. . . 10 days by sea . . .
. . . 4 days by horse and cart . . .
After being gone for a total of sixty days Adrien and Rosalyn finally stepped out of a carriage and onto the grounds of Castle DeLavergne in Amouria. It was of no surprise that he very first person to greet them was Chandler. "Miss Ros...I mean Welcome home Queen Rosalyn!" He said formally with a deep bow. A moment later as he stood up straight once more his child like demeanor returned, "Did you bring me anything?" he asked jubilant as ever.
"As a matter of fact, Chandler we did. But you will have to receive it later. It has been a very long journey." Adrien said as he assisted Rosalyn with getting out of the cart, while other servants carried their luggage to the West Wing.
"Welcome home, Master. After dinner then?" Chandler said automatically, also bowing but with less enthusiasm then his initial greeting towards Rosalyn.
"Now mind your manners, Chandler. Go help finishing setting the table in dining hall for the King Adrien and Queen Rosalyn. I'm sure they are in need of a spot of tea and a warm meal after such a long journey." Mrs. Pom ordered as she came bustling out and did a quick curtsy before she gave Rosalyn a hug.
Such affectionate gestures brought a smile to Adrien's lips. Rosalyn had so much doubt at being a queen, but truly all she had to do was be herself and surely her heart of purity would guide her in the best way possible to be a queen of this country at his side.
"Thank you Mrs. Pom. Inform the ewerer to draw a hot water bath to be ready after the meal." Adrien said and she nodded, "Of course your majesty." As they headed to the dining hall for a warm meal and the best tea in the kingdom.
. . . . .
It was not until Adrien helped her out the carraige that she felt safe. She was home. They were home.
Chandler greeted them immediately. "You may still call me Miss Rosalyn, Chandler. I may be queen now, but I can still beat you in a game of tag or hide and seek," she said, a bright smile on her face. She had missed the boy more than she had realized.
Mrs. Pom came out of the palace, to greet them and corral her son. She mentioned a warm meal and gave Rosalyn a loving hug. "Thank you, Mrs. Pom. We will be in in a moment."
Mrs. Pom retreated back into the palace with Chandler, leaving Rose and Adrien alone. "It is so good to be home," she said and took Adrien's arm as they headed inside.
. . . . .
Home. Rosalyn had said it was so good to be home. Their home. Such a statement from her own mouth could not have made brought him further happiness then he had already obtained with her at his side as they walked arm in arm to the dining hall. "Home indeed." He agreed and much to his inner delight Chef Boone had prepared his favorite meal of Beef Ragout, cheese souffle, pie and pudding on flambe.
He sat at the head of the table with Rose at his right eating to their stomachs content. It wasn't until Adrien stood up, signaling his finish that Chandler entered once more intent to assist with the servant clean up. After he carried Rosalyn's plate away he hurried back to catch the king and queen before they left the dining hall. "Has 'later' arrived yet Master and Miss Rosalyn?" He asked, clearly excited at the prospect of receiving a gift from their travels.
"I suppose it has. Why don't you be a gentlemen and escort Queen Rosalyn to the sitting room. I will return with the gift we have brought for you." Adrien promised the lad and Chandler straightened his back just a bit more. "Yes, Master. This way Miss Rosalyn, in case you've forgotten." The lad said holding out his arm for her to grasp in proper escort.
Adrien retreated to the West Wing and grabbed a particular piece of luggage that had not been with them when they departed Amouria. It was unusual in that there was a side that had several holes purposely done to allow ventilation. Adrien was about to leave when he noticed a circular box and decided that would be best to aid in surprise.
Chandler opened his mouth to ask Miss Rosalyn about his gift but decided he did not want to spoil the surprise. They entered the sitting room and he told her, "I've been practicing my reading Miss Rosalyn while you were away. I have been reading a book with adventures in a far away land, where the ground is sand and the Master of the castle is called..." he had to ponder a moment "...a sultan."
