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Firewalk with Me (Madam Mim x EvelynWillows)

"He is...was a good man." Althea's throat clenched at having to speak of her love in the past tense. "The world is a little less bright without him.

She listened quietly to Rhianna as she divulged the Duke's plans. Had they no love for their eldest at all? She scowled slightly at the idea, but was glad Johannes had wanted to talk it out. Honestly she doubted Jacques would have wanted governorship of Perigod anyway.

"You may still visit, if you like," Althea offered with a small, watery smile. "I would be happy to see you again."

She seemed to have finally found a female she could tolerate. Rhianna was polite and quiet but forthright, not boisterous and rude. She had been the only noblewoman so far to ask permission to visit instead of inviting herself, her daughters, and their fifty closest friends; a gesture Althea wouldn't forget. Rhianna had the potential of being a good friend.

"Goodnight, Lady Rhianna." Althea wrapped an arm around the panting dog and fell asleep quickly.

Morning came all too soon, and along with it the mother of all hangovers. Althea moaned and buried her face in Apollo's shoulder to hide from the shafts of sun which fell through the curtains and felt like they were piercing her brain. The smoky scent in the dog's fur brought back memories of the previous night and she began to cry. Her love was dead; she didn't want to carry on without him. It seemed an impossible task.
 
The young lady smiled when Althea told her that she was welcome to visit. "Thank you," she said before going to sleep. "To think; if things had worked out differently we'd be sisters by marriage." She smiled sadly at the thought, knowing that Althea was due to marry someone she didn't love and had just lost the one she did. Rhianna fell asleep quickly, not catching the strange glance that the Duchess was giving both young women.

The next morning came with it a cold, bleak day. The sky was cruelly clear; crystalline azure above a sparkly in diamondesque landscape. The southern section of the castle had a collapsed wing. All of the dungeon was lost; in all eleven people were unaccounted for, including Jacques and Sir Edward's commander of his guards, Hector. Sir Edward was quiet that morning. He seemed to have sobered up even as Althea was getting sick. Perhaps it was just that he knew that Ellington was less than a day away.

The nobility gathered in the great hall to await word of the damage done. Servants had lit a warm fire and brought platters of food, mulled wine, and hot tea to help lift the spirits of those waiting.

Lady Rhianna flew to her husband's arms when the young lordling returned from searching the ruins with many of the castle guards and servants. He held his wife close and shook his head. The report was that it would take months to excavate the southern wing. They found one survivor, but the lad had bled to death within moments when they removed the heavy beam that had been crushing him. Even now Johannes was covered in the castle page's blood.

"I'm sorry," he said to Lady Althea. "I had hoped there might e survivors." His eyes watered and he looked away.

The Duke of Perigod shook his head at his son. "The fire took the dungeons. All in all it was not a great loss; all those in the cells were condemned already. It was probably a kindness to them to go quickly rather than to face the torturers during their penance sentence. Even for Jacques." He wiped perspiration from his forehead as he hovered near the fire. "At least he died a simple death and not at the end of a hangman's noose."

Food was packed for the travelers to take with them on their trip to Ellington. The grooms rounded up the horses that had escaped the previous night in the chaos, and soon Lady Althea's small group was ready to go. Jacques' horse, Lestrade, snorted at her in greeting when he saw his master's companion. He had his gear on but was loaded down like a common pack horse, a lowly position for a magnificent beast like himself.
 
Althea nodded at Johannes; she had known it was a fool's errand but was grateful he had tried. Jacques's parents, however, made her want to rail and scream. She wanted to shake them until their tiny stupid brains fell out. Did they not realize that their son was gone forever?? Instead, she quietly picked at her breakfast. Even disregarding the hangover, she didn't feel like eating. She would never feel like eating again.

Once breakfast was done, Althea dressed in a winter gown befitting a princess and a riding cloak made for the occasion. The servants had been ordered to take Althea's measurements at the beginning of the summer and make these things, but no one had known why. Symbolically she was trading her father's blue for King Alastair's red and though she hated all it stood for it did make her feel pretty. Before departing she gave Lady Rhianna a small hug.

