He met Luxa outside of her room. She looked amazing in a silver dress and with her hair hanging down.
"H-hey." stuttered Gregor, staring at her like he was seeing Ares again.
"Shall we go now?" she said.
"S-sure." stammered Gregor, still staring at her.
They walked down to the stadium where Hazard's birthday was held. Luxa linked arms with him.
"It's customary for men of importance to escort the queen to important occasions." she explained.
Gregor noticed how she said "men of importance".
"I'm a man of importance?" he thought.
Soon he saw the stadium and noticed it was empty even though everything was set up. He Luxa gave a puzzled look and saw she was just as confused.
They walked into the stadium and had just gotten into the center when the air around them exploded with yells of:
"SURPRISE!"
Gregor looked around bewildered and saw that everyone had been hiding behind the spectator seats. Now they came streaming down to them. They were
carrying presents and Gregor wondered if all of Regelia was in there. As if reading his mind she whispered,
"There will be a private party later in the palace."
Gregor nodded.
He had found wrapping paper for his present that had tiny bats on it. The Regelians began setting their presents on a huge table while others walked to a
stage that had been set up with instruments Gregor had never seen before. They began playing and Luxa indicated for them to dance. Gregor blushed
even though they'd danced before and they began a slow waltz. After a while the music sped up until Gregor was just barely keeping up with Luxa. He was
soon tired so he and Luxa got something to eat. Gregor's family was also eating and they went to join them.
"How are you doing?" asked Gregor's mom
"Great." responded Gregor.
His mom was about to respond when Larry and Angelina came bouncing up to them.
"This party is great!" exclaimed Angelina.
"This food is great!" yelled Larry.
"I wish we could stay here forever!" said Larry
"No you don't." said Luxa.
They gave her puzzled looks
"Should we tell them?" Luxa asked Gregor.
Gregor shook his head and gave a tiny jerk of his head towards his parents. Luxa nodded in understanding and said.
"It's only like this on special occasions."
"It's still cool. I wish I could go with Gregor on a quest." said Larry
Gregor laughed and said,
"No you don't."
"Why not?" asked Angelina.
"Imagine sailing in a boat when suddenly tentacles as long as buses come flying out of the water. Then imagine them grabbing you by the legs and slowly, and
almost managing to, trying to pull you over into the water." said Gregor.
Larry and Angelina's eyes widened and Larry said,
"Did anyone die?"
"No." responded Gregor.
"Then I don't see what's so bad."
Gregor looked over at Luxa.
"Should we tell them about Hamnet and Frill?" asked Gregor.
"I guess if it stops them from trying to go on a quest."
Gregor told them about the battle for the starshade's finer details and by the end they both looked ready to faint again.
"They better not try to send me on a quest." said Larry.
"I don't think you'll have to worry about that." laughed Gregor.
A handsome boy who looked about fifteen sauntered up to them.
"May I have this dance?" he said grinning to Luxa, obviously thinking he was irresistible.
"I don't think it's proper to flirt with the queen or someone already taken." said Luxa
The boy's grin vanished into thin air as she said this and pulled Gregor closer.
"S-sorry." he said as he backed away, obviously more scared of Gregor than Luxa.
When he was gone Luxa burst out laughing. Gregor's mom and dad stared at her while Lizzie and Boots also laughed.
"What's so funny?" asked Gregor's dad.
"He looked like Gregor was going to turn him into a gnawer!" laughed Luxa
"No but he deserved it for flirting with the queen." said Luxa
Suddenly Gregor noticed that the Regelians were trailing out of the stadium.
"I think it's time to go." said Gregor.
Luxa nodded and they, Gregor's family, Larry, and Angelina met everyone who would be at the private party at the exit facing towards the palace.
**************************************************************************************************************************************
They finally reached the room were presents from everyone who was there would be opened. When it was Gregor's turn he nervously gave
Luxa his present. She smiled at the wrapping paper and gasped when she saw the book cover. It was a picture of a golden statue of a bat and a mouse.
She hugged him and said thanks. Aurora came over and when she saw the picture she demanded,
"How did you get a picture of me?" before realizing it was a statue. They talked for a while befor Vikus pulled him over and said,
"You have to go on the quest in a week so we should tell your mother."
Gregor agreed, dreading her reaction, especially since she was enjoying herself. When they walked over to them she immediatly knew something was wrong.
"We have to send Gregor on another quest." said Vikus grimly.
"NO YOU ARE NEVER SENDING MY BABY ANYWHERE EVER AGAIN!." shouted Grace.
"Don't worry the "Warrior" w---" started Ripred before Grace cut him off.
"I DON"T CARE IF YOU ALL DIE MY BABY BOY IS NEVER GOING ANYWHERE DOWN HERE!" screamed Grace.
"Mom I'm a born killer you do---"
"YOU ARE MY SWEET BABY BOY AND I DON"T CARE IF ALL YOUR FRIENDS DIE!" interrupted Grace.
This was the final straw.
"I DON"T CARE WHAT YOU SAY I"M GOING AND YOU CAN"T STOP ME!" exploded Gregor.
A silence expanded and the warm, cozy room suddenly seemed colder than Antarctica.
"I will not sit by while some giant rat eats you." said Grace in a dangerous voice.
"Haven't you heard? The gnawers are on our side now."
Grace froze.
"They are?" she said
"Yes along with nearly every species in the Underland. In fact the only two enemies right now are about a hundred miles away." replied Ripred
"So Gregor won't be in any danger?"
"Nope, in fact the whole quest is about going to find allies against our enemies.
Grace stood there for a moment before saying,
"Fine he can go." before breaking down and crying on her husbands shoulder.
Gregor froze and just managed to bring his hands up in time to catch Ripred's tail.
"Hmm took a few too many milliseconds." mused the rat.
"Wake up early tomorrow quest-goers. We have training to do." he said.
13OO words WOOT!