It was obvious to Adam that his mother and father had talked and things seemed better although that didn't mean that they were resolved. They walked into the dining room together and sat quietly, nodding and greeting, Teela, Duncan and Orko who were already seated. The Queen was not dressed in her usual long flowing green dress but a dark blue one that brought out the color of her eyes and made her red hair look stunning. Her hair was pulled half up with some of the hair hanging down her back and sitting at the top was her golden crown. The trip to Noteran had done her wonders. She looked young and content. If she hadn't told Adam the discomfort and pain she felt he would have never known. She covered things well. With a slight grin to himself he wondered if he got his talent of acting from his mother. Adam was standing by the doorway, watching everyone interact. Occasionally his mother would look up at him, but his father practically ignored him. He desperately wished that things could go back to the way they were. If only he could try harder. He really was interested in Kingdom affairs, now to get his father to see that.
"Adam why don't you sit down and join us. It's rude to stand by the door when the rest of us are seated." His father called out.
Adam sighed. "I'm waiting for someone."
"The woman you were with earlier today?" Teela asked with a raised brow.
"My son with a woman? I don't believe it" Randor let out in surprise.
"Teela must mean Aryanna." Marlena suggested with a smile.
" Mother's correct. I left her at the library this afternoon and she's been there ever since. I sent one of the guards to tell her that dinner was here." Adam told them.
Seconds later a young guard and Aryanna came strolling down the hall. Adam gestured for her to enter, but she shook her head. Adam gave her a puzzled look. His mother was suddenly at his side. "Aren't you hungry?" Adam whispered at her.
"She's hungry, but worried about the way she is dressed. After all she is still in the clothing she wore from home. Even though that may be her best outfit she may be worried about dressing appropriately to dine with us." Marlena whispered to Adam. Her son nodded. "You go sit at the table and I'll bring her to her room and find her something to wear." Adam nodded again and took his place at the table while his mother left the room.
"Where is the Queen going?" Teela asked.
"Umm, Aryanna needed help with something." Adam shrugged.
"I'm terribly sorry, Aryanna. I've been a horrible host."
"Nonsense. You had a lot to do today."
"How has your day been so far?"
"It's been all right. I wandered around the market place and Prince Adam showed me the library."
"Tomorrow I will take you to where your parents used to live."
"I'd like that. They've told me about their old house and the woods that you would all explore. From the tellings of my mother's stories, it seems like you all had a wonderful time together."
"We did." Marlena said nodding her head. She smiled as old memories resurfaced. "This is the room where you will be staying. I believe I have some old dresses in a chest in my room that you might be interested in wearing. Come. Let's pick one out for you to wear."
Less then twenty minutes after they had left, Queen Marlena and Aryanna entered the dining room. No one was eating but instead engrossed in conversation. They all looked up as the two women entered the room. Aryanna wore a simple pale blue dress with a matching ribbon tied in her hair.
"Everyone. I'd like you to meet Aryanna. The daughter of my two closest friends, Tolamey and Morylyn." Marlena announced proudly.
"Now there are two names I haven't heard in quite a long time." Duncan said rising to his feet. He gently kissed Aryanna's hand. "Your parents are two of the finest people on Eternia. It's a pleasure and honor to meet their daughter. I'm Duncan."
Duncan's greeting surprised Adam. Apparently he knew of Aryanna's parents too. Teela nodded her greeting politely.
King Randor rose from his chair and he gently shook Aryanna's hand. "It has been a very long time since I have heard those names. It is an honor to meet their daughter as an adult. I remember when you were just a child. You've grown into a beautiful young woman."
"Thank you your majesty." She said with a bow. "My parents have spoken very highly of you as well as Duncan."
"They are good people. Come let us sit and enjoy dinner." Randor suggested, gesturing toward the table. He nodded to someone in the doorway and soon men entered the room with plates of food. Randor shot Marlena a look before taking his place at the table.
Dinner was surprisingly quiet, despite the previous introductions. Either everyone was lost in thought or afraid to say the wrong thing. Duncan, King Randor and Teela spoke of royal business concerning the guards during the break before dessert. Marlena, Adam, Aryanna and Orko started their own conversation.
"You're really a magician?" Aryanna asked with delight. "I've never met a magician before."
"You are looking at the best magician on Eternia." Orko told her, straightening himself to look taller. Marlena and Adam laughed and Orko crossed his arms over his chest. "I can prove it. What would you like for dessert Aryanna? A pie? A cake?"
"An olanberry pie would be nice."
"An olanberry pie it is! Miggle maggle muggle sigh let's give this woman an olanberry pie!" Orko waved his hands and to his delight a pie appeared in mid air over the table, but it began to float away. "On no! Pie, come back! Pie land on the table!" he commanded, but the pie floated away and landed directly on Duncan's head.
