What could he say? What could he say that had any sort of meaning behind it, in public view? That he knew what it felt like to be a stub? His mother loved him dearly, he knew that. But that was the prerogative of mothers. Outside of that, he felt little worth in who he was and what he did. It was simply experiments indoors, away from all the serious work. Enough to keep him busy and prevent him from becoming little more then an ornament. He knew Somnium in many respects was forward thinking in its methods....Too forward for a lot of kingdoms. But thats what happened when a prince married a scullery maid and produced heirs. It engendered a more flexible way of thought and the kingdom followed after. His brother for the crown heir, his sister the diplomat....Where did that leave him?
He didn't know. Aloud, he said quietly. His voice taking a rolling, deeper quality as he half chanted, half sung the following.
"Roads go ever ever on,
Over rock and under tree,
By caves where never sun has shone,
By streams that never find the sea;
Over snow by winter sown,
And through the merry flowers of June,
Over grass and over stone,
And under mountains in the moon."
"Roads go ever ever on
Under cloud and under star,
Yet feet that wandering have gone
Turn at last to home afar.
Eyes that fire and sword have seen
And horror in the halls of stone
Look at last on meadows green
And trees and hills they long have known."
"I've traveled far afield in my mind, scouring maps at home. Seeing those lines of ink and studying the accounts of explorers who have been there, used to be a childhood fancy of mine. I learned them in the quiet of the library, the rolling stone language of the Dwarven Clans and the light, quick language of the Elves. I learned the languages of places long since dead and dreamt of places yet alive. If there is anything I learned in my studying? Its that it takes all sorts to make a world. It would make traveling obsolete, to imagine everyone as the same as at home."
He was surprised at his words, but they came from the heart. And looking at Keladry, he glanced away to look outside with the first, faint and
true smile on his face.
It made him look his age and lightened much of the darkness that he seemed to accumulate with quiet bitterness.
----------------
Upon Lorie's hand, the ringing of bells sounded loud and clear. The fairy flitting overhand and like a cat curling around an owner, nuzzled Lorie's palm and thumb before flying away. A glowing ball of light, among many. Such were the little people here.
And then they came to the town.
Arendelle's capital city, the gates opening wide to receive them all as the roar of the mass of thousands met them. Lord Constanze turned to head for the
Tourney Grounds. The better to register their group and those who would be competing in the lists, which was broken up into two main events. Jousting and Swordplay. Armor was required for both obviously, as both were knightly pursuits. A horse as well for the Jousting, though the lances themselves would be provided, though not the shields. Lesser, though not less exciting contests of skills would be Archery, Magecraft and Bardic Contests of skill with their own prizes. To enter these, one would need to head to the
Tourney Grounds. Here as well, the tents of the nobility would be set up. Flags and banners fluttering in the crisp, autumn air for those who decided to join here.
The other location of interest was the
Carnival Grounds. Here, the merchants jostled for position selling their wares. Food mostly, from meat pies to hot wine to malt beer to oxen roasted on open flames, sliced from the spit and given on skewers. The cooking of many kingdoms filled the air with a hissing, whetting appetites for the entertainments brought on for all. Here, there were puppet shows, storytellers who told tales of heroes from the childrens stories of Martin the Warrior to the more serious and darker stories of the lord of Mordor, whose land laid far away if not far enough for many. Toy wagons producing clockwork mechanisms and glass jewelry made a fine, brisk business. Mages and Hedgewitches likewise in fortune telling or charms.
Games off to the side, from ring toss to darts, to goldfish catching would be making a good trade. But chief in place would be the wheel of fortunes time: spin to win. And posters on prominent places would describe dancing and music later. Who knows what else might be here?
In the distance, the
Castle Grounds would be seen looming in the distance. Its gates open to everyone, unusual for a royal family but a welcome one.
Where you went, was up to you.
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