True Love

What it Takes to Make a King

While the Queen was busy helping Demelza with the ball and Fairy night. Ross was to entertain the King. Ross thought he would take him to Leisure's mine office and that would be that. The King walked into the office and asked where is the entrance to the mine. Ross told him it was outside that this was where the miners were paid and the administrative work was done. The King told him in no uncertain terms that a King was not only concerned about his employees' wages but also about their well being told him he wanted to go down in the mines. Ross had no choice but to take him into the mine.

Little work was going on the first few levels of the mine they were merely there as a resting place for miners going further down some were going down a half mile if not further. Their first stop at about 300 feet below the 30th level. Ross saw men bowing as they walked back some men gave the others a strange look and then tipped their hats. This happened on each level finally when they were nearing the last level Ross said, why are those men bowing? The King looked at Ross, "can you not tell the difference? If you can't tell by their appearance at least you should be able to see the pride they take in their work." Ross stared at him, what was he getting at him though? The King gave an exasperated sigh, "they are miners and if Demelza so chooses your subjects. Ross's eye grew wide, he never knew he had that many fairies working for him. The King said, "there are many more you don't see yet, the ones that alert others to dangers and larger loads are the *Tommyknockers, I think they lead Demelza to the large load at Grambler?" Ross only nodded. He had wondered how she knew; she must have heard the knocks of the tommyknockers now he knew. Ross asked, "will they all come to the faerie night?" The King said, "maybe one or two Tommyknockers but they prefer to be left alone. God help you if you upset one." Ross gulped he had so much to learn. Seeing Ross's face turning white, the King congratulated himself on upsetting the human he would soon learn he should be very careful working with faeries.

The King and Ross were at the mine most of the day Ross had to introduce him to Henshaw and Zackey both men were pleasant enough but the King wondered why his subjects were not laced in these high-paying positions. They walked into Nampara, Malza and Maggy were getting ready to start supper so it was a few hours yet before they ate. Demelza had them bring in some ham and cheese and some tea to drink. The King said, "Demelza I see you are employing a few of our people in the mines, I would like to see some of them in more well-paying jobs. Samuel for one should have a better-paying position if for no other reason than he is your brother and my grandson. Demelza bowed her head yes, "my majesty." She took a moment to look at Ross who looked like he was going to explode. She quickly said, "Ross why don't you take my grandfather to the fields and show him James' work." James works alongside men that Demelza knew looked to him for guidance and thought it may appease the King. She didn't think to tell him she managed the farm.

Ross noticed that the King was impressed with how the corps and fields were flourishing. He saw the orchard where the apple trees were not quite ripe but would be bountiful. The King said, "you have a beautiful crop coming from the field. Ross said, "I cannot take the credit most of this land was developed by your granddaughter who has a way with plants. The King said, "yes I should have known after seeing how it is growing only a fairies hand can do that." Ross thought just another disappointment as a husband suitable for Demelza. James came running over to the King and told him how well the farm and crops were looking and James took him to the garden showing the work Demelza and he did on it. Including his younger brothers as a second thought.

On the way back to the house Joshua came out and asked if he would like to see animals, He said Willie was anxiously waiting for him to come to see what he was doing. Ross was never so happy for his Dad. He went in and found the Queen and Demelza still doing invitations, "Ross we are almost done. I think we need to discuss." The Queen spoke, "This Elizabeth it would be an insult to the King and me for you to invite her not to mention your dear wife. You do realize that with her being here and the fairies who know of her antics, she may end up with more than warts and boils on her arse? The rain may turn to snow." Ross incredulously asked, "you cannot mean to tell me warts, boils, and the rain is all the fairies' fault?" The Queen shrugged her shoulders, "They came from somewhere did it not? You have no idea things fairies think up to punish humans that upset them." Ross looked at Demelza saying, "I don't know how to explain it to Francis if we don't ask them. Fine, just address an envelope to Francis, we won't invite Elizabeth but I have no doubt she will show up but at least we can say we did not invite her."