, Mistress Ilena. If Thayne had not reassured me of it himself, I would not have chosen to live when the Knight came for me."

It was a harsh rebuke, and Ilena's eyes went sad, but she bowed her head in acceptance of it. "Thank you for choosing to live," she answered. They looked at each other for a long moment. Long time defender and charge, strangers because they had been apart, superior and servant. Ilena's hand twitched. Obi put his hand on her shoulder and she raised her hand and took it, gripping it tightly, then relaxing her grip slightly, then gently letting it go to place her own in her lap again. He took his hand back again. He looked at Petroi. Petroi was trying to understand the interaction. Ilena took a breath. "Obi has said we will begin slowly, you and I. I think we would both find that acceptable." She paused just long enough to see if he would respond. He tipped his head slightly. "However, for his purposes, you and Thayne are needed." She looked to Thayne for a moment to see he was listening properly. He nodded. Her eyes snapped back to Petroi.

"He has begun his training to Captain. You are both aware of what that entails. I will expect you to aid Grandfather in his training from this time forward. More particularly you will assist him in learning what he needs to understand as Consort to the Queen of Knight." Petroi's neck and back tensed. "You will both stand at his back as he is in those lessons, to see he is protected. For now, you are assigned the rank of Page, and until the House of the Queen understands it, you will hold those ranks in the House as well." She looked between Thayne and Petroi again.

"I will require his time and attention. It will be your duty to ensure he is not lax in this as his studies become overwhelming, and if he is in need of rest, you will also let him know of it, seeing to yourselves as well. In these things you will listen to Rio if she gives voice to you. We have until Prince Zen announces Princess Shirayuki for him to be sufficiently ready. We expect this to occur in a little over three weeks, maybe four." Both Thayne and Petroi blinked. "Because of this, I would like to test him to Captain in one week." Even Obi went stiff. "Grandfather will barely have time to finish his instructions to Immediate Family member before the deadline, particularly given how much time he will need to devote to the night Family lessons." Petroi's brow wrinkled slightly at the new term, but seemed to get it. "Have you understood what I have said?"

Petroi nodded, "Yes, Mistress Ilena." Thayne also answered the same.

"Will you do it?" she asked after the fashion of the formal courts.

Both men bowed. "Yes, Mistress Ilena," they said in unison.

Ilena leaned back in her chair, her portion completed. Obi looked at them drawing their attention to him. "Go with Grandfather back to the Upper office. I will arrive properly for my lessons at their time." All three men bowed and Grandfather led the other two back out of the room and to the upstairs office again.

"Marcus, Henry, come here," ordered Ilena. About to leave to go up as well, they paused, then obediently came to stand in front of her. "From today you are assigned to the Lower office. Princess Shirayuki this afternoon begins her meetings with the lords who she is courting favor from. You will attend those meetings with her and with me. Wear your formal clothing of the Regent that you should have had delivered to you yesterday. You will also stand guard over me when Obi is gone. When he is here, and with me, you may be excused from that duty." She paused and looked at Obi.

Obi looked at them sternly. "I am counting on you," he told them.

They bowed. "Yes, Master Obi, Mistress Ilena," they said. Ilena nodded, and when they looked to him, Obi did as well. The nodded back and returned to their places to either side of the patio door. Obi relaxed slightly and waved his hand at the door. They opened the doors and returned to their places.

Obi walked to stand in front of Ilena, his hands behind him. "What did you find difficult?"

Ilena looked up at him. "To look into the face of a stranger, knowing that I already know him."

Obi looked her in the eye. "What do you need?"

Her hand twitched again. "To hold him," she answered.

Obi nodded. "When it is time," he answered back.

She lowered her eyes, but her shoulders relaxed. She wasn't impatient. That was good. Obi took a breath and looked over, "Leah, how much time before lunch comes?"

"It should already be here, Master Obi," she answered.

Obi sighed. It wasn't long enough, but Shirayuki's meetings were to begin shortly after lunch. "Bring it in, then," he said resigned. He picked Ilena up and carried her to the couch settling her so he could hold her again. He leaned his head against hers, his mouth close to her ear. "This is going to be very difficult. I am likely to go very quickly right through testy to a temper tantrum."

*Pfft* Ilena put her hand to her mouth, horrified it had leaked out. Obi smiled, letting her feel it against her ear. She sighed and leaned into him. "I won't be feeling any differently," she admitted. "Work hard, Obi, but don't forget me. I will be waiting for you, always." She lifted the hand he had interlocked his fingers into and licked his fingertips, tickling them. He clenched his hand around hers, and she licked the back of it, too. He trembled, then bent down and kissed the nape of her neck.

