Mary Anne Gruen - The House of Red

That evening as Tony dressed for dinner, he felt like a teenager going out on a first date with a girl from the grade ahead of him. He felt nervous, shy, and absolutely certain that she wouldn't like him. But Matilde did like him, didn't she? After all, she'd agreed to go to dinner with him. Or did she think maybe he wanted to discuss cannons or something like that? Maybe a romantic evening was the last thing she had in mind. Or maybe, she knew that's what he had in mind and wanted to tell him to get it out of his mind. After all, she was a queen and he was a former janitor.

Poor Tony ran through his wardrobe, throwing aside first this suit and then that for one vague reason after another. He didn't want to look too businesslike because he didn't want Matilde to think about business. And he didn't want to look too romantic because she might not be thinking about romance and it might put her off. He also didn't want to wear anything that looked too Lordish, because it might get her thinking about rank. And he didn't want to wear anything too casual for the same reason.

Finally, he chose a conservative dark suit, with a white shirt and burgundy pocket-handkerchief and tie. It was more Tenth Kingdom than Fourth. But he didn't think she'd mind. He checked himself in the mirror and started for the door, then went back to check himself in the mirror again before he sighed deeply and walked out to meet his fate. Tony succeeded in getting to the diningroom way ahead of Matilde. He'd wanted to get there first to make sure the headwaiter had followed his instructions and given them a table for two away from the long main table. That would cue her that his intentions were romantic, wouldn't it? Although it might serve just as well for a business meal. But there was a nice fall centerpiece and a bottle of wine and a dainty candelabra. The dinner, of course, was set. The kitchen was still making only one dish per meal because of the lack of people in the castle and on staff.

When the headwaiter seated him, Tony asked him to open the wine. Then he tapped his freshly shined shoes nervously under the table and watched the door with anxious wide eyes. It seemed like an eternity before Matilde finally walked in. She hadn't dressed up but was wearing the same gown that she'd been wearing all day. Tony's first thought was that that wasn't a good sign. When women were thinking romantic, didn't they tend to dress up?

"Sorry I'm late," Matilde said, as she swept over to the table.

Tony was on his feet in an instant. He gave her a little bow and a smile as the waiter helped her sit down.

"I was in contact with Alicia's father via crystal ball. His name is Brutus, if I haven't said it before. He's going to be able to send that magic traveling dust before the evening gets too late."

"Good," Tony said, sitting down.

"Wine?" the waiter asked.

"Yes, please," Matilde said. "What's on the menu for tonight?"

The waiter told them about that evening's pasta dish. It was filled with dried meats and late season vegetables. A simple dish really, but the waiter described it in flowery terms with lots of adjectives.

"Sounds wonderful," Matilde said.

Tony gave the waiter a, "Thank you," as he filled his glass with wine. But he realized he was already feeling lightheaded without it.

"What's the appetizer?" Matilde asked.

The waiter described a vegetable soup with a tomato base in equally exciting terms. Evidently either he or the chef was a budding poet and wanted the dinner to sound as good as it tasted.

"That will be fine," Matilde said.

"Yes," Tony agreed.

And, with a bow, the waiter was off.

"At least you got the chance to change," Matilde observed. "I've barely had a minute to call my own. Fairies don't need much sleep as a rule. But even I'm beginning to flag. I'm hoping to get at least a little rest tonight so I can be ready for our attack tomorrow. You look quite handsome though."

"Thank you," Tony said.

"I've seen you under many conditions. After rainstorms and rescues and even done up as a noveau riche Lord, all flashy and eager to please. Tonight, you seem to have found a new balance for yourself."

"Thank you . . . I think."

The waiter brought their soup at that point.

"I must tell you," Matilde said, after the waiter had gone. "I think you did outstandingly well with your quest. You dive unthinking into situations and do what you can, when other men would run away. That's bravery. I admire what you did."

"I was just taking care of my daughter."

"And your son-in-law. You know, if Wolf doesn't appreciate all you did for him and his younger self, I will personally make him sit down and watch the Mirror of Truth."

"Don't, please."

"There are several things he doesn't know, like how you stood up to the boys who chased him to and from school and how you faced down those two wolves. I could also show him the pictures of the two of you catching tadpoles and napping together by the creek. That afternoon was very much like the one he spent with Josiah."

"Is it?" Tony asked. He put down his spoon, but couldn't quite bring himself to look up at Matilde. She was trying to get him to open up to his full grown son-in-law in the same way he had done with the younger version. And he wasn't sure he could do that.

"You two will work this out. You'll probably always be at odds to some extent. But you will work this out."

"How can you be sure. You haven't worked things out with your stepdaughter Leaf Fall, have you. And you've known each other for what? Over a hundred years?"

"About a hundred and fifty. But you'll be glad to know we've definitely called a truce. In fact, during our time together on the Council of Truth, I think we've almost become friendly."

