"Steel is Cold, Amaya, Just Like the Court"

Amarei awoke in her large square bed with the navy blue comforter on top of her. She still noticed the absence of small feet, pitter-pattering across the floor. It had been only a single turn of the moon since the queen had left Dawnacia and returned to Eveana. The queen knew she'd have to wait another turn, before she could return to the young princess.

Amarei bathed and dress, all the time hoping, knowing the hope was in vain. The dress she chose was a lavender color with an embroidered front. It was loose at the bottom so the queen could easily move around. She opened the large curtains that blocked her view and looked out at her kingdom in the morning light. Jilliana came to the door to ask how she was, and just like every morning, the queen replied fine. This morning, however, the lady lingered, waiting for her ruler and going with her to morning meal.

Even with her entire court present, Amarei noticed the princess' absence. She wondered how Amaya was holding up. Had it been left up to her, Amarei would have taken the princess when she visited that night. I stayed for a long time just watching her sleep. Now I can't do that because I have to get her used to not seeing me. The queen nibbled at her breakfast as the rest of the court dug in. They were commenting on how nice it was to have the queen back and how happy they were that Amaya was doing so well. After the meal, Andrew and Jilliana remained.

"Queen Amarei, there is a visitor here," Andrew said.

"Why was I not informed?" She snapped.

"He said to wait until you were ready," Andrew defended. Amarei calmed herself down and smiled.

"Who is this he?" She asked rising from the table.

"King Marcus of Fooville, majesty," Lady Jilliana answered. Amarei froze; the name had always scared her.

"King Marcus is in MY palace." There were two nods to confirm her fear. "Very well, I shall see him in the Throne Room."

Queen Amarei turned on her heels and walked out the door. Whenever Marcus came to visit it was never good news. Since Amarei was five and ten years she'd hated him with a passion. He had asked for her hand in unity, but Amarei had refused every time and in turn had been married to another. He had died before she had a child and that was when the queen decided she could rule alone. Marcus had made it clear he wanted her kingdom and she made it equally clear that she would never give it up. His presence, not only infuriated her, but also confused her. What could he possibly want?

The queen strolled into her Throne Room and climbed the few steps to her throne. The room was silent, just like the rest of the palace. Amarei examined marble floor that sparkled in the sun. The doors opened and in came King Marcus along with Amarei's captain, Knight Rupert Rodney. The queen rose and gave a curtsy as the two men bowed. She than took her seat.

"Queen Amarei, I was hoping we might be able to discuss in private," Marcus hinted. Amarei smiled and rolled her eyes.

"He is the Captain of my army, he stays," Amarei declared. Marcus nodded respectfully.

"Queen Amarei, it has come to my attention that the kingdom of Dawnacia is without a ruler," he began. Amarei sat up straight and looked him in the eye.

"Princess Amaya is ruling Dawnacia just fine."

"Amarei, surly you must be out of your mind, she's a child! No more than six and you expect me to believe that she can rule?"

"If it comforts you, I am her regent," Amarei stated. Marcus dropped his jaw in shock.

"How can that be? Since Aurora and Sol were murdered on the same day, who elected you?"

"It was Aurora's last words, you see I was there."

"Yes, I know that, but still Aurora HAD last words?"

"How did you know I was there?"

"I um… heard about it," Marcus said quickly. That wasn't a complete lie. Amarei began to feel the venom within her.

"Aurora gave the last command that I act as regent until the princess can be crowned Queen," she barked.

"Which is?"

"When she's ten and eight!"

"You are not going to take over Dawnacia and rule them as one?" Marcus inquired.

"NO! And if you try to take over Dawnacia, you answer to me!" Amarei threatened.

"Amarei, why don't we just join forces and eliminate the princess. You can rule half and I rule the other," the foreign king suggested. At this Amarei slammed her fist down on the throne. She stood up straight and her eyes glared at Marcus.

"Don't you ever suggest something like that again! Princess Amaya is the legal heir to the throne. She is Aurora and Sol's child and the Crown Princess. And if you think for a second that I would ever ally my kingdom with yours, you had better think again!" Amarei shouted. "Knight Rodney, escort this man out of my sight right this very instant!" Knight Rodney opened the door for King Marcus.

"Just wait, Amarei. This is not over," he snickered as he left.

