This chapter is rather sudden and I am trying to quickly gather things together. Thank-you everyone!

Chapter 43: Explaining Introductions

"Lance, tell me truthfully. Who is that...wench?"

"She is a Gaul who has been cursed by the demons," I said casually, not pausing in my pacing while trying to think up of a speech to give to the people on the day of my coronation, which was the next morning. As soon as I had taken care of Mordred, I had gone quickly to my mother who seemed as if she was in dream and never waking up. She was still in such a state and Carrie was with her, trying to break things more gently.

Elaine's eyes widened at my declaration.

"She is the most skillful and the most beautiful girl in the land."

Her mouth followed.

"That wench, dear sister, is the future Queen of Adelfos."

She began stuttering in indignation. I would have explained more but Sir Arundel, Sir Galwyn and a small train of councilmen entered into the room at that time. I had sent the two knights to follow up on what had happened to Jesse as soon as I had gotten over the fact the young knight was my brother-in-law. I still didn't quite understand how it worked.

"Sirs, have you found him?"

"Yes, sire," bowed Sir Arundel. This gesture and the way they addressed me was another thing I was getting use to. This was the way my father had been treated, and it was taking a while to sink in that I had taken his place as king. There is a big difference between a King and Prince. I wasn't sure which I enjoyed most, yet.

"He is being taken care in the left wing of the castle. Also, Mordred's supporters and his soldiers have been sent back to Kuran. Mordred has been taken to the sea to be sailed to the island, along with Queen Cyndal."

"Wonderful." I wondered if I had actually told them to do all that. Adelfian are very responsible, and I was just beginning to learn this.

"Also," said Galwyn, hesitating, "There are some...unusual strangers asking to see you at the castle gates. It is a boy, and a...frog, a talking frog to be exact. She...claims to know you, and wishes very much to see you."

"How long have they been out there?" I asked with a smile.

Arundel and Galwyn looked at each other, amused and confused. "Well," smiled Galwyn, "We heard the frog about fifteen minutes ago, and she hasn't stopped demanding to be let in. She claims she is a much wanted friend. If you wish us to chase them away..."

"She speaks absolute truth," I smiled. "The boy is also my friend..." I paused suddenly realizing that Galwyn was married to Carrie, Conrad's crush. Poor Conrad! I didn't know how he would handle that. "Go, bring the two here, Arundel, and Galwyn, go bring in Carrie and my mother if she's up to it. I think it's time to do some explaining and get some things right. Besides I want a crowd to practice my speech in front of. Elaine, you, go make sure that the future Queen of Adelfos who you call 'wench' is receiving proper care and attention. Then come back here."

She lifted her chin slightly in resistance and dislike, but glided from the room after the two knights.

They all returned moments later. Rose was having one of her usual fits, but it seemed more genuine now. She was glaring at everyone from Conrad to me to Carrie to Arundel. She was so angry all she could say was, "Finally!"

Conrad looked was checking out ever bit of fancy furniture in awe. I realized he had never beside a castle he smiled briefly at me and then tried to keep his attention on something other than my sister who was standing comfortably next to Galwyn. My mother sat trembling at Sir Arundel's side and he steadied her gently as she stared wonderingly at me and the grumpy frog who was croaking at her feet.

I went to her first and asked softly and slowly, "Mother do you understand who I am?"

"Yes," she whispered. "You are King."

Not officially, not yet.

"Yes," I sighed, "I am Lance, your son."

Something akin to a smile creased her old features and I took this to mean she knew and understood.

"First," I said, "I wish to know how Mordred started to take over my throne."

"The evening when he announced Jesse's death he proposed to the council to consider him as an ideal successor to the throne. The council was supposed to decide today, but during the waiting, Mordred and Queen Cyndal easily established himself in the castle," explained one of the council members, one Respectable Colby.

"Was the idea of Carrie or Elaine taking the throne ever suggested?"

"Yes," smiled Galwyn. "When you were found missing, King Augustine set up ways to get the two married. Only one program succeeded."

"Which brings up another question," I said slowly, glancing at Conrad to see his reaction. "How is that Carrie is suddenly married and you are my brother-in-law?"

