Chapter 127

Closing her eyes as the warm morning sun spilled across her, Elain gave a contented sigh. She had awoken earlier in the morning, wrapped around Lucien, with enough time for them to bathe and dress before breakfast. Now, as they sat out on one of the huge Day Court balconies, she couldn't help yawning and stretching a little. She felt tired.

"You alright, Petal?" Lucien's voice sounded amused and she cracked an eye open to peer at him. He was sitting in one of the chairs beside her, legs stretched out on another chair before him as he just about glowed in the sun. "Something keep you up all night?"

Elain couldn't help but grin, and she closed her eyes again, turning her face up to the sun once more. "Maybe I could have a nap later." She said softly.

"Maybe you could have one now." She heard him give a soft chuckle and she smiled.

"Maybe I could." Elain stretched again, feeling the ache within her easing as the heat of the sun sank into her. She let out a contented sigh, and lifted a hand when some part of her felt Lucien reaching out. Her smile widened when she found his hand stretched out toward her, and she linked her fingers through his, holding gently.

They stayed that way for quite a while, and Elain wasn't entirely certain if she had actually fallen asleep at some point, but then a shadow passed across her and her eyes flew open. "Oh…" she sat up straighter, squinting up at the silhouette standing over her.

"Lucien, Elain…" Helion greeted them, a wide smile of his own stretching across his handsome face. "Apologies for the interruption."

"No…" Elain murmured, "We weren't doing anything…"

"Elain was sleeping." Lucien put in and she turned to look at him.

"I wasn't…"

"You were. You haven't heard a thing I've said in about an hour."

"What?" she blinked, narrowing her eyes at him. "What were you saying?"

"You'll never know." He winked at her and then lifted his gaze to Helion once more. "Did you need us for something?"

"Not the both of you." Helion was still smiling. "Elain may go back to sleep if she wishes…" Amber eyes moved over her for a moment before flicking to Lucien, "If you wouldn't mind coming to join Eris and I. We have a few ideas that need to be discussed."

"I can do that." Lucien was on his feet in an instant, and Elain released his hand. He glanced down at her and gave her a wink. "I'll see you in a little while, Petal." She just nodded, watching as he followed Helion. Then, smiling to herself, Elain stretched back out in the sun and closed her eyes once again. Maybe she would finish that nap now.

Walking beside Helion, Lucien couldn't help but watch his father out of the corner of his eye. The High Lord walked easily, but with purpose, and Lucien found that he had matched his stride to the older male's unconsciously. "What are some of these ideas you have had?" He asked, hoping to prepare himself for whatever conversations he was about to have to have with Eris.

"Well, it's not something we figure we should work on without the others."

"Oh…" Lucien nodded, figuring he knew where this was heading.

Eris was sitting at the large round table when Helion led the way into the room, and Lucien recognised the thoughtful expression on his brother's face. This was something that Eris actually cared about. Taking up a seat, Lucien placed both of his hands on the table, clasping them together as he looked at both of the High Lords. "What is it that you would like me to do?" he asked.

"We need a meeting of all the High Lords." Eris said, his voice even.

"You want me to organise it?"

"You know everyone."

"So, I would wager, do you." Lucien replied, and Eris looked at him.

"I have not organised something like this before." Eris said, "You have done it dozens of times. Also, you're currently the Emissary to the Night Court. I don't have my own Emissary to ask…"

"Why don't you have one?" Lucien asked Helion, turning his eyes on his father. Helion's eyes darkened for a moment.

"I have not replaced my last…" He said softly, "He died in the battle against Hybern."

"Ah…" Lucien nodded, frowning for a moment. "Okay… When would you like this meeting to take place?"

"As soon as possible." Helion replied, "Here."

Looking questioningly at Eris, Lucien raised an eyebrow. "Two of us are already here…" Eris said.

"Also," Helion put in, "this would be a good opportunity for me to claim you in front of all the Courts of Prythian…" Lucien stared at him.

"You… you want… oh… okay…" He blinked, trying to force his brain to work again. If Helion claimed him as his son in front of all of the High Lords, that was as good as declaring him his heir. That would be announcing to everyone that Lucien would be the next High Lord of the Day Court.

"That is," Helion said, "of course, if you agree to that."

"Yes…" Lucien nodded. He hadn't so much as needed to think about it. It wasn't that he particularly wanted to be the High Lord. He had never in his life desired anything like that, but a family… He wanted the chance to belong to a family, and to a place. Helion was ready to accept him as family, and Lucien wanted that with everything in him.

"Alright." Helion's smile was as radiant as the sun. "Then, Emissary," he went on. "A meeting of the High Lords… Here. As soon as is possible."

Running a hand through his hair, Lucien nodded, his mind already drafting letters.

"Shall we leave you to it?" Eris asked, getting to his feet, and Lucien nodded again.

When Helion and Eris left the room, Lucien set about writing to Rhys first.

Rhysand,

Firstly, the High Lord of the Day Court, and the High Lord of the Autumn Court would request your presence, and the presence of the High Lady of the Night Court. They wish to hold a meeting of all the High Lords (and Lady) from across Prythian. This is to discuss the proposed trade routes, and measures needed to establish them as soon as is possible. No doubt, other projects and progress will also be discussed, and this could be a most productive meeting for the benefit of all of Prythian should it go ahead successfully.

This meeting is to be held at your earliest convenience. You would be hosted at the Day Court. Please indicate a time that suits you so that we can more forward with preparation.

Secondly, anything that you and Feyre could do to help get everyone here as soon as possible would be greatly appreciated.

Thirdly, I feel that if Nesta were to join you when you come, Elain would be happy. We have discovered some uninspiring information about Seers, and I think her sisters would be of some support.

Lucien

Staring at the letter he had just penned, Lucien considered adding that Helion intended to claim him as his son, but decided against it. Rhys would find out soon enough, no doubt as soon as he arrived in the Day Court. There was really no point in adding it to the letter. Besides, he had four more letters to write and send to the Spring, Winter, Summer, and Dawn Courts. He had no doubt that the High Lords of all of the Courts would show up, although he figured that Tamlin would be the hardest to convince. Not because he thought that Tamlin had no interest in bettering Prythian or in getting involved in re-establishing the old trade routes, but rather his old friend would not be keen to face Feyre and Rhys, or to feel as if he was being judged by everyone else. Whether or not that actually happened, Lucien knew that in Tamlin's mind, that would almost certainly be the case.

By the time he had finished writing all of the letters, Lucien knew that the midday meal was being served, and he headed off to find Elain and something to eat.