Adrien entered carrying a large circular box. Chandler's eyes went wide as he slid down the the floor where Adrien carefully placed the box. "Go on lad, open it." Adrien spoke to him, granting permission.
Curious why the gift was in a box rather than in wrapping paper, Chandler carefully lifted the lid of the box. A puppy about 3 months old was within. Its chubby body, soft fur, and floppy ears on spindly legs as it nosed the bottom of the box. It had creme colored fur with dark brown ears and paws. It had one distinct brown spot on its back.
The pup looked up at the lad and barked excitedly as it reared up on its back legs and placed its front paws on the edge of the box so it could reach for Chandler's face with its nose.
The ear to ear smile that spread across the boy's lips matched the light in his eyes as he picked up the pup into his arms. "Oh! Thank you! Thank you! What's his name?"
"He is yours. Which mean he is yours to train and yours to name." Adrien informed, taking Rosalyn's hand into his. Chandler looked at the pups furry face, floppy ears, and round body with its spot. "I shall name him Sultan."
Mrs. Pom came in and Chandler took a step away then paused and bowed deep to Adrien and Rosalyn in great thanks before he hurried to his mom to show her his gift.
"Oh my goodness! You be careful now Chandler, don't drop him. You are most thoughtful and generous your graces." She spoke to Adrien and Rosalyn as she patted the pups head in mothering like awe.
After the mother and son left Adrien looked to Rosalyn, "Shall we retire to our chambers my love?"
. . . . .
"That is wonderful, Chandler," Rosalyn said after he explained he had been reading a book while they were away. If their honeymoon had been...less eventful, Rosalyn had no doubt she could have read a dozen books or more. "One day soon you shall have to read this book to me. It sounds wonderful."
Adrien came back a few moments later with a gift for the lad. The sheer joy that overcame his face was heartwarming. The boy's excitement about his new companion brought a smile to Rose's face.
Once the sitting room had cleared, Adrien suggested retiring to their chambers. Rosalyn nodded in agreement and together they made their way up to the West Wing. Though the palace was her home now, the room still felt foreign and forbidden.
She had only stepped foot in the West Wing twice. The first time was frightening, and her first face to face encounter with Adrien, which ultimately led to the scars her leg bore. The second time was much more quiet and content, reading to each other as they drifted off to sleep beside the fire. But this time...
She felt nervous and excited both at the same time, scared and safe, worried and happy. This is where her love Adrien lived, but also where the beast lurked. What if that beast still waited, hiding in Adrien's shadow?
Rosalyn shook the dark thought from her mind. She would not let the past taint their future. "I'm sure it will be nice to sleep in your own bed again," she said to Adrien.
. . . . .
Adrien's eyes furrowed together in momentary confusion when Rosalyn spoke about sleeping in his bed. Her voice had a tone that reminded him of their past when she was a 'guest'. They were much more now than they were back then. There was no his or hers but in his mind ours.
"It will be nice to sleep in our bed." He gently corrected as they walked down the hall of the West Wing hand in hand. They reached the master suite doors and he held it open for her to enter first.
Some additions been done since the last time they had been in the room together, reading by fire light. Two large wardrobes had been added for her use. One that held all her previous formal attire that Maddy had made up until now. The other filled with her clothing from before and more upper casual attire fit for a queen to wear.
On each side of the four poster bed was a bedside table with a candelabra and their flowers from the Enchantress encased in protective glass.
A gentle fire had been lit to give the room ample warmth and dim lighting. The dressing screen was set up in the corner beside the hot water bath.
"I have a feeling sleep will come with great ease from now on. But first a bath to wash away the tribulations of our travel." Adrien suggested, as he walked over to add another log to the fire before they did just that.
As he predicted sleep came easily to him that night as he lay with Rosalyn in his arms safe, warm, and loved. The following morning was met with sunrise and smiles. The past events of Elonia almost felt like a dream. Except today they would be reminded exactly what they were up against in Elonia as they pursued the knowledge within the record room to figure out how choosing a steward worked for someone of non blood relation.