"I think I'd rather eat you for lunch," he said.

"Only if I can return the favor," Ilena said.

"You need to eat to stay healthy," he retorted.

"I can do that in five minutes or less," she answered back.

"Hmm...good point." He stood and picked her up and left the main room.

Leah rolled her eyes at them, setting their plates back on the lunch cart to cover and hope they kept warm long enough. She collected the four needed for the rest of them and took them in instead.

-o-o-o-

The next two days passed in a similar manner. They spent the nights and mornings together, the next one in the meeting with Zen for part of it, then Obi would go for his instructions for the afternoon while Ilena would go with Shirayuki to her meetings. Shirayuki's mornings were spent dancing and going to do her research lessons, meeting with the sons the day before the meeting with the fathers. In this way, both generations got to know who she was. She actually did find one young man that she got along with well enough that she considered him for a position in her office when she added a particular activity she was at this time just tossing around picking up. If she was actually accepted as Zen's Princess, then she would ask him.

That made her think of Darla, who she had still not heard from. That thought made her sad. She really liked how the older woman could put people at ease. She started to look for her as she would walk through the halls, but she seemed to have decided to avoid Shirayuki since the ball. At the very least, Shirayuki wanted to understand why. Finally, after her final meeting, she took Ilena and her two guards to seek her out purposely.

Darla was surprised to see them at her door when she answered it. Shirayuki apologized for coming without advanced notice and asked if she could come in. After a moment's hesitation, Darla let her in. Ilena went with her, the two favorites staying outside to guard the door. When Shirayuki confronted her about her absence, Darla admitted it was because she had not wanted Shirayuki to be tainted by her presence, since she was considered a pariah by the lords and young ladies of the castle. Shirayuki was surprised, but Ilena was not, instead saying it was appropriate, and praising Darla. When Darla looked down in shame, Shirayuki sent a scolding look at Ilena. Ilena shook her head briefly at her, looking closely at Darla. Shirayuki recognized the look and sat back to see what Ilena would do. By the time Mother was done with Darla, she was firmly in Shirayuki's camp with an understanding of how to support her from her seemingly tenuous position, and the strength to do it. As Ilena sat back in her chair in triumph, Shirayuki shook her head in amazement. They took their leave and returned to the Lower office.

"Thank you, Ilena," Shirayuki said. "I really hated to lose her."

"It was your willingness to seek her out that did it, in the end," Ilena said.

"Well, it was Mother who made it possible for her to lift her head," Shirayuki said.

"Then, we worked well together, this time," Ilena smiled at Shirayuki. "I would still wait to ask her until after you are announced properly."

Shirayuki nodded. "Yes, I have several of those people now." She told Ilena what her thoughts were and who she would ask. Ilena took note of the new ones to get information on as she probed to see if what Shirayuki would do was really what she wanted and appropriate for her in that station. When she was satisfied, she reminded Shirayuki she should ask Zen for his opinion on it as well.

"Zen doesn't seem to be doing well. He says his meetings with the lords who are set against me are not going as he had hoped, though he also says he won't let it hold him back on his goals. We had a long lunch today, and he wants me back for dinner again tonight."

"Hmm...," Ilena mused, looking at her. "I think, if you would hear it...?" Shirayuki nodded. "I think he is being told that they won't accept it unless he will separate from you enough for them to be convinced he really seriously considered all of the candidates. He is no longer at the point of being able to do that easily. Likely we will need to watch for a tantrum. Because he can be comfortable with you, you'll have to bear the brunt of it. If he makes you mad, please forgive him quickly. He is only missing you more than he can bear. Grabbing him up quickly in a hug that you refuse to let go until he relaxes and apologizes would be the best solution."

Shirayuki looked at Ilena sharply. "Do you really think that is it?"

"Most likely. They will think they can influence him away from you in this way. If you allow your anger to win, they will win. Also, they will spread the most horrible gossip, that he has fallen for one or the other, over you. You must close your ears to it tightly. He won't be able to tell you otherwise, but you can be assured he has not turned his heart from you, and is suffering pain because he knows such lies will hurt you."

"Why won't he be able to tell me himself?"

Ilena paused. "Because to be separated enough to satisfy them, if this is what they are telling him, means you will only be allowed to talk to him in your official capacity as his Assistant and Adjunct. If he allows you to speak to him in any other way, he will have breached his agreement, and they may cry foul to your announcement."

