Eira strode, or rather she practically glided down the halls of the castle, observing the workers who readied the castle for tonight's event. As she walked, one of her advisers came up beside her and began to walk alongside her. "Hello, Rhoswen." Eira spoke to the middle aged woman. "Your Grace." The woman gave a small bow of her head as she continued to walk alongside the young queen. "You have something you'd like to discuss?" Eira asked, getting right to the point.<br/><br/>"Right to it, then." Rhoswen answered. "I think it's time that we discuss the possibility of your marriage." she looked straight ahead, rather than at Eira, knowing that this was far from her favorite topic. Eira sighed lightly but otherwise showed no real response. "We have discussed it. I don't want to marry. Certainly not someone I don't love." she replied, glancing sidelong at the woman for a brief moment before returning her gaze to the halls in front of her. "Yes, I know. But as I said previously, every snow queen has married before or shortly after taking the throne. It will be expected of you to do the same. It is tradition, after all, that a queen rule with a king at her side." she explained, being straight forward and to the point, knowing that Eira didn't like to beat around the bush.<br/><br/>"I am aware of what it expected of me. But it's a stupid tradition. Every snow queen has married, yes, and every one of them lost their husband and never remarried. My mother never had the chance to do so, but I suspect that she would have been no different." she went on. "I do not need a king to help me rule, nor do I want one. So why, then, would I choose to give merit to such a tradition?" she glanced briefly at the woman before looking away once more.<br/><br/>Rhoswen sighed at the queen's stubbornness. She supposed the she really wasn't wrong, but the people did like tradition. But of course, they could not force her to marry, and it would be quite a sight to see if anyone dared to try. She'd once been promised to the prince of Pyralis, but Eira had lost all memory of this, and Meuric hadn't insisted on the engagement continuing. The king of Pyralis had expressed his continued enthusiasm that his son be wed to Queen Eira, however, no one had yet been able to convince her to agree to the marriage. "I suppose there really isn't any point in arguing, is there?" She asked, looking up at the young queen.<br/><br/>"No, there isn't." Eira replied simply, glancing down at her and sighing lightly as they continued their walk. "Rest assured, if the time comes when a marriage alliance becomes necessary, I will marry. And I will continue seeing suitors, if it will please you. Just don't expect me to marry any time soon." she looked at Rhoswen who nodded, seeming at least satisfied with this compromise. At least the young woman was wise enough to realize the benefits, and sometimes necessity of an alliance by marriage. They were allied with most of the remaining kingdoms, but an alliance by marriage was stronger and more permanent than one that existed simply because the kingdoms were all a part of the council of kingdoms. If a kingdom chose to leave the council, they would no longer be allied. And by sealing the alliance through marriage, they assured that their needs would come first, above the other kingdoms, should such a time arise when they found themselves in need of aid. "That seems a fair compromise." she gave the young queen a bow. "I should ensure that preparations are coming along as planned."<br/><br/>"Very well. Carry on." Eira replied, dismissing the woman, who went off down an intersecting corridor as they passed by. Eira continued on down the halls until she felt something. She couldn't quite place what it was, but whatever it was, it didn't sit right with her. She frowned slightly before continuing on. Whatever it was, she could do little about it without knowing what exactly it was. She didn't doubt that it had something to do with Meuric, but what exactly, she wasn't sure. For now she'd continue to be on her guard as she continued through the halls.<br/><br/>---<br/><br/>Meuric was on his way to his personal chamber to finish his preparations when a servant delivered a message to him from the guards. A man who had escaped from their prisons had returned and asked for him? That was quite curious indeed. He recalled the man, what he'd been jailed for, how he'd escaped. Soldiers had been sent after him, but he'd fled towards Ciardah, and once he'd crossed over, they had turned back, having been given orders not to enter the kingdom. They likely wouldn't have entered anyways, believing, as many did, that the lands were cursed. So why would a man who had escaped from prison and managed to evade capture decide to return to his captors? It made little sense.<br/><br/>He, however, had a sneaking suspicion as to why, so he decided to visit the man. He changed his course, heading to the dungeons rather than his chambers. He commanded the guards to take him to see the man, and they had done as they were commanded. Now that he was near him, the power was unmistakable. Those who hadn't felt it may not recognize it, especially in his current state, inside the body of another, but Meuric knew. He commanded the guards to leave him and they did. There were no other prisoners in the dungeon now, as they had done their best to clear the dungeons before the coronation, wanting no distractions from the events that were to take place tonight.<br/><br/>He approached the man, once the guards had left, and a sly smile crept onto his face. "Greetings, my Lord." he gave a slight bow, careful to keep his voice low so that no unwanted ears would hear their conversation. "What brings you to Eirwen?" he knew it was generally best not to question Dardanos, but he was human, unlike many of the dark lord's followers, so he did not always mindlessly follow like a drone. "I hope you didn't come all this way to see the young Eira take the throne. I'm afraid tonight's festivities will soon be cancelled." he smiled, the same sly, almost evil smile, which did nothing to warm his features.