RECAP- OLD POSTS
POST 5 MISSING
POST 6
Nicholas was surprised that the Koinonia royals actually took a pastry. He’d always been the kind of person to assume that they would suspect them of poisoning the pastries before they ever actually ate one. It was a good thing that no one had thought of actually doing that. 
The Koinonia princess, Katrina, was the only one who seemed hesitant about eating. Maybe she really did think they were trying to kill them. But that wouldn’t end the war unfortunately. 
Queen Ellyn was quick to begin. She seemed to speak much more than her husband. Nicholas could tell who was really in charge between the two of them. When the Queen presented her daughter and offered her up to be married, Nicholas nearly fell out of his chair. He had to make a double take at the Queen to see if she was actually serious. It was obvious Katrina had not heard anything about this prior to this moment as she protested heavily. 
Nicholas raised an eyebrow as she finished shouting at her mother and realized what she’d said. But she didn’t have to worry. They weren’t going to call of the negotiations just because she was alarmed about the marriage suggestion. 
 Nicholas watched her run out of the room and was surprised at what he heard next. His father was laughing. Nicholas looked over; his oldest brother also seemed to be pleased.

“It is good you should mention it. My eldest son had a similar thought of his own,” the King placed his hand on Prince Charles’s shoulder. 
“I did indeed. As you may know, I am next in line to the Ethendius throne. I believe having the young Lady Katrina by my side would undoubtedly bring peace to our kingdoms.” Prince Charles smiled. 
Nicholas sat back in his seat. So this was their plan all along. He’d heard nothing about it. But it looked like his father had succeeded in all his plans now. He had the other kingdom offering up their own daughter. It was sickening. Nicholas was well aware that royal children were often used in this way but he’d never liked it. Girls always suffered more in this manner, he felt bad for her. 
“If I may suggest,” Nicholas interrupted, “There may be a better way to go about this. Your daughter does not seem very willing to marry into our family. Perhaps a trade of goods would be more suitable?” Nicholas stated, trying to help the girl out a bit. He got three irritated glares from his family. 
“No, I really think marriage is the only way dear brother.” Prince Charles replied. 
“She wants to marry for love,” Nicholas continued.
“Royal Marriage isn’t about love,” The King said through his teeth angrily. 
“It really may be the only way Nic,” Frederick added, trying to be a part of this discussion. Nicholas was outvoted and sat back in his seat with his mouth shut tight. He’d tried, but it wasn’t going to do them any good to argue in front of their enemy.

Suddenly there was a loud knock on the door followed by it flying open. Standing in the doorway was none other than Henry, the fourth oldest son of the Ethendius family. Henry was an upbeat young man. But not yet old enough to attend these kinds of meetings, nor was he close enough to the throne. 
“I have arrived!” He shouted. The King stood up in anger.
“What are you doing here?!” the King fumed. He looked angry enough to explode. His face was turning beat red, his eyebrows in a tight knot. 
Henry chuckled. “I know, I know, I’m not supposed to be here. But! I had a thought. A wonderful thought,” Henry grinned and walked promptly over to the king of Koinonia. 
“You are forbidden from entering this room. Somebody get him out!” King Charles continued to fume.
“Sir, King Jarin of Koinonia. I propose a trade.” He circled around the table to his father. “You too will like this thought father.” He continued, but his father was still beat red. 
“My thought is a trade, a trade between the two kingdoms. Something that will stop either side from attacking the other! Jarin sir, you give us a daughter. Whichever one is fine, but it’s probably easier if you just give us the one you’ve brought with us today. What’s her name?” Henry rambled before pausing to remember the girl’s name. 
Henry was very specific in speaking to the King. He did not look in Queen Ellyn’s direction even once. 
“Katrina. Her name is Katrina,” Nicholas replied. Nicholas didn’t like where this was going. Henry had no concern for women in anyway at all. 
“Right, you give us Kat—Katerna…? Or whatever her name was and we’ll give you one of us. Elizabeth perhaps?” henry finished explaining his plan. Nicholas shot up out of his chair.
