The Twin Sisters shone under the midsummer sun, their white peaks eternally bitten by frost and snow regardless of the seasons, shimmering like diamonds cascading down the cliffsides.  They stood tall, their impassive faces turned to the sky as they loomed over the jewel of the Dark Elves' domain, nestled deep in the spiny ridge of a formiddable mountain range.  The Sisters had kept watch for centuries, seeing fortune and famine, and had been present for every victory and defeat of every kind.  And today, they witnessed something they had not seen in an eon: the coming together of two enemies, for a greater good and greater stakes that outweighed any enmity.<br/><br/>Tamlin knew little of his Demon neighbors, but he knew enough to understand the true power and importance this meeting held.  The Dark Elves and Demons had been at war for many centuries, battling for freedom and survival against each other; so many lives lost, countless sacrifices of bodies and names and blood, but all given for the dream of conquest.  The Dark Elves had won the mountains, the Demons disappearing into the toxic, poisoned swamps, and for a long time the full-on wars had scaled back to intermittent skirmishes, attacks on the fluctuating borders, then little or nothing at all.<br/><br/>The Dark Elves had been fine with the Demons' quietness, but now things were changing.  Older, more powerful enemies were growing restless-- talk of movement beyond the desert to the east, an amassing of armies and mercenaries to an unknown but suspected cause, and an insidious disease spreading through the kingdom that stemmed back to a fearsome source.  The Wasting Death was vicious and cruel, taking lives like plucking grapes from the vine, and even the princess was greviously ill.  The High Elves had been beaten back once, but with so much at stake, so much to lose, there was reason to seek out an alliance.<br/><br/>And so, the Demons were coming to prove they knew a cure for the terrible sickness sweeping through every city and township... and once proven, in return for the cure, there would be agreements made.  Trade.  Compromises.  Promises of mutual protection.  A treaty for peace, established and official rather than the uneasy absence of violence that had been the norm.  And with that treaty, a marriage.<br/><br/>The thought made Tamlin's stomach hurt, knotting itself until he couldn't eat, his head so full of thoughts he couldn't sleep.  It was a prince's duty to do what was necessary to protect his people; Naviin did that with his sword, but now was not a time for force.  Now was a time for connections, making friends and forging relationships not easily tossed aside.  Tamlin's weapon would be a wedding ring.<br/><br/>Being the second son meant Tamlin's purpose in life was flexible-- he would be whatever his family needed, a valuable asset to sell to those willing to buy.  Naviin was first, he would be king some day, but Tam... he wasn't an heir, rather a pawn.  And it was all for the good of the kingdom, and Sharia.<br/><br/>Sweet Sharia, little sister, light of the world.  The Wasting Death had ravaged her, left a shell  of a woman, but she somehow still retained her spirit, and her bright nature was not yet gone.  She was fading, however, and if the Demons' cure did not work, the princess would be gone in a month, maybe sooner.  Tamlin feared for her, worried every day that he might hear the mourning bells begin to toll and his mother cry out in anguish at her only daughter's end, the most precious bloom of life snipped thoughtlessly and left to wither.  Tamlin would marry anyone if they could bring his sister back to the way she was supposed to be, alive and thriving.<br/><br/>He stood now with his parents, the Dark Elf King and Queen, and at his side stood his brother.  Naviin had barely spoken all day, a frightening storm flashing in those cold golden eyes, acid on his tongue.  Never easy to talk to, let alone understand, the news of the proposed armistice and ensuing discussions on land agreements, trade proposals, and the wedding had sent him into a fury unlike anything witnessed before.  He was still seething now, silent as stone and enraged beyond belief.<br/><br/>It had been a shock for everyone, of course.  If Naviin had had his way, this meeting would not be taking place, would have never been considered.  But then, he had not been born to be a diplomat...  It was not entirely his fault he couldn't accept what was happening.  Naviin was used to control, over his own life and others; Tamlin had never had any.<br/><br/>"Stand still."  The words were hissed out between clenched teeth, and Tam's distant gaze focused on his brother, who was staring intensely at the scene below them: up on the top of the stairs leading into the castle, they could see the nobles arranging themselves to view the proceedings, the servants rushing about to prepare for the Demons' arrival.  Tamlin was grateful that Naviin's eye was not on him, but the thankfulness was short-lived as a scathing glance flicked over.<br/><br/>"Stop fidgiting, and stand still."  The repeated words were edged, barbed like arrows as they stuck him.  Tamlin tensed, spine rigid and ears tucked low, making the gold hoops dance.  He was dressed formally, a long coat embroidered with silver leaves and gold berries, quilted silk brocade to ward off any lingering cold, rich blues of mountain rivers and pine greens all over, flecked with the sheen of precious metal threading, the gleaming black boots, so stark against the pale rock beneath his feet.  He felt dressed up for show, which he was, and it was all to make as good an impression as possible.<br/><br/>Tamlin brought his hands away from each other, where they had been absently picking at the seams of his sleeves, and planted his feet firmly on the ground to keep from shifting side to side.  He didn't need to look any more anxious than he was, nor like an invisible wind was moving him around and no one else.  Naviin's glare moved on, and Tam took a deep breath to center himself.  Whatever happened, however things unfolded,<i>Ainu</i>and his brothers and sisters would protect their children.