FictionPress.com - let the words flow
| FictionPress.com - let the words flow |
|
| Home Just In Communities Forums Beta Readers Dictionary Search | Login Register Extras |
A/N: Hello, all! This is the beginning (or prologue) to my first full-length fantasy story. I've worked really hard on it, so I'd love to hear what you all have to say. Depending on the response I get, I'll try and update periodically. I've already begun writing the first chapter, so if you like the prologue, let me know and I'll keep uploading after I finish it. (Also please note that the entire story, especially the prologue, is constantly undergoing changes and editing.)
I've had this story in my head for awhile now (I'd say 4 or so years now), and I'm writing it purely for my and others' enjoyment. I'm a little afraid there will be similarities between this and other fantasy works such as Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, (since I watch them so much) and I've tried hard to eliminate that in order to prevent plagiarism, etc. Let me know if I should do more. On the other hand, similarities between this story and other stories on the site are purely coincidental as everything came from my own imagination (as a product of, like I said, watching and reading such fantasy works such as The Lord of the Rings way too much). Feedback is appreciated!
The Legacy of Aeirea
Prologue
Referred to as the “Land of Prosperity” or the “Realm of the Sun,” the country of Aeirea is no ordinary place, for it exists not here in our world but in the parallel world of Elendylvia. Located between the nations of Hamira and Mandaln, and roughly the size of India, Aeirea is home to both rolling green countryside and scorching desert. There is only one main source of water to be found throughout the whole country, the Lazarene River, which most of the cities of the nation border.
It was 1:00 in the morning in the capital city of Camlaudis. The shrill cry of a baby split the air, as the newborn was welcomed into the world.
"It is a girl!" the midwife proclaimed to the exhausted mother, who smiled brightly in response, her forehead still soaked with sweat, her long and dark, wavy hair limp and clinging to her face.
The doors to the large room burst open just as the midwife was placing the now clean baby girl into her mother's arms. An imposing form of a largely-built man stood in the doorway, and seeing the baby, strode quickly towards the bed in the center of the room. "Well?" he demanded, looking at the midwife.
Far from being intimidated, the midwife looked stonily back at him. "It is a daughter, Your Highness."
"What?" the man, King Davarius, Lord of Aeirea, paled. "A daughter?!" he sputtered, outraged.
The woman on the bed, still cradling her newborn baby in her arms, turned her head towards the king, her husband, and nodded. "We have a daughter." Queen Gabriella smiled softly, looking at the baby, now sleeping peacefully.
Despite his wife's obvious happiness and pride, King Davarius was anything but happy. In fact, he was furious. "What good will a daughter do?" he snapped. "I need an heir, a son. A daughter is useless!"
Gabriella closed her eyes, discouraged. Sensing her silent distress, the baby girl shifted in her arms. Looking down upon her daughter's small form, Gabriella was comforted.
Having gathered herself, Gabriella again addressed her husband, this time with a fierce look of fire in her bright, blue eyes. "She is still your daughter. Just because she is not male does not mean she is useless."
Davarius's lips thinned into a line, and he made no move to answer her. The room was thick with tension.
The baby grew restless, and the midwife's young assistant, with the queen's consent, took her from Gabriella's arms. As she was about to place the baby back into the bassinet, she paused and looked to the king. "Sire?" she asked, hesitantly. The king spared her a glance, and having his attention, she continued. "Would you like to hold the baby?"
Davarius tensed, looking away as though determining his options. Gabriella looked on, studying her husband, trying to determine what he would do. She hoped he would come to his senses and realize having a daughter, though she would not be a true heir, would still be a good thing.
After a long moment, Davarius, firm in his decision, turned and walked back through the door without a second glance, his cloak billowing behind him. Gabriella's shoulders slumped in defeat.
"My lord," Cartelior began.
"Cartelior?" Davarius asked. "What is it?"
"Well, sire," Cartelior continued, "it seems your people are most anxious for an announcement about the birth of your child."
"An announcement?" Davarius repeated. "It has not even been a day."
"I know, my lord. But it appears that there is some speculation among the people..." Cartelior trailed off.
"Speculation?" Davarius prompted. "What kind of speculation?" he questioned warily.
Cartelior shifted uncomfortably. "The people are beginning to wonder if something has gone wrong. They have not yet seen the queen or a baby. I fear they will not rest until their curiosities are satisfied."