"Get OUT!" she thundered. He left with the knight and Amarei slumped down in her throne. Why would anyone want to hurt Amaya? She's just a child, but someday she'll be a woman and that is the day all men shall fear. When the princess is changed into a queen, the rest of the lands shall cower!

Lady Jilliana came to speak with Amarei an hour or so after Marcus had been removed. However, when the queen was not in the Throne Room, she was at a lost. Where could she have gone? Jilliana asked everyone she came upon, but no one had seen their ruler. Jilliana went to check the stables, but found the queen's horse, Moonlight, still in her stall. Jilliana checked the gardens but found them deserted with the exception of a few butterflies. Jilliana went to the queen's chambers but found them unoccupied. Jilliana thought for a long while. She had hoped the queen had not teleported anywhere because there was a storm coming. Jilliana began to walk back down the hall. She stopped outside the room that once had been occupied by a little princess and heard sobs coming from within. Realizing she hadn't checked that room she pushed open the door with a squeak Queen Amarei was sitting on the bed looking at the toys.

"Queen Amarei?" Jilliana called. The teary eyed queen shot her head up.

"Jilliana! You gave me a fright!"

"I'm sorry, majesty," Jilliana apologized. "I was wondering what King Marcus had to say?"

"He wants her dead! She's six years old, never hurt anyone and already has threats on her life!" Amarei exclaimed.

"Why would he want to hurt Princess Amaya?"

"Dawnacia."

"Gods, oh Queen Amarei, should we warn Dawnacia?"

"We keep this quiet. I shall send a letter to Lydia and inform her. I'm sure she will be able to keep Amaya safe," Amarei said. Jilliana nodded.

"The letter will be delivered tomorrow," Jilliana promised. The queen looked up.

"Why not tonight?"

"There is a storm, majesty. A very loud one with lots of light flashes," Jilliana informed.

"Very well, I'll write the letter now."

It had been hours since Queen Amarei had written the letter to Lydia. It had also been hours since everyone in the palace had retired to their chambers after evening meal. Amarei was sitting at her vanity brushing her hair for bed. The storm roared on outside and the queen tried her best to ignore it.

She wondered how Amaya was handling the storm. She could be in Dawnacia in a few minutes if she teleported, but it was dangerous. Amarei knew the little princess was scared of storms. I remember the last storm we had, she ran in here and stayed in my bed. The queen smiled at that memory and climbed in to bed. She was so tired that her eyes closed before her head hit the fluffy pillow.

The queen slept peacefully for a few hours while the storm intensified. A loud crash awoke her and she sat up. Gods, this storm is getting worse. The queen decided she was going to Dawnacia to see how Amaya was regardless of the risk. She concentrated on her destination and disappeared from the Palace of Eveana without anyone noticing. A few minutes across kingdoms, Queen Amarei appeared in the ruler's chambers.

She appeared in the shadows of the room. Eve was awake, and started to growl as the queen approached the sleeping child. The curtains had been drawn close, so the princess would not be able to see the light flashes. Amaya was curled up in a ball in the center of her bed. Amarei ran a hand through the princess' hair, smoothing it out. She did not stir. The queen sat down on the bed and watched the princess sleep. Very carefully, Amarei pulled the sleeping girl into her lap and held her close. I hope she doesn't wake up. I would never be able to leave if she knows I'm here. Eve curled up at the queen's feet and went back to sleep. Amaya slept on through the worst of the storm. When the world outside became calm again, Amarei tucked the princess back into bed. The queen than disappeared from the girl's castle.

Minutes later Queen Amarei materialized in her own chambers. She looked outside to see the water droplets glinting off the rooftops of her kingdom. She dressed and went out to the stables. Amarei mounted Moonlight and rode off to inspect the damage done in her realm. Her subjects turned out to greet her, for they all adored their queen. Amarei had never been harsh with her people and tried always to give them the best. Many a times, when Amaya was younger, she had taken the princess on these rounds. The people of Eveana loved her and cherished her as if she had been their princess.

Amarei made a point of stopping at the mail house and asked if they had any rider that could deliver a letter to Lady Lydia in Dawnacia by early evening. A young man of ten and seven volunteered happily for it had been his dream to serve his queen. Amarei gave the young man some money for his trip and as payment, the queen than continued back to her palace.

Jilliana met her at the gates along with Andrew. They discussed the days events and than went for breakfast. After the meal, Amarei attended her court, all the while never hinting her lack of sleep. Jilliana never took notice, for her ruler looked very healthy. Towards mid-day a rider came to the palace with alarming new and Jilliana immediately went to inform her ruler.