"ORKO!!!!" he roared. The pie was dripping all over him, with the crust sitting atop his dark hair. "The one time I don't wear my helmet to the table is the one time I have an entire pie sitting on my head!"
Orko floated and hid behind Prince Adam's chair. "Oops. Sorry Man-At-Arms"
"Sorry doesn't clean this mess!"
"Oh I can fix the mess!" Orko floated to the center of the table and started to wiggle his hands.
"Oh no you don't!" Duncan said raising his hand. "I'll clean myself thank you. Everyone dinner was wonderful. Please excuse me while I get rid of this pie!"
As Adam laughed, he watched his parents share a laugh together about Orko's latest mixed up spell. Aryanna was giggling beside him like a little girl. Teela crossed her arms over her chest and looked very annoyed.
"Oops" was all Orko said as he shrugged. "Should I try it again?" he asked Aryanna.
"No no! Although it might be funny to see Prince Adam with a pie on his head!"
"Me?" He laughed. "Maybe the next pie will land on your head!" Teela rolled her eyes at the two of them. It wasn't that funny. Her poor father had to go scrub that pie off of him.
"I think that's enough magic for right now Orko. Perhaps after dessert you could show us one of your tricks with those spinning disks." Randor suggested
"Sure thing your majesty!" Orko replied and he floated to a small table by the window where he had a few magic props set up.
Adam leaned over in his chair and peeked under the tablecloth. Aryanna watched him curiously. "Are you ever going to come out of there and meet our new guest?" he whispered.
"Who on Eternia are you talking to?"
"See for yourself."
Aryanna lifted the tablecloth and looked under the table. "A tiger!"
"Where? Where?" It cried knocking over its food dish.
Adam laughed heartily. "She's talking about you Cringer."
"Oh I knew that."
"Why don't you come out and meet Aryanna?" The tiger stretched and then walked out from under the table. Aryanna pushed out her chair, walked over to the prince's side of the table and sat in Orko's chair. "Aryanna this is Cringer, one of my best friends."
"Hello Cringer." She said softly. She gently reached out and scratched his head and ears.
"Ooh I like her." Cringer purred.
"It's amazing that he talks. What an incredible animal." She continued to scratch Cringer's head, facinated by him. "Why were you hiding under the table? I didn't even know that you were there."
"That was the point. It's sc-scary out here."he mumbled.
"Oh it's not scary, unless you are talking about Orko's magic." She laughed.
"That's really scary!" Cringer trembled.
Adam reached over and gave him an affectionate pat. "Don't worry Cringer. Orko won't be performing anymore tricks with food."
"I worry when he is doing any trick because they always go wrong!" Cringer cried and he fell to the wood floor covering his eyes with his giant paws.
"Do they?" Aryanna asked incredulously.
Adam leaned closer to her and whispered. "Orko means well, but sometimes his magic doesn't do what he wants it to."
"Like the pie?" Aryanna whispered back.
"Exactly." The two shared a laugh.
"Why don't you share with us what is so funny." Came Teela's voice loud and clear. All discussion at the table ceased and everyone turned to Adam and Aryanna.
"I ..we." Adam stuttered.
"We were talking about Orko's magic and how it made us laugh." Aryanna said quickly.
"I see."
"I think I'll return to my room. Thank you for the wonderful meal." Aryanna said rising from her seat beside the prince.
"Won't you stay for dessert my dear?" Marlena asked.
"No thank you, Marlena, I mean your majesty. I'm very tired from the journey. I'd like to get some rest. Good night everyone." She bowed and tipped her head in Randor, Marlena and Adam's direction. She also nodded her head quickly to Teela before turning to leave.
When she was halfway to the door she heard, "Would you like an escort?" She turned to see Prince Adam walking toward her.
"I..-"
"Sure you would. You don't know the palace well. Adam would you call the guard to escort her?" Randor asked.
"I'll escort her myself father. I am capable." Without another word they left the room.
"I apologize for Teela" Adam told her as they stood in front of her door.
"There is no need. Her jealousy is blinding her but there is no reason for her to be jealous. I'm not here to take you or anyone else away from her."
"We're not seeing each other if that's what you think. We're just friends." Adam told her. "Teela can be slightly jealous but I think most of it is over protection."
"Maybe. I hope she realizes that I'm here to visit the palace and not step in on her territory."
"She'll get over it." A small silence developed. "I can't help but notice that you called my mother by her first name." He added.
"Bad habit. While she stayed with us, she insisted that I call her Marlena and not 'your highness' or your majesty'. I forgot where I was for a moment. I hope no one thinks that I have bad manners."
"I don't think so. If my mother has asked that you call her by her first name, then you are entitled to."
Aryanna wasn't one for striking up a conversation but she was curious. "Have your parents reconciled?"
