Early the next morning, the children had woken up to have a quick wash and to get dressed for the journey. Little did they know that Mama Haga had woken up very early too to prepare them some porridge, which they didn’t expect, but thought was a pleasant surprise all the same.
They ate and picked up their belongings, said their goodbyes and started off on their journey. Mama Haga stood and waved as she watched the three children disappear in the distance. She brought down her wrinkly hand she was waving with to touch her face and she realised at that moment that she was shedding a silent tear for the children, who she thought she might never see again if death decided to snatch her. She only hoped and prayed it will not be so. But, on the other hand, she could see a ray of sunshine at the thought of her brother-in-law moving closer to live in the village only next door to her, and immediately she started smiling again.
Chapter 7
On the road, the children were asking questions of what to expect where they were going. They wanted to know if the king had many horses and carriages as portrayed in the books they read, but Tamura said, “Guys, it’s not quite like that, okay? Wait and see for yourselves, don’t spoil it, all right?”
Baka retorted, “Are there any kids there my age I can play with, and I mean boys, not girls!”
Mara looked at him with her trademark squint, which she pulled when she was annoyed and snapped, “Are you saying there is something wrong with girls? Anyway, who would want to play with you when there are lots of other people to play with?”
Tamura snarled, “Cut it out, you two, you are supposed to get along, we are family remember?” He continued, “Regardless of how many other friends you are going to make, we ought to stick together always, okay? I will hear no more of this squabbling, okay?”
“Okay!” Baka and Mara echoed and took each other’s hand and walked along chattering away about everything that came to their minds.
Around mid-afternoon, they arrived at the king’s compound and were greeted by the watchman who appeared to have been expecting them and was familiar with Tamura. He welcomed them and took them to the king’s palace. The younger two didn’t say a word; all of a sudden, they appeared dumb and scanned their environment with hands tightly clasped together and walking closely to their big brother as if for protection in a strange territory.
Leona met them at the door as it was her custom to catch any stranger at the door, as if to check them for authorisation to enter. She looked cheekily at Tamura and said ‘hello’ to him, but quickly shifted her eyes to Mara whom she knelt down to greet as she was so tiny, even though she was already five years old.
The death of her parents had somehow taken its toll on her growth. Leona also greeted Baka but returned to Mara again and told her that after she had been introduced to the king, she would like her to come to her room to get her present which she prepared for her earlier.
Leona had kept her a doll which her mother had specially made for her when she was a lot younger, she had kept the doll in immaculate condition in a neat silk-cushioned box with a glass lid and thought it was the best doll she ever owned. Mara said a quiet thank you and looked at Tamura for approval, and he nodded at her. The kids were introduced to the king and were quite amused at his looks and how he spoke.
Tamura was also told that they would be eating with the king’s family and would be using the cottage at the back of the palace as their home, and if they wished, they can cook their own meals there as it was self-contained, but the king emphasised that it would not be necessary.
Queen Eleaza had prepared the children some comfortable bedding on her sewing machine using patchwork materials. She had made their rooms really cosy with Leona’s help, who had made special effort to impress Tamura. When they went to the cottage to offload their luggage, all three were amazed at how comfortable the place looked, they felt like they had moved into their own palace altogether.
They shuffled around and placed all their belongings in the appropriate places and looked around, just trying to take it all in, and all the while Mara was jumping up and down with excitement.
They later headed back to the king’s palace after a long period to talk to the king’s family and to thank them for all they had done. Automatically, Baka took to Tyza and the two boys ran out of the house headed for Tyza’s caged grouse.
In the meantime, Leona was showing Mara an unaccountable number of dolls on her bed and shelves and she gave her one that she had especially picked for her.
“You can have another one from my lot if you want, Mara, I have grown out of them now anyway, I just keep them for keepsake,” said Leona.
With eyes wide open with bewilderment, Mara said, “Thank you,” to Leona continuously and Leona was just giggling and looking at her with excitement.
Tamura thanked her for making Mara’s day and moved closer to hold her hand tenderly squeezing it. They exchanged a loving glance and a smile before Mara interrupted them by saying, “Thank you, Princess Leona, I promise to look after it very well, can I have that one with long hair as well please?”
Leona said, “Of course, you may, darling, take it and you
