Luna and Kouper’s eighth child was a female, as well, and the name she was given at birth was, Maylene Kaylene Garrick. The infant not only displayed physical characteristics that were the same as her mother’s, but as the baby grew into a toddler, she began to exhibit personality traits which were mirrored after the queen’s. These attributes were part of the reason for the bond between the elven daughter, and her mother. When the child learned to talk, she only conversed with the queen, and when she could walk, the toddler stayed by the matriarch’s side; these also lent credence to the closeness of their mother-daughter connection, and neither of them hid their love for each other from the other family members.
Due to the fact that Luna and Maylene were inseparable, Kouper began to notice a drastic change in the personalities of Helani and Lytyr, but was unsure of how to deal with these developments; the king kept a close eye on his girls because he knew how hurtful females could be to one another, and he wanted to avoid any kind of altercations between those three daughters. It came as a surprise to both royal parents when they realized those girls were closer with each other than they were with their other four siblings, but their parents had been relieved that there were no issues with these sisters.
Neither the queen nor the king had been aware of the fact that Helani, Lytyr and Maylene had grown to despise their only little sister, Gretchen, whenever there was talk of mischief befalling the youngest royal daughter, suspicions arose that the trio of siblings were involved, but nothing could be done to prove the sisters were around at the time. Generally, the sisters were devious enough to convince their parents that they were elsewhere whenever their baby sister found herself in an inexplicable conundrum, they would have gotten away with the attack on Gretchen, but her wrist had been broken whenever she was tied to the tree. By the time the three sisters made it back to the castle that morning, they were called upon to perform separate chores, and were incapable of concocting a believable cover-story for where they were during the time Gretchen was hurt.
After the attack on Little-One Gretchen, their father allowed the youngest royal child to deal with each of her sisters in her own way, and Maylene was sent away to a boarding school in East Zeerk. Since Luna had gone to that institution after graduating from “Queen Etiquette School”, she knew Chancellor Sylvia Casey, personally, and the elves considered each other friends; the planetary ruler made a direct telepathic connection with the school official to request that she keep an eye on Maylene, and the queen’s friend replied, “Are you asking me to show favoritism towards your daughter? Because, I will not do that for any of my students, no matter who their mother is, and that includes you, Luna.”
“No, quite the opposite, I only want someone to watch from afar, I don’t even want that child of mine knowing we’ve had this conversation,” the queen insisted.
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The day after her eighteenth birthday, the royal one began to look at her life, and the events leading up to the bond with the queen to become severed. The young adult felt that with her parents choosing to abstain from her party the night before, there was no reason to return home, and she retrieved her Royal Dragon, Morvill. She did not have a specific destination when first starting the trip, but it was definite that they would travel to the continent, Avalor.
Though she’d never met the current rulers of the kingdom in which she would one day rule, Maylene knew there wouldn’t be any problems with getting to meet Uleena, especially when the young one mentioned the fact that she was Luna’s daughter. She’d arrived at the castle early the second day after her birthday, and was welcomed immediately by the continental queen; when her great-aunt entered the throne room, the young elf was struck by the beauty which radiated from the female standing before her, and realized her mouth was agape.
“Maylene, you might want to close your mouth before a fly gets in it,” The queen said.
“How do you know who I am? I’ve never met you before,” she replied.
“Being a continental ruler, it is my responsibility, as it will one day be yours, to stay in constant contact with the planetary queen. Luna may be my niece, but in her current position, she is technically my boss. Of course, after the meetings have been adjourned, she is no longer in charge, and she becomes my family again. Those are the times when I hear about you girls, the latest milestone each of you reaches, and I know about all of the things that caused y’all to get separated from each other. Untermeyer and I meet face-to-face with your mother once a month, however, every day there’s a telepathic connection made between the four of us rulers, and we discuss business. During those times, talk of family issues is not brought to the table, it’s a rule of engagement that all us leaders abide by, including your mother. It’s a matter of respect,” her great-aunt explained.
“Do you think I’m terrible for not going home?” Maylene inquired.
“No, I feel that what you’re doing is a natural course in which us royal elves all embark upon before we inherit the kingdom, and you should not feel bad for the decision you’ve made. Further, I feel that it’s vitally important for you to learn about this job before the thing is thrown into your inexperienced lap, that is another natural part of the path you’re on, and is always a wise decision to make,” Uleena replied.
“What do you think about my having done this at the age of eighteen? I think it was a smart move on my part, as well, because it gives me plenty of time to learn the tasks of your position, and I’ll have the opportunity to learn my way around this gigantic piece of land that is Avalor,” the young one said.
“You are just as clever as the rest of us, but don’t allow yourself to believe that you’re the first one to set off on the same journey, and at your age, because you’d be wrong” her great-aunt said.
