Birthday Cheer (Allaire)

[Jotari]

Black Star

The outlaw queen was dead asleep. Eyes closed, head resting on one arm, laying on her left side, she looked surprisingly peaceful. It would have been kinda cute if she wasn't in a tree limb twenty feet above the ground. But there Black Star was, in the middle of the tree. Below the Grellon village also slept peacefully. That is, until Black Star decided to roll over. There was a yelp of surprise as she suddenly rolled right off the limb and into the air. Black Star woke up rather quickly and managed to grab a limb before smacking the ground and breaking something. Groaning she let go and finished the drop. Moving close to the tree trunk the outlaw assumed her former position in the thick tall grass and began to doze off again.

Her body continued to rest but the adrenaline kept her mind awake. Today was a special day and she attempted through a sleepy haze to remember what it was and finally succeeded. It was little Allaire's birthday. Black Star had a gift already wrapped in a colorful cloth in the Grellon Queen's pocket. Allaire would like this one too. Black Star had not used her own secret abilities, but she could still sense a magical item when she was near one. What this item would do exactly was unknown to Black Star. Hopefully not something disastrous, but it wouldn't kill the kid.

Black Star had gotten strongly attached to the little girl. Allaire had a lot of physical issues but she always seemed to be a happy creature. Allaire had also proven herself to be valuable to the Grellon, though she had been caught stealing at least twice recently. So far though, the girl had wiggled out of it. What Allaire lacked in health she seemed to make up for in luck. But there was no way on earth Black Star was going to move from this cozy position until she absolutely had too. The outlaw's mind silently drifted off as dawn kissed the mountain tops.

[Taske]

Allaire was tucked in her straw filled bed, content with her life, it was not the best, not the most rich, she was not the strongest, but she was happy, she had someone that cared for her, new friends, and a loving mother figure in both Alexa and in Black Star. She, in her mind, had the perfect life...

The sun rolled up in the sky, cresting the mountains, shinning light on the land, and within the child's room, lightening everything the child holds dear to her. The wooden sword that she had gotten last year, her newly made diamond earring, and the ring that Alexa had given her a few days ago. All three items where hers, given to her by the two most important people in her life. As the sun rose higher and it shown onto the girls face, her eyes opened slowly reviling emerald eyes.

With the last of her dreams where fading her mind started to think of what day it was, and she popped up in her bed, her face showing nothing but joy. Today was her birthday, she was one year older, one year closer to being able to help Black Star, one year older and stronger, she was able to do more!

The small girl jumped to her feet Grabbing the small sword and swinging it upon her back. She pulled the ring upon her finger, and last stared to put on her assortment of earrings, placing the diamond one in her left ear in her lobe.

With her morning routing done, little Allaire rushed out into the sun, her small body held with pride, she was one year closer to bringing in her own profit for the settlement, she was that much closer to giving back, and not just taking. She raced into the trees, knowing just who she wanted to see first on this day, Black Star, and if Allaire knew anything it that Black Star always slept in different parts of the settlement, and shes bound to be someplace near her own cavern.

When she emerged from the trees into the main part of the settlement she looked about, exacting to find Black Star somewhere close, but coming up short. The little girl's body slumped, she was running out of spots to look... She turned and made her way back into the trees hoping that maybe her leader had went to her cave while she was away. But just as she entered the trees she saw the outlaw leaders form slumped against a tree, seemingly deep within sleep. Allaire screamed with glee, her small form racing at the woman's.

Allaire flung herself into Black Stars lap and rapped her arms around her neck, "Black Star! Good morning!"

[Desperanza]

As the sun climbed slowly into the sky, dawn breaking the morning, Alexa sat upright, a smile on her face. She was well aware of the day that it happened to be on that day, aware of the fact that her favorite child happened to be a year older on that day. She had managed to squeak the information out of a Grellon member on one of her trips to the village with medicine for the child and the woman had given her the information as a hint for the trips that Alexa had made were quite obviously a show of care that she held for the child and the woman had obliged and now, as Alexa slid into the dress that had been laid out for her that day, a mixture of gold and ivory, she smiled. Her honey tresses were braided back into an elegant braid and lined with honey suckle blossoms while she worked a rose water lotion concoction over her soft lined palms and sighed contently. Her plans for the day were already laid out. Abigail would not be awake yet and the maid at her back was awake at all times that she was around the castle, as well as the rest of the servants that wandered about until they were dismissed. In a few moments, she would be leaving. She had accepted a rolled bun of bread for breakfast from the maid and had left a note on the mirror for her mother in scrolling text that she had been called to the village for the day, knowing that her father would vouch for her. Tucked away in a wrap of brown paper at her bed was hidden a pair of pants and a feminine cotton shirt, just in case for she was sure that later she might need them because no doubt she had indeed gathered yet another gift for the child of which would be delivered with herself as well as a new shipment of medicine from the castle.

