The gathering also included a dinner and casually proceeded into the evening. By next morning, the four girls already had a full day lined up of extra meetings.
Lwyn set aside her new book, which had been discreetly provided to her from the Arch-Magus late last night. The room she awoke in was also to become her own, in an important section of the Citadel. It had all the amenities needed for both her current and future responsibilities, including a nearby office and a separate personal library. Lwyn had ensured that the book was secure within such spaces before setting out for the day.
No one had came to wake her up, even though she was so important, as it wasn't like she had personal maids for her every whim. She really savoured that sense of freedom, it was a priceless difference. This morning, she had even gotten her next dress on, abide not without a bit of effort. Thankfully, it seemed this wouldn't become the everyday either, her regular responsibilities of office would require a much simpler gown. It still wouldn't be as comfortable as she was used to, but it would be better than even the one she wore in the Fortress. Then was the idea that she would also have casual trips, not every day would be days of business.
She waved at Ehryinae who was also passing through the halls, getting some other form of work done. Somehow, this was leaving the impression that she lived in an office tower or something. She did take a moment to recall that, if she was comparing this to a business, she was due to be promoted to CEO one day, and take over the business after her grandfather passed it off. She was effectively a princess, the same as Thanrie, except Lwyn was actually the one in line for this throne. It would have been overwhelming, had she not had friends in high places herself.
Lwyn entered the guest wing and found the rooms for the same three high-ranking executives she was happy to call her friend. Each of them had gathered in Qheria's room. "I'm F~~~ing serious, yesterday was like an everyday life for me, back in the day. That's what things are like when you're suddenly so important, meetings and gatherings and the like.. an every-F~~king-day thing. ... Okay, maybe not everyday, but its still the life of the prim and proper." Thanrie was clearly talking about the formalities they were being suddenly thrown into, being the only one heavily versed in such formalities. Even last night, she had held herself with such an authentic presentation of experience as she blended in with such formalities, a side of her they still hadn't gotten used to. She herself seemed to be a bit at odds with it, a feeling Lwyn was quickly starting to understand for herself.
Qheria and Mhyl weren't being regarded as regal in any light, but they were being regarded as heroic nobility. Xyithy was proud of this herself, she had only been regarded as a national hero, but it seems that Qheria's actions had brought their family name a noble title in society, elevating them to one of the highest level of society as a whole family. Qheria's sister still wasn't considered a national hero, even though she did have her own potential with the gift, but she did also get to share in this family progress and rise to nobility. Mhyl herself was finding that the newly painted title of Saviour was getting it's own role in elven society, after it was announced. With her excessive exposure to human culture, she was learning she was almost to become a kind of elven ambassador, as an outlet to the rest of the world. She wasn't a Circle Elf, nor was she the High-Seer, but she was almost her own branch of governmental nobility, with no predecessor to learn from.
Today, they would have to reach out to all of these branches of society, but they knew it would be best to share this experience together, instead of leaving any one of them to fend for themselves in this avalanche. They would simply be attending council as the Crystalline Blossoms, a name they still weren't used to. Lwyn looked at the pendant she still wore, at this point a symbol of her role within her team across all of society. The name was cheesy, even in Izhaethyx, but if it allowed her to keep going with her friends, she would take it proudly. So, together they would visit both royal families, both Wyxiri and Qiciri, as well as meet with not just the High-Seer, but also the Circle Elves would be arriving today for the occasion, having caught wind of the announcement last night. Lwyn was happy that, at the very least, it didn't seem like her grandfather had any such major occasion planned for her. She actually really liked how he seemed to be low-key to so many situations, a tradition she would be glad to continue.
There was a lot of concern with whom to visit first, which of the human royalty they would be meeting first. Qheria and Thanrie both knew, the vice between nations would cause some disputes even simply by their own decision here. Splitting up would address that, but would also feel like abandoning each to their fates. It left them with a massive political dilemma. "F~~k it, can we go to Qicir first? I like that they're willing to make Qheria a nobility there, she deserves it. My family has roasted me on the sidelines forever, it's about time they got the same thing back." Thanrie's continued outburst pushed forwards a sudden solution through everyone's loss, pressing with a consideration none of them had the perspective of. They were all proud of Qheria for her accomplishments, but none of the others wanted to spurn the Wyxiri crown, only Thanrie would have had that perspective.
