The Christmas Elf & I - 4. Chapter 4

We had refreshments as we waited. You could hear the murmuring of a large crowd in the chamber we would be entering. There was the sounds of music playing and suddenly we heard the roar of a dragon. My smile broadened as Lucien looked over at me. Iridessa and Thalion were leaning onto my sides. In front of me, Riven and Anston leaned back against me. I was enjoying my closeness with the children now that I knew them. Drystan and Ariel were nice to talk with as they escorted me around when Michael was visiting friends, as this is our fourth trip here this summer. The children were dressed in the same black and silver as I was. Michael was here as well, talking with a few of the Royal Staff he was friends with. Apparently, his Orin was a member of the staff. Hence why he knew so many of them. He was also wearing his pendant again. He said it was because his friends had reminded him he still had something to live for. He had that twinkle in his eyes as he said it before they looked to Lucien and back to me.

When we entered the Great Hall, although Iridessa had warned me, I was still shocked at the absolute size and number of people. The murmuring of the crowd changed as I felt hundreds of sets of eyes lock on me. This wasn’t one of the quiet dinner parties I had attended. Michael had also warned me that now Lucien and I appeared to be dating, this display would cement that thought. Regardless of what we say to the contrary. That would mean jealousy among some of the courtiers here in attendance today as the King has rebuffed some of the hopeful’s rather hard over the years. Our walk down the stairs onto the rear of the dais, behind the throne, had been a slow procession. Ariel had arrived late and took a position next to me. Escorting me to the seat next to her father’s. Much to the surprise of many, it appeared. Including me. The children and I stood waiting as Lucien spoke. It gave me time to scan the crowd and spotting the Royal Family of the Dragons was easy as they were here in Dragon form, but with only one child? I noticed as Lucien finished his welcome and we sat. Leaning over, I whispered.

“Only one child?” I asked, and he looked at who I was speaking of. Then spoke himself as he stood, bringing me with him.

“Let’s go check.” As we stepped down the stairs, he stopped. The children had already gone to their friends. Ariel and her boyfriend were sneaking out as I winked at her. Causing her to smile. Suddenly, I felt his hand on mine. “Breathe normally and count to four for each step we step forward.” He said as I saw the golden white glow begin around his body before it encompassed mine. My vision was blurry as we stepped forward and I heard the soft, 1, 2, 3, 4, step. 1, 2, 3, 4, step. Realizing we were growing with each step and my view of my surroundings was changing. My body felt different, but suddenly my vision cleared, and Lucien released my hand.

“Don’t forget to look down before you walk around.” Lucien said as he guided me to the dragons. If I thought people were looking at me before, it was nothing compared to now. Looking over my shoulder, all the children were smiling at me. When Lucien spoke to the dragons, and they replied. I heard the hisses and rumbles, but in my mind, I heard the words. The youngest had injured his wing and can’t shift to human form until it heals. Which will be in a few days. Since he couldn’t fly, he couldn’t come. Lucien saw the disappointed look on my face and called Drystan over. He kneeled down and whispered to him. Drystan was nodding as he smiled before he turned back to the King of Dragons.

“Would it be alright with you if I sent Drystan to your home to find a proper spot for a portal and we gate young Orodreth here to visit, then we can gate him back?” The response came a few seconds after husband and wife conversed on the subject.

“Of course. It appears, Lord Richard,” My head twitched at the title as people close by gasped. “Misses him as much as he misses coming to visit. We think he would be most happy to come. Thank you for your suggestion,” the great head turned towards me so I was eye to eye with him. “And your concern for our child. My Lord.” I gave the Dragon King a dip of my head before I looked at Lucien. Who gave me a supporting smile, even as his eyes were so full of mirth. I spoke to the Dragons as Anston ran over and hugged my leg. I lowered and picked him up, holding him in my arms as I spoke.

“We have the ability to portal him here, and I see no reason for him to stay at home alone. When he could rest here and converse with friends.” Kaida came over, sitting near my feet, and wrapped his tail around my legs. I chuckled as I put Anston down. Who went over and hugged his neck before I held my arms open. Kaida stood up on his hind legs and I lifted him into my arms. He wrapped his tail around my waist as he wrapped his neck around mine to place his head on my shoulder, looking over at his parents as he talked to me.

“Orodreth will be so happy. I’ll get my hug now so he can sleep on your lap again.” He said as he nuzzled me gently. I turned and kissed the side of his head.

