A/N: I'm on vacation this week (no work, yay!) so expect several updates to this story. In the meantime, so many people to thank!
rp: I really admire you for going into the Peace Corps. A friend of mine did that and I think it's just such an amazing thing to do. I will definitely try my best to get the story finished so that you can read it before you leave.
Lollipop5 and June Bug: Glad to hear that you're enjoying the story. There's still much to come!
Kookle Wrenford: Thank you for your fantastic review! Your feedback is very helpful to me as I go back and write and revise before posting. I definitely aim to make this story as realistic as possible and you have given me some fantastic ideas.
Nadia/Munchkin: Glad you're back! When are your exams? I hope my stories will be good study breaks for you! Don't worry if it takes a while for you to read them, I completely understand. I'm sending you my best wishes for your success with your exams!
Chapter 30
Before he went to his study, Rhain stopped at his chamber to change into a simple shirt and breeches with a leather jerkin over them. He had much work to do before dinner and he wanted to be as comfortable as possible. Once in his study, he sent for Sir Edwyn, who was training the knights, and then settled to write letters to the kings of Germany and Italy.
To the German king, Rhain wrote that he accepted the king's kind offer of Germany's assistance in a war against France and requested that the German king come to the English castle as soon as possible so that they could discuss their war strategy. He also added a personal note, expressing his gratitude for the kind treatment they had received in Germany. He extended his friendship to the king and his best wishes for the health and happiness of all the people of his realm.
Rhain's letter to the Italian king was vastly different, as it began with an announcement of the death of his father and an explanation of its circumstance. With a sense of unreality, Rhain introduced himself as the new king of England and extended a royal invitation for the Italian king to visit, along with the German king. He expressed his wishes that the king of Italy would see fit to ally himself with England in the war against France.
He was just sealing his letters when Edwyn arrived in his study. His friend was soaked with sweat and looked exhausted.
"Your Majesty sent for me?" the knight asked. He stood at attention rather than taking a seat across from Rhain, as he normally would have done. He looked awkward, as if he were not quite certain how to conduct himself.
The king frowned. "Is that how your treat your old friend?" he asked. "Surely you do not believe that I would stand upon ceremony now, Edwyn. Sit as you always have and address me by my Christian name, unless your feelings of friendship for me have changed."
"Of course they have not," Edwyn replied. "'Tis simply that I know not how to conduct myself. I know not what to do now that you are king."
Rhain sighed and then smiled at his friend. "Imagine how I feel. But I wish that you, of all people, would not treat me any differently than you always have. We have long been friends and I wish you to simply treat me as Rhain, just as you did in the past."
Edwyn flopped into a chair and pushed his hair back out of his face. He scrubbed his hand over his beard wearily and then looked at his friend. "'Tis simply that times are changing and I am uncertain of what to do with myself during the transition."
Rhain rose from his seat and walked over to one of his windows, staring out in contemplation. "Times are changing, indeed."
Neither man said anything for a short time and then Rhain turned back to his friend. "Edwyn, there is much business before me and things are indeed changing, but one thing shall always remain the same. You shall always be my best friend and I shall always trust you implicitly. As you know, I must decide who are to be my advisors. I have thought long and hard, but there is one position that I did not need to think about for long. Edwyn, I appoint you as my Secretary of State. I feel that there is no one else in the kingdom that is even remotely as qualified as you. I trust in your sense and good judgment and I know that you will advise me well."
The knight rose from his seat with tears in his eyes. "You do me a great honor, Rhain," he said, solemnly. "I accept your offer with pleasure and hope for nothing more than to always serve you to the best of my abilities."
"I know that you always shall," Rhain said, with a smile. "I shall announce your appointment on the morrow, along with the names of the other advisors that I have chosen. I have sent out an official decree inviting the whole of the kingdom to attend. I expect that there will be a good number of people present."
Edwyn looked perplexed. "I am not certain I understand. Forgive me, I know that your choice of advisors is important, but is it not somewhat unusual to invite the whole of the kingdom? Does not the king usually make an announcement before his court and then allow the news to be carried by messenger to the rest of the kingdom?"
