Hopes (My King Universe, Chapter 2
Author: Skybirdday
Challenge: Fudge Ripple #2 (enthusiasm), Margarita #1 (wield), and Pistachio #1 (meeting)
Rating: PG
A few days after the coronation of the young king James the Ninth, two of the three royal guards met in the kitchen of the palace.
"Gwynn, put that down!" said a redheaded woman as she turned to her companion.
Gwynn sighed as he rubbed something on his shirt. "My lady Leto, cannot a man have a simple apple as a repast?"
"By the One, you have been hungry since you were a wee babe!" Leto rolled her eyes. "Honestly, my mother was told by your mother that she had to hire a wet nurse to keep with your appetite and she was still nursing you alongside the wet nurse!"
Gwynn sighed, taking a bite of apple. "I am still growing," he said.
"Growing, my eye! You are five and twenty summers! You stopped growing since you were eighteen!"
"Ah, but we still need good norishment to stay our best, do we not? So I am merely keeping myself in fighting shape," he said taking another bite.
"Am I interrupting something?" said a voice.
Leto and Gwynn turned towards the voice. "Ah, forgive us, Lady Athena. Would you like an apple?" said Gwynn, offering her another apple.
Athena shook her head. "No, thank you. I was trying to find you two for our meeting. One of the maids said that she saw the two of you disappear into the kitchen."
Then a short blonde haired woman dressed in a white uniform came in, bowing before them and said "Oh, milady, you found them!"
Athena smiled at the blonde. "Yes, Violet. I did."
"So you are the lovely Violet sent to hunt us," said Gwynn with a soft smile as he took her right hand in his. "Such beauty in this kingdom. If I had known that such beautiful women existed in other places than Aion, I would have traveled sooner," he said as he leaned down to kiss the back of her hand.
Violet giggled before Gwynn raised his head to give her a warm smile before letting go of her hand. Then Violet curtisied before them with a smile. "I must get back to my work. Pleasure to meet all of you, miladies, sir," she said as she left the kitchen in a fluff of white.
Leto narrowed her eyes at Gwynn. "What are you staring it?"
Gwynn grinned. "Such a buxom lass that. Just the right amount of curves--ow!" He turned to stare at Leto. "Why did you just hit me in the shoulder?"
"Don't talk about women like that!" she fumed.
Athena stared at the two of them. "Does she do this often?"
"Sometimes," said Gwynn with a faint smile. "Leto has done that since we were children. She has tried to make me a proper gentleman." He sighed. "The Great One made all women in different sizes and shapes. Can I help it if I like them all?"
"You could," said Leto with a frown. "But that can wait. I wish to find out something first." Then Leto turned to Athena and said "Lady Athena, you have lived in this kingdom all your life. Where did your family work? Or are they minor lords and ladies? Or did they fall out of favor?"
Gwynn frowned. "Leto, do not question her so much. You always do that."
"But I wish to know about Athena. You know the maid Violet. Did your family work for King Jason?"
Athena shook her head, saying nothing.
"Then your family worked for the old king -King Stephen!" said Leto smiling.
"Leto!" said Gwynn with a frown.
"Am I interrupting?" said a voice.
The three turned to see someone standing in the doorway.
Athena spoke first. "No, Lord Brody, you are not," she said.
"Good," the Lord said with a nod. "I was sent by the king to bring Lady Athena with me. He seeks an audience only with her."
Athena nodded and turned to Gwynn and Leto. "Perhaps we could continue our meeting another time."
The other two nodded. "Another time then," said Leto as Athena and Lord Brody nodded and left the kitchen in silence.
Gwynn turned to Leto. "Did you have to ask all those questions?"
"I was merely curious. At least I did find out that her family served the old king. But were they minor lords or servants?"
Gwynn sighed. "Perhaps you can ask her in the next meeting. What do you wish to do now?"
Leto smiled. "Some sparring. . .can you beat me this time?"
"I did once," said Gwynn with a smile as he began to walked out of the kitchen.
"I was sick! I let you win!" said Leto, following him out.
