Ivy's tears blurred the ink as she quickly sat on the dusty floor, gripping the leather journal to her chest. She had thought he abandoned her. That he hadn't cared for her at all. She wept in the corner, jumping when a small vine wrapped around her arm. She quickly rubbed her face trying to clear away the tears. She was a mix of emotions as she tried to sort through them. The sun was fading faster reminding her of the time.
"Just a little more, then I must return." Ivy told the plant sniffling. She peeled the book back open drying her eyes on her dress. She would have to stop back by her room to change. But that was something she would deal with when the time came. She settled in, holding the little plant like a cat on her lap as she skipped to the final entry.
The long journey has taken its toll on my young bride. The forest is so foreign to her home in the depths and dark. She struggled to adapt to our climate, and I only made it worse through the sears bidding.
I apparently have no luck with sons. We had hoped to bring our child home to grow up with Ivy in the castle, but it wasn't meant to be. I almost feel guilty for the lack of sorrow I feel from his loss. Meredith is stronger than I had given her credit for, but I know it weighs heavily on her mind.
For the first time in a long time, I saw my little flower. Oh, how much she had grown. Hankard had done well looking after her. I yearned so much to be with her, but the tree wasn't welcoming for Meredith. After the journey and birth of her first born, she was weak and fragile.
I made the choice I thought... I hoped... would be in the best interest of Ivy. Meredith would hopefully care for Ivy in my place. I knew I would die soon. The mother tree has simply confirmed this. Forsaking Meredith so that I may spend what few months I had left with Ivy would be pointless.
My girl needs a mother. Needs someone to guide her and help her realize her potential as queen. Ivy needed Meredith, not me.
I write this as my final account before I go and tend to my ailing wife. For once I finally wish I had more time. I will not be around to see the leaves change colors and I am saddened by the thought. This forest has protected me and what few of my people that had remained after the war. Ivy is the last of our race.
She is my greatest treasure. I hope to Goddess Llana, our mother tree will accept her as her next bonded partner. And grant her the same kindness she has shown me. These are the last of my private thoughts I lock away with the rest of my past that should remain lost. Ivy doesn't need to know Moriah. Meredith is her mother now.
May the forest bless them...
Ivy closed the journal, rubbing its leather cover as she quietly sat confused. Why wasn't it complete? Why didn't it just explain exactly what Trayson thought? At first, she had believed that her father had truly loved her and cared about her. Now she wasn't sure if it was because she was his daughter, or if it was simply because she was a druid.
A sweet chime rang through the air causing Ivy to glance up quickly. The doors to the ballroom were now open, allowing guests to enter the party. Soon the main event would take place. Ivy left the study in a hurry, only pausing once at the door. The leather journal sitting on the stone floor, in the last of the light from the window.
"Seal the room again. I will be back after I have thought some things through." Ivy requested closing the door on her fractured past. She couldn't remember much of anything from her childhood. How did her father know Hankard?
Hank had been there for her more than anyone else. Well before Meredith came. She still saw him from time to time since he worked on the guard, but he had his own life with his own little family on the outskirts of the kingdom. He didn't want to be bothered with her now. Did he only keep her company before because her father had asked?
Ivy slowed near the top of the stairs as she considered the journals' entries. She had had two brothers at one time. Both apparently dying young. And one of them had been Meredith's only child.
"Princess?" A soft voice asked. Ivy blinked confused, staring at the worried handmaiden. "Are you alright? You aren't attending the ball like that I hope?" The maiden asked as Ivy smiled gently.
"I am afraid I lost track of time, distracted with druid business. I am heading to my room now to properly get dressed. Thank you for your concern, but I am fine. I hope you get a chance to enjoy the party." Ivy told the servant girl as she bowed and hurried on her way. Ivy glanced down at herself, sighing at the dirty red gown. She probably looked like a mess. No wonder her servants seemed worried.
Ivy wanted to avoid other worried gazes so hurried down the back hallways to her personal wing, slowing as she approached her room. The queen stood in a deep blue dress, her long silver hair pulled away from her face, leaving her clear blue eyes visible. Meredith glanced up as Ivy approached almost causing Ivy to giggle at her expression.
"Sorry, I got distracted with something. I will be getting ready now." Ivy told her opening her door.
"That's... unusual. I assumed you would be ready and flirting with Adam when you didn't answer the door. Is everything alright?" Meredith wondered as Ivy held the door. Ivy considered it, glancing around her empty room.
"Would you mind helping me get ready? I know it's normally the servant's job, but I already gave them leave. Then maybe I could tell you about it." Ivy suggested nervously. Meredith seemed surprised by the invitation before entering the room. She glanced around the yellow walls; near the doors to the balcony were murals of birds painted in bright colors making her smile.
"Perhaps you should change out of your gown first. Then we can get you cleaned up and dressed into something else. Do you know what you would like to wear?" Meredith asked, approaching the vanity.
