Chapter 16

The word arrived from Jonathan and Alanna: we trust whatever decision our daughter makes. Eliena knew that the decision had come from long hours arguing from previous experiences with her parents. She sighed. Life would have been so much easier if they had said, "Eliena is to marry Kaddar" or "Eliena is not to marry Kaddar." Leaving it up to her was worse than telling her that she had to marry him!

What do I have against marrying him anyway? Eliena wondered, watching the handsome prince as he easily chatted with Lindhall and Numair. Numair glanced over at her with a smile and a wink. Eliena tensed. She hadn't forgotten that kiss he'd given her a mere week before. Has it really been that long? She only had two more days to make her choice about marrying Kaddar. He had told her in private that he felt terrible about it, but would marry her if she said yes. Eliena had told him that, while she liked him a lot, it was a hard choice to make in two weeks. Kaddar had agreed.

Eliena sighed and looked over at Daine and Thayet. She had been spending a lot of time with the women, and Varice, lately. They each gave insight: Thayet urged her to do it for the good of Tortall, Daine told her to make a careful choice, and Varice reminded her of the vast imperial wealth. When she'd spoken with Duke Gareth and Gary, they had said the same thing: "It would be better for Tortall if you did." Numair hadn't said anything since telling her love was important, and Lord Martin had made it quite clear that he would disapprove of her even more if she turned it down. Thinking of all the pages, squires, knights, and other men that would be called upon to fight and killed if there were a war, Eliena sighed.

She knew her duty to her people, even if it conflicted with her duty to her heart. (A/N- total "Mulan 2" line.)

"Dinner is served," a herald announced. Everyone filed into the banquet hall. Ozorne sat at the head of the table and people filled their normal seats. Eliena was at Kaddar's right hand, with Daine across from her. Most of the delegation was nearer to the emperor. The first course was served almost immediately, and Eliena took a deep breath as Ozorne made the blessing. He followed it with a toast. As everyone sipped their drinks, Eliena rose.

"Your Imperial Majesty, might I make an announcement?" she asked loudly. Ozorne smiled.

"Of course, your highness," he replied.

Eliena drew in her breath and began: "Two weeks ago I was informed that there was an offer of marriage from his royal highness Prince Kaddar to me. I was given time to consider the offer. The two weeks are almost complete, and I have made my decision." A murmur went through the Tortallan delegation: "what's she doing?"

"Well?" Ozorne asked.

"I accept the proposal," Eliena replied. She sat down, trying to slow down her racing heart. Ozorne was smiling.

"Well, then. A toast, to the new engagement between Princess Eliena of Conté and Prince Kaddar!"

"Cheers!"

Eliena couldn't say anything. Her face was buried in her hands, and she was crying softly.

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"That was very brave," Thayet told Eliena later that night. Thayet was brushing Eliena's hair before bed. Eliena wiped her eyes. "I'm proud of you."

"Many people have said that to me lately. If it was brave and worthy of pride, then why am I so upset?" she wanted to know. Thayet smiled.

"Because it was a hard choice," the former princess replied. "If you had said no, it would have meant war. But, by accepting, you are betrothed to someone you don't love."

"I don't think I know what love is," Eliena admitted. "I've claimed to be in love, but I don't truly know what it is."

"Few do," Thayet explained. "Love is a difficult thing to find. Most people marry someone they like a lot, because they're certain they'll never find love."

"Do you love Raoul?"

"Yes." Thayet nodded.

"Does mother love father?"

"If I'm any judge, your parents are madly in love, and have been since they were young," Thayet replied. "But Gary would be a better judge of that, he's known them longer."

Eliena sighed. "I hope I can grow to love Kaddar."

Thayet began braiding Eliena's long curls. "Chances are that you will. From what I know, your mother and father started as friends and grew to love each other. Though, they weren't betrothed or married. That waited until after they were in love."

"Could I never love Kaddar because I was forced into marriage?"

Thayet sighed. "Unfortunately, Eliena, yes. It's possible that you and Kaddar will end up loathing each other because this was forced on you so young. Or, the opposite could happen. You could fall madly in love with him and end up blissfully happy. It all depends on how he acts." Thayet was silent for a moment. "Is love important to you, Eli?"

Eliena hesitated before saying, "Yes. I don't see the point in marrying someone if you don't love them. Love involves trust, care, and its something earned. I think that you should marry someone who is worthy of your love, and your devotion. Is that wrong?" She turned to look at Thayet, who was smiling.

