The goblin had been use to seeing things such as this. He had been somewhat impassive as he looked at the Queen. Her tear filled eyes only spoke her hopelessness in this situation which caused him to smirk at her in delight. He hadn't been a huge sadist but he was big enough of one where he delighted in the suffering of others.

He was about as sadistic as most goblins come to think of it, a tad less Alynia could guess because he actually listened as he delighted in what he saw though he was smart enough to pick up on the fact that she was offering something of greater value even though right now that equation was unbalanced. He could nos see why this dwarf was of greater value to her than the Thane, that sort of trade didn't match up in his mind.

Perhaps the dwarf was like her in a way. Perhaps he could not sit back and hear her suffering. Perhaps, as a dwarf he knew that his fate was sealed regardless so he sought to shield her of that fate. Perhaps he desired his own suffering. She was the Queen of Llynoria a title that held significant wight.

Maybe he was a masochist that was unclear at this stage though whatever the case she could hear horrid screams mixed in with laughter that only seemed to spurn these things on.

“What concern is he to you, Queen?” the goblin asked. He was not so much as a smart goblin as he was cautious. Plenty of times he would have been killed already if he had not remained suspicious at least.

He did think about it though it was not making sense to him at this stage. The only thing that he could consider was that she didn't know the Thane

“I will not, your -” Demarco began but was cut off by a horrid crunching sound as he was struck by Tull though it had been then that she had noticed it. The goblin in the corridor may have noticed it too.

“No, it is a trick,” he still didn't see the angel here or no why it was a trick but something told him it was.

The stones on the wall in the corridor moved on their own accord as the stone was shaped Three men, they had to be dwarfs adorned in thick plate mail armor flowed out of the passage. Two wielded axes and rushed towards “Demarco's” cell. The third had a large war hammer and similar armor. Around his neck he wore the same sort of holy symbol that had been marked on his tabbard.

He rushed the guard in the corridor who turned his attention to the sound of clanking metal. It was just in time to have that hammer make contact with him smashing the his head with such force that a spray of blood splattered on the Queen.

Fighting erupted from the cell across from her's. The goblins were quick kills though even with surprise Tull did not go easily though he was quickly out numbered by three dwarfs for “Demarco” armed himself with one of the weapons of a dead goblin being joining the fray.

Dwarfs had specialized training against giants, plus they were good at close quarter fighting.

“Queen?” the nearest dwarf to Alynia seemed surprised to see her here of all places.

Alynia was surprised the goblin was asking so many questioned, she had underestimated his caution. She bit her lip trying to come up wih a response that would make sense. Really... Why would she be willing to give up such a prominent figure such as Thane for a prisoner she had just met? "He... well.... helped me before..-" Alynia tried to make out.

Tears if frustration continued to well. Why must she be so bad at telling lies? Alynia could barely hide her expression lwhen her life depended on it! "Demarco's" shouts rang sharply in her ears

Her poorly construed response was cut off easily by the doubtful guard. "Please, I just want them to stop. Hurt me instead. He didnt do anything to deserve this." Alynia cried, she just wanted his pain to stop. She winced noticibly at a particularly loud crunching sound.

"No- goodness! Just stop hurting him! I be-" Alynia was about to beg, about to plead but she was interrupted by the sound of shifting stone.

What was happening? Before she could really comprehend the situation, three men had poured into the prison. Dwarves! We're these the rescuers that "Demarco" had mentioned to her? She could hear the clanking of armour and heavy weapons as fighting quickly ensued.

Alynia let out a shriek as suddenly her front was sprayed with blood. She blinked horrified and disgusted. Though she knew she should be thankful for this was her enemy that was dispatched, she couldn't help but feel remorse for the goblin whose life just ended before her.

She gagged on the smell of gore. In such closed and contained spaces, the metalically scent of blood was unmistakable but thankfully the battle was over as soon as it began.

It wasnt even a challenge for these special trained warriors to defeat their wardens. It took a little for the adrenaline of battle to simmer slightly until one of the dwarves noticed her presence.

Immediatly Alynia rubbed her eyes, trying to erase any sign of tears. It was useless to try and look presentable. Covered in blood and barely dressed, it was probably difficult for her rescuers to imagine her in such a state.

"Yes, it's me." She responded wrapping her arms around herself. "Please unlock the jail cell. I believe that goblin had a ring of keys." Alynia requested motioning to the bleeding creature infront of her prison bars.

As soon as she was freed, she rushed to "Demarco's" side, who she knew wasnt really him. But such names did not matter at the moment. "Are you alright?" She asked hurriedly examining his body for bruises and blood. "Please, don't strain yourself."

Alynia's eyes went to the three dwarves who had saved her. She bowed briefly. "You have my most sincerest gratitude." Alynia spoke. "But is there time for me to tend to his wound? Or must we escape first?"

