A/N: A special treat for you guys. I thought I had put up Chapter 15 last week, but found that I had forgotten. So I'm putting up Chapter 15 and 16 this weekend. 15 yesterday and 16 today
Chapter 16
"Ya know, with as much as we've seen ya in those outfits, I kinda thought I'd be used to seein' ya in them," Cyborg said the next day. He and the rest of the Titans, along with Blackfire, and Galfore had been waiting outside the royal chambers aboard the ROHA'N, while Robin and Starfire had changed into their dress armor for Liand'r's Presentation Ceremony.
"I'd also say that my sister isn't used to seeing Robin dressed like that," Blackfire teased. "How you stare at him, little sister."
"If I am not mistaken, I look at him no differently than you look at your own husband, Sister."
Blackfire nodded to Starfire, conceding the point to her with a chuckle. She turned to Robin and noticed that he was having some difficulty getting his cloak settled correctly. "Here, let me," she said, and pulled the fabric into place. "There, now it's complete."
Robin looked at the clasp that now held his cloak closed, and noticed that Blackfire had changed it from the one he normally wore. This one was almost twice as big, and didn't have his stylized 'R' on it. He was distracted from his examination of it when he heard Starfire give a small gasp.
"Sister, that is. . ."
"Yes, Starfire, that is the one that Myan. . .our father used to wear. As your husband, it is now his right to wear it."
It was then that Robin recognized the insignia as the Imperial Crest, with Myand'r's family crest etched deeper than Luand'r's. The exact opposite of the one that Starfire wore. "Thank you."
Blackfire shrugged. "As I said, it's your right to wear that," she said. "Also it's in repayment for your acceptance of me. You may not know it, but that's been a help with my being accepted by other Tamaraneans."
"As I told you, with what Starfire has told me and the way you've acted, I realized that, to an extent, you've changed from when you were trying to get the throne from her."
"When was this conversation?" Starfire asked.
"The night before I claimed the Right of Statement from you," Robin replied.
"That must have been what you were discussing when I saw her hug you," Raven commented.
"Yes it was," Robin said. "She was thanking me for being the first person besides yourself to accept her and that she had changed," he added to Starfire who was giving him a questioning look.
"It was also when he contacted me aboard the TAMAR," Kor'mel said as he walked up. "He helped clear up a misunderstanding between me and Koma," he explained as he slid his arm around Blackfire's waist.
"It was the least I could do, seeing as she saved Starfire's life with her blood donation. During the conversation we had, I learned that Blackfire didn't have the opportunity to fully explain to you why she was needed here."
"And I have yet to thank you for that," Kor'mel said.
"Don't worry about it. I'm just glad that things worked out."
"So, how does this presentation thingy work?" Beast Boy asked.
"It is very simple, really," Starfire replied. "At this moment, warriors from the fleet are gathering in the landing bay. Robin and I will join Galfore and Vern'a on a dais with Liand'r. I will hand her to Galfore and he will state who she is and that she's the princess. The warriors will then kneel, and lay their sword on the floor, showing their support of her and their recognizing her as the heir to the throne."
"And if some don't kneel?" Raven asked.
"Then they will have the opportunity to state their opposition, and listen to our reply," Galfore replied. "How things proceed from there depends on the objecting warriors or warrior." He looked up as four warriors, also in dress armor, marched up. "I must go; the time draws near."
"My Lord and Lady, we are here to escort you to the ceremony," Mik'l said formally as he saluted. The other warriors then removed their helmets and put them under their left arm. Robin smiled when he saw that Shel'b and Chr's had been joined by Kim'r.
"I have taken a temporary reduction in rank to do this for you, my Lord," she said to Robin. "I would not miss being here for you."
Robin held out his hand, and shook the older warrior's hand warmly. "Thank you, and I'm glad to have you here."
While they were talking, Starfire went back into the room and came back out with Liand'r wrapped in a ceremonial purple blanket with silver embroidery on it .
