Meeting of Royals, IC Closed, Attn Mcnernia

[The Elven Imperium]

To: His Majesty, King Andrew Emilion IV of Mcnernia
From; His Majesty, Coronel Faylinor Ap Ariavel

Greeting your Majesty

It has come to my attention that your wish to court my daughter, Silvarianna. I was surprised to receive a report of your intentions from my ministers. My daughter is currently vying for the attentions of the Count Vincent Hapsburg de Torre Alta. Of course this does not mean that she is yet committed to a marriage to the young Torre Altan. In fact your Majesty is not only to voice their desire for my daughter. Princess Lilith of the The Pansapient Empire of Ganos Lao also it is rumor also desire my daughter, but her reputation and personalities makes that match unviable.

My daughter is very precious to me and as a responsible father I want her to make a good choice of husband. This does not mean that I will make the decision of who she will marry, unlike some other Elven lords. Silvarianna will make her own decision on who she will wed. I value my daughters decisions. All I grant you your Majesty is the chance to present yourself to my daughter, so she can judge you for herself.

If your desire to meet Silvarianna, please state where you would like to meet her. I have no objection to her visiting your country. Silvarianna has often enjoyed visiting new cultures and places. Of course your Majesty is more than welcome to meet Silvarianna here in the Empire. It would give you first hand experience of what proud culture my daughter hails from.

Either choice is valid and supported.
I await your decision.

The Coronel of Celebtaure

[McNernia]

From:King Emilion IV
To:King Coronel Faylinor Ap Ariavel


My fellow King,

Greetings and the greatest of blessings on you and your lovely daughter. I am under a degree of pressure to marry, the House Macnarin must continue, I need an heir and well with advisors breathing down my neck I made my choice of your daughter. she seems lovely enough. The eleven race in Mcnernia is simply deemed human, nothing is really said. Your daughter would be welcome here at court in Griffindon. The climes are mild with snow often and well, Mcnernia is a big country. The climes are varied so there will be always an interesting place to see. I would glady travel to the empire to meet Her Highness. Or she would be welcome here. Ill leave it up to her.

[The Elven Imperium]

To: His Majesty, King Andrew Emilion IV of Mcnernia
From; HRH Princess Selessca Ap Vyshaan

I would be delight to take a vist to your wonderful country. Please make all the necessary arrangements.

Silvarianna

[McNernia]

The arrangements were made, apartments were readied in the Royal Palace, RAF Station Griffindon was prepared for a VIP and a A340 of No2 Transport Wing was prepared to retrive the Princess however the VIP aircraft was not deemed immediately nesscessary. The Household Infantry would constitute the honor guard that would meet the aircraft. All was in place ,King Emilion dispatched another telegram

To: HRH Princess Silvarianna
From:King Emilion IV
Subject:Your Arrival

Your Highness all is prepared and well, how will you get here, I can send an aircraft to pick you up or you can come by your own aircraft? Please tell me?

[The Elven Imperium]

To: His Majesty, King Andrew Emilion IV of Mcnernia
From: Lord Jasper Ap Fionaviel, Royal Steward

HRH Princess Silvarianna Ap Ariavel will arrive your nation in in two days. She will arive on the private royal jet. She will be escorted by the Royal Guard Dragonriders, and Royal Air Wing, 2nd Squadron. Once in your country, security of the Princess will be primarily your affair. We hope you enjoy the Princess company, and the favor you stand in our lord's eye with her presence.

Lord Jasper

[McNernia]

From: King Emilion IV
To: Royal Steward

The RAF will meet the Princesses aircraft over the coast, Mcnernia has seen elves but dragons...not so much, the princess's security will be SAS commandos and Household Division Regulars. They are good at what they do, the Princess will be welcomed well I can assure you, the itinerary for her vist....we have yet to nail that down, the museums are well and good, the opera...the choice is hers.

[The Elven Imperium]

To: HM King Emilion IV of McNernia
From: Lord Jasper Ap Fionaviel, Royal Steward

Wonderful your Majesty I m sure her Highness will enjoy her visit to your country. I will forward your information to her security team. Me and many other nobles in the kingdom wait for anticipation for the result of this visit.

