[IC] The Making of a New Queen

[tsubasa]

Gerald looked at Samsul when he glanced at him and grinned, laughing silently as the youngest practiced her handwriting. He waved his hand, telling him to get back to it. For writing, Samsul would be as good a teacher as he was. He already seemed to be doing quite well with the Princess. After quite sometime and many of his pages being worked through, even him opting for a chair over his station at the door, he stopped the Princess, "I do think that is enough writing for today. We don't want your hand cramping up at all."

Anastasia looked at him and nodded, "I suppose."

The older man smiled, "Princess, do you think I could speak to Samsul in private?"

The girl looked between them as she started to stand, "Yes... Of course," she fixed her skirts quickly before she left the room, leaving the men alone. Gerald stood from his seat and sighed, "I'm sure I don't have to tell you how important it is for the Princess, when she is ready, to marry a royal," he held up his hands, "I am aware that Elana wanted for her daughter to marry for love... And she will, but it must be someone capable of running a country and someone whom the people and opposing countries will accept. It will be hard enough to keep them back with Princess Anastasia being young and very new to all of this," he sighed, "What I am saying is... Don't let your feelings fog your mind and forget what is in her best interest. Please, don't continue down this path... It will only end in heart break."

[pyroman]

Samsul was interested as to what else Gerald had to say to him, so he stayed in the room and waited for Anastasia to leave so the two could talk in private.. He wasn't pleased with it at all and was a little insulted to hear that the man believed that he was allowing for his emotions to get the best of him. Her best interests were the only things on his mind now, and he had to keep with her more than ever once news got out that Elana was dead. Samsul shook his head sternly at Gerald and looked at him seriously. "I do understand completely that Anastasia will be required to marry a royal once the reaches the age, but I am unsure why you would assume that my feelings are clouding my mind. As appointed by Elana herself, I am Anastasia's guard and protector. I am trying to help her through the death of her mother and comfort her because she needs it. I am soon to be the head speaker of my entire race, and as such, I know well about keeping my emotions stable, Gerald." He was somewhat angry at Gerald for his accusations of him becoming emotionally attached to the princess, and although it is true that they had bonded over the two months, it hadn't become anything more than a strong friendship between the two. Without saying anything else to the older man, he calmed himself and left the office and went back into the hall with Anastasia

[tsubasa]

Gerald chuckled as he walked back to his desk after Samsul stormed out. His words may have been saying no but his actions both towards the Princess and toward him when he brought it up, might have been suggesting otherwise. He sat down at his desk and took the page with Anastasia's writing and hid them away, wanting to compare them as she progressed further. He sighed, he did hope that Samsul realized his feelings soon enough that he didn't get hurt. Gerald pursed his lips, a ball would be in order for the Princess's coronation. Gerald started to leaf through his books, planning the guest list.

Anastasia was staring at the painting outside of Gerald's office when Samsul came out. She looked at him and smiled, "What was it that he wanted to talk to you about?"

[pyroman]

Samsul was a little surprised to have Anastasia talking to him so suddenly, but he quickly regained his calm and smiled back at her. He couldn't tell her what Gerald had actually told him, and he knew that she would want to know something. He would tell her some things, but he wouldn't mention how he spoke of the Lost Elf having emotional attachments to the princess. "We were speaking of your coronation. I know that it is some time away, but it doesn't ever hurt to plan ahead." He didn't even really want to talk about the coronation, as soon after, she would be presented with suitors of the higher class. He understood a political marriage, as apparently it happened a lot between his clans more than several years before, but he didn't like it at all.

[tsubasa]

Anastasia nodded as he explained the conversation. She was, however, slightly confused as to why she couldn't be in the room. Maybe because they thought it might upset her, thinking about the coronation in which she would take her mother's title so soon after she died. She supposed that did make sense. She sighed, "I see... Well... Three months passed by quickly since I got here.... I'm sure they'll will pass quickly again."