"Hey there, little one," Cyborg said when he saw Liand'r.
The infant returned Cyborg's smile, and Starfire giggled when her daughter lifted from her arms. She quickly gathered her back, her face almost glowing with pride.
"So, what we have heard is true," Shel'b said. "She does have the power of flight."
"And with her going through Omshe, that should put to rest any objections that she's not Tamaranean enough to rule," Blackfire said.
"I hope that you are correct, Sister. Are you ready, my husband?"
Robin looked around. Kor'mel and Blackfire both gave him a smile and a nod, as did Raven, Cyborg and Beast Boy. Mik'l, Chr's, Shel'b, and Kim'r snapped to attention, then saluted him, showing their support. For the first time, he actually felt comfortable and secure aboard a Tamaranean ship. He stepped over to Starfire and slid his arm around her waist. "Yes," he said simply, and they took their place in the middle of the square formed by the escort, and the Titans followed them.
The trip to the landing bay was shorter than Robin had thought it would be, and he realized that the corridor they walked along must have been a direct route. As they approached the dais, Kim'r and Mik'l took positions at the front corners of the platform, while Shel'b and Chr's took places at the rear corners. Raven, Cyborg and Beast Boy formed a line across the back. Robin and Starfire stepped up to the front of the dais to stand beside Galfore. To his left stood Vern'a. The big man looked down at the infant cradled in Starfire's arms and smiled softly. He nodded slightly and Starfire carefully handed her daughter to him.
Galfore fought a chuckle as he turned to face the crowd of warriors. Liand'r had managed to reach up and she batted at one of the braids of his beard. "Warriors, we are gathered here today for the presentation of the daughter of Empress Koriand'r and her husband," he said, his voice carrying in the sudden silence. He then held Liand'r up so they could all see her. "I give you, Liand'r, heir to the throne of Tamaran. All hail, Princess Liand'r!"
Almost as one, the throng dropped to their left knee, the landing bay echoing with their response. "All hail Princess Liand'r, heir to the throne of Tamaran!" They then drew their swords and lay them on the floor, the hilts toward the dais.
"Warrior," Kim'r's voice rang out. "Why do you stand?"
"I refuse to kneel because I wish to know why I should pledge my support to a nechapa kinecha? A child that Koriand'r allowed herself to bear simply to seal her claim to the throne, and her bond with this ruthasha. It is most likely that she will not have our powers and therefore be a poor leader."
Robin was about to speak in reply, but Starfire's hand on his arm stopped him. "This is for Vern'a to answer," she whispered to him. "Although I do share your anger. Why can we not go through a ceremony with my people without complication?"
"While it is true that Liand'r is of mixed parentage," Vern'a said. "It is also true that she has undergone Omshe, and survived. She also possesses the power of flight."
"No disrespect, Healer, but with your nearness to Koriand'r, I would question your word on this."
"Would you question mine, warrior? For I have seen the Princess fly with my own eyes."
There was a wave of astonished gasps as Kay'lee walked up to stand in front of the dais.
"No, Your Eminence, I would not," he replied, bowing from the waist. "So that leaves how this ruthasha was able to convince Koriand'r to bond with him," he continued. "Do not try to convince me it was for love. She is of the Royal family, and as such she is diplomatic coin to be married off as the needs of Tamaran dictate. Their bonding and this child probably seal a treaty of some kind."
As the warrior finished speaking, Starfire saw Robin throw a birdarang. It was also then that she saw that someone had thrown a knife at the warrior. She sighed with relief as Robin's aim was true and his birdarang knocked the knife from the air before it struck.
"Liand'r!" Galfore cried out in alarm as the infant suddenly took flight.
Starfire instantly took flight in pursuit of her daughter, and Robin took a running jump from the dais, not even breaking stride as he landed. He pulled up short when he saw that Liand'r had flown an almost perfectly straight line to the warrior that had been protesting her presentation. He also noticed that although Starfire had reached the warriors side, she made no move to take Liand'r from him.