"You're married?!" cried Rose suddenly.

Carrie blushed and might've shot a quick peek at Conrad, but I couldn't tell. Conrad blinked but he continued to stare at the gold designs on the floor. Once he lifted his head and looked at someone, I don't know who, Carrie, Galwyn or Rose, or maybe even Elaine.

I was afraid that Rose might give away Conrad's secret and embarrass him in front of everyone so I said, "Yes, Carrie, tell me how this came about."

"Galwyn won the contest," said Carrie with a shrug. "I was so devastated when you disappeared father designed a quick contest to make me happy and to marry me off. He would give my hand to the man who made me laugh. It took quite a while, because the contestants weren't funny, they were silly and rather dumb. Truth, I laughed on purpose for Galwyn but..." she blushed. "That's a different story."

"So I have a jester for a brother-in-law?"

"No!" cried Galwyn, almost horrified. "I'm not a jester. Really I'm not funny at all so please don't ask for a joke."

"I was just about to, too," sighed Conrad. "Princess Elaine looks like she desperately needs one."

Elaine looked at him sharply. She blushed as all our eyes turned to her. She was looking a little...perhaps disappointed. "I do have a question that is on all of our minds." She turned to me and asked, "Who is the frog, who is the boy, and who is the girl you wanted immediate care for?"

"The frog," I said gesturing with a smile to a scowling Rose, "Is our cousin, Elaine, Princess Rose of Osmond. You surely remember her? She is under a spell, so if any of you gentlemen wish to be rich, just lean down and kiss her."

The council members shifted nervously under Rose's warning glower.

"Conrad was, believe it or not, a stable boy in the royal stables. He is soon to be the Head Master of the stables, so if you have any problems concerning horses, go see Master Conrad."

Conrad looked up at me in surprise and a light sparkled in his eyes. He hadn't expected this, but he certainly approved it. He didn't look at the carpet designs anymore, but gazed around the room in an important way.

"He is also known as...Lyall (if I remember right) the brother of Miniarva Purias of the Justice Clan."

"He's Conrad," muttered Rose almost inaudibly.

"This brings me to my last and most important introduction. Although she is not here, there is in my possession a girl called Minerva. She is from Gaul. I met her during my travels and learned that she was terribly cursed by the demons when she wouldn't comply to their wishes. Through the course of my adventures I fell in love with her and consequently broke her spell. As soon as she awakes from the last bit of her spell I will marry her and she will become Queen of Adelfos. Do you all understand and agree?"

"Of course," said Colby quickly, "You are allowed to marry whoever you wish, and seeing that the marriage contract between you and the Princess of Kuran is broken, we are glad you have found someone to marry; especially since it is before your twenty first birthday."

I wondered if as a prince I was able to marry who I pleased. I doubted it. It must've been a kingly privilege.

"Good. Are there anymore questions or comments?"

Duke Arundel bowed his head said simply, "You sound like a natural, Lance."

I flushed slightly, embarrassed. I had only been at this king business for a few hours, and was still getting use to it.

"Sire," said one of the councilmen, almost timidly. "Why, might I ask did you disappear?"

That was question I'd address when I gave my speech and was about to tell him that, but I noticed everyone was waiting and wanting the answer to such a question.

"It has been rumored," I said clearing my throat. "That I ran away to escape the dreaded forced marriage with Princess Anastasia of Kuran. I admit that this is what was in my mind when I first started off. But as I traversed Adelfos, I learned that this was not the case. This was only the excuse for my disappearance. The real reason was simply to walk with my people, to know what they wanted and what they were like. To see my land, my country, and what exactly I was ruling."

"I learned the wishes of the people from the small lords to the drunkards. It was really an eye opener and I think it will help perform my royal duties more fully. If I could do it again I would. But there is no evil princess to prompt the act."

That had been the basic idea of my speech, only I would have expounded more. Now I didn't know what to say or how to end it. So I nodded a little sheepishly and sat down.

"He sounds just like Augustine!" sighed my mother and that was all that needed to be said.

Even Rose smiled, slightly.