Chapter 09
Lorne visited early in the morning, telling John that he was going to visit the nearest village to do the things they had talked about the day before, and after that, John wasn’t really able to fall back asleep. Not that he wanted to; Aracely was still sleeping peacefully and she looked enchanting. He snuggled up to her and softly started to caress her stomach; it was still hard to believe that she was carrying his child.
“You will make a wonderful father,” she murmured, not stirring from her warm and comfortable position. Aracely smiled as she shifted her head to look at him better. She’d been on the border of sleep and wakefulness for some time but she simply was too content to change the peaceful bubble that they seemed to have been in that morning.
He softly kissed her. “I doubt that, but thank you for your faith in me,” he smiled and kissed her again. “Good morning my love.”
“It is not just faith. I see it in everything you do,” she sighed. “Did you sleep well?”
“I did,” John replied and softly caressed her hair. “Did you?”
“Very well,” Aracely replied. “How do you wish to spend the day? Danyel and Vala are having their usual spirits party at their pub today so they will be busy. Halling mentioned that he was looking to spend some time with his children as well. It will generally be just you and I.”
“I don’t know, what do you wish to do?” He smiled at her. “We could go for a stroll, or we could do nothing… or, you could visit Samanthia… I don’t know.”
She scrunched her face at the ideas. As much as she knew she should visit Samanthia, she wasn’t so eager after the parting gift the woman had given John on his visit. She would rather their intimate moments be kept between her and her husband and no one else. “A walk sounds lovely. There is a nice area, a small meadow that I used to sit in when I sought out solitude. I think you would enjoy it.”
“Alright, then let us do that,” he smiled. “We might even could bring us something to eat as well.”
“And another journal to read through,” she added.
“Of course, but are you certain you want to take it out of the house?”
Aracely frowned as she sat up. “There are still a great deal more to read through. If we are to settle the mystery, the quicker we go through them, the more we can discover. It is only one book we bring. I do not believe there may be a threat now that the Chulakkans are gone, do you? Unless of course the danger comes from within the land.”
“No, that’s not what I mean,” John sighed and pointed at the journals. “These are priceless, to you. What if something would happen to the one we bring with?”
She looked at him with a smile. “We need to believe that nothing will happen. Otherwise we would simply end up staying here for the protection of something so tangible. The important thing that I take from these is the knowledge and emotion of my mother’s memories as she saw the events around her.”
“Okay,” He smiled and kissed her softly as he snuck her hand underneath her shirt, caressing her stomach before moving upwards towards her breasts.
“So early?” she laughed as she laid back down in the bed. “Please do not say that you actually took some of Samanthia’s herb this morning…”
“I might have walked passed it when Lorne was downstairs… but no… I didn’t take it, I just…” John shrugged as he playfully squeezed her nipple. “Feel like it.”
“I love you. I do, but I truly do not wish to make love now,” she admitted to him sadly. “I have been feeling a little sore since our last time.”
John smiled and slowly removed his hand from underneath her shirt. Instead, he pulled her into his arms and held her as he settled back into the mattress. “Can I hold you instead then?”
“Always,” Aracely said as she kissed his chin, where she could reach from their position. The scent of food cooking had slowly made its way to the bedroom and she sighed. “Gabriella is cooking. She will likely come to collect us soon.”
“Quick, let’s pretend we’re still asleep.” He grinned.
<hr>
They spent the rest of the day out in a clearing in the woods, reading a few more journals and having a meal while they enjoyed the surrounding area. There was no doubt that Aracely was the true heir to the throne of Proculus, not that he ever doubted it, but it was good to have the writings as evidence.
Though it was slightly weird and off putting to read the journals to Aracely, it showed how her father was a real family man and instead of fighting his younger brother, Chaya’s father, he had decided to flee Proculus to save his family and avoid a lot of bloodshed, mostly his own. Eileen and Robert did worry for the people of Proculus and hoped that one day, they would be able to return to their rightful place.
John was slightly puzzled about the fact that his father, and later his mother, knew Aracely’s parents. His father had offered Robert and Eileen to go to war with Proculus to get him back on the throne, but Robert had refused. Eileen often wrote about the Royal balls she and Robert, and later with their daughter, attended and it was difficult to read the words she wrote about himself, how she thought that King George was doing a fine job on raising John, and how the boy was respectful towards Aracely and made sure she never hurt herself when they were playing around like the little children they were.
That passage had him and Aracely speechless for a while. They both remembered that particular event, although it was slightly hazy due to them growing up, never remembering names when being young and their distaste of Royal balls – which reminded him that he, at some point, had to have one too.
When they returned just before supper time with Halling and his family, he saw Lorne return from his journey, who informed him that the village was similar to San Franciskus, but they had never been attacked. There were a lot sick people there and Lorne didn’t see a young child anywhere. John told him to go and rest and that they would meet the following morning to check out the lake that supplied the villages with water.