“You’ve gone mad. We’re not going to give them anyone, especially not Elizabeth. Do you even know which sister that is or is that the first name you could think of? Get out of here, get out.” Nicholas walked behind his father and over to Henry. He grabbed him by the arm and dragged him out of the room. He threw him out closing the door behind the both of them. 
“This kingdom is lucky you are never going to see the throne,” Nicholas fumed through his teeth before walking up stair angrily. How dare he make that kind of suggestion? How dare he… Nicholas stopped in front of Elizabeth’s door. He wasn’t going to allow anyone to take her anywhere. 

~~~
 Back in the negotiation room King Charles and sat down sighing. His two sons Charles VII and Frederick also took their seats. 
“I apologise for the interruption. But unfortunately my son did have a good proposition. Our offer is as such. The young Lady Katrina weds my eldest son, or we make a trade of daughters. The decision is yours.”

~~~

Henry felt very good about himself for adding to the negotiations. His father would take the offer seriously even if Nicholas hated it. Henry grinned and strolled out front where Katrina sat crying by her horse. 
The townspeople were watching her cautiously with great interest. Henry took it upon himself to approach her.
“Gooday, Ka- Karen? Never mind. I thought it might interest you to know, you may be staying here for quite some time and as the gentleman I am, I thought I should show you around a bit. Just don’t tell my father.” Henry held out his hand to Katrina to help her up. “You may not know me; my name is Henry Ethendius, fourth son of the Ethendius family. You’ll learn that well enough during your stay here, Ka—Katherine?” Henry never bothered to learn the names of most girls. He barely knew his own sisters by name.
POST 7 MISSING
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POST 8
Henry stared at Katrina as she talked back at him. Did she call him Hickery? Just who did she think she was? She had no right over him, she was just a useless women. Why should he have to learn her name? She was nobody. What was she rambling about anyway? He never said anything about marriage. Also what story book did she think she was in that she had her own opinion about anything?
Henry could feel himself getting rather irritated but before he could say anything the girl rushed up the steps and started spouting nonsense to the townspeople. Now she’d really done it. Was she trying to provoke the citizens of Ethendius? 
Only moments later the King and Queen of Koinonia were at Katrina’s side. Ellyn slapped Katrina hard enough to make her fall. Henry smirked. She deserved it. Well, she deserved to be hit, but a love slap from her mother was hardly enough. 
He three rushed to their horses as the Ethendius King, Prince Charles, and Frederick stepped outside. It was just in time for them to hear Katrina’s quiet apology. Henry scoffed at her as she walked by him. 
“Expect to be back very soon,” He grumbled before she reached her horse. He turned and walked away from her, up the steps to join his father and brothers. As they watched the three leave, they were joined by Nicholas who had seen the commotion from the window above. 
When Katrina turned herself around and hurried back over to them, the King raised his eyebrow. She stopped in front of the steps and bowed. The king walked down the first few step s so he was within arm’s reach to her. She handed him a charm. It was the shaped of a mighty dragon. Ellyn screeched out Katrina’s name and the girl hurried back over to her horse; where she was greeted by her mother with another hard slap. 
Nicholas took a few quick steps down towards Katrina but was stopped by his father’s hand in front of him. Nicholas looked over at his father who was focussed on both the girl and the charm. 
“Charles,” the king said firmly. “Your charge is the people of this kingdom.” He said without looking away from Katrina. Prince Charles simply nodded. He knew exactly what his father meant. The girl had stirred up unwanted thoughts in the minds of the townspeople and he had to make sure everything was still running smoothly. 
“Frederick, gather the knights, we have things to discuss.” The king continued still staring intensely at Katrina. Frederick nodded and headed back inside the castle. Frederick was in charge of battle strategies and no doubt they had to prepare in case the war with Koinonia was going to continue. 
“Henry, go to your chambers. I don’t want to see you for the remainder of the day,” there was a sting in the king’s words, distaste for his own son. But the king continued to stare intensely at Katrina. 
