The Eldars

51

"Lenax was your chosen to represent you? I just don't understand that. He has done nothing except try to destroy the alliance and insult my friends. He was arrested earlier today as a traitor because of his actions. You have before you three choices: first, you can elect someone else as your choice tonight and the alliance will continue; second, let it stand as is and go without a people's representative; third, the alliance will dissolve and the good people of Bonita will be destroyed. And if you choose another ass like Lenax, I will dissolve the alliance myself, or at least the elven portion of it. I don't have time for these games, none of us do. Make you choice now." Montani let her anger show through. She misses her children and wishes desperately to go back to them.

There is shocked murmuring through the crowd. The people respect Montani, that Lenax was working against her shocks them. Apparently they've forgotten just how he'd reacted when she was there as Katiri, years earlier. They've also conveniently forgotten just how much he hates humans. Now that it's shoved into their faces again they're a little sick at what they've done.

It doesn't take long for the consensus to come. They send another representative to the council, this one far more conciliatory and willing to do her best to help the council make the best of things.

The king watches as she makes her way to the throne, "Lianna, it's a pleasure to see you. You are the new choice for the people then?"

"Yes, Sire. I hope that I am able to give some help worthy of the trust placed in me." Lianna says after coming up from her curtsy.

Montani walks in then and when she sees who the people replaced Lenax with a huge smile takes over her face. "So, the people finally got their brains working again." Then she launches herself into Lianna's arms.

"You sure know how to make people feel stupid. You've always had that talent with the elves though."

Mant can't help himself, "They aren't the only ones. Half the reason this alliance was even created was because Montani makes us all feel stupid if we don't do what she says." The teasing is all in fun, but there is more than a little truth to his words and everyone in that room knows it.

Montani turns and gives Mant a mock scowl before returning her attention to her friend. "Lianna, this idiot is Mant, my husband. Mant, a good friend of mine, Lianna. She's a far better choice than that incredible ass Lenax was."

The king decides to intercede at this point. He's not used to being ignored, at least not when he's in his throne room on his throne. "You will be staying for dinner and then we'll be convening for a meeting. You'll be meeting the other members of the council at that time." The king then smiles and steps down from his throne.

He comes over to Lianna, "Welcome, there's someone on the council that will be very pleased to see you."

Lianna blushes and looks down. Montani looks at her and then at the king in a thoughtful gaze. The king refuses to look at her, but Montani has her own ideas. Slowly a smile takes over her face.

Mant knows that look and it makes him shudder. Montani has something planned and he just hopes it isn't against him.

They all slowly make their way out of the throne room, Montani asking questions and listening avidly to all her answers.

"So we welcome our newest member, Lianna, to the council." The king announces as everyone comes into the council. "I have every confidence that she will be a great asset to our team."

Lianna is able to keep her cool until she looks at Leean, then she blushes a bright red color. That's all Montani needs to make her smirk. She had thought so, now she watches Leean to see how he reacts to Lianna. She likes what she is seeing, it looks like Leean and Lianna have taken quite a liking to each other. They will be a good match and Montani is satisfied.

The council goes far into the night, trying to make up the time they lost from Lenax and his idiocy.  By the time they finish it is closer to day than night and many plans have been made. Montani is tired beyond tired and is being supported by Mant.

Mant doesn't let it show but he's worried about Montani and how she isn't regaining the strength that she lost from the spider bite. The fighting will be soon and Montani won't be able to fight effectively if she is like this. Mant doesn't even think about trying to keep her out of the fighting. Montani would just give him a look and then go into the heart of the fighting.

The next morning, Montani doesn't wake up like she normally would. Mant sighs, he was afraid of this. Montani had overdone things and now she can't wake up. Mant goes to find Teondae, Montani won't like missing the next council meeting and if she's not conscious she can't attend.

"Mant, Montani, so glad you could make it." The king says warmly once the two are able to make it to the council. "We will try to not make things so trying for you in the future Montani." The King had enjoyed the secondary role yesterday, as Montani had taken over responsibility of the council. He's more than happy to turn over the responsibility to Montani once more.

"My apologies to everyone, for being so late." Montani says still looking exhausted and wan as she takes over the seat the king vacates for her.

The others are shocked at how strained Montani looks. Teondae is the only one of the council that isn't and he's gritting his teeth. He wants to do more for her, but no matter how much healing he gives her she isn't getting better. He wishes to make a trip to his home so that he can commune and get some ideas on how to help her. If she fails even before the fight then they all will fall.

Mant puts a reassuring hand on Teondae and he relaxes a bit. "We know you are doing the best that you can. Every day that we have is a day that we wouldn't have without you, we appreciate all that you've given and continue to give us." Mant has tears in his eyes that he's doing his best to keep from falling.

"It's not enough, Mant. She's failing more each day, I need to go home and commune there and counsel with my people's elders. They might know of some way to help her that I don't." Teondae says watching Montani closely.

Mant nods and tries to smile and it falls short. "I understand, and I'm sure that the other's will as well."

"Forgive me, everyone, but I must leave for a short time. I will return as soon as I can, hopefully with greater knowledge of how I can help." Teondae gets up and bows to them all before he swiftly and silently leaves the group.

There is stunned silence in the hall as they watch the main Vacar representative leave the room.

"Where is he going?" Montani asks Mant.

"He's going home to counsel with his people and take time to commune to see how he can help you and have his people help in this fight." Mant replies distractedly.

Montani is taken aback, "He's going back home in the middle of an important council to find out ways to help me?"

Mant looks squarely at Montani, "If you die before we even start fighting this alliance will fail. So right now your health is of the highest priorities. So yes, so he's searching for ways to help you." 

Montani relaxes and gives a soft smile to Mant, "I can't help but think that that is more of a wishful thinking. I am no one of any great importance, everyone in this council has as much to add here as I. You no less than I, Mant."

Hard on the tail of her words the others raise their voices to deny her words. She looks at each of them and they slowly trail off their protests. "Each of you, yes that includes the humans, have as much to offer as I do. I have just been blessed with a great deal of power that seems to be a throw back to the times the Eldar and humans were still close. That and a hatred of the evil ones that you all lack, that's not necessarily a bad thing either. Just remember that we must work together to defeat this enemy. As long as we work together none of us is more important than the other."

After that the council meeting resumed and if there was a need for the Vacar, Mant or Montani would contact Teondae through mind talk.