Mary Anne Gruen - The House of Red

Wolf returned to the castle in the company of Wendell and Rose. Wendell had still not had the opportunity to speak with Wolf alone about his intentions. But the couple sat together comfortably in the coach, holding hands. Their affection for each other was very plain. As they pulled into the courtyard, Rose announced her decision to bath and dress in something more feminine than the mix and match brown clothing she had on.

Wendell helped her from the carriage and gave her a loving kiss. "I'll see you at dinner then," he said. "Seven o'clock? That's the time cook likes to serve during these shorter days."

"Seven it is," Rose said. And with another quick kiss, she ran ahead of them into the castle. And the coach pulled away.

"She's a lovely girl," Wendell said, watching her go.

"Yes, she is," Wolf agreed.

"You know. I have been meaning to talk to you."

"Really?" Wolf asked, innocently as if he didn't know what it could possibly be about.

"Yes, about your sister." Wendell stopped just short of the top steps of the castle. "You know how very highly I think of her. I'd count it as an enormous favor if you, as her older brother, would grant me her hand in marriage."

"Really?" Wolf said, still playing a part.

Wendell cleared his throat and shuffled his boots just a touch as he started listing off the positive points of their union. "Yes, well, I would be making her queen, of course. And there's the aspect of my being rich. And I would treat her very well from a personal standpoint. And . . ."

"O.K., Wendy. Enough. You have my blessings!" Wolf said.

"Really?"

Wolf threw his arms around Wendell and patted him heartily on the back. "Welcome to the family!" he gushed. "When's the wedding?"

"Well, I haven't discussed that with Rose yet. But I think it will be rather soon."

"Good idea," Wolf said. Especially since his sense of smell told him that they couldn’t keep their hands off each other. Wolf had been there. He understood. Speaking of which. "If you don't mind, I've got to go find Virginia and let her know I'm home."

"Of course," Wendell said. "I understand. I should probably clean up and see if the Chancellor has anything he needs me to do."

Wolf found Virginia in the King's Study, working furiously through a pile of papers with the serious faced Chancellor.

"Virginia!" Wolf said, throwing out his arms dramatically. "I'm home!"

"Yes," Virginia said, still looking at a paper in her hands. "I got your elf dispatch. I knew you were on the way."

"Well, don't I get a hug and kiss?"

"Oh, sure." Virginia got up from her seat and gave Wolf a very perfunctory hug and kiss.

"Is that all I get?"

"Wolf, I'm busy right now. Until Matilde gets back, I'm responsible for all this Council stuff."

"So when is she due back?"

"Sometime late this afternoon." Virginia sat down again at the King's desk and handed the paper she'd been poring over to the Chancellor. "I think we should wait on this till Matilde gets here," she said.

"Very good, Princess" the Chancellor said.

"By the way," Wolf said to the Chancellor. "King Wendell is back. He just went to his room to clean up. Then he's going to come looking for you."

"Oh, I have so many things to show him," the serious faced Chancellor said. "One thing especially can't wait!" And with that, he hurried off with a heavy looking document in his hand.

Wolf watched his wife riffle busily through papers for a bit. Then a loud sigh escaped him. This just wasn't the greeting he'd expected to get when he got home. But he couldn't really complain. After all, Virginia hadn't given him a hard time when he'd gone off to war. Now it was her turn to be busy. Fair was fair. He shouldn't bother her. Maybe he could use the time to plan some special celebration. "So, you're going to be working here till Matilde gets back?"

"Yes," Virginia said distractedly. "She's coming in her magic coach and will probably be here late this afternoon. But I have a load of elf dispatches to get out before then." "Is your father back?"

"Hmm? Oh, yes. He's been here for about a day. But I haven't seen him except to say Hi. I've just been so busy."

"So I see."

"Why don't you go find Dad and hang out with him or something?"

"Maybe I will," Wolf said. "O.K. I'll see you later them."

"Mm hmm," Virginia said.

But Wolf didn't go in search of Tony. Instead he found the perfect butler in one of the nearby corridors. "Would you help me in the course of true love?" he asked the butler with the closely cropped white hair.

"Oh, Sir," the butler said, with a bow. "I'd be honored."

