Aurora's POV

I sit uncomfortably on my hard wooden chair, drawn at the centre of the emptied hall; the girls had not yet came back for dinner. The make shift meal before me of tomato soup and garlic bread, looked just as unappetizing as it tasted, not that it bothered me, as the only thing I could think of was the perturbing thought that passed through my mind of what had became of my messenger. I had sent him three weeks ago to Irenelle to sought out the mystery of Mobius Black, the acting Warrior King, and he hadn't contacted me since. He was supposed to also report back to me about when to expect the visitors from House of Fae, but neither news of the two quests had made its way to the icy halls of The Northern City.

"He'll come as he always has," I convince myself aloud, looking on at my advisor for some sort comfort, but instead, I'm met with response from the brutal wisps of the wind outside my windows.

He'll come, he has to!

Suddenly, as if just on time, the sound of The Harken trumpets sounded, alerting me that someone was seen outside the gates. My heart rate quicken like the sound of the tribal drums of the Orcs, my palms became moisten by the waters of anxiety. I would never admit it but I was scared, the entire situation was scaring the hope out of me. If the House of Fae felt even the slightest amount of disrespect or mistrust, they would sever alliances with all inhabitants of The North, and we would be left without resources, and the only other people we could turn to, are the ones I would never ask help from, the ones I couldn't ask for help.

The sound of the trumpets settled, and the footsteps of many could be heard marching outside my halls. That could only mean two things, either my messenger and his troop of men were back to give a report, or the women were back from a day of training. As if to confirm my suspicions, a tall figure dressed in brown fur revealed itself from behind the large wooden doors, causing my heart to leap for joy, though my face remained void; he had made it.

"My lord, I bring word from Iris' Eye!" Matthew announces with a stifled breath, before kneeling at the side of my chair, after barging into my halls. Had he been anyone else I would have beheaded them for disrespecting me and not announcing their presence first, or allowed my advisor to take care of them, however he was never one to show much manners that wolf, he preferred to show loyalty, and by all means he was loyal.

"Master Matthew, you can't burst into the Queen's halls unannounced like this, we have ways we do things around here this isn't-".

"Allow him a chance Raven, he's had a weeks journey to and fro, the last thing on his mind is how we do things around her, speak Master Matthew,".

"Thank you my lord, Queen Catalina has sent word a few days back that she would visit us by ten days time, she however has sped up her pace since then for some reason, last I saw the camp was at the outskirts of Vaní, two days away, the Jotuns also did tell me they saw some bright lights flickering late last night,".

Two days away? The Queen never visited us before The Winter Solstice, something must be wrong!

"I see, we will immediately prepare for their early arrival, and send Furiousa with a tracker out just in case, we can never be too sure what happened,".

My heart pounded against my chest rapidly, and my sweaty palms worsened; I was scared. Queen Catalina had agreed to visit every Winter Solstice, not out of custom, but to allow the Fae to make their yearly enchantment over the manor. To the normal eye, our encampment was just a desolate snowy terrain, that almost nobody ventured to, however if Queen Catalina was one day late for the enchantment to hide us, the enchantmemt would fall, and the King of Irenia would send troops after us, to find out about us, and that was exactly what I didn't want.

"What about news from the Citadel, did Morbius say anything? " I questioned hopefully, gripping the arm of my seat as Matthew shakes his head.

Five years and seven months, that's how long Morbius Black hadn't responded to me. After forfeiting my throne at the Citadel, to run from the King after he had been given the throne, that slimy Cenatur had offered to hold my seat until I was ready to come back. What a fool I was back then to believe him, he had no good intentions from the start.

"I have news of the King my lord, he's-"

Drawing my sword from my belt, I hold it up to his neck, raising it slowly before meeting his tired eyes. Nobody dared to speak of the King in my presence, not because of fear of death, but because of fear of my sorrow.

How dare he utter anything about that damned man in my presence?

