Maelthra's Story

Clara laughed and laughed as a full fledged war began with herself and the childern of Merian and Galen and his army of goblins. There was no winner and after awhile everyone hit everyone else. Clara couldn't believe she hadn't coughed a single time during this whole bout and when night began to fall and childern were called home, Clara walked side by side with Galen, Narissa pushing her chair.

They were dusted with snow from the fight. Clara lost a glove but she couldn't have been happier. "What a day!" She exclaimed, wrapping her arms around Galen's as they walked the line of shops on their way back toward the castle. She looked up at him, noticing how tall he was, how strong his arms felt. She had a hard time believing that his man held such a dark soul, it wasn't his but still. Something occurred to her then, and she realized why she didn't cough. "Thank you," She told him as they walked. "It was a wonderful, beautiful day," She said. "My first real experience of snow," She said and lay her head into his arm, she was still under his shoulder for her short stature, and she had to reach up on her toes and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "For the magic," She said and giggled. "I know it was you, I didn't cough, not once, and every time I was hit, I felt a little warmer...Same magic as before." She said and grinned brightly. "Thank you for giving me this day," She said and released him, and sitting in her chair, allowing Narissa to wheel her the rest of the walk.

”What a day!” Clara exclaimed as she hugged his arm. Galen was thoroughly pleased, and also had snow in his hair. Still, he was happy to have a little fun. What Evil King doesn’t know how to have fun? The statement would probably be lost in a slightly amused Lucien. But the First Shadow King showed no sign of taking over the body. He seemed satisfied at how the Princess was behaving.

”Thank you.” Maelthra raised his brow.

“For what?” He asked. ”It was a wonderful, beautiful day. My first real experience with snow.”

She then did something that shocked even Lucien. Clara kissed Maelthra on the cheek. ”For the magic,” she giggled as Galen turned pink at the cheeks. ”I know it was you, I didn't cough, not once, and every time I was hit, I felt a little warmer...Same magic as before. Thank you for giving me this day.” She released him and settled back into her chair, letting Narissa push the wheelchair the rest of the walk home, with Maelthra walking beside her, touching the spot on the cheek she kissed, a hint of a small, touched smile formed.

The fact such a thing happened, gave The other two personas Maelthra confidence about Galen. Cain, for hope of being able to break free from Lucien, whilst Lucien had pride that his descendant may figure out a way to woo Clara on his own. But that Azura better not get in his way of doing so!

But for now, when they arrived back at the Castle, it was time to continue his work on his Yule gifts. Especially Clara’s, which now, Galen convinced himself, was going to be more then spectacular!

When Narissa wheeled Clara into her chambers, Clara huffed. "Speak up, Narissa," She said, grabbing the large wheels herself and wheeling herself around to face her. "I don't like this Princess," She said softly. "You're...getting too close." Clara audibly huffed. "Why must you go and ruin this beautiful day?" She complained and Narissa turned her head from her sharply. "It was a good day, Narissa, leave it that way," Clara snapped and Narissa turned on her, glaring. "You're falling for him while you are plotting against him!" She shouted and Clara turned her head. "I am not," She shot back. "You are not what? Falling for him or Plotting against him?" Clara was queit. To say no to both would be a lie but Narissa didn't understand the multiple personalities. "You don't under stand," Clara said and Narissa frowned. "I Understand that he is the reason my father and brothers, Your father is dead," She said and Clara felt as if she was struck. She knew full well, but she couldn't blame Narissa for her feelings, she hated him too but Clara knew the truth and so would Narissa. "I have to explain something to you." She said softly and Narissa huffed but did as she asked. Clara then explained everything, Cain, Lucian, Robin and most importantly, Galen and his curse.

"Galen was the one that saved me, and he is also the one we saw today." She explained and Narissa was quiet. "He just sounds mad," She said softly. Clara chuckled wryly. "I thought the same thing, but if you would have seen Cain, you'd understand." She said and Narissa sighed. "Why is this your job?" She asked. "Why do you have to be the one to 'care for him'?"
"Because So far I'm the only one who figured it out, he wasn't able to speak about the curse, Galen is barely aware of it, and Lucian made sure that Cain couldn't speak. I can only call on Cain by saying his name and I had only after Galen slipped up." she explained and looked away. "And...I want to, I want to free him, he doesn't deserve to be the battlefield between two feuding brothers, it isn't right." She said. "What about Robin?"
"What about him?"
"After today, starting up a rebellion will be hard, harder still,"
"I know and I'll figured it out but for now, let us celebrate Yule, and survive winter." She said and Narissa sighed. "I'm Sorry, Princess," She said and Clara stood up, and took her hands. "Don't be, You're keeping me in check, I need it." She said and hugged her.


