First Meeting

Ratja Rodellia nervously clutched her suitcase as she approached the gates to Ding Dong Dell Castle. A week earlier, a recruiter had appeared in the King's Pond area announcing new job opportunities had opened up within and she had decided to take a chance and apply. The recruiter, a humanfolk man had laughed in her face to her chagrin but had taken down her details nonetheless. He had then warned her not to keep her hopes up but a week later, a letter had appeared informing her that she had been accepted. It had also included instructions to pack whatever clothes and belongings she wished to bring with her, report to the castle bright and earlier the following morning, and display the letter to the guards so that they would permit her entry.

Ratja had left her home feeling nervous but excited and as she walked, her mind had wandered. King Leonhard had announced that he planned to move forward with fostering a better relationship between mousekind and grimalkin and to that end, had appointed Otto Mausinger as his new chancellor just six months earlier. She had been thrilled. In fact she was quite certain that there was not a single mouse that hadn't been that day. And now here she was six months later, about to enter the castle herself. She wondered if she would ever to get to meet him and thought that she would very much like to. She also wondered if there were other mice in the castle besides the Chancellor, but judging from the recruiter's behaviour that seemed very unlikely.

As she approached the gates, her nervousness grew and excitement began to turn to anxiety. There were soldiers standing guard at the entrance both of them grimalkin. Of course there was no chance that they would've been mousekind but she had hoped that at least one of them would be humanfolk. She had always found them more slightly more approachable and as such she did not fear them as much.

"State your business, civilian," one of them demanded as soon as she was close enough.

A bolt of fear shot through her and her heart began to thud in her chest. To make matters worse if felt as if her throat had constricted and she struggled to find the words to speak. "I… I, um… I…"

"If you have no business here than leave."

"Actually, I… um… I…" She gulped. "I work here now. So I-"

"You work here?" One of them scoffed. "A likely story."

"But it's true-"

"No one told us you were coming."

"But I have a letter-"

"Oh a letter! Did you hear that, Tom? She has a letter."

The guard called Tom sneered. "Probably wrote it herself."

"But-but I didn't-!"

"Run along now, little mouse. Enough of your lies."

Tears blurred her vision. "But… But I…" Was that really it? Was her new job over before it had begun?"

A fourth voice suddenly joined the conversation. "Is there a problem here, gentlemen?"

Ratja wiped away her tears in time to see both soldiers stiffen and whip around to face the speaker. "Ah!" The one not called Tom exclaimed. "Ch-Chancellor Mausinger, we um… we didn't see you there." She could not believe her eyes; She had never expected to meet him so soon much less after coming out to greet her.

Mausinger scowled at the man as he replied. "Oh clearly not, or else you might have conducted yourselves in a more becoming manner. Now do you have something you wish to say?"

Not Tom gulped. "My, um, apologies, Chancellor-"

"And why, may I ask, do you feel the need to apologise to me?"

He gulped again. "Yes, um. Of course." He turned to Ratja. "Apologies for our behaviour, ma'am. It won't… it won't happen again."

Ratja was surprised when Mausinger turned to her and asked, "Is this satisfactory?"

"Oh, um. Yes. Sir."

"And are you happy to consider the matter settled?"

"Yes, sir."

"Very well then." He finally smiled. "I am sure you already know who I am but allow me to introduce myself regardless. I am Chancellor Otto Mausinger." They shook hands.

"Ratja Rodellia, sir."

His smile widened. "But of course, Miss Rodellia. I was expecting no other."

"Does this mean that I'm the only one then?"

"Besides myself? I am afraid so."

"I see…" She tried to hide her disappointment.

"Fear not, Miss Rodellia. I believe more of our kind will join us in time."

"Yes," she replied. "I hope so."

"Now if you would follow me." She fell in behind him. "I anticipated that you would encounter some difficulties with the guards, so I came to intervene."

"Thank you, Chancellor, that was most kind of you."

He smiled back at her. "Nonsense, Miss Rodellia. What would be the purpose of accepting the role of Chancellor if I do not make use of the power given to me? But I will say this and I do not mean this unkindly." He stopped walking and turned to face directly. "I will make life easier for you where I can, but I cannot help you if you cannot also stand up for yourself."

"Yes… Chancellor." He was right of course. "I will… I will do my best."

He smiled. "That is all I ask." They resumed walking and Ratja soon found herself passing through the giant doorway to behold the sight that lay within. She trailed to a halt as her mouth hung open and her eyes widened. The interior of Ding Dong Dell Castle was gorgeous. It was nothing like the slum area of Dell where she had lived her whole life.

Mausinger smiled, amused by her reaction and dazed expression. "A beautiful sight is it not?"

"Oh it is, Chancellor, it is. It must be wonderful to live here."

His smile lost some of it's strength. "It is a far cry from the squalor we used to endure in the slums but I am afraid you will not find the people here to be so… wonderful…"

Ratja's enthusiasm wilted in turn. "Oh… of course…"

"Although there are a few exceptions, not least of which is King Leonhard himself. And speaking of His Majesty, he very much wishes to see you."

"Me?" She squeaked, eyes going as wide as saucers. "He wants… he wants to see me?"

"Yes," he replied. "You are the first of our kind after myself to enter the castle. He wishes to welcome you in person." Mausinger forged ahead and it took a moment for Ratja to follow.

"What… um, what's he like? The King? I've always thought he looks so… imposing."

"Fear not, Miss Rodellia. King Leonhard is a kind and generous man and you will subsequently find him a most benevolent employer. Although if it comforts you, I will be with you." He stopped before the entrance to the throne room and Ratja's stomach lodged itself in her throat. "I will give you a moment to prepare."

"Thank you…" She mumbled. She took several deep, calming breaths before deciding the she was ready.

"Very good. Then let us go meet the King."

A/N: This is an altered version of something I already wrote. Believe me it was difficult not to give into the temptation to do a copy paste.