The cheer that rose from the crowd below was loud enough to startle the inhabitants of the citadel itself, unaware that the people of Phalion had just witnessed a moment that would never come again. Ariana didn't hear it at all, wrapped up in the arms of her rua, her beloved, his lips soft and sure on hers as she poured her heart into that first kiss between them. She didn't care that almost a thousand people had witnessed this private moment, that even now the celebrations were reaching fever pitch in the square below, that outside her door the guards were looking worriedly down the hall as footsteps pounded in their direction. All she knew, all she cared about was the certainty that her future, no matter the outcome of this war, would be decided with Rory and no other.

So lost in the wonder of that first kiss were they that they didn't hear the roar of the crowd or the pounding footsteps on the stairs and down the hall to the princess' quarters, nor did they notice when the doors were flung open and Conall and Liayna stepped into the room to make sure the princess and her squire were safe.

Wild-eyed, the two bonded Wild Ones looked around the pristine chamber, adrenalin pumping through them at the thought that the princess might have been harmed already. The sharp movement of Ariana jumping at the sound of the door slamming open drew Liayna's eyes to the balcony, and she breathed a low sigh of relief at the sight of the pair, healthy and unharmed. The princess blushed deep red, hiding her face against Rory's shoulder for a moment before remembering she didn't have to hide any more. She looked to the pair who had rushed in to check on them. "Is there a problem?" she asked innocently.

Conall surmised what was going on, an amused smirk crossing his face, even as he offered a courtly if a bit clumsy bow. He was a warrior and a blacksmith, after all, not a courtier. "Our pardon, princess. We heard some commotion and wanted to make sure you were safe."

Beside him, Liayna was making absolutely no attempt to hide her grin as she looked from one young blushing face to the other, listening to cheering from outside. It didn't take a genius to work out that Arctra might well have an heir and a spare before it had a true queen again at this rate. She didn't bow to the princess, however, allowing Conall to do the talking as she bit her own tongue to keep from laughing at the rather silly situation.

Ariana's blush deepened briefly as she looked up at Rory, only now becoming aware of the clamor outside that had brought these two self-appointed bodyguards running for this room. "I am quite safe, thank you," she assured them both, keeping a firm grip on Rory's hand as she spoke. "And may I commend you on your speed" You cannot have been far away."

Rory was blushing from ear to ear as he realized he had not only just declared his love in front of a crowd of Ariana's subjects, but that the clamor from the crowd had brought their self-appointed bodyguards rushing to make sure they were safe, when they were in no danger at all, except for embarrassment.

"Apologies, princess," Conall continued, his gaze darting briefly to her squire. "Might I suggest if you wish to share a private moment that you actually do it in private?" He could not hide the smirk that was showing on his lightly-bearded face, amused at the young couple's predicament.

Ariana stared at him, utterly at a loss as to what she could possibly say that might salvage a little of her dignity from this moment. It was difficult enough to try and maintain her bearing when she knew that everyone in the room was just waiting for her to make a mistake; here and now, she had a feeling any dignity she'd survived the feast with had just been shredded beyond repair.

"Such moments cannot be planned, eniro," Liayna came to the rescue of the tongue-tied princess with a chuckle, nudging her lover's arm affectionately. "As you well know. Come, let us allow them their privacy. Princess." She finally inclined her head to Ariana, flashing Rory a grin in farewell as she drew Conall back toward the doors. Liam was going to choke on his ale laughing when he heard about this. Conall was heard chuckling in the hallway as Liayna drew him from the room, but thankfully, she had saved the pair from any further embarrassment and teasing by tugging him away with her.

"Sorry," Rory said, still blushing, though he was not sorry for the kiss, not really, only for embarrassing Ariana. If the crowd's reaction was anything to go by, however, they seemed to be loving every moment of it. Though they might not realize it yet, they were watching history in the making. "We should probably join them," he suggested, drawing back a little to give her some space.

Pressing her hands to the smooth wide metal belt that encircled her waist, Ariana glanced down to the square one last time. She felt reluctant to leave them without a sight of her, yet knew there would be plenty of opportunity for them to see their daughter of Arlan in the days to come. She sighed softly, returning her gaze to Rory. "We probably should," she agreed, yet made no move to step from the balcony. For all that they had an audience, it felt more private here than anywhere else.

Rory turned his gaze to the crowd of people, amazed at the outpouring of love and adoration and support Ariana was receiving from the crowd. "You were so worried they wouldn't like you, and look at them. They love you, lea. Just as I love you." Though he had given her a little space, he still held fast to her hand, fingers linking them together.

"Here, they love me," she qualified quietly. "Here in Phalion, where I grew up, where I have ruled since I was a baby. They know me here. Everywhere else, they only have hearsay - the strange demon-touched boy who thinks he's a girl these days. I have a lot of proving to do."

