Chapter 3: Negotiations

Chapter 3: Negotiations

Taeami stood nervously at Van's side, waiting to be ushered into the throne room. Behind them were Allen Shaezar and Princess Milerna. Allen placed his hand patronizingly on Taeami's shoulder.

"Don't worry, I'm sure you'll do fine. Just follow our lead. Be sure to mention how Zaibach broke their treaty to you." she nodded, shooting Van a disgusted look, causing a smile to flit across his stern face. Two guards flung open the doors to the throne room, and the party of four entered. The men bowed and the ladies curtsied before the King, who bid them stand up and speak for their cause. Allen began.

"Your majesty, you simply must not allow Zaibach to take over Astoria! This is your country, sire, and if you let those, those ANIMALS in here..." The king cut him off.

"Allen Sheazar, I thought I made my feelings quite clear to you the last time we spoke. It is NOT your decision, and you will not convince me to go back on my word."

"Your majesty," said Van, "Perhaps you need to take a look at what Zaibach has done to Gaea already. They're destroying our planet, our homes and our countries."

"The only country I see that has been destroyed so far is yours, Van Fanel."

Milerna stepped forward. "You are blind, father!" she cried. "They destroy everything in their paths. Fanelia was the first, but definitely not the last!"

"Step back, Milerna," demanded the king.

"But father..."

"I said STEP BACK!"

Van's eyes clouded over. "You MUST not allow yourself to fall into their trap, your majesty. Astoria will fall, along with the rest of Gaea."

The king shook his head wearily. "I know this affects you on a personal level, Van, but Astoria is different from Fanelia. We have a treaty with Zaibach. Everything has been arranged."

"You can't trust them, King Aston," Taeami said forcefully. The King turned towards her as if noticing her for the first time.

"Who are you?" Allen moved to introduce her, but she held her hand up to stop him.

"Taeami Saerian, Queen of Tierania. It is an honor to finally meet you, your highness."

The king stroked his beard. "Tierania, you say... just where is your country?"

"My country was just east of Astoria. That is, until it was destroyed at the hands of the Zaibach empire. We, too, had a treaty with Zaibach, but none of that mattered when they burned my home to the ground. So you see, your highness, why you can not put your country in the hands of these... monsters." She paused. "I lost my country. My home, my friends, everything I had was destroyed. And it will be the same for this country, your highness, whether it happens tomorrow or ten years from now, it WILL happen if you allow the Zaibach empire to take Astoria. I come here, not to attack you or undermine you judgment, but to warn you of what your future holds at this very moment. I hope you take these words into consideration next time you deal with Zaibach." she stepped back and bowed her head, staring meekly at the floor. Allen, Van and Milerna looked shocked. The King looked impressed.

"Very well spoken, your highness. Unfortunately, as touching as your story may be, I know for a fact that my situation is different. Astoria is a powerful country, Queen Taeami, we will not allow ourselves to be taken quite so easily. I am, however, very sorry for your loss, and you are quite welcome to stay here in Astoria for as long as you please."

She shook her head. "Thank you, your majesty, but I could not stay in a place where evil prevails over good. My place is with Van and the others, fighting the people who destroyed my country. Good day, your majesty." And with that, she turned on her heel and stormed out of the throne room, followed by Van and Allen. Milerna cast a long, spiteful look at her father.

"How can you be so ignorant?" she whispered, before running from the throne room, leaving the confused king alone.

Outside the throne room, Taeami flew into a rage. "Taken easily'? That's ridiculous! Of all the rude, disrespectful, patronizing old men I've ever met, he HAS to be the worst! Powerful country, indeed! What makes him any more powerful than us?"

Van shrugged. "Could be the fact that no one's burned down his castle yet. It kind of puts him at an advantage." Taeami opened her mouth to start yelling again, then closed it suddenly, as if changing her mind.

"I guess you're right... But still, the nerve of that man..."

Allen cleared his throat. "Um, while I may agree with you, 'that man' is still my king, and Milerna's father, so..."

"Oh shut up, Allen!" Cried Taeami, spinning towards him. "What do you know about anything?" her hands flew to her lips as she realized what she'd just said. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean that... I'm just a little upset right now. I honestly don't know what's going on with me!" Allen shook his head. "It's all right... it's only natural that you be a little upset. It's not your fault that we didn't get through to the king. You did wonderfully."

"You would do well to be honest with me right now, Allen." She sighed. "I just wish I'd been able to help you."

"You will," Van replied earnestly. "you will."

*****

Folken paced nervously in front of Taeami's door, debating whether to knock or not. He could hardly wait to see her, but he was dreading the moments ahead, hardly daring to imagine what would happen once they met again. Slowly, he raised his fist to knock on the door.

"I don't think she's in there," came a voice from behind. Folken spun around, looking almost guilty.

"Taeami! I was looking for you..." She raised her eyebrows.

"REALLY?! I never would have guessed!" She pushed open the door. "You coming in?" he nodded and followed her inside.

"How did it go with King Aston?"

Taeami sighed irritably. "HIS MAJESTY was much more stubborn then I'd expected. There's nothing we can do to change his mind, I'm sure of that." He kissed the top of her head.

"At least you warned him. He had his chance, and when Zaibach burns HIS country down, he'll be sorry he didn't take it." Taeami shrugged.

"Whatever. I'm sorry he won't let himself see, but it's his funeral." She took of her shoes and sat cross-legged on the bed. "I had a nice conversation with Van this afternoon."

"I know. I saw you."

"Oh." she paused. "He really has no idea how much you care. I tried to tell him, but..."

Folken put his hand on her shoulder. "I know, Taea, but there's nothing you can do. Van will come around on his own, and until he does, I can wait." She nodded.

"I know, I know you'd wait forever, but it hurts me to see you in this much pain."

Folken closed his eyes. "I'll be fine. You don't have to worry about me." He breathed deeply. "I have something to give you." Folken reached into his robes and took out something small. The he took her hand and held it up in front of him. "You said you wanted to work on the rest of our lives... are you sure about that?" She nodded, perplexed, and then her eyes widened as he opened his hand to reveal a small golden band inlaid with three small stones. His eyes met hers. "I'm not very good at this kind of..."

"You don't have to ask," she said quietly. "You already know." He closed his eyes in relief and placed the band on her finger, gently bringing her hand to his lips and kissing it. Taeami got up and leaned against his chest, letting him hold her to his heart as her eyes clouded over with tears of happiness. He touched her hair, ran his hands along the contours of her face, memorizing every single detail as if she would disappear any second.

"When?" She asked anxiously. Folken kissed her before answering.

"As soon as possible. Unless you want time to plan..." she shook her head.

"It doesn't matter. I would marry you tomorrow if I thought we could find someone for the ceremony..."

"I already did that... an old friend of mine who lives not too far from here. All we have to do is tell everyone." Taeami shook her head in amazement.

"You're really serious about this."

Folken looked down at her worriedly. "You aren't?"

"No, no, that's not what I meant... I'm just having trouble believing this is all real, that's all." She touched his cheek. "I've wanted this my entire life. Someone to love, someone to care for. And it's all happening." Taeami's eyes shone as she leaned against him. Folken's mouth twitched at the corners, forming a reluctant little smile.

"You know, we can't just stand here all night. We should probably tell people about this... some of them might want to come."

She nodded. "Okay. Let's go, then," she replied, slipping her hand into his as they left the room together.