The Forged King

Ivy held Garret’s hand as she pulled him into her mothers’ office.

“Reuben knows about Garret,” she said, “We told him, they had a conversation.”

General Mistletoe—far from Mom—stood up from her desk.

“I’ve been planning to shore up our military anyways.”

“What did he do to make you decide to trust him?” Mama asked, a little bit of the queen creeping in.

“He asked about me,” Garret admitted, “And I wanted to speak with him anyways. I’m sorry I put your kingdom in danger.”

“I—”

Queen Oleander held up a hand before Ivy could reveal her part in all of this.

“You live here Garret, it is your kingdom as well, and you are not exempt from the danger you may have put us in.”

“Which I’m sure makes you feel much better,” Mistletoe added, with a slight smirk.

“There’s more,” Ivy said.

“Ava Vulcan, one of the scribes, knew about me and my relation to Solam. I think I made her an ally but—”

Oleander gave a loud sigh.

“Next time someone guesses accurately, maintain ignorance. They can think as much as they want, but if you don’t give them proof, they likely won’t share their assumptions. That said, you did the best you could for someone so unexperienced with secrecy.”

“And the third thing?” Mistletoe asked, “I can tell you’re saving something.”

“I spoke to King Solam, briefly, but I changed my voice and didn’t look him in the eyes, so I don’t think—”

“I told you it was a bad idea,” Mistletoe said.

“You also said he deserved a chance,” Oleander noted.

“What someone deserves and what is a good idea are rarely the same thing.”

“And what is the very last thing your hiding from us?” Oleander asked.

Garret stared at Ivy like he knew he was about to be get hurt but not how to avoid it.

“I don’t think now’s the—”

“Garret would like to officially court me,” Ivy blurted out. Hopefully it would be good news after all the bad, and not further disappointment.

Mama was smiling at least.

“We’ll have to arrange a dinner,” Mom said, “We’ll have it at Garret and Ariana’s cabin. To keep things less conspicuous, we’ll only take Oak.”

Ivy nodded.

“Can you have us in a week?”

Garret shook off some surprise.

“I’d have to ask my mother.”

“Then tell Ivy when you get an answer from her.”

Garret and Ivy nodded, but Garret stopped before they completed their turn out of the office.

“I gave my key to Reuben so he could contact me. I, uh, need another.”

Ivy took comfort in Oak’s hand on her shoulder as they moved toward the cabin. Neither of their mothers’ had hinted to her what was planned. For all she knew the dinner was just a formality before rejecting Garret’s proposal.

Garret stood up from his spot on the porch when he spotted them, then bowed.

“No formality here, Garret,” Mama said, “We must meet as equals to know if we can be partners.”

“Of course, Oleander, Mistletoe, Oak,” he gave them each a nod, avoiding eye-contact until he came to “Ivy, welcome to our home.”

“Thank you.” They all matched his greeting, then stepped inside.

Oak grabbed Ivy and Garret, setting them on the bench outside.

“The lovers do not assist in the meal, so you two may enjoy each others company until we’re ready.”

And like that they were alone together, a feat they had not managed since their return from Mineria.

“I never asked why your family was coming to eat with us. Oak’s orders seem to imply tradition.”

Ivy nodded.

“It’s two traditions really. Dwarven tradition has both families meet, sometimes as far as the tree can reach, but since it’s only you and your mom, I suspect my mothers thought it better to limit our representatives.”

“And the other tradition?”

“Elves make a meal with anyone they may have a child with to see if their tastes align to make something wonderful or if it’s something neither of them enjoy. Together, the tradition is to see if the two families can make a good relationship.”

Garret slumped.

“We’ll be fine,” Ivy assured.

“I don’t think my mother wants this relationship. She’s grateful, but I don’t know if she’ll let our families make a good relationship.”

Ivy hadn’t thought about that. Ariana had seemed kinder to her lately, but that didn’t mean she approved of Ivy and Garret as a couple. She could sabotage it. Even if the meal went well, she could sabotage Garret’s trust in her again.

“I have one more secret,” she admitted.

“What?”

“I can’t tell you due to my family’s laws, but your mother figured it out, and I want you to know now that I would have told you if I could.”

Garret nodded, taking her hands.

