Winterfall

One week had gone by after Marcel’s attack. During the first week, I focused on recovery while Théoden stayed his distance. I kept in my room isolating myself from both Marcel and Theo.

Within the comforts of my own room I had just about everything I needed. The oversized king bed is draped in pink fabric and gray bedding. A wall length desk that stretched the left wall, a floor length mirror that was placed next to the bathroom arched way that was on the right wall. and my wardrobe that was placed in the corner of the right side of the room.

My bed was placed long sided against the last wall of my room, granting me access to view my kingdom through the stained glass window. The stained glass window was that of a simple rose design, each panel allowed an array of colors to dance across my room.

A servant named Rajesh would bring up food for me every few hours and my nurse Rose would check on me every hour. Both were pretty good at keeping me informed as to what was happening outside of the castle. As what I got from Théoden, was scarce as he didn't want me to focus on things going on in the kingdom as I healed.

One of the rumors she told me about was what Marcel was doing. "The king has been having a few meetings with The Council. One every two days in regards to potential changes with some of the rules. I haven't heard the rules but that is what I have been informed."

I just nodded as she talked. "There has been an increase in deaths in the kingdom. Some of them have been unexplained." She continued as she rambled on.

I only truly began to listen when she said, “Now, dear Marcel does send his best but he wants to make sure that your guard keeps his distance.”

I rolled my eyes, “If he wants what is best for me, he will let Theo do his business as usual.”

Rose cleaned any remaining wounds that my own magic and Theo’s magic did not heal completely, “You really care about him don’t you?”

I didn't dare to answer that. I had no idea whether or not she would report it back to Marcel. “You do not have to stay silent Maria.” She was quick to push the conversation further.

“I’d rather not discuss it.”

“Fair enough.”

“Anything else to report about Marcel?”

Rose thought for a moment, “Other than being a royal pain?” I chuckled and nodded. “He keeps asking when you will be ready for his hand in marriage. He has been oddly pushy with that.”

“Well tell him he is going to have to wait until I am ready.”

“He won’t like to hear that dear.”

“Too bad.”

I turned away from her and stared out my stained glass window. That was one thing I knew, if I could, I would push off the wedding for as long as possible. That way I could at least find a way to get out of it.

Rose took the silence as a cue to leave and left. After a few hours I heard a knock at my door. “Darling?” It was Marcel’s voice. A voice I would recognize even without his stench. As the fumes of brimstone seeped through the door.

“Yes?”

“May I come in?”

I thought about it for a moment, “Fine.” I wasn’t pleased with having him in my room but I need to try to get along with him.

“You look well.” He said as he stepped into the room and closed the door gently behind him.

“Leave the door open.” I ordered. The sound in my voice caused him to flinch.

“No need to be hostile. I just brought up a gift.”

I looked at him questionably. “A gift?”

He stepped out the door and brought in a tray of sweet treats, something I haven’t had in awhile and something I had been craving for some time. Though I dared to trust the treats he was offering.

“Thanks, you can leave them on the nightstand.”

He nodded and followed order. “Is there anything you need?”

“My life back?” I meant it as a joke but his face hardened.

“Sorry princess but a deal is a deal.” He shut the door behind him leaving me alone.

As I stared at the door he left, I felt a wave of relief wash over me. Ever since his attack he had been on good behavior and checked in on me on a regular basis. Often sending nurse Rose to check on me. Him being around the castle and trying to change things without my consent bothered me and made me stressed to the point where in our shared dreams Theo was focused on calming my nerves.

My panic attacks didn’t help either. I had those every night in my dreams, if they were not shared, would often turn to nightmares. Often visualizing Marcel’s attack. Each dream was more brutal than the last. Théoden tried his best to sooth my emotions, taking away what he could and utilizing spells through the bond in hopes to aid the healing process.

The worst panic attack was just the night after. It was all still fresh in my mind and body that I didn't dare to sleep after that. However, Theo told me through our shared dragon-rider bond that I need sleep and he would ensure I was safe. To which, he did every night as long as our sleep schedule overlapped.

After a very rough first week, Théoden finally spoke up. I could sense in the dream that he had enough. “Maria, you need to start living again. I know you are healing and I know healing takes time, but let's start progressing the healing.”

