Chapter 26 - Shadows and Light! [4]

A few days later, Arthur and his entourage arrived on the continent of Alkana, docking their ship in the capital of the kingdom of Anain, the city of Galadorn, in the province of Mythrilia.

King Frey Odinson, dressed in green and gold royal robes, a golden wreath in his white hair and gold rings on his fingers, stood at the top of his palace entrance stairs. 

His hands behind his back, staring steadily at Arthur, Lancelot, Persival and Selena holding his two grandchildren. – King Arthur! – he exclaimed, his face hard and cold.

This reaction from king Frey was understandable. It wasn't just the king, it was the father of a young man who died in battle. It wasn't the harshness of the king, but it was the sorrowful heart of a father who had lost his only son...

Queen Haya Odinson, adorned in a golden dress, with a diamond necklace, emerald earrings and ring, and a gold crown in her curly white hair, stood beside him.

Her presence exuded elegance and authority, and the smile of the fifteenth most beautiful woman in the world, was contagious. – King Arthur! – she said, looking at king Arthur.

Prince Persival, standing behind Arthur, blushed at the sight of the queen and princess. "The queen's voice! Ahh! Their so hot... But I admit that their less than princess Hera, Hera transcends hotness, she's divine..." he muttered within himself, admiring them.

Arthur, clad in a golden royal kimono with white straps, a gold ring on his hand, and a gold crown on his head, gazed at them with his cold golden eyes. – Sovereigns of Anain... – he sighed, ascending the stairs.

King Frey and Arthur shook hands and embraced. The firm stance of the king of the Elves of Anain crumbled, and he broke down in tears in Arthur's arms.

Queen Hayah, her face filled with concern, gently ran her hand over her husband's back. – Husband... – she whispered, trying to remain strong.

Princess Thalia Elenaris, the youngest of the king, known as the Diamond of Anain, the nineteenth most beautiful woman in the world, stood nearby. Dressed in a green dress with white accents, gold and ruby jewels, from her neck to her fingers, and an emerald tiara in her black hair, she was a true beauty looking at Arthur with a golden smile.

Looking at Arthur with a radiant smile, the princess of the elves crouched down, and whispered. – Arthur... – her face blushing face as she admired her childhood friend. "He didn't change a bit, cold as ever..."she thought with a bright smile.

Persival, blushing from hearing her voice. "Dude, she is... The best..." he said to himself.

Lancelot Chamberlain and Persival, Arthur's trusted allies, exchanged glances and bowed their heads. – Sovereign! – they shouted, bowing their heads in reverence.

The astonishment from witnessing the beauty of the queen and her daughter was clear on their faces.

Selena Glayder, with her red hair neatly arranged, lowered her head, with a forced smile. – My in-laws, it's an honor to see you again... – she said, holding her babies in her arms.

Arthur's people didn't kneel for anyone under normal conditions. Their custom was to lower their heads or show respect by raising and joining their hands in front of their faces.

King Frey, directing a melancholy look directed at Selena, smiled. – My daughter! – he exclaimed, approaching her alongside his queen.

Queen Haya, in love with her grandchildren, took the two babies and looked at the king. – They're very similar to Alander... My babies... – she said, showering them with kisses.

The king of Anain, running his hand over the babies' faces, smiled. – Pardon me, king Arthur! Please come in! – he exclaimed, looking at Arthur.

…

Hours later, in the majestic banquet hall of the palace of Anain, they were all seated at the grand table.

Arthur, sitting at the table, slicing a piece of meat on his plate. "Do elves eat meat...? I can understand, since the elves are divided among themselves, some may..." he thought, looking at the piece of meat on his fork.

Elves never got along, both white and black. Thus, Alfmosis and Anain are two kingdoms of white elves who didn't understand each other.

King Frey, sitting, wiped his mouth with a napkin and looked at Arthur. – The war has consumed everything in these parts. The state of the capital alone shows the influence Zeus has on the economy and territory of several kingdoms. It is infuriating! – he grumbled, slamming his hand on the table.

Queen Haya, sitting beside him, looked at Arthur before averting her gaze.

Lancelot Chamberlain and Persival, sitting and eating tried to avoid the tension in king Frey's words, knowing it was a conversation between kings.

Arthur, smiling at Frey, said. – There's a lot more to come. This time, Zeus will personally go to war. It's only a matter of time before the army of the Union of Kings moves...– he revealed, smiling.

"Why is this child smiling? He speaks as if Zeus and the Union are not so big of a problem..." the queen thought, looking at Arthur.

– Sorry, king Arthur. The people won't be able to stand this situation much longer. It bothers me that I depend on Zeus to feed them...! – King Frey grumbled, running his hand over his forehead.

Arthur glanced at Persival and Lancelot. – King Frey, forgive me for not attending Alander's funeral. I needed to organize my people. But now I want you to listen to me, and do not think that I came here just for this... – he said, shifting his gaze between the king and queen.

Queen Haya, noticing Arthur's gaze, nodded with a smile.

– Speak, king Arthur... – sighed king Frey, looking at him.

– I'll be direct. I need your army! I know it's a lot to ask, but I don't want to die and leave the world the way I found it. If I must die, let slavery, poverty and corruption descend with me into the grave. In exchange, I'll provide twenty tons of gold... – Arthur's words were clear. He wasn't asking for a favor.

The sovereigns of Anain, already with a drooping countenance, seemed even more troubled.

King Frey bowed his head and sighed. – I knew you'd ask me that... – his melancholy reaction showed his fear.

Frey knew that complying with Arthur's request would mean defying the king of the gods and provoking the wrath of the most powerful family in the world.

He looked at Haya and placed his hand over hers. – As you know, my successor is dead. I don't have another son to succeed me, so I'll keep Aldir here in Anain. And my daughter needs to marry, ensuring the prosperity of my lineage. I don't need gold, and besides, you're a Treadway, fighting for all of us. Just do me the favor of taking care of my daughter and I will be grateful for the rest of my life...

Lancelot Chamberlain looking at Arthur, smiled, anticipating the obvious answer. "The no coming there..." he thought to himself.

Persival, sited, crossing his arms with his eyes closed, squeaked. "Why do the most beautiful ones always go to him?!" searching for an answer within himself.

Arthur Treadway, his gaze fixed on the king. – King Frey, what you ask of me is very difficult to fulfill. It's not me who decides about my marriages, it's the Elders's Council. I just accept it. And my kingdom is still rebuilding, so the focus is not on marriage yet. What I can do is secure a marriage with a man from the Treadway house...– he said, looking at Persival.

King Frey and Queen Haya exchanged glances. – As much as it is an excellent idea to have an alliance with the Treadways, we want an alliance with you! It's you! It's Arthur Pendragon we want as a son-in-law! – the two majesties exclaimed in unison.

They already realized that Arthur was different to the point of ignoring the Treadway in his name and, for the first time, calling him what he would come to be known as: Arthur Pendragon.