"The queen is resting. As for the child, she is healthy," Davarius responded tersely.
"Forgive me, my lord. I did not mean to pry. I merely thought you should be aware of the rumors," Cartelior replied quickly, bowing his head in apology.
Davarius softened. "There is no need to apologize. It has been a long day." He sighed. "I will have Stanton make an announcement to the people, explaining that the queen is resting peacefully and the birth went well. We will hold the naming ceremony and formally introduce the child tomorrow. That should calm their nerves."
Cartelior nodded in agreement. "Very well, my lord. Pardon me for asking, but I wonder...will you have Stanton reveal the sex of the child in the announcement, or will you wait until the naming ceremony tomorrow?"
The question caught Davarius off guard. He pondered it for a moment, and then decided. "We will wait until the naming ceremony," he answered firmly.
"A good decision, sire," Cartelior replied. "If you will excuse me, I must go before I am late for my next appointment. Good day, my lord." He gave a short but formal bow.
"Good day," Davarius said in response. Cartelior left, and the king was once again alone.
"Have you heard??" the crowds asked back and forth to one another, barely containing their enthusiasm. "There is a new royal heir!"
"I wonder what the child looks like," the women remarked, full of speculation. "Do you think he has his mother's appearance or his father's??" they pondered.
"What do you think they'll name it?" asked another curiously. "You don't think they'll saddle him with some disgraceful Elvish name, do you? Surely they'll give him a proper Aeirean name!"
A small boy no older than five paused from his game of soccer and looked at his friends. "What do you think is so special about a baby?" Though he asked the question in a voice no louder than normal, it was somehow heard above the babbling of the crowds.
"Tobias!" a woman who could only be the boy's mother scolded. The young boy looked puzzled, wondering what he had done wrong. "What? It is just a baby."
An older woman with a grandmotherly look standing nearby shook her head in silent exasperation and disapproval. "Just a baby?" she replied indignantly. "Why, I never! Have you any idea what you're talking about, boy?" she said heatedly, though not unkindly.
The boy, Tobias, though fairly intimidated, mumbled no. "I shouldn't think so," the old woman stated. "That's not just any baby, you see. He's the new prince, and one day, he's going to grow up to become king. Keep that in mind the next time anyone mentions that baby."
Chastised, Tobias nodded glumly yet seriously. "Yes, ma'am," he said quietly, getting the point. Instead of leaving and returning to the game however, the boy stayed where he was. Seeing he was thinking yet again, the old woman, peering down on him, kindly prompted, "Something else?"
Looking sheepish, the young Tobias raised his eyes to the old woman's. "How do you know the baby's a boy and not a girl?" he inquired. The old woman looked taken aback. "Well, what an odd thing to say!" she said, pondering the question. "Of course the baby would be a boy!"
"But what if it's not?" he asked. The old woman laughed, appearing to think the boy's words were nothing but ridiculous. "Now, really. The baby's obviously a boy! There's not been a firstborn royal child that was a girl in over 100 years!"
"But-" Tobias started, persistent. The old woman, starting to get annoyed, interrupted. "Look here," she said impatiently, "the baby's a boy and that's that!"
Tobias began to get frustrated. "But what if-" he started again. "Tobias!" his mother interrupted loudly. "Enough! This nice woman's right. Now stop pestering her and go play!"
Sighing, Tobias finally accepted defeat and went back to his soccer game.
One group of women, far smaller than the rest, stood apart from the others. Perhaps it was because of the size of the group, but more likely it was because of the abnormal dress and appearance of one of the women, that they drew attention from the others around them. It was customary for married women and women of nobility to wear a shawl (usually black) around their shoulders and heads, something that the peculiar woman had ignored, though she clearly bore what appeared to be a wedding band on her finger. What was more, her hair was golden blonde, and fell in soft ringlets around her shoulders. Though blonde hair was not altogether unseen in Aeirea, it was considered somewhat of a rarity, especially in the capital city as most Aeireans had dark hair. But what was most strange was that her appearance, though she was beautiful, was clearly that of an elf, something that was confirmed by her slightly pointed ears. That would not have been unusual except for the fact that elves were generally unheard of in the country ever since the old days. In fact, the only elf that currently resided in Aeirea was none other than the Queen Gabriella herself, and everyone knew the queen had dark hair. It was because of this that it was not long before whispers and speculation started...
