Warnings: It's mushy. Ewwww. Ge-ross.

Chapter Thirty-One: Storyteller

"Indeed, I do."

"Holy hell," I gasped in shocked disbelief. The oxymoron seemed tailor-made to fit my feelings.

Maria glowered at me quickly, everything about her, from her posture to her mouthed words, telling me to "Shut up!"

My father's smile grew fat, like a cat that had been feeding on canaries for far too long. "Yes, my darling daughters, this man has stepped forth to spill your secret." Father's grin seemed to engulf his entire face as he turned to me, "It seems, my dear Elensar, that you have no worries."

All words failed me at that point, as did any sort of facial expression but one of disbelief. I stood there, looking stupid in the extreme, and stared at the man who lounged so indolently beneath that beautiful stained glass window.

"Hello, Elensar," he said, the sardonic edge that I had come to love tingeing his voice.

Still, I remained speechless, but my eyes assured me over and over again that what I was seeing was really real. Adrian was sitting there, so relaxed and with a drink in his hand, waiting patiently for me to respond to him.

I tried to form some manner of coherent words, but at that moment, my mind was still too busy working on the belief part that it had nothing to spare for something so lowly and menial as mere words.

After I had ascertained that it truly was Adrian- Adrian!- My mind focused on one single word and propelled it forcibly across my tongue, between my lips and out into the great wide world. "Adrian"

"Yes, my dear. Me." He grinned.

"But-" I decided suddenly that silence was best. It was too confusing otherwise.

Adrian's smile gave way to seriousness once more as my father spoke. "King Adrian has come to tell me his adventures, and what he thinks is the truth of your shoes. You shall tell me if the tale he tells is true." Father leaned back against his pillows, a contented expression dominating his face.

Adrian took one last sip of water before setting the glass gently down on the window ledge. "I have a tale to tell," He stated simply. "I came here, four days ago, seeking the hand of the Youngest- Elensar Kelledy. I came to catch her, like she told me to. Instead of receiving the warm welcome that I thought I would, I secured instead a challenge for myself. It was a challenge that many had failed at before me.

"I had three days to complete this challenge and thus gain the love of my life forever. I did not know how to best the challenge that I was given, for the challenge was this: discover a secret kept so well that it had been hidden for over twenty-six years.

"I knew not how to do that, for I am not one to discover secrets. I have ministers and lords who do that for me. I am a King; I keep the secrets, not to other way around. I was affronted by this challenge, of course, since I am a King. Kings are not supposed to be treated in such an undignified manner. Even still, I accepted.

"Why did I accept? I took this challenge because of the woman I love. To marry her, I had to discover the secret of the twelve dancing Princesses of Meridian. What a challenge!" Adrian chuckled softly to himself. "Indeed it was. I had three days to win, or my life was forfeit. If I lost, my country would lose as well- they would lose a King, a leader, a direction. They would lose valuable funds and an identity all their own. I could not lose, for if I did, I would lose my love, my life and my country.

"The first night, I slept through everything, completely oblivious to the timer that ticked the seconds of my life away. I woke in the morning to find a pile of shoes, worn through in the soles, waiting for me. I had failed once. I promised myself I would not do so again.

"The next night was different; Elensar came to me, bringing two goblets with her. I expected her to tell me to follow her, but instead she said 'Drink.' Drink I did, and soon, I realized that wine was drugged." I looked down at this part of the tale, avoiding Adrian's gaze. "I had been betrayed by the one that I was willing to sacrifice everything for. I slept, that night, like one dead, as if in a portent of my future. I had failed twice, now.

"Breakfast that morning was awkward, and the shoes that greeted me once more belied the cool nonchalance that I had hoped to convey. I knew that I was losing my grip on life; I knew that I had to succeed in the last night. My only problem was that I did not know how.

"Then, however, Elensar came to me at night, greatly troubled and again bearing the goblets of wine. This time, she did not insist that I drink them, but gave me such strangely coded messages that I could barely comprehend. As I listened to her, drop after drop of wine spilled out onto my carpet, staining it a deep red. It was good wine, and I was sad to waste it, but it was for the best." Here, Adrian gave a dramatic sigh that evoked a few laughs from his audience.

