Hail the Dragon Enchantress

Chapter 7: Prosperity!

~Queen Regina’s P. O. V.~

I woke up in the arms of my betrothed. He passed every test I gave him. I can move on and begin to love the man I am next to. He didn’t make me feel uneasy. Or unwanted. I honestly thought giving him an egg would have been my final answer. But it wasn’t the egg. It was my people. They bowed to him and helped him understand our ways. He was more interested in learning than just being next to me. I can finally stop living in my past. I smiled to myself. Tanwen. An interesting name. We will hold that ceremony later on. I rose from the bed quietly and put on my robe. Taking the small bell, I opened the door and rang it once. I needed to get ready for the day. It didn’t take long before my seamstresses came in with a folding door. I put my fingers to my lips as they got to work. One of them noticed my smile and looked at the king.

Are we going to be expecting a little prince? She wrote on a piece of paper. I shook my head.

We did nothing of the sort. However, we are going to be in the same bed from now on. He proposed to me two nights ago. They got all giddy but were able to keep it quiet.

And is he to be our king next? Another wrote. I nodded. Again, they held each other in excitement.

We have no date as of yet. But he did select his dragon yesterday. Can you bring in my mother when you are finished? They nodded and finished with their work. I felt it rude to leave the room when he wasn’t awake.

Mother walked in and closed the door silently. She took a seat in one of the cushioned chairs. Mother, can you please set up a Hatching Ceremony for tonight? Clint found his dragon. My smile only got wider as I wrote that. Handing it to her, I saw her jaw slack and a smile spread on her cheeks.

Of course, dear. Does this mean what I think it does? She eyed me flirtatiously.

I took the paper from her. It does. I have accepted his proposal. He wants to hold it again in front of the kingdom.

She looked surprised but happy at the same time. What is the wait then?

I shook my head and wrote the reason. He wants me to be absolutely sure that I want to marry him. Oh, mother, I do want to marry him. He is the first to pass my tests, not only like a scholar would, but as a king would.

She gave me a hard stare. Those tests again, Regina? I shouldn’t be surprised. But I can’t be unhappy that you finally have chosen someone.

I feel guilty now for doing so. I apologize, mother. Nithe seems to adore him too. And he has been very gentle with me. He’s interested in our culture more than just our dragons and all that they hold. Her smile returned again. I am falling for him, mother. I spent one day with him and he already has my heart.

She gently took the paper from me. I am very happy for you, dear. Don’t make him wait too long, though. I have seen men waste away for a woman. I nodded and reassured her. Now, I will go and prepare for the ceremony. Breakfast is ready when you are. Good luck, daughter. She stood and kissed my cheek before silently leaving.

The sun rose and the roosters croaked loudly. I heard Clint tossing and turning. I faced his direction and just smiled happily. I know it’s a hastened proposal, but I want to marry him. I had no more doubts in my mind. When he got up, he smiled at me.

“How long has my queen been awake?” He asked with a jester's smile.

I got up from the chair and sat next to him. “No more than an hour.” I leaned down and softly kissed him. “Your queen has made a decision.” He returned the kiss.

His eyes held wonderment. “Pray tell.”

“I am ready to be all yours.” I told him. “Before the ceremony for your dragon hatching starts, I want you to ask me again.”

He looked at me with surprise. “Are you certain, Regina?” I nodded. “Once we make the contract, it will bind us both.” He warned.

I leaned against him. “Clint. I want this. I am in a clear head. I want you.” I closed my eyes. His arm was wrapped around me. It felt good to be held like this. “I want to marry you.”

He started stroking my arm. “Truth be told, my queen.” He started to say. My worries came flooding to my mind. “We are already behind.” He chuckled. “Most betrothals from a king to a queen are not long betrothals. We should have wedded yesterday. In most kingdoms customs. But your kingdom is not most.”

I sat up and kissed him again. “I will call the kingdom to order. And I will give this back to you for the whole kingdom to see.” I took off the ring and placed it back in its box. Handing the box back to my future king. “I’ll see you in an hour when I accept your proposal again.” Kissing him one last time before leaving his bed chambers. My heart was aflutter. He was truly a great man worthy of my hand. He proved that yesterday. He is correct, though. An accepted proposal from a king to a queen should have seen them wedded the next day. That was every kingdom's custom, including our own. Why did it not happen? I wanted to give it time. He wasn’t accustomed to our ways and finding his dragon was of more importance.

I called upon my town crier and had her gather everyone in the main courtyard in front of the palace. She was very quick too. Her steed and her midsized bell were making quite the commotion. I could hear her voice ringing and calling people to gather in front of the castle. I let myself laugh a little at her enthusiasm. She knew what was about to happen. I looked out my window and saw the giant fire being set up and a pillar being made. So much in just one day. Yet, I was joyful about it all. My seamstresses came into my bed chambers and put a new dress on me. Looking at the clock tower, I knew it was about time. I steadied my nerves and held my head high as I walked to the largest balcony we have. I look upon my ancestors' portraits and I cannot help the pleasure I had on my face. Every great king and queen were on these walls.

