After five hundred years, the day finally arrived for a new set of rulers to reign, and the majority of the planet shut down for the “Crown Passing Ceremony”. Television and news reporters were on site at each citadel in order to capture the events on film, and their accounts received payment in full to thank them for services rendered. Since tradition called for the new and old rulers to share a meal together, each continent kept open, one fully-staffed restaurant, and they served only those four elves.
Custom required the previous monarchy to move forward and relocate once the current rulers were sworn-in, but Uleena and Untermeyer had not explored any other options; she was concerned with the way others would respond to the former Avalorian queen living nearby, and the king agreed with his wife.
"Aunt Uleena, I know the rulers before us moved onto other places after their time on the throne ended, but it is not within me as your niece to make y'all leave. Ultimately, it's up to the both of you, but y'all are more than welcome to stay right where you are. To be honest, I will be heart-broken if you go, but I will understand," Maylene said.
"We appreciate the offer, and I don't know about her, but I have no issues with staying. I mean, if there ever comes a time when we find a place or y'all want us to go, let your aunt and I know, and we will," Untermeyer said.
"Or, the two of you could go on vacation, but I don't see either of those things happening. We get along, we love each other, and we're family. I just do not see y'all staying at the citadel with us being a problem, like ever," his niece said.
"How does your husband feel about that?" Uleena asked.
"He has a mouth and a mind of his own, and I suggest you ask him," Maylene said.
"How do you feel about us staying with y'all, indefinitely? The previous queen wanted to know.
"Y'all are family, and I have no problems with the two of you staying with us. No matter how long that may be. Maylene is my wife, and whatever makes her happy is fine with me," Sopher replied.
"There you have it straight from his mouth to your ears," the current queen remarked.
"Alright, I'm sold, we'll stay," her great-aunt replied.
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The following Monday was her first official day as queen, and Maylene awakened with a smile big enough to brighten even the darkest sky. Her maids, Maylin and Rachel entered the royal chambers, they were humming the same tune, and opening the window-coverings. The sun peeked through, but storm clouds held its warmth at bay, which caused many places in the room to remain cold.The citizens worked together in order to move some logs into the middle of the floor where the heater was located, and then they began to search for a way to set them ablaze.
Maylene saw the females' plight, reached into her bedside top drawer, and pulled out an ivory-embossed lighter; it had once belonged to her mother, and came with a firm warning, "Do not allow it out of your sight, and put it back where it belongs whenever I'm not around. Luna gave me that lighter, and it cannot be misplaced, please."
"Yes, ma'am, Missus Russell" Maylin replied.
"No, that is my mother-in-law, however, I am Misses Garrick-Russell," the queen clarified.
"I'll keep that in mind, your majesty," the maid said.
"Do me a favor, please? Just call me 'Maylene', it is meant for us to become friends, and using those terms seems so formal between friends," the queen said.
"I completely understand, to be honest, I wasn't sure how to bring up that particular subject, but thanks for breaking the ice on that, because I'm your head maid," the citizen said.
"Then, you should know that I'm pretty laid-back, and after many years of therapy, am willing to open myself up to make new friends," she said.
"I guess, it's a good thing that I've had my fair share of therapy sessions, and that I, too, am anti-social," Maylin said.
"I'm truly glad you felt comfortable enough with me to share that, and it feels good to have this conversation with you," Queen Maylene said.
"Would you like to know something about myself that actually has a direct link to you, already? The citizen inquired.
"Sure, tell me what it is,"...