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Tranquil Waters: The Lead Crown Ch 9.6, Thaddius

Things could have been worse for Thaddius; he reminded himself of that often. While it was true Brother Maynard had him confined to his room, the Prince Regent realized that his caretaker could have punished him far worse for his outburst. The kindly Dog had said that it was a learning experience for them both and that they could work together to assure that such an assault would never happen again. Thaddius still felt horrible for having picked the Priest up by the neck and growling at him when all Brother Maynard had been doing, indeed, all the Dog had EVER done was for his benefit and to see Lehsunia and its people looked after.

It was difficult for Thaddius to admit but some days he felt as though his mental infirmities were only getting worse. With all of the changes happening around him it was difficult to keep his thoughts in line and to react reasonably and with decorum. Thankfully he had the aid and support of a well-meaning mentor and friend such as Brother Maynard. Indeed, he realized again and again just how lost he would be without the Priest. He reminded himself of that fact as he sat on his bed gazing around his empty room. At one time he had decorations, artwork, and various tapestries to keep his mind occupied but the Dog had taken them away so he would have time to contemplate without 'distractions'.

Distractions, however, always seemed to find the Wolf and he was unable to focus on his wrongdoings and how to make them right for no reason other than the fact that he found himself focusing on the reasons behind his outburst those several days past. Thaddius looked down to the slender white-gold band he wore on his ring-finger; he was married. Although the Prince Regent thought it nigh impossible that he would ever be wed it was just another of life's difficulties that Brother Maynard had helped him through. At the very least he had found himself able to get past his hang-ups and realize that his caretaker had once again brought about a miracle.

It still felt strange to the Wolf to think of himself as a married man... especially when he barely even knew his wife. Perhaps, he contemplated, it was for the best; she likely knew little of him either and he was worried that if that changed she would not like what she saw. It was probably easier that way, he reasoned, and he spoke his mind aloud. "A husband is to put his child into his wife and she is to bear him his heir."

Still, the Wolf couldn't help but dwell on the woman. She had white fur-- he had seen as much. In the past three days he had seen her again but, as with the first time he had been sedated and subdued in order to make the process easier. Brother Maynard assured the Prince Regent that such precautions were both necessary and more convenient for everyone involved; he didn't want anyone in danger of injury and felt that it would be less taxing on Thaddius if he left everything up to the Priest. While the Wolf could hardly disagree there were elements to the interaction with his wife that seemed so impersonal as to make it a non-issue. Honestly, he could not help but wonder if he was more concerned or relieved about it.

Yes, in the end it was the 'not knowing' that caused Thaddius to dwell so ardently on the white furred Dog that had become his spouse. Having seen her less than Brother Maynard he had so many questions. Where was she from? Did she approve of her new husband? With such heavenly fur how could she bear his touch? Did she wear red undergarments? No, he realized, beating his head with both balled-up paws; how could he even consider THINKING about her undergarments? It was not proper or pious or suitable. And yet, despite such impropriety, he ardently hoped that hers were red... it gave him hope.

That hope had been stoked earlier in the evening when Brother Maynard had invited the Prince Regent down to the dining hall to sup with him and his new wife. It was the very first time he had seen her when he was of (relatively) clear mind. Many of his questions had been answered but it only ended up in creating more and the experience was nowhere near long enough to put an end to his curiosity. One of the most important questions however did gain closure: his wife's name was Judith and Thaddius felt that it fit her most acceptably. The Wolf rarely found beauty in a common-breed Dog but he had to admit that there was grace and comeliness in the quiet, demure Labrador.

Judith, as the Prince Regent found out, was the final pick Brother Maynard could possibly have made for him. Having exhausted all suitable candidates, the Dog was forced to surrender his own sister to Thadduis. Everything had come together as the Wolf's understanding blossomed that night; with no other choice left not only had the Priest sacrificed his own flesh and blood for the sake of the Kingdom but he had done so with complete understanding of the chaos Thaddius would bring to his baby sister's life. He was not only humbled, he was mortified by what he had forced his friend and mentor to do. Dinner came to a close in a most embarrassing display of anguished howls and self-hatred inspired plate-breakery. Lightly put, looking back Prince Regent Thaddius was displeased with his reaction.

