Surprisingly, River didn't seem to be quite as thrilled about Emera's plan as she thought he would be. He was all for a bit of trickery here & there to light a fire under his brother, but trifling with the will of the gods was no laughing matter. Emera could put herself in serious danger by trying to pull off a stunt like that.
"I'm not so sure about that," River sighed softly before standing & approaching Emera, "I'm not sure what your Gods are like, but mine certainly wouldn't take kindly to being used to justify a means, no matter how noble your cause. For your insolence, your Gods could render Sylvia barren, or worse, kill off one of our loved ones. I would ask you to reconsider, Emera."
Approaching the elf, River gently wrapped his arms around her & hugged her cheek to his chest. He hoped she didn't take his advice the wrong way, for he was simply worried that she would get herself in over her head, or make promises that were impossible to keep. Her heart was in the wrong place, but she couldn't just pretend that the gods said something they didn't.
"I suggest that we actually go to this temple for prayer," River suggested to Emera as he leaned back again, "If anything arises, Aranhil & Sylvia will be the first to know; does that sound good? I think the fact that you are making such a strong effort will light up Sylvia's efforts to seduce my brother into their marriage bed, & I will, of course, encourage my brother to be more bold."
Lala Kitty
Member
Lethal Cutie
- Last Seen: 7 yrs ago
- Old Guild Username: LalaKitty/VampireMuffin
- Joined: 11 yrs ago
- Posts: 366 (0.09 / day)
- VMs: 0
-
Username history
- Lala Kitty 11 yrs ago
Status
User has no status, yet
Bio
Most Recent Posts
"If I'm right, they're both nervous about fu- err, making love," River grumbled as he carelessly opened his own letter, "My brother is too sissy to make a move on Sylvia, & Sylvia doesn't have the guts to just push the man down & take what she wants. Does that sound about right to you, Love?"
Reaching out, River gently rubbed the palm of his hand over Emera's head as he read Aranhil's letter in more detail, confirming his suspicion. Aranhil was asking what he should do about his wife, & Sylvia was probably trying absurd Elven methods & mind games to seduce him, no doubt methods from his sister, who talked a lot about experience, really didn't have any.
"I feel like these two should be locked in a room until they finally get the deed done," Rive growled, rubbing one of his temples after putting down the letter, "I'm honestly not sure what I can tell Aranhil that I haven't already. He needs to start reproducing with Sylvia soon, or my mother will find a way to absolve the marriage & find him a Dragon bride. She wouldn't give a damn if that started a war or not."
Reaching out, River gently rubbed the palm of his hand over Emera's head as he read Aranhil's letter in more detail, confirming his suspicion. Aranhil was asking what he should do about his wife, & Sylvia was probably trying absurd Elven methods & mind games to seduce him, no doubt methods from his sister, who talked a lot about experience, really didn't have any.
"I feel like these two should be locked in a room until they finally get the deed done," Rive growled, rubbing one of his temples after putting down the letter, "I'm honestly not sure what I can tell Aranhil that I haven't already. He needs to start reproducing with Sylvia soon, or my mother will find a way to absolve the marriage & find him a Dragon bride. She wouldn't give a damn if that started a war or not."
"A kiss on the cheek will suffice," River replied with a smile, resting his head down in Emera's lap again, just for a few more lazy moments with her, "If you keep making me gifts, you'r going to have to make me a quilt to keep them all together, Love."
Closing his eyes, River rested in content for a bit longer before there was the quiet thumping of footsteps approached Emera's room. Rive sat up, eyeing the door a bit rigidly as a young Elven boy burst into the room, letters in hand. River let his guard down a bit, but continued to watch the child as he approached, handing one letter to River from Aranhil, & one to Emera from Sylvia. River turned over the letter to make sure the right seal with on it before grabbing the back of the boy's shirt, dragging him close.
"Learn to knock, kid," River said almost threateningly, "& you didn't see me anywhere near Miss Emera, understood?"