"Who is she?" the people asked, craning their necks to get a better look. "Do you think she's related to the queen?"
"I don't see how that's likely, considering the queen has dark hair and hers is light!" one person answered, confused.
"Well, she's definitely an elf, that's for certain!" exclaimed another. "Just look at those ears of hers!" People nodded in agreement.
"Why do you think she's here?" questioned one of the young women.
"Who knows?" returned a short, graying woman next to her. "Maybe she's come to congratulate the royal couple on the birth. It wouldn't be unusual for the elves to send someone."
"I suppose..." the young woman trailed off.
"We're drawing stares," commented one of the women quietly, standing across from her blonde-haired companion, and glancing every so often at the surrounding spectators. She had a fair complexion, and a head of red, somewhat curly hair that was hidden by the tradition shawl that she wore. If you looked close enough, her stomach, round with pregnancy, could be seen even through the heavy dress that adorned her.
The other woman, who had already been identified as an elf by the crowd, smiled softly in response. "And what do you suggest?" she asked of the pregnant redhead. "That we leave?" She shook her head. "Let them talk."
"Are you mad, Celestia?!" asked the redhead incredulously in return. "Do you know the rumors this will cause? Nothing stays quiet in Camlaudis for long!" she hissed.
Celestia only continued to look amused in response. "My dear Sarine, have you already forgotten that we have nothing to hide?"
Sarine couldn't help but snort. "It's the principle of the thing. Our arrival was supposed to be a surprise!"
Celestia let out a small laugh at her friend's over dramatics. "Oh, Sarine. I doubt that even this gossiping crowd could carry the news to the palace before we show up."
"You'd be surprised," Sarine warned. "If we want to keep the surprise, we best hurry on to the palace now."
Her seriousness made Celestia sigh. "Well, I suppose it wouldn't hurt. After all, if you're that worried about it..."
Sarine smiled, knowing she had gotten her way. "Good. It's decided. Shall we, then?" Her elvish companion nodded, and they were on their way, leaving the whispers and pointing of the crowd behind them.
Fortunately for the two women, one of the aforementioned guards knew about their ties to the queen and so recognized them right away, offering them a polite nod in greeting. The other guard, however, did not have the previous knowledge of his partner, and as Celestia and Sarine made to move forward towards the doors, he intervened.
“Wait just a minute,” he started, “I’m afraid only persons who are approved by the king can enter.”
The first guard turned slightly so that he was facing his ignorant younger partner. “It’s alright, Kehal. They already have permission,” he explained patiently. Even with his comments, Kehal wasn’t fully convinced. “Be that as it may, I have not received word of any scheduled visitors. I think it best if we act cautiously and request their names,” he said to the senior guard.
Just when the more experienced of the two was about to answer his colleague, Celestia spoke up. “You have not heard of our visit as we planned for it to be a surprise,” she clarified. “Nevertheless, I admire your concern, and so, we will be happy to give you our names.” She paused for affect and looking directly into Kehal’s eyes declared, “I am Celestia of the elves, a good friend of your queen, the Lady Gabriella.” She gestured to Sarine and continued, “And this is Sarine, daughter of Galfraund, and one of your queen’s very own cousins.”
Kehal was left speechless, and his cheeks flamed in embarrassment. Berating himself for not knowing better, he was able to regain some of his voice. “I must apologize,” he forced out in sincere regret. “I did not know.”
Celestia smiled calmly and dismissively waved her hand. “No apology is necessary,” she replied. “I would expect nothing less from a guard of the royal palace, especially one that had not become familiar with our presence before.”
Seeing that the young man had not completely lost his look of shame, Sarine quickly added, “You have nothing to worry about. It was no harm done, after all.” She offered him another smile.
Kehal nodded and tried his best to compose himself. Meanwhile, his older comrade jumped in. “Well, I suppose you would like to see the queen now? I really am quite sorry for all the trouble and for the delay.”
Both the women nodded, and Celestia replied once again that it was alright and that they didn’t mind. The two guards seemed to relax in relief, and they proceeded to open the wide, heavy palace doors. “You can go right in,” the older of the two said to the women. “If you just approach the first guard you see on the right, he’ll lead you to the queen.”
