A/N: Let's start another day. Maybe this one will be better for Lily…
Chapter Seven
Dancing In The Dark
"My lady? My lady, it's time to wake."
Lily's eyes fluttered open, and she stretched in bed, her voice wavering with a yawn. "Huh? Yes?" She rubbed sleep from the corners of her eyes, tuning in to the person's voice. She didn't recognize it, but the tentative tone behind it told her it must have been a servant. What time is it?
Too early, her body replied, encouraging her to turn over and go back to dreaming.
"I've laid out one of your outfits on the chest, my lady. Shall we start preparations? The queen has requested to have breakfast with you and should be arriving shortly," the woman prattled, scuttling about the room and tidying it, settling a fresh bunch of daisies into a purple vase on the dresser, cracking the windows to allow fresh air to circulate.
"Oh… the queen…." Lily drowsily repeated the woman, pulling the covers over most of her head. Suddenly, gears began clicking to life in her brain and she straightened stiff as a board. "The queen! She's coming here? Yes, let's start preparing now, please!" She stumbled out of bed in a hurricane of tossed bedcovers. She gazed behind her towards the bed a little regretfully as the morning breeze chilled her skin. She had never felt comfort like she felt tucked under those sheets, their caress soft as silk. Come to think of it, that's what they probably were. Maybe there were benefits to being a guest of royalty after all, even if she didn't care for the outfits the rich folk wore. Before she could say anything more or try to find her dress, she could feel tugging at the strings of her nightgown's back and realized she was being undressed. She laughed out loud as the night chemise was drawn over her head. She hadn't been helped with dressing herself since she was a child.
"Something funny, my lady?" asked the woman helping her, folding the nightgown and fetching the chosen frock from Lily's simplistic wardrobe, wrinkling her nose while looking at it but wisely holding her tongue. She pulled it over and down the woman, threading Lily's arms through the holes as if she were incapable of doing so herself. She went on busying herself with pulling back the heavy curtains and letting some light in the room before returning to help Lily with her worn black boots.
"It's just that I've never been helped with getting dressed since I was little," Lily managed between her laughter. "Does everyone in the castle get dressed with other people helping them?"
"It is considered practical for the ladies to possess someone to help them, my lady," replied the woman factually as she fetched a creamy white sash and swiftly bound it about Lily's waist to make her more presentable.
"My name is Lily," she mentioned as ran her fingers over the sash, wondering if she really looked so poor they felt they had to dress her up at every opportunity. "Where is Cap-" she paused for a moment in thought. What is his title here? I can't just call him Harald around the servants, can I? Do I call him Prince Harald? Sir Prince Harald? Or Captain Sir Prince Harald Westergard? Goodness, I'd never finish the sentence in one breath. She stuck with her first impulse. "Where is Captain Harald?"
"Oh, he's out in the training yard already, my lady, at work with the soldiers," responded the woman as she pulled out the chairs for a small dining table within the room and busied herself making the bed. "I'm quite sure he'll be available later on in the day for a quick visit."
Quick visit? Lily frowned. It won't be a quick visit. He promised to train me starting today, and he's going to keep that promise. I'm not going to let these people get the best of me, especially not after last night. And if that Helena woman thinks I'm going to let her push me around, she's got another think coming! Following the source of the cool breeze, and opening the window with a push against the glass, she trained her ears on what she could hear to distract herself. She would not want to be sour when the queen arrived.
She could clearly hear seagulls squawking both in the distance and close by, probably nesting among the parapets. They sounded irritated with the morning too; she chuckled appreciatively. She could faintly make out the sound of waves crashing, and voices from what she guessed were other balconies, but none recognizable from this far. She knew she could not expect Harald to be loud enough for her to hear from this altitude, such a thought was folly. Still… she remembered how gentle he'd sounded as he'd comforted her last night, and how safe she felt there. She felt wistful to hear him again.
She tried to focus on one of the other senses at her disposal: smell. She gingerly took a few inhales of the world around her, noting differences from Arendelle right away. A sweet smell of new spring blossoms filled the air, permeated with one particularly pleasing scent she couldn't quite name among the others. A faint whiff of salty sea tickled her nose invitingly. The air was so clean, so full of the promise of adventure here. It was no wonder Harald loved his home so deeply.
The door to her room made a perfunctory squeaking sound as it opened, and Lily heard the servant exchange a quick greeting as she passed her to fetch their breakfast trays. "Good morning, your highness!"
"Good morning, Julia," replied the queen gently, taking stock of the room, particularly its other inhabitant. The girl had stiffened significantly upon her entrance and her hands were tucked squarely behind her back. She certainly had the instincts of a solider, but Allowyn had much to say to the poor girl after last night. There would be time for her to see Harald later. She paced over to join Lily and seated herself in a chair across from her, her gown sweeping out around her to pool at her feet. She chose her words carefully to avoid hurting her, intent upon broaching the subject gracefully. "Good morning, my child. Did you sleep well?"
"Very," Lily squeaked, feeling her way to the empty chair nearby and sitting down herself. It would be so awkward to navigate this conversation if she didn't just apologize now. Folding her hands about the fabric of her dress and wringing it tightly, she took a moment and tried to speak as quickly as possible to get it over with in one breath. "I'm sorry for coming to dinner last night in just my underwear; it wasn't my fault, I swear to you!"
Well, so much for broaching the subject tenderly. The queen felt pity overtake her as she watched the obviously embarrassed girl repent of what she certainly seemed to view as a cardinal sin. "There's no need to extend any apologies, my dear. We all know it was clearly not done with malicious intent."
Lily thought of the day before and burned with resentment. "I just…" I wanted to make a good impression on you. She tried to focus on the conversation at hand. "I just wanted things to go well."
Allowyn hardly noticed as Julia returned and delivered her morning cup of coffee, but Lily's eyes were constantly at work as Julia entered, so alert and bright, despite the gray in them. Allowyn added a little cream from the saucer before her into her teacup, delicately swirling a spoon to churn the milky white and change the liquid color to a tawny brown. "Harald tells me that Helena may have a hand in how things turned out; that there is a misunderstanding between the both of you which led to the accident." She clinked her spoon against the teacup and added two cubes of sugar, allowing a moment for some to dissolve.
