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Errr. So this is a story entitled "Silence." Or, rather, a part of it.
Go ahead and tear into it. I've got tough skin. Just critique what sucks.
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Taking the smooth, marble stairs up to the open doorway two at a time, she strode purposefully into the main hall, stopping only briefly to return a salute from a guard.

“Do you know where Athelian is?”

The guard remained stationary, straight-faced as he replied. “His Highness has not yet arrived in the throne room, Commander.”

“Thank you. As you were.”

He snapped a salute, resuming his statuesque position. Yeshaya moved down the hallway, passing marble monuments to kings gone by, and turned a left into a smaller hall. Jogging up a spiral staircase, she shoved open a wooden door on the second landing, instantly walking into another woman.

“Oh, I am terribly sorry—”

She cut herself off instantly, realizing who it was. The apology that had been on her face washed away into a mask of impassiveness, and Yeshaya bowed deeply.

“I am quite sorry, your Highness.”

The queen straightened up, her bright blue eyes much more suspicious now that she registered just who it was that had run into her. Even her blonde hair, tucked so neatly into a bun, seemed to be just a little stiffer at Yeshaya’s presence. “It is quite alright, I suppose. You could not see through a door, so the error is perfectly blameless.”

“Shaya!”

The queen jumped slightly, before tugging on the small hand that she was holding, effectively bringing the child by her side back. “Hush, Alerion. Remember what I have taught you, be polite and gracious, do not simply attack people, even those you know, with hugs.”

Yeshaya felt a sharp pang, like a knife, shoot through her stomach as she stared at the small child, the round face attempting to straighten up and be royal. Only his large, silver eyes, a mirror image of her own, betrayed his desire for a friendly smile. She felt her whole body soften.

“Hello, Prince.”

“Hi, Miss Shaya.” He sounded sadder now, a soft pout around his lips. If there was anything the young prince was, it was well behaved, and hardly spoiled. Yeshaya’s heart felt like it was splitting with a confusing mixture of pride and despair; she blinked hard, bringing her gaze back up to the queen’s.

“I take it he is doing well in his studies?”

The queen pulled Alerion closer to her, looking ever stiffer. “Yes, he takes after his father, being quite intelligent.”

“And well-mannered, like yourself.” Any other time, Yeshaya might have used such a comment as a barb, but she meant this wholeheartedly. “I am sure he will grow up to be a fine young man, especially with such a dignified woman to raise him.”

The woman blinked, knowing that this was sincerity she was hearing. Not knowing quite how to respond, she simply gave a brisk nod and a curt, “Thank you. I am sure you are looking for Athelian.”

“Yes, I am.”

“He is in his study.”

“Thank you.” Yeshaya brushed past the queen, longing to steal one last glance at Alerion, forcing herself to remain staring straight ahead, jaw clenched. Curling her hands into fists, she exhaled deeply as she came to an unusually tall, black door, imbedded with small stones that mirrored a night sky.

She knocked twice.

“Come in.”

The door swung open with a click at her touch, revealing a book-shelf lined room, the mahogany desk that lay straight ahead illuminated by the stained glass window behind it, distorted patterns of colored light scattered across the floor. A tall man came sidling around the closest bookshelf, thin glasses perched carefully on his only slightly hooked nose. A book lay open in his hand, eyebrows cocked over emerald green eyes, long, brown hair tied back in a ponytail. As soon as he registered who the redhead in the doorway was, a broad smile lifted his studious expression, if only for a moment. With a sort of gentle restraint, he forced himself to seal his lips together again, though the sparkle in his eyes remained.

“Hello.”

Even with that word, Yeshaya caught her breath. She had forgotten his voice; it held a sort of peaceful quietness to it, the kind of charm that could sooth, comfort and guide. Yet, at the same time, it could—and had, she was a witness to this—terrify and command without so much as a change in volume. That single word—any word, really—had the power to leave Yeshaya breathless, wordless, thoughtless. She took a moment to collect herself, suppressing the smile that threatened her lips.

“Hello.”

He closed his hand, snapping the book shut, and placed it on his desk. “What may I do for you?”

Running her gaze across his face, Yeshaya saw a reflection of Alerion’s face there. Her smile faded.

“Your son. He looks just like you.”

Athelian’s pleasant sparkle wore away as well, a sigh escaping him. “Not just like me. He has his mother’s hair, and eyes.”

“Her original hair, you mean.”

He chuckled softly, though not humorously. “Yes, her original hair. Although I must say, the red is quite beautiful as well.”

“Well,” Yeshaya touched her hair as he mentioned it, the fiery strands slipping through her fingers. “Well, she would thank you for the compliment, I am sure.”

Athelian gazed at her for only a moment before striding across the room and pulling her into a tight, smothering hug, the kind of hug that pulled one in as close as possible. Somehow, she could feel his burning, desperate need to be closer still, as though the miniscule gap between them was as wide as a chasm. She reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck, having to stand on tiptoe, being a foot shorter than him.

“God, I am sorry. I am sorry about everything, Aleta, you have no clue.” His voice was muffled, mouth pressed into her hair. “I should have waited. God, I am so, so sorry.”

Yeshaya could hear the tears in his voice. She wanted, more than anything at this moment, to just have him be hers forever; her whole being ached with that longing. She buried her nose into his chest, breathing in his earthy, warm scent.

“Child, do not forget what we have come for.”

And now she wanted Tanya to burn in hell.

Sighing softly, she forced herself to let go of the hug. “It is alright, Athelian. We made some huge mistakes, but we cannot run away from our choices, now, can we?” Her silver eyes met his green ones, and she was suddenly aware of the fact that they were holding hands. “Besides, I have to ask you about something else; this was not the reason I came to see you.”

The sadness in his eyes only lessened. “What do you need?”

“A way,” She stated. Seeing his features twist into confusion, she remembered that he could not read minds, and rephrased her answer. “I mean, a way to release Tanya.”

He cocked his head slightly. “I thought we decided to keep her, just in case.”

“Yes, but in the event that we should have to release her, I should like to know how.” She punctuated the end of her statement with a scowl, continuing dryly, “Besides, she is like a consciousness. God knows I do not want one of those.”

Athelian laughed softly, pulling her into the aisles of books. “I do not honestly know how to release her, seeing as, when it comes to magic, I am a bit…” He trailed off, pausing to look for the correct word.

“Sucky. I know.” She found herself lapsing into modern-day jargon again, and instantly shook her head, trying to get herself re-adjusted to the way she used to speak. “I am assuming you have a book on it?”

“Entirely possible, given the amount of books I have.” Athelian was running his fingertips across leathery book spines, eyes resting on each individual title, as though to acknowledge them, like old friends. “I shall assist you in your search, if you would care for my presence.”

Yeshaya stared at him incredulously, as though to say, “You think I DON’T want you around?” But instead, she asked, “Do you have enough time to spend with me? I know as the king, you have a great deal many responsibilities, and of course, your kingdom should come first. I do not think—”

He cut her off with a finger to her lips, shaking his head, expression quite serious. Taking her other hand as well, he lifted both to his mouth, pressed them there, and whispered, “For you, I will make all the time in the world.”

Haha, yes, the prince is Yeshaya's son. The queen is NOT related to Yeshaya, whatsoever, though. And it's fairly common knowledge that Yeshaya and Athelian are extremely close, though to what extent, no one is really sure.

The reason that her son is not with her is because Athelian was already married when Alerion was born... so in order to avoid a scandal, she gave him up to be raised at the queen.