The Council

Danielle face went paler than her normal snow -white ghost hair. THE COUNCIL!?? WANT TO SEE HER?!!!!!! In the entire Ghost Zone was their only one group which held more power than her father the High King Othello, and that was the Council of 13 Elders!

She snapped out of distress induce spell and said in a humble tone of voice "When and why?" She knew what ever the reason for her summoning was a matter of great importance! The Council never, never did a single thing in less it was really serious!

"In one hour so hurry go get prepared. You know as well as I do that you must on no account make The Council wait!" ushered Gwendolyn

In a few minutes all was ready to go to Council when the doorbell rang! "No not now! I really don't have time for this!" thought Danielle as she hurried to the door and opened it a crack. It was Danny!!!!!

"Danny! Not that I'm not thrilled to see you but this really isn't a good time." She pleaded to his baby blues.

"Its just you ran off so fast and I was worried about you. Are you in some kind of dilemma?" He solicit

"Its just a um family emergency! Nothing for your sweet mind to worry about! See you tomorrow! See you later! As he hurried down the street and she slammed the door. She met everyone at the Iron Gate and began to unlatch the entry.

Down they flew the old stones steps till they reach the bottom. It was a cross between a medieval dudgeons and a rec room. In the center of the room under a glittering spotlight on a raised platform was the Phantom Coach! With silver wheels ,a white body trimmed with gold and had the royal crest on it doors. A silver shield with a large old fashion "O" with twin ravens, with white rings around their necks and red shoulder wings holding a wreath. The door flew open and the ladies and animals got in and Kal got in the driver seat and singled for the winged horse to fly.

Inside the carriage Gwen help the animals remove something before she began to work on herself.

"These bloody second skin they make us were just dry out my skin!! You're so lucky you have no needed for one, my princess. Now remember your manners when you're with in the Council. You are representing your father kingdom so do try to behave. Danielle? DANIELLE!" screamed Gwen

Danielle was not paying any attention. She gazed at the vast emptiness that was her home. A million question race through her mind. She nervously played with her dress. Why where they summoning her? She had only begun her quest today!

They arrived at Crystal Rainbow Palace. It sat on top of the tallest hill in the Ghost Zone. It was made out the finest and rarest of jewels and gems. There where a 1000 stones steps to huge arch doors. They we're greeted by a young girl with short blond hair dressed in a simple maroon dress.

"Hello, welcome to Council. I'm the Council personal assistant Tenal Ka state name and business." Said the blonde girl who couldn't be more then sixteen.

"I'm Lady Gwendolyn Canmore , Wife to Kal Canmore Captain of the High King Guard and Lady in waiting to Princess Danielle. Our Business good lady is that the Princess was summoned to meet the Council in five minuets." Explained the red head to the lass.

"Very well if you will follow me. Your animals can wait in the daycare. Hurry step lightly and don't bother any of the workmen. Were redecorating. As you know the twelve eldest are named after the month of the year. The High Council person rotates every four years between Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. In a few month High Council Women will be ending her term and High Council Women Spring will take over. Here we are. Go inside." Said Tenal Ka as she flicked a hair.

They had arrived at a huge pair of oak doors. The four seasons decorated them. Danielle swallowed hard and pushed open the doors and entered the room.

She emerged in a blinding white light. She couldn't see anything. Her footsteps echo clearly as sliver bells ringing in church at Christmas Eve. She reached a podium and could hear indicative voices everywhere whispering. The hot white light dimmed and formed a solitary spotlight on her. Glancing around she saw that the room was forest green and had tapestries on the walls. There were also portraits of each Council member. She look up and saw the Council.

They sat around a mahogany crescent moon shaped desk. There were beautiful pictures carved around it. In the center was a high podium with the symbol of the four seasons on it. On either side were six seats. In each place was a nameplate that said the Councilperson name. In each of the seats sat one Councilor. They all wore robes and mask of different colors and on their ring finger was a ring with their personal insignia. They were as the following:

January- red- girl.