"Thank you, my friend," she said quietly. "Perhaps instead we may be sisters at heart, hmm?" She gave a smile before petting Laddie's nose when he snorted at her. Lady Althea's chin trembled and her eyes and nose were red both from crying and trying not to cry.

"My Lord, Your Grace," she addressed both men of Perigod, "if it's all the same to you I'd like to keep Jacques's horse once we get there. I enjoy riding and my own mare needs a mate." If she couldn't be with Jacques then at least their horses could be together; she had no way of knowing that Maggie had been mated several nights ago while Edward had been abusing his sister. The foal was, indeed, Laddie's. "I know the sort if stock Lestrade comes from, and I want only the best for my horse. He's the best."
 
Rhianna seemed genuinely thankful for Althea's offer of friendship. She took off her sapphire and diamond platinum bracelet and placed it around Althea's wrist. "For faithfulness and love, sister." She gave her a hug and kissed her cheek before sending Lady Althea on her way.

The Duke of Perigod seemed surprised when Althea asked to keep Jacques' horse. "Certainly my grace. Consider him your wedding gift."

His Duchess seemed appalled at the thought. "Certainly not! You should keep the horse but we'll ensure that you get a 'proper' wedding gift, Lady Althea. Or should I say 'Queen Althea'? That does sound good, doesn't it?" She laughed in a titter and smiled through rouged lips.

"Oh, of course." The portly Duke grinned. "Of course. Take the horse. We'll look forward to gifting you properly when you are married."

Sir Edward seemed to be beyond noticing the small indiscretions of the Perigods. He kept to himself for most of the trip, though when they passed through the forest he seemed more agitated. Once, Althea thought she might have seen an apparition in the trees, but it disappeared as quickly as it appeared.

Apollo seemed to not mind the vision, but when a flicker appeared again in the woods Althea could see her brother flinch slightly, as if he saw it as well.
 
Althea smiled tightly at the thoroughly unpleasant couple. "The horse is enough, Your Grace. More than enough."

The half-ruined castle had shrunk into the distance when Althea felt it safe enough to stop and dig out a blanket to sit on. Edward's fun from the previous night had not been dulled by drink and perhaps even enhanced by it. Althea remained silent as well, crying off and on. Even traveling with Jacques prisoner was better than him being dead. Several times she thought she saw something out in the forest. When Edward flinched, she finally spoke.

"Who do you think it is?" she asked quietly before pulling her hood up to shade her throbbing eyes from the piercing sun.
 
Sir Edward turned and glared at Althea. "What what is, sister?" He smirked. "Perhaps you overindulged a bit more than was wise. Lucky for you that no rogues were about to take advantage of your weakened condition last night." He turned away and Bernard, his first in command, grinned lecherously at the lady.

"Maybe you're seeing the ghost of your 'friend' Jack," he suggested. "Unfinished business and all." His eyes raked over the lady's body and rested at her breasts before moving away. He had probably had a taste of the lady during one of Sir Edward's more 'generous' nights on the road. Certainly, other man had touched her while she laid blindfolded and Sir Jacques was helpless to help her. Even now the memory of strangers' hands on her bare skin could send shivers of both disgust and arousal through her body if she dwelt on it.

That afternoon the heavy snow stopped falling and the clouds parted, revealing a diamond-sprinkled landscape all around them. The mountains rose sharp and severe behind the forests, and small birds and rabbits scampered about looking for a reprieve from the cold winter. Shortly afterwards a city was seen, and behind it a castle stretched up into the late afternoon sky. Merchants were seen moving about in the city streets, and warm, inviting trails of smoke lazily spiraled up from the many homes and shops along the main roadway. Far off in the distance a dog barked.

A small contingent of five knights rode up to greet their band of travelers. They wore the red, blue and gold of Ellington and bore the seal of the green dragon. Even so, they were an intrusion to Althea's brother, who was considering staying in the village for the night under the guise of 'observing the people of Ellington'. Sir Edward frowned and moved forward slightly, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "Hail!" He called out to the group as they pulled to a stop. "I am Sir Edward de Perigod, here in important matters of the kingdom. Who are you?"

