Medieval Hammerstacks

Endolynn's POV

"Princess!" There was a knocking at my door, and I heard Aloys calling through. "Your highness, Commander Ryia's bird arrived," he pounded at the door again, "they were successful!"

I flung my blankets to the side and rushed to the door, almost tripping over my nightgown. I threw the door open and took the letter he gave me, "...It doesn't say anything in here about my father, or Gerald. It just says the queen is alive and they're on their way back."

"Isn't that good news?" He seemed confused, "They left to get your mother, the queen, and it says that's what they did."

"Yes, but..." I reread the short letter, "I just think Ryia would have reassured me that they were alright. She doesn't say anything about them here, and it's...troubling."

"I'm sorry, your highness, I don't know what to say." He shook his head, obviously unsure of what my concern was.

"I do," I crumpled up the letter. "I know exactly what to say."

"And what, if I may ask, is that?"

"I am going to ask her why she hasn't told me the whole truth. Unfortunately, with them traveling, it will have to wait until they return, and I may know the answer by then."

"Princess!" Aloys threw the door open without knocking, which would have caught me off guard, if I hadn't been preoccupied at that moment. "Princess, they're..." He trailed off when he saw me hunched over, emptying my stomach into a chamberpot. "Um...The company that, uh, that left with your father..."

"Give me," I managed to choke out, "a moment?"

"Right, of course," he turned and shut the door.

Once I was sure I was done being sick, I wiped my mouth with a cloth and drank some of the water in my room. Then, I opened the door, "What did you say, Aloys?"

"Your mother has been returned safely," he informed me, though he looked less than pleased. "The queen is safe."

I grabbed a robe that was hanging near the door and began to put it on, "What about the King? Where is my father?"

"I did not see him with the rest of the company, your highness, but I did see your husband."

"Thank you," I nodded, fastening the robe, "now take me to them."

"No need for that," I heard a familiar voice from behind him say. I pushed past Aloys to see Gerald, and in doing so almost tripped over Aloys' foot. Aloys grabbed my shoulders and stopped me from falling on my face. I saw Gerald lunge forward, too, but he was further away.

"Are you alright, Princess?" He asked.

"I am, thank you," I stood straight up again, then carefully walked over to Gerald, and hugged him. "Thank the gods," I muttered into his chest.

He wrapped his arms around me, "I'm glad to be home."

I pulled my head back, "Where is my mother? And father? And Ryia?"

"Your mother is in her room, being treated for her wounds. Ryia is with her." He ignored the part about my father. "I'm glad to see you're alright," I noticed him shoot a glance at Aloys.

"I am," I said slowly, "I'm perfectly fine and healthy, but what about my father?" I insisted, panic slowly starting to rise, "Where is the king?"

"You're looking at him princess." Ryia's voice rang from down the hall before Gerald could answer.

I looked at her, first, then back at Gerald. "I...what?" I let go of him and backed up a step, still looking between them, "What are you talking about?"