Fire and Ice

CHAPTER 19

Joselyn and Marcus walked arm in arm to the training grounds. They arrived to find Rowan training his men as well as King Leon. Rowan turned to see them walking toward him, “There you two are. Joselyn you know we have to train.” Joselyn was still beaming from her engagement, “I know Rowan, I apologize for my tardiness.” The softness in her voice along with her apology made Rowan raise an eye and King Leon hold up his hand to the man he was training with. He looked at them arm in arm and noticed a ring on Joselyn’s finger with a particularly familiar green stone. “I don’t believe it. You two are engaged.” King Leon said. “Well now you know the need for the stone father.” Joselyn was still holding on to Marcus and both couldn’t stop smiling at each other. Rowan began clapping his hands in a congratulatory manor, “Queen Joselyn is engaged” he yelled. The rest of the guards joined in with Rowan as he clapped. “I never thought I would see the day she would accept a proposal.” King Leon looked at both of them, “Well, come and give me a hug. My closest ally and my son are engaged.” All three embraced each other while Rowan stood to the side smiling. Joselyn put her hand out and motioned for him to join in. He had been her closest friend since she took the throne. King Leon stepped away, “Now why is it that you chose Marcus here after turning every other man down?” Joselyn smiled at Leon, “Marcus is different from any other man I know. He still managed to capture my heart while I was trying to prevent it. He uses his heart and his head, much like you Leon.” King Leon beamed with pride as tears rimmed his eyes. He was so proud to hear the description of his son, and from Joselyn no less. It made him even happier to hear Joselyn say Marcus was like him. “Well, after all this war business we will have a proper celebration. You both need to start training, and I need to resume mine before Rowan has another fit on me.” Rowan shook his head, “I didn’t have a fit on you Leon, you had bad form while swinging your sword; I simply corrected it.” Leon grunted as he had already began training with his sword against a guard, “You call it correcting, I call it a fit.” Rowan took Joselyn to the targets with the other archers. The last target was for her. “Start with this, and use your knives as well. Afterward we will move to swords.” Joselyn picked up a bow and arrow, “Where is Marcus going to be during the war?” Rowan knew this question was coming, “It turns out he is talented with a bow as well, so he will be with you and the other archers.” Joselyn smiled, “Why isn’t he practicing with me.” Rowan smiled, “I placed him on sword first so you two can actually focus on the tasks at hand.” Joselyn smiled as she pulled back on her bow and let an arrow fly, “Understood.”

The day had been long, and everyone was tired. It was dinner time but Joselyn, Marcus, and Leon could barely hold their heads up. They had trained hard the rest of the day. Rowan didn’t allow slacking on any of their parts. They all sat down at the dinner table with some hushed grumbling. “Now the training wasn’t that bad. The guards go threw it everyday.” Rowan said half laughing. King Leon just looked at him but could only muster a glaring look. Their dinners were served, but there wasn’t much conversation. A messenger walked in with an envelope, “Pardon me my Queen, this message has just arrived.” Joselyn managed to set up straight and tried not to look tired, “Please come in.” Joselyn said as she held her hand out for the envelope. The messenger gave her the envelope, bowed, then quickly left. Joselyn read the message, then revealed its contents to the rest of the table. “King Henry and King Aaron will both be arriving tomorrow at dinner. We will need to push dinner further ahead to get the formalities out of the way. Rowan you will need to figure out what you want to do with their guards.” Joselyn was exhausted, she laid her head down on the dining room table. Marcus grabbed her hand, “Joselyn, let me walk you up to your chambers. You had a long day and tomorrow will be just as long. It’s important for you to show your strength tomorrow in front of King Henry and King Aaron.” Joselyn squeezed Marcus’s hand, “Of course, you’re right.” Joselyn stood up and took Marcus’s arm, said a quick goodnight to Leon and Rowan then was led upstairs to her chambers. Leon looked at Rowan, “I don’t think I have ever seen them so happy.” Rowan didn’t have to think, “I know I’ve never seen her this happy. I just hope her happiness isn’t misconstrued as weakness.” King Leon gave a small grunt as if he had been thinking the same thing. “We will have to see tomorrow.” Both men bid each other goodnight and went to their chambers.

