was definitely the way of the royal hustle. It meant that Lilliana was walking slowly enough to maintain the royal floating step, but was not wasting time with nods of the head or waves of the hand.
“Alright deary, everyone is waiting for ye in the gardens,” Nana said as she climbed the bottom few steps to meet Lilliana. “Now don’t go a-rushin’ off with Wilhelmina until the ceremony is over. In fact, ye may need to just plan on a-seein’ her tomorrow.” Nana stepped behind Lilliana, and fluffed bits of her dress. “Let’s just pin up these wayward strands,” she muttered as she lifted a few hairs from behind each of Lilliana’s ears and placed clips beside her intricate braids.
“Oh Nana, do I look all right?” Lilliana looked at the door. “Where’s Thud?”
“Don’t ye worry any. Ye’re the princess on her birthday, and a very special birthday at that!” Nana put her hands on Lilliana’s shoulders and her golden eyes glowed. “Besides, the king’ll be the one a-talkin’. All ye have to do is…well..we shall see what there is to be done, won’t we?” Nana brushed down her skirt and hugged Lilliana. “Time for ye to go, Schmalkin,” she said as she gently guided her towards the garden.
Lilliana stepped down the last four steps and walked to the doorway. Bright spring sunshine poured into the royal flower gardens. Lilliana heard murmuring, then cheers of “There she is!” and “Look there!” There were so many faces turned towards her that she thought her heart would stop. Every noble family within a hundred leagues must have been there. People were under the trees, between the bushes and all throughout the gardener’s prized lawn. She felt white. Maybe she could go back. No one would mind too much, would they? The trumpeter by the door gave the signal and Lilliana jumped in surprise. There it was. That was her cue.
Lilliana was not in a rush anymore. Even the royal hustle seemed too fast. Oh well, no turning back. She looked back over her shoulder anyway. Nana smiled and gave her the nod to move forward. This was supposed to be a good thing, right? She took a deep breath and stepped into the light.
The crowd applauded as Lilliana gracefully walked down the garden path; it was typically lined with small plants and the occasional lost bunny, but today it was covered with courtiers and visiting royalty. Lilliana held her head up high and floated slowly through the garden of faces. She wished she could be brave like her father, or even Thud. The path took a wide curve which would lead her to the center of the garden called the Circle of Heaven. This was a wide open area between all the gardens of the castle. It bordered not only the flower garden, but the pastures, stables, and vegetable gardens as well, and was the place chosen by her father for her Gifting.
Most of the previous princes and princesses had their ceremonies on the balcony over the sea or the throne room itself. In fact it was very rare for any royal ceremony of importance to be outside due to, how did her mother put it? The Time of Apprehension. The witch had not been seen in Lilliana’s lifetime, and she must surely be dead by now, but while she was alive no one dared to gather outside. Lilliana breathed deeply and let the bright sunshine ease her nerves.
Lilliana turned the corner and saw at the end of the path her smiling father. The queen was a little off to the side and a flash of bright orange showed Lilliana just where her cousin stood. Thud leaned out to give Lilliana a big smile and fell right in the middle of the path. Lilliana could not stop the unroyal grin that spread across her face. The queen raised her eyebrows with a warning look, but Lilliana could not help it. She resisted the urge to rush the last few steps and stopped on the star-stone before her father as practiced.
“All of Atlantis has awaited this day for twelve peace-filled years,” began the king as he gazed fondly at his princess and looked out among the crowd. “The Gifting is a tradition that has been held for seven centuries in our great country. It is our custom to give a gift on the day of a royal person’s twelfth birthday. This is no ordinary present or treat of pleasure. This present is for the kingdom. The gift that is being given today has been chosen by the Prophet. Its true value may not be known for many years, yet we know with faith that this is a true gift, not just for Lilliana, but for the kingdom of Atlantis as well.”
The king paused as the crowd cheered. “Long live King Christophus! Long live King Christophus!” they chanted.
The king raised his hand and the crowd became quiet, and only a few murmurs lingered. He stood tall and radiant in the morning sun with his crown shining like a halo.