“John,” Aracely smiled as she pulled him into a hug. “As much as I admire your ability to stay true to your word… you don’t have to personally check out the water supply to this village.”
“If we find the source of the contamination I might even go into the water myself and rip it out of the water.”
“John…”
“No.” He softly kissed her before they cleaned themselves up and joined Halling and his family for supper.
<hr>
The next day, John watched how David the herbalist splashed about in the water with Lorne and a few soldiers, getting rid of the poisonous plants that had started to embed themselves in the flanks of the lake while a lot of other plants were drifting in the middle of it. John wanted to dive in and help out, but David had started to ramble about even though the King was in good health and in no need of Samanthia’s help to stay healthy despite drinking the water, he was not going to allow him to bathe himself in the plant filled lake. Lorne agreed, and by then it was two against one.
Of course, they would free the lake of the plants, burn them once they’d dried up, but that wouldn’t guarantee that whoever was poisoning the lake and the villages wouldn’t come back. When the night was falling, John decided to leave three soldiers behind until they would catch whomever was responsible for the ill health of the villages.
John had a feeling that it might be someone from Proculus or someone for hire. David had suggested the same thing, as had Samanthia, the alchemist. He was a patient man, and should the person, or persons, get caught, they would be brought to the castle. The more he could use against Chaya and her parents; the better. John did not want to start a war.
Aracely stayed at the house for the majority of the day, with Vala dropping in when she had the opportunity to take a break from helping her own husband run their tavern. Still, she worried greatly for John when he was away. While she knew he could defend himself, and that the village was again safe from attack, she still found herself feeling anxious.
He had never thought they would have stayed away this long and he was actually a little hungry when he arrived back at the house. Night had fallen and he felt guilty for not having been around for supper. John found Aracely sitting at the fire, reading a book. He stood in the doorway for a while, loving the sight of her being immersed in her book, forgetting the rest of the world and just smiled widely.
“You are so beautiful,” he said after a while, not moving from his spot.
She looked up and smiled warmly. “John! How did it go?” she asked, quickly setting aside her book to rise to her feet to meet him.
John walked towards her and pulled her into his arms as he planted a kiss on top of her head. “As far as we can tell, the lake is clear of all the plants, and David says that in a couple of days the water will be pure again.” He softly kissed her on the lips. “How was your day?”
“Long,” she smiled in response. “And loud. Vala came to visit for lunch. One would think that she might take it easy herself while expecting a child now. I think she managed to find herself a whole new level of strength and energy!”
He chuckled. “Did you enjoy yourself despite the long and loud day?”
“Yes,” Aracely answered as she leaned in to kiss him on his jaw. “You must be hungered. Gabriella made a lovely dinner for us.”
“But it is late, you shouldn’t have waited for me, you must be famished.” He said as he ran a hand through her hair. “You don’t have to wait for me to have your dinner.”
“I had something earlier to hold me over. I wanted to wait for you. Unless you are not hungry? We can turn in for the night if you prefer?”
“Oh no, I am hungry,” he grinned and kissed her greedily. “For you and food.”
She grinned up at him before glancing over at the door that led to the cooking area. “Then go find yourself something. I will be in the bed, waiting for you my King,” she said, brushing against him briefly before making her way towards the stairs.
He watched her walk up the stairs and made his way towards Gabriella, who was smiling from ear to ear. “I’ve been keeping your food warm, sire.”
“Thanks…” he cocked his head and sighed. “What?”
“Nothing.” She giggled as she pointed towards a chair for him to sit as she scooped some food on a plate.
“Have you seen Teyla?” John asked as he eyed Gabriella suspiciously. “I haven’t seen her in days.”
“Didn’t she tell you? She went to visit some of her family across the border, she said she’d be back soon.” Gabriella set down the plate in front of him and poured him a glass of wine.
He sighed. “Yeah, she didn’t tell me, for good reason, I wouldn’t have let her go.” John started to eat his food. “Thank you for keeping the food warm for me.” John finished his food soon after and put his empty plate and glass into the tub before making his way upstairs, finding Aracely in her bed, smiling at him. “Hello beautiful lady.”
She stretched out her legs and looked up at him. “Come here,” she said as she reached out for him. “I am cold and wish for you to warm me up.”
He crawled onto the bed and softly kissed her. “And how would you want me to do that, my love? Would you like me to hold you… or to cause a little bit of friction to warm you up?”
Aracely pulled on his shirt until he was closer and able to rest her arms over his shoulders. “I would be pleased with whichever method you choose,” she answered as she smiled into his eyes.
John grinned as he softly kissed her. “No longer sore then?”
“I am, but I’m sure that I would not notice as much with your ability to distract me from it,” she teased as her kiss turned into a light bite on his lip.
He blinked and thought for a moment. His body wanted her, maybe even needed her, but he didn’t want her to feel sore during their journey homeward which would probably be the day after the next and decided to make her feel good. John chuckled as he softly started to kiss the vein on her neck as he snuck his hands underneath her shirt, only to stop working on her neck to help her out of her shirt.
