Revealing Of The New Princess

Shirley

Standing here, in my new room, a crown on my head, I cannot believe this is reality. In one corner stands an armor stand with my Elven armor on it, still as beautiful as yesterday. A small distance away from there is an open closet with several dresses in there. They weren't made specifically for me but still the breathtaking variant. Next to it is a dividing wall to give me some privacy when I'm changing even if someone is in my room. Then on the other side of the armor stand is a stand on which my bow lays, above the quiver filled to the brim with arrows. There is another stand next to it for the carved sheath and the sword, which has a carving of a dragon in it to. However I still wear it on my hip. The Dragon Princess should never be unarmed.

As I sit down on the sofa in the center of the room I hear someone knock on my door. As I walk over I see it is Sha'iva. 'May I enter, sister?'

I step aside and motion her to enter. As she sits down on the sofa she lowers her head. 'I think I pulled you in to far. Now you to are stuck with the queen.'

I sit besides her and put an arm over her shoulder, which I for the first time feel I can do. 'It was my own choice, Sha'iva. Both of us are still free to go where we wish. After all, even the queen knows we are Dragon Riders first and foremost. Even being a Princess of the Elves doesn't mean we can just stay in the Woodland Realms forever. However when we are here, we have a home to return to and a... mother that cares.'

Sha'iva nods. 'I always forget you studied under the mage and learned so many parts of her wisdom.'

I nod. 'I once thought I had a sister. Sha'nok. She is one of the Lamia and learned me a lot about the balance of nature and to see what is around me. It ended up she kinda... betrayed me. She was never send to teach me. It was all a ruse of her to get close to me because she wanted a family.'

Sha'iva looks sideways. 'I guess you kinda send her away after that? I mean... she did lie to you from the start...'

I grab the staff and put it on my lap. 'No I didn't. The year with her... it was a great time. Though I never found the peace I found here, I was happy. I felt that, despite her deception, I owed her at least something. During our time together we made a flight and she loved it. Though after the flight her deception came forth, I had made her a promise I'd talk to the council member of the Dragon Guard about training her. Once we are fully trained I'll be teaching her.'

Sha'iva now turns to me. 'You are not telling me you forgave her? And you are not thinking about... letting her into our squad, are you?'

As I let my hand glide over the head with the still softly glowing eyes I answer. 'Forgiven her? No. I cannot call her my sister any more. But letting her into the squad? Eventually I will. I have a good reason for it to. Even though I can use magic and the staff amplifies said magic, I cannot trust on it. My magic is distinctly bound to combat. If I'm not in combat my magic doesn't work well. I cannot trust on it. Even the staff doesn't make it easy to do anything big out of combat. Only when I am hyper focussed in combat can I use my magic to protect you and the rest of the squad. Sha'nok is a natural mage. If I can get her partially trained by the Councils mage then we have our magic protection as well.'

Sha'iva nods. 'You've been the practical one in the squad from day one. That is one thing I noticed. However, what if she cannot find a dragon to bind with or doesn't finish her training? Do you have a back up?'

I look up from my staff. 'No, I don't. If she can't join our squad then we are without a mage. I will never call myself a mage even at arrow point. Even with the knowledge I got from magic I cannot just use it.'

Sha'iva does ask one last thing. 'When are we going to return to the Riders city? To continue our training?'

I look at the armor and then at the one empty stand next to the door I haven't looked at yet. 'The solar solstice is the day after tomorrow. We will be joining that as well. After that we are returning home. Well, as far as this isn't home...'

Sha'iva looks at the stand. 'I hear four spears got rejected already. Mother really is picky about what you get. She wants nothing but the best. I heard she even tried to get Rashter armored up...'

That makes me smile.

As Sha'iva helps me in the dress I wonder why I got myself talked into this. Why did I get talked into staying for the Solstice? I could be riding back to my training and showing Celeste my new armor... well, whatever. Finally the dress slips down and Sha'iva starts closing the lace at the back. Once it is closed she opens the small jewelry box on the locker and looks what I got, which is very little. Besides the ring which I never take off I just got a couple of bracelets and a necklace. The queen, whom I have quickly learned to address as mother as she does seem to get moody if I call her "your majesty", does sometimes want to spoil me with riches which I kindly decline. Just for tonight I agreed with two bracelets and a necklace. Even mother seems to agree that I'm a warrior princess, not a pampered noble princess. My jewelry is my armor and my decorations are my weapons.

As Sha'iva finished putting on the bracelets and the necklace, which is decorated with pearls and a single large pendant of a golden tree with emerald canopy and an opal sun above it. However the dress, white as the clouds, shows an even better symbol. It shows in golden embroidery the Elven tree surrounded by a dragon, with the head where in the royal seal the sun would be. My own royal seal.

