One of King Abeldine’s first acts after returning to his throne had been to order the gate which led to the Evergarden be destroyed so no one else could face such cruel injustice. With the land flourishing once again, there was plenty of food with fresh fish, cured ham and succulent fowl. A mature cheese had been brought from the castle cellars for the celebration to accompany vintage wine and mead kept for just such an occasion. The masters were all toasted individually for their skills in rejuvenating Thronegarden. Tarq the master builder was praised for his repairs to the castle. Lokei the master shipwright was lauded for finishing King Abeldine’s newest galleon, which had been christened The Bell Tower. Balius the Master of Horses and Bullan the Master of Hounds were celebrated for building up the royal stocks while Mayden the master brewer was drunk to with her own creation. For a whole day the castle dined and celebrated their victory. The tradesmen, kitchen staff and performers were all invited to share the revelry. There was still much work to be done so that Fable could once again be a peaceful united land. On this day, that was forgotten and what they had was celebrated. After much encouragement from his followers, King Abeldine stood to give a speech; the hall quietened as everyone sought to hear the regent’s words.
“When a wise friend told me, I would be king and bring peace back to Fable, I did not truly believe it.”
The king saluted Phoebus who bowed his head in acknowledgement. “It has been a long journey to reach this day. We have all suffered from doubts and dark times that have tested our resolve. Those experiences only serve to make this celebration sweeter. To be here today as your host is my honour. Sharing this bounty with loved ones, friends and family.”
This last sentiment was toasted loudly by the delegation who drank deeply of the finest nectar to celebrate their triumph over adversity.
“We don’t just celebrate each person in this hall but those who are absent too,” the king continued. “For those who made the ultimate sacrifice for us we remember.
“We remember,” the guests echoed.
“Do not be fooled. There are still difficult challenges ahead. Death stalks the land once again and beggar or king, none of us can dismiss his call. Yet with the threat of death comes the promise of life. I personally have a great deal to be thankful for, especially my beautiful wife who has just enlightened me that she is pregnant.”
If the previous gaiety had been raucous, this latest announcement caused an eruption of jubilation that did not surcease for several minutes.
“Thronegarden will have a new heir,” King Abeldine announced proudly.
“A new future,” the queen announced, standing beside her husband.
“Let us all be united in creating a bright future for everyone in Fable.” King Abeldine raised his glass one last time.
The celebrations continued well into the night with a half-moon appearing in the sky as a sign of transition. Phoebus, who had dozed a little despite the tumult, decided it was time to go hunt. Spreading his wings, the ancient owl took flight on the wind that came from the west. His eyes were not what they had once been so he was unable to catch any prey as they went about their business in the flourishing fields. One figure that Phoebus could not miss was standing upon a knoll, cloaked in black and calling to him with a silent voice. Phoebus alighted on Death’s shoulder, feeling his aches and pains disappear. The wise owl took one last look at Castle Thrane, illuminated by light and warmth, before allowing Death to carry him onto his next journey.
The Magicgarden was once again full of vibrant colours. The bazaar was busier than ever with fresh trade coming in from all over Fable. Eloise had taken over from the Matriarch as custodian. Luyna had been imprisoned in the gaol and was guarded by the old king, Handel.
Handel had volunteered to be warden as he had yet to forgive himself for his weakness in allowing Luyna to manipulate him. His daughter, Damselfly, had also not fully forgiven him, although they did see each other now and then. This was because Damselfly had travelled with Kimson and Uriel back to the Magicgarden where they had a sweet little cottage away from the bustling marketplace. It had a large garden for Trigger the Dalmatian to run around. Buttons, who had now developed a strong bond with the canine, often rode on the dog’s back as he careened through the flowerbeds at breakneck speed.
With her father replaced by her uncle as regent, Damselfly had gladly left Thronegarden and her own royal responsibilities behind in search of a new life. Kimson and Uriel, who was heavily pregnant, were delighted when Damselfly agreed to be a part of their family.
“Our child would be blessed to have a big sister like you,” Kimson had grinned.
“It would not feel like home without you,” Uriel had praised.
Damselfly felt happier in her new home than she had ever been in the castle. For one thing, there were lots of other children her age to play with. They would run around the garden playing games all day while Uriel watched from a chair with both hands on her growing stomach. Kimson who had been a soldier his whole life decided to put aside his sword for a plough and worked tirelessly on keeping the grounds respectable. Kimson also planted a vegetable garden, although his efforts needed a sprinkling of Uriel’s magic to grow, something Uriel and Damselfly kept to themselves so as not to dishearten Kimson. Somedays Damselfly did miss her friends back at the castle, though mostly she was having too much fun to think about it much.
Finally, the day arrived when Uriel gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. Kimson swaddled the infant in a clean towel and held her so Damselfly could take her first look at the latest addition to their family. The baby’s eyes were large despite everything else about her being so small. Damselfly was immediately enchanted with her little sister and the feeling seemed mutual.
The child was named Lorelei, and she brought great joy to the household.
Although Lorelei had to spend most of her time with Uriel during those first few days, she constantly looked for Damselfly and would happily watch her sister’s exploits rather than sleeping as her mother wanted. When the child would get grisly because she was tired, it was often Damselfly that would sing her a lullaby which would send her to sleep.
“I don’t know if there are two sisters closer anywhere than you,” Kimson commented.
Then one morning Damselfly awoke to find her whole family in her bedroom including Lorelei, who was wearing her first dress.
“What’s going on?” Damselfly asked sleepily.
“It’s your birthday and we’re going to celebrate,” Uriel announced.
“There’s going to be cake,” Buttons shared, thinking of his stomach first as usual.
Trigger barked enthusiastically at all the excitement as Kimson led Damselfly into the garden for her present. Standing beside the house was an apple tree and amongst the strongest branches hung a child’s swing.
“I love it.” Damselfly dashed to the swing, eager to test it out.
“Be careful,” Kimson warned.
Damselfly’s father, Handel, came to the birthday celebration, although their relationship was still frosty. He gave her a picture of Etherelle, so she would always remember her mother. They shared a tear and a tender hug, knowing that their shared love for Etherelle would always bind them together. There was little time for being sad as Damselfly opened further gifts, played games with her friends and attempted to eat more cake than Buttons, which turned out to be a mistake.
In all of this excitement, Damselfly did not forget her baby sister, Lorelei, who screamed in protest as the other children played while she was stuck in her cot. Damselfly carried her sister round with her during the afternoon, made sure her high chair was placed next to Damselfly’s own at dinner and even briefly took her on the swing, despite Uriel’s concern. Lorelei loved every second of it because she loved her sister. The bond between the two girls was special and something everyone commented upon. That night Lorelei and Damselfly slept in the same bed because the baby would squeal whenever her mother or father tried to part them.
“Happy birthday, sweetheart.” Uriel kissed her goodnight.
“Thank you for my presents,” Damselfly yawned.
“And my party.”
“Thank you for the cake,” Buttons added.
“Most of all, thank you for my sister.”
Uriel and Kimson watched their daughters sleeping peacefully in a moment of pure contentment. Uriel no longer felt the need to practice magic because she possessed something even greater, love.
Slipping quietly out of the room, Kimson turned out the light before closing the door. A silence prevailed, broken only by a small child’s moan; Lorelei was awake and normally in her room the light was left on. Unwilling to be separated from her sister who was sleeping peacefully, the young baby created a magical spark which kept the darkness at bay and allowed her to drift into a deep sleep.
Thronegarden Page 31