It had really sounded like "Demarco" was in serious pain, but he was able to participate however briefly in a battle. Alynia assumed it was his stubborness, but she wasnt sure how long that would last. It was not possible that he could simply be okay after such a beating.

So it was a simple case of her knowing this scum and not knowing the Thane. He glanced back at “Demarco” and that seemed to make as good a sense as any. He did not understand how dwarf honor worked though and had the goblin may have asked why the human was so taken with the dwarf for things like honor and sacrifice were only know concepts due to the dwarfs doing such often enough in some of their battles sacrificing the few to save the many.

Thus when dealing with dwarfs they always had to be careful but she was a human … the contradiction that may have hit him if he considered t was that she was the Queen of the fey, a species renown for trickery.

But like most goblins he had not been bright enough to so much as consider that or even follow that conclusion back to its source. She noticed that the goblin was thinking but it was in unrelated thoughts. He was still thinking that this was some sort of trick but had not considered such thought as he did so.

Goblins were use to lying to one another but they were not good at it. If a goblin said the sky was blue to another he would consider first that it was a lie and second that the goblin was looking to get something out of the statement. Whether some sort of advantage or as a recruitment tool by sharing some sort of secret bringing them into the fold with greater ease.

The guard didn't understand. He hated dwarfs more than humans so he favored torturing dwarfs over them. Besides he was cruel, like3most goblins and since she desired to be punished in the place of the dwarf he was destined to deny her more on principle than anything. Being tortured for this man made little sense though with the words that the dwarf was sprouting he deserved to be roughed up. He knew enough giant to know most of the curse words and simple phrases so he could follow along easily enough.

Though he barely had time to formulate his thoughts before he thought no more as that war hammer drove his very thoughts from his mind to gory effect.

The dwarf nodded as he knelt down to the deceased goblin as he collected the keys and opened the cell. The Queen of course looked unrepresentable but that seemed to be the least of her worries.

“Demarco” had been a blooded mess. There seemed to be no end to the cuts and bruises that he had though the worse of it was the left side of his face that was smeared in a crimson mask that spilled into his beard.

The dwarf that followed her into the cell seemed to be some sort of divine spell caster that was much older than the other two. He looked over the wounds even as Alynia did so as the two younger dwarfs, the ones that seemed to be better combat trained, moved into the corridor serving as guards and making it clear that they were going nowhere.

“We'll make time for the Thane.” The dwarf cleric called as he looked over the wounds then proceeded to heal the now one eyed dwarf. He could use Alynia's help though with that damn collar she was virtually useless though she did not feel as if she could have measured up to the healing properties of the cleric who stopped the flow of blood and kept the Thane conscious before making their way to the stone shaped passage as the quartet retreated through the passage and move a distance away before the cleric uses a ring opening up purple portable that they pass through.

They come out into a cave on Llynoria filled with dwarfs many rush forward to tend to there Thane though he shoos them back.

Given her first look at the dwarf leader he looks even less presentable than she. “I told you that they would come just as the fey would come for you.”

Alynia, as well as the Dwarven healer rushed to assist Thane. "Oh-!" She gasped in shock finally able to get a clear look at him. He was battered all over. Broken ribs, black eye, not to mention the scrapes and bruises covering every inch of him. Half of Thane's face was covered in blood, and she was sure that it was his.

Immediately Alynia went to him, her hand running gently over the side of his head, tears welling up in her eyes. If she had felt sympathy for a goblin who was just killed in front of her, imagine how heavy her heart must have felt seeing Thane like this.

Tried as she might, she could not conjure that green light from her palm so she stepped back to let he cleric do his work. Alynia was glad that she did, for the Dwarf worked quickly and effectively. She wiped away her tears, feeling foolish for showing such empathy.

"Is there anything you can do about this collar?" Alynia asked tugging at the horrid thing. It made her feel like an animal.

Soon enough, Thane was able to remain on his feet, though both Alynia and the Cleric assisted him in walking. They made their way as swiftly as possible down the stone corridor. A purple portal is ripped open in one of the walls, and the three of them including the two other Dwarven warriors make their way through it.

For a moment, Alynia thought she was blind. But when she opened her eyes she found she was in a cave surrounded by dwarfs. They rushed foward trying to embrace, trying to tend to their leader. Alynia was touched by how much they worried about him.

Thane urges them to leave him alone, and when most of them have left save for what Alynia assumed to be his guard, she turned to him. Alynia was taller, but Thane was tall for a dwarf. She bowed her head graciously. "I am very thankful." She tells them as sincerely as she could.

"I don't want to think what would have happened to me if I stayed there any longer."

The Thane was covered in numerous wounds. He appeared to be no more extraordinary than any other dwarf. Clearly his eye was puffy and blacken and what she had mistook at first as a black eye was far worse than it had appeared to be once she saw the damaged eye socket where one of the goblins jabbed him in the eye taking the orb and it's sight away.

A laceration on that said of the face above the brow had covered his face in the crimson mask he had worn but broken ribs and all the Thane had a fierce fight in him.

