Nuada talks to Aethen on relationships and Crevan remembers the She-elf who made his relationship with Ciri difficult.

Nuada settled himself in the window seat, seeing why Pen came here to contemplate thorny subjects. Crevan was becoming a very thorny subject, he almost regretted urging Pen to take him as her lover. The night before had been an adventure he was not sure he could repeat and not strangle the other male afterward. The Jealousy he'd felt with her bonding to Aethen seemed a dim annoyance now. He looked to see a mug dangled in front of him.

"...I thought I'd find you in her favorite spot to brood." Aethen said. "... it's a good spot."

He took the mug, he could smell cider. He had to grin, Pen had said she'd be drinking crab apple cider if she was dealing with Crevan.

"It's pear..." He said. "I couldn't find the green apple..."

He looked at the Night elf, he looked as exhausted as he felt.

"You've had a relationship like this..."

Athen nodded, "Once upon a time, I was even married."

He moved so he was sitting opposite, he did not often talk of the relationship that had led him to Tindel.

"...It takes work and communication. Both of which I did not put forth. It took Alissa's leaving to make me realize what a dick I'd been. To be fair she was not happy living in a tavern. I recovered enough to put forth the effort with Tindel. Us taking a third isn't off the table, but we both realize it will take the effort and a lot of talks will have to be had." He took a drink of the mug he had. "...And the jealousy is normal, it says you have reservations that need to be talked of."

"...She asked you to come to talk to me?"

He smiled, he'd been watching this dance since it had begun. The bonds tugging on his own to Pen.

"No. I'm bonded to her too, remember," Aethen said. "I know from the jumble of feelings she's keeping bottled she never expected to have another bond let alone as soul-deep as the one to you." He studied Nuada. "...I have been jealous of you at times, so I know it stings. I heard about last night since there was a meeting at the table and he wasn't there..."

"Regis was watching..." Nuada said, horrified.

"No, I think so. He'd need brain bleach if he caught sight of your pale ass..." Aethen said. "He didn't need to reach the room, you were loud..." He smiled. "The vampire informed me as a curtsy, as Captain of her personal guard."

"Says the man who hears a mouse fart halfway across the castle..." Nuada said and took a swig out of his mug. "...last night just sort of happened. Started teasing her in the bath...along with a bit of kiss and nibble. I'm still figuring out how the three of us fit into place..."

"Pen ended up the creamy center," Aethen teased. "Then I'd call it good..." He sighed. "Kidding aside, You need to talk...iron out what the rules are."

"I am very aware of the need for rules. Talking about them is another matter...I do not know where to begin..."

"For a start, don't go all angst and menace..." Aethen said. "...that may get you what you want from the council, but it is an awful way to have a relationship...and remember he's a noble too. You are both aware of how the court will view your arrangement." He looked into his mug. "...They can be simple as you want to know when they are together or not, to who picks out her jewelry and picks her undergarments. The later can be fun, and have the other guess..."

Nuada smiled, yes that idea sounded fun.

"You like that idea," Aethen said, seeing his smile. "We tried it for a week, forfeit left me with blue balls. I don't recommend using that rule very often." He sighed. "...rules will not always curb the jealousy, and one can fall more for one than the other." He took a swig from his mug. "There are pitfalls that you cannot foresee as well."

"That is what I worry about." He said. "That what we have built will end in ruin. I made a vow that she would never have to break herself again for anything..."

"I am well aware of that." Aethen said. "or else you would not have agreed to me." He took another drink. "She had him give the oath of blood and then of his body." He looked into his mug. "The Thorn archive mentioned that it happened that way twice prior...both in times of war."

Nuada frowned, remembering he'd sliced the night elf's face open for the royal mark. He knew war was coming.

"You feel it too... it's coming."

"Yes, and knowing how much the humans wish to break our hold upon the world." He fiddled with his mug. "Its why my cousins have little to do with the Sidhe or humans anymore."

Nuada took a drink, considered the other elephant in the room.

"The mission the Diary has asked of her..."

Aethen wondered when the king would bring that up. Pen had conferred a bit with him on the matter.

"That...She did consult with me on a few things."

"How long?"

"A week. She requested two thorns in addition to the four you are sending and the navigator." He said. "...Medical supplies, blankets, litterers, three silver and iron-tipped bolts." He finished off the mug. "She also requested a copy of Crevan's traveling clothes, in our colors of course."

"...Her crossbow." Nuada said. "And she does not want to be identified."

"It could be one of the Riders could recognize her...to know who helped them," Aethen said. "We have a long memory, and if she was identified as helping what the Aen Elle would consider fugitives..."

"That could mean trouble...with the Grand Council and the Aen Elle..." Nuada frowned. "...and with our relationship."

"Is it also she is going off to rescue the male who will be her lover?" Aethen said.

Nuada finished his mug, the grand council would be starting in a few hours.

"I do not know, but I'll take your advice and talk to her." He stood. "...We will need to keep an eye on both Crevan and the Aen Elle..."

"Easily done for one and not so much for the other," Aethen said. "...come on, let's get ready...she'll need the three of us."

Nuada stretched, he'd return here in the days that followed.

Crevan looked down at the circlet that marked him as Lord of the Court of Thorns on the stand before him. He had taken the oath, first by blood to the high court, then by his body to Lady Thorn. He had taken it without thought, only action. He wondered what Ciri would have said, no doubt stalked off in a jealous huff. That brought up the memory of the She-elf. He should have thrown her out on her ass when he'd found Ciri or at least after he'd bedded his swallow. The jealous shrew had made his task all the more troublesome, it had taken weeks to gain he trust back. His hand trembled thinking of it, he'd not gotten the twitches under control until well after opening the Gate for Ciri. They returned afterward when he was stressed, or high out of his mind.

"...Lord Crevan...it's time."

He lifted the circlet to rest on his bow as an attendant made sure it would not slip down. He looked at the Male in the mirror, then closed his eyes as he turned away to join the guards in the hall.

Pen was waiting for him, a similar circlet on her brow. An indication of the part she would play for the Grand Council. He offered his arm, She took it. He looked at her, she must have talked to a female of the Ane Elle her hair was done up as a lady of that court. She'd done it for him, a sign that she stood for his honor as he did for hers. The only indication that she was queen was the brooch on her shoulder, that of the Royal house. He leaned down and was greeted with a soft kiss.

"...My lady looks the part tonight." He said. "The last I saw you as such was when you sang at the welcome feast..."

"His majesty chose my clothing tonight...and said he would relinquish his bed to us if you could guess the color of my undergarments."

That caught him a bit off guard. A game to occupy his mind, he took a pointed look down her bodice, no sign there. There were other ways to find out, and he hoped an opportunity presented itself.

"He is most wicked..." Crevan said as they approached the doors to the grand hall.

Pen's only answer was a smile.