king's fools and fool's kings

[PRINCE EMMERICH]

♔
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN A KING AND A CLOWN
A CROWN OF BELLS IS STILL A CROWN

The horses galloped through the gate into the courtyard. The riders pulled on the reins to halt the beasts, causing a scrape and clatter along the cobblestones. Servants heard and immediately came running. They started soothing the beasts and helping the riders off.

“That went rather well, didn’t it?” Emmerich addressed the other men. Without waiting for a response, he jumped off his horse and started untying the stag that was strapped to it.

He turned to the nearest servant, which happened to a short black-haired girl. “You there,” Emmerich said. The girl jumped with fright, and stood to attention. “Have our horses taken to the stables and given some water. And find someone who can have this mounted—a fine prize like this should be displayed on a wall.” As Emmerich spoke, he caressed the stag’s limp body with a gloved hand.

Yes, it had been a rather good hunt. The stag had been fast, and nearly got away quite a few times, but that just made the prince all the more determined to catch it. It finally tired out about midday. In the end all it took was one careful arrow to bring it down.

The girl nodded and took the horse’s reins. She and the other servants began leading the creatures toward the stables. It was just Emmerich and his men now. They’d started discussing their best kills, comparing sizes and boasting the stories behind them.

Emmerich stared at the deer lying on the hoses back, until it was taken round a corner and out of sight. He was half in the courtyard, half in a world of his own thoughts. “Do you think girls like that sort of thing?” he said, scratching his chin.

"Aye,” said the one called Markus, “the ladies love when ye’ give ‘em a kill. Shows ‘em yer tough.”

Another, Brig, elbowed him in the ribs, “oi! You told me your Lisa nearly fainted when you gave her that fox.” The entire group erupted with laughter, and patted Brig on the back. Markus gave a sulky frown and mumbled something about Lisa “being a softie”.

Emmerich was still lost in deep secluded thought. “Lads,” he said, “this has truly been fun but I’ve got a letter to write and a very important appointment.” He raised his hand in a farewell gesture and strode towards the palace. “I'm having dinner with my mother.”

wordcount: 400.
tags: holly.
note: starting a post at midnight isn't a good idea.

[QUEEN HELENA]

"Oh, it will have to do." Queen Helena battered away the flitting hands of her servant who was trying fruitlessly to style the Queen's hair the way she wanted. Annoyed, Helena let out an exaggerated sigh and shooed the servant away. She barely took notice of any of them, only that they were there to serve her. Unless they were pretty of course, because she noticed beauty.
"I must bring someone in to do this for me..." She murmured, looking from side to side in the mirror, "Now leave. I am having dinner with my son, and it is important I don't miss it. Or rather, he does not miss it. Again." She frowned slightly, before raising and brushing down her dress. Then she turned and left, swiftly followed by five guards.

Arriving in the Hall she used only for the purpose of "family" dinners as her parents had once called it, she sat in the top most chair and waited. Emmerich was due to arrive any moment. He had been out hunting, slaying some prize beast for his wall no doubt, though she had told him countless times that this dinner was crucial. It was important and very much needed. Though she hadn't told him why of course, not yet. Pondering on the subject they would be conversing on, she waited, growing increasingly impatient with the lateness of her son.

Around fifteen minutes later, the doors opened to reveal Emmerich standing under the open arch way.
"You're late. Out hunting again?" She commented, eying him suspiciously, "I told you this dinner was important. Could your prize stag or beast of some sort not have waited? But you are here at least. Please sit down, dear. We have important matters to discuss." She gestured to the seat next to her, hoping he would take it. She was curious as to which seat he would take, whether it be the one she wanted or the one furthest away from her.
Trying to look disinterested, she made a signal to one of the servants to bring in the wine and food, all the while glancing in his direction.

"I realise I have not told you the subject matter we are to discuss, however all in due time. First I think you must eat, you're looking rather thin. And we can't have Royalty looking unwell can we?" She smiled a small smile at him, waiting for his response. He'd been suspiciously quiet.

[PRINCE EMMERICH]

♔
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN A KING AND A CLOWN
A CROWN OF BELLS IS STILL A CROWN

Emmerich sauntered into the hall. His mother was already there waiting for him.

