A Right Royal Announcement
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters from the Ranger's Apprentice. They belong to their creator John Flanagan.
Summary: King Duncan reflects on his life during a ball to celebrate the safe return of Evanlyn and her companions and has an announcement to make to those attending.
A/N: I recently read the RA series, after reading about the characters in this fandom, the stories here got me hooked and I ended up buying and reading the entire series in under three weeks. This is a little story has been toiling around in my mind since reading book 10. This is my first Ranger's Apprentice fanfic and I hope you like it.
As King Duncan surveyed all the lords and ladies in the banqueting hall of Castle Redmount he thought back through the years of his reign. He had been on the Arulean throne now for over twenty years and that in itself was a milestone, as he addressed those standing in front of him.
"It is always a pleasure to be surrounded by one's family and allies at such an occasion as this. As all of you know this ball is to celebrate the return of my daughter the Princess Cassandra and her brave companions: Halt, Horace, Will and Alyss and I thank you all for being here tonight to celebrate their return."
The king smiled as he gazed over the crowd that stood before him.
"There have many events in my life that has brought me great pleasure and one of those events was the birth of my daughter Cassandra, my only child, it brought me as much if not even more pleasure than the day that I married her dear mother and I wish that she could be here tonight with us all to celebrate the young woman that our daughter has become.
I was reminded tonight of the love that I had and still have for my wife, of the feelings we shared when we pledged our oaths as man and wife and I have great pleasure in announcing the impending marriage of my daughter Cassandra to the young man she loves and who I know will love her in the manner that any father would want for his child. He has left me in no doubt that he will always treasure her, Sir Horace, knight chevalier of the oak leaf."
Gasps of surprise erupted around the room as those present took in the news, Lady Pauline gave a shriek of delight, Halt had not been able to tell his wife of Horace's and Cassandra engagement before the ball.
"I should have known that something was going on when you all returned. The happiness that radiated off the two of you should have alerted me." She told the young couple as she led the somewhat belated applause, hugging them both with glee.
A hush settled over the guests assembled before the king as Horace stepped forward to thank King Duncan, interest and curiosity piqued by what the young man would say.
"I would like to thank the king for his support of mine and Cassandra's love for one another. Most of you here know of me but do not know me and I can understand if some of you are shocked by the announcement tonight. But believe me your shock is nothing compared to mine when I came to the realization that Cassandra loved me as much as I loved her. Those of you who have had the pleasure of knowing real love…will know what Cassandra and I feel for each other."
He turned to Cassandra, his eyes glowing with the love he felt for her and she returned the same look to him.
To one side Halt and Lady Pauline were gazing at each other with the same intense look as the young lovers, as did several other couples in the room.
THE END
A/N: I hope you liked it and if you have time to review after you've read, it will be greatly appreciated.
