Hello again! I'm sorry this story isn't going very quickly, but real life just won't leave me alone. Bleh. I thank those of you who are sticking with me and really appreciate you all. Reviews are keeping me motivated and I greatly appreciate those, as well. This isn't beta'd, so any mistakes are my own. I don't own the MOTU characters, places, etc. but everything else is mine. No infringement is intended; this is all just for fun and I'm not making any money from it. Enjoy.

"How is Jevren?" Adam asked his friend with obvious concern.

"She finally calmed down after Mother and Father spoke with her last night, but she doesn't want Vloren to leave her side," Vlacan replied. "Since she's finally sleeping, he's sleeping as well. I'm afraid they are going to miss the games today."

"We understand," Adam assured him. "I'm actually quite surprised that any of you are going to attend today. How are you doing? This can't be easy for you, either."

Vlacan sighed and then gave Rain a smile as she squeezed the hand she was holding in support. "It isn't easy, but I wasn't nearly as close to Garaven as Jevren... or should I say I'm not as close? It's odd to think that Lord Garaven is still in Aragnor, alive and well, and completely unaware of what's going on."

"Is someone going to tell him?" Teela asked.

Vlacan shrugged. "Mother wants to consult the Oracles of Elvenrisch before she says or does anything," he told them. "For all any of us know, all of this was supposed to happen; if we tell Garaven, we may be altering our present as well as our futures and Mother wants to be sure that she doesn't do anything that will mess with the natural order of things."

"I suppose that makes sense," Adam said. "We should head to the arena so that we aren't late for the start of the games."

The group made their way through the palace and out to the transport that would take them to the arena on the southwestern edge of Eternos City.

Both Adam's and Vlacan's parents were just arriving as well, so they all took one transport together after the formal greetings were done.

"We will all sit in the royal box," King Randor informed them as soon as they had arrived at the arena before smiling at Rain. "Lady Laraina, I have invited your family to join us, as well."

Rain gave him a sweet smile and a curtsy and, as soon as he turned to lead them all into the arena, she rolled her eyes and sighed.

Vlacan smothered his laugh and leaned over to kiss her forehead. "I'm sure they'll be on their best behavior," he told her. "After all, the king and queen of Eternia are present, as are my parents, who are visiting royalty."

"You don't know my brothers that well yet," she grumbled, shaking her head.

When they reached the royal box, a sectioned off area at the very center of the arena and just at the right spot to be able to have the best view of everything, Man-at-arms greeted them all formally and then led them all to their seats. King Randor sat at the very center of the front row with Queen Marlena at his right. King Vlancar was seated to Randor's left and Queen Elevren was seated to Marlena's right. "If the two of you would like to sit beside one another, we can adjust the seating arrangements," King Randor told them.

"No, no, this is fine," Queen Elevren assured him. "I'm sure Vlancar will have questions for you about the games and I can take this opportunity to get to know Marlena better."

Adam and Teela sat directly behind his parents with Vlacan behind his father and Rain behind her future mother-in-law.

Man-at-arms greeted his brother and sister-in-law, as well as his niece and nephews, when they arrived and he escorted them to their seats two rows behind the royal families. With a look to his nephews warning them to behave themselves, he then went and stood before King Randor.

"My liege," he said, "we are ready to begin the games at your signal."

"Thank you, Duncan," Randor replied.

Man-at-arms nodded and then took his seat nearest to where the royals were sitting.

King Randor stood and held his arms out and silence descended on the crowded arena. With a smile, he brought his arms down and took his seat and the crowd cheered.

As the game began, King Randor explained the rules and the object of the game to King Vlancar and Prince Vlacan. Both men listened attentively so that they would also understand what was happening and soon the men in the box were excitedly cheering on their team of choice.

Marlena sighed and smiled indulgently at Elevren, shaking her head slightly. "I don't understand the appeal of grown men and women chasing frozen balls around with brooms," she said softly.

