Fire and Ice

CHAPTER 12

Joselyn ran to her chambers and opened the secret passageway. She made her way down the corridor until she could see and hear Marcus and Leon. Joselyn had these corridors all over the castle, and only Rowan knew about them. She silently listened as Marcus and Leon talked. “Why didn’t you tell me where you were boy?” King Leon asked. “Have you any idea how worried I have been?” Marcus hung his head a little but replied, “I wanted to tell you, but I didn’t want Joselyn to know who I was.” “Why in the world not Marcus?” Leon asked. “You always called her the ice queen, and from all the rumors I didn’t want her to know I was a prince. I wanted to see what kind of person she is with common people.” “Well? What did you discover?” Leon asked his son. “She isn’t cold or mean at all. Why did you ever call her the ice queen.” Leon laughed as he tried to explain her name to his son. “She has daggers that are the envy of every King and only she knows how to make them. She is an expert at throwing them. When she throws them, they look like icicles flying through the air. So, I gave her the name the ice queen. From there, rumors started going wild and that little name I gave her made people think she was a mean ruler.” Marcus sat and listened, then remembered the daggers. They did look like icicles he recalled. Marcus continued speaking to his father as Joselyn listened hidden in the corridor, “Did you know the physician of this castle gave me up to die. She would not have it, and she tended to me night and day. She has knowledge of medicinal herbs, she speaks her mind, she rules her people like you do, she knows how to fight. Did you know I asked her what she thought of you, and she said you were a great King and she hoped to be more like you.” King Leon smiled and said, “Did she now?” but Marcus had plenty more to say, “I have never met a woman so fearless. I have been well enough to leave for the past couple of weeks, I have just been faking sick so I could talk to her more. I think I may have messed up because she hasn’t been back to see me.” In the middle of Marcus’ speech about Joselyn King Leon began to laugh. “I never thought I would see the day when my son fell in love, and with the toughest woman in all the Kingdoms.” Marcus looked at King Leon and said, “I have fallen in love with her, but I think I have messed it all up. I kind of gave her an order, not meaning to and not meaning anything by it. I don’t know how to fix it. She hasn’t spoken to me since.” King Leon laughed again as he shook his head, “The only way to know for sure is at the ball tomorrow. You obviously are well enough to go.” Marcus looked puzzled and asked, “What do you mean the only way to know is at the ball?” Leon continued to explain, “Joselyn is always asked to dance by every eligible King or Prince. She refuses them all except the King of Arcadia.” At the mention of his name Marcus scowled. “So, you know who I am talking about” Leon grinned. “Well, he is the only King she will dance with. If you ask her to dance and she accepts, you have a chance. If you ask her to stay a while in the palace to court her, and she says yes, you have a remarkably high chance. However, you never know with Joselyn. She protects her people and her Kingdom with ferocity. You will have to hope she allows it.” Marcus took everything in that his father was saying, “But I don’t have anything to wear to the ball.” Marcus said defeatedly. King Leon replied, “Don’t worry about that son. Joselyn always ensures I have two or three extra outfits because I am always spilling food or wine on myself. We can have the seamstress take one of them in.” “You have to get Joselyn’s permission to use her seamstress” Marcus stated. “This is her Kingdom; we can’t order her servants around.” Leon smiled at his son and said, “You’re right, I will ask her.” Joselyn had heard enough and walked back to her chamber through the secret passageway. Marcus claimed to love her, she thought to herself. If he loved her, why wasn’t he honest with her. She had mixed emotions and for the first time she wasn’t sure what to do.

Rowan, Henry, and Aaron were still sitting in the same comfortable room they always sat in when at Joselyn’s castle. It was used for important discussions, regular conversation, and games. They were waiting for her to arrive before beginning their dagger throwing games. They took the liberty of setting up targets with x’s in the middle. They were making small talk when Joselyn bolted in the room and took off the overlaying part of her dress to give her access to her daggers. She lifted her thin gown, grabbed a dagger, and threw it at one of the targets “Why didn’t he tell me who he was.” She yelled. Rowan, Henry, and Aaron looked at each other as she continued to throw her daggers. “So, it was Leon’s son” Rowan said. “Yes” Joselyn replied with a little hostility in her voice. “Why did he not tell me. We became suspicious of him because he refused to tell us who he was Rowan.” Rowan sighed and said, “Joselyn, I don’t know why. You will have to ask him.” Joselyn was down to her last dagger when she said, “I think I have some idea. I just hate that King Leon worried about his son for months and the entire time he was in my Kingdom. Either way, his son saved my life. I owe the Kingdom of Aragon a great debt.” King Henry interjected, “Well, you can decide how to repay your debt later. Can we start our game while Leon is with his son?” Joselyn realized she had already thrown all the daggers around her thighs. She removed a piece of her dress to reveal a corset fitted with daggers. “Who is ready to lose?” Joselyn asked with a smile. All three men jumped to their feet excited to wager on the game. Rowan always wagered that Joselyn would win, which was a safe bet. King Henry and King Aaron bet on themselves, even though they never won. They were well into the game, drinking, and having a fun time. The last dagger thrown would determine if Joselyn or Henry would win. As Joselyn was getting ready to throw her dagger, King Leon walked in. Joselyn stopped and said, “Leon we need to talk.” King Henry was drunk and said, “If you are leaving, you forfeit, and I win.” Joselyn kept her eyes on Leon and in a swift flowing movement threw her dagger and won the game. Rowan started laughing hysterically and began telling Henry and Aaron to pay up. Joselyn placed her top gown back on and walked with Leon out of the room while Rowan could still be heard gloating. “You both owe me quite a bit of money” he said laughing and dancing back and forth.

