Prince of Penance

Chapter Eleven: Necessary Preparations

Gruffi settled onto the red velvet chair like a dog that had just found the perfect place to curl up and didn't care if his master had forbade him to.

"Nice fancy place," he said smiling. "Oh my aching back, this feels so good!"

"They were certainly nice about giving us these rooms," Grammi said, settling into a nice chair by the fire with her knitting.

After leaving the Grand Hall they had immediately been grabbed by two servants who lead them to their new rooms, where their things had already been brought up. Gusto had told the astounded group that the only people living in this section of the palace were them and the two members of the royal family. Servants lived in the servants wing at the back of the Palace and most members of the Court themselves had separate homes in the city. This was Gusto's old suite of rooms, which echoed with an eerie emptiness that belayed just how small his family was.

"I used to have cousins and aunts and uncles and all sorts of people in this wing, you couldn't fit us all in here. Now this place is just...empty..."

"Now I know why they put us bere, uh, er, here," Zummi coughed. "Because its so isolated there's no chance we'll be seen by too many people."

"Its more than just that, Zummi, its for security," Gusto said, finally sitting down on a chair. "There are so few upper class families left, and most of them are feuding, and they feud because their children are up for the possibility of becoming kings and queens should the monarch and his own family pass away. The Jenka clan and the clan Augustus have been at each other's throats for hundreds of years over the throne, and still are. My very small and very depleted family is the result."

"So this is all the result of a blood feud then?" Grammi said wisely.

"Exactly; they married my sister to Prince Jenka to try and end the feuding...big mistake. Jenka used the throne for selfish gain and power...and my sister..."

Gruffi watched the emotions that wrote themselves in the lines of Gusto's face. He rubbed a hand over his head and coughed. He couldn't imagine Gusto's pain, and he had an uncomfortable pull to go over and hug him, which would have been quite embarrassing if he had.

But Gruffi had been surprised by just how beautiful and genteel the Queen was. He now understood why Gusto would go to such lengths to destroy his brother-in-law. He now truly understood his motives.

But he was afraid Gusto was now so stuck in his memories of the past that he would forget his years of goodness and make another mistake, or be caught up in this feud again. Temptation was there. Gusto must have been quite torn between trying to put on a presentably honest mask, and shouting at his aggressors.

For aggressors they were. Gruffi had seen the looks of pure hostility of the Court, the hatred there. It was like nothing he had ever seen on the faces of Gummi bears before. Not even the Barbics, for all their boasting, had displayed such utter loathing for complete strangers before.

"So when do we get to go back to the Court?" Sunni said brightly, and Gruffi chuckled.

"Already thinking about parties and balls hmm?" he said smirking.

"Sorry Sunni, we have to wait for my sister's instructions," Gusto told her apologetically. "Remember she's in charge of putting us to work here at the palace, so there's no mingling until you know when and where you are supposed to be."

"Work?" Sunni whined. "I'd rather be dancing with the Prince."

Cubbi snickered and Sunni threw a pillow at him. Gruffi felt bad for her; her status as a peasant would probably keep her out of the fancy Court and down in the kitchens or laundry rooms working. For a girl that surely wanted nothing more than to be a Princess she certainly wasn't going to get much 'Princess' like time to herself, and that was rather sad. But then, what did he know about teenage girls? She would probably sneak off to Court when nobody was looking!

Gotta keep her head on the ground and out of the clouds, Gruffi decided rightly.

But after about two hours of deciding who would get what room, and unpacking, they felt a little confused as to what would happen next, and Tummi complained that he was quite hungry and wondering about food. Gruffi had decided to room with Gusto, solely in the interest of keeping Cubbi and Sunni from having to share the one child's bedroom in the suite. He didn't want them fighting. But Grammi had given them both a coy look and...well Zummi had crossed his eyes and wandered over to the bookshelf on the walls to examine Gusto's collection of books, not saying a word. Gruffi would have to talk to Zummi about this at some point, but decided not to press about it for the time being; it was obvious his friend was uncomfortable.

"I can't believe all my old things are still here," Gusto said, picking up a paperweight from the table next to his chair, in order to pick up the piece of paper being weighted down under it. "Its...spooky. Like I left just yesterday..."

Gruffi was going to comment, but a suddenly knock at the doors and all motion ceased.Grammi set down her knitting and went up to answer the knock, peering out through the door in curiosity, then opening the door wide.

