A/N: So I've been working on this in between the million other things I should be doing, and I find it to be quite easy to write so I'm enjoying the journey. I would really appreciate your feedback! I have the first three chapters already written, but I always love hearing suggestions and the like from my readers.
Chapter 1: The Orphan
One glance out the windowless window, and one could tell that autumn was coming to an end. Instead of the crisp, refreshing air, an unpleasant chill was seeping in, causing the young woman to hug herself tightly. She sighed as her breath froze before her and rubbed her arms to no avail-the cold was here to stay. Gently, she lifted herself from the stool and put down the tattered book she had been attempting to read. It was the only book the orphanage could boast of owning, but pages were missing, and what pages remained were marked with soot. She had read it over and over, year after year-it was a knight's tale. When she was younger, she had often dreamt of being swept away from the drudgery of the orphanage by a chivalrous knight, who would take her to their enchanted castle.
"Lena, have you finished your chores!" A snapping voice called her out of her reverie.
"Yes, Madam Mulberry, swept and folded the linens," Lena responded with a slight bow of her head.
"Good, why don't you join the rest of the children in the dining hall," the elder lady said as she picked up the tattered book with a soft smile forming on her lips. "You know… after all these years, you're the only one to pick up reading."
"You mean to say, I've been here so long that I know that book by heart now," Lena murmured.
"Lena," Madam Mulberry softened her gaze as Lena wore a sour smirk before taking off towards the dining hall.
The old crone still remembered the stormy night that Lena had been brought in. Lightning lit up the sky as thunder crashed every few seconds; the gales had been strong, but somehow she had still managed to hear the shrill cry of a babe on their porch. She had been younger and reckless back then, and had rushed out in the storm to take the child back into safety. When she had uncovered the crying babe, she was greeted by a small girl with sparkling, light green eyes, midnight black hair, and ebony skin. A parchment had been attached, but the storm had rendered most of the ink illegible; all that Mulberry could read was 'Lena.'
The child grew fair and happy, but it didn't matter; orphans were never wanted in the kingdom. Those that did get taken, by lords and ladies who could not bear children, were boys. Even those who were siblings, were eventually torn apart, when there was no need for a girl child. So although Lena had blossomed into one of the fairest girls that Madam Mulberry had ever known, it meant nothing in this small, unknown village. She had hoped to get the girl a job as a scullery maid at the castle, or as a handmaiden to some fair lady, but none had taken the bait. She dared to think it was because they were intimidated by the orphan girl; for one with nothing, Lena had an air of confidence that no one could deny.
The beating sound of hooves in the distance called her attention as she moved to pick up the linens Lena had been folding. Odd, thought Madam Mulberry, horses were a rare commodity in their village, and they weren't expecting visitors. Above the sound of hooves came a ringing laughter, and now the crone was even more intrigued, so she stepped outside. What she saw should have been mundane-two riders on horseback, but because of the bright red and blue colors, Madam Mulberry's eyes went wide with surprise.
"Kara, this is too far from the town," a young lad, dressed in royal colors beckoned after the other rider. "We need to head back."
The laughter erupted once more as the other rider jumped over one of their fences. "You're no fun Kal!"
Instead of chasing after the slightly older girl, Kal approached Madam Mulberry who was standing as still as a frozen limb on a tree. His eyes were a piercing blue and his crest shone brightly; he was a royal member of the great House of El. She wasn't very well versed in all the great houses, but the great House of El was known by all. The old crone was quick to bow, and when she dared to glance up at the boy, he was smiling gently down at her.
"Madam, I'm sorry if my cousin is stirring up trouble," he began, "she was restless in the town a couple of miles from here, so we came out for a ride. I wasn't aware there was a village here"
"My lord, she's no trouble at all; we are a small community, but if there's anything we can provide you with please just ask and we will do our best."
"You are kind, but there's no need. I just didn't want to cause you any worry. My cousin is a bit reckless, but she has good intentions. What is this place anyways, if you don't mind me asking?"