The leader of the knights looked from Sir Edward to Lady Althea. Even with the helm face down it was obvious that the knight seemed completely unimpressed. "And who are you?" The knight asked Althea. The voice seemed young; perhaps a newly knighted youth in service to the kingdom. "Why do you seek entrance into the true Kingdom?"
 
Althea glared at the two. She wasn't crazy and she knew Edward had seen it, too. Closing her eyes, she rubbed her temple. She was glad this was their last day on the road.

"You keep flinching Edward," she said tersely. "I know you see it, too." Apollo chuffed in agreement, but the two of them let the matter drop.

Ellington was beautiful, she had to admit that. Despite the circumstances which had brought her here, her new home was indeed beautiful. Apollo, sensing the end of their very long walk, started to run ahead a little. He didn't want to go on a walk for a very long time after this. He pulled up short and started growling, however, when the guards rode out to meet them. The seal of the green dragon made Althea shiver, remembering her premonition about Edward's son taking over the kingdom from astride a great green dragon. Evil men enjoyed irony, she supposed.

When the young guard demanded to know who she was she rolled her eyes. "The only true kingdom is God's," she answered, though after her ordeal she lacked conviction in this statement. "I am the Lady Althea Highchester, and I've come to marry your king. If you don't believe me, take me to him in chains. See how well that works out for you."
 
The majority of the guards chuckled at Lady Althea's answer. The knight in the lead seemed amused as well. Gauntleted hands reached up and pulled off the helm, revealing not a 'Sir' but a 'Lady'. "I see my father has a sense of humor. I am Princess Olivia, Lady Althea." She studied the younger woman in front of her. "The road has not been kind to you. Let us escort you to the castle and make you presentable to the king, shall we? I knew you'd be coming to us incognito; it never occurred to me that they would dress you like a refugee." She turned her horse and began to lead the way back to the kingdom.

Her four knights moved to flank Sir Edward and his men, which made Althea'a brother increasingly nervous. He wondered if the king might have already found out about the indiscretions that Edward had taken with the future queen. After a short bit of shock Sir Edward collected himself. The princess was, after all, very pretty. And he was very charming. He rode up next to her to talk.

She simply raised her hand to silence him. "Keep it to yourself, Duke's son. I'm certain that I'd find the gardener to be more interesting than a pompous ass such as yourself. You've obviously been told by well-meaning people that you have a way with words, when they should have simply told you to be quiet."
 
Althea rose her eyebrows. What was the princess of the realm doing running around with the common knights? Of course, Althea was jealous; she had always wished her father would let her do the same. But it was terribly dangerous for the princess to be doing it.

"I apologize for our sootiness; we were staying last night at the castle de Perigod and it caught fire. For my clothes, however...all I can offer is that this is the best Highchester can afford. Hardly the fare of a refugee, or clearly you only know wealthy refugees."

Althea wasn't sure to make of the step-daughter older than she. On the one hand, she had rebuffed Edward and put him in his place, which she found immensely funny. On the other, she had insulted Althea right off the bat by essentially calling the finest dress she'd ever worn rags.

"Your Highness," Althea called, "you said when you saw me that your father has a sense of humor. What did you mean?"
 
"Yes, I heard there had been an accidental fire at Perigod. The whole place should have burned down." She glared in Edward's direction. "You; ride back there with the men. The queen and I shall ride ahead."

"I insist on accompanying my sister -"

"You insist on nothing. Stay with your men or we will escort you to the prisons. I outrank you and I always will, so learn your place now." She waited until he reigned his horse in and backed off before nodding to Althea. Once they were far enough away from the others she looked over at the lady. "You're what, twelve? Sixteen? My father could be your grandfather." She snorted. "I don't know what he was thinking. Obviously he was drunk with exhaustion when he made that deal with your father. He's going to have to wean you and help you cut your teeth before you're old enough to be anyone's wife, let alone the king's." She seemed to dismiss Althea then, simply riding and scanning the road ahead.

After a few moments she asked the lady a strange question. "Have you lost a friend lately? Someone who was very close to you?"
 