With consideration that the four of them would be together for all of the meetings, it was agreed that each of their four council would come to them, rather than the other way around. Specifically, they would be meeting in Lwyn's new office room, a place where only Lwyn had so far actually visited. As the four of them headed back that way, Lwyn flagged down a passing staff of the citadel. "Please let the Qiciri Crown know that we're ready to meet with them in my office, and have them provided with directions." Lwyn was still uncertain about this, but she was troubled by the whole thing. To think she would every be in the position to tell someone that a royal family was allowed to do something. This was only the first, not only with three more to follow, but with potentially many future repeats.
They waited only a short time in the office room, spending scant moments to look around. The room itself was huge, with considerable desk space and a massive meeting table. The room was mostly empty, but that probably wouldn't be true for long, not as Lwyn grew into her new role. The Qiciri crown entered the room, the king and queen, with three attendants. Both the king and queen took a seat, while the three attendants stood a distance behind them. Lwyn motioned to the seats beside her's, urging her friends to sit along with her. "Thank.. thank you both for coming here to speak with us. We were excited to hear the news, that you've provided such a great opportunity for lady Qheria. She's been a valued member of our team, so we're glad to watch her latest recognition." Lwyn was still not used to this, trying her best to handle this like she did as Yhse. However, she screwed up a lot as Yhse, not having cared or felt responsibility for anything.. a mistake she would not continue.
"Yes, with such a great family history, we felt the recognition was simply due... I'm sorry for speaking so freely, but it can be uncomfortable to have a Wyxiri present for this." "I'm sorry if my presence brings offense, I understand that my family has been at odds with your for a long time now. However, having spoken with Qheria here, the daughter of your own hero, I've found myself unable to agree with the conflict, considering how easy it can be for us to get along. I learned my family put blame on Qheria's family for the death that had sparked the whole conflict originally, but having spoken to both Qheria and her mother, I can't even see that being feasible. Worse, after befriending a descendant of the actual victims themselves, I value her friendship too much to deny the act that had brought her grandparents together. Both grandparents actually, Mhyl herself has instilled in me such profound respect for all elves. It is with friends like these that I wonder how might we possibly still be at odds with each other, how such hatred could still exist." The king blinked at Thanrie's retort to his statement, the queen herself silently putting things together.
"Dear, I think it is perfectly fine that the Crystalline Blossoms as a whole are present, it instills hope that Qheria here is in such good hands. Yes, Lwyn, I'm terribly sorry for all that has befallen you and your family, everything you've had to go through. I hope you would be eager to continue the legacy of your grandparents, and help us to end the conflict that has haunted both nations ever since I first took the crown. Thanrie, I'm thankful for any efforts you will bring towards any peaceful resolution with your family, and look forward to such success. Mhyl.." The Queen stopped, realizing that Mhyl, as an elf, might not understand what she was saying.
Mhyl inclined her head at her name, like a formal seated bow. "I hope to success in bringing elves and humans together, with friendship like these." Mhyl indicated her friends in her statement, her rough Izhaethyx showing her efforts and intent in wanting to work with other humans. "Yes, the Qiciri look forwards to working with you, to build up our.. friendship with the Elniri." The queen made her reply short, understanding that Mhyl would struggle with too long of a statement.
"Qheria, you walk forwards in your mother's footsteps, and in that same way are we indebted to your family's continued dedication to the protection of the Qiciri. We understand, yes you might have an interest in all of society as a whole, maybe even all of Celesi, but please understand that you do so representing Qicir. Even your support of other nations, you do so with the endorsement of the Qiciri." The queen had Qheria shocked at just how much royal support she was getting, how much backing her actions had. She inclined her head as Mhyl had, as the meeting wrapped up. There were some quick generic comments personally for each of the four, even Thanrie found herself getting support at a quiet aside. The queen was ever thankful for their care of the decedent of her ages-past true love.
If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.
After the Qiciri left, it wasn't a long wait either until the Wyxiri arrived. They didn't look especially impressed, being put second. "Father, Mother, even my eldest brother is here. Welcome, everyone. I'm terribly sorry that I've kept you all waiting, but I needed sufficient time before approaching such a meeting. I know, after everything that you've kept from me over the years.. things that even you needed time before properly approaching me about.. that you would all understand." Thanrie opened the invitation to her family, ensuring that any blame for being put second would rest solely on her shoulders.
