NationStates Jolt Archive

To: Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Aurora von Sacshausen of the Teutonic Empire of Lavenrunz
From: Her High Majesty, Agwene ni Gwydion of the Danaan High Kingdom of the Resurgent Dream

Your Imperial Majesty,
It is with the highest hopes and the most earnest good-will that I write to you seeking to open relations between our two nations. While it has always been the belief of the Danaan High Kingdom that diplomatic contact between any and all nations can only be beneficial to the peace of the world and while it has always been our policy to seek to establish such contacts where we may, we consider establishing such contact with the Teutonic Empire to be especially important. For one thing, we are quite mindful of your sterling international reputation militarily, diplomatically, and economically. For another, we are aware of a number of mutual friends whom we share with Lavenrunz. It is our sincerest hope that, in a mild variation of the old saying, the friend of our friend might be our friend. In any event, I would wish to personally make a state visit to Lavenrunz and, following that, to exchange embassies and establish the normal diplomatic relations between nations, should Your Imperial Majesty agree.

Sincerely,
Agwene ni Gwydion
High Queen of the Resurgent Dream, et al.

To Her Royal Majesty
Agwene ni Gwydion
Queen of the Resurgent Dream

We are very grateful for Your offer of friendship and the exchange of Ambassadors. It would be beneficial if perhaps via Our mutual advisors or ministers for foreign affairs We were to exchange such information as will make relations easier. (OOC hint: here you could post some of your threads I might not have read)

Our friendship with Menelmacar, which We share, indeed provides a historical precedent. We are glad beyond measure at this offer of amity.

with all admiration
Aurora von Sachshausen
Empress of Lavenrunz

"Now..." the young Empress looked up at Chancellor Schlabel and the Foreign Minister. "Who are we going to send? And can we find out what the Resurgent Dream is like? Baron Wolfmar's report from Pantocratoria suggests that the one woman he met from there was very strange and not like a Menelmacari at all."

OOC: Ok. I'll post threads here and then post Agwene's visit after class so as to give you a second to look through them.

Our first contact with the Dwarves, not much substantive but an idea of how our first contacts often work http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=385758

A diplomatic party http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=391298

First contact with Menelmacar. A LOT of personal stuff we rather obviously wouldn't be telling you ic yet but it does contain the actual treaty we have with them http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=381879

First official contact with Pantocratoria, the meeting with Irene would have remained secret even from our own government http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=379802

Diplomatic affair, ancient ritual, and official treaty with Akaton http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=388736

Recent peaceful change in government http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=390338

Most recent official foreign policy statement http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=390310

Embassies we have http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=370435

After the appropriate information had been forwarded to the Lavenrunzian Foreign Ministry and the matching information had been received, after transportation and security personnel had made all the necessary arrangements with the Teutonic Empire, and after all the other technical details had been taken care of, Agwene found herself on a plane to Lavenrunz. Her retinue for the occasion consisted of Abraham Paige, a German translator; Lord Zachriel ap Liam, an attendant lord; Binx, a young Boggan gentleman to carry the gifts for Aurora that Agwene was bringing; and Sarah Fenn, an advisor from the Foreign Ministry.

Agwene herself was resplendent in a light green gossamer gown with golden lining and a rather conservative cut, her usual for formal affairs. She tossed her short, raven hair a little as she waited. Zachriel, a tall, beautiful, blond man, the perfect stereotype of a sidhe nobleman, wore a blue jacket with the crest of his House over the breasts, a white silk shirt, blue slacks, and black boots. Binx wore a nicely tailored brown vest and breaches, over a white shirt, with brown leather boots. His bushy eyebrows waggled a little as he thought on the mission. Abraham was an older man, approaching seventy. He was thin and dressed in typical, white tie human formal wear. Sarah, an avarage looking young brunette, wore a modest gown of a dark green shade.

Hofburg, Lavenrunz

Once the plane had arrived in Lavenrunzian airspace, it was cleared to land at Emperor Frederick International, and was escorted there by a flight of Wachtmeister Air Superiority fighters. As the plane landed, the flight took off towards the Air Force Base nearby in a saluting pattern.

In a coat of white fox fur, Empress Aurora stood outside the cortege of limousines and other vehicles, her entourage talking quietly nearby. Thirty Camelias, the leopard that was her constant companion, made steaming breath in the air, blinking her yellow eyes at the softly drifting snow. As the plane taxied round to a stop, Baron Ehrfurt gave a glance over at the honour guard of Imperial Carabineers, their greatcoats immaculate, plumes fluttering in the wind, their swords ready to be drawn. Nearby were also the real security, members of the Reichspolizei's Special Security task force and the members of the Imperial Jaeger Regiment, in winter camouflage, with assault weapons held with deceptive casualness.

