Descendents.

By: Antiope

Within the palace of Orlon Arlwaight, King of the Elves, the songs of the ancients rang out. Orlon's queen, Silia held the royal family's newest arrival, Princess Livia, in her arms. Princess Lissa was standing nearby to assist her mother at a moments notice. The other royal children stood gathered with the visiting members of the four kingdoms. Crown Prince Challen spoke with the Chief Advisor to King Morin of Aquataine. Princes Kre, Leron, Lorne, Ande and Maron were attempting to explain a complicated Elvin game called Leiabethi to the ministers of Syrlia. The princesses Brenni and Pei were sitting quietly at the feet of their parent's thrones.

A gong sounded from across the room, and an elderly elf, who went by the name of Corint, cried out from his position by the door, "Here to pay tribute to the Princess Livia, tenth child of Arlyneythwait, are representatives of the kingdoms of Loria." He paused and took a deep breathe. "The Duke and Duchess of Laine, on behalf of the Kingdom of Faeres."

A handsome couple strode through the door, jade green eyes twinkling with a serious light. They approached the throne respectfully, and bowed formally to the two monarchs. Lissa stepped forward and accepted the faery necklace dangling from the duchess' outstretched hand. Holding it up for all to see, Princess Lissa nodded her head politely and handed the gift to her mother. The room broke out in formal applause, as the couple joined the crowd.

The elder elf spoke again when the applause had died down. "The High Priest of Aquataine, His Holiness, Lord Elgin Foxwith." An elderly gentlemen clothed all in black walked into the room, a young boy in a black and silver cloak trailing after him. Once the two reached the dais, the boy withdrew a small square shaped wooden box from underneath his cloak, and with a nod from Foxwith, opened it. A small vial of blue liquid gleamed off the light of the many torches in the room. Princess Pei rose from her place at the steps of the throne and accepted the gift. Raising it as Lissa had, she bowed, and handed the gift to her father. The room broke out in applause as the King opened the vial to give the infant princess a drink.

The priest and his assistant moved aside as Corint announced, "Lord Gildamet, and Lady Erisae of the Mines of Pretens, in the Kingdom of Dwarves." Two stout and heavy set nobles walked jovially into the room, their cheeks red with drink. Barely succeeding in not falling or tripping, they made their way slowly to the throne. Queen Silia shook her head slightly in disapproval, while the King had a brief coughing fit that sounded suspiciously a lot like laughter. With a swift elbow in the ribs from his wife, Orgon's coughing fit stopped. Princess Brenni rose from her seat, and stepped forward, waiting patiently as the dwarves searched their pockets frantically for their gift. Finally with a triumphant grunt, Lord Gildamet handed Princess Brenni a broach with a large ruby in the center surrounded by gold letterings of the infants name and title. A small crystal teardrop hung from the bottom of the broach, adding to its beauty. Brenni raised her hand to show off the broach, then immediately handed it to her mother. The two dwarves swayed over to the drinks table to continue with the celebrating, while everyone in the throne room applauded politely.

Corint stepped forward once again and said in a faintly happy cry, "Their royal highnesses, Princesses Althea, Brenna and Liona, nieces to King Evan of Syrlia." All noise quieted in the room, even the dwarves who had been fighting over the beer glasses, as three small figures entered into the doorway. The eldest child of the three, Princess Althea held the hand of the youngest, Princess Liona, who had barely reached her third year, and began the slow walk to the throne. Once they reached the dais, the three princesses bowed silently, which caused the room to murmur their approval. Princess Brenna stepped forward and with the innocence of the seven year old she was, began to recite a poem. Her young voice filled the room with lovely words, as the room listened in rapture. As the poem came to an end, the room thundered in applause. When the room quieted, Princess Althea turned to her sisters and nodded. With quick smiles, the younger princesses hurried over to the orchestra master at a discreet corner of the room. Brenna whispered into his ear and the man's eyes widened for a moment, before he shrugged his shoulders and turned to the orchestra. Slowly counting off the beat, the orchestra began a glorious symphony.

Slowly, Princess Althea removed her cloak, and revealed to all a costume of an elven priestess. Clothed in a loose fitting silver suit, with sheer white cloth straps as the skirt, Althea slowly swayed with the music and began the ballet. Everyone's eyes were on the princess, as she twirled and seemed to become a part of the music itself. Finally when the music was on the last bar, Althea sank to her knees. No one spoke as the princess put her cloak back on. She turned and approached the throne with a smile that faded at the bemused expression on King Orlon's face.

