The two women turn towards the end of the hall. It takes a few seconds, but the moment he steps past the pillar and the sunlight disappears from his face, Prince Hammun's face is seen. His black hair lightly curled from the humidity of the day as it lays atop his shoulders. Prince Hammun's crown is decorated with a gold tree branch wrapped around a grapevine. He received it after drafting peace between the Nevalvn and Aidkjeen kingdoms, and that was how he became engaged to Hestia. The daughter from the Nevalvn Kingdom. Hammun managed to keep her kingdom safe from upcoming war, his crown is decorated from the grapevine native to her kingdom and the branch to represent strength.
He and his guards reach the women and Hammun smiles at his fiancee. Reaching up he brushes at the powder in her hair with a confused expression. Then focusing his attention on Aaleyah, "Is there any update?"
Bowing slightly, "The king immediately entered the room almost an hour ago," shaking her head, "There has been no update."
Prince Hammun nods and looks at the door. "At times like this no new information is good," he says refraining from voicing his thoughts with his worried fiancee present.
Aaleyah motions for him to step to the side so she can speak away from Hestia and the guards ears, "The queen and I had tea together, and after took a walk in the garden. She was smelling flowers when there seemed to be some allergic reaction, the poison in her side flared up once more, and she collapsed to the ground. Leelin and I discreetly walked her back to her chambers and there her veins darkened, it was as if the poison was moving within her body. She was in pain and demanded the king's presence. When I sent for the physicians I said the queen had an allergy." She bows in apology, "I am aware that my disruption in the king's meeting is hard to untangle, but there was no other way."
Hammun raises his hand to pause her words, "It is not just me who will have to untangle this," despite the situation he wears a small smile, "My Sun Sister will be helping me. The members of the meeting travelled far and wide, we must finish it as soon as possible."
"Tomorrow?"
Hammun nods, "Signing this peace treaty is of most importance, but it will not be a swift decision. Many who traveled made arrangements for four weeks."
"That is practically a moon."
Hammun keeps his gaze on his fiancee who bounces on her toes staring anxiously at the door, "Peace does take time."
Smiling as well, her gaze returns to the door of the queen's chambers, "There has been no update on the queen's condition since the king entered."
Hammun nods, "Yes we will discuss more in detail soon," he says, already returning to Hestia's side. "My princess, I know you are worried, but I assure you all will be well." Hammun takes Hestia's hands in his own, stopping her from pulling at strands of her hair.
Waiting a beat to allow the young couple to have their moment of peace, Aaleyah looks down the hall. Which direction will Saan come from? Will it be from the stables? Or will he run through the palace from the main gate?
Turning back to Hammun, "May I ask if you are aware of the arrival of High Prince Saan?"
Hammun smirks and shakes his head. "I was hunting with them, but with my lack of skills my brother thought it best I go." Lowering his voice, "As the kingdom mediating the peace treaty we should show no weaknesses." He pats Hestia's hand, "My skills are much more useful at the school of Ahlin. High Princess Aaleyah," he soothingly calls, "There are no doubts that the moment my brother hears the message he will arrive at a speed only he can muster." Adding a lighter tone to his voice, "Possibly jumping from the horse and coming straight here. One can only hope that he has no time to catch prey and will not be covered in the blood from the carcass he is always intent on carrying himself." Shaking his head, "If we are lucky he will leave his weapons with his guard and not come through the hall carrying it like a raider."
Aaleyah's stoic face cracks a smile, "Prince Hammun you must not speak of your brother in this way," she weakly reprimands. As brilliant as Saan is, he never seems to care about cleaning up after hunting. Never seems to be in a rush to be clean. When they were children she can recall their times in the garden. A warm autumn night she had called for him to meet her by the water fountain to talk about her brother's birthday. He was so excited to meet her he ran without his crown, and his long black hair undone. Aaleyah can still recall the feel of his hair between her fingers as she sat at the edge of the fountain pulling it back and tying it with a ribbon from her dress.
