Chapter Sixteen: In Which Rolf is Punished

Kalys flung herself on the bed, crying. She couldn't handle this; she couldn't go through another day like this. Everything made her angry, everyone made her angry. She had no patience anymore, and it was frustrating. She'd lost it today, snapped at both the queen and Lilah, angering both of them. Then she embarrassed herself in front of Pogue and Celie. Everything was just so humiliating.

She groaned into her pillow when she heard the door creep open. The bed drooped as a body moved on top of it. A griffin butted at her, nudging her to roll over. She gave Dagger a pet, but refused to look at Rolf. She knew he was standing there, probably ashamed.

"Delilah can go to hell," he said softly. Kalys looked up at him. His eyes were sympathetic, his hands shoved in his pockets. "They're just trying to make it easier on you. Are they both nagging little hags who can be rather infuriating with the dictatorship habits? Sure, but they really do think they know better than you and are just enlightening things upon you."

Kalys hugged her pillow to her chest as she pouted. "I said no. I'm taking care of my child. It was like they were acting like I couldn't handle it or something; like I was incapable. It's not even that, Rolf, just, please, please don't hire a nursemaid."

"We are young, Kal. Of course you're capable, but you still have so much to learn about being the future queen. Time is valuable; if there's one thing I learned from all of this, its that I could be crowned anytime now, really. It's just, well, it might be easier to hire a nurse." Rolf's words were much gentler than the females' of his family had been, but it still pricked irritation in Kalys.

"I can't do it, Rolf, I can't. I'm raising my own baby. I'm not even considering it. No, I won't." Kalys looked away, tears threatening to fall.

"Why are you so insistent on this? What happened?" Rolf took his her hand in his, rubbing his thumb over her knuckles.

"My mother never raised me. She was never there; I had no one besides a few harsh words to guide me. It does something to someone, takes a toll when you realize you're not good enough for your own mother. I felt so hated by her, every time I heard her yell at my aunt for letting me near her. When my aunt died of the fever, everything I had was gone. My child will not be abandoned by me." Kalys was crying now, regretting how jumbled her words her, hating how she couldn't get it all out. She didn't know how to describe the pain or really the situation. But for now it was enough.

"We won't hire a nanny, sweetheart." Rolf nuzzled at her shoulder, Dagger butting his head against her belly.

For the first time intentionally, Rolf placed his hand on her stomach, spreading his fingers across it. She rested against his, letting the tears fall freely. She could face Celina at dinner.

...

Rolf dropped his pencil against the desk, annoyed at how tired his wrist was. He couldn't write another word, much less sign fifteen more letters in the name of Castle Glower. He signed three more before standing, shaking his wrist, and sighing. He couldn't do it anymore. Good gods, this was boring.

Thankfully, Bran entered, letting Rolf push the ever looming though of unsigned letters out of his mind. He looked slightly panicked, something Rolf never really liked, but something he apparently had to deal with on a regular basis.

"So I talked with Arkwright, and I know why Casper wants your baby," he said, laying a hand on the desk.

Your baby. The words made a lump form in Rolf's throat. Yes, his baby.

"Apparently, there is a baby supposed to be born who will destroy Casper. Something about Arkish and Hathelocke blood mixed. Anyway, said child is your baby, and Casper, for obvious reasons wants a hold of it. So Kalys does need to be under strict watch, especially when her term comes to an end," Bran finished.

Rolf sat back in his chair, thinking. "She hates protection, and we know what happened last time she had it."

Bran narrowed his eyes. "Yes, yes. Well hopefully she won't be inclined to go see Casper again, and I'm not being stupid. Just don't assign her Greyson Avery. Perhaps Pogue will do."

"Not Pogue," Rolf said immediately.

"Why? He's a knight, great protection, well-known, and skilled in many types of combat." Bran frowned.

"Just not Pogue. I don't like that idea." Rolf was both stalling the conversation about Casper, and the fact that Kalys was closer and closer to birth.

"Why? Are you jealous because he's more handsome than you?" Bran raised an eyebrow.

Rolf could feel his face flushing. That was the reason. And because he didn't trust Pogue not to flirt with his wife.

"Rolf, are you jealous?" Bran snickered. "Please, Pogue is your friend, he wouldn't do that."

"Pogue has flirted with many a taken women, Bran. Besides, Kalys is very beautiful. I wouldn't put it past him," Rolf said grouchily.

Bran laughed. "She's pregnant with your baby. Besides, don't you trust Kalys?"

"Of course. But think about it. You have a hormonal pregnant woman who is very beautiful, and a handsome young man who's always had a weakness for women, spending a lot of time together. All I'm saying is there are a lot of secret places in this Castle," Rolf blustered, a pang in his heart of the thought of Kalys being unfaithful.