Sha'iva then turns her back towards me so I can tie the lace of her own dress. Once it is done we go to the Throne Room and to mother.

In the throne room something seems off. I've been here dozens of times in the past weeks but... something changed today. Then I see the queen rise and motion to her sides. On either side of the throne are two more seats, both empty. The one on the queens left hand has an intricate carving of a tree with a sun above it, however the sun has two wings. That must be Sha'iva's seal. The one at the queens right hand has an amazing carving of a tree surrounded by a dragon. As I walk closer I notice the dragon has been carved to look like Rashter. He is my royal seal. Then the queen speaks. 'Sha'iva, in the past we have had our differences. During our last fight we both went to far. Someone here made me realize that family is important as well. Therefor I have decided... to reinstate you.

'You are welcome to come to the Emerald Realm as you please again, as well as sit on your own throne as a princess deserves. Shirley, as the youngest daughter and the warrior princess I have decided you need to be able to be here as well, both in peace time and in war time. You now got privileges to make minor executive decisions, like the directing of our forces and taking over command over a legion on the battlefield. In time you will see the full extent. Like with Sha'iva you are welcome to come here on your own accord, though caution is requested with whom you bring. Our greatest security lays in our location and how we are hidden. Now... you can take your seats, princesses of the Emerald Realm.'

As I sit down I hear a grumble next to me and see Rashter lift his head up. He was hiding somewhat in the shadows but now shows his head. 'Nobility doesn't suit you, Shirley. You look way to frail and soft like this. I prefer it when you carry a bow and look ready to kill anyone in a moments notice.'

I smile as he says it. He has a point. This nobility isn't put away for me. I'm not born an Elven princess. I'm a human the queen just likes a lot. 'You are right. However this is a part of it. I'm a princess of the Elves now, though not a true Elf. The queen... my mother, she has given me a great honor. I don't expect to use it much but I will be using it at times. I'm now a leader, not just of our Wing but of many souls. I will be asked to be there for many celebrations as well, but in exchange I now have access to a kingdom where I can be truly at peace.'

Rashter puts his massive head on my lap. 'You are not wrong. To live a longer life, you cannot just fly from battle to battle. You have to take a break in between to. And this place... well, except for the Orks all have found their swing. The Orks are just fist fighting with everyone that lets them. It has caused a commotion every once in a while but the guards seem to like the distraction.'

The queen looks at both Sha'iva and me for a moment and then smiles. 'This I will not forget, daughters. You both look amazing like this. Noble and unique. Winged Sun and Guardian Dragon, the two upcoming leaders of the Elves.'

The Solstice is over way to quickly. All to soon I find myself standing in the clearing in my armor with seven dragons, two sad Dwarves, a human that seems ready to cry and two badly bruised Orks. Soon Sha'iva walks over in full armor carrying her seal and with a spear on her back. This must be her spear. Then finally the queen arrives with the blacksmith that made my sword, who is carrying something that is wrapped up. When the queen stands in front of me the blacksmith kneels and unwraps the object. It is a spear like no other. Near the head a small dragon head is carved, from whose maw the head comes shaped like a flame. The queen picks it up and hands it over to me. 'Now your set is complete. May it protect you in the fight against the darkness.'

As I take the spear from mothers hands I feel the lightness and the balance. This will definitely work both as a throwing weapon and a close combat weapon. I bow my head and use the strap on the shaft to hang it over my shoulder on my back. 'Now I am ready to lead. Ready to protect the world as we know it.'

Mother raises her arms. 'Go now, all of you. Go with the blessings of the Elves. May your names be known forever more.'

With that I give the signal to mount up and move out. Once we are in the air and on our way to the city fortress of Celaris I feel conflicted. It feels good to return to my training but I also already feel homesick for the Emerald Realm. It is where I can leave most of my responsibilities behind me and enjoy some time off of leading. However, I have to get back to work and training. Otherwise I will never be a true Dagon Guard and Sha'nok won't train herself either.

When we arrive back at Celaris the Elven trainer is pacing back and forth. Word was send here we would be coming and apparently we are a bit late. When we are landed in the normal fashion he walks to me. 'What took you lot so long? You were only going to pick up a bow and sword! Now you spend months way from here!'

I hold out my right hand to show the seal. 'Some things have happened since our last meeting, master Elf. Princess Sha'iva has been reinstated and I carry a similar post as well. As you may notice from my armor carrying the royal seal of the Queens house and my ring with my personal seal.'

The Elf steps back. 'She has lost her mind. Adopting a human into a princess position... giving a human our best stuff. Bah.'