Adam's gaze, previously on the floor shifted to her. "I'm not sure. I spent my afternoon thinking on the stairwell and then wandering around the marketplace. It appears that things are better, but my mother is very good at concealing what she truly feels." Aryanna nodded but said nothing further so Adam took this as a cue to leave. "Good night."
"Goodnight" He waited until she was safely in her room before heading back to the dining room. He was surprised that when he returned, everyone was gone. The dishes had been cleared the tablecloth put away and the room darkened. He ran his fingers through his blonde hair and with a sigh, left for his room.
"Adam why don't you sit down and join us. It's rude to stand by the door when the rest of us are seated." His father called out.
Adam sighed. "I'm waiting for someone."
"The woman you were with earlier today?" Teela asked with a raised brow.
"My son with a woman? I don't believe it" Randor let out in surprise.
"Teela must mean Aryanna." Marlena suggested with a smile.
" Mother's correct. I left her at the library this afternoon and she's been there ever since. I sent one of the guards to tell her that dinner was here." Adam told them.
Seconds later a young guard and Aryanna came strolling down the hall. Adam gestured for her to enter, but she shook her head. Adam gave her a puzzled look. His mother was suddenly at his side. "Aren't you hungry?" Adam whispered at her.
"She's hungry, but worried about the way she is dressed. After all she is still in the clothing she wore from home. Even though that may be her best outfit she may be worried about dressing appropriately to dine with us." Marlena whispered to Adam. Her son nodded. "You go sit at the table and I'll bring her to her room and find her something to wear." Adam nodded again and took his place at the table while his mother left the room.
"Where is the Queen going?" Teela asked.
"Umm, Aryanna needed help with something." Adam shrugged.
"I'm terribly sorry, Aryanna. I've been a horrible host."
"Nonsense. You had a lot to do today."
"How has your day been so far?"
"It's been all right. I wandered around the market place and Prince Adam showed me the library."
"Tomorrow I will take you to where your parents used to live."
"I'd like that. They've told me about their old house and the woods that you would all explore. From the tellings of my mother's stories, it seems like you all had a wonderful time together."
"We did." Marlena said nodding her head. She smiled as old memories resurfaced. "This is the room where you will be staying. I believe I have some old dresses in a chest in my room that you might be interested in wearing. Come. Let's pick one out for you to wear."
Less then twenty minutes after they had left, Queen Marlena and Aryanna entered the dining room. No one was eating but instead engrossed in conversation. They all looked up as the two women entered the room. Aryanna wore a simple pale blue dress with a matching ribbon tied in her hair.
"Everyone. I'd like you to meet Aryanna. The daughter of my two closest friends, Tolamey and Morylyn." Marlena announced proudly.
"Now there are two names I haven't heard in quite a long time." Duncan said rising to his feet. He gently kissed Aryanna's hand. "Your parents are two of the finest people on Eternia. It's a pleasure and honor to meet their daughter. I'm Duncan."
Duncan's greeting surprised Adam. Apparently he knew of Aryanna's parents too. Teela nodded her greeting politely.
King Randor rose from his chair and he gently shook Aryanna's hand. "It has been a very long time since I have heard those names. It is an honor to meet their daughter as an adult. I remember when you were just a child. You've grown into a beautiful young woman."
"Thank you your majesty." She said with a bow. "My parents have spoken very highly of you as well as Duncan."
"They are good people. Come let us sit and enjoy dinner." Randor suggested, gesturing toward the table. He nodded to someone in the doorway and soon men entered the room with plates of food. Randor shot Marlena a look before taking his place at the table.
Dinner was surprisingly quiet, despite the previous introductions. Either everyone was lost in thought or afraid to say the wrong thing. Duncan, King Randor and Teela spoke of royal business concerning the guards during the break before dessert. Marlena, Adam, Aryanna and Orko started their own conversation.
"You're really a magician?" Aryanna asked with delight. "I've never met a magician before."
"You are looking at the best magician on Eternia." Orko told her, straightening himself to look taller. Marlena and Adam laughed and Orko crossed his arms over his chest. "I can prove it. What would you like for dessert Aryanna? A pie? A cake?"
"An olanberry pie would be nice."
"An olanberry pie it is! Miggle maggle muggle sigh let's give this woman an olanberry pie!" Orko waved his hands and to his delight a pie appeared in mid air over the table, but it began to float away. "On no! Pie, come back! Pie land on the table!" he commanded, but the pie floated away and landed directly on Duncan's head.
"ORKO!!!!" he roared. The pie was dripping all over him, with the crust sitting atop his dark hair. "The one time I don't wear my helmet to the table is the one time I have an entire pie sitting on my head!"
Orko floated and hid behind Prince Adam's chair. "Oops. Sorry Man-At-Arms"
"Sorry doesn't clean this mess!"
"Oh I can fix the mess!" Orko floated to the center of the table and started to wiggle his hands.