The castle quieted and Clara rested in her bed, sleeping deeply.

Clara stood at the edge of a black sea, wind tossling her dress, and hair. "Come to me, Princess," Called a dark voice, the echoed from everywhere. "Find me," Clara rose from her bed, dazedly. She walked out of her chambers and into the halls, where guards had been posted. They quickly alerted the King of her sleepwalking, as they were ordered. "Find me, Let me in," The voice urged and she walked and walked, until she was outside of the castle. Barefoot in the snow, dressed in only her night dress, she walked on before she stopped at the battlefield where her father and his men fell to Maelthra. "Release me," She knelled down, and picked up a sharp rock from beneath the snow. "Release me, Now!" She held the rock to her wrist primmed to cut.

Maelthra was alerted to Clara’s activity. He immediately rushed to go after her. He followed her trail and saw her on the field and saw her pick up an object and leapt out to her, teleporting to make the distance shorter. He grabbed the arm that held the object and pulled it away, discovering it to be a sharp rock.

“And the people say I’m mad.” Maelthra said in sarcasm, clearly showing it was Lucien with control. “This is the second time in a month you’ve slept walked to the cold’s harm.” The Shadow King glared throughout the field. “Whatever Force is at work here know this, She is mine. Any attempt like this again and I will be angry.” He then picked Clara up and teleported her back to her room.

The moment it happened though, after he set Clara down, Maelthra began to rub his head. “Ugh, a headache? I, Maelthra, having a headache?” He muttered as Lucien began to realize what this meant. He had to go to his chambers to admonish Galen for making him be so foolish enough to run out to get her in a silk shirt with no warm furs or clothing to help him.

“This cannot be happening..” he muttered as he sat down, his voice tone reverting to Galen. “I used too much of my magic at once.” He called for one of his own servants to get him water. It was too late in the evening for his favorite wine.

He didn’t want to be drunk, or seem foolish. ”Neither would I if I were in your shoes. But I’m right. This Yule should be a peaceful one.” He thought. ”But As soon as it is over, we must ensure nothing darker then me. I will show whatever upstart that I am the more powerful.” He took a deep breath as he rubbed his head.

His pride was getting to him. He needed to calm down and ensure Clara was alright. Then he could nurse his headache. It hurt to even plot evilly like Lucien would do.

The night had ushered in a violent winter storm that lead well into the morning, making it near impossible to see through the blizzard and the lack of sunlight. The Yule festivies were cancelled and The people were to celebrate in their homes for fear of frostbite. The princess herself was bedridden, sick with fever. The fun from the day before and her night walk took it's toll on her already weak lungs and now a winter cold ailed her and not even the King was allowed to visit her for she was unable to dress in anything proper for visitation. The healers fed her tea, and Narissa kept a cloth cool for her overheated skin.

"Galen," The Princess called when they were alone and Narissa patted her forehead dry. "Shh, Princess, Save your strength," Narissa urged while the Princess struggled. "I have...to...see him..." She said ad Narissa sighed, dipping the cloth in cool water. She didn't like how close the Princess was becoming to the Shadow King, despite what she told her. She didn't believe any of it, not that the Princess was lying to her but that the Shadow King used magic to fake all that he told her. Narissa'd seen his magic, she didn't put it passed him. The Princess could be mighty stubborn when she wanted to be, and a bit naive, it wasn't her fault but she'd spent most of her life observing people from her balcony, rarely being among them for her illness. Narissa was 5 years older, and thought of the princess much like a little sister, as well as best friend. She worried for her, not just her illness, but her heart, the Shadow King was going to break it if she gave it too him, and that seemed to be the course. That would be the easiest way to gain control over the Princess, through her heart, she had a big one. "You aren't decent, Princess,"Narissa said patting her forehead, Clara turned away. "I don't...care, He needs to know..." She said and Narissa sighed heavily. "Whatever it is. it can wait until you're fever breaks."
"No...He's coming, He's coming..."
"Whose coming?"
"The Winter King..." With that, the Princess's eyes rolled back and she went limp. Narissa gasped and called for the healers who rushed in, pushing her aside. Narissa bit her lip. Even if the Shadow King was fooling her he wanted her alive, and that was the only thing Narissa had in common with the conqueror. She swallowed her pride and turned to find the King.