The boy nodded & gratefully accepted a small handful of coins before he left the room & the couple to their letters. River hoped Emera didn't mind that he'd paid off the kid, but he knew she considered her reputation was important, for whatever reason. The last thing she needed was some little snot running around & spreading rumor that she spread her legs for a foreign dragon prince.
Closing his eyes, River rested in content for a bit longer before there was the quiet thumping of footsteps approached Emera's room. Rive sat up, eyeing the door a bit rigidly as a young Elven boy burst into the room, letters in hand. River let his guard down a bit, but continued to watch the child as he approached, handing one letter to River from Aranhil, & one to Emera from Sylvia. River turned over the letter to make sure the right seal with on it before grabbing the back of the boy's shirt, dragging him close.
"Learn to knock, kid," River said almost threateningly, "& you didn't see me anywhere near Miss Emera, understood?"
The boy nodded & gratefully accepted a small handful of coins before he left the room & the couple to their letters. River hoped Emera didn't mind that he'd paid off the kid, but he knew she considered her reputation was important, for whatever reason. The last thing she needed was some little snot running around & spreading rumor that she spread her legs for a foreign dragon prince.
Ella watched Marken leave helplessly, feeling like it was her fault that he left without a word. As the king looked over the body with his guards, the queen let out a small sigh and began to lead Ella inside, giving a frown when the guards began to point their swords at Ella again. Ella wanted to call out to Marken to call him back, to call for help, but she didn't feel like she had the right to ask for his help now. She probably destroyed him by taking Ariana's side.
"Move aside," the queen said to the guards, "The assassin, the very woman who tried to kill me, tried to kidnap and kill Princess Ellanor. What more proof do you need that she isn't guilty?"
An uneasy silence fell over the room before the king ultimately raised his hand, calling off the guards. Ella was dragged from the stable by the older woman promptly, her gaze directed to the ground with every step closer to Marken's private rooms. She was terrified to face Marken again. He'd killed that woman, and wasn't sorry at all. Even worse, she got angry at him for protecting her, for protecting himself.
"You'll get past this," the queen murmured softly to Ella as they neared the large door that would lead Ella to her fiancé, "Marken has never killed anyone before, and you probably felt bad for the girl for whatever sad reason she had to do her job. But Marken did his duty as your future husband, and you are not at fault for an assassin's actions. as long as the two of you don't make the mistake of blaming each other for tonight, you both will heal."
Ella gave the woman a numb, quiet nod before she went into the private rooms herself, and heard a lock behind her as the queen locked the doors behind her. Either she didn't want the two of them to leave before they made up, or Ella wasn't completely off the hook yet. Sighing, Ella quietly walked through the dark rooms to find Marken, seeing a light at the bottom of one of the doors. Ella let her fingers slowly slide down the cool, wooden door before balling up her fist. She brought her hand down against the door a few times and knocked it, too nervous to go inside herself.
"M-marken?" Ella called softly, saying nothing else. She moved back from the door and kept her gaze towards the floor. She stayed rooted in that spot, unmoving while she waited for her fiancé’s response. Honestly, she half-hoped he was asleep and wouldn't come to the door.
"Move aside," the queen said to the guards, "The assassin, the very woman who tried to kill me, tried to kidnap and kill Princess Ellanor. What more proof do you need that she isn't guilty?"
An uneasy silence fell over the room before the king ultimately raised his hand, calling off the guards. Ella was dragged from the stable by the older woman promptly, her gaze directed to the ground with every step closer to Marken's private rooms. She was terrified to face Marken again. He'd killed that woman, and wasn't sorry at all. Even worse, she got angry at him for protecting her, for protecting himself.
"You'll get past this," the queen murmured softly to Ella as they neared the large door that would lead Ella to her fiancé, "Marken has never killed anyone before, and you probably felt bad for the girl for whatever sad reason she had to do her job. But Marken did his duty as your future husband, and you are not at fault for an assassin's actions. as long as the two of you don't make the mistake of blaming each other for tonight, you both will heal."
