Chapter 3: Meeting the King
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
THE NEXT MORNING, VANESSA'S HOUSE
Vanessa was still sleeping in her bed, when a small, soft voice called out to her, calling her ''Mama'' while she felt something soft paw at her face gently.
Vanessa: *Slowly opens her eyes to see Cheddar, Caroline's kitten, pawing at her face to wake her up, and gently pushes the kitten away* Alright Cheddar, alright, i'm awake. *Stretches her limbs and smiled upon her daughter* Good morning dear.
Caroline: Morning Mama *lifts the bucket of water she was carrying for Vanessa to see* I brought you water to wash up with.
Vanessa: *Smiles while grabbing the bucket* Thank you dear, now run along i'll be down to make breakfast soon.
Caroline nodded with a giggle before leaving her mother's room, followed closely by Cheddar. Vanessa then got up with the bucket and went to her vanity table to wash her face and brush her ears before getting dressed in usual lavender peasant dress and walks out to the kitchen to get cooking.
But to her surprise, when she entered the table was already set and food was already on the table: small dishes of nuts and berries, bread and butter, goat's milk and a big pot of steaming thick porridge that Lady Morgan was serving in a bowl and adding some raspberries, walnuts and cinnamon before giving it to Caroline.
Morgan: *Sees Vanessa enter and smiles* Good Morning Vanessa, did you sleep well?
Vanessa: *Snaps out of her stupor with a head shake* Oh, euh, yes quit well. *Slowly walks to the table and sits next to her daughter* Caroline dear, did you and Lady Morgan cooked all this?
Caroline: *Shakes her head* Miss Morgan did it all herself *Takes a bite of her porridge*
That surprised Vanessa even more, Lady Morgan never cooked a meal in her life, she was the one that cooked all her meals when she was still living at the castle with her full privileges in tact.
Vanessa: Is that true Milady?
Morgan: *Nods* Yes, in the time i was exiled to the kingdom of Hyrule, i got to learn many things my late father would never approve: Cooking, Hunting, Swordsmanship, making my own medicine and of course...
Her eyes suddenly flashed emerald green and the ladle in the pot started moving on its own, pouring some porridge into a bowl before said bowl levitated towards Vanessa and gently lands in front of her.
Morgan:... Magic. *Chuckles while serving herself a bowl of porridge* Turns out i descend from a long line of druids and sorcerers on my mother's side of the family, the first one to manifest magic in the last 4 generations according to my teacher, the Lady Lana of Faron (1), who appraised my magic after i accidentally set fire to my curtains and bed after waking up from a nightmare one night. *Sits at the table with her porridge and adds blueberries to it* She took me under her wing along with my friend Princess Zelda and taught me everything she knew of sorcery. *Extends the blueberry bowl* Blueberries for your porridge?
Vanessa: *Shakes her head* Just some cinnamon if you please Milady.
Morgan nods and passes her the cinnamon bowl, the trio resumed breakfast in silence after that. After breakfast, while Caroline went outside to play with Cheddar, Morgan helped Vanessa clear the table and clean the dishes, and while they did that, Vanessa asked Morgan what she plans on doing now that she's back in the kingdom.
Vanessa: *Asks worried* Will you try to dethrone King Sonic and take over?
Morgan stopped mid scrub of the bowl in her hands, being eerily quit for a second before turning to face Vanessa with a calm but solemn look on her face.
Morgan: *Sighs before resuming scrubbing her bowl* Only if i don't like the way he rules the kingdom. When i learned that Arthur was dethroned and Merlin's pest of a granddaughter was banish from the kingdom, i saw this as the perfect opportunity to come home and reclaim what is rightfully mine, and i can do it two ways: Either by forcefully removing this new king from the throne, or win his favor and reign from the shadows, only time will tell which option is the best.
The scrubbing resumed in silence for a few minutes before Vanessa spoke again.
Vanessa: Milady, i know its not my place to tell you this, but perhaps you should reconsider your plan and return to Hyrule. The last time you tried to stage a coup, i thought you dead and it broke my heart. I'm not sure i could stand the idea of you possibly dying for real this time.
