As he held her through her tears, she tried to reconcile herself to the fact that her parents wanted nothing to do with her anymore. It hurt, more then she thought possible, but she now had a new home and someone who wished to take care of her and care for her. Slowly her tears dried up and went away and she withdrew from his arms. She felt lighter for having cried and she took the handkerchief he’d passed her with a small smile.
“Thank you. I needed that.” she murmured, twisting the cloth between nervous hands.
“If you truly wish to rest, then I shall let you, Princess.”
“Oh no. I’m all right now. I just needed a few moments to gather my thoughts. Thank you, My Lord.” She gave him a another smile, like a flower bud slowly blooming under the midday sun. She got to her feet. “If you would give me a moment to refresh myself, I wouldn’t be opposed to returning to dinner. I’m feeling a bit peckish.” So saying, she moved on slippered feet to the wash basin to splash cool water across her cheeks. After drying her face and fixing back the loose hairs that had fallen from her braid, she deemed herself ready.
She stood in front of Sirus, and on impulse, she stretched herself upward to place a gentle kiss upon his lips, her cheeks flushing in embarassement as she drew back from him. Her way of saying “Thank you for looking out for me when no one else would.”
Watching the Princess dry her tears, he noticed she had calmed slightly since he had walked into the room. Maybe the cry had eased some of the tension she was feeling, but it was hard to say, for she was twisting the small cloth between her hands.
“You can keep it, Princess.” Sirus said of the hankerchief she was holding. He rose to standing, thinking she would accept his idea that perhaps she needed rest from their long journey and that he could then go back down to speak to his mother, though in his mind he had just changed his plans. Tempest rejected his suggestion, now feeling she had gathered her thoughts, composed herself and was again ready to face the court over a meal. She was hungry afterall.
Sirus nodded politely, and stood with his hands behind his back as he waited for her while she washed at a nearby basin and jug. It meant that she was now refreshed and clean, indeed ready for court. Surprisingly, Tempest kissed the Prince softly without making another word, before leaving the room, with the Prince quietly in tow.
Dining hall.
Coming back into the room together, nearly all were still seated in their places, and you could see Klaus was on his third helping of pancakes, smothering the stack with maple syrup, while the white witches were engrossed with a cup that had tea leaves scattered in the bottom. They both watched Tempest take her seat, before looking in the cup again and then sharing a worried expression. Both were from the Vaas lands, but neither wanted to speak of what they had just read.
Sirus sat at the top of the table beside his mother, and leaned to her quietly whispering.
“About…that chat. I’ve..changed my mind. We can discuss the matters of the Kingdom at your leisure, My Queen.”
Sirus had changed his mind. He just didn’t feel right about it now, and knew that there was promise in the future. He gave Tempest a weak smile, before taking up a cup of tea and sipping it slowly.
<3>
Arianna was worried for the young Princess as she left the room, Sirus following shortly thereafter. It must have been overwhelming to be suddenly thrust into a land she had no prior knowledge of.
“Dathon…what has happened?” she asked, directing her head toward Tempest.
“The war…did not end well, My Queen. Her father killed a Throne of God. Her brother…slaughtered like cattle. And news reached us that her grandfather, the King of Brax killed the King and Queen of Casterly. The Princess herself had been captured by three vile witches to be used as a sacrifice in a ritual to restore their youth and beauty.” Dathon explained in a quiet voice. Arianna sat back in her seat, eyes wide.
“That poor child.” Arianna whispered. Dathon nodded in agreement.
It was some time later when both Sirus and Tempest returned and Arianna was pleased to see the young woman begin to eat her meal with a bit more enthusiasm then before. Sirus took that moment to lean toward his mother.
“About…that chat. I’ve..changed my mind. We can discuss the matters of the Kingdom at your leisure, My Queen.”
“Sirus…we will talk in the morning. Whatever news you have to impart on me may wait until then. I sense it is important and you have already dealt with so much. Please let us talk on the morrow after you’ve rested.” She gave his hand a squeeze and began to wonder how he would take the news that his sister had upped and left. Morning would come soon enough…
And so the Prince did as the Queen, his Mother asked. Getting a good night’s sleep in his own bed, was just what he needed. He virtually passed out the moment his head hit the satin pillow. An early riser, he had done his old morning routine, of climbing to the tallest tower, before heading back down, to wash and prepare for the new day. The meeting with his mother was paramount, and he hurried to find her in one of her more serene settings; the Gazeebo.
