Winter's Song

There was a silence that descended upon everyone in the grand ballroom. One could hear a pin drop if it were possible that's how loud such silence was. Each dignitary, envoy, ambassador and court lady took a turn at greeting the newly wed queen.

"Your Majesty, I am Lady Aria, I wished to tell her majesty that I shall be unable to attend the tea ceremony as I have to return home to my sick mother."

"Of course Lady Aria you may be excused," replied Queen Elesha taking into account the nervous woman with trembling hands.

Queen Elesha sat on the throne and for the first time since she had married she actually took notes on paper regarding certain matters that were discussed at court such as the transfer of roles and titles from one nobleman to his heir, the matter of ships carrying precious cargo such as spices and perfumes setting sale to trade with nearing kingdoms and the small matter of taxes.

A chill was in the air and as Queen Elesha sat on the throne answering questions that were directed by members of the court.

She was taken aback by the audacity of an elderly court lady, who spoke to her in private regarding the matter of an heir to the throne.

"Your Majesty, I am Lady Drella and I wish to inform her majesty that being a long standing member of this court, it is imperative that you secure your claim to the throne by producing an heir.

"Lady Drella, your concern is touching but I'm afraid that is something you do not need to worry about as I'm sure that decision rests with your King."

"Your Majesty I do not mean to be blunt but I have to say that is the only way a peaceful reign for many more years to come will be successfully accomplished. I lost my son in the wars many years ago and it is something to this day that I very much regret.

"He served his country well, I'm sure he is amongst those that are honoured in the House of God," replied Queen Elesha soothingly.

"Yes, in the House of the Dead if that is what you mean, you're lucky my dear that he didn't die in a war with the Kingdom of Weiss, if not I would be amongst those who would share disdain for your presence at court."

"Its rather presumptuous of you to conclude that there should be any that would have disdain for my presence here as I believe my union to your king benefits the majority of the members at court. How could you state otherwise?" questioned Queen Elesha with as much politeness as she could muster in that moment.

"My dear, you may be a ruler but you are still so young and rather naive of court affairs, but I only wish to advise you Your Majesty as I merely desire a peaceful and prosperous reign for many more years to come. An heir of Rubicund and Weiss guarantees that and I look forward to the news of when you come to be with child." Lady Drella said the last bit rather abruptly before turning and leaving the room, without being dismissed.

'Great, we are all off to a wonderful start,' thought Queen Elesha as she left the ballroom and headed for the library. She found a book to appeal to her sense of wonderment for poetry and the book she picked out was titled Winter's Song by Annalisa Hartwood. She still had time on her hands before she had to go to court again so she immersed herself in the first page of that particularly enticing work of art.

As she opened it a note fell from the book and the paper was old and yellow, curious she unfolded it and the page read :

I found you darling,

In cold winter,

When you planned to sleep,

Lost in the land of dreams,

I knocked on your door.

You heard my knock and refused to open,

For your love was not strong,

You were fighting the cold,

My love burned to hold you,

I called out to you.

You heard my voice,

You awoke from slumber,

You came to the door with feet on cold stone,

Hands dripping with sweet perfume,

The smell of you awakened something new.

The door opened,

You embraced me in your arms,

Soft hands touched my face,

Lips dripping with honey kissed my mouth,

My heart skipped a beat, blood rushed at a faster pace.

For you my beautiful queen,

all my love,

King Hendrix.

Queen Elesha knew this was a note written by King Hans father to his mother as she saw it bore the former king's signature. She folded it once again and kept it safely in the pages of the book. Yes, she thought to herself this was a book she would definitely read and ask her husband about the note later.

She left the library and headed straight for the dining room to greet her husband whom she knew would be up by this time.