"A misunderstanding…" Lily ground out, wringing the material of her wrinkled dress again, sweat making the spaces between her fingers itchy. "Yes, there must be."
Allowyn quietly took a sip of her coffee. She had been just as stunned as Heins when they'd both heard the news of the supposed culprit. Harald had burst into Heins' workshop late last night after the family finished dinner, where Allowyn was a compliant audience to his newest designs, and had nearly attacked his brother in his rage. Of course, he did not go so far as to pursue it with his mother present, but he went on to vehemently rant about Lily's sorrow and Helena's hand in it. She could see the same anger, to a much lesser extent, sparkling in those grey eyes across from her. It was troubling, but Allowyn had an idea. "You haven't tasted your coffee, child."
Lily brightened slightly at the prospect of tasting coffee in the morning. She did not typically make coffee for herself, as it was expensive in Arendelle. Not wanting to be rude in front of the queen, she fumbled for her cup and took a sip, quite forgetting to ask for sugar. The sharp, unsweetened taste made her wrinkle her nose and she faked drinking for a moment, secretly forcing herself to swallow what she'd taken while reeling from the taste and setting the porcelain down on the saucer with a disguised dainty nod.
"Yes, bitterness has that effect on people, doesn't it?" Allowyn slowly remarked, smiling at the girl's reaction. "Would you like some cream and sugar?"
"Yes, please," she managed, trying not to look disgusted as she did. She waited as the queen asked perfunctory questions about the amounts of each, and then tried her drink once more. It went down smoothly and sweetly.
"It's remarkable what an added bit of sugar and cream does to entirely change things," Allowyn stated between sips of her own coffee. Breakfast began to be laid out upon the table as Lily recovered from the taste of the black coffee. "I've arranged a lunch meeting for Heins, Harald, Helena, and yourself so you can resolve the issue."
Lily suddenly connected the queen's metaphor and the heat from the coffee transferred a little into her cheeks. Am I really that bitter? She didn't want to give everyone such a poor impression. "I see," she remarked quietly. She had no desire to see Helena again, much less confront her. She was sure the woman would deny everything.
Allowyn saw the way Lily recoiled at the idea, softening to the girl. "It is so easy to feel lost when you visit a new place… but someone like you… I am sorry for how things turned out."
"So am I," Lily replied, wondering what food lay before her. She dared not reach across the table in front of the queen, but the servant appeased that fear as she set a variety of foods on both plates before refilling saucers, asking Lily quiet questions about what foods she preferred. Once served, Lily gave an experimental jab with her fork and lifted it to her lips, the distinct smell of egg wafting to greet her. Grateful for the identification, she ate gingerly.
"Let me be the first to welcome you to the Isles, Lily."
Lily paused eating long enough to look towards the voice, forming an image of the queen in her mind. Instantly she warmed to the woman. She'd called her by name. She'd called the servant by her first name, too. It may not have been purposeful, but it felt so good to be simple. "Thank you… your majesty."
"Allowyn, please. There's no need to be formal with me, child." The queen scanned the girl again, aware of Julia's attempt to beautify the frock. The sight of it reminded her of when she'd worn such clothes as a gardener's daughter, owning nothing. "Tell me more of your plans today. I assume you're eager to see Harald?"
"Well of course, yes, I mean… yes, I'm looking forward to starting training," Lily managed, sipping her coffee again to cover her fumble.
"Then you will need to eat more than that," Allowyn replied in amusement, watching the girl resume her breakfast more ravenously. "For heaven's sake, slow down, the training yard is not going anywhere."
Lily tried her best to obey, but anticipation began to build, and she felt her anger towards Helena drift away into the back of her mind, replaced by thoughts of learning her first real maneuvers from Harald and truly practicing her skills. She finished the contents of her plate, punctuated by the clink of her fork against fine porcelain. "You're very gracious, your majesty… that is, Allowyn," she thanked the queen with a nod of gratitude.
"My pleasure, child. Now then, you surely must be ready to spend your first day among our troops," Allowyn continued, signaling Julia to come clear the table. "I've assigned Julia to be your maid in waiting from now on. She'll help you find your way to the training yard." She was surprised to see Lily's face collapse into thinly-veiled disgust. "Is something wrong?"
"I'm very grateful for your offered help, your majesty," Lily replied quietly, "But I'd rather find my way around on my own."
Allowyn felt sorry for the girl, but was also concerned. She knew her kingdom to be much busier and at times harsher than Arendelle, to say nothing of the environment the girl would be in while performing whatever training Harald had promised her. "I would feel more comfortable if you would accept our help, Lily. I'm sure at home you've very little trouble finding your way about, but here I could not allow you to spend time without a guide, at least not at first. Arendelle is quite different from the Southern Isles."
Lily seemed accepting of this fact. I want to be on my own, but she's right. I spoke too soon. I don't know my way around here. I could hardly make it to my room without stumbling several times. Alrik would be scolding me right now. I have to accept help at first, at least until I find my bearings. She would acquiesce to the queen's help today, and she would let her hands feel their way there today, so she would be able to guide herself tomorrow. Her lips spread into a smile and she stood up from the table. "When can we start?"
#
To say that the presence of a woman in the training yard was uncommon would be an understatement. Therefore it was only natural that activity slowed to a nigh halt when Lily and Julia entered by way of the east arch wing. Harald, who was surveying from the top of the wall, turned his attention on her. He retained the stiff posture he'd held for the last hour, the sun glimmering off his helmet. He watched as she waved away Julia's guidance often, feeling the stones of the wall and slowly circumnavigating it to the north archway. He smiled appreciatively at her dedication, but it was faint, and it slipped away with the sound of a practice gunshot in the distance. Returning home after an absence always had the same effect… it reinvigorated a war within himself he had frequently fought, but never won. Each time it waged, it grew harder to lessen the casualties.
"There she is." William took his place at Harald's side, looking knowingly at his childhood friend. "It's a good thing, too. You were finding it difficult to concentrate."