Vanessa expected the princess to get angry and yell at her to mind her business, as she often did to those trying to tell her what to do in her youth that wasn't her father. But instead, she calmly told her that she couldn't, Merlin forced her out of her beloved home 10 years ago, took away her father and brought darkness and despair upon her kingdom with his failed creation, she's waited this long for this one chance, she will not turn back and run no matter how much she pleads her.
Then she smiled and asked her not to worry, with her glamour in place and what she's learn in those 10 years, nobody will ever know its her, and if someone somehow did have suspicions of her identity, she'll be more then capable of throwing off those suspicions. Then she asked of her dear friend and former servant to call her Stella from now on, at least until she says otherwise.
Vanessa: *Doesn't look all that sure of this, but nods* If its what you desire Mila- Miss Stella.
SOME TIME LATER...
Morgan, Glamour back on and carrying a basket covered with a yellow cloth, was walking down the city's street, looking for people that might require some kind of medical aid, so she can help them and advertise her healing skills. Having spent a good chunk of the night before brewing many various medicines, both normal and mystical, before breakfast, she couldn't wait to put them to good use.
Her first patient was a Middle aged male Mobian Skunk who's white parts are blue, managing a Vegetable stand and who kept moving his left shoulder as if it were in a lot of pain, so she stop to ask if it was alright. Turns out he pulled a muscle in his shoulder while carting produce from his farm to the market and had no medicine on him for the pain, so Stella gave him a small jar of pain numbing cream for only 3 copper coins. He thanked her and promised he' ll tell his friends and family about a new physician in the city that sales quality medicine for cheap before she moved on.
Her next patient after that was a little rabbit girl like Caroline, but with a light purple fur and hair. She fell and scrap her knee while playing with her friends, and it was her cries of pain that drove Stella to her. With an ointment and some clean cloth from her basket she patched the little girl up and wiped away her tears before helping back on her feet. Grateful, the little girl dragged Stella to her house where she told mother and father what happened. Her father wanted to pay her 8 copper coins for the medicine that she used for his daughter, which is the standard price for most medicine, but to his and his wife surprise she only took 3, saying that this and seeing their child no longer in pain was payment enough and left again.
Patient number 3 was an old Mobian Shrew woman in her house, working on her spinning wheel and coughing so much and so loudly, that everyone outside could hear her, even a passing Stella who stopped and turned to knock at the poor woman's door.
Old Woman: *Opens the door* Yes?
Stella: Pardon me madame, but i'm a physician who just arrived in your kingdom and i heard your terrible coughing from the street, and came to offer you some relief *Takes out a vial of liquid from her basket and shows it to the woman*
The woman was surprise by such an offer, and made by a complete stranger no less. Still, she thanks Stella for the medicine, but declines it do to not having enough money.
Stella: Most of my medicine are only 3 copper madame* Takes the old woman's hand and puts the vial in it* So please take it, a woman of your age needs it. Just take 2 spoonfuls of it everyday before and after bedtime until the bottle is empty and you sure be cure by then, if not then come to Vanessa Rabbit's house for more.
The old woman smiled at Stella and thank her once again, taking the medicine this time and going back inside briefly to get the money to pay her and Stella walks away once more.
It was close to noon now, almost time for lunch and Stella was getting pretty hungry, thank Farore Vanessa packed her a small loaf of bread, an apple and a small bottle of milk for her lunch in her basket, and she was feeling like having a picnic in the grassy fields outside the kingdom walls, so she double back to the main gates.
MEANWHILE, IN THE GRASSY FIELDS.
Sonic drew the cord of his bow, aiming for the target. He lets the arrow loose, but for the 31th time sense he and Lamorak started the lesson, the arrow misses, this time by taking a nose dive to the ground, making nearby servants chuckle under their breaths while Lamorak slap his forehead in exasperation.
Sonic: Damn, missed again.
Lamorak: *Puts a hand on Sonic's Shoulder* Why don't we take a break for lunch Sir, perhaps your aim will improve on a full stomach.
Sonic: *Sighs* Doubt that buddy, but good idea, i'm starving.
