Hey everyone!
I am back with another chapter- the final installments of The Queens is coming.
I had hoped to finish this story last week, but, as some of you may have read, my Grandma had been in the hospital.
On August 28th, my Grandma was called home.
The funeral was beautiful and I think we paid a lovely tribute to her life. She left behind a growing legacy. =)
She will be greatly missed, but she is no longer in pain and that to me is the most important thing.
I hope you all have enjoyed this story thus far, and I hope you all enjoy what I have decided to do to "Complete" this tale.
This story was mostly about how each of the girls lived. How their relationships grew and well, I wanted to create this story so-alas, this is what everyone was given. =)
Please feel free to read my other stories as well. I hope to create another story that you all will enjoy!
00
Lita stared out the massive windows towards the dense forest that laid ahead. It had been a few weeks since she had been able to ride along the grassy hills. Her heart ached as she saw the stables to the far right.
She rubbed her growing belly and sighed. "When will this end?"
Turning at the sound of her chamber door opening, Lita stood as quickly as she could as Nephrite stepped in.
"My guardsman has informed me that you refused to eat breakfast this morning."
Lita sighed gently, "I informed him that the smell of fish makes me sick." She smiled gently as she looked up at him, "Your child does not enjoy fish."
Nephrite nodded as he looked her over. For the past week or so she had been leaving her auburn hair out of its signature style, allowing it to cascade down her back in soft waves. He eyed the soft green silk dress she wore, allowing the world to see the beginnings of a growing belly. Her long fingers were gently holding the growing bump, caressing it.
Nephrite had to look away as the desire to bring her back into his arms, and beside him in bed, grew. Every night he had trouble sleeping. Every night he would sneak into her room and sit on the chair beside her bed. His mind troubled as he took in her peaceful state.
The past week, his spies had brought in some troubling reports about his second in command, Gregorian. Some claimed he was the infamous "Butcher" from the Eastern Kingdom, under the leadership of Lord Ignis.
The letters from Lita's father continued to pour in, though he noticed a difference in the writing styles. Nothing matched.
The idea that he had turned on his wife and child, taking the word of his second in command, made Nephrite's stomach turn.
"How do you fair?"
Lita moved over to the table holding some food and drinks. Holding a glass in his direction, Nephrite nodded as she poured them each some water.
"I'm doing alright. This child will make me fat with how much he wishes to eat."
She sipped her drink as she smiled.
"Lita, you are blooming."
Lita's felt her head move quickly towards her husband, a look of complete frustration and fear encompassed his face. He looked like a man who had been beaten down.
Placing her cup on the small table, she moved to him. Kneeling in front of him, Lita wrapped her long arms around his waist.
"Please Nephrite, figure everything out."
She felt him stiffen but within an instant, his arms returned her tight embrace.
"I am trapped Lita. I am trapped by my own laws and decrees. If I release you without proof, I am a coward and my council would cause more war. If I keep you locked up, I am a cruel king but one who does what he must. I am trapped."
Lita only nodded as she looked up into his starry blue eyes, "Nephrite, I cannot lie and say I am not hurt by these accusations. But, I have been given time to think. I understand. Just please, find the person responsible. I want-" She stopped, her words choking as tears streamed down her face.
She felt his rough hand gently wipe away each one. The same hand lifted her chin so he could look at her. She gasped when his lips met hers softly, but also earnestly.
Her body leaned into his, seeking the warmth they had denied each other for what felt like an eternity. The knock on the chamber door ended their kiss that was turning into much more, as both turned towards the door opening.
Malachite stepped forward, nodding his head in acknowledgement.
"I apologize for the intrusion, Nephrite. But I have some information you need to see, immediately. Also, a rider from the southern kingdom has arrived. He is waiting for you in the meeting room."
Nephrite nodded as he stood. His hand reached for Litas and helped pull her gently to her feet.
He looked back towards the door, noticing Malachite still stood.
"Is there anything else Malachite?"
He nodded, his silvery eyes never leaving Lita, "My wife wishes to visit Lita. If it is acceptable to you, I will have one of my guards accompany her."
Nephrite turned towards his wife. Seeing her eyes plead with him, he felt his heart break at the sight. "She may."
Malachite inclined his head and excited. Within a moment, Mina, in all her golden glory raced through the door and hugged Lita with all her might.
After a few tears, Mina turned towards Nephrite, "Thank you my Lord. For how long may I visit?"
Nephrite glanced towards the Northern King, his eyes silently seeking advice.
"Till dinner, my Queen."
Mina smiled at her husband and gave a slight bow, then turned back to Lita.
00
Serenity watched Rei out of the corner of her eyes. The young raven haired Queen sat stoic upon the steps leading into the main hall of the Southern Kingdom. She had refused to move. Ami had food brought to her, but she simply sat staring at the gate, waiting. Endymion stood off to the side with Zoisite, both Kings conversing quietly to each other.
