"Rise and shine, kiddo!"

Light poured in through the window. Arandur refused to open his eyes. "Just a few more minutes, ma..." he murmured.
"But I made bacon."
There was some shuffling under the covers. "Say wha-?"
"You heard me. I made bacon. Say you love me."
Arandur sat up, eyes still tightly shut. "Hold up, I smell a rat. You want me up early for something important and probably embarrassing, so you bribe me with bacon to get it."
"That's about the long and short of it, yes. You want bacon or not?"
"Say bacon one more time."
"Bacon!"
"Okay, I guess I love you, ma."
"I love you too, hun. Get dressed and go greet your father."
"He's home?"
"No, son, his ghost arrived in town last night and is staying for the rest of the month. Of course he's here!"

The young elf opened one eye to give his mother a suspicious glare. His mother, a beautiful silver-haired elf, leaned against the door frame and stared back at him with an amused twinkle in her eye. "You missed him," she teased.
"I bet you miss him more," he retorted. "Unless you two were just randomly banging on the walls last time he was here."
She lifted an eyebrow, then turned to leave. "Tsk! What a dirty mind you have. Come join us for breakfast when you're ready."

About fifteen minutes later, he trotted down the spiral staircase into the dining hall. Servants bustled in the kitchen, and he could hear his mother chatting easily with them. More of interest to the young elf was the individual seated at the head of the thirty-two-seat banquet table. His gray tunic still bore all its old tears and patches, and his brunet ponytail hung over one shoulder just like he remembered.

Noting the distinct lack of friends and relations present for breakfast, Arandur locked eyes with the older elf.

"Welcome home, pa."

The older elf put down his newspaper and cracked a half smile. "It's about dam time you showed up. Get over here." Arandur marched over and embraced him. It was a rare quarter when his father, Lord Astran Valderis, got to return home for a full month, and it usually meant either something exciting or something troubling. Or both, given their luck lately. The servants deposited breakfast at three places on the table and left, and true to Erudessa's word, Arandur's breakfast contained a hearty helping of bacon with a poached egg on the side.

They all sat down and began to dig in. Arandur spoke first. "So what's this important business that brings you all the way back here?"
Astran cleared his throat. "Marriage."
Arandur nearly choked on his food. "What? Isn't one wife enough for you?"
A vicious kick from his mom under the table told him exactly what she thought of that joke. His father was a good bit more affable about it. "Ha ha ha! Of course she's enough, more than enough! In fact-"
Astran grunted in pain and bent over to massage his hurting leg. "Anyways, I was referring to your marriage...that hasn't happened yet."
Arandur glanced around at the empty table. "So that's why we're up so early - to talk about girls before all the horny teenagers start begging you to bless their latest crushes."
His parents shared a knowing look. Astran replied, "In their defense, your cousins and siblings are just as lonely as you are."

Arandur put down his utensils and crossed his arms. "Okay, let's get this over with. Who'd you pick out this time? Please don't tell me it's another prudish high elf from central Faeland."
Astran placed a folder on the table. "It's not. This one is human."
The younger elf let his jaw hang open. "You put together a whole dossier on her!?"
Astran shrugged and stole a glance at Erudessa. "Yeah. Honestly, I thought you'd be more upset it wasn't an elf girl. And why not put a dossier together? It's a good idea. You can read it over whenever you want."
Mother shrank in her seat and poked at her egg. "It sounded like a good idea at the time..."
"But...SPYING!" came the youth's objection.
"So?" Erudessa piped up. "It's not illegal. Everyone does it."
"You've got to be kidding me. Okay, I don't even want to know how you got this information. Just tell me what you found."
__________

Next thing he knew, he was standing outside the castle gate, wearing his best toga and strong-armed by patriarchal authority to say the dumbest thing he'd ever said in his life.

"Princess!" he shouted.

"I've come a-courtin'!"

Kimoto woke up from a worrisome sleep. His parents informed him that today he was to meet with a Princess of a different land. They did not say why...but he knew. He had known for a few years now that they were looking for his next bride. He wished his parents would let him find love on his own...but he knew he did not have much more time. He sat up in his bed seeing his large tattoo on his back from a mirror next to him. It was the crest of the family for the heir to the thrown get the tattoo on his 18th birthday. He stood up and got dressed for the day and headed out of the castle. He was met with two guards and his horse ready for him to embark. He placed his Katana on his hip and mounted the horse heading for the castle. With in a few hours they had arrived. He got off of his horse and headed up to the castle gates. "I have an audience with the Princess."

