Karigan was handling dinner better than she had thought possible. Her breathing had slowed and she was even calm enough to steal glances at the king from time to time. It helped that Richard, bereft as he was after their earlier conversation, seemed to have doubled his efforts when talking to her. She caught his open stare at her every so often, which would cause him to blush and busy himself with his food. Must remember not to wear silver again, she thought wryly. After the first few courses were complete, she was back to her normal self, engrossed in his lively conversation and animatedly chatting away. He was such a good friend to her and she was determined to continue their friendship. She had not enjoyed herself in such a long time and the feeling was almost infectious.
The night progressed and everyone was clearly enjoying the lively banquet. Karigan was coming to the part of the evening that always filled her with unease as there was at least one turn of the glass remaining before the formal service ended and she could escape her seat. It was the main reason she excused herself from many of the dinners her father attended; she just could not sit for this long.
Shifting in her chair, Karigan glanced at the clock again calculating how long she should wait until another well-timed absence to the ladies room could be orchestrated. Richard caught her attention and they re-entered a discussion with their partners opposite on the summer trading season. Karigan arched her back softly. The servants cleared the last of the dishes and began serving a small palate cleansing ice before the final meat dish was served.
Karigan took the opportunity to excuse herself and made her way to the side entrance. Luckily, the servants were hurriedly moving between the hall and the kitchen and there was no one watching when she slipped out a side door and wandered down into the gardens. She paused at the edge of a small pond, groaning in an un-ladylike fashion and stretching. Still, she thought, those Eletians really do know how to dress a lady properly. She chuckled, wondering what Enver might have to say about that. She then quieted, staring at the moon and thinking of her Eletian friends, wondering if they might be dancing under the same bright light in their homeland. She snorted. They were Elt; what else would they be doing under a moonlit night? The traitorous part of her mind replied, apart from making plans on how to ruin your life? Karigan rolled her eyes. She really needed to stop talking to herself.
Karigan heard many chairs move and frowned. It was too early for the dinner to have ended yet. Which could only mean….The king must have stood to leave. Karigan hurriedly walked to a nearby oak and stood behind it. She had been to too many receptions at the castle to know what happened next. Somehow, they always met in the gardens. She watched cautiously and within minutes, spotted his familiar black shields taking their stations on the balcony. Karigan knew he had been watching her, knew that he must have noticed how she contrived to escape the confines of her chair. Had been waiting to speak to her. But she wasn't ready. Not now, not in this dress. She needed space to breathe and to think.
She stayed stock still as he ambled out onto the terrace, relaxed to the casual observer but to her, taut as he cast his eyes around eagerly. She was filled with indecision. Did she move or did she stay? Just as she had made up her mind to walk over, he bowed his head and turned around to return to the banquet. Well, it looks like fate made up my mind for me, she thought sadly.
Karigan waited a moment before slowly making her way across the grass. Her breath caught as the moonlight touched the bottom of her dress and the beautiful, glossy patterns shined. Once again, she was overcome at the people in her life that had gone to such effort to make her feel good about herself. It dawned on her that perhaps people had noticed her struggle and without knowing her story, had tried to make her feel better anyway. With a heart full of gladness she re-entered the hall to seat herself for the end to the meal, not noticing the admiring looks cast her way, nor the one who did not look at all.
Once the last spoon had dropped onto the last plate, there was a clatter of chairs and the group moved towards the large ball room. The air was filled with laughter and chatter as the musicians picked up the pace of their music. Partners were quickly formed, young and old; they were old acquaintances here, even if not all the clans were on the best of terms. Richard bowed elaborately to Karigan, who rolled her eyes and laughed before accepting his hand. They moved through a couple of songs together, easy and practiced in each other's company. Her eyes darted around frequently, but she was towards the middle of the circle and couldn't concentrate on dancing and searching for the king so gave up before she made a fool of herself. The dancing was good for Karigan after the prolonged seating but after their third dance together the tempo really picked up and she was ready to bow out.
She saw some of her neighbours near an empty fireplace and began making her way over. As she approached the ladies drew her in to their conversation, eager to tell her how much they admired the dancers, and the music, and the men…..Karigan chuckled. The women in Corsa were strong after generations of weathering tempests and goodbyes to lovers who often never returned from the sea. They were not afraid to tell a man how much they appreciated his strong muscles and fine features, visible to the naked eye or not. Karigan accepted a glass of wine from a passing server and her eyes drifted towards the dance. She immediately sucked in her breath and self-consciously stepped several paces away from the ladies as her next visitor arrived at her side. She curtseyed again.
"Hello, Karigan," said Zachary, smiling into her eyes. She smiled back.
"Good evening, your majesty".
"I thought I might see you tonight. You look lovely."
She blushed and ducked her head, then grew serious. "Sire, I am so sorry for your loss of the Queen. It must has been hard on you. Queen Estora was a wonderful woman and I miss her."
He sighed. "Yes, it has been difficult. Although I feel more sorry for the children than myself. It will be hard for them not to know their mother but at least she did not suffer long after the riding accident. It was quick." He stared into the distance.
"How are the twins?" she asked.
He turned back to her and gave her a wide smile. "They are very well, thank you. I think I will be lucky. I may have a couple of big personalities on my hands as they grow up."
Karigan smiled. "I am sure you will, sire; I wouldn't expect anything less."
His smile softened. "And….how have you been? How is your back?"
