Wintervine – The House of Laegess
Found in the Forgotten Lands, deep in the Willow is the Wintervine Castle. Home to the Royal Faes of Laegess, they have ruled these lands for thousands of years. With many tales to come.
It was one thing to travel to the Night lands to rescue Princess Tempest from the evil witches, but a whole nother thing to get her back safely to the lands of Fae. The journey took many months, having to cross through uncharted lands, and they came across all manner of vagabonds, thieves, scoundrels and the like. Many testing Sirus and Dathon’s ability with the sword. Finding good shelter each night was also a battle, besides having little money on them, they often traded services and the odd royal trinket to get them enough food and drink to get by. Also the care of the horses, who were really the White witches of Vaas. Not once did the horses complain, and they remained in their forms, so as not to cause a ruckus in the inns and villages they stayed at. Klaus actually lost a fair bit of weight along the way, much to the delight of his clysdale horse. Gertie had complained about his size, when they were in Medusa’s lair, and with the low rations on the return journey, he virtually shed about thirty kilograms.
The day had started like many others. Sleeping under a tree, with the horses tied not far away, Sirus was the first to rise, going down to the stream to wash, before taking up water in his small flagon, to have for the day’s ride. There was no food left, and the remains of the rabbit caught the night before were now just scattered in the ash of the fire pit. Seeing his beloved Tempest still sleeping, curled up under a small rug, Sirus smiled to himself, before going to give Klaus a good kick to wake him up.
“If we start now, we should make a good day’s ride.”
Klaus looked up, his hair all messy from his night’s sleep. He groaned and sat up rubbing his back.
“Oh how I miss my bed. I hate roughing it like this.” Always grumpy in the mornings, it was really no surprise to Sirus. He gave him another light kick, to which Klaus reacted sourly. “Alright alright. I’m up already.”
Little did they know how close they really were.
<3>
Many months had gone by since her rescue at the hands of Sirus, Dathon, Klaus and the White Witches and yet, Tempest had never felt such contentment. As they traveled, she briefly spared her parents and brother a thought, wondering if they were all right or if they even knew she was still alive, but quickly squashed the sentiment. She hadn’t heard from any of them once in all the time she’d been gone and she felt by their inactions, they wanted nothing to do with her anymore.
The journey back to Wintervine Castle had not gone smoothly. Bandits, thieves and wild creatures threatened their lives during the day, and they had to do small things just to get food and rest for the nights. And yet, it was a time for Sirus and Tempest to get to know one another better as the love between them bloomed and flourished.
Despite the horrors that plagued them, Tempest felt settled.
Sunlight streamed over the horizon, interrupting her sleep as she lay beneath the rug that had been provided for her use. With a soft moan, she buried her head beneath the warmth and wished for another few moments of rest. She could hear movement around her, and made out the slight mutterings of Klaus as he was woken.
“Oh how I miss my bed. I hate roughing it like this.”
Tempest had to agree with him there. She herself longed for a long soak in scented oils and a comb for her hair she was sure was a tangled, stringy mess. But she didn’t once complain about their conditions.
With a sigh, knowing that another few moments of rest were long past gone, she sat up, covering her mouth with her hand to hide her yawn.
“Good morrow, fellow travelers.” she murmured, her voice husky from sleep.
“And Good morning Princess.”
Sirus did a sweeping bow before Tempest, before rising to stand tall and true. The day had begun, and he wanted to get everyone up and ready for the day’s ride, so as not to waste any more time. He could feel the energy that surrounded him in this land, and had a feeling they were closer than imagined. Watching Tempest yawn, caused him to do the same, and he shook his head as he tried to kill off the notion of laying down and having another forty winks.
“Yawning is contagious.” Sirus stated matter of factly. He pulled up Tempest’s rug and started to fold and roll it so it would be packed on the back of the white horse. “I would offer breakfast, but sadly we have gone through our rations. I can’t promise much, but hopefully there will be a farm down the road, where we can do a bit of work for a meal.”
The Prince was optimistic, and Klaus shared that sentiment. “So long as any trip to a farm does not involve me being traded for a meal to marry some farmer’s daughter that is so ugly, that she needs a bag over her head.”
