Hope Falls

"I am not so unprofessional, and it is offending that you'd accuse me of it." Aoife shook her head, grabbing notes from one of the draws of her desk. "I know these men did not touch those women from my inspection of their wounds today. You are welcome to go after the acolytes and see for yourself, see those marks could not have been made my male hands. I have nothing to hide. Have you checked on Isolde yet this morning?"

---

"This is where you are meant to be, beside me." Kael swallowed, leaning down to kiss the top of her head. "I wish we had more time."

---

"Where - Where is he? You sent for him ages ago."

“She has not woken, Aodhän carried her himself to their rooms. Her breathing is normal, she is hydrated. He insisted I test again. So I clipped fresh hairs, nails and took blood… I think it is simply exhaustion and the fact she is performing rituals in the lead up to the coronation to allow the power flow from her to Kael. There seems to be no other explanation.”

---

“Erect a statue of me, worship at her feet daily.” Fiadh teased, brushing her nose against his.

---

“I sent for him, but he will be tired, and his head heavy after last night. It may take him some time to come round, shower, then - “

“You are pregnant. What if it were about the child?”

“Then I am sure he would make haste, but it is not. Please… do not start with this again, questioning his character. Not when I am going to be appealing to it.”

"The Baldruunian Prince who is lurking around trying to impress you, use it to your advantage. See if he has seen anything like it without saying who the patient is, give him parts of the sample and get him to do his own tests. Bat your eyelids and play along, if these people keep coming over here causing trouble then why wouldn't they go for our Queen?"

---

"I would, I would very happily." Kael breathed, closing his eyes.

---

Agatha shook her head, mumbling to Daphne, "We are just tired, and concerned."

“He is not trying to impress me, he is trying to bed me and then I will never see him again.” Lily mused, shaking her head at the thought. “He insists he could make me - “ she shook her head once more to rid herself of the thought. “I shall ask him… he is already spending time in our books. I’ll see what he can do for us.”

---

“If a love feels this easy then grab it with both hands Kael. I have promised you greatness, and I did not lie, but it won’t be easy… loving freely is what will get you through it all. Loving your family, your friends, women, your people… even not being willing to accept your enemies cannot be won over is a form of love that will help you more than once in your lifetime.” Fiadh moved her hand to brush across his cheek, the feeling of her touch no longer heavy as she began to fade. “Never let anyone tell you that how much you love, how deeply you feel about everything is a weakness. Even if it causes one of your spells… that is still a strength, I will always see it as such.”

---

“Once he is here I shall make him see what has happened, and you will be remaining. If he tries to send you back home I’ll tell him I’ll be on the boat with you and his heir.”

"The man is handsome, and has a clear interest in you. You may bed him if you wish, as long as a new acolyte doesn't come from it. We have enough complications to deal with in this palace from love affairs and I don't want you getting mixed up in the games of Royals to that extent. Your one of mine, you always shall be."

---

"You swear it."

---

"I don't have them often anymore." Kael hummed proudly, eyes fluttering open to study her face. "You're so beautiful."

“We do not have snakes here, I assure you there is nothing that could convince me to move East.” Lily snorted, shaking her head. “It is the principle of it. Princes do not stay, do they? I do not desire to be bedded and added as notch on the bedpost, however loud he professes that he will have me begging his name… And I also know that any sapling that took root inside me … would be allowed to grow. So it is best not to tempt fate with planting one in the first place mm? A child is always a blessing but it is not a blessing I feel ready to receive.”

---

“I swear it.”

---

“And you are very handsome. All your children have your looks, lucky things.” Fiadh chuckled, pressing her lips to his one more in a brief kiss that would have felt like a whisper. “Goodbye for now, my love.”

"Until next time, Fiadh." He breathed.

---

Agatha simply nodded, watching the floor quietly.

---

"Smart girl." Aoife praised. "There is nothing wrong with leading him along in a dance though, if it is to get any information we need. Focus on giving the Quene a full bill of health, yes?"

