"Donn! Donn, where are you...? Oh, there you are." Sarah stood in the doorway to the castle's watchtower, hands on her hips, smiling fondly at her son. "I thought I might find you here."

Donn turned from where he was sitting at the window, gazing out over the Goblin City. As he returned his mother's smile, she reflected on how much he looked like his father. The same wild hair, the same build, even the same mismatched eyes; only Donn's were hazel and brown.

"Did you need me for something, Mother?" Donn inquired, breaking Sarah from her thoughts; at twenty years, even his voice was like his father's.

"Yes, I did. Actually, it's not me, it's your father. He's waiting to talk with you in the throne room." She turned to walk out the door, looking back over her shoulder at her son. "Walk with me, Donn."

When his mother spoke in such a tone--not demanding, but not a request--there was no other option but to obey. Donn thus stood from his perch on the window and crossed the room to his mother's side.

They strolled down the hall together for a ways, Donn standing taller than his mother by a head. He was almost as tall as his father, but not quite. Sarah turned her head to look up at him. "I'm sure you know what he's wanting to talk to you about," she said seriously. She could see her son's shoulders stiffen underneath his casual dark green shirt that was cut in the customary Fae style.

"I might," he replied tersely.

Sarah sighed. "Donn, I know you don't want to discuss this right now, and I don't blame you. When I was your age, I was thinking about my schooling, my family and friends; not about getting married."

"But then Father came."

She smiled slightly, with a hint of a wry twist to her mouth. "Then your father came. Again."

They descended a flight of stairs and found themselves in the small reception area just outside the throne room. Sarah turned to her son and wrapped her arms around him, laying her head against his shoulder. Once she had been able to hold him in one arm, she thought wistfully. "Try not to get too angry at your father," she said softly. "You know he's only trying to do what is best. For you and for the kingdom."

Donn returned her embrace briefly before straightening his back and striding into the throne room. Sarah folded her arms across her chest as she watched him enter, her eyes pensive and her stance belaying her quiet words.