Oberron could tel she had been considering something, possibly the application of breathing under waterr or at least he had surmissed though he had not traced her thoughts to Avalon. He had not been thinking too much on the nixies or under water kingdoms at the moment to really make any sense out of the whole ordeal.

Now age could get rather complicated amongst the fey. They were slow to mature slow to reach maturity and for the first century they were deemed to be children, the next two adolescences, then adults. After about ten or so centuries as an adult, making the fey about 1300 or so they were considered old, over three milenia, venerable though physically they never looked to age beyond adult keeping their eternal yoouth.

They were immortal after all and such “titles” were only really used to denote how young someone was or for the benefits of other species so they would have a point of reference. They were also more forgiven to “children” since they knew little better and their mostakes could be forgiven.

This even applied to other species, someone under a century was considered a child by this standard regardless of how old the species deemed themselves to be. Alynia may be an adult by her species standards but it was very unusual for a fey to marry a “child” some looked beyond this age category they had and at how the species marked the passage of time so it was not as if the other fey instantly shunned the notion of shacking up with a child but could hardly wrap their minds around how immature such thoughts were going to be like for such “children”.

Oberron was king so who would openly critize what he did? Even in private one had to be careful so that word did not get back … there already was a few things said but Oberron did not care as long as such thoughts had not reached Alynia's ears. Alynia was a “child” but Oberron had no problems teaching her how things worked and she had come a long way in the “short time she was here.

O berron was not an incubus but clearly he picked up Gersham's arousing touch. It made sense now how he was able to drive her wild with want so easily since Gersham could do so. He frowned just a little as she pulled back but her reaction was something he had anticipated.

He shookk his head. “I'm not unseelie, not know. I used the Orb of Ages … essentially I devolved from unseelie back to seelie … hence why I know have a reaction to the unseelie now since the impuities of being an unseelie have essentially left me. Save for my true form …

“Now I would not harm you, ten thousand years back though my mind set was dirrerent though. Hence when I first made the transition I was Oberron of Storms … my mind set was the slowest to change … even now, a mild form of my original personae peeks through if I get upset though no where near what it once was.

“Only Oswald is aware. Even Mezzo cannot detect any whiffs or unpleasant auras. Nothing that stands out as unseelie anyway, it has been so incredibly long. You never knew the original Oberon, only me, save for my true nature and form it has all been true. Everything though I hardly expect you to believe that. Wen we first met I did mention that I, well fey in general I believe I said which would have included me, had silver tongues.

“Oswald told you?” Well, he hadn't and Oswald was the only other that knew so it had to be him. He was surprised that she had nown all this time though. He considered her question.

“No, if I had it would have been doubtful that Oswald would have gone through with such a deception. It was Gersham that had. He being unseelie was driven more to to topple the fey than I was.

“I, disguised as the king did manage to steal power from Avalon in the form of many artifacts to boost my own and his power. The Blessing of Storms for instance was something I used and buried in the forest as a safe guard against Gersham. I ended up being persuaded by Oswald and turned on Gersham, and thus part of the reason why he hates me so much, that and I not onl betrayed him but my species as well by using the Orb of Ages to become fey ...”

Oberron paused, his gaze flickering up to the sky though he could not see beyond the dark barrier he had generated. Timidly he looked back at her, unsure of what was going through her mind though it was a good sign that she had stayed all this time when knowing that he was not the original.

He was confused for a moment as he tried to follow her logic. “At first I was just copying what I was told by Oswald, but the imitation went away soon enough, I am my own person. “No, Oberron is not my initial name, at least I went by anoter ten thousand years bach … it … it was Aegir … in fact it was our kind that named me, the Norse named me as I had no name.”

Oberron paused for a long moment where he just gazed at her. She was worried and so was he but after a moment he nodded, sighed and saw n toothing available but to march forward. He knew he was probably overwhelming her with informaton but the longer he held off the worse it would be.

It was obvious that he was afraid of her reaction as he grew taller, his eyes loosing their vibrant violet color melting away to white orbs as a ring of mouth tendrils sprouted from his mouth. His hair melted away as his skin became rubbery and mauve, is legs burning away to a see of tentacles as he appeared to be a cross of a man and octupus. He was wearing a red tabbard too, nothing fancy about it.

Though he said nothing keeping his head bowed as he looked down at her, his hands settled on her shoulders as he gazed into her brown eyes with his white ones.

Alynia worked to recall what Oswald had told her before. The story of the corrupt seelie that eventually became the unseelie. She nodded as if understanding atleast a bit more. So he was unseelie turned fey once more. Except for his true form that is... It was rather confusing, his very existence blurring the line between seelie and unseelie that she had been studying and reading about for quite some time.

She was very quiet, Alynia just let him talk. Not only did she feel like he needed to, she had nothing to say. Alynia was afraid of hurting him with her words. Her brain churning to understand everything he was telling her, so Oberron of the Storms was him, never the first Oberon. Did he accidently create such a title with his temper? Alynia wasn't too sure, but once again she didn't want to ask.

