The wound was bad, but the Zindaki people were excellent healers. If it wasn't for her Royal entourage, she probably would have died.

Zaclyn himself carried Asonia from the stadium, and too a secure location. The healers took over from there, trying their best to heal her properly, and quickly.

A few hours later, Zaclyn was allowed to see her. She was pale, and her robes had been replaced by a nightgown. He could see bandages wrapped around her left shoulder. The shot had missed her heart, but it was close enough to cause damage.

Her golden eyes were dull, and glossy in color, and she kept on clenching and unclenching her hand, as if to do something to keep her mind occupied.

"Your Majesty..." Zaclyn whispered, sitting down next to her.

"Hey Zaclyn... What's up?" She asked, her voice weak. She was obviously in lot of pain. The healers were only able to heal so much, and they did what they could. Only the very powerful could heal a wound as serious, and not die from exhaustion.

She would have to recover the rest of the way herself. "Asonia, we need a decision. The Klingon emperor refuses to wait any longer."

Asonia's eyes closed, and she looked as though she had fallen asleep. Zaclyn tapped her hand. She opened her eyes. "Pavel." She mumbled, closing her eyes. "That's my decisi-..." Her voice trailed off as she fell asleep.

Her breathing evened out, and Zaclyn stood. He hated seeing her like that, just the thought of her in pain made him angry enough to do something rash.

But he kept his cool. People looked up to him, and with the empress unable to rule while she was as injured as she was, he was Zindaki's only hope.

He walked out into the hall, his fluffy salt and pepper eyebrows furrowed in concentration. Zaclyn made his way to the meeting room, where Pavel, Dejen, Emperor Kerth, and a few others were.

Two Zindakian guards stood outside the door, looking depressed. They stood up a bit straighter when they saw him, and he knew why. They were worried about the empress. "Advisor Zaclyn, how is she?" One asked, her eyes wide. The other nodded his head in agreement of the question.

"She is going to live." He told them, and they sighed in relief. Zaclyn smiled at them, and walked into the room. There were two groups arguing on their respective sides of the room.

On one side, was the Zindaki politicians. A group of the government that raised problems to the empresses attention, and debated what to do to solve them. There was only seven of them, but they were very intimidating.

One man stood out among the politicians. Caa've (pronounced cave) was easily seven feet tall. He had vibrantly green eyes, a huge contrast to his dark skin. His robes were deep blue, a color only reserved for the most respected of people in the royal court. The only other person who wore robes of that color was Zaclyn himself.

While the others yelled at the Klingons, pointing fingers and standing angrily, Caa've simply sat in a chair against the wall. His hand rubbing against his black beard. He had an amused look on his face. Pavel sat to his left, jumping every time someone slammed their hand in the table.

"Mr. Caa've, what all have I missed?"

"Hello Zaclyn! Come, have a seat." He boomed, his voice naturally loud. He was a man that demanded respect, and almost always received it. "The show is just starting to get good. I think Kail is about strangle emperor Kerth. Should be entertaining."

Zaclyn smiled at his friend's sense of humor, and sat to his right. "If you don't mind old friend, I need you to get their attention for me."

Caa've smiled, and nodded his bald head. He stood up, walked to table, and stopped right in the middle. "Heeey!" He yelled, slamming a fist against the wooden table. Everyone quieted down, and looked at him as the loud sound faded away.

"Thank you." Zaclyn said, walking up and standing next to him. "I have some important news, if you're willing to act dignified enough, and sit down."

Everyone sat down in their seats, faces red. "Well now. The healers have done as much as they could, and it's safe to say she will survive. I was able to speak with her for a few minutes, and she told me her decision."

On opposite sides of the room, both Pavel and Dejen sat up a little straighter.

"And she has chosen Mr. Chekov." The Klingons exploded in objections. They yelled it out for a moment before Kerth was able to quiet them.

"Is she sure of her decision? How do we know this is what she really wants?" Kerth questioned, arms folded angrily across his chest.

Before Zaclyn could reply, a heavily accented voice spoke up. "It is vwants."

All eyes turned to Pavel, who was standing nervously on his side of the room.

"How would you know, human?" Dejen spat.

"Because she's my fiancée, and has been for a while."

Uproar from both sides of the room made him jump. But Pavel held his ground. Both he and Zaclyn shared a look, and Caa've pounded his fist against the table again.

"I participated in this tournament because I love her, and she loves me. She didn't want to be forced into a marriage, and she wanted the freedom to decide for herself

"You expect her to marry Dejen. But she doesn't know him, and you tried to force it on her. It was her decision, and hers alone. And you should respect that."

The room was quiet for some time, and Pavel worried he'd said the wrong thing, until Zaclyn nodded at him in approval.

The Klingons grumpily left, soon followed by the politicians, who mumbled the entire time.

Caa've clapped Chekov on the back, a huge smile on his face. "Great speech!"

"Thanks." Pavel said, rubbing his shoulder. "So, can I see Asonia?"

"Of course." Zaclyn replied, leading them out. "But she may be asleep. She is weak."

Chekov nodded, and followed him all the way to the room. Asonia slept soundly the entire night and most of the morning. And Pavel stayed with her the entire time.

A/n
So sorry I haven't updated in so long! I've had a bit of writers block, but it's gone now!

Hope you enjoyed this chapter!

~Clieo