9 Chapter IX

Archie is in the Raven's Tavern, tossing another knife into a paper dartboard, attached to the wooden wall with a nail to hold it in place. It lands right in the middle of the board and the entire tavern erupts into cheers, the patrons with tankards stomp their feet and ale on the table. The Lennox Heir had just landed another free round of drinks on Rolant's coin. Archie throws his hands up into the air as one of the stockier soldiers lifts him into the air. The air is filled with song and excitement while his deflated best friend sulks off to the bar to hand the rest of his coin to the bartender.

"Aw, c'mon Rolant! You shouldn't have bet against me! You lose every time!" Archie yells over the boisterous crowd. He's let down and he joins his friend at the bar.

Rolant scoffs, taking a quick quaff of his ale, suddenly not wanting to drink anymore. "As if, I was merely testing your throwing arm. You've grown rusty since last year." He wrinkles his nose.

He laughs and claps his shoulder, "It's okay to admit defeat, my dear friend." He leans into his ear and whispers, "I already paid the tab." He slips his own pouch off and places it beside him, "I was testing your temper, you've grown soft." He jested back.

A wry smile breaks out onto his lips, "Aye. We're truly friends now!" He knocks his tankard into Archie's, who already had his raised to cheer to.

The evening stretches into the morning, they partied over the recruits finally breaking the mold of being afraid to hurt Archie's pride. One of the junior recruits finally bested Archie and that resulted in what was a large celebration for all of the new recruits. Archie and Rolant stumbled their way back into the barracks, breaking out into song as they did so. Archie found his way back into his room, he stumbled into bed and fell asleep fast. In the evening, he awoke with a splitting headache and with a weird-looking flower hitting his forehead when Rolant came barreling into his room like he wasn't hungover.

"Wake up, pretty boy! The Elf messaged you again!" His yells not welcomed as he groaned and turned over in his bed, pulling the blanket over his head to block out the sun spilling into his room.

Rolant ripped the blanket off him, "Get yer ass outta bed! You've been sleeping since the afternoon. It's past four in the evening now. Go write your lass or I might just do it for you, and I know you don't like it when I write for you."

Archie sat up in bed, rubbing the tiredness from his eyes as he did so. Rolant slammed the door shut after placing a nice cup of tea on his nightstand. He lifted a brow at the flower, he twirled it in between his rough fingers and opened it. Leaning back into the bed post, he had an arm resting behind his head and the other holding the parchment. A smile graced his lips, his finger moved, and a photo fell out of it. He picked it off his chest and looked at the trio of Elven siblings in a beautiful setting. After getting ready for his evening training, he sat at his desk and wrote Elora back;

To Her Majesty Graciousness,

Princess of Kingdom of Lynlore

Fourth Child of King & Queen Blaric,

Elven Maiden with the Strong Head,

Princess Elora Lyn Blaric,

I read our parents are alike, perhaps. My mother keeps my father on his toes as well. Though I feel with age he has grown soft on his own. Ah, so I was correct in assuming you thought of me handsome. I can picture your blushing face already. Did your elven heart thump like a galloping of a thousand horses? I cannot promise this will not go to my head. I hear having an inflated ego helps pride grow.

I read somewhere that your skulls are rather fragile compared to human skulls, so I suggest you do not butt heads with your dear brother, Aiduin. I do not think of myself as a good man, I only do what is asked of me. I do wish to see my people no longer worry if they have a future to grow old with their loved ones. Me, humorous? Never! I jest, yet again. I don't think I'm different from the people I protect, I think of us as equal – though I think my friend can testify against this. I wouldn't know.

In your head? Can I look inside your head? What did you think of when you saw Rolant? I can agree with your siblings. Younger ones tend to be taken advantage of, so don't be offended of them wanting to protect you – I admire that. I am the eldest out of seven children, so I know not of the troubles that befalls a younger sibling. And you shan't be jealous of Rolant, he's rather more trouble than good, if I say so myself.

