A'lurejah: The Fae Princess

Chapter Six

    At dawn on the day of my  thirteenth birthday banquet, the gates were opened and all of the noble ladies and men were admitted entree into the castle.  Although the banquet did not start until that evening, the nobility were always brought in early, fed breakfast and lunch before they admitted the common folk.  The common folk were allowed into the ballroom and the great hall to mix and mingle with the nobility during these events, but were always admitted last.  Of the common folk, only the ones that were dressed nice enough were allowed inside the castle.  Last but not least, those who were of good stock but did not have the appropriate attire, the servants would bring them into the opposite side of the castle and allow them to pick from the “rags” that the nobles always brought with them, it was their way of giving back to the people. When the rags ran out, so did the common folk, for those who were not dressed nice enough were fed and sent on their way with a months supply of food, hygiene and other essentials that they might need. 

    I was fascinated at the goings on of the castle this day. I dressed in a simple day gown and joined my uncle in welcoming the Lords and Ladies into the great hall, where we would soon sit down to break our fast together. About a hundred of the noble Lord’s and Lady’s passed by, each bowing to the king, and the king nodding his head in return, I curtseyed everytime he would introduce me, as best as I could, and smiled sweetly.  Many of them had known my mother and passed their condolences to me, while others told me how much I reminded them of her. Uncle Albion was kind and pleasant with the families of the great houses that swore him fealty, but he was stiff and guarded and only as pleasant and polite as customs dictated him to be. 

    When the last of the noble houses had entered the great hall, Uncle Albion escorted me through the crowd and up to the large rectangle table at the head of the great hall.  The table was lifted up on a platform so that we could be seen by all, and so that we could see all. I was seated at Uncle’s right hand, Eramus at his left.   Silence fell across the hall as Uncle Albion raised his hands to say a few words before we sat down to eat.

    “First off, welcome back to Nah-Alba, noble Lords and Lady’s! How good it is to see your beautiful faces in the great halls of this empty castle again! For too long, I had closed off our walls to you, but never again will Nah-Alba be closed to you! I am opening trade with anyone who would like to begin trading with us again, I open up our borders for anyone who would like to come and visit us.  As long as everyone remembers, majick is f*******n here, then we will all get along splendidly. 

    Today is a celebration for my niece! The lone survivor of her family, today she turns twelve! Please join me in wishing her a long and healthy life!” 

    He raised his glass and the crowd shouted, “LONG LIVE PRINCESSES A’LUREJAH!” several times before falling silent again. 

    “Let the feasts begin!” As Uncle Albion shouted this, the servants began dishing food out amongst the crowd, starting at the great doors working their way towards the great table we sat at. 

    “Uncle, why do they call me their princess?”  I asked, “Is it common knowledge that Eramus isn’t yours?” I asked again.

“No, dear child, it is common knowledge that you are the daughter of my eldest sister.” He said, eyes twinkling in the candle light.

    My brow creased in confusion, “But aren’t you worried about an  uprising? A rebellion?” I asked again.

    “No, little one, for as long as you are here, by my side, taking part in the negotiations and taking part in the things that happen, they will be happy that you are learning matters of state so that one day, when the time comes, you can take your rightful place.  In their eyes, you were robbed of the opportunity to be who you are because your mother and father refused to allow you to come foster with me.” He said gently.

    I nodded my understanding, but somethings just weren’t lining up, they didn’t make sense. I dropped the matter for now, I would discuss these things with Eramus later, and I would have to have a conversation with Idhrenniel too, but for now, I tried to enjoy my banquet.  The food was exquisite, the best I’d ever had. Of course, until now, I was on a strict diet of proteins and calories to ensure that I got every ounce of strength I could get. 

    When the breakfast feast was over, Eramus escorted me into the crowd to mingle and get to know my subjects. He took me around the room twice before he pulled me out of the great doors and into the main hallway. 

    “Come with me, I have something I think that you would enjoy.” He said, smiling brightly. He led me off towards my mother’s rooms, but instead of going into the rooms, he took me into the smaller of the two great halls that the castle had.  There the tables were lined with beautiful clothes and dresses and shoes.

    “What is all this?” I asked him.

