A ball

"Great..." Artham mumbled when he saw the announcement for the ball. The palace was all abuzz with excitement, the entire kingdom as well! The queen had given birth to a girl! It was customary to celebrate when three children were born to the royal family. This was a rare occasion indeed! Three children meant that the kingdom had a Throne Warden, a Song Maiden and a High King to carry on the legacy of Anniera. And in this ceremony the three children would be appointed into their positions. It was a joyous time for everyone in the castle.

Everyone except Artham. He loved his nephews and nieces with everything he had, but he could not stand balls and formal occasions. He was trained to protect the royal family. And he did his job well. But he knew that he would be expected to dance and talk with everyone there. Something he was not fond of.

"Oh don't be such a sour puss Arth, it won't be that bad. Maybe you could even ask Arundel to dance." Esben said, coming up behind him. "And why would I do that?" Artham replied stiffly and a little too quickly. Esben just shook his head with a smile and continued walking. "Uncle Artham!" He heard a little voice say, he turned to see Janner running up to him. He smiled wide, and lifted the little boy up high into the air then brought him back down again. Janner had grown very close to his uncle over the last three years. He followed his uncle all over the castle, especially when Artham trained in the courtyard. He had learned to hold the sword and take a swordsman stance and even how to thrust. Esben often came and helped, and more recently young Kalmar had joined in. "Hello my little Throne Warden! And how are you today?"

"Daddy says that there is going to be a huge ball for all of us!"

"Indeed, there will be! You will be appointed as the next Throne Warden, and you will be an amazing one!" He led Janner back to his mother who was walking up the hall with the newborn Song Maiden, Leehli in her arms and with an energetic Kalmar holding her hand.

"Hello Artham, are you excited for the ball?" Nia asked, as Artham lifted Kalmar into the air like he had Janner.

"Nia, you know my feelings on such events." He said cocking an eyebrow.

"Of course, but you might have fun, and Arundel will be there and-" "Why does everyone seem to bring that up?" He asked putting Kalmar down.

"Artham, you are not that dull." She said with a smirk.

"Oh dear, I'm already late for a training session with the guard. Gooday Queen Nia." Artham said, ignoring her comment.

"Oh Artham, you can't avoid everything!" She called after him. He knew it was just good-natured teasing, but it still made him flinch. Arundel and he had grown closer over the past year and now it seemed nearly everyone wanted them to get married or something crazy. "I don't have the time for something like that Es; I have to stay sharp and focus what with the reports of something in the Killridge mountains, the party we sent out never came back! And I have to protect the royal family!" He had said one time when Esben had brought it up. "Artham, you can't keep making excuses. You've avoided it for long enough! You deserve to be happy." "I'm not avoiding it! I'm simply too busy. I have to go; I have to meet with a few members of the Durgan Guild." He had bowed stiffly and turned away on his heel.

No one had really said anything since, but deep down he knew he couldn't avoid it forever. So many times, he had met people and ladies and had turned it all down, focusing solely on his job. But Arundel was different, and he knew it. He shoved these thoughts to a far corner of his mind and focused on the training. He threw himself into it and nearly forgot about his troubles. Nearly.

A week later Artham and Esben were both getting ready for the ball.

"Don't be nervous." Esben said, without turning away from the mirror as he put a simple crown on his head, a requirement for these occasions.

"I'm not nervous." Artham grumbled.

"Arth, you've tried to button our waistcoat five times now." Artham threw his hands in the air with an exasperated sigh. Esben laughed heartily and quickly buttoned his brother's waistcoat despite his grumblings.

"You look great! Just relax." Esben said, as they walked down the hall towards the ballroom. Artham looked at his brother from the corner of his eye. He was the very model of a king. Handsome and strong. His eyes were kind and showed the wisdom of his seven years of Kingship. His face had gentle creases that showed a lifetime of joy and smiling. He stood straight and tall in front of the doors to the ballroom, ready for them to open and ready to step out and talk with everyone. Artham turned with his stomach knotted and tried to adopt the stone-faced look of a Throne Warden. Esben hesitated and turned to his brother.

"Listen, I never want to force you to do anything, but you need to think for yourself for once, don't let someone like Arundel slip away." Artham looked his brother in the eye. A gentle smile crossed Esben's face and the doors opened.

"His Majesty, High King Esben of the Shining Isle. And Sir Artham, Throne Warden of the Shining Isle." A great cheer rose up through the crowd and Artham felt a jolt of fear but then he forced himself to focus and found Arundel's glowing face in the crowd. She smiled gently at him. He felt all the walls, the stony countenance and the worry melt. Esben nudged him quietly after the introduction and he slowly made his way towards her.

"Sir Artham." She said with a curtsy.

"Miss Arundel." He replied bowing, and then held out his hand with a smile. The two swept across the ball room unaware of the other people around them. Esben smiled and nudged Nia.

"Would you look at that." He whispered.

"I told you, he just needed a nudge." Nia replied with a smile. "More like a push off a cliff." Esben mumbled under his breath and Nia elbowed him.

Artham looked around him. He had never felt so happy. He had a family, nephews and a niece. He was dancing with the love of his life; the kingdom was thriving. He felt his heart swell into his throat as he twirled Arundel around the room, no longer caring about the whispers of the people around him. Everything was perfect in Anniera and as the ball ended Artham felt like he was walking atop the clouds. But that night, while everyone slept with joy in their hearts and peace in their souls. The darkness awoke in the Killridge mountains, it set it's gaze on Anniera and started to set foot on The Shining Isle.