It was well past mid-day, and only after many embraces and fond farewells, that Jax, Brenda, Tomassif, and a red-eyed Scorpian took the road to the tunnel point. Tomassif was going to be remaining on Tron, but he wanted to accompany Jax and Scorpian as far as the entrance to the Tunnel. Before they left Jonun and Janar’s home -- at Jax’s request -- Tomassif had made the necessary adjustments to the planetary translator device in Brenda’s brain so that she could understand the Familiar tongue once she arrived on Meer’an.

Brenda couldn’t resist the opportunity to tease the ailing Knight. "It appears you didn’t rest well last night, Scorpian."

"Scorpian didn’t want to usurp my parents’ hospitality by staying the night under their roof," Jax laughed. "So......where DID you finally find a bed last night, Scorpian?"

{None of your fundin business, Sharay.} Scorpian’s words echoed in Jax’s mind, but at a stern look from Tomassif, he answered politely for Brenda’s sake. "I finally found someone who was willing to give me......shelter .....for the night." He took a deep breath as the tunnel point came into view. "So....I will bid you farewell now...."

"You’re not coming to Meer’an with us?" Brenda’s voice sounded of sincere disappointment.

"You must remember that I am a Knight of the Thren, Brenda," Scorpian answered proudly. "Even as we speak, Tomassif probably has a list of quests he wishes me to undertake, saving poor, defenseless creatures all over the universe."

{Please, Scorpian!} Jax’s voice sounded first in Scorpian’s mind. {Your nose will begin to grow as it did in that folk tale from Barbeen’s planet!}

Tomassif’s censure followed on the heels of Jax’s taunt. {And we ALL know how *anxious* and *excited* you are when I come to you with a quest!}

To add insult to injury, Tomassif spoke up aloud with a smile. "Actually, I have no quests for you at the present time, Scorpian. You are perfectly free to accompany Jax and Brenda to Meer’an."

"Besides," Jax argued, "I thought we agreed when we passed through the Matrix onto Tron that you would accompany us back to Meer’an, Scorpian."

"I never said I would actually come to Meer’an, Jax," Scorpian replied. {The truth is that I don’t want to be there when Brenda finds out what "zira" means and the drapkupfnic hits the air movement machine.} "I just promised to see you safely to the *entrance* to the Matrix."

The travelers found themselves standing at the entrance to the Tunnel Point, which several Knights of the Thren guarded zealously. "But I’m certain that the Familiars on Meer’an will want to reward you for your bravery in rescuing me," Jax persisted. "You *did* save our lives, after all."

"Accchhh...." Scorpian made a disparaging noise, waving a hand. "It was nothing. Merely another day’s work for a Knight."

Jax lifted a tawny eyebrow. "Let me understand the meaning of your words *clearly*, Scorpian. Are you calling me a liar? Are you saying that you did *not* rescue the Crown Princess and myself on the Planet of the Crystals from those marauders?"

"No...that’s not what I said, Sharay." Scorpian was beginning to fume.

Jax clasped his hands behind his back. "I see. So then, if it is *true* that you did rescue us, are you perhaps saying that the lives of the Crown Princess and myself are worth nothing? That our rescue was not worthy of reward?"

Scorpian’s face blossomed a bright shade of red as Brenda snickered at the trap Jax had set and sprung. "It does appear as though you will be accompanying Jax and Brenda to Meer’an, good Knight," Tomassif drawled. "Jax’s logic seems sound to me."

"Logic.....hah! A fundin *ambush* it was!!" He whipped his cape around his shoulders more tightly and then strode past Jax and Brenda towards the Knights. "On to Meer’an, then. My head feels the size of a ripe glarphog."

Brenda was still laughing softly when she gave Tomassif a hug and linked her arm though Jax’s. Tomassif turned to his former student with warmth yet worry in his eyes. "You will let me know how things go for you, Jax."

"If all goes as planned, I will require your services on Meer’an by day’s end tomorrow," Jax replied, nodding at the wizard. "I shall send a messenger when we are prepared for you and the balance of the wizards."

Brenda frowned at their ominous-sounding words, but then Jax turned and pulled her with him through the Tunnel Point and into the Matrix for the last time -- he hoped.

