Chapter 2: Expectations
The next day Trinity awoke to the sounds of the South Tower bells. That only meant one thing; a council meeting would take place this afternoon. Trinity sighed and slowly pulled herself out of bed. I hate being a daughter of a Council member. It is so tiring. She thought to herself. In Enedloss the queen had a council of advisors. They would inform her of things that the kingdom needed, foreign matters and the thing her father was in charge of, Tiras Giliath. Everyone was on high alert when it came to that.
"Hey, Trinity! Beautiful morning, isn't it?" Lira said as she came crashing through the door of Trinity's bedroom.
"Don't you ever knock? I could have been changing." Trinity said, giggling a little.
"See, knocking takes the spontaneity out of my visits. If I burst in then people are more surprised to see me. Look, I have to go wake up Firre. See you at breakfast." With that, Lira bounced out.
Trinity smiled at her friend. Lira did shake things up a bit. Sometimes castle life bored her. It was the same everyday and the same people everyday. The Council of Seven lived in the castle along with the queen and so did the council families and the royal families. Trinity has known every person, except for the servants, since she was born. But it was great to have a friend like Lira to get into bits of mischief to make things more exciting.
Once Trinity was dressed she went down the hall and walked down the grand staircase to the dining hall. As usual the council men, women and their families were already seated. She took her place next to her parents and younger brother.
"Last to come down. Why am I not surprised?" Calen said in his annoying tone.
"Shut up Calen." Trinity said simply.
"That's enough, now Trinity, about yesterday. Are you prepared to give your account to the Council? See lately we are especially worried about Tiras Giliath because of what happened last month. It is so horrible what happened to that poor boy. Anyway, I want you to know that there is talk of sending you back out and having an extensive visit." Her father continued to ramble on while she tuned him out. She has gotten quite good at that, especially when her father went on and on about mortal affairs. It bored her but unfortunately it was her way of life.
"Trinity! Will you listen? I am trying to tell you how to prepare for the gathering this afternoon. Why can't you be more interested like Calen is? He would listen if it is something so important like mortal affairs." Her father shook his head at his only daughter.
"Father, I am not Calen. If you want him to be a part of the council so much then send him out to do your work."
"Calen is too young. Don't talk to your father that way!" Her mother scolded.
"We are trying to do what is best for you so you could fit in when you become an adult. Why must you fight with us every morning?" the frustration in her father's voice was more intense now. Trinity could not take it any more. She stood up and ran out of the hall. Lira and Firre saw her go so the followed behind. They knew she was in another argument.
Trinity made her way to the garden to her favorite spot again. She sat on the ground and sulked.
"What did they do this time?" she looked up and saw Lira. Firre was close behind.
"They want me to be like Calen. I know they can't wait until next year when he turns sixteen and I'll be an adult to they can marry me off. And I know who they would marry me off to, Bendarion. That horrid son of the Head Councilman. He has been dropping hints all year and he is going to be head of the Council one day too so he is the perfect husband in their eyes!" Trinity vented all her anger while her friends sat and listened.
"We know how you feel too. My parents think I'm such the rebel and they would gladly marry me off to 'someone you can deal with your temper.' And I'm not even the one with the temper, that's Firre's job."
"Hey!" cried Firre. Lira laughed and continued.
"They would like to see me like Aradia. She is quiet, polite and engaged. And all they talk about is either internal affairs or how Aradia is so perfect!"
"I may be an only child, but in ways that makes it worse. My parents put all their hopes and dreams in me. They want me to be an ambassador to Lusteraviel, that elven colony that is like millions of leagues away. They talk about how I should marry one of them to ensure foreign bonds. All they care about is foreign affairs and I'm their way in." Firre added.
"See that's what makes us such good friends, our parents want to force the lives they wanted on us." Trinity smiled. "Maybe going back to Tiras Giliath will be a good thing. Maybe I'll see that ranger again."
"I know I told you it's too dangerous to get involved with one of them, but maybe you would be happier with a ranger." Firre said.
"Ooo, a ranger. Dangerous. He could kill you or you could actually have an exciting life." Teased Lira.
"I don't think the rangers are what the Council thinks. I think there is some hidden secret about them, and I'm going to find it someday." Trinity said dreamily. The South Tower bells ringing again interrupted her dream.
"It's time for the meeting. Let the fun begin!" Firre said leading the way to the gathering room.
The members of the Council filed into the room. Each bowed to the queen as they entered. All seven families went to their seats and were ready for the meeting to begin.
"Hello, Arnorion and Evelwen. Evelwen, you are looking lovely today. And Trinity, it is so wonderful to see you again." Bendarion said as he kissed Trinity's hand. Her parents smiled at each other. Trinity could have thrown up.
"You are too kind, Bendarion." Said her mother. Bendarion flashed another winning smile as he pulled out chairs for Trinity and her mother.
"Oh, please." Muttered Trinity.
Bendarion's father then hit his gavel on the table to signify the meeting has begun. He took his seat to the right of the queen and the meeting begun. Each council member, usually the patron of the family, stood up and talked about the area they were in charge of. There were internal affairs (How's the business?), crime, taxes, foreign affairs (Is everyone neighboring us happy? No wars lately?), trade, and finally it came to her parents and the affairs of Tiras Giliath.
"We believe that we should sent our daughter back to Tiras Giliath." Arnorion said.
"She already went on her monthly visit, correct? Why should she venture out again?" asked the head councilman.
"Sir, the disappearance of that young boy has not yet been solved. I think it is imperative to discover who exactly is behind this killing of our people."
"There is no evidence that the boy was indeed killed." Interjected the councilman in charge of crime.
"But that is what we need to find, evidence. This family needs some closure and that boy needs justice." Arnorion continued.
"It is too dangerous for a young lady. Maybe if it was your son then I would think about. Your Majesty I would like to deny the motion to send Trinity back to Tiras Giliath." Said the head councilman.
"I think it is a good idea to send her back. Arnorion is right, that boy needs justice. Besides Setoron, just because Trinity is a young lady does not mean she is incapable of a little investigation. She will return to Tiras Giliath and stay there for one week. My decision is final." The queen stated calmly.
Trinity smiled a little. I wonder if I will see the ranger again. But why do I want to see him so badly? She thought to herself.
~~~Author's Note: I know this chapter was a little boring but I had to let you know what it is like for these girls at home. It will give you a reason to why they do the things they do.