“That’s very nice of you, Kaida. I am sure he will be happy, too.” I said as I rubbed his back. Turning to Queen Lirillith and King Ordon, I smiled. “I don’t have a problem with watching over Orodreth.” I turned to Lucien, who smirked at me and held up a hand to stop me from speaking. And turned to the throne.

“Uthorin.” Lucien looked at me out of the corner of his eye. “Enlarge Lord Richard’s seating, please, and prepare a spot for Orodreth.” He said with his usual authority.

“Right away, Majesty.” The Elf replied before he turned to a group of magical creatures. They appeared to huddle. The Prince of Dwarves and female Dwarf, looking regal in her gown, also joined the huddle. Surprising many a courtier as they all watched with us. After a moment that looked like a heated discussion, each moving to a different area of the Dais. Hands, arms, made movements, and words were spoken softly. Right before my eyes, the entire dais changed into a more comfortable design, with two bedding areas sized for the young dragons. My chair and the King’s were large enough to seat us in this form, but mine was more like a recliner. I would be able to hold him on my lap as I reclined. The entire set up looked like a large living room for socializing with family. Centered around my chair and the Kings.

“That looks better.” Yelled Alrik, the Prince of Dwarves, as he approached us with his guest. Gaining everyone’s attention. I heard the portal open as a gate formed. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Drystan had opened a portal and stepped through. Closing out behind him. “Lord Richard, it’s good to see you again.” I gave a slight bow.

“As my hands are full again.” I paused as Riven arrived by my side to join Anston. “I will charge Anston and Riven to receive greeting handshakes, hugs, and kisses in my stead, to be passed to me later. It is a pleasure to see you again, Prince Alrik. Has the family come also?” I said as Anston moved forwards to shake his hand.

“They have been delayed by affairs of state. My mother, the Queen, was able to join me.”

“How wonderful you could join us, your Majesty.” I paused as I eyed Lucien. He blinked, and I heard the answer to my unspoken question in my mind. Thanks to the pendant. “I’m Richard of New York City. Lord of Ever North. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” I said as Riven stepped forwards and gave her the formal cheek kisses as he shook her hand.

“And you Lord Richard. I’m Queen Valdis of Mountain Home.” The three of us made small talk before Kaida raised his head.

“Lord Richard. My brother is coming.” Kaida said. I turned and Lucien had began moving people to provide space for a larger gate portal. He nodded to himself as the new flare popped up in front of him and disappeared in a flash of words hanging in the air. A message from Drystan. His great arm made a counter-clockwise motion as his hand glowed and the blue sparks flew. Just like the last time I saw it. He cut the air, and a portal formed, opening into a gate. Through the opened gate, Drystan could be seen standing next to an excited Orodreth. Holding one wing up with signs of bandages and splinting. It took a second for the gate to stabilize before they passed through to us. I had moved up towards Lucien as Orodreth bowed and greeted him. Thanking him before he turned to me. He gave the dragon version of a wide grin as he bowed low to me with greeting before I lowered to one knee again. He came forwards, and I scooped him up. All to the sounds of happiness and thanking me as he wrapped himself around me like his brother did. We stopped by his parents and they told him the usual. Listen to Lord Richard. Keep your claws in. Mind your manners and be good. A train of dragons in human form with trays and barrels of foods came through the gate as well. The Great Hall Majordomo took charge of them and guided them off. The Dragon Healer followed me as I turned and headed up to the Dais. Anston and Riven were in tow, as they were my official greeters for the event.

“You made a bed for me.” Orodreth said in his grunts, hisses and growls.

“We did. If we had known you had fallen in the trees, we would have used the portal to bring your whole family. But all is well, that ends well. You are here now.” I said as I turned. Went to sit down and shot back up. “Pull your tail out so I can sit.” He chuckled as his tail uncoiled from around my waist and stood it up behind his back. Allowing me to sit before he shifted around, making himself more comfortable on my lap. Uthorin came over and looked at my situation. He motioned for two of his staff and they went into a huddle again. Nodding, looking back towards me and pointing before they obviously decided. Hands flashed, words murmured, and the furniture changed again. Tables appeared on either side of me. Staff arrived with food and drink for my size. And snacks for the Dragons. I raised an eyebrow as Michael appeared next to me. Obviously, they had a set of steps behind me, as he was standing high enough to be directly at the side of my head.

