Allegiance (25k)

Yes, I have only now reached 25k. And I think my writing has been suffering lately. A lot of random things have been popping in, and I’m rather unsure about how I feel about all these new additions. Likely they will be moved around, changed, or completely removed.

Oh well. I need the words.

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Amaria wolfed down her entire lunch in a rather inelegant manner, much to Kel’s disapproval. “What have you been doing?”

“Never mind what I’ve been doing,” said Amaria, talking very rapidly between mouthfuls, “I have some very interesting things to tell you.” After she had finished eating, she faithfully repeated all that had passed between her and the King, as well as at the ceremony, mentioning nothing at all of her little mistake with Alexander.

But Kel seemed most interested in the diamond necklace, and Amaria dutifully showed it to her. “I remember that she’d wear this necklace almost every day…put it on for me, Amaria. Please.” Carefully Amaria fastened the chain and let the diamond hang at her throat. It was a bit lighter than she’d expected, but cold against her skin. Kel shook her head a little sadly. “There is something about you, Amaria, if you don’t mind me saying, that reminds me so much of Melisande. Especially when you wear that.”

“What is it?” Normally, Amaria might have been annoyed by any references of her mother, but now she was a little more curious, especially after the discussion of the women at her birthday party.

Kel shrugged. “I can’t say, exactly. It’s just a feeling.”

“Kel, what really happened with my mother and father? Everyone talks about her, and says that she’d-she’d put a spell on him, which is complete nonsense, of course.”

“I don’t know. No one does, really,” she said evasively.

“You were there, weren’t you?”

“Yes, but…”

“Then tell me.” Amaria leaned back on her chair and closed her eyes. “Please, Kel?”

Kel sighed and sat thoughtfully for a few moments, as if she was collecting all her thoughts together. “If you really want to know…I warn you, it is a very sad story. At least, I consider it to be.”

“Please tell me. I’m tired of the bits and pieces and biased snatches that everyone gossips about. I can trust you to tell the truth, as much as you know of it, anyway.”

Kel flushed slightly pink with the praise. “Well, I was working at the Palace even before your mother came. I was only a maid though, and I lived here, with all the others. Of course, I didn’t see much of the Prince, but he was reputed to be quite the horsemaster. Your uncle idolized him, or so they said. They did everything together. And then came Melisande. How they met, no one knows. Percival went out for a horseback ride, and came back five days later with a beautiful woman in tow. Needless to say, everyone was surprised and a little suspicious.”

“So they just met, and he brought her back? Just like that?”

“Yes.”

Amaria wrinkled her nose expressively. “I’d never be able to do something like that. Meet a person and then marry them.”

“They were in love.” Amaria raised her eyebrows skeptically. “If you’d seen for yourself, you would know. But anyway, he came back with Melisande, and he was devoted to her. The Court, however, was not so happy. They knew nothing of this strange woman, her background, or anything about her. And she said some things…that were not perhaps altogether prudent. Rumors began to spread.”

“Saying that she was a witch?”

“Something of the sort. There was something strange about her, I’ll admit, but nothing harmful or dangerous. She was a sweet woman, and always very kind to me.”

“Did you know her very well?”

“I guess you could say so. She took a liking to me, and asked me to be her handmaiden. Of course, I accepted. She was more like a good friend than a mistress. When I met my husband and agreed to marry him, she allowed me to live with him, in the City, and come here during the days.”

“Really? She did that? I never knew.”

“And then, when she learned that she was pregnant, she asked me to be the caretaker of her child.” Kel smiled at Amaria.

“Why didn’t you tell me this before?”

“You didn’t like it when I talked about Melisande, so I stopped.”

“I suppose I shouldn’t listen to everything I hear in the Court after all,” said Amaria. “But then what happened when she left?”

“Well, the pregnancy went forward with few problems. The two of them seemed very happy, and very much in love. But then, just after you’d been born, and placed in her arms, she seemed very distracted. The midwife and I thought it was only because of the stress she’d been through. We never suspected…”

“Suspected what? That she’d left?”

“She ordered everyone out of her room, and ordered Percival to be brought to her. Of course, he came running to see his daughter. Who knows what they talked about. After your father left, Melisande wanted to be alone, with you. No one could refuse her, of course. I suppose…I suppose that she was saying goodbye to you then.”

Amaria looked at her hands. “As if I’d ever be able to remember.”

Kel sighed. “She loved you, Amaria. I know she did.”