February- orange- boy.

March- yellow- boy.

April- green- girl.

May- indigo- girl.

June- purple- girl.

July- brown- girl.

August- pink- girl.

September- silver- boy.

October- black- boy.

November- bronze- boy.

December- copper- boy.

High Council Women Winter- White- girl. (The only one without a mask.)

Taking a deep breath Danielle composed herself and waited to be introduced to the Council. She didn't have to wait long. Tenal Ka spoke up from the back of the room. "Presenting Princess Daniellela Anastasia Fantana, First daughter of High King Othello and Queen Desdemona, Heir to the Throne of the Ghost Zone." Finishing Tenal Ka curtsied and left the room.

"Greetings most honorable Councilors. It is wonderful to see you all." Danielle told them.

"You honor are presences Princess. Thank you for coming on such short notice." January said.

"You must be wondering why we have summoned you." February asked. He gazed at her intensely from behind his mask.

"I can only assume that you had a good reason to." Danielle said nervously.

"It has come to our attention that you have begun the Quest. As you well know the Royal Family takes these Quest to learn about the Mortal World so they may have a better perspective of the living." March said

"Yes I know that. But why does this concern me? I only began my Quest today." Danielle asked.

"It concerns us because according to the Ghost Zone Constition, Article, 5, Section 4, Paragraph 3, Sentence 2, Rule 1 is this. No member of the Royal Household may begin the Quest unless they are married, betroved, or looking for a person to become betroved to. You don't follow under any of these categories." April explained kindly.

"In order to ensure continuity for our people you must become betroved." May explained point blank. She was a woman who didn't like spelling things out.

"You must be kidding me! I'm only fourteen years old. My Father didn't intend to betrove me until I was at least eighteen. Why is it so important that I marry now?" Danielle asked urgently.

"We didn't say married we said betroved. There is a difference Princess. The Council would simply like you to follow the law set out by the people. You understand that don't you?" June asked concerned

"No I don't. My father rules over all of the Ghost Zone. It is the Council job to listen to the will of the people and advice the King how to carry out his duty. I don't understand why it is so important that I choose my betroved." Danielle said angrily. She knew she wasn't being polite but she didn't care. The Council rarely left this castle so who were they to say what she had to do.

"Princess you have to understand. The people are frightened. As the Crown Princess it is your duty to deal with the Renegades ghost and any Halfa's that are around. The situation has gotten out of the control. The people need assurance that when you take the throne the problem will be dealt with." July explained hurriedly. She showed everyone in the room footage of Danny Phantom battling the "Renegades" to prove her point.

"Council try to understand that I've tried to deal with this problem. Believe me I don't want another war anymore than you do. But naming my future husband will only assure the people that I have assistance dealing with the problem. But I have to agree. The Renegades have been causing more problems than both the Council and Royal family can deal with. So if you think that I need help I have no choice but to agree." Danielle said in defeat. She knew that what they spoke was the truth.

"We understand that this is difficult for you Princess. We have heard of your recent exploits in the Mortal World dealing with the halfa Danny Phantom. What is your assement of him? Is he a threat to us or can he be paid off not to bother us like Plasmius?" August asked playing with her mask.

"Danny Phantom is no threat to us! He will not try and use his powers against us honorable ghost. He only attacks the Renegades! We can trust him." Danielle said hurriedly. She knew what the Council would do to Danny if they considered him a threat.

"Very well we will leave the halfa alone for now. But if he becomes a threat to us later nothing will stop us from destroying him is that clear Princess? So you better keep an eye on him." September said the threat clearly heard in his voice.

"Now back to your betrovement. According to the laws if your father has not selected someone for you then you have two months to selected someone." October calmly explained.

"Two months! I can't find someone in two months. Love doesn't work like that Councilor October. Please I need more time." Danielle begged.

"The best we can do is give you a two week extension on that. If you haven't selected someone by then we have to choose for you. That person would have to be Lord Kenneth." November said reading from some papers.