Althea tried to hide her smirk as Olivia put Edward in his place. She gave him a little wave before riding ahead with the princess. She flushed in anger at the way she was spoken to.

"I'm nineteen, thank you, and very aware of our age difference. Believe me, I'm no happier about it than you are, and firmly believe this was a deal made out of spite to teach my father a lesson. It was not my choice, believe you me." She sat straighter and cleared her throat. "However, as queen I demand respect, and that includes from you. I understand that you are older than me, princess, and royal by birth. I understand the disdain you will have for me. But do keep in mind that the second I say 'I do,' I become both queen and your stepmother and command the respect due both positions. I would like us to get along, maybe even be friends, but at the very least I cannot tolerate that sort of treatment."

The silence fell and Althea quietly fumed. She didn't like Olivia already, and this didn't bode well for how her husband might be, as well. She was surprised, therefore, when the princess spoke up.

"I...yes, I have. He was a very dear lifelong friend, and I cared for him very deeply," she confirmed. "He ah...he died in the fire last night. Why? And how did you know?"
 
"Well, you obviously aren't paying much attention," Princess Olivia said. "Otherwise you'd have figured a few things out by now. Not very bright, are you?" She shook her head, though a smile tugged at her lips. "The little friend who's following you didn't die in the fire, silly. He's a servant." She looked askance at Althea.

"Your people really don't study your abilities, do you? Even the youngest of our noble children could recognize the person behind the spirit."

She spurred her horse a little faster. "Come on, you'll want a bath and some cleaner, less smoky clothing before you meet the king. I'm sure that the two of you will have a lot to talk about, despite your age difference."
 
Althea wanted to punch Olivia very, very hard. They would see who wasn't very bright. Instead she took a deep breath and looked at the princess.

"What do you mean, he didn't die in the fire? He's a serv--" Althea's eyes widened. "This ah...this man was not a close friend, if you speak of whom I think. He died yesterday, being punished for a simple slight. I don't know why he would be following me."

Althea took a deep breath and rubbed her face. "I admit it's a comfort you see it too. I know my brother has though he'll deny it. We ah...we don't practice our abilities. Our father raised us to believe that such things were witchcraft and therefore evil. Punishable by death. I've only recently discovered any ability within myself." She fiddled with her reigns as Apollo trotted alongside her. "Do you know why he's following us?"
 
They rounded a bend in the road and the city came into view. The shops were motley; bright, gypsy colors were painted on the signs, and vessels lined the streets, filled with flowers or small fruit trees. People walked about or moved their carts and there was much chatter and commotion in the town. It was loud but the undercurrent was joyful. Somewhere off to the right the sound of guitar and flute floated in the air. The atmosphere was almost festival-like.

Princess Olivia paused near a vending cart where the scent of bread, fruit and meat wafted up to greet them. She bent down to speak to the owner and passed him some coins. In return he passed back two pastries topped with cheese and fruit. She handed one to Lady Althea and smiled secretly at her. "Usually I prefer the ham turnovers in the morning but I've heard that you're avoiding meat until the wedding, or some such nonsense like that." She took a bite as they moved down the street at a leisurely pace. "Your servant friend, there, is a very loyal man. Not to you. He's loyal to the one he serves. Sad, really." She looked at Althea and took another bite. "Do eat, Lady Althea. It's a good ten minutes through town and then we have to climb a short distance to the castle."

"So. Your shadow has been asked to keep an eye on you. To keep you safe as much as he can, and to let it be known if you were in danger. He's the one who informed us that you were near." She smiled secretly once they were through the city. In all the time that they moved through the cobbled streets no sign of Sir Edward or the others were seen.

Princess Olivia took a deep breath and let it out happily as they climbed the wide, cobbled road that lead up to the castle gates. The gates were open and occasional foot traffic crossed their path. It seemed a kingdom of peace. Even the snow had been brushed away to clear the path for them.

"I'll bring you to Lady Roberta Cosgood. She will help you to refresh yourself and prepare to meet your future king, Lady Althea. Afterwards I'd like to show you the garden. We've recently acquired a new gardener, and I think you'll like the additions to our kingdom lands. Obviously, not all of us have the same preferences, but since you are destined to be queen you may eventually want to meet all those who serve you."
 