"You're Grace!" She said urgently. "It's the Princess, she is not doing well, the healers can't seemed to bring her fever down." She said and decided to leave out this Winter King nightmare of hers, she would send a message to Robin, Robin she trusted. She couldn't travel to the inn, but when the storm broke, she would send him a message. Telling him everything, but for now, the Princess was top priority.

He was sent aside, but when Maelthra was in his room, his headache seemed to blossom there. But Galen didn’t know why he was having one. But Lucien did, not from a cold like Clara’s. It seemed whatever Cain Azura had planned for when he instructed Clara has had an effect on his mental and spiritual state.

Galen was slowly becoming stronger then Lucien.

”I’ve let you out too long. you’re getting stronger, You won’t last long without me if you get rid of me at this stage. We’re partners right?” Lucien called out to him in his mind.

He was in his chambers, staring at a mirror that hung on the wall, panting tiredly. When Narissa came in, he was still staring, gripping his head in some pain.

”Your Grace! It’s the Princess, she is not doing well, the healers can’t seem to bring her fever down.” She told him. Galen heard her and tried to move but Lucien kept him still.

”We need to address us first! You’ve allowed yourself to be distracted. She is a hostage-” all of a sudden The mirror ripples as Lucien Azura was in his reflection’s place.

“I can hear you.” Galen muttered. Lucien looked up at Galen.

“What?” Lucien said, skeptical.

“I’m onto you. You’ve been in my head all these years, but that’s gonna change. You can’t tell me what to do for much longer.” He muttered as he glared at his ancestor, Grey Eyes glowing silver as he turned and hurried out of his room and to Clara’s. Lucien was left stunned as he growled in anger.

“No! You need me Galen! You need me!” The image in the mirror vanished in its anger.

——

He walked in to Clara’s room. She looked terrible. His eyes still holding a silver glow as he tried to use some of his own magic to heal her again, or at least break the fever.

“You’ve made me see the chains on my body and spirit my ancestor has been using on me. You’ve made me aware that, there’s more to the world then just... a mere map and boundaries.” He bit his own lip. “I... I’ve seen his spirit, how beyond the image’s memory, he’s so formless. I want to be free, but I’m scared. I’m scared of being killed by what I’ve made.”

He looked down. “For the first time Clara, I’ve realized how controlled and alone I’ve been. Thank you.” His eyes spoke of something more to his words, but He had a feeling no one would believe him, or hated him too much. Only a few of Maelthra’s own servants were aware of the truth of Maelthra’s Curse. The Dark Elves and Elves Of That few, actually wished the curse be broken.

Could this be an answer to their hope?

Clara moaned as she regained consciousness. Her head swam, her body was too hot and too cold all at once. She struggled against the healer's hands. Her chamber door opened and Galen entered the room, eyes glowing...silver, not yellow. Warmth bloomed in her chest and the chill that seemed set in her bones faded. Her fever finally broke and she eased. She looked up at him as he gazed down at her. “You’ve made me see the chains on my body and spirit my ancestor has been using on me. You’ve made me aware that, there’s more to the world then just... a mere map and boundaries.”He said softly, bitting his lip. “I... I’ve seen his spirit, how beyond the image’s memory, he’s so formless. I want to be free, but I’m scared. I’m scared of being killed by what I’ve made.” He told her and she looked up at him, with a slight frown. He knew, he was aware now and stronger. She smiled meekly. Now she could bring Robin and Galen together. They could defeat Lucian and....She shivered but not from the fever or cold. She reached up and touched his hand as he spoke. “For the first time Clara, I’ve realized how controlled and alone I’ve been. Thank you.” He told her and she smiled softly, forcing herself to sit upright.
"I am...glad you are...finally awake." She said. "Galen Azura," She said knowingly. "We have much...to discuss." She said and suddenly gave off a pained cry as her heas throbbed. She clutched her head.
"Ah! I have to warn you...Something...dark is coming, it calls to me, haunts me whilst I sleep." She groaned and felt something trickle down her lip. She touched a finger to it, and it came away red. Blood. A Healer rushed over to her, and dabbing her nose with a cloth. "Pardon us, You're Grace," The healer said. "She needs rest." "No!" She cried, snatching the cloth. "No more sleep! No more!" She said abd grabbed his hand. "Please, Don't let them make me sleep," Terror filled her amber eyes. "No more sleep," She begged Galen.

