A Queen, but most of all I woman.

It has been 4 years since they died, since depression descended on my country, but most importantly since our war started. Three worlds living in peace until one single person said the wrong thing to the wrong people throwing our worlds into chaos. ‘One person can not change our lives’ was what they said, ‘it is impossible’. Now they stand corrected, it was merely improbable. ‘A simple slip of the tongue,’ I believe he said, ‘I can fix it.’ But he didn’t, he made it much worse. Now, my dear readers, I hear you ask what I am talking about, what worlds, who is this person that caused the chaos, I can just hear your mind screaming questions. But this story, this tall tale many now call it, is my truth. My name is Andromeda Orion Philips, I am a Sendril, I am a queen but most importantly I am a woman who is set to be executed at dawn for the sins of my people.

As the 3rd sun set, a young girl, no more woman than girl, sat by the crystal blue ocean of her world. Her midnight black hair ran down her back in tight curls ending just below her elbows. If anyone was to look at this woman they would believe she was praying as many of her kind did at this time of the day, but really she was contemplating the future, reflecting on the things she had seen and the things she would, but most importantly trying to remember. This young woman was a Sendril, the race of magic. The other two races where Dralon, the warriors and the Odran, mortals. But this woman was different from her own race and the others. Her hair was black as night where as the rest of her kind had either red or blonde hair, but most unusual was her eyes. Both where odd colours, one eye was the colour of a storm while the other was almost as blue as the ocean she was staring into. That young woman was me, the last living daughter of the last king and queen. I was now the queen. One question had kept running through my head after the coronation a few hours ago, how? A few days ago I had been nothing but a child that no one could care less about but that was until my parents where killed in an accident while travelling back from one of the neighbouring worlds, and now it feels as if I have the weight of my race on my shoulders. The council decided it would be best to allow their only living child to take the thrown, instead of my cruel uncle. I was what was best for my home. Many thought it madness to let a 19 year old lead our world but more believed I was wise enough and intelligent enough to make the right decisions. But I worried then just like I worry now. The woman slowly stood from her position and turned on her heels to make her ascend back up to her home. Perhaps I can do this, she thought, but she never knew how wrong she could be, how wrong I could be.

“Andi…”

Andromeda turned to look at the young boy of nearly 14 summers. Callum was his name, her younger cousin. He was a brave, but simple child. He understood basics but would never apply himself enough to learn more than that.

“Yes cousin?”

“The council, they wish to speak with you.”

That was when they told her she was to meet with the other councils from the other worlds and discuss the investigation to my parents ‘accident’. She was to lead her people to the new era of equality and peace. That was what she was told to do, but she was their pawn. She was to be the face of their new mark on the lands; she was their new skape goat.

Two years since that day and she was fightin a war not of her own. A child no older than her cousin who was a messenger of the court had informed his rather gossipy mother that he had over heard them talking of expanding the kingdom, taking over more countries and possibly the other worlds. They had a reason to start was since the death of the king and queen so they could do as they wished. But the icing on the cake was this, the new queen had givin full leadership to them and they could do as they wished, she would support anything they wanted doing. None of these rumours where true. The council was up in fury when they heard these rumours, but their queen did nothing to the child that began them.

“Children’s imaginations will run away with them but he could not have created them from nowhere. So where did he hear them from, councillor. Who has been lying to me?”

“I swear to you my queen; we have done nothing of the kind. We would do nothing…”

“Do not lie to me Robinson, I have lived in the world of politics my whole life I know you do what will whatever possible to fill your pockets. Now, how did these rumours start?”

“My Queen, we were just imagining what would need to be done to expand our kingdom.”

“Well, now we know whose imagination has run away the most. Listen to me and be sure to understand every word I say. Never, for as long as I live, will you ever get control of my parents’ kingdom. You, my dear simple councillor, will never lead my country. I will die first. Now leave, I have to sort out your mess as usual.”

But before she could even try, the war had started. Warriors and soldiers had crossed the borders and started raiding their towns. Before a month was over they had reached the main city and taken over. The screams of her people drove her mad and invaded her nightmares. And before a year was over, she had accepted the penalty for the sake of her people. No more would be killed, for their Queen had sacrificed herself for their safety. They would be free, but she would hang for their crimes. These where; the crimes of protecting themselves against raiders, the crimes of sticking them down for murdering their family but worst of all the sins of her council. The council that had put her in her position, had voted her to be their Queen and had blamed her for all of the rumours. They had originally wanted to blame the boy, even though he wanted to make it all better by admitting his wrongful doing, but by doing so had sentenced himself to death. That is when their Queen stepped up and told them no more. She would die for the boy and for her people on the condition that the intruders left and never return unless invited by the next Queen/King. Surprisingly they agreed, even though they were the people with the upper-hand. But the condition they had was that none of our world was to expand further than their territory, as they also would. That was agreed. But The Queen was to die after a trial, although we all knew the out come, it was the law.

After a year, the trial was finally over. And the queen was sentenced to death. Her people were to be free and chose a Queen/King for themselves. They were now free, and perhaps one day they would be equal.

I looked up from my parchment to the door that was just opened and in walked that young boy who had sent me to the council. Callum. Although. It wasn’t him now, this was not a boy, the person that stood in front of me was a man.

“Your majesty.”

I laughed at this. Not my usual light laugh but a cruel and harsh laugh that even made my blood run cold.

“I am no majesty any longer cousin. I lost the right to that title the day I let those fools run my kingdom.”

“You will always be a majesty to me cousin.”

I gave him the smile which had become rare in recent days. It was real. I never had to force a smile with him, he was family.

“So, who is to take my place on the throne? I am assuming that is what you have come to tell me?”

“No, I have come to tell you news of the council. They have disbanded. Run away with their tales between their legs.”

“Ah, but I am still to die.”

His head dropped, I knew nothing would change my fate and I had come to accept it. If I was to die for my people to live then so be it.

“They are here to take you new your majesty, I just wanted to tell you some good news before your where to die.”

“Is it dawn already. I have not seen the suns in over a year; it will be nice to die with those settings.”

“Kind of symbolistic, really”

“How so?”

“A new day, a new life.”

I smiled once more, he was right. I would finally be free instead of worrying about how my actions would affect my people. I stood when the door opened once more, it was time. I followed the guards out, those who had always joked that I would be rescued by a handsome prince like those in the fairytales they read, but that was all it was a joke. We all knew no handsome prince would save me, I wouldn’t even feel that kind of love. I would die without that, I would die without even my first kiss. I have just realised that I have never really lived and I am to die already. My future had already been planned out for me from the day I was born. And now I would die without even knowing the true death of my parents.

“Here stands your Queen, the one who is taking your penalty, here she stands head held high and none of you even whisper a protest. What kind of people are you?”

“They are Sendril.”

“You wish to say something Queen?”

“Yes. You asked what kind of people they are; well here is your answer. They are my people, my subjects, my warriors, my friends, my family but most of all, they are my equals. I will happily die for them because I deserve it. I let them down so I will take this punishment. They will not protest because this is my choice, they will stand proud and strong like all of their ancestors have in history. And this is to you, Sendrils, no matter who takes rule now or after that, no one can take your freedom. I will die, I have accepted that fate, and I will be free to sore with my brethren amongst the stars, but you must be free. Take it and do not let anyone take you choices away. Let your voices be heard and be equal.”

As I finished, I stood, waiting. And just as he pulled the trap door, I heard a voice, just one saying the one thing I needed to hear.

“Be free, my Queen, for we forgive you.”