Fighting For What?

The Long-Awaited Reunion

Three footmen pass me as I stand in the entrance corridor with my hands folded. Vases overflowing with roses, daisies, and tulips are in their arms. Meredith stands at my side as the servants rush around the corridor with banners, flowers, and decorations. I straighten the folds of my emerald skirt and readjust the gold sash around my waist. I find myself unable to stop fiddling with the fabric of my dress. Meredith notices my meddling as well. 

"My Lady, You must stop fidgeting." 

Reluctantly, I clasp my hands together again while biting my lower lip. I feel Meredith's eyes on my back as I saunter away from her. She does not fight it, nor does she attempt to alter my intentions. Honestly, I am grateful for someone as trusting as Meredith, especially for a maid. 

Ambling my way out of the entrance corridor, my feet carry me to the eastern hallway. A window viewing the gardens pulls me closer. My reflection glistens in the glass pane. Golden locks tied with a green ribbon into a ponytail. The gold across my waist accents my fir colored skirt eloquently. The simple, silver cross dangling around my neck fills the gap between the straps of my dress. My skirt blends in nicely with the foliage in the garden outside. A fragile voice pulls me back into the hallway, away from the evergreens of the forest. A petite maid trying to grasp my attention. 

"Your Highness, the carriage has arrived," she mutters with her head low and avoiding making eye contact with me. I pull myself back between the stone walls of the castle's hallway. I glance towards the maid, informing her that I did indeed hear her and that she may go. As she walks back in the direction of the entrance foyer, I follow faintly in her footsteps. I'm not sure what to expect from this carriage as I saunter back into the foyer. 

My own family did not even take the time to notify me on their journey. I heard word from the queen that my oldest brother had been exchanging letters with her and the king. Originally I scoffed at the thought, surely my own brother wouldn't treat me so lowly, even if he is king. But the queen revealed the letters and I stood in silent awe of my brother. I stand in silence now as the grand doors open to the outside world of Lustrio. The carriage halts twenty paces or so from the base of the cobblestone steps. Two cloaked figures exit the black carriage while four guards bearing the Jardina royal crest across their chests trail behind them through the castle's doors. I remain motionless for a moment, watching from afar. As they remove their cloaks, I recognize their faces. 

My brother, Cedar, standing slightly higher than 6 feet, with his muddy-brown locks messy across his forehead just above his amber eyes, escorts my 13-year old sister into the castle's door. Terra eyes the immense corridor while keeping sight on her own feet beneath her blue satin skirts. She keeps her face straight, showing no expression. Cedar relinquishes their cloaks from each of their backs and hands the warm furs to a servant at the door. As the decorative planks close behind my brother, sister and their guards, I approach with caution in every sway. Hands folded in front, I inhale every left step. I notice Cedar's jaw is tightly clenched shut as I draw closer to their party. Terra's face lights up when she realizes it's me. Her hazel-grey eyes widen with excitement as I open my arms to her for a hug. Smiles on both our faces, we embrace in the foyer without a care for the servants and guards staring. Her brown hair is loosely tied back with a blue ribbon to keep her face vibrant and attentive. She looks like any other 13 year old girl, excluding the fancy dresses only befitting a princess. 

"I've missed you, Ivy." Terra whimpers into my ear. 

"And I've missed you, Terra." As I pull away from our sisterly hug, I can see Cedar smirking just behind Terra. She grasps onto my hand as I direct my attention to my brother. 

"Cedar, how was your journey?" 

"It would have been much easier if a certain mutt would've cooperated." I stare at Cedar, brows furrowed. His smile grows wider as he steps aside to allow a single guard forward with a leash in his hand. At the end of the leash was Pax. He was resisting the tug of the leash. His gray fur ruffled and messy from the long journey. How had I not noticed him before?