Chapter 19

After a few minutes Andy stopped glowing and began to breathe more easily. Tu and Elle, on the other hand, never glowed and continued to not breathe. With the prevailing calm in the room, the sound that was coming through the window from the courtyard below could be heard; the sound of many people talking excitedly in anticipation of some event.

"Excuse me, what about the people?" asked Fezzik.

The old Humperdinck would have delegated the job to someone else, but that version was no longer king. "The people must be told of all that has happened, but now isn't the time for the full telling. They should know that I'm back and in no danger." He excused himself and made his way back to the throne room balcony, grabbing Andy's speaking cone in the process. Meanwhile, Westley and Fezzik made their way out to the castle entrance where they stood looking at the people.

Inigo, Contessa, Buttercup and Greta joined the crew of the Revenge as they gathered outside the castle wall with whatever part of Florin couldn't fit inside the courtyard. Ruby, seeing a few familiar faces, joined the Revenge crew as well. A hush fell over the crowd as people noticed the doors moving and then opening on the balcony. A deafening roar of approval rose from the crowd when their hastily scrubbed King Humperdinck stepped out to the edge and waved to the crowd. After allowing the crowd to let off a little energy, Humperdinck motioned for quiet and silence descended upon the courtyard and beyond.

"Good people of Florin" started Humperdinck before checking himself. "MY people of Florin. My address to you today shall be brief. I have returned safely from whence I was taken almost two weeks ago. Tonight, rest assured that those responsible for trying to harm me have met their end. However, I ask that you keep our Court Counselor Andy in your thoughts and prayers as he fights for his life from the harm done by those same people."

"The tale of my ordeal should be heard by all in Florin" he continued. "However, the tale is long and the hour is late. Therefore, for the next four days I shall give an accounting of that adventure at the tenth hour of the morning and again at the third hour after noon. I ask that you all find time to attend one of those times. Spread the word to all who are not to hear this announcement today so that they may listen as well. In two weeks' time the trumpet shall call again for everyone to come and I shall have further news for you. Thank you." The king waved again and went back in to the castle, closing the doors behind him.

Humperdinck asked his staff to make accommodation for his new friends to stay the night in the castle before an important conference the next morning during breakfast. After bidding everyone a good evening Humperdinck pretended to go to bed, but instead quietly stole down to Andy's room where he found Max.

"How is he?" the king asked.

"He's not worse. He might be getting better; I just don't know" Max said as he shrugged. "I'm a miracle man, not an oracle."

"I'll stay and watch over him. You go get some rest and we'll meet in the morning with everyone else over breakfast."

"No. I stay with him until he wakes up or...doesn't."

"You really care for him, don't you?"

Max sat back and rubbed his eyes. "Andy is like the son we never had. He lived with Valerie and me for several years as he learned the craft. We ate, slept, worked, failed and achieved together. Until that Rugen fellow..." Max's voice trailed off.

Humperdinck nodded. "I trusted Rugen, and it seems my trust was misplaced in him and Tu. 'Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?' as they say. That shall not happen again; I am going to take a more active role in the activities of my kingdom AND get to know the people around me." He extended his hand to Max. "We shall stand watch together tonight." Max took the offered hand.

"Deal."

The next morning the dawning light started to brighten the darkened room. Candles that had been lit were long burned out, and the two vigilant watchers were...asleep. Andy stirred and Max came instantly awake in such a jar that it woke up Humperdinck as well. The king was momentarily disoriented just where he was until he saw Max and Andy.

Max bent over Andy and shook him gently. He opened his eyes and a weak smile appeared on his face when he saw Max. "Hey there kid, how do you feel?" he asked.

"Really weak" answered Andy, "I feel lower than the belly of a snake and I'm really thirsty, but I feel a lot better than I did..." he looked out the window at the daylight. "...yesterday?"

"You slept through the night" added Humperdinck, "although sometime during the early hours we nodded off too. Are you hungry?"

"No food, thanks" said Andy. "I'm just glad to be here." He took a sip of water offered by Max. "Who poisoned me? Was it Tu?"

