“My son you must take on your father’s role as King.” The young Prince looked at her in surprise, and shook his head at her.
“No mother I cannot.” How could he take his father’s crown, it would be as if he was giving up on him.
“My son I understand, really I do.” She placed a comforting arm around him and gently squeezed. “You are the First Prince of Malgar and as much as it breaks my heart to say this, your father is in no fit state to rule, and until he awakens….” She closed her eyes as she felt a tear escape. “Kainan, you must take on the role of King. The people will expect it, and it is your duty as his first-born son to honour that. We cannot leave Malgar without a King it will show weakness to our enemies.” He looked at her. Closing his eyes for a moment he thought of what the dragon had said earlier. He nodded, turning back around to his father.
“I understand mother,” he replied, sighing regretfully. “Arweyn and I still have to leave the city tomorrow morning, I cannot delay it, and I do not know how long we will be gone.”
His mother sat upright. “You are convinced of this prophecy, that our Empire it still out there somewhere asleep?” He nodded.
“Yes mother. If the dragon is not enough to convince you I will show you the book, you will see that it is written in Gareion’s hand over five hundred years ago.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out the map to the Elwins. “Look I wrote this, five hundred years ago, and left it with the dragon, in order for him to give it back to me when I was reborn.” She took it from him and fell silent for a while as she read it. Sighing heavily, she gave it back to him. His hand went to the amulet around his neck. “This amulet you gave me opened the doors to the secret passageways that led us to the old Malgar. They are all clues left for me to find, to lead me back to our people. I also strongly believe that if I defeat Gemini, it may help father.” He turned and looked at her. “It may be his only hope of ever waking up. Time is short. The spell Arweyn’s grandmother placed upon him to keep him alive will not last forever.” She looked at her husband lying still and motionless.
“My son, it is not that I do not believe you, I... I just do not want anything to happen to you. I lost you once and I do not want to lose you again.” He threw his arms around her as she wept.
“Please mother, do not cry, I promise I will come back, but I cannot just ignore this.” Nodding into his shoulder, she looked him in the eyes and sniffed.
“Then you shall go as a King on a quest for his people, it is still preferable to a King that lies in a deathly sleep.” She stood up. “I will arrange the ceremony to take place this evening. You will be crowned King before you leave.” He nodded sadly.
“Yes mother, if that is your wish.” She placed her hand upon his shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze.
“It is for the best my son,” she reassured him and then left the room.
The young Prince shifted closer to his father, leaning in close to his ear. “I do not know if you can hear me Father but I shall tell you regardless. The statue, in the square of the dragon, I have brought it back to life it was as I thought, an enchanted beast.” His father remained silent. The young Prince smiled grimly. “The dragon has spoken to me father and he has confirmed what we thought. The Groundling Empire is still out there. The people did not die they were hidden frozen in an endless sleep.” He swallowed as he thought, as you are now. “He believes I was their King, Arweyn their Queen.” He sat back and breathed deeply. “It is true, I know it is. All along I have felt a purpose to my life, that there was something that I had to do.” He smiled. “Arweyn I knew from the moment we met that we had been together before.” He shifted forward again. “Tomorrow we shall begin our journey to find the lost Empire, kill this Gemini, and free our people and our lands. It is his evil that is within you father and I am sure that when I destroy him it will release you and you will awaken.” I hope. “There is something else, you may have heard us,” he sighed at the stillness in his father’s face, probably not. “Mother is going to have me crowned King this evening,” he continued. “It is only until you awake father.” His eyes flickered up and down his father’s face and he wiped the tears from his eyes. “I had best be going now I suppose. The nurse will stay with you.” Should you awake? Leaning over he kissed his father’s brow and pulled his blankets straight. “Take care father, I will see you soon.” He looked at him once more and then headed for the door and before he opened it, he took a steadying breath wiping his eyes with his sleeve. Waiting outside was a nurse.
“Please take care of him,” he asked. She nodded and curtsied.
“Yes my Lord.”
“I have left some books, can you read?” The young woman nodded. Kainan smiled at her.
“Sorry, I did not mean to insult you.” The young nurse blushed.
“That is okay my Lord, you have not.”
“Can you read to him some of the time? He may be able to hear you,” the young Prince asked of her.
“Of course my Lord, it will be an honour to read to the King.” Kainan nodded at her.
“Thank you.” He then headed off down the corridor.
***
The throne room had been prepared with great urgency. Row upon row of chairs, had been set up in the room. In the centre of them, an aisle leading from the door through the middle of the now hurriedly gathered guests, to the thrones at the front.
Kainan walked through the door and the room fell silent, his brother Prince Gareion, standing by his side.
“No wonder you did not want to become King,” Kainan muttered under his breath, as the entire congregation of Lords, Ladies and Elders turned and stared at him. Gareion grinned at his brother.
“Come on,” he encouraged, “you will be fine.”
“It does not feel right Gareion. Not with father still alive, he should be the King not me.” His twin turned to him, ignoring the waiting crowd he placed a hand on his arm.
“Kainan it is right. Father is very sick, probably dying,” the words pained him and he frowned. Kainan placed his hand on his brother’s arm and held it for a moment.