It was Queen Thistle Rose, who swept into the suite as soon as Grammi had opened the door, followed by two servants and a butler. Both the servants were women, kindly looking bears, one short and fat and the other tall and thin and carrying a strange black bundle which Gruffi wasn't sure the purpose of. The Queen immediately went to Gusto's side and kissed his cheek.

"Dear dear brother," she said sweetly. "Welcome home. And since I haven't had a proper introduction to your family, I shall let you do the honours."

Gruffi had to admit, Gusto's sister was a knockout gorgeous lady. She had changed from her extravagantly expensive court dress into something much simpler, but she still looked like a queen. Many layers of organza lace made up the majority of the dress, decorated with embroidered roses and many pink ribbons. Very cute. Gruffi noted that Sunni was dripping with dreamy delight at the Queen's presence; what Sunni wouldn't give to own a dress like that! After the introductions were over, the Queen introduced her staff.

"Well then, these are Madam Buri the head maid," who was the round short lady. "And Madam Pemsy, my lady in waiting. Mister Ness is my butler, and they attend me and the Prince here. You can ask for their help with any matter. But first, before any pleasantries, we must deal with the first order of business; deciding your duties here at the Palace, because I know you are all hungry and probably wish for a meal."

Tummi's stomach growled its agreement, and the Queen smiled.

"First off, you should note that although you are guests, and are able to eat in the Court, it is probably better to eat in privacy, especially if you get back late from daily tasks and find yourself unwilling to put up with the pomp and circumstance of Court. My son and I usually have no choice, but when we do have the choice we skip the Court. I'll leave that option up to you though; no person is an island and company is always welcome. Now as for the children..."

Sunni sat up straighter, and The Queen smiled.

"I understand that young Sunni is now fourteen years of age? Almost to be fifteen?"

"Yes Ma'am," said Sunni politely. "I'll be of age in one year, sixteen!"

The Queen laughed merrily, and straightened her skirts.

"Well then, no time like the present. Now that you are introduced at Court I can see no reason to keep you from it. We'll put you in lessons with the other young people here at the Wizard's College and you can learn math and history and spelling and make friend with all the other students. Of course my son attends the school as well for his training..."

Sunni giggled appropriately. The Queen smiled becomingly, then made a soft sound of surprise.

"Oh, I just thought of something, Buri, do I still have that green and pink dress from when I was a girl? The one with the bows that I can't fit into any longer? Bit young for me...I think it would be all right for Miss Sunni to borrow it."

Sunni looked like she'd have a seizure at the idea of wearing a Queen's childhood dress.

"That's awfully nice of you," Grammi said, giving a softly annoyed sigh.

"Don't mention it," said the Queen smiling. "If she's to be in Court with the other young people, she'll need appropriate clothing. She'll be teased mercilessly otherwise and we wouldn't want that."

Gruffi rolled his own eyes up as Sunni leapt up to curtsy for the Queen and thank her. Her courtly manners needed some work, but she at least was enthusiastic. Madam Buri went immediately to go fetch the gown, which was wrapped in a cotton dust cover, and Grammi ordered Sunni to put it away safely for later rather than take it out of its wrapping and try it on immediately. The girl pouted, but obeyed.

"Young Master Cubbi," The Queen said once this had been done, looking quite impressed as she turned to observe the youngest member of the family. "Did you really study under Sir Plucky of Gummadoon?"

"Yes Ma'am!" said Cubbi, and immediately launched into the story of how he and Calvin defeated Duke Igthorn and his ogres.

Grammi gave another long suffering sigh, and started another row of knitting. It appeared that the Queen was in no rush to leave and wanted genuinely to converse with them.

"A young knight such as yourself can't be kept cooped up inside school all day!" said the Queen brightly. "We'll have you in squire lessons in the afternoons with, hmm, Sir Wallaby I should think. He's been looking for a squire, and you'll also have lessons in the mornings at the school as well as Sunni. It is the law that every young child in the country must learn how to read, even peasant children."

"I already know how to read," Cubbi said, showing absolutely no proper manners whatsoever. "So does Sunni. Zummi taught us."

"Oh did he now?" the Queen was pleased. "Well Master Zummi, you might be surprised to learn that our wizards not only teach magic and do spells, but also are scholars, teachers and healers. I think if you head over first thing in the morning you'll be find a whole bunch of people wanting your attention. We can always use wizards, especially as adept a wizard as I have heard you to be."

Zummi blushed several embarrassed shades of crimson and smiled shyly. Gruffi did not feel so inclined to point out that Zummi caused a disaster with some of the simplest spells.

"Well I suppose I'm next," Grammi said, no bones about it. "I'm not afraid of hard work..."