Harald's eyes scanned the yard and stopped looking sideways at his friend, pursing his dry lips, the heat of the day causing a trickle of sweat to slide down the side of his head. He couldn't help but imagine what it must have felt like outside of his stuffy suit at the moment. "My work comes first."
"It always has." William walked a little ways away to one of the ladders leading down and began to descend. He paused on the first rung, looking back up at Harald. He could see the man was hot, but dressing in ceremonial garb seemed to boost the spirits of the men when their captain returned, so Harald had made a habit of wearing it often. "Should I get you some water? Are you hot?" Harald shot him an ill deserved dirty look, and William looked apologetic. He should have known better than to offer Harald a favor when he was in this mood, so he swiftly changed the subject. "What do we start her on? Should I brief the men?"
"No." Harald paced a little, pulling his jacket down, beads of light reflecting from his medals to the stone below his feet, sweat pooling in the creases of his clothing and forming dark spots. "I'll speak to them. We'll start her on basic combat movement. No weapons, not yet. Go show her where to stand and inform her I'll come to her after I'm finished."
"Yes, sir," William replied, sliding halfway down the ladder and surveying the men in the yard. Some wouldn't mind having a woman among them, but some were likely to be annoyed. Then his gaze alighted on two new figures arriving through the west arch, the two princes Harken and Hugo, who often accompanied one another outside the castle gates. Harken was not an unusual sight in the training yard, as he held a discomforting glee examining the weaponry scattered around, but Hugo less so. Harken seemed to be listening to Hugo and tossing a ripe green apple up and down as he strolled. William frowned as he watched the two. Hugo, it seemed, had undergone some changes in personality since the last winter, his rough edges smoothing over somewhat. Harken, however, had not changed. William saw them approaching Lily and Julia, and made it a priority to quicken his pace.
"Good morning, ladies," Harken sardonically exclaimed, placing one hand on his hip and examining Lily closer.
"Good morning, sir," Lily replied strongly, despite Julia's hand wrapping around her wrist cautiously. It was frustrating to be blind at times like this when she couldn't tell if she had heard the voice before, but it did have a particularly memorable gruff sound, and she knew she didn't like his tone.
"I suppose Harald has to do something with his time, doesn't he? But to take on a project like this… I can't wait to see how it turns out." Harken muttered, looking to his brother for agreement.
"It's Captain Harald, actually," Lily corrected, waving away Julia, who was gently tugging her away towards the approaching William. "And you should show him more respect. He's the best Captain the Isles could ask for."
"I wasn't actually speaking to you," Harken sneered, his grip tightening around the apple.
"Whether you were or not, you can't talk about him like that," she vehemently replied. Hugo smiled as he watched the girl so fiercely defend his brother. No one had ever defended Harald so willingly before except for Allowyn, but as the queen forgave Hans after what he did, she hardly counted.
William caught up to the women, nodding to a very grateful Julia and taking Lily's hand. "Miss Granthson? I'm William, Harald's second in command. I saw you when you departed the Valiant yesterday, but I didn't get the chance to formally meet you."
Lily smiled at him and bobbed in a little curtsey motion. "I'm happy to meet you, William, but just call me Lily." William had hoped she may forget about Harken, but Lily had no such intention. She turned back towards him, reached out blindly with a finger and poked the prince in the chest. "And you better not let William hear you say anything else like that about Captain Harald, or he'll let you have it."
"Oh, will he?" Harken retorted, smirking haughtily at William.
William cleared his throat, fully aware the prince outranked him. "Miss Granths-Lily? I think we should-"
"Yes, he will," Lily continued, undaunted by William. "And you better hope we don't have a war, because with people like you defending the castle, it won't last long!" She regretted the words a little as she spoke them, but her temper had taken her over without giving much warning.
"A war?" scoffed Harken, turning to influence his brother with a choked laugh. "The Isles haven't seen battle since my grandfather's time." He turned back to face Lily, but focused his attention on the shiny green apple in his hand, scrutinizing it. "Still, a war would be something, wouldn't it?" He thoughtfully rubbed a finger over the skin of the fruit. "Can't you just imagine it? Blood pooling in the fields, the bodies of our enemies littering the hills… just think of the weapons we would finally be able to use." He lifted the apple to his mouth and crunched into the inside pulp, juice running down his chin and spattering the ground. "Delicious."
Lily recoiled a little from him, suddenly realizing she must have been speaking to Horatio's brother, the prince who was obsessed with the morbid. "Surely you don't mean that…"
Harken wrinkled his nose, unimpressed with the woman's look of disgust. "Of course I do." When her expression dropped into further dismay, he grinned. "But what do I have to worry about? After all, you're training to be a soldier here, aren't you? I'm sure you'll protect me." He paused, a sardonic smile snaking its way over his face. "But you may want to come to the field wearing more than your chemise." He chortled with pleasure, taking her hand. He placed his bitten apple into her palm, closing her fingers around it. "Here. Better start building up your strength." He burst into a pealing bark of laughter, turning away from her and walking in the opposite direction. "Best of luck!"
Hugo watched his brother walk a little ways off and stood his ground, noting Lily's expression. Her face turned red in a mix of ferocity and shame. She squeezed the apple, disgusting as it was, her nails piercing the outer skin. "He's like that with everyone. Don't let it get to you," Hugo remarked, taking a moment to try and comfort her. "I'm Hugo. I just wanted to say I'm sorry about what I said last night. About-"
"Casual dress?" she replied, recognizing his voice, her tone low.
"Yes." Hugo was stunned she already knew him by the joke he'd conned last night. "And… I hope you know we're not all…" he trailed off, looking back at his brother in the distance, who was glowering at him.
"Come on, Hugo! We've got to get going if we want to get the hunting in before I see to my dungeon duties!" Harken shouted.
"Inbred, boorish, inconsiderate louts?" Lily remarked.
Hugo grimaced a little. "Well… yes, but with thirteen of us… there was bound to be at least one." He reached for her hand to take the apple from her. "I'll dispose of that for you."
"No." Her grip tightened on it.
"Come on, Hugo! I will not be late for my daily inspection of the dungeons again!" Harken shouted, turning his back to them and breaking into another peal of laughing. "Leave Harald to his playthings!"