"Ah," Shirayuki nodded. "I understand. We've been through it before. It will be difficult, but I can support him in this. ...But then, when will he have his tantrum to me?"

"When it's your turn to be interviewed by him. If you can give him the grace of your forgiveness and love quickly, he will be more able to chose you. If you can continue that for the rest of your life, he will love you the more. If you fail that test, he cannot in good faith chose you as his companion."

"It is that serious?"

"Yes," Ilena answered seriously. "The Princess must be able to bear with strength and grace the weakness of the Prince, for there is none other he may lean on. Even a Prince and a King are men, Princess, the same as you are a woman. None are perfect, but because they must stand above all others, the strain upon them is the greatest. If there is no safe harbor for them to rest, how shall they continue to fly?" She paused to look at Shirayuki, seeing if she was understanding. This was one of her greatest weaknesses, that she could not take her strength and bend it when it was needful.

Shirayuki pondered the concept. "It's why we fought just before we found you. He had complained one too many times to me at the difficulties he was facing and I lost my temper with him. Perhaps it was because I wouldn't let him rest at any of those times with me." She thought a little longer, then nodded. "I will try to let him rest earlier so that he doesn't worry so, and so I do not lose my temper."

"That would be very good, Princess Shirayuki," Ilena praised her.

"We meet tomorrow to discuss what the meetings have resulted in, both his and mine, so I will learn it by then," Shirayuki said. "If you are right, I shall also miss him."

"If I am right, make sure you make some happy memories with him tomorrow. Perhaps we could have that dinner I owe everyone for the first two weeks of hard work."

Shirayuki brightened. "I think he would like that. He was also saying he missed seeing Obi and Ilena."

"Ah," Ilena blushed, "I'm sorry we have been so busy also. In seeing him, and you, at our meetings, I do not often think of it as being missing, but I suppose it's the difference between a working lunch and a relaxed lunch."

Shirayuki nodded. "Yes. The two of you should come more often for the lunches."

Ilena looked at her thoughtfully. "If he tells you that you may not go for lunches during the interviewing time, then I will go. Obi will come if he may. In this way, we may be able to strengthen him somewhat."

"That would be good," Shirayuki relaxed slightly.

"And for you, you should find ways to also be pleasantly distracted somewhat at the lunch hour. Perhaps with Marie or Ryuu as companions. If you need me, I will come also." Ilena admonished. Shirayuki agreed and committed to taking care of herself as well.

The next morning, Ilena's fear was confirmed by Zen himself in their meeting. He was very downcast. Ilena also suggested the dinner to him and he roused enough to say he would consider it. When Shirayuki met with Ilena after lunch, she said she had made a special lunch for him and taken him out to the castle herb garden to eat it. He'd been sufficiently content with that he had agreed to the dinner. Then she worriedly said that Zen had gone to tell the lords as a group what he would do. That he would as of the next day no longer be able to have lunches or dinners with her until her appointed week, beginning the fourth week from that day, and that it was as severe as Ilena had warned her it would be.

Ilena sighed and said that she could most certainly expect a tantrum, and that even she, Ilena, would likely have to diffuse one or two in that time, as Zen was already not able to handle it well. Shirayuki had a thought, and said she would gift him something of hers to hold on to, the same as she had requested something of his when she had been sent away. After their day's lesson, Shirayuki went to find just that while Ilena and her staff prepared the dinner menu and plans.

-o-o-o-

In the end fourteen were at the dinner. Their group had become so large, and it still lacked Mitsuhide and Kiki, which would bring it to sixteen. Ilena had, with the permission of Obi, invited Thayne and Petroi to attend. It would be a good second meeting for the two, as it was a group gathering. Ilena had also invited Dane and Tairn as the office staff would also be supporting and strengthening Zen through this time, and she wanted to remind them the rest of them were also available as necessary. Aiden declined, saying he would need to be with his wife at that time, but said he would also support Zen accordingly. Ilena, considering Aiden, decided at that moment to send Doctor Elliot to his house to see what was wrong with Aiden's wife, and sent him the message to go that evening. Ilena also invited Ryuu as he was a supporter of Zen and Shirayuki as well.

Ilena had originally planned on making it a formal inside dinner in the central hallway of the residential wing, it being a familiar and secure location. When the Chatelaine had been surprised she had not asked for one of the gardens, her eyes grew wide and she changed the location immediately. He had been just as surprised by her new location, but accepted it. In reality she just needed access to a few cooks in the kitchen and people to bring the food and dishes to the dinner location. She already had servers in Leah, Rio, Thayne, and Petroi. She sent Henry and Marcus into town for proper drinks and a few other things that were needed.