Bran was smirking. "Kalys may be hormonal, but that's why she has you to fulfill her needs."

Rolf narrowed his eyes at his brother. Perhaps he was being stupid, but he was still worried about it. Then again, Kalys has rejected Pogue on the Ship, something that made Rolf's ego swell.

...

Sometimes Kalys felt the only peaceful time was the night. She'd had trouble sleeping for awhile, and often would just stare up at the ceiling wondering what the next day would bring. Here she was, now, laying on her side, attempting to get comfortable, her eyes set out on the curtains. While she'd managed to slightly wriggle out of Rolf's grip, his arm was still draped over her, and he was sound asleep.

Kalys sighed. There was too much anxiety with her insomnia, but it was better than the day. In the morning she would wake, exhausted and worried, yank on a gown that was too hot and tight, and go about her chores. She wasn't really doing anything to help the mess of the situation she was in, and it drove her nuts. There had to be another way to crack the code. But the code remained whole.

She attempted to wriggle further away from her sleeping husband, but stopped when he grunted. She didn't really like what a light sleeper he was, how often he woke up in the night. They were both light sleepers, something that was obnoxious for each other, but it was what it was. She winced when she heard Rolf mumble something incoherent and roll over. She was a bit startled when she rolled on her side to watch him start to gently thrash, his face twisted into a fearful expression. Though it was dark, her eyes had long adjusted, and it was very obvious that something was wrong. His fists clenched the sheets, and his feet were kicking.

Kalys sighed as she placed her hands on his shoulder, shaking him. He sat up with a start, his hands rubbing down his face. Kalys was alarmed to see tears slip down his face. Rolf had nightmares all the time, suffering that much trauma (or adventure as he called it) does that to someone. But he never cried. He just woke up in a panic. This was different.

Kalys reached her hand up to stroke his cheekbone gently, and he leaned into her touch. She moved closer to him, so that their sides touched.

"Everything was gone," he whispered. "It was just us. Casper was still there. And the baby-" Rolf paused, swiping at another tear. "Well, too many had been killed for that baby."

Kalys hated bitterness in his voice when their unborn child was mentioned. She despised the look of utter despair on Rolf's face. He tried for her, he was trying to accept this; but the anger was still there.

"I'm trying to love it, Kalys," Rolf voiced her thoughts. "But no matter how hard I try I only see this ending in destruction. How can I love an infant that is destroying my life in such a way?"

...

Kalys awoke early the next morning. She wasn't feeling very well and knew she wouldn't be able to go back to sleep. She was surprised to see Rolf gone already, mostly because she normally woke when he got up. She sighed, running a hand over her face. She pushed herself out of bed, striking a match so she could see in the early dawn darkness.

It took her nearly an hour to finish her morning routine, as often she would forget what she was doing and just stare off into space. When her hair was braided and she was dressed she stood before herself in the mirror. It was laundry day and the dress she had clean was one of her least-favorites. It was dark blue, and it had puffs at the shoulders and embroidery on the bodice and sleeves. Her least favorite thing about it was how pregnant it made her look. It really made the stomach stick out. That, and it seemed her belly had popped out overnight. Like really popped. She was over halfway done with her pregnancy and it was quite obvious today it seemed.

When she met up with Rolf in the hallway, she winced a bit for him. He'd had a rather rough night, she knew that; after his reoccuring nightmare he'd barely slept. He hadn't looked this tired in months. She was surprised when he embraced her, kissed her head, and mumbled something. Then they were both on their way.

She met up with him again when she was griffin training. He had come in to give Celie something and to see Dagger. Kalys was feeling horrible; she had a headache, she was annoyed, and she was tired. She hadn't meant to sound so stuck-up when she corrected Pogue, but apparently she did. Because Pogue lost it.

"Would you learn to understand that you don't know everything, and perhaps people do things different than you?" He snapped, snatching the harness from her hand.

It felt like a slap in the face. She blushed and took a step back, not really knowing how to respond. Pogue rubbed a hand over his forehead and opened his mouth as though he were about to say something again, but it was too late.

"Oh, that's ironic coming from you," Rolf said lazily.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Pogue asked sharply, frowning.

"It means you're extremely condescending and you need to take a serious life check before you call anyone out on that subject," Rolf snapped, making Pogue cross his arms.

"I'm sorry if I'm a little hesitant about you sleeping around, and then dislike it when you complain about the consequences of your own actions," Pogue shot back, making both Celie and Kalys blush.

"And what are you again? A commoner turned knight?"

"Rolf!" Celie scolded stepping between her brother and the knight. "I think you should just go."

