Where has it gone?

[Lady Nala]

Nala stood there, her purple dress flowing in the slight breeze. Her troubled face gazed out among the tree tops, as the rays of sun graced upon her eyes. Slowly Nala turned around, as the wind buffeted her.

A sigh left her lips. A new appointed advisor, who wishes for more elves. Another possibly rise to power? For it seemed that time would not release its grip on her. A war was possible, there were horrible creatures that were condensed evil.

The birds sung outside of the tree, where Nala would relax. For this was her personal home, where only those who know her well would come to visit her.

[Lady Alana]

Lady Alana saw the queen facing the wind. She smiled as she saw her friend and took a deep breath of the mountain fresh air. She quietly padded up to Nala and curtsied. "Hi" she said softly, for she could see Nala was in deep thought. Lady looked at the clouds in the sky and spread out her arms allowing the wind to blow against her light blue dress that matched her eyes. It was plain, but elegant. Again she drew in a breath and smiled enjoying the sights and beauty around her. "Is anything wrong" she asked her leader who's face looked troubled.

[Lady Nala]

"Hello Alana." Queen Nala smiled. She took a deep breathe while staring out the window. Nala turned to go look at her friend. For ut was nice to have a friend in this time of trouble.

"Troubling me?" Nala repeated, while purring like a laugh. "Alana. There is so much troubling me..." As the laugh faded from Nala's face, as once again her troubles overwhelmed her again.

[Lady Alana]

"Nala, Nala" said Alana seeing her friend zone out into her own thoughts. Something really is troubling her thought Alana gravely. "What's wrong" she asked "You know you can trust me." Alana waited patiently, waiting to see if Nala could trust her with her deepest thoughts. She followed Nala's look outside watching the leaves fly past like birds taking flight. She sighed, something was wrong, she could feel it.

[Lady Nala]

"Where has it gone?" Nala paused, and turned to look out the window once more. "The time when everything was so simple. My mother never seemed so carefree when she was queen." Though seeing the birds flitter in the sunset made her spirits fly high once more.

"Alana. There is a war. A new breed of horrible monsters. Where is the simplicity again?" Nala stood there, for her troubles echoed in her eyes. Though she regretted her words as soon as they left her mouth.

"I trust you as a friend. Alana, tell no one. For the country's troubles are none but my own. I regret this pity I have for myself. It is my duty to care for them. Everything must remain simple for everyone else. And tell no one of my weakness." Nala let that rest, for she wanted her word to be fulfilled.

Though after that had hung in the air for a few moments, the Queen's eyes softened. "Also, there is something I must ask of you."

[Lady Alana]

Lady Alana smiled and nodded. "I will do anything you ask of me, just say the word. Also, you shan't be worried you know I would never betray our friendship and your trust." Lady Alana looked outside and sighed. "You're right" she said sadly "Everything is much more complicated than it was before." Then there was fire in her eyes and determination as she stated "But you are much stronger than your mother was, much more clever and determined, you will get us through this, I know it."

[Lady Nala]

"I have already appointed a new advisor. Though I do not regret this descision, I do need a back up plan. For I fear something may happen. This is no mistrust for Svea, just a feeling." Nala smiled, for the whole conversation would soon turn brighter. "I want you to another advisor as well. For I know this may seem odd, but I need plan b's, and support."

"If you accept, you shall build a fort some where in the elven territory. Where you should desire, as long as it is reasonable. Along with a grant of elves, can I cannot promise you any at the time. Can you take on the challenge?" Nala asked, a glimmer of hope and pride in her eyes.

"And thank you, for everything. I couldn't get through this without. You are right. Together as one, we can be stronger than ever before."

[Lady Alana]

Lady Alana smirked and nodded. "Aw come on Nala, you know me, I'm always up to a challenge." Then her smirk softened into a friendly smile and her eyes glowed with happiness. "Thanks Nala" she said softly "You're really my best friend." Then she teased "Of course you know I'd take the challenge, you wouldn't make it without me!" Lady Alana started laughing happily glad that everything had been worked out quite well. She knew that Nala could count on her and she could count on Nala, they really could make the elf kingdom the greatest again.