"Good!" Wolf put his arm around the butler and said, "Would you keep an eye out for Queen Matilde's return? I have to make some arrangements in the kitchen and elsewhere."

"Why, of course, Sir,"

"When she goes in to the King's office, I want you to come to my room. I'll have some notes that I want you to deliver."

"Absolutely, Sir," the butler said.

It was just as well that Wolf hadn't gone looking for Tony. He was very busy too. He'd spent most of his first day back in the castle in his workshop with Lord Rupert digging out the old boiler plans and working up some others. The cannons and their ammunition had been taken back to Dragon Mountain where they'd been made. The Council had asked Eranthis to keep them until they were needed again.

Finally, Tony called it a day and went up to his room to watch for Matilde. It was very late in the afternoon and the sky was already beginning to darken by the time he saw the swirl of dead leaves and the flashes of white dust that always advertised her carriage's appearance. He rushed downstairs to meet her and came out just as the footman was helping Matilde down. She still looked tired, but the wrinkles of worry that Tony had seen etched on her face when they'd talked the night before through the medallion were gone. For the moment, the trouble was over.

Tony didn't wait for Matilde to reach the castle. With long, heavy strides, he dashed to the carriage and swept her up into his arms. The footman politely averted his eyes as he climbed back onto the coach and started away. This was only Tony and Matilde's second kiss. So, although they'd been in regular contact since the cannon crews had arrived at the scene of the war, there was still a sense of urgency to it.

"You seem rested," Matilde said.

"Rested and excited," Tony said, pulling her closer and locking his hands behind her.

"That I knew also."

"Rupert and I came up with the perfect invention for the dwarves of Dragon Mountain. Hydroelectric power. One whole side of the mountain is covered with waterfalls. With just a little bit of building, we can get them enough electricity to light up their tunnels like it was day time."

Since Matilde had done so much visiting to other dimensions, including Tony's, she didn't have to ask about hydroelectric power or electricity or lights. She pursed her lips together and nodded. "Sounds like a good idea. But you do realize that you'll have to start wiring the rest of the Nine Kingdoms after the news gets out."

"So, we'll do it over time."

"And if your boiler works, you'll have lots of people interested in that as well."

"It looks like I've got my work cut out for me."

"You seem very smug about it."

"Why shouldn't I be? Life couldn't be better." And he kissed her again.

"I've got to go do some work," she said at last. "Virginia's been handling all the work of the Council by herself since Leaf Fall left two days ago. I sent her a dispatch this morning that I would relieve her as soon as I got back. Has Wolf returned?"

"Haven't seen him. But I think he and Wendell were expected."

"Good."

"Your cane and your crystal ball are still locked away in your room. I checked on them this morning and this afternoon shortly before you came."

"You didn't have to do that. I can assure you, they're perfectly capable of taking care of themselves."

"Maybe. But I felt better doing it."

"And I'm sure they appreciated it. But I'd better go now." She tried to pull away, but Tony wouldn't let her go. "I've got work to do," she repeated.

"Not till you promise to have dinner with me."

"That goes without saying. I'll meet you at eight o'clock."

"Seven," Tony countered. "Since the days are much shorter now, they're serving earlier." "Of course," Tony said, with a bow. He followed behind her as she swung her long skirt out of the way and started upstairs. "You know," he said, "I've never been involved with an older woman."

"Really? Almost all the men I've dated have been substantially younger. There simply aren't that many men as old as I."

When Matilde got to the King's office, she found Wendell and his Chancellor going through papers spread out in endless piles on a very long set of bookshelves. Virginia was still at the King's large wooden desk, busily going over other things.

"Welcome back, Wendell," Matilde said.

"Ah!" Wendell said looking up. "And the same to you, Matilde. How are things shaping up in the troll kingdom?"

"Better than you'd expect. The Ice Maidens have things well in hand."

"Good." Wendell turned to his Chancellor and handed him the paper on the top of the pile in front of him. "Give this to the Prime Minister of the Sixth Kingdom," he said.

"If you're sending something to him," Matilde said, "let him know that now that the war is over, the Council of the Nine Kingdoms is going to be sending someone to oversee their development of a legislature."

"Who?" Wendell asked.

"Cindy, of course," Matilde said. "Her legs are acting up a bit lately. But until she takes her last breath, you know she's going to be pushing for more representative government. Her dream is to see the Council of the Nine Kingdoms with all its representatives eventually become the main governing body of the Kingdoms."

