Oh my gosh, it's been so long since I've written anything Ever After related, but I promise I'll do my best to keep up with this one! I hope you guys enjoy the second chapter of this fic. Let me know in the reviews what you think!
Disclaimer: I do not own Ever After or any of the characters, even though I would like to.
Gustav's jaw hung slack at the sight that greeted him when he arrived at court. His oldest and best friend, once a simple farm girl turned princess overnight, stood on the arm of her husband with her free hand resting on the eight month swell of her pregnant belly. She beamed at him as he dismounted the horse he had ridden and moved forward to wrap him in a fierce hug. Gently, he returned it.
"It is so good to see you, Gustav." she said, holding him at arm's length. The proud curve of her belly stood between them.
"Am I allowed to hug you? You're a princess, after all." He asked, passing an apologetic glance to Prince Henry, who was standing to the side trying to cover a laugh. Danielle gave an unladylike little snort.
"Princess or not, I could still whip you." She said, playfully poking him in the ribs. Gustav laughed then, seeing that his best friend had not changed a bit.
The Prince chuckled warmly, extending a hand to Gustav. "Welcome back, Gustav. It will be good to have you in residence to keep her in line." They clasped hands for a moment, sharing a joke at Danielle's expense that she would certainly repay in kind later, but for that moment she was all smiles.
"Come, let's all go inside," she said brightly. "I've had some rooms made up for you and I want you to see them!"
Without another word she took Henry's arm and the three of them walked together into the palace. Along the way Gustav told them of his travels. Signore Da Vinci had insisted he accompany him to Rome to study the art being created there.
"There are three classes of people;" he had said. "Those who see, those who see what they are shown and those who do not see. And you, my young friend, see everything."
He told them about the enormous glory of the Colosseum, the freshly painted frescos of the Sistine Chapel (painted by Da Vinci's rival, Michelangelo), the Pantheon, Saint Peter's Basilica and 'The Gates of Paradise' at the Battistero di San Giovanni, a giant set of bronze doors depicting scenes of the Old Testament. From there they traveled all over the countryside to observe nature in its purest form, where Gustav saw the Mediterranean ocean for the first time.
"I've never seen so many types of art or so many natural wonders; I could hardly take it all in. It seems the whole world has opened up for me." By the end of his stories he was nearly breathless. Danielle laughed and took him by the hand.
"I'm glad to see you're still the same, Gustav. A little more cultured, but the same." she said as the three of them stopped in front of a set of double doors.
"Welcome to your new rooms," Henry said, opening the door and ushering his wife and friend inside.
The room was large and bright. Tall windows with heavy indigo blue curtains flanked the far right wall, casting light across the polished mahogany furniture and the art supplies laid out there. An easel was set up near the fireplace where a maid was coaxing new flames to life. To the far left was a set of pocket doors leading into the bedchamber, decorated similarly with tones of deep blue and mahogany. Finally, all along the walls were empty portrait frames of all shapes and sizes.
"We thought you would like to add your own touch to the apartments since you'll be in residence with us." Danielle said, gesturing to the walls. She took a seat near the newly built fire and rested a hand on her round belly. "Forgive me Gustav, the little one is making me a little more tired than usual today."
Henry crossed the room to stand behind his wife as Gustav continued to admire his new apartments. The happy couple exchanging satisfied glances as he moved toward the art supplies.
"I hope those will be adequate, I haven't a head for art." Henry said a little sheepishly.
"This is more than I would have expected, thank you Your Majesty." Gustav gave a little courtly little bow that made Danielle chuckle. After a few more minutes of polite conversation, the prince and his wife excused themselves so he might explore his new home on his own.
"I think I'll go rest a while," Danielle said, rubbing a hand absentmindedly across her stomach.
"I'll escort you, dear. It's good to see you again, Gustav. We'll see you at dinner this evening."
Once they had gone Gustav set about unpacking his art cases. Soon many of the portrait frames were filled with his sketches and paintings, making the room feel more personal. The rest he would fill later, but for now he was satisfied. After a little while he noticed the maid from the fireplace silently unpacking his clothing trunk.
"Really, I can do that on my own." He said, hovering behind her as she hung his clothes in the wardrobe.
"Please sir, it's my pleasure. Besides, I'm already finished." she said with a sweet smile. Indeed, all his clothes had been hung neatly by color in the closet. "Is there anything else I can do for you? Perhaps some tea?"
"Oh, no thank you miss..." He grappled for a moment before he realized he'd not asked her name. "I'm sorry, I suppose we haven't been introduced properly. My name is Gustav Benoit."
"There's no need for apology sir, I'm only a chambermaid, but my name is Jeanne." She walked toward the double doors and paused near the bell pull. "If there's anything you need, you can pull the rope here and one of the other maids or I will come straight away."
Without another word she inclined her head and left as quickly as she had come leaving Gustav, who was staring at the bell pull, all alone.
I hope you all enjoyed this little snippet, leave me a comment to let me know!