[Lady Nala]

"Thank you. Yes. Your words are true. I shall send someone to get in contact with you tomorrow at sunrise possibly? There I would like you to decide such things as location. Yes, this is a good challenge for you." Nala smiled, her eyes shining. Though a viel covered them.

"Now this is a position I do give out lightly. This means very much to me, to live up to standards. I need you to follow through with this, and to dedicate your life to it. Otherrwise I shall strip you of it, there is little time for error in such times." Nala said, slowly turning her back to Alana while speaking.

There was a moment of silence, yet the conversation could not be ended at that. Nala's face now bore a light and delicate look, yet her eyes were still hardened. "May this be the point in which we fly, or fall."

[Lady Alana]

"Of course nala, you know me I'm always up well before sunrise" replied Alana. Alana smiled "Don't worry, you know i'm always up to a challenge and that I either succeed or die trying." she partially joked while she really spoke the truth. "We shall Fly Nala" said Alana determinedly "There is no failing, it's not possible and you know I will take this seriously."

[Lady Nala]

"Yes. You are wonderfully qualified for it. I have no doubt in you. What I worry for is the others." Nala said, mentally adding herself to the list. But the queen must always be portrayed as a fierce and determined person, even too her closest friends.

"Ok. So this messenger will bring you news on the amount of elves granted, time, and other such information. But on your part, I need to know location and other things. Details will be discussed then. But I just want to thank you. This means much to me." Nala replied, her eyes shining once more. For she felt she was finally getting things under control.

"You are very right. Succeed or die trying." Nala half whispered to herself, for the many who predicted war.

[Lady Alana]

Alana smiled, glad that even though her friend was the queen, she still put her faith in her friends. "Thank you" replied Alana. "Of course" continued Alana "You know I was always a great spy" she joked flipping a piece of her blond hair out of her face and away from her big blue eyes. She continued slyly "I almost always got what I wanted, I have my ways." "Nala" said Alana quietly "I know you have your faith in me and I am glad because of it, but this is going to lead to war, stay safe, we need our queen." Alana stared into her friend's eyes and continued "If something were to happen to you, the empire would crumble, we can't risk that, stay in safety."

[Lady Nala]

Nala sighed, for it was good to feel important. Though this was a rather touchy subject. "I feel as though..." Nala paused, something was holding back her words. "As though the country should come before me. I want you to focus on what is best for our people, and yourself. Have no worries for me." Nala said, though her eyes softened. "I'll try not to get killed." Though there was a harsh honesty in her words.

"Ok. It would seem we have what is needed. I shall send the messenger. You will start as soon as possible. We shall keep in close and private contact. I will have people monitor both you and Svea. We can only hope for the best." Nala's eyes smiled, yet her face remained grim.

"Now. I am sorry, but I must go. I am needed in the army hollow. Thank you Alana. Thank you." Nala said, as she nodded politely and gathered a parchment.

[Lady Alana]

"Where am I to go first Nala" asked Alana. Alana nodded, knowing what her friend meant, they would sacrifice themselves, for their kingdom, it's how it had always been and how it would always be. "Really try, we can't have our queen perish in battle, your mother would be disappointed in you" she joked, but there was reality in her words. Alana nodded "yes Nala" she replied. "I will head off at once." "Remember, you have the best, we will succeed." joked Alana. "Alright, bye Nala." Alana headed to the stables, she needed a horse.

[Lady Nala]

"Yes. Good bye and Good luck." Nala turned from her head and rubbed her temples. With a gentle hand she took her dove out of the cage. And attached a secret note to it. With swift wings took off in an instant. Letting the words on paper flow. As she sent a message. And hopefully it would arrive soon, for it had to.

'Really try, we can't have our queen perish in battle, your mother would be disappointed in you'

Alana's words echoed in Nala's head. For Alana had broughten up that subject many times. It worried Nala, did Alana know something? Or was it just her acting like a friend. But Nala didn't know what she needed more of in times like this. A friend, or an advisor. Both were wonderful, but her first duty was as queen, not a... what was the word?