<div class="floatleft">(http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m7ijzlvIdD1rbjskko1_500.jpg)</div><strong>Name:</strong>Essaline<br/><strong>Title:</strong>Aserit Queen<br/><strong>Location:</strong>Theiri Castle Courtyard<br/><strong>Tags:</strong>All present<br/><hr/><hr/><br/>Essaline knew her husband approached even before his arm slid lovingly around her waist, and she made no attempt to stop the softening of her features, the smile that curled her lips. Easy it was to lean closer to him, her head turning to brush her lips, her cheek against his beard, breathing in his scent of man. Remaining within the circle of his embrace she watched the approach of Mattias, inclining her head as he addressed her and her family.<br/><br/>She knew Mattias. She knew that look within his eyes, the stoic sternness of his handsome face. There was a reason he was the Kings most trusted advisor. The man had murder in his eyes, especially for Kale, and the Queen respected him all the more for it. Yet she said nothing, allowing her daughter and husband to converse with the man.<br/><br/>Silent but observant she was, watching carefully as Lorenso stalked his way to the Theiri heir and disappeared around a corner with the young man. The First Sword was a man to watch, and for more then simply the fact he seemed an honorable Knight. Soon after Kale reappeared, alone, silent and brooding and making his way into the castle, passed the King and Queen of Theiri as they made their way to greet their guests. Valius made his wishes known to the children, and finally sharp eyes were torn from her surroundings as Kaniene asked to take Hooper to the stables on her own. The Queen would shake her head, still nestled against Valius, her timbre kind but stern as she addressed her daughter.<strong> “ Nay Kaniene. You will accompany us. I want nothing more then to see to Bellator myself, just as you wish to see to the care of Hooper, but now is not the time. You will be allowed to look in on him once we are settled, and you will <em>not</em> go alone.”</strong>The emerald eyes that locked onto her daughter brooked no argument. Raking her gaze over both Auron and Orianthi as well, she made sure they too understood that they were to follow, listen, and learn.<br/><br/>Finally Essaline would tun her full attention to the King and Queen of Theiri, and her scrutiny of the pair would begin. The Queen made her entrance to the courtyard just behind her husband the King. This in itself was nothing. Essaline knew she happened to be a rare queen, arriving alongside her husband in all things. She was quite aware that this did not mean that Amelia was weak. In fact the Thieri Queen proved this by being the one to speak first, welcoming the Aserits to her home.<br/><br/>It would be then that Essaline finally spoke. Knowing full well her husband and her children would follow her lead, she would slip an arm through her husbands, urging him to walk forward with her, towards the Royal couple they considered to be the enemy. She stood alongside her husband Valius, speaking to the Queen that was so unlike herself.<br/><br/><strong> “ The words and attitudes of the youth are things sometimes we cannot control Lady. But they are easily brushed aside by those of us with more temperance. We can only hope that they grow to hold the wisdom and patience of their parents, no?”</strong>She held the other Queens gaze for a few moments as Amelia spoke of resting, and she would dip her head in the woman's direction.<strong> “ We are not accustomed to traveling in such a slow pace, but then, this mission is not one of war....”</strong>The barest hint of a smile curled the corner of her lips, and perhaps Amelia would catch the glint in her eagle's gaze. But it was there and gone again in a blip, and Essaline was continuing.<strong> “ We indeed are feeling the dust from the road overly much, and would like nothing more then to be settled within our rooms, if you would be so kind Your Highness. We all must prepare for what I am sure is to be a most glorious welcoming.”</strong>