An hour past noon Chandler meekly entered the record room Sultan at his heels. "Good afternoon Master and Queen Miss Rosalyn. I am here to announce that midday meal is ready to eat at your..." he paused to think of the right word, "...leisure." he stated, obviously proud he had used such a big word appropriately.
Adrien looked to Chandler and was about to dismiss him when a shadow of a thought entered the recesses of his mind. As Queen Camellia was going to pass in the near future who would rule over Elonia's throne so Rose could return to Amouria was the priority. But what of Amouria if he and Rosalyn did not produce an heir. Suddenly he saw Chandler in a very different way than before. The boy was clearly bright despite his servant heritage. Adrien tucked this away to ponder on later.
"Miss Rosalyn, if it be...permitted...can we play a short game after your meal?" Chandler asked her cautiously, his eyes glancing at King Adrien a moment. His mother had warned him that now that Miss Rosalyn and King Adrien were married she might not be interested in playing with him as she had before. But Miss Rosalyn's statement of yesterday had given him hope.
"That sounds like a good idea Chandler." Adrien voiced in agreement. Adrien longed to see Rosalyn relax. The politics as of late seemed to place an invisible weight on her shoulders that she wasn't used to bearing.
. . . . .
Rosalyn did not fall into sleep as her husband had. Thought she was safe withing his arms, her mind drifted miles and miles away. To Elonia, back to Amouria, to their future. Had she done the right thing accepting Elonia's crown? The people were suffering, not under the rule of her grandmother, but under the shadow of Lord Chancellor Elias.
Before they had left the foreign land, he had threatened her, telling her to return alone. What if she did not? Rose knew it would take a great deal of convincing for Adrien to allowed her to leave Amouria alone. He also knew of Elias's threat.
Her thoughts soon dulled and became a numb humming as she finally drifted off to sleep. It felt as if only minutes had passed before she opened her eyes to the bright light of morning. Her and Adrien wasted no time getting ready and heading towards the library. They needed to find a solution to their steward problem. Rosalyn desired in no way to live a two weeks travel from her home and husband.
The two spent their morning in the library, pouring over scrolls and books, trying to devise a plan. It wasnt until Chandler came in and told them that their lunch was ready that they stopped reading.
Rose smiled when Chandler asked to play a game after their meal. "I would love to, Chandler. What game do you have in mind? It's a lovely day outside and I think we've been cooped up far too long today. How does a game of tag sound?" She asked as the three of them walked towards the dining hall.
. . . . .
"A game of tag sounds splendid Queen Miss Rosalyn." Chandler voiced and Sultan gave a small bark as the pup did his best to keep up. "Even Sultan thinks so." Chandler voiced speaking on the puppy's behalf.
The vocal gesture from Chandler brought a hidden grin to the corner of Adrien's lips, for while the lad was bright and surely maturing, it was nice to see some of his child like qualities still linger. Qualities that the lad would surely lose sooner rather than later if Adrien followed through with the notion of teaching the lad in ways of rule and politics.
While he has faith in Rosalyn and himself to achieve their dreams, Adrien wanted to be prepared for the long ahead future possibility of if they did jot produce an heir. Rather than take a mistress like his father or adopt a child in secret like his mother; the idea of Chandler as a steward was becoming more tangible in his minds eye.
The midday meal of soup, salad, and bread sticks was a simple spread but very comforting. Adrien ate in comfortable silence with Rosalyn to his left, his mind lost in many a ponderings. When their meal was finished it was Adrien who had the harder time keeping up with the exciting lad and his pup as the boy and dog led the two rulers out to the grassy grounds for an eager game of tag.
. . . . .
