Bringing a King Home

[Aric Demarais]

Every time he had to sail this route, it felt longer and longer. Even this time, when he had his family with him, it seemed to drag on. Maybe it was worse this time because of the cargo they carried with them...Trestria's former king.

Aric wasn't sure how much the populace actually knew. It was quite clear, as they sat in the carriages that brought them through the city and towards the castle, that the citizens knew Edward was dead. They were quiet, throwing flowers into the streets as they passed, mourning their lost king.

He could say nothing but draw in a long breath, letting it out in a heavy sigh. It was that conflicting emotion again. He should be morning his brother, but a part of him could not. There were questions that would never have answers now, such as how much the poison in his system had dictated his actions. Aric could  not forgive Edward for what he had done, and nearly done, but he could forgive the idea that maybe, deep down, it hadn't truly been him.

Running a hand down his face, trying to wipe the sleep away, he regarded Alexandria beside him before his eyes traveled to Eleesa across from them; both princes fast asleep.

[Alexandria Eveleigh- Demarais ; Eleesa Demarais ]

[Eleesa Demarais]

Her stomach was twisting into knots. Glad to be off the boat, Eleesa was far from happy about anything else. Although it was midday, her sons had already crashed; exhausted from such a trying journey from Aralore. Thomas rested against her shoulder while little Edward's cheek pressed against the wall of the carriage. And she, tired herself, could not rest her eyes. Instead, she watched the many faces through the crack in the curtain as they drove by...all mourning a man they didn't even know.

Lips were set in a firm line and she was gritting her teeth. It was clear that she had been stewing there for a long while, afraid to say anything. Afraid her boys were hear. But the trip through North Eldridge was the last straw.

"Look at them..." she said in a whisper, her tone laced in both sadness and anger. "Mourning a man they knew nothing about. A man who doesn't deserve this..." Bright eyes blinked away those few stray tears before they turned to Aric in apology. It was his brother she was speaking about. Regardless of what Edward had done, Eleesa knew better. "I'm...sorry," she softly confessed.

[Alexandria Eveleigh- Demarais]

Alexandria had only been to Tresteria once, and it was a quick visit then.  She had arrived at night and only saw part of the castle, then.  So as they rode through the streets, she kept her gaze out the window, watching as they passed the mourning crowds.  She was silent, her own mind riddled with various thoughts about the Tresterian king, and how many of these people knew what kind of man he was.  Was he the kind of man Alexandria knew him as?  Or was he something greater than that to his people?  She honestly did not know.  

When she heard her husband's heavy sigh, she glanced away from the window and towards him, reaching for his hand and squeezing it gently.  What could she really say?

But as Eleesa spoke up, Alexandria's eyes shifted to the queen and she couldn't help but frown. If anyone, other than Aric, knew Edward best, it was his wife, perhaps.  She had seen Edward's spiral downward and what he had become.  She had seen firsthand how he ruled Tresteria.  And she felt he did not deserve the attention the mourners were giving.  
She shifted in her seat, towards the edge of it and reached across the way, grasping onto Eleesa's hand.  She gave her a sympathetic smile, but there was still sadness in her eyes.  Alexandria had no idea what to say that might make her feel better.  There was  nothing she really could say.  But she would try.  "He was their king...A figure who took care of their home.  If they loved him, that means they are loyal and they love their country..."  Her voice was gentle as she spoke.  She understood how Eleesa was feeling though.  Perhaps Edward did not deserve this.  But the people of Tresteria did.  

[Aric Demarais]

Dark eyes immediately alighted upon Eleesa with her whispered words. His mouth was a stern line, but it was so hard to be mad. He was, in a very small sense, but...he knew what she went through. He had seen it, bit his tongue.

Edward had always been difficult and maybe even disrespectful, but, Aric desperately wanted to believe that the way his brother was in the end wasn't truly him. It didn't feel right. It couldn't have been all him. The poison had made it all worse.

And yet, he still couldn't mourn him properly.

He looked to Alexandria when she squeezed his hand, listening to her try to ease Eleesa's own upset and angered mind. There probably weren't any words either of them could say, but his wife was trying.

[Eleesa Demarais]

Eleesa knew how Aric was feeling...because it was the same exact way she was feeling. She was torn, she felt guilty and horrible for even holding a bit of relief for her husband's death. It was why she was so angry, because some of it was at herself.

Yet, she had to remain saddened when in front of her sons; these poor, young boys who desperately missed their father. Although Edward hadn't treated her well, he did ensure both little Edward and Thomas had a good life. He had loved them, at least.

