Meetings were the worst. Not because they were boring, or because I felt inexperienced, it's just that everyone would argue about something as simple as deciding where to build a new building or stables for the horses. If I were queen, how people behaved at meeting would be the first thing I would fix. The hall was filled with my fathers voice as he proposed a new law about limiting magic among commoners. But of course, there was immediate objection.

"What if people riot?" Chancellor Gaubot questioned. "What if people with more powerful magic turn on us in the street? Do you not remember what happened last week?"

Silence past through the council. There had been an incident a week before at the market place when someone stole an apple off a cart and that owner caught him and used magic as his method of getting it back. However, he was inexperienced and wasn't in control of his power so the man ended killing him and two others. However this was rare, few humans were ever found with this gift. Magic was mainly used by the elves.

"It is better for them to riot then to risk anyone else getting seriously killed or worse," my father added. "Also, we are not banning magic, only limiting it."

"But what about our people?" Rolim Bivaris, the king of the elves asked. The elves weren't awful in meetings, in fact they were usually peacemakers if a terrible argument got to out of hand.

"Your laws are still your laws, after all our countries have an alliance, not a partnership," my father answered, dipping his head in a sign of respect towards the elf king. We had always been friends of the elves, or at least for as long as I can remember. My best friend, Valindra Bivaris, the daughter of the elf king, was my best friend.

"With all do respect father," everyone turned, my sister had spoke. This was a shock to us all as we waited eagerly to hear her, she fairly talked, but when she did she made excellent points, especially during meetings. My parents often congratulated her for it, it was one of her many "gifts" I didn't have, one more thing that I was not. "What if the only way the commoners can defend themselves is through magic, what if they feel threatened if they don't have a major weapon like magic to aid them against, well, a fight with the ogres for example."

"Princess Everly," the Prince consort of the East said, "may I remind you of the last time their was an ogre attack? It was 11 years ago, that sort of thing doesn't happen anymore."

"But what about the dwarves, or the centaurs, we can never be too sure." Everly, me sister added, "You can never be sure. We must let them keep all their magic. In fact, I think we should give the commoners training, maybe even promote them into the royal guard."

There were many murmurs of agreement throughout the council. My mother gave her an encourage pat on the shoulder, but the one person who did not look happy about this was my father.

"Everly may a speak to you privately," he said with a steady voice, he didn't look mad, just shaken about the sudden challenge in leadership.

"But father I didn't mean it that way, and those are perfectly reasonable arguments-"

"Now." He repeated, "You are all excused, today we end early."

With a silient sigh of relief I made my way to the door, smoothing my pale green dress down as I walked. Valindra trailed behind me and caught up to e right outside the door. Elves were naturally taller so she was about 3 inches taller than me even though I was almost 18 and she was almost 16 in human years. Elves live about 14 years for every human year which would make her 224 years old, but I try not to think about that too much.

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"Your sister made some pretty good points," Valindra pointed out, "Why did your dad get so mad?"

"He just doesn't like challenge in leadership, and I think that my sister sometimes makes him feel like he's not doing his best."

"He won't get mad at her, will he?"

"No," I answered quickly, "I just thing he will tell her to not confront him in front of the council like that, that she should point it out to her privately."

"Well, the council is for discussing things you disagree on and pointing out flaws to a plan," Valindra said.

"I know," I shrugged. "It's just one of the many things that I would establish if I became the queen."

"Selah, we've had this discussion hundreds of times. You would make a wonderful queen, but that's not your role. You need to focus on supporting your sister and helping her rule."

"That's easy for you to say," I shot back, making it sound meaning than it should have, but the words kept tumbling out of my mouth. "You are the one in your family next in line for the throne. You're going to become queen and so will my sister, that leaves me with nothing. My sister was also blessed with magic, that's why she is defending this position. Even you have magic, but I don't."

Valindra's usually expressionless faced grimaced with pain. She took a deep breath and looked down, this is when I had to stop, looking at the ground was her way of calming down.

"I'm sorry," I said. "It's not fair for me too take your future job lightly, or put you down for me not getting what I want."

"It's ok, this is hard for you too."

. . .

"Tighten the bow string, that's it, come on," my instructor said.

I tightened my grip on the arrow and pulled back just a little farther. Breathe. I pulled the fletch to my nose and focused on my front arm being straight. Breath. Fire. The arrow flew like a silent bird, only much faster, as it delivered an easy bow to the bulls eye.

"Very good, Selah," my instructor commented, "that's all for today."

I set my bow on my back and retrieved my arrow. Holding my had against the target to pull it out easier.

"I've only every seen a few people shoot like that," I turned, it was my sister Everly.

I forced my lips into a smile. "Thanks," I said. Me and my sister had never been the best of friends, I had always envied her and she always me, we didn't understand each other and we usually had different opinions on everything. Our parents had chosen their sides too. My mother always supported her, and my father me. We had never really worked together, in fact, she had never even really complimented me, I was still trying to wrap my head around why she did it now.

"What did dad talk to you about?" I asked, trying to move the conversation along to get rid of the awkwardness.

"Just the usual, to not embarrass him during council meetings and stuff like that," She answered. "I was actually wondering if you could talk to him about this, tell him people need to defend themselves, that the kingdom can't always do it for them."

So that's what this was about, she wanted me to talk to him because my father wouldn't listen to her.

"I'm not going to fight your battles for you," I said, my tone getting slightly on edge.

"I'm just asking you to talk to him, Selah," Everly persisted. "Please."

There was a odd pleading in her voice, was she scared about getting her power regulated too?

"No Everly, maybe it's time you learn to live without magic," I said. "I have to live with it everyday."

She was about to open her mouth to say something but the door to the archery range opened revealing a tired looking maid. "There you are your highnesses," she said, bowing to Everly and then me, "his royal highness wants to see you two in the hall."

Me and Everly exchanged glances before making our way to the hall. When we got in their a small crowd was already seated, I spotted Valindra immediately and sat next to her.

"Thank you for coming," my father said, opening up a letter and clearing his throat to speak. "It is a letter from the South." Unease shifted through the crowd as he began to read it, our kingdoms never had a good relationship with the South. Any attempt to make peace still ended in war.

"Your Majesty and Highness of the North, your daughter Selah Rotavelle is coming of age in two months. I would like to propose a marriage alliance with you daughter as soon as possible and mend our relationship as it has been broken in the past. Sincerely, the King of the South."