Chapter Eleven: Enclosed

After the wedding Elesis moved in with Chung in Hamel. Eve and Elsword lived together in Velder, closer to Hamel than Altera was, and ruled with a strong but kind hold. Elesis and Chung were the same. Thanks to the help of Delilah and his new wife Chung was able to convince his father that he did amount to something and would be able to keep the kingdom safe. After they had sorted out that which needed sorting Chung and Elesis finished their dinner early one night, departed for their bed room, and made sure they were not disturbed for the rest of the night. A few months after this Elesis gave birth to their first child, a young girl they chose to name Noah. Years flew by as the new parents watched their little girl turn into an elegant, refined, independent woman of seventeen years.

At the present time however Chung was concerned. Elesis had seemed distant and even upset. He couldn't figure out what the problem was. Today Eve and Elsword had come up for a visit and the four sat on a balcony overlooking the royal port for tea.

"So, Elesis, how has your dear little Noah been?" Eve asked.

"Well she isn't quite so little anymore." Chung joked.

"Noah is doing well with her studies, but I cannot find a suitable husband for her." Elesis sighed.

"You wish to find your daughter a groom?"

"Yes."

"Sis, this is just what happened with you and Chung, and we remember how harsh that was." Elsword said.

"You're right. But there aren't any princes." Elesis was at a loss.

"What about Sander? I hear the royal family has a couple children." Eve suggested.

"I don't think I will, Sander is so far away. It would prove a problem." Elesis replied.

"Say, where is my little niece?" Elsword asked suddenly.

"Right here!" As Elsword turned to look at the voice Noah suddenly hugged him from behind.

"Hey kiddo." The crimson haired male greeted.

"Mom, why didn't you tell me uncle and aunty were here?!" Noah pouted.

"I did not want to interfere with your studies." Elesis said calmly.

"I finished two hours ago." Noah said. Elesis seemed to have forgotten about the schedule she herself made for Noah. Chung grew ever more concerned, "Hey, is Abby here?"

"Sorry Noah, we left Abby with Add and Aisha." Eve apologized. Add, surprising all, married Aisha a couple years ago. He was fascinated with her use of magic and wanted to learn more about it at first. After a month long honeymoon however Add came back a changed man. He had fallen in love with Aisha and the mage couldn't have been happier. Together the two of them managed Altera's rule.

"Awww, guess I'll just go do some art."

"Might I come with you?" Eve asked sweetly, "You're skills are good but they need refinement."

"Sure!"

"I'll come too. I love watching you paint, Eve." On that note the three left the room.

"Chung?"

"Yes?"

"You remember what day it is?"

"Yes." Chung and his wife sighed.

"Let us depart." Elesis ordered as she rose. The king and queen made their way to the courtyard, got into their carriage, and left the city.

After a lengthy ride the two stepped out of the carriage on the outskirts of a large forest. A small, nearly invisible, path was set out before them. No sooner had they stepped onto it had the world around them grown dark. This was no ordinary forest, but a forest of elven mourning. Nearing the end of the path a small door, which was braced against a large tree, became visible. Chung opened it and allowed his queen inside before following.

The room they entered was like another world entirely. The inside of the tree was silky marble, carved into soft, welcoming furniture and grand archways and pillars. Elven runes decorated the walls.

"Rena?" Elesis called out.

"We're here for our visit!" Chung called. Around the corner Rena came.

She wore a long white dress that did not cover her shoulders or neck. Its long fabric completely covered her arms and the sleeves dragged along the floor, the same applied to the dress itself. Her look was one of everlasting sadness. The mood Chung and Elesis bore sunk even deeper.

"Welcome back…." Rena said softly. Without words the three journeyed down into the depths of the tree. A dim, eerie light lay before them, and in the center of a grand hall was a single headstone. Covered in moss and vines; the area around the stone was like a small grassland. On the stone read a name, Raven Veklas. Rena, Chung, and Elesis all kneeled and began to pray.

Twelve years ago, Raven fell ill from an unknown disease. He died within the week. Yet after his death Rena and two unfamiliar elven priestesses arrived, accompanied by four guards. Without any words, and thankfully no confrontation, they left with Raven's body. It turned out that Raven and Rena had developed fond feelings for one another, and became man and wife in the elven manner. Staying true to the elven manner upon becoming a widow Rena became another resident of this forest of mourning. She would spend the rest of her days here, playing her grand harp to soothe her husband's soul.

