The Secret Kingdom

Awkward Encounters

That night after the tournament, there was yet another feast to congratulate the winners. Elia won in sword, laughing brightly after a rapid and entrancing final round against the warrior Brienna, who was just as fearsome as the elves had mentioned.

If Merlin thought it was fascinating to watch the elves take on bandits and chimeras, it was a whole other level to see them paired against each other.

The two were barely visible, moving so quickly as they turned, ducked, and pirouetted around the field. A bright grin on both their faces showed that the two viewed it more as a game than a serious match.

In archery, Elia had nearly won, but hit the mark just slightly out of center, allowing another elf, Baela, the victory. From the small smile she gave the woman, Merlin deducted that the queen may have allowed her to win.

Both times, Alrich had gone red in the face, which was almost as enjoyable as watching the competition.

Now seated in the hall, Elia and Arthur were caught up in a lively conversation about the various knights and warriors' performances in the tourney with Elidren calmly adding comments here and there. Arbelladon seemed bored, as usual, while Rhys and Cameron spent a good part of the meal making eyes at various maidens around the room when they weren't teasing Trevor.

Trevor kept glancing down the table at Elia, who was pointedly ignoring him, which was the only thing that seemed out of place.

Merlin's view moved down the table, settling on Agravaine, who was cautiously studying the two monarchs as he attempted to listen into their conversation. While he had been more vocal about supporting the elves than most others in the council, he was studying Elia in a calculating way that didn't settle all that well with the young warlock.

As with the previous night, when the eating had started waning, various couples stood and began to dance as music played. Arthur looked over at Elia and offered his hand, which she accepted, and led her out to the floor where they joined in. Merlin moved over to the table, walking behind the various council members as he refilled wine goblets.

"Just what did you do this time, Trevor?" Cameron asked, looking at the serious young elf. "I haven't seen her this aggravated with you since you took Elidren's side in their last argument."

"Nothing that concerns you," Trevor replied brusquely, still watching as Elia danced with the king.

"Must have been something. She's barely spoken to you since the tournament," Rhys replied.

Merlin frowned slightly as he glanced out at Elia. He knew the two were close. He wondered just what had happened.

"You know how temperamental she can be," Trevor said with a sigh. "Don't you two have maidens to bother?"

Both Rhys and Cameron chuckled as Merlin continued down the table, moving towards Agravaine and Alrich, quietly fading into the background as any good servant knew how to do.

"You don't think they could be thinking of a marriage alliance, do you?" Alrich asked quietly as he leaned towards Agravaine.

His dark eyes were fixed upon the couple as they moved around the floor.

"Surely not. It's one thing to enter an alliance with such a kingdom – another completely to do so through marriage," Agravaine replied softly.

Merlin glanced towards the elves, thinking they were too far away to hear, though the sudden clenching of Elidren's jaw confirmed that he had indeed heard.

"What do we do from here? She's somehow won over some of the others with that display of hers today," Alrich said. "While impressive, I still don't trust them completely."