#Mysterion will make an appearance at one point it's going to be fun

[paisleywraith]

Dawn of the Queen Chapter 1

Lady McCormick has handed herself over to Elvenkind to ensure the safe return of her younger sister. The Elven King requests her hand in marriage for reasons unknown, but Kenny is willing to pay any price without question as long as it saves Karen. 

The Kingdom of Kupa Keep had its castle in the middle of the land, surrounded by mountains and forests and all sort of other things Lady McCormick hadn’t seen in years. The blonde beauty was restricted to the castle at all times, and without free-roam, to live her days in boredom and concern. She wasn’t used to seeing all of this.

She watched the sun rise and set over the mountains twice, with a solemn sort of awe. Her arms were crossed, jaw set. This was the last time she’d see anything. She focied on the clouds, the color of the sky. The trees.

It was the forests she was most interested in at the moment, considering it was where she was headed. The first time in years she’d been allowed outside, and she had to view it from inside a carriage while being transported into a cave.

“A cave?” The Lady had asked the Grand Wizard in distress.

“That’s where Elves live, Kinny.” The wizard scratched his cheek as he half-listened to the golden-haired woman. “In the dark, underground.”

“I-” The Lady McCormick turned away, heart racing.

“His people have your little sister, remember.” The Wizard said unnecessarily. “Bring peace by marriage, they have vowed to treat her well and ensure her release.”

Kenny closed her eyes, inhaling. Marriage. To an Elf. That she’d never met.

Those kind had killed her parents, she read. Pointed-eared monsters, ragged hair, built like bulls with human faces that destroyed everything they touched. They desired to conquer, to kill, to take back land that was no longer rightfully theirs, holding on to grudges that no longer concerned anyone, particularly the McCormicks.

           And now they had Karen.

           The past few years, once her baby sister disappeared from the castle of Kupa Keep, Kenny had been kept exclusively indoors and away from people (therefore away from potential kidnappers). The Grand Wizard, though kind of an asshole, had searched and discovered the younger McCormick within their realm.

           The Elves refused to return the child, stating they would only when they had peace. How did they desire peace? Through an offering…a desire for new blood…they wanted one of the castle’s own to wed. Keep them from inbreeding, the Wizard said.

           Kenny didn’t have to think for a second before making her decision, despite the obvious trouble.

           “Tell them I agree.”

           How could she have not? Karen was the only thing she had left.

           So on her way she was sent, unseen by the receiving race. Like a beast sent to market. And what was worse-

           “Who are they marrying me off to?” Lady McCormick asked, coldly. She would not be afraid.

           The Wizard finally glanced over. “Their King.”

           The son of the people who led the Great Slaughter that ultimately killed her parents. To keep peace, she had to marry a murderer. To keep her baby sister safe, she was marrying the man who helped kill their parents.

           It would be worth it, if they released Karen. She would just have to be clever.

           Kenny prayed they hadn’t hurt Karen. If they did, God help them, she would-

           “Almost there, Princess Kenny!” The Merciful Paladin Stotch peered into the carriage from his lazy, speckled horse. “How you holding up?”

           “Fine, thank you.” Lady McCormick was denied the title of Princess back in the Keep, despite her being in the highest rankings in the castle, but a couple friends she held dear had no issue referring to her as such. ‘Butters’ was more or less her best friend, and treated her kindly and respectfully always.

           “We’re approaching a blockade!” The blond boy with glassy blue eyes relayed importantly. “Just wait until we make sure the know who we are. It’s a whole bunch of Elves, they’ve already seen us.”

           Kenny said nothing to that, only leaned back and pressed her lips firmly together. It had begun. Within a short time, she would be within the Elven kingdom. Butters would go home, and she would be left with no one.

           “Halt!” A voice called out over the moor. Kenny looked out and only saw fields, mist in the early day, and the very skirting edge of trees. They must be right before the forest. “Bring your carriage here, mortals.”

           The shuffling and talking went on for some time, and her door was opened.

           Kenny looked over spitefully, though it lessened greatly when the person looked up at her. She blinked.

           “You don’t look much like an Elf,” She said mostly without thinking, and didn’t care much that she had said it after she did consider it.

           The brunet man who opened the door blushed adorably rather than got angry, and it almost endeared him to her.

           “I’m a human, myself,” He stammered. “Raised by Elves. I’m Stan Marshwalker, my Lady. I’m to escort you to the palace.”

           “Oh,” Kenny said, realizing he was waiting for something. “I’m to…walk?”

           “We have horses,” Marshwalker said patiently. “But our roads aren’t created for human carriages. You’d find it a terrible ride.”

           He reached out his hand, and she took it and allowed her out of the carriage. Two horses, unsaddled but bridled in black leather and intricate steel, stood obediently to the side without handlers.

