Morris looked at herself in the mirror as her mother put in the fifteenth pin. Her eyes grazed over the small scar above her right eyebrow, she sighed heavily, unconsciously, Tryna chuckled

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Just a lot of work."

"It tis. But my hair was twice as long as yours."

"Really?"

"Yes. Oh how I miss the days of long hair."

"Why cut it?"

"Well, since I work for the kingdom only they are allowed to have long hair. We can have medium length hair, but nothing too long."

"It's a silly rule."

"It tis."

"Mother, I have a question."

"What is it?"

"If the peacekeeper is real, why am I called that?"

"Well as best as I can tell, it is a placeholder."

"Oh. So then when she comes my title goes away and I become nothing?"

"Yes. But also no."

"No?"

"You'd still be a warrior right?"

"Yes, probably. So I would serve the peacekeeper then?"

"Yes you would and I would still be very proud of you."

"Thank you."

"There, twentieth pin in. I don't think it will fall out now."

"I don't think even the wind could take it."

"That is a good thing."

"Mamma?" A small voice spoke.

"Yes, Nej?"

"Morris's dress is here."

"Oh good. Do you think you can bring it here?"

"Sure! I got muscles! See!" Nej folded his arm to show off his muscle, but it was nothing more than flatness.

"Oh my goodness Nej you do have muscles!" Tryna exclaimed.

"Can I feel them? Morris asked as she choked back a laugh.

"Sure!" Nej eagerly thrusted his arm towards her, she squished it a couple times.

"Mother, I don't think he can live here?" Nej frowned

"Why can't I?"

"Yes Morris, why?"

"Because his Muscles are too big for the house, he will have to go live by himself now." She winked at her mother

"Oh that's right! Having big muscles means you're a man now."

"No I'm not! He said, stomping his foot "See! They are small!"

"Oh good Nej. Now you don't have to, but if you want to, you could still go get the box."

"I will but I think I will ask for help." He rushed from the room which allowed Morris and Tryna to laugh, but then Tryna sobered up and became sad.

"What's wrong mama?" Tryna places her hands on Morris's shoulders.

"It just won't be the same without you."

"Oh mama. Should my husband give permission I will visit . And when older you may have some grandchildren." Morris held her mother's hand tightly

"I should hope Nyle would."

"Speaking of that, Nyle got mad that you told queen Sanda to put us together." Tryna frowned

"Why?"

"He wouldn't say. Just kept saying it would be weird to go from friends to husband and wife."

"But it's better that way! Then you don't have to try and get to know someone new."

"That's what I said. But he wouldn't hear it. Just said that the rose decided and that if it chooses us great. If not, oh well."

"Ungrateful boy." Tryna said angrily

"Now mamma he-"

"Here you go!" Nej shouted as he and Thryn pushed and pulled the box inside.

"Oh thank you boys! Here, go get some candy." Tryna dropped some Rugli into their palms

"Thank you!" They said excitedly as they bounded out

"Now you still have a few hours, do you want to get dressed?"

"No, not yet."

"Alright. I'll leave you now, Meine Lebie." With a soft kiss on the head, Tryna left Morris. Morris rose and walked to her window, it had been dark all day. Cold and misty too. At midnight, the black moon will rise and the sky will turn a violent orange and red. She sat on the bench beneath the window, in just two hours she would no longer be a Rossa but whatever her husband's name was. Being sixteen and having to get married was just a cruel custom and if Morris was queen, she would abolish that custom and allow man and woman to choose their own beaus. What's wrong with that? A knock sounded at the door

"Enter." The door cracked open and Danker walked in dressed in his second best silks

"Hello Morris" he said with a sad smile

"Hello papa." He came and sat beside her

"No matter who you get. Don't forget that I was the first man in your life."

"Oh papa. You're so silly! But I promise to never forget you."

"Good." He patted her hand "It is time to go"

"Already?"

"Yes." He smiled at her and left. Morris began to tear up as she opened the box and took out her dress. Tryna came in and helped her put it on, then Morris put on her shoes with a little heel. With a final look, she allowed her mother to pull her out of the home she grew up in, which she would most likely never see again.