“I trust you, Ivy. I won’t—” he shook his head, “I will probably be angry again, but I will not hurt you because of it.”

“Would you hurt anyone in your anger?”

He looked down, biting his lip.

“Not my family, but anyone who hurt them, I might become a bit vengeful.”

“Good answer.”

“What would you want in a family?” he asked, “Since that is what this is all about.”

She needed to have at least three kids, and it would be better to have more. She wanted to be with Garret, and she wanted Oak and the rest of her siblings to be a part of their life.

“A big one, I guess. I haven’t really thought about it. What do you want?”

“I want to be there for you,” he said, “I think I’d like kids though, I like teaching them when they come to the library at least. I’d definitely love our kids.”

Only a few months ago Garret was just a hidden joy. Now they were talking about a future. A future that stopped short of reality.

“Your father would have to find out, eventually.”

“How soon would that eventually be?”

Ivy shrugged.

“If things go poorly here, then never, but otherwise we have to plan on how to reveal you to the public.”

“I take it you don’t have the option of becoming a recluse princess to be with me?”

“I’d make that choice in a heartbeat if I could.”

She meant it, fully, though maybe not just for Garret’s sake. She liked when there were no pressures on who or what she had to be. That was why she liked Garret.

“Then I guess I can become a public figure for you,” he said.

“We’ll figure something out.”

They leaned close, laying their foreheads against each other. A kiss didn’t feel right when their families were so close to a decision on whether it could actually happen or not.

“Whatever happens,” Ivy said, “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

She put all her will into the hope of staying together. Garret likely did the same.

They stayed still, listening to each other’s breathing and the muffled discussion of their families. At least it sounded civil for the moment.

“Potentially the last minutes of your courtship and you just lean against each other?” Oak asked as he opened the window behind them.

“It’s not like you have a partner to understand what it’s like,” Ivy retorted back.

Oak made a falsely offended expression. He looked at Garret for sympathy, but only got a face that was clearly hiding laughter, which made Ivy laugh, which cracked Garret enough to make him laugh.

“I am part of the decision on whether or not you two get to stay together, you know.”

“Like you’d be so petty as to ruin us over a bit of teasing.”

“How dare you think me so rational and mature. Now I actually have to be.”

“I’m certainly grateful for your maturity,” Garret said.

“As well you should be.”

“Is there a reason you’re bothering us instead of helping with the meal?” Ivy asked.

“Because the meal is ready, and you two have to come inside.”

Ivy and Garret looked into each other’s eyes, squeezing each other’s hands and continuing to hold them as they stepped into the cabin.

The meal looked a good deal like the one Ariana had made on Garret’s birthday. That’s clearly what the main dish was, along with several elven dishes. At least they all looked nice together.

Ivy hesitated at the idea of eating any of it. There was always a possibility it would be disgusting. There was a possibility Ariana made her contribution vile on purpose to keep them apart. Or maybe her mothers liked Garret enough as a friend and even ally, but not a possible partner for Ivy.

“I’d almost think you don’t trust us,” Oak said, watching them intently, “And for that I’m almost insulted.”

Oak wasn’t a concern, but his comment broke the ice enough for Ivy to accept a helping. Garret followed, then everyone else.

Ivy could tell they were being watched as they took the first bite. She’d grabbed some of Ariana’s food first while Garret had grabbed her family’s.

She and Garret let out a mutual sigh of relief, then laughter. Obviously they’d shared the same worry.

Ivy took a piece of her family’s dish, and smiled. She’d recognized it as her favorite food, prepared exactly as she liked without sabotage.

Now came the most worrisome part of the ritual, taking bites of both together. She caught Garret imitating her as she tentatively held her utensil. They looked into each other’s eyes, and for the briefest moment she considered feeding him, but it seemed a little too affectionate in front of their parents.

The combination was strange, but the bursts from her family’s food complimented the base layer formed by Ariana’s dish. It was good.

It was good.

She watched Garret’s reaction. He started nodding as he chewed.

“Be honest about whether or not you like it,” Ivy ordered.

He laughed a bit, holding a hand over his mouth to keep from spitting food onto her.

“I like it,” he assured.

