At last the household of the queen returned to Eldicor. At once preparations for a celebration feast and ball were started. Under the guidance of indomitable Constance the castle was being turned upside down. Constance had been Teleperien's personal maid and erstwhile housekeeper since Teleperien took the throne. A matronly woman, strands of grey flecked her brown hair and aside from an occasional ache from her rheumatism she showed no sign of slowing down.

"Take care no' tae drop th' banner!" She shouted across the Great Hall to a pair of young servants. They had climbed a ladder to hang a large banner that bore the emblem of Eldicor. Great folds of white threatened to overwhelm them and topple backwards onto the stone floor. Awkwardly, the servants tried to raise the thick ash pole that the banner would hang inside large iron hooks that was imbedded in the wall.

"Nae!" She shouted as she marched across the flag stone floor. "Ye'll kill yerselves."

A set of chuckles came from the door. Constance spotted two guards watching this with great amusement. At once the guards tried to look busy. She pointed at them. "Ye' dunna have anything tae do' Y' can help."

Smiles fading, they reluctantly followed her. They almost ran into her when Constance suddenly halted, waved her arms and barked out an order to the fleet of maids who were polishing the tables and chairs.

Under her gentle tutelage they managed to hang the banner. It unfurled to show the gold tree with the Star of Elbereth atop the tree. They stopped to admire their handiwork. Even Constance was pleased with how it looked.

"It is beautiful is it not?" Came a soft voice behind them. "My heart always beats with love when I look upon it."

All five turned at once. The guards bowed upon breast and retreated back to their posts. The two young servants could only stand mouth open, eyes wide. Tele stood there gazing at the banner then focused her attention on the two young servants and smiled.

"You are Pieter?" Tele asked the one a little taller than the other. He had been with the castle staff for a few years and Tele had seen him grow from an awkward adolescent to an awkward young man. She liked him. Pieter bowed. Tele then focused on the second servant.

"And you are??" Tele paused, she'd seen him before but didn't learn his name. He looked about the same age of Pieter when he first started his service. Pieter straightened. "Thi' is m' brother Stephen or 'Fen' for short." 'Fen' blushed up to the roots of his bright red hair. Constance came to the rescue and sent them off to fetch another banner.

"Lady, y' canne come an' distract m' help." Constance scolded. Two maids paused from their labor and looked up with surprise at the way Constance spoke to the queen. Constance caught their eyes and they immediately bent to their work, a little more vigorously than before then turned back to Tele. "Dunna ye hav' a gown t' fit?"

"I do. But the seamstress has not arrived yet."

"If y' are idle...Lady...mayhaps ye' kin help." Constance held out a tin of polish.

Tele laughed. "Very well, I understand. I will announce my arrival with fanfare next I come to inspect your handiwork."

Constance shooed the queen out of the hall. As Tele walked away she heard..."Stop yer gaping an' git back t' work."

Tele couldn't help but laugh.

Xenograg is wise enough to watch from inside the palace where he is both warmer and quite protected behind glass. He reminds himself once again that his three students are young and full of life. They are studious enough on most days; this one can easily be forgiven.

Amanda looks up at the window and blows a kiss to her father. Seeing this, Mystic waves to him before running back into the fray. Xenograg smiles and waves back to them.

Philippe ran and grabbed Tele into his arms. "I have the hostage, no' So, lay down your weapons and surrender to the Pirate de Bouillon!"

"Come to your queen's defense!" Tele cried as she pretended to fight his embrace. All three girls pounced at once and they toppled into a snowdrift, the girls giggling madly. Things would have gone ill for Philippe but he was saved by a call from the doors.

"Lady!"

The five combatants stopped and looked toward the source of the voice. Constance stood there with a two seamstress's. One was human, Alatriel, who had dark curly hair with a figure that didn't quit and the second, Elemmírë, elven. Elemmírë resembled many of the elves in Eldicor. Tall, blond and sea grey eyes. They held an armful of material and other sewing items. Philippe stood, reached down and helped Tele then Erwyn to their feet. Amanda and Mystic had already leaped up. For a moment they brushed snow off each other then Tele and Philippe went into the castle, the girls groaning with disappointment.

Tele smiled at the two women as she pushed errant strands of hair out of her face. "Good day! Philippe, these are my dress-makers, Alatariel and Elemmírë." She gestured to each as she introduced them. They dipped curtsies.

"Good day m'lord." Said Alatariel.

Together they walked down the hall toward Tele's apartments, Philippe gently holding her hand. Tele loved his touch for it soothed and warmed her. She squeezes his hand sending love through the touch. Their eyes met and in spite of who watched, they kissed. He gently licked her lips as they parted. The attending seamstresses looked away with small smiles on their faces.

Once in the apartments, Philippe helped himself to a glass of wine then sat to watch. Tele inspected the fabric, white gossamer silks that shimmered in the light.

"This is beautiful, you chose well."

"Thank you Lady. We know your tastes."

Tele undressed to allow the maids to do their work. The silks slid over her smooth skin showing her curves and accenting her long legs. Philippe showed interest for a while but Tele could see his attention was waning, for the process was slow.

"Darling, you need not watch, though I reveal in your presence. This is a tedious process and I will be long. But, I need to ask, as you have lost much, if you wished to be fitted with the clothes of your choice."