"This is but a humble orphanage, my lord."
"An orphanage?" Kal's eyes clouded over with sympathy. "If there's anything we can do…"
Madam Mulberry pinched her lips; royals were always quick to offer help, but slow to say what kind. Her life had been simple and bitter; the only joy she had ever known was watching Lena grow, but even that was tinged with bitterness. When she was young she had been full of colorful dreams, so full of life and vigor. She had lost all of that to time and nothingness, just as Lena would merely because she wasn't born with the right name.
"We are fine, my lord. Feel free to prance about our fields, that is enough to awe the children." Her words were cold and crisp like the air.
Just as Kal was about to offer more than words, the ringing laughter of children erupted not too far from them. Madam Mulberry excused herself and ventured towards the cacophony of children's voices. She half regretted being so cold to the young, beautiful, dark-haired lord of El, but she was too old to fret upon it for much longer.
"Oh my," the old lady gasped as she witness a rather peculiar sight.
Clad in light armor with tints of red and blue, golden hair messily, yet magically flowing in the wind, with children climbing up her legs and arms, stood a young lady with the brightest smile. The old crone squinted at the sheer brightness that the young lady exuded, and gasped as she saw the girl's crest being nibbled on by one of the children.
"My apologies!" Madam Mulberry rushed to scatter the children off of her.
"Oh, no, it's alright," the royal girl spoke and kept the children in her arms. "I think Quinn won this particular challenge." She smiled as she patted the little girl who had managed to climb all the way to her shoulder. "We should play another game, or how about I take each of you for a quick ride on Krypto?"
The children shouted with glee and clamored all around the girl who seemed just as excited. Madam Mulberry was at a loss for words.
"Kara, we really should head back," Kal spoke in a low tone to his cousin.
"You head back then; I have no interest in such politics." She whipped her gaze back up at him.
He winced at the hurt in her eyes. She was older than him, and, if she had been a boy, she would have been next in line to reign over the House of El. As it was, he was the heir and she was a lady in waiting, to be married to a suitor from another great house, but Kara would not resign to her fate. Kara was a superb rider, one of the greatest swordsman, perfect with a bow and her combat skills were unmatched… everything a lady should not be.
Kara picked up Quinn and placed her on the horse before hoisting herself up.
"Or you could assist me in giving rides to the children around the orphanage." Kara grinned as Kal resigned and picked up a child. "I hope you don't mind, madam" Kara glanced at Mulberry who merely shook her head with a smile.
With that Kara took off with the child safely bouncing in her lap. Kal followed suit, lap after lap, until all children had gone around at least once. Even though they had both been giving rides, the children only crowded around Kara. Madam Mulberry chuckled as she witnessed the disparity between the two. Kal was quiet and polite; nothing at all that the children could relate to. Meanwhile, Kara was rambunctious and affectionate; the crone was hard-pressed to admit that this strange girl might be the exception to her royalty rules.
The old lady looked around and noticed that Lena was nowhere to be found. Quickly she entered the dining hall and found the older girl pouring soup into each of the children's bowls.
"We have guests," Madam Mulberry announced, though she was sure Lena had heard the raucous laughter of the children.
"Royals from the House of El," Lena replied, "I know."
"Aren't you the least bit interested?"
Lena looked up into the crone's grey eyes, "that's the happiest they'll ever be."
Madam Mulberry's brows furrowed; she saw so much of herself in the young, pale girl. She grabbed the ladle and pot from her, and pushed her towards the door.
"A girl who thinks she knows everything is as stupid as the one who knows nothing," the old lady muttered and gave her a final rough push outside.
Lena yelped as she tripped over a stone and all but tumbled forward. As she fell to the floor, she thought of the many ways she would get back at Madam Mulberry for making a scene. She winced, expecting some kind of pain, but instead found herself enveloped by a rather sweet scent.
"Are you alright?" Kara asked the girl she had caught in her arms.