“You're late. Out hunting again?” she gave him one of her prized steely looks.

“Yes Mother, I’ve got to do something when I’m not handling my royal duties.” Emmerich gave a sarcastic smirk. Mother had been very clear on her hesitance to let him assume even the smallest of royal duties.

“I told you this dinner was important. Could your prize stag or beast of some sort not have waited? But you are here at least. Please sit down, dear. We have important matters to discuss.”

Helena gestured to the chair beside in her. Instead, the prince took the one across from her. He wanted to avoid her overbearing-ness as much as possible.

The servants started bringing over the food and drink. Every one of them had the expression of an animal that’s sighted a predator and is trying to back away quietly as possible. Of course they’d be extremely nervous; it was bad enough serving one of the royal family, let alone two.

Plates of delicious food were laid out. Shiny red grapes, sweet smelling roast chicken, a series of deserts that made your mouth water just looking at them.

Emmerich grabbed a bottle of wine from a near-by servant and began pouring it into his glass. He sat back in his chair in a boneless fashion, propping his head on his fist and sipping the wine. Despite sitting slumped, he managed not to lose any of his grace.

His mother kept looking at him oddly. The prince raised an eyebrow at her.

“I realise I have not told you the subject matter we are to discuss, however all in due time. First I think you must eat, you're looking rather thin. And we can't have Royalty looking unwell can we?”

So. She’d already begun her on-going challenge to be as overbearing as possible. Emmerich opened his mouth to say something, then thought better of it. He pulled the nearest dish towards him – which happened to be some kind of smoked fish. The head hadn’t been cut off, so it stared at him with a gaping mouth and glassy pleading eyes.

The room became silent as the two ate. The servants to the side of them, trying to blend into the walls as much as possible.

Every time the prince looked up, the queen was staring at him.

He let his cutlery fall onto the plate with a small chink. “Mother, what is this all about?”

wordcount: 420.
tags: holly.
note: I am lovin' Helena right now ~

[QUEEN HELENA]

Emmerich did in fact take the seat opposite Helena, which she was mildly concerned about, but mostly just annoyed. It was more of a requesting gesture than a sit wherever you please. Furrowing her brow slightly, she stayed silent and watched him take a plate of fish and begin to eat. She noticed that he seemed to be concentrating intently on the dish, apart from the occasional time that he would glance up and meet her gaze.

After a short time, he released an annoyed sigh, and a small chink was heard as his cutlery dropped from his hand. She would have assumed that it was accidental and a bad example for a Prince if he had not spoken in a rather frustrated voice following the sound. "Mother, what is this all about?"

Helena paused studying her only child. He was handsome, like his father, though he possessed her bone structure, and in many respects, was Helena herself in male form. Sensing he was becoming impatient with her critical gaze, she finally spoke. "I am concerned about you, Emmerich."
He raised an eyebrow at her. "Concerned? I never would have thought you capable of such emotion, Mother."
Ignoring his snide remark she persevered.

"You are of twenty winters this winter coming, and as of such you have not shown the slightest interest towards any woman whom you wish to marry. As you have grown I have given you everything you have desired, and now I wish for something in return," She paused, "You must find an acceptable bride and present her to me by the next Palace Ball." Helena watched her son's face closely; his expression was unreadable. He really was his Mother's son, and she was almost proud. Emmerich opened his mouth to reply but she held up her hand.

"If you fail to do this, I will proceed to contact the Lords and Ladies of every possible House, and find a suitable woman for you, albeit to your preference or not. I have been lax with this matter until now, and I trust that you will do well in finding a fitting wife. Unless of course, there is already someone you wish to present me with?" She folded her hands in her lap and mentally congratulated herself on how spectacular her speech had been preformed. Her question was left hanging, and would require an immediate response, preventing him from weaselling out of her questioning.

[PRINCE EMMERICH]

♔
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN A KING AND A CLOWN
A CROWN OF BELLS IS STILL A CROWN

“I am concerned about you, Emmerich.”

The prince could no longer keep his responses strictly internal. He raised his brow at her once more, “concerned? I never would have thought you capable of such emotion, Mother.”