"For some reason, warrior, it appears as though she likes you, although I can not think of a reason as to why," Starfire said as Robin finished walking over. "Your words and apparent dislike of her make me question her taking a liking to you."
"Perhaps she does not understand the words, and is able to see past them," the warrior said, then looked at Robin. "I thank you, my Lord. Your weapon did what you intended and saved my life."
Robin gave the warrior a quick nod, then turned to the rest of the warriors. "Who ever threw this knife will turn himself over to his Commanding Officer for punishment. Your own traditions permit this warrior to present his objection to my daughter being declared the heir to the throne without interruption." He bent down and picked up his birdarang and the knife. "This is a gross violation of that tradition. The only ones here who would be able to challenge this warrior is myself and Koriand'r," he went on then looked over at him. "Will that be necessary?"
The warrior locked eyes with Robin for a moment, then smiled softly. "No, my Lord, it will not," he said then dropped to his left knee. "I pledge my support, my sword, and my life to the Princess Liand'r!"
Robin was surprised that the warrior was able to not only kneel, but draw his sword and lay it on the floor with the hilt toward the dais, all while still holding onto Liand'r, who had latched onto his left upper arm and refused to let go.
At his declaration, the remaining warriors burst into cheers then started heading to the dining halls where the celebratory feasts were being held.
"My Lord and Lady, I believe that you can add her Tamaranean strength to her powers," the warrior said as he tried to pull Liand'r free from his arm to hand her to Starfire. "Her grip is amazingly strong."
Starfire nodded slightly, then managed to take Liand'r from him. "I do not wish to keep you from the feasts, warrior. You may go."
"I appreciate that more than you know, my Lady," he replied. "However, there is a matter of great importance I must discuss with both you and your husband. Also if I may be allowed to ask, I wish that Komand'r, Galfore, and Vern'a also be present."
Starfire gave the warrior a long look. "Very well, warrior, I grant your request for an audience," she told him. "Kim'r, Raven, would you both join us as well?" She handed Liand'r to Cyborg, then led the way to one of the nearby rooms where the fighter pilots got their pre-flight briefings.
"So, why should we listen to what you have to say?" Blackfire demanded once the door closed. "And how can you claim the title of warrior if you do not wear any insignia denoting your family or unit?"
"Because he has properly asked for and been granted an audience, sister," Starfire said softly. "What is this matter of importance you spoke of?"
"I see what I have heard is true, Koriand'r, you are every inch the diplomat your mother was," he replied.
"You will address the Empress properly, warrior, and remove your helmet in her presence," Galfore growled.
"As you wish," he said. "I will not apologize for my words before; however, my true aim was not to contest Liand'r's being heir. In reply to your question, Komand'r, I do not wear my family crest because I have been unable to acquire one, and I do not wear a unit designation because I am not currently assigned to a command."
"If you weren't contesting Liand'r as heir, why did you say the things you did?"
"To see if the things I have heard were true," he replied, his hands going to his helmet. "And to see what kind of person this is that has won my sister's heart," he concluded, removing his helmet and shaking free a mane of curly bright red hair.
"By X'Hal, can it be?" Galfore gasped.
Robin was surprised to see Starfire's eyes blaze bright green, matching her upraised right hand. "I do not know who you are, but I will not let you dishonor the memory of my brother. You will tell me truly who you are, now."
"Starfire, calm down," Raven said softly, putting her hand on her friend's shoulder. "Don't make snap decisions without all the facts."
"What facts could this person have?" Starfire asked. "Ryand'r was killed when the ship he was on was destroyed."
"Kori, no one knows what really happened to the NARSI'L," Blackfire said. "While I'm not entirely open to accepting this person as Ryand'r, it may be possible that he survived."
"I can tell you that he fully believes that he is your brother," Raven said.
"Vern'a, is there any kind of medical scan you can do to see if he is the Prince?"
