There was a hushed gasp throughout the throng of onlookers that filled the public areas of the palace. Gav could see the unique predicament that his beloved wife suddenly found herself in. Unfortunately, he couldn't help her without releasing her hand and risking the chance of her losing her balance.

But Gavilean was one who could think fast upon his feet, and while he hesitated to use Elven magic, there were times when it was the only option left, and this was one of those times. He uttered the Elven words of magic that gave him command of the fabric of her dress, and the hem rose up just above her ankles. He looked at the wide-eyed Des, and whispered, "Now, baby."

Des couldn't believe the relief she felt and the wave of love that washed over her. The two emotions combined along with the pointed stares of their guests was almost enough to make her dizzy. She couldn't remember a time she was quite so thankful for Gav's heritage as she was in that particular moment. Her very own Hero had ridden in, luckily for the Palace floors without a white horse, and saved her from further humiliation and embarrassment at the hands of the gossipy old noble women of the Court.

She smiled and nodded her thanks to the King as though nothing were wrong and stepped up the two more steps then carefully placed the red unicorn upon the highest branch of the tree in a place of prominence to give the delicate ornament it's due display as the Westridge Queen's ornament for this year's Yule.

The Queen then took hold of her heavy winter skirt herself and gracefully decended the ladder to stand once more at the King's side with a slight curtsey to him. "My Lord the tree is yours for the placing of your Yule ornament for this year."

There was an applause that rang out in the Palace when their Queen had set the ornament in the prominent and proper place. When the Palace grew silent again and with his wife's turning over the stage to him, he took the identical ornament (except for the blue color) and also took a step up the ladder. With his body height, he didn't have to climb as high as Des. He also wasn't going to put his ornament quite so high.

It would high enough so that it couldn't be easily touched, but low enough that visitors to the Palace might get a good look at it. He picked the place on the tree and carefully hung the blue unicorn with gold and silver trim. The applause rang out once again and he came down to the floor and took Des' hands in his. "Some eggnog, my love?"

Des smiled as she gave a squeeze to both of her beloved husband's hands then glanced to the little Princess that was apparently taking everything in from the safety of her Nursemaid's arms. Gwenilb?th was dressed in a smaller version of her Mother's gown down to the tiniest detail. Her little slippers were furlined and trimmed and also matched although the Princess' could be seen now and then as she squirmed about. "I would enjoy some eggnog and if your card isn't full yet a dance My Lord."

"Then, let us dance first, and then the refreshment." He held out his arm
and together they descended the great marble staircase taking them down to the first floor. People parted and bowed as Their Majesties passed through the onlookers and guests and moved into the ballroom.

The music stopped and those on the dance floor moved aside as Gavilean brought his beautiful wife to the center of the floor. Then the music began again and he took Des' right hand in his left and his left hand to her back, and on the "one" of the beat, they began the waltz.

Des regally glided along at Gav's side while smiling and nodding to their many, varied guests. Her pleasure in the evening was clearly visible in both her smile and eyes as she took note of those they passed on their way to the ballroom. The Palace decorations charmed her and welcomed both family and visitors alike as they shone brightly with lights and greenery sprinkled with colorful ornaments and bows.

She took her position for the dance smoothly standing just that little bit closer than Miss Partinger would have approved of but she was the Queen and this was her dance and if she wanted less distance between them she would have less distance. The music began and she relaxed into the beat savoring the warmth of the hand at her back leading her through the gliding steps and twirls of the waltz.

When Their Majesties had danced for several measures, then the others waiting along the sides came forward and participated in "The Royal Dance". It was a beautiful dance and Gav was so caught up in the beautiful woman in his arms that he hardly saw anyone else that was dancing.

CHRISTMAS EVE

The bells of the Great Cathedral rang out over the city as Christmas Eve service ended and the King and Queen of Westridge exited with Gwenilb?th in her mother's arms. They greeted the Bishop of Westridge at the door and expressed their appreciation of the songs and message, and that the Children's Choir was especially delightful. They walked down the steps of the Cathedral and out onto Prince's Street. Gav put his arm around Des and smiled, "Do you want to head straight home, or have a walk on the street first?" Their carriage and driver was there waiting, but he would make sure that he had the carriage immediately available wherever Their Majesties would go.