"Who does he serve?" Althea asked, frowning a little. "The man he served in life is now there with him in whatever lies beyond." Tears sprung to her eyes as she thought about Jacques, his bones ash, his entire life dust, the only ones left to mourn him a brother he never knew and a widow he'd never married. "His master would watch over me himself." Despite his dislike of horses, Apollo trotted nearer to his Mistress ay hearing the tears breaking her voice. It was several minutes before she could speak again.

"Thank you, Your Highness, for the food. We had a very meager meal this morning. And thank you for your consideration; it's true for several weeks I had no stomach for meat. But that has passed." In truth, Althea had lost her faith over the course of the journey. She hoped to find it again, but doubted it. "I didn't know my eating habits were a topic of such interest that you would have heard of it here." She chuckled nervously.

The lady looked sideways at her future stepdaughter. With the way she spoke, she seemed to be hiding something, and the emphasis she'd put on the word "obviously" had been no accident. Had she contacted Jacques beyond the grave? Or was it...could it be that her love was still alive?! Her heart jumped at the thought, but she barely dared to get her hopes up.

"I would love a tour of the gardens," she replied slowly. "Obviously you have a very talented gardener, to be able to clear snow out of the gardens and make the flowers bloom. Surely it must be some brand of magic?"
 
Olivia's eyes softened. "I see you are just now waking up, Lady Althea. Yes, he is very talented. Alexander arrived late last night. He's bound to be a bit... cool towards you. It seems he has recently had a horrible shock, though I would not consider him a danger to you."

They dismounted in the entry courtyard and handed the horses off to the grooms. An older lady approached them and curtsied. She was dressed in an olive green dress, with her hair neatly braided on each side of her head. "Good day, your graces." If she had been a servant she was a well-appointed one.

"Lady Althea of Highchester, allow me to present Lady Roberta Cosgood. She was the last queen's closest friend and cousin, and has asked to be allowed to attend to you until your preferred ladies arrive." She inclined her head to the future queen and smiled kindly. "I look forward to our stroll later today, my lady."

Once she was gone, Lady Roberta smiled and nodded at Althea. "I suppose a bath is in order, wouldn't you agree? And we have several dresses that were made for you while we awaited your arrival, princess, though I don't know if the colors will suit. You'll have to speak to the royal tailor once the dust settles."

She lead the future queen into the grand hall. It was much like other castles that Althea had seen, with the exception of the artwork. Images of sprites and tree spirits were intermingled with paintings of the heathen gods and statues that seemed to shift slightly when they walked past. Apollo stayed closed to Althea's heels.

"Is he your familiar?" Lady Roberta asked. "Your hound is quite the beast."
 
Althea's heart jumped. Jacques was alive! But apparently very angry at her, though what for she couldn't imagine. If anything she should be angry with him for disappearing without a word, though she wasn't.

"Cool? Whatever for?" Althea asked with a frown. "If I have unknowingly caused him some grievance, I'll apologize for it immediately." She twisted the reigns in her fingers nervously. "You shouldn't have told me that until later, your highness," she said with a worried smile, "now I'll be anxious all day." Indeed, Althea's heart fluttered with excitement and anxiety as she thought of all the things she could have done to make him so angry at her that he would let her believe him dead before telling her his plan.

When she was introduced to Lady Roberta she curtsied back politely and smiled congenially. She bade the princess farewell, expressing excitement at their walk, too, before following the older woman down the hall. She cocked her head to the side curiously.

"Princess?" Was she a princess? "But...there's been no coronation or anything. I'm not a princess yet, am I?" She kept her tone polite and innocently curious. She knew a good deal about politics and the goings-on of royalty, but she didn't know about their every day personal lives, nor what exactly qualified as a princess.

Althea felt a little embarrassed when asked about Apollo. In a place where magic seemed common enough, she felt like an uneducated orphan. Her father had forbidden books about magic or lore to enter his house, so she knew very little of even the simplest things thought to exist such as elves or the fae folk. She looked down at Apollo by her side.