Lord Jasper

[McNernia]

The Palace Griffindon

The King hurried down the hall, Slivarianna was arriving. The honor guard was waiting outside. Also was the Kings car ,the soliders snapped to attention when the King appeared. "At ease lads, mount up." The soliders all in the red dress uniforms of the Royal Household Division. They boarded two trucks to the air base where the princess's aircraft was landing. Emilion wore a Navy Admiral's uniform. The SAS had a detachment at the airbase so all was secure , the car stopped and the King exited to the sound of an Air Force band playing the Royal Anthem. The air stairs stood vacant at the end of the runway. The honor gaurd piled out and lined up. Two F-289 fighters took off to meet the princess's aircraft.

[The Elven Imperium]

A Elven imperial private jet soared across the open sky. It was escorted by two Elven F-16 fighters and two silver dragons. Inside the private jet rested the Elven princess Silvarianna Ap Avariel and her entourage. The princess was seated, lost in thought.

What a strange sort of set of circumstance I find my self in though Silvarianna. To think a few weeks i was just another Elf girl living my life as any Elf girl. Now i was on my way to a strange new kingdom. Populated by humans, a race my people tend to keep relations with to a minimum. The though of seeing this new land and people both excited and terrified the young princess. What were customs of these people? Would they freak out at her appearance? Would they hate her? These and another dozen thoughts zipped through her head as she though about Mcneria.

She then though about the young king of McNernia, King Emilion IV. Her father's adviser had little information to offer her about her potential suitor. Lord Jasper said he was 27 and a bachelor. She wonder what he looked like. Was he handsome, Cute, or ugly? She though how strange she drew the attentions of so many potential suitors in recently. Not only was see invited to grand ball of Torre Alta to be shown off to the Count Vincent Hapsburg de Torre Alta as potential bride, but she had also received a invitation from Ganos Lao. Apparently Princess Lilith of Ganos Lao and many of their nobility where smitten with her. Now the king of McNeria wanted to meet her. She was a bit overwhelmed by this attention, she just wanted to travel and see the world a little bit. She never though of herself as beautiful, though she knew she could turn heads of other elves since she turn 25. she didn't understand why these people desired her? She wasn't like her friend Vassntistreea who shuffled away to other countries by her father cause of political reasons

Though of marriage was a bit frightening as well. She was young, only 52. She had centuries until she need to settle down. Then she thought of what about the Emilion. She could easily out live him, by centuries. That was biggest problem with Human-Elf relations was the briefness of human existence. Part of her feared she would like this king and worst fall for him.

As she was lost in though, a Elven attendant broke her train of though. "Your highness we are approaching McNernia" Silvarianna compose herself, and prepared for landing.

When the plane touch down it taxied up to a special air stairs. There was a large procession waiting for them. A band and row of guards line up in a double row of honor.

As Silvarianna step from the plane she breath in the fresh air of the McNeria. The band started playing music. There national anthem I guess Silvarianna thought. She saw a young man at end of a double row of men in formation. That must be Emilion, Silvarianna thought. She started walking down the air stairs, followed by her entourage of a dozen Elves. She keep he eyes on the King as she gracefully walked towards him. Above her her dragon rider guard did a circle above her, the Dragons making a snake like pattern above the airport. She finish her walk up to the king and bowed.

"Hail your majesty from the Empire of the People." She said in beautifully accented English. "I am the Princess Silvarianna. It is a honor and a privilege to visit your country and to meet your majesty. May this meeting be the start of warm relations between our fair kingdoms." She continued.

Silvarianna finished her statement and waited for the king's response.