“That’s raw meat and a mineral salt dip gravy for the dragons. That other set of big cups is for them too. They are usually good at using the large metal straws, but don’t let them use them as a chew toy.” I chuckled in amusement.

“What would I do without my protocol adviser?” He laughed lightly.

“It is what I am paid to do, and I have almost a century of experience to teach you. Nice job with appointing Riven and Anston as your official greeters right off the bat. That will keep them out of trouble for a few hours, but you will have to reduce back to normal size with Lucien and make your rounds at his side. Possibly when the dragon’s nap?” Michael said in his usual teaching tone. And he was the perfect teacher for me as he was in the same predicament once.

“That should work out good. So…” I looked over at the meat chunks. “I just dip a piece and feed it to them?”

“Yes. Only one piece at a time and make sure they chew. It is a special treat for them. Like candy to a human child.” I nodded as Kaida lumbered up and sat down on the bedding placed closest to me. He eyed the treats, then smiled towards me. The type of smile that displayed all of those razor-sharp large fangs they use for ripping meat apart. I made a show of looking out over the crowd as Orodreth crooned out a, please. I scratched his neck and reached over. Dipping the chunk and waiting a second for it to drip off before placing it in his open mouth.

“Chew. Chew it thoroughly. I don’t want to see you choke.” I said as he chewed and I was already dipping another piece for his brother, before I repeated the procedure. Several of the dragon folk in human form had approached and rubbed the two as they greeted me. As before, Riven and Anston were the perfect gentlemen and received as well as gave my handshakes, hugs and kisses. Many of the people I already knew came to visit and brought more of their people with them. It wasn’t a boring time by any means.

Over two hours, I was getting stiff, and the dragons were nodding off as I shifted Orodreth to the other bedding spot and I stood. At 30 plus feet tall, I had no problem locating Lucien as I touched my pendant and said his name. Moments later, he was next to me. Already having reduced his size back to normal hours ago.

“You are ready to shrink back to normal size?” He asked with a knowing grin.

“I believe I am as Orodreth is now napping. Too many treats, I think.” Which made him laugh as his eyes smiled at me. Taking my hand, he glowed again.

“Breathe as normal.” He said as the glow spread across me and my vision blurred again. My entire body tingled as I saw my view changing while I shrunk back to normal size. He released my hand and my vision cleared. I was still a little dizzy as I stumbled to one side. He had my arm and pulled me against his side as we moved. The warmth and caring I felt radiated off of him, coursed through my body before I pulled away. Again, he gave me that half smile and slight tilt of his head.

“Better now, I assume. It is a little disorienting at first as your body adjusts to the new sensory input it receives from growing and shrinking.”

“That is true. I am fine now. I believe you have people for me to meet.” He nodded sagely as he escorted me around the Great Hall. Picking who I was greeting.

* * *

We had sent the dragons home by portal gate and retired to the Royal Family’s private quarters with approximately 80 people that were chosen to join us. I carried one of the Dwarf children that had latched onto my side as we made our rounds. Anston and Riven followed with a group of children that had joined us. I had my own party daycare service going as the children gravitated towards me. Which meant I was spending a lot of time talking with their parents. Michael would appear at my elbow occasionally with suggestions of protocol or possible talking points. As he has, in the past months, proven to be both accurate and an indispensable wealth of information. I thanked him as always. Anston and Riven gave me the look that said it was time to release them. I stood and received all the hugs, kisses and handshakes from them before I pulled them both tight to me. Kissing the tops of the heads and thanking them for being perfect gentlemen today. They both beamed as they took off with their friends. I heard the soft laughing behind me before I turned and found an assemblage of guests standing with Lucien. He bowed to me. One of those special bows that conveyed gratitude, happiness and… love? I returned a dip of my head in his direction as he led the group, me included, to the private hall where the small orchestra was playing dance music.

He approached me again and gave me a low bow before he spoke.

“May I have the honor of your first dance today?” His words, although expected, had caught me off guard. He smiled knowingly as I stumbled to find the words I wanted before I just settled on one word.

“Yes.” He gave me a dip of his head as he stepped forwards. Offering me his arm. I slowly moved towards him and took it. Allowing him to guide me to the center of the dance floor. He assumed the proper position. Left hand was on my hip, his right hand grasping my left held at shoulder height and a respectable distance between us. I knew what this was. He was allowing me to dance with him in the privacy of the small group of friends. And for that, I was thankful as we moved around the dance floor.

