Summary: When Elizabeth receives an urgent note from home, she returns to the castle to find not all is as it seems.
A/N: Thank you so much for reading! I'm very excited to be posting this finally. This is going to be a much longer piece than I normally write, and I'm hope that you all enjoy going on this journey with me! This story is set post-anime and pre-Ten Commandments. Ban and King are also still with the group.
Special thanks to woundedowl and DOMinMatrix for allowing me to complain at them as I figured out a title. You both make me laugh. A lot. So thank you.
.o0o.
Chapter One: An Unwelcome Message
The bell above the door of the Boar Hat jingled. "We're not open yet," Meliodas called from where he knelt, stocking glasses behind the bar.
He stood to see who had walked in the door. "Hey!" he said in surprise, easily vaulting over the bar. "What are you two doing here?"
He grinned wide as he walked over to the two Holy Knights who crowded the entrance. Meliodas reached out and gripped the hand of the closest one. "Greetings, Meliodas," Gilthunder said formally.
"Little Gil! It's great to see you. How have you been? How's Liones?"
Gilthunder nodded, giving a smile. "Well, thank you. On both counts."
Meliodas put his hands on his hips. "And Sir Howzer! I don't think the Boar Hat has ever had such esteemed guests!"
Howzer laughed and gave a short bow. "Hello, Captain. I'm glad that you are happy we are here."
"Come, sit!" Meliodas said, leading them to the stools that were neatly pushed against the bar. He moved around behind it and pulled out two large steins. "This is a surprise! What brings two of Liones' greatest Holy Knights to this shack, out in the middle of nowhere?"
"I'd hardly call this a shack," Howzer chuckled, happily accepting a glass as Meliodas poured out the frothing ale. "The reputation of this place made it easy to find, even this far from the capital."
"Hmm," Meliodas murmured as he placed the other glass in front of Gilthunder. He snatched up another glass and poured one for himself. "I suppose we do have a bit of a reputation."
Howzer laughed and drank. "We are here to see the princess," Gilthunder said mildly, not touching his own cup.
Meliodas took a long swallow and wiped his chin. "Elizabeth? Is everything all right?"
Gilthunder nodded. "We have a message from her sister to deliver."
"Huh." Meliodas drank again. "And she sent the two of you all the way here to deliver it?"
"It's difficult to tell who to trust in these uncertain times," Gilthunder explained. "Princess Margaret desired assurance that it would be delivered."
"Well, don't let me hold you up." The captain trotted over to a door leading to the back. He pushed it open with one hand and called, "Elizabeth! Can you come out here, please?"
The girl emerged moments later, carrying a stack of folded towels. "I'm right here, what do you—" She pulled up short as she saw the two knights seated at the bar. "Gilthunder! Sir Howzer! What—what are you doing here?"
"Princess," Gilthunder said, standing and giving a bow. Howzer followed suit, clearing his throat uncomfortably at the revealing uniform the princess wore.
"Is everything all right? My father—is my father well?" She pushed the towels at Meliodas, who took them in his arms with an "oof" as she hurried over to Gilthunder. "Please, tell me."
Meliodas stacked the towels on a table. He turned back to them, frowning in annoyance when he spied Elizabeth's hand clutching Gilthunder's arm. "They have a message for you," he said.
Gilthunder gently pulled his arm from Elizabeth's grasp and removed an envelope from a small pack strapped to his side. She took the envelope with a slightly shaking hand, tracing her fingers over the seal that held the paper closed. "This is from Margaret?" she squeaked, looking back at the knight.
He nodded and Elizabeth turned away, carefully opening the seal as she took a seat at a table on the other side of the room. Both Gilthunder and Meliodas watched her carefully, but Howzer sat back down and took another long drink. "Where are the others?" he asked.
"Somewhere around here," Meliodas answered, coming back around to refill Howzer's glass. "Ban is prepping food, and Merlin went out to get something. I don't know where Gowther and King are, but Diane is probably upstairs getting dressed."
