The Rosses

Tiydus, Remus, and Alexandra followed Irwin back onto the main street of Bale and walked midway back to Indels before turning onto a side street. On the way, Tiydus asked if they would wait for him and Remus so that they could run a quick errand. They returned shortly and the trip continued. Irwin took a right on a crossroad they came to and then a left on the next, leading them onto a small road that dead-ended in a circle of scrunched houses without an inch between them.

There was a brightly painted yellow door on the left that Irwin walked up to. The color of the door was quiet ugly and quite bright; it made Alex shield her eyes.

"What's with the paint, Sir Irwin?" Tiydus asked as politely.

The knight chuckled as he opened the door. "Oh, my wife painted it so I'd remember which one was ours. I kept going to my neighbor's house on accident whenever I came home. MORGAN! I'M HOME!" he called loudly.

There was a pause before a female voice answered. "You're late Irwin! Could you please come and give me a hand with this?"

Irwin grinned apologetically to them. "Please come in and make yourselves at home, I'll be right back."

Sir Irwin left and all three young adults seated themselves in various chairs around the den. Irwin's house wasn't very big, but it was cozy. Its walls, ceilings and floors were made completely of stained wooden planks. The green and brown earth-tones of the room's accessories and furniture made the room seem natural. There came the sounds of voices down the hall.

"Irwin, are you sure that having extra guests to the knighthood dinner is a good idea? I mean we already have quite a few. And with Maggie ill upstairs, the noise might disturb her," came the female voice.

"Don't worry Morgan. I'm sure she'll be okay," Irwin answered from down the hall.

Morgan's tone revealed worry. "I hope so . . .Dr. Samuel says she might be permanently paralyzed if she doesn't start moving soon . . her muscles will be too weak to support her movements . . . Oh, for Gods' sake Irwin take that goofy helmet off! You're inside," she said with a sudden fit of laughter.

"Oh, right. Sorry dear, I forgot," Irwin said in a tone of embarrassment. "And besides, I think these guests should be present at the dinner anyway; they have the right to be," Irwin replied.

"Who have you brought here then, Irwin? Oh, and love, please don't tell that nonsense story about our princess fighting a firebird. Honestly, Maggie is getting all hyped up over it," Morgan said with a snort.

"But it's not nonsense dear, it's true!" he insisted.

Alex saw the skinny woman shake her head full of red curls as she surfaced around the corner with Irwin.

"Well, if you don't believe me, ask her yourself," he said, nodding towards her.

"Irwin, what are you talking about? Ask her my—" she said, turning around and locking eyes with Alexandra. "Oh my God! The princess of Serdio! In our house! Welcome your majesty, I'm sorry we don't have a fancier sitting room!" she breathed excitedly and dropped to her knees. Alex sighed discreetly; she got that reaction a lot.

"Oh, well thank you. I actually think your house is lovely," she said truthfully.

Morgan blushed and then looked to her other guests. "Oh! And you are Sir Dart Feld's sons!" she said, looking at them.

Indeed it must have been very hard not to know them, because they both looked exactly like Dart himself, save Remus' orange hair.

"Which of you is which?" she asked politely.

"I'm Tiydus," the blonde brother announced.

"And I'm Remus," said the redhead. Both brothers suddenly produced white roses from their backpacks.

"For you," they said together.

Irwin's wife blushed deeply. "Oh my, how lovely. Thank you both."

Tiydus nodded. "Thank you for having us," he said.

"Yes indeed. We were always taught that to bring our hostesses flowers was polite," Remus added.

"Well, this is most unexpected. All three of you are more than welcome to stay, although we don't have much to offer. I may say brightly that the meals are almost ready; I've been cooking all day. In fact, the members of the knighthood should be arriving at any moment," she remarked.

A little boy in blue shorts and a blue t-shirt came down the stairs to the right, sucking this thumb and carrying a baby-blue blanket.

"Oh, this is my son, Jason," Irwin announced.

"Jason, can you bow? This is your princess and future prince," Morgan cooed.

Jason looked confused and waved at them from behind his mother's legs. There was a stout, crisp knock on the door.

"Oh, excuse me," Morgan said, though politely, and opened the door. Four knights in uniform, minus the helmets, stood in the doorway. "Welcome. Come in gentlemen," she invited. After bowing to their princess, they followed Morgan to the dining room.

Irwin took Jason's hand. "Have you seen your brother?"