"I suppose you aren't," the Queen chuckled. "Well then, Lady Grammi, we have an entire kitchen at the palace devoted to Gummi Berry juice preparation, of which chefs are in high demand of late. We've had a recent rationing of berries and the recipe has so many variations now based upon Gummi berries that are grown on this island, or the mainland, that every new chef brings something new to the kitchen. But I've got two healers tearing me in half attempting to convince me of their need of a nurse or a doctor to help them plaster up their patients. We had a plague come through here a month ago, and we have pirates and all that badgering our sailors and between fighting and sicknesses we have a lack of hands for that...Hmmm...Which to put you in. Either is very good I think..."

"I could do a bit of both," Grammi suggested. "I'm used to a full day's work at home."

"Well then, I shall put you to both tasks!" the Queen said delighted. "You can be with the healers in the morning, and in the afternoon in the kitchens, and you'll find the juice chefs are just as amiable and forthright a bunch as you could ever hope to find. I cook juice myself on occasion and I find them to be most wonderful. Anyone with the talent, from the Queen to the servants, is likely to be found in the kitchens these days. In fact it is custom for the Prince to only drink juice that the Queen has prepared with her own hands."

Grammi shared a laugh with the Queen and they gossipped for a long while about Gummi berry juice making techniques and the hardships of having to cook it, and teach it to another person, which caused Sunni to pout. Finally the Queen took on a soft serious look, with a wry smile.

"Now, I have had a personal request for the services of Mister Tummi," said the Queen, turning to the bear in question. "Captain Chummie was ever so delighted with you and is looking for a few good sailors to go with him on his usual run from Monteray to Botanon Bay and along the coast to all the settlements. It's a month long voyage, true, and you'd be separated from your family so I'll have to let you discuss it with them. Of course his is one of the safer ships in the fleet. We've had to pull sailors from his ship to other ships in order to make up for crew members lost in battles with pirates along the coast. We would never dream of putting any new sea man on a Military vessel, however, and you can be assured that Captain Chummie, though he has his share of battles, much prefers the simple life of a cargo pilot."

Tummi was very surprised at this, and so were the rest of the Gummis. All eyes immediately turned to Gruffi and Grammi, who shared a look.

"Well, Tummi dear, you're an adult now," Grammi said at last. "And you have a head on your shoulders thats as good as anybody else's."

"What Grammi is trying to say is, the decision is up to you," Gruffi said, feeling very proud of Tummi, and a little morose. "I know its what you love and you're good at sailing."

"I guess I'll have to think about it," Tummi said, grasping his hands in front of him. "But boy oh boy it would be fun!"

The Queen chortled and gave Tummi a knowing nod, before turning to smile at Gruffi.

"Well Mister Gruffi, you've certainly caused some arguments between Councillors Venti and Numa. My son and I are really not sure what to do with you..."

Gruffi coughed, and scratched his head.

"Just give me a hammer and nails and I'll work for you. As Grammi says, we Glen Gummies aren't afraid of hard labour."

"Ah, but the problem isn't about whether you're good at hard work," the Queen said smartly. "For I'm sure that you are. But what Numa and I agree, and what Venti and my son absolutely refuse to acknowledge yet, is that you are the leader of this group, and intelligent and responsible. I would like to see you given a place on the minor council as an ambassador from Dunwyn, with all the rank and privileges thereof."

"Ambassador???" the Gummis said in shock.

"Me?" Gruffi, pointed to himself. "We talking about the same Gruffi here?"

"Yes you," said Queen Thistle Rose, with all seriousness. "It has come to my attention, and councillor Numa's, that Dunwyn is still inhabited by more Gummi bears than we had previously though. Even more alarmingly, there are still places all over England with Gummis. Botanon Bay was her first clue as too what has been happening in England. Gummi bears who have failed to discover New Gumbrea, or those who were unable to get far enough, have been returning to the old places where Gummis used to dwell. It would be important for us to have somebody to discuss these things with, to give us an idea as to the situation mainland.," the Queen then smiled a sneaky little smile. "Councillor Venti, however was most insistent that the last place he wants you is anywhere my brother is, especially not in places of political power, for he believes of all your family, you would be the most trouble to him."

"He's got that right," Gruffi said with a snort. "I gave my word I that won't let them hurt Gusto and I won't!"

Gusto turned his head in an uncomfortable manner when Gruffi said this, but Gruffi didn't care. The family would figure it out eventually.

