Chapter Twenty eight

"Your highness..es!" Silverus rushed to greet his Queen, only then, he could not be too sure which of the two were his! He soon stopped short looking from one face to the other.

"Silverus!" The crown Queen Jensari, and it really was her for her gown was a bit tattered and her hair frazzled as if she had had the hardest of time falling asleep and this should be so as a waking willow's realm was more befitting for the growth of strong trees than attending to the needs of Royalty. People sort of course! For then again the Willow was royalty in her right. Well, she hurried forward to grasp the paws of her butler like one would when meeting a young cousin of who they are very fond. And he stared up at her in helpless confusion.

"My Queen!" He managed to get his jaws working again, blinking to see if that could clear his vision. "But I see two of you?"

"Alia Lently" Alia moved forward to curtsey, understanding they should be introduced all over again.

"My Queen" Silverus was still behind.

"I am here now!" Queen Jensari declared. " And now I hear there is a battle to fight".

It was a good thing for the Queen to return to Gauberhodgy, Alia had never been in battle before and though her speech might have fooled you and the people of Gauberhodgy, it had not convinced her. And the thought of battle made her very bones quiver. Infact she had only stood against the waking willows because of the power of the scepter and a real battle would surely have withered that spirit for she herself was also questioning her consciousness and had halfheartedly believed that she was dreaming. But of course she did not think so, now that she had almost tasted death at the bottom of the pool and she was overjoyed at the Queen's turn up, and the willows agreeing to help, now she should not fear having to fight at all.

The people received the news of the two Queens in the palace and at no time the country was rippling and restless for an explanation. And so on the dawn of the next day, the people gathered at the front of the castle to hear the voice of their Queen.

"People of Gauberhodgy, today we are gathered once more as I present to you Lady Alia!" At the sound of her name, Alia perked up, gliding with practiced grace, to to join the Queen on the balcony. A ripple of people talking all at the same arose and died down just as swiftly, for the words of a Queen were more important than those of your neighbor. "You know her as Queen, for in my absence, she stood among you, as your own. She fought for you like her own and she defended you as though you belonged to her. Therefore a Queen she shall always be before the people of Gauberhodgy!" There was more chatter because, no one knew that the Queen had ever been absent, then shouts of agreement because the Queen was waiting to continue and that would have to be saved for gossiping in the market and taverns. Queen Jensari nodded her approval before continuing. "The threat of the Willows is no more!" Pause" No longer will you flee from the fields in fear of the fell roots, or be tormented by their chilling melodies at night. A treaty have been made and peace must now reign between us!" The crowd cheered, louder than before. But Jensari was still standing above them so they quickly composed themselves and made short the high fives and shoulder claps. "Still," she waited again to make sure every ear was at the ready. "The banished Lord, Roland has declared war against the kingdom!" Pause. "He has captured the Lady Alia's sister and has laid siege against our cousin, Delorel. We will stand by no longer, sharpen your swords, let the forgery be hot, for we will meet him in battle and we will not be defeated!"

The people were erupted with roars of agreement. And Jensari left them to the shoulder clapping and chest puffing and rough hugs. As there was much more important things to do than to get a crowd pumped as that was only a third of a ruler's duties.

"Ah how had I not noticed before?" Lord Oldin sizzled up beside Alia as soon as the presentation was over, looking her over with great intensity, even going so far as to sniff.

"What! is it that... you. Want!?" Alia fumbled on her words putting distance between herself and the beautiful creature.

"I just don't understand how I mistook you for the Queen" He explained pouting a bit as he stroked his tail. "You do look quite similar, only" his eyes lit up and he leaned closer. "You are far more... adorable".

Alia took another step back looking around for something but nothing in particular.

"Don't say things like that!" she exclaimed loudly, she was flustered and it was very obvious in how she managed to find everything but the lion hybrid's eyes.

All to Oldin's amusement.

"Lord Oldin!" A firm crisp voice soon freed Alia from her discomfort, as the Queen came gliding over. "I hear you are ambassador of the people, hmm a post you would be worthy of if you took it seriously!"

"Of course your highness". He stood tall, even his tail managing to curl more elegantly before the Queen, then with a curt bow and a wink directed to Alia, he strutted away.

"Don't take him seriously," Alia was startled to hear the Queen speak and it took her awhile to register that she was speaking to her, though she gave her time. "Lord Oldin. He has a quaint sense of humor".

Ah! Of course! Alia bobbed her head up and down, still staring down the hall were the golden tip of his tail had once been.