"I can only hope you have not been lying to me then." She muttered quietly, but there was no way she could really know. How could she tell when he used pretty words and a cunning language to win her over? The uncertainty was what made such a skill rather terrifying. But once again, Alynia had already determined that she trusted him, so she nodded as if she understood. She could never know for certain, but she wanted to believe that he had not been lying her nor swaying her thoughts.

The king seemed to be surprised that Oswald had told her part of it all, but Alynia was glad that he did. In a way it helped her cope, it had unconsciously prepared her for this moment.

Her mind was a turbulence of worries, insecurities, and questions. But she didn't want to say anything in fear of worrying him anymore than he was. She was also scared. "S-so you were Aegir then?" She whispered as if testing the name out on her lips. Even though she knew that she would have to continue calling him Oberron, for letting out any of this secret would be devestating for thier kingdom, it was kind of refreshing to know atleast one thing she was positive was the truth. At least his name.

They were both silent the air was tense, but she had given her consent and so he began to change. Alynia was afraid to lift her head to peer at him. He grew taller, his skin became slick and rubbery. Alynia watched with a mix of interest and absolute terror as she watched his legs burn away to reveal to be tentacles. She did not know what she had expected, but she surely did not expect that. Her eyes wide with horror... What was he? Certainly her husband didn't seem to even belong in this realm.

A sea creature, a monster of some sorts. Slowly, fearfully Alynia raised her head to really look at him. A mouth of more octopus tendrils, his hair now gone too. He was a good head taller than her. But then she peered into his eyes, she couldn't help but squeak in terror taking a small step back. Instead of the brilliant violet, it was white. Just white.

Her hand went to her mouth, in a silent gasp. "You're..." She had began to say but she could think of no words to complete her sentence. Her expression, a mixed look of fear and astonishment it was silent as Alynia stared.

"I'm sorry.." She whispered as she realized how afraid she must have looked. Steeling her nerves she took a step toward him, her shaky hand even raised up to touch him. "It's just so different." She admitted daring to think back to what he had looked like before.

This was her husband. She needed to accept that. "I-I still love you." Alynia stated, but the fearful expression had still not left her feature. To her credit, her brain told her to run. He was a monster, there was no doubting it. but he was also her husband who had treated her so well for so long. Against all of the protests of her mind, her hand went up with interest running along his face of tentacles with obvious curiosity trying to get used to this. She was unsure of how she was suppose to react. How she was suppose to respond. Alynia couldn't make eye contact with this beast. She was too scared to speak

He watched her eyes as she took this all in. There was a lot to say that he had kept from him as it was easy to get lost in the concept, the niceties of what had been going on between them though the reality of that situation had to be addressed too. It would have been worse if she found out these things on her own of course some how so this was slightly better of course the timing may not have been the best. For the fey this was quick, for humans not so much though that could actually benefit him here.

“I have stretched the truth at times, of course or omitted it in our games but you were always made aware of it immediately afterwards or during such things, a grin, a smile, what have you. But this was only done when I was teasing you in some fashion, never out of malice or to deliberately keep you in the dark about something,” he nodded as if to confirm this. “All other times were true, I don't expect you to believe me but that is a fact, Aly ...”

She was silent for the most part and that had concerned him as far as not knowing what she was considering at that moment.

“Yes, long ago I was this Aegir. Long ago. Not any longer though ...” he mentioned with a far away look. If she had known anything about Norse mythololgy she would have realized that Aegir was not the kindest of deities but a savage ocean deity. He felt it was not the time to bring up such things from his “youth” not then at least and it was best to allow her to discover these things on her own with a little research and allow her to question him in her own time of course …

Her reaction was not all too surprising as she drifted back in fear, surging and struggling with the natural thoughts that had been on her mind. He was hurt that she shrank back though this was not unexpected. Not in the least.

She had not shrieked or tried to run away though this was a good thing in that she had tried to brave this ordeal and even stepped forward. Her curiousity getting the better of her as she touched him though he could still see the fear induced in her eyes.

Oberron instinctively tightened th grasp on her shoulders and said nothing in that mpment though. What was there to say? No, this was her time to look upon him but it was so long that he had been in this form, a form long since corruptedc, bizarre and alien. More unseelie in appearance than Gersham was though Gersham by his very nature as an incubus had to be appealing to the eye.

The unseelie were a corruption of they fey, a beautiful evil from what she understood though that was not always the case as she looked upon the entity before her.

Her words were profound then and he drew her near, his hands sliding to the back of her shoulders, beneath her arm pits as they stroked down her chest. He drew her closer then his true form was gone in a flash and Oberron was standing there chest to chest with her as if this was unreal.

“I love you too, Aly,” he squeezed her close to his chest unwilling to let her go. “More than you will ever know.”

In a nut shell that was it, that had been the majority of what he had to tell her and he realized she would need time to analyze what she heard, what she saw, but for now it was pleasing just to keep her close to him, to show her that he had no intentions of ever wanting to let her go or perhaps he held her to him now out of some relief ...

