Over the next couple of days, Naomi was able to easily fall back into the old routine she had had before she had left on her travels. Since the Grand Council had officially dissolved after Elena's accession to the Throne, Naomi didn't have any work related ties to the Palace, and so her days were instead filled with handling the small jobs around ports.

"Where's this shipment of silk going Miss Naomi?"

"Which type of silk is it?"

"Looks like from Napurna."

She quickly consulted her clip board. "Then that one is going to Doña Catalena's. I know Sara is heading that direction to deliver Cordoba papayas to Linda's Fruit stand. Maybe you can catch a ride."

"Aye aye ma'am."

Naomi was on the main deck of The Wayfarer. Her mother had only gotten back late last night, safe and soundly. Apparently the fishing boat had been damaged beyond all repair, but a merchant ship heading to Avalor had stopped by as well, so some impromptu negotiations had been made by Captain Scarlett in terms of trading cargo and making space so that everyone and all their merchandise could be returned was just like her mother, being able to think on her toes, and try and leave no man behind. Which sometimes meant a voyage for 3 months easily became 6, so thankfully enough everything convened here at Avalor this time and she was able to be home relatively on schedule.

Despite this kind of flighty attitude, Naomi had held no resentment for her mother when she was growing up, no matter how much she missed her. If anything, Naomi idolized her and hoped that she could be just like her one day in terms of quality of character.

"Miss Naomi!"

She ran over to the side of the ship at the sound of her name and looked down to see a small group gathered on the dock.

"Got a few crates of Avaloran chocolate for Paraiso!"

"Those should have been here hours ago!" Naomi exclaimed as she ran down the gangplank to them.

"Well, it seems they were a special order." Pete looked down at the form and had a quizzical expression come over him. "Pink and heart-shaped?"

Naomi sighed, "That sounds about right. You can send one of the Port Kids to run ahead to the ship. With any luck, they haven't completely loaded up or it will be a week before this order can go out."

"Yes ma'am."

Naomi nodded in response before turning back to her clipboard and loudly blowing a loose piece of her blonde hair from her face that had come out from her small ponytail. It had been such an absolutely crazy morning that Naomi honestly couldn't remember having even a minute to herself since she had hastily eaten a bowl of oatmeal and stepped out the front door of her parent's house; only a blur of orders and conversations in rapid fire Avaloran or in the shared language of Latin, or what traders called "The Descendants Tongue."

Wow. She really had missed this!

A strong hand then clamped down on her shoulder.

"It's good to have you back home Naoms!" Her father said jovially as he pulled her tightly into his side.

"Because I'm a good source of free labor?"

"Now, now. You're no longer living under our roof, so I'll pay you like any other worker." He lifted up his hand to show that he had two apples nestled in the large palm. "But I hope you don't mind me asking if you can join your old man for lunch?"

Naomi tapped her chin thoughtfully. "I think I can squeeze you in."

Her father smiled and expertly tossed her one of the apples, so she could easily catch it with one hand.

She had only taken a bite out of the crisp apple before the sounds of frantic steps vibrated the dock boards underneath their feet.

"Harbor Master!"

It was Horacio moving down the dock towards them. Though, Naomi couldn't deny it was a bit humorous despite the apparent seriousness of the situation to see him with one hand crushing down his hat to his head and the other arm holding a bunch of loose paper tightly to his chest as he moved in a awkward high-knee run.

"The Rosebud just docked."

"What are they doing back?" Daniel asked sternly. "They just left only an hour ago, and we need space for The Immunity to dock."

"Apparently there was a last minute order that just arrived this morning from Neuva Vista and Duke Cisco is demanding that it has to be with the current order, no exceptions."

"Again!?"

"I'm afraid so."

Her father pinched the bridge of his nose. It wasn't often she saw her father like this and felt the only thing she could do was place a hand on his forearm.

"I tell you Naoms, I'm grateful that you and Princess Isabel set up that lighthouse to communicate with the ships or I would at least have 10 more times the problems than I currently have. I already had to rearrange quite a few ships last week since word got around that Norberg had a small outbreak of some kind."