Sirus laughed, and offered his hand to Tempest to help her up. “Wouldn’t dream of it, Klaus.” Sirus said in answer to the queries of how to deal cultural differences.
Just then the sound of royal trumpets are heard, from the east. Sirus picks up on it immediately and then slaps Klaus’s arm.
“Hear that???” We’re home!” He yelled excitedly.
<3>
“And Good morning Princess.” Sirus grinned, bowing before her. He seemed so full of energy and life, it was as if he was home. He caught her yawning and did the same, accusing her of causing the contagion. She giggled lightly as he took her sleep rug and rolled it up before tying it to Willow. “I would offer breakfast, but sadly we have gone through our rations. I can’t promise much, but hopefully there will be a farm down the road, where we can do a bit of work for a meal.” he announced as he helped her to her feet.
Klaus thought this meant he’d be traded to marry a farmer’s daughter and Sirus assured him that wouldn’t be the case.
Someone must have spotted their small party for the sound of royal trumpets was heard and Sirus began to bounce in place.
“We’re home!” he grinned. Tempest couldn’t help feel glad for him, as it would give him the chance to see his family and reconcile with his mother, but on the other hand, she was nervous. What if the Queen ordered her away? Would she prevent Sirus from being with her? So many questions were crashing through her mind as she watched the Faes celebrate the end of their journey.
As if by magic, a party of Faes materialized from the trees, stopping before them and all knelt.
“Your Highness, Lord Dathon, we welcome you home.” the one out front stated.
Your Highness, Lord Dathon, we welcome you home.”
Klaus whooped and did a jig as he saw the gathering of fae emerge from the forest. He had never been so happy to hear such words in his life. ~Home~ After all the war and the rescue of Princess Tempest, to the long road to return to the Willow, it was enough to make a tough man weep. In fact, he did shed a few happy tears.
Sirus was a bit surprised to see the group, and then glanced back at Dathon and said with a chuckle;
“I’d forgotten how formal our people are.” It was true, and he replied to the one in front.
“It’s good to be home. Care to lead us back to the castle. Our horses need seeing too, and I have brought with me a guest to see the Queen, at her leisure of course.”
He meant Princess Tempest, but he wasn’t about to say that he was bringing home a new bride. They hadn’t gotten that far yet. Walking over to Tempest, he reached for her hand, and smiled, saying;
“Would you like to ride back up to the castle, or walk with me?’
He wondered what her answer would be.
<3>
Tempest watched on, off to the side a ways as the Faes of Laegess welcomed home their long-lost prince and the Queen’s Captain of the Guards, as well as the surviving members of the war party.
“My Lord, your mother, the Queen, has gotten word of your return and wishes to see you after you’ve rested.” he spoke. Sirus turned and saw Tempest standing off to the side. He moved toward her and took her hand upon reaching her.
“Would you like to ride back up to the castle, or walk with me?”
“I would enjoy the walk, Your Highness.” she nodded, unsure how to address him in the face of so many other faes. “The ride was long and tiring and my backside is feeling kind of raw. A walk would do some good. And I’m sure our equine companions could use a rest.” she whispered to him so the others couldn’t hear. She wasn’t sure if the witches wanted their true forms known.
Hearing that the horses were no longer required to be ridden, the white horse nodded its head repeatedly. Pawing the ground three times, its body started to shimmer, and soon the lady in white was standing in the horse’s place. The large Clydesdale was to follow the lead of the white horse, and when she changed, she shook herself all over, and then reached her hands round to her back, cracking it and giving Klaus a stern look.
“You are still fat.” Gertie stated indignantly, while Willow was positively dancing, to no longer have to be in her horse form. With a long flowing gown, she pinched the edges of her skirt and swung her skirt from side to side.
“La la la la la la….la la la la la la.” Willow sang as she winked at Tempest. “The walk will do you good, Your highness.” Obviously just as keen to no longer having to carry her on her back. She skipped up behind the Prince and Dathon, and whispered.
“We don’t want to keep the Queen waiting, do we?” Willow beamed, almost nudging them to get a move on.