---

"Good morning, husband. Good noon, even?" Avani breathed sleepily, her head rested on the pillow beside Rauiri's - having been watching him sleep for the past hour or so when she had woken herself. Reaching a lazy hand out to rest her fingertips against his face.

---

Aodhän lay on his and Isolde's bed, his arms wrapped loosely around her as he kept her close. Eyes staring upwards, watching the ceiling in silent thought.

“I suppose not everything has to end up with the potential for a babe… for the good of the Queen, of course.” Lily chuckled with a nod.

---

“Believe in yourself, you can do this.” Fiadh assured before completely disappearing, a deeper of white flowers left in her wake.

---

“It was morning when we finally slept I think.” Ruari grinned, leaning down and pressing his lips to the top of his wife’s head. “A very good noon… good day indeed.” He chuckled.

---

Isolde groaned as she came to a while later, hand reaching to shield her eyes from the light.

Avani closed her eyes against the kiss, humming warmly, "Yesterday was the best day of my life. It was all so perfect, you made it all so perfect."

---

Kael let out a slow breath, taking a few moments to steady himself before getting to his feet and collecting his clothes to place back on. Silent as he trekked out of the wood, and back toward the palace gates.

---

"There are tonics you can take before meeting him, the same ones we get Princess Daphne. If there is potential that you will lay with the man, take them before you meet him. It will eradicate any worries of saplings."

---

"Isolde," Aodhän breathed, pulling the covers of the bed up over both of their heads to block some of the light out for her.

“You believe my self control will wane and he will seduce me? Or you think it may be necessary to go so far to extract the information I need?”

---

“Morning…” Isolde greeted tiredly, turning to face him with squinted eyes. “I do not recall coming to bed…”

---

“Waking up with you in my bed and feeling no panic that we may be caught… I could get used to this.”

"You seem very focused on my lack of love life, imagining things. Perhaps it is because you are on the edge of having your own." Aoife raised an eyebrow. "The Prince is handsome, over-confident. Endearing traits when placed together."

---

"I never want to get used to it, I want to feel this lucky every single morning." She breathed, leaning up to brush her nose against his.

---

"You didn't, you fainted, sweetheart." Aodhän swallowed. "As I have been saying, I don't think you are well. You need to rest, stay hydrated. Lilly is rerunning tests."

---

"Daphne? I - Shit, sorry. I was speaking to the ancestors, seeking guidance. I - " Kael grimaced as he entered his and his wife's quarters. "The guards said you wanted me. Is everything okay?"

“Whatever occurs will not be love. Men of his status do not make mistresses out of women without titles. They use us for bedding and that is it. Not a love life.”

---

“Your men have beat my sisters. I have had them arrested.” Daphne informed her husband as she rose from her chair, gesturing toward them. “My sister had to use a knife to defend herself from further harm, look at the state of them.”

---

“Fain - please tell me people did not see this occur. I cannot be seen to be wilting. This cannot do.”

---

“Every morning for the rest of our lives Avani.” Ruairi grinned, pressing his forehead to hers.

"My men?" Kael's eyebrow furrowed, lifting his hand up to rub at his eyes. Shaking away the last of his daze as his attention turned onto Agatha and Iskra, frowning at their injuries. "No, you were both escorted back to your room after insulting Idris. Where did you go after that? Who hurt you?"

---

"Love, gratification. There is little difference in the two, you know what I meant, Lily."

---

"No, no one witnessed a thing. The only people to even know are Lily and Aoife, the guard who warned them and has since sworn to secrecy." Aodhän assured softly, pressing his lips to her forehead. "Tell me how you feel right now."

---

"Other than those where you have to leave for work, and I shall be waiting for you to return in an empty bed. Feeling sorry for myself, of course."