Naomi's eyes widened, she hadn't heard anything like that on her recent travels, and sailors didn't tend to be the best secret keepers.

"No particulars still of what exactly?"

"None," Her father said, unable to keep the slight annoyance out of his voice. He hated not having all the facts, a trait she shared with him as well. She could never tell though if it was hereditary or because he had taken the larger role in raising her.

"But word trickled around and it's better to be safe than sorry. I should be receiving a letter from Max, er, the Harbor Master from Norberg, but it's taking longer than usual for whatever reason."

"I can talk to Elena," Naomi offered. "Perhaps she could also talk to Cisco about making unreasonable demands. It's her cousin after all. Well, her other, other cousin."

"I appreciate the help Naomi, but would prefer to keep it professional. So I'll write a formal letter to the Queen that this is getting a little out of hand with the Duke and request an audience with her."

"It's Elena, Dad," Naomi simply stated, as if that should be answer enough. "I'm sure she wouldn't mind."

"I understand, but it's good practice to keep this up." His face then got serious, which meant that some worldly piece of advice was about to follow. "Favoritism can be both a blessing and curse in disguise."

'There's also no problem in using the resources available to you,' Naomi thought to herself. She didn't want to say it out loud as it was one of the only things that there family always disagreed with.

"Anyways, go ahead and take your break without me while I sort out this mess."

"But-"

"I know you can help, but you started even earlier than me today," Her father said as he nudged her slightly on her back. "So please take a break now so I can have you fresh-faced for later."

Naomi couldn't fight against logic.

"Fine, but I'll be on The WindChaser if you need me!"

"Aye aye Captain!"

Stubborn to the core though, Naomi began walking backwards, keeping an eye on her father, just in case, until he disappeared out of sight. She then fully turned and focused on heading towards the docks that hugged closer to one of the cliff sides where smaller and more residential boats were all anchored. People paid to have their boats here where they either lived on them or some of the wealthier citizens had their Pleasure Crafts here to be used on small jaunts around the bay.

Naomi tossed the now gnawed apple core into the water as she climbed aboard her ship and immediately grabbed a small piece of rope so that she could use it to wrap around and climb up the main mast and sit aboard the yard. It was her favorite place to be as she could see the everything from up here: from the rolling sapphire blue waters, to the ships that vanished into that completely flat horizon.

She could only last a few minutes though of feigned relaxation before she began surveying what chores she would need to get done. There was a line of fresh laundry strung across the deck that needed to be put away. The vase full of flowers that Luisa had given to her that first night home were already dying and needing to be replaced. Not to mention the deck was needing a good sweep and mop.
She really was becoming a regular Liveaboard like the rest of the folks here. Maybe if her friends weren't busy they could come over for a poker night.

A shudder ran down her spine as she horrifyingly realized how much that made her sound like her neighbor, Sideways Ian, with his fish head snacks and off tune piano he liked to loudly play at weird times during the day.

Perhaps it would be best if she found another place to dock as soon as possible.

"Ahoy Captain!"

Naomi jumped slightly, but was perfectly able to keep her balance as she looked down to see a small figure waving at her from the dock below. Naomi knew instantly from the sound of her voice that it was Elena.

"Permission to come aboard?"

"Permission granted!" Naomi said with a salute. "Want me to come down and help you?"

"No, I can still handle small feats like this."

Even as she said that though, one of the guards that had been flanking her stepped forward and Elena had no choice to accept the offer as they helped her across the gangplank and safely onto the ship. He then went to join his comrade and dutifully guard the ship and their Queen, even though Naomi was certain their was no danger here. Well, maybe Sideways Ian.

"What happened to your sail?" Elena asked as she pointed up.

Upon first glance, there was nothing wrong with the sail, but when Naomi had first gotten this ship gifted to her from Elena, the original sail had a large and proud Avaloran Crest painted on it.

"Oh, there had been a really bad storm when I had been anchored in May-Ling. The whole port got wrecked and I guess some loose wooden boards had been flying around and sliced it up that night."

One of those boards had also smashed into the side of Naomi's cabin, where she had been taking cover, and decimated the small port window, causing the hollowing wind and rain to seep in. But she decided to leave that detail out for now.