Finally the king looked down at the locket. In a hurry he handed it to Nicholas and stormed off towards the castle, the doors were shut behind him and Nicholas was left standing in the midst of an extremely confused town and a raging mother daughter fight in front of him. 
Nicholas looked down at the locket.
“A dragon?” he mumbled looking at its unique shape. It was supposed to symbolize strength to the Ethendius kingdom? Why would she wish that for them when they were her enemy? Nicholas briefly contemplated the charm. Dragons were often symbols to show the big picture. Perhaps, Katrina was trying to give then a token that showed them all this war was achieving; the death of their soldiers. 
Nicholas looked up at Katrina and her mother before charging forward to stand in between them. He faced Ellyn firmly, separating her from her daughter. 
“Unfortunately, Ma’am, the kingdom of Ethendius does not tolerate meaningless violence between guests. I’m going to have to ask you not to do that again whilst you are here.” This wasn’t exactly the truth. Ethendius did not usually come between fights like this so long as it wasn’t harming them. But Nicholas not only knew it was bringing down the moral of their kingdom but the pride of Katrina. 
Nicholas turned to Katrina. 
“I would also like you to know that so long as I am the third son of the King of Ethendius, I will not allow anyone to force you into marriage with my brother,” Nicholas reached into his own pocket taking out a necklace. It had a pure gold chain and dangling off of it was a gold flower shaped charm. 
“Our first trade,” Nicholas held out the necklace and place it in Katrina’s hand. He originally had the necklace specially made for his sister Elizabeth, but this seemed like a much more meaningful purpose. 
“For peace,” Nicholas gave her a friendly smiled and bowed before her. He turned back to Ellyn. 
“It may interest you to know that my father and brother Frederick are likely making plans for our armies’ next encounter. I would act quickly upon you decisions of peace but do not hand your daughter out for marriage.” Nicholas took a few steps back toward the castle. 
“A trade of royals may be the only way to end this war. If Katrina wishes to stay with us so our kingdoms may be at peace that is her decision. As for us giving you someone…” Nicholas paused. 
“I will discuss with my own sisters, I’m sure one of them will be quite willing to end the war even if it means living in your kingdom. But that person will not be Elizabeth.” Nicholas didn’t know if the Koinonia Royals were even aware of Elizabeth’s existence as she was only 9 years old, but even if that was so, he wanted to make it quite clear that she was not going with them.
“Besides, I’m sure you want a fair trade. A young adult in exchange for a child is rather foolish.” Nicholas looked at Katrina once more. “If you would like to stay with us now, you are quite welcome. But if you wish to return to your kingdom until you’ve made your decision whether or not you’ll be staying with us at all, that is fine.” He gave her a final warm smile before turning and walking back to the castle entryway. 
His father may not be pleased that he had made the offer without first speaking to him or his older brother first, but it was his own fault for leaving him alone with them. Nicholas looked down at the dragon charm in his hand. Perhaps Elizabeth would forgive him for giving away her present if he put the dragon charm on a gold chain and gave that to her instead. Or maybe he should keep the charm himself…
POST 9 MISSING
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POST 10 
After entering through the castles doors, Nicholas let out a heavy sigh. He didn’t know how he was going to explain to his brothers that he insulted the enemy Queen, took the offer of marriage of the table, and even gave Katrina a token. The king had probably seen Katrina as weak when she handed him the dragon charm. But now, Nicholas was just as weak. Furthermore, now he had to go to his sisters and ask them to volunteer to be a bargaining present. 
“Good job Nic now look what you’ve done,” He cursed to himself. 
“What is that you’ve done brother?” A soft voice echoed into the room. Nicholas looked up to see one of his few sisters, dressed in a flowing red gown with gold ribbons. She bore jewels upon her face and an elegant stride in her steps. 
“Catherine,” Nicholas’s expression turned to defeat. Whatever Catherine had to say, he probably wasn’t going to like it. 