As people arrived in the wing, they were escorted through the Lower office, through the courtyards and out the Cat gate. Ilena, Obi, and Grandfather were waiting sitting on soft cloths and pillows in the last level area before the rolling hills began outside the castle wall. Ilena had set up the seating so that everyone would be looking away from the castle itself and towards the scenery that had come to mean freedom and open spaces for her and Obi. It was a warm summer evening, so the sun would remain light in the sky for some time. Petroi and Thayne would light torches as the sun set, though Ilena didn't plan on everyone staying up very late that night. The next morning was not a holiday after all.

Ilena greeted each guest with an embrace and expressed her gratitude for their assistance in the first two weeks and in the time following. While it didn't feel like she had set specific seating, because she invited people to sit so kindly, they ended up placed where she wanted them. When everyone was gathered, she nodded to Leah, who began the serving, the other three assisting. Ilena continued speaking to the group as a whole, graciously welcoming them. As the conversations began, she kept a close ear on all of them, gently bringing people back into conversation when they seemed to lack a topic, though she didn't press for chaos.

Shirayuki, glad to be sitting with Zen and getting to know Dane and Tairn a little better, somehow found herself automatically observing Ilena and her interactions until she understood them. Zen at some point had to get her attention. Shirayuki startled a little, then shook her head and apologized, saying she had just realized she was getting another lesson over this dinner. Ilena glanced at her in the middle of a sentence with someone else, but didn't miss a beat. Shirayuki sighed, then started practicing. By the end of the dinner, Ilena was allowing her to handle roughly half of the hostessing, and Shirayuki was feeling somewhat more comfortable. She had also noticed that Obi was hosting quite admirably and she wondered where he had learned it. During the time of cleaning up, she asked him.

Obi smiled. "I have known it for a very long time, Mistress. I haven't needed to call upon it until now. Still, it's sometimes difficult to keep up with Ilena, is it not?" He looked at her sympathetically.

"I'm glad to have her as a teacher," Shirayuki said. "It's so easy to see her example and follow it. If ever I have trouble she will always find a way to set the proper example right away so I may learn it."

Ilena leaned into their conversation. "But were you able to also pay enough attention to the person who needs you most tonight? Balance is the most difficult skill to learn."

Shirayuki looked at Zen in consternation. "Ah," she said unsure.

Zen took her hand. "I was enjoying watching you and seeing you grow in front of me. It has given me hope to see for myself how quickly you are able to learn and put your lessons into practice. Having only seen you attempt to learn to dance I had perhaps wrongly become discouraged. I'm sorry, Shirayuki."

Obi looked at Ilena out of the corner of his eyes. She gave him a smug glance that disappeared quickly. He reached out his hand ever so slightly and took her little fingers in his. In this matter, her ability to manipulate was a blessing. Ilena continued her lesson to Shirayuki. "It's good to understand how to hostess and practice it, but when you are in the case such as this, where there is one person you must give particular attention to, do not forget it. Please also consider which situation you are in each time. Sometimes a particular guest must be given most of your focus so that you might win them to a cause. Say for instance when you host your tea for the Queen Mother."

Zen and Shirayuki both froze. "She will of course bring her own guests with her. Your duty is to win her to your cause, thus being pleasant and gracious with the other guests is important to show your own strengths, but she must be your gentle focus for the entire time." Ilena continued as if she had not noticed their reactions.

"Um, Ilena," Zen interrupted. "When exactly is Shirayuki supposed to do that?"

Ilena looked at him mildly. "When you tell her it is time, Master Zen. You will know when it is, of course."

"Ah, I see," Zen looked like he didn't want to consider it all. He even looked like he was going to deny its necessity, then lowered his eyes to his hand and sighed. "And will you be going with her Ilena?"

"Of course, Master Zen. Though I'm not sure whether I'm to win her to my cause at the same time or wait until Princess Shirayuki hosts the Wisteria family luncheon." Both Shirayuki and Zen went somewhat white. "It seems to me to be best to merely appear properly pleasant at the tea, where she will give me an initial evaluation only while testing Princess Shirayuki. I am hopeful Princess Shirayuki will pass that test so that she won't have to have quite so much pressure at the luncheon. I am, after all, much more suited to handle that than she is, when it is the faces of two Wisterias who are watching."

"Princess Shirayuki will have had sufficient practice for the tea by the time she must face the Queen Mother, and by the time your brother has arrived, she should be sufficiently comfortable with hostessing, and with your mother, to hold her own."