[McNernia]

The King was a young man, at 27 he stood 6 feet tall, brown hair and laughing eyes. He was a sight and many ladies at court wanted him, he was a rover by nature but he was a devoted King. He stood proudly in the sun. His hair was slick and well any girl who did not have a lot of resolve found him irresistible he was Mcnernias . many matrons at court wanting to get rid of their daughters and well with the King an attractive young bachelor things were interesting. The Princess when she exited was met by HM with an honor guard from the household division, the Princess's entourage caused the King some hesitiation. He would arrange for their transport, "your highness, welcome to Mcnernia". He bowed, "you are a guest of the Crown be welcome here." All of this was spoken in Quenya the elvish language. He had made it a part of the hospitality he offered to this foreign princess, speaking her language flawlessly. The Motorcade consisted of the two trucks the Kings Bentley and a group of four Land Rovers , there was enough room for the Princess's Gaurds. The King stepped forward, "You are a sight for the eyes ,you are a woman of great beauty", the King motioned towards the waiting convoy, "well shall we go?'

[The Elven Imperium]

Silvarianna expression did not betray her thoughts. She was a little embarrassed. She had never consider herself beautiful, even though many court and her friends would disagree. She had consider there statement as being flattery. "Thank you you Majesty," she replied

She found the King's use of Elven, to be a cute gesture. He couldn't know that his speech was coming over heavily accented. That was nothing new, the human throat did not possess certain pitches that made Elven sound different then when a Elf spoke Elven. She didn't mind it was a cute gesture. She noted that the king was young and handsome. She would rather enjoy her time. If the king did not turn out to be a bore. She stated "Your Majesty doesn't need to speak my language for my sake." " I happen to understand English very well," she continued.

She noted the convoy and stated "Yes please let us please continue on." Then Silvarianna and her entourage boarded the convoy.

[McNernia]

The King settled himself into the Bently. "Your Highness, you speak english, good anyway my reason for use of Quenya was that I did not want to force the use of english on you." Emilion reached over for a panel and it opened to reveal a cooler with mineral water and glassess. "Princess would you like some water? Our mineral water is very good." He looked out the bulletproof window, "Slvarianna we are approaching Griffindon proper, if you will look outside. If Slvarianna she would see the city of Griffindon, it was a magnificent thing, the iron and glass Business quarter, the Old City with its Barouqe Westerhill Abbey and the Gothic Admiralty Cathederal. Then the city changed, Mansions of Nobles and the various Ministries of the Crown. last was the Royal Palace a grand marble and stone residence. The door was opened as the Household Honor gaurd presented arms.

[The Elven Imperium]

As Silvarianna settled into the Bentley, she though how enclosed it was. It was less open than most transport that Elves enjoyed. Most elves went in carriages that where open to sky. She understood why humans went in closed armored cars. Secuirty was always of great importance to humans. It was necessary if regrettable thing given human history.

Her thoughts where interrupted by Emilion offering a drink of water. "Thank you, your Majesty" she said accepting the glass of water. The water was quite pleasant she thought. She listen to Emilion continue. She looked out of the Bentley and view the city. It was a interesting sight. The city seam to flow from the modern business quarter, to the old city quarter and its antique buildings. She looked at the Barouqe Westerhill Abbey and Gothic Admiralty Cathedral and marveled at buildings. She was always amazed on subtleties of human construction. Humans where excellent workers of stone and masonry, even rivaling dwarves. She then looked at the buildings of the nobility and the crown. Humans always place and emphasis on separating their social classes and the building of the nobility reflected this. Elven nobility typically had similar trappings to the average elf. There was notable exception of course and any pretense of similarity ended with royalty. She herself never understood the need for the pretense of maintaining the customs of royalty, but had done them out of love of her father.

As the Bentley drove up to the royal palace, Silvarianna took a look at the palace. She smiled as she view the building. In her mind she thought, Ah a building worthy of a Sun elf or Gray Elf. I hope the king got a large garden, this building look too confining. I rather have the breeze on my face and sun over head while i talk with him. It will make it easier and more comfortable. Ill try to steer that way once we settle down here.

The doors of the Royal Palace open and the royal Bentley enter the grounds of the palace. Inside Silvarianna sat and waited to see what surprises lye in store for her at the palace.