I knew he was right. However, I was still terrified of Marcel. Despite his attempts at trying to be charming, they couldn’t take away the damage he had caused. My thinking on the matter, I was going to be the kingdom's next Queen and I failed to defend myself against the man that I am supposed to marry. How was I supposed to come back from this? How was I supposed to prove to myself and my kingdom that I am worthy of the throne?

If I truly wanted to protect my kingdom I would have to learn how to fight. I would have to harness my magic but I had no idea where to even begin. My father was supposed to start teaching me magic lessons this year but he can't now. So what was I supposed to do?

“It’s simple, I can train you.” Théoden spoke up in our shared dream of his bed chambers. His bed chambers was larger than some of the other bedrooms of the castle. He had an oversized king bed, with wooden frame draped in silver fabric with black bedding. A large desk with rows of books on shelves above the desk. Each book labeled with a volume as he has kept record of events that have happened in his life. There was the furniture that matched my own, the arched way that led to the bathroom, his own stained glass window, and on the last remaining part of the wall was an area that held his armor and weapons. His room was crafted out of dark oak wood and had a marbled floor.

I looked at him with curiosity in my eyes, “you want to train me?”

"Why wouldn't I? You proved yourself worthy by fighting to stay alive. I'll start you with basic magic training tomorrow. Go over the ground rules for most spells and how they work.”

I groaned, "So school?"

He laughed, “no, not school, consider it basic magic lessons before I will let you cast anything too heavy.” He gave me a gentle smile, “We will do the basic magic lessons in our shared dreams. After about four lessons you should be able to cast actual spells.”

“You think I can actually do this?”

“Yes.” He said, “your body’s ability to heal was incredible, channeling that capability into spells, should be easy.”

“Should be…” I repeated, “If you train me, I might get distracted.” I had hoped that a simple tease would get me out of this. Considering the bond, I shared with him some very suggestive images.

He rolled his eyes, “Mia Amor.” He kissed my lips, “We need to take the training seriously, if we want any chance at defeating him.”

Damn it. My distraction failed. “Fine…” I turned away from him at the mention of Marcel but he pulled me back. You had to bring him up?

“We have to talk about him at some point, Maria.” He looked down at me, “if you are worried I am going anywhere, I am not leaving you.”

“What if he makes me do things that I do not want to do with him?”

"Then we will deal with that if that ever happens." I leaned against his chest and listened to his steady heart beat. "Just know I won't leave you, no matter what."

He allowed his aura to sooth my nerves before he spoke what he said next, “You do have to talk to him.”

I sighed, “Do I have to?”

He pulled back to look down at me. “Yes. Besides, you won’t be alone during your meetings with Marcel. I'll be with you.”

“I suppose you are right. We should properly plan this arranged marriage to make it look real to the public and council.” I mean it wasn’t like I had already been stuck with him visiting me on a regular basis anyways.

“You should meet with him tomorrow.” He said “Then we will begin training tomorrow night. We can use that fuel for our lessons.” I looked up at him in silence. Planning a wedding with the man I hated did not seem fun to me at all. At least I had the training sessions with the man I loved to look forward to right? “Just think of this as a practice run because one day it will be you and I who will get married.”

“You promise?”

“I promise Mi Amor.” He spoke as he kissed my lips again as the dream ended.

Listening to what he said I found strength after I got dressed for the day and knocked on Marcel’s door that was on the other side of the castle. The faintest smell of brimstone seeped through the crack of his door and as he opened it, it was almost too overwhelming for even me. “Princess?” He said as he stood against the door frame looking down on me with a grin. “What brings you to my room after all this time?”

I sighed and pushed my way through and stared up at him in his crimson red eyes and crossed my arms, “our wedding.” I spoke drily.

He watched me walk past him and just stared at me in amusement. “What about it Princess? Isn't it just as simple as saying I do?”

“Nope.” I responded, “if I am being “forced” Into this we are going to do this the right way.”

He arched his left eyebrow, “The right way?”

“We are planning the wedding ourselves,” I answered firmly.

“Can’t we just sign some papers and wave all of that nonsense?”

“Nope.” I repeated again. “If we are doing this, we are going to uphold the tradition of the kingdom and plan it the correct way. ”

“Fine.” He growled “what first?”

“Let’s pick a date then go from there. I have other business to attend to today.”

“Next week?”

“Next week is too soon.” I responded, “With everything that goes into making the perfect wedding we need time. So, the first week of fall.”

“Fine.” He spoke as he watched me watching him. “Anything else?”

“Nope.” I said and left.