Alynia nodded weakly, "Y-yes, in the end.. As far as I know you've always been amazing to me. I have no reason to not trust you." She agreed quietly. She looked up at him, as if to convince herself she really had no reason for this fear. She fought her instincts as she could, but still wasn't
so easy to cope.

As Alynia stroked one of his many tentacles, astonished at the rubbery slick texture, his hold on her shoulders tightened. She shivered slightly looking up at him with large scared eyes. He was so much taller than her, which made the experience all the more terrifying. But the way he held her was firm as if he didn't want her to leave, as if he didn't want to let go.

Peering at him, it was difficult to read his strange features. Perhaps it was because she found it very hard to look past his maw of tentacles or the fact his eyes were nothing but pure white. But Alynia could assume, he was worried. Maybe even as scared as she. His large slippery hands ran down her side causing her to bite her lip with worry. She understood that everything he did was meant to be affectionate, but the strange feeling was so foreign she had to fight the instinct to shrink away.

He pulled her toward him, embracing her tightly. For a moment she breathed in the salty scent, as if he was from the ocean or deep seas, but then in a sudden bright flash the scent dissipated into the familiar fresh earthy scent she was so comfortable with.

Her eyes blinked open, making sure he was back. She melted into him, giving herself ito the embrace. Alynia let out a breath she had not realized she was holding. Alynia buried her face into her husband's shoulder, shivering. There was silence as he just held her just the way she liked. The feeling of his strong arms around her was comforting. But at the same time, she reminded herself that the man before her was really... a disguise.

She blushed at his words, even though he couldn't see as her face buried itself into him. "I-I was so scared." Alynia admitted clutching him a bit tighter. "I know you would never hurt me... But why does it just seem like you would?" Alynia tried to explain this dangerous, stormy aura that surrounded his true form. He was someone who was powerful, she had always known that, but when his disguise had been shredded there was almost a crushing aspect of the atmosphere around them.

"I'm sorry." She whispered. "This must be hard for you to hear." Alynia hoped she wasn't hurting him. She kissed him gently on the neck, then trailing her lips up to his cheek. She stopped looking at his breifly at his handsome face, furrowed eyebrows, worried expression. Then finally she kissed him deeply on the lips.

"It's easier to love you when you look like this." She admitted very honestly. "But I promise. I will find a way to love you no matter what form you are in." Her expression was braver than before. "You will never loose me."

Alynia gave him a shaky smile, hoping that the worst of it all was over. She felt a bit overwhelmed, but Alynia could manage it. There were a lot of facts swimming through her mind. She gazed into his piercing violet eyes, a feature she only realized how much she loved until they were gone. "Your eyes were white." Alynia breathed, unsure if it was too sensitive to tell him how much she had really fallen in love with the color those violet orbs.

I'm sorry." She breathed out deciding against it. "It's a lot to take in... But I'll manage if you will." Alynia then leaned in to kiss him again. "Atleast You were as strong and powerful as I imagined." She teased lightly giving him a smile.

He met her gaze though it was evident that he was still concerned though her words did ease him a little making it easier for him to gather the strength to continue. He knew that there would be a lot for her to take in but there was little cause to hold back now. Either he would loose her or she would stay at his side there was no inbetween here. Could she absorb all this? The fact that he was telling her made it likely that she would, of course their was a strong element of uncertainty there. Had it been in the beginning that he was coming out with this then he doubted that she would have stayed but now, now she had been here for awhile and may not have such strong ties to her former life but still he would have been expecting a lot out of her if she did stay …

He could see her worry, the fear in her eyes as she bite her lip though he drew her forward he had not stayed in his true state for long as he reverted to the more familiar form she had been use to. Neither of them said anything for a long moment as they stood there in silence embracing one another with that sphere surrounding them.

He held her with his hands had the base of her back, their bodies pressed together chest to chest as he behaved himself, there was nothing overtly sexual in that embrace though it was a loving one. He allowed her to form her own thoughts, opinions and questions on the matter while he was content with holding her close to him.

“There is no need to fear me. None whatsoever.” He assured her, feeling a shiver go through her body. Of course natural reactions could not be helped.

“I have said Gersham and I are brothers … half brothers … I am among the oldest of the unseelie born into corruption. My form was perverted by the Darkness that twisted my mother and twisted me I was a preversion of what the fey had been like and a foreshadowing of what the unseelie were suppose to be like though there are many half unseelie that are not too unpleasant I am full.”

He explained to her.

His confidence was returning a little as her mouth moved against his neck, then cheek. He had been reassured by her confession about his true appearance then the kiss to his lips, a kiss that had him closing his eyes and melting into it. Finally there were the words that he needed to hear.

“You need not worry yourself over the other form, that was the first time I have shifted to it in ten thousand years or so, perhaps the last unless you make a request to see it. This, this is me now.” He reaffirmed his appearance to her that he had adopted.

“No apologies, Aly. You are queen, you need not been sorry about anything. Your reactions were expected and could have been worse, of course, much worse … I love you too, Aly, and am so glad that you can accept what I had to tell you. Pl – do not speak of this to anyone, even Oswald although he knows already and sort of pushed me into this role back then … betrayal of Gersham and the unseelie was not taken lightly, nor bcoming seelie either … that is why now I share many of their weaknesses. The obession with keeping my word or counting grains of salt, the vulnerability to the unseelie essence so to speak ...”