"Diane? Upstairs?" Howzer raised his eyebrows. "How large is your upstairs?"
"No, no," Meliodas laughed, stealing another glance over at the princess. "Merlin gave her minimizing tablets, so she's been human-sized lately."
"I'll be glad to see them again," Howzer replied, and as if on cue, Ban entered from the kitchen with Hawk on his heels, calling, "Yo, Captain, are we open or what?" as Diane came down the stairs into the main room. They all stopped short at the sight of the two Holy Knights, and then there was a new round of greetings and hand (and hoof) shaking and happy conversation.
Through the commotion, Meliodas kept an eye on the princess. Elizabeth finished reading and folded the letter in her hands. She turned her head and looked out the window, her teeth catching her bottom lip. The Dragon Sin slipped away from the group and sat down next to her. "Everything all right?" he asked.
"I'm not sure," Elizabeth said, and then sighed. "Of course, with Margaret, you can never be sure." She handed him the delicate paper, and Meliodas read:
Dear Elizabeth,
I hope this letter finds you well. I had thought that after your last adventure you would be reluctant to start another. Then you left so suddenly, I must assume you have no plans to return any time soon.
Things have been difficult here. Since his recovery, father has not seemed himself. There are still many people displaced or hurt in the battle, and their care has now fallen to me. Until the new Grand Master is named, I have also taken on the responsibility for monitoring the threats to the kingdom. With Liones in its weakened state, this has proven to be a difficult task.
I must insist that you return to the palace and resume your responsibilities as a princess and servant of this kingdom. Please hurry home.
Your sister,
Margaret
Meliodas looked up. "I wonder what's wrong with the king?"
"It might be nothing," Elizabeth sighed. "Margaret has always been a worrier, and a perfectionist. She can find problems where there are none."
"Will you go, then?"
Elizabeth looked at Meliodas for a long moment. She wanted to give him the chance to ask her not to go; if he did, she would tear up the letter and stay, forever if he wished. He gazed back at her, trying his best to remain expressionless and not influence her decision. His stomach sank at the idea of Elizabeth leaving; but he knew it would be unwise to test the king's patience if the princess was needed in the capital.
Finally the princess let go the breath she was holding. "I suppose I must go," she said, barely a whisper.
Meliodas nodded. "Perhaps you'll get there and find things are not so bad after all," he said cheerily.
Elizabeth nodded, but then had an idea. "You could come with me! All of you can—"
He shook his head, cutting her off. "Sorry, Elizabeth, but I'm already on a mission. I can't stop looking for the seal now." Meliodas' voice turned low and serious. "You will finish your shift here first? I'm expecting a crowd tonight, and I can't be down a waitress without you giving some kind of notice!" Elizabeth stammered, caught by surprise at the change of topic, but before she could answer, Meliodas jumped up on the table and announced, "Tonight is our last night with our top waitress, so let's make sure we double our efforts during the service tonight!"
"Elizabeth, you're leaving?" Diane exclaimed.
"No, Elizabeth!" Hawk squealed.
The princess stood and nodded, blushing slightly. "I have to go back to the castle. Just for a little while, I hope."
Gilthunder stood as well. "If that is your decision, we should take our leave and head back to Liones Castle right away."
"No way," Meliodas said, jumping down. "Elizabeth has to work tonight. Diane isn't ready to do all the serving on her own."
"Hey!" Diane shouted indignantly, as Howzer interjected, "Gil, we've been traveling non-stop for days. Let's just stay here tonight and rest, and we'll set out in the morning." He took another drink from his stein.
After a moment, Gilthunder nodded his agreement. Soon customers began to arrive, and they were all busy as the Boar Hat filled with people and noise. Merlin turned up and sat with Gilthunder for a while, discussing the state of the neighboring kingdoms and the policy changes for Holy Knights now that the New Generation was finished.