The service had been beautiful if a bit lengthy for the little Princess. Gwenilb?th had behaved quite well though with biscuits to munch and juice to drink along with her favorite doll to hold. Des was thankful she was easily entertained as it made taking her with them a delight rather than a chore and family appearances the norm more often than not when Ceremony was called for. She rose when all had been concluded and with smiles and nods at Gav's side made her way out of the lovely Cathedral. The Queen added her thanks to the King's and had to bite her lip to stifle a chuckle as the Princess inserted a cheerful babble to the Bishop who bowed to the little girl with all proper ceremony and twinkling eyes. Des shifted into the circle of the strong arm around her shoulders and smiled up to her beloved husband then glanced to Gwenilb?th who was certainly in a good mood so far and then out over the winter streets. "We would like to go for a walk. I believe our little one might enjoy listening to the carolers and seeing the decorations."

Gavilean smiled and was pleased with the response because he always loved walking along the cities streets at this time of the year. The streets and shops were always decorated to the max because every year the royal family would judge the Westridge Holiday Decoration Competition. To win the competition meant a special tax exemption for the establishment won, plus they got the "Queen's Trophy" to place in their window. Needless to say, the motivation to decorate was great and the result was the most beautiful city in all the lands between the Thanksgiving and Epiphany holidays. Gavilean felt the tax relief for the winning establishment was a bargain, because if the City had to pay for the decorating, it would be a hundred times more costly than the tax revenue that was lost, and the results wouldn't be half as good. Gav looked down upon their beautiful daughter. "I think our daughter has the right idea. I'd love to hear the carolers and see the decorations too. Don't forget to make note of the one place that you think has the best decorations."

"Would I forget to pick out the best and get in more trouble with that there financial person Babe?", she spoke softly to avoid being overheard by their entourage that she had become used to and even depended on being on hand when in Westridge. At times she quite enjoyed the benefits of being a Monarch and missed them when in RhyDin and not at the Embassy otherwise known as their Mansion. "Have you heard anything of who is expected to win this year yet? A couple of my Ladies-in-waiting say the gossip is the Cobbler that won last year has gone above and beyond the rotating star on the top of his shop steeple in hopes of winning again this year but that the Baker across the way has set up an entire decorated tree with enchanted fireflies for lights no less in hopes of beating him out"

He listened to his wife's evaluation and nodded in agreement. "I really hesitate to have the same business establishment win two years in a row since tax relief is involved and I like to spread that around. The Baker certainly did an excellent job with the enchanted fireflies. They sure beat the snowman made out of bread that he had last year; although I have to admit, it was pretty clever until some of the homeless began to eat him until nothing was left for the final judging. So I think he's certainly in the running." They walked arm and arm down the wooden side walks that paralleled the main streets and butted up against the shops. Gav would look into each of the windows. "Let me know when you need some arm relief and want me to carry Gwenilb?th, okay, love?"

These were times that Des especially enjoyed - the times they got to spend as a family doing things that were mostly ordinary like strolling down the street together just the three of them, and the servants, and the Royal Guards, and the majestic carriage, trailing after them. She smiled and nodded to those they passed and those that came to the windows above the shops or to stand in the doorways of the shops as they passed. She grinned to Gav after spotting a particularly interesting item in a silversmiths. "I believe she would be able to see more were ya to carry her Babe. I am a bit lackin' in the height area if I were to tell the truth. What do ya think of that rocking horse display over there by the blacksmith's shop? The one with the tack and shoes that I'm just sure he must have made special for it."

Gav reached out and took Gwenilb?th into his arms, cradling her safely, smiling at her as she smiled and cooed so cutely back at him. "I think we should go see that rocking horse, baby. It looks very well done, at least from here." He stepped out into the street to lead them across. The guards, who were trying to remain inconspicuous, moved out into the street about thirty yards in each direction just to make sure there would be no danger.