"I'm...I'm sorry, Aric," she said again, meaning it more than before. Her attention was pulled towards Alexandria who was clearly trying to comfort her, and she offered a soft smile. The woman was right, she knew. Even if the people didn't know Edward that well, they respect their king and crown, thus their country. And that was what every monarch wanted, wasn't it?

Squeezing her hand a little in return, lips parted to say something, perhaps to even thank her before she heard the trumpets blaring outside. It actually made her cringe because, should any of them look out the windows of the carriage, they would see the large, looming castle of Tresteria. The iron gates were opened for the caravan to go through, and she felt her heart racing.

"Come on, my loves, wake up," she urged both boys. Edward grumbled in defiance, but they both eventually opened their tired eyes, suddenly excited to see that they were finally home.

[Alexandria Eveleigh- Demarais]

Bright eyes quickly glanced at Aric as Eleesa apologized to him again. She noticed his conflicted expression and she knew why. Her other hand had remained in his and she squeezed it again, reassuring him that he was alright to feel the way he was.

She looked back to Eleesa as she had been about to say something, but the trumpets stole all of their attention. Alexandria let go of the queen's hand so she could tend to her sons and she sat back against the carriage wall, glancing back out the window. She forced herself not to sigh. Was she ready for all of this? Not really. She did not want others to know or find out what Edward had tried to do to her. She did not want to look weak or incapable of defending herself. She did not want to look like the reason their king had died. She did not wish to draw that kind of attention it would to Eleesa, either. But what reason would they give for having thrown him into a prison in the first place? She was sure some form of what had happened would get out, and she really wasn't sure how to handle herself with that.

The Tresterian king had become a monster. But his people were here mourning and honoring him as if he were the greatest king. She had to quietly convince herself of the very thing she had spoken to Eleesa.
She stayed silent as the carriage made its way through the gates and approached the castle. When it stopped, she finally looked to Aric, giving him a nervous look. She imagined it would be customary for Eleesa and the boys to exit the carriage first, followed by Aric. With her being the foreigner of this kingdom, she would probably be the last to step out of the carriage, which she was totally fine with. She nervously played with the folds of her skirt as she waited.

[Aric Demarais]

For a time, Edward had been a good king. Their father had made sure he would be. Not that his brother had been the most gracious of men, but he did what he had to to ensure the safety of this kingdom. Once that poison set in, though...well, it all went downhill from there.

He couldn't help but wonder, if he had lived, how bad Tresteria would have gotten. Now, as he shook his head to dismiss his sister-in-law's unnecessary apology, he still feared for it. A lot was going to be resting on her shoulders if she was given the chance. If not, he already voiced his opinion to Triston. He was almost anxious to speak with him, hoping he was still the same man he knew him to be.

As their carriage stopped inside the large gates, they would wait until the footman opened the door. Others had already unloaded the king's casket and were awaiting the family.

Waiting for Eleesa to climb out first, the boys would follow. Thomas was suddenly dragging his feet, still exhausted from the travel. Aric then stepped out as well. "Come here, little man," he said quietly, lifting the boy into his arms. He only needed one to hold him, as his other hand extended out to his wife to help her from the carriage, as well keep her by his side.

[Eleesa Demarais]

Eleesa thought she was going to be ill. Those were Edward's people. Those were Edward's blood family standing outside the large front doors. She saw them the moment she stepped out of the carriage, silently thanking the footman for his help.

Instinctively, she grabbed for Edward's hand to hold him close while Aric took care of Thomas who struggled to rid the sleep of his eyes. Bright eyes alighted upon the nobility gathered before them, all lined up. The deGreys were of course among the crowd to greet them...as well as the council. She swore they were like vultures, ready to circle around her son, prepared to dig their claws into him.

Nervously, she smoothed out the front of that black dress before she would lead the procession towards them.

[Cassandra Demarais]

Cassandra was quiet the entire trip to the castle. She shared a carriage with Henry and Noah, watching as the large castle grew bigger and bigger the closer they got. There was only a small bit of excitement fluttering in her heart, and that was for her sister who she had missed desperately. She had missed the rest of her family as well, naturally, but it had been far too long since she saw Elyscia's face. For a brief moment, she wondered if Sevrin  might be able to make it back for the funeral...if he'd even be allowed to.

Helped out of the carriage, she would wait for Noah and the footman to help Henry down as well, carefully seating him into a wheelchair. She walk alongside him and his loyal man servant behind the queen. Keeping her eyes down for the most part, Cassandra nearly felt the guilt eating away at her. She didn't have the strength to look anyone in the eye yet.