"We can commission a new one for you," Elena immediately offered.

"Thanks, but this is a great sail, and I would hate to be wasteful." Naomi tilted her head and contemplated. "I'll gladly take a new flag though since that also got destroyed."

Elena shot her what Naomi thought was a thumbs up. "Deal!"

"Actually, better double check on that," Naomi said hastily. "I might already have a spare flag. And if I do it would be down in the hold underneath the trap door, can you check?"

Two simultaneous grunts of quick disapproval then pierced the air. Naomi looked to see the two bodyguards quickly fixing their stiff posture.

"Sure thing!" Elena yelled back, ignoring the Guards completely. "Oh! I'll use far-sight real quick!"

Elena's hand instinctively went to her hip, but she quickly retreated when she realized that her Royal Scepter was no longer at her side.

"I can see you're handling the 'no magic' rule swimmingly," Naomi said smugly.

While Naomi hadn't cared for it for most of her life, as the average person in the EverRealm could live day to day without magic, she had come to learn from her experience in Avalor the basics of Magic.

Magic was usually broken up into four ways: by either wielders of a magic-infused item, natural traits passed down genetically like talking to animals, being cursed or gifted by wielders, or just being born a mythical creature, like Jaquins or Sirenas.

But there were always phenomenon's and outliers.

Elena had been both gifted magic due to her being inadvertently trapped in a magical amulet for 41 years which in turn allowed her to use her Royal Scepter, which itself turned out to be an ancient Maruvian wizard's staff. Then there was that incident a few years ago when she had fallen into a magical well at Takaina without her scepter. Luckily, it had not been needed as it turned out that she only was gifted an almost natural sort of magic by her emotions causing different types of magical abilities and were indicated by what color her dress became.

However, even after many years of training, Elena's stamina and tolerance had built up that she no longer felt fatigued until she used an excessive amount of magic and she could keep her emotions in check, it was still too much of a risk to use with her now with child.

Which had to be the reason that Elena allowed to have bodyguards tailing her now.

At least they were trained to only make disapproving noises now rather than make it so she couldn't raise so much as a finger as they had once done. You know, before their Queen had defeated sorceresses, and Malvagos, and thieves, and literal darkness itself.

They even allowed her to open the trapdoor all by herself and get on her knees.

"Wow, got enough flags Naomi?" Elena asked as she began digging through the piles.

"A hobby of mine!" Naomi began to explain as she decided to join her friend on the dock. She navigated around the mast to begin her descent downward. Once her rope was secure, she allowed gravity to slide her down the mast and land on her feet with a solid thud.

"Once we started moving around a lot more after I turned about five, I wanted to have something with me to remember the places I went," Naomi continued as she joined Elena in the search. "I ended up choosing flags because I always thought that the work and colors that went into them were incredible."

Elena gave her an earnest smile and her eyes softened, clearly taken by Naomi's genuine answer. She always was.

"Well, it looks like you already have one," Elena declared as she reached in deep and produced a great Avaloran flag that still retained it's vibrant colors. "So, looks like you'll have to let me know what else I can get you as I am, in a way, your lovely benefactor."

"Deal," Naomi said this time.

Elena gave her another bright smile before moving to get back up.

"Here, allow me your majesty. It's already a great insult for you to have been sitting on your Royal butt for so long," Naomi said in an exaggerated tone as she pulled her friend swiftly to her feet, thanks to all that muscle she had gained during the past three years.

As Elena smoothed down the front of her skirts, Naomi realized that Elena must have been dressed down for the welcome party as she had been styled to have her long thick hair pulled back into a ponytail and her simple off the shoulder red dress.

Now, as Queen to the public, her hair was styled into an intricate bun gathered at the base of her neck. Her red dress had a complex and detailed beaded bodice of maroon and gold in the shape of diamonds and roses that stopped just above her small baby bump. All that coupled with her Crown, long gold tear drop earrings, and necklace, and one would have to be an absolute idiot to not know that this beautiful woman was the Queen of Avalor, maybe even the world.

However, Elena chose this moment to childishly stick her tongue out at Naomi and reach into her dress to produce a small flask.

"Ummm, Elena?"