“They did not hurt you, my Queen?” The Thane asked though he was shooing away the healers after a short time. He was hurt but he was stalwart. He wasn't a fragile twig and he realized that the more time they wasted here the more dangerous it grew.

“I didn't draw them all into the cell and lost track of one of them.” It was odd that the guy missing an eye was concerned about her safety. Though his remaining eye swept over the Queen as if making a visual inspection of her.

He could see from their looks the aces of concern and couldn't see out of his destroyed eye so he closed it to prevent them from looking at the ghastly sight. Given a rag he quickly wiped the blood off his face given that the healers knitted closed the minor wounds so that he had suffered from the loss of the eye and broken ribs only. He would survive. He was dwarf …

The cleric had taken care of the magical healing when Alynia was unable to summon forth her green healing light. But the Thane pulled himself up before long with a shake of his head. He was well enough to move according to him …

The cleric inspected the collar and shook his head. “Not currently. Unlocking magic is an Arcane talent that me Blessings won't work though it radiates anti-magic, I sense an absence so what you would need is a locksmith. Fortunately we dwarfs are excellent at the craft, we will remove it as soon as we get to our base camp.”

The dwarfs when summoning the portal up that they fled through arrive in a base camp. The Thane is fretted over though he clearly does not want this shooing them away. Yes, he was alive, though he was in a great deal of pain he order that some stout dwarven ale be summoned forth.

Pain killers.

He also made mention of any fey beverage they had on hand save for Aiwha though the dwarfs had no such drinks at the base camp. Maybe they had a few in the castle for the frailer visiting races but they had not expected the Queen so she had to deal with dwarven ales or water that could be fetched for her.

“You are most welcome your majesty. I did say that the others were coming for me.” He laughed a little at that. “I suppose that you realize I'm not Demarco … I am the dwarven Thane, Crom Bilbom.” Usually dwarf introductions could go on for days though he was concise and to the point.

“Things probably would not have been so great …” But he dismissed here so that the locksmith could remove her collar and allow her to channel magic freely once again, When next she saw the Thane he was cleaned up and in armor looking more like a warrior king. He did not wear any markings like a crown though and sported a patch over his left eye and a had a war hammer crafted by the hands of dwarfs as was his armor displaying an excellent craftsmanship.

“We are in Llynoria now, about twenty miles from the strong hold. You are welcome to travel with us there of we could escort you to your castle if that is your wish.”

"Not the same way they hurt you.." Alynia muttered quietly. Her expression was sympathetic, though at the same time her eyes were momentarily distant. In that quick moment thoughts of Ian flooded back into her. A tremor went up her spine at such a horrid memory. How could she ever forget such a thing?

"I don't need a drink. Really."

She shook her hands as if trying to show him nothing was wrong as Alynia noticed his good eye inspecting her. Physically, the Queen was far more fortunate than he. "Really, the goblins didnt touch me. If it hadn't been for what you did, this might not have been true." Besides the bruises on her hips, and the soreness of her abused flower... Alynia could be considered lucky. Though painful, and humiliating, Ian put her through more psychological torture than physical.

Alynia's expression fell down cast again. She wished it was possible to forget, wake up from a dream perhaps and find her self actually curled up beside the warmth of her husband. She's tell him about the dream interrupted by fits of blushing and stumbling over details. Then he would pull her close to him again, kiss her forehead, and assure Alynia that he would never let something like that happen to her.

Her heart ached, she missed him dearly. Though at the same time she was terrified of the idea that Oberron would abandon her. She hoped that the Thane would not be able to read he turmoil inside of her.

Alynia watched as the dwarf downed a mug of ale, she was sure that a few sips would be enough to get her tipsy. She smiled, "I realized early on. You were clever to try and pass as a less prominent individual. With no disrespect to Demarco of course."

He left her soon enough, and a lock another entered. Alynia's eyes brightened at the idea of getting rid of this humiliating collar. She sat still as the dwarf tampered with the device on her neck, fiddling with this tool then that, then casting a few spells and incantations. Alynia was patient, she had no idea that a locksmith would have such a complex task. But soon enough, the metal collar cracked in half and fell to the floor.

The locksmith picked up the pieces but seemed surprised as Alynia rewarded the hardworking dwarf with a gentle kiss on the cheek.

As soon as the locksmith was out of the door, Alynia decided to conjureup some more appropriate attire for herself. She stripped down quickly, relishing the idea of being in clothes of her own. The first dress she tried on was poorly made. Trying to unravel itself until the threads started pulling apart. The second dress was transparent... So she got rid of that without a second thought. The third try, Alynia successfully materialized a simple light green dress made of flowy soft fabric. It was short but elegant, but Alynia didn't want to risk trying to lengthen it. Her magic seemed to be coming back bit by bit.

