Chapter 8: The Rebels Attack
A few more days passed as Countess Rocha was pressuring MK to choose a date for the wedding.
"I told you, I need to resolve these problems first, then we can discuss it." MK was short with her as she continued to look over several disturbing occurrences documented.
"Fine. But you need to decide by the time of your eighteenth birthday. Which is just around the corner, as is the approaching winter."
"Alright, now please let me get back to work." MK pleaded as Countess Rocha scoffed as she walked away.
Another hour passed as there was a light tapping at MK's door.
"Here you are." Prince Aragorn walked into the office tucked away in the palace as she smiled.
"Hey. Yea sorry, I've been really busy with all this. I want to be sure that everyone gets a chance to be heard. So we're going to schedule a town meeting in a day or two."
"Sounds wonderful. Would you like to get some dinner with me this evening?" Prince Aragorn walked in and sat at the opposite side of the desk as MK nodded.
"Sure, that sounds nice." MK said rather flatly as Prince Aragorn looked away and blushed.
"Well, I best let you get back to work. I'll be on my way." Prince Aragorn stood up as he walked out. MK kept her eyes on her work as the door slowly creaked closed. She put her papers down and sighed.
"I need a break." MK put her papers back inside their file, got up and walked towards her secret garden.
"Oh, these strawberries are doing great." MK smiled as she gently picked some berries and took them to the small river running through the middle as she used a large leaf as a bowl and started eating when she noticed the leaves moving as she heard cursing.
"Who's there?" MK stood up and peeked over the distant bushes and found Nod wrestling with a caterpillar trying to eat some of the leaves.
"I'm sorry your majesty, I found this guy and I was trying to get rid of him, I didn't mean to disturb you." Nod said rather seriously as MK couldn't help but laugh. It seemed so long since she last was able to laugh. When she was with Prince Aragorn, he could make her smile, but he was usually all business.
"I look ridiculous don't I?" Nod asked as MK nodded enthusiastically.
"Ah jeez. Come one little guy." Nod picked up the caterpillar and took it outside and released it into the wild as he eventually came back.
"Thanks, I'm sure the plants appreciate it." MK smiled at him as he chuckled.
"Well as embarrassing as that was, I'm glad all that made you laugh. I haven't seen you laugh in a while." Nod went to reach his hand out but stopped himself.
"Probably because I haven't been able to hang out with my best friend." MK teased as Nod blushed, lowering his head as his brown hair covered his face for a moment.
"I'm sorry I've been really awkward and distant lately. It's tough seeing you with someone else. And I want to do my job right."
"I know, and I appreciate it. Well we both to seem to have our hands full don't we?" MK picked up her berries and offered Nod some.
"Thanks. Yea, things seem to be getting more . . . complicated lately." Nod ate a few strawberries as MK saw a dying plant and healed it.
"You're really getting good at that." Nod knelt down beside her.
"Thanks. I've finally gotten the hang of it. Only took me several months." MK rolled her eyes as she looked to see Nod only a few inches away from her. It had been so long since she'd been this close to him. She observed every feature and tried to embed in her mind, every freckle spread across his face as Nod blushed.
"I-I should get back to guarding, something." Nod stood up and walked out as MK sighed.
"Right. And here I need to be guarding my heart. Something I've really been failing at." MK slowly stood up as she went in search of Ronin, surprised to find him talking with Lily in the kitchen.
"Ronin?" MK walked in as Lily stood erect, clearly embarrassed and caught off guard.
"Yes highness?" Ronin too stood rather erect as he searched MK's face.
"I better go." Lily curtsied as she walked out.
"Sorry, was I interrupting?" MK looked rather guilty as Ronin shook his head.
"Just two friends chatting."
"Friends hu?" MK crossed her arms as Ronin shrugged.
"Yes, just as you and Nod are friends, I have also decided to befriend Lily."
"Yea, friends. Well, I think Lily's lovely." MK uncrossed her arms as Ronin noticed a tension in her stance.
"I'm sorry, I know it's probably too soon to talk about that."
"No, it's fine. We are friends, well it really feels more like acquaintances now. I mean I am technically engaged to Prince Aragorn."
"Yes, though I don't believe it's been formally announced yet."
"Countess Rocha had a flyer made up and it was posted in town."
"But you yourself have yet to announce this decision."
"Yea, no I haven't done that yet."
"No one expects you to rush into this."
"Well that's good, because I think I'm just . . . screwing things up."
"No, you're doing the best you can."
"Ronin, just stop being so nice." MK sat down as she reached for the closest box of anything. She found a few chocolate chip cookies on the counter as she ate them slowly.
"I don't do nice; you know that by now. I'm just being honest."
"Yea sure. I'm the best Queen ever." MK rolled her eyes as Ronin chuckled.
"You're still very young. Do you think Tara became the best overnight?"
"Ronin, it's been months."
