#duchess kaili

[royal-babey]

What if?

This is an au for what if the dales never fell ^^ featuring my Nico Mahariel, Aya Tabris, Zephyr Velaille, Solavellis Meloriel, @marquis1305 ’s Kaili Tabris, Marcus Exieron, and Bioware’s Tamlen Sabrae

They’re kids!

To clarify ages;

Marcus; 17

Tamlen; 13

Aya; 13

Nico; 11

Zephyr; 10

Kaili; 10

Vis; 6

~

It was a sunny evening in the dales. Prince Nico had snuck out to the fields after supper to bask in the warmth. He had been stuck inside his palace for a week straight already, another sickness having wracked his frail body. He was feeling much better already though, and despite the nurses protests, he wanted fresh air for once. No one would notice anyway! His mother barely paid attention to him as it was since his father died. The only person likely to notice would be his care taker Ashalle. And...

‘’Nico!’’

His ears twitched at the sound of his voice being called suddenly, and he sat up. Turning around, he was greeted by the sight of his closest childhood friend Kaili approaching. Along with her elder brother, baby brother, and friend Zephyr. Who if he recalled correctly, was the child of a maid who worked in Kaili’s father’s mansion.

‘’Hi.’’

Though he may not have shown it much, he was truly happy to see her. He rarely got to these days, and her always grinning face brought a small shy smile to his own. He hadn’t saw her for a while...As soon as their eyes met, she dived at him, knocking him flat on his back again with a loud ‘’Oof!’’. Kaili seemed apparently un-phased though, and absolutely refused to let go even as Nico tried to shove her off. Eventually, he gave in with a defeated groan, and let his arms flop back down to his sides.

‘’Careful there sis. Don’t want to break the poor thing.’’

Aya‘s voice game from out of view, though he sounded amused. Kaili squeezed Nico tightly one last time, before eventually getting up and climbing off of him with a small huff. Nico sat back up, before getting up and stretching. He barely got a break though, as moments later he had a six year old Solavellis firmly attached to his left leg, and Zephyr hanging off of his neck. He glared lightly at them both, but didn’t make any move to get them off. His friends were just...Very cuddly...

He opened his mouth to speak, intending to ask how they found him, when he heard a familiar voice yell his name. A voice that made him freeze up and immediately dart to hide behind Aya.

‘’Nico! There you are!’’

Nico peaked his head out from behind to taller elf, to see a certain human prince approaching. Marcus Exieron. He was kind to Nico, and to a lot of the other children that hung around the palace. He and his family were visiting from their kingdom for a month or so, and he had kept Nico company a lot for the week. Reading him stories, bringing him pencils and paper, teaching him to carve, bringing him water when the coughing fits would start, wiping his brow when the fever left him bed ridden, Nico almost felt like he had a big brother.

Almost.

He also felt like he had a big blonde nuisance following after him clucking like a mother hen.

‘’What are you doing out here?! It’s getting cold you could get worse again!’’

Marcus shrugged off his cloak, and attempted to walk around Aya, likely to try and cover Nico with it. Nico’s purple eyes widened, and he managed to get out of the way with a short cry of ‘’No!!!’’

Kaili immediately jumped to his defence, standing in front of him and pulling out her toy wooden dagger, waving it wildly at the human who was looked equal parts bewildered and defeated. Aya had picked up Vis again, and was balancing the child on his hip to stop him from attempting to climb up Marcus’s leg.

Nico meanwhile though was hiding behind Kaili, gripping onto one of her arms. It was one of those times he was glad she was a few inches taller than him, despite him being older. She giggled and jabbed out the dagger ever time Marcus tried to approach, declaring loudly how she would ‘’Protect the prince!’’

Suddenly, Zephyr yelled ‘’Attack!!!’’ Out of nowhere, and managed to jump right onto the humans back. The force of her small body knocking into his own caused Marcus to lose his balance, and suddenly he was falling forward.

Right on top of the Elven children, save for Aya and Vis, who were safely out of the way and laughing as their friends got squished beneath the large human teen.

Nico yelled out a loud curse in Elvhen from the impact, s omething that would have Ashalle scalping him around the ears for. Kaili also groaned, and punched the humans shoulder lightly. Zephyr had rolled off of Marcus, joining the other two in laughing profusely until she was on the ground in tears. Marcus pushed himself up, rubbing his torso from where Kaili’s toy dagger had dug in. He then began quickly apologising, his cheeks turning red as he moved out of the way.

