|[ THE FAERI'S KEEPER ]|

Epilogue: Kings and Queens

I swallowed down my apprehension as I waited behind the black velvet curtains for me to be called. Cedric squeezed my hand tightly and I gave him an appreciative smile. A few feet away Merrick's brother, who I now knew to be Lance, stood, his pale hair like snow in the castle hall. He tactfully kept his gaze firmly set on everyone in the room other than us. Cedric's cool breath tickled the back of my neck. He had always stood beside me, solid and steady, like the oldest tree; like the strongest battlement – someone I could rely on. But there was something missing, as it had been since Claude had left me, as if a portion of my very being had been stolen away, and not even Cedric's touch could fill it. I hadn't thought I would miss him much, but I did. It was like a constant ache, as if I had lost someone close... we had become close, I realised... I had come to consider him a friend. A pain the neck, but still a friend. Someone I could joke with, and confide in, despite my sometimes confused emotions around him.

Cedric raised my hand up to his mouth and kissed the back of each of my fingers. His lips were warm, his breath hot, and his own fingers cool. I shivered with anticipation. He wrapped his arm around my waist as I fiddled with my dark purple dress, smoothing down the folds. The shoes I wore were uncomfortable and pinched at my feet, and the over-powering stench of perfume was making me feel light headed. I wobbled in my shoes and I quickly tried to fix up the bunch in my skirt it made. I felt foolish enough in these clothes – I did not need them to look any worse. I would rather have gone to accept the crown in bloody armour and a grimy face; that would've been the honest presentation of me.

"You look beautiful, Irene." Cedric whispered in my ear, "Stop fretting." When I didn't listen and I continued to he grabbed both my wrists in one hand and used the other to force my chin up, and made me look at him.

"Today is your big day," he smiled, "Today you will become Queen. You should be excited!"

"But I don't want to be Queen..." I sighed, "I would rather someone else took the throne. Are you quite sure no one else..."

"There is no one to take the throne... you are the last living member of the House of Thalandorian. Irene, it doesn't matter. Even when you are Queen, you will still be the same, old Irene I fell in love with." I felt the tiny shudder creep along my spine, as it did every time he said he loved me. It was a nice shudder, like when a breath of wind whispered along your skin.

"I am not old," I laughed, punching him lightly on the arm. He grinned back, kissing me on the cheek, wrapping me in his arms; I noticed he was careful not to crumple my dress.

There was a loud cheer from the other side of the curtains and I felt the fear build up inside me once more, like brick placed upon brick until it formed a wobbling tower, threatening to fall down on top of me. Cedric kissed me once more, his touch acting like clay, strengthening the tower so it would not fall. I took a deep breath, leaning into him slightly before he stepped away and out of sight. I steeled my nerves, clenching my hands into tight fists until my nails dug deep grooves into my palms.

"We have just experienced a terrible time in our land's history," he said sombrely, "Both kingdoms lost their rulers and were lost for weeks, without anyone to follow. But Cedric Jorildson has been returned to us by the gods above and a queen has come to us, the very same woman who stopped the destruction of Eltor single-handedly and delivered to us a king from beyond the dead!

"And as we gather here to watch her ascension to the throne, I ask that you bow before her. Once known to the people as the greatest rebel of all times, I invite the Archer, Irene, daughter of Veshin to step forwards and begin the ceremony!" I walked out through the curtain and into the open. My gaze fell immediately on the priest who waited by the throne, a warm smile plastered benignly on his face. It then moved to the masses of people, who it seemed had come dressed in their finest clothes, staring up at my with expectant faces. Why did the prospect of them all waving weapons at me seem suddenly more inviting? Anything but this quivering anticipation – what if I screwed up?

I shivered as if from cold and quickly walked the rest of the distance towards the gold and green throne that was set up facing everyone. Every step felt like a disaster waiting to happen, and it was relief that filled me every time I made a successful stride. Why was it suddenly such a daunting task to walk? I could run through trees, dodge every root that dared to try and trip me – and yet walking along a flat surface now seemed the most impossible of tasks. I reached the throne and practically threw myself down onto it, glad that I was no longer standing. I was sure, that if I hadn't sat, I would've surely fallen over. I settled my skirts out around me, aware that they were bunched underneath me but unwilling to attempt to fix it. I faced the priest, giving him the tiniest of smiles.

"Are you ready to accept your role as Queen?" the priest smiled back at me, his voice so soft only I heard him. I nodded and prepared to say the lines I had been taught earlier. They weren't exactly difficult to remember, but I didn't doubt my nerves' ability to ruin my memory.

"Do you, Irene, daughter of Veshin, agree to uphold the honour of this kingdom, and the honour of the Thalandorian Family? Do you agree, that in ever action you make, every speech you say, that it will only strengthen this fair city, and its royal family?"

"I do," I said solemnly, aware of the sweat rolling down over my temple.

"And do you swear to only work for the better of this kingdom, and for the better of its people."

"I do." An itch made itself known on the side of my nose; I struggled to avoid scratching.

"Do you vow to protect your people, and your kingdom with everything you possess? To never entertain the idea of cowardice in the face of danger, and to act as a beacon of hope for your kingdom?"

"I do." I said, nodding. The priest's smile broadened with apparent satisfaction.

"Then I bestow this crown to you, and with it your rightful place as Queen of Thalandor." He began to lower the crown onto my carefully braided hair. There was a loud bang but I ignored it. The crown was only inches from my scalp; the time to back out would be now...

"Wait!" a voice cried loudly. Everyone turned and looked towards the doors that had been thrown open. Many wore ugly expressions, utterly appalled that someone had interrupted the coronation. Lance was already in front of Cedric, spear in hand, his other palm resting on the pommel of his sword. A woman stood in the doorway, her long black hair flowing far down past her shoulders and her dress was muddy and torn. She had a wild look about her, and held the air of a feral animal.

"She is not the rightful Queen!" she exclaimed. I stared at her, not knowing whether to feel apprehension or relief, "I Am." there was a bout of nervous laughter but the woman seemed undeterred. I watched her with interest and caution, waiting. She grinned, her eyes flashing as she spoke:

"I am Imelda," she said loudly, stepping forwards, "Daughter of Soldin and the rightful heir to the Throne."

End of Book One

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