88 Eighty Seven

I was reading a book on a chair in her room, as Elizabeth was being fitted into her coronation gown. The book that I was reading was one that I had borrowed. It once belonged to Merlin, but the book that the maids and Elizabeth thought I was reading was some cheesy romance novel about a maid and the son of a duke. Don't get me wrong. Those are interesting, but not really my cup of tea.

When they were finished, Elizabeth dismissed the seamstresses, maids, and even her ladies-in-waiting, but kept me. She sat down next to me and sighed, so I ignored her childish plea for attention. She then proceeded to sigh even louder until I finally asked her what was wrong. She told me how she was feeling a bit depressed since her parents weren't alive to see her become queen.

I mentioned how it was a shame that they couldn't attend the ceremony, but at least we found who was responsible for their deaths. She agreed and mentioned how she wanted to kill Paul herself, but Donatello beat her to it. She still couldn't fathom how he was able to poison everyone at the party, and get away with it. I mentioned how it was a shame that General Iris passed fighting him on her own in Kingspin.

While we talked about how Paul evaded capture for months, George came knocking on the door and told us that it was time. I told Elizabeth that she had nothing to worry about, and that her father would've been proud of her, and it was enough to give her the courage she needed. I got up and pulled her up and we walked hand-in-hand to the entrance of the throne room.

I walked her down the aisle and we passed our friends who gave small gestures to us, and I finally let go when we reached the thrones. Elizabeth bowed before the council and they proceeded to ask her to pledge her entire life to working for the good of the people, which she did. She swore to be a kind, just queen, and to rule her people with mercy and an open-mind. Hearing those words made me tear up a bit, but it also made me proud of her.

She was then crowned and the whole room erupted in celebration. Keith then walked up to her, bowed, and referred to her as "Your Majesty" as he walked her outside to meet her people. Artica exploded with excitement and happiness at the sign of their new queen and prince consort, and they celebrated for the entire day.

***

At dusk, I was packing my bags in my room, when Elizabeth asked me if I had to go. I told her that I had promised to visit, but she nagged me about the "dangers of travelling alone." I reminded her that I was going with George, and that got her off my back for a while.

At the stables, I was pleasantly surprised to see Nathaniel and Leonardo waiting with George. They wanted to tag along, and I agreed since the more the merrier. Keith came out with Arthur and Donatello and told me that he wanted to say bye, so I did.

I hugged Arthur tight, and heard him whisper for me to stay safe on my journey, before I got on my horse. Donatello asked me when I learned to ride a horse so well, and I told him that someone he knew very well taught me a while ago, but he couldn't figure out who.

We finally left the palace and made it to a small house in the middle of a field of flowers. Zephyr opened the door, ran towards me and embraced me.