When the maid finished, she rose from her chair and turned towards the woman, thanking her quietly before she turned and made her way to the bed, gathering her things before she stepped from the room. Pausing just outside of the door, she slipped from the shoes that adorned her feet to keep silent before whisking down the steps and leaping out the front doors. Waving away any help that offered, she made her way to the stable where she shooed a few stable hands away as well from gathering a stable horse for the Princess as she made her way down the aisle. The only horse she needed here no longer belonged to herself. The horse was young, two years of age at the most and the gleaming copper colt was certainly something to look at. Bred from some of the finest lines in the stable, he would be sent as a gift for the child who had no doubt had a connection with her own horse, Zephyr and with Allaire’s dreams of some day becoming a strong and helpful member of the Grellon Alexa believed that she would need a partner as fine as Alexa’s own Lord of Horses and so she had selected the colt for the child, young and fresh and yet to be attached to any true human, he would be perfect for the child. She stroked the nose of the colt, his face holding a large white blaze that reached his nose and while his coat was a brilliant chestnut, his eyes were bright blue and he held flashy socks on each foot. She grinned at the colt and kissed his nose before tying the packages to a small harness she had at his back. He could carry the wares for now. She slid the thick rope into place at his nose and led him forward from the stable, briskly making her way from the castle courtyard.

Within minutes, she was swallowed away among the trees, her form shielded by the dappled shadows of the forest that led to Celeste Falls and further, to the Grellon, much further. As she stepped among the trees, she patiently waited until she had reached feet from the castle and disappeared among the brush, pulling the colt along with her before tying him to a tree limb close by and sliding one of the packages free from his back. Minutes later she was tucking her golden dress into the package and Zephyr was picking his way through the trees. With the colt dancing briefly at the sight of the older stallion, Alexa smiled and retied the package before gathering the rope and sliding into place on Zephyr’s back with her legs to either side of himself now that she was rid of her dress for now. As she steadied out on her path, she urged her stallion forward at a steady pace, breathing a sigh of relief as she finally began to relax, the tension to slip from her shoulders as she made her way towards the Grellon camp.

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[Jotari]

Sleep was a beutiful thing. Getting tackled by a small child during the midst of a deep sleep, not so great. Especially with the added scream, which nearly scared the outlaw queen right out of her skin. Black Star suddenly realized that she couldn't breathe and gently grabbing Allaire's arms, she pulled Allaire of her throat. " Must......breathe...." Ok, maybe it wasn't that bad, but she was allowed to add some drama. Black Star made a bit of a show of being able to breathe again. "Aiyee! With a grip like that even Asterion will be afraid of you." Black Star stood and began to tease the child by leisurely strolling about camp, as if she did not know it was Allaire's birthday.

Black Star was assisted in her teasing by a couple adults suddenly deciding to talk about very boring and dull things. The outlaw grabbed some bread and ate her breakfast slowly. The Grellon was rather peaceful today. Well, other then ever active children. Once things had been attended to and the outlaw return to her ever-so comfortable tree branch she suddenly seemed to notice Allaire again. " So tell me, what are you doing today? Anything exciting?" Hanging by her knees from the branch the outlaw hung upside down like a kid on the monkey bars. Her head was a couple feet above the ground as she began to swing a bit back and forth. Black Star enjoyed teasing anyone and everyone. Unfortunately, swinging upside down made it so the little package, gift for Allaire, slip out. Black Star made a wild grab for it, but missed. "Gah, that wasn't suppose to happen! Well anyway, it's for you. Happy Birthday Allaire, I think you will especially like this one." The Outlaw queen just hoped that whatever magic that stone had, t would not hurt Allaire. That would be a lame gift, a deadly one.

[Taske]

The little girl giggled at Black Stars response, for a OutLaw leader, she was a sound sleeper to allow a little girl to sneak up on her. she sat back on her heels, watching and waiting for Black Star to happy birthday her and present her gift to her. But the moment seemed to come and go quickly, Black Star got to her feet, brushed herself off and briskly walked to the square. Allaire watched her with disbelief, her eyes fallowing her leaders toned body. Her mouth seemed to waver, and her eyes grew big, how could she forget?

The little girl seemed to trail in Black Star's bath, accepting the people of the Grellons congratulations, she was kinda of downcast, the only person, well the only Grellon's congratulation she wanted was Black Stars. But no matter how much the little girl fallowed her the OutLaw leader did not turn to her with a smile and a joking laugh.

Her whole day seemed to be a downer. She turned form Black Star and made her way to the tree that her leader had been sleeping in, and sat down with a huff. What had gone wrong, Black Star never forgot her birthday, well she had pretended, but never this long, it was now High noon, and still her role module has yet to say more then two sentences to her. Just as she was just going to go home, black Star came trotting from the direction of the city a small smile on her face, as if a plan of her was coming together nicely. And as she sawing from the tree, and a box falls from her pocket, Allaire knew why, she was playing the same trick she always does, but this time she up the ante and play it longer.