"I would consider my next words carefully if I were you," I spat, my eyes burning with lava and fire as my mind boiled with hate, I hated the word King.

"It has been five years my lord-no, Aurora, it has been five years since you have left Irenelle, he's still looking for you, he uses up all the funds of the kingdom to search for you, he's nearing Jotun's Foot!"

He's coming here?

"What?" I asked, lowering my sword as Matthew stood to his feet. He probably didn't care for my threats, he knew too well that I didn't have to guts to kill any of my kin, no matter how angry I was.

"An army of two thousand Cenaturs, marching from The Arena to the Northern City , all led by one man, King Phoenix,".

That bastard Morbius must have sold me out for more power, I'll make sure to look him dead in the eyes when I rip his throat out.

"Then Master Matthew we must prepare for their arrival as well, send word to Lord Colt, tell him to release the Drakkens, we are going to war!"

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Phoenix's Pov

"How much farther until Jotun's Foot?" I screamed, my voice barley coming out as a whisper in the snow storm that I trotted through. It was almost year's end, meaning the winds of the north were at it's coldest, and the Jotuns were doing the their ice rituals to their dead, making tonight one of the worst nights to climb through the mountains. My eyes scanned the trail besides me for my advisor, he had ditched his horse ten miles back and rode on the carriage top behind mines, however my eyes could not make him out there, it couldn't make much of anything out.

"We have an hour left until we arrive sire, House of Jotun has offered us more resources to keep us through the night, and House of Cenaturis have trotted ahead and started setting up camps for us, we just have one problem," the blonde headed Elf shouted, suddenly appearing on the door besides me, holding on for his dear life.

"And what would that be Lord Arthriel?" I snickered, finding humour in his slumped position, as his face battled against the winds. I out-stretch my hands, grabbing him by his shoulders and hurling him through the doors of my carriage doors, slamming it lock before turning to face him. I didn't know why I agreed to take carriages instead of drones which the humans had gifted us, however Lord Arthriel did mention something about Cenaturs being afraid of flight.

"Lord Mobius Black has refused to send the cenaturs anywhere past Zalax, until you tell him why you requested him to come with you on this secret travel," the shivering Elf whimpered, muttering a small thanks as I passed my blanket over to him. He was such a frail Elf, Lord Arthriel, not much of a warrior, neither much of a fighter, however when it came to diplomacy he was the best advisor any King could ask for. I never understood why he insisted on joining me at every adventure though, he was not cut out from hail storms, winter storms, swamp marshes, not even the burning heat of the sun, he was more of a inside dweller.

"Well, when we arrive at Jotuns Foot I'd like you to tell Lord Mobius Black that he will know when we arrive at our destination, until then I cannot tell a soul my plans, not even you my dear Lord Arthriel,".

Lord Mobius was going to get exactly what he deserved, which was death. Years before I had tried to convince the council that he had assisted the Queen in escaping, however nobody had believed me. So when I went to him weeks ago, claiming that I had found the settlement for the inafmous Northern King who was taking over the north, and that he had a Northern Queen with him, he had immediately panicked. Trying for days to convince me that it was just a rumor and that we should not go to see, but I knew it her, and I knew that he knew too.

"I know my king, therefore I told him he would know soon, however we all know how Lord Morbius can get when he feels offended, the last thing we need is an offened Cenatur in the middle of no where my king,".

"Yes Lord Arthriel you are quite right, we do not want that. I would rather have peace tonight, tomorrow we journey to At's Lift to and old friend of mine, and I'll need all the strength I can muster to deal with it my dear Lord," I laugh, the thought of seeing Lord Colt again after so many years making me humorous.

Lord Colt was my only competition back in the academy in Zlagtuff. He was my equal in everything, the only thing I had gotten that he didn't was my precious Aurora. She had came to me in my last year at the academy, she was the fairest in all of the world, smarter than any scholar, stronger than any Orc, more witty than any Elf, faster than any wolf, braver than any Lycan, and she chose me-well The Luna Goddess chose us to be mated, a truth than he ended up hating. Last I had heard of him was that his father formed an alliance with House of Jortun, and was awarded At's Lift all the way to Cambridge.