Once free of the fabric, her kisses increased their intensity, pulling him to her as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders. It was not long that her fingers slowly began to pull on his own clothing to reveal his body to her. “I love you,” she said softly, slowing up a bit for him.
After discarding his shirt and vest that he had worn, he smiled at her. “And I love you, my beautiful wife,” he softly kissed her before kissing his way down her torso, his fingertips gently caressed her skin and he could feel how her body was heating up under his touch.
She sank back into the soft bedding of the mattress as she watched him. Reaching up she ran her fingers along his face and into his hair. Cupping his face, she pulled him back up, wanting his lips on hers again.
John kissed her hungrily as he made himself more comfortable on the bed next to her, still caressing her torso with his free hand, drawing circles on his way down. After a while, he gently broke off the kiss and smiled at her as his fingers circled around on her thighs. “Is it alright with you if we leave the day after tomorrow, my love?”
“It is fine,” Aracely murmured as she tried to catch his lips again. “If you wished to leave tomorrow, I would be with you.”
“I am not that cruel,” he replied and kissed the tip of her nose. “When I took you away from here it was a little abrupt… you should take the time tomorrow to say your goodbyes to your friends more appropriately.”
“Very well. We can have a big supper with everyone at the tavern tomorrow then. I can speak to Vala and Danyel in the morning about it. No doubt that he will wish to have as many choices as he could offer for everyone’s liking,” she said thoughtfully.
“Whatever pleases you, my beautiful wife,” John smiled as he kissed her again as his hand moved towards her hot center.
She grinned as she kissed him back and pulled him closer to her, shifting herself underneath him for more comfort and ease. “Do not tease me like this Husband,” she almost purred into his neck.
“Like what?” He asked innocently as he started to gently press his hand down and used his fingers to tickle her lips below. John softly started to kiss her neck as he kept stroking her. “This is not teasing…” he said as he started to kiss his way down her body, not removing his hand from her. “This is called worshipping…” he playfully bit the top of her breast.
John felt how his self control was waning, but he reminded himself that he didn’t want to hurt her, he didn’t want her to feel sore and uncomfortable on the way back towards the castle, and he told himself that this was fun too; making her feel good and send her flying without the use of his cock.
She let her head fall back to the pillows and let out a sigh. She began to squirm underneath him, her body fighting the need to remain still for his attentions. “John,” she moaned, her head rolling to the side as she let a deep breath out.
He grinned as he kissed her belly button. “Yes, my love?”
“Now.” Aracely tugged on his hair and pulled him up. “I know what you’re trying to do, husband, but I want to feel you inside of me.” She claimed his mouth as she pulled his hands away from her center. Not soon after she finally got him to do what she wanted, needed, she reached completion and drifted off in a deep sleep.
It were seven days after saying goodbye to Aracely’s friends in San Franciskus that they arrived back at the Castle. Aracely was exhausted, and John was too, but it was time to prepare for a possible war and he needed to know his options. He had called for a meeting the moment he exited the carriate with Ronon, Lorne and some of his court and advisers when he informed them about their suspicions about Aracely being the true heir to the throne of Proculus, and what kind of proof they had and was met with silence.
The advisers said it was impossible, Ronon and Lorne were just smiling widely and John waited for the commotion to come down.
After a while, John instructed Ronon and Lorne to set up a plan for Lorne to travel down to Proculus to see how the people of Proculus lived, ask around and stay out of trouble while gathering more information and for Ronon to keep the army on alert. John told the advisers to make a plan of attack should they have to go to war with Proculus, and told everyone to keep the information about Aracely, their Queen, to themselves as they did their duties.
It was very late when John returned to his shared chambers with Aracely, who was sound asleep. He didn’t even bother to undress when he climbed into the bed and fell asleep the second his head hit the pillow.
It was early yet the following morning but Aracley turned away John’s staff twice so that he could get his rest. Laying in bed, fully dressed, beside him, her head was propped up by her hand as she watch him slowly stir awake and smiled as she moved his hair from his face with a light touch.
“I’m up…” He muttered sleepily. “See me move.”
“I see that but you do not have to get up yet. Just lay here and relax,” she said softly as she rested her hand on his chest.
“No,” John groaned, forcing himself to get out of the pleasant lull of sleep. He was far from rested, but he needed to do a few things today. “I have some stuff to do today,” he sighed and opened his eyes, smiling at Aracely. “How did you sleep?”
“Fine, however you did not. They will still be waiting for you after morning meal. Nothing with change before then,” Aracely commented.
“Hmm…” he softly kissed her and smiled. “The sooner I can get caught up with my duties and problems with some prisoners that have arisen, the faster I can stay in bed all day if I want to.”
She sighed. “John. You are going to make yourself ill the way you have been pressing things.”