“All right, let’s say that’s true. But if she loved me, and she loved my father, why would she leave? It makes no sense whatsoever!”

“No one knows,” said Kel again. “That’s a part of what makes it so much more…tragic. She’d left a note for Percival, and you in the cradle. And that necklace too, I suppose.” Amaria fingered the diamond pensively, almost compulsively, while Kel spoke. “No one knows how she managed to leave without anyone noticing.”

“When did my father find out?”

“The next morning. He was heartbroken. He didn’t even last a week.”

“A week? He was so in love with her, that he couldn’t even live a week without her?”

“Yes. That, in part, made the theory that Melisande was a witch who’d magically seduced the Prince seem that much more likely. To the gossipmongers, at least.” Kel sniffed disdainfully at the very mention. “The King, meanwhile, your grandfather, had been sick for the past few months. Percival’s death, many say, brought on his end, and Padein became the ruler after. He’d never liked Melisande. It’s unlikely that he was one of those who genuinely thought she was inhuman, but nonetheless he saw her as a snake. After Percival married her, he spent nearly all his hours with her, and some say that he could not bear to be without her for long, that it was part of the spell.”

“That’s completely ridiculous!”

“It’s what they say,” said Kel, shrugging. “It’s ridiculous, but it won’t stop them from wagging their tongues.”

“The letter she left was burned, whether by Percival himself or by his brother, and Melisande’s rooms were cleared out. Everything in them was-”

“Burned, given away, sold,” interrupted Amaria. “Yes, Uncle Padein told me.”

“I managed to salvage a few things, though nothing as valuable as the necklace.” Kel scrutinized Amaria closely. “Just a few dresses. You might fit into them now.”

“Does Uncle Padein know?”

Kel smiled a little too innocently. “No.”

Amaria grinned. “How did you manage that?”

“It’s not important, anyway. But that’s what happened, all that I know of it.”

“Kel?” Amaria continued to fiddle with the necklace.

“Yes?”

“Do you think I look like a Coronen?”

“What kind of a question is that?”

Amaria shrugged. “Just a question.”

“It doesn’t matter if you look like one. You are a Royal, and that’s what matters, isn’t that right? And after all, no one can deny that you have the green eyes of the blood.”

“You’re right, of course.” Kel gave Amaria a quick squeeze.

“Don’t worry about it. Those noblewomen don’t know what they’re saying, about either you or your mother.”

“What do they have to do with it?”

“You didn’t think that I’d notice when people talk about my princess behind her back? A servant can hear many things unnoticed. But I didn’t think you’d be so troubled by it.”

“I know, I shouldn’t care. It’s just when they talk about it over and over again…you start to wonder.”

“Well, there’s nothing you can do about them talking except for ignore it.”

“Yes. And I do ignore it, mostly.”

“Here,” said Kel. “That dress looks as if it’s strangling you. Why don’t you change into something else, and we’ll talk more?”

“All right.” Amaria smiled gratefully. “Thank you, Kel. I really don’t know what I would do without you.”

• * *

The day of Faolan’s arrival dawned full of excitement and expectation. After so many years of living in Orost, who knew how the Prince had turned out? Amaria was interested too, curious about this cousin that she remembered so little of.

He came early in the evening, up the Eirian River from the coast, and was brought immediately to his father. What kind of awkward discussion the two of them was something Amaria didn’t care to know, although she supposed it was not as bad as her own talk with the King.

“Aren’t you going to wear something nice in honor of the Prince?”

“He’s only my cousin,” said Amaria. “I’m sure he wouldn’t care if I came dressed in a sack.”

Kel frowned disapprovingly. “Just because he’s the Crown Prince, I don’t want him looking down his nose on you.”

Amaria laughed in disbelief as she took the dress offered by Kel and went into the bathroom. “Why, you’re afraid he’ll be a snob? I can quite handle him myself, if it comes to that.”

“I want you to do your parents proud.”

“I don’t see what my parents have to do with it,” called Amaria from the other room. “He won’t dare say anything, I’m sure.”

“Well, I don’t want him to have any excuse.”

“Very well, if you insist on being so strange.” Some time later, Amaria came out of the bathroom dressed properly. “Can you fasten my back, please?”

“There, that looks much better,” said Kel. “Just tie back your hair, and you’ll look good enough.”

“All right, I don’t know how long I’ll be, so don’t bother waiting for me.”

