-2-
The Request
The Great Hall at Castle North was full of activity as many of the castle staff went about their morning duties while other staff prepared for the breakfast meeting to be held in the Grand Chamber. It had been several weeks since Princess Elizabeth and Lord Edric had returned to Castle North with the news that King Aden had given up the throne of Kellmorgen in favor of his chosen heir, Prince Evan, in order to marry Queen Magda and together with her, rule the Kingdom of Mardylla across the sea from Elnara. In the days following the declaration, King Evan, along with Prince Albert and Prince Percy, had been busy making plans for King Evan’s coronation while continuing to work on the remaining tasks to be completed before travel between Elnara and Kellmorgen could be opened. King Evan had asked for this morning’s meeting to finalize plans.
“EDRIC!” Elizabeth waved her hand above her head, smiling as she made her way across the Great Hall to where her husband stood talking with her brother, Lord Lark, along with Lord Avery and Princess Clara. After waking up at sunrise, Edric had moved to his adjoining chambers to change and to let Derrick give him a shave. He told Elizabeth that he would wait for her in the Great Hall unless Lady Ellen, Castle North’s Mistress, started serving breakfast in the Grand Chamber, in which case, he would meet her there. “I take it that Lady Ellen hasn’t announced breakfast yet.” Elizabeth gave Edric a kiss on the cheek as she joined the little group.
As if on cue, Lady Ellen entered the Great Hall from the front hallway. “Breakfast is now served in the Grand Chamber for those attending the meeting,” she announced loudly, her voice reverberating through the immense chamber.
Edric and Avery glanced at each other. They both wished to be first in line to get the best selection of the breakfast offerings. They held each other’s stare for a long moment before Edric quickly kissed Elizabeth, yelling back to her, “I’ll meet you there,” as he sprinted across the hall, Avery right on his heels.
Elizabeth and Clara looked at each other, both females shaking their heads at the antics of their respective partners. “Aren’t you going to run after them?” Elizabeth asked her brother.
“No, I trust Lady Ellen will have prepared enough food that I think that I can risk being further down the breakfast line,” Lark smiled. He was already enjoying his new role as the future Noble Lord of Castle North. Now that Elizabeth and Edric were married and Edric had become First Lord, Noble Lord of Dragon Castle and future king of Elnara; Lark had taken up Edric’s position as Castle North’s future Noble Lord, given his marriage to Edric’s sister, Lady Shaylee. “How about I escort you two ladies to breakfast?”
“Works for me,” Princess Clara tossed back her curly red hair and took the arm that Lark offered her.
“Why thank you brother,” Elizabeth took hold of Lark’s other arm and together the three made their way across the hall toward the Grand Chamber.
Upon entering the Grand Chamber, the trio looked to one side of the second most spacious chamber in the castle to where staff had set up tables along one wall with a variety of hot and cold breakfast selections next to the tables that served the dual purpose of dining tables and meeting tables. Elizabeth scanned the crowd that was seated to find Edric and Lord Avery already busy devouring the impressive mounds of food on their plates. She walked over to the breakfast line along with Lark and Princess Clara where they found themselves standing behind Sir Maymar.
“Good Morning Sir Maymar,” Elizabeth greeted the elf.
Sir Maymar turned toward the sound of the familiar voice. “Good Morning Your Majesty,” he smiled with an almost embarrassed look on his face.
“What is it?” Elizabeth asked. She knew him well enough to know when something was bothering him.
“I’m just not used to the title yet,” Sir Maymar admitted. He had become the first knight in Elnaran History in the newly created Order of the Dragon Sword. He had been so honored for his bravery and his willingness to sacrifice his life in order to save his future king when he had been part of the group attempting to stop the evil elf Ulytar from destroying the human kingdom of Marmorgen and making himself the ruler of Moondylla, the kingdom of the elves. It was through his effort that Elizabeth had been able to destroy Ulytar and put King Aden and Queen Magda on the throne of the combined kingdoms, newly named Mardylla.
“I’m sure that all new knights have that same adjustment,” Elizabeth assured him.
“I’m ready to serve in whatever capacity that you and Lord Edric need of me,” he told her as they reached the table, his attention now turning to making his breakfast selections.
“We’ll get to that very soon,” Elizabeth told him. “I think we all needed a little break.” She turned to Lark and Princess Clara who both nodded their heads in agreement. After traveling the kingdom in search of the Dragon Sword and struggling to discover the truth behind its history, it was nice to settle back into the normal routine of working on opening travel between Elnara and Kellmorgen. It was nice to have time with Edric to take a ride up into the mountains, or a walk in the orchard, or even to just have diner together in Elizabeth’s chambers. It was nice to finally relax and enjoy be married.