He rose from his seat. "That was the Dance of Lassai, was it not?"

Confusion written all over her face, Althea replied, "Yes, My Lord."

Brenna and Liona joined their sister, and peeked out at the king from safely behind her.

Althea bowed her head. "I had thought it would please you."

The King's gaze bore into her eyes for several nervous moments. Then Orlon let out a tremendous roar of laughter. "That was by far, the most spectacular performance of that ballet that I have seen in more than half a century!" he bellowed.

Althea let out a great laugh, and thrust herself into the arms of her mother's dearest friend, the King of Elves. Hugging Althea and her sisters tight, Orlon led them up to the throne, with the disapproving glares of several of the members of the other kingdoms upon the young girls.

Proudly, he showed off his newest daughter.

"She is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen Uncle Orlon," breathed Althea.

The King grinned, and put his gaze adoringly on his wife and child. "Yes, Althea, my wife and I have been blessed far more then we had ever hoped. Six strapping boys and fours beautiful daughters. And I must not forget the three jewels born to the Diamond of Syrlia. Tell me children, why did your mother not come?"

Althea's eyes dulled slightly, before it disappeared and her face brightened. "Mother just got a little cold is all. She didn't want to risk giving it to Livia, for you know as well as I, that she would have insisted on holding and fussing over her as if she were her own."

The King laughed, but Silia and Lissa shared worried glances.

Orlon turned and noticed for the first time that his guests were eying the royal monarch expectantly.

"Well?" he chuckled good-naturedly, "This is a celebration. Musicians, play your music, and everyone, enjoy the hospitality of my home!"

The dwarf couple cheered enthusiastically into their wine, and Elgin Foxwith edged slowly away from the boisterous couple, disgust on his face. Orlon moved away from his throne and joined the ministers of Syrlia. The room erupted in speech and song, and the three princesses joined the queen by sitting at the steps of her throne, beside her daughters.

The Queen watched the festivities from her perch. "Tell me Althea, how old are you now?" Queen Silia asked, as she handed Livia to Lissa. Lissa took the child from the room to be put in her cradle.

Althea turned to the queen in surprise. "I turned a decade not all that long ago, My Lady."

Queen Silia nodded, and turned to the crowd to watch her eldest son mingle with guest.

Brenni laughed kindly. "Why, it seems only yesterday we were helping your mother bring you into the world, now look at you. You are growing into a beautiful young woman Althea."

Althea blushed.

"Thank you Brenni," Althea responded softly. "And I appreciate the fact that time does seem quicker to an elf. Our nursemaid, Lyi was an elf, and told us of your agelessness. It is quite unfair that elves stop aging so quickly once they reach youth. Why, Prince Challen is several decades old and looks as that of a nineteen year old."

Althea eyed the blonde haired, blue eyed prince, a younger version of his father. "'Tis quite a bother for mortals to die so young compared to elves." Her gaze fell to her little sisters who where enjoying rides on the backs of Prince Kre and Lorne. Lorne raced across the room with Brenna screaming in delight, Kre and Liona tearing after them.

Brenni followed Althea's gaze, and she frowned with concern. Brenni turned to her mother who was watching the racing royal children as well, and without a single word passed between lips, Queen Silia looked down to her daughter, then Althea. An answering concern crossed the queen's face, as she shook her head and rose. "I must go put my wild sons to better use." Without a word, Brenni stood and followed her mother.

Althea sat back against the step, and watched the guest interact with half- closed lids.

"I see you find these functions a little boring like I do," an amused voice commented.

Althea sat up and looked up to Challen, who had appeared without a noise. Althea made to rise, but he motioned her to remained sitting.

"Please, right now I am not Crown Prince Challen, now I am just Challen. May I sit?"

Unable to utter a word, she nodded. With the grace of a cat, he sat, and handed her one of the two glasses of drink he had in his hand. Althea stared at the drink worriedly, and Challen chuckled. "Don't worry, it's not wine. My mother and father would kill me if I offered it to you now at your age."

Althea felt her chest tighten when he mentioned her age, but didn't understand why.

"My sisters are glad you are here. They missed you and your mother. It has been a while since you visited. Almost half a decade is it now?"

Althea nodded again.

Challen grinned. "Well, you are growing up little Thea. One day we may even meet again, and you will be able to stand and look me straight in the eye." He laughed.

Althea smiled shyly.

"Perhaps, my lord. One day I shall be named Duchess and High Advisor to my cousin's reign and we may meet in council of the Five Kingdoms," Althea said.