"Oh relax, it's just some kind of old Maruvian tea recipe that Mateo found." Elena passed the flask to Naomi.

She accepted the flask and took a generous swig before she practically spat it back out.

"Oh my gods," Naomi said through a violent cough. "This tastes like sweaty feet."

"Tastes fine to me," Elena said with a shrug as she took an unabashedly large gulp that caused Naomi to wrinkle her nose.

"And honestly, anything to help with this morning sickness is welcomed. Though, everyone seems to have their own opinion on how I should be handling this pregnancy."

"When you say everyone, do you mean Rafa?" Naomi blatantly asked, as she had gotten plenty of first hand experiences of just how domineering Elena's mother-in-law can be.

"Yes, but I really do mean EVERYONE." Elena sighed and flopped down onto one of the foldout chairs that Naomi had set up for late night stargazing. "In fact, I just came from checking on the progress of the new Black pepper plant fields, which are growing nicely ever since it was decided that they be moved closer to Tepet Muul if I do say so myself."

"Which will be needed for the upcoming Feast of Friendship, of course."

"Yes exactly. Anyways, as I was just walking by, some older woman stopped working just to tell me I should be eating a lot of mango before immediately continuing her work!"

Naomi blinked in confusion. "Why mango?"

"I don't know!" Elena exclaimed throwing up her arms. "Someone else told me to eat coconut because it's said that a lot of coconut will produce a healthy heir and a good future ruler, but then another told me that it was actually coffee."

"You should just ask your grandparents what your mother did while she was pregnant with you and Isabel since you two seemed to turn out alright." Naomi said as she pushed the other lounge chair right next to Elena and took a seat in it.

Elena gave her a bemused look. "How is it that you can compliment someone and yet it still has just enough of a sarcastic tone to it to possibly be an insult?"

Naomi shrugged. "It's a gift, born with it and can't get rid of it."

The young Queen rolled her eyes.

"Seriously though, Reina's not even due for another 5 months," said Elena exhausted as she laid her head back against the chair and closed her eyes.

"I'm honestly just surprised it took you this long to get pregnant," Naomi said with a smirk. "Thought you and Mateo would run into this situation before you even walked down the aisle."

"Hey, I drank my moon tea responsibly, same as you," Elena said defensively as she pointed a finger at her.

"And yet only one of us is pregnant."

Naomi then put on a more serious expression. "You're not regretting it, are you?"

"No, of course not." Elena nibbled on her lip a little. "It's just...different. Thinking that I'm going to be a mother soon. It took me three years before I became Queen, two years before I became a wife, and now less than a year before I become a mother."

Elena reached over and grabbed Naomi's hand.

"I'm really glad you're back. It's nice to have my best friend with me."

Naomi couldn't resist. "Best friend behind Mateo though, right?"

"Oh no you don't, I am not doing that whole thing again!" Elena exclaimed. "Especially since last time that argument happened with Gabe and Mateo, we almost ended up on a ghost party ship playing tops for all of eternity."

"Relax, I don't mind being behind him," Naomi said thinking about what she had told Gabe at dinner the other night. "Would only be fair."

"What?"

"Don't worry about it."

"Your majesty!"

The two women turned to see a young girl running up the dock at an alarming rate as she tightly clutched her mailbag to keep it from bouncing around violently. Everyone seemed to be in a panic today. She came to a grinding halt as the Guards tightened their defensive wall at the gangplank.

"It's okay, you can let Diana approach," Elena said in a clear and commanding tone with a small forward hand gesture.

In frightening unison, the guards parted to allow the young girl to come through.

"This letter just arrived for you, your grace," Diana said as she presented her a rolled up a very weathered and beaten up scroll. It was very discolored and the edges were all heavily frayed. It would be a miracle if the contents were still legible by this point.

"Said it was urgent when it arrived at the post stop and I had to bring it to you directly."
Naomi and Elena shared a concern glance.

Elena took the scroll gingerly as to not damage it any more. "Thank you Diana."

The girl gave a quick bow before exiting the ship without the need for an official dismissal.
Once she was a ways away so that they had a bit more privacy, Elena ran her finger over the wax seal and Naomi instantly recognized the artistic rendering of an eight pointed star.

