Chapter 37 A Mute, A Bonfire, And A Banquet

The scary monster came out of his tent, Saliva was dripping from his fangs glistening in the moonlight. I trembled with fear when I saw him. He crept closer and closer, growling Under his breath. When he was almost on top of us he suddenly stopped. In a flash of light he morphed back into his human form. I had never seen the people in this world transform right in front of me before. When my friends had transformed In front of me my eyes were closed. I watched him cautiously as he slowly stepped up to where I was hiding in Helios's robes. Bending down on one knee he extended his hand out to me. I peeked around Helios's legs.

He opened his hand to reveal a very pretty blue flower with a yellow center and a white outline surrounding the outside of the petals. He brought his hand closer to me grunting and eyeing the flower, it almost seemed like he wanted me to take the flower form him. My hand was still trembling, I reached out and took the flower. Admiring the flower for a minute, I brought it to my nose and gave it a sniff. It was so beautiful the smell and the scent was so pleasant. The once scary monster now a man smiled when he saw me sniff it. He then took his hands and began making gestures. It looked like he gestured the word primrose. But I wasn't too sure.

One of the males standing close to me spoke up, "He doesn't talk. He hasn't talked since the day he was born. I noticed he was from Uelara the Earth tribe. He was really handsome. His muscles were well built, his abs were a complete a six pack and well chiseled. He had dark eyes and his hair was a dark greenish black. He began to move his hands again. I watched his hand gestures carefully, it was then that I realized he was doing sign language, "I made a mistake, I'm sorry if I frightened you. I mean no harm," he signed to me. I came out from Helios's robe and I signed back to him, "I'm fine, just startled. I'm sorry for entering."

The man's eyes lit up shocked, he signed back to me, "you can understand me?" I shook my head yes, signing I said, "I learned some on Earth, I'm not very good." Everyone was staring at us, mystified at what I was doing with my hands. I looked up at everyone, "he says he's sorry, he means no harm." "You can understand him?," the male who had spoke up earlier asked from the crowd. "Yes, can't you? He's using sign language, there was a student in my class who was deaf so our teacher had us practice it everyday so we could talk to the student."

"No one here can understand what he is trying to say. Ever since he was born we just went along with his gestures trying to make sense of what he was trying to tell us." I frowned, his life must have been so boring and miserable having no one to understand him all this time especially since people here can live for millions of years. Turning to the man, I signed, "we teach everyone. I learn more." The man was began shaking with happiness, he tossed his arm across his chest and bowed deeply for the Queen. She was very special indeed. She is the first one to understand me. I will never forget her the man thought. I must win this tournament so I can stay by her side! I must be the one to protect her! Without her by my side I would have no reason to live.

Every male had come out of their tents and were staring at me and the mute including all the Kings. I walked up to the man, and signed, "what is your name?" He grabbed a stick and wrote some letters in the sand IRAIHREN, then he signed, "no English translation. "Can I call you Ira, I wrote the letters in the sand. "It means watchful, I see you watching from a distance, but maybe if you win the tournament you can watch over me?" His jaw dropped, the Queen has given him a name and she even wants him to watch over her?! The magic in his body swelled as the urge to fight for her grew even stronger. He took her hand in his and caressed the back of her hand before he kissed her hand. Her hand was incredibly small in his.

He signed, "what is your name and how old are you. "my name is Chelsey and I am almost fourteen years old," I signed. His eyes widened, she didn't look anywhere near fourteen years old. "You look younger," he signed questioningly. "I stopped aging the same day I turned thirteen. I am still counting my birthdays though, and I am considered small for my age even on Earth," I signed. He nodded in understanding. Everyone was watching our conversation with rapture. She seemed very intelligent for her age. She was able to communicate with the male that they have not been able to communicate with in over twenty six million years. They couldn't believe that she would also give him a name when she didn't even know him yet.

