A Crown
Notes:
Okay, so I wrote the funeral scene. That's why this is so late, because I actually had to write it. Anyway, it's mostly just an overview and not super specific, but it is there^^
And there's Theeli in this chapter :)
*****
It was dusk when the small funeral began on the beach. The overwhelming silence of grief was split only by the sound of wavelets lapping along the beach, mournfully, almost as if they, too, grieved. Palpable sorrow filled the air as they all waited for words to come. What could one say comfortably at a funeral for those whose bodies had already been taken? Not even a physical reminder stayed behind, only memories still flooded with despair.
Leeli felt words on the edge of her tongue, ones that wanted to escape, but the tightness in her throat tethered them, holding them back. “We'll never forget you,” she finally whispered, tears spilling down her cheeks as she did so. There was no use in wiping them away; she had kept so many tears, so much grief hidden, it deserved to come out now. She may have accepted the deaths of her beloved Grandfather and brother, but that did not take away the sting.
Nia's hand squeezed her shoulder and pulled her close, making it even harder for Leeli to hold back a full sob. Why was it that when invited to grieve, one did so willingly even though they did not want to? Through her tears, it was difficult to see Janner and Artham in the fading daylight, but by their blurry stance, they shared her sorrow. Of course they did. How could they not? They all shared the sorrow, yet refused to speak about it. Failure to speak did not heal hearts well.
The sound of footsteps behind her startled her a bit, and the sight Leeli saw when she turned around surprised her even more and sent other tears cascading down her face.
It was everyone, or at least looked like everyone in Anniera who had somehow managed to slip past Sara and Arundelle to attend Podo and Kalmar's funeral. Choosing not to care what anyone else thought, Leeli gave them a wobbly smile. Nia stepped away, quite possibly to try and do something She pinpointed Thorn first, and when he came close to her she whispered, “Thank you.” She suspected he had had something to do with their presence. No matter what she had said to the family, in truth, she felt as though both Podo and Kalmar deserved far more respect and recognition than a small funeral. Though she had said little to Thorn about the notion, she supposed there was a chance he had made an educated guess and acted upon it.
Thorn took her hand a bit awkwardly and looked her straight in the eyes. “I know ya wanted this,” he said softly. “An' Kal an’ your Grandfather are deservin’ of it.”
They stood that way for as long as the funeral lasted, the silence only occasionally broken by words of love and remembrance from Nia or Artham or even Arundelle, who had several sweet words to say about Podo. What broke Leeli’s heart the most while at the same time soothing it were Janner’s words of love for and memories about Kalmar, ones that made her want to weep and laugh all at once, somehow.
When she looked up at the dark night sky full of thousands upon thousands of twinkling stars, she couldn’t help but wonder what the Maker’s plan was in all of it, because as of that moment, it seemed only as though each person in her family had been torn to shreds beneath the surface and simply hid it well beneath a cloak of serenity.
That night, she slept soundly, the crutch Podo had made for her under her covers. When she awoke, her pillow was wet with tears.
*****
“So what do you think about everything about Anniera? And I mean other than last night,” Leeli added, turning to Sara. Mornings on the Annieran beaches were lovely, they had discovered, and early was always the best time to find the prettiest shells. It was the morning after the funeral, and though it did seem wrong to snap right back into their regular schedule, not many other choices remained. Routine did seem as though it was the best distraction from raw grief, and Leeli didn't object to that.
Smiling a little too cheerily for it to be real, Sara nodded. “Well, then, it’s wonderful. Everything is wonderful. Your mother is wonderful, you’re wonderful, Anniera is wonderful, her people are wonderful, the way they all miraculously work together is wonderful—”
Leeli eyed her suspiciously. “You’ve used the word ‘wonderful’ way too many times. What’s wrong? And don’t say, ‘nothing’s wrong,’ because just because things are wrong with pretty much everyone in our family, it doesn’t mean you can’t have problems, too.” She knew she did not imagine the tears she saw in Sara’s eyes at the mention of “our family,” nor the husky relief in her voice when she spoke again.