Lily had been focusing on the sound of Harken's voice for the past few minutes and using it to her advantage. Calculating the sounds of his laughter, she made an advantageous guess at his position. She reeled her arm back, hurling the apple towards the source of the sound. Her aim was true, and the apple thwacked Harken in the back of the head. He whirled around, clutching his head, obviously not hurt apart from his pride. Hugo beamed, and began to laugh at his brother's expense.
Harken's eyes narrowed, his fists squeezing tightly. "You're asking for it now, brother!"
"It wasn't him!" Lily shouted boastfully, putting her hands on her hips. "It was me! It wasn't hard; your ego was too big for me to miss! And you're lucky I wasn't holding something heavier or you'd be heading to the infirmary!"
Harken was silent for a moment, bending down to pick up the dusty apple and giving an affirmative "Hm." He jerked his head to summon his brother to his side, a faintly impressed expression twitching on his face. "Lucky shot! Come on Hugo!"
"Alright, alright!" Hugo began to jog off, calling back. "Good day, my lady! And good aim!"
William watched the princes disappear out the archway they came in, and looked at Lily, who was shaking in repressed anger. Perhaps she had more in common with Harald than he thought. "Well. You aren't any trouble at all, are you?" Julia, the woman's lady-in-waiting, seemed as if she were going to faint any moment, her face white as newly-cleaned sheets. "Are you quite alright, Julia?" William asked, being acquainted with many of the women in court after so many years of service.
"Y-yes, quite," Julia stammered, her voice wavering.
"I think the captain is to make an announcement, Miss Lily. If you would follow me? Julia, why don't you rest in the shade for today's lesson?"
Lily had hoped to avoid asking for help, and William must have sensed it, as he took her hand in his and led her a little ways out. William stopped her in place, and she could hear voices around her before one boomed out above the rest.
"Good morning, soldiers!"
"Morning, captain!" came the elicited responses around her as one.
"I've been briefed by William on your progress while I was away and…" There was a blatant pause as Harald looked over his men, catching his breath and running his tongue over his lips to try and moisten them. "I'm satisfied with the results. Therefore, I'm rewarding you accordingly. The spring season is upon us, and you have an opportunity to enjoy it with a week of practice in the archery range. At the end of the week I will arrange a competition, and those who win with their families will be invited to attend the arranged celebration of my return in the castle." There were scattered chuckles, among them William's, who Lily could hear talking to himself.
"I wonder how much begging it took before he gave in…"
"Gave in to what?" she whispered back from the corner of her mouth.
"Harald hates parties," William replied quietly. "But he knows the soldiers love them. Chances to flirt with women in the castle, and only the best cuts of meat, the finest wine… it's a dream come true to some of them."
When the cheers died down, Harald continued, "Some of you may have noticed that we have a woman in our presence." He pointed to Lily, who had stiffened visibly. "This is Lily Granthson. She is blind, and she will be training under my supervision until such a time as she deems fit. You will all show her proper respect but you will not be any more lax in your sparring with her than you are with each other. Am I clear?"
"Yes, sir!" came a chorus of confused, but clear replies from the men in the yard.
"Good! Back to work!" Harald barked, watching the men scatter before climbing down the ladder into the yard and approaching the two people waiting for him. He faced Lily first, eyebrows knit together, face grim. "Did my brothers give you any trouble?"
"No," she answered truthfully, looking proud. "I think I got my point across."
"She certainly did," William agreed, wryly smiling at the girl's expression.
"Did you explain to Lily what she will be doing for her first day?" Harald asked, not sharing the sentiment.
"Not yet," William answered.
"I'm starting you on basic combat movement," Harald elaborated. "William is assigned to train you when I am otherwise occupied, and because I have to do evaluations most of the day today, he will start you on the lesson."
"Basic movement?" Lily replied, obviously confused and displeased. "But I already know movement. You've seen me fight before."
"Yes, you can hold your own in a fight, but we're starting at the beginning. If you're going to be under my tutelage, I'm going to work from the bottom up." Harald faced William and spoke in lower tones. "Run through an hour or so of novice left to right parry movements, the thrust and the retreat. No weapons, do you understand?"
William nodded once to affirm that he did understand, but that was not entirely true. Practice weapons were not only common, they were encouraged by Harald. Why would he not have wanted her to have one to practice with?
"No weapons?" Lily exclaimed loudly in a sharp exhale. "What am I supposed to do, kill my opponent of boredom?"
Harald spun on heel and reached out, snatching her blouse and pulling her close. His voice was gravely, and it lacked so much of the man she knew, it sounded like a stranger. She could feel his breath hissing between his teeth as he ground out his words. "I do not care for your tone of voice, or the attitude you're giving me. You may have been able to speak that way around Alrik, but you will not speak that way around me, or so help me I'll send you back to Arendelle on the next ship to leave port. Are we clear?"
Lily nodded, temporarily mute from the roughness he displayed. He released her and she faltered for words, taking a moment to speak clearly, her voice trembling. "I… I'm sorry, I just… I spoke too quickly. I'll do as you ask, sir."
Sir.
The word itself stung Harald with formality, and her hurt expression was enough to make him sorry, but when he heard her words, he could sense vulnerability… confusion… fear. She was afraid. Of him. He never heard himself speak, but he must have said something, because William nodded at him and guided Lily to a corner of the yard where he adjusted her stance and began practice. Harald blinked a trail of sweat away, the remains stinging his eyes. He lingered there a few moments longer, until the edges of his vision began to submerge into darkness and heat. He stumbled away from the men, beyond the south arch, and into one of his mother's private gardens, where he ripped off his helmet and let it fall to the grass. It rolled to a lopsided stop a few feet away. He leaned for support against a tree, burying his sopping wet head into his hand, and quietly shook with silent sobs of regret.
#
Lily may not have agreed with what she'd been told to do, but she did it regardless. And all the while, she thought about Harald. What could have made him so angry with her? She'd never heard him sound like that before, not ever. The sun had been beating down on her, and as she again repeated the parry steps William had been drilling with her, she felt a drop of sweat bounce to the dusty ground.