Kaili was the next to get up, and she pulled a slightly dazed Nico up with her, brushing off his clothing and fixing his hair, tucking a stray piece behind his ear. He slapped her hands away, his cheeks heating up slightly as she giggles and sticks her tongue out at him playfully.

He turned to give Marcus his wrath next, as little as it would be in his tiny body, but he never got the chance. Because Tamlen came sprinting up the hill.

Right into Nico.

Who screamed ‘’WHY IS EVERYONE OBSESSED WITH KNOCKING ME OVER TODAY?!’’ Until Tamlen began rambling about how worried he was and how Ashalle was having a fit over finding Nico’s bed empty that is. Afterwards, he just sighed in exasperation, and resigned himself to his fate.

[marquis1305]

Dancing

I stole @hoehoehoelt‘s Nico once more for a further take on our Dales Royalty Au. Set shortly after Kaili’s engagement to Nelaros. With Nelaros as a Marquis, Kaili as a Duchess, and Nico as Prince of the Dales.

The ring fit her finger perfectly.  

Kaili didn't know if she should be happy or terrified. How long had her father planned this? When had he even had time considering all the troubles they had recently had in their estates. Kaili knew she wasn't supposed to know as much as she did regarding the troubles, but now, it all made sense.  

She was their solution.  

Engaged. It felt like a collar being snapped around her neck. A leash that could lead her away from the duties she had here at court.  

That would force her from her Prince's side.

The gentleman who now wore a matching ring, crafted at her father's behest, was one she had danced with on several occasions. Nelaros was sweet, deserving of so much more than Kaili could be. He was a good man, honest, hardworking. He had earned his title due to service to the king, rather than having it been handed down by an ancestral line. She knew how unusual such nobility had become.

It was also the reason why his family was willing to overlook her reputation. Why her father was willing to make a match with a lesser family.

The 'Duchess of Darkness', that is what the common folk called her, and many nobles as well. Whispers of her being a ruthless killer, or possible a vampire, a witch, a whore. So many different rumors made it nigh impossible for her father to make a proper match.  

Nelaros had dismissed all of that.  Said that it didn't matter. That it was Kaili that he was drawn to, that he had fallen for.  

How rare that she would be placed in a match born of love.  

It was something to be celebrated.  

Which was exactly why she was currently being laced into her best gown. Deep blue silks, to match her eyes, with silver lace overlays. The colors of her house. Her dark curls piled artfully atop her head, with braids places just so to keep it all in place. Zephyr always knew just how to make Kaili appear more than she was.  

Tonight she would show the entire court how proud her family was, how happy the match made her.

Even as she wore black lace at her throat, with a stone set in the center. A stone that matched another man's eyes.  

Eyes that now peaked at her from the vantage of her mirror.  

"Your father requested that I come check on you, apparently Aya has already begun to mingle with the guests. Cyrion is worried that your delay might reflect badly on the evening." Nico almost mumbled the words, his face as stoic as ever. Kaili could only tell by the soft wilt of his ears that the evening had any effect on him at all.

"Of course, Zeph was just helping me finish touch up my hair." She forced the smile in her tone. Kaili knew that tonight was a happy event, she was happy, she had to be.  

"Then we should hurry on our way. Your fiancé is eager to make announcements."

Her heart dropped. Of course Nico knew, he was hosting the event in his court. Why wouldn't he have known.  

"And I am eager for them to be made, my prince," standing, she pressed a quick hug to Zephyr. Pressing a gently kiss to her handmaid's cheek. Knowing that this hurt Zephyr as much as Kaili.

How easily were hearts given and then ripped away when one was a woman still under her father's rule.  

At least Zeph would be offered a place in her new home. Where ever that might be. At least she wasn't losing everyone with this change.  

Kaili took up Nico's offered hand.  

"My Prince," she dipped into a short curtsey.

"Kaili, you know I hate when you use my title. How many more times must I argue that we have been friends since you were still attached to your wet nurse? We don't need to stand on decorum."

"At least once more, my prince." She smirked. It amused her to no end to tease Nico with formality.  

Huffing, Nico rolled his eyes.  

It was a long walk to the ballroom from Kaili's chambers. She could hear her heart pounding in her chest, the warmth of Nico's hand against her own. The way that he held it as he escorted her was more than formal, nothing less than one would expect of a prince; but she felt the occasional press of his thumb against the skin of her wrist, making her breath catch in her throat every time. She refused to look at him, keeping her chin high. Acknowledging each noble as she passed them, seeing the rumors already formulating as others caught sight of Kaili's hand in Nico's.  

