Willows: Chapter 4

[gaiages]

Willows - Chapter 4
Fic Table of Contents

Fandom: Final Fantasy XIV
A trip out of the castle turns into something more complicated.


CWs: none

Poor Reyna, lol.

Other links: Tumblr | AO3

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Thwack!

Reyna hits the training dummy hard in the side. The knight was feeling bored—so what else was he to do but train?

Thwack!

He hears some whispering behind him, followed by a soft giggle. It causes Reyna to roll his eyes—he wasn't sure why he always seemed to attract an audience while training.

Thwack!

He idly thinks about how he never rolled his eyes before coming to the castle. It seems some of Eir's mannerisms are rubbing off on him.

Thwack!

"I believe it's dead, Reyna."

Reyna lets out a short sigh as he lowers the wooden sword and turns towards Gemna. "That is the point, yes. What can I assist with, Gemna?"

"I need you to come to the market with me!"

"You need me to help you with that?"

"Yes!"

"Why?"

Gemna crosses her arms. "What, are you busy, ser knight? I'm sure the training dummy will be here when you return. Or are you worried about providing the ladies their… entertainment?"

"What? No—"

The Bangaa gives a pointed glance to the handmaidens watching the two. "Go on now, girls, surely you can find something better to do?" As they disperse with some grumbling, Gemna turns back to Reyna. "Meet me at the gates in an hour. Be sure to wear something comfortable. No need for heavy armor or anything like that. It's the market, not a battlefield."

Before Reyna can respond, Gemna walks off, leaving the knight alone at the training grounds. Even if I tried to deny her, she'd just drag me out anyway… I'd best get ready.

***

"See, isn't this nice, getting out of the castle?"

Reyna looks nervously at the swathe of people bustling about the market. He was never one for crowds, but the market seems particularly busy today. He picked at the sleeve of his jacket, doing his best to stay out of the way of the throngs of people, and didn't hear Gemna's comment. Gods, it's so hot, why did I wear this—

"Reyna?" Gemna touches his hand, which makes the knight jump. "Are you alright?"

"Ah—M-my apologies…" Reyna turns towards Gemna with a frown. "I am… uncomfortable with crowds…"

"Let's take a rest, then."

Gemna grabs his arm and quickly ducks into a nearby cafe. She then gestures at a free table, urging Reyna to sit while she speaks to the shopkeeper. Gemna is being rather nice… Why is that?

The knight quickly chastises himself for the thought. No, that is unfair. She is usually nice, it's just normally hidden behind a joke or remark. Either way, he was thankful for the kindness now, as it gave him time to recuperate.

A few moments later, Gemna returns with tea and a small tray of sweets. "Are you feeling better?"

Reyna nods as he takes a sip of the tea. Gemna sits across from him, and after taking a sip of her own tea, lets out a sigh. "I must apologize, Reyna, for bringing you out here. I needed to speak to you privately about something."

Privately? She means so no one in the castle overhears… Very little is kept a secret in a castle, after all. "Very well, what did you wish to speak about?"

"Well…" Gemna trails off, seemingly at a loss for words. Well, this is unusual, what is going on? "It's more I need a favor. I need you to find Eir for me."

"…Find…?" What… what does that even mean? With the confusion plain on Reyna's face, Gemna sighs again and continues.

"Eir is one to go on… excursions, out of the castle. Without anyone knowing. I need her to return earlier than she planned."

Reyna takes a moment to process what Gemna said before speaking. "So… she's not in the castle?"

"No, she isn't."

"She's just… out in the town somewhere? By herself?"

Gemna scoffs. "Yes. You pick up fast."

Reyna pinches the bridge of his nose. I can't believe this… "...Why? Surely people would recognize her? What if she gets hurt? Or kidnapped? Or—"

Gemna cuts him off with a wave. "Breathe. Take another sip of tea." Reyna tries to protest, but the look on the Bangaa's face makes him decide against it. After he takes another sip of tea, Gemna continues.

"This is nothing unusual, Reyna—Eir has done this for years now, and she knows how to blend in and defend herself. No one else is supposed to know about this, but… I need someone to fetch her without making it an ordeal."

Without letting others know, she means. Reyna's headache felt to be growing by the moment. "Why is she sneaking out? I don't understand…"

"Don't understand? You were the Princess's shadow for weeks. Did you two ever step outside the castle?"

"...No, I suppose we didn't."

Gemna shakes her head with a sigh. "That's always been her life. The King is quite overprotective and worries for her safety. But it's stifling, and all it does is make her run off." The frustration on the handmaiden's face is clear. "It's no way to live, being holed up in the castle like that."

Reyna stares down at his teacup. "No, it is not…" He could not begin to understand what it must have felt like for Eir—and he idly wondered why the King was like this in the first place. Isn't it important for her to meet the people she will rule over?

"You agree, then. Good!" Gemna's comment pulls Reyna out of his rumination. "Then you'll help me out?"

The knight sighs. "I don't feel as though I have a choice…"

Gemna taps on her cheek thoughtfully. "Yes, I suppose it wouldn't be great for your employment if people knew the princess snuck out under your watch."

Reyna frowns at Gemna. Could Eir be any more troublesome…?

"Anyway," Gemna continues, "Normally we have these planned out so that no one suspects she's gone—none would bother the princess while practicing her ice magic, after all. However, an important noble is making a surprise trip to the castle, and she needs to be present to meet him."

"What sort of noble is so important that the royal family is at their beck and call?"

Gemna raises her eyebrows, then suppresses a chuckle. "Careful about who hears you say that." She smirks and grabs a cookie. "The Kludens are the most powerful noble family in the kingdom, and the King is hoping for Eir to marry their son."

Reyna's frown deepens. She's getting married? "Eir never mentioned any of this…"

The frustration is once again apparent in Gemna's voice. "Because she doesn't like the man. Ultimately it's her decision if she wants to marry him… but if not him, she'll need to find another suitor. The future Queen simply can't stay unwed forever. But where is she to find one if she can't leave the castle?"

Reyna sighs. This whole situation is overcomplicated… why must the royal family be like this? "So you need me to find Eir and get her back to the castle without anyone knowing."

"Yes." Gemna chuckles. "I knew I could count on you. Now, listen closely, I'll tell you where she is…"

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