"Well, it couldn't happen soon enough to the Sixth Kingdom. The Naked Emperor's Great Grandson is just impossible. The whole Kingdom is in distress."

Matilde stood over Virginia, who was still working away. "Virginia," she said, "has Wolf returned?"

"Yes. He came back with King Wendell." Virginia sat back and released a loud sigh.

"Whew! That's it! This first pile is the elf dispatches that came in this afternoon. And this second pile is answers I sent out right away. This third pile is the ones I figured I'd leave for you. They include one item from King Cole and one from King Woodbine. And this final pile here I already started answering. This item," Virginia held up the paper she'd just been writing on, "this is in answer to this dispatch here on top of the third pile. It's from Leaf Fall. I started answering it because there were some things she and I had been working on before she left that I knew she'd want to know about."

"Fine work," Matilde said. She noted that Virginia had only four piles of work left to handle and that Wendell’s Chancellor had an endless number, strung a quarter length of the room. This was a tribute to Virginia’s abilities. "Leaf told me she was more than satisfied with your work," Matilde said. “And she was obviously telling the truth."

"Well, thank you," Virginia said. "It was fun actually. I'm a little sorry it's over."

"It doesn't have to be. The Council could use your help, if you could spare us some time every now and again."

Virginia's eyes lit up. "I'm sure I could, if you need me."

"Indeed we do. Leaf has been hoping that one of her daughters would show more of an interest in the workings of the Council. But they have their minds on other things at the moment. So, I know for a fact that your continued work would be appreciated. You see, each ruling member of the Council has a Secondary who helps in their duties. I have Princess Alicia, Wendell's Chancellor supports him. Leaf Fall has been doing it mostly by herself."

"I'd love to."

"Good. She asked me to ask you because she didn't want you to feel pressured. I shall let her know when I send out this evening's dispatches. But I'll tell her that you have a few personal things to attend to first. Now, go and find your husband."

"Thank you. I will."

Virginia gave up her chair to Matilde and started to head off. That's when the perfect butler came in with a highly polished silver tray with an ivory colored note on it.

"For Princess Virginia," the butler said with a bow.

"For me?" Virginia said.

"Yes, Miss."

Virginia took the note and the butler disappeared.

It was a tiny card in an envelope. It read,

"You're free at last, it's playtime now.
It's time to get some private chow.
But first make a stop and get what all tables need.
Stop at the Royal Greenhouse, but don't get seed."

Virginia laughed. She recognized the handwriting. It was Wolf's. "His rhymes are even worse than the ring's," she said under her breath. Her engagement ring raised its pearl head and hummed loudly in protest. "What?" Virginia said. "I did said you were better than him, didn't I?" The ring settled down, but was still obviously miffed. "I guess he wants me to pick up some flowers," Virginia said to the ring.

The Royal Greenhouse had a bouquet of pink carnations ready for her when she arrived. They were wrapped in green paper and tied with ribbons.

"For you, Princess," the little old dwarf woman who ran the greenhouse said.

"Thank you." Virginia sniffed at the flowers and drank in their spicy aroma. "They smell wonderful."

The little dwarf curtsied her thanks and returned to her work.

Suddenly the perfect butler appeared again. He seemed to glide out of nowhere. "For you, Princess," he said, offering yet another note on the shiny silver tray.

"Thank you," she said.

And he glided away.

"No giants there, to frighten you," Wolf's note said.
"But still you've got some more to do.
To the Royal Herbalist next, you go.
To pick up what, you don't know."

"Well, at least this rhyme's a little better," Virginia said. "Though not by much." The Royal Herbalist. Where was he? "Excuse me," she asked the little dwarf in charge of the greenhouse. "Where can I find the Royal Herbalist?"

"His place is just outside of the ballroom. He's got a plot where he grows what herbs he can. Others he has sent in, depending on what the kitchen and the doctor needs."

"Thank you."

The Royal Herbalist was an elf with very little hair left on his head and very few teeth left inside it. "Princess," he said, when he saw Virginia come in. "This is what you want." And he handed her a small group of cinnamon sticks tied together with blue ribbon. Virginia couldn't begin to guess what they were for. But she took them anyway and thanked the elf.

