Katsa's Rings.
Katsa made her way to Bitterblue's chambers. The passing months had been hard on the young girl and Katsa Knew that her nightmares had nit stopped. Knocking gently on the outer door she moved into the Queen's room. The many advisors that were there stopped whatever discussion they were having and looked to the child.
"You are all dismissed. The Lady Katsa and I have important matters to discuss." A chorus of 'Yes Lady Queen' was heard before they all traipsed out of the room.
Once the door was shut Katsa spoke, "Are the nightmares any better?" Bitterblue shook her head. "Come here." The little girl ran into her arms. Katsa may never have wanted children, but if she must she'd be this girl's protector and hide her from what she could.
"I see Po dying and you leave and Leck isn't dead." Bitterblue whispered into her arms. Lady Katsa hmmed as she carried the child to her bed. "I wish I was as strong as you."
"You are strong enough, Lady Queen, and Leck is dead, the Kingdom loves you and Po is not dying." Katsa said as she smoothed the girl's hair back.
"But you will leave tomorrow, and the both of you will die one day. Then I shall have nothing but stories to remember you by."
Katsa pondered for a while. Seeming to come to a conclusion she said, "It's because you're part Leind. They are all rather sentimental. I think living on an island sends them all mad."
Bitterblue laughed, a hard long laugh, at Katsa's observation. Wiping tears from her eyes she said, "And what do you propose I do to remove my sentimentality?"
"Po has those rings of his. Perhaps you could do the same?" she suggested.
"Perhaps..." the child queen pondered for a while. "Katsa is you were to have rings, who would you wear them for?"
The graceling was taken aback by the question "I wouldn't wear them, my lady. They'd only get in my way."
"I know, but if you had to, who would you wear them for?"
Katsa replied almost without thinking, as though the answer had been there all along just waiting to get out. "Raffin, Oll Helda Po and you my Lady."
"Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why would you choose us, out of all the people that you know and have met? Raffin is not strong like you. You always say that Helda is a nuisance to you. Oll does not understand you at all and I am just a stranger. Po is the only one that I understand."
Katsa smiled, a small sad smile, before answering the child Queen. "Because you do not see a monster, you just see me."
"I doubt anyone sees you as a monster now Katsa. You defeated Leck and saved so many with you r Council. You set off to Sunder soon to teach those who cannot defend themselves how to survive. You are a hero now." The child said insistently.
Katsa shook her head, "I may not be graced with mind reading but I know they still fear me. Even your advisors are weary. Everyone takes great pains to stay away from the Lady Killer."
"But – "Bitterblue began before a knock on the door was heard. "Enter" she commanded.
The steward bowed to the queen and said, "King Ror awaits you in the counting house. Something about the harvest and trade My Queen."
"I'll be on my way now My Lady. I hope to see you this evening when I set off for Sunder." Katsa said as she exited the room.
Katsa dismounted her horse as the sun began to set in the mountains of Monsea. There had only been a small gathering to see her off. Helda was wiping her tears in a handkerchief and Bitterblue patted her arm consolingly. King Ror looked on as Raffin made sure Katsa had everything. Bitterblue had seemed off, Katsa put it down to her departure and thought nothing of it, until the miniature Queen made her way to her and presented her with a gift.
"To remember those who see past your Grace." Opening the package now as they made camp Katsa smiled. In the firelight five rings glinted like stars on a leather cord. One for each of her friends.