"Erm... Adam?" Erik guessed at the name with a grimice.

The wood elf turned from the carving he was making to look up at the high demon.  "Yes?"

Erik hesitated a moment. "I have... what may seem an odd and rather awkward request..."

"Well, out with it, man," Adam said, putting the carving aside.  "can't help you until you tell me what it is."

Erik sighed slightly. "Nikita wishes a new colar," he explained simply.

Adam stilled.  "I don't condone slavery," he said, voice soft.

"Nikita is not a slave!" Erik exclaimed, voice passionate.

"Then why the need for a collar?"

Erik gave a sigh, running a hand through his bangs. "In my former realm, it was needed to mark him as mine, so no other would touch him. While I know there is no longer a need...." he trailed off, shaking his head.  "It is what he wishes for..." he shrugged.

With a still disapproving frown, Adam considered.  "Let's talk to Astor.  I'm sure he has something that will fit."

Erik gave a releaved sigh. "That would be the elf, correct? I apologize, I was not formaly introduced, so I have been trying to infer names from interaction," he explained, then hesitated again. "Pardon my ignorange, but... he is not high elf, is he?"

Adam snorted.  "Astor?"  He paused.  "Not that he acts like a moon elf either, mind you...."

Erik gave a small smile. "Alas, my former realm was inhabited by idoits who cared not to learn of other races, so my own knowlage is severly limited," he appologized again. "My Nikita is partialy of high elven blood and was taught that elves are dispisable creatures who bring naught but distruction." He made a face to show his opinion of that beleif before continuing. "He tends to be frightened of those who share his bloodline."

Adam raised a brow.  "He was raised by demons to think that ELVES brought destruction?  The High don't like halfbreeds," he added with a small scowl, "but they don't speak for all."

Erik gave a small shrug. "High demons tend to think themselves superior because of the amout of muscle in their brains. My Nikita is graced by his mixed blood. It allows him to overcome the weakness of the low demon blood while still retaining the more useful traits." He gave a fond smile.

Adam made a face that still had some distaste in it.  "Let's just find Astor," he said, rising.  He stood a moment, eyes closed, then started walking.  "Astor, m'love," he called, catching sight of the moon elf.  He reached him and caught his hands, kissing his fingertips.  "We've a request to make o'ya."

Astor smiled. "Both of you?" His eyes sparked. "My dear Adam, I had no idea you were so willing to share," he winked before giving a small light laugh.

Adam laughed and looked Erik up and down, noting the demon's uncomfortable and slighly warry and repulsed expression.  "Perhaps," he said, "But not just now.  Our Kar needs something that I think you can provide."  He squeezed the moon elf's hands lightly.

"Mmmmm, and what would that be?" Astor purred slightly.

"Nothing as interesting as I have need of you for," Adam said with a smile, stroking Astor's face lightly.  "But his young friend needs a token.  Erik mentioned it and I thought o'ya.  Surely y'can find somethin' for him."

Astor smiled. "I believe I have a peice that will work nicely," he winked at Erik before retreating into his room a moment.

Erik grimiced slightly. "I had no idea that elves were... so open about... such things..." he grimcied again.

"Eh?"  Adam laughed.  "Most aren't.  M'darlin' one's a class to himself," he said affectionately.

Erik blinked a moment. "You and he are lifemates?" he inquired.

"In a sense," Adam said, smile slightly wistful.  "Astor does what he pleases and I wouldn't hold him back for the world, but he comes back to me again and again.  So in that sense we are.  We've our separate lives and we're not just for one another, so in that sense we're not."

Erik blinked. "So... you're just mating partners?"

"Y'are not the only one who could counsel others not to prejudge," Adam said with a snort.  "Were it all sex, I wouldn't say he was m'darlin'."

"I appoglize for any implied insult, but..." Erik sighed. "My former realm had only two options for mating, lifemates, which are very rare in current times, and mating partners, those who paired up to produce offspring." He ran a hand through his hair. "It is most bizzar... to come from a place where I held the most knowlage of the realm, to here, where I am bereft of the most basic knowlage..."

Adam shrugged.  "Y'get used to not knowing things," he said lightly.

Erik looked slightly uncomfortable. "If feels a weakness..." he confessed. "Would it bother you greatly if I inquired to you of the things I have no knowlage of?"

Adam shrugged again.  "I don't know that I'd be any use as a tour guide, but feel free."

Erik smiled. "My thanks."

Astor reemerged. "Had to feed the bag before it would allow me to even look," he shook his head with a smile. "Here you are, Kar," he smiled, presenting the object with dramatic flair.

It was a thin bracelet of gold, decorated with small green stones.

Erik's eyes widened and he smiled. "Wonderful!" he beamed. "With this, my Nikita will feel no need for a colar!"  He looked as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. "My most deep and heart felt graditude," he said, making a gesture that was half a salute and half a bow. He pulled out a small sack and removed a large number of ornate gold coins.

"Oh, no need to pay me," Astor smiled. "It will be a pleasure to see it adron one as beautiful as your Nikita,"

Erik smiled. "But I do insist you have some sort of compensation. If you ever need a favour that I may grant, do not hesitate to ask it." He delecatly took the bracelet before again gestureing and leaving.

Adam smiled, putting his arms around Astor.  "He amazes me at every turn," he said with a smile.  "Now, about my needs o'ya," he said, voice turning husky.
 

