Sweet Waters Throne

84 Chapter 8The way to Old City was through Horriss and it wouldn’t be so kind if King Artemis were to pass through Horriss without attending his cousin’s funeral or if the funeral had passed, then it was his duty to crown Hawk as the new Lord of Horriss. Hawk was a total different of his brother Deagol, some might even confuse his slowness of speech for weakness.

However, there was no weakness in Hawk, he was wise and full of wisdom. Artemis himself recognized it when he crowned him Lord of Horriss in the presence of all the good folks of Horriss and lords who attended the ceremony. It hadn’t even bee a fortnight since his brother was crowned Lord, and now he was dead.

Lady Burchard, the Dowager was grieving two losses which happened simultaneously. Her red hairs grew pale and the dye came off, they started to become grey and perhaps because she was getting old. She cried through the whole ceremony and it was between Aurora’s hands she found comfort.

After the ceremony, Artemis led his caravan to Old City leaving his cousin Hawk in good hands of his mother. He told Burchard “Hawk is a good son, he needs your guidance and help. My deepest condolences in your loss Aunty” and this somehow made Lady Burchard feel good in the inside, after all what is lost was lost.

The coronation of Gandalf was one for the tales and whispers. Not only were the good folks of King’s City shocked by the resemblance between Gandalf and Aryan, but they remembered Aryan was wed to Amabel Taelin the son of Castellan Taelin and now she stood beside her brother in glory. Many of them concluded to say the marriage was false and they had planned it for sometime to overthrow the Taelins from the silver throne.

However, they cheered for Gandalf when he arrived at the Sept with his sword and silk robe laced with Satin. They whispered at how rich they were, and those who were very much informed told others about the so called “The Lions of Maldonia” and many other rumors. They shit gold, they said and some said they ride Lions.

All twenty thousand of them screamed and cheered for Gandalf, it was a good day in King’s City and the sun had come out. An after party tourney was to be held in the arena after the coronation and that’s where many folks would attend and hopeful inns and pleasure houses will be full of people afterwards looking to celebrate more.

It was as if these people had completely forgot about Taelins, chronicles later were recorded at how they were so happy as if their king’s head wasn’t rotting at the city’s gates. Maybe it was because they hated Taelins for overthrowing their beloved king Mithandir, to them anyone deserved the silver throne but just not Taelins.

The stage of the Holy Sept had the High Septon, Father Luthar Dundar and his ten assistants all dressed in black robes with golden stripes. Two Faith Crones dressed in all white and they covered their heads in such a way not even a single piece of their hairs were out on display, they were considered to be the holiest of the Crones.

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Lord Horpes Godwen of Claydall was also there, Lord Criston Highrise of Bellward, Lady Aryan and her girlfriend Olivia stood side by side, Tommy the spy and the new Lord Commander of Kingsguard Sir Tyriol who proved to be a loyal knight to Gandalf.

The moment Gandalf arrived at the stage, Aryan reached out to him and kissed his forehead. These two stood at the same height and they were like a copy of one another.

“Sister” Gandalf smiled.

“Good luck brother” replied Aryan and stepped back to join her girlfriend. Olivia smiled at Gandalf too and Gandalf winked at her, they were now a family and this new step was bigger for them than anyone may ever know.

Father Luthar Dundar motioned for Gandalf to kneel down before him, then he asked for holly oils from his assistants, the oil were inside a small bowel. All twenty thousand of good folks of King’s City were silent in honor of this sacred moment. Coronation was the most sacred occasion close to the gods than anything, and they always believed whoever sits upon the silver throne then he was favored by the gods.

Father Luthar Dundar said these words while applying the oil on Gandalf’s forehead “The holly ointment favored by the gods, let it be known whoever is bestowed upon this holiness... is the true king of Prophis” and then he finished.

The Faith Crones held a crown, it was made of pure gold and had blue sapphires at the front. Perhaps the most beautiful crown to ever being worn by the King, and it was Lady Aryan who made it for her brother when she went back to the Liberty Cities. At first she wasn’t sure if Gandalf would win the war, but she had to make one just in case.

Aryan stepped forward and took the crown, she held it in her arms for a moment waiting for instructions from Father Luthar Dundar. When she was given a go ahead, Aryan slowly placed the crown onto Gandalf’s head – Gandalf had closed his eyes during this time. He wanted to feel everything bestowed upon him, the power of the gods running through his veins.

Then Aryan stepped back and that’s when a bell rang from the top of the Sept, a new king had arise. Bells are always creepy because when they rang it could mean a new king, a royal wedding, death of the king or war. The sound of the bell ringing three times disturbed Aurora in her sleep, she felt as if the bell was inside her head wanting to get out.

Father Luthar helped Gandalf up, it was during this time everyone at the stage curtsied before him. He looked like a conqueror with that beautiful golden crown on his head and the sapphires depicted the image of a god, songs later would sing of Gandalf’s coronation and praised it to be the best coronation in the history of coronations.

With a loud voice fit to travel through all his admires, Father Luthar announced “All Hail His Grace, Gandalf. First of His Name, King of Prophis and Good Folks and Mighty Lions. Lord of Stonedance, Old City and Protector of The Realm” he finished and a bell rang again.

“Gandalf the King” added Tyriol, the Lord Commander.

From there it is said the cheers of the good folks could reach the cities of Bellward, Claydall and Raven. Some even went further and said the Freezing Sea itself melted because of the love Prophisians showed for his new king. As always their statement was “Anyone was a true king except for Taelins” and Gandalf won the war.

Some may have called Gandalf a usurper but very few of them, all the Prophisians respected and loved him because he overthrew a tyrant who they all hated. “He won the Battle of Stonedance, he is a mighty lion” songs were sang that night.

After being crowned King, Gandalf raised his sword which Lady Aryan brought for him and raced outside the Sept. Four remaining lions were waiting for him there with the lion keepers keeping them steady, as if the people couldn’t have loved him more. The huge black lions all bowed before Gandalf and that was enough of him to prove his strength.

When he mounted one and raised his sword, cheers erupted and the good folks of King’s City were still in awe of the six foot lions being so huge. Gandalf knew they will talk about his lions for years to come. “Let it be known from today my good folks of Prophis, I your king will defend you and your lands. I shall feed the poor, protect you from invaders and anyone who dares to challenge me, shall answer to my lions” said Gandalf standing high above everyone else and the people cheered for him more.

If there was a day Aryan had ever been happy, then it wouldn’t be compared to the day her brother ascended the silver throne. It was a dream come true for her brother and she always wanted to give him what he loves, and from that day forward she promised to protect him at all costs.

A tourney followed afterwards although this time the stage of the arena looked so different from the last time when a tourney was thrown in an honor of the friendship between Gandalf and Castellan. This new tourney was for the new king who sat comfortably on his chair looking down on all his admires.

There were already banners and praises for him, not even a day had passed. “Look sister, they love me already...” a very excited Gandalf leaned on to his sister. “My dreams have come true, I’m finally a king!”

“You are brother, a king of Prophis. I can’t begin to explain the shock on Artemis when he hears this”

“Fuck Artemis, he doesn’t have a larger kingdom like Prophis. I shall seek him out soon” replied Gandalf while paying his attention to the tourney.