I stood in front of Ira and leaning in I placed my palm on his forehead, as I signed with my other hand, "good luck in the tournament." He smiled as he stood up, he started to walk away but then turned around and signed, "I must train, I will win!" Then he disappeared into the crowd. I clutched the flower in my hand wanting to put it in a scrapbook. It was too beautiful to let it go to waste. I was secretly rooting for him. I get sorry for him that he had no one to talk to after all this time. Even if he didn't win I wanted to ask him if he wanted to be my friend after the tournament and if he wanted to stay here in Kosea. Maybe I can bring up the idea of teaching others sign language to Helios later.

My tummy grumbled and all the males erupted into laughter. My face blushed feeling sheepish. Silas came over and handed me another fried egg sandwich that Eleanor had packed. A comfy chair was brought out from somewhere for me and somehow a camp fire was started as everyone sat down chatting around the fire and pulling out treats and fireworks. When I was finished eating I was handed one of the fireworks. Flames were coming out the bottom, not sure what to do with it I pointed it toward the sky. There was a huge boom as I was knocked on my butt and a giant explosion of colors and smoke drifted overhead. I got up laughing and dusted myself off. I was then given sparklers and I ran around drawing pictures watching the little sparks flare out.

Helios watched his Queen laughing, jumping, and running around, having fun with their guests. This was the second time he had seen her let go and enjoy her life to the fullest without a care in the world. She was finally starting to get used to her new life here. As the morning turned into the afternoon she began to yawn rubbing her eyes. She looked exhausted after running around the tents greeting all the males and enjoying the festivities of the tournament. She sat down on the armchair and was trying her hardest to stay awake. Her head nodded as she jerked herself awake a couple of times. On the third time her eyes stayed closed as she leaned back in the chair.

Helios stood up and held his hand up to the crowd indicating to them to stay silent. They looked around and saw that the Queen was nodding off. Their voices became whispers as the High King scooped up the Queen in his arms. Be'ron came over, "take her to my tent. I have a spare room she can borrow. Helios nodded as he followed him. They entered the tent and crossed to the room on the right. Eyeing the bed it looked comfortable enough for his Queen. He gently laid her down on the bed and pulled the blanket over her tucking her in. He brushed her hair out of her face and leaned down and kissed her forehead and whispered, "sweet dreams my love.

Be'ron's eyes narrowed, he was jealous of the love the High King had with the young and very beautiful Queen. He didn't have a mate yet and was heart broken that this female was taken. A moment later he and the King stepped out of the room so that she could rest. They went and sat down in the sitting room just as the other Kings came in and joined them to chat, Be'ron grabbed his tea before he spoke, "so she really does sleep through the night. How do you cope with it? Does it bother you that she isn't awake with you always?" He asked taking a sip of his tea. "I don't mind that she sleeps through the night. It's very interesting to see and listen in on her dreams while she sleeps," Helios said tapping his temple with a knowing smile.

"It's also during this time where she spills all of her secrets and her desires. She never asks for anything. So when she sleeps I get to find out what she wants. Hmm Be'ron choked coughing on his tea, "a female who doesn't ask for anything! That is unheard of!" "It's true, she doesn't ask for much. She's very docile. She won't even tell me what her passions are, I don't even think she knows them herself. I wish I could see into her past, so I know what made her this way. From what I gathered from the little time I spent on Earth the people there mistreated her. She was pretty much their slave. She had no real family to call her own. They abandoned her in a time of crisis and left her there to die," he clenched his fists together.

"And yet she is so kind and compassionate to the males here that she doesn't even know. She is so kind hearted, and once you break her out of her shell, she seems to be very a very happy child, If I didn't know any better and she had the power to fly, the happy spirit within her would soar to the skies just like a little song bird," Arlae clasped his hands together and hummed ever so dreamily. "I find her to be quite charming, she does seem to have a way to melt even this stone heart of mine. How is she handing her position as Queen? Has she taken on any responsibilities since s she's been here? Maybe I can teach her to be resilient like the earth we walk on. If she is to stand by your side and rule along side you we must build up her strength,"

Rul'hal had interrupted Arlae throwing him a dark look, he always thought Arlae was an airhead at best. Helios set down his tea sitting up straight, with a serious expression of his face, "I don't plan on her taking on any responsibilities. I want her to be able to run around and play, to live carefree and live her life as she pleases. She has been through so much in her short lifespan, and has seen and been through more pain than any of us could ever imagine. She has even witnessed her entire race go extinct before her very eyes as we took off from her planet. I tried to shield her from it but somehow she still managed to see her entire planet go up in smoke. She still gets terrorized by nightmares from what happened."

