Adam snapped his fingers as his young accompaniment hurried over. The boy was young and handsome with dark brown hair circling his tanned face. He looked like nobility and sometimes acted like it, annoying Adam. Damn peasant boy needed to be reminded of his place. The boy crouched grumpily at Adams feet as Adam watched him closely.

"Why did I bring you along?" Adam asked as the boy glanced at him.

"Because I asked for a ride to Welpion to settle a score with a midget. Lady Kielia said you would bring me." The boy grumbled. He hadn't realized he was to be some pricks servant.

"I only agreed because I needed Kielia to be my wife's lady in waiting. People would talk if it's just me and beautiful women in the carriage. Even if one of them is my wife." Adam growled as the boy blushed. Adam leaned forward in his seat, snacking on more of the food.

"While the women bathe, why don't you and I make some things clear. First, I am your king. You will obey me as long as we are traveling together. Second, I don't know anything about you. So, fill me in since I am bored. What did this midget do to piss you off?" Adam asked sitting back. Not that he really cared, he was just bored. The boy huffed making himself comfortable in the dirt.

"Well, your highness. My name is Tanner Barker. I know, I think it sucks too. On the night of your engagement, almost two weeks ago now, I almost got the girl of my dreams. At least she would have been mine if some short snobby bastard didn't take her away from me. I have been hearing rumors she ran away to Welpion after him. When I find that short bastard, I am going to give him a piece of my mind. Then I will win her back." Tanner growled as he played with some of the rocks. Adam frowned leaning forward.

"By any chance could he have been a dwarf? Maybe you mistook him for someone else." Adam wondered offering him some food. Tanner took it as he shook his head.

"He said come find me in Welpion with that big dumbass smile of his." Tanner growled as Adam paused.

"Is he about this tall with dirty blond hair, golden eyes and freckles?" Adam asked indicating with his hand. Tanner nodded slowly as Adam smiled at him.

"Seems like we have a common enemy. Who you met was Suefarlin. Though in Welpion he goes by Suzy. So which girl did he steal out from under you?" Adam asked intrigued to find this lad shared a common interest in his cousin's downfall. Tanner blushed before grumbling at his toes.

"Rosila. I figured you already knew that since Kielia talked to you." Tanner told him nervously. Adam paused smiling in delight. Now things were going to get fun.

"Tell me Tanner, what are your plans for the future? What do you want to be when you return home?" Adam asked him as Tanner considered it.

"I was considering joining the academy and becoming a guard. I know I am a little late to join, but my mother wanted me to marry a princess of some kind and be a stay-at-home husband." Tanner grumbled realizing how stupid it sounded away from home.

They sat just on the other side of the bridge, enjoying the golden fields as they watched the river run under the bridge. The forest sat across the wide river waving in the wind. It looked so different when they were no longer part of it. The carriage sat on the roadside as the soldier simply groomed the horses. Adam tried to repress his laughter, making Tanner grumble when he failed.

"My god and she was serious? Don't get me wrong, you have the looks, but your manners and attitude are so far off. But never mind that, like who were you thinking of marrying? Ivy? Too late. The elven sisters? They are more than three times your age and you will never be pretty enough for them. I think you either need to consider other options or greatly lower your standards." Adam laughed as Tanner blushed embarrassed.

"I did say I was considering the academy, didn't I?" Tanner growled annoyed as Adam simply nodded happily. His golden curls blending with the field behind him.

"Besides it was my mother who said I was too beautiful for hard labor and that a princess would be honored to bare my children because they would be beautiful also." Tanner grumbled burying his red face into his hands.

What did he expect? He just assumed he was set for life because girls fawned over him, and he knew it was because of his looks. But then what about Rosila? Here he was chasing her because his pride was hurt, but what was really going to happen? Did he expect Rosila to go out and earn a living for both of them? Doing what? Tanner groaned as he buried his face into his knees when he thought of Kielia. This was a serious wake up call.

"What's the matter with him?" A sweet voice asked making Tanner glance up quickly.

"Oh nothing. We were just having a heart to heart. Come, lets load up and make our way to Welpion. We should arrive by nightfall. I was thinking since I own property there, we can just stay there. Maybe the girls can go out and do some shopping while the boys do some work. Setting up a business meeting with my cousin." Adam told the woman sweetly as he kissed his wife. "You should relax and enjoy the sights."

"Sounds like fun if you're providing the funds." Kielia sighed climbing into the carriage with Tanner's help.

"Since you have never been to Welpion my love, I think you will be in for a surprise." Adam told her sweetly as Ivy smiled brightly settling into her seat.

