Winterfall

Stepping outside of the arena we were met with the brisk, cold air, and glistening moonlight that produced a cast of shadow amongst the kingdom’s structures. The grounds still gleamed with morning dew as it was just shy of two in the morning.

The activity of the kingdom was minimal as most were still asleep in their homes. Which provided a great advantage to us as we were able to enjoy the closeness of each other's companies.

Taking a deep breath we began the walk back to the castle, hand in hand. Our walks were typically silent however, with the morning to ourselves we decided to take a chance and have a normal walk.

“Tomorrow is your big day.” Théoden reminded me.

I groaned, “Don’t remind me. I still have so much more to prepare!”

“I thought you had all of that ready?” Théoden questioned me with a disappointment in his voice.

“I-” I stammered, “I have most of it prepared.” I admitted sheepishly.

“Maria, what parts don’t you have prepared?”

“Hmm.. the speech.”

Both of us glanced at each other. My pitiful eyes looked at his disappointing ones as he let out a long sigh. He shook his head and resumed looking forward, “Maria, the speech is the most important part in this.”

“I know…” I whispered.

“Then why don’t you have it done?”

“I’m afraid.” I admitted. I knew it was a stupid thing to be afraid of, but I was afraid I would somehow mess up and they would revoke my position.

“There’s nothing to be afraid of Maria.”

“What if I mess up?”

He glanced down at me and gave me a slight smile, “Even the great ones have messed up a time or two.”

“But what if they don’t want-”

“Maria, it’s natural for you to be afraid and nervous every once in a while. It just makes you more human.”

I glanced up at him with a soft smile. “Thanks dear.” I squeezed his hand tighter as his words eased my nerves.

We walked a bit longer in silence staring straight ahead, holding each other's hands. As we walked closer and closer to the castle we stepped back into normal walking routine in case Marcel had eyes out on us.

“Maria, before we head back in, can I have the demon tracker?” Théoden asked me as he glanced down at the bracelet that was glistening ever so brightly.

The bracelet always glistened this close to the castle. Upon investigation we concluded that the cause of this was due to Marcel’s return as it had not been this bright prior.

Théoden had a point in wanting the bracelet. He had asked about it before Marcel’s return. However, I had refused as it gave me a sense of comfort.

With Marcel’s return, having the bracelet was pointless. I sighed and slipped the bracelet off my left wrist. “Will you inform me of any fiends within the castle?”

He took the bracelet and slipped it. Sliding it underneath his armor. “Not a chance.” He said in a firm but gentle voice. “If I told you of every fiend in the castle, it would only cause you to panic.”

I couldn’t help but groan. “Damn it.” I hated it when he was right.

“It’s for your own good.” He told me as he stood, opened the gate to the castle and waited for me to walk ahead of him.

“I know. It still sucks.”

I walked through the gates giving him a simple nod. The rest of the walk to the castle doors was silent and as professional as it could be.

Théoden then pushed open the grand oak doors and let me walk through the threshold first. My footsteps soon began to echo through the empty hall as I walked along the marbled floor. Théoden's own heavy footsteps soon followed along with the sound of the clanking of his armor.

We made our way to the kitchen and was hit with the overwhelming smell of fresh bacon, bread, and tarts. “Something smells delicious.” I declared as I took my seat at the table.

“I hoped you two worked up an appetite.” Roland said with a cherry voice.

“You can count on that.” Théoden responded.

“That does not surprise me. You went with a morning snack.” Roland shook his finger in a disappointing way. He was quick to grab three helpings of breakfast and place them in front of Théoden. Théoden instantly began to chow down on the food. “Rather ravenous I see.” Roland chuckled. He went back to the cooler and pulled out two more plates and sat them near him. “Just in case.”

Théoden had actually stopped eating as he sat the fifth plate down. “Look, I may be a dragon, that doesn’t mean I eat like a pig.”

“Never said you did.”

“The fifth plate of food?” Théoden glanced over at the plate then back at Roland.

“I can put it back in the cooler if you don’t want it.”

Roland began to reach for the plate, however Théoden moved his arm around it and shot Roland a glare, “I mean I will eat it regardless.”

Roland laughed, “Thought so.”

Roland glanced over at me before giving me any of my food, “Where is the plate that I gave you?”

“I…I…it broke.” I managed to mutter beneath my breath. I started to feel my face turn red as Roland shook his head in disappointment.

“Thankfully, the plates have no real significance.” He went to the counter and gave me my own plate of food.

As he sat it down I let out a sigh, “I thought you’d be mad at me.”

“Nope, I am more curious as to why the plate broke.”

During our breakfast I went over the details of the training session that Théoden and I had that morning. How I used the plate as a weapon. Then how Théoden used the spell catapult and assaulted me with the broken pieces.

“Assault?” Théoden questioned with a bit of amusement.

“Yes assaulted.”

“Bit extreme. More or less, I used the plate just like you did.”

“But you used it a hundred ways! I only used it once.” I explained. “There’s a difference.” I crossed my arms and glared at Théoden, as I tried to make my point.

“Whatever.” Théoden said as he rolled his eyes at me.

After thirty minutes, we both finished our breakfast, parting ways. Théoden went to do his first set of rounds with Quinn, whereas I found my way to my office.