Chapter 4: Commitment Sealed with a Ring
It had been three months since Starfire's second wish and the team was really getting used to this new Starfire. She was more human and adjusted then ever to the ways of her new people. They were really starting to like her even more.
Robin and Starfire were going out, but he wanted her to be her alien self again. He fell in love with an alien, not a human, although, he was starting to like this new outgoing girl.
They were all sitting around, Robin and Starfire were holding hands and talking, Cyborg and Beastboy were yelling at each other about what kind of breakfast they were going to make, and of course, Raven sat there, staring at the two boys, calling them idiots and other words they couldn't comprehend.
All of a sudden, the computer screen turned black and red lights flashed giving them the Message Waiting Signal.
Starfire walked over to it, behind Robin, who typed in the code for the message to show.
"Starfire of Tamaran, are you there?" the familiar nanny came on the screen.
"Yes, Galfore, Starfire is here, but she is not of Tamaran anymore." Starfire said, stepping out from behind Robin only to hear Galfore gasp.
"Starfire…you look…human."
"I am…human." Starfire stared at her feet.
"Why…how…what happened!" Galfore asked, shocked as ever.
"I did it for Robin." Starfire said. The team had never known why and how Starfire had done this or even how she changed, they didn't question, they figured she would explain when she was ready. Only Robin knew the truth, "I did it for him."
She hooked her arm around his and continued, "I do not wish to come home in search for a husband…I did not wish to. I love someone here, on Earth, and I know I am supposed to bear the heir to the throne, but I don't even know if a Human and Tamaranian could produce a child together." Starfire spilled out the whole story, "I love Robin so much, and I don't want my child to be looked upon as a crimpled child and a weak link in the and'r dynasty!" Tears streamed down Starfire's eyes.
"Starfire…" Galfore asked, "Is there any way for you to return to this heritage? Is there anyway to counter the spell or whatever you used!" he was close to tears also, but he held them in.
"No…" everyone looked at Starfire, "I used my last wish…"
"On what!" Robin demanded.
"The woman who gave me the lamp…she had mountains of medical bills to pay, and was living in a not so wonderful home. I wished for her to have more money for her to be able to buy many things, including an apartment, and she was able to pay off all of her dead husband's medical bills." Robin turned and ran away, to Starfire's room, he let the others talk. He had to find something.
He had been studying a lot about genies lately, and the one thing that it always said was how if someone uses all three wishes, the next person to rub that lamp would be the master. He couldn't find it. Robin looked through the drawers and everything. His eyes finally lay on the nightstand. He opened that drawer and found the little gold lamp. It was a little dusty, and he just wiped off the dust and a whole cloud of smoke filled the room, "Robin!" a voice filled the air.
"Hey Vic."
"Master…well, this is awkward…" Victoria blushed. "before making a wish, go and talk with my old master, discuss everything you want to do and wish for before you do it. Go grab her and tell Galfore that you will call him in about twenty minutes. I know your thoughts and your intentions, but first, please, talk to her."
"All right." Robin took the advise, putting the lamp on his own bed and ran back into the main room where Starfire was on the couch. Galfore had already hung up in a mix of frustration and fury. Starfire was in tears and her friends were comforting her.
"We need to talk." He said entering the room.
"What is there to talk about now?" She rose in the air, obviously flustered. He grabbed her foot and yanked her away and down the hall, into his room. They sat down on his bed and talked.
"Starfire…"
"What!"
"I really need to talk to you."
"I gave up everything for you Robin, what else is there!"
"I want you to be a Tamaranian again." Robin just stared at the ground.
"NO!" Starfire shouted, "I wont do it!"
"Yes…I will wish for it. I am the genie's master now and I will wish for it. But I needed to talk first."
"What!"
"Okay, you said you needed to find a groom, right?"
"Or at least a potential groom on my planet."
"Right…well, I am willing to be him. I am willing to risk it. Here is my thinking, Starfire. I, too, am willing to give up everything for YOU."
"Um…"
"Let me rescue you this time, Star." Robin smiled.
"Robin?" Starfire was confused…
"Starfire…I love you so much. You are, traditionally, supposed to find a husband now. But the thing is, your planet needs you. You have to return."
"But I don't want to loose you."
"I will stay by your side all the way. You planet needs you more than you need me."
"I know…" she stared at the ground.
"I will be with you every minute, I will be behind you no matter what you do. But you know just as well as I do that Tamaran needs their ruler. They need you. I will stand behind you all the way. Maybe I could help lead troops or I could…I don't know…do paper work and stuff."
