Schwan (23 The matter of...)

Yeah, what about these guys?

Well here we go...

In "The matter of..."

✣

23 The matter of...

And lastly, there is the matter of the Princess Lillian, and Rolf, the Ranger.

After the Battle of the Gate, as it came to be known, Fredrik had kept Rolf occupied in organizing the care of the wounded, and later the release of the Morlanian prisoners.

Then, on their return to Waterton, Fredrik had been concerned with making Elise comfortable and welcome in her new home, in the castle.  And there was the care of the wounded Princess as well.  Rolf saw little of him.

Elise had to get used to a whole new way of life- to being waited on- rather than serving.  Lillian had taken her under her wing and was doing her best to help with the transition.  They spent much time together planning for her Official Wedding.

The result was that Rolf found little for himself to do.  He seemed to be merely in the way now, and felt out of place at the castle.  He went to stay with his Mother in the town.

But he was not happy.  He would lay awake at night puzzling over Lily's words to him at the battle- "You've won me fairly…"  What had she meant by them?  He convinced himself that he had only done his duty in protecting the Princess.  Any of the Kings men would have done the same.

Although he knew he would be welcome, he kept his distance from the Royal Family- they needed their time together.  Yet he was restless.  He just wanted to get away from it all.  Rolf decided to ask the King to send him back to the Rangers, on the southern border.

Fredrik listened to him with concern.  He realized that he had been neglecting his friend.  And  it was not only his own feelings that he was thinking of.

"I'm afraid that is out of the question, Rolf."  As Rolf looked at him in surprise, he continued, "I need you here."

"Fredrik, there is nothing…" Rolf began, only to be interrupted by the King.

"I have already appointed you as Lieutenant to the Captain of the Castle Guards.  You will be his successor when he retires from the post."

(This was not entirely true, but it had been Fredrik's intention for some time now)

This was a great honor, but not one that Rolf desired at this point.  But he could not refuse the King.

"You will report to him in the morning."

This had been the end of the discussion.

✠

Rolf was well received by the Captain of the Guards.  He had succeeded Rolf's father at the post, and was glad to see Rolf following him in this important position.

Oddly, Rolf found that one of his first duties would be to escort Princess Lillian in her boat on the lake.  He took the oars as she sat in the stern facing him.

She broke the silence.

"Freddy usually brings me, but he is so busy these days."  When Rolf didn't reply, she continued.  "I would come by myself, but I can't manage the oars yet," she said indicating the sling on her arm.

"I trust Your Highness is healing well."

"My name is Lily," she replied angrily.  "Why have you stayed away?"

Rolf stopped rowing.

"I just… thought…" he began, but was at a loss for words.

"You think too much!" she said leaning toward him.  "Why won't you just be you?"

She put her hand on his knee.  Her touch electrified him.

"But you are…" he began, but she cut him off.

"Forget what we are and be who we are!  You, and me, two people in a boat, on this lake- this beautiful lake- this beautiful morning."

"Do you think I care about this?" she said, pointing at the castle.  "Or where I was born?  I could be happy anywhere with… if…"

"But what would Fredrik think if I… if you…"

"Fredrik?" she asked with a laugh.  "What did Fredrik do?  Who was Elise?  Why won't you wake up?"

And then he did; And broke.  And at last they embraced with tears of joy.

High above, on the castle wall, Fredrik and Elise watched, and then turned away.

Well, that's it folks.

Hope you got a bit of enjoyment out of it.

The Fuzz apologizes if he has dragged this out too long.

But with this format, it seemed like a good idea- at least to him.

And this time it is really...

The End