The Empress saw the band master raise his baton as the plane's door opened, and then her eyes widened to see how lightly the foreigners were dressed.

Agwene stepped off the plance, seeming to glide more than walk as she moved gracefully towards Aurora. Her small entourage followed, shivering in the Lavenrunz weather. Loigc dictated, of course, that Agwene herself was every bit as cold though the high queen managed to give no external sign whatsoever that this was the case.

As they approached the empress, the entourage curtseyed deeply and Agwene inclined her head. "Grüße, Ihre Imperiale Majestät. Es ist eine Ehre und ein Vergnügen, Sie schließlich zu treffen."

The sidhe queen smiled warmly. "We have much to discuss. Though, perhaps we should get out of the cold first, Majesty. My entourage seems quite unfomfortable." As she spoke, Abraham translated her words into German, swiftly and precisely.

Empress Aurora opened her mouth and then closed it, smiling, as the Queen spoke. Baron Ehrfurt nearly fainted. Finding her voice, Aurora said, "Yes, Majesty, please, come this way, and your entourage as well."
The young Empress was nearly sixteen, tall for her age and athletically slender under her white fur coat. Her strawberry blond hair was under a fur hat.
Inside, the vehicles were warm, having been running, and they began to roll off towards the city proper.
"You said that you had much to discuss?" Aurora invited politely. She stroked Thirty Camelias' broad head as she leaned back.

Agwene nodded, following Aurora, her people trailing behind her. She sat elegantly, crossing her legs with near perfect grace. "Indeed. There is much I would like to accomplish with this visit. But, before we discuss such things, I believe it best that we get to know one another's lands and peoples. We were, of course, able to learn a fair amount from the Menelmacari Embassy and the Friendship Park on Uinen, though it seems we still managed to rather grossly underestimate the weather."

"My entourage represents some of the diversity of our nation. Binx here as a Boggan. Lord Zachriel is a sidhe like myself. Mr. Paige and Miss Fenn are, obviously, humans like Your Imperial Majesty." She gestured to each person as she mentioned them. "Our racial diversity is a point of great pride for us."

Smilingly inclining her head to each introduction, Aurora said, "And this is my immediate entourage..."
A tall buxom fair haired woman in a blue fur trimmed coat. "Baroness von Toll, my press secretary."
A slender man in black and silver with rather thoughtful features, wearing a ceremonial looking sword. "Baron Ehrfurt, my personal secretary."
A green eyed dark haired woman who wore a black uniform with gold trim. "Colonel Zimmerman, my military secretrary."
A hard faced man with alert brown eyes and dark hair for a Lavenrunzian. "Colonel von Paderborn, the commander of the Imperial bodyguard."
At the latter comments from the Queen, while in the car as they sped past the outer urban areas of Hofburg, passing factories, the Imperial Stadium, the Air Force base:
Foreigners are so weird. Aurora thought. She wasn't sure how she felt about it truly, it was just something no Lavenrunzian would ever say. "Well, that's fascinating. Are your people related to Menelmacari elves? You may find it interesting to know that in ancient times some lived here, but as is their wont, they left for mysterious reasons of their own...and sidhe...is that not a word somehow related to 'Tuatha de Dana' if I'm pronouncing that right?"

Agwene inclined her head graciously to each of Aurora's entourage. "It is a pleasure to meet you, my lords and ladies."

She shook her head at Aurora's question. "Not in the least. Despite certain surface similarities, sidhe are actually much more closely related to Boggans than they are to Noldor. They are our allies and our friends but not our blood relations."

"Tuatha de Danaan, yes. The Danaan Faith teaches that we are directly descended from them, in fact." She smiled a little. "Religion is very important to my people."

The progress of the cortege resulted in receiving some bowing and hat raising where people saw it, though mostly it was following a route proscribed by the Security Services who were guiding it by helicopter and by foot agent through the city. As they passed some saluting soldiers at a roadblock, Aurora asked, "We are a religious folk too, but what religion is that that you practice, Queen Agwene?"

"The Danaan Faith." Agwene commented casually. "We believe in a good Creator and an evil Destroyer and we follow the former against the latter. We also believe in a plethora of lesser gods and goddesses who preside over various aspects of the world."

She paused a moment. "At least, that is the largest church and the state church for the Danaan High Kingdom as a whole. The state church of the Kingdom of Holista is Roman Catholicism and we do have a policy of religious freedom. It is possible to find people of all faiths in the Resurgent Dream but very few people of no faith at all."