The guard was a bit confused why two men had arrived for the princess, but the king had however warned him - making it clear that he was to allow them access to the kingdom and he did just that. He allowed them to enter the kingdom, explaining to them where they would be able to find the king and his brother. Now he stood alone to watch the gates once more, having told the men they were more than welcomed to go into the castle, giving them directions to the throne room when the king and his uncle were remained. They had been prepared for at least the two prince’s - if not more to show up as the day went on. After all, the kingdom’s princess was now at the age to marry and the guard was sure he wasn’t alone in wishing that the princess’ uncle would be removed from power soon.

To be honest, he wasn’t even sure where the princess was - she was more than willing to accept the freedom her father had allowed her to have. The princess however was wondering throughout her garden, doing her best to steer clear of her uncle who she really didn’t get along with. But he was family and with her father ill, the young women had no other options - after all her uncle was the ‘stand in king’ of sorts…at least until she was married. Since she and her uncle did not always see eye to eye, she normally tried to stay as far away from him as possible since he didn’t agree with the freedom’s her father gave her. But since that freedom had already been given to her, her uncle couldn’t go taking it away from her.

Not that she would listen to her uncle anyway, after all he was only a temporary king - as soon as the princess was married, her uncle would step down and allow her husband to take over the throne. She knew her uncle would not take too lightly to stepping down since he had become so power hungry, but he needed to be stopped. The king and his brother were in the throne room, waiting for the princess as well as the prince’s to arrive. It had been explained to the princess that there were men coming to meet her, yet she hadn’t had it explained to her that one of them would be proposing to her and it was up to her to decide who. The young woman however would allow her company to be sent to her if her father and uncle so wished, but the two of them would surely want to meet the two men.

Kimoto grabbed the reins of his horse and walked past the castle gates. He looked over at the other man walking near him. "You are also here to see the princess?" He asked trying to strike up a conversation. He knew the walk into the castle was going to take some time. He hoped that the servants would be able to help his horse make it to the stables when he arrived. He did not like to be anywhere away from his horse when he was traveling to different countries. His two guards followed behind them at a good distance to not get in the way of the two princes in front of them. He hated that he always had to be watched. He knew this was a peaceful country but his family has such a strict set of rules. All he really wished he had was the freedom to do his own thing.

@DeadlyPhoenix
"You are also here to see the princess?" said a voice. Arandur looked at him sidelong. The human was an adult, but he didn't bear bear many of the marks or scars of advanced age, putting him in the mid-twenties. His remarkable ability to point out the obvious suggested he wouldn't be much competition for the princess's hand. Arandur stifled a chuckle when he remembered never to underestimate the little humans. Perhaps he could indulge the fellow.

"Snap, I was trying to be subtle about it. Yes, yes I am here to see the princess. I'm glad your horse and I have that in common. What about you, though? You smell like the rooster crowed a mite too early. Rough morning?"

@Thinslayer

Kimoto tried to force a smile in a sense. "Well I would much rather be studying in my families library then taking a long trip to the city." He said as he looked the man over. It was odd that an Elf would want to marry a human princess. He would be better suited with an Elf because of the difference in life expectancy and cultural differences as well. He was not to judge but he could imagine that the choice would have to be a difference reason in mind for them to want to meet. "I have never met the current King before." He said knowing a new king had taken over recently. "Did your family hear anything about the change in power?" He asked trying to get a read on his families information.

@Thinslayer

Kimoto tried to force a smile in a sense. "Well, I would much rather be studying in my family's library than taking a long trip to the city," he said as he looked the man over. It was odd that an elf would want to marry a human princess. He would be better suited with an elf because of the difference in life expectancy and culture. He was not one to judge, but he could imagine that the choice would have to be a different reason in mind for them to want to meet. "I have never met the current King before," he said knowing a new king had taken over recently. "Did your family hear anything about the change in power?" he asked, trying to get a read on his family's information.

Arandur widened his eyes and touched his chest in mock surprise. "Me? I'm only an elf from the borderlands. I was hoping you could tell me about the change in power." He laughed aloud and added, "I jest. The current king is ill and unable to effectively rule. His next of kin, his brother, is ruling in his stead for the time being. Ideally, the king's daughter would marry a man who would be named the successor. But I doubt the brother will give up power so readily, so it's in his best interest to hinder the princess's marriage. That makes the suitor's position here tenuous, and possibly bloody. I suggest you leave your horse at the gate as a gift for the princess and let the professionals handle things, eh?" He elbowed Kimoto and winked at him.