"Well, I suppose so," the Queen said, and the tone of Gruffi's voice and Gusto's embarrassment had not missed her notice. "But if you were on the council, you would be able to be present your arguments on his behalf for the council hearing. More often than not common folk are not allowed into the courts. Councillor Numa, however, wants all of you in the court for my brother's hearing, and is working hard at getting you there."

"I...see..." Gruffi said, swallowing. "It is why we all came here in the first place."

The Queen nodded, and there was a quiet pause of contemplation from her, before she sighed.

"Which brings me to my last order of business," she said heavily. "Augustus..."

She turned to smile at him fondly, and to take his hand.

"I'm just causing all sorts of trouble for everyone aren't I?" Gusto said, looking much less miserable now than he had before they had arrived at Monteray.

The Queen had such a profound effect on her brother; he seemed to lose years off his age just in her presence. It was if a young man sat on the couch next to her, and not Gruffi's fully adult middle aged lover.

"You have," the Queen said with a smile. "Of course, as a Prince of Monteray you won't have to do a lick of work around here, in fact, the council wants to keep you as far away from the college as possible. They don't want you to practice magic."

Gusto nodded, as if he had expected this.

"Its not as if they fear you would use magic to harm others," the Queen continued. "It is that your magic feeds the sea monster, which is the purpose of all this trouble and the cause of much of our sorrows. The less it has to feed upon the better."

"I highly agree," Gusto said firmly. "Even if I wasn't forbidden, I'd had no plans of going to the college whatsoever."

"Well, there's very few other places you can go on probation," the Queen admitted. "Anywhere in the palace indoors, or a surrounded garden that does not lead to the open yards and walkways of the palace. In a matter of fact, the Court itself is expressly forbidden to you unless the Prince summons you or gives you permission to enter within it."

"I see..." Gusto coughed. "Well, yeah, I wasn't exactly a big dandy of the Court before I left to begin with. I don't exactly miss it."

"No," the Queen agreed. "But that is neither here nor there. The Court is forbidden, because the Prince wants it, not because of the Council or Justice. He wasn't impressed with you, brother."

"I suppose not," Gusto laughed, pulling off his hand and twisting it in his hands. "But its been fifteen years. I'm a poor artist now! Did he expect me to come in front of him in velvet and satin slippers?"

The Queen couldn't help but give a nervous laugh and nod.

"He's got some of his damn father's stubbornness about respect and presentation. But on the matter of clothes, I have some orders from him and the Council for your dressage. I have robes that I have been...instructed...that you are to wear," she said this with a thickness of distaste to her voice which bellied her displeasure at being ordered by anyone to do anything. "Pemsy...?"

The Queen rose and went over to her servants, who had been waiting near the doors this whole time. Gruffi was a little upset that they hadn't sat down with them, but he supposed they were on paid time at the present and would not be able to put up their feet and share stories with anyone until their day's duties were finished. The Queen took the bundle of black cloth from Madam Pemsy and Gusto stood immediately to his feet.

"Give them to me," he said. "I'll wear them. The last thing I want to argue with the Council over is something as small as clothes."

Gruffi watched in amazement as Gusto unrolled the black bundle and pulled the simple black robe over his head. It wasn't much more than a long black tunic with a hole in the top for a neck and long oversized sleeves, but he put the thing on, and adjusted his hat and grinned at his family.

"How do I look?"

"Like a big sack of laundry," Grammi snorted "Turn around, let me see your back. You've got the darn thing on backwards I bet, just like all your other shirts!"

The Queen giggled, but Sunni was eyeing Gusto's new outfit with a strangely serious look. With a voice that Gruffi could swear almost sounded like it was full of maturity, Sunni asked simply,

"But what are they for? I don't understand why he has to wear those clothes?"

The Queen smiled to her fondly, and her voice took on a low serious and soft tone like a hush of a breeze.

"These are the robes of the condemned," she said gently. "The clothes of the living dead."

All colour drained from Sunni's face, and Grammi put a hand out to take her hand gently. Cubbi looked like he was going to start arguing, but Zummi put a restraining hand on his shoulder. Gusto had fallen back onto his chair in a comfortable slump, putting his feet up and shrugging.

"What can I say? I don't know what to say about it. It is what it is. I'm not going to question it now."

Gruffi felt his heart aching in his chest; Gusto's voice was so forlorn and fearful, as if all the gaiety of the visit had never occurred. But Gruffi made no move to go and comfort him. The Queen finally sat back down into her seat on the couch, and addressed the children directly.

