You asked for it, you got it! :D The next chapter in this story.
We're introducing a new character today. ^^ Please enjoy.
...Niamh awoke early that morning, as the sun was just rising over the peak of the mountain. She sighed while she lay there, basking in the warm sunlight. The servants had already come in and opened the curtains, filled her water basin and set out her dress for that day. She was not royality, but King Airem never let any of his guests, wizards, or even his servants, live in any kind of need or poverty while they were in his castle. She was glad to have been blessed by such a kind and worthy king. But her heart ached as well. She would never be able to marry him.
There's no use pondering on that thought so early. She thought, I'm starting this day right, and I'm not going to get my spirits low. With that motivating her, she sat up quickly and got out of her bed. The dress that had been laid out was not extravagant, more for everyday use. It was all white, with pink fur around the hem and cuffs, dark red accents completed the look by a three small buckles near the collar, and a simple hair piece. Niamh smiled to herself, silently thanking the servants for such a cheery color choice, and got dressed.
She was going to need all the cheer that she could get that day. Niamh deeply wished down in her spirit that this war was just a rumor, and that nothing was going to happen. With a deep breath, a book of magic history under her arm, she opened her bedroom doors and started toward the throne room.
...
As soon as she got there, many of the castle wizards and war lords from the border had come to the king's throne room. Airem was hard to find in the small crowd, but Niamh soon spotted him. He was sitting on his throne with a serious, blank expression. Fortunantly, he did look much better than the night before when Niamh had last seen him. There were no dark circles under his eyes, and his hair and clothes were pristine. She suddenly felt a surge of pride for her King. He would be alright. He didn't need her help at the moment.
None the less, he had seen her walk in. Airem raised his hand in summoning, and Niamh faithfully appeared at his side. He beaconed her to lean closer. She kneeled at the side of the throne and he leaned over to whisper in her ear, his hair brushing Niamh's face and sending chills up her spine.
" I'm starting to think that something is amiss, Niamh." Airem turned to look into her eyes. " I need you to investigate into this matter: What are Celes's relations with Valeria in the past, and what may have caused them to send one messenger with a war threat? "
"Actually, your Majesty, I have already looked into that." Niamh said, setting her book on the floor. " Valeria and Celes have always had good, if not ideal, relations with eachother...Trading, celebrations and the like... It would not make any sense at all for them to suddenly attack us in a time of peace."
"So, you believe that there is something else going on, and not a war at all? " Airem asked, interested.
" I don't have any proof, but I think that the messenge we received was planted. I don't believe that Valeria wants to attack us at all. " Niamh said satisfied. She was almost sure that there was someone working behind the scenes to force the two countries to feud. " There could be someone who wants to take one of the thrones- or both- for themselves. That is my theory."
The King nodded, his face becoming brighter by the second. His lips didn't smile, but his eyes were sparkling. He was so relieved that there wasn't a bigger, real war to be dealt with. All that they had to do was bring the Elder Prince of Valeria a peace offering to show their good intentions. And then, when the time came, he would find a way to expose whoever had planned this.
"Thank you, Niamh. You've been a great help to me." He turned to the young mage and smiled brightly. She blushed and smiled back, knowing that her king was pleased with her. "What are your plans for today? I'm sure I won't be doing anything other than calming these angry war lords iching for a fight. Would you care to share with me? "
Niamh stood once more and retrieved her book. " I'm going to visit my brother in the town, your Majesty. And then I might go spend time with Annwvyn." She tucked a stray lock behind her ear. " If you need a reprieve, you are welcome to join us in the hanging gardens. "
Airem snorted, " I don't think that's going to happen anytime within the next few hours. Thank you for the offer. I will do my best to be there. You're dismissed." He stood up, brushing off the front of his overcoat, and turned to look at her. " Have a wonderful day, Niamh. I'll see you at dinner. "
She curtsied and walked from the room, leaving the chatter behind her. And leaving poor Airem to deal with the nobility.
...
Once in the town, Niamh had no trouble finding her old home. It was a small house on the corner near the bakery. With charming shuttered windows and whitewashed walls, she was glad to finally be back to the old life she once knew.
She knocked on the front door of her brother's home. Niamh knew that she dear brother would come running, they had always been close. So close, that each could sense whene the other was near. It was almost telepathy.
Sure enough, when the door opened, her older brother's handsome face appeared. His hair was the same shade of light brown as hers, it was long and tied back with a ribbon. His eyes were the same blue, and they sparkled every time that he laughed, which was often. He was at least three inches taller than she was, Niamh had to look up to see him.
She barely had time to blink as he threw his arms around her and squeezed. She was lifted off the ground, and he laughed.
"Welcome home, little sister!" He promptly set her feet on the ground again and grinned widely. The young man looked her up and down, mockingly putting a hand to his chin as if he was studying some serious matter. "My, my, only a couple of weeks since I last saw you, and you're all grown up. Staff and everything, eh? "
Niamh rolled her eyes as all sisters do. Then smiled. " Yes, hello, Nevyn. " She shoved her tall staff into his hands good-naturedly, and stepped past him into the house. The inside was kept neat, but cluttered. There were strange artifacts on every shelf. There were books on every shelf as well, some overflowing onto the hardwood floors. Scrolls, old maps, paintings and other assorted paper articles made the walls look like a giant collage. Home, sweet home.
Nevyn leaned his sister's staff delicately against the wall, and stepped toward her to take her overcoat. " Welcome home, Niamh." The taller young man gazed down at her with loving kindess. " I just so happened to have some Three Milk Cake left. Would you like some? Tea to go with it, maybe? " Niamh nodded and Nevyn rubbed his hands together, and dissapeared into the kitchen.
She sat down on his sofa, then lounged. It was all just as she had left it the last time. It was good to come back to your roots once in a while.
Niamh closed her eyes and waited for Nevyn to return. When he did, he came bearing two plates of white cake, and two cups of steaming tea. He was such a warm and gentle brother. " I'm so lucky to have you. " She said aloud, knowing that he would understand her meaning. He gave her the plate and cup, then sat across from her to eat his own.
"Yes, well, I'm just wonderful like that. Go ahead and eat. We can catch up in a few minutes."
Niamh loved her brother...Very much. Her heart was content as she took a bite of the delicous, moist cake. She knew that this moment wouldn't last forever. All the more reason to enjoy it. She thought.
-...-...-...-...-...-...-...
Fate spares no one. It cares not whether that person be a king or a farmer. Who are friends? What are enemies? All peoples are the same under the stars. There are things about to happen, that no one can stop. Fate has been set in motion. Spinning endlessly.
... Reviews = Love. Thanks for reading!
Nevyn, brother of Niamh, son of Nathaniel: (Nea-vin) What do you think of him?