An anxious father paces a dark corridor helplessly listening to the deafening screams coming from the other side of a solid door. He has been keeping this vigil for the past hour. Impatiently waiting for the news that his son and heir has been born healthy. The door opens suddenly filling the dark hallway with an ominous glow, heat seeping into every cold nook and cranny. Aging midwives scurry back and forth carrying bloodied towels whilst replacing them with fresh ones. The anxious father peers into the secluded room and watches his noble wife's face- ordinarily composed and placid- wretched and contorted in pain. The door shuts swiftly.
A happy mother looks down into a wooden crib surveying her strong son. Blissfully she lifts him from his cradle and holds him affectionately to her ear. Singing in a soothing tone she lulls him into an easy sleep. No sooner than she picks him up is he hastily removed from her hands by her husband and passed to a nursemaid. Her husband and King is overjoyed with his first born son and spares no expense to give him everything he needs and requires. Even to the exclusion of her, his own mother. She knows it's nothing more than stud's pride that makes him act in this way, rather than a genuine desire to insult her. Nonetheless she is wounded by his actions.
A troubled King watches his Queen at their evening meal. She sits there solemnly barely touching her food or engaging in conversation. He knows in his deepest heart why she suffers. Though he has tried to bridge the void between them he has found her impenetrable. Even now after the birth of their son he rejoices in his own pleasure but feebly allows her to wither away. The King resolves to act quickly and remedy it. The home that had once been his and brought him many happy memories he gifts to her for the summer or longer if she desires.
A broken-hearted Queen stands inside her new home. Warmly greeting the staff who are proud and honoured to accommodate her. With her goes the infant Prince happily cradled in the arms of his nursemaid. Gurgling and babbling innocently to himself. Miserably the Queen cries herself to sleep on the first night. Distressed that the King has treated her thus and believing he is whoring himself once more with the woman from their past. She wakes early the next morning bearing the scars of the night's turmoil. So she exists for many weeks.
A fervent husband rides through the night across the plains of his homeland. He arrives at the gates of the city in the small hours unexpectedly then dismounts and races through the household to see her. The impulsive King sees his wife sat by her morning fire not yet dressed. She stands abruptly startled at his sudden arrival. The nervous man looks at her, pleasure and pain are both painted clearly on his face. He crosses the gap between them and resolutely kisses her. She responds to his affection for the first time, in such a long time. Tears cascading down her cheeks as she fully understands and forgives him.
Authors Note: I got the inspiration for this chapter after listening to "What about now" by Daughtry. I couldn't stand by and leave these two mad at one another forever. Please R+R. Thanks Mrs-E x