"And you will do it," he replied, turning to face her again. "They will see through Velasca's lies and come to know and love you just as the people of Phalion love you, and the rebels and the Wild Ones. You have the support of nearly the entire nation, Ariana. You only have to believe in yourself and they will believe in you, too." He touched her cheek, a soft reassuring smile on his face.

She smiled, eying him with teasing amusement. "When did you get so clever?" she asked him with impish playfulness, rising up onto her toes to brush a soft kiss to the corner of his mouth. The crowd below let rip with a fresh wave of cheering yells, making her laugh softly. "Let's go inside, at least. I love them dearly, but Conall is right. Some things should be kept private."

Downstairs in the Great Hall, music was being played, and food and drink were being served to keep the many nobles and priests and generals and other honored guests from growing restless while they awaited the arrival of the princess and her squire who would eventually become the queen and her consort. Liam had arranged to have the Sword of Arctra examined, verified, and confirmed by the high priest while they waited, intending on presenting it to Ariana before the night was through. As First Blade, Shaye would then be in thrall to the queen, which was as it should be, until such time as she was replaced by a new First Blade, either through combat or competition. Due to its connection to and control over the First Blade, Liam had been wary about relinquishing the sword, keeping it safely in his possession at all times since Conall and Liayna had returned with it, but the time had come at last when the sword should be returned to its rightful honor and the true heir to the line of Arlan.

Three resounding thumps of a particularly heavy oak staff against the wooden floor drew every eye to the main doors of the great hall, where the steward of the citadel stood proudly. "My lords and ladies, honored guests," he announced, his voice clear despite his advanced years. "I present to you ....Princess Ariana, heir to the throne of Arlan." The great doors creaked a little as they were opened, but there she was, golden-haired and beautiful, a dazzling sight to behold. Only those who had spent a while in the company of the boy she had been could see the barely suppressed terror as she entered the great hall, confronted by so many people eager to speak with her and touch her, to make certain she was real.

Beside Liam, Shaye cleared her throat, nodding toward the newly arrived princess. "Once the high priest is done with her, get in there quick," she advised under her breath. "The last thing she needs is to be overwhelmed with interested parties straight away."

Rory had escorted her all the way down the stairs, where they had parted, and though he remained close and watchful, fingers resting idly against the sword at his hip, he walked a short distance away from her, allowing her to be presented to those assembled and greet them on her own, as was her duty and her responsibility.

Liam nodded his head, as watchful as Rory. While he had no reason to suspect anything would go wrong, it was always wise to be on guard and ready for any possibility, especially where Velasca was concerned. Though everything had gone well so far, he knew not everyone in Phalion would be pleased to put a Queen of Arlan's line back on the throne.

From their vantage point not too far away, Shaye could see Ariana's eyes beginning to glaze over as the high priest of the Nine pontificated in her general direction about fate, the Gods, and the miracle that was her own survival of Velasca's purge. She smirked into her cup, making an effort to calm the expression before she lowered the tableware from in front of her face. "Maybe we should just send that priest to Velasca's court," she suggested quietly. "He could bore her to death in a few hours."

Liam snorted in that way he always did when he found something she was saying amusingly ridiculous. "He's been boring me to death all night. Shall I go rescue her or let him drivel on a bit longer?" he asked, before lifting a cup of wine to take a sip, secretly promising himself not to drink too much tonight. This was not a celebration so much as a presentation and he needed to be awake and alert.

"It would be a new definition of the phrase "bloodless coup"," Shaye murmured, but straightened her back as Liam offered to be chivalrous and rescue their future queen from the endless ramblings of a very devout, but very boring, man. "Rescue seems to be in order. Rory looks ready to doze off right here and now."

"Rory is the last person who needs to be dozing tonight," Liam remarked with a slightly grumpy scowl. "The boy looks like a fish out of water," he commented further, tilting his head close to Shaye's as he watched from a short distance. "Have you seen Conall and Liayna?" he asked, his gaze drifting if only for a moment.

"He'll be fine," Shaye assured her husband. She had a lot of faith in Rory, hopefully not misplaced. At Liam's comment on his friend and brother, she smirked faintly. "Look at the minstrel gallery," she suggested, jerking her head upward to the shadowy confines of the wooden balcony that overlooked the great hall, where in happier days musicians had sat and played all night. Liayna was just visible, in a perfect vantage point, her bow obviously in her hand. Wherever Conall was, you could guarantee he had just as good a view of the princess and the room at large.

There was that satisfied grunt again. "Well, at least, they're not snogging somewhere. Have you noticed anything different about them lately?" he asked, turning his head to his wife a moment before his attention returned to the princess and the most boring man at the party - er, reception. There was something definitely odd going on between Conall and Liayna, but Liam had not yet figured out what that something was, and there had been no time the last few days to ask about it.