[McNernia]

The King stepped into the Palace doors he led Slivarianna into a large airy entrence hall. The Palace was an old buliding, the structure was built around a formidable garden. Many roses grew in the garden. The King seated himself at a table ,a pitcher of ice tea was set out. He Poured a glass for his guest and one for himself, ""You elves must be appalled at the barbarity of Humanity...you surely must wonder why we can kill so easily and yet we create such works as this palace and we grow such flowers". The King removed the dress coat which was somewhat heavy with the medals he had earned as a Navy officer and those badges that came with his station. The cap he deposited on the table. Under his coat he wore a white dress shirt with a straight colllar. "The Uniform is damn hot. The nobility here are a few hereditary families and some families have a nobilty as a sort of pension, soliders Killed In action and sevents of Crown and State their descendants can live well, the King's duty is overall command of the Armed forces and being the face of Mcnernia abroad." He sipped his ice tea, "your questions?"

[The Elven Imperium]

When Silvarianna step in the large palace, she was amazed by what she saw. A building almsot completely designed around a lovely garden. It was much like an elven structure, though less organic. Still it appearance did please Silvarianna.

She followed Emilion to a table near the garden and sat down. The king offer her a drink of ice tea witch she accepted. She heard the king say "You elves must be appalled at the barbarity of Humanity...you surely must wonder why we can kill so easily and yet we create such works as this palace and we grow such flowers". She responded "Not necessarily." "Some elves are quite familiar with warfare" she continued. "The Vyshaan family, the current ruling family of the empire is well renown for their martial prowess. The Dark Elves, a sub-race of Elves, pride themselves on the their ability to inflict bloodshed. Even my father was a great warrior. So we Elves know war, but for the most part we have a disdain for it," She finished.

Silvarianna enjoyed her tea and the ambiance of the garden. It was indeed beautiful. She watch the king remove his heavy coat. She forgot that humans did not have the same tolerance to the weather that most Elves enjoyed. A Elf wouldn't mind the heat unless it got to be over a 100F nor would Elf mind the cold unless it dipped below 32F. This would explain Elven fashion witch allowed Elves to wear full coats in summer and be scantily clad in the winter. Silvarianna as she drank her tea, heard Emilion ask her the question "Do you have any questions?"

Silvarianna put down her cup and looked Emilion strait in the eyes and said "Why did you choose me?"

[McNernia]

The coat had alot of medals on it and to top it off somebody had misplaced his tropical dress uniform but you always wanted to meet a foreign representative with your best. The uniform was tolerable but now that it was not needed it was removed. The question the princess posed was a good one. "I knew you would ask that , I have not chosen a bride yet Your Highness, sure I have plenty of domestic options but the reason I invited you here was because I wanted to meet a girl who had wit and wisdom , the maidens of the court while not being found wanting for beauty are not especially satisfactory in the brains department. There are a few maidens who I have met on one or two occasions who have brains and beauty both but well they were damn shy." He paused and sipped his tea, "Your people are a interesting race and your father was a solider?" He looked Silvarianna straight in the eyes, " Iam merely offering you my hand because well I have a crown and your father would want a secure marriage for his daughter would he not?"

[The Elven Imperium]

Silvarianna was a little shocked at Emilion response. She did not expect such directness in a answer from royalty. Granted human she remember where known for their directness, she had heard that human nobility often like to hide their attention under the weight of flowery language. The fact he did not hide his intentions under a web of platitudes or innuendos was surprising and refreshing. Was he being honest with her because he really like her and respected her? Or was this a political ploy to get her to lower guard? She wondered. She smiled for moment, her friend Vassntistreea would say she was thinking like a Dark Elf. Vassntistreea was her Dark Elf friend, a royal princess of the Drow, but possess a heart more like Moon Elf. She hoped her friend was having good fortune finding her happiness in Tletl. Her friend would have been right, she was letting mistrust cloud her feelings. She would be honest with him, just like he was to her.

