Again, Orlyn found himself walking to Anya's room for the second time that day.  Are you ready? he asked Anya telepathically.

Yeah... She was a little nervous.

You already met her at the party.  You'll be fine.  He reached the room and knocked on the door.

Anya answered, wearing a gown almost exactly on the one she wore on Lailule. She bit her bottom lip, “do I look okay?”

He smiled. “You look just like you did at Syshelle's party.”

“Well... only Quayan and with a circlet crown...”

“Yeah.”

“Still, that didn't answer the question...”

He looked at his feet for a second. “You look beautiful.  Just like then.”

“You sure?”

“Quite.”

“Okay... should I wear this?” Anya held up her right hand, which was clinched in her fist. “Her present?”

“I'm sure she'd understand if you didn't.”

“Well, could I? Is it only the three of us?”

“Yes.”  He took one of her hands gently.  “Relax.”  A shadow appeared behind him.

Are you sure about this, Anya? Jiolyu asked.

“Jiolyu... yes I am. Now just let me do this, okay?”

Very well.  If there is a problem, tell me

“You know I will.”

The Soridl faded into Orlyn's own shadow and vanished.

“The only thing bad about the whole blocking them thing is that I can't talk to you mentally.”  Anya took a deep breath. “Your mom's name is Ellisymea, right?”

“Yeah.”  He motioned to her and they started walking.

“You sure I look okay?”

“Yes.”  Orlyn chuckled.  “You already met her, right?”

“That was only a couple of minutes...”

“You'll do fine.”  He put an arm around one of hers.

She sighed, “I hope you're right.  Oh!” she looked down at her right hand. “Do I wear this?”

“I'll check.”

Orlyn closed his eyes.  Mom?

Yes? Is everything alright?

Anya is curious to if she should wear the gift you gave her.

It is hers now. That is up to her.

Oh.

And you too.

He looked back at her.  “She says it up to us.  Do you want to wear it?”

“Well... I do like it, but...”

“She said it's up to you, so you don't have to if you don't want to.”

She looked at it. “Well... wearing it means I am yours, right?”

“I... I suppose.”  He blinked.  “Wait.  I know.”  Orlyn took it from her hand for a moment.  “I'm giving it to you.  It is yours, and to do with what you wish.  It does not mean I am yours.  So... we don't anger the Gods.”

She nodded and took it back. “Then I am going to wear it.”

They kept walking, before they neared a pair of double doors.  Two guards stood at attention there and saluted as Orlyn passed and they walked into the room.  The doors closed behind them.

Ellisymea was already there and stood as they came over to the table. “Good evening.”

“Evening, Mom,” Orlyn said.

“Evening, Queen Ellisymea.” Anya bowed to the queen.

Ellisymea blinked, “Anya you don't have to be so formal. It is just the three of us.”

Anya blushed, “oh...”

Orlyn chuckled.  “You only met briefly, so... Mother, this is Krystanya Meoiska, the Quayan Princess.”

“Welcome to Takerde Anya, again, it is good to speak with you outside of your mind. Please sit.”

Orlyn pulled a chair out for her.

Anya sat down with a smile. He could tell she was still nervous.

Orlyn pulled a chair out next to her and sat down.

Ellisymea took a seat as well and just grinned at the two of them. “So how is the treaty coming along?”

“It...  It's coming.”

The Queen raised an eyebrow and then sighed, “not going well, huh?”

“We will have to get the Mekans to sign one, making our three kingdoms allies.”  He smiled.  “I'm sure they'll be happy to.  I'm just worried about the council.”

“Hmmm...” Ellisymea rested her chin on one of her hands, “I might be able to sway some to accept it. What else?”

“Anya?  You want to share some of what we've gotten done?”

“Well I looked over the offer that the council presented, but i don't think that would be good enough to sway my father to allow it. My father wishes that along with the treaty, Mekans and Quaya will be given equal rights in Takerdean law.”

The queen didn't look too pleased with that demand, “That... that will prove really difficult.”

“I know,” Orlyn said.  “If we play our cards right though, we might be able to do it.”

His mother nodded. “True.  It would also allow you to marry Anya.”

“We think that a lot of the problems are that people are just... wh-what?”

“You heard me.”  Ellisymea smiled warmly, “I am not dumb.”

Orlyn looked at her and then at Anya.  He leaned in and whispered to her.  “After we break the curse.”

Anya nodded.

“I will see what I can do. And I will keep those future plans secret,” his mother explained. “But you have my blessing when the time does come.”

He smiled and nodded.  Orlyn looked back at her.  “Thank you.”

Ellisymea grinned, “Like I could stop you...”

He laughed a little.

Anya even giggled at that.

“So...” Orlyn said.

“The dinner is coming.” As soon as Ellisymea finished saying that, the doors opened as the chiefs delivered the meal in large silver, covered, trays.  Three trays were placed at their places.  They opened up the lids and bowed before leaving.  “I'm starving... took them long enough.” Ellisymea began to eat.

What is up with you two blocking me like that! Soi's voice rang clear in both their minds.

Oh, great... Orlyn thought.

Anya smiled and ate trying to ignore the voices that were now very active again.  

Seriously! I am trying to help and you cast me away like a piece of meat... I'll get you back for it, just you wait and see.

Shut-up! Orlyn said to Soi.

Soi simply giggled.

Leasu growled, What are you planning?

Ellisymea choked on a piece of meat she was chewing on.

“Mom?  You okay?”

The queen finally stopped choking and looked at Orlyn wide-eyed, “You got Anya pregnant?”

“Um...”  He began to turn red a little.

“It... it was when we were married as Humans...” Anya finally mumbled.

Anya sighed, “I-I... I miscarried.”

Orlyn bowed his head a little.

The queen sighed, “How disappointing...”

Do you want me to block them again?

Please! Anya begged.

Orlyn closed his eyes and did so, just as before.

Ellisymea looked at them. “Well, I will just have to wait until you two are married again to be a grandmother.”

“Umm...”  He laughed nervously.  Soi was gone, but the damage was done.

“What?” the queen was now confused.

“Y-yeah.  When we're married.”

Did I say something wrong? You're worried.  His mother entered his mind.

It-it's nothing, he replied.  Nothing I can't handle on my own.

You sure?

Yes, quite.  He glanced at Anya for a second.  She was quietly eating.  “Now,” Orlyn said.  “Let's just have a nice dinner.”

"Alright, sorry." The Queen began to eat.

Orlyn glanced uneasily at his mother and carefully thought to himself.  If you only knew... "Uh, Anya?  Why don't you share some about yourself for the Queen's benifit?"

She smiled weakly, "Okay... there's a lot, really."

"You don't have to.  Just a little bit so she knows you better."

She nodded, "Well... hmmm... I am an only child but I do have several cousins..."

Orlyn's mother nodded, "I see... Orlyn never had any cousins."

Orlyn closed his eyes.  This has gotten so awkward...

Anya began to talk about her family, all of which was very interesting. The Queen seemed highly interested in what Anya was talking about. Then the conversation switched, "I also cook, although that is something I learned when I was staying on Lailule."

"I can't cook toast with out buring it..." The Queen mumbled, "But that is a very good skill to have. Maybe you could cook something for me sometime."

Anya smiled, "Alright. I hope you like Human food."

"She's very good too," Orlyn added.

"Not that good," the Quayan shook her head at Orlyn's compliment.

"It's better than some of the other stuff I've had." He chuckled.  "You should try some of the MREs the military has for us."

"That's to make you want to come home quicker..." his mother added with a smirk.

Anya laughed along with the Queen at Orlyn's expression at that remark. Luckily the awkwardness the meal started with finally ended.

*****