Chapter Four: Disaster

Chapter Four: Disaster

Calla and Cavin laid on the hay, calla close to him. She draped her hands over his chest, nuzzling close and inhaling his scent. Cavin in reply, wrapped his arms around her, letting her hair brush against his cheeks. He inhaled the scent. She in turn, tightened her grip, letting a gentle kiss from her lips tickle his neck.

"Hey Cavin," the two looked up to see an arrogant Unwin standing over them. "Are you forgetting your place? That's the Princess."

Calla answered, "Shut up, Unwin. Father gave his blessing."

The squire stared, "Wh…what?"

Cavin sat up and Calla leaned against his chest. "That's right Unwin. I can call her Calla; I can spend time with her whenever I chose. And you have no say in it."

Unwin was about to retort when suddenly the guards in front cried out, "To arms! We're under attack."

Unwin turned to the younger ones. Although he loved to agitate Cavin, he cared for him, it was just fun to irritate him. But before he could do or say anything, the page was running off, Calla in tow. They both wanted to fight but knew better. On his way off, they passed the King. Calla grabbed his hand.

"Father!"

The king paused. He took in his daughter's features. He had a feeling this battle could very well take his life away. He turned to Cavin,

"Cavin? Take care of my little girl. Love her well."

That said he rushed off. Calla turned to Cavin, her eyes wide. Cavin didn't know what to say so he gently steered her away. She went along with him as she sensed a danger about. Cavin led her up through the towers, into one of the hidden rooms; the gummies had built centuries ago.

The two stayed there, clinging to each other as they heard the united voices of Lady Bane and Igthorn shout,

"Attack!"

* * *

Buddi wandered around Gummadoon, feeling lonely. He didn't feel like he belonged to any of the groups. None of the boys liked the things he did. But since Ursa had asked him to play with boys his age, he tried to. He noted three boys his age, two red with blood red hair and green tunics and one green one with a yellow cap and tunic.

"Hey!"

The three boys turned around when they heard someone yell. They sneered when they saw who it was. Everyone knew that Buddi was very sensitive and they didn't believe he was as tough as it was said. And there was something else that sealed him out of their circle.

"Go play with the girls, Mama's boy."

Buddi froze. Their words stung but he tried to shove them off. "Just because I'm close to her doesn't make me a Mama's boy."

"Sure it does. Go play with the little girls, wimp."

For Buddi, this was a whole new experience. He had never been teased before, not by peers. He always felt that his peers could accept him. Sunni and Cubbi accepted him and even thought that him having a close relationship with Ursa was a rare and great thing. This was the first time Buddi'd been laughed at because of it.

But he decided if they were gonna laugh at him, he didn't need them. That's what Ursa always told him.

Buddi shrugged, "Fine, I'm sure I can find some nicer people than you jerks."

The eldest cub, looking to be about fifteen and with red frizzy hair turned and followed Buddi. He shoved him down so he crashed face down. Buddi immediately whirled around and stood up.

"Go away and play with Mommy, wimp."

Buddi rolled his eyes and clutched his hands into tiny fists. He was getting angry now. He took a breath to calm down.

"Grow up."

He turned to walk away but the cub swung a fist at him, hitting the back of Buddi's head. Buddi whirled around. Gritty and Ursa frowned on him starting fights but they also said he had a right to defend himself. Buddi turned to the elder cub and swung his fist with all his strength.

Before long, both were on the ground.

* * *

"Ow!"

Gritty sighed and held Buddi's head still, applying some herbs to the large cut on his temple. Buddi immediately winced as they stung. Gritty smoothed out a bandage over the cub's forehead and around his head. Buddi winced and Gritty applied some herbs to the other wounds, quite a few.

"Buddi, Gum's sake, what were you thinking?"

Buddi turned as Ursa came in with some ice, which she applied to Buddi's left eye, which was black. The cub looked at her with his good eye.

"You always said to defend myself."

Ursa sighed, "Gum's sake, how did this start?"

"I was trying to make friends and they didn't let me join them. As I tried leave, they started calling me names and then pushing me. One hit me, I fought back and then they overwhelmed me."

Ursa sighed. "What did they call you?"

"A wimp and a Mama's boy."

Ursa rolled her eyes, "Buddi, you shouldn't let that bug you." She knew that it had, it was in his eyes. Buddi lowered his eyes and hissed,

"But…I'm not used to it."

Gritty applied a salve to another wound, shaking his head, "Buddi, you have to adjust. Besides, your sensitivity doesn't help."

Ursa narrowed her eyes. "Gritty, don't tell him that."

"But it's true. He's too sensitive!"

"That's not the prime subject here!"

"It is so! If he wasn't so damn sensitive and shy, he'd have no problem."

"Gritty!"

Buddi clamped his hands over his ears, begging with a breaking voice, "Stop it!"

Gritty and Ursa looked at Buddi. The cub got to his feet, hands still over his ears. He flung the bag of ice down and stormed out. Ursa decided to leave him be. He usually needed some time to himself. Ursa turned to Gritty.

"Okay, okay, so you were right."

* * *

Calla heard the battle sound suddenly cease. She and Cavin looked through a secret window and saw Igthorn and lady Bane running but there was a grin on their faces. That made Calla uneasy. She tore by Cavin and back outside. She saw Sir Tuxford and ran to his side.

"Sir Tuxford, what-"

She trailed off. She saw why he was so somber.

"FATHER!"

Her father was lying still, blood puddle around him. Call raced to his side, to be held back by Tuxford.

"He's gone, princess." He tried to reason. She began to scream,

"No! Father!"

Gradually, some knights wrapped the king's body and carried it away. Calla only half way listened to Tuxford.

Her father had managed to forced Igthorn back but a well aimed knife had ended his life. Calla was weeping and then realized,

"I have to rule now."

Sir Tuxford nodded. "But there is something more important than that Princess. You…"

"I have to produce a heir." She finished. Her thoughts were interrupted by,

"Calla…"

She and the knight turned as Cavin walked in. Calla burst into tears and flung herself into his arms. Sir Tuxford watched and knew then that Cavin would soon no longer be a page but a King. But he wasn't about to suggest that. Rather, he stated,

"Perhaps you should absorb this Princess. But…remember, an heir is necessary in times of war. And we are definitely at war."

He felt terrible for mentioning it but the monarchy had to survive. Besides, if Calla had a partner, it would help her through this time. He let her absorb that and he left and gradually the crowd dispersed, leaving Calla and Cavin alone.

"Oh Cavin," Calla moaned, crying, tears staining Cavin's shirt.

"Calla, if I could…"

Calla interrupted. "There is something you can do."

"What?"

She looked up at him. "Cavin, as sad as I am, my father's kingdom must survive. I have to become Queen. So I have to marry to produce a heir. I don't want a prince, I want someone I love and who can help me live on."

Cavin stared at her, "Calla, you aren't…."

She nodded and kissed him, tears staining her cheeks, "I am. Marry me."

She looked at him, "I love you Cavin and I know you feel the same. Father says…said that love can beat any odds. I know that…I understand if you…" she trailed off. Cavin lifted her chin.

"I understand."

Calla's mouth dropped, "I knew it. You do love me. Will you help me Cavin? I don't know if I can do this alone. Please. I love you! I need you!"

Cavin nodded.

Calla stammered, "You…"

"I will."