Alynia was cleaning herself up, brushing out her hair, purifying her skin, when Crom walked in again. He looked much more regal too with impressively crested armour, a weapon of only the highest craftsmanship. Alynia was inclined to bow, if she hadnt remembered she was royalty aswell... For now atleast.

A soft sigh escaped her lips as the Dwarven king mentioned her castle. "Yes, it would be nice to be home." She mused. Her uncertainty and worry about seeing Oberron was masked over with a weary smile.

Crom sat up as he looked over the Queen though he saw nothing amiss with her, other than the fact that she was not in regal clothing. He nods as she dismisses the offer to have a drink though her demeanor shows that she has been unharmed. Of course she could handle one lone goblin he thinks though a smile touches his lips as he stands with a wince on account of those broken ribs.

“I am glad that you are alright though I would have exchanged the sight in both my eyes to keep you from harm.” Crom chuckles a bit. “Your husband controls the portal into Avalon. Perhaps he can send me there to regenerate this,” he makes a sweeping gesture towards the damaged side of his features.

Was he kidding or serious? Clearly she was aware that Avalon had regenerative qualities for her husband at least. She wasn't sure if that was because of the artifact that connected him with the forest of if Avalon had other things that could help but if there were to be any place capable of restoring lost body parts it would be there of all places.

But the nightmare was over … no … there was still the aftermath of her involvement with Ian and the whole matter of her promise that she had to bring up with Oberron or if she kept that secret and he were to find out provided that he didn't already hear her for himself.

Did the Thane piece it together? She was distress and gave him some clues but either he did not bring attention to her about it or using a bit of tact just as he didn't bring up her tears earlier as if he had pretended not to see them to keep her from feeling self conscious.

But they were soon away at the base camp when the Queen declined the drink, perhaps wisely for while the dwarfs might have taken it as a slight the Thane did not. First she was not from Llynoria so he afforded her more slack and second she was human and likely to just waste good booze by up chucking it later on.

He laughed a bit. “I'm sure Demarco would agree. The goblins got lucky but I never wear my crown when traveling in case of events such as this. When they attacked they had far more ogres and other giants with them though when they nabbed me they thought I was important enough to be in the Thane’s entourage but had not worked out that they had actually captured who they had hoped to capture.

“Thane of not one dwarf looks like another to most goblins anyway save for our beard colors. But thank you for playing along your Majesty. I did not see the sense in you knowing the truth when our jailors could have gotten the information out of you. It was touching though that you'd give up the Thane for 'Demarco'. Essentially you would have been saving the Thane by offering up the Thane.” He chuckled at that thought. “Though I am quiet sure the real Demarco would have preferred death to that or whatever mutilation the goblins chose to inflict on him gladly just as I would have received it for you.”

The anti-magic of the collar that she was affixed with resisted mundane magics. Only deity-like beings could overcome it but that did not prevent others from using magic upon themselves such as the craft enhancing magic the dwarf used to assist with the device. Before long it was removed though, freedom from the device at last as Alynia could feel the flow of magical energies that had been suppressed return at once.

“Then home it is.” Crom had told her when seeing her again. In the days that followed the dwarfs traveled to her castle as welcomed guests once it had been learned that they had rescued their Queen from Carrion of all places. In those days Crom had replaced his eye with a ruby. He no longer had the desire to go to Avalon though in the future it would be damn hard to mistake him as was fitting the station of the Thane who had only laughed at the notion of being mistaken as the “help” though he was not offended it seemed. Crom seemed good matured though of course he had no luck convincing the Queen to try any o the dwarven beverages they got back soon enough with more than enough time for her to get a hold of some mead to neutralize what Ian might have done though she was not aware that she had still been under the protection o the mead for a few days longer it seemed.

“You are doing well,” Corte had greeted her. Oberron on Avalon after reports came in about her capture so that she could use the ring if the opportunity arose. “I hope you are in the best of spirits.”

"You f-flatter me.." She muttered modestly as a pink blush stained her cheeks. Alynia was rather surprised Crom was able to joke about loosing both of his eyes when he was so close to completely loosing one. "But if you had, I don't know how I would live with myself." She responded honestly. "I will certainly put in a word for you to go to Avalon. It's the least I could do." A thoughtful expression crossed her face as she let out a quiet sigh, reminding herself it was over... It was over...

But it wasnt, while they travelled, even though being Queen, she was provided with the best confort they could offer, Alynia could not sleep. She tossed and turned, opting to lie awake for hours each night. When her eyes finally gave up, and her mind drifted off she had nightmares.

There were ones that included Ian again taking her this way and that until she woke up in cold sweat. Ones where she was banished from Llynoria, shunned by her friends, abandoned by the man who she loved. Some that mixed the two up.

There was even a particularly horrible one oin which her very own king ministered her and Ian's wedding. Alynia had been wearing nothing but white lingerie and a superfluous veil, holding a even more ridiculous bouquet of white lilies. And for some reason everyone had mistaken her tears and begging for a passionat "I do." In that one she had woken up screaming. It was embarrassing having to explain to the Thane that her dream had not being anything out of the ordinary from any regular old nightmare.