"I followed that woman," he continued, "I followed her through the halls of this very castle to a door that was so well hidden that I would not have found it on my own. All twelve sisters went through, the last one being my beloved. In the dark, I stepped accidentally on the hem of her gown, causing her to fright. Really, my dear," He looked at me lovingly, "I am quite sorry about that."

"It's fine, Adrian." My words came out sharper than I intended and as taut as bow strings.

'Ah, good." He smiled again, and I managed a small smile in return. "I followed them, hiding myself with the aid of one who also knew the secret, but was as bound by it as my lady love and her sisters. This friend helped me to steal through the forests after the girls unseen. I stole some things to mark my passage through these enchanted woods; first, where the trees had silver leaves, I snapped a branch off and kept it as proof." Adrian lifted a twig out of a pocket, and it glinted silvery-blue in the light from the window. "I frightened my lady once more as I stole this branch, and for that I apologize once more. I sincerely wish that I could have been completely silent, but alas, I was not." He sighed again and then rose from his seat. "For you, Elensar." He walked to me and tucked the leaves into my hair, a crown for me. "My Princess, he whispered so only I could hear.

"Next, we traversed a wood where the leaves of the trees dripped with gold. It was a most beauteous thing, and I am sad that it has been destroyed, but that is later. I took another token of my passing from this wood." With a flourish he pulled out the twig whose leaves were gilded with gold. "Here is more evidence of the truth of my words." Adrian turned again to me, and placed with sprig in my hair with gentle hands.

I blushed at this display of affection, slightly embarrassed at his fanciful flair.

Adrian smiled mischievously as he face his audience again. "From there, as you know, miladies, milords, I followed you into the trees that were shimmering with diamonds! How beautiful it was…" He smiled sadly, but spoke on. "Once more, I took a branch with which to prove my story true, and here, in my hand, I present to you the last of the jeweled flora." He held up the branch for all to see, letting it catch the light and throw it about the room in colorful patterns.

Adrian took my hand in his and pressed the precious plant into my palm. "From there," He raised his voice to carry, "We sailed across a crystal clear lake, making barely a ripple as we glided across. I hid in Elensar's swan-craft, making it much heavier than usually. She noticed, unfortunately, and I cursed myself for it. Once we were across, however, my guilt was forgotten as I lay eyes on the most beautiful castle that I have ever seen." For a moment, he seemed lost in thought, but he quickly brought himself back to the present.

"It was a splendid affair of the finely cut stone, shaped in a continuing pattern of swans and decorated with the diamond-plants. The stone was white- not a blemish to be found! I came to the entrance after the ladies and their partners had gone in, and for a song or two, I admired the craftsmanship of the castle itself, and the ladies who waltzed within. Upon my own arrival in the ballroom, the dancers stopped and stared. Taking my love from her partner, I called for music, and we danced.

"We danced for hours, or at least the span of many songs. Elensar and I spoke infrequently, choosing instead to savor the presence of the other, lest I fail one final time. When the call for the swansong came, we returned to the others, gracing them at long last with their presence. The swansong concluded as the feasting commenced! It is a wonder that these lovely ladies are not as fat as pigs with such rich food to dine on! Truly, it was the most savory fare that I have eaten. As the meal drew to a close, a glass goblet was brought out to me and filled with white wine so pure I could almost taste it from feet away. The glass was a work of artistry as well; blown glass with my own colors streaked through it! It broke my heart when I dropped it, just as my guide through the forest had told me to do. He knew so much, it was impossible not to believe him. Elensar, I am sure, had meant to tell me something of that nature, but it had gotten lost in all of the obscure connotations that she had spoken." Adrian nodded towards me regally. "I forgive her for that, because at least she tried." He smiled softly, and I couldn't help but smile back.

"As soon as the glass smashed upon the floor, Princess Evadne leapt to her feet and demanded to know if I knew what I had done. To tell you the truth, I had not known precisely what I had done, only that what I had done was the right thing. Then, of course, the castle proceeded to collapse around us, and I lost the lot of them in the ensuing confusion. Luckily, my guide found me, and as we raced through the forests ahead of the dancing sisters, I could hear their screams and the great crashes of the falling trees. I worried for them, and I prayed that they would get out safely.

