Zoe left early that morning, retracing the steps she had taken to Cria almost a full four years ago. She had explained everything to the Kedars in a lengthy letter, which she left taped to their door. She rode at a slower pace than her original one, partially because she was now carrying over three times the luggage she had brought with her, and partially because she had no pressing need to arrive. Tortall would not be disappearing from existence any time soon. After 8 long days of traveling, she arrived in Goldenlake, and just as she had done the first time, she checked herself into the Bird's Nest. She noted with amusement that the pimpled, lanky stableboy Harrison was still working there, although he was now the co-owner, and fairly handsome and well built. She grinned, sitting down on the bed with Salem.
"So much changes in 4 years." Zoe told her daughter with a laugh. Salem laughed too, without understanding what her mother meant.
Mother and daugher spent only 4 days in Goldenlake this time, resting and repacking things more carefully. The midmorning of the fifth day marked the second leg of their journey. Salem seemed to enjoy traveling. She spent her days babbling happily away to her mother about their surroundings as they passed, and braiding NightShade's mane. Zoe, in turn, told her daughter stories of Tortall, it's past, and her very own family. She told her about the beautiful dresses and balls she would attend as a princess, and how life would be wonderful. Deep down inside, Zoe hoped all of this was true.
Two weeks after leaving Goldenlake, Zoe and Salem arrived at the palace, in the evening. She slung her pack onto her back and took Salem's hand, sneaking in through a well-known back way. It appeared as if there was a ball going on. Half of her wanted to just sneak back up to her old room and fall asleep, but the other half wanted herself to be known in the palace again. The second half won quickly, and she decided on a large, chaos causing entrance. Walking up to the main doors of the ballroom, she had them opened, while trumpets blew and she was introduced. A royal servant hollered,
"Now entering, Zoe Annette of Conté, Fifth Princess of Tortall!" Zoe grinned to herself as she was greeted by a large, shocking silence when she walked in. The large crowd of nobles gawked at an almost-blonde haired, paled eyed girl. Her clothes were soiled and dusty. Clutching her left hand was a small, dark haired child, dressed similarly. The princess had returned.
Nathaniel looked quickly toward his wife, who was nonplussed. It was quite a feat to see Queen Irena not knowing what to do. Nathaniel's voice of reason was yelling at him. She's dead, Nathaniel! Apparently, this wasn't true, because his daughter was now standing in front of him. With a daughter of her own. Irena, however, was the first to speak.
"Zoe.." she said in disbelief. It was thought that Zoe was dead, and yet she was in front of Irena's eyes. She's grown so, Irena thought, looking unflinchingly at both her daughter and Zoe's child. That had to be who it was. She had some of Zoe's features, some of which were handed down from Irena herself. Nathaniel looked at Zoe, with his knotted eyebrow raised.
"Welcome back," he said, dryly, looking at Zoe. Irena reached out and smacked his forearm, remaining silent. Nathaniel barely noticed, as he continued to look at Zoe and her daughter.
"Well, Zoe. I believe you have quite a few stories to tell us. Shall we go to your father's study and hear it all?" It wasn't a question, it was an order. Irena glanced at Zoe, waiting for her answer. Zoe grinned and walked up to where her parents sat. Dropping her sack on the floor with a heavy thud, she plopped casually down into a chair directly to the right of her mother, and pulled Salem up onto her lap.
"Actually, Mom, Dad, I wanted to stay and watch the ball for awhile. I haven't been to one in ages." Irena gnashed her teeth together, but Nathaniel glanced over toward Zoe and Salem.
"Who's this?" he asked, motioning to Salem, intrigued. Irena rolled her eyes. Sometimes her husband was so juvenile. Zoe grinned proudly, sitting up.
"This is your granddaugther, Papa. Her name is Salem Karana Kedar." Zoe placed Salem down on the floor. Salem, eager to see who apparently was now her grandfather as well, tottered over to Nathaniel and smiled at him.
"Hi." She said, shyly. Nathaniel grinned.
"Well, hello there, Salem. I'm your Grandpapa," he said, holding his hand out toward her. "So, tell me about yourself, Salem," he said, gently. Irena glanced at Zoe and shook her head. How she had raised such a daughter was beyond her. Salem took Nathaniel's hand.
"I'm Salem, and I'm from Galla, and we rode for a loooooong time!" She told her grandfather. Zoe's grinned widened, watching her daughter.
"She just turned two years old about a month ago, Dad. She's really really smart. Her vocabulary is at least 300 words." Zoe explained. For the first time, both Zoe and Salem's slight Gallan accents were noticable. Nathaniel smiled.
"You're from Galla, eh?" he asked. "I've got an idea. Why don't you sit up here with me, and you can see the whole ball? The King has the best seat," he said, grinning at her. Irena turned quickly to Zoe.
"You went to *Galla* and got pregnant by godsknowswho?! I don't believe you!" she said, hissing at her daughter. Salem grinned widely.
"Okay!" She exclaimed, and scrambled up onto Nathaniel's lap, still holding onto his hand. Zoe smirked at the queen.
"Yes, Mother, I did. He was an assassin. I had originally come across him because I wanted to hire him for a job - right here in Corus, actually - but he said he doesn't murder royals." Obviously Zoe had no plans to kill, or even mildly harm her mother. All the same, however, she enjoyed watching the normally unshakeable Queen squirm in her seat, thinking that her life was truly in danger. Zoe knew it was mean, but after so many years of criticism and harsh words from Irena, this type of extreme revenge was exactly what she needed. She smirked as she watched the Queen's eyes widen, and her mouth open and close stupidly, like a fish's. Finally realizing how stupid she looked, Queen Irena closed her mouth and pursed her lips. After using another few moments to fully recover, she looked at Zoe.
"I'm sorry, Zoe." It was Zoe's turn to look like a fish. She was *sorry*? Zoe didn't think she had ever heard her mother say those two words to anyone, in her entire life. Trying to regain her composure, Zoe shrugged her shoulders and smiled slightly.
"Okay. Now, let's watch the ball." Irena nodded, and both mother and daughter looked back out onto the floor.
