Leila
I was determined to get my daughter's skills up to a substantial level. Enough for her to survive. If I could do that, then I could run her out of Sugarland and still know that she was going to be okay. I noticed my old friend, the fox, watching me. I hadn't approached him since I had gotten back and he didn't approach me. He had been my best friend - even my soul mate some would say, from my youth. We shared all of our secrets once upon a time. I knew he was wondering why I was back, as he watched me cautiously. I eyed him for a few moments before jerking my head to the side to signal him over. He cleared his throat once he had made it to me. I did the same, lifting an eyebrow at him and entertaining a small smile on one side of my mouth. "So you're back..." he said, letting out a puff of air that turned into wisps of smoke in the sunny but brisk afternoon.
"It would seem that way." I crossed my arms, looking down at his pretentious little coat. It had steel buttons and was just like him. I narrowed my eyes. He narrowed his back.
"Why?" he asked after a long pause. "Why not?" I stared blankly; of course I was teasing him, and he knew it. "Leila." He was more serious now. "Why are you back?" When I didn't reply, he went on, "You left this place because you wanted the perfect family. What happened?"
I sighed, leaning back in my daughter's throne. She had left it for a small window of time, so I took the opportunity to seize it. "Things don't always work out, Lester." That was my nickname for him - I couldn't remember why. "You were so set on the fact that the young viking was the one for you. So set in fact, that you would abandon your throne." He chuckled. I rolled my eyes, "Yes, yes. How young and naive I was. You were right, I was wrong." I sighed forlornly, admitting defeat, "But you still stuck by me and helped me escape." I added, the mood turning serious.
"I did." He met my eyes with his yellow orange sapphires. That's what they looked like... his eyes. They were the warmest and kindest eyes I had ever seen.
I stood from the throne and gestured that he walk with me. He took my lead. "Shall we talk at the old bar?" I took his paw in my hand so we were walking side by side. "Sure, for old times sake." He smiled. Once we had been walking for a few beats, he said "And now you're back to steal your daughters throne. Haven't you put her through enough?" He lightly chucked, but trailed off to a more serious tone. I looked at him wearily. "She talked to you?" I looked ahead, breathing out. What had she told him? My skin grew hot and clammy as my nerves rose. "She did a lot of talking." He looked at me, but when I didn't look back, he looked ahead again. "You could have come to me." He said, when I didn't say anything to fill the silence. "You know, through our portal."
I smirked at his mention of our past little magic trick. I had taught him to use magic when we were just children. We used it to communicate when we were not together and our mothers were keeping us apart due to our mischievous natures, brought out when we were together.
"I suppose I didn't think you would forgive me, for leaving you behind." I looked down. The true shame of leaving my best friend behind was something I was never able to work through... Instead I just pushed it to a place I didn't have to think about it. "I have forgiven you." He touched my hand as we approached the bar. Somewhere along the way our hands had disconnected. "When? I haven't even forgiven myself." I met his eyes with sadness.
"When I realized how miserable your life was while you were gone, and how much better mine was here in Sugarland." He snickered and I pushed him, laughing.
We were chugging lagers at the bar and talking about old times when he asked a serious question. "Okay, but for real, what are you going to do now, that your back? Are you really going to steal the crown from your daughter?" His manner was skeptical and slightly condescending.
"It is mine. It's hardly taking..." I scoffed, gulping down the last sip of my drink.
"She came here with no idea or intentions of being a queen. She came here looking for her friend, but instead ran into a bunch of angry people, wanting answers. She did very well to recover from that and lead them through war. She deserves some respect." He nodded at me and then to the barmaid, who brought over another full glass.
I turned the top half of my body to face him and eyed him carefully, "Did you befriend her while I was gone, little one?"
"You are making a reference to my height, which I do not appreciate." He glared at me, "And yes. I became somewhat of a father figure to her. God knows, she needs one."
"Oh, so now you're putting down my parenting." She slammed her glass heavily on the bar and stood up.
"All I'm saying," he stood, talking over me as I made noises to block his words, "is that you need to give credit where credit is due, and really think about the reason you came back." He left before I could make my own exit out of there.
