Ellyn

*******

"Yes greetings, you're majesties! " The women beside him answered.
Confused I looked around, where was Lady Fersugil? Should she not be standing in the place of the female that accompanied her husband. Fear and worry wormed its way into my consciousness. She had written but a few days ago to inform us of her
husbands activity. Annabel was our inside person we would need her tonight if we were going to get all the information.

I plastered a fake smile on my features before anyone noticed my dismay and coolly reply black with a shallow tilt of acknowledgement and strode purposefully with my beloved to our places. Skillfully maneuvering ourselves to occupy the chairs vacate by our hosts at the top of the table , internally smirking I shook in laughter that stayed closely guarded in fear of exposure.

Lord Fersugils face was clear in its anger and masked hatred that was clear to the royals and their entourage.
An uncomfortable cough later he joined us in his seat, that had previously been intended for us.
The embarrassing event had not gone unnoticed by the assembled guards and village high members. Some rejoiced at the cruel Lords fortune or lack and some even snickered in appreciation of their reigning monarch's.

It was no secret that this couple were most loved, they had fought for right and helped the people and their kingdom grow - in strength thanks to how his majesties brother and economically thanks to her highnesses clever interventions with his highnesses diplomatic skill. They and their court had become critical going so far as to creating an era that many though where the golden ages of Penlianous.

"How goes all in the capital your majesties ?" supplied the mystery host. Earning her a blank stare from the king and questioning one from me.

I had realised if you watched someone enough they would eventually tell you all their secrets through fright or misplaced excitement that royalty had decided to grace them their time and to keep up conversation.
"King Zoricus - ? "

"Where is Lady Fersugil ?" Zoricus interrupted his eyebrows lowered in concentration solely focused on the profoundly sweating man, pale and shaking all of a sudden earning an astounded glance from his accomplice.

Lord Fersugil had the decency to look embarrassed at the obvious question and discretely looked beside him at the young lady.

After loudly clearing his throat said "Well, you see my Lord, My Annabel has been bed-bound for the past day, she had worked her self to much for your visit and unfortunately had to miss it." He finished with a downward turned face his gaze malicious glinting like a knife in the suddenly cold atmosphere.

A quick glance at Zoricus was all the reassurance I needed to plow ahead.

"Well, we cannot have that, can we? No I do not think so - please send one of your members of staff ahead to her retiring chambers to inform her I am on my way. I would very much like to great my host and acquire after her well fare personally." Mystery women cringed in embarrassment at the slight jab.

"O-Of course my Lady, You ! Boy ! come and take her Majesty Queen Ellyn to see my wife and make sure she doesn't get lost, when requested." Lord Fersugil asked a young boy within his vicinity sharply effectively stating his point with a painful poke with his bony index finger. sweeping his some what furious glare at another older girl demanded she go to address his 'dearest'.

The child assigned to be my personal guide had a mas of dark obsidian hair - rare in these parts and his facial expressions with his eyes where hidden by his face down position and growing unruly hair.

A twinge of recognition sparked at the frayed edge of memory. Did I know him ? No, of course not I only new one child in this keep and this surly wasn't him.

His profound limp saw to this and the cautious glares from other towns folk reinstated his inability to be the young hopeful and proud little boy, words sharp and gaze even more so. Small cuts marred his skin where his long sleeved tunic failed to stretch to and dark purple bruises lined his jaw and exploded around his temple. It was a sight to behold.

A flash of dark gold eyes was all I needed for the memory to resurface and with it came the remembrance of the boys mop of dark curls.

A gasp escaped my parted lips to soft for anyone except the man sitting next to me to hear. Zorucus' gaze swept causally over the assembled, dismissing the curious and waiting High Fae as poisonous as snakes and venomous as scorpions. His glowing orbs of question and love finding mine in the chaos that surrounded us.

My lips tilted up in a reassuring smile before my eyes discreetly darted towards the boy standing next to my chair waiting to leave . His long fingers weaving an intimate pattern, black old boots worn and threadbare tapping a dejected tune. I snapped my sight back to show who I was looking at.

