Post by Seek on Feb 11, 2017 3:38:15 GMT 10
Title: Concerned Parent
Rating: G
Prompt: Conversations (MPP #51)
Summary: Jonathan is worried about Liam.
Notes: With the exception of Wyldon of Cavall and the conservative who changes his mind about Kel, we tend to get a fairly negative picture of conservatives throughout PotS. So: what happens if the royal family is divided along the lines of some members leaning conservative and others progressive? What happens then? What if conservative parents are asking their children to get close to Liam and Jasson? The other assumption I made was that for Padraig haMinch to be an acceptable candidate, he had to be: A. conservative (mentioned), B. of an impeccable bloodline (also mentioned), and C. (most importantly) as fair as, if not more fair than Lord Wyldon.
-
"You wanted my opinion, your Majesty," the newest training master said.
King Jonathan sighed. "Yes," he agreed. "I did. You're certain?"
That expressive mouth twitched in a faint smile. "I wouldn't have said it if I wasn't certain, your Majesty." It had just the faintest air of a rebuke, but - naturally - lacked any force at all.
The king poured the apple juice for both of them. There was no squire present; not in the training master's office. Padraig haMinch made to serve his king, but the man waved him off.
"I should have expected this," the king finally said. He did not take up his cup. Neither did the training master.
"Your Majesty," Padraig said. His dark eyes were serious. "We cannot see the future. We do not know what the gods have in store for us. We can only make educated guesses. And I think you do them a disservice, your Majesty."
"You're lucky Alanna isn't around to hear you," Jonathan said, wryly.
"Perhaps," Padraig accepted. "But Tortall needs both of us, your Majesty - conservatives and progressives alike. We both bled for the kingdom during the Immortals War. We both are bleeding for the kingdom now. And," he added, almost as an afterthought, "Boys choose their own friends in page training."
"I know," Jonathan replied. "And you also offered your assessment: that they were being asked to get close to Liam."
Padraig nodded, without hesitation. "Yes. And I also judge that if Prince Liam had been truly boring and a thorough trial to befriend, no amount of coaxing from their parents would've persuaded them to remain friends with him."
Jonathan drummed his fingers idly on the surface of the wooden desk. Padraig was silent, helping himself to his apple juice.
"Are you an optimist, then?" Jonathan finally asked.
"I do not consider myself one, your Majesty," Padraig replied, setting his cup back down. "But I do not believe in borrowing trouble when the situation remains - fluid. I understand your concerns, and those of your spymaster. But all I see are boys who have befriended each other - even if one of them is the son of the king, and the rest of them are the sons of the Northern Alliance." His mouth twitched again, in that faint, almost-rebuking smile. "Conservatives."
"I wouldn't be so worried if it were just Nond," Jonathan admitted. "But Liam is third in line to the throne, and there's that Haken of Stone Mountain, Arwyl of Groten, Hendrik of Tirrsmont, among others. I know better than to tar all conservatives with the same brush, but there are some among the conservatives who give me cause for worry." He shook his head. "And the fact they have asked their sons to befriend Liam clearly shows some intent to influence the direction of the Crown."
"Your Majesty," Padraig replied, "Permission to speak freely?"
Jonathan waved him on. "You know my opinions on the matter."
"They are all young," Padraig said. "We all make mistakes when we're young. We are not always proud of them. Joren of Stone Mountain made his choice. So did Wyldon of Cavall. These boys have their own choices and mistakes ahead of them - seven years of them, before they'll be deemed ready to serve the Crown. Much can change in seven years. And even if the Prince is a conservative - with all due respect, your Majesty, we cannot choose for our children. No matter how we might wish for them to share our beliefs."
Rating: G
Prompt: Conversations (MPP #51)
Summary: Jonathan is worried about Liam.
Notes: With the exception of Wyldon of Cavall and the conservative who changes his mind about Kel, we tend to get a fairly negative picture of conservatives throughout PotS. So: what happens if the royal family is divided along the lines of some members leaning conservative and others progressive? What happens then? What if conservative parents are asking their children to get close to Liam and Jasson? The other assumption I made was that for Padraig haMinch to be an acceptable candidate, he had to be: A. conservative (mentioned), B. of an impeccable bloodline (also mentioned), and C. (most importantly) as fair as, if not more fair than Lord Wyldon.
-
"You wanted my opinion, your Majesty," the newest training master said.
King Jonathan sighed. "Yes," he agreed. "I did. You're certain?"
That expressive mouth twitched in a faint smile. "I wouldn't have said it if I wasn't certain, your Majesty." It had just the faintest air of a rebuke, but - naturally - lacked any force at all.
The king poured the apple juice for both of them. There was no squire present; not in the training master's office. Padraig haMinch made to serve his king, but the man waved him off.
"I should have expected this," the king finally said. He did not take up his cup. Neither did the training master.
"Your Majesty," Padraig said. His dark eyes were serious. "We cannot see the future. We do not know what the gods have in store for us. We can only make educated guesses. And I think you do them a disservice, your Majesty."
"You're lucky Alanna isn't around to hear you," Jonathan said, wryly.
"Perhaps," Padraig accepted. "But Tortall needs both of us, your Majesty - conservatives and progressives alike. We both bled for the kingdom during the Immortals War. We both are bleeding for the kingdom now. And," he added, almost as an afterthought, "Boys choose their own friends in page training."
"I know," Jonathan replied. "And you also offered your assessment: that they were being asked to get close to Liam."
Padraig nodded, without hesitation. "Yes. And I also judge that if Prince Liam had been truly boring and a thorough trial to befriend, no amount of coaxing from their parents would've persuaded them to remain friends with him."
Jonathan drummed his fingers idly on the surface of the wooden desk. Padraig was silent, helping himself to his apple juice.
"Are you an optimist, then?" Jonathan finally asked.
"I do not consider myself one, your Majesty," Padraig replied, setting his cup back down. "But I do not believe in borrowing trouble when the situation remains - fluid. I understand your concerns, and those of your spymaster. But all I see are boys who have befriended each other - even if one of them is the son of the king, and the rest of them are the sons of the Northern Alliance." His mouth twitched again, in that faint, almost-rebuking smile. "Conservatives."
"I wouldn't be so worried if it were just Nond," Jonathan admitted. "But Liam is third in line to the throne, and there's that Haken of Stone Mountain, Arwyl of Groten, Hendrik of Tirrsmont, among others. I know better than to tar all conservatives with the same brush, but there are some among the conservatives who give me cause for worry." He shook his head. "And the fact they have asked their sons to befriend Liam clearly shows some intent to influence the direction of the Crown."
"Your Majesty," Padraig replied, "Permission to speak freely?"
Jonathan waved him on. "You know my opinions on the matter."
"They are all young," Padraig said. "We all make mistakes when we're young. We are not always proud of them. Joren of Stone Mountain made his choice. So did Wyldon of Cavall. These boys have their own choices and mistakes ahead of them - seven years of them, before they'll be deemed ready to serve the Crown. Much can change in seven years. And even if the Prince is a conservative - with all due respect, your Majesty, we cannot choose for our children. No matter how we might wish for them to share our beliefs."
Maybe once we'd have seen it during Smackdown!