"Lavenrunz is Catholic." said Aurora. She felt at a momentary loss for words, and wanted suddenly more than anything to be on her trampoline listening to Pink. Fortunately they had arrived at the Autumn Palace, whose gates, broad snow covered boulevard and grand gothic wings loomed before them. It was made of a light coloured stone, and though it was winter the spread of the garden suggested lush greenery to come. A company of Carbineer Guards formally saluted as the cortege drove in, swords flashing as they passed.
"Welcome to my home." said Aurora politely. "I hope you will enjoy your stay, and I'm very glad that you came to see me."

Agwene tilted her head in brief puzzlement at Aurora's apparent loss for words. The woman's attitude so far was a little strange and Agwene wondered for a moment if she had said or done something wrong. "Yes, I'd heard." she commented, glancing off at nothing briefly.

Agwene nodded. "Thank you. I am very glad I came to see you and your people as well."

Aurora smiled but inwardly was wondering how the hell you asked a foreign head of state what the fuck they were doing in your country. Not that she didn't want closer relations with Sirithil's allies, but she...she was not being honest with herself. She felt overwhelmed and intimidated. As they came into the grand entry hall, which branched off into the other corridoors and stairways of the palace, she smiled with relief to see an upright stern figure in white and gold uniform dress, walking up and bowing with a sharp click of his heels.

Agwene inclined her head to the figure, smiling slightly.

"Majesty." he said.

"Ah. Queen Agwene, this is Count Chemnitz, the Imperial Grand Chamberlain, and he will see to you and your entourage getting settled in...I was hoping we could speak further over lunch, if that suits your Majesty's intentions" said Aurora.

"It suits them quite well, Your Majesty." she said with a smile. In truth, Agwene was somewhat intimidated herself, though she hid it will. Aurora's reactions were making her worry slightly and she was quite aware that, fairy birthrights aside, Lavenrunz did have the more privileged position, as it were, diplomatically, economically, and militarily. "I greatly look forward to dining with you."

Aurora inclined her head and as she walked away, Count Chemnitz said with great deference, "This way, your Majesty." up a set of marble stairs which had crouching snarling stone leopards on the balustrades. Agwene followed after the Count, her entourage trailing behind. "Of course."

The lunch had practically had a cabinet session to plan; it was Aurora's first intimate meal with a foreign head of state apart from Sirithil, but that in a sense did not count due to a long relationship with Menelmacar. Aurora had finally put her foot down, and thus it was an attractive but simple meal of poached salmon, steamed rice and peas, spinach salad, and ginger baked pears for dessert.

Agwene smiled at the spread, waiting for Aurora to sit

Aurora sat down, and murmured, "Dear Lord, thank You for Your bounty and Your many blessings, and for the future good fellowship with Queen Agwene and her glorious nation. Amen."

Agwene bowed her head respectfully during the prayer, smiling, and saying after, "It is my sincerest wish that such fellowship come to be."

Aurora gave a little jump as during the meal someone finally spoke, until then it had been eaten in 'awful silence'. She swallowed some salmon and said,
"Yes. On what basis though?" she bit her lip and then spoke directly. "Queen Angwene, you seem so...well...magical, so fae. I'm not sure what we could offer you."

"Seeming is not everything. We have many quite mundane needs. Roads, shipping, airplanes, agriculture. Besides which, I look out for the interests of hundreds of million human Danaans as well as the fairy ones."

"Oh! Well that changes everything! You need agriculture, huh? what kind?" Aurora was unaware of the wincing of Count Chemnitz, the paling of Baron Ehrfurt as she suddenly lapsed into the Aurora who had built her own ornithopter and studied rainfall. She leaned across the table, eager with interest, shoving her plate aside.

"It's not so much that we need agriculture itself as that we need equipment to modify our farms. Tractors, reapers...I'm not a farmer but I'm sure my people could give a much more specific account of our needs. We have many things to offer in return as well." said Agwene with a grin.

"Well, our country makes machinery, specifically vehicles, and we also make heavy equipment for farms. But what could you offer us?" Aurora asked.

"Lumber, mining rights for gold, silver, diamonds, books (publishing is our strongest industry), tourist attractions, handicrafts, furniture..."

Aurora smiled happily. "Wow, that sounds fantastic, wonderful!"

"Majesty..." cautioned Chemnitz.

Agwene glanced curiously to Chemnitz, returning Aurora's bright smile.

"What?" said Aurora, frowning. "I'm not signing
a treaty, I'm just talking."

With a thoughtful look, she said, "We should
write all this down...tell me, Queen Agwene, can you
just sign a treaty like that?"
"I can. Parliament has a certain say in things
but my will is ultimately sovereign, Your Majesty."
"Maybe you might like to actually see some of
our country's factories and such then?" suggested
Aurora. "And I could do likewise..."
* Agwene inclined her head. "I would like that. Though,
you would need to make sure such factories did not
utilize cold or wrought iron. Iron ore per se is no
difficulty."
"Well, we could start any time you would like."
offered Aurora. "Unless you'd rather just relax for a
bit, you must be tired, Queen Agwene."
"A little tired and not overly eager to get back on an airplane just yet." She smiled charmingly. "It is nice to simply talk sometimes."

