After a day of traveling, we finally came to the palace. The guards at the gate instantly recognized the king's carriage, despite that fact that was well worn and now had a broken wheel. A guard made a signal with his hands, and the gate was opened was we approached. The horse trotted across the drawbridge, its hooves echoing on the wood.
I marveled at the castle. It was unlike any other castle I had ever seen, though I have not seen many castles. It was made of white sandstone, and seemed to glow a golden red, as it reflected the setting sun. The windows were small slits in the wall, covered from the inside by scarlet curtains.
To my left was a narrow road, leading around a pasture, and down to the stables. A few horses grazed in that pasture, which was larger than my family's property back home.
The carriage came to a halt, stopping my train of thought. The door opened next to me. Carefully I got out. Despite my caution, a portion of my long black hair got caught in the door. At first I tried to untangle it, but I could not see the knot. Helpless I looked at the footman and the King, both who were doubled over laughing. I frowned, and the footman, trying to control his amusement came to my aid. Once I was free of the door, the King motioned for me to follow him. Behind me the footman shut the door, and the carriage began moving again.
The king walked up to the doors of the castle. Upon entering the castle was a great hall, with a high vaulted ceiling. The ceiling was painted with murals of knights fighting dragons, mermaids on rocks and other exotic creatures. Along the walls were huge tapestries of heroic deeds, so life like I half expected them to jump of the wall and come alive.
"What do you think?" the King's deep voice startled me. He gestured at the room around him.
"It's incredible." I replied. A servant, who was carrying dishes from the kitchen hissed from behind me. "Your majesty." I quickly added, "Your majesty."
To my surprise the King laughed. "You need not call me your majesty. Fionn is just fine."
I nodded, unsure of what to say. Should I say thank you or what? I stayed silent.
I think the King took my silence for weariness, for he summoned a young servant girl to his side.
"This is Lasarina." She curtseyed, smiling shyly. "She will be your lady in waiting and your castle guide." The King turned and exited into the other room. Lasarina smiled again. She had raven black hair that hung down to her shoulders, and cat green eyes. I wished I had eyes like hers, instead of my muddy hazel ones.
"You can follow me." She said in a voice as smooth and sweet as honey. I felt envious of her beauty. She began walking up a large staircase. Her dark red skirts rustled, and I could see her dainty red slipper as she walked up the stairs. The stairs were a white marble, smooth and cool through my breaking leather soles. The stairs led to a landing, which was furnished with a deep purple carpet. She led me down this hallway. The hallway was lit with candles on the wall, and was lined with more tapestries. She stopped abruptly in front of a door, causing me to almost stumble into her.
"This is your room." She opened the door. I was welcomed with the scent of vanilla, which was burning on the windowsill. The walls were ivory. In the center of the room was a huge bed with crimson drapes.
"The bath is to one side. This is the Healers quarters. The queen's room is down the hall. You are allowed any where in the castle except for the Lady Eirwen's wing, the north wing of the fifth floor and the Ruben Tower, orders of the …" her voice got a little softer. "Lady Maeve." I nodded. Raising her voice again she continued, "I will come for you when dinner is served." Then she turned and went down the stairs.
I entered the room. Opposite the bed there was a bath room. I set my stuff down and went into the bath. There was a huge marble tub, like that of a small pond. Along the edge of the bath was a ledge, on which there was perfumes, oils and soaps. I gratefully filled the bath with warm water and undressed. Slipping into the water I sighed. I had never in my life had a bath in warm water, and it was heaven. I closed my eyes, savoring the warmth. As I rinsed the dirt and grit of traveling off me, I noticed the water never got dirty. It must be enchanted or something. When I finished bathing, I dried myself off with the fluffy towels which hung by the tub. I was just getting out when I heard a knock on the bathroom door.
"Lady Redynvre?" It was Lasarina.
"Just a moment!" I called. Quickly, I put on a robe and opened the door.
"I am here to help you get dressed for dinner." She told me. She had changed, and was now wearing a royal blue gown with a white satin sash around her slender waist.
