Kingsley Family/Alyssa/Important Things
Critically important, even.
Contents
Everlight
Dressed simply in her training tunic and pants, Isana tidied her long dark hair into a single braid in the mirror. Her pulse was high in her throat, anxious chills of heat ran along her skin and collected in a nervous swirling in her belly. She let her eyes drift closed and took a long, deep breath, then sighed it out slowly. Somewhere outside bells tolled the hour.
Aly will be home soon.
Am I ready?
Her eyes flicked open and glanced down to the wooden desk and the few items gathered there. Her long hands sorted through and green-blue eyes scanned for the fourth time to be certain she had everything. Carefully each item was slid into the satchel at her hip, and she flipped and secured its latch closed, then scanned the room and gave a nod before departing with swift steps.
Here goes.
A sheet of parchment lay behind on the bed in the chamber she shared with Alyssa in the Royal Suites. Edged in shining gold leaf, it held a lifelike drawing of the black cane corso Shadow with a peony in his mouth leaping over a short message. The words in elegant script read:
My Darling Sky, Come meet me in the Royal garden? I have a surprise for you. -Your Dawnstar
Kingsley
Light poured into the throne room of the Ducal Palace, the large stained windows depicting important figures of Perdan's past looming over her expectantly as the waning afternoon sun lit them from behind. The queens and kings of the past watched her and wondered what the new Queen would make of herself and the realm they had each presided over.
"I think that concludes things." Lord Davenport, the Palace's castellan said with a mischievous smile and a bow. Sir Graham Goldenfields, commander of the city watch scrutinized his counterpart but said nothing as the other turned and departed. Graham had been senior when they met upon her knighting so long ago, but now his face, torn and ripped from the Butchery in Brive and aged and weary from so many battles, looked worn and tired, though his eyes still held the spark of dedication they always had. Alyssa worried for him, but she knew the very suggestion of retirement would offend the old knight, so she held her tongue. He had earned his place after all, with faithful service to her and to the realm.
"I shall escort you my lady." He said respectfully to the Queen.
"No." She replied firmly, her hand resting lightly on the pommel of the sword at her hip.
"I shall escort her!" The bard known as Maron called out from across the great hall as he entered dramatically. Graham rolled his eyes as Alyssa turned to see the impeccably fashionable singer prance into the room and striding over towards where Alyssa was standing. "A woman so beautiful as our beloved Queen should be accompanied by someone equally as lovely. Not her grim elder."
"No." Alyssa said dispassionately. She was tired, and had not been sleeping much over the past week since her confirmation. It was far after nightfall before she returned to her Royal Suites, and early in the morning that she woke. There was far to much to do, new rulers were popping up all over The Continent, and reforming a government was especially difficult. But she had set to her task, and sleep could wait until the kingdom had stabilized. "Soon my dear..." she muttered softly to herself. Her two companions apparently did not hear her as they had devolved themselves into a heated discussion about the worthiness of escorting the queen. Alyssa closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She was tired, and rather than indulge the two proud servants before her she stepped away across the great hall on her own, to return to her chamber a little early for once.
Her faithful dog Shadow greeted her excitedly when she entered the bedchamber. She had half a mind to simply lay down and fall asleep immediately, but the parchment at the edge of the bed caught her eye. She smiled at the crest displayed proudly upon the sheet and at the little message. Sleep can wait a little longer then. She decided.
"Come my noble escort." She commanded to Shadow who heeled obediately as she signalled him. Together they took their leave towards the destiny that awaited them in the Palace's Garden.
Everlight
Isana peered cautiously out a side door from the Royal Suites. To either side stretched a paved walk, and ahead a curving pathway into the gardens. The last rays of sunset were lighting the garden’s well-tended trees from beneath with gold. Grateful for the green expanses between the many residences of the City, she slipped quietly out into the verdure.
This garden was the first place she had ever conversed personally with Alyssa. Back just after King Kay had died… the first time... She and her captain had gone walking in the City and run into Alyssa alone in the Ducal Palace garden. She smiled to herself, remembering how stiffly formal they had been, and so awkward... yet caring, both with words of support for the other.
In the copse of trees ahead branches overhung the paths with whimsical shapes. At the corner where two paths met an elaborate lantern hung above, its flame beginning to shine through as the evening approached. The lantern light lit on the peonies newly planted below and made them seem to glow.
