Yuletide: Tea With The Queen

 

Tea With The Queen

Princess Endora walked into the private sitting room of her grandmother expecting to be given a lecture.

“There you are. How was the skating?” Queen Taralen was already sitting on the settee with the tea laid out on the low table.

“It was all right. I don’t like the cold.” Princess Endora laughed. “Was there something you needed to talk to me about?”

“Yes.” Queen Taralen handed her a parchment. “I wanted you to look this over before its signed.“

“What is it?” Princess Endora asked.

“It’s the betrothal agreement. Queen March and I worked out the agreement but if it is not acceptable to you then I will not sign it.”  Queen Taralen told her.

Princess Endora started to read the document carefully as Queen Taralen poured tea for the two of them. She had excused her maid so that she could be alone with her granddaughter.

“This seems fair.” Princess Endora said. “But this part where we will be given a part of the Tylwyth Teg Kingdom I don’t understand. That is not the usual, is it? That I receive part of their lands?”

“No. It’s not but if you read further we will provide a garrison of Sidhe Guards in return. There have been some problems with bandits and ruffians in their borders. I think it is a good agreement. He is far down on the line. We can’t get much.” The Queen explained.

“I see. Does it matter that I think I love him?” Princess Endora said.

“Don’t say that in front of Queen March or she will want more than this. She wanted quite a bit at first until I reminded her that he will not take the throne unless most of her family is dead. That made her be quiet for a few minutes.” Queen Taralen chuckled.

“Grandmother! That was not nice.” Princess Endora frowned. “She just wants what can get just like any other parent negotiating a betrothal.“ 

“That is very generous of you considering she wanted nearly your weight in gold at first.” Queen Taralen held out the plate of sandwiches to her granddaughter. “I think their coffers are low. All those children it’s no wonder.”

Princess Endora gave her grandmother an amused look as she took a sandwich from the plate. “I don’t intend to be the mother of a garrison. One maybe two and I am done.”

“Sometimes it doesn’t work out that way Endora. Enjoy any blessing you receive.” Queen Taralen said. “I had always wanted more than one child but Danu only blessed me with your mother. If you love him then there will be no end to the children.”

“Grandmother!” Endora exclaimed.

Queen Taralen laughed. “Endora, you are blushing.”

“I haven’t even properly kissed him yet.” Endora took a sip of tea.

“That is good to hear.” Queen Taralen looked amused. “Queen March doesn’t want him to hold hands with you until this is signed. So the agreement is satisfactory to you?”

“Yes. When will it be signed?” Princess Endora asked.

“At your birthday feast I think.” Queen Taralen said.

“Queen March will want a separate feast just for the signing.” Princess Endora looked at the plate of sandwiches for another.

“There are too many celebrations close together for yet another feast.” Queen Taralen said as she refilled their cups. “What other things have you planned for next year?”

“I want to go on a quest or two but I’m not sure how my future mother in law will feel about that.” Princess Endora said. “I want to find the Crystal Sword. It is a tragedy that it is missing from the temple. People who steal from temples have no soul.”

“Indeed. Just don’t go alone.” Queen Taralen said. “I doubt the Northern Court will be much help after the ‘Prince Brandon’ matter.”

Princess Endora nodded. “I know. Is that all you wanted to talk to me about? The betrothal?”

“I just want to spend some time with you really. You have been so busy. There is something else but not today.” Queen Taralen smiled. Now was not the time to tell her about the decision that was made that will directly affect her, “Tell me more about this quest.”

Princess Endora and Queen Taralen talked and laughed for the rest of the afternoon until they need to dress for supper.

Supper with the queens was a bit awkward but they all managed to survive. The next day was the last day of the year and there was a party to attend

Yuletide: Fireworks Faerie Style

 

Fireworks Faerie Style

Everyone stayed in their chambers resting for the feast that night. The Palace was quiet most of the morning even though there was lots of activity. The Great Hall and the balcony overlooking the courtyard were decorated for the feast and ringing in the New Year. Large kegs of spirits were placed in the courtyard for the celebration.  