She sighed and her expression saddened slightly. He imagined caressing that cheek, imagined the two of them alone in his suites, sharing what lay underneath their masks. Then the magic broke as she shrugged her shoulders. "As good as it will ever be, sire."
Zachary waited a moment but Karigan appeared at a loss for words and no further conversation was forthcoming. He also felt at a loss; for so many months he had dreamt of seeing her and here she was in front of him and he felt like a tongue tied 15 year old. He became aware of the music again, smiling at the memories of times they had danced together in other ballrooms. Hmmmm, this song was slow, he mused. It might work. He bowed to her before offering his hand, his heart glowing to see her smile back as she placed her warm fingers in his. He led her onto the floor and they made their way around the room.
He spun her gently, taking care not to touch her back as she dipped into a pose. He admired the way she had managed to overcome such an injury. All around her other women were bent deeply, their arms outstretched. Karigan limited all her movements to the extent she could move her damaged muscles and yet still danced with more poise than all the others put together. Weapons training and the endurance of the last two years had strengthened the grace in her features and form. Zachary was suddenly overcome by such a strong sense of longing and desperation for her that his hands gripped hers unconsciously and tears formed at the corner of his eyes. He had missed her so much, and loved her with such passion and steadiness. Karigan widened her gaze and he held his breath. After a moment she steadied herself in his arms and drew closer, just so. His eyes closed briefly and he swallowed hard.
Karigan could not believe she was in his arms and yet, here she was. She could tell that Zachary was struggling to be so near to her and she felt the intensity of her longing crash over her, warming her deep in her feminine core. To have the heat of his hands touch hers was almost too much. And she felt when the moment changed, when it became too much for them to bear. She saw the intensity in his gaze and thought for one moment about her decision. But in a way, not; really, she had been thinking for years. She had always felt, the knowledge had always remained at her core, that she loved him wholly without falter. She was forever in service to him and found freedom in the love that cradled her. An instant was all it took for her to make her decision. She looked him in the eye, smiling, and said yes with the slightest touch.
The song came to an end and the revellers dispersed to enjoy drinks and sweet treats. The king was immediately accosted by several of the senior traders. She headed to the balcony. He would know where to find her.
Karigan leaned on the balustrade, enjoying the cool air on her hot limbs. She felt a pair of arms rest next to hers and smiled up into her father's eyes. "Well, Kari girl", he said softly, then stopped at a loss for words. Karigan waited. She had always thought this moment would fill her with trepidation but strangely, she felt none. Karigan snorted at her father's bewildered face and decided to save him, turning to face him directly. "I'm sorry for not telling you father. It was never going to go anywhere before and I just couldn't talk about it. There was no point." He continued staring at her thoughtfully. "I just...will this make you happy?" She nodded and moved her hand to clasp his arm earnestly. "Truly. I never thought I would be lucky enough to find someone who could love me as you did mother". Stevic's eyes teared and he grasped his daughter tightly. She gritted her teeth at the pain and then playfully told him off for ruining her fine dress. "You are going to find yourself in the middle of a storm, lass' he said seriously as he let her go. "This sort of thing has never had happened before. At least there are royal heirs, which should settle everyone. But are you ready for what's about to happen?" She nodded. "You clearly love him. But you won't just become his wife. You would be his queen. Do you fully understand what this might mean for you?" They were interrupted by a cough and turned to find Zachary standing at the door. They both bowed to their king as he walked over to join them.
Zachary was the first to speak. "Chief G'ladheon, it is good to see you, sir." Karigan let go of her father's arm and the men shook hands.
"Sir, with the greatest respect for you and your daughter, I would like to ask for your blessing for Karigan's hand in marriage, if she is willing to give it."
Karigan took Zachary's hand with a smile and Stevic sighed.
"I only ask that you treat her as your equal and protect her as you navigate this period together."
Zachary bowed his head to Stevic with promise. Stevic withdrew and closed the door. He walked back into the ballroom to join his friends, his face melting into a giant grin.
And all of a sudden they were alone. Zachary looked uncertain and Karigan could bear it no longer and she leaned in to kiss him. She later looked back on that moment, chuckling at their first clumsy embrace. But all too soon their earnest need settled into a loving embrace, full of wonder and happiness. They pulled apart and laughed breathlessly. Then she grew serious. "I want to make sure this is what you want. Sire, I," he interrupted her. "Call me by my name." She smiled softly then swallowed, suddenly nervous. "Zachary, I need you to know. I don't think I will be able to bear you children. Not with my back. I don't know what that would do to you, so I need you to be honest with me. If this can't work, that's ok." Zachary stared at her for a long moment, his gaze tender and thoughtful. Then he gently clasped her face between his hands. "I have thought about this often, especially of late. I did not expect….that is, I had suspected as much. I have the twins and they need a mother. And I need a wife. But more than that, I need you. I choose you because I love you, more than you can ever know. Even if we cannot have our own child, we can still be a family, if you wish it."
Karigan's eyes filled with tears and her mind whirled not able to rest on a single thought. To think that this moment had actually come, after all they had been through. It was unfathomable. She felt arms encircle her and sighed with happiness. Minutes later, Karigan glanced at the doors. They had been a while. Zachary saw her glance and let go, offering her his arm. "Shall we, my darling?" he asked with a wide grin. She grinned back and took his arm and they walked into the ballroom together before parting ways. That had been statement enough however and Karigan took a deep breath before encountering her first group of stunned neighbours.