Imagine my surprise when a drunken stray wolf from Jireh's Peak happened go make his way to Ravenswood, and tell the crowds of people that there isn't just a Northern King, but a Northern Queen; with eyes as deep as bronze, with hair like blacken brass, and skin as smooth as olives; one more wiser than all the Scholars of Rossenvere. I knew immediately that there was where she had gone, which was the last place I had expected her to be. I must admit I was hurt, she had disappeared into the wind one evening, no goodbye, no reason, just gone with the wind, and every time I searched for her it was as if she was one step ahead, just out of reach. Many had advised me to stop my searches as to just find and new queen, however we had promised to build a better tomorrow together, we had planned a future, we were meant to be together, and I would never give up hope.

"Sire, we have arrived," the coachman called, stopping the coach, allowing me to get out and be greeted by the icy winds. I wasn't moved that tonight was the "coldest night" of the year, however I did know my centaurs could not last in this cold much longer. While waiting for Lord Arthriel to find the translation device he swore he'd packed to communicate with the Jotuns, I stare aimlessly at the two thousand shivering Cenaturs before me; they didn't look to well.

"Ah-ha, I've found it, logded behind some bags of clothing, but found it nevertheless," he quirks, taking his time to slowly retreat the coach.

"You know I speak Slëd right?" I asked with a small chuckle, nudging him playfully as he programmed his newest contraption.

"Yeah the entire kingdom know you know know all twenty languages that exist, however I do not, and if I am to be here to be your diplomat, I have to be able to talk, God forbid you allow Morbius, we'd be kicked out of here before night fall!"

"Do not worry my Lord, Lord Dël speaks the Irenian tongue, he will greet us in it".

The sound of harken trumpets exploded throughout the night, as the icy gates of Jotun's Foot slowly opened, revealing a snowy haven. It had been seventeen summers since I had seen this place, and the last time I came we didn't have assisted technology from earth. The once ancient ruins of Jotun's Foot, was now an advanced high-tech civilization. The Jotun's had found a way to make their energy run on crystalized eyes, and though they need tons of it to keep their place up and running, they were located in the most snowy part of Irenia.

"Welcome King Phoenix, my humble apologies for not opening my gates sooner to you, Lord Arthriel gave specific instructions to only open on your arrival, something about a 'bossy cenatur'?" The massive, iced figure beckoned before me. I was taken aback by him I will not lie, he stood at a whopping fifteen foot, and carried an enormous hammer the size of a tower on his back. His eyes were as brown as a sandstorm, and his hair was as white as soon, his skin looked crystallized and see-through, yet murky like iced water, he was a beautiful sight to behold.

"No apologies needed Lord Dël, I appreciate you taking in my men and I for the night, I wouldn't have mind if you opened up even at midnight" I chuckled, as the massive man motioned us to follow him.

"I have set up camp for you men at the gates of Jotun's Foot, however you my king, has a place a manor at Hlëngang that was prepared for you and Lord Arthriel, as well as Morbius Black, although many Jotuns have refused to tend to him after he set them on fire many moons ago,".

I wanted to holler in laughter, but I knew I had to keep face, however I'd shove it in Lord Morbius' face later; Jotun burner.

"I have an exculative ready to transport you to Hlëngang, I would love to accompany you there but my wife has just made triplets and I have agreed to the nightwatch, I bid you both farewell".

"Thank you again, Lord Dël, I am glad you could account for us on such short notice," Arthriel praises, as we boarded an elevator like contraptions that closed and zoomed us all the way to Hlëngang.

I definitely needed one of that back at the castle, tasks would be done much easier if I could zap myself to another location within seconds, without the use of magic.