"No, Eli. That's exactly right," she replied. "And I wish you luck in finding it." She kissed Eli's head and got up to leave. "Sleep tight."

"Goodnight, Thayet."

"Goodnight, Eli."

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Eliena tossed and turned, before sitting upright in bed. She needed to talk to Kaddar. Immediately. She climbed out of bed quietly and put on the midnight blue dress she'd worn the night before. She grabbed a black cloak, pulling it tightly around her. She remembered where Kaddar's rooms were- it wasn't that hard. She slipped her feet into black slippers and moved quickly and quietly.

"Eliena?" Kaddar whispered as he opened the door. "Do you know how much trouble you could get in for being here?"

"I need to talk to you," Eliena replied.

"All right…" Kaddar said, stepping aside. "But we're in a lot of danger." Once the door was shut, Eliena circled the room in violet fire to ward of listeners.

"No hello for your betrothed?" Eliena asked with a smile. "Just kidding. Listen, about this engagement…"

"You don't want to," Kaddar replied. Eliena nodded. "Understandable. But we can't break it now."

"Or can we?"

"What are you proposing?" asked Kaddar skeptically.

"You break the engagement. Say that you weren't consulted and that you will never agree to any such thing. Send me home," she replied, a tinge of begging in her voice. "Kaddar, I like you, but I don't want to marry because I like someone. I want to love someone. I want to be like my parents: insanely in love." Kaddar smiled.

"A romantic," he remarked.

"Thoroughly," she replied, grinning. Kaddar sighed.

"It will take some working… but I think I can manage that." Eliena stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek, much to his surprise.

"Thank you, Kaddar. If you can't break it, I'd be lucky to marry you." Kaddar hugged her like you hug your best friend.

"I know what you mean."

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Eliena was awakened by Numair's shout of "Daine's gone!" She jumped out of bed and grabbed her dressing gown. She went into the hall.

"What do you mean gone?" she demanded.

"Just what I said!" Numair replied. "Gone! Vanished!"

Eliena swore. "You're sure?"

"Kitten's even out." Numair nodded. Eliena swore again, more loudly this time. Duke Gareth heard.

"Eliena, watch your tongue," he warned.

"Uncle Gareth, Daine is gone," Eliena said. "Am I supposed to be a princess at a time like this?"

"You should always be a princess, but I will forgive it this time," he replied. "How could she be gone?"

"Ozorne," Numair replied simply. "Daine left a note. She went to tend to the birds…"

"And Ozorne did something," Eliena finished. She called the emperor a series of rude names that a princess shouldn't know.

"Eliena," Duke Gareth snapped. "This probably has something to do with Kaddar breaking the engagement."

"I wouldn't be surprised," Eliena hissed.

"Eliena," the Duke said. "Stop right this instant."

"This is ridiculous!" Eliena cried. "Daine's gone, its obviously Ozorne's fault, and he's going to say something like, 'if you ever want to see Daine again, Eliena will marry Kaddar'! Well, I won't stand for it! I'd rather fight a gods-cursed war than give in this time!"

"Don't be rash," Lord Martin snapped. "A war would be more costly than your pride!"

"Lord Martin, I have had quite enough of you. You will watch your tone in my presence or you will find yourself in more trouble than you can imagine once we reach Corus. You will find every possible charge brought against you with most of Court against you. Chances are, against the heiress, you will end up on Traitor's Hill," Eliena told the lord of Persopolis, who was going very pale. "So I suggest buttoning that gaping hole you call a mouth!"

"Eliena," Numair said gently, placing his hand on your shoulder. Eliena felt the magic and brushed his hand off.

"Get your hands off me, Numair Salmalín," she hissed. Numair removed his hand, eyes wide. "Now, what in Mithros's name are we going to do?"

"Nothing," Numair replied, somewhat sadly. "There's nothing we can do. Ozorne is the emperor, Eliena. We're in Carthak, not Tortall."

"There must be something we can do!" she exclaimed.

"Unfortunately, there isn't," Gary said. "We just have to wait it out."

"I can't settle for that," Eliena declared.

"Well, you had better," Duke Gareth told her firmly. "Because one false move could land you dead."

Eliena gulped.

Author's Note- ooh, drama! So, anyway. I'm depressed. Ask why in your REVIEW.