Their Fiery Love: A Holiday Special

Chapter 7: Madelyn

“Why me, Aunt Lailane?” I ask my aunt as we walk alone through the palace halls. 

“Because, my dear, you are the strongest female I know and trust. You are intelligent, well- trained and I know you can hold your own against a dragon. Not, that I don’t trust that they won’t keep their word to treat you and Rob as if you were one of their own. We have already chosen the other ambassadors and shipped them to their assignments. You and Rob are the last ones and in my opinion the most important, well almost. The elves are a kind of tricky species as well. But the dragons seem to be the most feared. I know I can trust you and Rob to be able to take care of yourselves around them. Also that you will know if they are trying to be treacherous or willing to be open and that is two species that can help one another. Do you think you can do this for me?” My aunt asks me.

“Of course, I can Aunt Lai. I would be honored to. Thank you for giving me this great opportunity. I promise I will not let you down.” I vow.

“I knew you would, honey and don’t worry about your parents. I have already discussed this with them. At first, they were against it but then when I explained the gravity of the situation and that you would be doing a great service to our kingdom and kind, they had no other choice but to accept.” She informs me.

“Thank you so much for that. I was trying to come up with a way to tell them and then think of another way to convince them to let me do this. Even though I have been of age to make my own decisions for many years, they still see me as the baby of the family.” I admit. 

“Don’t worry dear. I know exactly how that is. Remember I was the youngest in my family as well. Doesn’t matter how old our children get, they will always be our babies. Especially our youngest, just ask Philip.” My aunt laughs.

I laugh as well, knowing just how spoiled my cousin Philip is. 

“Alright, Queen Lailane.” I stop as she rolls her eyes at me and I giggle then continue. “What should our first order of business with the dragons be. What do you want Rob and me to focus on.” I ask, getting more information about my new job.

“Getting the rogue problem under control should be your first priority. That is the first thing I want you and Rob to discuss with them. Stories are coming in daily of the rogue attacks on our lands. Not just of the Fae species either. There are rogues of all species, joining together and attacking our outer villages. We have dispatched squadrons to each location and they have come up empty. Now I have more of them patrolling the smaller villages. But we are stretching ourselves to thin. It is leaving the city and palace not so well protected.” the queen confesses.

“Maybe I should stay here and join your protective detail, Aunt Lai. What if they think to attack you.” I say alarmed.

My aunt opens the door to the back gardens and we take a seat on one of the white pearl benches. 

“Nonsense. I am fine. I have plenty of protection on my security detail. Do not worry about me. Just concentrate on working with the dragons on a solution to our problem. I hear they are not fairing well with the rogues on their lands either. See how our species can reciprocate as well. We need to be able to help each other.” she says to me. 

“If your sure, Aunt Lailane. If not, I do not mind staying here and we could send Miranda in my place to act as an ambassador to the dragons.” I say, not convinced.

“Child, do I need to give you a royal decree to do as your told?” she says to me with a stern voice.

I laugh and shake my head.

“Good. I repeat I will be fine. Do not worry about me. You will be leaving first thing in the morning. Go home and pack for at least a couple of weeks. You and Rob will have the ability to go and come as you please between our lands, but I have been told that you both will have accommodations in the palace, to stay. I suggest you take up residence there for a short time, to get better acquainted with the royal dragon family and the other ambassadors. I want you to communicate with me via animal messenger. I do not want phone or letter messages, just in case the rogues are tapping our communication lines.” Aunt Lailane informs me.

I nod in agreement. “I think that is a good idea, Aunt Lai. I will make sure to take Nicodemus with me. He is a fast and trustworthy friend, for many years.” 

I say proudly of my pet mouse. Well, he is not really a pet since he goes and comes as he pleases and has his own mouse family to take care of but he has been by my side since I was a young child. 

“Good. Well, dear, I must bid you goodbye. I need to go see to the housing preparations for the species ambassadors that will be arriving tonight. They will be staying in the guest towers of the palace.  You need to make sure to prepare to pack something special to wear as well, the King wanted me to inform you that you will be attending the Dragon Winter Solstice Ceremony.” she says to me.

I raise an eyebrow in a questioning manner.

“From what I understand the Winter Solstice Ceremony is a kind of a celebration that the dragons hold each year to celebrate the birth of their species and the coming of winter. I would compare it to a human Christmas. I have never gone, no outside species have ever been allowed to attend, but this year the King wants all the species ambassadors to attend. This shows me that he is willing to be open to the program and I believe that it is definitely a step in the right direction.” she says and stands up.

I stand and hug her.

“Send me a message when you get settled in, tomorrow. I want to know that you are being treated well,” she orders me.

“Of course, Aunt Lai. I promise I will send Nicodemus with a message right away. Thank you again for believing in me. I will do my best to live up to your expectations and not let you or our people down.” I say to her. 

“I know you will, honey. Send my love to your parents, when you go home.” She says then walks away. 

I sit back down on the bench and take a deep breathe as I take in everything. This is my chance to show all of them, my parents, generals, my squad brothers, and sisters, that I can be more than a little, female fairy. 

I will do a kick-ass job as Madelyn, Fae Ambassador to the Dragon King.