{"id":139,"date":"2018-12-03T06:34:35","date_gmt":"2018-12-03T06:34:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2018\/calendar\/?p=139"},"modified":"2020-11-11T16:41:07","modified_gmt":"2020-11-11T16:41:07","slug":"december-3rd-the-iron-throne-king-haajensen-by-dppatricks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2018\/calendar\/?p=139","title":{"rendered":"December 3rd- The Iron Throne – King Haajensen by DPPatricks"},"content":{"rendered":"

Author’s Note:<\/span><\/strong> This story was inspired by the image Hutch on the Iron Throne, <\/em>which was one of Day 17\u2019s<\/a> <\/span><\/strong>gifts on the 2017 Advent Calendar<\/a><\/strong>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019m indebted to Wightfaerie for coming up with the image, the suggestion for the second-story (The Iron Throne – Ambassador Stavish<\/strong><\/span><\/a>), and then for the betas. Many thanks to Flamingo, as well, for her editing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

My name is Haajensen, and in this summer of what my gods-worshiping advisors tell me is the last decade of the eighth century — how they know that is beyond me — I am a king. However, the territory over which I rule is small and menaced on all sides. I am alone and very tired after months of fighting off repeated incursions across our borders. With the efforts of my excellent knights and soldiers, I have been able to maintain a tenuous hold on my throne. There is a solid merchant class and loyal peasants under my protection; I have no reason to feel this hopelessness that threatens to overwhelm me.<\/span><\/p>\n

Despair is an emotion I must conquer, especially today, since I have granted an audience with a new ambassador.<\/span><\/p>\n

I dress without conscious thought or assistance. My squire, Axel, is as weary as I am and I won\u2019t have him fussing over what I should wear. The meeting will undoubtedly be of no consequence and a waste of time, as all others have been. I dismissed the boy earlier so that he could take a bath, have his wounds tended properly, and eat a decent meal, possibly the first one he\u2019s had since our return from the battlefield.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

I sit to pull on my best boots, then remain seated, suddenly without the energy to stand. My gauntlets lie across the arm of my chair and I haven\u2019t the strength to don them.<\/span><\/p>\n

Two days ago, we lost more of our knights and foot soldiers than we can afford and, for the first time since my honored father\u2019s death, I am hearing the wolves howling in the mountains. Their soulless cries haunt my hours of rest. I cannot call it sleep, for I fear to sleep. The expectations of those who look to me for leadership through the maelstrom of requests from our supposed allies — many of whom appear to be our friends but are, I suspect, the opposite — weigh heavily upon me.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDid you feel these burdens, Father?\u201d I ask the empty room. It always seemed as if he bore the weight of his crown easily. Of course, he had the counsel and companionship of Lars Knutson, Lord of the Northern Marches. Lars was my father\u2019s closest friend and his equal in all but royal blood.<\/span><\/p>\n

We lost them both, standing side by side and holding off the enemy, while my squadron and I ferried the survivors of the village and the battle\u2019s wounded across the river to safety. When the King and Lord Knutson died, I feared I was not prepared to take up my father\u2019s mantle.<\/span><\/p>\n

I had childhood friends but no close comrade, no one with whom I could share my hopes, my dreams, even my fears. I was a prince and expected to bear up under the pressures of, one day, inheriting the crown. The past year has been lonely with no boon companion to share my concerns, or even my happiness, when I could find any. I longed for someone like Lars. I don\u2019t believe Father ever understood how important his friend was; how dependent they were upon each other.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps I give you less credit than you deserve, though, Father,\u201d I murmur. \u201cIt\u2019s possible you did.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I hear people scurrying in the hallway but the door remains closed. I\u2019m sure, knowing I needed these few minutes by myself, Axel is keeping everyone away.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI have done my best, Father,\u201d I tell the listening shadows, \u201cbut the year has been dreadful. I am beset on all sides by avaricious petty kings who seem to have broken off their disagreements with each other, in order to focus on our small beleaguered territory. They sent representatives to your funeral, as was fitting, but I only saw political cutthroats conspiring with each other when they thought my back was turned. My knights and I have been staving off one raid after another. I believe our enemies plot with each other in secret and every foray has been a feint to test my resources and resolve.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I reach over my shoulder and lift the belt of the sheathed sword from the back of my chair before laying the weapon carefully across my knees. \u201cExcept this last invasion.\u201d With reverence, I raise the hilt and kiss the brilliant blue gem in the pommel. \u201cI maneuvered the coward who had attacked our farthest village in order to lure you and Lars to your deaths, into a confrontation. I took the Sky Sword he had stolen from your corpse out of his filthy hands and slew him with it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The Sky Sword. Grandfather had had it forged from the remains of a fallen star. \u201cI couldn\u2019t rest, Father, until I had recovered it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Slowly, I rise and belt the weapon around my waist. I will unsheathe it for the meeting, as it has a presence all its own and has been known to cause prevaricators to speak the truth, sometimes without their intent.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy, though? Why must I meet with yet another envoy, ambassador, whatever he calls himself? Have I not shown admirable patience this past twelve-month, Father? Have I not demonstrated commendable restraint in allowing all these false emissaries — well, most of them — to live? They lie with silver tongues and expect me to give up everything we have struggled to gain, so their lords and masters can lay claim to this land.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I begin to pace the confines of the room. \u201cOh, each of them says those they represent want only the best for our country and all who live here. They pledge that they will assist us against our foes and give aid to our old, our sick, and wounded. They offer succor in our time of need.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