He shook his head. “We were gone for a couple of weeks, my love,” John reminded her. “I still rule this Kingdom. But don’t you worry about trying to think of a way to spend your time, Narim has returned with some information you’d love to take a look at. He was part of the delegation I sent out to inventory villages in need across the Kingdom, and he has some early reports.”
“Who also opposed my becoming your wife over Chaya?”
“That’s the one.”
“Hmm,” Aracely hummed, narrowing her eyes as she considered it. She thought about making the man do whatever she so wished, down to catering for the servants in the castle. “I suppose. After you take your time and eat a morning meal.”
“I can eat later, I’m not really that hungry.” John softly kissed her again and then kissed her stomach before leaving the bed, and undressing himself to get into a pair of clean clothes.
“And if I refuse to eat without you?” she asked, watching him the entire while.
“What? Haven’t you eaten yet?” He asked confused. “You need to eat, you’ve got a life growing inside of you!”
“I am well aware of that but I too worry for you. Please do not argue with me on this subject. Was it not you that said we were equal?” she replied knowingly.
“Yes, we are… but just because I do not wish to have my morning meal doesn’t mean you can withhold yourself from it as well.” John sighed as he tightened the buckle around his waist. “Alright, all the time we’ve been talking about me eating or not I could have eaten something. So let’s eat.”
Aracely soon grinned at her successful win as she climbed off the bed to make her way to the chamber’s doors to inform their help to bring food and what she desired.
Coming back in, she went over to the table to sit as John continued to finish dressing. “What are your plans for the day?” she asked conversationally as she picked up a book she had left there.
“Uhh… invite Chaya and her parents over for a diplomatic dinner,” John winced as he thought about having to invite them over. “It’d be casual, and then confront them when they least expect it… uhm… I have to visit our prison to make sure everything is alright there, the guards recently brought new people in and I need to see if they’re rightfully there or not, and find a suitable punishment. Depending on how many there are, it could take up the rest of the day.” he then thought for a second as he pulled on his boots. “I also have to hear reports on the last few weeks, and send out a scout to Chulakka because Teyla’s not here either and I worry for her.”
“She did not return with the carriages?” Aracely asked, looking up sharply.
“No, she didn’t. She knew we weren’t going to stay in San Franciskus for long, and I understand she wanted to see some of her family and friends, but she has a family here. I don’t want to bring her children and husband bad news.”
“What about sending that other man to go check on her? Ronon?”
“Ronon is the leader of my army. I need him here.”
“Do you really think it will come to that?” she asked with concern.
“I don’t know…” John sighed as he sank to a chair. “Maybe, I don’t know. I want to give you what’s rightfully yours, and should Lorne come back with news that the people of Proculus aren’t well taken care of, then I think that we should do something about it. However, if you don’t want me to do this, then tell me so. I will recall Lorne, and I will not invite Chaya.” He ran a hand through his hair as he thought. “On top of that, I have suspicions that they are behind the poisoning of San Franciskus and the surrounding villages, and they need to be stopped.”
She did not need to think twice. “This is larger than you or I. If the people are not well, then we need to do whatever we are capable of to help. I suppose the sooner…” she shrugged, trailing off.
“And I know that we haven’t even started to take care of our own… which is why it is important that you’re meeting with Narim, so you can get started on giving our people what they need. But I am confident that we can take care of our people, and if needed, the ones of Proculus.” He paused as the maids brought in their morning meals and drinks and then smiled at Aracely when they left again. “You, well WE, won’t have to rule Proculus or make our home there if there won’t be anyone to rule the people. We can appoint someone to do so, we can even address the spiritual leaders of our Kingdom and the one of Proculus to crown the one we ask to do so.” He took a bite out of his bread. “I’ve read that in some of the papers the advisers showed me last night.”
“We cannot simply combine the lands and lead from here? Or have some place built between the two lands?”
“I’m naturally lazy. I don’t want to move, and sure, we could combine the lands and see what happens.”
Aracely stood from her seat and went over to him. “If that were true, then I would not have found such resistance when I tried to have you relax.”
John pulled her in his lap and fed her a piece of fruit as he took another bite from the bread. “We barely even begun to rule Atlantica… what if the people of Proculus aren’t willing to listen to us? Any other King will use force to earn their respect, but what if they do not accept our help and will despise us for showing them that Chaya and her parents are nothing more than jealous and power hungry relatives of you, their true ruler?”
“Depending on the state of their lives, it would be a risk worth taking. How much worse could anyone else be?” she smiled.
“Any other King goes to war for money, power… and here I am, preparing to go to war as retaliation of poisoning my subjects, because the current Royal family are frauds and for the likelihood that they’ve treated their people poorly.” John chuckled. “If they didn’t already think I was mad, they’ll certainly think so after all this is over.” He softly kissed her. “But I am glad that I’m not the only person who’s mad around here, I’ve got you!”
