"Well," said Lord Khoras, "that was interesting."
"Indeed," agreed the Queen. "What do you think of all this, Thalon?"
"All but one of the players I didn't see," Thalon replied. "I am also surprised by some of them."
"As were we all," agreed his mother.
"Most particularly Jhenna," added Khoras, "indeed the fact the Wild Elves have involved themselves at all is a great surprise."
"Not to mention Prince Thalon being Second Heir to another kingdom," remarked Princess Orlana, "as well as First Heir to this one, how does that affect us politically?"
"One can only presume that Prince Thalon's father would prefer his full-blood children to inherit first," said the Queen. It was unusual for the council to mention her son's parentage, even though they all knew about it from the day he was born.
"I can't imagine that young female, Jhenna, ruling a kingdom when she can't even complete our basic education," said Tarla haughtily.
"Her brother looked to be in excellent health," remarked Lord Khoras, "and for all we know he is wed, with a dozen children. In any case there is no point to this speculation as Prince Thalon has not actually been invited to be an Heir to Wild Kingdom. To be blunt, we do not even know if he will return from this Quest he has been Chosen for."
"It is my choice, and mine alone. I have made a promise and I plan to keep it."
"I hope it involves you assuming your proper duties upon your return," suggested his Great-Aunt sarcastically. "You have managed to avoid them for far too long."
"I really do not think it is your place to criticise my son, Aunt Orlana," said the Queen.
"And I would not have to if you did!
For instance, if the Prince is so opposed to the idea of ruling the kingdom, why did noone suggest that he marry and produce an Heir of his own?"
"That is a reasonable suggestion, Princess," agreed Khoras. "And we had not yet made it, for the simple reason, that we believed Prince Thalon would come to accept his responsibilities."
"Clearly he has not," pointed out Orlana. "Therefore, we as the Royal Council should do something about it."
"What do you propose to 'do about it', Aunt?" asked the Queen.
"An arranged marriage is usually acceptable in such circumstances."
"Which circumstances do you mean, Grandmother?" asked Princess Tarla.
"Prince Thalon's neglect of his royal duties, the lack of a direct heir - who is committed to the kingdom."
"The child I am carrying," protested Leadrya.
"Is not yet safely born," interjected Orlana. "Though I wish you no ill, neice, it is a possibility that or both of you could die in the birth, and we must have a willing Heir!"
"Perhaps," suggested Lady Kaila, "we should let my nephew speak for himself?"
"Yes" agreed Khoras, "what do you have to say to all this, Prince Thalon?"
"I plan to remain Heir until my sister is old enough to accept the responsibility. As for a marriage, it is not for me to say what the future will bring," replied Thalon with a mysterious smile.
"I find your attitude highly inappropriate, Prince Thalon! Honestly, Leadrya are you certain this child is yours?"
"Orlana!" said the Queen, finally losing patience with her aunt. "I am Queeen here, and I say there is no need for my son to marry. Even in the worst circumstances, there are still three Heirs of our bloodline, yourself being the first of them!"
"The Queen has spoken, it will be so," the chastened Princess replied formally. "Now, let us speak of this Quest."
"It is a historical alliance of races," remarked Lady Thela.
"You leave in a month, my son, will you be ready?"
"I will be ready," said Thalon, looking at Orlana he added, "please explain what you meant when you said my attitude was 'highly inappropriate'?"
"Princess Orlana, you may explain your comment to my son," said the Queen, hoping the words would sink in this time, she couldn't help but agree with some of the things Orlana was saying.
"You, Prince Thalon, are ungrateful, irresponsible and ignorant. You do not apprciate the freedoms you have been granted. We could have made you live here in the main city, we could have scheduled every moment of your time and decided what you would do in it, we could have arranged a marriage for you. We have done none of those things and you have refused to fulfill your responsibilities as Prince of this Kingdom. The fact that your mother is now with child is irrelevant, you have never accepted that you would be King!"
"When you put it like that Grandmother, it is a good point," agreed Princess Tarla. "I spend more time in the Courts and tending to the business of the kingdom, and I'm only fourth Heir, not First!"
"I have spent my life as an Heir, and I have always planned to more as you all say I should. But my will is not my own, anymore, and it will not be until I return."
"You are a smooth tongued young man nephew, and I for one will be glad when you are not the only Heir, though I still think a suitable marriage should be arranged."
"If I may say so," interjected Lord Khoras. "I think there is someone here far more interested in Marriage than my grandson, or perhaps Princess Tarla was merely intrigued by Prince Calin's unusual appearance?"
"Lord Khoras!" protested Tarla. "What a thing to suggest!"
"I saw the way you were eying him Princess, and he seemed just as interested."
"Even if I were considereing such a thng, which I would not on such short acquaintence!, his mother would never allow it."
"Unsettled times are upon us Princess, who knows what the future will bring?"
"Is there any other business?" interupted the Queen who was beginning to get a headache.
"No council business, but I would like to speak to you alone when we are done, Mother."
"Good day to you, daughter," said Khoras, standing up along with Thela and Kaila.
"Zella, Tarla, come along," ordered Orlana, leading her daughter and granddaughter away.
"I'll leave you as well," said Dellan. "I can see that Thalon would like to speak to you alone."
"Well, we're alone, what did you wnat to talk to me about?" asked Leadrya, who had a fairly good idea what he was going to say.
"I was thinking that it sounds like Princess Corinna would like an alliance with us, when she becomes Queen, and my Aunt wishes for me to marry, does she not?"
"I don't think that's quite what Orlana had in mind."
Leadrya laughed merrily at the thought of her aunts reaction to such an idea.
"True, but it would help us build a strong alliance with them."
"Unless you are in a great hurry to marry, I suggest we leave such ideas until you return."
"I agree, it should wait. One last thing, would you ask Aunt Orlana to not try and rule my life?"
"Like talking to a rock, but less productive," observed Leadrya, "but I will try my best."
"Thank you, Mother, now if you'll excuse me you don't look well and I have work to do."
The Queen nodded and watched Thalon leave, Dellan reentered the room.
"How are you feeling?"
"Terrible," admitted Leadrya, "worried, ill."
"Do you need a healer?"
"No, it's not that serious, just morning sickness."
"All the time?"
Leadrya laughed at his sceptical expression.
"The healer says it's normal when you haven't had a child for a while, it was the same with Thalon."
"I'll trust that you know then. What do you really think of all this?"
"I'm worried, such a fragile alliance, a diverse group of people - most of them used to leading others, it looks like a disaster waiting to happen!"
"That I agree with, but they wouldn't have been Chosen if they were not suitable."
"I think you are right."