AN: Hi! I'm sooo sorry I took so long at getting this chapter out, but Fanfiction went and crashed, and I got lazy…eheh, till I saw all those reviews of course! So, enjoy the next chapter! What could Varie be planning that's so important, and will Folken manage to convince Van that he doesn't like Embyr? Or will he be disappointed? Duh duh duuuhhh…~coughs~ sorry.
Disclaimer: Own none, claim none, sue none, thanks a bunch.
" So, how are you and Folken getting along?" I turned to Embyr as we walked down the streets of Fanelia. She grimaced.
" Is it really that bad?" I laughed, and soon she joined in.
" Nah, actually it's fun to bug him. He's just too tense otherwise." She paused, looking thoughtful, then grinned. I'm not sure I wanted to know what she had planned for my eldest son now.
" By the way, Varie, what event is this? I haven't heard anything about it yet." She pushed the door to the tailors open and a bell jingled. Mannequins were scattered about, most wearing gowns, but a few with men's outfits on them. The dressmaker, an old lady, hobbled towards us.
" Oh, just a little party." Little did she know, it was for Embyr that the party was directed at. Varie had this surprise birthday party planned ever since she managed to get Embyr to tell her when the big day took place. Embyr shrugged.
" Bless me, if it isn't our queen and the most recent member of the court." The old lady bowed awkwardly and peered up at us.
" What can I do for you two ladies? Need some dresses for the big event everybody's been talking about?" Embyr nodded, still looking puzzled.
" Since Varie wants to be vague, what is this event for?" The lady chuckled.
" Just a party, I'm sure. Really none of my business." With that, she hobbled over to her counter and took her tape measure, getting to work immediately. I suppressed a chuckle. This wasn't just for Embyr, it was, in a way, for Folken as well. All thoughts were shoved aside as we started planning a dress for Embyr, amidst loud protests.
" I thought this was a dress for you, Varie!" I held her still as she struggled.
" Don't be silly, I already have more dresses than I need. You, however, need one. It's a ball, and so it will be necessary for you to be in proper attire."
" So it's absolutely necessary?" Embyr sighed, knowing the answer.
" Fine. Nothing frilly or anything that has to do with ribbons, alright?" With that, Embyr reluctantly helped us choose fabric and so on. She probably wouldn't admit it, but she started to enjoy herself. In the midst of the making of the dress, I wondered how Folken was getting along back at the palace.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
" So Van, do you understand now that Embyr and I don't like one another?" I was frazzled, explaining for the twentieth time that I hated Embyr. Van shook his head, and I gave up.
" Brother, you know you like her…." He saw the look on my face and changed the topic.
" What did you get her for her birthday?" I shot a blank look at him. He sighed.
" That's what the party's for, brother. It's her birthday tomorrow." I panicked.
" Why didn't you tell me this sooner?" He giggled. I got up and raced down the hallway. Why didn't he tell me that until now? Did he think I knew? I was going to be in BIG trouble if I didn't get something for her, but what? I didn't know what she liked. I groaned. I'm in trouble. I raced to the stables, tacking up my horse.
" Uh, sir, what's the matter?" A stable boy rushed to help me.
" I need to get a birthday present for Embyr, since my brother was KIND enough to tell me just now that tomorrow is her birthday." The boy smiled. I stopped, looking at him.
" Say, she spends quite a bit of time down here, doesn't she? Do you talk to her?" The stable boy smiled again.
" Yes sir, she's down here almost every day, looking at the horses. I talk to her quite a bit." I couldn't believe my luck.
" So you know what she'd want for her birthday, wouldn't you?" He nodded.
" She loves the horses, sir. I think she'd give her right arm for one. You know how she bugs to you teach her to ride." I started un-tacking my horse.
" Sir?" The boy was puzzled.
" Have we had any foals brought in lately?" The boy laughed.
" Yes sir, now you've got the perfect gift. Varie's mare gave birth to twin foals about a month ago, you remember that? They're old enough to be taught how to have a rider on their backs. I think she'd love one of them as a present." I sighed in relief.
" Thank you, you have no idea how much trouble you've just gotten me out of." With that, I headed back to Van and sat down.
" Brother, don't you have to get her a gift?" I nodded.
" It's all been taken care of." He looked at me suspiciously.
" You didn't send a servant into town to get her something for you, did you?" I looked down at him, then gave him a noogie.
" Nope. I did have some help though. I wonder what Mother is up to?"
* * * * * * * * * * * *
" Yes Embyr, don' t worry. You know how to dance, and everything will go fine." I reassured her for the fifth time. I could understand her worries though. Even though she had been in Fanelia for a long time, we were having guests from around Gaia, and nobody knew her. Hopefully she would be asked to dance at least once. With all the young nobles coming, however, I don't think she needs to worry. Embyr yawned, walking through the castle gates.
" Man, tailoring a dress really wears you out. How do you do it Varie?" She smiled.
" Lots and lots of practice." We laughed as we walked down the hallway to the main courtyard, Van's favorite place to go when he was outside. Glancing sideways, I saw Embyr's face soften when she saw Van, then go slightly tense when she saw that Folken was with him. What was I going to do with those two, I thought to myself smilingly.
" Hello Van!" Embyr walked forward and set her bag down to pick him up.
" Hi Embyr. How was your shopping trip?" Van looked down at the bag.
" Fine." She looked a little miffed for a moment, then smiled.
" So what have you been up to today young man? Laying around here all day, if I'm correct." He laughed.
" Right again, Embyr. Except I was talking with Folken a lot. He just doesn't seem to get something I've been trying to tell him about all day." I looked at Folken, an eyebrow raised. He was flushed, and looked like he desperately wanted to silence Van.
" Oh? Well, it doesn't really matter what it's about, he doesn't have a big enough brain to understand the simplest of things anyway." She laughed, knowing she had won that argument before it even started. Folken frowned. Bending down, she picked up the bag, Van in one arm.
" Hey Embyr, can you come and read me a story tonight? I'd really appreciate it." She nodded.
" Of course. What story will it be tonight?" Van shook his head.
" I want you to read it with Folken, so that you can do different parts of the story. It's hard to imagine a king slaying a dragon when he sounds like a girl." She laughed. Folken frowned deeper. My youngest son was up to something, I was sure of it.
" Well sir? Do you agree to your brothers request or are you going to fail in your duties as a gentleman and help a lady in distress?" He glared at her, then nodded.
" Very well. Although the only lady I see here is Mother." She stuck her tongue out, then walked with Van to his room. As soon as they both left, I started laughing. Those two…I shook my head, still grinning. Tomorrow night was definitely going to be interesting, that's for sure.
AN: HAH! Cliffhanger, duh duh duuuuuhhhh. Anyway, if you want me to continue I'm gonna ask for 5 reviews please ^_^ So that should equal 10, but I don't have 5 reviews for the first chapter, so it'll be less