Gwynn just laughed as they went from the kitchen and down the hall to head to the outside.
******
"Where are you taking me? The throne room?" asked Athena as they walked down the main hallway.
Lord Brody shook his head. "The king awaits you the rose garden."
"Ah, Queen Tessa's rose garden."
"So you remember the way," he said as they headed out of the castle through the front door. "We are heading towards the woods and from there turn left and we shall arrive at the garden."
Athena nodded. "Yes, but what does the king wish of me?"
"Whatever he asks. Surely you remember the will of kings."
"I do. However in the past, certain kings have ben disobeyed because they have threatened the people so the people have turned on the kings and some kings are beloved in the eyes of the people. How do they see this new king?"
Lord Brody sighed. "They see him as too young and untrained. . .or not trained enough to be king. Surely you heard the others whispering at the corination."
"Yes, but why just me? Why not Leto or Gwynn?"
"Because you were the first to pledge yourself to him," he said as they made their way down the dirt path through the many trees until they came to an opening covering with greenery. Lord Brody turned to Athena. "Young James is sitting on a bench in the center. You enter through the ivy opening."
Athena nodded. "Are you coming with me?"
Lord Brody shook his head. "Nay, child. What you and the king talk about is between the two of you. I shall be waiting for you here," he said as he bowed to her as she walked forward into the clearing. In its center sat the king, dressing in a dark blue uniform. As she came nearer, he looked up and stared at her as bowed down on one knee and said "Your majesty."
"Rise, Lady Athena," said King James.
Athena did as she was obeyed. "Sit with me," he said. Athena came over and sat beside him on the beach as they sat silent for several minutes.
"You are probably wondering why I sent for you. Did Lord Brody tell you why?"
"He told me that it was because I was the first to pledge myself in service to you."
The king nodded. "That was one reason, milady. How old are you?"
"24 winters, your majesty."
"Are you wise?"
Athena let out a laugh. "I do not believe so. Why do you ask?"
"I want to be a good king like my father wanted me to be. I want you to help me be that king."
"Why me and not Lord Brody?"
"You have been of this kingdom since birth and have seen things happen. You have seen what works and what does not."
"You honor me, your majesty. However I doubt that I can help you."
The king looked her in the eye. "What did your parents do?"
"They served the former king. . .King Stephen, the king before your father. They were not needed for King Jason. He kept some of the younger servants as King Stephen had wished. He tried to see everyone being taken care of before he passed. He died when I was fourteen. In fact, after he gave the kingdom over to your father, he became my first swordsmaster. Everything that I learned, I learned from him and then my father. I ask what do you want?"
"I wish to keep the kingdom united together as my father did and King Stephen before him."
Athena nodded. "It is a decent goal. However I do not know if you can keep the peace forever. We are one of four kingdoms. We are the eastern kingdom and some in the northern, southern, and western kingdoms would love to conquer our lands. Over the centuries, kings have tried to conquer each other's lands or make treaties to secure allies. As a child I would overhear the tutoring of the royal grandchildren. My advice is do as your father taught you and you will be fine. Is that all, your majesty?"
The king nodded and smiled. "For now, milady. You are free to go."
Athena rose up from the bench and bowed to him. "Thank you, your majesty. You have a good day. You are on your way to being a good and wise king even though you are ten years old. Goodbye," she said as quietly left the garden.
Then a minute later, a voice said "Is there anything else I can do, your majesty?"
"Lord Brody, may I talk with Father Ian? I seek to know more about Lady Athena. Will he tell me more?"
Lord Brodu nodded. "Father Ian knows about the families of the kingdom. He can tell you what you must know."
"Thank you, my lord. Could you fetch him for me tomorrow?"
"Yes, milord."
The king smiled. "Thank you. You can go and I shall see you tomorrow."
"What will you do for the rest of the afternoon, your majesty?"said Lord Brody.
"I will sit here for awhile and admire the garden."
"Your majesty," said Lord Brody with a deep bow and turned to leave the king alone in the garden.