Winterfall

It was now four o’clock in the afternoon. At this point I had done my hair and slipped on my dress that I had planned to wear at the formal celebration. The all black sparkly dress with a high slit. Yeah, I looked amazing in this dress.

My hair was braided to form a crown around my head. The braids I had pulled tightly and adjusted them accordingly so they laid just right.

My shoes matched my dress, the five inch black heels that sparkled as the light hit against them. There were several straps to the heels as they covered most of my feet. The straps were a pain, but damn they paired nicely with the dress.

I looked at myself in the mirror and smiled softly. What do you think? I questioned Théoden through the bond.

If being sexy was a crime, I’d arrest you in a heartbeat. I felt Théoden smile through the bond as his eyes were locked on my body through our bond.

I couldn’t help but smile at myself as I stopped myself from laughing at his quip. Seriously though, is this fine?

I honestly questioned if the high slit dress and five inch heels was too much however, Caroline assured me it was fine.

For the celebration, yes. For your date with Marcel, hell no. I sensed a spike in jealousy rise through the bond.

I groaned, Theoden, please behave.

I behave? Theoden’s voice was raised. He sounded angry that I’d call him out like that.

Look, I get that you don’t like me and him, hell I don’t like it, but we need to keep our cover don’t we? I questioned him.

He sighed heavily, You’re right. Still doesn’t mean I have to like it.

Besides Theo, you will be all mine after the celebration.

I felt a wave of lust burst through the bond as I sensed his struggle to keep his composure.

You’re right. And I have plans. A bed of our own sounds nice.

A bed?

There have been more than a few occasions where we had intimacy without the use of a proper bed. And don’t get me wrong, we can get more creative during those fun times but a bed was always nice.

Yes, I was thinking while everyone was half drunk we could sneak back to my chambers.

Now that was an interesting thought. There were only a few times I could recall that we made love in his bed. His soft but firm oversized king bed. Yeah…I couldn’t wait for tonight.

I’d just have to get over this stupid date with Marcel and the formal celebration.

I accept that.

Now pay attention, Marcel’s knocking is getting annoying.

Theoden grumbled as his words brought me back to the sense of reality. Where I heard a thud against the door. How long was he knocking?

At least five minutes.

Sorry.

I walked over to my door and opened it to Marcel who was angry. His eyebrows furrowed and his jaw was clinched. “About damn time you answered.” He snarled.

“Sorry,” I sheepishly said as I felt my face begin to turn red.

“I have a reservation at The Gilded Griffon and we are already late.”

He pulled me out of my room and dragged me out of the castle and into the city streets. I tried to wiggle my arm free of his grasp but that only made his grip tighter.

“If you quit struggling I will release you.” He growled.

“If you ease up your grip perhaps I will. Your fingernails are digging into my wrist.” I hissed back at him.

At this point I started to feel crimson liquid seep out of tiny puncture wounds that he was leaving on my wrist.

He rolled his eyes, “fine.” He released my wrist to which I rubbed with my free one. I let out a small burst of magic to heal the wounds.

He gave me a glare as the essence left my body. “What are you doing?”

“Healing myself. You hurt me. Again.” I glared at him as my blood began to boil. However, I felt it quickly subside as Theoden and the ring went to work.

“Sorry. I often forget my own aggression.”

“Often?” I felt my eyes narrow and my eyebrow furrowed.

“Yes. And I apologize once again for my behavior.”

His voice was unsteady, which made me believe he wasn’t telling the truth. But atlas, I gave him the benefit of the doubt. Just this once.

“Alright, thank you.” I told him as the remainder of the walk to the tavern was silent.

The Gilded Griffon is a tavern that is a block down from Griffon Park. Outside of the exterior stands two life sized Griffon statues in honor of the beloved creatures. The statues depict them extraordinarily well as every feather and claw detail is crafted with precision.

The building itself gives a charming rustic vibe as the stone appears weathered and the beams that support the structure are made of dark oak wood.

Once we stepped into the building the warmth of the interior was welcoming. This was due to a large fireplace at the front of the room, that contained an everlasting fire.

The tables and chairs are handcrafted from dark oak, each one intricately carved with patterns of griffons, vines, and other fantastical motifs. A long, polished bar stretches along one side of the room, made of polished mahogany and lined with high-backed stools. Behind the bar, shelves are stocked with an array of bottles containing both exotic and familiar spirits, and a large, ornate mirror reflects the lively scene.

The air is filled with a mixture of hearty laughter, the clinking of mugs, and the strains of lively folk music played by a trio of musicians in the corner. The music is often accompanied by the rhythmic tapping of feet from patrons engaged in traditional dances.

The tavern’s patrons range from rugged adventurers and weary travelers to local townsfolk and merchants.

I have been here a couple of times and I remembered the food being delicious and the drinks crafted well. I had recalled the dish I last had here and that was a squid served with a hearty serving of carrots, broccoli, green beans, and rice. I wasn’t exactly fond of the squid but my father had urged me to try it. And I was surprised by the outcome.