"Master?" Nikita called, turning in the coridor, hands held to his chest, face twisted in concern.  He had been raised in a palace and knew what went on in them.  He touched a hand to his bare throat and resumed looking for Erik.  He wouldn't feel safe separated from his master.  "Master," he called again plaintively.

"I am here, Nikita," Erik smiled, approching the boy. "I'm sorry, I hadn't though you would have awoken while I was gone."

Nikita hurried to Erik's side, curling against the man's chest.

Erik put his arms around him and held him close. "I'm sorry," he soothed. "Next time I'll wait for you to wake," he promiced. "I brought you something," he smiled.

Nikita looked up, gold eyes wide.  "For me?"

Erik smiled and nodded. He reached into his pouch and pulled out the bracelet.

The boy's already wide eyes widened further and his mouth became a small o of amazement.  "From Master?  For Nikita?" he asked in a soft voice, touching each of their chests lightly in turn.

Erik smiled again. "Allow me?" he asked gently, lightly tracign the back of Nikita's wrist.

Nikita nodded happily, cuddling against Erik's chest.

Erik delcatly casped the thin bracelet around the boy's wrist and smiled.

Nikita looked at the flashing gold a moment, then threw his arms around Erik's neck, kissing him passionately.

Erik hugged him close, kissing him in return.

When Nikita pulled away he nuzzled against Erik.  "Thank you, Master," he murmured.
 

Idou held Kaku close, watching the flickering of the fire.  After a few moments of silence he spoke.  "Here, let me get your wings.  They probably need cleaning."

The boy was quiet, looking into the flames as if trying to read a hidden meaning. Slowly, he nodded.

Carefully, Idou began picking out feathers and cleaning the boy's wings.  "Kaku," he said softly.  "You know you don't have to tell me anything.  But you're really freaked and I can't protect you if I don't know why...."  He left the boy to take his own conclusions.

The boy was quiet a long moment before speaking. "It looks like where I used to be..." he finaly said, shoulders hunching slightly.

Idou stroked Kaku's back to get him to straighten.  "The palace?" he asked.

The boy nodded, relaxing slightly at the touch.

Idou thought a moment, then smiled, nuzzling against one wing.  "That explains why you didn't know anything when I found you."

Kaku relaxed a bit further, leaning back slightly to be closer to Idou. "I'd been... in that room..." his voice caught slightly and he tenced. "They wouldn't let me leave, Idou..." he said in a small voice. "They wouldn't let me leave...." His eyes watered slightly.

Idou left off grooming Kaku's wings to wrap his arms around the boy and pull him close.  He rested his chin in Kaku's hair.  "You got out.  You're here now and I'll never let anyone lock you up again."

Kaku turned and buried his face in Idou's shirt, clutching at the man. "They-- they said I--" His eyes overflowed with tears. "Be-because I-- I'm not..." His fists clentched in Idou's shirt. "Even Mother stopped coming..." he whispered, voice disparing.

"Shh," Idou soothed, cradling Kaku against him.  "You're perfect.  They had no right."  He rocked gently.  "They're the ones who lost.  They lost you and you're too wonderful for words."

The boy shook his head slightly. "Just a curse... Impure..." he said in a broken voice. "Should-- should never have been--" He tenced again.

"No, no you're not!" Idou insisted.  "You're the best thing yet to happen to me.  Probably the best thing ever.  You're beautiful, and wonderful."  He turned Kaku's face up and looked the boy in the eyes.  "You're not a curse.  You've been a blessing from the gods for me."

Kaku looked up at him, desprately wanting to believe, but unable to. He gave a choaked sob and burried his face in Idou's shirt again, shaking his head.

Idou continued rocking, enfolding the miserable boy almost completely.
 

Davia leaned against the palace walls outside and looked up at the stars, thinking.

Maeve walked quietly down the passage way, headed toward outside the palace.  she was in her full elven shape, wearing a simple gown she had stashed away for emergency purposes, that matched her eyes.   She was going to have a few moments to herself before she saw the King.  She didn't see them but heard them.  "Hi Adam... Davia..."

Adam led a giggling Astor out of the palace, looking for some privacy.  "Princess," he hailed in greeting.  "Didn't see you there."

Davia looked at everyone. "Hi," she greeted politely.

"How are ye this fair night?"

Maeve shifted uncomfortably.  She wasn't used to others seeing her in gown... even though simple.

Davia gave a slight smile. "I have had better evenings.."

"How is your father doing?  I'm to go in and see him soon.  He's requested to see me." her expression softed slightly, showing her fondness she had for Davia's father.

Adam looked pleasantly concerned, putting an arm around Astor's waist.  He nodded a greeting to Maeve, keeping most of his attention on Davia.  "Your father, or something else?"

Davia nodded. "Both, actually," she admitted.  "But do not let my mood spoil whatever you and Astor were going to do.." she added, after a moment.

Davia turned to Maeve and nodded. "Yes, he has been asking about you, Maeve, you should see him in the morning. I am afraid he is not doing very well," she said, sadly.

Maeve looked thoughtfull.  "He's requested to see me tonight, but I suppose I can make something up and hold it off 'til the morning."

Davia nodded once more. "He is sleeping right now."

"I'm sorry about your da, Princess," Adam said.  "What else is it has ye down?"