“Well,” Sara began. “We’ve been in Anniera for four days and’ve worked pretty hard. The skeletons of Rysentown are starting to go up and—”
“Sara,” Leeli said again, frustration and love for her unofficially-adopted sister bubbling in her heart. She slipped her hand into Sara’s and squeezed to simulate safety. “Those are all things. They’re not you. So what’s wrong? I know something is. Just tell me.”
Sighing, Sara cast her gaze inland, then at the Sea, then at her feet, and then at Leeli’s face. “It’s your brother,” she murmured as she pulled her hand away.
Leeli blinked in surprise. “Janner? What about him? Did he do something wrong?”
“I don’t know how to talk to him!” she stammered, her cheeks turning pink. “I say something to him and we exchange a sentence or two, and then he spaces out and either panics and fumbles with his words or just walks off unexpectedly muttering, ‘I’m sorry.’ What am I supposed to do?”
Letting out an exasperated sigh directed at her brother and very glad the problem had little to nothing to do with the grief raging through their family, Leeli reached up and took hold of Sara’s shoulders. “Please, listen. Janner has always been terrible around girls. He’s dreadful at it on normal days, and since these are bad days, he’s absolutely hopeless. He’s working through stuff. He’ll respond like a normal human being at some point.”
Sara huffed a bit and kicked the sand, seeming as though she wanted to say more. Leeli decided waiting patiently was the best option and it paid off.
“I just,” Sara began, sounding reluctant. “When he first came back, he was so…well, forward. He very nearly proposed to me without saying the words. I felt like I was flying. Then all of a sudden after Ban Rona, he starts acting the way I described a few minutes ago. I don’t get it. If all he wants is friendship, that's alright. I understand. But he won't stick around for even that!”
Leeli pursed her lips. She wasn’t certain about that one. Someone like Artham or Nia would be much better help in this situation, and though she was honored Sara had confided in her, her heart wished she had spoken to someone who could be more helpful.
“I don’t know,’” she admitted as they turned and made their way up the sandy incline to the “path” through the grass that would take them to the remains of Castle Rysen. “Janner has always confused me. He’s a walking contradiction. Plus, he’s a guy.”
Sara laughed, and Leeli felt herself grinning. She was glad the short statement had brought some sort of levity to her dear friend’s heart.
“I suppose he is,” Sara agreed. They started up an even steeper grass hill that led to the plateau on which Rysen rested. Conversation ceased while they climbed, but it picked up again as soon as the castle remains were in sight. “Maybe I shouldn’t be worried. After all—”
Sara’s words stopped, as did her feet. Leeli looked at her, silently imploring her to explain what was wrong.
“Look,” Sara whispered, her voice breaking.
Following her line of sight, Leeli happened upon the cause of Sara’s distress. It was Janner and an auburn-haired girl talking. It was too far away for her to hear any words, but Leeli could see that both smiled and even laughed on occasion, something that had become so rare for Janner. Then—Leeli couldn’t help but gasp at the sight—Janner reached out and laid his hand on the girl’s shoulder. He walked off a few seconds later, likely to give out the day’s assignments.
Leeli knew they needed to go and join the crowd so they would hear what needed to be done, but she couldn’t move. She could barely think. Confusion reigned in her mind; she knew Janner cared for Sara and had even dreamt about her. What had caused him to connect so quickly with this unnamed girl, then?
No, she scolded herself. You’ve seen it wrong. So has Sara. You missed something. He hasn’t connected with this girl! It’s something else.
“I’m sure there’s an explanation,” she offered lamely, even though she had no idea what such an explanation might be.
“I’m sure,” Sara whispered. “Let’s not tell anyone, alright? Please? That might get weird and…um…if Janner wants this thing, then he can have it without anyone else spying on him.”
