Following Queen Larion's announcement of her heritage, as well as the identity of her father, there was little point in attempting to control the chaos that suddenly overtook the national council chamber. What few Elves had been in attendance of her hearing were completely floored by the reveal that their illustrious Queen was a Half-Elf. Interbreeding between humans and Elves was not impossible, but both the physical and cultural borders which separated them made it incredibly unlikely for such a thing to occur. Elven guardsmen assigned to the chamber were quick to send a scout back to the Gate near the entrance of Gria to spread the news, and the open discussion which had erupted among members of the audience drowned out any possibility of the leaders hearing one-another over the ruckus. To rectify the issue, King Granda IV announced a half-hour recess to quell the commotion, and quickly departed with Queen Larion into the wide corridors of the royal castle.
"Unbelievable…" With the echo of well over 1,000 voices fading into the distance, King Branda sighed as the two of them meandered through the castle, "To think that the Queen of Elvenkind would be a Half-Elf… I see now why you petition for tolerance between our people."
"I do not wish for it to appear as if I desire an alliance only to suit my own needs." Larion replied, "I merely wanted to accentuate the hypocrisy of my kind, who claim that only a pure-blooded Elf may lead Elvenkind."
"Does it not worry you that your legitimacy as a ruler will most likely be challenged?"
"Not in the slightest." She answered resolutely, "I will not humble myself--Aelf'ahlnohma has prospered under my rule. My legitimacy as the daughter of its previous monarch cannot be questioned. Likewise, while I do not condone my people's discrimination against humans, I believe it is time that Tor allowed Elvenkind to reclaim its homeland. Only by confronting the tensions between our people can true peace be achieved."
"You are a braver ruler than I, to seek such lofty goals." The King remarked, "-But allow us your strength--your knowledge of the ancient world, and the capabilities of your sorcerers, to overcome this coming age of darkness, and I will swear upon my name that the whole of Branda shall be yours once again."
"I am glad to hear it. But we must first convince the remainder of the Holy Alliance to allow Elvenkind membership."
"Your majesty!"
From behind them, a voice cried. Turning her head, Larion spotted Din and Dorma approaching them with looks of both worry and anticipation. Shamelessly grabbing the Queen's hands in the presence of others, Din seemed more affected by the reveal of her Half-Elf heritage than just about anyone else.
"Why didn't you tell me you were going to do that!?" She demanded.
"Well…" Larion paused, "-Because I don't think you would have approved?"
"But… Aelf'ahlnohma will be thrown into chaos!" The handmaiden cried, "We haven't even discussed whether Elvenkind is receptive to the idea of merging with the Holy Alliance!"
"Oh, Din…" Allowing herself a slight smirk, Larion took Din's hands in her own, "I don't doubt that the idea will be met with overwhelming opposition. But if not today, then when? Without exposing ourselves to the outside world, our prejudices will only grow more fearsome as the ages continue to pass. It's high time that the knowledge so dearly protected by our people is used to better the state of the world, rather than left to collect dust in some old archive."
"What about the slavers!? Are we just supposed to forget that humans have been selling Elves like cattle for hundreds of years!?"
"Such criminals will be punished. We will fight endlessly to ensure that the Merchant Guild's anti-slavery laws are strictly enforced. Never again will an Elf live in fear of having their enclave raided in the night by gangs of slavers." Larion answered resolutely, "Please, Din. Have faith in me."
"...Hah." Closing her eyes, the handmaiden sighed, "Of course. It's just…"
"I will not ask you to hide your displeasure. Perhaps it will take decades for the bonds between humans and Elves to fully repair, but when they do, a new age--an age of peace and tolerance, will await our children. We suffer this not for ourselves, but for those who will follow in our paces." The Queen continued, "It will not be easy. I will not lie to you by saying it will be. But that hardship is precisely why we must endure. So that no others will be expected to do so."
"Larion… you…"
For a few moments, the two of them remained in silence, only broken as Larion quickly pulled their hands apart upon realising that both Dorma and King Branda were standing right next to them. Clearing her throat, the raven-haired Queen hid the light blush on her cheeks with a back-turned hand as she faced Dorma.
"Hm-mm…" She cleared her throat, "Lady Dorma. It pleases me to see that you went through the trouble of attending my hearing."
"The pleasure was all mine." She replied, "Although, I must admit it was a surprise to see you make such a brazen move, revealing yourself as a Half-Elf like that."
"I thought it necessary to emphasise my personal beliefs." Larion bowed, "I must apologise. It is considered sacrilegious for the Queen of Elves to reveal her face in the presence of others."
"Please, don't bow your head to me." Crossing her arms, Dorma had an inquisitive expression on her face, "What interests me the most is that you claimed Barion to be your father."
"Yes. I must admit, the two of us have never spoken face-to-face…" Larion explained, "But, with consideration to the words of my mother, I struggle to believe that he could be anyone else."
