The Erian Queen's Coronation

[»Kamui Syvil VII]

"Why thanks for helpin' Sakurako up, man!" Kamui said, genially slapping the coachman on the back before swiftly scaling the carriage by his own efforts.
Sakurako stared up at the coachman expectantly...
Meanwhile, with no formality whatsoever, Kamui plopped into the seat next to the Queen and greeted her. This greeting, however informal, was at least in Elven.

[Chani {♥}]

The coachman stared at the wolf before him for a moment, but, being an Elf, wolves didn't scare him as they did most... He was a lover of nature and wildlife, and therefore didn't buy into the rumors of wolves being vicious creatures by birth. He wrapped his arms around Sak, one under her stomach and the other over her back, and lifted her up off the ground.

"Your accent is fair," Aviel complimented Kamui. "Do you speak Elvish fluently?"

[»Kamui Syvil VII]

Sakurako let the man pick her up and put her on the carriage. She stared at Aviel with her cold eyes and quickly sat down on the seat next to Kamui, who made room for her.
"Yeah," He shrugged modestly, "Ya' could say I know the language well enough."
'I wonder what it is that she wants of me? Does she recognize me after all these years?' Darn these luscious orange locks, darn them!'
He sat there and watched her.
'She's grown up. She really is beautiful... I wonder how... Hikaru has grown?'
He shook his head, as if to clear it.

[Chani {♥}]

The coachman crawled back into his seat and continued moving. The crowd's noise slowly built up to its natural roar, but there was still confusion in the people's faces. Aviel continued waving and smiling at her subjects.

"What is your name?" she asked after a moment. It was one of the many questions that had been nagging at the back of her mind for a long time.

--------------------

Ailonwy pushed her way through the crowd, following the carriage with Yibbles in her arms -- this time she was a little more cautious about the gnomes. Her poor confused father just stood back in utter befuddlement, wondering how Kamui had any relation with the Queen. He was a fine lad, no doubt about that, but he had never come off to Feiniel as the type to know royalty.
"Now who will accompany my daughter to the festival?" he grumbled.

She watched their mouths moving, but she had never learned to read lips. Finally, she tired of pushing past people and stopped, panting. She sat with her back against a building, hoping that Kamui would give her an explanation when he came back... and maybe introduce her to the Queen, too. She smiled at the thought and relaxed.

[»Kamui Syvil VII]

"My name? Ya' can call me Sy. This is Sak." He placed a hand on Sakurako's head.
He glanced over and noticed Ailonwy following the carriage, for a little while at least. "My other friends are Ailonwy Entwistle, the girl, and Yibbles, the piglet. Ya' know, she was really excited ta' see you... Maybe I could get an autograph for her, or somethin'...?"
He looked out over the sea of confused faces in the crowd before looking back to the Queen.
"Umm, anywho, it's not that I don't feel honored or anythin', but may I ask why ya' invited me up here? ...You're not plannin' on makin' me your King Consort, are ya'?" He added the last part jokingly, with a slight grin and small chuckle.

Yibbles rode in Ailonwy's arms contentedly, now off in la-la land.

[Chani {♥}]

Aviel offered a smile at the joke, but her laughs were very reserved.

"No," she answered, still smiling, waving. She looked from the crowd to Kamui. "Actually, I believe I owe you my gratitude, Sy. I'm afraid I was unable to thank you the last time we met." He didn't appear as old as he must have been. It had been one hundred and seventy-seven years since she had last saw him, and he didn't look to be any older than twenty (that is, if she was as good at judging the aging of humans as she thought she was). She was used to this, living in Eria and having never left the country, but he wasn't Elven, though his ears appeared so. There were several possibilities, but none of them seemed accurate. His eyes were of different colors, like hers, but that didn't help her in pinpointing his ethnicity any better. "I would be blind if not for you." Her smile had disappeared for a moment, but it was back just as quickly, and she turned and gave another royal wave. "And surely I can find something better to give you and your friend than my signature."

[»Kamui Syvil VII]

"Ah. Shame. I could get used ta' livin' it up in Elven luxury...," He crossed his hands behind his head and leaned back in the seat, but quickly added, "Nah. That's a lie. My wanderlust is too strong. I'd get bored."
He stared out at the crowd as he listened to her speak.
"Oh? ...Blind?" He said after a moment, pushing up his glasses, which had slid down the bridge of his nose. Whether he was being modest, playing dumb, or had actually forgotten was not clear in neither his tone nor facial expression. "I think my friend would love a chance ta' meet you if your willin' ta' give more then an autograph. Her father, too."

[Chani {♥}]

Aviel nodded.

"As I'm sure you understand, I'm a busy woman, but I'm sure I could make time for them," she said. "And yes, blind." She looked at him again, making sure she hadn't made a mistake. She was certain it was him. Perhaps he didn't remember and she had been vain to think that he would just because she had been the princess of Eria at the time. It had been one hundred and seventy-seven years, after all. "I was attacked in Letra. A long time ago for some, but I am reminded every day." She adjusted her monocle involuntarily. "You tried to prevent the hex from reaching me, Sy." She looked at him intensely for a moment, trying to find recognition of the event in his countenance, before turning back to her people. "But perhaps you do not remember." Something in her drooped. She had been so exhilarated to find him, but there was the chance that he would not have any recollection of it. Nevertheless, she kept smiling. She was surrounded by the people she would be leading from this day forward, people that loved her without knowing her.