“Lady Isana-”
A voice pitched low came from one side. Isana started and turned to see a figure approach in the twilight, rushing quietly toward her on another path. She beckoned to him and replied quietly.
“Maron! She has gone home then?”
The singer arrived swiftly to the copse of trees and pulled a short flourishing bow.
“The performance was splendid, truly splendid, dear Lady! Our Majesty looked to be ready to serve long hours once again, but with our encouragement she left quickly as she was irritated utterly, and I am sure suspects naught.” At Isana’s small frown here he waved one casual hand. “Effective and all for a good cause. I will admit I had my reservations about our man Graham but it seems he can turn on the drama when the time is right! Aha, yes. She was quite wearied beforehand however, so I know not with what speed she may follow, and hope she does so at all. But you, dear Lady, have proven to be utterly magnetic to her royalness…”
He left off the statement with a coy tilt of his head and a little bat of his lashes.
“Sometimes, Maron, you are too much for me,” Isana levelled at him, though the corner of her lip quirked. It was not in Isana’s nature to be solemn. She carefully opened the satchel and drew out a folded sheet of parchment and one of her soft riding gloves. The niggling thought that it was late, and poor Aly would be tired and maybe this was bad timing for all this rolled itself into a lump in her throat. She furrowed her brows and swallowed.
“Now,” she continued, “as discussed, this is the piece. No elaborations, please. You may preface it as you like, and you are to give both to her quickly afterward. I am assuming Shadow will be her… shadow… as he always is, and the next stop will be an easy find for the pup.”
The singer nodded, squaring his shoulders and accepting the small items as though they were a priceless scepter.
“All shall be as you have planned, Lady Isana.” He took a half-step forward and bowed formally over her hands. “I am honoured to serve her Majesty in all ways. And if I may, though I very much doubt you need such things… Good luck to you.”
Isana nodded, tension creeping back up in her throat as she glanced back to check the paths from the Palace. Quiet and empty.
“Thank you, Maron, for your help.”
She held his gaze for a moment, gave a single nod of farewell and danced off quickly into the purple-red of the deepening sunset, evening air cool against her flushed cheeks. Maron watched her go, wearing a bemused expression with lifted brows. She is as devoted to Alyssa as my Lady is to her realm and principles. Small wonder they are drawn together with such strength of will.
The singer hmm’d to himself. He glanced through the writing on the folded parchment, tucked it in his breast pocket, and swung his lute around from behind him to practice a certain floating melody, standing just out of the lantern’s circle of light, until the expected next visitor arrived.
Everlight
The garden at first appeared empty. As Alyssa followed the formal walk toward the treed corner where she and Isana had transplanted their peonies from the Imperatrix’s Tower, a figure became visible.
It was not Isana, nor even a lady at all who sat in their garden, but Maron: the bard who had long been devoted to Alyssa’s journey. He perched elegantly on the low stone wall, playing a quiet floating tune on his lute and humming to himself, his back to Alyssa. A far cry from his argumentative and insistent self from the throne room earlier. He turned at her approach and rose to greet her formally.
“Ah, dear Lady! Welcome, welcome, and my apologies for the scene earlier.”
Alyssa eyed the bard suspiciously as she walked into the garden. "Have you seen Lady Isana?" She asked with some skepticism, ignoring the singer's typical apology. The Queen narrowed her eyes. You did not forge her note did you?"
Maron chuckled at this. "Oh heavens no, my beloved lady. I know I would never be able to fool you with regards to Lady Isana. And in any case, I would never! You would think I'm a scoundrel!"
Alyssa shook her head and sighed. "Then did you see her?"
"This night? Why of course. She is the cause for my being here in the garden, waiting for you. The Lady Isana has charged me with a solemn and most cruel duty, to perform for you a work of her own creation without any additions of my own. Surely you understand how this pains me."
This surprised Alyssa who had been serenaded over a hundred times by this Maron, usually in a wholly misplaced attempt to woo her. While the act itself was something she had little trouble imagining her partner doing, writing a poem or song was not something she recalled Isana ever mentioning. Her heart felt warmed and comforted by the romantic surprised and she nearly forgot her annoyance with the foppish singer in her service.
"Then you should do as she commands." She noted, a hint of excited curiosity escaping through her typical cool demeanor.
“As you wish, my dulcet Lady. And with my apologies for any words you may mislike, for as I say, these are written by the Lady, unaltered by myself.” He cleared his throat delicately and withdrew the folded parchment from his pocket. He took a slow step into the circle of lantern light and began.
