Conversation of Monarchs

     The room in Tara-Nar was dominated by a central fire pit, edged with pale sandstone that took on a golden color when the fire was lit. Dark jade edged the furthest part of the pit, blended in such a way to make the Gwydion colors when orange and red flames danced in the center. Massive oak chairs were grouped about the pit, upholstered with dark green velvet, and resting in two of them were two of the more powerful men of changeling society.

     "I will not agree to that part," one said, brushing back his pale gold hair. Black eyes glinted as he shifted his weight, and his hand unconsciously strayed to the embroidered gold sun on his heavy black wool. His thin lips tightened when he looked at the man seated across from him. Thin fingers toyed with the heavy tankard resting on his knee.

     "Just because you have a prejudice against the sluagh doesn’t mean they cannot be useful," the other man replied. His wheat gold hair was brushed back past his shoulders, and when he spoke, he toyed with his mustache. Deep green eyes narrowed as he examined the face of his companion, and he squared his broad shoulders with a jerking motion. "I have used them myself, on occasion."

     Varich, the High Lord of his house, sighed quietly. "I’m aware of their potential usefulness. However, sluagh betrayed me, and as such, no member of my house will have them in their court."

     The High King of Concordia, David Ardry, grumbled. "So you’re going to punish her for what happened to you centuries ago?"

     "Who said it was punishment?" asked Varich. "I just don’t want her to suffer from a sluagh’s machinations, that’s all."

     "As in, you don’t want to have to look at a sluagh while visiting your Concordia kingdom, is that it?" David frowned, toying with a small white silk pouch he’d been holding in his hand the whole time. "That’s no reason to deny a kith safe haven in your domains. I loathe redcaps, and yet they have the right to safe haven, as any other fae does."

     Varich’s eyes narrowed. "What the hell is in that damn bag? You haven’t stopped playing with it the whole time."

     He held it up, turning the small pouch in his fingers. "Something I didn’t expect to find here at Tara-Nar."

     The Russian fae rolled his eyes. "And that would be?"

     David opened the small pouch and let the necklace within slide into his palm. The silver chain gleamed softly in the firelight, and the crystal drop which dangled from the chain sparkled in such a way to seem soft. Varich’s eyes narrowed as he looked at it, leaning forward. "Isn’t that…?"

     The king nodded. "It is. Dia’s necklace. I found it in the rooms she once occupied while she visited here. I…I’m not sure what to do with it. I suppose I should give it to Iris, but I don’t know what Jonas would say about that."

     Varich shrugged, his eyes on the shining thing. "Neither do I. I haven’t thought about Jonas in a while, to be honest. I’ve been thinking about how to help Honoria make this transition."

     David ran the chain through his fingers, fiddling with the pendant. "I think about Iris often, and how to protect her. This kingdom could be the best thing in the world for her. Honoria can make her own decrees regarding her, and she can protect Iris better than any of us can."

     "Perhaps. People will be what people will be," Varich said. He took a swig from the tankard, and sighed heavily. "And this may be the biggest mistake I’ve ever made, encouraging this."

     "Perhaps," David agreed. "But this way, it gives Brandenburg autonomy, and Luther and Marius can do as they like." He frowned at the necklace. "I know I’ll never be able to keep myself entirely out of their affairs, but maybe this would help."

     "Do you think she’ll do alright?" Varich’s eyes were speculative as he looked into the fire. "I don’t know her as well as some, but I feel some reluctance here. It seems almost like putting a mustang into parade trappings and demanding it know the tricks of a trained stallion."

     "One, that is the weirdest allusion I’ve ever heard. Two, she understood what I told her."

     "And that was?"

     David sighed. "I reminded her of what Jonas has given up for her welfare, and simply mentioned that sometimes we cannot have what we want for the greater welfare of those we love." He frowned here. "Not that I know if she truly loves anyone, but it worked well enough." The king ran a hand through his hair. "I hope she doesn’t think that was manipulation."

     "It was," Varich said flatly.

<font style="B

ACKGROUND-COLOR: #000000″ face=”Palatino Linotype” color=”#00ccff” size=”2″>     "Yes, but it wasn’t anything outside of what anyone else in that city tells her," David pointed out, fiddling with the necklace.

     Varich looked at him calmly, his eyes cool. "I’m sure everyone in the city would see it that way. What did she say to that?"

     "She didn’t. She just agreed that I was right," David muttered. He held the crystal teardrop up, watching the firelight play through it.

     "You do know that we of the Varich house can feel love, right? That we simply cannot oath our love?"

     David nodded. "I’m aware of that, Varich. Honoria is just a…special case."

     The High Lord sighed heavily, ignoring that for the time being. "We go to Brandenburg at the end of the week?"

     "Yes. The coronation gifts are already crated up for transport, and we’re heading out one day after they’re shipped." David sighed quietly. "And then we crown your queen."

     They both sat in silence, contemplating that, and eyed each other with speculative glances. David slid the necklace back into the pouch, closing the drawstring with slow hands. Varich fingered the tankard on his knee, and neither spoke. Their thoughts were days ahead, and running on parallel lines, but following different aspects. Varich sighed deeply, and adjusted himself.

     "Well…it’ll be interesting," he said finally.

     David smiled humorlessly. "Yeah. You could say that again."