The women thanked him and continued along their way through the doors. Following the guard’s directions, they found themselves searching for the other guard he had mentioned, and finally spotted him a little further on down the hall. Moving swiftly and wasting no time, they approached him and explained the situation. In return he led them through the halls and up the marble stairs until they reached the queen’s chamber. Stopping at the door, the guard stated, “You’ll find the queen inside. I would suggest being quiet so as not to wake her if she’s sleeping.” Then, he nodded to them in parting and left to return back to his post.
Celestia looked to Sarine as though waiting for her approval. When she saw her friend nod, she quietly turned the knob and pushed open the door…Only to see her best friend sleeping peacefully on the spacious bed placed in the center of the room. Celestia could only share a smile with Sarine at the sight of the exhausted queen.
“I guess she must be tired,” remarked Sarine. Her elvish friend nodded. “Yes,” she agreed. “Though I must say that that’s not surprising given the fact that she only recently gave birth,” Celestia commented, earning a nod of acceptance from Sarine. “Very true,” she replied. “I have no doubt that I’ll be just as tired once my little one comes.” Her hand drifted to her round stomach, and Celestia couldn’t help but smile softly once again.
Turning back to the situation at hand, Celestia looked to Sarine. “Since Gabriella obviously needs her sleep, what do you suppose we should do while we wait for her to wake up?” she asked.
Sarine shrugged. “I don’t know,” she replied. “Maybe we ought to just sit and relax for a little while until she wakes. After all, we have been traveling for quite a time. Unless you can think of something else we could do?”
The elf shook her head. “Relaxing does sound appealing,” she admitted. “Besides, we can’t exactly wake her up, now can we?” The two friends started to walk toward the sofa in the corner of the room. Unbeknownst to them however, Gabriella had awoken and was silently taking everything in.
As soon as the two women had sat down and begun talking quietly so as not to wake their sleeping friend up, Gabriella spoke. “Who said you two could sit there?” she inquired teasingly, with a small smile on her face, as she looked on at her two friends. Her words caught both Celestia and Sarine by surprise, and they looked up from their conversation to see Gabriella wide awake and sitting up in bed, with her eyes trained on them warmly.
Celestia’s surprise faded quicker than Sarine’s, and she was able to regain her voice. “Well, well, well. Look who’s finally awake,” she stated in pretend mocking.
Gabriella, used to her best friend’s teasing even after being separated from her for so long, only laughed and rolled her eyes as Sarine, finally coming to her senses, smiled at the best friends’ tactics. “You just wait until you have your child,” Gabriella commented. Celestia smirked and, getting to her feet, she removed her cloak, revealing a bulging stomach similar to Sarine’s, only larger.
“I still can’t believe all three of us were pregnant at the exact same time,” Sarine said, shaking her head in disbelief and following Celestia’s example by sitting in a chair by the bed. “It’s incredible.”
“Yes, it is quite extraordinary,” agreed Celestia. “Though I have to say, I’m ready to get it over with. I don’t think I can wait two more months.”
“Trust you to be the one to say that,” said Gabriella.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” questioned Celestia suspiciously, narrowing her eyes at her friend. Gabriella merely smirked playfully. “Oh, nothing,” she answered.
Sarine skillfully interrupted before Celestia could inquire further of Gabriella. “So, where is my new second cousin?” she asked Gabriella curiously.
“Yes,” Celestia continued. “Where is the baby? After all, if I’m going to be the child’s godmother, I’m going to have to meet it first.”
Gabriella smiled. “She’s in the nursery, sleeping, as far as I know,” she replied with a hint of pride in her voice.
“She?” Sarine inquired, a little bit confused. She had been sure that her cousin had been expecting a boy.
In answer to her question, Gabriella nodded. “That’s right,” she confirmed, and sensing her cousin’s confusion, she added, “I had a girl.”
Both of her friends’ eyes widened in shock; however, Celestia’s face also showed delight. “A daughter?” she asked of her best friend, excited. When Gabriella nodded again, Celestia all but squealed in pleasure, and a bright smile graced her face. “This is wonderful!” she exclaimed. “I have a goddaughter!”
Celestia’s joy was infectious, and soon both Gabriella and Sarine were smiling as well.
“When can we see her?” Celestia asked after she had a chance to calm down. Gabriella grinned at her friend’s eagerness. “I’ll bring you to the nursery after we’ve gotten caught up,” she promised.
