Merle couldn’t say for sure when she first really saw Prince Lander. Certainly, she would have first laid eyes on him at some function or other in Seddleton, from a distance. But at such events he was usually stiff and formal, not at all what one expected from a young rabbit. It was at other times, usually when neither of his parents were present, that his true self came out.

She remembered seeing the other young bucks ignoring him, or hearing them taunt the young prince. For no reason she could see, they seemed to resent him simply for having been born to the king and queen. So too did a number of young does. You’d have thought Lander had ceaselessly boasted of his heritage, when in truth he was never even given a chance to speak of it unless it was in response to some insult.

One day, Merle had found him sitting alone on the shore of Ayman Lake. His grandfather Lord Grant was a short distance away among the trees. Looking at Prince Lander, Merle could see that he had been crying. The sight had made her want to cry too. But instead, she threw the ball she was carrying so that it landed near him.

After his initial surprise, Lander threw the ball back. Soon the pair made a game of it, and Lander’s tears dried as he and Merle tossed it between them. Finally, Lord Grant came to collect his grandson, who bid farewell to Merle. Merle long remembered the grateful look Lord Grant had given her before they walked away.

The two of them didn’t see much of each other after that, as it happened. Seddleton was growing, and there were many children living in it. But every so often Merle would see Lander from a distance. And she thought of him at times, and remembered him among those for whom she prayed.

When Seddleton was set ablaze by the Lords of Prey, Merle and her parents had managed to escape the explosions, the resulting flames, and the birds that descended upon the panicking citizens. Making their way to the shore, they had looked on as some of the birds carried away captives and others continued the attack on the ships. When the Lillie had exploded, she had felt a deep horror. Prince Lander had been reported missing hours earlier, and it was assumed that he must have stowed away aboard his father’s flagship.

Rabbits had begun washing up on the shore, and Merle and her parents had gone to see what help they could bring. It was while she had been running to fetch a doctor for an injured buck that Merle had spotted a bedraggled white rabbit crawling out of the surf. Clinging to his back had a youngling just recognizable…as Prince Lander. His rescuer, who had seemed barely alive, collapsed to the ground once he was above the waterline.

Lander had clung to the older buck briefly, but then rose and gently turned him onto his back. He seemed to watch for a while, and Merle had realized that he was checking that the older rabbit was breathing. Then, getting to his feet, the prince had peered around in search of help. Reminded of her own errand, Merle set off, but she never forgot how quickly Lander had risen from his own distress to go to the aid of others.

On the day Vanguard was wrecked, Merle saw him again. She had been carried to the shore of the island that was later to bear the name of Grimble. Her parents had said goodbye to her as she was carried off the ship, and she feared it had been for the last time. They had wrapped a shawl about her shoulders, but she had given it to a younger doe who had been left without one in the urgency to escape the sinking vessel.

Standing on the shore, she had shivered in the cold. For a time she had watched Vanguard as it sank, but eventually turned from the sight, heartsick. It was then that she spotted Lander, sword bouncing at his hip, running into the nearby woods. Merle’s first instinct had been to call out to him to stop, but the look on his face made it clear he would brook no opposition.

However, upon seeing Lieutenant Massie a short time later, and realizing that he must be looking for the prince, Merle had called out and pointed him in the direction of the woods. Watching him race into the trees, she offered a silent prayer for both bucks. It was not the last time she would do so before she saw them again, hours later. Merle would long remember the sight of King Whitson, Queen Lillie, and Prince Lander coming towards her and several other younglings.

All three of the royals had been rumpled, their clothes stained with water and blood that she had fervently hoped was not their own. They had looked weary and sorrowful, especially the king. Only Prince Lander had worn any ornament, with the Green Ember hanging around his neck. But each had brought some form of supplies in their arms to give to Merle and her companions.

Eyes brimming with tears, Merle had expressed her gratitude to the king, and heard comforting words in turn. Prince Lander had looked at her, and she had thought from the look in his eyes that he recognized her. But he said no words, only smiled kindly before moving on to the next youngling in need. And with that smile, Merle had felt her heart lift.

Merle could scarcely contain her relief as Lander-King Lander-marched back into Lener’s Crossroads at the head of his victorious army. All of them had been wounded to varying degrees, and there were familiar faces missing from the brave host that had left the camp only days ago. But there were also many unfamiliar rabbits striding in among the bucks of the crossroads and Kingston.

Looking at the king, however, Merle felt a shudder run through her. Some effort had been made to clean his garments and fur. Doctors had clearly attended to his various wounds. But there were so many…

Unable to contemplate the horror Lander must have endured, Merle turned and made her way out of the milling crowd. No one tried to stop her, and she soon arrived in a clearing a short distance from the camp. It was a cherished refuge, sought whenever the area around the camp had been declared free of enemy activity. She supposed that, as of today, she might be free to visit at any time.

That thought set free the tears Merle had been holding back since seeing the king. She felt such a confusion of feelings. Grief for Lander’s injuries and their losses…relief at seeing him alive…uncertainty about what would happen next…it all overwhelmed her. She didn’t try to hold it in, and was quite oblivious to the world around herself for a time.

And so it was a great surprise when a ball landed softly next to where she knelt on the ground.

Startled, Merle stared at the plaything before turning to see where it had come from. Her breath caught as she saw King Lander staring back at her. On his face was a look of gentle concern, which turned into that kind smile she remembered so well. Feeling embarrassed, Merle wiped at her eyes.

“Forgive me if I’m interrupting,” Lander said courteously. “I saw you leaving the camp, and you looked…distressed.”