After filling her plate with bread, cheese, fruit, and scrambled eggs, Elizabeth walked over and claimed the chair next to Edric. She turned to signal to one of the staff who was carrying a tray of goblets filled with fruit juice. They hurried over and handed her a goblet of chilled cider. When Elizabeth turned back to the table, she found that she now sat in front of an empty plate.
“That’s my breakfast,” she snatched her plate away from Edric who had begun eating her scramble eggs.
“Sorry darling, I thought that you had gotten me seconds so that I wouldn’t have to stand in line again.” Edric explained as he gave her one of his dashing smiles.
“I’m not giving you my breakfast,” she declared adamantly. “I don’t care how charmingly you smile at me. She held up one hand by her eyes to block him from view. He was so darn handsome and irresistible that if she looked at him too long, she just might give in and hand over her plate.
“You can have mine, Your Majesty,” Sir Maymar set his plate in front of Edric and took the empty plate. “I don’t mind standing in line again.”
As Maymar started to walk off toward the breakfast line, Avery yelled after him, “Get me another plate full too.”
Maymar turned to his friend, “Come stand with me.”
“I’m going with Maymar,” Avery told Princess Clara who had taken the seat next to her betrothed. In the rush to join the elf, Avery knocked his chair over, almost falling over himself. He grabbed the back of the closest chair, jostling Lord Warren who spilled cider onto his lap. “Sorry,” Avery hollered to Lord Warren as he bumped into the back of Prince Percy’s chair. “Sorry,” he repeated as he finally reached Maymar who just shook his head and steered Avery in the direction of the line.
“You could have gotten another plateful yourself,” Elizabeth scolded Edric.
“Maymar is anxious to serve,” Edric pointed out.
“I suppose,” Elizabeth really didn’t think that getting the future king seconds at the breakfast line should fall under knightly duties. “We do need to come up with some real duties for our first knight.”
“Don’t worry,” Edric told her as he forked more meat into his mouth. “I have some ideas.
***
As everyone finished up eating, staff quickly cleared the tables in preparation for the meeting. Most present had moved to the opposite side of the chamber in order to allow the castle staff room to expedite their tasks. Lady Shaylee, who had arrived somewhat late for breakfast, now stood with Lark, Elizabeth, Edric and Lord Warren, as they waited for the staff to finish up and move the tables into the arrangement that was used for meetings.
“Why so tardy?” Lord Warren asked his daughter. “Sleeping late?” he jested.
Lady Shaylee furled her brow and gave her father a look of displeasure. Edric and Lark glanced at each other as they cringed, both having been on the receiving end of similar looks from Shaylee. “I had messages to send to the village with Lady Grace and Lady Phoebe which could not wait until after breakfast,” she told him sharply.
“I was only kidding you daughter,” Lord Warren laughed, leaving Lark and Edric wondering how he had made himself immune to Shaylee’s normally paralyzing glares. “No one would ever think for a moment that you were shirking your duties.”
“How are thing progressing at the library?” Elizabeth inquired.
“Lady Grace, Lady Phoebe, and Lady Blossom are almost finished moving and organizing the books onto shelves in the library,” Lady Shaylee informed her.
“I’m surprised they’ve been able to get them organized so quickly.” Elizabeth knew just how many books that there were having seen them first hand stacked in the chambers and hallways of the castle’s second floor where they had sat for centuries after they had been gathered and sent to Castle North to form a “Great Library that would attract visitors from around the kingdom”. Unfortunately, Castle North had neither the staff nor the funds to create such a library and no one was interest in making the long journey to the kingdom’s most remote castle, so the books had been left to gather dust on the unused second floor of the castle. But things had now changed with the rejoining of the kingdoms. Now Castle North sat at the crossroads between the two kingdoms and had become an official royal residence for Princess Elizabeth and First Lord Edric.
“They had already done most of the sorting when they moved the books out of the castle, so organizing them onto shelves in the library has gone relatively quickly,” Shaylee explained.
“I’ll have to make it into the village soon to take a look for myself,” Elizabeth decided.
“I sent a message to Kathar telling him that we’d meet him at the library this afternoon,” Shaylee smiled at Elizabeth.
“Lady Ellen is signaling that her staff is finished and we can proceed with the meeting,” Lark directed their attention to the opposite end of the chamber where most of the staff was now disappearing through the staff entrance which lead into a passageway that ran parallel to the Great Hall, coming out in the rear of the castle where the kitchen and stairways leading down to the storage chambers were located.
All those attending the meeting now found a seat with Elizabeth, Edric and King Evan sitting at the center of the U shaped table arrangement. When everyone had settled in, Edric thanked them all for making time to attend the mornings meeting and then turned the meeting over to King Evan.