"Ah, and how will she become comfortable with Mother?"

Ilena looked at him, "Because an invitation to tea must be met with a reciprocal agreement." Zen sighed. "If after the first two they are still not in agreement, I will host one and announce my parentage to your mother as her punishment."

Zen looked at Ilena with his mouth open. "...punish…," he said faintly.

Ilena nodded. "She will then have to host one for me and Shirayuki again at which to apologize and accept at least Shirayuki."

"Ilena, have you ever faced my mother?" he asked in shock.

Ilena looked at him mildly, placing her hands in her lap. "Master Zen, not only have I met your mother, I have faced my own mother many times. They were sisters, after all."

Leah, farther down the row sighed. "Master Zen, Ilena could manipulate her own mother by the time she was three, and the Queen Mother couldn't stand strong for very long on our visit. It was a rare thing for her to confront another Wisteria female, after all, having had only sons and a husband to deal with herself. The two sisters were separated on purpose by their father. Ilena was the only one who could get them to sit calmly together at the meals. Though often she did it by helping Prince Izana to get into trouble so they both focused on him rather than each other. I do hope he has forgotten that."

"Ah, I had forgotten it," said Ilena thoughtfully. "Thank you for telling me. I shall have to be properly prepared when he comes, lest the luncheon become unbearable for Princess Shirayuki and Obi."

Obi jumped. "I? I have to go?"

"Of course," she looked at him in surprise. "You're already in the family now that we are married. You'll be tested at the same time I am, though to a lesser degree since Izana is already testing you now."

It was Obi's turn to put his face in his hand. "I see..."

Zen clapped his hand on Obi's shoulder. "Well, I think it shouldn't be so bad. I'm actually looking forward to seeing Ilena clash horns with Izana. I won't have to be in his eyes for once."

"Much," Ilena amended.

Zen nodded, still content with his own lot. Obi gave Shirayuki a mournful look and she was in agreement. "Well, then, Obi, shall we find strength and comfort together, then?" Shirayuki said to him. "I had always heard it could be difficult to deal with in-laws," she said doubtfully.

"True, but I hadn't really thought I would ever have to deal with one's such as the Wisterias," Obi said.

Zen frowned at them, but Ilena gave an arch look. "By all means, stand as supporters of each other, but don't forget your most important role at that meal is to stand as supporters of your spouse or intended. That is what they will be testing - your suitability to stand in the place you are going to stand. Not whether you can be a Wisteria or not. That's my test."

Obi got an enlightened expression and nodded. He could already do that. Shirayuki considered it, then thoughtfully nodded as well. Zen looked at them both, pleased with their reactions to Ilena's words, then as he considered all her words to this point, he looked at her suspiciously.

"Ilena, have you increased in strength as well, or are you just showing me something you've not shown me yet?"

"I wonder, Master Zen," she said reaching for her glass of wine. She looked him in the eye just a pause before drinking a sip from it.

Obi sighed and put his elbow on his knee, resting his chin in his hand. "She's finally unreserved, Master, now that she has what she wants. I've already had to rein her in twice in two days, a few days ago."

Ilena bowed her head briefly in submissive agreement and apology.

Zen raised an eyebrow. "I'm not very surprised, of course. Are you managing okay, Obi?"

Obi nodded. "She gave me plenty of practice before. I'm just not sure how long it will take this time. She won't tell me."

"Then she doesn't know," Zen said.

Obi looked away from Ilena to look at Zen. "Yeah, I know."

Zen looked at Obi with a smile. "You know, it's the first I've thought of it that way, though, that you and I are brother-in-laws now."

"Well, cousin-in-laws," Tairn mildly corrected.

"Not really," Zen said. "We'll probably adopt her as sister instead of cousin in the end."

Ilena looked surprised. Zen looked at her mildly. "I think this is where Kiki would say that I've won a point," he said after a moment.

"Ah, I would suppose so," Ilena said faintly.

Obi, who had also been having troubles wrapping his brain around the sudden concept, laughed suddenly. Zen looked at him slightly affronted. "Ah, sorry," Obi said. It wasn't the first time he'd laughed at an inappropriate time, but still...he had never ever thought he would end up related to his Master and Mistress. It made him very happy.

Ilena tugged him over to her and whispered. "Is it a fulfillment of a wish, Obi?"

He looked at her gentle smile and happy eyes. "Yes, Ilena. Even though one I would never have thought of." He kissed her cheek. "Thank you."

Ilena leaned in even closer and whispered, "I love you."

He learned that night why she gave people wishes, particularly big ones. It really did help them to become stronger.