Rhain walked back over to his desk, his arms clasped behind his back. He met his friend's eye and nodded. "You are right, 'tis unusual. However, I have chosen to make this announcement publicly for a few reasons. One is that I think it important to involve the whole of this kingdom during this time of change. I feel my people need to know that I may be a competent leader and that I have their best interests at heart. However, there is another, more personal, reason for my choosing to make such a public announcement. While my selection of those who are to be my advisors is very important, I have another announcement to make that is of great concern to my entire kingdom."
The new Secretary of State now looked utterly confused. He leaned forward in anticipation. "What is that?"
An enormous smile spread across Rhain's face. He could no longer conceal his joyous news from his friend. "I am to be married."
Edwyn seemed taken aback. He rose from his chair in shock. "Married?" he asked, disbelief sounding in his voice. "To whom?" Suddenly, a look of perfect comprehension dawned on his face and he met Rhain's eye. "To Keelin? Can it be?"
"Aye," Rhain confirmed. "I proposed to her today and was accepted. I have already told my mother and plan to make an announcement at tonight's feast."
The giant's face was wreathed in smiles. "Congratulations! I cannot express my joy for you on this occasion! I know how you have longed for this."
"You are right, I have. It took some persuasion and I know that our marriage will have its share of difficulties, but that is nothing when I think that Keelin shall be my wife. I feel certain that we shall overcome any obstacles."
"You will have my love and support to aide you," Edwyn said stoutly. He hesitated for a moment. "I have spoken with your lady."
"You have? When?" Rhain asked, confusion clearly written on his face.
"Directly after His Majesty's funeral. I…I was concerned about you and knew that she was your friend. I thought that, perhaps, she would be able to help me better protect you from any danger from Mordrid. I hope you will not be angry with me. I did not mean to go behind your back, but you were not yourself and I feared for you."
Edwyn's words brought painful memories to the surface, but they also touched him. It was gratifying to know that his friend cared that much about him. "Over these last few days, I have come to understand many things," Rhain said to him. "I was out of my head in Germany and had you not been there with me, I very likely would have gotten myself senselessly killed. I was blinded by rage, by a thirst for revenge. Make no mistake, I still feel rage at the thought of Mordrid and I still wish to avenge my father's death, but my thoughts have cleared as of late. You need not worry for me any longer. I will not do anything hasty. I cannot risk my kingdom in that manner. This war will be well planned and well thought out, with your help."
"Of course you shall have my help," Edwyn said. "I confess I am truly relieved to hear you speak thus. I vow to you that I will do everything in my power to help you avenge His Majesty's death and to ensure the peace of this kingdom."
Rhain stepped around his desk to hug his friend and the two of them slapped each other on the back. The king then returned to his seat and Edwyn followed suit.
"As much as I wish to discuss nothing more than my joyous news, I must speak with you of affairs of state before we leave to dress for the feast," Rhain said.
The Secretary of State nodded and the newly crowned king told Edwyn of his letters and his plans for a meeting with the kings of Italy and Germany. They discussed the best course of action possible, deciding that everything should be done as expeditiously as possible in order to limit the amount of time the king of France would have to prepare for such an attack. They decided that all of the normal fanfare surrounding a visit of the kings of other European nations should be suspended for the time being. They would have a feast in honor of the two kings' presence on the night that they arrived, but decided to dispense with the normal balls, hunts, and other activities that usually followed. In their opinion, it was best to preserve such sport for the future, in celebration of a victory against France.
Finally, the two men parted company at Rhain's chamber door so that they could ready themselves for the feast and announcement that were shortly to follow. When he returned to his chamber, Rhain saw that his orders had been carried out most efficiently. A tub was ready for him to bathe and his servants had readied raiment of somber blue velvet for him. He felt that he should be in deep mourning for the loss of his father, but also knew that he needed to show his new position as king of England. He had decided that dark colors would best suit this occasion, with the inclusion of a black armband to be worn in memory of his father. Similar armbands had been issued to all of the kings' knights, and they were to wear them to the feast as well.