"I never truly got to show him my love….." Rena said solemnly.

"I'm sure he knows." Elesis said encouragingly.

"He was a good man." Chung sighed. He had treated Raven horribly before he married Elesis but his butler dutifully stayed by his side. When Noah was born he became the closest thing to an uncle she had besides Elsword. Chung couldn't ever express how grateful he was for that. Rena remained in the room as Elesis and Chung left in silence. As they made their way back to the entrance another friend greeted them.

"Came to visit?" It was Ara. She had feelings for Rena as well and once Raven passed away she insisted she stay with Rena to take care of her.

"Yes. I hope you can cheer her up someday." Elesis sighed.

"Unlikely. This very forest is filled with an aura of despair that seeps into one's soul." Ara said sadly, brushing her dark locks from her eyes, "But I must do all I can."

"We know you will." Chung said, placing his hand on Ara's shoulder.

"Yes, please enjoy your daughter's special day." Ara sighed and waved as her friends left.

By the time the king and queen returned home the city was bustling with activity. It was a grand, joyous occasion for the city of Hamel; and a glowing opportunity for all the other major capitals of the world. Today was the day of Noah's, princess of Hamel, eighteenth birthday. Chung and Elesis sat in silence inside their carriage, slowly making their way through the city streets to the castle.

"Elesis?"

"Yes Chung?" Elesis didn't look up from the holographic display of the Nasod device she had been gifted from Eve.

"Are you….happy?" Elesis froze at Chung's question and shut off the machine before looking him dead in the eye.

"Chung, you are a lovely husband, a loving father. I have never been happier than I am now."

"Yet you seem so….discontent." The queen sighed and rested her hands on her lap.

"Our baby girl has come of age and I want to make sure she has a proper husband, a good life, like the one you've given me."

"Dear, wouldn't it be best to let her find that on her own?" The blonde ruler said gently, "We love her and I will be content with any man willing to truly take care of her."

"As would I." Elesis agreed. Chung smiled and wrapped his arm around her.

"Then don't worry about it, we'll find her someone." The door opened as they arrived in the castle courtyard.

"Hey guys!" As the pair stepped out Aisha and Add, accompanied by the rest of their friends, came ot greet them.

"Hello Aisha, Add." Chung hugged Aisha and kissed her cheeks before shaking Add's hand.

"Big day isn't it?" Add laughed lightly.

"Yes. Is he here?"

"Yes." Eve answered Elesis.

"Good, we will see how it played out." The queen said flatly before the group went inside to attend Noah's party.

Nobles and honored guests milled about the courtroom floor partaking of drinks and fine dining. Noah was alone by the buffet table, seemingly lost in thought. The rulers went their separate ways and Elesis and Chung watched Noah from a distance.

"So boring…." Noah murmured.

"Hey!" A light voice, of a child, spoke out to the princess. She turned and looked down to see a young girl with long silver hair in a cute blue dress was standing behind her holding a small plate with a half-eaten piece of cake on it.

"Oh, are you lost little girl?"

"I'm not little!" She suddenly exclaimed, "And no, I was looking for you!"

"Why?" The girl grabbed her hand.

"Come on!" She pulled the confused lady along heading for the garden.

"Well at least tell me your name." Noah sighed.

"I'm Lu, from Lanox."

"You seem too sweet to be from such a harsh place."

"Just come on! He's waiting for you!" Lu said, pulling her with renewed vigor.

"H-Hey!"

Finally being pulled out into the garden, and having trouble following due to her royal dress which was rather long, Noah looked up to see a young man sitting on the bench in front of the fountain. Elesis and Chung observed from the balcony above.

"Was this your plan?" He asked, sipping some white wine.

"Whatever do you mean?" Elesis smiled innocently.

"You arranged for this." He accused.

"I've been conversing with the royal family of Lanox for some time now. They too have been looking for a bride for their son and from what I hear he is quite the charmer." Elesis smiled as Noah sat down next to the prince and it became clear the two began to talk.

"Well, at least all is clear now." Chung smiled.

"So, what's your name?" Noah asked sweetly, charmed already by the boy's looks. He smiled and handed her a white rose.

"I'm Ciel."

Vayne: Alright, I'm very sorry for the extreme delay D: I've been swamped lately and stressed and had to find inspiration to work. This story draws to a close now, and I hope you all enjoyed it. Till next time.