A/N: YouTube binge. Good holiday prep, right?
Aubrey and Saberin: At this point, Talia's got a lot of internal conflict and is used to doing things on her own. Makes it difficult to ask for help.
Raider: That they do. People who are outgoing tend to assume those who aren't outgoing are hiding something...can get annoying (I guess...I'm usually the friend who never shuts up.)
Disclaimer: I'm not John Flanagan. And still not Australian.
Scout took Elizabet to the room Sean and Kineta would use for their stay in Araluen. She eyed the cushioned cot at the end of the bed. Staff at Araluen were indeed fast. Scout had Elizabet lay down on her parents' bed.
"Would you like a story?" Scout asked as she pulled a blanket up to her cousin's chin. Elizabet nodded. Scout took her coveted Flynn Masque book and turned to a random story. She barely got to where Flynn invades a Wanderers' camp when Elizabet nodded off. Scout closed the book and put it next to the bed so that Elizabet would easily find it when she woke up.
She turned to find Sean leaning against the archway studying them. "Thanks Scout," he said gently. "You're good with her."
Scout shrugged. "I guess I got lots of practice with Caitlyn."
"Your sister's waiting for you in Jenny's restaurant."
"Thanks."
Sean nodded towards Elizabet. "Really, thank you Scout. I know you're putting off time with your friends to help her. Speaking of which, your sister asked me to tell you she would wait for you at Jenny's."
Scout smiled and walked quickly towards the restaurant. Gwen and Kelly fell into step behind her while Warden fell behind them. "Where are we going?" Kelly asked cheerfully.
"My godmother's restaurant," Scout answered. "You all remember Jenny, right?"
Scout and Caitlyn embraced tightly upon seeing each other again. Caitlyn pulled her past the headwaiter and straight the usual private dining room. Scout lit up when she saw Gilan sitting with her parents at the table. David and Dalby stopped chasing each other and ran to hug Scout. Scout went past them and greeted everyone else.
"I thought you two wouldn't be here for a few days," she told her parents.
"We got lucky," her father replied.
"We've missed you Scout," her mother added as Scout hugged her.
Once Scout was finished greeting them she turned to her entourage. The three friends huddled in the doorway. David and Dalby stared at them with interest while Caitlyn hovered nearby trying to be discreet. "You remember my friends?" she asked. "Warden, Lady Gwen, and Kelly."
"Hello," Liam said politely. Each of them just bowed.
"Scout's the only royal one here," Lina reminded them.
"Your Grace…you're a princess too are you not?" Gwen asked shyly.
"No. I am a lady of the Araluen Charmed Battalion," Lina answered
Scout's entourage exchanged nervous looks. She looked to her family for help. Gilan cleared his throat. "Would you three care to join us for a meal?"
"Yes," Scout answered for them after they turned to her. "Come on, sit down. My godmother will probably serve something up soon."
"Halt, Pauline, Kane, and Gabby should be joining us soon," Gilan said. As though on cue they came in.
"We can leave," Warden whispered to Scout. She shook her head.
"Don't. You're friends here."
"But…"
"Sit," Lina ordered. They obeyed. Scout smiled thanks to her mother. Scout's grandparents sat closest to Gilan while Kane and Gabby sat near Scout. Warden, Gwen, and Kelly shifted uncomfortably at the far end of the table. Now there were no empty seats.
David sat between Gilan and Liam while Dalby settled in Pauline's lap. Caitlyn planted herself between Scout and Lina. She chatted happily to anyone who would listen about the trip up. Scout leaned towards Gabby once her sister's attention was directed elsewhere.
"How did you know what to say to Elizabet?" she whispered. "The only other person she took to that quickly is Kineta."
Gabby smiled. "I don't know about your cousin but I simply didn't pretend that Elizabet isn't different."
"What?"
"Elizabet's different. So am I. I think that's why she warmed up to me so quick. I didn't act like either of us is normal."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Gabby lowered her voice. "When you were small Kane brought you to pass out dried flowers to the patients in the medical wing. Kane was nervous once he figured out I was blind but you just told me about how your mother used crutches and gave me flowers. You were too bold to be nervous and your confidence gave Kane the courage to keep meeting with me."
"And I'm glad you did," Kane added as he kissed Gabby's cheek. She just smiled and wrapped her hand around his arm. Scout grinned as she noticed Gabby's reaction. Something in her clouded eyes brightened when they touched one another. Scout glanced towards her grandparents. Pauline was grinning about something unknown while Halt seemed as grim as usual. Scout glanced back to Kane and Gabby. She didn't have time to say much else because Jenny arrived with two serving girls carrying platters heaped with food.
