[center][h2] [color=00aeef][i]THE HEIR [/i][/color][/h2][/center]

The healer was tending to the fire and their dinner while Vestar and Marewen discussed their situation when a single rider from the palace happened to ride into the village. He had an announcement. The healer glanced at the door to her hut and she was relieved to see it firmly shut. 

[color=yellow]"Villagers! I come to you with sad news. Our young prince was accidentally killed in a hunting accident. I can not stress how important it is to the kingdom to find Princess Marawen. She is now the heir to the crown."[/color] The man stopped and listened to the shocked expressions of the boy's death. [color=yellow]"The King and queen beg you to help us find her."[/color] The man waited several moments before getting down and accepting a bowl of stew to eat.

The healer walked casually to her cabin and opened the door accidentally hitting Marewen with the door.[color=orange] "Excuse me girl! Your problems just get bigger and bigger." [/color]She sighed and closed the door.

Marewen was still trying to respond to Vestar's declaration of devotion to her and noticed that the woman seemed upset.[color=bc8dbf] "What is it Adelaide?"[/color]

Putting her hands on the girl's arms she told her [color=orange] "There is a messenger outside. He just announced that your brother has died from an accident while hunting. Marewen, you are the new heir to the throne of Mercia. Your father and Edgar can no longer kill you but they will never stop looking for you either. Without you your family's bloodline would disappear."[/color]

Marewen looked dumbfounded as to what to say or do. She looked at Vestar and she sat back down on the bed and stared at her hands.

Vestar was willing to prove that he was not going to leave her nor let her die for him. That's for damn sure. He turned to notice the commotion going on and raised an eyebrow from the unexpected news. Her brother, now dead and then on top of that, Marewen's death was now null and void. 

He stared back at Marewen after what was said and wondered what her reaction would be. Yes it's good that she's possibly no longer in danger but the sad news involving her brother... The prospects of them finding her, and an unknown future was at hand. Vestar walked over. [color=green]"Mare...." [/color]He called her in short. He sat next to her. [color=green]"What is on your mind?" [/color]He asked. 

Marewen looked up at Vestar and said,[color=bc8dbf] "Vestar, would you marry me and be my king?"[/color] She knew she had to go back now. She was nervous as she waited for his answer. Adelaide's response was to choke on her stew and cough so hard that Marewen got up and slapped her on the back. Turning back to him she said, [color=bc8dbf]"If we marry in a church then we can overthrow my father with the viking armies. You could rule by my side. We would be free."[/color]

The question Marewen asked him caught Vestar off guard. Usually it was the man that asked for the hand in marriage. For a moment, Vestar didn't answer but averting his eyes, he gave it a quick thought. [color=green]"Usually men ask that but...me....king? Me having power that stretch over the land? A chance to bring about more power to the Vikings......it would be an honor..."[/color]

[color=green]"So...maybe I should make the proper gesture. We must be favored by the gods to give us chance at true change. I can't help but marvel at the devastating blow your father and Edgar will suffer." [/color]Vestar took Marewen by the hand with a smirk and the confidence he's displayed before and continued [color=green] "So...Marewen of Mercia, it would be my honor to have your hand in marriage." [/color]He knew she'd say yes since she initially asked him but hey, why not do this the proper and traditional way by being the one to ask her. [color=green]"Will you marry me and allow me to be your king?"[/color]

Marewen grinned at him happily and wrapped her arms around his waist and kissed him.[color=bc8dbf] "Yes, I would be honored to have you for my husband and king. We have to find a priest and get married as soon as we can."[/color]

Returning her kiss, wrapping his arms around her back, Vestar gave a grin to the idea of having to find a priest quickly.[color=green] "Ah! Yes! Let's find out if there is one close by. Unless you know any personally that's close by?"[/color] he asked, taking a hand wanting to start the search immediately.[color=green] "Shall I have my former raid companions accompany us?"[/color]

Marewen nodded,[color=bc8dbf] "I think that would be wise. Edgar will kill you faster than look at you. We need to avoid Edgar at all costs. He wants my father's crown more than anything. We should go to Guthram to get married in another kingdom where there are a lot of witnesses and the roman catholic church. My father can't anul it then and marry me to someone else."[/color]

Adelaide looked at them with her chin on the ground. [color=orange]"Are you out of your mind girl? Do you realize you are plotting treason?"[/color] Marewen nodded. 

https://i.imgur.com/IoeeNfX.png

[color=bc8dbf]"Yes, I am aware that I am plotting the course for my own life and that as such it is treasonous." [/color]After looking to Vestar she asked Adelaide, [color=bc8dbf]"Can you make certain that the castle gentleman is gone please?"[/color] Adelaide left the cabin and returned a moment or two later.

[color=orange]"He is gone but be careful I don't know what direction he went in."[/color]


[color=green]"Understood. I'll speak to the men if they would agree to assist. But they still do not know of who and what you are. Let me reach them and hope to come to an agreement. I will surely inform them of the results of what comes after our marriage. That may be the motivation and comfort they need to agree." [/color]

Vestar looked to Adelaide and smirked.[color=orange] "We can go to Guthram if your strength will allow us to travel now." [/color]Vestar suggested. 

Grimar, Bard, Haf and the 2 spearmen were still in town but simply waited for news from Vestar about what's to come now since they've reached the destination and yet, still had a bargain. They watched when a messenger came and spoke about the death of King Philip's son. To the vikings, that sounded like wonderful news. One less potential ruler to give them problems. What about this princess though? She was missing? It sounded unusual but if it brought the kingdom to panic, this was the advantage they needed. 
[@King tai]