"He took me up the hidden stair, and through the secret door and brought me to your chambers, and the girls with their partners soon followed after. I rested and told you, your Majesty, that I had completed your challenge. I showed you my evidence. Now, I await your judgment, and for my fate." Adrian sat down in his original place beneath the window, his telling done. The glass cast strange lights across his face, making him look sickly, and for a moment, my still stunned mind thought that he was dead, that this was his fate.

Then Father spoke, dignified and somber. "Indeed, King Adrian of Delran, you have finished the challenge that I set forth before you. You say, though, that you had a guide. Who was it?"

Adrian glanced toward me again, and I felt someone shifting behind me. "Your guard, and the Eldest's. Sir Markus Aurelius, milord. He has known the secret since it first began, and yet he has told none but me."

"Rather," Markus rumbled behind me, "I have told none but him who have listened." He chucked to himself. "Really, oh King, you should not be so conceited. Of course I have told others."

Father looked from Adrian to Markus and back again. "Sir Markus, if I may inquire, why, then, did you not tell me? Why did you keep silent for so long?" Father's eyes were intent, and he did not look away as Markus answered.

"Your Majesty, just as the Princesses felt compelled not to tell, so did I. I was bound by the place, just as they and all of their princes were."

"Ah, I see." Father turned to Evadne. "My dear daughter, Adrian Theylell spoke of you knowing what he had done, even when he did not. Why did he do this? What did you know that he did not?"

Evadne tilted her chin up, radiating sanctimonious hauteur. "I created this one. It was my doing, guided by my guardsman, which built that castle. It was made from dreams and illusions, all of my childish fantasies." Her intonations took on a bitter chill. "He broke them, shattered them when he dropped that glass."

"Evadne," Father's voice was soft. "You are not a child. You are a woman grown, and you must take responsibility for-"

"I did!" She interrupted him angrily. "I took responsibility! I made sure that every single person was out of that castle before it fell! I kept up the illusions of reality until every last person was out. I didn't lose a single one…" Without warning, she started to cry. The tears dripped down her cheeks in clear rivulets, making them shine like porcelain.

I was pushed aside politely as Markus walked over to her and started murmuring to her. "I told you," he said, "I told you that this would happen one day. Remember, Evadne? I told you that it would hurt. Did you listen to me? Did you remember that?"

"Yes," she sniffled, wiping her wet cheeks. "I remember. I just didn't think that it would hurt so much." To the astonishment of all present, Markus enfolded Evadne in his arms and rocked her back and forth until she had calmed down. What was even more shocking was that she let him do it.

My strong, older sister was letting someone else help her for once, instead of insisting that she do everything alone. I was impressed.

"That," my father announced quietly, "is the secret, then. My heir-apparent has been working against me the entire time." He grinned as Evadne gaped at him. "Yes, girl, you," he said gruffly. "You'll take the throne when it's time. You and whoever you marry." Father laughed before continuing. "He shall be consort only; you shall be Queen in your own right, daughter mine."

"B-but," Evadne stuttered, too overcome with shock to say much. "But I thought you wanted Owen to be King!" Her face clouded with confusion. "You told me that you wanted Owen to be King because he was good in battle and had all the training necessary…" she trailed off into befuddled silence as the King laughed again.

"Girl, you've proven yourself. As you said yourself, you took responsibility. You didn't leave anyone behind. A Queen needs to be like that- like you. You shall have several more years to learn the finer points of things before you have to take over yourself, but you shall make a fine Queen in the end." Father beckoned her closer and whispered something in her ear that no one else could hear. It pleased Evadne, though, so it could have been anything.

Father patted her on the back and she glided over to where she had been standing before. Markus respectfully moved away from her and bowed as she looked at him. "We still have one more matter to discuss. King Adrian, as you have fulfilled the stipulations of my challenge, there is your reward to discuss. You said you wanted the hand of my youngest daughter in marriage; do you still feel that way?" Father asked Adrian seriously.

"With all my heart, sir." Adrian held my father's formidable gaze in silence for some time.

