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Father and Son: The walk to his father's chambers seemed to go quick as Jerome filled him in. As suspected, their father's condition was very serious. They thought he would die a year ago, only his stubbornness to continue was what kept him alive. Still, they didn't believe he had a lot of time left. Jerry believed he only stayed alive to see Peter home and be able to amend things so when he passed on he could rest. In his heart, Peter knew he was right, he
felt like the grim reaper in a way, now to shadow his homecoming. A blessing and a curse at the same time. He watched Jerome leave to go back down to the ball and only once he was out of sight did Peter tap on the door to his father's chambers.
The door was opened by one of the three physicians whom gave a bow of his head before stepping back to allow Peter's entrance. The room had the feel of a tomb, hardly any light and held the feel of death lingering just beyond the heavy drapes that covered the windows. Peter frowned for he had a feeling they were kept so even in the light of day. A few candles were lit, here and there just to throw off enough light, once one's eyes adjusted, to
see. His father was propped up with a dozen or more pillows behind him, some kind of medicinal concoction on a table by his bed, within reach. There was a large chair that had been obviously moved at an angle close to the bed near James. He indicated for Peter to take that seating while he waved the physicians off with his other hand. He did seem to be better, still there were those frowns upon the physicians faces that showed they wished to continue
to hover over the ailing King. They did comply, however, and filed out, shutting the door behind them. Still, one knew they hovered just outside those closed doors.
Peter settled into that chair, luckily it was a comfortable enough one for he was still on the edge of it, arms crossing over his knees as he slightly leaned towards his father. There was a long moment of silence as if James needed time to decide where to begin. Peter knew it would be for his father to speak first and if it wasn't for his years of training and honed patience, he would have been fidgeting. Instead, not a muscle moved not even
that one along his jaw that sometimes did when in such circumstances. Once James did speak, Peter did notice his voice was a lot stronger, not as weak sounding as it had been downstairs. "I never reinstated you." That was how James began as he watched his son but found no physical reaction to register to his words. It did have him smile just enough with a glint of pride. "Because I never disinherited you as my son, nor heir." He gave that dismissive
wave of his hand. "In spite of what was said." The only reaction from Peter was that slight dip of his head, more to show he was listening and letting his father's words sink in.
James took a moment to drink more of that thick liquid left for him with a slight comment, more mumbled, "Nasty stuff", as it was set back. Whatever it was, it did seem to help. For as much as the physicians hovered, Peter was now thankful for them. There was even a longer span of silence as James adjusted himself against those pillows then folded his arms across his chest. It was a gesture Peter remembered herald more important talk or
something James didn't like to be talking about but the need was there. "I was wrong and you were right those many years ago. I was wrong not to even listen to you and worse, to try and harm you when I knew you would not strike your Father." He held up a hand just in case Peter would try and say anything. He would not have him do so for James took on the responsibility fully and would not have Peter ease it by anything his son would say. Peter
was going to say something about the extenuating circumstances but did halt any words and only dipped his head instead.
There was another long pause as James just sat there looking over his son, there was sadness and pride combined in his aging brown eyes. "I can still see your mother in your looks, you did always favor her side of the family." Bringing up his mother did have a twitch in that muscle along Peter's jaw but he remained silent until his father would give him indication it was time for him to speak. "I am dying." It was stated as matter-of-fact by
James as he gave one of those dismissive gestures of his hand again. "You are my heir but I want to propose something to you, not to answer now, but to think on." He did watch his son carefully before continuing. "I would like to crown you myself, step down if you accept, rather than waiting for me to die. It would be my way of making amends in a way. It would give me gratification before I move onto the next life. As it is, Jerome and Elaina, along
with close friends, have been taking care of the state of affairs here." The pause afterwards indicated to Peter he was to respond to this comment.
Brows lifted as he sat up more, there was no hiding the look of surprise, nor the slight frown in this talk of his father's impending death on Peter's features now. His stoic demeanor was abandoned finally, what he felt and thought were there to be seen. His father had opened up, not hiding behind the wall of that stubborn man he had always been, so too did Peter follow suit. It was a new beginning for him to allow this, something he had made a
habit not to. There was a slight cough that came with finding his voice, as one would that had not been use it in a long time. "I will think on your words Father and let you know within two weeks time at the latest." It was something he would have to think about, especially with his present circumstances. His words did earn a smile to actually grace his father's features, something very rarely seen. James took another drink of that thick liquid
before it was replaced once more. His motions indicated this talk was not over yet as he sat back re-crossing his arms and that look given upon his son. That look that went over those colors of another country he wore.
