Reassuring Words

Glanced down at his son and noted his disappointed, pouting face. "MY BOY!" King Arthur slapped Snow's shoulder as he sat back down in his chair. A heartfelt smile was wide across the old king's face. "Not bad for your old man, wasn't it?" He bellowed.

Arthur's attention was quick to notice the distress weighing down on Snow, and he leaned close. "I would have thought the prince would be the most joyful person in the room before his wedding. Why the sour face? Was my speech not suitable enough for you?" He jested and teased all the while grinning at his son. His eyes were bright as his teeth and his heart open as his arms. "Come now, tell your old man if anything is plaguing you."

Snow was quick to put on a staged smile for his father before he looked over at him. Yet, he knew there was no use. Keeping any secret would only be possible for a matter of seconds, at least from his father! His smile just as quickly slipped into a frown of concern and doubt. Eyes averted to the table in front of him with his head still slightly tilted in the King's direction. "Father…" his voice was quiet and nervous. Yet, despite all this, his face remained sincere and soft as he straightened himself up and leaned over in his father's direction. A quiet, but reassuring breath was had before he felt he could look up at him once more. "Is this...really what will be best for the people?"

Arthur raised an eyebrow, but still, he appeared as proud and confident as ever. "What do you mean? I thought you wanted to be a king!"

"No, that's not it. I do, but it's just...am I truly the right person for the job? I mean, are you sure the people will listen to someone they didn't ask to be their leader?"

"Ohhhh?" His tone was almost sarcastic, knowing full well where the real concern lies. It wasn't hard for him to see the guilt or the fear in his son's face, or the way he was trying to control his body language yet still subcommand to slouching over his plate, eyes half-closed as though the lid would block anyone out. Ever since his mother had died it hadn't been all too hard for Arthur to identify his son's behavior. "And why wouldn't they want a leader such as yourself?" he asked, sounding near oblivious.

"Father, I know you are not unaware of what others say." There was little patience in Snow's voice now. "I am unfit; too soft and gentle for such a role. It is already in the minds of the people that I lack the authority to command an entire kingdom for a continuous thriving age as you have. And...well, the obvious concerns."

And there it was, just as Arthur had predicted. He laughed. "Snow, my son...legend tells of a ruler beyond the Southern Mountains who dared to conquer the whole world. He...never succeeded, but as the legend goes he was beloved by all, even in nations he overthrew! You see, though a great tactician and war general, he was also a man of mercy to the people he took control over. He allowed them to continue their lives and spared those who bowed to him. The people adored him, openly gave their riches and power over to him. He was a man every bit as kind as he was ambitious in his march for world conquest!" He paused to gaze upon and study his son's reaction. "You see, my boy...kindness and mercy are only weaknesses to those who have never known love. Love is strength. All you have to do is use it as such. Just as I have...and just as your mother did."

Snow was slow, hesitant even to respond. Yet he looked up at his father in silence as if waiting for further word. When he got none, Snow nodded.

"Being soft does not mean one such as yourself is weak. It means you dare to let your true self shine, no matter what others have to say about you. That is real strength; one that even I sometimes do not possess! Do not believe what others say only because you do not fit the mold of what they think a king should look or act like. You shall be a king the people will be proud of, just as you've been a son that I am proud of. And you'll have myself and the Sultan to guide you whenever you need."

He nodded again, only this time his lips showed a shy smile. "I suppose you're right, father," he said as he straightened up once again and panned over the crowd from his place at the table. Eyes fell on Paribanu mingling with a crowd of girls from their kingdom, and then down to Ali, already looking half spent and ready to retire for the evening. Snow couldn't help but chuckle in his direction, eyes meeting for a split moment. It may not have been the arrangement many had expected, but it was the one that their fathers had agreed to. And that was a blessing Snow could be thankful for every day for the rest of his life.

In another world, Snow could imagine how that fateful winter night could have gone - how it could have ended with him abandoning his kingdom, his only family, and fleeing to the unknown. The world had been kind to him, and it was for that very reason he showed kindness before he had ever chosen violence. Maybe his father was right. Kindness and love was a strength. He just had to use it as such.

"Yeah...you're right," he repeated.

"We're all here, rooting for you, Snow. Your mother would be so proud if she could see you now."

"His mother most certainly is proud of him…" A voice like a bell, yet commanding cut in from behind. Glancing up, Snow's eyes met his stepmother's, Ophelia. Her thin lips were curled into a dainty smile, eyes sharp and bright. Her pupils had a unique appeal to them, void of all light. No one could see their reflection in their black centers. Some would describe them as hypnotic, able to drown by just glancing eye contact with her. "There is nothing to fear in the coming days. Any worry will be expunged, as a rightful and just ruler will ascend to the throne. It will be a new dawn for everyone!"

"Ahhh, yes, my queen! My lovely Ophelia! It is indeed a pleasure for you to grace the hall on such a joyful occasion. Come! Come! There is someone I'd like to introduce you to, if you don't mind now, erh- let's see where could they have wandered off to?" Arthur stood from his chair and walked off with Ophelia for whichever guest he had been thinking of and then the night flowed.

Bread was broken and wine was drunk all the while Snow did his best to uphold himself until the time felt safe to join Paribanu and Ali in a corner of the great hall. Together, at last, the three unstoppable youths set to inherit their parent's kingdoms. Time was flowing normally at last in each other's company.