Des happily stepped out alongside of her husband and daughter. She was looking all around them at the beautiful shoppes decorated with ornaments, lights, bows, wreathes, and more exotic items by the more industrious souls that seemed determine to win the coveted prize. She looked back toward the rocking horse with it's navy blue leather saddle trimmed with silver bells and matching bridle. The leather and bells both were inlaid with crystals that seemed to pulse in time to the rocking of the cherrywood horse that wore a pair of the Blacksmith's horseshoes. She did what she didn't do very often and opened their private mental pathway to speak to Gav. ~ My goodness. It is a beauty. Do ya think he would sell it for Santa to deliver tonight for the little one love mine? ~

Gavilean looked carefully at the horse and saw that it not only looked good, but was of excellent workmanship. He saw the shop owner standing there with a nervous but hopeful look upon his face. ~I think we could have the guards place it on the back of the carriage love, and we could bring it home with us if you really want it for Gwenilb?th. Personally, I like it.~

~ I want it for her Babe. She has one but this one is better and if you don't mind. ~ Des smiled to the Blacksmith and to Gav as Gav looked the rocking horse over carefully for them. She would leave the details of making sure it was safe for their daughter to him as that part of the job was his territory. She did the picking things out part and they got along just fine in her opinion.

Gav put his hand to his chin as if thinking. "Good eve, sir. This is a very nice rocking horse you have here. We're considering the purchase of it for the princess. What is the price that you are asking?" The blacksmith approached and bowed. "Thank you, Your Majesties. You do me great honor. I spent much time on this, and I was going to ask 800 silver for it. But if you think that's too much, for you I would consider lowering the price." Gavilean looked to Des. "What do you think, my love? Do you think that 800 silver is a reasonable price?"

Des looked at the rocking horse then to Gwenilb?th then back to Gav and assumed a thoughtful expression. "Eight hundred silver is quite a price. Something tells me that were the good Blacksmith to make more of such delightful treasures such as this rocking horse many would seek to have the same as the Princess."

"That's a very good point, my love." He turned to the blacksmith and just looked at him. The blacksmith wrung his hands together, "For Your Majesty, I would gladly accept 600 silver if I might let it be know that the horse is the Princess' own favorite rocking horse." Gav thought for a bit. "Tell you what. I'll give you 700 and you can advertise that the Princess has one of your rocking horses." If that improved the blacksmith's business, it would be good for the entire city. The blacksmith would have money to spend in other shops, and their income would also increase. "You are too kind, Your Majesty. That would be most acceptable. I'll have it wrapped for you."

Des smiled radiantly and gave a hug to Gav. She was simply so excited and happy to have been able to get a good price on the beautiful present for Gwenilb?th and do something good for the Blacksmith at the same time. She was so proud of Gav's business and negotiating sense and it showed in the light shining in navy blue eyes along with the love that came from her heart. "More judging Babe or have ya seen enough to make your decision?"

"Gwenilb?th is getting tired. I think we should head home." To the blacksmith he said, "We'll just have the guards put it in the carriage with us." He took out a month pouch and gave the merchant the agreed amount, using both gold and silver. He turned to Des, "Come my love, let's spend the remainder of Christmas Eve together. We still have a few days to judge since the announcement is not made until New Year's Eve." This made it easy to manage the tax situation since it went by the calendar year.

"Private time sounds perfect love mine. We can tuck the little one in and maybe build up the fire and I can see to it that Santa knows how very good I was this year." She grinned and wrapped an arm around Gav's waist and tapped their daughter's nose playfully then turned toward the waiting carriage.

Gav laughed and helped Des into the coach, then handed Gwenilb?th to her and climbed in beside her. The guards soon had the rocking horse in the coach and they were on the way back to the palace. Once at the palace, Gav and Des headed up to their private wing while the guards took care of the rocking horse. The royal couple went first to the nursery and put Gwenilb?th to bed after changing and washing and feeding her. Finally it was their time to be alone. They closed the door to the nursery and entered their private quarters. Gav smiled at Des, "It's been quite a long day, my love. I do love it here in Westridge, but all the obligations can be tiring."

They retired to the bedroom to enjoy their Christmas Eve in a very intimate way.