Chapter Fourteen

Nerys POV Cont.
Instead, she made her way to the kitchens, on the opposite side of the castle. The cooks loved her and the servants there enjoyed having someone that would chat with them, and ask them about their families. Most days, they would have extra desserts and fruits in a little basket waiting for Nerys's daily trips to the kitchens. They cooks joyed in making Nerys extra little snacks that she could come grab as she wished, and always ensured there was something or another on hand for her.
On this particular day, the cooks had prepared Cranachan for Nerys; a Scottish dessert, consisting of layers of whipped cream, toasted oats, and raspberries. They had also filled a little basket with shortbread, dried hibiscus, honeysuckle, lilac, and various berries; along with some dried and seasoned seaweed. Nerys had a sweet tooth as well as a keen liking to seaweed, and most of the people that worked within the kitchens were well aware of this. She appreciated the fact that they considered her likes when leaving her their offerings. When Nerys had picked up the small basket of treats, she'd nearly squealed in joy at the sight of what had been prepared for her that day. She gave one of the scullery maids a quick hug, telling her to thank everyone for her, before she left the kitchens with her basket in hand.
Nerys's plan had been to go to the gardens hidden deep within the castle, in one of the mountain caverns. That plan had been derailed when, as she'd been making her way through the halls, she was struck by two faint smells. Ones that hadn't been in the castle before. The first was leather and teakwood. The second reminded her of the smell of seaweed and fresh roses. It was unusual enough for Nerys to want to investigate.
She found herself following the scents, right to the throne room. Instead of risking entering the room, Nerys thought it wisest to listen at one of the servant's doors. Being as close to them as she was, none of the servants would be willing to give her away immediately. Having decided her course of action, Nerys scooted up to one of the doors, and pressed her ear to the cold wood.
Wynne POV
It took the dwarves about half an hour to take them up the jagged path that lead to the castle. Looking at it up close, it was easy to see why it was defended as well as it was. The entire back half of the castle appeared as if it was swallowed by the stone of the mountain. The front looked as if it's rooms had been carved out of the mountain face itself. Even the pathway looked as if it had been carved from the mountain, and on either side of it was a sheer drop off. Leading directly to a deep chasm, filled with jagged stone, and likely the bodies of any who'd tried to storm the castle before. So deep, that Wynne couldnt even begin to determine exactly how far the fall might be.
Just thinking about how far the drop would be made Wynne uneasy. So instead of focusing on that, she looked closer at the architecture. Amazingly enough, they had even managed to carve spires into the stone, giving the castle four different towers along the face. Windows dotted the structure, and Wynne had no guess as to how large the building actually was. As they neared the end of the path, they reached a magnificent wooden door, guarded on each side by a total of eight other dwarves.
The dwarves that had brought them up to the castle entrance parted with them there, leaving Wynne and Arandir with their Captain of the Guard. The man stood at 6'7, and was extremely broad. It looked as though his armor had to be custom made for him, or it wouldn't have fit. He had his helmet on, so Wynne couldn't see his face. He exchanged a few curt words with Arandir, before he beckoned for him and Wynne to follow him. They were led through twisting halls, and Wynne could only stare. The halls inside the castle were enormous, and nearly every space was covered by some type of art.
After a couple winding turns, they finally came to what Wynne could only assume was either the Great Hall or the Throne Room. The Captain of the Guard knocked softly upon the door, before slowly pushing it open. He gave a small bow as he escorted Wynne and Arandir inside, then left. Before them, there was a raised dias. Atop it, there sat a gleaming throne, made of great oak and what appeared to be silver.
The woman upon the throne, to Wynne at least, seemed to sit there with an air of arrogance. Her eyes were a piercing yellow, and her greying hair was curled into an elegant pile atop her head. She had no crown, but Wynne had to believe that she was ruler here. When her eyes fell upon Arandir, she gave no second glance to Wynne. Her focus was purely on her mate, and it was making Wynne extremely uncomfortable.
"Ghillie Dhu, what is your reasoning for coming to my kingdom uninvited?" She asked, her words echoing through the Throne Room harshly. She didn't stand from the throne, but there was something menacing about her as she spoke. Before Arandir could give her an answer, a flurry of snow had begun to fall in clumps from the ceiling. The wind picking up, and the temperature in the room dropping drastically. Wynne's skin pebbled with goosebumps, and she unconsciously scooted closer to Arandir.