Arya

King Oliver

As I was in the garden watching the gardeners plant new flowers and pick the fruits I decided to help out with the fruits and vegetables.

"Harvest season. Isn't it wonderful?" I looked at them and they were all caught by surprise.

"My Queen!" They all bowed.

"How are you doing?" I smiled.

"We're great."

"And what of the farmers?" I looked at them.

"Wonderful, My Queen."

"Would you mind if I picked some fruits and vegetables?"

"Not at all." They were all happy to see me.

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As I was walking back into the castle I saw a French carriage. I tried not to rush inside but tried my very best to get to the headquarters.

"Miriam." I walked inside and people with titles stood at a distance. King Oliver's men formed behind him and saw me with a basket of fruit and vegetables.

"King Oliver." Lord Weylyn and Miriam introduced themselves.

"We are delighted to make your acquaintance." Miriam smiled and glanced over his shoulder to see me. She looked away and looked back at me. "Arya."

"The pleasures all mine." He smiled at Lord Weylyn and as he turned to see me I handed the basket to one of the servants inside.

"Sarai, do me a favor and leave these in my room."

"Of course, My Queen." She walked away.

"You're late." Miriam smiled.

"Oh, Miriam, darling." I smiled as we walked together. "A queen is never late. Everyone else is simply early."

"Oh." She giggled.

"King Oliver, it's a pleasure to finally meet you." I kept my hands to myself. "I'd give you my hand but due to the harvesting my hands are dirty."

"Thank you for providing a room for my men."

"Oh, dont thank me. Thank Miriam, My lady maid." I smiled as she curtsied in his direction. "Merci." He smiled at her.

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After a chat in the headquarters, I decided to say, "I can show you to your chamber if you'd like. I assume it was quite a ride and you'd like to rest?"

"That'd be great."

"Would you like your men to be led to their own?"

"Yes."

"Miriam." I looked at her and she guided them away.

"So, I hear you've been in battle not too long ago might I add."

"You've heard correctly."

"Not a very lady thing to do."

"I'm well aware, although that is not how I choose to rule my kingdom."

"And how is it you rule your kingdom?"

"Stay and find out." I smiled as I looked ahead knowing he's looking at me as we walk.

"I admire your bravery."

"Merci." I smiled.

"Oh, you speak french?"

"Only enough to understand when and if one speaks badly of me."

"You know, not many women like to get their hands dirty."

"Harvesting has always been one of my favorite things to do as a child. If you'd like you can go towards the Garden and if you ask one of the Gardeners, they'll be more than happy to show you to the farm."

"Well, I would prefer you to show me where the farm is at." I looked at him and knew he was trying to break the line of formal.

"If my mother were here, she'd absolutely go crazy for these flowers." He saw the bouquet of Dutch Hydrangea flowers.

"I'll make sure to send some right over." I was happy to see him not be uncomfortable or bored.

"She loves the light blue with purple on them."

"Oh, those are pretty. I like the white ones because they give off this certain...a kind of "pure" thing. The ones with colors are just amazing. I've had the Dutch Hydrangea flowers growing in the Garden for 6 years now. I planted them when I..." I held myself back from saying when I left the kingdom to keep, my people, safe."

"When you?" He stretched the word you and leaned closer to whisper, "left the kingdom?"

I looked at him confused as we stood in front of the door to his chamber.

"How did you know?" I asked as he entered.

"Surely you've done a background check on me as well."

"Leaving the throne with no one but a Lord to rule on my absence isn't something a leader would do. I'm surprised you still wanted to meet after hearing I left the throne."

"What have you heard of me?"

"Nothing drastic as my background."

"Such as?"

"Such as you need to rest and this conversation will continue some other day."

"Or maybe I can rest later."

"It was a long way here. You should rest." I smiled due to his smile.

"We could harvest now and continue this conversation."

"I also know you tend to be stubborn."

"Whoever told you such a thing, has lied. Get rid of him or her."

"Then let me get rid of myself." I giggled. "Because no one told me that. I just made that up."

"Oh, ignore what I said." He grinned.

"I will. Now go to sleep."

"You're well aware why im here... dont you?" He asked.

"Yes. And I find it very-- he grabbed my arm and pulled me inside. He closed the door and still had his hand on my arm. "You need my companies."

"Yes, I do." He let go of my arm. "And if the enemies of Cumbeachaux discover that we do not have sufficient men, thousand of people will die. I have faith you'll keep this between us?"

"You need more men to protect your kingdom. I need to be married or I will be removed from the throne. If i am removed from the throne an abusive leader of a high class with no title will take the crown and rule Avallon. If you ask for my hand in marriage, I will give you five companies."

"Six."

"Four heading for two."

"Five it is."

"I will give you what you need to keep your kingdom and people safe."

"Once we get married there's no going back. That's it. We'd be together for the rest of our lives. You won't find the one you love."

"And that's something's im willing to give up." I walked towards the door, placed my hand on the handle and asked with my back turned to him, "but the real question is," I opened the door and turned to look at him, "are you?" I left him alone and headed to the throne room to finish some more duties I had to get done and prepare the five companies.