Winterfall

Once we were able to collect ourselves we pushed through the dark oak doors one more time and entered the crowded streets. Colorful stalls lined both sides of the narrow cobblestone street, their awnings decorated with twinkling fairy lights that danced merrily in the evening breeze. Each stall was a miniature world of its own, offering an array of artisanal crafts, handmade jewelry, and local artworks that caught the eye of passersby.

“Potions, aplenty!” One vendor shouted, “By them while we have supplies!” I glanced over at his stall and he had three rows of a variety of potions. Blues, yellows, reds, orange colored liquid swirled in the jars.

“Tempting..” I murmured beneath my breath as I walked past the stall.

No Maria. We can not trust buying anything from here. Théoden ordered me through the bond. His voice was strict but caring.

I sighed, not even food?

I felt him chuckle through the bond, you always think with your stomach.

You are the one to talk. I snapped back. You always think with your stomach.

Fair. I suppose food is alright. Just use caution on who you purchase it from. And Maria…are you sure you are not.

Théoden! I shouted. I felt my face go red.

He laughed some more through the bond. I know, I know. Like I said. I am pretty sure I would have sensed it.

Just enough of the baby talk for now. I groaned.

Alright. Just try to enjoy the festival.

I pulled myself out of the conversation to return my focus back to the festival. I found myself walking amongst the cobblestone and a man selling sweets caught my attention.

“Fresh baked tarts! Two gold pieces!”

I walked over to his booth and instantly got hit with an overwhelming sensation of apple, cherry, black berry, raspberry, and many more varieties of tarts. “Two gold a tart?” I asked as my mouth watered at the delicious sight in front of me.

“Exactly Princess Maria.” The owner of the booth said, “however for a beautiful girl like you, it is free.” He handed me a tart that oozed cherry.

“I can pay.” I said and handed him two gold for the tart.

The tart was warm, flaky and perfectly cooked as it drove my taste buds wild. I heard soft footsteps fall beside me, that caused me to startle. “How’s the tart?” Quinn asked as she glanced at the booth of sweets then back at me.

“Delicious, you want one?” I asked her as I nodded towards the both.

“On duty Théoden doesn’t allow distractions.” Quinn sighed, “Thanks for the offer.”

“It’s just a tart. Here have a piece of mine.” I said and broke off some of the crispy goodness and handed her half of what was left.

“Thank you Maria.” Quinn took it and walked beside me for a while while she ate it. “Delicious but not as good as Roland’s cooking is it?”

“That’s for sure.” I said as I finished up my half of the tart.

Quinn seemed a bit fidgety than normal as something seemed to weigh heavily on her mind. “Quinn what is it?”

“I suppose, I should say thank you for earlier. If you hadn’t stepped in I don’t know if I would have been able to resist.”

“I am the one that should be thanking you. You took the magic to protect me.”

She smiled softly, “Maria, I will take a sword to the heart for you any day.”

“Thanks. Let’s hope that doesn’t happen.”

We have been walking for some time now passing stalls after stalls of a variety of goods. Stopping at the occasional sweet booth and splitting a treat. The festival was as lively as I remembered it. Music, dancing, art being created, magic tricks-simple ones, but still. As a child, I used to love coming to the festival.

Of course, Théoden traveled with me and my parents then. And somehow we managed to slip away from them and enjoy the festivities to ourselves. And maybe Théoden's absence was why the festival wasn’t hitting the same as it usually does. As it felt wrong being here now.

I felt Quinn reach out and touch my shoulder, “Maria? Are you alright?” My facial expression must have given away my mixed feelings.

“Sorry, I was just thinking about the past and how this festival used to be.

“You used to come here with your folks, right?” Quinn questioned me and I nodded in response, “I remember some of those trips. Théoden would have a few of us come with training exercises.”

“That’s right.” I recalled how Quinn, Hank, Thorin and others had gone with us on a variety of trips. The other guards were rarely seen but we knew they were there.

“It’s his absence that is bothering you isn’t it?” Quinn asked as she studied my posture and facial expressions. In hopes to gain any insight into the situation.

“Yeah, I just miss the opportunities that we had when we traveled.” I knew it was probably stupid of me to miss something that was innocence but moments that I treasured.

“The times when you two snuck off and had some fun times?” Quinn questioned with a smirk.

I kept my mouth from dropping, “WHAT!?” I exclaimed. Then I remembered what Théoden and I often did during those trips. We often found hidden spots or Théoden would rent a room in a tavern for an hour or so, so we could have alone time. My face turned red at the thought. “Please tell me you didn’t see…” I turned away from her. Hell, I couldn’t even finish the sentence.

“You and him, all over each other?” She teased me. “Don’t worry about it. I learned quickly to turn the other way. Selective hearing was always a plus.” As Quinn spoke the words I felt my face turn even more red. “Maria, it’s nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about.”

“You saw us…” I couldn’t even finish that sentence. Théoden please tell me you didn't know that she was watching. That other guard might have been watching.

I can not lie, Maria.

For fuck sake! How often? I tried to remain calm through the bond but I just couldn’t believe that this had happened. If I had known…I don’t think I would have done half the stuff I did with him.

And that is why I didn’t tell you. Think of all of the opportunities we would have missed.

He had a point. If we would have waited to do half the stuff we did then we wouldn’t have half of the memories that we do.

We can discuss this more later.

I told him as I pulled back into reality. “I am sorry Quinn.” I told her as I felt the heat leave my cheeks.

“Maria, it is alright. It was a shock at first, but I got it. You two are in love.”

I sighed in relief, “How are you so cool with this?”

She shrugged, “I just am.” She paused before saying anything else, “Alright.” She said, I looked at her confused. “I need to step back into the shadows. He’s getting a bit annoyed with me being next to you.” Quinn skillfully guided herself back into the shadows and fell in step with the other three guards.

She was fine next to me.

I don’t need her telling any more of my secrets. He said, besides she needs to do as she is trained, which is to be in the shadows.

I let out a long breath, Whatever.

I continued to walk along the cobblestone street for a while. I stopped at the occasional food cart to purchase a dessert. As I neared the end of the street I was walking on, Marcel messaged me, "Come to the castle. We need to start getting ready for our dance."