"Queen Amarei!"

"Yes, Jilliana."

"A rider has come from Dawnacia, you must hurry to meet him," she informed. Amarei ran into her throne room to meet the rider. He bowed deeply in greeting and presented the queen with a letter.

"To her majesty, Queen Amarei of Eveana, from her ladyship Lydia of Dawnacia and Princess Amaya, ruler of Dawnacia," he announced. Amarei took the letter and opened it rather quickly. She paid the young rider and sent him with Andrew to get a meal. Jilliana stood near the queen and watched her, growing anxious.

"Majesty, what does it say?"

"This first one is from Amaya, she writes she misses me and you as well, that she is learning and she and Eve are having lots of fun. She ends by asking me to visit as soon as I am able."

"What a delightful child the young princess is!" Jilliana laughed. Amarei nodded and flipped letters.

"This one is from Lydia. She starts by informing me of the affairs, but than she continues by saying that Morgana has done something to Amaya for the princess is terrified to be anywhere near her. She also says that Amaya is not feeling well and maybe coming down with an illness, yet this only bothers me a little. According to this letter, King Marcus has invited the princess to a ball in honor of his son. He has a son?" The queen exclaimed.

"I did not think he'd married," Jilliana inserted. Amarei sighed and starred at the letters.

"I will write Lydia and forbid Amaya from attending the ball. She will not like it, but I like the idea of her in Fooville even less. I do not trust Marcus, and I will NOT allow any of his kin near her!" Amarei declared angrily. Jilliana nodded and said nothing. She knew the queen was upset and knew better than to talk.

"Amarei sat silently in her throne. This letter was a lot to take in. Perhaps it was the light or lack there of that caused the queen to overlook the princess' pain. I should have noticed she was not well, the queen thought. I wonder if perhaps there is an underlying reason for Marcus' invitation. What if he wants to establish a courtship? Gods, I will not allow THAT! I will make sure Amaya is taken care of by a man who loves her, not Marcus' brat!

No one disrupted the queen until evening meal. In that time, the queen wrote another letter to Lydia and one to the princess. Loneliness set in as she again noticed the absence of small feet running through the long halls. As Amarei walked to the dinning hall, she half expected to be tackled by the little princess jumping into her arms.

The evening meal was silent as the members of the court noticed the queen's apparent mood. They loved their queen but when she was angry or mad, she tended to snap. Queen Amarei had never taken her angry out on anyone, but still they feared her wrath.

After the meal, everyone retired to their rooms. However, Queen Amarei went out into the garden. Andrew approached her. He stood there for a moment, thinking about what he should say. He and Amarei had once been close friends. Close indeed, he thought with a smile. However after her husband died, she'd rejected him. He had never been happy with her marrying someone else, let alone loving someone else, and Amarei made it clear she did not love him.

Amarei noticed Andrew standing there and could only imagine what he wanted. Why do I bother? I already know what he wants and I am not inclined to give it! The queen had made mistakes before, but if anyone found out her authority would be challenged and she knew she'd be forced to give up her role as regent. I cannot give in ever again to him, nothing is worth losing Amaya. I was young and not so smart, I just wish Amaya doesn't follow in my footsteps. Amarei tried her best to ignore the fact that Andrew was there, but found it increasingly difficult.

"What do you want Andrew?" She asked. Andrew jumped a nearly a foot in the air. He did not think his queen had noticed him.

"Majesty, I did not mean to disturb you. I was thinking about the young princess and was wondering…well what I mean is…" he begun to stutter.

"I'm waiting."

"What are you going to do about Amaya's martial status?"

"I have not given it much thought, she is six. I don't see her producing an heir any time soon. She has not even been crowned queen!" Amarei informed.

"I believe I may have found a young boy who is just Amaya's age. His name is Prince Nikolai and his the Crown Prince of Fooville."

"Andrew," she beckoned. He approached even closer and Amarei slapped him across the face. She was stronger than she appeared and so Andrew truly felt it. "Don't you concern yourself with the affairs of Dawnacia or her ruler, and don't EVER mention that kingdom in my presences again!"

"Yes ma'am," he replied. He bowed and left quickly. The nerve of him! Thinking he can just come up with all the ideas and expecting me to crumble before him! Well, I have had enough of this, I'll show him!