“I loved you first: but afterwards your love
Outsoaring mine, sang such a loftier song
As drowned the friendly cooings of my dove.
Which owes the other most? my love was long,
And yours one moment seemed to wax more strong;
I loved and guessed at you, you construed me
And loved me for what might or might not be –
Nay, weights and measures do us both a wrong.
For verily love knows not ‘mine’ or ‘thine;’
With separate ‘I’ and ‘thou’ free love has done,
For one is both and both are one in love:
Rich love knows nought of ‘thine that is not mine;’
Both have the strength and both the length thereof,
Both of us, of the love which makes us one.” (Christina Rossetti)
The words faded into the growing twilight, and Maron let them linger a moment before handing the parchment and glove to Alyssa. “She said you would interpret where to find her, from these,” he said with a pleased smirk.
Kingsley
The Queen could not help herself but smile as her bard delivered the sweet flowing words of the woman she loved. Her heart beat heavy in her chest as he sang the poetry of love from one woman to the other. Isana had never recited poetry that she knew of, but hearing the words she felt the truth of them, her own darling's voice from the mouth of the bard Maron.
Both have the strength and both the length thereof, Both of us, of the love which makes us one.”
Alyssa stood still, her hands folded in front of her and a gentle smile on her face as he finished.
"You need not apologize, master singer. For there is not a word among them I mislike."
This seemed to amuse Maron as handed her the parchment and a sturdy riding glove. Alyssa accepted them a little uncertain of the intent, feeling her partner's glove in her hand, a familiar feeling though missing notably the warmth of a lady's hand inside. She looked at Maron with a confused raise of her brow.
This also seemed to amuse him, as a knowing smirk returned. “She said you would interpret where to find her, from these,” he said with a pleased smirk.
She considered the glove in her hand for a moment before reading through the poem again trying hard to keep focus on another meeting instead of the sweetness of the words themselves. A difficult task she found, but as she scanned through the note, she felt the presence at her feet shifting around as Shadow, the black dog who had been escorting his queen investigated the glove, mainly with his nose. Suddenly he bolted off rushing several yards across the garden.
"Shadow." She commanded sternly as he dashed away. The big black dog stopped and stared at her, barking once emphatically. She glanced at Maron who shrugged with exaggerated mock ignorance. She returned his glare which only made him smile once again.
"I believe he's trying to tell us something, Your Majesty."
If he brings me to my darling then I shall follow him wherever he would lead.
Alyssa's glare lingered for only a moment, but she said nothing however as she strode off behind her dark-haired companion, following him wherever he would lead, in the hopes he would bring him to her darling.
Everlight
All set then?”
Isana looked from her page to the man seated across the walkway. Her heart fluttered--this was the last step.
“Aye ‘Sana!” the boy piped, his voice shrill with excitement. He was tucking a saddle blanket over something leaned against the stall’s half wall. “It’s so beautiful, are you really sure you don’t want to wait and see her face?”
Isana’s face curled into a wry, one-sided smile.
“Yes, her face is beautiful, Ced. I look forward very much to seeing it shortly… as I do every day.”
A chuckle behind her called Isana to turn back to the wizened fighter seated on the stables’ bench. His pale hair was bright against the dark wood, and Sir Graham’s good eye sparkled.
“The words of one in love, those are.”
Isana felt heat rise in her cheeks and grinned.
“I’d trumpet it to the world, Graham, and I think you know it. But always first to the one I love. Augh this day!” She clasped her hands together at her chin, tipped her head back and spun in a giddy little circle on one boot.
“S’fair to say she’ll be as excited as you, and I know our Lady well… though I very much doubt she’ll dance in the stables.”
Isana laughed at the thought. “Dance or no, I just hope this all brings her joy. She’s been so tired…”
Sir Graham Goldenfields was nodding thoughtfully, and Cedric peeked out from beside Blizzard’s flank where he was busily currying. “You sound worried, Lady ‘Sana.”
“Ah, not… not worried exactly. She can handle herself, Aly’s so strong... I just care, Cedric, and want her not to suffer. I know she does everything for the realm, and I believe so much in her and what she does… but I think the realm wants her to take care of herself, too. Or is that just me?”
“You’re taking care of her right now, aren’t you? Isana, it’s nearly dark. Best you get going?” Graham was peering out to the street in front of the stable.