Howzer sat at the bar, happily draining his cup and chatting with Meliodas, who served as bartender. After the orders were filled, Ban joined them and they swapped stories and jokes that grew wilder with each round. Diane often neglected her duties to join them, spending most of her time sitting next to Howzer and adding her own laughter to the merry party. Howzer was delighted with this situation, and used the opportunity to learn more about the giantess and try to impress her with his own accomplishments.
Elizabeth did not mind Diane's disregard for her tables; in fact, she was happy for the extra work to keep her mind off of her sister's letter. Where Veronica was pragmatic almost to a fault, Margaret was more inclined to dramatize. She was overly kind and compassionate; when Veronica would demand justice, Margaret would more often show forgiveness. However, Margaret was slow to trust, and reluctant to share her innermost thoughts with anyone. Elizabeth understood now that she had kept her heart close all these years because of the curse she was under, but wondered if things were really as difficult as she indicated in the letter.
King and Gowther returned at the height of the evening, and Elizabeth greeted them as they came in the door. "You'll never believe who is here!" she exclaimed, but then quickly went on, "Sir King? Is everything all right?" The Fairy King had turned a bright shade of red, and as Elizabeth followed his gaze, she spied Howzer and Diane laughing gaily. "What is he doing here?" King fumed, and weaved through the crowd towards the bar, leaving Elizabeth and Gowther watching him in bewilderment.
"What is wrong with King?" Gowther asked. "Does he not like Diane to be friends with other men?"
Eliabeth sucked in a breath. "I think it's just one man in particular."
King came up behind Howzer, who had leaned in closely to hear something Diane was saying. He gripped the Knight on the shoulder, and Howzer whirled around in surprise. When he saw who it was, Howzer laughed, "The Grizzly Sin! There you are!" and clapped him on the back, nearly sending him sprawling.
"King, where have you been?" asked Diane, reaching out to steady him.
"Scouting with Gowther," he answered with a frown. "I didn't realize the Holy Knights would be coming tonight. Are there more?"
"Just Gil over there, sitting with Merlin," said Meliodas as he filled their steins. "They came to bring Elizabeth a note from her sister. The princess is going back to the capital for a visit."
"Speaking of which," Howzer said, taking a drink, "I was just telling Diane that you should really all come. There is so much work being done, and it's going to be a new age for the Holy Knights and the kingdom now that the corruption from Hendrickson and Dreyfus is gone." He turned to the Serpent Sin. "You would especially enjoy it, I think, Diane. You ought to come back with us."
"I've never really been to court before," she said wistfully. "Do you really think I should?" She looked at Meliodas. "What do you think, Captain?"
Meliodas shrugged. "You can go if you want to. I was actually thinking it would be good for one of us to accompany Elizabeth and keep an eye on her."
"I should go too, then," said Hawk. "I'm the best equipped to handle any situation that Elizabeth would face."
"Sorry, Hawk," Meliodas said gravely. "I can't afford to lose my best waitress and my scraps disposal all in one day."
Meanwhile, Diane jumped up and down excitedly, as King balked, "What?! You're not really going, are you, Diane?"
She didn't answer, but instead starting talking rapidly, "I'll need to pack extra minimizing tablets. And I'll need to borrow some clothes. Where did I put that thing?" Off she went, hurrying upstairs.
Howzer laughed as he watched her go, and then went to tell Gilthunder they'd have another traveling companion. King watched him with a dark look, and Ban leaned over and thumped him on the back. "Don't worry, King, I'm sure Howzer will take good care of her." King turned around, clenching his fists, and Ban dodged as Chastiefol went flying past his head.
"Take it outside!" Meliodas called over to them, and Ban climbed over the tables and out the door with King fast on his heels.
"What in the world!" Elizabeth exclaimed, hurrying behind the bar. She stood next to Meliodas and watched the Grizzly and Fox Sins go crashing outside, jumping when she felt his hands slide under her skirt. "Sir Meliodas, your hands are cold!"
