For I Am Convinced

Chapter 10

All too soon, though, the gala arrived.

The whole marketplace was transformed, with orange, gold, and red lanterns hanging from poles and streamers and even floating in the sky. Soft music floated through the air as the tribes arrived one at a time, all adorned in their finest regalia. Many partners arrived, swirling on the dance floor with rosy colorful wings.

Laval, dressed in the finest a guard could wear, stood just on the edge of the ballroom floor, a faint smile on his face. He had never seen anything like this before. Not even when the Hyenas took him into the basement for a party that one year. This was full of light, happiness, joy, and fun. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.

'So magical. I've never seen anything like this.'

"Levi? Why aren't you dancing?" Longtooth's voice echoed from behind him.

Releasing his thoughts, Laval turned as the old guard arrived. "Dance?" His eyes softened, like the lantern candlelight. "I wasn't allowed to dance at home."

"So you can't dance at all?" Longtooth asked. Laval shook his head, causing the old Lion Guard to smile. "Well, may I teach you?" He held out his arms. After a moment of hesitation, Laval took his hands and followed Longtooth onto the dance floor.

The music swelled into a soft waltz as Longtooth helped Laval adjust his position. "Just follow my lead." He gave Laval a warm, reassuring smile. Laval nodded and carefully followed Longtooth's footwork. The other Lions caught sight of them watching as they danced too.

"They're watching you," Laval whispered shyly, noticing the crowd.

"Trust me," Longtooth smiled. "They're watching you." He spun Laval around in a tight circle before bringing him back to position before gliding across the floor in time to the music's glorious swell. The music ended as they bowed.

"Thank you," Laval smiled.

Longtooth smiled too. "Let me know if you want to go again." Laval tapped the charm at his neck, distracted slightly. And Longtooth noticed. "What is it?"

"It's my brother. If only I could see him again." Laval let his hand fall from the charm. "But he's in Thundera." His eyes moistened a little. "He wants to leave and get us away from Leonitarus and this feud. But I can't leave you guys. You mean so much to me."

Longtooth put a hand on Laval's shoulder. "I understand, Laval." The old warrior's voice was low. "You do what you think is best. But remember, whatever you decide, you have my support."

Laval glanced at his dagger in his belt. "I want to find my real father. He gave this to me."

"May I?" Longtooth asked. After a minute of hesitation, Laval drew the weapon and handed it to Longtooth. The warrior examined it before handing it back to Laval, eyes wide. "Do you know who had that dagger made?"

"My father," Laval answered, lifting an eyebrow. "My real one, anyway."

Longtooth pointed at the dagger. "King Lagravis had this dagger made for the prince's first birthday. This exact dagger was for the Lion Prince. And it was in your basement this whole time?"

Laval nodded before suddenly realizing something. "Longtooth, you don't think that I......could be the one?"

"Take that charm off and you are," Longtooth smiled. "Laval, I think you're the one we've been looking for." He pointed to the podium across the ballroom floor on the elevated platform. On the podium rested the solid gold crown of the Lion Prince.

"Lemme guess: the crown glows if I put it on," Laval couldn't keep the smart-alack comment out of his voice.

Longtooth laughed. "One way to know, I guess."