"That was uhm, most convenient, I will definitely ask the Jotuns how they built such a contraption," Arthriel whsipered, stepping out of the contraption and looking at it in awe. He loved building and inventing new form of technology, so much so that he was Minister of Innovation and Technology, task he much preferred over Royal Senior Advisor.

"To do so we would have to bargain, and I doubt you would allow an entire civilization to recreate any innovation of yours Lord Arthriel, your pride would step in you way," I laughed, as a the doors of the manor swung open, revealing a warm and tranquil mood. The manor was smelled like the woods during summer, clean and fresh, decorated with fancy flowers and plants, giving the manor a softer touch than the outside.

"Arvak mü sëmí?" A small voice questioned, causing both Lord Arthriel and I to look up...well, look down. In the middle of the room, stood a a brown-haired, green eyes she-dwarf, and if that in itself waa not peculiar enough, she was speaking royal tongue, royal tongue of the House of Wolves.

"You know the Royal tongue of Daviel, how?" I questioned curiously, stepping closer to the strange sweat before me.

"I speak the royal tongue because I am of noble blood obviously," she scuffs, stepping closer towards me, her gaze, cold as ice.

"I have assumed that much, what I have no concluded is who you are, there are no dwarves in the noble family, only wolves and lycans,".

"Who am I, who are you to ask that in another man's house?" She roared, drawing a sword and holding it to my stomach.

Another man's house?

"Is this not the Hlëngang manor?" Lord Arthriel asked, gulping as he stared at the sword pointed at me.

"It is, however I am the owner of it, and if you two huffies do not tell me who you are, I will also be the woman to slit your throats and use it for the new wallpaper for my room!".

She was fiesty, and dangerous, I absolutely loved it, I was definitely going to ask her to join the royal guards.

"I am a special guest of Lord Dël, did he not tell you yo expect us?" I asked confused, lowering the sword before me.

"My nephew did mention guests would be here but he made no mention of them being a Wolf or an Elf," she told truthfully. I watched in humor, as she put away her sword and slightly bowed to us, wait until she finds out who I am.

Nephew? Who was she?

"Oh I see, he must of forgotten, Lady-I didn't quite catch you name," .

"That was because I did not give it, you need not know my identity, you may however call me Lady Amunix,".

Lady Amunix? Why did her name sound so familiar?

"Well Lady Amunix, I am most pleasured to meet your, as for identity, for Lord Dël to be your nephew you must be married to King Düel, and to marry him would make you...".

"Queen Amunix of House of Jotun," she announced, as we both bowed in respect to her, before rising and standing again.

"I'm sorry my Queen, but that still does not answer why you know Daviel,".

" You ask too many questions boy; state your name atleast, then I'll know if I can trust you!" She demanded to which I smiled. She was right, she shouldn't have to tell a complete stranger her identity, especially when the Jotuns usually kept to themselves.

"This is Lord Arthriel, Minister of Innovation and Technology, as well as Senior Advisor for the King," I introduced, pushing Arthriel from behind me.

"That is all well and good, but I asked who you were boy,".

"I am King Phoenix, head of House of Wolves, leader of Irenelle," I told, holding back my smile, as she suddenly dropped to one knee.

"I apologize sire, I left the capital years ago, I did not know how you looked, I just assumed because of you clothes that you were a random noble, my disrespect is worthy of death!".

"Death?" I scoffed, raising her from her knees to stand.

"I will humbly choosee to not wage war with House of Jotun Lady Amunix, we can pretend this mix up never happened, as for how you know royal tongue, I am still very much interested,". Looking down to her impatiently, I sighed. It was bothering me that I didn't know her; I knew all the royals.

"I know the Royal tongue because my father was High Commander Ares Onyx, I am his second daughter, Ammunix Onyx,".

Striken by shock I loose my footing, stumbling backwards, before Lord Arthriel catches me, by the shoulders, helping me stand.

"My king does that mean-".

" Yes Lord Arthriel, she is".

She was Aurora's sister!

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