Again the perfect butler appeared out of nowhere with yet another note.

"What's this one about?" Virginia asked.

"I'm sure I don't know," the butler answered. And glided away.

"Just one more stop you have to make," this new note read.
"Just one more thing you have to take.
Off to the kitchen, you now go,
To gather hearts, don't you know."

"O.K." Virginia said. "The kitchen next." At least that was easy. The kitchen wasn't that far from the Royal Herbalist.

When she came in, a very tall chef with a ridiculously tiny mustache came to greet her. "Ah, Princess!" he said. "They have just finished cooling." And he handed her a basket of delicate shortbread cookies with red sugared arrows on them. Their strong vanilla scent made her want to eat one, then and there. She almost did. But before she could get her hand into the basket, the perfect butler appeared again.

"Not another one?" Virginia said.

"Princess," the butler said, as he held out the silver tray.

Virginia put the cookies down and opened the note.

"You've pierced my heart and I am done," it read,
Now to my side you ought to run.
Come to the room that we both share,
Your Princely Wolf is waiting there."

Virginia shook her head and laughed.

The butler cleared his throat delicately. "Do you need me to carry the cookies for you, Princess?" he asked.

"No. I can do it," she answered, scooping them up.

She flew upstairs. But her arms were just too full to open the door. So, she kicked it lightly and said, "Wolf?"

Wolf opened the door with a beaming smile. "So. Did you like my little game?"

"It was adorable," she said walking in.

The room was dark except for the light of several candles and a big roaring fire in the fireplace. A table was set with a cold supper and two mugs of hot chocolate with a healthy helping of whipped cream on top.

"I thought we might want to be alone tonight," Wolf said, closing the door.

"It looks wonderful. But what are the cinnamon sticks for?"

Wolf took the carnations and put them in a vase he had waiting on the table. "Those are for the apple cider. I've got a whole kettle full of it warming on the fire. The chef said it would go well with the cold meats and fresh bread."

"It's wonderful," Virginia said, putting the cookies and cinnamon down.

"I thought we'd start with the hot chocolate."

"No. I have other ideas," she said, unbuttoning his shirt. "I like my hot chocolate cold." She began kissing his chest and tugging at his pants.

“Me too,” Wolf sighed, rubbing against her.

There was a sweet intensity to their lovemaking as they undressed each other and rolled onto the bed. It had been too long and they were very hungry for each other. When it was over they napped briefly and then got up to eat.

"So," Virginia said. "Did you enjoy the war?"

"I don't know if I'd say that," Wolf said. "But I did my duty." He paused for a moment for effect. "I think Rose may have enjoyed it though." Wolf wagged his head from side to side and raised his eyebrows provocatively.

"What does that mean?" Virginia asked.

"It means that she has something going with King Wendell."

Virginia almost dropped the platter of cold meat she'd just been passing to him. "What? You're kidding?"

"Not at all. I was kinda surprised myself. I guess we were gone for a long time."

"Wow. Is it serious?"

"Well, Wendell asked me for her hand in marriage today."

"Really? That must have been what the ring was singing about a while back."

"What did it say?"

"Something about a king and queen joining the family. It must have meant Wendell and Rose. When she marries him, she'll be a queen won't she?"

"Oh, yes. No doubt about that."

"So that answers it. Right ring?" Virginia asked, holding her hand up and addressing it directly.

The ring shook its glowing little pearl head and sang,

"That's only half, you have to know.
The rest you'll learn before you go."

"Go?" Virginia cried. "I'm tired of going. It's time for a rest now."

"Just before we went away," the ring sang
"I heard a promise made that day.
Can't we all be leaving soon?
It's time to take our honeymoon."

"You know, he's right," Virginia said. "I let you go to war and you owe me a honeymoon."

"Oh, cripes, yes! Where shall we go?" Wolf said, his tail wagging.

"Kissing Town. I want to go back to Kissing Town. We could go to a few other places too if you want. But I want to go there first."

"When?"

"How about tomorrow? We'll pack a few things tonight and make the final preparations in the morning."

"Excellent!" Wolf said.

"Matilde said I should take some time off, anyway."

"What do you mean, time off?"