Rhain was bathed and dressed quickly, his hair tied back neatly, and his crown placed upon his head. As reluctant as he was to go about wearing it in such a manner, he knew that it was important for him to wear it on this night for many reasons. He needed to emphasize that he was now the king and he needed to project an air of authority when he made his announcement.
Just before he quitted his chamber, his servants presented a small chest to him, opening it for his inspection. He pronounced his approval, pleased with what he saw within. He had sent a message earlier in the day telling the servants to procure the item for him and was pleased with its results. The king praised his servants and then set off for Keelin's chamber, one of the servants trailing behind him with the chest.
He had known that Keelin would be dressed similarly to him, but he was still unprepared for what he saw when her chamber door was opened and her blushing, somewhat giddy ladies bowed before him and led him into the chamber. Keelin was standing at the far end of the chamber with her back to the door, her head leaning against the window frame as she gazed out into the forest. She had apparently not heard his entrance, for she turned with a start when he spoke her name. A light blush colored her cheeks as she smiled at him bashfully.
She looked so incredibly beautiful that Rhain could scarcely believe his eyes. She was dressed in deep blue, like him, in an elegant gown of velvet with a brocaded satin underskirt. Her sleeves were slashed with a blue satin lining that matched her underskirt. They puffed out up to her elbow and he wondered at the tiny little laces that adorned them. From the elbow down, the sleeves were straight and fitted. The gown had a square neckline, which showed off the creamy beauty of her skin to perfection and the gentle swell of her bosom. The gown was embroidered in deep blue thread about the neckline and the waist and along the sides of the cutaway of her velvet skirt. Her hair was tied back in an intricate mass of tiny braids that were tucked into a little jeweled net that sparkled with dark blue sapphires. She was exquisite.
Rhain walked up to her and took her hands in his. "What is this vision before me?" he asked quietly, his voice filled with wonder. Keelin blushed even more deeply.
"Do you like it?" she asked him, somewhat anxiously.
"I have never seen anything more beautiful," he told her honestly. "I have always known you to be the loveliest, most angelic creature on Earth, but your beauty is always a source of amazement to me, just the same."
Keelin protested weakly, finally raising her face to his so that she was looking into his eyes. "I feel strange in my own skin, as if I am not myself," she said. Her dear face looked sad, causing a stabbing sensation in Rhain's heart.
"Of course you are yourself. I know that 'tis strange to be dressed in such a manner, but that does not take away from who you are. I shall always love you for whom and what you are, no matter what you wear." As he spoke, he caressed her cheek gently with the back of his hand and he felt her relax.
"You have made me feel better," she said to him.
"I am glad," he replied. "Now, I have a surprise for you." He summoned the servant with the chest forward and took it from the man, holding it out to Keelin.
"What is this?" she asked.
"Open it," he said, with a smile.
Tentatively, she reached out and opened the chest. She gasped audibly and her eyes grew very large and wide as she looked at what lay inside. "Oh, 'tis too magnificent. Nay, I cannot…"
"You can and you shall," Rhain said, gently. "Can you not let me spoil you as I wish? You are to be queen and these are part of the collection of the crown jewels. I ask that you wear them for me."
"I shall do so if it pleases you," she replied. "'Tis simply that I do not think myself worthy…"
"Hush," Rhain said, placing a gentle finger on her lips to halt her speech and then dropping a tender kiss there. "I shall be the judge of that." He smiled warmly at her. "Do you honestly mean to tell me that you do not think them beautiful?"
She smiled back at him, warming his heart. "I think them more beautiful than anything I have ever seen. Indeed, I do feel almost as though I were a princess or a queen, dressed as I am and now with these jewels to wear."
