They faced no further interruptions, and Ammeline wasn't called upon to fight or beat anyone in checkers or anything like that, although Maso did seem to indicate not only was that an option it could also sometimes get lewd, making Ammeline just as happy it wasn't something that had actually come up.

"The queen's chambers are just up here," Maso said.

"Really?" Ammeline cocked an eyebrow. "I thought you'd take me to a city first."

"We are in a city," Maso said. Ammeline looked around at the dense forest they were walking through.

"No we're not."

"You can't expect it to look like a human city. We're here."

Two guards stood on either side of the robe, armored like Maso. They saluted as he passed them by.

"Are you important?"

"I have high rank, though I probably don't deserve it. Why not take some time to tell me how much I don't deserve it..."

"Enough," Ammeline glared.

"Ooh, yes. Uh, I mean, prepare to meet the queen, mortal!"

Maso lead the way into the queen's chambers. This, at least, was something like she expected. The queen's chamber was a huge marble hall, draped with living vines and branches and filled with fairies of every shape in size engaged in decadent revelry. Here, a writhing pile of blue skinned fay like Maso undulated in the shadows. There, small winged fairies chased each other around, leaving golden sparkles in their wake. In one corner, a Grobolg was in a heated argument with what appeared to be an actual brick wall. From the way the brick wall was sipping it's drink, Ammeline assumed the Grobolg was losing.

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And in the center of it all, the throne. It was a magnificent construction of vines and branches, large enough for a giant, with the crest of the backrest an explosion of different wildflowers. And sitting I'm the throne, the queen.

She was about the size of a football resting on its end. Her outfit was a huge cone, with only flabby arms and a chubby cheeked face visible sticking out the sides. The cloth was patterned like leaves and vines, a deep dark green, contrasting with the preternaturally pale porcelain white of her skin.

"You are the source of the Unseelie power hwe have felt in our realm?" The queen demanded, staring at her. "This court of the fey is sworn to the Seelie! Hwe will not tolerate incursions!"

"Oh hwont you," Ammeline said dryly.

The queen glowered.

"You would DARE to make fun of the way in which hwe talk!?"

"I would!" Ammeline declared. She looked around for something to stand up on to make a dramatic pose and, seeing nothing, she shoved Maso over into the dirt and got up on his back, ignoring the gurgling overjoyed strangling sounds he made. "Because I am Ammeline Trent, American princess! You would judge me for dealing with the Unseelie? Well I shall judge you! For intolerance, for terrible fashion sense, and for putting portals to your fairy realm on my property! Beg and I might forgive you!"

The fairy queen bristled, the cone of fine cloth she wore vibrating in her fury.

"Beg!" The queen sputtered. "Beg!? Hwe do not beg, human girl! I hwill send my strongest warrior to slay you, once you stop standing on him!"

"Ahahahahahaha!" Ammeline laughed. "I've already beaten him!"

"Oooooh!" The fairy queen sputtered. "Fine then! I'll.... I'll call upon the royal champion!"

"Y-your Majesty," Maso stammered from underneath Ammeline. "The champion can only be called upon of someone challenges you for your crown..."

"Fine then!" Ammeline declared. "I challenge you for your crown!"

There was a gasp. Every fairy in the room turned to stare. The brick wall dropped it's drink.

"I accept!" Bellowed the queen.