Ella gave the woman a numb, quiet nod before she went into the private rooms herself, and heard a lock behind her as the queen locked the doors behind her. Either she didn't want the two of them to leave before they made up, or Ella wasn't completely off the hook yet. Sighing, Ella quietly walked through the dark rooms to find Marken, seeing a light at the bottom of one of the doors. Ella let her fingers slowly slide down the cool, wooden door before balling up her fist. She brought her hand down against the door a few times and knocked it, too nervous to go inside herself.
"M-marken?" Ella called softly, saying nothing else. She moved back from the door and kept her gaze towards the floor. She stayed rooted in that spot, unmoving while she waited for her fiancé’s response. Honestly, she half-hoped he was asleep and wouldn't come to the door.
Ella finally broke free of the gripped fingers on her arms and ran to Ariana and Marken. She caught the assassin as she fell back, sliding from Marken's sword and onto the ground. Ariana's eyes rolled to the back of her head as she struggled to catch her breath, barely able to keep herself conscious now. Ariana let out a heavy, violent cough into her fingers & tried to shake her dizziness away.
"You should be reuniting with your prince..."
"No one should have to die alone, not even you!" Ella answered fervently. Ariana gave Ella a small smile, one filled with both contentment and longing. Ella wondered if they had met some other way, maybe they would have been good friends; maybe she could have made a difference in her life.
"You're so naive," Ariana groaned softly, "But since you're so nice... I'll let you in on a secret; there's another assassin in the castle, someone that works close to the king and knows who we are. You need to stop him before he holds your past over your head...."
Ella stiffened at Ariana's warning, keeping herself from asking who it was. She didn't want to goad the woman on her death bed. Giving Ariana a nod and a warm smile, she hugged the woman against her chest, feeling her start to tremble and grow cold. One more terrible coughing fit later, Ariana grew still and Ella felt her go limp. Ella buried her face into Ariana's hair, gently petting her as the light left her eyes. She stayed there until the stable hand gently pried the dead girl from her arms, and one of the soldiers pulled her to her feet.
"She didn't have to die, Marken!" Ella yelled angrily at her fiancé, hot tears streaming down her cheeks, "I convinced her to leave on her own. She wasn't going to kill me!"
Ella buried her face in her hands as a warm hand wrapped around her arms, rubbing gently on her shoulder. She recognized the queen's perfume as she sobbed quietly into her hands, feeling her firm, but gentle hands soothing her tears away.
"Ella, calm yourself," the woman muttered softly, "You're just feeling a temporary fondness for that scum because she showed you mercy. Getting angry at Marken for saving you does nothing to make the situation better."
Ella wanted to believe the queen, but she felt too destroyed right now; she'd gotten Ariana to trust her word, and it got her killed. Ariana warned her that she couldn't afford to trust anyone, and she was right. Ella was so stupid for thinking she could fix everything herself.
"You should be reuniting with your prince..."
"No one should have to die alone, not even you!" Ella answered fervently. Ariana gave Ella a small smile, one filled with both contentment and longing. Ella wondered if they had met some other way, maybe they would have been good friends; maybe she could have made a difference in her life.
"You're so naive," Ariana groaned softly, "But since you're so nice... I'll let you in on a secret; there's another assassin in the castle, someone that works close to the king and knows who we are. You need to stop him before he holds your past over your head...."
Ella stiffened at Ariana's warning, keeping herself from asking who it was. She didn't want to goad the woman on her death bed. Giving Ariana a nod and a warm smile, she hugged the woman against her chest, feeling her start to tremble and grow cold. One more terrible coughing fit later, Ariana grew still and Ella felt her go limp. Ella buried her face into Ariana's hair, gently petting her as the light left her eyes. She stayed there until the stable hand gently pried the dead girl from her arms, and one of the soldiers pulled her to her feet.
"She didn't have to die, Marken!" Ella yelled angrily at her fiancé, hot tears streaming down her cheeks, "I convinced her to leave on her own. She wasn't going to kill me!"