*~*~*~*

The three travelers emerged through from the Matrix on Meer’an through a large phalanx of Knights. As soon as Brenda caught sight of the brilliant foliage and the sweet-smelling air filled her lungs, she squealed in delight. "Oh, Jax! It’s so.....so beautiful here!"

"I’m glad you like it so, angel," Jax replied softly, catching the wary look that Scorpian sent him. "But we should be on our way. My home is not far from this Tunnel Point, and I’m sure you would like to rest after so many travels in the past few days."

{You’re taking her to the palace? Now?} Scorpian’s words caused Jax to turn to him. {Is that the Sharay death wish at work again, or is this your concept of "revealing it to her slowly"?}

{A quick death is always preferable to slow torture, my friend.} Jax winked as Scorpian nodded at his reply. "Scorpian -- come with us. Share the bounty of my domicile."

Scorpian choked at Jax’s words. By using that particular phrase, Scorpian had no choice but to obey the command of his zir and accept his hospitality. "Of course, Sharay." He bowed at the waist, and fell in line behind Jax and Brenda as Jax started walking briskly down a road.

They hadn’t gone far when a large structure loomed in front of them. It was a stone fortress, with turrets and towers from which flew many flags which Brenda didn’t recognize. She put her hand on Jax’s arm, stopping him momentarily. "Jax -- is *that* your home?"

Jax pulled her along with him towards the palace. "Yes, it is, zira. We’re almost there." Brenda’s astonishment only grew as they drew closer to the imposing citadel. She could hear shouting inside when men on the walkways near the turrets sighted them approaching.

As they finally crossed the huge drawbridge outside the fortress and entered the large courtyard, a loud cheer went up. Brenda pulled Jax down to her so that she could speak in his ear to be heard. "You must be a very popular Familiar, Jax! Everyone is so happy to see you!"

Jax sighed and opened his mouth to reply, but just then a Familiar captain of the guard came up to them, dropping to his knee and bowing his head. "Zir Jax, our hearts rejoice at your return."

Jax’s face colored slightly at Brenda’s confused look. "Thank you, Taggertton. It is good to be home."

The captain rose as Jax tapped his shoulder. "Your chief advisor will wish to speak with you immediately, Your Majesty. Shall I advise him to come to your quarters or will you meet him in the Council Room?"

Brenda’s eyes widened even farther at the way the captain addressed Jax didn’t seem to phase him in the least. "Tell Stefantok that I will meet with him first thing in the morning."

The captain bowed again. "Of your, Zir Jax." He cast a furtive glance in Brenda’s direction. Taggertton’s eyes blazed momentarily when he caught sight of her neck, but then they returned to normal quickly as he addressed his zir. "It was quite thoughtless of me to forget that you and Her Majesty must be fatigued from your journeys."

Brenda gasped audibly, but Jax just held a hand up to her, sending her a thought. {I know that you have questions, angel, but for the sake of the other Familiars, please remain silent until we reach the privacy of our quarters.} He saw Brenda draw a deep breath, but then she folded her hands, gave him a look that could disintegrate a nyflongat, and nodded quickly. Then he turned his attention back to Taggertton. "Thank you, captain. Will you also make sure that accommodations in the palace are provided for Knight Scorpian? He saved our lives several times during our travels and has our undying gratitude."

Taggertton directed a bow in Scorpian’s direction. "As well as the gratitude of the rest of the Familiars, Zir Jax. It will be done immediately." He clicked his heels and spun to walk towards the west wing of the palace. Jax held his hand out gracefully, indicating Brenda should precede him. She notched her chin higher in the air but then followed the captain of the guard as Jax and Scorpian fell in behind them.

{I suspect that the Ice Planet will seem fundin tropical compared to the atmosphere in your room, Sharay.} Scorpian’s sent the dry barb to Jax and was rewarded with a scowl that caused him to chuckle to himself. Taggertton led them all down a long hallway and finally opened a door wide, bowing as Jax and Brenda entered. He closed the door behind them, and Jax just sighed and watched Brenda’s back as she wandered around the room, slowly observing the rich tapestries and trailing her fingers over the luxurious furniture. He could stand the silence no longer. "Brenda? Angel? Will you never favor me with the music of your voice again?"

"You are a king." Her words were cold and she refused to face him when she spoke.