[»Kamui Syvil VII]

"Great! I bet they'll be estatic... Letra ya' say? I hear tell it's a beautiful city, second only to Aluen."
He was silent for a moment, watching the people again. He disliked going on about his past deeds, but seeing her disappointment, hadn't the heart to let her down, like he felt he partially did the first time.
"Hmm. That's horrible that one would attack a princess... I regret not bein' able ta' fully counter it."

[Chani {♥}]

At his last statement, Aviel's face lit up. She had been smiling the whole time, but still it seemed to shine brighter at those words.

"Well, you did a great thing that day, nevertheless," she said. "Better than the tens of men that were guarding me. And I thank you." She found herself very curious about Kamui. Who he was, what he was, and why he hadn't earlier admitted that it had been him who had saved her. It seemed he had remembered all along, but had held back from mentioning it for some strange reason. Perhaps he was just modest.

"Your highness," the coachman called over his shoulder. "We are nearing the town center."

"Very well," Aviel replied. She turned to Kamui. If it was indeed modesty that had prevented him from admitting to his great deed, she decided to learn of it before she announced it to all of Balavan. "Would you be opposed to me making a speech in your honor, Sy? I owe it to you."

[»Kamui Syvil VII]

"No, this is your day. Ya' need not honor me, for I am but a simple wanderer who happened ta' be in Letra that day..."
He smiled and spoke softly.
"I am but a servant," He lightly touched the chain on which hung the small silver cross, "Ta' those in need an' my Lord. All praise should go ta' the master, not the servant."
He cracked a grin, "Besides, I'm terribly shy."

[Chani {♥}]

"Well, nevertheless, you will be receiving a badge of courage," Aviel said. The last three words were in Elven as she spoke. She wanted to tell him that he wasn't a servant of hers, but decided to save it for her speech. She was never extravagant with words, but she was working on her speech as she went, using her surroundings and feelings for inspiration. She hadn't memorized a speech as her brother and counselor had suggested; she wanted it to be heartfelt.

The carriage stopped at the center, and people began moving from the sides of the street toward it. There was a marble platform, a perfect circle, with a diameter of thirty feet, in the middle. It had been brought for her coronation especially. The residents of Balavan had decorated nicely for having such short notice -- the Queen took note of this as the driver helped her from the carriage and then reached for Sakurako.

[»Kamui Syvil VII]

"That shall be ironic," He grinned, "As there was no courage involved. I define courage as acting in spite of fear, yet I fear not for my own safety... Though do as ya' will, I shall not stop you."
As the carriage stopped Kamui hopped down, followed by Sakurako, who gave the driver a look.
"Don't take it personally, man," Kamui whispered to the driver, "She doesn't like any stranger..."
He trailed off, "...or much of anyone, stranger or not, for that matter..."

[Chani {♥}]

"By all means, most men would have been afraid," Aviel argued. "Any person bold enough to attack a princess in public should provide a sense of intimidation. Yet, I doubt you sat there and argued with yourself on whether or not you should spare my vision. You simply acted, as if there was no argument to be had." She looked him directly in the eyes, the eyes that were of two different colors, like her own. "And I daresay you will understand what I mean when I say that, after so many years of living, you gain a sense of knowing. A way of seeing traits in people who have not yet exploited them. And, Sy, I sense courage in you. You have earned Eria's respect and, though I will not force you to claim it in front of all of Balavan, I will request, as your Queen, that you receive what I so deeply believe you deserve." She held the gaze for a moment, but broke it away when the head archer spoke.

"I mean not to interrupt you, Your Grace," he said, bowing, "but you do have a country to address."

"Yes, I'm coming," she said. "Sy, you can join me on the platform or take your place in the crowd. If you wish, you can wait for me here at the carriage. I daresay you and your friend might have a better view from the seats atop it." The archer, eavesdropping, made a frown, but only after he made sure he was not turned toward the Queen. In his eyes, this was blasphemy to the Erian traditions. The arrogant archer saw no reason why this commoner should take his seat upon the carriage. It also irritated him that, no matter how many times he attempted a conversation with Aviel, she always seemed so indifferent, yet she was smiling and giving so much praise to an odd man that had been standing among mere villagers moments before.

[»Kamui Syvil VII]

"Heh...," Kamui stood there rubbing the back of his head, shifting a bit and looking slightly embarrassed, "How can I refuse such a heartfelt request...?"
He mumbled something about being not worthy, but nodded to Aviel, turned and ran into the crowd. His nose twitched as he looked this way and that, nimbly moving through the people until he found who he was looking for.
"Come with me, Ai," He said, taking Ailonwy by the hand and leading her back through the crowd and back to the carriage. "Got me some prime seats here, by the permission of the Queen herself..."
He made like a proper gentleman and gave a quick bow before holding out a hand to help Ailonwy up onto the carriage and gave a wide smile, "M'lady..."