"You will soon be my queen," Rhain said, the sound of the words sending a jolt through his body. He placed the chest back on the pillow carried by his servant and then removed the necklace. He fastened it around Keelin's neck carefully, kissing her on the cheek as he withdrew his hands. Rhain then took the earrings from the box, placing them carefully in her newly pierced ears. She winced slightly and he studied her with concern. His servant withdrew from the chamber discreetly.
"Did I hurt you?" he asked.
"Nay," she said, with a smile. "I am merely a little sore about the ears."
"I would kiss them, but I think it would send your ladies into quite a flutter," Rhain whispered in her ear, his voice low and seductive. In contradiction to his words, his lips brushed her ear most tantalizingly as he spoke. It was all he could do to prevent himself from laughing when her cheeks went scarlet.
"Rhain," she protested, weakly.
"I shall not pretend that I do not desire you, but I shall speak of it no further as I can see that you find my speech impudent."
"Nay, I do not think you impudent. 'Tis just…well, 'tis only that…" Keelin's voice trailed off hopelessly and her face turned even redder.
Rhain laughed softly and lowered his lips to her hand. "Perhaps 'tis just that you feel the same and have been thinking improper thoughts about me?" he teased her, tracing circles in her palm with his fingertips.
"I can hardly discuss such things at present," she said weakly, casting a glance toward her ladies. Her flaming cheeks gave him all the confirmation he needed.
"There now, have I not distracted you from the task at hand and from your horror at the sight of these jewels?" he asked her.
"You are naughty indeed," Keelin scolded him, but she could not stop a small burst of laughter from overtaking her.
"There is the smile that I treasure," he said to her. "All the more so because I know that 'tis just for me. I cannot tell you how often I longed for you to turn your smiles on me. You are positively radiant when you smile. There, now, let me have a look at those jewels and then we shall go."
Keelin peeked up at him shyly through her lashes as he studied her in the crown jewels. The necklace was heavy with deep blue sapphires and diamonds set in gold. They flashed as she moved, emphasizing the fine smoothness of her skin. The earrings winked and bobbed as she turned her head, drawing attention to the beauty of her face, the elegant curve of her neck, the magnificent hair nestled in its jeweled net. She was incredible and he told her so, causing her to blush once more, most becomingly.
He tucked her arm into his and the giggling ladies opened the chamber door for them, trailing behind them as they progressed through the corridor. Rhain held Keelin's arm tightly and was proud of the many stares she drew as she passed. They reinforced his belief that she was the most beautiful woman on Earth. He was proud of her bravery in the face of this daunting night, proud of the way she held her head up high. Whenever he had seen her in the past, she had looked at the ground, as if unworthy of meeting the eye of any who passed her. This night, though, she was the epitome of elegance and beauty as she journeyed through the corridor and into the great hall. She would make a fine queen. He was a lucky man indeed.
Rhain could hear a great deal of whispering as he led Keelin into the great hall and to the chair to his right. The crowd rose as one to bow before the king and to stare at the young woman on his arm. Sir Edwyn rose from his seat as they entered the chamber and bowed to them. He took Keelin's hand and lowered his face to it for a kiss before returning to his seat on Rhain's left side. Rhain could hear the whispers increase at this sign of respect, the pitch of them growing only louder when the queen rose and the two women curtseyed to one another. Rhain helped Keelin into her seat and then gestured for the rest of those present to take their seats as well. The hall grew absolutely silent and still as he stood there, everyone waiting to see what their new king had to say.
"Honorable lords and ladies of the realm and my good sir knights, 'tis with a humble heart that I present myself to you as your king. I wish to assure you that, although these are turbulent times in the kingdom, they are also times of great and beneficial change. I cannot claim to be half the man that my father was, but with the grace of God, I shall do my best by you and hope that I may someday be honored by being thought of as a competent and fair king. I wish to assure you that the protection, safety, and peace of my people is my utmost concern and I shall take any step I feel necessary to procure peace and prosperity for my realm. I fear that war with France is a necessity, but once that threat is removed, I shall turn my full attention to the improvement of my kingdom, for I hope to bring about a great deal of change. This is a time of sorrow in my kingdom and I will never let my father's death be forgotten, but this is also a time of hope and joy. Let the changes in my kingdom begin with me, my faithful and ever-loyal subjects. Let me be the first to break through the barriers that separate us from our fellow men. As you all noticed, I entered the hall tonight with a maiden on my arm. 'Tis my honor and pleasure to announce to you that I am to be married to that maiden."
