Winterfall

I quickly began to scan the area for anomalies but found nothing. Just typically looking folk going about their day. Remember Maria, within a half mile. Just come back inside.

I knew I should have gone back inside but I was curious to see how the item worked. The ruby gem was dim. Which meant I wasn’t close to the creature. The emerald green gem was also dim. Though that could have just been Pari as the shop was within a half mile to the castle.

I decided to ignore Theoden and walk in one direction. The gem didn’t brighten. So I decided to walk in an eastward direction a few hundred feet. The gem brightened just a bit.

“Alright, so they are to the east.” I thought to myself.

Don’t be stupid Maria. Do NOT confront them.

Now, I knew I could ignore his order. However, curiosity ran through my veins and I soon found myself walking east.

Every few hundred feet the gem’s brightness grew. Every few hundred feet my heart pounded faster as I knew I was about to come face to face with another hellish creature.

Step by step, I walked forward. Ignoring Théoden's urgency. “Now, if I was a hell creature where would I be?” I asked myself as I had just passed the last wall of the castle.

Scanning the area, all I saw was forest ahead. Shrubs, trees, dirt paths, and decaying nature. “Maybe it’s invisible…” I whispered to myself as I continued cautiously down the path. As I neared the edge of the half mile, the ruby stone was glistening like a star. It was close. However, I lacked a sense of direction forward.

I continued to scan the area and look for any hidden clues that could indicate to me where the creature may be hiding. I found nothing. What was even stranger was that within a few seconds of being here, the gem’s brightness quickly faded.

I sighed and started to walk back towards the castle once again. “I could have sworn…” I mumbled to myself as I was at a loss for the sudden change of brightness in the gem. “Wait..”

Theoden?

I had started to develop a feeling that Théoden's guards were to blame. That perhaps he ordered them to take care of it so I wouldn’t have to. So that I wouldn’t get hurt.

It took a minute for him to respond to me but his response confirmed my feeling. Yes Maria.

When he spoke it didn’t come out like he would if he was questioning what I wanted. It seemed as if he was confirming my own suspicions.

Just come back to the castle.

I let out a long sigh and eventually made it back to the castle gate. I knew on my walks Théoden has had at least three if not four guards on me at all times. So, it didn’t surprise me that he had them dispose of the creature before I even saw it. Though, it did bother me as I wanted to try to fight it or even talk to it.

That was the point. You haven’t trained since the lair was created. And I didn’t want to take a chance on the creature being able to over power you without my full protection.

Whatever.

Train. That was right, I had lacked training since I had ordered Théoden to rest in bed. Perhaps, I needed to change that however, the only one I was truly comfortable with in training was Theoden.

Considering the last time I trained with Quinn, I almost killed her… No, I didn't want to take that chance again. Seeing her like that, still bothers me to this day. But he was right. I needed to train and I didn’t want to train with Theoden right now. So, that only left Quinn. Damn it.

What is it Maria?

At this point I was back in the kitchen, gathering a tray of food and a glass of tea for Theoden. So, I didn’t answer him right away.

“It’s just what if I hurt her again.” I muttered as I entered his bedchambers carrying the food five minutes later.

He adjusted himself to a full sitting position on his oversized king bed and cleared his throat, “With the developments that we had the last time, I might be able to heal her through you.”

I looked at him with curiosity as I carefully walked over the tray and sat it on the bed. “You think that is a possibility?”

“I don’t see why not.”

I watched as he began to prepare his breakfast, first by buttering the toast and putting syrup on the pancakes. He then began to dig, stuffing his face with bites of pretty much everything on the plate.

“I’m not comfortable testing that theory but I do need to train.”

“I can train you.” He said between bites of pancake with syrup dribbling down his chin.

I couldn’t help but smile back as I grabbed a cloth and cleaned away the syrup. “You need rest.” I reminded him.

“Maria,” he groaned loudly. “I am fine. Better even.”

“I’m not risking it. Consider this my first order.” I said as a grin fell on my face.

He looked at me dumbfounded, “Wait…since when do you get to order me?”

“Since I have become a member of the Council. Since I am taking the steps I need to, to become Queen.”

He fell silent as he ate. I could tell he was contemplating what I had just declared. “Alrighty.”

I sighed, “Look, I don’t order you to do anything. I trust your own judgment when it comes to things like protection of the kingdom. However, when it comes to protecting my bond mate, I need to take the necessary steps to make sure you are okay.”

“Since when did the roles become reversed?”

I shrugged, “Since it was you who needed protection for once.”

He rolled his eyes, “I suppose I can not argue with that. I mean, I get food brought to me and I don’t have to stress on work.”

“Don’t get too comfortable with this now. When the week is up, I need you out in the field.”

He held a laugh, “Are you sure you don’t want to become my permanent maid?”

I glared at him. “Not a chance.”

With that I left him to eat the rest of his breakfast in peace. As the day progressed, I found myself staring at the door to my fathers office. It had been some time since I entered his office. The last being the collection of my ring of power storage.

As I stood there I contemplated turning around and going back to my room. “No Maria.” I told myself, “this is what needs to be done. This is my future. My kingdom's future.”

With that, I found the strength to grasp the brass door knob as I unlocked his office door one last time. Holding my breath, I pushed the door open and stepped over the doors threshold.