"Didn't I tell you? Matilde asked me to work as Leaf Fall's secondary on the Council. I guess it's really just a glorified secretary position, but . . . "

"Oh, it's much more than that," Wolf said. "To be a Secondary to one of the ruling members of the Council means that they can send you places as their representative and maybe even speak before the full legislative body. It's a great honor."

"Well, I don't know if she'll actually let me do any of that."

"Oh, but she might. You should be very proud. They wouldn't ask you to do that lightly."

"I'm really just standing in for Leaf's daughters. One day, one of them will probably decide they want the job."

"Well, until they do, you should enjoy it." Wolf raised his mug of cold hot chocolate. "A toast!" he said proudly. "To my brilliant wife."

The diningroom absolutely sparkled that night in the palace. There was so much to celebrate. The King had ordered an especially sumptuous dinner with extra candles and wine and endless courses of food. In the corner a quartet of musicians played softly. And the waiters almost danced as they went about their work.

Wendell wasn't able to get away from his duties as quickly as he would have liked. But he still made an entrance into the diningroom with Rose on his arm. She was decked out in a beautiful gown of green brocade with her hair gathered delicately back with ribbons. Everyone took to their feet as soon as the young couple entered and a round of applause erupted.

Rose smiled and gazed down demurely, guessing that most of the excitement was for the King. But she was wrong. The people of the Fourth Kingdom considered her a great heroine. And they were honoring her as well.

The King led the way to the head of the great main table and picked up his wineglass. "Thank you one and all," he said. "But I have an announcement to make. Tonight we are not just celebrating the end of a war. We are celebrating a beginning. I want to announce to you all that I have found myself a bride." He turned to Rose. "Please join me in toasting Princess Rose, who not only helped us win the war. She won my heart as well." The guests in the diningroom were simply enchanted. "To Princess Rose!" they said. And they drank her health and happiness.

Lord Rupert was beside himself. He literally leaped out of his chair and raced to the King. "Oh, your Majesty!" he said dancing up and down. "A royal wedding! You must ... you simply must let me plan it. Please. I'll never ask anything of you again, I promise."

Rose smiled sweetly.

And Wendell said, "Rupert, we wouldn't have it done by anyone else."

"Really?"

"Of course not."

"It must be very big," Rupert said, flinging his arms out as wide as they could go. "And green should be the secondary color. How much time do I have to plan?"

"Not much I'm afraid. Rose wants to get married just before the next full moon. Then we'll be going to my hunting lodge for our honeymoon."

"An excellent choice, your Majesty! What could be more romantic than an isolated hunting lodge in winter? Surrounded by snow on the outside and warmed by love on the inside. Oh! A month! I should be off at once to do my planning. Got to get started. A month!"

On the other side of the room, at a quiet table in the corner, Tony and Matilde sat holding hands. They had already finished their meals and were lingering over tea.

"They really make a lovely couple," Tony said. "But I confess I never saw it coming."

"A lot happened while you were gone," Matilde said.

“I know,” Tony said squeezing her hand. "Like you and me getting together. I still can't believe it."

"Neither can I."

"I wonder if it would have happened, if you hadn't kept such a close eye on us all."

"I couldn't help it. Time travel can be very dangerous. If you hadn't been there to save Wolf, he would have died there."

"I try not to think of that."

"Shall we go for a walk?" Matilde asked."

Tony got up and offered her his arm. And they strolled out of the diningroom and back toward the library.

"I'm glad you had those medallions," Tony said.

"I am too."

"You know, I still haven't told Virginia about us yet."

"No?"

"Well, for one thing, I haven't had the chance. She's been really busy since I got back. I was hoping to tell her tonight. But then she and Wolf didn't show up for dinner."

"They need some time alone."

"I know. I'll tell her tomorrow for sure. But I'm a little afraid she still won't believe me."

"Kids have trouble imagining their parents having a love life."

"Course if you'd flashed that light for me back in the past when I asked you to, it might be less difficult now."

"You do understand now why I didn't?"

"Yeah," Tony said, coming to a stop. "I think so."

“I was just so embarrassed when you said how we’d been in contact with each other in front of the Council members. I felt like a little girl who’d been caught making out with the boy next door.”

“And did that happen to you often?”

“Once or twice.”

Tony pulled her into his arms for a long lingering kiss.