“You are an odd man John,” Aracely laughed before moving back to her seat to finish eating. “This child is growing quickly. I wonder how they will react to the news of an heir already on the way. It would really be fun to see their reaction. At least I can still mask it under the clothing.”
“Oh yes, we’ll raise a child that will be just as mad as we are,” John nodded and took a sip of tea. He didn’t want to eat too much, because he knew he’d empty the contents of his stomach soon enough if he had to give the order to execute a prisoner or two later on. He didn’t like that part of his life. He had accompanied his Father a couple of times, when he was still in decent enough health, and truly hoped that he didn’t have to say the words. “I’ve eaten my bread, my beautiful wife.” John set the mug of tea back on the table and made his way over to her, kneeling down in front of her. “Do I have your permission to tend to my duties?”
She nibbled on a dried biscuit. “Very well, but as I am eager to confront my – them. I will sit with your council person shortly.”
John kissed her tenderly before taking his mug filled with tea towards his office and worked on an official invitation to the Royal Family of Proculus to have dinner at his palace and dispatched a messenger with the letter towards Proculus.
It was time to travel to the prison situated at the edge of the city. Ronon didn’t like it that John decided to walk there instead of using a horse or carriage, but accompanied him anyway. They were followed by a handful of soldiers and horses, should John decide to ride on the way back.
He was stopped occasionally by some villagers with burning questions or dilemma’s and little girls ran up to him with bundles of flowers to give to his Queen. Some villagers asked about Aracely and how she was doing and it was heart warming that at least his people had accepted her.
As colorful and happy the settlement seemed to be; the prison was far from it. It was dark, smelly and depressing and the guards looked beaten up. “My King, thank you for coming,” Jacobus, the warden, bowed him in greeting. “I was not sure if you would come down yourself.”
“You requested my presence, I am here. What can I do for you warden?”
“Well, the other prisons spread over your Kingdom were filling up and thus they sent their worst criminals our way, sire, but we are facing being over crowded as well.”
John put his hands in his pockets. “Send word to every prison to send thieves home, and send thieves home from here too.”
“Sire?”
“Warden, it is no secret that while my Father was ailing, his subjects were overlooked. I can imagine that people would resort to thievery to make sure they could feed their families. Set them free. Give them a chicken on the way out.”
“Sire, that’s…”
“Do not object your King!” Ronon growled and started to move forward, but John held up a hand to hold him back.
“It’s unheard of, yes. But if I wouldn’t pay you as well as I do, warden, you would have stolen something a long time ago. Was there anything else?”
“There’s the matter of executions, sire. You made it clear on your first day as King that you do not want criminals to be executed in plain sight.”
“There are little children in the village.”
“But won’t they learn not to misbehave by witnessing public executions?”
“I said no.” John said sternly. “Do you have murderers in here?”
“Apart from the thieves you just told us to release, we have brawlers and wife beaters, sire. It has been quiet on the murder front. At least in the city.”
John nodded. “Very well. Ask me again in a year what to do with them. But release the thieves if they’re remorseful. If there are murderers in other prisons, yes, it’s time to end their lives to free up space.”
“Sire, permission to speak freely?”
“Haven’t you done so since I set foot in here, warden?”
Jacobus smiled wryly. “Forgive me. As you may know, your Father had strict rules about prisoners and their sentences.”
“And so do I, but I’m a little bit more lenient.” John was glad when he exited the prisons. He had expected the situation to be far worse and looked at Ronon. “You could have made these decisions too, or at least told him to come to me.”
“Next time.” Ronon nodded. “But this was necessary for you to do as you haven’t been down to the prisons since your Father passed.”
“I know,” he sighed and climbed onto his waiting horse. “I want you to send someone towards Chulakka to find Teyla.”
“Don’t you trust her?”
“Of course I do, I’m just worried, that’s all.”
<hr>
Aracely sat in her chair as she leveled her gaze on Narim. She had not said anything past accepting his presence into the small room because she knew of the man’s original opinion of her and had yet decided if the man’s attitude had changed since their last encounter during the not so welcoming dinners in the first evenings after the coronation.
“Excuse me, my Queen…” Narim hesitantly started. “But don’t you want to wish to hear what I have found out?”
She turned her head only slightly as she kept her eyes on the man. “Is that not why you are here?” she asked in turn.
“Yes, my Queen, but forgive me for being bold, you have not asked me to tell you about my findings.”
“Well, what have you found?” Aracely asked simply, her eyes narrowing slightly before relaxing again.
“Many villages are in need of your help. I haven’t received word back from a few of members of the court that were sent out, but it seems that the villages have had it worse than the larger settlements.” Narim showed her a map of the Kingdom and pointed to the Northern region. “These people have suffered from various deceases in their crops that ruined their lands and killed their livestock. They are confident that the threat is now gone, but they simply do not have the means and money to thrive again.” He then pointed towards the Southern region. “You’re most familiar with this region, we’ve made it a priority to thoroughly investigate this region. After Sir Dex rooted out the corrupt soldiers, we have seen a lot of progress in rebuilding this region in something thriving. The villages closest to the Proculus border however, seem to be suffering from some kind of poison.”
