The Prince
Chapter 13
It was exactly 0800 hours Earth time when the delegation entered the citadel.
Spock had traveled ahead with Amanda to meet with Sarek and T'Pau, leaving Uhura and Captain Pike to be escorted to the citadel separately.
Uhura was looking forward to seeing Spock. She hadn't seen him since their arrival on Vulcan, aside from the brief gym interlude (which she tried to force from her mind for fear of anyone around her picking up her thoughts). She knew he would most likely be with his family, and that was fine. She just wanted to see the Spock she knew, just for reassurance.
Pike was also looking forward to the reception. It wasn't every day when you were invited to the private homes of Vulcans, and he was interested in the conversations that were sure to follow.
The citadel's grand hall was smaller than that of the fortress, and much more intimate. It had soaring walls which climbed over 20-feet in the air. The structure had been carved out of the solid, red rock which was prevalent on the planet.
It was lit by thousands of candles, which caused a red glow around the room, and the dining table was inlaid with golden adornments and platters. In all, it was simply beautiful.
The Vulcans around them were equally adorned, but seemed rather oblivious to their own trappings.
Uhura looked up as the quiet chatter about the room dimmed. Bells rang out through the room. Pike turned to her "Uhura, what's going on?"
"I believe this is the entrance of T'Pau and her clan," she said.
They watched as the matriarch entered, walking slowly towards them. Her hair, done up in an elaborate series of braids and twists has a single streak of gray running through it, contrasting with its blackness. Her face was wrinkled, and her eyes piercing, but not unwelcoming. She wore the same expressionless mask as the rest.
Following T'Pau was another Vulcan Uhura recognized. Ambassador Sarek. He stood taller than his mother, his own hair wispy and curly, different from that of the others. His robes were tailored to his body, made in rich hues of blues and greens. He looked positively royal.
And following them was Spock and Amanda. Uhura caught a breath as she stared at him. He wore the same colors as his father, but Spock's robe had streaks of gold embroidered into the pattern. He stood in the same posture but the cut of this robe was much like that of his commander jacket. It fit perfectly on him, with a high neck that made him look absolutely regal. His robe was closed, whereas Sarek wore his opened and at the moment Uhura desperately wished she had x-ray vision.
The Lady Amanda wore a long-sleeved fitted gown, with the same high neck. It trained the floor and shimmered in the candle light. Uhura thought they looked like something out of an 18th century Victorian novel. They were all beautiful.
The party stopped before Captain Pike and Uhura and, she, keen on her Vulcan manners, led Pike into a gracious bow. The Vulcan's bowed back, and it was Sarek who spoke. He raised his hand in the traditional salute. "We come to serve". Pike and Uhura responded likewise.
Uhura couldn't stop looking at her lover. And apparently, Spock was having the same problem.
He had seen her upon first entering the great hall and had simply willed himself to stay impassive. His Nyota was dressed in a sleeveless, form-fitting red dress, with a high neck, that accentuated the gracefulness of her face. She had traded her usual high pony-tail for an elegant twist of curls piled on her head. His eyes began tracing the outline of her body that he knew so well through the dress. It was almost sheer, but enough to pass as modest. But the candlelight glinted off the dress causing Spock to flash back to the many times he'd seen our out of it…
There was a sexual tension radiating off the two. And it was T'Pau who interrupted it.
"Pike, you will attend Uhura. Sarek, attend Amanda and Spock…" she paused a moment, studying her grandchild. T'Pau had lived a long life, blessed with many moments from her late husband. She had loved, and been loved and knew that what she, and the rest of delegation had witnessed passing between her grandson and his apprentice, was love. She also knew the others would only recognize it as the beginnings of Ponn Farr. And for this she also knew it had to be stopped.
Spock could not be seen with a human woman. It would be painful for her to do this, but it was necessary.
"Spock, you will attend T'Pring."
T'Pau watched wordlessly as a look of abject horror flittered across his face. It was quickly suppressed, and she knew no one would notice. This time, he spoke. His tone completely flat. "As you wish, T'Pau."
He turned.
Uhura had caught the look, but it seemed everyone else had missed it. She watched as an absolutely beautiful Vulcan woman emerged from the other side of the room. She was dressed in green, wearing an A-line, sheer dress that glinted off her curves, and left almost nothing to the imagination.
Uhura felt a painful stabbing in her heart. She watched as Spock took her hand, and turning, faced them.
"My I present T'Pring, my wife."
At this Pike's face turned stone cold and he quickly looked at his young protégé. Uhura had gone motionless, simply blinking in sheer disbelief.
