The Queen of Atlantis

The Centaur of the Sea

Being a monarch meant that there was not much time for enjoying a walk.
And that would have been true for any other monarch, but Winona was Queen of Atlantis, a kingdom of peace and prosperity.
Winona and Briseis were enjoying each other's company.
" Lovely weather we are having, " said Briseis.
" So, who are you in love with? "
Briseis stopped in her tracks, as she was now
staring at the smiling Queen.
" What...? " uttered Briseis.
" Oh, come now " said Winona with a queenly smile; " it is just the two of us, you can be honest with me "
Briseis paused for a moment, she then said;
" What? "
" Gurth and Ascanius are both fine young men, surely you can see yourself with one of them "
Briseis paused yet again.
" They would not prefer someone like me... "
Queen Winona was surprised at Briseis' words.
" What makes you say that? "
Briseis paused yet again.
" They are warriors, which means that they would prefer warrior types... and not someone like me "
This is not to say that Briseis was weak, on the contrary, Polydora herself has been training Briseis for many years; both in strength and martial arts. Sadly, it is Briseis herself who doubts her own strength and capability.
" Dear child " said Winona, as she held Briseis in her embrace; " you are strong, stronger than you give yourself credit for "
" You really think so? " said Briseis in a soft tone.
" I know so " said the Queen with a motherly smile.
Things were quiet for a bit.
" Your majesty? "
" Yes? "
" Why are we at the docks? "
" I am here to meet an old friend "
Briseis now saw it, someone was coming out from the sea and onto the dock.
" A centaur - Briseis paused for a moment, as she got a closer look at the creature - a... not to be rude, but what are you? "
" I am a Ichthyocentaur "
Briseis stared in awe at the centaur of the sea, Briseis, the Queen and the Ichthyocentaur; all three now heard the sound of someone running.
They all turned around, where they now looked upon Gurth and Ascanius, both running straight towards the dock.
Gurth and Ascanius tackled the Ichthyocentaur, and all three fell into the sea.
" What the hell are you two doing?? " said Briseis, as she and the Queen looked on, both dumbfounded-confused.
" We were saving you " said Gurth.
" Saving me from what? "
" From this creature, he was threatening you and the Queen with a trident, " said Ascanius.
" He is a friend of the Queen " said Briseis, while Winona was giggling.
Gurth and Ascanius both looked at the Ichthyocentaur, the centaur nodded with a smile.
" Ohhh... " uttered the two boys, as they realized their mistake.
Gurth, Ascanius and the Ichthyocentaur, all three got back onto the dock.
Briseis walked up to Gurth and Ascanius.
" You two really thought that I was in danger? "
" Yeah, we did not want anything bad to happen to you " said Gurth.
" You are dear to us, " said Ascanius with a smile.
Their words were like the warm sun on Briseis' face, she did not cry tears of joy, instead; she had a smile of joy.
Briseis now proceeded to push both Gurth and Ascanius back into the sea.
" What did you do that for? " said Gurth, as he was now more wet.
Ascanius giggled, as Briseis, the Queen and the Ichthyocentaur, all laughed heartily.