He was not expecting that question, so simple in the asking but he was glad that the worse of it had been behind them. There was going to be questions of course, though he was taken off guard by that one.

“Yes … no ...” He began then he looked at her. “They were white in my natural state and granted me various visual strengths to see in the darkness or the merk of the water. But when I used the orb, when I became fey they became violet. I lost those visual benefits though I can see much better in dim light then humans and further too … through the orb you could even say that this is my true form now since it changed me though, I should have made that clearer by stating that it was my original form. I am now fey, not unseelie ...”

He smiled back at her, his confidence returning as she kissed him again. He even brushed off her apology. “Even before I stole power from Avalon I was quiete powerful. The Darkness blessed me with many unnatural gifts though they were all replaced when I became fey.”

His hands slipped lower to her ass, holding her close to him. “It is a lot too take in. I would have told you sooner but back when we first met I had lacked the power to show you, really show you, and by the time I had the power I was afraid that I'd loose you.”

Yes, she would have questions. But later. Truthfully, Alynia still had to accept it all in. She needed to think about it, and even though she didn't like being away from him for too long, her mind wandered breifly to the diplomatic mission she had coming up soon. This was what she needed, sometime to really ruminate on the details. But now, Alynia had a feeling that he needed her around. It wasn't hard to tell this was a sensitive thing to him, it was touching how concerned he was. But the longer he held her, he more she realized how unwilling she would ever be to leave him.

So, she would have questions, but not now. Later when the whole concept becomes just a bit more normal to talk about. For now she only nodded as he spoke. It really did all make sense, it matched more or less to what Oswald had told her years before.

In a way, she was almost relieved when she heard that this was technically his true form now. Alynia was so used to it, but of course she would have stayed with him no matter. Alynia gave him a tired smile, long ago had she lost track of how many time he told her to told apologizing. It was too much of a habit it stop. Maybe in a century or so, but not for now. "I won't breathe of it to single soul." Alynia reassured sincerely. "If I'm understanding anything at all, I certainly understand that this is suppose to be a secret." Most difinitley she understood the importance that Oberron was not the real Oberron was never to be revealed. The chaos this would cause was unthinkable. And almost for certain, Puck would take the throne.

"Hm, it's interesting..." Alynia mused as she listened "Then you are Fey as you claim, but unseelie for that brief moment. It seems you have the strengths and weaknesses of both." She couldn't help but wonder if Oberron was to have her while he was in his unseelie form, would she be able to touch him while he was Fey? "We'll it doesn't matter, unseelie or seelie you are my husband." She concluded drinking in his lips once more. Alynia couldn't tell him enough how much she loved him. How much she wanted to comfort him.

Alynia noticed his wandering hand, though she wasn't sure if it was intentional or not.. So she didn't think twice on it. "We both need to relax, unwind a bit. Shall we take that walk then?" Alynia suggested. "Before the storm hits that is." Perhaps Mezzo would be able to smell the queen from where ever he is now, Alynia wanted first of all make sure he was alright, and secondly invite him back to live in the castle. Or maybe they could find Oswald as she originally offered, though she wasn't so sure Oberron would really want to see him after just revealing a secret to her.

What she knew she wanted to do was to organize her thoughts after taking a step back in view of everything he had told her. For now, she wanted to put it in he back of her mind, and she wanted Oberron to be comforted too.

He expected those questions sooner rather than later though it was important to him that she accepted things that he had been assured that she was not going anywhere any time soon. That was the chief issue of his concern, not that she might run off and tell others, that he might loose his kingdom as a result of this. In fact, none of that ever crossed his mind, just the fact that she may have left him and that was a bigger concern to him then the fate of the kingdom.

Honestly Puck could have it if it meant that he could keep her or have to choose between te two. The kindom wasn't rightfully his anyway and would have been Puck's, an arrangement that Oswald didn't want then nor now since he did not say anything about the current arrangement to other fey.

He really had no reason to make it clear to her that this was rather important to him. He said it though just to reiterate how severe this was by bringing it up. He never expected her to reveal anything to another soul and by stating this he made it clear that if she were over heard, even if she were speaking with Oswald for instance matters could be most severe if they got out., which neither of them would want. He had been deceiving the fey for ages but if they found out she knew too … well that would be bad, at least now her “not knpwing” could protect her a little. An ignorant human that was deceived along with the fey had been easy to believe after all but if a servant heard her speaking about it he doubted that he could protect her further.

He hoped that it would never come down to this though.

Obberon seemed to follow the thoughts that had pressed into her mind as her lips made contact against his own. Hers had been as smooth as silk against him, those soft lips caressing against his own which took the remainder of his doubt away as he held her close in that moment.

“The answer is no, if I guessed your thoughts corectly. True, I am fey now but my unseelie form is no longer real. It is an illusion and not as developed as that, not so to be dangerous to me of course not even if I were to draw upon Shadow Magic to make the moment quasi real. Even I have my limits with illusions though if I were to polymorph my form to unseelie then back to fey then the answer would be yes since in that momet I would transform from one state to another then back again.