The small boy looked up the stairs and didn't speak a word. The stairs creaked as weight was put on them. Another little boy, in a similar outfit and sleek, loose hair like Irwin's appeared.

"Oh Kevin, there you are. Your mother wants you to know that dinner is ready. You be good, go help her. Where's Maggie?" he both instructed and asked.

Kevin looked down. "She says she's not hungry. She doesn't look so good, dad. . . she wouldn't laugh either. Jason and I even did some of her favorite tricks," he said sulkily.

"She wouldn't sleep either?" the concerned father asked.

Kevin shook his head.

"Hmm. Well go see your mother, I believe she has something for you to take to her," he suggested.

Over the next ten minutes more and more guests began to arrive and Irwin showed, Tiydus, Remus, and Alexandra into the dinning room. There was one, long table, not hardly enough to seat all of Sir Irwin's visitors. However, many of the knights were sitting happily against the walls in clusters, talking amongst themselves. It wasn't long before Moragn insisted that the trio eat and handed them three plates of food, and then sent them towards the table. Tiydus and Remus were seated near the end of the table and waited for Alexandra. Alex put her plate down at her assigned seat, but didn't sit. Kevin had come back downstairs and was handing his mother a bowl of ice cream and shaking his head.

"I'll be right back. Please go ahead and eat without me," she requested to Tiydus and Remus.

Alexandra walked over to her hostess, whom seemed ready to cry. "Mrs. Ross is everything alright?" she asked.

The skinny woman shook her head. "My daughter hasn't been eating of recently, or sleeping. She just turned down her favorite food . . .Oh, who am I to trouble you, majesty? Forgive me," she apologized.

Sir Irwin waved from a corner of the room, beckoning his wife over. Morgan, on the verge of tears, excused herself and went to him. Alex started after her. A sweet, sugary smeel, like strawberries, caught her attention. On the wooden counter top beside the princess, sat the bowl of melting dessert. She picked up the ceramic bowl and glanced over to Tiydus and Remus at the table. They were both busy talking and eating, so she walked out of the room and back to the den. Alex climbed up the staircase, being careful not to make a mess and drop the ice cream and emerged into a narrow hallway lined with three wooden doors. She wasn't sure what door led to what room. She didn't really have to guess, she heard coughing behind the door to the far left.

She walked to the door, which was slightly open, and knocked on the frame. A soft little voice called out weakly,

"I'm really not hungry, Kevin," she insisted, thinking Alex was her brother.

"Well, why not? If you won't eat ice cream, then what will you eat?" Alex said playfully and opened the door. She was met by a pair of little brown eyes that instantly went very wide. The little girl they belonged to blushed deeply and began to slide under her covers.

"I . . . I'm sorry . . .I thought you were my brother!" she squeaked.

"Nope, Sorry to disappoint you. Your name is Maggie? Well, it's nice to met you, Maggie. My name is Alexandra. You can call me Alex if you'd like. Your dad says you're not feeling well. What's the matter?" she said both playfully and politely.

Maggie turned a shade of scarlet. "P . . .Princess Alexandra! Oh . . .Dad said he'd- he'd try to get you to come and see me . . .but I thought he was just saying that to make me feel better," she stammered at last.

"Your dad does want you to feel better. I do too. He says you're not eating or sleeping," Alex affirmed.

Maggie was hesitant. "I . . .I don't know why, but I'm just not hungry. And I have nightmares when I start to fall asleep," she said timidly.

Alexandra caught Maggie glancing at a portrait of her family on a dresser beside her bed. It didn't take Alex long to deduce what was going on.

"And are these nightmares about your dad?" she asked gently.

The little redhead nodded.

"You aren't eating because you've lost your appetite, and because you're not eating you're losing more and more strength and becoming more ill instead of well. You do know that, don't you?" Alex asked softly.

Maggie looked away. "I . . ." Her stomach suddenly growled, giving her away. "I don't want him to go! I'm scared that if he goes away again he won't come back!" she shouted and began to cry. The little girl buried her head into her pillow. Alex felt sorry for her. "I . . .just . .. don't want him to go!" she cried.

Alex knew why she had been ill. "Knights get leave when their family is sick," she said more to herself than anyone.

"If I could just make him stay . . . momma says there are dangerous people and monsters in the places they're sending daddy," she admitted with guilt.

It seemed to Alexandra that a heavy burden had been lifted off the girl's shoulders by confessing. Almost as if she realized then she wasn't alone, the little girl covered her mouth and gazed in horror at Alexandra.