"Oh, you mean the stopping in the middle of a conversation to smile at each other for no apparent reason?" Shaye asked innocently. "Or were you referring to what can only be called a giggle-fest that went on for a good ten minutes, again for no reason?" She chuckled, shaking her head. "Whatever's going on, they're obviously happy about it. Maybe we should ask directly, if we ever manage to pin them down."

"So, you've noticed it, too." He lifted his gaze to the minstrel gallery as if to figure it all out just by staring at Liayna for a moment or two. "Whatever it is, they are stupidly happy." A small smirk made itself known, tugging gently at Liam's lips. "I'm happy for them, but I am more happy for us," he continued, reaching for her hand beneath the table where no one might notice.

"Oh, do you know something I don't?" she teased, barely moving her lips even as she grinned at him. Beneath the table, her hand slid into his, teasing her fingertips over his palm impishly before allowing him to hold her hand without mishap. "I am very happy, rua," she promised him. Her eyes flickered to the princess, and that smirk fought its way onto her face once again. "Uh ....now might be your moment. Before Rory offers to rearrange His Grace's face for him."

Liam smiled back at his impish wife, almost getting lost in her company, his fingers tangling with hers before turning to glance over at the princess again. He growled in displeasure and annoyance, brows furrowing downward as he moved to his feet. "We are not finished here, lea," he told her. "We will continue this....conversation later," he promised, dropping his napkin on the table and starting toward the trio in question, grumbling something under his breath about never getting a moment to themselves.

"As you command," were the parting words from his wife as he stood up, quite prepared to wait until she was actually needed before inviting herself into any conversations.

Reaching out, she laid her fingers about the hilt, and felt a jolt as the Sword acknowledged a new bearer. Unprompted, she raised the blade above her head. "I accept, both the gift and the burden," she said, unsure quite where the words were coming from, but sure that they wanted to be said. "Arctra is my home. It has been the home of my family for hundreds of generations. I will not see it fall so long as I draw breath; I will guarantee its survival. Shaye Dervla."

As Ariana looked up for her, Shaye stepped forward out of the throng, every nerve singing with the deep relief of having felt Thalan's bond connect with the blood of Arlan, certain now that she was in the right place at the right time. She dropped to one knee, bowing her head for a moment. "What are your orders, my queen?"

Ariana thought for a moment before answering. "I have no wish to give you orders," she said, her voice gentler this time. "The power of this Sword and the First Blades is legend, but I know a little of the touch of divine magic. So my first order to the First Blade of Arctra is this - I order you, Shaye Dervla, to make your own choices, to choose your own allegiances; to fight, or not to fight, as you see fit. That is my order to you."

Liam had moved to his feet and stepped back a few paces, leaving room for Shaye to step forward, smiling proudly at the pair of young people in front of him, a princess he'd had a hand in restoring to the throne and the squire whose heart she held in her hand. For the first time in sixteen years, Liam felt the weight of leadership lift from his shoulders, if only for a moment, heartened that everything he had fought for and struggled for was finally coming to pass. Though this was not a celebration, there was much to celebrate, and the smile that found its way to his face was one that was full of pride and joy for all they had accomplished - not only him, but all those who had put their lives in jeopardy for the good of Arctra. This was a day that would be long remembered by the people, and he was glad to have been such a large part of it.

For a moment, shock showed itself on Shaye's face as she felt that order ring deep into her, binding her to obey as best she could. But it was an order she was proud to follow, an order that gave her back her free will. The order of a child wise beyond her years, who knew a little about the way divine magic burned. Drawing her own sword, the First Blade held it up, the blade level on her forearms. "I offer you my allegiance, my queen. I choose to fight for you. So long as you have need of me, I am yours, however you wish to make use of me."

Liam stood nearby, smiling, his heart swelling with pride for both his Shaye and for their new queen. This was what he had worked so hard for; this was what made the last sixteen years of hardship worthwhile. It wasn't just about defeating Velasca and returning the rightful queen to the throne. It wasn't just about vengeance and justice for those who had been tortured and killed. It wasn't just about clearing the names of those who'd been wrongfully declared traitors, including himself. It was about setting things right again, and he knew in his heart that this was right. Once a shy and timid boy who was given to emotions, Liam had grown into a hard man - a soldier in his own right - but a man who was possessed of a tender heart, and in that moment when Shaye accepted her place as First Blade of the rightful Queen of Arctra, Liam was surprised to find tears of pride and joy gathering in his own eyes, so touched was he by the moment.