She could almost hear the whispers that this would cause. The Duchess of Darkness being escorted to her own engagement ball by the Prince, a man who was most definitely not her intended.  

She refused to let them under her skin. As she has refused to acknowledge the rumors that had circulated just months prior, regarding her relationship with the man rumored to be her brother's lover.  

Kaili never managed to brush off such rumors the way that Nico did. She could never tell if he was willfully oblivious, or just staunch in his belief that she could never be anything more than his childhood friend. An innocent.  

Kaili allowed herself once glance, just one, as they stepped up to be announced to the room. Letting her eyes drag over the man who had quite become the center of her world. He stood just a few inches shorter than her, but held himself in a way that no one would notice it. He stood tall, proud. His long hair tumbling over his back, the braids done into it just barely holding back untamed tresses. His face stoic as ever. It had taken her so long to learn how to read it for his moods. To catch the slightest of smiles, the glint in his eye when he was frustrated.

Her moment was over, the page's voice booming their names for all the court to hear.  

She met every gaze with pride, daring them to speak a word. None did.  

Then she caught one specific set of eyes. Bright and young, the smile on his face so bright she was surprised no one else seemed to see it.  

Nelaros, her betrothed.  

He came rushing forth, eagerly dropping into a deep bow before his prince. Then gently taking her hand from Nico's hold.  

Kaili didn't think she imagined the taunt hesitancy in Nico. But she forced herself to focus on Nelaros. Smiling softly as he pressed a kiss to her wrist. A bold statement of adoration, considering where they stood. Stepping forward, she allowed Nelaros to lead her towards the center of the ballroom. Listened quietly as he announced how proud he was to announce their engagement.  

Smiling the way she was expected to.  

This man honestly loved her, Kaili knew that he would do anything to make her happy. He deserved nothing less in exchange.  

She did her best, for the rest of the evening. Showing him small signs of affection. Allowing herself to open her heart once more. She listened to his eager plans to try and help the people of his small holdings. About all the ways he wanted to improve the lives of everyone around him. He listened as she spoke of her childhood adventures, the way she was always caught up in some new scheme that ended with her brother scolding her and her cousin eagerly begging for a chance to come along.  

Maybe life with Nelaros wouldn't be so bad. Maybe she could love him, the way he seemed to love her.  

He wasn't the best dancer, too eager, all feet. But he tried to keep pace with Kaili. And Kaili felt herself laugh with no hesitation for the first time since her father had declared what was expected. She felt the dread begin to lift.

And then came a voice.

"May I have this dance?" Nico's eyes first flicked over to Nelaros, who smiled easily and waved his betrothed forth. Happily allowing the Prince time with Kaili, knowing well that their friendship extended into their earliest years.  

Kaili couldn't refuse, not without making a scene. And so she accepted, taking up Nico's hand once more.  

Cursing that the man had chosen a waltz. Because of course he did.  

Cursing that she couldn't stop her pulse from jumping at the way he pulled her close.  

The moved with an ease that could only come from years of practice. Born of the hundreds of times Kaili had forced her friend to practice with her, and the thousands more that she had claimed him as a dancing partner in the balls held at estates through the years. Ever since she had been old enough to attend.  

Nico knew how to reign in Kaili during a dance, pressing her with palm and hip to have her follow his steps. She could read when he meant to lead her in a turn, or to release her, only for them to be joined once more as they stepped back into place.  

It all felt wrong. Nico was too stiff, Kaili seemed too slow. This wasn't their dance. This was a dance that the court would approve of. Kaili knew that they could both feel it.

As it had happened so often, the world seemed to fade away when they danced. Focused only on each other, reading movements and faces.  

There was no need for words.  

When the song ended, they paused for only a moment, eyes searching. Then Kaili dropped into a low curtsey, allowing herself to be the first to break. Nico bowed his head. Tension flowing between the two like a live current, even as Nico escorted Kaili back to her betrothed.  

Kaili accepted the flute of champagne handed to her without pause. After a second, she felt herself ease back into something akin to comfort, and let Nelaros take the lead. Ignoring the fact that Nico had excused himself for the evening.  

Ignoring the way she wished she could run after him.  

The rest of the evening went as well as expected. Well wishes showered upon the two. Nelaros took the attention in stride, but then turned to whisper to Kaili that he would be just as happy when they could finally escape the gilded cage of court life. Talking about how much more comfortable it was at his estate by the sea.  

