Coronation

The Parade, The Punishment, and The Peace

"Wake up, Joey," the young mother whispered as she sat on the makeshift bed beside her son.

The little boy rubbed his eyes and pushed the small blanket away.  "But why, Mama?" he asked with a yawn.

She smiled and ruffled the mop of hair on his small head. "Today is Emanuel's Coronation celebration," she replied.

"What's that?" he asked sleepily as another yawn emitted from his chapped lips.

His mother leaned closer and spoke clearly, "Today is the day that the Prince becomes King!"

The boy's big brown eyes grew twice their size. He sat up abruptly and grinned ear to ear.  "Really!? Do we get to see him?" His eyes were filled with such hope and joy...

She smiled, but made no reply. Instead, she hugged him tightly and then rose to her feet.  "Be sure you grab your coat. It's a special day, but winter doesn't compromise with beggars."

He nodded vigorously and jumped up for his coat. As his hand searched for the armhole, his mother had to smile. Joey almost had to be told that he was poor in order to believe it. But he was young and carefree; she didn't want to trouble him with the burden of poverty.

Despite the coat being two sizes too small and full of holes, Joey managed to get it over his shoulders comfortably and reached for his mother's hand. They walked outside together and with a nod of permission he ran off to join his friends. His mother watched him go and looked around the village courtyard.

The last of the snow was piled in awkward heaps that resembled a torn blanket strewn across the earth. She could almost see the bitter wind as it tugged at her skirt and clawed her fraying shawl. Her teeth were beginning to chatter quietly.

Despite the weather, excitement was in the air. Shouts and laughter erupted from the group of boys in the snow. She counted three with socks – including Joey – and only one had shoes. They didn't mind today. Crowds were beginning to gather by the road and she strolled over to join them.

After a while, trumpets were heard in the distance and people cheered wildly as the mass of color came closer. Joey's mother didn't feel like cheering. She knew she should be grateful for her small home and the daily food the King provided for her and Joey, but somehow she wasn't. The King and prince Emanuel felt foreign to her. She almost despised them.

Remembering the Duke's words, she quoted silently to herself, "It's OK to reject him; he doesn't love you anyway. Look at all the impossible laws he's given you to follow. He gives you a home just so you have a reason not to revolt. He gives you food just so you survive under his rule." Everyone knew the Duke hated Prince Emanuel.

The parade grew closer and she began to have a queer feeling being so near to the King's son. The sun was shining brighter know, but she felt colder. The crowds cheered louder, but she began to back away.

Fear. She felt afraid. Her eyes searched frantically for Joey and she was just trotting towards him when she heard a sharp "You there! Halt!"

Her gaze fell to the ground below her and she tried to cover all traces of guilt on her face. She inched her body slowly around and turned to face the guard. His face was gruesome and a snarl stained his lips. He held shackles in one hand and a sword in the other. "This the one?" he asked the Duke without moving his gaze.

The Duke had just ridden up behind him and now smiled that wicked grin of his. "That's her." The guard reached for the woman and she fell to her knees begging. Solid fear framed her face and tears began to flow down her cheeks. Her vision was blurry and her stomach churned as she was yanked to her feet and shackled swiftly.