King Evan pushed back his chair in order to stand at his place at the bulky wooden table. He wore a sleeveless tunic, as it was late spring and the weather had now moderated considerably, with the High Castle royal family crest on the front. He was tall and lean, his face the idea of fairy beauty, much like his mother Lady Ellis. Elizabeth found him to be quiet and thoughtful with a perspective on life that could only have come from the centuries that he had lived, staying forever young through Ellis’s magic.
“After meeting with Prince Albert and Prince Percy, as well as corresponding with Lord Alberick and Lady Bretta at High Castle, it has been decided to hold the royal coronation at Gateway Castle in two weeks,” Evan announced. “Former King, Lord Alberick will not be able to attend due to his age and health, so I request that Princess Elizabeth perform the coronation.”
All eyes now turned to Elizabeth, who was genuinely surprised by the request. “King Evan, it would be an honor to perform your coronation,” “Elizabeth graciously accepted to the applause of those present.
“Thank you princess,” King Evan smile and nodded in her direction. “Invitations to the coronation ceremony and ball have gone out this morning to all of the Noble Lords in Kellmorgen and I would now like to invite all of our Elnaran neighbors present here today to come and represent the Fairy Kingdom at this most joyous event."
Everyone present applauded again as Edric now stood. “I think that I speak for all of the Elnarans present when I say that we will be happy to join you at Gateway Castle.” Edric then took his seat so that King Evan could continue.
“Now that I am King of Kellmorgen, I most fill the vacant post of Noble Lord of Gateway Castle,” Evan now announced. “Gateway Castle and Gateway Village will soon become an important center for travel and trade between the kingdoms, much like Castle and Village North. This being said, I need to consider possible candidates most carefully, so in the interim, Prince Albert has agreed to fill the position.”
Prince Albert waved his hand from where he sat to acknowledge his agreement. “I would also like to announce that Prince Percy will continue as Kellmorgen’s ambassador to Elnara,” Evan gestured to where Percy sat, the redheaded prince waving to those present. “Now I would like to discuss when we will open the border to travel between the kingdoms. I have received updated reports from Gateway Castle and High Castle, which are the two points of entry in Kellmorgen. They both report that the check-in posts, as well as the currency exchange posts, are ready to be opened. Both castles are ready to receive guests and Gateway Village and the Village of Kendoor, both have sufficient taverns and hostels for travelers.” King Evan took his seat and waited for the Elnarans to respond.
“If I may respond, Your Majesty,” Lord Warren raised his hand as he looked at his son.
“You may precede, Lord Warren,” Edric smiled at his father as he gave the formal response.
“Thank you,” Lord Warren now stood in order to better address those present. “We have received word from Seaside Castle that they are ready to open the port to visitors. Here at Castle North and Village North, we are also now ready for the opening of the border with a check-in station which will only close when snow and ice make travel to the village impossible at which point both sides of the mountain tunnel will close. We have a currency exchange post ready to open in the village and both the Wild Unicorn Tavern and the White Dragon Tavern are ready to take in visitors. We also have an area near the village set up as a camp ground.”
“And the Library should be ready to open shortly,” Elizabeth added.
“That is correct,” Lord Warren confirmed.
“Thank you, Lord Warren,” Edric nodded to Castle North’s Noble Lord, indicating that he could now retake his seat. “It would seem that we are also ready to open travel between the kingdoms,” Edric told King Evan.
“Then if I may make a suggestion,” King Evan remained seated as he spoke, “Perhaps we should have an opening ceremony the day following my coronation ball. We could send word to High Castle and Seaside Castle, apprising them of the official date and time so that they could have some sort of ceremony at the two ports for the opening.”
“It’s perfect!” Elizabeth exclaimed. “Plus it will symbolize our continued alliance if we open the borders together after your coronation.” “What do you think?” she now turned to Edric.
“I think that a ceremony for opening the border will make for a wonderful first Royal Proclamation opportunity,” Edric had no doubt that Evan had thoroughly thought the matter through.
“Yes it will,” Evan saw no reason to deny it.
“Then let’s set the date and send word to Seaside Castle and High Castle and start spreading the news that the border will be opening shortly,” Edric announced to the applause of all of those present.
“Anything else?” Edric now opened up the meeting to other matters.
“I’ve received reports of dragons on the Kellmorgen side of the mountains,” Lord Wolcott spoke up. “It’s only a matter of time until some adventurous lads go dragon hunting. If anyone where to be successful, they would find a ready market for the hide and meat, but what about the teeth? Kellmorgs are aware that they are valuable to fairies.”
