Ember of Hope

News of the king’s return had already reached the ears of public and the people; bewildered and excited, started gathering the streets leading to the fortress. Everyone wanted to see with their own eyes if their beloved king was indeed alive. Alex had shared his concerns about the people’s feelings regarding his return. Christian smiled to himself, looking at the hordes of people swarming outside just for a glance at their king. How could Alex have expected anything other than their utter love and devotion was beyond him. He’d sent a sentry to fetch Alex to the drawing room so that they could greet their people together.

He felt elated. The weight of an entire nation that he’d been carrying for over a half century had been lifted from his shoulders. The true king had returned to sit at the throne and now he could go back to his former duties as the king’s advisor and a warrior. When Alex arrived, he stood up to greet him… still not believing that his friend was alive all this time.

“You need to sit your ass back on the throne brother. I have done my duty to our kingdom and now… God do I need a break”.

“What? No. no, Chris I can’t. Our people wouldn’t want that. They wouldn’t want me back on the throne knowing I was in part responsible for their suffering”. Alex was clearly delusional.

“Come with me” Christian walked out to the front of the fortress and went to the windows with Alex coming up behind him, “look” he pointed at the people gathered down below. “They are here for you… to see you in person. They never stopped loving you brother. You are still their rightful king. I was just keeping things together in your absence. Besides, you know I’m no king. And they know it too”. Alex had tears in his eyes as he looked at his people with wide eyes.

“Come on. They have waited long enough to see their king”. He put a supporting hand on his friend’s shoulder, “Oh and we’ll talk about Katherine later. I have sent my men to all the council members and asked for their presence a week from now. We should wait for Valiance to arrive”. He’d told Alex a little about Valiance and the situation at hand regarding his mate.

Alex still seemed a bit reluctant but he was a strong man. Rubbing at his face, he sighed and nodded. Both of them stepped out on the front landing pad of the fortress and as soon as the sentries pulled people’s attention by announcing the king’s arrival, a hush fell upon the crowd. People looked up in unison and their mouths fell open. In any other situation, the synchronicity would’ve been almost comical. But as their brains came to terms with what their eyes were seeing, an uproarious cheer went up amongst the people. Their hands rose like in a prayer and they chanted their king’s name again and again. Christian looked at the tears now flowing freely on his friend’s face and he patted his shoulder in silent support.

“My beloved people” Christian began and the crowd fell silent once again, “You honored me by choosing me as your king fifty years ago. But today, it’s my honor to take off the crown and pass it back to its rightful owner” he took off the crown and raised it in the air. The crown shaped like leaping flames was an icon of power amongst the kingdoms. But to its wearer it was a responsibility heavier than any burden… responsibility of a whole people. And he brought the crown down on Alex’s head a feeling of relief and joy filled him, “I give you back King Alexander Christopher Vasilis… your true king” and with that he crowned his best friend the king of Evreux once again.

As Alex greeted the people of his beloved kingdom, Christian stood a few steps back and saw the people taking up the chant once again. His son had found his mate. His wife was back home and his friend was alive and king once again. He couldn’t count his lucky stars and for the first time in a long time he felt truly happy.

………………………………………

Sarah was fully recovered and the day to return home had finally arrived. Raegan was happy at finally being able to return home but it was tainted with sadness at leaving Astoria. Adriel had become a very good friend during the days Sarah was down. His constant support and care was what had helped her through some of the toughest days of her life. And she would forever be grateful for his selfless friendship.

“Hey, here you are” Valiance appeared behind her on the terrace of the room they had been sharing in their host’s home. He wrapped her in His arms from behind. She loved the way how small she felt in his embrace. “What’re you doing out here?” he nuzzled her neck, inhaling deep.

“Just looking at all this. It’s so beautiful here, isn’t it? So similar yet so different than home at the same time”. She turned her head to look up at him and found him smiling softly. “What?”

His smile brightened, “Nothing. I just love it when you refer to Evreux as home”.

“That’s what it is to me Val. Maybe it always was my home because you were here. I just didn’t know it”. She rested her head back against his chest and felt like she already was home. “My home is wherever you are” she murmured with closed eyes.

They stood there, entwined with each other for a long time… no words spoken… no words necessary to fill the silence… just contentment in each other’s company with their eyes on the beautiful gardens of Adriel’s home and the dark, dense woods beyond. A knock sounded on the bedroom door and brought them out of their little bubble.

“Might it be the new love birds?” Raegan teased as she opened the door to reveal Damien and Sarah, “Aw you guys look cute together. Don’t they Val?” Valiance had joined her at the door and chuckled.

Sarah gave them the finger while Damien stuck his tongue out. “Oh you guys definitely are mates. Come on in”.

Sarah plopped down on the bed, “So, what’s the plan?”

“What Plan?”

“We’re going back or what?” She rolled her eyes.

Valiance spoke up before Raegan could answer, “Adriel has asked us to stay another day. His mate is coming back tomorrow and he wants to have tomorrow’s dinner together”.

“Wow. Okay, I think it’d be nice to meet his mate after all. He is a very nice guy and he’s been so good to us during this time”. Sarah chimed in.

“Yeah, he is”. Raegan answered fondly.

“So what do you say we ask Adriel to show us around a bit?” this again came from Sarah, “How often do you get to visit another kingdom?”

Damien grinned at his mate, “I’m all in babe”.

“Of course you are” Valiance teased. “Sure, why not”.

Raegan stood up from the corner of the bed she’d been sitting on, “I’ll go ask Adriel if he has time. I have something I want to talk to him about anyway. See you guys later”.

…...