“Oh, alright,” agreed Celestia. “I suppose I can wait a little longer to meet her.” Sarine and Gabriella laughed, and then Sarine addressed her cousin. “Not that I’m unhappy to hear we have a baby girl to spoil, but weren’t you supposed to be having a boy?” she questioned.
Gabriella became somber. “Yes,” she responded. “I was told that I was expecting a boy.”
Having known her best friend since they were children, Celestia picked up on Gabriella’s sudden change in demeanor right away and was able to take a guess on what was causing her to react in such a manner. “It isn’t your fault the doctor made a mistake, Ella,” she stated, using her nickname for the queen. While everyone else called her best friend either Gabriella or Gabby, Celestia had given her the nickname of Ella when they were little. To this day, Celestia was the only one who referred to her in such a way.
“I know,” Gabriella answered. “It’s just because of that, Davarius had his heart set on receiving an heir.” She sighed.
Celestia’s expression hardened. It was common knowledge among their friends that Celestia disliked her best friend’s husband and did not agree with the way he treated Gabriella. However, she usually managed to keep her opinion to herself since she knew it would only upset her best friend. After all, how ever Celestia might think of Davarius, she knew that Gabriella did love him.
“I take it Davarius wasn’t exactly thrilled when he found out he had a daughter instead,” Celestia stated, eyes narrowing in anger at the thought of how the arrogant king must have reacted toward her new goddaughter.
Gabriella dejectedly shook her head, her shoulders slumping. Celestia clenched her fists in silent fury as she noticed the way her best friend’s sapphire eyes- usually only showing joy- were slowly filling with tears. “He wouldn’t even hold her,” Gabriella, keeping her eyes trained on the bed, choked out, her voice overflowing with anguish.
Sarine stopped herself from going to her cousin’s side. This was Celestia’s place, and she knew it. Still, if she came across Davarius anytime soon, she didn’t think she would be able to keep from slapping him, king or not. She might not dislike her cousin’s husband as much as Celestia, but that didn’t mean Sarine agreed with how he treated her.
Glancing to the side at Sarine, Celestia saw even her face looked murderous. However, even knowing her anger was indeed justified did not help her to feel better. Right now her best friend needed her. Pushing her anger aside for the moment, Celestia got up from her chair and sat beside her best friend on the bed. Gritting her teeth, she prepared herself for saying what she knew her friend needed to hear.
“I’m sure he’ll come around, Ella,” Celestia soothed, trying her best to sound convincing. “Think about it,” she continued, trying to lighten the mood and brighten Gabriella’s spirits, “if your daughter’s as beautiful as you are, he’ll change his mind in no time.”
Sarine managed a small laugh, but Gabriella only shook her head in despair. “You don’t understand,” she sobbed. “When Davarius makes up his mind about something, he doesn’t change it. He won’t come around. Not this time.” Sarine and Celestia looked on in sadness as their friend, who was usually so strong, dissolved in tears.
Celestia refused to give up. Pulling her best friend to her and wrapping her arms around her tightly, she whispered fiercely, “It’s going to be okay, Ella. Everything’s going to be okay.”
“It is I, Cora, the chambermaid, your highness,” came the answer.
“Oh, it’s you, Cora,” replied Gabriella, relieved that it was not someone else, especially her husband. “Come in.”
The door opened to reveal a short girl with warm, amber eyes and raven hair pulled back in a bun. Cora, wearing the traditional servants’ clothing, was no older than twenty. Curtsying politely to the queen, Cora addressed her. “I am sorry to wake you my Lady,” she began, “but I have been instructed to help you to prepare for the naming ceremony that is to be held later today.”
“I was not aware the naming ceremony was to take place today,” commented Gabriella, frustrated that her husband had not come to tell her the news earlier himself.
Cora looked apologetic. “I’m sorry, my Lady,” she said. “I was of the impression that the king was supposed to inform you yesterday.”
Gabriella, getting up from the bed, waved away the apology. “You didn’t know. It’s certainly not your fault,” she stated dismissively. The two then got to work on going through the queen’s massive wardrobe and picking out the clothes she would wear for the ceremony. With Cora’s help, Gabriella was able to find the perfect dress in no time.
“That is most definitely the dress, your highness,” Cora breathed admiringly as she stepped away from the queen after helping her don the heavy satin gown.
