"The caravans are here!" A young paige runs into the castle and shouts out to William and the Duke. "Your majesties, the first of the caravans are arriving bringing the village people."
"Good. Please go to the queen and tell her the same thing. She is in the throne room." William instructed the paige. The boy nodded and dashed off towards the throne room.
"William, we must assure the security and safety of the queen. We still don't know how the outer villages percieve the new queen." the duke said to his son who is now in charge of the queen's security.
"I know father. But you know how stubborn she is. She would like to join all the festivities and be with her people. She won't like the security detail we assigned her. She will curse me for sure."
"Aye, but she must understand why we are doing this. This is for her own protection." The duke said, but worry is showing on his face for he knows that the queen will for sure be very adamant to dismiss the security she will be given.
"Well, wish me luck father. I am going to be in trouble for sure and my voice might become hoarse from this discussion at the end of the day." He said with a smile, for he knew that this won't be an easy. He bowed and then turned and went the same direction as the paige did. "Snow White is going to hate this." he whispered.
Nymka looked at the castle grounds with an excited smile on her lips. "Look at those Eric..." she pointed out to the silent person on her right. She was pointing at the different colorful displays and trinkets on sale by the sidewalks.
There was merriment on the streets. Children running about, decorations all over the place, musical bands at every corner and people dancing on the street. It seemed like just like yesterday since he left this place but since the year passed, it has transformed into a happy place for all under Queen Snow White's rule.
Eric pulled his hood lower hiding his face and kept his face down. It was hard to look away though, everytime Nymka would pull on his sleeve to point to him something she found amusing. She seemed like a child in a candy store.
"Why are you sulking Eric? Everybody seems to be happy to be here 'cept you," She told him after they were almost near the castle, "Do you regret coming?" she asked.
"No, it's just that I had traveled to this place before and made a few enemies, I just don't want to run into them."
"Well, look around Eric. Nobody seems to be in a bad mood or angry around here anymore. We all feel hope and happiness now. Surely your former enemies would have forgave you and forgot about your grievances. Our kingdom has changed since the New Queen, Eric. So stop your hiding and enjoy this with me." Nymka looked up his hood with pleading eyes, "Please..." she said.
He looked at her. "Okey, I will try, but I would still would like to keep my hood down if you don't mind." he bargained.
Nymka exhaled in exparation. "Fine, if that's the only way I can get you to enjoy this with me." She gave up and continued looking around. As soon as they came up to the portcullis he felt another tug at his sleeves.
"Eric, we're here, at the Queen's castle."
He looked up and saw the courtyard and then the castle. It looked even better than last he left it. The Great Tree was in full bloom and people were gathered below the queen's balcony. He felt his veins tingle in excitement as well as nervousness. He was back. After a year of leaving and staying away, he came back to this place, this place that meant so much to him. Of hurt, of sorrow, of redemption and salvation, of love.
The caravan was being unloaded and he jumped off with a loud thud beside Nymka who was already beaming. "This is great. Everybody is rejoicing. I wonder what's happening."
They were answered by loud cheering and fingers pointing to the balcony above. Somebody was emerging. He remembered when he saw Ravenna there, looking down at them when they stormed the castle. Her face didn't show anger or surprise, but welcomed the sight below her, knowing Snow White was near. He shook away the vision and looked up as well, careful to blend in with the crowd and keep his hood around his face so nobody could recognize him.
Approaching the balcony was William, with his royal attire, straight posture and a wide grin on his face. He seemed so much better than from when he last saw him. He seemed to have a glow about him and he seemed to be a bit fuller than the version of him a year ago. He spoke to the crowd.
"Thank you all for coming here on this joyous occasion. The Kingdom of Tabor has endured a many a dark days, you all know this. When Darkness fell on our land, it didn't just affect the villages but even nature felt the evil that spread because of the Dark Queen. She took everything from us, our food, our money, our women, our FREEDOM! She even took the life of our beloved King Magnus, whom we wish is now in peace. But those days are behind us now. We have arisen anew, we have survived. We are now a new and united TABOR!" the people cheered and yelled and clapped. William's passionate speech hit all the right spots and enlivened the crowd even more.
"But mind you, this could not have happen if not for somebody who we are here for today celebrating her birthday. So people of Tabor, I give you your savior, and the rightful heir to King Magnus' throne, your Queen, Queen Snow White!"
It seemed that the people exploded into a thousand voices and hurrahs. But Eric kept his eyes on that balcony, waiting silently while those around him seemed a blur to him. He had been dreading this moment ever since he decided to come here.
Then he saw her. Slowly coming up to the balcony's edge, reaching up to hold William's outstretched hand. She looked down at her people. She was there at last and he had not seen anything more beautiful. Her long dark raven hair was braided below her crown and her majestic gown flowed around her adorned with jewels. Her skin was still as stark white as snow and lips red as blood but her cheeks had a little blush at them. She was pleased at the sight of her people who were genuinely happy to see her.
"Hail Queen Snow White!" William started the chant and the people followed. But all Eric could do was stare. Everything around her shone. Everything around him blurred. Half of him wanted her to see him, look at the crowd and spot him there looking at her. But half of him dreaded at what he would see in her eyes when she would see him. His hands clenched at his sides and he looked away.
From the balcony, Snow saw her people cheering and applauding at her. Her ears were deafened and her eyes watered. "Finally, father. I am where you want me to be. I hope you are proud."She silently prayed. She felt herself told tight of William's hand and was grateful he was there because she's not sure that she would have stood still. The elation she felt was overwhelming. She waved her free hand and looked at all the upturned faces. But unbeknowst to her, a single form was turning his back and walking out toward the gates, as he did a year ago.
Someone patted him on the back. "Where did you run off too? I was looking all over for you." Nymka said.
"Oh, I'm sorry Nymka, I just.. I was crowded and I couldn't breathe so I went ahead. You seemed happy to be there so I didn't call you."
Nymka was convinced and then started to narrate the activities in the courtyard earlier as she sat opposite him on the table where he was eating his upper at the bar near the courtyard.
"She is so beautiful, Eric. She was more than what they said about her. Even more so because of her good heart. We could not have deserved a better queen." Eric just silently nodded.
'And Prince William, the duke's son, what a handsome fellow. They look quite good together. I wonder why they haven't married yet. Weren't they friends since childhood?" Nymka innocently asked.
"I wouldn't know why but yes they are friends I think, since birth."
"Well, I hope they do marry, they look good together and their children will be as handsome as they. Then our kingdom would have been secure because of their heirs who are sure to inherit their hearts."
Eric just stared at the plate in front of him. Suddenly he didn't feel like eating. He decided to slowly pick around his food and maybe his appetite will return. Fortunately, Nymka changed the subject from the Queen and William to the festivities in the following days. Apparently there will be entertainment for everyday of the following week. The markets will be full of different trades and goods, there will be games and competitions and then at the end of the week, at the exact day of the Queen's birthday, their will be a grand feast at the courtyard and dancing.
After their dinner, and Eric finally able to finish his meal, they headed towards the inn reserved for those from their town and they both went to their own rooms. That night Eric was looking forward to sleep for he had a long day. He twisted and turned on the small bed and found a grove on the bed that he felt comfortable in. He kept thinking of her. Of the way she looked today, of her smile in the sunlight, of her emerald eyes that shone with happiness, of her hand on William's. Nymka's voice entered his mind " Well, I hope they do marry, they look good together..." It stung his heart and he tried to close his eyes to force them to sleep. Before he could drift off, the last thing he saw in his mind were her cool green eyes on him.