She slowly stood from her seat as she eyed the map as she tried to wrap her mind around it. “Who else have you spoken to about what you have seen?” she asked in a low voice.
“My queen, you must understand, this information could very well be old by now, we still don’t have faster travel than the legs of our horses. We’ve spoken with several villagers who claimed to be ill and unable to conceive. As they water their crops with tainted water, it’s a vicious cycle.”
“Are you saying you never actually went to these villages to see the people with your own eyes?” Aracely demanded, turning to face him. “You were instructed to go there, to account for stories, rumors, the conditions. Not to relay information you heard from one person or another!”
“I am merely the appointed spokesperson, my Queen. These reports were handed to me as I travelled many days to collect them for you to know about.” Narim explained. “As I said before, these reports are at least a few weeks old. A lot could have changed since then, haven’t you travelled to your old village yourself lately? Surely you must have better information about how they are doing than these reports to make a good comparison.”
She turned back to the map, running a hand over her forehead before letting it fall to her stomach. Quickly, she grabbed the map and rolled it up. “Come with me,” she ordered as she hurried from the room with the papers to go see if John and Ronon had returned yet.
“No Ronon, I want you to order someone to make sure those people get home safely. Hell, if they’re so desperate for a job, see if they’re material for our army, the soldiers get paid very well, so they can start looking after their own families!” John ranted as he paced up and down a corridor. “If you’re worried about shelter, we can always expand the city can’t we?”
Ronon was quiet and just raised an eye brow.
“Oh come on!”
Ronon then sighed. “Forgive me, John. I can’t help but think that your way of ruling is a culture shock to everyone.”
“Good, it keeps them awake.” John grumbled. “I need food.”
Aracely entered the main throne room that made it easier than to go through all the surrounding corridors. Seeing John and Ronon entering from the other end, she let out a sigh. “We need to speak. Now,” she called out to the two.
John blinked at the tone in Aracely’s voice and saw Narim coming up from behind her. “What is it?”
“The problem that we have suspected – it is more widespread than either of us realized,” she said softly once she reached them and looked around to assure no one else was around. “He can explain more of what he was told.”
“I know, my Queen.” John looked at the map. “Why do you think Lorne and the herbalist spent the entire day in the water? All villages connected to that lake were suffering.” He looked again and nodded. “See? All these villages are connected to the same lake. They should be fine in some time.” He could see that Aracely wasn’t satisfied with that answer. “If you like, I could send word to David to have him being taught the antidote by Samanthia and spread it along those villages to speed up their recovery.”
She nodded slowly. “And what do you make of words of the villages in this area inside Proculus also being affected?” she asked, pointing to another area not connected to the lake he referred to.
“Like I said, now that the lake is clean, the water supply should get clean as well,” John tiredly ran his hand through his hair. “Look, she gave us a sample of the poisonous plant, how about I go and bring it to Carson to see if he can make an antidote that will last longer than Samanthia’s?”
“Is he capable of such feats?”
John shrugged. “I don’t know, maybe with the help of our herbalist in the city he might. Carson is a brilliant physician, I’m sure he’ll think of something… if there isn’t already a real medicine antidote for the plant… not that I don’t trust Samanthia, she has obviously done a lot of good.”
When Aracely nodded for an answer, John continued. “Okay, you’re not going anywhere near that plant, I’ll take it to Carson after Ronon and I finish up in my office.” He then looked at Narim. “You two continue chatting and come up with a plan to help the villages in need.”
Aracely didn’t say anything as she stepped back and let John and Ronon continue on as she fixated her eyes on the man left. “Do you have any suggestions?”
<hr>
“Carolina! Bring your King some food!” Ronon barked, his deep, loud voice echoing through the main hall.
“I would have asked her myself,” John objected and looked at Ronon.
“No you wouldn’t.” Ronon grabbed John by the scruff of his neck once they were in less public space. “Teyla would have made sure you had plenty of food, wasn’t she supposed to train someone to take over for her?”
“Gabriella is mostly tending to Aracely’s needs and I’m a grown man, Ronon.”
“And yet, you still have to beat me in a fight.”
<hr>
“Well, as a matter of fact, I was thinking about it, my Queen,” Narim said as he watched the King and his advisor leave the hall. “I do not think that it’s wise to give them gold coins, they should be able to make a living on their own. We could send them seeds, and when Spring comes, we could send them a pair of goats or cows, when their offspring has reached maturity, and of course, more seeds then, as we will have inventarisized their needs better by Spring.”
“Make sure each family has bread and dairy in their homes. If they require medicines, see to it. Of course, they should be trained to grow their own food. If need be, excess food from the castle can be given to those hungry. Single mothers with children – I want a housing area built closer to the castle, if not behind the walls. We can offer them support that they cannot get on their own.”