Helena didn’t seem to notice her son’s comment. Feigning deafness was a skill you mastered quickly when your son was a self-centered brat.

“You are of twenty winters this winter coming, and as of such you have not shown the slightest interest towards any woman whom you wish to marry. As you have grown I have given you everything you have desired, and now I wish for something in return. You must find an acceptable bride and present her to me by the next Palace Ball.”

The prince opened his mouth to speak. For once he had news that would not disappoint the queen. But she raised her hand to cut him off.

She carried on with her lecture, “if you fail to do this, I will proceed to contact the Lords and Ladies of every possible House, and find a suitable woman for you, albeit to your preference or not. I have been lax with this matter until now, and I trust that you will do well in finding a fitting wife. Unless of course, there is already someone you wish to present me with?”

Typical of Mother. Always so overbearing. Now she wanted a say in who was his wife. Knowing her, she’d pick a meek little prude of a baron’s daughter with no spine and an eternally runny nose, who she could boss around as much as she pleased.

Emmerich gave a calm, knowing smile. Wickedness and content glimmered in his eyes, like a cat who’s figured out how to steal the cream. “Actually, Mother,” Emmerich leaned forward and traced his finger around the edge of the wine glass “I do have someone in mind.”

He studied the red liquid as he spoke, watching the bubbles float to the top and burst, and noting how the color looked so much like blood. Drinking blood, what an interesting idea that would be.

“The king of Edora has a daughter. Her name is Juliette, I believe. She’s the same age as I, second in line for the Edorin throne, and according to my sources, also extremely beautiful. I was planning on sending a letter asking the king’s permission to court her, tonight in fact.”

The words had already made themselves crystal clear in his mind. He would flatter the king first, mention how he wanted the two countries to be united (especially in such hard times with the faeries), then politely ask permission to court Juliette. If his abilities to charm were as good on pen and paper as they were in real life, the king of Edora would surely say yes.

“I can do no better than another royal, I’m sure you’ll agree?”

He lifted up the blood-colored wine to sip and looked at his mother for an answer.

wordcount: 597
tags: holly.
note: I'm so freaking giddy right now.

[QUEEN HELENA]

Helena was not prepared for her son's response. She had expected him to give her a look of utmost annoyance, but instead he stayed in his cool and collected state, actually having the nerve to smirk at her. His eyes dipped to the wine glass, watching his own fingers trace the line of the rim.

"Actually, Mother, I do have someone in mind." Helena was glad that he did not look up to see the brief shock on her face before she was able to hide it. “The King of Edora has a daughter. Her name is Juliette, I believe. She’s the same age as I, second in line for the Edorin throne, and according to my sources, also extremely beautiful. I was planning on sending a letter asking the King’s permission to court her, tonight in fact.”

Helena considered this in his pause. She had of course, heard of Juliette, though decided not to consider her due to her stubbornness. She would not be so easy to make her bid as Helena pleased, and would be a very headstrong Princess, something the Queen did not particularly care for.

“I can do no better than another royal, I’m sure you’ll agree?” Emmerich looked up at his Mother, with an innocent expression. Helena paused before answering.

"Her bloodline is preferable, and she is of course worthy of your handsome features with her beauty. Your offspring would be quite beautiful and perfect for future Royals. Yes, Emmerich, I have done my own research," She had of course, had one of her servants research her, "She is highly intelligent for her age, though I have been informed she can be quite flighty and is unusually stubborn," Helena's voice was tight, and she wondered if she would be able to marry him off to a less intelligent Royal, "It would of course be ideal in terms of land, by bringing the lands owned by her father and I together. Your eventual Kingdom would increase dramatically. I have heard however her parents are quite controlling, which would damper the situation..." She continued, more speaking to herself than to her son. Becoming increasingly annoyed by the smirk on Emmerich's face, she made a haste decision.

"You will, as you originally planned, send a letter to the King, but you must also request a formal occasion of some sort with them. The King, Queen, Juliette and I suppose you ought to include Darius out of politeness. You may want to keep an eye on him if you are to marry the girl," She looked at Emmerich seriously, a knowing looking was briefly shared between them, "Darius is next in line for the Kingdom. If you ever wish to expand... however, invite them to a dinner, or a dance. Something of the like. I wish to meet her, then I will give you my decision." Helena nodded, and stood up, striding over to him.