Kimoto could feel the urge to grind his teeth. "He is not a gift but I do have gifts being sent later this evening." He said as he handed his horse to the castle stable worker. "Though I would like to say that money is not the way to happiness." He said with a fake smile towards Arandur. He kept walking forward until they reached the inner castle gates. Should I try to find the princess first or should I try to meet with the new king? He thought to himself. Maybe Arandur would head straight to the princess since that is the only thing he seems to care about. It would be best to make sure he does not get too much alone time with her.

Kimoto could feel the urge to grind his teeth. "He is not a gift but I do have gifts being sent later this evening." He said as he handed his horse to the castle stable worker. "Though I would like to say that money is not the way to happiness." He said with a fake smile towards Arandur. He kept walking forward until they reached the inner castle gates. Should I try to find the princess first or should I try to meet with the new king? He thought to himself. Maybe Arandur would head straight to the princess since that is the only thing he seems to care about. It would be best to make sure he does not get too much alone time with her.

Kimoto handed his horse to a stable worker. "He is not a gift, but I do have gifts being sent later this evening," he said.
Arandur leaned back and folded his arms. "Unless you're going to wrap yourself up and put a little bow on your head, you're better off going home and saving your money."
Kimoto forced a smile and added, "Though, I would like to say that money is not the way to happiness."
Arandur snorted. "Yes, money is not the way to happiness. It's more like the signposts. You know you're on the right track if you see any of it. Though, I must admit, you'd make an excellent case to the contrary."

He made for the throne room and paused at the open doors to salute Kimoto.

Arandur stepped inside and bowed before the king and regent. "Your Majesty, Arandur Nostarion at your service."

Kimoto was not shocked by his answers. It actually confirmed what he thought about him. He is only in this for the money. The princess would just be a bonus to him...All money and power. He thought to himself as the gates to the thrown room opened. He walked in and bowed before the king. "Thank you for the audience your Majesty. I am Prince Kimoto and I am at your service." He said after Arandur introduced himself not wanting to show he was childish by trying to interrupt him. He knew he had best to be on his best behavior around the king and especially the princess.

The young princess' father smiled as he slowly stood when the two men entered, waiting for them to introduce themselves before he spoke. "Hello, I'd like to welcome you both to the Kingdom of Thydyatha! My name is Damon, this is my older brother Demitri, I'm afraid my daughter - the princess, Alison is off wandering somewhere and should be joining us any moment. However, it is a pleasure to meet you both." He spoke, his voice deep yet hints of weakness popped up every few words. Whatever he was ill with was still putting up a fight no matter the herbs he tried, his brother - Demitri merely rolled his eyes, clearly not pleased that his brother allowed his daughter to wander around on her own free will wherever she pleased to go. He always told his younger brother that he gave the girl too much freedom, trying to point out that he should be allowing her to choose who she married.

@DeadlyPhoenix
@imacamoprincess
The king smiled down at the two men and said, "Hello! I'd like to welcome you both to the Kingdom of Thydyatha! My name is Damon. This..." He gestured to the prince. "...is my older brother Demitri. I'm afraid my daughter, the Princess Alison, is off wandering somewhere and should be joining us any moment. However, it is a pleasure to meet you both."

Prince Demitri rolled his eyes.

Arandur didn't miss the movement. So, the drama has begun. I should try to ingratiate myself with this Prince Demitri so I have fewer enemies to fight. I don't know what he wants, so the first order of business is to find out. But don't ignore the King - he won't like that. He raised his head to look at the Prince. "Tis an honor to have met you both, and a shame that we could not meet her Highness, for we both brought gifts for her. Will his Highness the Prince be offering a gift to the princess as well?"

He looked to Prince Demitri. Even if the Prince had no intention of marrying the princess, Arandur wanted to plant the idea in the Prince's mind. It was the most obvious way to ensure that the Prince held the throne, and if Arandur presented himself as someone willing to help, the Prince could be persuaded to turn his gaze elsewhere. That is, if the Prince was keen on holding the throne at all. So the question posed was as much for information gathering as for subterfuge.