Return
After her conversation Starfire returned to her room. She lay down on her bed and stared at the ceiling, trying to figure out what Raven meant.
"Beep" she heard on the speakers in her room.
Being the princess she had to take safety precautions. The palace guard's put a two way speaker in her room, hidden inside of a sliding panel inside of the wall in case she was in need of assistance.
"Princess, you are needed in the grand hall in exactly 29 minutes t0 put on one of your formal gowns, prepare and come into the hall, it is crucial to Tamerans' people and safety," the guard said.
Starfire rolled her eyes than got up off of her bed. Starfire walked to her closet and began rifling through it when she heard a knock on the door.
"Come in," she said
Her back was still turned to the door, but she heard it slide open and heard familiar footsteps from behind her. She turned and saw Robin walking toward her.
"Hey Star, what are you up too?" he asked
"I have been told to go to the Grande hall in 29 minutes wearing something more formal," she said, rolling her eyes
"Fun," he laughed
"You try being a princess," she said
"Let me help you, but it's a surprise go hang out, somewhere," he said
She stepped away and lay back down on her bed, staring at the ceiling. Waiting for Robin to either pick a fashion atrocity or something amazing. After a moment he brought over a long red dress.
"Robin, I haven't seen that since," she said staring in awe at it
"Just, go try it on," he laughed.
"Out," she said
He put his hands up and walked out of the door. Starfire made sure that the door was fully locked than slid on the beautiful dress. The inside was made of a silk, softer than any she'd felt before. The outside was a shimmering emerald green.
"Can I come in now?" Robin asked through the door
"Yes" she called out
He walked in the room and stopped when he saw her.
"Starfire, you look amazing," he said, staring at her in awe.
"Thank you," she said with a slight giggle
"Princess, you are needed in the Grande hall at once," said the voice again
Starfire sighed, and then began to walk out of the room followed by Robin. They entered the Grande hall together. He branched off from her when they walked through the large arched doorway. He flashed a smile, than went to sit with Beast Boy and Raven. Cyborg had met a Tameranian girl that morning, and was trying to figure out how an alien cyborg relationship, from earth to a planet millions of miles away would work.
Starfire moved to the center of the isle and walked down to the gigantic throne that lay before her. When she reached it, Starfire gracefully turned around and sat down.
"Subjects of Tameran, we have brought all of you here today for important news. Years ago, when our princess was very young, a great tragedy befell our great kingdom. Her betrothed was stolen by the Drenthax fleet and was not seen by Tameranian eyes for many moons. Many weeks ago we began being attacked by the Drenthax army. Now we have settled a deal with them. We shall give them our princess, to be wed to the king and queens youngest son, in exchange for peace between our two peoples. Now I show you her betrothed. I give you, prince Haddix of Drenthax" said Galfore.
Whispers and gasps sped over the crowd, some cried. She heard some clap quietly.
"Quiet!" Galfore commanded.
The crowd stopped their murmuring and clapping and silently gazed toward the gigantic doors of the grand hall. For a moment, all was silent. Not a whisper, not a couch, not a tear, not even a clap was heard over the audience. Part of Starfire prayed that this was all a terrible dream and that Haddix truly wasn't coming back, another part of her desperately wished for him to return.
After what felt like forever, the silence was broken by the sounds of the doors opening. Starfire rose up off of her chair, as was the way in Tameran. The heads which had not already been at the door turned to see.
A boy, of Starfires age walked down the red velvet carpet followed by six guards. Many of the girls in the audience let out squeals at the sight of the handsome man.
The side of Starfire that wanted Haddix to be a reality won over, but she had to stand her ground. She did not move a step even though she yearned for his embrace. He walked to the stage and took his place beside her, she was somehow able to feel his heart beat from feet away. She also felt him smile.
"We have brought together the future rulers of our two planets. We shall celebrate their marriage at moonset on the night of the Black Moon!" said Galfore.
Applause rang through the crowd then one of the guards threw their hands in the air and the applause immediately stopped than the Tameranians departed and quickly left the room. Soon only Starfire, Haddix, Robin, Cyborg, and Beast Boy were left.
The rest of the Titans began to approach the stage. Quickly Haddix threw his arms around Starfire and she accepted his embrace. Her head was on his shoulder like when they were little. But something was different about him, something strange. His skin was cold.