“The Elnaran royal family will purchase any dragon teeth, excepting of course brown and green dragon teeth which contain no catalyst,” Edric told the Kellmorgs present. “Dragon teeth may be sold to any Village Elder as they are considered representatives of the royal family or they may be brought directly to any castle where the Chief Armsmen or Noble Lord will be happy to purchase the teeth for the royal family. There are set prices for the teeth which we can provide if you like, but I hate to encourage dragon hunting to anyone who is not familiar with them.”
“Even without the price for the teeth, the money they could get for the hides will be enough to encourage some.” Lord Wolcott knew that many had suffered during the war and would jump at any opportunity to make money, even if it were highly dangerous.
“Elnaran law prohibits anyone except the royal family from possessing dragon teeth,” Lark spoke up. “All dragon teeth must be sold to the royal family.”
“Yes, but we cannot dictate what the Kellmorgs do with the teeth that they obtain on their side of the mountains,” Edric reminded Lark.
“I can’t imagine anyone hunting dragons for any other reason than to sell the hide, meat and teeth,” King Evan decided. “I do however think that it is worth considering if we need law pertaining to dragon hunting and the disposal of dragon teeth.”
“I agree,” came from Lord Wolcott and Lord Braddock, as well as Prince Percy and Prince Albert.
“We will make it a priority,” King Evan promised Edric and Elizabeth.
“Thank you,” Edric nodded at his counterpart. “Anything else?” Edric looked about the tables to see if anyone wished to present another topic for discussion, but no one spoke up. “I think that we all have a great deal of work to do over the next couple of weeks, so let’s get to it.”
The sound of chairs scrapping the floor signaled the departure of those at the meeting. King Evan turned to Elizabeth and Edric who were still seated, “Princess, would you have a moment to speak with me in private?”
“Let me check with Lady Shaylee,” Elizabeth told him, not wanting to disrupt the schedule that Shaylee had planned. Elizabeth waved her hand until she caught Shaylee’s eye, Shaylee hurrying over to see what Elizabeth needed.
“What is it, princess?” Shaylee asked as she glared at her brother as if he must have caused some sort of problem.
“Do I have time for a short meeting with King Evan?” Elizabeth asked in a tone that Shaylee knew meant that Elizabeth wished to have the meeting. The pair of females had come up with several subtle tones to privately signal their wishes to the other without offending the other party present.
“Yes, I believe that you could squeeze in a short meeting,” Shaylee confirmed. “May I suggest the sitting chamber in the front hallway? I’ll go on ahead to make sure that it is vacant.”
“Thank you Lady Shaylee, we’ll be right along,” Elizabeth smiled.
“I’m going to meet with my father and Lark,” Edric informed Elizabeth. “Why don’t I catch up with you at the library?” He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and headed away from the tables toward the doorway leading to a private chamber off of the Grand Chamber where he knew that Lord Warren and Lark would be waiting for him.
***
Elizabeth and Evan walked down the hallway, past the entrance to the Great Hall, until they reached the doorway to a small sitting chamber where they found Lady Shaylee waiting for them.
“The chamber is all yours,” Shaylee informed them. “I asked Lord Delmont to send an armsmen to stand outside the doorway to ensure your privacy. I’ll stay until he arrives.”
“Thank you Shaylee,” Elizabeth appreciated Shaylee’s efficiency. “Where can I find you when we’ve finished?”
“I’ll be in your chambers,” She told Elizabeth. “I have some correspondences to go over.”
“Shall we?” Elizabeth gestured to King Evan to proceed into the chamber, closing the door behind them with Shaylee standing watch.
The chamber was a cozy sitting room with a small fireplace with two small, stuffed sofas facing each other with a low table between them for refreshments. There were several stuffed chairs against the walls. The walls were covered with depictions of all the Elnaran castles. Elizabeth smiled as she and Evan settled themselves into the opposite coaches. She knew that this chamber was modeled after a chamber at Dragon Castle, as was much of Castle North. The castle had at one time been remodeled to resemble the royal residence so that visitors crossing the border, back before the kingdoms were separated, could experience Elnara’s landmark castle without having to make the long journey.
“Isn’t there a chamber similar to this on at Dragon Castle?” King Evan asked after looking around the room. He had visited Dragon Castle for Elizabeth and Edric’s wedding.
“Yes, there is.” Not much got past King Evan’s astute observation Elizabeth realized. “So what did you wish to speak with me about?”
“Now that I am king, I find that I have need of a personal secretary,” Evan told her. “I need someone who is apprised of current events and is comfortable around me.” Evan was painfully aware that many Kellmorgs still had trouble getting past the fact that he looked identical to the Dragon Lord, Lady Ellis having created the Dragon Lord in her son’s image.
“That could be a difficult post to fill.” Elizabeth was ever thankful for Lady Shaylee’s skillful handling of her post as Elizabeth’s personal secretary.