    “These are the rags that the nobles bring with them for the commoners that have nothing nice to wear, to change into for the banquet.  Every time my father throws a banquet, he requires that the nobles bring all the clothes that they no longer wear, all the clothes their children or grandchildren never wear any more.  We have never had so many clothes brought to a feast beforel.  We think it’s because it has been many years since the nobles were invited here.  They must have been saving their clothes all this time, some of them had entire carriages stuffed full of old clothes they never wear anymore.” Eramus explained.

    “And the nobles are okay with this?” I asked, baffled that they would be so generous.

    “They aren’t given a choice but to be okay with this. Father always believes that the best way to rule his people is by treating them every now and again.  He will throw another big feast at Christmas, and many of the noble families will bring home made dresses and clothes for the common folk.  Father’s attitude towards his people has become infectious, and the nobles use to really get behind this.” He smiled.

    “Eramus, was it just me or did everyone seem to be a bit on edge in there?” I asked.

    “Aye, they did that. It has been many years since many of them have been here, and many of them are the children of the noble families that used to come.  Most of them took it as a great personal offense that Father closed the borders and shut himself off in Nah-Alba for so long.” Eramus explained. “Father went a bit mad before he finally found Auntie Grayce, he closed the borders and refused to allow anyone enter or leave Nah-Alba, because he didn’t want Auntie Grayce to get away from here. And many of the great houses lost a lot of good business and a lot of ships because of it. See, Nah-Alba was the halfway point between where they are coming from, to where they are going.  Many of the ships that ported here did so to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their crews and passengers. When they were no longer allowed their week long stay, the crews and passengers got sick and they had to burn their ships and all cargo on them. Many of the great houses lost fortunes in the years that Father closed off the borders to them.” Eramus said.

    “Ach, now I understand.” I said, my confusion lifting.

    “Come this way, milady, unless you want to be trampled.” He said, “The commoners are about to be herded in here for their clothes.” He told me, as he ushered me forward to the front of the room.

    The great doors opened and lots of doe eyed people came inside, marveling at the sight that met their eyes. 

    “Right this way! Now, mind yer manners, and don’t be stingy! There’s plenty of this lot to go ‘round! Take yer time, and try things on, our seamstresses are on stand by for any adjustments that need to be made! Be patient and take yer time! OI! Listen up!” A maide-servant was screaming at the crowd of people.  “Now, anyone found pushing, pulling, spitting, biting, kicking, or otherwise causing disruptions will be escorted out of the castle empty handed!  If you all mind yer manners, and be kind ta one another, yeh’ll get to go to the banquet tonight!” She said, “Alright, slowly make yer way to the tables, childrens clothes are to my right, adult clothes to my left, mens straight down the middle!” She stood aside and allowed the crowd to come inside. 

    Excited as they were, the people were very civilized and kind to each other, if someone ooed and awed over a dress or pants suit that someone else was holding, they offered it to that person. I was amazed at how calm they all were, I watched in awe for a long time until I was interrupted. 

    “Ahem” someone cleared their throat close to me. “Begging yer pardon misstress, but, would you be so kind as to help me find me mum?” 

    I looked down and there before me was a small girl with yellow hair, wearing a beautiful white ball gown, I smiled at her, “Of course, what is her name?” I asked.

    “Me mum’s name’s Charlene.” She said.

    “And what is yer name?”

    She blushed and shuffled her feet a bit, “Amy” she said quietly. 

    “Well Amy, my name is Ary.” I held out my hand for her, “My friend and I will help you find yer mum, okay? Donna fash yerself, she’s here somewhere.” I assured her. I turned to Eramus who escorted me around the room while I listened to the thoughts of the minds around me.  Finally, when we got close to the seamstresses, I heard a frantic mother’s thoughts looking for her child. I began to call out, “Charlene? Is there a Charlene here?” 

    She came running towards the sound of my voice, looking scared and frantic at the same time.  Spotting the small child at my hand, she ran to me and embraced me. “Bless you, chid, bless you!” tears streamed down her face as she scooped up her daughter. “How can I ever repay yer kindness, child?” she asked, and then seeing my face for the first time she went straight to one knee. 

    “Please, don’t do that, stand up!” I said to her trying to get her to stand before other people saw, but it was too late, soon every single person was kneeling, heads bowed. I heard a child in the room saying “Mummy, what are we doing?” The mother replied, “It is custom to bow or kneel before royalty.”  Not knowing what to do, I looked to Eramus for support, for help, anything.