Alex smiled gently. "Good, now that you've got that out of the way I'm sure you'll feel much better."

Maggie looked at her slowly. "Of all the people to say it to . . .and you're really here . . . I'm not daydreaming!"

Alex laughed. "I would hope I'm here. If I'm not here then where am I? Don't worry, I won't tell your secret, but first I want you to promise me that you will eat this before I do. Pierre undoubtedly would die of shame," Alex insisted, muttering the last part.

Alex handed the bowl to the child along with a small spoon; Maggie looked down at the food then up at her. "You won't tell?"

"Cross my heart," Alex insisted.

"Oh t . . . thank you, princess!" she replied gratefully and stuttered again.

Alex gave a relieved smile as she watched the little girl eat. "You know, your father is a very brave man, he fought the phoenix at Wyst with me, and he saved my life. Does that help you any? Your dad can take care of himself. He thinks about you guys all the time too," Alex assured.

Maggie looked surprised. "Daddy saved your life? He said you saved him."

Alexandra explained and told her the story, making sure to do the hand motions and act it out vibrantly, like Tiydus and Remus used to do for her when she was little. She didn't miss a single detail and when she was finished, the child sat spell-struck.

"Wow! I wish I was as strong as you! It must be cool, getting to fight firebirds and bandits!" she insisted in amazement.

"Bandits? Oh! I saw you in the window on my way back to Indels!" Alex recalled.

Maggie was on the edge of the bed. "Momma says that you fought bandits too! Where they easy to defeat?" she asked with excitement.

Alex laughed. "Some of them. They're really stupid, they don't think. The Captain was undoubtedly the toughest," she said with remembrance to Ikmir. "They're all just big bullies anyway," Alex insisted and started to punch playfully at an imaginary opponent.

There came another knock on the door as Tiydus and Remus entered.

"Oh so violent, don't be a bad influence on her now Alex," Tiydus chuckled.

"Violent? I'm not being violent, I'm being persuasive," Alex giggled. "Maggie, this is Tiydus, and this is Remus," she announced.

Maggie looked at them. "You two look a lot alike," she observed.

Tiydus smiled. "He gets his good looks from me, copycat. Sad to say, but I got the better genes," Tiydus laughed.

"Tssh! You wish, brother. You wish!" Remus argued playfully. He put his hand to the side of his mouth and leaned down next to Maggie. "Just between you and me," he whispered, "it's the other way around."

The young girl giggled.

"What was that, Remus?" Tiydus rephrased playfully.

"He was just saying how much more beautiful I am than the two of you combined," Alex insisted.

Maggie laughed. "Your friends are funny," she said in amusement as the brothers bowed together.

"In addition to coming up to tell Alex that she is wanted downstairs, we wanted you to feel better too. We heard about you from your father earlier so when we ran our errand earlier, we bought you gifts," Remus said and handed the child a large, fuzzy teddy bear.

Tiydus on the other hand, pulled out a gorgeous pink rose that had a long stem and an even more beautiful smell, and handed it to her.

Alex could tell how deeply touched and pleased the little girl was. "Oh, thank you!" she said, though somewhat shy. She began to blush. "Can I give you guys a hug?" she asked meekly.

Tiydus and Remus leaned over the bed and let the little girl wrap her arms around their necks.

"Oh boy, this is twice now you two have showed me up today doing something unexpected," Alex pouted.

Tiydus turned to her and gave her the mischievous grin she knew so well. "Third time's the charm then," he said and in a swish of his hand produced a red rose from his back to present to her. "For you, my lady," he said.

Alex blushed. "Why are you buying me so many things? I'm not complaining, it's beautiful," she thanked.

"Only the best for you, my princess," he replied simply, making Alex blush again.

"Is he your knight in shining armor?" Maggie asked as she watched him.

Remus started laughing. "The shining armor part is right, not so sure about the knight though."

Alex looked at the rose, then at Tiydus. She cared about him greatly, but wasn't sure about marrying a man that was her best friend. Sure, they'd had a bunch of good times together, and that part probably wouldn't change, and he'd even given her his word, but she still needed time to think and absorb. She didn't quite know how she felt, and that feeling of not understanding scared her above all else.

"Suppose so," she said quietly in response to Maggie's question as Tiydus looked at her eagerly. Alex turned to look at Maggie. "How would you like to spend a day at the palace with me tomorrow?" she asked.