The past two months had been their honeymoon, but the happenings in Elonia weighed heavily on Rosalyn's shoulders. Not only her new position as heir to the throne, but the sorcerer that waited for her return. Who knew how long it was going to be before her grandmother passed and she would be called back to claim her throne?
So their game of tag would be a relief for her. A hour or two to unwind. The thought brought a bit of springiness into her steps, and her features seemed to glow brighter. Playing with Chandler was something that she had always enjoyed, and would continue to enjoy until the boy was no longer a boy, and was instead a man. Which, by the looks of it, wouldn't be much longer now. It seemed he had been keeping up with his lessons, even while the two monarchs were away. But while it lasted, she would enjoy it.
Once they had gotten outdoors, Rosalyn wasted no time kicking the shoes from her feet and pulling her hair back into a ribbon. The grass between her toes was, in a way, a comforting feeling. It meant she was free to be herself. It meant she was home. Though she had only been married to Adrien for a couple short months, she had long acquainted herself with this palace, this courtyard. This had been her home, and now it always would be.
"I'm afraid I may have forgotten how to play this game, Chandler," she teased. "Would you care to remind me?"
. . . . .
Chandler's eyes widened in excitement. "I don't think I believe you Miss Ros..." The boy was getting tongue tied at how he should proper address her now that her status had changed, in not one but two ways now that she was married and the queen. "Queen Misses Rosalyn." He finally finished, clearly proud of his vocal achievement as he smiled from ear to ear momentarily.
He went on with his original statement, "You never forget anything when it comes to my studies. However, since you have asked I will..." he paused to ponder in his mind the word he was seeking. "...enlighten your memory at how to play. It's quite simple really. One individual is 'it' and their goal is to touch or 'tag' another person with their hand making that person 'it'. When they touch they shout, 'Tag, your it!' and that person seeks to tag while everyone else seeks to run away. That's how the game goes."
He reached out and touched her shoulder playfully, "Tag, your it. Run Sultan. Hurry boy! Follow me!" He said to the pup as he hurried his way from Rosalyn.
"Run while you can. Once I'm it there is no hope for either of you." Adrien voiced in a playful manner as the game commenced.
. . . . .
"Is that so?" Rosalyn asked her husband. They were both still standing there, for a moment. A mischievous grin broke across her face and she reached out to tap his shoulder. "Tag, you're it," she said before she started to run. She went the opposite direction of Chandler, meaning Adrien would have to chose which target he would chase first.
Gathering up her skirts, she ran through the garden, past the roses and other flowers. They were all in full bloom this time of year, turning the courtyard into a pallet of vibrant colors. She had no doubt that she would much of her free time out here, as long as the weather permitted it.
How much time would she have now that she was queen? She knew Adrien could get quite busy, but he was a king, and she was just a queen. Would that matter though?
Rosalyn had been so caught up in her train of thought that she nearly came crashing into Chandler. Somehow, they had met on the other end of the garden.
. . . . .
Adrien decided to humor the lad and took after him, when Rosalyn ran the opposing direction. The boy had become more sure footed and quicker in movement then Adrian recalled. The lad's footwork athleticism made Adrien think that the lad would do well with sword parley.
Chandler disappeared from Adrien's view as the lad turn around a corner of a hedge. Adrien increased his pace eager to have the lad in his sight once again. When Adrian rounded the corner he found himself abruptly running straight into Chandler's stopped body.
The two males fell to the ground with a soft thump and gentle laughter escaped Adrien's lips as he said, "Tag your it, Chandler." Adrien looked over and saw Rosalyn within sight. "Oh, you're here too. How lovely."
Chandler set his sights on tagging Miss Queen Rosalyn now that he was it.
. . . . .
It appeared so. "Not for much longer," she laughed and turned on her heels to run the opposite direction, back the way she had come.
After a few more rounds, being tagged by Chandler, tagging him again, then Chandler tagging Adrien, Rosalyn was completely out of breath. She had run up and down every path in the garden, hidden in every good hiding spot, and was now sitting on a stone bench in the middle of the garden, breathing heavily.