Challen raised an eyebrow, but inclined his head, turning his attention to his mother, who was scolding his brothers with indulgence.

Althea looked down at her hands, trying to think of something to say. A spark of a memory ignited in her, and she turned to Challen. "Do you like to ride horses, Challen?"

The prince turned to the young girl beside him with raised brows. "Yes. It is a passion of mine," Challen replied, a grin forming on his face.

Althea nodded, calling forward everything she could remember Prince Ande telling her about his brother's form of enjoyment. "I myself have knowledge with horses. Perhaps, when we see each other again, we can race?"

Challen's grin widened. "Are you challenging me?"

Althea stared into her cup for several seconds, then looked up and stated boldly, "Yes!," she responded confidently. "When I am at the age which you find appropriate, we will race, and I will win."

Challen blinked, then threw back his head and laughed. "So we shall see my little Thea, so we shall see." His eyes twinkled with mirth. He made as if he were to rise, but instead said to Althea, "I can wait for that day. I will wait, little Thea." Leaning forward, he pressed his lips to her cheek. Without another word, he left her by herself.

Althea sat back with a smile on her face, her day now perfect, and never noticed Pei rise from her seat several steps down the dais to join her mother.

* * * *

The celebration lasted far into the night. Unnoticed to the guests, a rain storm had struck Arlyneythwait. Barely a few hours before dawn, the celebration was interrupted by a rain soaked messenger. The king had been in the middle of dancing with his wife and had disliked the interruption. Princess Althea had sat up from the makeshift pallet that held the sleeping bodies of her two sisters and Lissa, Brenni, and Pei when the man had made his loud entrance. With a growing sense of foreboding in her heart, she watched as King Orlon's face paled when the messenger quietly relayed the message. Queen Silia at the king's side gasped, her face stricken. Challen stepped up to his mother to support her. Orlon whispered into his son's ear, and Challen nodded, his eyes connected to Althea's. She urgently shook Brenna awake. Grumpily, Brenna demanded an explanation for being wakened so prematurely. Althea shushed her absently, and Brenna, sensing her older sister's fear, silenced immediately.

Orlon motioned them over, and Althea rose, motioning Brenna to do so as well. They followed the king and queen quietly out of the room, pausing only to ask Challen to watch over Liona. Corridor after corridor, they followed the monarchs until finally they came upon the king's study. The king entered first, followed by Althea and Brenna, and lastly the queen who shut the door firmly behind her.

"Please," the king said solemnly, "seat yourselves in one of the chairs."

Quickly obliging, Althea clasped her hands together in her lap, Brenna following suit.

"Well," the King began, "there is no easy way to say this, girls. It troubles me to have to tell you this at such a young age. Girls...."

He looked at his wife uncertainly, and she came to his side, and placed her hand comfortingly on his shoulder. Swallowing loudly, he continued. "Girls...it seems...you see, there can not be life, without..." he swallowed again. His voice thick with sorrow, he told them, "My little princesses, word has come from your Uncle Evan in Syrlia. It seems that your mother...your mother...died, two hours ago at the palace."

Althea's eyes widened in stricken horror.

Brenna stood up, her voice hoarse and shrill, for even though she was only seven, she was wise enough to know what death was and meant. "No, that's not possible," she cried.

The queen went to take her arm, but Brenna shrugged it furiously away. "You were told wrong," she screamed. "Mother said it was a cold, a simple little cold that is easily cured by faery medicine. It's a lie."

"No it's not Brenna," Althea stated, her voice and expression devoid of emotion.

Brenna turned to her elder sister, tear-filled eyes begging her to take back her words. Seeing no trace of untruths in Althea's face, Brenna fell into her arms and Althea hugged her little sister tight.

Lifting glistening eyes to the king, she asked quietly, "Please Uncle Orlon, can you get use home? We must leave as soon as possible."

Orlon nodded. "Of course. We will arrange for our royal coach to take you to Evan's palace. You can be there in less than an hour."

Murmuring her thanks, Althea and her sister, still clasped tightly in Althea's comforting embrace, left the room, the queen following close behind to make the arrangements. When the door shut after them, King Orlon Arlwaight of the Kingdom of Elves, Arlyneythwait, placed his head in his hands and wept.