"Oh." said Aurora. "Well...oh I forgot to introduce you to Thirty Camelias. She is my leopard and my closest friend and bodyguard."

Agwene moved her hand towards the leopard. "May I?"

Thirty Camelias pricked up her round ears, and her lip curled showing huge white teeth. "Let me." said Aurora, rising and standing so that she had her hand on the she leopard's neck. "Now you may, I think."

Agwene gently reached out to pet the leopard. "Hey, there."
The sound that came from the beast was like a car engine starting, a deep rumble that Agwene could feel through her fingers.

"She's very beautiful."

"Yes, she was a gift to my mother from Renate von Saucken of The Territory, one of our most long termed allies, and now she is mine." Aurora smiled a bit sadly at this.

Agwene gave Aurora a soft, sympathetic smile.

"Did you know my mother was murdered?" Aurora asked. Baron Ehrfurt drew in a sudden breath. Baroness Toll sighed softly.

"No...I'm...I'm sorry." said a dismayed Agwene.

"She was assassinated by members of the Cavalier Guard, who were acting on the orders of an evil man called Count Mirbach." she said, her eyes going a bit cold.

"That's...monstrous..." said Queen Agwene, horror stricken.

Aurora felt, to her horror, tears and she angrily forced them away. "Yes. And they will, the conspirators, die with the world knowing what monsters they were. In the meantime, some of them are in the Fortress of Matthew and Mark. Oh my mother suffered for her goodness, Queen Agwene, you have no idea...but I will be tough where she could not be."

"You are just and strong." offered the sidhe Queen.

"I'm sorry?" said Aurora.

"To punish them before the world."

"Oh, yes..." Aurora nodded. "Would you like to have a sauna and massage after lunch? It is most relaxing." she offered, with a complete change of mood and subject.

Agwene grinned with a soft glow. "That sounds heavenly."

Aurora rose, at which the courtiers rose as well. "Good! Then perhaps you might like to meet the members of the Imperial Government and we could discuss trade some more. And then tonight we'll have a dance and a banquet in your honor, and some entertainments!" Aurora was relieved to have something to do, but her heart was warming to the lovely sidhe queen, who seemed so nice, like a smaller and less overwhelming version of Sirithil.
Agwene rose as Aurora did. "That all sounds most most lovely, Empress Aurora."

The sauna at the Autumn Palace was actually like a spa; it featured slightly rough tiles that did not hurt the feet but prevented slippage; it had a washing room with showers and attendants with bath towels, loofahs and scented soap. Beyond that an impression of heat came. The attendants were husky but handsome young women from the southernmost part of Lavenrunz, themselves wearing only light robes. Aurora arrived wearing a robe herself, and Agwene had been provided one too. Both their female followers were in attendance, while the men had their own sauna to go to. Agwene glided over the floor, her bare feet smooth and soft. Sarah followed, looking around. Aurora slipped off her robe with an assistant's help, and quite nude, slender and pale, went to the showering area and another attendant began to scrub her so vigorously that the loofah made harsh sounds. Aurora closed her eyes with a smile. An attendant came up and tried to hide making an odd little sign as she approached the Queen, then, bowing, said, "Majesty?" clearly offering to help her disrobe.

Agwene slipped off her own robe with a slight blush, heading for the showering area. While her body is...something to be proud of, to say the least, she seemed rather bashful, trying to avoid showing too much of herself despite her nudity. Baroness Toll and Aurora, by contrast, were relaxed now, laughing and joking as they were scrubbed down. Aurora glanced at the Queen, her eyes curiously looking at the naked Queen. She felt somehow that she may have blundered, and blushing, said, "We'll be inside Queen Agwene, please join us when you are ready."

"No, no, it's fine." Agwene said. "I'm just not used to being nude around many people." Sarah, meanwhile, washed quite casually.

"Oh." Aurora was surprised. "Then you are used
to bathing alone?"

"Yes, Your Majesty." she answered, keeping her gaze averted from Aurora's quite lovely form.

Aurora sighed. "I'm almost never alone. It's a bore sometimes. It's only marginally better than my ancestors. Do you know that till my grandfather Frederick's time we didn't even use the toilet alone. How gross is that!" she laughed, and went into the sauna, a cloud of steam escaping and veiling her. Baroness Toll, who had the voluptuous body of a Greek statue, her long fair hair down to the small of her back, gave a little bow of her head and followed the Empress.

