Chương 11: Two Kings and Their Promise
King Arthur watched Snow step past the guards and tug Ali along up to his tower. Briefly, his eyes met with the armored men, shooting a threatening stare that said it all. They were not to follow them for any reason. 'He's a fine prince, but he still has a way to go to be a great king,' he thought as he turned back towards the banquet hall.
The party was simmering down to only a few remaining guests, each saying their farewells before retiring back to their homes or their castle chambers for the evening. One did not need to hear the clocktower strike to know that it was well late into the evening. By now the forest bats were well on the prowl beyond the castle walls. Wolves howled at the moon peeking from behind a thin veil of milky white clouds. Crickets chirped and frogs croaked about.
'How funny is it that everyone sleeps at these hours? Yet now it feels that the world outside is most awake,' King Arthur said to himself through his drunken haze.
He rubbed his face, stretching his cheeks as he found his way back to Queen Ophelia's side at a cushioned lounge area. A tired, almost frustrated groan erupted from Arthur's throat as he straightened himself up. "What a night," he spat out, resuming his thunderous, overjoyed attitude towards his wife. He gleaned at her. "My love, how wonderful you danced this evening. It makes me feel ten years younger every time I pair with you on the floor."
"Please, Arthur," she said gently right as she spat out a cherry pit from her lips. "You're too kind...and too drunk." Her final words scraped the air like rust even though her lips were held in an up-tight smile. When there was not much of a response, Ophelia leaned back and yawned, covering her mouth as she did so. "I don't suppose tomorrow there are any plans beyond rehearsal now, are there? A day to relax between all the festivity would be most rewarding to everyone."
"That you are correct. I've already informed the guards and our guests of the Archbishop's instructions regarding tomorrow. So long as nothing unexpected occurs then we'll be finished before tea time, maybe even with a free hour for an afternoon hunt!"
"Both would be most welcome," she responded, keeping her eyes on the last of the guests taking their leave. Her eyes fell on Sultan Huran, making his way over towards them with a chalice in his hand.
Ophelia continued speaking. "I suppose I shall retire the nursery-maid of her post for the evening. A kiss for our child and then it's off to bed. Won't you come along, now?"
"Good friends! Most generous hosts you have been as always!" Huran cheered as he took his place beside King Arthur.
"Our castle is always open to you and your court, Huran," Arthur said warmly. There was a pause, a shared look between the two kings before Arthur addressed his wife. "I shall follow you momentarily. Just spare old friends a few minutes to reminisce together."
She rolled her eyes as she smiled. "Very well then. Best not to remain awake too late, though. It's well past the magic hour. A new day will arrive soon." Ophelia stood and retired from the hall, leaving Huran and Arthur alone. It felt as though the last echo of joy went with her as the two sat for a moment, each taking a deep breath to relax.
"How long has it been?" Arthur began. "Twenty years? Twenty-five? Very soon it will all be in motion. Hard to believe, isn't it?"
"Indeed it is," he answered calmly, taking a final sip from his cup. "It didn't exactly go according to plan, but our nations will be together in the end, won't it?"
Arthur laughed. "Well, we had always hoped our children would marry each other. Fate just had a little plot twist in mind for us. A little joke, wouldn't you agree?"
Huran laughed, shaking his head. "The world has a strange way of still giving us all that we want in the end."
"It would seem so." Arthur's voice trailed off. There was a pause as his face slumped, his elbow resting and him near falling over onto the table beside them. "Do you think this is truly best?"
"What exactly do you mean?"
"Snow and Ali...and our nations. Will the public look up to them both proudly as their leaders? It's quite a burden for both of them to bear, don't you think?"
"What else is there? I don't suppose we just allow them to elope together and try again with Paribanu and your next child- erh, what is his name again? Or have me try to produce another daughter for him? Is that what you're suggesting?"
"It is possible, is it not? We do each have another potential successor. Our only real concern from this arrangement was trade and prosperity. We're not in immediate danger or at war with each other. I know what good this will do and how many opportunities it will bring our people but I also want our children to be happy. Laws can be rewritten in just a few years, but hearts and minds can take decades and still never be fully swayed!"
"Do not tell me you are getting cold feet mere days before this, Arthur! We're in too deep! Our kingdoms cannot survive without each other. You know that!"
There was a thunderous bang as Arthur slammed his fist on the table, sending old fruit tumbling to the floor. "Absolutely not! Do not mistake my concern for regret!" With a huff and a groan, he uncurled his fist and slumped in his chair as he massaged his forehead. After a moment, he regained himself. Arthur shook his head in thought before looking Huran in his eyes. "My friend...have I told you the age-old tale of why this kingdom was founded here? In a valley surrounded by mountains on all sides?"
Huran raised a brow and rolled his eyes for a moment as he refilled his glass and then Arthur's own. "Far too many times, but I'll humor you."
They drank.
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