Adeena: Suzi has decided I'm on my own this time. Said this story creeped her out. Don't know why -- it only has a seriously troubled trio in it. ^.^

Disclaimer: I don't own Dragon Knights.

Skies above Draqueen, late afternoon

They had been traveling since just after dawn and all were ready to be home. Ruwalk and Adeena were riding together and had made a bet on who spotted Alfeegi first. Neither could wait to get home. The rest of the party was just as anxious but for different reasons.

As they approached the castle the courtyard filled with people waiting for their Lord to return, hoping his journey was successful. A place had been left open for the dragons to land but only enough space for one at a time. Having anticipated this, the dragons landed in the order they had set before leaving their camp – Light first, then Earth, Water, Fire and last Wind. This gave Ruwalk and Adeena more time to accomplish their bet.

"There" Adeena said to Ruwalk, pointing at a window. "He's in his room. I would suggest you go talk to him immediately. I'll see you sometime tomorrow" with a grin at his anxious look.

"Ok. How close to the door can you get me?" he asked while paying his debt of a hug and kiss, in full view of the watcher in the window.

"How about the roof of the castle?" she asked mischievously as she had Wind aim for the roof. "Have fun!" as he dropped from Wind and took off for Alfeegi's room and she went to land in the courtyard.

As she watched, Alfeegi's look changed from boredom to worry to surprise, as Ruwalk appeared behind him and gave him a big bear hug and kiss before waving at her and turning Alfeegi away from the window.

"Seems you lost your passenger," commented Lykouleon as he came up to her.

"Dropped him on the roof. He wanted to get to Alfeegi's side without dealing with the crowd. I'll see them tomorrow. Tonight I want to sleep" she replied, giving him the information that he asked for without him saying a word, and then entered the castle heading for her room and bed.


Eastern residential hallway, Lykouleon and Adeena's birthday

In the two months following their return Adeena had made a point of getting to know Alfeegi. Ruwalk had told her about their relationship while they had been traveling and had asked her to not hurt Alfeegi when they returned; she had agreed to do her best.

Today, though, was going to be different. Lykouleon had told her she could pick a suite of rooms for herself and she had taken Alfeegi with her to determine which. This was Lykouleon's birthday gift to her and they were having a birthday celebration that evening. Tonight would settle everything, one way or another, between the three of them.

She picked a suite on the east side of the castle. It had three bedrooms, a sitting room and private bathing facilities. One of the bedrooms had a view of the gardens; one of the others had a view of the eastern sky, with the third sandwiched between them. "Perfect" she said to Alfeegi as she surveyed the suite. "Don't you think so?"

"It's your choice" Alfeegi responded.

"Maybe I should ask Ruwalk's opinion before making my final decision" she said, her back to Alfeegi so she didn't see the agonized look that crossed his face.

"You make the final decision, Adeena. I told you that already" came Ruwalk's voice from the doorway, "but I would have to agree with you about these rooms."

"Alright, then this is my choice" she told Alfeegi.

"Ok. I'll get some servants to start moving your stuff and I'll let the Lord know your choice at the council meeting, which is scheduled to start in …" started Alfeegi, not looking at either of the two in the room with him.

"A couple minutes" finished Ruwalk walking up and putting his arms around Alfeegi. "That's why I'm here. You won't have time to change after the meeting so you need to go now. The one facing east is to be mine Adeena. You know what to do for the other one," he continued leading Alfeegi out of the room.

"Yes. I'll make sure it's done" she replied with a smile for both of them.

Ruwalk smiled back but Alfeegi just looked dejected and hurt. He was thinking he was going to lose Ruwalk for good now. He didn't know what Ruwalk and Adeena were planning for the third bedroom but he knew there had been talk of children.

"Come on, you have to get changed yet" said Ruwalk as he half dragged Alfeegi down the hallway. They stopped a couple of servants and sent them to see Adeena and then continued on their way.

With the aid of the servants she got her and Ruwalk's things moved. As she sent them to get the items for the third bedroom she started her preparations for the evening.


Council chamber, late afternoon

The meeting was almost over. Ruwalk had been watching Alfeegi the whole time. He had noticed something was bothering him when the three of them had been together. He wondered what it was.

Alfeegi, on the other hand, had been getting more and more depressed as the meeting progressed. He was having trouble concentrating. He was thinking about skipping the festivities tonight.

His thoughts were interrupted by Lykouleon saying "If that's everything then I believe it's time to head for the festivities. Alfeegi are you feeling ok? You haven't said much today."

"I'll be ok, just a little distracted" he replied, gathering his papers into the fourth new pile since they had started the meeting.

"Alfeegi stop fussing. It's time for the festivities" said Kai-stern. "Come on, let's get you something to drink. It'll make you feel better."

So saying, Tetheus and Kai-stern grabbed hold of his arms and dragged him out of the room, leaving his papers behind.

"Ruwalk, what's wrong with Alfeegi? I thought things were going fine with you three" commented Lykouleon, as the two of them slowly followed the others.

"I don't know. He's been like this since Adeena picked out that suite of rooms" came the reply.

"Haven't the two of you talked it out with him yet?"

"Not yet. Adeena wanted to do it today but so far we haven't had the chance."

"If you don't get it taken care of soon there could be problems. What if he doesn't accept it? What will you do then?"

"I don't know" came the reluctant reply. "I don't want to lose either of them. I don't think it would be a pretty site if I did."

"It will work out" replied Lykouleon. "Just give them a little time tonight. You'll see."

So saying, he pushed Ruwalk in the direction the other Dragon Officers had gone while he went off to join Adeena and Rath.

Adeena: Chapter 1. Don't you just love it? I had soo much fun with this one.

Ruwalk: Yeah. Talk about torture. I just hope I survive it.

Alfeegi: What about me?! Why are you being so mean to me?