Marcus walked with Joselyn to her chambers, opened the heavy doors, and walked her in. “Take this dress off of me.” Marcus’s eyes went up, but he knew she was exhausted. He tried as quickly as he could to pull her dress off. She was only wearing the thin gown she trained in. Marcus pulled the gown over her head to reveal her undergarments and knives that were strapped to her thighs. He removed her knives and placed them on her nightstand. He waited for her to go into her closet, remove her undergarments, then place on a nightgown. Instead, she went straight to the bed and got under the covers. “Marcus, will you lay with me until I fall asleep.” He smiled and quickly got into bed next to her. He could tell she wasn’t far from sleep as he ran his fingers across her face. “Marcus, you know I have to show strength tomorrow.” He knew she would have to show she was capable of leading even though she had become engaged. It would have been better to announce the engagement after the war, but she didn’t want to. Now, she had to prove she is still the strong Queen who King Henry and King Aaron pledged their loyalty to. They knew of Marcus, but they didn’t know how he would rule. Marcus didn’t know how she planned on keeping her other allies satisfied, but he knew she would do whatever she had to. “I know you do” Marcus responded as he kissed her on the forehead. He waited for the steady breathing before he got out of bed. He pulled the covers around her and smiled at the sight of her ring that she never took off her finger. He looked at her for a moment longer relishing the fact that she chose him to marry. “I’m so in love with you” he mumbled under his breath as he turned to walk out the door.

The next morning Joselyn woke with a smile on her face as she lay in bed admiring her engagement ring from Marcus. She dreaded when King Henry and King Aaron arrived. They were her allies and friends, however that would not prevent them from protecting their own kingdoms. Joselyn knew they would automatically assume Marcus would be ruling her kingdom now because he is a man. They wouldn’t even know where his allegiance lay, it might not be with them. Joselyn forced herself out of the bed and went to find a regal dress that dawned her kingdom’s colors. She called a maid to help style her hair. Today, she would have to wear her crown due to the formalities of her allies arrivals. Joselyn was dressed beautifully and could easily take any man’s breath away. She starred in the mirror at herself wondering how to show strength when an idea suddenly came in her mind. She called for a maid, “Please tell Marcus to dress in his kingdom’s colors today.” The maid bowed and left the room. Joselyn smiled, “No one will expect this, not even from me.” She smiled to herself.

The evening came quickly when Rowan knocked on her door. “Joselyn, are you ready? You know you have those formalities in that huge room with just two thrones.” Joselyn opened the door to her chamber, “Rowan, I think you get worked up more than I do.” He walked her toward the giant room when she began talking, “Rowan, I want you standing next to me.” He looked confused, “I assumed you would want Marcus standing next to you, then King Leon, and then myself.” Joselyn smiled, “No, not today.” Rowan knew Joselyn could be unpredictable. “Well, you can tell everyone when we get there. Marcus and Leon are already present, as you should be.” Joselyn looked at Rowan with that same sneaky smile on her face, “Don’t scold me Rowan, not today.” He knew she was up to something, but he didn’t press her. When they arrived Marcus and Leon were talking near the thrones. Marcus was dressed in his kingdoms colors as asked. King Leon was obviously in his kingdoms colors, he was still king and had to represent his kingdom. Marcus smiled when he saw Joselyn, “I haven’t seen you all day, and apparently you wanted me to wear my kingdoms colors.” Joselyn placed a light kiss on his cheek, “Yes I need you in your Kingdom’s colors.” She gave him a hug and he pulled her close to him. “Alright Joselyn, where are we to stand.” Rowan interjected. Leon looked at him, “What do you mean? There is an order to how we stand.” Rowan shrugged, “Apparently not today.” All three men looked at Joselyn waiting for an answer. She walked to her throne and stood in front of it. “Rowan, if you would stand to my left please.” Rowan started to take his position when Leon said, “Shouldn’t either I or Marcus stand there?” Joselyn continued to smile, “Leon will you please stand to the right of the other throne.” Leon walked up to the empty throne and stood beside it. “This is ridiculous” he muttered. “Now where are you going to put Marcus, on the ceiling?” Joselyn reached her hand out for Marcus’s, “No Leon, I want him to sit in the throne next to me.” All three men had different reactions. Leon clapped and did a little dance, but Marcus hesitated. “Are you sure?” he asked. “I’m positive, that throne belongs to you.” Joselyn said. He grinned from ear to ear as he kissed her. “My goodness, I see why you two are a good match. Neither of you have a sense of propriety.” Leon said still smiling. Rowan still had concern, “Are you sure this is the way to show your strength.” Joselyn was still in Marcus’s arms when she responded. “Don’t worry Rowan. I know it doesn’t look like it, but this is the best way to show my strength. I have my future King on the throne next to me in his kingdoms colors, his father, the king of their kingdom next to him, and you, my commander of guards next to me. It’s perfect. Don’t worry.” Joselyn looked at Marcus, she put her hand on top of his and they walked to their thrones. Joselyn removed her hand as she took her seat, then watched Marcus take his. Leon started making excited noises and doing little dances again. Joselyn smiled and Marcus held his hand out for hers. They sat hand in hand with Joselyn’s ring prominently visible waiting for their allies to arrive.

