Who's Blue?

Chapter 10 - Meeting the King

××Blue××

As we exited the kitchen, we ran into a tall, slender man. His dark hair was slicked back against his skull and shadows rested where his cheeks sunk in. He was just outside in the dining hall speaking to an annoyed looking Ben. When he turned and saw us, his satisfied expression dropped.

"Lord Odius, I'll take care of brining the kings meal to him today. You're off the hook," Malahai said as we walked past.

"I don't mind," Odius said smoothly, though you could also hear something akin the anger under it.

"He asked to meet with Blue so I'm going to take them both to him." Malachi didn't wait for an answer and tugged me out the doors. I turned to look behind us and found Odius staring intently at me, eyes narrowed and mouth set in a hard line.

"Does he always take the king his lunch? He seemed angry," I questioned as we started up the stairs.

"Most days, yes. Sometimes he also takes dinner when the king is feeling especially unwell, but don't mind him. That's how he always looks," Malachi explained, brushing off my concern.

We were at the king's door much too fast for my liking, forcing our conversation to an end. Malachi knocked once.

"Its me Father," Malachi called, his raised voice echoing in the empty hall. A muffled voice through the door allowed us to enter. Malachi pushed it open, holding the door ajar as I slipped through, letting him shut it firmly behind himself.

King Arthur looked even more small and frail huddled up in a pile of furs on his giant bed. Four posts supporting a frame with curtains around the bed concealed most of him but what I could see looked pale, much worse than he had at the dining room table the other night.

"Father, I've brought Blue with me," Malachi said, even though King Arthur could clearly see me standing next to him.

"Wonderful," King Arthur rasped, his voice rough and quiet. Malachi urged me forward and gestured to the seat next to the bed. I began eating as soon as I sat down, not being able to control my hunger any longer. I faintly listened to Malachi speaking and Arthurs answers. It was nothing serious, only questions about if he needed anything and what he wanted for dinner tonight.

Beef stew was his answer.

As I finished my soup, mildly embarrassed at how quick I'd eaten, Malachi moved to leave. I panicked, standing too late as he shut the door with a single wave in my direction.

"Please sit child," King Arthur spoke softly, gripping the bowl of soup in his wrinkled hands tightly. I did as I was asked, giving him a clearly nervous smile.

"You don't need to fret. I will not send you away but I wanted to speak about what will be expected of you," He began. I curled my fingers tightly into the fabric of my dress and nodded.

"You must learn as much as you can and try your hardest to regain your memory. You will listen to what Diesel, Chrom, Malachi, and I say. And most importantly you must hide your ears at all times. No one can know they are pointed."

With his words, one of my hands reached up to gently prode the point of my ear hidden by my hair.

"I will try my best, your majesty." It was a promise. I was fond of Diesel and he was a safe space in my confusing world. I didn't want to lose that.

"What happens if I can't remember?" I asked, watching as he began to eat. Or began trying to eat. His shaking hands were not compliant with the soup and spoon.

"I'm not sure," He sighed, dropping the spoon after another failed attempt. "Diesel would never let you leave anyways."

I wanted to question that. I wanted to force him to explain what he meant, why Diesel wouldn't let me leave, why he cared so much about me; instead I asked, "Can I help you with anything?"

A confused look from him had me gesturing to the soup growing cold in his lap.

"I would appreciate it."

Gently taking the bowl from his lap, I scooted forward and started the process of feeling him. I assumed it would be awkward and it was for a moment before he began speaking. Where I had been worried he would try to interrogate me, he began speaking of his own life.

The bowl was emptied and long forgotten as hours passed us by. There was never a dull moment and I found myself speaking freely, asking questions every chance I got. I had no stories to tell of my own, none that I could remember, so hearing about someone else's life was bittersweet. Even so, every story was captivating.

I jumped, snapping out of my trance, when someone knocked on the king's large dark wood door.

"Enter," King Arthur called. The door opened and Diesel stepped in, a smile stretching across his face once he spotted me across the room. I couldn't help but return the look as I stood. I wobbled a little, my legs numb from having sat for so long. Diesel was at my side in seconds.

"Are you alright?" He sounded much too concerned over a little numbness.

"I'm alright," I laughed, setting a hand on his chest to push him away. He complied but didn't go far, just giving me enough room to escape from being trapped between the chair and King Arthur's bed. King Arthur stopped him from continuing his worry.

"She's been a great listener today," He said.

"You have many interesting stories, your majesty. It was hard not to listen," I spoke, sending him a small smile.

"How long have you been up here?" Diesel questioned, noticing the two empty soup bowls and picking them up.

"Since lunch I believe."

"That's correct."

"Well now it's time for dinner," Diesel said, surprising me. I hadn't realized I'd been up here that long.

"I'm sorry for intruding!" I rushed, pushing Diesel towards the door after shooting King Arthur a sympathetic look.

"Nonsense child, please come back tomorrow." I paused for a moment but nodded, agreeing that I would. Diesel and I passed a servant bringing up the king's meal as we walked down the stairs and I couldn't help but notice how she stared at me as we passed by. As soon as we were out of earshot, I turned towards Diesel.

"Are my ears out?" I asked, stumbling over my words as I brought my hands up.

"I can't see anything with your hands in the way." Diesel laughed but I could see the serious worry behind his eyes. He pulled my hands away carefully and examined the sides of my head closely.

"Perfectly hidden, but while I'm at it, let me take a look at the back of your head." Without waiting for my response, he stepped around me and gently caressed my head as he pulled my hair to the sides. With a hum of approval, he was putting everything back into place.

"Healing nicely. There's nothing to worry about, so c'mon." Diesel pressed a hand to my lower back and pushed me forward to walk alongside him. The thoughts of the servants stare drifted away as we traveled back to our shared room.