The Queen's Hand|Neo'anar, New Anarlina

[Kender Bard]

Plots to overthrow Morilanta. A renegade self-styled prince seeking shelter. Daring plots made between men of great power. History waiting to be altered.

And still, Audience goes on. Twilight ruminated on that idly, his fingers gently drumming on the arm of his advisor's chair as he thought to himself that there really ought to be something philosophical or poetic in that fact. His brother would know.

What Twilight did know was that he was rapidly having difficulty in maintaining a blaise composure throughout Audience that day, not with what he knew was coming. Patience, he scolded himself. And his patience was rewarded when Jonathan discreetly showed up at audience in his finest clothing (though eschewing the bejeweled scabbard in favor of a plain one). Over the course of Audience, Jonathan had inched and moved his way forward to the foremost of the crowd and kept his eyes firmly locked on Dusk in a manner that would almost be unsettling. Twilight had done a good job of acting as though he hadn't noticed.

And so when the last truly serious and important matters had been dealt with, Jonathan smoothly stepped forward before the throne, not smiling as he heard the whispers flitting through the audience like sibilant moths from one ear to the next. His expression was serious, almost deadly so, and there was an intensity even to how he held himself as he bowed slowly and meaningfuly before Dusk.

(Twilight had schooled Jonathan on this respect. Though the man understood what was needed of him, he sorely needed a little coaching in flair.)

"My Lady Queen Dusk, Your Majesty," he said, his low, husky voice rolling the syllables of her titles over as though they tasted of excellent wine in his mouth. "I have a most urgent request of you, if you would hear this humble weaponsmaster out."

[Darastrix]

Dusk looked at him in some surprise. While anyone was welcome to approach her during Audience, it was odd that one of her friends would. Jonathan could just as easily come to her in the palace, or he could talk to Twilight, who she knew saw him often. And what in Love's name was that tone?

"Of course, Jonathan," she replied. "Speak freely." As she spoke, Dusk glanced at Twilight to see if he seemed to have any clue what Jonathan was there to address.

[Kender Bard]

Twilight had his fingers laced now and was observing Jonathan keenly with a small frown.

Jonathan's gaze never wavered. "I have stood by silently for a great time but feel I can no longer hold my tongue. My feelings have risen with the sun daily and my thoughts turned to you and your radiant beauty. My queen-"

He dropped swiftly to one knee, head bowed to her "-I beg of you. Do me the honor of giving me your hand in courtship and, if there is any hope of love for me in this mortal world, perhaps the chance at marriage."

"No," Twilight growled, standing up abruptly. "I will not abide this."

"I was asking her Majesty, regent," Jonathan growled, lifting his head up and glaring at Twilight, his voice gone frosty. "Who needs no permission from you."

Twilight turned and looked at Dusk, passion burning in his eyes. "No, she does not, but as advisor to the queen I must protest strongly. There are far better, more noble men deserving of her affections!"

"Like who?" Jonathan snorted.

"Me," Twilight growled.

"That is a joke and an insult," Jonathan snarled, rising and drawing his sword abruptly.

"You dishonor me with your words and our most radiant queen with your proposition!" Twilight snarled, hand going to the pommel of his own sword but not drawing. Instead he turned and faced Dusk fully. "Your Majesty, please grant me the blessing to defend your honor and my name against this upstart!"

And, on the side of his face he was fairly certain nobody but Dusk and the guards nearest to her could see, he gave Dusk a tiny wink.

[Darastrix]

Dusk's mouth fell open at Jonathan's declaration, and she stared. Jonathan had never given any indication of having that sort of attachment to her. She'd just begun to have the thought that she really didn't want to go through hurting another friend's feelings in such a way when Twilight stood.

A moment later, she was staring at him in shock as well. He and Jonathan were friends! Had everyone in the Court gone insane today? Dusk was only moments from standing herself and demanding some sort of explanation when Twilight turned and addressed her.

Oh Forces, what was Twilight up to now?

"Granted," Dusk stated. She resisted the urge to start grinning. She didn't know what he had planned, but it was fairly certain that both he and Jonathan were in on it and it would be entertaining at the very least. Twilight kissing Jonathan was probably out of the realm of possibility, though.

[Kender Bard]

Pleased, Twilight grinned a short, fierce grin of exhilaration as he turned in one fluid movement, ran a couple steps forward, and leapt down off the dais at Jonathan, swinging his sword with a sharp, "Hyah!" Jonathan moved quickly, bringing his own sword up in defense and so the two began to duel expertly. Of course the Audience cleared away willingly to give them a wide berth for their fighting, which both used to perform even more heated exchanges.

Though the two had practiced how the fight would go in a vague way, this part was mostly 'unscripted' - all that was important was that Jonathan not actually win, so he was careful not to press too hard on any openings he spotted, few though they were. The two were very evenly matched and it showed. They scored light marks on one another, tearing clothing and only the most minor of scratches.

