Chapter 39 - Chapter 4: Beyond The Woods (-39-)

-39-Miriel sat beneath a parasol in the garden, across the table was Elle sipping her tea."This tea is splendid. How do your servants even prepare it, Miriel?" Elle said, sipping her tea again."Regrettably, I still have yet to know. They are tight lipped, very tight lipped." Miriel replied.A gentle breeze brought wafts of flowers and grass, as sunlight rested on the ground around them. The sun itself, obscured by the parasol."A pity, I would have loved to enjoy it more at the Capitol." Elle replied."Your maids might take issue with that." Miriel replied.Miriel wondered if Elle's maids would be so receptive. At the very least, they would take is as a challege to make even better tea."Would they? They all love the gifts and recipes I return with. Why, they play with them to no end." Elle tittered, palm covering her mouth."Though I must say," Elle continued,"The people of Lerkester are much unlike any place that I have visited. They were all so spirited and jolly, and warm. I would expect no less from dear Miriel's fief.""It has yet to be mine, Eelle. And I believe you will chance upon many a town if you tour the monarchy." Miriel said.Miriel realized what she had just suggested, and almost failed to stop her brows from creasing."A promising proposition indeed," Elle nodded, "I shall bring it up with the king."The princess visiting not one, nor two, nor some, but all the towns in the monarchy? Miriel hoped, dearly, that he would reject it, or that her maids would stop Elle, somehow."I fear such a journey may be too taxing, Elle." Miriel said."Not to worry Miriel, I can leave the nuances of comfort and lodging to my maids and the king's planners.""And the journey will not be by carriage, but something much better." Elle smirked.Not a carriage?' Miriel thought."I can tell you are curious, Miriel. Yet I, most regrettably, cannot share more with you, nor with anyone else," Elle said, "And when I can, you will undoubtedly be first."Miriel shivered. Even if it was something better, she did not want to join Elle with her antics."I wonder what kinds of feasts and celebrations they have. Would they be like Lerkester's, or completely different? I am already excited thinking of it. Though it is sad that no other shall have more tales of a young Miriel."'That may be the only respite.' Miriel thought."Anne mentioned the servants and soldiers had their own feast. Were you aware, Miriel?" Elle asked."I was," Miriel nodded, "The townspeople hold feasts like that once a year at least, and they share food with the soldiers and servants when they do.""You should have informed me," Elle replied, "I would have bestowed them gifts."'Or barged in and joined them.' Miriel thought. Even if she didn't, a princess handing them gifts was trouble enough."Your well wishes are enough, your highness." Miriel said, as Elle pouted and turned her head away.Birds and butterflies flew and landed in the garden, playing in the air or on the ground. Elle twirled her teacup with her finger as she stared at it."I am wistful that I cannot stay longer. It is such a refreshing change from the dreary Capitol." Elle said."You are returning, Elle?" Miriel asked."I must. And I shall depart tomorrow." Elle replied.Elle raised her head and stared at Miriel."And this brings me to my last purpose," She continued, "Do forgive me for springing this on you only now, Miriel. I wished not to trouble your mind from the first day, or during my stay.""I believe you are aware of the festival to be held in the Capitol." Elle said."I am." Miriel replied, staring intently at Elle."And of my role in it."Miriel nodded."In former years, one among my maids would aid me since none of the nobles agreed. But now, the king proposed that I bring you.""Not that it is his edict. Just a suggestion that grew in my mind the more I pondered. And though I deign not to trouble you, when you must care for Mark, neither can I remove the thought from my mind." Elle said.Miriel's eyes widened. She knew of both the role Elle and her maids played in the festival, it was as apt for a princess as it was grandiose. And Elle was nowhere as near.Add to that - as Ell mentioned - she needed to help Mark as well."And before you decline," Elle continued,"I shall gather my healers when I return and see if we may be able to help you with Mark. And if not, then I shall have my informants scour for anything that may help."Miriel's mouth was slightly ajar as she listened. That was the greatest boon she presently needed, if not outright curing Mark."I shall do so even if you decline my request, this I promise," Elle said, "Your stay in the Capitol will not be lengthy. I will make the arrangements if you wish to leave promptly after the festival.""So, would you please join me at the festival?" Elle asked, her eyes pleading as she stared at Miriel.Miriel stared at her filled teacup as she thought, for a while. Then she raised her head and stared at Elle."I must ponder more before I decide, Elle." She replied."I understand," Elle replied, "I will be departing tomorrow. You may tell me your decision then, and hopefully join me if you wish."Miriel wished she had more time to think about it. Though she might be even more uncertain if she did.-*thud*thud*"Mark." Miriel called as she knocked on the door.A moment later, the door opened.Mark looked at Miriel with his eyebrows raised, as he held the doors. He was dressed in a pale shirt and black trousers, a belt on his waist and shoes on his feet,"Miriel? It's pretty late already, what's this about?" Mark asked."Something important we have to discuss." Miriel replied."If it's important then it's fine I guess," Mark shrugged,"Come in."Miriel entered the room - while Mark closed the doors - and sat on a chair. Mark walked and sat across from her."You have trouble sleeping, Mark?" Miriel asked."Not really, I was just about to turn in actually." Mark replied."Mark." Miriel repeated.Mark was silent for a while, then he shook his head."Yeah, couldn't sleep." Mark said."Has it gotten a bit better?""I don't know," Mark lowered his head and clenched his hands together,"I want to think it has, a bit, but I don't know if that might just be me thinking it."Mark rubbed his hands, then raised his head and looked at Miriel."What did you want to talk about?"Miriel stared at him for a moment, hands clasped in her lap."I had a talk with Elle today. She is returning tomorrow."Mark nodded."And she asked if I would accompany her to the Capitol.""Why?" Mark's eyes widened."They are holding a festival in the Capitol, and she asked if I could help her there."Mark went silent for a moment."Did she promise you something? Something that she'll give or do for you or something, only if you go with her?" He asked."No," Miriel shook her head, "Elle said she would help us find a way to heal you, but she will do it whether I join her or stay.""Then why do you need to go?" Mark said, "You can just stay here then. We barely see each other in the morning while she stays here. And you know my…problems. I need you here Miriel."Miriel stared at the ground."So why do you need to go?" Mark repeated.After a while, Miriel raised her head and stared at Mark."I think…I want to help her. That is why I want to go.""I promised her, Mark," She continued,"I promised her I would head to the Capitol if she needs my help.""And you know how much they mean to me, Mark."Mark stared at the ground, his head lowered and his hands interlocked."How long?" Mark asked."Only a few days. It will not be long, even shorter than Elle's stay here."Mark silently looked at his hands."Anne will help you if you need help, Mark. And there's Louis and Yorn too. You are not alone here Mark, not anymore."Miriel stood and walked to Mark, then stopped in front of him.He raised his head and looked at her."Please, Mark. I don't want us to part like the last time." Tears welled in the corner of her eyes as she spoke."That's cheating…" Mark mumbled.He looked down, sighed, then stood.He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her.

Miriel's head was nested on his shoulder as he did.