           “You know how to ride, my Lady?” Marshwalker asked, again very politely. Almost like he was being careful.

           “I do,” Kenny looked around for Butters, who was off his horse now and wearing a very forlorn look. Without a thought for decency, she hiked her skirts up to jog, reaching out and receiving her friend in a hug.

           “Take care of yourself,” She told him. She hadn’t expected to say goodbye so soon. She hadn’t been told she’d have to make the last leg of the journey alone. By the heavy look in the Paladin’s eyes, she suspected he’d known.  

           “And you, Princess,” Butters said with a squeeze before releasing her. “The Grand Wizard says mail can still get through. So I’ll send you lots an’ lots of letters. Don’t worry, Kenny.”

           Bless the Paladin and his soft, gentle heart.

           “Then I’ll write to you soon.” She squeezed his hand warmly and turned away, before she could start to feel upset. Stay stern. She strode, quite queenly, to where the brunet human-raised-by-Elves stood by the two brown steeds.

           She took a breath to center herself, sent a glance back to her Paladin friend before reaching. Kenny hopped up without any help, not wanting to make the impression that, despite the fact she was going along with all this, she was in any way incapable. Even if it meant she had to sit astride like a man.

           Stan smoothly hopped onto his horse as well, not commenting, and reached for the reins to turn his horse effortlessly.

           “Wave your goodbyes, Princess,” Marshwalker told her, inadvertently using her companion’s term for her. “We’re on our way.”

              Kenny said nothing for a good portion of the journey. Her horse was calm, and far more knowledgeable than she as to where they were going, so she took the time to think.

           She was on her way. She hoped that after the wedding, they’d release Karen. She had to decide if she wanted Karen with her or sent to the Keep. It depended on how bad the caves were. They’d suffered worse, though, and she’d love to be able to watch over her. She’d bend to whatever whims her husband wanted if he’d just keep her safe.

           Kenny exhaled, glancing up at the trees. Gnarled and unfriendly, branches swooped so low she could have touched them if she wanted. Almost all were covered in thick moss, and heavy vines hung everywhere she could see.

           At least her companion seemed cheerful. He patted his horse kindly and spoke respectfully, which was more than Kenny expected of her first brush with Elves. Though it might be because Stan wasn’t an Elf. He was sweet, and he was cute, and Kenny hoped she could make an ally of him.

Stan had said nothing about her riding like this, so either it wasn’t noticed or the Elven kind didn’t care much for propriety. She was considering the last option the most.

           “What was it like,” Kenny asked as they strode onward, the branches overhead tangled ominously and blocking most of the light. “To be raised by Elves as a human?”

           It was a rude question, but Stan didn’t seem to mind.

           “Honestly?” He said, horse matching Kenny’s pace within step, “Not all that different. There’s some things I can’t do that Elves can, but I’m capable. I’m right hand to the King, after all.”      

           Her future husband. Kenny felt a cold fear rush her veins. “The King?”

           “Kyle, High-King of the Elvish people.” Marshwalker said proudly. “We’ve been best friends since we were children.”

           Interesting. Kenny mulled that over, keeping a blank smile on her face. What a claim, to be ‘best friends’ with the ruler of a kingdom. She needed more information. Luckily, a little flattery from a woman could do wonders.

           “He must trust you a lot,” She said sweetly, “To bring back his future bride all by yourself.”

           Stan’s ears turned red, but he looked more pleased than flustered. “Oh, we aren’t by ourselves,” He corrected her with a smile. “His Highness sent his best agent to follow and be sure nothing reaches us.”

           “Best agent?” Kenny asked, when Stan didn’t clarify on his own.

           Stan leaned on his horse, lowering his voice. “One of the Barbarian tribe. A warrior of the highest order.”

           A Barbarian! Kenny raised her eyebrows. She hadn’t seen one in person, and had barely given them real thought. Must at the Keep assumed they were dead. “Aren’t they a dangerous bunch?” She asked. “They don’t have…they aren’t friends of humans or Elves, right?”

           “Not typically,” Marshwalker agreed. “But Tweek is considered one of Us. The Elvenkind are helping him…well, he’s friends with the King.” He trailed off.

           Kenny narrowed her eyes briefly, but smiled and stored that information away for later.

           “We’re approaching the caverns, My Lady.” Stan told her. “It isn’t a far up ahead.”

           “Are they really underground?” She asked. Stan nodded.

           “They are,” Stan adjusted the reins. “But don’t worry. Everything is bright and spacious. I think you’re going to like it.”

           Kenny readjusted her mental picture. “Okay,” She said. She glanced over. “And your friend, the King?” Get the damn hint and get talking.