Jax refused to grovel, his Familiar arrogance getting the better of him. "I am."

"Of this region?"

His arrogance began to wilt at the prospect of her hatred. "Of all of the Familiars, zira."

The foot-stomping dance he had fully expected began with a fury as she whirled to face him. "Don’t CALL me that!! It means "queen," does it not?"

"It does, and you *are*, Brenda," Jax replied gently, walking towards her but staying far enough away to preserve the integrity of his toes.

"How can I be your queen? We have never....." A blush crept up her neck and she glanced down at her feet once before returning her clenched fists to her hips, arms akimbo. "....there has never been a mating ceremony between us."

Jax sighed and reached for her hands, but she pulled them away, backing towards the windows. "There *was* a mating ceremony, angel -- you just didn’t know it for what it was." She arched an eyebrow at him, so he continued. "In the dungeon, the first time ......when you ....." He looked deliberately into her eyes. ".....*insisted* that we make love....."

Brenda’s eyes sparked with fireworks that Jax usually only saw during their lovemaking. She sputtered a few times before formed words came from her mouth. "WHAT?? YOU TRICKED ME!!!"

"I did not trick you, zi..." Jax started to call her by her title, but when he saw the tempest in her eyes, he wisely changed his mind. "......angel. I have told you that a Familiar recognizes his true mate immediately." He tried to take her hand, but she pulled it away, crossing her arms. "I knew you to be my one true mate the moment you came to me in the dungeon. The instant you spoke -- even drugged senseless as I was -- I knew you were the only woman I would ever love."

Brenda listened silently for a moment but then turned away from him. "You should not use words like "love" when referring to our relationship, Jax." She flinched a little when she felt Jax’s hands on her shoulders but when he came around to look into her eyes, he saw tears there. "How can you think there can be love between us when you forced me into this.....this mating?"

She was taken aback when a hearty laugh erupted from Jax. "Forced? You think that *I* forced *you*?" He crossed one arm in front of him, propping the elbow of the other on his hand and placing his fingers to his lips. "As I recall -- *I* was the one who was chained to the wall in Corinthon’s dungeon -- *I* was the one who had been robbed of his senses by that drug...."

The laughter left his eyes as Brenda turned away in guilt. He took her by the shoulders, forcing her to look at him as he spoke. "*You* were the one who came to *me*, Brenda. In fact....." She turned her face away but he grasped her chin and urged it back. ".....I recall that you were so desperate to escape from Corinthon that you threatened to use me, chained to the wall as I was, to make you ineligible to rule...."

The foot-stomping came so quickly that Jax didn’t have time to evade it, the toes of his right foot falling victim to her anger. "You KNOW that I was a maiden then, Jax!" As he crossed his foot at his knee, reaching down to soothe his injured digits, she studied her fingers intently, too embarrassed to look him in the eye. "You *know* that I didn’t realize what was involved when two people ....." She shifted her weight from one foot to the other self-consciously. ".....I was just so .....desperate.....I couldn’t bear the thought of living the rest of my life as Corinthon’s consort......"

She didn’t notice how quickly and quietly he came up to her, trying to take her in his arms again. "Brenda.... don’t you know that I thank the gods for your desperation?" He chuckled a little. "As evil and corrupt as he is, I even am thankful for Corinthon’s avarice -- because it brought you to me. If he hadn’t been such a power-hungry worm, I never would have met my true mate." He trailed a finger down the side of her face, and Brenda had to stifle her moan as the distinct odor of zilliang spice -- Jax’s sensual aura -- began to surround her again.

Somehow she managed to pull away from him. "But how can I be your true mate, Jax? You are a Familiar and I am a Torengi -- our very natures are diametrically opposed."

Jax shrugged. "How can a crusty old numnuts like Edwart remain mated for so many millennia to a sensitive, ethereal creature like Lilata?" As Jax made the comparison, Lilata’s analogy of man as fire and woman as water came back to haunt Brenda. She knew she had to turn the argument in another direction.

Jax went to a sideboard and was pouring a glass of paga for himself when Brenda spoke to him. "Jax -- how did that captain know of our mating?" He swallowed hard, the liquid burning a path down his throat as he grimaced and realized more foot-stomping would shortly ensue. "He addressed me as your queen, yet you hadn’t told him -- did you send him the thought?"