“Your big brute was the one harming Agatha. Treating us like ragdolls, Prince Kael. I appreciate we offended you last night but the way we were treated as punishment is not what I would say befits any woman. Let alone one of our status.”

“Hawk. Agatha is accusing Hawk of being the one who harmed her. She ended up harming him with a blade to make him stop, Kael. Look at my sister and tell me you truly believe that she would harm a man with a weapon for fun - for any reason other than protecting herself. My sisters are small young women at the mercy of whatever monsters Hawk has commanded.” Daphne frowned as she approached Kael, brushing a flower from his hair. “They look like beaten slaves.”

---

“I promise you I will make each morning or evening with an empty bed up to you.”

---

“I have a headache, above my eyes. And I feel exhausted… but other than that I feel fine…”

---

“They are not the same… and I will strive for love over gratification each time. The empty pleasures are nice for a night or two but they leave you feeling emptier when you are discarded…”

"Wyatt? Wyatt wouldn't have done anything like that." Kael scoffed, reaching out to gently take the flower from her. Careful not to damage it's petals as he placed it to the side. "That has to be the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. Even more ridiculous that you could have landed a blow on someone like him. Is this some kind of convulted joke the three of you are playing on me?"

---

"And how does love make you feel when you are discarded by it, wise one?" Aoife questioned light-heartedly. "The ache is much stronger."

---

"You need to drink some water, and then settle down to sleep once more. The more rest the better."

---

"You will? How?"

“If it is truly love I won’t be discarded.” Aoife grinned nonchalantly. “That is what I am for. Till death do us part.”

---

“I am very glad you asked.” Ruairi grinned as he pressed his lips to hers.

---

“Kael… my sisters have been beaten look at them. This is no joke. Look at the damage done to their fragile bodies. I know you have been hurt by their words but it doesn’t mean this is acceptable.”

---

“I should be present today, to assure people everything is well. Much to do before the coronation.”

"You are accusing Wyatt of these ridiculous things." Kael laughed humourlessly, shaking her head at Agatha and Iskra. "Be honest as to who hurt you and I can assure you that they will be dealt with but to lie in order to try and break my inner circle is absolutely radical. And you..." He looked towards his wife, "You know Hawk, Daphne."

"You ordered it, didn't you?" Agatha swallowed. "It is why you panic now. You ordered him to do it."

---

"Very well." Aodhän frowned, letting his arms drop from around her. "Stand up, let's get ready for the day."

---

"Things are not so simple, you should know that."

“She stabbed Hawk through the hand because he was the one who harmed her, Kael.” Daphne frowned deeply, reaching to take his hand. “Look at the size of my sisters and tell me what chance they stood against the men who attacked them? They have sworn to me on our Gods that they were harmed and harmed Hawk in return because they were frightened…”

---

“Maybe under our new King things will be. If he is so blessed by the ancestors maybe we are in for years of glorious peace and I will find the love I seek.”

---

Isolde nodded, moving to push herself from bed. Movements shaky and weak, though determined as she made her way to the dressing room.

"Has Aoife looked over them, what is her opinion on all of this?" Kael questioned, narrowing his eyes at Agatha when she began to speak once again. "This is a conversation we need to have in private, I think, Daphne."

---

"Blessed. I don't know if I would use that word, when you think of the amount he has been through." Aoife mused quietly. "Resilient, mm. I'll give him resilient."

---

Aodhän got to his feet and followed, staying several paces behind in case he needed to catch her.

“Aodhän accused us of failing Princess Nerissa last night. That we promised we would save her and we did not. I know he was worried for the Queen but… To be brought back to that time… When she first came here with Kael still at her breast because she had spotted the first signs…” Lily shook her head sadly. “There was no saving any of them, and she was included but Princess Nerissa… She prayed for Kael for so long. Going to the Ancestors day after day to give her a child. And after decades to finally have the child you prayed for and then to fall sick before he is even a year old, for him to show signs of the sickness months later…to die before he can even remember your face… I dare not speak ill of those gone before us but what they did to her was nothing short of cruel.”