The small child was overjoyed. "Really? I . . . I'd like that P-princess!"

Alex nodded. "Will you do me a favor then?" she asked.

"Anything!" she squeaked excitedly.

"Go down and see your mother. Let her know you're okay. I'll go with you, if you'd like," she requested.

Maggie nodded meekly. "Okay!"

Alexandra took the little girl's hand and helped her out of bed. She supported her down the stairs, with Tiydus and Remus behind them. Maggie beamed proudly, and also a little bashfully as she accompanied Alexandra into the dinning room in her cream colored nightgown. Most of the knights that had previously occupied the dinning room were no where to be seen. Morgan was picking up dishes at the table. She stopped at Alexandra's.

"Dear didn't even eat a bite," Morgan mumbled to herself.

"I didn't have a chance," Alex said lightly.

"Momma!" Maggie called happily and made her way over to her.

Morgan's mouth opened in surprise and then she smiled. "Hello darling! Are you feeling better?" she asked happily.

Maggie nodded. "Much better. Princess Alexandra and her friends cheered me up! Momma, guess what?" she laughed.

"What, sweetie?" Morgan said gently.

"Mr. Tiydus gave me a rose and Mr. Remus gave me a teddy bear! And princess Alex invited me to come to the castle tomorrow!" she exclaimed in one breath.

Morgan was surprised. "They did? Did you thank all three of them?"

"Yes, mommy," she replied and hugged her mother around the knees.

"Good girl," Morgan said to her, hugging her back. "Your highness, when would you like us to bring her?" she asked.

"Well, I would have to check what time will be best, but I will send a messenger," she replied.

"Mrs. . . ." Remus began.

"Oh! Mrs. Ross. My last name is Ross," she informed.

"Mrs. Ross," Remus corrected, "Where did everybody go?"

"Is the party over?" Alexandra asked.

"Oh, everyone's out back in the field. They're going to make the toast soon. Sir Thomas was waiting on you three," she informed.

"Let's not keep them waiting then," Alex affirmed. "Mrs. Ross, will you please hold onto my plate, I'll come and eat as soon as the toast is over," the princess requested.

Mrs. Ross nodded. The trio exited through the back door, into the grassy prairie behind the house. Alex noticed a few more rows of houses some half-mile away, but other than that, these houses seemed to be on the very edge of Bale. Everything looked so different in the back of the house. From the front you could hardly recognize there was a prairie. There were no less than thirty knights outside, and Alex spotted Sir Thomas in his feathered helm. She called out to him, gaining his attention.

The head of the sixth knighthood waved and beckoned them over. "Your majesty, Tiydus, Remus, nice to see you again. You're just in time. Seeing as all of you are our honored guests, I wanted to ask if you'd join us in a toast," he said.

The three nodded and Sir Thomas gave a loud whistle, calling all the knighthood to attention from whatever they were doing.

"ATTENTION!" he bellowed loudly. Once everything was quiet and all eyes were on him he began to speak more softly. "Thank you. Now firstly, I'd like to announce the annual knighthood dinner and welcome you all. Secondly, I'd like to thank Sir Irwin and Mrs. Ross for hosting this event. And thirdly, I'd like to propose two toasts to open the festivities. First, is to our very own Princess Alexandra and her friends Tiydus and Remus, for all they have done and will do for this country. To them!" he announced and raised his glass in the air.

"HERE HERE!" the men roared in agreement and raised their glasses.

"And secondly," he said, raising his hand to quiet them once more," a toast to us men, from me to you, and you to each other as a memento to all your courage and outstanding achievements in the field! I am honored to fight beside you fine soldiers in defense of this magnificent country!"

Two knights presented the trio with a glass of white wine each, before Sir Thomas finished. "To us!" he shouted.

"To us!" the knights repeated and raised their glasses before taking a sip. Tiydus turned to Alexandra and Remus with glass in hand. "To the knighthood," he said and the three of them touched glasses.

"To us," Remus chuckled.

Tiydus looked directly at Alexandra before repeating "to us."

Alex smiled faintly. "To us," she said. The three took a drink of wine, only a sip, and then put their glasses down.

After the toasts, Alexandra went inside to finish her food, which Morgan had reheated for her. Tiydus and Remus stayed outside with the knights. Alex thanked Morgan for the meal, ate, and went back outside. She found many knights cheering or watching in silence as she spotted Remus and some knight she didn't recognize having a sword match.

