Chapter 5: Dinner with the King

The group continued through the village without any more trouble and returned to the main road. They pushed their horses into a quick but steady trot and made it to the castle by the late afternoon.

Niamh did not see much of the king after dismounting at the elegant castle by an evergreen forest. Lorcan was rushed into the castle by the scar-faced general as soon as he dismounted. Captain Aengus calmly introduced Niamh to two servants, Maeval and Moidrin, her new personal servants. He left them to show Niamh to her chambers to unpack and get comfortable.

She didn't feel much like talking, and the servants did the unpacking, so Niamh went out on her balcony. The dark green of the forest was soothing, reminding her of the Tigherneach Keep. As she watched, she saw King Lorcan, the general, Captain Aengus, and a host of elves with scrolls and tired faces come out into the yard below. One elflord, richly dressed in a clean, red robe, was gesturing grandly. Lorcan simply nodded. The red-robed elf continued to talk and gesture as the King walked, but Lorcan seemed uninterested. He looked up, catching sight of his future queen on her balcony. His gaze made Niamh shiver. The red-robed elf paused and the group turned to look at Lorcan, who replied briefly. The group scattered, leaving the general and king to walk away.

Suddenly, there was a flurry of movement and Niamh watched as elves skilled in various trades seemed to spill out of the castle.

It seemed Lorcan was not wasting time getting ready for the wedding.

Maeval and Moidrin joined Niamh on her balcony, and together they watched garlands of flowers, ivy, and evergreen boughs being placed around the castle and beyond.

"Finally," said Maeval. "We will have something to celebrate."

Niamh looked at her handmaiden. "I'm getting the impression this part of the kingdom has been having dark times."

She thought back to the village, and Captain Aengus' words. Niamh turned back to watch the preparations.

Moidrin took a breath. "My Lady, you come from the very edge of the Elven Realms… We've been under dark clouds for far too long. "

Before Niamh could reply, the handmaidens left to return to their duties.

Niamh saw the king again at the evening meal. He almost seemed to ignore Niamh as he ate even though she was sitting near him.

"Are your chambers comfortable?" Lorcan asked suddenly.

"They are," Niamh replied.

Silence fell.

Lorcan looked up from his plate. "Tomorrow is the wedding."

Niamh nodded. "I look forward to it."

Lorcan raised an eyebrow.

"Tell me about how you came into Lord Tigherneach's care."

Memories flooded Niamh's mind and heart. For a moment she couldn't speak.

"My father was a warrior…"

"Nildrian. Yes, he was an incredible warrior and his loss was felt by the whole kingdom," Lorcan interrupted, nodding."

Niamh continued, "After my mother was given the news of his death, she seemed to lose all interest in life. They loved each other dearly… she died of a broken heart just months later."

Something flickered in the eyes of the king, and he sat back in his chair.

"So how does Lord Tigherneach become your guardian?" Lorcan asked roughly.

Niamh shrugged. "He was close friends with my father since they were young. Lord Tigherneach and my father fought side by side through the wars…"

"Ah, I see," Lorcan pushed away his plate. "I forgot half-elvens were allowed to fight for the Elven Realms."

Sitting straight and still in her chair, Niamh felt a fire rising in her heart.

"What difference does it make if your soldiers are elven or half-elven? They fight for you."

Lorcan set his icy glare on Niamh.

"It's not about loyalty, it's about strength, devotion, and skill."

Niamh opened her mouth, but Lorcan continued.

"You are loyal to Lord Tigherneach, but your loyalty blinds you. The half-elven don't have the same abilities as true elves."

Niamh glared, "I don't believe that."

Lorcan glared back, "Are you telling me I'm wrong, after my years in battle?"

It was then Niamh noticed it was just her and the king in the room. She took a breath to continue.

"Choose your words wisely," the King growled.

"I have the experience of being with both elves and half-elven, and have seen the benefits and skills of both," Niamh said bravely. "We are all part of the Elven Realms. We all love, fight and die the same."

The King paused, then stood up.

"You will need to rest, Lady Niamh Aidhne. I suggest you retire early tonight."

With those words, King Lorcan turned sharply and stormed out of the hall, leaving Niamh to fume and wonder alone.

She ran her fingers along the edge of the ancient oak table, tracing the careful, elegant carved images of leaves and flowers.

"How can a King be so ignorant?" Niamh thought to herself.

She stood up slowly and made her way back to her chambers, seemingly unaware of the wedding preparations going on around her. Modrin and Maeval met her at the door and seeing her mood, quietly prepared a warm bath for the future queen.

"Love can soften the hardest of hearts," Marvel said kindly as Niamh slipped into the sweet-smelling water."

"Pardon?" Niamh asked sharply, instantly regretting her tone.

Maeval dipped her head, "My Lady, the king can be… difficult, but I think you will be the fresh breeze his heart needs."

Niamh smiled ruefully. "I guess we shall see."

That night, sleep came late and dreams never came at all.

When her handmaidens pulled back the curtains to reveal the early morning sun, Niamh grimaced and pulled the blankets tighter around her chin. Maeval and Moidrin eventually pulled the blankets from her hands.

"Is that any way to treat your new queen?" Niamh snapped.

Maeval raised an eyebrow and looked at Moidrin, "Well… you aren't Queen yet, so we'll take our chances."

Niamh laughed.

She sat up and looked at the two handmaidens setting out an elegant, dark blue gown with gold overlay on the bodice. Coming for a closer look, Niamh was surprised at the size of the garment, and matching shoes.

"What will I be wearing as a veil?" she asked Maeval.

"You actually have a few choices," Maeval said excitedly.

Moidrin handed Maeval a large package and she opened her own. Each handmaiden pulled out a set of tiaras and veils.

The choices were examined carefully by the future queen. Niamh stood thoughtfully before them. One was a simple sheer veil the color of her dress, with oak leaf designs lining the edges. The second was still the same sheer, and color, as the first, but Niamh took in a sharp breath when she saw the design on the veil. Embroidered on the veil was a bird, the head of the bird rested at the back of the bride's head, its back and wings lined up with her back, and the bottom of the veil was the spread tail of the bird.

Niamh pointed, "That one."

"Very dramatic," said Moidrin. "It's the perfect choice."

Niamh had just had something to eat, when she welcomed the elf in the red robe, a council member named Roedrian Boru, into her presence. He calmly explained how the day would go. By the time Niamh was done listening, she rubbed her forehead in exhaustion.

"Don't worry, my Lady," Boru smiled.

Niamh was left to herself for a short time, and she sat by the window overlooking fields and forest beyond the castle walls. She closed her eyes and fell soundly asleep. She was roused by an excited Maeval and Moidrin only moments later.

It was time.