The White Rose

Grief and triumph

The king returned in time to see the winter feast and he heard of lord Flanbura's teaching of the false God to our son. The king like I thought he was was incensed by the idea. He was dismissed from the Prince's service and Lord Percey was made Lord of-the Prince's household. When next I saw our son he was beaming with joy, "Guess what mother." He said, "What my boy?" I asked, "I have a favorite God." "Do you now?" I ask kneeling beside him, "Yes it is Charadel, the warrior." "Very good my son." I said scooping him up.
We returned to Silver Ridge Palace and then we got the news that Alura had passed into the arms of the Goddess during childbirth. She also lost the baby. Her husband was the one to come to us with the news.
We went to Brierley for some time together as a family. We took the children down to the lake and sailed for a little while. In some corner of my heart I felt that this was the best time. If people saw us without our jewels, without the fancy clothing we'd be seen-like any other family taking walks, sailing the lake, fishing, or doing any other normal things. We spent-time in the-temple where I'd first fallen in love with the-king. He seemed to also remember this time and we spent a day there praying for-the peace of Alura's soul. Then he had to goo back-to Valdore with the Prince and our daughter to her household andI back to my duties as Queen.
I awoke one mourning to shouts and cries of delight. "What goes on here?" I asked, "The war is over, the Purthian King is dead." "What of it?" I ask, thoughI am overjoyed at this news. "There is no heir in Purth." Says the King coming-to meet me, "I rode all-the night to come and be with you." "The nobles have all fled or died in the war." "But what?" "Purth is ours if we want it." "We can take out those Zatines and." "My love." I say, "We have our own kingdom." I say with some sadness. "That's why I've decided that Melique and her husband should take the throne of Purth." "But Melique?" I ask with some distress, "Her husband is a good husband and they have served us well." "What of your brother?" I ask, "He has six children now." He nods, "Raynald!" He thunders and the king's brother enters. "Take the throne of Purth." Says the King, "You were also meant to rule, and-perhaps we-can have one other kingdom on the side of-the Gods." The duchess, his wife embraces me, "We will be queens together."
In the-coming months Raynald writes to us from-his throne. The Purthians didn't protest over much and he ruled there from his throne with a just-hand. "If he'd have been king, he would have been a good one." Says my husband the king. "Gods only know what is to happen now." I say as we stand on the balcony of the king's chambers. "Only the Gods know." He says, "And you and I." He says gesturing to the view below, "Shall live in peace." "Our children will grow up in an age of-peace and prosperity." I nod and he tucks an arm around me, "My Queen when we look back at this, old man and woman together people will call us the best they've had." I smile and say, "Long live our land."