Unable to meet his eyes, Merle looked down at her hands. “I suppose I was, Your Majesty. Don’t misunderstand me-I am overjoyed by your victory, and that so many returned alive. But…it seems clear that the battle was terrible.”

Much to her surprise, Lander walked up and lowered himself to sit beside her. He winced as he did so, every movement apparently causing him some pain. But he was down on her level before Merle could try to rise and spare him the trouble. King Lander folded one leg and rested his arm atop his knee.

“It was indeed,” Lander replied soberly, his eyes somewhat distant. “And there is more work yet to be done. But we have begun, and we shall go on. We owe it to those who have gone before…and those who shall come after.”

Nodding, Merle marveled at the hope and resolve in his words. The prince-the king, she amended-had lost so much, and given so much. She well remembered the sad days when his grandfather Grant and his brother Davis had fallen. And she had watched his ceaseless labors over the years, never seeming to take even a moment for himself.

“Please, Your Majesty-“

“King Lander.” Seeing her surprise, he gave a wry smile. “I understand the purpose and obligation of my position. But if that means you must address me by a title, I would prefer you use the one that at least lets you call me by my name.”

“All right…King Lander.”

“Thank you, Merle.”

Blinking in surprise at the fact that the king knew her name, Merle went quiet. Lander seemed content with that, and the two sat together for a time. Strangely, Merle found herself enjoying the quiet. Or rather, she enjoyed the quiet in the company of the king.

Lander, she saw, wore a look of peace such as she had not seen on his face in years. For the first time, she noticed that he wore no sword. There was what appeared to be an empty medicine bottle sticking out of his belt instead. But she soon found her eyes drawn back to his face.

Sensing her gaze, Lander met her eyes. Merle quickly turned away, feeling embarrassed. If he noticed, the king was gracious enough not to comment. Clearing his throat, he instead addressed something else.

“Were you about to ask me something, Merle?”

“Oh…yes,” Merle said, her embarrassment deepening as she realized how distracted she’d become. “Your pardon, King Lander. I was going to ask whether you’d rested since the battle. Or if Doctor Grimes had seen to your injuries.”

If it were possible, it now appeared that King Lander was the one feeling embarrassed. “Ah…well, no, now that you mention it. There were some rather urgent tasks to be seen to when all was done. Some of which are still to be completed.

“Prince Lemual and I had a great concern to lay to rest, and another that could only be addressed once the first had been seen to.” He patted the bottle stuffed into his belt. “And of course, I need to see my mother and my brother Grant, and others who were left here when the army marched away. Then yes, I probably should see Doctor Grimes and see about getting a proper sleep.”

Uncomprehending, Merle stated at the king. “You came after me before any of that? But…why?”

As if in answer, Lander reached out and picked up the ball. He looked at it thoughtfully, then held it out to Merle. Still confused, she accepted it from him. Lander looked at her and smiled.

“Because I saw that you were upset and going off on your own. Going after you to make sure you were all right seemed pressing. And you could say I was returning a long overdue favor. Since you once did the same for me.”

Merle’s eyes widened, and she stared at the ball in sudden realization. “You-you remember…”

“Yes, Merle, I remember. I remember Seddleton. And I remember the shores of Grimble Island. Not only that, but I have seen you at a distance many times over the years.

“I regret that I have not sought you out since we settled here at the Crossroads. The war has demanded much of me. And I confess…part of me feared to renew our acquaintance. You have lost so much already. It seemed almost cruel to make my way back into your life when it seemed so likely that I would have to leave it.”

Without thinking, Merle reached out and laid a hand on his. Their eyes met, and for a moment Merle quite forgot that Lander was her king. Incredible as it seemed, she thought she could still see something of the little buck with whom she had played all those years ago. But there was also wisdom and maturity in his eyes, and a sense somehow of both sorrow and joy.

Rising suddenly to her feet, Merle extended her hands to assist Lander. Taking them, he rose gingerly, obviously still pained by his wounds. But when he was on his feet again, he didn’t let go, and Merle didn’t pull away.

“Forgive me if I seem overly bold, Merle. But after the many brushes I’ve had with death, and never more so that in the past few weeks, I feel eager to get on with living. And I can think of few ways I’d rather begin than by getting better acquainted with you. You are, if I may say, a lovely doe-and not just in terms of your character.”

Hardly knowing where to look, Merle lowered her gaze to their clasped hands. “King Lander…you are too kind. But…I am a common rabbit, and an orphan besides. Surely there are other does more worthy of your companionship.”

“Dearest Merle,” he said with a half smile, “I am royally tired of such misconceptions about a rabbit’s worth. We have just fought a war in which two coal miners’ sons proved themselves more noble than a father and son whose lineage was as close to Flint Firstking as is my own. And our victory was due in no small part to the efforts of the Drekkers and the ‘wild’ rabbits of Natalia we have so long held in such low esteem.

“But more than that, I have watched you these past years, Merle. While I fought to preserve life, you worked to give it meaning for the young and the bereft. As I led other rabbits in war, you kept up their hope for peace. Like me, you have lost family and friends, but you have kept your faith.

“And from the time we were children, you have acted with the grace of a princess…and the dignity of a queen.”

Looking up at his words, Merle found that Lander’s eyes were filled with earnest admiration. A pleasant warmth spread through her, and she managed a small smile in answer to his. Merle took the king’s proffered arm, and together they began walking back towards the camp. It was a slow walk, for though both were mindful of the tasks and needs awaiting the king, neither were particularly eager to part again.

It was quite some time before anyone came looking for the ball.