Allaire giggled with glee, happy that she had not forgotten and even in fact seemed to get her something nice. The girl got to her feet and picked up the small box, her hands pulling off the colorful cloth and opening the lid to revel one emerald earring. She picked it up and quickly removed one of the plane copper one s from her left ear and replaced it with her new gift. She smiled up at Black Star in a toothy grin. "Black Star its PERFECT!"

She was about to advance on Black Star to give a small kiss thank you when a clatter of hoofs and a snort, then a voice that she new entered her mind. The Small girl seemed to forget all about kissing Black Star and ran to meet the lord horse. "Zephyr!" She rapped her small hand around his nose and kissed his cheek, much like she intend to do to Black Star just moments ago. "Alexa, hello!"

The girl was about to greet Alexa more so a young male voice sounded in her mind. She blinked looking at around Zephyr's foreleg and spotted a brilliant colt. The little girl's eyes grew big as she looked the horse in the face. He snorted at her, his blue eyes seeming to piece her. Is she mine? The young voice seemed to come from the colt, and Allaire gasped. Was this loving thing Also a Lord horse!? "Hi mister horsey, are you also a lord horse?" She tilted her head, looking the colt in the face as he snorted as if laughing at her. I like her, I think I will keep her. The copper beast moved forward on his tether and pushed his nose into her chest.

Allaire giggled at him. "And you little lord horse, I know what I'm going to call you! Comet!" The horse nodded, it fit, he was much like the comets within the night sky, one small stone fallowed by bellows of fire. Yes, little one, that name will do nicely. Comet dipped his head again and pushed the girl.

The small girl petted the copper nose of Comet and turned to Alexa and Black Star "I love them so much! Thank you Alexa for Comet, and Black Star for the lovely Earring! I love them so much." The girls face seemed to be in a constant happy look, as if she had forgotten the small joke form earlier.

[Desperanza]

The day was coming to shape up rather nicely, in the end. She would arrive at the Grellon soon, and soon she would see Allaire’s smiling face, hear her uplifting chatter and she would spend a day with the child whom had stolen her heart. A day of riding and an afternoon away, she had finally brought the Grellon camp into view. The colt, well mannered and sweet tempered had been patient as he trailed the Lord of horses, the andalusian stallion leading the way to the camp as the white stallion picked his way through the trees where Alexa led him to, riding him up the hillside to the top of the rocky incline but she did not have to go far to discover the pair hiding out among the trees, Allaire’s small squeals and sounds reaching them before Alexa had even become fully aware that they were even there.

Smiling, the princess slid from the back of her own stallion and straightened once more, thankful that she had thought to changed her attire for the long trip of riding that day as she straightened and braced a hand at Zephyr’s neck, inclining her head as she gazed at the child who needed no introduction to her gift, the brilliant copper colt of which had accompanied her on the trip to the camp. Now, as the pair became acquainted, Alexa greeted Black Star briefly with a smile before she turned to slide free the packages from the colt’s back, delivering the medicine to a keeper within the Grellon who would know where to store the medication for the child before she tucked her dress instead to Zephyr’s back instead before she turned to face the scene once more and with a grin, she noted the amethyst ring on the girl’s finger as well as the diamond that studded her ear and the emerald that now studded the opposite side. It was quite a wonderful sight to see, the child studded with gems and jewelry, the wooden sword at her back and now, her life time companion delivered by Alexa herself.

The colt would not last forever, she knew but it would be a great start for Allaire. The colt would live the typical life of a horse and eventually, would die. It saddened her slightly that Allaire’s fellow companion would not live forever as Alexa’s own seemed to but none the less it seemed as if the pair had bonded already and the thought made her smile. Sighing, she folded her hands in front of herself and fell silent. Turning her gaze through the village she viewed the sight of the people that lingered within the town and smiled, sliding free the last larger package from the harness before she picked her way across the stone and made her way instead to the large boulders of which she had climbed upon the day that Black Star had shown her the truth of Murate, the very place that she had come to gather Grellon soldiers for her army and where now, she offered nothing more than a peaceful offering. She offered them extravagant food even if only for one night. For it was Allaire’s birthday after all and if nothing else then the child would eat well on that night. As she set the package on the stone she did not speak to anyone, knowing that they would figure out soon enough what was in there as it ranged from a few different breads, meats, and fresh fruits. Stepping away, she returned to the pair at the trees, glancing to Zephyr as he lingered alongside of the colt and the child, coming to nose Allaire’s cheek gently before straightening once more and she grinned slightly, keeping silent still as she rested a hand at her stallion’s shoulder and gazed upon the sight of the bright eyed child with a nod, her returning reply to the thanks that she had received from the girl in return, the soft glitter in her own ice blue eyes elation at the thrilled child’s emotions now as she glanced between Black Star and Allaire.