"Really?" Tony was looking at her now. He noticed the tired look in her eyes and the softness in her tone as she talked of Leaf Fall. When he'd left a few short weeks before, she'd been almost hostile to the elf.

"I think my husband Centaurea would be pleased to see how well his daughter and I are working together now."

"Your Highness," the waiter asked Matilde, "Are you finished with your soup?"

Matilde looked down at her half-finished appetizer and said, "Yes."

The waiter nodded and took away their soup bowls and replaced them with their main course.

"I hope you don't mind my asking," Tony said. "But what happened to your husband?"

"He died in the Magic War, in a final face off with the Evil Wizard Mazarin. He was trying to trick him into another dimension. And he used himself as bait. I was there."

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked."

"Oh no, it's common knowledge in the Nine Kingdoms."

"Were you very close?"

"Centaurea and I? Very. We could talk about everything. Although we didn't always agree. He's the one who taught me to be frank. He was very confident and lively. And he who saw people as they were, but didn't hold it against them. His first wife, Leaf's mother, was human. She was more serious minded. Leaf actually takes after her on that, though she probably wouldn't believe me if I told her. I knew it was likely I would outlive Centaurea, because elves live about half the time that fairies do. But I at least expected to have over a hundred years with him."

"What's it like to live so long?"

"It's a blessing and a curse. You learn a lot, but most of the people you love die long before you do." Matilde put down her fork and leaned forward. "There are some who say fairies live so long because they are the oldest existing race. And over time everyone else will develop long life spans as well. There are others who think we're a dying race because we seem to be able to have so few children. It's also interesting to note that most of our race is female. That's why a group like the Ice Maidens grew to become what people in your culture might call Amazons. But I personally think we're predominantly female so that we can cross with other races and create new species. For instance, some say that elves are the result of a cross between a winged fairy and a dwarf. It also keeps us from becoming the most dominate of all species, which I think is healthy."

"Did you and Centaurea have any children?"

"No. Although I think we would have liked to. I can't say whether Leaf Fall would have agreed on that, though."

"So you have no children at all?"

Matilde bit her lip and looked down at her plate. "Actually, I had one. A daughter. A headstrong girl like Virginia. Her father was human and happily he didn't see what happened to her. She was murdered."

"Murdered?"

"Yes. Supposedly by a witch. But I have an idea that it was planned by someone else."

"By who?"

"Mazarin."

"Why?"

Matilde paused for a moment. "Because she wasn't his."

Tony's mouth dropped open and his fork clattered to his plate.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have told you. Hardly anyone knows about this. This was so long ago. Only Centaurea knew the whole story. And, of course, Mazarin. There are some aspects to it I won't tell you to later."

"You can't stop there," Tony said, leaning forward. "You've got to tell me how this Mazarin guy figured in your life."

"We grew up together, in the cold climate of what was to become the Eighth Kingdom. My father had passed on long before. My mother was over nine hundred. Mazarin was descended from a complicated cross that included Ice Maidens, humans, witches, and wizards. He had several attributes of each. We were close when we were young. But then he became enamoured with black magic and I lost interest in him. He kept pursuing me for a long time after, but it was pointless. I found Raphaela's father in another dimension. I was very young then, barely fifty. Mazarin was furious, but he didn't do anything at the time. When Raphaela was Virginia's age, she met a witch who tried to befriend her and get her to join her black cult. But Raphaela refused. She had a special gift for healing magic and the black arts were pure anathema to her. The witch was furious and punished her by turning her into a vine and then petrifying her. I've always suspected Mazarin wanted to get back at me by luring Raphaela to become one of his followers. And when he couldn't do that, he destroyed her."

Tony swallowed hard. "And just where is this Mazarin now?"

"He's being held prisoner for all eternity in another dimension. It was Centaurea's final gift."

"And he can't get out?"

"Oh, no."

"That's a relief ... I mean, he's caused you so much grief." Tony looked at Matilde's plate. It was almost completely full. "You really should eat. Or don't fairies need much nourishment?"

"I'm sorry. I guess I've been talking too much." She picked up her fork and began working her way through the pasta with its cream based sauce. "How about you? It must have been hard when your wife left. And then to find her here and lose her again. I can't begin to imagine how you must have felt."

Tony's brown eyes looked down at his plate. "I guess you know all about it. Everybody in the Nine Kingdoms must know."

"Of course. Everybody knows who you and Virginia are. And what you did for the Nine Kingdoms. As you know, you're considered quite a hero. And ..." Matilde paused for effect. "I hear you traded on your celebrity rather well with the young ladies for a while."

"What did you hear?"

Matilde couldn't refrain from laughing. "That you were quite a cad."