Peter noticed the look as he sat up straighter, there was pride in his eyes as he braced himself for what might come of his father. What did come was once more unexpected and a great relief as James spoke. "I am interested in knowing of these lands that you obviously wear their colors so proudly." He did uncross his arms to indicate with his hand the
cape and the sword. "I will admit, I wish to see you wear your own again, which is understandable, not to take away from these lands. I have a feeling you have many a story to tell your father. I would like to hear of the last, of where you are now, first." James resettled himself, indicating to Peter to start and he seemed in no hurry to have his son gone or for himself to seek sleep.
Peter did make himself a little more comfortable as he began telling his father about Heathfield, starting with how he went there when hearing of the tournament. The friend he had made of man named Karl von Rundstedt, who joined him in this event. The challenge he met on the field was like none he had before, where honor was kept in the test of one's mettle. When he started to tell him of the Queen of these lands, James became even more
interested and plied him with questions before he was satisfied with the answers. He proceeded to tell him of others he had met, some prominent citizens and others that passed through. Their structure of law, the peaceful ways and the charity extended to all without question. James would nod every so often or ask a question for more in-depth answers before Peter was to continue. There was only one bit of information Peter would not give him, and that
was of the Kavanaugh family. James did sneak in a question or two to see if that would be divulged but seemed to respect now his son's right to keep some things to himself.
As there were some things Peter didn't divulge there were such James didn't either. He had tried to keep track of his son, spies were sent to follow only to find a bloody battle field wondering if they would have to come back to tell the King, his son was amongst the dead. The trails would be cut of dead then later another picked up, but they were not to give up until they had proof. He eventually put Jerome in charge of this quest as it became
hard for James, especially when it was almost certain that Peter was one of the unknown dead of a massive battle that left a whole battleground soaked in blood. Most were so badly mutilated one could not even tell what they had looked like. Some, only pieces of bodies found. Most were buried in one great trench dug. James' heart had started to fail him at that time so Jerome took over. Jerry would at least weed out the rumors when he updated his
father, but the surprise tonight even James had not known that Jerry had finally found him. His wicked and very beloved son Jerome would get a chiding from his father.
James' thoughts were wandering some as other, older battles were depicted. Peter had a way with description and he noted how animated his son could be. It was the Peter of old that he knew that talked now, not all that much unlike his brother Jerome. Peter always did have a more serious side but he use to be a lot more light hearted than what James had picked up upon earlier. He was pleased now in seeing this aspect was not lost in his son.
Eventually he was more enjoying himself just watching his son as Peter even got up and walked about the room as he spoke. Hands were used in gesture as he even showed some of the moves that had impressed him. James was almost startled when Peter finally turned and presented him with a question of his own. "I ask permission of Jerome and Elaina to come back with me to visit these lands of Heathfield, while I make my decision. I feel Jerome could use
the experience of another tournament to be run there and Elaina meet others besides only those she knows here. If she is to find a husband, would it not be good for her to have others to judge by? Most here she has known all her life, too many viewed more like a brother. She will be well protected as Connor has already said he would come. It is but a day's journey away. Lord Atkins and Malborne, both said they would help in our absence."
This did give James food for thought. Peter had presented his question and request well, giving reasons up front for any debate otherwise. He did take long enough to respond for effect, as he should. He eyed his son well, knowing he would make a good future King of Innis Daingneach, still, he would get his own way back in return. He would broach the matter with Elaina, if she wished to go, to see about a suitable match for her older brother.
King would need a Queen and an heir one day, but he would express the desire she be extremely picky in her matchmaking ways. One of her addle brained friends would not do, even if he looked upon them as daughters. Someone that could make a good queen and wife for her older brother, then the real challenge to convince him. This would also give Elaina a mission while there so she would not be too overwhelmed in a land where he had no idea what the
males were like. This part did bring out the protective father in him too. "If they wish to visit these lands, then they can go with my blessings. I will expect correspondence at least once a week, Elaina can take care of that. There is one stipulation I will insist, where Elaina is concerned, that two personal guards from here will accompany her also. They can also carry all the luggage I'm sure she will just have to take with her."
When their talk finally finished, Peter did give his father the three fisted salute to his chest before he took a steps closer, embracing his father like a son should do. The embrace was returned before they parted, lifting both their spirits and hears. The physicians all but tripping over each other to rush in as the door was opened by Peter to fuss over their King. Peter left his father's chambers with a smile on his face that he didn't plan
on forsaking again. James slept the best he had in ten years that night, as well as his son would now sleep easier. Two days hence saw Peter, Jerome, Elaina, along with her two guards, and Connor aboard a ship heading for Heathfield lands. Correspondence had been sent ahead to have rooms ready for them at the Castle so all would be prepared. If James' health had been better, he too would have made this journey. He would settle, in lieu, for Elaina's
descriptive letters which he knew would tell him everything his daughter saw and felt.
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