Arya

Ceremony

"All women and children have been returned their home."

"And the men?" I asked.

"Barton has opened the portal. The men will return not too long from now."

"Make sure to give the families who've lost their loved one a proper burial as they wish. If they wish to speak with me, arrange a meeting. Don't make it public."

"Yes, M'lady." Sir Yosef left to do what I asked him of.

"Arya." Michael approached me as he entered my chambers.

"Michael, do you need something?" I asked as I walked over to a chair.

"Actually, I've brought a friend."

"Who is it?" I asked even though I want to rest. My entire body is hurting, my shoulders are extremely tense, my muscles are in knots, and I am sore.

He whistled and I heard what sounded like a dog running. I turned and saw Bruno wagging his tail.

"Bruno!" I smiled and got down on my knees to hug him. "Aw, how's my boy?" I smiled.

"Have you checked on Daisy?"

"She's in bed resting. As should you."

"Yes, only the difference is I have a kingdom to rule." I smiled at Bruno as he went crazy.

"We've managed to keep this kingdom going for almost six years while you were undercover. Surely they'll manage if you rest a day."

"I lost 3,629 men."

"It wasn't your place to be on the battlefield. You should've stayed with the women and children. Let the Guardians watch over you."

"How am I a leader if I don't fight my battles?"

"You're the Queen of Avalon. A Queen should not be in the field. She should be protected."

"Michael, I do not have the energy for an argument."

He stood there and Bruno got on my bed.

"Have you eaten anything today?" He asked as I sat on my bed.

"No. Have you?" I asked as I painfully relaxed on my bed.

"Why haven't you eaten?" He sat behind me, leaning on the headboard.

"Busy fulfilling the wishes of how the families want to bury their loved one."

"You can hand over the responsibility to Miriam. She'll be more than happy-"

"She's out gathering the things of Aladar."

"Have you seen him since you've arrived?" He asked.

"I have. But it was cut too short because  I was too busy getting people to safety and evacuating the entire city. I need some help." I smiled.

"What you need is to get married." He started to massage my tense shoulders. "And apparently relax." He used his thumb to release some of the knots and I wanted to melt.

"I don't need to get married. Everyone wants me to get married because they think I alone cant rule this kingdom."

"What do you plan on doing?" He asked and the door closed.

"On what?" I asked.

"Well, just in general. Do you plan on having a big get together to honor the lives of those who've fallen?"

"I've arranged a gathering tonight to stand in silence as we light candles in the name of those we've lost."

"And in a few minutes ill be seeing my son again." I smiled as I turned to look at him. "Thank you for bringing him to me."

"What do you mean? He's been here the entire time." He smiled.

I placed my hand on his leg to face him more. "I'm talking about Bruno, Michael."

"Oh, that's nothing." He grinned.

"It's nothing." I felt nervous.

Someone knocked on the door and he got off my bed.

"Come in," I spoke.

"My lady." It was one of the women from the brothel."

"Starla." I stood from the bed and she looked at the doorway. A boy with brown curly hair and a shy face. All the pain went away and when he saw me I smiled.

"Look, Aladar." I looked at Bruno and he stood in front of me.

"Bruno!" He ran up to him to give him hugs and kisses.

"What do you want to do today?" I asked as he played with Bruno.

"Be with Bruno." He was happy.

"Why don't you go walk him?"

"Can I?" He was excited.

"Yeah." I gave him a kiss on the forehead.

"Come on, Bruno!" He ran out of the room.

"Aladar, don't run inside." I walked outside, pointed at two men and pointed to Aladar. They began jogging to catch up to him.

"Okay, now that he's out having fun, let's prepare the gathering for tonight."

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"Do we have enough candles for the people?" I asked Miriam.

"Yes."

"How is everything--" I was interrupted by one of my men.

"My lady." He seemed to have urgent news.

"Sir. Lorian." I addressed him. "Darling, do me a favor and start the ceremony." I looked at Miriam and she grunted agreegingly.

Once we were at a distance from anyone he finally spoke and said, "My lady, we have an intruder on the grounds."

I kept a soft smile on my face as the people gathered with their candles. "Is she or he in the cellars?"

"Yes. And he would like to speak with you."

"An intruder that would like to speak with me?"

"Yes, Ma'am."

"Has Michael gone in to speak with this intruder? Have you his name?"

"Yes. His name is Tomás."

"Does he have a last name? Where is he from?"

"Yes. I'm sorry, my lady."

I turned to look at him and he is tired. "If its rest you seek..."

"No, I'm-" he blinked twice. Each time barely keeping his eyes open.

"Lorian, take the day off. Get some rest. I'll head down to the cellars on my own." I rested my hand on his shoulder.

"Thank you, My lady."

My hand slipped away as I continued to walk.