“Is it a character trait of our family to be that direct, all the time?” Maylene asked.
“Well, quite honestly, it is a family trait, but it is also an inherited hazard of the job, I’m afraid, and trust me, no matter how hard you try not to be like that, you eventually look back on your life to realize that you’ve taken on that very part of your personality you tried so hard to avoid. My advice is, since it’s already a flaw, don’t try changing it, you’ll only wind up right back where you started with that one,” the queen said.
“Alright, I can understand that, and I’ll take that advice, thanks. I know that in your position, you’re busy with your daily work. Is there an apprentice or someone else who’s supposed to teach me the things I need to know?” The young one asked.
“Yes, although she’s my head maid, and her name is Zenora. When I found out you were here, she was also informed, and she’s gone to get you some reading material from the library. She’ll be here soon,” Uleena said.
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The citizen elf’s arms were full with books when she entered the throne room, she’d gathered all the reference manuals for the job as she could find, and had carried them to the throne room. Though she’d been offered assistance from some of her fellow coworkers, the maid refused their help since she’d already had momentum from the things she carried, and she did not want to disrupt her balance by removing the heavy materials in such a way as to cause her to fall. Once Zenora set down the arm full of weight, she caught her breath, and turned to meet the future Avalorian queen.
“Hello, it’s nice to finally meet you. My name is Zenora,” she said.
“Hi, I’m Maylene, and may I say that it’s nice to know I’ve been expected, somewhere,” the young royal one said.
“I’m sorry you feel that way, but maybe this reading material can help distract you from whatever upsets you,” the maid said.
“Maybe it will, maybe it won’t, however, I’ll never know until I get started. I want to thank you both for taking time out of your busy schedules to find some things for me to read regarding my future position, and I hope that you both have a great day,” the royal one said.
“Wait a minute, before you leave, I’d like to make you an offer, and you don’t have to worry about affording anything because you’re family. Do you have a place to stay that provides a roof? Because if you don’t I can offer you some quarters on the second floor, if you’d like,” Uleena said.
“That would be a great help, and I’ll be forever grateful,” Maylene said.
“Great, I’ll have Montgomery show you where to take your things, and just so you know, you are welcome to come back down at any time you choose. If you want anything special for dinner, tell him before he leaves the room, please. I’d also like to tell you that you have been a very nice distraction from the daily grind, and I hope you’ll enjoy the time you spend here,” the queen said.
“I appreciate you both very much, and I’m sure my time here will be enjoyable. I recently realized a few things that hurt my feelings, and that’s why my demeanor seems unpleasant,” the young elf said.
“You do not owe either of us an explanation about anything,” her great-aunt said.
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Upstairs:
Maylene was told that the entire second floor had been vacant for a while, and all she had to do was choose where she wanted to stay. She made a request for dinner, and the servant left her alone. Her possessions were contained inside of a solitary suitcase, which Montgomery placed in the first room before he’d gone to the first floor kitchen. As she retrieved her things from the case, the few pieces of clothing she owned were folded and put away, the stuffed animals were dusted off and placed on her bed, and her hair care items she had were placed on the vanity. Thinking she’d gotten everything out of the bag, the royal one began zipping it closed, and then, something landed on the floor at her feet.
Whatever had fallen would wait until she’d finished with the task at hand, but the entire time she was taking care of her luggage bag, the item nagged at her from its position. She had an idea about what was laying there waiting to be picked up, it was likely the pin her mother bought right before they were separated, and she knew the thing would bring up too many memories that would cause her to cry. Still, after putting the bag away under the bed, Maylene picked it up, and as she’d thought, it was the golden pin Luna had purchased. It was pinned to her lapel by her mother, and was a twenty-four karat solid gold rose; the queen knew her daughter had been looking at the item, knew the child liked roses and decided to get it for the young one.
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Several months later, as the royal one poured over some research in the first floor library, her ears perked up, and this made her more aware of her surroundings. The entrance door had been opened and closed, and the sound of the locking mechanism catching the inner-workings of the door handle had been what caused the reaction from her ears. Quietly, she waited to see if whomever it was would announce themselves, but no one spoke to let her know who was there with her.
“Hello? Who’s there?” Maylene asked in the seemingly empty room.
When there was no answer, she said, “If someone’s in here, you had better announce yourself, or I’ll send my wolf to hunt you down.”
“I’m only going to warn you one more time before I send Roscoe in after you,” she said when there had not been a response from whomever was in the library with her.
“Okay, okay, alright, alright, alright, I give up, please don’t send your wolf after me!” A voice shouted from the dimly lit reference area of the library.
“Who are you, and what do you want?” The royal one inquired.
“Are you the one they’re saying is Luna’s daughter?” The voice asked in response.
“I know your mother raised you to believe that ladies come first, therefore, you answer my question, and I might tell you what you want to know,” Maylene said.
