[jan 30][Belgariad/Malloreon] Ignorance is bliss

[swollenfoot.livejournal.com]

Title: Ignorance is bliss
Day / Theme: January 30 / two less grumpy people in the world
Series: the Belgariad / Malloreon cycles
Characters: Garion, Ce'nedra
Rating: PG  

Overheard in the king’s office:

“Ce’nedra, please tell me exactly where I’m going to find a silver lining in losing two of my more brilliant courtiers-in-training in such a ridiculous way?”

“Well,” the queen bravely offered after a moment’s reflection. “There will be two less curmudgeons in court to deal with?”

“Those two young curmudgeons, while annoying, often bring to light certain angles to issues I myself overlook sometimes—and have saved the treasury a good deal of money over the years. I mean, they had the best intentions. Even though they did try to duel, they decided on using practice swords instead of the real ones.”

Ce’nedra looked at her husband skeptically.

“I’m sure they wouldn’t have chosen the eastern ramparts as their venue, if they haven’t been roaring drunk,” Garion conceded. “I don’t know what to say to their parents when I send them back.”

“They were idiots?” the queen responded mercilessly. “At least, they’re being honorably discharged from injuries, not buried. And you were going to fire them, anyway.”

“I was?”

“They were fighting over Beldaran’s petticoat.” Ce’nedra’s eyes were agate hard.

Garion sighed in exasperation. “Now, what would two grown men do with a young woman’s petti—Oh.” He frowned. “Oh. You don’t mean to suggest—”

“Don’t you dare even say it, Garion!” The queen’s face burned to match the shade of her hair. “We are not having this conversation here.”

“Well then, it’s as you say, dear,” the king finally agreed blandly. “All’s well that ends well.”

“You’re taking this awfully well, considering your eldest daughter’s virtue was in danger.”

“I did think they were a little too old for using ladies’ petticoats as coats of arms, but to each his own.”

Ce’nedra opened her mouth several times in an attempt to speak, staring at her husband’s honest face. Finally, she shook her head and settled for a helpless. “I’ll tell you later what some men use female articles of clothing for. After we get ready for bed, and away from your sword, I think.”

Garion murmured an assent. Beldaran, for the most part, was well capable of defending her virtue, anyway. He didn't bother telling his wife that most of the colorful bruises in both faces were in fact inflicted by the princess.

Kail wasn't going to tell the queen, that's for certain, and so left his sovereigns to their amusements that fine afternoon.

end. 

the back-up piece that was started too late. -__- 15 mins late so sorry. backtimed LJ