She started walk down the hall, despite missing breakfast that morning, she was not hungry. And with it still being early afternoon, she didn't want to retire to her rooms. No, that would seem as though she was not okay... However, the garden and halls held to many memories and the city, well she wouldn't even be allowed to act slightly like there was something wrong. She closed her eyes for a moment, "Can we go out to the stables? I'd like to give... Gale... A good brushing..."

[pyroman]

Samsul nodded at her and thought about the passing of time. The three months seemed to long ago, but it wasn't all that long. Pulling himself out of thought, he followed Anastasia though the hall and kept quiet. The halls held so many memories of their beloved queen and it was near impossible to not think about her and the effect she had on the people she ruled. When she asked about the stables, he nodded to her once more. That seemed to have been the one place that they hadn't been at with the company of the queen. "We can head to the stables. I don't see any reason that we can't."

[tsubasa]

Anastasia nodded her head, relieved that they could go to the stables. It seemed to be the only escape from her mother's memory, that in the walls for the castle. She started walking toward the barn with Samsul. When they were part way there she looked at him, "Race you?"

She gave him a soft smile before lifting her skirts and running off to the barn. It wasn't a surprise that Samsul race passed her soon before they reached the barn. She laughed and hopped onto the fence, she had almost forgotten about her mother. And maybe... For a little bit... That would be for the best. Gale looked up and saw her before he came racing over to them. She grinned and pet him as he practically placed his head in her lap. She smiled at him, "Want a good rub down, Gale?"

[pyroman]

Samsul nodded gladly at the request for a race and gave her a head start by a few seconds. It would allow her her to get some distance, but still be close enough to catch up to easily. After waiting for a moment, Samsul took off at a speed much faster than before. Because he was wearing simple clothes and hot his regular armor, he was much lighter and much more agile than before. After he passed her. Samsul continued to move onwards at fully speed and lunged at the fence, reaching out to push himself over it if he didn't get the needed height. Luckily there wasn't a need for his hands and he stopped soon after passing over the fence and looked over at Gale and Anastasia.

[tsubasa]

Gale tossed his head, whinnying. He seemed rather excited. So excited that he pushed his head against her hard enough to knock her off the fence. She laughed a moment after she landed on the dusty ground, "Gale!" she complained, grinning.

She got back to her feet feeling a little sore, "That wasn't very nice," She said to the horse before grabbing his halter and leading him to the gate. She walked him into the barn and was met by Benjamin, "Shall I brush down your horse for you, your highness?" he asked.

She shook her head, "No thank you, I would actually like to give him a brush, as a treat.... Speaking of treats.. Can you grab me a couple carrots?" She asked as she clipped her horse in place. She grabbed the first brush and began to get at the dust and dirt that had piled up under the skin. Her back ached slightly and she couldn't help but think it was going to bruise... but if she complained about it, she was worried that Samsul was going to bring her back to the castle...

[pyroman]

Samul followed Anastasia and Gale into the barn and looked at Benjamin as he came into view. From what he knew about the man, he seemed nice and decent enough, but nothing noteworthy that Samsul could see. He watched at Benjamin nodded to Anastasia and left to get her a few carrots. It didn't take very long, and he soon returned with come carrots for the horse. Samsul simply stood around. This is what his guard training trained him to do, stand around and wait for orders.

[tsubasa]

Anastasia started to pour small cups of water from a trough on tougher dirt areas, softening it and cleaning him better. She noticed Samsul was hovering around slightly. She got that that was his job... but he seemed to be just hovering less. Even today, he was teaching her more that hovering and other days, though he hovers, he still talks to her. He seemed to be just hovering at the moment. She felt like something had happened... Something other than her mother... Maybe something about what Gerald had said. Maybe, it wasn't just about her coronation. She pursed her lips and kept working after a moment she tossed the water in her cup at him. She grinned, "Oops."