“You don’t look well. I heard the commotion. It seems the negotiations didn’t quite go as planned. It’s unfortunate; I had looked forward to a feast tonight.” Catherine’s every word sounded duplicitous as she walked toward Nicholas. 
“What do you want Catherine?” Nicholas just wanted her to get on with her thoughts so he could shoot them down and get back to what was important.
“Do I have to be after something to have a conversation with my brother?”
“No, but you don’t usually talk to me unless I have something you want. If you don’t want anything then go back to your usual task of eavesdropping on everyone in the castle.” Nicholas walked past his sister. He had to think of who would be best for the trade and what he would say to his father. 
“I don’t listen to everything. But if you must know, I happen to overhear what you said to the Queen of Koinonia. Are you trying to continue this war?” Catherine gave an uneasy smile and turned to face Nicholas. 
“If you heard that you must have heard the proposition of trading a princess for princess. Are you volunteering?” Nicholas knew his sister would not go along with it; she was too selfish to care about the state of the kingdoms. 
“Katrina was the name of the princess from Koinonia was it not? If you traded her for me, there would hardly be a difference seeing as we have nearly the same name. But I will not go so easily, brother.” Catherine placed her hand on Nicholas’s shoulder. He was beginning to feel more and more irritated as this conversation continued. He was about to say something witty to end it with but was interrupted by a familiar voice.
“Where is it you are going sister?” Prince Charles had entered the room, and snuck up behind the two. 
“Charlie, you have good timing as always. It seems Nic here wants to hand me over to Koinonia in exchange for the other Kate,” Catherine turned to greet their oldest brother with a charming smile.
“Is that right?” Prince Charles, who was used to being called Charlie by his siblings as a way of differing himself from his father, asked curiously.
“I’ve never called you or Katrina by the name Kate before, and I did not say I wanted you to go. Knowing you, you’d probably do more harm than good.” Nicholas said through his teeth. Charlie laughed hitting Nicholas lightly in the arm.
“You could do for a little cheering up I see, brother. Don’t worry yourself with a trade, I intend to make that young girl my bride and everything will be sorted out smoothly.” Charlie gave his brother a reassuring grin but it didn’t make Nicholas in the least bit happy. 
“I really don’t think she is going to marry you. Katrina is a dreamer. She won’t settle for a convenience marriage. Also I may have hindered that plan quite a bit. I think I incidentally took that offer away, it’s the trade or nothing at this point.” Nicholas explained.
“You what? You… I can’t believe you, what did you say to them? Father is going to be very displeased with you.” Charlie was astonished, after he went through the trouble of agreeing to marry to the young girl Nicholas had gone and done something stupid. “I thought you were more intelligent than to commit our kingdom to further warfare. Clearly you intend on getting us all killed.”
“The trade is still an option. I have no doubt Katrina will return. But I also know that we will not be giving them Elizabeth as Henry rudely suggested.” Nicholas looked over at the stair that led to Elizabeth’s room; no one would ever put her in danger. He’d rather see the kingdom fall to Koinonia than have Elizabeth involved in this war. 
“And why is that Nic? Can’t stand to see your favorite sibling learn about the real world?” Catherine provoked.
“Well, besides Nic’s unexplainable protection over Elizabeth, it actually is a foolish idea to send her. Koinonia may come to think that all of the Ethendius children are as helpless as she is.” Charlie further provoked Nicholas but it wasn’t going to work. Especially seeing as Charlie was right about Elizabeth being helpless. 
Nicholas was deep in thought. Years ago they had offered up their oldest sister to make peace with another neighboring kingdom so the most suitable person was already gone. Nicholas’s thought were of how Koinonia would react in regards to any of his sisters.
“We could always give them the little one.” Charlie mumbled. 
“That’s even worse than sending Elizabeth.” Catherine replied in a whisper, or at least she sounded like she was whispering to Nicholas. He was deep in thought, thinking about the personalities in the Ethendius family and their best option.
