Sol Kindgom

Ends Are Beginnigs

The sound of my muted heartbeat fills my ears. My breath frozen tight in my chest. Hands float freely about my still body, relaxed. My dark curls circling around me.

I gasp as I surface, the peace shattered by my lungs' aching need for air. I open my eyes to the world I had so desperately been trying to escape. As the water trails down my face, I look around to see my handmaiden holding a soft smile on her face.

"Your highness, are you ready?" Suvi doesn't wait for an answer as she approaches and picks up the towel that lays beside my bath. I stand, coming a head taller than her petite stature, and take the towel, wrapping it around myself. I grip her small hand so I do not slip as I step out.

"I don't think I'll ever be ready for today." I feign a slight smile but it fades quickly. I follow Suvi quietly as she leads me out of the bathing chambers and into my room. Laying on my bed is a black gown, its lace flowers warming in the sun that is shining through the windows. I slip on the heavy gown and Suvi helps pull it up to my chest. Her short but strong arms make light work of it. It is beautiful, with its long, off-the-shoulder sleeves, and a neckline that cuts down slightly. The dress hugs my frame above the waist before spilling outwards in the ball gown shape onto the floor. Suvi tames my dark curls before placing the black veil on my head.
When I look in the mirror I see a sad girl, sunken into the shell of a woman. Suvi looks at me in the mirror and gives me an encouraging shoulder squeeze.

"Do this for them Ember, you are strong." My eyes flit from hers back to my face. I can do this. I am strong. I HAVE to do this. My face shifts then to emotionless, strong and proud. I can make it through today. With a nod, I stand and walk out my door. The guards there escort me through the palace to the outer steps.

The light morning breeze catches my veil, allowing it to billow to the side. My skin shivers in the cold as I stop to take in the view. Before me is the front of a precessional. There are a few guards and priests. Behind them, a beautifully carved wooden cart, filled with a bed of dew-covered flowers that reflect the sun in brilliant sparkles. Upon them lay the royal couple. The Queen in an elaborate, dark green dress with the delicate embroidery of gold leaves. A breastplate of armor on her chest. Her hands are folded gently together over her bow and beside her, the quiver. Her brunette hair is in a beautifully braided updo with flowers tucked in. The king in his armor that glints in the morning sun, with his dark green cape underneath him. His once strong hands gripping the iron handle of his sword.

My parents.

I look beyond to see rows upon rows of guards standing at attention and I know that beyond them the villagers are joining in honor of their King and Queen. Theron, my father's Chancellor makes his way from behind the cart to meet me at the top of the steps.

"Your highness, walk with me." He says softly. His kind eyes looked down towards the muscular arm that he offers me. I take it and he escorts me to our place behind the cart.

When the processional starts I realize how alone I really am. No family members walk beside me. The only blood relatives I had are being carried before me to their burial. I am alone.

"Your highness," Theron whispers next to me, I can tell he is nervous as he runs his hands through his light brown hair. "I know I haven't been the Chancellor for very long, and I know that everything is overwhelming right now. But I want you to know that I will stand by you and help you in whatever you need me to do. Your father was my friend, and I would have given my life if I could have saved them." He gives me a smile. Theron had only been my father's chancellor for three years. To be the head of the kingdom's government affairs, at 26 he is quite young to be in the position. While he came from no high standing family he had proved himself to be a dependable, honest man of integrity. This is why my father trusted him.

"Thank you Chancellor for your kind words." I look at the ground, my eyes catching the petals that are jostled free from their buds as the cart rolls on. They are caught by the breeze and sent adrift. My eyes follow them to the mountain where we are heading.

The burial mounds span out in front of us as we reach the top of the mountain. Each one covered in green grass and wildflowers that are at the end of their bloom. In front of us is an unsealed tomb where my parents are to be laid. We stop before it and guards step forward to lift my parents from the cart. An older woman steps forward, clothed in a black simple dress. I do not know who she is, but she opens her mouth and begins to sing.

The song is in the old language, one that I am not yet fluent in. However, it speaks of my parent's victories and their love. I hardly notice when tears flow down my face. I am thankful that my veil covers me. The guards lay my parents down in their eternal resting place, to join our forefathers in the beyond.
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The woman's beautiful and sorrowful song still rings in my ears as I reach my room. The sun was reaching its peak in the sky, illuminating everything in the large, empty hallways. I just want it to go away, and leave me in the dark.

Suvi spins as I enter. She was laying out my Coronation dress.
"Ember! You frightened me." She laughs lightly. Suvi has been my dear friend all while growing up. We were girls together and he had been my handmaiden since we were 13. I never had a problem with her addressing me casually.

"I'm sorry Suvi, I didn't mean to." I drop into the chair in front of my vanity with a huff. "Why does everything have to be today? Can't I just be alone?" I couldn't help the burning of tears in my eyes as I bury my face in my hands. My parents had died only yesterday. The Northerners had attacked them as they retreated back from the lines of battle. The Northerners had never come so far inland before and had prepared an ambush for them before they could reach home.

"I'm so sorry Ember" she hugs me from behind, "there isn't time for such things when the kingdom is at war. A successor must be named." I know she is right. The people felt leaderless. Their beloved king had left them so suddenly, in the middle of a war with the Northern kingdom. There was little hope for them and no one to look to. Except me.

I nod before allowing her to bring in two other maids to help me change. Looking into the mirror I see that this dress is no longer heavy and sorrowful but of royal caliber. Its light, sage green fabric is threaded with gold. There are golden leaves sown about the bottom and on the bodice. Green and gold, the colors of the kingdom. The blackened veil has been removed, and my hair pulled into a braided updo, much like my mother's. I look regal and strong.

I step into the hallway and met Theron. "This is the beginning your highness." He offers his arm and I take it as he leads the way to the court.

The beginning. The thought terrifies me.