"Fifteen years ago my brother was sentenced to death. I trust you already know by now why," she said honestly, and adjusted her skirts around her once more. "I plead on his behalf to the council, and they offered him a stay of execution; fifteen years of exile from Monteray. In two days the council will convene to decide whether the sentence will be dropped, or...not..." she spread her hands out. "All I can offer as solace is that fifteen years has passed, and executions are so rare and considered so inhumane now that the likelihood of it happening is almost nonexistent."

"Almost," Gusto smirked, crossing his arms. "Because the Council wishes me to take the blame for the last fifteen years of the kraken's activities, even though I have not been in control of the creature. It can only rise to the surface when summoned. It slumbers otherwise, and I don't have the Seal Flute."

"Which leads me to believe that someone on the Council may know who is really in control of the kraken, and may be trying to protect that person, or is using the kraken for ill gain."

"Which makes me wonder if they will execute me!" Gusto said, throwing up his hands. "If they did, than that particular council member will lose its control over the kraken, unless they have found a way of transferring all control to themselves!"

"Well, if I have to invoke my authority as Queen to keep you from execution I will, my dear brother,"said the Queen softly. "But my son is on the throne now, ready and able to rule. There is little authority I have over any of this. I can only advise Bryton to be merciful. He has nothing to gain from your death, but everything to lose from your remaining free. You are the sole remaining adult heir of Augustus the Second. You could potentially challenge his Crown if you were freed. You are already a Knight and you have already fought and defended this country. He has not yet, and that is all he requires before he can become the King."

"Is the Prince...not trustworthy?" said Grammi quietly.

"Oh, I would trust him completely," said the Queen softly. "But he's being influenced by members of the council, and I'm sure by Admiral Karse and the other flutterbies at Court, to listen to their problems and concerns. As an adult now he has to make many decisions, with or without my approval and its taking a toll on him. I can trust him, but Augustus, if you want to be able to trust him, you have to show him that he can trust you."

"I don't...know how," said Gusto, putting his hands to his sides. "I killed his father."

"But you also freed his mother," the Queen said gently. "He never knew Jenka, but there is a chance for him to have an Uncle, if only he can believe that your actions were not a ploy to rule Monteray, but out of love for me. He has to see it to believe it."

Gusto just shook his head and buried his face in his hands. Gruffi scratched his sides, and looked around the room quietly, before sighing.

"I don't really trust anybody here," Gruffi admitted, causing the Queen to jerk her head up in attention. "I don't know if its just that its a Court, like the Court that existed in Dunwyn when I was a child, but I can feel dishonesty in the very walls. You've been at least somewhat genuine with us Ma'am."

"There are honest people here, but you'll be hard pressed to find them in the fluttery and finery of the Court, nor the stuffy corrupted traditionalism of the Council. You might feel more comfortable if you took up a lowly carpenter's position and stayed out of that rat's nest all together. But if you do, Augustus will stand alone."

"Well," Gruffi said, coughing. "I wouldn't want that. If I'm allowed, I'll give the Ambassador thing a shot. But I'm a plain bear who wears plain robes. You won't be getting me into any sort of frilly council robes."

The Queen giggled, and so did Sunni, Grammi had a hearty laugh and the men all chuckled. A muted clanging of a heavy bell suddenly echoed through the palace, and the Queen finally rose.

"Well that that was the dinner bell. It is late and I have to be with my son for dinner. Mister Ness here will bring you dinner tonight, and tomorrow you can seek out the kitchens or common rooms of the Court for breakfast as you see fit. And I shall see you all anon."

She kissed Gusto on both his cheeks, curtsied for them all, and left with the two maids. The butler gave them a bow, promised dinner would be brought up shortly, and also made his exit.

"My Gusto, your sister is so polite for a Queen," Grammi said the minute they were gone. "Now I understand better how you must feel about her."

"She's so pretty and well mannered and she wears the most beautiful clothes!" Sunni said in fluttery delight. "And she's so much more frienly than I thought a Queen would be like!"

"Indeed," Zummi stammered. "You must be very proud to have a Queen for a sister!"

Gusto smiled, a heartbreaking smile that Gruffi could feel the layers of warmth and affection of even from his place across the room by the fire.

"I am," he said simply. "Believe me, I am."

-----Ahhh! I hate capslocking important places and things! From now on, if I miss one, just ignore it because I'm not going to be obssessive about it anymore! This chapter is just a long reiteration upon everything from the previous chapter, btw. I Just love writing Thistle Rose, what a darling character she is! Enjoy this sort of 'settling in' chapter, its long and a repetition of some of what I already mentioned before, but unbearably cute and sad and I think it was needed. And Sunni is just too cute. ;)