Ella buried her face in her hands as a warm hand wrapped around her arms, rubbing gently on her shoulder. She recognized the queen's perfume as she sobbed quietly into her hands, feeling her firm, but gentle hands soothing her tears away.
"Ella, calm yourself," the woman muttered softly, "You're just feeling a temporary fondness for that scum because she showed you mercy. Getting angry at Marken for saving you does nothing to make the situation better."
Ella wanted to believe the queen, but she felt too destroyed right now; she'd gotten Ariana to trust her word, and it got her killed. Ariana warned her that she couldn't afford to trust anyone, and she was right. Ella was so stupid for thinking she could fix everything herself.
Sylvia ended falling asleep alone in her bedroom. She thought long & hard about her & Aranhil's situation until she passed out, curled up in a tiny ball. What was she doing wrong? What about her wasn't appealing to Aranhil? It had to be something she was going, it had to be. While Aranhil wasn't as much of a playboy as River, she gathered that he did have experience, so he definitely had a type, ore at least had things that excited him.
She couldn't ask Cendres about what excited her brother, & she certainly wasn't going to ask any of his ex-lovers; least of all, Emera had no idea how to please a man, for she was just as unlearned in the bedroom as Sylvia. Her last shot was Aranhil's mother, but the woman hated her with a passion, even after the wedding. it was hard for Sylvia to even endure the woman's poisonous attitude towards her for more than a few minutes before she had to escape.
..._..._...
River smiled awoke in his most favorite place in the world, resting his head in Emera's lap. He stayed still for a bit longer, gazing up at the Elven woman as she stitched something together. She'd been so much more agreeable with him since they returned to her home, even allowing him to be affectionate with her. Maybe she didn't see the women here as threats, or maybe she was more comfortable in her territory; maybe it was that he almost didn't wear his armor anymore.
"Is that a gift for me, Melamin?" River asked, calling Emera by one of his many pet names for her.
[OOC: it's okay, i understand.// melamin="my love" in Elven]
She couldn't ask Cendres about what excited her brother, & she certainly wasn't going to ask any of his ex-lovers; least of all, Emera had no idea how to please a man, for she was just as unlearned in the bedroom as Sylvia. Her last shot was Aranhil's mother, but the woman hated her with a passion, even after the wedding. it was hard for Sylvia to even endure the woman's poisonous attitude towards her for more than a few minutes before she had to escape.
..._..._...
River smiled awoke in his most favorite place in the world, resting his head in Emera's lap. He stayed still for a bit longer, gazing up at the Elven woman as she stitched something together. She'd been so much more agreeable with him since they returned to her home, even allowing him to be affectionate with her. Maybe she didn't see the women here as threats, or maybe she was more comfortable in her territory; maybe it was that he almost didn't wear his armor anymore.
"Is that a gift for me, Melamin?" River asked, calling Emera by one of his many pet names for her.
[OOC: it's okay, i understand.// melamin="my love" in Elven]
Once again, Ella tried in vain to calm Marken, her arm reaching out to him. She had to warn him and Ariana, try to get them both to calm down. No one had to die, or to hold a grudge. Both of them were being shoved into this fight, when in truth, they could both just walk away.
It pained Ella to see Ariana charge after Marken, releasing an angry, strangled cry into the air. She came at him full force, intending to end their battle with one attack. Either she would land a blow, or Marken would. Ella became more insistent to free herself of the men trying to calm her, her voice cracking as she called out to the assassin.
"Ariana, don't!"
At the sound of Ella's voice, Ariana flinched for a moment, but it was enough to barely miss her attack against Marken. Her dagger flew in the air and barely grazed his cheek, the young woman's eyes widening as she realized what her mistake was about to cost her. Ella tried to stop Marken, but she was held down again, subdued by the stable hand and knights trying to calm her.
It pained Ella to see Ariana charge after Marken, releasing an angry, strangled cry into the air. She came at him full force, intending to end their battle with one attack. Either she would land a blow, or Marken would. Ella became more insistent to free herself of the men trying to calm her, her voice cracking as she called out to the assassin.