That was it, potentially. The mark of their families’ compatibility. As long as dinner didn’t end in a fight, they could be together.

They all focused on eating, everyone afraid of making the first comment.

“This is a dangerous union,” Ariana finally commented.

“Mother.”

“I’m not giving my disapproval. I know I can’t stop you, but that doesn’t change the situation. Our presence already puts Ilva at risk, let alone if you become a public figure.”

Ivy had run that risk in her mind too.

“You’re acting like Ivy’s going to be in the public her whole life,” Garret noted, “But it’s not like queen Oleander’s siblings haven’t managed to blend into the background.”

“You assume Ivy isn’t crown princess,” Oak commented, “When for all you know, she could be.”

“I’m not assuming anything, but to act like she’s definitely crown princess is cruel, don’t you think? Even if she is, most outsiders assume the position of heir belongs to you, so we have time.”

Ivy wanted to believe that so much.

“I admire your hope, Garret, but you forget a factor you brought to our attention,” Mistletoe said, “Your father knows of you, and two members of his court know you’re in Ilva.”

Ivy watched Ariana’s reaction. She didn’t seem blindsided by this information, which hopefully meant she already knew about this.

“This is a matter to discuss another time,” Ariana said, “This is a celebration of our children’s love. Let us leave the strategy for tomorrow.”

“If it’s a celebration,” Oak asked, “Can we get out dessert?”

After much cheering up, and dessert, they had to leave.

“We’ll let Ivy return home on her own,” Mistletoe said, “She deserves to give her own goodbyes.”

Oleander whispered in her ear as she gave a goodbye hug.

“Tell him.”

Ivy stared wide-eyed as her mother gave a nod as if to confirm.

“Goodnight, children.” Ariana left for her chambers so the two of them were alone.

“Now would be a good time to kiss, right?” Garret asked.

“I’m the heir.” Ivy blurted, immediately regretting it upon Garret’s stunned expression, “I’ve wanted to tell you since you kissed me, but I wasn’t allowed to, but my mother just gave me permission, and I didn’t want to keep hiding it even if it means you never kiss me again.”

What else could she say? She was genuinely trying to figure that out.

“You’re the next queen?” Garret asked.

She nodded.

“Why am I allowed to court you?”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m not—if you weren’t the heir—I suppose I’m technically a prince—I’m just a scribe.”

“We don’t marry for political advantage,” Ivy said, “Unless absolutely necessary.”

“Your deal with Avery.” Garret deduced.

“I’m expected to have at least three children. If I don’t already have a partner in mind, we may as well better connect with another kingdom.”

“So I’m making things politically harder.”

She almost denied it, but that wasn’t really true.

“Only in the sense that if Solam or his allies ever declare you fugitives we’ll be in violation of Oberon’s treaty. Nothing to do with Draconis.”

He clearly didn’t find that reassuring.

“I understand if you want to think this over before actually courting me. You will have to keep it a secret though.”

“What use am I to a queen?” Garret asked, ignoring her.

“What do you mean?”

“I’m a scribe,” Garret emphasized, “I write things down. How does that help someone rule a kingdom?”

Ivy let herself laugh. It was ridiculous.

“What’s so funny?”

“The consort’s role isn’t political in nature. Their job is to care for the monarch.”

“But general Mistletoe—”

“Is also the general. The roles don’t have to overlap. I’ve already chosen my general, and it’s not you.”

“Is it Oak?” he asked.

Ivy nodded.

“My mother advised me to choose someone I consider a better choice to rule, and that’s exactly what Oak is.”

She’d never admitted that reasoning aloud.

“So I’m just meant to take care of you?” Garret asked.

She nodded.

“I’ll gladly accept the help of someone who’ll soon know our history better than I can, but I just want you to be with me.”

“I’ll do my best,” he vowed.

She lingered on it for a moment. He wasn’t running away. He wanted to be with her even if it meant becoming consort.

“Can I kiss you now?” he asked.

“I don’t think you ever need to ask me again,” Ivy said, “I’ll never have a reason to say no.”

“Never is a word for liars,” he said as he leaned in to kiss her. They both smiled.

“I should return home,” she said, “But I’ll visit Everin tomorrow if you want to spend more time together.”

“I would love to.”