The knight swung sideways, aimed a Remus'a torso, but Remus, who appeared to be much quicker, swung the left sword he had be given vertically sideways, knocking the attack away from his body. In a swift movement with his right sword, he knocked the knight's sword out of his hand. The match ended and Remus shook the man's hand. As he left the spot, he saw Alex.

"How was dinner?" he asked.

She nodded in reply. "Having fun?

Remus smiled. "Of course. You know, Tiydus is up next, let's watch, shall we?" he suggested. "He's pretty good, so it will be interesting to see," Remus assured.

Alex and Remus sat together on a patch of grass with a clear view of the area Tiydus and Sir Thomas had just stepped into, equipped with knighthood swords. Tiydus in his white shirt looked questionable against Sir Thomas in his full armor, but Alex knew better.

Sir Thomas started the match with a piercing motion of his blade that Tiydus blocked easily with a downward swipe, and then returned with an upward strike. Sir Thomas leaned backwards, narrowly avoiding the blow. Tiydus swung at him again with a perfectly poised blade, which Sir Thomas blocked quickly. Without warning, Tiydus shot out a front kick with his leg, which caught Sir Thomas in the chest and sent him backwards. Sir Thomas recovered quickly and ducked as Tiydus swung again. This time the young warrior used an overhead strike with his powerful figure tensed. Sir Thomas thrust his sword over his head to block, but Tiydus already refolded for the next attack.

He appeared to Alexandra as a dancing dragon, full of power and grace as he performed his next move. Alexandra's heart seemed to race with him as he moved; he was at that moment, beautiful to her.

Tiydus started his attack by swinging normally, which Sir Thomas blocked, however Tiydus spun on his rear foot, swinging his sword in the opposite direction. Sir Thomas turned too, but Tiydus turned the other direction midway in his spin with his sword handle pressed flat against his wrist.

Sir Thomas couldn't spin fast enough to keep up and Tiydus' sword smashed into and through his sword. Tidyus promptly twirled his sword to his side in a stabbing position and thrust it forward, stopping millimeters from the commander's throat. Sir Thomas blinked as did Alexandra as she watched.

"Whoa!" she said in a mixture of admiration, awe, and envy.

"Remus grinned. "Dad calls that the crush dance tecnhinque. I guess he really did master it after all."

After shaking hands with Sir Thomas, Tiydus spotted them up on the hill. He was smiling broadly as he came over.

"Surprised, Rem?" he asked.

"Nah, I knew you'd get it eventually," Remus shrugged.

"Eventually?" Tiydus asked sarcastically.

Remus nodded. "Yes, eventually. It's a good thing too, I wouldn't have wanted you to make an idiot of yourself in front of Alex," he answered, gesturing to her grandly.

"What did you think, Alex?" Tiydus asked.

Alex nodded. "You were amazing," she affirmed.

"Oh no, don't say that Alex! It'll go straight to his head!" Remus insisted playfully.

Alex laughed. "I still wish I could fight like you two," she said regretfully.

"I've heard you're wicked good with a spear," Remus remarked. "It's my experience that you fight much better with a weapon you're familiar with. You're probably just as good with a spear as we are with swords," Remus comforted.

"You're not bad with a sword either," Tiydus added.

Alex sighed ruefully.

"How good you are depends on your practice, not who you are," Remus added, making Alex look at him skeptically.

"You don't believe me? I promise you skills are learned. Talent is practiced, but is a result of a long time exercising your skill. Let's do an experiment then. Tiydus, give her your sword and I'll send for a spear," he instructed.

Tiydus looked confused, but gave Alex his sword. A knight, signaled by Remus, brought a spear over.

"Take the spear, Tiydus," he remarked. When both of them were armed, he gave them instructions. "Okay, now both of you have a weapon that you're not verse with, and now you're equally matched skill-wise. Spar right quick," he nodded.

Tiydus shrugged. "You ready Alex?"

She nodded. Alex swung her sword hard and missed and Tiydus tried to stab at her, but he wasn't holding the weapon right and dropped it.

Remus laughed. "Two great fighters back to square one. See, it didn't matter how much experience you previously had, you're both clearly fish out of water. With the new abilities you'd have to learn and practice them to get good. Nobody starts off perfect knowing everything. Now Alex, give the sword back, and you use the spear," he said.

Once the pair readjusted, Remus gave them the signal. "Alright, now go at it," he cued.