“Right!” Isana paused to collect her thoughts and take one slow breath. “Okay, yes. Wish me luck!” She looked to Sir Graham and clicked her boots to a military salute with a smile. “Castellan,” she bade him, and gave a little wave to Cedric.
“Dawnstar,” Graham lifted one hand in a wave farewell, both referencing the titles granted to them by Alyssa as Knights of the Riverlands.
Isana turned and dashed out the back door of the stables, leaving the old knight and young page tending to the ladies’ three horses.
Everlight
“All set then?”
Isana looked from her page to the man seated across the walkway. Her heart fluttered--this was the last step.
“Aye ‘Sana!” the boy piped, his voice shrill with excitement. He was tucking a saddle blanket over something leaned against the stall’s half wall. “It’s so beautiful, are you really sure you don’t want to wait and see her face?”
Isana’s face curled into a wry, one-sided smile.
“Yes, her face is beautiful, Ced. I look forward very much to seeing it shortly… as I do every day.”
A chuckle behind her called Isana to turn back to the wizened fighter seated on the stables’ bench. His pale hair was bright against the dark wood, and Sir Graham’s good eye sparkled.
“The words of one in love, those are.”
Isana felt heat rise in her cheeks and grinned.
“I’d trumpet it to the world, Graham, and I think you know it. But always first to the one I love. Augh this day!” She clasped her hands together at her chin, tipped her head back and spun in a giddy little circle on one boot.
“S’fair to say she’ll be as excited as you, and I know our Lady well… though I very much doubt she’ll dance in the stables.”
Isana laughed at the thought. “Dance or no, I just hope this all brings her joy. She’s been so tired…”
Sir Graham Goldenfields was nodding thoughtfully, and Cedric peeked out from beside Blizzard’s flank where he was busily currying. “You sound worried, Lady ‘Sana.”
“Ah, not… not worried exactly. She can handle herself, Aly’s so strong... I just care, Cedric, and want her not to suffer. I know she does everything for the realm, and I believe so much in her and what she does… but I think the realm wants her to take care of herself, too. Or is that just me?”
“You’re taking care of her right now, aren’t you? Isana, it’s nearly dark. Best you get going?” Graham was peering out to the street in front of the stable.
“Right!” Isana paused to collect her thoughts and take one slow breath. “Okay, yes. Wish me luck!” She looked to Sir Graham and clicked her boots to a military salute with a smile. “Castellan,” she bade him, and gave a little wave to Cedric.
“Dawnstar,” Graham lifted one hand in a wave farewell, both referencing the titles granted to them by Alyssa as Knights of the Riverlands.
Isana turned and dashed out the back door of the stables, leaving the old knight and young page tending to the ladies’ three horses.
Everlight-Kingsley
Shadow rushed off enthusiastically, and Alyssa was not far behind, both in her pursuit and her demeanor. It was clear her love was in a romantic spirit and Alyssa always found Isana's sense of excitement and grandeur endearing and always sought to indulge it when she could. Shadow proved quite the detective as he darted through the garden towards the South Courtyard. As the Queen passed, she received respectful bows from various courtiers and officials and salutes from the guardsmen and soldiers she passed on her way to catch up to her companion. Her white dress flowed elegantly in the motion of her brisk walk, like wisp of the breeze.
Eventually she realized where she was being led, from the riding glove and the proximity to the Palace stables, where she had often been to saddle Starlight, her charger who had been given to her upon her knighting. The doors were open, which was unusual, she peered in, Shadow still at her side to spot the familiar face of the City Watch Commander, Sir Graham Goldenfields, who once served as both her squire and as castellan of the castle of Riverwatch in Bescanon. The elderly knight was running a brush across Starlight's flank, currying the large white beast. At his side was, curiously, Cedric. The young boy had been Isana's page for some time, but it had been a few years and the boy was growing up, the child-like gaze he had worn in years past beginning to show the signs of turning towards an adolescent curiosity that he wore as he watched the old man's brush strokes. An unusual pair, so old and so young. Perdan's past and her future before.
The queen watched them curiously for a moment before Shadow's bark caught both of their attentions.
"Your Majesty." Sir Graham said kneeling before his queen and glancing to make sure Cedric had done the same.
"I was expecting to find my lady Isana here." Suddenly she eyed the old knight curiously. "You aren't going to read me a poem, are you Sir Graham?"
Sir Graham looked briefly puzzled. "No such thing, Your Majesty, though we do have a task set on behalf of Dame Isana." He turned to look at Cedric and tilted his head forward meaningfully to peer at the boy under bushy brows.