“I agree,” King Evan shifted his position on the sofa. “Until I find someone to permanently fill the post, I would like to borrow one of your staff.”
“You can’t have Lady Shaylee,” Elizabeth immediately replied. As much as she wished to help, she couldn’t give up her secretary.
“No, I would never think of asking that of you,” Evan assured her. “I would like to borrow Lady Phoebe.”
“Lady Phoebe?” Elizabeth was surprised by his request.
“She’s up to date on all events. She knows Gateway Castle, having served there under the Dragon Lord. Also, she is quite comfortable around me,” Evan explained. “Plus, as much as I hate to admit it, my mother is right, I need to start thinking about marriage and Lady Phoebe knows all the Kellmorgen Noble families and could be very helpful in pointing me in the right direction.”
“So you’re planning on marrying human?” Elizabeth had wondered what Evan would decide. He was completely fairy in appearance, taking after his mother Lady Ellis, even though he was half human.
“If I had remained a prince of Kellmorgen, I might have considered a fairy marriage,” Evan told her, “but now that I am king, I think it best to select a bride from one of the Kellmorgen Noble families.”
“Of course,” Elizabeth nodded in agreement with his decision. “Let me speak with Lady Phoebe about the temporary position as your secretary. If she is agreeable, I have no problem with releasing her from her duties on my staff to help you out until you can find a permanent secretary.”
“You are as generous as always,” Evan smiled at her.
“How are you finding your new role as king?” Elizabeth knew personally how much went into running a kingdom.
“I’ve barely scratched the surface of all the problems in Kellmorgen,” he told her, a serious look overtaking his handsome features. “Bringing the kingdom back from centuries of war is going to take some time. But the excitement of a royal coronation and the opening of the border, with the prospect of new trade, will hopefully boost morale.”
“I would think that finally being at peace would be enough to keep spirits high,” Elizabeth imagined.
“I have no doubt that every Kellmorg is still thankful every day that the Dragon Lord is gone and with him the war,” Evan told her. “I know that they are all excited to be rejoined with the fairy kingdom and cannot wait to visit and trade with their new neighbor. But, there is much rebuilding to be done and many families are suffering due to the loss of a father or husband.”
“In time you will restore the kingdom,” Elizabeth reached across the table and placed her hand atop of Evan’s. She could see how much he sincerely cared about the kingdom and it inhabitants. She was certain that he would be a great king.
***
Elizabeth entered her chambers to find Shaylee busy at the desk set against the wall in the far corner of the sitting chamber, her back to the doorway.
“What did King Evan want?” Shaylee asked without turning around.
“How did you know it was me?” Elizabeth was certain that Shaylee hadn’t lifted her head from the papers on the desk.
“You’re the only one who would walk passed me without announcing who you are and why you were here?” she replied as she now turned around in her chair to face Elizabeth.
“Is everyone in the castle really that scared of you?” Elizabeth knew that Shaylee had a reputation for having the disposition of a red dragon, soaring majestically one moment and then breathing fire on you the next.
“Yes,” Shaylee smiled satisfactorily. “Well, maybe not Lady Ellen,” she decided after giving it a moment’s thought. “So, what did King Evan want?”
“He wants to borrow Lady Phoebe,” Elizabeth informed her.
“Borrow her for what?” Shaylee waited intently for the answer.
“He wishes to borrow her to be his personal secretary until he can fill the position,” Elizabeth put to rest whatever thoughts were racing through Shaylee’s mind.
“I still have to replace Magda, now you expect me to replace Lady Phoebe as well?” Shaylee hadn’t even come up with any candidates yet for the one position.
“You don’t have to replace Lady Phoebe,” Elizabeth told her as she headed into her bed chamber, “he only wishes to borrow her for a short time. With the coronation and ball coming up and then the opening of the border, he just needs some help.”
“After the opening of the border, I’m going to request that he send her back,” Shaylee informed Elizabeth.
“He wants her assistance in finding a bride amongst the Kellmorgen Noble families,” Elizabeth decided to tell Shaylee. “Lady Phoebe knows all the eligible females and can help him find one that suits him.”
“I’m surprised that Lady Ellis doesn’t have one all picked out for him,” Shaylee chuckled. She and Elizabeth both knew that no matter how reformed Lady Ellis was, she wasn’t going to be able to resist helping her son pick out his future wife and Kellmorgen’s future queen.
“I think that Evan wants to avoid his mother’s help,” Elizabeth walked back into the sitting chamber as she waited for Lady Milley to come and help her change for the outing into the village.