---

“To talk about my sisters without them here, why?” Daphne drowned, dropping her hand when the affection was not returned. “Kael… Kael.” She whispered. “I know they have upset you and I will deal with their cruel words about Idris later I assure you but nothing they said justifies the beating they have been given. I know you would not order such a thing, and perhaps the explanation is Hawk lost awareness of his size and did not realise how much he had hurt them with what he just intended to be rough treatment. But look at the size of my sisters, think of the anger those men would have felt toward them… they hurt them. It is plain to see.” She said softly, beseeching him to understand.

---

“There is another meeting today with - “ Isolde turned too quickly, stumbling into Aodhän’s arms. “Perhaps breakfast first…” she whispered, caught off guard.

Aodhän's arms locked like a vice around her, taking all of her weight in a swift moment. One of his hands resting on the side of her head to even support her there, only one step away from lifting her. "Aoife and Lily recommended time in bed to rest, I agree with them."

---

"He removed them for causing a scene. He removed them under order because they were calling my son a bastard and treating him like he was nothing but specks of dust under their pretty little shoes. Hawk would not have hurt them, and they hurt him. It is done. What have you had done to him, Daphne? Where can I find him?"

---

"Prince Aodhän is scared," Aoife grimaced. "The people often believe Kael more like Nerissa with his openess because they have forgotten how Aodhän was before he loved her. The ancestors are cruel often, the way they shape people."

Isolde opened her mouth to argue, though after looking Aodhän in the eyes for a few moments she simply nodded in agreement. “A day of rest cannot harm me…”

---

“They talk about recovery after the wasting... I do not think those alive will ever truly recover from it all. We lost too much over too long.”

---

“I had him arrested. All of them arrested. They’ll be in cells I imagine.”

"Cells?" Kael scoffed at the thought, shaking his head at her as he turned on his heel. "They won't be for long. You need to teach your sisters that they are not to come here and lie about what has occurred. Tell them also, one more slanderous thing comes out of their mouth and they will not be welcome here." Not waiting for a response from the warning as he skulked away down the halls, taking the first left down the narrow stairway and into the cells. "Hawk?"

---

His shoulders relaxed considerably, swallowing as he leant in to kiss her forehead. "Good. Good. Thank you."

---

"The wasting, the wars. Those born now are Fred of such burdens, it is good."

“Except Kael’s son…” Lily whispered, glancing around as if there was a chance others may hear. “I still have nightmares about the little boy, the way he was formed… The Ancestors were so cruel I - I do not understand. A stillbirth is the saddest thing we can experience as women, as parents but to have the child infected in the womb? What was Kael being punished for, losing his son like so?”

---

Daphne flinched at the door slamming behind him, the abruptness of the conversation ending. “I - I - “ she stammered - speechless as she moved to sit back down once again.

---

“Kael.” Wyatt sighed in relief from his cells once he heard the Princes voice.

---

“It will not hurt.” Isolde repeated quietly, closing her eyes.

"It may be a punishment for something he has not even done yet. Time works in strange ways for the ancestors, it isn't a chronological line is it? A tipping scale they are always trying to balance, one that is always changing."

---

Kael took the master key from the side, eyes flitting from one cell to the other. Unlocking the cells of the men who had left the party with Wyatt the precious evening. Grunting at the squeal of metal when he finally pulled open the Captain, pulling the man into a hug a moment later. "I am sorry. I was speaking to Fiadh, if I'd have been here and known what they were accusing you of, what Daphne was believing you never would have been here."

---

Aodhän took in a breath as Isolde's eyes went once more, lifting her feet up from the floor and holding her against his chest before she could collapse. "I'm here, it's okay."

---

"Men will always defend other men. I know you believed your husband to be better." Agatha whispered sadly. "We're sorry, Daphne."