           Stan looked confused before smiling. “What’s he like, you mean?” He waited for her nod. “Smart. Kind. He’s been a good King.” Stan was quiet for a moment after that, an emotion sweeping over his face that Kenny didn’t like. “Anyway,” He said, “You’ll find out soon.”

           Someone darted into their path and Kenny nearly fell off her damn horse. The person was wiry, thin, and had nearly melted out of the shadows.

           “What the hell are you?” Kenny couldn’t help, drawing back on the reins of her unimpressed horse.

           “That’ll be Tweek.” Stan said in explantion.

           The Barbarian was pale, with dark tattoos covering his body. His hair was wild as his eyes and honestly he wasn’t really wearing much. He grabbed Kenny’s bridle and the horse didn’t so much as flinch.            

           “I have the horse, youcangetoff now.” He spoke in slow and quick bursts, almost like he was used to a different dialect. Stan had already dismounted, so Kenny slid off the beast.

           Making sure her skirt hadn’t ridden up, Kenny shook out her clothes and trotted behind Marshwalker. She spared Tweek a glance. The Barbarian couldn’t have been taller than her. He was less muscular than she expected. Built for stealth, probably. He’d slunk out of the shadows like a dream. Had he been following them on foot that whole time?

           “Come with me, Princess,” Stan beckoned her to walk aside. “Take my arm. The caverns are up ahead.”

           She was expecting a hole in the ground, but instead was led up moss-covered steps. She slipped at one point, catching herself just as Stan steadied her. There was a door, crudely cut into the cliffside, and they stepped inside.

           “Hey, Stan,” A guard cut his own words off to look over Kenny. The Lady stared back. He had large, pointed ears, but other than that, he looked almost human. Was he half? Kenny knew Humans and Elves were sexually compatible, and often had Half-Breeds. She wanted to ask, but the guards behind were already unlocking a gate and swinging heavy solid metal doors aside.

           Here, everything was torchlit, and stairs led down. In the distance, laughter and loud chatter in a strange tongue echoed and bounced down the corridor.

           “Here we go,” Stan said kindly. “I’m glad you’re wearing boots, the stairs are steep. Let’s go.”

           It was easier than she expected. Everything was lit, as Stan said, though she imagined Karen trying to take this walk alone. She grit her teeth.

           “Oh, fuck.”

           Kenny stared at Stan as he stopped short. Coming up the stairs was the laughing group they’d been hearing. The entourage stopped when they saw Kenny, all falling quiet in almost humorous unison.

           “What now?” Someone shouldered aside the front crowd, and Stan winced before going in for the bow.

           “Your Highness,” Stan raised back quickly as Kenny’s heart stopped.

           Torchlight flickered off a strong jaw, sharp cheekbones. Kenny couldn’t tell what color his eyes were. She could tell that he was built handsomely, strong but not broad, with long scarlet robes and gold embellishment.

           Most of all, she noticed the messy red curls, offset by sharply pointed ears, and the crown made of branches nestled into his hair.

           Kenny found herself stupidly frozen.

           The Elf took a step up, until he stood two below Kenny. His jaw was set and he inclined his head slightly.

           “Lady McCormick,” He raised his eyes again to settle firmly on hers. “Welcome home.”

           Kenny kept her mouth closed. So this was her husband, the Elven King. She hated herself for the shivering, the cool pit of fear. This was the person she had to fool, had to please, had to keep from hurting Karen.

           “My Lord,” Stan spoke up, saving her the awkwardness of a reply, “I was taking Princess Kenny to her quarters.”

           Kyle quirked an eyebrow, tilting his head. Kenny’s eyes flit to his jaw. She wasn’t expecting smooth skin and pretty lips. Elves were…depicted differently in the Keep? Perhaps? Unless he was a different breed, like horses or dogs. He was outright handsome, despite the clash of red with hair and robe.

           “Princess?” Kyle’s eyes flit back to the girl. Kenny was sure she was going to grit her teeth to nothing, but Kyle didn’t say anything further. “Go on, I’ll be back tonight,” He told Stan, and whipped past them.

           Stan was glaring at the King’s back, strangely, and Kenny kept her grip on Stan’s arm as she watched the look on his face.

           The brunet sighed, and pulled her gently along with him down the stairs past the King’s group.

           Kenny waited until they were further away, still moving down the stairs, before leaning close to her walking companion.

           “Is that what Elves look like?” She breathed, not wanting to be overheard.

           Stan looked confused. “Yeah?” He tilted his head like a confused puppy. He chewed on his lip. “That was…King Kyle.”

           “I noticed,” Kenny picked her skirts further up as the steps grew more steep. “So that’s….the King.”

           They were skipping around the obvious term for what he was to Kenny, she didn’t know whether to be pleased by that or not.

