An Isle's Advocate

Chapter 2

Auradon's royal council meets every weekday from ten in the morning to five in the evening. Well, they're supposed to. The purpose of these meetings is so that any Auradon citizens who feel they have a case to argue or an issue to bring up may do so.

Satisfied with the way Auradon has been run for the last twenty years, it's rare for any citizens to actually make appointments and speak to their ruling representatives. This means that they usually don't even bother with holding a meeting more than maybe twice a week.

Following the coronation of King Ben, that all changed.

Hayden has made it a point to book as many appointments as he possibly can. He spends every meeting he attends arguing for amendments and reformations in regard to the Isle of the Lost.

Even for all the cunning and manipulations he learned at his father's knee, he has still yet to make any real progress.

His main opposition comes from the Beastie, who, surprise, surprise, moved right over to the royal council following his technical step down from the throne, and Leah. The only surprise that comes from her clear opinion of him and his goals is the sway she seems to hold over the other members, especially her daughter and son-in-law.

Why there are three seats on the council granted to that particular family, Hayden has yet to figure out.

Unfortunately for him, Aurora and Phillip seem to be quite friendly with Charming, Eric, Ariel, Snow White, and Snow's husband, Florian. Every time it seems like they might be starting to see his side of things (mentions of the children suffering on the Isle are particularly effective in that regard) Leah or Phillip will say something to ruin his work.

Not every council member is purely against him, though. Merida and Naveen, much like their children, are fully open to amending the Isle laws. Jasmine and Rapunzel, largely, he suspects, due to them having married former thieves, are also firmly on his side.

Like he told Persephone, a more balanced and fair council system would definitely help. Hayden's done his research. He read every book he could find that even mentions the royal council before he set up the first meeting.

Members must, first and foremost, be of royal blood. This means that some likely allies, such as the Lis or the mentioned former thieves, can do virtually nothing.

Rulers who advocate the use of magic, such as Elsa of Arendelle or Kida of Atlantis, who would therefore be more sympathetic to the idea of abolishing a barrier that prevents all practice of magic, are also excluded.

Those who are not technically royalty also don't make the cut. This includes Tarzan, undisputed king of the jungle, Moana and Pocahontas, both chiefs of their respective people, and Simba, the lion-shifter who rules the Pridelands.

(Admittedly, he does appreciate the fact that this means Hercules is also not involved.)

Needless to say, the clear prejudice involved in merely becoming a member of the council works solidly against him.

Hayden can't help but bemoan this fact once again as he stands before the council, boots flat on the floor in front of the dais that holds the council's seats in a clear powerplay. He listens to the royals once again claim that they have logical reasons to not want any Isle citizens crossing the barrier and moving to Auradon.

"I can't say that I'm entirely comfortable with the idea of Ursula's child coming to Auradon," Ariel says delicately. "I mean, she did take my voice."

"Yes, Ursula did. Ursula, not Uma," Hayden points out. "She took it because, oh, let me think, you signed a binding contract," he deadpans.

"I was sixteen!" Ariel protests.