“Have a nice time,” said Kel, looking at Amaria a bit worriedly as the princess left.

There would be only a few of Padein’s closest advisors attending, other than Amaria, the King, and Faolan himself. She was glad, as it would give her a better chance to observe her cousin up close. By the time she arrived, Padein, his son, and the others were already seated at the high table. Their silence made her coming seem particularly rude, and she sensed that there was yet some tension between father and son. “Oh, I’m sorry if I kept you,” Amaria said.

“No, princess,” said one of the advisors, whose name escaped her. “We were still waiting for the first course.” She slipped into her accustomed place at the King’s left; Faolan was directly across from her, which allowed her to observe him freely.

He only looked slightly like Padein. He was taller, and everything about him was more youthful, and more confident. The King’s auburn hair was fading into gray, and his green eyes were pale, with the color almost washed out; his son’s head shone like a new penny, and his eyes were bright and purposeful. He looked about three or four years older than Amaria herself.

“Ah, cousin,” he said, as he embraced her in the customary manner. “We haven’t ever had the pleasure of meeting, I think.”

“If we have, I’m afraid I don’t remember it at all.” The first course came, and Amaria delicately picked at her own share.

“Hopefully, we’ll be able to make up for some lost time. I hope to be staying for quite some time.”

“I’m very glad. Are you finding Laris to your liking? Is it very different from Orost?”

“Very different,” said Faolan, smiling at her eagerness. “I can’t get used to not seeing the sea. I’ve been there so long, it seems a part of me now.”

“I’ve always wanted to see the ocean, and Orost too,” said Amaria.

“It’s a lovely place, cousin. Perhaps one day you’ll be able to visit.”

“I’d like that very much indeed.”

Throughout the dinner, they made lively conversation, which made up for the lack of input from either Padein or his advisors, who seemed content to merely sit back and watch the two of them. At last, the dinner came to an end, and the cousins took a very cordial leave of each other.

“I’ll see you at the feast tomorrow, then?”

“Yes.” Faolan smiled, and suddenly it seemed that he and Padein weren’t even related. “Until then.”

• * *

“He’s very nice,” said Amaria, as she readied herself for the feast. “I don’t think there will be any problems with him at all. He’s not remotely like Uncle Padein.”

“I’m glad you found your cousin to your liking,” said Kel, tying the deep blue sash around Amaria’s slim waist into a bow. “I’m interested to see him. They say he resembles your father more than the King, at least, that’s what I’ve heard.”

“Really?” Amaria turned thoughtful.

“Well, I’ll have to see him myself.”

“I’ll introduce you two sometime. He’s going to be here quite a while, anyway. We have lots of time.”

“Yes, we do. There, you look very nice.”

“Thank you. But I’m sure it was mostly your doing. Is it time for me to go yet?”

“Go ahead.” Kel kissed Amaria on the top of the head.

The feast was nothing out of the ordinary. The nobles for the most part were well pleased with Faolan’s good manners and ready conversation, and the prince spent most of his time circulating between people. “Won’t you come with me?” he asked Amaria. “I don’t know anyone here.”

Amaria laughed. “Faolan, I’ve been here years, and I couldn’t tell you the names of half of these people even with death on my head.”

“Come anyways,” he said. “I need some good conversation, and you’re not doing anything better.”

“Fine, I’m coming.” They made a friendly, open pair, and Amaria found the party surprisingly enjoyable when she had someone else to talk to. The banquet lasted a bit longer than usual, but Faolan retired earlier than most.

“I’m still a bit tired after my trip,” he said. “Goodnight.”

Amaria wished she too could rest, but she was forced to stay down until every guest had left, and she had bidden them farewell. It was long past twelve when she wearily collapsed into her own bed, only to be woken by snatches of loud, drunken singing from the Grounds.

Try as she might, she could not block the noise, and she felt like screaming with frustration. At last, she put on a dressing gown and felt her way down a side staircase and into the Grounds. It was a bit cold outside, and she regretted not bothering to wear something warmer. She followed the singing easily, only to find a group of young men who’d obviously had too much wine. Granted, most of them were snoring loudly, lying among several empty bottles, but not loudly enough to drown out the two still singing some bawdy song.

One of them staggered and fell on top of the others, leaving the other to carry on by himself. Suddenly, she caught sight of his face, and could just make out who he was. “Faolan?”

“Cousin Amaria,” he slurred. “You’ve got really nice legs, did you know?”