“No. We will send Catherine. It makes perfect logical sense. Speaking in terms you and father will understand, Catherine is the most diabolical in this family not to mention nosy. If we send her over and things happen to go wrong, at least she may return to us with inside information about the Koinonia kingdom.” Nicholas finally spewed after his long hard thinking. 
“Or, if things go wrong, they kill me so that doesn’t happen,” Catherine snapped back at Nicholas. But Charlie had a growing grin on his face.
“You are brilliant brother! I will speak to father about this at once.” Charlie excitedly ran off towards the king.
“I think you are forgetting I said no,” Catherine hissed.
“Give it up ‘Kate’; you wouldn’t have started this conversation with me if you hadn’t already wanted to go. I’m seeing right through your secretive planning. You were just going to wait until sending you was more my idea than yours.” Nicholas teased and smiled at Catherine somewhat cruelly before walking off upstairs with a bit of a jump in his step. Catherine glared as he walked away, but he was right. That’s exactly what she had been thinking all along.
~~~
The final decision about the trade had been made and that morning they set out to meet Katrina at the border between the kingdoms. King Charles, Charlie, Frederick, Nicholas, and Catherine made their way through the woods, heavily guarded by their most trusted soldiers. 
They reached the border right on time and it seemed those from Koinonia had already arrived before them. Once they were directly across from the other they all dismounted promptly.
“Allow me to introduce Princess Catherine Ethendius; Second daughter and fifth child of his Royal Highness King Charles, and eighth heir to the Ethendius throne,” announced Charlie loudly. 
King Charles cleared his throat as soon as his son was finished speaking, as though to show it was his turn to talk. He opened a scroll, words filling the page. He began to read:
“This trade is so we may hold peace between Koinonia and Ethendius and each subject of this trade will remaining in their opposing kingdom until a more permanent settlement can be made. During this time Ethendius will not take part in any hostile acts against Koinonia and Koinonia shall not participate in hostile acts against Ethendius. Should either kingdom break this agreement, the other is free to act as they see fit and this contract will become void.” King Charles finished reading as one of his servants brought forward a plank of wood. The servant kneeled on the ground holding the wood above him as though he were making a human table. 
King Charles placed the scroll on the makeshift ‘table’ and another servant stepped forward with ink and a black feather. King Charles took the feather from him and after dipping it in the ink signed his name at the bottom of the contract. 
During his brothers’ introduction of Catherine and his father’s speech Nicholas watched Katrina carefully. He could tell she was uneasy about this, and not nearly as calm as Catherine. There was something else he quickly noticed about her. A small cut on her cheek that had not been there the day before. Nicholas assumed it was likely the repercussion she received from her mother. Not terrible considering Nicholas’s father would have made his own child spend a night in the dungeon just to teach them a lesson; which may have happened to him if Charlie hadn’t taken care of everything the day before. 
Charlie, Frederick, and Catherine signed the contract in turn after the King was finished. During this time, Nicholas stepped slightly toward Katrina to get a better look at her small cut. It looked like one of those irritable injuries that stung as opposed to actually hurting, but Nicholas didn’t know for sure. Perhaps after all of this was finished and they were back at the Ethendius castle, she’d allow their physician to take a look at it. 
Once it was his turned to sign, Nicholas turned his full attention to the contract and was quick in signing. He wanted to get this over with. 
The Ethendius family stepped back after they were finished, and waited patiently for the Koinonia King and Queen to sign, as well as Katrina.
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POST 11
Ellyn was first to step forward when the contract was turned towards them and she signed it with ease. Jarin stepped forward next, signed without a word then stepped back and looked towards Katrina. Katrina swallowed hard then stepped forward toward the contract but once she got there she realized she wasn't completely on board with this plan. Going into a strange kingdom to live with strange people and sending a strange girl into her kingdom, was this really a good idea? Katrina realized she was more nervous of a stranger in her own castle then her leaving for one. She help the pen over the page as she stared at it deep in thought and doubts started to flow through her. She jumped when Ellyn's voice hissed in her ear.
"Katrina, sign the paper right now and stop staring at it like its a snake." Ellyn harshly spat in Katrina's ear.