"I must thank you Majesty for your honesty. To honor your honestly let me be as forthright. You Majesty does me a great honor is calling me a woman of great beauty and wisdom. I personalty would say I am neither great in either. I am rather young for an Elf and do not possess the wisdom of some older Elf maidens. There are far more beautiful Elven maidens then I in the Empire. "

She thought on his second statement. About how he was merely offering you my hand because he have a crown and your father would want a secure marriage for his daughter. Great Sehanine Moonbow, my father was at it again. He obviously made some overture to this king in hope of some alliance or at the very least a proper husband for his daughter. "Your Majesty offers a his hand to me for the sake of my father. I am very honored that you would make such a gesture. "

She looked directly to him "But let us be honest. I hardly know you and you know little of me. Marriage is an important gesture for Elves as it is no doubt just as important to humans. Now even if romance could blossom from this meeting and marriage there would be issues. One, how would your people adjust to having a Queen that not just McNerian, but also not human." She had heard that many human nations not only dislike Elves, but despised them. She continued "Two, we of two different races. I am a Elf of the Moon Elf sub-race. My people live for thousand of your years, possible more. Even if we do wed, could you deal with a bride that would probably out live you by centuries. "

She added, "Also I need no crown, wealth or title to entice me to marry some one. I have many titles, many of which ill retain even if i don't get married. Elves don't have the same notions of self worth via wealth that many humans do. And if we did I am quite wealthy anyway. She smiled and looked at the king "If you want to entice me to marriage, you must win my heart. And you best strategy there is continue you honesty and speak from the heart. Win me over with your wit and kindness. Not castles, titles and armies. I want a friend, then boyfriend and then a husband. If you can rise to that challenge, then you have a good chance of winning this maiden's heart."

She stated "If a first step, is need let us start with reintroductions. Call me Silvarianna, her highness is a title that offer no insight to a person. Let us get to know each other."

She finish her statement and look for a expression on Emilion's face. Perhaps she had been too honest. Perhaps she had not been honest enough.

[McNernia]

"So you value honesty, the full name is Emilion Macnarin the fourth but you can call me Andrew the name Emilion is the regal name. If you want honesty this may be a shock I am one who took the Crown as a duty, my elder sister Alexandra, she was going to be queen and she was, me I was content to live my days as the Earl of Thomond, but fate seems to work in many strange ways. Parliament did not really approve of her way of....living, she was well meaning but father was getting on in years and well she was the eldest, her ways were a bit, Unqueenly well one scandal with a Navy man, a knight well it was not good, I was away at sea and when I returned to Mcnernia I had the crown plopped in my lap and well, being a good man and obeying dad's will to have me crowned in the event of something happening to Alexandra. Dad was right." He smiled ,that was his history.

[The Elven Imperium]

Silvarianna smile as he heard Andrews statement. "All right Andrew. That's a pleasant sounding name. Much more pleasant then your Majesty." There that was more like it. She would get this human king to start acting like a person in front of her and not another intimidating head of state.

She took another drink of tea and continued "Well Andrew how shall we proceed?" Silvarianna smiled a beautiful smile towards Andrew.

[McNernia]

"Well how shall we proceed you ask?' Andrew smiled, "There is a performance of Shakespeare later tonight at the Regent Theater. I can see what can be done about that, your entourage should be settled in a wing of the palace and well, the hours are passing Slivarianna I say we should get inside and relax." Andrew drains his ice tea and picks up his coat and hat. "Follow me Slivarianna, I will see you to your rooms but since it is not evening I think the library would be a good place to be." Andrew led the way into another entrance hall, then he turned off and led the way down a more narrow but still wide corridor. Then through a side corridor, "These corridors are for the use of the Royal Family and personal servants. My little brother Fredrick should be in the library. The library was a large two story affair, a set of windows let in the setting sun, the books were of all sorts. A young man looked down from a balcony,"Andy is that you?" Andrew looked up, "Freddy, come on down you spend so much time in here, I want you to meet Slivarianna ap Averil a woman who may become my wife." The young man who came down was much like his elder brother, a tall fair youth of 24 he wore a brown Air Force uniform and he had a big smile. "Hello Silvarianna, I am Fredrick."