"Well, all I have is a few peasant dresses, "I began. She laughed. Walking over to the bureau she said, "I believe the King had prepared for you coming. Opening the bureau, she began looking through the dresses which stuffed the closet.
"Oh!" I exclaimed. She pulled out a hunter green dress made of satin. Along the edges and lining the waist were small pearl beads, which contrasted beautifully with the dark green fabric.
"This will bring out your eyes." She decided after holding it up to me. "Let me help you into it."
She helped me into the dress, which fitted a little tightly around the waits and bust. The dress was a little too long; practically hitting the floor from the stool I stood on. Lasarina began pinning it up to a reasonable height.
"Lasarina?" I asked.
"Hmm?" she replied, a few pins sticking out of the corner of her mouth.
"How did you become a lady in waiting for the king?" she took the pins of her mouth.
"I am the illegitimate daughter of the king." She replied simply. "Before he was married." She added quickly.
When I thought it about it, I could indeed see a resemblance in her cat green eyes which were like that of the King. When she was done pinning up my dress she stood up.
"Oh, we must do something with your hair!" A knock came on the door. "Dinner is about to be served." Someone said.
"Oh dear!" Lasarina murmured. Quickly she made two braids and pinned them up in a bun. For a finishing touch she wrapped a strand of pearls around my bun, and another one around my neck.
"There!" She stood back to admire her handiwork. "Now let's go before the King gets angry at us for being late!"
When we got downstairs, everyone was already seated at the dining table. The dining room was just set off from the great hall, or so I soon found out. Fionn sat at one end of the table, Maeve opposite him. Besides them and Lasarina, I knew no one else. Seated to the right of the King was a young woman about my age. She had very light blonde hair, and pale skin. She seemed petite and did not speak much during the dinner. In fact, no one spoke much. After I finished my meal I sat unsure of what to do. Servants came and whisked away our plates. I noticed that the servants approached Maeve cautiously, and avoided her glance. In fact, everyone but Fionn and the blonde avoided meeting eyes with her. After what seemed like an eternity, the king dismissed us.
Lasarina and I began to leave when the King called to me.
"I would like you to meet my daughter, Eirwen." He motioned to the petite blonde at his side. She nodded in greeting. Her eyes were pale blue, and her lips a deep red, like that of a rose. A warning came up inside of me, but I forced it away. The king continued speaking. "I would like you to get to know each other, as I believe you are the same age." He smiled at me. I nodded. "You are all dismissed." He told us. Eirwen got up with us. She approached me.
"Hello!" I said.
"Hello." She replied. I was unsure of what to say. She did not seem very talkative.
"I hope we can be friends." I told her. She just nodded, and then lit up.
"Perhaps we can meet in the rose garden tomorrow. I would like to get to know you better." She exclaimed. I was a little surprised by her sudden warmth, but then decided she may have been judging me.
"I don't see why not."
"I could give you a tour of the castle and everything!" she said excitedly.
"That sounds wonderful, except I will need to have some free time, for me to visit with the queen, your mother."
Her expression changed, and she grew somber. "I wish I knew what was wrong," she said wistfully, "No body seems to be able to make her better." She turned to me. "You will, right?" she asked hopefully. I answered the same way I had with the king.
"I will do all I can." I assured her. She retained a worried expression on her face.
She turned away from me. I was sorry I had reminded her about her mother's illness. She seemed like a wonderful person. Then we came to my door, and I bade her good night.
Before I was able to walk into my room, she grabbed my hands, and looked me in the eye. "Thank you." She whispered.
Before bed, Lasarina and I settled down on my new bed, so Lasarina could undo my hair.
"I used to love doing my mother's hair." She said wistfully.
"Why did you decide to work at the palace?" I asked her.
"I am from the base of the mountains, and lived in a poor village. My parents and 11 siblings needed money, since there was a very low economy there. So I came here, and I send two thirds of my wages to them every six moons." She replied. I was touched by her generosity.
"Do you plan on going back ever?"
"Well, my mother is ill …her once luscious locks have thinned out, and she grown much emancipated, despite the fact that food is more available than it was before…" she trailed off.
She sat down on the bed next to me, and put her face in her hands.
