Private Tales En Route

[Esmeralda]

It had been two days since Esmerledas Coronation. The last place she had seen any of her guests was at her ball.
Esme and her council had spent the following days planning her trip to Vel Anir with one of her suitors known as Rang'valdr.

"Your Highness," one of the maids entered the queens chambers, "your carriage is ready."
"Thank you Layla," the maid left and Esmerleda and her lady in waiting finished up the placing the last couple of things into her trunk.
"That will be all Bethany, I will see you downstairs - why not go finish packing your things?"
Bethany shut Queen Esmereldas trunk and went to finish packing her own. Finding herself alone for the first time in what felt like eons. She flopped onto her bed and let out a deep sigh...no avoiding the inevitable I guess

 

[Rangvaldr Tal'deneshaar]

There were a total of two suitors. One was homegrown and a threat, the other was a Lord from a faraway land. They would have some weeks of travel ahead. Valdr, was.. surprisingly nervous about it. He had deflected many advances, but had never experienced this before.

He had woken early to sharpen his blade and polish his armor. He remembered his fathers lessons about presentation and preparation. When the armor was done, he would focus on himself. The beard was brought back under order and ensure his own physical appearance was pristine. Once that was done, he would don his gear and gather his things.

He wouldn't make it far before one of the servants gathered his things from him and ran them down to where the horse and carriage were waiting.

Continuing down the hall, he would make his way to the royal chambers where both the maid and the Lady-in-waiting had exited. Naturally, a pair of guards stood at the door and he offered them a friendly nod. "Good morning, gentlemen."

They didn't seem too impressed, but the younger of the two returned the smile. "My lord." He would say before knocking on the door, and raising his voice so Esmeralda could hear him. "My Queen, the Lord Rangvaldr is here to see you. Shall I grant him entry?"

Esmeralda Sophia Le Roux

 

[Esmeralda]

Esmerleda turned her head, her attention caught by the knock.
She quickly got off her bed and soothed her lilac dress and fixed one or two hers that were out if place. The queen then moved to a chair by her window that over looked the gardens and placed her gloved hands in her lap.
"Let him in."
As Rangvaldr entered Esme offered him a smile. "Good Morning Lord, I hope you slept well."

 

[Rangvaldr Tal'deneshaar]

Rangvaldr would wait with the guards until he was given permission to enter, at which point he bowed his head in thanks to the doorman and stepped through the portal. Seeing her seated by the window, he would come to a stop at her other window, gazing down into the gardens below, but only briefly.

His golden gaze then drifted to her. "Good morning, my Queen. I did in fact sleep well. I hope you did as well. And, Valdr is fine, majesty." If he was going to court her, he'd much rather she use his name, over title.

Esmeralda Sophia Le Roux

 

[Esmeralda]

"Well," she stood from her seat. "Valdr, then you may call me Esmerelda if we are throwing formality to the wind. Now that you are hear, why not take our leave?"

The pair maid their way down to the stables were the carriage waited. Esme first went to the horses who would be their travel companions, two large Gypsey Cobs.
"Remind me to tell you the story of these two beauties." She stroked one of their noses then went to get into the carriage.

During their travels a soldier apon horse back would be stationed om either side of the carriage as well as a pair behind it and a pair traveling a couple miles ahead. Among these soldiers was Rayden Rayes, the queens most trusted warriors.
As part of their traveling attire the, besides donning their normal furs, they also each wore a helmet that resembled an animal skull that was accesoried with large horns on either side.

 

[Rangvaldr Tal'deneshaar]

"As you wish, Esmeralda." When she suggested they leave, he would turn to the door and offer her his arm. The trek to the stables was pleasant, even if it was silent.

The horses were beautiful, and the one she didn't stroke, he would. "I will be sure to ask." He responded, looking to Esme with a faint smile. He then escorted her to the carriage, opened the door, and helped her up and into it. "I will join you shortly, my Queen." He would say, as her guards were around.

He would move to where his courser had been tied to the carriage and stroke his broad neck several times. "Should be a fun trip, my friend." He reassured, then gave a final pat to the neck and climbed up into the carriage.

As was appropriate, he would ease himself into the seat across from her after shutting the door. "Been some time since I rode in one of these." He said lightly. "I sent word to my people. So a few of my Knights will be joining us on the road. Likely near the halfway mark. It will be.. quite the long journey."

Esmeralda Sophia Le Roux

 

[Esmeralda]

Esme made herself comfortable, "the same goes for myself. With the planning if the coronation and taking over so quickly I have had little time to even ride."

