Farewells and Greetings

Mornings at the Boar Hat were usually quiet affairs, but the next morning was full of activity. Diane scurried around, packing and unpacking things to bring with her, with a moping King following behind on his giant pillow. Meliodas insisted on a breakfast for everyone, and he and Ban fought in the kitchen getting everything ready as Elizabeth set up the tables.

"This is going to take forever," Gilthunder grumbled. Howzer just laughed and went to sit with Gowther.

They had a rousing farewell meal, but Elizabeth found it difficult to eat a thing. Her stomach was in knots, partly worried about her father, but mostly uneasy about leaving the Sins. She missed the Boar Hat already, and not knowing how long she would be gone filled her with anxiety. She smiled at Ban's jokes and Howzer's laughter and Gowther's strange observations, but was happy to escape back to the silence of her own room.

She took her time going through her pack, checking the room to make sure she didn't leave anything. Then she made the bed, perhaps for the last time, and hung up Meliodas' things that he had left strewn around the room. She was just about to go back downstairs when the door clicked open and the captain poked his head inside. "There you are!" He stepped in and closed the door again, hands on his hips and a smile on his face. "Are you just about ready? I think Gil is going to leave without you in a minute."

"I'm ready," she said in a small voice. She took one more look around and picked up her bag, but Meliodas stopped her with a hand on her arm.

"Before you go," he said, "I have something for you." She sat down on the bed as he pulled something out of his pocket. He held out his palm and Elizabeth saw a small object that looked like a coin in his hand. It was copper colored, with a tiny hole through the center, but no markings to indicate what it was.

"I had Merlin make this," he went on, holding the coin up with two fingers. "If you have any trouble, and need me right away, just press this between your two palms. I have one too." He took out its twin and held them up together. "If you do that, then mine will glow, I think." He grinned and held out the coin. "It will do something, at any rate. Then I know you need help, and I'll come."

Elizabeth took the coin and gently turned it over in her hand. It was very thin and lightweight, much lighter than she had expected. She reached behind her neck and unclasped the small chain she wore; it was a gift from the king, and held a charm with the royal crest. She threaded the chain through the hole in the coin and placed the necklace back around her neck.

"Thank you," she whispered. They looked at each other for a moment, and then Meliodas held out his hand. "Come on, then."

When they returned to the main room, Merlin approached. "Captain," she said with her usual smile. "I think I'm going to go too. I'd like to check in on the king and make sure he is well."

Meliodas frowned. "I don't know, Merlin. I kind of need you here."

"Don't worry," she said. "I'm just going to see the king, and then come right back. I'll be back this evening if I use Teleportation."

"All right then," the captain agreed. All went outside, and Elizabeth said good-bye to Gowther and Ban. She tried to bid King a farewell too, but he was floating away from the group, hiding behind his pillow. Hawk tried to be brave, but cried when she knelt and gave him a big hug. Finally, she turned to Meliodas. He looked up at her with a smile. "Take care of yourself, princess."

Elizabeth nodded, not trusting herself to say anything. The Dragon Sin gave her hand a quick kiss; then he stepped back. His eyes never left hers as the world began to fade, and a moment later, they all stood inside the gates of Liones Castle.

The Holy Knights were able to easily stand such powerful magic, but Elizabeth's legs went weak and she stumbled. Gilthunder easily caught her by the arm and straightened her.

"Are you all right, Elizabeth?" Diane asked, reaching out a hand to help steady her.

Elizabeth nodded, and Gilthunder led the way into the castle. "Princess Margaret will be in the throne room," he said as they followed.

"Shouldn't we see the king first?" Merlin asked, but he did not answer.

The hallways were instantly familiar to Elizabeth, but she followed just the same. When the doors to the throne room came in sight, she drew in a deep breath. They entered and found the king's throne empty, but sure enough, Margaret sat in a chair to its right, looking over a large scroll. Two advisors stood nearby, leaning in to speak to her quietly.

"Your Highness," Gilthunder announced, and Margaret looked up. She was just as lovely as ever, and Elizabeth could not help but break into a smile. She stepped forward and called, "Margaret!"

The princess pushed the scroll at the others and hurried down the steps of the dais. She caught Elizabeth up in a hug. "Ellie! It's you!" She pulled back and squeezed her sister's hands. "You received my letter?"

"Yes, of course," Elizabeth answered. "Please, Margaret, is everything all right?"

The princess didn't answer, but instead turned to the others. "Gilthunder, Howzer, thank you so much for finding my sister. I'm in your debt."

"We live to serve," Gilthunder replied with a short bow. Margaret gave him a nod, and he turned and left, taking Howzer with him.

"Lady Diane, Lady Merlin," Margaret continued, turning to the two Sins. "Your presence is always welcome."

Merlin gave her own small bow. "I came to check on your father. I wanted to see if the king is well."

"As well as he can be, I am sure," Margaret answered. "You really didn't need to go through all this trouble."

"Nonsense, he is my patient after all." Merlin looked around. "Where is His Majesty?"

Margaret pursed her lips and turned to one of the guards standing on the side of the room. "Can you please see if you can locate the king?" she asked, and the guard quickly bowed and left.

"Locate him?" Elizabeth asked in alarm. "Don't you know where he is?"

"The king keeps his own schedule these days," she said tightly. "Ellie, I have something to finish here, so will you take Lady Merlin and Lady Diane with you? Have rooms made ready for them in your wing. I'm sure you remember the way."

"What about Father?" she asked.

Margaret smiled. "I'll have someone fetch you and we can all have tea. Lady Merlin can do her… examination then." She flashed them all a brilliant smile that could only mean they were dismissed. Elizabeth frowned and turned, leading the others out the door. They passed Gilthunder, who was waiting patiently in the hallway. He nodded at them.