Leeli’s eyes widened. “That’s…surprisingly generous.”
Sara gave a half-laugh, but it sounded like she was scoffing more than anything else. “Not really. Note how I said, ‘anyone else.’ I will be spying, and if you’d like to join me, you’re quite welcome. But in the meantime, we have a day’s worth of work ahead of us, not to mention a coronation.”
Leeli was left staring after her friend, feeling very small, confused, and worried. No matter what Sara had said about being willing to simply have a friendship with Janner, the idea of Janner caring for someone else over her was hurtful.
She really hoped Janner didn’t actually care for that other girl.
*****
In the middle of cleaning up after lunch, Leeli was almost too distracted by Baxter's begging for table scraps to hear the sound of boots thumping on the stone of what used to be Rysen’s courtyard.
She wasn’t, though, and spun around, her face aglow with happiness even before her eyes settled on Thorn O’Sally’s goofy smile.
“Thorn!” she cried happily, throwing her arms around him in what might have been considered an inappropriate manner. At that point, she didn’t really care what other people thought. She was stressed. No matter how happy she looked on the outside, on the inside everything was a mess. It turned out Thorn was very good at helping clean up said mess, just by talking. Plus, no one was in the vicinity. Janner was sleeping below in the Castle, Artham was doing some sort of construction in town, and Sara, Nia, and Arundelle, were all doing various things she wasn't actually certain of.
Thorn looked surprised at her gesture but hugged her back anyway. Afterward he stepped back and cleared his throat awkwardly. “So…Leeli,” he began, grinning when Baxter began licking his hand as if some remains of food resided there. “Do ya wanna talk or find somethin’ ta do in town or—”
“Actually, there is something super important I need your help with,” she interrupted.
Thorn grinned. “I’m great at important things. Like jest last night! Now, what ‘xactly is this new ‘thing’?”
Smiling, Leeli beckoned him closer. She lowered her voice to a whisper and prayed he would have the sense to do the same. “Janner’s coronation is today—”
“His what?” Thorn asked, a bit louder than Leeli preferred. Baxter barked as if to voice his disapproval.
“SHH,” she hissed. “We’re making him the monarch—”
“A wh—”
“He’s becoming King of Anniera today!” Leeli finally exclaimed as quietly as was humanly possible. The thought of it hurt her heart, but nothing she did or said would change anything. Kal was gone, and he wasn't coming back. Like her Grandpa. And Rudric. And her father. And Nugget. She brushed those thoughts aside, though. “Officially, I mean. And everyone knows you can’t make someone a king if they don’t have a crown.”
Realization dawned in Thorn’s eyes, and he nodded vigorously. “Wait,” he said, his face falling. “Ya don’t have any sorta crown. Aren’t they usually gold or somethin’?”
Leeli nodded. “Yes, they are. And that’s the problem right there: we have no crown. Now, maybe they’re usually gold, but they’re not always gold. So we are going to go into the meadow and the forest and make one before the ceremony!”
Thorn gasped in amazement. “Leeli, that’s a great idea! Are we gonna make one for you an’ Mister Artham too? Wait, why’re we whisperin’?”
Wincing inwardly, Leeli really hoped Sara and Nia and Arundelle weren't actually hiding somewhere and had heard their conversation. She was also glad Baxter couldn't speak and tell on them, though she was certain if she swore him to secrecy, he would never tell a soul, anyway. “Janner is sleeping in the cellar because my mother and uncle threatened to tie him to the bed if he didn’t allow himself rest before the ceremony, because he needed it, considering how little sleep he got last night. This thing that we’re making is a surprise for him, so I don’t want him hearing since we’re so close. And Uncle Artham and I don't need crowns or anything. Janner’s…Janner’s the one who’s becoming King.”
“Okay. I guess if that's what ya want…but about the secret thing, got it!” Thorn said, nodding vigorously. “We’re gonna go soon as ya finish cleanin’ up, right?”
