Fire and Ice

I Know

                        ~Nashi's continued~

"Mother?"

"Yes, Nashi?"

"Why was I called up here to meet you?"

My mother didn't speak up for a few moments. Continued to brush my hair as we sat in the middle of her mattress.

"It was your father's idea." She finally piped up softly.

My father wanted me to come up here? But why? I thought there was nothing else to discuss after all that just happened.

"Where is he?" I asked.

"He will be here any minute." Was all she answered.

I lightly nodded and relax as my Mother continued to untangle my hair.

Sitting here with my Mother in this comfortable, peaceful setting was what truly calmed me. I had my Mother, the Queen talking time to spend time with me.
Even if it was just something as simple as this.

"Sorry I'm late." My Father hummed as he entered the room.

He looked humble but showed signs of weariness. With a slumped posture, tired eyes, slow breath, he came over and sat in the chair to the left of the bed.

"How was your visit?" My mother piped up.

"It went better than I thought." My father responded.

Once my father was situated I asked him,
"Where were you?"

Before answering, he glanced over to my mother. After, he looked back to me and answered,
"The dungeon."

My heart skipped a beat at the word.
Why was he down there?

"I had something to address with Jude."

I didn't ask further questions. For my father's expression, I could tell he was done talking about the topic. I nodded and dropped the subject.

"Mother said you call me here..." I began, introducing the thing I wondered earlier.

"Yes, that's right," My father said, shifting moods to a more positive out look,
"I wanted you here so we will be able to...fill in some holes."

"You want to know what I have been down all of this time?"

"Yes. And we will fill you in...and explain...a few things as well."

"Ok." I said weakly, trying to recall everything I have done.

"I'll go first." I hummed, clearing my throat.

"After the ball I was escorted, by a maiden named Rosemary, to a carriage. We traveled until we reached the outskirts of town to a simple wooden house. Here, I discovered that the person to blame for my leave was Prince Storm. In the house there was a few of his friends who were very kind to me. Their names were Rosemary Nova, Reiki, and Gale. Over those few days I grew closer with them, we all became good friends.
They had all planned on training and saving the Queen, who I later figured out was missing. Yesterday morning was the day that we were all going to finalize the plan. But before that explanation, Prince Storm took me into the other room and had to talk to me privately about something. He explained the reason for me coming here and my....connections with him. When all was said and done I left the house alone to get fresh air. While on my lonesome venture though, I was taken by Wendy.
I found myself in a drafty old room with Lady Juvia at my side. She was weak and tried, having a very pale appearance. Later, Wendy revealed herself to me and said she took me because.....I was the cause of her fiancé 's death years ago. She said that I would face the same fate he did that day. I was to be hung with Lady Juvia's at the gallos that morning.
She left us but eventually returned, saying our death's were to occur tonight.
The Queen and I were forced to leave the building we were in and brought down the road to the place where....I thought I was going to die."

Tears started to stream down my eyes as I took a moment to regain my voice.

"Once there, Lady Juvia and I were put in the ropes, ready to be hung. But before they could take our lives Storm stepped into the scene. Appearing out of the shadows he came to stop Wendy. He tried to talk Wendy out of her evil ways but it seemed to break the women even more. Out of anger, Wendy turned her gun on Storm but the Queen fought against the action. The Queen and Wendy knocked together until the gun was fully in Wendy's possession and was fired off at Lady Juvia.
While I had Jude at my side Lady Juvia got Wendy. Because of me The Queen was killed and passed. It's all my fault..."

I couldn't continue. I cried into my hands, hating the cold tears leaving my eyes.
I never liked crying but sometimes it can't be helped.

My mother leaned over and pulled me into a warm hug. I removed my hands from my eyes and wrapped my arms around her.

"I'm sorry, Nashi. I'm so sorry you had to go through that tragic scene." My mother said softly.

I was comforted by her kind words.

"Thank you." I whimpered.

I left her arms and sat at her side. She smiled at me and held my hand in hers.

"So Prince Storm told you about the arrange marriage?" My father asked, wanting clarification on the matter.

I nodded in response,
"Yes he did."

My father sighed and mustered up a weak laugh.
"I should have told you earlier Nashi. I didn't think it would go like this. I know you are a very determined girl and I didn't think you would have come if we told you the whole story. But now I see it was a mistake to come here."

"No. No it was." I said sternly.

My father looked up and me, peering into my eyes in confusion.
"What do you mean?"

"You had to come here to make peace with this kingdom. If we lost this kingdoms trust we would start a war and loose our largest trading partner."

"Yes, that is true." My father muttered.

"If we lost ties with this kingdom we would have no place to get our metals and minerals from. Just because we have all the rich soil and prosperous farms doesn't mean we have all the supplies. If we were to go to war we would not have the resources to make weapons." My mother said from beside me.

My father and I nodded in agreement.

"The proposal was needed to make our kingdoms strong again. For us to live in peace and I...I am willing to go through with it."

"Go through with it? You would marry to someone you just met?" My father asked me with much concern.

"Yes." I said with conviction.
"Spending those few days with him were some of the best days of....well...my life. It was full of adventure and excitement there in that little home. Even though I only spend a short time with Storm, I wish to get to know him better. If marrying him will help our kingdoms then I will definitely do it."

My parents looked at me in shock. They peered over at each other like they were trying to communicate with only there eyes.

I felt my cheeks burn up from how serious I was....and about something as big as this.
I liked it.
I could probably run a kingdom with an attitude like that!

"Nashi, do you mean what you say?" My mother asked sweetly.

"Yes mother, I do."

"I see." My father interjected.
"I hope that whatever you do will make you happy, Nashi. But seeing the events that have just unfolded...I'm not sure what the future holds."

I nodded in understanding,
"I know."