LITMIR.BIZ

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himself presentable. Black leggings, royal blue velvet doublet, which brought out the vibrant blue of his eyes. There were slits down the sleeves of the doublet in order to see the white tunic underneath. He had on black boots and a small silver leaf coronet sat on his blond head. He kissed her one more time on his way out the door and went downstairs to greet his visitors. As he walked he wondered if there would ever be enough time now to tell her exactly how he felt, that his life will have no meaning unless she’s in it forever. He wanted to make it permanent but didn’t know if he’d ever get the chance in the next few months, or year, however long this war would wage, to ask her to be his, properly. He sighed. If they all perished from this ordeal, the point would be moot, but he felt that he would rather have a short time than none at all. He made a promise to himself that before things were desperate, he would make her his wife, and, just like his promise to stand by her and to be a good king for the people, he was determined to stick to that promise no matter what.

      As Dain approached the hall, he saw Emerick come around a corner from another hallway. “Where is Ruan this morning, Emerick?”

      “He has gone into town to send a messenger to Danyl for update on their readiness. He should return in an hour or two. He knew you would be sleeping in today and told all of the staff to leave you alone.”

      “I appreciate that.”

      Emerick looked at the man he had known for ages, the king that now ruled this kingdom, and he could tell there was something on his mind. “What’s troubling you, Your Majesty?”

      “Do you want a list?”

      Emerick laughed a little. “I meant at this particular moment.”

      Dain stopped walking and turned toward his oldest friend. “It has been too long since I have done something that would make you and Alek, and my father if he were alive to see it, proud. It’s high time that I do.”

      “We are proud of you, Sire. You have become the king I knew you could be.”

      “I know, but there’s more. I…”

      Emerick put a hand on Dain’s shoulder and looked deep into his pale blue eyes. “What’s troubling you, Dain?”

      “I was trying to ask Melenthia just now to marry me.”

      His eyebrows raised in surprise. “Before we disturbed you?”

      “Yes. I couldn’t get the words out fast enough, and when we were interrupted, I felt the moment was no longer right.”

      “I’m sorry we had to rouse you, Sire.”

      “It’s fine, Emerick. I know, as well as Melenthia does, that issues of state are more important than our personal life right now. It’s just the way it is with being a king. But what if the moment never comes again? What if we lose this battle? What if I lose her?”

      “I can’t say for sure that things will all be perfect in the end, but I have faith that it will turn out right. You’ll have time.”

      “But what if I don’t? I’ll always feel like I missed an opportunity I should have made, instead of waiting for it to come.”

      “If that’s how you feel, make the time, Dain. Tell her, as soon as you can.” He patted Dain’s hand and smiled at him. “I’m so very pleased that you have decided to.”

      They continued walking again. “Thank you, Emerick. I’m glad to have you and Alek by my side. Have we heard any news from that party yet?”

      “No, Sire.”

      “Okay. Have Ruan join us when he arrives.”

      “As you wish, Majesty.”

      Dain entered the hall, and there were five men milling around, glasses in hands. There was a large warm fire blazing in the grand hearth. He was pleased to see that the staff had at least made them comfortable during their wait.

      One of the men was old, gray hair messed from his helmet that was now sitting on the table, bushy gray eyebrows covering his beady eyes. Another had close cropped brown hair with just a bit of gray streaks throughout, a scar down his left cheek. Another man was heavy set, mostly muscle in arms and shoulders, but softer around the middle. His hair was black, and he had a neatly trimmed beard and mustache which matched his hair color. The fourth man was young with blond hair and no facial hair at all, except for a shadow of stubble which appeared, he assumed, during the days ride. The last man was hardly a man at all. He was not taller than Dain or the other men in the party, and he still had the plump cheeks of one who had not filled out yet. He stood straight and proud though, and Dain got a sense of pride from him by the way he carried himself. His hair was plastered a bit to his head from the bulk of the helmet, and he was talking to one of the other men in the group. Dain suspected this was the boy that Alek had sent into Pembroke with message.

      Dain approached the group, and the men quickly bowed to their liege. “I’m sorry to keep you gentlemen waiting. I was otherwise occupied.” His thoughts quickly shifted to Melenthia naked and warm in his bed. He wished he was still there with her. Their reunion was not enough. He came back to the men. “I didn’t expect you for another day.”

      The man with the gray hair spoke. “Yes, sorry for that, Your Majesty but we rode hard and rarely stopped. We felt it imperative to get here and update you.”

      “I understand. To whom do I have the pleasure of receiving?”

      The gray haired man, who had spoken to Dain first, introduced the rest of his company. “I am Eben Falk and these are my men: Daire Baldwin, Sabin Caldwell and Brion Jacey. General Thorne asked us to escort the young lad here and fill you in on his plans.”

      “I’m honored to make your acquaintance. I have known General Thorne almost my whole life, and he is highly respected. For now, why don’t you rest yourselves. It’s been a hard trip, I’m sure. I will have the staff bring you some food and warm tea. I’m sure you’re cold and damp from the weather.”

      They nodded. Dain called a servant, gave him instructions, the man disappearing again. Another servant came in and went to the hearth to stoke the fire more and add some wood. Dain motioned them to sit, except for the boy. He asked him to continue to stand. The boy bowed low then straightened to look at his king.

      “You are young Maddon, I assume.”

      “Yes, Your Majesty.”

      “I’m extremely happy to meet you, young Master Ellbert. I have been waiting for your appearance for months. What you have done for the people in your city and your success in getting word to General Thorne will not go unnoticed or unrewarded. I’m proud to have someone with your fortitude in my ranks. We may not have the time before things get hairy to officially swear you in as squire, but I will certainly assign you with a temporary ranking for the time being. I’m pleased to have you safe and sound, and I thank your escorts for making sure you arrived here unscathed.”

      “Thank you, Sire. I’m honored to serve His Majesty in any way that I can. I’m loyal to the crown.”

      “I’m sure.” He laughed lightly. “At ease, Maddon. Get some food in you and warm up, then we can talk state.”

      They proceeded to eat and dry out, as the blazing fire finally started to really warm the room. Dain sat at the table with them and ate a small meal himself. Before they were done, Melenthia appeared in the doorway of the hall. Dain looked up and stood to greet her. He took her hand in his and walked her into the room to meet their guests. The men stood from their chairs and all of them took a knee in front of her. She glanced at Dain, brow furrowed. She was taken aback by their open expression of honor. She looked back to Dain and frowned, whispering, “Why are they kneeling?”

      “You’re somewhat of an enigma to them; you’re the Chosen One after all. It’s best if you just get used to it now.”

      “I will not! Stand. I will not have men in the ranks prostrating themselves to me on the battlefield. When we are at war, we are equals. And I am not your liege. He is.”

      They

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