[IC] The Making of a New Queen

[pyroman]

He nodded to her words, and although it might have appeared as if he was just shrugging the words off, he was actually listening and would see if he could get some time off. He spent most to all of his time working, and didn't remember ever having a day to himself. He never really though about himself and he always put his guard duties first before anything. If he was sick or anything, he'd try his best to work as much as he could.

He stayed at her side and nodded at her. "I'll be sure to make some more time for myself, Anastasia."

[tsubasa]

Anastasia looked up at Samsul when he said that he would find time for himself, which brought a smile to her face. She had been worried that he wasn't going to listen, the way he reacted it seemed like he had just ignored it in a sense. She nodded, "Good... But... um... Make sure it's for yourself and not just because I said you should."

She noticed an empty street leading to a couple of open gates showing a field that lay outside the city. She beamed and looked at Samsul, "Race you!" She kicked her horse and leaned forward, closer to the mane. She laughed as she raced ahead, hoping the head start would help her horse beat the vastly larger and faster horse behind them. They weren't going anywhere in particular and the race was more of a joke but she kept a smile on her face. When her stallion stood part way through the field, she smiled and looked to Samsul, "I love the smell of fields.... Even if it isn't much of one..."

[pyroman]

He nodded once more at the request and made sure to take some personal time off every once and a while to pursue things other than being a guard. There were many things to do in the city and it would be difficult to not find something to do. When he looked at her, she beamed at him brightly and took off. A small smile took his face as he gave her a few more seconds to move onward, then spurred his own horse and easily caught up to the princess. His horse was made for this, his size and strength only helped his racing skills and speed.

He stayed next to her, but occasionally drifted behind her to make her feel like she was doing well, but at the end, he spurred his horse again and easily took the lead, circling around Anastasia as she came to a stop. He acknowledged what she has said about the field and stopped his horse. "Yes, it isn't very large, but there are other, more open areas just outside the city. I wouldn't advise it, though. If people find us and ambush us, I am only one man, and it would take too long for the guards to get there."

[tsubasa]

Anastasia looked up at the winner of their little race when he came back around toward her. She smiled as he explained that there were larger fields just outside the city, further than they were. She nodded her head, "I think that's what I'm going to miss the most... The feeling of safety.... and big open fields."

She swung her leg over the horse and climbed down. She walked a little ways from the horse before she crouched down and plucked a flower from the ground. She rose it to her nose and smelled it. This flower wasn't like those in the garden, it wasn't planted and it wasn't particularly beautiful but she liked it. It was wild, it grew where it wanted to, she felt like she kind of identified with it, which was beyond strange. She showed the pink Daylily to Samsul, "I kind of feel like this Daylily... It's an invasive wildflower in these parts... It's pretty but not in comparison to the flowers planted in the castle garden," She straightened in twirled it in her fingers, "It's not supposed to be here... But it is because one person wanted it to be... Now everyone else kind of just has to deal with it... Until one day there are only daylilies left... All because of that one that couldn't become a rose like everyone else wanted," She shook her head slightly and plucked another from the ground, "I guess... I'm just over reacting though..." She bit her lip, "You think my mother will like these? Mama always loved when I brought flowers home...."

[pyroman]

He gave the question some thought. He had talked to the Queen on more than a few occasions, and there were times that he did learn more about her personal life, but he wasn't sure if she'd like something like that or not. He took it deep into thought as he sat on his horse and eventually nodded. "Yes, I think that she will like them very much." He was also thinking about the previous statement, about the daylily not being the rose that everyone wanted it to be. He saw that she was reflecting the recent events through it and wasn't the happiest about it. He hopped down from his horse and nodded. "Will you pick more and bring them all back to her?" He asked with actual curiosity, wondering how the Queen would react to getting them.

[tsubasa]

Anastasia looked at him when he hopped down from his own horse. She had a small smile on her face as she though that the Queen might enjoy the flowers. It reminded her smiled of being back at home. When he asked her if she was going to pick anymore, she nodded. Slowly, she started to pick a few more Daylilys before grabbing some of the tall grass. She added it and a couple other wildflowers before she pulled a ribbon out of her hair and tied it around the flowers, holding it all together. She looked at it and smiled, smelling it all flowers. She hoped that the Queen would enjoy them. She looked at Samsul then plucked another wildflower, "This one in indigenous... Purple... which is a colour for royals... Also, it tends to be looked over because it isn't to flashy," she shrugged, "It shouldn't be... It's a rather lovely flower," She shrugged and handed it to him, "Here, it's like you."

[pyroman]

He wasn't really sure what to say about the flower. It was a nice gesture and he took the flower slowly and inspected it, looking at the design and appearance of the purple wildflower. She was right about purple being a royal color, and on more than a few occasions when other royals came to visit the capital, purple would be a prominent color. Greenspring of course kept it's jade green, and it stood out from the other neighboring countries. After inspecting the flower, Samsul lowered his hand and bowed slightly to her. "Thank you for the flower, but if I may, how does it resemble me?" He was curious, and since he didn't know anything about flowers, he wasn't even sure about what she was thinking about.