”I am...glad you are...finally awake.” He looked at her confused as she held his hand. ”Galen Azura, we have much...to discuss.”

“Azura, me? But I’m not-“ she gave a pained cry suddenly, cutting him off. She tried to tell him that something was coming, a dark force. Lucien, angry at losing a bit of control tried to tell Galen what it was, but could not. Several healers came and wiped the blood that trickled from her nose. It was then Galen realized, whatever it was was trying to get in her head. ”No! No more sleep! No more!” Clara grabbed his hand, and started to beg him. ”Please, Don’t let them make me sleep. No more sleep.”

“Clara..” He said softly, trying to calm her down, “You do need rest, but if he’s haunting your dreams, you do not have to. Just in case you do..”

”Galen, don’t you dare use a mental ward. Listen to me! Listen to me!” Lucien cried out. ”You could have any woman you wish! Do not let emotions get to you!”

But he was ignored, as Maelthra used magic to form a small shield on her mind. “This isn’t the best protection ward, that’s where Elven and Seelie magic is best used... but it will have to do.”

——

A dark elf servant listening briefly had heard the princess call him Galen. She hurried to gather several elves and dark elves together in another room, near the servants quarters. There they discussed what they just heard.

“She said Galen, I’m sure of it!” She told them. “Young Master is waking up!”

“Which means Lord Lucien is going to be aware of it. If he loses too much control and separates, he might use a bit of Young Master’s magic to take Physical form. He’s now in more danger then ever.” Said An elf. “We need to find a way to either Alert Valinar of the development, or contact Azura.”

“Would they believe us though?” Asked The Servant That instigated the conversation. “What if whoever raised him made him blind even to the truth?”

“Then we have to wait, watch, and pray for Young Master Galen. The Orcs will most likely stay loyal to Lucien, but we are oath bound by the Mother to keep both lines of the Azura Clan safe. Even if it means from Lucien.” Said a Male dark elf. “We’ll find a way. I will write to Lady Sera. Her battalion should be loyal to Galen. She’ll know what to do.”

“Clara..” Galen said diplomatically.
“You do need rest, but if he’s haunting your dreams, you do not have to. Just in case you do..” He said and something warm wrapped around her head and sunk in deep, the pressire on her head ease and she breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you," She said and rested her head against his shoulder.

"The Winter King," She began softly. "In my dreams, he calls to me...controls me when I sleep. He wants to awake, I don't know how, but he wants or needs me to do it." She said and looked up. "I'm scared too, Lucian is frightening yes but this...This is so much worse." She wrapped her arms around his arm, and whimpered. "I am afraid to sleep, I don't want to see him again," She said softly and squeezed tightly before feeling incredibly tired all of a sudden. Her eyes grew heavy, and her grip on him loosely. "Galen...Stay with me?" She asked gently. "Tonight, I don't want to be alone..."

She told him of the Winter King, and Lucien scoffed in his mind about being less frightening then it. It did make him wonder what was going on though. Galen turned pink at her hugging his arm, leaning against his shoulder.

”I am afraid to sleep, I don't want to see him again,” He nodded as he patted her head. “I’m sure you won’t.” He didn’t know if it was the truth, but he was sure the ward will hold, for a time.

”Galen...Stay with me?" she asked, suddenly feeling tired, her amber eyes looking heavy, and loosening her grip. He lowered her gently onto the bed. ”Tonight, I don’t want to be alone...”

“I will stay, Narissa might not approve, but I will. You just rest Clara.” Galen said. “I’m sure you’ll be better in the morning.”