She moved aside one of the curtains, "Rayden," the queen called over her guard.
"Lord Tal'deneshaar has informed me that some of his men will be meeting us on the road. Please inform the scouts to ensure that they arent surprised."

Rayden nodded his head, "Yes my queen." With that he kicked his horse and trotted forward to catch up with those infront.

"The other carraige with our luggage and and my lady in waiting will be leaving shortly after us."

Esmerelda shivvered slightly, winter really was creeping in and the cold wind from the coast was not much help. "Do you mind handing me my coat next to you Valdr?" She asked, reffering the the thick white lump of fear alongside him.

 

[Rangvaldr Tal'deneshaar]

"Well, then, this should be good for both of us." He mused. In the days since the party, Valdr had interacted with the household guard and the warriors of Route. He had gained permission to train in their yard and even sparred with some of them.

He would offer a nod of thanks to Rayden As Esme informed the warrior and when she spoke to Valdr his attention was back on her. "I wasn't too concerned." He said with a gentle tone and when he noticed the shiver, she had barely gotten the request out before he had the heavy white cloak in hand. He would personally drape it over her shoulders and clasp it in place.

Once that was done, he would remove his own cloak and drape it over her legs and any area that might have been uncovered to ensure her warmth. He would then finally sit back in his own seat and relax into it. "Not at all, Esmeralda. Anything else I can get you?"

Esmeralda Sophia Le Roux

 

[Esmeralda]

Esmé was greatfull for Valdr placing his own cloat over her legs aswell. "Perfectly fine now thank you. I did not exaclty choose then most conciese dress now did I," she placed her hands inside her coat. "If you get cold along the way we can always stop and get extra furs out of the other carriage. "


As she finished her sentance, the horses made a sound and the carriage begam moving forward. The long journey had began.
"I have actually never traveled to your part of the world. Then again, i only recently started going on diplomatic trips, before my fathers passing we travel would travel but when I was with him it was only for leisure purposes."

 

[Rangvaldr Tal'deneshaar]

He would laugh at her words. "I disagree. You look stunning in that dress. A few chills on my part is well worth it." He would say as he got comfortable. "I should be fine. My family spent time in the North, so i don't mind the cold."

He would cross his arms over his chest and let out a steady sigh as the carriage began to move. "I'm not surprised. I'm sure you see your fair share of battle with the Blightlands so close, but it seems our borders are always at war with someone. Be it the elves or the Empire. Just last year, we had a regime change."

His golden eyes would then focus on her. "Well then, I hope with me, you get your fill of travel." He would muse. "For the last four years I've been roaming rather consistently. It seems strange that its not the norm."

Esmeralda Sophia Le Roux

 

[Esmeralda]

Esmerelda faulted slightly with his mention of war with the elves...her experiance with the elven people had always been peaceful, many even residing in Route. Then again, the elves she had encountered and the ones he had were from very different places in the world.

The regime change did spark her interest though, "How do you mean? Have your people recently undergone a change of leadership?" She asked. Curious now, especially if his people were to possibly one day become her own.

 

[Rangvaldr Tal'deneshaar]

He would notice the look when he mentioned the elves. "Vel Anir is a realm of war and every war has two sides. My lands are to the northeast of Vel Anir and we accept all races, all creeds. We've just paid heavily to do so." He would say before his hands clasped in his lap.

"There was a Revolution and they won. Its been a year and slowly they are trying to alter their image. They now have peace with the Elves.. of a sort. But many of those old prejudices have been bred over generations." He mused.

Esmeralda Sophia Le Roux

 

[Esmeralda]

"Understandable." Esmereldr decided to nip the conversation in the bud. She wished to see the circumstances and atmosphere for herself as a third party.

"Why not tell me about your travels Valdr?" She tilted her head, unfortunately it was a second to soon, the carriage hit a bump in the road causing her to hit her head on the side. "Ouch!" She rubbed the spot that had gotten hurt.

"STOP THE CARRIAGE!"
A deep voice boomed from outside and the carriage quickly came to a halt. Hooves trotted to the side of the carriage, seconds later the door opened.
Raydens face appeared, his eyes full of worry. "Your majesty," He looked Esmerelda up and down, inspecting her. "Are you alright?" He asked, his eyes now going to where she was rubbing her head.

"Yes thank you Rayden, just a little bump."

Esme looked to Valdr. "I think I am going to ride for a little while until the road smoothes out." She offered him a lipped smile and stood, she took Raydens hand and excited the carraige.
"Feel free to join me if you wish," her final words before disappearing out if sight and making her way to the back of the carriage and being helped onto her own horse, a large female Shire.

Esmerleda mounted her mare and was now ready to ride.

