She pulled back slightly, taking Geri's hand in hers. "Stay next to me, I'm sure together we can face anything they throw at us." They swam out, finding Mandi waiting on the other side of the door, who couldn't help cracking a smile. "Less having naughty thoughts and more escorting us," Linda said, unable to supress her own smile. Mandi led them back to the throne room, where Geri's mother was waiting, together with nine other fairies they were unfamiliar with, but who all bowed as she entered. "This...is going to take some getting used to," she said to Geri, blushing slightly as she approached Sandi, who was stood next to a tall male Mer in ornate armour.<br/><br/>"Your majesty, Geri," Sandi said, smiling at her daughter. "As much as I would like to claim leadership of the council, Me'gare here is the next most powerful Mer after you."<br/><br/>"A pleasure to meet you my Queen," Me'gare said, kissing Linda's hand. "Your father was a good friend of mine, it is...to my great shame that I did not help your mother more."<br/><br/>"Terzin fooled you all," Linda said, smiling sadly. "If Sandi trusts you, then I am certain you are someone I can trust, just as my father once did."<br/><br/>"I bring drinks," sai Elera, entering the room with a tray of glasses containing a gold liquid. "This is a celebration, we should mark it appropriately."