She groaned. “Oh, I might have expected something like this to happen!” She considered just leaving him there, but then remembered that Faolan had been nice to her. This was the least she could do in return.

So she ended up pulling him along, the best she could pull along a man who was much taller and heavier than her, through the Grounds. She didn’t know what to do with him, knowing that she would never be able to get up the stairs dragging him with her to his own rooms. Besides, that would take them through hallways where people were sleeping, and she wasn’t sure that she could make Faolan keep quiet.

She pounced on the first viable idea that came into her head, and slightly gasping for breath, she steered towards the Library side door. As she had feared, it was locked. She banged on the door as loudly as she dared, until at last, Trevellin came, grumbling all the while.

“What’s going on?” He caught sight of Faolan. “And who’s he?”

“He’s my cousin,” said Amaria with difficulty, “And he’s drunk.”

“Obviously. I have a sense of smell, don’t I?”

Amaria rolled her eyes and blew away the hair covering her face. “I need you to keep him here.”

“And what makes you think that I’m going to agree to that? My books are much too valuable and delicate to be vomited on by some drunkard.”

“Keep him away from the books then. You’ll find someplace.”

“And why can’t you take him? He’s your precious cousin after all.”

“You try getting him up the stairs and then we’ll talk,” snapped Amaria. “If he’s seen like this…I’m afraid Uncle Padein might disown him. They seem tense enough as it is.”

“Very sweet of you to be thinking for your cousin’s benefit. And you’re too lazy to be Queen, I suppose, and instead have decided to depend on a weak-willed drunk to rule the kingdom instead?”

Amaria scowled as she stumbled underneath Faolan’s weight. “You know nothing of the Prince.” Faolan began to concur, but she elbowed him rather roughly in the ribs, and he fell silent. Trevellin observed all this with visible amusement. “Please, Trevellin, I’m nearly dead on my feet, can’t you just stash him somewhere until, well, this all wears off?”

“Stash him somewhere, yes, that’s a brilliant idea. Why don’t you just go and stuff him in a broom closet someplace?”

“If it happens again, trust me, I will.” Her eyes glinted dangerously in her gray, tired face. “But just for tonight, give him a chance, please.”

“Oh, fine,” said Trevellin at last. “But you owe a debt to me now. A big, big debt.”

“Yes, yes, I know,” she said as she steered her cousin inside. “And I’ll do whatever you ask, I promise! Where should I put him?”

Trevellin grudgingly led them to a small, rectangular room, bare except for a few haphazard stacks of books, which he quickly picked up, and a feather duster that looked as if it was rarely used. “It’s nearly as good as a broom closet,” he said. “You can dump him here.” Amaria obliged with relief, disregarding the thump as Faolan hit the floor and the following complaints of pain.

“Thank you so, so much.” It looked for a moment as if she was about to fall over, but she steadied herself. “I’ll-I’ll come back in the morning and take him off your hands. You won’t ever have to see him again like this, I hope. I hope I never have to see him again like this.” Trevellin merely muttered something unintelligible under his breath, and Amaria gave him a wan, but grateful smile, and then left, yawning as she did so.

Trevellin sighed as he looked at the snoring young man lying on the floor of his spare closet. “This is the last time,” he muttered as he stepped over the body and went up to his own bed.

• * *

Faolan awoke in the dark, and the first thing he knew was the awful headache that felt as if he’d head-butted a brick wall earlier. He cautiously put his hands before him, and felt his way to the door, stumbling over nothing and . It was unlocked, which eased most of his anxieties that he’d been captured or something of the sort.

Then, with some difficulty, he remembered that he and some of the other men he’d met had taken some bottles of wine to the Grounds, and he’d had probably much more than he should have. They had probably tossed him in here for a joke while he was drunk, to laugh with him about later.

He opened the door a crack, but when the light blinded him and made his head feel even worse, he shut it. There was nothing so bad about the dark, after all. He sat there, for a while, feeling as if his entire body was a sack weighed down with boulders. Suddenly, the door opened again, making Faolan groan and shield his eyes.

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Ended in an awkward place, I know. This whole part will probably end up being deleted. But I’m not even close to done with my plot, so you will be seeing more of this story (unfortunately for you). I’ll probably continue posting under NaNoWriMo though, because it’s the same plot.

But anyway, since this is the end of November, I’d just like to thank everyone for your input. It’s been very helpful and exactly what I needed. Thanks!