She Made Her Choice
Chapter 7
Three tests all solid positive. Melna had kept her excitement to as much of a minimum as possible for the first two, but now... She had her arms around Dennara face buried in her chest happy tears soaking into the black uniform. The end was in sight. Feeling a paw on her back she turned to see Jenna smiling back and pulled her into the hug, too. The tall soldier put her arms around both of them.
``This calls for a party,'' the maid's muffled voice could be heard from between the two other women. ``I'll make sure the king has a slot in his schedule on Seday.''
Melna extricated herself backing up to twirl in place on one foot. ``Oh, I want everyone there! You and Dennara and Minka and Amber and everyone!'' She caught herself embarrassed to be acting like a child. ``If that's alright.''
A large paw planted itself on top of her head tossing her hair. ``I'll be there regardless,'' the guard said. ``Jenna, will you make preparations?''
``Of course,'' the bright woman replied airily. ``I wouldn't have suggested it if I wasn't half done with that already.'' She gave a wink.
Melna gave her friend another long hug. The three women left the washroom Jenna patting her arm. ``I'm going to head out. There's plans to be finalized and a king's leg to twist. You take care of yourself and I'll be around if you need anything.''
``Thanks, Jenna, for everything.'' The maid left. Melna felt she was a bundle of energy, she wanted to run down the halls telling every person she met the good news. Instead she stood in place tapping her fingertips together until she felt a paw on her shoulder. She looked up into green eyes.
``Are you alright?''
``Yes. No, I don't know. Its almost over, the war, all of it. I think I'm just getting impatient. I still have another month and a half before I can hand control to the king.'' She sat in the armchair paws shaking. ``In the short time I've been here the stay has been nothing but pleasant but the reason I'm here keeps popping back in my head. I feel like I'm not treating it with the seriousness it deserves. We're planning a party...'' She trailed off staring at the floor.
Dennara sat on the couch beside her. ``Responsibility will always be there, especially for those born to it.'' She reached over to squeeze Melna's arm. ``You are not running from your responsibility. You have accepted it and are doing what you think is best. In this case that responsibility comes with some perks. Why not enjoy it?''
Melna stared into those green eyes for a long time. With a deep breath she said, ``It can be hard sometimes. Part of me says I need to be more serious about all of this and another part keeps going back to something momma Sally said to me the day before I surrendered to captain Colear.''
That got a squint. ``And what's that?''
``'You're never going to grow up, are you,''' she said with a smirk.
Dennara gave her arm another squeeze and leaned back. ``Keep that spark, it serves you well.''
For the next three days Melna was a ball of nervous energy. Two of those she spent choosing what she'd wear to the party. She had beautiful new Aldenean style clothes, or would she wear the Silvanen formal, maybe something she had been given that first day? She looked at the small clock on the desk, it was hour fifteen. The party would start at hour twenty.
She leaned on the dresser and took several deep breaths. It was just a party, friends getting together to celebrate. Tomlin would be there. That thought brought the tingle back. They hadn't been intimate since her estrus. She had gotten used to regular visits from him. She opened the window and sat in the chair. To try to calm down.
A knock at the bedroom door startled her awake. ``Melna, are you going to get ready.'' She jerked her head to look at the clock. Hour nineteen?
Jumping up she looked around confused for a moment before heading for the washroom. ``Yes, thank you for waking me. I need to get a shower and brush before I get dressed.''
She showered and dried a quickly as she could returning to her bedroom to brush where she could keep an eye on the clock. She opted to braid her hair tying the end with her gold ribbon. Nineteen thirty; she finally decided on what she was going to wear. She pulled out a long skirt in purple with black embroidery at the waist and hem that had a notch at the back and the waistband tied over the base of her tail. Next was a breast cover in white with red hems that was a long skinny piece of fabric that came from behind her back, crossed her chest, and tied behind her neck. Last a pair of scarlet underwear that rested snugly under her tail.
She looked at herself in the mirror satisfied. Turning sideways her gaze landed on her belly. Pressing a paw over the fur she wondered if anyone could tell yet. Another knock at the door got her attention. ``Princess, it's time to go.''
``I'm ready.'' Turning to the door a flash of gold caught her eye. She looked down at her top and could see the outline of the piercings in the fabric. She couldn't wear the breast chain in this. ``Sorry, mother, I guess you'll have to sit this one out,'' she whispered running her fingers over it as she exited.