Elena reaffirmed Naomi's recognition as she said, "It's from the Royal family in Norberg."

Elena quickly broke open the seal and began reading. Naomi leaned over a little to see if she could catch any part of the letter, but Elena suddenly brought the scroll closer to her face, her eyebrows furrowing.

"Is it about anything concerning the rumored epidemic going on in Norberg?"

But her friend remained silent, her sharp brown eyes roaming quickly over the page as her mouth muttered along in a low tone.

The seriousness was unnerving to Naomi that she then asked a question to try and break the tension and get Elena to talk to her.

"Is it another letter congratulating you on the baby?"

Still no response.

"Elena?"

"It's a call for help," She gravely said, her eyes scanning faster and faster.

"Help for what?"

Elena shook her head. "Queen Abigail says she can't give out the specifics for fear of this letter being intercepted, but says she knows for certain that she and her daughter Chloe's very lives maybe threatened by some visiting Royals."

"Then why is she calling for Avalor and not somewhere closer like Hectoria or Maarswik?"

"It's because she heard rumors that one of these people used to..."

Elena then let out a small gasp and her pupils constricted to almost pinpoints in her brown irises.

"That they used to be a part of the Royal Council from the Northern Isles."

"The Northern Isles!?" Naomi exclaimed, jumping up to her feet. "Like the birthplace and Kingdom Shuriki used to rule before she usurped Avalor! Those Northern Isles!?"

Elena's hand went protectively to her stomach and she seemed to paled, well, pale as much as she could for her dark skin tone. Her dress then began to change to purple, and Naomi knew it might not be long before things literally began to spin.

She felt a pang of guilt at her overreaction, knowing how much this hurt Elena. She quickly sat back down and put a protective arm around Elena to keep her steady.

Elena leaned forward slightly, attempting to put her head between her legs and took some deep calming breaths. Slowly, the dresses color changed from purple to back to red.

She nodded her head, indicating that she was fully calm again as Naomi helped her sit back upright.

Naomi didn't know how Elena could live this way, always having to keep herself in check, it couldn't be entirely healthy.

"There's something else too, mi amiga," Elena squeezed Naomi's hand. "She requests the assistance of Admiral Captain Scarlett Turner."

That alarmed Naomi, as she quickly turned the letter to her so she could read that for herself. Sure enough, there was the title that she had only heard from stories, in Queen Abagail's slanted handwriting that Naomi had gotten accustomed to during her council career.

"My mom hasn't been called that in years," Naomi said softly. "I mean, she was a part of the Norberg Royal Navy a long time ago with my dad as her First Mate, but they were honorably discharged and went into the trade business sometime shortly before I was born."

"But I thought your mom was going to be offered an Admirals position a few years ago? So, she had been one before?"

"Yeah, but that was after 15 years had passed, which is why it shocked me so much that time when she wanted to go back to it."

Elena tentatively turned the piece of paper back to her, she gave the letter one more glance over before rolling it back up.

"I think, I want to call for a Grand Council Meeting."

Naomi raised her eyebrows. "But-"

"Yes, I know it doesn't exist anymore, and as Queen I have absolute authority." Elena raised up the scroll. "But this situation is going to effect so many of us that I wouldn't feel right unless I consult with everyone first."

Naomi nodded. "Alright, when do you want to do it?"

"Right now," Elena said determinedly as she jumped up to her feet, further proving that all the earlier fussing had been unnecessary.

"Lieutenant Villalobos and Lieutenant Vasquez."

The two soldiers swiftly turned on their heels to face Elena.

"Please find Harbor Master Daniel Turner and Captain Scarlett Turner and ask them to come to the Palace as soon as possible."

She paused.

"And you better also ask Doña Paloma to come, she was a member."

Both Guards nodded in understanding.

"What about you, your majesty? How will you get back?" Lieutenant Villalobos asked.
Elena didn't reply and instead put both her pinkies in her mouth and let out a large whistle.

Not even a minute passed by before a large yellow with green spotted Jaquin landed in front of the group.

"Hola Princesa!"

"Nico!" Elena said as she affectionately cupped the Guardians furry face.