Cedric straightened rigidly to attention in his kneel, and twitched as though he nearly leapt up but caught himself barely and asked instead, "By your leave, Your Majesty Alyssa?" Graham looked back up to his queen, eyes twinkling in silent mirth at the boy's energy.
Alyssa nodded slowly, her heart thumping in her chest to see what beautiful surprise her morning light, the Dawnstar of Perdan had in store for her now.
Cedric stood and bowed deeply, then dashed quickly back to Blizzard's stall to retrieve a bulky bundle of new black-and-white-checked wool saddle blankets subtly shot through with threads of green. The lanky young man retrieved the strangely-shaped parcel carefully and returned bearing it level in front of him as though it were a large tray of food. The blankets were folded around whatever it was with the edges to the top, so they could be pulled back easily. Cedric looked perplexed a moment, and awkwardly bowed once again with his arms outstretched.
"Your Majesty, gifts for you from Dame Isana."
Now it was Alyssa's turn to look puzzled as she slowly approached the young page who had never seemed fully comfortable with her. She hoped her royalty did not make it worse, as he quickly glanced up to see her nearing only to lower his eyes once again.
Tenderly, she pulled back the blanket to reveal first a note in Isana’s familiar hand:
‘Winter warmth for your faithful Starlight,
Inspiration for you, my radiant Sky;
And something for us to dance with.’
Under the next fold of the blanket lay a beautiful painting: a white field with a green mountain in its center, and a black wolf leaping over all with a pink peony in its mouth, the expanses of solid colour worked with subtle twirling botanicals in tone-on-tone patterns. The painting spread across a fine, light buckler shield, proudly displaying Alyssa and Isana’s combined heraldry. It was similar to the one Alyssa had gifted her love before the last tournament but lighter, meant for swordplay (or even display) more than the joust.
She lifted the shield free, amazed at its feather weight, and spotted a pair of shining new training swords beneath. Her eyes went immediately to their ends and saw they were carefully blunted.
Kingsley
Alyssa tensed slightly and gulped reflexively as she spotted the training swords, the terrible memory flashing briefly in her mind, as she took hold of one and inspected it carefully. Her tension faded quickly as she ran her finger along the smooth dull edge, satisfied with its blunt and flashing a brief weary smile at her partner's mindfulness. She took a few steps back and gave the blade a little twirl in her hand, and a couple of light swings through the air. For a training sword it was well crafted, light and resilient.
After getting lost for a moment in the natural rhythm of her easily practiced moves, the white flowing dress billowing out around her like the clouds in the sky. In those seconds everything felt simple and easy. Then the Queen remembered where she was (in a stable), and what she must look like (a fool with sword and shield trying to prance around in a dress) and slowed her movement to a graceful flowing halt. Sir Graham wore his best attempt at a gentile smile, which twisted his mangled face into startling display, but Alyssa could see behind the scars the rare warmth he shone with and offered her own little flash of outward joy in return. Cedric stood mouth agape at the Queen's impromptu performance.
She handed the blunted blade gently back to the young page who still stood motionless as she set the sword back onto the blanket next to its partner.
"They are lovely." The Queen said, hoping she did not sound too stiff. "Thank you, both of you." Sir Graham nodded once and placed his fist over his heart in a dutiful salute. Cedric gulped as she turned to him.
"You have cared for my swords, Cedric. And well, the mark of one who will be a great squire. And someday a gallant knight" She smiled sweetly as her thoughts turned to Isana, her own gallant knight, long beautiful hair flowing in the breeze, an easy smile and gentle laugh singing to her ears.
And something for us to dance with.
Alyssa glanced back at the swords upon the heavy blanket in Cedric's arms. The sweet sound of Isana's gentle giggle filled her mind as the memories of her excited rare victory over Alyssa in a training session flashed through her thoughts.
"While we live, let us live!"
Let us live... Dance with me, my morning star.
"Cedric."
The boy nearly dropped the swords as he jumped at her sudden acknowledgement, but caught them, fumbling briefly before returning to his best attention. "Another test of your readiness for squirehood. Come. Bring those."
Everlight
The warm familiar scents of the training room embraced Isana. It smelled of wood, of the fresh citrus and cedar oils it was cleaned with at the end of each day, and the slightest hint of sweat. The familiarity attempted to soothe her, to help her calm and focus as it usually did.
