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theoriginalsfan124 · 6 years

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Between The Storms End And The Dragons Breath

Chapter three

Chapter summary: After a month of traveling Caroline arrives at the capital, Athedon, and finally meets the man she is promised to, the king of Illandol.

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Further and further they travelled from home. A months worth of travel it was to get from the Southern lands to Illandol, let alone the capital, a mighty city called Athedon. People spoke of highly, called it beautiful and majestic, with a castle fit for a king. Yet Caroline couldn’t hate this city more. She didn’t know if she hated the city or just hated the thought that it was Dragon, her hometown, the same one she was ripped away from. Dragon held its position high for many centuries, no one has ever overtook it, no enemy has even stepped foot near the castle Dragon withheld, Blackfire they called it. Oh how Caroline longed to see it one more time, however no matter how much she prayed she couldn’t.

The young lady fixed out her dress for what seemed a hundredth time. They were dangerously close to Athedon, dangerously close to Afosall, the castle she’ll be forced to call her home, and dangerously close to the stranger she’ll have to marry. She looked out the window again, the carriage she was in was quite spacious, yet riding in it was horrible, only the view outside could keep her away from bursting into tears. She did not want this, she did not ask this and yet here she was receiving this.

“You haven’t spoken a word today,” The beautiful woman next to her spoke.

“I have no words to speak. Why run my tongue for nothing?” The young soon to be queen answered.

“You know your father has been-“

“I don’t want to hear it, Marianne.” The blonde shut her cousin down.

“Why don’t you get some rest before we get to the capital?” Seeing her failure, the redhead switched topics.

The young Callas did not answer, instead she fixed her dress yet again and rested her head on the window. She kept pushing her thoughts away, further into her head, trying to enjoy the scenery outside. The girl did not even notice how sleep overtook her.

She snoozed for awhile, getting the rest she deserved. A carriage is not the most comfortable place to sleep in, so you could not blame her for not getting enough sleep though this month. It was the carriage plus the thoughts of marrying a complete stranger that kept her completely awake at night. Caroline was in peace, when asleep, that is until the carriage stopped abruptly and shook her out of her nap.

“Why did we stop?” She asked groggily.

“We’re at the gates of Athedon, which means we are finally here, at the capital.” Marianne announced with a smile.

Caroline completely woke up now. Her lips pressed themselves together in a tight line, her back straightened out and her palms cupped her dress tightly. She finally was here. Oh how she dreaded this moment.

“Here let me look at you,” Marianne turned her cousins face gently. “We want you to be perfect while meeting your fiancée.”

“He can go to hell and see if I care.” She muttered under her breath.

Marianne squeezed the younger girls chin. “I know you don’t want this, bloody hell I didn’t want to marry my husband, but you have to do this. We can’t avoid war, we can’t afford it, Illandol has a bigger army, we need peace. The king wants peace and that’s a good sign, he doesn’t want pointless war, however he needs the reassurance that the South won’t strike. You are that reassurance.”

“I’m scared Marianne” her voice broke as tears formed in her eyes.

“Oh darling, I was too. It’s going to be alright, I promise...” the redhead pulled Caroline into a hug.

The carriage started moving again and the young women understood that they were let inside Athedon. It was only a matter of time before they got to the castle. Caroline’s heart pounded like crazy, her palms were sweaty and her hands shaking. The carriage she disliked so much, now seemed like a much better option than stepping outside. But she had to, for her family, for her name, for her dynasty and for her people. Marianne was right, she knew it, and she had to do everything to keep that war far far away from happening. The carriage came to a halt, the girls looked at each other and nodded. The door opened, Marianne’s husband, lord Thomas, smiled at them and offered his hand to his wife. The red head took his hand and gracefully exited the carriage. Caroline heard talking, mostly formal introductions with who she assumed was the Between the king and her family. She did not leave the carriage yet.

“Let me introduce you, your grace, to my daughter and your fiancée,” she heard her father say before he opened the carriage door and offered his hand to her.

She unwillingly took it and with his help gracefully stepped out of the carriage. She felt the cool breeze on her skin, for the first time today, the sun shined brightly, which made her deep red dress sparkle in the sunlight. Dark red was her house color, even though she was marrying Illandol’s king she still wore her house color, to show him that she will always be a Callas. She breathed in and out deeply before raising her head to meet face to face to the one she was promised to. There he stood tall and proud. He was in his shiny armor, hands behind his back, eyes bearing into her as he took her appearance in. He had shiny blond hair and ocean blue eyes, which sparkles in the sunlight. He did not smile, he did not blink, he did not react. Caroline didn’t know if this was a good sign or not. She didn’t speak a word either, she stood in the spot observing the king.

“My lady, it is a pleasure to have you here in Athedon with me.” He finally spoke, his voice stern and deep.

“The pleasure is all mine,” she faked smiled and lied though her gritted teeth.

The king said nothing, but observed further. He looked her up and down, he had to admit she wasn’t what he expected. She prettier and looks more elegant than he imagined. He managed to squeeze in a fake grimace as he offered his arm to her.

“My lady, why don’t we speak in private.” He suggested.

Caroline hooked her arm in his and started waking in the direction he was directing her. They entered the castle, passed hall after hall, until they reached a large old door. He let go of her and opened the door, and moved to the side.

“After you, my lady.” He gestured her to go inside.

She complained, elegantly and carefully walking towards the inside in the room. The room was pretty spacious, a huge map of Nyre was displayed on the northern wall, Illandol was there, the Southern lands were there, Rosewood and many more displayed, Caroline has never seen a map of Nyre as big as this one, two fake knights with shining armor stood on each side of the map. There was a large round table in the middle of the room, a set of seven chairs accompanying it. The one in the middle was the largest and the tallest. Caroline knew this was the council room and the biggest chair belonged to the king, however she did not know why exactly he took her here.

“Sit.” He ordered pushing a chair back.

Caroline nodded and sat down, and as a gentleman the king pushed her chair to the table and then sat down the opposite of her.

“As you know we are to get married.” He started.

“I know.” She assured. “Your grace, it would be nice to at least know your name before our wedding.” She faked smiled.

“There’s no need for formalities. My name is Noel.”

“It’s a honor to meet you.”

He didn’t say anything back, just intensely kept looking at her. She held his gaze, strong and determined to not show him fear. She did not know this man or what he was capable off, so she played it safe and was the nicest she could be.

“Why don’t you tell me about yourself, after all we will be sharing the same bed soon, I would like to know whom I’m married.” She forced herself to smile. “I, for instance, hate the smell of blueberries, but still like them in desserts. Such a random fact, but it’s a start. Tell me something, anything, that you like or dislike.”

He stayed silent, he didn’t answer.

“Okay...I’m 18, born on August 15th.” She tried again. “When were you-“

“There’s no need for this.” He cut her short.

Her mouth formed a straight line as she stared directly at him.

“I know you understand that is nothing more than a political alliance.” He said sternly.

It was her turn to stay silent. She said nothing, but just stared at him in disbelief. He was cold that was for certain. Caroline just hoped he was cruel, after all Illandol was a patriarchic community her fate was in his hands.

“I-“ she tried.

“Nora, Selene, please escort lady Caroline to her chambers.” He shouted to the maids outside the door.

Soon the women came practically running inside the council room. They bowed to him and her and gently took the young lady by her hands and led her away. Caroline followed the two maids towards her assigned chambers. She silently prayed that he wasn’t as cold as he appeared to be and that her marriage life won’t be a complete failure and pain.

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