“It is about what is best for the people, not us. They need a strong King. Other races need to know that we are still strong and not an easy target.” Kainan nodded, taking a deep breath, he turned and faced front. Gareion released his arm.
“Okay let’s get this over with,” Kainan whispered. Together the brothers strode forward.
The young Prince was mostly dressed in black, except for a fine blue cloak with the Dermock coat of arms in gold embroidered across the back, and as always, armed with the Deragan sword. His eyes searching forward he saw his wife waiting for him. She smiled as she caught his gaze, and he felt his heart tremor. They had been bonded only one day, and now he was about to be made King. This had surely been one hell of a week.
They halted. The Queen, Kainan’s mother stepped forward, both brothers immediately dropped down on one knee, lowering their heads. She smiled proudly at her sons. To the right of her stood Wizard Marton, in his hands he held the King’s crown. The boys rose together and Gareion moved away, leaving his brother standing alone.
“Kainan, First Prince of Malgar,” she said loudly. She smiled at him and added in a quieter tone. “My son.” She then addressed the congregation.
“Elders, Lords and Ladies of Malgar as you are all now aware my husband, your King lies in a sleeping sickness, poisoned by a black dragon.” Kainan blinked trying to stay composed, as he could see his mother fighting to hold back her tears. She took a deep breath.
“As of yet we do not have a cure, nor do we know what cure, if any, there may be. I have decided, for the best interests of the King, his people and the City of Malgar to abdicate the crown on behalf of my husband, King John. Unfortunately, we do not have the time to conduct this ceremony in the normal way that is befitting of such an occasion. Therefore this ceremony will be very brief.” Mutterings and gasps of dismay spread through the congregation.
“By the power veste
d in me as the Queen of Malgar, I hereby, crown my son Kainan, the First Prince, as King over all of Malgar and our lands that lay beyond the boundary.” Kainan shook as he knelt back down on one knee. Wizard Marton stepped forward; giving the crown to the Queen, she accepted it with a nod. She held the crown over her son’s head.
“Kainan Dermock, do you swear to protect and rule your people wisely, to listen to council and to be a good and honourable King?”
“I swear,” Kainan replied strongly. She placed the crown of Malgar onto his head and smiled as a tear finally escaped her.
“Rise, Kainan King of Malgar,” she said proudly. The crowd cheered and as he turned to face them, they bowed down to him.
“There is one more thing,” the Queen said loudly. The crowd fell silent. Kainan turned back around to his mother.
“Lady Arweyn, please join me,” the Queen asked. Arweyn rose to her feet, somewhat unsure. She glanced over to Kainan, but he raised his eyebrows at her. He did not know what she was doing either. She stood alongside her husband and curtsied to the Queen.
“As you will know by law Lady Arweyn will now become a princess of the realm.” As his wife glanced sideways at him, Kainan smiled.
“However,” the Queen said, interrupting his thoughts, and they both looked at her.
“I have made the decision that I am no longer able to be your Queen.”
“Mother,” Kainan cried, shocked. She held her hand up to silence him.
“I wish to dedicate my time to care for my husband and to spend time with my granddaughter.” Kainan glanced across at his brother, but he looked just as shocked as he was, shaking his head at him, confirming he knew nothing of this either.
“Lady Arweyn, please step forward.” She glanced briefly at Kainan before approaching the Queen.
“Kneel,” she instructed. The Queen removed her crown.
“Mother what are you doing?” Kainan begged.
“The right thing,” she replied in a whisper.
“Lady Arweyn of Malgar, Princess of the Faerlings and wife to Kainan the King of Malgar I abdicate my right to be Queen and pass that honour to you. Do you accept and swear to protect and rule your people wisely, to listen to council and to be loyal to your King?” Arweyn was so stunned she could hardly speak.
“I accept, and I swear,” she replied, swallowing nervously. Her whole body shook as the Queen lowered her crown onto her head.
“Rise Arweyn, Queen of Malgar.” The crowd stared in stunned silence. Kainan’s mother stepped between them both and took hold of their hands, turning them to face the congregation.
“From this day forth I shall be known only as the King’s mother and…,” she beamed proudly at her son. “Bow now to the new King and Queen of Malgar, long may they live and rule together wisely.”
Finally getting over their shock the crowd cheered. Kainan’s mother passed his hand over to Arweyn and joined them together.
“Take care of each other always. Listen to one another and support one another,” she whispered to them. “Be strong and united in your rule,” she then added.
“Mother, you did not have to do this,” Kainan said a little later leading her to one side and embracing her.
“Kainan I did, I need to be with your father.”
“Arweyn and I have to go tomorrow.”
“I know my son. Gareion will be here and he will look after the Kingdom in your absence. Do not worry I will be on hand to guide him. Arweyn is your Queen and she should be by your side.” She lifted her eyes to his, raising her hand to his cheek. “I love you Kainan, you will be a great King.” He sighed.
“I love you mother,” he said, gently kissing her cheek.
“Kainan,” Arweyn called to him.
“Go to her,” his mother, whispered. He smiled before giving a small nod of his head.
He embraced his wife.
