 | Vashti
your queen
There was a light breeze that rolled across the plains. the grass bowed and nature’s song whispered through the trees. this was the time of season that the sun-fired lady loved to be apart of. her presence made the birds sing and the bunnies come out and wiggle their cute cottontails. her being brought life to the weak, brought hope to the depressed, and loved those who needed to be cherished. sure she didn’t look that intimidating, or of great importance, but that wasn’t what mattered. what mattered was believing in those who needed something to live for. her father had done great wonders, believing in his soldiers. her mother, at being the most hospitable hostess one could have. the desert bred lady wanted to be everything like her parents. no sorry sop story to tell. she considered herself blessed, and honored to have had such an upbringing of warmth and love, to build her up with a solid foundation of what a family should be, what a family should represent. to be apart of one another. to support each other in everything. to use your strengths and to come together to put to better use the qualities one might have that another does not. that is what she stood for. that was who she was, and is, and forever will be.
Her mother had named her from many a famous queen that had reigned. though she was not of royal blood, but had been part of the royal families “in” crowd. her father had been chief warrior of the king’s men. and had earned the king’s gracious trust to eternity. her mother had been the queen’s attendant for awhile until she had given birth to a filly all her own, who she had named in honor of her queen, and the queens before her. she had been blessed by the gods and goddess with unmatchable beauty. but not just outward beauty, but a true and pure heart. the filly, born under the harvest moon, was born of fire, and they called her vashti.
vashti was the chief warriors only gift as an heir, as her mother was too old to carry another. so the chief took it upon himself to teach his daughter everything he knew about war, and about battle, and about being a soldier. but not just that, the secret to being a great leader. and there was nothing special about being a leader. the responsibility of having the lives of your men on your shoulders, and bringing them home safely was a burden he wished on no one. he had told vashti, ”a great leader is born. they put others before themselves. they look to the future and makes decisions that only better a kingdom. the people look to the leader for guidance. someone they can relate to, but have complete trust and confidence in."
It had been two years to the day, vashti had received word from the queen, that her father had fought to the death, protecting the ones he loved. her mother died shortly after of a broken heart and the queen and king had taken Vashti under their care. though Vashti refused kindly and politely to staying with them, she would spend hours with the king and queen, learning everything she could. until the day she was told they no longer could help her, and that she was old enough to be on her own and that it would be good to smell the roses. to find a place where she belonged. to call her own. and these lands were her decision. this was her home. she had made that decision clear a couple days ago. but she hadn’t tried to make any acquaintances, as she wanted to become familiar with the land. to know every knot in every tree. to know why the blades of grass blew one way and not the other. If this was her home, she took in every opportunity to know it like she knew herself. how else would she learn to protect the ones she came to love had she not been doing her homework to protect them. you keep your friends close, but your enemies closer. this land, vashti deemed with a blood promise, she would protect if her life depended on it.
It just so happened, as she was making her usual round about of the day, that she finally came across others who also breathed and walked as she did. a kind and pure smile filled her dark brown eyes with happiness, and she made her way over to them. the filly’s antics made her giggle inside, as she remembered being that young, with the whole world in front of you to discover and explore. she admired the little one, for her bravery, and life. she had just caught the introductions, barely. her ears were forward in a friendly manner and her stride was so smooth and lithe, like a ballet dancer. her well compact, warrior build, but female dainty features, spoke volumes as to her blue blooded breeding. pure of desert bred. though surprisingly, she stood a good sixteen hands tall. she was the picture of perfection, with a great deal of wisdom, knowledge, from great kings of the past, and a great chief warrior who was her father. and despite the day of his death, two years ago, she was full of hope and optimism.
I am sorry to intrude like this, but i was making my morning rounds, and i couldn’t help but feel joy at seeing everyone across the meadow. i am vashti. but those who wish may call me v. and i have to say, bane, you remind me of myself when i was about your age.
She waited patiently while the others took in her presence. but already she felt at home. and she already felt a bond being built with the filly. vashti was determined to make sure she used everything she knew in her power to promise that her home would not be harmed. including the little ones of the future. she was not going to waste time.
|