Agwene laughed, relaxing somewhat before following Aurora to the sauna. "Well, does anything stop you from simply ordering people to give you time alone?"

As Aurora sat down on a wooden bench, Agwene found a wave of heat like that of an oven envelope her. "I suppose I could, but really...between you and me I only do that when I really have to. It seems to make people feel better."

As she sat, Agwene looked Aurora in the eyes for a moment. "I think we will be able to relate quite well, Empress, however alien I might look. It's nice to relax."

With a thoughtful look, Aurora said, "You are alien, if I may be blunt, Queen Agwene, but you are also very lovely and I think you are a good ruler at first glance." she lay her head back a bit, enjoying basking in the heat.

"Then I shall do my utmost to prove you a good judge of character."She shook her head a little. "I have to marry a man I hate."

"What?" exclaimed Aurora, roused from her reverie.

"Ancient law. I can't exactly get out of it.
I'm not even particularly interested in men." She
shrugged a little, at peace with it.

Geeze...is she a dyke too? Aren't there any straight elves? wondered Aurora. Not that she minded, but it was an interesting question. Also she wondered aloudd, "Ancient law? I'm afraid I don't understand."

"Arranged marriage. You see, the matter is decided not by the parents or the ranking relative but the head of the House. While I am High Queen, I am not High Lady Gwydion. Therefore, my Aunt Nianki arranged the match. It is a law I plan to abolish after I am wed."

"That's really strange." said Aurora, sitting up. "How can you not be the head of your house?"

"The first High King was also High Lord Gwydion but the crown is passed by primogeniture and the high lordship is passed by a rather more complicated set of rules based on blood, rank, age, and certain ritualistic factors, so they did not long remain combined in the same person."

"So it is like it is with me about certain ritual things." suggested Aurora. "It's hard to change tradition, isn't it? And sometimes impossible."

Agwene sighed. "Very hard, indeed. But it is pleasant to make friends."

"I'd like to be your friend, Queen Agwene." said Aurora impulsively. She felt a twinge of danger; this wasn't like with Nathicana, who had seriously earned her friendship...

"I would like to be yours too, Empress Aurora." She paused a moment. "Friendship can be a hard thing to build. It takes time and effort to earn. However, that being said, it is a deceptively easy thing to begin."

Aurora said, "Thank you. Now: are you up for the piece de resistance, Queen Agwene?"

"Ready when you are, Empress."

Aurora rose and walked out, and the attendants were opening the sliding door to outside so that the winter's chill blew in, and the naked Empress and her attendant rushed out into the snow. Agwene followed her out into the snow. Visible goosebumps covered her alabaster flesh as she looked about.Aurora rubbed snow over herself as did Toll. She turned a laughing face to Agwene. "It's excellent for your pores!" she exclaimed.

Agwene rubbed the snow on her body, eyes widening a little at the intensity of the cold. Before they were out too long, the other women hurried back in, shivering, and had oven warmed robes held out to them by attendants. Agwene ran back in after them, nestling into the room. "That was...strangely invigorating."

Aurora nodded. "I'm glad you found it so. It's good for your health, you know, it's customary here."she was glad now that she had made sure that in accordance with the customs of some nations she had segregated the sauna...

"I can understand why. If only we had snow enough to be worth mentioning, I might bring it home with me."

Sarah just grinned, quiet for the moment.

Gestalt Fabricken Works, outside Hofburg

Wearing protective white helmets, the Queen and Empress stood watching a line of tractor engines moving along a huge conveyer.
"Our production is up about thirty percent thanks to improved conditions," bellowed the plant manager, "We're producing tractors, backhoes, bulldozers, harrows, anything that can work a field we're building here, Majesties."
It was a place full of robotic arms swinging heavy parts, full of assembly lines and the smells of hydraulic fluid, exhaust and industry.

Agwene was thinking of the excellent use to which all of this machinery could be put by her people. She was also thinking she hated wearing helmets, but that was another issue. "That sounds most promising!" she yelled back over the noise of the factory.

