King Eric dismounted and handed his reins to the waiting footman. He surveyed the facade of the old, majestic castle, and memories surrounded him.
At that moment Walter and Marion emerged and bowed deeply. "Your Majesty! It is an honor to welcome you home!"
King Eric nodded curtly. "Thank you, it is good to be here."
King Eric nodded curtly. "Thank you, it is good to be here."
"Your Majesty, I am Sir Walter, your personal steward. May I show you to your rooms?"
That caught King Eric's attention. "Walter? Is that really you?"
That caught King Eric's attention. "Walter? Is that really you?"
King Eric pulled him into an enthusiastic embrace. "My old friend! I didn't recognize you! It has been too long!"
The King turned to Marion. "Walter and I played together as boys in this very castle, back when his own father was the steward to mine." He turned to Walter again. "What a nice surprise this has been!"
Marion raised an eyebrow at Walter, and he turned to her, embarrassed. "This is Mistress Marion. She is your head of house."
Marion raised an eyebrow at Walter, and he turned to her, embarrassed. "This is Mistress Marion. She is your head of house."
King Eric stepped forward and took her hand. "Marion...My father wrote of you. You were his caregiver during his final days, were you not?"
"I...I was, Your Majesty."
"Please rise. My father spoke of you in the highest regard. I want to thank you for your tireless service to him. I know this time must be difficult for you as well."
"I...I was, Your Majesty."
"Please rise. My father spoke of you in the highest regard. I want to thank you for your tireless service to him. I know this time must be difficult for you as well."
"It has been difficult for us all, Your Majesty. King Thomas was well loved."
King Eric sighed. "I admit, I wasn't expecting such an emotional reunion, but I am glad to find myself among friends here."
Marion smiled. "Your Majesty, you must be weary from travel. Please allow Sir Walter to show you to your rooms."
"Indeed! I had almost forgotten the fifty pounds of armor on my back!" He laughed. "I'm probably due for a wash as well!"
"Follow me, Your Majesty. Everything is ready for you." Walter lead the King away.
King Eric sighed. "I admit, I wasn't expecting such an emotional reunion, but I am glad to find myself among friends here."
Marion smiled. "Your Majesty, you must be weary from travel. Please allow Sir Walter to show you to your rooms."
"Indeed! I had almost forgotten the fifty pounds of armor on my back!" He laughed. "I'm probably due for a wash as well!"
"Follow me, Your Majesty. Everything is ready for you." Walter lead the King away.
Marion followed them at a distance. Agnes was there to meet her at the door. "Well, that seemed like it went well. The King seems very agreeable indeed! And very handsome!"
Marion furrowed her brow. "Yes, Agnes, and we shall soon test just how agreeable he can be."