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Healing a king and a kingdom (yajirobe and silverdreamer)

He heard her comment and was glad that she thought he had done a good job, it was a comfort to know that someone liked his work, and strengthed his resolve to get back to work on such works in the future. He smiled as he looked at her and then ate another bite of his food, the last one actually, he was hungry and he managed to finish off his meal rather quickly. He looked up as he heard her words and smiled a bit at hte declaration. "Well, I want to try, I don't care if it isn't as good as you think my cooks cook, it is something made by a friend and that counts for a lot."

He went back to work, working hard for the rest of the day, he managed to clear off a great deal of the land with the help of Eri, for Alfred, this day was a great success, he was happy with what they had done and though he knew a lot of work was left with dealing with the garden, he felt for the first time in a very long time, that things were going in a positive direction for himself and for the kingdom. He got to his feet and walked back with Eri. Alfred parted ways with her half way into the castle, heading to his bed, he was worn out from all the working that they had done and fell asleep very quickly that night.
 
She had simply nodded at his comment about her cooking for him as she finished eating. There was very little left of the meal the staff had provided and what was left was used up by later in the day as Eri ate little and often to keep herself feeling energetic. None the less his comment had made her wonder what she would when the time came cook for the king. Her mind tolied with the possiblities as hard as she worked in the garden with him.

She felt tired by the time the sun had nearly set and parted ways with him quickly. Unlike the king though she took a short cut through the main courtyard and found the little areas that mostly went unseen. Small corner that got sun but shade equally. She had already planted seeds the previously day and spent some of the evening watering and tending them

Once that task was completed she returned the basket to the kitchen and made her way to her room. This time she bathed rather than simply washed and completed her nightly ritual in giving the small plant in her room vital energy this Kingdom still lacked to truly help it grow and come to life. By ten o'clock she fell into bed and whispered the soft words she had the previous night to the already slumbering King before her own eyes closed and she fell into slumber once more.
 
The next morning was a beautiful morning, the king had gotten his food to go that morning taking a simple roll and juice with himself drinking it along the way as he headed to the same spot he happened to be the day before. He took more tools with him as he went to work a bit before the sun had even risen into the sky. He worked hard clearing the rest of the last as fast as he could, moving rocks and making piles for Eri based on how she did figuring she was saving some of the rocks and tossing the others away, he kept a lot of them as there were many rocks in the field. He ran his tools tilling the soil next as he went back and forth for a good long while.

He could feel the sweat coming down his brow as he worked, it was a warm day, warmer then normal, and his clothes did nothing to help him keep warm, he filled his empty cup a few times with water as he worked, making sure to get the job done that he had said he would. He found it noon by the time the whole garden was prepared for any type of seeds that might be used on the garden. He had just finishing putting the extra layer of top soil over the old garden soil to help make it easier for any new plants that would be added which all of them would be new. As he looked, he wondered if he should go and look for Eri, and tell her what he had done as well as ask her for some seeds to use in the garden if she had any for such a place, she would be willing to give up.
 
Eri was up just in time to see the dawn rise. This time though she did not rush to get changed or seek out the King. Instead she took her time and ate breakfast in the main kitchens. She watched the staff quietly and enjoyed the warmth of the room and warm chatter of the women that worked there. Once breakfast was finished she walked through the Kingdom. Her gaze often drifted to the hill top and she could see a single person move over the surface and while she knew who it was she remained on her business. She moved through many of the streets and visited the shops to purchase a few items.

She ate lunch in a small family run business and then returned back to the castle late in the afternoon. She returned to her room and put away most of the items she had bought before she decided it was time to venture to the garden. She picked up a snack from the kitchen as she walked through it, the staff insistent on her taking it to him.

She slowly climbed the stairs to the hill and smiled at the sight of the work he had done. "It looks like you have been very busy." She said softly as she held out the cloth wrapped food to him. "The head cook told me to bring this to you and make sure you eat it even if I have to force feed you." She said the words with a warm smile before she walked over to the clean soil and began to take several plants out of the bags she had carried in her other hand. She quickly began to dig up the soil to create holes and plant the newly bought plants. "ou have done a good job." She looked over to his attire. "Though I had hoped to make your gardening attire first. I feel sorry for who ever is going to have to wash your clothes."
 
Alfred looked up at Eri for a moment as he took the lunch and smiled, "well sometimes one has to get a bit dirty, though you were very right, these clothes were poorly thought up when it came to manual labor," he said with a nod admitting to the fact. He was very glad that Eri had decided to grace him with her presence though, it saved him the time for looking though everywhere to find her and talk to her. He looked in the basket and found some fruits and a meat pie.