That night Scout went to Sean and Kineta's suite before joining her parents. Elizabet, dressed and ready for bed, ran and embraced her. Scout stroked her freshly washed hair. Sean and Kineta sat together on the bed with Elizabet's book between them.
"I thought I'd say good night before I go home," Scout told them.
Elizabet gasped. Scout actually winced when her little cousin tightened her grip. "She's not leaving us forever," Sean assured his daughter. "She's just spending the night with her parents. Remember them? Liam and Lina?"
Elizabet whimpered and lay her head against Scout's hip. Her wet hair left a large spot on Scout's dress. "You'll see me tomorrow," Scout promised.
"She missed you at dinner," Kineta explained.
"Well then I promise I'll have breakfast with you tomorrow to make up for it," Scout told her. Elizabet loosened her grip slightly. "Good night, Elizabet. Sleep well."
Kineta took Elizabet's hand and pulled her back. Elizabet climbed into her place between them and snuggled beneath the covers. Clearly she wouldn't be using her cot tonight. "Good night Scout," Sean said. Scout smiled and nodded.
"See you all in the morning."
Two hours later, Scout sat in the window of a tall tower with her grandfather, Daniel, Quinlan, and Caitlyn. Anamaria's family had arrived from Iberion and though late the parade was magnificent. Her parents rode sleek black horses with her siblings following close behind. Their banners were brightly colored and costumed entertainers danced wildly in front of them to clear the way. Horace and Cassandra stood at the front of the main entrance. To their right was William with his arm around Anamaria and to their left Rosalina stood with Ace. Near Rosalina was Carissa, who remained in line with other highly ranked staff members.
The leaders of practically every department in the castle, including Gilan, stood in a line behind Horace and Cassandra. Duncan was down there too in his place next to Anamaria. Scout easily picked out her mother standing near Gilan with Lady Georgia and Lady Kelsey, who with Lina made up the Charmed Battalion's Leadership Council. They were beautiful in their formal uniforms. It was warm enough for them to leave their coats neatly slung over the messenger bags that hung across their torsos at their hips. The formal tunics were shaped more like bodices and tightened with laces to hug their bodies tightly.
A handful of Couriers, including her aunt Alyss, stood smiling with their white one-shouldered gowns and winning smiles. Scout took a deep breath once she realized all the ceremony was because William was the crown prince. She was doomed to the same fuss when her day came. Her father stood with her uncle Will in the shadows. Kane stood next to the Royal Scout's commandant. The Iberion family dismounted in unison and walked gracefully up to meet the Araluens. Even Scout could tell they were tense. After all, Araluen had sent its Royal Scouts, two Rangers, and even a few Battalion ladies to infiltrate Iberion conspiracies. Kane himself had been one of those Scouts and now he was going to be in their daughter's wedding party. Scout silently laughed at the irony.
Scout spotted her Hibernian cousins looking through a window opposite of the courtyard a few stories below. Sean and Kineta leaned forward with Elizabet perched on the ledge between them. Their arms were protectively around their adopted daughter as she smiled at the festive scene below. Elizabet caught Scout's gaze and waved excitedly. Scout smiled and waved back.
She watched as they exchanged formal greetings. Anamaria hugged each of her family members and brought William forward to meet them. William seemed nervous but did everything Scout could think would be expected of him.
"You should be down there," Daniel teased. "You're in the wedding party just like Kane."
"Shut up," Scout snapped.
"And there's the conversation a Ranger and crown princess exchange," Halt muttered. Caitlyn and Quinlan giggled.
"Really though, we better get down to meet everyone," Daniel said. "You coming, Daideo?"
"Nope. You four have fun."
Scout shook her head as he walked away. Daniel, Scout, Caitlyn, and Quinlan ran down to the grand hall where everyone of importance had gathered. Kane stood off to the side talking to a heavy woman wearing too many colored powders on her face. Scout noticed Gabby nearby with her hand looped around Carissa's arm. The two whispered intently with one another, Gabby being particularly smug.
Rosalina had paired off with one of the princes. He was probably the crown prince the way he haughtily held himself. The two seemed equally annoyed by each other. Ace hovered near his parents trying to keep his gaze on the eyes of an Iberion princess who couldn't be more than two or three years older than Anamaria and not her low cut neckline.
Scout counted the other royal siblings of William's bride-elect. The tallest of the princes stood with an elegant lady of court with dark hair and eyes that seemed to be a trademark of Iberion. Another man identical to the crown prince stood with a princess who seemed to be of another kingdom. Scout felt someone catch her arm. She turned to find Anamaria's dark eyes meeting hers. "Your escort is over here," she said. Scout followed her to a charming young prince who had separated himself from the others. "Fernando this is Scout, crown princess of Hibernia and a very dear friend of William's."