She watched as Chandler continued to race around the garden, Adrien in tow. It was a wonder the boy could run for so long. And she knew he would be able to keep his pace for quite some time. Maybe she was just tired from all the traveling they had done, all the events that had taken place during their honeymoon. She had managed a decent night's sleep the night before, but weariness still clouded her mind.
. . . . .
Sultan's puppy body seemed to be on the same level of exhausted as Rosalyn's. The pup slowly padded away from the comings and goings of Chandler and Adrien and found refuge under the bench that Rosalyn sat on to rest.
It was Adrien who noticed Rosalyn's absence after some time with the lad on his own and decided to seek her out. Before Chandler could request her to get up and play once more Adrien held out his hand to the lad to signal him into silence. "That's enough running around for the time being Chandler. Best take your pup and depart." Chandler hid his look of disappointment but wasn't about to object. "Yes, Master. Thanks for playing Queen Miss Rosalyn." the lad said and crouched down to pick up the tired puppy into his arms and departed with a wave farewell.
"That boy sure had more energy than I previously recalled." Adrien said warm hearted as he sat down next to Rosalyn on the garden bench. "Shall I carry you off as well, perhaps to the West Wing for a nap of your own?" He offered taking notice of the weariness her body seemed to have taken on. He had a feeling it wasn't all about physical weariness. A part of it was certainly from their unexpected happenings during their honeymoon.
"There is no harm in resting when weary Rose." He voiced in earnest as he placed a chaste kiss on her temple.
. . . . .
He hid it well, but Rosalyn saw the look of disappointment on Chandler's face and he picked up his new friend and left the king and queen alone in the garden. She hated to send him away, but she did not think she could run another a step, and it seemed as if Adrien was finished as well.
Rosalyn turned to Adrien when he sat next to her, a warm smile gracing her lips. "There is no need for any of that. I will be all right; just need a minute to catch my breath," she explained. Though a nap did sound tempting, there was still so much that needed to be done. They needed to find out how to get rid of the Lord Chancellor, whom to grant stewardship of Elonia to. Neither of those things would get finished if she slept the rest of the day away.
After a few more minutes, Rose stood from the bench and took Adrien's hand. "Come on. We best be back to the library. There are plenty more books to read, and the faster we get through them, the better."
. . . . .
"Right you are, my love." Adrien agreed and the two made their way to the library to further their research on the matters of political importance.
They spent several hours pouring over books and scrolls before Mrs. Pom came in. "Look at you two, working yourselves to the bone without a proper tea break. Come on now, that's be enough for one day. Supper is ready and you best believe it best be eaten while hot ya hear?" She told them with certain hands on her hips in fierce motherly determination.
"Of course Mrs. Pom. We will be on our way in a minute, I promise." Adrien said and that seemed to satisfy the woman enough to depart without dragging them with her.
Adrien strode over to Rosalyn and gently closed the book he was holding and placed it on a nearby table. "I wonder what Chef Boone has made for us this evening? Let's go see. We wouldn't want him to feel underappreciated for his fine works of culinary skills." He spoke making his way to the library door to exit expecting her to follow.
. . . . .
But she didn't follow. At least not for another minute or two. Rosalyn stared down at the book open in front of her, the fingers of one hand woven through her hair at the top of her head, the other gently holding the corner of the page she was on.
She was looking for answers. Not answers concerning their political situation with Elonia, but answers on the sorcerer that lurked there, waiting for the queen's return. Only the queen's return. He had made it very clear to her that she was to return alone, or risk the endangerment of anyone else. So she had to figure out how to beat him at his own game...alone.
Rosalyn let out a long breath, not even realizing she had been holding it, and closed the cover of the book she had been reading. She stood and joined Adrien near the door. "Of course not. He is a wonderful chef. And I fear that Mrs. Pom may come after us if we are not in the dining hall soon."