Somebody To Love

Arriving At Court

After four days of being on the road, Harmony finally reaches the Castle, her home for the immediate future. She has no idea what to expect but she knows all that is expected of her, something she can thank her mother for.

Her mother, Lady Remi MacLeod, had lived in Court for many years, only leaving when she married Harmony's father. As soon as Harmony was old enough, she began teaching her all she needed to know if she was to ever find herself at Court.

Climbing down from her carriage, she is met by a tall man, wearing armor and the King's crest on his chest plate. By the reverence that the other soldiers show him, it's easy for Harmony to guess that he is the King's Second-In-Command and his Military Commander.

-"Welcome to Court, Lady MacLeod. I'm Commander Jared Padalecki. We've received word of your arrival a week ago. I hope the ride here wasn't too bad." - He greets her with a smile.

-"Thank you, Commander. The ride was fine, a bit bumpy, but that's to be expected."

-"I assume you will want to speak with His Majesty. He is in the throne room, so if you'll follow me I will take you to him."

-"Lead the way, Commander."

Harmony follows the Commander through the corridors of the Castle, her stomach tied into a knot. She has never met the King and doesn't know much about him, with the exception of the things the servants would tell her.

Her father never spoke about him at the house and Harmony and Elise were forbidden to ever bring him up, anger and disdain in his voice whenever the King was brought up in conversation. Harmony never understood why that was, but didn't dare go against her father. He could be particularly cruel when he wanted to teach the girls a lesson.

The little she does know is that he had been married but the late Queen had died of a prolonged illness, leaving him to raise a young daughter alone. Well, not alone, he had the help of the Queen-Mother, who had returned to Court to help raise her granddaughter, who is now fifteen years old, the same age as Elise.

The King never remarried nor had any interest in doing so, clearly still grieving the loss of his wife, who he had loved deeply. And there was no short supply of women who would willingly throw themselves at his feet for a chance at becoming the new Queen. Marriage offers came from all over the Kingdom and even abroad, and all were refused.

Now, standing just outside the throne room, Harmony realizes that despite all of this, she doesn't really know what kind of King he is. Sure, as a man, he seems to be one of the good ones, but how does that translate to him as a King? Harmony doesn't know, but is about to find out, since the doors before her are now opening.

Harmony follows the Commander as closely as socially accepted into the room, the few people in there turning to look at the newcomer, making Harmony even more nervous. She clutches the letter tightly and keeps her head held high. "In Court, a lowered head is a sign of weakness and you are not weak.", she can hear her mother's voice in her head as if she was standing right next to her, making her smile slightly.

Harmony reaches the center of the room, across from the throne, and bows before the King. King Jensen Ackles is nothing like she had imagined. He's somewhat older than she is, maybe in his early forty's, with compassionate green eyes, a slight stubble on his cheeks, and a kind smile.

She introduces herself to him, her voice strong, as she hands the letter to one of the valets to give it to him, before telling him that her father had been the one to send her. She watches as the King opens the letter and reads it, her eyes never leaving him.

He finishes the letter and returns it to her, telling her that he had received the letter her father had sent a week before and that everything is ready for her stay at Court. He quickly introduces her to Queen-Mother Donna and Princess Justice, letting her know that the Queen-Mother will be responsible for her while she remains at Court, so if Harmony needs anything, she will have to ask her.

Harmony greets them both and thanks the King for his time and hospitality, before being led out of the room by the Queen-Mother, quietly letting out a breath as she reaches the corridor. She didn't think it would go this well, and she is happy it did.

Following the Queen-Mother and the Princess to her new chambers, Harmony is pleasantly surprised by how willing the Princess seems to be in trying to be her friend. Harmony can't help but smile as she hears the Princess give her an overall tour of the Castle, promising her a proper tour once she is settled in, reminding Harmony of Elise and her willingness to make new friends everywhere she went.

They reach Harmony's chambers and she is stunned by how beautiful it looks. She was expecting to be placed in one of the lower rooms, but the one they have given her is fit for a diplomat, not a woman looking for a husband. Maybe her father's connection to the late King goes a lot deeper than she had imagined.

The Queen-Mother and the Princess leave her to get settled, and as soon as they close the door, Harmony takes a deep breath and tells herself that she can do this. She can find love at Court, all she needs is time.