Monday

Celie stared at the dusty ground below her, watching noble men and knights preparing themselves for the tournament below her. The spring sun was warm on her cheeks, and she breathed out deeply as the breeze blew through her hair. It was a beautiful afternoon, if crowded, but Celie was happy. Lilah sat beside her, and Celie looked over to see her sister shift nervously beside her. Celie thought she should stop wiggling; this was all for Lilah anyways. Nobody was making her get married.

It was a week before Lilah and Lulath's wedding, and the festivities had begun. Three weeks ago, guests had started arriving in plentiful, making hiding in the Castle with Rufus increasingly harder and harder to do. Celie was becoming annoyed at the many state dinners and formal luncheons she'd been a part of over the past few weeks, and she was annoyed when she realized that every dinner until days even after the wedding she would have to dress up for. It was starting to become more than just inconvenient for her wandering habits.

Now she sat up with her mother and Lilah watching as the men prepared themselves for a joist. It was going to last three days; and today was just narrowing down competitors. Queen Celina had already expressed her worry that King Glower was going throw out his hip, and she wouldn't stop muttering about it. Celie thought he had be fine; her father was spry when he wanted to be. Besides, she had a feeling he was trying to impress her mother, still. Celie thought that was silly; Queen Celina was very in love with him still.

Celie ran a hand down Rufus's back. "What if Daddy has to fight Bran or Rolf?"

Lilah looked over at her, and so did Queen Celina. They both were quite agitated, considering it was a week out from the wedding, and many things had to be in order. They were all a bit irritable, and Celie knew her habit of hiding from final fittings was not helping matters. She sighed; it wasn't like she was the bride for heavens' sake!

"Let's hope not," Queen Celina muttered. "I'm afraid, though your father would hate to admit it, that Rolf has both youth and fresh practice on his side. And young-"

"Yes, Mother, young hips," Lilah clucked along. "I'm sure Daddy will be fine, stop fussing."

Celie looked away, not wanting to participate in their bickering. She knew Lilah was concerned for Lulath's health, but Celie couldn't really figure out why. Lulath was very athletic, and had probably be training in the sword as much if not more than anyone else here. It was to be a riling tournament; nobles aside, they had some pretty exceptional swordsmen that Celie herself was witness too. She had wanted a griffin tournament, but her father had said no due to how many younglings there were. Celie supposed that was true, and she had mostly wanted it to prove too Rolf that Rufus was a better fighter than Dagger, so she had subsided, especially since everyone knew that Arrow would probably win.

She could see her Pogue and Bran bowing their heads and talking to each other, no doubt about how things would go. Their armor glinted in the sunlight, and Celie couldn't help but think how much stronger the knight looked compared to her wizardly brother. She knew Bran was very knowledge about tournaments, but she also knew that Rolf and Pogue sparred with each other every morning since they'd returned from Grath, and Bran was a bit more fond of sticking to his books, with an occasional dalliance with Rolf or Lord Sefton or Pogue.

Celie smirked when she saw Rolf in the distance, Kalys pinning something under his armor. she poked Lilah and pointed, and together they giggled at the sight. Rolf and Kalys had been flirting since the moment that they had gotten out of the Well, and while Celie had yet to catch them, she was certain that they were kissing in corners. Lilah and Lulath had been caught multiple times before their betrothal, but Kalys already knew some of the best hiding places, and Rolf was much more stealthy than Lilah.

Queen Celina followed their gaze, the corners of her mouth turning up a bit. "Stop teasing your brother."

Lilah sent her an incredulous look. "For all the teasing that Rolf gives Celie and I-"

"Oh, alright, I suppose," Queen Celina subsided, though Celie noticed her gaze went back to a laughing King Glower.

He looked very young, Celie thought, from this distance. His features looked so much like Rolf's, that she blinked. Of course, Rolf was in much more youthful, athletic shape than her father, and he had grown to be a couple of inches taller. While her father always laughed at a good joke, Celie thought it was good fun to see him so jolly and jovial, and she wondered what her father had been like when he was young.

"He looks like Rolf and Bran, doesn't he?" Queen Celina mused, and Celie, who always thought that Bran and Lilah resembled their mother, could see some of Bran's gestures in their father if she squinted. "Every day I see more of Owen in Rolf."

She sounded nostalgic, her voice so far away. A sad smile played on her lips, and Celie hoped she wouldn't start crying. Though her mother was very good at keeping her emotions in until an appropriate time, she was very sentimental, and the thought of her children growing up was very emotional for her, though Celie couldn't really describe it as distressing.