"Oh no you don't!" Duncan said raising his hand. "I'll clean myself thank you. Everyone dinner was wonderful. Please excuse me while I get rid of this pie!"
As Adam laughed, he watched his parents share a laugh together about Orko's latest mixed up spell. Aryanna was giggling beside him like a little girl. Teela crossed her arms over her chest and looked very annoyed.
"Oops" was all Orko said as he shrugged. "Should I try it again?" he asked Aryanna.
"No no! Although it might be funny to see Prince Adam with a pie on his head!"
"Me?" He laughed. "Maybe the next pie will land on your head!" Teela rolled her eyes at the two of them. It wasn't that funny. Her poor father had to go scrub that pie off of him.
"I think that's enough magic for right now Orko. Perhaps after dessert you could show us one of your tricks with those spinning disks." Randor suggested
"Sure thing your majesty!" Orko replied and he floated to a small table by the window where he had a few magic props set up.
Adam leaned over in his chair and peeked under the tablecloth. Aryanna watched him curiously. "Are you ever going to come out of there and meet our new guest?" he whispered.
"Who on Eternia are you talking to?"
"See for yourself."
Aryanna lifted the tablecloth and looked under the table. "A tiger!"
"Where? Where?" It cried knocking over its food dish.
Adam laughed heartily. "She's talking about you Cringer."
"Oh I knew that."
"Why don't you come out and meet Aryanna?" The tiger stretched and then walked out from under the table. Aryanna pushed out her chair, walked over to the prince's side of the table and sat in Orko's chair. "Aryanna this is Cringer, one of my best friends."
"Hello Cringer." She said softly. She gently reached out and scratched his head and ears.
"Ooh I like her." Cringer purred.
"It's amazing that he talks. What an incredible animal." She continued to scratch Cringer's head, facinated by him. "Why were you hiding under the table? I didn't even know that you were there."
"That was the point. It's sc-scary out here."he mumbled.
"Oh it's not scary, unless you are talking about Orko's magic." She laughed.
"That's really scary!" Cringer trembled.
Adam reached over and gave him an affectionate pat. "Don't worry Cringer. Orko won't be performing anymore tricks with food."
"I worry when he is doing any trick because they always go wrong!" Cringer cried and he fell to the wood floor covering his eyes with his giant paws.
"Do they?" Aryanna asked incredulously.
Adam leaned closer to her and whispered. "Orko means well, but sometimes his magic doesn't do what he wants it to."
"Like the pie?" Aryanna whispered back.
"Exactly." The two shared a laugh.
"Why don't you share with us what is so funny." Came Teela's voice loud and clear. All discussion at the table ceased and everyone turned to Adam and Aryanna.
"I ..we." Adam stuttered.
"We were talking about Orko's magic and how it made us laugh." Aryanna said quickly.
"I see."
"I think I'll return to my room. Thank you for the wonderful meal." Aryanna said rising from her seat beside the prince.
"Won't you stay for dessert my dear?" Marlena asked.
"No thank you, Marlena, I mean your majesty. I'm very tired from the journey. I'd like to get some rest. Good night everyone." She bowed and tipped her head in Randor, Marlena and Adam's direction. She also nodded her head quickly to Teela before turning to leave.
When she was halfway to the door she heard, "Would you like an escort?" She turned to see Prince Adam walking toward her.
"I..-"
"Sure you would. You don't know the palace well. Adam would you call the guard to escort her?" Randor asked.
"I'll escort her myself father. I am capable." Without another word they left the room.
"I apologize for Teela" Adam told her as they stood in front of her door.
"There is no need. Her jealousy is blinding her but there is no reason for her to be jealous. I'm not here to take you or anyone else away from her."
"We're not seeing each other if that's what you think. We're just friends." Adam told her. "Teela can be slightly jealous but I think most of it is over protection."
"Maybe. I hope she realizes that I'm here to visit the palace and not step in on her territory."
"She'll get over it." A small silence developed. "I can't help but notice that you called my mother by her first name." He added.
"Bad habit. While she stayed with us, she insisted that I call her Marlena and not 'your highness' or your majesty'. I forgot where I was for a moment. I hope no one thinks that I have bad manners."
"I don't think so. If my mother has asked that you call her by her first name, then you are entitled to."
Aryanna wasn't one for striking up a conversation but she was curious. "Have your parents reconciled?"
Adam's gaze, previously on the floor shifted to her. "I'm not sure. I spent my afternoon thinking on the stairwell and then wandering around the marketplace. It appears that things are better, but my mother is very good at concealing what she truly feels." Aryanna nodded but said nothing further so Adam took this as a cue to leave. "Good night."
"Goodnight" He waited until she was safely in her room before heading back to the dining room. He was surprised that when he returned, everyone was gone. The dishes had been cleared the tablecloth put away and the room darkened. He ran his fingers through his blonde hair and with a sigh, left for his room.