[pyroman]

While he stood there, Samsul was occupied with his own thoughts. The biggest thing floating around in his mind was what Gerald had said to him. He wasn't attached at Anastasia and he wasn't going to become attached to her. He was her guardian and he had to look out for her and help her when he was needed. After her coronation, suitors would be brought to her on a pedestal, all forcing her in a way to accept one of them. He could have easily been a suitor as well. Not only was he a descendant of one of the most powerful clans of his race, but he was also very close to his own coronation, and would be crowned the king, in a sense. He didn't believe that anyone else would be worthy of the princess, since he doubted that any of them knew how to fight, or take action, or show backbone. he didn't think that any of the possible suitors could be like him. He was abruptly forced out of his thoughts as he was splashed with some water. Hie head snapped around to see where the water came from and eventually landed eyes on Anastasia who was grinning at him. "It's fine. It was an accident." He simply shrugged it off and attempted to push any of the excess water off of his shirt.

[tsubasa]

Anastasia nodded when he said it was an accident. She turned back to Gale and continued to brush him. After a moment, she stopped and dried her hands on her dress. She walked over to him and placed a hand on his forehead. She pursed her lips, "No fever," she said more so to herself. Her eyebrows knitted together as she looked at him, "Is there something wrong?"

She walked over to the box of brushes and handed him one, "Here... If you are upset about my mother... Or something that Gerald said... Maybe brushing Gale will help keep your mind off whatever is bothering you," she grabbed a brush for herself and continued to you clean her horse. She peeked her head over his back every once in a while to steal a glance at Samsul, making sure he was alright. She bit her lip, "You know... You can talk about it... if you want..."

[pyroman]

Samsul was a little surprised to see that she had put her hand on his forehead and believed that he had a fever of some sort, but he was being a bit more distant that he usually was, so some suspicion would be warranted. Slowly, he took the brush from her hands and walked over to Gale with little to say. He shook his head as he continued to think of something to tell her so that she would be less suspicious of him. "I was thinking about the time range of your coronation. My own happens some time before when yours it presumed to happen, and I believed that it was interesting to think about." He didn't want to talk about the queen, or what Gerald had said to him, and since his own coronation was in mind, he used that to pull himself away from questions for the time being. He wordlessly brushed Gale's coat with the brush that she had given him, and tried to keep him mind off of certain subjects.

[tsubasa]

Anastasia nodded as he explained why he had gotten lost in thought, "Right! Leader of the Lost Elves. Quite the honour, so you've said."

She smiled and gently continued to pour water on Gale, avoiding soaking Samsul again. He didn't say much as he continued to brush Gale. She assumed there was something else that he wasn't going to tell her. So, she decided to stop asking. As she continued to brush her horse, she hesitated, "How are you so confident?" She asked as she looked as best she could over the horse, "About leading your race. All you've said about it, is how much of an honour it is and how proud you are.... Aren't you a little worried... That... Maybe you won't be good enough?"

[pyroman]

Samsul nodded once more at Anastasia and continued to brush Gale. He didn't want to be hit with water again, especially since he was in formal and important clothing. He stopped brushing the horse when Anastasia had asked another question. He put a lot of thought into answering it and moved so he could look at Anastasia. "It isn't an easy task. I was confident in leading my race because being a knight was all I knew how to do. I led small platoons, groups, and even complete sections of the knights. Now that I'm learning things other than being a knight and a guard, I can see that I would have been troubled if I hadn't taken so much time into my duties. The thought of not being good enough has crossed my mind some times, but it has never been an issue for me. If I am not good enough, then I need to become better. If I make a mistake, I'll learn what not to do if the situation comes up again."

[tsubasa]

Anastasia looked at him as he explained why he was confident that he could manage it. She bit her lip, so he was confident because he felt he had lived his life training to be a leader. Herself, she'd been picking flowers and milking cows up until three months ago. She nodded her head, "I see..." She said softly before she returned to brushing her horse.
~Three months later~
Anastasia was sitting in Gerald's office at his desk, writing away as he looked over her shoulder and Samsul stood at his place at the door. She looked up at him and smiled, less than a month ago he'd become Head of The Lost Elves. She was proud of him, as were the Lost Elves, and it seemed like he was doing a fine job in the few he had. Amul opened the door and looked at the before bowing, "A carriage has arrived. Guests for the Princess's coronation are here... I assumed it would be best if she were there to great the royals."

Gerald nodded, "Wonderful idea, Amul," He looked at the Princess, "You remember my lessons on interacting in court?"