"I wish there was something I could do." She sobbed. Tentatively, I placed my arm around her shoulder. She turned, and put her face against my shoulder. I gently stroked her raven black hair until she quieted.
"I'm sorry; I didn't mean to upset you." I told her as she sat up.
"No, it's not your fault." She wiped the tears from her eyes. "Thank you." She got up quickly, straightening her crinkled skirt.
"After mid morning meal, you will be brought to the Queen Riona's bedchamber, for your first healing session." Then quietly she slipped out of the door.
I undressed out of my gown and put on a plain white nightgown. I slipped underneath the satin covers, savoring the comfort and warmth. The moon shone through the half opened window, and the curtains fluttered slightly from a light breeze.
I sighed and closed my eyes, a little nervous about what tomorrow would bring. However, the weeks of traveling had exhausted me, and I soon fell into a deep and dreamless slumber.
When I woke the next morning, someone had drawn back the curtains, letting the sun shine full force through the window. I had a perfect view of the horses grazing in the pastures and the forest behind them. On a table at the foot of my bed was a tray with food and drink on it. I quickly ate the three cinnamon buns, and rinsed them down with honeyed mead. After my quick breakfast, I looked for something to wear. Just as I pulled out a dress I heard Lasarina call through the door, "Lady?"
"Just a minute!" I called back. Quickly I slipped into a simple periwinkle blue gown, and tied a blue velvet corset. "Ready!" I called, slipping into a pair of blue satin shoes.
Lasarina came in, and smiled at the empty tray.
"Enjoy your breakfast?" she asked, her eyes twinkling. I laughed.
"Yes, very much so." I replied.
"I hope you had a good night's rest. You slept all morning." She said, her mouth turned up in an amusing smile.
"Oh, goodness, I was simply exhausted." I smiled with her.
"Are you ready to go to the Queen's chambers?" she asked. I nodded, and she led me out of the door and down the hallway. At the end of the hallway was a large arched doorway. Lasarina led me through that doorway, and into the elaborately decorated Queen's bedchamber.
The Queen's chamber was huge. It reminded me of the Great Hall, though somewhat smaller. The vaulted ceilings were the same. The thick carpet was a deep burgundy. Windows covered almost every wall of the room, flooding the circular room with light. The walls were covered in a crimson velvet covering, softening the light. Cherry red furniture was built into the wall.
On one side of the room, there was a ceiling to floor sheer red curtain that hid the queen's bed. The queen herself had dark chestnut hair, and milky white skin. Her lips were a deep red. As I drew closer she opened her eyes, which were a vivid blue like the ocean. I was enthralled by her beauty.
"Who's there?" her voice was raspy and deep.
"I am Redynvre, your majesty, and I'm here to heal you." I replied.
"No more doctors," she complained.
"No, Riona, she is a sorceress healer. Please let her try." Lasarina said from behind me.
The queen nodded, and closed her eyes again. I looked at Lasarina, who smiled encouragingly. I turned back around and took a deep breath. Reaching within my self I brought out the crimson thread. As the queen breathed in, I went in with her breath, down throughout her body. I sensed a weakness of the spirit and mind, one which was not natural. There was no broken tissue or bone. Gathering my strength, I slowly poured it into the queen, where is spread like a wildfire. As I felt myself weaken I drew back. I opened my eyes again. The queen's eyes were still closed, but her breathing was not as shallow.
I went to stand up and almost collapsed. Lasarina came up and supported me from behind.
"Let's get you back to your room." She said, and leaning on her, I was able to make my way back to my room. Lasarina had placed me in my bed, and was about to close the door when Maeve came in. She was carrying a small vial which contained a blue-green liquid.
"Here," Maeve held it out to me, "Drink this, it will help you regain your magic strength." Hesitantly I took the vial, glancing at Lasarina. Lasarina had retreated to the corner by the door, a mixed look of fear and hate on her face. I brought the vial to my lips, took a deep breath of air and swallowed.
The world began swimming before me, and I had a tremendous headache. In my blurring vision I saw Lasarina glare at Maeve, who was smiling triumphantly. My head felt heavy, and I closed my eyes.