Chapter 7 Court with a Prince

When we entered the court we were announced in a grand way. A man with a staff at the front of the court slammed his staff on the floor and announced our arrival. To be honest the room was rather quiet. The noise made me jump.

The room was full of people but all with solemn faces. As we walked down the aisle, Brenton held my hand. I leaned into him slightly. The looks of some of the people looking at me was disturbing to say the least.

When we got to the front I curtsied, and Brenton bowed. Brenton kissed his fathers hand and took me over to a table chair that had been placed next to Brenton's throne chair. He sat me in the throne chair and he sat in the table chair that was next to mine. Brenton whispered to me as he sat down that the throne maker had not finished my chair yet. It would be there in a few days. Till then I was going to sit in his chair.

The King Fredric smiled at Brenton, and so did his wife. It made me feel proud to be there. King Fredric stood up and held out his hand to us. Brenton and I both stood up. King Fredric said, "Let me introduce the kingdoms newest married couple. Brenton and Joy Fuoco-Fenice. It is a mix of his dragon type and her last name. Lets all welcome them to the court. We look forward to any insight you may have about the problems we address here." The court members all stood up and applauded.

I curtsied, and he bowed. We sat back down and the court resumed. The man with the stick walked to the center of the of the front area. He began yelling, "It is now after lunch. We are resuming todays session. We have court one day a week every week. We hold court that whole day. We welcome all newcomers that come with issues before the king. All we ask is that you try to keep your stories short and sweet. We know sometimes that is not possible, but there are many people behind each and everyone of you. One of them may have a problem worse than yours, even if you think their problem is trivial. Their problem is not trivial to them. We expect common courtesy and respect. If you can not provide that then leave now. For this court is only for those that need our help. Now send in the next townsperson."

A old woman came in slowly. She walked with a cane but grinned as she came in. She was dressed well, and smelled of lilacs. It was weird I could smell it from here. It was slow going but no one seemed to mind. In fact, everyone was smiling. When she got to the front the man with the staff pulled up a chair for her to sit down.

She thanked him politely and wasted no time." King Fredric your majesty, I only have one wish before I die. I have never, in my long years, been lucky enough to see you in all your glory. It has been my wish since I was a child to see a real dragon. My petition was returned to me today by your house hold guards. They brought me here in your fanciest carriage. Your maids bathed me and dressed me in these fine clothes. If I am to be eaten, let it be now. I feel I am ready. I have never before in my life felt as pampered, and happy as I do right now. If I am to be your meal then so be it. It is the least I could do in repayment for your kindness."

King Fredric and half the court burst out in laughter. King Fredric stood up and walked over to the woman. "My dear Marissa, I shall grant your wish." He turned into his mighty and grand dragon self. Luckily, the throne room was big enough. She gasped! King Fredric leaned down and let Marissa rub his nose.

Queen Shuri came down and hugged the old woman. "My dear you are two old and tough to become a meal for my husband. We want to offer you a job. We need a woman to sit and pick the flowers off the stems in the kitchens. When your hands can not handle that anymore, we have a room for you to stay in until you go to meet our maker. We want to take care of you. For you my dear have cared for us all your life. Please let us repay you and show you our respect."

The woman shook her head so hard, that she flipped tears at the king and queen. King Fredric picked up the old woman and the chair she was sitting in and put her by the door. "We will see each other again soon Mrs. Marissa." The old woman smiled bigger than ever before. As she turned and was helped and escorted out the door. The King turned back human and he and Suri sat back down on their thrones.

The whole scene put a lump in my throat. They were so sweet to the old lady. Brenton leaned over and explained, "The old lady has worked in our flower fields since she was born. Over 70 loyal years of work and dedication. She is the oldest flower to tend the fields. They felt they had to honor that kind of loyalty."

I smiled and felt excited for the townsperson. But it was the tax collector. He rambled on and on about acquiring taxes, paying bills and needing an assistant to help with his work load. When he finally got out about the assistant, King Fredric shouted "Finally! I thought you would never get to the point. Benton my lad, next time tell me what you want before you go into all the reasons why. I would gladly give you 16 assistants if you needed. Hire as many as you need, and next time tell me what you need first. I may just give it to you." The man laughed and smiled as he left the court room.

There were many more cases that were similar. Boring cases about land rights, field operations, and boarders. I did learn that they keep ranches of cattle, sheep, chickens, pigs and horses. Some for the meat and some for product they produce. They barter with several neighboring kingdoms. This kingdom is rich because of how well the King runs his system.

It was all I could do not to yawn by the end of the day though. Brenton was wide awake. He would nudge me if I looked like I was waning. I would smile at him and go back to attempting to pay attention. King Fredric called it a day about six o'clock that night. We had to wait till all the towns people had been escorted out of the court.

All the answered townspeople left immediately. The back half of the court was full of unanswered townspeople. King Fredric leaned over and told me, "There is just not enough hours in the day to answer all of their calls. That is why we do this one day each week. This is exhausting work. But I hope you learned some things."

I smiled, "Yes lots! Like you are very patient. Not one person left here discouraged or angry with you. That is an amazing trick."

King Fredric shook his head. "Listening is the trick, understanding is always the answer. I don't like fighting. But if it came down to it. I will be the victor. Not the challenger. My people know that. That is why they come to me."

I shook my head. I understood what he was saying. He was an amazing king. Brenton took my hand, it was time for us to depart. After court, Brenton told me that he and his parents always go for a flight. He changed into his magnificent self and picked me up putting me on his back. The King and Queen where waiting on us.

As soon as Brenton hit the mouth of the cave we were off. We were soaring through the clouds. The wind in my hair felt so good! When I looked to the side however, Brenton's mother was standing on the Kings back. She yelled to me, "Joy, this is what we call Dragon surfing." The King took off up into the cloud's. He did a back flip and the queen started free falling. She put her arms out like she was flying. She had a massive grin on her face.

The King dove down just behind her and came up underneath her. She landed on him feet first, just as he pulled up at the last second before they hit the ground. They were both laughing and full of adrenaline. The King shouted, "Lets play tag!" He flew over and bumped into us.

I was in the perfect spot at the crook of Brenton's neck. I was safe and sound. Brenton whooped; I am coming for you dad! He flew over and tagged the King. The King and Brenton then engaged in a Arial display that would make a fire pilot puke. But it was not so bad where I was sitting. Brenton's wings kept me from most of the wind and pressure. I noticed while we were playing the queen had gotten in the same exact spot I had on her husband. It was the safest spot on the dragon. She was giggling just as loud if not more so than me. It was so much fun.

When they had tired themselves out enough we came back down to the caves. Once there the men changed back and loud and boisterous laughs. They were on cloud nine even on the ground. Brenton took my hand and the King wrapped his arm around the Queen as we walked back inside.

We sat down and ate supper together and laughed about the flight in the air. I complimented them both for their amazing acrobatics, "Your majesties were amazing!" They froze and stared at me. Then the King put his hand on my shoulder. "My dear, we are family now. None of the family is allowed to call as your majesties. To you even in court, I am Fredrick and mama here is Shuri." Shuri stepped in front of me smiling, "Your married to my son. That makes you my daughter. I am mama to you. Papa Fredrick her is your papa now. Okay."

I smiled as Shuri hugged me and took my hand in friendship. What a welcoming family I have married into. They are so excepting, and wonderful. I can not help but wonder if or when something is going to take this away from me. For now, I am going to enjoy this for as long as I can. My family has grown so large! And so has my heart. I fill full and happy. Thank you my maker for such a wonderful outcome. I wonder what is going to happen next?