Danielle paled at the mention of Lord Kenneth. He was nothing short of a pompous jerk self righteous bitch! He only cared about himself and power. To him she was nothing but an item to win. A pretty face to show off to his friends. She couldn't marry him! He would make the situation worse with the Renegades.

"We also have to approve of your betroved you understand. If he doesn't meet our standards then you will have to marry Lord Kenneth eventually." December spoke up.

"What if I refuse? What if I point blank say no to all of this? I know the people need assurance and I need help solving the Renegade problem but I don't think betrovel is the answer." Danielle said angrily. She glared at all of them. She looked up at High Council Women Winter. She led the Council for the last four years. Her term was coming to an end. But Danielle also knew that Winter had once served her mother and knew Danielle was a halfa. Surely Winter would see that what they were asking of her was impossible.

High Council Women Winter stood up and smiled sadly. She loved the girl like she was her own daughter but the Constitution had been written out to protect the rights of the people so that the Royal Family didn't have too much power. The law was final.

"Princess Daniellela you must understand the consequences if you refuse to do what has been asked of you. If you fail at the task or refuse it you will be stripped of your title and cast out forever from the Ghost Zone. Eternal banishment is that what you want? Please I beg you to reconsider. I know what we are asking of you must seem unreasonable but it is the peoples wish. So I ask you will you do this task? Will you reassure the people that the Royal Family will be stronger in its battle against the Renegades who give us such a bad name?" Winter asked. Brushing a lock of white hair from her face she blinked her gray eyes waiting for a reply.

"I will do as the Council wishes. I shall meet you at my parent's castle during the Ghost Zone Independent Day Ball. There I will announce my betroved and will reassure the people that the Renegade and halfa situation is under control." Danielle said solemnly.

"Thank you your Highness. You may leave now." Winter told her. Danielle curtsied and left the room holding back tears.

She ran back to the coach where Kal and Gwendolyn were waiting. Noticing the tears in her eyes they waited they were back at home before asking what was wrong. When they heard what the Council wanted they were shocked. They left her alone so she could think.

"This isn't fair! I'm only fourteen why do I have to be concerned with the threat to my people now? If the Council got off their butts and enforced the laws and not just write them I wouldn't have to get betroved so the people would be reassured!" Danielle yelled to her magic mirror.

"I know sweetie but the law is the law. The only way to make sure that when you father disappears and really rest that the Royal Family is strong still is if you're engaged. Look I got to go but you got a call from your parents online 1. See you." Elaine said disappearing.

Danielle turned to her magic mirror and smiled. "Hi Mom. Hi Dad. How are you guys?"

"Were fine sweetheart. Acornia hasn't given birth yet. Gabby misses you and were eagered to hear about your Quest? Have you learned any new things?" Desdemona asked her daughter

For the next half hour Danielle told her parents about her day. They were happy she had made some friends and hope that her relationship with Danny would flourish. Sighing Danielle asked if she could talk to her father alone. Her mother left.

"Your mad about the Council decision. You must realize filly that the situation with the Renegades is reaching a critical level. More and more ghost are leaving the Ghost Zone illegally and attacking innocent mortals. They are craving power and causing harm. Walkers prison hasn't been this filled in over 1100 years! As the Crown Princess it's your responsibility to handle this situation. If you had a prince beside you the people believe that the situation wouldn't be so critical. We are this close to having another Ghost Revolt." Othello told his daughter.

"I realize that Dad but that doesn't make me feel any better. I mean you weren't betroved to Mom when you married her. Grandpa Macbeth and Grandma Gruach had you intended for Lady Katherine. Why did they change it?" Danielle asked curious.

"When I went on my Quest I had only been betroved to Katherine for a month. We really didn't know each other. When I met your mother we fell in love and I was able to convince my parents that my heart was right and not their minds. So we dissolved my betrovel to Katherine who was very happy to do so and I married your mother. Listen to your heart my little filly it won't lie to you." Othello told his daughter before he disappeared leaving Danielle alone with her thoughts.