"No, Brenda," he replied. "Taggertton recognized you as my queen because I have marked you as such."

Brenda’s brow furrowed in confusion. "Marked?" She looked at her arms and hands. "You have *marked* my body somehow?"

"I placed a marking on your neck -- when we made love for the first time -- in the sotnat tree." Brenda gasped but Jax continued. "It is a marking that is only visible to the other Familiars -- and to Tomassif, of course."

"TOMASSIF KNEW TOO???" Jax began to have doubts if the floors in his apartment would be able to withstand the torture Brenda’s feet were doling out. "And Scorpian? Does he......" When Jax cast his eyes down towards his feet, Brenda let out a screech of desperation. "Again you tricked me!"

She paced around the apartment until Jax put out a hand. "Brenda, it grows late and I have weighty matters to discuss tomorrow with my advisors."

She stopped short. "Corinthon?"

Jax nodded. "Among other things. I suggest we call a truce and retire for the night. Perhaps the morning sun will allow us to see our way through this more clearly."

Jax motioned towards the large bed and bathing pool that occupied one side of his apartment. He was going to follow her to the bed when there was a soft knock on his door. Brenda went and prepared for sleep while Jax conferred briefly with Taggertton about security measures. The captain noticed that there was a great deal of tension in the room between Jax and his new zira, but it was not his place to mention it. So when Jax dismissed him for the night, specifically requesting that they not be disturbed, Taggertton made sure his zir’s command was obeyed. He took up a post at the end of the hall for the balance of the night and outside his king’s room, all remained peaceful.

*~*~*~*

Jax closed the door behind him quietly the following morning. Brenda was still sleeping soundly when he left, and after the activities of the previous night, he didn’t want to wake her yet.

She had still been furious when he came to their bed, refusing to speak or look at him. She lay at the far side of the bed, trying to lock Jax out of her consciousness as much as she wanted to lock him out of her heart. But Jax was very much a Familiar male, and if there was one thing Brenda would learn that night, it was that a Familiar male denied his mate was a force to be reckoned with.

Brenda had just about managed to fall asleep when she sensed his aura surrounding her again. It was subtle -- not overwhelming, as it was those first times Jax had made love to her. It was more tempting -- hinting, teasing at her senses. Brenda clenched her fists and tensed her muscles, trying with all of her might to ignore the hypnotic cloud that Jax wove around her. But soon she realized that ignoring Jax at his most persuasive was hopeless. She no sooner rolled to her side facing him than he swept her into his arms, her lips seeking his as much as he sought hers. Brenda sobbed with pleasure as Jax brought her again and again to her pinnacle. His lovemaking that night was totally selfless -- as she realized it had always been. When she finally growled at him, forcing him to join them and take his pleasure, she had become the aggressor. Several times during the night, Jax doubted that even a Familiar woman could have matched Brenda’s passion.

But as Jax walked the short distance to the Council chamber, he also realized that Brenda’s passion was not only limited to their bed. She was just as passionate about her freedom and her Torengi nature, which would probably be the occasion for more foot stomping later on that day. After reminding himself to be sure to wear shoes when he returned to confront her, Jax opened the door to face his next most serious challenge.

Stefantok was already in the chamber. He stood at the window, his hands clasped behind him as he stared at the Reflecting Lagoon in the distance. As Jax approached, Stefantok turned to greet him with a mien that belied his happiness. "Zir Jax." He knelt before his king and best friend. Jax’s hand on his shoulder brought Stefantok back to his feet. As he rose, the two men clasped arms. "My heart rejoiced when Taggetton brought the news of your safe return."

"No more than mine did at the thought of sleeping in my own bed last night, Stefantok," Jax replied smoothly. He studied his chief advisor’s face. Jax’s toes would not be at risk if Stefantok disapproved of his actions. The tongue-lashing Jax would receive would no doubt be just as painful, though.

Stefantok had served as Chief Advisor to Jax’s father before him while Jonun ruled the Familiars. Jax noticed the slight graying at Stefantok’s temples and the telltale markings on his neck that told of his passing all nine of his manifestations. As Jax walked to a table to pour himself a glass of nourishing hydrale fluid, Stefantok locked his hands behind him again. "The people are already curious about their new queen, Your Majesty."