“You want single mothers to travel all the way to the Castle?” Narim said surprised as he made notes. “How? Would you like them to walk for days with their offspring? Or heavily pregnant? Also, building a housing area for single mothers… I doubt it will be cheap and it is not as if they will do anything for our economy, is it?”
She began walking back through the hall. “They can ride in carriages. Make larger ones to accommodate more. And they can contribute by helping working on the land, whether it be in the marketplace or within the castle. I do not care, but it is not easy for them to be on their own when their partners either ran off or died of disease.”
“I think it would be better to make housing for young orphaned boys, or boys of mothers who are unable to provide for them.”
“Orphans as well, yes. But not just the boys. Girls could be just as beneficial to our kingdom. They should not just be dismissed like trash,” she growled.
Narim was quiet for a while. “How about I’ll ask the King what to do? I doubt that he will approve of your idea of adding more housing to the immediate vicinity of the castle, especially for single mothers.”
“You can ask him but I doubt he would object to my desires. Go,” Aracely replied as she stormed away with irritation as she headed for the kitchens.
<hr>
“No… I don’t know, is that wise?” John frowned as Ronon explained his proposed plan of attack, should there come a war, as he was writing an invitation to Princess Chaya Sar of Proculus.
“I’d say it’s wise to leave well enough alone, to be honest.” Ronon huffed. “It’s not unheard of to have impostors on a throne.”
“No, but impostors usually do a good job of ruling a Kingdom,” John pointed out. “These people basically evicted Aracely’s parents out of their own castle.”
There was a knock on the door, and when Ronon opened it, John saw Narim standing there, looking a little lost. “Enter.”
“My King…”
John rolled his eyes. Sure, it was great that there was some respect for him as a ruler – despite John’s objections, but the way Narim said it it was almost as if it was a snide remark. “Narim?”
Narim then begun to talk about the conversation he had had with Aracely and John didn’t like his tone of voice. It was almost as if he didn’t respect women equally, as most men did. But, John was patient and waited until Narim was done talking.
“Narim, I asked my wife, the Queen, to make sure that every village in our Kingdom is well taken care of, whatever the cost may be. If she wishes to build a home for single mothers outside the castle walls, you will make sure it gets built. If she wishes to build a home inside the castle’s walls, you will build it. If there is no room, you will start on an extension of the castle’s walls to make sure it will fit, nice and snug.”
“But Sire!”
“I am not done yet!” John got up from his chair and walked towards Narim. “I usually tolerate it when one talks back at me, but they are people I respect. I, Narim, do not respect you as you were opposed to everything I stand for since I became King. You shall wait with responding, until I am done talking, do you understand?”
“Y-yes Sire,” the man stammered.
“I alone am not ruling Atlantica, I do that with my wife, as my equal. All of her words, suggestions and ideas should be heard as if it was coming from my mouth. I haven’t heard any flaws in her reasoning, so I suggest you go and find Queen Aracely, apologize and see to it that all of her wishes are being fulfilled, have I made myself clear?” John glared the man down.
“Y-yes Sire.”
“Now leave us be.” John walked back to his chair and sat down and looked at the food he hadn’t touched, before reaching for his mug of luke-warm tea and took a sip of it. He watched Narim exit the command chambers through his eye lashes and tried hard not to laugh. The man was a weasel, but he was good at what he did.
“Impressive,” Ronon said once Narim was gone.
“Tell me more about that plan of yours.”
<hr>
Aracely had wandered down to the kitchens and was busy eating away at a dish the cooks had been working on that satisfied her cravings. It wasn’t so bad that she stayed there however the discomfort of the staff was not missed on her.
“You all are free to return to your duties. I am just eating here. I won’t be in your way,” she commented.
“My queen, forgive me, but you should not eat that, it’s made with less attention than the Royal food, it is meant for everyone working here at the castle. If you like, I could make you something?” Kenneth, one of the cooks, responded.
“No, no. This is good. Very pleasing actually. Can you prepare this for me tomorrow?” she smiled, taking another mouthful.
Kenneth blinked. “Of course, my Queen, if you wish for me to do so.”
“Excuse me, my Queen?” Narim’s voice sounded. “The kitchen is not a place for someone of your importance, without someone to accompany you.”
She breathed in a deep breath as she rolled her eyes. “I am quite well where I am. I doubt anyone is considering causing me harm,” she said, glancing around at the chefs. “What do you want now?”
“Shall I sent an architect to you tomorrow to discuss the matters of the home for the single mothers and orphans?” Narim asked as he looked to his toes, fiddling with his hands.
Aracely smiled as she continued to eat. “I assume you spoke to John?”
“Yes, I have, my Queen. I shall send for the best architect and he will meet with you tomorrow.”
“And what are you to do during this project?”
“I’ll try to find more people to help out on this project, my Queen, as it is obviously something bigger than I, or even your King, anticipated.”
