Author's note: Hello all! Thanks for the wonderful reviews, I feel so loved. Have fun with this, it is a pretty silly chapter.

He was Ank Talonen of Arilia, son of Taleus, the First Lord of Galenthair, and second in line for the throne. He was High Gale, meaning he had more Elfin blood coursing through his veins than human. He was strong, handsome, and skilled with bow and sword. But even he knew he was no match for his Princess.

Talonen remembered little Lian fondly as he approached the gate to his home city. Prince Kalatair had been his best friend, sticking together through thick and thin, right up until his death. Lian had always insisted on tagging along, seven years younger than Kal and four years Talon's junior. After a while, he began to enjoy her company, her bright laugh and stubborn determination. But last time he had seen her, the constant bright joy had been gone from her purple eyes. His heart still ached remembering that week of pain. First news of his best friend's death, and then pretty little Lian's tear-filled eyes as, at thirteen, she was forced to grow up. They were all forced to grow up at that time.

Motioning to his companions, Ank Igart, son of Lord Igalan of Quertanfal and Palonec, his cousin and on the other side of the family nephew of Lord Ruhdialt of Liartis, he slowed his steed Maleagar, a snow-white stallion, as they passed under the towering white-gold Gate of Aril. An emerald flanked by two rubies was embedded in the Gate. He tossed back his long blond hair as the wind whipped it across his pointed ears. His keen hunter's eyes focused on the beautiful city that was his birthplace.

The homes and buildings were all clean and pristine white, with tiled roofs and thin trails of gray smoke coming from chalky chimneys. But all these failed in comparison to the great Palace of Ariliate. Multiple spires and towers rose from the castle, situated on the main road at the northern most wall of the city, looking across the hills to the north. The palace itself was made of ivory marble, its windows and doors outlined in gold.

As his gait slowed, the solid black stallion tied to his saddle nudged Maleagar's rump. It was almost as if he could feel his mistress's presence nearby.

"Steady, Wentzear. You shall seen her soon enough," Palonec laughed as he rode beside Maleagar and Wentzear on his speckled mare Tylan. Palon patted the wild steed on the back and looked to Talon. Talon grinned at his cousin, looking into brown eyes just like his own. Palon wore his light brown hair in multiple braids out of his face instead of free like Talon's blond locks.

"We'll all see her soon," he told the younger noble. "Right, Igart?"

Igart turned to his friend, black hair settling onto his shoulders. "Sorry, Talon, you were saying?"

"Nothing, friend," Talon laughed, "Nothing."

They continued on in silence again, each lost in his own pondering on the coming trip to man country. Now very near the castle, right next to it even, they passed under a balcony without looking up. All of a sudden a bundle of red robes and blond curls hit Talon square on and knocked him to the gold bricks of the ground. Wentzear whinnied happily. Already out of breath, Talonen looked up to find it even harder to breathe looking at the beautiful Princess Klarilian unceremoniously straddled across him pinning him to the ground with a bright smile in her eyes.

"Talonen of Arilia! How dare you not even look up?" she scolded.

"Sorry?" he offered, finding words at last.

"You better be. It has been four years since I last saw you! I cannot believe you. Ugh," she began to pick herself off of him, standing and brushing herself off. "Talon, I thought we were friends." A nose in the hip cut her off. Lian turned to find herself face to face with Wentzear.

"I brought your horse," Talon laughed, not taking his eyes off of her as he stood and shook out his robes.

After throwing her arms around the stallion's neck, she embraced Talon warmly. "Thank you!"

Talon blushed, as he felt himself enjoying her embrace. "It is nothing, Princess," he answered, reminding himself of his place and hers.

"No, it really is something. It means so much to me," Lian replied, pulling away.

"Princess! What, no hug for your friend?" Palon asked, sliding down from Tylan and approaching the pair.

"Oh, Palon," Klarilian teased, enfolding the young man in a hug.

"Four years older, more than four times more lovely," Palon smiled, holding her at arms' length.

Talon thought he saw Lian blush before she planted a rough smack on Palon's left arm.

"Don't ever say that again," she said with a smile.

Palon laughed and bowed dramatically. "Never again, Princess."

"Klarilian! Princess Klarilian! What in the name of the three founding Gales are you doing down there?" a voice called from up above.

Igart turned his head towards the balcony and the three on the ground looked up.

"Feri, what does it LOOK like I'm doing? Talking to my friends. Oh, and there are four founding Gales, Aril, his wife Seria, his brother Olanius, and Terrarenne, the forgotten one," Lian retorted in all seriousness.

Palon snickered behind her.

"Terrarenne?" came the questioning response as a middle aged Gale appeared looking over the balcony.

"Yes, ma'am. Aril's rarely mentioned mistress. The mountains are named after her," Palonec replied, hiding a smile.

Feri looked flustered. "Why?"

All three hiding laughs and snickers, Talonen answered, "Well, there had to be something that reminded him of her in those mountains. All the curves maybe?"

Exchanging looks, the trio all burst into laughs, remembering their lessons with the tutors at Seriaphin.

"Oh my! Princess, how can you associate with these people? Who are they?" Feri cried, bright red.

"Ank Talonen of Arilia," Talon bowed.

"Palonec, his cousin and nephew of the Tenth Lord of Galenthair, Ruhdialt of Liartis," Palon introduced, bowing as well. "A pleasure to meet you, Lady."

Feri's eyes widened. "Most noble sirs, I.. I never! Nobles of Galenthair speaking in such a manner? Princess, return to your chambers immediately or I shall be forced to report you to your mother and see that you are not permitted to attend dinner tonight."

Lian scoffed. "Only if you can catch me!" To the surprise of everyone else, she threw herself onto Wentzear's bareback and tangled her fingers in his black mane. She started him back down the road and they ran towards the gate.

Talon and Palon looked at each other, looked at the shocked and angry look in the nurse's eyes, and mounted their horses' to catch up with Lian and escape the raging nurse. They heard Feri call for the guards and the chase was on....