——

Robin added a few more logs to the fireplace. The storm had passed but it left behind a chill that chilled even the Northeastern man. There was another Evil here, that much was obvious. Winters aren’t unnatural as this. Maelthra probably pissed it off.

That was also an enigma his Master wanted him to investigate. How was Maelthra Reborn? Was there a secret Bloodline he used? If this is so, that meant not only was the Shadow King Evil, he was cruel to use his own descendant like a puppet. Worse, was the secret only he knew about the Shadow King that links him to the Azura clan. For now he rubbed his hands together by the fire.

“This chill puts Valsirian winters to shame.” He muttered, “Even the Gryphon Rider would be chilled to the bone by this. I must contact my master about this unnatural cold snap.”

“I will stay, Narissa might not approve, but I will. You just rest Clara.” Galen said after laying her down. Clara grew warm at the sensation. “I’m sure you’ll be better in the morning.” He told her and she nodded, she slide her hand into his and drifted into a thankfully dreamless sleep.

The morning had come, and the storm broke but the chill was nearly unbearable. Still, Narissa made her way into town which looked deserted and to the inn, where Robin was staying. She made her way to the room and knocked. "Master Azura," She called through the door. "It is Narissa," She said and the moment he let her and abd closed the door, she told him everything that had been going on in the castle, from the story Clara told her about The Shadow King's multiple personalities, and the alleged curse, to Clara's seemingly growing feelins toward the Galen personality.

"She would be so very cross that I told you all of this," She said when she finished. "But I fear for her safety, The Princess is capable but she doesn't know the world, she is a princess, and an ill one, she's seen the world through a window, most of her life," Narissa paced. "She trusts you to start a rebellion and that's seemed to be the only reasonable thing she's done. The Shadow King is trying to seduce her, giving her a broken thing she can fix." She said. "Clara has a soft spot for the broken, she wants to save everyone, and this Galen personality is just that, someone she can potentially save." She said. "But it's all lies, I just know it." She went on, shaking her head. "If there only there was a way to get her attention from him," She said and scanned Robin. He was handsome, undeniably, and Clara had seemed to redden at the thought of him. Perhaps.

"You could distract her, she mentioned you a few times before the Shadow King got his claws into her." She said feigning coyness. "You could win the Princess's attention, very easily." She said with a simple shrug."Very easily."

Back at the castle, Clara awoke while into the morning, she smiled to find that she hadn't moved much at all and she couldn't recall her dreams. She looked over to see that she did move, but only a little, she was resting on something firm. She lifted her head to see that she had been sleeping on Galen's chest. How she got there she didn't know but atleast she hadn't walked. Her cheeks reddened and she removed herself, though she didn't really want to.

Robin allowed Narissa in, and she told him something that made his eyes widen. He was just thinking about it this very minute, and here Narissa threw the answer down on his lap. Although he was unsure how his Ancestor Cain fit in this, he had her attention the moment she mentioned Lucien. Clara’s growing feelings about Galen however, was either concerning, or the advantage he needed to do what he had to, and with luck, best Maelthra before whatever the Winter King was reared it’s ugly head. ”But it’s all lies, I just know it.” Narissa said, shaking her head and talking about getting Clara’s attention away from him.

She even talked with fake coy that Robin should do it himself. At that moment he raised his hand to stop. “Had you not mention Cain Azura, and the name Lucien with it, I would have told you it was probably a lie. I don’t know where the the founder of my house, Cain fits in all this, but I can tell you with certainty somehow, the princess hit the nail on the head to a question I was thinking. The original Maelthra’s body was destroyed, but his spirit still endured.” He said calmly rubbing his beard. “Forgive me if I sound mad, but sometimes with Magic, the truth is often what we make of it when all the facts are in a row. Right now Clara’s finding and aiding of the true owner of the body Maelthra’s spirit is using like how one would use a puppet on a string, has both answered my question, and added several new ones moving forward with the rebellion.”

He then looked at Narissa directly in the eyes. “Now then, as for your little attempt at coyness, I wonder what I should do to you for suggesting such a thing. A lowly hunter like me with a princess, tsk.” His own teasing ended with him looking in the fire, “I’m not even considered a noble with how much my House is in Ruin. Anyone I would call immediate family, like a father, mother, all these dead before I even spoke my first word. The place House Azura called home, split amongst both Valsirian Jarls and the main Keep the home of a dragon.”