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[Jotari]

Black Star

Black Star righted herself and enjoyed Allaire's delight at the gift. The outlaw was quite interested to see what sort of magic the emerald held though. Sticking to her comfortable perch Black Star was pleased to notice Alexa in the camp. Her sharp eyes did not miss the medicine bundle. Nodding to Alexa in silent thanks Black Star watched Allaire. A colt? Well that would certainly be interesting to have around camp. Although Tryphena's horse was still in camp, though currently being used to help gather firewood in the surrounding forests. But what really caught Black Star's attention was that Allaire called the colt a "Lord Horse." She knew that the horse was a mortal horse. Putting two and two together to make four, Black Star decided that the emerald must give the bearer the understanding of animals and their language.

Chuckling a bit she shook her head. That would be even more interesting then the colt around here. She wondered when Allaire would figure out her new found gift. Although, it could possibly e annoying to have who knows what talking to Allaire. Black Star would kill anything that decided Allaire should learn some curse words. " Nice colt Allaire." She looked at it with observant eyes. Glancing at Alexa, "Of course my pet, it is your birthday after all. But I have a suggestion for you, why don't you go around other animals and listen very carefully? That emerald is more then just a pretty trinket little one." Black Star was very interested to see how the emerald worked and also how Allaire would react. Hopefully the child wouldn't be frightened out of her wits.

Black Star desired to use her own secret power but watching Allaire would be almost as fun. " Welcome back Alexa. I should tell you I think Tryphena will very soon make an appearance in Kiyer. Where those love-sick pups are at I haven't a clue. Tryphena has stolen my Asterion and he's absolutely useless these days. She chuckled but Black Star knew why Tryphena would be visiting home. It would easily be more dangerous then an Ohanzee raid doing this visit too. Tryphena would be telling her parents about the attack and that she was nearly seven weeks pregnant. But for now, they would focus on Allaire.

[Taske]

Allaire looked up into the colts bright eyes, her face smiling, he was a loving thing with a blaze down his nose and his a strong stare, he was one to not be messed with, one that would protect what he wants, when he wants. The horse moved his head down to the girls face and snorted on her. Come little one, climb upon my back. He turned, his hoofs padding to a large stump that would give Allaire a leg up onto his back. She fallowed behind him, almost existed. She had never been atop a horse before, let alone bareback. She got up onto the log, and leaped onto the colt's back, Her bare feet pressing onto his belly, holding her up on his back. It was a odd feeling, she felt tall and powerful with him under her, something she hardly ever felt like.

As Black Star suggested something the colt turned, seeming to bunch himself up, ready to get on his way, to test his new owner. "Ok, Black Star!" The colt look back at Allaire and seemed to smile, his eyes dancing. Hold on tight. With that the colt raced off, his young legs eating up ground much like he was flying. The girl gripped his mane, her small hands pulling on his hair so she just did not fall off. Comet weaved through the trees his hoofs eating forest quickly, but just as quickly as he started off he stopped, his hoofs coming to a stop near the clearing where Black Star and Alexa should be waiting.

Allaire panted, her legs shaking slightly, she already felt the pain in her hips and thighs from riding bareback. But she could ignore it, the medicine she took made any pain she ever felt duller, so she would live, and soon her muscles would become stronger and more adapt to riding. she leaned forward on Comet and petted his neck, he had tried everything to toss her, but she held on, and he seemed to now fully accept her as his owner. He snorted and pawed the ground. Look up little one, a squirrel is trying for your attention.

Allaire tilted her head. Trying to think what Comet meant by that when chatter entered her mind. Girl, girl, you and your beast are standing on my FOOD, MOVE IT! Allaire looked up at him, her mouth open while the colt snorted again and moved into the small clearing and stopped near Black Star. The little girl stared at the rodent as it slide down the tree and picked up its nut, it chattered more at Allaire and hurried back up the tree to its home. "It talked..." Allaire had not fully listened to Black Star before, for the horse had caught her full attention, but now she understood what Black Star meant, Comet was not a Lord horse like Zephyr, but instead a normal horse, it was something else that made her able to talk to him, and it was non other then her earring. "Black Star! I think I can talk to animals!" The little girl smiled at her leader, not believing what a priceless gift she had given her, something Allaire would never miss place, ever, this was a gift that she would forever cherish.

[Desperanza]

Alexa’s eyes gazed after the sight of the girl as she rode off into the trees and Alexa could do nothing more than to grin at the sight of the child atop the fabulous chestnut colt. She knew nothing of the fact that the two could speak to each other, for the only horse that she could speak to was Zephyr, the lord of all horses. She did not have the ability to speak to any animal for that matter save for her only stallion. So she did not know what the colt said to Allaire and in turn what Allaire said to the colt and so she would never fully understand their bond to the truest extent. Never the less she smiled as the two disappeared into the trees and sighed softly, folding her arms over herself as she came to lean against a tree and wait patiently. That horse would offer Allaire a strength that her own body would not. He would grow and evolve with her and they would share a bond until the colt passed away and until that day Alexa truly believed that Comet would carry that child well into her fighting years as a member of the Grellon, something that she had strived for when selecting a gift for the girl’s birthday.

