The Forgotten Coronation

Yavanna planned to read about Nothad and its people all morning, and in the afternoon she would begin learning Noth. She spoke all five dialects of Viel, the language of Viland. Surely learning a new language wouldn't be too hard.

Just as she peeled open the first page of the first book, there was a knock on the door. She watched as Christa walked to the door and opened it. She exchanged a few words with whoever was there before she nodded farewell.

Turning to Yavanna, she said, "The king has ordered that you be prepared to leave for the coronation."

Yavanna breathed in a deep breath which quickly dispelled from her weak lungs. The coronation. She wasn't ready for all of the responsibility about to be thrust upon her. She hadn't even cracked open the first book. She had read about their kings, and their curse… but she doubted that would help much.

Vivian and Christa helped her to stand and Lorraine helped her to the bath. She requested help with undressing and washing up. She would just do her best to keep the veil from getting wet. Her eye was healing but the bruise was still noticeable.

"Oh!"

She looked at where Lorraine was washing and saw a healing cut on her leg. Her brows furrowed and she could only stare at it. Had her dreams affected her body? She could recall that someone had cut her leg in a dream. But that was only a dream.

Lorraine said nothing besides her previous utterance and soon finished with the bath.

"Your hair will be prepared before the ceremony, your highness." The maid said as an explanation for Yavanna's hair being left alone.

She was helped from the bath and dried. Adorning her fur-lined robe she walked into her room. She could feel her strength returning, but she still didn't place her confidence in it.

A travelling dress was picked out for her, made of wool. It had two layers to it besides the shift and underskirt. One warm gold underdress with a dark brown overdress that split down the middle to reveal the gold fabric. They laced it up her chest with strings and tightened it to the point she grasped the dressing table from dizziness.

"Is it too tight, your highness?" Christa asked worriedly.

She shook her head, her eyes closed, "No. No, it's fine." 'I'll be fine.'

"How would you like your hair, your highness?"

"Just tie it with a ribbon, please."

Her hair was soon tied with a gold ribbon, matching the gold of the dress, and had warm boots on her feet.

Walking out of her room she was followed by her ladies in waiting and maids.

"How long is the journey to where the coronation will take place?" She asked, doing her best to keep a regal air about her.

"Only half a day, your highness. But there are many preparations to be done and decisions to be made." Vivian answered.

Yavanna nodded and they continued the rest of the way through the palace asking and answering more questions.

As they arrived near the main entrance, she asked, "And my belongings will be in order?"

"Yes, your highness."

"Good." She'd already asked if they would be following her there and they'd all answered yes, save Christa who had children to tend to. But she would be there for the day if the coronation.

She forced her steps not to slow when she caught sight of the king. She pulled her shoulders back and asked Edith another question. While in the midst of the conversation Sir Greyson stepped forward. "Good morning, your highness. I apologize for your life being in danger while on my watch."

Her eyes rose and she felt her cheeks warm slightly, "Oh, there's no need, Sir Greyson. It was not your fault."

"Maybe so, your highness. But I was assigned to protect you and I have so far done a poor job."

She smiled, "You have done a fine job. I would never have made it out of the city centre without you."

He still looked unconvinced, "Rest assured, your highness. I will stay by your side throughout this entire journey."

A surge of appreciation flowed through her. No one besides Maxwell had ever cared to protect her. "Thank you, Sir Greyson. Your loyalty is much appreciated."

"I assume you're ready then."

She straightened at the sound of the king's voice and turned to face him. His blond hair was combed back neatly, his face clean shaven as always. His eyes watched her with an irked expression. "Yes, your majesty. I am." She answered.

He nodded curtly and walked towards the entrance, a man following behind him and explaining something to him.

Yavanna only nodded a goodbye to her maids and ladies in waiting before following after him. Jessica appeared at her side and began listing off what she would be expected to do once she arrived. Yavanna could only listen with half her mind; the other was occupied with how she would survive another journey with the king. She had ended up with a black eye and nightmares on her last journey.

"Jessica," She turned to the woman, not noticing that she had interrupted her. "Could you find me some books, please. I would enjoy something to occupy myself on the ride."

"Of course, your highness." She answered and told someone beside her of the princess's request. "You may mount the carriage, your highness. I'll have them with me shortly and will give them to you."

Yavanna nodded, looking warily at the king from the corner of her eye. She didn't want to get into that carriage without the reading material, but she also didn't want to get into it with something that could be used as a weapon. 'Although he could just snap your neck in half and no one would be the wiser.' She thought dryly.

"Goodbye, Jessica." She said with a small smile and mounted the carriage. It was more enclosed than the previous had been, with lower walls and shorter benches. The king entered close behind her and she hugged the wall before remembering herself. She was his queen. She had to get into that mindset.

He closed the door and she parted her lips to say that she was waiting for something, when he knocked on the wall and the carriage began moving.

"I was waiting for someone." She said in as neutral a tone as she could manage.

He raised a brow disinterestedly, "Is it someone important?"

She blinked, "Th-they were bringing something important to me." She clenched her fist in frustration at her stutter.

He crossed his arms and looked out the window, "Then I suggest you have patience and wait."

She raised her chin, her eyes flaring for a moment, but she said nothing. The image of him hovering over her, spitting insults and threats at her face was enough to remind her to bite her tongue.