"So, I needed to ask you, if you had any seeds so that I might get started planting them in the garden, I want to get this all done pretty quick, so I can focus on taking care of them, and to make sure the garden is a success before the festival, I was thinking to about other ways to bring color back into the city," he said as he looked at the young woman for a moment. "I know that you will have some ideas, so I was going to take your council on the preperations for the festival, and wondering if you would help me prepare it, you will get paid for this hard work, I will make sure you are reimbursted for all your time and amazing efforts."
 
"Well they were not exactly thought up for manual labour were they?2 She asked him with a gently echo of playfulness to her voice as she looked over her shoulder to him. 2I have many seeds and I purchased more this day. I have them all sealed and labelled for when you have decided what you wish to plant and where. I also have written instructions for them. Those which grow better with drier soils or those that need daily watering so on and so forth."

She returned her gaze to him as he mentioned her helping with the preparations for the festival. "Are you sure you would wish such? I would not wish to upset anyone by making then feel as if they are being replaced by me or that you do not trust their advice. Should you be certain though I am more than willing to help where I can.2 She gave him a curious look as he spoke of reimbursing her. "Oh and how do you plan on doing that Sire?"
 
"They truly are horrible," he said with a smile as he sat down eating his lunch as he looked over at the copper haired young woman. He smiled as he looked at her then at the ground ready for planting. He felt a sense of accomplishment when he looked at the ground, it was so far along, and he knew that he had done a great bit of the work. It was good work, he nodded his head as he looked at her, "I figured the best thing to use would be a mix of dry soil and native plants, they always do better for you the others," he said as he looked at her with a smile.

"I must admit, I have no clue, but I will find a way to reimburse your efforts," he said with a smile, "you would be replace none of them, your duties would actually take a lot of mine old roles, so if your replacing anyone it would be me to some degree, and I am not upset about being replaced by someone better then I am," he said honestly as he looked at Eri for a moment longer before standing up, "well, I am going to plant the seeds next so if you can go and get the seeds you got it would be helpful."
 
She looked to him once more as he continued to speak before she returned her attention back to the plants she was already seeding in the ground. "Well now I feel even worse if it is your place I would be taking. After all you are the King and I am sure you know far better than I what your people would accept and enjoy than I would ever know. You have forgotten but it is there in your memory. "

With her hands dusted with earth she rose to her feet as her green gaze swept over him. She could see the small, glistening beads of sweat around his temples and along his hairline. She could also see the way his shirt clung to his damp stomach and chest before she turned her gaze back to his own as he spoke once more of the seeds. "I already have them with us in the bag. I came prepared to make full use of the shed here rather than use my room as one. "

She reached down tot he bag and passed it to him before she spoke further. "Perhaps in regards to the festival we could work together and settle what would be best for your kingdom and which they would prefer should my ideas differ to those put to me. Would that be suitable?"
 
Alfred looked over and nodded hsi head as he could see the point of her comments, if she had his job, she would have a lot more challenges as people were used to him leading the way.He took the plow and ran it though the dirt as he knew it was needed to put the seeds into the earth. He felt that it was darn hot and he could feel the sweet on his face, but that was a good sign to the king that he worked hard that day. He went up and down preparing for the seeds that would be planted in the field.

"Good, well then just follow me along and please plant them, I think they should be place around a foot or so apart," he said as he looked over at Eri as she stopped, "leave half of them there I will get them after I am down powing and then I will do that half and we should hopefully be done before either of us realize that we have doen all the work," he said with a smile hsi tone upbeat and positive as it was often recently. He heard her comment about the festival and thought about it as he finished up preping the land.

"I think that will work, it will give me help, and enable me to do other things which I have been putting off to long and get to know the women who come here and I am sure it will endear the people to you as well," he said wtih a smile as he looked at her. "So, what does the Great Eri like do do when she is with her family back at home?" he asked softly as he finished plowing and went to planting.
 
She watched with a gentle smirk upon her lips as he began to speak of how she should plant the seeds in the wake of the plow that moved easily through the now soft soil. She reached into the bag and pulled out several of the sealed , little envelopes they had been placed in and carefully tore a corner in each of them. She gently shook the packages so that a few seeds would trickle out in the small gaps the plough had created.