Klaus packed up the camp, and then realized that the horses were no longer going to carry their packs. He groaned, as he picked up the many scattered packs, much to Gertie’s delight. Now you know how I feel, fatty.” The germanic looking woman was more than keen to remind him of his size.
With all the carry on behind them, the Prince offered his arm to the Princess Tempest, and together they would stroll along the final path, that led them to the Castle of Wintervine.
Wintervine Castle
The line up of guards that led the way for the small band to return through the gates, was surprising. In fact, many people had turned out to see the return of the Prince and the Queen’s Captain of the Guards. There was much cheering and fanfare, and the Prince was quite shocked by it.
“I think we should head for the throne room. Hopefully, Mother is there and we can fill her in…on everything.” Sirus said, to Tempest, hoping she was not too put off by the idea.
“We owe her that much.”
<3>
The line up of guards that led the way for the small band to return through the gates, was surprising. In fact, many people had turned out to see the return of the Prince and the Queen’s Captain of the Guards. There was much cheering and fanfare, and the Prince was quite shocked by it.
“I think we should head for the throne room. Hopefully, Mother is there and we can fill her in…on everything.” Sirus said, to Tempest, hoping she was not too put off by the idea.
“We owe her that much.”
Wintervine Castle – Throne Room
It had been a very long year for Queen Arianna. With the news that the White Walkers were once again on the move, and her son still missing, the stress of it all was draining her health quickly. She only hoped Sirus returned to her before she went on to be with her husband. She didn’t even care if he took the throne or not. She just wanted her child safe and home with her.
Despite her edict that she was to remain in the castle, Arianna had discovered that Eve had snuck out one night to go in search of her brother. And now she was missing as well. She had sent out searching parties to look for her strong-willed daughter but there had been no word. It was as if she had vanished.
She sat upon her throne, staring at nothing. Her frail form betrayed the strength behind her eyes. Many had tried to end her life, knowing she was weak, but she was still strong enough to hold off even the smartest of assassins.
A page ran into the throne room and kneeled at her feet, awaiting acknowledgment. She turned her head, pushing herself into sitting up straighter.
“What is it?” she asked.
“Your Majesty…your son, Prince Sirus…has returned.”
Arianna’s heart, something she thought dead, suddenly beat with new hope. She got to her feet, joy etched in every line of her body.
“Is he alive? Is he well?”
“He is well, My Lady and in the company of a young lady if word is to be believed. And…Lord Dathon is with him.”
“Please have them brought to me as soon as they arrive.” Arianna stated. The page nodded and quickly left.
Arianna clapped her hands together and looked skyward, thanking her husband for watching over their son.
The small party entered through the gates, and now stood in the familiar cobble stoned courtyard that Prince Sirus knew all too well. He looked up at the towering collumns and the turrets that reached high into the clouds giving a sigh of relief. As much as he had enjoyed the thrill of adventure that had come from him leaving his ancestral home, to be back within the grand stone walls of Wintervine gave him a feeling of contentment. This was where he was meant to be. Now he had brought back Tempest, who hopefully would be accepted by the Queen after all that had happened. He knew he had a great deal of explaining to do, since he joined the cause of the war of Demons and Angels and his family’s kingdom did the same. There would have been great losses to the Fae, which he felt partly responsible for. That in mind, he took Tempest’s hand, and then said to his fellow travellers.
“And now, to see the Queen.”
He escorted Tempest into the large oak doors that led to the main hall, where at the end was the Throne room. Guarded by the Queen’s own guards, they stood to attention, as the dishevelled and small group approached.
“I am Prince Sirus Laegess, Son of Arianna. I have returned from my travels with my companions, and seek audience with her Majesty.” He said in a clear and concise voice.
When the doors were opened, he looked at Tempest and said in a whisper.
“Let’s see the welcome we get. Hopefully it’s a good one.”
Spying the Queen on the throne at the very end of the room, he walked with Tempest down the crimson carpet till reaching the foot of the Throne dias. He released his hand from Tempest, then went down on one knee, to show respect for the Queen.
“My Queen.”
<3>
