Chapter 12

Andy sat upon the throne and thought. It occurred to him that kings must do a lot of that for there was much to consider in a kingdom. Andy was no stranger to intense thinking, but it usually involved a single idea or project and not something as large in scope as the affairs of a country. Although it could probably run along with its current momentum for some time, that certainly was no way to make progress.

The first manner of business had been taken care of for him. Exhaustive research had concluded that there were no blood relatives alive to which could be passed the crown. Sadly, it would seem that the Katz family rule had come to an end. He didn't know what the future would hold, but for the time being he was the de facto ruler.

And as the ruler he would have to officially respond to the kidnappers' demand note. With pen and paper he took the ransom note and wrote on the back of it:

To the vile scum that have taken our King:

Florin has not, nor will ever give into the demands
of thieves and criminals. We are a strong people
and shall carry on without our King who has
probably already perished at your hands. The
enemies around us shall see no weakness from
Florin's new leader.

Andy Night Wolf, Regent

Andy placed the royal seal upon the note and handed it to Tu, who fully endorsed Andy's plan when they had discussed the matter in earnest a few hours before. Tu took the note and left to deliver it to the regular courier who was in contact with the spy from Guilder. Andy closed his eyes. The demands of leadership are already heavy upon me, he thought. I sleep worse than ever and am already weary before the morning is over. Nevertheless, duties needed to be performed.

He wanted to push Florin ahead into a new era of prosperity and growth and had an idea to start an institute of learning to promote advanced education in Florin. With a greater pool of well-educated people Florin should flourish with new ideas and energy. He had to work with what was around him to get it going, and to that end he wanted to discuss the idea with the man he had picked out to be the new head clergyman. The previous head was going to be ceremoniously retired to devote his time fully to the subject of "Twoo Wuv". The new head was much younger but at least he could hold a conversation without falling asleep, although at this point Andy wasn't sure that he could do the same. He closed his eyes a moment.

He opened them again when he heard a "Ahem." Looking, he saw the kitchen maid Elle standing at the doorway. In her hands was a bowl of steaming rice which she had carried into the room. "Regent, this was delivered by a special envoy as a gift to the king several weeks ago. It is called rice. I thought perhaps you would like to try some." She placed the bowl on the table beside the date bowl and left. Andy looked at the bowl. Maybe later he thought, he really wasn't hungry right now. Not even for dates.

For a distraction he turned his attention to the prospect of redesigning the Florin flag.

...

Before the sun had even risen Westley, Buttercup and Fezzik had reached the shore of northern Florin and made their way ashore. This was home to Buttercup; in the distance she could just made out where her family farm lay. To Westley it was a time long ago when his whole world consisted of working on a farm with the most beautiful girl he had ever met. Poor and intimidated, he had spoken few words to her but those words had spoken volumes. To Fezzik it was another land that wasn't Greenland; unfortunately it also was another land that didn't have Greta in it. She had stayed behind with Contessa while they worked on things aboard the Revenge. But these small people needed a bodyguard anywhere near Florin, and Fezzik wasn't going to let them come to harm should trouble arise.

But no trouble arose as they walked the short distance to the farm. Humperdinck had been warned before they made their escape during the rescue that if anything should happen to the farm or Buttercup's family, a price would be paid by the prince. Whether through fear or honor that warning had been heeded, and as they arrived they found the farm much like it had been at that time. The crops might have varied slightly, and the mix of animals had changed over the years but it was pretty much the same farm since Ed and Trina Flowers had settled some thirty years ago.

Buttercup ran up to the door and called. Her mother answered and they entered to endure a round of hugs and greetings between everyone. Even though it had been less than a year since they last visited, there was news to catch up on and of course the recent happenings with Humperdinck which she omitted for the time being. The audience included Buttercup's two sisters Daffodil and Lily and her brother Bud, all younger than her. Although all had grown since she last saw them, she couldn't help but notice that Daffodil had become a beauty in her own right and about the same age as Buttercup was when she fell in love with Westley.

"So Daffy," asked Buttercup after most of the news had been covered "has dad hired any handsome farm boys to catch your eye?"

