Who am I?

[PresidentDavid]

When, in the midst of the night, a man can have some of his most productive moments of thought. Perhaps he is remembering something he should have done or reliving something that he regrets. Maybe he is even planning out his next day or thinking of his lover. Regardless of what he is thinking, what superficial, violent, funny, positive, evil, mysterious, sexual, or interesting subject that is stuck in the fibers of his brain, he is now afloat in his own mind and can accomplish almost anything. Even how to save his people.

 

"Good morning Mister Galdur. I hope you slept well? If I may inquire, have you made your decision?" Galdur was in his ornate pajamas, holding a fresh cup of tea that his servant had handed him. "Yes Simon, I have... I believe there is only one way to further this island and that is to unite it... I just hope I am the man to do such a thing. Who am I to lead a people? A people split by religion, brought to their knees by an economic collapse, and struggling to keep food on their dinner tables. Who am I to lead such a hardy people? Who am I Simon?" 

 

Simon, who had been Galdur Nightfall's loyal butler and servant for years, put his hands behind his back and bowed, "You, Mister Galdur, are the future King of Iceland." 

Edited September 12, 2013 by PresidentDavid

[PresidentDavid]

Two Weeks Later

 

"And I would like you to meet the Foreign Minister, Robert Anton, who has come from down south," a girl stood before two men, her hands folded, as she introduced the two of them. "Minister Anton, this is Mister Adda. He's a merchant here in the city." Adda was intimidated by the height of the Foreign Minister but was relaxed by his warm smile, "Nice to meet you Mister Adda," said the giant, "Most of us here have traveled far to see King Nightfall. Thank you for introducing us, Princess Sophie, and may I say you look beautiful in your dress. I'm guessing your father has a good speech prepared?" 

 

Sophie blushed at the mention of her dress which she had spent precious time choosing. Her red hair clashed mystically with the dress, unintentionally resembling the icy environment of the new Kingdom they were all a part of and the heated-individuals that were now in control of it. Her cold blue eyes, while decided, were hopeful and open to new ideas. 

 

The Princess, Minister, Adda, and other important people stood in a long hall occasionally lined with ceremonial guards armed with bolt-action rifles that wielded bayonets. A young man with glasses and a leather book quickly made a corner and began walking down the center of the hall towards the VIPs. Approaching the Princess, he handed her a small piece of paper and smiled, "Are you ready Princess?" Sophie nodded her head, "Yes Sam, I'm just a little nervous." He returned a warm smile to her as he stood straight and looked over the sparsely populated hall, "It'll all be alright. Just smile and look through everyone - not at everyone - like we talked about." 

 

Samuel, the King's Personal Assistant and schedule coordinator, slammed shut his leather book featuring the planned events and things the King needed to do for the week, "The King approaches." Everyone stopped mid-conversation and turned to look down the long hall where King Nightfall came walking out. The guards stood to attention as he walked by and went to at ease once he passed, set by set as he made his way down. "Good evening sir, is there anything you would like to go over before you and the Princess go on?" The monarch shook his head at Samuel and approached his daughter. With everyone watching, he hugged her and patted her back, "Happy birthday sweetheart. I hope that your sixteenth year will be your best. Your birthday will mark this Kingdom's as well. Perhaps God had it fall that way to give us a message." 

 

Sophie smiled and hugged her father back as he admired her blue dress, "And what might that message be father?" She took his arm as they began to walk past the guests and to meet the crowd outside, "Just because it is a new year, and a new Kingdom, does not mean everything has to change. We still are, who we are." 

 

The generally humble and quiet people of Iceland cheered and clapped for their monarch, as of a few hours ago, as he and his daughter stepped outside. After several minutes of joyous chanting and applause, they quieted down to hear their leader speak. "Good evening to all of you and good night to our brothers and sisters to the East. I am Galdur Nightfall, King of Iceland..." And so he continued speaking to the crowd and speaking into a microphone which transmitted the country's first island-wide radio broadcast. 

Edited September 15, 2013 by PresidentDavid

[PresidentDavid]

 

"Scampy I tell you what, I work hard all day and... and I think all the time about these great tings... I mean look at all of the pumpkins I have grown... And in this climate! Scampy, you think I am a genius, right?" The farmer observed his dog as he happily wagged his tail and energetically walked around until it stopped dead in its tracks and looked at something or someone behind the farmer. The man stopped tilling the field and slowly turned around. Fearing demons  he clenched his hoe and braced himself for the worst. "Are you Farmer Athgar?" said an innocent voice. 

 

Farmer turned to see a beautifully dressed young lady in a blue dress. Her signature red hair gave away who she was immediately, "I heard you sell the best pumpkins in Iceland, Mister Farmer. Do you think I could buy a few?" Farmer looked at his dog and then back at the girl. Then he looked over the girl's shoulder, seeing a few guards cautiously watching the hold man while he considered her request. "Scampy and I would do anything for our Princess.... But..." he hesitated to ask. "I have plenty of kronas," whispered Sophie. "Good, I need them," he whispered back. 