"He and his wife. She was poisoning the dates I wouldn't eat trying to kill me and they got you instead. Feel like running the country again?"

Andy shook his head with all the effort he could manage. "No, you can have it back. I'm not cut out to rule, I hate it. How do you manage?"

Humperdinck considered. "You have to love your country."

"I do, but it's more than that."

"I love my people."

"Maybe that's it. I love people, but I never really thought of them as 'my' people. What else do you have to love?"

"I love my new friends of course, if they'll consider me one. And my dear family that is now long gone. And now Ru..." His face showed shock as what he was about to say sank in.

"Ru?" asked Andy.

"...Ruby Amicitia, King Stephen of Guilder's daughter" answered Max with some satisfaction. "I thought there was something going on between you. Does she know?"

"I could never tell her," answered Humperdinck reluctantly "not after the way I've been and the things I've done."

"Listen to me as someone who's been around awhile" ordered Max. "You go talk to Ruby right now and see how she feels about things; you might just be surprised. If she doesn't want you, you're no worse off. If she does...well, you two can ruin the rest of your lives together instead of apart. Now go do it before you get wrapped up in your breakfast conference." He winked.

Humperdinck gave a nervous smile and hurried off.

"I guess there's some stuff I need to get caught up on" remarked Andy.

"Let me explain" began Max before he paused. "There isn't time to explain, let me sum up..."

From Andy's room Humperdinck cut through the main entrance to make his way toward the guest area. Although it was before breakfast, already some people were taking an early stroll arm in arm around various parts of the courtyard. Buttercup and Westley, Fezzik and Greta, Inigo and Contessa all seemed to be paired up and in conversation with each other. I'll do my talking in private thought Humperdinck as he headed toward Ruby's room.

...

A few hours later a conference was held of more importance than any other in Florin's history. Many issues were discussed but in the end several things were resolved.

Once a year there would be a day designated as 'Among the People Day' to be observed on the anniversary of Humperdinck's return home. It would be spent with the real people of Florin to participate in their lives and to learn more about the people he loved.

An institution of advanced learning to find and train the brightest of Florin to lead her in new ideas and inventions was to be founded. Leading this new direction would be the Court Counselor Andy Night Wolf and special advisor Miracle Max. As a result of the poison Andy's left leg was permanently weakened but in all other regards he was fully recovered and eager to begin.

Florin would rebuild Fezzik's blacksmith shop in Haypenne, with an expansion so that Inigo could master the craft of sword making. Fezzik had first right of contract for all non-military smithing for Florin for two years.

Inigo and Contessa would move to Haypenne to build a house that Contessa was already calling "The old pirates' retirement home", funded and furnished by their combined swag from careers on the sea; Inigo simply said they were "marrying their fortunes together."

Westley was to become the chief commerce consultant for Florin in its new relations with the surrounding countries. Trade would commence when suitable ships could be built or repurposed.

And in three weeks' time Humperdinck and Ruby were to be married.

Later that day Andy asked for Buttercup to visit him in his room. When she arrived she found Max present as well. Andy apologized for the indelicateness of the subject, but asked if she would answer a few questions concerning her infertility. After the initial shock of the question, she agreed. She had already consulted Max previously, and although he was unable to help he obviously had discussed the subject with Andy.

Questions followed regarding family history, health and diet. Andy examined her eyes, skin, tongue and fingers before consulting with Max. Max nodded and gestured Andy back to Buttercup. "I've done a bit of reading before that leads me to believe your problem is strictly dietary. When you moved to Inti your food source changed and you have a mineral deficiency." He went over to a shelf and dug around in a box, removing a bottle with a powder inside and gave it to her. "Use a small spoon of this in your food once a day for two weeks and your minerals will be balanced again. After that take it just once a week. The...ahem...rest is up to you."

As it turned out, Humperdinck's recounting of his adventure was more popular than he imagined. Although the first telling was to a small gathering, the size of the audience grew with each repeat. Two random guys named Walt and Craig attended multiple sessions, taking notes during each telling. The king extended his schedule to an entire week before finally finishing with the performances. He didn't mind and having Ruby along to help with the narration was just an added benefit.