She stopped short when she entered the sitting room. Other than in the washroom this was the first time she'd seen her guards out of uniform. Each was wearing a light sleeveless dress in bright colors that matched their eyes and Dennara was wearing a gold marriage ring in her right ear. From the looks on their faces they were ready for a party. ``You all look nice.''
Yezni gave her a smile and opened the door to the hall. ``Let's go, princess, the guests await.''
Melna spent the walk to the gardens concentrating on deep breaths trying to calm the frantic racing of her heart. She finally stepped into the large glade under the spire to find a long table set up and decorated. Colored lights hung from the trees casting competing shadows on her group of friends. Friends that, when they caught sight of her, let out a cheer and applause. She buried her face in her paws, Dennara guiding her to a stop. Looking up she found she was standing in front of the man she loved. She felt she could admit it now. She still didn't believe in fairy tales, but this wasn't a fairy tale, it was real. ``Miss Massey told me to keep tonight free. Do you want to tell me what this is about? Though, I think I can guess.''
She nodded and moved closer to hold him. ``Yes, we're going to have a pup.'' That brought another round of cheers and he put his arms around her giving a squeeze. The party began in earnest. Sitting around the table food and drinks were passed around. Everyone seemed to be talking, laughing, or eating. Amber retold the story of Minka rescuing the princess from a pack of savage kittens. Even the king's guard were participating, three of the titanic men dressed in red, green, and blue robes sat with them relating appropriately embarrassing stories about the king much to the delight of any in earshot.
Sometime between supper and dessert she'd slid her chair closer to the king's then found an arm around around her shoulders. She leaned against him sliding a paw down his thigh. ``Miss Massey knows how to set up a party. You enjoying yourself, love?''
She stopped between bites of cake. He'd said it. She would stay with him forever if she was allowed to. She nuzzled into his shoulder and gave his knee a squeeze. ``It's like a Founder's Day Party. Good food and good company make for a good evening,'' she replied. Jenna glanced in their direction, giving them a smile before returning to her conversation with Tezal, one of the king's guards.
``Indeed it does.'' He gave her shoulders a squeeze. The other guests had been leaving the two alone for the last few minutes, not ignoring them just giving them time to bask in the moment. His paw grasped the one on his leg. He whispered in her ear, ``C'mon, let's go for a walk. The gardens are beautiful at night.'' She nodded and they stood, slipping away down one of the paths through the hedges.
They walked paw-in-paw through the darkened forest garden. Looking up through the canopy she could see the stars shining past the glass ceiling. The only thing she missed was a breeze blowing over them. Daytime flowers were closed tight and drooped while the night flowers stood open waiting for the pollinators to come assist the creation of future generations.
There was a scent in the air, something she recognized that lead to a familiar tingle in her lower body. She stepped closer to her mate slipping a paw under his robe and teased at the belly fur underneath. He pulled her in rubbing his cheek to the top of her head. ``I know a place.'' He stepped off the path her paw in his as he lead her through the trees and hedges. They found the spot, a large tree surrounded by bushes completely cut off from the rest of the garden.
She pinned him to the tree paws running up his chest their muzzles rubbing together and occasionally licking inside each other's mouths.
See "Chapter 7 Sex Scene 1" for Sex Scene or continue to skip it
Melna straightened her skirt and breast cover smoothing the fabric down her chest and legs. The king had finished tying his robe closed again. They stopped to stare at each other for a moment before descending into a fit of giggles. ``Do you think anyone noticed?'' she asked.
He took her paw and led out of the hiding spot giving and amused snort. ``Probably, I don't think they'll say anything though.''
She leaned into his side and his arm snaked around her shoulders. They followed the path back to the sounds of laughter and cheering. It sounded like they had started a game. Jenna was the first to spot them waving them back to the group. Melna ears were hot and she was overly conscious of how she was walking as they returned. She sat back at the table the king bending down to nuzzle the top of her head before joining a group tossing large blunted darts into a ring across the lawn.
``You two have a good walk?'' Jenna asked with a little gleam in her eye.
Melna tensed looking down at the table. ``It's the first chance we've had to be alone since my estrus. I hope we didn't cause a scene.''
``You're fine, hun. I sorta figured that would happen. It's not taboo for couples to go find a private spot for a little intimacy.'' The maid reached across the table to give her paw a squeeze.
``Thanks.''
The party continued for another few hours. Individuals rotated in and out of the lawn games, Melna found out her aim was not very good at throwing games. Everyone had moved back to the table conversations getting quieter in the late hour. Leaning over she gently tugged on the king's robe whispering into his ear, ``Can I tell them?'' He looked over their gathered friends and guardians turning back with a nod.
