Rudiger hadn’t seen the throne room since Lidda had killed King Wavon and launched her attack. Being mostly confined to his apartments meant he had not seen much of the Palace interior at all in that time. He hadn’t really missed it.
The throne room seemed bigger now, though that was obviously absurd. It was probably because of how empty it was. On his previous times here, it had usually been full of nobles and courtiers, not to mention guards. There were people here now, but not nearly as many, and they were all congregated in a small group at the far side of the room near the throne itself.
A herald announced his presence, and Lidda rose from the Bear Throne, motioning Rudiger to come forward.
Rudiger took a deep breath and started forward, playing up his limp a bit. Although he was still probably several months away from full mobility—at least, according to his physician—he was actually walking reasonably well now, his leg only a little stiff. However, he wanted Lidda to think he still had more healing to do than was actually the case.
He took occasional glimpses behind him as he moved. The two guards who had escorted him here were maintaining a close distance behind. Despite the so-called honour Lidda was bestowing on him today, she obviously still didn’t trust him. She was wise not to, obviously, but hopefully, it wouldn’t be an obstacle.
With luck, today was the day Lidda Plavin died.
There were a dozen other guards in the room. Two were stationed behind the throne. The other ten were spaced along the walls leading up to the throne, five on each side. Rudiger recognised them all. A couple he had even gotten to know a little. They were all young and inexperienced, and none of them would be fast enough to reach him. Only the two behind him were any real concern. At least, he hoped.
The throne room appeared to have escaped any damage from the dragon attack, which wasn’t surprising as it was pretty close to the centre of the building. It had been protected by all the rooms around and above it.
As he got closer to the dais with the throne, however, it was clear the carpet leading up the steps and to the throne itself had been replaced. It was a slightly lighter shade of blue than the rest of the carpet, and clearly not as fine. The King had died on the steps of the dais and the flames of his death had presumably burned the original carpet. Rudiger took a little silent delight in the fact Lidda had not been able to get a perfect copy of the old carpet.
As Rudiger neared the edge of the steps, Malef rose from the second throne, and came down the steps. “Rudiger, my friend! You don’t know how much it pleases me that you have agreed to this commission.”
They embraced and exchanged kisses to the cheeks. As they parted, Malef pressed something into Rudiger’s hand, and Rudiger quickly pushed it up the sleeve of his doublet. He didn’t need to look at it. He knew what it was. He and Malef had planned this carefully during the last time they had groomed Borisin together.
Malef had learned that Lidda was planning to leave soon to head to Singea, probably taking Rudiger with her. She had even lifted the embargo so that she could depart in disguise as just a common traveller. Assuming she was taking him with her, Rudiger had considered waiting until then to kill her. She’d have fewer guards with her, and they’d be in disguise too, so not as heavily armed and armoured. Unfortunately, Lamaën would presumably be going with her too, and Rudiger wanted to do this while Lamaën wasn’t around. Moustache Man’s powers were too much of an uncertain factor.
That was why he had to do it now. Lamaën was not in the Palace. Malef wasn’t sure why, but it was probably to handle arrangements for Lidda’s departure. He wasn’t due back for several days. There wouldn’t be a better chance to kill Lidda.
As Malef stood aside, Lidda came partway down the steps. Rudiger bowed low, making a point to stumble slightly. He clutched at his leg a moment before rising at her motion. “Apologies, your Majesty.” She had taken to requiring people to refer to her that way. Even though Prince Cerus was still alive and she had not even officially married Malef yet, she had declared herself Queen of Arnor.
“Apology accepted, Lord Fonivan,” Lidda said. “I am aware you are still having difficulties with your leg, but your mobility is improving, is it not?”
“It is, your Majesty. Slowly.”
She nodded with a smile. “I’m glad. And I am also glad you have decided to accept my offer. It lightens my heart immensely.” She spread her arms and addressed the room. “My lords and ladies, thank you for attending me today, and thank you for your continued support as we all adjust to the change in the situation in the Palace and Arnor as a whole. We are here for two reasons. Both are matters of celebration, but the first is one of great meaning to me personally.” She held out a hand to Malef. “My love.”
Malef climbed the steps and took her hand.
She turned to face him and took his other hand as well. Then she turned her head to look out across the room. “My lords and ladies, it is my great pleasure to announce that I and my dearest Malef, prince of Arnor, will be married tomorrow at noon. You are all invited, of course.” She turned her head back to Malef and the two of them kissed.
The small crowd erupted in cheers and claps. After a moment, Rudiger joined in, trying to sound elated. Malef hadn’t told him about this, although he supposed he shouldn’t have been surprised. If Lidda intended to be away for a while, she presumably wanted to formalise her relationship with Malef before going.