“Most of the vulnearbilities of the unseelie are the same … I no longer possess those that belong solely to the unseelie. They for instance tend not to grant their word as often but are still obligated to follow it once given, they are still vulnerable to cold iron and there are other weakness that they possess but they are not as obsessive.”

Oberron gazed at her as she stepped back. He didn't see her mind working over time with questions though it was evident that there was still some concern within her. He bestowed a smile upon her then as he stepped away, his hands sliding from her ass to her hips as she did so.

He nodded at her suggestion then glanced at the distance storm cloud he had created. Of course they had much time before it got here as he indended to delay it as long as he could.

“Yes, we can do that.”

He answered her, then stepped forward sealing his lips back to her own as he sent that warmth through her, that pleasant senstion tingling before he stepped back slipping away from her as he tucked a hand into one of hers, “Shall we use the winds to get there?”

After a few reassuring kisses or so, Oberron seemed much more relaxed much more convinced she was not going to leave. Alynia noticed this and this also comforted her. He was smiling now, and this alone made her smile too.

A final kiss was shared just as the dark sphere around them slowly evaporated reintroducing them to the sunny day. Giving him one more loving squeeze, they separated though he was very keen on taking her hand. Looking up the storm cloud was still a great distance away.

“Alright.” She agreed to the suggestion of winds.

Then it happened again, that feeling of her body turning into nothing but air. Alynia liked traveling by winds, it was certainly interesting watching as everything rushed by. Not exactly flying, in fact you barely had to move. By now she had really only used the winds five or six times, but every time the sensation fascinated her. Her insides felt as light as a feather even though Oberron’s hand she was holding felt as solid as ever. While they flew (though it was not exactly flying, it was very difficult feeling to describe) Alynia was able to take in some of the forest. Trees were without a doubt greener, leaves abundant. Grass a cheerful spring green. So much better than it had ever been before.

In what Alynia could gage as not even a minute, they appeared in front of that tiny door set into a tree. It took a bit for Alynia to realize that this was Oswald’s home that she had visited with Charon so many years back. It looked very different. The tree had gotten taller, the tops of it were covered with a thick brush of deep green leaves. But she other than the fresh grass scent of the forest, she could also smell various other chemicals and products, shoe polish, wax, leather and the sorts. Without a doubt this was a Brownie’s home.

“Shall we?” She blinked innocently at her Oberron before stepping forward, lightly tapping the door three times.

Alynia took a breath, reminding herself to act normal. Even still she couldn’t help but be reminded that Oswald was the only other being who knew of Oberron’s secret… at that thought she squeezed his hand just a bit tighter. All they had to do was to ask Oswald to come with her during a mission… there was no need for Alynia to do any over thinking. Tilting her head up to look at Oberron, she wondered if he also felt tense in a way. She shook her head. This was silly, she was perhaps being paranoid.

Oberron gazed at her as the sphere dropped away, His hand grasped her and while her kisses reassured him him that everything was fine. He could deal with the questions of course that came up later, he could deal with everything save for loosing her and that simply seemed less and less likely as more time went on.

“Hmm,” he said nothing at first until he noticed her gazing at him then he eplained. “I must be loosing my touch … I had you in an sphere that no one could see through and yet I did nothing,” he chuckled given rise to how nervous he must have been.

Of course he had been very concerned with how things were going to play out. Too worried about how she was going to act to make light of the situation at least then. Now it seemed that he had gotten some of that good naturedness within him.

He smiled as they used the winds and drifted to their desination. The breeze taking them where it blew over fields of green and a vibrant forest that was no longer black and dying but lush and green a stark contrast to when she had been first here years ago.

Oh, there were still dangerous parts to it, mainly the West where the goblins lived and she knew that the forest hide the Deathless amongst the Dead Ones but all that she had been told had been to the West and South West.

Reforming on the ground Oberron walked towards a flower, a tulip that he picked and gave to her.

It had not taken the pair long to find the home of the Brownie though Alynia had not recognized it at first. It was so long ago that she had been here after all and so much had seemed to change.

Oberron nodded and he nodded. She then knocked and heard a voice in response to her knock, Oswald's though it was faint as f he were in a separate room inside the home but called out when hearing the door.

Long ago Alynia had learned that the fey homes did not possess locks for the most.

“Enter!”

And so Oberron did escorting her in by the arm.

“You can leave the hydra skins on the counter Cor, I'll be with you in a moment.” Oswald called out from the other room. Clearly he had been expecting someone else.

Wasn't this always the case though? Hadn't Oswald failed to know who he was dealing with in the past?

Oberron said nothing though wandering over to a portrait on the wall of three fey, one spectacled older being and one of Oswald. The third she did not recognize though she believed to be of Oswald's age initially anyway until Alynia recalled that some of the fey were thousands of years old and others merely decades or centuries but they appeared to be the same age though she had to wonder how the fey knew. Maybe it was a look to the eyes, something that they saw that denoted their age she was not sure.