William felt pity for her and put a hand on her shoulder. He, too, was panting, and had noticed many of the soldiers were taking a break. It was nearly lunchtime, and she should be allowed to get something to eat. "You can stop for a rest," he commented, "if you're hungry, I can show you to the kitchens."
"I'm thirsty," she panted, smiling gratefully.
William glanced at the barrel in the northwest corner of the training yard where water was typically stored for the soldiers, and saw a few men lingering around it, two without shirts, jovially chatting in the shade. He looked back at Lily, pondering whether to give in to his immediate desire for refreshment or to take her where he didn't have to worry about another confrontation. "I'll show you to the kitchen. You can get something to drink there."
"Thank you," she agreed, letting him take her hand and lead her.
"We're going through the south arch now. There are several gardens through the doors here…" William guided her hand as they walked, "… but their access is sometimes private…and then here is the doorway that leads inside the castle. Once you're inside here, the kitchens are-"
"To the left," finished Lily, brightening.
"How do you know that?" William stared in awe.
"I can smell it." They laughed together, with William entering the kitchen after her. Immediately her nose was serenaded with a buffet of appetizing aromas. She breathed the scent in with her mouth, identifying sweet pork, with a smoky aftertaste. "Oh, that smells delicious."
"Looks pretty delicious, too," William commented quietly.
A red-headed woman who had been bending over a pot on the fire whirled around, a ladle in hand. She stiffened as she saw William, her cheeks going ruddy as her frazzled hair, her green eyes wide. "William!" she gasped. "What are you doing here?"
"Just taking a break, Ariel," he replied, approaching her and leaning over the pot. "It's pretty hot out there. This is Lily, a guest here. What have you got cooking?" He flashed her a wink and reached for her ladle, which she held out of his reach.
"Pleased to meet you," she breathlessly exclaimed to Lily before running a little ways away from William. "Now you stop it! I can't make another batch of this soup; I don't have the ingredients to do it!"
"Smells like… cabbage…rosemary… basil… thyme… pepper?" Lily named off ingredients and for a brief moment, puzzled over why they were strangely familiar.
"That's right… how did you know?" Ariel asked, stunned enough so William could whisk the ladle from her hand and swipe a quick sample of the soup. "William!" she scolded, snatching a large pronged fork from the wall of utensils and giving him a smack on the rump with the flat end, "Give me that back! Don't be such a…a…a dinglehopper!"
"You made that up!" William laughed, holding the ladle above his head. "If you want it back, it'll cost you."
Ariel crossed her arms and pursed her lips. "What'll it cost me?"
"Just a kiss," William coddled her, leaning in towards her.
Ariel quickly paid him a peck on the cheek, jumping up and grabbing her ladle back. William pouted, disappointed with the results of the trade. "I meant on the lips…"
"Not now," she admonished, "I have to get this soup ready in the next few minutes, and it's hard enough when the ingredients have to be found and brought to the kitchen without someone like you stealing the food out from under me." She bent down, stirring the pot and examining its contents, before pointing behind him and grasping air with her fingers. "Hand me that thingamabob behind you. There should be at least twenty of them there, but someone hasn't been doing dishes lately."
William turned and stretched, handing her the cooking tool with a charming smile. "You're cute when you're flustered."
"That's for Helena, isn't it?" Lily spoke, a little reluctant to interrupt William.
"Why… yes," Ariel admitted, "it's to help with her morning sickness."
"I see…" Lily stretched out a hand, but was aware an unfamiliar kitchen meant she had to be more reserved. "Do you think I could be helped to find something to drink?"
"Oh, of course!" William wetly slapped his head with his clammy palm. "I completely forgot; I'm so sorry, Lily. Let me show you."
Lily willingly allowed him to guide her to the pump with a mug in her hand. She appreciated his support of her independence when he showed her things. She pumped the handle a few times until water flowed out, noisily gulping down a drink. Shortly afterward she heard William do the same beside her.
"William, can I talk to you for a moment?" Ariel asked quietly a few moments later.
"Sure." He walked across the room, and Lily could tell by the hushed tone of their voices that they meant to hold a private conversation. Though she probably could have heard them if she focused, her attentions were elsewhere. She focused instead on smell, using it to find the rack of spices. There were rows and rows of them, but she'd cooked for herself for ages, so she honed in on the target smell quickly. Her hand enclosed the vial of hot pepper, and another quick sniff affirmed she'd correctly found what she was looking for. She slowly moved towards the pot bubbling over the fire, following the crackling. Holding out the jar clenched tightly in her fist, she feigned waving the aroma into her nose while shaking her hand twice hard.
Just a little… this will teach her to humiliate me…
"Is he being too hard on you?" Ariel whispered, brushing back a few thick strands of his wet bangs. "You're drenched in sweat."
"You know Harald. He's always like this when he comes back to the Isles after being away. He wants to make sure no one got soft while he was gone, that's all…" William replied, wiping his forehead with his sleeve and smiling tenderly. "We're all used to it by now." His gaze ventured towards Lily, who was walking away from the pot near the stove, looking just the slightest bit forlorn. "Besides, his attention is split with Lily. I'm sure she's got a hold on him already. I think he may even have feelings for her."
Ariel's face bloomed into surprise. "Harald? The cold-hearted captain? Have feelings for someone? Now that would be something."
"People can change, Ariel." William replied, tucking a piece of her wavy hair back behind her ear. "Something big is going to happen soon to the Southern Isles; I can feel it. Maybe it will happen to Harald."
Ariel looked dubious, but she leaned lightly against his chest for a moment, loosely wrapping her arms about his waist. "Maybe. I know you've been close friends for a long time, but promise me you won't let him bully you. Especially not when he's in this kind of mood."
"Your pot is boiling over."