Malef parted from Lidda and came back over to Rudiger. The two of them embraced again, as Rudiger hollered, “Congratulations, my friend!”
“She only told me this morning,” Malef said quietly in Rudiger’s ear. “Are you sure you can do this?”
“Certain.”
They parted and Malef returned to Lidda’s side.
After a moment, Lidda raised a hand and motioned for people to quieten down. “Now, for the second reason we are here today. My lords and ladies, you see before me Lord Rudiger Fonivan. You may all be aware he has been a guest here in the Palace for the last two months as he recovered from some grave injuries to his leg. You may also be aware that Lord Fonivan and I have not always seen eye to eye. However, in his time here, he has shown a willingness to follow me and has lived up to a promise he made me when he first came. I have also had him closely watched and he has shown no signs of plotting against me the way many of you are.” She looked about the room, a knowing smile on her lips.
Rudiger resisted the urge to follow her gaze to see what the reactions were. There was some light nervous laughter, however.
Lidda descended a couple steps. “Lord Fonivan is also a good friend of my beloved, who has vouched for his loyalty. Finally, and most importantly, Lord Fonivan is an experienced and very capable warrior. It is for these reasons, I have offered him the position of head of my Kingsguard, and he has graciously accepted. We are here now to make his appointment official. Lord Fonivan, I know it will be uncomfortable, but I must ask you to kneel.”
Rudiger bowed his head. “Of course, your Majesty.”
“I promise I will keep your discomfort as short as possible.”
Rudiger lowered himself to his knees, groaning slightly as he did. He didn’t actually need to fake it. Kneeling was quite uncomfortable.
Lidda descended a couple more steps. She was almost close enough, but he needed her a little closer. The blade was tiny. The only way it was going to kill was if he got a major artery. With the thick, heavy skirts of her gown, there was no way he could get at her thighs. He would have to go for her neck. He twisted his arm slightly and let the blade fall into his hand, which he closed around it. Lidda would have to come closer at the conclusion of the ceremony to kiss him. That was when he would do it. He would die soon after; he had no doubts about that. The guards would descend on him, but the main thing was she bled out before they could save her.
“Lord Fonivan, do you pledge your loyalty to me, soon to be Queen of Arnor? Do you pledge to follow my commands and to defend me against all harm?”
“I do, your Majesty.”
“Do you pledge to lead both the Kingsguard and Palace guard with honour and dignity? To train them into the most effect fighting force you are capable of, so that they can defend me with as much skill as you?”
“I do, your Majesty.”
Lidda held out a hand, and a courtier approached with a sword, which she took. She then descended the remainder of the way down the steps so that she was right in front of him.
Rudiger was tempted to do it now, but it was better that he wait until she asked him to stand so that they could exchange kisses. He needed her close. So he bowed his head.
Lidda lowered the flat of the sword to his shoulder. “Then Lord Fonivan, I hereby—”
Why had she stopped? Rudiger resisted the urge to look up.
“Lord Lamaën,” Lidda said. “What a surprise. I was not expecting you back so soon.”
Shit.
“My apologies for interrupting, your Majesty. I asked the herald not to announce me so that I would not disturb the ceremony.”
“You are most welcome here. Please join us at the steps beside my beloved. Lord Fonivan, my apologies for extending your discomfort. I hereby proclaim you leader of my Kingsguard and grant you the rank of general.” She moved the sword to Rudiger’s other shoulder. “May you perform your duties with honour and excellence. You may rise.”
Rudiger lifted his head and glanced past her at Malef, where Lamaën was just arriving at his side. There was a hint of sadness on Malef’s face, but he gave no clear indication of what he thought Rudiger should do. And why would he? He couldn’t give anything away.
Holding back a groan against the pain that really was flaring up in his leg, Rudiger rose to his full height and looked down at Lidda. If he was going to do it, it had to be now and he had to do it fast. There was no way anyone here could get to him in time. If he did it right, Lidda would bleed out too fast for anyone to save her.
Except maybe Lamaën. Moustache Man might even be able to stop Rudiger before he could harm her. He stood there now, tugging at his moustache and looking at Rudiger with an unreadable expression.
Gods damn it.
Rudiger pushed the blade back up into the sleeve of his doublet, and leaned over to allow Lidda to kiss his cheeks. As she mimed kissing his first cheek, she whispered in his ear, “If you dare betray me…” She continued at his other cheek, “Your horse will die and Malef will suffer terrible injuries.”
Lidda stepped back and motioned for him turn around. “My lords and ladies, I present to you General Lord Rudiger Fonivan, commander of my Kingsguard.”
Rudiger turned around and forced a smile, as the assembled nobles and courtiers clapped and cheered.
What a fucking disaster.