"What is it like? I have only heard of the place." Tanner asked as Adam smiled. He recognized a clever predator when he saw one. Tanner wanted to know more about this common enemy they shared so he could get him.

"What's the fun in telling you? You should just wait to be surprised." Adam told him as the girls smiled at Tanners pouty face.

"Then why don't you tell him about Salvino? I am sure he would enjoy hearing tales of your home." Kielia suggested as Tanner shrugged nodding. Maybe he would visit Salvino too one day.

Adam settled in to entertain his companions as Ivy smiled and laughed. She would know most of the places he described since he had taken her to them. He only hoped they arrived in Welpion quickly so the real fun could begin.

* * * * * * *

Rosila squeezed through the lunch crowd trying to drop off food and drinks to the tables. It had been a little more than two weeks since she had left her home in Trayson, and she couldn't have been happier. After meeting her long-lost father, Finn and Suzy had helped her get set up with a place of her own and a job at the tavern.

She had been worried at first with all the drinking men, but they respected her space if only because Suzy and Finn threated to kill anyone who touched her.

"Kay Don, I just dropped off that batch of food. Need anything else from me?" Rosila asked as she set the dirty dishes in the sink.

"Nah, honey. I got this. Run along, I am sure he is waiting for you." Don chuckled as Rosila paused hanging her apron up.

"Who?" Rosila asked curiously as Don just shook his shiny bald head with a smile.

"Oh, you know who. The academy just got finished for the day so I'm sure he is simply wandering around looking for you." Don told her with a wink as Rosila blushed. It was true, every day after work Suzy would come find her wandering the stalls. She told him she was trying to memorize the city. Suzy would simply smile and accompany her.

"Welpion is the great kingdom of gossip. We are also known for our ale and horses." Don told her with a wink.

"Aye that is a shame. Your cooking should be legendary." She giggled as he huffed shooing her away.

"Flattery will get you nowhere missy. Now go before he blames me for keeping you too long. Would hate to step on the toes of our noble king." Don grumbled as she left giggling. She made her way out of the tavern and into the streets.

Deciding to go a different route, she wondered how long it would take for Suzy to find her. She tried not to smile as she pictured his cheerful gaze. She was sure there was something between them, but she wasn't sure what exactly or why her father disapproved. She slowed as she neared a stall with wooden figurines.

She paused, allowing herself to be drawn in. Even though she was happier than she had ever been in Trayson. She missed the wood and nature. Welpion had plants, but they were nothing like towering giants she had grown up in. She reached out gingerly inspecting the wooden bookend. It was a pair of deer with the antlers morphing into a lush treetop. Jewels were carefully placed as little birds in the branches.

"Are you interested lass? I can give you a deal on the pair." The older gentlemen asked as Rosila set it back down.

"I don't really have a need for them at the moment. I just moved and don't have anywhere to put them. They are beautiful." Rosila told him as her fingers lingered. The old man sighed as he rolled his eyes. Too many lookers and not enough buyers.

"Deer's? I personally like the Lynx." Suzy muttered as he picked up the cat. Rosila tried to hide her smile glancing at the cat.

"That's a lynx? I have seen one of those before. Though he was made of stone." Rosila mumbled as he handed her the cat. It was standing on a rock with large watchful eyes.

"Which stall was that at? I rather like cats." Suzy told her as he paid for the cat and bookends.

"Oh, you will meet him if he ever brings Raven to Welpion. He is a bit cute and naive. Never met another like him." Rosila told him frowning as the shop keeper happily wrapped and bagged his merchandise. He handed it to Suzy as he refused the change. Rosila followed him when he walked away whistling.

"So, I have been wanting to ask. Why do you never collect the change? Is it just because you are rich?" Rosila accused as Suzy smiled happily.

"I don't really need money. Yes, I am rich, but that's not why. Every stall here is mine. I rent them out to the venders, so in a way by spending money I am only investing in myself." Suzy told her as he stopped a traveling snack vender. Rosila glanced around at all the venders nervously.

"Besides, they can enjoy the money. They have family and lives outside the shop. Sometimes running the stall is the only money they get. I get paid no matter what. That's what the rental agreement is. For stalls like the wood working? They get paid based on selling their product. That's why he no longer cared for you when you said you weren't spending money. Purchasing his art proves how much you truly appreciate it so he can go on making more. It's a cycle of money." Suzy explained handing her as sweet bun. She nibbled thoughtfully allowing him to lead the way.

"The markets back home are nothing like this. It's more of same thing different seller. Unless of course you go to the main market next to the castles. Nothing so readily available." Rosila mumbled as she finished her bread.