"Are you a familiar, Apollo?" The German Shepherd sneezed indifferently; how was he supposed to know? He was familiar with lots of things. "Bless you. I'm sorry, m'lady," she added looking up at Lady Roberta, "I'm afraid I don't know what a familiar is. I ah...I grew up in a house that forbade magic, and am only now discovering my own abilities. Apollo is a good and loyal dog, though, familiar or not." She leaned down to scratch his ears briefly before straightening again.
 
Lady Roberta shrugged and raised her hand. "Well, coronation or not, if the gods saw fit to bless you with marriage to our king then you must be royalty. So Princess you are unless I am told differently." She smiled in a motherly manner and led Althea to a large bath house in the lower level of the castle. The walls were glass and looked out over a beautiful garden bespeckled with statuary and fountains. The woman waved her hand casually and the glass windows darkened so that no one could look in on them. Several female servants came in and brought teas and a tray of food. Others brought a sampling of oils, soaps, and lotions for Althea to look over.

"Don't be shy, dear. They will help you to wash and wax all that needs to be done, and then you'll be lotioned, oiled, your hair braided, and you will be dressed. Tonight's introduction to the king should be a night you never forget."

As the servants laid out the lotions and the food, others brought in an beautiful green satin and velvet dress complete with jewels for her to wear once she was cleaned. They also brought a lovely pair of expertly wrought shoes that would fit her perfectly and complete the ensemble.

"Why not have a bite to eat first dear? Then you can bath and change. The water will stay warm for you." She smiled. "It's one of the benefits of being a magic-using heathen, I suppose." She sniffed and glanced down at Apollo. "Your hound could use a bath and some brushing as well."
 
Althea's mouth dropped open as she entered the bath house. Her expression only increased in its wonder when she saw the dress and shoes. She jumped when the windows suddenly went dark, but looked at Lady Roberta and noticed the gesture. The princes--princess!--flushed when she joked about being a godless heathen.

"I don't...I never..." Althea stammered before gathering herself. "A very dear friend of mine uses magic. I've never really thought of magic users as heathen." Just Pagan. She smiled down at Apollo, who whined at the mention of needing a bath. What was wrong with the way he smelled?

"I apologize. He was groomed before we left, but we haven't had time to keep up with it, spending nearly a month and a half on the road." She smiled sheepishly. "I'm sure he'd love a bath."

Althea graciously accepted lunch, then bathed and dressed with the help of several servants. She certainly felt like a queen already! That evening, she wished more than ever that Jacques could be there to hold her hand and steady her nerves. She was moments away from meeting her husband.
 
The servants helped Althea and also bathed and brushed Apollo. Her hair was intricately braided and piled atop her head, with a silver and diamond circlet accentuating her tresses. They softly added a touch of color to her cheeks and highlighted her large eyes.

"You're quite beautiful," Lady Roberta said quietly. She smiled at the future queen. "Your brother will be with you in the hall, my princess, so you needed feel alone or afraid. It's so nice that he has set aside his personal aspirations to see you safely ensconced here."

Indeed, Sir Edward was waiting in the grand hallway for Althea. He smiled softly at her, as if sharing a secret. "You're beautiful," he said, echoing the earlier sentiment. "You already look like a queen." He waited with her outside the door to the grand receiving hall. "Did they treat you well while we were separated, sister?"
 
Althea smiled back at Lady Roberta. Tess would always be her mother, her confidante, but Lady Roberta was quickly growing on her.

"Thank you," Althea answered softly. "Yes...it's nice not to be alone."

She allowed herself to be led to the entrance of the grand receiving hall. While being made-up like this made her feel pretty, it also made Althea want to change into trousers and run wild like she used to. The gangly little tomboy had been hidden under makeup and fine fabrics, but she was certainly not gone.

"They treated me quite well, brother," she said pleasantly, taking his arm. "Better than I have been in weeks, I dare say." Althea took a deep breath and looked at Edward. "Ready to give me away to your rival, dear brother?" Indeed, this felt almost like a practice wedding.
 
