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talesofealdancynedom · 1 year

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Raven Queen Odette, drawn as her parents; I gave her a wardrobe update.

37. The Second Chance (chapter 4 - Palace of Memories 4/4 ) part 8. Stories of Dreams.

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Fredrick and Merriam couldn’t stay on the ranch she once called home. Time had passed, and they were no longer a part of this place. They were brought back with few clothes, and forgotten names. Accumulating cats, while doing house chores. Odette had yet to visit Merriam and Fredrick; For someone who dearly missed her parents, to the point she’d move time to be have them, she sure wasn’t with them. They knew their time to move on had come, when Odysseus walked into their cabin.

��I want you to go to the Raven Gate in the Capitol. That palace is a museum of restored things; Odette might be there if she’s feeling sentimental. Additionally, we need this place for my son’s stupid performative wedding.” He explained. Merriam and Fredrick cringed, remembering the dryness of their purely ceremonial union. They hadn’t realized they were True Loves then. It was a terrible day; Fredrick having buried his parents, and Merriam torn from her dreams. Odysseus saw them wilt at the mere mention of nuptials. Fredrick changed the subject, by requesting the money to oblige him. Odysseus slapped tickets to the Capitol, and museum, into their hands.

“The old and new, awaits you.” He chuckled.

Merriam was appalled that her Raven Gate was in a state of upheaval. It was requested by the state, and stood in the city square; Now forming an unattended magic ‘forest’, full of frustrated fey and Common Folk. What crimes against magic occurred after her murder? The people acted like they forgot the city was enchanted; Like they forgot about her.

Merriam and Fredrick looked around their old home, which now hosted their old things on display. It was surreal to see people fawning over their used personals. There was also art, linages, clothing, and more; Each with accurate, but easily misinterpreted, plackets about the nation’s history. Merriam and Fredrick found it mildly amusing, to see modern families coo at emphatically worded descriptions of their daily lives. The galleries had just opened on a work day, and the visitors were people taking children for an outing. Beneath the educational front, the castle was still itself; Local grey granite, with only the tiles made from The Grand West’s famous black marble. A sanitized version, of what felt like home.

Fredrick was bewildered to see his favourite tunic untouched by time. To see the crown shimmering on display dumbfounded him. His neck hurt remembering it’s heft. The golden circle of gryphons with peridot pears, was strictly ceremonial.

“Look Merry!” Fredrick pointed to their shoes. She was looking at a painting of him. Fredrick approached curiously.

“I don’t remember getting this one done.” He tilted his head.

“I commissioned it shortly after your passing. It was hung with your forefathers in this very ballroom. It’s always been here, unlike these glass cases. Did you know our daughter kept me in one in? In the Shadow Veil? Where is she even? I swore Icthya and Odysseus were onto something...” Merriam jittered. She was furiously petting Nihten. Fredrick leaned in.

“Thank you. It dapicts everything I love. My colours from going dark, strawberries, roses, and my most comfortable clothes. Oh, and look; The painter didn’t even know how to do cats right.” he smiled.

“Yes. All sweet things. Just like you.” Merriam flirted.

As they moved down the room, they examined the linage on the wall. Fredrick pointed to himself, Eatheltwein, and followed it down the wall to Odysseus and Morgan at the end. It named every prince, princess, and Queen; Except Merriam. Beyond its comprehension, they moved into what was once the study wing.

Upon the best lit hall, where the windows overlooking the castle’s layers; Each hosting a courtyard, that trailed to the main steps. Merriam and Fredrick could see the now sprawling city. Even The Raven Gate sitting in the main square, as it always had. Merriam looked behind her, as a family walked buy; Also admiring the view. She went still. There were five perfectly lit tapestries. One for each of her knights. The eldest, white knight Sir. Holly, had his flag poised to indicate he was following, not leading, into a battle. Their eyes and hair were their given colour: White, red, green, yellow, and blue. Thus, indicating they’d already gone dark, after returning from a quest with Merriam. The quest she returned from, only to find Odette gone.

“Oh. Our knights. The men I lent to you. We were all good friends…” Fredrick sighed. “You must miss them more then I.”

“I do. But I can’t help but to remember their Happily Ever Afters. Do you change your mind about staying ignorant, Fredrick? Do want to know what happened to them? Take solace in knowing they passed after a beautiful life?” Merriam whispered. She had a tinge of jealousy. Fredrick took a breath and nodded. The smooth threads of the restored textiles glowed. Glittering knots, depicting vines, horses, and vibrant colours. There was a sign telling people not the touch the ethereal weaving.

“Sir. Holly, the white knight, died shortly after you. He had retired far to late; At the age of ninety!” Merriam smiled; Her posture perfectly poised. Still a queen in nature, as she methodically examined the fine work. Fredrick warmed to se her smile.

“The red Knight, Sir. Apple, actually retired after the formation of parliament. He Start a knight’s school in North Point. Do you recall that he always had a squire?” She chimed. Merriam drew their attention to the youngest knight, pulling a bow upon a dun horse.

“Speaking of which, one of his student’s! The Yellow Knight, Sir. Marigold, left our guard to teach paladins to respect for magic. I wonder if it actually worked, given the stubbornness of wizards.” Merriam pondered. Fredrick looked at Sir. Holly further, he felt something was off about the set.

“The Green Knight, Sir. Rosemary, went to help immigration and trade at Boarder Town, by Francia. His love, The Blue Knight, Sir. Sage, lived the rest of his days defending and serving this palace.” She concluded. Merriam felt uplifted recalling her companions; But Frederick looked confuddled.

“But, where are you? They should be following you. I gave them to you for quests. They travelled the world, and bravely faced all manors of magic. Fine men. Not the brightest, but the dearest and Nobelist.” Fredrick nagged. Merriam held her breath. She knew why her scroll was gone. Merriam was there when it was sewn. Ever since Odette resurrected her, Merriam had no trace.