“When are you going to open that chest?” Shaylee abruptly changed the subject, pointing to the ancient chest that the miners had hoisted out of the cave in the mountains, the cave where they had earlier discovered the skull of a gold dragon. The chest had the same old Elnaran writing on it that had been on the stone sarcophagus at Dragon Hill. They had discovered the Dragon Sword, along with the body of Elnara’s first queen in the sarcophagus. The writing on the sarcophagus had been a prophecy about the one whose name would appear on the sword being the one who would rejoin the kingdoms. The sword had Elizabeth’s name on it and she had rejoined the kingdoms, not just Elnara with Kellmorgen, but also Moondylla with Marmorgen. The chest was a mystery. Lord Avery had used his unique language talent to decipher the symbols on the chest. They had translated to say that the chest could only be opened by she who wields the Dragon Sword.
“We’ll open it soon,” Elizabeth knew that eventually she would have to find out what the chest contained. “Edric and I just wanted a little peace and quiet before some new mystery reared its dragon head.”
Shaylee nodded in understanding just as Lady Milley entered the chamber. “Where have you been?” Shaylee asked with a somewhat demanding tone.
Lady Milley glared at Shaylee as she walked past her carrying Elizabeth’s riding cloths, disappearing into the bedchamber.
“Oh, she’s really afraid of you,” Elizabeth laughed as she followed Lady Milley into the bedchamber.
***
After a pleasant ride into the village, the armsmen accompanying Elizabeth and Shaylee took their unicorns to the village stable while the two females made their way to the library. The library was an impressive two story stone structure on the northwestern corner of the village, next to the site where construction had already begun on the village’s third tavern. The entrance to the library had heavy wooden double doors which were open at the moment for the workers moving in and out of the building. Elizabeth and Shaylee entered and looked about to see if they could spot Kathar, Village North’s Elder. The library looked nearly finished. It had wide planked dark wooden floors, with windows set high all the way around the building to let in a maximum amount of light. Half the library was covered in shelves which were nearly full, while the other half had stuffed chairs and sofas for reading near a large stone fireplace, along with tables and chairs for studying. In the center of the library was a large wooden desk and chair for the librarian.
“I don’t see Kathar anywhere,” Elizabeth told Shaylee after scanning the inside of the library once again.
“I do see Lady Phoebe and Lady Grace over there with Lady Blossom,” Shaylee pointed in the direction of the ladies and began to walk in their direction, Elizabeth close behind her.
“Your Majesty!” The three ladies stopped their tasks to bow to their princess.
“Kathar was to meet us here,” Elizabeth told them.
“Then I’m sure that he will be here shortly,” Lady Blossom guessed. Lady Blossom was the daughter of Lord Elden, Noble Lord of Riverside Castle. With Elizabeth’s intervention, Lady Blossom had married Ithean, an elf, and her long lost love. He had been sent away from Riverside Village to keep him and Lady Blossom apart. After spending some time at Lakeland Village, he had ended up the school teacher in Village North.
“While we’re waiting, I need to speak with Lady Phoebe,” Elizabeth looked at the human female. Elizabeth had met Lady Phoebe when she had gone through the enchanted mirror and had ended up in the other existence where Kellmorgen had gone when Lady Ellis torn the kingdoms apart to prevent a war. Lady Phoebe was serving at the Dragon Lord’s castle as a spy for her uncle, Lord Wolcott, who was himself serving the Dragon Lord while working with the Kellmorgen royal family against the Dragon Lord and his forces. She had been of invaluable assistance to Elizabeth, and Elizabeth had been thrilled when Lady Shaylee had suggested making her part of Elizabeth’s staff. “Let’s talk over there,” Elizabeth pointed to the other side of the library.
The pair walked across the floor and Elizabeth gestured for Lady Phoebe to take a seat next to her in one of the new stuffed chairs near the stone fireplace. “I had a conversation with King Evan this morning and he had a request involving you,” Elizabeth told her lady.
“Really?” Lady Phoebe looked quite anxious to hear King Evan’s request. She had spent a good deal of time with Evan and found him to be excellent company. He was funny, smart and sensible. He had endless stories of his and Lady Ellis’s adventures during the centuries that they lived in human form in Kellmorgen. She had enjoyed being his partner at many functions, but she understood that it was because he had few friends and knew almost no single females at this point. She also knew that he had to be careful as a prince and now especially as king, who he showed an interest in. No one would mistake having her on his arm for anything but convenience.
“He desperately needs a personal secretary and has requested that I release you from your duties on my staff to be his temporary secretary until he can find someone suitable to fill the position,” Elizabeth informed her. “I told him that he could borrow you if you were agreeable. The decision is yours.”
Lady Phoebe didn’t hesitate with her answer. “I would be very happy to help King Evan.”