“My name is Evindal Russell, and I wanted to see if you’re busy later this evening, ‘cause I’ve got a party going on that I’d like to invite you to,” the darkness replied.
“Before you get anything else from me, you’ll step into the light, and let me see your face or I swear you’ll be Roscoe’s next snack,” she threatened.
“Must you be so mean? I’m coming out into the light so that you can see my face, please, hold on to that wolf of yours,” the citizen said.
“You watch what you’re doing, and let me worry about my dog,” the royal one snapped.
“I understand that you’re upset, but I can explain,” the young male said as he stepped to the end of a row of books.
“Start talking, you better have a damn good reason for scaring the hell out of me, and that’s not including this stupid party you’ve mentioned” Maylene demanded.
“I’m sorry for making you feel scared, if my mother knew she’d choke the life out of me, that’s first. Second, I wasn’t sure if the elf in here was you or if another visitor had stopped in. I mean, we’ve always got elves coming and going, and I just wanted to be sure who you were before I approached you. Again, I’m sorry,” the male elf said.
“So, how am I supposed to show up at a party when I have no idea where it is, and even if I had an address, I don’t know my way around?” The future Avalorian queen inquired.
“I’ve got no problems with taking you there, and bringing you back. By the way, if it helps, you know my mother, Zenora,” Evindal offered.
“It does help, a little,” the royal elf said.
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At the party:
“Hey, I want to show you my special talent, so stand closer to the stage so that you can see me,” the young male said.
“Alright, but you’re not supposed to wander off, remember?” Maylene asked.
“I’m not going anywhere you cannot see me unless, you don’t get closer to the stage, and you must also look at it to see me,” her friend insisted.
“Are you going to be on the stage?” She inquired.
“Watch and see,” he said before disappearing from her sight.
The young female moved closer to the stage, keeping her eyes open for the maid’s son, and a few minutes later, she spotted him. Her new friend was standing behind a set of turntables, playing music she’d only heard in a nightclub, and the younger elves in the audience were responding, encouragingly.
After an hour, Evindal completed his set, took a bow, and left his place on the stage; he was the host of the party, had a beautiful female in the audience watching his performance, and did not plan to entertain guests in that capacity for long. When he found her, the royal one threw her arms on his shoulders, and said, “I think that was so awesome, good job.”
“Thanks, I appreciate the compliment. My friend, Eloy, is getting up there now, and will entertain everyone for the rest of the evening,” the citizen said.
“Can I ask you what occasion you're celebrating?” Maylene asked.
“Today, I am legally an adult,” he responded.
“So, it’s your birthday?” She inquired.
“Yes, technically speaking, it is,” her new friend replied.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” She said,
“Right after I was born, someone dropped me off at a church, but left no information about themselves or me. Since there was no birth certificate, no one knows if I was born on the ninth or the tenth, so all my life I’ve celebrated on both days,” he told her.
“Who named you? I mean, if you don’t mind that I ask,” Maylene said.
“No, of course, I don’t. Actually, the elf who found me was my mother, and she gave me my name,” Evindal said.
“Wow! You’ve been through a lot in twenty-one years, but I can tell that you haven’t allowed your past to define who you are,” the royal one said.
“You have not heard the half of it”, the citizen said.
“There’s more?” She inquired.
“Oh, sure, there is. The first six months of my life, I was sick so often that even my pediatrician did not think I would be alive to have my first birthday”, he said.
“My goodness, you weren’t kidding,” Maylene commented.
“So, I know your first name, and everybody knows the name ‘Garrick’, even those of us who live under rocks knows that name, but what is your middle name?” he inquired.
“You have to make a pinky-promise to me, that you will not laugh, and that if your face shows red from embarrassment, I will kick your ass. And you have to make that promise first,” the royal one said.
“I have no problems with that,” the male elf said. He held out his pinky-finger with it curved in a hook shape, and waited for his friend to do the same. When they latched their fingers together with each other, he verbalized the terms of the promise, and waited for her answer.
“My full, legal name is Maylene Kaylene Garrick,” she said.
“Why would I laugh at your name? I mean, it’s unique, just like its owner, and I have no qualms with being different. It sets us apart from those with everyone else’s names. I mean, think about it, how many elves have you met with the name David or James or Steven?” Evindal said.
“I couldn’t say how many of each I’ve met in my few short years of life,” the royal one said.
"Which reminds me, I can tell you're an adult, but how old are you?" He asked.
"Don't you know that a lady never tells her age? No, I'm teasin' you, I am almost twenty," Maylene said.
"Oh, okay, you don't look your age," the citizen said.
"Is that a bad thing? I mean, you don’t have a problem with it do you?” She asked.
“No, no, I don’t have a problem with it, you’re an adult,” he replied.