Rose Court: Who Can Save Us?

A Page entered the study of the King of Mercia. He bowed, “Your Majesty, you have a visitor.” “Send them in.” the King responded, looking up from his papers. The Page motioned for the visitor to walk through the door. An older man walked through and the Page left, closing the door behind him. “Fenris Loken, it has been too long,” the King stood and rounded his desk to greet his friend. “How long has it been.” He questioned. “Nearly ten years, my old friend.” The men shook hands. “Has it really been that long?” the King asked. “Yes, it has. I have been serving my King and defending my country and I have a twelve-year-old daughter. She is brilliant and actually why I have asked to speak with you.” Fenris answered. “They grow up so fast. The last we spoke; you never mentioned a daughter. What is it that you need?” The King asked. “ I know, she was so young, and I have tried to keep her from Court. She is a very reserved but trusting girl. I know that she will be easily led by those who

Lady Rosalina woke early the next morning in her new chambers. These chambers were much smaller than her bedchamber in her home in Alcantara. She sat up and looked around, wondering if she should dress for the day or just close her eyes and return to her home. Finally, the young lady decided that it would not be proper to be late on her first day serving the Queen. Even though the Queen was her Aunt, it would not be a good idea to take advantage of the relationship. Rosalina threw her covers off and swung her legs over the side of the bed. She sat up, stretched, and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. She got up crossed the room to sit in front of her mirror. She grabbed her hairbrush and ran it through her long red hair as she thought about how her life would change. A knock at the door broke her from her thoughts. “Yes?” she inquired. “It’s me, Novia. May I enter?” her ladies-maid asked through the door. “Of course, Lady Lucinda.” Rosalina responded turning towards the door with a smi

Lady Lucinda woke up the next morning worried about her mistress. She walked into her lady's chambers and found her sitting up in bed brushing through her long red hair. “How are you feeling, M’Lady?” Lucinda asked as she closed the chamber door. “I am very well. At first I was frightened but after sleeping I am very happy and ready to face what they believe they can accomplish.” Rosalina answered confidently. “You know they are ambitious and feel that they cannot be touched. That makes them very dangerous. They will do what they must, to get that power that they seek. You are nothing but an obstacle in their way to them. They have no love for you and they have no compassion for your life. You should really be careful.” Lucinda warned. “I know how dangerous they are, Luci. I cannot live my life afraid of them. In a royal court there are always those that want power and believe that they can use any means

The pair left the apartments and made their way through the castle to the gardens. They found the party in the gardens on the side of the palace in the shade of the oak trees. They approached the King and Queen, Josephina noticed that the King could not take his eyes off Rosette. This upset Josephina knowing that he had never looked at her with that much devotion and love in his eyes. “Your Majesties.” Rosalina said as they bowed to the lounging monarchs. The King and Queen looked to the arrivals with smiles. “Lady Josephina, your hair looks very beautiful.” Edmund commented. “Thank you, your majesty.” she responded. “Lady Rosalina, you did well.” The Queen smiled at her niece. “Thank you, your majesty.” Rosalina smiled. Josephina went to join the other ladies. Rosette motioned for Rosalina to sit next to her. Rosalina obliged and sat to the side of her aunt. Rosette leaned over and whispered

Rosalina sat watching the fire die down. Lionel's attack and Owen's words replayed in her mind over and over again. Tears began to roll down her cheeks. The flames withered and only the embers glowed in the darkness but the lady did not move. It was not until the room was pitch black save for the moonlight streaming in through the window that Rosalina left her seat and went to her chambers. She fell upon her bed not even bothering to change.  To herself at least she had to admit that she was afraid. She was afraid of what they might do to her and what would happen if she was not there to protect her family. She cried softly into her pillow until she was just too exhausted to continue and fell asleep. That night her dreams were fearful and dark. She was alone in her chambers and Lionel attacked her again. She managed to get away and ran