“Why did she do that?” Arweyn asked, gazing deep into his dark eyes. Pulling a strand of hair from her eyes, he slipped an arm around her.
“Because it was the right thing to do,” he whispered. Gareion joined them. He sighed shaking his head at them.
“What a week!” he groaned.
“Tell me about it!” Kainan replied, grinning at his twin.
“Just one thing brother,” Gareion said, raising a sharp eyebrow at him.
“What?” Kainan replied.
“Just because you are now the King, do not think for one moment that I am going to bow to you.” Kainan shoved his brother playfully.
“As if I would,” he chuckled back. “Seriously though Gareion, you are in charge until we get back,” he added, resting a hand on his brother arm.
“Just you two take care of yourselves, and do not go doing anything foolhardy. I do not want to be left here running this place by myself for too long,” Gareion moaned, shaking his head at him.
“We will not brother. We will be leaving at first light.” Gareion nodded and embraced him before giving him a long hard look. “Please Kainan I mean it, make sure you both come back.” Kainan smiled affectionately at his twin.
After the ceremony the guests were given dinner. It was not a lavish affair, more of a help yourself buffet that had quickly been prepared by the cooks. Kainan grabbed Arweyn’s hand.
“Come on let’s go, I have had enough of this.” She nodded and they said good evening to the remaining guests and left. His mother had already retired a while before to go and see his father. Gareion too had abandoned the gathering to be with his wife and newborn daughter.
Instead of heading to their chamber, Kainan led her to the staircase and they began to descend.
“Where are we going?” she asked curiously. He grinned at her.
“To meet a friend,” he said, secretly. She raised her eyebrow at him as they walked across the foyer.
“You are taking me to see the dragon.” He lifted his eyebrows and giving a gentle nod. She took a deep breath. She knew she had to meet this dragon, but the thought of it really did scare her.
“My King, my Queen,” Meladrom said to them as they walked across the courtyard towards him. The dragon lowered his head respectfully. Arweyn jumped back terrified at its sudden noise, for to her ears is merely sounded like a ferocious growl.
“It is okay, he is just addressing us, do not be scared.” Kainan said, trying to reassure her. He could feel her hand trembling in his and he gave a gentle squeeze.
“How is it you understand him?” she asked in a nervous whisper. He smiled affectionately at her.
“Apparently I am a dragon lord. I can understand the language of all dragons and they understand me.”
“Evening Meladrom,” he said, approaching him with a grin.
“My King, it is good to see the Queen once again.” Arweyn smiled at him, as terrifying as he was, he was also stunning, and an incredibly beautiful looking creature.
“He said he is pleased to see you once again,” Kainan informed her. She dipped her head to the dragon.
“Tell him, thank you,” she whispered.
“The Queen thanks you,” he said.
“You have been crowned?” Meladrom asked. Kainan nodded.
“Yes you were right, my father is too sick to rule.”
“I am sorry but it is for the best,” the dragon replied.
“I know that now. When I kill Gemini I hope that it will bring my father back from the darkness he lies within.”
“What are you saying, I wish I could understand,” Arweyn said, interrupting them. Meladrom turned to her and then back to the young King.
“What does my Queen say?” he asked.
“She wishes she could understand you Meladrom,” he replied. Meladrom nodded and stepped towards him.
“There is a way my King that she could understand me and I her.”
“How is that?” Kainan asked.
“By drinking one drop of my blood,” he replied.
“Your blood,” he replied a little startled. Meladrom nodded.
&nbs
p; “Yes, but she would only understand me, no other dragon as we shall be bonded by my magic alone.”
“Will it hurt her?” he asked concerned.
“No, she may sleep immediately after for a while but no harm will befall her.”
“What are you talking about,” she asked impatiently, pulling on Kainan’s sleeve. He looked at her and drew a breath in thought, before replying.
“He said there is a way that you could understand him.”
“What way?” She glanced up to the dragon curiously.
“By using magic,” he paused before adding, “and by drinking one drop of his blood.” Her eyes flew to his and he looked deeply into hers.
“His blood, you are joking?” she questioned, muttering a little shocked. He shook his head. Arweyn looked up at the great dragon and Meladrom drew back his lips and grinned at her. It made her laugh. She shook her head before turning back to Kainan.
“Just one drop, that is all?” she checked.
“Yes, just one drop,” he confirmed. Looking back at the dragon, Arweyn nodded. Meladrom lifted a claw towards his front leg and swiped it across his flesh. Lifting his leg slightly he allowed one drop to escape, and held it glistening on the end of his claw.
“Hold her my King, for she will fall into an immediate sleep.”
“Let me hold you Arweyn,” Kainan said reaching for her. “It is not going to hurt, but you are going to fall asleep for a little while.” Nodding nervously, she allowed him to take her into his arms. Meladrom lifted his claw towards her, she opened her mouth, and the dragon allowed the one drop of blood to fall onto her tongue. She closed her mouth and immediately collapsed into the King’s arms.
“Take her home and let her rest. Tomorrow we leave at sunrise.” Kainan lifted his wife into his arms, pulling her close to his body.
Deragan Sword Prophecy: Book 02 - Meladrom Page 13