Ivy disappeared into her closet unsure. She had planned on wearing this red dress she had imported from Salvino for the party, but the dirt and stains from running ink and tears ruined it for this event.
"Did you get to travel much? Before you married my father?" Ivy asked to start conversation as she stripped out of her dress and browsed the closet. She wanted to ask the questions that plagued her mind, but also didn't want to pry into Meredith's past. Ivy coughed knowing that was a lie. If she hadn't wanted to pry, she would have left her father's study alone.
"No. Trayson is the only other kingdom I have seen besides my own. What is Salvino like?" Meredith asked, picking through Ivy's vanity, pulling out a brush.
"Oh, it is amazing! Nothing like Trayson at all. The dwarves have built this massive stone wall, almost as tall as our tree! It circles around the borders of their kingdom and is like a vertical market. Between the stone wall and mountain, they have miles of gorgeous farmland. But they really specialize in jewels from the mines, so the main part of the kingdom is built into the mountain face. Everything is so different from here... but it isn't home." Ivy told her leaving the closet in a dress Meredith had gifted her on her 20th birthday.
It was a deep green corset top with golden thread work. The skirt flowed away from her hips to the floor, covered in hundreds of vibrant peacock feathers. The purples, blues, and greens almost shimmered as she glided across the polished wooden floor.
Meredith smiled at her though Ivy felt there was a bit of sadness in her gaze. Did she always look at her with such a gaze? Was she simply wondering what it might have been like preparing her son for such an event? How old would her little brother had been if he had survived? If he had been born just before they returned home, he would be nine years younger than she, putting him in his late teens.
"Trayson, your father, used to tell me about his old friends who founded those kingdoms. If I remember correctly, Welpion is currently being ruled by his great grandson. While Adam is Salvino's great, great, great grandson. Adam's older brother Gregory is the current king of Salvino while Leonard died in a mining accident." Meredith noted motioning for Ivy to sit.
She began brushing out her stepdaughters long red curls smiling at the memory of doing this task years before. Ivy had just been a little girl then. She had grown into a fine young woman.
"I was looking into realizing my true druid potential. That's why I was such a mess. Did my father ever tell you about my mother?" Ivy asked nervously watching the mirror reflection Meredith frown.
"Moriah? He mentioned her once or twice on our way back here after our union. He told me she was one of the most beautiful women he had ever met and that you would grow up to look just like her." Meredith told her before meeting her gaze in the mirror.
"I don't know if it's true, I never saw your mother, but you are a very beautiful young woman." Meredith said with a smile, resting a hand on her shoulder. Ivy blushed lightly, grabbing her hand.
"Did father ever mention my brother?" Ivy ventured noticing the sudden change in Meredith. The faint joy that had been in her eyes quickly faded, sorrow and pain straining her face.
"I found a journal in my dad's study when looking for information on the bond I would need to undertake to become queen. I still am not sure about the bond; I am going to give it more thought after I accept Adam's proposal. But the journal mentioned that I had an older brother who passed away. I was just wondering if my father mentioned him at all." Ivy smudged the truth watching as Meredith worked through her thoughts, finishing Ivy's hair.
"No. He only spoke of you. If he had a son, he never mentioned it to me. Nor have I heard anything since I have been here. Though your father was old. Due to his bond with the mother tree, he was one of the oldest beings in the valley. It would not surprise me if he had many lovers or children in the early days of the kingdom." Meredith mumbled quickly, fastening Ivy's jewelry in place.
Ivy frowned at Meredith's reaction. She wasn't quite lying, but she was hiding something. A loud ringing sounded through the tree causing the two of them to pause.
"The ball has officially begun." Ivy sighed getting to her feet. She paused when Meredith touched her shoulder.
"Ivy..." Meredith started. Her stepdaughters' green eyes searching her face. She smiled gently, cupping her face. "You are stronger whole, than you will ever be divided. And I am not talking about your bond." Meredith told her as Ivy frowned.
"What are you talking about if not the bond?" Ivy asked as Meredith gave her a real smile, looping her arm through Ivy's and leading her out of the room. "No really." Ivy said again.
"When your heart and mind are divided you are vulnerable and weak. Doubt is rarely an accepted thing as a ruler. When your heart and mind are one, you acquire a strength worthy of the title of queen. The bond with the tree would only make you strong in the physical sense, but also I think it will grant you a perspective I never could." Meredith told her as Ivy considered it.
"But let us discuss this later. Your party... And fiancé, await." Meredith said coming to a stop. Stepping away as they stood behind the balcony doors that would open when they were announced to the ball guests. Ivy smoothed her dress nodding in agreement. They would continue this conversation later.
Right now though, as the doors opened allowing her to see the glittering lights and decorated ballroom, she smiled. The imported silks covered the walls blowing in the gentle breeze by the windows.
Ivy's smile faltered briefly as the sight reminded her of her father's study and the leather journal she left behind. But, as the servants announced them, Ivy stepped forward remembering what this night was really about. Soon Adam would propose, and Trayson would have its king.
Comments (0)
See all