"I wasn't aware Araluen and Hibernia had such relations," Fernando scoffed. "Not to the extent that their children are so closely connected to include in wedding."
Scout narrowed her eyes. "I grew up here in Araluen. I've known William all my life."
"It will be my pleasure to escort such an important princesa," Fernando said with his voice dripping in sarcasm. "Scusa senoritas."
Anamaria offered Scout an apologetic expression. "He is against my marrying William," she explained. "And I hope you are not offended but he doesn't really like you either. He feels the Hibernians are weak because of their prolong civil war."
"But Hibernia is united now." Scout couldn't help coming to the defense of her new country.
"I am sorry," Anamaria said softly. "I never…"
"Don't apologize." William came behind her and wrapped his arms around her. "That's why we paired him with you, Scout."
"Because I'm the princess of Hibernia?"
"Because you don't take anyone's crow sitting down."
Sean joined them with Elizabet clinging to his waist. "Just don't start a war," he said sternly. "Remember this is a wedding and weddings are meant for peace."
Scout nodded. Because it was late the reception didn't last long. They all went to bed and, as promised, Scout had breakfast with her Hibernian family. The breakfast was the last peaceful moment of her day. Scout almost wished she were back in Hibernia at her lessons. The Iberions didn't like the Araluens or Hibernians and the feeling was more than mutual. Even Horace, usually reserved and easy-going, seemed irritated by his son's future in-laws. Scout found she was best able to endure Fernando when she dwelled on the fact that Kane had Adrian. The princess's attitude matched her appearance, vain and overbearing. Scout wasn't one to judge people based on their looks but Princess Adrian was difficult to place.
Thankfully they were relieved of the duties after dinner. William invited his side of the wedding party to a private room for dessert while Anamaria went with her side to a different room. "That was torture," Ace complained. "Her family's all mad."
"That clown Ignacio she paired me with is completely conceded," Rosalina agreed. "All he talked about was himself."
Scout was glad Rosalina was too vain to notice the shared glances. "Just get through the wedding," William pleaded. "That's all I ask."
Everyone else muttered to themselves as they were served cake and wine. For the first time in her life Scout had open access to alcohol that hadn't been watered down but she couldn't bring herself to drink any of it. She needed her head to be clear. Scout went to the balcony of the room she'd been in so many times before. She knew exactly where to jump to have a safe landing. William, Daniel, Kane, and Ace joined her at the railing.
"Our bows are stashed below," Kane said evenly. "We got an extra one ready for you, Scout. You know, just in case."
Scout took a deep breath. "Our parents will be furious."
"Probably," Daniel agreed.
"And we've got two crown heirs in the group now as opposed to one," Ace pointed out. They all nodded. William and Daniel both took a long drink from their ales. Ace had used liquor in medical settings so often the smell brought unpleasant memories and Gabby had more or less banned Kane from anything stronger than berry wines.
"I saw a pretty big stag the other day," William said before finishing his drink. "It'd be good to have some fresh venison at the feast. You think Jenny would appreciate a donation from an anonymous well-wisher?"
"They royal chef isn't catering?" Scout asked.
"He and Jenny are splitting it," the Araluen crown prince shrugged.
Daniel finished his drink. "She needs all the food she can get with Adrian in attendance."
"That was a low shot," Ace muttered.
"If she had a personality I wouldn't be making them."
Scout leaned over the ledge. "I'm staying with my parents. They'll know something's up."
"I think they may assume you fell asleep reading to that charming little cousin of yours," William said.
"True."
"Oh what the hell? William, this is for you," Daniel finally exclaimed. He set down his empty tankard and swung himself over the balcony. They could hear him land softly below.
"I've nothing to lose. Gabby's already gone home," Kane shrugged. Within moments Scout stood with only the princes.
"I'm not the one getting married," Ace said. He followed. Scout and William looked to each other.
"If I go first I'm setting a bad example. If you go first I'm watching over visiting royalty."
"Nobody's going to buy that," Scout laughed.
"Probably not."
"This is completely irresponsible."
"Very irresponsible."
"How long until the wedding?"
"Four days."
"Any chance of hunting again before then?"
"Not likely."
"Hm…well I better kill the stag so I don't kill Fernando."
Scout jumped over. Sure enough William followed after her.
"You know, most allow the groom to kill the stag."
Scout laughed. "We'll see."
Completely assembled, the group took up arms and began running through the trees.