Kingdom Come

Awaken

The sound of a horse's hooves colliding with the wet cobblestone drive echoed in the courtyard of the palace of Zara. Before the horse could stop, his rider threw himself from the saddle and bounded up the stairs where the guards opened the large double doors and saluted. The king strode through the palace's long hallways and grand staircases until he came to the dim lit corridor that lead to different portions of his wife's chambers. As he neared the white and gold door at the end of the hall, he heard the cry of his new born son. Finally, after years of waiting and many losses, he had an heir. He prayed that his son would be a wise leader who could guide their Kingdom to peace and a strong warrior if he could not.

A smile spread across the king's face as he crossed his wife's threshold. He found the Queen lounging in her bed; her hair stuck to her sweat covered brow as she looked down at the bundle in her arms with tender eyes. She only tore her gaze away from her babe when one of her maids greeted the king with a curtsey and a "Your Majesty," which all the other maids quickly mirrored. As the king moved towards his wife, he marveled at her beauty even after enduring much pain. He reached her bedside and turned his proud gaze to the face of his new son. The queen gently ran her finger across the baby's lips and cheeks that were still red and swollen from birth while the king reached into the blanket and pulled out a small hand. He laughed as he felt tiny fingers do there best to wrap around his large one. He would make a fine prince.

"Five perfect fingers. Five perfect toes." The queen hummed, "She is perfect."

"She..." the king cleared his throat. It had never occurred to him that he might have a daughter. He wasn't unhappy, but he had so many plans for his son. He hadn't the slightest idea what to do with a daughter. "Umm... yes. Perfect." The smile which had faded returned slightly when he saw the amount of love his beautiful wife held in her eyes while looking at what she held in her arms. The king couldn't help but sigh. "What are we going to name her?"

"You are the father. It is your duty to choose the name for your heir, my love." The queen met her husband's eyes.

"Yes, well, I must be honest with you, I had not been thinking of names for a daughter." He said while raising a brow in worry, but the queen simply laughed causing her husband to chuckle lightly himself. Her expression quickly changed, however, when she thought of the meaning behind the king's words.

"You were expecting a boy." She tilted her head toward the baby. "Of course you were. I am sorry that I have let you down." The King felt instant remorse for his words. He had not meant to cause her to feel shame.

"Shh, my love," he placed his knuckle under her chin and pulled her face up to meet his before placing a gentle kiss on her lips. He put his left arm around her causing her to lean into his chest while putting his right hand under the baby in her lap so that he could hold both of them. He laid another tender kiss upon her forehead. "You have never let me down." He rested his head on top of hers so they could both watch the little princess sleep. "She must have a name when we present her to the Kingdom in three days."

"What do you think of the name Rivenna?" The queen asked looking up from where her head lay across his chest only to find him smiling down at her.

"I think it is a lovely name." The queen bowed her head and tenderly kissed the small hand that still lay outside of the blanket.

"Rivenna, Princess of Zarapline, Heir to the throne of Azrael." The queen quietly practiced the royal announcement exactly as her husband would say it in his address to the kingdom in a few days time. "You will be a princess unlike any the Five Kingdoms have ever seen." The royal couple laughed together. While the queen began whispering to the sleeping child about dresses, tiaras, and grand balls, the king worried for his Kingdom and young daughter. These were trying times in the Five Kingdoms and there was only one thing he could do to to protect them both.