And so it was that Prince Regent Thaddius reassured himself that seeing as little of his wife as possible was for the best and that Brother Maynard had been very right about keeping him sedated when their "coming together" was necessary. Having very little time with her and none of it alone would and SHOULD be their standard way of life and, if he was lucky, things would not get any worse between them; the look of fear and loathing in her eyes at the dinner table had been enough to make the Prince Regent want to open his wrists but such was a coward's escape and Thaddius refused to leave his people without a ruler... even one as damaged as he.

In the end it would all be up to Brother Maynard, as it should have been. Prince Thaddius had taken too many liberties in the past few weeks and pushed too hard against his caretaker's careful control. He would sit back and let the Priest help guide him. Yes, he was always at his best when someone else was making the decisions for him and dinner that night had truly opened his eyes to the demons that hid within him. Brother Maynard had seen it all along, and that was what counted.

One day Thaddius would be told that his wife would be with child and that meant the Prince Regent's task would be done. Some time in the future she would bear him an heir and then she wouldn't have to be subjected to him any longer. He would have more time with Brother Maynard to focus on his own problems and when his son grew to an age where he would be able to assume the throne Thaddius would be able to step down and truly find peace. Yes, those days were a long ways off but the reminder that they would eventually arrive helped the Wolf find some degree of contentment. To say it had been an unpleasant evening would have been a gross understatement but at least reflecting on it helped him settle his mind.

As the last of the sunlight fled the sky, Prince Thaddius found himself wondering how much his new wife hated him. Despite Brother Maynard's constant reassurance that both Dogs were committed to him and to the kingdom, the Wolf could not help but reason that she had been wed to a madman; she had surrendered her virginity and purity to him which was an affront to all women of silver fur; she was locked away and sequestered from family and friends she had known and subjected to an isolated life within the castle. Would such a life eventually lead her to forgive him for what he had done or would it only make her hate and fear him all the more. Would the expression he saw at dinner become the norm on her face? He truly didn't think he would like the answer.

Such thoughts remained in his mind well into the rising of the moon; only the quiet knock at his chamber door chased them away. The Wolf wasn't sure that the quickening of his pulse was from excitement or fear when he recognized the hail from the other side: it was Brother Maynard. "Your Highness? Are you decent?"

Thaddius was unable to stop himself from putting words to his morose thoughts. "When am I EVER decent, Brother Maynard?"

As if knowing EXACTLY what the Prince Regent needed the Dog welcomed himself into the Wolf's private chambers, opening the door with one paw while the other balanced a tray of tea. Setting the service on the small wooden table by the entryway the Priest swept across the distance and drew Thaddius up into a warm embrace. He spoke as he always had, in a soft, soothing tone as he stroked the back of the Prince Regent's head. "Be calm, your Highness... staying out-of-sorts does no one any good, least of all you, my boy."

Thaddius tried to fight his urge to dissolve into tears but, as usual, his mind and body did not obey and he found himself collapsing against his benefactor, sagging into the stalwart Dog's arms as he embarassed himself even further. Through it all his caring, loving, mentor weathered the worst of what the Pringe Regent had to offer, all the while with gentle guidance and kind words. The Wolf lost track of events from there, his mind awash with reassurance and comforting promises of forgiveness and correction.

He didn't know when or how, but he found himself on his back on his bed, naked, with his legs up in the air. Brother Maynard had chosen not to bring him into the prayer room that night, instead electing to hold communion right there in the Prince Regent's very own chambers, and the sheer improbability and lewdness of it all made Thaddius enjoy it all the more, much to his shame. All the worse was his culminating ejaculation... more in his words than in the loosing of his seed. Prince Regent Thaddius made the gravest mistake of his life when he cried out "Oh, Malcom!"

Brother Maynard pulled free from him in that instant. The Dog growled softly, taking hold of the Wolf's mane, pulling him close as he loosed his own fluids all over the Prince-Regent's face. "You will need to be cleaned in many ways for your transgressions, Thaddius."

With nothing more to be said the Priest stormed out of the room, pausing only long enough to secure his robe. Before slamming the door, he added "Be presentable for tomorrow... I have received word that your brother and sister will be visiting."