 

Farmer Athgar brought her around the pumpkin patch and helped her choose three large pumpkins in pristine condition. "The cold she could them fresh on your journey back down to the city. Do you think you and your guards can make it that far alone, Princess?" Sophie, along with her guards, were loaded up and prepared to leave on their wagon. "We will be fine, Mister Farmer.... Oh! I almost forgot!" She reached into the wagon and pulled out two large sacks, "I hope 2,000 kronas will cover the costs!" They began to make their way off into the distance as the farmer jumped up and down with glee. Upon opening the bag he found 2,000 kronas in freshly minted coins. 

 

---

 

"Princess, I will let the others go on and bring your pumpkins back to the palace. But would you mind if I and Rothgar follow distantly behind? We need to ensure your safety, by orders of your father." Sophie sighed and nodded, "If you insist, I have no problem with it." The wagon filled with pumpkins went off back towards the palace while Sophie walked the rest of the way back through the sparsely populated city streets. Since trade had opened up with other countries around the world, though namely Faraway, market stands had popped up everywhere in the downtown sector of the capital which made it a much more interesting place filled with hagglers, petty thieves, and a diverse sector of the economy offering unique goods to the people of Iceland (specifically Reykjavik). 

 

Most people did not mind Sophie, though nearly all of them knew who she was. Instead of ignoring her, many of those who passed by bowed or exchanged a friendly smile. Some screeched, "Make way for the Princess!" which made guards who had been lazy all day stand alert and at attention. Instead of continuing down the road like she told her guards she would, Sophie diverted her path to a fruit stand which was selling a variety of produce that was rare to be in Iceland. "What's that?" she said, pointing to one of the spectacular, exotic fruits. 

 

"That's an apple, it comes from North America. It is sweet, you would like it very much Princess. I promise!" A middle-aged shop keeper smiled nervously because he knew the Princess liked to tip. "I will take one apple," she said, hanging the man fifty kronas. "Oh thank you Princess! Enjoy your apple!" She began to walk back towards the road but abruptly bumped into a young man who was sweeping. "Agh," she stumbled and nearly fell. A few people gasped while others nervously looked around. Previous leaders of Iceland where not friendly to common folk, let alone tolerating things like this especially on a family member. People were use to be being severely punished for doing little to nothing wrong. 

 

Once Sophie got he footing, she looked up to see a tall, brown haired boy sheepishly looking down at her. He held onto his broom tightly and began to back up not in fear of her but the guards that were angrily starting at him. "Who are you!" roared one of the guards as he struck the boy with the but of his gun which immediately forced him to his knees. "We should arrest you, idiot!" growled the other one. As the second guard prepared to hit the boy who had now dropped his broom in submission, Sophie stood in front of him and looked the giant guard in the eye, daring him to strike her. "People walk into each other," she said calmly, "it is nothing more than human nature." 

 

The boy still felt bad, or was terrified, and got to his feet. His knees wobbled as he apologized, "Forgive me Princess, I did not mean any harm." Sophie observed the gash on her forehead. It wasn't awful but was bleeding. "I should be apologizing to you for your forehead. Are you okay?" He touched his face near his headline and saw the bright red blood, "It should be fine..." She shook her head, "No come with me. I can have that fixed." Before he could walk away she grabbed his wrist and yanked him, "What is your name?" 

 

The boy awkwardly came along, trying not to look back at the shop keeper that had hired him to sweep the area. Maybe he'd make an exception for royal intrusion? "My name is Charles, but my friends call me Charlie.. This isn't really necessary Princess, I am feeling quite better, really!" She loosened her grip around his wrist and let her hand slide down to his, "If you die from infection in two weeks I think that would make me responsible for your death too, not just a little cut. I don't want that on my soul. Plus there should be more handsome marketmen like you." She blushed after saying what she said, too use to speaking her own mind. 

 

Before he could react or be embarrassed too, she bit into her fresh apple savagely and crunched on the utter delicious taste of the fruit. Her tongue tingled as she chewed it. "I think this is the most delicious thing I have ever eaten..." She let go of his hand, trusting him not to run away like a spooked horse, and handed him the apple. "Try it? It's good I promise." Charlie took the apple from her and looked back at the guards conspicuously. "Isn't it wrong for me to eat after you or something along those lines...?"

 

"Nonsense," she said. "And if it is, then I order you to take a bite..... If you want I mean... that way you are right nomatter what you do." He bit into the red fruit as well and enjoyed the taste of it. "Oh my God," he grumbled in pleasure. He took another greedy bite before handing it back to her. After continuous chewing they were at the gates of the palace. Off in the distance a large castle was being built, however it wasn't finished. A more temporary residence in the city, simply called the Palace, was the current residence of the Royal Family. "I don't think I should go inside with you... I would feel out of place." 