“Right,” she replied quickly, working on washing a few bowls. They would be cleaned soon, and then she and Thorn could go look. Janner might not have wanted to be King (who would?) but there was no way she was going to let him feel any less unworthy of it by not having a crown.
Thorn appeared at her side suddenly, and she glanced over at him. “Yes?”
“Well,” he said gently. “I figure you’ll finish faster if someone’s helpin’ ya, and since I’m here, what kin I do?”
Leeli smiled and handed him a newly cleaned bowl. “You can dry them if you want.” Baxter made sure to thump his tail in approval.
*****
“Now, to make a crown,” Leeli said from amidst a tree’s branches, reaching for tender twigs she could braid together. “We need three bendy twigs.” She had made plenty of twig-and-leaf-and-flower crowns back in Glipwood and was thrilled to see the skill coming to good use. Of course, it was coming to use a bit illegally, in a sense. Technically, it was her day to stay at Castle Rysen with Janner. Instead Baxter was taking care of it, and since he would do a wonderful job, the only concern that remained was Nia or someone else returning home before she and Thorn got back.
“Leeli, ya know, I coulda gotten those for ya,” Thorn said from a good ten feet below her.
Glancing down at him, Leeli smiled. “Thorn, are you worried about me?”
“‘Course I am!” he exclaimed before shamelessly stating: “If we're gonna get married later, I don't want ya hurtin’ herself fallin’ from a tree or dyin’ early.”
Leeli’s cheeks warmed at the mention, but it wasn't a bad sort of thing. “Thank you for your concern,” she replied softly. “But I'm not going to die falling out of this tree. And I got them anyway!”
Three twigs of the right size procured, Leeli began climbing down carefully. It was certainly an experience for her, considering that although she had walked among trees quite a lot while they stayed with Artham in his castle, she had never actually climbed them for herself. As she swung down, she couldn't help but laugh at the way her hair flew back and bounced down her back again when both her feet hit the ground. “See? I'm alright,” she told Thorn. “But it's sweet that you care,” she added as she beckoned him to follow.
“Where are we goin’ now?” he asked.
“Well,” Leeli replied as she stripped the twigs, then began braiding them together as they walked. “We're looking for something to decorate the crown with. Though now that I think about it,” she mused, stopping abruptly in the midst of the meadow, filled to the brim with wildflowers. “Janner might find it odd if we filled his coronation crown with something so fragrant.”
Thorn considered this. “Ya shoulda left the leaves on. Or gotten some twigs with more leaves ‘n’ stuff. Then, it’d just look nice an’ kinda regal.”
Leeli looked at him, puzzled. “Where did you hear the word ‘regal’?”
“Oh, Mister Artham used it,” he explained. “I told ‘im I wanted ta make my vo-cab-u-lary better fer ya, so he told me a few words an’ their meanin’.”
Leeli couldn't help but smile. Thorn was probably the only person born in the Green Hollows willing to improve his vocabulary and grammar for anyone’s sake. “Well it is a very nice word, and a great suggestion.” She glanced morosely at the braided twigs already twisted into a circlet. Shrugging, she tossed it to the ground. “Oh, well. Let's find a bush or something, and maybe it'll have the sort of leaves you mentioned.”
Starting off for a different part of the forest edge where it looked like that kind of bush thrived, Leeli was surprised to not hear Thorn following her. “Thorn, what are you doing?” she asked when she spun around, only to see him poking in the long, meadow grass.
He stood up more quickly than she had thought humanly possible. “Not much,” he said oddly before running toward her.
Leeli considered asking more but figured it wasn't worth it. He had probably seen a big or something that had interested him, and as much as she liked animals, she hated bugs and had no desire to look one in the eyes. “Okay. Let's go, then!”
*****
Notes:
So there was A LOT in this chapter, probably too much. The subject switches a lot...maybe too much.
Please let me know if there are any canonical errors or just strange things in general^^
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