"You never were one to waste words, were you, Stefantok?" Jax tried his most charming smile, but Stefantok’s grim face showed it held no sway over him. He sank into a chair as Stefantok came to the table. "I assume from your tone that they worry about the sanity of their king?"

When Jax nodded at the chair beside him, Stefantok sat, having received his superior’s consent. He knew the permission to speak freely was a given. "The news that you had taken a mate came as something of a shock, Jax." He arched an eyebrow at his young monarch. "You never seemed ready to make that .....permanent ..... of a commitment before."

Jax smiled at his glass, tracing the rim with his finger. "Perhaps because I had never met my true mate before, Stefantok." Stefantok’s face showed his surprise. "Surely you realize that I would have *never* taken Brenda as my zira had I not had the enlightenment."

Stefantok chuckled. "So after all of those years of teasing me, you finally know the enlightenment to be more than just an old legend told by imaginative females. Although," he continued, stretching his legs under the table, "I had never realized it would lead you to taking a non-Familiar female as your mate. Particularly one with strong ties to a planet that took you prisoner.""

Jax’s face grew stormy. "Let the people know that without Zira Brenda’s assistance, I would still be languishing in a dungeon on Charporta -- or worse. Brenda risked her own life in order to help me escape." Jax saw no need to go into the intimate details of the pact they had made.

Stefantok bowed his head, choosing his words carefully. "I will make sure that your people know the debt they owe to Her Majesty. And, if she *is* your true mate and she makes you happy, I am certain the people will not question your choice, Zir Jax." Jax nodded his agreement. "In fact," Stefantok continued, "there is already talk of a mating celebration tonight in your honor."

Jax choked as he swallowed a mouthful of water. "A mating celebration? Tonight?"

Stefantok shrugged. "You should know it is the custom when there is a new Zira, Jax. I was told that the nations had begun gathering at the outskirts of the palace at first light this morning."

Jax put his fingers to the bridge of his nose. There was no doubt about it now -- the foot stomping would be loud and long when he told Brenda that her presence would be required that night at a feast in honor of their marriage. But hopefully some rest -- and some powerful sensual persuasion on his part the night before -- would have her seeing the situation in a different light that afternoon.

"Your Majesty -- is there a problem? Shall I tell the nations that you and Her Majesty have not recuperated sufficiently from your travails to attend the feast this night?"

Jax waved a hand, his face growing increasingly sad. "No -- no. It’s just as well that the nations are gathered." He rose from the table and went to the window, staring out on a land he loved so dearly. "I addressed the Council of Wizards when I was on Tron, Stefantok."

The advisor frowned. "Before coming to your own Council, Zir Jax?"

Jax nodded, still not turning to face his confidant. "Yes. There were things I needed to divulge to them -- arrangements I needed to make."

Stefantok rose slowly from the table. "Why do I fear that you have news of an even more shocking nature than your marriage?"

Jax finally turned back to face Stefantok with tears in his eyes. "Corinthon knows about the other entrance to the Matrix on Meer’an, Stefantok. Even now, he mounts an army to attack us through that Tunnel Point." He took a shaky breath. "I had to ask the Council of Wizards to come here and seal it."

"NO!" Stefantok’s outburst was as much in pain as it was in outrage. "There must be some other way! We will gather as many Knights of the Thren as we can and attempt to repel any attack that this...... putnarp.....can orchestrate!"

Jax walked slowly towards his agitated minister. "It is not that simple, Stefantok. Corinthon is in possession of a terrible weapon -- a gas that renders a Familiar totally senseless." Stefantok sputtered an objection, but Jax grasped him by the forearms. "TOTALLY, Stefantok!" Jax’s eyes linked with Stefantok’s. "He used it on me.....and it nearly drove me mad."

Tears began to gather in Stefantok’s eyes. "And ......Lukathan?"

Jax looked down at his feet, still holding Stefantok by the arms. "I fear that he succumbed to the effects of this evil weapon before I arrived on Charporta." Stefantok bit his lower lip and looked aside, muttering Familiar obscenities that Jax normally did not hear coming from his lips. "Every moment that we delay in closing the Tunnel Point, Corinthon’s men may be sneaking through and subduing our people with the gas." As Stefantok tried to pull away, Jax grasped him more firmly, forcing his advisor to look into his eyes. "He could be kidnapping the children, Stefantok! I cannot stand idly by and watch our future being stolen from us as we speak."