“I would like to present to you, Lilliana, your very own steed.” With that the king signaled the stables and a lively white horse was brought forward. Lilliana hid her surprise and looked delightedly at the horse before her. He was short for a horse and tall for a pony. His coat glistened in the sun, and Lilliana couldn’t tell if it was full of many colors, or if the sun reflected the garden flowers onto the shiny coat. He sized up the gathering, like he might before a jump and his muscled legs quivered. His eyes were more towards the front than an average horse’s giving him an intelligent appearance, and he looked each person he passed in the eye. That was rare. Lilliana had been around horses all of her life and she had never known one to look directly at her. The servants moved quickly and kept their heads turned down and away from the horse. What were they afraid of? Lilliana timidly reached out a hand to touch his nose and he nudged her hand playfully. The courtiers behind her clapped and laughed again.
“Such a sweet horse for a lovely girl,” said Lady Amelia.
“Ha! He’s a pretty pony for the princess. Definitely not a man’s sort of horse that one,” said Sir Rhodious with a loud voice. Laughter and shock rose from the crowd.
As quick as thought the horse stepped to the knight, placed a hoof behind him and pushed him with his head. Sir Rhodious toppled back into the crowd, and landed soundly on his bottom. His mouth fell open in shock and the crowd rippled with surprise.
“I think it best not to insult a royal horse,” said the king with a smile. The horse trotted back to stand next to the princess as tame as could be and Lilliana looked up at her father. The king straightened his shoulders and continued. “Before I reigned in Atlantis there were mighty horses of the sea and equally mighty horses of the air. The horses were intelligent and long-lived, faithful to the few who dared to befriend and ride them. Alas, the witch destroyed all of them in our battle and not a one of them is alive today. This horse is not of the air or of the water, but is of the kingdom. He was found as a foal years ago and is the picture of a perfect steed. With this horse you will travel on your Onsa and serve both the Morning Star and Atlantis. He is strong and able, and will protect you if need be. As this horse is yours to use in service to the kingdom of Atlantis, he is also yours to name. What name do you give this fine horse of our land?”
A name? Now? Didn’t the horse already have a name? Lilliana had thought all she would have to say was thank you and then she could go. She wasn’t prepared to give a name. She cleared her throat and straightened her shoulders as her father had done. That didn’t buy much time. She looked at the horse and he looked steadily back at her. That eye-to-eye thing was really unnerving. The horse raised one eyebrow as if questioning her ability, not unlike her mother. Great, criticism from a horse. The horse tossed his head up and whinnied a laugh. Lilliana watched the horse’s mane toss with colors in the light of the sun and suddenly she knew.
“Thank you, good King, for this generous gift. I will gladly use this beautiful horse in service to the kingdom. As his coat is many colors and his manner seems just as changeable,” Lilliana paused and took a breath, “he shall be called Spectrum.”
“So it shall be,” said the king with a nod.
The crowd cheered and approved throwing hats and handkerchiefs into the air. Spectrum nudged her hand and her father smiled at her. From the gate white doves were released to fly over the castle towards the sea in a bright living cloud. The orchestra began playing the anthem of Atla
ntis.
The queen stepped forward after the song. “You are all invited to join us in the banquet hall to celebrate this joyous occasion,” she said indicating the paths leading to the castle. There was a rustle of silk and satin as all the onlookers turned to the festivities ahead, leaving just the royal family in the garden. Lilliana reached out to her father’s arm and looked up into his warm brown eyes.
“How do you like your Gift, princess?” he asked as he picked her up and twirled her around with her feet flying off the ground.
“Father! Don’t let mother see you do this,” Lilliana squealed as she watched the world go around over her father’s head. “We’re supposed to be royal today, remember?”
“The world has many kings, but you have only one father,” said the king as he picked her up and spun her around again. Lilliana couldn’t help but laugh. Her father kissed her cheek as he gently put her feet on the ground and Lilliana leaned in closer for a hug. The world was so good when she could rest here.
“It is hard to share you with Atlantis,” said Lilliana with her head on her father’s chest. He stroked her back with one hand and looked over her head.
“It’s hard