"And you need years to adjust to the job and all the responsibilities and demands that come along with it. Even then I'm sure you'll make mistakes, because you're not perfect, none of us are."
"Ugh!" MK whined as she finished the last of the cookies and groaned.
"You don't want to marry him do you?"
"I just . . . I don't know what I want anymore. Zeneba said I have to find a balance and I find that impossible."
"Hmm, she is quite wise."
"Ronin, maybe I'm not cut out for this." MK looked up at him.
"The pod wouldn't have chosen you if you weren't."
"Maybe it made a mistake."
"Doubt it."
"Do you ever agree with anything I say?"
"Only when you're being honest with yourself."
"Ronin, just tell it to me straight, what am I supposed to do!?"
"No one can tell you that, you have to decide for yourself."
"And the Counsel?"
"We're here to help guide you, but we can't force you to do anything."
"Then why choose Prince Aragorn?"
"Because he was the best man for the job."
"And Nod?"
"Is a good kid, but still has a lot to learn."
"Like me?"
"No, you were selected."
"And I selected Nod."
"Things aren't always so black and white."
"Why not?"
"Because that's life."
"You're talking in riddles!"
"And you're going to drive yourself mad if you continue this cycle. You continue to search for an answer you'll never find."
"I just want peace." MK sighed.
"Don't we all." Ronin finally walked around the counter and sat beside her.
"I just feel like I'm running myself into the ground trying to figure out what I'm supposed to do. I know Nod's acting differently because of the decision and Prince Aragorn is only trying to be a gentleman and go with the Counsel's judgment."
"And what are your reactions to all this?" Ronin looked at her.
"I just feel like I'm suffocating. I hurt for Nod, and I appreciate all that Prince Aragorn is doing, but I just don't feel like . . . well me. When I first took on this responsibility, I was willing to do anything to protect the forest and its inhabitants, and then after the ball, I just wanted to be happy and be with Nod. Then after that meeting with the Counsel, I felt like I made the wrong decision, but yet it felt so right deciding for Nod to be the one ruling by my side."
"So were you being indecisive and simply chose the simple answer of pursing happiness? And are you now simply trying to atone for this and are choosing your responsibilities?"
"I don't know, maybe?" MK looked at him with a quizzical face.
"Huhhh, you know Tara used to question her decisions all the time." Ronin looked off into the distance as if to recall a memory.
"Really?" MK perked up as she felt slightly relieved.
"She did. It was over the silliest of things: her appearance, what she ate, how she should wave at the people. But when it came to executive, lawful, and peace-making decisions, she never doubted herself. She just knew what to do."
"Wow. She was amazing." MK looked down at her hands.
"She never needed a Counsel." MK sighed.
"No, but she would seek counsel if there was ever a pressing matter she couldn't see past or was focusing on for too long."
"Really?" MK looked up at Ronin with wide eyes as he nodded.
"She was wise, caring, compassionate, patient, and she learned to love everyone and everything. Even Countess Rocha liked her." Ronin nodded as MK rolled her eyes.
"She can't stand me." MK groaned as Ronin laughed heartily.
"That's not entirely true."
"Yea right. She keeps telling me to set a date for a wedding."
"Oh. Well, that's to be expected."
"Hmm, I guess. But what's Nod going to do?"
"He knows you two will get married eventually."
"But-"
"He'll want you to be happy." Ronin gently laid a hand on her shoulder as MK nodded.
"I guess."
"And I'm assuming you want him to be happy as well?"
"Of course." MK turned towards Ronin.
"Even if he were to marry someone else."
"It would, it would really suck, but as long as he's happy." MK shrugged.
"Well then?"
"Hmm yea, I guess you're right. Man, adulting is heard." MK furrowed her brows as Ronin chuckled again.
"It is indeed. And ruling a kingdom isn't any easier, at least I'd imagine."
"You're not wrong there." MK gently elbowed him as the two sat there quietly for a moment as MK closed her eyes as took in a deep breath.
"Ok, I think I'd want a June wedding."
"Hmm, sounds nice." Ronin shrugged.
"I'd better go and talk to Prince Aragorn."
"I think you should."
"Right, and Ronin, I think Lily really appreciates your friendship." MK winked as Ronin blushed.
MK went in search for Prince Aragorn who was outside in the secret garden playing his flute.
"You're really good, but that song sounded really sad and lonely." MK watched Prince Aragorn get down from a tall pine tree as MK smiled rather somberly.
"Yes well, it's the legend of my people, and it's a rather sad one." Prince Aragorn jumped down as his ears flattened out.
"Oh?" MK watched him place his flute inside his jacket as he sighed.
"Penny for your thoughts?" MK asked in a kind tone as Prince Aragorn looked at her with a confused gaze.
"What is a penny?"
"It's just an expression, but it's U.S. money."
"Ah, currency."
"Yes, but I'm asking what's on your mind."
