The six minutes it took to arrive at Fionna's tree house, the adventurer spend thanking Marshall Lee time and time again. It suffered a few stains and tears where animals had picked and prodded the cloth. Nothing she couldn't fix. With her newly cut hair, the hat perched peculiarly atop her head. Fionna could no longer stuff what was left into her hate, it was so short it simply fell back out. It peeked out from the white fabric cutely.
At the tree house Fionna and Marshall Lee said their goodbyes. The sun still burned brightly, high in the sky, which bothered Marshall Lee extremely; though he said nothing outright. Instead he commented how difficult rescuing damsels could be, and that he would return home for a nap. Considering it was nearly midday, Fionna figured Marshall Lee must be exhausted. Having been up half the 'night', not to mention however long he might've spent searching for her hat. When Fionna invited him to stay the vampire declined, complaining it was too bright, even inside the tree house.
Soon after walking into her home, Fionna decided she was hungry. As much as she loved sweets, three days of tarts, cakes, strudels, and sugar, sugar, sugar was too much. What she needed was spaghetti. It disappointed Fionna to recall Cake was not there to make it; she had always been the better cook.
Turning on the stove Fionna then gathered everything she would need. It took just over thirty minutes to cook the spaghetti and make a terrible mess. She glanced around her immediate working space. Spaghetti sauce was...everywhere. She traced a design upon the counter, before licking the sauce off her finger. Globs of it covered the floor, as well as the cabinets underneath the counter. Glancing warily at the ceiling she saw where the red sauce glinted, threatening to further damage her precious hate. She stepped out of range.
Fionna sat down to eat, she realized how awkward it felt to eat alone. She quickly finished and washed the dishes as well as her disastrous mess before heading upstairs. While away from home Fionna had been unable to sleep well. Thoughts of Gumball's plans, his own marriage, and the situation in general, had kept her restless. Being in her own bed, and knowing for at least the moment she was in charge of her fate, she would be more at ease.
Fionna could not have been asleep long before a loud knocking woke her. Groggily she sat up, listening as the knock came again. Slowly Fionna made her way to the door, with a fairly good idea who would be there to greet her.
When she opened the door she was not prepared to come see Lord Quency. He smiled, giving her a quick once over, nothing crude, only taking in her crooked hat, wrinkled, clothing, and sleepy expression.
"Did I wake you?" Lord Quency deduced, and Fionna yawned in reply. He gave a small bow, apologizing. Still wrapping her sleepy mind around the arrival of her new guest, Fionna stepped aside for him in. Lord Quency gladly accepted, and two of his candy guard escort followed before she could shut the door.
"They come on behalf of Prince Gumball." He apologized once again, watching as she eyed the two unhappily. It was the same two who had stood guard outside her room during her stay in Candy Kingdom. One of the two held a mutual dislike towards Fionna – apparent in his glaring expression.
Following what little she remembered of etiquette, Fionna led Lord Quency into the living room. She and Lord Quency both sat, while the guards remained standing. He studied her for a moment, and Fionna figured the music man was worried whether she was okay after having been 'kidnapped'. She reminded herself to keep in mind he was also there on behalf of Gumball.
"I'm fine, if that's what you came for." Her tone did not come out unpleasant, but was a far cry from kind. Quency could not entirely understand what the young adventurer felt, knowing what he did, but enough was clear to him to understand her discontent. However, he also understood Prince Gumball's reasoning, and to a point, was forced to agree.
Fate was a force to be reckoned, one not easily challenged. However, Lord Quency feared leaving Fionna in the dark would only prove to push the girl closer to what Gumball so fervently wished to prevent. Her personality was not that of some willing to follow instruction blindly. Nor was she one to run from evil; which had become Prince Gumball's dilemma.
Finally Lord Quency spoke.
"Forgive the intrusion, but Prince Gumball and I feared for your safety. His Highness is particularly concerned." Lord Quency gave a small smile, meaning to assure the woman he had no ulterior motives. Regardless, Fionna grew angry; sending her from her seat.
"I'm not a little kid anymore! I can take care of myself, and make my own decisions." The woman spat, quick to bring up the courting and marriage that had been arranged without her consent or concern for what she desired. Lord Quency rose in response, returning none of her fury or dissatisfaction.
"Lady Fionna, you have been a great friend to Prince Gumball for many a year; surely you can understand his desire to see you safe." His words worked to sooth the raging storm within the young female, such as a calming melody. The title, however, bothered her.
"Don't call me Lady. I'm Fionna, just Fionna." The blonde edgedly replied. This was something she dealt with often. Recently people of candy kingdom, as well as other kingdoms, had taken to calling her 'Lady'. She hated it. Fionna was not royalty, nor noble, and the idea of being called such irritated her. Fionna had no desire to dress in grand, flowing dresses or skirts, neither to live in such luxuries as castles or palaces. Fionna lived a life of adventure and excitement, it was her calling. Defeating evil and helping those in need. The life of a hero. It was her place to protect royalty, not be one.
"It is something I cannot do," Lord Quency apologized. "You have been acknowledged as a Lady of the Candy Kingdom."
"What?!" For a moment her anger was entirely replaced by shock; when had this happened? Without her knowledge, without her agreement? "What in glob does Gumball think he's doing?" Fionna growled. She started to yell, but stopped, realization hitting her.
She finally understood.
For a long time Gumball had not sent her on an adventure requiring her heroic skills. Rather, she went to villages and estates mending simple, unexciting matters. Fionna continued to accomplish good deeds, but they were simple things. Aiding candy women mend clothes and blankets, cook meals for the sick or injured, help an old woman rid weeds from her garden. Settling the occasional dispute over land. The balls. Gumball had been manipulating her, attempting to turn her into a Lady using instances where such skills would be required.
"Lady Fionna?" Lord Quency, worried by the young woman's sudden silence, reached for her arm.
"Although I did not live in Candy Kingdom, Gumball accepted me as a member of his kingdom." Fionna held a fierce tone, and Lord Quency's hand fell to his side as she stepped away.
"Yes, I've heard. Prince Gumball is a benevolent ruler; kind beyond expectation.
"But I live in the Grasslands," She continued, ignoring Lord Quency's comment. "Take a message to Gumball, will you, Lord Quency?"
"Of course, what–"
"Tell Prince Gumball, he is no longer my king. The Grasslands are my home, and I belong to no kingdom."
"L-lady Fionna!" Even the guards were startled by her declaration, "Please do not be rash, by revoking your allegiance, you revoke any protection he may offer!"
"I don't need his protection!" Fionna yelled, "How many times do I have to say it? I can take care of my own self!" For several long moments Lord Quency studied Fionna. She stared back defiantly. He sighed.
"I will be sure to relay the message." Lord Quency complied, knowing she would not change her mind, no matter how he please. "We shall take our leave, then. Thank you for your hospitaltiy." Fionna watched as both he and the two guards exited her home.
For a moment Lord Quency paused, almost out the door, then turned to face Fionna once more. "L- Fionna." Fionna met his amethyst gaze. His eyes shown brightly, and watching them she understood what he would say was entirely without regard as to their political affects. "You are an amazing person, put into this undesirable position unwillingly. I apologize for making myself a part of it." He paused, giving her a soft, sad smile. "But it was an offer I could not refuse. Goodbye." Without waiting for an answer Lord Quency stepped from her home, pulling the door to behind him. Fionna stared at the door, unsure what to think of Lord Quency's sudden declaration.
Groaning Fionna sank onto the couch, digesting what had occurred and what it would mean. She was not left feeling strange, this had never been her intention. But had Fionna had any other choice? She thought of Lord Quency's expression, and couldn't help but wonder.