Joselyn and Marcus were still holding hands when King Henry and King Aaron were announced. They both looked at each other when they saw Marcus sitting on the King’s throne. Henry and Aaron walked slowly up to Joselyn and bowed, however they didn’t do their regular formalities, which was expected. Joselyn sat silently when King Aaron began, “Queen Joselyn, we pledged our armies to you, but you now have a King on your throne. Marcus, is it still your wish to continue with this war?” Joselyn knew this would happen. She was already being undermined because there was a man sitting on the throne next to her. “King Aaron, do not address Marcus and ignore me. I requested your armies and I am still requesting your allegiance.” King Aaron stood, his gaze going from Marcus to Joselyn. Marcus could see his hesitation so he spoke, “King Aaron, Queen Joselyn gave an answer to your question. Do not look to me for any answers, all decisions are hers to make.” Joselyn would have normally been livid when Marcus spoke, but she realized he had to. She tried to show her strength, but Marcus’s presence alone had her allies looking to him for answers. King Aaron and King Henry both bowed to Joselyn again when King Aaron spoke, “Forgive me Queen Joselyn. I should have known better.” From there they completed their formalities, however Marcus didn’t partake in them. Afterward, Joselyn introduced Marcus to King Henry and King Aaron. Henry embraced Marcus, “Yes, yes, we know Marcus.” He looked up at Leon and continued, “I have to say, I never thought it would be your boy who won over Joselyn. He never seemed too interested in finding a bride.” Leon grinned, “Well, Joselyn was never keen on the idea of marriage either, it must be fate.” They all walked into the dining hall and sat down to dinner.

Joselyn sat at the head of the table while Marcus took his place to her right. As usual, Rowan sat to her left. Leon sat next to his son with King Aaron to his left side and King Henry across the table from him. Dinner had been served and everyone was making small talk when King Henry chose to ask a more serious question, “Marcus, when you do become King, what changes do you plan to make?” King Leon dropped his head down as he shook it from side to side. Joselyn slowly placed her fork down and she felt her blood begin to boil underneath her skin. She felt a wave of heat rush over her, but then she felt Marcus’s hand on her thigh. “King Henry, the only plans I have is to continue to learn from Joselyn on how to rule a kingdom. She is incredibly smart and talented. If there are any changes, they will be made by both of us together. I will not make a decision without her approval first.” Joselyn was still angry that her ally had such little respect for her. She thought they had a comradery, however he started to see her as a queen that should be silent. Joselyn began to feel a wave of heat come over her again, “King Henry, are you my ally?” The entire table grew silent as he looked at her, “Of course Joselyn, you know I pledged my allegiance to you. I wouldn’t be here with my army helping fight a war if I wasn’t your ally.” Joselyn spoke again with venom in her voice, “If you wish to remain my ally, do not dismiss me as you do your wife. If you continue to do so you will become my enemy, and you can pledge your allegiance to the King of Doran. I will then slit your throat as well as his.” Henry’s mouth was involuntarily open when he began to stutter, “Queen Joselyn, I never meant any disrespect. As you know I, along with King Aaron, see things differently when ruling a kingdom. Our Queens are not involved in any of the decision making. Please overlook the differences between us and whatever offence that comes out of my mouth.” Marcus picked up Joselyn’s hand and placed a kiss on it. She knew it was his way of telling her to accept the apology; Henry was here to help her fight a war. “I accept your apology Henry, but for future reference remember I am still Queen, and decisions are made by me.” There was an awkward silence when Rowan chimed in, “Henry, Aaron, I will need to show you both the exit strategy in the event your lives become endangered.” Henry and Aaron nodded in agreement with Aaron adding, “I don’t believe it will come to that, but I don’t want to take any chances. Leon, have you already been shown the exit strategy?” Leon looked at Marcus and Joselyn, he didn’t want to make Henry and Aaron feel like cowards, but he didn’t have any other way to say it. “No, I plan on fighting along side my men, as does Joselyn and Marcus.” Henry and Aaron looked at each other with surprise and a little embarrassment. Rowan noticed the two men’s shameful expressions, “Well let’s hope all five of you make it through this war alive.” He said acknowledging everyone in the room. “All six you mean” Joselyn said raising a glass to Rowan. “If it wasn’t for you Rowan, we wouldn’t stand a chance.” Everyone raised their glass and toasted to Rowan. The conversation turned lighthearted and went on for a while. Joselyn stood at the head of the table, “Gentlemen, I believe I am going to turn in for the night.” She was met with protest from everyman at the table except for Marcus. “What about our traditional bets. I always make a fortune because one of these idiots thinks they can outthrow you with knives.” Leon pleaded. Joselyn laughed, “Fine, a quick game then I am turning in for the night.” Leon gave a loud whoop as everyone stood from the dinner table and proceeded to their game room.