The clippity clip sounds coming down the hallway didn't exactly surprise them. Lord Rupert always had a way of showing up when he wasn't wanted. They stopped kissing, but remained with their arms around each other as he passed.

"Sorry," he said, struggling to undo an immense tapemeasure. "I'm just on my way to the library. The tapestry hanging there will be perfect for the wedding motif I have in mind, all green hanging vines and late summer flowers. But I just have to check if it's the proper size."

"That's nice," Tony said as he passed. "Have fun!" Then to Matilde, "He still has lousy timing. I don't think I want to go to the library anymore."

"No," Matilde agreed. "It's getting late anyway."

They walked to Matilde's room. And outside her door they stopped and kissed again, deeper and more insistently now. They clung together for some time, their hands starting to move over each other on little quests of exploration. Tony wanted her more than he'd ever wanted anything.

He pulled away slightly and said, "I don't want to say good night."

"I don't either," she said.

And they kissed again.

After dinner, Wendell brought Rose to his suite of rooms. One part was a bedroom and the other was an enormous sitting room. The sitting room had been done up with romantic lighting and a table in front of the fire. On the table was a bottle of champagne, two glasses and a small velvet box.

Wendell sat Rose down onto a deep easy chair with tapestry style upholstery. Then he picked up the velvet box on the table and got down on one knee. "I have a special present for you." he said. "On the battlefield I couldn't give you a proper engagement ring. This used to belong to my mother. After she died, my father set it aside for me to one day give to my wife." He opened the box and inside was a silver ring with rubies all around it. "I'm sure if my parents had met you, they would've loved you." He took it out and put it on her finger.

"It's beautiful," she said. "I'll wear it proudly." And she ran her hand through his curly blond hair and kissed him, as he knelt before her.

It was way into the wee hours of the morning and the rest of the castle was sleeping when Matilde awoke to find Tony lying in bed watching her. She expected to find him there, of course. He'd been there when she'd gone to sleep. But she didn't expect him to be awake.

"What's the matter?" she asked. "Can't you sleep?"

"No. And I just thought I'd take this opportunity to watch you sleep. You're pretty well ahead of me there."

"And?" she asked, running her hand along his bare chest.

"You kind of glow in the dark a little."

"All fairies do to some extent. Some races more than others. So, why couldn't you sleep?"

"I was just wondering. What happens now?"

"Right now?"

"You know what I mean. The war's over. Things are pretty well sorted out. What now?"

"For me? I'll probably have to oversee things for the Council for a little while down here."

"And after that? I love you, you know."

"You fall in love very fast, don't you Tony Lewis?"

"I guess so."

"Was it the same with Christine?"

"Yes. And no. I mean, nothing with you is the same. We met because my daughter got whisked off to someplace two hundred years in the past. And we started getting to know each other by sending light signals through a necklace. You still haven't answered my question."

"Did you ask a question?"

"Well, sort of. I just told you I loved you and you didn't say anything."

"Loving me won't be easy, you know."

"So, far it's been the easiest thing I've done in this crazy place."

"There are a lot of differences between us."

"I know. But none of that really matters if we love each other." He paused and waited for her to speak. "That is, if we love each other."

Matilde ran her fingers up to his face and stroked his cheek. "I think I realized I was in love with you on the night you feel asleep outside of Scarlet and Josiah’s house and got drenched from the rain."

A little shock of excitement ran through Tony. "Really? I think you caught my attention the first day we met. I was yelling at you because I didn't think you were doing enough to find Virginia and you came nose to nose with me and said, 'I am a fairy, young man. I am NOT God!'"

Matilde laughed. "You had on your angry little boy face then."

Tony took her hand and it to his lips. "So?" he said. "What now?"

"You mean, about us? Well, first I think we should ask Wendell for a bigger room. I, of course, will continue looking out for the affairs of the Council while you work on your boiler and the hydroelectric system for the dwarves. Prince Brutus can look after the Eighth Kingdom. He did that while I was married to Centaurea. Fairies don't actually need much governing. There are so few of us, we pretty much go along our own way. We only have royalty to keep things neat."

"I love you, you know."

"I love you too, Tony Lewis."

With that, Tony threw back the covers and kissed her. Then he pulled her under him and they made love again.