"I am afraid I am not at will to say," she admitted to Adam

Maeve shifted uncomfortably once again.  Damn gown.  "Has it something to do with Alex?"  She nodded to herself.  "Of course it does."

Davia looked at Maeve sharply. "What makes you think it has to do with Xander?" she asked.

Maeve looked startled.  "What else would it be besides your father?"  She gave Davia a conforting smile.  "Plus I have a feeling I allready know what bothers you, but not my place to interfere.  You'll have to work that out with him."

"Eh?" Adam said, still cheerful.  "Our one eyed king has a secret?  Is it his--"

"Dear Adam," Astor said, putting a hand lightly on the wood elf's mouth, "Such is not for the likes of us to reveal."

Davia looked at Maeve suspiciously.  "I do not think you know what it is, Maeve."

"Credit me with more inteligence than that Davia."  Maeve shrugged.  "Anyway it doesn't matter, because it doesn't concern me in the longrun."

[Adam and Astor: and as we're being ignored here, we're gonna go bonk in the bushes.  Later, ladies!]

Davia shrugged and sighed. "So, what have you been doing this evening, Maeve?" she asked, watching Adam and Astor leave.

Maeve shrugged.  "Besides seeing your father, nothing much." she smiled absently.

Davia looked back towards Maeve, and patted the ground next to her. "Come, Maeve, sit next to me."

Maeve smiled and blinked in surprise. She gave Davia a curious glance and joined her. She couldn't quite match Davia's elegance, even though she herself was in a gown and sitting on the ground, also. It was probaby a princess thing. "Are we going to talk..." she hesitated ,faltering on a the right term for what she wanted to ask, "girl talk?" she finally asked hesitantly.

Davia shrugged. "If you like, I just could use someone's company right now," she admitted. She leaned over and rested her head on Maeve's shoulder.

Maeve blinked again surprised. She had to admit she was pleased though. She had gotten over her initial anger towards Davia over her invasion of her privacy. If there was a future problems consisting of something of this nature, she was going to truly show the Princess her temper. 'Till then, it was all good. Right now Davia needed all the support she could get.

"Davia... if you ever want to talk to me candidly about what's bothering you, at anytime at all, just seek me out. I care for both you and King Alexander. Our own families have been close friends, nay, more like an extended family for five generations. Whatever you tell me will end with me." Maeve told this to Davia, gravely. "I would like to believe it is same way with you...?" she enquired hesitanly, uncertain of Davia's reaction.

Davia sat back and looked at Maeve. "Thank you, Maeve. And yes, the same is true with me," she nodded. She smiled sweetly and looked back up at the stars. Davia closed her eyes, thinking of Alex's words earlier. (I cannot tell her about Alex. I promised to keep it a secret..) She sighed.
 

The sun started to shine in through the curtains as Isaac woke up. He sat up in bed, and looked around, remembering where he was and who he was with. He looked over at Alex, who was still sleeping and layed back down next to him, smiling.  He gently reached over and kissed his forehead, then snuggled back up against him. "Alex..." he whispered, closing his eyes.

Sighing, Alex woke up.  He smiled gently at Isaac, caressing his cheek.

Isaac smiled back. "'Morning, Alex.. did you sleep well, my love?"

"I slept," Alex responded.

Isaac nodded and snuggled against him again. "Alex.." he said softly again. "You know, I like being able to say your name..."

"And I like hearing it from your lips.  I wish I had thought of it sooner," Alex said with a smile.

"It doesn't matter now.." Isaac answered. He looked at the time and frowned. "I should go before someone comes looking for you.. or me.."  he said, giving Alex a kiss before getting up.

Alex watched him.  "I wish... you didn't have to go."

"Me too," Isaac sighed. "But, think of it this way.. whenever you need to get away from people, we could always go back to that secret room in the library," he smiled.

Alex returned the smile.  "Allow me to excort you to your room?"

"I would be honored if you would," he answered, holding out his arm to Alex.

Alex rose and brought Isaac's arm through his own.  He opened the door of the room and ushered his lover out.
 

The king of Etosha slowed his horse at the top of the hill that was near the border of his countr and the neighboring one of Maris. The border was marked by a thin brook that could easily be crossed. The barely marked borders show the lack of consern of Maris to it's neighbor. The king smiled, hugging his son close a moment. "See that, Jak?" he asked the five year old, who was nearly bouncing in the saddle infront of his dad. "Someday, you'll rule it all," he smiled fondly.

Jakob stopped bouncing for a moment and looked at his father behind him with wide eyes. "All of that?!"

The man smiled, nodding. "All that and even more. You will rule a great empire and be the greatest king in history," he smiled again, lightly mussing his son's hair.

"Wow!" he exclaimed, looking at all the land. "Do you rule all this,  Daddy?"

"Not yet, but I will."

Jak turned back to the kingdom named Maris, as if studying it. He gasped and turned back to his father, pointing at something. "The cows too, Daddy? Can I rule the cows too??"

With another smile, the man nodded. "Yes, Jak. The cows too."

Jak gave a wide-eyed grin and tried to stand up, or at least sit up to see the cows better. "How many do you think there are?" he asked his father.

"Why don't you count them?" the man suggested.

"I can count high," he said, proudly. After looking at the cows for a moment, he pointed at them and counted. "1, 2, 3, 4.." he counted slowly, "5, 6... Hey! Stop moving! I'm trying to count you!" he yelled at the cows.

The king chuckled. "Don't yell, Jak," he repremanded him softly. "They're too far to hear you."

Jak frowned and tried to count the cows again, but lost count because they moved.. again. Getting frustrated, he sat back down and turned to his father. "Can I go over there and see the cows, Daddy?  I should know how many cows I have before I rule them, don't you think so?"

The man chuckled. "Just be careful not to be seen. Because you don't rule it yet, people might not like you being there. Remember what I told you about not beeing seen?"

Jakob nodded. "You said that if I act like I belong there, no one will say anything," he repeated back to his father, proudly. Then he frowned. "But, if I'm careful so that no one sees me, how can I act like I belong there, if they can't see me?"

The man laughed lightly. "If you are seen, just act like you were playing hide and go seak, okay?"

"Ok!" Jak said, happily.

Jakob happily ran down the hill as his father watched from behind. He soon approached the little stream, which was the only thing that  separated him from Maris Kingdom. Looking around, Jak soon found little stepping stones which would enable him to cross the stream without getting wet. One by one, he hopped from one stone to the next, counting them as he went along. "1, 2, 3, 4, 5!" he said, proudly, landing on the grass with a jump. Now, there was only one more thing standing in the way of him being with `his' cows.. the guards that guarded the entrance to the kingdom. ("Just be careful not to be seen,") his father's voice rang in his head. Jak thought for a moment of a way of sneaking in without being seen as he looked around him. There were bushes that surrounded the wall and, from what Jak could see, they also led into the kingdom. Getting an idea, he tip-toed dramatically to the bushes and hid inside them. There was a small space between the bushes and the wall. Crawling, he made his way near the gate, trying to be as quiet as he could. He could hear the two guards talking as he got closer and closer to the gate.

Once he reached the gate, still hiding within the bushes, Jak squeezed his small body in-between the bars and ran inside with a big grin on his face.

Once inside, Jakob stopped to look around him for the cows. His brown eyes caught a small glimpse of some cows just around the corner of the palace. He hurriedly ran over to them, causing a few servants to stare at him as he passed by. They only smiled, shaking their heads and continued on their way.

"Act like I belong here and no one will say anything," Jakob whispered to himself as he approached one of the cows in the field. "Hi!" he said to the cow, who just looked at him. "My name is Jakob…" he stood up on his tip-toes and whispered in the cows ear, "and I'm going to be your ruler one day."

One of the servant girls walked by, carrying some food for the other animals when she noticed a little boy whispering in the cows ear. "What are you doing?" she asked him.

Jak immediately straightened up and looked at the girl. ("If you are seen, just act like you were playing hide and go seek") he reminded himself. He placed a finger over his lips and made a shooshing noise. "I'm playing hide and seek and told the cow not to tell anyone that he saw me," Jak said quietly to her.

The girl nodded, understanding and said back to the boy, "Don't worry, your secret is safe with me." She walked away.

Jakob smiled to himself and patted the cow. The cow moo-ed at him, which startled Jak and he started laughing.

Maeve decided to take a walk. She just had her meeting with Davia's father. She was glad she got to talk to him. He was like a second father to her. She shook her head and sighed. She hoped they found a way to make him feel better.

The sound of laughter made her pause and look around. She wondered onto a field by the castle which was currently being occupied by cows... and a little boy. He was a cute little thing all scruffled up from playing. Despite that she could tell he was a nobles son by quality and cut of his clothes. Maeve smiled at him shyly. "Hi. What are you doing?"

Jak had started running around the field and tagged each cow calling out numbers as he did. "1, 2, 3.." then he noticed the girl and she asked him what he was doing. Jak looked at her, a bit nervously and repeated what he said to the servant girl. "I--I'm playing hide and go seek," he told her.

Maeve smiled at him, dimpling. "Oh... may I play with you?"

Jak blinked, looking at her. "No," he answered. "You can't."

Maeve blinked cutely at him for a moment. "Why not?"

Jak looked around, making sure no one else was around to notice them. "You wanna know a secret? But you can't tell anyone!" he warned.

Maeve blinked, surprised, then nodded gravely. She nelt down so she could be more level with the boy and make it so that they can talk more privately. "I promise not to tell." she told him earnestly.

Jak leaned over to whisper in her ear. "I'm not really playing hide and seek," he told her. "My Daddy just told me to say that. I'm going to rule these cows one day!"

Maeve felt her eyes widen, surprised. "Wow." She looked around at the cows and back to the boy. "Well, that's a lot of cows." She smiled warmly at him."

Jak nodded proudly. "I was just counting them. I can count really high, you know."

Maeve sat down more comfortably. "Me too. There have to be about two-hundred cows here!" she said exuberantly. "How many did you count so far?"

Jak looked around. "I don't know.. I lost count again. They keep moving!"

Maeve shook her head sympatheticaly. "Don't you hate it when they do that?" she paused a moment "And they don't even stop when you tell them too." she added as an afterthought.

"I know!" Jak complained. "I keep telling them to stop moving but they just moo at me and move again..!" he pouted.

Maeve smiled at him, ruffling his hair. "Animals are free spirited and will like you more if you let them do what's in there nature." She leaned closer to him. "Since you told me a secret... let me tell you one also, but you have to promise not to tell anyone also!"

Jak looked interested and crossed his heart. "I promise!" He leaned in closer to the girl, putting his hand cupped over his ear.

"I'm a shape-shifter! I can turn into almost any animal I choose to!" Maeve said, and waited to see what his reaction would be.

Jak eyes widened as he took a step back to look at her. He frowned. "But you're just an elf! My Daddy told me about elves and they can't do that!" he told her, disbelieving her.

"I can." Maeve nodded at him seriously. "I'm one of a kind. You won't tell, will you?" she implored him.

Jak shook his head. "But I still don't believe you," he told her.

Okay, I'll prove it to you." Maeve began to shift. She only changed partially into a Panther. She kept her coloring to the white-blonde of her hair. She had cats ears, a light dusting of fur on her body, her nails were longer but she still had fingers, her eyes were more cat-like, her slippers ripped off as her feet changed slightly more paw like, and she grew a tale. "See?" she said her voice more husky in this form. She smiled at him to show small, slightly fanged teeth.

Jak's eyes widened some. "I remember now!" he answered. "My Daddy told me about them too! They can change into any animal to help hide themselves," then he looked confused. "But how come you can do that if you're just an elf?" he asked her.

"I'm half elf and half shape-shifter." Maeve said simply. "I'm the only one of my kind."

"Really?" Jak asked, surprised. "Wonder if Daddy knows about you..." he pondered out loud.

Maeve blinked. "I don't think he would... but you promised not to tell anyone." she reminded him gently.

Jak shook his head. "I won't!" he promised again. "Can you do any other tricks?"

"Yes." she smiled at him. Holding her hand out, palm up, she concentrated and a small ball of flame hovered above her hand.

"Wow!" Jak said, amazed. "How did you do that?" he asked, holding out his palm, trying to imitate what she was doing.

That's from my Elven blood she said, amused. She made the flame disappear "You know, I never introduced myself... my name is Maeve Sandrine of Seda Nahele, Clan of Beate." Maeve said, formally.

"My name is Jakob," he said.

"Nice to meet you Jakob." She grinned at him.

"If you live in a forest, what are you doing here?" he asked Maeve, curiously.

"I'm visiting some friends of mine, but I'm thinking of leaving soon anyhow. Maybe back to my clan or do some more traveling. I'm not sure." she answered mildly.

"Are there cows where you live?" he asked.

"We have some, yes." Maeve answered chuckling.

"Do you get to rule them?" he asked, interested.

"Well, my father rules them currently. Maybe after his time, I might, but that decision won't come for some time until now." Maeve answered.

"Did I tell you that I'm going to rule ALL these cows one day?" Jakob asked, forgetting whether or not he had.

"Says who?" came a voice from behind.

Maeve stood up surprised, still in her half form. "Oh, hi Davia! You startled me." She stood in front of Jakob, who was still partially behind a cow.

"Who were you talking to, Maeve?" Davia asked.

Maeve made herself the picture of pure innocence, mentally projecting a halo over head. "Me? I was talking to the cow."

Davia showed a look of pure disbelief. "The cow?" she said, raising an eyebrow.

Jakob snickered, covering his mouth with his hands, trying to muffle it.

"No," Davia said to Maeve, not hearing the snickering. "I heard someone talking... something about ruling my cows.."

Jak stopped snickering. "They're my cows!" he called out.

Maeve coughed and sneezed to try to muffle his words. She sighed loudly. "Bless me. I believe I'm catching a cold!"

"Maeve! You are lieing to me! Now, come, tell me who you were talking to just now.." Davia said, looking around expecting to find someone.

Jakob came out from behind Maeve and the cow. "She was talking to me," he told the other girl. "Who are you?" he asked.

"I could ask you the same thing.." Davia addressed the boy. "What are you doing here?"

"Oh! You meant ~him~!?!" Maeve slapped her forehead in a 'silly me' gesture. "Why... he's my... err... son! Cute isn't he. How he loves cow's... the little tyke." Maeve put her arms protectively around his shoulders. "We have to go now." She scooped up Jakob and briskly trotted away. Maeve did a hasty wave at Davia. "Ta ta... see you at dinner."

Maeve headed to a secluded area by the stream in case Davia decided to follow.

"But I didn't finish counting the cows!" Jak protested as Maeve carried him off. "Where are we going?"

"Hush! Unless you want to answer questions to the soon to be Queen of Maris?" Maeve informed Jakob in a whisper.

"Your son!?" She questioned, not believing it for a second. "Wait, Maeve!" Davia looked frustrated and started to follow Maeve and the boy. She followed them near the gate, but lost them somewhere on the way. When she asked the guards about them, they said no one had passed by recently. Davia made a frustrated noise and stalked off back towards the palace.

"Why did you tell her that I'm your son?" Jakob asked. "You're not my Mommy. She's at home."

Maeve grinned sheepishly at him. "It was the first thing that popped into my head. Sorry about that."

"I want to go back," Jak said to Maeve. "I have to know how many cows I have before I rule them. Daddy agreed!" he insisted.

Maeve gave him a curious look. "Who is your Daddy?"

"He's the King of Etosha. That's where I live," Jak informed her, proudly.

Oh hell. "Well, you probably shouldn't because technicaly your Kingdom and this one are enemies and it would be a bad thing to be found by the future Queen of forementioned enemy Kingdom. Your daddy shouldn't have let you come alone." She looked around, worried. "You should probably go home where it's safe." she told him gently. She would miss him, she liked Jakob.

"No!" Jakob shouted. "I want to play with the cows!" he ran away from Maeve and back to the field.

Maeve caught up to Jakob easily. "Okay. If you don't want to leave yet, at least let me protect you. I don't want you to get caught or anything like that, okay? If anyone comes to us, just call me mommy. Don't say anything else. Nothing about the cows or anything. Just say the word mommy. Over and over again, to any question asked you, okay?"

"But you're not my Mommy!" Jak said. "Daddy said that if I act like I belong here, no one will say anything. Can't we just say that we're playing hide and seek?" he asked.

"We can do that, but you can't say anything about the cow, or they'll become suspicious. Do you understand?" Maeve asked him seriously.

Jak nodded. "Ok.. Tag! You're it!" he said, as he tagged Maeve and ran off into the field.
 

Davia stormed into the palace, with an angry, annoyed look on her face. She froze when she saw Alex, arm in arm with Isaac.

ALex looked up, still smiling gently from talking with Isaac. "Princess?" he acknowledged. "What seems to be the matter?"

Davia's eyes drifted from Isaac to Alex. "It is Maeve. She is up to something and refuses to tell me what it is!" she replied.

Isaac met Davia's gaze and looked away, lowering his arm from being linked with Alex's, to them just holding hands.

Alex squeezed Isaac's hand.  "Perhaps she feels that you don't need to know something," he suggested
 
Isaac slowly let go of his lover's hand and started to say something, but was interupted by Davia.

"No, Isaac, it is ok.. you may stay," she told him. "I am sorry, but I just did not expect you two to be together. This is going to take some getting used to from my husband to be.." she said, looking at Alex.

Isaac relaxed and smiled, bowing his head respectfully to the Princess. "Thank you," he said. "I'm sorry if this situation makes you unconfortable." He smiled at Alex and held his hand again, hoping that no one else would show up, causing him to let go.

"I regret the situation for you, Princess," Alex said. He raised Isaac's hand to his lips and kissed the man's fingers.

Isaac smiled and looked lovingly into Alex's eyes.

Davia sighed, looking away from the couple. "I have to get out of here.." she turned and walked away.

Isaac turned towards the Princess as she spoke and frowned when she left. He looked at Alex again. "I'm afraid we have upset her more then she already was.." he said, quietly.

Alex shrugged. "If she cannot deal with disappointement, she will never make it as a ruler. I wish her luck dealing with herself."

Isaac nodded, agreeing. "You, on the otherhand, will make a fine ruler," he smiled at Alex.

Alex traced a hand down Isaac's cheek, looking intently into the other man's eyes. "With you by my side I can do anything."

Isaac softly smiled again, reaching over to hold Alex's hand again. "You don't need me with you to do anything, Alex. You can do anything you want to.. you're King."

"Without you I feel like nothing," Alex said, squeezing Isaac's hand.

Isaac gave Alex a hug, kissing him lightly on the cheek. "Don't ever feel like you are nothing.." he said softly in Alex's ear.

Alex slid a hand to cup Isaac's head, looking into his eyes intensely. "Without you my heart is empty and cold. Without you, the earth might be a wasteland and I would never know. You are what makes me alive."

Isaac smiled softly and reached over to kiss Alex. "I feel the same way about you, my love," he whispered before kissing him.

Alex held Isaac as if he didn't want to let him go

Isaac tightly hugged Alex back, closing his eyes as he leaned against him.

"Isaac?" a young girl's voice called from down the hall. She sighed, "Where is that brother of mine..." she muttered. Seeing the back of him, she called to him. "Isaac! There you are! I've been looking all--" she stopped when she realized who he was hugging.

Isaac turned around, upon hearing his sister's voice. "Sarah, what are you doing here?" he asked her.

"I wanted to talk to you.." she looked at Alex a moment, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interupt, your majesty. I'll come back later..." she said, bowing before she turned to go.

"No," Alex said, reluctantly releasing Isaac. "Stay, girl. What is your business?"

Sarah turned back to face the King. "I just wanted to talk to my brother a moment, your majesty," she replied, a bit nervous.

"Alex needs me at the moment, Sarah. I'll talk to you later, ok?" Isaac told his sister.

Alex ran a hand lightly down Isaac's cheek. "I should go see my father-in-law." His lip curled slightly at the word. "Go with your sister."

"Are you sure?" Isaac asked, looking into his eyes. "I can come with you, if you want... Sarah can wait..."

"Your family is important. Go, Isaac."

Isaac sighed. "Very well. I'll see you later then," he replied, kissing him again before he left.

Alex watched the pair walk away and then went to Davia's father's rooms.

Queen Meredith talked softly with her husband. "Rina and I have been working on the wedding arrangements all morning," she told him,  smiling. "It'll be next week on Davia's birthday, just as we discussed."

"They had no objections?" the King asked slowly.

"Davia and I discussed things and everything is as it should be," she reassured her husband. She reached out and took his hand in hers. "You have nothing to worry about, my dear," she said, softly.

There was a soft knock on the door.

The Queen turned to face the door. "Come in," she called.

The door opened enough to admit Alex, who walked over to the bed and bowed deeply to the king and queen. "Your majesties," he murmured.

"Oh, Alexander, good," the Queen exclaimed. "My husband has been wishing to speak with you since yesterday, but you seem to have disappeared after the engagement announcement," she commented, standing up to face him.

"There were things that I needed to take cacre of among my people. I'm afraid they kept meoccupied until now," Alex said, straightfaced.

The Queen nodded understanding. "Very well then. I'll leave you two alone to visit. I'm sure you have much to discuss," she smiled to Alex. She turned back to her husband in bed. "I'll come back later to see you, my dear," she kissed him and quietly left the room,  softly closing the door behind her.

The King looked at Alex. "Have a seat, my son," he gestured towards the now empty chair beside his bed.

With another bow, Alex sat. "You wished to speak with me, my lord?"

He nodded. "Yes, I hope you were not too upset by the announcement yesterday. I heard it went well.."

"It was something of a shock," Alex said. "I had thought that Davia and I would be consulted before the announcement."

"That was my wife's doing, I'm afraid," the King admitted. "She and your mother arranged the whole thing. They didn't want you or my daughter to oppose this marriage. And that's what I wanted to talk to you about, Alexander," he replied.

"Davia and I have discussed things. She wishes our marriage to work and I will work to that end."

"But do you wish for the same thing?" the King asked.

Alex didn't look at the king. "I wish for lasting peace in our kingdoms," he said plainly.

The King tried to look in Alex's eyes. "Alexander?"

"My lord?"

"I don't mean to upset you with this marriage arrangement," he began. "Believe me, that is not my intention. I just need to make sure that my daughter will be taken care of after I pass on... she's still young and quite naive. I need to know that you will take care  of her."

"I will take care of your daughter."

The King nodded. "Thank you. I know you will be a good husband to her. You may not love her now, but give it time, you'll learn to, I'm sure of it," he answered.

"I will give the marriage as much attention as I may," Alex said, still not looking att he king.

"Thank you, Alexander," the King said quietly. "I know you'll be a fine ruler... for both our kingdoms," he said. "Take care of yourself and my daughter."

Seeing that as a dismissal, Alex rose and bowed. "I will, my lord."

The King nodded again and smiled at Alex before he left.
 

As soon as Alex had left the hall, Sarah grabbed her brother's arm and pulled him into the closest available room. "What do you think you are doing?!" she exclaimed, once the door was shut.

Isaac pulled his arm out of her grasp. "What are you talking about?" he asked, calmly.

"You.. in the hall.. with the King!" she exclaimed. "Where anyone could come around and see the two of you together like that!"

Isaac sighed, looking away. "I know, you're right," he said quietly. "We should have been more careful."

Sarah folded her arms across her chest and leaned her weight on one foot. "Damn right you should have!"

"Hey!" Isaac said firmly. "Just because you're family, it doesn't give you the right to talk to me that way! I'm still your older brother, don't disrespect me like that!" he glared.

Sarah relaxed her arms and sighed. "I'm sorry, ok?" she walked over to her older brother and gave him a hug. "I just don't want you to be sent away because of this.."

Isaac sighed and hugged her back. "You don't have to worry about that, Sarah," he told her quietly.

She pulled away and looked at him. "How can you be so sure that nothing will happen? I saw how easily you guys can get carried away!"

"Sarah, think about it. Alex is King now. Nothing can change that," Isaac began. "No one can take me away from him."

Sarah blinked. "Alex?! Since when are you guys on a first name basis?" she questioned.

Isaac sighed. "That doesn't matter. Why did you want to see me anyway?" he asked, changing the subject a bit.

"I wanted to know where you were last night," Sarah said. She paused, looking at her brother suspiciously. "You were with him, weren't you?" she asked.

Isaac sighed again. "Yes, I was with him," he answered her question.

"Isaac!" Sarah exploded again. "How could you do this! What if someone had come looking for the King last night! What are you going to do if the Princess ever finds out about the two of you! Can you imagine how much it's going to hurt her? They just got engaged!!"

"Sarah," Isaac said with an angry tone in his voice, warning her. "Lower your voice."

She pressed her lips together in frustration. "What ~are~ you going to do when the Princess finds out? You can't keep something like this a secret for long, they're going to be married next week!"

"I know that," Isaac answered, firmly. "And you don't have to worry about the Princess.. she already knows."

"What?" Sarah said, shocked.

"I said, she already knows about Alex and I," he repeated.

"How did she find out?" she asked.

"Alex told her last night, a few hours after the engagement announcement," he explained.

"How did she take the news?" the girl asked her brother.

Isaac sighed. "As well as anyone in her situation would have taken it, I guess."

Sarah sighed, folding her arms again as she paced the room slowly. "God, I can't imagine what she's going through right now. First finding out about her father, then the engagement last night, now this! It's a wonder she's able to handle all this at once.  That's a lot for ~anyone~ to take in…"

"I agree, and I respect her deeply for holding herself together like she is," Isaac commented.

Sarah nodded. She turned back to face her brother. "What happens now?"

Isaac looked confused. "What do you mean?"

"I mean once they get married?" she clarified. "What are you and the King going to do then?"

Isaac was quiet a moment as he wandered over to the window in the room and looked out. "I don't think things will change… much. She'll have his bed.. but I know I'll always have his heart.." he replied softly.

"Isaac.." his sister said in the same tone. She walked over to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. She was beginning to understand how much this marriage was going to hurt him.

Isaac said nothing and continued to look out the window quietly.

"Isaac.. come on, tell me what you're thinking.." his sister pressed him gently. She pulled his shoulder back so she could see his face more clearly.

Isaac pulled away from her and walked back to the middle of the room. "Is that all you wanted to talk to me about?" he asked. "I should get back to Alex…"

"Isaac, please, talk to me," Sarah pressed again. "He can wait."

"No he can't," Isaac said, turning to her. "I'm worried about Alex, Sarah. He hasn't been the same since the war ended."

"Of course he hasn't," she exclaimed, talking to her brother as if he was stupid. "His father and brother died! He probably witnessed the whole thing. That would change anybody.."

"I know," Isaac said, "but that's not what I was talking about."

"Then what ~are~ you talking about?" she asked.

Isaac shook his head. "Never mind, I have to go now.." he started to walk towards the door.

"Isaac! Wait!"

"No, Sarah," he said firmly to her, not turning around. "I am not going to discuss this any further with you. There are certain things you are just too young to know about."

"You can't use that excuse forever you know," Sarah told him. "I'll  be 16 before you know it."

"That doesn't make you an adult," Isaac replied, still facing the door.

"That doesn't mean I'm still a child either," she countered. "Isaac you can tell me what's bothering you, I'll understand."

"I said no!" he said, turning to face his little sister. "I don't want to hear another word about this, do you understand me?!" he yelled.

Sarah looked surprised by his tone. "Isaac.. I—"

"Do you understand?" he repeated himself, not changing his tone.

Sarah looked in his eyes a moment before speaking. "Yes. I understand," she answered. "But I wish you'd talk to me about what's bothering you! I hate to see you hurting inside, Isaac.." she quickly added.

"Good," he replied, ignoring her last statement. "I'll see you at dinner then.." he turned and left the room.

Sarah sighed, when he left. "I wish you'd tell me what's really going on, Isaac," she said, outloud to herself. After a moment, she left the room, and closed the door behind her.

Isaac began to walk down the hall. Once he was certain that his sister wasn't following him, he sighed and leaned against the wall, placing his head in his hands. His thoughts went to the night before.. (Alex returned the kiss hungrily, almost bruising Isaac as he pulled him down. Isaac winced slightly by Alex's roughness and mentally brushed it off. Holding Isaac down, Alex undressed himself and the other man, then decended to claim his mouth hungrily in an almost brutal kiss. Isaac pushed Alex away, breathing heavily. 'Alex..' he managed to say. Alex tensed, looking down at him. 'We should stop..' Isaac said, softly..) "How do I tell him?" he whispered softly to himself.
 

"Isaac," Alex called.  "Blast, where is he?"

Isaac looked up, upon hearing his lover call for him. "Over here," he called, from the next hall.

Alex went to the next hall and hugged Isaac posessively.

Isaac blinked and hugged him back. "What's wrong? What did the King have to say?" he asked in a worried voice.

"Nothing of value," Alex said.  He laughed harshly.  "If I give it time, he's sure I'll fall in love with the Princess."

Isaac smiled. "He only has the best interest for his daughter at heart."

"Her best interests," Alex sneered.  "If he really had that he would have had us consulted before announcing that we're engaged."

Isaac shrugged. "I can't argue with that..." he sighed and looked into Alex's eyes. "I wish you weren't getting married..." he said softly.

"As do I."

"Is there anything you have to do?" Isaac asked. "With the wedding, I mean.. any preparations they need you help or approval with?"

"Our mothers are dealing with everything," Alex said with distaste.  "My mother is probably the one who thought up announcing it first."

Isaac made a face, agreeing. "Then I guess you can't really blame the King for not informing the two of you.."

"If they really cared about their daughter they would have consulted her first instead of treating her like a child."

Isaac sighed again. "This is one of those 'lose, lose' situations, it seems like.." He began to slowly walk down the hall, his mind half distracted.

"Where are you going?" Alex asked, voice filled with displeasure.

He stopped and turned to look over his shoulder. "I thought we should go somewhere a little more private, then the hallway. I wouldn't want the wrong person to see us together, as my sister did earlier..." he stated.

"I have business to take care of," Alex said, brushed past him.  "If you wish to come, you may."

Isaac looked at him, a bit surprised. He caught up with him. "What kind of business?" he asked, walking beside Alex.

"I have been away.  I should have spent yesterday catching up with plans and negotiations.  It was my foolishness over the Princess and you that kept me from it."

Isaac looked down, somewhat hurt by that comment. "I didn't mean to keep you away from your duties.." he appologized.

Alex stopped and closed his eyes.  His fists tensed a moment and he blew out a breath.  "The Princess' father reminds me of my own," he said in way of explanation.

Isaac stopped also and looked at him with sympathetic eyes. "I'm sorry," was all he could say. ".. is there anything I can do?" he asked, feeling somewhat helpless.

Alex drew him close and kissed him deeply.  "Continue to love me," he requested.  "Even when I don't deserve it."

Isaac returned the kiss and hugged him tightly. "I will always love you," he replied, lovingly. "Don't ever forget that!"