[alaklondewen]

alaklondewen's post

Habeth stepped back and closely watched the Queen’s face as the page announced the invitation to the evening meal with the King. This dinner would be a difficult and tense occasion, and Habeth furrowed her brows as she guessed at Beruthiel’s misery. Tonight, she would have to lay her eyes on Earnil…her husband’s heir. It will break her heart, Habeth thought. He’s the child she can never have.

The Queen’s response to the young messenger was harsh, and Habeth’s heart raced. Fear shown in the young face as he stood stiff as board, displaying his respect to his Queen. As soon as he bowed, he fled from the room. Habeth couldn’t blame him. The poor lad had no idea the pain Beruthiel had experienced.

Beruthiel sat down heavily onto the stool, and Habeth returned to brushing her long, thick hair. As she listened to the small sparks popping from the friction, Habeth remembered being a small girl, so curious and full of wonder, and watching her mother care for Beruthiel, then just a princess. Habeth had thought Beruthiel was so beautiful and intelligent, and it had been a very real honor if she were allowed to help her mother clean the girl’s room. She had loved Beruthiel then, and she loved her now, even when she was hit with harsh words. The Queen would never have spoken to her like that if she hadn’t had such a terrible life. Her childlessness hardened her heart and spirit from that active and vivacious teenager Habeth had admired. It wasn’t that she didn’t admire her now, but her feelings were deeper…matured perhaps. Pity filled her heart now, although she would never have voiced that particular word.

“That’s enough…I want to be alone now.” The Queen’s voice almost startled her, and Habeth shook her thoughts away. Lowering her head and curtsying, the servant quickly honored her Majesty’s wishes and slipped out through the heavy wooden doors. Habeth paused once outside and wondered what she could do for Beruthiel that would ease her pain after the dinner.

“You stand around a lot, don’t you, Habeth?” The condescending voice came from behind her, yet Habeth didn’t have to turn already knowing to whom it belonged. It was that nasty Morwen. “I keep telling…Beruthiel, she needs rid of you.” When she spoke the Queen’s name, she spit it out as though it had a bad taste.

“Morwen, I work hard for the Queen…you know I do.” Habeth turned to face her attacker.

“Lady, Habeth…I’m Lady Morwen. Show me respect. I am your superior.” Morwen’s eyes narrowed and she grinned as though she’d won. Habeth stiffened and clinched her jaw, but she curtsied mockingly never looking away from Morwen’s gaze. “I suppose I’ll have to redo your work for you and clean the Queen’s room again, or worse, take over those pesky cats.”

“You will have to do nothing of the kind, Lady Morwen. My work is satisfactory as always.” Habeth was determined not to back down from the hurtful look in Morwen’s eyes. “And anyway, the Queen wants privacy. She’s asked to be alone.”

Morwen smiled mischievously and replied, “Is that so?”

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Lyra's post

“And anyway, the Queen wants privacy. She’s asked to be alone.”
Morwen's heart fell. For once in her life she wanted to see the queen and this servant would not let her? Suddenly a thought occurred to her.

“Is that so?” she replied with a patronising smile. "Well I am afraid that there are too many things to organise. I have been notified that I am to attend the queen to a dinner for her nephew tonight. I suppose she has left all the details with you?"
Morwen looked at Habeth with eyebrows raised.
"No?" she added in false surprise at the woman's blank look. "Well if you will excuse me..."

**********************

Morwen found the queen staring blankly at nothing. She couldn't see or hear any of the cats, and relief warred with a feeling that they were just behind her, about to pounce... Grimly she resisted the temptation to turn around.

"Your majesty" she began, then gave the merest hint of the required courtsey, "I have to attend you to the dinner. I don't know if you've been told?"
The words of dismissal that Morwen could see had been forming on the queen's lips died, and her eyes unfocussed.

"Very well" she said resignedly, no emotion entering her voice.
Shall we see how calm you are after my news, your majesty? Morwen taunted silently.
"I am sorry I was late, your majesty" she continued evenly "but it seems that my son is one of the guards of the heir, your nephew, you know."

With pleasure Morwen heard the intake of breath at the mention of her son, and another as she talked of the heir.
I still do not think that memory is enough to get me through an evening with you and T-, the king, she thought viciously.

"Of course my son is a very good boy. I believe he takes after his father, although he has my-" Morwen cast around for a feature, "hair" she concluded.
"He is getting married soon. I suppose that in a few years I will be a grandmother! How old that will make me feel, indeed." she added with a false chuckle.

"Come back to me in an hour" Beruthiel said, turning away. There was a hint of strain in her voice that had not been there before. Excellent, Morwen thought as she left politely, exchanging false smiles with the queen's servant outside the door.

[ August 10, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]