"For now, I think we have had enough talk. You should get some rest," After a slight hesitation, she bent and kissed her son's head, before returning to her seat, "You can go. Goodnight, Emmerich."
Helena delicately selected a fine dessert, noticing her son had yet to leave. She ignored him, sampling the food. She most definitely had a sweet tooth as of late and found the dish quite to her taste.

[PRINCE EMMERICH]

♔
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN A KING AND A CLOWN
A CROWN OF BELLS IS STILL A CROWN

Emmerich grinned once more. It was very clear his mother had not been expecting such a response. She collected herself for a moment before replying.

Helena’s voice was calm and slow, as if she was trying to choose her words even as she spoke. [“Her bloodline is preferable, and she is of course worthy of your handsome features with her beauty. Your offspring would be quite beautiful and perfect for future Royals. Yes, Emmerich, I have done my own research. She is highly intelligent for her age, though I have been informed she can be quite flighty and is unusually stubborn. It would of course be ideal in terms of land, by bringing the lands owned by her father and I together. Your eventual Kingdom would increase dramatically. I have heard however her parents are quite controlling, which would damper the situation...”

The queen’s words had turned into an inner monologue. In the blink of an eye, she’d snapped out of it, and was once again starting Emmerich in the face as she threw her steely words at him.

“You will, as you originally planned, send a letter to the King, but you must also request a formal occasion of some sort with them. The King, Queen, Juliette and I suppose you ought to include Darius out of politeness. You may want to keep an eye on him if you are to marry the girl,” the queen looked at the prince with the utmost seriousness now. She wasn’t blind to her son’s ambition. She was all too aware he’d set his sights on Edora, and was determined to see himself crowned ruler of that land as well as Alytheon. Emmerich nodded solemnly.

"Darius is next in line for the Kingdom. If you ever wish to expand... however, invite them to a dinner, or a dance. Something of the like. I wish to meet her, then I will give you my decision.”

Emmerich’s hand clenched into a fist under the table. Typical. He satisfies mother’s request and she raises the stakes. She wouldn’t be happy until she had full control over every aspect of his life, would she?

Helena stood up and walked over to Emmerich "for now, I think we have had enough talk. You should get some rest,”

[/b] she leaned down and kissed his silky blonde head, like she’d do when he was a young boy. “You can go. Goodnight, Emmerich."

There was an odd few minutes filled with an awkward silence. During which the queen walked back over to her seat and started eating a desert, and treated the prince like he was invisible. Servants began cautiously approaching his end of the table, ready to take his plates away. All through this, anger started to swell up in inside him. Mother thought she could summon and send him away at her whim? She wouldn’t even bother with the pretence of small talk anymore?

When one of the servants reached out for his glass, he snapped.

Emmerich slammed his balled up fist on the table. The whole thing audibly shook under his hand. Without another word he left the room. (But not without taking a leg of spiced chicken, a bottle of wine, and one of the deserts with him. He’d been asked to come to dinner, so he would eat a full dinner.)

He went straight to his study on the third floor. It had belonged to his father. Mother had made a fuss when he took up using it, despite having her own private study in one of the towers that everyone was forbidden to enter. Probably because of the small feeling of rebellion that had given him, it had since become his sanctum.

Once he was inside, he took a moment to kick at the wall and throw a potted plant to the floor before collecting himself. He then placed the food at the desk, sat down, and pulled out a sheet of paper. The words in his head had shook around when he succumbed to his rage, but they were otherwise undisturbed. Still as clear as daylight in his mind. He picked up the nearest quill, and began to write.

Emmerich did a few drafts, before writing out the one that would be sent in his most immaculate handwriting. One of the few decent lessons Mother had taught him was redrafting.

