Chapter 441

He hadn't expected his duties as Heir to get in his way so soon. Lucien stood by the border, sighing dramatically when the warm afternoon breeze blew past him, taking several strands of his hair with it. At that very moment he should have been sprawled on a blanket in the garden with Elain, but instead he had been sent to the border to collect Tamlin and escort him to the castle. Lucien knew that his old friend had been invited by the High Lord for good reason, and that this would be beneficial to the Court, but he did not think that he needed to be the one standing at the border as the afternoon trickled by. Surely, if Helion had insisted he spend the afternoon doing things as the Heir, there were better things he could have been asked to do.

Glancing at the sun, Lucien wondered if Tamlin was even aware of the time. Was there anyone keeping the High Lord of Spring aware of such things, or accountable for what he needed to do? He hoped that he wouldn't be stuck waiting here for much longer; there were still so many things that needed to be done in the Palace, and he did not want the Court to think that he was shirking responsibility. He could have spared an hour or two to spend with his mate, but this was taking far longer than that. Lucien had left the Palace two and a half hours ago, and so far there was no sign of Tamlin. Deciding that he would give Tamlin a few more minutes, Lucien worked to arrange his face into an expression of courtly politeness, knowing that his old friend would probably be able to see right through it.

When the portal shifted, Lucien resisted an impatient sigh and folded his hands together to at least try to appear ready and welcoming. He eyed Kaii and Siv who strolled a distance away, knowing that they were closely monitoring the situation, and would be prepared to step in should they be needed. He still wasn't used to having others ready to assist him, should he need it, but Lucien thought he could easily get used to feeling as if he had that support, as if the responsibility he shouldered could be shared or the weight lifted just a little. It certainly made being the Heir a little less intimidating.

"Lucien," Tamlin said, appearing before him. He had come alone, as Lucien had expected he would. "I shall tell Helion that I am honoured he would send his Heir to welcome me to his Court…"

"You can if you like." Lucien replied, raising an eyebrow, "It is a great honour, you know."

"No doubt." Tamlin adjusted his fine jacket, straightening himself as he looked around. "The letter he sent, I am assuming, glossed over much of what happened here…"

Lucien nodded. No doubt Helion would have wanted to keep most of the details away from other Courts. He would have needed to say something, however, if he wished to ask for assistance. "I am assuming he asked for your… skills… in the Memory Garden he wishes to have built…?"

"Yes." Tamlin nodded, head tilted and green eyes slanting toward Lucien. "Were many lost?"

"Yes."

"I see…" They began walking, side by side, as they had done for centuries in the past. "Is Elain…?"

"She is well."

"Good…" Tamlin nodded, and they fell into a momentary silence. The gravity of the situation, Lucien knew, was not lost of the High Lord of the Spring Court. Tamlin knew what it was like to have a Court crumble and fall beneath his feet, and Lucien rather thought that his friend was probably one of the most useful High Lords that Helion might have looked to for that support. Tamlin would not take this lightly, and that wasn't nothing.

"How bad was it?" Tamlin asked after several moments.

"Mm…" Lucien watched Kaii and Siv up ahead as they lead the way back to the Palace. "Bad." He said after another moment. He had not experienced as much war and bloodshed as the older male had, but Lucien had seen both. Growing up in the Autumn Court had ensured that he had seen both from an early age. "They took the Throne Room and then moved about the Palace, killing pretty much everyone they came across. Helion and my mother had hidden in one of the lesser known rooms, and had barricaded themselves in."

"I see…"

"The one who had done it had spies among the Court." Lucien said, "Old families… trusted…" he frowned, "Those they took prisoner in the Throne Room were periodically executed." He glanced at Tamlin, trying to gauge a reaction, "They threw the bodies in a heap and left them there for everyone to see…" he shook his head, "The impact this will have on the Court will last… I don't know how long…"

"The garden Helion described sounds like a good idea." Tamlin murmured, "A place for healing…"

"It was Elain's idea." Lucien said, pride moving through him. He was pleased to see Tamlin nod and glance his way with a smile.

"I am not surprised."

Lucien filled Tamlin in on what had been put in place for the next couple of days and weeks as they walked. By the time they reached the Palace, his old friend appeared to have readied himself to see Helion, and Lucien had the impression that the blonde would offer his assistance in any way he could, not just in regard to the Memory Garden.