* * * *

The princesses were packed and ready to leave only a mere twenty minutes later. The ministers of Syrlia were notified by Queen Silia of the girls' mother's death. Several attempted to approach the three royal siblings, but the sons of Orlon denied them. The princesses stayed in the chambers that they had believed they would be staying in for several days. Althea fussed over Liona, trying to distract the little child from the sadness surrounding their beings. Brenna sat staring into space until the call for them to enter the front hall. Their trunks had already been moved down to the large carriage, and Althea was surprised to see the famed unicorns of Arlyneythwait attached to the reins. Challen came up behind the fully cloaked Althea. "Father felt that the urgency of this day warranted the use of his treasures. They will get you to Syrlia faster than any normal carriage. "

Althea nodded, her face stoic.

"I knew Challen," she whispered.

The prince looked down at the emotionless child who seemed even younger in her vulnerability.

"I knew she was lying when she told us it was nothing but a cold. I knew and I said nothing. It is why she insisted that we travel here even though our uncle's ministers were enough to represent Syrlia. She did not want us there to watch her die. She knew death was coming for her." Althea turned her head and looked up at Challen. "I think I knew before she did."

Challen simply stared at her, words failing him in light of her words.

"Princess Althea," Queen Silia called.

Althea moved away from Challen and made her way to the carriage, the rain pelting her and her sisters harshly. Beside it, she and her sisters seemed tiny and fragile. Althea helped her sisters up into the comfortable seats, and allowed King Orlon to lift her up into the compartment. The king shut the door firmly, and he, his family and the many guests waved goodbye to the windows. Althea waved back politely, and then sat back. She felt the carriage jerk forward, then a small pressure in the compartment as the carriage adjusted to the fast speed of the unicorns. Althea stared out the window and watched as the city of Jele loomed closer and closer. In minutes they were past the city and in the outskirts of Bythal. Cities flew by in minutes, and after almost half an hour Brenna and Althea could see the city of Alsáe, city protector of Garaden bridge, the only connection from Arlyneythwait to Syrlia. The city and the bridge flew by in almost a blink of an eye. They were in Garaden city now.

As the landscape zoomed past, Brenna turned to Althea, who cradled Liona's head in her lap. The youngest was fast asleep, oblivious to it all.

"What are we going to do Althea? What will happen to us?" Brenna asked, her voice filled with suppressed fear.

Althea gazed up from little Liona's face. "Nothing will happen. Father will protect us," she replied, her tone lacking conviction.

Though very young, the two girls realized several things about their lives that children their age usually were too naïve to know. For one, their father was a moron. Both girls never understood how their mother could stand his incompetence. He blew away his family fortune gambling and consorting around with other woman. Now he sold things on the market, high priced things for nobles to use. He was a coward who used the influence of his brother-in-law to protect him from anyone or anything that tried to harm him. He was a kind man, yes, but spineless and somewhat idiotic. He spent most of his time away from home and with his 'female companions.' Now things had changed, and this time their mother wasn't there to smile and say all was well.

"You do not think the Uncle Evan will try to send us to Luren do you? With father gone all the time, he can't bother with us. I wish things were the way they were. Why...why did she have to die?" Brenna cried, tears flowing down her face. "She was a good woman, loved by all kingdoms. She did not deserve to die."

"No one deserves to die Brenna. It is not a matter of choice. It is the mortal fate. Uncle Evan will do as he sees fit. He is our king first," Althea murmured.

Brenna turned away from her sister.

Several minutes later, Althea peered out the window and saw Syrlia's capital; Terra-Saint Alban Palace was home of King Evan and his wife, Queen Julia. The journey that normally would have taken days had taken only a few minutes. The rain still poured down on the kingdoms harshly, almost as if the world itself wept over Lady Celeste's death. Althea woke Liona up as the door to the carriage was open by a palace guard. They were helped down the steps of the carriage, and walked slowly up the many front steps. By the time they reached the door to the palace they were soaking wet through their black cloaks. As they entered the hall, Althea swayed slightly. She was caught by a nearby guard who looked down at her in concern. Althea smiled weakly. "I am fine."

She moved out of the guardsman's hand and moved forward. She felt a pain in her head, sharp and powerful.

~Althea.~ A voice seemed to whisper in her head

Althea's face whipped around in all directions, searching for the person who had called her name.

~Althea!~

"Who is there?" the young girl whispered.

~ Your destiny is waiting for you now...seize it! And remember, we love you.~

Althea felt her eyes roll back as her mind was bombarded with images of unfamiliar events and people. The whole of the front hall watched in horror as the princess crumpled to the floor.

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A/N: Tell me what you think of it! Please R/R! Thanks and take care!