AN: This takes place in an unspecified future. The first chapter is told from the point of view of a new character, but the rest of the story will be from the point of view of the King and Queen (formally known as the Rebel and Princess of The 100).

Prologue: "Don't Kill the Messenger"

This had been her first mission. Upon vowing loyalty to the new leader of the Clans people of the East Forrest, young Maple had been sent out to the south. She was to arrive at the newly developed village in the forests, known as Devarim.

It contained a mixture of sky people and clans members from both outside and inside the forests. They had caused a lot of ruckus when they had first settled in the woods, but in time, they had gained alliance with some of the clans.

Maple's clan had been one of them, but a full moon ago a civil war broke among her people. Loyalties were shattered, people were killed, and out of the rumble rose a new leader of the clan. Neola was admired by most of Maple's people. She promised change and vowed to strengthen them all. Maple was among those who believed Neola and hadn't wasted any time in offering her loyalties.

Neola granted Maple a spot among her warriors, but only with the condition that she go to Devarim and bring the Queen to her.

Without hesitation, Maple agreed and immediately ran south. She knew where Devarim was. She had gone there plenty of times with other members of her clan to trade goods.

But during her journey south, she had never stopped to think about the King and Queen. While the Queen was well liked by most of the other clans, the King was someone anyone in their right mind would fear of meeting. He was notorious for ruling with an iron fist. He was intelligent and a highly skilled warrior who didn't seem to be scared of anything—including death. He might have lost a few battles, but everyone knew he always won a war.

Standing outside the heavily gated and guarded village of Devarim, these thoughts finally floated through Maple's head. Suddenly, she wasn't so sure she had made the right decision of coming here.

She was contemplating on heading back home when one of the villagers spotted her. A grey, heavy weapon was raised at her. "Who are you?" the warrior demanded.

In a small voice, Maple addressed herself and said why she was here.

Several minutes later, she was taken inside the village. Dozens of armed warriors watched over her as they waited for their King and Queen to give them orders.

Maple had arrived a little before noontime, and it wasn't until the sun went down when she was finally lead deep into the village. She was blindfolded throughout the entire walk.

Once the walking stopped, her blindfold was taken off. About a dozen set of eyes locked on her. There twenty warriors standing along the walls, their weapons at the ready. Twelve people sat around a half circle table, looking at her. At the head of the table were a man and woman.

The woman had short, wild, yellow hair that was pulled back in several braids. Her skin was fair and her eyes were a soft blue. She didn't have a smile on her face, but her facial features were soft, as if trying to tell Maple there was nothing to be afraid of.

However, to the right of the Queen, the King held no soft features. It was the opposite, in fact: the man's own facial features warned Maple that there was much to be afraid of. He had darker skin with dark eyes. He had extremely short black hair; it looked as if he usually shaved it off. There were tattoos marked along his neck and forearms. His knuckles looked rough and beat up, as if he used them on a consistent basis. And those deep scars on his left eyebrow and chin only made him look more lethal to her.

Yes, all the rumors were true, Maple was sure. The King was a warrior among warriors.

The stories Maple heard of the King painted him as a well-respected and much feared man. He was harsh. Cruel. Dangerous. Looking at him, Maple believed those descriptions weren't enough. The King certainly could make anyone fear his presence by simply looking at them; he was doing so with her.

"What is it that you want?" His voice was as equally intimidating.

Maple fought back her fear as she spoke. She decided to just stare at the Queen. She still held a soft look on her face. "My leader wants to meet with the Queen. She requests the King not attend." She avoided the fiery look of the King, but could feel him burning holes into her.

Maple had been told the King hated being excluded from leadership meetings. It was well known the King and Queen of Devarim were a solid team who co-lead their people. Neither did anything without the other. But Maple had been given orders. The Queen was to come meet with the new leader of the clan…without the King.

The King got up from his chair and gave a low, terrifying scoff. "You really think we're going to fall for that?"

Maple didn't meet his eyes. With that lethal look, she thought he might kill her without raising a weapon.

"You tell your clan leader that—" he began to threaten.

But he was cut short. The Queen stood up and spoke. "I'll meet with her," she said with a final tone.

The King snapped his head in her direction. His eyes blazing with fury.

Maple coward down in her chair. She was sure she was about to witness a second civil war in this very moment. King Bellamy looked ready to strangle Queen Clarke.

NOTES: So, I'm starting a new story—kill me! This will be a 6-chapter story. The chapters will not be too long; they'll be fairly short. Promise! I will (hopefully) be done with the story by the end of the year.

R&R!