So she went on without much sleep, much rather dealing with the tiredness rather than the dreaded nightmares. Her health was deteriorating from worry and anxiety. She was able to eat and drink less and less each day. The only thing she consumed a constant supply of was mead. It didnt seem like it was a secret that she had been raped. It was common amount Fey anyway. She was afraid to talk to even Crom, fearing that he wouldn't understand why she was so torn up.

Alynia was kept clean, but she was loosing weight. It was a good thing they made it to the castle when they did.

As they walked up to the grandiose entrance, Alynia was starting to feel faint. Her heart pounded, she was not ready for face him. Face his violet glare, face his anger. His disappointment. The fact she didnt know how he would react made her jump to the worst possibilities. Her anxiety had only gotten worse during the days of travel. At this point, Alynia had contemplated whether or not he would execute her.

But it was Corte that greeted her. She could barely make out the words. "I've been better." Alynia stated as she embraced him dearly, so glad to see a familiar face."When will he be back?" She asked immediatly as Corte explained where Oberron was.

The dwarves who had travelled with her were suppose to stay the night and the next if they so wished. A feast was traditionally in order for a figure as prominent as the Thane was present, but it would make no sense to have one without the king.

Alynis directed a servant to show her companions their rooms, and told them all to get as comfortable as they pleased. It was when they had all wandered off did she turn to Corte again.

It was difficult for her to speak, for Alynia had not exactly decided on what to say. She had to tell him something... She couldn't keep it in for much longer. Alynia could not meet the elf's blue gaze as she spoke, quietly and carefully. "Corte..." She started out uncertainly. "W-would you know, how much Oberron actually loves me?" She asked quietly. What a strange question.

“It is the truth my Queen. Lost sight can be restored through powerful magics and it is the honor of the dwarfs to serve. I may be Thane though all in the realm recognize Oberron as King. We are simply allowed to govern ourselves for ease of matters.” Would it have come down to loosing both eyes? It nearly had if the others did not show up when they had.

The Thane had recognized that she was having nightmares. If she had been imprisoned on Carrion longer than the torments there would have made far more sense if she had been imprisoned for longer as to what she had endured during such an ordeal so he reasoned that there were things that had proceeded her arrival in Carrion that caused them.

Whether she had been imprisoned elsewhere or that things had been done to her before hand he could not say with any certainty though he did know the deranged minds of goblins, his ancestral enemies quite well.

The goblins showed little interest in the Queen and thus he realized that they would have no fun with her being that she was already broken. But how? Was it a sexual thing or was it torture? Either way he had not seen any scars upon her and had not wished to bring up painful memories that she obviously did not want to speak about.

Simply put the Thane was like many dwarfs. He valued her privacy though he would leave the door open to her if she ever did wish to speak of it so he “bought” her traditional nightmares excuse without much fuss.

Her travel to the castle was fraught with her own trials for their had been few perils along the way and none that the dwarfs accompanying her could not deal with. When he did finally arrive at the castle it was Corte that she met with and not Oberron.

She had embraced him. “I am sorry to hear that. I see that you no longer possess the earrings, that would explain it. Oberron is gone indefinitely with word of your capture he went to another Shadow so you could make use of the ring he gave you and has left me in charge here despite my insistence in going with him I am bound by his orders. He will be back as soon as he is notified of your safe return.”

The dwarfs were happy as long as the ale kept flowing. They were a boisterous lot but relatively easy to accommodate though it was after their needs had been seen to that she once again found the royal guard who reflected upon her question for the briefest of moments to make sure that he had heard it correctly.

“In all of my years I have not seen him take to another so much. The closest being Titania but for a fey to forsake all others as he has is saying a lot, especially when it is not natural for a fey to do so.

“He is possessive of you in a way, oh, there are many with designs on you in the fey courts but Oberron shields you from most of it. Jealousy on his part maybe … but does he not make such things clear? You gave him his Kingdom back, one that Sable was ruling over.

“But why do you ask your Majesty?”

Alynia did feel a bit guilty about keeping Crom in the dark, but truthfully she felt too ashamed to explain the complex ordeal that she had gone through. Besides, the stem of the problem started even before she had even met Oberron.

Perhaps it was even worse that she had kept her engagement a secret throughout their entire marriage. But who could have known that it would comeback to haunt her?

So the dreams continued, getting worse and worse as nights went on. From continuous rape, to marriage, to having that demon's spawn of a child. It was easy for her to decide to suffer through fatigue than such tortures.

Alynia thoughts as her sights set upon her home were too confusing to understand. Relief, fear, happiness, regret... But it was far too late to turn back now. There was no way she could escape him forever, nor would Alynia want to. Hopefully, Oberron would atleast be willing to protect her from Ian if he ever dared to come back.