Tonight was different. The knight could not settle. She was dressed to train, but more consumed with pacing the smooth floor than settling into a fighter’s stance and practicing footwork. She checked the lantern wicks, the glowing vessels clustered on benches and floor about the room in flickering arrangements, and shifted a couple to shine more brightly though it was still much darker than day. Her lower lip was pinched and worried between incisors, her thumbs running across her fingertips nervously.
She had checked and checked, and everything was as she’d imagined and planned. Now the worry became, what might go wrong? Would she follow the clues? Will all the effort be for naught? Maybe she is too tired or unwell after the court? Perhaps there is an emergency… Oh no, maybe she’s misunderstood the gift...
Stop it. Who is this? Remember yourself, Isana.
But nothing has ever mattered this much before!
Hasn’t it? That’s very romantic of you, but not a helpful kind of romantic.
But that’s how I feel! I love her more than anything!
Yes. You feel it. Lucky girl. Savour it. But remember what built it: Trust. Acceptance. Strength. Care. Not desperation. Don’t fall in there. Your heart is in good hands. Trust her. She loves you. No matter what comes of this evening. You have been in far more dire straits in your life, knight.
Isana stood in the middle of the floor and let her eyes drift closed. A long, slow breath of warm evergreen found her lungs. She exhaled in a sigh, feeling her heartbeat slowing. Green-blue eyes looked up through dark lashes to see a single, small lantern glowing brightly golden beside the equipment stand that held her shield emblazoned with their combined heraldic device.
Thankful.
That’s more like it.
Then the hollow sound of boots on the wooden staircase echoed faintly up to the quiet room.
Kingsley
The Queen stepped briskly on her way from the palace stables, where she had just received numerous affections from her loyalist servants, on behalf of her truest love, two of which currently rested in the arms of her partner's loyalist servant the young and eager page Cedric, who stepped quickly behind the Queen trying desperately to not drop the pristine training swords the Queen had tasked him with. Next to him strutted Alyssa's constant companion of many years, the dog Shadow, big with a shining black coat marching in time with his mistress. Alyssa turned to the pair to ensure they were keeping up, watching Cedric as he tried his best to keep the swords in perfect balance. He had grown so much since he had first met him those years ago, just more than a child at Isana's side. Adolescence would soon be upon him, and the boy would be a squire in his own right, and then knighted, like as not.
Alyssa considered her own journey since then. How far she had come, and how Isana had been there with her for nearly every step of the way. A gentle encouragement when Alyssa was frustrated, support when she was confident, and light in her darkest moments, when she found little hope in anything else, Isana stood with her through it all. Even now, in peaceful times she always found a new way to make her smile.
The trio climbed the stairs back into the palace proper, escaping the autumn breeze, as Alyssa took one last glance at the courtyard, trees beginning to change into bright reds and oranges and yellow, as brown leaves floated gently onto the paved stone paths of the palace courtyard. The click of her shoes against the stone floors echoed as she continued her journey to her love, nodding to those clerk and sentries she passed who bowed and saluted reverently as she made her way purposefully through the palace corridors.
At last they had arrived at their intended destination and Alyssa hesitated moment as she opened the door to the palace's private training studio. She had not set foot in this room since their last ill fated attempt at training together over a year ago. Alyssa's gulp caught in her throat as she unconsciously ran her fingers together, remembering the thick slippery feeling of blood in them. She squeezed her hand as she opened the door with the other.
But the studio was much different than the last time she had been. The windows had been shuttered, leaving the room dim, with most of the light coming from dozens of warm lanterns glowing softly matching the last orange light of the sun peeking through the shutters of the studio windows. One lantern hung near the equipment rack, where Isana's shield, the rondache Alyssa herself had given her hung. The circular shield bore both of their emblems emblazoned together. A green chevron, and above it a black wolf upon their shared white field; in its mouth a pink peony flower, representing the love between them.
And in the center of the room stood the center of all her affections, her brilliant shining beautiful morning star. As their eyes met the typical stoic regal air the Queen of Perdan usually wore fell away instantly, and she hiked her dress up an inch to more quickly rush to the pretty dark-haired knightess before her, throwing her arms over her partner's shoulders and pulling her close offering a sweet kiss on the cheek.
"Darling..." was all she managed to say, holding fast to Isana with an affectionate nuzzle, the brightest light in the room, hoping she could convey the appreciation and affections she felt, unsure if words could do it.