Walking up the small path, he took the two steps, then bowed before his Mothers, before taking a seat down next to her. It was truly a beautiful morning, with the dew on the brightly coloured flowers that were opening their buds to the morning’s sun. The Prince seemed at first a tad nervous to say what he felt he needed too, but with a light cough, he began.
“Mother, when I had returned home to you, I had in my mind ideas of my future in particular concerning the monarchy and my place here. I had every intention of bringing you joyous news when I brought home the Princess of Brax, who I love very much and with all my heart.” At this point he paused, looking away momentarily, his face creasing slightly.
“I don’t need to tell you of the horrors I have seen in these last few months. Death, war, murder….the very worst of people shown in all its glory. I did all I could to soldier on, and bring back the woman I had intended to marry. And I did…I mean, I still do…it’s just.” He paused again, fighting to find the words to explain what was happening.
“The Princess…has suffered great loss, and while I thought bringing her here would make her happy, I think I was wrong. To see her so miserable…and not be able to do anything about it. I would move heaven and earth for her, but…I don’t think my love is enough.”
His words were heartfelt, and honest. It was then he looked at his mother and said.
“I am afraid, I cannot do my duty, if the woman I love, does not love me in return. I don’t want anyone else.”
He was still of the belief he had to marry to ascend to the throne, and role of King.
<3>
There had been so much on her mind the night before she’d barely been able to sleep. She knew the chat with her son would be an important one and she knew what she wanted to say to him when they finally met.
Arianna was up with the dawn, managing barely little sleep. She did her morning ablutions before summoning her ladies to help her ready for the day.
She was seated at the table in her gazebo when Sirus arrived. He bowed to her in respect, something that still surprised her, before he joined her at the table.
They ate in silence, Arianna sensing her son’s increasing nervousness before she set down her napkin and looked at him fully.
“Sirus…talk to me.” she urged.
“Mother, when I had returned home to you, I had in my mind ideas of my future in particular concerning the monarchy and my place here. I had every intention of bringing you joyous news when I brought home the Princess of Brax, who I love very much and with all my heart.”
Arianna was surprised to hear this. It was the last thing she expected.
“Then I am happy for you, Sirus. But I sense there is more you wish to tell me.”
“I don’t need to tell you of the horrors I have seen in these last few months. Death, war, murder….the very worst of people shown in all its glory. I did all I could to soldier on, and bring back the woman I had intended to marry. And I did…I mean, I still do…it’s just.” He seemed to struggle for words and she reached out to clasp his hand, lending him her strength of presence.
“The Princess…has suffered great loss, and while I thought bringing her here would make her happy, I think I was wrong. To see her so miserable…and not be able to do anything about it. I would move heaven and earth for her, but…I don’t think my love is enough.”
“Oh darling. A woman would have to be out of her mind not to love you.” Arianna smiled taking his hand. He was silent for a moment, before he spoke what was really bothering him.
“I am afraid, I cannot do my duty, if the woman I love, does not love me in return. I don’t want anyone else.”
And that was the crux of the matter.
Arianna sat back with a sigh.
She had done a lot of thinking in the year Sirus was gone and realized that she had placed too much pressure on her eldest child. She had experienced the same with her own parents, being forced to marry for alliance’s sake. And although she grew to love her King…she still resented her parents.
“Sirus…It isn’t often that I’d admit to a wrong, but I will admit it to you. I should not have forced you to marry, should not have given you ultimatums and threats like I did. You should marry when you are ready, not because I demanded it of you.” She stated. “You shall be King. But I will not require you to marry to do so.”
She reached up to her throat and removed the pendant she had. She took his hand and placed it in his palm.
“This necklace has been in my family for generations. It was given to a princess of great standing when she is chosen by a prince to marry. It is unique in that when she is ready to marry, it will glow. I am giving this to you, so that you may give this to Tempest. You need not tell her what it does if you do not wish to. But it will allow her to make her choice…and I have no doubt, she will chose you for I have seen the way she looks at you when you are not looking.” She closed his palm over the pendent. “She does love you. She just needs the time to see that you love her in return. Woo her, romance her…make her feel as if she is the only woman in the world. No woman can ignore that.” she smiled with encouragement.