Now, as she listened to the thud of the hoof beats disappear into the forest for a little while, she turned her gaze instead to Black Star. The dark beauty of the woman made her smile. Like a civilized, beautiful wild woman the Grellon Queen remained poised throughout the entire affair with the child and again Alexa found it simple to see why Black Star’s people adored her so much. Sighing, the Princess tilted her head back against the trunk and closed her eyes, her mind trailing back to her own people for a moment as she imagined what it would be like when the crown sat on her own head. She bit her lip, flicking her eyes open once more as the sound of Comet’s foot falls was returning once again and she turned her head to cast a glance towards the child as she returned astride the chestnut colt.

Smiling, the princess straightened once more and stepped away from the tree again. She came to stroke Zephyr’s nose, ever appreciative of the bond that she held with her own stallion. She sighed softly and smiled gently to the girl as she stated that she thought she could talk to animals. Inclining her head a bit, the Princess arched a brow and sent a glance to Black Star briefly before she glanced back to Allaire once more with a small nod, now aware that the girl would be talking to Comet as Alexa talked with Zephyr except for the fact that Alexa was not the one with the magic but instead, it was her stallion. Now, Allaire too would have this gift with everything that moved and breathed and could be classified as an animal. That seemed like an awfully busy mind to her and she gave a rather amused expression for a brief moment before she sighed softly and shifted, feeling a bit awkward at the moment as she glanced around herself.

By now, Grellon members were becoming aware of the package that the Princess had delivered and shrieks and cries of delight were ranging throughout the camp. Children darted around camp in wild fits of giggles with little cakes and breads clasped between their fingers while the eyes of adults flared with delight for the fresh meats and other produce and items that appeared from the rather large package. Alexa smiled, her heart warmed by the sight of the people who would for once have a proper meal, a fresh meal full of fresh fruits, vegetables, meats and cheeses as well as a few sweeter items. She gave a slight smile but her chin tucked towards herself slightly, modest and still feeling rather awkward for she knew that one good deed was not enough to justify herself for life. Especially in the eyes of these people for whom she was never sure what they happened to be thinking of her and it made her vaguely uncomfortable. She did not live among them as she did her own people and she felt a slight itch at the blades of her shoulders over pondering what it was that they might be thinking for she knew that her sister Abigail and the Queen gave these people no reason to look up to them nor like them. She turned her head from the sight finally and instead she came to gaze upon the sight of Black Star and Allaire once again.

Though she smiled, the Princess felt out of place. The pants and cotton shirt felt rather odd against her body in place of the skirts and dresses that usually fitted her slender form. With Zephyr at her side, she took strength from the stallion and for his presence, she was thankful. She stroked the ivory hide and finally, her lungs filled rather deeply and she straightened a bit with a soft sigh, offering a gentle smile as she glanced towards the pair once more who rather did look like mother and daughter at first glance. With matching raven hair and Allaire’s emerald eyes, she felt more or less like she was on the outside looking into the snow globe of a rather happy family even though there was no father figure, and the family was small and in her mind she knew that truly they had no connections at all by blood but if one did not know, they would think of Black Star here with her daughter and Alexa giggled despite herself at the sight, sobering rather quickly however she turned away, feeling rather inappropriate. Her hands whisked across the white back of her stallion as she prepared to mount once more, securing the brown package that held her dress inside upon the equine’s back as her ice colored eyes gazed through the trees for a moment before finally, she turned to the pair to speak, ”I-I suppose that I should go.” she murmured, her tone quiet, soft. She cast a glance towards the village and she sighed, inclining her head a bit but she knew that there was only so much that she could do for them so she turned back to Zephyr once more as she prepared to mount.

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[Jotari]

Black Star watched her Grellon enjoy Alexa's gifts with great joy in her blue eyes. Running her fingers through her hair the outlaw queen smiled as a younger child gleefully found a sweet and took off to show her. Kneeling, Black Star enjoyed the little girl's delight with the gift. "Can we eat it?" The child begged, quickly joined by several other children, who also desired the treat. Sighing Black Star chuckled good-natured, "Finish your chores and then you may. But I don't want to hear any complaining if you make yourselves sick, understand?" Her warning was drowned out by screams of delight as children scattered to finish their work.

The outlaw queen watched for a moment and then turned again to see Allaire returning. So, the child could hear animals speaking. Allaire didn't seem afraid either, which was a good thing. " I suspected as much little one. It has been a long time since I felt that power, but I would suspect it is of the fairies. They are after all the nature folk. Just be careful, the animals may be very surprised or even annoyed that you can hear them. Now, go on and show me how you can ride that nice colt of yours. Black Star's own abilities, her own energy as well as Magrej's, was very different from the fairy folk. It was probably some ancient creation, but who could tell?

