History (3rd story in the Eastern Arc)
Title: History
Author: skybirdday
Challenge: Chocolate #6 -grace/cookies n' cream #4 - smile/ butter pecan #4 -smooth
Series: 3rd story in Eastern Arc
Days passed as the people from the Eastern and Western kingdoms slowly got know each other. One day Leto and Gwynn watched everyone at a gathering outside in the garden that the king had arranged.
Leto turned to Gwynn and said "They seem happy, do they not?"
"Who?"
"Lord Daisuke and Lady Athena. Look at them there passing the rose bushes. They are walking around smiling and holding hands."
"Ah, like besotted lovers. I have heard that they are courting." said Gwynn with a smile. "I think that Lord Daisuke makes her feel special. There are no titles or stations between them, just a man courting a woman. Lady Athena seems more relaxed and graceful. What do you think, my lady?" he said turning to her.
Leto frowned. "She could have found a local man. I am afraid that I am a traditionalist like my father and mother. We marry inside the kingdom not out. That said, I cannot tell Lady Athena who she can love. I must admit that Daisuke's love makes her seem just like another lady of the land."
"What do you think will truly happen to Daisuke and Athena? He is a lord and she is but a commoner."
Gwynn smiled. "There are tales of lords and ladies marrying commoners. Whom do you hope to marry?"
"A man that will love me as I am. I have told my father this. He laughed afterward. I took offense, but before I could object, he remarked that I am so much like my late mother. She too wished to find someone love her as she was and because of that, she met my father."
"Perhaps Athena and Daisuke can defy convention and smooth the waters toward relations between our kingdoms if anyone objects to their love."
"Maybe. Listen to me going on like a gossipy maid. But you are used to me being as such. You are a good friend, Gwynn," Leto said with a smile. "Why do we not talk to others in the garden? Come on," she said, turning and slowly walked away from him.
He watched Leto go and sighed before saying "Yes. . .I am a good friend. . ." Then he followed Leto around the garden.
Meanwhile King James stared at the people conversing in the garden as King Isamu came up to him.
"Good afternoon, you majesty," said King Isamu to the younger king
King James smiled. "Same to you, your majesty. Where is your lovely wife?"
"Talking to her brother and Lady Athena over there by the rose bushes."
"I am happy for Lady Athena. She is happier with Lord Daisuke. Hopefully they can marry in the next year or two."
King Isamu smiled. "Really? In a few years' time, you shall be looking for a bride of your own."
King James frowned. "I do not think so. I will reign for a few more years and then--"
"Ah, your father had the vision to see the future. My father told me of this. So you are seeing visions already? I am sorry."
King James shook his head. "Do not be. I will see my father again. But that is not why I want to see you. What do you know about the history of your kingdom?"
"What we are taught by the advisors, tutors, and my father and grandfather. What do you wish to know?"
"How did your kingdom began?"
"How it is now or when it first began?"
"The latter." He turned to the young king. "As this will be a long tale, why do we not sit on this stone bench here and I shall began?"
James nodded as they sat on the bench and Isamu began "As in all the kingdoms before they were such, people lived in clans and roamed the earth. Many wars were held as each clan fought for power. Marriages were made between certain clans to strengthen them every generation until there were only six unified clans. For a few centuries after, there was peace as each clan made a pact between all of them to not interfere with the other and to help out against invaders.
"However three hunded years later, the leader of the most prominent clan led an uprising against the other five and many people died. But then a young man rose up and after many battles, defeated the leader. The leader, impressed by the young man, decided to give up his position to the young man. As time went on, they fell in love with each other and married."
"What?"
Isamu smiled sheepishly. "I forgot that your society does not approve of such things. After they married, they ruled for forty years until the young man died in his sleep at the age of fifty-two. The old leader did not live but a year after his beloved. That left the other warriors to fight amongst themselves causing sixty years of war before the son of one of the warriors came forth to claim leadership. He had a smart mind, charming, and a good mediator. His name was Jin Yui, the noble ancestor of my family line."
James nodded. "It was Jin Yui, who unified the whole Eastern Kingdom. Or rather it was him, his wife, and his six sons."
Isamu smiled. "Ah, you know the tale then."
"Yes, one clan tried to kill Jin, but his wife was crafty and disguised herself as an armored warrior and killed the three assassins. Then he and his sons went into battle and won control."
"I am impressed. How did you learn of it?"
"Through my father. He had met an uncle of yours - Lord Wu."
"Ah, Great uncle Wu. The One left him here for eighty years. The oldest of his family line to do so. Many men in his family had died before they were forty. He was the one to keep the family history alive in writing and told to each generation since he was born. Now it is my turn to tell the family histories since Uncle Wu died a year ago. I will teach them to my childred, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren if I live that long."
"What do you think the future shall hold?" said King James.
"I hope a long and peaceful life. Come, let's walk and talk and I shall tell you some more stories.
King James nodded as they rose from the bench and walked down the garden path.
END
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