All Aria could think of was that her father didn’t deserve to be treated with such dismissal. She stayed behind when all the other Fairies left, and watched others begin to congregate in the safety of nightfall. Apart from Faes, it was Humans mostly, and some Orcs and Dwarves, even a Nymph or two.
She didn’t know he had so many friends. They all bowed at his grave with respect, and it was the only time Aria had ever seen different beings come together in absolute harmony.
***
Her ears picked up on some commotion outside her window and it drew her out of her slumber. Getting upgroggily for a peek, she saw the guards and knights all stepping away from their posts to head to another section of the castle. A knock at the door caught her attention, and she opened the door to a fully armored Travus who held mischief in his eyes.
She closed the door in his face immediately. Just by being in his presence, the mark under her armburned. “What do you want?”
Travus laughed. “Still upset, I see? You could surrender yourself to me early if it’s that unbearable to wait the full 30 days, you know?”
“Why would I choose to hand over my nation to you just to be bedded, your majesty?” she shot back incredulously and crossed her arms to glare at the door. “I doubt your skills are worth such a sacrifice.”
“I think I can convince you otherwise,” Travus smiled to himself.
She could feel a smile coming on herself, as she began to decode his intent.
“Does his majesty miss my company?
“Really, Princess Meirna?” he grunted, and she almost snorted at his poor comeback.
The door swung open and slammed against the wall, revealing a somewhat irritated Travus. “Why are youlaughing at me now? Did you lie with my guards or my knights?”
“Of course, you’d assume that,” she huffed. “No, your majesty. I have no interest in doing so. And for a moment, I almost thought that I might be starting to get along with you.” She quickly changed the subject wishing she hadn’t said that out loud.
“Speaking of guards and knights, why are they all leaving their posts?”
Travus looked like he suddenly remembered why he was really there. “Oh, they simply found a trespasser to play around with,” he said with mock dismissiveness. “It’s nothing of interest.”
Meirna narrowed her eyes. “You’re hiding something from me.”
“Me? Never.”
“Travus!”
Something about his smile took her by surprise. There was a flash of genuineness to it that was replaced with a smirk. She was curious and worried, wondering what the Elf King had up his sleeve.
“You could follow me if you’re curious,” he offered with an air of generosity. “I must warn you though, it’s not something the faint-hearted should witness.”
That flared her irritation and she shoved Travus out of her way to follow the noise. It led her into an area that overlooked the castle courtyard below. There was cackling and shouting, all of which sounded very degrading. From the words she could hear, it was all intended to be demeaning rather than playful, and it made her heart hurt. For such a thriving nation to have hearts that were so cruel, it was such a waste.
She could only hope people weren’t like that in Eldoria’s towns down in the valley.
The courtyard was crawling with soldiers of all ranks, all of them looking on curiously, as a small group bullied a lone person. In the firelight of the torches, she watched the armored figures pushing around someone covered by a cape of a rich red color. It wasn’t until one of them pulled down the trespasser’s hood did Aria truly feel sick with worry.
It was Arthur.
“What is he doing there?” she demanded as she tried to keep her panic under control. Looking over her shoulder at Travus, she spoke once more with more assertiveness. “Explain the meaning of this!”
“You can ask him yourself,” he said and called for his soldiers’ attention. His voice boomed through the courtyard, and everyone stopped and stood up straight to acknowledge their king.
Silence ensued as Arthur looked up at her. His face was bloodied and bruised, and he looked cold. He dropped down on his knee, visibly weak.
“Sir Guisgard,” she demanded, “what are you doing here?”
“I’ve heard no news from you since I’d brought you here,” he said.
It was a good lie, but it didn’t explain what he was doing at the castle as it hadn’t been many days at all. “I simply wanted to ask for an audience with you.”