"I believe it is the competitive nature of the game that engages them," Elevren said, wincing as their chosen team scored a point and the men around them roared excitedly.

Teela was grinding her teeth and doing her best to remain still. Her role as princess demanded that she sit regally and not jump up and down, and cheer and yell as the men were doing, and it irritated her.

Adam sat back and casually draped an arm around her shoulders, leaning over to kiss her temple. "I'm sorry that you can't enjoy the game as fully as you used to," he said softly.

Teela gave him a sheepish look. "Is it that obvious?" she asked.

"To me," Adam grinned and winked at her. "But only because I know you so well."

Teela smiled softly and leaned over to kiss him briefly before they turned their attention back to the game.

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During the break halfway through the game, they were brought mugs of hot spiced wine and warm cakes that were deep-fried, covered in a sweet powder and drizzled with a glaze made from pureed fruit.

"These are divine," Queen Elevren smiled at Queen Marlena.

Marlena delicately wiped her mouth with a linen napkin and smiled. "They are; I can have the royal chef prepare the recipe for your own chef, if you'd like."

"I'd like that very much," Elevren replied. "Thank you."

The game resumed and Rain felt something hit her in the back of the head a few minutes later. She resolutely ignored it the first time, and even the second, but the third time she turned and glared at her brothers, who were smiling innocently at her. Narrowing her eyes, she turned back around to continue her conversation with Teela.

A few moments later, she felt it once more and she stood gracefully and moved regally to where her brothers were sitting, placing her hands on her hips.

"Give them to me," she said calmly, holding one of her hands out, palm up.

"What?" Jeregan asked innocently.

"Whatever you are using to hit me in the back of the head with," Laraina said. "Give them to me, now."

"You're crazy," Calendohr replied. "We're not doing anything."

Vlacan saw the exchange out of the corner of his eye and turned his full attention to what was happening.

Adam noticed where Vlacan's attention was and he turned to watch the proceedings himself, smiling at Teela when she, too, turned to see what was happening.

Laraina grabbed Calendohr by the collar of his tunic and jerked him forward so that he was inches from her face and was dangling precariously over the railing that separated their seats from the royals. "Whatever the two of you are doing, you had better stop it right now or I swear I will take you outside and beat you to within an inch of your lives," she hissed at him. "Do you understand me?"

Calendohr gulped and looked at Jeregan, whose eyes were also wide with fear, before looking at Laraina again and nodding. "Yes, Ma'am," he said, nodding.

Rain let him go, pushing him roughly so he landed with a 'thud' back in his seat, and then glared at Jeregan. "Do you need to be reminded how to behave as well?"

Jeregan shook his head vigorously and swallowed hard. "No."

Rain narrowed her eyes at them both and then nodded before releasing a breath and turning sharply on her heel. She smiled sweetly at Vlacan and winked at him before moving back to her seat beside Teela once more and demurely lowering herself into the comfortable chair.

Vlacan swallowed visibly and looked at Adam with wide eyes. "She's quite a force to be reckoned with, isn't she?" he asked softly.

Adam grinned at his friend. "I'm afraid of her, and Teela, too."

Vlacan's eyes widened even more. "But you're~" he broke off and glanced at their fathers, who were seated in front of them watching the game. He clenched his fists and bent his elbows, indicating his muscles before looking at Adam questioningly.

Adam, still smiling, nodded. "I'm still afraid of them," he said quietly. "Any man with sense is. It's not too late; you can still back out if you want to."

Vlacan suddenly returned his grin and shook his head. "Nah... it'll make life more interesting. Rain seems like such a demure little thing; I can hardly wait to see her show her fiercer side to those nitwits at court."

Adam laughed lightly and nodded. "I think after what happened the other day, the women of our court are all terrified of Teela. That doesn't bother me as much as it probably should, but they need to know that their future queen isn't some wilting flower."

