—The realm of Embrodi—

Sitting impatiently at the expansive table, King Hoyd's stomach began to growl. He gave the now-cold food a quick glance before snapping in frustration at his most dependable guard.

"Are you sure that you called my daughter for lunch, Sanfil?"

"I have done so, many times, my King"

King Hoyd let out a deep sigh, "She is within her garden again, isn't she?"

"Yes, my king, since the early hours of the morning."

"I fear my stomach will start to eat itself at this rate, go fetch her please."

Sanfil bowed obediently and started walking towards the door, but he stopped short when he heard the king call out again. 

"You have my permission to use force should you need to, my stomach grows desperate."

Sanfil grins, "It's been a while since I've used force, I do hope that she is feeling particularly stubborn today."

King Hoyd chuckled heartedly, "The stubborn trait a gift from her late mother, bless her soul. But I wouldn't change her for all the riches in the world."

"No amount of wealth equates the princesses value, my king. She is one of a kind."

"One of a kind indeed, but also a royal pain in the backside for constantly making me wait at the dinner table." The king curtly replied.

After a swift turn around, Sanfil resumed his mission to deliver you to the king as soon as possible. He knew exactly where you were, where you had spent most of your days over the last year. The palace garden, or what has now become known as, 'The garden of Eden.'

He sprinted down the palace steps and into the vibrant garden, where he was taken aback by the new growth. In every space, he noticed plants of all shapes and sizes were artfully arranged. He was dumbfounded by the spectacle you had crafted; it was like a piece of Valhalla had fallen to the little realm that was Embrodi.

However, after a brief moment of admiring your creative garden, he found it odd that he didn't yet spot you as you were usually seen pruning or potting. He peered around, and now actively looked for you while trying not to be distracted by the beauty of the flowers or the floral scent that wafted up his nose. But panic crept into his voice when he was not able to immediately find you, and he yelled out your name.

"Princess Eden, are you here? Princess..."

A head immediately popped up from beneath the grassy evergreens, "How many times do I need to repeat myself, Sanfil, royal titles are not needed between us. We are friends first are we not?"

Sanfil released a relieved sigh at finally seeing you, he was starting to worry that you had ventured off beyond the palace walls. He knew your curiosity to explore Embrodi lands had peaked since you had become of age a year ago.

"We are friends of course, but I am also first guard of Embrodi, and your sworn protector, titles are sometimes needed as a reminder of the precious value of what I protect. But right at this moment, I am on duty by order of the king to fetch you, Eden. For the King fears he will starve should he wait any longer."

You furrow your brow and then stare up at the sky, "Is it past noon already? Where has the time gone!" You exclaim. "Poor father, is he terribly mad for my tardiness?"

"He has granted me permission to use force, so I would say yes, yes he is."

"Force! That is a bit harsh, I am only late by a smidge this time, force is not necessary." You quickly put down your small shears, and pull off your garden gloves.

"Are you sure? I rather like using force." Sanfil smirked. "You used to like it too, once upon a time."

"Forced tickles as a child was all fun and games back then, but now I am a woman, and have been for a whole year. The use of such force is too childish." You walk towards him and link his arm.

"Well, now that you're too old to be tickled into compliance, I'll have to come up with some other, more ingenious methods to get you to be more cooperative and on time.

"Might I suggest seeds and saplings" you grin.

"Ah, so I'm to bribe you with new plants."

"Or seeds," you quickly add.

"Then what is to say you won't be deliberately tardy and purposely ignore my calls, just so you get new flowers for your garden?"

You abruptly stop your linked stride and stare at him in disbelief, "What! I would never do such a mischievous thing."

Sanfil squinted his eyes to analyse your expression, but his piercing gaze and little smile broke into your defences and made your innocent facade crumble. You finally lose your composure and laugh out loud, unable to hold in your amusement any longer.

"Fine, you win. You are right, I completely would have acted up in order to get more plants."

"I know you too well, Eden." Sanfil continued to walk alongside you, eager to get you to lunch with the king.

"I miss the days where you were easily entertained by my silliness. You loved the tickles, and puppet shows." He stated as you rounded the corner into the palace corridor.

"Not to mention the jokes, and the adventure stories," you add, "yet, I still very much like those."

"You do?" He said in surprise.

"Indeed. Yet, lately, I admit, the majority of my time has been spent in the garden. It's just, since my magic has come in, I feel compelled to fulfil my calling. The earth calls to me, the plants speak to me, and I feel so very happy amongst them. But I will make a point to put aside my garden work, and embrace more time with those I love. I really do miss your stories, Sanfil."

He paused and reached out to take your face in his hands, "You are the daughter I wished to have had, but alas, I was burdened with sons. Unruly ones at that." He joked.

You chuckled, "Axe, and Polten, following their ambitions is not unruly, Sanfil. I admire their drive." You continued your slow walk.

"A son who wants to be an artist, and another who willingly chooses a life of hard labour is most certainly witless."

"A blacksmith making fine quality swords for our Embrodi army is hardly a trade deemed unworthy. It's a skill, an art form, and he has perfected it. I'd not want any other making our weapons. You should be proud of them both."