The cool air made Serenity shiver and she was glad Aetolus was with his nursemaid. The crisp cool air was not for babies to be outside in. Turning her sapphire eyes towards Ami, Serenity wondered what to say or even what to do.
Troops had been sent out to aid Jadeite and his caravan over an hour prior, and still, no word on their return.
When the soft rain began to fall, Zoisite moved quickly to Ami and whispered gently in her ear. Nodding, she moved towards Rei.
Serenity followed.
"Rei?" Ami's soft tone carried over the drip of raindrops, "For you and your baby's sake, we need to move you inside. Our nights becoming freezing and Jadeite would have our heads if we allowed you to get sick while staying with us."
Rei turned her eyes away from the castle's gate and nodded her head gently at Ami. A servant stepped forward, but both Ami and Serenity shook their heads. As each Queen took hold of Rei's hands to help her, a soldier yelled from the keepers post.
All three looked up as a soldier rushed to Zoisite and Endymion's side. Both Kings nodded and moved towards the gate.
Rei stood quickly, and if not for Ami and Serenity's grip, would have fallen back. She glanced between them, a silent thank you in her eyes.
The gates opened revealing troops, armor covered in blood, coming through; the in sigma's of the Eastern and Southern Kingdoms upon their chest plates.
All three Queens watched Endymion and Zoisite move closer to the gate, small smiles on their faces as Jadeite came in towards the back.
Rei looked him over from a distance. Blood was also splattered across his armor. His face covered in dirt and dried blood. His tunic was ripped in multiple places, but overall, he was riding proudly upon his own steed.
She watched him dismount. Watched him speaking quickly to Endymion and Zoisite and then, his head turned towards the direction Endymion pointed; directly at her.
She watched a servant grab the rains of his horse as he marched quickly towards her, his blue eyes searching her for any injuries. She felt Ami and Serenity take a step back as he approached; unsure if it was the rain coming down or her own tears, Rei looked into the eyes of her husband, her hand reaching up to caress his wet hair.
"Jadeite?"
His arms engulfed her in a warm hug, "I'm here, Rei."
Then, in a display Rei never thought she would do, her own arms wrapped around him, her soft cries being engulfed by the rain.
00
Ami hummed lightly as Zoisite walked briskly back and forth in their chamber; His frustration clearly on his face as he continued to glance out the window at the storm that had rolled in.
"Zoisite?"
He turned at the soft voice of his wife, "Yes, Ami?"
"I was speaking to Serenity this evening, after Rei and Jadeite retired. We would like to go visit the orphanage tomorrow. She brought along some toys and books for them to read. If Rei is feeling up to it, we wanted to invite her as well."
Zoisite shook his head, knowing he would have to deny his wife, "I'm sorry Ami, but I cannot allow that."
Ami sat up; her deep blue eyes frowned, "Why not?"
"Because, the rebels just attacked the King from the Eastern Kingdom! I am positive they are within the city as we speak. Allowing not only one Queen, but two and the High Queen out to visit the orphanage? No. That is asking to send you to your slaughter."
Ami stood from the bed and moved towards her husband, "But what of the children?"
He sighed, "I have already sent troops to defend key areas around the city. Jadeite and Endymion's troops are also watching strategic and not so strategic points. I am sorry Ami, I wish I could honor this request, but I cannot."
He watched her rub her protruding belly, her blue eyes filling up with tears. Taking the few steps necessary, he wrapped his arms around her, shushing any cries. "I will protect you and our child Ami. We will defeat these rebels and our child will grow to be the next King or Queen of our Kingdom. I promise you."
Ami nodded as she pulled gently on his tunic. Her eyes moved towards the balcony doors. The lightening lit up the sky followed by the rolling the thunder.
00
Mina laughed loudly as Lita wondered for the second time how she could beat her in the game they played. Lita glanced at the board before her. Her Lion was about to be taken in the next move.
"How did you become such an expert player, Mina?"
Mina only grinned, "I've had time to practice. Now, your move!"
The guardsman stood off to the side, a grin displayed clearly on his face.
The door opened, forcing the guardsman to stand at attention.
"Mina?"
Both Queens turned at the sight of Malachite and sighed, "It's dinner time already?"
"It is. Lita needs to eat as well. Nephrite stated he will be joining you this evening, Lita."
Mina turned quickly towards her tall friend, "Has he joined you in the past?"
Lita shook her head, her braided hairstyle that Mina had done a few hours before, still in place.
"No, he hasn't. Did something happen My Lord?"
Malachite glanced between his wife and Lita, "I will have Nephrite explain. Mina, come, our dinner is waiting."
Mina sighed as she stood, her golden silk dress shinning in the fireplace light. "I will ask to come again tomorrow, Lita."
Lita stood and nodded as well, "I will ask as well."
With a brief hug, Mina departed as Nephrite entered. Servants trailed behind him carrying multiple trays of succulent looking food.