"Yes he has been like this for as long as I can remember." Hestia says, her jump into the conversation pulling Aaleyah out of her reminiscing. Clasping Aaleyah's hand, "You do not have to worry, he is always fast when it comes to those he loves."
Hammun nods, "It may be wise to already have the workers draw a bath for him," he says with a smile.
Nodding, all heads turn to the door that opens and the king steps out and nods his head.
That is all the acknowledgement Hestia needs before she is rushing into the queen's chambers. Hammun makes to follow but is stopped by his father.
"Hammun," his eye connect with his son, "after you see your mother come see me in the south wing." His eyes trail from the door to his left, and his son, "We will have much to discuss."
Hammun bows, as he walks inside he hears his father tell his Sun Sister to follow him down the hall.
Inside Hammun watchesHestia rushes through the chamber to the Queen's bedside. Her feet trip over a rug, and it is his strong hand gently catching her that prevents her from falling. Rushing around the tea table Hestia leans towards the queen's bed. Her hands reached onto the soft blankets for the queen's hand. "Moon Mother," her tight voice calls out, tears already swinging on the rims of her eyes. "Your health is nothing to fret, right? There is no need to worry?" she asks, desperately seeking comfort from the woman who has been a second mother to her from the moment she stepped foot in the Aidkjeen kingdom. Her small chin trembles and Hammun squeezes her shoulder in comfort. "Please be alright. I am unable to do anything but worry for you." Tears slowly escape her eyes, thin wet trails making a path on her tan cheeks. "We waited outside your door for what seemed to be an eternity" Squeezing the queen's hand tightly more tears fall, and her voice cracks, "While waiting all I could think of is what I would do if I lost you. And… and, I could think of nothing," her shoulders shake with sobs. Hestia's head falls atop of the hand she holds and she releases all of her fear and stress.
Hammun rubs his fiancee's back with one hand, and with the other reaches for the bedside table to pour a cup of water. "Mother please drink," he urges while gently moving Hestia away so his mother can sit up.
The queen of Aidkjeen Kingdom renowned for her beauty, and youthfulness has hundreds of statues or paintings of her throughout the kingdom. The image the kingdom knows has the queen's long brown hair tied and held up in signature red clips. Red earrings hang from her ears. Most images of the queen are of her standing in front of scrolls. The image portrays her holding a scroll citing the philosophies of mankind. The queen urging everyone to learn how to treat others, and to learn how to treat oneself.
The queen from the statues and painting, is not however the one Hammun sees laying in bed currently. His mother's hair is not clipped up. Instead it lays in disarray around her shoulders. Strips of grey are not hidden with jewels and clips. Her dark brown eyes, compassionate but very tired. The lashes blink over the brown orbs slowly fighting each time to open. Her body moves so slowly and weakly that Hammun has to assist her in drinking the water.
As Hammun aids his mother to sit up, Hestia wipes her tears away and helps to position the pillows behind the queen so she can rest on them.
The pain in the queen's abdomen flares slightly, and Hammun notices immediately, his movements slowing to a snails' pace as he helps adjust her sitting position. When the blanket drops down Hammun is quick to notice the bandaging that is wrapped on the outside of the queen's robes.
Once she is positioned carefully against the pillows Hammun moves the blanket back up to cover her, and hands the water back to her, his hands wrapping around his mother's to help her drink.
Holding back her tears Hestia asks in confusion, "Why is the bandaging over the clothes?" Her gaze moves from Hammun's to the queen's.
Hammun rushes to think of a response. Hestia is not aware that his mother was poisoned through an attack. She was told the queen consumed poison. Telling Hesita would only make her feel guilty. The peace treaties are for the safety of her kingdom and people, the attack was most likely to prevent the peace talks from happening. He hesitates on what to say, before his fiancee came to the kingdom as a princess she was studying the pharmaceutical sciences, the lie must not be obvious.
The queen moves the blanket, my stomach has been hurting, the tightening over my stomach helps."
Hammun holds his breath. His mother is most likely bleeding from the open wound and requested the wrapping on the outside of her clothes so Hestia would not see it, but will Hestia believe the lie?
Hestia stares at the blanket, "I see…" she replies rubbing her chest in thought, "Hammun, is it only water?" she asks inspecting the cup trying to see the liquid inside. "No herbs? Nothing more? If it is a stomachache there are numerous liquids that can aid with pain."
Hammun exhales in relief. Tea is Hestia's specialty, she can talk to the physicians to ensure nothing will go against the medicine the queen is taking before brewing the tea. Then she can rush to the garden to whip up a brew that can help his mother sleep through the night.
The queen motions for Hammun to move the cup away, her eyes warming as she turns to her daughter in law. "Hestia, my sweet daughter," her hand beckons Hestia forward to a spot on the bed, "I knew you would come. Sit my child."
Hestia trips as she makes her way to the bedstairs, and once again Hammun catches her, his hand falling to her waist to help up the three steps to reach the bed. When both women are settled, he walks to retrieve a warmer blanket for them. Covering them he stands silently at the side, his calculating eyes full of worry and concern.
"Hestia, erase this look of worry," the queen tells Hestia, but her eyes travel to Hammun, and he forces a small smile. "Hestia, while I may be unable to come help you in the garden for a few nights, perhaps you can have Hammun take my place. He can grant you company in my stead," the queen gently coaxes. Despite her injury she still hopes for the youngest royal couple to spend more time together and grow in their love.
Hestia giggles and after checking that her movements do not startle the queen, she snuggles by her side.
Hammun's sharp eyes note the tight clenching of his mother's hands. Her eyes that are red, and the paleness of her skin. He takes a few steps away to the vanity to grab a hair brush and walks to the other side of the bed to brush his mother's scrambled hair into place. Tying it in a loose braid he lets it fall to cover the dark vein on the back side of her neck. His eyes turn murderous, and his hand clenches the hairbrush. Hopefully his brother can punish the people who have done this. He turns to Hestia and it is only then that he realizes he has not been listening to anything being said.
"I will make it like that," Hestia pats the queen's hand lightly. "You need a full night of sleep to truly recover. We cannot expect you to join me in the garden if you are unable to rest. You must be able to see the flowers we planted bloom," she tells the queen, her voice giving off the impression that she is trying hard not to cry. As if, with one pause, tears will fill her eyes once more. Hammun watches her turn to him with a teasing smile, "I also doubt your son has the skills of a gardener." Rising from the bed her teasing smile morphes into an appreciating one when Hammun helps her down.
Hestia turns to face the queen, "I will run to the royal physician to speak to him first, then I will return to check on you. I will make the best tea so you can sleep through the night," she explains before walking towards the door. A small shake of her head to tell Hammun not to come with her.
Not wanting to leave his mother's side, Hammun can only sigh. "Have Musinm follow you. Ease some of my worry," he requests calmly. Recalling seeing her in the hallways with not a guard at her side.
With a soft smile, Hestia walks out the door. Hammun can hear her call for Musinm to follow and he releases a breath of relief.
Turning his focus to the queen, "Mother," he pauses in his step, unsure what to say first. "What has happened to you? What poison is this? I thought it was healing." He moves the braid that covers the darkened veins. "There is an antidote, correct? This was just a bad reaction with a different plant?" his calm voice reaches its limits, and worry sneaks out from under the syllables.
The soft, kind hearted woman who was speaking to Hestia with a smile on her face fades. Her mask cracks and the grimace in pain is shown. The nails embedded onto the back of her hand reveal how tightly she clenched to hold the pain away from Hestia's eyes. "Your father is doing all that he can. As of now the pain is lessened, the bleeding has stopped." She inhales sharply, and Hammun's breath hitches along with his mother's. His hand reaches to help, but not knowing how, it returns to his side. "Hammun, this poison is not one we know of. We lack knowledge of its origins." Her hand grabs for her son, "Your father believes it is the Stilits," her words stagger, "they have reasons to want me dead."
Hammun places his hand over his mother's.
"But, I do not know if they have rounded up enough strength to do this. What resources do they have? Who is funding them? Without this information it is not wise to move against them," she tells him.