    “You may rise.” He spoke to the whole room, “Please, continue your search, we are here only to mingle and help.” He said kindly. The whole room rose and went back to their searching, whispers broke out amongst them all.

    “Shall we go and meet your people, milady?” Eramus asked me. I nodded and allowed him to lead me around and introduce me to the people. We spoke and visited with all of them, some of them twice.

    It was clear that the people thought that she had been cheated, that they believed that she should have been making her way to the throne long before now.  It was clear that they thought that my mother had been cheated, many of them still hated my uncle for running her out of the castle. 

    “He just wanted to throne to himself, his father was dying and his sister was weak, so he took the first opportunity to seize the throne!”

    “He didn’t even go looking for her, not for years after he was on the throne. The he went mad and closed us off to the trade that once made us a great kingdom! We who used to be wealthy, are now poor and reduced to rags, begging and living in the woods because our homes are unfit to live in.”

    The complaints went on and on, in great detail, my heart hurt for my people and I longed to soothe them, “Listen, the king and I are going to be in negotiations over the next few months getting the trade opened back up again. He has sent invitations to all the great houses and tradesmen from all over the world, and they will be staying here until we have signed contracts with them.  We will make Nah-Alba great again, just be patient and give us some time.” When I spoke, the whole room went silent, the servants nodded in approval and Eramus gave my arm a light encouraging squeeze. “Now, as far as your complaints about my Uncle and my mother, let bygones be bygones, let the past rest in the past where it belongs. Albion is your king, and no matter his transgressions, he has never been unkind to you.  A bit foolish perhaps, but never unkind. Look around you! Albion is the one who set this up for you, so that everyone would be allowed to join the celebrations today! I have heard your complaints, and I promise to look into each and every one of them!” I told the crowd of faces, they all looked at me like I was their savior.  “Albion is the king, and he will remain your king for many years yet, be kind to him and show him your forgiveness.” I pleaded with them.

    Later when Eramus and I excused ourselves so I could go get ready for the banquet later on that night, he turned and looked at me with adoration in his eyes, “When you spoke to them, you sounded like a true leader. You listened to their complaints, you gave them hope and you still pledged loyalty to Father. He would have been so proud of you!” Pride gleamed in his eyes as he left me at my room door, I was blushing crimson.

    “Little lady, you have done well today!” Idhrenniel beamed at me.

    I wrinkled my brow, confused, “What do you mean?” I asked.

    “I was in the hall with you and Eramus helping the people find clothes to wear, I heard the words you spoke, and so did your uncle. He left beaming with pride, he said ‘she will be a great ruler someday’.”  She smiled brightly at me as she began lifting my dress off of me. “Come soak in this hot water and salts, it will help ease your aches and make you ready for the banquet later. I will be back in a while to help you out and get you dressed.” She said as she helped me into the soaking tub.

    The hot water felt good, the steam from the water made my face sweat and cleansed my nose of all the strange smells from the day. I relaxed into the water and soon my eyes closed and I drifted into a peaceful nap. Sometime later Idhrenniel came in barking orders to someone, making me jump.

    “Ary, time to get dressed, the banquet starts in two hours and we have lots of work to do before then! Yer uncle wants you any earlier that we can get you there.” Idhrenniel came over and sat me up, washed my hair with honey and lavender, helped me out of the tub and dried me off. 

    I spent the better part of the next hour being stuffed into stockings, leggings, girdles and petticoats, until they finally had me so bogged down that I could barely move. Idhrenniel took my arm and led me to a mirror, I took one step on my bad leg and cried out in pain. 

    “It’s too heavy for me!” I told her frantically, “GET IT OFF!” I shouted. Frantic hands worked quickly to relieve me of the weight of the hoop.

    “The dress will work without the hoop, we will put on her a soft lightweight skirt and leggings to keep her legs from chafing.” Idhrenniel said as the other girls went to work in taking off the girdle and the stockings, leaving me in a thin silk night dress and leggings that compressed my legs just enough to relieve the pain of standing on them. Next came the dress, a large frilly purple and green dress with no sleeves, it was a modest covering of sheer lace over my chest up to my collar bone, with frilly lace of sheer purple and green flowing off the shoulders down to my elbows. I smiled at it, it was beautiful and flattering to me.  My eyes, which were turning a darker shade of violet, popped vividly in the dress. 

