Hi everyone! Thanks for coming back to read the second chapter
of Fanelian Rose! okay, just so people don't get confused, I
have taken some creative license with the ages of some of the
characters, among other things. I started this story when I was
still in the process of buying the series, and now that I have
the complete set, I can correct things. The timeline is going to
be a bit different, just to warn everyone, and will still follow
the basic plot of the series, but there WILL be deviations. Hope
you all like! ^-^
Chapter 2
"Goau, you're sure it's all right?"
King Goau turned to his friend. "Corian, we've been together since I can remember. You've always been there for me; now give me the chance to do something for you. It's already been decided. Your girls will stay here at the palace with Varie and the boys and I. They're welcome here, and so are you. You know that. Now the girls should be on their way here as we speak. Will you stay and greet them?"
"No, Goau. I can't. If I know my daughters, Lorena is convinced that I've abandoned her to make things easier for myself, and Kyme is beginning to feel the same. I don't blame them, and I can't face them right now knowing that I'm the cause of their sorrow. Cowardly, I know. I told them they were leaving so abruptly, and I barely explained why before I had to go myself. They were upset enough already...and I wasn't even there to help them pack up their things from the house." Corian looked at Goau, his vibrant blue eyes full of desperation.
King Goau shook his head sadly at the tall, dark-haired man by his side. "I don't agree with your priorities, Corian. Though, in your credit, I fully support your decision to have the girls stay with my family, and I am honored that you thought of me. In fact, when you came to me with your situation, I would have offered my hospitality first had you not suggested the idea yourself. Your being away all of the time isn't good for them, but to not be here when they arrive when you had the opportunity to? To not say goodbye to them? That is where you are wrong."
"Believe me Goau, they won't want to see me."
"Despite what they may say, they love you, Corian."
"I know. They're used to me being away on business, Goau. They're used to our housekeeper being the only one around. When I told them that they were going to Fanelia to stay with you, I just... it was like ripping myself apart. To know that I was uprooting them from the only home they've even known and leaving them in the care of people they don't even remember meeting was torture, yet I know that they'll be happier here. I'm just tired of leaving them alone while I go away for weeks and sometimes even a month or two at a time. They won't expect me to be here."
Goau laid a hand on Corian's shoulder. "That is all the more reason to be here, Corian."
Corian sighed, raking his hand through his hair. "You're right, as usual. You always were the rational one. I'll be here when they arrive."
"Good. Now let's round up Varie and the boys. We should be ready for their arrival soon. Let's see, when you told them they were coming here, did you tell them about Folken and Van?" Goau asked as they walked outside into the courtyard.
"I mentioned that you had two sons and told them their names, but they were too shocked at the general concept of leaving for Fanelia to even really get a chance to think of the boys. It's too bad; Lorena probably wouldn't have gotten so worked up." Corian smiled at thought.
"Hahaha. That may be true! I have told the boys about your daughters. Van hopes that Kyme will be his friend. If he were a few years older, he might be thinking differently, but I'm not going to hurry him. He's not too caught up in the idea of girls as more then friends quite yet, as far as I know; I could be wrong. He's interested, most definitely, but the young ladies around here do damper his curiosity. One can only handle so many female shadows. He's always polite to them; I credit him with that. Van is preoccupied with the thought of becoming king someday. According to Folken, he's bossy enough." Goau laughed. "He knows that Folken would be crowned before him after complete the rite to becoming king, but that doesn't seem to daunt him in the least."
Corian chuckled. "I understand. And what about Folken?"
"Well, let's just say that he's spent most of his free time "working out" and training at every spare moment. It has worked quite well, as you'll see, and it's boosted his self-confidence, which is what I'm happy about. He's been rehearsing how he's going to introduce himself to Lorena in front of the large mirror in the hall for quite some time now. He only does it when he thinks he's alone, but I have caught him several times without his knowledge. Varie thinks it's "adorable", as she would say, and almost blew my cover once when I pulled her aside to watch. Folken has had ill luck with girls, I daresay. Yet, a female companion is what he needs most right now. He's truly a romantic at heart, just like his mother. He would do anything for one he loved. That's an admirable quality."
Corian nodded. "Amadea was like that; a true romantic, like Varie. Maybe that's why the two of them were such good friends. My girls are so much like their mother, may she rest in peace. They're both so beautiful."
"I remember Amadea well. I know it pains you to think of her."
"It's all right. Don't concern yourself. I just want them to be happy here. I want them to like Van and Folken, and your two boys to return their feelings. I couldn't name two boys care about more than those two. I've watch them grow up over the years when I visit here, but the girls haven't seen them since Kyme was just a baby, and Lorena was too young to remember. You've raised them well, as I knew you would."
"Varie and I did our best. Yes, we've tried to teach them to be gentlemen. Although they do need more practice sometimes..." Goau laughed. "The girls around here swoon over them because they're royal. I don't want them getting used to that kind of treatment. I realize that they'll get it no matter where they go, but they need to be humble. Chivalry should never become outdated."