Rolf slammed the door behind him and Kalys followed. She was surprised to see how fast Rolf had booked it out of there, as her husband wasn't in sight. Queen Celina met up with her anyway, and she joined her for the other things she had to do that day.

By one o'clock, Rolf was in trouble again. Both Kalys and the queen winced as King Glower groughly scolded his youngest son for embarrassing him and sending him to his room to 'calm down'. Rolf, whose face had already had a slightly red tinge to it, clenched his fist, and they saw a vein begin to pop out. He left though and Kalys could see him shaking a little.

It had been a rather rough day to say the least. After Queen Celina urged her to go after him, Kalys a bit hesitant, wondering if he'd rather be alone. But she still eased the door open, finding Rolf sprawled across the bed, hands rubbing his temples.

She sat down next to him. Unsure of what to do. She didn't really know what he wanted. He sighed.

"My mother sent you, didn't she?" He asked, reaching up to take her hand in his, circling her palm with his thumb.

She nodded. "I can leave if you want."

"It'd probably be better if you stayed. Though I don't know if I'll leave here until tomorrow." Rolf rubbed his head. "I haven't been sent to my room like this since I was twelve."

Kalys smiled a bit. "So you lost it pretty bad then?"

"Pretty bad. I'm just so exhausted. Sometimes I wonder if Casper has been controlling my dreams." Rolf's hand slithered down his face.

Kalys touched his hair, running a hand through the dark hair. Her fingers traced his cheekbone, and she couldn't help but notice how dark the areas under his eyes were. She felt bad for him; this was plaguing him more than it ever had her. They both had a tough part in this, his was just more mental.

"Get some rest, Rolf. You have tomorrow off," she whispered.

"If I sleep now, I won't sleep tonight," he murmured, though he closed his eyes.

"Well, what else are you going to do?" She asked absentmindedly, starting to stand.

He opened his eyes, cocking an eyebrow. "I mean..."

Kalys smirked, rubbing a hand to her own forehead. "Good heavens, Rolf, we did ir last night."

"You want to though," he pointed out.

Kalys kissed him gently. "Oh, alright, but we have to take it slow. I like kissing you."

...

"Be quiet, Rufus," Celie whispered. "I want to hear them."

Rolf and Kalys had missed dinner twice in a row. The first one being Rolf had been banished, but now something fishy was up. Celie had not seen King Glower or Rolf all day, and Kalys said the king had sent for his son very early that morning. Neither of them had attended dinner, which was very suspicious. Celie decided she had to know now. And the Castle made a way.

"It's frightening, Kalys," Rolf was saying. Celie could see them on their bed, cross legged. Rolf rubbed a hand down his face. "It-I just don't understand what I am supposed to do. The report isn't good. I mean war. Something is going on in the east, that everyone is ignoring."

Celie looked down at Rufus. Had the east declared war? Did this have something to do with the assassin? It would make sense why the meetings had been so long today. Why hadn't anyone told her? Who all knew? Was this a secret?

Cele craned her neck, though it wouldn't help her hear any better. she silently debated which of her brothers to ask. Rolf was more likely to break a secrecy oath, but Bran was more likely to keep a diary. He could also murmur and slip up; Rolf didn't do that. On a good day, Celie could pry things out of Bran, but Rolf was on alert like that; it was his job. He could talk her out of even wanting to know.

"Cecelia!"

She jumped, turning to meet Bran. She smiled sheepishly, looking uo to see his raised eyebrows, his mouth in a straight line. "You should be in bed."

Celie frowned. "Why are you up here?"

Bran made a face, as though offended by her tone, but softened. "I came up here to find out what the hell is going on."

Celie grinned. "Me too! Ive been eavesdropping on Rolf and Kalys in their bedchambers."

"I wouldn't do that often. How do you think Kalys got pregnant so fast?"

Celie blushed and frowned. That comment was far from needed. "Not important. The east has declared war!"

Bran blanched. He grabbed the spyglass from her hand, his eye searching. Though she couldn't see Rolf, she all of the sudden could hear his voice echoing through the room.

"We don't know what we're up against which is very concerning. I've never seen something like this before. Who wants to settle for fighting a Crown Prince as means of war? Why am I so damn important to them?"

All was silent when Rolf quieted. Celie looked at Bran who seemed to be in deep shock still. He began to wring his fingers. When it was certain the Castle would no longer let them eavesdrop, Celie spoke.

"What does all of this mean."

"It means Rolf will have to start getting better with his sword."

How long has it been? Yikes, sorry peeps. It is so nice to hear about all of you guys reading, though! Writing has been slow since my laptop isn't working, but I'm still here for you guys. After all, we have a lot of time. Let me know what you're thinking of the story in the reviews. Until next time,

-geeky34