Kaili couldn't recall her exact response, only that her head began to swim, and then she was suddenly in her chamber, short of breath. Refusing to allow Zephyr entry as she clawed at the clasps on her gown. She felt the scream rising in her throat. Forcing herself to choke it down, less she call more attention to her panic.  

And then there was nothing. Her knuckles white as she gripped the necklace that had been choking her. Ripping it off, breaking the short chain. She trembled as she stared down at the purple amethyst.  

Pressing her lips to the stone, she tossed it to her bed. Moving with a sudden purpose as she pressed open the handle of her wardrobe. She made her way quickly through the gowns, looking for the secret lock near the back. Taking out a small silver key, she opened the hidden door, which had been lined up to meet with a secret entrance to the escape tunnels that lined the castle interior. She knew these tunnels, had played within them since she had been old enough to walk.  

The path led her to the one place she knew she should not be.  

Rapping one sharp knock.  

Kaili didn't wait for a response before pushing aside the banner that hid the entrance.  

Nico sat on the edge of his bed, palms pressed to his head, fingers curling into his hair.  

"Why did you come?"

"I don't know," was the only response Kaili could think of. Eyes already beginning to mist.

"Kaili you shouldn't be here."

"I know."

"Then why?"

"I had to see you."

Kaili moved closer to her prince. Slowly kneeling before him, gazing up until she could catch sight of a purple gaze.  

Nico reached out with a speed that Kaili didn't know he had. Arms wrapping tightly about her shoulders, pressing her forehead to his chest. His face buried into her hair. Kaili let her fingers bury into the material of his vest.  

"Kaili... Dance with me?" The words were whispered and rushed. As though Nico had forced himself to say it before he had the chance to rethink.

"Nico?"

"Please. Not the way we did earlier, but the way we meant to."

"We shouldn't... we can't." Kaili began to pull away.  

"There is not court here. It's just you and me, who says we can't." Nico let his fingers bury into Kaili's hair. Pressing back until her face was tilted far enough back that she couldn't escape looking at him. To see the way his eyes begged her to accept.  

"Just you and me. Then can it be? No Prince, no Duchess. Just Kaili, and just Nico?"

"Yes, of course."

Kaili nodded, and let Nico pull her up to stand. His fingers slowly untangling themselves from her curls. Hers releasing their grip.  

She stopped. Stepping away from Nico, ignoring the confusion written on his face. Shushing his protests. She held up her hand, staring into Nico's eyes. "Just us."

Slowly, purposefully, she let him watch as she slid the ring from her finger. She gently placed it on the mantle of his fireplace, then turned to face him once more.  

Letting Nico slide his arm around her waist, the other held up at shoulder height. Her own hand rising up to meet his, with the left one gently gripping his shoulder. He began to sway. Murmuring a song under his breath.  

Kaili couldn't catch the words, but lost herself in their meaning.  

They began to spin, slow steps moving them through the waltz than should have been. Their hearts keeping time.  

Kaili felt everything begin to slip away around them. Lifting her gaze until she could catch Nico staring at her. Nico didn't stop his singing. Their bodies didn't stop moving.  

But for that one moment, Kaili felt like she had been lost to eternity.  

And then she felt his lips on hers.  

Warm. Soft. The way he caught her surprised gasp, and used the moment to deepen the kiss. Kaili felt her eyes slip shut.  

And still they didn't stop dancing.  

She felt the edge of the bed against her knees.  

Wrapping her arms around his neck, she let Nico lead her. Laying down amongst the silks and down. Tangled within each other.  

Hurried hands pressing silks and velvets aside.  

Gasps as they joined. Swallowed within more kisses. Every moment sharp and clear in her mind. Memorizing each second of stolen happiness.  

Suddenly it was his skin burning into hers. All traps of cloth finally lost. Hands tracing long lines of tattoos and scars, earned side by side. His mouth trying to capture her every taste.  

Chasing ecstasy.  

Followed by soft sighs, words still left unspoken. Arms wrapping her even closer to him. Kaili allowed him this small thing. These few more stolen moments.  

She was gone before the dawn.  

Having been woken by the startled scream of a servant she didn't recognize. Doing her best to keep Nico from waking, she chased after the frightened girl. Kaili knew the dangers of a wagging tongue, she would not let Nico be tainted by their mistake. Her heart broke for what she must do. The way that she had to leave him.

It wasn't long before the voice was silenced.  

Kaili had earned her title once more. She could not return to Nico's side, not stained with blood. Not with the ring now snugly fit on her finger once more.

Little did she know that he had woken to see her escape.

And had felt his own heart break in turn.