Sophie sat in the drawing room agonizing over the wrinkles in her dress, her mind in a muddle over what had just happened between her and Howl. After about twenty minutes of sitting, stewing in her own anxiety while Marcl and Howl played at some sort of game on a checkered table, the door opened, a tiny man in a smart uniform stepped in and announced,
"The Wizard Solomon to see you."
Solomon was ushered in, that is to say--wheeled, by two of the strange blond boys that served as her stewards. Sophie didn't like the boys one bit, she had a feeling that they weren't at all human, for one thing, although they smiled and spoke as a normal person might, they did not seem to blink, a suspicion she swore to confirm surreptitiously during their meeting.
Howl rose immediately to greet Solomon, taking her hand and kissing it.
"Charmed, Howl, I'm sure. I send His Highness the Prince's regards and his apologies, I'm afraid he was detained by an important meeting concerning the State," Solomon said, her weary once-lovely face surveying the room's occupants.
Sophie stood and curtseyed to her, noticing as she did that the lines on the ladies face seemed deeper than last she had seen her. Solomon nodded to her before noticing Marcl's slouching figure behind Howl.
"And this must be your apprentice Howl, Marcl I believe his name is? Here come to me, boy," Solomon beckoned smiling at Marcl.
Shyly he stepped forward for her inspection, shooting a nervous glance at Howl as he did. Howl nodded to him almost imperceptibly, as if to tell him that it was okay. Solomon took Marcl's hands and looked him up and down, before scrutinizing his eyes.
"Quite a good find, Howl. This boy has potential," she said, nodding approvingly.
"Yes, he's quite amazing. But actually, he more found me. Showed up at my doorstep, and we just sort of…grew together I guess. His parents passed away in an accident I'm afraid. Some how he's found it in his heart to tolerate me all these years," Howl smiled at Marcl, placing a hand on his head and ruffling his hair. Marcl smirked, pleased despite himself by Solomon's praise, and ducked out from under Howl's patronizing hand.
"I see you bring the Witch of the Waste with you as well," Solomon said.
Dubbie regarded Solomon slyly, nodding to her.
"Wizard Solomon, such a pleasure," the crone uttered, although her features betrayed no such warm regard.
"I trust you're getting on well," Solomon continued.
"Much better than you might suspect, I'm enjoying a new perspective on life."
"Truly? I am surprised, but nonetheless pleased to hear that," Solomon said.
Sophie was afraid for a moment that the two old women were about to square off, however, Solomon's gaze finally reached Sophie.
"And finally, Mrs. Pendragon, or should I say Miss Hatter? Quite an entourage you travel with my dear! I understand you brought that fire demon with as well."
"Yes, Calcifer is doing quite fine, thank you."
"No, Sophie, thank you. The King, the Prince, Howl, Calcifer--they all owe you a great debt of gratitude. With any luck you may have saved us from a war."
"Is that where his Highness is, negotiating the terms of peace?" Sophie asked, consciously suppressing the moniker "Turnip Head" as she did so.
"Perhaps, perhaps, I am personally not at liberty to say. Maybe you would like to speak with him about it tonight, after dinner? He has asked to speak with you personally, that is to say privately..."
Privately? The word slid like ice down her backbone. "Privately" meant "alone." Damn, she thought. Across the room Howl's line of the thought was following a similar track, with far more colorful expletives adorning his phrases. Sophie supposed it was foolish to think she would escape this trip without speaking to him privately. She would just have to be strong, and pray that he would not put her in a position to have to refuse him outright.
"Also," Solomon continued, despite the girl's obvious preoccupation. "There is to be a state ball tomorrow night, celebrating the Prince's return, it will be attended by delegations from several neighboring allies concerned with this conflict. You are to be the guest of honor, Sophie, and will be awarded the Order de la Hetcha."
"The order de la what?" Sophie asked, her eyes widening in terror.
"De la Hetcha," Solomon repeated. "A very special order reserved strictly for women who have served the crown valiantly, typically in battle."
"With all due respect, Lady Solomon," Sophie said. "I was not serving any crown when I did what I did, I was just doing what seemed sensible at the time. I hardly think I deserve such fuss."
"And yet fuss is what has been lined up for you, Miss Hatter. Howl warned me that you would shrink from such acclaim, but I'm afraid that it can not be avoided. It would be best if you simply accept it gracefully."
Sophie's head snapped over to look at Howl, who was conveniently considering the view outside the window at that moment. Her blood boiled, the traitor! He had said nothing to her about any award!
"Alright then, I suppose I have no choice, although I do hate all the bother."
"I suspected you would, Miss Hatter, and I do apologize," Solomon smiled at her, not unsympathetically.
"Now, I am afraid," she continued. "That I must depart. I have my own business to attend to before dinner, and so I will take my leave of you. Do make yourselves at home. That is of course," she continued, eyeing the wizard, "within reason."
A/N
A ridiculously short chapter, I'll post more next time, I promise! I realized yesterday that there are 101 people who have this on their favorites list, and I was like oh crap, people care! How fabulous and amazing! But also horrible because I haven't been updating regularly. Thank you all so much! I'm glad you're enjoying this.
I consider all my published works "in progress." If you have any criticism, please share.
If any of you out there are fans of Naruto, I've been working on two separate Gaahina fics. Check out the oneshot at mediaminer, it's called Vanilla. Go to "Naruto" and run a search for "Vanilla." It's a big fat lemon though, so consider your selves warned…