[Aylwen Dreamsong]

The princess cursed her brother for having a faster response than she for the first time in forever. She sent him a sharp glance, one that he most likely missed in the heat of his own 'moment'. For once, Siamak had spoken the right way at the right time. Would it make up for all the other times when the younger son had to have time to consider his answer thoroughly and patiently? Gjeelea knew that so many waited for her to slip up and her brother to finally earn the throne that might be his. It was most certainly not the time for Siamak to finally grow a backbone, though Gjeelea figured that some people might need a tragedy to pull them together.

A tragedy? The princess was almost shocked at her own thought. Her mother's death was certainly strange enough and horrid enough - yet somehow Gjeelea did not think it merited the name of tragedy. If any knew of Gjeelea's lack of emotion for her mother's murder, surely they would think her heartless and cruel. The princess had certainly liked her mother and enjoyed her company at the few times it was given, but there was little loss for someone who was rarely there in Gjeelea's life to begin with. Surely I will miss her once I notice the subtle ways in which things change.

"You think too much, brother," Gjeelea said, loudly for all the people of the court to hear. "We might have made this decision a long time ago if you had not wasted your time considering our only option. I know we must accept Lord Annatar's offer of alliance, as I have known since hearing of the Emissary's plight." Had she spoken too boldly? As it was no time for Siamak to learn strength, it was also not the time for the princess to doubt herself. Instead, Gjeelea turned to her father and met his gaze and nodded. "Siamak and I are in agreement to accept the offer of alliance, father."