Ariel and her boyfriend had arrived. She winked at me as they twirled past us. Which made me laugh. We had a few more dances before the evening ended and I was exhausted. So was Michael, but he’s very much older and it was expected. Hence why we were staying here tonight instead of going home. I had changed into something more comfortable after a nice hot shower in my suite of rooms, before I heard the knock. I laughed as I opened the door, as I was sure I knew who it was. I was a little shocked to find it was not only Anston and Riven, but all the children, except for Ariel, who I knew was out of the Castle tonight.

“And what brings all of you here to my rooms?” I asked softly. Drystan stepped forward as he was the oldest.

“I just wanted to say that I would not be opposed to you and our father being mated. You treat me and my siblings as if we were your own and you do it with all the various children. Orodreth was the happiest I’ve ever seen him today. He was mopping around their home until I arrived and announced you requested his presence.” He paused as he looked at his siblings. “I believe these two.” He pointed to Thalion and Iridessa. “Would like to be tucked into bed tonight as they heard from a reliable source it was enjoyable.” I side eyed the two youngest who just had the most innocent looks on their faces, fake as they were, that made me smile.

“And you, Drystan. Do you not want to be tucked in?” His face tinged slightly.

“I would, Lord Richard, but I have a few things to do before I go to bed. I will not demand you stay awake for me.”

“But. I will anyway. Return here and I will escort you to your room. Besides. I’ll be at least 20 minutes with these four. Longer, if I tell a bed-time story before I put them down.” I said as his surprise registered and he dipped his head in gratitude to me.

“Thank you, Lord Richard. I would enjoy that.” And with that, he left as I had the kids come in and sit with me on the couch as I told them a short story. Anston was almost asleep by the time I finished, and I lifted him into my arms to carry him to his room first. The others followed behind as I heard the laughing behind us.

“I should have known that they went to see you before bed.” He said, in a very heart-warming tone. And when I looked back at him, that smile lit his face and his hair was still pulled back. How I wanted to run my fingers across those ears. I shook myself before I spoke.

“You could join me on my rounds to put them down. It has been a long day for them.” I said, and he smiled again.

“I believe I will. I keep hearing how they like it better when you do it. I’ll have to learn your secrets and apply them myself.” He replied in all seriousness. I nodded as he fell in step with us. Less than 20 minutes later, we stood outside the last of the children’s rooms.

“Thank you for doing that for them. They all appreciate it, as do I. Especially how you treat all children.”

“We have one more tonight.” I said as he worked out who it was.

“Drystan?” I nodded in the affirmative as we walked to my quarters. Upon entering, I poured us a drink before we sat in the comfortable sitting chairs by the fire and talked.

“So. Lord now?” I asked.

“It was decided that you were ready for that title, and it would get the Realm used to it. Zarek and Alrik were going to arm wrestle for the right to be first, but Orodreth set them straight.” When Lucien finished speaking, I sat back in thought before I responded.

“Michael has told me about this during our talks on the High Council. How many of the guest tonight don’t think I should date you? That you should find an Elven mate?” he sighed unhappily.

“Better than half. They couldn’t say anything about Anthony because we had already been mated for over forty of your years. But. You have endeared my friends and their children to you. They make the bulk of the High Council, and that is what counts.” He said before we both sat watching the fire. I in my thoughts and he in his. Before we were both disturbed by a quiet knock at the door.

“Enter.” I said, and the door opened to admit Drystan. He froze when he saw the both of us, but I waved him in. “Come in Drystan. Your father and I were waiting for you. I felt he should join us tonight.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt your private time.” Which made both of us laugh.

“You are not interrupting anything, Drystan. I was discussing the situation with Richard. You may join us. I believe Richard has more of this wonderful wine and you may have a glass before bed with us.” I dipped my head as I went to get him a glass and returned with the bottle to refill mine and Lucien’s glasses.

“We are not dating yet.” I said to Drystan as I sat down again. “We are setting the stage. Making sure everyone knows me before we date. Besides. I have a few things to do before I tie myself down to anyone.” Which shocked him and made Lucien sigh softly. If he had his way, I would have been mated to him already. I have held off on kissing. Tonight was our first dance together. The next gathering in a few months will be our second dance. We’ll continue to draw in more supporters of my mating with Lucien. It wasn’t long before we were walking to Drystan’s room. Where he stripped to his underwear and jumped into bed. I sat on the side talking with him before I leaned in and kissed his forehead. Messing his hair before I left.