Disclaimer: I own no one and nothing in this chapter besides Jonrai.

Amaline drew a deep breath and smoothed her skirts for the millionth time. Now was not the time to panic. Glancing to her right, she could see that Artur was looking distinctly pale too, and it gave her some heart.

She could scarcely believe that it had been two weeks since he proposed and she had accepted. In fact, she still couldn't believe that he had proposed and she had accepted at all. Now, she was facing the doors to the Throne Room. King Myrdin and Queen Mailinde waited on their thrones for the audience their son had requested, and once Artur and Amaline walked through those doors, there was no turning back and the decision was out of their hands and in his parents's. If they refused to give their blessing...but there was no reason for them to. Artur had said that Mailinde had actually given him the nudge that during the masque would be the proper time to propose. Amaline knew all that, but it didn't do much to dispell her nervousness.

Artur took her hand in his and attempted a smile. " It'll be well, Ammy," he reassured her. " No reason for them to object, every reason for them to agree. We get on well, you come from a good family, your father'll be able to round up a halfway decent dowry if he has to, and your family would be mad to object to you being Queen-" he seemed to realize he was babbling and stopped. " Ready?" he asked instead.

She attempted a smile. " As ready as I'm going to get. Let's do it." She held out her hand. "Secret handshake."

Artur grinned at the memory from their childhood. " You still remember that?"

" Of course. Aes Sedai aren't called wise and all-knowing for nothing, you know." They laughed at her joke, and performed the childhood ritual. The door guards and heralds were giving them strange looks, but they didn't care. Artur offered her his arm, she took it, and he nodded to the guards and heralds. The doors were flung open, and Jonrai, Artur's personal herald, announced them, with fanfares from the King and Queen's heralds. Myrdin's voice echoed slightly as he gave permission to enter, and, trembling, Amaline walked into the Throne Room with Artur, her head held high.

" What is it you wish to speak to us about, my son?" Myrdin asked Artur, ignoring Amaline entirely.

Artur cleared his throat and paused before he started. " I have found a woman I wish to marry, Lord-Father."

" Who is this woman?"

" Amaline Tagora, Lord-Father."

" May I assume that the woman with you is the said Amaline Tagora?"

" She is, Lord-Father."

Myrdin surveyed her cooly. She knew his chilliness was all part of the elaborate maze of royal protocol-the King was really very fond of her, quite paternal since the deaths of her parents when she was a child-but it still made her feel like a Sharan cricket under observation. The only thing to do in times like that, she had discovered in the Tower, was to hold your head up and stand straighter than ever. " You are Aes Sedai, are you not, Lady Amaline?"

" I am, my lord." The cool levelness of her tone surprised even her. She saw a flicker of approval in Myrdin's eyes. " Amaline Aes Sedai of the Blue Ajah."

" The Blue Ajah is known for producing mistress manipulators," he returned. " How am I to know that you are not manipulating my son's feelings to forward your own ends?"

" Aes Sedai cannot lie," she countered. " I will tell you, and by the First Oath you know it for truth. I am manipulating no one. I have no hidden agenda. I love Prince Artur, and for no other reason do I desire to become his wife."

" The crown interests you not?"

" No. The only thing that interests me is the man himself, not his title, or his money, or his prospects."

" You have considered that, as Princess of Shandalle, you will be expected to remain here instead of returning to the White Tower?"

" I have. If marrying Artur means never setting foot in the White Tower again, then so be it."

" Have you thought of the consequences your sisters could call down on your head?"

" Let them. I know what it is I am putting on the line, my lord. I know what is at stake. I am prepared-more than prepared-to face whatever is thrown at me. As I said, I love him." Artur's hand tightened convulsively on hers. She had never actually told him to his face that she loved him; she would have to remedy that as soon as they were out of here.

Myrdin gave her a long look, but then his handsome features relaxed into a smile. " I agree," he said. " If the Queen gives her permission, then it shall be. You have my blessing."

Queen Mailinde had been staring fixedly at nothing the whole time, and she continued to do so as she spoke. " Love is a fine thing," she said calmly, " but, in a royal marriage, it is not always enough. If you marry Artur, you will one day be Queen of Shandalle. You may think of this as little more than broodmare duty, young as you are, but there is far more to being a queen than bearing children. You must be able to make sacrifices that will tear the heart from you. You must be able to smile and put on a masquerade of serenity while you are dying inside. You must be able to be courteous, gracious, and impartial to all, even those you hate. You must be politically skilled and tactful. You have been of my Court since you were seven years old, with five years away at the Tower. You've seen up-close what it takes to be in my shoes, Amaline. If the King and I were to die the day you and Artur were wed, would you be able to take my place?"

This was a reply that would have to be handled with skill. " None could ever take your place in the hearts of the people, Majesty, and I doubt that I could be as good and wise a monarch if I took the throne tomorrow. No, I know I could not match you. How can a girl of twenty-four expect to equal a woman with years of expirience? But I learned all the lessons you speak of long ago, both here in Court and in the White Tower. A good deal of being Aes Sedai is very like being a queen. I could meet all the challenges you listed, Majesty."

Mailinde smiled. The Queen had perhaps the most beautiful smile that Amaline had ever seen, though actually seeing it was rare. " I agree," she said briskly. " You have my blessing." Her smile widened. " As Myrdin and I are in agreement, I suppose the next thing is planning a wedding!"

" One step at a time, love," Myrdin said indulgently-Mailinde had ever been excited by the prospect of a wedding, if Amaline's memory was any good. " First the announcement, then the betrothal ceremonies and feast, and we'll have to-" he broke off. " You can go," he told Artur and Amaline. They made their reverences and left as Myrdin and Mailinde began to discuss the wedding energetically.

They walked together down the hall in silence for a while, then Amaline turned to Artur. "Artur?"

" Hmmm?"

" I know I've not said it before, but...I love you."

He stopped and looked at her. " I love you too, Ammy," he said simply. Nothing more was needed. She smiled, and leaned forward a little, and he kissed her. They resumed walking without further comment. No need to ruin it with unecessary words. Nothing more was needed.

Authoress's Note: Well, that went better than I expected. I was expecting it to turn out really awkward. The next chapter should be up inside the week-the attack of the writer's block hasn't hit me on this one yet. As for the whole 'Sharan cricket' thing, I was thinking about the expression 'Indian cricket' when I wrote it. Shara and India are both exotic lands of mystery, so I decided to take the liberty. Hope you enjoyed this chapter and will come back for the next one!

Augusta