“It’s been decided that his coronation will take place at Gateway Castle in two weeks, so there will be a lot of work to do,” Elizabeth warned the girl, although she doubted that would be a deterrent to the hard working human.
“I don’t mind the work,” Lady Phoebe looked happy at the prospect of her new situation.
“All the noble families of Kellmorgen will be attending the coronation and ball. King Evan feels that it will be a good opportunity to select a possible candidate to be his bride,” Elizabeth informed her. “He’s hoping that you could help point him in the right direction.”
Lady Phoebe started to laugh. “I don’t know how much the noble families will appreciate the king listening to my input.”
“Why is that?” Elizabeth had no idea what Lady Phoebe meant.
“I’m a bit of a social outcast,” Lady Phoebe’s face became quite serious.
“And why is that?” Elizabeth couldn’t imagine why the hardworking, intelligent niece of Lord Wolcott would be any kind of an outcast.
“It happened while I was serving the Dragon Lord,” Lady Phoebe began to explain as she looked about to make sure that no one was within hearing distance. “Lord Griffin had done something to make the Dragon Lord angry at him.”
“Lord Braddock’s son,” Elizabeth remembered the unpleasant, arrogant young man.
“Yes,” Lady Phoebe confirmed. “The Dragon Lord called all of his lords to a formal banquet that week, including Lord Braddock and Lord Wolcott. During the banquet he called Lord Griffin and me forward. He announced that he thought a marriage between Lord Griffin and myself would be a perfect way to unite his two commanders. He asked Lord Griffin if he agreed to be betrothed to me. Of course Lord Griffin was not about to refuse. The Dragon Lord then asked me if I agreed to become betrothed to Lord Griffin. I knew that the Dragon Lord meant the betrothal to be a punishment to Lord Griffin for whatever he had done to anger him. Make him marry the plain niece of Lord Wolcott that no one ever gave a second look at. I wasn’t about to be made a joke, so I looked right at the Dragon Lord and told him no. He glared at me and asked me, “What did you say?” So I glared back at him and told him no and then turned around and walked out of the Great Hall.”
“I wish I’d seen that,” Elizabeth knew that Lady Phoebe had courage, but hadn’t realized the extent of the girl’s spirit.
“Refusing such a betrothal is considered a great insult. Not just to the noble family involved but to all of the noble families,” Lady Phoebe told Elizabeth. “Because of it, I will never be offered another betrothal and the members of the noble families see me as an outcast. That’s part of the reason that I love serving you in Elnara. No one here knows or I suspect would care about such things.”
“I’m so sorry that you were put in that situation,” Elizabeth sympathized. “How did your uncle and Lord Braddock react?”
“My uncle came to me that night and told me how very proud he was of me,” Lady Phoebe smiled at the memory. “As for Lord Braddock, he’s never been anything but pleasant to me and I could swear as I stormed out of the banquet hall that night, I saw a hint of a smile on his face.”
“I know that Lord Braddock has not been happy with his son’s behavior,” Elizabeth had a brief conversation with the Kellmorgen lord about Lord Griffin. “He’s hoping that being back at Meadowbrook Castle will do him some good.”
“Should I tell King Evan about my social situation?” Lady Phoebe looked at Elizabeth for advice.
“I think that you should,” Elizabeth decided. “I don’t think that it will make a bit of difference to King Evan.”
Lady Phoebe nodded, a smile on her face. She too didn’t think that King Evan would care, but she felt that he needed to hear it from her, rather than from some meddling member of one the noble families.
“Why don’t you report to King Evan when you get back to the castle and see when he would like you to start,” Elizabeth stood up and held out her hand to Lady Phoebe, the girl accepting it and standing up, both now walking back to where Lady Grace and Lady Blossom stood talking with Lady Shaylee.
“Here comes Kathar now,” Shaylee pointed to the library entrance just as Elizabeth and Lady Phoebe reached her and the others.
The elf spotted Elizabeth and her group of ladies and hurried over to their position. “Sorry you had to wait princess,” Kathar bowed. “I was helping Myrad with the baby.”
“How is your daughter?” Elizabeth asked knowing that Kathar loved nothing better these days than to talk about his and Myrad’s first child.
“She’s doing very well, thank you. She was smiling at me while I was holding her, so I hated to put her down,” Kathar confessed.
“I don’t blame you,” Elizabeth smiled. She had been friends with the young Village Elder and his wife since her first visit to Village North. Both were as kind and caring as they were talented and attractive. “The library looks as if it’s almost ready to open.”
“Yes, I wanted to discuss the official opening with you and also talk to you about whom to appoint as librarian,” Kathar told Elizabeth.