 

The guards at the gate suspiciously looked at the boy dressed in torn clothing. "Please, do you expect the doctor to come outside in the cold?" He crept along with her, "What if your... the King is here? What if he sees me?" She giggled and nibbled on the apple, "That would be great! I can tell him I have made a friend." Charlie gulped. Was the Princess crazy? He was a commoner, a layperson, practically a peasant - no, specifically he was actually a peasant. Who was he to be before the King, let alone a friend of his daughter? Does the King want his daughter to have friends? 

 

A large iron gate shut behind them as they walked up the stone path into the palace. The complex included a large cathedral of the Church of Iceland. They walked through the courtyard between the church and the residence of the royal family. "This is one of my favorite places to be here in the palace," she said. "The inside, nomatter how beautiful, can feel like a prison at times. This courtyard is outside and usually has a breeze. I can see the sky and smell the air yet I am not in danger." She twirled around once as Charlie made sure she didn't run into him again. The courtyard seemed somewhat spooky to him. It was vacant of people, but like a small park. Trees and windchimes were everywhere and a few benches were set strategically around. 

 

While Charlie took in the atmosphere of the entire place, Sophie tripped. The apple core she was holding slammed to the ground but before she did Charlie grabbed her with both of his strong arms, supporting her weight. "You make me a clumsy person," she observed, looking at him upside down with her icy blue eyes. He didn't know what to say, but remained speechless as the hair stood on the back of his neck. "I do not remember inviting a guest here," intrigued a deep, demanding voice. "In fact, I was not aware I said you could bring guests here, Sophie." The Princess got to her feet while Charlie didn't dare turn around. He felt a cold, strong hand fall onto his shoulder. It gently pushed him around, making him face an even taller man than he. "And who might this be?"

 

Charlie avoided eye contact and failed to make a sentence. Sophie came to his aid and grabbed his arm fearfully, "Oh father, this is Charles. I ran into him and he fell at the market and gashed his head so I said I would bring him back here to have his wound tended to. It is getting cold after all. Wouldn't you say that is only fair?" Her father nodded, "I agree, that seems only fair... And maybe some new clothes. Something to keep him warm." The man extended his hand, "My name is Galdur Nightfall, I am your King." Charlie then made eye contact. The man's eyes were fearless and had great fortitude. Charlie did his best to not make his arm like a noodle, but it was hard to avoid that when you were shaking hands with a monarch. 

 

"I am Charles Beacon..." he tried to think of a title for himself, "sweeper." At least he was honest. "Send my tailor down for Charles, Sophie. Perhaps he could join us for supper if he does not have to many more places to sweep tonight. Would you like that Charlie?" The King began to walk away before he could answer, heading towards a large wooden door, "Yes, Your Majesty, I would love that." 

 

"Good, it will be nice to hear how things are going from a normal man." 

 

 
 

Edited September 18, 2013 by PresidentDavid

[PresidentDavid]

After about twenty minutes of small-talk, both the King and Charlie got more comfortable. Sophie was more at ease that her father would not make her new friend leave or embarrass him. They all felt more trusting of each other in some way, however Galdur Nightfall still had his curiosities. The King bit into a full loaf of bread and marveled at the multi-grain as he inquired about Charlie and who he was, "What does your father do? Is he a... sweeper as well?" Charles didn't want to offend his King or make him feel awkward but didn't have much of a choice. "My mother and father are both dead sir, but my father use to build things. I have an uncle somewhere here in the city who goes by the name of Samuel Looming, however I have not been in contact with him for a long time. He reminds me a lot of my father." 

 

The King appreciated that Charlie didn't stop at, "My mother and father are both dead sir." Sophie pushed her spoon deep into the center of her ice cream and watched carefully as the other two conversed. "This Samuel Looming fellow, do you know if he invents things too? Using steam to.. power things?" Charlie looked up with wide eyes as he tasted the vanilla ice cream, "Yes! Have you met him, Your Majesty? I hope I can see him again soon, it has been years even though I am sure we cannot live that far apart." The King unfolded a piece of paper and tossed it to the young man, "He lives in the financial district. From what I understand, he owns a shop in the financial district. I can have an escort made for you tomorrow. But seeing as it is so late, I would like to invite you to stay the night if you wish." 

 

Sophie quickly lost interest in her dessert and looked up to her father, "Yes! He will stay! Thank you father!" The monarch regretted his offer as Sophie excused herself and her new friend and dragged him down a hall to show him their quarters. Though the palace was only temporary, it was still a palace. Rooms decorated with blue drapes and carpets, large beads big enough for three people but only used for one. It was paradise to Charlie who had been sleeping on straw for most of his life. "This entire room belongs to me? Are you sure?" 

 

Charlie felt nervous stepping into his chambers with Sophie by his side especially when no one else was there. "This will be where you can sleep tonight. We have a few other rooms but I think you will like this one most." He hesitated to step from the door frame until the princess pulled him into the room, "This is so beautiful," he finally admitted, "thank you for inviting me to stay here..." Sophie embraced him in a warm hug and looked up into his eyes, "If you need anything tonight, either come knock on my door or wander the halls. You will find someone to help you - there's always someone here in these hallways." 

Edited October 2, 2013 by PresidentDavid