"Oh no, I wasn't trying to suggest otherwise." Dorma denied, "-In fact, I was just about convinced of it myself. And, I'm sure it will please you to hear that Barion is at least somewhat aware of the possibility."
"Is… that why he wished not to meet with me? During his time in Aelf'ahlnohma?" The Queen asked, "This is neither the time nor the place to discuss such matters, but I must know--does he… resent me?"
"You have to understand that your father is a lecherous, stubborn and irresponsible mess of a human being." Dorma answered bluntly, "I'm sure that he's never had any intentions of siring children, but the awful truth is that--most likely, you aren't the only product of his stupidity."
"You make him seem like some sort of monster."
"Well…" More affected by that statement than she should have been, Dorma went silent for a moment, "His heart is in the right place. And at the very least, I'm sure that he doesn't resent you. The man just isn't ready to stare his own daughter in the eyes, is all."
Turning to King Branda, Dorma bowed deeply.
"My apologies for intruding on your conversation, Your Majesty."
"Please. Were it not for you, Lady Dorma, we would be no closer to an alliance with Elvenkind. Now we stand to have such an agreement finalised by the end of the day." He replied, "-And, to stand in the presence of a Hero's descendant is an honour greater than any I have ever received."
"Truthfully, Your Majesty…" Dorma hesitated, "Barion, the Hero in question, yet lives."
"Hoh…" Granda stroked his beard, "Is such a thing possible?"
"With potions of longevity, certainly. The man is no older than the day he vanquished the Demon King." She continued, "And, the same is also true of me."
"Lady Dorma… you mean to say-"
"-That I was one of the Hero's companions, yes." Dorma finished, placing a hand on her chest, "Alongside the Onda, Shilahi, whose whereabouts remain unknown, the three of us defeated the Four Heavenly Kings and travelled north to oust the Demon King from his throne."
"Unbelievable…" Struggling to answer in a way that displayed his awe, King Branda paused before continuing, "Then, your endless wisdom is no sheer fluke, but the result of 500 years' worth of experience. It is no wonder how you were able to rise in the council's ranks so quickly."
"Your Majesty, if I may be so blunt…" Dorma began, "As you know, the tragedy averted by Barion 500 years ago is well on its way to repeating. Tiamat may be incapacitated for now, but without the Sword of Light, she--alongside the three remaining Heavenly Kings, will rise again to enshroud the land in darkness. Without exceptional initiative on the Holy Alliance's part, it's likely that sheer, untold death--the likes of which I could not stand to witness again, will decimate humanity so fiercely as to destroy the very foundations of our culture."
"You need not inform me of our fate, Lady Dorma, for I have already ascertained your intentions." King Branda interrupted, "-You mean to search for this untimely Hero--this 'Barion', and have him reprise his role for yet another Age of Demons?"
"If you would be so gracious as to grant me the opportunity, Your Majesty…" She concluded, "-Then I swear Barion will be found, no matter where he is."
"I could levy scarce few soldiers more capable of such a task than yourself, Lady Dorma." The King agreed, "-I imagine that, even if I were to refuse and confine you to the castle dungeons, you would no doubt find the means to escape and carry on your way."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Go, Dorma. And return to me with this 'Hero' who shall deliver us from darkness." He finished, "I will remain here, to ensure that Elvenkind are given the opportunity to enter the Holy Alliance."
"Um…!"
The two of them were enlightened to the presence of Din, who up until that moment had been listening to their conversation with great interest.
"I-I would like to accompany you, Lady Dorma!"
"Din!" Larion exclaimed, "What are you-"
"I can't be of any use to you here!" The girl replied quickly, "But, I know how to track people! And I'm an expert with a knife! I want to help in my own way--so, please, allow me to accompany you, Lady Dorma!"
"My, my…" Smirking, Dorma looked over to the Elven Queen, "Will Her Majesty not grow lonely without her dearest handmaiden close by?"
"O-Oi!" Din shouted, "What are you trying to imply!?"
"Please, Lady Dorma… there's no need to word it in such a strange way…" Larion stepped in to interrupt the raging girl, "Din is quite the capable sort, so I'm sure she could be of great use to you on your journey."
"Well, I certainly won't turn away help, especially if Her Majesty endorses it." Dorma shrugged her shoulders, "In that case, we will depart in the morning. Make certain to prepare for a long trip, Din. Finding Barion will be no small feat, I predict."
"R-Right…" The handmaiden simmered down, "I'll get to packing, in that case…"
As she looked from side to side, Din stepped forward to follow Dorma as she wandered away, only to be yanked by the arm back towards Larion, who stared resolutely into her eyes with an expression that was equal parts determined and worried.
"Return to me." The Queen demanded, "Promise that you will."
"Larion…"
"Promise me…" Her voice wavered, "That you will return to my side."
"I-I will…" Din relented, allowing a small smirk to cross her face, "Of course I will."