SUMMARY: Aerhiel is a damsel in a dilemma. She is to be married off at any cost, and against her will. Being one of the best swordswomen in the area, she issues a challenge that the man who beats her shall have her. But what happens when a man from the North beats her at her own game?

~*~*~*~

Aerie sighed. She waited less-than-patiently as her servants tightened her corset and adjusted her gown. She stood by the window, grimacing as the maids pulled at her long, curly blonde hair and attempted to tame it. After watching the rain for a couple of minutes, she saw another horse galloping in from the countryside, and pushed her maids away, deciding that she had better things to do.

~*~

"Father!"

The King Caspain looked at his daughter. Untied ribbons trailed out behind her and her unruly hair hung in delicate locks about her shoulders. She was loosening her corset and trying to talk to him at the same time.

The King sighed. His daughter was a beautiful, distinguished woman, but she just refused to accept all the responsibilites that came with being a King's daughter, such as being married off and looking pretty all the time.

Even if she wasn't always tied back and arranged, he did think she looked even more beautiful when she was natural and uncontroled. She resembled her mother so much it made him cry sometimes. Aerie's mother had died 10 years prior- consequence of the Haeden Plague.

"Dad."

Aerie lovered her head and cleared her throat. The King pulled himself out of his reverie and turned to face his daughter more evenly.

"Yes, Aerhiel?"

Aerie looked away, unsatisfied with his response. He knew why she was here. She pursed her lips and looked around at the high ceiling and the beautiful stained glass windows that she had seen so many times before. When her father did not respond, she decided to speak.

"Another suitor has arrived. I saw him come from the upper windows."

The King sighed and turned away. He could not deny it. He was trying to marry off his eldest daughter, who was hardly older than fourteen. She didn't like the idea at all. He knew she didn't.

"Yes... I'm sure he-"

There was a crash as the great oaken doors were pushed open, and another suitor came in from the rain.

He was handsome, with long brown hair and a fine set of weaponry, but she looked away as he wasn't even there.

"Aerhiel..." her father prompted.

Aerie glared at the suitor, who's name was Gabriel. "Why bother? They can go pick on another unlucky princess! Damn them all, damn them fucking all!"

She walked quickly out of the Hall, leaving her father looking after her sadly and the suitor looking utterly befuddled.

"Sorry about that."

~~~~~~~~~
More SOON. But note- it may say I have a chapy but not show it. Here's a tip- put in "&chapter=2" to see it, look at other chapis ficcas iffn yah need tah. Cool. Please review! I've got lots of fics, and I'm only going to review the one which I think gets more reviews and is more liked. Thanks!!!