**********

I wake up before sunrise and make my way to the stables nearby. I tell one of my men to alert the others as I intend to leave earlier than was originally planned. I find the young lady who gave me the letter and give her my response to this friend that I have stumbled on. “Make sure that our friend gets this.”

“Yes, or no?” she asks.

“You don’t need to know that.”

“Actually, I do.”

“And why is that?”

“I have prepared two methods of delivering your response, but it all depends on your answer. Lying to me won’t help you. Is it yes, or no?”

Whatever it is, it’s not like you would confirm it? Or would you? “That would be a yes.”

Her eyes glow as she stares at the envelope. She blinks a few times, dispelling the glow in her eyes before raising her head with a smile.

“Thank you for not lying to me. I will send it right away, Commander.”

She tucks it beneath her cloak and I watch her leave. Just as am about to turn away, she motions to a group of children playing in the snow by the roadside. Going down on her knees, she gives something to the children and shortly afterwards, a conversation springs up and drags on for a little while before she removes the letter and gives it to one of the children.

Children as messengers! How interesting.

“Good morning, Commander.” Prince Valark’s voice pulls me away from the messenger and the children.

My prince, you have terrible timing.“Good morning, my prince.”

“I see we are leaving earlier than intended. Could I ask why?”

“A change in the weather has forced me to shift a few things.”

“It’s only a little snow, Commander.”

“Better to be safe than sorry. With time the roads might be covered with snow and I

for one, don’t like to slog in it.”

“I see. Well, in that case, I will gather my things and be ready for departure, soon.”

He leaves and I turn around to find the messenger standing right behind me.

When did she get back?

“The letter has been delivered,” she says.

“Are you sure those children will be able to keep that letter and deliver it?”

She smiles. “They haven’t failed me so far.”

“And who are you?”

“No need to be concerned, commander. I’m only the messenger,” she says as her body fades away revealing the sun rising from above the mountain peaks in the distance. Looking down I see the only evidence of her existence, printed in the ground where her feet stood.

Why would a mage play the role of a messenger?

**********

Leon, you must straighten things out before we go to the gathering.

I arrive at Monica's bedroom door and knock lightly.

"Who is it?"

"It's Leon."

"I’m almost done, your highness." 

After a little while, the door opens and Monica steps out of her room. Her hair is tied in a neat bun with a few strands adorning her face which is coated with just enough makeup to enhance her beauty. If I hadn't met her before, I would have thought that she wasn't wearing any make up. Her silver diamond shaped earrings, decorated with tiny orbs, are a perfect match for the three-strand pearly necklace that gracefully encircles her neck. The cherry red dress, with golden embroidery, exposes her neck and shoulders and the sleeves seem almost independent of the entire outfit. It hugs her upper body and spreads out, below her waist, to the floor, covering her feet. I look down at my long, dark blue jacket, with golden embroidery on the collar

and at the end of the sleeves. Fully buttoned and opening up at my waist to

reveal my black pants that are tucked into my black boots. A wave of unease washes over me and I can feel my own heart beating against my rib cage. 

I should be escorting her, not the other way around.

"What's the matter, your highness? Cat got your tongue?"

Leon you fool, when did you open your mouth and why is it still open?

I smile and say, "You look radiant, Monica."

"Thank you, your highness."

"Listen Monica, I need you to know that I’m sorry about last night. I didn't mean to offend your kind when I said that they are inferior. I simply meant to point out why I wanted you to be away from harm."

"Your highness…. I appreciate the sentiment but I don't want to be placed somewhere safe. I want to be in the thick of things, not shielded from danger or let others spill blood while I sit somewhere in a dress, drinking tea. I wouldn't have signed up or trained if I wanted a comfortable life."

I offer her my arm and she takes it. We begin to walk side by side with a few of our guards following us a few paces behind.

"So, you're saying that in future, I should sit and drink tea while you spill your blood?"

"I don't think you're that kind of man, your highness."

"You're right. I wouldn't sit while you fight for me."