Just as the king and his knight settled at a table set by the servants for lunch, further away Stella walked by and saw them both eat and talk together. Even from where she was, she easily recognized little Lamorak of Gulis, Son of King Pellinore of Listeneise one of her father's closest allies at the time, tho no longer the 8 year old loud brat she was forced to endure every time he and his father visited the castle, now he looked like a dignified knight, she hopes that he acts like one to. She's never seen the blue hedgehog before, but she knew who it was.
Stella: *Glares from the corner of her eye* 'So, this is the new king that overthrew Arthur? *Smiles a little* good looking, but doesn't look all that strong. Will just have to see...'
As she moved even further away from them, she spotted a normal rabbit in the grass and thought he would be perfect. Whispering a spell that made both hers and the rabbit's eyes flash emerald green as she passed by it, she took control of the little rabbit and telepathically coax it into moving closer to the king's table while she will be further back, eating her lunch on the grass while using her magic to see and hear them through the little rabbit.
She didn't learn much from this conversation, except that Lamorak seemed determined to deter the king from continuing his archery lessons without telling to his face that he was a very poor archer, seeing the target and numerous arrows that missed or just barely hit it she had to agree. But the blue hedgehog just laugh it off.
Sonic: Come on Lam, its only my first lesson, wait tell the 6th or 7th before saying i sucked at archery.
Lamorak blushed in embarrassment at being called out for what he was really thinking of his king's skills with a bow, and Stella giggled at his embarrassment.
Stella: *Stops giggling and take a bite out of her apple* 'He's determine to persist on a training course he clearly sucks at. He's quit determine, or maybe just stubborn, either way it's a good quality for a king to have as long as he doesn't cross into the ''Pig Head'' zone, like, unfortunately, my father did to many times.'
She then commanded the rabbit to hope closer to the table, so that the king can see him. She made the rabbit grab its feet with his little paws as if to beg for food from the hedgehog.
Sonic: *Feels the paws on his feet and looked down* Hey there little fellow, where'd you come from?
He bends a bit over to pet its head its head, then asked Edward, a mobian lizard and one of the servants if he could give him a carrot or cabbage leaf from the vegetable baskets to give the rabbit. He took out a nice, plump carrot from the basket and gave it to his king.
Sonic: Here you go little guy, enjoy your lunch.
The rabbit took the carrot with its little teeth and hopped a little further away to eat it, all the while not breaking eye or ear contact with the King and Lamorak.
Stella: *Continues looking at them through the rabbit's eyes while drinking milk* 'Compassionate to. My father would have either kicked the rabbit away or have it killed for dinner later. And Arthur would have just burn the poor rabbit for being in his way. Liking what i'm seeing so far.'
Once lunch concluded, for both parties, The King and Lamorak returned to the Archery lesson while Stella continues her observation. Alas, the king's aim has not improved at all with a full stomach to Lamorak's dismay and everyone else amusement. So Lamorak commanded the servant Edward to move the target closer.
Lamorak: *Whispers* Maybe then he'll hit the target properly.
Edward: At once sir *Goes to move the target a 100 feet closer*.
Now that the target was moved closer, surely the king will get it right this time, at least they all hoped so. Sonic once again draws his bow, takes aim, but before he could shoot, Stella's little rabbit ''friend'' was startled by a rather large adder snake who tried to sneak up on it to make it its next meal. He missed the strike and made the rabbit hop away as fast as it could, right into Sonic's feet, causing him to loose balance and twirl around a bit before firing his arrow at a Dove Maidservant's arm, causing her to scream in agony before falling on the ground clutching her injured arm. The other servants and nearby guards were so shock by this, they were all frozen in place and didn't move a finger to help. It's only when the king and Lamorak rushed to the Dove side that 2 servants did the same to help. They tried to remove the arrow from her arm, but it was lodged in their tight and any attempt to remove it only caused her greater pain.
That's when Stella decided that observation time was over and cuts off her spell on the rabbit before grabbing her basket and rushing to their side.
Stella: Kind Sir stop, you're only making things worst for her.
Lamorak: *Turns to her* And who are you.
Stella: My name is Stella Springfield, i'm a physician, i can help.
Lamorak: A kind gesture miss, but i've removed enough arrows from fellow knights bodies in my life, i can handle it.