"Must be from the washing up. Warm them up for me." He began to rub his hands up and down her rear, warming his hands, and went on, "Diane is going with you to the castle. Isn't that great?"
"Lady Diane?" She looked down at him in surprise, forgetting for a moment the hands on her backside. "She's coming with me?"
"That's what I just said." He tilted his head in mock seriousness. "Diane has never been in a court, so you will look after her, won't you?"
"Oh—of course!" she yelped, as Meliodas gave one of her cheeks a pinch.
"Excellent. Now go see if that table is finished."
.o0o.
The evening wore on, and eventually it was time for the Boar Hat to close. Howzer helped the others with the clean up, while Merlin provided Gilthunder with cots for them to use for the night. When Elizabeth was finally able to go to her room, she found Diane inside, looking through her clothes. "Elizabeth!" Diane cried. "I don't have anything to wear. What am I supposed to do? I'm going to stick out and everyone is going to look at me."
"Don't worry," Elizabeth said tiredly. "Once we get to the capital, we can get you whatever you need." Diane thanked her excitedly and left, and Elizabeth used the opportunity to pack her few belongings in a bag. She laid out the dress she was wearing when she left home, and when she heard Meliodas outside the bedroom door, she hurried into the washroom to change into her bedclothes.
When she emerged, Meliodas was already changed, tied up, and lying in the bed. She doused the light and climbed in next to him, when suddenly she was hit with a wave of sadness. Meliodas could sense her change of mood and asked, "Everything all right?"
She sat with her legs curled under her and pulled the covers over them both. "I was just thinking—this may be the last time we are together for a while."
"Mmmm," he murmured. There was a moment of silence, and then he went on, "Aren't you excited to be going home?"
"I'm happy to be seeing my family again," Elizabeth admitted. She didn't want to say it, but she had stopped thinking of the palace as her home a while ago. They shared another, longer but not-quite-as-uncomfortable silence.
To Meliodas' surprise, Elizabeth leaned over and began untying the first knot in the cords strapped around him. "What are you doing?" he laughed.
"I just don't want to remember you tied up on our last night together," she answered. He grinned and squirmed in the bed, making her lose her fingering on the knots. Elizabeth laughed at his silliness and finished with the first, leaning across him to work on the next. Her chest was in the perfect position for him to lift his head and bury his face in her cleavage.
Elizabeth laughed again and moved out of reach. He was disappointed for a moment, but then chuckled as she straddled him, her knees pressed against his hips. "Now don't move," she ordered, and Meliodas complied as she made quick work of the rest of the knots.
As soon as he felt the ties give way, he flipped her over on the bed, grinning as she shrieked with laughter at the surprise. He smiled down at the disheveled princess as he shrugged off the cords and tossed them away. Then he grabbed her and flipped them both again, provoking more peals of laughter from her.
She giggled and pressed her hands on his chest, trying to right herself. Meliodas gripped the back of one of her thighs, pulling her leg to drape tight across his abdomen; with the other hand, he pressed firmly on her back to hold her in place. She inhaled deeply to catch her breath from laughing and looked down at the Dragon Sin. He was grinning broadly, and his hand moved from her back to her face to smooth her tousled hair.
Elizabeth's heart fluttered, and his hand stilled at the nape of her neck. She was certain he was going to finally kiss her, but after a moment he pulled her face down to his and he planted a kiss on her forehead. Then he pressed her head further down to rest on his shoulder.
He combed his fingers through her long hair as she relaxed against him. His other hand stroked her leg up and down, moving from behind her knee to the place where the back of her thigh met her behind. Her arms slipped lightly around him and her face nuzzled against his neck. Meliodas listened as her breathing steadied, and felt her body sink against his as she fell asleep.
He stayed awake all night, just listening to her peaceful breathing, feeling her chest rising and falling. When the first rays of light appeared in the sky, he wondered if he actually would let her go back to the capital.