The outlaw queen finally focused on Alexa when the princess mentioned leaving. Black Star had made a decision that Tryphena could not hide forever and now would probably be the best chance the poor girl would get for a long time. Wait a moment Alexa. There is a matter that must be discussed. Find Tryphena please." Her tone was serious, not the playful forest nymph that enjoyed the children's company, but the queen of the grellon now spoke. A woman nodded and Tryphena was sent for. Black Star rarely asked for anyone to come like this, her tone had demanded obedience and for things to be done without question. Tryphena came from a far hut, dressed in a loose gown that was loosely tied just below the breast. This hid the fact that Tryphena was nearly two months pregnant. The Grellon, even the children, had orders to not speak about it and to guard Tryphena. Black Star sent a bit of a warning glance around, even to Allaire, that they were to keep silent about Tryphena's condition. The blond princess came, flocked by three older women. These women had basically kept everyone else away. They had even shooed Black Star a couple times. They were self-appointed guardians of Tryphena, though the entire Grellon was watchful.

Tryphena got the order, " just a moment please." After all, Black Star was usually patient. That was why Tryphena was surprised wen the woman who was sent had replied thus, "No Tryphena, Black Star looked pretty serious. I think you need to head that way." Tryphena nodded and stood slowly, fighting nausea. This pregnancy was not being easy on the young girl, even though the older women had certainly mothered her enough. They followed, curious to see what had their leader so tense. Tryphena paled a bit when she saw Alexa but Tryphena was Grellon now. She knew she needed to listen an obey. Maybe if she had before, she wouldn't be in this mess. To her surprise Black Star walked a few yards toward her and kept her tones low so Alexa could not hear. " We need to at least tell your sister, Tryphena." Tryphena had fear in her eyes but she had learned to trust the Grellon and the Grellon queen. Black Star could get very moody and even violent, but she was still the one that kept them on this side of the dirt. Tryphena though had made a choice. " You are right and not only do I wish to tell Alexa, I wish to visit Kiyer and tell at least my father." Black Star's eyes darkened in concern, " You do know what that could result in?" Tryphena's reply was simple, " You gave me security and I trust you. You will not let anything happen to me." The giant blue eyes looked into darker blue eyes and Black Star nodded, " Then I will accompany you, though I will not allow anyone else except perhaps Asterion to join us." Tryphena nodded and both women walked back to Alexa.

"Forgive us if we seemed rude there, we had things to decide." Tryphena smiled, almost shyly with a touch of fear in her eyes. How would her family react knowing that Rashok, the general of Murate, had raped her and now she bore his child? But Tryphena had child-like faith in Black Star's protection, even though the Grellon queen herself was a bit unsure about how the whole thing would play out. "Hello Alexa." Tryphena knew this had to go well. She was two months pregnant and already starting to show, though the loose dress hid the growing belly. Hopefully, this wouldn't be overly messy.

[Desperanza]

Alexa’s movements were deliberate. She had intentions of heading home at that point but when Black Star spoke, she hesitated and instead she paused, turning to face the outlaw queen instead with an incline of her head as she gazed towards the fellow woman with a questioning look. At the outlaw’s next words, she caught her breath, her ice blue eyes lighting swiftly with an eager glint, her gaze glancing towards the village now with a furrowed brow as she awaited the sign of her sister now. She admittedly had not thought much of Tryphena for a little while now and that being because she no longer worried for her sister. She believed that Black Star was right and that Tryphena was and always would be safe here. It was obvious that the youngest Princess would not be returning home again and though the thought planted a bitter seed within her, she knew that she could not blame her fellow sister for the fact that here she was free. She was poor and cut off from everything at the castle but no doubt she was happy or by now, she would be home, wouldn’t she? She sighed, relaxing herself as she leaned against the shoulder of her stallion for a few moments before she turned her gaze ahead once more as she instead glanced back towards the village once more as Tryphena approached.

Her younger sister with her golden blonde hair and vibrant blue eyes approached from far off across the village and she held her breath, gazing over her for a moment before she lowered her gaze away, glancing to Black Star as the outlaw Queen stepped forward to address the youngest Princess. Alexa’s eyes were cast towards her sister, hardly able to comprehend the fact of her being here at the Grellon village, a place that she had only months before not known had existed. Waiting patiently, Alexa pondered what it was that could be keeping them, the feeling that there was something kept from her evident within the air but Alexa turned her head from it. She had more to worry about then dragging her sister home. It didn’t matter, Tryphena made her own decisions and Alexa would go on being the Queen in a later sense of her life and until then she would work to balance the future of Ellsinora and not to let it fall to the King of Murate.