"Very strange," Merlin remarked as they walked up a staircase.

"I guess it's a good thing we did come here," Diane said.

Elizabeth didn't answer as she led them around another corner. By the time they reached her suite, Merlin had disappeared. "She does that," Diane assured her as they entered. The Serpent Sin giggled in delight at the luxurious room, and hurried over to the window. "What a view!" she said.

"Don't you always have a good view, being a giantess?" Elizabeth asked.

"Not from a window!" Diane began exploring the rest of the suite, commenting on everything, but Elizabeth didn't listen. She crossed to the door that led to her bedchamber. Her room was exactly as she remembered it, but it didn't bring any comfort. She sat on her bed and sighed, wondering if she had made the right choice.

.o0o.

An hour later, Elizabeth and Diane walked into a small dining room in the eastern wing, which the king and his daughters often used for informal meals. As soon as she entered, Elizabeth gave a shout and ran forward. The king laughed and stood, opening his arms.

"Father!" she exclaimed, and hugged him tightly.

"My little Ellie, home at last," he said, and stood her back so he could examine her closely. "Out and about in the world suits you well, I see. How are you?"

"Glad to see you," she grinned. She looked over his shoulder and her eyes widened to see Merlin there. "Lady Merlin! You found him?"

Merlin laughed. "Kings are notoriously bad at hiding. Wouldn't you agree, Your Majesty?" The king chuckled and they all sat at the table. Margaret sat at the king's right, and Merlin took the left. Diane and Elizabeth took seats opposite the king. "Where is Veronica?" Elizabeth asked as plates of food were laid on the table.

"She's been going to the villages, assessing the health of the people," Margaret answered, carefully placing a napkin on her lap. "Many of the men who were forced into training were not fighters, and are suffering from—"

"Margaret," interrupted the king, "must we discuss this as we eat? It's Ellie's first day home, we should be celebrating!" He called for wine in his booming voice, and Margaret bristled, looking pointedly at Elizabeth.

"Father," Elizabeth said, "how has your recovery been?"

"Recovery!" he laughed. "No need for all that! I'm healthier than I've ever been, right Merlin?"

Merlin smiled and sipped her cup. "Of course, Your Majesty." She turned towards Margaret. "I've examined your father closely. He seems to be in excellent health. There's no sign of the mysterious illness returning."

"See that? Now you can stop fussing, Margaret." He drained his cup and stood. "I must get back to my hunt. Margaret, be a good girl and arrange a banquet for tonight. I want everyone to come to celebrate my daughter's return." He walked around the table and kissed Elizabeth on the forehead.

"A banquet, father?" Margaret said in a clipped voice. "Do you suppose that wise, with all the repairs that still need to be done in the city?"

The king was already on his way out the door. "Even more of a reason!" he called over his shoulder, and then was gone.

Margaret whirled on Elizabeth. "Do you see what I mean?" she hissed. "Have you ever—ever—seen him so—so—" She threw her napkin angrily on the table.

"I didn't think he was that bad," Diane said, helping herself to a sandwich. "I always remember him being a good king."

"He does nothing all day but… play," Margaret continued, ignoring Diane. "He just wants to drink, and fight, and ride." She looked up at Elizabeth with pleading eyes. "This is why I need you here, instead of out roaming around in a tavern!"

Elizabeth drew in a breath, stung by her sister's words. But instead of giving back a retort, she turned to look at the Boar Sin. "Lady Merlin, do you have any idea why the king is acting so strangely?"

"What do you ask her for?" Margaret fumed. "This all started when she whisked him off to Camelot to cure him. He hasn't been the same since." She folded her arms and looked at Merlin coldly. "What exactly did you do to him there?"

"Princess Margaret," Merlin responded slowly, "your father is experiencing a renewal in his life. He is rid of the sickness that plagued him, and has survived a coup d'etat. It's only natural that he would want to blow off a bit of steam."

There was a long silence, and then Margaret stood. "Please enjoy the rest of your tea. I have things I need to attend." She practically ran out of the room, and Elizabeth could tell she was terribly upset. "Margaret!" she called after her, jumping to her feet. "I'm sorry, I'll be right back—" and off she went after her sister.

The two Sins watched them go, and then Merlin went back to sipping her tea. "There is something wrong, isn't there?" Diane asked.

"Not physically," she admitted. "Baltra is right as rain. He probably is feeling better than he ever has, at least in a long time."

Diane chewed thoughtfully. "It is odd, though. He should be more focused on the kingdom. There is a lot to clean up after all that mess with Hendrickson. Margaret said they hadn't even named a new Grand Master."

Merlin sighed. "I have to return to the others soon. You must keep a close eye on the princess. Something is at work here."

Diane nodded. "I know what I must do. Elizabeth will be safe. Tell the captain that."

.o0o.

"Margaret! Margaret, wait!"

The princess sighed and slowed down so her younger sister could catch up. "What is it now, Ellie?" she asked, irritated.

"How could you be so rude?" she asked. "Lady Merlin saved our father's life! She's a member of the Seven Deadly Sins, an order that father respects, and you did until most recently."

"You don't understand," she muttered. "Everything has changed now. You don't even know half of what I've had to deal with here."

"Margaret," Elizabeth said kindly. She took hold of her sister's hands. "I—I'm so sorry that you've had all this to deal with by yourself. But I'm here now, and I'll do whatever it is you need. I promise."

Margaret sighed and squeezed her hands. "Thank you. I'm glad you're here." The princess frowned. "I was rude, wasn't I? I need to apologize."

"I don't think Lady Merlin's feelings were hurt," Elizabeth said.

She nodded. "Now, if you excuse me, I have a banquet to prepare." She gave her sister a kiss on the cheek and left. Elizabeth anxiously watched her go, hoping she would find a way to be some kind of help.