If Narissa could look carefully, She could see a tear escaping his left eye. “But one day, The Shadow over my house will pass, I will one day return and take back what’s mine. But now I have to plot the rebellion, and not only save the Princess who is a prisoner of the castle, but the soul of a man who’s trapped inside his own body, forced to watch it under Maelthra’s influence.”

——

Galen snored lightly, still asleep, even Clara’s realization of sleeping on his chest seemed to have moved or stirred him from his slumber. He rested there, sleeping soundly. It would leave one to wonder what it would take to make the Shadow King wake from his slumber.

Narissa bit her lip, feeling a little bad but he seemed to believe that everything that Clara said was true, still Narissa feared for her. What if it was Lucian in control, taking Galen's original persona and using it as a way to manipulate and otherwise troublesome princess. She had to get Clara focused on the rebellion and freeing herself and the people...

Looking at Robin as he spoke, something occurred to her. "You're House isn't noble now, but it can be." She said and looked at him with a thin, almost sheepish expression. "You are the last suriving male in your family, that means that you are your house and all you'd need to do is marry a noble...or a Royal." She said, knowingly. "If you were to marry a princess...a Queen, she would take your name...making your house not noble one but a royal one, you would be King." She said and she felt guilty offering the Princess like this, even her father wouldn't force her to marry but this was for her own good. "She already likes you, if she loves you, and you her, then...you could restore your family name," She said. "It would be the only way regardless if you want the princess' help."


Meanwhile, Clara smiled softly, allowing herself to gaze down at his features. Je was handsome, with kind eyes when he was in control, He seemed so gentle, peaceful while he slept. She reached up and brushed a dark lock from his face gently. If she hadn't known, hadn't see it, no one could have told her that he had darkness in him. What would father say? This was the man that killed him but it wasn't his choice. he was at the mercy of his body, much like she was most of the time. It wasn't fair. She reached up and pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead before laying back on his chest softly. She would free him. Somehow.

”You’re house isn’t noble now, but it can be.” Robin sighed. Here she goes again with the princess. ”You are the last suriving male in your family, that means that you are your house and all you'd need to do is marry a noble...or a Royal." He nodded, knowing that it was a valid point. ”If you were to marry a princess...a Queen, she would take your name...making your house not noble one but a royal one, you’d be a King.”

“It wou-“

”She already likes you, if she loves you, and you her, then... you could restore your family name. It would be the only way regardless if you want the princess’s help.”

“Yes, The ‘only way’.” Robin stated. “The only easy way to get honor. No. Playing the Game isn’t my cup of ale. But I’ll make a Valsirian Wager with you. If she does love me, I will try to court her, after the rebellion. If she doesn’t, well, I will still do the rebellion but I think just for good luck on my quest to take back my Family home in Valsir I think I’d like to kiss the cheek of a lovely lady in waiting.”

Two can play at being coy and he knew it. “Everyone wins regardless.” He also didn’t want to think about a Crown. He was an Azura, he knew what Ambition did to one of the founding members of the clan. It turned him into the Shadow King, and Robin didn’t want the temptation looming over his head.

Whilst a marriage to a Noblewoman was indeed in the cards, or a Valsirian Shieldmaiden which applied to the same subject, being a King in a different country would still not restore him his family lands and home in Valsir.

That was the honor he wanted restored. But he will not say these to Narissa. Not out loud.

——

Maelthra groaned and opened up an eye, noticing his position with Clara. He smiled a small bit and got up slowly, “Morning.” He said. He moved her off him and back on the head. “I’m sure you’re feeling better now huh?”

He smiled softly. Lucien almost wanted to vomit from the potential romance. Galen has been getting stronger. He needed to find a way to regain control or escape the body and possibly have enough power to take up his own physical form. Then he would punish Galen, and reassert his control over his conquered lands.

But how?