Stella: With all do respect my lord, this is a young woman not a knight, you'll cause her more damage then relief if you remove the arrow like this.
Stella then tried to walk closer to do it herself, but a knight grabbed her arm to stop her, trying to make her go away and understand her help is not needed.
Sonic: *Turns to Stella and the guard* Stop it guard, if she can help let her.
Lamorak: Sir, we know absolutely nothing about this woman, she could be another assassin out to get you for all we know.
Sonic: If she is she's picking a poor time to do me in with so many witnesses around and no way to escape. And she's right, we're only making this worst *Looks at Stella* please miss, help her.
Stella: *Bows her head* With pleasure my lord. *Takes out a vial and clean cloth from her basket before walking here* I will start by applying this medicine around the arrow's area, it will numb the pain.
She poored a bit of the medicine on the cloth and applied it around the arrow. A few seconds later, it took effect, the Maidservant could feel the pain lessening.
Stella: Do you feel less pain now? *The Maidservant nods* Good,*Gently grabs the arrow with one hand and the girl's shoulder with the other* Now listen, on the count of 3, i'm going to yank out the arrow in one go, it's going to hurt quit a bit but not so much with the medicine. *Looks Sonic* And as soon as the arrow is out, you will have to apply the leftover clean cloth on the wound and apply pressure to stop any bleeding tell i tell you to let it go, do you understand Sir?
Sonic: *Nods with a determined look*
Stella: Alright then. One, Two, THREE.
The arrow was Yanked out in one go with some secret help from her magic. Sonic waisted no time applying the cloth to the wound to stop the bleeding. While he did that Stella took out another clean cloth, another medicine jar full of a more opaque substance and a brush, which she used to pain the cloth with the medicine. Some minutes later, when she was reasonably sure the bleeding mostly stopped, she removed the blood soaked cloth from the girl's wound to dress it with the medicine covered cloth before helping the Maidservant on her feet.
Stella: Lamb's ear and garlic paste with a bit of healing magic boosting its effects. Keep the bandage on until tomorrow morning and your wound should be completely healed.
Maidservant: *Still holds her injured arm while smiling at Stella* Thank you, kind lady *Leaves, escorted by another servant*
Sonic: *Sighs in relief, then walks to Stella* Yeah, thank you for fixing my screw up miss. How much do i ow you?
Stella: *Looks at Sonic with a sweet smile* Swear to never wield a bow again, that i'll be a good start.
The guards and servants laughed at this, Lamorak looked more exasperated than ever and Sonic chuckled sheepishly.
Sonic: You can Consider it done, *Turns to Lamorak* Guess you were right Lam.
Lamorak: *Sighs in relief, then looks at the King sympathetically* For all its worth my king, you're a better swordsman than archer.
Sonic: *Chuckles* Thanks, *Looks back at Stella* Is there anything else? I've got more then a few copper on me.
Stella: *Takes a moment to think about it* You can give me 3 coppers per medicine i used, plus 4 for first aid, is that reasonable to you Milords?
Sonic nodded and reached for his money pouch to pay. Meanwhile, Lamorak eying this woman with great suspicion, to him her appear felt suspiciously convenient, a servant in the king's party gets badly injured and suddenly this woman who claims to be a physician appears out of nowhere to help. Could it be the witch Mariam returning in a disguise? Or was it yet another assassin who came to take the king's life? After seeing his king giving her the money and she bowed in gratitude before leaving without further actions on her part, he decided to let it go for now, she did nothing but help that poor servant and charged a rather cheap price for it from the king, so for now he'll give her the benefit of the doubt, but he'll keep a close eye on her should she and his king ever meet again.
Sonic: *Waves Stella goodbye before turning to Lamorak* So, what do you say we move the targets out of the way and do a little sword sparring before returning to the castle?
The question snapped Lamorak's attention away from Stella and back to the king, and smirked as he unsheathed one of his twin swords.
Lamorak: It will be a pleasure, Sir.
To be continued...
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
(1): In the legend of Zelda lore, specifically ''Hyrule Warriors'', Lana is a powerful White Sorceress that lives in the Faron Woods with a small community of forest elves, at least in this story. She's the one to teach Morgan La Fay and Princess Zelda magic.