"All right, all right. It's not funny. I was lonely, O.K.? I hadn't been attractive to women in a long time and suddenly I was famous and sought after. It was heady stuff. I had fun. But after a while it got kind of tired. Actually, I got tired. The war started just in time for me. It's not like I had a lot in common with those young women. And they basically saw me as a means to raise their social position, nothing more. The flirting was fun but there really couldn't be anything beyond that. I guess I waited too long after Christine left to find someone else. I kept hoping that somehow she'd return to her senses and come back to us. That proved to be a bigger fantasy than anything you've got going over here in the Nine Kingdoms. I was a sap. O.K.?" Tony took his napkin and threw it down on the table.

"No, you weren't," Matilde said, reaching out to touch his hand. "You were in love."

"And I was a sap."

"Maybe," Matilde said with a smile. "But you were a very loyal sap."

"Is that supposed to make me feel better?"

Matilde laughed again. "No. But you're really quite funny when you start feeling sorry for yourself."

"Thanks a lot."

"You start out with this hurt little boy look and then you go on to angry indignation. And then when you've succeeded in alienating everybody, you go back to that hurt little boy look."

"You know me pretty well, don't you?" Tony said. "I'm afraid you have the better of me there."

"Do I?"

"I can't read you as easily as you can read me."

"Not yet. But you were very good at sensing me, even when there was two hundred years between us. Virginia sees me as a total stranger, even though I know her very well. And Wolf didn't believe you when you said you were in contact with me."

"You heard that conversation? With me out there in the yard telling Wolf and Virginia how we’d been communicating?"

"Well ..."

"And you didn't flash a light back when I needed you to? How could you leave me hanging like that? Looking like a total fool."

Matilde blushed slightly. "It was difficult at that moment. The entire Council of Truth was sitting there."

Tony noticed her blush. How could he miss it with her platinum hair and pale skin?

Matilde looked around distractedly, searching desperately for a way to change the subject. "It seems everyone else has gone," she said.

It was true. The great diningroom was empty. Even the waiter had departed. He'd seen that they hadn't finished their dinners and that they were heavily involved in talking. So, he figured they wouldn't be interested in desert.

"Shall we go for a walk?" Matilde suggested. "To the library or the tea room, perhaps."

"If you like."

They walked out of the diningroom and down the hall in the direction of the series of rooms at the back of the first floor. The library was lined floor to ceiling with books and cozy nooks. And the tearoom usually had a pot of tea waiting by the fire with a plate of cookies. As they walked, it seemed that no one else was around.

Matilde took Tony's arm in the polite fashion of the Nine Kingdoms. But somehow he found himself pulling her closer and taking her hand in his free one. She curled in against him comfortably till her head was almost on his shoulder.

"You know," he said, "It really broke my heart when Warren went off with those wolves. I would have done anything if I could have stopped it. And now, knowing what they did to him. He was such a sweet little boy. He didn't deserve that."

"He's not dead, you know. He's just upstairs sleeping."

"He's not a little boy anymore. He's a man."

"Maybe," Matilde said. "But there's a lot of little boy in every man. Of course, maybe it's only women who can see it. It's more obvious at certain times than at others."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, when Wolf looks at your daughter, his face lights up and I can see that eager little boy you cared so much about, looking out hopefully at her. It's quite charming. And you. You take on that special look of innocence when you sleep, even when you snore. Which you do incessantly!"

Tony stopped and looked down at her. "Really? Just how much did you watch me sleep?"

Matilde started to blush again.

Tony gently lifted her face and found himself pulling her toward him. He was yearning to kiss her and feel her fully up against him.

But it was not to be. From around the corner they heard the quick clippity clip of Lord Rupert's footsteps. From the sounds of it, he was in a serious hurry. It totally ruined the moment. They ended up separating like young adolescents about to be caught in a compromising situation by the principal.

"There you are!" Rupert called, flinging his arms into the air. "The headwaiter said you might have come in this direction. Your Highness, the package you were waiting for from Prince Brutus has just arrived. I knew you'd want to be notified immediately."

"Yes," Matilde said, smoothing some imaginary wrinkles out of her dress. "I suppose I should see to it. Why don't you both get some rest. We have a war to go to tomorrow."

"You should get some rest too," Tony said.

"I'll try. With any luck, this won't take too long. Goodnight, gentlemen."

"Goodnight," Tony said.

"Goodnight, your Highness," Rupert called with a wave. He was so pleased with the way he was getting along with her lately.

"Oh, and Lord Lewis," Matilde said, turning back. "To answer your question. It was quite a lot." And with that she was gone.

Tony's heart skipped a beat. She'd watched him sleep. A lot. Enough to know how much he snored. Christine used to complain about that. She said it kept her up at night. And she'd used it as an excuse to sleep in another room. But Matilde had watched him do it on purpose. That meant the intimacy he'd felt between them those nights when he'd talked to her through the talisman hadn't been his imagination. "You know, Rupert," he said. "You've got rotten timing."