"Can I ask you another question?" She wondered as Suzy nodded, licking the honey from his fingers.

"Ask me anything. I have nothing to hide from you. Everyone here probably knows the answer anyways." Suzy told her as she took a deep breath.

"Why Suzy? It's such a feminine name." Rosila told him blushing nervously. Suzy smiled, switching the bags to his other hand so he could hold hers. He didn't say anything as he dragged her through the streets. They soon left the market, weaving through the homes tucked away.

Rosila glanced around confused wondering where Suzy was taking her. Though she found she didn't really care if he kept holding her hand. She hesitated when they got to a large gate that stood almost ten feet high.

"Well come on. I want to show you something." Suzy told her squeezing through the gates that were chained. She frowned when he rolled his eyes. "King, remember? I can do anything I want, and nobody can stop me." Suzy giggled evilly, slipping out of sight. Rosila glanced around once before squeezing through. Suzy smiled at her, taking her hand and pulling her through the lush garden.

"Oh my." She breathed as he pulled her through the roses and lilies. They climbed a small hill where Suzy sat on a small bench. Rosila sat beside him gasping at the view.

"How high are we?" Rosila asked looking over the market. She could see the rainbow of colors from the silk panels used to block the sun out of the streets. The lights from the lanterns made the city shine.

"We are currently at the highest point in Welpion. See, the kingdom was built in the lowest part of the valley. Even the golden foothills are taller than we are now." Suzy told her using his hand to explain himself.

"The crater we have called home gets deeper the farther south you go. Trayson is behind us to the north. Though that's not the original question you asked." Suzy said happily as he relaxed. Rosila pouted at him.

"What does a garden have to do with you being called Suzy? I know it's not your real name, so it is self-inflicted." She accused as he laughed happily. She pouted stubbornly as he smiled brightly, making her blush.

"That is the castle. Where my family lives. Unlike Trayson where the rule is passed down through blood, the king of Welpion gets voted into rule. Though the king or queen must meet certain conditions, the import one was they had to be an Elf. Pure blood only. No pointed ears, no throne." Suzy explained moving his hair so she could see his ears clearly.

"So, the kingdom voted you into leadership. How long have you been king?" Rosila asked watching his smile falter. She raised an eyebrow intrigued leaning back and watching him. He seemed to be considering something before he sighed and nodded defeated.

"Almost fifty years. I was only twenty-seven when I took the crown from my father. We have reelection every ten years, but I have been undefeated since. My father has been prickly about the whole thing and to add insult to injury, I go by Suzy to rub it in his snobby ass face. We only talk on rare occasions, but after the arranged marriage he tried to set up almost twenty... thirty years ago? After that failed, we don't talk at all." Suzy explained watching his toes.

"You were engaged? You're how old?" Rosila asked shocked as Suzy smiled, though it never reached his eyes. She hadn't realized how open and honest he would be with her. She loved that. No hidden secrets. She just had to ask the right questions.

"Seventy-two. And it was arranged. She was a pureblood elf like me from another family. They are all dead now and she ran away before we got married. I didn't care either way. I just agreed to it for our race. Unfortunately, it looks like I will be the last." Suzy told her softly as his eyes looked out over the kingdom.

"Does that bother you? Being the last?" Rosila asked softly as Suzy glanced at her. He shook his head smiling.

"Does it bother you that I am older than your father?" Suzy asked with a small smile. Rosila blushed considering it. She shook her head slowly when she decided.

"Oddly, its weirder knowing you were engaged once. Does that make me weird?" Rosila asked quickly as he laughed for real this time. She liked it better when he was cheery and happy.

"Karen and I were never in love. That's why she fled, and I didn't care. It was hardly an engagement." Suzy sighed as he got to his feet. "Well, if my age doesn't turn you off then I guess that means I have a chance." Suzy hummed happily as Rosila watched him.

"Yes. But only one. I suggest you use that chance wisely." Rosila stated getting to her feet. She tried to hide her smile when she saw him blush a deep red. She turned and started back knowing that her father was waiting at the tavern for her. Suzy caught up walking in time with her.

"Do you think you can make it back to the tavern without me? I want to drop these off at home. Plus, I think Finn will try to kick my ass if I walk in hand in hand with his precious princess." Suzy grumbled making Rosila giggle.

"Do you really think my dad would pick a fight with the king?" Rosila asked him as Suzy smiled.

"It'snot the king I worry about. It's your future boyfriend." Suzy grinned slyly. Hewinked at her blushing face before weaving through the crowd away from her. Shechuckled happily going to join her father for dinner.