She smoothed her fingers against the pants that she wore and her gaze traveled around herself thoughtfully for a moment before glancing back once more as she cast a glance towards Tryphena once again now not so much feeling a solid connection with her sister any longer for she no longer knew her. She didn’t understand her, and she never saw her. It was like a rather large rift had been placed between them and for quite some time she had not if ever been close to Abigail. They were too far apart. She was not close to her mother, either, and yet it was her father that she was close to and still, she was hesitant. Now, she was secluded, separated into a world of responsibility all her own. The stone walls that were built around her and the skirts and royal happenings were her life and here, with the poor, was Tryphena’s. As her sister approached, Alexa lifted her chin, offering a faint smile to her youngest sister as she straightened and stepped forward slowly, pausing a short space from her as she held her hands out to her, ”Hello Tryphena.” she replied, her tone soft and yet she was slightly hesitant as she gazed towards her with a small smile.

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[Jotari]

Black Star suddenly realized that Tryphena was holding into her arm with a grip of steel. It actually hurt too, so Black Star gently unpried the princess' fingers. Tryphena was pretty much scared to death. Tryphena gathered herself, " Two months ago I was stupid enough to venture into Pungoi swamp even after explicit instructions from Black Star to stay out. It was not her fault or anyone else here, this was my own stupidity. I should have listened. But I didn't and I was attacked by someone identified as General Rashok of Murate." Tryphena gulped again and moved to almost half-hide behind Black Star. The outlaw leader was simply there to make sure that no one slapped anyone else. She had made it clear to Tryphena that this was something she would not do for the princess. Tryphena slowly choose her words and continued, albeit she never was the best at diplomacy. " I wish to visit Kiyer to...to tell my father that I am two months with child. But please Alexa, it was my own fault! I was stupid and didn't listen, please don't be angry with the Grellon. They have all granted me sanctuary here and I really am happy...." Her voice drifted off, unsure of what to say.

Black Star was quite ready to get yelled at or even slapped by Alexa. In fact she braced for anything that would come, though slapping wouldn't be the brightest idea in the world. It would be a shock, no doubt. Asterion had been very torn about the entire thing but he had actually desired to try and help by marrying Tryphena, though that little face wasn't even known by Tryphena herself. Black Star would indeed accompany Tryphena into Kiyer and there was no way she was coming back with Tryphena. It would no doubt be costly to Black Star as Tryphena's family was probably going to blame the Grellon for this entire ordeal.

[Desperanza]

[centerAlexa’s hands retreated away from Tryphena once more as she practically watched her sister shrivel away from her and recoil. She pulled back and instead came to fold her arms across her chest as she eyed the blonde haired Princess with an arched brow, curious as to what her sister had to say. She had expected something along the lines of why the hell her sister had decided to stay here, to plant her butt among the poor Grellon and not to return home as if she decided what happened in her life. She had expected an explanation on Tryphena’s strange romance which had been floating to Alexa’s ears from Black Star’s mouth. She had expected an apology as to leaving without a word or at least something of the sort but no. All her sister had to say, all her seventeen year old sister had to say, was that she was pregnant. All she had to tell her was that she had wandered off into the swamp when she had been warned not to and now she was coming home to tell her prized father that she was pregnant!

Alexa nearly fell on her back at the news, a gasp ripping apart the air as her hands fluttered to her mouth for a moment and her stomach turned a quick flip. Her eyes fluttered over the loose dress tied about her sister’s frame and her ice colored eyes hovered over her stomach for a moment before she clenched her jaw and slowly began to recover from shock. She squared her shoulders and clenched her fingers to her palms, her stare becoming piercing and searching as she searched the facial features of the blonde Princess now more than ever feeling the stupidity of her sister’s actions. Her breath held within her lungs for a few long moments solidly as she watched her younger sister before finally, it escaped from her mouth in a hiss, her head turning from side to side slowly as she stared down at her and took a step away from her, now no longer offering to hug her or to touch her.

She sighed stiffly, her gaze disappointed and searching, briefly pleading but it was gone as quickly as it had come. She leaned against Zephyr once again to hold her feet as she watched Tryphena with a solid stare and finally, she spoke, ”You have got to be kidding me! First you run away from home, thinking you just know everything about your life, thinking you can take care of yourself. Then you fall head over heels for a minotaur of all things and now, now you are pregnant because you wandered off where you shouldn’t have!” she was practically screaming towards the end, her hands flung into the air at Tryphena though she had no intentions of touching her and she turned her head away instead with a rather sharp look as she glanced among the trees for a moment before finally returning her gaze back to her sister again.