“Yes, The ‘only way’.” Robin stated, slightly mocking her. “The only easy way to get honor. No. Playing the Game isn’t my cup of ale. But I’ll make a Valsirian Wager with you. If she does love me, I will try to court her, after the rebellion. If she doesn’t, well, I will still do the rebellion but I think just for good luck on my quest to take back my Family home in Valsir I think I’d like to kiss the cheek of a lovely lady in waiting.” Narissa blushed then scoffed.
“Everyone wins regardless."
"Handsome and humble..." She said wryly. "So, you will come back to the castle with me and try to woo the princess?" she asked him. "It's the only way that she'll ever fall for you, you need to be there, with her." she said and folded her arms. "It is what The Shadow King is doing as we speak, aiding her while she is ill." She said with a shrug.

Meanwhile, “Morning.” Galen said and sat up against headboard as she rose to herself. “I’m sure you’re feeling better now huh?”
"Much better, thank you," She said with a smile. She hadn't noticed before how tangled up in one another they were. Her legs were resting on his, and at one point his fingers were tangled in her hair. It all felt so right. She needed to free him. "I know how to free you," She said. "If you want to be free that is," She looked away. "I like when you're you," She said honestly. "You're someone I could..." She didn't finish before she spoke those words too soon.

”Handsome and humble...” Robin smirked and tipped an imaginary cap.

“Robin Azura to a T.” He said. ”So, will you come back to the castle with me and try to woo the princess? It’s the only way she’ll ever fall for you, you need to be there, with her.” Robin sighed visibly. “And here I was looking forward to not getting Frostbitten.”

”It is what the Shadow King is doing as we speak, aiding her while she is ill.”

“Then this is an opportunity for two things. One, to see if your princess actually has feelings for me.” He told her as he started to gather several things. “Two, to get a close look at the Shadow King himself, and see if this talk of souls inside one body is true. If so, I’m gonna try and do to Lucien what you do to poison to a wound.” As he said this he pulled at his bag, “Help me really quick, I need you to look in there and find any sage. I’ll need those along with some Seelie magic infused water. It should be a flask of glowing water with the gold flakes, Ah! Here it is.” He pulled out what seemed to be a small glass flask of water with small glowing flecks. “It’ll be vital for an approach I’ll use on him. If my theory about the Shadow King holds true, it should, in theory, banish the unwanted spirit from the body.”

He took a deep breath and gave Narissa enough time to answer the what if question. “If my theory doesn’t stick, then I’m stuck in the castle with a very pissed off 400 year old great uncle. With this winter becoming more unnatural, I’m fearing there’s a worse evil on the horizon. I don’t want to juggle two evils at once.”

———

Maelthra/Galen flushed at th realization of how they look. If Lucien wasn’t going to punish him for being tangled intimately with Clara, Narissa surely would. She talked to him about freedom.

”I like when you’re you, you’re someone I could...” she stopped herself there and his heart started to race several beats a minute. His face now beet red in embarrassment as he started to untangle himself. “I see.” He said, hiding his face from Clara. “I, need to do some work, checking supply chains, and other things, if the storm hasn’t blown it away.” He slowly started to get up. “We’ll talk more later, hopefully you’re well enough to celebrate your birthday soon too.”

“Then this is an opportunity for two things. One, to see if your princess actually has feelings for me.” Narissa scoffed. Someone thought highly of himself. She just hoped he was more charming toward the princess. “Two, to get a close look at the Shadow King himself, and see if this talk of souls inside one body is true. If so, I’m gonna try and do to Lucien what you do to poison to a wound.” He said and Narissa gaped. If he drew out the evil personality then he could very well capture the princess' attention what with the Galen one pushed aside. “Help me really quick, I need you to look in there and find any sage. I’ll need those along with some Seelie magic infused water. It should be a flask of glowing water with the gold flakes, Ah! Here it is. He found it before she had time to move. “It’ll be vital for an approach I’ll use on him. If my theory about the Shadow King holds true, it should, in theory, banish the unwanted spirit from the body.”
She wasn't sure she believed in any of it. "And if it isn't?"
“If my theory doesn’t stick, then I’m stuck in the castle with a very pissed off 400 year old great uncle. With this winter becoming more unnatural, I’m fearing there’s a worse evil on the horizon. I don’t want to juggle two evils at once.” He said and Narissa bit her lip. The Long Night was fast approaching, two days time in fact but it seemed like that day would be worse then any have every seen. She was 5 the last time it had come, she remembered how violent, it was and she remembered all too well the birth of the Princess and the death of the Queen. She feared the worst now that Clzra seemed to be under the influence of a dark being and her own nightmares.