“Lord Edric is going to meet me here, so why don’t we have a seat and talk,” Elizabeth gestured back to the area across the library where she and Lady Phoebe had just held their discussion. “Lady Shaylee, why don’t you join us,” Elizabeth turned to Shaylee.
The three walked across the floor, leaving Lady Grace, Lady Blossom and Lady Phoebe to finish up their task of organizing the remaining books onto the shelves. Once they had settled into their seats, Kathar leaned forward to start the discussion.
“As you can see, the library is finished,” Kathar looked around approvingly. “I was hoping that you and Lord Edric could officially open the library for use.”
“I don’t see why not,” Elizabeth glanced at Shaylee, not wanting to commit without giving some mindfulness to what Shaylee had scheduled for her.
“Of course I can’t speak for my brother,” Shaylee began.
“Oh really? Since when?” a voice interrupted as Shaylee and Elizabeth turned to see Edric approaching. Kathar stood and bowed with Edric quickly gesturing for him to take his seat. He gave Elizabeth a quick kiss on the head and then plopped himself into the stuffed chair next to Kathar. “What did I miss?”
“We were discussing the possibility of you and Princess Elizabeth coming to the village for the official opening of the library,” Kathar told Edric.
“Sounds wonderful,” Edric smiled. “I’m sure I can come whenever my sister has an opening in the princess’s schedule.”
Shaylee resisted giving her brother a glare in front of the Village Elder. “How about in two days,” Shaylee suggested.
“Wonderful,” Kathar was excited to have the royal pair open the new library. “Now there is the matter of appointing a librarian.”
“Do you have any thoughts on the subject,” Edric was sure that he did.
“As the new library will be the most prestigious in the kingdom and will attract both fairy and elf scholars, as well as visitors from the Kingdom of Kellmorgen, I think that the librarian should be a fairy,” Kathar explained.
“Do you have someone in mind,” Elizabeth wondered.
“I do,” Kathar told them. “She is intimately familiar with the book collection, the new library, and the village.”
“Lady Blossom,” Elizabeth was sure that was who Kathar had in mind.
“Yes, Lady Blossom,” Kathar knew that Lady Blossom was part of Elizabeth’s staff, but he felt that she was the perfect candidate as she was from a noble family, married to an elf, and she lived in the village.
“Makes sense,” Edric decided. “She lives in the village so she won’t have to travel back and forth from the castle.”
“Of course she can have additional staff to help, but I can’t think of anyone else who would be better for the role of librarian.” Kathar hoped that Elizabeth agreed.
Elizabeth smiled, “I agree. I think Lady Blossom would make a marvelous librarian. I’ll talk to her about it later today, but I’m sure that she will agree. It will be nice for her duties to keep her closer to home.” Elizabeth turned to Shaylee, “Don’t you agree?” She knew that Shaylee would not be happy at the prospect of having to find a replacement for yet another of Elizabeth’s staff.
“I think Lady Blossom is a fine choice. She’s comfortable with both fairies and elves, plus she’s one of the hardest workers I’ve ever known,” Shaylee’s reply surprised Elizabeth as they both looked across the way at the subject in question.
“Then it’s settled,” Elizabeth looked at Kathar. “Now I have a favor to ask of you.”
“Anything Your Majesty,” Kathar told her sincerely.
“King Evan’s coronation will be in two weeks and I was hoping that you could make a crown, something that will embody the new beginning that he brings to the Kingdom of Kellmorgen.” Elizabeth looked at Kathar, hoping that she wasn’t asking too much of Village North’s jeweler.
“It would be an honor,” Kathar was truly overwhelmed by Elizabeth’s confidence in his work. “I’ll go start on sketching some design ideas right away. Perhaps I could come by the castle later with them. I’ll stop by the Gem Works and see what they have available.”
“Spare no expense,” Elizabeth told him. “This will be Elnara’s gift to the new king.”
“It will be my best work yet,” Kathar promised as he stood up and bowed before hurrying out of the building, his head full of possible ideas for his new project.
“What would you like to do now?” Edric asked his beloved.
“How about lunch at the Wild Unicorn?” Elizabeth was hungry so she knew that Edric must be famished.
“You read my mind,” Edric chuckled and then looked at her seriously, “You didn’t actually read my mind did you?”
“Stop it!” Elizabeth laughed and then reached over and gave him a playful swat when she saw that he had been kidding with her.
“I thought that I’d take the armsmen and head back up to the castle,” Shaylee told the pair as she stood up.
“Alright,” Elizabeth nodded in agreement. “We’ll be back before dark.” As Shaylee started to leave, Elizabeth called her back. “Tell Lady Ellis that I’d like to speak with her in private before dinner.”
Shaylee nodded, deciding to wait until later to find out what prompted Elizabeth’s request.