Nico certainly wasn't the cub that Naomi remembered when he had first come over for his guardian training.

"Can you give me and Naomi a ride back to the palace and fast please?"

"Fast is my specialty, Princesa!" Nico said, bowing down so Elena could easily climb on. Looked like the nickname that his older brother Skylar had given Elena wasn't going away any time soon.

Elena took her position, her voluminous red skirt puffing out around her and almost burying the Jaquin.

"OOF!" Nico wheezed out.

"Oh come on," Elena said in an offended tone. "I haven't gained that much weight yet with the baby!"

"I think it's more from the dress than you, Princesa," Nico said in an obviously strained voice.

Naomi quickly followed suit and got behind Elena, arms securely holding her friend's waist.

"Captain Nunez isn't going to like you riding," Lieutenant Vasquez said pleadingly.

"Then Captain Nunez and I can have another nice long chat soon."

And with that, Nico spread out is large wings and they shot up smoothly into the sky.

Naomi tightened her hold on Elena and pressed her legs tightly into Nico's sleek body. It's not that she was afraid of heights, as she had been walking the yards of large ships since she was a child, or that she didn't trust the Jaquins, they were the most loyal mythical creatures and Guardians one could ask for. However, there was something that always felt a little unnatural about flying in the sky, going higher than anything mortal human had intended, that put Naomi on edge.

True to his word though, Nico had them back to the castle in record time and dropped them off smoothly at the large balcony of Elena and Mateo's room.

The Queen gave the Guardian a quick thank you before the pair of young women disappeared inside.

Elena had her arm immediately looped through Naomi's for any support she might need as they moved quickly through the bedroom and then out into the Palace hallways, passing by servants who immediately came to attention and bowed.

"Welcome Home, your Majesty!" Armando proclaimed as he instantly materialized at their side, though he was clearly out of breath.

"Armando, I need you to find Mateo, my Abuelos, and Esteban and ask them to report to the Grand Council Room immediately. This is a priority one."

"Oh dear," Armando said as worried lines creased his forehead. "Yes, your grace."

Once Armando was out of sight, Elena hiked the front of her skirt up high and sped up so that they were now jogging.

The two of them were the first to arrive to the Grand Council Room. It hadn't changed at all even though Naomi hadn't been in this room for at least a year. There were a few large bookshelves filled with books of recorded meeting minutes from the several hundred meetings that had been held in this room, a large map of the entire EverRealm painted one wall, and a few portraits of the last few ruling Monarchs of Avalor hanging on the walls. In the middle of the room was a semi-circle Grand Council table and five chairs.

Naomi didn't let go of Elena's arm until she was sitting firmly in the middle chair.

"Oh, this is going to be a long pregnancy if I'm already winded," Elena huffed out.

Before Naomi could ask if there was anything she could do for her friend, a large cloud of magical Golden smoke appeared in the center of the room.

"I'm here!" Mateo's voice rang out as he appeared out of the puff of smoke.

He was dressed today for his station as well, as he wore his official Crimson Royal Wizard robe with gold and Emerald trimming. He even had on his matching crimson half-cape on as well that displayed his status as a Master Wizard, and hung from one shoulder and had a large embroidered Sun-Bird on it that matched his Tamborita.

"Are my girls okay?" Mateo asked as he ran over and knelt down in front of his wife with a hand going to her tummy.

"We're fine, we're both fine, I promise," Elena reassured him.

"What's wrong? Am I here as Wizard or Consort?"

"Yet to be determined, but your presence is always welcomed by your Queen." Elena said as she placed a hand on his cheek and her dress turned a bright pink.

Assured that Elena was now safely in Mateo's hands and care, Naomi took a step back from the couple, leaving the clout of love induced magic that Elena's dress was emanating.

Naomi decided to turn her attention to the large portrait that hung behind them. Last time she had been in this room, the portrait of the late King Raul and Queen Lucia, Elena's parents, had been here. Now, Elena's portrait was here and inside the ancient frame, whose years Naomi could feel as she grazed her fingers over the crafted old metal.

It was then that she saw some words etched into the base of the frame that she had never noticed before. What was surprising is that they weren't Avaloran, or even Maruvian, but rather an Ancient form of Latin.