"No" she replied somewhat dejectedly, "and it's not fair. Dad says we don't need one now that Bud is old enough to help. How am I supposed to find a man on the farm? I can't count on a rich prince riding by and asking me to marry him like SOME people I know."

"That's not how it worked and you know it. Besides, Humperdinck is still single. I just spoke with him yesterday. He's really not such a bad sort now, I think he's finally growing up a bit." She couldn't help but catch a glint in Daffodil's eyes as the concept sunk in.

"Still single? If he liked you then he'll LOVE me! You have to take me back with you. Please please please PLEASE PLEASE?!"

"Only if mother and father agree. And you have to get an okay from Westley too. And it wouldn't hurt to ask Fezzik's opinion as to whether taking you back to the king might be considered torture." Daffodil tried to kick Buttercup but she had already moved out of range, laughing.

Westley and Fezzik were quickly recruited by Buttercup's father who was working outside, to help with some of the heavier jobs around the farm that had been waiting for more able-bodied hands. Ed thought more than once that Fezzik would be a perfect neighbor, very handy to have in a pinch if he needed a horse picked up or a house moved. He just didn't know how often he could feed a neighbor like him though. Through subtle questions Westley determined that no word of Humperdinck's kidnapping had reached the farm yet. That would change, but it was encouraging that no panic had taken over Florin; they wished merely to educate Humperdinck, not cause harm to Florin and its people.

Towards the evening Daffodil had already completed part of her rounds with asking permission to go to Guilder. In fact she had spent more effort on wheedling permission that doing actual chores. When pressed, her mother said it was okay with her if it was okay with her father. Coming in from the fields, her father said it was okay with him if it was okay with Westley; he trusted the young man's opinion, and quite frankly Daffy really wasn't one that could be counted on to get much work done around the farm anyway.

Westley didn't care if she came along, he explained, as long as she stayed out of the way and didn't cause any trouble with some traveling they planned to do. But he would abide by Fezzik's decision since he was the one that would ultimately be her guardian while abroad.

Fezzik said yes because deep down he had never been able to say no to a young lady or children, even when he tried.

So, much to Buttercup's chagrin Daffodil told her later that day that she would be sailing with them that night. Buttercup bit her lip; she really didn't think that everyone would have said yes. However, a promise was a promise and when they would set sail that evening Daffy would be traveling with them back to Guilder.

...

Leaving his crown sitting on the bed, Humperdinck left the bedroom and went down to the dining area for breakfast. Sitting there were Stephen and Captain D'Vough of the Intrepid. Strike that; it was Inigo Montoya of the Intrepid. Strike that, it was Inigo from the Revenge. Or was it Roberts? Humperdinck corrected himself over again; it was still a little confusing and just hoped there weren't other people pretending to be someone else. Also sitting on either side of the king was a woman perhaps a few years younger than himself and a young man or boy depending on whether the darkness under his nose was a mustache or the remains of breakfast. Inigo had been getting up and excusing himself when he turned and saw Humperdinck. He explained he needed to get down to the Revenge and would speak with Humperdinck later if he desired. He then left, and Stephen introduced the other members of his family.

"These are the remaining members of the royal family Amicitia. This is my daughter Ruby, and my son Garnet. You may not remember, but before Garnet was born you actually met Ruby when my family visited yours." Humperdinck did not remember, but then again there had been more than a few visitors when he was young. Both of Stephen's children rose. Ruby blushed slightly and bowed, while Garnet simply omitted the blush. "Please, be seated and eat. We all have a big day today; although Ruby and Garnet will be on their own while we go about our rounds we'll probably meet up again in the evening."

Humperdinck sat and ate while Garnet peppered him with questions about Florin. Ruby asked a few as well, but mostly listened. Stephen merely ate and followed the conversation, occasionally redirecting Garnet's questions if they were too personal. He did explain to Humperdinck the reason for the special day each year was a chance for the royal family to keep in touch with the people and not become insulated within the castle walls which was an easy thing to do. They ate and talked, then left and made their way out of the castle and onto the main street. After a bit Ruby and Garnet bid their farewells and went off in another direction while the two men continued their walk, Stephen pointing out various shops and people as they continued on down the street.