Anastasia smiled, "That I do," She put down her pen and left her work. She walked with Samsul to the front door. She hesistated slightly, quickly brushing the dress that had been made for her in the city. She bit her lip and took a deep breath before nodding to the guards to open the door.

[pyroman]

With the passing three months, Samsul had been fully realized as the head of the Lost Elves. With the new set of duties, it had become more difficult to watch over Anastasia, but he made it work. Amul had to watch her more often since he had things to take care of, but he was still there for Anastasia for the majority of the time. On the day of the coronation, Samsul was working hard to see to it that most of the guards would be at the ceramony. Due to his new position, he was awarded with new armor that was similar to his last set, but more fit for a royal of his status. That was another thing. Due to his title, he was now no longer classified as a knight, but a royal. He was a speaker for his kind, and would attend parties and other events alongside Anastasia, but not just as a knight, but as his own person as well.

It was another day at Gerald's office, and Samsul was hovering about as usual. Today was an important day, and he knew that all the knights and guards had to be their best in case something were to happen. Greenspring might have gone three moths without an official queen, but it the position as ruler was fully open, then that could mean that anyone could just walk up and take the throne Samsul didn't want for that to happen. He was keeping his gaze fixated on Anastasia, and didn't bother to look away as Amul entered and suggested that Anastasia greet the royals.

Samsul stepped with her to the front door and waited patiently for her to signal the guards to open the door. It was a large and grand door, so seeing it opening was some sort of treat. The Lost Elf glanced at the queen-to-be with a calm smile. "Relax Anastasia. You've come a long way since near six months ago. You'll be fine." He whispered quietly to her as he stood next to her, watching as the doors stopped moving and opened fully.

[tsubasa]

Anastasia looked at Samsul when he reassured her. She enjoyed it when he was around. Due to his new found title, he didn't hover as much, leaving the job to other Lost Elves. It was nice, having him back to calm and comfort her. She nodded her head, "How stressful can saying hello be..."

She looked forward again and stepped out the door. She looked at the carriage as the doors opened. Half of her preparation for today was Gerald teaching the names and faces of those attending. He wanted them to feel as if she had handpicked them herself. And so the slow and strangely steady arrival of guests began. From King and Queens from neighbouring countries to Lords and Ladies of Greenspring. Children raced passed her and into the castle causing her to laugh. Nurses, that had come along, apologized and tried to wrangle the kids of royals and it finally felt like the castle wasn't that empty.

She glanced at Samsul and smiled at him as the last of the carriages pulled up. Gerald, who had joined them at some point during the madness to help Anastasia with names, nodded, "This is the last one."

Anastasia sighed, "Thank goodness. My feet are getting tired."

A greying man climbed out of the carriage and opened the door to two young men. She curtised to them, "Welcome King George and Prince Henry."

George had been placed in a position similar to her own, forced onto the throne due to the death of their parents. They walked up the steps and bowed to her. Henry kissed her hand, "Thank you for inviting us, your highness."

Anastasia smiled, "Well, it would be nice to get some advice from your brother. With the two of you being so young and running the country."

George laughed, "I would love to answer any questions you have, your majesty."

Anastasia nodded, "Wonderful, please come in."

The three of them walked into the palace and Gerald watched them as they went, Amul following, "Prince Henry is a fine lad. Only a year older than the Princess... Little chance at the throne unless his brother falls terribly ill and it seems the three of them are already getting along," He glanced at Samsul to see how he might react, "I think they would be a good match. Don't you?"

[tsubasa]

"Yes..." Samsul muttered to Gerald as they all walked into the palace. "They are a good match... Very relatable to each other." During the course of the three months, Samsul had finally began to accept the feeling that he had some feelings for Anastasia. He was always there to comfort her, and he believed that she thought that she was able to trust him on a personal level. He knew little to nothing about Prince Henry, and because of the existing emotions, he believed that the young man was unfit to be wed to Anastasia. He had little else to say to any of the people around him and simply followed the group in calm silence keeping an eye on the princess and the young prince.