Tiydus swung first expertly, and Alexandra was able to quickly block with the shaft of the spear. She twirled her spear, aiming to knock Tiydus' sword away, but he slid his sword off her spear.

Remus nodded. "Okay, that will suffice. See, you get my point now? That being good at something doesn't just simply happen, no matter who you are, it takes practice. We're not good because we're us Alex, we're good because we practice and so are you."

Tiydus rolled his eyes. "You could have simply told her to work at it, smarty."

Remus gave him a teasing grin. "Well, one of us has to be brother, and it's obviously not you."

"If you spend as much time practicing as you do talking maybe you could actually beat me once in a while," Tiydus shot back playfully.

"I beat you all the time," Remus snorted.

Alex giggled. "You're both funny as always. Somehow I get the feeling that works both ways."

A small boy came up to them.

"Oh hello, can we help you?" Alex asked kindly.

The boy looked up slowly at Tiydus and Remus. "Mr. Tiydus, Mr. Remus, a few of my friends and I saw your match. Would you teach us how to do that?" he said both pleadingly and excitedly.

Remus looked at his friends. "Sure. Why not? I'll go teach them and let you two have some alone time," he said to Alex and his brother, before walking down the hill to meet the young boy and his group of friends that had gathered there.

For a while Tiydus and Alex watched Remus let the kids tackle him and poke at him with wooden swords good-naturedly, laughing the whole time. Alex smiled as she watched them. Those children were realizing their dreams early.

"Do you want to have a real match with me, Alex?" Tiydus asked at last.

Alex was honored, but felt as if she should decline. "You're way better than me, I wouldn't stand a chance against you," she insisted.

"I think it would be fine, you did very well a minute ago. Come on, if you don't try you'll never succeed," he said with a smile.

Alex giggled and got to her feet. "Oh, wisdom. From you. This is a rare occurrence," she said playfully and picked up the spear.

"Hey, is that a challenge?" Tiydus asked raising one blonde eyebrow in response to Alex's pose.

"Maybe," she taunted.

Tiydus drew his sword. "Maybe?"

Alex raised her spear. "Maybe you're free to try," she laughed and lunged for Tiydus.

Tiydus jumped back and shot a familiar punch at her. Alex blocked as he had taught her to in Seles. "Let's review, shall we?" he laughed and swung his sword, which Alex deflected with the point of her spear.

"Don't even think it. If you even try to pick me up again, Soa help you!" she remarked playfully.

"Aww, but you're so cute when you blush like that," he insisted.

Alex twirled her spear and the same time Tiydus swung his sword. They met in the middle with powerful force and locked weapons, with their noses barely an inch apart.

"Not bad at all," Tiydus remarked.

Alex looked at him and smiled. That smile quickly became a frown. Directly behind him were another pair of eyes, staring at, and seemingly through her. She recognized those eyes immediately, she had seen them countless times before.

"Yes, bad. Very bad," Alex mumbled to Tiydus. Those eyes belonged to the King of Serdio.

For a moment she and Albert stared at each other. Tiydus turned around and he too cringed. Albert slapped his forehead and shook his head. Several knights on horses stood beside their king on his white horse. Alex chose to look at one of them instead.

"Alexandra, what am I going to do with you?" the king asked in frustration. "It seems like every time I turn around you've already placed yourself in another position to get hurt," he said in a collected, but stern manner.

Alex knew she was in big trouble.

"Forgive me your majesty, it was my fault. I asked her to have a match with me," Tiydus said quickly.

"You did, Tiydus?" Albert asked gently.

"Yes sir," he answered respectfully.

Albert sighed. "Be that as it may, she had the option to decline," he pointed out. "But, this begs the question, why are you all out here, when I only gave you permission to leave the castle to attend to business issues?"

"We got an invitation from a friend," Alex insisted.

Albert sighed again. "You should have come straight home, Alex."

"Your majesty, please forgive us, just this once. I'll take responsibility for all the punishment, and I give you my word it won't happen again," he said in sincerity.

Alex was touched that he was trying to defend her. "Father, I'm sorry, I was just . . ." she began. "How is this not okay?" she asked suddenly. "It was okay in Seles!"

Albert maintained composure, but Alex could tell he was very upset. "Because Seles was before the firebird fiasco and if I'd have known that a little play fight was going to go straight to your head and make you think you can run off with the army, I'd have curtailed it altogether. That's why I'm upset right now and putting a stop to it. You need to act responsible, and first and foremost that means listening to your parents. I told you I didn't want you fighting anymore, you've already proven that you're too immature for it."