My energy fails and I sit again. \u201cAnd the only thing they would require in return is my fealty, and the sworn allegiance of my subjects, to those they represent.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I lower my head into my hands, unhappy with myself for my weakness, even as I\u2019m unable to fight it off. I am hounded on all sides and am afraid to close my eyes. I don\u2019t believe I have ever felt quite so alone.<\/span><\/p>\n

Realizing I am delaying the inevitable, I rise again and leave my chamber. A servant disappears into a doorway, leaving the hall empty before me.<\/span><\/p>\n

As I approach my private entrance to the throne room, the guards come to attention. They appear as worn and spiritless as I am and I straighten my shoulders. I don\u2019t wish them to think I have lost hope. Responding to my more rigid posture, they stand straighter as well. I meet each of their looks and do my best to smile. It is probably wan but they seem to draw strength from it.<\/span><\/p>\n

One of them opens the door for me and I pass through. They do not follow; their duty is to guard that passageway behind my back.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Iron Throne is truly an intimidating object. For generations it has stood here, its grizzly assemblage of captured swords a testament to the lives it has cost to secure our small kingdom. Now rival despots are gathering and I am afraid I won\u2019t be able to hold what my ancestors have entrusted into my keeping.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGreat Thor,\u201d I breathe, thankful that no one is close enough to hear, \u201csend me a champion, for, in truth, my people and I are in dire need.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I pull on my gloves and unsheathe the Sky Sword, discovering that simply holding the hilt gives my arm renewed vigor. Hearing in my head, the fable of the weapon\u2019s birth, I silently offer the gratitude my ancestor deserves. \u201cThank you, Grandfather<\/em>.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I sit on the thinly padded seat and, touching the sword\u2019s tip to the wood square laid flush with the slate-clad floor, I nod to my chamberlain. He opens the double doors, pushing them wide and into the hands of waiting guards as he turns to face me.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe peace ambassador, diplomat, and warrior, Stavish,\u201d he intones, before taking a step to his right and clearing the way for this new emissary to enter. Echoes of the unusual name bounce off the unadorned walls.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stavish. Is that Polish? I wonder. I have no idea and I wrench my inquiring stare from the chamberlain to this man who, when he requested an audience, stated that he wished to be of service.<\/span><\/p>\n

As soon as my eyes meet his, I know Thor has answered my prayer.<\/span><\/p>\n

The newcomer is tall, within an inch or two of my own height. He wears no head covering and his dark hair curls lavishly around his well-shaped head and cascades nearly to his broad shoulders. His tunic clearly isn\u2019t new but is made of excellent material and will probably serve him for numerous years yet. The color is a deep indigo that matches his eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

And those amazing eyes are fastened upon my own. Within the space of a single breath, my heart is light and almost free of tension and fear. I know that, somehow, this man will be our salvation. More, he will be my Lars.<\/span><\/p>\n

I keep my tone as calm and normal as possible. \u201cApproach.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I don\u2019t blink as he crosses to me and he doesn\u2019t either. I have never seen eyes that intense shade of blue and, instinctively, know I will never tire of looking in them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMajesty.\u201d His voice is like honey over my raw nerves.<\/span><\/p>\n

Even as be begins to kneel, I catch his right arm with my left hand. \u201cNever.\u201d I suppose the word could have been misinterpreted but I know he heard my complete thought: Do not ever kneel to me. You are my friend, not my vassal. <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Although I don\u2019t break eye contact with Stavish, I\u2019m aware that those who have crowded into the room are surprised. I cannot remember my father voluntarily giving up his right to have a subject kneel, but I will not begin my relationship with this man that way. Let them make of it what they will.<\/span><\/p>\n

I stand and although I don\u2019t raise my voice, and speak only to him, the silence in the hall lets me know that every word is heard. \u201cI should have felt your coming, but I did not.\u201d I sense it as he absorbs my unspoken thoughts. \u201cNevertheless, and I say this with all my heart, you are welcome, Ambassador Stavish.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He and I get through the remainder of my official greeting and I\u2019m sure I say the correct and proper words because everyone in the hall, and those within hearing outside, begin to cheer.<\/span><\/p>\n

With my arm around his shoulders, we walk through the crowd and out onto the landing at the top of the stairs. We converse quietly, unheard by anyone but ourselves, in a way that makes me feel as if we have known each other forever. And, although I am not a religious man, something tells me that, even though he and I are meeting for the first time, our souls and hearts have found each other in countless previous lives. However, that is for debate among priests and philosophers. All I know is that I am no longer alone.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Author’s Note: This story was inspired by the image Hutch on the Iron Throne, which was one of Day 17\u2019s gifts on the 2017 Advent Calendar. I\u2019m indebted to Wightfaerie for coming up with the image, the suggestion for the … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,7,17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-139","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-fic","category-gen","category-sfw"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2018\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/139","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2018\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2018\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2018\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2018\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=139"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2018\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/139\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":628,"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2018\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/139\/revisions\/628"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2018\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=139"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2018\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=139"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2018\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=139"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}