Lunar Flare Book 2: Midnight Eclipse

Chapter 7

Maerwynn let out a huffy sigh. Thedrick paused his strumming on his lute, raising a questioning eyebrow at the princess, who was seated on the castle roof wall between the jester and Beowulf, looking out across the castle town.

"What's wrong sweetie?" Thedrick asked gently, smiling down at his daughter.

"I want to go to the fair!" Maerwynn lamented, not taking her eyes off the bustle of the town far below them.

"Would you perhaps say that it's not 'fair'?" Thedrick offered with a stupid grin.

Maerwynn shot him a look, which seemed like she was trying to cover her amusement with annoyance. "No, it's not fair! Why can't I go? It looks like fun!"

It was Thedrick's turn to sigh now, his grin falling away. "Well, the last time we tried having fun, I ended up in the dungeon for several days..." he pointed out softly.

"We'll stay close to Wulfy this time, then we won't get in trouble again!" Maerwynn pressed, now turning to look up at Thedrick with those big red eyes.

Thedrick pursed his lips, then exchanged a glance with Beowulf. Maerwynn quickly turned her attention to her bodyguard, looking up at him with the same pleading eyes.

Beowulf sighed in defeat. "I guess we can go ask Richard... he's the one you have to convince to let you go," he explained to the child.

Nodding quickly, Maerwynn set her mouth in a firm line, before getting to her feet on the wall. Beowulf quickly reached out and picked her up, lifting her to hold her against his chest as he rose to his feet. Thedrick hopped down off the wall as well, following the large soldier through the late queen's garden and back into the castle.

They made their way down through the castle and headed to the king's private study. Beowulf only needed one gigantic hand to hold the small princess against him, so used the other to gently knock on the door, Thedrick standing just behind him. Thedrick glanced between the two guards who were standing on either side of the door, who were watching the three of them with mild interest.

Richard's voice called out from within for them to enter, so Beowulf pushed open the big door gently, moving into the room with Thedrick following on his heels. Once inside Beowulf placed Maerwynn down on the floor, the princess quickly running over to where Richard was sitting at his desk.

"And to what do I owe the pleasure?" Richard asked with a smile as he turned to look down at the princess.

Maerwynn stared up at him pleadingly. "I would really like to go to the fair! Please!" she blurted out, clearly unable to contain her excitement in her tiny body.

Richard's smile fell away and he looked serious for a moment. "Maerwynn..." he started, sounding unsure.

"Please! I'll stay close to Beowulf, I promise! He'll keep me safe," she pleaded desperately, giving Richard her best beseeching look. Thedrick wondered if that was what he looked like when he did that to Beowulf and others.

Letting out a defeated sigh, Richard glanced away from the princess. "How can I say no to that..." he mumbled quietly, before straightening up and pulling himself together. "Alright, you can go with Beowulf and Thedrick, as long as you let me send along a couple more guards as backup, to watch from afar."

"Okay!!!" Maerwynn exclaimed in excitement, bouncing on the spot in a very familiar manner. Richard leaned down to give her a quick peck on the forehead, before she turned and scurried back over to Beowulf as fast as her little legs could manage. She was then reaching up towards the giant soldier, who bent down to scoop her up into his arms once more.

"Oh, and take Effie with you too," Richard added as an afterthought.

"Aw, do we have to?" Thedrick started complaining without even thinking. "She's no fun!"