The emotions that encompassed her when she discovered her king wasn't home were equally as conflicted. As Corte tried to explain how faithful Oberron was to her, the turmoil in her heart only worsened.

She pressed her lips together trying to prevent herself from crying. The only way Alynia could steady herself was to sit down. She had almost forgotten how her husband was even willing to deny his culture for her.

It was in his blood to see sex as a casual occurance... Alynia could hardly keep up with all the times he had convinced her to give into him. Honestly she wouldn't have chosen to have it any other way. Suddenly it made sense to her why they made love so frequently. Typically, the king was probably allowed to run off and be with a multitude of women. Alynia felt like a hypocrite keeping Oberron to herself while all this time she had a fiancé!

Oberron worked to protect her, she was aware of this. Though she had not thought it was many, she was aware of a few names that had hoped she would have followed fey customs rather than human. The Marquis, Lord Ellis... they no longer teased her so insistently anymore and Alynia was sure that it was because of Oberron.

All this time he was so loyal and good to her, yet Alynia could still recall herself begging like a whore for another man.

She wiped her eyes, trying to pull herself together as all these fantastic memories of the king made her feel guilt beyond description. How unworthy she felt for her husband's devotion. Alynia couldn't help but laugh at her own inadequacy. She gave Corte a sad smile.

"I fear I have made mistakes that could ruin all of that. I feel like an idiot for keeping secrets that I had no idea would come back to torment me. I'm sorry Corte." She stopped to take in a breath. "I-I don't know what to tell you... I don't know what to tell him." She was obviously referring to the king.

"I'm also afraid he might already know, in the worst way possible too." She sighed, burying her face in he hands as she remembered those Calling Stones Ian had brought out. "I was humilated." Alynia mutters. "I feel so ashamed."

Corte lead her to a place to sit down. It was thought that he had no personality though he had one of course. He suppressed a lot of it because of his duty, his need to serve and the oath that he had conducted.

He served the royals as well as possible breaking his oath but once when Fiona's well being was on the line but if anyone among the fey knew about harboring secrets it was he of all people. Considering how people who look upon his relationship with Fiona that could not be made public. She was of age though barely older than one hundred, hardly older than a child, a young woman in human cultures equivalent to 18 or so.

It should not have been a great deal though considering their age differences it made the matter seem scandalous. As a royal guard he should have displayed himself in a better light.

Now it took no genius to realize that the last mission had shaken the Queen up a little. She did not have the earrings so they had to have been taken … perhaps she had to make a choice, a sacrifice between learning more information or …

He did not want to think about it knowing full well what the goblins got up to.

“A mistake? We have all made mistakes at one time or another. It is how we learn, how we grow as individuals. Mistakes teach us how to get things right in the future.” But this was not some ordinary mistake he could tell by looking at her, by the way that she apologized.

It was something more than this and his perceptions were as sharp as his sword. He considered why she was apologizing, what mistake would she feel was so grave … understanding was not far behind him as he sat casually across from her as he drew a chair closer to her.

“You broke a promise?” That was the only thing that he could think of that would shake her up so much. In fact it made the most sense if she were apologizing to him as well as worrying about what the King thought.

But how was she humiliated? By the goblins? That he would have suspected, that he assumed was a possible likelihood. But for Oberron to already know …

He shook his head. “My Queen, whatever it is he has no clue. The weather has been fine save for one sun shower the day he left but your capture was something we all were aware was likely. Even while he is away on another Shadow he controls the weather here.

“There have been days were the skies have been dark, denoting loneliness but no rains and all in all things have been as expected. There have been no storms so if he is aware of whatever transgression you made then he doesn't think too much of them if he knows at all.”

It was somewhat easy to read Oberron's mood though Corte knew that he could disguise his moods at times for court but he had been around Oberron enough to realize the tell tale signs that he used to mask his moods. He didn't get the sense anything was wrong though.

“My loyalties are to Oberron first, then Puck begrudgingly then yourself. It is my duty to report anything to Oberron that I hear. If it is easier for you to tell me I can inform him … conversely you could use me as a means of gauging Oberron's response before telling him yourself. Shall I tell the King that you have returned my Queen or do you wish to share?”

Alynia listened to Corte with a doubtful expression as he did his best to comfort her, even though he was clueless about what had actually happened. If he knew, would he still be trying to comfort her? Alynia had a feeling, learning from her mistakes wasnt applicable to this situation and honestly Corte seemed to know it as well.

Many saw Corte as a bland character, but Alynia knew better. His stolid appearance made him stellar at his job, and there was without a doubt of his loyalty to the crown. Corte was also loyal to Fiona. Alynia knew just as well how wonderful it is to be passionate about love.

Of course, Corte and Fiona's relationship was not only kept primarily a secret, they were both Fey. Alynia had more than once had suspicions about Corte's dalliances with noble women. He was attractive, even for Fey standards, and when he wanted to his silver tounge was probably only rivaled by Oberron's.