Hammun nods, he is aware more than anyone, the enemies within the kingdom. The politicians are corrupt, the officials are harming the common people. The treasury is full of jewels, but there are some every Blue moon that go missing, unaccounted for.
"Hammun, your father believes they are coming," in a brittle voice, "This treaty is to be proactive, attempt to gain allies, tie the hands of potential enemies. But you must promise me," her weak hand tightens against Hammun's arm. "If anything happens to me, you must tell Aaleyah to follow her heart. She must trust her own instinct. She is the last of the Aljehni family and she is wiser than she believes."
Hammun tilts his head in confusion, his hand caressing his mother's, coaxing her back to a calm state. Pondering his words carefully, "What is it you believe Aaleyah can do to help you?" his voice modulates, but before his mother can respond the door opens.
Aaleyah follows the king down the hall. She was confused when King Hammaan sent one of the guards to order High Prince Saan to return to her chambers first, but reading his face she confirms her suspicions. The king will order her to talk to her husband.
Reaching the queen's study the king motions for Aaleyah to enter first. Inside she stands motionless and watches the king take a seat. His hand motions to the chair to the right of him. His silent command to sit.
Lowering herself into the chair she keeps her face expressionless.
"Aaleyah," he calls her informally, his way of easing the tension. Now it is not the king talking to the high princess, but a father speaking to his daughter. "You are aware how the queen was injured," he says gravely. "Someone poisoned her, and it is the poison from the wound that caused her to collapse this morning. I know seeing that must have been hard. You may have felt helpless at that moment."
Aaleyah says nothing, keeping her eyes on the king. Watching every action, every inhale, every movement for what will happen next. Will he strike her? Surely there is a punishment coming.
"I ask that you take this into consideration when you speak to Saan about the stone," King Hammaan tells her with tired eyes.
His comment confuses her. Whatever the king orders can never be taken into consideration. A king's command is law.
"The idea of using the stone to stop the rebels before they become stronger is a decision I will need both of you to make. The rebels are organizing themselves, if word gets out that the queen has been injured the next course of actions may trickle into a war," he advises her. When Aaleyah does not respond the king sighs, "I will not force you to do anything you do not wish to Aaleyah."
Hearing those words Aaleyah focusses her gaze on the crown on the king's head, avoiding his earnest compassionate eyes. The only reason she is here is because of her family's stone. Because she is an Aljehni, the stone is the symbol of her family, she wears it on her crown, it is tattooed onto her skin. There is no escape from it. She has always been forced. 'One Aljehni must remain standing.' There is a stray though she suddenly wonders. The king did not call her Aljehni, he called her Aaleyah, as if she had an identity outside of her duty.
"You are an Aljehni, your family has been advisors to the throne for generations, and your input is just as valuable as my sons," the king goes on not knowing of her confusion. "I understand your fears Aaleyah. I know you think I do not but I do. I know the weight of your name. And the toll the stone has been on you and your family." He makes to reach for her hand but before he can Aaleyah places her hands on her lap. "You are married to the future king. You Aaleyah Aljehni will be the future queen. The throne is a lonely place, if the person at your side can not keep your heart and mind safe then the throne will swallow you up and spit you out. To have someone at your side, there should be no secrets. It is time my son learns all of who you are. He should know of the Aljehni history, and should know the significance of the stone on your crown, and its value to the kingdom." In a softer tone he adds, "Even if I do not."
After those words Aaleyah bows her head, an action to show her accepting the order she is being given. She is aware of her duty, and already has been isolating her emotions and locking them away with the memories. That is how she can put the lives of the people first. Her thoughts and feelings do not matter, the stone does. Therefore any decision made involving it must only be made with logic. "This one understands," she diplomatically answers. Then rising from her chair she kneels, "This humble servant apologises for entering your court."
The king laughs heartily, and in shock Aaleyah lifts her head. King Hammaan's brown eyes glisten as he rubs his forehead suddenly, seeming less burdened than before. Aaleyah drops her collapsed hands not sure how to respond.
