Page 53 of Arise the Queen
“My brother has sacrificed so much already. The candle of his life teeters at the brink of extinguishment. How can I not pray Málik will embrace him as his father once embraced Amergin?”
Gwendolyn nodded, thinking it so odd that, for mortals, those Fae tales seemed to have transpired in another age, and yet, for the Fae, only a breath had passed. Indeed, Gwendolynhad yet to grow accustomed to this thinking that her history was still their present. “So it was Málik’s father who welcomed Amergin?”
“As I understood, Núada first embraced him, but upon his death, Málik’s father extended the honor. Quite the distinction, wouldn’t you allow?” Lir’s smile was genuine, and Gwendolyn’s thoughts brightened. That was the gift of this man. He seemed to know how best to make her smile.
“You’re a good man, Lir. I am proud to know you.”
“Then you will not plan to send me home?” he jested, laughing, reminding her she had once so vehemently refused to travel with him.
Gwendolyn laughed softly. “Rest easy, my dear friend. I will not.” She gestured toward his mare. “After all, you are astride Sheahan, are you not?” Less jovially, she added, “At any rate… you are not the one who’s wont to fall behind.” She was speaking of Málik, of course, although Gwendolyn wasn’t inclined to explain that. “Youare a joy to me. And, in truth, if others were so inclined to such charity, Cornwall would not now be suffering the stink of Rot.”
“Oh!” he exclaimed. “Has no one told you?”
Gwendolyn’s gaze narrowed. “Told me what?”She could not tolerate yet another secret.
Undeterred by her dark expression, the Druid grinned unabashedly. “The southern lands have begun to heal!”
“But… I thought… your brother… he said?—”
Lir waved a hand in happy dismissal. “Emrys would have saidanythingto join this quest. Word of the Sword has traveled swiftly. The Llanrhos Druids came from Trevena to report the city’s garners are full.”
Gwendolyn’s heart surged against her ribs—joyful over the news, but…
“So it appears this year’s harvest will be better than the last under your father.” He winked. “TheCatuvellaunichieftain has made himself quite useful in your absence. Who’d have thought?”
Wonderful,Gwendolyn mused.
Lir did an eager little head jiggle, and Gwendolyn longed to laugh, despite that this news also put a most definite crease in her brow, even as it pleased her. No doubt, this was great news, but it was none of her doing, nor could she escape the tiniest bit of envy that it would be the stranger in their midst who would return a shred of normalcy to her beloved city.A man.“That is…wonderful,” she offered.
And then, as though she were attempting to convince herself that she meant it, she said, “Yes, it is.” And it was—it was—so why now did Gwendolyn feel as petty as Locrinus, wanting such an accomplishment for herself?
Trevena was a thriving city and Loegria well established, but those were not Loc’s achievements. His decision to relocate was done purely for pride. He coveted a city built in his own name—but of course, why should he care for the triumph of others? He cared nothing for Pretania, only for himself, and this greed would be his undoing.
But she was not Loc. Shewaspleased. Gwendolyn loved her city and her people. And she was grateful to Caradoc for doing precisely what she had hoped he could do in her absence. When Lir did not continue, she asked, “Any more news from Trevena?”
The Druid shrugged. “None that I know of, but I must assume this pleases you?”
Gwendolyn smiled, because she knew her response confused him—wily Druid that he was. “Of course,” she allowed. “I am well pleased.”
“Good,” he said, and it was. She had made the right decision for her people, leaving Caradoc in charge, with Ely, his son andTaryn to support him. And this, she understood intuitively, was the true mark of a worthy leader. It would be impossible for Gwendolyn to do everything herself, even if she always knew the right thing to do, which she most certainly did not.
“Thank you, Lir.”
“For what?”
Her smile widened, and this time entirely without pretense. “In your usual manner, for speaking the truth when no one else will.”
“Heh,” Lir chuckled. “Someone’s got to do it.”
Gwendolyn added, “And for being the steadfast friend I so desperately need in these uncertain times.” Her voice was soft with gratitude. “And for reminding me of my place.”
“Oh,” he said. “I’d never presume such a thing!” Still, his blue eyes sparkled, and Gwendolyn laughed. “But now,” he said. “I must thankyou.”
“For what?”
“For being the queen our people need, even when the weight of your crown is heavy. For leading with grace and wisdom, even during times of uncertainty.”
Had she done that?
