Unexpected Affection

Aurora searched Bukuri's face. The lady did not seem concerned about losing the heir to the human throne.

Nurlan brought the Empress's chair to a halt at the foot of the dais. Just as the fiery-haired woman was about to demand that Ithel tell her the whereabouts of her child, a happy squeal rang out from Queen Mother Lanassa's throne. Aurora flicked her eyes to the aloof elf, and relief washed over her.

Almost completely covered by Lanassa's wide, flowing sleeves, Colvyr was cuddled up in the former queen's lap. With a look of utter contentment, she released the child from her grasp. Lanassa spoke gently to the boy and sent him on his way. If Aurora had not met the queen before, she would have thought the woman was almost amiable.

Colvyr climbed down from the platform and walked over to his mother. With the doctor's assistance, the child sat in the Empress's lap instead, exchanging one monarch's embrace for another's.

Once the transfer was complete, Lanassa's visage returned to a more familiar version of polite indifference as she looked at the cohort. Somehow, this put Aurora more at ease.

With a dip of his head, Ithel broke the tension that had permeated the room. "Welcome, most honorable guests. Fate Hanna, we are delighted and humbled by your presence. Empress Aurora, please make yourself at home. Our allies deserve only the best. It is excellent to see you, Cheif Zan and General Nurlan. And we are most happy to have the royal physician in our midst. While we are saddened for the reason you needed to visit, we do hope you will find your stay enjoyable and restorative."

"Thank you for your hospitality, King Ithel," Hanna's eyes stared at him evenly. Only the slightest dip of her head indicated her acknowledgement of his leadership. Even this was a large concession, and Ithel graciously accepted her words.

Aurora bowed as best she could from her chair and spread her dress with her hands despite the prince's presence on her knees. "Your Majesties, Your Highnesses. We are most grateful for your sanctuary and your help. The elves are truly our most faithful friends."

"The best of friends, I hope." Ithel paused, his eyes slipping past his father and toward his stoic mother. It was unlike her not to give a greeting of her own, though it was not required. He raised one eyebrow at the former queen, who had her eyes fixed on the child below her. The king nodded.

"And I know my mother, along with the rest of the elven court, would like to extend a special welcome to young Prince Colvyr. May he always be welcome among his new friends." The king chuckled as Colvyr waved at him.

Turning his head slightly, the little prince then blew kisses at Lanassa with his tiny hands. Aurora was embarrassed until she realized that the elf was relishing the attention.

"I hope you do not mind," Lanassa broke in. "When I saw Bukuri with the lad, I could not allow him to miss his introduction. So I brought him here myself." There was a measure of pride and pleasure in the former queen's voice.

"It seems a breach of protocol for the Queen to carry out such a task," Aurora was not willing to let the elf blame the Empress for the faux pas.

"Nonsense. I am no longer queen and I am quite at my leisure to do as I please. And it pleased me to carry the precious bundle that is the human prince. It is good practice for some day when my own children give me a grandchild on which I can dote." Lanassa's gaze turned icy as she looked at her son and daughter.

Brinn stared forward, pretending her mother had not spoken, while Ithel merely shook his head. They were very used to their mother's antics. It was Calla, looking an embarrassed shade of pink along her golden skin, that caused the Empress to intervene.

"I would not think someone so wise would rush her children into making her a grandmother." Aurora countered.

"That is easy for you to say. I am sure you are in no rush for Princess Mairwen to have children while you still have a young babe of your own." Lanassa answered tersely.

Aurora nearly choked. The idea of Mairwen and Renat having children! That would make her... no, she would not go down that line of thought or her mind would spin out of control. She gave a pained smile. "We are not the same, I agree. Allow me to ease your suffering. Until you are able to care for an elven heir once more, please feel free to spoil this little prince whenever you see fit."

"Trust me, I will," Lanassa agreed easily.

'Just as abrasive as ever,' Aurora thought. Whereas the former queen had softened in many areas, her underlying personality still often rubbed those around her like coarse burlap. It befitted a strong ruler, and so Aurora could not really fault her for it. Instead, she tried to move along the proceedings.

"Are you going to invite us to join you somewhere more private, or may we be excused to enjoy our stay?" After visiting the elves the last time, the Empress was very familiar with the proceedings.

"Neither yet, for my dutiful son has forgotten to address the doctor by his proper name. The greetings are not complete." Zoltan answered before Ithel could. It was the first time he had spoken, but his voice held all the authority that a ruler's should. His words of admonishment were for the good of his son. If Ithel had greeted the general by name, he should also show the physician the same courtesy.

Ithel shifted slightly in his chair, his confidence wavering. He had known that little detail, yet had intentionally overlooked it for one specific reason. He did not know the man's name. The herald had been no help in that regard, having only announced the Fate and Empress into their presence.

It was at this moment that the Empress realized that she did not know the doctor's name either. His title was so esteemed that no one ever doubted who the Doctor was. Yet, of course, he must have a name. Nanny had a name even though they never called her by it. Aurora felt ashamed that she had never thought to inquire the true identity of the person who knew her so well.

The handsome king nodded at the reproach. "You are correct, Father. How rude of me! Of course I would not wish to offend Doctor..."

Wishing to avoid causing Ithel further discomfort, the physician quickly spoke up, "Please call me Phileas, Your Majesty." The doctor bowed deeply in apology for interrupting, his grey hair falling into his eyes.

"Doctor Phileas!" Ithel was delighted to have a name on which to focus. "Please take my most hearty welcome. Our healers would like to speak with you at your earliest convenience."

"Of course, Your Majesty. I am most anxious to glean any wisdom they possess," Phileas answered sincerely.

"They are ready now if you are, Doctor Phileas," the king offered. The old man nodded eagerly. With a motion to his aunt, Ithel bid Bukuri towards him. "Would you please take our guest to meet with his colleagues?"

The willowy elf drew her hands in front of her for Phileas to follow. The pair left the throne room as the crowd parted for them to use the side entrance.

Ithel clapped his hands. "As long as there are no other objections. I would like to invite the rest of you to join me for some food and fellowship. Shall we?"

Everyone seemed glad to have the formalities out of the way. Offering his hand to his bride, Ithel helped Calla from the dais and they led the way to the Casual Feasting Room. Brinn and Alvar followed them as they were next in line for the throne. The Queen Mother then rose from her seat and placed her hand on her husband's shoulder.

With a burst of magical wind, he came forth from the chair's encasement and rolled along the platform to a wide ramp. They moved along together as third in the procession.

Not wasting any time, Hanna moved quickly behind them, taking her place in front of the Empress and the other humans. The Fate took one last look at the room and noted with satisfaction the awe with which the elves beheld her. Even in her less glorified appearance, she was still quite stunning.

The humans followed the others out of the majestic throne room through a corridor behind the dais. As anticipated, the feast was already set out and ready for them to partake.

Upon entering the room, Ithel dismissed the servants so that the group could be alone. With no one else to watch, the elves, humans and Fate lowered their guard.

With a large grin, Alvar made a step toward the humans to heartily greet them. It had been far too long since he had seen the Empress, general and Guardian.

However, Lanassa blocked his way as she strode gracefully forward. "Zan!" she cried with the affection that had previously been reserved for the little prince.

She threw her arms around the Guardian.

And kissed him on the cheek.