"I never said I'd fight for you, your highness. I merely said I wouldn't want to sit while you fight for me." 

She's a shrewd one, Leon.

"Ah, I see. You would rather fight alongside me."

"No, your highness. I'd rather be where the blood and severed limbs are the most frequent. And if you get hurt, just call me and I will come and save you."

"And what should I do if you get hurt?"

"Then you need to wake up from that ridiculous dream of yours."

I laugh and place my free hand on my chest. She is truly a delight, Leon. I hear her laughing lightly beside me. 

"Are you saying that you'd never get hurt in an actual fight?"

"Exactly."

"Why is that?"

"Am sure the enemy will think of me as too inferior and focus on you and your kind."

"A beautiful plan if I ever heard one. That mistake will cost them their lives. Now, what sinister plan do you have for our current battle?"

"We are going to a party! Why do you think it's a battlefield?"

"Because it is. The two other greatest leaders in Kelor will no doubtedly want to hear our view on the treaty. And we need to placate them otherwise…"

"Otherwise it will mean war." I nodded in agreement. "But, your highness, I don't think the king would be so rash."

"And why is that?"

"If he really wanted a war, he wouldn't have waited for us to get here."

"Maybe he is waiting for us to give him a just cause." 

"I think we should wait and see how the conversation goes before we start thinking of wars."

"It wouldn't hurt to plan in advance."

"Are you always planning wars in advance?"

"Only the ones I can see coming."

"And how many do you see coming?"

Two. One is with you and the other….

"One. Vampires and humans against the entire continent of Kelor."

“I thought you and Prince Deven were close.”

“We are. But he would have to be King Deven if we are to avoid killing each other, and I don’t see that happening anytime soon.”

**********

A'el smiled as she stood beside me, hand in hand, fingers interlocked, moving around greeting and answering questions from our guests who seem to be more excited about the wedding than I am. 

Should I really be doing this? Marrying someone who I’m not in love with, all for the sake of uniting our kind? Was Leon right?

A’el pulls at my sleeve and asks, “Is everything alright? Your mind seems to be far away.”

“It’s nothing, A’el.”

“It’s the mission, isn’t it?”

“What?”

“Don’t worry, I‘m sure Commander Gunther and Prince Valark aren’t doing much. Trust me, you aren’t missing out on anything.”

“I hope you’re right. Otherwise my brother won’t stop boasting about his adventure.”

“If it means that much to you, we can go on our adventure after my coronation.”

“I doubt we will be allowed to go anywhere.”

“Says who? I’d like to see someone try and stop a Queen and her future husband.”

“Excuse me, my lord.” A’el and I turn around to give Scott our full attention.

“Yes, Scott.”

“I just wanted to inform you that I’ll be heading back to my hometown later this afternoon. My wife should be giving birth soon and I’d honestly like to be there.”

I stretch out my free hand to him and he clasps it firmly with both hands.

“Congratulations Scott and may the Ancient Ones watch over your journey. Greet your wife for me when you get home.”

“Thank you, my lord.”

Scott kisses A’el’s outstretched hand as she asks, “Have you already come up with the name of the child? And is this your first?”

“Yes Princess, this is our first child. We haven’t thought of any names yet, but I honestly think my wife should have a few great ideas.”

“Will you be able to attend our wedding?”

“Yes, Princess. Honestly, I wouldn’t miss it for the world. I’ve known my lord since he was a young cub and I’ve been there for all his greatest and worst moments. The wedding will be one of those moments.”

Grinning I ask, “Which category of moments?”

“I don’t know,” Scott says. “It depends on how much of a fool you make yourself out to be.”

We laugh and after that, Scott says, “I’ll take my leave, my lord. May the Ancient Ones watch over your journey,” he says to me. Turning to A’el, he says, “I look forward to calling you Queen A’el of the fairies the next time I see you.”

She smiles and says, “I look forward to seeing your little cub. Travel safely, Scott.”

He nods and walks away. He gives a quick greeting to Leon and Monica as they make their way towards us.