Cedric stood by the door way awkwardly as Shadow attempted to follow his mistress before being caught and held back by the young page who softly commanded him to stay. Shadow, for his part did, though with a bit of confusion about the command from the young one as he glanced back over to the two women holding each other close at the center of the room.
"I enjoyed your gifts, darling. They were each very thoughtful." Alyssa let out a content sigh into Isana's shoulder. "And even better, they brought me here to you."
Everlight
More footsteps sounded on the stairs than Isana expected. She turned to watch the door open and the tense face of her love appeared in the gap. Isana’s heart double-thumped. She saw that beautiful face haloed in golden hair look cautiously about, eyes taking in the lanterns around the training room and then rising to meet her own. The smile that lit Alyssa’s features as their eyes met would have melted midwinter. Isana grinned widely as Alyssa hiked up her skirts and dashed over, and caught the speedy royal with warm arms wrapping around her tightly as a kiss found her cheek and made her giggle.
"Darling..." was all she managed to say, holding fast to Isana with an affectionate nuzzle, the brightest light in the room, hoping she could convey the appreciation and affections she felt, unsure if words could do it.
“My sweet Aly…” Isana breathed the scent of her hair, gathering the woman even more tightly to her as gratitude and love overflowed.
"I enjoyed your gifts, darling. They were each very thoughtful." Alyssa let out a content sigh into Isana's shoulder. "And even better, they brought me here to you."
Isana hmmm’d happily and let her embrace gentle, snuggling against her love with one cheek.
“I’m so glad… I was worried maybe I was pushing too fast, with the swords… but maybe a little ‘dancing’ might help with some of the stress...” She felt Alyssa nod beside her and gave her love a thankful little squeeze. “And I do miss dancing with you, my graceful sky.” She let calm and warmth come through in her tone, to show Aly that she had truly put their traumatic last practice session in the past, despite the current rapid thrumming of her heart. This was for an entirely different reason.
She shifted back to arm’s length, keeping her strong hands clasped loosely together behind Alyssa’s waist, and appreciated her beautiful partner again in the glow of the lanterns and waning sunset. Alyssa’s face turned up to hers, still wreathed in the affectionate little smile like a flower turned to the sun. Those lips were so close she could not resist and caught them in a playful kiss.
“Mmm. And thank you for so gamely following my clues after a long day, Aly my love.”
She rested their foreheads together in a now very familiar, comfortable closeness for a few lingering moments. Drawing back just far enough to see Alyssa’s eyes clearly, she looked between them with a gaze that glittered. The Queen of her heart relaxed against her, arms twined behind Isana's neck. The dark-haired knight took a short breath and spoke, her voice resonant, and words earnest.
“I wanted to tell you... it was here, in this training room, that I first realized I loved you. Back then we were comrades-in-arms, then grew to be friends, and the more I learned of you the more I wanted to know you. More than a patient teacher, a skilled swordswoman, a steady commander. Your warmth--the little smile that hints at your heart. Yes, that one!” Isana’s face crinkled in a little grin and she nuzzled Alyssa’s nose with her own. “You have always listened and truly heard me, love. Even back when we hardly knew each other, walking in the Ducal Garden after Kay was lost, when you had so much else on your mind. I have looked into your blue eyes and been truly seen, always. It makes me feel safe with you, accepted, honoured.” Her bottom lip rolled inward in a nibbled grin. “And then of course, when we trained, the way you move, darling… the sunlight shone on you that first training day and I was sure I was watching a dream…”
She was blushing now, her head tilted forward slightly in bashful emotion, but her eyes unblinking held those shining pools of ice blue in the flickering lanternlight.
Everlight
As she listened to Isana's confession and sweet gentle words Alyssa felt an overwhelming feeling take her, happiness and love bursting from her in the subtle form of a single joyous tear that rolled down her cheek as she felt words of affirmed and true love gently wrap around her heart warmly and protectively.
" 'Sana..." her voice caught slightly in her throat as nuzzled down to her cheek. "You are strength. I would have been naught but broken and despair without you." Alyssa sighed in an attempt to regain some composure. "And I certainly did not mind watching you move about either." She said, elegantly wiping the tear from her own cheek.
“Oh, I didn’t mean to cause you tears with my awful swordplay!”
Isana quickly sprinkled a line of kisses along the dampened cheek, which drew an amused “Hm,” from her lady love, who smirked up at her.
