This is a very happy chapter!!
CHAPTER FORTY: A QUEEN IN MY EYES
“Esben, if you keep adjusting your collar, you’ll land up choking yourself!” Artham said, walking forward and helping Esben adjust his tunic.
“I’m just nervous. Were you nervous when you proposed to Arundelle?”
“Of course. I was still a teenager technically, so I was terribly nervous. Just be grateful you have mother’s extrovert personality and not father’s introverted one. It helps in situations like these.”
“I’m still nervous.”
“Well, if it helps, you look good. And I know Nia likes you as well.”
“But Artham, I love her.”
“I know. And I think she loves you too. Now go, before you chicken out.”
“Thanks a lot.”
Esben walked out into the crisp evening air. He walked towards the back of the Helmer house, where Wendolyn had sent Nia a few minutes ago. He saw Podo watching from the kitchen window. He gulped. He better do this right!
There she was. Nia. Her deep brown hair reflected the bright star-light. Her clear green eyes were looking out at the landscape in front of her, and her gentle form was reclining on the garden bench. Esben’s breath was taken away.
“Nia…you look beautiful,” he said.
Nia turned her head, and she blushed. “Thank you Esben. You look rather handsome. Would you like to sit down?”
“I prefer kneeling actually.”
With that, Esben kneeled in front of Nia, and the girl put her hands to her mouth in shock. “Oh, Esben,” she breathed.
“Nia Helmer, I love you. I really always have. Just never knew it till now. I want you to be my queen. I know it’s a lot to ask for you to come with me to Anniera, but maybe, just maybe, you could- “
“Yes. Oh Esben yes!” Nia squealed, standing up and pulling Esben up as well. “Oh my, I’ve so wanted you to ask me that. Oh Esben, I love you too!”
In one moment, Nia kissed his cheek, and Esben slipped the ring on her finger. Their engagement was sealed.
The only reason Nia had any regret was because she would be separated from her father, who would not be able to make the trip to Anniera for the wedding. As Podo told Nia this, Artham watched with a grave face.
Arthra was about to go and sit with Podo, but Artham captured her in his arms and pretended to attack her, which distracted the seven-year-old from Podo. Artham didn’t want his family to get hurt. He just didn’t.
In a couple of days, things were arranged, and the Wingfeathers, Natalia, Nia, and Wendolyn boarded a ship for the Hollows. Podo bade them farewell, but he didn’t even go to the docks. Something was wrong with that picture. And Artham needed to figure out what.
The whole trip was spent with all four women aboard making plans. Natalia was by far the most energetic.
“Oh, Nia, you must do this fer your weddin’! It’s a perfect tradition in the Hollows! And you’re Hollish. Those flowers will look mighty fine in your hair, Nia.”
“You think so?”
“Yes!”
That was how the month passed. Artham usually stayed below deck, playing with Arthra, but Esben was asked so many questions that he didn’t have much peace.
By the time they got back to Anniera, the summer was almost in bloom. Nia said she wanted a summer wedding anyway. And everyone agreed that that was a lovely idea…well, all the girls agreed anyway.
Reginald was enlisted to cook all the food, and he employed his granddaughter to help him. Artham was put in charge of Esben, who was getting a little testier as the wedding got closer. Artham was quite enjoying seeing Esben tie a bow for Nia.
One thing that was very different was that he and Wendolyn did not speak. Before, they had had a relationship like mother and son, but now? Something was different, and it was not on Artham. There was an unsettled feeling in the Helmer home. And Artham had a good guess as to what.
Scale Raker.
So, one quick thing to explain. Been re-reading OtEotDSoD, and I read in one of the footnotes that when a foreigner wants to marry a woman of the Hollows, he has to compete in a game called the Bannig Durga in order to win her hand. I did not know this until after I wrote this chapter, which presented me with a slight conundrum. But then I realized, hey, Esben is half Hollish, and he is the High King! Plus, he was raised in the Hollows for a good bit of his childhood! So, my problem was solved, although it would be hilarious to see Esben in a competition like that. I don't think Artham would ever allow that, though. Anyways, if you made it through all of that, here's a cookie! 🍪
I hope you enjoyed! Let me know if anything seems weird or wonky, and let me know if you think Esben should have been in the Bannig Durga 😅
Very happy!
I've wondered about whether Esben would have to compete in the Banick Durga, too. Can you imagine Artham trying to keep his brother from getting too hurt during the competition??
But Anniera is only a day's sail away from Ban Rona, not a month. 😉