Liam was unsteady, so incredibly fragile as he was escorted carefully to the main hall. Both physically and mentally.
His legs were shaking with each step; the air so dense that Liam thought he would collapse.
He tried to think through the tears brimming his eyes- threatening to spill; but even now, they would not stop- the anger, the pain, all mashing into one that was pulling Liam into a dark- dark place.
His face said it all.
A breath of silence caused him to look up, his body rising from his slouched walking -if you could call it walking- and avoided looking at his hands, his clothes, his shirt dirtied by the blood burning him with reminders.
His fingers were violently shaking... a lip being bitten down to stop the trembling.
"Are you all right your majesty?" A guard spoke up, a tone laced with compassion. Liam came to knew this guard a few years back. A man in the royal guard who was assigned to him. Teren his name was. A kind gentle soul who served his Queen faithfully, now looked upon the future with dread in his throat.
"No" was his honest answer, stomach turning solid as he leant against the closest wall to stabilise himself; almost smashing against it.
His vision was distorted, the shock coming in waves.
The panic accentuated his inhaling of air- chest rising and falling so deeply... Teren was by his side in an instant, gripping the poor prince who was struggling to keep it together.
He could feel him writhing in his hold, the stress exuding with every shaky breath... especially after witnessing such an event.
Everyone had their limits, and Liam's... Teren sighed deeply, eyes drowning in sorrow. Liam's had been pushed beyond his limits.
"I-it's ok-" he murmured, nudging the guard gently, needing room to breathe.
"I can hold myself" he said grimly, swallowing thickly.
"But thank you"
Teren was uncertain, wanting to help the young prince as much as he could. But he also understood.
To much of Liam's surprise, Teren graciously released Liam, hands remaining ready in case the prince were to fall.
The prince thought it would take further persuading.
Blinding light took away his attention for a heartbeat; It was barely sunrise and Liam wished this day to be over.
Still holding himself against the wall, the prince gulped, "leave me be- I... I wish to be alone"
He lowered his head to his feet, seeing his knees coated in his mother's blood. He bit back a cry.
The guards held nothing but sympathy for the prince, nodding in respect, "we will wait here for you your majesty"
Trudging carefully, as he couldn't trust his own body, Liam walked into the main hall- the grand chair his mother would have sat at loomed over him; the fine uplifting decor a mockery.
So, as he headed to the table on high, he shut his eyes, holding himself in comfort as he allowed muscle memory to take over.
The wooden floors hard and steady beneath his feet... the endless multitude of steps came next, each lower than the next... until it reached the top where lied the tables edge.
Smoother than any oak in this room, it's elaborate design had Liam running a finger over the familiar carvings he had done a thousand times before.
He almost read aloud the story he had been told of his home that was forever remembered here, engraved on this very table.
As he heard the words flood into his head, no matter how hard he tried, a tear slid down his cheek. A soft gentle voice filling his mind with the tales of the past- his mother's voice.
And when he opened his eyes painfully, his grief stricken body glared at an envelope placed on the chair of her seat.
Liam looked closer, the envelope addressed to him... in his mother's handwriting.
Sucking up the courage, his wobbly hands reached out for it, placing it in his palm for inspection.
Without further delay, Liam released a breath he didn't realise was holding and tore off the seal; sitting slowly into his chair as he did so.
The blood from his hands fell to the paper, but he ignored it- too focused on its contents that brought a smile to his crying face.
A letter.
He read aloud, "Dear my son, Liam,
How I wish things could have gone differently, that this letter was never needed to be written. But alas, death is part of life, and life would not be so meaningful without it.
As for how I die I am uncertain- the future is a scary place Liam and I hope as your mother and queen that I have prepared you for it.
Encased in the envelope are things I leave to you-"
Liam paused, glancing at the open gap of the tossed envelope, the hands gripping his letter, shaking.
It was a key and a ring. He reached for then both; a golden key with an elaborate lock at its end, aged and slightly scuffed from constant use; the ring... he had to wait in silence.
The glimmer of the gem housed in a pure white metal... he had never seen anything like it. The cut of the gem accentuated each sparkle in the minimalist of light. He felt at ease holding onto it- slowly slipping it onto a finger; the ring smooth as it moulded to him.
It fit perfectly.
He turned back to read on, the ring weightless against his hand.
"-I know you will keep them safe, as I have all these years.
The key, is the secret to my study- now yours, and I hope you find what you are looking for within it.
As for the ring, Liam, you must promise me that under no circumstances will you loose sight of it. Wear it only when alone and do not let anyone know of it's existence. I hate to put a grave burden on your shoulders but you must heed my warning. It is the reason why I never told you when you were younger either."
Liam swallowed a sob.
"I want you to know Liam, that even in death I am not separated from you, and will always find a way to stay in your heart.
With all my love,
Celimine Theoden, your Queen... your mother."
A beat of silence, the weight of that letter was solemn...
Still the main hall was empty as he gazed upon his mother's chair. Carvings of an ancient dear with antlers as large as the tree it stood in front of, teeming with life.
And surrounding the tree, the words, 'To live forever, boundless. In death, there is life.'
The letter scrunched in his palm, shoving it deeply into a hidden pocket of his, along with the ring.
As for the king... he would deal with him later.
So with a heavy heart, the prince placed his head against the table, burying himself in his arms as he closed his eyes; the letter there for comfort, even when it felt like it was burning a hole through his pocket, and slept; giving him at last, a moments peace and tranquility.