"Of course," Vern'a replied taking a medical scanner out. "A DNA chromosome comparison scan should work."
"I hate to be the one to be the one to take away from your suggestion, Robin, but it may be possible that this is a clone of Prince Ryand'r," Galfore said. "Even you humans have learned the process of cloning, and there are races that are far better at it."
"If this is a clone of the Prince, it is from one of those races," Vern'a said. "The chromosome paring is an identical match to the sample we have on file for him. There is none of the typical fade in them."
"I believe I may know a way that we can resolve this," Kim'r said. "While it is possible for his body to be replicated through cloning, his memories can not be transferred to another brain."
Ryand'r's face brightened. "So if I can relate something that only I and one of you would know, it would be proof that I am who I claim to be." He thought for a moment "Koriand'r, do you remember when you took the blame for me for breaking the large vase that Mother had in the main entrance to the palace?"
"I am afraid that is not secret enough," Galfore said. "Kim'r, myself, and the rest of the palace guard at the time knew of that deception on Koriand'r's part."
Blackfire laughed at the looks of both her sister's and possible brother's faces. "That is my fault," she said, smothering her laughter. "I saw what really happened, and thought that if I told, then Kori would get in trouble."
"I do know of something, but I will not say it out loud. I must whisper it to Koriand'r," Ryand'r said. "I give you my word that I will not attempt to harm her."
"If Kori agrees, then I won't stop you," Robin said. "I trust her judgment."
"But not necessarily me," he said, then sighed. "Well, Sister mine?"
"Very well. I hope that this will decide things one way or the other," Starfire said, and Ryand'r crossed over to her and started whispering into her ear. "That is well. . ." she said after a moment, but fell silent as he kept whispering. Suddenly her eyes went wide and she gasped at what she was being told, and she pulled back and looked at him before wrapping him in a huge hug.
"What did she say to her, Robin?" Galfore asked. "With your bond you would know."
"Yes, I could find out, but even the most loving couple must have some things in their past that they do not share, even with each other," Robin replied. "I will not violate her trust in me, by betraying that. However, I can tell you that she's convinced that this is her brother."
"That's not exactly a news flash, Robin," Raven quipped. "I've only seen her hug you with that much affection, or Blackfire that day we first met her in the Tower."
"Thank X'Hal you have returned to us, Ry," Starfire said when she broke the hug. "Agreed, we two are the only ones who know of that, but I believe it would be best if it was brought to light."
Ryand'r nodded. "Koma, Kori, and I were playing seek the enemy," he related. "I was the seeker, and had located where Kori had hidden. I also saw that there was a vithra poised to strike."
"Much as Nie'l did last year, Ryand'r took the bite that was meant for me," Starfire took up.
"That is not secret, little sister," Blackfire said. "Ryand'r's being sick from the bite is well known."
"I am aware of that, Sister, but what has been concealed about this is where I was hidden when Ry found me."
"You were in Luand'r's garden," Galfore said. "It was your bringing him to her that saved his life."
"Star?" Robin called when he saw the look of guilt on her face.
"Yes, it is true that I brought him to our mother in her garden, but that was not where we were when he was bitten," she said. "I was curled up under the blanket below Father's pillow on their bed."
"Starfire, going into their room was strictly forbidden to us," Blackfire blurted out.
"That is why we lied about where I was when I was bitten," Ryand'r said.
"I knew mother was in her garden, and that Ry needed medical attention quickly," Starfire said. "I brought him to her, and she told Captain Jenn'r that we were with her when Ry was bitten."
"So you were the source that she mentioned that told her about the vithra being in the royal bed chamber," Kim'r said. "I had just been assigned to the Palace Guard."
"That is correct, Kim'r. Ryand'r's reaction to the bite was worse than normal, so a test was done that determined that I was allergic to both the venom of the vithra and the antivenin."
"I am only sorry that I have no such way to prove myself to you, Komand'r. You never let me get as close to you as Kori did."
"So where have you been?" Raven asked.