The pain in Stefantok’s eyes showed his understanding and agreement with Jax’s reasoning. His head drooped forward onto his chest, his words anguished. "When will the entrance be sealed?"

Jax let go of his arms and turned back to the window. "I asked the Wizards to come to Meer’an at the setting of the sun this day. Perhaps the celebration of the mating will assuage some of the pain my people will feel."

Both men stood silent, staring at the beautiful landscape for a few minutes. Meer’an was a planet rich in every natural resource in the universe. But its playful, inquisitive, adventure-loving inhabitants were its greatest resource. The well-hidden entrance to the Matrix had long provided them with a way to explore the galaxy in secret. Many Familiars were known to suddenly disappear for days at a time, returning with marvelous tales of daring exploits in new worlds. Losing the freedom to leave Meer’an on a whim would be a strong blow to the Familiars’ tranquillity.

Jax finally turned back from the window with a sigh. "Well, old friend, I know you have many arrangements to make for the arrival of the Wizards. I will detain you no longer."

Stefantok nodded. "I should also visit Lukathan’s parents and advise them of your findings on Charporta." He exhaled loudly, but then gave Jax a grim smile. "And, of course, I am anxious to meet your our new queen, Zir Jax."

Jax arched an eyebrow playfully at Stefantok. "Face *all* of the Familiars *and* you in the same 24-hour cycle, Stefantok?" He shook his head and laughed. "Obviously, you expect Zira Brenda to have the endurance of the gods." He was walking back towards Stefantok when a sudden attack of vertigo assailed him. With no piece of furniture nearby to grasp to steady himself, Jax began to sink towards the floor.

Stefantok was there in an instant, supporting his king and friend. "Jax! Do the effects of Corinthon’s drug linger?" But when he looked in Jax’s eyes and saw the expression there, Stefantok’s eyes widened in understanding. "Ahh……another manifestation is upon you."

Jax nodded weakly as Stefantok helped him to a chair. "I first felt the effects when we were leaving the Ice Planet. I had thought it was a false warning, but now the attacks come more frequently."

Stefantok’s voice was matter-of-fact. "I shall make the appropriate arrangements for you with one of the priestesses at the Temple."

Jax sat up straight, his eyes blazing. "Have you taken leave of your senses, Stefantok?" He ran shaky fingers through his golden locks. "I have a mate now. Brenda will assist me through the manifestation."

Stefantok crouched before Jax, who was still pale and visibly shaken. "Jax…..there is no way to say this delicately." He stared down at the floor for a second and then back into Jax’s eyes. "Brenda is not a Familiar. The process involved is……taxing, even for a female Familiar." Jax looked away, tears gathering again, but Stefantok seized his hands, forcing Jax to look back at him. "She may not survive it."

Jax’s lips began to tremble. "I love her with my entire being, Stefantok. I never thought I would love a woman as much as I love Brenda." His eyelids lowered momentarily, but then raised again to reveal steely-gray determination in his eyes. "If it becomes apparent that Brenda cannot complete the ritual…..I will……stop."

Stefantok tried to hide his emotions, but his voice shook slightly. "If you do not complete the rite, you will die, Jax."

He suddenly rose from the chair, his usual strength and vigor returning. "That is why we will complete it together, Stefantok." He walked to the doorway but his advisor remained by the chair. "I have no doubts that my zira has the inner strength and fortitude required to see me through it."

"Does Brenda know of the manifestation – and what you will be asking of her?" Stefantok’s voice was so quiet that Jax almost didn’t hear it.

He stopped at the door, not turning back to face his most trusted ally. "Not yet." Stefantok’s shoulders slumped and he grimaced, and Jax didn’t need to look back to know it. "But I know that she will want to be the one to go through it with me, just as I know that she loves me. Almost as much as I love her."

Jax left the room, standing in the hallway and closing the door behind him. He looked down the hallway towards their apartment. "She loves me – most definitely." He sighed. "She just doesn’t know it yet."

To be continued……