"Oh I am, but, perhaps I will be more proud once they marry. The Gods know my dear Merva is desperate for grandchildren." He looks at you with an optimistic grin.

"Oh, don't start this again. I will not be married off to one of your sons." You unhook yourself from his arm and proceed ahead. Yet, you hear him scurrying up behind you.

"Should you meet my son Axe, one look at you and he'd fall in love."

Even after hearing your irritated huff, he persisted in being bothersome: "What if I offered you all the seeds you could ever want?"

You abruptly turn around to face him, "Bribing me with plants now? I'm impressed. It's a step up from your last offer at least, what was it you tried to coax me with last time, Magritte cosmetics?" Your eyes roll.

"That is the latest fashions, a popular noble lady, and newly made princess of Asgard made such a cosmetic, it is all the rage around the realms and highly sought after."

"Like I said, the offer of seeds were indeed a step up. I have no need for such elaborate face paint. I rather like resembling both my mother and father, and such makeup erase that."

You push open the door to the dining hall and find your father waiting patiently.

"Well about time, dear daughter. Was force needed?"

"None, my king. It seems Eden here has outgrown the tactic of tickles."

"Preposterous! Age does not melt away the love for funnies. Your mother adored it, right up until her passing." He smiled, but the mention of your mother and her dying days, dampened your mood. You took a seat across from your father, and stared at your empty plate. 

"I'm sorry dear, I know the reminder pains you still."

You look up at your father, and see his own saddened eyes. "I just wish she was still here, she would have loved my garden."

"I'm sure she's admiring it from above, Eden. Your mother is no doubt proudly telling all who would listen, about the stunning hybrids you've developed by combining different types of plants. No one else has ever had your level of expertise in creating new plant kinds; what you're doing is akin to creating new life. You are the epitome of the goddess, Mother Nature."

The sound of your father's grumbling stomach countered the joy you had at hearing his words and left you feeling guilty. You quickly began piling up his plate with an array of foods.

"I'm sorry father, I will not be late again. Please, eat."

He smiled feeling your sincerity, but lifted up his plate and held it across the table, "Will you be so kind as to warm the food, Eden."

You flashed him a gleeful grin and waved your hand over his plate; a green shimmer materialised in your palm, and in a second, the food had gone from cold to hot. He moaned in delight when he took a mouthful of pastry, his stomach finally being satisfied with hot food.

"Won't you join us, Sanfil?" You ask.

"I better not, Eden. I have an errand to run."

King Hoyd hastily swallowed his mouthful and replied, "Ah yes, please don't forget to send a reply back to Asgard."

"Asgard?" You enquire.

"Yes, a letter, or more an invitation was sent. I am invited to a royal ball."

"Oh," you say meekly, "and, am I, invited too?"

A little smile appeared on your father's face as he peered at you.

"Well, seeing as you are of age now, Eden. I suppose the invitation extends to you too."

You squeal in excitement and quickly dash up to hug your father, planting a firm kiss on his cheek, "A ball in Asgard! Oh, I can't wait."

"Prince Caspian will be there too." Your father was quick to add.

You drew back, your face bothered by his last remark.

"Oh, um, I just remembered, I have an important thing that I have to tend to on that day. Seems I can't attend after all." You move back to your seat and immediately start picking at a bread bun, avoiding eye contact with your father.

You glance to Sanfil with a questioning expression on your face after he pulls up a chair next to you. "Didn't you need to leave on your errands?"

"Well, I do, but it would be interesting to watch this discussion develop." He laughed, as he often did at witnessing the awkward conversations of marriage to Prince Caspian between you and the king. Sanfil was aware that the talks of matrimony with his sons were intended as humor, however, the king took such issues very seriously.

"My daughter, how can you be busy on the day of the ball, when I have not even revealed the date of the event?"

You opened your mouth too soon before having an adequate explanation prepared. And now feeling pressured and put on the spot, there was nothing you could think of to avoid attending the ball. You silently chastise yourself, realising that you should have waited until he specified the actual date before declaring you had other plans. 

Sanfil settled into his chair, clearly enjoying himself at the sight of your anxiety. You give him the evil eye as he smirks sarcastically at your plight.

"Oh, father. You know very well that should I go and Prince Caspian sees me, he will be swarming all over me like the very honey bees that collect pollen at my flower garden."

"But you claim those bees are good?" King Hoyd grinned. "Of course he'll be drawn to you; you're the prettiest flower in the whole meadow."

"I was wrong; he's more of a wasp than a honey bee; I'm sure he serves some purpose; however, it has yet to be discovered; in the meanwhile, he annoys people—me, and can deliver a painful sting if provoked."

"He is rather pushy" Sanfil declares, for once not just sitting back and enjoying the show, but siding with you.

"Thank you Sanfil! He most certainly is." You add.

"He just knows what he wants, some would say that is determination, and an admirably trait." King Hoyd argues.

You sigh and begin eating nervously. And as you take a mouthful of your bread bun, you unconsciously speak while your mouth is full. "Father, it's just, he has made it clear that he desires to court me—"

"—Marry you, child. Not court, but marry."