So…there are 3 others I will have to watch out for when we do meet in person. Yes, as asked of by my father. I am to attend the Summit of Gaia (as he calls it) for this treaty to be secured with your hand in marriage. I've seen your wilted flower, it is rather kind of you to learn a new skill, perhaps I can give you secrets of shaping an origami when we meet. Does this mean you know the town folk in your kingdom? I know most of the ones that I tend to hang around in – their vendors and taverns alike. Elora, you might best me at dancing for I haven't had any lessons since I was about seventeen.

Hmmm…I think I might be the "special" case. Most countrymen do tend to have a middle name that are unique to identify them better by. My siblings all have middle names, even two or three. I guess my mother just wanted to name me quickly alongside my twin.

I've read some letters from my brothers (have yet to hear from my sister) and they're already calling you "Sister." I can believe they've already accepted you as a part of the family, my brothers always wanted another sister, but my mother and father are far too busy to produce another child. Will you be opposed to gaining 5 more brothers? Anastasia might be reluctant though I haven't heard from her. I hear from my father that she's been studying furiously at the College of Scholars and Scribes in the South.

For your information (& Others if you choose to share it);

Anastasia Emeligne Lennox / 24 & Fraternal Twin (by 6 mins)

Leo Pierre Hakon Lennox / 23, 3rd Child

Landon Macrath Lennox / 21, Has a poor sword arm

Levian Oswin Haileye Lennox / 20, He's an excellent bowman and is a bit of a flirt (apologies in advance)

Lysander Lyndon Lennox / 18, I think my parents got bored with naming this one.

Lorcan Shelton Luella Lennox / 15, I see this one on a daily basis to help train him alongside the recruits.

The King of Delafontaine is named Pierre Delafontaine and he's my grandfather.

Emeligne Delafontaine is my father's aunt, I think I'm her nephew – unsure.

Lily Delafontaine is also my aunt, she's the heir to the Delafontaine Kingdom.

My mother's name is Calliope – if you were wondering and she's the daughter of my grandfather.

Congrats on becoming an aunt, though I can't say the same for myself since most of my siblings are not to wed for a while, I believe. If this reaches you by evening, blame it on Rolant he took me out to celebrate the recruits in finally besting me in combat. I'm writing this to you while I am readying for my evening training.

I am also curious, do you happen to like tea? Over here it is shared as a basic commodity to dispel headaches and pain. I am finishing up my own cup of…chamomile tea? I think that's what it's called. Anyway, despite my nulling headache and hangover, it's off topic but I was given a personal messenger – I'm talking an eagle. I guess my father does not wish to exhaust his own messengers to run back and forth between the barracks and castle.

What do you think of our meeting in person? Are you short? That just makes me wonder what you are like in person. If you allow me in person, I would like to touch your ears. Elven ears have always been a curiosity of mine. They're very pointy, can you cut cheese with them? Do your maids cut your food when they have no knives present? I'm only joking of course, but I am dead serious about wanting to touch yours. Only if you allow me, otherwise I will not.

I nearly forgot - a yellow rose from my parents' gardens. The gardens have various colors of roses in it.

[Strung to the shape of a rose, itself, is the other rose next to it]

Yes,

To Our Future Together,

Your Humble Jester,

Future Husband-to-be,

& Heir to the Lennox Throne,

Prince Archie Lennox

P.S Your most graciousness, I hope you like your new titles. I will come up with more if my mind will allow it.

Zestarri and her husband were strolling the flower fields when a small pink-haired maid came rushing over to them. Zestarri laid a hand on her husband's arm to motion him to stop as the small girl went towards them. "I believe I shall take my leave darling. I must write to my dearest sister, I shall leave the diplomating to you, dear." She gave a light chuckle and gave him a small kiss, before turning, her white hair falling around her shoulders as she walked off. Kolvar watched his wife as she walked away before looking at the maid.

"S-sire, t-this is from King Lennox. I-it came urgently. I l-left the books in your study, my lord." Kolvar sighed and gently took the note before dismissing the maid who ran back towards the castle. Kolvar opened the letter his brows furrowing and then easing as he continued to read.

"I must send word to Grykail urgently." Kolvar clenched the letter in his hands and briskly walked towards the castle, he made his way down the winding hall making no effort to return the greetings to the butlers or maids. Once he reached his office her quickly sat and grabbed a pen to write Lord Grykail.