"Mother," Lilah tugged on Queen Celina's arm. "It's time for your speech. And then mine."

Celie was very grateful she didn't have to give a speech. Lilah only did because it was her wedding festivals, though Celie didn't really know why she was nervous. Lilah was an excellent speech giver, and the people thought she was very elegant and graceful. Much more than Celie could ever be. Celie couldn't really complain, though. The village and Castle staff adored her, she knew, and that was mostly because she was the youngest. She liked to think herself delightful, but she knew she had a tendency to bounce, as Lilah would put it. And she was a touch moody, but Celie thought if she knew that about herself, she would really be alright-acting.

Her mother gave a very graceful speech that made people both laugh and cheer, and touch at their eyes as she reminisced and thanked them with sincerity for their love of the royal family. It wasn't surprising, the queen was excellent at her job, and probably knew most of the crowd personally. Lilah was much the same, and Celie almost rolled her eyes when her sister sat down dramatically with a long, held-in sigh.

Celie felt bad, but the first few rounds of jousting were between a bunch of councilmen or nobles, and she didn't really care too much who won. She was rather pleased when Lord Sefton ended up beating his opponent, but she didn't quite recognize some of the other names that were on the scoreboard. They were probably lords from Sleyne City, or Kithage, and she didn't really feel the need to remember who they were. That was Rolf's job.

She did sit up a bit when Pogue fenced, though his opponent was rather sloppy, and it was an easy match to win for the knight. It wasn't surprising, though. Celie had a feeling she knew who would be up in the last two days, and it would be much more exciting. Today, there would be a feast, that ifshe remembered correctly, she was supposed to have prepared a toast for, and she started to panic a bit at the thought.

She knew it wouldn't be too much of a problem, because her parents had given her the first day to practice. No one would remember if she faltered. Besides, Rolf had to give speeches nearly every day, though Celie didn't feel too bad for him. He'd been used to it since he was ten, and she knew for a fact, he made up a lot of things to say on the spot, and they had always turned out fine for him.

Lilah poked her arm when Lulath entered the playing field against Sergeant Avery, and Celie looked up. This could be rather exciting. Lilah clutched at her hand, and they both leaned forward to watch the skilled swordsmen fight, and Lilah let out a little gasp now and then. Celie had to admire how fancy Lulath's footwork was, and she had heard Rolf and Pogue praise him many times for it. It certainly made sense, Lulath was good at everything he tried, and this was no exception. It was the longest sequence yet, and Celie had to blink the sun out of her eyes to keep watching them. She wasn't surprised when Lulath conquered their sergeant, but she was still very impressed with the show that Lulath put on. He raised his arm to Lilah, a gesture that meant everything he did was because of his undying love for her. Lilah blushed and blew him a kiss.

Bran and Rolf both defeated their opponents, which didn't really surprise Celie. They had been training under a tutor since they could hold a sword, and Rolf had been taking things seriously since he'd been coronated Crown Prince. He'd been extensively training a lot more since they had gotten back from Grath, something Celie had a sneaking suspicion had to do with the a certain Hathelocke girl they'd brought back with them.

"Oh, I'm so nervous!" Queen Celina exclaimed, reaching over to squeeze Celie's hand, and then taking Lilah's to hold.

King Glower was up last, well, because he was the king, and everyone was on their feet cheering for him. Celie thought he would do great. She felt disloyal thinking anything else. The noble that he was with, if Celie remembered correctly, was a cousin of his, and they looked familiar as they greeted each other before they began to fence and joust. Celie had to admit that he was. much slower than Lulath or Rolf, but he seemed to be holding his own.

"What do you think, Cel?" Rolf said, leaping up to sit next to her, a grin on his face. "Think Father has enough in him even at such a delicate age?"

Celie grinned as Queen Celina reached around to pinch her son, and Rolf just rolled his eyes. Bran was climbing up to sit on the other side of Queen Celina, his serious eyes following their father as he clashed his sword against sword. Rolf was still in his armor, though his helmet was gone, his dark hair sweaty. Celie searched in the folds of his armor to find whatever it was that Kalys had pinned in there, but she couldn't find it. His chainmail hood clinked against his armor as he shifted, his eyes drifting from their father to Kalys, who was sitting next to Ethan, her eyes on the show beneath her. When he noticed Celie looking at him suspiciously, he ducked his head, and Celie decided she could save her teasing for later.