“You think so?” asked Gabriella, moving to the mirror and inspecting herself carefully. Her gown was, indeed, exquisite. It was a rich sapphire blue that matched her eyes with silver embroidery along the collar and the long sleeves. The collar itself was a modest v-neck that stopped just above her breasts, and the entire gown seemed to accent the queen’s graceful figure perfectly while still seeming to flow smoothly to the ground.
“I don’t know…” Gabriella trailed off uncertainly. It was astonishing how the queen always managed to allow her self-consciousness to create doubt about her appearance, especially since elves were renowned for their beauty and she was no exception.
Unlike usual royalty, Gabriella had never been one to flaunt the fact that she was rich or beautiful, which was one of the reasons the servants all had the utmost respect for her. As queen, Gabriella could get away with almost anything and yet she was not the least bit conceited or cruel. While other queens were known to disassociate themselves from anyone they perceived to be beneath them in status, Gabriella went out of her way to treat the servants as equals, and she even made frequent trips outside the palace to help sick middle- and low-class citizens. It was for this reason, in fact, that the people of Aeirea accepted an Elvish queen, something that was entirely unheard of before Gabriella married Davarius.
“You look fine, my lady,” reassured Cora, knowing of Gabriella’s tendency to second guess herself and her appearance. “That gown is perfect for you to wear to the ceremony.”
Gabriella was forced to concede. “Well, if you’re sure…” she said, still not entirely convinced.
Cora nodded. “Yes, that is definitely the dress,” the chambermaid concluded with the utmost certainty. “All you need now is just some jewelry,” she continued. “Let’s see,” she pondered, perusing the queen’s jewelry for a suitable necklace. “Ah ha!” she exclaimed suddenly, pulling out an Elvish diamond pendant that was the queen’s favorite and handing it to Gabriella to put on. “Perfect!” she declared when she looked at Gabriella again. As the queen already had earrings on that matched, there was no need to look for anything else.
“Well, I think that’s it,” stated Cora. “Now I am to escort you to the king’s quarters as I was directed. It seems my Lord has requested to speak with you before the ceremony begins.”
“Do you know what about?” Gabriella asked.
“Sorry, my Lady,” Cora responded. “I was not provided with anymore detail than that, although if I had to guess I would say it would probably be about a name for the child,” she explained.
“Of course,” replied Gabriella. “Well, let us go. It would not serve well to be late.”
“Yes, my Lady,” the chambermaid indulged, and complying with the queen’s wishes, she escorted her from the room and to the king’s chamber.
Catching sight of his wife, Davarius dismissed the servants. “You may go,” he said to Rowan, who bowed in response before turning and walking out the door. The other servants who had been helping the king dress stood apprehensively, unsure whether to leave or stay as they had not yet been dismissed. Davarius, impatient with their slow response and not realizing that they were waiting for his orders snapped, “That means you too! You are dismissed! Leave!” The remaining servants followed Rowan’s earlier example and hurried out the door before they could be reprimanded further. Gabriella winced.
When the couple were finally alone, Gabriella turned to her husband. “You wanted to see me?” she asked hesitantly.
“Yes,” Davarius answered. “I thought it best that we talk before the ceremony. I received news from two of the guards at the gate that you were visited last night by your cousin and Celestia, is that correct?”
Gabriella nodded. “Yes, they came to see how I was,” she replied. “Why?” she added curiously.
“No matter,” Davarius stated. “I simply wanted to confirm if the guards’ stories were correct.” Gabriella studied him carefully, knowing that could not have been the only reason why he wanted to know.
There was a moment of silence and then Davarius spoke again. “Will they be staying for the feast?” he questioned.
‘So that’s what he really wanted to know,’ thought Gabriella. ‘I should have guessed.’ Gabriella was not blind to the fact that her husband and Celestia did not get along. In fact, they shared a mutual dislike for each other. It was actually quite ironic, considering Davarius was friends with Celestia’s husband, Phillipe. Phillipe even served as a one of Davarius’s generals, and it was well known that Davarius trusted him with his life.
“No,” Gabriella responded. “They left this morning for Librene.” Librene was a small village to the east of Camlaudis where Celestia and Phillipe currently lived. From what Sarine had told Gabriella last night, she was traveling with Celestia back to Librene where she would wait for her husband, Nathaniel, to pick her up. Unlike Celestia, Sarine did not live in Librene but in Theral, a suburb of the capital. Apparently, Nathaniel would be meeting her in Librene on his way home from business.