"Well that sounds as if it should work fine to me then. You shall have time to court and escort the princess that shall be coming here and I shall have time to meet your people and understand what they need." She finished watching the seeds fall only a few minutes before he took up seeding also. "I am sure it shall make your people look forward to the future also. A possible wedding and trade with a variety of other kingdoms."

She paused at his personal question towards her, the question caught her by surprise. "Exploring, helping my fathers people, hunting, gardening, harvesting. It all depends on the time of the year and what is needed to be done. I love the heavy snows of the winter in my kingdom and the long hot summers. I love swimming and helping teach the little ones how to swim. On long, dark winter evenings I love to read and do some tapestries or dance and enjoy the warmth of a roaring fire."
 
Alfred nodded his head as he listened to her comments, "that will work just fine. I am sure that they will like meeting you and all. It should help your father indirectly as well as it could help build connections between you and these kingdoms as well," he said with a smile as he thought about it for a good moment or two before he looked at her again and then the ground and smiled as he finished up planting the last of the seeds in a spot he had missed. It felt good to get this done, now it was a matter of watering correctly and time. Those two things couldn't be avoided, but that wasn't so bad either.

"Well, now, I don't think these princesses will be so willing to come here as you think they are, but we shall see, I will make you a bet on it though," he said with a smile on his face, "if more then one princess comes here then I shall do you any favor you ask, if only one or less princess come here, then you shall do a favor for me," he said with a grin on his face as he looked at her. "So what do you say, a deal, or rather a bet," he said putting out his hand towards her and waiting on her to shake it.

"I have bad news for you though, it doesn't snow hardly ever here, the summers are very hot though and the winters just mostly wet and warm," he said as he looked at the woman, giving her a smile as he made the comments to her. He figured the climate being father to the south made the big difference between her home and his home. Though, he had only seen it a few times, he had to say snow was very pretty.
 
She nodded gently to his words as he spoke of how her fathers kingdom could also be profited while she was here and aided them. "What you say is very true indeed. Though my father's aid does not come because of the potential profit he may gain."

She looked to him puzzlingly as he spoke of a wager before she smirked faintly and brought her hand against his own to shake it firmly. "I agree to this wager of yours though you are in for a shock indeed i you believe so few shall actually come."

"I am sure I can adjust if I still here when the winter comes."
 
"I do not that it does come as a way to profit from my misfortune, I believe it comes for his daughter as well as he are extremely good people," he said with a smile as he looked at her, "That being said, I can't let someone go unrewarded for their work, as that would be unfair and I just want to get you something anyhow, as a gift, the work, maybe a bit of a excuse to justify it to myself as much as anything else," he replied with a kind tone to his voice, somwhat playful and positive as well as he looked at the woman.

"Yeah, I am sure I will win actually," he replied as he looked at her and then grinned just a bit, "but we shall see time is a measure of things that have and have not happened yet," he replied as he looked over the field and smiled warmly for a good moment. "It will take watering and it will take weeding, but I have a feelling this place will in time live again," he said looking over at her and then looking at the garden, "Now, my request for you, is can you please make me something I can garden in, that won't get messed up, it would make things so much easier for myself," he said with a smile before putting the tools away in the shed.
 
She shook her head once more as he spoke with the certainty that he was going to win the small wager between them. "Yet I am quite certain that even princesses who may not wish to come themselves shall be volunteered to do so by their fathers when the news spreads that you are looking to taking a new Queen. I would also go to say that within the next turn of the moon you shall receive at least three letters that request the travels of daughters to your kingdom."

She sounded firm in her thoughts and considerations of what was to come. "I shall take your measurements now if you wish and I shall begin making your gardening attire in the morning." She reached into a small pouch and pulled out what appeared to be a long, dark grey parchment with little markings along the sides of it. "Or would you prefer this to be done some where else?" She spoke with a little playful smile on her lips as she waited for him to reappear from the shed.
 
Alfred looked up and thought about her words, it did seem possible, but somehow and for some reason he couldn't see it happening, he couldn't figure that any one would want to push such a treaty. He shook his head as he just couldn't see some random princess trying to make a move into his lands. He walked out of the shed blushing as he had heard what she had said, he blinked as he wasn't sure how to react to it but he knew that it wasn't something to be overly embarrassed about despite his first reaction.

"Well, than here is a good as any where, it is a time when getting something done fast could be a good benifit, plus, it isn't a big deal," he said to her as he put his arms out at his sides and then took a deep breath and waited for Eira to measure him, he wasn't sure how to do this, it had been a while, but he figured that she knwe what she was doing. He wondered though if she would need to adjust for his slowly regaining strength. He smiled as he looked at her waiting for the measurement to take place and be done with.
 