The Imperial Chamberlain, Count Chemnitz, arrived like an inspecting general in the Rittmeister Hall, which had a great vaulted ceiling, and featured regalia of the age of chivalry. This included big tapestries that had been restored to their original colours, showing jousts, hunts and courtships. A U shaped banqueting table stood in the center of the room. He looked carefully at the chandeliers. These, which resembled clusters of white lilacs, were one of the great treasures of Lavenrunz, for they created the impression that one was under the boughs of great lilac trees as one sat down. He nodded, and they were raised up above the table again.
Lobsters stuffed with mushroom, cream and bread; cucumber salad; a delicate soup made from smothered wrens; and a slaughtered young tender beef from the Empress' own herd were to be the courses. This was consecrated by the Empress, and as the straining beast moaned and bellowed was soothed by her till it was calm against her, whereupon its throat was cut. The herdsmen murmured a prayer of thanksgiving for a good breeding season as the cut was clean, the blood flow healthy, the spatters of it on the Empress' sleeves and hands indicating that she would kill what she loved for her people. This rather heathen rite was done only among Lavenrunzians. The choicest cuts of meat were offered: a roast, prepared with carrots and potatos that had been baked in the meat's sauce. A selection of tender steaks, rivalling the best Angus beef, in spiced medallions. The brain, chilled carefully, doused in spiced flour and grilled lightly. The heart and liver, chopped and baked in little piping hot pies. The ribs, broiled lightly, then baked in a strong hot sauce. Because it was a steer, the Empress was not required to ritually consume its genitalia to ensure the future progeny of the Von Sachshausen House.
Aurora did not tell Agwene about these secret rituals, and instead simply had an underchamberlain (when that worthy went to escort the Queen and entourage to the banquet) explain discreetly to one of the Queen's entourage that it was an honor to receive the choicest cuts at a Lavenrunzian of rank's table, and that it would go well to at least sample a bit of each.

Present for the banquet were also: Archduke Amadeus von Sachshausen, Archduke Carl von Sachshausen, Chancellor Hans Schlabel, Count Chemnitz, Baron Ehrfurt, Baroness Toll, the Archbishop of Lavenrunz, Colonel Zimmermann, Colonel von Paderborn, and a few other courtiers.

Agwene found that when she was led to the hall, that she coincided with the arrival of Aurora, so that both courts, as it were, were to go in together.
Aurora smiled in welcome. She was wearing a flower dress...which Agwene realized was literally made of flowers, somehow woven together, in this case bluebells, lilies and violets.

Abraham walked over to Agwene after the Lavenrunzian customs had been explained to him. Bowing, he quietly spoke to the high queen in English, explaining to her that respect for their host's culture required that she sample some of everything offered at the table. Agwene, for her part, simply nodded once. "Of course, Abraham."

The high queen was dressed typically in a gown of green gossmer. The entire gown seemed to move and shift around her, thin pieces of the lighter than air material floating upwards, though the layering of the dress thoroughly insured her High Majesty's modesty. Nonetheless, the way the countless layers shifted produced almost hypnotic ever-changing patterns of darker and lighter green. The lining for the gown was gold, as usual.

Agwene gaze moved briefly over Aurora as she arrived, her smile warm and friendly. "It is nice to see you again, Your Imperial Majesty." she said as she inclined her head deeply and respectfully.

Once the food was served, Agwene did indeed make a point of sampling a little of everything. She smiled at each dish, eating slowly as she savored each choice morsel.

Empress Aurora smiled as the Queen sampled the dishes, but was wondering how much she was enjoying them. "I hope this is to your liking." she said. "Is it very different from what is served in your country?"

At the same time, Baroness Toll, glancing at Sarah, asked, "I couldn't help but overhear a bit of what your Queen said about House Gwydion and how the leader of it is not in fact your ruler. What authority does that House have for instance with regard to your parliament, or the making of policey?"

Agwene grinned brightly. "A little different, yes, but quite delicious. Your table is a delight to any discerning palate, Your Majesty."

Sarah nodded. "Well, members of House Gwydion hold forty seats in the Parliament, out of a total of four hundred. However, there's nothing making them vote according to the orders of High Lady Nianki or any rule that gives her any authority whatsoever in setting national state policy of any kind, at any level."

Aurora smiled and nodded her appreciation of the compliment. "Queen Agwene, if you don't mind me being very blunt, what are your views on this conflict we've both gotten somewhat involved in? Apart from supporting Menelmacar, that is."

Baroness Toll lifted her eyebrows. "Excuse me for saying so, but then it does seem rather strange how much influence House Gwydion has over any possible marriage on the part of the Queen. Or am I misunderstanding altogether?"

Agwene nodded. "I don't mind at all. It isn't truly that blunt a question. I am glad that we are there, certainly. It shows that our support for our allies is more than merely formal, that we are willing to fight with them and sacrifice with them whenever necessary. It is our first chance to display our good faith in the Pact of Uinen which we have with Menelmacar. On the other hand, judging from the reports I've received of the actual tactical situation, the combined strength of allied forces in the area seems to be, if you'll forgive a popular expression, overkill. Our forces have not found themselves hurrying to a line ready for battle but looking for anywhere where additional troops could be deployed productively. Of course, at the same time, this situation can only be attributed to pro-Communist forces backing down before the threat of allied firepower so, in that sense, it is useful to have so many forces there."