    “Ladies, thank you for your help, I will take over from here.” Idhrenniel said shooing the servants out the door and locking the door behind them.  “Do you like it, lass?” Idhrenniel asked.

    “No…” I told her, her face fell for an instant, I smiled big and said, “I love it! It’s so beautiful!” I hugged her tightly. “Thank you!” I whispered in her ear.

    “Well, there is no point in denying who yeh are, so might as well embrace it as best as we can without giving too much away.  The purple in yer eyes comes from yer mum, she had the most brilliant violet eyes I ever saw! Even as a child her eyes were shocking!” Idhrenniel beamed. “Now, I’ll do some coloring on yer face, just to even out the colors, and to make yer eyes pop even more, sit still and move when I tell yeh to and I’ll be done in a few minutes.” She said, beckoning me over to a bench.  Idhrenniel sat down in front of me and began brushing on different pallets of color onto my face.

    When she got done, I looked in the mirror, my face was flawless, my freckles still peeked through, but the blemishes and redness from the fire were no longer on my face. I marveled at her work, I looked as I had before the fire had scared my face. I smiled and tears shone in my eyes.    

    “No crying now! You’ll ruin my art work!” Idhrenniel said with tears of her own in her eyes. “Now, let’s do yer hair, and get yeh to the great hall!” She said smiling, beckoning me to sit on the bench once more. “I made yer dress in the colors of yer clan.” Idhrenniel told me, “Eramus came to me and asked me if I would make yer dress in these colors, he said that yer mum’s house color was green, and yer da’s was purple. He said that yer dress should have a cream backing to it, and the colors should be done of sheer lace in whisps to resemble a willow tree’s branches that sweep the ground beneath it.” Idhrenniel explained the design of the dress.  “When I asked him why, he said that you would understand and said nothing more on the subject, except that he would be here one hour before the feast to escort yeh to the great hall.” She looked as if she would explode of pride and happiness. 

    “Eramus has proved to be a good friend to me these last months, I am very grateful for his friendship.” I said. 

    “Would it be so bad if he was offering more ‘n just friendship, Ary?” She asked me kindly.

    “No, I suppose not, but I am not ready to think of those things just yet, I have so much happening right now, I donna have room in my heart or my head to consider such things.” I said truthfully.

    “Ary, you canna dwell on this sadness forever, one day you will wake up and find that the world has moved on and left you behind if yer not careful.” She told me, her voice thick with emotion, eyes motherly.

    “I know, Idhrenniel, I know. I am trying to move past it, but the grief is still so fresh on my heart, it is like a gaping wound that gushes blood everywhere all the time. I fear that I will bleed dry if it doesna stop soon!” I confessed.

    “I know it does, little one, but I promise you, it does get easier to carry this burden of grief.” She said, a sadness shone in her eyes so brightly that I was taken aback.

    “You’ve lost loved ones, haven’t you?” I said suddenly.

    “Ach, many of them, I watched my whole tribe being butchered right after Albion decreed that all majick was outlawed, before we were able to go into hiding. The humans, guards and mercenaries alike, hunted us down deep into the forest and slaughtered my whole tribe.  My family died, and what was left of us, children, were taken into captivity as servants, we were sold to the highest bidder and worked until we were allowed freedom. Many of us worked our whole lives for our master’s while the rest of us were bought by a fair and kind owner, after we worked for twenty years, educated and learned different trades, we were freed and sent off into the world in our human disguises. My husband, Jhona, lost his tongue because he was accused of lying, the punishment for lying was to lose a tongue.” She said sadly. “I have seen many deaths, and I have had my fair share of troubles. I know for a fact that if you just stop, then the world will keep spinning and yuh’ll be left behind, begging for whatever scraps yeh can get, until one day you pick yerself up, dust yerself off and move on.” She told me, wisdom shining in her eyes.

    I nodded my understanding to her and we slipped into a comfortable sort of silence. Her experienced hands braided my hair and left strips of it out here and there to make it look like my dress, with wisps of hair falling like a willow tree down my face on both sides. When she was done there was a deft knock on the door. I suddenly felt very nervous, my hands began to shake. Idhrenniel took hold of my hands and smiled kindly at me.

    “Take courage, child, you have already met everyone, now you get to go show off for them all.” She said.