[tsubasa]

Anastasia bit her lip and tried to think how to explain herself. After a while she smiled softly, "Well... Like I said it is the colour of royals and you are kind of a royal, so there's that.... But like I said, they kind of get looked over which is was the guards kind of have to be... Invisible until needed. But I don't they should be looked over... And I'm positive that you shouldn't just be looked over..." She laughed a little, "I feel like you could and would break me if you had to."

She shrugged, "I'm just being be silly, I guess."

Anastasia looked out toward the open land that stretched out beyond them. She knew that she would no longer ever be allowed to be left alone. Even in her own room she was sure that she was being watched someway, somehow. She knew that there was always a guard outside her door. She sighed slightly, no more running through fields with Melor, not unless she brought an army of men with her.

[pyroman]

Her comment about him breaking her if he had to shocked him a little. It might have been true, that if ordered, he would do it, but he would try to find any other way first. If even hurting her was an option, he'd demand a good reason for doing so, and wouldn't unless the Queen had told him specifically, which he highly doubted. He absentmindedly nodded to her next statement and kept his eyes on her. He took a step closer to her when she sighed and slowly stepped to her side. "Are you alright?" He asked somewhat cautiously, wondering what was going through her mind.

[tsubasa]

Anastasia was pulled out of her head when Samsul spoke next to her. She looked up at him and nodded, "Ya.... ya... I guess I was just thinking about how different everything is going to be...."

She fiddled with one of the leaves in the small bouquet she had made. She shrugged after a moment, "Just... you said that we shouldn't go farther from the city because with just you, we could be attacked and things could go south. I just... I used to go running through the field with Melor all the time. I'd pick flowers and bring them back to Mama... Now... If I was wanted to do that I'd have to inconvience so many people..." She sighed and walked over to her horse, "I really shouldn't be thinking about it though... I should be overjoyed... I'm a Princess... I get to go to fancy balls in fancy dress and ride fancy horses. Handsome men will dote on my title.... But I should be happy... Little girls dream about this and it should be a dream come true..." She shook her head, "But it isn't...."

[pyroman]

He nodded to her words and tried his best to understand her position. It wasn't very hard, but it still did require some thinking. "I see. Well, you never wanted this. You were perfectly fine with living your life before, and I assume that thoughts living like this ever crossed your mind." He walked back to his horse and saddled up. He thought a little more and brought his focus back to Anastasia. "The war is dying out, and will soon be over. It already passed through us, and although rebuilding will take some time in some places, it should be a little more safe to venture out. You want to be free, and when that time comes, you will." Samsul spoke to her and his horse took a few steps. "We should be going now, Anastasia. I understand that this isn't what you want, but your mother had a reason to bring you back. I don't know it, but events will unfold, I'm sure."

[tsubasa]

Anastasia climbed onto her own horse and looked at him when he said she would be free when the time comes. She shook her head, sure she hadn't been a Princess for long but she was at grips enough with reality and seen war enoughn to not think that to be true, "Maybe as Anastasia... but not as Princess Anastasia. Whether the war leaves or not and we find peace there is always going to be someone out there who will have ill tentions towards me... and one day they will act..." She closed her eyes, "Peace doesn't come from war... it just supresses the weak and we hope they don't try to fight back," Opening her eyes again, she looked at him, "We will always have enemies and they will always attack the royals... I'll just have to change my ways to not inconvience anyone... And if that means no longer running through fields... so be it."

She smiled softly at him before turning horse around, "We should be getting back... It's getting late."

[pyroman]

Her small speech had actually made him a little sad. He remembered how long it had taken the queen to finally give out the orders to bring Anastasia to the capital, and she hoped that she didn't make a mistake, but she knew that she would be hurting her daughter in some form or way by bringing her here. She was right though, peace never came from war, only suppression of the weak. He nodded once more and began to ride his horse back to the capital, where he was sure that Gerald was waiting impatiently for the two of them to return.

[tsubasa]

Anastasia returned back to the castle with him, waving slightly to those they passed in the streets. When they got back, she climbed off her horse and was prepared to brush it down only to have it taken away and Gerald link arms with her. She looked at him, slightly surprised. He gave her a soft smile, "Come along, Princess, I have much to teach you."

She nodded and gave Samsul a fleeting glance. She was sure that he was going to come along, he had followed her everywhere else after all.... There was even that mishap when he was standing in her room when she was getting dressed. She let Gerald take her to an empty room. He handed her a few books, "You posture is the first thing I want to work on. The Queen has given me instructions to make you appear to be a perfect princess but she wants you to be who you are. Just in finer gowns, better posture, and less colloquial language.... She wants you to feel like you fit in while remaining a girl from the country... So, we'll educate you and teach you how a Princess acts, posture, dance, eating, and speaking but we want you to treat servants and people as you normally would. I've already heard wonderful things from your chamber maids about you... Thus, I don't believe that will be much of a problem."