Silver tounge or not, Corte had guessed correctly at what was bothering the Queen so. Of course it was more than just breaking a promise, she had made promises as well. Dreadful promises she would do practically anything to avoid.

She nodded sadly when the royal guard suggested that she had broken a promise, though she was afraid to reveal much more.

Her head tilted with confusion upon hearing that it seemed that Oberron was not aware about what she had been through. Corte explained how the weather in the kingdom had been consistent, giving no evidence to the king's anger or grief.

Alynia didn't know how to respond to this information. Did it make her whole situation better or worse? Of was she just as bad off as she started? She wasn't sure what she could do, too afraid to face her husband, yet feeling to guilty to avoid him.

She pressed her lips together at Corte's offer, pondering the benefits. Alynia thought it would be insincere if Obrron had to first hear the news through Corte, but at the same time he would be prepared to then hear it from her... Still there was this nagging worry that Corte wouldn't even accept what she had done.

In the end she shook her head. "You have done nothing to deserve to get in the middle of this. It's my burden, and I don't want to risk Oberron getting mad at you for my errors." She explained softly her voice downcast knowing that it was inevitable she had to face her husband soon.

"Yes, please inform Oberron that I'm back and waiting for his return." She decided, biting her lip nervously.

Corte could see that he was having little effect her as far as keeping the Queen in better spirits. He did not wish to get into any nasty details at the latest mission believing that it would only discomfort his Queen further though the possibility of such happening was a very real possibility that the King most have foreseen though, then what exactly was she worried about, something further than this most likely though what the guardsman did not quiet know.

Few knew Corte beyond the royal guard with the stick up his ass. He did not fraternize with many people and tended to keep to himself. It was easier for him to carry out his duties to the crown this way for he had never considered it a sacrifice in what he was giving up but an honor that he had been ultimately chosen for.

Of course he was second choice, his sister Amberlie declined the position but that was saying a lot considering that she was skilled enough to probably duel Lord Ellis to a draw and that was saying a lot about the abilities she possessed. Being second best as far as choices for the role of royal guardsman went had been a blessing to be even considered in the same category as his sister something that never happened before with his combat skills anyway. Corte was better rounded though Amber had focused herself as a tool for warfare, something that a fey did not take to lightly given that they were essentially immortal baring any violent deaths.

Corte mulled over the Queen's admission with that nod. On a personal level what did he think? Of course as a fey that was a grave injustice but she was not fey and it was time to remind her of that. Oberron might think different but to Corte he was a simple guardsman and rarely had to focus on the greater picture.

“You Majesty, you are human and not fey. Promises are not so strong in your culture, nor as binding as amongst us fey.” He explained. “I do not think of you any less for braking one. In fact I know several humans that brake promises. Many make them too easily, a promise for a picnic is broken because it rains. A fey in that situation would still have the picnic if he or she made a promise to do so.”

He noted her confusion and made a mental note that she was under the impression that whatever this was her husband not knowing about it came as a surprise so he had pieced together that this was a broken promise that involved Oberron directly. Oh, dear, Oberron of Storms. He could be a hot head at times though Corte had seen at the worst of times in court that he had refrained and pulled back often enough so he doubted that this was going to be much of an issue.

“It is no worry. Besides, I have the Royal Seal and can get far away before he does anything to rash. As his guardsman it would be sad if I couldn't hold him off for a minute or two.” A joke? He smiled trying to lift her spirits some.

“I will inform him that you are back,” Corte knelt until dismissed and went about carrying out his duties. Later that evening Oberron had been back and after thanking the dwarfs for their part in Alynia's rescue from Carrion he had the “good” stuff unloaded for them. The dwarfs appreciated a good drink though after seeing to their guests the Queen receive word that her husband had wished to see her in the very tower that served as his prison for so long.

The good thing was she now had enough skill to get out of the room should he leave her in it by herself.

“Welcome back my dear,” he gestured her to approach when she arrived obviously he was oblivious to what had been on her mind as he stood there surrounded by illusionary animals that retreated as she approached.

Alynia could tell he was trying, Corte was putting a heart felt effort into making her feel better. Unfortunately, the Royal Guard was never known to be the master of sensitivity.

Alynia nodded solemly as Corte reminded her, even though she had been so immersed within the inner workings of Fey culture, she was still human. She supposed this was true, but the question still remained whether or not Oberron would think similarly.

It was not as if she wasn't trying to feel better too. Certainly the Queen was not the type of person just to let Corte's attempts to be comepletely fruitless... but it was difficult with the same nightmare of being abandoned plaguing her mind.

A sad smile crossed her features as she was unsure whether or not Corte was joking. She had already decided it would be fair to Corte as well as the king if she had the information relayed by a third party. Alynia appreciated the gesture, and although she recognized it would be much more stressful for her, she felt it was the right thing to do.