She seemed pleased enough with the response as she nodded. Turning back to the cook, she smiled. “May I have some more in order for me to take with me please?” she asked pleasantly as she held out the bowl.
“Of course, my Queen.” Kenneth gently took the bowl and filled it with the mutton stew. “If you’d like, I could save you some for evening meals?”
“Mm please,” Aracely grinned and took the bowl back. “I will head back up now. Lord knows what John is up to now. Have a pleasent day everyone!” With that she headed back up, her use of the space to escape Narim spoiled.
“You,” she told him. “Start working on the plans but bring anything and everything to me for final approval.”
“Yes Queen Aracely,” Narim quickly said and scurried off in the opposite direction, muttering to himself.
<hr>
John had managed to locate the poison plant in one of the stables. For some reason the servants had thought it’d be animal feed. John wondered what would happen if the animals would eat some of the other… stimulating plant that Samanthia had given them and had left it behind for his own entertainment as he made his way to Carson.
“Good afternoon, doctor.”
“John!” Carson exclaimed with a wide smile on his face. “How are you? How is your other half?”
“Yeah, fine.” He set down the plant on the table in the big room. “This plant is poisoning a few villages near the Proculus and Chulakkan border. It’s being put in a lake, deliberately, and even though an alchemist has found a temporary cure for it, it’s only one village and I want you to figure out a way to permanently help these people. Think you can do it?”
“Ohh,” the man breathed out as he studied the plant. “I can certainly try. This plant is very difficult to counteract, I will admit. Where did you learn of this?” he asked curiously as he looked at the leaves closer.
“San Franciskus, the place where Aracely grew up. I talked to the alchemist, she’s an old woman and will soon be dead, and then to the herbalist. Some of the villagers spent an entire day removing the plant from a nearby lake, the water supply for at least a dozen villages… that we know of.” John sat down in a chair and sighed deep. “Apparently if you’re healthy the plant won’t do anything to you, if you’re sick, it will make you sicker and unable to conceive.”
Carson nodded. “Fortunately for you, her Highness was fairly healthy throughout her time there that you were able to conceive your heir then. I will have no problem in beginning to work on this. How are you fairing yourself?”
John nodded for an answer and then shrugged. “I might be burning myself out again… Aracely wanted to go to San Franciskus so badly after Ronon returned and declared it safe, and I … Since we returned two days ago, I have this feeling that I’m missing something, that I’m not performing to the best of my ability to make sure that my subjects are safe, well taken care of and that Proculus… well let’s just hope we don’t have to go to war with them but all the planning, ideas, and all that stuff…” He sighed. “All that stuff… it gets stuck in my head. I worry for Teyla as she hasn’t returned yet. And then there’s Lorne who I sent into Proculus… and of course Aracely. I …” John shook his head. “Forgive me, I’m rambling.”
Carson smiled softly. “It will work out in time. I recommend you focus on yourself and your wife who is expecting. Despite her good health, she is not immune from complications. She did have to drink that same water. Just be there for her right now and let your people do their jobs,” he said in support. “It will come together when it is meant to.”
“Yes, probably… but it is not like it was when Father was still alive. I could easily stay in my chambers, in my bed, the entire day if I felt like it. I feel that if I do that now, I will give everyone more reason to doubt me, doubt my way of ruling this Kingdom…”
“You do not have to shut yourself out like you once did. Just take a breath and go one day at a time. You are still just one man, with a family on the way.”
John nodded and sighed. “Thank you Carson,” he said as he rose from the chair. “Let me know the moment you find something with that plant, please.” With that, John slowly made his way back to the castle, hoping that once he returned to his chambers, that Aracely would be there, and that there would be plenty of food.
After dealing with a few other minor things that she was curious about, Aracely retired to the bed chamber for the evening feeling exhausted. She laid down in bed with the intent to just relax but quickly fell into a deep sleep that had her snoring loudly from the way she collapsed on top of the covers.
John was accompanied by servants carrying platters of food, including some sort of eerie looking mutton stew. He was told that it was by the request of the Queen, but he doubted that it tasted good. He let them do their business as he slowly crawled onto the bed towards his peacefully snoring wife. Grinning, he planted a kiss in her neck as he lifted up her dress to gain access to her growing stomach and brushed the stubble of his chin against it before kissing her stomach.
He returned the dress back to its original position and softly kissed Aracely on the lips. “Wake up, my beautiful wife, the servants brought you some ill looking stew you requested.”
“Hrmph, I just want to sleep,” she mumbled, turning her head away to tuck it into the pillows. “Let’s just sleep?”
“If you don’t mind, I will have some food and something to drink. I have only eaten a piece of bread this morning.” He softly caressed her hair. “I might take a bath after that, but after I’m clean I will certainly join you in bed my love.”
“Mmhmm,” she hummed, already back to sleep before he even moved off the bed.