She caught the look of surprise on his lips and smiled at the sight before she approached him once he had his arms up and out so she could measure him. She started at his left arm and measured from his wrist to shoulder and then the other with a gentle nod of her head. Next she measured along his shoulder from one side to the other and then along his spine. It was as she did so she felt the faint tremor of enjoyment pass through her form. A small sensation of physical attraction that made her pause a moment. "I won't take much more of your time. I am sure you shall be wanting to get to bed soon enough."

She walked around him and brought the simple measuring tape from the back to the front to measure the width of his chest. "I shall add a inch or two extra to the width so that as you grow stronger you will have room in your attire so it does not become tight. " She kept her gaze focused on the tape rather than look him in the eye this time. A soft blush touched her skin as she knelt down to the ground to measure him for trousers. With a touch as light as a feather her hands landed on his left hip and released the tape so one end fell to his foot and she quickly noted the measurements. "Is there any material that makes your particularly uncomfortable or you react to?" More now than before she felt that tremor pf physical excitement dance up along her spine even though she kept her attention on his foot.
 
Alfred stood there as calm as could be as this woman was measuring him up. He knew the copper haired woman was beautiful, he could smell her scent too now it was really sweet to his noise, he blushed as he smelt it and then listened to her words, he couldn't but help to wonder if it was possible for any woman to measure up to Eira. Alfred would have to see, she seemed set on the idea of him finding a proper princess for himself, and well he knew that she had a great point in her arguement. He looked down as he turned a brighter red, as he looked he was able to get a great sense of her breasts as he looked down.

As she measured him, she might actually of noticed a bit of a bulge in his pants, he was rather embarrassed by it and he was sure it was going to create a awkward moment. First he had dreamed about Eira now this happened. He looked away from her to keep his eyes focused on something else. He was glad no one was round to see this, they might think something odd was going down. "Well, I don't like wool, it is to hot," he said giving her the bit of info, "other then that I think nothing else is any trouble at all. I think that it should be kept light though so that it can be nice to wear on summer days too, on cold days I can just layer."
 
She smiled at his words. "Well if I planned on baking you in the mid day I would certainly use wool for the out fit but seen as I am not planning on doing so..." She glanced up to him or what had meant to be his face but it was just the wrong time as her green gaze caught sight of the fact that it was not purely her that felt a sense of attraction. She quickly lowered her gaze as she attempted to continue as if she had not noticed a thing. "I shall be making you an out fit out of light material that shall give you movement and allow air to cool you down should you get too hot."

She spoke softer than before as she devoted her attention then to finishing the measurements as quickly as possible before she said or did something she would likely regret or at least embarrass them both over. She quickly rose to her feet once she was finished and collected her bag as she looked out to the sea. "That is all done for now. I shall have the outfit ready for you in a couple of days. I hope that will be suitable. I may need to measure you again though just to be certain I have the shape and size right, especially if your body changes drastically."
 
Alfred smiled at her comment as he looked away from a moment longer as she made sure that she measured him up well, he couldn't help but feel a bit of tension in the air around himself as he stood there. He waited for her to be done with the measurements and then was glad when she got back standing. He looked at her as he nodded his head, "Well, I will make sure to tell you if I suddenly gain wait but it should be good, thank you again for all your help and making this for me," he said as he looked at her and smiled.

He walked back with Eira to the castle splitting up with her as they got to the stairs, he looked at her for a moment as she went down the stairs before heading up this his own. He had a good idea that she might end up in another dream of his that night, or not, but it would surprise him at least. He soon got ready for bed thinking about the day and about Eria mostly. Alfred wasn't sure how he could find any woman half as interesting or amazing as her but he had to wait, he had to figure out a way to prove to her perhaps she was the right one for him.
 
She nodded her head in a gentle tilt to his words. "You are welcome once more Sire, though you do not have to be thankful though it is nice to see." She spoke quietly as they walked together and parted at their ususal spot. This time before he disappeared she murmured her normal words as she sensed he would be asleep a lot sooner than she would. "Sleep well and sweet dreams Alfred." She used his name then that she so rarely did to his face.

It was then she returned to the city shops where a few shops remained open. She gathered what items she needed and returned to her room. This time she found the staff had already delivered her tea. A large tray of goods had been left on her bed which she quickly devoured bedore she worked long into the night stitching, cutting and measuring material until she felt her eye lids close. Her body still sat at her desk, her head settled on her folded arms and his material beneath her.
 