Queen Arianna had handed over a very precious gift to her son, closing his palm over it, after explaining its use. This was a necklace that could feel the moods and gauge when a person was truly ready to marry. The Prince lowered his head, looking at their joined hands, his mother’s fingers covering his own. Her hand was so much smaller than his own. Petite and delicate. Sirus brought his other hand over hers, and said simply; “Thank you, Mother.”Not My Queen, but he called her “Mother”. It’s often said that the answers to our own questions lay within our heart. By giving this necklace to Tempest, it was one way of seeing if her heart was ready to accept the Prince’s love.
Slowly he withdrew his hands from Arianna and smiled softly at her. He knew she was frail and seen it with his own eyes as he had returned to court. It worried him. How long had it been since the death of his Father? Her soul mate? She had hung on all this time for a reason. To see her son ascend to the throne, and know her will be done, to the very end. A moment of silence passed between them, as soft petals fell from the trees around the gazebo. A magical moment, and one Sirus would not soon forget.
“Father was a very lucky man to have you for as long as he did.” Sirus said, speaking from the heart of how wonderful a woman Arianna was. “I hope I can be so fortunate to be happy, when I one day take the woman I love to be my bride.’Sirus placed a kiss upon his Mother’s forehead, before turning to go and find Tempest, and present her with the necklace. Would she accept it?
<3>
After the feast the night before, Tempest had been escorted to her rooms by Sirus and told if she had need of anything, he was right across the hall. She nodded in understanding before he left her alone. Her thoughts were still a chaotic jumble and it would take her some time to organize them.
But the one thing she was sure of, was the love she was beginning to feel for Sirus. He had been there for her when no one else had and she felt a measure of affection for him. She had been honest with him when she told him he had saved her life. In more ways then one.
She had been ready to give up.
Sleep had been rough. Plagued by nightmares that she couldn’t remember upon waking, she was confused and disoriented. She took in her surroundings and rubbed a tired hand over her eyes.
Not bothering to ring for the servants that had been provided for her, she took the time to clean and dress herself, brushing her long blonde hair until it shown like gold and flowed free around her back and shoulders.
She eyed a bowl of fruit sitting on the table before selecting some grapes to munch on. She noticed the sun was out and decided to take a walk in the gardens. Taking up a light cloak, she draped it around her shoulders and quietly slipped from her chambers. Sirus’ door was closed, so she assumed he was still sleeping and went on her way.
Wintervine Castle Gardens
The gardens were beautifully done up and she inhaled deeply, absorbing the myriad of scents surrounding her with a small smile on her face. She turned her face up to the sun, allowing its rays to warm her chilled skin. A raucous sound caught her attention and her eyes snapped open. She spotted Francois sitting upon the head of a statue and she smiled warmly.
“Good morning, my friend.” she greeted him, reaching up to run gentle fingers over his feathered head. He croaked at her in return. She took a couple of grapes from her hand to feed to him, getting a gentle nip at her fingers in thanks before he flew off to do whatever it is he liked to do.
Smiling, she continued her leisurely morning stroll, stopping every few moments to pick a flower until she had a nice bouquet for her rooms. She found a stone bench among a leaf canopy and sat down. She closed her eyes for a moment before allowing her wings to sprout free to soak up the sun’s rays.
The happy sound of horses hooves coming closer, could be heard as the white horse, and the massive clysdale had both gotten free from the stable, much to the annoyance of a young stable hand, who chased the two horses all the way down to the castle gardens. His cries for the horses to come back only made them wihnnie, as though laughing, and soon the two horses came through the gardens to where Tempest was sitting on a stone bench beneath a leafy canopy. The white horse spotted the raven taking flight and with her tail high, she pranced off after it, as the massive draught horse stood in front of the Princess, and snorted its hot breath down on her. It’s not every day you have a horse practically dripping saliva on you, in such an ideal setting as this. If Tempest were to open her eyes, she was in for a huge shock.
The white horse had no luck finding the raven, who the horse as Willow had a massive crush on, and came trotting back, finally turning into the White witch, in all her finery.