Alatariel blushed at the Pirate King's words and turned to Elemmire and giggled.

They were young, but well-trained and perfectionists at their work. They draped and pinned and cut the fine material, watching it transform from just material to the finest of gowns.

They all spoke as they worked, even with pins held between their lips; and Alatariel mentioned more than once how she hoped some fine looking young men would be coming to the castle.

She just loved events like this.

After the evening meal, Tele hoped for a quiet evening. It was filled with spending time with Erwyn and the continual knocks on her door. Philippe had gone to the pub, as he made a number of friends from those who man the harbor. He never stayed long, just to have an ale and exchange tall tales.

A sudden thought came to her. Maybe she could slip out and spend an hour or two in the Red Dragon. Have a glass of wine without someone noticing her. The Red Dragon would be perfect, most of the patrons could care less she was the queen of a realm.

After Erwyn was settled in for the night, Tele quietly strapped on her blade, put her cloak on and quickly headed for her garden. Once inside she dropped the small portal stone on the ground, picturing the Inn, it opened to the front door of the Red Dragon. Stepping through, she picked up the stone as the portal closed behind her. She looked around as she opened the door. A puff of smoke, the chatter of patrons and the clink of glasses greeted her. Finding a chair near the fire she took off and slung the cloak over the chair then went to the bar. She got a glass of wine and returned to her seat. Sitting with a sigh, she kicks her long legs up on a nearby stool. Taking a sip of the wine, she closes her eyes and lays her head against the cushioned back.

A breeze told her the door opened again, but she still rested, eyes closed. She took another sip of wine. She heard heavy steps head her way then stops.

"Good Evening Lady."

She inwardly groaned. She opened her eyes to see Xenograg standing over her. She sits up, dropping her feet to the floor.

"Good eve Xenograg." She answers with a note of disappointment. "what brings you here?"

"Your lack of escort."

"I did not wish for a parade this eve." Tele answers straight to the point.

"Are you trying to give me more grey hair, Tel?"

"Am I distressing you Xenograg?" Tele sighs.

"Worrying me."

"I tire of continual attendance. I wished for a short while not to be disturbed." She answers, irritation pricks the tone of her voice. "Surely you know what it is to have constant company."

"Not to your degree. I understand and sympathize, Tel."

Tele wanted to retort that he really didn't. But she kept it her herself.

"I mean no disrespect to your ability to take care of yourself, but I would have been satisfied with a single bodyguard, whether from your household or mine. I have said my piece."

"I am troubled Xenograg, I have much to think over." Her eyes looks sad. " Thinking, you say' Shall I give you space" Or perhaps a sounding board?"

"I am glad of your presence." Her voice drops. "I am uneasy about Philippe. He seems restless. Since he has returned, I know he has long thought of his ship."

Xenograg orders a glass of watered wine, she got a refill of the gold elvish wine.

"His crew is dead, if memory serves."

"Aye, he alone survived." Tele answers

"If even one man were alive and captive, I would understand his focus on rescue." Xeno responds, his hands steepled.

"His ship was his life. The Lady Venture was his home long before he met me. He wants to travel to the land where he lost his ship and get her back."

"Was. He has an entire fleet of ships now."

Tele pauses, thinking how to answer this. She didn't understand fully how much Philippe loves his ship, but she has an idea. "Those are not his ships, they belong to the kingdom. The Lady Venture is his, it is not the same." "I see that as semantics. They are your ships. Philippe and I are so different that I have trouble understanding him."

"You are not alone with this. That is what troubles me as well Xenograg. Few understand except perhaps the harbormaster. I love him with all of my being, but I feel helpless." Tele answered more to herself than to Xeno.

"He has had a life as he wished, but he now has other responsibilities." Xeno points out.

"I do not think he understood fully the price."

"We never fully understand, but it must be paid regardless."

Sitting back, crosses her legs Tele sighs. "Aye that is True. Having known humans, even disguised as human, I understand the strengths and weaknesses. Philippe has little knowledge of my land and my life."

"It is not an Eldar issue, Tel. He would have the same problem married to the Queen of France."

Tele doesn't respond.

Xeno continues, "Your people, both Eldar and Edain, have great histories as mariners."

"That is truth."

"He does not even wish to indulge his position for pleasure sailing. He wants one specific set of circumstances; that or nothing." Xeno says. Tele gives him a sharp look.

"I don't agree Xenograg. He has given much to be my husband. For a few moments they sit silent, sipping their wine.

"This is not the first time, Tel."

"First time for what? You mean his travels?"

"Yes. I know the last time was long because of his captivity, but he would have come and gone again regardless." Xeno responds.

To this Tele doesn't respond. She was weary of trying to explain her husband to Xeno. She stands and picks up her cloak. "I should return. Philippe will have returned by now. A dozen guards will be sent if I linger."

"Gwindor knows I came looking for you."

Tele smirks. "Of course he does."

"I do have six Rellugai waiting in the courtyard though."

Tele gives a snort.

"You cannot avoid both of us, my friend." As Xeno gives her a wicked smile.

"I can see that." Tele answers as she slings her cloak on and clasps the brooch. "I am hunted where ever I go. But, thank you for listening."

"You're welcome" Together they walk into the night to greet the guard that awaits them.