"Fiend!" Twilight cried, grinning widely. He was enjoying himself too much not too, though his expression made it seem more of a smirk of triumph.

Jonathan was able to contain his emotions expertly and all that showed on his face was a tiny frown of concentration. Where Twilight's cries were passionate, his were calm, almost detatched. "Fool."

At one point the two even had a little chase around a support pillar as Twilight hopped up onto the base of the pillar and attempted to make a disarm on Jonathan utilizing his superior height. Jonathan's sword rung against the stone as Twilight nimbly avoided a counterblow.

There was one more thing that needed to be done before the big finale, however - partially to please Dusk but mostly to make a grand reveal of Twilight's great secret. As they fought and continued to strike and make ragged cuts at one another's clothing, Twilight left a deliberate opening that allowed Jonathan to get his sword in and make a long slashing rip in the front of Twilight's tunic.

Twilight backed away, looking affronted. "You've spoiled my tunic," he huffed.

"It makes poor armor for your even poorer skills," Jonathan sneered.

Twilight growled and sheathed his sword briefly as he whipped his tunic off, privately glad to be rid of it when he was hot and sweating from the fight.

And there, for all to see, was the third Storm sign Twilight had gained upon his neck. Jonathan stepped back, feigning surprise and shock as Twilight drew his sword again, raising it and pointing the tip at Jonathan with a devilish smirk. A very faint play of electricity raced to the tip of the sword at a small effort of will on Twilight's part.

"Who's the worthy one now weaponsmaster?" Twilight hissed. And then he was upon Jonathan in a whirlwind of flashing blades and Jonathan staggered back, mostly pretending to be hard pressed (though he was genuinely surprised at the ferocity at with Twilight applied himself). In a few more moments it was over - Twilight disarmed Jonathan, sending his sword skittering across the ground. Jonathan knelt, holding his stinging hand and panting, the very image of defeat.

Twilight, panting hard as well, turned and knelt before Dusk. "My queen!" he gasped in exultation. "My heart burns for you with love! I have proven myself worthy in duel, in the eyes and blessings of the Forces. Now let me prove myself a worthy companion and a great ruler!" He lifted his head up, blinking the sweat that dripped from his bangs out of his eyes and cried out, "Marry me!"

[Darastrix]

Dusk had risen from her throne to watch the duel, her hands clasped and her expression a mixture of surprise and concern. Even as it became clear to her that they weren't going to try to score any serious wounds on each other, she knew that accidents with live steel could happen and she didn't want to see either man hurt.

She pressed a hand to her mouth as Jonathan slashed through Twilight's tunic, and sighed in relief when she could see his Water sign hadn't been touched. Show off, she thought, fondly, at Twilight's little trick with his Storm sign.

When Twilight knelt before her, she could scarcely keep the delight from her expression as he began to speak. At his final words, she let out a cry of joy and rushed forward to bend down and press her lips to his, wrapping her arms around him.


Aw, Twi, Zack thought as a huge grin spread over his face. Now I'll have to come up with something to top that.

"Three cheers for our Queen and future King!" he called as he began to clap. "Long life and love to them both!"

[Kender Bard]

Twilight returned the kiss ardently, rising up with her, his arms firmly wrapped about her as he let himself melt completely into the moment with her.

"Three cheers!" someone else agreed and soon the whole chamber resounded with cries of, "Huzzah! Huzzah! Huzzah!"

Of course, Jonathan had made himself scarce by moving out of the way and quite surprisingly found a small group of women coming to 'console him'. His blood still pumping from the fight, he decided he wasn't entirely averse to the idea and with a grin on his face let the lovely young women fuss over him.

"I'm so happy for them," Snowflake sighed softly to her brother. Sunray smiled to himself under his hood and nodded silently. This was how it should be.

Twilight broke the kiss, grinning. "Did I..." He held her tighter and growled playfully, "Sweep you off your feet, m'lady?"

[Darastrix]

Dusk squealed and nuzzled Twilight's neck affectionately. "I'm not sure," she teased. "I do still seem to be standing." She giggled and kissed him again. "Shall we dismiss?"

[Kender Bard]

"Oh yes," Twilight agreed. "There are other people here aren't there? Hmm, well then." He turned and raised his voice. "Audience is dismissed!"

And then swept Dusk up into his arms. "Better."

[Darastrix]

"Much."

Dusk wrapped her arms tightly about his neck. "Oh, Twilight," she breathed into his ear. "I've wanted this for so long. Together in the sight of the people, with no reason to hide our love."


Zira moved to stand with Snowflake and Sunray, smiling softly at the scene on the dais. ~It's about time,~ he murmured.

[Kender Bard]

Twilight murmured his agreement as he headed off with Dusk.

"People will be talking about this for quite some time I'd wager," Snowflake noted with merriment.

Sunray grinned a little but his mind was turned towards a different lady. "Excuse me," he mumbled and headed off to go visit Lyra.