"Really?"
"Yes, I will stay there with you. Cyborg can stay here and take care of the team."
"But there will only be three if you leave."
"There is something you don't know, Star."
"What?"
"Bumblebee has decided to transfer over to this team, Speedy will be their new leader. Bee wants to be with Cy."
"Ah…how cute."
"And I want to be with you." Robin smiled, "Victoria?" he rubbed the lamp.
"Yes, Master Robin?"
"I wish that Starfire was her Tamaranian self again."
"Yes Master."
Robin felt it was right…she would've given up everything; she had used all of her wishes just for others, just to save two other people. She was caring and thought of others before herself. She gave up everything for him, and it was his turn to do the same for her!
That same glitter-like magic flowed down Victoria's arms and out her hands surrounding Starfire. Her eyes glowed even brighter, her starbolts were even larger and almost blinding. Her strength was incomparable and Starfire rose into the air as the change occurred. When the magic disappeared, Starfire was completely weak. She started falling only to be caught by Robin.
He carried her back outside, and everyone saw her physical changes. "She is an alien again?" Beastboy asked.
"Yes…"
"And?" Cyborg waited.
"She is tired, but will be married soon. Pack your bags team, we are departing for Tamaran soon."
TTTT
Starfire's eyes parted slowly. She was full of energy, she felt so much better now…a Tamaranian! She was so excited.
Starfire looked around her room and screamed.
"Starfire?" Robin walked in, "Good you are awake."
"Why am I not in my room?"
"You ARE in your room…just on a different planet."
"What?"
"You remember our conversation? You were supposed to come back here to search for a compatible husband."
"Oh…yes…" Starfire looked at the ground. "I guess so…" she stared at the floor.
"Starfire?"
"Yes?" she looked up at him. She saw him bending down, getting onto one knee. "Star…I want to be with you forever. I never want to leave your side. I have already talked to Galfore, and he agrees that the only way for me to stay by your side till the end is a forever binding contract that is sealed in a kiss and ring."
Starfire gasped, understanding as Robin continued, "Star…I want to rule by your side, I want to stand there and be with you till the death…as your husband." He took a deep breath, "Koriand'r", this made Starfire smile, hearing him call her by her true name, "Koriand'r, Princess of Tamaran…Will you marry me?"
He held out a velvet box and opened it. Inside was a silver band with diamonds embedded randomly all over it. Above and below the band were two smaller bands that branched off into swirls with tiny little leaves on them.
"Robin!" Starfire nodded, "I would be honored to have you rule by my side." She smiled as tears welled up in her eyes. Robin took out the ring and placed it on her left wedding finger. Starfire threw her arms around Robin, giving him showers of kisses.
She finally sank back into her bed…, "Our children…" she whispered.
"I have been thinking about that myself." Robin said, smiling, "Our child will not be considered a weak link in your dynasty. Your child will be the strongest. If she or he doesn't gain your powers, we will wish for it. If she does, but they are weaker, she will train…gain strength and combat skills. If for some reason we can not even bear a child, I will…I will…" he couldn't believe he was saying this, "I will wish for myself to be Tamaranian, just like you, with your powers and everything." Starfire smiled, and asked,
"You would do that…for me?"
"I would do anything for you, Starfire." Robin smiled.
Starfire stood up, "Oh, I must get dressed into something more proper. Robin! Get into some more decent attire!" Robin nodded and returned to his room which was covered in rubies and gold. It was the Gold Suite…Every bedroom in the palace was named after a very special gem or a type of expensive material. Cyborg stayed inside a room that was bright yellow and named after a yellow stone, but it's name was way to long to even try to pronounce. Raven stayed inside a Sapphire room and BB stayed in there with him. They had just started dating a week before now, and they wanted to share a room. Galfore finally agreed that they could. There was also the Silk room, the Emerald room, and, of course, the Silver Suite, which was where Blackfire had stayed as a child. The suites were for the Royals, and the 'rooms' were just the guest rooms.
Starfire, of course, stayed in the Diamond Suite. It was covered in green and silver and purple and of course, showered with diamonds. It had vases full of flowers scattered through out the room. Her room was much larger than the others, because her room was specifically designed for the princess. Robin's was also larger, for his was designed for a prince. The Emperor and Empress, of course, stayed in the same room, the Platinum Suite, which is where Galfore lived.