Naomi only had a limited knowledge on it as it appeared more towards the Classic Maruvian Period rather than her chosen field of Ancient Maruvian.

Before she could begin to try and decipher it, the rest of the group began to appear and assemble.

Luisa, Francisco, Esteban, and Doña Paloma went to fill the other empty seats. Gabe took a spot next to the door of the Grand Council room, and Mateo went to tuck himself away by standing near one of the bookshelves. Everyone was dressed in their best, looking like they belonged perfectly in this palace.

Naomi went to go take her place by her humbly dressed parents who were the last to enter and the most confused looking. It was slightly awkward to not be sitting in her usual spot next to Luisa, but Doña Paloma had fairly taken over her position when Naomi had left.

"Come Naomi," Francisco said as he pulled out his chair a little more. "You are more than welcome to have my seat."

Naomi raised up her hands in protest. "Oh no, I'm fine."

"I insist. After all, I have no problem standing behind beautiful women," He gestured to Luisa on the other side of the table. The older woman only shook her head, but still had a smile on her face.

"Then, if you're absolutely sure," said Naomi as she took off her hat in respect and hung it on the chair before sitting down.

Francisco was exactly what Naomi envisioned when people talked about the perfect gentleman in his calm and collected demeanor. Though, Elena had told her about his younger years as the infamous vigilante El Captain. What Naomi wouldn't give to see that side of him as well.

"Then have my seat Abuelo," Esteban suddenly said as he got up.

The old man chuckled. "I'm still capable of standing, neito."

"I insist." Esteban replied back, a genuine smile on his face.

Francisco gave him a grateful nod before taking his offer.

"If we're done playing musical chairs, I would like to know what is so important that is has to take me from my successful and very busy business." Doña said snidely.

"Of course. This meeting will now commence," Elena said as she pounded down the gavel. "First, I want to thank you all for coming on such short notice. I'm afraid I have the most pressing news."

Elena immediately began to relay the events leading up to and then all the contents of the letter. Everyone reacted in the way that was expected, especially when the Northern Isles were mentioned.

Even Esteban's formal stance wavered slightly.

"I can see that everyone feels just as strongly about this as I do. And it's why we must come up with the best tactical solution in aiding our ally."

"Well, you can count on me to go straight to Norberg as soon as possible." Scarlett said boldly. "We may live in Avalor, but we still have our Norberg blood, pride, and citizenship."

Her mother than uncharacteristically sighed heavily. "And I owe Abby a lot."

"But we still don't know who or what we're up against," Francisco interjected.

"You must know something about this, Chancellor," Doña asked over the top of her fan. "After all, you were loyal to Shuriki for many, many years."

Esteban then slammed his hands on the table so loudly that even Naomi jumped.

"I did not hear you complaining about her when you were sitting very pretty in that little Emporium of yours!"

"Little!?"

A quick flash of orange appeared on Elena's dress before it disappeared and she shouted, "Enough!"

Esteban and Doña shot one more venomous glare at each other before leaning back.

"Primo," Elena then said softly. "I would hate to ask you this, but would you be willing to go to Norberg with Captain Scarlett and see if you can possibly recognize who this Royal might be?"

If Naomi hadn't been sitting so close to him, she might have not noticed the small bob in his throat that was hidden just under his cravat.

"There are many that I never met, but only kept correspondence with." He then turned his eyes fully to his cousin. "But I will do what I can."

That was good enough for Elena as she gave him a small nod.

"Are you okay to travel to Norberg even though there might be a outbreak of some kind of disease?"

Daniel asked assuredly. "Scarlett and Naomi are vaccinated, but have you ever traveled to Norberg, Chancellor?"

"I'm touched by your worry, but please be at ease, I am safe against a multitude of diseases."
Something about the way he said that didn't sit right with Naomi, but she didn't have time to ponder as Elena kept the conversation moving.

"Alright, let's get a ship set up and all three of us will sail out as soon as possible." Elena turned to Daniel. "Is tomorrow morning even possible?"

"Yes, conditions have been preferable that nothing should deter us..." He noticeably trailed off.

