Winterfall

I felt two sets of eyes fall on me when I entered the kitchen this morning. Did I choose the wrong dress? I questioned as both Roland and Théoden looked a bit surprised at my attire. Well, Roland looked surprised, Théoden on the other hand, I could sense a bit of uncomfortableness down south.

Did you even try to choose a dress that was…well not perfect?

I felt my face flush. I-I thought I did…

Well…consider the mission failed. Théoden responded as a ting of jealousy and lust flushed through the bond.

Sorry dear. I suppose I should see if Caroline can tailor make a few imperfect clothes.

Please, that woman could make a trash bag look good.

He wasn’t wrong, Caroline was a highly trained and skilled woman.

“Well, I’m just going to ask if you are not spilling the beans, why the dress?” Roland questioned us as the room had gone silent once I entered.

“I have a date and it was suggested to wear black.”

Roland glanced between the two of us, “a date between-”

“No.” Théoden responded coldly, causing the room to fall silent once more. “It’s for Marcel.” Yeah, he was pissed.

“Look I kind of do--”

“I know Maria, I’m just reacting.”

I stared down at the floor as I dared to look at both of them. “Sorry…” I mumbled low enough that I hoped he hadn’t heard.

He sighed, “I’m sorry.”

He walked behind me, cupped my chin with his hand and caused me to look up at him. He smiled softly and kissed my lips gently. This made my heart skip a beat as this was a rare act he did in front of anyone. Truly, I am sorry, Maria.

It’s alright, Theo.

I kissed him back with the same gentleness he gave me. He released my chin but remained looking down at me with a smile. What?

Just admiring the view.

I rolled my eyes, please.

Roland cleared his throat, catching both of our attentions, “well…I never thought I would actually see you two kiss.”

Theo groaned, “and now got to go do rounds.” Théoden said as he tried to move away from me.

“Hey now!” I said and pulled him back to me, planting one more kiss on those firm lips of his.

“Maria!” He scolded me.

I laughed, “please you enjoyed that.”

“Well, yes but-”

“Then shush.”

Roland snickered, “please save it for the bedroom.”

Théoden sighed and moved away from me. “Anything I can help you with?”

“You can hand me the trays out of the fridge so I can pop them in the oven.”

“Got it.”

“And what about me Roland?”

“Maria, you can get what sweets you want out of the fridge. We still have all that cake in the freezer too.”

Now there is a thought…cake for break--No.

Butt…

No butts, you had enough cake last night.

“Whatever.” I said allowed and grabbed some of the tarts and waffles out of the fridge. Roland typically had these premade for me as I didn’t mind if they were baked the same day or not.

“Now remember we all will be eating bacon today.” Roland told Théoden as he placed the two trays of bacon and two trays of eggs into the cooker.

“So, no crispy bacon?” Théoden sounded hurt by this.

Roland sighed and pulled out a package of bacon and the skillet that Théoden used the other day, “cook this the way you want.”

“Alright!” Théoden was quick to take the uncooked food and throw it on the stove to cook to his desire.

“You know, one thing for sure. It is easy to please you two.”

“What do you mean by that, Roland?”

“All I have to do is have sweets for you and make sure I have enough meat for him. Simple.”

“At least it just means we are easy to work with.” I said as I managed to already have a small cherry tart finished within a minute.

“Easy to work with, easy to get along with, and easy to please. Really, what more could servants ask for when it comes to who they serve under?” Roland pointed out.

“Roland, you do know you are more than a servant to us right?” I questioned him.

“I know. However, those outside the castle walls don’t. Sometimes, I wonder what they truly think of how the both of you handle your staff.”

“Hopefully, our kindness has shown well enough outside the castle that they think we are pleasant to work with.” I said as I grabbed another tart, this one a blueberry filled one.

“Most people I talk to, talk highly of the both of you.” Roland said, “and that says something given the circumstance you both are under.”

I could help but feel a spark of pride. Being a royal and having those around you speak highly of you means you are doing a great job. “Thanks Roland, I needed to hear that.”

“Of course Maria. Just know that the kingdom will welcome you as Queen when the time is right.”

I smiled softly at that. When the time was right… Part of me wondered if the time would ever be right to fully take my place as Queen. I still felt like I had a lot to learn. And I knew I did not want to disappoint my parents. However, I knew my kingdom needed their Queen and I needed to take the responsibility. However, that meant everything that has happened in the last year or so truly actually happened. Don’t get me wrong, I know it happened, but part of me didn’t want to believe that it did.

Maria, I know I have said this time and time again, but you will be a great Queen and you will make your parents proud.

I know he meant well every time he said that but it still caused my heart to ache a little each time. Thanks.

“Thanks Roland.”

“And you Théoden, if this mess with Marcel clears up, would you put your helmet away and become King?”

Théoden and I have talked about that actually. I told him he could do both if he truly wanted to. I wouldn’t stop him. I knew protecting our kingdom would be hard for him to give up.

“If I have the privilege to still be by Maria’s side, it would be an honor to be King of Winterfall.”

A smile crept on my face, “and a fine King you would make.”

He sighed, “please I will only be a fine King because you will be my Queen.”

“Whatever you say dear.”

The rest of the morning was silent as we all ate our breakfast. Théoden eventually parted to go do his rounds giving me a kiss on the forehead before he left. I helped Roland clean up the kitchen and prep my sweets for the next few days.

By that time it was nearing 8 in the morning and I had to go meet Marcel in the grand hall for the start of our date. How wonderful.