“Figgity Gibbets. He had to fly off on me. That’s the fourth time. I swear he is playing hard to get he is. Oh…hello Princess. Isn’t it a lovely day?” She would say, picking up a wild flower and starting to eat the petals. Willow sat herself down on the stone bench and clasped her hands together, ready for some gossip.
“Soooo…has he popped the question yet?”
<3>
The sound of horse hooves caught her attention and her eyes snapped open, her wings vanishing back into her body in rapid succession. The white mare and the large clydsdale, whom she knew to be Willow and Gertie in their other forms, stepped into the clearing. Willow turned quickly, spotting something that fascinated her and took off at a canter while Gertie stood over Tempest, her hot breath ruffling the material of her dress and the flowers in her hands.
“And good morning to you, Gertie.” Tempest chuckled, sliding away from the string of drool slowly falling from Gertie’s mouth, with a small shudder.
Willow returned, switching to human form as she did so and moved to sit beside Tempest on the bench. Tempest had her mouth open, ready to let Willow know that she had just sat in a puddle of horse spit when Willow began speaking, cutting her off.
“Figgity Gibbets. He had to fly off on me. That’s the fourth time. I swear he is playing hard to get he is. Oh…hello Princess. Isn’t it a lovely day?” The scatterbrained witch grinned, picking up a flower and munching on the petals, much to Tempest’s amusement.
“Good morning, Willow.” Tempest giggled.
“Soooo…has he popped the question yet?”
Tempest did a double-take. “What? What do you mean?” she gaped. Had the White Witch been privy to the young woman’s thoughts? It was as if Willow had plucked it from her head and she was shocked. Willow seemed to give her a look and Tempest sighed. “Well…no. So much has happened, I don’t know if I’m ready to marry him. I find myself falling deeper in love with him every day and though we have been together for most of the year…do we truly know each other? What if there are things about me he doesn’t like? What if there are things about him I don’t like? How can we be married faced with those kinds of odds?” she wondered, voicing some of her hidden thoughts out in the open for anyone listening to hear. “He makes me feel things I’ve never felt before. I get all flushed and tingly and my stomach ties itself in knots when he kisses me. Never had that happen before. I’ve seen love destroy an entire family because its Head loved too hard. I don’t want that to happen between Sirus and I.” She looked down at her hands. “I just want to be assured that what he feels for me is genuine and not out of some sense of obligation or duty to his crown.”
“What if..what if..what if?! Listen to yourself. On the one hand you are saying he puts butterflies in your stomach, and ties up your hair in knots.” Willow the white was getting it all backward, but her sentiment was spot on. “Then on the other….you are all worried that you don’t really know him after..-cough- a year? I have seen people fall in love at the very first sight.” Willow was not used to having the floor to speak her mind. Many would shove a bouquet of flowers in her mouth, to shut her up. Her heart was in the right place….just her head was not always screwed on.
“I thought a marriage between man and wife was about compromise. Not any two people like the same things to a T. If they did, they would be totally boring and bland as last weeks cheese.” She chuckled and piked another wild flower, toying with it.“It’s our differences that keep the spark of love alive.” Willow finished with, offering Gertie, the Clydesdale her wild flower, which Gertie accepted and started to munch on.
Just then, Sirus emerged through the gardens after meeting with his Mother, Arianna, and had in his pocket, the gift of the necklace that could tell a person if the wearer was ready to marry. He saw that only one of the White witches was in true form, and he had to wonder what they were doing with Tempest. Perhaps they were listening to her plight about the sadness she had after leaving behind her own realm.
“I see that you are in good company, Princess.” Sirus said, leaning against a tree and watching the trio with marked interest. Willow gave him a cheesy grin.
“Was just telling the Princess about how marrying…” At this, Gertie snorted a loud load of snot at Willlow, like she was worlessly trying to tell the wayward Willow to keep out of Sirus and Tempest’s relationship. With the foul green goo on her face and dress, Willow rose and then headed off for her own chambers, to wash. Gertie trotted along after her, leaving the Prince alone with Tempest, and he started to slide his hand out of his pocket, producing the necklace his mother had given him.
“I am glad I found you, Princess. There is something I wanted to give you.” He brought his hand forward, and placed the necklace in Tempest’s hands. “Go on…try it on.”
<3>.