She wrapped her blonde darling in her arms again, turned toward the blazoned shield on the armory rack and began to lead the way toward it with slow steps, Alyssa curled comfortably against her chest as they walked. The catch in Alyssa’s voice had tied her own throat in a knot, and as Isana's heart soared she knew it wasn’t soaring alone. She pressed a kiss to the forehead at her chin and felt Aly sigh contentedly against her. She took a deep breath and sighed too. Who knows where our lives will go in the future, where we will be even a year from now. This is perfection, right here. We are home.
With a little squeeze and a smile, Isana loosened herself from the embrace and stepped over to the rondache. She ran fond fingertips along its rounded edge and gave a long look over her shoulder at the incredible woman who stood, as though spellbound in the magical evening, watching her. Isana slid her dark braid back over her shoulder, picked up the small golden lantern, then turned and stepped back to Alyssa.
Heart in her throat, love radiating all around them like the warm dancing of the flames, Isana found her voice again.
“I never thought I would ask this of anyone, much less a queen…” She knelt with one knee on the smooth wood floor. “Alyssa--”
Alyssa looked down and interjected with an (adorable, Isana thought) frown of confusion and reached toward her.
“ ‘Sana-dear, you don’t have to kneel--”
Isana blinked.
“Oh, yes I do." She took Alyssa's outstretched hand in one of her own. "Aly, my sky. You’ve been Queen of my heart for a long time. I had wanted to ask you this under our tree in Bescanon, on the hill overlooking the river. Waiting for the right moment though, there’s always the chance something will happen.”
She held her other hand up toward the perplexed woman, a ring now glowing in the center of her palm as though it were a lantern itself. Her eyes found Alyssa’s as realization dawned, her love's eyebrows creasing upward into an incredulous peak as her lip trembled.
“Alyssa Kingsley, you are the only Sky for this Dawnstar. I want to brighten all of your days, forever, if you’ll have me. Will you marry me?”
Kingsley
The soft light of the dozens of lanterns throughout the palace's training studio, the same place some of her greatest joys and one of her most terrible memories took place. This place where they had first grown to love one another glowed dimly as the sun set through the windows, but the Queen of Perdan saw the room brighten and shine with a radiant warmth from the hopeful look of the woman before her, kneeling and offering a ring in her palm, simple yet elegant. "It was simple, round, no gems. There were leaves, but they were carved into the ring's circle. The most impressive, however, was its colour. It was a mesh of a regular, red and white gold, she could see without even touching it. In the glow of the lanterns and the sunset it sparkled in Isana's hand the ring appeared to change colours, much like an autumnal sunrise. Leaves would appear to be aging from white to gold to red. It was beautiful.
And she was beautiful.
And this moment they were now sharing was beautiful. "Aly, my sky. You’ve been Queen of my heart for a long time. I had wanted to ask you this under our tree in Bescanon, on the hill overlooking the river. Waiting for the right moment though, there’s always the chance something will happen. Alyssa Kingsley, you are the only Sky for this Dawnstar. I want to brighten all of your days, forever, if you’ll have me. Will you marry me?”
Alyssa held one hand up to her mouth as she smiled brightly. She knew such a thing would come at some point, the only surprise being when. The Queen let out an exceptionally rare giggle, as she considered the irony of having planned her own offer of marriage not so long ago, awaiting an opportune time herself. There could be no better time than now. Alyssa mused, happy her love had found this moment just for them. Lowering her hand to fold it into Isana's, the ring between them, Alyssa took a step forward and placed her other hand gently upon Isana's cheek. Her skin was warm, soft, and familiar, and she could feel a hint of nervousness in Isana's breath as she looked up at Alyssa with hope and expectation. Alyssa considered her darling fondly, still feeling the warm metal ring between their hands that represented their bond, and both of their commitment for it to endure for all of time.
"Isana." Alyssa said with a little squeeze of the hand. "You have given me more light and hope than I could ever have imagined. My gentle Morning, you sparkle every day, even when the sun itself would not rise. I am called to your brightness, so long as you shine, you will brighten my days, and if that flaming light flickers I will be here with you to tend it and offer you what light I have myself to brighten you. You will have my love, dear, forever. And until forever comes, and beyond it," She trailed off with a smile and then a single confident nod. "I will be your wife.
Then, in the warm glow of the autumn sunset, Alyssa leaned forward and kissed the love of her life with all her heart and every ounce of the boundless love she felt for the woman she held in her hand.