"Then rise, First Blade of Arctra, and witness my first proclamation." As Shaye gained her feet, sheathing her sword, Ariana turned to the gathering watching her, both hands resting on the pommel of the Sword of Arctra, its tip set against the flagstones. "I, Ariana, have claimed my birthright, and will ride to war with you to remove the Usurper and restore Thalan's prophecy to the throne. But my duty as a queen extends beyond conquering and conflict. I have a duty to ensure that my line - Arlan's line - will continue beyond my death, and I am fortunate to have found love with which to do that. Here and now, before the high priest of the Nine, my Commander, my generals, my lords, and my people, I claim Rory Brennan as my chosen consort. In love I offer him my heart, my soul, and my future."

Liam's only reaction was the slight upward tick of a blond brow, his gaze darting first to Shaye and then to the boy who stood quietly but steadfastly beside Ariana - always close, it seemed, never far from her side, as it should be. Just as Shaye was rarely far from Liam. The boy's expression changed, looking first surprised, then nervous, and at last, a mixture of excited and relieved. Though he might have dreamed of some grand adventure, he had never expected those dreams to become reality. A simple farrier's son, he would never have aimed so high as Royal Consort.

And yet to him, though Ariana was the queen, it was not the queen he had fallen in love with, but the girl who was quickly growing into an amazing woman. No one would be able to question or challenge his place at her side again after this, and his heart swelled with pride and joy that she had chosen him, that she had declared her intentions in front of everyone who might challenge him, and most importantly, that she loved him. He stood there silent and dumbfounded for a moment before Liam chuckled, breaking the spell.

"Well, don't just stand there, lad. Give her an answer!" Liam exclaimed.

Rory flushed with embarrassment, feeling all eyes on him, as the Commander's voice pulled his out of his thoughts. He wasn't sure what was expected of him, though he suspected they all knew his answer already. "Yes," he said quietly, his voice failing him a moment, unaccustomed to speaking in front of crowds of people. "I-" He broke off, a questioning gaze darting momentarily to Liam and Shaye. The commander gave him an encouraging nod of his head, and Rory turned toward Ariana, trying hard to forget about the crowd of people surrounding them. He moved to a knee before her and reached for her hand, just as he had on the balcony not more than a few hours ago, in front of a gathered and curious crowd. "I accept your offer and offer myself in return," he started, speaking words from the heart, rather than by rote. "I offer you my heart and soul and body, in service and in love, for all the days of my life," he said as he looked up at her with serious eyes, dry for once.

Whatever surprise had been felt by the gathering who watched them turned to awkward understanding as the peasant boy who had been raised to squire and now to the rank of consort-elect dared to allow them to see that love their queen had spoken of. It was clearly visible in the eyes of the young couple as they looked on one another, as Ariana slipped her hand into Rory's and smiled. "I accept your heart, soul, and body, your service and your love. And I pledge to be true all the days of my life."

Before the rumbling behind her could grow any more discontented, Shaye stepped forward, turning her own eyes on those few who were showing signs of disagreeing with the promises being exchanged before them. "Witnessed and sealed," she said firmly. "And I will shed the blood of any man or woman who dares try to break these promises."

Liam stepped forward, not only in support of his own wife, but in a demonstration of loyalty and support to the queen and her consort. "It is done, then," he said, dropping a strong hand to rest against Rory's shoulder and giving it a reassuring and almost paternal squeeze. "As witnessed by Thalan and the Nine, as witnessed by the Goddess, and all present here today, let no one separate what the Gods have seen fit to put together." He leaned in, lowering his voice for Rory's ears alone. "Stand up, lad, and let them see you."

Rory moved to his feet, a little dazed and astonished by what had just taken place. He had expected Ariana to be presented as queen, but he had not really expected his own part in it.

With the Sword of Arctra in one hand, Ariana waited until Rory had found his feet once again before wrapping her free arm through his, claiming him as her escort and consort in one movement. He should have known she would move fast - as Adare, she had not been known for biding her time, and as Ariana, she had no time to bide. She smiled up at him, feeling Shaye move to stand at her shoulder, the protection of the First Blade and the Commander there for all to see. It would be a true idiot who objected openly to this match.

Liam beamed a smile at the young couple, though beneath the outward frivolity, he was ever the watchful and dutiful soldier. No one would dare object to the coupling or attempt to cause them harm while he and Shaye stood by to protect them, but he knew well the dangers those who might not agree with such a development might pose. It was why Conall and Liayna were not seen among the crowd, instead charged with protecting the royal couple from above, along with a few other strategically placed nomads. For now, Liam felt confident of their safety, but until Velasca and all those loyal to her were purged from every corner of Arctra, he knew they were not truly safe. Ever the soldier, ever vigilant, he would do his best to ensure the safety of the queen and her consort, but he knew this was only the beginning. The real battle was yet to come.