Sooner or later, Corte knelt down formally obeying her wishes. "You may go." She dismissed quietly, atleast relieved that the elf would still respect her now. His loyalty, Alynia realized, was something she had taken a bit for granted. Now that it was uncertain how much longer she would be considered royalty, the thought of everything she knew so dearly could simply be gone.

For the rest of the day Alynia just couldn't concentrate on anything. She tried to bake a batch of brownies that only ended up burnt to a crisp. It was probably possible to have saved them with magic, but she couldn't bring herself to attempt it.

Studying up on magic, sword-fighting, fey history and dialect was just abysmal. Practicing ended up being worse.

She really did try to entertain their guests, who were certainly a rowdy bunch but declined any offer of wine even though she knew that it was pixie, elven, and fey made instead of the hardcore ales the dwarves were most likely accustomed to drinking. Her smile was forced as transient at best as she tried to laugh along and listen to Dwarven stories. It wasnt long before she realized she could keep up the facade for long, so she excuses herself to the quiet haven of the library.

It was there that Corte found her later that evening. sitting in a lush oversized armchair with a simple novel in her lap. She only nodded and dismissed him as she was informed her husband wished to see her. She couldn't bring herself to say more. Alynia had not really been reading, the page of the book she had not turned for the last twenty minutes was stained with droplets of tears.

Without haste, she closed the hardback novel and placed it back in the shelf where it came from with no intention of returning to it. Of what little she read, Alynia didn't find it as interesting as she hoped it would be.

First, Alynia made her way to the master bed chamber to clean up. Washing her face of dried tears, combing through her long black locks. She even changed into a dress she knew Oberron particularly liked on her though she didnt bother wearing shoes because she knew he was meeting her in that illusionary glade. She liked the feeling of her barefeet in the soft emerald grass.

As soon as she pushed open the door that lead to the meadow, Alynia's heart caught in her throat. There was the evening sky, breathtaking tones of orange, violet, and turquoise right before a sunset. And there was her husband, her handsome king. She stood there for a second as the door sealed behind her, unsure of what to do.

Her aching heart skipped a beat as he spoke, beckoning for her to approach him. He was surrounded by a crowd of various woodland creatures, all so fitting to his caring nature.

As she walked toward him, the animals scattered about some weaving between her legs as a friendly greeting others disappearing through the trees or off in the skies. Her husband was obviously unaware of Ian, or anything that had happened to her.

By the time she was close enough to Oberron, they had disappeared. Alynia was at a loss of words. She didnt know how to begin... She was so scared and so troubled.

First, Alynia could help but embrace him dearly. Her arms wrapped around his neck and she stood on her tip toes to kiss him deeply. Her lips met his with passion, as far as she knew it could be the last one they shared.

He meant well. Corte could be a terror on the battlefield though off of it he was socially inept at times. She supposed he was well enough adjusted to manage things for a small while when the King had no one else to leave the kingdom to.

Corte was perceptive, he was tasked with being perceptive as he often had to guard the royals from would be assassins. Thus he realized that the Queen was trying to believe his words but couldn't quite get there which meant that this had to be a rather large promise that she shattered he guessed. He did not try to figure out what this was. He did not snoop but he was curious as to what it was.

Certainly the dwarfs were a boisterous bunch. Crom was the sole dwarf that had suspected that there was something off. He had the experience of holding court and dealing with trained liars and that's what this was. He knew from how distraught she was back in the cell though it had not been his place to inquire about it he did let her know that he knew that something was amiss as he rested his hand over her forearm and squeezed softly. He nodded slightly but there were no words exchanged, there did not need to be.

Was it a ploy to sway him in some way? She had dressed as if this had been the last time she was seeing him off before he had gone on a long or perhaps one that he was just returning from though of course he had not been gone all that long.

She took her time as if this was the last time she were going to see him and maybe it was. But he was waiting for her in the tower that she had come to know so well over the years.

Oberron was in the familiar illusionary meadow that assisted him over the long centuries that he had been a prisoner in the walls of his own castle. Ironically it had been her that had saved him from the fate of wasting away here in a last ditched plan to turn the tables on their captive the witch Sable. All this had been ages ago it had seemed.

But the animals scattered at her approach and Oberron shifted his gaze to her, his eyes catching on the yellow dress as he gazed at her for the first time.

A warm smile slid across his features as he admired her. His hands seizing hold of her by the hips as she embraced him experiencing her warmth as it spread out over him. But she was shaking, he could feel it with the closeness of her body to his just as he read the worry that had been in her eyes.

He had kissed her, tasted her lips against his own and while he had remained close to her he could tell that she was afraid of something. Not of him exactly, no, but there was something that she was afraid to tell him.

He was always canny about these things, most of the time they were simple little hiccups, something that concerned her more than they had him for example and though he kept holding her more as a reassurance that things were going to be alright regardless of what she said.

Now what he had expected to here was that either she had failed to get the information or the goblins … well, there were things that Oberron did not even wish to consider though it was a very real possibility that this was the case.

“What is wrong my Queen?”