~Maria Point of View~

I decided to pull out of his vision once his paperwork started to bore me. I decided to do some light reading to help pass the time as it was only noon at this point.

And I didn’t feel like going outside today. Besides being drained from practice and the events of the day prior I really had no motivation to do anything.

The book I grabbed from the shelf was that of a story about another world. Where magic was nonexistent and the only humanoid race in the world was humans. Humans that hosted various creatures as pets. Creatures like snakes, rats, cats, and dogs. Now we have house cats and dogs here, don't get me wrong, but no one would mess with a snake or a rat. Those things can be deadly. In the story, apparently anything was able to count as a pet. Just promise it food and shelter and you have a companion for life.

The story is tilted, The Other Place, and was written ten years ago and brings joy to my face every time I read it. The story follows a girl who is stuck in her life. Then she is given the chance of a life-time. To become something she dreamed of becoming.

I always admired this story as it was a great pick me up. Now, I know it may not seem like a typical read but it was truly a captivating tale. One I could find myself distracted for, for hours.

It soon began to grow a bit darker as it grew close to five in the afternoon now. I read for five hours straight and was almost finished with the book.

I decided it was time for me to stretch my legs as laying in bed, they had grown tired. I placed a bookmark in the book and placed it on my desk and walked towards my door. Exiting the room, I locked the door behind me and began to traverse the hall in my wing.

I had a general idea as to where I wanted to go. It was an open window, with the glass missing out of it. This window had yet to be replaced, which was no thanks to me.

I found this window had brought me peace as it allowed the fresh summer breeze to flow through the empty hall. Rustling my hair and brushing against my skin, granting me a blanket of comfort.

I hopped up on the sturdy window seal that was framed in dark oak wood and swung my legs over the ledge. I rested my head against the frame and took in the sights of my kingdom that expanded before me,

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Lush green fields that met South Haven’s crystal blue and sandy white shore lines. Expanding over to the start of the outer ring and working its way inwards. All the way to the druid tree that was at the town’s center. Past that was the brutal mountain range of Glacier Crown Peaks.

The mountain range contained white snow capped peaks. treacherous rocks that stuck out the mountainsides. Various evergreen trees that promised life upon the mountains. No one dared to inhabit the mountains, as the stories of them grew worse and worse each year.

Yes, this was the same mountain range that Théoden had mentioned he trained in. Which perhaps, is why he had so much essence in his body. The perils that I knew he faced made sense due to the mountain’s history.

After taking in the sights of my kingdom I let out a long sigh and closed my eyes as I let the warm Summer air brush against my skin.

Upon finding peace, I began to sing a song that was once sung to me by my mother. “There once was a Princess….” I began as the music just flowed from my vocal cords almost effortlessly. “Who danced in the moonlight….her laughter was music…her heart was pure and her soul bright…in a kingdom full of magic, her beauty and elegance shown like light….”

She always said the song was about me but I dared to believe her. As I sang Théoden's voice softly spoke in my mind, Your voice…it’s effortless, ethereal even. Theo spoke through the bond as I could sense he was intently listening. I continued the song for another minute or so but eventually resorted back to humming a tune my mother used to play on the piano.

I was never proud of my voice. I was more ashamed than anything. However, Théoden always reminded me that my voice was lovely.

After I stopped humming the tune of the piano keys, I felt him pull back and return to his work. I couldn’t help but wonder if he was alright.

Hmm..I thought to myself, are you alright?

Why wouldn’t I be?

His voice sounded confused if anything a bit dazed. Was he truly lost in the sound of my voice? Did I captivate him that easily?

You stopped what you were doing to listen to me.

That’s not a problem is it?

No, not at all. Just caught me off guard.

Hmm…

His response back was simple but that meant he had just returned back to his work. Then his voice came back, one more thing Maria, don’t forget our dream tonight. Try to be in bed by eight please.

I’ll try.

I sat up there for a few more minutes before returning back to my room. I took a warm bath and pulled my nightwear and slipped under the covers. I flicked off my lights with a snap of my fingers and watched the sun descend.