Skippy: Finally decided on (and completed) a fic (sort of) on my own. If you like it I may write more... if not well... I'll go hide somewhere dark...
Joshua had never been particularly lucky, he had learnt all the tricks to make it seems like he was, but he had terrible luck. He'd mastered sleight of hand quickly and he had found it easy to replace a normal coin with one with two heads- he had even won gold from the prince of Frelia, tricking him easily. He had run away from his home, where he could have been king and instead joined a mercenary group in an attempt to learn. He'd expected to learn about what the common person needed but all he learnt was that everyone wanted money and sometimes they would resort to dirty tricks to getting it. He remembered how once half the group had dressed up like the local bandits and attacked a village (soon he realised these were the local bandits). The other half had come to the village offering protection- for a price. Then he met Caellach- they had been friends but now... he'd killed Joshua's mother. His sword teacher had betrayed the country in an attempt to secure the love of his mother. And they'd burnt down the palace, his home from his childhood.
His mother had died just as he'd decided to go home, taken from him just as he was about to accept his responsibility and duties. And then to become so involved in a war that had taken over the entire continent, war against the empire of Grado and ancient demons of incredible power, great allies across 4 nations and bonds like no other made and broken.
But he'd gotten luckier when he met Her. He had loved her from the beginning, meeting her in Serafew where she was to be killed; her words had convinced him to change sides. She was kind, good natured- she'd never said a bad word about anyone. And he'd been able to protect her when she healed the wounded. There had been times when his heart had almost stopped in the fighting, where she'd run straight into a mass of Demons to warn the villagers that evil was coming with no regard for her own safety. But then he could rush in just as she noticed the mortal danger and be a hero, save her life and feel so happy when he knew she was safe. The feeling never lasted long as she'd soon have to dash off into another batch of demons to heal one of their comrades and he'd have to charge in again. It was an established pattern. She went to save someone- getting herself in trouble in the process, and then he'd have to go and save her. And then it would start again.
He could see her as the queen of Jehanna. She was compassionate, kind, friendly and selfless, the people would love her. She'd try to help them always, like she always did on the battle field. She'd help him repair the castle- heal it. That was what Jehanna needed, a healer. She was his angel. His dearest Natasha. He knew his mother would have liked her.
Would have... That was his biggest regret, that his mother would never see the man he had become and the woman he loved and who he sincerely hoped loved him back. All he could do was look after the country and be a good king. Like his mother was a good queen. And hope that he would be remembered as a good king, a kind king. A strong king and, he hoped, one with an amazing Queen. After all, he must have SOME luck coming his way, right?
Skippy: R&R