I grab my shield and spear with formerly unknown speed and hold the shield raised in a defensive stance, spear aimed at him. 'She is now my mother and I do not tolerate disrespect against her. She has been royal and kind. The offer for adoption was only because I saved her life.'

Both Orks got their axes already raised and even Sha'iva has her hand on her sword. Then I seen the leader approach. 'Calm down, everyone. You are in friendly territory. Welcome back all of you. You must be exhausted from your journey.'

The Elf steps back which gives me the impression I can raise my spear to. As I do so the others relax as well. Then I respond. 'The journey was fine. The only problem we have currently is a distinct lack of respect someone here has for royalty. I do not claim everyone has to bow for me when I pass, but you don't talk disrespectful about the queen of the Elves near me.'

The leader grumbles shortly. 'Do not forget you are a Dragon Guard first and foremost. However, I do accept your position. I would like to invite you and Sha'iva to the council meeting this afternoon so you can explain exactly what happened and to explain why you, and the rest of your squad, are not in uniform and using the wrong weapons. The Council Member of the Dragon Guard is very much unhappy about it and has requested me to give you a direct order to go to the armory and get the right stuff.'

I look him defiantly in the eyes. 'I will very much like to explain my actions to the Council Members indeed. After all, it is my task to lead and guide MY wing both safely and as a true leader. I'm curious what other excuse than tradition he has for wanting to force uniforms that are most likely inferior onto us.'

The leader steps back, surprised about my boldness and fury. 'All right. You can unpack and come to the council chambers in the top level.'

Sha'iva

'So let me get this straight. You went to the Elven city, joined two of their celebrations, got yourself a full set of armor and weaponry that is illegal for Dragon Guards and then accepted the offer of the queen to join her family? What is going on in your head? The Dragon Guard has to be impartial. Be of no race and all races.'

Shirley steps up. It doesn't make her any more impressive as we are standing in a dip in the room above which the entire council stands, but she does bring an air of royalty and grace with her. 'Be of no race and all races. Heh. What a cliche. I heard you wanted to force me to get my squad into the same armor everyone else wears to. However, I will not stand for that. You think through the old thought process that in unity there is strength. In a way that is correct. But in a wing as diverse as mine... there is more strength in diversity.

'This armor, though forged by the Elves, was partially forged by Noruk. On our way back here I heard from Noruk that his brother helped forge my spear. My squad is not weaker because I allow their diversity, and their traditions. It is stronger. The Orks follow me because of the challenge. The Dwarves follow me because I respect their forge work and carry their shield into battle. As Guards we should not disconnect from the world but embrace it. That is what I do. I embrace the diversity. I push my squad to show their heritage. I challenge them to show not what others want them to be, but to show what they are. Show them what we fight for.'

Several of the council members mutter once Shirley is done with her speech. It is hard to see their facial impressions with the stained glass windows behind them but there is little need to guess about how surprised they are. Then the Council Member of the Dragon Guard speaks again. 'Then what do you want to send the Orks into battle with? Their bone armor? You will soon discover they won't survive five minutes in that.'

Shirley is unfazed. 'Your tone tells me you don't believe me. No, they won't be wearing just their bone armor. Instead I asked Oruk and Noruk to work together with the Orks to make them an armor set unrivaled by any Ork. Also you speak of the Orks as if they are just brutes with axes. I found they are more than that. They to got a culture. They respect others to, if those people give them the right beating. However, I am willing to prove my point to you all. If you do not believe I'm right, find another wing of seven and let us face them. You will see the only one who will struggle is me trying to lead them all properly. And direct the Orks in a way that they don't charge in like a bull.'

Some of the council chuckles as they hear the last line. I then decide it is my chance to step up. 'I spoke with Shirley when she took lead of our squad. What she says here is true. She asked Oruk and Noruk to learn her how to forge, which hasn't happened yet. However because she asked it they offered to help with making her armor and weapons. Both she and I help Treknal to learn the way of the bow, though we are thinking about putting a halt to it for a moment until he has a bow that doesn't break.

'Before we went to the Emerald Realm she spend every morning training with our Wing, every afternoon learning to fight with a sword and every night in her room trying to find a formation that works with everyone and doing other paperwork for the squad. She has taken the responsibility on her own shoulders to lead us as individuals and respects all our traditions. I think the Dragon Guard should think about following her example.'

The Council Member of the Dragon Guard coughs. 'Like you can tell me what to do. I want to see all the guard in the uniforms and that's the end of the discussion.'