Joselyn walked beside Leon as she made her way to her work room. “Leon, had I known Marcus was your son I would have immediately notified you.” “I know you would have Joselyn. Marcus is stubborn and childish. I have noticed a change in him though. It seems a couple of months here is turning him into a man” Leon laughed. “I am just relieved he is alive and healthy. Marcus told me how you wouldn’t give up trying to save him, even when the physicians did. I thank you Joselyn, and I am indebted to you.” Leon said. Leon and Joselyn had already entered her work room. Leon had never been in this room before and he looked around stunned. “You never cease to amaze me Joselyn.” Joselyn walked over and picked up one of her swords. “It is I who am indebted to you.” Joselyn said as she walked toward King Leon with the sword in her hand. “Your son saved my life.” She said as she reached out the sword with both hands and handed it to Leon. “I want you to have this as a token of my gratitude.” Joselyn said. Leon took the sword and held it in both hands as he admired it. He never thought Joselyn would give away one of her swords or daggers for that matter, even as a token of gratitude. “I have another sword that I plan to give to Marcus for saving my life.” Joselyn said. King Leon was still admiring the sword when he said, “Joselyn, I am grateful for this gift. You know how I have always admired and envied them. As for Marcus, he claims you saved his life.” Joselyn was quiet for a moment as she reflected then said, “That may be true, however he saved mine as well.” King Leon smiled, “I can’t say I’m happy he was almost killed, but I am happy you are alive and so is he. I still can’t believe there will be two of these swords in my Kingdom.” King Leon barely could focus on the conversation due to the awe of his gift. He tried to bring himself back and said, “Joselyn, I know you always make extra outfits for me. Would you be willing to have your seamstress take one in to fit Marcus so he can attend the ball?” “After learning Marcus was your son, I spoke to the seamstress. She should have already gotten his measurements so she can alter one of your garments. I will double check after you and I are finished speaking.” Leon chuckled, “Joselyn you don’t miss anything do you?” Joselyn smiled and said, “I am going to visit Marcus tonight and give him his sword. I don’t want to present it at the ball. People will know I was almost killed, and I don’t want to show weakness. I would appreciate it if you would be there.” Leon starred at her. He knew there was something else going through her mind. “Joselyn you are not the type of Queen who has chaperones, why do you want me there?” Joselyn responded, “Would you prefer me to honor your son with a sword without your presence?” Leon dropped his head, “Point taken. Of course, I want to be there when you give Marcus such a grand gift to honor him.” Joselyn retrieved her own personal sword from the jewel type compartment of her dress. “Marcus will have my own personal sword. It is the same one that was used that day.” King Leon looked at it and smiled, “That is a great honor to bestow upon him. Thank you, Joselyn.” “It is getting late, let’s go to Marcus’s chambers.” Joselyn said. Leon nodded and bowed while extending his arm for Joselyn to lead the way.

Joselyn and Leon arrived outside Marcus’s chambers and Joselyn knocked on his door. “Enter” yelled Marcus. When Joselyn walked into the room with King Leon Marcus felt a hitch in his throat and he became extremely nervous. He realized Joselyn knew by now he was King Leon’s son. He was afraid to say anything to her. Joselyn walked over to Marcus’s bedside and said, “Prince Marcus, I am in your debt for saving my life. This sword is the same sword I used to fight that day. Please take this sword as a token of my gratitude.” She placed the sword in Marcus’s hands. King Leon stood on the other side of the bed with a raised eyebrow. Joselyn sounded like a Queen bestowing an honor, not a friend showing thanks. Marcus held the sword in his hand and said, “Thank you Joselyn, I will cherish it always.” Joselyn nodded her head then lifted her chin in her Queenly manor. She then turned and walked out the door leaving King Leon and Marcus alone. “She is really mad at me” Marcus began. “What happened to her clothes, she looks like she’s been in a fight.” Leon chuckled, her daggers and swords are in hidden compartments in her gown. The top part she wears to cover the thin gown she can rip right off. And you are probably right, she is mad at you for concealing your identity.” Marcus looked at his father and said, “How did we go from friends who talked about everything to her treating me as a subject who was honored?” Leon responded to his son’s question, “Marcus you have to understand, she apologized to me because I have been so worried and you have been here the entire time. Joselyn and I are close friends. You hid the fact that you were my son. She doesn’t have trust in you right now. She gave you that sword as a Queen, she gave me a sword as a friend thanking another friend.” “She will never speak to me again, will she?” Marcus asked. “We will have to wait until the ball tomorrow night. I do want you to know that what she has given you and I she has never given anyone else in any of the Kingdoms. Her swords and daggers are her prized possessions. Remember that Marcus.” Leon said as he stood to leave for his own chambers. Marcus didn’t respond, he sat in silence starring at the sword. He looked up and his father had already left his room. Marcus did think about the words his father said about the swords and those being Joselyn’s prized possessions. This gave him a little hope as he stayed awake lost in his thoughts of Joselyn.