Katrina looked to her mother then sighed and signed the paper which caused Ellyn to finally step back with a pleased grin.
"So it is settled, our daughters will be traded until further notice." Ellyn spoke outloud to the king.

Katrina glanced over to Gavin who stood rigid in his spot as he watched Katrina. Katrina glanced at her mother who was sorting out ground rules then risked to go over to Gavin quickly.
"There is nothing to worry about Gavin, nothing will go wrong with this plan. I will be ok and our kingdom will be ok." Katrina whispered to her dear friend.
"You cannot promise me these things Katrina and you don't even seem sure of it yourself." He replied quietly.
Katrina sighed because she knew it was true but she wasn't sure what else to say to reassure her friend. She quickly glanced over her shoulder to see that no one was watching them then she quickly gave Gavin a tight hug and a kiss on the cheek which made Gavin freeze with shock.
"Do not worry about me." Katrina said softly before she turned and hurried back over to her mother. 
Gavin lightly touched his cheek as he watched Katrina go and then sighed and lowered his hand as he watched her step over the border and watched Catherine step into theirs.

Katrina glanced back over her shoulder once more to look at her family before she was swung back onto her horse and taken into Ethendius's kingdom to begin her new life. She tightened her grip on Ebony's rein as she got farther and farther away from home and her uneasiness began to grow. 
"Relax Katrina, everything will be fine. This will work, mother will think of a better idea and no one will get hurt. You're not married so just think of that positive thought, you are simply leaving your home to live with others." Katrina whispered to herself. "Others who could easily put a blade to your throat and kill you while you're sleeping. Ok so no sleep I suppose." 
Katrina sighed deeply and leaned forward towards Ebony's ear.
"If you can be relaxed about this situation then I should be able to as well, isn't that right girl?" Katrina whispered softly and kissed Ebony's ear as she snorted in response. 
Katrina sat back once more on her horse and took a deep breathe as she forced herself to relax as they grew closer to the castle.

Ellyn led Catherine into the kingdom walls, through the poor parts of town and then into the richer areas which were still fairly gloomy. People in the village looked up from their activities to watch the queen, king and new guest as they passed. None of them clapped or bow, they just simply stared, mostly at Catherine, who they had never seen before. Ellyn and Jarin made no eye contact with those in the village and even when a boy jumped down from a roof, grabbed an apple and took off, they made no effort to stop the action. There was screams of anger from the owner of the stolen food as he chased the boy down the street but still Ellyn moved forward.

When they finally got to the castle they were led into the stables and helped off their horses. Ellyn said something to Gavin then turned and walked into the castle with Jarin, without a word to Catherine. Gavin approached the guest princess and bowed slightly.
"I will be showing you to your room in the castle, you are asked to stay there until you are called upon for dinner. The queen says there is a dress prepared in your room that the queen has asked for you to wear it." Gavin spoke before turning and leading Catherine into the castle and towards her room.

Once they arrived at the room a servant was just coming out and they bowed to Catherine before disappearing down the hallway.
"This is your room." Gavin said as he opened the door.
The room was quite simple, everything was a golden lace colour and in the room was a small dresser, a bed and a small window with a ledge. At first glance it looked more like a servants courters that had been fancied up to suit the princess. Just as Gavin was about to leave Catherine to be alone, Victoria came waltzing down the hallway.
"The princess has arrived!" Victoria said with a sweet smile.
Gavin nodded to Victoria and glanced towards Catherine.
"No not her!" Victoria snapped, "Me, I have arrived. Surely you wouldn't think I'd show interest in an enemy guest."
Gavin sighed then turned and walked away before things got out of hand but Victoria stopped and looked towards Catherine.
"Here's the rule, you are a guest in this castle. I am higher power then you and therefore whatever I say goes. You will stay out of my face and business and I may stay out of yours. Got that? Good." Victoria said sweetly but with acid in her voice and without waiting for a reply she turned and walked down the hallway with her chin held high.