Melna stood patting her paws on the table. Voices died away as their attention was turned to the princess. ``I, um. I just wanted to say thank you to everyone. If it wasn't obvious by my outburst when I first arrived here, I didn't really come here with any kind of a plan. I needed to end a war and his majesty was a means to do that. Since I've been here all of you have become quite dear to me.'' She swallowed the lump forming in her throat. ``And I've come to love your king much more than I thought possible.
``I... sorry, whenever I had to give speeches I always had time to practice before giving them.'' She paused for a deep breath. ``In less than sixty days I will be presenting myself to the Silvanen council of elders to declare King Tomlin as chieftain of Silvana. The war will officially be over and it is my hope that Silvana can join with your great nation. After that I'll no longer be a princess, nothing else will be required of me and I'll no longer have what little authority I currently possess. I hope you'll still be my friend after that.'' That got amused protests from the people around the table. ``Thanks again to all of you. I'm probably the best treated prisoner of war in history''
That got some chuckles until Dennara said, just loud enough for everyone to hear, ``Honor thy enemy.'' All the guards present broke out into guffaws at that, the maids looked a bit confused.
Melna snorted. ``I don't think this is exactly what general Banchet meant. But thank you again.'' She sat again and buried her face in the king's chest at the sound of cheering from the assembled party.
The gathering began to break up, the maids, both on and off duty, began picking up tableware and decorations. Melna stacked a few plates before being waved off by Jenna. ``The guest of honor shouldn't be cleaning up.''
The king pulled her away leading her closer to where her brightly garbed guards were standing. He tucked her into a long hug nuzzling into the side of her head. She just held him listening to him breathe. She wanted stay like this. With a deep breath he released her. ``I'll see you in a few days. We'll need to makes some plans for your return trip.'' She nodded. ``Sleep well, princess.''
``You as well, my king.''
Melna felt like she was floating as she was escorted back to her room. It was very late, hour twenty-seven. She still managed a shower but went straight to bed without brushing her fur.
The next fifty days passed by in a blur. King Tomlin would visit her quite often. Melna watched Jenna's belly grow at the same time checking her profile in the mirror to see herself. After the first month the sickness came and the smell of any kind of fish would drive her to the nearest open window. In this Dennara was a help having had two children of her own with Jenna also giving advice about what the near future would bring. Melna grew fast, many noting that her child would likely be quite big. She privately wondered if it had more to do with the food.
Melna had asked to be taken on one more shopping trip, specifically she wanted to find something appropriate to wear to the declaration ceremony. Just Jenna and the two undercover guards accompanied her this time.
Plans were made and finalized, transportation arranged. Melna stood in the sitting room holding a bag. She couldn't take everything with her. She'd packed enough to get her to Ganden, the capital of Silvana, plus a little extra. She'd also packed everything she had acquired as gifts for her friends from the villa. She was in a daze looking around the room. It didn't have the feeling of finality that there had been when she left the villa, but it still felt strange, like she'd never see this place again.
``Ready to go, princess?'' Dennara was standing in the door to the hall.
She let out a sigh turning to face her guard. ``Yes, I guess I am.''
Jenna pushed a cart down the hall back to the garage making Melna wonder about reflections in time. The king and his guards met them in the garage where the princess was shown the largest vehicle she'd ever seen. ``This is a travel trailer, it's pulled by the truck up there. With this we don't have to stop except to change drivers, cuts travel time by a lot.'' King Tomlin told her.
``And less scary than a glider flight.''
He squeezed her shoulder. ``We can skip that on the way back if you want.'' Melna nodded.
Their luggage was packed into the truck and trailer and she was left standing with Jenna. ``Princess, I just wanted to tell you, I'm starting maternity leave tomorrow so I may not be around when you get back. I will stop by to visit, though, once things get settled down at home.''
Melna pulled her friend into a hug. ``You've held up long enough, go be with your mate and give him and your pup a hug for me.''
``I will, and I definitely want to meet your little one once they come along.''
``I'm going to miss you. You and Dennara combined, it was like momma Sally has been with me the whole time.'' That got a laugh.
``Sally Banchet must have been something if it took two of us to do her job.''
``I'll try to get her to come to Alda, I think you two would get on well.''
Dennara called from the trailer, ``Princess, its time to go.''
``OK,'' she called back. ``Take care of yourself.''
``You, too.''