Vlacan nodded in agreement before he looked toward his beloved once more and gave her an intense look. "Wilting flowers they are not," he agreed. He smiled when he saw Rain's younger sister timidly approaching her older sister and cousin Teela. "Lizelle on the other hand..." he said softly, tilting his head in her direction.

Adam looked at the younger woman and smiled tenderly. "Ah, yes, little Lizelle. While their brothers will roughhouse with and tease Rain mercilessly because they know that she not only can take it, but she gives as good as she gets, they all treat Lizelle the complete opposite. They are usually very kind and gentle with her, and you rarely see them tease her."

"Rain said that she was very ill when she was younger," Vlacan replied.

Adam nodded and his eyes clouded. "She had a very high fever when she was small... I think she was around four or five. My father insisted she be brought to the palace infirmary to be treated and she very nearly died, more than once. It took her months to fully recover, so everyone treated her as if she were very fragile for a long time."

"Lord Turevan, one of the elven lords who frequently visit Aragnor, has become quite taken with Lizelle," Vlacan told him. "At what age are your young women eligible to be courted?"

Adam looked surprised at this and he bit his bottom lip. "We are of legal age at sixteen, but most fathers prefer their daughters not begin to court until they are eighteen. Elle just had her nineteenth birthday, so she is old enough."

"I sense a 'but' in there," Vlacan said.

Adam nodded slowly. "As I said, her brothers and her father all treat her as if she is very fragile, so I would suggest to Lord Turevan that he approach the subject cautiously. Also, because of the way her family has treated her, Elle is very shy and often unsure of herself."

"Rain asked her parents' permission for Elle to move into the palace to be her lady in waiting and her mother was happy and encouraged it, but her father seemed unsure. I think I understand why, now," Vlacan told him. "I'm sure they will agree, so perhaps I could speak with Rain and we could arrange activities that would allow Lord Turevan and Lizelle to spend time together informally and see if the interest is mutual?"

Adam grinned and nodded. "I think that sounds like a good plan," he answered. "However, with your permission, I'd like to meet Lord Turevan myself and have a few words with him. Rain and Elle are much like younger sisters to me and I feel that, as their future king, I should look out for their best interests."

"Absolutely," Vlacan agreed. "Let me know when it's convenient for you and I'll arrange it."

The two princes turned their attention back to the game after Adam nodded.

In front of Adam, Randor smiled proudly. He had overheard much of the conversation regarding Lizelle, though they had kept their voices low, and it made him happy that his son felt that he needed to look after the young women's well-being not only as a friend and extended family member through his marriage to Teela, but because he was also their future king.

Adam was surprising him more every day.

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Lady Lizelle timidly approached her cousin, Princess Teela, and her older sister, Lady Laraina and gave a curtsy to the former. "Princess," she said softly.

Teela smiled warmly at her younger cousin as she turned her attention to her. Lizelle, or Elle as she was affectionately known, was six inches shorter than her, had reddish-blonde, long curly hair, and golden eyes that stood out under her long lashes. She was petite and very beautiful, but was extremely shy. "Elle," Teela said, "come sit with us." She patted the vacant chair beside her and grinned at Rain when Elle lowered herself into it. "How are you?"

"I'm doing very well," she said. "How about you? It seems like forever since we've gotten to spend any time together."

"It has been awhile," Teela agreed. "I'm good."

Elle looked at Rain. "When are you and Prince Vlacan going to officially become engaged?"

Rain smiled at her sister. "He asked me to marry him already, and I accepted, but according to their customs, we must wait at least a month from the time we declare our desire to marry and the time when we officially become engaged, so we'll be announcing it shortly after we return to Aragnor."

Teela glanced at their mothers-in-law and leaned closer, beckoning Elle to come in closer so she could hear as well. "I know Vlacan said that you two were going to wait until you officially announced your engagement before you began to share a suite, but I couldn't help notice that the two of you came out of his suite this morning."

Elle's eyes widened as she looked at her sister in shock.