Then I see Shirley look straight at the mage. 'Some of you have known me for a long time. I have learned ways of life that in the past I could not have dreamt off. However, I believe that I can make this work for my Wing. If you push through with the uniform weapons and armor, know that you sentence some of us to death. I cannot use the swords of my own race. Nor can I truly bring all a bow made by a human has to offer to fruition. I'm only truly able to use Elven weaponry.'

The mage says something to the leader, though I cannot understand what is being said. Then the leader speaks. 'I have decided. Ever since the start, the wing assigned to Shirley has been an experiment. From the start it was known it would be a challenge for Shirley to get the squad to work together. If this is how she believes it is to be done, we should first see how it works out instead of stepping in and forcing outdated rules onto her back. I believe Shirley is attempting to represent all races in equal fashion which so far seems to be going well. In this case, we should step down and watch how this... project unfolds. Only if it truly goes wrong should we interfere.'

The Dragon Guard council member speaks up. 'This is outrageous. She, like all Wing Leaders, should follow the rules set in place for them. They are there for a reason!'

The leader turns to him. 'Those rules were put in place as guidelines for Wing Leaders who need a guide for their newfound position. It is clear to me she does not need such. However this council does need a new Dragon Guard council member as this one seems to have his head about five centuries in the past, when only one in every hundred members was not a human or Elf.'

Shirley

After the council meeting I return to my room, only to soon hear knocking on my door. I open the door to see Celeste. I give her a massive hug. 'Celeste! Good to see you again...'

She puts a paw over me, though with the armor on I don't feel it that much. 'Shirley, please watch out where you use my name... but it is good to see you to. Now what did I hear? You are a princess now?'

I kinda want to straighten my armor but notice its already sitting right. 'Yeah. The queen of the Elves offered it to me and I accepted. She even made me my own seal...'

Celeste holds up my right hand and looks at the seal. 'This confirms what I thought. She isn't stealing you away, but instead broadening your leadership. Do you know what this means?'

I look at Celeste confused. 'Not at all.'

Celeste sighs. 'The Dragon Guard is involved with a battle against a certain faction which, if you are deployed against them to, you will hear soon enough. Joined in with the fighting are the humans, some Ork clans, the Dwarves of the Iron Keep and the Elves. Because you are now not just an Elven princess but also a Wing Leader of the Dragon Guard, you can take over command of the Elven armies. If you are send there, you are the supreme Elven commander as you are also the leader of the Elven princess in your squad. That makes you a high priority target, as well as one of the Dragon Guards most valuable assets. This makes your refusal to follow the Dragon Guards council members little rules all the more interesting, as in the long run he cannot risk losing you. Because of your actions your squad will follow you wherever you go, and if you decide to leave the Dragon Guard with your squad, he lost his leverage on the Elven armies.'

I tap the ring. 'I may have that power, but in the end I will not send the Elves into a deathtrap. Even in war saving lives is important, Celeste. The Elves are my people now. If the Dragon Guard council member doesn't understand that, then he is to blind for his position. Yes, I can take command over the Elven armies. But I will do such only to save lives, not to send them into a slaughter fest so some old, senile man can feed his superiority complex. If that is what you ask of me, then the life of a Dragon guard is not for me.'

Celeste closes her eyes and shakes her head. 'I will never ask that of you, Shirley. Nor will I sanction any action from the council in which this is asked of you. I will not put you through something like that. My consciousness would not allow me.'

I nod. 'I respect the council, and I respect you. But in the end I am my own person and not a pawn.'

Celeste nods. 'I expected you to be like this. I don't think even your new mother can tame you fully. You are a wild spirit and at times somewhat unruly. But in the end you do what you think is best.'

Late in the evening I start working on the paperwork for the wing when I hear another person knock. This time the person enters before I respond. 'You know, I never thought I'd see you elbow deep in paper work.'

It is Sha'iva. I sigh. 'Most of this paperwork is probably fake as it is mostly battle reports for fake battles we haven't fought and a definitive flying roster. However I got asked to fill it in before tomorrow so I guess the words Night Sleep will not be a part of my life between today and tomorrow.'

Sha'iva starts looking through the papers. 'Why do you have to do all of this? This to me seems just useless claptrap...'

I shake my head. 'This is mostly to evaluate the performances of the Wing Leaders. How they followed orders or why they disobeyed orders, because if a good reason rises then the person who gave said orders may have to be re-evaluated. It is all a bunch of nonsense to me to... If you ask me the only reason someone has to be questioned is if someone lost his or her life because of the actions.'

Sha'iva starts looking through all the paperwork and decides to help out a hand. Together we work through the pile of papers, eventually finishing at midnight. When I'm done I'm so tired I don't even care about getting out of my armor before going to bed, just diving straight into bed and blowing the candle out.