Age of Heroes

ARIADNE GARDEN

There was a gate of rough wood as big as a cow and ivy cascaded over the fence, growing tendrils in every direction. 

The stone path was punctuated with colorful flowers after every stone. The lawn is greener filled by a variety of grass and there is the apple tree in one of the many center in the gardens.

The apple tree is strong and sturdy, attended to by gardeners every day, a towering tree that serves as a shade to those who wanted to rest for a while, or just to enjoy the breezy winds in the park.

The fountain flowed between the two ponds. There is also a house, with a celling supported by wooden slats.

A bamboo platform, created for moon-viewing, extends beyond the veranda. The house is most likely built to accommodate a large amount of people at informal gatherings.

Considering the party, feast, banquets that the Vermont's always held, it is not that absurd to think that the large house has its uses other than as a resting place for the Vermont's.

The house is called Ariadne Garden House which features a large hipped-and-gabled roof, as well as a veranda enclosed by wooden shutters. 

It follows the Arakian tribe designs and is composed of an eight-mat room, a six-mat room, and a three-mat area that are arranged into an L-shape. 

There is a coffered ceiling, and an alcove containing a large window. Within the garden, there were originally five teahouses.

The small structures were built to incorporate qualities, such as harmony, silence, and reverence. 

The teahouses used natural elements such as wooden supports with bark, continuing the atmosphere of the garden.

And there is also a tower in the huge park the Moon Tower, which has a view overlooking the pond in the park. 

Although it is only fifteen by twenty-four feet in area, it is known for its spatial effect due to its exposed ceiling and roof structure. 

The roof is supported by four slanting beams that rise from the corners of the building with a ridge pole that is further supported by a curving king pole resting on a tie beam. 

To say about the magnificence of the park that Arial dedicate for her daughter, the apt description, it is too grandiose, but Arial do not mind, for Arial intended to make such grandiose tribute to his daughter and Helia and the other know about this. 

Arial is approaching the woman who is looking at the distance watching a child running around smiling.

'Ehem' Arial coughed

'You have come dear.' Helia said as she turned her gaze to look at her husband.

'Yes, did you wait long?' 

'It is fine, dear. I know you are occupied with the council matters. I could hardly blame you.' Arial nodded and began taking a seat on the nearby chair. 

'Where is Ariadne, Helia?' Arial asked and Helia pointed her finger to one of the gardens and Arial could see a young girl running around giggling and chuckling, looking everything with awe and wonder.

'Liselle is taking care of our daughter.' 

'I never thought you would leave her under the care of the servants.' Arial took a cup on the table only to realize it was empty and he put it back down.

'I'm not that protective, you know? Liselle can be trusted. Or do you not trust my judgment?' 

'Helia, you are to easily prick. I mean nothing by my words.' Helia then poured the tea to the cup and Arial smile while taking a sip. 

Then his eye gazes to the distant thinking of something.

'Hmm' Arial sighed. Helia stare at her husband. 

'Is there something bothering you dear?' 

'A lot actually. There are too many to count. Since I have decided to do this, I must prepare accordingly.' 

Then Arial put down his cup and he takes a deep breath, his face is clearly struggling with some inner dilemma.

'Sometimes I have this thought Helia.'

'What thought, Dear? Tell me. Who knows if I could soothe your worries?'

'The question of what if? That if Edward never came to Arrandy, if he never arrives at my castle, if I never accept his request for sheltering him, if I never follow him on his way back to his coronation, then maybe…. just maybe…. this war would never happen. A hundred and a thousand if. What if? This question lingers on my mind. The possibility and chances of everything that is happening right now, connected by a string of coincidence and events.'

And then Arial stare at the beautiful face of his wife and he turn his gaze back his gaze to the shifting clouds in the sky.

'Harald fear my claim and as such treated all Arrandians as a force to denigrate his rule, which he in his paranoia consequently block my trade activities from land trade to Vangua to sea trade from Freya, and I on the other hand, fear the might he now possesses to do harm to our family. With his capacity as King of Vangua who rule Vangua and Freya who is now under one crown his might is great indeed.'

Helia just hold her husband hand and gripped it tight, her eyes showing understanding, and said 

'Forgive me, dear.' 

'There is nothing to be forgiven.' 

'If I have not pushed you for the crown…if I have no-'

Arial grip Helia hand tighter conveying assurance. 

'Helia, you mistake my worries as admonishment towards you. You have done nothing wrong. I know…you did it for me. I am not that blind towards your noble efforts. I know what you were thinking when you pushed me for the crown. I might not have embraced your idea so openly but even I do not deny that having Harald as the King of Vangua would spell many trouble for our family and Aetherland especially. If it were any other men…if only'

Arial said, once again sighing thinking of what if?

'But still…. dear. If only I have not encouraged you to pursue that path then mayb-'

'It is not wise to talk about the road not taken. It will only invite regrets and disappointment. I have learned that to live…to live fully you must plan the future but always live in the present. The past could not be changed but the present will dictate the future. So, it is important for me now, to focus on the things that I can change, Helia. There is no need for you to feel guilty. I understand your feeling.' 

Arial then caress Helia hair, and Helia smile a bit, her face of worries turns to smile, a pleasant expression.

'Do not worry about me too much. Haven't you heard? I am Arial Vermont. Is there anyone on this world that can defeat me?' 

Arial made a bold declaration to ease Helia worries. Helia chuckle a bit, giving of some faint laugh seeing her husband boasting.