Rain blushed slightly and nodded. "Jevren wanted Vloren with her after what happened last night, and I thought they would want their privacy, so I slept in the room that was Vloren's last night. Even though their customs make it okay for us to share a bed, I'm still having a bit of trouble because that's not how it's done in Eternia. Vlacan has been incredibly patient with me."

Teela smiled widely. "That means he truly loves and respects you," she told her.

Elle glanced at the queens in front of them and very quietly asked her sister, "Do you mean that by their customs the two of you can... um, consummate your relationship before the actual wedding?" She blushed furiously and bit her top lip nervously.

Rain laughed lightly and nodded. "If we wanted to," she said. "But as I said, that's not how it's done here in Eternia, so I'm having a bit of a struggle with taking that final step."

"Are... are you afraid?" Elle asked. "I've heard that it's extremely painful the first few times."

"It's not," Teela assured them both. "There is some pain, but it's not unbearable and it diminishes quickly."

Rain and Elle both looked over towards Adam and then back at Teela, both of them bright red, with wide eyes.

Teela laughed softly. "Don't look so surprised! Adam is a very gentle and considerate man."

The two young women blushed once more and Rain decided to change the subject. "I'm sure Vlacan will be the same, but I just don't feel ready to take that step just yet. While I know I want to marry him, and I'm sure he's the one meant for me, we have only known each other for just over two months... you and Prince Adam grew up together."

Teela smiled and nodded her head. "That's true. As long as Prince Vlacan is willing to be patient, then I suppose you should take as long as you feel is necessary to feel comfortable."

Rain nodded her head as well before she looked at her sister. "You know that Lord Turevan is interested in you, don't you?"

Elle's eyes widened. "What?" she asked in shock. "Which one is he again?"

"He's an elven lord," Rain told her. "The one with white-blonde hair and pale blue eyes?"

Elle swallowed visibly. "The archer with the beautiful smile?"

Rain chuckled softly. "Oh, so you do know who I'm talking about."

Elle shifted uncomfortably and looked away with a blush. "Why on Eternia would he be interested in me?" she asked. "I'm nothing special."

Teela took her cousin's hand in one of her own and lifted her chin to force her to look into her eyes with the index finger of the other. "Oh, but you are," she told the girl. She froze as images suddenly bombarded her and she closed her eyes until they stopped.

She saw Vlacan and Rain, both much older and wearing golden crowns, standing before a mob of angry people who were wielding weapons and shouting angrily. Jevren and Vloren moved to stand beside them, both of them also much older and wearing crowns, and then Elle and a handsome elf with white-blonde hair and pale blue eyes came out of the crowd to join the monarchs.

Elle spoke to the crowd and they silenced and listened to her every word before she held her arms out and a beautiful child, who was the perfect mix of Elle and the elf, was placed into them. She held her son as she spoke to the crowd once more and after several minutes they laid their weapons down and everyone bowed.

Although she couldn't hear the words spoken, Teela somehow knew she had seen a vision of the future. She opened her eyes and stared at her cousin in awe.

"You're far more special than you think," she said quietly.

Elle blushed and looked away nervously.

Rain realized that something significant had just happened, but she also knew that now was not the time or place to address it. Smiling, she took her sister's other hand and gave it a squeeze. "Listen to your future queen," she told her.

Elle smiled at them both and was about to say something when the men in the royal box suddenly shouted excitedly, jumping to their feet, startling all of the women.

Teela shook her head as she saw the referees out on the ice getting into a heated argument with some of the players of the opposing team and the men began yelling angrily at the referees as well.

As the first blows between players were thrown, Teela immediately went into protective 'captain of the royal guard' mode and she saw, to her relief, that her father was motioning guards into the royal box to protect the royal family and their guests, even as other guards hurried out to the ice to break up the ensuing fight.

With a sigh, Teela sat back in her seat and awaited instructions. She was Princess of Eternia now and she had to behave as such.

But Elders, what she wouldn't give to be down there knocking heads together.