"Dad!" she began, starting to become angry herself.

"I'm sorry your majesty, as I said, it was my fault," Tiydus repeated.

Albert sighed once more. "You're being very responsible about this Tiydus and I'm impressed. If I have your word, then I'll be assured it won't happen again. Alexandra, please go back to Indels, Pierre wants to see you," Albert requested.

"Father, you came all the way out here to say that?" Alex asked in frustration.

Albert shook his head. "I heard it was the knighthood's dinner tonight and I was making a surprise appearance to show my gratitude and give a speech to the men. Please return to Indels," Albert repeated.

Alex groaned. "Yes father," she said remorsefully. Just her rotten luck, the one party that she went to outside the palace was the one her father would show up at. Albert turned to a knight beside him and nodded. The knight bowed respectfully and helped Alex into the saddle of his horse. Tiydus and Alexandra locked eyes as Alex rode away.

Albert got off his horse once Alex was gone. Tiydus looked to him. Albert gave him a friendly smile.

"Would you mind taking a walk with me? I need to talk to you," Albert requested of the young man.

Tiydus nodded and began to walk side by side with the king further out into the field, slightly off to the side of the men.

"You probably think I don't care about my daughter's feelings, don't you?" Albert asked.

"I don't think that you don't care. I know you love her," Tiydus replied truthfully.

Albert nodded. "I love Alexandta, Tiydus. I love her very much. There are days I curse myself and believe I'm not worthy to be a father, because I have to deny her her heart's dream. Please understand, because I know she doesn't; had she been born anyone else's child, she could have what she wants so badly. But, Alex is a princess and my only daughter. Her people need her to do more for them than swing a spear. She needs to lead them, give guidance to more people other than warriors. Those that cannot fight need her more. I never had a problem with Alex learning weaponry, but when she wanted to fight for more than just enjoyment . . . I knew that it could never happen," Albert explained.

"But, why can't she fight? She's good. Aren't kings supposed to command the army?" Tiydus asked.

Albert nodded. "Kings do command the army, but rarely ever fight with them. If the king falls in battle and there are no heirs there becomes a struggle for power. Greed for power eventually overcomes a person and becomes an obsession . . . and that obsession materializes itself into a need to conquer, a need for war. My uncle Doel was such a man . . . " Albert said with his voice trailing off. "My point, Tiydus, is that I want Alexandra to fight war with peace, not a sword," Albert replied.

By now they had walked a good ways out into the prairie. Albert walked up the side of a hill onto the crest. I wanted to show you this," Albert said and stepped aside to let Tiydus see the beautiful view. From atop the hill one could see nearly all of Bale, the magnificent capital of Serdio. Indels appeared as a watchtower, large and beautiful over the small, infinite houses. Tiydus stood beside Albert, admiring the view.

"Aside from convenience, I can see why the knighthood picked this location for their dinner. I often come here when I'm alone. I come here to think. You know Tiydus, if you marry my daughter you will be prince, and eventually king. All this that you see and everything beyond will be yours. The people of Serdio will rely on you and Alexandra. How can they rely on someone that isn't there? Tiydus, as king, or even prince, there are great responsibilities. You can't just do anything you want. Once you marry Alexandra, you will have obligations, just as she does and will continue to. You understand this, don't you?" Albert asked with utmost sincerity.

Tiydus took a deep breath as he looked at Bale. "I understand that, your majesty."

"And you're prepared to do so? You will have to give up the life you lead now to be with her. And do you realize that she needs to accept her responsibilities as well, in order to preserve the country?" Albert continued.

"Yes," Tiydus replied.

"Are you prepared? Because you have to love this country to do what you are going to do," Albert rephrased.

"I love her. And if the princess is the country then I love the country with all my heart. I'd do anything for her," he said simply.

Albert smiled. "Have you told her that? Such is a side of you that I'm sure you've never shown her. Come, it's late, let's go back to the knighthood," Albert affirmed.

"Yes, your majesty," Tiydus answered.

Albert laughed. "We can do without the 'your majesty', you can call me Albert, or even Al if you'd like. After all, we're going to be family soon if we weren't already," Albert said affably.

Tiydus smiled and walked with him, pleased with the fact that Albert already thought of him and trusted him like a son.