The sun rise shone through the window, lighting up the dust dancing around the room. King Roland sat in his large goose feather bed, the sheets and duvet folded in his lap. Advisors stood around him with hushed faces, looking everywhere but the king himself.
In his prime, his majesty had ruled the kingdom of Brorene with courage and might. Our enemies feared him. He was capable of destroying anyone who stood in his way, yet he preferred peace. “Nobody wins during a war.” He says. “The people are worried for their fathers, husbands, and sons, the kings are worried about who will win, the food goes to the armies to keep them strong. If by chance there was a winner, the spoils would be small and few.” This did not mean that he would allow anyone to attack us without consequence. Our enemy to the North once believed they had saw a chance many years ago, when Queen Adeline passed away from the Dusk Plague. Nothing remained of Ronid.
Looking at him now, age sixty-five, you could hardly see the king we had all looked up to for so long. Blue eyes that once shone with joy and wisdom were now heavy with sickness, grayed hair fell limp around his face. Our king was dying.
“I do not have long left.” He admitted finally. “And with my wife passing away so young, leaving me no child, I have no heir.”
We all stood quietly waiting for him to continue.
“Last night, I had a dream.” His voice was choked. “A vision that the Kingdom of Brorene was well taken care of after my passing.”
Several of the advisors stood up straighter, thinking that they’d be picked. They were the sneaky ones, the ones who only wanted power, wanted to turn Brorene into a monster. His majesty only allowed them to stay on the council because he felt at times they were needed.
“There will be a contest. Every child in the kingdom will be given a single seed.”
The advisors murmured unintelligible words and King Roland cleared his throat. They fell silent.
“Whichever child that grows the most beautiful plant, will be taken into the castle to be raised to be the next monarch of Brorene. I have already signed the papers with Loren this morning.”
They all looked at me and I nodded silently.
“I need to rest. Loren will take care of the details.”
I led the advisors out of the room.
“How could you do something so stupid Loren?” Serris frowned at me with hate filled green eyes. “The kingdom will suffer for this?”
I only raised my head. “I live to serve my king, Lord Serris. Can you say the same?”
He huffed at me before leaving with a swirl of his navy robes.
There were many great men in the King’s advisory. Men that had won wars and fought with honor and dignity. I was nobody compared to these men. I had won no medals and held no lands. I only ran the tavern just outside of the city. The only reason I was even in the castle at all is because the people had wished it.. They chose me to voice their matters to the king.
I never schemed against him, because he kept me safe. I had no reason to lie to him, because I was only there to speak the people’s voices, not my own. Perhaps this is why the Great King Roland had constantly called me to his side. Asked for my opinions on matters outside of my knowledge and had me question the people regularly to find out how they wanted matters dealt with.
I remember when he called me to his chamber the night before the meeting. He had been soaked with sweat and his eyes were wide with both excitement and fear.
“My dear Loren.” He said holding his hand out to me.
I kissed his knuckles and knelt by his side. “You called for me your Grace?”
He was silent for a beat. “Have you ever met an angel Loren?”
I shook my head. “I’ve seen many a beautiful women that I would call angelic but never an angel. Why do you ask my King?”
“Because one appeared before me.” He stared in front of his fireplace. “It stood right there and told me what I must do to make sure Brorene was cared for after my passing.”
“What is that my king?”
And he told me of his plan. The plan that the angel had sent him from the heavens. It was absurd, I’ll admit, just to grow plants to see which one would rule the kingdom, however it was the catch that made sense to me.
The royal announcement was made, then the preparations, then the children gathered in the courtyard. I stood on the balcony and looked over them all. They all stared at me with large hopeful round eyes.
“I am Loren, Master of The Jaded Falcons, and the voice chosen by you to speak to the King. This morning, the king has chosen me to speak to you.” I shouted out my booming voice throughout the yard. “As you leave the courtyard, every child under the age of 16 will be given a packet of seeds by the palace guards. The child will attempt to grow the most beautiful and eye catching plant from these seeds and these seeds alone. Parents are not to help their children with these plants. The child with the most beautiful plant in the kingdom by the time that the king calls us all back, will named heir to Brorene by King Roland himself.” I paused for the excited bustle of the people
Weeks passed since that announcement, then months. Business seemed to go on as usual. I kept to my tavern and my patrons, waiting for the call.
Finally, 6 months later, a caller boy burst into the bar out of breath.
“The King has called all the children back to the castle!” He shouted. “The heir is being chosen today!”
Everyone looked at me before quickly filing out of the door, leaving coins on the table in return for the ale and food. I followed suite, pushing my way to the front of the crowd.
As I entered the courtyard, I could see the rows of beautiful plants lined up. Some were even taller than I. King Roland stood on the steps and I stood behind me, waiting.
He waited for the last few children to file in before coughing. I could hear the whispers about how sick he was, and began to feel nervous. What if this didn’t go over well? What if the people rejected the heir he was going to pick? What if–
“Let’s get started.” He led the way down the rows. He never said a word. Just admired the plants and complemented their owners’ skill. It felt like hours, every child had a gorgeous plant. The King stopped finally and sighed.
“We must start again.” He told me with a hand on my shoulder. “There must be something else I can do. The angel will not be pleased.” He addressed the crowd. “I must confer with my advisors. It will only be a moment.”
I started to follow him into the castle when she caught my eye. She couldn’t have been more than eight years old. Maybe nine. Her dirty blonde hair fell in her face as she stared down at her empty pot, almost hatefully. Even from across the courtyard I could see the tears glistening from her eyes.
“Your grace.” I interrupted him. “Wait, look.”
I pointed her out and he headed straight for her, excitement buzzing around him. He knelt down in front of her. Her blue eyes widen at the sight of him.
“My dear, what is your name?”
“It’s Adeline.” Her voice shook as she quickly bowed her head.
“Your grace.” I added helpfully.
“It’s Adeline, your Grace.”
King Roland smiled kindly. “Adeline. That was the Queen’s name.”
“The house mother named me after her sir, your grace.” She said quickly. “I only–”
“And where is your plant, Adeline?”
Her lower lip wobbled as she brought it forward. The little pot was empty except for the soil inside. “I watered it everyday.” Her voice trembled. “I used the right soil and everything but I couldn’t get anything to grow.”
“You must have been afraid to bring an empty pot where everyone else has these large, beautiful plants.”
A tear fell down her face.
King Roland smiled. “There is nothing to cry about here dearest Adeline. Come with me.”
He took her hand and walked with her to the steps of the castle.
Many years had passed since King Roland had passed away in his sleep. Queen Adeline stood tall in the throne room, a small crown being placed on her brow.
The people had been angry at first, with the King’s choice. But soon they grew to forget such a thing had ever happened, Princess Adeline had been raised to love the people as much as King Roland. She had won their hearts just has he had. Everyone looked at her and saw a beautiful young woman, meant to be queen. But all I could see as I watched her stand before the church magistrate and promise to protect me, was the dirty girl in the courtyard, holding a pot with dead seeds buried inside.
Long live the Queen.
Grace's Short Stories 
This is a very good story. I really enjoyed this well waiting and just wanting to read something for the day. Keep it up!!!
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