Page 118 of Prince of the Northwest Forest
“Why not?” Mats asks, clearly annoyed.
“It is not done,” the queen replies simply.
“Maybe itshouldbe done,” Eleanor says. “Maybe sitting down and talking about what each of us wants will get us all closer to our goals.”
“I’m pretty sure there’s a quiet room on this floor where we can discuss matters of importance in private,” I blurt.
Everyone turns and stares at me. Most of their expressions are skeptical, at best, but Kalle smiles—the big, genuine smile he’s started showing me more often. “I know that we royals are trained from childhood not to show any weakness,” he says, “but what will it hurt to sit down and talk?”
“Nothing,” Eleanor answers. “Come on, Mother and Mum. Let’s go to the room Justice suggests.”
Kalle and Mats give their parents pointed looks.
King Björn nods. “Fine.”
And this strange group of well-dressed royals takes off their masks and sits in a hotel meeting room for the next hour. It isn’t entirely comfortable. But they talk about what matters to them.
Kalle’s family doesn’t want the Northwest Forest to be destroyed by lava, and they want to reforest the parts that have been damaged. The fire queens are concerned that they do not have enough territory.
“I’ve heard that major conflicts will only be resolved if each side admits that it has 100 percent of the responsibility,” Mats says.
“That doesn’t add up,” one of the fire queens says.
“No, it doesn’t. But it means that people need to stop focusing on whose fault something is—stop rehashing ancient history, or even recent history—and instead accept that they had a part in creating whatever problem exists. Then they can accept their part in working toward a solution,” he argues.
“Son, your heart is in the right place, but your suggested solution is simplistic and idealistic,” King Björn says.
Princess Eleanor looks at him and then her mothers. “And yet, if all sides do this—if they agree to work with all their heart toward a solution—there is no doubt that issues can be resolved. Deep hurts can be, if not healed, at least addressed. And perhaps everyone can move forward to achieve more of their goals than they would if they continued the same conflicts year in and year out.”
What would it be like if the Northwest Forest and the Fire Realm agreed that they are each 100 percent responsible for the problems between them?
Could they reach an understanding?
“Fundamentally, this is a land dispute,” Mats is saying. “What if we send surveyors out to determine the current borders, and then we can come back together and discuss whether they are appropriate. The Northwest Forest is large, and we can afford to cede you some land.” His parents glare at him, but he doesn’t back down. “Some of the border areas are more Fire Realm than forest anyway. Perhaps it won’t hurt tobe generous. We can assist the wood nymphs who live there in relocating.”
“And Mats and I plan on dating without any obligation to marry each other if we decide we don’t want to,” Eleanor says. “Correct?” She emphasizes this last word, staring at her mothers.
They look at each other and then study King Björn and Queen Beatrice. Who finally nod.
“That is acceptable,” one of the fire queens says.
“And my dowry,” Eleanor says. “If we are demanding land, then we should pay for it, regardless of whether or not we wed.”
“Fine,” the other fire queen says. “That is fair. Payment will be sent.”
“Then we’re done here,” the first fire queen says. “We will go back to the party.”
“So we have a deal?” Mats asks.
Both fire queens nod. “We have a deal.”
Everyone in the room exhales as they sweep out. Princess Eleanor rises, too. She squeezes Mats’s hand and gives him a flirty smile. “See you on the dance floor?” she asks.
He smiles and nods. “Yes. Just let me talk with my parents for a minute.”
Eleanor looks at me next. “You’re welcome, by the way.”
My eyebrows squish together. “Oh?”