"Sister, you have changed, grown in your own, but the influence you've endured is questionable. I worry that the company you've kept might have clouded your judgement, and with so much riding on your shoulders none the less." "Brother, believe me when I say that Lwyn is possibly some of the best influence imaginable. Just think of what her grandparents have achieved. I know, you might have worries about some of what her father has done, but that's why I've been doing my best to lead as an example, to share my beliefs in understanding and acceptance of others, no matter how different they are, just the same way as her grandparents had. Isn't that right, father?" Thanrie's brother held a dark expression after Thanrie had all but disregarded his remark. He stood to speak his piece further, but his father bade him to sit again.
"I can see you've found yourself an understanding I could only have dreamed of reaching for, back in my youth. Your unique outlook might be the only way we could move forward from a disaster that should have ended before your generation. Thanrie, thank you for your efforts to rekindle something I had long thought lost, long before even your brother here was born. Please continue working with your brothers, in the memory of.. friends, past and present.. that the future could bring more of such bonds." The king, Thanrie's father, could see that Thanrie understood something that none of his sons had even learned. She was right, he had left far too much hidden for far too long, too many things unspoken. It was time to leave the past in the past, not to pass it onto his children.
The king looked over his daughter's friends, a fitting example of how much his own past had failed to influence her. She had not only reunited with the descendent of his past love, a fine demonstration of the unity between both nations, but also an estemed noble of the self-same other nation, like a repeat of history and a chance to repair broken bonds. Even having one of the Elniri, a nation they've all too much ignored.. it was even further a depiction of her own successes. He concluded the meeting quickly after that, intent on having a discussion with his sons about such family matters.
At this point, they got word that the Circle Elves had arrived, and were eager to attend their own opportunity. The timing was perfect, so they let the Circle Elves go next. This did however fill the room very quickly, with the addition of eight seated elves. There were nine seats of the Circle Elves, which discounted both the High-Seer, and the newly appointed role of Saviour, but the Circle Elves had only been working with eight seats for a long time. Usually, Circle Elf seats were inherited, and no one had held the heart to simply seek a replacement to fill the empty seat, not for the one that had held a history of the highest regards for a multitude of generation.
Thanrie was at a loss, she had been eager to role model this whole process for her friends, all innocent to the proceedings of such politics. This time, however, she had no way to communicate. Qheria herself was also at a loss, only now realizing that she actually had been hardly given a chance to put in anything the whole time, and now she would find it even harder, as conversations shifted to Elaethyx. Mhyl herself was intimidated, being visited by the Circle Elves. She was really worried how all of this would apply to her new position as Saviour, and had no idea what was expected of her.
"Hello, thank you for taking the time to come visit us, over such a long distance. I hope that your travels had gone well, with no issues or concerns. I'm sorry that my space as yet still lacks anything for elven accommodations, with all things considered, but please try to make yourselves comfortable." Lwyn was mixing her Yhse mode with her Citadel Inn experience, to great effect. Mhyl started to calm down as Lwyn took control of the situation for her. It seemed the circle was five male elves, three female elves, and like the Crystalline Blossoms, all of the Circle Elves were equals. However, the other seven sat back as their chosen representative leaned forward to speak on their behalf.
"Good day, lady Lwyn, lady Mhyl. To your friends as well, though I know not how to share such words with them. We've received news of several announcements that have met with our interest, and wanted to together look into the matter. While lady Mhyl's new position as the Elniri Saviour is a joyous occasion for all of the Elniri, and we know it is not a matter to be belittled, we have agreed that there was a larger issue at hand, one much more specific to the Circle Elf's responsibility. It has been a long time that the Circle Elves have sat with only eight of their seats filled, and one left vacant. When we received news of a direct relative for our missing seat had been found, we went to great lengths to have it proven. Everything we have found since has simply validated this story, leaving us with no recourse but to accept it as factual." The Circle Elf representative paused at this, collecting her thoughts, preparing her next statement. The other Circle Elves nodded, encouraging her to continue.