"Oh Aaleyah all my Blue moons on the throne I have never seen anyone as brazen as you. To be filled with such bravery, but still somehow show poise and grace amongst all the gossip." Smiling widely, "I wonder if my reputation is too gentle."
Aaleyah lowers herself to rest on her heels trying to comprehend the situation. The crime she has committed is being met with, laughter? Not the political laughter to be respectful but true laughter? Laughter that she has not seen from the king since her family passed. King Hammaan does not have the freedom to feel joy and happiness the way High Prince Hammaan once did. There was a time where Aaleyah was sure a part of the king blamed her for the revolt. So when she returned to the palace she was hoping to receive the king's forgiveness. Actions not easy considering her connection with the death of his father.
The life of politics is a terrifying thing, and if not for King Hammaan adopting different beliefs from his father the present that is the Aidkjeen kingdom would be so different. Nevertheless King Hammaan can easily use her actions today to get rid of her. Or maybe he will just wait for a better time? Does he think she will break more laws in the future?
"Aaleyah," the king calls her, "you have grown so much. Gone is the energetic girl who refused to study and cried to play with her brothers instead. Have you even gone riding with Saan recently?"
Not understanding the shift in conversation, where they not here to discuss important matters? "This one went a moon ago."
"A moon is a long time, surely your horse will miss you after four weeks," the king says, watching the tension on Aaleyah's shoulders slowly recede. "The revolt almost a Red moon ago stole your childlike innocence and matured you in a way that must have been painful to endure." He leans closer to her, "Aaleyah, the queen's attack, the crimes in Nevalvn, the Trivplah's actions," he sighs, "with your experience you have become the perfect person to stand at my son's side."
Aaleyah can feel her eyes widening in confusion. Rarely does the king jump from one topic to the next. For the most part his thoughts are always linear. Maybe his worry for the queen has him jumbled. Or is this a test? Should she ask for her punishment? Or maybe the punishment is his majesty's recap of her family and how they are no longer here. She would rather receive lashes instead.
"Scholar Havil and General Aminah would have raised you to be as bright and beautiful as you are now. Possibly around three Red moons you would be strong enough to bear the weight of your destiny." He frowns, "I am ashamed to say that it was my own father that forced you to learn the darkness of the world so early. Ten Red moons ago you were four Blue moons away from being of age. While children play, sing and learn instruments you were forced to experience cruelty. Maybe you think me cruel as well, but High Princess Aaleyah,"
Hearing her title Aaleyah rises on her knees once more, "Yes, your majesty."
"I advise you not to make a habit of breaking the law again. This time I will grant grace, Saan will be present when we decide your punishment."
Aaleyah's racing heart slows hearing those words. Whatever the punishment, if Saan is present it will not be too cruel.
"Although," the king continues and Aaleyah tenses. "I think you should visit the School of Ahlin. Aaleyah Aljehni's musicality is still greatly admired. Many would love to see you dance once more."
Talking to the king today is like sinking in sand. Every time she thinks it is the end, somehow she does not die. But when she feels peace, she trips and drowns again. Xeyn danced, Aaleyah would rather die than do it again.
"This one will follow his majesty's order," she obediently responds.
With a smile the king rises his way of closing the conversation. Extending his hand to her she rises from her spot, knelt on the floor and follows the king to the door.
"Saan will arrive soon, speak to him before seeing the queen." He knocks on the door and the guards on the other side open it, and with a light tap on her head he leaves.
Exiting a few paces behind him Aaleyah spares one last glance down the hall to the queen's chambers. One last moment studying the king's retreating form. Then she turns on her heel in the opposite direction of the queen's chambers.
The walk to her chambers is slow, purposefully making herself seem leisurely. The servants she passes smile and bow. Grinning wider when she acknowledges their actions.
Aaleyah keeps her head held high, a smile of ease on her face. Now that she seems alright everyone around her can breathe a sigh of relief. Whatever danger, or crisis there was is now successfully avoided, her smile says so.
Reaching her chambers a servant opens the door for her and she walks in, the smile leaving her face when she is safe within her own walls.