Ethyn and Rose entered the king's chambers hand in hand. The knight was pretty sure he knew what this was about.
Rose had made her feelings toward Ethyn quite clear to the king. It was only natural that Rhodri would want to address the issue once things had settled down.
Since the clean-up could go on without the king and he had not heard back from any of the scouts, this seemed as good a time as any to get things sorted between them.
Ethyn wondered what Rose would say if the king asked them to be married now. At least from the knight's perspective, Rhodri had seemed quite pleased with how in love he and Rose were at their late supper last night.
Since everyone had been tired, the encounter had been brief, but Ethyn could not shake the feeling that the king was encouraging him to pursue the princess. It was an order with which the young man was happy to comply.
If the king wanted to push an engagement, Ethyn had decided that he would support whatever the princess wanted. Royal marriages were often arranged anyway, so already he was ahead of other consorts because of his deep affection for the woman he loved. Ethyn welcomed the prospect of a life spent with Rose.
Even if it did mean supporting her as she ruled the kingdom.
He did not like that part at all. While Ethyn had always wanted to protect Birle, he never had eyes for power.
'It will be just like my knightly duties,' Ethyn assured himself, 'only more pronounced. And that is many many years off yet. I know Rose will be a wonderful ruler. I do not envy her that burden.'
While the princess curtsied, the knight bowed before the king as they entered. 'Here we go...'
"Come and sit, both of you," Rhodri welcomed his daughter into the room with a kiss on her cheek. "We have much to discuss."
"Brother?" Rose saw a figure rise from the couch. His face was shrouded, but his eyes flashed in response. Hugging Silver, the princess furrowed her brow. "I thought you had gone home!"
"I was planning to, but His Majesty called me back." Silver returned the lady's hug. Ethyn and he shook forearms. "I have been asked to be part of this discussion."
"I see," Ethyn answered with a hint of satisfaction in his voice. "I am glad you are here."
"Are you?" Silver stroked his chin.
"Of course! I mean I always am glad to see you, but the issue at hand should have your input." Ethyn allowed the other three to sit before taking a spot next to the princess on the couch.
"It should, should it?" Silver cocked his head to one side. "Do you have any idea why we are here?"
"I believe I do!" Ethyn took up Rose's hand, making her blush.
"I don't think you do at all, actually." Silver looked at the king, who seemed equally befuddled by the young man's confidence.
Rhodri cleared his throat, "We are here to discuss the heir to the throne."
"Isn't that a little premature?" Ethyn's eyes opened wide. "We should not put the cart before the horse."
"Excuse me? What nonsense are you talking?" Silver had planned to stay mostly silent during this interaction, yet he could not help but speak. "What cart and what horse?"
Ethyn turned up his nose at his uncultured friend. "It's a figure of speech. In this case, the cart is talking about an heir between the two of us."
Stunned speechless, Rose looked equal parts flattered and horrified. Silver balled his fists. It took everything in him not to whack his friend on the back of the head.
Only the king was able to keep a neutral expression. "While I appreciate that you are looking into the future, you seem to have misunderstood my meaning."
"His Majesty is trying to elect his own heir, not have you sire one," Silver rubbed his forehead. His sister having a child with the fool beside her was not something he ever wanted to imagine.
"I am confused," Ethyn furrowed his brow.
"Obviously..." Silver pressed his lips together after getting a warning look from his sister.
'What? If you are worried about me embarrassing him, he is doing a great job without me.'
Rose shook her head at him. Could she read his thoughts? He shivered.
Oblivious to the silent interchange, Rhodri pulled out a familiar wad of cloth and passed it over to Ethyn.
"Do you recognize this?"
Unwrapping the cloth, Ethyn studied the small piece of jewelry. The tree on the pendant looked familiar. His eyes went wide. "It matches my shield! But how?"
"Think for a moment. Have you ever seen this necklace before?" Silver took on a serious tone.
A breeze floated through the King's suite, filling Ethyn's lungs with fresh air.
His mind leapt to a memory that had all but been forgotten. "I...maybe? Wait. Yes, yes I have! My mother gave it to my father on his birthday before she died. It was a snowy winter day and the man who crafted it almost did not get it delivered in time. It was one of our last happy memories as a family before Mother became ill."
"What were your parents' names again?" Rhodri tried to ask the question as calmly as he could.
"I...don't remember. I called them Mother and Father. He called her his 'Star' and she called him her 'Lion', but I know those weren't their real names."
"My brother was known as the Lion Prince," Rhodri explained to Silver. "He called Ester his star because she led him through the darkness."
Ethyn furrowed his brow. "Where did you get this necklace, Your Majesty?"
Rhodri held the man's gaze steadily. "I got it from my brother. Dayne had it when he died."
"Your brother, the Lion Prince, had this when he..." Ethyn felt his head begin to spin. "But that would mean my father is the Lion Prince. My father is the king's brother! Which would also mean..."
"Take your time. I know this is a lot." Silver could see the knight was on the verge of hyperventilating.
'Going from believing you are a street urchin who was abandoned by his father to the nephew of the king in a matter of moments would make anyone feel a little dizzy.'
"You are not Sir Ethyn of Samberg," Rhodri said slowly. "Or at least that is not all you are. You are also my nephew, Prince Ethyn of Birle, first in line to the throne."
"I swear I had no idea!" Ethyn turned to the lady beside him with pleading eyes. He did not want her to think she was only wooed because he wanted to seal his claim to the throne. Nothing could have been further from the truth.
"I didn't know either," Rose pressed her hands into his. "But I am very glad for the change. I don't have to feel guilty for possibly dragging you into ruling. It is you who will be dragging me!"
Her smile dispelled his fear. The princess was not angry or suspicious. She was only filled with love and admiration for him.
Rhodri and Silver retold the story of the discovery. Rose and Ethyn listened with curiosity and wonder.
"Me? A prince? It doesn't seem real. I am going to need some time to shift my thinking." Ethyn felt like his head might burst from all the information. "You said that I am the heir of Birle. What about Princess Rose? I do not want to take that right from her!"
"I will gladly give it!" Rose retorted with a laugh. "I have been doing all I can not to take on that mantle."
"I can name any heir I please. How about this? I will announce Prince Ethyn's identity in a day, but not name my successor at present. Perhaps the issue will resolve itself?" Rhodri winked.
'The king just stole my line!'
Silver decided it was best to let the Rhodri have his moment.
'As long as I am not the one having to rule, the king can borrow my words any time he likes!'