Melna stepped into the trailer, inside it looked like a small living quarters. There were two couches against the wall facing each other, a bed at the back, and a shower and restroom in the middle. Dennara sat on one of the couches the king on the other. Wilhemina, Yezni, and the king's guards Tezal and Bentas were up in the truck as drivers. ``This is a lot nicer than my father's carriage.''
``We try to travel in style. Have a seat, we'll be moving soon,'' he said waving her to sit next to him.
Melna dug a book out of her bag and sat leaning against him. ``I'm ready.''
It took six days of solid driving to get from Alda to Ginad much of which Melna spent looking out the window tail twitching with excitement. This was also the first time she'd been allowed to actually sleep with the king, not counting when they had passed out from exhaustion. No sex occurred on this trip but feeling him pull her to his chest as they lay beside one another was an absolute delight.
They had arrived in Ginad to meet with local informants, Aldenean soldiers who had infiltrated the enemy ranks and Silvanen citizens who had chosen to work with the superior military forces. A council meeting would be called for the day the princess would arrive in the capital where she would declare the next chieftain. What the elders would not be told is that by the end of that day all of them would be out of a job with many of them heading to prison. General Banchet had kept a low profile in the three months the princess had been away, she was a target and best kept away from those who might do her harm. Two of the informants knew where she was and would send word for her to be in the capital.
Melna stepped out of the travel trailer to cheers from a few she knew to be Silvanen citizens. King Tomlin remained inside to protect his identity for the time being. ``Colonel, Jenzen!'' she called out when she spotted the brown-furred man.
A smile tugged at one side of his mouth. ``Princess, its good to see you again, and with good news, I hear.''
She glanced down with an amused snort. ``Yes, the news is very good. I also wanted to return this with my thanks.'' She held out the gray coat he had given her before her trip up the mountain what felt like a lifetime ago.
He took the coat almost in awe. ``This wasn't necessary, princess, this is just standard issue for cold weather.''
``It would bother me if I didn't at least try to give it back. Greet captain Colear for me as well.''
``I will do so next time I see him.''
Melna turned to look over the town again. Much had changed in the time she had been gone. Citizens and soldiers walked the streets in peace, no longer were there lines of prisoners. More importantly there were also no longer rows of bodies on the sidewalk. With a deep breath she turned back to wave at the small crowd that had gathered then stepped back into the trailer.
Two more days of travel found them in Ganden, the capital of Silvana. The city was under the control of the Aldenean forces so the large group of soldiers that gathered around the council building was not out of place, especially since the council was in session. All five of the palace guards used the trailer to change into their dress uniforms. The king dressed as well pulling on a black robe with fine embroidery in white and a red overcoat that hung just bellow the base of his tail.
Melna was glad she had been allowed that second shopping trip. She'd found the most offensively colored Aldenean style fenner possible. It was red, green, blue, and yellow in an odd swirl pattern Jenna had called ``tie dye.'' She hoped this would make her displeasure with the council clear. She would wear no gint leaving her breasts exposed with her mother's chain hanging between her nipples.
She closed her eyes for several deep breaths until she felt a paw gently touch her back. She turned to look at the king. ``Are you ready?''
She stared into the golden eyes for a long time. Everything changed after today, she had been a slave to tradition for her entire life. After today she would be free. ``Yes, I am.''
Melna followed Yezni out of the trailer with Dennara and Wilhemina bringing up the rear. Soldiers formed an honor guard the led from the trailer to the door of the council building. The quartet was approached by a man with general's insignia on his collar. He brought his left paw to right shoulder in salute before addressing Dennara. "The council has been gathered and are awaiting the princess.''
Melna spoke up, ``General, has general Sally Banchet arrived yet?"
He blinked looking up at Dennara who gave a slight nod. ``Not yet, princess.''
Dennara replied this time, ``When she does she is to be treated as an ally and brought to the princess as soon as possible.''
He gave another sharp salute. ``Yes, ma'am.'' With that the three guards and the princess moved toward the council building.
``Hey, Dennara, you think you could kick open the door to the council chamber? Maybe a couple of them would die of heart attacks.''
That got snorts from the trio of guards. ``No, I don't think that would be wise, princess.''
``It was worth asking.'' They entered the long main hall of the council building to stop before the large double doors of the council chamber. More than a dozen Aldenean soldiers lined the hallway behind them. Melna could hear a shouted argument raging inside.
Dennara and Yezni each put a paw on either door handle. ``You ready, princess?''
One last deep breath she touched the chain between her breasts. Be with me, mother. ``Let's do this.''