"Ariana, don't!"
At the sound of Ella's voice, Ariana flinched for a moment, but it was enough to barely miss her attack against Marken. Her dagger flew in the air and barely grazed his cheek, the young woman's eyes widening as she realized what her mistake was about to cost her. Ella tried to stop Marken, but she was held down again, subdued by the stable hand and knights trying to calm her.
Ella grew more nervous as she was dragged to a horse, Ariana's grip firm and absolute; she wasn't going to release Ella, not while she was the only thing keeping the assassin alive. But maybe Ella would still be able to get herself out of this. She only had one more shot.
"Ariana, I can distract the guards and let you get away," Ella reasoned, "You don't want to have to do all of this, right? You were never given a choice, just handed a dagger as a small child and ordered to survive. I know how that is, and trust me, if you kill me now, Marken will hunt you down to the ends of the earth to get his revenge; you'll never be able to rest again."
Ariana's grip loosened a little finally, her blade quivering; she really didn't want to kill. But who had a choice to say no to the king? Not everyone had Ella's great fortune of being drug out of their shady job; they usually turned up in city gutters, barely missed at all. Slowly, Ariana began to lower her blade, letting Ella explain herself further.
& then, Marken charged from behind, gaining everyone's attention; he looked so strong and heroic, almost like a real warrior as he charged. Adriana let out an enraged cry & shoved Ella to the ground. The blade in her hand sliced into Ella's neck as she fell, her hands flying up to cling to it. She was swarmed over by the stable boy and a soldier as Ariana faced Marken, her gaze deadly.
"Lady Ella will live!" the stable hand announced to Marken quickly, "The assassin only cut the skin."
Ella wiggled and tried to sit up, to badly Marken and Ariana to stop, but she was held securely, and her voice wasn't coming out thanks to the jarring feel.of blood oozing from her wound. There was no way either opponent would back down, and more soldiers were on their way, by the looks of it. Ariana's chances of escape were dwindling very quickly, and either her or Marken would die in the inevitable, desperate clash.
"Ariana, I can distract the guards and let you get away," Ella reasoned, "You don't want to have to do all of this, right? You were never given a choice, just handed a dagger as a small child and ordered to survive. I know how that is, and trust me, if you kill me now, Marken will hunt you down to the ends of the earth to get his revenge; you'll never be able to rest again."
Ariana's grip loosened a little finally, her blade quivering; she really didn't want to kill. But who had a choice to say no to the king? Not everyone had Ella's great fortune of being drug out of their shady job; they usually turned up in city gutters, barely missed at all. Slowly, Ariana began to lower her blade, letting Ella explain herself further.
& then, Marken charged from behind, gaining everyone's attention; he looked so strong and heroic, almost like a real warrior as he charged. Adriana let out an enraged cry & shoved Ella to the ground. The blade in her hand sliced into Ella's neck as she fell, her hands flying up to cling to it. She was swarmed over by the stable boy and a soldier as Ariana faced Marken, her gaze deadly.
"Lady Ella will live!" the stable hand announced to Marken quickly, "The assassin only cut the skin."
Ella wiggled and tried to sit up, to badly Marken and Ariana to stop, but she was held securely, and her voice wasn't coming out thanks to the jarring feel.of blood oozing from her wound. There was no way either opponent would back down, and more soldiers were on their way, by the looks of it. Ariana's chances of escape were dwindling very quickly, and either her or Marken would die in the inevitable, desperate clash.
Ella continued to clutch her side as Ariana herded her to the stables. While Ella's attempt to subdue the woman had failed, she didn't want to give up yet, to give up hope that Ariana would possibly calm down and take her offer to leave peacefully. After her attempt on the queen's life, no one would let her leave the castle alive; she needed Ella's help if she wanted to get away safely.