[Alexandria Eveleigh- Demarais]

This was it. She was about to meet the rest of Aric's family and to help deal with whatever she could help with regarding Eleesa taking over the regency and making sure that went to good hands. That Aralore and Tresteria's alliance would remain in place. She knew her husband would fight for it. They were married. And that in itself should be enough to keep some sort of alliance.

Nervously, she climbed out of the carriage with Aric's help, and she slipped her hand into the crook of his elbow. Her eyes glanced to the young boy that Aric held, and she smiled. She couldn't help but wonder what type of father Aric would be if his daughter had lived. If she was able to give him a child. A wave of sadness rushed over her and she looked away and down at the ground for the briefest of a moment. As she looked back up she drew in a deep breath and squeezed Aric's arm. Please don't let me drown. she thought to herself. She had said that to him before the banquet with Edward. And now, she felt that same twinge of nervousness. But she was here for him. He needed her, and she would be as brave as she could be. For him.

[Elyscia Demarais]

Elyscia was the only one from her family standing there among the deGreys.  Sevrin was god knows where.  And Cassandra had been in Aralore for a year.  She stood next to Olivia, holding her hand tightly as they all waited for the king's casket to arrive, along with Aric and his new wife, and Eleesa and her boys.  Most importantly--her sister.  

She watched anxiously, nearly squeezing Olivia's hand off, without even noticing.  When she spotted Cassandra stepping out of the carriage, she nearly shrieked in excitement. She jumped, pulling Olivia's hand with her before she realized it and let go of it.  
Ely wasn't sure she could contain herself and wait for Cassandra to reach her.  And you know what?  To hell with this propriety!  She let out a shriek.  "CASSANDRA!!!"  And she began sprinting towards her older sister, hardly noticing the state her poor husband was currently in.  All that mattered was Cassandra right now.  

[Aric Demarais]

Thomas was a little heavier than he remembered, but the boy was growing bigger by the day. Still, Aric managed, ensuring he had Alexandria on his arm. He looked to her, offering a small smile to try and ensure her that she would be fine. Despite the corruption of the court and the council, he had good people in his family. She had nothing to be concerned with.

He, however, was still struggling with how to act and how to feel. Aric wanted to believe that he was okay, but in truth, he wasn't. As always, he was trying to be the solid foundation that everyone could lean on, when in reality, he was going to need someone to lean against should he crack.

Seeing Elyscia suddenly ignore proper decorum and break form the line towards Cassandra, it was difficult not to softly laugh. They were, in one sense of the word, the black sheep of the family...so he wasn't surprised. If Sevrin was here, he probably would have done the very same. That reminded him that he would have to try and get in contact with his cousin somehow.

Dark eyes fell upon the rest of his cousins, however, glad to see them all there. Even Wesley managed to return in time and it kept that warm smile on his face. The procession continued on into the castle where Edward's body would be prepared and laid for viewing, but Aric nodded towards Triston specifically. He hadn't told Eleesa he had written his cousin, and he wasn't sure how to approach that subject either.

[Cassandra Demarais]

Too afraid, almost too ashamed to look at any of them, she was determined to keep her head down even when passing by her family. However, just as she passed through the castle gates, she heard someone call her name. A familiar voice that was followed by the quick shuffling of feet.

"Elyscia?" she murmured quietly, daring to lift her gaze up, spotting her sister breaking from the rest to rush towards her. A smile spread across her face immediately as she left her husband's side to meet the girl halfway; arms wrapping around her in a tight embrace. It had been a year, but it almost felt far longer than that. Cassandra pressed a kiss to Ely's temple, feeling tears welling up in her eyes. "I am so happy to see you, you have no idea." So much seemed to happen in this last year, and it felt strange to be home in Tresteria. Elyscia was the only thing that felt right and normal.

Keeping her close, she would draw her back into the procession with her as they all began to enter the castle.

[Eleesa Demarais]

Her hands were shaking, knowing eyes were on her...but Eleesa kept her blue eyes forward and focused on no one in particular. She was still holding Edward close, only blinking to look behind her to ensure that Aric and Alexandria were still there; her youngest child already asleep again in her brother-in-law's arms. It was enough to make a small smile crease her lips before she looked straight ahead again.

Elyscia had broken from the group to head towards her sister, but Eleesa eventually found her gaze wandering. The entire council was watching her, watching that casket, little Edward. Her grip on his hand tightened just a little as if she would be ready to drag him away at the first sign of them trying to take him. She found Anne deGrey eyeing her with that dark curiosity of hers, judging her perhaps while she stood alongside the rest of her family. Everyone was there, including Triston. Too worried she would lose herself and turn around, her gaze didn't linger long.

Leading the line of people into the castle, she finally let out the breath she hadn't realized she had been holding in.