The king paused for a moment as a gasp of surprise rippled through the crowd. Excited chatter followed this outburst and Rhain took the opportunity to look over at Keelin and give her a reassuring smile. He could see that she was nervous, but her expression was one of the utmost seriousness and he could see the determination in her eyes. Her strength gave him strength and he turned his attention back to the crowd so that he could finish his speech.
"I know that you all wonder who this maiden is. I shall now tell you that you may know her, but not because she is of noble birth. In fact, her only relation to the peerage has been a lifetime of service. She is a peasant by birth, but noble of heart and I truly believe that she will prove to be not only a good and loving wife to me, but an exemplary queen to her people. Her name is Keelin and she is the maiden whom I rescued from the clutches of Mordrid."
It took several minutes for the commotion to die down this time and Rhain walked over to Keelin's chair and, taking her hand, helped her to rise from her seat and stand next to him.
"This feast that you see before you tonight is in honor of my future bride. I am certain that you will all feel as we do, that a bright future is spread out before us, a future in which we can build a better kingdom for every man, woman, and child of the realm. I have learned humility and love from this maiden. I have learned what 'tis to be a better man. 'Tis my hope that you will all learn from her as well."
Keelin blushed as Rhain spoke, but held her head high and gazed out at the crowd steadily. Her expression was serene, but her hand trembled in his. He picked his goblet up from the table and held it aloft.
"To my lady, Keelin," he toasted.
"To the lady, Keelin," most of the crowd repeated. Some of the nobles stared at Keelin with bald faced curiosity and Rhain saw several hostile glances among these. He felt his temper flare but told himself to be patient, that it would take time for some of the nobles to accept such changes in the kingdom.
In spite of this trouble, the king was heartened to hear that the toast to Keelin led most heartily by Sir Edwyn. It gladdened Rhain's heart to see her glance over at his friend and grace him with one of her beautiful smiles. He handed Keelin her goblet and they drank to the toast.
"Now, let us eat," Rhain said. He helped Keelin into her seat and seated himself. Just as the servants began bringing the platters of food out, one of the knights, Sir Ronald, stood and turned toward his king. The two men had grown up together, had played with one another as lads and Rhain knew him nearly as well as he knew Edwyn.
"Long live His Majesty, King Rhain!" Sir Ronald cried out. And then turning toward Keelin, he added, "Long live the lady Keelin!"
The knights repeated his toast and Rhain saw Keelin smile graciously toward Sir Ronald as she lifted her goblet. The king felt his heart swell. He had always known that his knights were the best of the best, the most loyal and faithful knights that a king could hope for, but he was always gratified by their displays of loyalty. If Rhain said that he loved this woman and that she would be an example to all, then his knights would believe it and would encourage their wives and daughters to emulate her. Though the response from the nobility has so far been less than enthusiastic, Sir Ronald had proved that the knights would stand behind their king. Rhain looked toward the other man and mouthed the words "old friend" to him. Sir Ronald smiled and regained his seat.
The feast went quite well. The food was deliciously prepared and the wine excellent. Rhain graciously accepted the many congratulations offered to him by the knights and a considerable part of the nobility and watched with great satisfaction as they then moved on to be introduced to Keelin and to pay their respects to her. She handled everything beautifully, calling each person by his or her name and gracing them with a smile. He saw her in animated conversation with his mother several times and could see that there was a steady foundation for a great affection between the two women who mattered the most to him.
At the end of the feast, Sir Edwyn begged the favor of seeing the queen to her chamber, winking slyly at his friend. Rhain knew he had done it solely to allow him a few precious moments alone with Keelin.
