Ea
Ea, too, has been changed.
It came unexpectedly. For so long she had been alone - a self isolation. After her mother died, she felt as though she was weak, that she’d failed. It was embarrassing - Scorch had chosen her, out of all her children, to be great. She had trained her since birth to be a queen and still Ea could not fulfill her mother’s dreams for her.
Until now.
Her return to Beqanna forced her to grow. She is still strong and a bit rigid, uncomfortable and even sometimes cold with those she doesn’t know. But Ramiel has taught her that love is not a weakness, that they are stronger together and she is allowed to be soft without being fragile. The time that they were apart, while Ea had been stolen to the Valley, had only solidified her feelings for him. Before, she had been unsure that she was willing to give herself up - she still desperately wanted to prove that she could be successful on her own, that she didn’t need anyone. And it was still true; she didn't need anyone. But she wanted him.
She hears Ramiel call for a meeting as the sun rises. It is early, but Ea has been awake for hours. Sela is energetic and Ea does not yet trust her to be unsupervised. Sela is a spitting image of her mother - small and silver bay - but she has inherited Ramiel’s eyes and disposition, which was probably for the best. Ea had been smitten with her the moment she was born - all the pain and the sweat disappeared when she saw her, this tiny, wet thing that they created. All at once she had understood her own relationship with Scorch.
When the silver girls find Ramiel and the others, they greet him momentarily before finding their place back in the small crowd. Ea gently nips a bubbly Sela along, who wants to stop and talk to everyone, but it is the king’s turn to address them all. None of his announcements are new; though Ea hasn’t met most of the kingdom’s inhabitants, she and Ramiel are partners that discuss everything, and she recognizes the names of those receiving promotions. When finally he introduces them, Ea steps forward, nudging Sela in front of her.
“Hello,” she says, with a stiff smile. “I know many of you may not know me very well. I expect that will change. You have all done a wonderful job strengthening the Dale and I only hope to be able to continue your hard work. Both Ramiel and I are always here to listen to new ideas.” Looking out at the crowd, she thinks the moment could only be better if her mother was here to see it. She nods, finished with her short speech, and steps backwards, touching Ramiel gently on his neck. “Thank you, Ram,” she says softly. Contently.
ea
now you're staring at a queen.