"Nephrite?"
Her warrior husband looked up, his eyes for once clear.
"Nephrite, what happened?"
He waited until the servants placed all the food down, then, with a wave of his hand, he dismissed them all.
Lita ventured again, "Nephrite?"
He stood before her and then, taking the few steps necessary to reach her, Nephrite kneeled before her, his hands forming around her growing belly. He nuzzled the womb gently.
"I spoke to Malachite today and my spies."
Lita kept her hands to her side as his body began to shake.
"Malachite had been working on finding information as well, at the request of his Queen. He showed me what they had gathered, even in such a short time." His head moved back so he could stare up into her eyes, "I sent Gregorian to the Northern border over five days ago. He has not reported back and there has been no word from others seeing him. His troops returned today, unsure what to do since he vanished."
"Are you saying..?"
Nephrite closed his eyes, "I have been a fool Lita. I damn fool." His eyes opened again, "Multiple servants came forward expressing that Gregorian had threatened to kill their families if they did not write out the parchments, pretending to be you. Gregorian's main servant, Hannah, stated she was required to write letters all day. Malachite confirmed that Gregorian is indeed the man known as The Butcher. It seems Lady Mina had convinced him to pursue his own investigation."
Lita's body shook. She moved back until she felt the chair behind her, then sat down; her hands laid against her lap, "Who was behind this?"
"Gregorian worked for Lord Ignis, though it appears so far that he has ties to your father as well."
Lita could only nod. The news was so sudden.
"Lita."
Lita felt her head shaking no before her the word itself escaped her lips, "This is so sudden. Why wasn't this figured out earlier?"
Nephrite moved towards her, "Because I had put Gregorian in charge of the investigation."
Lita only nodded again, her hands moving to her womb.
"What now?"
Nephrite hands covered hers, as she looked into his eyes, "I ask for your forgiveness. I do not deserve it. I should have believed my wife and Queen above all others. I should have investigated everything myself. There is a lot I should have done. I broke your trust."
Lita glanced out towards the dense forest, her emerald eyes filling up with tears.
"If you ask me too, I will remove my presence from you for all eternity. I will do anything you ask of me."
Lita turned back towards him. Placing her hand through his hair, Lita found herself picking his head off her lap. She gasped as tears rolled down his handsome face.
"I request only one thing of you Nephrite."
"Ask and I shall give it to you."
Lita felt her body take a deep, shaky breath, "I want you to promise to love me for all eternity."
Lita watched his eyes widen as more tears filled them. She never pictured this massive warrior before her would ever cry. As he continued to look at her, a hope racing across his face, Lita gave a small smile.
He brought his lips to her belly, kissing it gently. Then his lips trailed up past her breasts to her neck. They nibbled along her left ear, causing Lita to close her eyes. His soft whisper, for her ears only, had her walls crashing down. "I promise to love, honor and cherish, my Queen."
00
Mina stood outside Lita's old chambers as servants busied themselves with her belongings. Lita stood in the center, pointing to which items she wanted to be removed. Her emerald eyes held a joy Mina had not seen before.
When Lita turned her way, she smiled, "Mina, I didn't know you had come."
"I didn't want to interrupt. Malachite informed me this morning that Nephrite was given the truth about everything. Took the fool long enough."
Lita grinned, "It did. I am moving back into the royal rooms. I was planning on having lunch soon, would you care to join me?"
"I'd love too, Lita."
Lita nodded as her servants removed the last of her cases. "I was thinking about having lunch outside, as it appears the storm finally passed over us, for the time being anyways."
Mina agreed as they exited the chambers. Malachite approached them within minutes of walking down the corridor.
"Lita, I am happy to see you moving about again."
Lita bowed gently, "I fear I owe you a great debt my Lord."
His eyes moved towards Mina, "Mina is the one who urged me to look into the circumstances surrounding everything. You owe me nothing. I would gladly do it all over again."
"Nonetheless, thank you is in order."
Malachite inclined his head, "Where are you ladies off too?"
"Lunch, would you care to join us?"
Malachite looked back towards his own Queen, "I am needed on the training field."
Lita glanced between the two, "Has there been more attacks, my Lord?"
"There has been. The Eastern King was attacked on his way to the Southern Kingdom." Malachite thought for a moment, "He is alright, but the war has begun."
"Is there anything we can do Malachite?" Mina's blue eyes searched her husband's face. A look passed between them.
"Be ready to travel. The reports are suggesting that the rebels are attacking the Southern Kingdom. If that is true, we will be moving our troops there."
Mina and Lita both nodded as Malachite excused himself and parted.
Both Queens looked at each other, "Lita, do you think we will win?"
Lita bit her bottom lip, her eyes concentrating, "We will."
It's almost done!
=)
Sending this over to my editor. I hope you all enjoy!
Reviews? Thoughts? Opinions?
~LAla