"No it shouldn't. Ah look, here comes Van." Corian said as the boy ran through the grass towards them. His messy black hair blew in the wind, and the grin on his face seemed to light up everything around him.
"Dad! Dad! You should've seen it! Me and Folken had a huge battle and he almost died!" Van said grinning, his eyes wide.
Corian looked behind Van and saw tall, muscular Folken walking towards them. He waved and jogged over. Van immediately took the opportunity to retell the story.
"Dad! You should have been there! He almost died, I swear!"
"We were play-fighting with sticks and he jabbed me, which means, according to the rules, I'm dead." Folken sighed, obviously amused at the fact that he died a catastrophic death and still managed to "survive", although Van was now, while dramatically gesturing, telling his father that he was really a ghost and that his body was laying somewhere in the woods. "You exaggerate too much Van."
"I do not exaggerate! It's the truth! Ok fine, you didn't almost die, but it sounded good! Why can't I be the hero for once? You always get to be the hero! You always win!"
Goau ruffled Van's hair. "You'll get your chance someday Van. And then you'll have the satisfaction of knowing that you beat your brother."
Folken nodded, laughed, and ruffled Van's hair like his father had done. "No one's going to take you seriously if you keep making up stories like that." He threatened playfully.
Van glared up at his brother. "And no one is going to take you seriously if all you do is work out and strut around with your shirt off!"
Folken turned a little red, and pretended to ignore his brother, who was trying to kick him in the shins. Folken picked him up held him underneath his arm like he weighed nothing; Van wasn't getting anywhere. "So anyway, dad, when are the girls getting here?"
"Within the hour, Folken." Goau sighed. "You've already asked me twice."
"I have?" Folken asked, feigning innocence, as he set Van down.
"Yeah you have you big jerk!" Van laughed, teasing Folken, who took the opportunity to make a fist and shake it at him.
Van puffed out his chest. "I'm not afraid of you!"
Folken took a step forward, and Van took off at the speed of light. Folken laughed and shook his head. "I don't know what his problem is today. Usually he's so calm and quiet. But today..."
"Its just nerves Folken. I wouldn't worry about it." Goau smiled. "You're older than he is. Have some more patience. Now go get ready. Oh, where's your mother?"
"She's inside somewhere. I'm not sure. She knows the girls will be here soon, though, so I'm sure she's getting ready."
"All right." Goau smiled, turning to Corian. "Now, a question for you my friend. Are you ready?"
"As ready as I'll ever be..."
of Fanelian Rose! okay, just so people don't get confused, I
have taken some creative license with the ages of some of the
characters, among other things. I started this story when I was
still in the process of buying the series, and now that I have
the complete set, I can correct things. The timeline is going to
be a bit different, just to warn everyone, and will still follow
the basic plot of the series, but there WILL be deviations. Hope
you all like! ^-^
Chapter 2
"Goau, you're sure it's all right?"
King Goau turned to his friend. "Corian, we've been together since I can remember. You've always been there for me; now give me the chance to do something for you. It's already been decided. Your girls will stay here at the palace with Varie and the boys and I. They're welcome here, and so are you. You know that. Now the girls should be on their way here as we speak. Will you stay and greet them?"
"No, Goau. I can't. If I know my daughters, Lorena is convinced that I've abandoned her to make things easier for myself, and Kyme is beginning to feel the same. I don't blame them, and I can't face them right now knowing that I'm the cause of their sorrow. Cowardly, I know. I told them they were leaving so abruptly, and I barely explained why before I had to go myself. They were upset enough already...and I wasn't even there to help them pack up their things from the house." Corian looked at Goau, his vibrant blue eyes full of desperation.
King Goau shook his head sadly at the tall, dark-haired man by his side. "I don't agree with your priorities, Corian. Though, in your credit, I fully support your decision to have the girls stay with my family, and I am honored that you thought of me. In fact, when you came to me with your situation, I would have offered my hospitality first had you not suggested the idea yourself. Your being away all of the time isn't good for them, but to not be here when they arrive when you had the opportunity to? To not say goodbye to them? That is where you are wrong."
"Believe me Goau, they won't want to see me."
"Despite what they may say, they love you, Corian."
"I know. They're used to me being away on business, Goau. They're used to our housekeeper being the only one around. When I told them that they were going to Fanelia to stay with you, I just... it was like ripping myself apart. To know that I was uprooting them from the only home they've even known and leaving them in the care of people they don't even remember meeting was torture, yet I know that they'll be happier here. I'm just tired of leaving them alone while I go away for weeks and sometimes even a month or two at a time. They won't expect me to be here."
Goau laid a hand on Corian's shoulder. "That is all the more reason to be here, Corian."
Corian sighed, raking his hand through his hair. "You're right, as usual. You always were the rational one. I'll be here when they arrive."
"Good. Now let's round up Varie and the boys. We should be ready for their arrival soon. Let's see, when you told them they were coming here, did you tell them about Folken and Van?" Goau asked as they walked outside into the courtyard.