Davarius nodded in acceptance. “I see. Well that takes care of that. I suppose all that is left to do now is to choose a name,” he commented.
“Yes, I suppose so,” agreed Gabriella.
“I’ve been thinking,” started Davarius. “We need a respectable name, of course, but then it also needs to stand out.”
“Have you had any thoughts?” Gabriella pried.
Davarius took a moment to think it over. “What would you think about naming the baby after my mother?” he tried. Gabriella hesitated. “You mean you want to name her Beatrice?” she questioned.
He caught sight of her face. “You don’t like it?” he inquired, his eyebrows knit together.
“Well…” Once again Gabriella hesitated. “No, not really,” she finished. “I was actually hoping we might be able to incorporate some of her Elvish heritage into her name,” she admitted. “If that’s alright with you,” she hastened to add, knowing how her husband felt about her ‘Elvish heritage.’ While Davarius was not completely against her heritage, it did make him uncomfortable when anyone mentioned it. Of course, it hadn’t always been that way. When they had first gotten married, before Davarius’s father stepped down from the throne and his older brother, Billius, declined to take his place, Davarius had never minded that she was an elf. It was only after the throne was passed to him that he had begun to show disapproval of her heritage.
Almost at once, Davarius turned cold. “If that is what you want,” he stated emotionlessly, “then go ahead.”
Gabriella’s temper flared. Normally she would do everything in her power to ignore her husband’s ill temper and his attitude about her race, but she was still exhausted from her break-down the night before and so her emotions got the best of her. “Yes,” she stated angrily as she stared him down, “that is what I want.” Defiance shown clearly in her sapphire eyes and she dared to continue. “Why do you always become upset whenever I mention something to do with my heritage?” she demanded, fed up. “If you didn’t like the fact that I was an elf, you never should have married me!” she cried. The anger drained from her suddenly, and she whispered brokenly, “You never had a problem with it before.” She quickly trained her eyes on the floor so as to conceal the tears gathering within them.
For his part, Davarius looked surprised at her outburst. Recovering, he countered, “I don’t have a problem with it now.”
His wife looked up from the floor, giving a sharp, humorless laugh that did not suit her as she did so. Meeting Davarius’s eyes she responded fiercely, “You do have a problem with it, and don’t you dare deny it! If you didn’t have a problem with it, you wouldn’t get disgruntled every time I brought it up!”
Davarius seemed to pale. Luckily however, he was saved from having to give an explanation by the sound of knocking on the door. Gabriella looked less than pleased at the interruption.
“Yes?” the king asked, awaiting an answer. “Who’s there?”
“It is Stanton, Your Highness,” came the reply.
“Just a moment,” Davarius called. Turning quickly to look back at his wife he stated firmly, leaving no room for argument, “We will finish this discussion later!” He then addressed Stanton. “You may come in,” he announced.
The door opened and Stanton walked in. Bowing to the royal couple he apologized. “I’m sorry for the interruption, My Lord,” he began.
“It was no matter,” replied Davarius, who was secretly grateful for the interruption. “We were only in the middle of a discussion. May I ask why you are here?” he continued.
“Of course, I apologize,” Stanton responded regrettably. “I’ve only come to inform you that the ceremony will begin in fifteen minutes,” he finished.
Davarius nodded. “Very well. Thank you, Stanton. Please inform everyone that we will be down shortly,” Davarius stated.
“Yes, My Lord,” Stanton said. “I will inform them right away,” he assured the king, bowing. “My lady,” he acknowledged, dipping his head in respect. With that he turned and departed from the room.
After a moment of awkward silence, Davarius resumed speaking. “Have you decided on a name yet?” he directed at his wife. Gabriella responded stiffly, “I had a couple in mind.”
Davarius pursed his lips. “Well? Let’s hear them,” he demanded.
His wife looked at him suspiciously. “I thought you didn’t want an Elvish name,” she stated. “I didn’t,” Davarius confirmed. Gabriella became even more confused. “Then why…” she started.
Knowing what she was thinking, Davarius cut her off. “I said that if you wanted to give the baby an Elvish name, you could,” he reminded her.
“But you don’t want an Elvish name,” Gabriella repeated. Davarius sighed.
“I will agree to a compromise,” he informed her. “A compromise?” Gabriella questioned warily.
“Yes,” he verified, “a compromise.” He continued, “You can give the baby an Elvish first name if I am allowed to decide her primary middle name. And, of course, I also have to agree on the name that you choose.”