I have been slowly influencing her dreams at night so that she will only have happy memories. I hope one day she will forget entirely the nightmare she went through while she was on that despicable planet. I can't bare to have her suffer in her sleep," the King said with agony in his eyes. Everyone in the room nodded in agreement. It was never good to have a female suffer. Their hearts ached just thinking about the pain she went through. "Good riddance to that merciless planet, thank goodness you were able to rescue the little one, with a pure heart like hers she deserves to live by your side in peace," Rul'hal muttered slamming his tea down on the table. "Here here," everyone murmured in agreement.

"So when will the extraction take place for the little song bird," Arlae asked still off in his own little world. "Asa her private doctor said it will take place in about two weeks time. We had to design new tools for her because of how small she is. So once they are finished the extraction can take place. "Are you hoping for a female or a male? I'm hoping it's a female, I wouldn't mind becoming mates with her offspring," Be'ron said chuckling to himself. Helios growled at Be'ron, "like hell you will," he said tossing a biscuit at him. He caught it in the nick of time just before it hit his face, he smiled taking a bite out of the biscuit. "I would be happy for either one. Our offspring will be just as beautiful as her no matter what. I'm hoping they have her eyes."

"Well if the extraction takes place in two weeks I think we can all afford to stay here a little longer so that we can all witness the birth of your heir. We wouldn't want to miss this for the world. After the banquet tonight we will alert our clans and let them know that we will head back sometime after the extraction, that way everyone will get a chance to pay their respects to the Queen," Be'ron said as he lifted his glass to give a toast to the Queen. Everyone nodded raising their glasses as they continued their conversation about politics and how each tribe was doing on their resources. Not long after they could hear the Queen stirring in the next room. She came out of the room looking confused as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes. Her hair was a sight to behold as they tried to hold back their laughter.

I woke up yawing and stretching, sitting up in a strange bed. I looked around the room, where am I? This isn't Helios's chambers. Last I remembered I was sitting in a big comfy chair by the fire listening to the stories the males were telling me. I swung my legs out of the blankets and jumped down out of the bed, I walked over to what I assumed was the door and pulling the flap back I ducked under and walked out, rubbing the sleep form my eyes. I looked around and spotted Helios sitting around a table with the other Kings. Walking over I crawled into his lap, still feeling a little sleepy I pulled his robe over me and laid against his chest. "How was your nap my love did you sleep well," Helios asked combing his fingers through my hair.

I nodded, "I like the tiny room, it was cozy and warm, and the bed was comfortable too. I felt like I was sleeping on a cloud," I purred enjoying the feel of his fingers running through my hair. If it had been any other female, they would have complained about how small the room was, but their Queen was content with a little room even calling it cozy. Every male in the room fantasized what it would be like to snuggle a female in a tiny cozy room after mating. Their imaginations ran wild as they shook their heads trying to chase the thoughts out of their minds. "Are you and the little one feeling hungry? The banquet should be starting soon," Helios asked patting my tummy. My stomach growled at the mention of the banquet.

Helios stood up holding me in his arms. "Well shall we head back to the castle? Everyone stood up nodding and following suit, when they saw the hungry look in my eyes they all laughed merrily at the adorable Queen as she blushed from embarrassment. Be'ron approached me patting me on the top of my head, "don't you worry there will be plenty of food at the banquet. We will make sure the males won't eat you under the table. Everyone filed out of the magic tent heading toward the castle. I couldn't wait to see the banquet. As soon as we were outside all the males perked up when they saw me. The Queen was finally awake they thought. "Where is Ira? Can he eat with us," I asked looking up toward Helios.

