Paisum Castle, Glencar

Lily leaned against the window’s edge on Paisum’s highest tower.

She watched the darkness grow as the sun left to blanket the earth
with shadows. She watched guards salute each other to signal their
alertness. The knights of Paisum descended from the stables and
marched to end their day of perambulation.

The tower looked all over Paisum, and all its beauty. All down the
east side the ocean brought icy salt winds to the Paisum windows.
Wakes hit rocks and thrashed about causing noises in a silent town.
The meadows Lily used to play in with her mother danced south of the
castle with the winds. Just below the castle’s doors rested the
village homes where mothers shut windows to ease the household and
retire the children for the night. The gardens were filled with fresh
smells of misted vegetables and fruits.

Her eyes watched closely as the knights headed north to the barracks.
She watched as they drew closer to the doors of the Fort.

Knocks on the door of the tower startled the Princess. Lily turned to
see her father filling the tower door.

“What brings my lovely little Princess so high on a tower so cold?”

His gray eyes grew tired but gentle. His voice was rough from leading
many men in combat. He wore his navy blue sleeping gown with gold
embroidering. Hair once hazelnut like Lily’s now was streaked with
gray.

“Oh father, your hair is leaving you and replacing it with your father’s hair.”

“Only to give to you later,” The king winked at her. “That is if you
don’t plan on giving your soul to the ghosts early from the cold
oceans.”

“I was just watching the knights pass by. How did you know I was here?”

“I may be gaining years on my life but never will I forget the little
sprout that sat in the same spot you are sitting in now,” The king
stood by Lily looking upon the knights marching by. “It watched down
upon me every day as I safely escorted my troops back to the fort. I
would wave every time, knowing one day this sprout would grow to a
lovely flower.”

“But is the flower fully grown yet?”

The king kissed Lily’s forehead and walked to the door to exit but
turned to face his daughter, “To everyone else’s eyes, maybe. But a
father knows she will always have tricks under those breath taking
petals. Now, apparently there is a wedding tomorrow, maybe you should
get some rest, I am sure your day will be just as exhausting as mine.”

“Thank you father, I will always love you.”

“As will I, my Lily, my flower.”

Lily watched her father depart then closed her eyes to prevent from
crying. She listened as his footsteps dissipated into the depths of
the tower’s lower levels.

The loud slamming of the Fort’s doors knocked Lily from her reverie.

Her eyes flashed opened when she realized it was time.

It was finally time.