Vibrant blue eyes found the figure next to me observing what I could not comprehend. Surprise made his eyes widen and sympathy and regret bloomed in azure hue of depth.

I knew now.

I continue to consider the boy standing rigidly next to me, peering from the corner of my eyes to his his grey tunic and trouser clad figure a sash of purple marking his of lord Fersugil's keep.

Idle chatter was kept out through the exchange of wine and mead, the food would not come till later. Figs and cheese lined the table as starters for our main course. High Fae of varying ages lined the sides seared on straight backed chairs forcefully sat upright.

Gracefully riding from my red cushioned chair I waved an insinuating hand to the boy asking him to lead the way.

Instantly small feet shuffled a few steps as if to familiarise himself with the processes.

Lord Fersugil's face contorted in a strange blend of despair and fear.
My inner self reveled at the revealing expression, Annabel was okay, she was obviously not well, but she would be okay and Lord Fersugil was exaggerating.

A nod to my other half and I strode quickly behind the young boy leaving the boisterous Dining Hall behind to experience the joy of freedom. Freedom from places of stifling cruelty, cruelty that rearing into ugly head through cracks in rock, gaping mouths and rounded eyes. From prying eyes asking too much, eyes that bore misery yet delight at inflicting it themselves.

Before long I had reached another set of towering doors hiding behind it answers. I had a deep sense of dread, confusion and elation warred in my heart. What was Annabel doing? What was going on? Was she alright?

The young boy reached up tentatively his hands fisted tightly gently raping on the dark mahogany wood.

Once

Twice

Three times.

Silence greeted him imploring him to voice his questions.

"Lady Fersugil, I have been accompanying by her Majesty Queen Ellyn "

The door opened inwards a fragment of light crawling out from its confinement.
" Elly, oh my goodness, Elly ! " whispered the figure shrouded by the imposing bookcase she stood by.

Tears instantly drowned my eyes. "Oh Annabel ! " my voice shook in leashed happiness.
My heals resonated through the deserted hallways. A quite shuffling pace following me.

"Finally, I thought I would die of boredom, took you long enough." Annabel dramatically rolled her eyes, flinging herself onto the large four poster bed draped in black curtains and red sheets.

"Really ! How long does it take to travel to my humble abode from the capital? Huh."

"Well, you might know if you ever came to the capital but nooo. And don't you dare judge me, I've had as much as you did, to do to get this plan running." I replied sarcasm dripping from my statement.

We stared at each other for a moment. And simultaneously burst out laughing startling the child plastered to the door that had gently closed behind us.

"Hey there," Annabel directed her gaze to the kid "you okay sweetheart. Well done you got her here without Queen Ellyn getting lost" the boy returned her compliment with a small smile his eyes lighting up in innocent glee.

"Why don't you go over to the kitchens and treat yourself to a slice of apple pie , huh ? " she announced slowly as if speaking to a frightened animal. Earning a beaming smile and evoking a tender smile from her.

The small boy nodded vigorously, turning around in a blur of frayed cloth faster than anyone would expect for the malnourished and too small figure, his happiness palpable in the air around him.

He froze in sudden terror freezing his facial expressions in mid movement. Before I could ask what had changed so dramatically he spun back round to face the both of and bowed low, his forehead almost touching the polished floors of obsidian.

"Thank you, I hope you have a good evening. Please call me if you need anything my Lady. " He recited as if it was a memorised phrase emotions impenetrable through his voice.

And finally turned leaving me gaping, grasping for understanding that was out of my reach. Annabel's face was contorted in a mixture of worry and despair.

"W-wha - what was that about ! "

┗━•❃°•°❀°•°❃•━┛

***𝕬𝖚𝖙𝖍𝖔𝖗𝖘 𝕹𝖔𝖙𝖊***

This is a long chapter  with 1551 words so please tell me if you find any mistakes or any corrections.

Also, congratulations to everyone who got their A-level results today !!! (15 august 2024)

U guys are amazing, that's a lot of hard work. Best of luck for your next future plans.

:)