TTTT
Cyborg and Bee were in BB and Raven's room, talking about the future wedding and everything. Raven had been the one who helped Robin pick out the rings…both of them, including the wedding ring. Galfore walked inside,
"You three are wanted out on the balcony. You will be able to see the announcement from a better view up there, rather than on the palace grounds, where the people will be."
"All right!" BB cheered. Galfore lead the three up and out on the balcony. "This is awesome!"
TTTT
Everyone, every woman, male, and child of Tamaran was gathered below the large balcony where they had been summoned. They figured it had to do with the fact that their princess had returned. Many people had seen the differently shaped Earth ship land. They knew from the previous encounter with Starfire's friends that it was owned by the Teen Titans. They knew it was time for Starfire to return and start finding a husband. Many men were talking about how they hoped she would choose them, the women were worried because they did not want the any of the adorable guys to leave, and they hoped the rumors were all true. They hoped that she HAD found her king on Earth like one of the rumors. One of the guards would tell one person some royal info, and it would be scattered around Tamaran within minutes.
Robin walked out to the balcony wearing something he had found in his closet. It was a black pair of pants and a red belt to go around his waist. He had no shirt, but was wearing black sandals.
Robin walked up to Galfore, "Sir Galfore!" Robin asked.
"Yes, young Robin?"
"Am I wearing the right thing?"
"That looks fine for the engagement announcement."
"All right."
Trumpets blew and loud music played. Raven had already created a force field around Robin, BB, Cy, Bee and herself to save themselves from the dreadful music. When it ended, a large man stood at the edge of the balcony, shouting, "Announcing, Emperor Galfore!"
Everyone cheered as Galfore appeared in front of his people.
"People of Tamaran!" Galfore announced, "I know you have heard some of the rumors, and have probably seen the Teen Titan's of Earth land here, on Tamaran! Our Princess has indeed returned." And with that, everyone cheered, the men whistled and the wives slapped their husbands. The children were jumping up and down, and crawling under and through the legs, trying desperately to get a better view.
He nodded at the announcer, who then yelled, "Announcing Koriand'r! Princess of Tamaran!"
The hoots and hollers got louder, the whistles and shouts roared through the crowd and a beautiful, tall, girl appeared with long auburn hair and bright green eyes. She wore a long green dress that didn't have any sleeves and had a V-neck that showed almost too much cleavage. She looked much more mature than the last time she had come onto Tamaran, she was taller, and had fully grown into her beautiful body.
"People of Tamaran" she yelled, "I have a story to tell you…that you might find interesting." She shouted, smiling. She had been preparing this speech for about an hour. She was going to talk about how she almost just gave up on her heritage because of the law. But she took a different route, a light note.
She wasn't speaking in English, she was speaking in Tamaranian. Her friends, including Robin, could not understand a word she said. Robin just waited until she announced his name. That's what Galfore instructed him to do. As soon as she said his name, he would walk up and make an appearance.
"I have good news, and, well, some pretty bad news for my people." Everyone stared curiously at her, "Well, the good news is that I am staying here on Tamaran, to resume my rule as Queen and Grand Ruler of Tamaran", people cheered, hooted and hollered at this, when she continued,
"This, I assume is pretty good news for every girl out there, including me, but I know that the men of this world will not enjoy this news. I would like to introduce you to my future husband", she was cut off by one man who screamed,
"NO! You can't marry him! Marry me! ME, Princess!" she smiled as she watched a woman take her hand and slap him across the face.
"Sir, it looks like you already have a woman in your life." She smiled at him then continued, "I would like you to meet Robin!" not as many people cheered.
Starfire continued as Robin walked up, hearing his name and slid his arms around her waist putting his face right next to hers. He gave her a tiny peck on the cheek and then looked at his wife, watching her talk, then at her people. They loved her so much, she loved them too. You could tell, how she was explaining everything to them, why they shouldn't worry, and putting up with the few boos from the guys. She never once sent a soldier after her beloved people.
"you might be worried about out children. But I assure you, Robin and I will have a child who will have the normal powers of a Tamaranian. She or he will also learn combat skills including things that their father can teach them about Martial Arts. Robin knows many things about Earth, and we will teach our children both Tamaranian and American English of Earth."
She looked down and saw nods, knowing she answered a common question. "My child will NOT! Be known as the weak link in the and'r dynasty!" she said very loudly which made everyone chear. Then the happy couple walked back through the doors. And Galfore followed, his head high and very proud of his kanorfka. The doors closed and the people returned to their life.