Ariel shrieked and released him, running back to the stove and lifting the cauldron off the fire pit with a grunt. She turned to talk to him further, but he had already corralled Lily to the exit and waved goodbye as they disappeared. She sighed and waved back, spooning a serving of the soup into a large ceramic bowl for the servants soon to come. She then glanced around the kitchen to survey the clean up she would have to do, and frowned. People just didn't know how to clean up after themselves. The princes did make it a habit to raid the kitchen often. At least it provided decent job security. She began to put away the tools and foods she'd used in preparation, giving pause as she gingerly picked up an empty spice jar. That's odd… She sniffed it, and it smelled vaguely of hot pepper. It's missing the lid. Someone must have lost it. I suppose the containers can be temperamental if you aren't looking at what you're doing. She thought nothing more of it as she stirred the pot, not noticing the hard silver circle within being churned into the mixture.
#
"So you and Ariel are a couple?" Lily asked as they climbed stairs, trying not to feel the slightest bit of guilt about what she'd just done.
"Yes," William admitted, "We're actually engaged. But we can't get married yet, because I can't afford a house for us. With what I've been saving, we're well on our way. I should be able to afford something soon."
"That's wonderful news. You two seem like you get along well," Lily replied with a gracious smile. "Where did you meet?"
William took his time walking down the hallway, enjoying the cooler interior of the castle. "On the beach, actually. Ariel loves the ocean. Harald had us out running drills on the sand, and Ariel was by the rocks, dipping her feet into the waves and singing. She has the most beautiful voice… anyway, there was a breeze blowing, and her sun hat got away from her. I dove in to rescue it."
Lily suppressed laughter between her hands. "You swam after her hat in the ocean?"
William shrugged good-naturedly. "Well, I ended up floundering a little. I misjudged the distance, but hey, it caught me a date. And the story goes on from there…"
"I see," Lily giggled.
"There you are! My goodness, I've been searching everywhere!" Julia rounded the corner and grabbed Lily by the arm, dragging her away from William. "She's wanted for lunch with Prince Heins and Lady Helena! Don't you look a fright! I'll never be able to make her presentable in time!"
"Of course, I'm sorry, Julia. I should have brought her back sooner," William replied, releasing Lily's hand.
"William?" Lily questioned, suddenly wishing he could come with her.
"You'll be fine! I have to get back out to the yard now. It's easier if you just go with it; I'll see you later!"
Lily felt her stomach drop as she was quickly pulled behind Julia up a few flights of stairs. "Now then," Julia rambled, her fingers weaving through Lily's sweaty hair lightly trying to make her more presentable. "You really should have changed clothes and washed up before lunch; just be yourself and don't worry because I'll be here after luncheon is finished to guide you back through the castle." She opened a door and cleared her throat, "My princes and lady? Lady Lily is here." Lily felt a little poke at the small of her back and stepped forward, hands clenched behind her.
"Oh, my… you look simply wilted, poor thing. Come in here where it's cool and let me help you to your seat." It was the kind prince, Prince Heins. Lily could tell by his voice and how gingerly his hand took hers as he led her to an empty seat. "I do hope my brother hasn't been training you too hard. I know she wants to train, Harald, but really, when even you almost drop from exhaustion after coming in from outside, I think that's a sign."
"When I want your opinion, I'll ask for it," Harald snapped, sitting across from Lily.
Heins sighed and sat himself beside Lily, across from Helena. "I should have thought as much."
"Are you alright?" Lily asked, her attention focused on Harald's direction. Hearing he had almost dropped from exhaustion concerned her. He'd been acting distant all morning, and she was confused as to why.
"Just a little tired from the journey still," Harald replied bluntly, trying to be as honest as he could with her. "Coming home leaves me with a lack of energy… and sometimes patience." He could hear her concern in the gentle question, and it eased the edge of his anger.
Lily heard dishes moving, and some set in front of her, but she didn't smell the soup. A part of her was thankful. Maybe it had been overcooked and she wouldn't be served it. Maybe they taste tested it and found out it wasn't right. "I hope you recover soon." The air felt stiff as she poked at her food with her fork, taking little, sometimes awkward, bites. Though she couldn't see it, she could feel Helena, and probably the rest of the people around the table looking at her, and she hoped she wasn't committing any horrible faux pas.
Harald had taken some time to think over what Lily had said happened. He had no doubt Helena could be capable of such a spiteful act, but the question of why she'd done so he had not figured out. She certainly wasn't the jealous type, in fact, having another woman around instead of so many men should have made her happy. He had enough trouble in his life without having to deal with Lily feeling hurt. It was time to get some answers. He took a swig of some cool water and cleared his throat. "We should talk about what happened last night. That's why we're here."
Helena tried to summon words, her mouth watering at the sight of food disappearing in front of the others. Her special soup to ease her morning sickness had still not arrived. Maybe it was for the best. This way she had less to distract her from the matter at hand. "I… I just want to say something before-"
"I'm so sorry, Miss." Suddenly, one of the maids entered carrying a tray, setting down a bowl of steaming soup in from of Helena which smelled of sweet pork. "It took a little longer than usual for the cook's apprentice to make the recipe correctly."
"Oh, that's alright," Helena graciously thanked the maid, the food too big a temptation to ignore. She began to take in big spoonfuls. "I'm just glad it's here."
Lily bit her lip, the familiar smells encircling her nose. Maybe it wasn't too late. Maybe she could stop her if she spoke right now, and… suddenly severe coughing and gagging erupted across from her. Oh, what have I done?
"Helena!" Heins rushed to his wife's side, patting her firmly on the back as she coughed harshly, her eyes watering.
She waved at the men to let them know she was not choking, her mouth on fire, tongue salivating out of her control. "Water!" she gasped, swallowing several gulps from her glass, starting to hiccup. "Need-hic-water!" She finished off her glass with another few gulps and started in on Harald's, her eyes burning with tears. "Too hot! It burns!"
"Water's no good for spice; I'll fetch some milk," Harald quickly volunteered, vaulting from the room and out the door.
Lily remained glued to her chair, listening as Helena rasped out words to her husband and gulped down water, no longer able to touch her own food. Harald returned moments later with a large pitcher of milk, and as Helena drank it down, he calmly watched, concern for his sister-in-law subsiding. He had dealt with too many brotherly pranks to not know how to combat heat. Heins waited as the minutes passed, comforting his wife the best he knew how, until the redness in her face slowly began to subside, and he smiled hopefully. "Are you alright, my love?"