"What?"

"It's too risky, Elena," Gabe then said from his post. "This is an unknown battle we're going into for one. And there's also your...condition."

"Local women already work down in the fields and in shops everyday while pregnant," Elena argued.

"Not to mention that Maruvian stories tell us that women went into battle while pregnant too!"

"Elena, I have a bad feeling about this if you were to go," Esteban then said. And to a close few, they knew that he didn't say that lightly. He had said the same thing when recounting about his parents going out on the Voyage where they met their demise.

"And we don't know if the rumors about the Norberg epidemic are real or not," Doña interjected.

"And I may have nothing, even in my vast supply, that could help you."

"Plus Norberg is already in it's stormy season," Naomi added, speaking for the first time during this meeting. "Besides the freezing weather, the water's get really rough, that even a massive ship could easily be bobbing like a cork. Worst case scenario is that it completely capsizes."

Luisa leaned towards her granddaughter. "Not to mention with this being your first pregnancy, it's been known that women are more likely to miscarry during this time."

Elena took all their worries to heart. Her mouth was pressed into a hard line.

All eyes immediately turned to Mateo, Elena's included. He had always been Elena's shadow, and he still held that position now, even with Prince Consort having been added to his long list of titles.

He understood the looks and approached her chair, kneeling down right next to it again and taking her hand.

"You are brave and fearless, mi amor, no one is denying you that. And I know you're worried about Queen Abigail, but we also have to put our child before anything else."

His voice then dropped into a whisper, but Naomi was still close enough that she could hear him. "We also promised each other that we would always do what we could so that our children would never have to know that void of growing up without a parent or parents, like we did. Like so many of us in this room already have."

Leave it to Mateo to cut right to the heart of the matter.

Elena gave him a nod, and despite being in a formal meeting, she leaned forward and pressed a quick kiss to his lips.

"I appreciate everyone's concern on this matter." Elena said as she straightened herself up tall and Mateo moved to stand behind her chair. "So, I will make the wise decision and stay here in Avalor while I trust my representatives."

Elena then gestured her hand out.

"However, I would like to send Naomi in my place."

"Me?" Naomi said, completely floored.

There really was no reason for her to go. Sure, she wanted to make sure her mother would be okay, but she wasn't a soldier and she wasn't a diplomat either. Her role on the council had been to be Elena's friend and confidant, be a festival planner, and largely to be a mouthpiece for plights of the common people down in the city.

"Elena, I can assure you I can handle this myself," Esteban interjected. "You don't need to send any kind of...collateral to make sure it gets taken care of."

"Hey!" Naomi exclaimed, highly offended.

"You probably could, cousin," Elena said with a small shrug. "But we are also now in the presence of an accomplished explorer, who speaks multiple languages, has risen and succeeded every project I've given her, and is a Norberg native. If anything goes sideways, I know Naomi will be able to handle it and figure a way to get you all out of it."

Elena gave Naomi a wink. Naomi couldn't help but blush a little at her friend's praise before throwing back her blonde hair and looking up at Esteban defiantly. This did not make him happy in the slightest.

"And I keep telling you that politics is more than swinging a sword," Esteban pressed on. "It is a skill that takes intense learning and instinct."

"It has been decided by your Queen, Chancellor," Elena said firmly.

A small amount of tension filled the air before Esteban conceded and even gave her a half-hearted bow. "Yes, your majesty."

Gabe then took a few steps forward so that he now stood in the center of the room. "If I may request your Majesty, I would like to stay here in Avalor to completely ensure your safety and be ready to take any necessary actions depending on what we discover in Norberg, but I will be sending my best men with the group, you can count on that."

"Thank you, I know I can count on you, Gabe."

Elena then stood up and moved her head from side to side so that she could address the entire room.

"I want all of our immediate attention on getting a ship and a crew together, you'll head out on the soonest tide tomorrow morning. Any other questions?"

No one actually said anything, even though there were countless worried eyes, Doña fanning herself in a flittered way, and Esteban with a certain clench to his jaw that only annoyed Naomi.

Elena took this silence at face value though as she picked up her gavel and slammed it down. "Meeting adjourned."