The crowd of males murmured amongst themselves, has the Queen picked a favorite already? She's requesting to dine with a male that's not even her mate or guard! I heard the murmurs coming from the crowd and seeing Helios's frown and all the Kings staring at me with gaping mouths, I became worried, "did I say something wrong," I hung my head waiting for his reply, "a Queen doesn't ask for a male who is not her mate or guard to dine with her at the banquet unless she is showing favoritism and will eventually ask that male to become her lover, especially in the presence of her mate," his eyes narrowed when he said this. "Oh, I'm so sorry I didn't know," my face flushed with embarrassment.

The atmosphere was charged with such a fierce intensity of jealousy as the crowd parted all eyes on Ira, first she gives him a name and now she wants him to dine with her?!! . "I...I'm not in love with him, I was just wondering if he woul... would like to join us so he would have someone to talk to. I didn't want him to feel left out and alone," I stuttered ringing his robes in my hands feeling all the uncomfortable gazes burning a hole in my back. The crowd including Helios let out a huge sigh of relief when they heard this. She hasn't picked anyone yet thank goodness. She was just trying to be nice to the mute. Man why did all the males have to get jealous so easily I thought, ugh males are such a pain.

Ira stepped forward and bowed, he then signed, "I would be honored to join you." I smiled and signed back to him,"I'm sorry if I ostracized you, but you really are my favorite but I promise I won't tell anyone." Ira's hands stopped moving, frozen from my message. "What did you tell him," Helios asked curiously as to why Ira would suddenly freeze up like that. "He said he would be honored to join me, and I told him let's go me and the little one are hungry so don't eat all my food," I fibbed to Helios. I didn't want a fight to break out just before the banquet. Helios nodded before he continued walking carrying me to the castle. Ira followed close behind with a huge smile on his face. He kind of resembled a golden retriever with his tail wagging showing how happy he was.

We finally reached the castle and headed to the Great Hall where all the tables were set up. Helios brought me to the table in the center of the room, so we could be seen by all the guests. All the males started filing in behind. The noise of the crowd echoed off the walls filling the castle with the sound of thousands of hungry males waiting to eat. Ihloi stood up on a podium and clanked his glass to gather everyone's attention, "we are gathered here today to celebrate the opening of the Star Nebula Tournament with the opening feast. We hope that you all enjoy your time here in Kosea and we wish you all good luck on winning a spot next to your Queen. Our Queen is still new to everything here so keep that in mind that you remember to follow all rules until the end of the tournament and keep a watchful eye out for her highness. We do not wish any harm to befall the heir of Kosea."

"I wish you all well, so let the feast begin," with a wave of his hand, hundreds of dishes appeared on every table. Startled I almost fell backward out of my chair as many dishes appeared before me. Ira caught a hold of my chair just in time. I was still not used to the magic that was used here. "Thank you for catching me I signed to Ira. "Your welcome," he signed back. He sat down in a chair to my left and Helios sat it he chair to my right. We were also joined by Ihloi, Silas, Lucas, Sophie, and the visiting Kings from the other tribes. "You guys made it. I was worried you guys wouldn't be here. I've never been to a banquet before. This is my first time."

"Are you kidding me? We wouldn't miss this for the world. This is our first royal banquet as well. When we were on level three we would never have been allowed to attend," Lucas said sitting down across from me. "I was helping mom in the kitchens there was so much work to be done, I'm exhausted from all the work today," Sophie said sitting down between Silas and Lucas. "Why is he here? Silas asked staring at Ira jealousy written on his face that he was sitting beside me. "This is Ira, I invited him. I didn't want him to feel left out since he can't talk to anyone." Silas and Lucas glowered at Ira. If their Queen wasn't so naive he would never have been allowed to sit here. "Play nice and don't be mean. It's not his fault. I wanted him here. I don't want anyone to feel left out."

The males around the room were still talking yet inconspicuously listening in on our conversation, Ira was so lucky!!! Even though the Queen was just trying to be nice he was still so lucky he gets to sit with the Queen! All eyes were glaring at Ira sitting at my table. I felt so sorry for him. He was probably going to get creamed at the tournament for this. I should probably learn to not cross boundaries when it came to other males again otherwise I could get them killed for opening my mouth. I shuddered just thinking about it, I gazed at all the food on our table trying to decide what I wanted to eat first. There was so much food I didn't know where to even begin. Helios placed a stuffed omelette in front of me. My eyes lit up as I got ready to tear into it with gusto.

I stopped when I noticed no one else was eating. "Aren't you guys going to eat," I asked pausing with my fork halfway to my mouth. "You are to eat your fill first my love. This food will all disappear as soon as we eat, so make sure you eat enough for you and the little one," Helios said rubbing my tummy. My eyes got as big as dinner plates. "There is no way I'm going to be able to eat all of this. I'll probably eat two things before I'm full, I don't want to eat by myself, join me." I waved to the food on our table. Everyone glanced at each other before grabbing food and filling their plates. Once they all had their food I took a bite of my omelette savoring the items stuffed inside.

After my baby's cravings were satisfied I asked Helios for one of the steaks in front of me. He smiled spearing one and sat it on my plate. I was never allowed food this rich back home. If my aunt saw me now she would probably kill over with anger. After I had a couple of helpings everyone else started digging in. They wanted to make sure that I got my fill first before they ate everything else. I soon found out that they weren't kidding when all the food would disappear. There was probably we ought food on our table to feed an army and within minutes over three quarters of the food was already gone. I helped myself to a couple more side dishes before rubbed my tummy feeling satisfied.

"I'm so full," I said clutching my tummy, staring at Helios. When the last piece of meat was devoured our plates were cleared with a snap of a finger. The table was immediately replaced with mounds upon mounds of dessert. My eyes widened again at all the sweets in front of me, "on second thought I think I still have a little more room for dessert." Everyone laughed aloud hearing this, one second she is full and the next she has room for dessert. Females can never resist the temptation of sweets no matter how full they were. It was like they grew a second stomach just for desserts. As far as I could see there were brownies, cakes, tarts, pies, cookies, ice cream that was meticulously stacked one scoop on top of another dripping with chocolate syrup and many desserts I have never seen before.

I grabbed a steaming hot walnut brownie and Helios topped it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and hot chocolate syrup. I dug in moaning, I was in a state of heaven and euphoria as the brownie and ice cream melted in my mouth. Somehow I managed to get chocolate all over my face. Helios grabbed a towel, chuckling he wiped my face clean. The feast lasted late into the night as more courses were brought out. I would take an occasional bite here and there but I was so full I was about to go into a food coma if I ate another bite. I had no idea where they put it all. Every time the table was magically refilled with food it would all disappear within minutes. It was crazy how much they were able to eat.

Helios watched his Queen enjoying the feast. Her eyes were bigger than her plate as she took in the sight of the food piled high on the table as each course came out. He was happy that she was able to eat good food and as much as she wanted. He thought back to when she was on Earth and how she was denied food in a time of need and when she received the loaf of bread she gave it away to another female that was less fortunate than her. Never again will his Queen have to experience the pain of hunger. She will always be well fed and taken care of. Shortly after her second helping of dessert her eyes began to droop. She was going into a food coma. Her head slumped forward almost landing in the ice cream on her plate, her fork slid out of her hand and onto the table.

Helios caught her forehead just missing the ice cream on her plate. He carefully wiped her face off and picked her up and carried her upstairs putting her to bed for the night. He arranged the pillows into a pallet and laid her down among the pillows wanting her to sleep comfortably, tucking her in under the covers he sat down beside her and kissed her lips. He could still taste remnants of chocolate on her lips. He gently caressed her tummy watching a smile appear on her face as her dreams lit up and ran wild with thoughts of the baby. He couldn't wait for the extraction day. He desperately wanted to know the name she would pick out.