But coming out of the side room Oswald was surprised to see the pair, kneeling and dipping his head.

“Oh ..forgivme ighness, highness,” he turned his head to each in turn. “To what do I owe this pleasure?”

"D-don't say that!" She exclaimed with a pout. Alynia stuttered and blushed at Oberron's words as the sphere vanished, even though inside she knew he was teasing. She clutched his hand just a bit tighter. "You know there be plenty of time for that later.." She muttered softly adverting her eyes.

Alynia peered with interest, as somethig seemed to have caught her husband's eye as they landed. She clapped her hands together in delight as Oberron presented her with a tulip. "How sweet of you." Alynia remarked bringing the flower up to her nose. It was strange, as far as she could recall tulips did not have a distinct scent but there was no mistaking that he one Oberron presented her smelled sweet. "It's lovely." Alynia concluded leaning into him to peck her husband innocently on the lips. With that she weaved in flower into her black hair that was already bound by the blue ribbons he had originally provided. "How do I look?" She asked cheerfully giving him a cute grin.

Her thoughts upon knocking on the door were interrupted as a voice called from within, and so together they pushed the door open. Alynia had never been in Oswald's real home before. It was much roomier than the outside suggested. She giggled slightly as once again Oswald adressed her as someone else. The queen was beginning to see a pattern here, for never once had he really knew who it was at his door. At the same time, it was partially her fault for visiting him unexpectedly so many times.

Oberron left her side to examine a well done painting of Oswald and two others Alynia did not recognize. It was then did Oswald come out of the adjacent room. A familiar expression of surprise quickly washed through him as he knelt before the royal pair.

"Please rise." Alynia addressed first. "And yes, it's nice to see you too." She smiled kindly at the Brownie, without a doubt she liked him a good deal even though it was annoying at times when he truly was obsessive over footware.

"I was just wondering if you would be willing to accompany me on a incoming mission." Alynia stated. "There's this land ordeal between the elves and gnomes going on. I just need to settle some negotiations between the two. It would be greatly appreciated if you would be my guide."

Her gaze wandered to Oberron's for a second, wondering if she had addressed the situation properly. Then her brown eyes peered at Oswald. Though it seemed that she had offered an invitation it didn't seem likely that he was to reject. "We'd most likely leave tomorrow." She added anyway looking for a response from the Brownie.

“Is it later yet?” He grinned teasing her. He simply loved her reaction and so had been encouraged to tease her from time to time because of this. He suspected that she knew that he was kidding, his hand squeezing her's back before they had departed the scene.

“Cute ...” he grinned at her, the way that he was looking at her indicating that he knew more about the situation then he was letting on.

“You do realize that that isn't a tulip, right?” He grinned. “It's the chief ingredient in Aiwha wine, the fragrance is very stimulating and soon you won't be capable or resisting me, not that it was every a problem of course.” He glanced about the forest as if taking in everything around them then held up three fingers, folded one down, then another after a second, then the last after another second. He then chuckled.

“Hm, a botanist I am not,” he chuckled obviously teasing her a little. “You look wonderful my dear.”

He reached out to her arm, took it then kissed the back of her hand before drawing her to her side as they then moved on.

Surprised, Oswald did as he was commanded rising to his feet. He was curious as to what would bring the monarchs here, and without a retinue it seemed though he was uncertain that they were not outside.

“Drinks … of course shall you like any refreshment? I'm sorry to say I was expecting Cor so I only have harder stuff at the moment.”

Oberron held up a hand indicating that he was all set though he glanced at Alynia to see if she was interested. “Nothing for me ...” if it seemed that she was interested in something he would tell Oswald but if not he would tell him as well.

Both Oswald, then Obrron had been grinning at her then they grinned at each other. Oswald then sighed and shook his head a little as he gazed at her. “The dwarves and gnomes is pretty good from what I understand but since you so obviously need help.” and here he and Oberron shared grins again before he looked back at her. “I'll do it.”

He considered the situation for a moment. “But don't let those elves realize you're calling them gnomes.” he grinned. The situation of this land dispute was legendary it seemed or at least common knowledge enough so that he was aware of the particulars of the situation.

It was apparent that he teased her, just a little though not much considering his advice was more practical then anything. If she made such a slip in the presence of the elves well there would be some political backlash so to speak.

Oberron did not seem to care. He was confident that she would do the situation justice, that Oberron knew that Oswald should be a great help (he was starting already after all) and she had to start somewhere after all.


Oswald frowned a little though as he seemed to consider something. “Can I request something though? I will need the portable hole to help transfer some of my tools and footware. I wish to keep woorking in some of my free time if that is expectable and mine is on loan now to Cor. He's been using it to collect hydra skins for me, mostly serpent stuff.”

“How is Corwin?”

“He's fine. A little less reclusive since you know he's alive but you won't see him at the courts any time soon.”

“You knew he was still alive?”

“Not until a year back. I was testing out my latest pair of shoes then … they let you jaunt through the trees like a dryad … anyway I came across him then, he was in the midst of saving that nixie, Jess I think -”

+Jessara?” Oberron interupted as Oswald nodded.