"Yes," she gasped out with long, slow pants. "It was just… so hot… something must have happened… thank goodness for the milk."
"I'll go fetch another glass for you while I try to find out more," Harald commented, noting with a twinge of surprise the pitcher was nearly gone. "And to calm that Ariel woman down. She was in hysterics over the possibility of being fired when I left."
"I should help," Heins added as he squeezed Helena's shoulder. "You're a good detective, Harald, but you're not exactly the most comforting at the best of times. We have to let the poor woman know it wasn't her fault. After all, cooking is a delicate process, almost as delicate as designing clothing. If you asked me to cook anything, well…"
Harald looked back from the doorway. "You tried once. By God's grace the castle is still standing."
"Hah hah," Heins emphasized, giving Helena a kiss on the cheek. "I'll be back, my love."
"Alright," Helena replied, her face returning to its normal color. Then, the men were gone, and the two women left alone together. Helena observed Lily in silence for a moment. The girl was trembling, stiff as a board, and her skin pale. "Lily…" she began, summoning up the words from within, "I need to apologize to you. You see, my father was a great man in the Arendelle army, before the layoffs happened. When you told me your father was the captain, I… I blamed you for him being let go. I shouldn't have, but it was just so sudden, and you were so proud of him… my father used to be friends with your father… but I shouldn't have been so bitter… I can't believe it's still with me…"
Lily dared not even look in Helena's direction. It was just like the queen said… and if she wanted to end the bitterness now… she had to apologize, too. "What happened to him?" she asked.
"He died."
Lily's face tilted up and she felt a longing to be close to the woman across from her. Perhaps they had more in common than she'd thought they ever could. "My father is dead, too."
"I'm so sorry…"
"No, I'm sorry, Helena." Lily took a deep breath, fighting tears. "I ruined your soup. I did it. I was downstairs before lunch and I poured some hot pepper spice inside the cauldron. I thought it was just a little, just enough to teach you a lesson about humiliating me, but… but I didn't mean so much. I was just so angry with you…"
Helena paused, looking down at her soup and then back up and Lily, and she started to laugh. It started as a giggle, and then burst into a pretty song of happiness. She laughed until tears gathered at her eyes. "Oh my goodness…. Is that what happened?"
Harald re-entered the room with Heins behind him, looking perplexed from one woman to the other. "Well, we must have just missed the joke."
Helena wiped at her eyes. "Did you find out what ha-happened?"
"Yes and no. We dumped the rest of the soup, and inside there was a silver lid. Ariel thought it came from an empty jar of hot pepper. How it got in there, though… she doesn't know," Harald shrugged, his eyes scanning the room and settling on Lily.
Lily began to feel heat creeping back into her cheeks. "I-"
"It doesn't matter," Helena interrupted her purposely. "It really doesn't. I'm alright, and I'm sure it won't happen again."
"But your food, love…" Heins murmured obliviously, looking worried. "You have to eat…"
"I'm not hungry for soup, anyway. I'm craving some… um… some… pumpkin! And… some wild boar."
Heins looked bewildered and overwhelmed, running a hand through his hair. "Pumpkin and wild… boar? But you just had that a few days ago…"
"Of course, if you can't get it for me… it's alright…" she trailed off.
"No! No, I'll get it! Harald, you will help me, won't you? We have to make sure she gets her nutrition!" Heins took his brother's arm and started to tug him towards the doorway.
"Me? Why me? I mean, I know she needs to eat, but I-"
"You're one of the best hunters besides Harken, and he's already out somewhere gallivanting with Hugo!" Heins wheedled, pulling a little harder. "Please! My baby is depending on us!"
Harald heaved a long, drawn-out sigh. "Oh, alright… will you be okay, Lily? I promise I'll find you the moment we return… but it may not be for a while. Hunting hours were at their peak quite some time ago."
"I'll be fine," Lily managed, quite overwhelmed and confused.
"Alright then… let's go. I think we should start with that patch of forest to the southwest of the castle, that's where I saw the last boar that I remember," Harald replied, walking out with his brother, his voice fading.
Helena waited until her husband's voice completely disappeared, and then her chair squeaked as she rose. "Finally they're gone. Now then… come with me."
#
"So then… you didn't really want pumpkin and boar? And you're not angry with me for ruining your lunch?" Lily asked, sitting on the plush bed, trying not to fidget as Helena worked a brush through her tangles from the day, her work gentle and thorough.
"It was the only way I could think to get rid of them for a while so we could talk on our own. And of course I'm not mad. I told you that already. I embarrassed you, and you got even. Now we're fair and square, and now we can really focus on being fast friends," Helena soothed, holding down on a lock of hair and tugging through it with a little force. "I'm so glad you're here. You can't believe what it's like being with so many men every day. I had no idea when I married Heins how hard it would be adjusting to living here." She admired the straightness of the girl's locks, smoothing them down, the tangles gone. "Your hair is beautiful… I wish my hair were straight."
"Mine? What's yours like? I know this probably sounds really weird, but can I touch it and find out?" Lily asked.
"Of course!" Helena took her hand and guided it to her hair, letting her squeeze and stroke.
"It feels so soft… and you have waves. My hair never does anything but sit there," Lily chuckled, feeling at ease with Helena. Over the past hours of chatting she'd touched the woman's face once, forming a solid picture, and now it was complete. "I wish my hair were soft like yours… and it smells good, too. Like the apricots that grow in Arendelle's orchards."
"That's where I made my own soap," Helena replied. "And it lasts me a while, too!" Suddenly she seemed to notice Lily's face grow a little saddened. "… you miss it, don't you?"
"Yes." Lily's hands fell limply to her lap. "I've never been away from home before."
Helena stood and went to her bureau, sorting through ribbons until she found one she liked of a robin's egg blue. She then looked at herself in the mirror for a moment and turned around, heading for a workbench in the room and sorting through her husband's wild piles of scrap fabric until she saw something sparkle. She took the scissors and looked back at Lily. "… do you want a piece?"
"Huh?"