The Sidhe continued. "As for the conflict itself, well, I shall be blunt. It is unlikely we would have taken much note of it had we not been asked by our allies to become involved. While we believe firmly in the principles of a free society and a free market, we have never been proactively anti-communist in the way our friends in Menelmacar or New York and Jersey are. Still, it is our belief that both communism and fascism constitute forces hostile to the Danaan way of life. In that sense, we consider the defeat of both groups of insurgents in Zvarinograd to be in our own direct national interests, to a limited extent, beyond our support for our allies."

Sarah shrugged. "She does have authority over House matters, such as marriages, the Fior Righ, things of that nature. We still have arranged marriage at the highest levels and the House Lords and Ladies have such affairs in their charge. Her High Majesty intends to abolish arranged marriage soon but she won't do it until after she's married the man High Lady Nianki has choosen for her. Fortunately, there are no involuntary marriages scheduled between now and then."

Count Chemnitz quietly whispered something to the Empress, who smiled and said, "I think we have a bit of entertainment now, Queen Agwene."
And indeed, there came a fanfare, as musicians paraded into the room, and went to an alcove. The music was "The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba", to which Aurora whispered, "You know, I remember my mother said that this piece should be called 'preparing for the arrival of the Queen of Sheba--what do you think?" As the music came to a close, a young man dressed in a silver and blue coat with a long wand came in, and following him came several great birds, as if for a dance procession: peacocks, bustards, cassowaries, herons and cranes, and in fact they had been trained to high step dance in the old fashion, spreading their wings, crossing pas de deux, twirling gracefully, as the Sarabande of Handel was played.

Agwene smiled brilliantly, beginning to glow brightly, radiantly, at the music and the dancing birds. Agwene looked absolutely ecstatic as she gazed rapturously at the entertainment, entirely lost in it for the moment. After a long moment, the glow receded and Agwene answered Aurora. "I think...I think, Your Imperial Majesty, that I already grow fond of Lavenrunz." She smiled to the other monarch.

Aurora flashed her a smile, nodding approvingly as the birds strode out, led by their trainer. No sooner had they left than a music with wildness in its slow beginning rumbled from bassoons, violas and other low registers, the Hall of the Mountain King by Grieg, as small trained reddish brown bears came padding out, and then rose to hind legs, turning around, waving their paws, bobbing their black snouts. As the music picked up in tempo, they began doing tumbling tricks to the clapping commands of their trainer, balancing on front paws, pretending to stumble together and then rolling neatly away to stand on their back paws again...twirling wildly and then rushing up to form a pyramid of small bears as the music reached its last crescendo.

Agwene grinned with delight at the bears, watching them with the same radiant glow. "Your entertainments are rather marvellous, Empress Aurora. Though...I was wondering...I was wondering if I could perhaps attend a service while I'm here."

Glancing down the table at the sleepy venerable Cardinal-Archbishop Heinz Wittmar, Aurora said, "Well, Eminence? Would it be possible?"
The wispy haired old man smiled at Agwene--this was the serene smile of someone who has lived much, seen much, and forgiven much--and said, "Of course, Majesty, the Queen would be received as with the exaltedness of her Office--and as any of God's children would be welcomed."

Agwene smiled. "That sounds lovely. Thank you, Your Eminence, Your Majesty." She gave them both a broad smile before turning her gaze back to the entertainment.

After the entertainments were over, Agwene glanced to Aurora. "Could I have a moment of your time in private, Your Imperial Majesty?"

Agwene smiled faintly to herself and crossed her legs with simple elegance as she awaited Aurora's response.

"Of course, Queen Agwene." said Aurora with a smile, turning to her and leading her to a small alcove room.

Agwene followed Aurora to the alcove. "I didn't want to say this in front of our advisors because it is important that the concrete relationships between our nations begin at the beginning. However, I didn't just choose to come to Lavenrunz because we share bilateral allies and are now allied through VERITAS. I came here because I've studied the role Lavenrunz has played in the past."

She paused, the stately queen looking a little nervous. "It's likely that there might be some frictions between our governments from time to time, as happens between even allied states. Everything from petty unpleasantness at state parties that gets blown our of proportion to disputes about trade or markets. And whenever that happens, well..."

Agwene blushed deeply. "From what I've learned, from history and from people I trust, of your house, your people, and your mother..." Agwene lowered her eyes somberly and respectfully "...whom I did not have the honor of ever meeting myself, I have learned that Lavenrunz stands for the cause of right and it is our immense HONOR to stand beside you. I know that we have not been an active presence in the world long enough for you to return the sentiment and I don't expect you too. I just hope to earn it some day through future actions."

While Agwene had had a flattering, courtly tone in earlier compliments and a reflective, personal tone in earlier discussions of friendship, Agwene had neither now. Instead, she had a somber, stately, and very serious tone. Her facial expression, body language, and tone of voice all screamed that she was saying something which she meant very sincerely and took very seriously.