 

[Rangvaldr Tal'deneshaar]

"As you wish." He would say in understanding. At her next question, his response would be cut off by the bump of the road and her head hitting the side. He would quickly lean forward. "My Queen, let me make sure it was just a b-."

Once more he would be cut off but this time by Rayden. It would take a truly blind man to not notice some worrying red flags. This Rayden held worry that went beyond the norm. Such.. circumstances were dangerous.

At her words, Valdr would nod. "Of course, I would be happy to join you." He would exit the carriage behind her before following her to the rear of the carriage. Once upon the solid earth, he would take his cloak and drape it over an arm.

As they reached her horse he would take the place of the man to help her and personally help her onto her horse. He ensured her riding boots were snug within the stirrups and then he carefully arranged her skirt. Next, his cloak was draped over her lap to provide warmth but not interfere with her comfort. The entire process was done carefully and with a sort of reverence. Once she was settled and everything in perfect order, he would move to his courser and with a gentle smile, wave off the man assigned to help him up. One boot in the stirrup and he would swing up into the saddle with practiced ease.

His reins in hand, he would lead his horse away from the carriage. "Shall we, my Queen?" He asked with a smile. There were now several important questions floating about his head and each of them were rather perplexing.

Esmeralda Sophia Le Roux

 

[Esmeralda]

"Why thank you, I truly appreciate you attentiveness." She said as Valdr helped her onto her horse and placed his coat over her lap.

"Lets see what you got shall we lord?" Esmerelda offered him a cheeky smile.

"My queen I don't think-" Rayden spoke now, knowing exactly what was about to happen. Before he finished his sentance Esmerelda kicked her horse and creating a storm of dust gallopped off down the road.


Rayden looked to Valdr, "Good luck Lord. She is a handfull." With that Rayden snapped the reigns and his horse too began to gallop.

 

[Rangvaldr Tal'deneshaar]

"You're welcome, my Queen." Valdr would respond, he had already had an idea of what was about to happen. She seemed the type after all. So as she smiled, he dug his heels into his coursers side.

"The worthwhile ones always are." He would say as his courser surged after her. Due to the rest it had been afforded, he had quickly begun to close the distance between him and Esme. And as he passed, he offered her that same cheeky smile back. "M'lady."

Esmeralda Sophia Le Roux

 

[Esmeralda]

Esmerelda let out a laugh that came right from the bottom of her stomach. "Well done my Lord." She gave him a slight nod of the head.


Rayden closed in on them.
"A little unfit there ey Rayden?" Esme teased.

The trio now stopped their steeds, waiting for the carriages to catch up.

"Valdr, you do not happen to have any water on you do you?"

Rayden Rayes now turned away, creating some distance between the pair and himself. Allowing them some privacy, he climbed down off his horse and started walking around scoping out the forest surrounding the road, but still staying close enough incase he was needed.

 

[Rangvaldr Tal'deneshaar]

The laugh was new. It was genuine. And it felt more pure than any such sound she would have made during her coronation. "Perhaps.. unless you let us catch up.." he would say, allowing her some playful grace.

He would pull his courser closer to her shire. "Indeed I do, Esmeralda." He would say once they had privacy again. His gauntlet would procure the waterskin, which had runes upon it, and open it before offering it over. "Here you are." He flashed his smile. "I must inform you that I do have some important questions to ask.. but those can wait. I just don't want you thinking they're coming from nowhere or feel caught unawares."

Esmeralda Sophia Le Roux

 

[Esmeralda]

"Please, feel free to ask at will."

The carriages eventually caught up. "Well, we best be on our way. "

The trio joined the rest of the group, the guards kept a smile distance between their queen and Valdr, continuing to allow the pair some privacy.
"Tell me Valdr, what is on your mind."

 

[Rangvaldr Tal'deneshaar]

He sighed as they continued to ride on. "As you wish. But I must preface this.. this isn't jealousy, merely.. a need to know."

He would look over at her. "I know you marry merely to please your council.. and that I'm no fool. There's no love at first sight or any of that." Another sigh. "How long has Rayden felt for you? His concern for you goes beyond that of a body man.. and it's not gone unnoticed." His jaw would clench. "Is there anything between you two?"

He hated this. It would be a long trip and he hoped each word was framed perfectly and without incident to upset her. "If we are to marry.. I want it to be built on a solid foundation. So, I will never lie to you. I need you to know that there is no one else for me nor will there be anyone else for me. I plan on putting all of myself into this and I would rather have a love-less marriage that benefits our people then shame you or our peoples with a scandal. I would prefer us to find love, naturally, but.. I won't ever be a hound if we don't."