"Oh, there he goes," Lilah whispered, and Celie tried not to laugh as their father slipped.

Rolf was openly laughing, and it was hard not to crack a smile at the rather comical fall. Queen Celina's hand flew to her mouth, but Rolf muttered that she was being rather dramatic. Lilah pinched him this time, and Celie realized that it was probably for show. Maybe it was for the best that King Glower wouldn't be advancing. Celie did find herself worrying about his hip, now.

"Cecelia, hold still!" Lilah commanded, and Celie felt her inwards squish as Lilah pulled on her laces.

She did like her gown for the feast. It was a lovely shade of lilac, and while most purples made her look washed out, Celie thought it made her eyes look a lovely shade of gray. She liked the embroidery on the bodice and sleeves, and she had to admit that her handmaid, Ella, did an excellent job with her curls, and pinning her light tiara into her hair. When Celie had turned thirteen the February before, her parents had decided it was high time for her to have a handmaiden. Celie had really grown to like Ella, a girl who was a little older than her, and was always up for a bit of adventure when she was with Celie. She had a very good sense of humor, and Celie thought she was very much like Renia, her companion in Grath.

"Wasn't Kalys supposed to be here?" Queen Celina fretted, and Celie turned to her in surprise. "She's Rolf's escort, and I thought I told her she should come and get ready with us."

Celie frowned, wilting a little. She thought she was supposed to be Rolf's escort for the week. Lilah seemed just as confused, and they both turned to her mother. When they did, Celie noticed another dress hanging on the wall, the same shade of powder blue of their mother's.

"Rolf asked your father and I if he could escort Kalys to the festivities and wedding this week, and we gave our permission," Queen Celina explained hastily. Celie noticed the flash of irritation in Lilah's eyes, and winced. Kalys was a touch on the unpredictable side when it came to clothes and her hair, something that Celie had no problem with, but Lilah constantly grumbled about out of earshot of their mother, and certainly Rolf. "Celie, you will be escorted by Bran, and when his role comes with hindrance to that, Sir Pogue."

Celie decided, though Rolf was a lot of fun as an escort and had a grand talent of being able to pay attention and attend to his duties as Crown Prince at events and make mischief and joke with Celie, Bran and Pogue were excellent choices. Bran could show her magic, and Pogue's wit was ever entertaining. She would look forward to such times.

Kalys, as if on cue, opened the door, her eyes wide as she looked at their expectant faces. She muttered her apologies, giving a hasty curtsy towards the queen, and let Lilah plop her down in a chair for someone to braid her long hair up. Celie tried not to snicker as her older sister swiped at the younger girl's face with a damp handkerchief, clucking her tongue at the dirt. Celie thought it was justified enough considering Kalys was usually in the griffin stables or tending to the unicorns.

Queen Celina sighed as she came to stand next to Celie. Kalys murmured something in Hathelocke as Lilah fussed, the annoyance clear on her face.

"Why do I have a feeling Lilah's going to be more of a problem at Rolf and Kalys's wedding than her own?"

Celie looked up at her mother. She was quick to scold any of them when they had the slightest mention or joke about Rolf and Kalys getting married, deeming it much to early and putting a great amount of pressure on both of them. Celie figured it was because Kalys had been in a forced betrothal before, but she'd overheard Rolf mention it to Bran before.

Queen Celina wrinkled her nose. "Everyone knows it's going to happen," she conceded, and Celie smirked as Kalys rolled her eyes at Lilah.

By the time they were all stuffed into dresses, hair pinned up, and on a man's arm, Celie was starving. She was with Bran tonight, and she thought he looked very nice in normal clothes, and like her, his lilac tunic suited him very much. Celie liked being with Bran, because less people would come up and talk to them because it was a known fact that wizards gave people bouts of nerves. Even nice ones like Bran.

Celie had to admit that the feast was really, very beautiful. When she stumbled at her toast towards the end, Rolf stood up gallantly and ended for her, and nobody seemed to notice her faltering. Cook really outdid herself, and the roast ox was especially tender and delicious. To her delight, most of the villagers and nobles were congratulating Lulath and Lilah, or King Glower and Queen Celina, or socializing with Rolf trying to figure out the kingdom's secrets. Celie had a great time.

She crashed into her bed as the tiring feast ended, realizing with a groan, that this was going to be an exhausting week.