Chapter 4

Members of Elden hustled everywhere, commoner and nobleman alike, inside the Palace. One thing Ororo was sure to establish when she took the throne was open class on important affairs- she needed word from all the people to know how they felt.

The Grand Hall that had been impressive to begin with, now, stood breathtaking. The mahogany vines had transformed into living tendrils and snaked their way into the pools of water that contained fish glowing with energy. Fire's burned brightly in torches around the room and in the rafters, creating a wild, ethereal glow, shadows dancing everywhere.

Musicians were already playing the ancient songs that elves of the court danced to thousands of years earlier. Songs that seemed to cast spells on the feet of anyone listening, urging them to dance.

"Hold still! I swear, you are no better than the child you were 30 years ago!" Jean put the finishing touch on Ororo's hair, it was finally all pinned up in silver hair pins decorated with intricate emerald butterflies. Ororo stared longingly in the mirror at her favorite clips- they were a gift from a love in her past before they parted ways. He never told her why he had left- though she had suspected the previous night's encounter had been closer than he enjoyed- and he left with nothing more than a ghost of a wind, and left these by her sleeping head. His red eyes still haunted her dreams. She knew he was avoiding her all these years- especially as he knew very well who she was and where she was. And he was too cunning to be dead, even with his enemies. She sighed deeply and put her memories to rest, trying to focus on the present.

"You're thinking of him again." Jean looked at her with a frown.

"I can't help it. Especially in time of war. I may need to contact him for his help once more. I just don't know if I can face him again…"

"Years have passed, my lady. You have grown. He is a vampire- did it really surprise you to discover his nomadic ways couldn't be stopped?"

"He should have taken me…" she thought sullenly. "Do you think it was nothing more than childish romance? He is 700 years my elder…"

"Is that all?" Jean laughed. "No one can tell what the heart desires- and for how long it will. When it comes to having an eternal life, sometimes you cannot tell if it will last for a brief moment or several lifetimes. But if it the Great Faerie wills it, it shall be. Now don't fret, the guests are arriving soon and the last thing we need is a sullen Queen."

"Do you think the kingdom resents my being so young to this world? Do they trust my wisdom with this coming war?"

"I haven't heard anything to confirm that. Most people revere you with admiration and respect most elders cannot achieve. Not just from your being of royal blood, but you have truly transformed this land. Any doubts when you first started the military training have been laid to rest, now that they know it will be necessary in the coming future."

"You have always been the best at laying my fears to rest. I have too fragile an ego sometimes."

"You are the Queen. It is not an easy task, especially with no co-ruler. If it was easy, everyone would do it."

"I'm wondering if there ever will be a co-ruler."

"There does seem to be a shortage of handsome immortals with ties to elfin royalty. Or even handsome royalty from other lands at that."

The creak of the main gate to the palace interrupted their conversation. Jean placed a hand to her temple and scanned the outside thoughts of the elves below. "He's here with eight escorts. Thoughts of awe coming from the company, and our people alike."

"What about him?" Ororo headed, half dressed in her slip, for her balcony, concealing herself behind a sheer curtain panel while peeking out to get a better look.

"I'm trying but he actually guards his thoughts. I don't know how… but he's not projecting anything. I couldn't scan him without his knowledge this way- and invading privacy is such a viciously dirty business."

"That's quite alright…. My goddess!" she breathed

"What!" Jean ran for the balcony to see what had shocked Ororo.

"Have you ever seen someone so… huge?"

As far as she could see from her second story balcony, without revealing herself, was a tall, muscular man with short, silver hair. He was in full battle dress and he kept his eyes set ahead, a grim expression on his face. His jet black horse trotted gallantly, its regal head arched in full attention, the muscles in its legs rippling with every movement. Beside him rode the blonde messenger, who now appeared infinitesimally small next to the man she assumed was Dayspring. Scattered behind them were seven men on brown horses like the messengers.

Jean stared out the window to see the King dismounting from the large black horse. "You aren't kidding. And there aren't many men who can dwarf you. Enough with curiosity- you'll meet him soon enough. Let's get you dressed." Heading towards the closet, Jean pulled out a green and gold ball gown. "This will be perfect for your hair pins." The queen was paying little attention to her friend now, her eyes fixed on the King.

"Ororo…" She tapped the queen's shoulder.

"Hm?" She turned around and jumped, nearly knocking Jean over. "Sorry."

Jean leaned over the balcony. "Got to give him credit for not waiting until the last minute."

"I've been given the impression that Dayspring is not given to hesitance." Ororo stepped away from the balcony and into her room.

Jean's eyebrows rose. "A man of action, huh?"

"What's that look for?"

Her green eyes darted around the room. "Oh, I don't know…"

"Jean…"

"All I'm saying is that you've obviously shown a budding interest in the man. You're a queen, he's a king… it's not completely out of the question…"

"I'm about to jeopardize the fate of my people for this man. I should know who I'm dealing with- not to mention that I've seen the man for less than eight seconds and don't even know what kind of personality he has." Ororo walked inside, trying to calm her edgy nerves.

Jean looked over the balcony rail again. "Eight? Try three minutes. You don't know how long you've been hidden behind that curtain, do you? He is rather handsome… but too young for my tastes."

"And what of you? What are you wearing tonight?" Ororo was obviously trying to change the subject.

A red fire washed over Jean's maiden dress she was wearing and it transformed into a fiery red and gold gown. "Now, no more worries about me. Tonight is a historical moment- concentrate on the task at hand."