The king looked at the room as he woke up the next morning and than headed down to the library and talked to his late wife's painting talking to her about all of the things that he had done over the past few days. For some reason he felt himself grow comfortable as he looked at then painting for a moment longer. He would have a busy day this day, as he would have to hold court and give advice.

As he was in front of the people he felt more at ease and sure of himself. He gave good advice siting the law so much better than he had been for the weeks prior, the people talked amongst themselves having notices the small change in the king. Alfred was able to remember everything and he was proud of himself this day. He worked throughout the day meeting with a lot of people before heading into have a early dinner.
 
She woke up with a start late in the day. Her neck and back ached from the position she had fallen asleep in. She quickly bathed and rubbed a oil with a combination of lavender and ginger into ehr skin which created a warm sensation where it touched and eased the lingering aches that remained. The day was almost over and once she was dressed she quickly went down to the kitchen, was handed some food almost silently and returned to her room to finish the task at hand. She opened the windows and curtains to let fresh air and light into the room as much as she could as she ate and resumed her tasks.

By the time evening arrived she had nearly completed the dark green and cream out fit she was creating and decided she needed to walk around the castle. She spent some time simply stretching her legs and savouring the sound of quiet chatter from others there. Finally she decided that she would spend the rest of the evening reading and ventured to the library. She selected a book and settled in one of the chairs to devote her quiet time to becoming lost in the words within the pages.

She could hear the waves of the sea as they hit the shore and smell the salty air with the window open.
 
Alfred walked into the library as he had to check a old law that had been bugging him all day. He was sure he remembered it, but he wasn't sure. He walked Into the room and saw the tired woman who was resting in the room. He went on past her and than walked to the book and pulled it out and than sat next to her as he put down the book and than smiled as he opened up the book and looked though it and smiled as he looked over at The copper haired beauty.

"Good day, my lady," he said politely as he looked at her,"I see that you like this room a good deal too," he said with a smile as he looked at the beauty for a moment before he found the law that he was looking for. He smiled as he closed the book, and put it aside. He had remembered it right. That was the first time that had happened in a good while. He looked at her and smiled as he put highs hand on her shoulder lightly. "I have an request for you could you tomorrow come with me to help plan out the design and organization of the festival grounds. If you need a day off, I can understand though."
 
Erie lifted her head up as she heard movement out side though she did not say anything at first as the king entered the library. He had a look of determination over his face and a tiny note of uncertainty so she did not distract him by any means until he spoke. She nodded her head gently in greetings to him as she recalled the last few minutes with him the previous day and avoided meeting his gaze once he set about his task. "Good day Sire, " She whispered softly as her green eyes continued to focus on the pages before her though she was not actually reading the words. "I do when I have been busy and seek peace and rest rather than hard labour and exploration. Libraries are always quiet and from here I can hear the sea and watch the dim light of day fade should I wish to.

She watched him out of the corner of her eye as he read a book briefly and a definite look of satisfaction cross his face. "I see you have found what you appeared to have been looking for." She indicated the book with a gentle tilt of her head. As his hand settled on her shoulder for a fleeting moment she leaned into it until she realized what she was doing and righted herself but the light touch sent small flickers of happiness and something else through her. "I can help all you want though this favour shall come at a price this time. " She spoke with a gentle smile this time. " Though I shall tell you the cost later if you are still willing."
 
Alfred Looked at Erie for a moment his blue eyes focused on the woman as he thought about her words, he knew that he could trust her, but there was a bit of doubt when she said he would have to pay later. He nodded his head, "okay, I will trust you don't drive up the price on this to high and that it will be a fair deal," he said as he reached over and took her hand into his own, he looked at her and smiled, "there are some things I won't agree to, but I am sure you can understand this already," he commented as he looked at her, things like remodeling the library or getting rid of his late wife's painting were never ever going to happen and were no goes no matter what happened.

"So, tomorrow, meeting will be right around lunch, you shall meet me there and we shall listen to people talk about ideas for the fair, I will trust you to give your opinion and input," he said as he looked at her and paused for a second as he thought about something, "how have you not had your hand given to someone in the future or have you and I don't know about you, seriously whoever ends up with you as their wife will have a national treasure in their home," he mused to her as he looked at her. He would follow with her request to meet princesses or a princess but she was pretty top level amazing in his book, and honestly no one really could compare, how could they she was so well rounded.
 
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