[The Elven Imperium]

"A pleasure to meet you", replied Silvarianna as she bowed. What a handsome young man. I guess good looks run in this family is what she thought as she looked at Fredrick. "I guess like your brother you are a warrior." She guess it was required in this family that the royal also be warriors. It was not required in the Elven Empire,but all elves where raised in some form of martial training.

Silvarianna finish her greetings and waited for both Fredrick's and Andrew's to continue.

[McNernia]

"I am the Kings younger brother and it is an honor to meet you Princess." Fredrick bowed , "As you can see by my habitation of this library I am much a scholar when I am not a warrior," He went over to the bookshelf, "Here princess you might want to read this." Fredrick handed the princess a thick tome, "It is a history of this Kingdom, it might be handy". He smiled and turned back to his books. Andrew smiled, "father wanted us to be good men and well people do national service and well I attended Naval Colledge and Freddy went to the Air Force, we both chose our professions, a King must be in touch with his soliders, naturally that means we must be soliders ourselves." Andrew settled himself on a couch, "Sit and tell me about your self?"

[The Elven Imperium]

Silvarianna accepted the tome, " I am most honored." She would read this later. She rather like reading book and history was one of her favorite subjects. She saw Andrew take a seat on a near by couch and heard him ask her the question "So tell me about your self?"

She took a seat on the couch near Andrew, putting down the old book on a table near by. she settle in on the couch, turning to face Andrew on the couch. She smiled at Andrew. She started "Well there not much of a story to my life. I was born the Royal palace of Celebtaure. I also have brothers like you Andrew..Two in fact. My brothers Raerlon and N'tyeneanoron. Both of my brothers are warriors just like you your brother. Me...my father never wanted me to have to know war, so i never became a soldier. I did receive training in sword and bow when i was growing up. My life was pretty normal as an Elf. I grew up in the palace and then attended finishing school when i reach adolescence. When i graduated finishing school I attended the Imperial Academy. There I studied literature, philosophy and political theory. I meet two my best friends there. Princesses Selessca ap Vyshaan and Vassntistreea ap DeVir. For hobbies I rather enjoy reading, so good choice of showing me your library." Silvarianna wink at Andrew when she said that last sentence. She continued "I also enjoy riding, swordsmanship, archery, good conversation, and debate. "

She paused for a minute and continued "Well that a little bit about me. How bout you Andrew tell me a little bit out you. I rather was surprise that you did not appeared shocked when i said i would live for centuries. Most humans tend to be a little stunned when Elves mention that fact to them. "Also Andrew.." And her face grew serious when she said "You never did answer my question, about could you accept a bride if she would out live by centuries and she not human." She looked away for the moment lost in thought.

In her mind Silvarianna was sorry she had to push that question, but she had to know. If she wed this man it wouldn't be a light choice. Elves generally married once in their long lives. He couldn't understand the weight of this decision. She rather like the Andrew and hoped something more could come from this time here. Her father already had explain his feeling on the subject, that marrying a human could only lead to tragedy.

She turn her face back to Andrew and waited for his answer.

[McNernia]

The question of living through the centuries..."Slvarianna, I do not fear death nor do I have a problem with you living down through the centuries, you may be suprised at how long I live." Andrew smiled "So you have two brothers? Anyway if you want to know more about me, I am sonthing of a marksman, a writer and a scholar, my father was a man of peace, the military was used to aid those in need."

[The Elven Imperium]

"Thank you Andrew. Thant put some my concerns to rest. She sighed in relief when he heard that. She like this Andrew.

"So your a marksman, well i never had much experience with firearms but I have some skill with the bow, if you ever want to try out your luck against me" Silvarianna smile at Andrew when she said that. "I Also like to think of myself as a debater and a little bit of a scholar. If we continue to develop this relationship you will find many of your nights filled with discussion with me on various topics."

"Oh when you say you live long what do you mean? Are you like my people and live for centuries?" She look puzzled at Andrew.