"I shall see you early on the morrow in the exercise yard, my friend," Sir Edwyn said. "I bid you good night. I bid you good night as well, my lady," he said, turning to Keelin and giving her hand a chivalrous kiss.
"Good night, good Sir Edwyn," she replied. "And good night to you, my lady," Keelin said, bowing to the queen.
"Good night, my dear. Shall I send for you on the morrow? I believe we have much to discuss," the queen replied. Rhain watched as she took Keelin's hand and pressed it between her own.
"I would consider it an honor and the greatest source of pleasure to me," Keelin told her.
"Good night, dear mother," Rhain said. As he leaned over to kiss her, he whispered in her ear, "Thank you for your great kindness to Keelin."
"She is a dear girl," the queen said softly. She kissed her son in return. "Good night, my darling. Do not work yourself too hard on the morrow."
"I promise you that I will not," Rhain said to her. He turned to Keelin and offered her his arm. "Come, my lady, I will escort you to your chamber."
"I thank you kindly, my lord," she said, placing her hand in the crook of his arm. He led her from the chamber, his mother and Sir Edwyn behind them. When they reached the fork in the corridor, they parted company, the knight leading the queen to her chamber and Rhain guiding Keelin to hers.
"You were wonderful tonight," he told her.
"'Twas all so overwhelming," she confessed to him. "Forgive me, but I must say that I am glad 'tis over."
Rhain covered her hand with his. "Will you be well on the morrow, when I present you to the rest of the kingdom?"
"There can never be anything wrong, as long as you are by my side," she said, sweetly.
"Say such words again and I shall be forced to kiss you here in this corridor, in front of all the servants, knights, and nobility."
Keelin smiled at him. "I am uncertain of whether that is much of a threat."
They arrived at her door, the journey seeming to end much too soon for Rhain. He bent his head and kissed her hand, aching to take her in his arms and kiss her soundly as he had in the forest, but restraining himself in front of the curious eyes of those in the corridor.
"I am afraid that I shall be very busy on the morrow, but I shall return to you and we shall dine alone in my study."
"I shall look forward to it," Keelin said, her cheeks turning an enchanting shade of pink once again. "Sweet dreams, sweet king."
"They shall be the sweetest of all, filled with nothing but you."
Rhain kissed her hand once more and then watched her disappear behind her chamber door before continuing on to his. He was exhausted, nearly overwhelmed by all that had happened to him and could not help but be glad for a few moments of quiet reflection.
The king dismissed his servants when he entered his chamber, undressing himself slowly before pulling his nightclothes on. His grief over his father's death was still great and he found himself asking his father for strength and wisdom and hoping that his father saw fit to give his blessing for his son's marriage. Rhain wiped tears away from his eyes and promised himself that he would keep his father's memory alive. He would win battles and build monuments in the great king's honor and someday he would come to terms with the idea that he would never again see his father.
His thoughts then turned to his bride-to-be. He had already decided that he would not take his father's chamber, that he would bring his bride into his own chambers once they were married. He would have them redecorated in her honor, softening the overt masculinity of the chambers, changing them to reflect the change in his life. As he stood and gazed out his window, he could scarcely wait to stand before it with Keelin, holding her in his arms as they gazed out onto the stars and dreamed of their future together. He would see to it that their wedding was the most joyous celebration that the kingdom had ever seen, a great spot of beauty and joy in the midst of the sorrow and pain that would follow the war. He knew that he could never repay the human lives that were certain to be lost, but he would do his best by his people by doing all he could to ensure their prosperity, peace, and harmony.
At last, Rhain climbed into bed, wishing once more that Keelin were there beside him. He wondered if every man ached for his future bride as he did. He wondered that anyone could stand the anticipation of marriage, so tempted was he to simply call for a priest and wed Keelin immediately. Rhain refused to do that, though, knowing that she deserved a beautiful wedding and celebration, that she deserved his undivided attention and undistracted love on the eve of their marriage. He would give that to her soon after his return from France. That was a beautiful thought and, as he drifted off to sleep, happy images of their wedding played through his mind.