“Yes, here. He was saving her from one of the satyrs, it looked like Phebes so was probably one of his brothers since Phebes hasn't been seen in the area. I did tell Corte about it just in case it mattered.”

A cheerful smile came across her face, a warm flutter in her heart. She liked it when he complimented her. Naturally, any woman would. She didn’t really care how any other men perceived her anymore, as long as her king took delight in her appearance. She was perfectly glad to stay beautiful solely for Oberron. It didn’t matter to her whether he was fey or unseelie, it was because she loved her that such simple words made her smile glow.

Alynia blinked in disbelief then she sighed, giving Oberron a playful smile. “Hm… resorting to aphrodisiacs to get what you want from me…” She mused absent mindedly fingering the red flower she had planted in her hair. “Perhaps you are losing your touch.” Alynia laughed, obviously teasing. She peered up at him with a twinkle in her eyes. At the same time she made no movement to remove the flower, silently agreeing to his games. She could only pick up a mild scent of the flower, but certainly the smell became more noticeable after Oberron mentioned the affects. Currently, Alynia could not make out any particularly arousing qualities of the scent yet, but knowing how strong Aiwha is she had little doubt it would start affecting her later.

She watched with interest as Oberron ticked off something on his fingers then grin. Three? Alynia tilted her head at him curiously wondering what such a number meant. In the back of her mind, she felt as if she should know what it meant. “Is it a good idea for me to ask what that means?” Alynia asked innocently.

“I’m good.” She responded to Oswald waving her hand slightly. Alynia already had that flower in her hair, she certainly did not need any thing else intoxicating her senses.

Alynia put on a thoughtful expression, and then laughed at her own mistake. “Elves, not gnomes.” She corrected rubbing the back of her head sheepishly. “Yes, hopefully I won’t be doing that while I’m away.” Like Oberron, she had good feelings about her decision with Oswald. The Brownie had never failed to look out for her.

She tilted her head as Oswald considered something. “Hm, I don’t see why not.” Alynia pointed out concerning a portable hole. “I will find someone to get that to you as soon as I can.” She assured with a smile certainly glad that he agreed without any trouble.

For a moment, Alynia entertained herself with the idea of Corwin attaining Hydra skins. That certainly did not seem like an easy task. At the same time Alynia was glad to find that the leprechaun was doing alright.

She frowned slightly at the mention of a satyr. Alynia really didn’t like those creatures even though it was simply their nature to be so lecherous. Fortunately, she found out eventually most were not as bold as Phebes had been. Though there are certainly more than a few that were more than willing to go after the queen, none of which were daring as that the satyr who had kidnapped her. Alynia was glad to hear that Jessara had been spared.

“Speaking of Phebes, would you by any chance hear where he could have escaped to?” she wondered. In the end she did never discover a reason that he had betrayed the crown. She only assumed it was because he was being threatened. Either way, she didn’t like the idea of him running around without restraints. It would have been more comfortable if he had stayed in the kingdom, because at least then they would know where he was. It was the uncertainty that made the situation as uncomfortable for her as it was. “I can’t say I understand Satyrs, I have yet to meet one I enjoy the company of…” She sighed sadly.

Oberron thought she was an utter delight. It certainly did not hurt her any that her beauty had been so exquisite like a newly plucked folower though that wouldn't have mattered much after alll this time together anyway. He diidn't not know how to tell her this or if she should in case she got any ideas to just let herself go either but beautity tended to come and go of course like the seasons and he may have enjoyed it while it lasted.

He grinned at her comment. Yes, if that was real Aiwha they would both be in trouble provided they found a field large enough for it that was. He doubted that one single flower would have such a strong effect though he was no botonist as he said he knew that it was not Aiwha that he gave to her.

“Perhaps I am slipping in my old age,” he laughed a little then brought those violet eyes upon her. “I suppose you will just have to show me how to be creative again later ...”

He shook his head. “Probably not … put when I reach zero then the Aiwha should take effect.” And when he had, when nothing happened he shrugged as if to say you couldn't win them all.

Too bad she knew better now. Oberron may have teased her a little going on about how rare the portable holes were and how tough it was to get a hold of one though he was sitting on more than a dozen of them at the castle. They were by no means common though Oberron acquired them over the years and had the vast wealth to afford them. Each could carry about a ton of stuff and folded up into a handkerchief sized square but each had been extremely epensive as well not that money ever mattered to the king.

“There is some speculation about that … some say that he disappeared when Gersham left though I highly doubt that the Black Prince would agree to suffer the company of a fey. I speculate that he loves this forest to much to abandon it. If he went to the one in Avalon we would have known … and no other Shadow has a forest quite like this one so he hasn't gone to another so I suspect he is still here in this forest.

“And since we have not heard anything about him I would guess that he's somewhere in the Western portion of the forest since only the Dead Ones and goblins dwell there for the most part.” Oswald reflected on this.