"I mentioned that you had two sons and told them their names, but they were too shocked at the general concept of leaving for Fanelia to even really get a chance to think of the boys. It's too bad; Lorena probably wouldn't have gotten so worked up." Corian smiled at thought.
"Hahaha. That may be true! I have told the boys about your daughters. Van hopes that Kyme will be his friend. If he were a few years older, he might be thinking differently, but I'm not going to hurry him. He's not too caught up in the idea of girls as more then friends quite yet, as far as I know; I could be wrong. He's interested, most definitely, but the young ladies around here do damper his curiosity. One can only handle so many female shadows. He's always polite to them; I credit him with that. Van is preoccupied with the thought of becoming king someday. According to Folken, he's bossy enough." Goau laughed. "He knows that Folken would be crowned before him after complete the rite to becoming king, but that doesn't seem to daunt him in the least."
Corian chuckled. "I understand. And what about Folken?"
"Well, let's just say that he's spent most of his free time "working out" and training at every spare moment. It has worked quite well, as you'll see, and it's boosted his self-confidence, which is what I'm happy about. He's been rehearsing how he's going to introduce himself to Lorena in front of the large mirror in the hall for quite some time now. He only does it when he thinks he's alone, but I have caught him several times without his knowledge. Varie thinks it's "adorable", as she would say, and almost blew my cover once when I pulled her aside to watch. Folken has had ill luck with girls, I daresay. Yet, a female companion is what he needs most right now. He's truly a romantic at heart, just like his mother. He would do anything for one he loved. That's an admirable quality."
Corian nodded. "Amadea was like that; a true romantic, like Varie. Maybe that's why the two of them were such good friends. My girls are so much like their mother, may she rest in peace. They're both so beautiful."
"I remember Amadea well. I know it pains you to think of her."
"It's all right. Don't concern yourself. I just want them to be happy here. I want them to like Van and Folken, and your two boys to return their feelings. I couldn't name two boys care about more than those two. I've watch them grow up over the years when I visit here, but the girls haven't seen them since Kyme was just a baby, and Lorena was too young to remember. You've raised them well, as I knew you would."
"Varie and I did our best. Yes, we've tried to teach them to be gentlemen. Although they do need more practice sometimes..." Goau laughed. "The girls around here swoon over them because they're royal. I don't want them getting used to that kind of treatment. I realize that they'll get it no matter where they go, but they need to be humble. Chivalry should never become outdated."
"No it shouldn't. Ah look, here comes Van." Corian said as the boy ran through the grass towards them. His messy black hair blew in the wind, and the grin on his face seemed to light up everything around him.
"Dad! Dad! You should've seen it! Me and Folken had a huge battle and he almost died!" Van said grinning, his eyes wide.
Corian looked behind Van and saw tall, muscular Folken walking towards them. He waved and jogged over. Van immediately took the opportunity to retell the story.
"Dad! You should have been there! He almost died, I swear!"
"We were play-fighting with sticks and he jabbed me, which means, according to the rules, I'm dead." Folken sighed, obviously amused at the fact that he died a catastrophic death and still managed to "survive", although Van was now, while dramatically gesturing, telling his father that he was really a ghost and that his body was laying somewhere in the woods. "You exaggerate too much Van."
"I do not exaggerate! It's the truth! Ok fine, you didn't almost die, but it sounded good! Why can't I be the hero for once? You always get to be the hero! You always win!"
Goau ruffled Van's hair. "You'll get your chance someday Van. And then you'll have the satisfaction of knowing that you beat your brother."
Folken nodded, laughed, and ruffled Van's hair like his father had done. "No one's going to take you seriously if you keep making up stories like that." He threatened playfully.
Van glared up at his brother. "And no one is going to take you seriously if all you do is work out and strut around with your shirt off!"
Folken turned a little red, and pretended to ignore his brother, who was trying to kick him in the shins. Folken picked him up held him underneath his arm like he weighed nothing; Van wasn't getting anywhere. "So anyway, dad, when are the girls getting here?"
"Within the hour, Folken." Goau sighed. "You've already asked me twice."
"I have?" Folken asked, feigning innocence, as he set Van down.
"Yeah you have you big jerk!" Van laughed, teasing Folken, who took the opportunity to make a fist and shake it at him.
Van puffed out his chest. "I'm not afraid of you!"
Folken took a step forward, and Van took off at the speed of light. Folken laughed and shook his head. "I don't know what his problem is today. Usually he's so calm and quiet. But today..."
"Its just nerves Folken. I wouldn't worry about it." Goau smiled. "You're older than he is. Have some more patience. Now go get ready. Oh, where's your mother?"
"She's inside somewhere. I'm not sure. She knows the girls will be here soon, though, so I'm sure she's getting ready."
"All right." Goau smiled, turning to Corian. "Now, a question for you my friend. Are you ready?"
"As ready as I'll ever be..."