Gabriella blinked. She hadn’t expected that. Davarius, seeing her shock, let her absorb the information. “Alright,” she agreed at last. “Good,” Davarius responded. “It’s settled then.”
The two spent the next few minutes deciding the baby’s middle names. It was tradition in Aeirea for the royalty to have more than one middle name. In actuality, it was common for members of the royal family to have up to 50 middle names. Davarius himself had 25. His older brother had 32; his younger brother, Donovan, had 19. (It was suspected that Davarius’s parents, the former King Wilhelm and Queen Beatrice, had begun to run out of good names after awhile.) Finally, when Davarius had determined that they had a suitable amount, the couple moved on to the first name.
“You said you had some names in mind?” inquired Davarius. Gabriella nodded and responded in the affirmative. “Well? What are they?” he asked.
Gabriella sighed and listed off the names. “There’s Aria, Clarissa, Serene, Anacia, Moira, Gwynne, Mayaris, Elysia, and Lauriel.”
It was quiet for a second and then Davarius spoke. “Alright,” he said. Gabriella looked at him, expecting something more. Catching his wife’s look he responded with a “what?”
“Well, are there any you like?” asked Gabriella, hoping that he would not say no. Davarius appeared to think for a moment, and then he replied, “I don’t like Lauriel, Serene, or Clarissa.”
“That leaves Aria, Elysia, Gwynne, Anacia, Moira, and Mayaris,” Gabriella stated matter-of-factly. “So it does,” agreed Davarius.
“I don’t think I want Mayaris,” said Gabriella, “and Moira doesn’t sound quite right,” she admitted.
“Neither does Elysia,” decided Davarius. “Which leaves us with Gwynne, Aria, and Anacia,” he finished.
Gabriella pondered the remaining choices. “I don’t know about Gwynne. With my name, there is already a “G” in the family,” she commented. Davarius agreed. “I don’t think it’s right either,” he determined. “So it is either Aria or Anacia. The choice is up to you,” he stated.
It didn’t take Gabriella long to decide which she liked better. To her, Aria sounded too similar to the name of the country. “Anacia,” she proclaimed. “Our daughter’s name will be Anacia.”
The corners of Davarius’s mouth turned upwards although he did not fully smile. He too liked Anacia better. “It is settled then,” Davarius concluded. “Anacia Nefera Aldonis.” Gabriella smiled, content.
Suddenly, Davarius caught sight of the time. “The ceremony is about to start!” he exclaimed. “We must go!” Together, he and Gabriella made their way downstairs to the second floor balcony that was used for public announcements and ceremonies. On their way there, Gabriella stopped at the nursery to retrieve her baby daughter, now Anacia, from the nanny.
At the entrance to the throne room, they were met by Stanton. Cartelior was also there. Both bowed to the royal couple, and led them inside the room. Satisfied that everyone was now there and everything was in order, Stanton went out onto the balcony.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, great citizens of Camlaudis,” he began, “today we celebrate the birth and naming of a new royal child,” he declared. His announcement was met with tumultuous applause and enthusiastic cheers from the crowd. All of Camlaudis had turned up for the ceremony.
After pausing for dramatic effect, Stanton, seeing the crowd was more anticipated than ever, at last proclaimed, “I give you King Davarius, Queen Gabriella, and finally Princess Anacia Nefera!”
The doors to the balcony opened once more and the royal family stepped out into the sunshine, Gabriella with baby Anacia in her arms, to cheers and celebration from the crowd below. It was a few moments before the people realized what Stanton had said and finally reacted to his announcement. Questions were thrown back and forth, and the people whispered to each other frantically, clambering for a confirmation that what they had heard was right.
Statements such as, “A daughter? Impossible!” filled the air. “A Princess?” asked the crowd. “That cannot be!”
Whatever their reactions, whether they were among those that accepted the news or those that refused to believe it or were even outraged by it, the people of Camlaudis, and later, the people of Aeirea, would eventually come to realize the impact Anacia would have on them all.
A/N: As I mentioned, this is my first try at a full-length fantasy story, so any feedback and/or comments are welcome. I'm very curious to see what everyone thinks so far. Keep in mind that this is just the prologue to the story; I'm planning on making it into something of a book, so there is much more to come. Thank you very much to everyone for reading!