Edward smiled. "He's never been my rival," he teased, "I'm certain only one of us is viable to create sons anyway. You'll need a son or two if you're to be a fitting queen. I'm glad to do my part to make that happen." He smiled smugly at her.

The doors were opened and the court hushed once Althea and Edward stepped through the door. The herald raised his head and announced the pair. "The future queen, Princess Althea of Highchester and her brother, Sir Edward, commander of the Third Wave." The royals in attendance clapped politely as the pair entered the grand receiving hall. King Alastair of Ellington sat on the dias, in his throne. He wore his crown and a royal red cloak over his clothing. When the pair were close enough he inclined his head to Althea.

Sir Edward bowed as well, giving the man due respect for his position. It was much different being in his castle than seeing him across the battlefield.
 
Althea rolled her eyes. "Men have been known to have children well into their eighties, Edward, and King Alastair can't be more than fifty-five or sixty."

Saying it aloud like that brought the situation home to Althea. It made her want to cry. She would have to suffer her own brother and the body of a whithered old man. She hadn't time to dwell upon this, though. The doors opened and the herald announced her and Edward's arrival. She leaned gently on her brother, knees shaky as they walked before the king. As they walked, Althea looked him up and down. He wasn't that bad, actually, for an old man. He was actually rather handsome, in a distinguished sort of way. Still,he was old.

Once the were in front of him, Althea sank to her knees gracefully, head bowed in submission. "Your Highness, we have traveled far to be with you this day. My elation that our lands are at peace and united once again is immeasurable; beyond expression. Instead let me express my joy at having a part in sealing that peace, and my happiness and deepest feelings of honor in having been chosen as your bride." Her voice betrayed no nervousness; she spoke slowly and clearly, and her lack of sincerity didn't really show at all.
 
King Alastair stood and descended until he was standing on the same level as Althea. As he walked towards her he removed his gloves, one at a time, and tucked them into his belt. He reached down and hooked a finger under his bride-to-be's chin to tilt her face upwards. "You are as beautiful as you are brave, Lady Althea. Please stand." He took her hand and brought her fingertips to his lips, all the while keeping his eyes on hers. "You have indeed traveled far to be here, my lady. I hope that you will come to see this trip as the beginning of the best part of your life and not as a sentence to an unbearable fate."

Althea's brother's eyes widened slightly at the boldness of the king's words. Still, he was the king; this was his home, and they were his guests.

The king led Althea up the steps to the raised platform where the two thrones were. He turned to have them face the multitudes of those who attended the receiving hall that day and looked down at Sir Edward. "Thank you for your service to the throne, Sir Edward of Highchester. Your part in this is appreciated by both kingdoms." He smiled and raised the hand that held Althea's. "Ladies and Gentlemen, Noblemen and Women, I present to you the future Queen of Ellington, the Seal of Peace, Princess Althea."

Cheers and claps roared at her introduction. Sir Edward looked surprised at his sister's newly appointed title but he managed to smile and clap politely with the others.
 
Lady Althea looked up and tried not to appear nervous as she met the king's eyes. To her great surprise, they were full of not only strength, but also kindness. She stood slowly, keeping her chin level until he released it. The corner of her lip twitched in a faint ghost of a smile as he kisses her hand, but she tried to keep her expression smooth. Smooth as porcelain, her mother would say. You are allowed to feel once onlookers are gone.

"Your Highness, it is an honor to serve my country, my king, and my father by helping to bring peace to the land and call our loved ones home from war," she answered quietly. Despite what decorum may call for, she couldn't resist a joke to at least make herself feel better. Leaning in, she added with a tiny smile, "And if you think I'm as beautiful as I am brave, you must be very upset with my father for sending you a troll for a bride."

Smoothly Althea ascended the steps and turned with her hand in her future husband's. Her eyes searched for Jacques as the crowd applauded and cheered, but she couldn't see him. She wished he was here for this; she needed someone she loved by her side for such a nerve wracking ordeal.

"Your Highness, I admit: it didn't feel real until now," she murmured out of the corner of her mouth while still smiling at the crowd.
 
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