Aurora felt like strings had been pulled out of her. She felt her eyes welling up, and she said in a trembling voice, "Thank you very much, Agwene...for what you said about my mother. I want to do well by her memory, very much. I miss her so much." she said, turning away, tears spilling hotly down her cheeks.

Agwene stood there somberly. There was really nothing she could say to help here, not that she hadn't already said. She just gave Aurora a somber, bittersweet smile and stood near her supportively.

After wiping her nose and her eyes, Aurora turned and said, "Thank you again. We don't always do the right thing, you know, but it is good to know our reputation, and we will do our best to live up to it. If you don't mind...would you tell me what in particular struck you as significant?"

Agwene pondered. "The entire conflict between Lavenrunz and the Reich. You had nothing to lose from them directly. You were Catholic and human. If you hadn't opposed them, they would have let you be. But you didn't just stand by your friends. You took, and are still taking, if I understand correctly, much more of the blunt of racialist violence than even those nations more...directly concerned."

Aurora was suddenly smiling at a memory she had almost forgotten. How strange the mind could be. She was remembering standing in front of the people of Hofburg, when Mirbach was all ready to make second class citizens of all nonhumans, the first step in his fascist regime, and she had defied him even though she was under age. She had stood and said, "What you do to the least of them, you do to me."
She reached out and took Agwene's hand. "While I have breath and life, right will be done if it can be done."

Agwene clasped her hand firmly. "So long as there is breath in my body and fire in my heart, I shall uphold the weak and defend the vulnerable. I shall fear none save my Maker and give battle to darkness. The swordarm serves only justice and my shieldarm compassion."

Agwene then smiled a little. "I should take my rest tonight. We have the service in the morning."

The Cathedral of the Archangels seemed to stretch heavenward inside. Stained glass poured jewels of blue, gold, red and green down as the morning sunshine shone through. Agwene could hear the sound of the choir singing a Te Deum as she, her followers, Aurora and her courtiers entered.

They had arrived by a vehicle cortege, with accompanying motorcycle riding black jacketed Reichspolizei. There was a cordon around the Church, but it looked splendid and they could hear people cheering as Aurora got out. The soldiers looked cool and efficient, their short stubby G-11 rifles held with deceptive casualness.

Present as well were the members of the Imperial Family who were in town: Archduke Carl, Archduchesses Katerina and Sophia, the Count of Wurtzburg and his family and the senior members of the Imperial Court.

Agwene and her entourage stepped out with Aurora and hers. Agwene inclined her head gracefully to the crowds but seemed otherwise unaffected by their presence. She crossed herself properly at the entrance of the church and genuflected deeply to the altar when she entered. Her entourage did likewise.

During the sacrament of the eucharist, Agwene and her entourage, as non-Catholics, remained respectfully seated with eyes lowered politely. Otherwise, they participated fully and respectfully in the service. It was clear that this wasn't exactly a first for any of them.

When Aurora returned from the altar, she looked at Agwene and said quietly to her, "Is anything wrong? Why didn't you take holy communion?"

"I'm not a Catholic." Agwene said quietly. "I thought it wasn't appropriate to take the sacraments unless you were a member of the Church."

Aurora whispered as the Archbishop went up and began speaking, "Then why on Earth did you want to come?"

"Today's reading is from Matthew Chapter Six..." said the Archbishop in his resonant but slightly quavering voice.

Agwene whispered back. "It is the house of the Creator of Heaven and Earth, is it not? I've never particularly believed that sectarian concerns made any such house more or less holy. Besides, I like to worship with as many of my allies as possible. It is the will of the Divine that even sovereigns bow to as the humblest servants and do so with a glad heart. That is what I believe, in any event."

Aurora felt glad; and she whispered back, "Then we are kindred spirits. I feel you know that rituals are good reminders but that ultimately the mystery of God defies our understanding. Do you believe in Iluvatar like the Noldor and Sindar then?"

Agwene shook her head. "Oh, no...well, not any more than I believe in the God of Abraham and Isaac or Allah or Azura Mazda. They are all names for the same thing. But I had never heard the name Iluvatar used until I met Sir...Lady Sirithil and the customs and usages associated with his religion are every bit as foreign to me as they are to you, Your Majesty."

Agwene sat through the rest of the service with Aurora. Afterwards, she made small talk and worked out some more technical details of trade. She smiled at Aurora as she departed, clasping the other woman's hand gently in her own. "It has been good to meet you, Aurora von Sachshausen." She and her retinue then returned home.

FIN

((OOC: This'd been more or less done for awhile. Thought I'd formally finish it off.))