“As all other mages of the time, I suspect they removed all word of me. How scandalous it would have been, for their peace bringer and queen was of such taboo talents. Those upcoming wizards would surly not admit it. That’s how I died Fredrick. I gave into them like all the other mages. I fought them off from the gate without my fairy robes. A creaky grandmother, awaiting her mortal destiny. Before that, there was a time I wanted to disappear. Now, I don’t know.” Merriam said. It stung. She changed her mind; Merriam wanted her mage journals read. She didn’t like being noone, feeling alone in this palace again. Her knowledge as a Seer, could’ve helped someone if she’d kept them on the ranch.

“You should be with them.” Fredrick interrupted.

“I know.” Merriam exhaled slowly.

“No, I mean there’s a little note. I think it indicates that you’re scroll is being restored by a collection holder. Morgan maybe?” Fredrick said, looking to the right. A smile appeared on Merriam’s face, further cheering her husband. That boy must’ve connected the dots while they were at the ranch.

They sat in the garden sampling fruit they packed. They’d seen the whole palace, and now felt anxious about Odette. Merriam looked around nervously; The fountain was worn, yet all the same plants were there. People had painstakingly kept the yard as it once was. Fredrick noted the same golden geese swam in the pond, and how Odette and Eatheltwein would sing to them. He then looked up to the second-floor windows; The dormitory wing. Odette’s windows overlooked the back courtyard, as she wanted a room that opened to a walkway. Odette may have had her True Love’s Kiss with the Raven King on that balcony. Merriam turned her attention there too. She felt the pain of the day she came home to a missing child. A child she never wanted, but couldn’t help but love. Merriam remembered how she used to sing to Odette, in many languages, even though she hated music. Despondent, the pair returned to watching the families eating in the garden.

However, they were unable to resist looking back once more. Merriam turned to see a lady that looked much like her, all in white. Odette smiled sweetly at her mother.

“Odette! Come down here this instant!” Merriam scowled. When Odette shook her head, Merriam got up, and ran into the castle, up the secret stairwell, and tor into Odette’s room. She tripped over the bungee cord keeping people out of the recreated space. Fredrick followed suit. Luckily, this room had carpets over the stone floor, breaking their fall. Odette gasped, and helped her parent’s up, only to receive a tight embrace.

“I’m so mad.” Merriam sobbed.

“I’m sorry. I was scared to talk after realizing my error. Remembering you, after meeting Morgan, reopened the hole where my lost childhood should be. But it is not my place to decide-”

“No Odette, I’m mad I have to make it work. I would be a hypocrite to defile your efforts to save me. Despite my wishes, I cannot blame someone for loving. I cannot deny my daughter her happiness.”

“Well, I’m mad you forgot to visit us, after bringing us back!” Fredrick grumbled. “Apologize for this abuse of spell-craft; Which is not even your worst crime here.” He snapped. Fredrick was seldom angry, causing his wife and daughter to flinch.

“How dare you grow up without us. Couldn’t you have waited a little longer to requite the Raven King’s love? Or at least told us? Visited before loosing yourself? Before I died.” Fredrick crumbled.

“Father… I, I admit I lacked maturity, when presented with True Love’s Spell. I had no clue the Shadow Veil would fade my memories. I’m sorry father. There is no way to undo this. I brought you both back, without consideration of your lives’ after doing so. I dare say I’m terribly impulsive.” Odette confessed. The family huddled a little longer, unsure what to do next. Comforted, Fredrick had more questions:

“Does this mean we have living grandchildren? Can we meet them?” He said. Odette smiled yes. She helped them up, walked outside, and pointed to the golden geese in the fountain, and a silver phoenix on a turret. Then she pointed to four-winged opalescent ravens by the trash bins.

“Those are the princesses I actually bared. The princes’ however, are unruly and kept in a Death Tree. As much as I love them, but the grinding noise their corvid skulls, while consuming flesh, is ghastly. They could fey and men. Though my youngest is sweet; He lives with people who bring him trinkets and roadkill.” Odette said. Fredrick had mixed feelings; Merriam was full of curiosity.

“I’d love to meet him once we’re settled!” Merriam smiled.

The family spent the rest of the day looking around the changed city. Odette stood out with her fey like appearance. The Raven King imbued her with his kingdom when they kissed. It didn’t seem to bother her parents much.

“Mother and father, what will we do next? I still have to be Queen, but you now have a lifetime to live. You had dreams before me, correct?” She inquired. Fredrick and Merriam knew the traps of creating goals and plans. They stalled, looking at the Magic Administration building; It attracted tourists due to the fact it is made of green stone, and much bigger on the inside.

“Do they have pubs with cats? Like you pay to get an ale, and sit in a room full of socialized healthy kittens to pet?” Fredrick contemplated. Though his wife and daughter shrugged, there was in fact, one five blocks away.

“This place gives me an idea. Two can play at these wizard games.” Merriam said, pulling Fredrick and Odette into the administration building. She walked in confidently, and stopped suddenly in front of the reception desk. The three of them waited patiently for the wizard to put down the phone. Looking up, the lady froze before Merriam’s demanding presence, and crow like garbs.

“Hello, I’m Mage Queen Merriam Craweleoth, and wish to speak to a leading wizard. I need to confirm my identity.” She announced. The wizard nodded, and reached for the phone again.

“Once that is done, I have a proposal; I see this magic city, sprawling from the Raven Gate I created, is in disorder. You might benefit from a mage’s presence. So, tell me wizard, instead of murdering me, how about you tell me how I can help?”

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#art #tales of ealden cynedom #fantasy #short stories #merriam #Odette #odysseus #raven king #Illustration

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