“My opinion never came up to Corte though when I had been at the castle we never spoke about it, perhaps Mezzo woud have better luck looking around there. He'd blend in from afar anyway, he's not native to the region though a simple cantrip can change his skin color and deceive any that might spot him from afrar. A goblin in those parts wouldn't stick out too much.”

Oberron dipped his chin in a nod of sorts as he turned his attention back to his wife. “Satyrs are something I don't expect you to understand for some time. You are female, they male so you are not likely to enjoy their company either, unless ...”

“Yes, unless ...” Oswald and Oberron looked at her.

“Your acting is getting better but that would be a challenge. I would want Corte around in the beginning at least if not always.”

“A piety about the shoes your highness, though I can make her more of course. It would be my pleasure.”

“Perhaps,” Oberron said then turned his attention back to his queen. “You'd have to fool them into thinking you were male to have any sort of amiccable relationship with them. Otherwise, well, other wise something primal awakens in them.”

Alynia shook her head, "It's not me who is the most eager to find imprison him again." She admitted concerning Phebes. "Though it would comfort me a little to know where he is." Though unlikely, Alynia didn't like the idea of Phebes teaming up with the Black Prince again. Thankfully the odds of this were very slim. "Nevermind it then, surely if he's still in these forests he'll be found soon. Besides he didnt escape all too long ago." She concluded thinking back to the debriefing she had when she first arrived back in Llynoria.

She laughed slightly in disbelief as both men seemed to be giving suggestions on how to get along with satyrs. "Though it sounds a bit like fun, I don't know if I'm willing to go that far to befriend one." She stated rather amused by the idea of acting like a guy. Alynia knew she was rather girlish. She shook her head deeming it was most likely impossible even with the help of illusions. "Say what you will about my acting, but I really don't think I would be convincing at that at all." She laughed trying to imagine it.

"Though, even if I'm not planning on disguising my identity anytime soon, I wouldn't mind a new dress or shoes sometime soon." She stated putting on a thoughtful expression. It had been some time since she had commissioned anything from Oswald, since while she was away in Avalon either Oberron conjured up something for her to wear, or she did he same for herself. "Maybe something more mature, and more serious..." Alynia mused quietly looking down at the pretty light blue number she was wearing now.

"Hmm.." She hummed a bit dissapppinted, she like the dress she was wearing. It was bright colored, light, and very whimsical as were most of the dresses she wore. It matched it innocent physique well. Alynia hadn't really thought of it before, but she wasn't too sure if she would be taken very seriously appearing and being as young as she was. It was probably nothing to be too concerned about, she was queen so in the end fey folk had no choice but to listen to her.

"By any chance do you have anything ready I could try on now?" She asked the brownie with interest be it shoes or clothes. Looking back at her husband, "If that's alright with you." Alynia stated innocently. She couldn't think of anywhere they had to be anytime soon surely it wouldn't hurt to see what Oswald was working on for a bit before returning back to the castle.

“Of course, he shalll be found,” Oberron reassured her though he had wanted to deal with the satyr more and perhaps remind Phebes why he was called Oberron of Storms.

He looked at his queen then, perhaps trying to get a better read on her after all. He was silent right now for the most part thinking about something she guessed which usually meant that he was thinking of how best to tease her. Not this time she thought, though he had been thinking of something which she doubted was his recent revelation but she could not be sure.

“It would be good practice.”

“Yes, it would ...” Oswald agreed. “Though she's probably better off like this.”

“Indeed. She'd have to cut her hair short.”

“Well there are illusions but her shoulders would need some adjusting.”

“And the addition of an Adam's apple ...”

“A what?”

Oberron pointed to his throat and Oswald understood what his king meant with the human term. “And her posture is all wrong ...”

“That can be changed with a little work. Still,” Oberron looked to Oswald who nooded.

“Indeed.”

“Then we are in agreement?”

“Yes. “ Oberron stated with a nod. “We have put it to a vote and have decided that you look better this way.”

Oswald cleared his throat and Oberron glanced back then admended that a little. “Well, this is Oswald and not me but he would find you perfect with new shoes.” Oberron held up a hand to silence her then, they both knew that Oswald made those shoes but was alwys working on something he deemed better.

Oberron snapped his fingers summoning a box containig a green dress and matching shoes though Oswald shook his head in disappointment when hesaw the shoes.

“Your better off wearing nothing at all. Those shoes … I suppose the dress is fine if your into that sort of thing but those shoes your highness screams pauper. Allow me to make something more suitable.” And that was the problem with conjurations you summoned something from some place to you rather than creating them yourself.

“I'm getting the hydra skins and with a few alterations I can make shoes befitting a queen.”

Oberron glance to Alynia then to the Brownie the nodded. “Oh, alright if it makes the two of you happy.”

“Indeed.” Oswald immediately answered with a bow.

“I have nothing suitable for a dress of better quality but let's see if we can find a pair of shoes to tid you over until the new ones are made.”

There were no objections from Oberron though he figured that this was going to take awhile as Oswald eagerly guided his wife by the arm before waiting for an answer, eager to show off his store of shoes.

“Shoes though … let's see what I've got that's suitable for a queen ...”