"Inevitably after this, we have a responsibility to present lady Lwyn with an offer. Lady Lwyn, would you be willing to accept the offer to take seat with the Circle Elves, to fill our last empty seat? We understand that your linage has complex obligations, seating yourself already as the heir to the Arch-Magus. We would be fully willing to accommodate your dual responsibilities in due process, inevitably as the only circle elf with both elven and human responsibilities. We understand that this puts you in two seats with two responsibilities, but feel that this would only extend your outlook in a unique way to the Circle's benefit. It might also do well to consider what benefits this position would offer to the seat of the Arch-Magus, opening a door for elven and human interaction." The Circle Elf representative had a good argument for her point. Lwyn had even known for a while now that this could be inevitable in recent discussions with her mother. Her mother might have been given either role, but now she was gone, and the roles would both instead fall to Lwyn.
She was 'just a half-elf', that phase suddenly had a whole new meaning. It implied she was both elven and human, had a place within two societies, instead of the neither she had always assumed. Instead of being able to escape from responsibility, she was being offered two shares of it. However, even in elven society, she wasn't alone. Mhyl was newly appointed as the Elven Saviour, a role she would already have to assume alone, one that would make her feel exclusionary. If Lwyn accepted this seat, she would be in position to keep helping Mhyl as she made strides forward in Elven society. "Thank you, I accept your offer for a seat within the Circle Elves." It was an offer she really could not afford to refuse, so Lwyn nodded her acceptance.
Mhyl found that, despite a quick recognition, none of this meeting actually involved her at all. The Circle Elves, they had arrived mostly for Lwyn. Mhyl felt exceedingly thankful for Lwyn for all of this, not only giving her a chance to relax, but she knew this way she would not be alone in her sudden rise of elven responsibilities. As Mhyl reflected on how much the Circle Elves intimidated her, she paused in insight as she realized that her best friend was now a Circle Elf. Clearly, she had best not let such intimidate her going forward. Meanwhile, the Circle elves were clearing out, having finished their task here. They would be returning to ensure that everything properly advanced in the woods, to setup Lwyn's new space in their circle.
Waiting outside was the High-Seer, who had just arrived as if she knew it was time. Lwyn honestly pondered if it was a matter of simple coincidence. The Circle Elves presented their passing greeting to her on the way out, faint sounds even the elves inside could barely hear. Qheria and Thanrie were late to sit, not even having noticed the High-Seer's arrival until she was within the room. The High-Seer started by wordlessly bowing a greeting directed at both Qheria and Thanrie, knowing that she would have problems voicing her intent otherwise. Then she moved to her seat.
"Hello Lady Lwyn, and Mhyl. Thank you for finding time in your busy schedule for me." "Mom! Why did you never let me know about any of this sooner?! Why couldn't you have opened up to me with.. any of this? Knowing something, I could have done.. something, anything to prepare better for this. Even knowing more about my gift, anything would have been better than nothing." The High-Seer sat down as Mhyl finally got to speak her mind, after all this time since they had first learned about their gift and destiny. With her unique position as High-Seer, she would have known more than most.
"I'm sorry, dear. Having similar knowledge shared with me had cost me my best friend, I didn't want the same thing to cost me my daughter. I'm glad that you yourself do not seem so liable to make the same mistakes, keeping your dear friends close to you. Please know that as both your mother and as the High-Seer, I pledge to help you with your work as Saviour going forwards, in whatever way I'm capable. Lady Lwyn, I have heard that you yourself will have need of my knowledge and abilities as well. The book you have been given, please make sure to safeguard it as an Elniri. If you have any questions about it, feel free to reach out to me. To help you with this, I think I will be staying at the Citadel for a time. The flow of nature says that this shall be my place for the next several days, so that I can help the two of you out." The High-Seer made it clear that she was fully aware of the nature of the book Lwyn had been given, and exactly what knowledge it contained. Lwyn suspected she would have to take up the High-Seer's offer over, and discuss things with her. Lwyn knew that, to resolve the issue with the veil, she would need to find a solution to the very conflict that the world suffered from.
Their meetings came to a conclusion with this, calling forth for an occasion to eat lunch. Things had ended a lot faster than expected, giving them plenty of opportunity to finally relax.