"Ah. Well, I was just thinking about what my family did. They were . . . well tyrants. They betrayed their people, nearly taxed them to death. The whole kingdom practically fell apart. Thus, when it was my turn to rule, I made sure to fix everything they ruined."
"That's terrible, but good for you for making things right. I really respect someone who is generous and caring towards others." MK smiled as she reached a hand out and placed it on Prince Aragorn's shoulder.
"I thank you." Prince Aragorn took her hand as he kissed it.
"I, I picked a date for the wedding. Well a month really." MK looked up at Prince Aragorn as he held onto her hand.
"Oh?"
"June?"
"The Genesis of Summer." Prince Aragorn looked deeply into MK's green eyes as she felt her breathing become rather labored.
"Yes, I thought it would be nice . . . warm, the flowers will still be in bloom."
"Sounds wonderfully romantic." Prince Aragorn smirked as MK blushed.
"Well, I thought it would be after I turn eighteen, and it'll still be pretty warm, but not too warm." MK shrugged as Prince Aragorn nodded in agreement.
"Listen, there's a town meeting scheduled at the end of the week."
"Seems right, I heard all that's going on. Well, Countess Rocha has been keeping me informed."
"Hmm, that figures. I'm sorry I've kind of been avoiding you, there's just been a lot on my mind."
"Understood." Prince Aragorn finally released as MK looked rather conflicted.
"It's just, I'm trying to balance things." MK said in a low voice, barely above a whisper as Prince Aragorn nodded.
"You've been doing a fine job. Let's, let's meet up tonight and start planning the wedding. But I suppose we should first gather our thoughts for the town meeting." Prince Aragorn's face seemed rather flushed as MK nodded.
"Yea, let's focus on the town meeting first." MK walked back with Prince Aragorn to her office as they sat side-by-side and tried their best to come up with solutions. Hours later, MK found herself rather hungry as her stomach began to growl as Prince Aragorn agreed that it was time to eat something. Thus the two headed towards the kitchen as MK was surprised to find Nod and Rose laughing and chatting. It had been a while since she had seen Nod wear any semblance of a happy face.
The town meeting was set for the end of the week, in which MK decided to formally announce her engagement to Prince Aragorn. Nod made sure to be close to MK and Prince Aragorn, since many strange attacks and missing persons had been reported, along with stolen goods. Things seemed to go well, the inhabitants of the forest were all nearly in attendance and MK rose to speak. Her voice was clear and confident; she first greeted the people and upon calling up Prince Aragorn, a loud banging could be heard from within the crowd. A sea of armed humanoids came forward as the Leafman were rather surprised by the numbers flooding in. The civilians ran off, though none were able to flee in time. They were surrounded.
"Ronin." Nod looked over at Ronin, whose eyes had dilated in shock. Nod immediately knew what to do.
"MK, Prince Aragorn, we need to leave now." Nod ordered. Prince Aragorn agreed, but MK didn't move.
"What do you want?" MK looked over to see a tall figure turn to look at her.
"We are against this proposal. You choose the treacherous elf rather than other of the other suitors we presented. We would even prefer the Leafman as your lover than have the monarchy tainted by it's blood." The figure nodded over towards Prince Aragorn.
"That's enough! If you're only here to threaten us, I can assure you, your words will get you nowhere. Now, what do you want?" MK snapped.
"Isn't it obvious highness?" The figure launched towards her in a matter of seconds.
"We're going to introduce you to our choice for king. Don't anyone come near us!" The figure quickly had a knife to MK's throat, she felt a small trickle of blood roll down her neck as she stopped breathing for a moment.
"Let her go." Nod wasn't sure if his voice was stern or pleading.
"You can have her, but I want that thing far away from here." The figure gestured towards Prince Aragorn.
"No, I refuse to allow anyone harmed. I'll go, just leave my people be." MK begged.
"Fine." The figure sighed as they nearly vanished into thin air.
"What the bloody hell just happened!?" Nod screamed at the top of his lungs. MK and the strange figures wrapped in leaves wood and moss were gone.
"I'm sorry." Prince Aragorn apologized, kneeling before Ronin and Nod.
"What's this Prince?" Ronin was confused.
"It's because of me that they kidnapped MK. If you give them what they want, that will be the end of it."
"Prince Aragorn, quit talking in riddles and be straight with us. Do you know who they are?" Nod charged forward.
"Yes, they're elves, like me, but they're the ones who never sided with me. I've always referred to them as the Rebels. They're fierce warriors, and they're known for their cruelty. They used to serve under my father's rule. They enjoyed killing, torturing, and treating women like objects. I'm afraid I don't know their whereabouts, but I assure you they will not be easy to find. We must send out search parties, otherwise they're will not be a queen left to rescue." Prince Aragorn's voice was trembling, as were his hands. Nod knew the severity of what he said, within seconds he was assembling a search party.