She did not often get truly angry for she was quite kind hearted and open to most things but this, this was ridiculous, ludicrous, her younger sister had never appeared more brainless as she did now. She shook her head swiftly and stared at Tryphena once more, her blue eyes blazing, ”Why would you bother. Why would you bother coming home like this? With a bastard child of a Murate man! You will stress him now, you will stress our father with this child of yours. You have ruined your life, Tryphena. You have spoiled your body by leaving this camp. This of all places, the place that you chose to stay. This alone has stretched our father thin and now you dare to come back as if you still belong?” she folded her arms sharply against her chest and gave Tryphena a stare meant to drill her into the ground. All these years she had dealt with Tryphena’s brainless acts, times that she had acted without thinking and the fact in general that she often did not think before she did anything but now, she was furious. She was no longer patient or willing and she practically glared at her sister as she stood in stony silence and fumed, unsure whether there was even anything that wanted to say to her sister at this point.
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[Jotari]

Tryphena cringed at her sister and Black Star just sorta stood there and made Tryphena take her medicine. But when Alexa started going about how it was Tryphena who was the real issue, Tryphena flared. She had been through enough the last two months she did not need Alexa getting to far into this. Pushing Black Star away hard enough the surprised outlaw stumbled a bit, the blond girl got right up to Alexa, voice actually angry but dangerously calm. Tryphena was sick of this entire thing. " Yes, I did disobey and it was stupid. But what were the damn chances that Rashok or anyone else would be that close to the mountains!? Do you think I like this any more then you do Alexa? I will carry a child for seven more months and then be forced to take care of a bastard for years. I will pay over and over again for my mistake. I do not need you getting all huffy and in my face about it." Whipping around Tryphena majestically turned and with every ounce of dignity she could muster she stormed off.

Holy crap where had that come from?! The Grellon members had basically disappeared in fright while Black Star's eyes were opened wide and her mouth open a bit after Tryphena actually got angry. Tryphena's shove had been surprisingly but then the harsh words and then her stomping off? This was not going to end well. Black Star quickly collected herself but wasn't sure what to do next. Eyes narrowed in irritation, Tryphena had no right to do that. Black Star merely said one word just before Tryphena disappeared into the treeline, " Tryphena" the tone was dark and dangerous from the outlaw queen. Huffing Tryphena stormed back, "What?" Her behavior was that of a child and so Black Star treated her as a child. The outlaw coldly grabbed Tryphena' hair and dragged her all the way back. " Now listen to me you two, no matter what has happened, there will still be a child. It is easy to cover up. Asterion has requested my permission to marry Tryphena. We simply arrange it so that the marriage looks as if it already took place and then we will go to Kiyer and for your sakes, you will please the King or I swear I'll chuck you both off into Murate! I beg both of you to go with this or your father will have a heart attack and Alexa will go from heir to queen, which quite honestly scares me at the moment. Now would you please work with this?" The outlaw's tone was level and calm, but she kept tight grip on Tryphena. Tryphena knew she had no choice or Black Star would probably rip out a chunk of hair. Tryphena looked to Alexa and for a moment, it was like she asked Alexa, begged Alexa, to help with this. Sighing Tryphena nodded slowly.

[Desperanza]

Alexa’s eyes stared upon the sight of Tryphena, blazing and infuriated. Her gaze traveled briefly to Black Star with a warning glance, inquiring her to dare challenging in Tryphena’s defense. How could she, however? How could the outlaw queen support the Princess whom had invaded her village, proper and contrite, and then defy her and travel to the swamps anyways and who know stole away to her village for protection with her raunchy child tucked into her womb? Alexa wrinkled her nose and hissed at Tryphena, turning her head away from her as she rather purposefully kept from looking at her. She instead folded her arms over her chest and glared into the trees, turning a blind eye to the ridiculous plight of the younger princess and yet she did not feel sorry for her when Tryphena admitted that she would be forced to care for the bastard child through her life and in some strange sense, Alexa rather felt satisfied. She felt as if Tryphena was still a child. Hell, she was only seventeen. How disgusting this would look on the royal family. Alexa felt her temper beginning to flare all over again but before it could boil over, Tryphena headed for the hills or technically, the trees and soon Black Star was calling her back.

Alexa’s eyes lit with vague interest as Black Star pulled the girl back by her hair and the elder Princess’s chin ducked in a brief nod of satisfaction as she turned towards the outlaw queen with a new gleam of respect in her eye this time, falling silent as she listened to the outlaw’s claim and sighed. She felt rather like making Tryphena take another dose of her own medicine, make her tell her father where she got her pregnancy from and yet, she worried that further news of the sort would send her father keeling over on the spot. She sighed, stiffly. She was still furious with the air headed princess and as she stared down at the impudent teenager, she frowned deeply and still refused to touch her, or to go closer to her for that matter. Instead, she folded her arms tightly across her chest, her eyes taking on an electric blaze of an icy stare towards the blonde, ”I will do this, not for you, you stupid child, but for father. I fear that making this any worse than it already is will sicken him but we cannot fix what mistake you have made now and nor should you expect me at the wedding. I can hardly believe that you are even in love anymore then I can believe that any thought went into your actions.” she stated, her tone icy. She would be civil about this, but it would be for the sake of the King, not for the sake of the Princess who no longer existed.

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