"Yes, that." The fullness of your mouth caused your cheeks to bulge when you talked. "But also—"

"Perhaps swallow first Eden." Sanfil suggested. "I'd like to be able to understand your objections." He was amused by your nervous ramblings.

You swallowed before abruptly scorning him, "It is extremely unnerving how much joy you get from seeing me sweat, Sanfil, my dear friend." Yet, he merely grinned and shrugged his shoulders.

After taking a deep breath of courage, you let all of your pent-up emotions out.

"Father, I know you believe that Prince Caspian of Alfheim is a good match for me, but let us not overlook the fact that Alfheim has been trying to gain Embrodi back for many centuries. Do we really want a binding marriage that could possible force Embrodi to join back with Alfheim? After all, our ancestors worked hard to seek independence from the Elfen realm for so long."

For months, King Hoyd had been preparing a response to the possibility that this very excuse would be used.

"Daughter, it is with clear understanding that Prince Caspian has no intention of merging Embrodi with Alfheim. Regardless of marriage, we will always be an independent monarchy, ruled separately."

"And just think of the pointy eared children you'd produce, they'd be beautiful little Embrodi elf mixes, that's for sure." Sanfil added.

"Children?!" You exclaim.

Feeling slightly overwhelmed, you abruptly stand up and pace the length of the long table. But after a brief moment, you stop your nervous strides and announce, "And what of Sanfil's sons, Axe is a brilliant smith, he'd make a wonderful king of Embrodi."

Sanfil suddenly choked on his own breath, and stared at you in stunned surprise.

"What?" You say, looking to Sanfil, "You are always going on about me marrying one of your sons, well, I'm pleased to say that I am considering it."

"Oh, daughter, Sanfil merely jests with you, he as well as I, both know that his sons would not wish to rule our great kingdom. They have stipulated that they have other ambitions, and do not wish such a big responsibility. Don't you think I have considered them a decade ago."

You scrunched your brow at Sanfil; you hadn't given his words much credence in the past, but his sons had always been your final line of defence against a betrothal with the elf prince. You weren't aware that they'd already turned down an offer to be king.

"But if Axe saw Eden, I have no doubt he'd change his mind." Sanfil chimed in, expressing his excitement at the prospect of a wedding between you and his son.

"No person will rule with greatness if the desire to be a leader isn't first in their heart. It has to be their primary motivation, not because of a pretty Queen." King Hoyd stated. "Axe is not a ruler, Sanfil. Thus, he is out of the question."

Sanfil's hopes dwindled, but he knew his king was right. His sons had no ounce of ruling capabilities, and they'd grow to resent the role.

You stood immobile as you tried to come up with additional justifications in your jumbled head. You were so engrossed in your thoughts that you didn't notice your father get up from the table and come over.

"My sole successor is you, my daughter, and I'm getting old. If the gods are kind to me, and bless me with a longer life, I hope to see your wedding and, if possible, a grandchild. I'm sure you'll be inundated with courtship offers after you're introduced to all the kingdoms at the ball, but I had faith that the prince of Alfheim would take care of you as he appears rather smitten."

"He only see's my beauty father, and like the elven reputation, they gravitate to rare things. He has stated on many occasions that the majority of royals born are male princes, and that princesses are a rarity. So it makes sense to assume that he wants me as his queen because a royally born princess is so uncommon, that he feels he must have one."

"Rarity, I'd say practically extinct, nowadays. You are the only royal princess, and one still unwed. You are indeed a gem, Eden. A prize to be won." Sanfil adds.

"And that is why you have been sheltered within the palace walls, your identity hidden from the realms." King Hoyd explained. "Your mother wanted you to live a life without the constant stream of visitors that all would seek to catch a glimpse of the only princess born."

"Yet, you allowed Alfheim knowledge of me." You state.

"Their ever inquisitive magical minds sensed a royal girl had become of age, and they sought you. I couldn't deny it when they paid us an unexpected visit."

Your father cupped your face tenderly, "Eden, attend the ball, and let me walk proudly while displaying my daughter by my side. And who knows, maybe having a dance with Prince Caspian will flutter your heart, as it once did me and your mother at our first ball."

"And should it not?" You speak lowly.

He sighed, "Well, should you not feel the tiny flutterings of love blooming, we shall wait patiently until you meet your fated one."

"No force?" You question, peering up into his eyes.

He smoothed his thumb across your cheek, "Never with force, my child."

For a moment, you meet your father's kind gaze and notice the wrinkles that have begun to form around his eyes. He embraced you tightly, pulling you into his arms. "Someday, fate will bring you together with the one person you were always meant to be with. And on first meeting you will know he is the one, for the feeling that envelopes you is unmistakable."

You smile as you lean in close, one cheek resting on his chest, "Okay father, I will attend the Asgardian ball."

You detach from his embrace when you hear Sanfil abruptly rise from the table and exclaim, "That took an eternity. I presume I can now finish my errand and send the RSVP card with both King Hoyd and Princess Eden, listed?"

"That you may, Sanfil." You say with a grin.