"Do you want a piece of my hair? I'll give you a lock if you like; it grows really fast. Maybe it will help you not feel so homesick." Before Lily could say anything in rebuttal, Helena snipped, and Lily held a curl tied with a tiny red ribbon. "And I brought this light blue ribbon because it will look perfect on you. You should wear this color in your hair at the party, too."
"Oh, I forgot about the party," Lily lamented as Helena began to braid her hair, weaving the ribbon in carefully.
"Why? What's wrong with it?" Helena asked.
"It's a royal party! I won't know how to act, or who to stay nearby, or what to eat when…"
Helena laughed lightly. "It's not all that complicated! Parties are fun! There's good food to eat whenever you like, and music, and dancing. You'll probably dance with Harald, at least…"
"Dancing?" Lily gasped out. "But I don't know how! What if someone asks me? What if Harald asks me?"
"You shouldn't worry so much," Helena tried to comfort her, though she knew with Lily being a guest, it was very likely attention would be drawn to her. "You can probably just blend in with the crowd if you don't want to… I doubt Harald is much of a dancer, either."
"But-" There was a sudden knock at the door.
"Who is it?" Helena asked.
"Harald."
"And Heins! We brought your food, my love! Pumpkin and boar!"
Lily looked panicked, broaching a whisper to Helena. "Do you think he heard you? Or me?"
Helena shook her head, whispering back. "You go talk with Harald. I have to eat at least some of the food or Heins will never sleep. Come and tell me how everything went afterward; Heins will be out late with his work tonight, I'm sure."
"Okay…" Lily murmured, getting up and walking to the door, opening it. Heins carried in a tray, blinking as he saw her.
"Well! You look fresh as a newly-picked daisy, Lily! Doesn't she look lovely with that pretty ribbon in her hair, Harald?" He glanced back at his brother sideways, flashing him a smug smile.
Harald glowered at Heins, but acquiesced, nodding. "You do look nice… would you… take a walk with me in the halls before you retire tonight?"
"Yes… of course." Lily accepted, reaching out for his arm, which he gave her willingly, and tried not to let the day's dramas worry her as he led her into the quiet stone maze of the castle. Their footsteps echoing were the only chatter within the halls. For all she spoke, she might as well have been a statue decorating some of the corners or balconies outside, where Harald led her for some fresh air.
"You're quiet," he commented, resting an arm on one of the gargoyles lining the railing and watching her lean on the railing and scratch the stone with her nails absently.
"Just thinking," she replied in a still, small voice.
"About what you did to Helena, no doubt…"
Lily gasped, shrinking away from him. "You know? How could you know?"
"Because I know you… and I saw the way you reacted when she started to cough." He took her hand and squeezed it. "I won't chastise you. I can see you've made up together, though why this all started I don't even want to hear… but that's not all that's bothering you, is it?"
She could not understand how he could read her heart as easily as if it were on her sleeve. "No."
"Then what, my love?"
His words filled her with warmth as if she were kneeling before a fire. "I… I'm afraid… of the party…of dancing. I don't know how."
"Oh, but I think you do."
Lily scoffed and turned her head. "I mean, once or twice with my father, but… that certainly doesn't count."
"Come here…" Harald took her hands and led her into the center of the balcony. "Now… why don't you show me what you learned today? Maybe it will take your mind off it."
"What I learned?" Lily repeated, giving him a sour look for ruining the moment. "Do I have to? Right now?"
"That's an order."
Lily marveled at what a difference a person's tone of voice could make. His voice was gentle, comforting, and understanding, not condescending or angry as it had been earlier. "Alright." She stepped to the left, imagining an attacker thrusting to her right, then the same to the right, imagining the left. Then she stepped back and then to the left. She continued with the same four steps as she'd done earlier that day repeatedly, and then held out her arms expectantly. "Okay?"
"Good, but you're trying a little too hard." Suddenly she felt his fingers enfold around her hands. "Show me again." She started doing as she'd done, until she felt the brush of his stubble and his breath against her ear as he breathed, "Slower…" She stiffened, her heartbeat quickening. "Why… Miss Lily Granthson… I do believe you're dancing."
Lily was filled with surprise and joy when she realized he was right. It wasn't fancy, and certainly not up to quality of making anyone talk, but she was dancing. And she was dancing with Harald. She leaned her head against his chest as he began to sway. "How?"
"I had my reasons for making you practice without a weapon. Dancing for a party is not so different from parrying an enemy. It's just a different kind of dance. I wanted you to be comfortable."
"You're wonderful," she murmured, chuckling at how simple that sounded. She wished she had something better to say.
"… maybe." He swayed with her a little longer and came to a stop, looking deeply into her innocent eyes. "Are you sure you love me?"
"Of course," Lily replied, confused, but still enjoying the moment. "I'll always love you." She leaned up and touched his lips with her fingers, using them as a reference for the ensuing kiss.
He kissed her neck once, sighing heavily through his nose. Then he patted her hand and started leading her back to her room. "You'd better get some sleep. You'll need it. Tomorrow, the real work begins."
Lily could have soared in that moment, so she nodded dumbly, barely able to find words even when she came to Helena's room afterward.
"Sooo… tell me! You're blushing redder than a radish!" Helena enthused, taking her friend's hands excitedly.
"I never know when he's going to be romantic, but when he is… oh, it's heavenly, Helena," Lily breathed, smiling from ear to ear. "He danced with me, and we talked the whole time about the party, and about us, and love…"
"Well! And I thought you couldn't dance!" Helena exclaimed with a playful shove.
"He showed me," Lily went on dreamily. "And he called me his love."
Helena almost laughed imagining it. "Wow. I can honestly say I've never heard him say that."
"Oh! Helena!" Lily gasped, taking her friend's arms. "I need your help! I can dance now, but I don't have any clothes to wear, especially not for any fancy royal ball! Can you help me?"
Helena grinned, showing her white teeth as she stifled laughter. She took Lily's hand, approaching a pair of doors built into the side of their room and flinging them open, revealing a rainbow cascade of dresses stretching on and on to the distant wall. She sighed happily, running her fingers over the fabric of the first dress among many. She took it off the rack thoughtfully and held it in front of Lily. "Let's get started."
So…. Yeah. That was a long one. Hope you like it. Leave me a review if you did!