Amanda looked furiously at T'Pau. She knew what her mother-in-law had done, and why, but it didn't make it right! She watched the poor lieutenant try to regain her composure and saw that the girl was fighting tears.
She looked to her son who had simply disappeared inside himself, and to T'Pring, who even though looked impassive, Amanda could tell was reveling in her conquest.
Oh! She hated that girl. She had never wanted Spock to be with her, and felt T'Pring was always out for her own self- interest.
When Spock had left Vulcan T'Pring had declared their bond gone, and had cavorted freely with other males. Her behavior was shameful, but she didn't seem to care. Now that Spock had made a name for himself and become almost legend on the planet, T'Pring saw fit to declare reinstate her claim to him.
Spock had no idea of her treachery, as no one had seen it fit to tell him, considering Tapping's declarations were not enough to withdraw his claim to her.
She gripped her husband's arm and gently touched his hands.
He heard her loud and clear. And responded telepathically. "Spock cannot be with the girl. He has an obligation to Vulcan. You know this. We have to stop it, and T'Pring is most logical as she already is his bond mate. She will serve his needs"
He paused in his thoughts, and adjusted his tone slightly in his thoughts.
"I too saw what transpired between them just now. Although unspoken it is clear he desires her. I do not know of my son's trysts on Earth but this cannot and will not be. Leave it Amanda. He is in the beginnings of his Time. He will turn to T'Pring. The woman will not have him. It is done."
Amanda looked again to Uhura, as the delegation was escorted to the table. The poor girl looked like her heart was breaking. And Amanda hurt for her.
III
Pike had to focus. He could not let the personal problems of his first officer and his cadet affect the discussions about to take place. They were here on a mission. And that was the way he opted to think about it. He looked at his cadet. She had regained her usual calm demeanor and as she caught him looking he gave a brief nod of reassurance. It was done.
It was Stolrak, who Pike had come to learn was the head of Vulcan Intelligence that began the conversation.
Several hours passed as the Starfleet officers, and the Vulcan delegation discussed the many implications of the Romulan-Klingon incident.
What did it mean? What were the facts surrounding it? Were the two sides trying to goad each other into war? What about risks to the federation?
The discussions lasted late into the night, with Uhura interpreting between both sides.
Both Sarek and T'Pau were impressed with the young human's knowledge base. Her Vulcan and Klingon were absolutely flawless, as if she'd been born speaking them. They looked towards Spock, who had remained silent the entire evening. Although his face remained cold, his eyes had lit up as he watched his lover and student work. He was pleased by her performance, and it was a welcome distraction to the creature who sat beside him.
He suddenly felt a flare of possessiveness towards Nyota well inside him, and instinctively balled his hands into fists. His eyes reflected the fire he was feeling.
II
T'Pring had noticed.
She'd seen the way he'd looked at the human female. She personally despised humans. So fragile. So weak. And this one that held Spock's attention, did she truly have the gall to think she could satisfy a Vulcan male? Her male?
T'Pring's wanton disregard towards her bond-mate in the early years of his leave of Vulcan was logical, she justified to herself. He would not be there for her, and thus it was only logical to cultivate other options to ensure her future. His arrival back and her re- declaration of the bond was also logical; as T'Pring no longer needed to select another mate.
Yes, logic could be used to justify one's own version of the truth when necessary.
And now, all she needed to do was seal her place. It was perfect. She had taken immediate notice of Spock's condition. Watched his hands, noticed his jaw twitch…he just needed a little more…
T'Pring gently brushed her fingers across his hand. Her action went unnoticed by everyone except her intended target. He immediately drew himself up from the table. Vulcan eyes looked down in respect of the S'haile.
It was obvious that he was in his time, and therefore, whatever he did could be forgiven.
Spock turned to T'Pring.
"My wife, attend."
Amanda missed nothing, and inwardly screamed. She saw the twin looks of confusion on Pike an Uhura's faces, and was temporarily relieved. They don't know, shethought. And was pleased at their ignorance. Although, she mused, at least one would learn the truth very soon.
Pike was startled at Spock's actions. He had left so abruptly, and had ordered the woman to leave with him. What hell was going on? This had gone on long enough. He needed answers.
He turned to the Ambassador.
"Sir, can someone explain what just happened here? What's wrong with my first officer?" he said sternly.
Sarek simply looked. "Spock has requested the attentions of his wife. They are fine. Let us resume."
The reception ended shortly thereafter, and as they began their return to the fortress, both Pike and Uhura wondered where Spock was. Pike looked at the young cadet riding beside him. He knew she was going through emotional turmoil, and he didn't know how to help her.