Lena's eyes flashed open and she pulled back immediately; her pale cheeks blushing.
"Yes, thank you." She was curt.
"Are you…" Kara began.
"One of the orphans, yes." Lena answered before Kara could finish.
"Oh," Kara seemed at a loss for words. "I was going to ask if you were up for a ride."
Lena blushed again and then glanced at the white horse behind Kara. He looked strong and far more regal than any horse she had seen before. Kara watched the pale girl attentively and did not notice her cousin approach her from behind.
"Kara," Kal called out again. "Kara can you hear me?" He asked as he pulled back on her shoulder.
"Huh?" Kara looked back at her cousin with a raised brow and hoped to Rao her cheeks weren't flushed.
"We need to head back now," Kal spoke softly as he took notice of Lena. "I'm sorry, I don't think I had the pleasure of meeting you, I'm Kal of House El."
Lena bowed her head immediately and introduced herself. "My lord, the pleasure is all mine. I'm Lena."
"And I'm Kara Zor-El, and I cannot leave without first giving you a ride." Kara was quick to act as she pulled Lena along before she could protest.
"Kara!" Kal was surprised at his cousin's forward nature, and a bit jealous he hadn't offered first.
"You can go back to town Kal, I'll meet you there." Kara instructed before she took off at an easy pace with Lena sitting in front of her.
Lena held tightly to the mantle of the saddle and leaned back on the girl named Kara. To be honest, she had always wanted to go horseback riding, but there was a fair amount of fear to it too. The thought of being on a beast as majestic and powerful as a horse had never been a reality up until Kara Zor-El had practically forced her on this ride. Once they were on the far side of the field, quite a ways from the dining hall, Kara slowed Krypto to a trot.
"I hope you don't mind the slower pace; I really don't want to head back to town." Kara explained.
"And why is that, my lady?" Lena turned slightly to address the girl.
"So many reasons really, but first and foremost, I refuse to meet with any more suitors." Kara scrunched her brow, "it's insulting at this point. Also, please just call me Kara. My lady sounds so old."
Lena chuckled at Kara's disdain, "well, Kara, at least you have suitors unlike many of us here."
"Truly?" Kara's brow rose high, "but you're beautiful." She blurted out. "I mean… I can't imagine you haven't caught anyone's eye yet. I meant no offense."
"None taken….if only beauty mattered in a place like this," Lena spoke softly, "but thank you, nonetheless. Are your suitors truly so horrible?"
"I suppose I shouldn't complain as openly as I do," Kara admitted, "I just refuse to be tied to someone I feel nothing for, and who feels nothing for me. Still my family thinks me irrational and rebellious for wanting such a bond to be more than a convenient marriage. I want to fall in love."
"Sounds completely rational to me," Lena reassured the girl with a small smile.
"I knew I couldn't be the only romantic in this kingdom," Kara spoke with an easy cheeriness.
"I'm not a—"
Krypto shook his mane and took off at a lope before Lena could protest any further. Kara chuckled as Lena wrapped her arms around her shoulders to balance herself. They returned to the dining hall entrance in a fit of spontaneous laughter. Madam Mulberry grinned ear to ear as she saw the royal from El graciously aiding Lena off the horse. Surely this would be the start of something grand for Lena; a life more fitting for her mind and soul.
"Madam it was an honor to be your guest this afternoon," Kara addressed Madam Mulberry.
"You are always welcome," Madam Mulberry bowed her head slightly.
"Careful, you may never be rid of me with such a warm offer," Kara smiled brightly as her gaze rested on Lena, "it was truly a pleasure getting to know you, Lena."
"As it was you, my lady." Lena remained formal and dared not hold the blonde's gaze for much longer.
Kara's smile lessened as Lena hardened herself in Madam Mulberry's presence. With another wave and bye, Kara took off on Krypto back to the town she had promised to meet Kal at. The entire ride there her thoughts were filled with the green-eyed girl that intrigued her, and she knew they would meet again.