"ugh hum," said Robin clearing his throat.
Starfire giggled and pulled away, but had a creeping feeling inside of her.
"Ah Star, who's your friend," asked Beast Boy.
"My name is Haddix. When we were young, Koriand'r and I were best friends, than the Drenthax fleet kidnapped me. I have not seen Koriand'r for many moons, and now I finally return to her," explained
Raven extended her hand for a handshake and Haddix accepted it. When it had finished, Raven quickly drew her hand to her side and focused her energy on Starfire. When she was still n Slade's grasp, Starfire had sent a message to her. Raven hoped she could do the same.
"He's so cold" she thought.
After a moment of silence a Drenthax guard entered the hall.
"We require the presence of prince Haddix," said the guard.
He quickly turned and left the room.
"I must be going too. I have, uh, things to prepare," said Starfire.
Once Starfire left everyone looked at each other. Beast Boy shrugged as did Cyborg, but Raven and Robin looked more concerned. Cyborg and Beast Boy left the room talking about how Beast Boy was worried nothing on the planet was vegetarian.
When Raven knew they were out of earshot she moved a little closer to Robin.
"Something about him isn't right," whispered Robin
"I know," raven said
"Why did he call her Koriand'r?" asked Robin
"I don't know. But when I shook his hand, something about him wasn't right. You know how Starfires skin is warm?" she asked
"Yeah," said Robin
"His skin was as cold as ice," she whispered to him
"Hey! No one is permitted to be in the grand hall without a guard or permission!" said the guard.
They quickly began walking to the door when Robin whispered "I'm talking to Starfire." Raven nodded and they went their separate ways.
Robin went straight to Starfires room and hesitated to knock on the door, incase Haddix was inside. He pushed that away, knowing that Starfire would wait to explain to him what was going on before she caught up with that Haddix character.
He didn't knock and instead just went in. Starfire wasn't in her bedroom so Robin walked out onto the balcony. He found Starfire standing their looking at the stars with her hands folded on the railing.
"Hey Starfire," he said walking next to her
"Oh hello Robin, I was just" she stammered
"It's okay, you don't have to explain anything to me"
"Robin thank you. It is just, people here they. Well, it's just that. It is not important," she sighed
"No Starfire. Look, if it's important to you, than it's absolutely important to me," he said
She turned around and looked around him, making sure no one was in the room. When she was sure, she closed the doors leading to her balcony then the pull over shades on the outside. Once Starfire did that she returned to Robin.
"You can tell me" he said to her softly
"Well it is just. I do not want to be married to Haddix. I loved Haddix when I was young and I did want to marry him, I was in fact how you say, looking forward to my Birthday. To the day that we would be married. Then he was taken by the Drenthax army, he had the opportunity to do secret transmission and yet he did not. Then I grew up and I came to earth and I met, you," she said quickly avoiding eye contact
"Wait what do I have to do with this?" he asked
"Oh it is nothing. I simply, um I was not able to finish my explanation, I was about to um say. You and, the rest of the our friends!" she said hastily.
"Oh. Hey Star, can I ask you a question?" he said to her
"Of course," she said looking him in the eyes now
"Why was Haddix calling you Koriand'r?" he asked
She looked down, almost ashamed to answer the question
"Robin all creatures of this universe are born with a word on their tongue. Well maybe not a word as you earthlings say it, a name. I do not know how, but Haddix somehow was able to figure out the word on my tongue. But I have not found the word on his, his name to me is simply Haddix," she explained
"Is that all?"
"No. On my planet, your betrothed is determined not only by the grand ruler of Tameran, but by the given name. You see, if one Tameranian falls in love with the other, and they both learn each other's given names, then with the approval of the grand ruler, they are to be married. But in my case, to make peace, and because Haddix knows my given name and so the grand ruler has chosen him as my betrothed," she sighed
"Maybe we can stop it, who is the grand ruler? When does the black moon occur?" he asked
"I know not who the grand ruler is. Since, since my parents died, I was set to be grand ruler when I came of age. At the time my sister came of age, she would rule until I was of age. At which time I would forever rule Tameran. But it could not be Black Fire. For, she is in jail. I, I do not know who the ruler is. I could speak with Galfore, but I know not if he will tell me," she sighed again
"Ok, when's the Black Moon?" he asked
"Robin. The Black Moon is in 5 days