"You know she is not of age yet, so you will have to wait."

I bit my lip nervously, trying to keep as still as possible.

"I know, sir, and I will wait until she is old enough to be wed." His fingers twirled together; he was as scared (or impatient) as I was.

"Good." The King of Meridian's voice was soft and gravelly; I could tell that he was trying to hide his sentimental side from us. "Then you shall be married at Autumnal Equinox, in three months time."

I couldn't help but give a little squeak of delight as Adrian ran to me and swept me off my feet. He kissed me avidly, telling me without words how much he loved me. With one hand on either side of his face, I kept him there, not letting him pull away.

We were to be married.

The arrival of the servants with breakfast interrupted us, but we sat next to each other on the cushions that had been laid throughout the room, holding hands as we dined on pastries. We were toasted by my father, sisters and our visiting nobility as they raised their mugs of hot chocolate into the air. We laughed together, Adrian and me, loving the absurdity of it all.

Later, at the public court, we were publicly and officially engaged in front of all the people who attended, noble and peasant alike.

Adrian and I faced each other, clasping hands tightly as Father told the people of Meridian that I was to be married to the King of Delran.

As soon as he finished speaking a great cheer went up, and Adrian leaned in to kiss me again.

I could tell it was going to be a long three months of waiting.

Author's Note: Wow, it's been a chaotic couple of days…between packing, parades and parties, I have had almost no fun time. Packing isn't much fun when your destination just got bombed two days before you leave (that's right…London), the parade is really humid and you have to play a tuba in front of a couple hundred strangers, and the party has an average age of 50.

I am so glad to be able to post this chapter before I leave, since I won't have a chance to all of next week…I hope everyone had a good Fourth of July::waves little flags: Yay!

Thanks again to all the reviewers…you guys totally made my week bearable.

To the nice people:

BR: Such nice words! Thank you! Here, have an update and a relief to the suspense…

Mistyqueen I kind of like suspense…but it's also nice to find out what happens next!

Miss Piratess: 'Evil sister of Doom' great…I'm sure that Evadne just loves being called that…:-P I'm glad you liked both chapters!

Lilred-07: Of course it's Adrian! I couldn't really kill him…I love him too much for that.

Virgo-valentina: Why, hello, new reader! I'm glad that you're enjoying my story and reviewing! Welcome, and thank you!

Glaze: Do you think the explanation for everything was enough, or even if there was one? Or should I put more of it in the next 1-2 chapters?

V: No need to cry! Adrian is safe and sound!

Athena Diagon Cat: Yep! He did:o)

Fireworksinmybackpocket Haha, I rock? Sweet! And, as an added bonus…I even updated:oP

ElvisLivesAgain Well get better soon from your surgery! Lol, pain killers can definitely make things better. Don't be in pain for too long…

HolmesIsMyHomie Suspense indeed! I like your new alias…very spiffy.

GlitterPoison It couldn't have been anyone other than Adrian sitting there. If it was someone else, I think I would have cried…

Tami: Yep, Adrian and Elensar get married. You think Johan and Elensar would have made a good couple? It definitely had potential…but I did have a storyline to follow so…no Johan and Elensar. It's nice to have someone who dislike Adrian sometimes. After all, he can't be perfect!

LindyLou78: Yeah, it is almost over. I can't believe it…just over a year and I'm finally finishing this. Wow.

Cerri In the original story, the drink contains an enchantment that makes the princes forget everything but dancing, and that was what was implied in this too. I don't think I ever outright said so, but the drink had a drug in it that would have made Adrian stay forever. Or whatever.

HalfBludPr1ncess: I would be happy to keep in touch with you after this! My e-mail is and my aim sn is 'griensleeves'. I do have another story that's slowly getting posted…it's called "Promises Broken" and is a Beauty and the Beast type tale, should you want to read more of my work. I'll also eventually be writing out a Cinderella tale…but that's a big eventually. :oP

Duckie I will finish it soon! I promise! Just one or two more chapters and I'm done! I'm glad you like it!

Once more, a big hug and some cookies to all the stellar reviewers! Just a couple more chapters and then…the end::cry: