"You cannot commit the elven army to go to war without our permission," Lanassa looked at her son with confusion.

"I did not commit the army, only myself," Ithel affirmed.

"I pledge myself also," Alvar added, eagerly standing as well. He would not let the prince fight alone.

Zoltan tried to reason with the elves, "Let me understand. You want to go in…just the two of you…against the army of gnomes and Prince Alaron's supporters?"

"Of course not, Father. We will have Brinn, Gandr, Zan and a large host of humans to help us succeed." Ithel responded. "I have given my word. I will not breach it."

Zoltan crossed his arms. "Defying us for the Empress yet again. No wonder your wife is jealous."

"I support my husband," Calla stood and took Ithel's hand. The he-elf beamed with pride. "We must do what is right and stand against the gnomes. Jealousy should not blind us," she added the last part in a softer tone with an apologetic look at Aurora.

The Empress nodded. "Indeed. Thank you Princess Calla."

"We must save my sister and make those cruel gnomes pay," Lanassa agreed.

"So you all would be against me if I disagree?" Zoltan raised his voice. Everyone stared at him in defiance. "Then it is good that I am on your side." The king hooked his mouth into a smile, then stretched. "But could we discuss this in the morning? No good will come if we plan while exhausted. And please be mindful of protocol. I do not want any problems with our agreement."

—————

Zan, who was once again a free man, walked through the lunar courtyard in the early morning light. The late night revelations had been a lot for him to take in, and he was still working through it all.

"May I join you?" Lanassa asked, emerging from the shadows. The Guardian got the impression that she had been watching him for some time.

"Does Zoltan know you are here?" Zan asked.

"I told him I would not forgive him until I could make peace with you. He told me to take all the time I needed," the queen smirked.

"You are far more ruthless than I remember. The Lanassa I knew was meek and shy." Zan offered his arm and the elf graciously took it. They walked around the courtyard and surveyed the flowers and hanging vines.

"The she-elf you knew died when you left. I put up walls so no one would hurt me again. Life has never been the same." The queen admitted.

Zan's muscles tensed. "Surely it was not all bad."

"No, parts were very good. As you pointed out, I have two beautiful children and a husband who let me rule by his side. Not a bad existence. But I have always wondered 'what if.' I think we could have been quite happy together." Lanassa was not sure what she wanted from the man. He was too honorable to ask her to leave her husband, not that she would do it anyway.

Zan nodded. He had also wondered what life would have been like. Rather than answer her thought, he posed his own observation. "I can think of one advantage to this arrangement. I am able to see you right now when I should have long been dead. I can visit you for the rest of your life. I always wanted to grow old with you. Now I can in a way, at least as friends. I can watch your children and their children grow old as well, which is something I never would have been able to do as a mortal. Even from afar, I will be able to watch over you."

"That is true," the queen agreed. "I like the sound of that. And I owe you a thank you. Brinn mentioned that there was a 'Zan' looking out for her. I had no idea it was you."

"I have enjoyed spending time with your daughter. Brinn is an adventurer like me." Zan chuckled.

"And like Bukuri," Lanassa agreed. "Perhaps that is why I tried to keep her pinned down at home. I was afraid she would leave like the rest. In the end, I chased her off."

"Brinn may have left, but she would have done so with or without your push. The elven princess has a restless spirit. She has enjoyed the freedom of being Aurora's spymaster, but she will come home when the time is right. Hopefully at that time, you two will be able to start fresh. Brinn is a force of nature, just like her mother. You have a lot in common. Perhaps that is why I am so fond of you both."

"You always did have the right words to say," Lanassa said with misty eyes. She chuckled quietly. "You know, I think the Fates chose well when they made you a Guardian."

"They also chose an excellent elven queen," Zan confirmed. He turned to her an tucked a stray red strand of Lanassa's hair behind her ear.

The queen wiped her cheeks and took a deep breath. "Yes, well, I suppose we both had an important part to play." The pair looked at each other for a moment.

"I am so glad I got to see you again." Zan took the lady's hand and kissed it.

"I should never have doubted your love or Bukuri's loyalty. Forgive me." The queen had never asked forgiveness of anyone in her life. The Guardian could see the lady shaking as she threatened to lose control. He hugged her, and her shivering stopped.

"You were forgiven long ago. I am sure Bukuri will say the same when we rescue her. And we will rescue her. In fact," Zan looked at the sun and realized how much time had passed, "they may be waiting for us to meet even now. Shall we go?" He released the queen and offered his arm once more. The pair headed into the palace lighter than they came, with their old friendship finally restored.

-----------------------

The elves truly had a room for everything, and the Treaty Room was next to the Room for Clandestine Meetings that they had met in the night before. If Aurora were not so intent on moving things along, she would have rolled her eyes at the absurdity of it all. Of course she had many rooms in her palace with no use at all, so it was not a point on which she cold truly judge.

The Treaty Room had a long table at which the five elves, a scribe, the humans, and Gandr were seated. Other elven advisors stood along the walls listening, ready to interject as necessary. Gandr, now a recognized member of the royal household, was dressed in fine robes like the Empress. Even Zan had been provided luxurious clothing to wear under his Guardian's cloak.

The proceedings went much smoother than any of them could have wished. Their goals now aligned, the group easily drew up a treaty with which both parties were happy. The ink was dry before midmeal was ready.

"If only we had made this treaty years ago," Aurora laughed quietly as she looked at the document. "Perhaps I would not have needed to escape your clutches and almost die...repeatedly."

"I am sure Ithel and Calla are also grateful that you did not give into our demands." Zoltan was also in a good mood. For the first time, his marriage was no longer based on a lie.

Calla nodded. "My husband told me how you changed his views on many things. I am truly thankful that your influence made him a better elf and I am sorry for..."

Aurora stopped her by holding up her hand. "That is all in the past. No need to bring it up." The Empress did not want to get the girl in trouble with her in-laws. She had seen the jealousy that can occur among the young ladies in her court, and Calla's pranks were actually rather tame. If the elf had learned her lesson, then it would be wise to just move on.

"Then it is settled," Zoltan announced. "Ithel will begin preparations to move the elven army. When the other armies are ready, we will convene as one."

"I will let you know when I receive more news." Aurora had been looking at her magic mirror every chance she could. It had not lit. The Empress only hoped that Mairwen had been able to take the other mirror with her when she left.

Aurora looked toward Alvar, "Are you sure that you want to go to the Castle Valiant?"

Alvar placed his hand on his heart as he nodded. "I am sure. We need to get Bukuri out of there, and I want to help Brinn with whatever she has planned."

"I wish I could let you go through the Storehouse," Aurora lamented.

"No, you are right not to give up the element of surprise. If I were caught exiting by the gnome guards, the entire plan would be ruined. We have a deal with the eagles, and they are willing to take me within a day's journey of Valiant. Do not worry." Alvar knew his own strength and the strength of Brinn. They would be fine.

"I should go with you. Bukuri is my mother." Gandr's brow furrowed. He was so torn. The halfling desperately wanted to rescue his mother, but he also needed to help Aurora gather more allies and get to the Fates for water.

The Empress could understand his dilemma. "You must do what you think is best."

"If you want to come, I will not stop you," Alvar said. "But I assure you that I will get your mother out safely. You can complete your mission with a clear conscience."

The burden that Gandr felt was suddenly lifted. He trusted Brinn and her fiancé. They would make sure that he mother was cared for until he could get to her.

"Thank you. Tell her I will be there soon. And tell her… I am sorry." Gandr hoped that these words would be enough. He had seen the elf for years and done nothing to free her. Then when he had promised to help her, he had failed. A large part of him worried that his mother would hate him for all he had done and failed to do. He was relieved that someone else might be able to do what he could not.

As of reading his mind, Alvar nodded slowly. "I will tell her. I am sure she will look forward to your return."

"Thank you." Gandr hoped he was right.

"What will you do now?" Lanassa asked the Empress.

"I will spend a couple of more days here making plans, if that is acceptable," Aurora said.

"Stay as long as you need," Zoltan offered.

"Then we will head to see the fairies and nymphs before continuing north to the Fates," the Empress concluded her thought. The meeting ended, and Calla and Aurora walked out arm in arm like old friends.

Lanassa could not help but be impressed. She looked at Zan, who was staring after the Empress as well. "So much is riding on that young woman's shoulders," the queen observed, "and yet she doesn't seem to notice."

"If anyone was made for a time such as this, it is Empress Aurora." Zan smiled.

The corners of Lanassa's mouth also curved upward. "Then, we must say yet again: the Fates chose well."