Esmeralda Sophia Le Roux

 

[Esmeralda]

Esmerelda was shocked by his insinuation, "Rayden? As in my guard Rayden? Please my Lord, do trust me when I tell you there is nothing romantic between the two of us. Rayden and I are just old friends, yes many years ago when i was about 14 or 15 we did have a bit of romance, but we were simply children. There is nothing to be worried about."

Her and Rayden? Esmerelda did not see what Valdr saw, her mind puzzeled now....she knew Rayden cared for her, the pair had been friends for as long as she knew. Growing up you would often find the two together, along with her brother and the infamous Quinton.

"And as for marriage , I too wish for what you do. I also wish for friendship when it comes to my partner. But we must remeber, love is a luxury many few noblemen can afford. I am one of them. As you know, I am a queen and I have a duty to my people to find the best possible man to rule alongside me, if we do fall inlove, well that would be a dream come true but I must remain realistic. "

 

[Rangvaldr Tal'deneshaar]

At her first words he would nod. "Then I will believe you just as easily as you have told me. And consider all thoughts on the matter put to rest." he was glad that she was direct in her response. It was honest. True. It was seemingly unrequited love then. She felt as if there was nothing, but Valdr knew the look in a man's eyes when there was longing, and Rayden bore that in every movement and every word. "Thank you for your honesty."

The next bit would force a laugh and a smile. "Oh, don't I know that love is a luxury. As for friendship, you have it, Esmeralda. Both my support and my trust. I am here for you in all things." he would declare as if he were swearing an oath. "Part of me hopes my siblings have the luxury of love, my parents had it, though they were married before they became nobles."

There were wild flowers growing along the plains, so Valdr would tug on his reins, causing his horse to slow to a stop. "A moment, m'lady." he would kick one leg up and over before sliding from the saddle on the left side, away from Esme. Landing in the grass, he would crouch low and pluck a violet bloom. He wasn't sure what it was called, but the scent was lovely and he was sure it wasn't lavender.

Rising back to his feet, he would once more effortlessly climb up and into the saddle. "You bear a heavy burden, one that I would hope to one day help you carry, but we cannot forget to enjoy the world around us or we lose sight of what we are trying to do." his voice was gentle. "It was the most important lesson I learned from my father." he would draw close to her once more and tuck the flower into her hair, the stem resting along her ear. "There. And just like that, the flower was made more beautiful." Another smile and his horse would pick up its pace a bit.

Esmeralda Sophia Le Roux

 

[Esmeralda]

Esmerelda swooned at the idea of marrying for love.

Before she could ask more about his parents step up as nobility Valdr was off his horse and picking a flower.

"Valdr I-"

Before she got out her sentence the flower was behind her ear and Esmerelda instantly broke out in a fit of sneezes, her eyes watering.

She removed the flower the first chance she got and dropped it on the ground.
She took her hankerchief and began dabbing her eyes. "Lord," she sneezed again. "Thank you for the sentiment but I am actually allergic to those flowers..." a sheepish look crossed her face, feeling guilty that she had to disgard the gift.

 

[Rangvaldr Tal'deneshaar]

By all accounts this would be one of those tender moments. Of course it wouldn't be. Of all the flowers in the realm that she could be allergic to, it was apparently the most common one to.

Why wouldn't she be? It only made the most sense. His waterskin was once more removed and offered as well as his handkerchief. "I'm sorry Esmeralda.. I didn't think we would be riding through a field of something you would be this allergic to. We should plan a different route. If it is to the specific flower its likely scent based so even breathing this air should already be bad for you."

There was no word for the embarrassment nor the shame he would now be experiencing. He wouldn't even be able to look her in the eyes moving forward. Without another word, he would begin to guide his courser away from the flowers to get her to cleaner air.

Esmeralda Sophia Le Roux

 

[Esmeralda]

"Valdr, please dont fret," she moved her horse close enough to his and places her hand on her forearm. "Its only a small sniffels and a couple sneezes when they are to close to my face." She offered him a smile and placed her handkerchief back where she had pulled it from. "See ? I am fine again."

The carriages eventually caught up and the group was once again en route.

After being om the road for a while the sun began to set. The group decided to set up camp for the night.

Rayden and two other guards began collecting wood for a fire and the rest started retrieving furs out of a carriage.
Normally nobels would camp out in tents but Routens did things differently. Royals would sleep under the open night sky on furs just as the commonors would, to them it showed they did not see themselves as better simply because of their status.

Water had been given to the horses and fire had sparked up. Beth, Esmes lady in waiting brought bread and cheese from a basket she had packed and everyone took a seat around the warm heat radiating from the fire.