Queen Taralen would ring in the New Year with the ringing of a bell then the fireworks would start. It was the same every year, weather permitting. This year the weather was clear and very cold. Even the faeries around the castle were gearing up for the grand party.

Dionne was looking through Princess Endora’s cupboard for a dress for the party. “My Lady, what do you want to wear?”

“The gown with the flowers.” Princess Endora sat on the settee by the fire sipping tea.

“Not the ball gown from the Midsummer Ball? You should have had a new gown made.”

“I may as well wear it again. It seems like such a waste to wear a gown only once.” Princess Endora said. “I will wear the fur cloak for the bell ringing.”

“The one with the gold clasp. I have that out already.” Dionne said as she pulled the dress from the cupboard. “It’s a bit poofy for this.”

“I’ll leave out one of the petticoats and I want the crown that was Grandmother’s.”

“Not the one you wore with it before? Do you want your bracelet too?”

“Yes. What are you wearing?”

“I don’t know most likely what I have on.” Dionne said.

“Wear your dress with the scrolls on the bottom. It’s pretty and your beau will like it.” Princess Endora teased.

“I’m sure Prince Paddrick will like what you are wearing.” Dionne smiled.

The two faeries were startled by loud voices in the corridor. One of the guards was calling out to the another.

“Dionne, see what that’s about.” Princess Endora said but before Dionne could take a look a Sidhe Guard opened the door and looked in.

“Pardon Princess but Queen March is requesting your presence in Queen Taralen’s study. She is very upset about something. You may want to take you dagger.” He said sheepishly.

Dionne snorted in amusement.

Endora tucked a small dagger into her boot for just in case. “You better come too.”

Princess Endora and Dionne followed the guard to the Queen’s study.

Queen March was standing in the room. It was obvious she was upset.

“Endora, Queen March wants to know about your training.” Queen Taralen said. She wasn’t looking too happy either.

“I work with a sword and a crossbow. I also ride both horses and unicorns. I can throw a knife accurately most of the time.” Princess Endora was confused. “Why is my training being questioned? Is there a war?”

“I don’t think it’s appropriate for a Princess to train and I want you to stop if you want the betrothal to go through.” Queen March demanded.

“Mother!” Prince Paddrick shouted. “If she wants to train I see no harm in it.”

“I suppose you think I should sit on my bottom and have babies.” Princess Endora said. “I will be Queen someday and I need to be able to handle myself. If you don’t think that training is important, just go now.”

“Endora!” Queen Taralen warned.

“Really Grandmother. We are a warrior race. It is in our blood. I am just following in my father and great grandfather’s footsteps. I am a warrior and I will not change. What is it that you truly want, Queen March? I am sure this is a ploy to gain a concession in the agreement. “

Queen March looked like she had just gotten caught with her hand in the candy jar. “I … I want nothing more than what is proper.”

“I don’t believe you. I don’t think that anyone in this room does.” Princess Endora said. “Go back to Wales if you must but don’t expect anything more than what has already been agreed upon if you stay.” With that Princess Endora turned and left the room.

“Well I never had anyone be so rude to me. Paddrick we are leaving. Collect your things.” Queen March said.

“I will not. I am here to marry her not to deal with your petty foolishness. You are the one that is being rude and these people are too polite to tell you.” Prince Paddrick said. “You are going to sign the agreement or I will ask her to marry me without one.”          

“Paddrick!” Queen March was shocked.

Queen Taralen smirked. “It seems you have no choice because I know that Endora will say yes to him.”

Queen March stormed out of the room in a huff.

That night at the bell ringing, Queen March was subdued. The New Year came in just as the fireworks started. Prince Paddrick gave Princess Endora a kiss on the hand on the balcony and the crowd cheered.