It was a good thing too. His anger had not fully left him, and he scratched furiously across the paper. There were countless ink splatters dotting each draft, and one rip where he had pressed too hard while creating the broad stroke of a T. Not to mention crumbs and grease from the chicken, which he chewed on furiously while he wrote. The final letter, in its dried form, looked like this:

Dearest Sir,
As I am coming of age I am taking more of an interest in the relationships of our lands. As I heard word of what a fine king you are, I realized how unfortunate it was that our two kingdoms are not in better standing with each other. I’d like to remedy the situation immediately. As you know, times are hard, and we need to be a strong nation if we are to have a chance against the faeries, in the event that war breaks out. If I cannot salvage the relationship with them, I at least wish Alytheon remains on good terms with Edora.

I have a proposition for you. If His Majesty would give me permission, I would like to court his daughter. If we were to marry, it would ensure the bloodlines stay pure, and unite our kingdoms. His majesty should also be informed that Queen Helena requests that the Collingworths join the Kenelms for a gathering in the near future.

Sincerely,
Prince Emmerich.

Satisfied with this, Emmerich slumped back in his chair and took a gulp of wine. He pulled on the bell that was in all the rooms the royals frequently used, and watched as a servant came in. This time it was a middle aged balding man, who couldn’t stand straight.

“Find an envelope for this and have it posted to the king of Edora,” he held out the folded sheet of paper for the little man to take, “and get someone to clean this mess up,” the prince was of course gesturing to the mess of pot, dirt, and crushed plant that he had created.

Content with all of this, he watched the little bent man run off and took other gulp of the wine.[/font]

wordcount: 1091
tags: holly.
note: I didn't know I had a thousand words in me. phew! [/size][/blockquote]

[QUEEN HELENA]

Unsurprised by Emmerich's sudden outburst, Helena kept her face composed until he had left the room. As he exited, carrying a little food and a bottle of wine, she allowed herself a small smile; Emmerich often threw tantrums as such when he was a boy, especially when he did not get his own way. She had seen this process before, they would argue, she would put her foot down and he would storm off either taking with him, or later ordering food as was his tendency to stomp off during meals.

She finished her dessert, taking no notice of the servants carrying away food from Emmerich's end of the table. It was times like this she wished there was someone to bask in her presence, to feel honoured at the opportunity to dine with the Queen herself. She missed people telling her was spectacular.

Sighing and pushing her plate away, she gestured for one of her servants to come over. "Go to Emmerich's room and take the letter he has written. Once done, you are to return to me with the letter in your possession and hand it to me before relaying the damage he has caused. I will give you further instruction when this is completed. Go." The man nodded and shuffled off. She noticed that he could barely stand straight. Frowning she was tempted to get rid of him, but thought better of it; he had been here for many many years and was trust worthy. Something that was hard to find these days.

While she waited for his return, Helena pondered on the other possible candidates for her son's hand in marriage. Of course, Juliette would seem ideal to many, and would be recommended by her council, but the Princess was stubborn and very headstrong. The Queen did not want this, at the possible risk of being over thrown by a mere girl. She almost snorted at that idea, and so felt better.

"Your Majesty," The servant had returned, and bowed low before speaking once more, "His Highness has smashed a plant pot and has left a mess at his desk." He shuffled forward and dropped the letter in front of her, before bowing once more. She had expected more than this, but he was becoming better at controlling his temper, something he would later need as King. She read the letter, and nodded quite satisfied.

"Send this by the quickest means available to the King," He bowed and retreated, she looked to a young maiden, "Go clean up the Prince's study. And child, be wary of his anger. He has a fierce temper." Unsure why she had given the girl this piece of advice, she watched as, terrified, she nodded and backed from the room. Helena shook herself and rose, removing herself from the room and swiftly striding to her own study.

Once inside, she closed the door, dismissing the guards to stand outside and sat on the armchair, deep in thought. There were not many other Royals throughout Alytheon whom would be a worthy wife for her son, and fewer still that would succumb to her biding. A non-Royal would be out of the question, however... it would have certain advantages.

Her subjects would see it as mingling with the peasants, which at first thought, made her feel nauseous, but, her people may be more inclined towards her. They would see her as a Queen of the people. Plus, there was more of a chance of the child being so terrified of her that they would comply to her every whim. With slight hesitation, Helena made a note to give to one of her council, demanding that they find every human girl, over the age of eighteen that would be a suitable match for her son.

Nodding to herself, she put those thoughts aside, and began organising for the Palace Ball which was to take place in a very short space of time indeed.