As we got seated at a table, a waiter came over to take our order who seemed surprised by our arrival. “Ho…How can…I help you?” It took her a bit to get the words out but she managed.

“Do you still serve the Squid and its sides?” I asked her. Despite not being a huge fan of it at the start, I was determined to eat it again.

“Yes we do Princess Maria.” She said to write down my order. “And for King Marcel?”

I was surprised, she was doing quite well now. I guess the initial shock wore off.

Marcel looked down at the menu that was written on parchment and back up at her, “Crab with the same sides as the Squid please.”

“You got it. And what can I get you two for drinks?”

Marcel looked over at me, “Elven wine?” He questioned me.

I nodded, “But can it be a bit on the weaker side?”

“Sure thing Princess Maria.” She made note of my request.

“Make it a bottle to share between the two of us please. Oh and can we have some of the biscuits and butter?”

“Sure thing King Marcel. Is this it?”

“Yes, I believe so.” I said as I gave back the piece of parchment.

Marcel nodded in agreement and gave his back as well.

“I’ll have the wine out and biscuits. Food will be a few minutes longer.”

She told us before she hurried off to the kitchen to put in our order.

Before resorting to small talk with Marcel, I took in my surroundings and was happy to see a unique set of races thriving amongst each other. There were gnomes, elves, dragonborn, a couple of kobolds, and some humans. The elves I kind of recognized but the rest were unknown to me.

As I glanced around the room, I couldn’t help but feel stairs linger on us and with focus, I soon began to hear whispers.

However, before I let the whispering get to me, I turned my focus on Marcel who was watching me, watch everyone. “Yes?”

“Nothing, just admiring the girl across from me.” He grinned sheepishly.

“Please, I am sure there are prettier girls in the whole universe.” I scoffed.

“You are the prettiest girl I have come across in all of my travels.” Marcel said with an even bigger grin, if that were possible.

“Flattery will get you nowhere.” I said as I glared at him.

He sighed heavily, “I’ll never compare to him will I?”

“If by him, you mean Theoden, no.”

I couldn’t help but start to feel unease. I shifted my weight in my seat, in hopes that would help me remain calm.

“May I ask, what drew you to him?”

I sighed, “His kind heart and protective nature. He is trustworthy and overall has a genuine personality.”

“Unlike me?”

“Yes.”

By this point our waiter came back with the biscuits and wine. “Your food should be out in ten minutes.”

“Thank you.” I took the wine and uncorked it and poured me a full glass.

“I bother you so much that you need to get wasted?” Marcel questioned as he watched half the bottle be poured.

“This won’t get me wasted.” I told him as I took a few sips of the rich red wine.

“Is there anything I can do to-” He stopped and I watched as he struggled to figure out how to phrase what he wanted to ask, “anything I can-” a low rumble escaped his lips, “anything I can do to get you to admire me the way you do him?”

Besides a personality transplant? I said through the bond as I knew Theoden was on high alert with me being alone with Marcel.

“I don’t know Marcel. Our history hasn’t been that great. You were fine at first. But since the attack you have been more aggressive. Which has made me like you less.”

His face dropped as he took in the words that escaped my lips, “You used to like me?”

I shrugged, “After the initial shock of the arranged marriage behind my and my father’s back faded, and you actually seemed like you cared and had a bit of a moral personality, yes.”

“But you don’t anymore?”

“No.”

“What if I told you I can change?”

I tried not to laugh, “If you can truly change, then maybe my opinion of you will. However, you have a lot of work to do.”

“I’ll work on it. I promise.” Marcel said confidently.

“This better be a promise you can keep Marcel.”

It fell silent after that as I could see Marcel’s mind was wondering about what he could do to get me to change my mind about him. Thankfully food came out and we were left to consume it all, wine, biscuits, and our seafood.

The second time I tried squid I was surprised. I enjoyed it more than the first time and was able to stomach finishing it with the side of veggies and rice, along with my glass of wine.

What surprised me was that Marcel ate all of his food as well. “What?” He questioned me as he saw the look I had given him as he ate the last bit of rice.

“I honestly didn’t think you ate.”

“I do, it’s just not often nor is it typically a lot.”

“Huh.”

“Ready to go to the Formal Celebration?” He asked as he stood up and offered me his hand.

I was hesitant to take it but with a sigh I gave in. We paid our meal and I made sure to give extra money to all of the staff that worked.

“Why do you do that?” Marcel questioned as we walked out of the Tavern and headed back to the castle.

“It’s called being kind.”

The remainder of the walk back to the castle was silent.

Maria. I love you. Theoden spoke softly through the bond as he peered through our shared connection briefly and saw us holding hands. I felt a pull of jealousy pulse through the bond.

Theoden, I love you too. Remember you have nothing to worry about. We still have a date tonight, remember?

I know. I just wanted you to know that I love you.

I know Theoden. I’ll see you soon in the Council Chambers.