"The Long Night approaches, whatever you do, it needs to be done quickly."She said.


Clara watched his face and swallowed.“I see.” He said, and hid his face from her. She almost whimpered. “I, need to do some work, checking supply chains, and other things, if the storm hasn’t blown it away.” He disentangled himself from her and she felt colder for it “We’ll talk more later, hopefully you’re well enough to celebrate your birthday soon too.” He said and she grabbed his hand. "Galen, Wait," She rose to her knees and pressed a whisper of a kiss to his lips before pulling away. She tried to say something, but she had no words. Was it a thank you, or did she just simply want to, she really couldn't say. She released his hand and sat back on the bed.

”Galen, Wait.” he turned to look at her only to be kissed. Whether it was in Thanks or something more, he couldn’t figure out. Neither did Clara from the looks of it.

He nodded, giving a small smile before walking out of the room to conduct his business.

——

”Must not covet a Crown, must not covet a Crown.” was the Mantra of the day as Robin trudged through the snow with Narissa, back towards the castle. There was nothing Natural about the cold temperature. He had to wear the thickest furs he could find to stay warm. Even then, the chill was so great, water drops on his hair and beard froze in place, making him almost look like a Snow Yeti from any snow capped mountains.

“Narissa, If you don’t mind to tell me, what happens when the Long Night occurs?” Robin asked, trying to hopefully get his mind off of both the chill, and his own ancestral fears. “Is it just really cold or is there something more to it?”

If he could figure out how Clara and her dreams are connected to the Winter King, he might also figure out what it is, what it wants. In comparison, something called Winter King puts a much more danger to people then Maelthra, but he had to do something about him so he could try to focus on the bigger problem.

He smiled and nodded. Then she explained a tradition of Yule was to happen tomorrow. ”Could you bring that here?” she asked as he eyed the wheelchair and went over to do so. She then explained how she was to help prepare Galen for meeting with him and nodded at that as well.

”You still have my necklace?” Robin smirked and pulled it out of his doublet. “Hasn’t left my neck your highness.” He said, “Wouldn’t want to lose it now, would I?”

Not if he wanted her help when he would one day go and reclaim his home of birth, he mentally told himself. He wanted that more then anything.

——

Galen was in his chambers, finishing up his Yule gifts. He smiled at his work in satisfaction. Lucien, unamused As he was, looked rather pleased with what he came up with in design. It would serve to improve relations with the people and make them trust his rule more. At the same time though, it would be a possible way for one of them to sink a blade into Galen’s back, causing Lucien to be back at square one, this time with no descendants to use.

Pushing the thought, and Lucien out of his mind, Galen sighed as he looked at Clara’s gift. His mind drifted back to the morning, and what Clara did, he briefly touched his lips where hers touched. He began to question his own mind about her, and the strange feelings he was beginning to think on. Was Lucien right? Was Maelthra II slowly falling for her?

If so, was there hope for Galen’s freedom yet? If you asked the small ring of Servants secretly conspiring against Lucien, signs definitely pointed to yes.

“Hasn’t left my neck your highness.” Clara smiled as he pulled the wolf pendant from his doublet. “Wouldn’t want to lose it now, would I?”

"No,"She said with reddeness touching her cheeks. "You wouldn't," She said and wheeled herself out of the room. "Find Robin Azura a room please," She told a guard who nodded and did as she asked while another offered to push Clara wherever she needed to be. "What's Your name, Good Sir?" she asked noticing that he was a dark elf. "Alder," Said the elf. "Well, Thank you, Sir Alder, I'm looking for the King." She said and the dark elf nodded and began to push her along. "If you don't mind my saying, You're Grace," Alder began, piquing Clara's interest. "We've not seen King Maelthra like this in..." He paused. "A long time?" Clara offered looking back. Alder shook his head. "Ever," he said and that one word spoke volumes. "What's caused this change?" She asked though she figured she knew that answer. Alder wheeled her to the door and knocked. "You, You're Grace," He said and with a bow and walked off, leaving her alone at the door.

The memory of her kiss echoing in her thoughts. He hadn't kissed her back but he hadn't pushed her away either. What would have happened if he had kissed her back? She wanted to know more than was appropriate.