[alaklondewen]

Brushing the queen’s hair was one of Habeth’s favorite responsibilities; in fact, she hadn’t really considered it a duty. This was a special time she got to spend with Beruthiel, and Habeth regarded the act as an honor. As she pulled the heavy brush through the queen’s thick hair, she pictured her mother doing the same when Beruthiel was a young woman. Habeth, then a young girl, used to stand in the corner and admire the beautiful princess and hope one day she would do the same.

A slow dragging sound was heard behind her, and Habeth slightly turned to see one of cats coming into the room. Huine was carrying a piece of parchment. Habeth could not help but smile seeing the small feline with her lips pulled back and head up, obviously proud of finding this paper.

Beruthiel immediately stiffened when she glanced at what looked to Habeth as a letter or announcement. As the queen stood, dropping both the messenger and her hair from Habeth’s hands, she spun and with a wave of her hand she harshly told Habeth to “Go.”

Habeth wanted to ask Beruthiel if all was okay, but she instantly decided against it when she saw the steely look in the queen’s eyes. Bowing her head to show respect, Habeth lifted poor Huine who had not received the praise she was looking for, and left the chambers.

Stopping just outside the doors, Habeth scratched Huine behind the ears affectionately. “Don’t worry, dear. She’ll be thankful later…I’m sure of it,” she whispered and smiled warmly. Although she was glad Beruthiel had all the cats, Habeth was fond of Huine a little more than the others. This cat was smaller and younger, and Habeth worried because her poor mother had died early. “Why don’t you get a nice drink of water. I just put fresh in your room.” With that, Habeth gently placed the cat on the floor and patted Huine’s rear to get her moving.

Genuine worry about the queen overcame Habeth and she was unsure of what to do next. What if Beruthiel needed her? Habeth loved the queen honestly and faithfully, and her heart would always be devoted to Beruthiel. She knew what the others said about the queen…how she was mad, and the cats were more than just pets. Habeth shook her head with disgust. They didn’t know the real woman who sat in that room alone with her companions every day, and how her life had been so hard. No, they just mocked her. The rumors touched Habeth, and she sighed deeply.

Knowing in her heart that Beruthiel would not likely call her back for support, Habeth made her way toward the main hall. She knew of a new servant in the palace who had not had the best start, and she thought she might offer a hand.

When Habeth came around the corner, she could see the poor girl on her hands and knees scrubbing the floor. The girl looked a mess…her hair was loose and her clothes wrinkled. “Here, dear, let me help you with that.” The young woman looked up in surprise and smiled. “My name is Habeth,” she said as she lowered herself slowly to the floor. The girl put her brush momentarily back in the bucket next to her, and outstretched her wet hand, “Shumita…My name is Shumita.” Habeth took the girl’s wet hand in hers, then taking another brush, she began to scrub alongside Shumita.

[ June 30, 2003: Message edited by: alaklondewen ]