"Please, think this through," Ella insisted, being dragged by her hair now, "If you let me help you, you can get away with everything, head home. I'm useless to the king right now; I guarantee you I am dispensable to him."
"Actually," the assassin hissed, "Because of my actions, you will be remembered as a loyal princess. It sickens me to know that you'll be known as the beautiful, pitiful princess, rather than the vile traitor you are."
With a harsh yank, Ariana pulled Ella in front of her again, the dagger at her throat. Stable hands and armored soldiers alike drew their weapons at the sight of their future princess in such danger. Ariana kept her face calm and slowly advanced, the threat in her eyes evident; she wouldn't hesitate to kill Ella. Ariana's movements became quicker, less steady. Ella knew she was impatient on escaping from the castle now.
"Prepare me a horse!" the woman barked, "Do as I say, and I might let the princess live."
"Please, think this through," Ella insisted, being dragged by her hair now, "If you let me help you, you can get away with everything, head home. I'm useless to the king right now; I guarantee you I am dispensable to him."
"Actually," the assassin hissed, "Because of my actions, you will be remembered as a loyal princess. It sickens me to know that you'll be known as the beautiful, pitiful princess, rather than the vile traitor you are."
With a harsh yank, Ariana pulled Ella in front of her again, the dagger at her throat. Stable hands and armored soldiers alike drew their weapons at the sight of their future princess in such danger. Ariana kept her face calm and slowly advanced, the threat in her eyes evident; she wouldn't hesitate to kill Ella. Ariana's movements became quicker, less steady. Ella knew she was impatient on escaping from the castle now.
"Prepare me a horse!" the woman barked, "Do as I say, and I might let the princess live."
With a proud smirk, Ariana continued to drag her captive with her, edging out of the dungeon. She could get out of here, but she'd have to take Ella with her; at least until the woman lost her usefulness. Marken would never see his precious fiance alive again, she would see to that. Ella tried her best not to struggle as Ariana backed them out into the hallway and latched the dungeon shut, locking Marken inside. Ella was then shoved before the assassin with the dagger pressed into her back.
"With any luck, we'll be long gone before anyone happens upon your prince," Ariana said smoothly, "Now head to the stables. and don't think of running from me. I can always kill you, then backtrack and kill him as well."
That was a rather poor bluff, but Ella knew not to test the woman, with her backed into a corner like this. Every move Ariana did decided if she lived today; any mistake would bring about her demise. Ella clenched her face, understanding exactly how Ariana felt in that moment. She was just doing what she was ordered to, and trying to escape with her head still on her shoulders.
"Let me help you escape," Ella pleaded softly as she was shoved on to their destination, "I can see you out of here safely, with no fuss. Just let us go free, and-"
"Shut up, I don't need pity from a damned traitor!"
The knife stabbed about an inch into Ella's side before Ariana jerked it back out and shoved her onto the ground. The two of them were in a corridor Ella didn't recognize now, and they were all alone. Ella clutched her small wound and sat up, forcing herself to ignore the pain. She was trained to withstand these kinds of things, at least.
"With any luck, we'll be long gone before anyone happens upon your prince," Ariana said smoothly, "Now head to the stables. and don't think of running from me. I can always kill you, then backtrack and kill him as well."
That was a rather poor bluff, but Ella knew not to test the woman, with her backed into a corner like this. Every move Ariana did decided if she lived today; any mistake would bring about her demise. Ella clenched her face, understanding exactly how Ariana felt in that moment. She was just doing what she was ordered to, and trying to escape with her head still on her shoulders.
"Let me help you escape," Ella pleaded softly as she was shoved on to their destination, "I can see you out of here safely, with no fuss. Just let us go free, and-"
"Shut up, I don't need pity from a damned traitor!"
The knife stabbed about an inch into Ella's side before Ariana jerked it back out and shoved her onto the ground. The two of them were in a corridor Ella didn't recognize now, and they were all alone. Ella clutched her small wound and sat up, forcing herself to ignore the pain. She was trained to withstand these kinds of things, at least.
© 2007-2024