           “Yes.” Stan sounded embarrassed. “He’ll be around later. I’ll show you to your room and let you meet your right hand from now on.”

           Kenny blinked. A grotesque look of trying to keep a straight face wavered. “Exactly what do you mean by that?”

           “Windy,” Stan seemed to comment, until a rather pretty girl with long dark hair and steel grey eyes stepped to meet them at the bottom of the stairs. “This is Lady Kenny McCormick. My Lady, this is Wendy.” He was blushing again now for whatever reason, and stepped back once they reached even floor.

           “My Lady, we’re glad to finally have you,” Wendy was average height, a little shorter than Kenny herself, and dressed in a velvety green with multicolored gems around her throat. “Over here, I’ll show you where your room is.”

           And like that, Kenny was separated from the only person she knew. Down, deep below the surface, among Elvenkind and with her husband-to-be wandering wherever he liked. To be run into at any time. Kenny shivered again.

           She had so many things to keep in mind. If she wanted Karen safe, she’d have to play this right from now on.

           “I think you’ll grow to really like it here,” Wendy spoke soothingly. “Elves are strange, but they’re a gentle race at heart.” She saw the skeptical look on Kenny’s face. “Your husband, Kyle, is our King. He’s an excellent ruler and a very good soul. I think you’ll both be good friends.”

           Good friends. Kenny’s lips twisted. She hadn’t seen her sister in years. Karen could be hurt. Hungry. Could be worse, but she refused to let herself think about it.

           “Tell me about yourself, Lady McCormick,” Wendy spoke as she led Kenny through the halls. The lights were different here, white instead of torch yellow. The looked like stars, and Kenny was more than a little tempted to touch one. Tapestries in red and gold fluttered soft from an unknown, warm breeze.

           “Not much to say,” Kenny said a bit stiffly. “I’m an orphan of the War, I’m of age to marry, there isn’t much to that you must not know.”

           Wendy took the jab easily. “Alright, then I’ll start.” She pulled Kenny aside to let Elves with longbows tread past without sound. Kenny found herself a little miffed that they would pull aside a future bride of the King to let guards pass. Tasteless.

           “I’m a half-Elf, I was born here,” She commented, brushing black hair past rounded ears. “I’m to be essentially your lady-in-waiting, but I don’t like that title.”

           “What would you prefer to be called?” Kenny asked awkwardly.

           “Wendy,” The girl replied simply.

           Easy enough.

           “Your quarters, Lady McCormick, are through here,”

           The narrow corridor opened into a large wing of the caverns, bright as day and steps carved with perfect lines and angles led up to them from across the way. On their right, two large double doors made of what appeared to be glass and gold.

           “Your husband’s room,” Wendy commented. Kenny felt the icy fear stirring in her stomach. How did she think she was going to do this? “Yours is across from him.”

           Less exquisite, but still deep wood and gilded, Wendy flung open the doors and stepped aside.

           The floor was soft, her feet bounced slightly when she walked. Kenny had the urge to kick off her boots and let her bare feet sink into them. The walls were paper and gold, with those white lights dotting every corner. Paintings taller than her of forests, trees, flower gardens, hung on every wall, two doors, and a large desk in front of the garden painting stood in white and gold leaf.

           “It’s beautiful!” Kenny said, and meant it. The bed itself looked golden gilded as well, with long thick curtains on deep mahogany posts. Even the fabric was golden, and she counted at least three blankets and ten pillows.

           “This is your closet,” Wendy gestured to the nearest door, “With clothing in it to be altered for special events…I know you brought some human garb with you as well. The other is a bathroom. With running water.”

           “Running?” Kenny asked, looking up from smoothing her fingers over sheets.

           “Like a stream.” Wendy smiled. “No waiting to fill up water or heat it.”

           Kenny exhaled. One bit of good news. Did that mean baths were not luxuries here? Everyone was startlingly clean for living underground. She glanced at the grime under her nails and sticking to her skin from the ride over. The King must have thought she looked like the Barbarian boy.

           She glanced up to ask whether she could bathe, when she caught sight of the other thing in the room. A tapestry, clearly from Kupa Keep. It looked so out of place with all the Elven things, Kenny outright stared.

           “His Highness thought maybe it would bring you some comfort,” Wendy spoke, something warming her tone. “To have something of your home.”

           Kenny wasn’t sure when she’d ever considered the Keep her home, but there was something startlingly kind in the gesture. Thoughtful.

           “Tell him thank you,” Kenny managed, deciding that if she were playing a part, best start immediately.

           “You can tell him yourself,” Wendy said, reaching into her closet. “You’ll have dinner with him in only a couple hours. Let’s get you washed up and recovered from your long journey first.”