[pyroman]

After Anastasia was dragged away by Gerald, Samsul led his horse back to the stables where the other horses were and went back to grab Anastasia's horse. It put up a little fight from having another person lead him, but Samsul had gotten the horse back to the stables. There were a few things on his mind at the moment, and despite being told to watch the princess, He ordered another guard to watch her for the time being while he did something else.

He walked through the halls of the capital slowly as he thought about the recent events and eventually made it to the throne room, where Elana sat quietly and patiently for something, anything to happen. She sat up straight and looked at the Lost Elf as he came into view, and gave him a small smile. "How is she so far?" She asked him, resulting for him to sigh lightly and stand in front of her. "She doesn't seem to like the change. She enjoys being out in the open and free, and as a princess and soon to be queen, she can't go out of the castle without a moderate section of the guards, or under a complete disguise." He paused for a moment and reflected on when he said 'soon to be queen' and looked around to see if anyone else was in the area. "With that in mind, will it happen soon? Are they making advances towards Greenspring?"

[tsubasa]

Anastasia was surprised that Gerald actually made her walk around with books on her head. She had always thought that was just some kind of joke that little girls did while playing princess. Yet, here she was, walking in circles with a book on top of her head. Just when she started to get good at it, Gerald would stop her and add another. She heard the door open and looked at it, slowly enough not to disturb the books. She had expected it to be Samsul but instead it was some unknown guard, who entered and stood at the door. She curtsied to him, being sure to hold her head straight, she really didn't want to drop the two books on her toes. Gerald clapped, "Beautiful Princess... But you are Royalty, you never curtsy deeper than the person does for you. The only person you should do that for would be her highness and other kings and queens."

Anastasia nodded and the books fell from her head. She jumped to avoid them then started to laugh. Gerald chuckled slightly and picked them, "How about we start reading the books?"

[pyroman]

Elana sighed lightly and looked down at her feet, knowing what would have to happen in order to keep the people safe. She nodded slowly and looked back at the Lost Elf. "Yes, they are. We can only keep the illusion of peace up for so long before it fades and people see through it. I will be leaving soon to make agreements with the surrounding countries, and hopefully they'll assist up in winning this war. I will be gone for some time, Samsul, and I expect for you to take care of my daughter." She began to sob lightly and Samsul took a small step forward. "My Queen, you are speaking as if you're going to be leaving tomorrow. I know that things are dire-" He was stopped by the queen, who gave him a small smile and raised her hand. "I'm not leaving just yet, but I need to know if Anastasia and rule while I am away. The opposing countries who wish us harm will not know that I am gone, the news will stay within these walls, but she must believe that I am dead, and there will be no other option other than her taking the mantle of queen."

[tsubasa]

Anastasia had been reading for some time before Gerald stopped her, "Good, Princess. That is all you need to do for today," He closed her book for her and added to more on top of it. He smiled, "Here you are, one on etiquette and one on ruling," Anastasia gave him a look of surprise when he spoke of the second one. He waved his hand, "Don't worry.. But you are the only heir to the throne of Greenspring. It will be good for you to get the basics of it before you have to sometime in the future. It will also prevent any of your advisors from taking advantage of you... Now, make sure to get some rest, I know you were ill last night."

The girl smiled and nodded, grabbing her books she started to walk back to her rooms, only slightly aware of the guard following her. As she walked past the dining hall, she paused. She walked in and placed her books on the table before walking into the kitchen, the guard tried to stop her but she went in anyways. She walked over to the chef. She held her hands in front of herself, "Hi, Eric.... Um... do you think that you possibly could make me some dinner... If it doesn't inconvenience you any?"

[pyroman]

Without anything else to say, Samsul nodded and bowed respectively before leaving Elana's presence. He left the throne room and set out to find Anastasia, who he assumed to heave still been with Gerald by that time. As he got to the room where he had been teaching her, he saw that only the trainer was there, and not the Princess who was to be trained. Samsul didn't say a word, since Gerald already knew why he was there. "The princess has left to her quarters, she has done enough for the day." Samsul nodded and went back to his post at her quarters.

As he walked through the halls, the guard who had been watching Anastasia previously walked up to him and looked at the doors to the dining hall. "She is in there, Sir. I attempted to stop her, but it wasn't of any use." He bowed out of respect and stepped to the side while the Lost Elf walked to the dining hall to see Anastasia. Upon walking in, he was that she was asking Eric to cook her some dinner, who happily obliged and quickly went into the kitchen. Samsul walked further in the stood at her side. "My apologies for leaving, but I had some things to take care of."

[tsubasa]

Anastasia was surprised to hear Samsul as he walked up next to her. She smiled at shook her head, "You needn't worry... I was fine with your friend... Which I feel bad about never asking his name," She scrunched her noses, "I was just getting some dinner... if you'd like to join me... Gerald just gave me a lot to read and I was worried if I went back to my room my nose would get stuck in my book and I would forget about dinner."

She shook her head a little and looked at her small stack of books, "Etiquette, Ruling, and a book that I assume he was testing how well I could read with..." She picked up the one about ruling and shifted it in her hands, "This one is the most... ominous of the all... Because my mother would have to pass for me to put any of it to use."