I met Clint at the doors to the balcony. I could hear our subjects just outside. “Ready, my queen?” I looked at his handsome face, placing a hand on his cheek.

“I am.” The doors opened. We walked out together.

The people went silent as Clint raised his hand. I can see all of their smiling faces. “My future subjects! It is with great honor that I have come to know you all!” He made his voice ring out. Facing me next. “To know your wonderful, generous, kind-hearted queen has been the utmost of pleasures.” He held out his hand. I took it. “This lovely woman before me deserves the world and more.” He got on one knee and pulled out the box. I heard gasps and whispers. “Queen Regina, the first in her name of the Isle of Shora. I bow before you not as king. As a humble man who sees you for the queen you are. I ask for your hand in matrimony. Will you be my queen, my future and my heart?”

The tears were welling up in me again. I had to breathe. “King Clint, the first in his name of the Great European Kingdom of Einhelm. I, Queen Regina of Shora, accept your marriage proposal.” My voice cracked with happiness. He placed the ring back on my finger. The kingdom cheered and celebrated like a thunderous roar.

We sealed the promise with a kiss. It wasn’t a small kiss, either. It was a kiss of wanting. We pulled away, leaving ourselves breathless. “Shall we?” I was confused. “The Hatching Ceremony, love.” I almost forgot about that. We faced our subjects. “Are you happy?”

I leaned against him and hummed a little. “I am. I am very happy right now.”

The day went by like lightning before thunder. Gifts from our people were pouring in like sand. I had to ask the guards to take them to a spare room. I pitied them, but I also found myself being amused by them. Eventually, night fell and it was time to hatch Tanwen. Clint and I headed back to the hatchery to collect the egg. When we exited the building, our subjects were making merry and drinking pints of mead. The children played and danced to music. They also ran up to Clint.

“King Clint!” One girl attached herself to his leg. “Is it true that you and Queen Regina are getting married?” She was blushing.

He had her let go of him for him to get to her level. “It is. She is going to be my queen. And I am her king.”

The little girl blushed harder and looked a little jealous. “But I wanted to keep you…” This girl couldn’t have been more than 6 years of age. Clint patted her head gently.

He smiled warmly at her. “I will always be around, little one. You are part of my people now. I look after my people.”

This seemed to satisfy her. “Promise?”

Clint held out his hand for her to take. “I promise.” She didn’t take his hand, but hugged him. He returned her embrace. It was adorable watching him with the kids. He would make a wonderful father one day. He saw me staring at him. “Is ought amiss?” I shook my head.

Taking his hand in mine. “Just thinking about you being a fantastic father one day.”

He was blushing and smiling. “You humble me, my queen.”

The rest of the evening was filled with dancing, food and mead. Until it was time to place his egg on the coal. It didn’t take long for that dragon to hatch. And what a sight he was. His main color was green, but he had onyx gems dotted everywhere on his scales. They were shining in the glow of the fire. He had 2 long horns that resembled deer antlers. His wings were a sight to behold. The shape of his wings were butterfly-like but they were feathered. His eyes were completely glowing white too. I saw a silver stripe going from his jaw all the way to the tip of his tail. I look back at the adult dragons and the only one not bowing her head was Nithe. The other dragons saw him as their king.

My mother came forward and addressed the people. “You queen and king have their dragons. In 10 days, we will hold the wedding ceremony. Bring your finest clothing and wares. For in 10 days we will be celebrating my daughter and her chosen king!” The kingdom cheered once again.

I was confused as to why such a long wait. “I need to bring my family here, Regina.” Clint said to me with a chuckle. “I am giving my little brother the kingdom. He will be overjoyed.” I nodded and leaned against him. Smiling on this prosperous day. Tanwen came over to us and started biting into Clint’s long hair.

I took a finger and pressed it against his nose. “Leave it be, little one.” He dropped the hair strands and curled on Clint’s neck.

Clint looked down at me. “That was impressive. If I didn’t know any better, I would say that you are my secret enchantress.” He lifted my gaze and placed a soft kiss on my lips. “I would like to have you tonight, my queen.” He paused and searched my eyes. “I am saddened that it must wait until after our wedding.”

I got a mischievous grin. I leaned into his ear. “Or we just wait for the night before. It would only be a few hours ahead.” I lightly tugged on his ear with my teeth. His arm held my waist.

He growled a little. “Taunting you king. Naughty, naughty.” He kissed me again with passion. That was the perfect ending to a wonderful day and a harmonious night.